Yummy in my tummy.... AVOCADOS

(Photo: Flickr)

Oh! Blessed fruit (well, technically berry) of the Gods! How we heart avocados in the sumer, in the winter, whenever we can get our little hands on them!

(Photo: Ziherica)

Did you know that a single avocado has 60% more potassium then a banana!!

Wow... Sorry Chiquita!

Avocados are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, fiber, folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, copper and potassium and have been used in treating a ton of skin ailments. They are known to have a anti-fungal, anti-bacterial flesh that has been used for centuries. Avocados contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that may help to lower cholesterol.

They may also regulate blood pressure due their concentration of Potassium. They can also guard against stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Avocados are often used in beauty as well. Creating an avocado hair mask will strengthen and fortify your hair. They are rich in fatty acids that are a real must in your daily diet, especially when it comes to your hair. Your hair will go from brittle to being soft and shiny.

(AVOCADO HAIR MASK)

Avocados also have only 5 grams of fat and most of that is the monounsaturated kind. That means it is the good fat, not the FREAK out "OMG, I can't believe you just ate an avocado!" kind.

Monounsaturated fats are one of the two healthy fats (polyunsaturated fats being the other) that your body depends on to thrive.
They also MAY help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.

Alright lets recap what we learned so far...

Avocados are-

1. Healthy low cholesterol snack

2. Have only 5 grams of really good for you fat

3. Can make your hair lush and silky

4. Could help you avoid breast cancer

5. Taste AMAZING

I can't think of a single reason not to go grab an avocado now.

So here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy an avocado.

(Photo: Food Network)

Try this super yummy summer salad of grilled avocado, tomato and yummy purple onion! This one is from Food Networks Michael Chiarello

Ingredients
10 tomatoes, quartered
4 avocados, peeled, halved, and pitted
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1 red onion, sliced
1/2 lemon
1 cup pesto sauce
1/2 cup pine nuts
Parmiggiano-Reggiano
Directions
Preheat a grill over medium heat.

Cover a large tray with tomato quarters, and set aside.

Place avocado halves in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Place each half on a hot open grill for about 30 to 45 seconds. Remove and place on top of the tomatoes arranged on tray. Drizzle with olive oil again.

In another bowl, cover the red onion slices with the juice from the lemon half and olive oil. Place onions in the empty avocado pit holes. Cover with the lemon/olive oil mix. Then, top with pesto, distributing generously on all sides. Sprinkle pine nuts and cheese on top, to taste.

YUMMMMMMY!

Ok, now listen.... We are all about healthy... But we are also about yummmmm and all healthy and no deep fryer makes for a dull girl. So we bring you the super indulgent and redic.... Heart of palm fritters with a avocado puree.

(Photo: Food Network)

courtesy of Mr. Deep Fry himself Emeril Lagasse!

Ingredients
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 (8.8-ounce, drained weight) jar hearts of palm, drained, small diced (14.4 ounces. filled weight)
5 tablespoons chopped chives, divided
2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
2 eggs, separated
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon Essence, plus more for seasoning, recipe follows
Pinch sugar
1 avocado, diced
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons minced green onions
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon jalapeno hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Heat a deep-fryer or a Dutch oven or deep cast iron skillet filled halfway with oil to 360 degrees F.

Place the diced hearts of palm onto a paper towel and let drain thoroughly. Transfer to a mixing bowl. In a small mixing bowl combine 3 tablespoons of the chives, 1 teaspoon of the garlic, egg yolks and heavy cream and whisk well to combine. Add the egg mixture to the hearts of palm and blend gently to combine. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, Essence and pinch of sugar. Stir the flour mixture into the hearts of palm mixture until just combined.

In a clean mixing bowl beat the egg whites until medium to stiff peaks form. Fold the whites into the hearts of palm mixture very gently and let sit for 5 minutes before frying.

While the fritter batter is resting, make the dipping sauce by combining the avocado, mayonnaise, lime juice, green onions, jalapeno, jalapeno hot sauce, cayenne pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons of chives, remaining teaspoon of garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until thoroughly smooth, stopping to wipe down the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside until ready to serve the fritters.

Drop the batter by 1 1/2 tablespoonfuls into the hot oil and fry the fritters, in batches if necessary, until golden brown, turning, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove fritters using a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season with Essence to taste and serve immediately, with the avocado dipping sauce.

Now for Miss Me's favorite salad ever....
(Photo: Organic Authority)

The grapefruit citrus avocado salad!! Amazing and simple and soooo delicious.

Make this at a dinner party and watch it vanish. We found the recipe that follows on a cool site called Organic Authority and it seems perfect, except, we would add thin sliced red onion. :)

California Avocado Grapefruit Salad

Makes 2 servings

2 large avocados
2 ruby red grapefruit (or other sweet variety)
Poppy seed dressing (brand of your choice)
Lettuce leaves

Peel and slice avocados. Section grapefruit, removing pulp.
Toss avocados and grapefruit with dressing (about 1/3 cup).
Serve on lettuce leaves.
Optional: As shown in the photo, you can add orange slices and garnish with fresh citrus peel and a sprig of mint before serving.

Even easier... Go to your favorite sushi spot and order a avocado roll!

Another one of our favorite ways to eat avocado and maybe the easiest way of all is to slice it in half and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice on top a dash of salt and pepper and voila! Instant delicious lunch!

Because everyone loves an avocado...

(Photo: Giant Robot)

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Beauty: You put the lime in the coconut....

Because we are SUPER smart and scientific,

we spend a lot of time thinking up new ways to keep our selves and our skin looking young...

Wait is that smart & scientific, or vain... Oh well, it's a little of both and if you ask us that is a winning combo because it leads you to learn all sorts of things.

What are some things we all know to be true?

1. As you get older, your skin loses elasticity.

2. Water dries out your skin.

3. The first time you look in the mirror and see a face with crows feet looking back at you, you MAY pee your pants.

Nature speeds along and a well lived life leaves traces on your face. We should all be proud of our laugh lines and crinkles because we earned them through many years of joy, through countless smiles shared with the people we love, or even smiles given like gifts to strangers.

What we are talking about is, not trying to turn into some sort of ice-faced doll.... What we are talking about is aging gracefully.

Doing everything we can to keep our skin as supple and full of life as we can. Lets do all we can to soften those little wrinkles and crinkles.

And one of the things we can do, is about as easy and affordable as can be.

Readers, meet coconut oil... Coconut oil, please meet our readers.

Yes sirs & misses, you read that right.... This delicious tropical little.. Nut?...Fruit?... See, like we said, SUPER smart. Anyway, this tropical little gem may hold the secret to youth.

It maybe the secret of how Maryanne and Ginger were looking so hot after 15 years stuck on an island.

We have even shared this secret with you before, but we have to do it again in case you were not listening....

Lets get down to business with some frightening facts about your skin.

(Snatched from some really smart people over HERE)

1. Our skin is made up of connective tissues. These tissues give our skin strength and elasticity. When we are young and healthy the skin is smooth, elastic and supple. This is the effect of strong connective fibers. As we age their fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its ability to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery.

2. One of the classic signs of old age is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots or liver spots. It is a sign of free-radical deterioration of the lipids (fats) in our skin, thus the name lipofuscin. Oxidation of polyunsaturated fats and protein by free radical activity in the skin is recognized as the major cause of liver spots. Because cells cannot dispose of the lipofuscin pigment, it gradually accumulates within many cells of the body as we age. Once lipofuscin pigment develops, it tends to stick around for life, but you can prevent further osication and perhaps even reduce the spots you already have by using the right kind of oils in your diet and on your skin.

3. Conventional body care products that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants stripped from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster.

Ok, so lots of information.. But, we can break it down like this:

Free Radicals: Not really so radical, What we understand is that "Free-Radicals" is what happens when the molecules of your skin, (in this instance) become weak and the bond of that molecule splits.. So basically it is like the molecules of the skin on your face are one hot-ass mess.

How do we keep these molecules from weakening and releasing free-radicals?

Well, the truth is, we can't. To many factors go into it.

Our body makes them to neutralize viruses & bacteria, environmental factors affect our production of free-radicals...

So, we can't stop it.. But WE CAN stop it from becoming excessive.

with the use of...

Antioxidants: Help to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.

So that is really good right? You can find antioxidants in a bunch of places..

Like vitamins E & C.

Also in lots of foods.

Like... COCONUTS!

(Whew, we finally made it to our point.)

Coconut oil is so super good for your skin and you insides... Why not use it for both?

Instead of spending a fortune on skincare products from fancy pants companies, why not try one made by the most beautiful lady we know... Her name is Mother Earth.

Speaking of Mothers... Mom I hope you are reading this.. And I know you are because you heart me... But you were right, right right!

Miss Me's mama told her YEARS ago to start using coconut oil for her cooking and her skin, if I had only listened... I would look 4 years younger today.

Sorry Mom, but at least I am admitting it in front of the whole world... Mother really does know best.

But I can start today and so can you.

(Nui)

More info on the good effects of COCONUT OIL:

It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause.

It can help bring back a youthful appearance. The coconut oil will aid in removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. The skin will become more evenly textured with a healthy "shine". While doing this the coconut oil will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and strengthen the underlying tissues.

(Swanson-Vitamins)

To sum it all up, if you rub coconut oil on your skin everyday, you will end up with younger, clearer, healthier more supple skin.... And on top of all that, you will smell like a vacation in paradise. Sounds like a winning situation.

Oh, P.S- Coconut oil is also AMAZING for your scalp and hair.

P.P.S- How adorable are these mini coconuts?

P.P.P.S- Enjoy your life and don't forget to laugh and smile and crinkle your nose! the lines are going to come one way or another so make sure you enjoy the ride. Just don't forget to spoil yourself with this lovely oil.

XOXO- Things-We-Heart

Beauty: Steam Baths and Saunas and Sweat... Oh My!

Recently while we were lucky enough to find ourselves sitting in a nice hot steam bath, we thought... Aside from feeling really, really good what are the benefits of steam baths and saunas?

Lets look into the history and benefits of these warm and sweaty places... Ewww get your mind out of the gutter!

(Information taken from Suite101)

The sauna originated in Finland, and may be one of two types: dry heat or wet (steam) heat. Which one to use depends on personal preference and one's ability to tolerate the high humidity of a steam room.

The sauna tradition is not limited to Finnish culture. The Ancient Romans, Aztecs and Mayas all had the equivalent of saunas, steam rooms or heated public bath houses. So did the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese. In North America, the Native American Indians had sweat lodges.

These days the girls of T-W-H just like to use them to relax and hang out and chat with our girlfriends whenever we get the chance.

(Really good t-w-h tip, if you are ever at a nice hotel and feel like a treat, but don't want to pay sky-high prices for a service, hotel guests can usually use the steam room for free!)

(Sorry, how could we resist this amazingly weird and creepy picture?!

*We don't think it is good for kids to spend time in extreme heat. Especially with their naked parents. It will cost a lot in therapy later)

Sitting in a hot, dry sauna or hot, humid steam room offers a number of health benefits. These include:

• an elevated body temperature, which works as a fever would to boost immunity by increasing white blood cell production
• heavy sweating, which helps eliminate toxins, chemicals and other impurities from the skin
• increased heart rate, blood circulation and metabolic rate
• looser, relaxed muscles after exercise
• relief for stress, tension and high blood pressure
• sense of mental well-being and rejuvenation.

The combined high temperature and steam in a wet sauna, steam bath or steam shower are good for the skin. They help to:

• open skin pores and release trapped oils and dirt
• increase blood circulation to the skin
• relax tense facial muscles
• loosen dead, dry skin which makes exfoliation easier
• promote a clear complexion.

Scrubbing with a loofah or exfoliating gloves immediately after steaming will remove any dead, dry skin which has accumulated, leaving skin glowing, smooth, and soft.

So, good for your body, your mind and good for your skin... Hmmm sounds like a win, win situation. Now you just have to go find a steam room or a sauna.

We have to admit, the wood smell from a sauna gets us every single time, that delicious smell mixed with the dry heat is a winning combo...

But we feel like the steam room sweats out the toxins a wee bit more.

Either way, don't you heart it when you find out something that feels so good is actually good for you? Here are a few rules for the sweat boxes...

* Don't spend more then 30 minutes at a time inside one, ever.

* If you are pregnant... You will just have to wait till that baby is popped out before you can enjoy a steam. Sorry.

* Drink lots & lots of water afterwards, you want to get all that fluid back in.

Now go get steamy.

XOXO- Things-We-Heart