New Tokyo Spa

08/04/2016

08/04/2016

Don't stop when it hurts. Stop when you're done.

07/04/2016

When you feel like quitting think about why you started

07/04/2016

You are born weak and die weak, what you are in between those two periods of time is up to you

06/04/2016

Homemade Natural Blush

Ingredients:

Arrowroot powder or organic corn starch

Beet root powder

Depending on how bright pink you want your blush will depend on how much beet root powder you use. I use about 2 parts beet root powder to 1 part cornstarch. If you want to add more depth or make it darker add a little cocoa powder!

Directions:
Start with 1 tbs arrowroot powder or corn starch and add in 2 tbs beet root powder. Mix in a small bowl making sure to break apart any clumps. Adjust color to your liking! Done!

To use: dip your blush brush in the powder, tapping off any extra. Apply to your cheek bones!

06/04/2016

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.
Ludwig van Beethoven"

04/04/2016

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
1 1/3 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped 35 caramels
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped peanuts 24 wooden craft sticks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners.
Place cake mix into a large bowl, and pour in water, vegetable oil, and eggs. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat until moistened and combined, about 30 seconds. Increase mixer speed to medium, and beat for 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped apple, and fill the prepared cupcake cups about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove cupcake pans to a wire rack to cool.
When cupcakes have cooled, melt the caramels with evaporated milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and combined, about 4 minutes. Spread the caramel icing over the cupcakes, and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Insert a wooden stick into the center of each cupcake.

04/04/2016

"“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”
― Ruth Reichl"

01/04/2016

"Sandwiches are wonderful. You don't need a spoon or a plate!
Paul Lynde"

01/04/2016

PEPPERMINT BROWN SUGAR LIP SCRUB

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons Organic Coconut Oil
2 tablespoons Honey (I prefer local honey)
4 tablespoons Brown Sugar
4 Drops Young Living Peppermint Essential Oil

Instructions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl and store in a glass container-I use a medium sized baby food jar and this recipe fills it perfectly! Feel free to change your essential oils to suit your taste but I don’t recommend using brands other than Young Living because you will be putting this on your mouth and many brands other than Young Living are not suitable for ingestion (Young Living oils are therapeutic grade.) I personally like the minty flavor of the peppermint but citrus would be great too I think!

30/03/2016

A good workout is when you make your dry fit shirt look like false advertising

30/03/2016

a succesful woman is one who build a firm foundation with bricks others have thrown at her

29/03/2016

"Success is ... knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others." --John C. Maxwell

28/03/2016

Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter–Pecan Frosting

Ingredients

BARS:
2 cups sliced ripe banana (about 3 medium)
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
9 ounces cake flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
Baking spray with flour
FROSTING:
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. To prepare bars, combine banana, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 400° for 35 minutes, stirring after 17 minutes. Cool slightly.

3. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°.

4. Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 9 ounces (about 2 1/4 cups) flour, soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine banana mixture, buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. Place 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs to granulated sugar mixture; mix well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternating with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

5. Pour batter into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

6. To prepare frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Combine browned butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with pecans.

28/03/2016

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.-Walter ElliotPerseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.-Walter Elliot

23/03/2016

“Happiness consists of living each day as if it were the first day of your honeymoon and the last day of your vacation.” Leo Tolstoy

22/03/2016

Double-Stuffed Taco Potatoes

Ingredients
4 large baking potatoes
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning
¼ cup water
½ cup sour cream, plus extra for serving
¼ cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced
½ cup salsa
Instructions
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Scrub potatoes and prick several times with a fork. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, until soft.
Meanwhile, cook ground beef and onion in a nonstick pan until beef is cooker through. Break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup water. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
Once potatoes are baked, let cool 10-15 minutes and then remove a sliver of skin from the top of each potato. Scoop potato pulp out and place in a large bowl. Add sour cream and milk and mash until smooth. Stir in about ¾ of taco mixture. If you feel like there will be too much meat mixed in (will depend on personal preference and size of your potatoes) if you add the remaining ¼, save it to make a quick quesadilla or tortilla pizza for lunch. Or go ahead and mix it in. Fold in ¾ cup of cheddar cheese.
Taste for seasoning. Taco seasoning tends to be salty so you may not need to add much, if any salt.
Stiff the potato mixture back into the skins. Place in a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.
To serve top with green onions, salsa, and sour cream.

22/03/2016

I don't know what my future holds, but I do know who holds my future. -Tim Tebow

21/03/2016

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

18/03/2016

Cheeseburger Gnocchi
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
½ lb lean ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
2 cups diced onion (about 1 whole onion)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10-oz) can Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
1 cup beef broth (or water)
¼ cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
⅓ cup thinly sliced scallions
Instructions
Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add gnocchi in a single layer and cook on one side for 2-3 minutes until browned and toasted. Shake the pan to toss the gnocchi and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until both sides are toasted. Remove gnocchi to a plate and set aside.
Turn the heat to high and return skillet to stove. When the pan is very hot and smoking, add the beef and season with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and mustard powder if desired. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and onions are golden. Drain if necessary.
Add the tomatoes, broth, and gnocchi back into the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
Off heat, then add the cream and ½ cup cheese and stir to combine. Top with remaining cheese and scallions. Place the skillet under the broiler in the oven until cheese is browned and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Serve and enjoy!! :)

17/03/2016

Pumpkin Spiced Corn Muffins
Ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup spelt flour or whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon*
½ teaspoon nutmeg*
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup almond milk
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
⅓ cup maple syrup
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix.
Evenly divide the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to continue cooling.

16/03/2016

Curried Chickpea Salad Sliders
Ingredients
1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 small avocado
1 tablespoon tahini
¼ teaspoon minced garlic
¼ cup diced red onion (*see note)
½ cup chopped cilantro leaves and finely chopped stems
¼ cup h**p seeds or chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon muchi or madras curry powder, more to taste
Juice of 1 small lemon
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
about 8 mini slider buns
any fixings you like: onion, lettuce, tomato, herbs, etc
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the chickpeas, avocado, tahini, garlic, curry powder, lemon, and generous pinches of salt and pepper. Mash with a potato masher or a large fork until all ingredients are cohesive. Stir in the onion, cilantro, and h**p seeds (or walnuts).
Season to taste. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble sandwiches whatever fixings you like.

16/03/2016

"I could talk food all day. I love good food.
Tom Brady"

15/03/2016

Easy Sugar Scrub Recipe



1 cup fine brown sugar (I use a light muscovado sugar, but any fine grain sugar would suit)
1/3 cup (approx) sweet almond oil or other carrier oil
20 drops vanilla essential oil or 1 tsp vanilla essense

Instructions:

In a glass or ceramic bowl, add essential oil to sugar and stir thoroughly. Add almond oil gradually, stirring continuously. Stop when the scrub reaches the consistence of moist sand.