No 1 product for muscle pain!!!

I love this product, it is the only one I can use for muscle pain.
I put it on and have immediate feel it is working, for me the pain is cooled then it starts to relax:)
Like it is getting deep into it. It last's a long time.
It has a peppermint, eucalyptus, wintergreen smell.
They have several different ingredients, and they work sooooooo well.
You only need a few drops:)
I have used it for several years and I turn to it when I have a muscle pain.
You can also use it in a bath, pour a few drops in running bath water.
For me it is a cooling bath for heated muscles.
Can use it as a inhalation, deep breathe in and relax your shoulders, it works like a charm
in a stressful situation.
I have tried all kinds of muscle products, and they all go on good but stop working
a few minutes later.
I have tried a popular one, arnica gel, but it does not get deep into muscles like
this one does. I use arnica gel for other things, I will write a post about that in
the coming future!
You are wondering WHAT is the product?
Olbas oil it is a wonder product for me!!!
You can tell I love it by the picture, how much I use the bottle:)
Here is a link to read more about the product!
olbas.com
                                                             Birch Life

 
 

Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Over Refreshing Crisp Romaine Lettuce

This recipe is so yummmmmmy, when I make it the comments I get are:
" I could eat the whole bowl, the asparagus is so flavorful"
" The crisp lettuce gives it a whole new level of flavor"
This is a must try, and very simple to make.
So try it and let me know how you like it:)


Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Over Refreshing Crisp Romaine Lettuce
serves 2 large portions or 4 small portions

8 stalks of asparagus
1/4 lb (250 gram)  of uncooked pasta ( I used a casarecce)
1/2 cup reserves cooking water from pasta
2 good Tablespoons of mayonnaise ( I used vegan)
2 Tablespoons of butter (vegan)
1 head of Romaine lettuce
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

Cook pasta as directed on the package, but remember to reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water
before you strain. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter to strained pasta.
Wash and cut asparagus into 11/2 inch pieces
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium heat skillet, add asparagus and pinch of sea salt
cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.
Mix reserved cooking water and mayonnaise with 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt until well combined.
Then add pasta and asparagus and mix until coated.
Taste for seasoning add more if desired!!!!
Wash and shred with hands the romaine lettuce, put on individual plates season with a pinch
of sea salt before adding the asparagus mixture on top:)
               
                                                                    Birch Life

 

Dr Organic Rose Otto skin lotion, most divine sweet smelling velvety lotion review:)

I love the smell of rose, but there is a lot of fake smelling rose products out there.

So the dilemma is do I even buy rose products at all.

My first thought is the ingredients, they have to be natural, and the scent has to be

100% natural. 

I have tried many 100% natural rose scented lotions, they are either so light 

or the scent disappears within minutes of putting it on.

I don't want to smell of a rose bush, but I would like it to stay a while,

maybe linger on my clothes, would be nice. So I saw this product at a natural health store.

Dr. Organic Rose Otto skin lotion.

I opened the tester, and to my delight, the sweet warm smell of rose came out of the tube.

I was hooked I am going to buy it, my first thought was YES, then NO.

Then reading the ingredients I thought ok I will try it.

I usually am a coconut oil user after my shower, for moisturizer.

I was kind of excited for my first use, I had it waiting by the shower for immediate

use after.

WOW, I love this product, it glided on my skin like butter, it was not to thick or to thin 

it has a perfect absorption into the skin. The smell was soooo divine.

The smell is truly perfect for us rose scent lovers. The scent is a true rose smell.

When you are smelling a rose in the garden,  it is so sweet and velvety you can't 

stop smelling it:) Even lingered on my clothes:)

I used it everyday and the tube lasted a little over a month, which is perfect.

Sorry, I even cut the tube when I was done, I had to get every last drop!!!

                                                             Birch Life

   

 

Cooling Cucumber Pear Salsa

For me cucumbers are cooling, even when they are at room temperature.
When it is hooottt outside I feel they hydrate me with all their liquid:)
 Pears are a very different ingredient for salsa, but they sure
work well. They have a sweet and soft texture that is very welcoming
to the crisp crunch of cucumbers. I show you the salsa with rice cakes
and corn crackers, but it is sooooooo good with tortilla chips.
The salty and sweet combo is delicious:)


Cooling Cucumber Pear Salsa
serves 4 people

1 English  cucumber ( I took the seeds out of mine)
1 medium ripe pear
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon of lime juice
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

Finally chop the cucumber( I removed my seeds), pear, and parsley and add to a bowl.
Pour fresh juices over the cucumber pear mixture and stir in salt.
Let stand in the refrigerator for 20 minutes covered.
I would double or triple the recipe because it is soooo good,
this won't last long at a party!!!!
                             
                                                              Birch Life

 

Semper gluten free cookies, vanilla biscuits and chocolate chip cookies, vegan? review

When I found these cookies I was not sure about another gluten free cookie.
I have had so many, they are either crumbly, no taste, or hard!:(
So I bought them reluctantly. My first purchase was the vanilla biscuits!
 

I thought vanilla is safe to try:)
I was very surprised at the smell when I opened them, a wonderful vanilla aroma.
The biscuit was firm, no crumble and had a satisfying vanilla taste.
I am so delighted with these biscuits, because they are not so sweet and they have a great texture.
I could have eaten the whole box!!!!!
I could see using them as a pie crust for a yogurt pie of a fruit and cream filling,
wonderful also as a layer in a trifle:)

You get about 12, so don't eat them all at once;)
Yes, about the vegan part the box states, "May contain traces of milk."
So it all depends how strict you are as a vegan?
The end of the post I will put a link to their website.


The next one I tried was the chocolate chip cookies!

They had the same great texture as a the vanilla biscuit, but these had little chocolate chips in the cookie.
The flavor was light chocolate without the chips inside they would be to light for me.
I like a chocolate cookie that is chocolaty, the chips saved it for me:)
I would definitely recommend them!
They also travel well outside the original packaging, I put a few in plastic wrap in my pocket when I
went on a walk No crumbling :) that can be hard to find in a gluten free cookie!

You also get about 12 cookies!
They state the same thing as the vanilla biscuit for trace amount of milk!
So get your delicious cookies!!!!!!!
semper.com
Please like me on facebook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

                                                   Birch life


  

Chunky creamy asparagus mushroom soup vegan

This soup is one of my favorites:) I have always like cream of mushroom soup, but eating vegan

getting a true creamy flavor is hard,but not now! This soup ticks all the boxes. The soup has texture,

 thick flavor, slight crunch,and is creamy almost velvety. Asparagus gives it that slight crunch, you cook it only

until there is a slight crunch. Enjoy the recipe which is simple put so tasty  :)

Chunky creamy asparagus mushroom soup

serves 2 or 1 hungry person:)

16 stalks asparagus

6 brown button mushrooms

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup milk (I used oatly)

2 Tablespoons potato starch

2 Tablespoons butter + 2 teaspoons butter

1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

 1/4 teaspoons sea salt

Wash and cut asparagus into 11/2 inch pieces, wash and cut mushrooms length wise into chunky pieces set

mushrooms aside.

 Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a deep sided skillet

when melted add asparagus, fresh lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoons sea salt saute 5 minutes or until a slight crunch.

When done remove from pan leaving any juices in the pan. 

Then add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon of butter 

Saute for 2 minutes if it becomes dry add a few drops of water.

Mix water and milk with potato starch until well combined.

Slowly add wet mixture to mushrooms and stir until thickened, then add the 

asparagus back in and stir until well combined.

If soup is to thick slowly add water or milk until desire thickness (I like it thick)

Then add last 1 teaspoon of butter.

Sea salt to taste!

   

                                                             Birch Life

 

Wonderfully delicious Potato Pancakes vegan

This is a great recipe for potato pancakes, simple and very tasty. Sometimes potato pancakes 

can be greasy and heavy feeling, but not these, they have a wonderful texture and slight crunch,

without the greasy feeling in your mouth. I don't like the white starch potatoes, because the starch can take over the dish. I used yellow flesh potatoes, but also good ispurple flesh potatoes. My twist on the recipe is adding an apple along with a leek.This gives a sweet flavor from both the leek and apple, then the potato

balances it and brings it together. I also have given an option of adding an egg, but it's not necessary, you can leave it out whether you eat vegan or not! I want everyone to eat healthy so if you are not vegan you can still make the recipe and savor the delicious flavors:)

You can serve them savory or sweet. 

Topping is up to you!

I like strawberry jam, agave syrup, maple syrup,and even salsa.

Creme fraiche or a yogurt can give a cooling taste!

Wonderfully delicious Potato Pancakes

4 medium potatoes

1 apple

1/4 piece of leek  

8 leaves parsley

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

3 Tablespoon of butter

1 egg(optional)

sea salt to taste on top

Grate potatoes, apple, leek add sea salt and fresh lemon juice let sit for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl. Then with your hands strain mixture, squeeze out at much liquid out as you can. the mixture will be visibly drier. Then add the parsley roughly chopped . ( if adding a egg whip with fork and add to mixture).

In skillet on medium heat add the butter when melted, make golf size balls and flatten them between hands,  you can make whatever size you want, but make sure they are flat. Cook 3-4 minutes each side until golden brown. Makes 12

I served my with strawberry jam Yummy!!!

                                                           

                                                               Birch Life

  

 

 

Creamy Ice Cream with a new topping!

Most of us like ice cream, whether your favorite flavor is vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, bubble gum
you know who you are:) I have a great idea!
We all like hot fudge, how it melts the ice cream and makes a chocolate sauce that is warm and creamy on the bottom of the dish.
Oh I do love hot fudge, but the other idea is to scoop your favorite flavor into a dish, then pour a fresh or store bought smoothie over the top!
It is completely different flavor then adding fruit to the top of your Sundae, sometimes it does not mix chewing the cold fruit with creamy texture ice cream:(
 Oh my gosh it is sooooooooooooooo good, you get the same as you would with hot fudge a creamy mixture of both ice cream and smoothie.
I used a store bought smoothie (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries).
You can make a fresh one and do the same.
Super refreshing on a hot day.
Here is a picture of what I am talking about ENJOY!
See my new facebook button please like me on facebook.
             
                                                                            Birch Life

Cooling Cucumber and Pear Salad (vegan)

This salad is so so so good, because you have the crunch of cucumber and the sweetness of the pear.
Traditionally it is not a combo, but works so well together.
I add butter for a extra sweetness to the rice.

Just a refreshing salad for hot days.
I like making salads, because you can eat them as a light meal or add them to a main meal!
I have just rediscovered pears in the past months, and WOW what I was missing!
I used to purchase pears to hard and they never ripened :(
So I would end up with a hard tasteless pear, no more!!
When buying pears, pick ones with a slight give, they will finish ripening in a few days:)


Cooling Cucumber and Pear Salad


2 1/2 cups rice (still warm)
1 large pear (diced)
1 medium cucumber(diced, I remove my seeds)
1/2  parsley (chopped)
2 Tablespoons butter (vegan)
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
sea salt to taste
curls of cheese(vegan)

Mix together cucumber, pear add the parsley, pour in the lemon juice,and a pinch of sea salt. let stand 10 minutes.
When rice is still warm mix in the butter and let cool to room temperature.
Then add the cucumber mixture with more sea salt to taste
Finish with curls of cheese!

                                                                 Birch Life

Sweet treat day!!!! Licorice

 Today is Wednesday, midweek day so time for a sweet treat post!!!
I think having a treat is fun.
My treat is licorice, I like the strong flavor it gives me on my tongue.
I am talking about the true black licorice :) a plus is you don't need to eat much
to get a fill of a sweet treat. I like to try different kinds, and brands but I still
go back to one of my favorites Panda. Having a treat of something you like
is very special and individual so go have your favorite treat and smile :)
Let me now what your sweet treat is?
Let your mouth water here comes the pictures!
panda.fi
                                                         
                                                        Birch Life
                                                 

                                                         

Delightful Pancake "Kake" or Pannkakor simple and yummy:)

This recipe comes from making pancakes for a very special friend, she loves pancakes,and she could eat them everyday if she could. When I made them for her, I decided why not layer them with filling and stack, this is how the recipe came about. These are gluten free but not vegan, they have eggs in them. I have not been able to make them thin enough without eggs. I will show you how I made it then give you the recipe:)

I used a 23 1/2 cm pan to make them you can make them what ever size you have.

Make 6 pancakes

When done I spread my desired topping for each layer.This time it was strawberry jam and strawberry yogurt(vegan) I like to put a little each layer, and I serve the filling on the side so you can put as much on as you like!

View from the top finished, I added yogurt to the top(my favorite Oatly strawberry)

Here is the way it looks cut

Now you can eat!!!!!! Smelled like strawberry cake:)

 Pancake "cake" Pannkakor

2 cups gluten free flour

2 eggs

1 cup of "milk" ( I used oatly milk)

1 1/2 cup water

few Tablespoon of  butter

desired filling and topping

Mix altogether and let sit for 10 minutes. 

Place pan on stove top on medium heat and add Tablespoon of butter once melted

you can begin making them.

Cook each side 2-3 minutes until light brown.

When they are done you can add the filling, desired amount

keep layering and filling.

You can dress the top or leave plain

 

                                                    Birch Life

New find from Sweden, Astrid och Aporna cheese:) vegan!!!

Astrid och Aporna is a company in Malmo Sweden. They make cheese and meat alternative.
I discovered them online, then to my surprise my local store just started carrying it.
The only place you can get it now is in Sweden or some places in Denmark.
The store was Willy's, but ICA, COOP, also sell them. Check your natural food store as well.
I purchased the Jeezly original it is a white cheese, smooth soft cheese with creamy texture.
Mild cheese flavor, so you can use it with everything.
I think it has a sweet flavor, reminds me of a good farmer cheese.
I have melted it also and it is sooooooooo good!#
Cuts like a dream with a cheese slicers.
Here is some pictures of it and a link to other things they sell!
If you are vegan or cannot have milk you should be jumping for joy. Enjoy

astridochaporna.se

                                                           Birch Life

My Incredible Leftover Green Salad

This is a fun salad, basically it is whatever you have leftover. You just need to start with the base,

I like to use a head of lettuce, my favorite is a butter lettuce. I tend to not use the micro greens,

I like the lettuce flavor and the crispness you get. Then a simple dressing that is tasty with all vegetables.  

I will give you the recipe then I will give you suggestions at the end :) 

Incredible leftover green salad

This is what I had leftover.

1 head of lettuce

1 carrot 

1 cup broccoli (chopped in big pieces)

1/2 cup peas

1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise

1/4 cup "milk" ( I used Oatly milk)

1 Tablespoon "butter" ( vegan) 

4  rice cakes ( crumbled)

sea salt

In a large bowl add the washed lettuce, tear it into large pieces.

Grate the carrot into bowl. Add a pinch of sea salt.

I sauteed the broccoli and peas with butter  for 5 minutes, then let them cool for another 5 minutes.

Mix the mayonnaise, milk and pinch of sea salt until combined.

Now mix altogether and coat everything with dressing.

Top with crumbled rice cakes, add more sea salt if desired.

You can add whatever you have in leftover vegetables.

Baked potatoes ( diced and sauteed)

small pieces of onion or leeks

peas

small carrot 

few stalks of celery

corn 

half cucumber

beans 

even if they have been cooked.

You get the idea!

Sometimes if I have a piece of  bread or 2, I butter each side and saute until 

crisp on each side. Instant croutons.

Happy salad making.

                                           Birch Life

  

4 Favorite Products From Oatly, Wonderful product from Sweden

Like all vegans we have many "milk" choices. But I have found a new product for me,and now it is my Favorite!
Oatly is the brand, it is made with oats. Yes oats it has a creamy and thick body. Very delicious, and really
satisfying. I think it is important as vegans that we eat all different kinds of food.
Oats if you think of it when you make them they can get very creamy, and they have a satisfying taste. They make other products as well ice cream, yogurt, creme fraiche, etc.
I have had the "milk" in my coffee and it gave the same body as whole milk.
The chocolate "milk" is so yummy, again it has a thick creamy texture!
I have had the strawberry ice cream several times, it is like ice cream but whipped. I don't know how they make it but you would never think it was not "real" ice cream.This is incredible.
The yogurt is also wonderful as well, it is a little thinner then "regular" yogurt, but full of flavor.
I love them all but I have a special place for the creme fraiche, whoever made it is genius,
the taste is similar to "real" creme fraiche, it has a slight sour flavor, very rich taste.
You only need to use a little to achieve the desired taste you are going for. I mean a little!
I have used the creme fraiche on lentils, beans with chips, in soup and it has always added a great depth
to the dish.
I hope you try these products for yourself and let me know how you like them.
Leave a comment or suggestion.
If your natural grocery or grocery store does not carry Oatly, simply ask them to get it!
Here is the link to there website, check it out for yourself.
This product is made in Sweden!!!!!!
oatly.com

                                                Birch Life
  

Creamy rice textured salad with a hint of fennel flavor (vegan)

I like making this dish because it is soooooooo yummy and creamy. It can be very difficult to find vegan recipes true creamy texture. The recipe has fennel in it when you saute it has a soft and creamy texture.  If you have never tried fennel flavor it tastes of anise, when you cook it becomes milder.

Creamy rice fennel salad

4 cups of pre-made rice
1 bulb of fennel ( chopped to desire size)
1/2 of stack of leek ( chopped fine)
3 generous Tablespoons of  mayonnaise (vegan)
1/4 cup of milk ( I used oat milk)
1/2 cup of chopped or torn parsley
2 Tablespoons of butter (vegan)
sea salt to taste

In a saute pan add the butter melt then add the leeks, cook 1 minute, add the fennel saute until
light brown( put a cover on the pan). If  it becomes dry in the pan add water just to cover the bottom, but not to much.
Cook 5- 7 minutes.
In large bowl add the mayonnaise and milk and pinch of  sea salt, mix until combined.
Then add rice and fennel mixture mix until creamy, add more sea salt to taste.( if you want more flavor you can make the rice with a bouillon cube).
Add parsley
Of course you can make it vegan or not whatever you eat!

Side note you can omit the mayonnaise, and replace it with plain yogurt.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Birch Life

Satisfying tasty versatile 4 ingredients vegan lentil dish :)

I like lentils because they are super easy to make. They take about 30 minutes to cook.
There are a variety of different lentils. My favorite are the small french lentils.
You can use any kind you like for this recipe. I am using green lentils, because they are easy to find.
This is a simple dish so you can add different ingredients if you like, or condiments.

Simple lentil dish

2 cups of  lentils (any variety)
2 carrots chopped ( chop to desired size)
1 bouillon cube
water

Rinse lentils, add to pot on medium heat, add carrots
fill with water 2 inches above lentils ( what I learned from Jamie Oliver, boil water int he kettle, it cooks faster)
cook 30 minutes slightly covered
check in 15 minutes if more water is needed
when finished add bouillon if no bouillon add sea salt to taste.


Now you have a wonderfully simple lentil dish
you can embellish or not, either way it is a satisfying dish.
Sometimes I will eat it with vegan sour cream on top and tortilla chips;)
Other ways is on a baked potato, with toast as a soup, cold on a lettuce salad, and hot as a side dish the
list is endless!
If you can find vegan creme fraiche  yummy!!!!
It keeps for 2 days in refrigerator.

                                                  Birch Life

My comments are now working!!!!!!!!

My comments are back up, so you can leave a comment or question love to her from you!


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Sorry my comments are not working:(

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                                                     Birch Life