A Healthy Purim Snack

Basic Dough Ingredients:
2 eggs
3/4 cup organic palm sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tsp. baking powder
2 3/4 cups oat flour
1/4 cup orange juice

Filling Ingredients:
6 oz. organic dried apricots

6 oz. dried pitted prunes
1 1/2 cups raisins
3-4 tbsp. organic palm sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup water or orange juice

Directions:
1. In a small heavy bottomed pot combine all filling ingredients over low heat and cook until fruit is soft, about 20 minutes. Add water if needed.
2. Process mixture in Cuisinart for about 30 seconds until mixture looks like a dark jam.
3. Mix dry ingredients in bowl.
4. Combine eggs and oil and mix well.
5. Slowly add orange juice and then mix into dry ingredients.
6. Put mixture onto floured board and handle until soft and pliable.
7. Roll dough out on floured board till about 1/4 inch thick.
8. Cut out small circles and place a teaspoon of filling in the center.
9. Pinch sides together to form a triangle.
10. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until brown.

How to Avoid Dry Parched Winter Skin

The Best Tips, Tricks, and Eats
 
In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, gusty winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer, which keeps the skin from drying out. The dry air from heating sources also sucks the moisture out from our skin.

To keep skin soft and glowing this winter season can be simple; and does not have to involve pricey store bought creams.

Your goal is two fold, not only to add moisture to skin, but to keep the skins natural moisture in. Moisturizing, staying hydrated and eating an omega rich diet will help your skin to glow this winter.

Keep Skin Smooth with Omega’s - To relieve your cracked dry winter skin, look no farther then your local health foods store. Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is ideal for skin; both topically and when ingested. Topically it helps protect your skin from the drying effects of free radicals, and can help improve the appearance of skin. Coconut oil will not only bring temporary soothing effects to your skin, but it will aid in restoring your skin’s soft feel. The coconut oil will aid in exfoliating the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. It also penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin to strengthen the underlying tissues. So slather it on your face and body. Best used at night since it is heavy and needs to absorb.

Eat an Omega Rich Diet - Eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids is the best way to nourish your skin from the inside out. Flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, almonds, olive oil, salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines and scallops are wonderful sources for helping your skin to look great

Sunscreen - Sunscreen isn't just for summertime. Winter sun -- combined with snow glare -- can severely damage and dry your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands --- buy only oxybenzone & paraben free

Keep Water Lukewarm - Hot water robs skin of moisture causing dry skin, so it's best to shower in lukewarm water. The same rule applies to hand washing: Wash hands in lukewarm, never hot water. If your skin turns red, the water is simply too hot.

Take your vitamins- Ideally; one should maintain a healthy diet and immune system. Taking a multivitamin as well as vitamin D, C and omegas will not only help you to look and feel great

Exercise - It reduces stress levels, and increases circulation that helps skin to glow.

Stay hydrated - Dehydration combined with dry weather humidity levels leave skin parched and dull looking. Drinking at least eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water keeps your complexion looking bright.

Sleep - Allowing yourself a solid 8 hours of sleep, especially after a long evening out, lets your body (and your skin) recuperate for the next fun-filled event.

Sofia's Heart Healthy Holiday Cookies

Makes 32 cookies

Ingredients: 
4 teaspoons cacao powder
2 ½ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup coconut oil, melted
5 tablespoons agave nectar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and cacoa powder.
2. In a smaller bowl, mix together coconut oil, agave and vanilla.
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry, then chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.
4. Place dough in between 2 large pieces of parchment paper and roll out until ¼ inch thick.
5. Remove top piece of parchment paper and cut out cookies with a small cookie cutter.
6. Using a metal spatula, place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Bake at 350° until lightly browned around the edges, 7-10 minutes.