My Grandmother’s Beauty Secret

Did you know that OSEA’s relationship with the sea can be traced back over 100 years ago to our founder, Jenefer’s grandmother, Elsa? One of the first female chiropractors in the country, Elsa was a lifelong believer in the healing powers of the sea. Her daily rituals—from swimming in the frigid waters of the Long Island Sound, to preparing nutritious foods loaded with olive oil (which she even used as face wash)—helped shape Jenefer’s holistic approach to wellness and self-care.

One thing Elsa swore by? The glow-boosting power of plums and apricots—especially in her antioxidant-rich stewed fruit recipe. Enjoy it warm on its own, with coconut yogurt, or spooned over waffles for a delicious breakfast or dessert. Trust us, you’ll want to try this!

Written by Jenefer Palmer | Published April 22, 2025

This recipe is one of my Grandmother Elsa’s beauty secrets, as it helps with digestion. My grandmother lived until her late 90s and this is how she started her day every morning! She would stew the prunes and apricots and then drink the water for added benefits. The best part? It’s super simple to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried prunes
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the prunes and apricots, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the vanilla extract and let the fruit sit for at least 2–3 hours in the syrup. Enjoy!