Back to my roots

My mother and I in the kitchen I grew up in

I recently had a week long visit to the house I grew up in.  I stood in the kitchen and had vivid memories of cooking.  I remember my mother coming home from work and starting the night's dinner. I would stand by my mom or help her prepare whatever she had decided we were going to have.  I remember the smells the most.  I remember the feeling I would get when I smelled something delicious from my bedroom and it would bring me to the kitchen.  The safe place, my true home. 

I never knew it was something I loved until I was older but at the time it was just plain fun.  I remember making my mother breakfast in bed as eggs were my specialty.  I remembered rifling through the pantry and the numerous spices my mother had and landing on curry powder.  I didn't even know it at the time but I was making authentic Indian food as 10 year old.  I would whip up curried potato and pea stew like I had been born into it.  I can still hear the sizzling and the happiness it would bring me.

Even then I felt peace when in the kitchen.  Years later it was my mother who suggested I go to culinary school.  It was never something I had ever given a thought to but once spoken I felt it to be my path.  I loved every minute of that 4 month intense course.  I commuted every day to Manhattan with my knife bag and chef's whites.  It felt good to have a passion.  Ever since then I have been involved with many facets of the culinary world.  From restaurants, health food stores and being someone's personal chef.  I have enjoyed all of these roles but I am still holding out for my own place.  I see it in my mind, I taste the food, hear the customers chatting and it fills me with hope.  One day, maybe.  I do know that when that day comes I will have my mother to thank.  I will thank her for being my inspiration and for showing me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.  Thanks Mom for knowing me better than I know myself and for trying every concoction(good and bad) I came up with to get to where I am now.

Working on my final at The Natural Gourmet Institute

Your skin needs good food too

Your largest organ, SKIN!  

Whatever you put on it is absorbed and digested just like food in your tummy.  I try to put as many natural ingredients in my body as I do on my body.  I am always on the look out for beauty products that are as close to nature as they can be and also cruelty free.  If it has to be tested on an animal to make sure it is safe then I want absolutely no part of it!  I go so far as making my own skin products as often as I can.  This time I made Grapefruit Sugar&Salt Scrub.  This scrub will have you glowing from head to toe.  The summer sun can dry out your skin and exposure to swimming waters, whether it be ocean, chlorine laced pool, or river/lake water can do the same.  I needed an Epidermis pick me up so I combined a few ingredients I already have in my cupboard and created something magical. I used extra virgin olive oil and grape seed oil  which are excellent antioxidant fighters!!!

Grapefruit essential oil is so good for fighting cellulite, boosting the lymphatic system, reducing muscle fatigue and stiffness,  giving your mood a positive lift and helping acne prone skin. It is also very high in Vitamin C which will help combat those mid summer AC induced colds. It also smells amazing!  

Here is the recipe I used to fill a 10 oz container.( I reused a store bought body scrub container)

2/3 c kosher salt(you can used sea salt if you prefer)

2/3 c organic unbleached sugar

25 drops Grapefruit essential oil

1/4 c c extra virgin olive oil

1/2 c grape seed oil

Put the sugar and salt in a container.  Add the grapefruit EO and give it a mix.  Add the oils and mix gently.  This scrub should not be too greasy.  If you see too much oil pooling on the surface add small amount of equal parts sugar and salt.

 I suggest wetting your body in the shower and turning the water off.  Take generous handfuls of scrub and massage into skin in a circular motion to stimulate the skin and lymph.  Rinse off, towel dry and GLOW!

Every day ingredients

Grapefruit Sugar&Salt Scrub