I've been Kombucha obsessed for quite a while now and have experimented with different flavours to get the most out of my favourite probiotic, gut healing drink!
It has helped to heal some stomach problems that I had and I am constantly recommending it to everyone to at least give it a try!
For those new to Kombucha, you can flavour your drink after it has finished the first round of fermenting. This is usually after around 10 days. After that, you can bottle it up into airtight bottles (which is called the second ferment stage) and add in whatever flavours you like to really make your Kombucha pop! (Quite literally, my bottles have popped all over my kitchen!)
You leave your bottles to ferment for another few days or up to two weeks, depending on how deep a flavour you are after. Generally the longer you leave it, the tarter it becomes. Also, the fizzier it becomes!
My absolute favourite flavours, quantities and timings are listed below, although you may need to play around with your timings to get it how you like it.
Second ferment -
Ginger - a few thinly sliced pieces of ginger per bottle. Leave it for only 3-4 days. Produces huge amounts of fizz! Very tasty and the ginger comes through nicely.
Raspberry & Vanilla - 6-8 frozen organic raspberries. Leave it for up to 2 weeks. 1/2 tablespoon organic vanilla paste. Not as much fizz or flavour as ginger but much more mellow and delicious all the same.
Mango & Coconut - 1/4 mango diced into each bottle with 1/4 cup coconut water. Leave for approx 7 days. Very fizzy! Had a little Kombucha explosion over my kitchen when I opened one of these bottles. Super delicious!
I have been reading a lot lately about natural beauty masks and one that I was really interested to try just seemed too simple to work! Why do we always need things to be complicated to believe them? I have only used organic coconut oil as a cleanser and moisturiser on my face for quite a while and have wanted to find a mask that would hydrate and brighten my skin. I read a post on Kimberly Snyder's blog about natural face masks, I have seen these natural remedies around quite a bit but after I read it this time I really wanted to try it out for myself. You can read her post here.
It seems so simple I know, but your skin will love you for it. Think about what really goes into those (most) store bought products. They are full of synthetic ingredients that do more harm that good to your skin.
What you need
1 tablespoon raw honey
Juice from 1/4 lemon
What you do
Mix above ingredients together, and spread all over your face
Leave it on for 15-20mins
If you move around the house be sure to carry around a wash cloth underneath your face as you will drip!
It is recommended you only do this once or twice per week as the lemon can be quite drying.
This is great for people with acne as the lemon & honey are both antibacterial. Also great to refresh and brighten your skin. The lemon helps to reduce blackheads and even lighten skin pigmentation!
My skin was left super soft and noticeably brighter, even after the first time.
Let me know what natural facial masks you like to do in the comments below! I would love to try some others.
Images sourced from:
http://www.ojavanproducts.com/images/768lemon.jpg
http://nourishmintwellness.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/raw-honey1.jpg
This is a great week night meal, it's very filling and you can make extra to take to work with you the next day for lunch, or even use the leftover chicken for sandwiches.
Serves 2 as a main meal, with leftovers!
Paleo Crumbed Chicken
Ingredients
2 organic, free range chicken breasts, each breast sliced long way to make about 3 pieces per breast
2 tablespoons coconut flour (or regular flour)
2 eggs, whisked
1 teaspoon of paprika & 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup almond flour(you may need a little more or less)
Any other herbs you have on hand, I used oregano & thyme
2-3 tablespoons coconut oil for frying
Directions
Coat chicken in flour, paprika, garlic powder & herbs
Dip the chicken into the whisked eggs
Dip the "eggy" chicken into almond flour to coat
Heat fry pan to medium-high heat
Cook chicken a few minutes each side until cooked through
Set aside, keep warm and get cracking on the other items
Other salad ingredients
1 head cos lettuce, washed & chopped
5 eggs, boiled
5-6 rashers thin bacon pan-fried until crispy
2 tablespoons of sunflowers seeds or any other seeds you have in your pantry for some crunch
Directions
Layer all ingredients together & top with sliced crumbed chicken!
Creamy Tahini Dressing
This is a delicious versatile dressing, similar in taste & texture to hummus
Ingredients
Juice of half a lemon
2 tablespoons natural yoghurt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon tahini ( I used unhulled, it is much stronger so if your not that keen on the taste you should use the hulled tahini)
1 small clove garlic, minced (very fine)
A pinch of sea/rock salt
Directions
Whisk or blend all ingredients until delicious & creamy
Drizzle over your salad or serve on the side for dipping
Bee xx
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