Homemade All-Natural Deodorant

 Here is a great video on making your own Natural Deodorant.  Thank you Passionate Homemaking.




Please consider what chemicals you are applying to your underarms.  This area of the body has several lymph nodes.  Follow this link to read about the dangers that may be lurking in your deodorant and for frequently asked questions.
If you have teen girls this is a great project to do together while learning about healthy alternatives!

Ingredients:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)

Directions:

1. Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

Nutrient Dense To-Go Lunch and Raw Corn Chips

Nutrient dense foods are foods that contain a high level of nutrients compared to the amount of calories they contain. For optimal health and longevity eating a nutrient dense diet is the most important thing you can do for yourself.

The above picture is what my son will be taking for lunch today.~top and center is a romaine salad with celery sticks, tomato and pumpkin seeds; container on the bottom has bean mash (recipe to follow), orange bell peppers, and Wasa multi-grain crackers.

This morning my son began his day with 32oz of Green Smoothie containing~

collard greens, celery, pomagrante seeds, blueberries, pineapple, banana, hemp seeds and water to blend

According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's research these are the top ten Nutrient Dense foods to consume.The more of these you can put into your diet, raw or lightly cooked,  the better your health should be.  For a complete listing of the top 30 nutrient dense foods to consume check out this article from Whole Foods.

Top 10 Super Foods

1. Collard, mustard & turnip greens – Nutrient Score: 1000
2. Kale – Nutrient Score: 1000
3. Watercress – Nutrient Score: 1000
4. Bok Choy – Nutrient Score: 824
5. Spinach – Nutrient Score: 739
6. Brussels sprouts – Nutrient Score: 672
7. Swiss chard – Nutrient Score: 670
8. Arugula – Nutrient Score: 559
9. Radish – Nutrient Score: 554
10. Cabbage – Nutrient Score: 481

REMEMBER THAT GREENS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD TO PUT INTO YOUR BODY!!!

BEAN MASH  

(quick version)

2 cans of garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can of great northern beans (drained and rinsed)

Vegenaise to moisten

Place first three ingredients in a food processor and blend until slightly chunky.  Remove and place in bowl  then add the rest of the ingredients and blend together.

4 celery stalks diced (or more)

1/2 c. of dried onion

1 small jar of organic sweet relish

1-2 T. dried dill weed

1-2 T. granulated dulse

Place in the refrigerator  in an airtight container. 

This is one of my family's favorite dishes. It is filling and nutritious. You can use it as a dip, spread it on crackers or bread or make a lettuce or collar roll up.  Sometimes I just eat it with a spoon.

You can change up the herbs for a different flavor.  Remove the dill weed and add cayenne or jalapeno, chili powder, cumin...just follow your taste buds and enjoy! 

Last week I made Corn Salad and we could not eat all of it so instead of throwing it out I made raw corn chips.  Your dehydrator can really save you loads of money by using it to re-create your leftovers.

Recipes below.

Raw Corn Salad/Salsa

6 ears of corn~cleaned and shaved off the cob (you can also use organic frozen corn)

1/2 of a red onion corsely chopped

1/4-1/3 c. jalapeno's diced

splash of lemon juice

cilantro to taste

Mix and let marinate to allow the flavors to mingle

you could also add a dash of salt

other optional ingredients~diced red sweet peppers, diced celery or any other veggie you have on hand

you could leave out the jalapeno's and add the other veggies plus a bit of olive oil so that it is more like a  salad  rather than hot salsa

You might want to make a corn soup or chowder...

place it in the Vita-Mix and add water, salt, garlic, jalapeno, avocado, a little lime juice and blend

Be creatvive and Enjoy!

When I was ready to make my chips 

I placed the leftover corn salad in my Vita-Mix and added water and about 1/2 c. of ground Golden flaxseed, next I spread them onto a teflex sheet and scored them into chips shapes  

Dehydrate for until they are able to peel from the teflex sheet

 Peel and flip over onto mesh screen and dry until crisp.

*If you use salt be sure to sprinkle it lightly on the wet mixture so that it will stick...for a healthier salt free version sprinkle with a salt-free herb blend or cayenne. 

You can use your chips for dipping or eat them with Vegan chili.

Check out this article on fighting  cancer with flaxseeds!

Remember to spend time with the people you love, smile and really listen to what they have to say!

Cacao Soft Serve and Daily Greens

Daily Green Juice

4 collard leaves with stems

big handful of romaine

3 stalks of celery

lemon

ginger

stevia

I made this in my Vita-Mix and strained it through a nut milk bag.

I try to have green juice everyday...

you can click here to read some of the benefits of jucing

(I am not affiliated with this site but they have a good explanation of the benefits of juicing)

Cacao Nib Soft Serve

2 frozen bananas

fresh raw almond milk

vanilla

small handful of cacao nibs

Blend  bananas and almond milk in Vita-Mix or food processor until smooth then add nibs

serve as is or place in freezer to eat later

Blended Salad

2 vine ripe tomatoes

large bunch of romaine

handful of cilantro

2-3 celery stalks

small jalapeno

2T. tahini

lemon

water to blend

pulse in Vita-Mix to desired consistency.

I topped mine with ground sesame seeds, nutritional yeast and dulse

*********************

These are some of the good eats we enjoyed at our house today.  I also had a green smoothie, a super food cacao smoothie and veggies with hummus.

I encourage you to eat a plant based diet for your good health!

What's For Breakfast?

At our house we endeavor to eat a nutrient dense vegan diet.  We do this for health reasons of course.  We want to be healthy and to prevent diet related illnesses.....like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, and many of the autoimmune diseases
and inflammatory conditions.  There is much scientific proof to validate that a nutrient dense vegan diet has this effect and that this type of diet can and does reverse these conditions. I encourage you to do your own research!  
You can start by watching a preview to the documentary, "Forks Over Knives", to get an idea the why of a vegan diet.  I highly recommend watching the full  length version of this documentary.
It just may change your life!

The picture at the top of page is my family's breakfast today.

FRUIT SALAD

blackberries

strawberries

persimmons

oranges 

(Cara Cara & Navel)

mango

We usually top our fruit salad with walnuts or other nuts and/or seeds.  Hemp seeds are one of my favorite.

Just use whatever fruits you have on hand and create your own blend.

BLACKBERRY PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE

2-3 c. water

1/2 bunch of kale with stems

1/2 pineapple

2 c. blackberries

1 orange 

( I used 1/2 Cara Cara and 1/2 Navel orange)

2 T. chia seeds

2-3 T. dulse

optional~pitted dates or liquid stevia for additional sweetness

Blend thoroughly.  This made 2 quarts.  I am drinking one now and saving the other for later today or for tomorrow morning.

                                         MANGO SOFT SERVE
                                                  1 frozen banana
                                               1 c. frozen mangoes
                                              raw almond milk to blend

You can make this in a high powered blender (Vita-Mix) or a food processor. Process until smooth.
You may also freeze this for later.
                                              ******************

Remember to be kind....use kind words.  Words have the power of life and death in them.  Bring light and life to those around you, especially your children.  Be positive and encouraging.  Negative words tend to suck the life out of those who hear them and those who are using them.  This also has an impact on your health and the health of those who are the constant recipients of the negativity.


Negativity breeds negativity......Kindness uplifts.....and don't forget to smile.


Sometimes we develop negative habits of thinking and speaking.  It is important to break these habits.
This negativity begins in the heart or mind.
First begin to recognize it and then stop and think of positive ways that you can communicate.
Pray. God desires to change us for our good, the good of those around us and for His glory.
He is All Powerful.
I hope you know Him.

CSA Share

                                             Eat Your Veggies!!!

My daughter wanted us to take silly pictures for the blog.......

 

Easy Potato Soup

Easy Potato Soup

2 large cloves of garlic minced~sauteed in saucepan with extra virgin coconut oil

add:

12 c. water

3 small onions sliced in food processor

10-12 red potatoes~sliced in food processor

1 cup sliced baby carrots

2.5 oz of  veggie broth powder ( I use Seitenbacher)

1/2 t. Himalayan Salt

1/3-1/2 c. nutritional yeast

fresh kale ~add  at the end after potatoes are cooked

Cleansing

Last week my youngest daughter and I did a liquid cleanse.  Our cleanse included many smoothies, carrot juice and Green Lemonade (my favorite)  

                                               Green Lemonade

2 bunches of celery

3 cucumbers

1 zucchini

1 bunch of beet greens

1 c. of lemon juice

big piece of fresh ginger

liquid stevia to taste

Coming off the cleanse we ate fresh fruit

Fruit Salad

1 pineapple

1 box of strawberries

3 kiwi

4 navel oranges

big handful of goji berries

.......and I am continuing to eat mostly quick exit foods

blended soups &  salads made with

fresh fruits , veggies and

avocados

Today I enjoyed a 

Chocolate Smoothie

1 c. fresh raw almond milk

1 small frozen banana

1 small fresh ripe banana

1 heaping T. raw cacao

2 1/2 heaping T. raw cashews

1/4 t. reishi powder

1 T. maca powder

1 t. mesquite powder

1/2 squirt of SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia

Cleansing is a great way to clean out the old stuff that has accumulated in our tissues...

ex. food additives or foods eaten that aren't the best choice and environmental toxins, etc.

I can tell you that my digestion has improved 110% 

my eyes are brighter and my sleeping is deep and refreshing

Sometimes we forget how good we can feel when eating only fresh living foods!

Check out  Detox Foods Detox Smoothie Recipes & Benefits

for some great recipes and other great information!!!

*********

Drinking Again...day 2 and an Apple Pie Smoothie

My daughter and I are drinking our food today.

My first smoothie of the day is not pictured.

Here is the recipe~

Veggie Smoothie

1 vine ripe tomato

1 Swiss chard leaf

handful of spinach

2 celery stalks

1/4 red bell pepper

1 hot red sweet pepper

next up....

Green Smoothie

1 c. water

large handful of baby spinach

1 banana

1 c. blackberries & blueberries

1 t. beetroot powder

1 T. ground golden flax seed

blend and enjoy!

Now I am drinking the best one yet~

 

Apple Salad

3 gala apples chopped & mixed with 1 T. lemon juice

2-3 large stalks of celery diced

large handful of raisins

large handful of walnuts

dash of cinnamon

  

Apple Pie Smoothie

1 c. coconut milk

1 1/2 t. -1 T. coconut butter

handful of ice

I

(If you make the salad above..just add 1-1 1/2 c. of the salad to the coconut milk, coconut butter & ice..instead of the ingredients. listed below)

1 gala apple

large celery stalk

small handful of raisins

1/4 c. walnuts

dash of cinnamon

1/4 t. lemon juice

Blend, drink up and Smile.....

                                                                        

Priorities...and My Favorite Blended Salad

Greetings and Happy New Year to my blog readers.   I have been on a leave of absence for a few months while taking care of my family, managing a large group buy and all the Holiday celebrations.

I hope return to blogging on a regular basis again.

*****************************************************************************

Since we are at the beginning of a New Year it is a great time to evaluate our priorities and make adjustments where needed..  

It is a good idea to do this from time to time to make sure we are keeping the most important things at the top of our list.   

We must be intentional about this or we can allow things to creep into our life that suck up our time and energy.  Then we neglect or half  heartily attend to the most important relationships or things we need to be about.  When we get our priorities out of whack... stress begins to creep into our life.  Stress can be the first warning sign that we need to reevaluate.

My list goes something like this... my spiritual life...first, then my family,  eating health promoting foods, work, exercise, rest & sleep and laughter & fun sprinkled into everyday.

What does your priority list look like?

******************************************************************************

At our house there are a couple of us doing a detox cleanse of smoothies, juices, blended soups and salads....with some fresh fruits and veggies for some chewing action.  Tomorrow may be a day for all liquids....we will see as we listen to our own bodies.
This is my favorite Blended Salad or Soup Recipe~

Best Blended Salad

1 Ataulfo mango

(my favorite, but you could also use another variety)

3 small vine ripe tomatoes

mixed salad greens

2 swiss chard leaves

small handful of cilantro

1 1/2 c. celery

3/4 of a large cucumber

jalapeno peppers to taste

lemon juice

Blend to desired consistency

This made a full Vita-Mix container or about 2 quarts

and I topped mine with granulated dulse flakes

Blended soups and salads are easy to digest, filling and delicious.  You can make them any consistency you like...smooth for a soup or chunky so you have something to chew.  Leave out the fruit for a savory soup or salad...use whatever greens or salad fixin's you have on hand, change up your spices/seasonings, add avocado for a creamy soup or salad.or chop it into the bowl..be creative....if I think it might be too bitter I add jalapeno and it usually cuts right through it.

For the dressings I usually add the ingredients right into the blender...for instance...tahini, lemon juice and Bragg's Liquid Aminos is good....or for Italian...garlic, oregano, basil, dash of Olive oil or leave out the oil and use an avocado for the fat.  Sometimes I'll look at salad dressing labels of things I used to eat and create one of my own from their ingredients list that I modify.

Asian Cabbage Salad

Today I encouraged my yoga students to eat one large green salad each day.  I encourage you to do the same.   Most of us do not eat enough greens.  Greens are vital to our immune function.  70% of our immune function is in our GI tract, which is activated by eating GREENS.   Especially cruciferous greens.  Try to eat at least 3 servings of cruciferous greens each week or better yet eat 1-2 servings per day.  You can add shredded cabbage or bok choi to your  daily leafy green salad.

Here is a list of Cruciferous veggies....

 Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Collard Greens, Kale, Horseradish, Rutabaga, Turnip, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli Rabe, Daikon, Bok Choy, Radish, Kohlrabi 

                   

Below is one of my family's favorite cabbage salads.

                                 

                            Asian Cabbage Salad  

Chinese Cabbage~thinly shredded
1-2 c. of chopped celery
1 large colored bell pepper or two med. (red, yellow, orange) ~diced
Chopped red onion (or green onion)
1 large garlic clove minced
slivered almonds

Avocado drizzed with lemon juice

 1 bottle of Annies Asian Sesame Dressing

To assemble:
layer vegetables in 13 X 9 in  glass dish beginning with cabbage, celery, peppers, onions, garlic, slivered almonds and  top with slices of avocado.  Pour desired amount of salad dressing over the top..

If you will not eat the entire dish in one setting do not place avocado or dressing on the salad, but top each individual serving so that the remaining salad can be stored in the fridge for later use.  If you cover it tightly it will keep for a few days.

If you are avoiding pre-made salad dressings you can make your own avocado dressing and use pumpkin seed oil or toasted sesame oil and water and mix to desired consistency.


Be thankful, kind & forgiving.......and remember to laugh!!!