Natural, organic LIES

I am sickened by the knowledge I have been gaining through my research on the cosmetic industry.  The willingness to overlook toxic chemicals that are causing or adding to all of our health issues is shocking.  I found, on several different sites a list of toxic ingredients, what they are used for and what they can potentially do to you.  


You should care about this, you don't because for generations we have literally been putting this crap on our skin, slathering it on our bodies and faces feeling like we are doing a great thing for ourselves, our skin and our bodies.  We think because no doctor ever said to us that we or our loved one is sick or has this or that due to your body lotion then all that research we have heard isn't real or true.  But the facts must be faced, these ingredients are adding to how sick we are as a people.   We put on our babies, our pets, not just ourselves.  We allow the cosmetic industry to keep making money while making us sick.   Everytime we make a purchase from these companies, we are casting our vote!  We are telling them that its okay to continue to use these ingredients at the risk of our health, WE DON'T  CARE!!!!  But we do have a voice!!!  Without our money, they have no business!!  We can take a stand on corporate greed and LIES!!  If they came out and said the risks on the packaging, like cigarettes then that would be one thing, we are knowingly agreeing to what we are buying, but they don't disclose and they lie about it!!!  Why hasn't the government stepped in yet???  Because we are not making them, cast your vote!  We all have a choice, we all have a voice.  Your credit card swipe is your vote.  Educate yourself, but beyond all the political garb, care about yourself more.   Just a thought to ponder....if you had the ability to treat your internal organs yourself, like you could go right in and put a treatment directly on them when your own hands.... or you could inject treatments directly into your bloodstream...would you not put extreme care, thought and research into whatever you use?? Our skin is our largest organ, and whatever we put on our skin soaks directly into your blood stream!!!


Here is a brief list of some of the ingredients that are toxic.  These are the most common, guaranteed if you flip over any skin, body care or cosmetic products that you will see, most of these ingredients listed!!!  This information is listed later, but I want to make sure there is NO way you will miss this fact!!!  I had to say it out loud to myself to believe it!   
Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

"You may assume that products with the word "organic" on them are safe to use, but they may still contain synthetic chemicals...["Many companies continue to mislead and confuse consumers by labeling personal care products as 'natural' or 'organic' when they contain just one or two highly processed botanical extracts and the rest is synthetic chemicals.] 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certain requirements for an "organic" label. In order for a food to be labeled "100% Organic" it must contain only organically produced ingredients. To be simply "organic" it must consist of 95 percent organically produced ingredients; and to be labeled "containing organic ingredients" it must have 70 to 95 percent organically produced ingredients. The FDA has no such requirements when it comes to skin care products."

http://www.livestrong.com/article/183108-toxins-in-skin-care/#ixzz1ySaLQMiO

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)

-makes it foam

Sls is one of the most common chemicals found in human hygiene products. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent used for scrubbing garage floors and cleaning drains.   Steam from sls has been known to cause lung damage and and throat cancer. It is easily absorbed by the skin. Sls is found in hand soaps, facial cleansers, moisturizers, shampoos, toothpaste, and anti-aging cream, bubble bath.  Can cause severe skin irritation.  SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent children's eyes from developing properly.

Often described as being "derived from coconut" to disguise their toxic nature

http://voices.yahoo.com/six-deadly-toxins-common-skin-care-products-2019360.html

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/5119/1/Toxic-Ingredients-in-Cosmetics-and-Skin-Care-Products.html

Synthetic Fragrances

The Organic Consumers Association says synthetic fragrances used in skin care products can contain as many as 200 ingredients and there is no way to know exactly what makes up the fragrance ingredient since labels only state "fragrance." Synthetic fragrances contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation, rash, dizziness, vomiting, coughing and hyperpigmentation in some people. Listed on labels as:GERANIUM MACULATUM OIL PARFAM; FRAGRANCE; PERFUME OIL; PARFUM; FRAGRANCE FLORAL-SPICE.   

If its not listed as an essential oil, its SYNTHETIC!!!

http://www.natural-skincare-authority.com/FRAGRANCE.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/75153-list-toxic-ingredients-found-skin/#ixzz1ySbNsKwT

Propylene glycol 

Used as a skin sensitizer and to help  ingredients to skin further into the skins layers

It causes scaling, hives, burning, itching and blistering. It allows other chemicals to get further into the skin increasing the level of toxins found in the blood. Propylene glycol can be found in bodywashes, shampoos, hair sprays, toothpastes, baby lotions, colognes, shaving creams, and liquid hand soaps. It is toxic to the immune system.

http://voices.yahoo.com/six-deadly-toxins-common-skin-care-products-2019360.html

Parabens 

Used to stop microbial growth and to extend the shelf life of the product

 They will cause skin rashes, and other allergic reactions. They are extremely toxic and an immune system destroyer. Parabens are found in deodorants, perspirants and moisturizers. Paraben is known as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.

Paraben Preservatives Parabens are widely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK found a strong link between the use of parabens and the increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

http://voices.yahoo.com/six-deadly-toxins-common-skin-care-products-2019360.html

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/5119/1/Toxic-Ingredients-in-Cosmetics-and-Skin-Care-Products.html

Glycerin 

Found in numerous skin products, especially soaps. It is considered toxic orally in large doses. It can cause hemolysis, hemoglobinuria and renal failure. Glycerin is found in facial cleansers, conditioners, body soaps, hand soaps, bubble baths, bath oils, and after shaves.

http://voices.yahoo.com/six-deadly-toxins-common-skin-care-products-2019360.html

Mineral oil 

Mineral Oil Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and lip gloss, concealers, foundations and facial cleansers. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne, premature aging and other skin disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.
http://voices.yahoo.com/six-deadly-toxins-common-skin-care-products-2019360.html

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/5119/1/Toxic-Ingredients-in-Cosmetics-and-Skin-Care-Products.html

                       Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 

Used as a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics 

PEGs interfere with the skin's natural moisture balance, causing an increase in ageing and leaving the skin vulnerable to bacteria.

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/5119/1/Toxic-Ingredients-in-Cosmetics-and-Skin-Care-Products.html

Isopropyl Alcohol 

Used as a solvent 

Used in many skin care products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.

http://voices.yahoo.com/six-deadly-toxins-common-skin-care-products-2019360.html

DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine) 

Used as an emollient

These substances are harsh solvents and detergents that are used in cosmetics and face and body creams as an emollient. They can cause allergic reactions, and long term use of DEA-based products (such as Cocamide DEA) have been linked to an increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/5119/1/Toxic-Ingredients-in-Cosmetics-and-Skin-Care-Products.html

Talc 

Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to long term health.

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/5119/1/Toxic-Ingredients-in-Cosmetics-and-Skin-Care-Products.html

Arsenic

Arsenic is an impurity of some ingredients used in skin care products, says the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. The ingredients aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, polyvinyl acetate and hydrogenated cottonseed glyceride may contain arsenic as an impurity. Arsenic is a known carcinogen that causes cancer, immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity and endocrine disruption.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/75153-list-toxic-ingredients-found-skin/#ixzz1ySbLRGsL

Check out this website!!! You can enter your skin care or cosmetic brands or products to see how toxic the ingredients.  There is a lot of other really cool info on this site!!!  

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Newest addition to my raw beauty routine

So I enjoy researching natural skin care on the internet a few weeks back I stumbled across someone saying that they cleanse with powered milk!!!  I thought, thats dumb, and disregarded.  Then I kept seeing it so I googled it specifically and found that there are some SERIOUS benefits to doing this!  First of, Cleopatra used to bathe in milk, and so did the very wealthy and still do!!!  Milk has many many vitamins and nutrients, milk also contacts lactic acid which is a naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid, which has both exfoliating and hydrating!   Think about all the beauty products that contain milk and milk proteins, just think about it!  Clearly there is a reason here!!!


So here is what I found...first, powdered milk is CHEAP!!!  You don't need much!  If your skin is dry then you want more fat in the milk, if your skin is more oily then you can stick to a non or low fat milk.  Seems to me that the more fat in the milk, the better, unless you have really oily skin!  I found mostly all non-fat milk when I went to Whole Foods, and didn't want that, so I opted for Goats milk, full fat....PLUS a goat is unable to separate his milk and urinary track, thereby there is urea in their milk....hence that bit of a sour taste....i know.....EEEWWW...however, check the back of your lotion bottles, urea ...thats right...its pee and its amazing for your skin :)  Anyway, I found a few ways to use it, the most common was to put some power in your hand (cupped) and add some warm water to make a paste, put it all over your skin, it will form a mask.  Go make your coffee, pick your outfit or whatever, leave it on just for a few minutes if you can then rinse off!!  Radiant skin!!!  I found a few other recipes that said to mix rosewater with the powdered milk instead of the water.  Rosewater also has amazing benefits!  Reduces redness and inflammation, leaves your skin soft and silky and smells so good!!!


So this week I have been doing this in the AM and my oil cleansing in the evening.  My skin feels so good, soft, like silk, looks smoother and hydrated!!  


And lastly I read over and over and over about carrot seed essential oil which is an unparalleled source of antioxidants.  This is different then carrot oil.   I ordered some, will let you know how it goes!!  I am going to add it to jojoba oil for my daytime moisturizer.  For essential oils, for the most part, you want to mix with carrier oils ( jojoba, apricot, avocado, olive, primrose, coconut oil, and kukui nut etc).  Carrier oils also all have amazing and different benefits for your skin.  My current favorite for face and body is kukui nut oil, its wonderful!  Its light and soaks in quickly, also has crazy benefits for your skin!  You can make up a cocktail of different essential and carrier oils and use it!  My evening moisturizer is a butter I made with mango butter, kukum butter, illipe butter, coconut oil and kukui nut oil. Its so wonderful!
I ordered all these butters and kukui nut oil from a wonderful, reputable seller.
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/butter/butter.html


Here is the link to the carrot seed oil that I ordered:
http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Carrot-Undiluted-pressed-Unrefined/dp/B0066SJ254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340167724&sr=8-1&keywords=carrot+seed+oil


I haven't used any commercial beauty products in MONTHS and my skin never looked or felt better!  I am looking for the natural fountain of youth and I feel like the combination of all these different things is it!!!  


Be careful what you buy!!!  Get educated on the source and actual item you are purchasing, the first "rosewater" I found was actually just water with rose oil added, didn't know that wasn't real rosewater!  Returned and bought real rosewater.  I learned this from reading people's reviews on Amazon, a great source!!!


Here is the rosewater I purchased, its amazing and smells so good!!
http://www.amazon.com/Shea-Terra-Organics-Moroccan-Water/dp/B000P6I3WG/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1340168851&sr=1-2&keywords=rose+water


Stay tuned for more!!!

Wonderful DIY beauty...my tried and now true routine!!!

Aren't we all fighting the fight to keep our skin nice and smooth, young looking and supple?  Trying product after product, brand after brand, they work for a minute then it's right back to the same issues.  Not to mention the lies we are being fed... when you breakout from the new line "oh well thats just your skin purging" this is an industry lie!  Skin doesn't work like this!  Do any amount of research and you will learn about this.  


Since high school I have worried about my skin.  I have pretty average skin, nothing too bad or too great.  I have always taken good care of it, used good quality products that I researched like crazy before investing in anything!  Long ago, I read a book called "Don't Go to the Cosmetic Counter without Me" by Paula Begoun and that was where the obsession and hysteria started!  I didn't go to a counter without researching that brand, the sales people hated me, because I was educated beyond their sales pitch and how they have been educated by their company!  I became weary of everything!  She pointed out so many things that I didn't know.  She had a lot of education in her book and I loved it.  One thing she pointed out was that any item that is truly all natural would have an expiration date, and would have a natural smell to them and definitely not a perfumey smell!.  All these cosmetic companies are putting "natural" or "organic" on the label, this is not regulated so many people are deceived, trusting the companies, but its false.  Not to mention, many of these items have fragrance in them, which we have all come to know and love, but this is one of the worse things we can put on our skin!!!!  So I started to feel like I was just putting a bunch of fragranced crap on my skin.  So much research and now I didn't trust anyone.  


All I wanted was something that worked!  Even if it was expensive, I wanted good skincare that actually helped my skin long term.  I felt like anything truly natural wouldn't really do anything, luckily I was wrong!  If you buy ACTUAL natural things, they do work, better then anything else!  Everyone is trying to stabilize vitamin E and fatty acids etc, why don't you just use an orange, or an oil with the fatty acids in it!  Duh!!


Ok so enough of my lecture....my new skin care routine is this:  wash nightly with the OCM (Oil Cleansing Method); my mix of 75% sunflower oil and 25% castor oil.  I use organic, virgin coconut oil on my face and lips as a moisturizer in the AM and PM.  There are two different types of coconut oil; vigil unrefined and refined.  The unrefined virgin is the best, its unmessed with (scientific term :) It offers the most health benefits; however, if you don't like the smell of coconut, you can get the refined oil, it has no smell or taste at all and its still good!!


Once a week I the below facial/peel, a bit like an acid peel.  Its awesome!!!


http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-aspirin-lemon-juice-face-mask-beauty-secret-home-remedies/


I had to fiddle around with it a bit to get the right mixture.  So I use 9 aspirin (uncoated); I use the back of a spoon to crush then put that in a bowl and squeeze fresh lemon in the aspirin powder till I get a nice paste.   Spread the paste on clean skin, rub it in LIGHTLY LIGHTLY LIGHTLY!!!!

Please note, I have a velcro towel on in these pics!!! :)

You can see its a light white paste, doesn't get really thick.


Then wait 10 minutes and use a moistened cotton ball dipped into baking soda to wipe off.  You will feel a little tingle here, much like an acid peel.  This is all the elements reacting to each other.  I use a few to get most of it off.

 Then I splash warm water on my face and wipe dry.  And viola!  Nice, soft, beautifully exfoliated skin....deeper then a regular exfoliation.  I wouldn't do this more then twice a week, just start out once a week maybe even just twice a MONTH.  It's strong so be careful!


Then I use just a little coconut oil as a moisturizer on my skin after, its natural and soothing!  

The result from  changing my skin care routine from the department store brand is my skin is pretty nice now, it's soft and smooth.  I don't have the issues I had before.  It's by no means perfect.  Our skin is complicated and skin care is relativly superficial.  I enjoy knowing exactly what's going on my skin, not to mention why spend hundreds of dollars on expensive or not expensive skin care that doesn't really benefit your skin long term.  You can spend WAAAYYY less and be getting actual, lasting benefits!  That just makes both sense and CENTS!  HAHA!  Not to mention everything you put on your skin goes into your blood stream also and thats even more important then superficial beauty!!!  

Take your beauty back and own it.

As for my body, I made this wonderful body butter, from a recipe I found on Pinterest!!  Use the exact recipe as in the link below.  It is pure oil till it hardens up, then as long as you keep your house at a decent temp (meaning not super hot) it will harden to a softened butter consistency.   When you put it on is melts right away with your body heat into an oil.  Rub it in very well and it will not leave your skin oily.  At night I use a little more then during the day.  It smells like pure chocolate, you are going to want to eat it, but don't :)

I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!  All natural and works soooooooooo well for beautiful skin!

(http://simplehomemade.net/go-green-save-green-my-beauty-routine-and-a-diy-body-butter-recipe/)

Homemade Body Butter

NOTE: Because I love you, I have made each ingredient a link to amazon to the item I used with the best price; just to make it easier :)  Accept the last one, which you can read my note to find out why.

1/2 cup cocoa butter

1/2 cup coconut oil (unrefined)

1/4 cup apricot or almond Oil (I used apricot kernel oil)


2 tsp grated beeswax

10,000 IU of Vitamin E oil (from capsules)
NOTE: I omitted this because I couldn't find exactly what the recipe calls for and I have to go by the book :) 

Stir over low heat until mixed and pour into jars.  This is PURE oil.  I poured into old plastic lotion and scrub containers, then put in the fridge, but when I took it out it was too solid, could barely get any to use.  So I set it in the bathroom and it eventually changed to a softened butter consistency.    An important note; when you buy cocoa butter make sure its pure, it will be a hard solid substance, if it looks like lotion, its not pure.  


You could also add herbs or essential oils if you want, but the cocoa butter makes it smell like chocolate...YUMMY!

Going green?? No...saving $$ and crap on my skin?? YES!!!

Since I have discovered a love of Pinterest, a wonderful online pin board type thing, I have discovered this whole world of natural beauty products that I didn't know existed!  I have always been really into skin and hair care and was always on the lookout for the best products to make my skin and hair perfect.  Well needless to say, that product just doesn't exist.  Then a while back I read a book about being a normal everyday girl going green, I can't remember what it was called, but it was something like Green Diva or goodess or something.   Anyway, I didn't want to be nor am I even close to being a hippie, but I figured we should take care of this earth, and like Gandhi says "Be the change you want to see" so it starts with me.  Well after a while I realized I didn't want to take all these steps, they are major life overhauls, but I did start making my own facial moisturizer based on the book's recipe, which I loved!   So fast forward about two years to a few months ago.  I had gone away from my oil moisturizer and started going back to the beauty industry for my miracle cures.  On Pinterest people started pining recipes to make your own beauty stuff; like face and body scrubs, hair masks etc.  Now mind you, I have always been suspicious and hesitant of the beauty industry marketing practice.   They airbrush everything, check out my Pinboard on exactly this, I called it Gilded Lilies for obvious reasons :)  http://pinterest.com/cap92977/gilded-lilies/  
But it really has bothered me, that coupled with the fact that EVERYTHING you put on your skin goes into your bloodstream (a scary fact!!!) AND realizing that all this crap on the market is just that....CRAP!  Really!  I still see the same issues, same problems etc.  However, I also have bought into the whole notion that they have sold us through very effective propaganda that only science works....then all these companies started to realize that natural is selling so they all started using these "sell" words like natural, and organic, however these claims are very loosely regulated!  Real natural ingredients have short shelf lives and don't always have the pretty perfumey smells (actually never!)   So they add fragrance, which is literally toxic for our bodies.  I won't get into all the science because frankly I don't understand it, but I understand it enough to know its no good!  

The first recipe I came across was a recipe for body lotion, touted as the best lotion ever!  It was a mix of vaseline, baby lotion and vitamin E cream; mix it together and viola, best lotion ever....OR NOT!  Its just a mixture of a bunch of crap lotions, not to mention that petroleum jelly isn't the best for your skin.  Then I heard about this new craze of cleaning your face with oil!  Initially I was horrified by this!!  However I decided to read this article and was convinced, then googled it to make sure it was a big arguable debate and I wasn't going to possibly end up with boils and low and behold, nothing but good press!  http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/02/23/homemade-facewash/   So I use the normal skin mix and started using it.  I used 70% sunflower oil and 30% castor oil.  The first time I used it, thought it was very odd and a bit icky, it doesn't just rinse off, you have to used a nice hot towel and wipe it off, but then you don't need a moisturizer!    I loved it!  My skin issues started to clear up and it felt great!!!  My skin started to look healthy and had a nice glow!  

Then I  found a link to the miracle of coconut oil: http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/01/160-uses-for-coconut-oil.html:   I had never heard anything about this before but was interested...  so at the time I had athletes foot and it says it will cure it.  So i decided to try it, and it was gone in two days!!!!  Then I started using it for other things, like I used as a make- up remover and it was perfection!  I was nervous to use it on my face, but then I decided to try it, and let me tell you... I AM HOOKED!  All these things that the beauty industry promised is bull crap, its all lies that can't be substantiated, look at their tests they say 98% experienced this or that when using this product, but if you notice, its verses using NOTHING!  Well duh, you can use any lotion and EVERYONE will feel more moisture!  You could throw water on your skin and it will feel better!  Anyway, I finally found something that delivered!!!  I use it on my hair once a week as a moisturizing mask and it has truly changed my hair.  Its soft and silky, I actually finally can say I like my skin and hair!  No beauty product ever gave me these results (long term!)  I used coconut oil for everything!  I brushed my teeth with it for the first time this morning.  The jury  is still out on this one...since no one is here to smell my breath, though my mouth feels really clean and tastes good!  I did this because of my concern for animal testing and I use Colgate who is owned by Proctor and Gamble who tests on animals.  I have to say no to that!  I am ok with testing on animals for some things like cures for cancers etc, but for beauty products??? NO!  Test it on yourselves, why torture (and they do torture) these poor defenseless animals for our vanity!  It makes me angry.  We have to care about something other then ourselves, so if this is my small step, then its worth it.  We have to protect the defenseless.

Thanks for reading this friends!  I hope you will try some of these!  Take your beauty into your own hands!  What you can get from nature is far better and WAYYYYYY cheaper then anything you can get at a drug store or department store  (which, I might add is where I got all my stuff, I used pricey department store brands)

cooking and stuff....

So many things going on in my life....trying to accomplish things is really difficult.  One of the things I am working on is blogging some of my recipes.  I will say, that I use cook books and the internet for the recipes.  I make them once then I use that as a base and start changing things.  One thing I have learned about cooking....well a few things rather!  Anyone can cook...however being a good cook takes some finesse, practice and education!!!  When I got married in 1999 I didn't even know how to make rice!  Then, years later I had some birthday money burning a hole in my fabulous Hobo wallet (best wallets EVER BTW :)  and decided to go into Williams Sonoma, I had always walked by that store and wanted to go in, so pretty and colorful, but since I didn't cook it was useless...but I decided today to go in!  I bought a bunch of fun cooking stuff and decided to start watching the Food Network, which I did, actually that was all I started watching!   In that time I was just absorbing, learning and understanding food, properties of different foods etc.  Things that would take years to learn by trial and error, if ever!  For example, Williams Sonoma's website has free recipes, you can search for anything and its most likely there!  They are wonderful and easy, always turn out great!  I used it constantly...but I digress.... I found a recipe for brownies on there, there is a part of the recipe that calls for you to add beaten eggs to the hot batter!  Thankfully I had learned how to temper an egg on Food Network. the recipe takes for granted that you would know not to add the eggs straight up as it would obviously scramble...but years prior, I would not have known that at all!!  

I have spent a lot of years being single and not wanting to cook for one, till recently, I decided to pick back up my old love...so I am learning to cook recipes that either store and re-heat well or I can make for one and its still worth it!!!  I will try to get some recipes up, I have some awesome ones!!!!

Some important things for cooking also is having the right tools, so as I come across good stuff I will write about it.  Along with all my home improvement, that is still going on, I just haven't had time to really do anything that would be interesting to blog about :)   School is out in a few weeks for a little break, I will power through some projects that are bound to be a mess, making a great blog!

So back to chef's tools... I have learned that in the kitchen I do not like a bunch of gadgets and crap!  I like a few good quality tools and I like a little old school cooking.  I love chopping and using my amazing knife!  I bought a Shun knife at Williams Sonoma about 8 years ago, it was a brand new knife in their collection, its the Ken Onion chef's knife.  Previously I just had my knives from our wedding that were like $50 for the block.  They were great when I only needed a knife to open a box from time to time, but when I started cooking I needed knives! So the lady at the store said I was better off getting a good chef's knife, a paring knife and a bread knife.   So instead of buying lots of medium priced knifes, I invested in a $200 Shun chef's knife!  I still have it and still get excited every time I pull it out to use it!  There are two types of  people when it comes to using a knife...there are choppers, more of a traditional japans style, going straight down, then there are rockers, those who like to rock and roll their chopping.  The choppers would like the santuko style japansese knife, straight flat blade, here is a beautiful example (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/shun-ken-onion-hollow-ground-santoku-knife/?pkey=cknives-shun.)  Where you see hollow ground that is referring to the groves in the knife, it is said to eliminate food sticking to the blade.   The rockers would like more of a western style chef's knife, a curved blade.   Here is a good example of a rocking chef's knife (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/shun-reserve-chefs-knife/?pkey=cknives-shun).    I love Shun knifes, I will never use anything else!  I need to try more of their knives, but they are pricey, worth it!  I have had mine 8 years and never had to sharpen it!!! They don't need to be as expensive as this! I just found the coolest ones to put here :)    

Also I use All Clad cookware!  I took a bonus I earned at work and went and bought the set!  It was about $650!  That was about 8 or 9 years ago.  These are items I will have for the rest of my life and will be giving to my daughter some day!  They are hands down the best cookware!!!  They are as beautiful today as they were all that time ago!

Anyway, I am tired, I have so much to say about cooking!  But this will be it for tonight!  

Have a good night!  If anyone reads this and has any questions please leave me a comment :)

New things to say...but really nothing to say...hey I'm a politician!

So I have decided to entertain my one loyal follower (my mom) with new posts on other DIY stuff that I endeavor.  Since I have always liked to do things myself and can sometimes feel like everyone in marketing is lying to me, I like to do all sorts of stuff on my own, like DIY beauty!  I make my own face "wash" oils, body lotions, body exfolients, facial moisturizer, all different types of hair and face masks etc.  I love trying new "recipes" for beauty.  I like the idea of natural beauty, as natural as I can get and stand :) Mind you, I do not mean make-up!!  I love the Sephora store!!  Give me a shopping basket, 1 hour and $100 and I will be so happy, of course with only $100 to spend, I would only need about 10 minutes...but I digress.  So in the near future (i hope) I will blog about other things I am doing, recipes for food, beauty stuff and of course house stuff.  Haven't done much lately as time and money are at a low right now.  Had a great time during Christmas with my parents, they came out here for a few days and my dad put up paneling in my living, dining room and kitchen wall....then my mom and I painted!  It was awesome!  My mom and I also went and did a little shopping for treasures :)   We went to Goodwill where I found a rare blue mason jar, I was beside myself and held it tight as I was sure everyone knew the value of this jar and was about to tackle me (good luck with that! haha); then I found a whole bunch of other stuff that I needed!  My mom, made sure we were pleasantly scented for the trip by breaking a very fabulous bottle of Avon perfume that was about 30 years old!  No one would go near us and all the lovely, elderly ladies commented on how we stunk!  We laughed so hard, I think I tinkled a little....a benefit I have enjoyed as I age.  I don't have any fabulous pictures to post right now as I am laying in bed about to pass out....not even sure this post is coherent...if its not...well sorry about about that.  Read it again tomorrow night, late...might make more sense then.


I have just started back to school full time and it takes much of my time, ssssooooo as much as I love to blog, and I really do love it!  I don't much time to do it, or really anything to blog about, unless you all, meaning my mom who is probably the only one reading this, wants to here the saga that is my life, then I will wait for something titillating to write about...  night all  (mom :)  and mom, since you are my audience, i am changing the font :)  "well thats fantastic"


BUT WAIT! THERES MORE!!!


No not really....not yet