SPOIL YOURSELF WITH ILIOS EVOO

Some would argue that there is no better love than self-love. And what a better place to start than showing some serious TLC to your skin?! ILIOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is not only an excellent kitchen staple, it can also be used in many ways to help brighten up your lovely face! Read on for many different ways you can use ILIOS EVOO that aren't in the kitchen.

ILIOS extra virgin olive oil is a great addition to your beauty routine!

Benefits of ILIOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the skin and face:

Olive oil has been used throughout history not only for cooking but as part of daily beauty routines. Olive oil is full of antioxidants which, when applied to the skin, is said to help prevent signs of aging. Some research even says that it can help fight off cancer-causing cells in the skin.

Olive oil is also chalked full of healthy vitamins including Vitamins D and E which are known to be great for your skin! Vitamin D is used in anti-aging treatments and helps in skin cell growth and Vitamin E is a great way to help reduce the visibility of scars and helps treat psoriasis and eczema.

Last but not least, olive oil is an amazing moisturizer! Whether used on your skin or in your hair, it can help refresh any dullness or dryness caused by out long, cold winters.

Eye makeup remover:

Apply ILIOS EVOO directly to cotton ball or facecloth to remove any eyeliner, eye shadow or mascara. It even works on waterproof! Try to avoid getting directly in eyes but it is very gentle so should not cause any irritation.

Wrinkle and scar treatment:

Dab ILIOS EVOO around the eye area, on forehead or around the mouth (basically any of the main wrinkle areas where you face is known to show the most expression). Apply ILIOS EVOO mixed with lemon juice directly to scars and stretch marks to help them fade away.

ILIOS EVOO Hair and Skin Mask

Ingredients:

1 large, raw egg

1 tsp honey

1 tsp ILIOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Hair Mask:

Mix all ingredients into a bowl and apply to hair from roots to end. Leave on for 15-30 minutes and then rinse off in shower. Shampoo and condition as usual.

Face Mask:

In addition to ingredients listed above, add baking soda or fine-grained sea salt for extra exfoliation. Mix all ingredients together and gently rub onto face in a circular motion. Leave on for 15-30 minutes and then rinse off. No need to wash afterwards, just let any remaining oils soak into your skin.

CLICK HERE for more homemade spa treatments.

ILIOS HOMEMADE HUMMUS

Hummus is such an important food staple in today's society. It goes great with crackers or veggies, can be used as a dip or a spread, and is a great way to get added protein into your diet.

Many may not know that it is also SO EASY to make! Check out our recipe below!

ILIOS Homemade Hummus is so good and so easy to make!

Ingredients:

1 jar of ILIOS chickpeas

1 large lemon

1 garlic clove

1/2 cup of tahini (well-mixed)

3/4 tsp. of kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper (to taste)

1/4 tsp. of ground cumin

3 tbsp. of ILIOS extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. of water

1/2 cup of mint leaves (chop them up or keep them whole)

Recipe:

1. Drain your chickpeas in a strainer and rinse thoroughly. Rinse and drain a second time while you prep the other ingredients.

2. Cut your lemon in half, remove the seeds, and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. (makes about 3-4 tbsp.)

3. Smash your garlic clove with the flat side of your knife and remove the peel. Continue to mash with the side of the knife until it forms a paste.

4. Combine drained chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, salt, pepper, cumin and water in a food processor.

5. Process until smooth (about 1 minute)

6. With the processor still running, add olive oil and then continue to process until the hummus is light and creamy (about 1 minute).

7. Garnish with mint leaves and season with additional salt if needed.

ILIOS Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue, originally from Switzerland, is the perfect meal to share with family and friends. Consisting of a pot of melted, ooey, gooey cheese and a variety of dipping foods, people have been gathering together and sharing this communal meal since the late 19th century.

It is the perfect meal to prepare on a cold winter day and will truly warm up you right up.

Here is the ILIOS Foods version of the classic Swiss tradition.

ILIOS Foods cheese fondue made with Emmental and Goat Cheese Cheddar

Ingredients:

Fondue:

2 cups of grated ILIOS Emmental

2 cups of grated ILIOs Goat Cheese Old Cheddar

1 tbsp of cornstarch

1 clove of garlic (halved lengthwise)

1 cup of dry white wine (pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc)

1 tsp lemon juice

Freshly ground pepper

Nutmeg

Dipping Foods:

Baguette or crusty bread

Apple and/or pear

Broccoli

Bell peppers

Meatballs

Filet mignon

Roasted potatoes

Shrimp

Cured meats

Get creative!

Recipe:

1. Rub the inside of your fondue pot with the halved garlic and then discard the garlic.

2. Combine the grated ILIOS Emmental and Cheddar with the white wine, cornstarch and lemon juice in the fondue pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occationally, until the cheese begins to melt (about 5 minutes).

3. Add a generous pinch of pepper and nutmef and continue to cook, stirring gently until creamy and smooth (about 10 more minutes.)

4. Add a bit of water if necessary.

5. Don't overcook the fondue or it will get stringy.

6. Enjoy immediately!