As time goes by.

 

 

Last week was our first wedding anniversary. We went back to where we went on our honeymoon..Palm Springs, CA.

The property that we stayed at offered loads of citrus trees bearing lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit. We were kids in a candy store every day picking fresh oranges and making freshly squeezed juice every morning. It was truly paradise.

 

As if my paradise in citrus heaven wasn’t enough, my husband gave me a very special anniversary gift – a day of pampering at a luxurious spa complete with a body scrub treatment. What can I say – the man knows me. Just as I know the way to his heart is through his stomach; he knows the way to my heart is through spa treatments.

 

The body scrubs was truly amazing and left my skin silky smooth for days. Going to the day spa makes me feel so healthy and rejuvenated, I often leave with a sense that I am going to continue to take care of my body and eat only organic, healthy meals from that moment on. It usually lasts a whole two hours after I get back home.

 

That night, I was inspired to whip up a fabulous dessert for the two of us. Yes, I cooked on my vacation—I can’t help myself.

 

Inspired by the large sugar grains that sloughed away my dry skin, I made a delicious brown sugar topping for fresh pineapples and broiled them to a bubbling, golden brown glaze. The dish was exotic, elegant and I still felt as though I hadn’t completely abandoned my healthy ambitions as the pineapples were broiled and not fried in lots of butter. This would also be sensational with bananas!

 

Along with this easy recipe, I found a great recipe for an at-home sugar scrub to try. The scrub exfoliates the skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth for days. Finish your body treatment with a generous slathering of body butter (concentrating on those elbows, knees and heels) and your skin will feel as though winter’s drying effects never took place.

 

You may use Epsom salt instead of sugar if you prefer a larger grain. When making the scrubs, I prefer using grapeseed oil since it is light and odorless; however olive oil is rich and moisturizing which is perfect for extra dry skin or those rougher areas such as elbows and heels. Sunflower oil is also a good choice as it is odorless and inexpensive. The scents for the scrub is virtually limitless, use rose essential oil for a lovely perfume scent, lavender for relaxation, citrus for invigoration.

 

Package the scrub in airtight containers and offer as gifts this holiday season for a special treat for a special friend!

 

 

 

 

Broiled Brown Sugar Pineapples

 

 

 

1 large pineapple, halved vertically.

¼ c brown sugar

¼ c granulated sugar

1/8 tsp coarse salt

1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

 

Preheat broiler, with rack placed 6 inches from heat source.  Mix sugars, salt and vanilla in a small bowl.  Cut pineapple vertically with top husks still attached to the fruit.

 

Lightly brush water on top of pineapple halves.  Pat layer of mixed sugar evenly on top of the pineapple halves to prevent clumping and burning.

Broil until sugar has caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar Body Scrub

 

2 c. organic cane sugar or Epsom salts

1 c. “base” oil (grapeseed, olive, sunflower or vitamin E)

8 drops essential oil (grapefruit, rose, peppermint, or lavender…whatever you like best!)

1 drop of food coloring (which ever color you prefer)

 

Stir together salt or sugar and “base” oil in a bowl, mixing well.  Using pipette, add essential oil, 1 drop at a time.  Add food coloring and stir until color is even throughout.  Spoon into airtight or canning jars.