My Top 5 cooking tips

Anyone that knows me can tell you I love to cook. I am obsessed with cooking shows, cooking magazines, all things food. In my quest for culinary brilliance, I have come across a few tips that have helped me the most.

#1 - Run an onion under cold water prior to cutting. This will keep you from "crying" while your cutting.

#2 - If you have over salted your soup or sauce, add a few pieces of potato. The potato will absorb the excess salt. Check your dish periodically and remove the potatoes when it is seasoned to your taste.

#3 - When sauteing mushrooms, add a little salt. This will pull the moisture out of the mushrooms and they will brown faster.

#4 - When cooking with fresh ginger, freeze the excess. This will not only keep it from spoiling but it will also make it easier to grate.

#5 - Use lavender oil on a burn. Run the burn under cold water for a few minutes and apply neat lavender oil. It will relieve the pain and prevent scarring.

What I'm obsessed with today

Last night I burned myself cooking dinner. After I ran my hand under cold water for a few minutes, I rubbed some lavender oil on the burn. It instantly felt better and, from past experience, I know it's not going to leave a scar. A massage therapist gave me this tip a few years ago and I've kept it in the kitchen ever since. 

Besides the calming effects and relief from burns, there are a number of other health benefits of lavender oil. Check out http://www.netherfield.co.nz/lavender-uses.php for more uses of lavender oil.

Happy Birthday Christian Dior!

Christian Dior 1905-1957

On this day in 1905, a man who would change the world of fashion was born. 

Dior's is first collection debuted in Paris in 1947. He created the extremely popular "New Look", which featured rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a very full skirt. 

In 1953, he hired Yves Saint Laurent as an assistant. When Christian died suddenly in Italy in 1957, Yves Saint Laurent became head designer and in his first collection for the Dior house he introduced the iconic trapeze dress.

The succession of designers that have lent their talents to the house of Dior are a testament to the iconic designers prestige in the fashion world.

Christian Dior is truly the gift that keeps on giving. J'adore Dior! 

Are you on the computer all day?

I call it the "computer crunchies". You know, that sound you hear when you are rubbing on all the knots in your neck and shoulders after a long day at the computer. 

Certified massage therapist Amanda Sisson has some advice to relieve, and prevent, the "computer crunchies". She recommends taking a break at least once every hour to get up and stretch. "You need to give your eyes, arms and back a break. Shake your hands out, stretch your legs and walk outside for a bit and get some fresh air." And don't forget to breathe! Taking deep breaths and drinking lots of water will help you to stay loose.

If you are in the Santa Cruz, CA area and would like Amanda to work out your "computer crunchies", email her at amandasisson_mt@yahoo.com or call 831 359 8821. To find a certified massage therapist near you, visit www.ncbtmb.org. 

Jesse James and Kat Von D Engaged!

So Jesse James finally decided to make an honest woman out of Kat Von D and she agreed! He was quoted as saying "

Growing old with her is going to be a f----n' blast!" The wedding is set to take place within the next month outside California.

Grow old together or grow tired of each other. What do you think?