Flan is a delicious and easy to make dessert with many slight variations of it throughout the world. It is a moist and creamy treat with a subtle sweetness having the consistency of a soft custard but resembling a jello mold. In many Spanish speaking countries, flan is made using a few simple ingredients.

What You’ll Need:

If you’ve ever been to a sushi restaurant chances are you’ve skimmed the dessert menu to see only a few options available- while ice cream made with beans or tea may have seemed strange or even appealing – both red bean ice cream and green tea ice cream have a subtly sweet taste that is not too overpowering. Below is an easy red bean ice cream recipe you can make at home.

What you’ll need:

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When suffering from abdominal pain, if our stomach is cramping it can be difficult to want eat, drink or ingest anything especially if the pain is overwhelming. Even if the causes are unknown, here are 3 ways to easily help both external and internal abdominal pain without digesting anything.

The boiling water is overflowing on the stove, one of the kids is screaming in the other room, the garbage stinks to high heaven, the dog just took a piss on floor, the other two are pulling each others hair and going at it, you can’t hear a word the person is saying on the other line while you are trying to set up a play date and you just stepped on a loose Lego piece! OW!

It sounds like you need a break. In the busy world of parents, nannys and caretakers, they can be far and few between, so take a breather instead.

Sometimes, the number one thing we forget when taking care of someone else is taking care of ourselves. Taking care of another person can be a lot of work and if we take our job seriously we want to do this to the best of our ability. A great way to accomplish this is by remembering to take care of ourselves first! This doesn’t mean let a dirty diaper sit for 3 days on end or let every dish in the house pile up until we can’t see the faucet (i said faucet, not drain!) but it means prioritizing and rearranging the flow and structure of the environment to better fit everyone’s needs and if possible, some of their wants.

I don’t have any children of my own yet, but as a nanny I had the unique opportunity of providing comfort, care and support to children while not having a biological tie to them which allowed me to observe and structure things differently.

We want to be the best parents and caretakers we can possibly be. When I was a nanny for two boys, one 3 years old and the other 7 years old, there was a lot to take care of and I only had 3 hours with the youngest and about 1 to 2 hours with the oldest a day. However, I had to pack a whole lot into that short time spent to meet the parents expectations. Additionally, all of the household tasks and errands that were asked of me prior to seeing the boys later in the day, which could be pretty overwhelming sometimes. It being my paid job I didn’t necessarily have the luxury of not completing what was expected to be done without a possible serious drawback.

So what did I do? Well, after some trial and error, I decided that I was going to do what I could to the best of my ability while still taking breathers in between. My main priority was always the children which included the nurturing of myself so before I saw the boys later that day, I focused on them when they got home while making sure to combine our flow. I did this in what i felt was the same way any parent would, because for me, this wasn’t just a paycheck these were other peoples lives, including my own.

Making lists and dividing up my time helped but I knew certain tasks were just not as pressing as others. For example, maybe there is a ton of laundry all of the time – well, throw in a load and then go work on something else or go take a bubble bath! If the little ones are home for the day – make sure everyone is fed, clean diapers and something to preoccupy themselves – this doesn’t mean I just plopped them in front of the television but some days you gotta do that and if that happens more often than you’d like, find something that mixes interests – educational with entertaining? YES!

If there is laundry in the dryer and you don’t have the time or energy to fold it, leave it in there! You can reset the dryer to wrinkle-free or reheat the clothes the next day before you decide to fold.

Plan your meals before the week begins – maybe save something a little bit more creative or time consuming for a day with less on your duty plate and always have your go-to backups because let’s face it, you could make an award winning casserole with 3 side dishes and two desserts and they still want dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for dinner and a Popsicle for dessert.

I recall actually forgetting to eat because I had so much on my mind and so many tasks to accomplish. Imagine making meals fit for at least 8 hungry mouths and never taking a bite of what you cooked? Even if that phone is ringing off the hook, the laundry buzzer is going off or one of the kids is screaming about a spider in the shower, sit down and eat if you are hungry, take a bath if you need to get clean or have a glass of wine if you want to relax.

Some kids need to unwind for a bit after a long structured day in school while others need to stay in that structured mindset, if your kid comes home everyday and runs around like a maniac even though you’ve told them about a 100 times to do their homework, find a way to steer that energy into something productive that keeps their minds active – a great activity I did with my 7 year old is paint together (along with his 3 year old brother) or come up with a cool craft to do before homework so that they could channel some of that pent up energy and maybe find a new hobby or interest as a result. This was a fun and relaxing time for all of us.

I understand it can be challenging some days, especially if you put a lot of pressure on yourself or have a very demanding family.  I’ll admit there were days when things got too overwhelming I  would sneak into the bathroom to cry for a few minutes even if I could hear them pulling each others hair in the other room.

We all need basic essentials like food, water and shelter. Those things can be taken care of, when a child is old enough by themselves. Trust them to get their own water, grab their own snack and allow them to do so. Guide them in the right direction but also don’t consistently not get them what they ask for as a means to teach them. It helps to explain why you can’t do it but sometimes no explanation is needed, sometimes you don’t have time to explain or sometimes your reason is that you are very tired. Being tired or wanting to take a moment to yourself is an okay reason to not do something.

Be honest, open and direct. If they trust you, chances are they trust you have a good reason for doing or not doing what it is you do or do not do for them. If they are upset or angry about it, it is always good to ask them why but if they won’t communicate with you, then don’t force the matter, do exactly what it is you were going to do. Remember, it is okay to say “No.”

A double bonus to that practice is by allowing them to take initiative for their own needs and wants, it can help to empower them plus give you a a break in the meantime. As I said before, not doing something for them if you have the ability to do so doesn’t make you a bad parent or nanny especially if the reason behind it is stemming from a place of self love.

Okay, okay, so my point is – life is ever-changing, free flowing and a lot of times completely spontaneous and unpredictable. You don’t know when you or your little one is going to get some awful stomach virus and be bed ridden for a week, you don’t know if your kid is going to be a sports athlete or have two left feet, you don’t know if your kid is going to love playing Pokemon, reading science fiction or running around in their underwear! Balance doesn’t necessarily come from structure, balance for your health and well being as well as for the ones in your life you love and care for comes from harmonizing with one another and combining interests and sharing experiences.

Your children are like adults only smaller and with less time under their belt. Everyone needs to feel supported, whether you are a child or an adult. If you can take care of yourself in a way that isn’t selfish but is self nurturing and self caring while at the same time allowing your children to think for themselves and care for themselves through support, love and trust – with guidance and help along the way, you will be able to take a real breather, meaning you will feel at peace during those moments when the whole world feels like its falling a part around you.

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Comfort mixed with intelligent form and artistic style, this look combines the fundamentals of Scandinavian design with a touch contemporary flair.

Scandinavian Abstract Expressionism – The Flo Sofa & The Trumpet Oval Coffee Table

Our eyes are immediately drawn to the attention grabbing Flo Sofa featuring a vivid green fabric upholstery with classic button accents along the backrest and square tufting covering the seat cushions. The tapered wooden legs are elegantly splayed creating a subtle softness to its bold rectangular shape.

The Trumpet Oval Coffee Table enhances the contrasting forms and materials even further with its oval shape and crystal clear glass top while at the same time its frame and base is a perfect match to the sofas medium brown colored wood. A uniquely shaped based resembling a horn instrument hence the name Trumpet Coffee Table, turns this furnishing into a functional work of art. On the back wall, a large, abstract acrylic painting with splashes of green, cream, brown and red hues streaming throughout it gently complement the other furnishings and decor.

The rectangular shape of the painting reflects the shape of the sofa while its fluid paint strokes reflect the curvaceous design of the coffee tables base. A small side table with a dark finished square shaped top and stainless steel metal base sits off to one side of the sofa with a touch of the outdoors resting atop of it in a beautifully rounded cream colored vase. This look plays with shape and abstract expression by mixing and matching structure with free flow form. A modern mid century living room design for the more conventional lover of the arts.

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Acupressure is an ancient healing method practiced in china for over 5,000 years. Two traditional tenets of Chinese medicine are that energy flows through visually invisible channels in the body called meridians and that illness comes from imbalances in this flow of energy.

Acupressure involves applying pressure to or massaging a specific point on the skin of the body to restore this flow of energy to eliminate disease, alleviate pain and help regulate stress.

The best practice is to locate the acupressure point desired then press firmly or massage the point with your fingertips for 15 – 30 seconds, ease up slightly and then resume the pressure. Each point should be focused on for about 1 – 3 minutes.

This vintage chic look is absolutely perfect for the fall season! Chocolate and medium brown hues with brass and cream colored accents brings the spirit of autumn alive. This look features The London Leather Lounge Chair, a lushly cushioned chair upholstered in a distressed medium brown leather upholstery with an iron base finished in gold.

The color resembles a smooth cognac that will warm you to the bone as the winter months approach. The seat is draped in a luxurious faux fur blanket to keep you extra comfy and cozy. The decor items such as the cylindrical vases, rams head and sputnik decoration beautifully match the chairs base highlighted with hints of gold.

Wooden floors in a walnut finish with a cobalt blue and cream rug placed gently across subtly contrasts with the brown leather chairs.

The bright ivory walls and built-in cabinets allow these impressively handsome chairs to stand out even more.

The most treasured part of the horseradish plant is actually the root of it even though it grows to nearly 3 feet tall and produces lush green leaves.

It is very pungent in smell and taste because it contains a high concentration of mustard oil. While horseradish makes a delicious condiment to go with many different dishes, it also has a variety of health benefits that go beyond adding extra flavor to your meal.

Uses of horseradish:

Age spots and fading freckles: Grate a 4 inch piece of horseradish root and combine it with 1 pint of cider vinegar. Allow the mixture to steep for 14 days, shake it often.  Strain the mixture and apply the vinegar directly to the skin twice daily for several weeks.

Sore throat, Cough and Bronchitis: For bronchitis, cut thin slices of horseradish and string them on a thread, tie them around your neck like a necklace and wear overnight. For a cough and sore throat you can make a horseradish syrup. Grate a small piece of horseradish into a small saucepan and squeeze the pulp over a pan. Add honey and enough water to cover the pulp allowing it to boil for 5 minutes. Once the pulp has cooled, squeeze the pulp again to get as much juice as possible then throw away the pulp. Take a maximum of 5 tbsps of syrup a day.

Wounds – You can make a tincture for wounds using horseradish that will disinfect them and prevent scarring. Steep 3 tbsps of grated horseradish in 1 cup of 100 proof alcohol for 30 minutes. Remove the pulp using a slotted spoon and place it on a cotton cloth and squeeze to extract the juices. Combine the alcohol and juice and discard the pulp. Combine the mixture with 1 cup of water. Soak a cloth or cotton ball in the tincture and apply to the wound daily.

Flu, Kidney and Urinary Tract Infections – You can make a tea out of horseradish by pouring boiling water over 1 tsp of grated horseradish. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and drink about 3 cups a day. The potent diuretic that is horseradish can promote perspiration making it excellent for sweating when having a fever. Cut a small piece of horseradish into thin slices and place them in a glass of white wine, allow it to sit overnight, then drink the mixture the next day on an empty stomach, it is known to flush out infection in kidneys.

Digestion and anti-aging – Eating horseradish can strengthen blood vessels, improve blood flow and regulate blood pressure.

Horseradish is an excellent source of vitamin C. When horseradish is cut or grated, water and enzymes combine and form mustard oil which gives horseradish its distinct spicy taste and germicidal, cancer fighting properties.

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Originating in Asia, the olive crop has been cultivated in Mediterranean countries for over 3,000 years used to create olive oil. The olives are pitted, ground to a thick pulp, pressed to extract juices which are placed in a centrifuge to separate the water from the oil. There are many health uses for olive oil besides culinary purposes.

The fat in olive oil is mostly monounsaturated and has a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels and can be easily digested. It can be used as an effective skin treatment to help heal wounds and moisturize dry and scaly skin.

Uses of Olive Oil: 

Constipation – olive oil lubricates the digestive tract and when mixed with lemon juice on an empty stomach will ensure a healthy and regular flow of waste or for extreme cases of constipation it can be used as an enema in boiling water and then cooled to lukewarm.

Flatulence and heartburn – take 1 tbsp of olive oil in an empty stomach to stimulate digestion and relieve upset heartburn

Antioxidant – Olive oil contains Vitamin E which is an antioxidant.  The monounsaturated fatty acids are less damaged by oxygen and therefore contain less free radicals – free radicals can damage cell membranes and contribute to several diseases.

Fingernails and cuticles – Soak fingernails in olive oil and lemon juice before bed in a mixture of lukewarm water. Put on a soft cloth glove and allow the oil to penetrate overnight. Nails will become more resistant to breaking, chipping and cuticles will become softer.

Hair loss prevention – Massage your scalp with olive oil every evening for 8 days. Wrap your hair with the oil in a warm towel overnight and allow the oil to penetrate the hair follicles. Wash it out in the morning.

Moisturize the skin – Use as a natural moisturizer on dry skin, dry spots and on stretch marks.

Earaches – Soak a cotton pad in olive oil and add 5 drops of lavender oil. Place it loosely on your outer ear for earaches until the pain subsides.

When purchasing olive oil look for “extra virgin” because it guarantees the olive oil is cold pressed from freshly harvested olives and does not contain chemicals. Golden oil in color is better and higher quality than green, plus it has the best flavor for cooking.

Originally posted here: sixdifferentways.com

Did you know sea salt grows in a salt garden? The largest are located in Southern Europe along the coastal regions of the Mediterranean.