Not everyone wants a complete makeover as some like to preserve a more natural appearance. Let’s face it, many men are attracted to the low-maintenance, “girl-next-door” look and accomplishing that can be just as challenging as looking model-perfect.

So, how do you achieve a desirable look without the heavy use of cosmetics and makeup? Our natural beauty tips and advice will help you do just that, and put you on the path to a beautiful, unaffected, you.Practice a Healthy Lifestyle

Natural beauty is akin to an overall healthy appearance. Start with a better lifestyle. Your own attitudes and daily life reflects in how you look to others. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Eat a proper, well-balanced diet. Food that’s good for your body helps your internal organs function properly and shows on the outside as well. The trick is to read the labels carefully and eat healthy foods with minimal preservatives. Good nutrition is key to your outward appearance and longevity.

The best skin in the world will not overcome a flabby body. Get in good physical shape if you’ve been slacking off. Set some reasonable fitness goals to get your body fit and trim. Begin with short-term goals and set new ones once they’re achieved.

Skin Care Tips

Water plays a crucial role. For radiant skin, drink plenty of water to keep it hydrated and supple. Seal in water externally after a shower by applying lotion to damp skin.

Look for all-natural, organic and herbal recipes for basic skin problems. Whether it’s dry skin or blemishes, you can target the areas that need it most, foregoing chemicals that can be irritating to your skin.

As you age, you’ll hit some bumps along the way. Care for your skin as you do your most prized possession and you’ll see the benefits quickly, as well as years from now.

Don’t want leathery skin? Lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by reducing exposure to the sun’s dangerous rays.

When enjoying outdoor activities, apply a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 and re-applying when necessary.
Wearing Makeup, Naturally
If you wish to wear makeup, utilize only the best cosmetics brushes and beauty tools to enhance your finest features and cover flaws.

This allows you to apply only the amount that is needed while blending in any excess color.

Apply a tinted moisturizer or sheer foundation with a damp sponge. Either one will allow your natural skin tone to show through while covering minor imperfections.

Creme or liquid blush blends more naturally than powder. Apply to the apple of your cheeks, outwards, into your hairline to prevent makeup lines.

Don’t want to overdo your eyes? You can now enhance your own eyelashes without adding clumps or colors. New, clear mascara is available to separate your lashes and give them luster and shine.

Reduce Stress

Stress is an unfortunate fact in today’s fast-paced lifestyle and often reflects in your skin and eyes. Make it routine to relax and pamper yourself, daily if possible. This will give you time to slow down and plan the following day.

Become aware of the facial expressions you often make when stressed-out.

If you raise your eyebrows often, you could very well end up with permanent wrinkles on your forehead. If you squint because you don’t understand something, lines between your brows may become evident.

Don’t expect to live without facial expressions, they’re part of you. What you can do is be aware of those expressions you make when nobody is looking. Replace those with something else, such as fidgeting and ease up on your face.

Nothing says exhaustion and strain like dark circles under your eyes. The problem is, you may be getting plenty of sleep every night and still wake up with puffy raccoon eyes. Now what? Read on to find out why you get under-eye circles and how to reduce their appearance or get rid of them altogether.

Causes of Dark Circles
Dark circles are often a heredity trait. The skin around our eyes is the most delicate and thinnest skin in the body. Dark circles under the eyes are blood vessels that can be seen through the skin, producing the bluish tint.

Allergies are another common cause of dark circles. When you rub and scratch your itchy eyes, it irritates the skin and can break tiny capillaries beneath the skin, causing puffiness and discoloration. If allergies are the root of your problem, simply treat them or avoid what you’re allergic to. If your dark circles or puffiness are constant, you may have an undetected food allergy or an allergy to a chemical in your surroundings. Consult an allergist to determine what you may be allergic to.

Chinese medicine considers dark circles as a sign of weakness in the kidney network. Kidney weakness is due to exhaustion and overstrain coupled with lack of rest and relaxation. Since the kidney network in Chinese medicine governs the hormonal system, it affects the pigment melanin. It is said that unhealthy and depleted kidneys produce pigment deposit under the skin around the eyes and other parts of the face.

Many cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies. Dark circles and puffiness are often thought to be due to vitamin K deficiency or a lack of antioxidants in the diet. Read Vitamin k spider veins

It is also believed that lack of the mineral iron can cause dark circles. An iron deficiency may point to anemia, which is a potentially serious medical condition that requires treatment. If you believe you may have anemia, see your family doctor to schedule blood work.

Dark circles occur more frequently and are more noticeable with age, because as we get older, our skin loses collagen and becomes thinner and more translucent.

Under-eye Remedies
Reduce the puffiness and lighten your circles with these all-natural solutions.

1. For starters, be sure you are getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

2. What you eat counts! Eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and make sure you are getting all your vitamins and minerals. Be sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially cabbage, spinach, and other leafy greens. Eat at least 2 cups of organic fresh spinach everyday. Additionally, eat a handful of raw almonds (unsalted and unroasted) between meals. Avoid salty foods, as salt causes the body to retain water, which equals bloating and puffiness that is particularly noticeable under the eye.

3. Asian pear is a juicy and crunchy fruit that has long been prized by Chinese herbalists as a way to lighten under-eye circles. Asian (or Fuji) pears are packed with copper and vitamin C, antioxidant nutrients that help protect you from cellular damage caused by free radicals. When free radicals damage enough skin cells, signs of aging begin to appear. Copper is an essential component of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that attacks these harmful agents when they enter the body via air pollution and other toxins.

4. Treat your skin while you sleep. Just before bed, lightly wet a washcloth with cold water and place over your eyes as you sleep. By morning, you should see an improvement.

5. Apply cucumber slices or cool tea bags to your eyes. Cucumber slices are famous for their ability to reduce puffiness, and the tannin in tea bags has been found to reduce swelling and discoloration. Lie down, close your eyes, and place fresh cucumber slices or cool, damp caffeinated tea bags over your eyes for about ten minutes every day.

6. Gently apply almond oil under your eye every morning and evening until you see improvement.

7. New skin-care technology has become available through years of intensive research; it is now possible to find creams and other products that can help you combat under-eye circles. A product I suggest is an all-natural anti-aging eye cream that lightens dark circles under the eye.

8. Avoid smoking, as it causes vascular problems that not only threaten your health, but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent under the skin.

Treating your skin will help, but there may also be an underlying cause. Imbalances in your life show up on your face and skin. You may consider seeing a doctor of Oriental Medicine to uncover the root imbalance and improve your overall health.

I hope you will take these tips and put your best face forward. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me

Simple Tips On How People With Acne Should Care for Their Skin!

Acne Skin Care – One the simplest but often neglected things you can do to care for acne skin (aka zits) is simply….”washing daily”. This should be done prior to applying any makeup or medications.

Cleansing is important for the long-term health of your skin and to get rid of pimples or zits. It reduces bacteria, keeps pore ducts open, and exfoliates the surface skin cells.

For facial skin care, always use a gentle cleanser and wash your face twice daily. Follow up with a toner and moisturizer, and use an exfoliating scrub or mask weekly. Here are a few simple easy to follow tips to keep your skin looking clear,soft and beautiful. Free of pimples and zits.

Avoid Frequent Handing of your Skin

Please avoid constantly squeezing, picking and especially poping zits. We know it’s tempting, especially when you’re going on a date or nice evening out. By poping those zits, you are likely to:

Make your acne worse by infecting the surrounding areas

Develop scars and dark blotches

Do more damage than good

Caring for Oily Skin

There is no way to completely prevent oily skin. Howerver, following these carefully selected tips will keep the oil and acne under control.

- Oil and dirt build up on the skin contribute to clogging of the pores. Resulting in pimples and zits, therefore proper washing is a good way to keep things under control. For best skin care result,avoid harsh soap, Cleansers and extremely hot water as these can lead to more irritation.

Use a mild cleanser that cleans without drying

Watch your diet. I can’t have chocolate! you ask? Don’t worry there is no proven link between chocolate and Acne breakouts. Howerver, some doctors suggest avoid eating foods rich in Iodine (such as fish, iodized salt)

Last but not Least RELAX Medical studies have shown that stress can cause the body to produce more androgens. Which in turn can increase sebum (oil) production leading to acne flare-ups(Zits).

Acne Skin Care – Choosing Makeup

When being treated for acne skin care, you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics should be oil free to be most effective for acne skin care

It may be hard to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide. Products that are labeled as noncomedogenic (do not promote the formation of closed pores) should be used; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne. So be careful with makeup.

Source: acedia.info

Hair loss can affect both women and men; even though baldness typically affects men it is still very worrying. Baldness can cause men to look much older than they really are; this means that their confidence is damaged as a result. There are however many hair loss drugs, and other natural remedies to treat baldness.

Normally people suffering from a loss of hair will opt for using cosmetic treatments; these simply make the person look although they have a head of healthy hair. There are many simple cosmetic treatments, including hairpieces and weaves. There are also more invasive techniques such as surgical implants; these do however create permanent lasting effects.

Hair pieces are fairly popular because they are so easy to use, you can find these made out of synthetic hair or real hair. Nobody will be able to tell the difference between this and your real hair as long as you choose carefully. Many have netting which lets the hair continue, this makes it look much more natural and realistic. You can also use some pretty strong adhesives which will prevent your hair taking off in the wind! There are also plenty of shampoos, supplements and lotions which can be used.

There are also prescription baldness drugs which have been developed by scientists, these work by slowing down the rate at which you lose hair. Two examples of well known baldness drugs are Rogaine and Propecia; these are commonly used by a number of different people. Both of these drugs have FDA approval for peace of mind.

It’s even possible to purchase Rogaine over the counter without a prescription; the FDA has declared that this is an effective treatment for slowing down hair loss while helping you to re-grow hair that you have lost. The active ingredient in Rogaine is Minoxidil; this is applied directly to the scalp and should be put on twice per day. This is a very popular medication as it not only slows down the rate at which you lose hair, but it also helps you to re-grow your hair. It normally takes a couple of months for your hair to re-grow fully. Rogaine is an effective treatment for genetic baldness; however it may not be suitable for other causes.

Propecia is another drug; however this requires a prescription from your doctor. This is another effective drug for treating male hair loss; it does not work for female loss of hair. This works by reducing the levels of chemicals in the body which damage the growth of hair. This drug was initially developed to manage prostate problems; however this drug has actually seen to be more effective than Minoxodil. This is a great solution for male pattern baldness.

Both of these prescription drugs will slow down the loss of hair, however they don’t normally help you to re-grow any hair.

BIO: Author is an expert in the field of hair loss vitamins and products, hair loss shampoos and hair loss vitamins due to many hours of research. You can learn more about hair loss remedies and hair loss control by visiting HelloHair.org

Changing temperatures mean a change of routine, no matter which part of the world you live in. Knowing a little about how skin functions in the winter, and tweaking a few habits, can make all the difference between a dull winter complexion and glowing radiance.

Moisturise Your Skin

During winter, always keep the skin moisturised. Even oily skins need moisture, as the outer layer can get very dry.

Those with oily skins should use light moisturising lotions, especially after cleansing.

After a bath, apply a body lotion while the skin is still damp. It helps to seal off moisture.

Look after your Lips

And don’t forget about your lips. Chapped lips are often the most noticeable problem for a lady in the winter.

Use a highly moisturising lip balm which provides a protective barrier against the elements.

Exfoliate

At least once a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture.

The oil which we all complain about in the summer is no longer being produced because of cooler winter temperatures and central heating. Therefore the skin looses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines.

Beauty sleep!

Money can’t buy the benefits of a good nights’ rest. Your oxygen levels will drop if you don’t get enough sleep, meaning that your cells will not be renewed as quickly.

This is when degenerative skin aging sets in. Try to get seven, if not eight hours of rest a night to achieve absolutely gorgeous benefits!

By Cristina Masci

Facials Tips

Throughout the seasons, our skin can become dry and dehydrated, and our blood vessels become more visible. A thorough skin cleansing becomes a necessity, and there is nothing more effective than the application of a deep cleansing facial mask. Facial masks are a wonderful way to make your skin glow, even out its tone, and help it appear more youthful. And you can make healthy, all-natural facial masks right at home. Follow our simple Facial Mask Recipes to create this enriching experience for your skin in the comfort of your own home.

What is a Facial Mask?

A facial mask is a simple and effective dermo-cosmetic process which helps maintain youthful skin, while also preventing premature aging. Masks increase blood circulation, the dilation of the pores, and the removal of toxins, which the mask helps eliminate. In general, ingredients are more concentrated than those in lotions or cleansers, so they produce more noticeable benefits in a shorter amount of time.

Benefits of Using Facial Masks

Not only are facial masks wonderful for pampering body and soul, but also these cosmetic preparations applied to the face will tighten, clean and refresh the skin. They are much like “take-home spas,” relieving stress, enhancing well-being, and allowing a little bit of pure indulgence in luxury while offering an enhanced sensory experience. The final result is a renewed, rested and youthful appearance.

Think of facial masks as the ultimate nutrient delivery system. Because a mask is much thicker than a moisturizer or topical treatment and because of its extended application time and the inner warmth generated, which opens the pores, passage of nutrients into the skin occurs far more quickly and efficiently. When necessary, masks can also remove excess oil and environmental debris and pollutants much more gently than astringents, toners or scrubs. Although, masks can also help replenish necessary skin oils, especially during the harsh winter months.

How Often Should I Use Facial Masks?

To avoid excessive drying out of the skin, facial masks shouldn’t really be used more than once a week, which is the ideal. Think of masks like exercise – you won’t get the benefits if you only use them every few months. If you can’t manage a mask session that often, though, don’t worry. The change of seasons at the end of summer (when skin is often thirsty after sun exposure) and at the end of winter (when skin is flat and dingy) are the two prime times to make an effort. Finish off by using a warm, wet flannel cloth to remove the mask and it will act as a gentle exfoliant, leaving skin instantly brighter and clearer-looking.

What Type Of Mask Should I Use For My Skin Type?

As far as what type of mask to use, if you have oily skin, go for a clay or mud mask to absorb excess oil buildup. If you have dry skin, try a creamy, hydrating mask. If you have sensitive skin, use a light, gel mask. And if you have combination skin, you may need more than one mask to spot-treat different problems, says David Bank, M.D., a dermatologist in New York and author of Beautiful Skin: Every Woman’s Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age. For example, zap zits along your t-zone with a deep-cleansing mask and keep your cheeks soft with a more moisturizing formula. You’ll get the best results if you choose a mask that targets your specific skin type and addresses any problems you have.

How to use facial masks:

1. Wash your face and neck
2. Put some protective cream around your eyes and mouth
3. Put a mask on your face and neck and do not keep it on for longer than 20 minutes
4. Rinse it off with warm boiled water or mineral water
5. Apply a moisturizing cream.

Skin jewelry are sensual and feminine. It includes short necklaces, earring, rings and bracelet. Silver and gold jewelry used together looks contemporary. If both metals are mix with pearl it breaks up the overly feminine look.

If you’re going out to a formal dinner, use crystals or rhinestone. It will look perfect for the night. For casual look, you can combine a short choker with long strands. With a turtleneck, dangling earrings looks fabulous but if you are at work never use dangling jewelry. It doesn’t work with an office look. Chokers are nice and elegant but they don’t usually work on short, thick necks. They look good on long faces and neck.

Necklaces length that stops at the breastbone looks good on women with big bust. For tall women, a necklace with thirty-four to thirty-six inches gives them a good balance.
To make the right choice and to assess how all the different length looks on you use a full length mirror.

In buying pearls, to check if it’s genuine, rub a pearl gently across the bottom of your teeth. If the gem feels mildly abrasive like the sand then you can tell that it’s real.

Bracelets are feminine, fun and sexy. Cuff bracelets comes in a same shades and places as beads. Skinny bangles either gold, brass, silver also looks good in great numbers. Chain-link bracelets can look stylish if you mixed them with narrow bangles and ivory beads and wood beads look good with silver and gold.

Earrings are the accessory closest to the face. You need a full length mirror to show whether the proportion is right. Wearing gold or pearl buttons are suitable for daytime use. Dangling earrings are good for evening, weekend or at home look.

If you have oval-shaped face a round medium sized earring like a big circle with pearl in the middle will look good and for women with round face or jaw wide use a flat, slender drops or oval button earring looks best. A pear shape earrings, wider at the bottom will be flattering to triangular face.

If you don’t have piercing, wearing a clip earrings is a good option.
Rings comes in different settings. When you are buying a diamond ring, to tell if it’s real or not, look through the back of the cut stone while holding it above newsprint. If you can see even small letter, then it is fake. Real diamonds distort the print. The birthstone rings are considered forever classics. They are good accent to your evening wardrobe.

Simple and slim baguette band, gold cigar bands and insignia rings look good on short fingers.

Jewelry Care and Maintenance

Gold

Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid in a small bowl of warm water.
Immerse for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently clean with a soft bristle brush.
Rinse with lukewarm water, then dry and buff with a soft cloth.
For quick fix, dip in rubbing alcohol. Rinse and then dry.

The best way of storing gold jewelry is by wrapping them individually to avoid scratches.
To maintain the luster, it should be taken off before shower or housework.
Soap makes it dull. Chlorinated water eats up the metal, so avoid wearing them in chlorinated water.

Silver

A commercial cleaner should be used if it’s tarnished. Dipping it with very hot water might help too.
You can use a paste cleaner for jewelry with intricate design and then wipe it with a clean soft cloth.

In storing silver, it should be place in a dry box, keeping it away from light, air and dampness.
You can wrap then in a tarnish preventive bag or cloth.
The best way to prevent tarnishing is using it frequently. Don’t use in chlorinated water.

Diamonds

A mixture of equal part of water and ammonia or rubbing alcohol can be used in cleaning diamonds.

Immerse it for a few minutes and clean it with a soft bristle brush.
To prevent form scratching during storage, wrap them individually.
Bleach, chlorinated water or other household products can damage and discolor the mounting.
It should be taken off before working.

Pearls

After wearing, wipe with a soft water-moistened cloth to remove residue.
If you are wearing them several times a week, once a year moisten a soft clean cloth in a solution of one part mild dishwashing liquid to 20 parts lukewarm water, and rub each pearl individually.

Wipe off with a damp, clean cloth and buff dry. Let the pearls air dry overnight.
In storing it should be stored separately to avoid scratches.
Don’t put them in a plastic bag. Pearls need air to maintain it luster.
Use a chamois clothe, satin bag or wrap in tissue.

Put on pearls after applying cosmetics, perfumes and hair spray.
Using it frequently will maintain the luster of the pearl because natural skin oil can be absorbed.
Gems

Immerse each stones in mixed mild dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water for a few minutes.
Clean with a soft bristle brush and then pat dry with soft clothes.
It should be store separately to avoid scratching.

Don’t expose to saltwater, chlorine, or detergents, which may slowly erode the finish and polish of the gems.

If your gems are set in metal follow the cleaning method recommended for metals.

Eye shadow That Stays Beauty Tip

Melting eye shadow is a problem for many women, but there is a way to make it “stick” a little longer.

If you use a damp eye shadow brush and apply a layer of face powder to your lids and allow to set, the shadow will stay in place for the day.
Takes an extra second or so but the effort is well worth it.

Beauty Tips For Eyebrows

Your eyebrows add strength and definition to your face. Well groomed eyebrows enhance your beauty.

Use a pair of slant edge tweezers which grip hairs easily. Comb hairs one way and then the other to remove loose hairs.

You should pluck hairs between the brows and any stragglers. Never remove the hairs from above your eyebrows.

Pluck each hair individually close to the root. Work in the direction of the growth.
Always avoid over plucking. In defining your eyebrows choose a shade similar to your natural hair colour.

When using a pencil you should apply in small, feathered strokes. Starting at the inner corner work outwards.

Blend the colour with a brush. To tame stray hairs just use hair gel and comb through to neaten.

Make-up timeline

To ensure your eyes stay healthy and free of infection when using make-up, heed the following due-date rules. Throw out your mascara after three months, powder eye shadows every nine to 18 months, and cream eye shadows every six to 12 months. Sharpen your eyeliners often to keep them clean.

Mascara mistakes

To avoid mascara flake-off or smudging on your face, apply a thin cost of mascara to top lashes only. Then run an eyelash brush through lashes to prevent clumpy mascara build-up.

Get a rosy glow

Want your face to radiate a healthy glow? Try using a gel blush or cream (instead of powder) in a rosy shade of pink to create a more natural look. Gels or creams are more transparent and blend smoothly – rub it on the apples of your cheek and blend up towards the eye for a glowing complexion.

Minute manicure

Need a fast fix for unpolished nails? File nails into a square shape, buff them to create a bit of shine and apply a clear coat of polish. Next rub in cuticle oil around the edges of the nail and moisturize your whole hand. It takes less than 15 minutes and will give your appearance a polished look.

Brow etiquette

The trend in eyebrows for this season is natural looking, not sparse and skinny. Use a tinted brow definer or eye shadow to fill in scanty brows.

Fix tired feet

Pamper your tired feet with a luxurious footbath. Fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of essential oils. Next place marbles or small stones (found at your local garden centre) into the basin. Run your toes and soles of your feet over the marbles, and relax for 15 minutes.

Eye/lip pencil care

Before sharpening your eyeliner or lip pencil, place them in the freezer for 10 minutes. They will harden slightly and not break when sharpened.

Eyeliner hint

Women with deep-set eyes should use liquid liner instead of regular pencil eyeliner, to prevent smudging in the crease of the lid. Liquid liner does not smudge as easily.

Nail polish know-how

Is your nail polish from last season too thick? Chances are the polish has begun to thicken at the bottom of the bottle. Add a bit of nail polish thinner to the bottle to get the maximum use of your nail polish.

Foundation tester

When picking out a concealer or foundation, always test the colour on the inside of your wrist. The skin there is the most unblemished and will give you a good idea of how it will look on your face. Extend your foundation

Want to extend the life of your foundation and cut down on heavy concealer? Mix a drop of it with your natural moisturizer to create a luminescent look for your skin.

Curl your lashes

Before curling your eyelashes, heat the curler with a hair dryer for a few seconds. Test to make sure it is not too hot, then apply to eyelashes. The heat will lock in the curl on extra long eyelashes.

Foundation secret

Apply foundation to your face after you have done your eye make-up. This helps you to fix any last minute smudging from mascara or eyeliner under the eyes.

Lipstick trick

Love matte lipstick, but feel your dry lips wreck the look? Apply a lip balm to lips before starting your make-up routine. By the time you have done your eyes and rest of the face, your lips will be moisturized and ready for the matte lipstick.

Manicure tip

If you have been sloppy applying nail polish, simply soak nails (when dry) in warm water for a few minutes and then rub off extra nail polish gently with a finger.

One of the staple foods of the famously long-lived centenarians in the Hunza valley of the Himalayas is the apricot. Here is some information about apricots and one great way to work them into your diet for your health and longevity.

Apricots: the Secret Anti-Aging Weapon

Research shows that of any food, apricots possess the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids. Carotenoids are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce “bad cholesterol” levels, and protect against cancer. In traditional Chinese medicine, apricots are considered helpful in regenerating body fluids, detoxifying, and quenching thirst.

The kernels also have several healthy properties, including toning the respiratory system and alleviating a cough. However, be cautioned that the tip of the apricot holds a concentrated amount of the chemical laetrile, which can be upsetting to the system. To safely reap the benefits of apricot kernels, remove the tips of the seeds and do not eat more than five a day.

Honey-Glazed Masala Chicken with Apricots

Serves 4

Many of our everyday cooking seasonings are actually spices and herbs that possess powerful healing properties. Many spices such as cinnamon, coriander and ginger have been clinically shown to prevent blood clots and improve circulation. One of my favorites is the Indian spice blend masala. It is not “tongue-burning” but rather a gentle, tummy warming spice mix that improves digestion, absorption and helps reduce abdominal bloat.

Masala chicken is a popular Indian dish. People not used to the spiciness of masala may find it a little strong. Adding apricots gives it a mild sweet-and-sour taste, balancing the spiciness of the masala.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless chicken pieces (thigh and breast)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp masala spice (ground cumin, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, peppercorn, coriander, cardamom)
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 10 dried apricots
• 2 tbsp honey
• Parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Cut chicken into 2-inch pieces. Heat oil over medium heat in a deep skillet. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
2. Stir in garlic, ginger and masala. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato puree, salt and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
4. Add vinegar and apricots to skillet, cover and simmer 15 minutes more. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle honey over top and garnish with parsley, if desired.

I hope you incorporate apricots into your diet as your own anti-aging secret weapon. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!