Ina Paarman Vienna Bake Recipe

While looking for a recipe of something that I once enjoyed eating when I was little, I found the closest thing on http://www.paarman.co.za






VIENNA BAKE RECIPE


You will need:

Utensils:

• large mixing bowl
• measuring cup
• scissors
• measuring spoons
• wire whisk or fork
• knife with serrated edge
• grater
• chopping board
• 1 large ovenproof dish or 6-8 smaller ones

Ingredients:

• 
  
• 6 slices white bread crusts on, cut into 3cm cubes
• 1½ cups (375 ml) grated gouda cheese
• 500 g smoked Vienna sausages (frankfurters), sliced into 2 cm pieces
• ½ cup (125 ml) parsley, chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 2½ cups (625 ml) full cream milk
• 2 t (10 ml) Ina Paarman's Green Onion Seasoning
• 200 ml Ina Paarman's Ready to Serve Cheese Sauce

Method:

Oil or butter the inside of a medium/large ovenproof dish or 6-8 individual dishes. Toss cubes of bread, grated cheese, sliced viennas and chopped parsley together in a big mixing bowl. Turn out into the oiled ovenproof dish.

Use the same mixing bowl (no need to wash it). Break the eggs into the bowl, add the milk, Green Onion Seasoning and Cheese Sauce. Whisk together with a wire whisk or a fork until evenly blended. Pour this egg mixture over the bread and Vienna mixture in the oven proof dish. Cover the dish and leave to stand for at least 1 hour, so the bread can soak up the liquid. You can also leave it overnight in the fridge.

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. When the oven is warm [the light on the switch will go off]. Put the dish/s in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes (depending on size) until golden brown and puffy. Serve with a nice tossed salad. Dress the salad with our Honey Mustard or Herb Dressing.

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Hope you guys will enjoy this as much as I do! Be on the lookout for more recipe posts soon!

Review: Elixir Skincare

Today the courier came guess what it was?

Some samples from Elixir Skincare!

Let's have a look:

Elixir Balancing Toner

Product Description:

Use this gentle toner after cleansing to remove any residue, restore pH balance, stimulate circulation, reduce oiliness and refine open pores.

Spritz face until skin is damp then tissue off excess, or spray toner onto cotton pad and gently wipe facial area. For normal to combination skin.

Size:100ml/ 250ml

INGREDIENTS: Distilled water, rose oil concentrate, vitamin E acetate, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

A mild, odourless toner that is not harsh on the skin and purifies.

Elixir Balancing Cleanser

Use this light, balancing milk-based cleanser morning and evening to remove pollutants and dirt.

Apply to skin and massage in with fingertips to cleanse. Rinse well with water or remove gently with damp cotton pad. For normal to combination skin.

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable-based carrier lotion and carrier cream, water gel, surfactant, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

Just like the toner, except this a cleanser and milkier. Lavender scented and gentle, but left my skin a bit dry afterwards.

Elixir Derma Gel Treatment Cream

Soothe, hydrate and purify your skin with this activating and rejuvenating treatment.

Massage liberally onto cleansed and toned skin. To treat dry skin, leave on overnight. For an oily complexion, leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water and damp cotton pad; follow with night moisturiser. Suitable for all skin types.

Size: 50ml/125ml

INGREDIENTS: Aloe ferox, vegetable-based carrier cream, water gel, vitamin E oil, Eriocephalus punctulatus (Cape chamomile), Lippia javanica (zinziba)

Moisturised my skin quite a bit, happpy with the quality. Great texture.

Balancing Night Moisturiser

Product Description:

This rich formulation firms and nourishes your complexion while you sleep.

Apply after cleansing and toning face and neck. Gently massage in with fingertips, using upward movements. For normal to thirsty skin.

Size: 50ml/125ml

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable-based carrier cream and thickened carrier cream, sweet almond oil, carrier milk, Aloe ferox, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

Another lavender scented night cream, it left me feeling confident in nourished skin before bed!

Multi Active Enzyme Exfoliator

Product Description:

Repairs damaged skin, antibacterial. Feeds skin, gently exfoliates and refines pores for a smoother skin.

This exceptional skin treatment exfoliator offers a mild skin peel that gently exfoliates using the lightly stimulating action of bamboo granules, fruit acids and papaya enzymes.  Rich in antioxidants, it repairs stressed and damaged skin. Aloe ferox gel fees the freshly exfoliated skin, offering a smoother, brighter complexion. Perfectly suited to mature or delicate skins, and gentle enough for frequent use. Can be used on all skin types.

Very impressed by this product, it removed dead skin cells on my face, causing me to reappear with more radiant, brighter skin.

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Thanks for allowing me to try out these tender products, Elixir Skincare!

For more info, be sure to check them out in the link below:

http://elixirskincare.com/

SoyLites Candles Review

Thank you to the SoyLites team for sending me these amazing goodies!

This is the review of the two different SoyLites candles that I received, but first;

About SoyLites Candles

* Crafted using 100% natural, premium raw ingredients 
* Completely free of chemicals, parabens and petroleum ingredients 
* Our craftsmanship ensures a longer, cleaner, soot-free burn 
* Doubles up as a moisturising body candle 
* Made with cosmetic-grade, non-GMO soybean oil 
* Many health benefits for skin when applied 
* Beautifully scented with aromatherapy oils 
* Vegan endorsed - no beeswax 
* Not tested on animals 







The first candle that I'll be speaking about is the SoyLites Votive candle in INDULGENCE WITH VANILLA, GRAPEFRUIT, GINGER. 



This is a luxurious blend of warm scents, but has a top-coat smell of fresh vanilla. This is a luxury massage candle. The amazing thing about these candles is that when burning, it forms a pool of smooth oil, not wax. This oil is beneficial because it's rich in Vitamin E and lecithin, so you can easily use this candle to the full extent by massaging the oil into problem areas of your body. Talk about multipurpose!

When lit this candle gives off an aromatic scent that makes me as if I'm in an Arabic spa! 
I have to praise this candle for it's amazing smell because none of the spas I've been to(and I've been to quite a few!) have ever smelled as good as my room did when I lit this candle.

The next candle is a bit on the lighter, brighter side; SoyLites Original Soy Candle in HARMONY WITH ROSE, GERANIUM, JASMINE 


 

My first impression was "OMG the packaging is so pretty!", so that was already enough to get me excited about the smell. The scent has a fresh, out-the-shower sweetness to it. It is very feminine. The aroma of this beauty filled my room before I lit it, making a strong statement that says 'Though I am soft, I am strong!'


If I had to chose a favourite?

My favourite out of the two would definitely be the Harmony. Besides the smell, the oil lubricated my skin and lasted longer than the Soy Massage Votive Candle.

Would I recommend? 

Yes I would recommend this product to everyone, especially to the beauty therapists! It's already my goal to go out and buy the rest of the range. I suggest that everyone get their hands on a SoyLites candle ASAP!

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A huge thank you to SoyLites

Find out more about them here:

https://www.soylites.co.za/

Do Fairness Creams Work?

Some Facts About Fairness Creams

I know it’s easy for me to say that “don’t use fairness creams” considering the fact that I am fair for someone of Indian origin but let me tell you the truth behind fairness creams. Our skin color is determined by our race and genetic lineage which in turn decides the amount and structure of melanin (the pigment in the skin which is the reason for our color). According to most dermatologists, achieving fairness up to 20% is possible, but not more than that. The fairness creams block sun rays and prevent secretion of Melanin, which gives the dark colour to the skin. So in effect fairness cream reduce tan, prevent the skin from getting darker by preventing melanin secretion; but fairness creams cannot change a person’s natural skin color. Nothing can change that structure of melanin. It’s the same as if you have curly hair, you cannot use any product to naturally make it straight , you can comb it when its wet but the actual and natural structure of your hair will remain curly, you can even get it chemically treated but the new hair growth will always be curly. A fairness cream does the same , it removes your upper skin layer so that the skin below appears. Fairness creams can contain harmful bleaching agent such as hydroquinone, the percentage of which is between 3- 4%, but most of them do not mention the percentage of the chemicals on the packets which can cause skin allergy, cancer, kidney problem. Hydroquinone is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, meaning that it prevents skin from making the substance responsible for skin color. Hydroquinone does not bleach the skin but lightens it, and can only disrupt the synthesis and production of melanin hyperpigmentation. It has been banned in some countries (e.g. France) because of fears of a cancer risk.

I am not trying to turn you away from the fairness cream you have used for some years now but I just want you to question the products you use. You should think before you apply something on your face because it represents you. Anything that is used by you or comes in contact with you changes and formulates your personality. If you are applying a cream to your face because it boost your confidence it is okay but you should question if you are comfortable in your natural skin color. I am not against some person using anything on their face but the question is of “questioning” the product.

Some Myths About Fairness Creams

• Fairness creams can make you fair: All fairness cream or skin whitening creams are effective only if the pigment is in the epidermis. If the pigment is deeper, the product canot help or make changes. Thus, fairness cream can help remove a tan or discoloration due to some pigment in the top layer of the skin. It cannot make a dark person fair.
• Manufacturers list all their ingredients on the product label: This is not true. Manufacturers are not required by law to mention all the ingredients on the product label.
• Fair skin is better than dark skin: Medically, dark skin is believed to be less vulnerable to skin diseases than light skin. More melanin in dark skins provides protection from the sun and, in turn, disease. Light skin contains less melanin and thus less protection.
• Ayurvedic or herbal fairness creams have no chemicals: This is a myth. Only home remedies for fairness can be free of chemicals. All commercial products have chemical bases that give them the texture and consistency and preservatives that prevent them from going bad.
• Herbal ingredients have no side effects: A person can be allergic to plant based herbal ingredients also. It is advisable that they apply the cream to a small area on their hands before using them.

There are natural variants to make your skin ‘clear.’ I use lemon on my face; that is the only thing I have used for 2 years now to brighten my face. The lemon enhances your skins natural glow. Lemon will not erode the upper layer of the skin but it will lighten the imperfection in your complexion. I am not miss 'twilight vampire', but I like my complexion. Be proud of what you have, any color, any shape, any size… a person is beautiful either way :)

Why I Don't Use Pore Strips

I was a big fan of the “pore strips” from a lot of brands like Biore, Nivea, Tzone etc. Nivea has pore strips especially designed for the chin and forehead area too. At first, it seemed super exciting as to how this tiny strip would just remove all of my whiteheads and blackheads, but then my skin started to react awfully to these strips. After a long Google search and speaking with a few friends, who suffered the same reactions, I decided I need to inform you ladies about the same.

Usually, every brand recommends that we should use these strips once or twice every week. That being said, another research says we shouldn’t use these strips more than 3-4 times in a month. I followed all the instructions carefully and also took off the strip really carefully after it dried up. After a few months, I started noticing broken capillaries on the corners of my nose and on my chin. This is when I started searching online for remedies and causes. To my surprise, using pore strips can cause broken capillaries.

What are Capillaries?

These are the smallest blood vessels of our body that help in microcirculation of blood.  When these break, they appear as fine red threads of blood under the skin and are quiet visible. Broken capillaries occur when the capillary walls narrow  nd widen too quickly causing the muscles in the walls to tear. This in turn allows the blood to seep out resulting in broken capillaries.

How Can Pore Strips Cause Broken Capillaries?

The answer is simple. When you pull the pore strip off, no matter how slowly and carefully you’re doing it, you manage to damage the first layer of your skin. Your skin is pulled. The skin around your nose, cheekbones and chin is more sensitive than that of your forehead.

Broken Capillaries are permanent.  Luckily for me, there are just 2 tiny ones on my nose and 1 on my chin and aren’t very visible. I haven’t used pore strips ever since my horrible experience. I go for facials instead now; something that I got super broke or lazy to go for earlier.

Moreover, all this pulling and tugging of your skin by the pore strips tends to make your skin wrinkle faster according to a few studies. That’s not a surprise though since damaged skin ages faster than healthy skin.

Also, all those chemicals in the glue that help to get the blackheads out aren’t safe for your skin and I wouldn’t recommend using these strips religiously.

To conclude it all, pore strips definitely help to clear out your blackheads, but do they fight the main cause of the blackheads? No, they don’t. Blackheads usually appear in a few days to a week after using these strips leading you to getting hooked on to these strips and using them way too often. I would suggest sticking to regular facials which are safer for the skin and include proper exfoliation of the skin in your skin care regime.

Hope this review helps you ladies out and please don’t use those strips too often! Be nice to your skin.

Review: Nivea Facial Night Cream vs. Nivea Facial Day Cream

I recently received a box of wonderful Nivea products from Symbiotic Communications.

Now, Nivea has always been one of my most used and favourite products!

I'm going to be comparing two special creams that I found in the box; the Nivea Perfect&Radiant Facial Day Cream and the Nivea Perfect&Radiant Facial Night Cream.

Basically this is a breakdown of the two different creams and although they have total different time usage specifications, I'll be giving my thoughts on which one I find most efficient to my skin routine.

Lets start off with the Facial Day Cream:

NIVEA Perfect & Radiant Facial day cream SPF 15 with the innovative Eventone Pure Active works deep within the skin cells to visibly reduce dark marks and uneven skin tone. Daily sun protection (SPF15) protects the skin, preventing future skin darkening, while advanced mattifiers prevent oily shine.

The silky, smooth formula, enriched with Eventone Pure Active and Vitamin E, works to gradually enhance skin complexion while visibly reducing the appearance of dark marks.

Results on skin:

• Inner radiance is revealed.
• The appearance of dark marks and spots is reduced.
• Visibly more even and mattified skin.
• Skin tone is evened out, and complexion improved.
• Skin feels soft and smooth.

Although I see nothing different in this day cream compared to others, this day cream moistened my skin and provided me with an excellent base start to my makeup applications.

With that said, the results of the Facial Night Cream:

A silky-smooth nourishing formula, enriched with Eventone Pure Active and Pro Vitamin B5, increases cell renewal and regenerates the skin. Works during the night to gradually balance skin complexion and restore its natural even tone and radiance.

Results On Skin

• Works to increase cell renewal and regenerate the skin
• Skin tone is brighter and more radiant
• Dark marks are reduced
• Provides skin with lasting nourishment and moisture
• Skin feels soft and smooth

When I first apply this night cream(after washing my face, before bed) I always get a fresh smell that is never too over-powering. What's different about this compared to other night creams is that when I wake up, my face actually feels hydrated and soft, without the oiliness!

With that being said, it's clear that I favour the Nivea Facial Night Cream over the Day Cream because I can not only see the effects more but feel it too.

A big thank you to Symbiotic Communications

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More awesome reviews coming soon!

How to Hide Acne/Pimples with Makeup

-Finding the Right Makeup-

•Acquire oil-free makeup. Cosmetics that do not clog pores are called noncomedogenic or non-acnegenic. The first ingredient in your makeup should be water. Opt for mineral-based cosmetics, which will absorb excess oil and hide redness without irritating your skin.

Noncomedogenic makeup does not interfere with acne medication.

•Pick the right primer for your skin. Use oil-free primer to keep your makeup in place. It can be especially difficult to keep concealer on an inflamed zit, but a dab of primer does the trick. Lightweight primers are less likely to irritate acne and are easier on oily skin.

•Use a primer with SPF for protection from the sun, especially if you have scarring or hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure can slow the healing process.

•Consider a powder foundation. A mineral-powder foundation is less likely to clog your pores than a liquid foundation, though it will provide less coverage. Opt for mattifying products: they absorb excess oil, and a matte finish conceals bumpiness.

•Avoid shimmery finish, which will draw attention to bumps.Foundations that are designed to last all day are more likely to clog your pores, causing further acne.

•Find or make a concealer that matches your skin tone. Concealer that is too light or dark will highlight your trouble spots, rather than hiding them. Mix two shades of concealer if you cannot find one that matches your skin.

•Consider using a setting powder.Setting powder can benefit oily skin, but can exacerbate dryness in other skin. If you choose to use it, find a light setting powder that is less likely to trap oils under your skin.

-Applying the Makeup-

•Clean and moisturize your skin. Before applying makeup, gently wash your face with warm water. Gently rub in a fragrance-free water-based moisturizer. Apply a sunscreen or a moisturizer-sunscreen combination for protection against the sun.

Sunscreen does not cause acne unless it contains harmful chemicals such as PABA and benzophenone.

•Prepare your brush or sponge. You can use brushes or sponges to apply your makeup if you would like to avoid touching your skin. Acne can be caused by bacteria on the hands, but sponges or brushes can also hold bacteria, so be sure wash them at least twice a week.

•Apply primer. Wait a few minutes to allow your skin to absorb the moisturizer, then use your fingers or a sponge to apply primer. If you prefer not to use a primer across your whole face, you can dab it onto problem spots to help fasten your concealer.

•Apply concealer. Wait a few minutes for your primer to set, then apply concealer in an x to your acne. Gently pat it in place. Do not rub, or it may streak.

You may prefer to wait on the concealer after you have applied foundation, as foundation will cover many of the milder occurrences of acne.

You can use a green concealer to diffuse pigmentation. Never apply green concealer after applying foundation.

•Apply foundation. Wait a few seconds for your concealer to set, then use a brush to apply foundation. Use as little as possible. If your first application seems inadequate, add light, even layers until you are satisfied with the result.

If you still have spots, wait a few minutes for your foundation to set, then add concealer.If you are finishing with a setting powder, you can apply it now. With a brush, apply it on your skin in slow circles.

Once your foundation has set, you can apply the rest of your makeup.

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