Save Money & Exfoliate Better!

A Recipe for Clean Skin!

Tis the season for a slight increase in exfoliation mon freres. Most of the year 1x a week is really all we should be doing. Otherwise you set off a chain reaction of increased oil production and skin wear and you can do everything from cause a break out to speed up those fine lines. Summer heat however generally means we can up that count to 2x a week as we tend to sweat and produce more oil by virtue of higher temps. Unfortunately many exfoliating products on the market have large exfoliating beads which can be too harsh and also, who wants to pay for a second face wash when you only need one. No really, you only need one. How??? you ask!! Buy yourself a nice gentle alcohol free face wash....

*Tangent*

Right now I'm really digging the Neutrogena Naturals line. They're on average 94% naturally derived (specific number depends on product,) not tested on animals, no harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes or phthalates, and they're one of the only lines I know of teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to attempt to build a greener product from the packaging to the website server. 

....Ok, where were we? Right. Grab your gentle face wash and go to your kitchen! Grab your baking soda and 1/4 tsp. Get yourself a pump/dollop of face wash and add 1/4 tsp of the baking soda to it, then wash your face! It takes a bit longer to really get all the soap off but when you do your skin will be squeaky clean! It's small granules gently exfoliate your skin and it gets delightfully slightly foamy! (oh baking soda!) If it's REALLY hot and humid, trying adding a squeeze of lemon juice. It has similar properties to the old baking soda and vinegar combo and is really refreshing on a sultry day.
The last piece of advice I'll give is a key washing tip. Rub, don't scrub. I won't knock those who love their wash clothes, but just keep in mind you never need to scrub your face clean. This can cause the same problem as using an exfoliator too many times, as physically it's the same action. So instead rub the cleanser into your skin with your finger pads and palms and then whether you chose to use a wash cloth or just splashed water, make sure you are being thorough, but gentle. Happy Exfoliating! 

BKBTY

GAH. Color me Behind (heh.)

 Hi folks, sorry about the slight vaca from my posting duties. The world has made me busy, in an outside of my house, not in front of my computer kind of way. My bad. :( I'm also sorry because I wanted to take photos for the next couple recipes, I cooked today and didn't have the time or stamina for bright added light in my kitchen... it's been wicked hot.) You'll have to just believe.....

BKBTY

Quick Post: Refreshing Rehydration....

Don't Let The Summer Heat Dehydrate You!

One of my gym teachers posted an article about Dasani Drops and all the comments seemed to be more of an argument about a person's right to drink said product, rather than a helpful alternative. I posted another option which I share here with you.

Start with either plain water or lightly brewed herbal tea like mint or decaf green. Fill your glass (or if you're classy like me, large mason jar) 3/4 to the top. Then add a large section of lemon and/or lime, remove seeds and peel then squeeze and drop in. Fill the rest of the way with coconut water. Stir and Enjoy! If you have them around you can also tear a few mint leaves into this refreshing elixir :) It will re-hydrate, re-stock your body with electrolytes, but without all those additives and very little added sugar.

Rants and Raves: Raw Yogurt!

RAW YOGURT & KEFIR!!!!!!

Well it's Thursday everyone, and not just any Thursday. No. It's an every other Thursday. And that means I get to put in my yogurt and kefir order with my Dairy Co-op! I made the switch this year to raw co-oped dairy when a number of health issues, and consequent processed food sensitivities, were leaving me depressed, constantly hungry, constantly craving sugar, lethargic, and seriously out of hormonal alignment. I've had issues with lactase since I can remember and I had long ago given up non-organic dairy, then, more recently, pretty much all dairy except yogurt, but it was looking like even my yogurt might have to go given dairy's relationship to endocrine and hormonal imbalances. I still experienced post nasal drip while digesting my after dinner yogurt, a tell tale sign your body still doesn't quite like what you just put in it... It made me very sad because it's sooooo good for you, and I worried about my protein intake, calcium, vit D absorption, and the health of my body's micro flora. I had read through a few different blogs and sites  about the benefits of raw milk and decided to find a "dealer..." (so illicit!) I can't tell you how much I love this product now because it's something I don't notice too much until I have to revert to grocery store organic in a pinch and get draining sinuses and a breakout the next day. Organic raw yogurt is chock FULL of bacterium (far more than its pasteurized counterpart) that eats the lactose to survive and helps your body to digest and properly absorb dairy's nutrients. It may seem scary, and there are lots of FDA warnings against it, but you know every year there are around 116 cases of raw dairy related illness, and 412 cases of pasteurized dairy related illness. That's because the standards for raw organic are so high. Pasture raised, grass fed, small farms, and they won't milk if a cow is currently suffering from mastitis, which happens far less because of better living conditions. (Even regular organic farms still milk these cows, assuming pasteurization will alleviate any dangerous bacterium.)
**You can buy raw milk cheese in stores because of the addition of enzymes to turn it into cheese, so the FDA has deemed it copasetic. Try some! My all time fav I've ever tasted was the indulgent Vampire Slayer cheese I splurged on at Whole Foods. NYS farm, veg rennet, sharp cheddar FULL of garlic (Homer Simpson "moon waffle" mouth watering) But the TJ's raw milk cheddar isn't bad, not super sharp, but excellent melted alongside eggs in the morning!**
I order 1 quart raw organic goats milk yogurt, and 1 quart raw organic cow's milk kefir and mix them together with berries, chia seeds, and, yes, generally some type of lower sugar cookie like TJ's organic animal crackers, for my dessert (mmmmmm....) I've had a positive experience with the product and the co-op itself. One week some rando jerk STOLE my yogurt in it's little cooler from where my delivery man hid it. When I explained what happened I think he might have even been more upset than I was, and now calls me when he's outside so that he can make sure I get my order (yeah, I'll let you know when we set a date for our wedding ;) Prices aren't rock bottom but given the level of quality and door service, not outrageous. I pay $15 total and that lasts me 14 days. So really it's just a little over $1 a day for quality product.
So now you're saying this girl is nuts and living in an insulated nut bubble. Well, yes, I'm not so out of touch to recognize that this is a VERY Brooklyn/Portland concept. Door to door raw dairy cooperatives. heh. But that being said, a raw dairy farmer might be closer than you think. Worth checking out :)

BKBTY

Mehndi: Trial #1

***UPDATE**** Turned out very light. Will try again tomorrow and using saran wrap to keep dried paste from cracking too quickly. The areas it stayed on longer are darker. Possibly the heat is partly to blame....

My First attempt at Mehndi and making my own Henna Paste! The recipe took some adjusting so I'll post that when I create a set formula. But I'll keep ya'll updated on how it turns out!

                       
  BKBTY

Tickled Pink: Drag Makeup Tutorial

So amazing! Vivienne Pinay makeup tutorial. Congrats to my LGBT community today, a landmark day, a big step forward, another triumph for humanity. <3

Foundation for Success: Part II

Airbrushing

Airbrushing systems encompass a wide variety of actual makeups and bases. You can fill an airbrush with anything as light as a mineral makeup (with a mixing medium) to as intense as a latex paint for prosthetic and fantasy work. The two most commonly used varieties however are water based liquid makeup and silicone based liquid makeup. They come with a "gun" (really the airbrush itself,) a connecting hose, and an air compressor. The size and intricacy of these components tends to vary by both brand and intended audience. For instance the increasingly popular Temptu at home system has a single action gun and 30 PSI of releasable air pressure, while the pro site sports dual action guns and much larger compressors capable of adjustable 40 PSI. So what the fish did I just say? You can get little ones that give you less power and little control, and big ones that give you lots of power and lots of control (but obviously for more $$$.) 

Why I like Airbrushing.

1. It's really flawless. No like REALLY flawless. You won't necessarily feel or look like you're wearing makeup you'll just suddenly look like you don't have any blemishes, scars, fine lines, sun damage, etc. It's ability to do this relies upon the fact that it's applied in a fine mist over the face and one can choose how much to put where, centimeter by centimeter, blended perfectly once again by virtue of the very nature of it's application. 

2. It lasts all day. Especially if you opt for the silicone based variety. Just pack up some oil blotting sheets and extra lip color and you'll be good all day. This makes it really perfect for bridal, editorial, and  beauty centric film work.  Which goes hand in hand with...

3. Combine reasons 1&2. If you are working in film and you're filming in HD or Digital, which most are these days, airbrush makeup is really perfection. You can prevent faces from being washed out by intense lighting, while avoiding the cakey smudgy appearance that traditional film/TV makeup now has under the intense scrutiny of "high def." It creates that "she's/he's so gorgeous and I don't even think she's/he's wearing makeup!!!!" phenomenon. Well, that and cosmetic procedures. If that makes you feel any better about it. Except Charlize Theron. Don't feel better about her. They had to pile makeup ON her to make her look like that for Monster.

4. It's fast. If you set up properly and keep your gun clean, you can really zip through a full face application which is awesome if you've got budgeted time/lots of faces. 

5. It's clean. No applicators to sanitize, no brushes to hide bacteria. This could be my favorite reason.
6. The makeup lasts a long time in your kit, you really only need a few drops to create enough mist for the whole face.


Why I don't recommend it for every day.

1. It's not especially good for your skin. Unless you have a pro kit and are mixing up your own mineral makeup every day to spray, even the water based makeups still have talcs in them. They're all light weight but can still clog your pores and your body can still absorb some of the less favorable ingredients. (Cylcomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Fragrance, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyethylene, Silica, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide) to name a few. Given it's ability to stay on for long periods of time it's perfect for formal events and important photo sessions (cough, your "ok cupid" pic, cough cough) but keeping that stuff on your skin every day takes it's toll. Save it for special occasions.
2. It's a bit akward.  I've airbrushed myself and I've airbrushed others and just from the angle your gun needs to aim at for self application, to the fact that you really have to keep your eyes open with air blowing in them, it's a bit uncomfortable.
3. It's not the easiest to take with you in your gym bag or brief case. Slightly too cumbersome and noisy for the bathroom touch up.
4. The at home system is the easiest to travel with but also the most limiting. You have NO control over your airpressure and no control over how much makeup is released. This runs down the compressor motor because it's constantly at full speed when it's on. It would be like ONLY ever driving a car at it's max velocity. It would have a much shorter life. Also if your skin tone does't fit EXACTLY into one of the "shade pod" options, well, tough luck. Spend more $$ on a second shade and blend on your face. Not ideal and also kinda discriminitory.  
5. You really need a powder to finish. Otherwise it leaves your face shiny. Not oily, just well, very shiny.
6. It needs intricate cleaning. We're talking teeny tiny pipe cleaners and a number of small parts. Just like a weapon you should be well aquainted with how to take it apart and put it back together before you go firing it. If you are an artist or festidious individual this is no big for you. If you are a very busy person who thought this product looked cool, your gun will jam with built up makeup and stop working and then you'll have to boil it in water. Be warned.

The best brands. 
I say for silicone Temptu, and for water based OCC Cosmetics. From an artist's standpoint they're the most malleable, mixable, and longest lasting, on the skin and shelf. The water based is slightly more skin friendly but also slightly less impervious to sweat, oil, tears, etc. So know what your using it for, before you make that call. I don't know of any bargain airbrush products to rate here so I'll get back to you when that happens....

What to keep in your kit.
If you really want to go for this, and it's worth it especially if you're an artist, go for a pro version. Whether that's either of the brands above, get the control and better air pressure. Your compressor will last longer so you'll save money in the long run. You can mix color right in the airbrush cup and get a whole palette to create every shade under the sun. Make sure you get a cleaning system to avoid a jammed gun and angry customers....

What to leave to the pros.
Ok, I don't usually recommend this, but here I go. Airbrushes are best left to professionals or serious makeup enthusiasts. If you want a flawless, perfect airbrushing, the best system to have is to hire is an  artist for a makeup app. You can certainly go ahead and try a system if you're not in the trade, I'm not trying to be judgmental of anyone who chooses to do so. But they require a different skill set from most makeup, and it's one that takes practice. --No like there's a whole list of target drills to master to become proficient.-- They're not the best for your skin for daily wear and you need to be able to devote a certain amount of time to pulling them apart to clean them after using them. It's awkward to self apply and doesn't mix well with powders or other liquids that you might want for an on the go touch up should you manage to remove/smudge some, (it can happen.) In life, as with all things, there's a time and place when you realize you just really need to break down and call the plumber, or the electrician because of their expertise and specialized skill set. Ditto here mes amis.

What to leave on the shelf.
Those blasted pods and single action guns. They are limiting and no good for the longevity of your system.

BKBTY

Rants and Raves: Kevita!

I am obsessed with this new drink Kevita!!!!! It's like kefir, kombucha, and (if you get the "& coconut" flavors) coconut water--- in ONE drink!!!! I know, that's a lot of exclamation points you've got there ma'm. Well, it's true. As someone who no longer consumes caffeine, alcohol, or refined sugars, this drink is my go-go juice. I can drink one of these and within 20 min start feeling more energized, happier, more alert. I'm serious, and it lasts for hours with no groggy gross "coming down" because it's not really a stimulant. It's packed with the electrolights and probiotics your body thrives on, and merely is helping you run more efficiently. It's like fresh oil in your car. I am not the night owl type but I've literally been out on my feet all day, come home and had one of these, and then headed out to a dance party til 5 am. And my only option at the dance party was water- to eat or drink. So I have to give this one to the Kevita. They're sweetened only with organic stevia, so they have little to no sugar in all of them, and only 5-10 calories. They also use apple cider vinegar as their culture base that they add the bacterias into so it doesn't smell funky. Just slightly sweetly vinegary. I actually do not care for kombucha drinks. I like kombucha green tea but that's it really. I think the rest of them smell like if feet and old mushrooms had a baby. But this stuff is not like that at all. And it's slightly carbonated so it's kinda like REALLY REALLY healthy pop (soda for all you non-WNY transplants.) Right now, it's pretty much just at Whole Foods and Wegmans, but the site says if you want it elsewhere to ask your store. (I've sent a request to Brooklyn Fare.)
And because now you can't stop thinking about go go juice...

  

BKBTY

Foundation for Success.... Part 1!

A client of mine has recently been pondering foundations, the best brands, when to use them and for what....I realize it's a bit of a zoo right now, with BB creams and airbrushes, it can seem daunting to pick a product let alone a shade. And it does always seem like we are being sold on something that seems complicated, or too involved for right after we get up in the morning...it's just not fair for a sleepy brain and sleepy hands. So I've decided to do a series on foundations. Go through the top five brands and what product within their line is the best. What products are best to keep in your kit, best left to the pros, or best left in the store.

I. Mineral Makeup

It seems like a few years ago this was all the rage and it's taken a bit of a back seat lately to "HD this" and  "Pro- Line that." But let's step back a moment and consider. When you are at your job, unless your job involves you being in front of a camera, do you need HD makeup? Do you need to wear industry strength product? Not only do you not need to, but it's not very good for your skin. And I say that as one of those pros. Unless I'm getting gussied up for some kind of event, I don't wear that kind of, or level of, product. 

I still reccomend mineral makeup to most people for daily wear. why? 

1. It's pretty harmless as far as your skin is concerned. If you have a lot of sensitivity issues with your skin or in your body that may show itself on your skin--allergies, endocrine disorders/hormonal imbalances, rosacea, acne, eczema, auto-immune disorders (sadly these days, the list goes on and on, I personally fall under three of these categories) then mineral makeup is still really your best and safest bet. 

2. It can help protect against sun damage and burning, as a number of them naturally have SPF due to the inclusion of Zinc Oxide. 

3. Good brands tend to have very few ingredients and if you're an ingredient counter the nicer brands tend to only have 6.

4. Easy to apply. Seriously, swirl, tap, buff. Takes 5 seconds. So simple in the morning. So simple after the gym. Easy to take with you if you wash your face mid-day at work and then re-apply. No air compressor required.

5. A party person's best friend. If you know you party a little too hard on the weekend and wake up 2pm Sunday in the same clothes you wore to that dance party in Willamsburg last night....(I'm not pointing any fingers) then this is your makeup because you can sleep in it and you won't break out badly, well, from the makeup anyway.

6. You can dress it up or down. As nice looking on the experienced artist going out as it is for the beginner just starting to wear makeup. 

7. Perfect for those days when you just have to wear a little makeup to the gym, you can sweat in it and not break out or have it melt down your face. Because we all have those days and that's ok, because you still love yourself and you're still a natural woman, (in fact listening to the song Natural Woman on those days will probably make you feel better.) Also not that you care at all what anyone else thinks, but that one trainer is super attractive....

What (in my opinion) is the brand to buy. 

A bit obvious for this one, but, Bare Minerals. Skip the drug store money saver on this one. Sorry, I'm always one for a good deal, but if you want all the benefits listed above you need to shell out for the high quality brand. Economy brands fill with chalks and talcs which clog the pores and don't allow your skin to breath = cakey appearance & zits. I'll go ahead and be the weirdo who has multiple drug references on her blog and say it's like cocaine. The cheaper it is, the more they've cut it.

What to leave to the pros.

Not anything on this one really. Extremely user friendly. A great product in that regard.

What to leave on the shelf.

ALL THE ADD ONS!!! You do not need a DVD to teach you how to swirl a brush. Have a nice sales associate show you, try it once yourself, and you're golden. Trust me, you're a very smart individual :)

Any large powder brush works well with these. The kabuki brush isn't bad per-say it's just really pricy and it picks up A LOT of product, which if you're a makeup retailer is a good thing. Customers go through product quickly = buy more product = more $$$. But if you are spending you're hard earned cash on a $27 foundation then you want it to last,  so use a powder brush and skip the kabuki. 

The mineral veil. This product is the achilles heel of this line. It shimmers. You've just made your skin look flawless and then they want to put sparkles on it???? N. O. Don't do it. No. Just don't.

What to have in your bathroom, makeup bag:

Skip the "kit," and for daily wear get. 1. One foundation that matches you in the winter.* 2. One blush that compliments you in the winter. 3. "Warmth," the matte bronzer powder. (This you can gradually mix in with your winter color when your skin gets tanner in the summer months. Or gently use like a blush for those winter doldrum days.)  4. A "bisque" concealor. They make five now for a variety of skin tones. 5. A "well rested" for under eye realness. Unless you are one of those perfect people who never ever has dark circles or bags for any reason, and I should also add at this point that I intensely dislike you.... 

* If you feel strongly about it, you can go ahead and do a separate shade for the summer. I personally have found it easier and more cost effective to match my basic undertones and then just add tan in as I need it. But it's your call. 

For a finishing powder I recommend Peter Thomas Roth. His mineral sunscreen sticks are the best for this. They're Matte and have higher SPF too. 

Here endeth the first lesson.

BKBTY

Recipe: Spicy Mushrooms & Asparagus

 I wanted to create a dish around the vegetables offered at the vegetable stand
that were starting to come in locally. Here's what I made :)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms or 2 large caps.

1 bunch (about a lb) fresh asparagus broken into 3-4" sections 

1 chili (jalapeno or serrano) chopped (follow same rule of thumb as in onion recipe)

1 1/2" ginger minced

4-5 cloves garlic minced

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 tsp garam masala * see end of recipe

1 bay leaf

pinch turmeric

pinch cayenne

1 tbsp coconut oil

salt to taste

a SMALL pinch xanthan gum or flour.

sesame seeds and cilantro to garnish (you could also use chopped cashews)

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl put mushrooms and asparagus  In a small  bowl mix garam masala, salt, cayenne, and turmeric. coat the vegetables with the spice mix, set aside *note this may not seem like a lot of spice but remember both of these guys cook down considerably. This is plenty of spice :)

2. melt the oil in a frying pan and add your cumin seeds

3. when they start to sputter, add chili, garlic, and ginger 

4. Count to 10. Then add your vegetables and bay leaf.

5. Stir over high heat for 3 min. (watch your fingers! this will SPLATTER)

6. As the vegetables start to release their liquid siphon off excess to avoid soggyness. Place extra liquid in small bowl and set aside.

7. When the asparagus turns a brillant green and a fork can spear it with a just a touch of resistance, turn off heat and immediately plate to prevent overcooking!

8. REMOVE BAY LEAF!! ----THESE CAN CUT INTESTINAL/ESOPHAGEAL TISSUE. NEVER LET BAY LEAVES MAKE IT TO YOUR TABLE!!!!

9. Return to broth. add a pinch, less than 1/8 tsp of natural xanthan gum (or flour.) Bob's Red Mill is a excellent source for this. Whisk until thoroughly incorporated and leave for five minutes. Then pour on top of dish as a sauce.

10. sprinkle with sesame seeds and rough chopped cilantro. 

ENJOY!!!

* Garam Masala. 

1tbsp ground cinnamon

1tbsp ground clove

2 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp fine ground black pepper

pinch ground cumin

mix well. store in air tight container.

BKBTY

Herbs and flowers!

Check out my flowering herbs! A christmas gift from my bestie = seed packet realness! This set was "edible flowers." Though these two are herbs; chevral and dill. I'll try and get a pic of my borage in bloom soon. The tiny white flowers are the chevral, the yellow dill, and the large leaves photo bombing are the borage :) Man I love plants so happy and green!!

 

and just cuz they make me soo happy 

Review & Rant: I'm a Coco-nut.

So by now if you're not eating it, you've at least heard a lot of the buzz surrounding coconut oil. Allow me to add to that, and say that I personally love this stuff. I started on it due to it's endocrine balancing properties (yeah, it helps with that too) and lowered my triglycerides in the process. My mother was warned her cholesterol was borderline medication levels and in a year of switching to coconut oil, it's down 100 points. I use it in all my heated cooking due to it's medium chain fatty acid stability, unlike olive oil, or canola, whose long chain fatty acids destabilize and oxidize in high heat. It's soooo awesome for dry or damaged skin, hair, and nails. It's also a great massage oil. ---The best part----you can get it for a song at Trader Joe's. I think $5.99 or $6.99 for this veritable panacea. Raw organic butter has many of the same health benefits, and I think for classic baked recipes like pies and cookies, it will have more predictability and thus ultimately be the better option, but for everything else, color me fully converted. I do, as always, recommend the least processed option and I love that TJ's sells an organic, cold pressed, unrefined, product.

GOOD ARTICLE-- Mercola.com

 

BKBTY

my drug of choice....BOLLYWOOD BRIDAL MAKEUP

No but seriously. Watching these videos is like crack for me. I only dream of a day when I'm A. this proficient at my craft or B. ever able to sit and have this done. IT BLOWS MY MAKEUP LOVING MIND <3 <3 (even if the first song is that creepy one from Darr...)

Recipe: Breakfast Onion!

What what you say?!?!?! Onions first things in the morning?!?!?! YES! I say. I like to start my day with a fried egg and rice flour tortilla and you know what tastes great with it?? Sauteed onion. But not just any sauteed onion....Breakfast Onion. Ok I'll stop being a cryptic pain in the ass. But this is really tasty and great for brunch if onions early in the morning freak you out ;)

Ingredients:

1 onion (spanish or vidalia)

1 Jalapeno or Serrano pepper

a pinch cayenne pepper

 1/4 tsp curry powder

1 tsp tamarind 

1 1/2 tsp whole fenugreek 

1/4 cup white wine (dry tastes better whatever is in the fridge)

1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar (unfiltered)

1 tbsp organic coconut oil

S&P to taste

Directions:

1. Bring some water to a boil and pinch off an inch or so of the dried tamarind. Put it in a bowl and cover with the boiling water. Leave for 20 min. *note you can skip the tamarind steps if you use pre-pulped in a jar. Just read the ingredients first. If you're cool with everything in there, do it. I get weird (more so than usual) about food stuffs that are processed like that....

2. While waiting for your tamarind to rehydrate chop your pepper. If you buy salsa HOT: chop as is and add all. If you like salsa MEDIUM: remove the seeds but keeps the membrane in when you chop. If you prefer MILD: remove the seeds and membrane then chop into small pieces - mincing unnecessary for this. If you like EXTRA HOT use the serrano instead of the jalapeno and keep in seeds!

3. Slice onion. I like rings. I think they're fun and work well for this, but it doesn't matter much.

4. Return to the tamarind. Place the rehydrated tamarind in a small sieve, like for coffee, and using a spatula over a second small bowl mash the tamarind into the sieve. 

5. Making sure none of the husk is on the spatula, lift the sieve and use the spatula to scrape the pulp off the underside and put into bowl. Repeat mashing and scraping until all that's left in the sieve is husk or seed, but all the flesh is now pulped. 

6.  Add chopped pepper, onion, tamarind pulp, and coconut oil to frying pan and turn on medium high heat. When the oil melts and the onion starts simmering add vinegar and wine. 

7.  Stir to evenly coat onions with liquids and to mix in tamarind pulp. Add spices, salt and pepper. stir again to coat with spices.

8. Continue to simmer until onion becomes translucent and browns just a touch. You may need to add a bit of water while cooking if your liquids cooks down a too low and the onions start sticking. I do this if I cook it uncovered, which I usually do as I want the liquid to eventually cook off and become a delicious spicy sweet gravy...

ENJOY! Use as is for a yummy brunchy side dish, or refrigerate and add some to breakfast for the week. Easy to re-heat, just put it back in the pan for about a min and it's ready to eat!!!!!!

BKBTY