I have done numerous cleanses and fasts over the years, all for health reasons. This week our church is fasting for spiritual reasons, so I have promised to post tips on fasting and cleansing, so here they are...
The first step is to decide the length of your fast. Biblically, you will find examples of 1,3, 7, 10, 14 & 40 day fasts. I recommend a 7-10 day fast as it takes the body at least that long to adjust to abrupt diet changes so that you can then truly focus on the prayer and clarity that comes with being free from, and yes, a bit deprived of what we are used to in terms of food. Purpose, preparation and commitment are essential to any cleanse or fast.
All effective cleanses and some fasts eliminate any "foods" that are not immediately derived from God's provisions. This means, that if foods are consumed, they are to be plant based and if meats are allowed, they should be the leanest, most pure meat/animal products available. No processed or artificial ingredients.
I am partial to the Daniel Fast, vegetables, fruits, whole grains & water only, basically a vegan diet. There is no limit to the amount of plant based foods you can eat on the Daniel Fast, so this is a great one if you lead an active lifestyle or just have trouble skipping meals. I also like a juice fast... Only juiced fruits and vegetables and water. This one is more restrictive as it also eliminates grains and carbs like potatoes and bananas. Following are tips on how to make a fast/cleanse "doable" in today's busy world.
Juicing/Blending- Juicing allows the body to immediately absorb nutrients through the blood stream
giving amazing health benefits, the downfall is that you loose a lot of the natural fiber of plant skins and pulps and some essential nutrients are not easily juiced, not to mention, juicers are often a pain to clean. However, if you choose a juice fast/cleanse, you can freeze the fresh juice, allowing you to juice numerous "meals" at once. Store them in freezer safe containers & freeze for later use. Allow juices to totally defrost before drinking as the water tends to separate and needs to be remixed.
Blending allows for a wider variety of nutrients and still allows for easy absorption of nutrients, but most mixtures will need to be made and consumed fresh, requiring a bit more daily preparation. If you've ever made a smoothie, you have made a blended drink, but don't get stuck in a strawberry/banana rut. Smoothies can be made of lots of fruits, vegetables, and proteins and still be delicious, cleansing and satisfying. Below are a few recipes that may be odd or new at first, but trust that they will nourish the body while eliminating the spiritual and physical toxins and taste good.
Sweet Potato Smoothie
1/2 cup or 1 cooked Sweet Potatoe
1 banana2
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. pure vanilla extract
1 cup spinach
8 oz. Almond Milk
Orange & Ginger Smoothie
2 peeled oranges/satsumas/blood oranges
2 carrots
1 inch fresh Ginger root, peeled
3 ice cubes
Pumpkin & Carrot Smoothie
1 cup Pure Canned or fresh cooked pumpkin
1 Pear or apple (cored)
1 Carrot
2 cups Spinach
Berry & Avocado Smoothie
1 cup Raspberries/Black Berries/Blue Berries or combination
1 Banana
1/2 Avocado
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup water
3 ice cubes
Berry & Oatmeal Smoothie
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup rolled or steel cut oats
1 banana
1 cup fresh frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
1/2 t. pure vanilla extract
1 T. honey
***Add spinach, fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, flax seed, unsalted sunflower seeds or almonds to any smoothie recipe for added health benefits.
It's best to eat/drink small meals 4-5 a day. If you choose a fast or cleanse that allows for a non-juiced/blended meal, it's best to consume that meal early to mid-day when you are at your most active. If you choose a fast that involves eliminates meals, omit dinner and/or lunch. The meals that you do eat, should be moderate. See earlier posts for light/vegetarian meals. Or choose a variation of the following...
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup steamed veggies (your choice)
1/2 cup lean protein (eggs, lean meats such as venison, chicken, turkey or fish)
1-2 T olive oil or other good fat i.e. grape seed oil, walnut oil, etc. (use for cooking or as a salad dressing)
*Vinegar can be used to add flavor to salads & grilled veggies or as a substitute for salt in cooked dishes.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Beautiful Black Bean
I love black beans! More and more I find myself using black beans, sometimes as a meat substitute, sometimes as a flour like substance and sometimes just because I like them. Black beans are a great source of protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium & zinc, they also offer calcium and Omega 3's.
As my knowledge of nutrition increases, I'm finding more reasons to avoid meat and animal products. From the treatment of animals used for food consumption, to the hormones and antibiotics pumped into them, to the bland taste of store bought chicken, turkey and beef... there are numerous reasons to avoid, if not eliminate animal products from our diets. It is a common misconception that our bodies require animal proteins, not only is that incorrect, but more and more studies and professional athletes are proving other wise. I'm not saying you have to go vegetarian or vegan, but cutting back on the meat and dairy could be good for your health. Plus, there is no question that adding more plant based foods to the Standard American Diet (SAD) is just what the doctor, nutritionist, personal trainer and anyone with common sense ordered.
My family rolls their eyes every time I use the words "vegetarian", "vegan" or "gluten free", but no one turns down these black bean meals that are all of the above. So I just quit using those words but keep cooking these recipes. It's a win win.
Grilled Veggie Chili (original recipe from Rachel Ray's "Big Orange Book")
2 Zucchinni, or 4 Squash, or a combination of both- sliced diagonally 1/2in thick
2 Large Bell Peppers- red, yellow, green, or a combination- sliced
1 Cup fresh or frozen corn (off the cob)
1 Onion- peeled and sliced
3 Garlic Cloves- chopped
2 Jalapeno Peppers*- chopped
1 can diced tomatoes*
*(Instead of fresh peppers, you can substitute a can of tomatoes with chilies)
1 can black beans
2 T. chili powder
2 t. smoked paprika
2 cups vegetable stock or water
Juice of 1 lime, approx 2 T.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Brush zucchini/ squash, bell peppers, corn and onion with oil, lightly season with salt & pepper. Grill veggies approx. 4 min per side, until marked and tender. Remove to a platter & chop*.
In a large pot, heat 2T oil. Add garlic, jalapenos and tomatoes, cook for 3-4 min, until tender. Add beans and heat through. Add veggies, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper to taste, heat through. Stir in stock/water and lime juice. Serve hot.
Top with fresh cilantro, tortilla chips, avocado and/or cheese (if you must). Or serve over rice.
*If you have picky eaters that snarl at the sign of vegetables, pulse the cooled, grilled veggies in a food processor before adding to the pot.
This recipe is really forgiving, it's a little different every time I make it, depending on whats in the fridge to work with. You could add carrots to sweeten it up, or eggplant to make it heartier, or take out the veggies that you can't find or don't want. Get creative!
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
(this recipe is for mostly canned ingredients, be sure to use ingredients with no added salt and use organic when possible)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 can yellow corn
1 can black beans
1 Onion, finely diced
1/2 Cup roughly chopped Cilantro
1 Cup distilled white vinegar
2T. lemon or lime juice
Sea Salt & Pepper to taste
Drain all canned ingredients. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.
Veggie Sloppy Joes
This is a new one for me but it got thumbs up from the fam. I love the Latin flavors that usually come with black bean dishes, but it's nice to change it up, this one is a bit on the sweet side but has a kick, like a bar-b-que flavor.
1 T. Olive Oil
1 Jalapeno Pepper seeded & chopped (use less if you don't like it a bit hot)
1 red, green or yellow Bell Pepper seeded and chopped
1 Red Onion chopped
2 Garlic Cloves
1 can Black Beans drained and rinsed
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. coriander
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 T. brown or raw sugar
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce or Red Wine Vinegar
1 T. Lime Juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add fresh chopped veggies, cook 7-8 minutes stirring occasionally. Fold in black beans, cumin, coriander, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in tomatoes, sugar, worcestershire or vinegar and lime juice. Simmer for a few minutes. Serve over toasted whole grain buns. For less bread, use just 1/2 bun for an open faced sandwich. Add toppings as you would for regular sloppy joes.
Black Bean Brownies
My family is split on this recipe. Zoe and I love them, where as my boys could take 'em or leave 'em. They're not as sweet as regular brownies and are denser, but sprinkling a little powdered sugar on them might just fool the kids, and husband :)
1 can black beans
3 eggs
3 T. olive oil
4 T. Cocoa powder (Zoe and I like the Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder, you could also substitute Carob powder)
1 pinch Sea Salt
1 t. pure Vanilla extract
3/4 cup raw sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until a smooth batter. (stir in nuts if desired). Grease 9"x9" baking pan, then pour in mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool & top with a bit of powdered sugar if desired.
As my knowledge of nutrition increases, I'm finding more reasons to avoid meat and animal products. From the treatment of animals used for food consumption, to the hormones and antibiotics pumped into them, to the bland taste of store bought chicken, turkey and beef... there are numerous reasons to avoid, if not eliminate animal products from our diets. It is a common misconception that our bodies require animal proteins, not only is that incorrect, but more and more studies and professional athletes are proving other wise. I'm not saying you have to go vegetarian or vegan, but cutting back on the meat and dairy could be good for your health. Plus, there is no question that adding more plant based foods to the Standard American Diet (SAD) is just what the doctor, nutritionist, personal trainer and anyone with common sense ordered.
My family rolls their eyes every time I use the words "vegetarian", "vegan" or "gluten free", but no one turns down these black bean meals that are all of the above. So I just quit using those words but keep cooking these recipes. It's a win win.
Grilled Veggie Chili (original recipe from Rachel Ray's "Big Orange Book")
2 Zucchinni, or 4 Squash, or a combination of both- sliced diagonally 1/2in thick
2 Large Bell Peppers- red, yellow, green, or a combination- sliced
1 Cup fresh or frozen corn (off the cob)
1 Onion- peeled and sliced
3 Garlic Cloves- chopped
2 Jalapeno Peppers*- chopped
1 can diced tomatoes*
*(Instead of fresh peppers, you can substitute a can of tomatoes with chilies)
1 can black beans
2 T. chili powder
2 t. smoked paprika
2 cups vegetable stock or water
Juice of 1 lime, approx 2 T.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Brush zucchini/ squash, bell peppers, corn and onion with oil, lightly season with salt & pepper. Grill veggies approx. 4 min per side, until marked and tender. Remove to a platter & chop*.
In a large pot, heat 2T oil. Add garlic, jalapenos and tomatoes, cook for 3-4 min, until tender. Add beans and heat through. Add veggies, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper to taste, heat through. Stir in stock/water and lime juice. Serve hot.
Top with fresh cilantro, tortilla chips, avocado and/or cheese (if you must). Or serve over rice.
*If you have picky eaters that snarl at the sign of vegetables, pulse the cooled, grilled veggies in a food processor before adding to the pot.
This recipe is really forgiving, it's a little different every time I make it, depending on whats in the fridge to work with. You could add carrots to sweeten it up, or eggplant to make it heartier, or take out the veggies that you can't find or don't want. Get creative!
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
(this recipe is for mostly canned ingredients, be sure to use ingredients with no added salt and use organic when possible)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 can yellow corn
1 can black beans
1 Onion, finely diced
1/2 Cup roughly chopped Cilantro
1 Cup distilled white vinegar
2T. lemon or lime juice
Sea Salt & Pepper to taste
Drain all canned ingredients. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.
Veggie Sloppy Joes
This is a new one for me but it got thumbs up from the fam. I love the Latin flavors that usually come with black bean dishes, but it's nice to change it up, this one is a bit on the sweet side but has a kick, like a bar-b-que flavor.
1 T. Olive Oil
1 Jalapeno Pepper seeded & chopped (use less if you don't like it a bit hot)
1 red, green or yellow Bell Pepper seeded and chopped
1 Red Onion chopped
2 Garlic Cloves
1 can Black Beans drained and rinsed
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. coriander
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 T. brown or raw sugar
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce or Red Wine Vinegar
1 T. Lime Juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add fresh chopped veggies, cook 7-8 minutes stirring occasionally. Fold in black beans, cumin, coriander, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in tomatoes, sugar, worcestershire or vinegar and lime juice. Simmer for a few minutes. Serve over toasted whole grain buns. For less bread, use just 1/2 bun for an open faced sandwich. Add toppings as you would for regular sloppy joes.
Black Bean Brownies
My family is split on this recipe. Zoe and I love them, where as my boys could take 'em or leave 'em. They're not as sweet as regular brownies and are denser, but sprinkling a little powdered sugar on them might just fool the kids, and husband :)
1 can black beans
3 eggs
3 T. olive oil
4 T. Cocoa powder (Zoe and I like the Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder, you could also substitute Carob powder)
1 pinch Sea Salt
1 t. pure Vanilla extract
3/4 cup raw sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until a smooth batter. (stir in nuts if desired). Grease 9"x9" baking pan, then pour in mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool & top with a bit of powdered sugar if desired.
Friday, January 4, 2013
HomeMade Cosmetic Recipes
As promised, here are the recipes for the personal products that I have had good luck with. It's harder to find cosmetic/personal product recipes that my family enjoys than it is to find the right cleaning product recipes. I think there are a few reasons for this. First is that we have a preconception of how clean should feel and smell. Commercial products have added chemicals to make them lather, "clean", smell and cover, so when going the homemade, natural route, it takes a little getting used to. Second, my kids think it's weird to use food as cleaning, moisturizing or nourishing agents on the outside of our bodies. Somewhere along the way we were taught that food is only made for your insides. With that said, after months of using these couple of recipes, they are starting to actually enjoy these products, so soon I will begin experimenting with more.
Shampoo
1 1/2 cups- distilled water
3 Tablespoons- fresh Rosemary
1/4 cup- Castile Soap (unscented)
2 Tablespoons- Tea tree Oil*
1/2 teaspoon- Avocado or Grapeseed Oil*
1/2 cup- Pure Aloe Vera Juice
1/4 cup- Glycerine
Heat distilled water and rosemary in a saucepan over medium low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes to create a rosemary tea. Pour tea through a strainer to remove rosemary solids, then add all other ingredients. Mix well and let cool.
* The liquid will not be thick like traditional shampoos, I find that putting it in a spray bottle works best for application.
* Shampoo will Not lather. Just spray over hair and gently massage into scalp, rinse well.
* My kids and I all have naturally curly/dry hair, so this recipe works great for us, but if you have naturally oily hair, reduce the tea tree oil to 1T. and reduce avocado oil to 1/4 t.
* I have fallen in love with this shampoo! It took a little getting used to not having that "stripped clean" feeling only to then add a conditioner, but my hair is much healthier, I don't have to use a conditioner or other styling products to keep it from frizzing and it smells great. The smell is strong while applying but quickly fades and remains subtle throughout the day.
Bath Salts
2 cups- Epsom salts
1 cup- Sea salt
4 drops essential oil of your choice
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
Now that I know how easy this is, I can't believe I ever purchased bath salts. I even gave them as gifts this past Christmas. I made peppermint, lavender, and tea tree salts. For the peppermint, I split the mixture equally into 2 bowls. In one bowl I added 4 drops of red food coloring and mixed thoroughly I then alternated spooning a layer of red salts, then white salts into a small glass jar giving it a cute striped effect. I did the same for the other scents using green coloring for the tea tree and purple for the lavender. They were a big hit.
*Bath salts are great for relieving sore achy muscles, drawing toxins out of the body and exfoliating the skin. The essential oils provide additional benefits. I add the tea tree salts to Liam's baths when he is congested, it really opens him up. The tea tree and peppermint also have an invigorating effect, great for a mood boost. Lavender, almond and vanilla are relaxing scents, great for stress release.
*Caution- Lavender should not be used on or near young boys and men. Some studies have shown that lavender may inhibit male development. Better safe than sorry :)
Lip Gloss
1/2 cup- petroleum jelly
2 packets- Natural Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light
1/2 teaspoon- Water
4 small jars with lids*
Mix jelly and crystal light adding water a few drops at a time until mixed thoroughly Use a plastic knife or small spatula to spoon into jars.
* I'm guessing you can use any flavoring crystals, next time I make a batch I will be on the lookout for something without the additives.
* Check the travel cosmetic isle for jars, I found small plastic jars at WalMart, 4 for $.97
Visit my last post "HomeMade Cleaning Products" for the dish & hand soap recipe. I have a bottle of it in my kitchen and next to my bathroom sink.
You may need to go to a craft store to find glycerin and essential oils. Castile soap can be found at any health food store or at Target in the natural cosmetics department. You should have no trouble finding all of the other ingredients in your local supermarket.
Shampoo
1 1/2 cups- distilled water
3 Tablespoons- fresh Rosemary
1/4 cup- Castile Soap (unscented)
2 Tablespoons- Tea tree Oil*
1/2 teaspoon- Avocado or Grapeseed Oil*
1/2 cup- Pure Aloe Vera Juice
1/4 cup- Glycerine
Heat distilled water and rosemary in a saucepan over medium low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes to create a rosemary tea. Pour tea through a strainer to remove rosemary solids, then add all other ingredients. Mix well and let cool.
* The liquid will not be thick like traditional shampoos, I find that putting it in a spray bottle works best for application.
* Shampoo will Not lather. Just spray over hair and gently massage into scalp, rinse well.
* My kids and I all have naturally curly/dry hair, so this recipe works great for us, but if you have naturally oily hair, reduce the tea tree oil to 1T. and reduce avocado oil to 1/4 t.
* I have fallen in love with this shampoo! It took a little getting used to not having that "stripped clean" feeling only to then add a conditioner, but my hair is much healthier, I don't have to use a conditioner or other styling products to keep it from frizzing and it smells great. The smell is strong while applying but quickly fades and remains subtle throughout the day.
Bath Salts
2 cups- Epsom salts
1 cup- Sea salt
4 drops essential oil of your choice
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
Now that I know how easy this is, I can't believe I ever purchased bath salts. I even gave them as gifts this past Christmas. I made peppermint, lavender, and tea tree salts. For the peppermint, I split the mixture equally into 2 bowls. In one bowl I added 4 drops of red food coloring and mixed thoroughly I then alternated spooning a layer of red salts, then white salts into a small glass jar giving it a cute striped effect. I did the same for the other scents using green coloring for the tea tree and purple for the lavender. They were a big hit.
*Bath salts are great for relieving sore achy muscles, drawing toxins out of the body and exfoliating the skin. The essential oils provide additional benefits. I add the tea tree salts to Liam's baths when he is congested, it really opens him up. The tea tree and peppermint also have an invigorating effect, great for a mood boost. Lavender, almond and vanilla are relaxing scents, great for stress release.
*Caution- Lavender should not be used on or near young boys and men. Some studies have shown that lavender may inhibit male development. Better safe than sorry :)
Lip Gloss
1/2 cup- petroleum jelly
2 packets- Natural Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light
1/2 teaspoon- Water
4 small jars with lids*
Mix jelly and crystal light adding water a few drops at a time until mixed thoroughly Use a plastic knife or small spatula to spoon into jars.
* I'm guessing you can use any flavoring crystals, next time I make a batch I will be on the lookout for something without the additives.
* Check the travel cosmetic isle for jars, I found small plastic jars at WalMart, 4 for $.97
Visit my last post "HomeMade Cleaning Products" for the dish & hand soap recipe. I have a bottle of it in my kitchen and next to my bathroom sink.
You may need to go to a craft store to find glycerin and essential oils. Castile soap can be found at any health food store or at Target in the natural cosmetics department. You should have no trouble finding all of the other ingredients in your local supermarket.
HomeMade Cleaning Products
This past year I have been working to find more ways to detoxify our home and bodies. We've done a lot over the last few years to "clean" up our eating habits and while they are far better than the Standard American Diet (SAD), we are still evolving. But toxins don't only enter our bodies through our food, but also through our lungs and skin (our largest organ). For years I have been buying cleaning products labeled "biodegradable", "green", "perfume free", etc, but I never felt great about the results or the price tag. So eventually the desire for healthier living combined with the need to save money and a great family tradition of homemade Christmas gifts led me to explore homemade cleaning and cosmetic products. You can find thousands of recipes on line, but these are the ones I have been using for months and really enjoy.
I also found a great documentary on toxins in our everyday lives called Chemerical: Redefining Clean for a New Generation. Find it on Netflix or http://www.chemicalnation.com/content/
I will split this into two posts, one for the cleaning products then one for the cosmetic products. Luckily most of these are made with similar ingredients that can be found at your local grocery. There are some tips, photos and extra info at the bottom of the post.
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Best for Hot Water Washes
1 bar - Zote * (grated)
1 bar - Fels Naptha (grated)
4 cups - Borax
4 cups - Washing Soda
Combine all ingredients. Add 6 drops of essential oil if desired. I like lemongrass, personally. Use 2 Tablespoons per load.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
(A little more labor intensive and takes up more space in the laundry room, but is more economical than the powdered version and works well in hot or cold washes)
1 bar - Fels Naptha (grated)
4 cups- water
1 cup - Borax
2 cups - Washing Soda
1 cup - Baking Soda
3 gallons- Hot Water
Put 4 cups of water in a large sauce pan. Heat on stove top to Medium High. Add Fels Naptha, stir until melted completely. Slowly add Borax, Washing Soda and Baking Soda stirring to dissolve. Mixture might foam, if so, lower heat and continue stirring. Put 3 gallons of hot water in large container then add mixture. Stir to make sure the powders have dissolved totally. Add 10 drops of essential oil if desired. Let mixture set for 12 hours. It will look like a thick yellow gel. When totally cooled use a hand mixer to break up clumps. ** The mixture will separate a bit, so shake well before each use. Use 1/2-1 cup per load.
Powdered Dish Washer Detergent... for clean eating ;)
1 cup- Borax
1 cup- Baking Soda
1 cup- Washing Soda
1/3 cup- Kosher Salt
6 drops- essential oil (optional)
Mix all ingredients well. Fill Dishwasher soap compartment and run dishwasher as you normally would. You can add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle for added benefit. Depending on your water and machine, you may notice a slight film develop on glassware over time, this can be easily wiped off with a kitchen towel.
Liquid Dish and Hand Soap
(This is by far, my favorite. It works really well, it's super easy to make and you can choose from different scents depending on your preference.)
1 Tablespoon- Castile Soap* (Scent is optional, I like peppermint)
1 Tablespoon- Washing Soda
1 Tablespoon- Distilled White Vinegar
1 1/2 cups- Hot Water
4 drops- essential oil (optional, not needed if using scented Castile soap)
Add 1st three ingredients & oil to the hot water, use a fork or whisk to dissolve completely. Let sit for 12 hours, stirring occasionally until mixture forms a white gel like substance. Use as needed, works great in a recycled container with a pump.
All Purpose Cleaner
3 Tablespoons- Distilled White Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon- Washing Soda
1/2 teaspoon- Castile Soap (Scent is optional)
2 Tablespoons- Lemon Juice (no pulp)
2 cups- Hot Water
Mix all ingredients. Let cool and transfer to a spray bottle.
*The Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Borax and Fels Naptha can be found near the laundry detergents in most local supermarkets. I've had a much harder time finding the Zote. It is inexpensive and can be ordered on-line. I did happen upon it at Big Lots once and scooped up all that they had.
*Castile Soap can be found in any health food store, but our local Target also carries the Dr. Bronner's Brand in the cosmetic section near the "natural" products like Burt's Beeswax and Jason. It comes in a variety of scents, peppermint, lavendar, almond, tea tree, unscented, etc. The price seems a little high at first, but a little goes a long way, definitely worth having a few bottles laying around.
*Essential Oils can be found at any health food store or craft store near the candle and soap making supplies. Just be sure that you are getting pure essential oils, not oil fragrances.
***A few more things...these cleaning supplies have no preservatives, lathering agents or perfumes, but just because the hand soap doesn't bubble, doesn't mean it's not working. The all purpose cleaner has fresh lemon juice, which is a natural preservative but be sure to use it within 3 months.
I also found a great documentary on toxins in our everyday lives called Chemerical: Redefining Clean for a New Generation. Find it on Netflix or http://www.chemicalnation.com/content/
I will split this into two posts, one for the cleaning products then one for the cosmetic products. Luckily most of these are made with similar ingredients that can be found at your local grocery. There are some tips, photos and extra info at the bottom of the post.
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Best for Hot Water Washes
1 bar - Zote * (grated)
1 bar - Fels Naptha (grated)
4 cups - Borax
4 cups - Washing Soda
Combine all ingredients. Add 6 drops of essential oil if desired. I like lemongrass, personally. Use 2 Tablespoons per load.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
(A little more labor intensive and takes up more space in the laundry room, but is more economical than the powdered version and works well in hot or cold washes)
1 bar - Fels Naptha (grated)
4 cups- water
1 cup - Borax
2 cups - Washing Soda
1 cup - Baking Soda
3 gallons- Hot Water
Put 4 cups of water in a large sauce pan. Heat on stove top to Medium High. Add Fels Naptha, stir until melted completely. Slowly add Borax, Washing Soda and Baking Soda stirring to dissolve. Mixture might foam, if so, lower heat and continue stirring. Put 3 gallons of hot water in large container then add mixture. Stir to make sure the powders have dissolved totally. Add 10 drops of essential oil if desired. Let mixture set for 12 hours. It will look like a thick yellow gel. When totally cooled use a hand mixer to break up clumps. ** The mixture will separate a bit, so shake well before each use. Use 1/2-1 cup per load.
Powdered Dish Washer Detergent... for clean eating ;)
1 cup- Borax
1 cup- Baking Soda
1 cup- Washing Soda
1/3 cup- Kosher Salt
6 drops- essential oil (optional)
Mix all ingredients well. Fill Dishwasher soap compartment and run dishwasher as you normally would. You can add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle for added benefit. Depending on your water and machine, you may notice a slight film develop on glassware over time, this can be easily wiped off with a kitchen towel.
Liquid Dish and Hand Soap
(This is by far, my favorite. It works really well, it's super easy to make and you can choose from different scents depending on your preference.)
1 Tablespoon- Castile Soap* (Scent is optional, I like peppermint)
1 Tablespoon- Washing Soda
1 Tablespoon- Distilled White Vinegar
1 1/2 cups- Hot Water
4 drops- essential oil (optional, not needed if using scented Castile soap)
Add 1st three ingredients & oil to the hot water, use a fork or whisk to dissolve completely. Let sit for 12 hours, stirring occasionally until mixture forms a white gel like substance. Use as needed, works great in a recycled container with a pump.
All Purpose Cleaner
3 Tablespoons- Distilled White Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon- Washing Soda
1/2 teaspoon- Castile Soap (Scent is optional)
2 Tablespoons- Lemon Juice (no pulp)
2 cups- Hot Water
Mix all ingredients. Let cool and transfer to a spray bottle.
*The Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Borax and Fels Naptha can be found near the laundry detergents in most local supermarkets. I've had a much harder time finding the Zote. It is inexpensive and can be ordered on-line. I did happen upon it at Big Lots once and scooped up all that they had.
*Castile Soap can be found in any health food store, but our local Target also carries the Dr. Bronner's Brand in the cosmetic section near the "natural" products like Burt's Beeswax and Jason. It comes in a variety of scents, peppermint, lavendar, almond, tea tree, unscented, etc. The price seems a little high at first, but a little goes a long way, definitely worth having a few bottles laying around.
*Essential Oils can be found at any health food store or craft store near the candle and soap making supplies. Just be sure that you are getting pure essential oils, not oil fragrances.
***A few more things...these cleaning supplies have no preservatives, lathering agents or perfumes, but just because the hand soap doesn't bubble, doesn't mean it's not working. The all purpose cleaner has fresh lemon juice, which is a natural preservative but be sure to use it within 3 months.
New Year, New Focus
I began this blog last year in an effort to track and share my experiences as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and mother to an 11 year old home schooler and a 4 year old with autism. I did a terrible job of keeping up with the posts over the year but I did refer back to the recipes and projects that I posted numerous times for myself and others. So I have decided to use this blog as more of an organizational tool, a place to compile recipes, workouts, sensory projects, etc.
Some of you may be thinking that there is already a tool for this.... and while I do love Pinterest, I find myself overwhelmed by the possibilities and feeling guilty when looking at all of the great ideas and projects NOT being done in my home, in my life and with my children. I vow to only post things that I have tried, a few times, and have found to be healthy and functional for my family, and hopefully yours as well. I will also use this space as a way to offer answers to commonly asked fitness and nutrition questions that can be referred to again and again.
Thanks for reading!
Some of you may be thinking that there is already a tool for this.... and while I do love Pinterest, I find myself overwhelmed by the possibilities and feeling guilty when looking at all of the great ideas and projects NOT being done in my home, in my life and with my children. I vow to only post things that I have tried, a few times, and have found to be healthy and functional for my family, and hopefully yours as well. I will also use this space as a way to offer answers to commonly asked fitness and nutrition questions that can be referred to again and again.
Thanks for reading!
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