A year ago I fractured both pinky toes within 3 weeks of each other, so it’s been a minute since
I’ve exercised. You know what that means! I put on a “few” pounds. I can now exercise again, hooray!

Even when you eat healthy, if you don’t move your body, you’re in trouble. Especially if you’re in your 40’s or older. So, to stay true to my workout regimen, I’ll “talk” about food instead of consuming everything I see.

That being said …

There’s nothing like the beauty of aroma’s coming from your kitchen. The smell of rosemary chicken, cornbread stuffing, vanilla pound cake or zesty lemonade all bring a soothing aroma past your nose.

This week we’ll concentrate on herbs and spices used in your kitchen and provide you with the aroma and flavor of your food.

Let’s take a look at some of the beautiful herbs and spices used in your kitchen and for personal scents:

Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil, is distilled from the flowering tops and leaves of the plant. In perfumery, it can be used for top notes, while rosemary absolute can be used as base notes.

However, in your kitchen you can infuse olive oil by adding the bright green leaves of rosemary. Key factors to consider when picking the rosemary is that the leaves have no browning, have a firm texture and strong aroma.

Try adding dried or fresh rosemary to your chicken recipes and see what type of experience you get.

Lavender: Lavender essential oil is distilled from the flowering tops of the lavender plant. the beauty of lavender is that it will blend with almost any other essential oil. It is especially good for skin and hair care.

However, in your kitchen, Lavender will add a completely new flavor to your food. Lavender can be used dried or fresh. Lavender from France is the best source. Like Rosemary, Lavender is most effective when used in moderation. It works well when seasoning a dish of lamb.

Lavender can also give life to a vodka martini. Pour a bottle of vodka over a bunch of fresh lavender, refrigerate it for one to two weeks or until the vodka is infused with the flavor of lavender, strain and use it for martini’s.

A cup of lavender and chamomile tea is a great way to wind down at night. It has been known to provide a good nights sleep. I use lavender and chamomile all the time and sleep like a baby.

Vanilla: Did you know that the vanilla plant is actually an orchid vine that climbs tree trunks? The vanilla pod doesn’t actually develop its scent until it ferments under the heat of the sun.

It’s the seed found within the pod that gives you the beauty of scent and flavor of vanilla. When used in cooking, vanilla extract as well as the vanilla bean are used to flavor your food.

Yes  …

Food has a special way of introducing you to the beauty of nature and her scents from flowers, barks, roots and leaves. Have you found the flavor in your kitchen? I’d love to hear about your favorite recipes, the flavor they release and the bellies they fill.

Until next time …

Dedicated to Your Beauty

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Aromatherapist/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care