Celeb Buzz

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What Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford is buzzing about now:  Brantley Active Enzymes Plus ($30 from BrantleyCure.com).  “I take these every day to nix bloating.”

Food52

If you’re not checking out Food52’s food blog, you should be.  If you are a foodie, or simply want to get some ideas to impress others in kitchen, this is the place to be.  Check out their website to find gems like this recipe below.  So perfectly simple, yet bursting with flavor.  Start channeling your inner gourmet cook and make something delicious today!

Tad’s Roasted Potatoes

Serves 4

• 1 pound old white potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• Olive oil
• 8 sprigs herbs (any combination of thyme, sage and rosemary)
• 3 garlic cloves, lightly smashed (leave the skins on)
• Coarse salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Spread the potatoes in a well-seasoned cast iron pan — they should fit comfortably in one layer. Douse with olive oil, like you’re marinating them. Add the herbs and garlic, and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss the potatoes a few times to mix in the herbs and seasoning.

2. Roast in the oven, scraping up and turning the potatoes every 10 minutes or so, until the potatoes are well caramelized and tender, about 40 minutes.

Ways To Go Green

Enter To Win

The Tea Time Vivabox includes seven Numi Organic Teas: Aged Earl Grey, Monkey King Jasmine Green, White Rose, Ruby Chai Herbal Rooibos, Temple of Heaven Green, Starlight Rose Flowering Tea, and Sunset Oolong Flowering Tea. In addition to the teas, a gift card for one of Vivabox’s Tea Time Gift Set options is included. Winners can choose from one of the following products: the Single Origins Tea Set, a Bamboo Flowering Gift Set, the Dancing Leaves Teapot with five flowering teas, a Bamboo Book of Tea with six different flavored tea bags, or the iRelax with Numi Organic Tea gift. All winners will also receive a soothing CD to help enhance your teatime experience. (value $49.50). VivaboxUSA.com

Enter To Win Here.

A Word On Alfalfa Sprouts

Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils

Phthalates are used to enhance fragrance to make it last longer.  They are commonly found in perfumes, fragrance, hair products, deodorants, body lotions, and nail polish.  Unfortunately, they are not required to be listed on labels, as they are classified as proprietary.  Always use products that clearly state they are Phthalate-Free, as scientists believe that Phthalates contribute to DNA disruption, birth defects, and are a possible cause of cancers. 

Goodbye Summer

It’s late September and summer is feeling like it’s over.  I had such a great spring/summer growing season (see picture) with flowers, herbs, vegetables, peppers, etc.  May is such a perfect time to find the greenest of greens in nature.  But fall definitely has its perks, too…especially for colors.  Fall definitely has its advantages in the style department…think hats, boots, beautiful soft sweaters and scarves.  Yum!

Goodbye to summer.

5 Things: Magazines

Here are five great magazines to get to know better. 

  Body + Soul Magazine:  Articles on whole living, living green, health and fitness articles, recipes.

  Cooking Light:  Hundreds of light, low calorie, and low fat recipes each month.  Great fitness articles.  Wellness.

  Organic Gardening:  Advice on green gardening, eco-issues, environmental issues, living organically.

  Every Day with Rachael Ray:  Many recipes each month, lifestyle advice, decor, girlfriends, household tips, etc.

  Cincinnati Magazine:  A favorite resource guide for local Cincinnatians.  Shopping, dining, events in and around Cincinnati.

Uses For Fresh Herbs

Rosemary is traditionally known as the herb associated with hair.  It has been said that it strengthens the hair and stimulates the scalp, and Rosemary essential oil is also thought to stimulate the mind and lift fatigue. And it makes your hair smell good, too!

Put a few sprigs of fresh rosemary in a heatproof bowl and pour on boiling water.  Allow them to steep and, when cool, take out the Rosemary.  Use as a final rinse to keep hair glossy and sleek .  Rosemary also helps discourage dandruff.  You can put the rest of the infusion into a pretty glass bottle and keep in the fridge, or somewhere out of direct light, for later use. 

Rosemary is easy to grow, and spreads fairly quickly in either container gardening, or in-ground gardening. 

Eco Ideas

An eco-idea:  Planting mint near a downspout fills your garden with its fresh scent after every rain shower.