Get Those Pearly Whites Cleaned

One of my least favorite things to do when every six months rolls around is to get my teeth cleaned. Yes it keeps a pretty face smiling, however, going to the dentist can make a girl shutter and the thought of instruments poking around and the dreaded drill. Dentists giving you your numbing shot in the wrong quadrant then going to town and you have to tell them you are not numb. Yes, it has happened to me.

Anyway, long story short, I have recently learned that the bacteria that grows in your mouth that leads to bad breath and gingivitis can enter your bloodstream and lodge in your heart valves. Who knew that some heart attacks and stokes can be prevented by just seeing your dentist for a regular cleaning. My wayward days of avoiding the dentist are over and I am on the straight and narrow path when it comes to a healthy mouth and heart!

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Valentine's Day and lunch at the Tortilla Cafe located near the Eastern Market. Guy Fieri reviewed this little hole in the wall and I am telling you the food was amazing. We paid $11.49 for both meals, can you believe it. Completely sharing was part of our first experience with Salvadorian food.

We ordered the pork pupusas that comes with sour cream and a spicy cabbage to top it off. Fried plantains that were to die for. The home fries we the best, salad just in keeping with a happy tummy and beautiful skin. But the best part by far was the chicken tamale. I have never has such a delicate, wonderful tamale in my whole life. Yummy!

I hope you get a chance to go if you live in the Washington DC area.

Ghee Wiz

Ghee has a long history and has been used in Indian cooking for many thousands of years. It is also often used in religious ceremonies and various healing arts in the Indian culture. Ghee also has no hydrogenated oils and is a popular choice for health-conscious people. All of  the milk proteins have been removed during the clarifying process, so it is lactose free. Have you ever tried it? It has a light nutty flavor and goes great with steamed veggies. Has a indefinite shelf life too.

Some believed benefits of Ghee:

• Ayurveda lists Ghee benefits for healthier skin, increased mental clarity and good for digestion.

• Ghee helps your body assimilate nutrient from the foods you eat.

• Ghee has no salt

• Ghee benefits those who are lactose intolerant because ghee is lactose free.

• Ghee is believed to contain anti-cancer and anti-viral properties.

• Contains conjugated linolenic acid which helps to promote weight loss and aids in getting rid of belly fat and

Ghee helps to protect the body from heart disease, especially when used instead of other, less healthy fats contained in butter, margarine and hydrogenated oils.

Tomboy Treasures

I have always been a big fan of color and texture. Things that are weathered and worn out make me feel happy and relaxed. I came across these wonderful woven beach bracelets by Kiel James Patrick. They are available in many different styles and colors. As always, keep those beautiful faces smiling.

Yes, we have no Bananas!

My beloved bananas are in danger. We might not see our regular breakfast banana in ten years time due to a stubborn blight that is killing off this genetically weak variety. There apparently was a tastier variety called the
'Gros Michel', that has already suffered this fate. Wild bananas have many seeds so a genetically engineered variety, I'm sure, is on its way. I don't know if it will taste that same. Until then, I am going to eat as many of these wonderful bananas as I can get my hands on. I will be trying some of the other smaller varieties found at Whole Foods to see if they are palatable. This fruit is high in Vitamins C, B6, potassium and fiber, which helps with healing and repairing skin. Bananas contain tryptophan, which helps the body to produce serotonin - which has a calming effect on the brain. How much do you love your bananas? A seldom know trick is to peel your bananas from the bottom end, it's much easier.