Smoky Tempeh with Purple Asparagus

I don't want to alarm you, but I think this is the best thing I have ever made. And, to be completely honest, I wasn't expecting it to be. 

Sure, I thought it would be good. I mean, salty, smoky tempeh combined with fresh asparagus? Sounds pretty amazing, right?

The end result is more than amazing. 

As I was typing this out right now I got a little nervous and doubted myself. Could this really be the best thing I have ever made? 

*Takes another bite.* 

Yep, it is.  Affirmative. 

First we start with these spring beauties: purple asparagus.  Just look at that gorgeous color!

Asparagus is in peak season right now and I chose purple asparagus for this recipe because I love the color, but you can use any asparagus of your choice. This dish is perfect served over a bed of millet or quinoa or, if you are grain-free, fresh or lightly sautéed greens. I love using tempeh as a hearty, plant-based protein source and it's a fabulous way to adventure into the world of fermented foods. (If you are new to cooking with tempeh, you can read more about it in my teriyaki tempeh post.)

Smoky Tempeh With Purple Asparagus
Serves 2 - 4

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (if gluten-free)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon chile powder
1 package tempeh, sliced into thirds and cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons water
1/2 bunch purple asparagus, trimmed, and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1 green onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

Add soy sauce (or tamari), water, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, cumin, paprika, and chile powder to a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the tempeh slices and bring down to a simmer. Simmer for about 1 - 2 minutes, then remove from heat. Let marinate for about ten minutes.

Add coconut oil to a pan over medium heat. Add the tempeh (reserve any marinade) and cook for about five minutes, flipping as necessary to ensure both sides are evenly browned.

Add the asparagus. Saute for about 3 minutes, flipping as necessary, until asparagus is just browned on both sides. Add any remaining marinade and about two tablespoons of water. Continue cooking for about 7 - 10 minutes, until any remaining liquid has evaporated and asparagus is just tender.  Remove from heat, top with green onions, and serve hot.

Recipe shared at Weekend Wellness

Almond oil for face

The value of the skin cannot be under estimated as the skin is the major organ of our body. Most of them go behind the skin care products which are pretty useless. If you are one of them, take time to read this article which may help you to get healthy skin naturally.

Almond oil is a type of nut oil which is often extracted from the Almonds. There are many health and beauty benefits for this oil. Read on to find the top secrets of Almond oil for face. There are two different types of almond oil, the first one is the Bitter Almond oil, which is the essential oil for perfumes and cannot be used over skin. And the other is the sweet almond oil which is often used as the carrier oil smells soft and nutty and is safe for skin. So, the best decision would be verifying the Almond oil before using over the skin.

Best skin moisturizer:

Almond oil is not just for cooking. It has essential fatty acids which minimizes the loss of moisture and makes the skin to look young and healthy and hence it is often called as a good moisturizer. It easily penetrates the skin and makes it delicate and soft.

Good skin toner:

Almond oil have the property of soothing the skin, it improves both complexion and skin tone. It helps to give healthy glow when applied directly over the face. It also reduces the scar formation after surgery.

Acne prevention:

Over production of keratin and sebum results in the acne production which makes the pores to get clogged and infected. The fatty acid present in almond oil deposit the fat over the pores and repair the damaged skin making the skin to look beautiful.

Prevents wrinkles and eye problems:

The regular and proper application of the oil over the face may help to prevent the earlier wrinkles and make you to look youthful. If you apply the oil blended with raw honey habitually at night, the eye puffiness and dark circles under eyes would be reduced.

Procedure for applying oil:

Till then, you would have known the skin benefits of almond oil. Do you know how to apply it over the face? Read ahead to know how to apply the oil over face. Before applying it over the face, wash your face and follow-up normal cleansing routine. Then apply a couple of drops over each side of the face. Wet your hands with warm water and gently massage it all over your face. Allow your face to dry to make the almond oil to get settled. Remember, Almond oil is least greasy oil and soak in to your skin quickly leaving slight residue. So, don't apply too much as it may make your face to feel swimming in oil.

Essential Oils and their uses

Essential fatty acids are great as carrier oils for essential oils and other skincare products to help nourish and smooth skin.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential oils are often mixed with carrier oils that help dilute the natural chemicals in the essential oils. Many carrier oils also contain nutrients that complement the essential oils and help nourish and heal the skin. Fatty acids are one category of carrier oils that have many helpful benefits.

We frequently encounter fatty acids as part of our daily diets. Though many people try to avoid certain kinds of fat in their diets, fatty acids can actually improve health. When ingested, fatty acids are a source of energy for our body's cells and can help strengthen the cells. Fatty acids are necessary for healthy organ tissues and for distributing oxygen through the bloodstream. Fatty acids are also responsible for preventing signs of early aging in the skin and clearing cholesterol out of the arteries, which promotes weight loss.

Omega-7 and Omega-9 fatty acids can be produced within our own bodies, so we don't need an external source for them. Other fatty acids, referred to as essential fatty acids, cannot be produced in our body and need to be provided through our diet and other means. Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential fatty acids that can be found in foods like fish, nuts, seeds, and oils.

These essential fatty acids make excellent carrier oils for use with essential oils and skin care products. There is a very wide selection of carrier oils available that contain essential fatty acids, but it's best to choose one that has other benefits associated with it as well. Here are a few carrier oils that contain Omega-3 and/or Omega-6:

• Coconut Oil. This mild oil is great for healing dry or irritated skin. Its long lasting effects also help the skin to retain moisture. Coconut oil also has a delicious, rich flavor that makes it great for cooking.
• Hazelnut Oil. For those with oily skin, using essential oils or carrier oils topically may not seem like a good idea. But some oils, like hazelnut oil, act as an astringent, decreasing moisture instead of increasing it. You can get all the benefits of using essential oils and essential fatty acids while improving your complexion.
• Wheat Germ Oil. As well as containing essential fatty acids, wheat germ oil is also rich in vitamins E, A, and D. It helps smooth rough skin and reduce wrinkles.

Some other favorites include olive, jojoba, apricot kernel, avocado and rosehip seed oils.

John is a professional blogger and writes interesting articles related to health and beauty, this article was researched and written with the help of Wholesale Cosmetics

Skin cancer vs vitamin D

REMEMBER when we used to lie out in the sun for hours covered in coconut oil?

If you can, you're pre-skin cancer warnings now appear regularly on our TV and billboards.

Slip, slop, slap is the message we've being given.

But, with vitamin D deficiency more common, many people are also wondering if the sun protection message is affecting their health in other ways.

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is both the major cause of skin cancer and the best source of vitamin D, according to the Cancer Council Australia.

"We need to balance the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure with maintaining adequate vitamin D levels," it says.

"Sensible sun protection does not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency."

Why we need vitamin D and how we get it

Vitamin D keeps bones and muscles strong, as well as keep our immune system robust.

Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children and cancer.

Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.

Vitamin D forms in the skin when it is exposed to UV from sunlight.

It can also be obtained from some foods such as fish, egg yolks and fortified dairy and grain products.

Who's most at risk from vitamin D deficiency

Naturally dark skinned people, people who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons, the elderly and people who are housebound or in institutional care, babies and infants of vitamin D deficient mothers, people with osteoporosis and those who suffer from milk allergies or adhere to a strict vegetarian diet may all be short on vitamin D.

Certain medical problems, including Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, can also affect your ability to absorb vitamin D from the food you eat.

GET THE FACTS

Measuring Vitamin DThe most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test.  

How much sun is enough?

A study by St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney; the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and the University of NSW suggests that exposure of 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight four to six times a week, outside of the hours of 10am - 2pm, is the best way to boost vitamin D.

By Helen Hawkes