Quick, Easy Healthy Heart Cookie

Okay, yep at it again, baking so much fun, but when you don't feel well--you want quick and easy.  I had a horribly strong, sweet craving last week and wasn't feeling well. The funny thing is that I don't/can't buy stuff in the store. I don't like processed foods and I don't like pre-made gluten free cookies so if I want something I have to make it myself.  Not saying a bakery is not an option, but quite often I find that bakeries tend to make things a little over the top sweet for my liking.  So, I bake/create/improve, which in essence simply means, I improvise and make it better for me.  I contacted my friend who made these amazing Macaroon Cookies for me when I couldn't bake, let alone cook when I was really bad with pain and couldn't comprehend standing.  So, thank you Kristie for your dedication to gluten free, healthy cookies.  She got the recipe from someone's website where these cookies can be used even if you are doing a "detox" food cleansing.

Well, I don't have the patience to follow the exact recipe which you can find at http://detoxinista.com/2010/09/macaroon-fairy/ and nor did I have all the ingredients so I improvised with shorter list of ingredients. Here 's my recipe:

Recipe: 
Heart Shaped Healthy Coconut Macaroons 

Tools Needed:
Bowl, Parchment Paper (or Aluminum Foil), Metal Cookie Cutter, Wooden Spoon, Silicone Scraper, teaspoon.

Ingredients:
2 cups Raw, Unsweetened Coconut*
1 1/2  tsps. Vanilla
1 tsp. Himalayan Salt**
1/2-3/4 c. Pure, Grade B Maple Syrup***

I mixed all ingredients into a metal bowl and they were a little mushy and didn't hold well together--hence why the other recipe calls for some of the coconut to be made into a butter. Anyway, I didn't want to stand while my little Magic Bullet ground the coconut into a paste/butter (standing too long was not good for someone not feeling well).  So instead, I got a metal heart-shaped cookie cutter (ya'll know me and hearts). I used aluminum foil--you can use Parchment Paper as well ( I had run out) and placed the cookie cutter down to fill.  I used the teaspoon to fill the cookie cutter and press it firmly into shape and removed the cookie cookie carefully.  I continued and made a dozen hearts.  Then it was time to bake.

Preheat Oven: 300 degrees and Bake for 25 to 35 minutes.

 I say 25-35 minutes because at 25 minutes (in my oven) they were moist and chewy (I couldn't wait to try one and it fell apart).  I decided to see what happened when I cooked half the dozen another ten minutes.  Well, they hardened and became crunchy almost like the texture of a Rice Crispy Treat (I used to make those a lot as a kid), but a little crunchier.  As you know, I like crunchy foods so I kind of liked them crunchy.  They have a shelf life of 5 days if you can make them last that long. Mine lasted only 2 1/2 days--I didn't count the half day that I made them. :)

Why do I consider these really healthy? 

Quick Benefits to Coconut....
• Lowers cholesterol,  Improves digestion, Fights off viruses, Regulates hormones, Increases thyroid production, Helps you lose weight, increases and more.
Read more: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/coconut-health-benefits#ixzz2bZvvoVh5

Quick Benefits of Himalayan Salt...
Promotes a healthy PH to your cells, Supports Respiratory Health, Reduces Muscle Cramps, Promotes Sinus Health, Promoting Vascular Health...and more
Read more: http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/

Quick Benefits of Maple syrup...contains calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and significant source of the mineral manganese
Read more: World's Healthiest Foods

Let me know what you think when you try them!


*I never buy sweetened coconut--too sweet.
**I use only Himalyan Salt or Kosher Sea Salt for cooking, but mostly Himalayan.
***I always buy Grade B--I know you all thought Grade A was the best because in school it is better to get an A than a B.  Well, Grade A is the lighter syrup  more processed and B is the heavier syrup less processed. It is because of the Mineral Content--which is much better and often needed in our bodies. 

The Best Healing Toothpaste Ever

Okay, so I have been pampering me A LOT and with products that were gifted to me and provided to me during my several months of recovery from a car accident.   So today, I want to share my experience with the best toothpaste ever! For years, my gums have bled no matter if I was flossing or brushing. The dentist just told me, "unfortunately your gums are sensitive".  Then he would suggest, buy a softer bristle toothbrush, but really?  They only have extra-soft and I had that type of brush already and my gums would still bleed.  Recently, I started using Young Living Oils.   Yes, they are a little bit expensive, but my goodness I have found that they are well worth it in so many ways!  (To have something non-toxic, 100% purity is fabulous!) I love these oils!!! They are amazing!! 

But today, I am going to talk about their toothpaste called Dentarome and/or Dentarome Plus, both of  which contains Thieves Oil.  It is really the best toothpaste ever.  (Recently, I ordered the Dentarome Plus which has a couple other oils to enhance flavor and more whitening ability.) I've been using it now for two months and just recently, it occurred to me that my gums do not bleed!  They don't bleed if I floss, they don't bleed when brushing and my teeth don't seem as sensitive.

Let me tell you a little about the ritual I do to keep my mouth germ free and clean. I floss my teeth at least twice a day. I  brush with Dentarome Toothpaste (soft bristle brush is used).  Then, I used the Thieves Oil Blend and put a drop on my gums of the lower teeth and a drop on my upper gums.

My discovery of how to keep my teeth clean begins with flossing my teeth twice a day.   I then brush with Thieve's Dentarome Toothpase. Then I use the the Theive's Oil Blend. I put a drop on my finger tip and rub it into my lower gums and another drop on my finger for the upper gums.  I let it sit in my mouth for about a minute then take a couple sips of water to swish it around and spit.  Yes, my mouth tastes fresh, clean, little tingly and numb.  But, it goes away quickly the numbness that is.


By the way this Oil Blend was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. The judge at the time set the "Thieves" free if they would give the recipe for this antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory oil. This proprietary essential oil blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health.  There are many uses for this oil, but  this is just one little miracle that I wanted to share with you about the Thieves Essential Oil Blend.   If you are interested, in buying the oil or the toothpaste, please feel free to contact me at april@soulstarhealing.com.  I would be happy to set you up to receive this amazing gum-healing magic.  Feel free to contact me about other uses for this amazing oil!

Recipe for a Healing Summer Salad

I have been playing with my food again.  Do you ever do that?  You know, those times you get bored with eating or you look at the food in your fridge and think what am I going to make?   Well, if you don't know what I mean...imagine it.  You open the refrigerator and you see salad greens, you see spinach and you see watermelon.  You think to yourself.  Not another greens salad.  That is what I mean.   In the last several years, I have upped my game in cooking and baking because I really don't like that bored, tired feeling with food.

So,  I've gotten really creative particularly in the last few years.  And, while I am not a Vegetarian/Vegan or any other "diet" follower, with the exception of being Gluten Free. I am an Intuitive Eater. What does that mean? It means I eat what my body craves.  The beauty of really knowing your body/energy is that you are able to listen to it and respond to it.   Which brings me to today's recipe that is just a really yummy/easy/ quick/healthy/healing summer salad..  Why is it all those adjectives?  Well to answer that question you will have to make the recipe.  But I will share why this recipe is a healing summer salad.

Spinach Watermelon Salad  Serves 2-4

4 c. Raw Spinach
2 c. Fresh Watermelon (cut in chunks)
3/4 c. Roasted Almonds (You can slice, chop or leave them whole.)
1/2 c. Goat Cheese Crumbled
1 tsp. Black Pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

Since the car accident, I have had a lot of pain and an increase inflammation in my body. I look to my supplements, alternative techniques and my diet to help reduce inflammation.  I've been craving watermelon and spinach a lot lately not really knowing that they both have anti-inflammatory properties.  This recipe has all around good balance, good source of vitamins and minerals and a great taste. Inflammation is not only the cause of physical pain, but it is also the precursor for many diseases such as: cancer, diabetes and heart disease.  So in essence this salad is a great healer and a preventative measure.  Not to mention it hits the taste buds perfectly !   When I cook making sure all the sensations that I need to satisfy me are covered such as: sweet, crunchy, spicy, softy, flavorful, I find there is no need to overeat or want anything more.  Enjoy the Salad!