Asian Taste

If you know anything about me, you probably know that I have a total obsession with sushi. Unfortunately, where we live there isn't a ton of nice, cheap sushi shops to feed my addiction. To solve this dilemma, a couple of my girlfriends and I decided to try our hand at some home made sushi...and it was (if I may say so) every bit as good as my local sushi joint!

We decided that we would do different combinations of smoked salmon, asparagus and avocado. Divine. To recreate these yummy treats you will also need some "sushi rice" or calrose rice, sheets of seaweed, mayo mixed with sriracha and a bamboo sushi roller. If you don't have a bamboo one like us, you can easily do the same motion with a slightly damp dish towel. You will also need a really sharp knife!

 

First, make your rice per the directions on the package and let it cool for at least 20 minutes. If it's not cool I find that it is harder to get it to stick to the seaweed.

 

 Next, smooth out your rice on the paper leaving about half an inch without rice on one of the ends. On the opposite end add your filling. I like to add the sauce first so it all sticks together!

If you use asparagus don't forget to steam them! Ours were still pretty crunchy after steaming them but it ended up being a nice contrast to the other softer fillings.

 

Now comes the tricky part: rolling. It is pretty hard for me to explain this process in words but I've found a handy little video for you to learn from. It takes a bit of getting used to but I promise it isn't that difficult!

And chop! Make sure you wet your knife each time to get a clean edge.

Now I'm not saying I'm a pro, but these were definitely tasty. If you give this a try I'd love to see your finished product! Leave a comment with any tips/ tricks you have picked up on your own sushi-making adventures!

xo,

Emily

A Skincare Routine to Combat Dry Skin

Okay, there is one thing to note before I launch into this post, and that is: I'm kind of a freakazoid about my skincare routine. In general, the more steps there are in my regimen,  the happier I am. I love the ritual of cleansing and moisturizing before bed and starting each day with a fresh face. However, I wasn't always an advocate for a 7-step routine. My interest in skin care began somewhat recently. Last winter was definitely a turning point for me, skincare-wise; It was a constant battle against dry skin. After trying several different facial moisturizers, I added a serum to my (barely there) routine. It made a slight difference by keeping some of the dry skin at bay. But my skin still didn't have the plump, moisturized, healthy look I was searching for. When fall 2012 rolled around and the temperatures started to drop, I didn't plan to wait for dry patches to kick in. I revamped my skin care routine, adding in several steps (products) I hadn't considered in the past and switching out products that were no longer effective for new ones.

I start my routine with a cleanser, such as a hydrating one by CeraVe which contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid (aka makes my skin rejoice). It's basic, unscented and doesn't foam but leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated from day to day. On nights where I might wear eye makeup, I add in a makeup remover such as Bioderma sensibio H2O solution micellaire to make sure it has been removed before going to bed. My preference for using this product lies in the fact that I don't have to pull at the skin around the eye area to remove stubborn eye makeup. I use MAC Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion as a toner after cleansing and before using the Hydraluron serum and a moisturizer. The toner has a slight scent (which I love) and I do not find it to be at all irritating or drying, as I have found with others. On week nights, I rotate between using Olay Regenerist night resurfacing elixir as an AHA exfoliant and Proactiv repairing treatment as a benzoyl peroxide treatment (only on small areas where I'm more prone to break out), and a moisturizer that contains a small amount of retinol, such as Neutrogena healthy skin anti-wrinkle cream. I use a moisturizer with spf every morning. Olay Regenerist one is a current favourite as it layers nicely under makeup.

So you may mock my, ahem, extended routine (*Emily*), however since I began using these products, I haven't had a single dry patch of skin all winter *knocks on wood*. One of the best aspects of this routine is that almost all of these products are from the drug store!

Have you found a routine that works for your skin type?
Xo,
Jess

Products Mentioned:

Bioderma sensibio H2O solution micellaire, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, MAC Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion, Hydraluron, Olay Regenerist night resurfacing elixir, Proactiv repairing treatment, Neutrogena healthy skin anti-wrinkle cream, Olay Regenerist enhancing lotion with UV protection (SPF 15)