Physical Health and Body Archives - Page 12 of 24

Dyshidrotic Eczema + Turmeric Tofu Scramble

Dyshidrotic eczema is often tied to allergies whether outdoor or food-related is individual to each body.

Pair a turmeric tofu scramble (recipe below) for anti-inflammatory eating and moisturizing watermelon drink.

The outward showing and what makes it different from other types of eczema is that it often appears as clear blisters on hands and soles of feet (…an odd place). So it’s a little easier to spot.

A dyshidrotic eczema reaction is individual and it’s an overreaction in the body, as are other types of eczema.

Cod fish is rich in Vitamin D good for dyshidrotic eczema. — Adding cod fish to your diet with Vitamin-D helps dyshidrotic eczema.

Dyshidrotic eczema can spread but not because of your spreading it in a contagious way. It can feel that way. But, if it does spread on its own, it’s an internal body reaction. So you can cross that worry off your list.

Like most eczema types, it has dry and irritated skin as general symptoms.

Irritation in the mind and body and in the mind-body connection is a form of high Pitta.

Knowing this helps because then you can focus on doing anti-Pitta moves like an anti-Pitta diet.

I learned this in the summer of 2021 when I ended up in the hospital emergency room for a dyshidrotic eczema diagnosis.

I had a heat blister that quickly turned into a foot infection a week later where my foot swelled to greenish, purple colors. Not the Northern Lights aurora borealis effect you want on your body. 😕

During my visit, the doctor confirmed my dyshidrotic eczema symptoms… and what I already knew and had researched on my own in 2020 when I first experienced the condition.

Dyshidrotic eczema that I’ve learned to partner with is still a sign of inflammation. And while acute, it’s not that cute ☺️. And the symptoms can be preventable.

Climate Changes As a Dyshidrotic Eczema Cause

With sensitive and thirsty summer skin that many of us have felt, the fiery and itchy summer effects of global warming are only intensifying.

Our bodies rely on this livable earth. But in perspective, 10 degrees hotter is still doable compared to the 800-degree temps on Mercury. 🌎

Mother Earth is the Queen. 👑

And besides heat, dyshidrotic eczema flare-ups can come from hypersensitivity to climate changes and climbing hotter weather.

This requires deeper skin care and moisturizing as preventative measures for dry skin. While heat and climate change can be one eczema cause, there are many eczema types and triggers.

Some other triggers can be food or other allergies.

Today in fall, it’s cooler and gratefully we did see an in-between this year with some colorful fiery leaves 🍁

Low-Sugar Planning Helps Eczema

Anything at any time like air, can make the dyshidrotic eczema situation worse no matter the cause. And being smart, not eating too much sugar is one area that is controllable for any of us.

It’s smart to start at breakfast so you haven’t spent all your sugar early in the day. Eating more plant-based and organic foods help offset undesired triggers and effects.

Offsetting sugar at every meal is a good strategy to avoid the skin crawling effect, if you’ve ever experienced that feeling. It’s going to make your life easier.

I know how hard that can be if you’re a sweet tooth because I thought that would be impossible for me to give up some sugar. But that’s how you lower sugar cravings. And I know it is possible to do as I’m living proof! 🧡

Funny I love baking, right? 👩‍🍳

But actually, you can better control how much sugar and sweetness is added when you do your own baking, cooking, and meal prep.

That’s why I can still enjoy low-sugar summer desserts. I bake with anti-inflammatory sensitivity and that’s why I started creating my own anti-inflammatory recipes.

And you can do your own creations in your home in a healthy way where you don’t give up the love of sugar. Moderation and substitution are your friends.

I found most recipes out there call for so much sugar (that once upon a time I wouldn’t have blinked an eye too 😜). But when you make your own dishes and bakes, you’re more selective and cautious.

And what I learned was that I craved sugar less after eating less sugar. So that became my way.

And I focused on the positives. In my world, it’s about diverse eating from the rainbow 🌈 with food varieties that are doing the body good. The rainbow are rich polyphenols that help our guts.

That btw, is one good reason you would consider eating a variety of healthy foods.

And in that way, I ruled out that any one food was a likely cause for dyshidrotic eczema. Sugar I could see was an overall offender, but all sugars aren’t created equal.

Fruits are a good example. Fruits have sugar (fructose) but they have so much fiber and vitamin benefits that offset the negative. You wouldn’t want to cut fruit out, but have them in moderation.

You could also choose lower sugar ones like berries and even better, an avocado fruit. 🥑 Or a green banana that will lower glycemic so better for the anti-inflammatory effects.

Food Allergies, Ayurveda, and Eczema

I’m sensitive to other people’s food allergies having worked closely in catering foods and party planning management for a decade. Many of us have food sensitivities that’s on a spectrum of allergies, and different than Celiac Disease (that’s a disease).

Finding our happy gut is something that each of us get to explore and keep learning about as our bodies change.

Food balancing our preferences and food sensitivities is the best tip I can give to avoid tipping the scales for inflammation, dyshidrotic eczema, and other types of eczema… PLUS still enjoy foods.

Part of that is not giving up on any one healthy food unless they’re a known offender. Using moderation or balance as a guide is much more satisfying and doable.

When you operate with restoring balance year-round as a goal, then you notice when something is “off” even if it’s just ever-so-slightly so you can remedy before it’s too late or the scales have tipped to symptoms.

Something as simple as the scents and aromas you’re drawn to is an Ayurvedic clue as to what’s going on. Testing spice and food aromas are a couple of fun Ayurvedic ways we can all use to test our bodies this season.

You can learn more about restoring your body’s Ayurvedic imbalance.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods And Dyshidrotic Eczema

Coupled with an Ayurvedic balanced food approach, adding more sustainable anti-inflammatory foods and less gluten-foods help prevent dyshidrotic eczema.

And to help offset this, leaning more into a whole, plant-based diet that’s Ayurvedic and anti-inflammatory gives us all an edge, as we do good for our body AND for the planet.

Some anti-inflammatory foods are high in cobalt and nickel that’s found all over the earth and in some of the healthiest plant-based foods such as cocoa, nuts, and even leafy greens.

Dark chocolate is anti-inflammatory and can be good to go back to in moderation after eczema inflammation symptoms go away.

So what’s the best plan? Still eating a variety of planet healthy foods is still the best bet unless you have a known allergy.

It’s also good to stay thankful for our bodies for doing all that it does every day of the year under the hood.

Keep on keepin’ on! 🎉

Turmeric Tofu Scramble

Course lunch

Cuisine American

Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

Tofu
water or olive oil
turmeric spice and black pepper

Instructions

Cut tofu into small pieces or dices. For soft tofu: cook in a pot with water on medium heat for about 15 minutes.
For crispier tofu: in a skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet. Cook the same as soft tofu without water. Flip tofu about every 5 minutes.
Use a masher or fork to crumble cooked tofu.
Add turmeric spice and black pepper to enhance the curcumin effect.
Add your favorite vegetables such as cooked kale.

Leaving Negative Energy to Find Creative Energy

Apple chunks in homemade carrot juice is a great fall breakfast juice 🧡

Are you holding onto negative thoughts taking up your time and energy?

If so, you want to read this blog post (and maybe with a fresh, healthy apple carrot juice), to help you change your thoughts and maybe the trajectory of the next steps you take in life.

Restoring calm emotions is an art. That’s what I know, and I’ll explain below how it takes some creative skill.

At the very least, it takes shifting of thoughts. And doing what you need to do that sits right with you. Sometimes that means caring less. And letting go of your pride. And focusing more on what you want in your life (than what you don’t want).

And another way to say this, is to find a stronger WHY (that’s the reason behind what you’re doing).

Getting to these answers is a win-win strategy because you’re doing what you need for your Best Self to show up in the positive energy that the world needs more of.

None of us can fool our deeper mind-body selves, that gives us daily, subtle clues into how we authentically feel or think about situations.

Besides writing articles, I read a lot of articles and they kinda lump together the idea of stress, nervousness, and anxiety. Your mind-body sees these things differently. For example, if you feel nervous like before presenting to a group, you may be running to the bathroom a lot.

But if you’re actually anxious (from your body’s perspective), it’s the opposite effect. You could take extra fiber so you can become regular again when your temporary anxiety goes away.

If that’s confusing, just understand that your mind-body needs are different than how you think you feel. 😉

And if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing or who you’re doing it with or for, then you’re wasting valuable time in this life of finite years.

If you’re not feeling excited and calm, then what you’re involved with may not be for you for the long-term.

In my life, this took many years and dues paid for me to get this freeing, healthy balanced lifestyle that I’m describing… but I know if you start to aim for and walk towards it in your life, then you will get closer and closer to the bullseye 🎯 until it gradually becomes your life because of the small actions you take.

If you’re a Vata especially, that’s like the sensitive wind metaphor, you live off positive energy, enjoying what you’re doing and feeling good about.

Natural Vatas don’t have the same level of endurance or tolerance that say a natural Kapha does who will stay in a situation because it’s easier than making a change.

Take it one step further, it’s the mind (in the mind-body) that leads. Feeling resistance to change is one negative energy example.

And any negative energy is like oil and water. They don’t mix. Oil grease sits there stagnant and the situation doesn’t change until change is made.

That’s how stress builds up, and is counterproductive to someone looking for growth or making improvements.

But, working really hard to get rid of the oil spills is not fun. It’s hard work.

In our messy oil spill life situations we can get in, we can take on negative energy that turns a good week into wasted energy and unproductivity. And not to mention leave stress marks and somersault stomachs along the way.

But, if your WHY to why you’re in your situation causing your knotted emotions and nerves is worth getting over the hump of your fears or nerves, well…then, that’s a good sign to keep with it!

Otherwise, better to nip it in the bud. And make changes early on as soon as you know the direction of the negative energy that has sunk in.

…And maybe that’s a WAKEUP CALL to change your strategy today, and what you’re doing.

And maybe that’s an exhaustive job, a wrong relationship, or anything that doesn’t feel good or right for you. Your life leaves clues.

And instead of fighting against this area and taking on snowballing negative thoughts and energy, there’s a better path for you in or out of those situations even if you don’t see them immediately (in your clouded state).

And there’s nothing to be gained holding onto negative energy (after you’ve thought, meditated, or prayed about your options and know what you should do).

Because you make your best and good decisions when you’re calm and when you find joy and love (or passion) every day of this life, that’s already short enough. Amen!?

And not to mention, if you carry negative energy, you will have a tough time getting to your creative juices and passionate activities that could bring on a whole new side or opportunity for you.

Which btw, in a recession, I made this available for less than the cost of a yoga class and it takes less than 10 minutes of your participation time to get good insight into your mind-body. And then you can use your personalized recipe for life whenever your energy is off like the way it could be this season.

…It takes one to know one! and to have gone through the rough patch challenges, to know that negative energy can rob you of your weeks and life.

So maybe these lessons will help you turn things around…

Life Lessons From Corporate to Creative

Sometimes you need to quit something because it feels off. You know it because your problem weighs like a ton of bricks on you and in the pit of your stomach. And that doesn’t go away after a few nights’ sleep. And the problem grows.

That’s the ultimate sign that it’s time to make a change. That situation you started with no longer serves you in the same way it did before.

And if it’s a relationship, spark those new conversations and see where there is life. And if it’s work, see if those you work with are vested in you and your future with them.

Work is hard enough, and to have negative energy on top… yikes!, that shows up on the body as new gray hair, acne, and added accumulated stress.

…And even if it’s a volunteer position where you’re helping others. Duty reasons aren’t good enough to keep at what you’re doing.

It may not be the best thing for you to continue as you miss your own needs and self-care over time which can turn into resentment towards people (…and maybe even the ones you’re trying to help).

Even if no one can do things your way or as good as you can, someone else willing can fill those shoes.

…But no one can replace your shoes you wear in your life. And your livelihood. Only you can do that.

And that’s how I knew I was gifted to do something different than the corporate path I was on. Someone else could replace me in my roles and as the role needs of the world change.

In the beginning, it was hard to get started on a new path. And in relearning old ways, I had to unlearn some things that helped me to succeed in the corporate world.

Those things were slowing down my creative path, like oil and water. Mostly because I had adopted a corporate work mindset that’s all about following structure, and procedures, and doing what you’re told.

And I did my jobs well enough to get promoted to new positions, but to my own detriment.

And when I took on the new creative path a few years back, I think I gained back health years. My mind-body was in alignment and I felt free.

I could appreciate the day. And even when I was doing responsible work (aka what I had to do) to support my creative lifestyle.

At the core, my mind and heart were aligned. And I could hear and get to my deeper spirit or core inside me (that’s hard to do if in negative energy or worry thoughts).

And the creative ideas came regularly and not just once in a while in the shower or on a walk.

Creative thoughts are the opposite of your mind being in a fog in distracted la-la land.

You know, where passively focusing and following what’s going on in the moment, in news reality or a television show, is difficult. Or getting motivated enough to do something out of the lounge position (that’s not a productive yoga pose 😊).

That’s when you know you’re off alignment in mind-body. And if that’s often, that’s too often.

One smart thing you can do in that moment when your mind-body is controlling you instead of the other way around, is to take a closer look at your thoughts as an observer. Are your thoughts positive or negative? Loving or fearful? Try to witness and catch your fearful ego in its act (and acting up).

Because there are two opposing voices in your head, one loving and one fearful or negative (if that’s easier to pinpoint). And the ego fearful one is much louder.

Turn to the loving (positive) channel if it feels like you’ve been wronged. Find some way to turn it around in your thoughts. If it’s worry, know that there’s nothing to be gained about worrying after you’ve noodled out some potential solutions.

Worry is a time-sucking activity with no productivity.

Your solutions are there if you need them. Or write ’em down in notes so you’re sure they’re there, and so you can peacefully move on.

And maybe you need to go one step further and spend more time doodling or journaling until you get all the emotions out, and realize why you’re feeling the way you do and know your WHY, so that you can sleep and be at peace.

Those are the restful thoughts I have this week. Peace be with you and have a joyful and calm week (no matter the situation)! 🦢 And I have a peaceful image I’ll leave you with that I saw this past week. 🦆

Baking Tool For Easy Baking in America Beginners

Baking tool use is essential for every home baker for easy and enjoyable baking.

Baking tool essentials include measuring glass, teaspoons, and measuring cups.

Last time I provided a few healthy baker tips with a ‘lil Bake Off show laughter.

And in that spirit, this week I’m sharing about an American baking tool that I love, that has been tested over the course of baking time.

Keeping them around has sentimental value. Some tools can last a lifetime and are especially worth investing in!… 😀

And some lives last over a century, like Centenarian lives in Blue Zone regions, such as Sardinia where they make weekly sourdough and the starter is passed down from generations.

Some of the greatest baking finds are not new ideas, and get better over time.

That’s the scrapbooker memory keeper in me. And the baker …I’m a long-time Martha fan admirer for all the baking and home making skills she brought to the table.

This was a photo of me sitting in her TV audience back when her Martha show aired. She looks almost exactly the same… and now I’m dating myself. 😊

Which btw, did you also hear about Martha Stewart’s Great American Tag Sale? If you’re into antiquing and knick knacks, her team setup great big giant tents of original stuff from her homes and collections so others could enjoy while she’s still busy working in her gardens.

… I would have loved to have picked through all that cookware and home decor, and maybe have picked up a cute Grandmillennial mint vase or even her butter knife she uses 😉.

But oh well, next time…

Speaking of big white tents, they aren’t just in America. We can watch The Great British Bake Off aired as The Great American Baking Show.

I had my own bake-off time this week for a chilled dessert good for brunch or any low-sugar break time you have a sweet craving.

Low-Sugar Meringue Dessert Squares. Recipe below. 🧡

Favorite American Baking Tool

Here’s what I do on baking day (or baking game day) that for me is weekends.

I start out by pulling out my baking tools in the morning. If there’s a crusty trace of ingredient love from my last baking, I like to take a pick and do a little grooming.

That’s meditation time spent in the kitchen.

Some pans are meant to be better over baking time like stoneware. The more worn, the better the bake taste. And some tools need a little TLC (tender loving crusty bit cleaning).

One is my favorite baking tool that you likely have in your stash. It’s the thick Pyrex measuring glass that many American kitchens have.

It’s great for one-bowl bakes for one person bites or when you have a sweet hankering. Like a giant healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie that you can take a bite out of for breakfast.

I used to eat the DoubleTree cookie kind when I worked in catering management there that led to my passion purpose. 🍪 Back when comparing grocery cookies was something I would do.

The measuring glass baking tool has proven its usefulness many times over. It’s labelled for conversions from mL, to ounces and cups.

It’s useful for measuring liquids in bakes. That includes oils for less spills and more thrills.

If you’re thinking of investing in this kitchen tool if you don’t already have one, don’t get the plastic version… get the real deal.

It will stand the test of time.

Glass is eco-friendly, great for heat, dishwashers, and easy cleaning.

Glass is also breakable but the glass Pyrex is durable and thick and can sometimes survive falls to the kitchen floor.

Quality ware is part of the hand-me-down-culture that you don’t want to discredit.

A good Pyrex glass pan makes a good hand me down and a Bundt pan is always a great gift to a new baker.

Baking Organization

Early in my baking years, I didn’t bake often enough to practice good baking habits and organization. There was no method to the madness!

Habits and practice help for easy bakes when you don’t wanna think too much about what you’re making. You want to enjoy your music or what’s going on in the background.

And the Pyrex measuring cup can help you with this.

My Pyrex faux pas (lesson learned) early on was that I was using the measuring glass all wrong.

I used it for measuring baking ounces.

Baking recipes these days are usually in cups, grams, mL and/or teaspoons depending on the recipe (if you’re using one).

I used ounces because I first learned to read in ounces that’s still commonly found in traditional American cookbooks like the red and white tablecloth cover Better Homes New Cookbook.

So… often I was looking at the ounces and wrong measuring line and doing manual conversions in my head.

In baking, that can be a disaster and result in a bake that gets “well, at least it tastes good!” There’s a fine line difference between a creative and tasty bake and well-done bake.

I’m never looking for perfection, leaving that to the baking shows.

Home baking is for relaxation and enjoying, and that includes the sweet bake that comes out of the oven for enjoyment.

And if that’s your goal and desire, using one measuring language is easiest and you can do that with tools like the Pyrex.

Plus, teaspoons are also useful.

3 teaspoons equal a tablespoon.

Smaller teaspoons are easier to use for baking soda if you use the box kind with the small opening or want to use for a pinch of salt..

A Pyrex measuring cup isn’t good for those small measurements.

And then when you’re ready to bake, you can try this easy one that was baked in a Pyrex glass baking pan where you can see the sides.

Low-Sugar Baked Meringue Dessert Squares

This is a low-sugar dessert treat good for brunch as it has egg whites, Greek yogurt, and ricotta. It has a chewy light and spongy texture that's great served chilled or cool.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

1 cup Greek yogurt (whole milk)
1 cup ricotta cheese
black cocoa
3 eggs

Instructions

Separate eggs. Tip: It's easier to separate eggs when they're cold and then let them sit until room temperature.
Combine yogurt, cheese, and egg yolks by hand.
Mix egg whites for about 5-7 minutes until whipped up. Optional: a few teaspoons of monkfruit or fine sugar. Depending on your baking pan/vessel size, you will have extra and can make meringue cookies with the extra.
In your baking pan, add a layer of black cocoa (or regular cocoa will work).
Add your yogurt dairy mixture layer.
Add your egg whites and spread out evenly on top of the dairy layer.
Bake on 325°F until set or the meringue is not too soft and sides may start browning.
Let cool and serve chilled. This can be paired with ice cream.

13 Healthy Baker Tips and Laughter from British Bake Off

Healthy baker recipes can be inspired by shows like The Great British Bake Off. And I share a healthy phyllo dough recipe for baklava below. Yes, you can make your own and have fun! 🤩

healthy baker lessons from The Great British Bake Off.

It’s no secret that 1) I’m a healthy baker, so I wanted to share some of my tips this week below. And 2) I’m a huge fan of The Great British Bake Off (or Baking Show). I’m loving this season’s debut and I especially love the baker’s use of unusual flavors and creative designs shown off under the big white tent so far.

It’s always fun to laugh along at Noel’s unicorn jokes and rainbow outfits. And to hear the judges pronouncing oregano like origami (I’ll never look at my spices the same again 😁)… or calling tacos like calling a taxi (…wait a New York minute, how did corn flour tortillas get in this past week’s technical challenge?)

Both are a sign that popular international foods and ingredients are making their rounds besides in tortillas. Plus, fruit shortages and inflation have us creatively sourcing foods and collaborating, which are helping to save our planet.

And being able to make your own anything anywhere is helpful, so you don’t feel helpless and rely on the world to produce. Thinking like a creative baker (or cook) is a helpful skill these days.

…And blends well with an anti-inflammatory diet full of healthy food ingredient variety, where you can lean into seasonal plant-based foods spanning the globe.

I look for international food sources that are everywhere and cropping up in leaps and bounds. Daily, the Earth is revolving AND evolving its own sustainable foods that we can appreciate especially in local gardening or farmer markets. So, be expectant for food births of new kinds 🍓

And actually… I picked up my own local international flavor combinations with fresh blackberries, and chokeberry-prune purees, as I work my way into fall (… both my feet aren’t into the pumpkin season just yet 🎃).

I did get some blackberries squirted in my eye… but luckily no black eyes, as that would make it a challenge to make this week’s cinnaroll full of Ceylon and cassia cinnamon for anti-inflammatory sweetness 😊

Fall fruit plate (kiwi, blackberries, and apples) with Ceylon cinnamon rolls

…When I was growing up, kiwifruit was considered an exotic fruit that today is as common as year-round pineapple juices.

And when I come across 2 sticks of butter or a cup of sugar in a cookie or pastry recipe, it reminds me of my younger years. These days, I tend to steer away (…as growing up will do that to you!) and find healthy substitutes for both mind and body.

I’m a sugar lover by nature (most of us Vatas are) and I remember when I was a child and I would reach into the sugar jar (for baking of course!) and help myself to a few daily teaspoons of refined sugar. That set me on the path to an adult sweet tooth where I needed daily sweets to keep me going…

Despite sugar making more than just news feeds… the fact is that it’s also feeding the bad bugs in the gut.😏

And individually we all get body warnings from our skin and health symptoms. Everyone is different. So, for me, I can enjoy a couple of Twizzlers and be better off than a few squares of chocolate. God put the Twizzler makers on the earth for a reason 😉

And for you, it could be something else. And certain fruits or ingredients can throw others off. It’s good to be discerning and a little picky this way.

If you want to know what your body is trying to tell you through its daily symptoms, take the minute-and-a-half Body Balance Quiz and then take it again next season and compare the result.

So now that we got the body squared away, here are my healthy good-mood baking tips this week from me, the healthy baker…

First of all, some of us are messy bakers that can be part of the fun, and others of us are neat bench bakers. Whatever you think you are, it’s all good! 👍

I tend to be a planner and a neat healthy baker cleaning up as I go, so my tips come from that POV and can help you if you want to lean more into that.

Either way, you can still bake up a storm and change your bakes at the last minute. Why? For creativity, and for the purpose of using baking to relax. …That can be a new reason to bake!

Oh, aannd if you’re a baking show addict, I’ve added some highlighted inspo from the Great British Bake Off… and hope I don’t come across too cheeky! 😉

So here we go!

Baking Prep Inspo Tips:

1. Read your recipe and know the ingredients you need before the baking day so you know what you need to get from the store at least a day ahead.

2. Prepare what you will bake in the morning and then bake later in the day. Healthy baker or not, often doughs need time to rest or rise (…sounds a lot like us peeps).

And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to take the eggs out early enough so they warm up. And if eggs are your way of giving a shine to your bakes, that’s critical because egg whites and yolks mix together better at room temperature.

3. And if you pull out your tools that you’ll need, early in the day, you can rinse off and allow enough time to dry out, so you don’t have to do drying, prepping, and baking together which can feel like a real chore and take the fun out of baking.

And especially if you need to concentrate on counting your layers for lamination and making sure there’s not a drop of moisture that can affect your temperamental meringues.

4. Bring out a convenient bowl or plate for all your used baking tools and baking trash so you don’t have to think so much. Ah, baking can be relaxing (when it’s not in the tent)!

5. Keep a damp towel or a few moist paper towels nearby so you can use them whenever you need to wipe your hands or any fun spills… or when you need to reach for your phone or swipe to your recipe.

6. Read your recipe a second time and then mark the dry ingredients and wet ingredients and write any notes you have. Then pull out the ingredients for baking.

…OR, If you’re not using a recipe, jot down what you need for your bake vision, and bring out the visual ingredients. Visual is also good for illusion bakes that the GBBO contestants often have to whip out! 🪄

When you’re using healthy baker ingredients, you especially want to use the most useful tool you have… your pair of eyes 👀 as a double check. Is the dough or batter too thick, thin or moist, or what do you need to add? If you use gluten-free flours they tend to collapse easily.

7. For many sweet or bread bakes, I like to add the flour first to see how much water, other liquid, or moist ingredients are needed.

After the dry and wet, I add leavening agents last to optimize rise if it’s a cake or bread. Plus then you are less likely to forget, as now that’s Step 3 (e.g. dry, wet, and then leavening agent). That’s just the way this healthy baker found works best for “experimental” bakes.

Baking doesn’t always go as planned in the oven and depending on the weather. Chemistry in the kitchen can be tricky.

8. While a whisk looks fancy and is one of my favorites (good chemistry there), it’s only good to use sometimes, as most of the time it’s not a good tool to use and is more of a hassle than its worth.

When to use a whisk: fluffing or whisking eggs, dry ingredients OR wet ingredients, but not both (like more flour than wet) that can make a sticky mess on your whisk. You can replace with a silverware spoon instead… or you’ll be spending time cleaning your whisk and risk a claggy bake (that Prue would point out and you wouldn’t want to inadvertently glue Paul’s mouth). 😁

9. For multi-layer cakes, weigh your flour in grams (instead of measuring cups if you can) and then you can help prevent uneven lopsided cakes. The Brits have it right and as GBBO Prue and Paul like to say at judgment time, “it’s a bit wonky.” 😉 …or “it’s on the lean” like a Leaning Tower of Pisa cake.

Oh and if it’s a Printzregententorte Cake that most of us can’t pronounce (and barely fits written on one line), you don’t want to leave each layer to chance.

If you’re not a GBBO watcher, that was one of Judge Prue’s technical challenges last season when Judge Paul counted all the missing layers. 🍰 Now you’re up to speed on the show. 📺

10. For recipes that have you separate dry and wet ingredients before mixing, it’s best to keep the salt away from the leavening agent (e.g. bicarbonate/baking soda, baking powder, or yeast). This can be easier to do if you follow tip# 7. Think of the flour as the soil and you want to add your other ingredients to different parts of the soil.

11. Clean your bowls and tools as you wait for your desserts to rest or bake. That way when you’re done, you reward yourself with your dessert like you’re a guest and not the dishwasher.

.12. Use your your oven light and timers to visually see and not forget. Depending on how much time you have (or how patient you are), low and slow can prevent soggy bottoms (that I don’t need to mention are a big no-no in the tent).

13. I like to use long toothpicks to test baked doneness, but like Prue pointed out in one past episode, you could run into a piece of fruit and be deceived. My alternate way to test is to add a sample-size bake appetizer on a (or the) baking tray. And if the sampler isn’t done, then you know the prized bake is not likely to be either.

So… that’s a wrap or the end of the cling film for this healthy baker this week (…sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

I’ll stick to my job of cheering the contestants on! 🎉

And if you want to learn to make your own phyllo dough that was laughed in one GBBO episode, it’s more fun than a hassle.

homemade phyllo dough recipe. — The baklava phyllo dough is opaque like pantyhose but free of holes.

Easy Phyllo Dough For Baklava

Make phyllo dough from scratch! It's not as difficult as it sounds... and dare I say fun!

Course Dessert

Cuisine lebanese

Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup flour
1 cup water
pinch of salt
honey
chopped nuts
dates, orange, and cinnamon (optional)
additional bench flour (to prevent sticking)

Instructions

Making phyllo is a lot like making homemade pasta, but much thinner.
Make a mound and a hole in the middlle where you can add the olive oil and slowly add water. Knead for about 5 minutes and then form a dough disc. Let rest.
Roll out as thin as possible and then you can slip into the pasta maker if you have one, adjusting until you get to the thinnest setting (e.g. 1). It will look opaque but the hope is that there will be no holes.
Cut into strips that you will use as layers for the baklava.
For the baklava, you can brush honey and top with chopped dates and nuts (walnuts or pistachios work well) on every other layer if you make 7 layers ending with the top layer with honey and nuts. Sprinkle each layer with cinnamon and orange zest if you like (good for Ayurvedic Vata balancing!).

Dancer Pose for Balance, Flexibility, and Creativity

Dancer pose is one of those poses that has everything… showing grace, balance, flexibility, and creativity. You see your limits and your possibilities.

dancer pose

Whether you love yoga or not, you can use Dancer pose productively for the next steps (or habit stack on top of another activity or intention).

Dancer pose is a good opportunity to feel like you’re already at that place you want to be in this season (where you can lift yourself off the floor ground).

You can believe yourself into your next destiny or destination. And you can feel fearless in the moment that can carry you in your day.

And it doesn’t require much. 😊

You can do Dance pose anywhere you can stand and spread out.

The middle of a room is a good place, but a good way to start off whether you’re new to the pose or not quite awake in the a.m… is to do the pose when you’re in the kitchen waiting for warm water or food to heat up or drinking a glass of water.

You don’t need to be cooking or baking (but that’s an option!). And you can use your kitchen counter or a solid above waist flat ledge to help you balance.

Or you can use a chair with the back of the chair facing you to support you. It’s not just sitting chair pose. 😉

This’ll give you the edge for a better Dancer pose stretch and to give you a little foundation until you feel stable enough.

It may not be as pretty as free form, but it can give you your best form for the day. And you can stretch your flexibility further.

After you get used to how it feels, you can get free from your nearby props.

Dancer is a great balancing pose where you feel empowered to do more than you would. You can feel like you’re on top of the world.

It’s a graceful pose, and if you like Barre classes, this might be right up your alley! You feel a bit like a ballerina. 🩰

So to start, rest your palms on the counter if you’re using a support. Then take one hand and grab the same side ankle and then extend that leg behind you. And let go of the opposite hand and aim it in front of you.

You’re now in a balanced Dancer pose (without worry of falling or wobbling over).

You’ll feel a nice stretch up to your backside and mid-back. So you don’t have to be on a mat face up or down.

And when you do this standing pose for 30 seconds maybe on each side, you’ll feel tension release from your back.

You feel lightweight like you’re floating a bit. It’s as close to a bird with wings as we’ll get.

And as Dancer pose becomes (or is) second nature to you, and you can do before you’ve had your morning caffeine jolt if that’s your jam, then here’s one added useful intention:

Content creation that has grown wildly since around 2015.

I’d been regularly blogging since 2009 (yeah… I’m one of the ones that started back when Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were the big social media sites, and blogs fell in those categories).

Back when social media was the wild-wild west. 😁

And now this is how we regularly communicate with those we know, and grow ideas and do business life with.

So getting in the habit of doing Dancer first thing can be the way you habit stack to grow your ideas.

…And maybe take a pause to hold the pose a little longer than usual and come up with one creative idea as your intention.

We’ve gotten past the point of just sharing about our immediate lives. We want to share more (in what that means to each of us) and expand what we’re about.

So a hobby or interest that we’re passionate about can be conveyed in photos, videos, and words.

Little did I know that I would be posting about my healthy baked creations. But this has become my passion over the past few years, second to writing.

Dancer pose can help you find what it is that you want to communicate to the world in the first place.

Then when you content create regularly you build something special.

We all start off wondering if we’ll stick with what we’re working on, or branch into something else. It’s all good. It’s always a branching off to the next step on your journey.

And when you put a creative intention out to the world, and you want to contribute as a content creator in some way, that opens you up inside

…Doesn’t that sound appealing to have a unique purpose along with some other activities you love, such as visiting the same stores where there’s comfort and familiarity?

You can run the same track but doing something different with your tracks helps you find a new dimension in your life.

We’re all meant for so much in this life if we stay open.

Your creativity has no limits.

You’re only limited by your beliefs and limitations.

When I went from a traditional college to corporate work path, my creativity drifted and stayed hidden.

Only when I picked up writing as a regular habit and practice did my creative juices get ignited where I wasn’t needing to start and stop to let the creativity flow out of me.

And Dancer pose was one of the first yoga poses that let me feel like I was free to do something outside my structured corporate mindset I had grown.

And you have something in you that is wanting to come out, and the world would love to see… and more of! Unleashing yourself (and maybe with a Dancer pose to start) brings out your best.

For many of us, when we’re in school we’re chasing good grades. But grades never determine whether you’ll have a happy or successful life.

Those that chose an unconventional path to drop out or take a creative arts path I believe helped themselves out, so they could find their deep creative well earlier on in life before practical adult responsibilities grew.

I didn’t do that as I took the traditional path.

The good news is, the second best time to realize your dream or life’s work (especially if you didn’t like your first career or path)… is NOW.

You can restart and pivot. Dancer pose is a good metaphor for pivoting. It can help free up your mind to feel untethered and get on a leveling playing field with yourself so there are no more limitations!

You can start at any age, wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing in life. Your past doesn’t dictate your future abilities.

So use your dreams intentions to bridge your creative self (hmm, a dancer maybe?) that brings new ideas, meaning, and purpose to your life.

That’s where I’m heading now… and you can too on your path.

To finish off your Dancer pose, you can rest your right palm on your heart to get centered and reach back your left hand to meet your left ankle.

You got this! 💃🏻