Take care of your hands

As a nurse I can attest to the vulnerability of the hands. Mine used to get red, sore and full of painful cracks every winter. I tried all kinds of hand creams. With no relief. No wonder, they mostly contained petroleum derived ingredients and fillers, any natural  oils were listed in the end of the ingredients list.  This inspired me to make White Tea Ginger Hand Cream. The cream has natural oils and butters which are emollients with anti-inflammatory properties in the form of polyphenoles and phytosteroles. Great for dry and cracked hands. I have nothing against man made skin ingredients as long as they do not constitute any potential health hazards. So I have included dimethicone and allantoin in addition to natural botanicals to enhance the creams protective and soothing effect.
White Tea Ginger hand cream has helped my hand stay soft and healed in spite of the use of antiseptic gel and continuous hand washing  through out the day. This cream can be used all over the body when your skin is extra dry.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Emulsifying Wax, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Cocoa Butter, Sodium PCA, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides, Calendula Extract, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Pomegranate Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), White Tea Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Ginger Root Extract, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol/Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance.

Avocado Oil contains vitamin E, an antioxidant, as well as sterolins which is said to help in the production of collagen and help reduce age spots. Vitamin A and D is also plenty in this skin friendly oil. The phytosterols found in avocado oil help itchy and inflamed skin. I love this deep green oil ( I know I say that about each and every oil, they are all my favorites, each has its own unique personality).

Sodium PCA is a humectant found naturally in the skin. It draws moisture from the atmosphere to the epidermis. 

Calendula Extract comes from the petals of  Marigold. Calendula has anti-inflammatory properties and has traditionally been used for wound healing. 

White Tea Extract protects the skin by reducing oxidative stress in the epidermis. White tea extract has shown to maintain the immune function of the Langerhans cells in the skin after sun exposure.

Ginger Root Extract might help maintain collagen and helps the skin stay supple and flexible.

Allantoin is a synthetic powder with the same properties as comfrey. It stimulates healthy normal tissue formation and has soothing and anti irritating properties. Perfect for red and sore hands.

Dimethicon is a silicone which forms a protective film over the skin and prevents dermal water loss. Not a bad thing  for  the hands. Dimethicon initially adds a slightly greasier feel. However give it a couple of minutes and your hands will feel soft and smooth.

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Skin Care Recipes  from the Pantry.

You can easily make your own nourishing avocado face mask with a soft mushy avocado. Just mash it with a fork and apply it to your face and neck for 10 to 15 minutes. The avocado can be mixed with other skin nourishing ingredients such as yoghurt, banana, honey, oat flour . If you make too much you can eat the rest.

Siri's Kitchen

Miso Soup with Ginger

If you are in a hurry this is an easy and quick soup to make. I love miso. It tastes great and is so good for you. Miso is a thick paste made from fermented soya beans. Be sure to buy unpasturized miso which contains beneficial bacteria and enzymes. I like red miso. It has a mild but characteristic taste. 

You can make this soup with any of your favorite vegetables. I like to add tofu or fish as well.
A staple in miso soup is the sea weed Wakame. It comes in dry strips or flakes.  Add the miso when the vegetables are cooked. Do not let the miso boil; it will kill the bacteria and enzymes.

Water

Wakame, one table spoon dry flakes, they expand when wet
Onion, chopped in thin slices

Leek, thin slices, use green and white part

Carrot, cut diagonally in thin slices

Cauliflower, cut small

Miso

Juice from grated ginger

Tofu, cubed

Boil water, add wakame and onion, boil until onion is transparent,.
Add the rest of the vegetables and tofu and briefly boil. The vegetables should still be slightly crisp when you add the miso and ginger. Mix a few tablespoon of miso with water from the soup to make a thin paste and add to the soup. Season to your liking with ginger.
Enjoy!