Health: What’s All The Hype About Coconut Palm Sugar?

 [Photo Courtesy of Spencer's Market]

If you’ve done any research of your own on coconut palm sugar, you may have come across this article, The Truth About Coconut Palm Sugar: The Other Side of the Story or this one, Coconut Palm Sugar: Friend or Foe, both of which raise concern over the “health” benefits of CPS, with the latter having a somewhat more positive take on the matter.  To round it out, here is an article by Gnosis Chocolates advocating it as a sustainable, healthy sweetener of choice.  As with anything, there are multiple sides to this story.

Basically, there are four main reasons coconut palm sugar is being touted as a healthier alternative to granulated sugar: (1) low glycemic index (simply meaning it won’t cause as much of a blood sugar spike); (2) more nutrient rich (minerals and B vitamins); (3) minimally processed (only heated to evaporate the water); and (4) sustainable (coconut palm trees grow almost anywhere in the tropics and do not require much tending).

So what do I think about all of this?  Let me begin by stating that sugar is always still sugar, so I do my best to reduce my overall consumption, satiating my sweet tooth with fruits and other naturally sweet whole foods instead of constantly chowing down on things with added sugar.  Yes, I know, those still have sugars, but they occur naturally in those whole foods and I am also getting the other whole food nutrients at the same time.  And when I do use sweetener, for instance in all my homemade sweet treats, I use just a touch so you know you’re eating dessert, but not enough that you have a sugar high afterwards.

I appreciate that coconut palm sugar may (and hopefully is) a healthier alternative and I will most likely be using it along with honey and dates to sweeten my treats.  Most importantly, though, is that the way I think about sugar is the same stance I take for “dieting” (as read in “Health: The Diet Conundrum”): moderation is key.

Since I purchased coconut palm sugar, I’ve only used it a couple of times, but love it already! The lovely caramel notes make it perfect for baked goods like these Peanut Butter Cornmeal Cookies I made on Tuesday.  I’m looking forward to having a healthier alternative to granulated sugar that I can use in my baked goods since honey doesn’t always bake quite as well.  It also worked nicely in our cabbage salad last weekend.

For a list of other natural sweeteners and their benefits, check out Eat Naked Now’s post, “Know Your Sweets: Natural Sweeteners 101.”

Do you use natural sweeteners?

Gardening: Insects You Want In Your Garden

As summer approaches, Hubby and I are thinking and planning more on how to incorporate a small garden into our lifestyle.  I know I want to grow tomatoes and herbs, he wants some spicy peppers, and we also want to make a container garden for a bunch of vegetables to grow together (any ideas?).  But growing an organic garden isn’t easy.

Luckily I recently came across a post on Mother Earth News all about Beneficial Insects, you know, the ones you want in your garden!  Head over to Mother Earth News now to read up and expand your gardening knowledge.  And feel free to share any other organic gardening tips.  We need all the help we can get!  And while you’re at it, I’d love to know what’s growing in your yard.

DIY: Silverware Cheese Markers

I love vintage and I love to repurpose.  What better than to be able to combine the two?  Today I’ve got a fun DIY that would be great for gifts or to have on hand for yourself.  Do you know anyone who loves cheese?  Hubby and I made these for my MIL for Mother’s Day and she loved them!  They’ll go wonderfully with the slate cheese board we got her for Christmas.

What You’ll Need:

Silverware

Hammer(s) (standard to flatten the silverware and mallet for your metal stamps)

Bench Block or Concrete Surface

Metal Stamps

Ultra Fine Point Permanent Marker

Sand Paper

First things first.  Hammer your silverware flat by laying it face down on a bench block or concrete surface, securing the handles (I used my foot) and hammering until flat.  You may need to flip the silverware a couple of times to make sure they’re completely flat, and don’t forget to flatten the handles, too.

Next you’ll want to separate the spoon tops and fork tines from the handles.  I simply bent them back and forth over the edge of a brick until they popped apart.  I then “sanded” the rough ends of the silverware against the concrete until smooth.

Now it’s time to stamp.  We found it best to place a piece of thin cardboard or the sandpaper underneath the silverware to cushion it enough that it doesn’t bounce and mess up your lettering when stamping.  Align your first letter stamp on the silverware and do one strong hit.  If you use enough force, you shouldn’t need to hammer each letter more than once, but if you need to (we did a couple times), carefully realign the letter stamp and do one more strong hit.  Continue with each letter until finished.  Keep in mind, you will be filling the indent with sharpie, so if the letters don’t seem to pop the way you want now, they will.

Almost done!  Using your ultra fine point permanent marker, trace the indent of the letters, then smooth the surface of the silverware with the sandpaper to clean off any excess marker.

Did you notice I didn’t stamp my fork tines?  Well they were a little too small for the size metal stamps I have (5/16 inch).  If your stamps are smaller or your fork tines larger, they should work.  The solution?  Fork tines can be used with a fine tip dry erase marker for custom cheeses.  Crisis averted!

Not only are these a great addition to your cheese and wine parties, but the possibilities are endless with silverware: garden markers, wall hooks, place cards, table numbers.  What are you going to make with your silverware?

Spring Crafting

 Photo Courtesy of Inspired By Charm

It’s been Spring for more than a month now, so I hope you’ve had a chance to do some Spring cleaning, or at least added it to your to-do list, or at the very least thought about it.  I did some cleaning out a couple weeks ago, tossing clothes, shoes and beauty products I no longer wear or use, and it felt great!

But as cleansing as Spring cleaning can be, crafting is so much more fun!  Gear up for some craft inspiration and head over to Pinterest’s DIY & Craft section as well as my Pinterest DIY Project board.  Check out my crafting section right here on the blog too!

I always have lots of ideas on my craft to-do list.  Right now I’m looking forward to making a few bug repellent soy wax candles for the backyard, luggage ID dog tags, a workout shirt from old t-shirt, an essential oil diffuser, a pallet coffee table, wine bottle candles and wine bottle candle covers (with our new bottle cutting kit).  What’s on your craft to-do list?

Health: The Diet Conundrum

 Photo Courtesy of Naturally Ella

I don’t know about you, but I am so tired of hearing about the latest and greatest diet.  It seems everyday someone has a newer, better, faster, cheaper version.  But what’s all the hype?

My diet is just that, my diet.  The term “diet” has this new connotation attached to it so hard (like super glue) that anytime I mention my diet, someone almost certainly asks me which one.  Huh?

The dictionary definition of diet is simply: “The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats,” (Dictionary.com).  I habitually eat whole, unprocessed or minimally processed, mostly plant based foods.  All the research I have done (and continue to do) has helped me decide this is the healthy way I want to eat and live. Yes, it’s a lifestyle.

We’ve talked about processed foods here before (see Food + Recipes and Health), so I won’t regurgitate it all again, but a huge take away is that moderation is key (which should go for many aspects of life, not just eating).  I vary my diet between whole grains, nuts, beans/legumes, dairy, fruits and vegetables, with the very occasional seafood or meat addition.  Since I’ve been eating clean (as some call it), I feel better: more energy, healthy weight.

For the record, being healthy is not just about diet; hydration, exercise and rest are just as important.  It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it.  The hardest parts for me are passing up sweets (which is why I make so many healthier sweets at home to satiate my sweet tooth); staying hydrated (since I forget to drink water – don’t ask me how or why), exercising as much as I know I should (since sometimes I am just tired and lazy), and getting enough rest (since my mind doesn’t always stop when my body does).

How do you live out your healthy lifestyle? What’s keeping you from fully experiencing a healthy lifestyle?

Almond Beeswax Body & Face Moisturizer

Earlier this week we talked about my new face scrub, how’d you like it?  I hope it went over well, because today I’ve got a body and face moisturizer for you!

And boy does this concoction make for some soft skin!  Gentle enough for your face and lips, yet strong enough for your toughest dry spots.  It’s pretty thick, but soaks into your skin nicely and doesn’t leave an oily feeling behind.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can play around with different ingredients and scents.  For a more body butter texture, try adding or substituting shea and/or cocoa butter.  Or experiment with whipping the mixture in a blender.  I had almond oil and almond extract at home already, so that’s what I used.  Vanilla extract would smell yummy too!

ALMOND BEESWAX BODY & FACE MOISTURIZER

Sourced from Wellness Mama

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond oil (you could also use olive oil)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup beeswax (I used pellets)

1 tablespoon almond extract

Preparation

Add about an inch of water to a medium saucepan.  Place a glass jar or wax pouring pot (what I used) upright in saucepan, then add oils and beeswax.  Heat through, stirring occasionally, until melted and thoroughly mixed.  Remove from heat and immediately add your scent, mixing well.  Pour into your storage container (I used an 8 oz glass canning jar) until completely cooled.

Because of the ratio of room temperature liquids (almond oil + almond extract) to solids (coconut oil + beeswax), it is pretty firm at room temperature,  more of a pomade.  In the summer, when the house is warmer (or hot like ours since we don’t use AC), it may melt, which is okay.  When melted, it’s obviously not as thick so a little goes a long way.  To use when it’s solid and thicker, lightly rub with your fingers and it will melt onto your finger tips (for small applications like lips or hands), or use the back of your finger to scrape off larger chunks for full body use.

UPDATE: after using this for a few weeks now and feeling how thick it is, I prefer to use it as a spot treatment for dry hands, feet, knees, elbows, etc.  I mixed up a smaller batch adding in a little olive oil which thinned it out and works wonderfully for everyday, full body use.

Homemade Oat & Herb Facial Scrub

I’ve been busy cleaning out the last of my over the counter beauty products the past couple of weeks.   On my long to-do list of homemade products was facial scrub.  I can happily say I’ve checked that one off my list, and yet again, it’s one of those why-did-I-wait-so-long-to-do-this things.  Seriously, it’s so easy and inexpensive. What are you waiting for?

I love that there are so few ingredients and you probably already have these at home, I did.  The original recipe calls for almonds, but I used flaxseed (since I accidentally grabbed the wrong mason jar, oops!) and it worked perfectly.  For the herbs, since the recipe calls for chamomile, yarrow and elder flowers which I did not have on hand, I used the herbs from tea bags, specifically Trader Joe’s Pear & Ginger White Tea.  This not only gives you the external health benefits, but it makes the scrub smell amazing!

OAT & HERB FACIAL SCRUB

Adapted from Crunchy Thrifty Healthy Cool

Ingredients

Oats

Flaxseed or almonds

Herbs

Oil (almond, jojoba or olive)

To prepare, simply use a ratio of 3 parts oats to 1 part flaxseed or almonds and 1 part herbs.  Finely grind the almonds and oats separately, add to a mixing bowl and toss with herbs.  Slowly add the oil to your desired consistency.  I like mine a bit wet, but not soaked.  It will be crumbly.

To use, wet your face and hands, scoop out about one tablespoon of the mixture and massage into face, circling upwards.  For best results, allow scrub to rest on your skin for at least a minute prior to rinsing.  This allows all the good stuff to actually get into your skin.  Rinse with warm water.

My ratios: 1/4 cup oats, 1 1/2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (approximately), 3 tea bags, 4 tablespoons almond oil.

The mixture before adding oil:

The finished product:

I’d love to hear your experience with this scrub or any others you’ve made before.  Leave your comments below!