The art of surviving dry winters

When the winter months come, the atmosphere gets cold obviously and very dry. Central heating turns on and the humidity drops and the dryness intensifies. I sometimes feel like I'm trapped in a menopausal body hitting me 2 decades too soon. My right knee locks up with arthritis, my throat constantly parched, my lips pruned and cracked, and my skin thins, reddens and flakes.

Then, I became an expert. 

To beat the cold weather the following products have saved me from the disheartening wrath that comes with winter.

1) Dry eyelids-Urban decay eyelid primer

It has an ingredient that keeps the eyes moisturizer during the daytime.

2) Chapped lips-Blistex deep renewal SPF 15

It's the only one I use that keeps my lips moisturizer yet nongreasy

3) Dry hands and feet-Bath and Body Body Butter

Again not super greasy but it is thick and keeps my skin moisturizes for at least a few hours

4) Arthritis-Layers of clothing and trying to stay warm as possible along with glucosamine supplements. I am currently using Move Free

5) Parched Throat-the obvious-water. I always keep a cup next to my bed 

Keep your enemies closer. 

 

"No one truly interesting is universally liked."

Shirred eggs

I went to Plow in SF for brunch and had the most delicious shirred eggs with acme bread. When I got home, I was thinking about it before going to sleep and had to just try it! I followed this recipe that I found:

http://minimalistbaker.com/simple-baked-eggs/

The one trouble was that I didn't own a oven-safe baking dish so I used my bread pan which came out to a similar volume. After 10 mins, I inspected on my creation, but the eggs didn't look ready yet, I cooked it for another 15 minutes and I had overcooked it! But it was still yummy regardless! I will update when I recreate it the next time!

Okay so I went to BBB with my 20% off coupon and bought a proper stoneware pot and remade my shirred eggs! Much better and not overcooked this time! 

Banana Nut Bread

I'm more of a cooker than a baker, but my cousin and her mom had baked me a delicious banana oat bread last month and gave me their recipe! I used lavender flavored salt (compliments of my sister) and also added a 1/2 cup of chopped toasted walnuts. I also love toasted a slice of the bread and eating it with Talenti Cookie Crunch Ice cream! Magnificent!

              

Banana-Oatmeal Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup packed brown sugar
7 Tablespoons vegetables oil
2 Large egg whites
1 Large egg
1 1/3 cups of mashed ripe bananas ( about 2 large ones)
1 cup oats
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
cooking spray

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat well
3.Combine bananas, oats,and milk; add to sugar mixture; beating well.

4. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

5. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir with a whisk,

6. Add to sugar mixture; beat just until moist.

7. Spoon batter into a 9x5 loaf pan or 2 small loaf pans coated with cooking spray.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserts in the center comes out clean

9. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan.

10.Cool completely on wire rack