Today is national porridge day. Oats are wonderful, containing an abundance of natural goodness whilst being great value for money. They are a British staple. They can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. However, porridge can be made from a variety of grains including quinoa, bulgur wheat and brown rice.

We love warming and autumnal aromatics such as ginger and cinnamon, which is why we have decided to make this recipe from Sheer Luxe using brown rice.

Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup cooked short-grain brown rice
1 cup milk (your choice – I like a combination of rice and coconut milk)
1 cinnamon stick
1 thin slice of fresh ginger
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped or 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla paste
1 teaspoon ground flaxseed/ linseed (optional)
a little honey, to serve
Cooking Method
1. COMBINE brown rice, milk, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla in a pot.
2. HEAT gently and simmer for 10 minutes, adding a little extra milk if necessary. Your porridge should be creamy.
3. SERVE alone or topped with flaxseed, stewed fruits, honey and extra hot milk.

Image source, Pinterest

In the Russian novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, the Devil gives Margarita a magic cream for her to apply all over her body, before attending his annual ball, where she will hosts it completely naked. When she applies the cream, her skin is instantly rejuvenated and beautified. I have often imagined what that magic cream could possibly contain... on the top of my list I had to have Castor Oil.

I choose Castor Oil because has so many very impressive properties and at one time or another it was used to heal just about anything. Unfortunately it went out of fashion because it is a rather expensive cosmetic ingredient.

So what makes it special? Well for starters it has an extraordinary amount of ricinoleic acid that is known to fight off acne-causing bacteria. It also has the capacity to penetrate deep into the skin layers, therefore attacking the bacteria from a deeper level.

Castor oil is also anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and has lots of antioxidants. Combining this with its super moisturising properties, Castor oil is the perfect all rounded ingredient to keep skin young and healthy.

Products:

Volcano Ash - Transformative Mask (... just like Margarita's Magic Cream)

Nourishing Oil - Body, Bath & Shower Oil

Angel Balm (...another magical ingredient of our best selling product)

Image Source _mariaefthymiou

Did you know that way back in the Roman times Clary Sage leaves were used to fortify their wine during those wild parties of the aristocrats! The Romans had somehow stumbled upon the fact that Clary Sage’s narcotic properties were enhanced when added to alcohol!!

On a more health conscious note, it also has a sedative effect on the central nervous system, allowing for its other rejuvenating properties to get to work in a relaxed environment. The ingenuity of this herb is remarkable. It works in synergy with the body and mind, creating the most adequate environment for its healing soldiers to get to work. Restoring the skin by reducing inflammation and warding off bad bacteria.

This oil is so powerful oil, that in large quantities it has the strength to bring on an overdue birth!

From putting you sleep to inducing childbirth, Clary Sage is definitely in the running for the king or queen of the essential oils.

Clary Sage can be found in Soveral’
Sleep Head (the clue is in the title!!): http://alexandrasoveral.co.uk/ourshop/prod_203274-SLEEPY-HEAD.html
And Forever Young Face Oil: http://alexandrasoveral.co.uk/ourshop/prod_203315-FOREVER-YOUNG.html