More than one million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with a chronic brain disease or disorder each year. This includes Alzheimer’s, stroke and Parkinson’s, which affect aging adults the most. Adhering to a healthy lifestyle and a diet abundant in “brain foods” like flavonoid-rich berries and antioxidants from herbs and green tea, can go a long way to keep your grey matter in good working order. Score big for engaging in mental exercises, like reading and crossword puzzles, too. But scientists now believe that an aromatic compound in turmeric root may hold the key to the recovery of brain function through the generation of new stem cells. Stem cells are the cells that come to the rescue wh
These little jewels are fun to use and lend wonderful fragrance to the bath. The combination of baking soda, powdered lavender flowers and powdered oatstraw lend healing properties to sooth the skin and frazzled nerves. You can use candy or small soap molds for this project, but for best results use the two-piece type of mold made specifically for this purpose (available from Amazon, craft supply stores, etc.) This recipe makes 6-8 bath bombs, depending on the size of your molds. 3 cups baking soda 1 tablespoon powdered lavender flowers 1 tablespoon powdered oatstraw 2 teaspoons beet root powder (optional, for color) 20 drops lavender essential oil 1 cup citric acid Rubbing alcohol (
These decadent morsels feature a chocolate ganache infused with lavender, followed by a dip in melted bittersweet chocolate and a roll in powdered cocoa. These are very easy to make, but do take a bit of time because the truffles need to chill a few hours. They are well worth it! Plus, they can be made up to two weeks ahead. Double the batch to gift friends and coworkers! Ingredients 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped fine 6 ounces heavy cream 1 heaping tablespoon organic lavender flower powder Powdered sugar 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly Cocoa powder Directions Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl; set aside. Combine the cream and lavender
