Tuesday, February 25, 2014
The Semi Clean Pantry: Beauty Tips & Hacks
The Semi Clean Pantry: Beauty Tips & Hacks: Ok so they're not all totally clean or chemical free, but they're close! I love using coconut oil as a moisturizer, and I've tri...
The Semi Clean Pantry: Salty Reputation
The Semi Clean Pantry: Salty Reputation: Salt has been given a bad rap. The healthy salt, that is. I switched from table salt to Himalayan pink salt a few months ago and I ain't...
The Semi Clean Pantry: Make Your Own Swiffer Refills!
The Semi Clean Pantry: Make Your Own Swiffer Refills!: I've finally found a link about making your own Swiffer wet jet solution and refill pads! Are you as excited about this as I am?! When...
The Semi Clean Pantry: My DIY Trial & Error Experience: Part II
The Semi Clean Pantry: My DIY Trial & Error Experience: Part II: On to part II of my DIY weekend madness. The next thing I decided to try was the homemade wool dryer balls. I thankfully stopped using dry...
My DIY Trial & Error Experience: Part II
On to part II of my DIY weekend madness.
The next thing I decided to try was the homemade wool dryer balls. I thankfully stopped using dryer sheets about 6 months ago. I had no idea just how nasty those little things can be and how loaded with chemicals and toxins they are! What am I talking about, you ask? Oh, just a little chloroform, ethyl acetate and camphor...all of which are on the US EPA's hazardous waste list. Not to mention several other nasty & toxic chemicals with a laundry list (yes, laundry list) of side effects. Neurotoxins, and narcotics, and carcinogens, oh my. Makes sense that hazardous waste should be in as many households as possible, right? Basically we're paying $3-$5 for a box of chemical laden disposable cloths to put in with our laundry so that we can wear those toxins on our skin. Every. Single. Day.
But you don't have to, and you don't have to go without your clothes smelling nice or being super soft and fluffy either. Instead you can try dryer balls! Now I know you can buy those little plastic dryer balls or just throw in a few tennis balls, which in my opinion have to be better than dryer sheets so it's a step in the right direction. I myself have been using the little spikey plastic dryer balls from Wal-Mart. But, unfortunately those are still not 100% safe. Tennis balls or plastic dryer balls still contain some icky chemicals in the rubber & plastic that can be released especially when heated. Your best bet is to use 100% real wool dryer balls. Plus, the wool balls cut your drying time! Sure, you can hop on the computing machine and order these online for $15-$30, but why do that when you can make them yourself for around $6 and a little of your time?
Now, you'll want to make sure you buy 100% real wool yarn, not the fake crap. I found mine at Michael's for about $5.99. Start by wrapping the yarn around your 3 big fingers, about 5 or 6 times, then slide it off and begin wrapping around the middle of that long oval. Keep wrapping, and wrapping, and wrapping until you have at least a baseball sized ball. You can go all the way on up to soft ball size if you're feeling a little wild and crazy. Then grab one of those big plastic needle thingies and weave you string end through several other strands throughout the ball to secure. Or if you're like me and do not own large plastic needle thingies, you can do this with your fingernails and tie little knots.
Then, you'll want to wash them in pantyhose to felt them. Put the first ball in the toe, then secure around the ball with a NON-wool piece of yarn. Keep doing this until they're all secure in the pantyhose. Now you'll want to wash them in a hot cycle, then dry them on the highest setting. This helps the balls to felt (stick together instead of unraveling in the dryer). Unless you're like me and the yarn didn't change at all whatsoever after this process. What does that mean? It means to get to do it again and again until they actually felt. You'll know this once you can scratch your nail along the thread and it doesn't pull out of place.
Once you've accomplished this, they are ready to use! If you want to add a little scent to your laundry, simply put a few drops of your favorite essential oil into each ball. This should last for a couple of loads depending on how strong you'd like your laundry scented. Make sure you use true essential oil as to avoid staining your clothes.
So even thought I haven't officially used my dryer balls yet since I have to wash them again and try to get them to felt, I know they'll be worth the time and effort once they're done. It will be another step closer to eliminating chemicals from our home and living cleaner and healthier.
The next thing I decided to try was the homemade wool dryer balls. I thankfully stopped using dryer sheets about 6 months ago. I had no idea just how nasty those little things can be and how loaded with chemicals and toxins they are! What am I talking about, you ask? Oh, just a little chloroform, ethyl acetate and camphor...all of which are on the US EPA's hazardous waste list. Not to mention several other nasty & toxic chemicals with a laundry list (yes, laundry list) of side effects. Neurotoxins, and narcotics, and carcinogens, oh my. Makes sense that hazardous waste should be in as many households as possible, right? Basically we're paying $3-$5 for a box of chemical laden disposable cloths to put in with our laundry so that we can wear those toxins on our skin. Every. Single. Day.
But you don't have to, and you don't have to go without your clothes smelling nice or being super soft and fluffy either. Instead you can try dryer balls! Now I know you can buy those little plastic dryer balls or just throw in a few tennis balls, which in my opinion have to be better than dryer sheets so it's a step in the right direction. I myself have been using the little spikey plastic dryer balls from Wal-Mart. But, unfortunately those are still not 100% safe. Tennis balls or plastic dryer balls still contain some icky chemicals in the rubber & plastic that can be released especially when heated. Your best bet is to use 100% real wool dryer balls. Plus, the wool balls cut your drying time! Sure, you can hop on the computing machine and order these online for $15-$30, but why do that when you can make them yourself for around $6 and a little of your time?
Now, you'll want to make sure you buy 100% real wool yarn, not the fake crap. I found mine at Michael's for about $5.99. Start by wrapping the yarn around your 3 big fingers, about 5 or 6 times, then slide it off and begin wrapping around the middle of that long oval. Keep wrapping, and wrapping, and wrapping until you have at least a baseball sized ball. You can go all the way on up to soft ball size if you're feeling a little wild and crazy. Then grab one of those big plastic needle thingies and weave you string end through several other strands throughout the ball to secure. Or if you're like me and do not own large plastic needle thingies, you can do this with your fingernails and tie little knots.
Then, you'll want to wash them in pantyhose to felt them. Put the first ball in the toe, then secure around the ball with a NON-wool piece of yarn. Keep doing this until they're all secure in the pantyhose. Now you'll want to wash them in a hot cycle, then dry them on the highest setting. This helps the balls to felt (stick together instead of unraveling in the dryer). Unless you're like me and the yarn didn't change at all whatsoever after this process. What does that mean? It means to get to do it again and again until they actually felt. You'll know this once you can scratch your nail along the thread and it doesn't pull out of place.
Once you've accomplished this, they are ready to use! If you want to add a little scent to your laundry, simply put a few drops of your favorite essential oil into each ball. This should last for a couple of loads depending on how strong you'd like your laundry scented. Make sure you use true essential oil as to avoid staining your clothes.
So even thought I haven't officially used my dryer balls yet since I have to wash them again and try to get them to felt, I know they'll be worth the time and effort once they're done. It will be another step closer to eliminating chemicals from our home and living cleaner and healthier.
Make Your Own Swiffer Refills!
I've finally found a link about making your own Swiffer wet jet solution and refill pads! Are you as excited about this as I am?!
When I first bought the Swiffer wet jet a couple of years ago I loved it! It was so easy to whip that thing out and clean the floors in no time! But then came the costly refill bottles and Swiffer pads. Not to mention the fact that I learned what chemicals are lurking in the refill solution. Ick.
Did you know that your feet are the most porous skin on your body and they kind of act like giant sponges? So imagine walking around barefoot in your house on what you thought were clean floors, only to realize they're covered in toxins. Therefore, your feet are absorbing those toxins and now they're in you. Lovely. What about your kids or pets? Same thing there!
I knew there had to be a better solution here....literally.
I've visited many, many natural cleaning sites, blogs, pins and couldn't find anything. Then I stumbled upon this gem at The Krazy Coupon Lady site.
Here they offer up 3 different methods that they tried and tested with their very own Swiffers. I cannot wait to dump out that nastiness and try these recipes myself! I was also super excited to read about making your own Swiffer pads for it as well out of different cloths or microfiber from the dollar store. I'm thinking old t-shirts may just do the trick here too!
Here are her recipes:
Recipe #1 1. Fill a bucket with 2 quarts of water. 2. Add 2 tablespoons of Murphy’s oil soap to the water and stir to combine. 3. Insert a funnel into an empty Swiffer Solution bottle and pour in your homemade solution. Or you can dip the Swiffer mop head directly into the solution and mop your floor as normal.
Recipe #2 1. Pour 4 cups of hot water into a bucket or pitcher. 2. Add 1 cup of lemon juice. 3. Measure out 3 cups of vinegar and add it to the bucket. 4. Drizzle in 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap. 5. Mix thoroughly and pour mixture into a recycled Swiffer container.
Recipe #3 1. Mix equal parts hot water and vinegar in a bucket (a cup or two of each will work.) 2. Dump in a splash of alcohol to keep anything gross from growing in the Swiffer refill container. 3. Add a couple of drops of an essential oil. I like to use lemon or orange scents because they also work as degreasers.
Tip: It can be tricky to get the cap off the Swiffer refill bottle. But I discovered an easy way to do it! 1. Boil a few inches of water in a pot. 2. Turn off the heat and dip the end of the Swiffer bottle, lid-side down, into the water. Dunk it until the whole cap and just a little bit of the bottle are submerged. 3. Wait 20 to 30 seconds and then remove the bottle from the water. 4. Put a kitchen towel over the lid so you don’t scald yourself and twist the cap. It should come right off!
Homemade Swiffer Pads You can also make your own Swiffer pads! Just cut a microfiber cloth or bath towel into rectangles. Use the Swiffer mop head as a guide to gauge the correct size. Give it about 1 1/2 inches of overlap on the longer sides so you can tuck the ends of the cloth into the Swiffer mop cloth holder. I like to use microfiber towels from the dollar store. One towel makes four Swiffer cloths! After using the cloth, just throw it in the washing machine with your other rags. - See more at: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/at-home/3-ways-to-make-homemade-swiffer-solution/#sthash.wXIfgT3h.dpuf
When I first bought the Swiffer wet jet a couple of years ago I loved it! It was so easy to whip that thing out and clean the floors in no time! But then came the costly refill bottles and Swiffer pads. Not to mention the fact that I learned what chemicals are lurking in the refill solution. Ick.
Did you know that your feet are the most porous skin on your body and they kind of act like giant sponges? So imagine walking around barefoot in your house on what you thought were clean floors, only to realize they're covered in toxins. Therefore, your feet are absorbing those toxins and now they're in you. Lovely. What about your kids or pets? Same thing there!
I knew there had to be a better solution here....literally.
I've visited many, many natural cleaning sites, blogs, pins and couldn't find anything. Then I stumbled upon this gem at The Krazy Coupon Lady site.
Here they offer up 3 different methods that they tried and tested with their very own Swiffers. I cannot wait to dump out that nastiness and try these recipes myself! I was also super excited to read about making your own Swiffer pads for it as well out of different cloths or microfiber from the dollar store. I'm thinking old t-shirts may just do the trick here too!
Here are her recipes:
Recipe #1 1. Fill a bucket with 2 quarts of water. 2. Add 2 tablespoons of Murphy’s oil soap to the water and stir to combine. 3. Insert a funnel into an empty Swiffer Solution bottle and pour in your homemade solution. Or you can dip the Swiffer mop head directly into the solution and mop your floor as normal.
Recipe #2 1. Pour 4 cups of hot water into a bucket or pitcher. 2. Add 1 cup of lemon juice. 3. Measure out 3 cups of vinegar and add it to the bucket. 4. Drizzle in 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap. 5. Mix thoroughly and pour mixture into a recycled Swiffer container.
Recipe #3 1. Mix equal parts hot water and vinegar in a bucket (a cup or two of each will work.) 2. Dump in a splash of alcohol to keep anything gross from growing in the Swiffer refill container. 3. Add a couple of drops of an essential oil. I like to use lemon or orange scents because they also work as degreasers.
Tip: It can be tricky to get the cap off the Swiffer refill bottle. But I discovered an easy way to do it! 1. Boil a few inches of water in a pot. 2. Turn off the heat and dip the end of the Swiffer bottle, lid-side down, into the water. Dunk it until the whole cap and just a little bit of the bottle are submerged. 3. Wait 20 to 30 seconds and then remove the bottle from the water. 4. Put a kitchen towel over the lid so you don’t scald yourself and twist the cap. It should come right off!
Homemade Swiffer Pads You can also make your own Swiffer pads! Just cut a microfiber cloth or bath towel into rectangles. Use the Swiffer mop head as a guide to gauge the correct size. Give it about 1 1/2 inches of overlap on the longer sides so you can tuck the ends of the cloth into the Swiffer mop cloth holder. I like to use microfiber towels from the dollar store. One towel makes four Swiffer cloths! After using the cloth, just throw it in the washing machine with your other rags. - See more at: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/at-home/3-ways-to-make-homemade-swiffer-solution/#sthash.wXIfgT3h.dpuf
Monday, February 24, 2014
DIY Trial & Error: Part I
This past weekend I decided to finally, finally try a few DIY and natural cleaning recipes. The 3 that have been bugging me the most to try myself were the orange peel all purpose cleaner, the homemade dishwasher tabs, and the wool dryer balls. Since the boyfriend and I had taken Friday off for a 3 day weekend filled with home projects, I decided it was a good time to cram these in as well. I mean, ripping out and replacing your wood stairs, building a large closet system, adding shelves to another closet, installing new bathroom lights fixtures, and starting all of your vegetable seeds definitely isn't enough for one weekend. So I knew this would be the right thing to occupy all my time....ugh was I insane? Yes. Yes I was.
I'll break this down into 3 sections this week so that this doesn't turn into a snooze fest of a huge post.
Anyways, on Wednesday I had peeled two oranges to send off with him for his lunch. I threw the peelings into a quart mason jar, then covered it with white vinegar and sealed it up. According to several different posts I've seen, you're supposed to let it sit for a minimum of 2 weeks and then use it as an all purpose antibacterial cleaner. Since this concoction is still sitting on the kitchen counter, I can't say just yet how it turned out. But I will keep you all posted!
I also had taken a photo to share with you all however I can't get it to show up any other way but sideways. Which I guess is kind of perfect after our crazy, jam packed weekend of project madness. Since I used a quart jar and only two oranges, my jar isn't completely filled like the ones in the pic in the link below. I've been giving it a little shake almost every day when I remember, just to keep things even in there. I'm really excited to try this and see how it turns out. I'd also like to try this with lemon peels as well as I have those every day from my lemon water in the mornings.
My plan with this mixture is to dilute it with water and add a few drops of lemon essential oil, for added antibacterial power. For now, we sit and wait!
Here's a link with instructions and some other great ideas and links: (love that she uses the orange peels for this mixture twice, then uses the peels for a sink cleaner. They could also be kept on hand to give your garbage disposal a little freshener, even after you clean your sink with them!)
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2013/02/05/how-to-make-homemade-orange-power-cleaner/
I'll break this down into 3 sections this week so that this doesn't turn into a snooze fest of a huge post.
Anyways, on Wednesday I had peeled two oranges to send off with him for his lunch. I threw the peelings into a quart mason jar, then covered it with white vinegar and sealed it up. According to several different posts I've seen, you're supposed to let it sit for a minimum of 2 weeks and then use it as an all purpose antibacterial cleaner. Since this concoction is still sitting on the kitchen counter, I can't say just yet how it turned out. But I will keep you all posted!
I also had taken a photo to share with you all however I can't get it to show up any other way but sideways. Which I guess is kind of perfect after our crazy, jam packed weekend of project madness. Since I used a quart jar and only two oranges, my jar isn't completely filled like the ones in the pic in the link below. I've been giving it a little shake almost every day when I remember, just to keep things even in there. I'm really excited to try this and see how it turns out. I'd also like to try this with lemon peels as well as I have those every day from my lemon water in the mornings.
My plan with this mixture is to dilute it with water and add a few drops of lemon essential oil, for added antibacterial power. For now, we sit and wait!
Here's a link with instructions and some other great ideas and links: (love that she uses the orange peels for this mixture twice, then uses the peels for a sink cleaner. They could also be kept on hand to give your garbage disposal a little freshener, even after you clean your sink with them!)
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2013/02/05/how-to-make-homemade-orange-power-cleaner/
Salty Reputation
Salt has been given a bad rap. The healthy salt, that is. I switched from table salt to Himalayan pink salt a few months ago and I ain't lookin back. Hima what salt, you say? Himalayan Pink salt! Sure it's a pretty pink color but it's also packed with all the minerals natural salt is supposed to have.
Table salt is chemically produced then bleached which depletes most of it's nutrients all together. Sounds pretty natural, right? Not a chance. Any kind of man-made product is just simply not natural. Sounds easy enough to remember, right?
Himalayan pink salt is naturally occurring and is loaded with dozens of trace minerals. Plus it has a much better, less bitter taste than salt. I've found that it gives food just the right amount of saltiness without really tasting that bitter salt flavor. You can usually find it in the larger crystal form for a grinder, or on the granule form for your shakers. Make the switch today and get down with your salty self, guilt free.
http://wellnessmama.com/13164/5-reasons-eat-salt/
Table salt is chemically produced then bleached which depletes most of it's nutrients all together. Sounds pretty natural, right? Not a chance. Any kind of man-made product is just simply not natural. Sounds easy enough to remember, right?
Himalayan pink salt is naturally occurring and is loaded with dozens of trace minerals. Plus it has a much better, less bitter taste than salt. I've found that it gives food just the right amount of saltiness without really tasting that bitter salt flavor. You can usually find it in the larger crystal form for a grinder, or on the granule form for your shakers. Make the switch today and get down with your salty self, guilt free.
http://wellnessmama.com/13164/5-reasons-eat-salt/
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Homemade Biscuits
Am I the only one that can't say biscuits without a drawl? Bay-uh-skits.
Stop unrolling those tubes of pre-made, processed biscuits! Not only are they super scary when they finally pop open after that torturous last inch of peeling, but they're also kind of nasty. Raw dough that lasts in a cardboard tube for weeks or months at a time? Eeeww.
Here's a super simple recipe for homemade biscuits instead, courtesy of Frugally Sustainable:
Homemade Biscuits from Scratch
Ingredients
-3 cups organic, unbleached all-purpose flour
-1/2 teaspoon real salt
-4 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder
-1 1/2 tablespoons raw honey
-1/2 cup grass-fed tallow, or butter from grass-fed cows
-1 pastured egg
-1 cup whole milk, or homemade buttermilk (see recipe below)
Supplies Needed
-To make your own buttermilk, combine 2 cups of whole milk (preferably raw) and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl and let stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. The milk will curdle. Stir well before using and store in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for a couple of days.
http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/06/how-to-make-homemade-biscuits-from-scratch/
Stop unrolling those tubes of pre-made, processed biscuits! Not only are they super scary when they finally pop open after that torturous last inch of peeling, but they're also kind of nasty. Raw dough that lasts in a cardboard tube for weeks or months at a time? Eeeww.
Here's a super simple recipe for homemade biscuits instead, courtesy of Frugally Sustainable:
Homemade Biscuits from Scratch
Ingredients
-3 cups organic, unbleached all-purpose flour
-1/2 teaspoon real salt
-4 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder
-1 1/2 tablespoons raw honey
-1/2 cup grass-fed tallow, or butter from grass-fed cows
-1 pastured egg
-1 cup whole milk, or homemade buttermilk (see recipe below)
Supplies Needed
- Pastry Blender, or use your food processor or Kitchen Aid Mixer
- Flour Sifter
- Biscuit Cutter, or the top of a wide-mouth glass mason jar will do just fine
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Sheet, or 12″ round cast iron skillet
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Using a pastry blender, food processor, or Kitchen Aid Mixer cut cold tallow (or cold butter) into the flour.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients just until the dry ingredients are wet and well incorporated.
- Flour a flat surface.
- Dump the dough onto the floured surface.
- Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until desired thickness is achieved. Note: I roll mine out anywhere from 3/4″-1″ thick.
- With a biscuit cutter or top of jar/cup — cut out your biscuits! Note: You will have to continue to ball up and roll out your dough again a few more times before all the biscuits are cut.
- Place cut biscuit dough on cookie sheet or cast iron skillet.
- Cook in oven for 13-17 minutes. Watch closely and remove when biscuits are golden brown and fluffy.
-To make your own buttermilk, combine 2 cups of whole milk (preferably raw) and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl and let stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. The milk will curdle. Stir well before using and store in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for a couple of days.
http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/06/how-to-make-homemade-biscuits-from-scratch/
Beauty Tips & Hacks
Ok so they're not all totally clean or chemical free, but they're close! I love using coconut oil as a moisturizer, and I've tried the ACV on the hair too. Definitely trying 14 & 15 as well!
Here's 15 different beauty tricks you can try this weekend:
http://diyconfessions.com/2013/11/10/15-beauty-tips/
Here's 15 different beauty tricks you can try this weekend:
http://diyconfessions.com/2013/11/10/15-beauty-tips/
Monday, February 17, 2014
Garlic Oil for Ear Aches
Nope. It's not just to ward off vampires.
Garlic is a bit of a super food, and has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibiotic properties which help to fight off infection. It's actually been used in medicine for thousands of years for parasites, infections, digestion and several other ailments.
The next time you or the little one has an ear ache or ear infection, try this super simple recipe for garlic oil.
http://naturalfamilytoday.com/health/how-to-make-garlic-oil-for-natural-remedies-tip-tuesday/
Garlic is a bit of a super food, and has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibiotic properties which help to fight off infection. It's actually been used in medicine for thousands of years for parasites, infections, digestion and several other ailments.
The next time you or the little one has an ear ache or ear infection, try this super simple recipe for garlic oil.
http://naturalfamilytoday.com/health/how-to-make-garlic-oil-for-natural-remedies-tip-tuesday/
Burrito Transformation
Throughout my twenties, and even into my later twenties, I frequented Taco Bell quite often for my Mexican food fix, if you can even call it that. I know, I know, totally unhealthy and fake and loaded with weird stuff, but at 2 a.m. after a night out it's hard to turn down. I've discovered I'm kind of a sucker for Mexican food, and over the years I've gotten pretty spoiled by a local family owned restaurant.
Throughout my childhood I can always remember my mom making burritos at home and getting to build my own masterpiece. So when I moved in with my boyfriend and began cooking for us on a regular basis, I decided we'd have burrito nights too. This makes me laugh because we have a super awesome down comforter that we refer to as the burrito (wrap yourself up in this bad boy and you won't want to leave for days), but I'm referring to actual burritos that you eat.
Initially I just started off with some of the basic necessities: ground beef, canned refried beans, processed packs of Spanish rice, packets of taco seasoning, bagged shredded lettuce, sour cream, pre-made tortillas and some of the other fixins. Don't get me wrong, that's all good and well and I could make a mean meal out of that, which I did time and time again. I also feel that no matter what, a home cooked meal like that is by far better than Taco Bell or any other fast food for that matter.
However, after learning more and more about cleaner eating and processed foods and organic veggies, I completely changed my shopping list for burrito night. I had never realized how much sodium and preservatives goes into the taco seasoning and Spanish rice mix. Or how much leaner ground turkey is to ground beef, or that the bagged shredded lettuce was treated with chemicals to keep it fresh. And then I decided to take a look at the ingredients on the tortilla package. Hydrogenated soybean oil? Preservatives? Anti fungals? Refined wood pulp? Holy crap these things are loaded with nasty stuff!
I didn't realize this until one night last week while making the taco meat, which is now ground turkey, just how much our Mexican food nights had changed. Instead of reaching for the packet of seasoning mix, I grabbed a tiny mason jar and a half a dozen bottles of spices and began mixing my own spice mix. Instead of opening the can of refried beans and microwaving them, I was rinsing black beans. Instead of opening my bag of shredded lettuce, I was washing and cutting my own romaine. Instead of opening the sour cream, I was opening the plain non fat Greek yogurt. And the craziest part was warming 5 ingredient tortilla shells on the skillet instead of opening the pack of pre-made processed tortillas. And you know what? It all tastes amazing, even better than the pre-made, processed versions.
That was actually my first time not using the pre-made tortillas, and let me tell you I'll never go back! My mom and sister had gotten me a pack of tortillas to try that were uncooked, 5 ingredients, and only had to be warmed on a skillet. These things are fantastic! They're a little smaller than what we're used to but they have so much more flavor and give a good texture to the burritos. And the best part is, since I made these changes one by one the boyfriend didn't think I was bombarding him with changes and he's none the wiser that our burrito nights are far, far better for us now than they used to be. I've eliminated a lot of chemicals and sodium and preservatives, plus added extra veggies to make up for it. My favorites for burrito night are the fresh lettuce of course, diced tomatoes, diced onion, avocado, and black olives are another major weak spot for me. Great, now I want black olives.
These new tortillas and finding out all the nasty crap that's in pre-made tortillas has gotten me wanting to make my own tortillas. Here's 2 tortilla recipes that I'll be trying next time, as well as the taco seasoning that I make:
Homemade Flour Tortillas: (Confessions of a Home Schooler)
3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour (or you can mix with whole wheat flour)
2 tsp salt
3/4 Cup Oil (or lard, which, I know it's gross but website says it makes the best. I won't be trying)
1 Cup lukewarm water
Mix dry ingredients together. Add in your oil or cut in your lard or shortening until blended. Slowly add water and mix well with your hands until just sticky. Knead on a floured surface for about 2 minutes or until the dough is no longer sticky. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest 20 minutes, longer if you'd like. Preheat your skillet to medium, then dust your surface with flour. Shape the dough into egg size balls then press into 5" circle. Using a floured rolling pin, roll into nice round shape until desired thickness, approximately 7" circle. Transfer each tortilla one at a time to your dry, heated skillet and cook about 30 seconds on each side. You want them to just start to bubble and turn golden brown. Remove them place on a clean cloth or paper towel and loosely cover with foil to keep warm without moisture.
Whole Wheat Tortillas: (Confessions of a Home Schooler)
2 Cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup oil
2/3 Cup warm water
Mix dry ingredients, then add oil and water. Knead for 2 minutes then place in covered bowl for at least 30 minutes. Roll into golf ball size balls, then process as recipe above.
Homemade Taco Seasoning:
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
Now, I'm pretty horrible about measuring things and to be completely honest I just threw all those things together and tasted it until I liked it. I also made a large batch of it that will cover 4 meals to have on hand. I added minced onion and used Himalayan pink salt instead of table salt, and I also love cumin so I used quite a bit of that. Make it your own, taste a tiny bit or sprinkle a little on the taco meat until it tastes right for you. If you love it hot, add cayenne or red pepper flakes, if you like it sweet add a little sugar. That's another glorious thing about making it yourself is that you get to make it exactly how you like it.
Throughout my childhood I can always remember my mom making burritos at home and getting to build my own masterpiece. So when I moved in with my boyfriend and began cooking for us on a regular basis, I decided we'd have burrito nights too. This makes me laugh because we have a super awesome down comforter that we refer to as the burrito (wrap yourself up in this bad boy and you won't want to leave for days), but I'm referring to actual burritos that you eat.
Initially I just started off with some of the basic necessities: ground beef, canned refried beans, processed packs of Spanish rice, packets of taco seasoning, bagged shredded lettuce, sour cream, pre-made tortillas and some of the other fixins. Don't get me wrong, that's all good and well and I could make a mean meal out of that, which I did time and time again. I also feel that no matter what, a home cooked meal like that is by far better than Taco Bell or any other fast food for that matter.
However, after learning more and more about cleaner eating and processed foods and organic veggies, I completely changed my shopping list for burrito night. I had never realized how much sodium and preservatives goes into the taco seasoning and Spanish rice mix. Or how much leaner ground turkey is to ground beef, or that the bagged shredded lettuce was treated with chemicals to keep it fresh. And then I decided to take a look at the ingredients on the tortilla package. Hydrogenated soybean oil? Preservatives? Anti fungals? Refined wood pulp? Holy crap these things are loaded with nasty stuff!
I didn't realize this until one night last week while making the taco meat, which is now ground turkey, just how much our Mexican food nights had changed. Instead of reaching for the packet of seasoning mix, I grabbed a tiny mason jar and a half a dozen bottles of spices and began mixing my own spice mix. Instead of opening the can of refried beans and microwaving them, I was rinsing black beans. Instead of opening my bag of shredded lettuce, I was washing and cutting my own romaine. Instead of opening the sour cream, I was opening the plain non fat Greek yogurt. And the craziest part was warming 5 ingredient tortilla shells on the skillet instead of opening the pack of pre-made processed tortillas. And you know what? It all tastes amazing, even better than the pre-made, processed versions.
That was actually my first time not using the pre-made tortillas, and let me tell you I'll never go back! My mom and sister had gotten me a pack of tortillas to try that were uncooked, 5 ingredients, and only had to be warmed on a skillet. These things are fantastic! They're a little smaller than what we're used to but they have so much more flavor and give a good texture to the burritos. And the best part is, since I made these changes one by one the boyfriend didn't think I was bombarding him with changes and he's none the wiser that our burrito nights are far, far better for us now than they used to be. I've eliminated a lot of chemicals and sodium and preservatives, plus added extra veggies to make up for it. My favorites for burrito night are the fresh lettuce of course, diced tomatoes, diced onion, avocado, and black olives are another major weak spot for me. Great, now I want black olives.
These new tortillas and finding out all the nasty crap that's in pre-made tortillas has gotten me wanting to make my own tortillas. Here's 2 tortilla recipes that I'll be trying next time, as well as the taco seasoning that I make:
Homemade Flour Tortillas: (Confessions of a Home Schooler)
3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour (or you can mix with whole wheat flour)
2 tsp salt
3/4 Cup Oil (or lard, which, I know it's gross but website says it makes the best. I won't be trying)
1 Cup lukewarm water
Mix dry ingredients together. Add in your oil or cut in your lard or shortening until blended. Slowly add water and mix well with your hands until just sticky. Knead on a floured surface for about 2 minutes or until the dough is no longer sticky. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest 20 minutes, longer if you'd like. Preheat your skillet to medium, then dust your surface with flour. Shape the dough into egg size balls then press into 5" circle. Using a floured rolling pin, roll into nice round shape until desired thickness, approximately 7" circle. Transfer each tortilla one at a time to your dry, heated skillet and cook about 30 seconds on each side. You want them to just start to bubble and turn golden brown. Remove them place on a clean cloth or paper towel and loosely cover with foil to keep warm without moisture.
Whole Wheat Tortillas: (Confessions of a Home Schooler)
2 Cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup oil
2/3 Cup warm water
Mix dry ingredients, then add oil and water. Knead for 2 minutes then place in covered bowl for at least 30 minutes. Roll into golf ball size balls, then process as recipe above.
Homemade Taco Seasoning:
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
Now, I'm pretty horrible about measuring things and to be completely honest I just threw all those things together and tasted it until I liked it. I also made a large batch of it that will cover 4 meals to have on hand. I added minced onion and used Himalayan pink salt instead of table salt, and I also love cumin so I used quite a bit of that. Make it your own, taste a tiny bit or sprinkle a little on the taco meat until it tastes right for you. If you love it hot, add cayenne or red pepper flakes, if you like it sweet add a little sugar. That's another glorious thing about making it yourself is that you get to make it exactly how you like it.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Save The Greens!
Is your spinach looking kind of sad? Kale looking wilted? Don't toss them quite yet!
Here is a great idea for your extra greens or for when they're looking kind of frumpy. Just blend them with a little water, pour it into ice cube trays, then freeze! These handy cubes can then be tossed into your smoothie for a quick way to add your greens. Plus they'll give your smoothie that extra chill.
Find out how to, and more ideas:
http://www.mywholefoodromance.com/2014/01/ice-pops-and-green-blocks.html
Here is a great idea for your extra greens or for when they're looking kind of frumpy. Just blend them with a little water, pour it into ice cube trays, then freeze! These handy cubes can then be tossed into your smoothie for a quick way to add your greens. Plus they'll give your smoothie that extra chill.
Find out how to, and more ideas:
http://www.mywholefoodromance.com/2014/01/ice-pops-and-green-blocks.html
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Nautral Headache Relief
Headaches are the worst. There's no sugar coating it. I myself suffer from headaches and occasional migraines and they are no picnic. I have found that regularly visiting the chiropractor does help, but there are times that it can't prevent a tension headache or even a migraine.
I have tried several different things, from sitting in the tub with my feet in warm water with a cold compress on the back of my neck, to pinching the nerves in that flap of skin between your thumb and index finger. Sometimes they seem like they're working, though I can't be too sure whether or not I was just distracted.....oh look, a bird!
Here are some natural remedies to try for your headache, as well as a few preventative ideas:
http://everydayroots.com/headache-remedies
I have tried several different things, from sitting in the tub with my feet in warm water with a cold compress on the back of my neck, to pinching the nerves in that flap of skin between your thumb and index finger. Sometimes they seem like they're working, though I can't be too sure whether or not I was just distracted.....oh look, a bird!
Here are some natural remedies to try for your headache, as well as a few preventative ideas:
http://everydayroots.com/headache-remedies
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Don't Be Fooled By These Foods
Don't feel bad if you've fallen for these seemingly healthy foods too. I had used olive oil for years before I knew that it could be dangerous at high temps, so I've switched to grapeseed and coconut oils for cooking, but still use olive oil for things like salads, pasta, etc.
If you're a fan or following The Food Babe at all, you know all too well why Subway is on the naughty list. A side of yoga mat on your sub, anyone? Yuck.
There is a lot of controversy about dairy and to that I say to each their own, and I personally have a very hard time envisioning a world without cheese...
Here's a list of 8 foods people think are healthy, but they really aren't:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-9426-8/8-foods-people-think-are-healthy-but-arent.html
If you're a fan or following The Food Babe at all, you know all too well why Subway is on the naughty list. A side of yoga mat on your sub, anyone? Yuck.
There is a lot of controversy about dairy and to that I say to each their own, and I personally have a very hard time envisioning a world without cheese...
Here's a list of 8 foods people think are healthy, but they really aren't:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-9426-8/8-foods-people-think-are-healthy-but-arent.html
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Making Your Own Bone Broth
Not making your own broths? Start now!
Earlier last week I had made a small turkey for dinner. We picked off what appeared to be most of the meat for our meals (5 individual meals actually) and I was left with some odds and ends and the bones. In the past, I would have tossed that bad boy into the garbage. I had no idea that the already cooked, picked apart turkey could still provide for us...many times over in fact.
Knowing that I wouldn't get to it right away, I threw the turkey bones (sorry, saying carcass sounds nasty) into a ziplock and into the freezer. This past Sunday morning I knew I'd have enough time for my bubbling brew so I pulled it out to start making my stock. I filled my stock pot with water (how much water depends on how much broth you want, and how much poultry/bones you have), added the turkey bones, and added in organic carrot, celery, garlic and onion. For seasoning I used ground black pepper, Himalayan pink salt, bay leaves and fresh parsley. I then covered my pot, turned the stove on to medium heat and went about my day. After a couple of hours I turned it down to a simmer.
Now, I started out with the intention of just making the stock to keep on hand. To do this, you'll just simmer for a minimum of 10-12 hours (or up to 24), let it cool, then either keep in the fridge and use within 5 days, or you can freeze it. However, ten hours of amazing smells later, I was turning it into soup for dinner. To turn it into wow this smells so good I have to eat it now soup, all you do is carefully strain and pick out all of your bones, skin, etc. Then I shredded any larger chunks of meat and threw them back into the pool with some homemade Amish noodles. After about 15 minutes it was ready to eat, and it was oh so delicious. This one pot provided quite a bit of soup, and by that I mean after 3 of us had it for dinner, we still had enough for 2 lunches, and there were still leftovers!
I had used quite a bit of water, so there was a lot of stock left at the end of our soup with very few noodles and chunks. At this point, you can either eat a very brothy soup, freeze your leftover broth (either all together, in 1-2 cup increments, or in ice cube trays to use for cooking later), or, you can use that broth to make a third dish. I wash planning to make a casserole last night that ordinarily calls for cream of chicken soup a.k.a cream of chemical soup-bleh! So in place of those nasty little cans, I made a roux, added in my leftover stock, some milk, ground black pepper, and whisked my way to a perfect, super yummy sauce for my casserole.
After the turkey dinner, turkey noodle soup, and casserole, my meal count was up to.....drumroll please.......FOURTEEN meals as a result of one little turkey!
Not only is this process very resourceful and wallet friendly, but the bone broth provides tons of nutritional benefits as well. Besides tasting pretty amazing, it is a highly nutrient dense food. This broth is packed with minerals and can help to boost your immune system, hence chicken noodle soup when you are sick. It is high in calcium, magnesium, amino acids and phosphorus content which also makes it great for hair, skin, nails and joints. That's not all. Bone broth can also improve allergies, digestion and brain health as well.
By making your own versus buying canned, processed broth at the store, you're also eliminating high sodium content, preservatives and other nasty chemicals, and most likely MSG. Not to mention you get outstanding, homemade flavor and only one pot to wash. Enjoy!
Earlier last week I had made a small turkey for dinner. We picked off what appeared to be most of the meat for our meals (5 individual meals actually) and I was left with some odds and ends and the bones. In the past, I would have tossed that bad boy into the garbage. I had no idea that the already cooked, picked apart turkey could still provide for us...many times over in fact.
Knowing that I wouldn't get to it right away, I threw the turkey bones (sorry, saying carcass sounds nasty) into a ziplock and into the freezer. This past Sunday morning I knew I'd have enough time for my bubbling brew so I pulled it out to start making my stock. I filled my stock pot with water (how much water depends on how much broth you want, and how much poultry/bones you have), added the turkey bones, and added in organic carrot, celery, garlic and onion. For seasoning I used ground black pepper, Himalayan pink salt, bay leaves and fresh parsley. I then covered my pot, turned the stove on to medium heat and went about my day. After a couple of hours I turned it down to a simmer.
Now, I started out with the intention of just making the stock to keep on hand. To do this, you'll just simmer for a minimum of 10-12 hours (or up to 24), let it cool, then either keep in the fridge and use within 5 days, or you can freeze it. However, ten hours of amazing smells later, I was turning it into soup for dinner. To turn it into wow this smells so good I have to eat it now soup, all you do is carefully strain and pick out all of your bones, skin, etc. Then I shredded any larger chunks of meat and threw them back into the pool with some homemade Amish noodles. After about 15 minutes it was ready to eat, and it was oh so delicious. This one pot provided quite a bit of soup, and by that I mean after 3 of us had it for dinner, we still had enough for 2 lunches, and there were still leftovers!
I had used quite a bit of water, so there was a lot of stock left at the end of our soup with very few noodles and chunks. At this point, you can either eat a very brothy soup, freeze your leftover broth (either all together, in 1-2 cup increments, or in ice cube trays to use for cooking later), or, you can use that broth to make a third dish. I wash planning to make a casserole last night that ordinarily calls for cream of chicken soup a.k.a cream of chemical soup-bleh! So in place of those nasty little cans, I made a roux, added in my leftover stock, some milk, ground black pepper, and whisked my way to a perfect, super yummy sauce for my casserole.
After the turkey dinner, turkey noodle soup, and casserole, my meal count was up to.....drumroll please.......FOURTEEN meals as a result of one little turkey!
Not only is this process very resourceful and wallet friendly, but the bone broth provides tons of nutritional benefits as well. Besides tasting pretty amazing, it is a highly nutrient dense food. This broth is packed with minerals and can help to boost your immune system, hence chicken noodle soup when you are sick. It is high in calcium, magnesium, amino acids and phosphorus content which also makes it great for hair, skin, nails and joints. That's not all. Bone broth can also improve allergies, digestion and brain health as well.
By making your own versus buying canned, processed broth at the store, you're also eliminating high sodium content, preservatives and other nasty chemicals, and most likely MSG. Not to mention you get outstanding, homemade flavor and only one pot to wash. Enjoy!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Make Your Own Dusting Cloths
Do you have pets or children? If so, then you'll love these homemade lemon dusting cloths!
Ever think about what kind of nasty chemicals are in your cleaning supplies? What about that can of wood cleaner? We spray down the wood furniture with good intentions of a clean house. Meanwhile we're breathing in these fumes, and so are any kids or pets in the house. A little later, your kiddo is eating a snack, drops a piece on the table, then picks it back up and eats it. Or your dog decides to help you clean and licks a spot off the table (my dogs LOVE helping me clean!). How many chemicals have they just consumed?
These quick and easy lemon cloths are the perfect alternative to harsh chemicals and questionable residue left over on your furniture.
Here's the simple DIY on how you can make your own to keep on hand:
http://everydayroots.com/homemade-lemon-dust-cloths
Ever think about what kind of nasty chemicals are in your cleaning supplies? What about that can of wood cleaner? We spray down the wood furniture with good intentions of a clean house. Meanwhile we're breathing in these fumes, and so are any kids or pets in the house. A little later, your kiddo is eating a snack, drops a piece on the table, then picks it back up and eats it. Or your dog decides to help you clean and licks a spot off the table (my dogs LOVE helping me clean!). How many chemicals have they just consumed?
These quick and easy lemon cloths are the perfect alternative to harsh chemicals and questionable residue left over on your furniture.
Here's the simple DIY on how you can make your own to keep on hand:
http://everydayroots.com/homemade-lemon-dust-cloths
Friday, February 7, 2014
The Dirty Dozen & The Clean 15
The Dirty Dozen & The Clean 15...sounds like a band, right? Nope.
You may have heard it before, to stay away from "The Dirty Dozen", but do you really know what that means? Maybe you haven't heard of it at all. Here's a basic breakdown of what that even means, and why you should avoid them.
The dirty dozen is a list of 12 fruits and veggies that you should avoid at all costs if they're not organic. These evil 12 are the worst when it comes to pesticides and toxins, and we're not just talking about your backyard bottle of Round-up. These pesticides can leave a residue on your produce that doesn't always wash off, and can even be absorbed into the plant.
Here's the dirty line up:
*Apples
*Celery
*Cherry Tomatoes
*Cucumber
*Grapes
*Hot peppers
*Nectarines
*Peaches
*Potatoes
*Spinach
*Strawberries
*Sweet bell peppers
(Plus collards, kale, summer squash & zucchini get an dishonorable mention)
Now for the good news! Yay food good news on Fridays! There is also a list of "The Clean 15" which is produce that is safe to purchase conventionally. This doesn't mean that they don't use pesticide at all during the growing process, but it's a low residue and can typically be removed with washing.
**One of the best ways to wash your produce to ensure that you're removing as much as possible is to soak it in a water and vinegar mixture. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water either in a large bowl or in your clean kitchen sink. Let the produce soak for a couple of minutes, then rinse and dry. If you'd rather wash them before you eat them, you can mix the same ratio in a spray bottle, wash, and rinse.
Here's a list of the Clean 15:
-Asparagus
-Avocado
-Cabbage
-Cantaloupe
-Corn (beware of GMO's here)
-Eggplant
-Grapefruit
-Kiwi
-Mangoes
-Mushrooms
-Onions
-Papayas
-Pineapples
-Frozen sweet peas
-Sweet potatoes
Naturally if you're trying to avoid any and all pesticides then you may prefer to buy all organic. But if you're trying to eat healthy and clean on a ramen noodles budget, then you can breathe a little easier and buy these items conventionally.
I also highly, highly recommend growing your own food even if it's only an herb garden or tomato tree. Also check out your local farmers market. Not only are most of the items there organic (even if they're not certified), but they're also locally grown and you can find a great variety there as well. If you're interested in canning or preserving your produce this is also a great option as most vendors will offer a better price when you buy in bulk, and may even have some "scratch & dent" victims for even less.
Of course I want to remind you to not get discouraged. Even if you can't buy organic, don't have an organic market near by or just plain don't care to buy organic, I have to agree that at least you're getting your fruits and veggies and you're trying. That's another step you're taking towards cleaner living and better health, so good job!
You may have heard it before, to stay away from "The Dirty Dozen", but do you really know what that means? Maybe you haven't heard of it at all. Here's a basic breakdown of what that even means, and why you should avoid them.
The dirty dozen is a list of 12 fruits and veggies that you should avoid at all costs if they're not organic. These evil 12 are the worst when it comes to pesticides and toxins, and we're not just talking about your backyard bottle of Round-up. These pesticides can leave a residue on your produce that doesn't always wash off, and can even be absorbed into the plant.
Here's the dirty line up:
*Apples
*Celery
*Cherry Tomatoes
*Cucumber
*Grapes
*Hot peppers
*Nectarines
*Peaches
*Potatoes
*Spinach
*Strawberries
*Sweet bell peppers
(Plus collards, kale, summer squash & zucchini get an dishonorable mention)
Now for the good news! Yay food good news on Fridays! There is also a list of "The Clean 15" which is produce that is safe to purchase conventionally. This doesn't mean that they don't use pesticide at all during the growing process, but it's a low residue and can typically be removed with washing.
**One of the best ways to wash your produce to ensure that you're removing as much as possible is to soak it in a water and vinegar mixture. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water either in a large bowl or in your clean kitchen sink. Let the produce soak for a couple of minutes, then rinse and dry. If you'd rather wash them before you eat them, you can mix the same ratio in a spray bottle, wash, and rinse.
Here's a list of the Clean 15:
-Asparagus
-Avocado
-Cabbage
-Cantaloupe
-Corn (beware of GMO's here)
-Eggplant
-Grapefruit
-Kiwi
-Mangoes
-Mushrooms
-Onions
-Papayas
-Pineapples
-Frozen sweet peas
-Sweet potatoes
Naturally if you're trying to avoid any and all pesticides then you may prefer to buy all organic. But if you're trying to eat healthy and clean on a ramen noodles budget, then you can breathe a little easier and buy these items conventionally.
I also highly, highly recommend growing your own food even if it's only an herb garden or tomato tree. Also check out your local farmers market. Not only are most of the items there organic (even if they're not certified), but they're also locally grown and you can find a great variety there as well. If you're interested in canning or preserving your produce this is also a great option as most vendors will offer a better price when you buy in bulk, and may even have some "scratch & dent" victims for even less.
Of course I want to remind you to not get discouraged. Even if you can't buy organic, don't have an organic market near by or just plain don't care to buy organic, I have to agree that at least you're getting your fruits and veggies and you're trying. That's another step you're taking towards cleaner living and better health, so good job!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Why You Should Be Drinking Vinegar
Sounds wrong, but it's oh so right.
Apple Cider Vinegar that is. This amazing and pungent liquid comes with a large entourage of health benefits and uses. The reason I began drinking it was for heartburn, believe it or not. For a while I was getting bad episodes of heartburn that would make me cough and feel super uncomfortable. Prior to learning how nasty the stuff is, I used to reach for my trusty pink bottle for relief. But I wanted to try something different, that wouldn't be the equivalent of dumping concrete into my gut. After some research and asking around, I found apple cider vinegar (ACV). At first I was very doubtful...because when your whole chest cavity and throat are on fire, the last thing you think could ever help would be stinky, acidic, vinegar.
I read that heartburn relief was just one of the many things ACV could do so I gave it a whirl. When purchasing your ACV you want to make sure and buy raw, organic, and you want it to contain "the mother", which is an almost stringy substance that contains molecules with living nutrients and good bacteria. I myself like to use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar.
Now, don't do what I did. The first time I attempted to drink my ACV was in plain, cold water. Yick! Then I figured out the right method to the madness: warm water, ACV, and honey! So much better-trust me. Basically I just heat up my water, add 1-2 TBS of ACV, and however much honey I feel necessary that day. Hey don't judge, some days require extra honey, honey. And speaking of honey, that has a host of it's own benefits, just make sure you buy local honey and not store bought. (Did you know that honey is not regulated by the FDA to list ingredients and can contain up to almost half corn syrup? Or that most store bought honey has had all of the pollen removed? So hit up your local farmers market or co-op and buy some local goodness.). I'll even add cinnamon sometimes which also has some awesome health benefits, but more importantly it makes you feel like you're drinking apple pie in a mug.
Some important notes and rituals that I use for my ACV. First off, ACV can be hard on your teeth directly, so I always use a straw and rinse my mouth with plain water after I'm done. I try not to brush my teeth first to better protect them but seriously, toothpaste and ACV? Bleh. HUGE important detail: Do NOT heat your ACV in the microwave. You can heat your water in there, then add it, but don't put the ACV in there. The microwaves can actually kill off some of the good bacteria and cultures and we need those little guys good and healthy so they can work their magic.
Now for the good stuff, the benefits of drinking AVC:
~Regulates your body's pH
~Natural anti-viral, anti-fungal and antibacterial
~Removes toxins from the body
~Aids in regularity
~Helps with weight loss by breaking down fats
~Clears skin
~Regulates blood pressure
~Reduces bad cholesterol
~Relieves sore throats
~Helps with stomach upset
~Relieves heartburn & indigestion
~Controls blood sugar levels
~Reduces inflammation
~Helps to relieve colds & flu
Aside from drinking your ACV, there are also many other uses for it:
~Face toner-apply with cotton ball then rinse
~Relief for rashes, stings, burns, and skin irritations
~Aids with yeast overgrowth-add to warm water for foot soak to cure athlete's foot
~Dilute with water and rinse hair & scalp for cleanser & mega shine
~Use 1 part AVC with 9 parts water to soak produce-helps remove pesticides and bacteria
~Relieves and heals boils-apply to area with cotton ball and hold
~Soothing & toxin busting bath soak-add a few capfuls into your next bath
~Natural deodorant
~Helps to ease varicose veins-add to your lotion and apply to legs daily
~Reduces dark spots-apply to area and leave on overnight
~Clears acne-dilute with water 1 to 3 for starters. Antifungal & antibac properties clear pores
These are only some of the benefits of ACV and the list goes on and on. It's crazy to think that something so simple that you walk past at the grocery store every single week can do so much for your health. I was really skeptical when I first read about it too. And wow, even more skeptical the first time I tried it in cold water! However, once I figured out my favorite way to drink it, I began to like it, even love it. And with how many benefits it provides do you really think it matters if you have to add extra honey? Doubt it. So give it a whirl (I mean seriously, buy a small bottle, what do you have to lose besides a few bucks?). You never know, you may become hooked like me and even if it helps with just one little problem, then it's worth it. Enjoy!
Apple Cider Vinegar that is. This amazing and pungent liquid comes with a large entourage of health benefits and uses. The reason I began drinking it was for heartburn, believe it or not. For a while I was getting bad episodes of heartburn that would make me cough and feel super uncomfortable. Prior to learning how nasty the stuff is, I used to reach for my trusty pink bottle for relief. But I wanted to try something different, that wouldn't be the equivalent of dumping concrete into my gut. After some research and asking around, I found apple cider vinegar (ACV). At first I was very doubtful...because when your whole chest cavity and throat are on fire, the last thing you think could ever help would be stinky, acidic, vinegar.
I read that heartburn relief was just one of the many things ACV could do so I gave it a whirl. When purchasing your ACV you want to make sure and buy raw, organic, and you want it to contain "the mother", which is an almost stringy substance that contains molecules with living nutrients and good bacteria. I myself like to use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar.
Now, don't do what I did. The first time I attempted to drink my ACV was in plain, cold water. Yick! Then I figured out the right method to the madness: warm water, ACV, and honey! So much better-trust me. Basically I just heat up my water, add 1-2 TBS of ACV, and however much honey I feel necessary that day. Hey don't judge, some days require extra honey, honey. And speaking of honey, that has a host of it's own benefits, just make sure you buy local honey and not store bought. (Did you know that honey is not regulated by the FDA to list ingredients and can contain up to almost half corn syrup? Or that most store bought honey has had all of the pollen removed? So hit up your local farmers market or co-op and buy some local goodness.). I'll even add cinnamon sometimes which also has some awesome health benefits, but more importantly it makes you feel like you're drinking apple pie in a mug.
Some important notes and rituals that I use for my ACV. First off, ACV can be hard on your teeth directly, so I always use a straw and rinse my mouth with plain water after I'm done. I try not to brush my teeth first to better protect them but seriously, toothpaste and ACV? Bleh. HUGE important detail: Do NOT heat your ACV in the microwave. You can heat your water in there, then add it, but don't put the ACV in there. The microwaves can actually kill off some of the good bacteria and cultures and we need those little guys good and healthy so they can work their magic.
Now for the good stuff, the benefits of drinking AVC:
~Regulates your body's pH
~Natural anti-viral, anti-fungal and antibacterial
~Removes toxins from the body
~Aids in regularity
~Helps with weight loss by breaking down fats
~Clears skin
~Regulates blood pressure
~Reduces bad cholesterol
~Relieves sore throats
~Helps with stomach upset
~Relieves heartburn & indigestion
~Controls blood sugar levels
~Reduces inflammation
~Helps to relieve colds & flu
Aside from drinking your ACV, there are also many other uses for it:
~Face toner-apply with cotton ball then rinse
~Relief for rashes, stings, burns, and skin irritations
~Aids with yeast overgrowth-add to warm water for foot soak to cure athlete's foot
~Dilute with water and rinse hair & scalp for cleanser & mega shine
~Use 1 part AVC with 9 parts water to soak produce-helps remove pesticides and bacteria
~Relieves and heals boils-apply to area with cotton ball and hold
~Soothing & toxin busting bath soak-add a few capfuls into your next bath
~Natural deodorant
~Helps to ease varicose veins-add to your lotion and apply to legs daily
~Reduces dark spots-apply to area and leave on overnight
~Clears acne-dilute with water 1 to 3 for starters. Antifungal & antibac properties clear pores
These are only some of the benefits of ACV and the list goes on and on. It's crazy to think that something so simple that you walk past at the grocery store every single week can do so much for your health. I was really skeptical when I first read about it too. And wow, even more skeptical the first time I tried it in cold water! However, once I figured out my favorite way to drink it, I began to like it, even love it. And with how many benefits it provides do you really think it matters if you have to add extra honey? Doubt it. So give it a whirl (I mean seriously, buy a small bottle, what do you have to lose besides a few bucks?). You never know, you may become hooked like me and even if it helps with just one little problem, then it's worth it. Enjoy!
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