Here are some of the natural products I use to look acceptable:
Moisturizer- Organic coconut oil- this is my current favorite. I have also used olive oil and jojoba. All the oils work well, but I read that the antioxidants in coconut oil help to prevent wrinkles and sun damage. Ok, so some of the damage is already done, but future damage must fight through my layer of coconut oil. HA!
Cleanser- Currently, I am back to Cetephil due to the winter turning me into an alligator. Cetephil can be used without water and it leaves a light layer of moisture on your skin. Usually, I use something more natural like Dr. Bronner's.
Toner & Re-fresher- Rose water- Awwwwww Yaaaaahhh. I spray it on my face when I need a little uplift or just a fresh feeling face. I get it at Vitacost or I have bought rose water in the ethnic food section at Publix. I will attach a picture from Amazon just so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.
Toothpaste- Tom's or Trader Joes- I like the fluoride free Propolis & Myrrh. Trader Joes has it for half the price of Tom's. I have used just about every flavor that Tom's has and they are all great. I also use baking soda once a week to clean any stains that my excessive coffee drinking may have caused.
Deodorant- Tom's or Nature's Gate- Currently, I am loving Nature's Gate. I can not use anti-perspirant due to allergies. Tom's and Nature's Gate are great long lasting deodorants. I have been using them for a very, very long time, but if I remember right it was an adjustment. The lack of anti-perspirant means when you sweat; you get a little damp. That IS the way it is supposed to be, but it is uncomfortable at first.
So, let us not ponder our beauty in excess, but maintain the natural beauty we have and focus our attention on something higher.
"Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head." ~Garrison Keillor
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Green Clean
I have been using green cleaning products for several years now. Here are some of my favorites:
Vinegar and water is a great cleaner for mirrors, windows, wood floors and counter tops. It is pretty much my go to cleaner for general cleaning.
For wood furniture and general bathroom cleaning; I like to use Sal Suds by Dr. Bronner. I use Sal Suds to mop bathroom floors, clean bathroom counters, dust wood, toliets and really clean anything that needs a little more than vinegar and water. Sal Suds can used as laundry detergent (but I am addicted to Charlie's), dishwashing detergent and for pretty much anything and everything. Sal Suds is diluted with water so a bottle literally lasts forever! I can not say enough good things about it.
For grout, I use a paste of baking soda and water.
For hand washing, we use Dr. Bronners soaps diluted in water. I have used the Peppermint, Almond, Lavendar and Tea Tree. Currently, I am totally hooked on Tea Tree. Dr. B's soaps are also great for the face, body and hair. Although, when used as shampoo it can make your hair tangle. Be sure to follow with a Apple Cider vinegar rinse or conditioner.
I have also tried making my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent. Neither one worked very well for me. The dishwasher detergent caused my Tervis to become very foggy. The laundry detergent seemed to clean fairly well, but did not remove strong odors like deodorant or perfume. The recipe I used for the laundry detergent contained borax, washing soda and castile soap. I can not remember the dishwasher recipe.
Happy Cleaning!
Vinegar and water is a great cleaner for mirrors, windows, wood floors and counter tops. It is pretty much my go to cleaner for general cleaning.
For wood furniture and general bathroom cleaning; I like to use Sal Suds by Dr. Bronner. I use Sal Suds to mop bathroom floors, clean bathroom counters, dust wood, toliets and really clean anything that needs a little more than vinegar and water. Sal Suds can used as laundry detergent (but I am addicted to Charlie's), dishwashing detergent and for pretty much anything and everything. Sal Suds is diluted with water so a bottle literally lasts forever! I can not say enough good things about it.
For grout, I use a paste of baking soda and water.
For hand washing, we use Dr. Bronners soaps diluted in water. I have used the Peppermint, Almond, Lavendar and Tea Tree. Currently, I am totally hooked on Tea Tree. Dr. B's soaps are also great for the face, body and hair. Although, when used as shampoo it can make your hair tangle. Be sure to follow with a Apple Cider vinegar rinse or conditioner.
I have also tried making my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent. Neither one worked very well for me. The dishwasher detergent caused my Tervis to become very foggy. The laundry detergent seemed to clean fairly well, but did not remove strong odors like deodorant or perfume. The recipe I used for the laundry detergent contained borax, washing soda and castile soap. I can not remember the dishwasher recipe.
Happy Cleaning!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Cheap Vegan Ice Cream - Happy, Happy Dance :)
Ingredient: Frozen Bananas - No way, not possible, right? Ha!
Slice a ripe banana, place circles in a single layer in freezer. I used a pie dish. Freeze.
Place slices in blender, blend, blend, blend... I added a bit of soy milk to get things moving. My blender has suffered alot of abuse from my food experiments :) After a while, the bananas will turn into creamy, yummy ice cream. I added some peanut butter and vanilla into my ice cream mix. It was super yummy!!! I used 1 1/2 bananas, so it cost about $.30 a bowl! The peanut butter added a little extra. Once done, I refroze the ice cream.
After the ice cream was nice and hard, I topped it with melted peanut butter. Oh no, she didn't!!! Yes, yes, I did! Oh, and a few vegan chocolate chips. Holy cow, that girl has a sweet tooth. Yummy to my tummy.
Slice a ripe banana, place circles in a single layer in freezer. I used a pie dish. Freeze.
Place slices in blender, blend, blend, blend... I added a bit of soy milk to get things moving. My blender has suffered alot of abuse from my food experiments :) After a while, the bananas will turn into creamy, yummy ice cream. I added some peanut butter and vanilla into my ice cream mix. It was super yummy!!! I used 1 1/2 bananas, so it cost about $.30 a bowl! The peanut butter added a little extra. Once done, I refroze the ice cream.
After the ice cream was nice and hard, I topped it with melted peanut butter. Oh no, she didn't!!! Yes, yes, I did! Oh, and a few vegan chocolate chips. Holy cow, that girl has a sweet tooth. Yummy to my tummy.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Cheap Vegan Ice Cream
Ok, I admit it, one of my biggest grocery expenses is vegan ice cream. I have to have it. The cheapest place I have found it is Trader Joes. It is $3.49 a quart at Joes vs. $3.49 a pint on sale at Kroger. Either way, this is a lot of money when you have a tiny, tiny grocery budget and a big ice cream appetite.
So, what is a frugal, vegan mom to do? Find a way to make it at home. I found a few recipes for vegan ice cream using bananas. That is tonight's yummy fun! If it turns out tasty, then I will post it here on Monday. Wish me luck!
So, what is a frugal, vegan mom to do? Find a way to make it at home. I found a few recipes for vegan ice cream using bananas. That is tonight's yummy fun! If it turns out tasty, then I will post it here on Monday. Wish me luck!
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Aldi had 30 corn tortillas on sale for $.49 each pack. I had to buy two packs because it was such a good deal! So, what to do with 60 corn tortillas? Make chips!!!!!!
Spray each tortilla front and back with cooking spray. Slice corn tortillas into triangles using a pizza cutter. Place on cookie sheet without overlap. Sprinkle with salt and an other seasoning you like. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until crunchy and lightly browned.
I think next I am going to make these into cinnamon sugar triangles!
Spray each tortilla front and back with cooking spray. Slice corn tortillas into triangles using a pizza cutter. Place on cookie sheet without overlap. Sprinkle with salt and an other seasoning you like. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until crunchy and lightly browned.
I think next I am going to make these into cinnamon sugar triangles!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan
From the backwoods little town of Bittersweet to the small town of Bay City, Mercy Land is a young women who is just beginning to spread her wings. She works for the town’s newspaper as the assistant to the well-respected editor in chief, Doc. Doc and Mercy are great friends and depend on each other for friendly companionship and trust. One seemingly normal day, a strange book arrives on Doc’s desk. The supernatural origin of the book and its sender are unknown. The arrival of the book brings about a string of events that will change their lives forever.
This book has a wonderful plot that I feel was somewhat underdeveloped. The origin and meaning behind the arrival of the book were not examined in depth. The book had the power to show its reader the lives of people and their choices and missed opportunities. It was explained that the book shows that we are all connected and our choices affect each other in this time and the future. This is a great concept that was not developed entirely.
The arrival of the book prompted Doc to summon John Quincy to town. John Quincy is a mysterious man with a difficult past. His true identity and nature are eventually revealed to Mercy. John has two faces as a result of his painful childhood. Mercy is drawn to him and cautious of him at the same time. The reason for his arrival is somewhat confusing. Doc states that he is trying to give John a second chance to change his past; however it is Doc’s guilt that is the driving force. It is never really explained why Doc would conclude that the book can change events of the past.
In summary, this book is really about the struggle between good and evil and the interconnectedness of all humanity. The book had its highs and lows as far as captivating the audience. The book is an enjoyable read for the feel good aspect, but the depth is lacking.
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"
This book has a wonderful plot that I feel was somewhat underdeveloped. The origin and meaning behind the arrival of the book were not examined in depth. The book had the power to show its reader the lives of people and their choices and missed opportunities. It was explained that the book shows that we are all connected and our choices affect each other in this time and the future. This is a great concept that was not developed entirely.
The arrival of the book prompted Doc to summon John Quincy to town. John Quincy is a mysterious man with a difficult past. His true identity and nature are eventually revealed to Mercy. John has two faces as a result of his painful childhood. Mercy is drawn to him and cautious of him at the same time. The reason for his arrival is somewhat confusing. Doc states that he is trying to give John a second chance to change his past; however it is Doc’s guilt that is the driving force. It is never really explained why Doc would conclude that the book can change events of the past.
In summary, this book is really about the struggle between good and evil and the interconnectedness of all humanity. The book had its highs and lows as far as captivating the audience. The book is an enjoyable read for the feel good aspect, but the depth is lacking.
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"
Monday, January 3, 2011
Georgia and Flora's Quick and Easy Vegan Burritos
2 Onions- thinly sliced
3-4 Garlic Cloves- thinly sliced
Bell Peppers: Assorted colors- thinly sliced
1/2 can Corn Niblets
1/2 can Red Kidney Beans
Taco Seasoning
4 Tortillas
Lettuce
"In a large skillet, pour a bit of olive oil and heat. Saute 2 thinly sliced onions. Two minutes later add 3 or 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Two minutes later add thinly sliced strips from 3 bell peppers (we use a mixture of yellow, red and orange). Two minutes later add half a can of corn niblets and half a can of red kidney beans. Add a packet of taco seasoning. Stir periodically and let cook for ten minutes. Heat a flour tortilla in a separate skillet. Put it on a plate and place one or two large lettuce leaves in the center. Place two scoops of the bean mixture on the lettuce. Add a spoonful of salsa and roll up. Delicious! This is a great meal in a pinch. In 30 minutes you can go from start to finish."
Thank you to Georgia and Flora for saving me from my daily diet of hummus and peanut butter!
3-4 Garlic Cloves- thinly sliced
Bell Peppers: Assorted colors- thinly sliced
1/2 can Corn Niblets
1/2 can Red Kidney Beans
Taco Seasoning
4 Tortillas
Lettuce
"In a large skillet, pour a bit of olive oil and heat. Saute 2 thinly sliced onions. Two minutes later add 3 or 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Two minutes later add thinly sliced strips from 3 bell peppers (we use a mixture of yellow, red and orange). Two minutes later add half a can of corn niblets and half a can of red kidney beans. Add a packet of taco seasoning. Stir periodically and let cook for ten minutes. Heat a flour tortilla in a separate skillet. Put it on a plate and place one or two large lettuce leaves in the center. Place two scoops of the bean mixture on the lettuce. Add a spoonful of salsa and roll up. Delicious! This is a great meal in a pinch. In 30 minutes you can go from start to finish."
Thank you to Georgia and Flora for saving me from my daily diet of hummus and peanut butter!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Money Smoothie
Collard Greens- about 1/2 to 3/4 blender full
2 Dates
1/2 Bananna
3/4 cup Frozen Mixed Fruit- peaches, melon, strawberries
Water
Combine in blender. Add water to desired consistancy. If you like it thicker, add a few ice cubes.
Drink these every day and you are sure to be rich in health and money in the new year!!
2 Dates
1/2 Bananna
3/4 cup Frozen Mixed Fruit- peaches, melon, strawberries
Water
Combine in blender. Add water to desired consistancy. If you like it thicker, add a few ice cubes.
Drink these every day and you are sure to be rich in health and money in the new year!!
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