Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Endless Benefits of Green Tea

I am sure that you have all read countless articles and blogs on this subject, so I apologize in advance for any dull repetitions! Personally, I can't learn enough about this amazing drink...it's truly miraculous, and I wanted to share some facts that I've recently read.
1. Studies show that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

2. Research [at University of Purdue] has shown that green tea contains a compound which inhibits the growth of cancer cells, without harming healthy tissue!

3. It is very high in catechin polyphenols, namely epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is a powerful anti-oxidant.

4. It has proven effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

5. Green, oolong, and black tea are from the same plant, called Camellia Sinensis. Green tea is different due to it's processing, which consists of boiling the leaves, instead of fermenting them. The boiling process allows the EGCG to oxidize, whereas the fermenting process converts the EGCG into other compounds which have proven considerably less useful.

6. The only harmful side effect is possible insomnia due to caffeine levels. However, green tea contains contains 20mg of caffeine (per 8 oz), whereas coffee contains 60-120 mg.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Deliciously Simple "Incredible Vegetable Soup"


I adore sipping a cup of heartwarming soup on a cool day. Actually, this makes me welcome and look forward to the cooler weather! Here is a recipe that is so incredibly simple, and it sounds so yummy! Why not try it out?


Ingredients:
1 yellow zucchini, chopped
3-4 large carrots, chopped
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1/2 small cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup diced onions
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 49 1/2 ounce can chicken broth
1-2 tsp oregano
1-2 tsp Italian seasoning


Method
Saute garlic and onion in oil in saucepan. Add and lightly saute carrots, zucchini, and cauliflower. Add broth, rice, and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer 35 minutes or until rice is soft. Add seasoning.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Power to the Pants!


We all wear pants, so why not wear an environmentaly friendly pair? This company, "Pants for Poverty", has been producing fairtrade, organic, sweatshop free underpants for four years now! They are grown and sewn in India and are beautiful from "grain to groin." They work with a company in India called Zameen Organic, which is the world’s first farmer-owned marketing company for Fairtrade and organic cotton. If you are interesting in joining this pants revolution, visit the link below, or stop by Salts Organic to pick up a pair!

Learn more about Pants to Poverty here.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Dress For you Body Type. 5 Tips for a Flattering you.


Whenever I am designing a new item I like to take into account what its going to do for the person that puts it on. We all have had an item that hugs us in all the wrong places and makes us feel like we are on the way to Frumpville. Then we have also had the great luck in finding a piece that shows off our best and highlights what makes us beautiful. Those are the items that we keep for years and wear until there is nothing left to them. My favorite moment is when I manage to come up with something that looks great and flatters all the right places on a lot of different women.

The most common complaint that I get from women is that clothing hugs their tummies and backs. Another concern of course is the thigh area. I have compiled some of my best advice for diverting attention (yours mostly, no one else thinks much about your tummy and thighs by the way) away from the areas you don't totally love into areas that you adore.

1. Determine your best feature and build your look around it. Love your eye color? Compliment it with color and tone. A great tip is to find a color wheel and then find the color of you eyes. Bring it out by finding the color on the opposite side and wearing that. For example orange colors bring out blue eyes. Wearing colors that match your eyes also tend to bring them out more.

2. Style lines, Style lines, Style lines. A well placed style line is a woman's best friend. Want to whittle your waist? Grab an item with an hour glass style line on the front. Slim your thighs? Look for length wise lines down the legs of your bottoms. Avoid cargo pockets on pants if you want to slim down your legs. Our classic Candy hoodie (shown above on Leah Oke) in Organic Cotton and hemp has a great cut, toning your midsection with out all those boring sit-ups.

3. Color and Darks. Wear your dark colors on area that you want to minimize and lighter brighter colors on areas you want to draw attention to. Large on top and small on bottom? Pair a black top with a bright colored bottom. This will balance your figure more evenly.

4. Ruching is the bomb. Runching is deep gathers on a garment used to create folds. They are great for covering bumpy areas that you want to keep to yourself. Gathering also works great to add volume if your very petite. Our Wave Check EcoFriendly Hoodie has Ruching along the front with a waist whittling style line to give you a double whammy of flattering effects. Check out our Zen Jacket if you want to add some bulk to your figure.

5. Draw the attention of your admirers where you want it to go. This works terrifically in all areas of your life. The obvious example if the mighty bare cleavage but there are subtler and classier ways to pull the technique off. Use brighter colors and interesting details to draw admiring glances where you want them. Try a great necklace to enhance your beautiful neck or a hair pin to draw attention to your luxurious mane. Grab some great jeans if you like your bottom half better than your top and wear a plain dark shirt minimize your top. Then put on a smile to show off your pretty soul.

Hope these tips help you to look and feel your best. If you want some more tips come stop by Salts Clothing at 2052 Otter Point Road in Beautiful Sooke, BC on Vancouver Island and speak to one of our stylists. Of course your can always shop for Salts Organic Clothing online.

With Love,
Jenny

Designer, Salts

Monday, September 28, 2009

How to Clean with out Crap....

Make your own...

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Go grab an essential oil in your favorite smell and add it in as well! Come in and try some of our Soulful Sister Aromatherapy for your perfect cleaner!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Learn To Make An Apple Wreath


Hiya Everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the lovely sun this weekend has brought in for us! But this blog is not for discussing the current weather, I come on a mission! An apple wreath mission, that is. How many of you love that scent of freshly bakes pie? Yum, when you walk into a house where someone was baking all day. It's simply irresistible!


This wreath comes quite close to providing those same nose-pleasing aromas, and it will last much longer!



What you will need:

Juice of approximately 10 lemons

2 teaspoons salt

8 - 10 large firm apples

8 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons allspice

1 teaspoon cloves

8" - 10" sturdy, heavy gauge wire

1 - 1 1/2 yards of a 1" ribbon



How to make your apple wreath:


1) Place lemon juice in a large bowl, and stir in salt.

2) Peel, core, and slice apples horizontally into 1/4" thick circles. Soak slices in lemon juice bowl for approximately 6-10 minutes, making sure each side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon juice.

3) Meanwhile, mix spices in a bowl and blend well.

4) Remove the slices from the bowl and place them on paper towels. Pat tops of apple slices with paper towels.

5) Dust apples slices with spice mixture. Turn slices over and repeat on opposite side.

6) Place apples slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 150-200 degrees F for 6 hours or until completely dried. Apple slices should be slightly pliable.

7) Fold each apple slice in half, and then into quarters and thread the apples slices onto the wire. Continue to pack on the folded apples until the wire is completely filled.

8) When the wire is completely covered, use pliers to bend ends into hooks so that they can connect and close. Carefully shape wire into desired shape. I recommend either a circle or heart shape.

9) Using your ribbon, create a hanger for your wreath.

10) Hang on your wall, or package as a gift for someone special.


Happy Wreath-Making,

Salts

Saturday, September 19, 2009

How to Make a Deliciously Simple Zucchini Dish!



It feels great to eat local, and your body really appreciates organic choices! The early months of fall make both of these really easy to do. Zucchini, Corn, Squash, Tomatoes and Bell peppers are all in season, along with many more yummy vegetables. Here is a really simple, mouthwatering recipe which makes it hard not to eat local an organic! Enjoy!


Things You'll Need:


  • one squash

  • one zucchini

  • butter

  • mozzarella

  • shredded cheeses

  • Basil leaves

  • 9 x 12 baking dish


Instructions:


  1. First, you will want to go a head and preheat your oven to 425 degree. Then slice the squash and zucchini about 1/4 inch thick.

  2. Next heat up a skillet on medium heat and place a pad of butter in it. Now you will want to lightly brown both sides of the squash and zucchini.Place squash and zucchini on a paper towel to absorb any extra liquid.

  3. After the squash and zucchini is lightly browned, layer it in the 9 x 12 baking pan. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and just a pinch of basil.

  4. Place in oven for about 7 minutes or until cheese is melted.

  5. Enjoy!


Want more mouthwatering zucchini dishes? Try these!


http://www.squidoo.com/zucchini