Tips & Tricks

Can you believe it’s already March – Autumn! This edition we are looking at settling in at home as the cool months are approaching. Us here at EAN HQ deliberated over some of our best chick flicks along with some ultra yummy snacks. Also a few body tips ??

MOVIE NIGHT IN – 8 EAN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHICK FLICKS!

It's the age-old dilemma: You're curled up on the couch with some friends for a fun girls night in. With popcorn in hand and blankets galore, there's only one issue––what movie do you watch? Worry no more; after hours of deliberating, we decided on these 8…..

1. The Notebook (2004)



How can you not love this heartwarming, sappy tearjerker? The Notebook is a classic love story that's bound to make you laugh, cry, and wish you had a Noah of your own.

2. Clueless (1995)



Clueless is a classic 90s chick flick. As if we didn't love the 90s enough, Alicia Silverstone is hilarious in this movie. Clueless is a perfect go-to movie for your next girls night in.

3. Mean Girls (2004)



This movie put an entirely new meaning to what it means to be from Africa. Girls quote this movie on the daily. How could you not? The plot is irresistible to make fun of and laugh about.

4. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)



As if Lisa Kudrow isn't funny enough as Pheobe in Friends, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion is a hilarious tale of the shenanigans that go on when two high school best friends attend their reunion. It's definitely a must-see and a great way to laugh about your future and what your high school reunion might be like!

5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)



This movie puts a whole new spin on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Set in a modern day high school, this twisted love story is too irresistible to ignore. Plus, Heath Ledger. *Swoons*

6. Miss Congeniality (2000)



Miss Congeniality brought a whole new meaning to kicking butt. How many women do you know who can go undercover as an FBI agent at a beauty pageant? Exactly.

7. No Strings Attached (2011)



No Strings Attached is a classic tale about what happens when friends with benefits turn into something more. Plus, how can you resist Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman? Talk about a dynamic duo!

8. Friends with Benefits (2011)



Like No Strings Attached, Friends With Benefits is a pretty self-explanatory title. That said, the plot is anything but average. Several adorable scenes make Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake a hilarious romantic comedy team!

MOVIE SNACKS AT HOME

Grab some friends a glass of vino, your choice of movie and some great yummy snacks and settle in – Perfect night in!

Matcha and White Chocolate Popcorn



The fresh, subtly grassy flavor of Japanese matcha blends surprisingly well with mild white chocolate—the chocolate cuts the bitter character of the matcha, leaving you with an herbal semisweetness. There's nothing to it but melting white chocolate, mixing in the matcha powder until it's well combined, then drizzling it all over the popcorn. Note that not all white chocolate is created equal—check out our taste testfor recommendations.

Ingredients

• 500 g white chocolate, in chunks

• 1/2 teaspoon Japanese matcha green tea

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels, popped (about 8 cups popped)

• Salt

Directions

Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at full power in 10-second intervals, stirring between each one, until melted.

Add matcha and stir until completely incorporated.

Place the popcorn in a large bowl and drizzle with the white chocolate mixture, tossing as you go, until popcorn is evenly coated. Season with salt. Set popcorn in refrigerator until white-chocolate coating has firmed, about 10 minutes. Break up any clump and serve. Popcorn can be stored in a zipper-lock bag in the refrigerator overnight.

The Ultimate Fully Loaded Nachos

It goes without saying that any nachos you make at home are going to beat the movie version, This is the recipe for folks who like their nachos a big, sloppy mess of happiness: Start with freshly fried tortilla chips—they hold up to toppings much better than store-bought—shredded cheese, salsa (home made preferable), mince heat in griller – then drizzle sweet chilli sour cream and guacamole dip over the top. YUM!

Ingredients

• Tortilla Chips

• Beef Mince (Optional)

• Grated Cheese

• Salsa

• Chopped tomatoes and coriander

• Guacamole Dip

• Sour cream (add 1 teaspoon of sweet chilli or taco mix for some zest!

Salted caramel popcorn sponge pudding in a jar

A sweet dream of caramel popcorn, sea salt, banana and cream – a no-bake dessert ready in minutes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 x 460g packet double unfilled sponge cake

• 1/2 cup caramel spread

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• 2 bananas, sliced

• 1 cup thickened cream, whipped

• 1 1/2 cups caramel popcorn

METHOD

Step 1

Cut sponge cake into 2cm pieces. Divide among 4 x 1 1/2-cup-capacity jars or glasses

Step 2

Combine caramel and salt in a bowl. Spoon caramel mixture over sponge in the jars or glasses. Top with banana, then cream, then popcorn. Serve.



Nutella & Frangelico hot chocolate

Too good to resist – and a prefect accompaniment to your chick flick!

INGREDIENTS

• 375ml (1 1/2 cups) milk

• 100g (1/3 cup) Nutella Hazelnut Spread

• 90ml Frangelico liqueur

• Whipped cream, to serve

• Shaved chocolate, to serve

METHOD

Combine the milk and Nutella in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking, for 3 minutes or until the milk is warm and mixture is smooth.

Divide Frangelico between serving glasses. Add milk mixture. Top with whipped cream and chocolate.

Chai Lassi

Serve this lightly spiced Indian yoghurt drink at the start of your banquet or as a palate cleanser between dishes



INGREDIENTS

• 3 x 16g sachets Jarrah Chai Latte Vanilla Spice

• 3 tablespoons boiling water

• 650g (2 1/2 cups) Greek-style natural yoghurt

• 2 1/2 cups ice cubes

• Pinch of salt

• Ground cinnamon, to dust

Place the chai latte and boiling water in a heatproof jug and whisk until smooth. Transfer half the mixture to a blender. Add half the yoghurt, half the ice and the salt. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a large jug. Repeat with the remaining chai latte mixture, yoghurt and ice

7 Ways to use Coconut Oil for Skin and Hair

All-around moisturizer

Use coconut oil as you would a lotion; apply to your skin just after bathing, when it will more readily absorb into your slightly damp skin.

Frizzy hair

To tame unwanted frizz, rub about a dime-sized amount of coconut oil between your palms. Run your hands through your hair well to evenly distribute the oil.

Shaving balm

Men and women can enjoy the healing benefits of coconut oil when used while shaving; just skip traditional shave cream and apply coconut oil instead. It can also be used as an aftershave balm to soothe skin.

Baby lotion

Because it is so pure, coconut oil is a nice all-around baby skin product. Use it for infant massage, lotion and diaper cream and to soothe cradle cap.

Body scrub

Mix coconut oil with sugar for a luxurious body scrub with a scent that takes you to the tropics. Use about two-thirds sugar to one-third oil. Apply scrub in the shower before turning the water on and then rinse with warm water. The shower floor will be slippery, so be careful.

Tips, lips and toes

You don’t have to refrigerate it, so you can fill smaller pots with coconut oil and keep in convenient locations around the house, in the car and office and apply as needed to dry lips, cuticles and dry feet before bed (cover with socks afterwards).

Makeup remover

Coconut oil will remove even stubborn mascara. Simply dip your fingers into the jar, apply to closed eyes and gently rub with soft cotton.

Sunburn Remedy

Coconut oil is an all -natural sunscreen with a SPF 4 and promotes healing while soothing pain. Gently apply coconut oil into the affected areas.

DIY Insect repellent

Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with a couple of drops of peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree oil to repel flies, mosquitos, gnats, and bees.

Stretch Mark Reducer

Stretch marks are typically visible in the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, thighs, upper arms and even around your knees when the skin is stretched during pregnancy, weight gain and body building. Coconut will help to fade dark discoloration and redness plus it hydrates the skin and allows it heal more quickly.

Eye Wrinkles

To help fight pre-mature aging you can gently dab a touch of coconut oil around the eyes.

Remember that not all coconut oils are created equally. Choose organic and those described as “cold pressed” & “virgin”. Coconut virgin oil is extracted within a few hours of harvesting the coconut, maintaining its naturally high nutrient content of vitamins A.B.C. and E. as well as antioxidants. To preserve the quality of your coconut oil place it in a cool, dark place. Like other saturated fats, it will solidify when at room temperature and liquefies when heated. When using the above DIY remedies always perform a small patch test.