PPLD's Cookbook & Recipe Blog - LibGuides at Poughkeepsie Public Library District

Sprouts, Shoots and Microgreens

March 24, 2025.

by Bridget O'Donnell

If I don't go to the gym or have an errand to run during my lunch break I like to go for a walk, especially when the weather is nice. One sunny afternoon the temperature felt deceptively warm for the first two weeks of March, so I decided not to wear a coat. Shortly thereafter, hands in my pockets and collar already popped, I found myself contending a cool 15-20 mile an hour breeze with thoughts of summer. For about 30 seconds I saw fleeting images of myself lounging in the sun, eyes closed with sweat beading up on my skin in the heat and humidity and then, inadvertently sunburnt. It made me smile. For a few moments those flashbacks provided some semblance of warmth, even if only nostalgic. Then, just as quickly another blustery breeze reminded me that summer would be here soon enough, in the meantime, it might be time to consider switching to a gardening hat.

In the last few weeks we’ve experienced a wide range of temperatures (and wind speeds!) with the few warm days presenting an encouraging dichotomy. Foreshadowing spring's growth, those days make it easy to temporarily forget the cold we’ve already endured as well as the weather that may continue to surprise us. The Farmer’s Almanac may not consider “in like a lion, out like a lamb” to be an accurate weather predictor but, we can only hope.

It’s still early to plant seeds outside. If you have space, starting some of the more delicate seeds inside might be a viable option. Because I’m not quite ready to repurpose our hydroponic garden from kitchen herbs to a seed starter, I sought for a little gardening motivation by experimenting with sprouts, shoots and microgreens.

Title of cookbook/website: Microgreen Garden: Indoor Grower’s Guide to Gourmet Greens.

Author of Recipe: Mark Mathew Braunstein

What prompted you to check out this recipe?

A packet of pea sprouts from the Seed Sowing Library seemed like an interesting project to try before gardening season started. Instructions that came with the seeds were straight forward. **Soak seeds 6 to 12 hours. Drain well and invert jar at an angle. Rinse seeds with water and gently swirl twice daily. Drain well and invert jar. Ready to eat in 2 to 3 days.** Low and behold, after a few days the peas sprouted but, I couldn't help questioning whether I'd done everything correctly and, if there were other methods of growing sprouts.

What did you like about this recipe?

Sprouts, shoots and microgreens, in that order respectively, take a lot less time to grow than a vegetable garden. *Bonus, if what I’ve read is true, microgreens like broccoli sprouts, for example, may have more nutrients than mature broccoli.

What didn't you like about this recipe?

It might sound contradictory but, I didn't like the same things I liked about this recipe. Although on a much smaller, non-commercial scale than many container or outdoor gardens, microgreens at any stage require attention and patience. To be honest, I was hoping to try some red lentil shoots on my corned beef but, they weren't ready yet.

Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):

Preparing Containers [w/soil]; Grow Your Garden; Water from the Bottom (pgs.38-42) were the most helpful sections in Braunstein's Microgreen Garden.

The Red Lentil Sprouts are probably my favorite because they take the least amount of time. My friend has been experimenting with flax seeds which also seem to grow quickly. Chick pea sprouts, on the other hand, take time and should be planted more densely with the seeds touching each other.

According to what I've read, I won’t have a preference until I taste a variety of shoots (FYI: the water used may also affect how the sprouts or shoots taste).

Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?

As mentioned, I followed the instructions that were included with the pea sprouts and read that by the time sprouts are visible they’re considered edible. Once the peas sprouted I cautiously ate the contents in the jar over the course of 2-3 days without ailment or discomfort. Spoiler alert: pea sprouts may be crunchier than expected.

A few days won’t usually grow microgreens but, three books and one video later and I was ready to try growing the prepared sprouts in soil. Of course, the library didn't have any pea packets left so I continued the experiment with broccoli, chick pea and red lentil sprouts. Like the pea sprouts, I followed the same instructions then planted the sprouted seeds in a shallow tray with soil. The trays were labeled and covered with a plastic lid. A towel was then draped over the covered trays to emulate growth underground. Once the sprouts grew taller they were exposed to light to promote photosynthesis and turn green.

Would you recommend this recipe?

Yes. Although this project didn't quite motivate me to start seeds for the containers and garden boxes outside, it did help me plan for this year’s growing season. (Technically, I probably could have started tomato seeds inside as early as March 2nd or 9th, in hindsight.)

References:

Books -

Indoor Kitchen Gardening: Turn Your Home Into a Year-Round Vegetable Garden / Elizabeth Millard.

Microgreen Garden: Indoor Grower’s Guide to Gourmet Greens / Mark Mathew Braunstein.

Sprouts, Shoots, and Microgreens: Tiny Plants to Grow and Eat in Your Kitchen / Lina Wallentinson. (ebook available on Hoopla. Includes charts of sprout and shoot profiles at the end of each chapter.)

Websites -

Gritzer, Daniel. “Classic, Savory Shepherd’s Pie (with Beef and/or Lamb).” Serious Eats, 17 February 2025, www.seriouseats.com/shepherds-pie-beef-lamb-recipe. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (Main difference: I don't usually peel potatoes for mashed potatoes.)

“Grow Your Own.” Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds, 29 Mar. 2024, sprouting.com/.

Kohler, John. “How to Grow Sprouts with Water or in Soil Any Time of the Year at Got Sprouts.” YouTube, 8 March 2012, https://youtu.be/lQqML3Ayxi0?si=KIFBbIdBNLvOhf1g. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (Includes a 43:17 minute video.)

“Library of Things.” Poughkeepsie Public Library District, 9 January 2025, poklib.org/books-more/library-of-things/. Accessed 20 March 2025.

Mayes, Rosie. “Stovetop Corned Beef and Cabbage.” I Heart Recipes, 14 April 2024, iheartrecipes.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage/. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (This is more or less how I make Corned Beef. Onions are boiled with the Corned Beef and a small portion of carrots are added towards the end of the cook time but the rest of the carrots, potatoes and cabbage are prepared separately.)

McKenney, Sally. “Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread.” Sally’s Baking Addiction, 20 March 2022, sallysbakingaddiction.com/grandmas-irish-soda-bread/#tasty-recipes-67782. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (This is pretty close to my Mother's recipe. )

“Seed Sowing Library.” Poughkeepsie Public Library District, 9 January 2025, poklib.org/books-more/library-of-things/. Accessed 20 March 2025.

Staff, Farmers’ Almanac. “March Comes In Like a Lion ...” Farmers’ Almanac, 25 February 2025, www.farmersalmanac.com/the-truth-behind-in-like-a-lion-out-like-a-lamb. Accessed 20 March 2025.

“A Watched Pot Never Boils Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20watched%20pot%20never%20boils. Accessed 20 March 2025.

Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:

Recent Posts

Pickled Pink

Pickled Pink (& Brown).("Soy Sauce Marinated Eggs") April 23, 2025.by Bridget O'DonnellThis month we dabbled or, more precisely pickled in natural food dyes for the few weeks it took me to decide what to make for the holiday. …Our meal would be for a smaller party of two to maybe four but provide enough leftovers to cover dinner most of the week. In addition to providing some respite, it would also leave more room after work for projects or hobbies and, equally as important, time to relax. In the meantime…Title of cookbook/website: All About Eggs: Everything We Know About the World's Most Important Food. Author of Recipe: Rachel Khong What prompted you to check out this recipe?Last month, while my coworker and I were discussing individual food preferences they shared a recipe similar to Momofuku's “Soy Sauce Marinated Eggs.” It should come as no surprise that I had never tried anything like it but, jumping in with no expectations left no room for disappointment. A week or so later, I came across a recipe for “tea eggs” in Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes. Aside from types of vinegar, there were two other differences between this recipe and my coworker’s. In addition to adding black tea to the brine, the recipe suggested leaving the cracked shell on the egg while pickling it for a somewhat marbled effect. Neat. As a follow-up I tried pickling with a different color ingredient. Full of nutrients, beets enter stage right (or left, your choice) for some "Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets." In lieu of coloring Easter eggs in the traditional sense, we colored a couple of eggs in their cracked shells (like tea eggs) and a couple of peeled eggs, for comparison. (If you're interested in coloring Easter eggs with natural dyes consider taking a look at pg. 84 in A Garden to Dye For by Chris McLaughlin.) All About Eggs was chosen for this review because it had some variation of all of the recipes mentioned herewith. Photo inserts, called the “Recipe Picture Menu” can be found in the center of the book beginning on pg. 113. Hard Boiled Egg, pg. 90; Tea eggs, pg. 228; Lourdes’s Deviled Eggs with Tuna, pg. 165; Pennsylvania Dutch Pickled Beet eggs, pg. 247. What did you like about this recipe?The recipes are succinct. Pickling eggs may not enhance their nutritional value but it may increase their shelf life, even if for a nominal amount of time. What didn't you like about this recipe?Pickled eggs may be an acquired taste for some and because both recipes were new to me I can’t be sure that I tried either version with the right accompaniments. The eggs pickled in soy sauce probably would have been better in a rice bowl or ramen than on toast with cheese (for breakfast). Similarly, while the eggs pickled with beets went well in a green salad (for lunch), I went a little further and made them into deviled eggs. Aesthetically, leaving the cracked shell on while quick pickling the egg didn’t marble it as much as I expected. Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):The "Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets" rendered as “Deviled Eggs” seemed to be our favorite version. Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?People have undoubtedly noticed the rising price of eggs, an imminent result of the bird flu. Since this was an experiment, I reduced the number of eggs pickled in both recipes. For the deviled eggs I opted to omit the vinegar because it was an ingredient used in the pickling brine. Both shelled and unshelled deviled eggs were palatable. We enjoyed them as a snack and then as an accompaniment to a larger meal. Would you recommend this recipe?Yes, it was a fun experiment. You'll need to be able to hard boil eggs but don't worry, no matter what level you’re at in the kitchen there are a plethora of books and websites available, though with slight differences. One example can be found in The How-to Cookbook for Teens: 100 Easy Recipes to Learn the Basics by Julee Morrison (pg. 48). To help get you started, I usually… cover large eggs in a pot with cold water, add salt (optional) and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat and cover for ~6-8mins. Remove the eggs from the water and let them cool (I don’t cool the eggs in a bowl of ice water, but it’s almost unanimously recommended). As you can see from the pictures below the yolks aren’t centered. Periodically stirring the eggs as the water comes to a boil might help center the yolk.Eggs ready to pickle with beets in their juice, vinegar and sugar.“”Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets" (Egg on top - Pickled in a cracked shell, Egg of Bottom - Shell removed before pickling.)“Deviled Eggs,” the foremost pickled with beets.And, because I couldn't really decide what to make for our holiday dinner with leftovers, “Slow Roast Leg of Lamb” and… a combination of “Wine Braised Beef Brisket” and “Classic Braised Brisket with Onions” + the sides.Beef Brisket, plated and served with sliced sourdough baguette. Happy Holiday / Spring! References:Books – All About Eggs: Everything We Know About the World's Most Important Food / Rachel Khong. The Brisket Chronicles: How to Barbecue, Braise, Smoke, and Cure the World's Most Epic Cut of Meat / Steven Raichlen. Budda Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes / Ying Chang Compestine. - (tea eggs, pg. 24-25) Egg: A Culinary Exploration of the World's Most Versatile Ingredient / Michael Ruhlman. - (hard-cooked, pg. 3) A Garden to Dye For / Chris McLaughlin. - (Easter egg dyes, pg. 84) The How-To Cookbook for Teens: 100 Easy Recipes to Learn the Basics / Julee Morrison. - (hard boiled eggs, pg. 48; deviled eggs, pg. 49) The Joy of Cooking: 600 New Recipes, More than 4,000 Favorites, Revised and Updated / Irma S. Rombauer. - (2019. hard boiled egg, pg. 151; deviled eggs, pickled eggs, pg. 151; beet pickled eggs, pg. 152) Websites - Bauer, Elise. “How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs.” Simply Recipes, 14 February 2025, www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_perfect_hard_boiled_eggs/. Accessed 22 April 2025. Bryan, Lisa. “How to Boil Eggs Perfectly (Every Time).” Downshiftology, 19 November 2024, downshiftology.com/recipes/perfect-soft-boiled-hard-boiled-eggs/. Accessed 22 April 2025. “Cousin David’s Slow Cooker Brisket.” Allrecipes, 21 August 2024, www.allrecipes.com/recipe/70096/cousin-davids-slow-cooker-brisket/. Accessed 22 April 2025. - (If you’re interested in using the slow cooker, another coworker suggests this recipe.) Donofrio, Jeanine. “How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Every Single Time.” Love and Lemons, 13 April 2025, www.loveandlemons.com/how-to-make-hard-boiled-eggs/. Accessed 22 April 2025. Genius Recipes. “Momofuku’s Soy Sauce Eggs.” Food52, 12 July 2021, food52.com/recipes/35930-momofuku-s-soy-sauce-eggs?srsltid=AfmBOoqKJAZeSPDan5Sf0vNclpYExhNemsQOgTxU5GGYfYD68hSz6nTD. Accessed 22 April 2025. - (This recipe is very close to the one my coworker shared with me. Add ½ t chili garlic sauce or more to taste, use the vinegar of your choice and you’ve got it.) Hagymas, Sherri. “Easy Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe.” To Simply Inspire, 22 May 2024, www.tosimplyinspire.com/deviled-eggs.html. Accessed 22 April 2025. Maehashi, Nagi. “Slow Roast Leg of Lamb.” RecipeTin Eats, 29 March 2024, www.recipetineats.com/slow-roast-leg-of-lamb/#wprm-recipe-container-23734. Accessed 22 April 2025. McLaughlin, Michael. “Red-Wine-Braised Brisket.” Bon Appétit, 8 August 2023, www.bonappetit.com/recipe/braised-beef-brisket. Accessed 22 April 2025. Segal, Jennifer. “Classic Braised Brisket with Onions.” Once Upon a Chef, 18 March 2025, www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/onion-braised-beef-brisket.html#tabrecipe. Accessed 22 April 2025. Swanson, Cathy. “Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets.” Allrecipes, 14 April 2025, www.allrecipes.com/recipe/45157/quick-pickled-eggs-and-beets/. Accessed 22 April 2025. “What Is the Difference Between Pickling and Fermenting?” WebstaurantStore, www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/3658/pickling-vs-fermenting.html?srsltid=AfmBOoor51Tp4K2QewH7hPIckZ4cEjskrEgG5JDXnNlPtOvQE71imiRY. Accessed 22 April 2025. “Wine-Braised Beef Brisket.” Allrecipes, 22 October 2023, www.allrecipes.com/recipe/221041/wine-braised-beef-brisket/. Accessed 22 April 2025. Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog (organized alphabetically, by subject):Cooking (Eggs) Eggs. Eggs as food. --Dyes and dyeing, Domestic.Dye plants.--Cooking (Beef) Cooking (Meat) ...

Microgreens

Sprouts, Shoots and MicrogreensMarch 24, 2025.by Bridget O'DonnellIf I don't go to the gym or have an errand to run during my lunch break I like to go for a walk, especially when the weather is nice. One sunny afternoon the temperature felt deceptively warm for the first two weeks of March, so I decided not to wear a coat. Shortly thereafter, hands in my pockets and collar already popped, I found myself contending a cool 15-20 mile an hour breeze with thoughts of summer. For about 30 seconds I saw fleeting images of myself lounging in the sun, eyes closed with sweat beading up on my skin in the heat and humidity and then, inadvertently sunburnt. It made me smile. For a few moments those flashbacks provided some semblance of warmth, even if only nostalgic. Then, just as quickly another blustery breeze reminded me that summer would be here soon enough, in the meantime, it might be time to consider switching to a gardening hat. In the last few weeks we’ve experienced a wide range of temperatures (and wind speeds!) with the few warm days presenting an encouraging dichotomy. Foreshadowing spring's growth, those days make it easy to temporarily forget the cold we’ve already endured as well as the weather that may continue to surprise us. The Farmer’s Almanac may not consider “in like a lion, out like a lamb” to be an accurate weather predictor but, we can only hope. It’s still early to plant seeds outside. If you have space, starting some of the more delicate seeds inside might be a viable option. Because I’m not quite ready to repurpose our hydroponic garden from kitchen herbs to a seed starter, I sought for a little gardening motivation by experimenting with sprouts, shoots and microgreens. Title of cookbook/website: Microgreen Garden: Indoor Grower’s Guide to Gourmet Greens. Author of Recipe: Mark Mathew Braunstein What prompted you to check out this recipe?A packet of pea sprouts from the Seed Sowing Library seemed like an interesting project to try before gardening season started. Instructions that came with the seeds were straight forward. **Soak seeds 6 to 12 hours. Drain well and invert jar at an angle. Rinse seeds with water and gently swirl twice daily. Drain well and invert jar. Ready to eat in 2 to 3 days.** Low and behold, after a few days the peas sprouted but, I couldn't help questioning whether I'd done everything correctly and, if there were other methods of growing sprouts. What did you like about this recipe?Sprouts, shoots and microgreens, in that order respectively, take a lot less time to grow than a vegetable garden. *Bonus, if what I’ve read is true, microgreens like broccoli sprouts, for example, may have more nutrients than mature broccoli. What didn't you like about this recipe?It might sound contradictory but, I didn't like the same things I liked about this recipe. Although on a much smaller, non-commercial scale than many container or outdoor gardens, microgreens at any stage require attention and patience. To be honest, I was hoping to try some red lentil shoots on my corned beef but, they weren't ready yet. Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):Preparing Containers [w/soil]; Grow Your Garden; Water from the Bottom (pgs.38-42) were the most helpful sections in Braunstein's Microgreen Garden. The Red Lentil Sprouts are probably my favorite because they take the least amount of time. My friend has been experimenting with flax seeds which also seem to grow quickly. Chick pea sprouts, on the other hand, take time and should be planted more densely with the seeds touching each other. According to what I've read, I won’t have a preference until I taste a variety of shoots (FYI: the water used may also affect how the sprouts or shoots taste). Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?As mentioned, I followed the instructions that were included with the pea sprouts and read that by the time sprouts are visible they’re considered edible. Once the peas sprouted I cautiously ate the contents in the jar over the course of 2-3 days without ailment or discomfort. Spoiler alert: pea sprouts may be crunchier than expected. A few days won’t usually grow microgreens but, three books and one video later and I was ready to try growing the prepared sprouts in soil. Of course, the library didn't have any pea packets left so I continued the experiment with broccoli, chick pea and red lentil sprouts. Like the pea sprouts, I followed the same instructions then planted the sprouted seeds in a shallow tray with soil. The trays were labeled and covered with a plastic lid. A towel was then draped over the covered trays to emulate growth underground. Once the sprouts grew taller they were exposed to light to promote photosynthesis and turn green. Would you recommend this recipe?Yes. Although this project didn't quite motivate me to start seeds for the containers and garden boxes outside, it did help me plan for this year’s growing season. (Technically, I probably could have started tomato seeds inside as early as March 2nd or 9th, in hindsight.) Shepherd's Pie - A girls gotta' eat.Sprout Trays [with soil] - Just remember, a watched pot doesn't boil…In the meantime, … Corned Beef and Cabbage dinnerIrish soda Bread(FYI: at 350°F this takes 1hr and 20mins)These Red Lentil Shoots aren’t quite ready to eat. They need a few more days to fill in and some exposure to light. According to Mina, the sprouts are ready.Happy St. Patrick's Day! References:Books - Indoor Kitchen Gardening: Turn Your Home Into a Year-Round Vegetable Garden / Elizabeth Millard. Microgreen Garden: Indoor Grower’s Guide to Gourmet Greens / Mark Mathew Braunstein. Sprouts, Shoots, and Microgreens: Tiny Plants to Grow and Eat in Your Kitchen / Lina Wallentinson. (ebook available on Hoopla. Includes charts of sprout and shoot profiles at the end of each chapter.) Websites - Gritzer, Daniel. “Classic, Savory Shepherd’s Pie (with Beef and/or Lamb).” Serious Eats, 17 February 2025, www.seriouseats.com/shepherds-pie-beef-lamb-recipe. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (Main difference: I don't usually peel potatoes for mashed potatoes.) “Grow Your Own.” Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds, 29 Mar. 2024, sprouting.com/. Kohler, John. “How to Grow Sprouts with Water or in Soil Any Time of the Year at Got Sprouts.” YouTube, 8 March 2012, https://youtu.be/lQqML3Ayxi0?si=KIFBbIdBNLvOhf1g. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (Includes a 43:17 minute video.) “Library of Things.” Poughkeepsie Public Library District, 9 January 2025, poklib.org/books-more/library-of-things/. Accessed 20 March 2025. Mayes, Rosie. “Stovetop Corned Beef and Cabbage.” I Heart Recipes, 14 April 2024, iheartrecipes.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage/. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (This is more or less how I make Corned Beef. Onions are boiled with the Corned Beef and a small portion of carrots are added towards the end of the cook time but the rest of the carrots, potatoes and cabbage are prepared separately.) McKenney, Sally. “Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread.” Sally’s Baking Addiction, 20 March 2022, sallysbakingaddiction.com/grandmas-irish-soda-bread/#tasty-recipes-67782. Accessed 20 March 2025. - (This is pretty close to my Mother's recipe. ) “Seed Sowing Library.” Poughkeepsie Public Library District, 9 January 2025, poklib.org/books-more/library-of-things/. Accessed 20 March 2025. Staff, Farmers’ Almanac. “March Comes In Like a Lion ...” Farmers’ Almanac, 25 February 2025, www.farmersalmanac.com/the-truth-behind-in-like-a-lion-out-like-a-lamb. Accessed 20 March 2025. “A Watched Pot Never Boils Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20watched%20pot%20never%20boils. Accessed 20 March 2025. Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:Container gardening.Cooking, Irish.Edible greens.Indoor gardening. ...

S.Care

S[elf]-Care February 18, 2025.by Bridget O'DonnellWinter weather doesn’t just wreak havoc on our immune system; it affects every part of the body including our largest organ, the skin. While it can be good to get outside for some fresh air, exercise and vitamin D, too much exposure to winter elements can result in a number of unwanted conditions including dry or cracked skin. For the New Year, rather than make resolutions that could result in any degree of shame, I wanted to find a few new hobbies. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, I decided it was time to create a more regular self-care routine. Recently I read that “pampering yourself for twenty minutes without interruption is quiet indulgent and something we should all do for ourselves for all the benefits it provides (Natural Beauty from the Garden, pg. 74)." Vague and out of context, yes but, healthy habits help maintain a healthy mind and body. A little self-care might go a long way. Title of cookbook/website: DIY Beauty: Easy, All-Natural Recipes Based on Your Favorites from Lush, Kiehl's, Burt's Bees, Bumble and Bumble, Laura Mercier, and More! Author of Recipe: Ina De Clercq What prompted you to check out this recipe?Extremely dry skin on my hands has been an issue all winter. This comes with little surprise because of hard water, being almost OCD with doing dishes and, washing my hands religiously throughout the day so that I can rub my itchy/tearing eyes. One morning I looked in what might be considered a magnifying glass and saw just how dry patches of skin were on my face. The human body is made up of 70% water but without constantly replenishing our [water] intake we are prone to becoming dehydrated, especially overnight. So first, I tried putting more moisture into my body. Then I thought, if what I ingested could help hydrate me from the inside, why not try some of those ingredients on the outside, too. Sometimes that thought is correct and, sometimes it isn't. Important insights from Nature’s Beauty Secrets (pg. 11) -1. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful. Some ingredients, especially essential oils, are very strong and can even be toxic. They should never be eaten, no matter how yummy they smell. Many items should not be used if you have certain medical conditions, like high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, or are pregnant. If you are unsure, consult your physician first.2. Before slathering any product all over, make sure to test it on a small area, such as the inside of your arm or at the edge of your hairline for facial products, to be sure you don’t have a negative reaction. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin.3. Different people experience different results.4. Try to use organic ingredients when possible to avoid superfluous (to say it mildly) toxins, additives, preservatives and/or over-processed fragrances. Your skin will absorb those, too. My hands might take a little more time and attention so I started looking for a few gentle but quick and, inexpensive solutions for my face. What did you like about this recipe?My two go-to face masks are a charcoal mask to deep clean and tighten and a honey mask to moisturize. One jar lasts a while because I use them sparingly but they run on the expensive side and because at least one product is being phased out, it can be hard to find. After some prioritizing… The Banana-Avocado (and Honey) mask was cooling which could have been because the ingredients were chilled or at room temperature (it’s winter, even the kitchen counters are cool). Overall, the mask made my skin feel relaxed, refreshed and softer. It may have helped open my sinuses, too. The Turmeric Oatmeal (and Honey) mask calls for a small amount of ingredients that I consider staples. Unfortunately, it didn't soften my skin as much as the Banana-Avocado mask but this is a new combination that I may fine-tune over time. What didn't you like about this recipe?Because the masks are perishable, leftovers don’t usually last more than a day. With sensitive skin I would only try one mask per day, and generally not every day. I suppose I could have eaten these particular leftovers but, I didn’t. It’s also not always advisable depending on what ingredients you add to your DIY products (refer to Important Insights, listed above). The mess-factor of the “Banana-Avocado Mashed Mask” made it difficult to keep on for 15 minutes or do anything else until I took it off. If there's a next time, I'll blend the ingredients for a smoother consistency. **Additionally, and very important(!), if the recipe calls for something like coffee grinds, mashed fruits or larger pieces of oatmeal, gently remove the mask with a washcloth or cotton pad and rinse that off in a tepid bowl of water. Even if you don’t have temperamental pipes, DO NOT wash the mask directly down the drain. There's a reason the kitchen sink has a food trap!! And, kind of funny note about leaving the Oatmeal-Turmeric mask on for 15 minutes. After removing the mask you might “glow” a little more than expected because you’ve basically just dyed your face yellow. A few cotton balls of witch hazel (and a shower) should clean the residual off of your face and hairline. If you're not vegan, there's always the “Liquid Gold Face Mask” (aka: plain honey) as suggested in DIY Beauty (pg. 36). Favorite recipes (that you tried from the cookbook/website):Banana-Avocado Mashed Mask (Nature’s Beauty Secrets, pg. 71). Then, because the recipes were so similar, I combined the “Morning Oats Face Mask” (DIY Beauty, pg. 38) with the “Luminous Turmeric Face Mask” (Hello Glow, pg. 42). Did you alter the recipe or make any substitutions?The measurements suggested for the banana-avocado mask yielded enough for two masks, which was unfortunate; the leftovers had to be composted because of my schedule and skin type. For this reason I reduced the measurements by half in the Turmeric-Oat mask but, the reduced amount could have been halved for a single serving/mask. Fortunately, this mask did last an additional two days. For the Oatmeal-Turmeric mask, one tablespoon of plain whole milk yogurt substituted three tablespoons of Greek yogurt/whole milk. As an experiment, I didn’t grind the oatmeal into a thin powder, which I think I would do in the future. And, as mentioned earlier, I added turmeric to the “Morning Oats” mask. If you have an extremely fair complexion, maybe avoid adding turmeric. Would you recommend this recipe?Yes, I encourage you to play with your food, it's fun. If your DIY recipe works it truly is empowering and will make you want to try more. My recommendation would be to avoid recipes with ingredients you know you're adverse to (for example, if you don’t eat bananas often, don’t make a mask with quite so much banana). Don't be your own worst enemy; remember that helping yourself also helps others. Take care of yourself so that you’re your best version and in the right frame of mind to help others, and, Yourself! Happy be-lated Valentine! Morning Oats-Turmeric (and Honey)Morning Oats-Turmeric (and Honey) MaskBe conscientious of your drains!(And know, that washcloth may be yellow for the rest of its life.)References:Books - DIY Beauty: Easy, All-Natural Recipes Based on Your Favorites from Lush, Kiehl's, Burt's Bees, Bumble and bumble, Laura Mercier, and More! / Ina De Clercq. Hello Glow: 150+ Easy Natural Beauty Recipes for a Fresh New You / Stephanie Gerber. Natural Beauty from the Garden: More Than 200 Do-It-Yourself Beauty Recipes and Garden Ideas / Janice Cox. Nature’s Beauty Secrets: Recipes for Beauty Treatments from the World's Best Spas / Dawn Gallagher. Websites -Bryan, Lucy, and Dustin Cotliar. “Surprising Ways Hydration Affects Your Sleep.” Sleep Foundation, 7 May 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/hydration-and-sleep. Accessed 2/13/2025. Flannigan, Jenna. “8 Best DIY Face Masks for Every Skin Type, According to Dermatologists.” Prevention, 28 April 2020, www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g26752006/best-diy-face-masks/. Accessed 1/27/2025. Quick Subject/Concept links to the Discover Online Library catalog:Skin, Care and hygiene. Beauty, Personal. (Results narrowed down by Literary Form: Non-Fiction ; Concepts/Subjects/Themes: Skin-Care And Hygiene) ...

Happy A.N.Y.!

The Asian New Year is most commonly known as the Chinese or, Lunar New Year. It falls on different dates and may be celebrated as a holiday for varying durations between January 21st and February 20th, depending on the religion and culture. ...

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