Well, I’m starting to feel as if I’ve settled into a new normal.

For me, that means my day starts out when Orpheus and I get up at 5:30 am and hit the yoga mat.

Once a day, I’ll venture outdoors to get some exercise and fresh air in the park across the street. The other 95% of my time is spent isolated in my apartment working a bit and baking a lot. (If you’re concerned that I’m eating all this baking on my own, don’t be. I social distance with friends and pay my baked treasures forward!)

I’ve discovered numerous cookie recipes I love, and rediscovered my passion for homemade pasta. Seriously, it’s insane how easy it is to make pasta on your own, from scratch. You just need four ingredients that you probably already have on hand: flour, eggs, salt and water.

Oh, and a fifth ingredient: creativity!

A few years back, I bought a ravioli tray that I haven’t touched more than a few times — and had certainly not made use of since I moved to Brooklyn nearly a year ago. There’s no better time than right now to whip that out!

I know it sounds complicated and even slightly insane to make ravioli at home by hand. But it’s really quite easy to do, especially if you have a ravioli tray or mold. And it’s kinda fulfilling, too.

If you don’t have a ravioli tray, you’ll need to get super creative. Again, it’s perfectly doable. I found a legit article on how to do it without the mold — The Technique: How to Shape and Fill Ravioli that you can peep here. Just have fun with it! If you mess it up, so what. Trust me, even ugly pasta tastes like pasta with your eyes closed.

Quickly, here’s my easy-to-follow ravioli recipe:

HOW TO MAKE THE PASTA

Sift two cups of flour into a bowl. Dig a well in the center to create what looks like a volcano from above. (It always reminds me of standing at the edge of the caldera of the Haleakalā volcano on Maui back in 1992.)

Next, crack two eggs into the well of your flour volcano. Add a teaspoon of salt and two tablespoons of water. With a fork, gently break the yokes and blend the egg mixture without drawing in any of the flour just yet.

Now, with the fork, carefully draw flour into the egg mixture — a little at a time. You’ll start to see how the pasta dough becomes firmer as you steadily mix the flour into the egg mixture.

Once it’s relatively firm (you may have some leftover flour), ball up your pasta dough, wrap in saran or cling wrap and place into the refrigerator for at least two hours.

HOW TO MAKE THE FILLING

Mince two cloves of garlic and dust with salt; set aside. Tear the leaves off of a bunch of kale, discarding the stems and leaf spines; chop or tear into one-inch pieces. Sauté the kale with the garlic in a frying pan set on medium high until the kale is wilted. Add a quarter cup of water and continue tossing until the water has disappeared. Remove from the heat and let cool off to room temperature.

In a bowl, mix one 15 oz. container of fresh ricotta with a beaten egg. Add the ricotta-egg mix to the cooled kale and garlic.

Roll out your chilled dough with a rolling pin and cut into two sheets to fit over your ravioli tray. Fill and seal your ravioli. Place into the freezer until ready to cook.

Tap your creativity. Relax. Share what you create with friends through social distancing. And of course, pretend every day is #selfcaresunday!

I was taking a shower the other morning whilst coconut cupcakes were baking in the oven and I was thinking (lightheartedly) about what I term the Coronapocalypse going on outside. I wondered what I would actually do if I had to evacuate the City with Orpheus and head to my mother’s house in Connecticut three hours away.

Naturally, I thought, What skincare would I take?

Of course, in reality, I would take an entire dopp kit of skin care — but what if I could only take just three products with me?

What if it were a “Skinpocalypse” and I had to narrow my options for keeping my skin as healthy as possible. (This was a particularly creative shower!)

I’m a big fan of The Walking Dead and I have to admit, it makes me crazy that they probably don’t wash their faces very much. I think about that watching Survivor too! Do they even have facial cleanser stranded on that island? Boston Rob looks like he hasn’t washed his face in years, if ever.

Back in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy in NYC, Orpheus and I survived without running water or electricity for five days before evacuating to temporary housing on Times Square. So, I know what it’s like not to have running water to wash with. Cleansing wipes are no substitute, trust me.

It was a long shower that morning as I pondered, calculated, and finally determined what three products I’d want with me in my imaginary Skinpocalypse! Have a look…

The Glow Maker’s Niacinamide Booster Serum

Of all the Glow Maker products I’ve explored over the last several months, the brand’s Niacinamide Booster Serum is by far my fave. The Glow Maker formula has a 10% concentration of the multi-benefit active — a concentration that’s right up there with the 10% Niacinamide serum booster from Paula’s Choice. That one’s the OG, hands down.

But The Glow Maker’s product is more than just a Niacinamide treatment. Niacinamide Booster Serum is a powerhouse, pro-skin health blend of antioxidants botanicals, humectants, amino acids, minerals and vitamins — including vitamins C, E, B5 and, of course, Vitamin B3, Niacinamide.

Oddly enough, and I’ve called this out before — it’s got so much more going for it that it’s kind of odd to define it strictly as a Niacinamide treatment.

Like the magnificent Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C, defining it so narrowly sells the product short. Most people aren’t going to turn it around and closely examine what’s in it.

So I’m here to tell you, as a Niacinamide treatment, The Glow Maker got it right — and then took it to the next level.

Every time I talk about Niacinamide, I feel the duty to impress upon Skincarma readers the indispensable qualities of Niacinamide and the remarkable benefits that Vitamin B3 can have for the skin.

And, of course, nobody knows more than my skincare muse, Paula Begoun.

“Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid, niacinamide is a very effective skin-restoring ingredient that offers multiple benefits for aging and blemish-prone skin. Among these benefits is the ability to visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, dullness, and a weakened skin surface. Niacinamide can also mitigate and to some extent help visibly repair damage from UV light and offset other sources of environmental attack, including the negative impact of various types of airborne pollutants. Unlike many beneficial ingredients, niacinamide is stable in the presence of heat and light.”

The Glow Maker Niacinamide Booster Serum is made of 53% organic ingredients and has a slightly thicker texture than Paula’s OG serum — with a milky, creamy consistency. It’s not so thick, though, that it isn’t easily layered; it melts right into skin.

Because it’s so packed with pro-skin health goodness, it’s indispensable in the Skinpocalypse.

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Good Molecules’ Pineapple Exfoliating Powder

Oh man I love a good enzymatic cleansing powder! And even though water resources are likely to be tight in the Skinpocalypse, I need a little indulgence. Were I truly rational, I would opt for a cleansing water; and particularly the Bioeffect Micellar Cleansing Water that I reviewed on the blog here.

But there’s nothing rational about the Skinpocalypse is there?

So, the cleanser I want with me is the Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder. It’s a real treat — now and out on the open road with nothing but the shirt on my back and the cat in the carrier. If you didn’t catch my #selfcaresunday video on my IGTV channel last week, be sure to catch it here.

What I love about this particular cleansing powder is the versatility. And doesn’t versatility mean everything during a Skinpocalypse?!

Not all cleansing powders are created the same. Some are not meant to provide any sort of physical exfoliation; they dissolve completely into a watery cream.

Others, like the Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder start out somewhat chunky and dissolve depending on the amount of water you add. That allows for a more physical exfoliation at the beginning, something I love on mornings that I shave. I won’t be doing much shaving during the Skinpocalypse, but cleansing is everything. No way am I going down the road that Boston Rob is on.

Quite common to enzymatic cleansers, this one contains fruit extracts — including both pineapple and papaya extracts. The enzymes take a little time to do their thing, so it’s best to massage this onto damp skin then let it sit a bit while you brush your teeth and cleanse the rest of your body, if using it in the shower as I do.

Interestingly, there’s also both Calamine powder and allantoin to help soothe and calm sensitive or reactive skin. Of course, if your skin is sensitive, you definitely want to use more water to create a creamy later; scraping your face with a physical exfoliant is not a good idea. With no micro-plastics, ground nuts or shells, fragrance, or alcohol, the Pineapple Exfoliating Powder is a good, clean formula for a good, clean cleanse…now and in the Skinpocalypse.

**WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF THE THREE SKINCARE PRODUCTS I WANT WITH ME IN THE SKINPOCALYPSE!…ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**

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The Paula’s Choice CBD Oil + Retinol

You didn’t think I was gonna pack up and go without taking a product from my idol’s namesake brand did you? Back in the shower, I pondered whether to take the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer. I reviewed the deliciously fluffy, fatty acid-rich moisturizer in February in my blog article titled, Three Paula’s Choice Products that Make Me Purr Like Orpheus.

That was then, this is the Skinpocalypse.

I’m thinking I’ll want something that moisturizes and repairs really well. Again, it’s all about ultimate versatility and paring down to three products — getting the most I can from each. So, Paula’s new CBD Oil + Retinol is the perfect option.

CBD Oil + Retinol is a 98% natural formula that the team at Paula’s Choice says “targets multiple triggers of aging.”

It’s formulated with 150mg of Cannabidiol and a 0.5% concentration of Retinol — just enough to get the job done gently, without irritation.

But the interesting thing here is that the legit level of CBD in the formula actually helps to calm and defend against potential irritation. It’s kind of brilliant and I love that PC thought of it first.

Paula says,

“CBD and retinol complement one another to help prevent and repair visible signs of aging. CBD works by telling key surface cells to stop firing signals that lead to stressed, compromised skin — the underlying cause of aging. At the same time, retinol uniquely communicates with skin, telling it to look younger, smoother and more refined.”

For real, no need to look haggard during the Skinpocalypse — or now, for that matter!

CBD Oil + Retinol has a medium weight oil texture. It’s not a dry oil, on one end of the spectrum, and not a rich, heavy facial oil on the other. It’s somewhere in between. I’ve used it nightly for a week at a time and experienced zero irritation.

In addition to both Cannabidiol and Retinol, the formula contains numerous non-fragrant plant oils. In fact, the very first ingredient, likely 60-70% of the formula is Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil. Also known as Hemp Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil is rated among the best actives for the skin by the PC team. It’s rich in the omega fatty acids that skin needs to replenish itself and to help strengthen skin from moisture loss. The oil is also packed with phospholipids, plant sterols, amino acids and antioxidant vitamin E.

Ingredients two and three are Meadowfoam Seed Oil and bio-compatible Squalane. CBD Oil + Retinol is seriously good, pro-skin health stuff. Plus, a little goes a long way — enough to get you through the Skinpocalypse!

Well guys, thanks for humoring me. Like everyone else, I’m doing everything imaginable to make the quarantine bearable. I hope you’re finding cool, creative outlets to keep you as sane and healthy as you can be.

Until the Skinpocalypse, please just #stayhome.

🖤 SKINCARMA

**WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF THE THREE SKINCARE PRODUCTS I WANT WITH ME IN THE SKINPOCALYPSE!…ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**

SUBSCRIBE TO SKINCARMA ON YOUTUBE

The Glow Maker Niacinamide Booster Serum

Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder

Paula’s Choice CBD Oil + Retinol

The Ingredient List of the The Glow Maker Niacinamide Booster Serum:

53% Organic / Cold Processed (Silicone free)

KEY INGREDIENTS: 10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3),2% N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG),1% Zinc PCA,Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C),Panthenol (Provitamin B5),MSM (Organic Sulfur),Organic Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) / Triple Molecular Weights,Amino Acid Complex (7 skin benefiting amino acids), VitaminE, BetaGlucan, Phytoceramides, Adenosine, Bisabolol, Carnosine. Other Key Ingredients:Allantoin (Not used as an "Active" to maintain non-medicated formulation status). BASE: Organic Aloe Vera Juice,Organic Bulgarian Rose Distillate,Organic Witch Hazel Extract. BOTANICAL EXTRACTS: Organic Green Tea,Organic Roman Chamomile,Organic Tamarind Seed,Organic Comfrey Root,Organic Holy Basil,Organic Dandelion Root. NATURAL OILS:Organic Rosehip Seed Oil,Organic Squalane (Vegetable Derived),
Scent: Geranium Essential Oil,Clary Sage Essential Oil.

The Ingredient List of the Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder:

Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate Oryza Sativa (Rice) Lees Extract Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate Diglycerin Silk Powder Calamine Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract Papain Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract Arnica Montana Flower Extract Allantoin Maltodextrin 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Water Butylene Glycol.

The Ingredient List of the Paula’s Choice CBD Oil + Retinol:

Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (skin-replenishing/skin-softening/antioxidant), Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil (emollient/skin-softening), Squalane (plant-derived emollient/skin-replenishing), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (skin-replenishing), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil (flax/non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Cannabidiol (skin-restoring) Retinol (skin-restoring), Centella Asiatica Extract (skin-soothing), Lupinus Albus Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant and omega plant oil), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Water (Aqua).