Red Cabbage and Jicama Spring Rolls With Peanut Dipping Sauce [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

INGREDIENTS

1 package of “spring roll skin wrappers”

1 cup thinly sliced red (or green) cabbage

1 cup thinly sliced cucumber strips

1 cup thinly sliced jicama (or carrots, radish, or broccoli stems)

1 cup fresh mint leaves

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1 cup fresh basil leaves

Peanut Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)

3/4 cup warm water

1 Tbsp rice or white vinegar

1 Tbsp sugar or agave syrup

1 Tbsp coconut aminos, tamari, or soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp fresh shallot or onion

1/2 tsp (or more) fresh thai chili (optional)

PREPARATION

Thinly slice all veggies into strips and place in separate clusters on large plate. 

Remove herbs from stems and add whole leaves to plate as well.

Boil water and fill very wide bowl or pie plate about half way full, let sit for a few minutes to cool ever so slightly. 

One at a time, soften spring roll sheets by dipping them into the hot water, using your fingers to move them around. 

Depending on hotness of water, it will take about 2-10 seconds for them to soften. 

They should be pliable but not mushy and falling apart, think al dente pasta, as they will continue to soften even out of the water. 

Layer two softened spring roll sheets on top of one another on cutting board (wood works well here) and fill bottom third with a a bit of each veggie and herbs, do not overstuff! Less is more here. 

Roll up like you would a mini burrito, tucking in sides and rolling up tightly. It will conveniently stick to itself, making this very easy. 

Cut in half and place on serving plate.

In a blender combine all ingredients for peanut sauce and process 10-20 seconds until creamy. 

Transfer to small bowl and top with chopped scallions or additional chopped chili pepper, if desired.

You Have About 20 Pounds Of Poison In Your Colon.

The colon is a vital part of a healthy, functioning body. It plays a role in digestion, in your immune system, and in maintaining the water balance in your body. The colon is the part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum. A colon that is not working properly will hold toxic waste longer than is good for you. An unhealthy colon is one that does not move the waste along efficiently enough. It  results in this toxic waste being absorbed by the wall of the colon and into the bloodstream. For a healthy colon, it takes less than 24 hours for food to transit through our body. But with modern eating habits (processed food that lacks enzymes, fibers and nutrients) the transit time slows down to 70 hours.  This results in a toxic colon and up to 30 pounds of accumulated waste.  (research)

And the most common sign of having a toxic colon is a condition called constipation.   Constipation occurs when waste materials move too slowly through the large bowel, resulting in infrequent and/or painful elimination.

Toxic colon Symptoms: Digestive symptoms Constipation, bloating, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, stomach pain General health Joint pain, muscle pain Behavioral symptoms Depression, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, poor memory Immune system Weak immune system, recurrent vaginal or bladder infections, skin rashes.

Bernard Jensen DC, ND, PhD is one of the pioneers who used colon cleansing to improve a person’s quality of life. In his book, Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management, he explains the importance of colon cleansing: “the heavy mucus coating in the colon thickens and becomes a host of putrefication. The blood capillaries to the colon begin to pick up the toxins, poisons and noxious debris as it seeps through the bowel wall. All tissues and organs of the body are now taking on toxic substances. Here is the beginning of true autointoxication on a physiological level. This accumulation can have the consistency of truck tire rubber. It’s that hard and black.” 

The Easiest Homemade Colon Cleanser

Master Cleanse is a 10-16 day cleansing program developed in 1940 by alternative health practitioner, Stanley Burroughs. In 1976, Burroughs presented his cleansing program to the world through a book titled The Master Cleanser.

Ingredients

(single serving):

2 Tablespoons of organic lemon Juice (about 1/2 a Lemon)

2 Tablespoons of Organic grade B maple syrup (not the commercial maple flavored syrup you use on pancakes) – you can find it here here

1/10 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper powder

Ten ounces of filtered water

Directions

Mix everything together. Drink this mixture 5 to 8 times per day for a minimum of 10 days.

You can also supplement with essential oils. They help to support the detoxification process of the body, while increasing the uptake of other nutrients and minerals to help your body re-balance. Therapeutic grade essential oils are effective because their nutrients are readily assimilated on a cellular level.

Ingredients

· Juice from 1 organic Lemon

·10 drops each Lemon and Peppermint essential oils, 2 drops On Guard blend

Directions

·Combine in 8 ounces of purified water

·Daily, you can drink over a period of time

·Time period: 14 days

RASPBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE ‘CHEESECAKE’ (VALENTINE’S DAY RECIPE)

The classic combination of raspberry & white chocolate always hits the spot, but is usually laden with refined-sugar, fat and nasty additives that leave us feeling like a bag of wet cement - but not this bad boy!  This recipes means you can have your raspberry white chocolate ‘cheesecake’, eat it too, and feel like a butterfly afterwards! 

Makes 1 10cm round cake 
Allow 30 minutes -1 hours between freezer and mouth. 

BASE LAYER 

• 1/4 cup whole oats, processed into flour 
• 4-6 soft Medjool dates 
• 1 tsp rice malt syrup (optional)
• 1 tbsp raw cacao 
• 1 tbsp shredded coconut 

METHOD 

1. Add all ingredients into high powered blender or food processor and pulse until well combined. The mixture should clump but not be too sticky. 
2. Press into a lined 4inch/10cm spring form tin or ramekin. 
3. Set in freezer while preparing the filling. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE ‘CHEESECAKE’ 

• 1 cup of cashews, soaked for 4 hours and drained 
• 2 tbsp rice malt syrup 
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
• pinch of sea salt 
• juice of 1/2 lemon 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 2 tbsp/10 g cacao butter, grated 
• 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil 

METHOD 

1. Blend or process the first 6 ingredients until well combined. Scrape sides of blender or food processor and pulse again until smooth. 
2. Slowly melt the cacao butter and coconut oil in a bowl over simmering pot of water. Once melted, add to the blender or food processor with the remaining ingredients and blend until combined well. 
3. Spoon 3/4 mixture onto the base and set in freezer for 30 minutes. 

RASPBERRY LAYER 

• Remaining 1/4 of white chocolate mixture 
• 1/2 cup raspberries, plus extra for garnishing 

METHOD 

1. Add 1/2 cup of raspberries to the remaining white chocolate mix and blend or process well. 
2. Pour on top of cheesecake and set in the freeze. 
3. To Serve, garnish with extra raspberries.

20 Amazingly Sweet And Healthy Secrets Of Papaya.

20 Amazingly Sweet And Healthy Secrets Of Papaya.

The papaya (from Carib via Spanish), papaw, or pawpaw is the fruit of the plant Carica papaya, the sole species in the genus Carica of the plant family Caricaceae.

The flesh (edible part) of the papaya is normally a bright orange color and can have yellow or pink hues. It is deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency. Inside the inner cavity of the fruit are black, round seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance.

Papayas, native to Central America, have been long revered by the Latin American Indians. It was first cultivated in Mexico several centuries before the emergence of the Mesoamerican classical civilizations. Spanish and Portuguese explorers brought papayas to many other subtropical lands to which they journeyed including India, the Philippines, and parts of Africa.

In the 20th century, papayas were brought to the United States and have been cultivated in Hawaii, the major U.S. producer since the 1920s.This revered tropical fruit was reputably called “the fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus.

 

20 AMAZINGLY SWEET AND HEALTHY SECRETS OF PAPAYA:

1. Digestive Aid:  Papaya is known to be a natural laxative, relieving habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea. The digestive enzyme papain along with the high water content and soluble fiber improve the ease of digestibility.
2. Fights Emphysema:  If you smoke, or are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, papaya’s vitamin A can help reduce your lung inflammation and stave off respiratory diseases.
3. Prevents Heart Disease:  Papaya is rich in fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants, which prevent cholesterol oxidation that can result in dangerous plague formation contributing to heart attacks or strokes. Papaya contains zero cholesterol, and the high content of fiber will also help lower high cholesterol levels.
4. Intestinal Disorders:  The papain in unripe papaya is extremely beneficial for those who are deficient in gastric juice, have excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, dyspepsia and intestinal irritation.
5. Menstrual Irregularities:  Unripe papaya juice has long been recommended to ease menstrual flow in cases of menstruation cessation in young ladies due to cold or trauma. In pregnant ladies, regular consumption of a small slice of papaya helps to cure nausea and morning sickness.
6. Skin Care:  Applying unripe papaya juice on open wounds prevents pus formation and swelling and also is also used to treat skin disorders like chronic ulcers, acne andpsoriasis. Papaya face packs help remove pigmentation or brown spots, and improve skin texture and elasticity. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and antioxidants likebeta-carotene which helps prevent skin cell damage, keeping wrinkles and other signs of ageing at bay.
7. Spleen Enlargement:  An ancient remedy to reduce swelling and enlargement of spleen is to consume ripe papaya that has been soaked in vinegar.
8. Respiratory Disorders: A concoction of fresh unripe papaya juice and honey dissolves the “false” air-passage blocking membranes and prevents spread of infection, providing soothing relief against respiratory complaints of cough, bronchitis, breathlessness, over-inflamed tonsils, diphtheria and other throat disorders.
9. Hypertension Antidote: Papaya is also a rich source of Potassium, a critical component in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, relaxing the nerves and aiding blood circulation, preventing heart ailments and hypertension.
10. Eye Care: Papaya is rich in Vitamin A and phytochemicals – lutein, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin, which help protect and maintain healthy cells, and act as antioxidants and filters blocking harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light, and preventing diseases like age-related macular degeneration.
11. Anti-Inflammatory:  The anti-inflammatory effects of the critical enzymes papain and chymopapain, along with Vitamins C, E, and beta carotene in papaya, greatly reduce inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and asthma, and increase the rate of healing from burns.
12. Prevents Colon Cancer: The high water content and rich soluble fiber in papaya binds to cancer-causing toxins, and eliminates them from the body during bowel movements and antioxidants, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and carotenes prevent free radical cell damage causing colon, liver, lung and prostate cancers.
13. Strengthens Immunity Shield:  The presence of Beta-carotene in papaya is required for the proper functioning of the immune system, preventing recurrent ear infections, cold and flu. Vitamin C, A and E all powerful immune boosting antioxidant vitamins, help maintain healthy mucus membranes, clear skin, good eye sight, all the while fighting free radicals.
14. Aids Weight Loss: Papaya is a great weight loss diet food as it contains very low calories, zero cholesterol, high water content to hydrate, soluble fiber content that satiates you and boosts the waste management functions, effectively helping you shed the pounds from the inside out.
15. Diabetic Food: Papaya is extremely sweet to taste but surprisingly has low-sugar content. A great food for diabetics and people wanting to prevent it.
16. Stress Buster: Vitamin C in papayas help regulate the stress hormones making it a must food before you start your day or when you want to relax after a tiring, stressful work day.
17. Treats Renal Disorders: The aqueous seed extract of the unripe papaya, stimulates antioxidant and oxidative free radical scavenging, in poison induced kidney disorders, speeding the recovery process.
18. Dengue Treatment: The extract obtained from the papaya leaf increases the platelet count or thrombocytes in patients suffering from dengue fever.
19. Fights Human Papillomavirus: Papaya is rich in vital nutrients- beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein zeaxanthin and vitamin C, which reduce the risk of HPV, the cervical cancer virus, affecting women.
20. Nutritional Powerhouse: Papaya contains a special proteolytic enzyme called papain which is an excellent aid to digestion, and treats jellyfish sting and surgical wounds. It is a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin A and C and flavonoids, B vitamins B1 and B6, folate and pantothenic acid. It also contains small amounts of the minerals calcium, chlorine, iron, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sodium important to proper cellular functioning and an essential component of a healthy diet.

 

Side Effects and Precautions:

• Latex Allergy: Like avocados and bananas, papayas contain substances called chitinases that are associated with the latex-fruit allergy syndrome. There is strong evidence of the cross-reaction between latex and these foods.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don’t take papaya by mouth in medicinal amounts if you are pregnant. There is some evidence that unprocessed papain, one of the chemicals found in papaya, might poison the fetus or cause birth defects.
• Carotenemia: Eating too much of a yellow, green or orange-colored food that contains beta carotene can cause a benign form of skin discoloration (yellow or orange) called carotenemia.
• Respiratory Distress: People who eat too much papaya and ingest high levels of papain may develop symptoms consistent with hay fever or asthma, including wheezing, breathing difficulties and nasal congestion.
• Kidney Stones: Consuming more than recommended vitamin C (found in papaya) per day can induce toxicity symptoms, including oxalate kidney stones. Oxalate is a byproduct of vitamin C once the nutrient has been metabolized.

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Ironically, the same papain that calms your stomach can cause an upset stomach when taken in large amounts. The high fiber content of papaya can also contribute to unrest of the digestive system when you indulge in too much of the tropical fruit, and the latex in the fruit’s skin may cause stomach irritation.

 

Only One Exercise without Movement Tightens Every Muscle and Helps You Get Rid of the Extra Weight

“Plank” is one of the most popular and most effective exercises around the world. It affects not only the abs, but also the muscles of the whole body. Always give it five minutes a day and you will be surprised by the results.The essence of the exercise is that, you should at least once a day like “float” above the floor for several minutes, relying only on the hands and feet. Undoubtedly, to be in such a position even 2 minutes – is not an easy task. At this point a large number of muscles are activated. But, as a result of this exercise, you will have a strong back, tight ass with no cellulite, shaped legs, flat stomach and beautiful hands.

How to exercise the “Plank”:

“Plank” is a static exercise. It does not require movement, so it is important to keep the body properly.

Lie on the floor on your stomach down. Bend your elbows 90 degrees and set in the lying position on your elbows. The body should form a straight line from head to heels. Rely only on your forearms and the fingertips on your feet. The elbows should be directly under your shoulders. Keep your body as flat as possible, strain the abdominal muscles and do not relax. Try not to lower your hips toward the floor.

Feet. Assemble them. It will be difficult to keep the balance that will increase pressure on the abdominal muscles.

Legs. They should be straight and tight, otherwise, the pressure in the right abdominal muscle, which reserves the lumbar spine, will also be reduced.

Buttocks. Stretch and do not relax until the end of the exercise, as this increases the activation of all muscles of the lower torso.

Lower back. The most important moment. For proper execution of the exercise, your lower back should be flat. This means that it must not be curved or dented. Imagine that your back adheres tightly to the wall.

Stomach. Bring it in, and in such a position, try to even tuck it under the ribs. During the exercise hold your stomach in such a position, but do not hold your breath.

Elbows. To avoid unnecessary burden on your shoulders, put your elbows directly below the shoulder joints.

Hold this position as long as you can. To begin with, is enough for 10 seconds. As a rule, people with different physical readiness maintain this posture for 10 seconds to 2 minutes. After a break of 2 minutes, repeat the exercise. 5 repetitions will be enough. If you are a beginner, do not try to break the record, start slowly.

It is very important to do this exercise daily, preferably at the same time.The benefits of the “Plank” exercise

Toned buttocks.

The exercise is focused on the gluteal muscles and hamstrings legs. So not only will you get the desired shape of the buttocks, but the cellulite will be gone also.

Strong back.

During the exercise, the lower back muscles are active, also the shoulders and the neck part. So, this exercise can serve as prevention for osteochondrosis in neck and lumbar spine. In addition, frees the pain in the shoulders and between the shoulder blades, which occurs as a result of carrying heavy bags or long sitting at a desk.

Tight attractive feet.

The main burden of the exercise falls on the feet. It includes all the leg muscles – from hip to the leaves. There is no room for concern if you feel a burning sensation in your muscles – it is a sign that the muscles work.

Stretched hands.

It is quite obvious that together with the feet in this exercise, you are intensively training the hands. Half of the body weight is held on them.

Flat stomach.

When the whole body is tense, it automatically trigger abdominal muscles, to the bottom, and side.

Materials Used to Make Body Jewelry Types of Metals

There are a lot of different raw materials that can be used to make body jewelry. They come in a wide variety of substances such as metals, glass, plastics and organics. Some materials even come in different grades and qualities. When putting something on or through your skin, a subject of decoration also brings about the subject of health and safety. Some materials are more conducive to healing a new piercing, while others are only recommended for well-established piercings or short-term wear. It’s important that you familiarize yourself with the choices you have before you purchase body jewelry, as they are not all alike.

METALS

The 

safety or allergen risk of metal jewelry is largely determined by the amount of nickel it contains. Nickel is a metallic element that is not bio-compatible and causes a lot of healing difficulty and hyper-sensitivity issues when it is used in piercing jewelry metals. Bottom line when it comes to body jewelry – the lower the metal quality, the higher risk of difficulties.

• Costume Piercing Jewelry
  Many people can’t wear costume jewelry at all because of the high nickel content. Even “nickel-free” jewelry made for sensitive ears is not high quality metal and not recommended for new piercings or long-term wear. Some costume jewelry has even been found to contain lead. Simply put, cheap jewelry is not a good idea.

• Sterling Silver
  Sterling silver is only .925% silver and contains other metals that can cause irritation. It also oxidizes (tarnishes) when it comes in contact with air and body fluids. The fact that silver is soft increases the risk of small non-visible nicks and scratches in the metal that can become a harbor for bacterial growth. Sterling silver is recommended for well-established earlobe piercings only, and short-term wear. Silver-plated jewelry is not recommended at all.

See Also: 316L (SSS)

• Gold
  Similar to silver, gold is soft and can have imperfections that can breed bacteria. “Higher grades” of gold (such as 24K), which are considered better because they contain less nickel, are actually softer and become a higher risk when worn in piercings. Solid gold is only recommended for well-healed piercings and for those that have a history of being able to wear gold without irritation. Gold plated, however, is not recommended.

• Surgical Stainless Steel (SSS)
  316L or 316LVM are the only acceptable grades of stainless steel for the use of body jewelry. 316L is implant-grade surgical stainless steel – it is probably the most common and most widely used metal for body piercings. 316LVM is the same as 316L, but has the added advantage of having been melted in a vacuum. That means it has a virtually flawless finish and less chance of even minor alloy inclusions, which can irritate the wearer. It should be noted, however, that even SSS does contain enough nickel to cause problems for someone very sensitive to it. Many European countries have banned the use of SSS for new piercings because of the high rate of allergic reactions. If you’re wearing SSS jewelry and are having problems with irritation or a new piercing that just won’t heal, it is possible that you have a very low tolerance of nickel and might want to try niobium or titanium.
• Niobium 
  The next step up from 316L SSS. It’s a little heavier than SSS and also stronger. The price tag is also slightly heftier, but a happy medium between SSS and titanium for many. Niobium body jewelry is usually anodized (dipped in a chemical electrolyte and then exposed to an electrical current, which creates an array of colors depending on voltage and light refraction) Niobium is non-reactive and most people can wear it in new or healed piercings with no sensitivity issues.
• Titanium 
  The hardest and highest grade of metal with virtually no presence of nickel (less than .05%). The strength of the metal makes it practically impervious to scratches and imperfections. Titanium is also the most expensive metal used for body jewelry, but is certainly worth the price for someone who is hyper-sensitive to nickel-containing metals and can’t wear anything else. Titanium can also be anodized and comes in a wide variety of colors.

Low-Quality Novelty “Body Jewelry” 
Please beware of novelty shops and costume jewelry shops selling so-called “body jewelry”. Even if they have the best intentions, these store owners are not body piercing experts and many times purchase low-grade jewelry because they are popular and a quick-sell. Some of them might even claim to be 316L steel, but these items are often mass-produced by machines, not inspected for imperfections and potentially harmful. There is a reason these jewelry items are so inexpensive – high quality body jewelry costs more because better materials and quality workmanship are used to produce them. Don’t be fooled by imitators or lower prices – it’s just not worth it to end up with an infected piercing because of it.

Just about any body jewelry store you visit, online or off, you are going to find body jewelry made of different kinds of glass and plastics. It’s important for you to know, though, that not all glass is equal and not all plastics are alike. And not all are suitable for use in body jewelry or they may only be appropriate for short-term wear. Determining which is which can be difficult, which is why starting with a trustworthy retailer is your first responsibility. Choosing your jewelry is the next, so here is some information about glass and plastic body jewelry.

GLASS

Glass 

jewelry is available under popular trademarks such as Pyrex and Kimax or can also be referred to as borosilicate glass. There are many other types of glass, but these are the only types suitable for body jewelry. They are tempered, medical-grade, non-porous and lead-free. Some suppliers also make jewelry under the names of Millicane or Dichroic glass – these terms refer to the colors inside the glass. These colors are created sometimes with metal 

alloys and other non-safe materials, so body jewelry made with these materials should be encased in a layer of Pyrex or Kimax glass to prevent exposure to unsafe elements. 

Glass jewelry, although non-toxic and basically bio-compatible, should not be used

 

See Also: Top Picks - Glass (Pyrex) and Acrylic Body Jewelry Retail Suppliers 

for a fresh piercing or during stretching, but only on well-healed piercings. Also, keep in mind that glass is heavy, so the larger the piece of jewelry, the more strain it will cause on your piercing. Very large plugs or talons can cause involuntary stretching and then create healing problems.

PLASTICS

Plastics come in many forms and under many different names – Acrylic, Nylon, Teflon (PTFE), Silicone,

 

Polymer, Lucite, Resin, Polyamide and Polyester.

Acrylic is probably the most well-known plastic, and there is a lot of acrylic body jewelry or accessories available. It’s inexpensive, versatile, lightweight and comes in a variety of colors. The problem with acrylic is that it’s not autoclavable, which is the only truly safe way to sterilize body jewelry of any kind. It also degrades if it comes in contact with alcohol, so keeping a piece of acrylic jewelry clean is a challenge. It also shatters under pressure, so things like biting down on your tongue barbell can be a real problem if you’ve got an acrylic ball on the end. Acrylic jewelry can suffocate a piercing that needs to breathe, and the end result can be redness, soreness, seeping and a bad odor. Although widely available, acrylic really is not recommended for piercings. If you must wear it, it should only be worn short-term and only in a well-healed piercing.

A couple of things that should be noted:

• The FDA has approved some grades of acrylic, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are 100% safe for long-term use or are completely innocuous. Use common sense when dealing with any new piece of body jewelry – if it starts giving you problems, take it out.
• Glow-in-the-dark acrylic is a plastic that has a naturally occurring glow that is caused by carcinogens. This type of acrylic is not deemed safe for any kind of body jewelry. However, UV-reflective and blacklight-reactive acrylic jewelry is considered safe as they do not contain any harmful chemicals.

Lucite, Polymer, Monofilament Polyamide and Resin are all similar materials to acrylic and carry the same risks. A lot of retainer jewelry is created with these products, which are generally for short-term wear anyway.

Nylon & Teflon

Monofilament Nylon and Teflon (PTFE) are favored over acrylic because they are autoclavable and flexible. These plastics are sometimes an option for someone with a severe sensitivity to all metal jewelry, and have also been successful for surface piercings and implants with lower rejection rates. However, not all piercers are experienced in using these materials since they are more challenging when it comes to inserting and threading. You would need to discuss the availability and options of using Nylon or PTFE for a new piercing with your piercer, but replacement jewelry and accessories are widely available.

Rubber & Silicone

Rubber and silicone are very similar products in that they are basically a plastic that is pliable and stretchable. They are acceptable for accessories, but not highly recommended for piercings, especially unhealed ones. There are now flesh tunnels available in silicone and while the material is bio-compatible, it comes with another set of risks. One is that silicone has the ability to auto-stretch, which can potentially cause tearing or over-stretching of the hole. Another is that because of the pliability of the material, it tends to cause a seal against the skin and could allow a build-up of seepage which could eventually lead to severe infection. If you use any of these products, it’s imperative that you keep the area clean and dry at all times.

The next page of this article discusses organic materials.

The dictionary defines the word organic to mean objects that are “of, relating to, or derived from living organisms”. Body jewelry that fits under this term would include wood, bone, horn and ivory. It also tends to include rock/stone, even though it doesn’t technically qualify under the definition. Each of these materials can come in many different varieties, but the primary connection is that they all come naturally from the earth. Almost all jewelry made from these materials will come in the form of plugs, earlets, eyelets or claws – jewelry that is designed for stretched piercing holes, usually the ear lobes

Wood

Body jewelry made of wood has great versatility. It is lightweight, so even a largely stretched piercing can be accommodated without discomfort. Wood comes in a variety of colors and hardness, depending on the source, which can be anything from the reedy bamboo to the rock-solid ebony.

There are, however, some cautions that should be taken regarding body jewelry made of wood. Although most raw woods are relatively safe, there are some that could

be considered toxic when brought into contact with the skin, especially for a duration. Also, dyes and other chemicals are sometimes added to wood to enhance their natural beauty, but these can cause irritation of the skin known as “contact dermatitis

 

See Also: Materials Used to Make Body Jewelry 

”. The severity of the reaction to these toxins vary from person to person, but the best thing you can do is avoid them altogether. Make sure that your organic body jewelry supplier is well versed on the subject and guarantees their product to be safe. For more information on the types of wood considered toxic, see A Guide to Hardwoods for the Piercing Community. 

Wood is also not recommended for long-term

 

wear, cannot be autoclave sterilized, and is not recommended for new or unhealed piercings. Don’t allow wood jewelry to get saturated or over-heated (remove jewelry before swimming, bathing, or entering a sauna), but it can be safely cleaned with mild liquid anti-bacterial soap and a small amount of water, providing that it is dried immediately. Then it can be lightly treated once a week with jojoba or olive oil to prevent cracking. Tea tree oil can also be used for cleaning and to add sheen.

Bone

Although they consist of different substances, bone and horn body jewelry can be treated essentially the same. They are semi-hard, porous, and can be carved into different shapes for a variety of body jewelry uses. Most bone jewelry will come from cow bones, and most horn jewelry comes from buffalo, although there are always exceptions to every rule and you need to be sure what you are purchasing.

Bone and horn are relatively lightweight, come in natural shades of white to black, and can be carved into different shapes. Bone and horn are fragile and can shard when broken, so care should be taken not to allow them to be exposed to extreme pressure. They are not autoclavable, but can be carefully washed with mild antibacterial soap and a small amount of water and then treated once a month with jojoba, coconut or olive oil. They are not recommended for new or unhealed piercings, should not be worn long-term or during swimming, bathing or sleeping.

Ivory (Tusk)

When most of us think of ivory, our minds usually go immediately to elephant tusk, which is illegal. However, there are some forms of ivory that are not illegal and can be used to create body jewelry. Walrus tusk is one such example, as well as Mammoth and Mastodon. (Learn about the different types of ivory.) Despite its legality, ivory still remains controversial and is a personal decision each person must make regarding its purchase.

Ivory, like bone and horn, cannot be autoclaved sterilized. If it is allowed to get dried out, it can get cracks that can encourage bacterial growth. It should not be saturated or exposed to high heat and humidity. It can, however, be cleaned periodically with mild antibacterial soap and a small amount of water, dried immediately, and then treated with jojoba, coconut or olive oil. These treatments are recommended once a month.

Ivory is not recommended for new or unhealed piercings and should only be worn short-term or for special occasions.

Rock/Stone

Rock or semi-precious stone is also used to create beautiful body jewelry. It’s heavy, and usually won’t come in very large sizes. The weight can also cause the jewelry to fall out unexpectedly.

It’s more durable than other organic materials, but can still break if dropped or treated roughly. Despite it’s smooth surface and solid texture, stone still cannot be autoclave sterilized and needs to be cleaned with mild antibacterial soap and water. 

Stone jewelry is not recommended for new or unhealed piercings and should only be worn for short periods of time.

VEGAN IRISH "LAMB" STEW

VEGAN IRISH "LAMB" STEW

INGREDIENTS

1 cup soy chunks

¼ cup all-purpose flour (you can use whole wheat or even a gluten-free flour like rice flour)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 large onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

2 cups button or crimini mushrooms, halved or quartered if large

3 sticks celery, chopped

2 medium carrots, cut into rounds about ⅙ of an inch thick

3 potatoes, cut in a chunky dice

½ bottle of beer (use a Guinness for more authenticity. If you don’t want to add beer, use wine, or just leave it out)

3 to 5 cups vegetable stock

1 tbsp fresh thyme, minced (substitute with 1 tsp dry)

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced (substitute with 1 tsp dry)

2 tbsp vegetable oil

PREPARATION

Soak the soy chunks in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain.

Mix the flour with some salt and pepper and dredge the Soy chunks in the flour. Shake off any excess flour.

Heat all but 1 tsp of the vegetable oil in a dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot.

Place the Soy chunks in the dutch oven in a single layer, being careful not to crowd them. Brown the chunks on all sides over medium heat.

Remove to a dish lined with a paper towel and set aside. Also reserve any flour remaining from dredging the soy chunk because we’ll use that to thicken the sauce.

Add the remaining teaspoon of oil to the dutch oven and add the onions and garlic. Season with some salt and pepper. Saute, stirring frequently, over medium heat until the onions are softened and translucent, about three to four minutes.

Add the thyme, rosemary, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes and celery and saute until the vegetables are all well mixed together.

Add the remaining flour and stir well to mix, about two minutes.

Add the beer and 4 cups of the vegetable stock along with the reserved Soy chunks.

Bring to a boil, turn the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are all tender and the flavors have melded together. Add more stock or water if the stew looks too dry. I made my stew rather thick because that’s how we like it, but you can definitely make it soupier.

Add salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Serve hot. Stew always tastes best when it has had some time to stand and the flavors have mixed together, so this is a great dish to make the day before you want to serve it.

Enjoy!

Note: 

For this Irish Lamb Stew made without lamb (honestly, wouldn’t you rather just cuddle one?), Soy chunks/nuggets which was browned first, just as you would brown meat, to add deep and rich flavor. Browning the Soy chunks first makes the nuggets chewier, giving them a very meat-like texture that’s often hard to replicate in vegan substitutes.

The Soy chunk also gives the stew a big protein boost, making it pretty much a meal in itself with all the veggies in there like potatoes and carrots and mushrooms. You can serve it with some crusty bread or some rice or, in true Irish style, with a side of potatoes and cabbage.

Do u need aluminium foil for baking lasagna?

Some good answers from experienced bakers:

1. Covering your lasagna pan with foil is called for in some recipes, and not in others.  In fact,  a recipe may state that covering with foil is  "optional"....leaving the big decision up to you!

Generally speaking, covering with foil will accomplish two things:  it will trap evaporating moisture,  and speed cooking  (the trapped water vapor actually steams the lasagna, to an extent).  So,  if you want it more quickly,  use foil.  If you're willing to wait,  you can skip the foil step.  The difference in time may be as much as 30 minutes,  a significant amount when you have a ravenous family.

If you do use foil,  remove the foil for the last  10 to 15  minutes of cooking  (it will vary, depending on your cooking temperature).  That will allow excess moisture to  escape,  and it'll also help brown the top of the lasagna.

One more hint:  when baking your lasagna  (or any other casserole-type dish),  put the baking pan on a cookie sheet or baking sheet.  If any cheese/sauce/whatever  bubbles over the edge,  it'll land on the sheet,  not the oven floor.

 

2. Covering your lasagna will definitely help hold moisture in. Make sure that you do not overfill your pan, if your food comes in contact with the foil the cheese and such that you have topped your lasagna with will pull right off along with the foil. Also make sure to remove the foil about 5-10 minutes before you remove the dish from the oven, making the top crispy and the inside tender. Good Luck!

3. Yes, I bake a 9 X 13 pan for about 45 mins @ 350 degrees. Cover it tightly but make sure the foil doesn't touch the lasagna or the tomato sauce will erode the foil and it will go into your food. You just made me want to make some. 

4. Yep. Loosely tent the foil over it so the top layer doesn't stick and come off with the foil. And as other have recommended take it off for the last 15 minutes of baking. Also remember it is to let the lasagna sit for at least 10-15 minutes after your remove it from the oven.