Health and Wellbeing

Gluten-Free Capri Salad *Great for Holiday Gatherings

November 30, 2023December 2, 2023 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Ingredients:

2 large tomatoes

Fresh basil

1/2 pound Mozzarella di Bufala di Campania (soft mozzarella cheese)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Using a bread knife, slice tomatoes thickly into 1/2-inch slices. Select soft mozzarella cheese packaged in water so it remains moist and flavorful (don’t use hard-packed mozzarella for pizza topping.)

Carefully slice the mozzarella cheese 1/2 inch pieces. Place the mozzarella on top of the tomato and add a sprig of freshly washed basil.

At this point, you can drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and serve. Or if preparing ahead of time, refrigerate on individual plates and drizzle olive oil on top just before serving.

Use one generous tomato slice per serving.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Yummy Gluten- Free Banana Bread

November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 Looking for the Light5 Comments

From the book Gluten Freedom

By Shelly Gannan

We replace the flour in this recipe with Pamela’s gluten-free baking mix. Pamela’s baking mix includes xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. you have to add these ingredients if you are using plain gluten-free flour that does not already have them added.

Ingredients:

3 cups gluten-free flour*

2 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups mashed bananas (3-4 very ripe bananas)

2 cups of sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 bag of chocolate chips

*Or use Pamela’s baking mix and eliminate the next four ingredients.

Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease bottoms of two 9x5x3 loaf pans. If not using a premade baking mix, combine flour, xanthan gum, cider vinegar, baking soda, and salt in mixing bowl; blend well with an electric mixer on low speed. Beat bananas separately in a large mixing bowl, then add all the ingredients except chocolate chips to the bananas and beat on low speed for 1 minute.

Fold in chocolate chips and pour mixture evenly into pans. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pans to cool completely. If you are making muffins, bake for 20 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick.

Makes two loaves or 12 muffins.

Enjoy

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Travel

Wordless Wednesday *Playing With Water

November 29, 2023 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I’m so glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday. Thanks for stopping by.

Having Photo Fun While In Washington, DC

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

8 Activities That Get You Out Of Your Head

November 28, 2023May 17, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

If you’re something who suffers from overthinking, you’re not alone. Rumination is a leading cause of anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to get out of your head and back into the world as you used to know it. It’s just a question of practicing the right activities. Do what works for you.

Socialize

If you are someone who enjoys the company of others, invest more time in socializing. Focusing on other people and their needs can help to take your mind away from internal thoughts.

One option is to join a club of people with shared interests. Doing something with others can be an excellent way to focus on something new and get more enjoyment from life.

The other approach is to surround yourself with friends and family and do something productive together.

Explore The Wilderness

Another approach is to spend some time exploring the wilderness. Being in nature can have a profound healing effect on some people, helping them feel more grounded and connected to human origins.

You can try hiking, camping or even cycling. Experiencing nature in reality and not through a screen is a fundamentally different animal.

Go Off-Roading

You could also try something thrilling, such as off-roading. Focusing on the track ahead of you while you drive an overpowered 4×4 helps to eliminate ruminations and makes you feel alive again.

Just make sure you have the proper supplies. Driving a hard-top Roxor requires having the correct Roxor accessories. Not being prepared could increase anxiety.

Get Lost In A Good Book

Another approach is to get lost in a good book. Spend some time rifling through the pages of a famous novel you haven’t read yet and absorb yourself in another world. Don’t let the same thought patterns dominate your life.

Start Traveling

Travel can also be a fantastic healer if you have the financial ability to engage in it. Seeing new places and meeting new people gives you a fundamentally different perspective on life, letting you get more out of it.

Learn Something New

You can also try learning something new. Taking up a new hobby or skill can be a wonderful distraction from the thoughts and images swirling around in your head.

The more cognitively demanding the task, the better it tends to be at eliminating rumination. Writing is high up on the list, as is dance, learning a musical instrument, and creating artwork. Pick something that feels uncomfortably difficult so that it takes up more of your mental resources, leaving less for pondering unpleasant thoughts.

Start Journaling

You might also want to start journaling, something many therapy patients find helpful. Writing down your thoughts can be therapeutic and helps you sort out your feelings in your mind.

Puzzles And Games

Finally, you can try puzzles and games. These can force you to return to the moment and have fun, something that might be lacking in your life if you struggle with intrusive thoughts. Find games that satisfy you when you solve them.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Men & Womens Health

Beware When Donating To Charity

November 28, 2023January 9, 2024 Looking for the Light6 Comments

This is the end of the year and many will look to make charitable donations. One important step is to look at how the charity is managed. The key step is to check out Charity Navigator. They rate the effectiveness of the management of funds by rating the charities by giving them stars. The higher the score means more of the money is going towards actual work.

Many companies send out requests for money and have great advertising and if a charity spends more than 75-80% in total expenses they are not managing their money well. You go to Charity Navigator and search for the charity you’re looking for or the type of charity you’re looking for and they will show a list. Look at the score, and all the info available on the charity. Personally, I only give money to charities with four stars.

This year I’m adding a new charity to my list, one that services homeless veterans. I’m combing through Charity Navigator to find a charity that spends its money on the ground directly helping vets. So far all I have found are advocacy groups or ones with less than four stars. I have to keep searching so we can make our donations this week.

Be sure your money is being spent on services, not a highly paid executive and team who sends out letters asking for money.

Happy New Year!

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Yummy Gluten-Free Dessert Everyone Will Love

November 28, 2023November 27, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

For your next birthday party, make a “pavlova” – a delicious meringue shell filled with whipped cream and topped with fresh fruit. With it’s sweet, fluffy interior and crunchy crust, meringue is a favorite for kids of all ages. The desert, which is claimed by both New Zealand and Australia, was created for the great imperial Russian ballerina, Anna Palova, during her tour in the 1920’s.

From Helen Allan Christchurch, New Zealand

INGREDIENTS:

4 egg whites

1 cup fine granulated sugar (castor sugar)

1 teaspoon white vinegar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon whipping cream

1 tablespoon powdered sugar (if desired)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Strawberries and kiwi fruit

Preheat oven 250 degrees. Beat eggs whites on high speed until they look like ribbons when dropped from the beater. Add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition. Beat meringue mixture until it forms stiffs peaks but isn’t dry.

Fold vinegar, cornstarch, and vanilla into mixture. Using parchment paper on a cookie sheet, spoon the meringue mixture into a circle on the sheet about six to eight inches in diameter ( a rubber spatula really helps with this step.)

Bake 1 1/2 hours. Turn oven off and open the door, leaving the meringue to cool. The meringue shell will fall as it cools but that is okay.- that’s when whipped cream is for.

When the meringue shell is cool, whip the cream in the mixing bowl until it thickens. If desired, add sugar and vanilla to the cream. Don’t overbeat the cream or it will clump. Cover meringue with whipped cream and sliced fruit. You might want to make two-this is a very popular dessert! One pavlova serves six to eight people. And just in case you’d like the kids to eat dinner before dessert, try this traditional New Zealand family dinner one weekend.

This is one of my favorite deserts and every holiday I have one or two! Enjoy.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What’s Your Mood Today?

November 27, 2023 Looking for the Light8 Comments

Thinking about the old days over the weekend, I know how blessed I am to have the experiences. I’ve added a few photos of a couple of adventures. It began at two years old.

Jackie & Me Hot Air Ballon ride, we shared BDay together. I’m the one with short hair.

Adventure-seeking on my second birthday, riding my first horse.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Are The Signs A Friend May Be Feeling Stressed Or Anxious?

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 Looking for the Light12 Comments

We, humans, are complicated creatures capable of expressing thousands of emotions. This site shows you that anxiety and stress are common across the natural world, and animals have many ways of showing it. Unfortunately for us, humans can also be very good at hiding those emotions, so it isn’t always possible to tell how a loved one or friend is feeling. Here are a few common signs that may suggest your friend is feeling more anxious or stressed than normal.

Irritable

If you have noticed that small things seem to be bothering your friend more than usual, this could be a symptom of stress or anxiety. The Calm Clinic suggests that irritability is a common sign of anxiety and can cause people to unexpectedly get upset or even lash out. If your friend has displayed these symptoms, do not be afraid to quietly and sympathetically tell them you have noticed a difference in their behavior and ask if there is anything you can do to help. They may not have noticed the change yet themselves, so give them time and space if they need it to think about their behavior and any reasons that might be causing them to feel more irritable.

Not Sleeping

If your colleague at work is constantly reaching for the coffee, making silly mistakes, and looking exhausted, they may not be getting enough sleep. Anxiety and stress can throw off sleep patterns very quickly. According to Medical News Today, the link between stress and sleep deprivation is very common, with only 35% of Americans getting the correct amount of sleep. A lack of sleep can cause mental health problems to worsen and deepen, so sleep deprivation must be tackled. Again, this is a case of having a quiet word and asking if there is anything that keeps them up at night. If there is a worry often sharing it confidentially can help a friend to put things into perspective. Assure your friend that any discussions can be confidential, and you would only ever break confidentiality if you were worried they may harm themselves or others.

Diet Changes

Our diet can fluctuate wildly due to stress and anxiety. Some people may overeat or reach for junk food over healthier options. Others swing the other way and may cut out food altogether. Of course, dietary changes are not always linked to mental health. Only raise the question with a friend if you feel the pattern has been sustained over a substantial period, and if you suspect stress or anxiety may be the trigger for the dietary shift. You can help someone by offering to cook meals or to share lunches with them. Even a few meals in a freezer that they can reach for when they don’t have the energy to cook can make a huge difference to someone’s overall well being.

If your friend does let you know that they are feeling more anxious or stressed than usual, then reassure your friend that there are easy steps you can both take together which will help. Look online for expert advice and positive stories from those who have been in similar situations.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Shedding Light On Mental Health

November 27, 2023 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog Shedding Light On Mental Heath.

Shining a light on Mental Illness

Hi and welcome to my blog “Shedding Light on Mental Health.” My name is Amy Gamble and I am a National Award winning Mental Health Advocate focused on educating others about Mental Health related challenges.

I live with bipolar disorder and PTSD. My journey has been very long and difficult, but I was able to overcome my mental health challenges and recover.

I try to offer hope in my blogs as well as share insights.

Amy and I have followed each other for years. I’m overjoyed she has jumped over her challenges. What she didn’t say is that she is an Olympian and respected Speaker. You have to visit Amy’s blog.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

DIY Blueberry Sugar Scrub-WOW! What A Treat

November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

This easy-to-make recipe is the perfect gift, one for yourself and one to give. Find a pretty mason jar to store the scrub in, write down the instructions and tie it on with string.

Willow and Sage by Stampington

You Will Need

Yields 1 1/2 cups

1/2 cup frozen blueberries, thawed, can use fresh or frozen blueberries.

Food processor/immersion blender

1 cup natural sugar

1/8 cup coconut oil, melted

Spoon

Mason Jar

To Make

Puree the blueberries in the food processor or with an immersion blender until no large chunks remain. Add natural sugar and coconut oil, and stir to combine. Spoon the mixture into a mason jar. Store the scrub in the fridge, and use it within one month.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten Free Simple Mint Sauce

November 25, 2023November 25, 2023 Looking for the Light3 Comments

From the book Gluten Freedom

Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh mint

1 cup vinegar (add more or less to taste)

1 cup hot water

1/4 cup white sugar (add more or less to taste)

Wash and finally chop mint. Mix sugar into hot water and add vinegar. Add mint and serve with roast lamb and gravy. You’ll find a little goes a long way.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Spicy Italian Sausages-One Fork Easy

November 25, 2023November 24, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano

Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com

Ingredients:

Spicy Italian sausage (one per person)

One 7 oz. jar sliced, sweet red pepper hulls

One 8 oz. can of tomato paste

Heat a large skillet or frying pan. Add sausages and cover halfway with water. Cook over medium heat until sausages are halfway cooked (15-20 minutes). During the process, prick the sausage with a fork to release the juices from the sausage.

While cooking sausages, place sweet peppers in a colander and rinse off the water. Add the peppers and tomato paste to the sausages. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.

Cut sausages into 2-inch pieces, making sure that they are cooked all the way through.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share-Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Official Music Video)

November 24, 2023 Looking for the Light6 Comments

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Friday Quote

November 24, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I’m so glad you stopped by, and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

It’s Our 21st Year Anniversary & Thanksgiving Day

November 23, 2023 Looking for the Light8 Comments

Yesterday my husband brought home an amazing floral arrangement for our anniversary. He’s my best friend, husband, and caregiver. He has spent most of our marriage taking care of me. I can’t thank him enough!

I married a man who believes in sickness and health!

He has Skin Cancer, has 3 inches of stitches, and is on light duty. It will be the first Thanksgiving he doesn’t put up the tree. It’s been a great day for him while he watches football.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Deep Thoughts

November 23, 2023 Looking for the Light1 Comment

In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!

Continue reading →

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Basic Salad Dressing and Salads

November 22, 2023November 22, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

From Mary Frances McFadden, Jackson Township, New Jersey

Basic Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

1 teaspoon white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of black pepper

1 teaspoon celery seed

Fresh herbs of your choice (parsley, rosemary, thyme, dill or other)

Cucumber Salad

Peel one or two cucumbers and slice into rounds. Use English cucumbers or peel if skin is tough. Place in bowl. Thoroughly mix or shake ingredients for dressing and pour over cucumbers. Chill well in the refrigerator before serving.

Cole Slaw

Peel and grate two carrots and one half green cabbage and place in a bowl. Pour dressing over the bowl and refrigerate.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Travel

Wordless Wednesday *Jet’s Antics

November 22, 2023November 22, 2023 Looking for the Light8 Comments

I’m so glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Jet sleeping with his best friend Wormy when he has a baby.

Jet found the toliet paper and Griffy is hiding her head on the pedestal.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Resources for Anxiety and Depression

November 21, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Anxiety & Depression Association of America

Triumphing Through Science,
Treatment, and Education

ADAA improves the quality of life for those who suffer through evidence-based educational resources, professional practice, and scientific research.

ADAA’s promise is to raise awareness about the impact of mental health on physical health, to find new treatments, and one day prevent and cure anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders.

Our Story

When Mariska Hargitay started playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims’ Unit, the content of the scripts, as well as the work she did to prepare for the role, opened her eyes to the staggering statistics about sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse in the United States. She received hundreds, then thousands of letters and emails from survivors disclosing their stories of abuse, many for the first time. She wanted to answer—really answer—those letters, to address the suffering they described, and honor acts of courage they represented.

Her response was to create the Joyful Heart Foundation.

Welcome to bpHope.com, your community for hope, inspiration, and insights from people living and thriving with bipolar.

For those facing a recent diagnosis, managing daily symptoms, or supporting a loved onewith bipolar disorder, bpHope provides evidence-based information and unwavering support. We’re with you at every step on your road to living well with this common brain disorder.

You can check out the full list under Companies That Can Help on the top menu.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Just Pondering

November 20, 2023 Looking for the Light4 Comments

How can you add some brightness to a blustery day?

Melinda

Field Guide by Stampington

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

My Life Needs An Overhaul

November 20, 2023 Looking for the Light5 Comments

A Little Backstory

My life is blessed, I understand life is about ups and downs and how we respond can change our life’s course. With the ups and downs I’ve experienced, my backbone is much stronger which helps when I feel pushed around, lately by doctors.

My new Psychiatrist who I’ve only met once in person and one video call. We haven’t established a relationship, that takes time. Every time we’ve talked, I leave with more questions. He’s all business which is great but he interrupts me and keeps on talking until he changes the subject, not anymore! At times I feel like he’s charted my future and I won’t fit a peg. Our meeting in January will not be more of the same. I’m taking back control of the topic even if I have to wait until the end of the meeting.

I want a collaborative relationship, which means I am a blank slate and WE fill in the blanks as we go. Taking a predefined peg board and pushing me into the holes will not work and it’s focused on what you want not what I need. He is up on new studies and he likes to mention them as if they are the only way to treat a patient. I will continue seeing him because finding another Psychiatrist is hard, they need extensive training on Bipolar Disorder.

My Life

When I look forward, all I see is the same

I have no extended family

No friends

The only people I see are doctors and my hairdresser

I can only drive in a 3-4 radius of the house due to cognitive impairment and Agrophobia

Have to coordinate schedules when I need my husband to take me to appointments

Lack of joy and hobbies

My Hobbies

Blog

Photography

Bird watching from the kitchen window

Green Thumb inside and out

Ancestry

Reality

Driving limited

Agoraphobia

Dealing with multiple chronic illnesses

Cognitive Impairment

This is a glimpse into my daily life or the lack of it. It’s hard to rebuild your life with several chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment, and Agrophobia. I’m building a new Bucket List that fits my new life. I kept fooling myself that I could complete my old list but it’s not possible now.

If you don’t already have a Bucket List I encourage you to start one, it may change your life.

I work hard not to think about what I can’t do, and stay focused on the here and now.

How do you deal with life challenges?

I can’t wait to see how you respond, and what I can learn from you.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Olive Tree Saints

November 20, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Thank you for the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their blog with you. This week highlights the blog of Olive Tree Saints.

Olive Tree Saints

I’m a child of God, wife and mother. I’m also an incredibly flawed Christ-follower who wants to be available to God for whatever He gives me to do in this later chapter of my life. That means taking care of my wellness so I’m ready when He calls.

As someone who lives with fibromyalgia, I know how hard it can be to start and stick to a wellness plan, especially if it’s not personalized for you. I’m here to help you with that!

Terri is a certified Personal Trainer, Health Coach, and Nutrition Coach who wants to help others be as healthy as possible for them.

Terri loves life, and she’s inspiring. You have to check her out.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Life Is Too Short For Stress That Steals Your Joy

November 19, 2023November 21, 2023 Looking for the Light7 Comments

I’ve been out of the workforce since 2005 to help take care of my Granny who had Dementia. My previous positions were in Executive Sales, a high-stress job. Since my Granny’s death, there have been many stressful times, too many to count but we made it work, or work it out.

Now I’m 60 years old with multiple chronic illnesses including Chronic Kidney Diseases and severe balance problems. I am Agoraphobic and have cognitive impairment which means I only drive within a 3-4 mile radius of the house.

When I learned about the Kidney Diseases my attitude about life changed. I don’t let the littlest things stress me out.

I’ve become a laid-back person after receiving news about my Kidneys, hearing you have 2-5 years to live will kick you in the arse. I’m not taking medication, doing dialysis, or getting a Kidney Transplant. I’m waiting my turn to enter the Pearly Gates and working to be in the moment.

I am more apt to say what’s on my mind, eliminating stress is a daily goal, making sure I’m getting enough sleep, and letting things blow over instead of engaging in conversation. To net it out, I have little joy in my life and at times angry at all the chronic illnesses I have.

I finally accepted that my current Bucket List isn’t relevant anymore and have started a new Bucket List. It’s short now but will grow.

Life is too short for stress to steal your time and affect your mood.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Men & Womens Health

Let’s Celebrate Thanksgiving 11/23/23

November 19, 2023 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to celebrate the settlers who migrated to America. I am grateful to the settlers for laying the foundation of our country. If you were born in America, they are our ancestry and family.

Since my Grandparents died we haven’t cooked a proper Thanksgiving meal and this year we’re having steak! It works for the two of us.

I hope you are surrounded by family, friends, good food, and conversation.

If you’re hosting the celebration, have a couple of people to help you. Seems mishaps do happen at holiday gatherings. Be sure to plan breaks for simple self-care and remember nothing is perfect. Quit worrying and enjoy the moment.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

DIY Favorite Pink Peony Sugar Scrub Great Gift Idea

November 18, 2023November 18, 2023 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

This is a repost, it’s been a blogger favorite since it was first published. A sugar scrub is perfect for your self-care needs so why not make a double or triple batch and give it as a gift. There aren’t many ingredients that make this an Inflation Buster!

Pink Peony Sugar Scrub Recipe

This Pink Peony Sugar Scrub leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Skin-loving cranberry butter and champagne extract are whipped together with Foaming Bath Butter to create a smooth base for the sugar. Foaming Bath Butte r lathers with water, so the scrub washes off the skin without an oily residue. To use, apply the scrub to wet skin, gently rub in circular motions, and wash away.

A touch of Hot Pink Mica gives the scrub a lovely pink color. It’s made with Pink Peony Fragrance Oil from Bramble Berry’s Soirée Collection. The fragrance is a modern floral mix of lemon, rhododendron, honey, peony, and white musk.

Ingredients

Find all the ingredients here

Three 8 oz. Bail Jars

10 oz. Foaming Bath Butter

2 oz. Cranberry Butter

2.5 oz. Champagne Extract

8 mL Pink Peony Fragrance Oil

15 oz. Sugar

1/16 tsp. Hot Pink Mica

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, add 10 ounces of Foaming Bath Butter and 2 ounces of cranberry butter. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip until they’re completely combined and smooth.

Add 2.5 ounces of champagne extract and 8 mL of Pink Peony Fragrance Oil. Whip the ingredients until smooth.

Add 15 ounces of granulated sugar and about 1/16 teaspoon of Hot Pink Mica. Use the mixer to thoroughly incorporate.

Spoon the mixture into jars.

To use, apply a small amount of the scrub to damp skin, gently rub in circular motions, and rinse off.

Enjoy!

The Art of Candle Making A Glimpse Inside Willow and Sage Autumn 2019 A Glimpse Inside Willow and Sage Winter 2020 Q&A with a Skin Care Expert Previous Post Next Post

Enjoy

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Easy To Make Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

November 18, 2023November 18, 2023 Looking for the Light9 Comments

By Anna Quigg

One of my favorite sweet treats during that ravenous time in my second trimester was a homemade peanut butter cookie. The recipe is so quick and it’s easy, it’s a snap.

INGREDIENTS

1 beaten egg

1 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

Mix well and drop on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes until golden.

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Gluten-Free Salmon with Lime and Sesame Seeds

November 17, 2023November 17, 2023 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Photo by Christina Voinova on Pexels.com

Gluten-Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD with Susie Flaherty

Ingredients:

1 1/2 to 2 pounds salmon (wild-caught preferred with skin on)

Juice from 2-3 limes

Olive Oil

Sesame Seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and coat very lightly with olive oil. Place salmon, skin side down, on parchment paper in the pan.

Squees the juice of 2-3 limes into a bowl. Use a pastry brush to coat the salmon with lime juice. Coat the top of the salmon with sesame seeds. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Be careful to not overcook.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share-The Rolling Stones-Angie

November 17, 2023 Looking for the Light2 Comments

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Friday Quote

November 17, 2023 Looking for the Light4 Comments

So glad you stopped by and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing

Roy’s Melting Gluten Free Chocolate Souffle

November 16, 2023December 16, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography on Pexels.com

A Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 oz. semisweet chocolate

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks

In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chocolate together. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch. In a separate blow, whisk the eggs and yolks together. Add the melted butter and chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture and combine thoroughly with a wire whisk. Stir in eggs and whisk until just smooth. Place in refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Divide the mixture evenly into four buttered and sugared baking cups or ramekins (approximately 2 inches in diameter and 3 inches tall). Scoop the mixture into the molds so they are two-thirds full.

Place cups or ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake on the top oven rack for 20 minutes. Using oven mitts or potholders, remove from oven and turn upside down. to release the soufflés to individual plates. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Melinda

Reference:

From the book Gluten Freedom