Tag Archives: Food & Drink

Catching Up

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Slim Paley photo

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A quick catching-up post

a bit all over the place- like me at the moment.

I had a lovely birthday despite beginning the morning with my bathroom makeup chair rolling out from underneath me and landing on my arse.

Well, that’s not even quite true-

would that I had had that much padding

it was actually my tailbone that took the  direct hit.

Believe me, the irony of my “Vanity” chair being the culprit of such a mortifying pratfall is not lost on me :(

Luckily, I don’t think anything was really damaged, except my pride…

though I’m still nursing a very tender lower back

and feeling somewhat sheepish that my birthday resolution to go running again was dashed.

Even yoga was out.

Which was not a good thing considering

There were more than a few caloric falls from grace this week…

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starting, but not ending, with champagne before 12pm ( it was 5pm somewhere)

two chocolate cakes

(yes, one was the Costco Cake I believe we’ve discussed with due reverence before)

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and fresh truffles for breakfast.

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Many, many thanks for all your sweet wishes & funny comments on my birthday post.

As I said, each & every one, a lovely present.

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In other ‘catching up’ news…

After a brief hiatus from coconut oil “pulling” due to travel constraints, I’m back in the routine and feeling pretty good about that.

The bad news is I’ve managed to find probably the only naughty coconut product out there …

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Expresso made with coconut water.

Seriously.

Who thinks these things up and why are they out to get me??

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Meanwhile, long time reader and faithful commenter  ”Marsha C”

was so inspired by my colourist’s assistant’s two-toned, bedazzled, bedecked & bejewelled  manicure from the

“City of Brights” post

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that she went out and got one herself.

No moss growing on Marsha!! :) ..

 

Meanwhile, I haven’t had a manicure since  Lincoln was assassinated .

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Lastly, in literary news…

My Monty Don book arrived yesterday

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Yay!

Love him.

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A good friend tells me she found “Gone Girl” impossible to put down, so I’ve downloaded it onto my iPad

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and another trusted pal tells me I must watch “Homeland” and catch up before the new season starts later this month.

Are you a fan??

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Lastly, the postman also delivered my issue of Canadian “House & Home” which looks full of juicy fresh Fall inspiration

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Slim Paley photo

but  as the hot, summery weather in Santa Barbara continues to hold steady

Except the day of my birthday when it rained!

(Though I’m not complaining, we needed it)

I’m still finding it awfully hard to hit my Fall stride-

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Not to mention cracking the bedside behemoth that is

the September issue of Vogue.

Fuggedaboudit.

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Slim Paley Instagram

Just…

can’t…

go there…

yet.

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Hope YOU had a great weekend!

xox

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Coconut Fever

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King coconuts for sale, Train station, Sri Lanka

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Muller von Ruffach, 1861

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I‘m coocoo for coconuts right now.

Just can’t seem to get enough of this wonderful fruit!

 I started drinking coconut water a few years back, then cooking with it a year or so ago,

as well as using it on my skin and hair.

More recently, I’ve been practicing the Ayurvedic treatment

of “Oil Pulling”

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A list of only some of the supposed benefits of Oil Pulling

-Whiter teeth and healthier gums

-decreased allergy symptoms

-Improved sleep and better energy

-clearer skin

-clearing of sinuses

-diminishing of headaches

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Pulling should be practiced every morning, when you first get up and on an empty stomach. Use 1 tablespoon of oil. Sesame oil is most commonly used in traditional ayurvedic pulling  but you may also use vegetable or coconut oil.

 I heat it in a tiny cup in the microwave for 20 seconds to melt and bring to a warm temperature that I find most pleasant.

 Swish the oil around your mouth for a minimum of 5 minutes, max. 30! ( I’m doing about 7)

make sure you push the oil through your teeth, under the tongue, etc. but

 do not swallow any of the oil (it is filling with bacteria :( )

Spit out after time is up and brush your teeth. Simple dimple.

The coconut oil leaves such a pleasant taste in your mouth (as well as moisturising your lips) that I honestly don’t even want to brush right away. I’d rather have my morning cuppa tea first, but that’s just me.

Truthfully, I haven’t noticed any changes in my skin or energy levels yet, but it’s only been just over two weeks and I’m giving it at least a  month. I actually sort of look forward to my little morning ritual and what could it hurt?

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Slim Paley photo

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Sharing fresh King coconut water creatures with friends in Sri Lanka

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Coconut flavoured Cultured Almond milk is not bad at all.

With some chopped tropical fruit and a sprinkling of toasted coconut flakes, I could easily have this for breakfast twice a week.

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Also happy to find this coconut chia & flax seed oil to add to smoothies and why not try coconut milk instead of dairy for awhile?

I like it just as much as almond milk with my granola-

not sure which is healthier, but variety is the spice of life!

(yes, that’s what constitutes ‘variety’ for me now. cue violin)

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I have a standing order with Amazon for O.N.E. coconut water to be delivered every month

but have you tried fresh “Baby coconut” water? It’s sooo good-much sweeter than “O.N.E.”

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Coconut cream for desserts, creamy curries, and of course… cocktails :)

Another great idea I read about but haven’t tried yet is making ‘whipped coconut cream’ instead of traditional dairy whipped cream.

Simply put a can of coconut milk in the fridge for a couple of hours, skim the thickened part from the top of the can, and whip.

see full instructions here;

Whip that Coconut!

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The Amanwella hotel bar, Sri Lanka

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We’ve been looking for Haagen Dazs Coconut and Pineapple ice-cream, but so far no luck :(

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Are you of the coconut body??

It seems to be one of those flavours that people either love or hate.

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But seriously, WHO can resist a divine Coconut Cream cake?!

oh wait…

we were talking about being healthy and Ayurvedic medicine, why did you lead me astray like that?!

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