Sunday, March 10, 2013

Beauty With Food

Making your own skin and hair products is simple and inexpensive to do.  And you can be sure that the results will be totally natural and gentle to your skin.

Age spots.  Buttermilk:  Here's an old-time remedy, used back when buttermilk was readily available on the family farm.  Buttermilk contains lactic acid, an ingredient also found in some cosmetics.  Splash it on, then lightly blot it to coat your skin with a slightly acidic mantle.  A buttermilk coating may cause some gentle peeling of upper skin layers that helps fade superficial age spots.

Bad Breath.  Parsley:  This herb is packed with chlorophyll, a natural germ-fighting agent.  Chew 10 to 15 sprigs with all of your teeth, especially the back molars.  Grind slowly and methodically for a few minutes, allowing the parsley to mix with saliva until there's nothing left to swallow.

Dry or Damaged Hair.  Butter and Cream:  For a super conditioner, mix 3 ounces each of softened butter and heavy cream to 3 ounces your regular conditioner.  Work it through your hair, then cover your hair with a warm, damp towel.  Wait 15 minutes, then shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

Does it have to be the holidays for a good sweet potato recipe?  I don't think so.The following recipe is Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars-these are good any time of the year!  This book, "Taste of Home, Best Holiday Recipes 2011" can be found on my Amazon storefront at www.amazon.com/stores/oneofakindcookbooks for $8.99.

Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars
1 package (18 1/2 oz) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter softened
1 egg
Filling:
1 can (15 oz) sweet potatoes, drained
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup (8oz) sour cream
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
1 1/4 cups granola without raisins
1/2 cup white baking chips
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

In a large bow, beat the cake mix, butter and egg until crumbly.  Press onto the bottom of a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
Place the sweet potatoes, cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, egg and pie spice in a food processor; cover and process until blended.  Spread over crust.
Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes or until center is almost set.  Meanwhile in a small bowl combine the sour cream, vanilla and remaining sugar.  Spread over filling.  Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over top.  Bake 5-8 minutes longer or just until set.  Cool on a wire rack. 
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Cut into bars.  Refrigerate leftovers.

Happy Cooking!


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