By:  Denise K. Livotti    PetitsChefsAcademy.com

I’ve been on a search for some inexpensive hair products that can condition and give my lack luster, dull hair some vibrancy and shine.  I’m not getting any younger and with my hypo-thyrodism my hair is always very dry and brittle looking.  So I went out there looking, reading scanning the internet for these great, inexpensive concoctions to give me what I’ve been looking for.

You’re probably wondering how this has anything to do with cooking, let me tell you how much it does have everything to do with cooking and the kitchen.  Most of these items should be staples in your home pantry, fridge and diet for health reasons.

All these ingredients are natural taken from the produce isles in your local grocery store or farmers market.  Not only are these mixtures natural, they’re edible too!

I’ve spent, over the years, quite a bit of money looking for the right product for me.  All to my chagrin, nothing really seemed to work on my hair, outside of the ones below.  I go back and forth from using #1, All Hair Types which gives a great soft, supple glow to my hair to #2, Olive Oil & Egg for those times when my hair is on one of it’s dry, brittle benders.

For my youngest daughter 4 who suffers, at times, from Psoriasis and Eczema, I use #4, Dry, Flaky Scalp and Hair: Banana, Honey and Almond for my eldest daughter 8, once in a while we use #3, Oily Hair: Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon.

I interchange these recipes depending on what our hair is doing that particular week or month.

Not only have these home remedies proven effective they’re easy on the wallet and you end up saving not only money but numerous of unused bottles of products which then end up in landfills and oceans around the world.  It doesn’t take long to make a batch of the stuff since most of the items should be staples in your home pantry, fridge and diet for health reasons.  It’s like riding a bike, once you get into the routine it becomes quick and easy.

Skip the unnecessary expense plus the toxins and chemicals found in commercial hair products and look to your kitchen for the BEST natural, edible conditioners to moisturize and revitalize your hair!

1. All Hair Types: Avocado and Honey

Cut and scoop out the flesh from a ripened avocado and mix in a tablespoon of organic honey. Apply to hair and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.

Avocados are rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin E and protein, both of which your hair needs to remain soft and healthy. Meanwhile, honey is a natural antibacterial agent.

2. Dry Hair: Olive Oil and Egg

In need of some major TLC?  Combine three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with two eggs and apply the mixture to your hair and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes before rinsing in the shower.

The olive oil will help hydrate brittle locks, while the protein in the eggs will promote healthy hair growth.

3. Oily Hair: Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon

Combine 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with the grated peel of an entire lemon and allow it to set for 15 minutes to absorb the excess oil from your scalp, and then rinse in the shower.

Apple cider vinegar will remove build up from styling products and conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands. It will also balance hair’s pH level, kill bacteria, and is a cure for dandruff.

4. Dry, Flaky Scalp and Hair: Banana, Honey and Almond

Mash together 1/2 a ripe banana and add two tablespoons of honey and a few drops of almond oil and allow it to set with a shower cap on for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Bananas can increase the moisture of your hair, smooth frizz and soothe your itchy scalp.

Choose a mask that suits your hair condition and bring your hair back to life!

April 2013 Workshops

Cook It! – Share It! – Live It!

Food Revolution Day Toronto/Vaughan 2013

My Love of Cooking

Everyone needs food, and I love cooking it.

Good Morning/Afternoon to all of you teachers, students, and judges.  If you haven’t guessed it, my speech is on my love of cooking.

The first thing that I’m going to talk about is why I love cooking. Cooking is fun because you get to experiment with your ingredients. I also like it because I get to cook with my Mom and I’ve been cooking with her since I was very young.  The best part about cooking is to eat the meal that I cooked and share it with my family. I also love it because you know what you’re putting in your food and you can choose your ingredients.  That’s why I love cooking, but you would be surprised how many school subjects are linked to it.

Cooking is fun also because it related to all school subjects and helps you learn more. Language is related because you read the recipes and jot down notes.  It relates to Social Studies because you learn about different countries dishes. Science and Math are used in all baking. You need to measure exact ingredients and also combine the correct ingredients for your recipe to work. Health is related because you know what you’re putting in your food and you can use the healthiest products like gluten free flour. That is why cooking is good for learning, but it can also give you opportunities.

Cooking gave me the following opportunities like the following examples. The first thing that happened is that I got in the newspaper five times. Another cool thing that happened is that I got on live T.V. twice. Because of winning an online cooking contest, I got to meet the famous Chef Jamie Oliver. Those are the examples of the opportunities cooking gave me.

Adriano TVO

That concludes my speech on my love of cooking.  Next time you are going to eat out, think twice, because eating at home is more healthy and fun.

By: Adriano Filice

The Right Olive Oil Is Like a Good Bottle Of Wine!

February 25, 2013

Guest Blog By:  Ti-An DeMartines, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Owner of You’re A Peach Holistic Nutrition & Wellness

Olive oil is a staple because of its amazing taste and versatility. You can drizzle it on salads, use it as a base for a delicious tomato sauce, or use it to fry crispy chickpea fritters!

Olive oil has been produced for thousands of years, and is a very important part of the Mediterranean diet, named after the region where the most olive oil is produced. The Mediterranean diet is known to be high in fresh fruits and vegetables, low in meat, and high in healthy fat foods such as fresh fish and, of course, olives! This diet has been shown to cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by 30%, and olives play a starring role in health promotion.

Olive oil is made up of mono-saturated fats, which have been shown to be a prime contributor in preventing heart disease. It’s fruity, slightly bitter taste makes it a yummy and healthful addition to a variety of meals, especially when it is used un-heated, as heating the delicate mono-saturated fats can damage them, turning them into a less beneficial fat.

Not all olive oils are created equal, however, and quality and flavour can vary greatly depending on oil extraction process.

Light olive oil:

This type of olive oil has about the same amount fat as regular olive oil, but has virtually no colour or flavour due to the refining process. This oil has a higher smoking point, which makes it a better choice for cooking foods at high heat, like frying.

Extra virgin olive oil:

This type of olive oil is the purest of the olive oils and contains the most colour and flavour. This oil contains the least amount of acidity at only 1%. The oil is cold-pressed (no heat is involved in its extraction). Because this oil is cold-pressed, those healthy fats remain intact and provide the most benefit. This oil is best used in salads, for drizzling over warm dishes, or for simply dipping your bread in!

Virgin olive oil:

Virgin oil is similar to extra virgin olive oil, as they are both cold-pressed, however, this oil contains a higher level of acidity (2-3%) and therefore a less fruity flavour.

Tips:

Extra virgin olive oil may be the most expensive olive oil, but the quality and taste are far superior to the other types. Be weary of olive oils that aren’t sold in dark bottles- light can be very damaging to those delicate fats in the olive oil, and without a dark glass to protect the oil, you may be wasting your money on an oil that has already started to go rancid. Make sure you store your oil in a cool, dark place, and ensure the cap is secured tightly, as oxygen can also damage your oil.

You’re A Peach Holistic Nutrition & Wellness

http://www.youreapeach.ca

• Bring a friend, bring family & RSVP with payment
• Share special moments together, laughing, baking and telling stories
• All ingredients will be waiting for you
• We do all the shopping, planning and clean up

You’ll take home a real special assortment of holiday treats to share with friends and family.  We’ll bake approximately 5 varieties of cookies and Biscotti.

Be sure to bring plenty of Tupperware to transport your goodies home. This is a 2.5 our workshop.  Refreshments included.

Remember, everything we bake will be Nut-Safe.  See Flyer Below.

Adult Holiday Cookie Exchange Flyer (Downloadable PDF)

ADULTS HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE