Our Homemade Happiness

Easiest Homemade Lavender Sachets

2013-07-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever smelled clothing from another person's home and noticed a distinct smell? It's not necessarily a bad smell, but it's a unique smell to their home. I'm so paranoid that my house has a "smell" and that it's weird one and I'll never know. Maybe my nose has just gotten used to it. So that being said, you can see why I'm super excited to make my own sachets to give my clothing a fresh scent. And since I stopped using dryer sheets that smell oh so good, but are oh so bad, my excitement is all that much more.

When I was deciding how to make a sachet, I knew it couldn't involve sewing. The need for sewing would throw all my motivation out the window. Maybe it would be different if I had my very own craft room with a special spot for my sewing machine. . . but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon. So here's how I made DIY sachets that are easy, inexpensive, and make an awesome homemade gift!

ingredients
muslin drawstring bag
dried lavender flowers

directions
The hard part was figuring out where to get the supplies. So I was beyond happy when I discovered that Mountain Rose Herbs, my favorite place to buy essential oils, also sells dried lavender flowers (and other dried flowers) AND the perfect size muslin bag. Just fill the muslin bag with lavender and place in your clothing drawer or anywhere else that might need a little freshening. It's so easy, your kids could make them! Not only will it leave a nice scent, but it also keeps bugs and moths away without using nasty toxic-filled moth balls.

cost savings

Here's what it cost. . .

$0.38 small muslin bag {$3.75/10 bags from Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.50 dried lavender flowers [$5.75/4 oz. bag from Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.88 Grand Total DIY Lavender Sachet

compared to . . .

$3.99 Lavender Sachet from The Container Store

Sweet! You should be able to make 10 sachets with the supplies listed above.

How do you keep your clothes and linens smelling fresh without using chemicals?

This post was shared at: Little House in the Suburbs, Thirty Handmade Days, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair

Homemade Reed Diffuser

2013-02-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

These were the words I saw on the back of a reed diffuser box at the store. "Warning: This reed diffuser oil is fatal if swallowed." Yikes! That is not the kind of thing I would want around pets or kids. So I've been running some, ahem, extremely scientific experiments to find what makes the best all-natural DIY reed diffuser. Prepare to have your mind blown. Okay, not really but that was really fun to say.

my "scientific" findings
Many reed diffuser recipes call for mostly oil. But oil was a disaster. It was way too heavy to travel up the reeds and the scent was minimal. Water worked much better. Tap water seemed to work just as well as distilled/filtered water. Essential oils were the perfect choice for the scent. Unlike fragrance oils, essential oils are natural compounds extracted from parts of plants, flowers, and trees. Adding a splash of rubbing alcohol or vodka helped the essential oils distribute more evenly into the water, but the water traveled up the reeds better without it. So here's the recipe I came up with. It's simple, natural, and inexpensive, my three favorite words.

ingredients
bottle or vase with a narrow neck
1/4 cup water
10-15 reed diffuser sticks or bamboo skewers
30+ drops of essential oils

directions
A vase or bottle with a narrow neck is best to help prevent the water from evaporating into the air. I used reed diffuser sticks, but I've read that bamboo skewers also work. The reeds should be about double the length of the vase so you may need to cut them with wire cutters. Add water and essential oils to the vase. You can find essential oils at your local health food store, Amazon or Mountain Rose Herbs. Stir vigorously with the reeds. Be patient and give the scented water a chance to travel up the reeds. Rotate the ends of the reeds every so often.

cost savings

$15-40 Commercial Reed Diffuser

$1.54 DIY Reed Diffuser

$0.00 recycled bottle or vase
$0.00 water
$1.19 10 reed diffuser sticks [$11.94/100 pack on Amazon]
$0.35 30 drops cinnamon EO [$3.50/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]

To see more ways to freshen a room naturally, check out my blog post Natural Air Freshener Ideas that Heal, Not Hurt. If you want to learn more ways to use essential oils, check out these blog posts.

What essential oils do you like to use for freshening a room?

This post was shared at: Simple Lives Thursday, Natural Living Link-Up, The 36th Avenue, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Works For Me Wednesday, Raising Homemakers Link-Up, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Show Me What Ya Got Tuesday, Real Food Forager Fat Tuesday, Homestead Barn Hop, How-To Tuesday, Simply Natural Saturdays, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Get Schooled Saturday, Tatertots & Jello, Little House in the Suburbs, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair

Homemade Body Spray

2013-02-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

I used to love perfume counters and stores like Bath & Body Works. Now I run the other way when I see someone handing out perfume samples and hold my breath when I walk by Abercrombie & Fitch. Instead of a pleasant scent, all I smell are toxic chemicals. So today I'm going to show you how to make a super simple all-natural body spray with essential oils. Unlike fragrance oils, essential oils are natural compounds extracted from parts of plants, flowers, and trees and have been used throughout history for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Not only will you save money by making your own body spray, you will know exactly what's being absorbed into your skin and inhaled into your lungs.

ingredients
spray bottle
vodka or water
essential oils of your choice

directions
Add vodka or water to the spray bottle. If you use water, you'll need to shake really well before each use because essential oils do not dissolve in water. I bought my 1 oz. glass spray bottle at Sprouts, a health food store, for about $2-3. But you can also find them online. Add essential oils of your choice. I used Mountain Rose Herbs' information pages for specific essential oils to figure out which essential oils blend well together. You can also check out Introduction to Aromatherapy Blending for more helpful info.

favorite recipes
I had so much fun creating the following body spray recipes! I don't like any of these essential oils when used alone for a body spray, but once combined they make an amazing scent. I will definitely be creating more recipes and adding them to this list!

Grapefruit Bergamot Body Spray
8 drops grapefruit essential oil
8 drops bergamot essential oil
2 Tbsp vodka or water (1 oz)

Ylang Lime Body Spray
2 drop ylang ylang essential oil
10 drops lime essential oil
2 Tbsp vodka or water (1 oz)

Lavender Lime Body Spray
3 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops lime essential oil
2 Tbsp vodka or water (1 oz)

**I love citrus oils, but some of them cause photosensitivity, meaning when they are left on skin and exposed to sunlight, they can cause the sun's effect to be greatly magnified. So I use these body sprays on my clothing or on skin that isn't going to be exposed to the sun.

cost savings

$2.00/oz Bath & Body Works Fragrance Mist [$6/3 oz]

$0.92/oz Grapefruit Bergamot Body Spray

$0.26 Grapefruit Essential Oil [$9.75/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.40 Bergamot Essential Oil [$15/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.26 vodka [$6.47/750 mL] or $0 for water

$0.64/oz Ylang Lime Body Spray

$0.11 Ylang Ylang Essential Oil [$17/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.27 Lime Essential Oil [$8/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.26 vodka [$6.47/750 mL] or $0 for water

$0.57/oz Lavender Lime Body Spray

$0.21 Lime Essential Oil [$8/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.10 Lavender Essential Oil [$10.25/0.5 oz at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.26 vodka [$6.47/750 mL] or $0 for water

You can find essential oils at your local health food store, Amazon, and Mountain Rose Herbs. Here are more ways to use essential oils. Learn more about essential oil safety.

Do you have a homemade body spray recipe to share?
What essential oil scents do you love when combined?

This post was shared at: Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Works For Me Wednesday, Raising Homemakers Link-Up, Homestead Barn Hop, Simply Natural Saturdays, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Get Schooled Saturday, Little House in the Suburbs, Thirty Handmade Days, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair, Simple Lives Thursday, Natural Living Link-Up, The 36th Avenue, Real Food Forager Fat Tuesday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Show Me What Ya Got Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday

Homemade Mouthwash

2012-09-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

If you haven't noticed by now, I am in love with essential oils. (Sorry husband, it's true.) They are all-natural, they have disinfecting properties, there are so many ways to use them, they don't go rancid, they're so cute . . .ahem, I digress. Even though they might seem expensive, they are super concentrated and a little goes a very long way. When I was creating a recipe for homemade mouthwash, essential oils made perfect sense. I could make a mouthwash with real oranges, ginger, and cloves, but who wants to go to all that trouble when it only lasts about a week in the fridge and there's an easier way? I wanted a recipe that is simple. Simple to make, simple to use, simple to store. Look no further.

minty mouthwash recipe

1 cup distilled, filtered, or boiled water
2-3 drops peppermint essential oil

Mix together in a clean container. Shake before each use. Do not swallow. Store in a dark cupboard or medicine cabinet. (sunlight causes essential oils to lose their potency)

orange spice mouthwash recipe

1 cup distilled, filtered, or boiled water
3 drops clove essential oil
2 drops cinnamon essential oil
2 drops orange essential oil
1 drop ginger essential oil

Mix together in a clean container. Shake before each use. Do not swallow. Store in a dark cupboard or medicine cabinet. (sunlight causes essential oils to lose their potency)

ingredients
Click on the orange links to learn even more about each essential oil.

peppermint essential oil
excellent mouth freshener, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent

clove essential oil
antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, freshens breath

cinnamon essential oil
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, freshens breath

orange essential oil
anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bactericidal, I added this for flavor

ginger essential oil
stimulates production of saliva (saliva helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath), antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, aphrodisiac (wink, wink, get your sweetie in the mood with a little ginger mouthwash)

additional mouthwash ingredients
Don't limit yourself to the essential oils I chose. Most essential oils have disinfecting properties, so feel free to use other essential oils. Here are a few additional ingredients, but certainly not all, that can be used in a homemade mouthwash.

baking soda
add 1/4 tsp per 8 ounces of water, neutralizes bad breath odors, neutralizes acid, but I'm not sure if it spoils in water

myrrh essential oil
add 1-2 drops per 8 ounces of water, used in many oral care products, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent

tea tree essential oil
add about 1 drop per 8 ounces of water, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral

cost savings
Not only is it chemical and alcohol-free, it's practically free! Okay, not really. But it's close. Check out those savings!!

$0.25/oz Tom's of Maine Natural Mouthwash [$3.98/16 fl oz]

$0.12/oz Listerine [$3.97/1 L]

$0.02/oz Minty Homemade Mouthwash

$0.06 Distilled Water [$.99/gallon]
$0.08 Peppermint Essential Oil [$7.50/15 ml at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.14 Grand Total for 8 oz mouthwash

$0.03/oz Orange Spice Homemade Mouthwash

$0.06 Distilled Water [$.99/gallon]
$0.06 Clove Essential Oil [$6/15 ml at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.02 Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil [$3.50/15 ml at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.02 Orange Essential Oil [$2.25/15 ml at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.04 Ginger Essential Oil [$13.25/15 ml at Mountain Rose Herbs]
$0.20 Grand Total for 8 oz mouthwash

You can find essential oils at your local health food store, Amazon, and Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to see more ways to use essential oils. Click here to learn about essential oil safety.

Have you made homemade mouthwash? Please share!

This post was shared at: Simple Lives Thursday, Natural Living Link-Up, The 36th Avenue, Little House in the Suburbs, Frugal Friday, Thirty Handmade Days, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair, Simply Natural Saturdays, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Get Schooled Saturday, Tatertots & Jello, Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival, Homestead Barn Hop, Monday Mania, Motivate Me Monday, More the Merrier Monday, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Real Food Forager Fat Tuesday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Living Green Tuesdays, Show Me What Ya Got Tuesday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Works For Me Wednesday, Healthy 2day Wednesday, Raising Homemakers Link-Up

favorite bath & body products

2012-09-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

I LOVE making homemade products, but let's face it. There are some things I just can't make, don't want to, or haven't gotten around to making yet. I'm a busy mom with young kids! So here are some of my favorite store-bought products that I currently use. I chose these products carefully after spending way too much time comparing ingredient lists at my local health food stores. The store employees thought I was a weirdo.

Everyday Shea Shampoo & Body Wash
for Babies & UpThis shampoo/body wash contains the most natural ingredient list I could find. It's so simple and it contains a very gentle surfactant. It smells like lavender, which isn't my favorite scent, but I can live with it. I have dandruff so I haven't used it on my hair, but I shampoo my kids' hair with it and my husband uses it. I use it as a body wash and to shave my legs. That way I don't have to buy another product (shaving cream) to clutter my shower. I buy it from my health food store or Amazon, depending on which price is better at the time.

Andalou Naturals
ConditionerI don't use conditioner every day because my hair is so fine and it's usually not dry. But when I need it, this is the conditioner I use. (I just noticed my picture is shampoo, not conditioner. Oops!) I really love the Sunflower & Citrus scented conditioner. It smells great, it doesn't weigh my hair down, and the ingredient list looks more natural than others I compared it to. You should be able to find it at your health food store or Amazon.

Badger
SunscreenIt's expensive, but I don't mind paying extra for a safe sunscreen. It takes more effort to blend in to get rid of the white hue, but I don't mind. It's whiter than regular sunscreens because it uses zinc oxide (a mineral) instead of toxic chemicals like oxybenzone. I buy this sunscreen from my health food store or Amazon. For more safe sunscreen options, check out Environmental Working Group's Sunscreen Guide.

Desert Essence Organics
Hand & Body Lotion Usually I use coconut oil for lotion, but sometimes I don't have patience to let it soak in so that it's not greasy. And my husband refuses to slather coconut oil on his body so I need a lotion to have on hand. My favorite scent is spicy vanilla chai, but I've also liked the other scents I've tried. I can find this lotion at my health food store or Amazon.

Tom's of Maine
Children's Fluoride-Free ToothpasteMy kids still swallow their toothpaste. They haven't gotten the hang of rinsing and spitting yet. I'm not going to let them swallow fluoride every night and morning AND drink it in the water supply. I don't want them to get dental fluorosis. So that's why I chose a fluoride-free toothpaste. You should be able to find this children's toothpaste at a health food store or Amazon.

Desert Essence
Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste Desert Essence toothpastes have a very simple, natural ingredient list so I went with that brand. Neem oil is very good for your teeth and tea tree oil is disinfecting. When I first started using this toothpaste, I noticed my teeth looked whiter although it doesn't advertise that it whitens. You should be able to find this toothpaste at a health food store or Amazon.

Zuzu, Mineral Fusion,
and Dr. Hauschka Make-UpThese are the brands of make-up my Sprouts and Whole Foods store sells. Dr. Hauschka's is more expensive so I usually go with Zuzu or Mineral Fusion. Mineral Fusion mascara was clumpy, so I prefer Zuzu mascara. I'm happy with the Zuzu eyeliner pencil. I chose Mineral Fusion eyeshadow because I like how it comes with three colors in one container. The only problem I've noticed with the Zuzu blush and Mineral Fusion eye shadow is, it breaks easily so be careful not to drop it (can you see my broken blush in the pic?). I really love Dr. Hauschka's liquid concealer pen. It goes on smoothly and blends in easily. I like the Mineral Fusion lip gloss, but wish it was shinier.

Has anyone tried 100% Pure Cosmetics? I'm dying to try their brand because their ingredients are a lot more natural and simple than even the "natural" make-up brands I'm currently using. I'd love to hear about your experience with it if you've tried it.

Burt's Bees
Beeswax Lip BalmI usually use oil and shea butter on my lips, but sometimes I need something faster. I'm sure most people are familiar with this lip balm. You can find it almost anywhere (even Amazon), which makes me happy! I love the cool peppermint flavor and smooth texture.

Now it's your turn! What are your favorite natural products?

Homemade Gift Ideas: Baby Wipes & Sugar Foot Scrub

2012-09-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

I have the sweetest, most thoughtful friend ever. Just look what she made and gave me for my birthday! Homemade gifts = total awesomeness!

Homemade Baby Wipes

roll of paper towels, cut in half
2 cups water
2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops tea tree essential oil

Place towels in storage container. Add the oil and water mixture, turning until liquid is absorbed. Remove the cardboard roll, and pull wipes from the center.

Autumn Foot Scrub

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1 cup high quality oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, olive, jojoba, or sunflower oil
ginger essential oil
clove essential oil
cinnamon essential oil
orange essential oil

Mix the sugar, Epsom salt, and oil until well-blended. Next, add the essential oils, alternating one drop at a time if you are using multiple scents. Make sure the essential oils are evenly blended, and then transfer the mixture to an airtight container for storage.

What are some more homemade gift ideas?

This post was shared at: Simple Lives Thursday, Natural Living Link-Up, The 36th Avenue, Little House in the Suburbs, Frugal Friday, Thirty Handmade Days, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair, Simply Natural Saturdays, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Get Schooled Saturday, Tatertots & Jello, Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival, Homestead Barn Hop, Monday Mania, Motivate Me Monday, More the Merrier Monday, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Real Food Forager Fat Tuesday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Living Green Tuesdays, Show Me What Ya Got Tuesday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Works For Me Wednesday, Healthy 2day Wednesday, Raising Homemakers Link-Up

Nuts About Soap Nuts

2012-09-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of soap nuts or soap berries? I'm really excited about them. They are an all-natural alternative to the chemical bath that is laundry detergent. Not really nuts at all, they are the dried shells of a fruit that comes from a species of shrubs or trees in the Lychee family. The shells contain saponins, a natural surfactant, and have been used for washing for thousands of years. I love that they are less expensive than most laundry detergent, especially those that are marketed as "natural" (but aren't really all that natural).

How Do Soap Nuts Work?

I buy my soap nuts from Amazon. They come in a big draw-string bag, along with a matching, but smaller (and therefore cuter) draw-string bag. They are so easy to use. All I do is put 4-5 soap nuts in the smaller bag and throw it in the washer. The nuts release their "soap" better in warm or hot water, although they still work in cold water. If I'm washing a load of darks in cold water, I fill up the washing machine with enough hot water to cover the soap nut bag, and then I change the temp to cold water.

The soap nuts last for about seven loads, until they get mushy and gray. If you put the soap nuts in the dryer by accident (which I have done many times), don't freak out. They still work! Soap nuts smell vinegar-esque, but the clothes just smell clean after being washed.

Where Are the Suds?

Soap nuts are low sudsing, which is perfect if you have a front-load washer. If you don't have one, it's still perfect because the amount of suds has nothing to do with how well a soap or detergent cleans. Companies actually put chemicals in their soaps and detergents for the sole purpose of making suds because people think their soap isn't working if they can't see suds.

Goodbye Fabric Softener

Another great thing about soap nuts is they make the laundry soft without fabric softener or dryer sheets. I stopped using fabric softener and dryer sheets months ago because of all the toxic chemicals, which you can read about here. When I use my homemade laundry detergent, I have to use vinegar in the rinse cycle to get softer clothes and to wash away the soap residue. But with soap nuts, I don't need any vinegar. My loads that are washed with soap nuts end up surprisingly soft.

Too Good to Be True?

Just when soap nuts sounded too good to be true, here's a reality check. They don't get stains out as well as commercial laundry detergent. It hasn't been a problem with my clothes or my husband's clothes. But my boys' unbelievably filthy clothes and my laziness at pre-treating stains is a big problem. When I have the presence of mind and the will-power to pre-treat stains, soap nuts work fabulously!

**Update** I've been using a scoop of generic brand Oxi-Clean with the soap nuts to wash the kid's clothes and our white loads. It's been getting out all the stains so far. Oxi-Clean is just hydrogen peroxide and washing soda. You can add 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup of washing soda (found in the laundry isle) or baking soda (not as powerful) to your load instead of buying Oxi-Clean.

More Ways to Use Soap Nuts

After publishing this blog post, I got an email from one of my readers, Janet McCollum. I was so intrigued, I had to share with everyone! Here's how she uses soap nuts.

I have been using soap nuts since October for my family of eight. After doing some research I tried making a concentrate instead of using the berries in a bag method. It works much better! The last load then gets the same concentration of soap as the first and it distributes more evenly in the wash. It also cleans as well in cold water as hot. But best of all it is more cost effective and you don't have to hunt for the bag in a bunch of wet clothes. Method - Bring to a boil 2 berries for every 1 cup of water, turn down heat, cover and simmer for one hour. Use 1/4 cup per load. This will give you four loads worth. I make three times this amount for my family's laundry. You must refrigerate any leftover and use within a week.

There are so many cool things you can make with soap nut concentrate! Check out crunchybetty.com to get recipes for soap nut dishwasher detergent, window cleaner, household cleaner, hand soap, bug spray, jewelry cleaner, shampoo, dandruff treatment, facial cleanser, body wash, shaving cream, and a treatment for athlete's foot.

In summary, here are the pros and cons of soap nuts.

Pros	Cons
easy to use	stains must be pre-treated
all natural	don't work as well in cold water
environmentally friendly
low sudsing for front-load washers
eliminate need for fabric softener or dryer sheets
cheaper than most laundry detergent
don't go bad so you can buy in bulk

Price Comparison

$0.19/load - Tide Free & Gentle ($12/64 loads)
$0.14/load - All Free & Clear Laundry Detergent ($9/64 loads)
$0.11/load - NaturOli Soap Nuts, $24/1 lb
$0.08/load - NaturOli Soap Nuts, $24/1 lb (if you make concentrate)
$0.07/load - NaturOli Soap Nuts, $33/2 lbs
$0.06/load - NaturOli Soap Nuts, $33/2 lbs (if you make concentrate)
$0.05/load - NaturOli Soap Nuts, $45/4 lbs
$0.04/load - NaturOli Soap Nuts, $45/4 lbs (if you make concentrate)

Have you used soap nuts? What do you think?

This post was shared at: Real Food Forager Fat Tuesday, Simple Lives Thursday, Natural Living Link-Up, The 36th Avenue, Little House in the Suburbs, Frugal Friday, Thirty Handmade Days, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair, Simply Natural Saturdays, Country Momma Cooks Saturday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Get Schooled Saturday, Tatertots & Jello, Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival, Homestead Barn Hop, Monday Mania, Motivate Me Monday, More the Merrier Monday, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Living Green Tuesdays, Show Me What Ya Got Tuesday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Works For Me Wednesday, Healthy 2day Wednesday, Raising Homemakers Link-Up

Five Foods for a Healthy Liver Guest Post by Emily Fonnesbeck, RD, CD, CLT

2012-09-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have Emily, my good friend from college, here to guest post! She is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Emily Fonnesbeck Nutrition Consulting. Previously she worked at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Utah, where she taught people from all over the world how to manage a healthy weight. She has a certificate in Adult Weight Management and is a Certified LEAP Therapist.

She offers nutrition counseling to those seeking help in autoimmune diseases, food sensitivities (migraine, IBS, fibromyalgia, etc), child nutrition, diabetes care, heart disease, pregnancy nutrition, sports nutrition and athletic performance, digestive issues, vegetarian diets and general nutrition information. She counsels clients over the phone or in person.

Visit Emily's website to learn more about her and the services she offers. Follow Emily on Facebook to get practical nutrition tips and Pinterest to see what healthy recipes she recommends.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Hello Our Homemade Happiness readers! I am so happy to be guest posting today. Kendra has been a great friend and I admire her mission with this blog. There are so many food and environmental chemicals that can spell trouble for health and she has such great ideas on how to decrease our exposure.

This post is inspired by Kendra’s husband’s battle with liver disease. The liver is the central detoxification organ in the body and certain foods can increase its effectiveness. I am passionate about decreasing inflammation in the body since inflammation is the precursor to any disease or illness. If the liver can detoxify chemicals and harmful substances, cells are protected from oxidative damage and inflammation is avoided. So today I hope to talk about foods and nutrients that will aid in detoxification by the liver and offer some easy recipes for some of those foods.

The liver is the largest organ in your body and has several functions. It produces and stores bile, stores glycogen and rids your blood of waste, toxins and chemicals. Following are 5 essential foods and nutrients that will aid in this process.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables
These vegetables over and above any other vegetable will do the most for the liver, inflammation and detoxification. They have 3 key compounds that trigger detoxification enzymes in the liver. Numerous studies have shown a protective effect against cell damage by increasing consumption of cruciferous vegetables. This will reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease.

Examples include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, bok choy, kale and spinach. Aim to consume at least one serving each day; ideally up to 2-3 cups!
A word of caution - cruciferous vegetables have glucosinolates that break down to a compound called goitrin, which interferes with thyroid hormone production and could possibly lead to hypothyroidism. Cooking these vegetables will reduce the amounts of goitrin.

2. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium
These nutrients are great antioxidants that will aid in the liver’s ability to do its job. If your liver has adequate levels of these nutrients stored, it can more effectively neutralize the free radicals that are formed during detoxification. This means you avoid oxidative damage to the liver.

Foods that are rich in vitamin C are citrus fruits, dark leafy greens and bell peppers. Foods rich in vitamin E are leafy greens, nuts and oils. Foods rich in selenium include fish, shellfish, meat, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, mushrooms and onions.

3. Sulfur
Sulfur is part of glutathione, an antioxidant made in the body from amino acids that is a key factor in liver detoxification. Sulfur is found in onions, garlic and egg yolks.

4. Soluble Fiber
When the liver is under stress, fatty deposits can grow on the surface (visceral fat) leading to fatty liver. In addition to regular exercise, including 10 grams of soluble fiber a day can decrease visceral fat. Foods high in soluble fiber include beans, fruit, oats and barley. Aim for 2 servings of fruit, 1 serving of oats or barley and 1 serving of beans per day to get 10 grams. A serving is equivalent to ½ cup.

5. Turmeric, Cinnamon and Curry Powder
Certain seasonings have been shown to have a powerful antioxidant effect on the body and the liver. Using more turmeric, cinnamon and curry powder will aid in maintaining a healthy liver.

In addition to the above list, it is also important to focus on what may inhibit liver detoxification. Try to limit packaged, processed foods and high fat animal products. These foods are sources of trans fats, saturated fats, refined flours and refined sugars. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco as well. Try to eat organic foods, use natural household products (you're in the right place!), and aim for 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day.

Here are three of my favorite “Liver Healthy” recipes. They incorporate quite a few of these nutrient rich foods!

Roasted Curried Cauliflower
1 head cauliflower
2 cloves garlic
1-2 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
1 tbsp curry powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Chop cauliflower and garlic. Toss together with oil and curry powder. Spread in single layer on tin-foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

Nutty Cinnamon Oat Bran
½ cup raw oat bran
1 cup 1% organic milk or almond milk
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen organic mixed berries
2 tbsp nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc) OR ¼ cup chopped nuts (Brazil nuts, almond, peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.)

Combine oat bran and milk in small saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Once it starts to thicken, stir in vanilla, cinnamon and berries. When desired consistency is reached, remove from heat and allow to thicken in the warm pot, 1-2 minutes. Pour into bowl and top with nut butter or peanuts and extra fruit if desired.

Turmeric Hummus
1 can low sodium garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp tahini paste
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1 tsp salt
½ -1 tbsp turmeric
water for thinning if needed

Combine all ingredients in food processor or high powered blender. Blend until combined. Serve with vegetables.

To get more nutrition tips from Emily, you can follow her on Facebook and visit her website. Check out Emily on Pinterest to see what healthy recipes she has pinned for her clients!

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Light & Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles

2012-09-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

Anyone think the terms "light & fluffy" and "whole wheat" don't go together? I know it sounds unbelievable, but this whole wheat waffle recipe makes one delicious, light and fluffy waffle. One reason is the recipe calls for whole wheat pastry flour instead of regular whole wheat flour. Whole wheat pastry flour creates a less dense, lighter baked good compared to regular whole wheat flour. I buy my whole wheat pastry flour from the health food store.

I make this recipe at least once a week and freeze the leftovers. When I want a waffle, I pull one out of the freezer and pop it into the toaster much like an Eggo waffle, except these are a whole lot healthier, cheaper, and yummier.

Light & Fluffy
Whole Wheat Waffles
Printable Version

2 eggs, beaten
1 3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup flaxseed meal
1/4 cup wheat germ
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon organic sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Beat in whole wheat pastry flour, flax seed meal, wheat germ, baking powder, sugar, and salt until batter is smooth. Preheat a waffle iron and coat with oil. Pour batter into waffle iron and cook until crisp and golden brown.

**To make even fluffier waffles, separate the egg whites from yolks. Beat the egg whites until they thicken into a foamy white texture. Gently fold beaten egg whites into the batter at the very end.

Source: adapted from an allrecipes.com recipe

About the Ingredients

The original recipe called for canola oil but I substituted it for extra-virgin olive oil because it's healthier. I've never noticed any olive oil flavor. Next time I make this recipe, I plan to substitute olive oil with coconut oil to see how the waffles turn out. Did you know coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils to cook with? If you use coconut oil, melt it first before you add it to the cold batter so it will mix with the other ingredients. It seems obvious, but I learned the hard way.

I keep ground flaxseed and wheat germ in my fridge to give food a nutrient boost. They don't affect the flavor as far as I can tell. I throw them in cookies, muffins, and smoothies all the time. You can find them at most grocery stores. I can usually find wheat germ in the cereal aisle, but I've also seen it in the bulk section at my health food store. I can usually find a bag of Bob's Red Mill ground flaxseed meal in any baking isle.

Flaxseed leaves other grains in the dust because of the low level of carbohydrates and high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. Wheat germ is a real powerhouse of nutrients, containing fiber, iron, protein, B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, manganese, chromium, and antioxidants.

This post was proudly featured at:

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Ninjago Birthday Party Ideas with Printables

2012-08-26T23:26:00.000-07:00

Ninjago is all the rage! I threw my son a Ninjago party for his sixth birthday this year. There were so many cute party ideas out there! It was hard, but I limited myself to the following. I included the images I made so you can download them, print them, and throw your own affordable Ninjago party.

Ninjago Water Bottles

To make your own Ninjago water bottles, click on the picture below to bring up the full-size image, save to your computer, then print. You can cover them with clear contact paper or packing tape so the colors don't bleed.

Ninjago Cupcake Toppers

To make your own Ninjago cupcake toppers, click on the picture below to bring up the full-size image, then save to your computer. Print on card stock. Cut ninjas out and tape toothpicks to the back.

Ninjago Party Favor Tags

To make your own Ninjago party favor tags, click on the picture below to bring up the full-size image, then save to your computer. The red tag fits the Lego Ninjago Booster Packs. The green tag fits the Lego Minifigure Packs.

Pin the Beard on Sensei Wu Game

I got this game idea from Craft, Interrupted. This awesome blog is full of cool Ninjago party ideas.

To download beardless Sensei Wu, click on the picture below to see the full-size image, save to computer, then print. It will print on 6 pieces of paper and then you can tape them together. You can print the beards from Craft, Interrupted.

What's Your Ninja Name? Game

I got the game from Craft, Interrupted and added my own border. Click on the picture below to see the full-size image, save to computer, print, and cut in half.

Throw the Ninja Star Game

I also found this idea at Craft, Interrupted. I followed this tutorial to make paper ninja stars. The kids loved throwing their ninja stars at designated targets.

Ninja-GOOOOOO have a great party!

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Homemade Facial Toner

2012-08-24T00:40:00.000-07:00

Skincare companies love to tell us their over-priced toner is a necessary part of a proper skincare regimen. One more thing to buy, right? I personally don't think it is a must-have skincare item, but a lot of people love the clean, tight feeling a toner can give. Unfortunately that clean, tight feeling means your skin is dry. All the natural protective oils are wiped away, which I'm not sure is a good thing. Those toners usually consist mostly of alcohol, which is way too harsh and drying. If you are a toner enthusiast, check out these natural ingredients you can use to make homemade toner that is less expensive, better for your skin, and customized to your skin type.

Natural Ingredients

Rose Water
For all skin types, especially dry. Gentle, moisturizing antiseptic. You can find rose water at health food stores, Amazon, and Mountain Rose Herbs. Make homemade rose water with rose essential oil or with rose petals using this tutorial.
Milk
For all skin types, especially dry. Add to harsher ingredients (ACV, lemon juice, witch hazel) to make them more moisturizing.
Chamomile Tea
For all skin types, especially dry. Anti-inflammatory. Soothes irritated, dry skin.
Cold Water
For all skin types. The cold temperature closes pores.
Green Tea**
For all skin types. Loaded with antioxidants.
Apple Cider Vinegar
For all skin types, especially acne-prone skin. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Strong smell. Needs to be diluted. I use Bragg's ACV and lavender essential oil when my face breaks out. Zits are noticeably smaller by morning.
Lemon Juice
For all skin types, especially acne-prone skin. Exfoliates. Antibacterial. Reduces oiliness. Needs to be diluted.
Witch Hazel
For all skin types, especially oily or acne-prone skin. An astringent made from the leaves and bark of a shrub. Contains alcohol, so it might be drying. You can find witch hazel at pharmacies, health food stores, Amazon, and Mountain Rose Herbs.

**If you are sensitive to caffeine, there are decaffeinated versions of green tea available. Make sure you get decaffeinated tea made by a natural process of “effervescence” using only water and carbon dioxide, as it retains 95 per cent of the antioxidants. The solvent method of decaffeination, using ethyl acetate, retains only 30 per cent of them. (Source: Beauty Benefits of Green Tea)

Customize with Essential Oils

You can make your homemade toner even more luxurious and customized to your individual skin type by adding essential oils. Essential oils are natural compounds extracted from parts of plants, flowers, and trees. They have been used throughout history for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. They are extremely concentrated so you only need to add a drop to your cotton ball. Never use undiluted essential oils on your skin, except lavender or tea tree oil. Click here for more essential oil safety. You can find essential oils at your local health food store, Amazon, or Mountain Rose Herbs.

Mature Skin/Wrinkles: frankincense, helichrysum, geranium, lavender, myrrh, sandalwood, carrot seed
Dry Skin: rose, lavender, geranium, sandalwood, rosewood, ylang-ylang, chamomile
Oily Skin: lemon, cedarwood, cypress, juniper, lavender, lemongrass, grapefruit
Acne-Prone Skin: tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, geranium, peppermint, rosemary, sandalwood

Toner Recipes

Use one ingredient or mix and match to create the perfect formula for your skin. If you dilute with water or use ingredients that spoil (tea, milk, lemon juice, fresh rose water made with petals), I suggest keeping it in the fridge or making fresh toner daily. It's not as hard as it sounds. Pour a little apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and then put it under running water to dilute. Or make a cup of chamomile tea to drink before bed and save a little to use on your face. Here are some more ways to use homemade toner based on your skin type.

Dry/Mature Skin

Add rose water, chamomile tea, or green tea to a cotton ball and apply to face.

Normal Skin

Add green tea to a cotton ball and apply to face.
Or add a little apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to a cotton ball. Dilute with water, rose water, milk, or tea. (Start with a ratio of 1:10 and adjust as needed.) Apply to face.
Or splash cold water on your face.

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

Add some apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or witch hazel to a cotton ball. Dilute with water, rose water, milk, or tea. (Start with a ratio of 1:5 and adjust as needed) Apply to face.

Saves Money

By switching to homemade toner, I save money AND stop worrying about all the chemicals in commercial toner.

$1.94/oz. Clinique Clarifying Lotion Toner ($13/6.7 oz.)
$0.76/oz. Bragg's Raw ACV ($3/16 oz) & Lavender Essential Oil ($9.50/.5 oz.)
$0.31/oz. Mountain Rose Herbs Witch Hazel Extract ($5/16 oz.)

How do you feel about toner? What natural ingredients do you use?

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21 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants

2012-08-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's the unusually high temperatures we've been having or what, but ants are determined to move into my house and take up residence. First they came in through an electrical outlet in the dining room and found some crumbs my son so generously left under his high chair. Next they moved onto the kids bathroom, maybe to drink some water to finish off their meal from the dining room. The latest place they've ventured to is my bathroom, looking for remnants of my irresistible homemade sugar scrub.

After doing some research and trying out a couple natural methods to get rid of ants, my house is currently ant-free. As a celebration of sorts, I compiled this list of natural ant removal methods, including the ideas that worked for me. Secretly I'm kind of hoping the ants come back so I can try more of these ideas!

Vinegar
I put some distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed the entrance points. I also sprayed vinegar along the trail to destroy their pheromone trail. Once the vinegar dried, a few ants came back to check out the situation. After reapplying the vinegar a few more times, they got the hint they weren't welcome and moved on.

Essential Oils
Here are some essential oils that ants are known to dislike: eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, peppermint, and citrus oils. I put about 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil and water into a small squirt bottle. Then I sprayed entrance points and along trails. I had to reapply a few more times after it dried. I thought vinegar worked better, but maybe I needed more essential oil and less water. Amanda at Easy Peasy Organic swears by eucalyptus oil. She used a ratio of 50/50 eucalyptus oil and water. You can find essential oils at health food stores, Amazon, and Mountain Rose Herbs.

Herbs/Spices
If you don't have essential oils, you can sprinkle powdered cinnamon, clove, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, mint or bay leaves at entrance points.

Soapy water
This is Brie at DIY Life's favorite way to get rid of ants. Fill a spray bottle with 2 tablespoons dish soap and 1/2 cup water. It kills ants and destroys the pheromone trail. It only works when wet, so you'll need to reapply for a few days.

Alcohol
In a spray bottle, add 1 part rubbing alcohol or tequila to 1 part water. Spray at entrance points or trails. Reapply for a few days.

Chalk
Ants won't cross chalk lines. Draw lines with chalk at their entrance points or to block their trails. Amanda at Easy Peasy Organic had good results with this method.

Baby Powder
Sprinkle baby powder at entrance points or to block their trails. They won't walk across it.

Citrus or Cucumber Peels
They are toxic to the kind of fungi ants feed on. Leave peels at entrance points. Replace every other day. Or puree peels in a blender, add water, and smear at entrance points or along trails.

Lemon Juice
Dab lemon juice at entrance points or areas they visit.

Coffee Grounds
Ants don't like the smell of coffee. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the perimeter of your house or at entrance points.

Baking Soda & Powdered Sugar
The powdered sugar will attract ants and the baking soda will kill them when they eat it. Mix together 1 part baking soda and 1 part powdered sugar. Leave where you see ants.

Borax & Sugar Mixture
Tip Nut has some different recipes to try. The ants take it back to the nest and it kills the colony. Keep where children and pets can't get to it. You can find Borax at Walmart or Target in the laundry aisle.

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Doesn't this sound like something from Lord of the Rings? From what I've read, it's an all-natural dust made from tiny fossilized water plants. It is lethal to insects because of its microscopic razor sharp edges. You can sprinkle it around the perimeter of your house and it will kill bugs that touch it. It won't harm warm-blooded animals, birds, or earthworms. You should be able to find it at home and garden stores, nurseries, and even Amazon.

What natural methods do you use to keep ants away?

This post was shared at: Little House in the Suburbs, Thirty Handmade Days, Simply Sweet Home Friday Favorites, Happy Hour Friday, Whipperberry Friday Flair, Encourage One Another Link-Up, Simple Lives Thursday, Natural Living Link-Up, The 36th Avenue, Catch a Glimpse Thursday, Simple Steps to Healthy Living, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Works For Me Wednesday, Healthy 2day Wednesday, Raising Homemakers Link-Up, Tiny Tip Tuesday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Living Green Tuesdays, Teach Me Tuesday, Tout it Tuesday, Too Cute Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Show Me What Ya Got Tuesday, Marvelous Mondays, Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival, Homestead Barn Hop, Monday Mania, Homemaker on a Dime, Motivate Me Monday, More the Merrier Monday, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Alderberry Hill, Simply Natural Saturdays, Country Momma Cooks Saturday, Saturday Show & Tell, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Get Schooled Saturday, Tatertots & Jello, Show & Tell Saturday, Say G'Day Saturday

Electric Diffuser & Essential Oil GIVEAWAY (closed)

2012-08-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm way over-due for a giveaway! I recently wrote a post about Natural Air Freshener. In the post, I talked about my electric diffuser from Mountain Rose Herbs. I love it so much, I want to give one away! It's super simple to use. I apply 6-8 drops of essential oil on a pad that goes inside the diffuser. The scent lasts about 3 hours. It's small and doesn't make any noise.

But what's a diffuser without some essential oil? In addition to the diffuser, you'll receive a 1/2 ounce bottle of essential oil. You get to choose one of the following top-quality Mountain Rose Herbs organic essential oils. Click on them to learn more about each one.

Sweet Orange (retail value $2.00, it's 20% off this month)
Lime (retail value $4.00)
Lemon (retail value $5.00)
Lavender (retail value $9.50)
Grapefruit (retail value $9.75)

To enter for a chance to win, use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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How to Make Natural LEGO Cake Pops

2012-08-09T23:35:00.003-07:00

I threw my son a Lego party recently and wanted to make these adorable Lego cake pops after I saw them at Living Locurto (pictured below). If you've never made cake pops before, here's the skinny. You make a cake mix, combine it with a tub of frosting, shape into balls, and then dip into melted candy melts. They are beyond delicious, but full of iffy ingredients and preservatives I'd rather avoid. So I made my own natural version.

Traditional Cake Pop Ingredients:

Flour, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Cocoa, Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Corn Starch, Modified Corn Starch, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil and/or Cottonseed Oil, Propylene Glycol Mono and Diesters of Fatty Acids, Distilled Monoglycerides, Carob Powder, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Artificial Flavor, High Maltose Corn Syrup, Artificial Coloring Yellow 5&6, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel oil, Reduced Mineral Whey Powder, Whole milk solids, Nonfat Dry Milk Solids, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Coloring FD & C #5
(based on Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix, Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting, Yellow Wilton Candy Melts)

My Natural Cake Pop Ingredients:

Butter, Sugar, Eggs, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt, Cocoa Powder, Milk, Vanilla Extract, Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Turmeric, White Chocolate

Natural LEGO Cake PopsYou can avoid trans fat, preservatives, and artificial coloring by making cake and frosting from scratch and dipping it into naturally dyed white chocolate. Here's how I did it.

1. Make Cake from Scratch
I made a delicious chocolate cake recipe from my favorite cook book, The Best Recipe, by the Editors of Cook's Illustrated. I included the recipe at the end of this post. It's yummy, but any standard cake recipe should work.

2. Mix Cake With Homemade Frosting
I made this delicious cream cheese frosting from allrecipes.com. I would suggest using at least half the sugar the recipe calls for (or omit sugar altogether!). Cake pops are sugar overload. You're combining cake and frosting which is normal, but then you are taking it to the next level by covering it with sweetened chocolate.

3. Shape.
Roll into a ball and then roll on waxed paper to make LEGO head shape. For the connector, add a little piece of cake/frosting mixture to the top of the LEGO head. Insert a stick and freeze. Freezing the cake pop will help it to not fall off the stick as you are dipping into melted chocolate.

4. Melt White Chocolate
I melted two 8 ounce Ghirardelli white chocolate baking bars in a makeshift double broiler (a metal bowl on top of a pot of simmering water). You can also melt it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each 30 second increment.

16 oz. of chocolate wasn't enough to dip all the cake pops, but it was enough to cover the number of cake pops I needed. The white chocolate was so thick, each cake pop ended up with too much chocolate. Some of the cake pops actually fell off the stick because of the weight of the chocolate. Next time I would thin the chocolate with vegetable oil.

5. Naturally Dye White Chocolate
Add 1 teaspoon turmeric to naturally color chocolate a perfect yellow color. I could taste a tiny hint of turmeric since I knew it was there, but the chocolate still tasted great. If you need a different color, check out my post about natural food coloring.

6. Dip Cake Pops
Dip frozen cake pops into chocolate. Place stick in styrofoam to dry. Store in refrigerator.

7. Draw LEGO Faces
Okay, okay, the edible ink is not natural. I'm pretty sure there is no such thing. But I couldn't resist such cute faces!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake
adapted from The Best Recipe by the Editors of Cook's Illustrated

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 cake pan with vegetable oil and dust with flour. Tap out excess flour.

2. Beat butter in bowl with electric mixer on medium-high until smooth and shiny, about 30 seconds. Gradually sprinkle in sugar, beat until mixture is fluffy and almost white, 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating 1 full minute after each addition.

3. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa in medium bowl. Combine milk and vanilla in measuring cup. With mixer on lowest speed, add about one-third of dry ingredients to batter, followed immediately by about one-third of milk mixture; mix until ingredients are almost incorporated into batter. Repeat process twice more. When batter appears blended, stop mixer and scrape bowl sides with rubber spatula. Return mixer to low speed; beat until batter looks satiny, about 15 seconds longer.

4. Fill pan with batter. Bake cake until it feels firm in center when lightly pressed and toothpick comes out clean or with just a crumb or two adhering, 23 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack; cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Source: allrecipes.com

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar (I would use half this amount)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In bowl, mix together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in powdered sugar. Store in the fridge.

I can't help but add one more pic of this cute guy! You can see my post about the LEGO party favors I put together for my son's birthday here. My next blog post is going to be about a more simple (but still natural) non-Lego cake pop. Stay tuned!

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Seven Natural Air Freshener Ideas That Heal, Not Hurt

2012-08-03T14:11:00.001-07:00

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes commercial air freshener as a source of indoor air pollution. Without good ventilation, chemicals from air fresheners, cleaners, and other substances build up in our houses with no where to go. Many air fresheners contain phthalates, hazardous chemicals known to cause cancer, hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. I've ditched Bath & Body Works Wallflowers and Febreze and replaced it with these seven natural alternatives.

1. Simmer Fragrant Fruit and Spices

Cut up fruit and place in boiling water, along with desired spices. My favorites are oranges, lemons, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and pieces of vanilla bean or vanilla extract. I add more water when it gets low. I simmer on and off for a day or two and then throw it out. The fruit looks pretty worn out by the time I'm done with it.

2. Simmer Essential Oils

Essential oils are totally natural compounds extracted from parts of plants, flowers, and trees. They have been used throughout history for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Most essential oils have anti-microbial properties so they help purify the air while I'm enjoying their nice aroma. They can be found at health food stores, Amazon, and Mountain Rose Herbs. Don't mistake them for fragrance oils, which most likely contain narly chemicals.

To simmer essential oils, I add a few drops to a pot of boiling water. They are very concentrated so a little goes a long way. My favorite essential oil scents are orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, vanilla absolute, cinnamon, and peppermint. Use one essential oil by itself or blend them to create a unique scent!

3. Refill Plug-In Air Freshener with Essential Oils

After I saw this tutorial, I had to try it. It's not as simple as it looks. It was so hard to get the plastic thingie off that holds the wick (the cigarette looking thing that soaks up the oil). I had to pry it with a tiny little screw driver. Finally it popped off, spraying chemical-laden fragrance oil all over the place. The whole process left my kitchen smelling exactly like what I was trying to avoid. It's a week later and I can still smell whiffs of Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Mint Oil. Boo.

I filled the bulb with 1/3 essential oil and 2/3 distilled water like the website recommended. The scent was hardly noticeable and the water evaporated so quickly, it was gone in a couple of days. With all the work involved and having to deal with the nasty fragrance oil, this is my least favorite idea of the bunch.

4. Warm Essential Oils or Extracts on an Oil Burner

Usually, I put a few drops of my favorite essential oils onto the plate and dilute it with water. It works well, but you have to replace the tea light candles every so often and be careful of the open flame. (A commenter suggested using unscented wax with the essential oils instead of water, since water evaporates so quickly. Genius!)

One time I squeezed juice from a lemon and an orange onto the warming plate to see what would happen, but I could hardly smell anything. Then I tried vanilla extract, with happy results!

5. Use an Electric Diffuser

I've been wanting an electric diffuser for awhile, so when I saw this one on Mountain Rose Herb's website for $20, I just had to try it out. You know, for blog research. It's super simple. I apply 6-8 drops of essential oil on a pad that goes inside the diffuser. After I plug it in and turn it on, I can smell the essential oils after about 5 minutes. It recommends applying fresh essential oil every 2-3 hours, or as needed.

This diffuser is meant for a small room so the scent isn't terribly strong in my open living room/kitchen/dining room. But that's perfect because I can't stand when the smell is too strong. And I can always add more essential oil to the pad if I want the scent to be stronger. It's small and doesn't make any noise. The downside is having to buy replaceable pads. It only comes with five and the directions recommend using a new pad for each different oil or blend of oils. Of course they say that so you'll buy more pads.

6. Make Your Own Essential Oil Air Freshener Spray

I found this idea here. I fill my spray bottle half-full with filtered water. Then I add 8-10 drops of my favorite essential oils. The website warns against spraying near polished wood. Label and store in a dark cupboard.

7. Make a Homemade Reed Diffuser

Check out my super simple and inexpensive DIY reed diffuser tutorial. All you need is a vase, reed diffuser sticks, water, and essential oil. It cost me less than $2 compared to the $15-40 reed diffusers I saw at the store last weekend.

Do you know of any other ways to naturally freshen the air without harmful chemicals? What are your favorite essential oil scents?

Lists of Essential Oils that Help Improve Mood:
Aromatherapy Mood Blends
Oils That Can Ease Unpleasant Emotions

More Info on the Dangers of Commercial Air Freshener:
How "Fresh" is Air Freshener?
The Toxicity of Plug-In Air Fresheners
Toxipedia: Air Fresheners
Air Fresheners, Are They Really Freshening Your Air?
Many Cleaners, Air Fresheners May Pose Health Risks When Used Indoors
Wikipedia: Air Freshener

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How to Make Natural Food Coloring

2012-07-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, artificial food dyes have been linked to allergies, ADHD, and cancer. I'll pass! So I decided to experiment with different fruits, vegetables, and spices to make homemade natural food coloring. I used my juicer to extract the juice from fruits and vegetables. If you don't have a juicer, you can mash the fruit and strain it, boil the veggies in a little water and use the concentrated liquid, or use juice from the store.

If you are coloring frosting, I suggest using this heavenly cream cheese frosting recipe. I also tried a butter cream frosting made with 12 Tbsp. butter and 1 pound powdered sugar. But the cream cheese frosting tasted way better, especially when mixed with things like kale juice or turmeric. Start with small amounts of "natural dye" and taste the frosting as you go to make sure it doesn't overpower the original flavor. Check out my extremely scientific results below to find out what worked and what didn't.

Color	What I Used	Notes
Orange	12 tsp. juice from carrots per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	I could taste the carrots, but it tasted great with the cream cheese frosting.
Yellow	1/2 tsp. turmeric and 2 tsp. milk per 1 cup butter cream frosting (Omit milk in cream cheese frosting)	I could taste a hint of turmeric in the butter cream frosting, but it still tasted good. Next time I would use cream cheese frosting and less turmeric.
Pale Yellow-Green	8 tsp. mashed avocado per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	Disappointing. It all depends on the color of your avocado. My avocado wasn't very green. The taste of avocado was too strong.
Pastel Green	8 tsp. juice from kale or spinach per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	I could taste a hint of kale, but it still tasted great. Spinach and kale dyed the frosting the same color green, but spinach left a yucky aftertaste.
Light Pink	2 tsp. juice from raspberries per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	Yummy!
Pink	4 tsp. juice from strawberries per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	Delicious!
Hot Pink	2 tsp. juice from beets per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	I loved the bright color beet juice produced. I could taste a tiny hint of beets, but it still tasted great.
Purplish Pink	4 tsp. juice from blackberries per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	Yummm!
Brown	2 tsp. cocoa powder and 2 tsp milk per 1 cup butter cream frosting (Omit milk in cream cheese frosting)	Can't go wrong with cocoa!
Grey-Lilac	8 tsp. juice from blueberries per 1 cup cream cheese frosting	I was expecting a pretty lilac color, but it made an unappetizing gray color. A commenter said you can get lilac by boiling red cabbage.
Color of throw-up	2 tsp. paprika and 2 tsp. milk per 1 cup butter cream frosting (Omit milk in cream cheese frosting)	I read that paprika was supposed to make brick-red frosting. As you can see, it was not brick-red and it tasted nasty.
Red	one can of beets and marshmallow fondant	I didn't think red was possible until Nicole at Perfection Is My Enemy showed me this amazing Lego cake. Click here to see how she did it.

Do you know other ways to make natural food coloring? Please share!

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Lego Birthday Party Favor Ideas

2012-07-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

I can't resist a cute theme for my kids' birthdays. Planning a themed party makes me giddy with happiness! I know, I'm a weirdo. This year, I went with a Lego themed birthday for my son. There are tons of cute Lego party ideas out there!

LEGO PARTY INVITATION:
I spent so much time trying to design my own Lego invitation, only to find this adorable invitation that is way cuter than anything I could make. The best part? You can download it free at make-your-own-invitations.com.

LEGO PARTY FAVOR GIFT BAGS:
For the Lego brick party favor bags, I bought a pack of 10 red/blue gift bags at Target for $3.99. I only needed six so I used the extra bags and my circle cutter to cut out the circles. Then I used pop-up foam squares to make the circles stick out. It took some time, but I loved how they turned out.

LEGO CRAYONS:
To make Lego crayons, you'll need a silicone mold. I bought a Lego brick mold on Amazon, but afterwards I realized you can find it cheaper on ebay. There is also a Lego minifigure mold. First, my older son and I took the wrappers off our old crayons. Then we broke them into pieces. I read that it's better to not mix too many colors, so I put clumps of similar colors next to each other.

After the crayons were in place, I put the mold on a baking sheet and put it in the oven on 250°F for about 10-15 minutes until the crayons were all melted. After the crayons cooled, they were super easy to remove from the mold. This project wasn't too bad except for removing the paper off the crayons. It takes longer than you think it will, and you'll end up with little pieces of crayon all over the place. But they are so cute!

LEGO PLAYDOUGH:
Making Lego playdough was so easy. I just took playdough, put it in the silicone mold, and voilà!

I put the Lego crayons and playdough in snack-sized bags and put a label on it using this free Lego font.

LEGO TREATS:
I went the easy route and put non-Lego candy in everyone's favor bag. Here are some cuter options: buy Lego brick candy, make Lego chocolates, or make gummy Legos.

LEGO TOYS:
I found little Lego sets that were on clearance at Target and put one in each bag. Another option is to give each kid a Lego minifigure. They are $2.99 on Lego's website or you can buy them on ebay. I've also seen them at Target. I got my husband the computer programmer minifigure because he's a programmer and it looks just like him!

What better place for a Lego birthday than Legoland? Spoiled kid. Check out the natural LEGO pop cakes I made for his birthday here.

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How to Clean a White Sink Without Bleach

2012-07-24T16:28:00.001-07:00

When we first moved into our apartment, I thought the white sink was a beautiful piece in our all-white kitchen. Little did I know, white kitchen sinks do not stay white and beautiful very long. I used to think Soft Scrub with Bleach was the only way to keep my white sink white. I've since figured out a couple easy ways to keep my sink white without toxic chemicals.

A simple scrub made with baking soda and dish soap works great. First, I dry my sink because baking soda will dissolve on a wet sink. Then I sprinkle a little baking soda in my sink, add a couple drops of dish soap, and scrub with a scrubber until it comes clean. Sarah over at Nature's Nurture uses salt and baking soda to scrub her sink, so add some salt if baking soda/dish soap isn't cutting it. I also use this baking soda scrub and a scrub brush to clean my textured bathtub.

If there are still some stubborn stains that won't come off, I add a few drops of tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice to the baking soda scrub to whiten the sink. Then I scrub a little more. You may need to let the tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice sit on the stain for a bit depending on how bad it is.

If I'm in a hurry, I use a Magic Eraser instead of the baking soda scrub. I know, I know, it's not "green," but I like that it doesn't have cleaners in it. It's the scrubber's texture that gets stains off. It really does seem magical since stains and marks come off so quickly. It works on bathtubs, walls, floors, and appliances too. I buy a generic version at Walmart for $.72/scrubber, but you can also find them on Amazon for about $1/scrubber. On Pinterest today, I found this pin about a generic version on ebay that's way cheaper. Coolness!

These methods also work on stainless steel sinks. How do you keep your kitchen sink clean without harsh chemicals?

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Simple Oven-Roasted Veggies on a Bed of Pasta

2012-07-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

This recipe is one, healthy; two, super easy; and three, delicious enough to serve to guests. A rare trifecta! It's awesome because you can throw in whatever veggies you have on hand. Definitely use tomatoes. The tomato juices have so much flavor when they are roasted in the oven with a little olive oil and salt. It's like a homemade chunky marinara sauce. Some other veggies that taste great in this dish are onions, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, carrots, eggplant, kale, spinach, . . . and the list goes on and on.

OVEN-ROASTED VEGGIES RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
brown rice pasta
4 medium tomatoes + veggies of choice, chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, pressed
extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
fresh basil, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta and drain. Cut up tomatoes and whatever veggies you have on hand. Place chopped veggies on baking sheet. Throw on some pressed garlic. Drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. I mix it all together with my hands to keep dirty dishes to a minimum. (Or you can mix in a bowl and transfer to pan if you prefer.) Cook for 20 minutes in the oven at 425°F. Serve on a bed of pasta. Add some chopped fresh basil.

Underneath that hoard of veggies is a silicone baking mat I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law. It makes clean up a breeze because nothing sticks to it. I went a little overboard and used more veggies than normal for this batch (pictured above) because it was for the blog. Had to be blog worthy, ya know? I used 4 large tomatoes, 1 onion, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 zucchini, 1 banana squash, 8 oz. mushrooms, 1 orange bell pepper, and 2 leaves of kale (don't use the tough stalk in the middle). I could barely fit all the veggies on the pan! Leftovers lasted a few days, so I'm not complaining!

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LABELWATCH.com

2012-07-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Have you ever looked at the ingredient list on the back of a food container and wondered what the heck is all that stuff? I recently came across a really helpful website, LABELWATCH.com, that lists the ingredients in packaged food and describes what they are so you are more informed about what you are putting into your body.

Last week I was working on a post about my homemade mac & cheese and I wanted to see the ingredient list for Kraft Mac & Cheese. I looked it up on LABELWATCH.com and voilà, there was a list of color-coded ingredients. The "beneficial ingredients" were highlighted green, the "ok ingredients" yellow, and the "cautionary ingredients" red. When you click on a specific ingredient, you are taken to a page with a description of that ingredient.

Their data base contains over 25,000 food products. If the packaged food you're curious about isn't in their data base, you can use their Ingredient Glossary to look up specific ingredients. The ingredient information is based on scientific data from multiple reliable sources. Thank you LABELWATCH.com for helping us become better informed consumers!

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Easiest Homemade Mac & Cheese

2012-07-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

If your kids are picky eaters like mine, there are only a handful of foods they will eat without fussing. One is mac & cheese. I don't like using Kraft mac & cheese because it has yucky preservatives and artificial coloring that gives it that fluorescent orange color. Believe it or not, homemade mac & cheese takes only a couple extra minutes and tastes so much better.

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. brown rice pasta
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar
1/8 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
salt

DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta and drain. Add milk and shredded cheese. Add salt to taste.

[Thank you eat.sleep.cuddle. for introducing me to this simple, yet delicious version of mac & cheese!]

RECIPE ADAPTATIONS
I'm the kind of girl that follows recipes to the tee and measures everything, but this is one recipe where it's not necessary. Let your hair down and just wing it! There's not much you can do to mess it up. Live a little and try different cheeses (Gruyere, muenster, monterey jack, etc.). Be wild and add some pressed garlic, Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, or fresh basil. Get really crazy and mix in a few drops of truffle oil!

I love using my microplane grater to finely shred the cheese so that it melts easier. If your shredded cheese is more course or if you just prefer a creamier mac & cheese, heat the milk and cheese in a saucepan until the cheese is melted. Then add to your cooked pasta.

PUMP UP THE NUTRITION
Using whole wheat pasta is an easy way to add extra nutrients. Unfortunately, my kids won't eat whole grain pasta. I don't even like it. They do like brown rice pasta, so I use that instead. My kids can't tell a difference between brown rice pasta and white pasta!

Instead, I purée white beans, steamed zucchini, or steamed cauliflower in my Cuisinart food processor that I got for Christmas from my sweet mother-in-law. The flavors are mild enough that my kids don't notice. I add the puree to everyone's individual bowls instead of the whole batch. Start off small. I only add about 1 tablespoon or less purée to each of my kids' bowls. If it passes the kid test, I add more to their second bowl or the next time I make it.

Beans are my favorite addition because it keeps my kids fuller, longer. Beans help stabilize blood-sugar levels, providing steady, slow-burning energy. They are an excellent source of folate, magnesium, and iron. Combined with grains, beans form a whole protein comparable to meat and dairy. My goal is to get my kids used to eating whole beans so I can serve them as a side dish instead of going to the trouble of puréeing them. Baby steps, right?

Do you have any tips to make mac & cheese healthier?

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Sun Hats vs. Sunscreen

2012-07-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

Most sunscreen contains toxic chemicals that can be absorbed by the skin. You can read about it here and here. I like the rule, don't put anything on your body that you wouldn't eat. I don't religiously follow that rule (I still wear makeup), but I have stopped using moisturizer with sunscreen in it.

I wear sun hats instead! I used to think there was no such thing as a cute sun hat. But once I started actively looking, I had to stop myself from buying all the cute hats that I found (and keep finding). I limited myself to these two hats. Not only do they keep the sun off my face, they are so nice to have on bad hair days!

To protect my boys from the sun, I often dress them in long sleeve shirts and these hats that I found for less than $5 at The Children's Place.

The Environmental Working Group put together this great 2012 Sunscreen Guide with a list of more natural, safer sunscreens if you want to check it out.

Do you have a cute sun hat? Where did you get it?

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The BEST Whole Wheat French Toast Recipe

2012-07-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

I love trying new recipes. But ever since I made this recipe for the first time ten years ago, I've had no desire to try any other French toast recipes. I stumbled upon it in a cookbook I got for my wedding, The Best Recipe by Cook's Illustrated . I have to say it really is the best! I make it with whole wheat bread and my kids still love it.

INGREDIENTS:

1 large egg
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4-5 slices whole wheat bread

DIRECTIONS:

Heat skillet for 5 minutes on medium heat. Mix all the ingredients together except the bread. I like to use my stick blender for this job. Soak bread about 40 seconds on each side. Cook on each side until golden brown.

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Easiest Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

2012-06-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've been making 1-2 loaves of homemade whole wheat bread every week for over a year now. I was tired of the preservatives and chemicals in store-bought bread and the taste was definitely lacking.

But my handy dandy bread machine should get all the credit. I would never go to all the trouble of making my own bread without one. It's so awesome because it takes less than 5 minutes to throw the ingredients into the pan and the machine does the rest. After it's all said and done, I'm left with amazing bread and only one dirty pan. And it's super easy to clean because it's non-stick. I've included my favorite whole wheat bread recipe below.

HONEY WHOLE WHEAT BREAD FOR THE BREAD MACHINE RECIPE

1 cup water
1/8 cup milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups white whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine/fast rising yeast (or 2 teaspoons active dry yeast)

Add ingredients according to the directions that came with your bread machine. Use the wheat bread cycle and light color setting. This recipe makes a 1 1/2 pound loaf.

BREAD MACHINE TIPS:
Follow the directions that came with your bread machine carefully. I first got a bread maker eleven years ago. I didn't follow the instructions and my bread never turned out. Now I make sure my water is at the right temp (my directions recommend 80°F). I spoon the flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping so I don't use too much flour. My previous bread maker recommended using bread machine/fast rising yeast so I still use that, although my new bread maker says active dry yeast can be used. I keep my yeast in the fridge so it doesn't go bad.

If your bread doesn't rise, try adding 2 tablespoons of vital wheat gluten and 2 1/2 tablespoons water. Not all recipes work the same in different areas. I live at sea level. For high altitude areas, reduce the amount of yeast by 1/4 teaspoon and reduce liquid by 1-2 teaspoons until you find the right amount.

This is my rockin' bread machine that I bought last year to replace my previous Black & Decker model. I was debating between this West Bend Breadmaker for $60 and the Zojirushi Virtuoso Breadmaker for $270. Big diff in price! I read all the user reviews for each bread maker and I finally chose the less inexpensive West Bend bread maker. I've been very happy with it and I'm glad I didn't fork over the extra $210 for the Zojiushi model.

HOMEMADE BREAD SAVES ME MONEY
$0.03 - Milk ($3.50/1 gallon)
$0.37 - Extra-Virgin Olive Oil ($9.44/25.4 oz.)
$0.35 - Honey ($7.48/32 oz.)
$0.01 - Sea Salt ($1.50/26.5 oz.)
$0.58 - White Whole Wheat Flour ($3.64/5 pounds)
$0.27 - Bread Machine Yeast ($4.24/16 envelopes)
$1.61 - Grand Total for 1 1/2 pound loaf
$4.75 - Whole Wheat Bread of Comparable Taste/Freshness from Bread Store

After making homemade bread in my bread maker 20 times, I saved the $60 I spent on it. I also make homemade pizza dough and french bread dough in it. I love that I get fresh, delicious, nutritious homemade bread without hardly lifting a finger!

Do you have a bread maker? What kind do you have and how do you like it? Do you have a favorite bread machine recipe to share?

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Easiest Homemade Whole Wheat Croutons

2012-06-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

Homemade croutons taste so much better than store-bought croutons and they don't have all those yucky preservatives. They are so simple to make and my kids love them! They take less than 5 minutes to prepare and only take 10 minutes to bake. They'll be the star of your next salad!

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 slices of whole wheat bread
extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Cut bread into bite-sized pieces. Spread them onto a baking sheet. Drizzle a little olive oil over the bread. Add salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix it all together. (I like to keep dirty dishes to a minimum) Cook in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until they are golden-brown and crispy.

If you feel like getting really fancy, add some freshly shredded Parmesan cheese or pressed garlic when you add the salt and pepper.

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