COLD SORES

Ugh! Cold sores, fever blisters, sun blisters, whatever you may call them, I am one of those lucky people that was prone to getting embarrassing cold sores.  I'm sure it was passed down from the genes of my mother, as I've noticed that she get these nasty little cold sores too.
I have for many years now looked for a natural way to heal them.
I have researched like crazy, because I just wanted to be rid of these little horrors on my face.
I've tried many different over the counter creams and lotions and potions.  I didn't however get a pharmaceutical prescription from my doctor, because I don't want any added man made chemicals on my face, or in my body, the natural way to go is the only way in my opinion.
As a last resort I searched the Internet for problem/solution websites.  I came upon several that guaranteed to never get the terrible looking, painful,cold sores again.  Oh yeah!  Sceptical!!!

Well, finally one captured my interest, maybe out of desperation!  I began using this product and now about 2-3 years later...... I have finally caught the attention of myself and noticed that this product has actually worked for me.  In the past  year I have only had maybe one outbreak, in the entire year.   Which is totally FANTASTIC!!  And this breakout wasn't even very large and  healed quickly.  If and when I do get a breakout now,  which is very few and far between, I can't even remember when my last breakout was, I dab on this product I found on the net called CHORAPHOR.  It is a topical skin antiseptic.  It is an all natural remedy that contains cupric salts and herbal extracts.  This product was right up my alley, since I am all about natural everything. Check it out at www.choraphor.com.

In past years I used to get one to three cold sores every month especially when I was under a lot of stress with work.  And especially during holiday times as I work in retail.  Or for any other possible stressful time in my life or time of the month.  So for years, in almost every holiday photo, there I was with a big red mark on my lip.  Sometimes, even after eating a milk chocolate bar, I would have a break out!!  So no more of those.
This Choraphor did slow down the amount of times and duration of my cold sore outbreaks.  Yeah! Some relief was in sight.

Another thing I have noticed is, that since I became vegetarian, about 5 years ago, I haven't had as many breakouts.  I guess my body doesn't have to work as hard digesting all of those fatty meats and takes more time to heal other parts.  I also try to not let stress get the better of me.  As these are huge cold sore triggers for me.

I was so desperate to finally clear up my problem for good, that I started looking into natural ways to heal as well.
I've read from many different sources, that L- LYSINE was very good and helped.  I always have a bottle in my cupboard now, just in case.
Today,  if ever I happen to get that tingly sensation on my lips again... I immediately take 2 Lysine, and rub some Super Lysine + lip cream on that part of my lip.  And voila, no outbreak yeah!

If I ever happen to get another cold sore anytime, I know I have the Choraphor to fall back on. I remember when I first ordered this product via the Internet, the company claimed that one would be cured before even going through the entire 12ml bottle.  They were right!  At least for me anyway.  I have had this bottle for quite some time now and  I still have about 1/3 of the liquid left.  I paid about $100, but has been well worth every penny to have my beautiful non blotched  up lips free and clear of any outbreak.   Yes, this liquid stings a bit once dabbed onto a sore lip, but again totally worth it, and the stinging means its working.

There were a few other triggers mentioned in my readings.  Chocolate, nuts, seeds, alcohol, caffeine, sickness,  smoking, stress, allergies, menstruation and excessive sun exposure.

Well, no wonder I used to get a lot of these cold sores..... I used to live in a house with a smoking parent, where I got sick a lot, and who caused me stress which led me to eat comfort foods like chocolate, Ugh!!

I have now had less of a  problem since I have moved out of my parents home, changed my chocolate intake to dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) and I don't eat a lot of it.  Just a few pieces once a month or so.  I've never really had a problem with nuts and seeds and eat them whenever I want to without any issues.  Luckily I don't have any known allergies so that's never been a problem for me. I only have an alcoholic drink every now and again.  And I don't drink any beverages that contain caffeine.  Maybe the odd coffee here and there.  I have had plenty of exposure to the sun over the years, and I am happy to say that it is no longer an issue for me either.  When we travelled to our cottage up North, I used to get an outbreak every year.  Now I don't.  I also now watch more with what I eat, meals full of fruit, veggies, whole grains and live bacterial culture filled yogurt, to keep my immune system healthy.  And I exercise now too.  Since my diet and lifestyle change I hardly get sick any more.  The most I ever have is a runny nose. ( I like to take oregano oil if and when I get sick, but that's another story)
I'm happy to say I am finally rid of the cold sores that have been haunting me for far too many years.

Eat Well
:)

EASY CHOCOLATE TOFU CAKE

This will be your next favourite cake.
It's super easy to make and only requires 3 ingredients.
It's become my favourite in a pinch recipe.
I made it for my nieces birthday cake.  No one in the family knew it had a "secret ingredient" in it.
It's soo good.  You'll be surprised at how not tofu-ee it really tastes.  Just regular chocolate cake. I promise!!
You will not need to add in any oil, or eggs.  The tofu covers all that. You'll be missing out on the cholesterol filled egg yolks and fattening oil. Although I haven't tried it yet, I'm sure any flavour of cake mix will work just fine. This recipe is vegan and vegetarian.

EASY CHOCOLATE TOFU CAKE


INGREDIENTS

1 box any brand chocolate cake mix (i used super moist devil's food)
1 300g pkg silken tofu
1/2 to 3/4 cup water


INSTRUCTIONS

Remember this is EASY.
Spray your desired baking pan or line cupcake pan with paper liners.

Pour contents of cake mix into food processor.
Add in tofu.

Process until combined.

Add 1/2 cup water and process again.

Continue to add a bit more water in between processes until desired consistency is achieved.
Pour into baking pans or cupcake pans.

Bake according to box directions.

This is the end result. Now take out of pans and let completely cool on a wire rack.

At this point, you can turn these cakes into a birthday or other occasion cake or if making cupcakes eat one warm to make sure they are "okay" for your family to eat.
I made an Oreo cookie cake for my nieces birthday.  I used the recipe from the Kraft Kitchens cook booklet. The filling is tasty but terrribly fattening and calorie loaded.
Next recipe I will probably look for a vegan/vegetarian filling. The chocolate glaze is just butter and chocolate melted and spread on top layer. Then put in fridge to harden.

Oreo Cookie Cake

Do you have a favourite cake/cupcake recipe you'd like to share? Leave a comment.
I'd love to hear from you.
Eat Well.

BAKING ALTERNATIVES

Mmmmm,
I love the smell of cookies and cakes baking in the oven. I especially love the aroma of chocolate anything baking in the oven.
Even though the traditional methods of baking are delicious, they are however not the healthiest.  With all of the saturated fat from the butters/margarine, the non nutritious white flours and fattening refined sugars, no wonder the obese popularity has grown to new levels.  It's like a heart attack in a cookie, cake or pie or brownie, or...yum????

Well, the YUM! factor is still possible, with a few little twists and turns.  Here's a brownie recipe that's EASY, gluten free, moist and delicious. And best of all they're actually good for you.  They're made with black beans for fibre, to keep you regular and full for longer, so a little of the yummy bites goes a long way, chocolate for its antioxidant properties and eggs for protein. When I tried these for the first time I could hardly wait to share them with my husband and son and in laws(who live right around the corner).  They all agreed that these chocolaty squares ARE moist and delicious, and passed the YUM test, even though they are made with black beans!!!  Best part of all, you can't even taste the black beans amongst all of the chocolate.
You can easily make these into a vegan treat.  Just omit the eggs and replace with an equal measure of silken tofu. Or you can add in a little grated zucchini and sneak in some veggies. The kids will never know!  I love this recipe and make it often, maybe for this years Easter celebrations.  Easter's all about CHOCOLATE anyways.....right!!!

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES


INGREDIENTS

cooking spray
1oz. organic dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)

1 - 398ml can black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 eggs
1 egg white
heaping 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
heaping 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup local honey

optional
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or grated zucchini or for a triple chocolate treat, add in some semi sweet chocolate or carob chips.


INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350degrees F. Spray an 8" baking pan with cooking spray.
Melt dark chocolate in saucepan with 1 Tablespoon of water on low heat.

In food processor, add melted chocolate and all of the remaining ingredients.

Process until smooth.

At this point stir in nuts or zucchini if you choose to do so.
Pour into baking pan.

 Bake for 30 minutes until top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Cool slightly and serve warm. Or cool completely, these can be served both warm or cold and will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. If they last that long.
Makes approx. 9 - 2" squares.


BAKING ALTERNATIVES


Some of these alternatives are not limited to baking only but can be used in everyday cooking as well. For example the vegetable oil can be substituted with a healthier oil like a cold pressed extra virgin olive oil.

BAD INGREDIENT                          GOOD SUBSTITUTE

vegetable oil                                        unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana,
                                                           nut butters, coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil

whole eggs                                          egg whites ( use 2 whites for 1 whole egg)

eggs and oil                                         silken tofu (see future post for a recipe)

refined white sugar                               honey, maple syrup, agave ( be careful of
                                                           the liquid substitutions as they may alter
                                                           your recipe by making it too runny), sucanat,

white flour                                            whole wheat flour, oat flour, spelt flour,
                                                            corn flour, brown rice flour
                                                            soy flour, kamut flour

white rice                                              brown rice

cow's milk                                             coconut milk, rice milk, soy milk, or my
                                                             favourite almond milk, flax milk, nut milks

EASTER

Cadbury Cream eggs, solid chocolate Easter bunnies, marshmallow chicks, oh my!!!
Easter is a diet disaster waiting to happen.
All that chocolate and sugar. Turkey and all the trimmings.
Well there is a bright side to all of this Easter overindulgence.

First have your mind set on eating healthy.   If only unhealthy options like deep fried cheese filled jalapeno appetisers, mashed potatoes made with cream and butter, fat dripping filled gravy, white rolls, etc. are available, choose the best you can.
There are always options. You can choose the pumpernickel bread and mayo based dip or you can munch from the veggie sticks platter.  If you are asked to bring something. Make it a healthy option.  So what if everyone else brought that fattening, calorie dense dip, you can always fall back and load up with your healthy veggie sticks, right!
Decide to choose wisely. Again, there are always options!


If you are hosting, choose a smaller dinner plate to set your table, if possible.  Most companies like to make their dishes at a whopping 11" in diameter. That's 2" more than what they were years ago.  And that's  2" more on your waistline.  Ugh!  You and your guests will thank you later. If a larger plate is the only option than fill your plate only 3/4 full.  And that's not loading it up and piling it high to the height of that solid chocolate bunny's ears.
 Eat until you are comfortably full. You don't want to overeat, that just causes unwanted bloating, gas and the "I don't feel good" feeling we've all felt one time or another.  Besides no one wants to be rolling their guests out their door.  If the weather is nice outside, go for a walk before the dessert course.  Hey, every little bit helps.  And walking helps digestion too.

Choose a fruit option for dessert rather than the high calorie cheesecake and pies.  If these are all that's available, you can choose NOT to have a piece of cheesecake or you can have a SMALL piece. If you choose to indulge, fine, eat it but eat it alone.  Don't start to load that small piece of cheesecake with processed fruit topping and whipped cream and chocolate shavings.... remember all those little extras are just that, extra calories on your waistline.    There's a little saying about that for us ladies.. "Once on the lips forever on the hips". Oh, how true!

But don't fret.  If you do overindulge a little or even a lot, make tomorrow a better day. Make the next week a better week.   Drink lots of water and eat lighter meals.  Your body will need the break anyway.  Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veggies.  Have a yogurt parfait for breakfast, a salad for lunch and lots of veggies and a smaller portion of lean meat (maybe leftover turkey) or fish for dinner.  Have fresh fruit for a snack and a few nuts and dried fruit. And by the end of the day your body will thank you and you will feel much better about your choices and much better than the day before. Maybe even a small piece of that dark chocolate bunny will cure any leftover sweet Easter cravings you may still have.  You did good today, you deserve it.

Happy Easter,

Eat Well.