Calendula a flowering herb that not only adds beauty to the garden but medicinal and culinary value to healthy life style as well

Posted on Feb 19, 2010 under dried flowers | No Comment

It seems no matter where we go, we are being marketed by products that promise to make us young, beautiful and healthy, whether it is on a billboard, television, radio, or sent to us through the mail.  The scary thing is the majority of these products are not  healthy for us at all.  We live in a world where just about everything is being altered for quicker results and greater quantity, which usually produces poorer quality. When this occurs in the products we consume through our mouths and skin, we really need to question: is it worth it?  These are some of the reasons I have decided to make my own soaps, laundry detergent, household cleaning agents, and have even changed my diet.  Our skin is our body’s largest organ and is permeable, everything we put on our skin will be absorbed into our body.  Natural ingredients such as Calendula are safe and have been around forever.

For as long as medical books have been around, physicians have been writing about this wonderful plant and its amazing benefits for the skin.  Calendula Officinalis also known as Pot Marigold or English Marigold, got the name because the dried flowers of the plant were traditionally used in soups and stews to fight off illness.  The name Calendula comes from the Latin word Calendae, meaning the first day of the month, as this plant can bloom every month of the year in its native climate.  Calendula is known for many health benefits but is most recognized for its effectiveness in healing skin problems, such as wounds, burns, insect bites, eczema, shingles and skin ulcers, to name a few.

Calendula is easy to grow; it is not too picky about soil conditions and can be grown from seed in just about any sunny location.  Once the plant starts to bloom you will constantly find yourself cutting the flower heads as they open; hence the word “calendae”, it does have a very long bloom season, and does reseed easily.  Once you have harvested the Calendula flower, you will need to spread the cut flowers out to dry.  This works best out of sun light and moist areas.  When the flower heads have dried you can store them in jars and use as needed.

Calendula can be taken internally as well as externally.  For internal use, Calendula can be used in salads, and to spice up meats and fish; it also can be made in to a tea.  Externally, Calendula is used in lotion salves, creams, soaps and refined oil.  I use the Calendula that I grow in my garden in my Calendula Orange Bars, and I have refined some Calendula oil which I use in my lip balms and also keep it handy for medicinal purposes.

I do hope you have enjoyed this article and have found the information useful, and that it has inspired you to want to learn of more natural and practical alternatives for healthier living.  As always I do hope you make that Pure-N-Simple choice.

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Beauty of Silk Flower Arrangements Won’t Die

Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under silk flowers | No Comment

The bottom line is this: flowers command attention. They have the power to bring a room to life, and the easiest way to keep flowers in a room is to purchase a silk flower arrangement. In most situations, with a bit of judicious arranging, they are ready-to-go, straight from the box, and their visual impact on a room is powerful and immediate.

Silk flowers are very versatile for making beautiful flower arrangements. They come in different sizes and different flower types. Some common ones are, Tulips, Roses, Daisies, and Hydrangeas. You can pick and choose from all the many varieties and sizes to create many different looks. You can vary the look of the arrangement even more by using a variety of vases, such as synthetic ones or clear ones with fake water.

With silk flower arrangements, color is the key. The flowers will attract so much attention that finding an attractive color palette that complements your room’s decor is a necessity. For everyday arrangements, the most common hues are widely available–red, green, cream, and more. Or change the look by adding seasonal blooms, such as flowers in the warm colors of autumn, or try a holiday theme for festive flair. Clear or neutral colored vases allow the flowers themselves to take center stage.

Now that you have the perfect color, the next most important consideration is height. For instance, a short, compact arrangement seems to work best for a space such as the dinner table. This allows your guests to see each other when seated. A taller arrangement would work best with a larger, less intimate space, such as a foyer, or perhaps the mantle above a hearth.

Workplaces need the beauty and color of silk flowers, too, so don’t neglect your office, where you spend so much of your time. A bouquet of silk flowers that’s not too large, not too small, will be both attractive and appropriate for most offices.

The simple beauty of silk flower arrangements makes them an essential element of your decorating designs, but it’s their relatively cheap price that makes them indispensable. Silk bouquets cost roughly the same as comparable arrangements of fresh flowers, with the smaller arrangements priced from $20 to $50, and larger ones from $150 to $250. But unlike fresh blooms, the cost-effective silk variety will be beautiful for years, and need only an occasional gentle dusting to stay looking fresh. And creating a new look is amazingly simple; I can change the look of my table to reflect the changing seasons by simply removing one arrangement and replacing it with another, straight from its box to the dining room, in just minutes.

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Fierce Fridays With Mad Madam Jess!! Parad-EYES look with Mineral Magic Cosmetics

Posted on Aug 10, 2009 under dried flowers | 26 Comments

Flower in the hair inspired by: http://www.youtube.com/LovePeaceandLipGloss
What a stunning doll…
Purple hair and cut by the rous: Christine who will be helping me with an upcoming hair and make up series!

My official 2nd video for my kick arse, Mineral Magic Beauty collab channel!! Here is my, perfect for summer, Parad-Eyes…got the name by fusing my

original idea: Deserted Island Paradise Eyes. lolololl!! Anyhoo, I looooved putting this one together cause you can actually SEE how easily blendable
these pigments are and the kind of vibrant effects you can achieve with Mineral Magic Pigments. I use a combo of matte Hot PInks and shimmering Harvest
golds to create this bright, fun, sassy look. There’s some pretty heavy duty news in this video too so stay tuned!!! More to come, Mineral Magic junkies!!

I’m channeling missyl044. MUAHHAHAHA!! Welp….here are the products I used…

Products Used Non Mineral Magic

Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel as primer
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Lotion with SPF 15 and AHA
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer
Revlon Colorstay Foundation in 001 Ivory
Ulta Highlighting Brush as MAC 187 DUPE…dampened
Revlon Fantasy Lengths False Lashes – Intensify (Thanks EmilyNoel from Beauty Broadcast!)
Sally Hansen Lash Grip Lash Glue
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – Fair (0-1)
Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder in Suntan Matte as contour
Maybelline Lash Curler
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara – Very Black
A Clean Shadow Brush – I recommend the $1 E.L.F. Eyeshadow Brush! It’s my staple..and it’ll help blend everything out beautifully.
A fine brush you can find at any craft store to apply the white, cream shadow just under the highest point of the arch to add dimension.
Wet n’ Wild Cream Liner – Black for upper lashline and waterline for a tight lined effect without the work!
Everyday Minerals – Un-Skunk Foptic Brush Limited Edition MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Revlon Super rous Lipstick in Wild Orchid

MINERAL MAGIC PRODUCTS

Harvest (shimmering roasted gold pigment)
Hot Pink (matte, SUPER HIGH intensity Hot Pink pigment) Potent stuff!! Decadent though!
Mineral Magic Wet/Dry Brush (My new favorite for applying my MMG Cosmetics..I like using my MMG pigments dry and this brush is the perfect density

to really pack on that color without the fall out. Also works great when dampened with a mixing medium too!
Red Wine (Deep wine color with a bit of sheen…perfect for deepening the crease and outer V)
Diamond (I call this one, Diamonds in a jar…and I use it to highlight)
Valentine (My new favorite blush color, though it can be used as a highlighter..it’s pink with peachy under tones and gives an ethereal flush to the face as

a blush or all over skin brightener.)
Ruby (patted on my lipstick to add more depth and iridescence to the hue..using Mineral Magic pigments on the lips also makes for great staying power

too! The hits just keep on coming with this brand of Mineral Make Up!!!!!!

Here are some essential linkage fer yas:

http://www.youtube.com/MadMadamJess – My personal channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/MineralMagicBeauty – The Mineral Magic Beauty Channel with amazing gurus participating such as (Andrew Richie)

TheHotTrannyMess, me, ginabinawina99, thedream016, xxMAKEUPLOVERANNIExx, CreatingBeauty, Wafflesss as well as some special guests such

as Kellie from 1MineralMagic…the owner of the whole shabang..

http://www.youtube.com/1MINERALMAGIC

http://mineralmagiccosmetics.com/

Music By:
Diamanda Galas – Skotoseme
Einsturzende Neubauten – Yu-Gung (Futter Mein Ego)

Duration : 0:8:42

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Episode 026 – Mad Madam Jess – Fierce Fridays!! – Parad-eyes

Posted on Aug 08, 2009 under dried flowers | 25 Comments

http://www.youtube.com/user/MineralMagicBeauty – Subscribe to the collab channel! The fiercest collab channel on the internet universe, with the latest gurus here to help you be super glam with Mineral Magic Cosmetics!

Flower in the hair inspired by: http://www.youtube.com/LovePeaceandLipGloss
What a stunning doll…

Purple hair and cut and color by the rous: Christine who willl be helping me with an upcoming hair and make up series!

My official 2nd video for my kick arse, Mineral Magic Beauty collab channel!! Here is my, perfect for summer, Parad-Eyes…got the name by fusing my

original idea: Deserted Island Paradise Eyes. lolololl!! Anyhoo, I looooved putting this one together cause you can actually SEE how easily blendable

these pigments are and the kind of vibrant effects you can get with Mineral Magic Pigments. I use a combo of matte Hot PInks and shimmering Harvest

golds to create this bright, fun, sassy look. There’s some pretty heavy duty news in this video too so stay tuned!!! More to come, Mineral Magic junkies!!

I’m channeling missyl044. MUAHHAHAHA!! Welp….here are the products I used…

Products Used Non Mineral Magic

Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel as primer
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Lotion with SPF 15 and AHA
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer
Revlon Colorstay Foundation in 001 Ivory
Ulta Highlighting Brush as MAC 187 DUPE…dampened
Revlon Fantasy Lengths False Lashes – Intensify (Thanks EmilyNoel from Beauty Broadcast!)
Sally Hansen Lash Grip Lash Glue
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – Fair (0-1)
Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder in Suntan Matte as contour
Maybelline Lash Curler
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara – Very Black
A Clean Shadow Brush – I recommend the $1 E.L.F. Eyeshadow Brush! It’s my staple..and it’ll help blend everything out beautifully.
A fine brush you can find at any craft store to apply the white, cream shadow just under the highest point of the arch to add dimension.
Wet n’ Wild Cream Liner – Black for upper lashline and waterline for a tight lined effect without the work!
Everyday Minerals – Un-Skunk Foptic Brush Limited Edition MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Revlon Super rous Lipstick in Wild Orchid

MINERAL MAGIC PRODUCTS

Harvest (shimmering roasted gold pigment)
Hot Pink (matte, SUPER HIGH intensity Hot Pink pigment) Potent stuff!! Decadent though!
Mineral Magic Wet/Dry Brush (My new favorite for applying my MMG Cosmetics..I like using my MMG pigments dry and this brush is the perfect density

to really pack on that color without the fall out. Also works great when dampened with a mixing medium too!
Red Wine (Deep wine color with a bit of sheen…perfect for deepening the crease and outer V)
Diamond (I call this one, Diamonds in a jar…and I use it to highlight)
Valentine (My new favorite blush color, though it can be used as a highlighter..it’s pink with peachy under tones and gives an ethereal flush to the face as

a blush or all over skin brightener.)
Ruby (patted on my lipstick to add more depth and iridescence to the hue..using Mineral Magic pigments on the lips also makes for great staying power

too! The hits just keep on coming with this brand of Mineral Make Up!!!!!!

Here are some essential linkage fer yas:

http://www.youtube.com/MadMadamJess – My personal channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/MineralMagicBeauty – The Mineral Magic Beauty Channel with amazing gurus participating such as (Andrew Richie)

TheHotTrannyMess, me, ginabinawina99, thedream016, xxMAKEUPLOVERANNIExx, CreatingBeauty, Wafflesss as well as some special guests such

as Kellie from 1MineralMagic…the owner of the whole shabang..

http://www.youtube.com/1MINERALMAGIC

http://mineralmagiccosmetics.com/

Music By:
Diamanda Galas – Skotoseme
Einsturzende Neubauten – Yu-Gung (Futter Mein Ego)

Duration : 0:8:42

Read the rest of this entry »

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Ching He Huang/Chinese Food Made Easy/Takeaway Favourites/Beef in oyster sauce

Posted on May 18, 2009 under dried foliage | 3 Comments

Ching He Huang/Chinese Food Made Easy/Takeaway Favourites
Beef in oyster sauce
Ching makes a beef dish served with stir-fried spinach and mushrooms in tangy vinegar
Ingredients
For the beef
350g/12oz beef fillet
1 tsp light soy sauce
1½ tbsp oyster sauce
pinch sugar
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp groundnut oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 chilli, de-seeded, finely chopped
200g/7oz baby spinach leaves
1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
pinch dried chilli flakes
For the oyster mushrooms
1 tsp groundnut oil
100g/3½oz oyster mushrooms
dash Chinese black rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar
dash light soy sauce

Method
1. For the beef, place the fillet in between two sheets of cling film and bash with a meat mallet or rolling pin until half as thin. Slice the beef into thin pieces and place into a bowl, then season with the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
2. Heat a wok until smoking and add one tablespoon of the groundnut oil, then add the garlic and chilli. St
.ir fry for a few seconds, then add the spinach leaves and toss for a few seconds, until warmed through. Pile onto a large serving plate.
3. Place the wok back on the heat and add the remaining oil, then add the beef slices and stir fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the beef is cooked to your liking. Pour in the Shaoxing rice wine and sprinkle over the dried chilli flakes. Pile the beef over the spinach leaves.
4. For the oyster mushrooms, heat the oil in the wok and add the oyster mushrooms, stir frying for one minute. Add a small splash of water to create some steam to help the mushrooms cook, then season, to taste, with the black rice vinegar and light soy sauce.
5. Spoon the oyster mushrooms over the beef and serve.

Duration : 0:5:11

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Leaves relaxed and natural hair soft!

Posted on May 08, 2009 under dried foliage | 2 Comments

Pantene Relaxed & Natural Conditioner Intensive Moisturizing conditioner moistens very well overall. The hair looked shiny and healthy. Her hair felt soft. Helps with the manageability and split ends.

Check out more beauty product videos.
http://www.youtube.com/user/expotv

Duration : 0:1:4

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Orange with leaves :)

Posted on Apr 08, 2009 under dried foliage | 22 Comments

Duration : 0:3:50

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Ching He Huang/Chinese Food Made Easy/Street Food/crispy duck with plum sauce

Posted on Mar 27, 2009 under dried foliage | 10 Comments

Ching He Huang/Chinese Food Made Easy/Street Food/crispy duck with plum sauce Ching makes a healthier version of the crispy duck popular in the Sichuan province of China Ingredients For the marinade 4 tbsp grated fresh root ginger 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 2 tbsp ground Sichuan peppercorns pinch of salt, to taste (optional) 6 whole star anise 1 tbsp dark soy sauce 1 tbsp light soy sauce For the duck 2 duck breasts, skin scored in a criss-cross pattern 1 tbsp groundnut oil salad …

Duration : 0:5:37

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ドライフラワーネイル編 GEL NAILS Dried flower nailセルフジェルネイル

Posted on Mar 06, 2009 under dried flowers | 2 Comments

http://binosusume.blog116.fc2.com/
↑私のブログです☆注意点…

Duration : 0:8:39

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Pink, White, and Red Valentine’s Day Nail Tutorial!

Posted on Jan 29, 2009 under dried flowers | 25 Comments

The nail polishes I used are::
Nina Ultra Pro- Punki Pink
China Glaze- White on White
Savvy- Savv Red
Salon Secret’s top coat
Loose white/pink glitter & and all the above polishes are from Sally’s Beauty Supply!

L.A. Colors Art Deco- Intense Pink, White, and Red. I bought these from Nigel’s Beauty Emporium in Valley Village,CA.

And that’s it!
OH! Also, if anyone has noticed there are tiny like yellow dots or spots on some of my nails, guess what stained my nails?!?! Those dried flowers I put on WEEKS ago!!

Here’s the video:www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQGIYKZPFQA

The purple flowers stain!!! So use those at your own risk!!!! I tried pure acetone and it still wouldn’t come off, yikes!!

Alright..that’s it! I’m still tryin to get more practice with the editing, hope it was okay. :)

-Lauren
myspace.com/iheart_makeupartcosmetics
twitter.com/queenofblending

Duration : 0:8:44

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