My Families Garlic Salad Dressing

My niece visited us last week and after I made this simple salad dressing one night she asked for it every night for dinner.  I promised her I would blog the recipe.  So here it is...  ENJOY:)

My Family Garlic Salad Recipe

1/4 cup vegetable oil 

(I use women's oil or a mix of flax oil and olive oil)

2 cloves garlic minced

1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 1/2 tablespoons Raw Parmesan Grated

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients together and poor dressing over spinach or a mix of spinach and romaine lettuce, mix really well.  Sometimes, I sprinkle tomatoes and toasted pine nuts in for some prettiness (You all know how much I LOVE PRETTY FOOD:)!  This is absolutely wonderful and very healthy!  My staple dressing for sure!

Destini Molitor's Skincare Routine

My latest endeavor is a series of interviews of Inspirational Women.  In my very first interview, I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to interview my friend Destini regarding her skincare routine!  I hope you enjoy!  I know I learned a lot. 

   
Destini Molitor

Destini Molitor

My long time friend and Minnesota neighbor Destini Molitor is a true inspiration in many ways.  She always looks stunning even with the many demands she has on her time.  Destini’s latest volunteering with her husband Paul who is a former baseball player and Hall of Fame Member, and currently is a coach for the Minnesota Twin’s, was with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.  Starkey Hearing fits individuals with hearing aids locally and around the world.  This latest volunteering event was in the Dominican Republic; so of course this added more travel to an already busy schedule.  But, she seemed to be able to handle it all and at the same time keep up with her two grade school kids!  So, how does this busy Mom manage to take care of her skin with a demanding travel schedule?  I decided to ask and see if she would reveal her skin secrets and let me blog about her secrets… surprisingly she agreed!

1)  What does your morning routine look like?

My morning routine kind of changes depending on what products I have used in the nighttime.    But, basically I DO NOT wash my face EVER in the morning, unless I used makeup remover cloths after a late night. Washing my face in the am with my skin type can lead to dryness especially in Minnesota's winter months.  Instead, I use a toner to cleanse away any residue. Currently I’m using Rodan & Fields pore minimizer toner from their REDEFINE Line. My toner goes hand in hand with Rodan and Fields Lip Renewing serum, so it's dry when time to apply lipstick.  After a clean face and moisturized lips I start with my favorite serum's of the moment. They are both from Le Mieux's line.  First I apply TFG – B Booster followed by their Collagen Peptide Serum.  Then, I apply a daily face cream; I rotate using Rodan& Fields Anti-Triple Defense cream, Le Mieux Bio Cell Rejuvenating Cream, or Phytomer's XMF Perfection Youth Cream.  Finally, I always use an eye cream, currently Le Mieux Eye Wrinkle Corrector or from Rodan and Fields the multi function eye cream.  Phew, seems like a lot, but really this only takes about 3-5 minutes depending on who's in my bathroom, lol. 

I like to apply vitamin C also whether in a serum or cream.

 I have added pictures of some of the products Destini uses.  I hope this is helpful.  I also have added a tab in the "Tiffany's Therapy Store" labeled "Destini's Skincare" Where you can purchase some of the product if you are interested.

  

2)   What does your Night-time routine look like?

WASHING:  I wash my face every night. My nighttime routine is more intense with cleansing and exfoliation based on my skins needs. I like to use Rodan and Fields Daily Cleansing Mask from their REDEFINE line or Glymed plus Gentle Facial Wash (oddly enough Paul uses the same stuff).  2 times a week I incorporate Rodan and Fields Micro-Dermabrasion paste, that leaves your skin feeling like butter!  I follow with their Night Time Renewing Serum, apply the PM Overnight Restorative cream along with the lip renewing serum and I'm good to go.   Every Sunday night I use the Redifine Macro Exfoliator a hand held exfoliation tool that sweeps away dead skin cells, followed by a cooling serum (then repeat night time routine minus the cleansing).  It's amazing what lurks in the filter after you clean it out, thousands of dead cells, yuck. 

3)   What is the ONE thing you would always do if you could only do ONE?

Hmmmm, that's a tough one.  Kind of like choosing concealer over mascara :)  But I would say the one thing that ties all the products I use together would be (I try) a monthly Restoration Micro-peel (45 min) that Includes Dermaplaning (my favorite, no need for waxing lips, and the blade takes care of all peach fuzz) an AHA Peel, and a Treatment Mask all done at Niki Robison's brow and skin Studio found at www.nikirobison.com  in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.     

Destini

  

4)   Is your travel skin care routine different than your regular routine?

Yes, Funny you should ask.  The night before I travel I apply a Hydracontinue Relaxing Moisturizing Mask from Phytomer.   Then the morning of, I use Rodan and Fields Soothing Mask. Or I apply the Phytomer mask as a base if traveling in the am.  I daily use Dr. T’s Supergoop, SPF 35 Daily Correct CC Cream-Light/Medium as my foundation and then lightly brush on Glo- Minerals Pressed Base mineral make up with a favorite MAC brush (187 Duo Fibre Brush) that creates a finished look.  But as we know travel dehydrates the skin. So, I spray Revive Hydration Mist from Glo-Minerals throughout the flight that refreshes and sets your skin a glow.  I actually do this every am as well to set my make-up, and carry it in my purse.  This works great at the pool also; I like Mario Badescu's facial spray that contains Aloe, Herb and Rosewater, etc (Not expensive, but nice to stay Hydrated, and keep in your beach bag.)

 

5)   What Beauty advice would you give?

 What you put into your body you will receive back.  Be kind to yourself.  DON’T FORGET your NECK, CHEST and HANDS.  They should be treated as part of the face.  Keep a hand cream in your car with your cuticle oil for those long stoplights. I like Supergoop called “Forever Young Hand Cream with Sea Buckthorn SPF 40…It’s great! WATER WATER WATER…  SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP.

6) Do you take any vitamins for your skin?

Yes, Borage oil particularly for skin with many to follow that benefits body and skin.   

7) Are there certain foods that you feel benefit your skin? Why? 

I'm a huge believer in Greens/certain veggies/fruit.  I'm trying to eat 70% raw Greens/veggies/fruit, the rest protein.  I could right about this for a long time! I'm addicted to Truce Juice in Uptown (drinktruce.com)!  My Uncle Andrew Lonnquist is a chiropractor in Minnetonka (Lifesouce Chiropractic) and I remember walking into his office one day and saying, "Wow, you look so tan, where did you go?"  He gave me a puzzled look and explained it was probably from all of the raw carrots he was eating all week.  He really had a mystic like tan.. My skin and body looks and feel healthy when doing this. My body craves the greens when I'm not drinking/eating them. 

8) What is your favorite sunscreen? Why?

 I use the Sunscreens that are built into the product I use 35-40SPF.  Otherwise, I have relied on the Skinceuticals line, especially the sport UV Defense SPF 50, for longer days in the sun.  It has held up well against other SPF's I have tried for long days in the sun.  My husband applies this religiously when on the field.   

9) Do you have any other little skin care treats?

Well, every 2-3 weeks I apply a deep hydration mask from It Works, I love the way my skin feels and lifts afterwards.  My absolute favorite for events if there is no time for anything else is from SK-II, their facial treatment mask accompanied by their signs eye mask, leaves you looking red carpet ready!  Sleep on your back and if you must sleep on your side, sleep with a silk pillowcase for your skin and hair :)!  I personally always end up on my side. 

Destini

  Again… Many Thanks Destini for revealing this skin regimen to me and my blog followers; I truly believe we all need to help each other out and I know you believe in that too!  I had SO much fun talking with you... it makes me miss Minnesota more.   I hope everyone can see your true humor through this interview (i.e.  “Who’s in the bathroom with you?”  I have a feeling I know which two kiddos are in there)!   Miss you guys a ton and hope to see you all soon!  Also...thanks for humoring me by sending me extra photos, I always think pictures say more than all the words I type!!!

Swedish Girls Skinny Vegetable Soup

  If you think about it you don't see a lot of overweight Swedish women! I remember in my twenties people always asked how I stayed so thin.  I would always respond, "Calories in, Calories out"!  But, when I think about it, I also crave a vegetable soup when I'm feeling bloated or just icky.  Sometimes, I would detox if the soup didn't make me feel better.  But, I always would try to make this soup first and if I didn't feel any better after eating the soup for three days then, I'd dive into a detox (which usually means I get cranky, but that's just because the toxins are moving all around in my body).
The key to this is for three days you eat maybe a piece of Ezekiel bread with jam in the morning with your usual vitamins, skip the coffee.  Lunch, have a bowl of this soup again with another piece of Ezekiel bread (only if you don't feel full)!  And in the evening... yep you guessed it, another bowl of the soup with some raw vegetables.  I would do this for three days and usually I would start feeling better or I'd dive into the detox and get a move on.  On another note: This soup is truly a nice fall dinner as well and it doesn't feel like a detox meal! But, technically that's because it's not!  So, make some and enjoy it.

    2 Tablespoons Olive oil

2 onions cut into chunks

2 stalks celery cut into chunks

2 leeks cut into chunks

2 carrots cut into chunks

2 potatoes peeled and cut into small chunks

3/4 cup fresh parsley

1 box of good quality organic chicken broth 

Heat a large pot on the stove and add the olive oil, place the onions, leeks, celery and carrots.  Saute until vegetables are a little soft. Add the potatoes and continue to saute for a few minutes.  Then add the parsley and chicken stock, cover and allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes.  Place all ingredients into a high speed blender or Vita mix and blend on high.  Serve!  Place the remainder in a container in refrigerator for the next couple of days.

For specialty ingredients and kitchen supplies you can visit Tiffany's Therapy STORE. 

 

Jovial Wheat Free Pasta with Honey Dill Salmon Sauce

Oh... yet another dinner to bring to the table.  I don't know about you but, sometimes  I only have two salmon fillets left in the freezer, but I'm so hungry for a little fish.  So,  I decided to make-up a recipe using my favorite Pasta!  Jovial brand wheat free pasta is the best in my opinion and really lends itself well to accepting the flavors of a sauce.  This sauce is sweet yet has a little heat due to the acidity of the mustard.  It's kid friendly, at least for my boys but, I'll admit they are a tad spoiled with meals.  Enjoy!!  This recipe can feed around 4 people. 

2 salmon fillets

3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Salt and Pepper

1 tsp. dill

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 sweet onion, chopped

1/2 cup dry vermouth

3 teaspoons grainy Swedish Style Dijon mustard (purchase in Tiffany's Therapy Store )

1/2  cup whole milk or vanilla almond milk, heavy cream could be used as well

1 Tablespoons parsley and parsley flowers to top (if you have it)

1 pound jovial brown rice capellini (purchase in  Tiffany's Therapy Store

add a little olive oil if pasta seems dry

Method

   Heat the oven to 425.  Place the salmon fillets next to each other on a small roasting pan skin side down.  Evenly divide 1 1/2 tablespoons of the honey on each fillet then top with dill, salt and pepper.

Bake until barely done, about 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

  In a saucepan, place coconut oil and chopped onion, saute until translucent and then add the dry vermouth, allow to cook down to about 1 tablespoon and then add the milk, mustard, salt and pepper to taste.  Again allow to slowly simmer down.  At this time add the Salmon from the oven.

  In a separate saucepan boil water for the capellini (Purchase in: Tiffany's Therapy Store) and boil according to directions on box.

  Next, divide pasta among bowls and top with evenly divided sauce, add parsley and a little olive oil if pasta seems dry, and top with a decorative edible flower (if you have it)!  And serve!

 

Grass Fed Beef Burritos...Boy Style!

My boys are the typical boys.  They want to eat like a boy..."Bring On The Beef"!  So after having Grass Feed Beef Steak and Potatoes the night before we had a filet left and some of the potatoes leftover.  So, knowing this couldn't feed the two of them I decided to make them a meal using these...Burritos, Boy Style.   Here it is:

    1 Grass Fed Beef Filet, grilled (can be leftovers), thinly sliced

1 cup baked diced potatoes (Leftovers as well, don't worry about seasoning)

1 cup shredded cheese (your choice)

2 Spelt, flour or corn soft tortilla

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 cup cilantro, (I used what I had in the garden)

1 tsp.  Cumin

1/2 tsp. lime juice

1 Tbs. olive oil

Method:

  Take the leftover potatoes and dice them if not already diced.  Place in a bowl and toss with onions, cilantro, cumin, lime juice and olive oil.  Lay out the soft tortilla of your choice on a piece of foil and place potato mixture, evenly distributed between the two.  Next, slice the beef thinly and place on each.  Then top with cheese and wrap up.  Place in 425 degree oven for 10 minutes or cheese is melted.  Top with whatever you like.  My boys like, sour cream, salsa, sliced avocado, and lettuce.  I always make a fresh little dressing on the lettuce for them using olive oil and lime juice, and a little salt and pepper.  This just adds a ton of fresh flavor to the topping.  Hope your able to enjoy this one as a leftover staple. 

"ROCK IT"...Literally!!

Yea, today I completed a couple day Hard-scape in the front yard.  It's rewarding, but exhausting at the same time.  I went and purchased the rock (hand picked everyone), and lugged them home, truck load at a time.  In all I have over 10,000lbs in 2 days, and moved that 10,000lbs twice so that's 20,000lbs...I call it "Tiffany's ROCK FIT CLASS" Just Joking!  But in all seriousness it's very exciting to have this project finished and the feeling of NOT having to maintain that area is SO exciting I can't even express my excitement. Here is the before and after pictures:)

This really is not a true before picture because I got done weed whacking this before I took the picture.

Love looking at all the stone at the Rock store!

Oh, this is when I REALLY get excited...The hard-scape ideas I have for this slate!  Oh, and they have a really pretty stone called COCO!  LOVED IT!  At this point I'm thinking, "Tiffany walk away from the stone"

So excited looking over to my right and seeing that area all cleaned up!  This Project makes me SMILE:)

In this picture you can just get a glimpse of all the rocks that is needed in this space!

A Pinterest Before/After shot

Beautiful Beet Juice

If you live in Colorado you hear about the famous Rocky Mountain Cantaloupe's this time of year!  The very first one I bought wasn't very good but this last one is delicious!  I decided to make a smoothie and was in the kitchen wondering what to use.  I had 4 beets that needed to be used up so I thought I'd make a smoothie using them.  This beverage is super yummy because of the sweetness of the cantaloupe I think.  Try it at home and let me know how yours turned out:)

     4 small beets, cut up

1 1/2 cups diced Rocky Mountain Cantaloupe

2 carrots, diced

1 tablespoon Flax Oil (Plain)

1/4 cup water

Place all ingredients in a Vita mix and blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

The Incrediable Okinawan Diet (Power to the Sweet Potato)

 
 I know you're thinking what???? Well, for those of you that know me, you know, very high cholesterol runs in the family.  I'm always fighting this battle and have often joked that I'll most likely die in my 40's, most likely due to my cholesterol!  I don't fit the bill for someone to have high cholesterol either.  I'm thin, I eat incredibility healthily, I don't smoke, I very rarely have a drink of alcohol, I'm doing Yoga or Pilates everyday...so what's the deal?  I have read almost everything on the subject and came across this Okinawan Diet a few years ago, but with moving. living in a hotel and projects with the new house I put the reading material aside... Until now!  So, here is what the Okinawan diet is all about and I wouldn't really call it a DIET as much as there way of life due to circumstances that proved to be helpful when it comes to heart health and longevity. 
  Okinawa is a series of little islands in the middle of the East China Sea, the islands belong to Japan (Okinawans are Japanese).  These people are known for there LONG LIVES.  They as a whole enjoy some of the longest life expectancies in the world and also have one of the highest number of centenarians (people who lived 100 years or more)!  Now, I'm NOT looking to live to 100.  I would rather die before I get that old, but I would like to see grandchildren one day, ( I can't even believe I'm saying that considering my boys are 16 & 15...YIKES!)  Also, interestingly these people live long with exceptional vigor and low rates of chronic diseases that us American's have. Below I have copied a table of there diet and how it's changed over the years.  This brings up another interesting point.  As there calorie intake has gone up over the past few years they actually have become less healthy...hummmm!  So, concentrate on the diet 1949 and before for opium heart health!

 So, as you can see the bulk of the Okinawan Diet 4.5 cups a day to be exact, comes from Sweet Potatoes. This is why I named this article (Power to the Sweet Potato)! The other portion of the diet is about 1 3-ounce serving of fish a week, meat was one small serving a month and one egg every 2 months.  Does this sound like the AMERICAN DIET?  NOPE!  Basically, the Okinawans diet was very low-fat, low-protein, just about vegan and consisted of very few processed grains and oils.
  Now, with this being said, I'm not totally convinced that eating so little protein is the way to go either.  I also discovered that during this time Okinawa was dealing with a famine in 1949 so this could explain the lack of protein in there diet, but none the less,  this is interesting information that shouldn't be overlooked.  I think after the research, I will up the sweet potato intake and adjust the fat intake just due to cholesterol, but I doubt I'll consume 4.5 cups everyday.  I think I continue with my green drink and add the sweet potatoes, but will keep calorie intake in check. I also, will take in consideration that I'm an O blood type, in which Sweet Potatoes are on my highly beneficial list, they also have 4g of fiber per cup which means the Okinawan people were getting the recommended amount of fiber in there diet that us American's are lacking.  This could account for there health as well.  I'm a huge believer in FIBER. 

Summer Lunch (Sommar Lunch)

One of my favorite things to eat in the summer time is fresh tomatoes.  Today with the sun and heat, tomatoes sounded SO good.  So here is a quick little lunch I put together and I can make the boys a Hamburger and put this on top for them and they LOVE it.  Hope you enjoy it too!

Ingredients:

3 small fresh tomatoes, cut to desired size

1/2  Avocado, diced 

1/2 cup diced Mozzarella Cheese (Fresh)

1 Tablespoon minced fresh basil

1 teaspoon minced fresh parsly

1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar 

Top with more basil and Parsley flowers

Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar used

Put First three ingredients in a bowl stir, add the rest of the ingredients and stir, top with basil and parsley if you have them from the garden! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Grandma's Cucumber Salad (Gurksallad)... All Grown Up!

Here it is my... Grandma's Cucumber Salad, but all Grown up!  I decided to make the same easy recipe but put a healthy twist on it!  So, I sure hope you like this one.  Great for the summer and the Apple Cider Vinegar is so good for you and with so many health benefits.  I could sit and eat this whole container...but I won't!

Bragg's Apple Cider can be ordered on Tiffany's Therapy Store

1 Organic Cucumber sliced (Not Peeled)

1 cup Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 cup water

1 Tbs. Celtic Sea Salt

1/2 Tbs. freshly ground pepper

1 Sachet Stevia

1 Tbs. Freshly cut Parsley (Flowers of Parsley for decoration...Just me getting all cutesie) 

Slice cucumbers, place in dish, add remaining ingredients, stir, cover and place in refrigerator for about an hour...Then enjoy!  Fresh and easy!  I LOVE THAT:)

SIDE NOTE* There are a ton of uses for Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).  Here are a few reasons to eat it for your internal benefits. It helps with weight loss, lower glucose levels, detox the body, promote healthy digestive system, boost energy, and regulate candida issues.  They say you should take 2 tablespoons daily.  The easy way to do this is by making salad dressing or eating it with your cucumbers like in the above recipe!  Boy... those Swedes are SO darn SMART:)  

Thanks Grandma for your wisdom...XOXO 

Tiffany's Staple Green Drink

Well, here it is the staple green drink I have just about everyday.  Give or take some of the items if I just don't have them in the refrigerator that day.  But, usually this is what is in the drink.  I do occasionally add ginger, parsley or spinach and omit the mint during the winter months but, that's only because it's not growing in the little patch I have growing in this yard.  I do prefer to have the mint thou, it makes me feel better for some reason.  So, try out what works for you and go with it!

1 handful of Fresh Mint

1 handful of Kale (I substitute spinach, parsley)

1/2 cucumber (If organic put the whole thing in, if not peel)

1 green pear (again if organic put the whole thing in)

1/2 Lemon (with the rind if organic)

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1 cup water (or to your liking)

1 scoop of Garden of Life Super Seed Fiber (can purchase in Store under Vitamin's)

Ice

1 1/2 Tbs. Barlean's Pina Colada oil (This can be Purchased as well in Tiffany's Therapy Store)

Directions:

Place all Ingredients except for ice and Barlean's Pina Colada (Don't want to waste any, it's expensive) in Vita-mix or blender (Ingredients might need to be cutup well if you don't have a Vita-mix. After you have it blended place in glass and stir in Barlean's Pina Colada oil and ice cubes.  After tasting this you won't want that morning coffee!

 

Raw Cookie Dough... to die for!

Have you ever had a craving for something and thought, "I wish there was a healthy alternative and I could get rid of this craving at the same time?"  Well, for me that is Cookie Dough!  I used to sit and eat the dough and never even made a cookie.  I saw a recipe at one time that made cookie dough so I thought I'd try my hand at it.  I think this is great and tastes better if you put it in the refrigerator for an hour or so before eating it.  Enjoy!

8 Tablespoons Raw Almond Butter

1 cup Vanilla Almond milk

1 1/2 tsp. butter extract

1 tsp. stevia extract

Pinch of Salt

5 scoops of Vanilla Sunwarrior Protien Powder (You can purchase from Tiffany's Therapy Store )

1/4 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips

In a bowl mix the first five ingredients until blended well, slowly add the protein powder then the rice flour.  Mix in the chocolate chips by hand and place in the refrigerator until cool.  This keeps for a few days if covered.  A great way to get some protein in your dessert.  Enjoy!

Curb Appeal Needed

What do you do when you buy a house that has zero curb appeal?  First thing is a major landscaping overhaul. I needed to drive up and feel like it was home and not pulling up to a bunch of scrub oak.  I feel like this house now has some curb appeal.

Is there a house in there?

You can see I started cutting the scrub oak down on day one.

The house is starting to appear!  I'm thinking to myself, "Yea, I can see it...keep going girl".

At this point I'm thinking, "How far back should I go?'  I kept going until I felt like it was visually appealing.

Then I thought, "I should make a sitting area out front, so began the patio project"!

I was liking it more and more as I went on!  I'm kinda a little determined when I want something!

Oh yea, I needed a watering system here!  So trenches needed to be dug! 

Woohoo!  Look at this patio, I even put the polymeric sand in-between the Chilton, so it looks like sand but acts like concrete and keeps the ants out as well.

Another picture...different angle.

Street view now!  Yep...more curb appeal than before!

This looks SO much better!  I feel like you can call it a home now!

Quick look photos:)

So glad I decided to add the patio!  It's a nice morning place to sit!