Monthly Archives: September 2020

Decadent Chocolate Truffles, Fall Vibes and Color Palettes from Beauty Counter

I don’t think we need a season change to enjoy decadent chocolate truffles, but for some reason the beginning of October always has my mind going toward thoughts of them.

This recipe is nut, dairy, grain and gluten free and melt in your mouth.

They are sweetened with Maple Syrup and Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips which is my go to chocolate chip because the are allergen friendly.

Decadent Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips

1/3 Cup of Sunflower Seed Butter

1/4 Cup of Cocoa Butter (chopped into small pieces) This is my preferred brand.

2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1/8 Teaspoon of Salt

1/4 Cup of Cocoa Powder (reserved for rolling)

Directions:

In a double boiler, place the chocolate chips and the cocoa butter. I make my own double boiler by placing a small saucepan with an inch of water on the stove and using a stainless steel bowl that fits on top without touching the water. If you are using this, the chocolate chips and cocoa butter go in the bowl above the simmering water like a double boiler to melt it.

Melt the chocolate chips and cocoa butter over simmering water. When they are completely melted, whisk in the remaining ingredients except the cocoa powder until smooth and glossy.

Place the bowl of chocolate into the refrigerator for a half an hour to cool enough for scooping.

When the truffle mixture is ready to scoop, get a small plate and add the cocoa powder to it. With a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the truffles one at a time onto the cocoa powder and roll them around until evenly coated with cocoa powder. Place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet. When all the truffles are rolled let them set for 30 minutes. Then they are ready to eat. Store them at room temperature.

Makes approximately 15 decadent truffles

So, are you feeling those Fall vibes? I am! There’s a little nip in the morning air, the leaves are changing, a hint of wood smoke around town, and pumpkins everywhere! We even have a house down the hill from us decorated to the hilt for Halloween already. It is quite well done. We were walking Ming a few nights ago, and I had to pull my daughter, Skyli, back from walking into the road because she was looking at all the details of their yard. Do you have a favorite fall color? Rich plums, warm browns, coppers, dark greens, burgundy, black…. I like them all, but my favorites are the coppers and rich plums for sweaters, jackets and bags. Give me a black pair of boots any day.

Have you checked out the eye palettes at Beauty Counter? The one shown here is the classic palette with warm nudes and neutrals using clean safer beauty ingredients. I’m wearing it in the photo below along with the Illuminating Cream Highlighter in Pearl Glow and Bronze Glow. The Sheer Genius conditioning lipsticks come in ten shades and the ECOCERT-certified organic vanilla from Madagascar is responsible for this lipstick’s signature sweet scent. Pick a blush, highlighter or bronzer for your cheeks and you are set with your new Fall into Winter look! You can get those in creams like I used here or silky smooth triple milled powder.

You can save ten percent off your first order too. When you go to Beauty Counter and sign up for emails you will get a coupon code sent to you. You’ll also get a little something special from me when you order and choose me as your consultant.

All Beauty Counter ingredients are rigorously screened for toxins and contaminants. We all deserve to know when we use skin care and makeup that we are safe. I hope your Fall is going well so far.

Farmhouse Style Foaming Hand Soap to Make Yourself in Peppermint Mocha!

I have an awesome DIY recipe for you to make your own Peppermint Mocha foaming hand soap in an adorable Farmhouse Style dispenser!

This is super easy and convenient, plus shall I say fun to make? It really is enjoyable to mix up your own hand soap. When you have the simple ingredients handy, you can make it all year round. This is a safe way to wash your hands without any chemicals or unwanted toxins going onto your hands. We all have been washing our hands a lot lately!

This peppermint mocha essential oil mixture smells good enough to eat! My favorite kind of soap!

Here’s how to make it and where to get these super cute, glass farmhouse dispensers.

Farmhouse Style Foaming Hand Soap in Peppermint Mocha

Ingredients:

1 Glass Farmhouse Style Foaming Dispenser or other 12 oz. size foaming dispenser

1/4 Cup of Liquid Castile Baby Unscented Soap

1 Tablespoon of Aloe Vera Gel (optional) this is soothing to the hands. this one is EWG Verified as some have unwanted preservatives

1 Teaspoon of Fractionated Coconut Oil (this is a liquid coconut oil not a solid, solid will not work)

4 Drops of Coffee Essential Oil (here)

4 Drops of Vanilla Essential Oil

3 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1 Cup of Distilled Water

Directions: Mix together all the ingredients except for the Distilled water in a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Add the Distilled Water to the 12 oz. line and mix with a whisk.

Pour the hand soap into your dispenser. That’s it. It’s ready to use.

You will enjoy this uplifting aroma every time you wash your hands!

Sausage and Swiss Chard Vegetable Soup, Low FodMap, Grain Free

We have had several days of rain and cooler weather, and that always gets me craving soup!

I made my Healing Chicken Soup one day and the next I made this Sausage and Swiss Chard Vegetable Soup using Plant Based, Low FodMap, Low Carb Miracle Noodles. They have a good texture and are wonderful in soups! It was hearty, warming and delicious. So good in fact, that I had leftovers for breakfast!

Soup for breakfast is actually a very nourishing way to start the day when it’s a good one that meets your protein and vegetable requirements.

This soup takes about 30 to 40 minutes to prepare, and then you can just put it in the crock pot for 4 to 6 hours until you want to eat. Alternately, you can simmer it on the stove for 30 minutes and skip the crock pot. I love recipes like that! It gives me more time in the afternoon if I use the crock pot and flexibility.

Sausage and Swiss Chard Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 pound of Pastured Ground Pork

1 pound of Grass Fed Ground Beef

My Low FodMap Sausage Seasoning Blend here:

2 Teaspoons of Ground Fennel

1 Teaspoon of Ground Thyme

1 Teaspoon of Sage

1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

1 Teaspoon of Salt

Mix the sausage seasoning blend together.

3 Cups of peeled and diced Butternut Squash and 1/2 teaspoon of salt for browning.

4 Cups of Swiss Chard, Chopped

2 Medium Zucchini, Chopped

1 1/2 Cups of Sliced Scallions (green parts only for Low FodMap)

8 Cups of Chicken Stock

1 Package of Fettucini Miracle Noodles

2 Tablespoons of Garlic Infused Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon of Dried Parsley

Optional: Real Parmigiano Reggiano to grate over the top when serving.

Directions:

In a large skillet over medium high heat, place a tablespoon of Garlic Infused Olive Oil.

Add the ground pork and beef to the olive oil, then sprinkle your sausage seasoning over it. Saute this mixture, blending in the seasoning with a spatula, and thoroughly cook and brown the meat. Drain the fat, then add the cooked meat to your crock pot. Using the same pan, add the second tablespoon of Garlic Infused Olive Oil and then add your butternut squash, and sprinkle it with a half teaspoon of salt. Brown it over medium heat for about five minutes. Turning half way through. The squash only needs to be browned, not cooked through. Add the squash to the crock pot with the ground meat.

Add the remaining soup ingredients except the miracle noodles and parsley, including the broth, to your crockpot. Stir, then place the lid on, set the crock pot to high and let cook for 4 to 6 hours.

About 15 minutes before serving, open your Miracle Noodle package, rinse them under cold water, and add them to the soup along with the dried parsley.

If you eat dairy, this is good with real aged parmesan grated on the top.

Fruit and Quinoa Granola, Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Guess what makes really great granola other than oats? Quinoa Flakes!

As someone who cross reacts to gluten when eating gluten free oats, quinoa flakes have been a very happy discovery! It can be substituted anywhere oats are called for.

This is a healthy granola recipe that is made with three kinds of dried fruit. I’ve included dried blueberries, raisins and turkish figs in this recipe.

It is sweetened with maple syrup, and the fat used is heart healthy olive oil. I added a touch of warming cozy cinnamon.

How do you like to eat granola? I like it as a yogurt topping and just plain by the handful.

Fruit & Quinoa Granola, Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Ingredients:

3 Cups of Quinoa Flakes (my go to gluten free brand)

1/3 Cup of Pure Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup of good Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon of Salt

1/2 Cup of Turkish Figs, diced

1/3 Cup of Dried Blueberries

1/3 Cup of Raisins

Directions:

Spread your quinoa flakes in an even layer on a baking sheet, and toast for 8 minutes stirring half way through.

Remove quinoa flakes from the oven and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Heat the maple syrup, olive oil, cinnamon and salt over medium high heat to a rolling boil. Pour the hot mixture over the bowl of toasted quinoa flakes, and stir until evenly and thoroughly coated.