Marisa's Healthy Kitchen

I am sure many of you have seen those insane commercials touting that High Fructose Corn Syrup is the same as sugar. Not that sugar is great, but high fructose corn syrup; they are mad and probably marketing geniuses, but still! Check out this article on how Fructose is no bueno. I am not talking Delicious whole fruit, but the processed over-hyped high fructose corn syrup variety.

The sun is finally out!!!! I love summer 🙂 Now the funny thing is watching everyone baring their super pale winter skin! I have used so many self-tanners over the past several years. I always wanted that post-sun glow all year round! But you have to wonder about all those chemical you are putting into your body through your skin, even with the “all natural” brands. Here is a cool recipe that seems pretty harmless! I have yet to try this out, so if you do before I do, let me know how it goes!

Your Best Tan Recipe

This technique is so easy, you won’t be-leaf it.

Required time: About 30-40 minutes
Skill level: Goof-proof

Ingredients:
4 black tea bags
2 cups boiling water
Sponge or spray bottle

Optional:
Body lotion
Pure cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. When water has boiled, add the tea bags to steep. Leave in for 10-15 minutes, or until tea is dark and cool enough to touch. In the meantime, take a shower to ensure your skin is oil- and sweat-free.
2. Afterwards, make sure skin is completely dry. Stand on something you don’t mind getting dirty. If using a sponge, drench it in the tea and wipe all over your body. If using a spray bottle, fill it with tea and spray evenly.
3. Let skin air-dry and apply another coat for a deeper shade.

Tea will stain clothes if wet, so make sure you’re all dry before dressing. The “tan” should last 3-4 days.

Optional: For bonus color, mix cocoa powder into body lotion until you reach desired color and apply for an all-over bronzing boost.

Check out this article from the BBC News on how Ghent will be the first city to make such a bold move to lessen their negavtive impact on the envirmonent!  The Belgium city of Ghent annouced the entire city would be Vegetarian one day a week on Thursdays,  “Veggiedag”.   Also to make this easier,  the city will also be publishing and distributing “veggie street maps.” How fabulous is this!!

I am not trying to sway anyone to the Vegan Lifestyle, but everyone should read this interesting article in the New York Times. Paying a Price for Loving Red Meat

But if you are interested in going the Vegan direction check out this article by Mark Reinfeld (chef and vegan cookbook author) on How to Go Vegan (there is also a fun looking Vegan Shepherd’s Pie Recipe there too)

Pure Food and Wine’s Wine Director/long-time PFW Bartender, Joey Repice, gives some advice on pairing vegan food with organic wine in this Wine Enthusiast article.