Vegan Brownies

Recipe for Delicious Vegan Brownies:
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Cocoa Powder
3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1/3 cup Oil
1 cup Almond Milk

Bake at 350F for 30-45 minutes

Some of the Ingredients:

Finished Brownies:

Nutrient Analysis:

Vegan Brownies Portions: 8 Large Brownies
Food Groups	Amount Per Portion
Grains	1½ ounce(s)
Refined Grains	1½ ounce(s)
Oils	3 teaspoon
Limits	Amount Per Portion
Total Calories	318 Calories
Empty Calories*	98 Calories
Solid Fats	3 Calories
Added Sugars	95 Calories
Nutrients	Amount Per Portion
Protein	3 g
Carbohydrate	46 g
Dietary Fiber	2 g
Total Sugars	27 g
Added Sugars	24 g
Total Fat	14 g
Saturated Fat	2 g
Monounsaturated Fat	10 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2 g
Calcium	85 mg
Potassium	90 mg
Sodium	241 mg
Copper	150 µg
Iron	2 mg
Magnesium	21 mg
Phosphorus	62 mg

Remember, you can do your own nutrient analysis of your recipes or daily diet at SuperTracker.USDA.gov

DIY Body Scrubs

I like to use a mix of fine and coarse ground sea salt in my body scrubs. Finer salt is more gentle so better for people with sensitive skin. Coarser salt is able to exfoliate more and help your skin get clean.You can find these at any grocery store,should only cost a few dollars. Then I add oil. Different oils have different benefits and treat different skin issues. For example, grape seed oil strengthens and tightens skin while moisturizing to fight aging. Grape seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties that make it good for people with sensitive skin. Coconut oil has a nice smell and contains vitamin E to help repair damaged skin. In my own experience, coconut oil really makes my skin smooth. I got my oils at the Queens Health Emporium my local health food store. I'm sure they could also be ordered online.

The essential oils and extracts are mainly used for scent since salt and oils don’t have much of a smell. Fresh fruit juices or shavings of peel can also be used. Citrus fruits are great because the smell really comes through, especially if it’s fresh. I have used fresh lime and grapefruit in the past and I highly suggest it, I loved the smell. I found these other essential oils at the health food store and on amazon. (just regular lime juice from the grocery store)

One example of a scrub I made contained sea salt, apricot oil, coconut oil, orange extract, and lime juice. 

The ratio and ingredients are up to you depending how you want the finished product to be. I like mine the constancy of wet send. I usually start out by filling a container halfway with salt. I add oils until it is saturated, mix it and then add more salt and fragrances. It’s so easy and inexpensive compared to similar products on the market now. One 200 mL jar sized batch usually lasts me 2-3 weeks. My skin feels great and I feel good about what I'm using to clean my body. Many commercial body care products contain a long ingredient list of chemicals. I prefer something with a few simple ingredients that I know and understand. There are some of natural products on the market now, but I find many of them are cost prohibitive. The oils and extracts will last a while. I haven't run out of any of mine and I've made seven or eight batches. I've had to buy more salt but it's pretty inexpensive.

Chicken Salad

I love flexible recipes, dishes whose components can be altered to any taste or preference. Chicken salad is such a simple and quick meal that everyone can enjoy. 

When I buy chicken I look for organic, I look for animals that have not been treated with hormones and antibiotics. I want animals on their natural diet that lived outside. Where I live in Queens there are alot of Kosher meat options which I trust to be a better quality meat from a more humanely treated, healthy animal. On a receant trip to Target we picked up this:

I personally enjoy my chicken fried in a little soy sauce, but you could cook it how ever you like, maybe some lemon and garlic. I like dark salad greens, no ice burg lettuce but again this could be mixed up. All you have to do is cook the chicken. You could add whatever you want to the salad, maybe cheese or carrot slices. Delicious. Fast. Easy. Crowd Pleaser.