This Week's Sweepstakes Winner!

Congratulations to Erin!!!

She won the Gluten-Free Goodies sweepstakes!!! Make sure to check back on Monday morning and enter for your chance to win the next sweepstakes!

Introducing NVEY eco

I am a makeup junkie. I have been ever since my mom bought me my first play makeup set and nail polish. Unfortunately, most of that makeup I've been collecting over the years is made up of junk. But not anymore! In addition to our already stellar lines (Larenim and Lavera are the larger two, but we also have Honeybee Gardens, Kiss My Face and Aubrey), we would like to welcome NVEY eco (pronounced NA-vey).

NVEY is the first, and only, certified organic cosmetic line (certified by the OrganicFood Chain and the Australian Government) in the United States. The line is a mixture of plants and minerals and is great for all skin types. Many of NVEY's products feature ingredients like beeswax, rose absolute, jojoba oil, chamomile, and vitamins A, E, & C. After applying makeup with ingredients like that, it would be impossible for your skin to not feel nourished, moisturized and healthy! While NVEY eco has only been in the US since 2006, its parent company (NVEY Le Maquillage) has been in the cosmetic industry for nearly 50 years. NVEY eco was released after 9 years of intensive development and testing. The NVEY company is based in Australia and must meet their stringent requirements.

The line also boasts incredibly long staying power. Now, I know what you're thinking. EVERY line says that their makeup lasts all day. So, I came to the store with nothing but my mascara on (not a pretty sight, trust me) and played beautician at 9:30 in the morning. I didn't look in a mirror until 3 and was impressed that not only had my foundation not rubbed off or absorbed into my skin, my eyeshadow hadn't creased at ALL and, despite eating lunch and drinking from a water bottle all day, my lipstick was still perfectly in place. And, amazingly enough, when I got home at 7, very little had changed.

I will warn you, the prices are a little higher than what you are probably used to spending (especially if you are loyal to the drugstore brands), but it is good for your skin, looks amazing and you really don't have to use much at all for great coverage. And remember, the line is new to us too... So if you come in and see a colour you want that we don't have, tell us! We'll happily order it in for you!

Alternative Sweeteners

Here's a bit of sweet talk for you!  Confused by all the alternative sweeteners?  Check out this information on three popular alternatives.

Vegan Wednesday Recipe!

*Vegan* Jalapeno Poppers from The 30 Minute Vegan cookbook (now available at Food For Thought!)

(Makes 10 poppers)

10 Large jalapeno peppers

1/4 cup tahini

1 teaspoon soy sauce

3 tablespoons water

3/4 cup bread crumbs (or pretzel crumbs)

Filling:

3/4 cup grated vegan mozzarella (I Like Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet cheese)

1 tablespoon vegan cream cheese (optional) (Follow Your Heart or Tofutti brand)

2 tablespoons finely diced red onion

1 teaspoon chile powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Preheat oven or a toaster oven to 425 F. Cut off the tops of the jalapenos. Use a paring knife to remove the seeds and ribs.

2. Place the tahini, soy sauce, and water in medium-size bowl and mix well.

Place the bread crumbs in a separate bowl.

3. Prepare the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mixing well.

4. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Using your hands or a small spoon, scoop the filling into each pepper. Also using a spoon or your hands, spread the tahini mixture onto the peppers and place them on the baking . Liberally pour the bread crumbs over the peppers. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until slightly crispy.

Gluten-Free Tuesday!

As I was trying to figure out another delicious recipe to post for those of us trying to lead a gluten-free (GF) lifestyle, it occurred to me that many people don't even know about gluten, gluten intolerance, and why GF foods, cookbooks and other products have seemed to explode over the past few years. So this, my friends, is a very brief introduction to gluten, Celiac Disease, and, of course, your options for a GF lifestyle, regardless of if it is necessary or not.

Gluten is a composite of the proteins gliadin and glutenin. It exists only in grass grains, most notably wheat, rye and barely. Gluten gives dough its elasticity when kneading, makes breads chewy, allows it to rise and stabilizes the shape. Because it is such a wonderful source of protein, gluten is frequently added into low-protein foods (hence why it is in almost EVERYTHING now!).

Unfortunately, many people are allergic to or have an intolerance to gluten. It has also been suggested that even people who are not gluten intolerant should adapt a GF lifestyle (you would, ideally, be consuming more fruits and vegetables, since most processed foods contain gluten).

Celiac (Coeliac) Disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance, and is also considered the most under-diagnosed disease affecting Americans today. It is a chronic and inherited disease. In short, foods containing gluten damage the villi in the small intestine (and trigger the disease). Then, when more foods containing gluten are consumed, there is further damage to the villi and no nutrients are absorbed from the food. Instead, it is passed along quickly through your intestines...

New Earth Friendly Ecos Detergent Coupon!

A great deal is now even better!  Go here and print off a coupon for $1/1 Ecos Laundry detergent coupon.   The 100 oz. Ultra Liquid Ecos Lemongrass scent is on sale in April for $8.69.  Final cost would be $7.69 for 100 HE loads!

Manic Monday Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

The weekend is over and it's back to reality! Each Monday we will post an easy recipe, either for the crockpot, make-ahead or five ingredient or less recipe.  Here's to eating healthy, simply!

Here's this week recipe:

Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 can crushed tomatoes

2 large cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon sugar
pinch of celery seeds
2 tablespoons dry red wine
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
1.  Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the chicken and saute, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. 
2.  Combine the chicken, tomatoes, garlic, sugar, celery seeds and wine in the crockpot.  Cover and cook on low for about 6-8 hours. 
3.  Combine the cheeses in a small bowl and sprinkle them over the chicken.  Don't stir.  Cook until the cheeses are melted, about 15 minutes.

Recipe from The Ultimate Sloweer Cooker Cookbook