Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Rose Energy Smoothie

  A fantastic morning 'Mood' enhancing Smoothie Easy to make and uplifts your day!

1 Tbsp of Rose Water
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 Banana
1 Cup of frozen Blueberries
1 Scoop of Vanilla Flavor Protein Powder
Ice
2 cups (aprox) Silk Milk

Blend & Enjoy!

 

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

    Damascena Roses are considered the "First Rose" or original Rose of Earth. All other Roses are off chutes of this one and only truly Rose of the Ages. 

    The flowers are renowned for their fine fragrance, and are commercially harvested for rose oil used in perfumery and to make rose water and "rose concrete". The flower petals are also edible. They may be used to flavor food, as a garnish, and preserved in sugar as gulkand.

    For centuries, the Damascus rose has been considered a symbol of beauty and love. The fragrance of the rose has been captured and preserved in the form of rose water by an ancient method that can be traced back to biblical times in the Middle East, and later to the Indian subcontinent. A Persian scientist, Avicenna, is credited with the invention of the process for extracting rose water from rose petals in the early 11th century.

  Since ancient times, roses have been used medicinally, nutritionally, and as a source of perfume. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Phoenecians considered large public rose gardens to be as important as croplands such as orchards and wheat fields.

   Rose perfumes are made from rose oil, also called attar of roses, which is a mixture of volatile essential oils obtained by steam-distilling the crushed petals of roses, a process first developed in Iran (Persia). Rose water is a by-product of this process. It has been suggested that the Persian polymath Avicenna discovered how to make rose water in the tenth century.

   Rose water has a very distinctive flavor and is used heavily in Persian and Middle east cuisine, especially in sweets such as nougat, raahat and baklava. For example, rose water is used to give some types of Turkish delight their distinctive flavors. Beside its usage in food, it is also used as a perfume, especially in religious ceremonies (Hindu, Muslim and Zoroastrian).

   The Cypriot version of mahalebi uses rosewater. In Iran, it is also added to tea, ice cream, cookies and other sweets in small quantities, and in the Arab world and India it is used to flavor milk and dairy-based dishes such as rice pudding. It is also a key ingredient in sweet lassi, a drink made from yogurt, sugar and various fruit juices, and is also used to make jallab. In Malaysia and Singapore, rose water is mixed with milk, sugar and pink food coloring to make a sweet drink called bandung. Rose water is frequently used as a halal substitute for red wine and other alcohols in cooking.
Marzipan has long been flavored with rose water. Marzipan originated in the Middle East and arrived in Western Europe by the Middle Ages; it continues to be served as a postprandial snack.  Rose water was also used to make Waverly Jumbles. American and European bakers enjoyed the floral flavoring of rose water in their baking until the 19th century when vanilla flavoring became popular.

In the United States, rose syrup is used to make rose scones and marshmallows.

   Rose water is a usual component of perfume. A rose water ointment is occasionally used as an emollient, and rose water is sometimes used in cosmetics such as cold creams. Water used to clean the Kaaba, the Qibla for Muslims located in Mecca, combines Zamzam water with rose water as an additive. Rose water is used in some Hindu rituals as well. Rose water also figures in Christianity, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

   Rose water was first produced by Muslim chemists in the medieval Islamic world through the distillation of roses, for use in the drinking and perfumery industries.
In parts of the Middle East, rose water is commonly added to lemonade.

    Rose essential oil vibrates at a rate of 320 megahertz of electrical energy.  The highest frequency of any flower found on Earth!

   I find the fragrance to be indulging and the flavor a light delight. Ever since I have started using Rose Water in my daily life, I feel uplifted and happy. I found improvements in my attitude and in my complection as well. I have more energy and sleep peacefully, fully and rested.

    I am also an E-cigarette user having been free from combustable tobacco for 9 months. I mix my own "E-Juice" and I have found my favorite to be a Rose Candy and Lemon flavor. It's light and wonderful, clears my mind. I feel closer to reality as I inhale the age old scent that is renowned through time.

   As for pure Rose Water, I buy mine off of Amazon.com, you can find it at a reasonable rate. I use it as a facial toner and after bath body spray. I also use it in a homemade "hair mask" and I add 1 Tbsp. to my morning smoothie.

   If you cannot find pure Damascena Rose Water try using Bulgarian Rose Water. It's as close to the original Rose and purposes serve just as well. I have had to substitute this also as world politics dictate.