A NEW ASTI FOR HOLIDAY MEALS

A New Asti for Pouring

Drinking Moscato from Gallo Family Vineyards is like eating fruit. The family vineyard just keeps on pleasantly surprising me with their wine selections.

 I just tried their Moscato today.  It’s a great Asti-sweet, juicy and very boldly tart! It’s produced in Argentina but tastes very Italian. It might be a tad too sweet but  I think it will be excellent to serve with  my Holiday meals.

And at about $5 for a 4 pack of little bottles, this sparkling wine will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas.

But at the moment, all I can think about is how good summer Sangria will be next year made with Gallo’s Moscato. Hmmm…I’m wondering…maybe I can go ahead and make that Sangria now.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

HOW-TO CALM DOWN AFTER THE STORM

East Coast victims of Hurricane Sandy have all of my love and empathy.  I find that I'm feeling so unsafe and unsettled because of the  storm's shocking death and destruction. 

The aroma of coconut oil is extremely relaxing.  I did a hand massage with Extra Virgin Organic coconut oil and inhaled the relaxing fragrance to calm down somewhat.

You can also massage lavender, Turkish rose or chamomile essential oil drops into your hands for  quick relaxation.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO...love until next time.

READY…SET…HOLIDAY COOKING



Easy Coconut and Chocolate Holiday Dessert



Salt can’t be the only flavor in my food dishes this holiday season. So I’m starting my grocery list now to stockpile my favorite spices, flavorings and ingredients. 

I try to shop early so I won’t see an empty space where my  favorite spice was displayed before it sold out.

 Many ingredients are on sale now.

So I have to clip coupons and review sale papers for basic cooking needs soon.

I stockpile nonperishables like chocolate and coconut products.  Lots of spices and flavorings can be ordered online from grocery stores.  It’s worth it to avoid the frenzy in the baking aisles.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

5 NON-IRRITATING LIP GLOSSES



DON'T SETTLE FOR STINGING LIPS!



Just because it’s windy and cold outside doesn’t mean that I have to put up with burning or chapped lips.  When I don’t use plain coconut oil, I use a pretty lip gloss. One lip gloss I recently purchased irritated my lips badly.

It was the perfect shade of lip gloss.  I had been searching a long time for that shade.  I paid $34 and I bought 2.  My lips started burning an hour after I applied the gloss.  I will return the unused tube.

I put the opened tube in the back of a drawer and went back to my stash of the protective lip glosses I use in fall and winter.

Here are 5 lip glosses and moisturizers that I found won’t irritate my lips with stinging ingredients or strong scents. None need numerous reapplications.

1. Burt’s Bee Tinted Lip Balm
2. REVLON Super Lustrous Lip Gloss
3. NIVEA A Kiss of Moisture SPF 4
4. MARY KAY NouriShine Plus
5. TROPICAL TRADITIONS lip moisturizer, coconut oil, unscented, no color

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time.

COCONUT MILK NOW ON WALL STREET



Palms trees almost sprouted dollars in New York City. The maker of Silk Pure Coconut  brand of coconut milk, WhiteWave Foods , became a publicly traded company on Friday October 26, 2012.

The ending share stock price was $16.75 on the New York Stock Exchange, according to the Wall Street Journal.  Here’s a link to the WSJ Market Watch Report for WhiteWave Foods.

I’ve got to say that  WhiteWave’s decision to go public confirms that there is a strong American consumer market for coconut products.  Coconut milk is no longer an alternative food in the Western Hemisphere's northern latitudes!

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

DRENCH YOURSELF IN WATER-BASED FRAGRANCES

Ever feel nearly tipsy at an office meeting from the effects of a morning spritz of alcohol-based fragrance? 

Water-based fragrances don’t have the mind-numbing effects of the strong alcohol in some EDT perfume brands and are kinder to delicate skin.

Maybe you just can’t handle heavy perfumes anymore.

Water-based perfumes are an option.

3 water-based fragrances to consider--

NAUTICA OCEANS by Nautica is marketed for men as a sea-smelling fragrance. Actually, it’s has a unisex aroma of subtle white musk, greens and light florals.  The scent is very pleasant, perfect for daytime use. The American-made blend uses French perfumer Coty’s “long-lasting biodegradable water-based formula.”

The fragrance seems to last about 4 hours.

Oceans is discontinued but the Eau de Toilette Spray 1.7 oz., is still available online, deeply discounted.

Pink Sugar, Roll-on Shimmering Perfume by Aquolina is a youthful, candy-like fragrance that’s ultra-feminine with soap notes.  The aroma is intensive, clean-smelling and leaves my skin pretty with a shimmery glow.

Water is the first ingredient on the label which includes a tremendous number of ingredients. The Italian-made fragrance lasts about 3 hours. 

The roll-on, 1.69 oz. is available in stores and online for approximately $29.00.

caribbean therapy FLOWER WATER by AVEDA is marketed as a citrus-based fragrance with neroli, mandarin and orange that’s supposed to be “uplifting”. It’s refreshing as a mid-day spritz on arms, legs or the back of the neck. The product is very cooling.

Water is the first ingredient on the label.

Actually I had trouble smelling anything at first but I then I experienced a light, stimulating citrusy note after a few moments. This product is weakly scented and might disappoint orange scent lovers. It won’t compete with other fragrances you might be wearing.

All Aveda fragrances tend to be on the very light, feminine side.  Interestingly, their hair products tend to smell extremely strong, persistent and somewhat masculine.

The 6.7 oz. spray sells for $21 and is available at Aveda stores and salon counters.

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OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES ALCOHOL

I actively search for water-based scents. Crow and CB I Hate Perfume are 2 brands that I plan to try-out soon.

Perfumed bath powders and lotions are also excellent alternatives to alcohol-blended fragrance formulas. Perfumed oils are the best choice for longer-lasting staying power.

SOFTEN EDT PERFUMES WITH COCONUT OIL

 For fragrances that have a heavy alcohol presence, I protect my skin from the alcohol’s drying effects with a dab or two of coconut oil and a spritz of soft spring water.  I do this with all alcohol-based fragrances, especially EDT perfume spray versions. 

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

COCONUT WATER FOR AUTUMN

Fall's temperatures may be cooler but you can still get overheated and sweaty. Coconut water is for year-round refreshment and hydration.

You can work-up a real sweat raking leaves, performing garden clean-up, and doing outside home maintenance.  Add-in blustery winds, and it’s easy to get dehydrated.

Coconut water is not just for surviving the heat during summer days in northern latitudes or while performing aerobic activities in the gym. Coconut water benefits can keep you hydrated, in-shape and energized for everyday activities, throughout the seasons.

Performing everyday activities in the cooler weather can leave you very dry and thirsty.  For example, my car’s heater dries-out my skin and hair so I usually chug more water while driving in autumn.

Searching through a pumpkin patch with the family is big fun, but it can be exhaustive.  So have some coconut water ready in the car for the ride home.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

BE LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN

LAVENDER FIELD  WITH FULL, FRAGRANT BLOOMS

Here are some ways I use essential oils with pure, plain water for a refreshing aromatherapy change of pace. I frequently switch-up and dissolve fragrant oils in water instead of  carriers  like coconut oil.


TIPS FOR USING AROMATHERAPY OILS WITH WATER

1. Put any blossoms, but especially rose or lavender petals in muslin tea bags.  Soak the bagged petals (available at online stores) in a hot bath and enjoy the relaxing water while inhaling the lovely flower fragrance.
2. Place a few drops of bottled essential oil like chamomile in your bath water.
3. Add essential oils to your lotion and massage into your skin while you are still wet from bathing.
4. Use aromatherapy oils in a steam vaporizer.
5. Wet your hands or spray water onto your wrists, then massage-in a drop of lavender or other essential oil. Use gentle essential oils, like chamomile, in this manner on other parts of your body that need attention.
6. At midday, I spritz my face with refreshing mineral water  scented with rose oil. I keep the bottle of hydrosol in the refrigerator to get an instant cooling sensation.
7. Use fragrant water to revive your body, to freshen sheets or cleanse the surrounding air. Save money and simply add 10 drops of calming lavender, balancing rose or invigorating pine oil to a large spray bottle of distilled water or any restorative mineral water.
8. Add 5 drops each of eucalyptus oil and lemon oil to wash water, especially if you are using non-perfumed laundry detergent.
9. Add 5 drops of cedar oil to a wet cloth and throw it in the dryer to freshen just washed clothes.
10. Add 1 or 2 drops of lavender essential oil to the steam tank of your iron to freshen gently worn, but clean clothes.
11. Save money on household cleaning supplies by adding a few pine, lemon or lavender oil drops in a spray bottle of water. You can eliminate using heavy chemicals with artificial-smelling perfumes on light-duty cleaning jobs.

Pat Thomas for the COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

QUICK GOOD EATING WITH SPICE MIXES

Micronutrients in spices enhance my well-being and overall vigor. At the same time, spices minimize the need to use more salt and sugar to flavor foods.

Spice mixes are more convenient and easier for me to get to the good eating part. Nowadays, the blends are more authentically flavored than in the past.

SAMPLE Ethnic Blends include:

• French Herbs de Provence-great for beef and pork dishes
• Thai Spice Mix-excellent with shrimps
• Moroccan Spice medley-great to season rustic breads
• Italian Spice Blends-a pasta tradition
• Jerk Chicken Spices-great for the best chicken ever

Some American mixes include:

• New Orleans Gumbo Mix-try this with beans
• Pumpkin Pie Mix-great with fruit or chocolate
• Seafood spices bags-a necessity for crab and lobster
• Lemon pepper mix-blends with everything

SPICE MIXES FOR QUICK, EASY FLAVOR

The above are just some very basic blends that are generally available everywhere.  The good thing about these basics is that they can flavor a wide variety of dishes. 

For example, Pumpkin Pie Mix can be used to flavor everything from morning oatmeal, a sweet potato casserole for lunch and apple pie for dessert after dinner.  Lemon pepper can be used in dressing on green salads and to flavor baked chicken.

The key is to experiment 2 or 3 times weekly for literally more spice in your life.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

NOT WEARING BAD BODY ODOR ARE YOU?

Got BO but you're NOT SWEATING and you're FULLY-CLOTHED?

A stinky smell may be coming from your body, but it may not be your body odor.  New clothes and household fabric items, like sheets, can sometimes emit a smelly odor even before you wear them or sleep on them.

The fabrics’ foul odor is unnatural but animal-like at the same time. The smell is almost like human feces but not exactly.

Once, after I washed and dried a cotton skirt, I noticed a faint foul smell. The odor became much stronger after I pressed it with a hot iron, but just for a moment until the heat cooled-off.

I threw the skirt away because I figured that my body heat would also activate the bad smell. I thought that I just made an unlucky purchase. But later, I noticed the same odor on another garment purchased from a different store.

I did a search on the internet and discovered that other people had also noticed very bad smells on new clothes. One writer commented that an entire clothing store reeked of a foul odor.

Frankly, I don’t care about the theories on the smell’s origins. Bad odors are just unacceptable. 

As a result, I buy organic clothing and fabric items with certified dyes when I can. I frequently test for a foul odor on new purchases with a hot iron.

 I immediately return garments that stink.

Transforming your lifestyle means being vigilant about the fragrances you bring into your home. The distinctive natural fragrances of coconut, leather, silk, or woolens like cashmere can be as pleasing as a well-blended perfume.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

COCONUT EASY TO GO




PROBLEM PLUGGED! TRAVELING WITH COCONUT OIL

 

Leaking coconut oil won't drench the bottom of my cosmetics case while I’m on vacation ever again.  Kelapo Coconut has just debuted small, convenient packets of coconut oil.

 The 1/2 oz. travel packets contain 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.  That’s just enough to carry in my suitcase, lunchbox, beach tote or stash in my bedroom. 

This is just the latest in a line of conveniently packaged coconut oil products from Kelapo Coconut.  Their other products include cooking spray and baking sticks.

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…

NEW SCARY GM CORN SAFETY DEBATE

GM CORN SAFETY CONTROVERSY SEPT. 2012

The Russians are not coming. That is, not coming to get American corn products. Now would be about the right time to seriously think about switching to coconut oil for your main cooking oil.

According to numerous news reports, Rospotrebandzor, Russia’s consumer protection agency, recently suspended importation of American corn while their scientists examine and validate a French study linking genetically modified (GM) corn products to cancer.  Apparently other European agencies are also reviewing the study.

If you are concerned about your cooking oil, there are alternative products.

ALTERNATIVE COOKING OILS

1. Coconut oil for high temperature frying, sautéing and baking
2. Olive oil for sautéing
3. Palm oil for baking and stir frying
4. Sesame seed oil for sautéing
5. Butter for baking and sautéing (note, many cows are fed GM corn)
6. Lard for baking and high temperature cooking (note, most hogs are fed GM corn)

Literally billions of people in the world safely use one or another of the above oils.  All of these cooking oils have an history of human use going back at least 2 millennia.

They are all yummy-tasting too.

Recent News Reports about Corn products

In September 2012 numerous news outlets reported that a French university study linked genetically modified corn to tumors and cancer in rats.  Virtually all corn grown in the United States is genetically modified or GM. The study results and methodology have been contested by American agroindustrial giant Monsanto.

American farmers are the most productive in the world.  I do not believe that American farmers and agribusiness industry would knowingly produce and distribute a harmful food commodity.

This is not a scientific blog and I am not an agriculture expert, but from what I’ve read, consuming corn and corn products, GM or NON-GM, can have unintended consequences on human health.

That said, remember that native Mesoamerican farmers and homemakers were the first culture to successfully select corn varieties and modify finished grain with lime to make the grain suitable for human consumption.

News Source: Daily Mail Sept, 25,2012, online:  Russia Suspends Import and Use of American GM Corn

Pat Thomas for THE COCONUT LOVERS MOJO until next time…