indulgences

 

Everyday Indulgences: Olive Oil Facial Scrub

10 May 2013, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in food, indulgences, recipes

Though I would love to be indulgently pampering myself with a spa day right now, the very thought of such a luxury seems sadly far off. Having said that, my soul and skin need a little rejuvenation every now and then to keep the stress at bay. For me, there’s nothing more sensually satisfying than baby-soft skin, and there are lots of ways to achieve this right at home. Here’s a little secret: Chefs swear by olive oil and kosher salt for exfoliating hands. In the same vein, but a bit more delicate, is a scrub I use for my…

Everyday Indulgences: Cucumbers

28 Jul 2010, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in farm, indulgences

Oh, crunchy cucumber, how I love thee. And I love thee naked, pickled, puréed, sliced or diced. You give me reprieve from the disgusting heat of summer, and sometimes you just offer a little pick-me-up. That is why, when feasting on your natural beauty, with just a hint of sea salt, my 6-year-old niece approached, and I offered her a pony to go away. I needed you all to myself. *** Yes, I dig the cucumber. I admit it shamelessly and with reckless abandon. In recent years, given how sensitive my palate has become, I’ve found it impossible to eat…

Rosemary-Scented Hair

17 Jan 2010, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in indulgences, recipes

I am a big proponent of smelling edible, and I’ve been experimenting with aromatics the past few months to find the scents that really kick my senses into overdrive.

Home Spa Days

11 Oct 2009, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in indulgences, wellness

After a trip through Peru that was pretty taxing on my body, I needed something to bring my body back into balance and ready myself for the daily grind. Since spa treatments are definitely not in my budget right now, I wanted the next best thing, so I decided to create a home spa treatment day for myself. I used ingredients and items I had on-hand to bring it to life, and ended the day feeling relaxed and refreshed. You can obviously vary this to suit your own tastes, but here’s a general list of what I do to set…

Herb-Infused Simple Syrups

26 Aug 2009, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in beverages, indulgences, recipes

Simple syrups are one of my favorite ways to perk up a cocktail, a glass of iced tea, or even a fruit salad. They are easy to craft (note the name “simple”), so this is a quickie even for the novice cook.

Afternoon Tea

05 Aug 2009, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in beverages, indulgences, recipes

I spoke a little bit about it the other day, but let’s discuss the dynamic of afternoon tea in greater detail, for it is one of life’s greatest pleasures. The Brits and Scots have mastered the introduction of sweets and a bit of caffeinated refreshment to the afternoon, and for that I thank them. To make a perfect cuppa, however, certain rules must be followed. I’ve been scolded by my mother for not letting my tea infuse, so please don’t be foolish like me, or she might feel it in the air and come find you. Three minutes. Do not…

Everyday Indulgences: Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Sugar

06 Jul 2009, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in indulgences, recipes

It’s that glorious time of year when farm stands are beginning to overflow with the season’s finest. Given my tactile nature, I always find myself drawn to the piles of gently fuzzed peaches, seemingly awaiting my greedy touch. My favorites are the elbow-drippers — once you’ve tasted such decadence, it’s practically impossible to eat any other kind of peach. And though peaches are wonderful on their own, there is something to be said for the allure of caramelization. I’ve grown quite fond of grilled fruits in the past couple of years, and this recipe has become a favorite: Grilled Peaches…

Everyday Indulgences: Scent-suality

03 Jul 2009, Posted by Jennifer Iannolo in indulgences, sensuality, wellness

With all that’s happening around us, I find that my decadent and frugal sides are like rival angels on my shoulders. The stress of keeping so many balls in the air to keep things moving forward — seemingly without a minute to breathe — leaves me utterly worn out, and there are times when I simply want to indulge myself. Of course, I also want to do this without making my wallet cry. If you’ve read or heard me wax poetic on basil leaves, you know that I can find indulgence in seemingly ordinary places and things, so I’ve decided…