BRB

Off to Nice for a week of vacation with the family. Will be back in Bangkok in early June. Until then, ciao!

AVOCADO POMELO 'YUM'

What is 'yum' you ask? Why, Thai salad of course!

Thai cuisine has more than one fruit-based salad, or yum as they say in Thai. Mostly widely known is som tum, a spicy concoction of shredded green papaya, long beans, peanuts and tiny, salty shrimp or crabs. Other versions are made using green mango. One of my favorites however, is yum som-o, made with the "Asian grapefruit" called pomelo. The bursts of citrus are wonderfully refreshing, not to mention a great way to get some nutrients. Pomelos are powerful sources of vitamin C (an entire pomelo has about 600% of your daily vit. C requirement), potassium and fiber to help boost your immune system, support digestive health and lower blood pressure.

If you're looking for something light that packs a nutritional punch, try this avocado pomelo salad with pineapple lime dressing.

AVOCADO POMELO SALAD

Serves 2-3.

Ingredients:
1 pomelo or grapefruit, peeled and supremed
1 avocado, sliced
1 large handful red grapes, halved
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons pineapple vinegar
1 tablespoon palm sugar
1 generous pinch of sea salt
1 red bird's eye chili, deseeded and sliced (optional)
One handful crushed, salted peanuts (optional)
Small handful mint leaves (optional)

Method:
1) Break the segments of pomelo (or grapefruit, if using) into chunks and mix gently with the avocado slices and cut grapes.
2) Whisk the lime juice, pineapple vinegar, sugar, salt and chili (if using) together. Taste test and adjust seasoning as needed. Next time, I'll probably try with some tamarind juice. If you're not vegetarian, you can use fish sauce instead of salt to get a really authentic flavor.
3) Gently dress the fruit and top with crushed peanuts and torn mint leaves.

BEAUTY DIY: COFFEE BODY SCRUB

This is one DIY that's easy, energizing and eco-friendly. Not only does the coffee stimulate your skin (and tackle cellulite, they say), the coconut oil is an all-natural moisturizer that will make your skin glow. I particularly like to use it right before shaving my legs, to keep them lasting smoother longer!

Combine 5-6 tablespoons of finely ground coffee grinds with 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Adjust oil based on preference. You can even add in sugar (though beware of attracting bugs to your shower!) or salt to amp up the exfoliating power, or some cinnamon for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. If you make this with used coffee grinds, be sure to completely dry out the grinds first. Store any leftover scrub in an airtight container.

Et voila, no need to ever buy store-bought body scrub again.

p.s. - I think the coffee grinds can be a bit harsh for facial skin, so I usually stick to using this on my body and use something gentler for my face.

(Photo from Free People)

THIRSTY THURSDAYS

Here's the weekly roundup of links that caught my eye this week -

How beautiful are these double-exposure photos of animals in their natural habitat?

According to the UN, every year, one-third of all food produced for human consumption globally is lost or wasted. Instead of pitching those kitchen scraps or leftovers, take a cue from these guys and get creative.

Great to see that the film industry is beginning to address the environmental impact of film production through the new Film4Climate initiative, launched at the Cannes Film Festival this week.

For those of you in Bangkok this weekend, the Siam Green Sky urban agriculture learning center opens tomorrow. There will be several events over the weekend to celebrate the opening, including an eco-friendly market, guest speakers and workshops. Sounds like something worth braving the heat for!

(Photo above by Andreas Lie, courtesy of the Mother Nature Network)

AVO TOMATO SALAD

To me, avocados are the embodiment of summer. The creamy, pale green fruit conjures memories of warm, carefree summer evenings. Unfortunately for us in Thailand, locally produced avocados are not yet widely available, so the ones for sale are shipped all the way from California. Not exactly friendly to the environment, or my wallet! However, I treat myself to a couple avos every now and then, justifying them as a powerful source of omega 3 fatty acids for us vegetarians :-)

If you've got a ripe avocado on hand that you're looking to stretch beyond a single serving, try this summery salad - great atop greens, quinoa or with taro chips (pictured above)!

Avocado Tomato Corn Salad

Serves 3-4.

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado, cubed
2 large, ripe tomato, diced
Half an onion, diced
Kernels from cob of cooked corn
Garlic, chopped (start with one clove, then adjust based on preference)
Juice of one lime
Herbs (cilantro, basil)
Salt, pepper

Method:
1) Mix the tomato, onion, corn and garlic together in a large bowl.
2) Add the cubes of avocado and gently mix.
3) Add lime juice, generous pinch of salt and pepper, and gently mix again.
4) Top of chopped herbs of your preference.
5) Enjoy served with chips, mixed with some red quinoa and feta, or on top of some baby greens.

... And don't forget the margaritas. Cheers!

THE HOPE OF FREEDOM

"None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of 

the hope of freedom to those who are not free." 

- Pearl S. Buck

THIRSTY THURSDAYS

Some interesting links I happened across this week...

Check out how solar power is helping relief and recovery efforts in Nepal.

Mark Bittman on America's toxic food system.

Did you know that a single pair of leather shoes takes over 2,000 gallons of water to produce? Here are other everyday items that require surprisingly large amounts of water to produce.

Why is it so hard to throw things away? This journalist tests out Marie Kondo's de-cluttering manifesto.

That's all for today. Happy Thursday!

BYE-BYE PAPER PLATES

How beautiful is this compostable dinnerware? They're made from fallen leaves, believe it or not! These would be a lovely alternative to plastic and paper plates at picnics and outdoor dinner parties this summer.

Check out more of Verterra's beautiful eco-friendly dinnerware here.

(Photo courtesy of Bon Appetit)

CHOCOLATE CINNAMON BANANA ICE CREAM

Indulge in this decadent guilt-free treat this summer. Not only is this velvety dark chocolate, cinnamon-spiced banana ice cream all natural, it's vegan too. What's even better, you don't need an ice cream maker to whip this up! 

Check out the recipe below.

Chocolate Cinnamon Banana Ice Cream

(inspired by this recipe)

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 ripe bananas, cut into coins and frozen solid (overnight preferably)

4-5 tablespoons cocoa powder (Dutch-processed is best)

1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, depending on preference

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Method:

1) Place the frozen bananas directly into a high-powered blender or food processor and blend. Keep blending until the mixture just starts to come together. I recommend blending in small batches to ensure a smooth consistency.

2) Throw in remaining ingredients and pulse a few times for all the flavors to incorporate into the ice cream. Taste-test and adjust maple syrup, cocoa powder and cinnamon according to your preference.

3) Either serve immediately (it melts quickly!) or put it in a container to freeze until you're ready to serve.

Try it topped with chopped pistachios, slivered almonds or some chocolate shavings!  

PAGE TURNERS

Going on vacation soon or simply in need of a good book? Take it from me, you can count on any of these books to whisk you away to another world.

1) Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver -" That must be lonely, Dellarobia thought, to have answers whose questions had all died of natural causes."

2) The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell -"Love may be blind, but cohabitation comes with all the latest X-ray gizmos."

3) The MaddAddam Trilogy (Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood, MaddAddam) by Margaret Atwood - "The Human reason is a pin dancing on the head of an angel, so small it is in comparison to the Divine vastness that encircles us."

Happy reading!

(Book covers courtesy of Good Reads)

THIRSTY THURSDAYS

A few links that caught my eye this week:

Would you ever consider trying cheese produced without cows and meat-free burgers made with plant "blood"?

It's not bio-engineered, but I would recommend this light, delicious fish-free "tuna" salad.

In addition to the water we consume for household needs, we also use water indirectly through the products we purchase - food, clothes, technology. A single cotton t-shirt takes over 700 gallons of water to produce! If you're curious to know what your water footprint is, calculate it here.

How cool does this organic farm and sustainable lifestyle center in Northern Thailand look?

Also, a quick note that the relief efforts in Nepal still need your support even though mass media has started to move on. This is a critical period to deliver food, water and shelter; prevent public health emergencies; and support vulnerable populations, such as children, who may be displaced and need to be reconnected with their families. Here is a list of international organizations accepting donations for relief efforts in Nepal. There is also Plan International, which focuses primarily on helping children in post-disaster situations, and the America Nepal Medical Foundation's Relief Fund.

That's all for this week. Cheers!

SKIN DEEP

Most people forget that the skin is the biggest organ of the human body. Whatever you brush, slather, dab or scrub on your skin gets absorbed into your system.

That's why it's particularly worrisome that a recent study by the Environmental Working Group in the U.S. says women apply an average of 168 chemicals to their faces and bodies every day. Since women tend to use more personal care products than men, they are disproportionately exposed to toxins that could impact their reproductive health and put them at greater risk of developing cancer.

In the United States, because personal care products are governed by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, they are not required to undergo governmental review before they hit the shelves. Instead, companies are responsible for the safety of their products.

In order to help consumers be more aware of the chemical content in their personal care products, the EWG created Skin Deep. This massive database allows you to search over 68,000 products for their hazard rating, so you can be more informed about your personal care choices.

I found out that even my mild, moisturizing Dove body wash has a moderate hazard rating. Check it out for yourself, you may be surprised!

5-MIN SPICY LENTIL SOUP

This recipe is at the other end of the culinary spectrum from the tofu red curry I posted last week. It literally takes five minutes, involves zero prep and requires a little bit of cheating.

At our house, we eat Indian food at least once a week. Spicy yellow daal and mattar paneer from CoCo's (available at Villa Supermarket) is our go-to dinner after those manic Mondays. But we can only eat rice, daal and paneer for so long.

One of my quick weekday lunches has become this spicy lentil soup, using the leftover daal. With a dollop of greek yogurt and some buttery toast, this hits the spot when you need something quick and easy.

Serves 1.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup leftover spicy yellow daal
- 1/2 cup water (adjust based on preference)

Mix together and pop in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Top with a dollop of greek yogurt on top and some freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

NATURAL DIY FOR GLOWING, CLEAR SKIN

A few weeks ago, as the weather in Bangkok was transitioning to the sticky, humid summer we're currently in, the skin on my face went haywire. I normally have pretty well-behaved skin, but the humidity plus the polluted air and work-driven stress was too much. I felt like a teenager again!

Instead of reaching for my tube of Clearasil like usual (which turned out to be two years expired), I started researching natural remedies for battling acne. The number one recommended product was Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. Who knew? Good for salad dressings and your face.

I purchased HealthyMate's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother of Vinegar, which is important because that's the key active ingredient. By diluting the ACV with water (3 parts water, 1 part ACV), I created a 100% natural "toner" that I dabbed onto problem areas of my face with a cotton pad. I'll admit, the smell is a bit weird at first. I vaguely started craving salad. But the smell fades after awhile.

After three days of this routine, my skin was not only visibly clearer, but also seemed to be more glow-y than usual. Consider me an ACV convert. I don't use this every day but now when my skin starts acting up, I head to the kitchen pantry first!

**If you're interested in trying diluted ACV on your skin, please test a small patch first. If your skin is sensitive, try diluting the mixture further and washing it off after 10 minutes of treatment. **