A Heavenly Bite

After a long pause from the blog , I decided to post something I love and that is very close to my heart...desserts :)

So this weekend my sister-in-law made something different and mouthwatering yummy...MADELEINE. 

Madeleine are a French tea cake (thought of as a cookie) that are instantly recognizable with their  scalloped shell shape that is ribbed on one side, and smooth, with a hump, on the other. 

These French cookies are a perfect accompaniment to your afternoon cup of tea and gossip.

Makes 24 Madeleine

Ingredients

4 oz (1 stick), plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 
2/3 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon, divided
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Powdered sugar (optional)

Equipment
Small sauce pan
Small bowl
2 medium-sized mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk
Spatula
2 madeleine pans
Pastry brush
Small sieve for dusting with powdered sugar, optional

Instructions

1. Melt the butter. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan. If you feel you can get it slightly toasty brown, go right ahead and do so by leaving it to bubble in the pan until it smells toasty and starts to color. Just remember that the butter will turn very quickly from toasty to burnt and that it will continue to color after it is off the heat unless you pour it into a new container. Spoon 3 tablespoons of butter into a small bowl or cup and set aside. Let the rest of the butter cool slightly.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients in separate bowls. In a medium bowl, whisk together one cup of the flour and the sugar, and set aside. In another medium bowl, whisk the two eggs with the vanilla, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the eggs are frothy.
3. Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Add the eggs to the flour. Using a spatula, stir until just combined. Add the 4 ounces of melted butter and continue to stir. It may take a minute for the butter to blend into the mixture but do not over mix.
4. Rest the batter. Cover the bowl with a plate (or plastic wrap) and place in the refrigerator to rest at least one hour and up to overnight. 
5. Prepare the pans. Add the remaining one tablespoon of flour to the 3 tablespoons reserved butter and stir to combine. Using a pastry brush, brush the interiors of the shells with the butter-flour mixture so that they are well coated. Place the pans in the freezer for at least an hour. 
6. Preheat the oven and fill pans. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the batter from the refrigerator and one pan from the freezer. Fill each well in the madeleine pan with 1 tablespoon of the batter. Remove the other pan and fill in the same way.
7. Bake the madeleines. Place both pans on a baking sheet for easy handling and place in the oven. Check after 8 minutes and rotate plans. Check again 5 minutes later. The madeleines should be browning around the edges and puffed up a little in the middle. Using your forefinger, press lightly on the center hump -- when the madeleines are finished baking, it should spring back at your touch.
8. Cool and dust with sugar. Remove the madeleines from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Using a fork, gently loosen the madeleines from their molds and then tip the whole pan out onto a cooling wrack or tea towel. Once cool, dust lightly with powdered sugar and serve. If you are freezing or storing the madeleines, do not dust with the sugar until you are about to serve.
9. To store. Store cooled madeleines in an airtight container for a few days or freeze them in a double wrapping of plastic wrap for several months. Let the cakes defrost before dusting with sugar.

Hope you have fun baking!! 

SweetReadings :)

8 Nighttime Musts

We all have some bad habits that we need to break. I need to stop junking on anything sweet and start hitting the gym.

However, there are some habits that can really effect us in a negative way. I have summed up about 8 nighttime habits that are a must.

                    

1. No TV or Phone

Fake lights from computers, tablets and smart phones puts down your melatonin levels, which can throw off your body clock. This also increases risk of obesity.

2. Remove your Makeup

Number one rule I beg you never to break. Throughout the entire day our face builds up a lot oil and dirt. This causes a lot of bacteria. So, for this just take a few minutes to give your face a clean wash.

3. Don't Tight your Hair

Tying your hair causes breakage to the hair. You are also encouraging a receding hairline over time. Just let your hair relax and free when you sleep.

4. Brush your Teeth and Floss

This will definitely give you great morning breathe. In short, you will not end up with cavities that can later ruin your teeth.

5. Staying Up Late

Having a late night causes red eye in the morning which also causes high stress. This can also lead to uneven skin tone, puffiness, bags under your eye. So to avoid all this just hit the bed on time.

6. Do Not Drink or Eat Sugar Right Before Bed

Not only will this increase your blood sugar, but you will be putting on acid (sugar) into your body that will sit in your body all night long eat. 

7. Apply Hand cream

Since your hands are constantly busy during the day, apply a good amount of hand cream while you sleep. This will give your hands time to moisturize overnight.

8. Switch Pillowcases

Between your face and your hair there are a lot of grease, that will gather on the pillow. Switch out your pillowcases for a clean one about once a week to minimize the bacteria that your face sleeps on each night.

FYI : What does your label means?

While doing some readings for my next blog, I came across something very intriguing.  I realized that we trust labels to fast. We are in a world full of misleading words that have made their way on to food labels in grocery shelves almost everywhere. Companies have gotten very good at convincing us that their products are clean and green as it can be. 

However, it is up to us to read in between the lines.

Hypoallergenic
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: That somebody has test the product to make sure it will not cause any allergic reactions.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Companies are free to define it however they like - no government regulations around this term.

Natural
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: This product is made from all natural things.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Who knows? The government does not regulate this term also. It can basically mean anything. 

Organic
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: That every ingredient in this product is USDA Certified Organic farm.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: This means that some of the ingredients are certified organic, and the remaining others are not.

Unscented
WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS: Finally!!! A product with no fragrance.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: There could be a slight fragrance, it's just that you can not smell it because it's formulated with masking agents that block the smell of all the other ingredients.

How to say "Bye Bye" to Blackheads

Our annoying blackheads occur when your pores are clogged with excess amount of oil and dead skin. Let's just remember one important factor, blackheads are not caused by dirt. 

Scrubbing your face a lot is not a good way to get rid of your blackheads. It is only going to make it worse and you will just end up drying out your skin. All you have to do is clean out your pores, and the blackheads are gone.

There’s no need to squish and squeeze.

However, there is a PLUS point to this blackhead scenario. People with oily skin and large pores don’t wrinkle as quickly (because the skin is VERY good at replenishing the oils). So when you’re 60, this will be a blessing.

Here are some helpful tips :

Do a Honey Pat-Down
For this to work, your honey should be very sticky. The stickier it is, the more effective it is. 
Simply pour a small amount of honey on your fingers and start rapidly patting the areas on your face where you want to remove blackheads. The honey will stick to the stuff in your pores, and pull it out as you remove your fingers. It will also offer gentle antibacterial and antioxidant support, so any small remnants that may be left in your pores won’t oxidize (and turn black) quite as quickly.
Continue doing this for 3 or so minutes, and then just rinse your face with water.

Use Egg Whites to Pull Out the Dirt
Starting with a clean face, spread egg whites all over using your fingers or a paintbrush. Start first with one thin layer and let it dry briefly. Then spread a second layer over the top and let the whole thing dry completely.
 You may want to focus on the blackhead areas a third time, even.
Allow this mask to dry for 15 minutes. Your face will feel tight and pull a bit. This is good. Then, with a warm, wet washcloth, scrub the egg whites off your face very gently.

Now... if any of these seem not suitable for you just use a typical pore strips from Biore or even Boscia. However, if we are within budget you can always watch this DIY video that Michelle Phan did.

Have fun removing those nasty heads ....

SweetReadings :)

What does your Acne mean ?

Pimple anyone? Your skin is basically a map for what is going on inside your body. A pimple sends you a clear message about your health and hygiene.

The Ancient Chinese tradition of "face mapping" says that there is a correlation between your internal organs and different zone of your face.

Here are what your breakouts are telling you in 5 different zones of your face:

1. UPPER FOREHEAD : This is caused due to poor digestive health or your body having trouble breaking down food; which can lead to a build up of toxins.

2. LOWER FOREHEAD :  Breakout here can be caused by irregular sleep, stress, bad blood circulation or depression.

3. BETWEEN EYEBROWS : This area is linked too consuming too much alcohol or a diet that is fat. Also sometimes it means you have any kind of food allergies.

4. RIGHT AND LEFT CHEEK : Your cheeks are associated with your respiratory system. Those who smoke tend to have acne breakouts, and need better breathing method.  

5. SIDES OF CHIN : Hormonal changes and stress can leave this spot unbalanced. Breakouts happen during your menstrual cycle.

SweetReadings :)

Top 10 Beauty Foods

We all love our junk food ( especially me ). Junk food is the key to any heart and soul. But let's face it, no one is getting younger or going to stay healthy with these delicious, greasy, mouth watering junk.

So today, I decided to share with all of you the Top 10 Beauty foods. These fresh and delicious picks are filled with the nutrients needed for clearer skin, healthier hair, and brighter eyes. You can invest in the latest face mask or the best foundation in the market, but those beauty products have nothing compared to these natural beauties.

1. Purple Cabbage. If you are worried about wrinkles, eating lots of purple cabbage is the best way.
Purple cabbage is both anti-inflammatory and rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which all help lower cortisol levels.

2. Water. Water is everything when it comes to beauty. When your body is dehydrated, everything suffers. Whether you want shinier hair, younger skin, a healthier body (or all three!) pure, clean water is the world's best beauty elixir.

3. Yogurt. Yogurt is high in calcium. Calcium equals strong bones, nails and even teeth. Believe it or not but yogurt can give you flat abs.

4. Walnuts. Eating just one ounce of walnuts a day (that's about seven shelled walnuts) is all you need to keep your scalp and hair healthy. The healthy fats in walnuts can make your skin more supple and resilient to issues like age spots and sagging skin.

5. Beets. Beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping you purify your blood and your liver. However, keep in mind

6. Wild Salmon. Wild salmon is loaded with protein and omega 3. Eating salmon makes you smarter and happier. Statistics show that salmon reduces the risk and incidence of depression, hostility in young adults and cognitive decline in the elderly. 

7. Watercress. Watercress is a beauty food that can fight patchy and uneven skin tone. This is often a sign of poor circulation or not enough blood, oxygen and nutrients getting to the skin.

8. Citrus Fruit. Another beauty food you can fight cellulite with is with citrus fruit. Citrus fruit provides a high boost of vitamin C, which can help repair skin collagen and prevent cellulite from being so visible. The best time to eat citrus fruit in order to get the best results is in the morning.

9. Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health.
Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.
Dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease. If you buy quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, this may protect your skin against the sun.

10. Almond Milk. Almond milk helps with the weight management.  There’s no cholesterol or saturated fat in almond milk. It’s also low in sodium and high in healthy fats, which helps to prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.

Top 3 MakeUp Remover

As a total makeup junkie, I spend a lot of time trying on makeup and taking them off (and half the time it just looks bad on me). I was asked by someone who is exactly like me, "What is the best makeup remover?" Makeup removers are not essential but they can be very helpful (and sometimes absolutely necessary) for removing long-wearing or waterproof formulas.


The main things I look for in a good makeup remover are:
- will not harm my skin
- leaves no oily residue on my white towels
- removes makeup right away





 Here are the top 3 picks:

1. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes - Hydrating
Removes oil and makeup gently, but thoroughly off the face. It does not irritate or clog the pores. It is at a reasonable price and price and still keeps the shininess on the face. Leaves skin feeling clean, refreshed and moisturized with no residue left behind.

2.  Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips
This eye and lip makeup remover easily dissolves long wearing makeup, even waterproof mascara. You can re-apply makeup right away just  by rinsing your face with a little water.

3. Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
This product gently whisks away all types of eye makeup, even waterproof. Simply shake to activate the bi-phase formula that leaves the eye area perfectly clean. Ideal for sensitive skin and contact lenses, it leaves eyes feeling cool and relaxed without an oily residue.

Finally, a product that works as cleanser but also removes make up is the  Bioderma Crealine H2O.
This star product is suitable for all especially those with sensitive skin because of its patented natural complex and a soothing cucumber extract to ensure skin’s natural pH is maintained. It is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Use it as a daily cleanser to remove makeup from face and eyes.



SweetReadings :)