Legendary potato soup

I have a couple of dishes that I consider to be my "signatures"... only because they are dishes that I can make without a recipe and can change easily depending on the ingredients I have on hand. One of these dishes is a simple Potato Soup.

When I first learned how to make potato soup, it was a vegetarian style (but I am no longer vegetarian). Here is my current recipe for potato soup:

Legendary Potato Soup

• 1 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 2-3 stalks celery, diced or sliced
• 10 russet potatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 4-6 cups water
• 4 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 cups milk
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Desired toppings (i.e. bacon bits, cheese, parsley, etc.)  

Begin by sauteing your onion, celery, and garlic in some oil over medium high heat, until soft. Make sure to stir frequently. Approx 2-4 minutes.

After vegetables are finished, add potatoes, water, and bouillon cubes. You only need enough water to cover the potatoes, as well as desired consistency. Bring water to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (I ususally press potatoes against side of pot to smash, creating a thicker consistency.)

Add milk and salt/pepper; continue to simmer another 10 minutes, until hot. 

Add desired toppings. This time, we used real bacon bits, parsley, and shredded colby-jack cheese.

This was Alex's "gourmet style potato soup": 

He stuffed in a cracker and added a TON of pepper... silly boy.

As I was sitting here eating this tonight, I thought this would be a great dish for picky eaters. Alex insisted on using his new vegetable dicer for all of the veggies, and I couldn't even tell there was celery in the soup. You could add a bunch of veggies in, and I really don't think a picky eater would notice! I might keep this in mind for the future, since Alex is one of those so-called picky eaters.

What are your favorite potato soup toppings? Or do you have your own go-to winter soup recipe? I'd love to know!

CSI: Natural Beauty Edition, Skin Whitening & Hyperpigmentation

Okay, so sorry this came so incredibly late!  Its just been a crazy past couple of days (obviously) and we're still having problems with the internet at work (despite 3 technicians coming out in the past couple of days).  But here it is.  I hope this is okay, because I feel like I could've been more informational, but I really wanted to get this out there.  If you do have any questions, let me know through comment or email!  On Tuesday will be Dry Skin!

Skin Darkening has a number of causes including heredity, skin disorders, sun damage/tanning, adrenal/liver/intestinal disorder, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiency.  There are definitely a number of different causes.   Hyperpigementation is another form of skin darkening.  Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is an excess production of melanin.  (Melanin is responsible for your skin color, so the more that you produce, the darker your skin is).  There is also Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, or PIH, which results in "scarring" from an inflammed wound (such as acne).  The difference between PIH and Hyperpigmentation is that PIH should eventually go away with time, although it may take awhile.

Typically, if you would like to whiten your skin, you could try over-the-counter creams (which could contain bleach!), or for more dramatic results, you could visit a doctor for stronger creams or to have procedures performed.  The most common cream on the market, for skin whitening, is Hydroquinone.  However, due to recent research, Hydroquinone may not be safe. 

Its important to note that skin whiteners only work once all the dead skin cells have flaked off.  You'll always have dead skin cells on your face, actually quite a thick layer, especially when compare to living skin cells.  About every 28 days, your skin is completely renewed, therefore, it will take at least 28 days to see the affects of skin whiteners.

Thankfully, there are a number of things in nature that have this lightening affect...

Ingredients that Promote White Skin
Glycolic Acid
It is an acid that is derived from Sugar Cane.  Also used for exfoliation and acne.
Kojic Acid
It is found in mushrooms, fermented rice wine, soy, and rice.  Its primary purpose in cosmetics is for skin whitening.  It is also antibacterial and an antioxidant.
Lactic Acid
It is found in milk. 
Emblica Powder
It is an herb, that also goes by the name of Amla.  It has the highest level of Vitamin C of any natural plant.  It is an antioxidant, and is also quite beneficial when used on hair. 
Lemon Juice Extract
Obviously comes from lemons.  It is high in Vitamin C and also acts as an astringent. 
Bearberry Extract
It is derived from the Uva Ursi Plant, and contains a natural form of hydroquinone. 
Mulberry Extract
It comes from the dried out skins of mulberrys. 
Vitamin B3
Also effective in treating acne.
Alpha Arbutin
Licrorice Extract
Also an anti-inflammatory.
Hyrdogen Peroxide
Is also a disinfectant, removes oil, and removes dirt. 
Vitamin E

The Recipes & Remedies

• You could make a paste from dried orange peels & raw milk.  You would first let the orange peels dry out in the sun.  Once done, grind the peels and then add enough milk to make a paste.  Once its dry, rinse off.  You should use this everyday.
• Rub a potato slice over your skin each night.  There are enzymes in the potato which have a bleaching effect.
• Almonds also have bleaching effects due to their large content of vitamin E.  What you would want to do is soak a small handful of almonds (about 5?) in a bowl of water, overnight.  The next day, peel the almonds and then mash "meat" and add a little milk to create a paste.  Apply the paste to your skin and then rinse once the paste has dried.  You should do this twice a day.
• Equal parts of milk powder, honey, lemon juice, and half of almond oil.  Apply to your skin and wash off after 10 minutes. 
• 2 teaspoons gram flour, a pinch of tumeric, a couple drops lemon juice, and a couple drops milk cream.  Mix together to make a paste and apply to your skin.  Once dry, rinse off.

Preventing Dark Skin

• Use Sunscreen, duh!

Sources:
iloveindia.com, Dark Skin Information
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Hyperpigmentation
Beauty & Makeup Tips: Home Remedies for Skin Whitening
Natural-homeremedies.com
Buzzle.com: Health Benefits of Almonds
Glycolic Acid
What is Kojic Acid?
Health Freedom Nutrition: Emblica Extract
All About Skin Lightening
eHow: Skin Discoloration Remedies