Cypress Firming and Anti-Aging Serum Recipe

dec 2014 heartweed : I am posting this one after I have been using it for a couple of months. It really does work. I even noticed it also faded/removed spots on the back of my hands. Use better quality essential oils in glass bottles. I purchased  oils from vitacost.com 

2 TBSP. Rosehip Seed Oil 

2 TBSP. Sweet Almond Oil 

10 drops of Cypress essential oil 

10 drops of Geranium essential oil 

7 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients in a 2 ounce glass bottle.  You can use this serum morning and night.  I prefer to only use mine at night.  Like all serums, less is more.  It only takes a small amount to cover your entire face and neck.  If you use too much, you will feel quite greasy!

So there you have it!  A short and sweet recipe that will moisturize, firm the skin and even tone.  It’s a well rounded anti aging serum that I’m sure you are going to love!!

More about the ingredients from primally inspired: 

Rosehip oil- Rosehip Oil penetrates deeply into the lower layers of the skin.  It regenerates cells and increases collagen production. It is rich in vitamin C, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and retinoic acid, which studies have shown it brightens and tightens skin!   It also helps restore skin’s elasticity, fade age spots, reduce broken capillaries, and balance oil glands.   It is very beneficial to dry, irritated and mature skin.

Sweet almond oil- Sweet almond oil is full of vitamins D, E, B1, B2 and B6, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Vitamin E helps fight wrinkles and has a firming effect on the skin.  Almond Oil is light and absorbs easily.  Using sweet almond oil daily can greatly reduce dark circles under the eyes as well as scars and dark spots.  It helps to renew skin cells and rev up circulation.  It is wonderful at nourishing dehydrated skin. I believe it is one of the top (if not #1) carrier oils for reversing the signs of age.  In fact, it is said to be the closest to the oil found in a babies skin-how cool is that? 

Cypress Essential Oil- Cypress Oil is a powerful firming oil.  It improves circulation, strengthens blood capillaries, is antibacterial, anti-infectious, and anti-microbial.  Cypress oil is amazing for varicose veins and broken capillaries.

Frankincense Essential Oil- Frankincense has skin regenerating properties.  It is an astringent, which means it tightens and balances pH.  It helps to even skin tone as well as diminishing the appearance of scars and spots.  Frankincense is anti tumor, antiseptic and antibacterial.

Geranium Essential Oil-Geranium is my favorite essential oil for the skin.  When in doubt-add Geranium.  Geranium is great for regenerating skin and revving up circulation.  It is extremely healing.  It also promotes even distribution of melanin-which helps even out the overall tone of the skin.

Garlic Roasted Broccoli 

Ingredients

1. 2 heads of broccoli, cut into florets
2. 3 tbsp olive oil
3. 5 cloves of garlic, minced
4. 1 tsp salt
5. 1/2 tsp pepper
6. 1 tsp lemon juice
7. Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, black pepper and garlic. Spread the broccoli in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Bake until florets are tender enough to pierce with a fork and the edges are browning, about 15 minutes. Turn once halfway through the baking process and add red pepper flakes, if using. After baking, squeeze lemon juice liberally over the broccoli before serving.

By Rebecca Bohl (PaleoGrubs.com)

SALTED CARAMEL PECAN PIE no CORN SYRUP

thespunkycoconut.

Crust:
1 cup of cashews, soaked for 3 hours, rinsed, and strained
1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Filling:
1 packed cup pitted Medjool dates, soaked for 3 hours in 1 cup of water (save the soaking water)
1/4 cup coconut oil or ghee
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

Fold In: 
2 cups salted roasted pecans, plus more to garnish

HW: Before you begin see my note at bottom for texture of puree. 

1. Set the oven to 400°F.
2. Puree the cashews, oil, honey, and vanilla crust ingredients in a food processor fitted with the S blade for about 1 minute. Add the shredded coconut and puree to form a ball.
3. Using wet hands press the crust into a glass pie dish. Do NOT pre-bake the crust.
4. Add all of the filling ingredients, including the soaking water, to the blender and puree until smooth. Fold in the pecans, then add the filling to the unbaked crust. Garnish the pie with more pecans.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F, and bake for 10 minutes more.
6. Allow to cool on the counter, then refrigerate to set.

Hw: I am not sure if I would use the soak water, you normally soak raw nuts to remove natural toxins. I maybe would just use a little warm water as needed to make the puree. Which she states is more like a crumbly fine mix. 

Coconut Flour Cheddar Drop Biscuits

¼ cup coconut oil or butter, melted
1/3 cup sifted coconut flour
4 eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Blend together eggs, coconut oil or butter, salt, and onion powder. Combine coconut flour with baking powder and whisk into batter until there are no lumps. Fold in cheese. Drop batter by the spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. For a cheesier biscuit increase cheese to ¾ cup.

Paleo Cornbread
Kelly Bejelly @ A Girl Worth Saving

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup of coconut flour
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¼ cup and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil melted
• ¼ teaspoon of Rough ground Celtic Sea Salt
• 1 teaspoon of Caraway Seeds, ground (optional)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. Take out your 4 eggs and bring to room temperature. I crack mine in the blender and let them sit for 20 minutes or so.
2. Add the apple cider vinegar, water and ¼ cup of melted coconut oil(not hot so you don't cook the eggs) blend on low for 30 seconds.
3. Then add in the coconut flour, garlic power, salt, ground caraway seeds and baking soda and blender for one minute.
4. Grease your baking tin with the 1 tsp coconut oil. I used two small mini loaves for this recipe.
5. Pour the batter in your pans and bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Optional - if you want to get that nice golden look - 1 minute before you take the bread out of the oven, rub a small tsp of coconut oil on the top and broil on low until you get the color you want.
7. Enjoy!

Apple and Sweet Potato Bake

from livesimplyme

Ingredients

• 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped apples
• 2 TB pastured butter, cubed
• 2 TB raw raw honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400º.
2. Add the apples and sweet potatoes to a baking dish or cast iron skillet (like this). Top with honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pinch of salt. Toss the ingredients together. Add the cubed butter to the top of the mixture.
3. Cover with foil or a foil alternative and bake for 25 minutes until the potatoes are soft.
4. Serve Warm.

Chocolate Peppermint Snack Balls

from primally inspired

• ½ cup butter (for dairy-free use coconut butter)
• ¼ cup cacao powder (find HERE)
• ¼ cup raw honey (find HERE)
• ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 drop of food grade peppermint essential oil (I use THIS

Instructions

1. Ensure butter is at room temperature
2. Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl
3. Line a plate with parchment paper and make the mixture into balls (hint- using a melon baller or a tablespoon measure makes this process easy!)
4. If you desire, sprinkle some optional toppings on the chocolate balls (Ex- coconut flakes, sea salt)
5. fridge or freezer.