Archives for May 2012

Hungry? Limber de Coco (Coconut Cream Popsicle)

May 30, 2012

I was feeling a little nostalgic of my childhood this past weekend…. and as with everything my greatest memories are always food related. So I came online and looked up a recipe for a Limber de coco (Coconut Cream Popsicles). I found this very simple recipe and seems as though the site owner who posted the recipe was feeling the same way because she described it perfectly.

See, in my neighborhood also, was a lady who would sell a wide variety of “Limbers” for 25 cents. Only difference was that they were in cups as opposed to Popsicle molds (got more bang for my change really). Nevertheless I was able to recreate this very cherished memory all over again.

What I used

(for exact recipe check it here)

Sugar

Bowl

Cinnamon

Vanilla Extract

Coconut Milk

Evaporated Milk

Popsicle mold or Plastic Cups

In your bowl add the coconut milk

Add Evaporated Milk

Add Sugar

Add Vanilla Extract

Add Cinnamon

Mix it all together

Add to your desired molds and enjoy!

I skipped the egg part because I was a bit iffy about that. Another option is the shredded coconut. The only thing was the mold slipped right out, so I had to scrape it out with a spoon….either way the taste was on point making the little girl in me travel back in time for a bit.

Sunday’s Inspiration……………

May 27, 2012

On my way back home from some Memorial Day festivities today I decided to stop by my local Micheals’s for some jewelry inspiration.

I picked up these Tiger Eye Chips.

I’m thinking about incorporating them to an evil eye amulet earring I’m working on.

I’ve been into black, red and white lately. So I picked up these red and white beads to complement a few black beads I’ve had waiting around……..

I’ve also had these lying around…..

Will be putting them to use soon as well as these……

Just a few things to keep this lazy Sunday night going.

Let’s see what I put together with today’s inspiration.

My Week in Photos

May 25, 2012

My favorite second to the Louisiana crunch, Raspberry danish twist…yes it lives on my night stand!

I’ve been experimenting with banding on my hair. Which is basically tying hair bands to create the look above and some what stretch the hair. The picture in the blue top was done with freshly roller set and wrapped hair a few weeks ago. The middle was banding after air drying. I’ve been getting bored of my usual buns for protective styling and thought this would be an interesting alternative to give my hairstyles some variety. When I let the bands out, I’m left with an interesting pattern of deep waves and curls.

Picked up the drying lotion and some samples.

Working on an amulet recipe post.

Stay tuned.

☆

Strawberry Face Mask

May 22, 2012

I’ve been indulging in strawberries now that they’re popping up everywhere in season. In addition to eating them I love to add them to my facials.

What I used:

~Strawberries~

Reduces swelling

Antioxidant-Repairs skin damage

Balances oily skin and combats acne

Salicylic acid-Naturally exfoliates skin of dead skin cells

~Honey~

Moisturizes

Kills bacteria

Soothes and smooths skin

After mixing the strawberries and honey together I simply add the juice and strawberry pieces to my face and let it sit for 15 mins. I leave this in my fridge and use it every other day for a week or so, making a new batch every 5-6 days. Now that my sinuses seems to want to act up, this facial helps calm my irritated skin from all the sneezing and rubbing. I follow up with a moisturizer and my skin feels soft and supple.

Coconut Oil Honey Pre-poo

May 15, 2012

A few weeks ago I gave my hair some much needed TLC. Work has pretty much consumed most of my time and desire to do much with my hair. Although I have stuck with deep conditioning every weekend, no matter my schedule, my hair has been suffering pretty much in between mostly due to laziness and neglect. So I decided to add a few extra treatments to bring it back to life starting with a coconut oil and honey pre-poo treatment.

Honey never fails my hair. It always leaves my hair shiny and soft so I had to work it into a treatment. Coconut oil added to the mix helps strengthen and add moisture to my hair as well. I decided to warm the honey and oil because I wanted to do it on slightly dry hair. So I warmed the mix for easier distribution throughout my hair.

In a double boiler (my way!) I added the ingredients. Left it in my hair for about an hour (20 mins under the dryer). Then shampooed my hair with Giovanni Tea tree to help clarify.

I like this shampoo first time trying Giovanni products and so far loving it.

The Tea tree Invigorating shampoo leaves my scalp clean and fresh! I followed up my routine with Queen Helene’s Cholesterol (added a little bit of avocado oil) went under the dryer for 20 mins, rinsed and followed up with Giovanni’s Conditioner.

I went with a little bit of salerm 21 as a leave in. Did my roller sets and went under the dryer….. these were the results.

I haven’t been doing much to my hair. Shame on me I’ve been hitting up the salon quite often (although it’s been 2 months since direct heat) so I’m doing some minor damage control.

I then wrapped my hair for a slightly straight wavy look. Overall I was left with soft shiny hair as expected. My hair is in pretty good shape just that I’m due for a trim soon since my ends are a bit burnt. Otherwise maintenance and limited heat has been the name of the game. I’m looking for a solid regimen I may come up with one soon since I need to start babying my hair again.

Your Aura: Unlocking The Door to Opportunity Part 2

May 13, 2012

As mentioned in Part one, by now you should already have your intent set and ready to start balancing your Aura. Now all you will need is several ingredients and those thoughts you’ve set in motion.

Where to get your ingredients:

Your garden, local supermarket, cupboard and basically anything from anywhere that will inspire and work with your intent can instantly become your ingredient. The possibilities are endless when it comes to concocting your aura bath. As you will see some ingredients come from the same stuff I use to cook at on a regular basis. Others you can find at many new age stores as they call them, festivals etc or at botanicas known throughut NYC’s afro caribbean neighborhoods.

What I Got:

This bath in particular I got at a Botanica for $7. These types of baths are usually so elaborately decorated just like the other bath I picked up here, so I’m usually attracted by one or the other every time I visit a botanica. I went with this unlocking bath because it instantly brought to mind the thought of a door flinging right open. I thought to myself, “before you can begin any path you must unlock the door to that path.”

What I got it for:

Considering for whom I was catering this bath for, unlocking a door seemed appropriate for this person. So this bath is definetly for the type of person who is afraid to even turn the knob to see if it’s locked in the first place!

Before I opened this bag I was expecting the usual dried herbs I usually find in these pouches. But to my surprise I found a bunch of colorful pine cone like flowerettes. When I opened the bag I gasped and went “ohh”. Only because I was really surprised, they were so cute! It was a rather pleasant surprise and I had very good feelings because I knew this bath was off to a good start.

The first thoughts that came to my mind when I saw these colorful pine cones were the Pineal Gland and the Chakras. Chakras for the colors and Pineal gland (aka Third Eye) for the association that organ in our brain has with pine cones. Pines cones are said to be used as symbols for the pineal gland which is closely related to dreams, psychic abilities and so on.

The Ingredients:

When making Aura baths the type of water you use depends on you. You can use tap water or buy distilled water. In this case I used distilled water. No matter what type of water I choose I always take a moment to “charge” my water. I may simply say a few things associated with what I’m trying to accomplish (for example: This bath is to strengthen my aura, I take a moment to charge this water to help strengthen my aura against negativity, sickness etc) or I meditate on it for a while envisioning what I hope the bath to accomplish. It all depends on you and the energy you put forth.

These pines cones were a very delightful surprise….. their association with the third eye turned out to be very interesting because that’s just what I hoped for this bath to achieve. To open the mind, the third eye into a greater understanding of not only our surroundings but most importantly ourselves.

The ingredient for any aura bath really depends on what you wish to attract. In this case we are looking to attract prosperity, opening of the mind to greater understanding of one self and dispelling negative vibrations and thoughts.

Cloves

Cloves are very useful for any type of bath. Cloves are used in spiritual magic to drive away negative energy. It also purifies the aura when used in a bath as well as attracts prosperous energy to help enhance your manifestations.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds were added to this bath to help unlock the door to greater paths. You can also read more on sesame seeds mentioned in a post here. Sesame is said to help unlock doors in the personal sense of overcoming obstacles in one’s life.

Cinnamon Sticks

Cinnamon is one of my favorite magical ingredients and often use them in most of my personal baths. Cinnamon is often time used to enhance spirituality. So if your on that curious path of knowing the greater purpose of it all cinnamon can be a great mind opener. Can be used for success, healing, power and for spiritual meditations as well.

Although not pictured, I also added a few bay leaves for an extra added touch. I let this simmer slowly for about an hour. Then I top it off and let it sit until cool. Once everything is done I use glass bottles and seal them with labels. It’s a very interesting process and while doing an aura bath especially for others, you want to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings.

I always plan ahead and choose quiet mornings to get my baths started. With a clear mind and focused intent anything can be done.

How to use your aura bath

As mentioned you want to have fully visualized what you want the aura bath to accomplish. It’s always best to start simple. I always ask for peace, balance, wisdom and inner tranquility. With those self developed qualities I know I can achieve anything.

Once you have taken your mundane bath and rid yourself of the physical grime and dirt you want to give yourself a final rinse with your bath. I usually get two baths from a bottle like this. I have a separate cup in which I add warm bath water to help with the cold weather. Since summer is right around the corner that won’t be necessary. If possible you can let your self air dry otherwise lightly patting yourself dry will also suffice.

So let me know how it goes. Remember you can always add a little extra or take away.

It’s all up to you.