LAUDUN TM Organic Elegance Recipes- Impossible PUMPKIN Pie CUPCAKES!

We've all heard the saying, "True beauty comes from within."  We want to help everyone boost their natural, organic beauty, their inner organic skin healing and to improve overall health!  So, we are happy to share with you free Organic Whole Food Recipes several times weekly on this Blog.  Please share with all your Family & Friends!

Prep. Time:  35 minutes

Use All-Organic Ingredients:

One 15 oz can Organic Pumpkin puree
1/2 cup cane sugar
1/4 cup cane brown sugar
2 large Vegetarian-fed eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup evaporated milk
2/3 cup organic flour or gluten-free flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup muffin tin with silicone liners, foil liners sprayed with cooking spray or just spray the cups with cooking spray. Either of these three methods will make it easy to take the cupcake out after it’s cooked. Paper liners make it difficult to remove the cupcakes.

Combine pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and milk in a mixing bowl.  Add the flour, pumpkin spice, salt, baking powder and baking soda to the mixture.  Fill each muffin cup with 1/3 cup of the mixture.  Bake for twenty minutes and let cool for twenty minutes.  Remove cupcakes from pan and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle more pumpkin pie spice on top.  

Servings: 12 - Enjoy!

Gratitude- the "Miracle Worker"

We are already feeling it- the "stress" of the holidays- we're running around, from one appointment, back to work, to another appointment, making travel plans with family & friends, and of course, countless trips to the grocery store this week for the American Thanksgiving holiday. Sheesh! -Time to take a "time out," to pause, breathe and reflect on what we have to be Grateful for in all of our lives.

I'm not suggesting we do this just because it's Thanksgiving, but to train ourselves to make "being grateful," a regular habit, one that we can strive to do daily. It's actually scientifically proven to help relax us, relieve stress, and improve our health in general. I feel strongly about it, because I've noticed over the years that when I am feeling grateful for all the blessings in my life, I feel happier!

When I am able to focus my thoughts on even the simplest things I have to be grateful for, like having clean, running water or the fingers to type this with -a Miracle happens- my perceptions about myself and my life change dramatically. This practice has a way of putting all worries into perspective. "A Course in Miracles," describes a "Miracle" as simply being, "a Change in Perception," and I have come to absolutely believe this, based on my own personal experience. For example, when I focus my thoughts on what I have in my life right now that I am grateful for, MY THOUGHTS become HAPPY and POSITIVE. -A Change in Perception! -So this is why I call Gratitude a "Miracle Worker," because it always produces a BIG Change in my Perception for the better.

Have you had any experience or proof positive in your own life about how Gratitude can flip a bad day right over into a good day, or a bad mood into a positive one? -If so, we'd love to hear about your experiences, so PLEASE leave your Comments right here on our Blog! In this way we can all help each other to remember to be Grateful, for even the simplest of gifts, every day, so we can feel good, too, every day! Happy, HAPPY Thanksgiving to you and all your Loved Ones! (:

LAUDUN TM Organic Elegance Recipes- Curried Chick Peas & Mustard Greens with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!

We've all heard the saying, "True beauty comes from within."  We want to help everyone give their natural, organic beauty a Big Boost! -and help to improve your overall health.  So, Please Share these healthy & delicious Recipes with Family, Friends & Those you Love!

Organic Curried Chick Peas & Mustard Greens with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Prep. Time:  About 30 minutes

Use All-Organic Ingredients:

4  Sweet Potates, peeled and quartered
1 medium Onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 tsp grated Ginger
1/2 cup no-salt-added or low sodium Vegetable broth
1 tsp Curry powder, or to tastea pinch Red Pepper flakes, or to taste
1 bunch Mustard Greens, chopped
1 1/2 cups diced / chopped canned Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups cooked Chick Peas or 1 (15 oz) can no-salt or low-sodium Chick Peas, drained & rinsed
1/4 cup Soy, Hemp or Almond milk

Prepare:

Boil the organic sweet potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.  Drain well.

While potatoes are cooking, heat 1-2 TBS vegetable broth in a large saute pan.  Add onion and saute until tender, about 3 mins.  Mix in garlic, ginger, vegetable broth, curry powder, red pepper flakes and mustard greens and cook, stirring occasionally until greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add diced or chopped tomatoes and garbanzo beans and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Mash sweet potatoes adding the hemp, soy or almond milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Serve Mustard Greens & Chick Peas Saute with Mashed Sweet Potatoes. 

Serves: 4 - Yumm- Enjoy!

Organic Evening Primrose Oil- Skin & Acne Treatment Wonder!

Essential Oil of Organic Evening Primrose is an incredibly healing botanical oil that has a myriad of scientifically-proven healing benefits for all kinds of health complaints. Most notably, it contains an Omega-6 essential fatty acid, Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA) that has actually been licensed in several countries for the treatment of various skin disorders. It is also very effective in anti-aging products for treatment of dark circles, wrinkles and age spots, and is known to improve acne flare-ups and inflammation, due to its powerful anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Treatment of Eczema:  In 1982, a prestigious medical journal reported the results of a double-blind crossover study in which 99 patients diagnosed with ectopic eczema, a sore, dry and always itchy rash on the skin, were given high doses of Organic Evening Primrose Oil, and 43% of them reported significant improvement in their symptoms!  A different Scottish study demonstrated that the oil is beneficial to nails that have become dry and brittle. 

Treatment of Psoriasis: The plant oil's anti-inflammatory nature is very healing to skin and also increases circulation.  When applied regularly to the psoriasis lesions, it reduces burning and itching. Simply apply Evening Primrose Essential Oil directly to the affected areas on the skin and nails.  You can mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil, like almond or olive oil.  Significant improvement in symptoms will occur with regular, daily use.  This is a much lovelier alternative treatment to using steroid creams and topical immuno-modulators, which contain chemicals with possibly unwanted side-effects.

Treatment of Acne: Regular application of Evening Primrose Oil to skin greatly reduces blackheads, pimples and inflammation caused by acne. It actually decreases the amount of sebum in the pores of the skin, which prevents pore clogging and the inflammatory symptoms of acne. The significant anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities of this natural flower oil make it an excellent way to keep skin virtually acne-free.

All these incredible skin-healing qualities - in a natural, flower essential oil- try some today!

Organic Skin Care with Healing Lemongrass Essential Oil

Organic Lemongrass (Citronelle), or Melissa, is an herb easily recognized by its tall fronds of leaves and strong lemon-citrusy aroma and is native to Sri Lanka and India.   Applying this healing botanical to the skin can help alleviate common skin disorders, such as bacterial infections and even large pores.  In addition, organic lemongrass is commonly used an excellent mosquito repellent. 

Naturally occurring anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties in organic Lemongrass help to discourage bacterial or microbial growth on the skin.  The essential oil reduces the number of skin infections, as well as alleviates skin irritations, like folliculitis and cellulitis, that are caused by bacterial infections.  Lemongrass oil is also fungicidal,  -it clears fungus infections on the skin. 

This healing essential oil from nature's bounty is loaded with unique anti-fungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial /antiseptic chemical qualities that make it a very effective astringent.   Facial skin toners, cleansers and soaps containing organic lemongrass oil do a great job of firming and tightening the skin.  When used as an astringent/toner, it is very effective in minimizing skin pores.  It is also known to increase the protective barrier of hard tissue under the skin that guards against daily free radical exposure.

Astringent herbs and oils constrict the skin, contract pores, provide skin firming, limit the secretions of oil in the skin and help to clear and fight the recurrence of acne.  Astringents/ facial toners are meant to cleanse, stimulate and remove excess oil from the skin, leaving it feeling toned and fresh.   Organic Lemongrass essential oil makes an excellent, healing addition to toners and soaps, due to its natural astringent and antiseptic qualities. 

This lovely, lemony-scented organic essential oil is also well-known for its aromatherapeutic qualities to calm and relieve stress. This is very important in healing the skin and body as a whole!  Stress is a large contributor to decreased effectiveness of the immune system, and disease.  Adding organic lemongrass essential oil to your daily skin care regimen or bath is an easy, enjoyable way to increase the healing in your skin care.

Beauty Secrets of Natural Bamboo Extract in Organic Skin Care

For some time I've been wanting to let our readers know about the many organic Beauty Secrets found in Organic Bamboo Extract!  This natural botanical extract is produced from the leaves and stalks of the Bamboo plant. Bamboo Extract is the richest known source of Silica; it contains over 70% organic Silica. Silica has a restorative benefit for many of the bodily tissues and is an essential nutrient as well. In particular, Silica plays a huge part in keeping the skin and hair healthy.  Recent studies have shown that daily supplements of Silica obtained from Natural Bamboo Extract can improve the health and condition of skin and hair, even alleviating the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.

It's incredible that the skin is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for removing many of the environmental and other toxins we are exposed to.  The Silica in natural Bamboo extract provides  nutrients the skin needs in order for it to stay healthy. It actually improves skin health by aiding the body in absorption of essential minerals, like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Natural Bamboo extract also contains anti-irritant properties, and is soothing to skin when applied topically through skin care lotions, body scrubs or treatment creams.  Perhaps most importantly, this plant compound contains vital anti-oxidants, which fight off free radicals, work to minimize wrinkles and visual signs of aging and naturally produce a youthful glow.  Bamboo leaves have recently been recognized as a rich source of flavonoids used as antioxidants. The flavonoids can reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation, and inhibit allergic reactions.

Just to recap, Natural Bamboo Extract is known to:

• Prevent premature aging and preserve the youthful radiance of the skin
• Prevent wrinkles and other visible signs of aging
• Reduce inflammation and improve common skin disorders associated with inflammation
• Promote circulation
• Help protect skin from free-radical attack

So, I'm a staunch believer in using Organic skin care products that contain Natural Bamboo's high Silica content, because they are very effective. This is due to Silica's ability to form a kind of "Cellular Cement," as it maintains the balance between elastin and collagen fibers.  This offers added anti-aging protection for the skin, and really helps to keep it looking smooth, supple and young. Voila'! (:

Dare to LIVE Fully!

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." -Helen Keller

   Each day we are given new opportunities to offer our unique understanding to others. These opportunities promise deeper levels of awareness and the excitement which comes from an active life. We are simply asked only to trust that we will be given all that we require to be at our best- Today.



We can dare to fully LIVE today, to be grateful for all our blessings and for the new and perhaps challenging opportunities presented to us. In each of these experiences we can find invitations for new growth, to connect to others in caring ways and thus discover more about the people we have the potential to be.  It is important that we take note of every moment of these experiences, today.


   If we choose to isolate ourselves and withdraw from others, we choose to stagnate in our development as human beings. We gain a fuller life from interacting with others and new situations, whether they make us laugh, annoy us or even add stress to our lives. It is ironic that we only find deeper gifts and resources within ourselves when we feel most pushed to our limits.

   So, let's embrace LIFE and ALL that Today brings us- every opportunity for involvement with others, for new adventures and growth! Today will not come our way again- let's remember to appreciate all that it offers, to be involved in our daily activities, to feel deeply - to LIVE more fully.  (: