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Ageless Beauty Naturally Part 3

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Ageless From The Inside Out: Real Food Remedies series

Since true health and ageless beauty begin from within, I’m sharing one of my most trusted food-as-medicine remedies for whole-body renewal, a nourishing “miracle soup” that gently detoxifies the system and revitalizes the complexion from the inside out.

And because so many of my friends and clients have been hit hard by this early cold-and-flu season, I’m also including my favorite post-viral recovery recipe to help rebuild energy, strength, and radiance when your system needs it most.

Cleansing & Restoring Inner Balance … The Bieler’s Soup Reset

A Cellular Cleansing & Adrenal Support Classic

Nutrition Notes:


  • Cleanses without depletion
  • Rebalances adrenals and skin clarity
  • Nourishes cells and supports alkalinity

After times of stress, overwork, or illness, our digestion and skin often tell the same story: fatigue, dullness, and a sense that our system needs a gentle reset. One of my favorite ways to restore balance comes straight from the legendary Dr. Henry Bieler and from my beloved mentor, Eileen Poole, who first introduced me to his teachings.
This simple, elegant soup has supported countless clients through recovery, hormonal transitions, and detoxification. It’s powerful medicine disguised as comfort food, and is a therapeutic reset for both body and spirit.

Dr. Bieler created this soup for his patients, and Eileen shared it with me during my very first visit with her in 1979. Since then, it has remained a mainstay in my personal daily diet. I enjoy a cup in the morning with steamed vegetables, cooked grain, and protein; another cup at lunch; and I keep a diluted cup at my bedside to sip if I wake during the night.

Eileen often recommended a short “Bieler’s Soup” fast, especially after holiday indulgences, periods of stress, weight fluctuations, or when feeling a bit under the weather. Over the decades, my clients have lovingly renamed it “The Miracle Soup” because they consistently report feeling better, looking younger, and maintaining their ideal weight with just 1–2 cups a day.

A short 1–3 day reset using this soup remains a favorite for gently jump-starting weight loss, balancing cravings, clearing post-holiday heaviness, and warding off early signs of illness. Excess weight melts off, cravings calm, and vitality returns when this Miracle Soup becomes part of your daily rhythm.
Enjoy … your body will thank you.

Bieler’s Soup for Beauty and Balance

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 Zucchini sliced uniformly (medium size)
  • 1 lb. Fresh or Frozen Whole Green Beans
  • 1 Handful of Parsley Tops (No Stems)(optional) 2 Stalks of Celery sliced with strings removed. If you don’t like the texture of added celery, just steam and have some on the side.

Variation that helps detox heavy metals:

Add 1 large handful of fresh de-stemmed cilantro to the above recipe.

VIP If you have any digestive, elimination issues or kidney problems omit the celery.

Instructions:

Fill a large pot with 1/3 filtered water and add all the ingredients. Cover and cook in rapidly boiling water for12 – 15 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender but still retain their fresh color. Then place all ingredients in blender and puree in batches until smooth. If too thick, just add water to dilute each serving to taste.

Season with any of your favorite herbs. i.e. paprika, oregano, garlic, ginger, lemon, lime or basil. Serve hot or cold.

I like to make my “mother batch” plain so I can add a different flavor to each cup. Do not add salt. You can add a pat of unsalted butter to each serving for extra body.
Some of my favorite no salt seasoning blends are made by Frontier and The Spice Hunter.

Rebuilding Vitality After Illness/ Post-Viral Energy Boost

With cold & flu season upon us, many of my friends and clients have been asking for ways to restore energy after recent viral infections so they can get back to enjoying holiday celebrations. One timeless remedy came to mind, a restorative recipe first shared with me by Eileen Poole in the 1980s and also recommended by Dr. Henry Bieler. It’s been a favorite among my clients (and me) ever since.

Some nutrition experts may disagree with using beef liver even if it is pasture-raised and organically fed, but I stand by decades of clinical observation and personal experience with the remarkable efficacy of this whole-foods remedy. After 40 years of observing women’s recovery patterns stand by the results. Real-food nutrients simply work.

For those who prefer other options, a high-quality B-complex or organic, pasture-raised liver powders can also be excellent alternatives.

Purpose: Deep replenishment after lingering viral illness; restores vitality, adrenal strength, enhances immune function and improves blood quality through nutrient-dense natural foods and gentle Jin Shin Jyutsu self care support.

Nutritional Notes:

Liver: replenishes blood, iron, B-vitamins.

Greens: alkalize and move lymph; provide folate and magnesium.

Mushrooms: strengthen immune intelligence (beta-glucans).

Ginger: warms digestion and improves circulation.

Olive oil + mirin: soften and harmonize the dish’s intensity.

TAM Energetic Notes:


  • Restores blood quality for strength
  • Warms digestion and supports immune balance
  • Centers the body and steadies the mind

Liver Boost Mini-Meal Plan

Therapeutic Phase (2–3 x weekly for 2–3 weeks)

Purpose: Deep replenishment of post-viral depletion, adrenal and immune support

Maintenance Phase (1–2 x weekly as needed):

Purpose: Sustain energy and prevent post-viral fatigue recurrence

Liver Boost Recipe

Ingredients (1 serving):

  • 2 oz pasture-raised, organically fed beef liver, cubed (broiled or sautéed lightly)
  • 1½ cups mixed Power Greens (baby kale, chard, spinach)
  • ½ cup mushrooms, sliced (shiitake, cremini, or maitake for immune modulation)
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp olive oil (first-press, high polyphenol)
  • 1 tsp mirin (Eden brand) adds sweetness and balances liver’s earthy toneOptional: splash of lemon juice or pinch of Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt

Instructions:

Sauté liver cubes in olive oil until just browned (still tender inside). Add mushrooms, ginger, and mirin; toss briefly. Add greens at the end and sauté lightly until just wilted. Finish with lemon if desired.

Serve with a side of Bieler’s Soup, recipe above.

Enhancement Options:

  • Side of bone broth with scallion and wakame for minerals and electrolytes.
  • Between liver days, emphasize egg yolks, avocado, sardines; all are rich in B-vitamins and cofactors.
  • Hydrate with warm water and diluted Bieler’s Soup to support detox pathways.
  • Jin Shin Jyutsu Self Care Support:

DM me with your email if you would like a copy of a Jin Shin Jyutsu SEL (special energy location chart).

If your body feels drained, give it the nourishment it’s asking for. Rebuild from within, beauty and vitality will follow.

Coming Next Month:
Getting Back On Track After The Holidays

Stay tuned for this empowering Holiday reset guide to self-care, timeless beauty, and wellness from the inside out.

Have a question or a natural healing story of your own? I’d love to hear from you, reach me at kaaren@kaarenjordan.com

To learn more or schedule a virtual or in-person personalized consultation visit:

https://healingessences.com

Ageless Beauty Naturally Blog Part 2:

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                           Ageless Beauty Naturally Blog Part 2:

                               Ageless Beauty at Your Fingertips

In the early 1990s, many of my Los Angeles clients in their 40s began asking for natural ways to slow the aging process. Their requests sparked what became a 19-year journey of study, experimentation, and refinement. Drawing on the foundations of Jin Shin Jyutsu®, whole-foods nutrition, and traditional natural healing, I developed a method that focuses on a holistic approach to ageless beauty.

That exploration led to my self-care workbook Ageless Beauty from the Inside Out and ultimately to my signature approach: Natural Facial Rejuvenation, a gentle, non-invasive method that helps restore health, vitality, and radiance from the inside out.

This approach includes both a simple, highly effective self-care component, I call Ageless Beauty At Your Fingertips, that can be easily learned virtually and a relaxing, hands-on in-person experience for those who wish to feel the restorative power of therapeutic touch and deeper energetic balance.

                                What Is Natural Facial Rejuvenation?

Natural Facial Rejuvenation is a gentle, non-invasive method designed to restore vitality, radiance, and balance to the skin. It draws upon holistic nutrition, the Japanese wellness art of Jin Shin Jyutsu®, and the wisdom of traditional Asian medicine to support circulation, encourage collagen renewal, ease stress, and promote ageless beauty from the inside out.

Whether learned virtually or experienced in person, this method helps awaken the body’s innate intelligence to rejuvenate and renew itself naturally.

Because the quality of the skin reflects the harmony of the whole body-mind, true radiance can only come from within. Stress, worry, and fatigue disrupt hormonal balance  and raise cortisol levels which contribute to collagen loss  and greatly accelerates the aging process. By harmonizing energy flow and calming the nervous system, Jin Shin Jyutsu® self-care helps lower stress levels, rebalance hormones, and create the inner calm that shows up as outer glow.

                                              What Is Jin Shin Jyutsu®?

Jin Shin Jyutsu® is an ancient Japanese healing art rooted in similar principles as acupuncture and other energy-based systems.  It works by harmonizing the flow of energy which is sometimes called “life force” through specific pathways in the body.

When energy flows freely, we feel calm, radiant, and balanced; when it’s blocked, we may experience pain, fatigue, or emotional distress.

These pathways mapped thousands of years ago supply vital energy to every cell, muscle, bone, and organ. By using our own hands as “jumper cables,” we can gently restore flow and support the body’s natural healing ability.

This is truly ageless beauty at your fingertips.

 

              Jin Shin Jyutsu® Natural Self-Care for Ageless Beauty

                              “Ageless Beauty At Your Fingertips”

 

          The Finger Holds – The Foundation of Inner and Outer Radiance

One of the simplest and most effective ways to practice Jin Shin Jyutsu® self care is by gently holding your fingers individually.

Each finger corresponds to specific emotions, organ flows, and physical functions. Holding a finger for a few quiet minutes can harmonize over 14,000 bodily functions, helping to release tension and bring balance to the body and mind.

This daily foundational practice done in conjunction with the Main Central Vertical Flow restores the smooth flow of energy, reduces stress, helps calm the nervous system and naturally lowers cortisol levels. As cortisol levels balance, the skin’s ability to produce collagen improves, circulation increases, and the complexion becomes more vibrant and alive.

You can do these foundational routines anywhere, on awakening while still in bed, while resting, watching tv, listening to music or winding down before bed. This gentle, mindful practice can be either calming or energizing, depending on what your body needs in the moment.

Over the years, I have seen the greatest success when clients begin their Jin Shin Jyutsu® self-care by first learning the simple foundational practices which include the Finger Holds, the Main Central Vertical quick flow, and the Fountain of Youth Fingerhold, making them a daily habit for the first three to four weeks. Once these become familiar and natural, I introduce a few other foundational flows adding targeted flow combinations and additional fingerholds tailored to their individual needs and wellness goals. This gradual, layered approach builds confidence, consistency, and lasting results.

 

                              What Each Finger Helps With

THUMB
Organ Flows: Spleen & Stomach
Supports: fatigue · digestion · skin vitality · nervous system · nausea
Attitudes Harmonized: Worry · Rumination · Depression

INDEX FINGER
Organ Flows: Bladder & Kidney
Supports: back · teeth & gums · elimination · muscular & fluid balance
Attitudes Harmonized: Fear · Self-criticism · Perfectionism

MIDDLE FINGER
Organ Flows: Liver & Gall Bladder
Supports: eyes · headaches · tendons · blood function · calmness
Attitudes Harmonized: Anger · Frustration · Irritability · Indecision
(General harmonizer for emotions and all body functions)

RING FINGER
Organ Flows: Lung & Large Intestine
Supports: respiration · skin · ears · elimination
Attitudes Harmonized: Sadness · Grief · Negativity · Letting Go

LITTLE FINGER
Organ Flows: Heart & Small Intestine
Supports: heart · circulation · skeletal & fluid systems
Attitudes Harmonized: Pretending · Denial · Judgment · Over-effort

PALM CENTER – Calming the Whole Being
Placing the fingers of one hand over the opposite palm brings deep relaxation and overall harmony. This simple gesture can quickly center the nervous system and reconnect you to your Source of Life.

                               How to Practice

1) Sit or lie quietly and bring your attention to your breath.

2) Gently hold one finger at a time with your opposite hand.

3) Stay with each hold for a few minutes or until you feel warmth or a sense of release. Continue to hold until you feel either a rhythmic pulsation or a sense of deep relaxation.  If you haven’t yet developed the sensitivity to feel energy flow through your hands, you can simply take 1–3 full breaths per hold, or just hold each finger for as long as it feels good.

4) Breathe naturally and notice how your body and mind respond.

Holding the fingers even a few minutes a day can reduce stress, quiet the mind, and awaken your natural radiance, no tools or special training required.

 

                   Main Central Vertical Flow -The Core of Energy and Beauty

    Quick Version

This foundational flow is a form of “daily energy hygiene”, like brushing your energetic teeth. It realigns you with your Source of Life and supports every function in the body. Practicing morning and evening maintains balance, vitality, and harmony.

Because this flow harmonizes the central nervous system, it is also one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and regulate cortisol, which in turn supports healthy collagen production and skin renewal.

Step 1:

Place your right fingertips or hand on the top center of your head and place your left fingertips between your eyebrows. In some spiritual traditions the location between your eyebrows is referred to as the Third Eye, which opens intuition.

Hold until you feel either a rhythmic pulsation or a sense of deep relaxation.

If you haven’t yet developed the sensitivity to feel energy flow through your hands, you can simply take 1–3 full breaths per hold, or just hold each step for as long as it feels good.

Tip: Some people enjoy doing this flow while lying down or supported by pillows, especially under the right arm for comfort.

Step 2:

Keep your right hand on the top of your head and move your left hand to your pubic bone.

Breathe naturally and hold until you feel the energy pulse or sense of ease.

Step 3:

Keep your left hand on your pubic bone and move your right hand to your tailbone.

Hold until you feel either a rhythmic pulsation or a sense of deep relaxation.

Practicing the Main Central Vertical Flow morning and night nourishes every organ, balances hormones, quiets the mind, and sets the foundation for true ageless beauty.

I consider the MCV a vital cornerstone for energy maintenance.  It centers and energizes me in the morning, then helps me unwind and release the remnants of the day at night. This simple yet profound flow supports the body’s natural rhythms and keeps the inner current of life flowing freely.

Once you’ve become comfortable with the foundational Finger Holds and the Main Central Flow, you’re ready to explore the deeply restorative Fountain of Youth Fingerhold. This additional fingerhold is a nurturing practice that expands the benefits even further, awakening vitality, self-love, and emotional harmony from the inside out.

 

                                   The Fountain Of Youth Fingerhold

This special fingerhold was shared with me by my beloved mentor and friend, Lynne Pfluegger, a master Jin Shin Jyutsu® teacher, in the mid-2000s when I was going through menopause. It is one of the self-help variations of the 13 Flow used in hands-on Jin Shin Jyutsu® treatments and has become one of my clients’ favorites because it’s so simple, soothing, effective and easy to do anywhere, anytime.

This powerful hold not only helps cultivate ageless beauty and deep cellular regeneration, but also harmonizes the hormonal and gastrointestinal systems and supports the immune system.

Also known as “The Self-Love and Empowerment Flow,” it helps dissolve the energetic patterns of grief, loss, and emotional trauma, bringing in self-acceptance and renewed vitality. It also promotes harmony in relationships, opening the heart and helping us see life from another’s point of view with greater compassion and understanding.

                                               How to Practice

Step 1: Sit or lie quietly and bring your attention to your breath.

Step 2: Gently hold the middle finger of either hand by wrapping the fingers of your opposite hand around it. Place the thumb of the opposite hand in the center of the palm of the hand you’re holding.

Step 3: Stay with this fingerhold for a few minutes, or until you feel warmth, pulsing, or a deep sense of relaxation. If you haven’t yet developed sensitivity to the subtle energy flow, simply take 1–3 full breaths per hold, or remain for as long as it feels comfortable and nurturing.

Step 4: Breathe naturally and notice how your body and mind respond. A feeling of calm, release, or renewed lightness often follows.

              Personalized Guidance for Lifelong Radiance

While these foundational self-care practices can bring profound benefits on their own, personalized guidance allows you to go deeper. In my virtual and in-person consultations, you’ll receive a customized holistic plan that includes:

  • Individualized Jin Shin Jyutsu® flows
  • Natural facial rejuvenation techniques
  • Nutrition and lifestyle guidance
  • Clean, effective skin care recommendations

Together, we design a natural, sustainable path toward lifelong radiance, balance, and inner harmony.

 

Explore more tools, resources, and inspiration at:

https://healingessences.com/

 

My books offer step-by-step strategies to support vibrant health, weight loss and ageless beauty:

 

 

 

  Coming Next Month: Ageless Beauty From The Inside Out

Since ageless beauty isn’t only skin-deep, you’ll also receive my favorite diet tips for nourishing your skin from within, including:

  • A “Miracle Soup” to detox your entire system and brighten your complexion
  • A simple Omega-3 rich food you can add daily for smooth, supple skin

Stay tuned for this empowering guide to self-care, timeless beauty, and wellness from the inside out.

Have a question or a natural healing story of your own? I’d love to hear from you, reach me at Kaaren@kaarenjordan.com

To learn more or schedule a virtual or in-person personalized consultation visit:   https://healingessences.com/   or connect through  https://healingessences.com/contact-us/

 

 

A New Philosophy For Post Menopausal Skin Care

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Ageless Beauty Naturally

A New Philosophy For Post Menopausal Skin Care

Many of my clients over 60 have asked me for natural skin care tips that deliver results without the irritation and dryness that strong actives can create. Their requests inspired me to open my Ageless Beauty blog series with this important topic. Post-menopausal skin has unique needs, and by blending timeless natural approaches with modern understanding, we can support the skin’s resilience, radiance, and vitality as we age.

Before exploring the research and recommendations, I want to share my own experience, what I discovered about my skin after menopause and how it shaped the approach I now recommend to clients.

My Journey With Post-Menopausal Skin Care

After turning 72, I noticed that my favorite skincare lines were no longer delivering the results I wanted. Even after layering natural retinols, vitamin C serums, AHAs, and multiple hydrators, my face and neck still looked dry and dull.

Working with a trusted colleague, I reviewed every aspect of my lifestyle from diet to daily habits and even consulted my physician for a full panel of blood tests. Nothing significant appeared out of balance. Both my doctors and colleagues attributed the changes to aging and declining hormones. Since I was thriving on my current low-dose NBHRT plan, with both saliva and blood tests showing optimal ranges, I was reluctant to increase hormone therapy. Instead, I began looking for other solutions.

I found anecdotal reports and small studies suggesting that for women over 60, low-dose estriol (a gentle form of estrogen) applied topically to the face and neck could improve skin quality, firmness, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Many natural skincare experts also note that post-menopausal women often respond better to gentler routines with fewer strong actives like retinols, AHAs, and glycolics than they used prior to menopause. Encouraged, I began experimenting.

I located four estriol creams, one over-the-counter from a trusted NBHRT physician and three from prescription-based companies and ordered them. Before introducing estriol, I discontinued all retinols, AHAs, and glycolics, and returned to a basic, dry-skin-focused regimen.

Within five weeks of applying estriol cream nightly, alongside a combination of ARCONA and Gaelle Organic products, I noticed meaningful changes: improved elasticity, smaller pores, more luminosity, and a visible reduction in fine lines and pigmentation.

I’ve used ARCONA products since the 1990s, and today at 74, I’ve refined my regimen to blend ARCONA’s “nature meets science” philosophy with the deeply restorative, botanical focus of Gaelle Organic. For me, this pairing has worked beautifully: a simple framework similar to my much loved ARCONA original Basic Five for Dry Skin, combined with select Gaelle Organic products and a compounded estriol face cream, keeps my complexion balanced, supple, and resilient. My focus is not on chasing every new ingredient but on supporting my skin barrier, maintaining hydration, and encouraging just enough turn over to stay fresh and radiant.

Note on Estriol Face Cream

Estriol is a gentle form of estrogen that can support mature, thinning skin. However, because it is hormone-based, it is not suitable for everyone. Women with a history of estrogen-sensitive conditions should consult their healthcare provider before use.

If Estriol is not an option, substitute with a deeply hydrating or barrier-repair cream such as Ultra Sensitive Crème by Gaelle Organic or an ARCONA lipid-rich moisturizer and adjust your use of exfoliants and actives according to your skin’s tolerance.

Rethinking Strong Actives After 60

Many natural skin care experts now caution against routine use of strong resurfacing agents such as AHAs, glycolic acid, and retinols in women over 60, especially with dry or sensitive skin. The focus shifts from “correction” to support: maintaining barrier strength, comfort, and luminosity.

While these actives can be helpful in earlier decades, the needs of mature skin are different, and gentler strategies are often more effective.

                 Why Strong Actives May Be Problematic

  • Skin thinning: With age and the natural decline of estrogen and collagen, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Strong exfoliants may strip too much.
  • Barrier vulnerability: Mature skin is more prone to dryness, irritation, and a weakened barrier.
  • Heightened sensitivity: Sun and environmental triggers have greater impact, and harsh resurfacing can magnify this sensitivity.

Nourishing Alternatives For Actives

Instead of forcing rapid turnover, many women over 60 can benefit from treatments that soothe, replenish, and restore:

  • Gentle fruit enzymes (papaya, pumpkin, pineapple) for light exfoliation.
  • Low-concentration lactic acid (such as yogurt masks) for hydration and mild resurfacing.
  • Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, for firmness and fine lines.
  • Botanical oils and ceramides to support barrier repair.
  • Gentle facial massage, gua sha, or lymphatic techniques to encourage circulation and skin vitality.

Key Tips for Post-Menopausal Skin

  • Choose targeted serums: Select serums that meet your needs, not trends.
  • Exfoliate mindfully: Limit to 1–2 times weekly, and keep it gentle.
  • Customize hydration: Richer creams and balms may be needed, especially in winter and in drier climates.
  • Consistency over intensity: A steady, simple routine outperforms aggressive treatments.
  • Layer with patience. Allow each product a few minutes to absorb before applying the next to maximize effectiveness
  • Prioritize sun protection: Daily SPF 30+ plus hats or shade.
  • Add small luxuries: Silk pillowcases reduce drag on your skin and hair, keep skin cooler, and improve sleep.
  • Be realistic about how many products you’ll actually use and what fits your budget.
  • Make sure to stay hydrated from the inside out by drinking half your body weight in ounces of pure water daily sipped through the day.
  • Eat a whole foods diet rich in quality protein, healthy fats, fresh fruits and veggies avoiding processed foods, alcohol & sugar.

My Gentle Favorites for Sensitive, Dry Skin

From ARCONA:

  • Basic Five (Dry Skin) – A balanced foundational system that can be adjusted seasonally with richer moisturizers or serums as needed.

From Gaelle Organic:

  • Soap Supérieure – A creamy, non-drying cleansing bar that leaves skin soft.
  • Ultra Sensitive Crème – A restorative moisturizer that doubles as an eye cream.

Some women prefer the full Gaelle Organic approach; others lean more toward ARCONA or mix both. The key is to experiment and discover what best supports your skin.

Skin Care Products Contact Guide:

  • ARCONA – Natural-meets-science skincare (Basic Five legacy regimens, serums and more). arcona.com | (877) 272-6620
  • Gaelle Organic – Luxury organic skincare for dry/sensitive skin. gaelleorganic.com | (805) 396-0332
  • Belmar Pharmacy – Prescription Estriol creams & bioidentical hormone compounding. belmarpharmasolutions.com | (800) 525-9473
  • Musely – Online dermatology platform offering prescription skincare. musely.com | (866) 540-1122
  • Alloy – Online Estriol prescriptions via licensed providers. myalloy.com
  • Randolph’s Age Defense Cream – OTC Estriol face cream. www.drrandolphswellnessstore.com

Final Thoughts

At this stage of life, true radiance isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about choosing wisely. A consistent, gentle routine combined with nourishing products, protective lifestyle choices, and a touch of hormone support (if appropriate) can keep mature skin healthy, comfortable, and naturally luminous.

Explore more tools, resources, and inspiration at: https://healingessences.com/

My books offer step-by-step strategies to support vibrant health, weight loss and ageless beauty:

Have a question or a skin care story of your own? I’d love to hear from you, reach me at Kaaren@kaarenjordan.com

Coming Next Month: Ageless Beauty at Your Fingertips

Discover a simple, natural facial rejuvenation routine designed to bring out your skin’s inner radiance. I’ll be sharing a step-by-step basic technique and insider tips to help you create beautiful, glowing skin at home. But since ageless beauty isn’t only skin-deep, alongside this foundation routine, you’ll also receive my favorite diet tips for nourishing your skin from within, including:

  • A “Miracle Soup” to detox your entire system and brighten your complexion
  • A simple Omega-3 rich food you can add daily for smooth, supple skin

Stay tuned for this empowering guide to self-care, timeless beauty, and wellness from the inside out.

 

 

Quick Cinnamon Apple Butter

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Quick Cinnamon Ginger Apple Butter

Cinnamon Ginger Apple Butter on a rice cake is one of my favorite afternoon snacks.  I like Lundburg’s Lightly Salted rice cakes topped with this simple recipe plus a dollop of plain Greek Yogurt and/or a sprinkle of sliced almonds.  This apple butter is also yummy with oatmeal and raisons or just stirred into plain Greek yogurt.

2 cups apples with skin on cut into 1” cubes. My favorite apples for this recipe are Pink Lady, Opal, or Envy, but any of your favorites will be fine.

1 cup unsweetened apple juice
2 tbls to ¼ cup fresh ginger coarse chopped. How much you use depends on how spicy you like your apple butter
1 tbls cinnamon

Place apples, ginger, and apple juice in a saucepan.  Bring to a low boil and simmer covered for 10-15 min or until the apple juice has almost boiled out.  Check and stir frequently.

Cool and put into a food processor with the cinnamon.  Process until smooth.  If you like a chunky apple butter, process less.

Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Recipe Of The Week…..Tofu Cutlets Marinara

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TOFU CUTLETS MARINARA

Another new recipe for tofu that my husband Gene says is the best one yet.

Ingredients to “bread” tofu cutlets:

  • Extra firm tofu cut into 4, ½” cutlets.
  • 1/3 cup oat bran powdered in food processor into a flour
  • 2 tbls. no Salt Italian Pizza Seasoning (I like Frontier or Spice Hunter brands)
  • 2 tbls extra Virgin Olive Oil plus 2 tbls reserved for browning cutlets.

Mix oat bran flour, seasoning, and olive oil together.  Press onto both sides of drained and dried tofu cutlets.  Put aside until ready to brown in a skillet.

When ready to brown cutlets heat pan, add oil when pan is hot and brown tofu cutlets on both sides.

Ingredients for marinara sauce:

  • 1/3 cup diced red pepper
  • 1/3 cup rinsed sliced black olives
  • 1 tbls minced shallots
  • 2 tbls thinly sliced fresh basil sliced
  • 1 tbls extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup Heinz Wellness line ketchup of choice
  • 1/3 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbls no salt Italian Pizza seasoning of choice
  • Low sodium shredded Parmesan reserved for garnish

OPTIONAL:  serve with a side of steamed veggies. Your choice of steamed zucchini, broccoli, or green beans topped with shredded parmesan drizzled with oiive oil.

Saute red peppers and shallots in oil until just tender, and stir  in olives and seasoning.  Fold in ketchup, basil and tomatoes.  Pour over browned warm tofu cutlets and garnish with parmesan.

Serves 2

Quick and Easy Tofu Cucumber Salad

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My husband Gene asked me to create some different recipes with tofu, so here’s the newest one.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup organic extra firm tofu cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber cut into half- moons (English or Persian best)
  • 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
  • 2 cups radish or daikon sprouts. If you like a milder taste use alfalfa or clover sprouts).  Reserve until ready to plate & serve.

Dressing:

  • 2 tbls low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tbls rice vinegar
  • 2 tbls toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tbls finely minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tbls finely minced shallots or green onion
  • 2 tbls sesame seeds Plus 2 tbls reserved for garnish.

OPTIONAL: ¼ cup unsalted toasted sliced almonds or peanuts

Place all ingredients (except sprouts) in a bowl and fold gently together, then transfer to a flat covered container.

Mix all dressing ingredients together and pour over veggies & tofu.  Gently toss all veggies in dressing. OPTIONAL: fold in nuts.  Cover and marinate at least 15 minutes, but better a few hours.

To serve: make a bed of sprouts on a plate and top with marinated  veggies and tofu. Garnish with reserved sesame seeds….and ENJOY!!!

Sweet and Sour Tofu

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This newly created recipe is my husband Gene’s new favorite.

 Ingredients:

  • 2 cups brocolli cut into bite sized pieces
  • ½ cup snow pea pods
  • ½ cup sliced shiitake mushrooms or mushroom of choice
  • ½ cup carrots sliced thinly and cut into half moons
  • 1/3 cup celery sliced thinly
  • ½ cup thinly sliced bok choy or nappa cabbage
  • 1 cup organic firm tofu rinsed and cut into small cubes
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red pepper
  • 4 tbls coconut oil ( Divide into 2 tbls. to cook marinated tofu in and 2 tbls to cook drained steamed veggies in)
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice reserved for serving.

OPTIONAL:  ½ cup choice of chopped raw,  unsalted peanuts, walnuts, shelled pistachios, or peanuts

Marinade Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tbls honey
  • 4 tbls minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tbls minced shallots
  • 1/3 cup coconut water
  • 2 tbls rice vinegar
  • 1 tbls Eden natural mirin
  • 1 tbls toasted sesame oil

Mix all ingredients, pour over tofu cubes in a flat container with a lid.  Marinate tofu for at least 30 minutes, but best overnight.

Place all veggies, denser veggies first in a large non -stick skillet with ½” water.  Cover and steam until barely crisp.   Drain well.  Heat 2 tbls coconut oil in pan, add drained steamed veggies and toss well.

In a separate pan, heat 2 tbls coconut oil and add marinated tofu.  Cook over medium heat stirring gently until marinade thickens.  Fold into steamed veggies mix.    OPTIONAL: Add nuts of choice.

Serve over a bed of cooked brown rice.

ENJOY!!!

Simple Easter or Passover Brisket Recipe

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Simple Easter or Passover Brisket Recipe
4 lbs brisket, chuck roast or beef short ribs
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 325. Season brisket, roast or ribs to taste on both sides. Place in a baking dish and cover either with foil or a lid. Roast for 4 hours.
Remove the roast from the oven and shred with a fork. If roast not pulling apart easily, roast for another 30 min. Raise heat to 425 .
Toss all shredded meat in the rendered fat/meat juices. Put back in the oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes until carmelized on the ends.
Serve with veggie of choice . I don’t like potatoes or grains with this very rich and heavy dish.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH PARMESAN

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This is one of my husband, Gene’s favorite meals, sans the cooked ground meat since he is a vegetarian. So easy to make and a tasty no pasta, all vegetable dish.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH PARMESAN
1 large spaghetti squash cooked (either baked at 350 until tender when pierced with a knife or microwaved until tender when pierced with a knife. Set aside until cool.
Veggie mix:
• 1 cup thinly sliced button mushrooms
• 2 tbls. minced shallots
• 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini
• 1 cup small broccoli florets
Water saute all above in a covered skillet until barely tender.
Add in EVOO, seasoning of choice and Optional ground meat until fully mixed.
• 2 tbls EVOO
• 2 tsp No Salt Italian Herb seasoning mix ( I like Frontier Brand Pizza Seasoning blend or Spice Hunter Pasta Seasoning blend.
OPTIONAL:
• 1 cup cooked ground turkey, chicken or beef seasoned with any no salt Italian blend herb mix.
Reserve the following ingredients until after folding in Veggie Mix:
• ¼ cup finely chopped parsley (reserve a tsp or 2 for garnish)
• 1/ cup sliced black or green olives rinsed to remove salt
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Cut spaghetti squash in half, remove and discard any seeds. Shred flesh with a fork. This will produce “spaghetti-like shreds. Fold Veggie mix and Optional ground meat into spaghetti squash shreds. After well mixed toss in Parmesan, parsley, and olives. Microwave for 30 sec to 1 min. Plate and garnish with chopped parsley.
Serves 2-4 depending on if used as main course or side dish.

EASY HOMEMADE DOG FOOD

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Sometimes I like to alternate my whippet’s “go To” Honest Kitchen meal with a week or so of homecooked. Below is a simple, easy to prepare recipe that sits well with my sensitive whippet’s GI tract. The Holistic Vet Blend vite/min mix is formulated to balance the nutrition needs of your dog.

RACIE AND REESE’S FAVORITE HOMECOOKED MEAL

1lb choice of ground beef, chicken or turkey

5tbls mix of finely ground spinach, yellow squash & apple

½ cup finely ground carrot

1 cup low sodium chicken broth (Pacific makes a good one)

1 tbls coconut oil

1 5/8 cup choice of well cooked basmati rice, long grain brown rice, quinoa, sweet potato or russet potato

2 tsp Holistic Vet Blend Limited Ingredient Vitamin and Mineral Mix formulated to balance above recipe.

HVB Dog Food Premix: Canine Supplements for Homemade Food

Saute ground meat in coconut oil, add cooked grain of choice and all finely ground veggies mixing well. Add chicken broth and cook down to desired consistency.

When cool mix in Vite/ Min so evenly distributed.

Makes about 6 cups food. Racie is 25 lbs and gets 2 ½ cups daily.