Very interesting info and thought it was worth passing on to my readers. 

There is something called ‘The Doctrine of Signatures’ and it is so correct.  It contends that every whole food has a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function.  Here is a partial list.

• A sliced carrot looks like the human eye.  The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye…and science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
• A tomato has 4 chambers and is red.  The heart is red and has 4 chambers.  Research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.
• Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidney.
• Eggplants, avocadoes and pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female and they look just like these organs.  Research has shown that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers.  Guess what?  It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.
• Figs are full of seeds and hang in 2’s when they grow.  You guessed it - they increase the motility of sperm and increase numbers of sperm as well.
• Grapefruits and oranges look like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymphatic fluid in and out of the breasts.
• Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
• Celery and rhubarb look like bones.  These foods specifically target bone strength.  Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.  If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak.  These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

 The body and nature really do work hand in hand.  Quite amazing isn’t it?

There’s nothing better than a great margarita, except perhaps a perfect martini but……we all know how calorie laden margaritas are - about 500 calories on average!  Who stops at one????  So tasty, but oh so bad for you.  Well here is a skinny version and it really is very tasty - obviously not packed with sugar like the regular margarita mix is, so a wee bit tart and makes your taste buds dance around. Enjoy!

1 ½ oz. tequila - Patron silver is divine
1 oz. triple sec
½ oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

Fill mixing glass with ice. Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Pour into cocktail shaker and shake for 20 to 30 seconds. Strain into salt-rimmed margarita glass. Garnish with lime wedge and prepare to become very happy!

I bought a bunch of these at a market in Provence last summer and couldn’t live without mine.  I’ve given several as gifts with rave reviews!  Funny thing is that at the French market they only cost 2 euro (about $3)  Almost an excuse to go back.  I use mine for ginger and garlic, but fair warning, watch your nails and fingers or you’ll be grating those too.  Works very well and is super fast.

A beautiful French styled, hand-made ceramic grater (with included utensils) is sure to be a new favourite tool in your kitchen with its efficiency and ease in grating, pureeing, and zesting some of your favourite foods. It will be a certain hit when presented as a thoughtful and useful gift for someone you care about as it’s decoratively styled, simple to use, effective and easy to clean.

• Made of plastic, rubber, ceramic
• Can be used with wet products like garlic, ginger, fruits and vegetables
• Can be used with dry products such as chocolate, cheese, nuts and whole nutmeg
• Transforms rough ginger fiber into a smooth paste in just seconds
• Make chocolate shavings for delicious dessert or drink toppings quickly by chilling or freezing chocolate and then grating

Includes:
• Grater
• Brush
• Garlic peeler
• Stand

MULTI-PURPOSE GARLIC GRATER SET $19.86

Vapour Organic Beauty’s Perfect Lip Kit is ideal for all skin types. Siren Lipstick in Desire is a naturally long-wearing, moisturizing lipstick that uses an blend of safe food grade ingredients. Siren contains no petroleum based adhesives. Glistening shine is created by using a heat and vacuum based non-chemical process where two plant oils are combines. Elixir Lip Gloss in Hush helps provide a shiny healthy pout. Elixir helps revitalize & hydrate with organic emollients & anti-oxidants. Elixir’s non-petroleum gloss has been made possible by a non-chemical process that combines castor oil and beeswax in a new way to help create superior body and shine. Lip Adore in Joy is a sheer gloss lipstick with gold sparkle and shine. A revolutionary formula helps provide high performance in a certified organic base. Lip Adore helps revitalize, hydrate and nourish with Vapour Organic Beauty’s lip specific infusion.

• Contains Organic Lemon Balm, Myrrh, Iceland Moss, and Green Tea
• Contains no chemicals or petroleum products.

Includes:
• Elixir Lip Gloss - HUSH (.36oz/10.6ml)
• Siren Lipstick - DESIRE (.15oz/4.2g)
• Siren Lip Adore Gloss Stick - JOY (.14oz/3.9g)
 $38.50    PERFECT LIP KIT

This is the desktop device that keeps your morning coffee warm and your afternoon soda cool. Drawing power from a USB port on your computer, its built-in thermoelectric module either warms a beverage up to 133º or cools it down to 59º. Its surface accommodates most coffee mugs (will not work with Styrofoam cups) and 12 oz. soda cans. Works on any PC or Mac.

The Desktop Cup Warmer And Cooler $29.95 

This stamp will render printed personal information illegible without the clutter and obtrusiveness of a shredder. Using a fast-drying, waterproof, permanent ink, the stamp imprints a block of 385 characters (some of which are askew) in a bold sans-serif font to instantly conceal sensitive information on junk mail, credit card applications, bank statements, and more. The specially patterned impression makes any style of black text indecipherable, even when held up to light. The two included stamps (2 3/4″ x 1″ and 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″) are sized to obscure names, addresses, account numbers, and more in one fell swoop. Inkpads provide up to 1,000 impressions. Includes two inkpad refills. Intended for use on non-glossy, uncoated paper.
The Identity Theft Prevention Stamps  $39.95

How often do you have 2 things that need timing and only 1 timer????  Can’t tell you how many times I’ve messed up a meal because of this.  Can’t tell you how many times I’ve also messed up a meal for no good reason at all but……that’s a whole other story!

Make sure that your dishes are made correctly with this handy Times Two Cooking Timer from Catering Line. It is made from 18/10 stainless steel and features 15 minute and 60 minute timing capabilities.

CATERING LINE- TIMES TWO COOKING TIMER  $19.95
 

The Organic Kitchen from Upper Canada brings you this 4 piece Cleaning & Care set that’s 100% free of sulfates, synthetic fragrances, parabens,colourants, petroleum products, SLS and animal ingredients. All the products are biodegradable, giving you environmentally conscious cleaning alternatives that are safe for you and the environment. Rich in organic aloe, and made only with plant derived ingredients and essential oils, you’ll keep your kitchen clean and your hands soft and smooth.

Includes:
• 1 Hand Repair Lotion (150g/5.2og)
• 1 Hand Wash Liquid Soap (400ml/13.5fl oz)
• 1 Counter Spray All Purpose Cleaning Liquid (500ml/16.9fl oz)
• 1 Dish Soap Liquid Soap (475ml/16fl oz)

Hand Repair
This intense hand balm contains organic aloe, shea butter, soybean and almond oils for soothing relief of dry skin.

Hand Wash Liquid Soap
This mild lathering hand wash is gentle on the skin, and contains organic aloe along with Vitamins A, C and E to protect and nourish your hands. It also contains essential oils of tea tree and grapefruit seed, both natural cleaning agents to thoroughly clean your hands.

Counter Spray All Purpose Cleaning Liquid
Effective enough to clean up dirt and grime, it’s formulated with natural Borax which cleans as it helps remove bacteria. It’s ideal for use aroudn the home on non-porous surfaces.

Dish Soap Liquid Soap
This light, foamy dish soap cleans and de-greases without harsh ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin. It contains grapefruit seed extract to clean and disinfect.

• Made in Canada $24.86 Available in lavender, nutmeg or mint.

ORGANIC KITCHEN BY UPPER CANADA 4PC SET

These are the glasses that allow you to read while lying supine in bed, eliminating the need to crane your neck. The lightweight glasses employ two optical-quality glass prisms that bend your vision 90º providing easy reading from a recumbent position. Equally useful while lounging outdoors on a hammock, chaise, or on the beach. Includes a hard case. Brown frames. $49.95 A super gift idea - who has these already????
The Supine Reading Glasses

Getting a fabulous looking complexion is a snap with this 3 Minutes Complexion Kit from Lise Watier. These products are ideal for all skin types.

Includes:
• Mineral Brush Foundation (35ml/1.1oz)
• Portfolio Colour Corrector Wheel (25g/.88oz)
• Foundation/Camouflage Brush

Mineral Brush Foundation
Use this mineral fluid foundation for made-to-measure coverage and a flawless, perfectly natural look. It helps to boost skin radiance thanks to minerals: tourmaline, calcium, manganese and potassium.

Portfolio Colour Corrector Wheel
This five-way concealer spectrum is designed to help correct and conceal skin tone irregularities and under-eye circles. Counteract with green for redness and lilac for dullness. The soothing properties of chamomile and Vitamins E and C provide skin smoothness and comfort.  $55

LISE WATIER 3 MINUTES COMPLEXION KIT

• 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 3 lobster tails fresh or frozen 
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 10 black peppercorns
• 2 cups milk
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 pound shredded Gruyere cheese
• 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Romano cheese
• kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Reserve about 2 cups of the hot pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander set in the sink, and rinse with cold water to cool. Set aside.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes; scrape the onions into a small bowl and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Melt 5 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour, and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Strain the milk through a mesh sieve. Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook and stir until the mixture is thick and smooth, 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Stir the Gruyere, Cheddar, and Romano cheeses into the thickened milk mixture until melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the reserved lobster, onions, and macaroni. Pour the macaroni into a 4 quart casserole and smooth the top. Sprinkle evenly with the panko crumbs.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly, and the top is golden brown, 8 to 12 minutes

This is so yummy, but very rich so a small serving will suffice, if you have the willpower!

I can’t believe that we just celebrated our 2nd anniversary - where has the time gone????  We are taking a break from blogging this summer, as we did last year, but will still be checking emails and the site will be up so that our loyal readers can still access their fav shopping sites through our site. 

We are still actively working on our ‘invention’ which is taking far too long as far as I’m concerned, but samples are being tested and it is moving ahead.  Very exciting and a great way to teach me patience :)

We hope everyone has a relaxing and safe summer with super weather.  I know ours will be very exciting and busy with tons of fun thrown in for good measure.

Feel free to contact me at cynthia@smartsnobs.com if you have any questions or ideas and happy shopping!