Day 56

10/31/12

California's Prop 37 is a huge controversy, and would require labeling of food products that contain genetically modified ingredients.  Companies are donating huge sums of money in opposition of this initiative.

Nearly $10 million given by:

• Dupont Pioneer
• Bayer Crop Science
• BASF Plant Science
• PepsiCo
• Nestle USA
• Coca Cola
• ConAgra
• General Mills
• W.M. Wrigley
• Mars Food - Snickers, 3 Musketeers, M&M's
• Uncle Ben's
• Hershey
• Godiva
• JM Smucker
• Sunny Delight
• Kellogg
• Bumble Bee Foods
• Bimbo Bakeries
• Campbell Soup
• Land O'Lakes
• Hormel Foods
• Del Monte Foods
• Ocean Spray Cranberries
• Knouse Foods - Musselman's, Lucky Leaf, Apple Time, Lincoln, Speas Farms apple juice and apple sauce

All of these companies, and probably more, have funded the coalition to defeat Prop 37 - this would allow them to keep using GMO's without the consumer being aware.  Seeing that these companies are on the opposition list indicate that they are, in fact, using GMO foods.

Be Aware!

More on GMO's on Days 3, 18, and 26

Day 55

10/30/12

Himalayan Pink Salt!

Himalayan crystal salt is superior to traditional iodized white salt. It is millions of years old, pure, untouched by many of the toxins and pollutants that pervade other forms of ocean salt.

Himalayan Pink Salt contains the same 84 natural minerals and elements found in the human body.

**Regular table salt is has nutritional value and lacking beneficial trace minerals. Processing salt turns it into sodium chloride, which the human body actually sees as a toxic invader! The body cannot dispose of it in a natural, healthy way, which can lead to inflammation of the tissues, water retention and high blood pressure.

Health Benefits:

• Controls water levels within the body
• Promote stable pH balance in the cells
• Reduce common signs of aging
• Increase the absorption of food elements in the intestinal tract
• Aids vascular health
• Supports healthy respiratory function
• Lowers incidence of sinus problems
• Reduce muscle cramps
• Increase bone strength
• Promote healthy sleep patterns
• Create a healthy libido
• Blood pressure regulation
• Prevent cellulite
• Reduce chances of developing kidney and gall bladder stones 

....and it tastes SO MUCH BETTER! 

Day 54

10/29/12

Simple Vinegar Spray!

Here is another use for one of the many spray bottles I showed ya on Day 4.

I filled it 3/4 of the way full with Distilled White Vinegar, and 1/4 with water.

I then proceeded to clean both of our bathrooms from top to bottom with this stuff - tub, mirrors, sinks, floors, toilets ---> this alone didn't clean the toilets, but adding Baking Soda worked like a charm.

I also cleared out my drains by covering them with a layer of Baking Soda, pouring 1/2 cup Vinegar down the drain, then running the hot water.  Any gunk will bubble up and you can wipe it away.

It felt good to clean without harsh chemicals :-)

Day 53

10/28/12

As if you didn't have enough uses for Coconut Oil......

11 Uses for the Kitchen:

1. Cooking oil
2. Baking oil
3. Season cast iron pans
4. Baking spray
5. Condition wooden cutting boards
6. Butter substitute - great on toast
7. Replacement for shortening
8. Hand scrub - removes paint, wax, caulk, grime
9. Ice cubes - add to any beverage
10. Remove baked-on food
11. Mason Jar lid rust preventor - rub on before washing

Day 52

10/27/12

10 Coconut Oil Uses (for around the house):

In addition to day 27, 28, and 38, here are 10 more coconut oil uses to add to your life!

1. Metal polish
2. Remove stuck-on rings
3. Leather moisturizer - test small area
4. Gum remover
5. WD 40 replacement
6. Furniture/wood polish - test small area
7. 'Goo Gone' - mix with baking soda
8. Guitar string lubricant
9. Free stuck zipper
10. Coat trash can with spray to prevent flies or maggots

Day 51

10/26/12

More goodies from Young Living!

In addition to my amazing Young Living Essential Oils from Day 45, these products also came in my first order.

The product on the left was a freebie- they are roller heads to attach to the oil bottles so you can just roll them onto the skin.

The middle product is NINGXIA RED juice which is infused with a signature blend of essential oils to energize, fortify, and revitalize body and spirit.  I'm tellin' ya... the day I received my package I was feeling like I was coming down with the flu, I drank one of these pouches and within 15 minutes I was running around like the Energizer Bunny. No joke.

Lastly, my multi-vitamin which is specially formulated to support the nutritional needs of women.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE these products?

Day 50

10/25/12

Stovetop Squash Biscuits with Kale & Spinach in Cider Sauce

YUM.  I got this recipe from New Vegetarian Kitchen by Nicola Graimes.

 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups peeled and seeded butternut squash cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 5 tbsp. butter
• 1 egg - beaten
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 leeks - sliced
• 10 oz. kale
• 10 0z. spinach
• 1 tbsp. thyme leaves
• 1.5 cups great Northern beans
• 1 cup dry hard cider
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup milk
• freshly ground black pepper
• chopped or ground parsley

1. Steam the squash until tender, transfer to a bowl, mash, set aside to cool.

2. Mix flour, wheat germ, salt, baking soda, and baking powder into mixing bowl.  Melt 3 tbsp. + 1 tsp. of the butter and stir into dry ingredients, along with squash, egg, and milk.  Stir to make soft dough.

3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.  Spoon a spoonful of the dough and flatten with spatula. Repeat, until the dough is used up.  Cook for 4-5 minutes or until golden.

4. Heat the remaining oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.  Fry the leeks 4 minutes, then add kale, spinach, thyme, and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 more minutes.  Stir in the beans and cider, increase heat to medium-high.  Cook 5-10 minutes until the cider reduces by half.  Reduce heat and stir in mustard and milk.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve the biscuits with the sauce and sprinkled with parsley.

Enjoy!  I made a few changes- used milk instead of cream, added wheat germ, red peppercorns, and spinach - when the original recipe only called for kale.

Day 49

10/24/12

Drink That Tea!

YUM!! This Pumpkin Spice Tea is Amazing!

This is one of the goodies I got from my Trader Joe's shopping trip!

*22 tea 'sachets' for 3.99$.. Not bad! Plus this vintage-looking tin makes a nice fall decoration.

Drinking tea is very beneficial.  Whether it is green, white, gray, black, chamomile, oolong, rooibos - they are full of flavonoids which are great for the heart and may reduce the risk of cancer.

*If you find yourself consuming too many sodas, energy drinks, or coffees throughout the day, try substituting a few of your servings for a caffeinated tea which will also contain mental alertness heightener - theanine.


ENJOY! Let me know what your favorites are! <3

Day 48

10/23/12

Trader Joe's!

My new favorite store! I was picking Jaxson up from the airport so I decided to check out this store since I had been hearing good things about it and it was close by! I found a pretty bouquet of fall flowers that I shoved in my turquoise mason jar (from Nashville's Flea Market)... A few different ginger products, coconut oil, pumpkin spice tea, chocolate, gum, CHIA seeds, Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, and more! Love that place!

*I also love Whole Foods and Whole Foods Body (although I am mad at them for having GMO's in their products) - but this place is cheaper - and the promise not to have GMO's in their 'Trader Joe's' products.

Day 47

10/22/12

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

I use this product (along with my Young Living Acne Treatment from Day 46) to clean my face instead of powerful astringents that are way too intense for my skin.

Find an airtight glass container, fill 3/4 with filtered water, and 1/4 with Apple Cider Vinegar.

I normally use this first, let it dry, then use the YL Acne Treatment.

**Stay Tuned for many more uses of Apple Cider Vinegar!!**

Day 46

10/21/12

DIY Young Living Acne Treatment

((Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum due to oversensitivity of sebacious glands caused by increased testosterone))----> this screams PCOS (me)

I researched a bit about which Essential Oils are most successful in fighting acne (since my hormones are so wacky, my acne is too).

I decided to use the lavender and thieves - I filled this glass spray bottle with filtered water and added 3-4 drops of each.  It feels so refreshing! I have had some recent break-outs so I hope this helps!

To use - shake well, spray on a cotton ball and clean face three times a day with this solution!


Other Beneficial Oils for Acne:

Tea Tree
Lemon Grass
Niouli
Thieves
Lavender
Rose
Lemon
Geranium

GOOD LUCK!

Day 45

10/20/12

Young Living Essential Oils!!!!!

I can't explain how excited I was to learn about, order, receive, and use these amazing products!

I began by ordering a starter kit that came with tons of information, a few oils, and samplers. I also chose the Everyday Oils Collection since I couldn't wait to start experimenting! I added in the Progessence Plus serum (amazing) for my hormonal imbalance issues.  I decided to try the Cedarwood since it is known to help children with ADD/ADHD, and my son has a mild case of ADD.

Like I said, I became an independent distributor since I am so stinkin' frugal and I wanted the most affordable option available.

Since making the toothpaste and mouthwash, I have played around with a few more ideas including: antibacterial hand soap, hand sanitizer, dish soap, sore muscle rub, fabric softener, bath soaks, air freshener and acne treatment... Recipes to come once perfected.

--These are therapeutic grade and they are the purest oils available! They are not synthetic, they come from the Earth and go through a very intense purification process--

**My favorites so far have to be the Thieves and Progessence Serum, but I love them all!!

If you are interested in any of these products I would be more than happy to help!  I think everyone should have at least some of these oils in their home!! *If anyone has any essential oil uses to share, please do.* 

P.S. - a big thanks to Samantha - one of my first friends ever, for sharing this blog!!

Day 44

10/19/12

Ok... when you get your coconut oil, it's a great idea to also buy a few airtight "travel" containers so you can do this:

... so you can keep the original jar in your cupboard for cooking and baking, one in your purse or car, one on your nightstand and one in your bathroom...  You're welcome!

Even more uses to come!

Day 43

10/18/12

DIY Scrapbook paper outlet covers!

I have been seeing these awesome outlet covers on pinterest for a while - - and have been wanting to replace our plain and broken ones (which can cost up to 8-10$ each for the ones we liked) so here is my version... they look better in person, but this will have to do.

For this project you will need -

-your original outlet covers
-scrapbook paper
<---mod podge acrylic sealer (glossy)
-an x-acto knife and an extra blade
-hard surface
-newspaper/cardboard
-scissors
-pencil
-paintbrush

 HOW TO:

1. Lay down material to cover your work surface. Once you've picked your scrapbook paper, trace the switch covers on the back of the paper with your pencil.
2. Use the scissors to cut out the outline - cut it about a quarter-inch wider than the outline.
3. Use the paintbrush and Mod Podge to glue the paper to the top of the cover, then smooth the paper with your fingers to ensure there are no bubbles or wrinkles in the paper.
4. Fold down the extra outer edges of the paper to the backside and secure with the glue.
5. Use the X-Acto knife to cut out an X for the switch and outlet holes, then from the front, push back the flaps and glue them down (I ended up having to trim the paper around the holes so that they fit back over the outlets).
6. From the front, poke out the screw holes with the tip of the x-acto knife and trim it if you need to. If you have tiny imperfections, the screws should cover them when you're finished.
7. When the glue has dried on the cover, apply two to three coats of the Mod Podge, allowing it to dry between applications.
8. When dried, mount the cover.

GOOD LUCK! Enjoy your cheap, easy, and improved outlet covers! They add a nice touch to any room :-)

Day 42

10/17/12

Sweet Swimsuit Deal!!

So... even though I may have bought this same swimsuit at the beginning of the summer, when I saw it hanging on the clearance rack at Kohl's, I had to get it - - because I love it, but most importantly because it was marked down to $3.20 for each piece! 

*It was originally 32 dollars for each piece.. so 64$ total (that is NOT what I paid the first time, either).

I saved $57.60! So very exciting.. Oh, and I had 10$ in Kohl's cash, so in reality I paid nothinggggg.

Away it goes until next year when I yank it out of storage and feel like I just got a brand new swimsuit!

I'm tellin' ya... end of the season sales are the way to go!

Day 41

10/16/12

On day 2, I shared the EWG Cosmetic Database that really got me started with this chemical-free-transformation-thing.  Well I just saw that they have the EWG cleaners guide as well- - this site is available to check your products; specifically those used for household cleaning.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that [the only conventional cleaning product left in my home] Palmolive "pure + clear" dish soap - has a rating of F.  How can they call it "pure + clear" when it is toxic enough of recieve the score of F on the A-F rating scale?!?! I plan to finish off this almost-empty bottle while figuring out a safer homemade alternative.

Please check your household cleaners as well as your "health" and beauty products if you haven't already.  Consider replacing them with the cheap, non-toxic alternatives that I have showed you so far and will continue to show you in the future!

Day 40

10/15/12

If you liked the idea of Pepperment-Thieves Toothpaste, you will also be interested in this DIY 3-ingredient mouthwash... so safe and mild, you can drink it! If you watched Stacey's video: Non-Toxic Toothpaste and Mouthwash - you will already know how to concoct it, but here is what mine looks like.

I filled a clean glass (no BPA leaches out) tea bottle with filtered water, added 5 drops of Thieves and 4 drops of Pepperment Essential Oils from Young Living.  This mouthwash paired with the toothpaste from yesterday is a perfect combination.  You can even take a swig of this afterwards for immunity.

So - As I promised on Day 2, "I am completely prepared to show you how to replace your harmful products with homemade, inexpensive, non-toxic, natural yummy goodness if you so choose".

I have posted chemical-free recipes for an exfoliating sugar scrub, creamy rosemary body wash, almond soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, and now mouthwash - along with safe store-bought alternatives to deodorant and of course coconut oil which has about 572 uses.  ...My wheels are always spinning with new ideas to try in the future so I can share them with you!! -----> P.S. - who are"you" anyways?  I have close to 1,000 page views and only 2 comments! Please comment so I know who's paying attention :-)

Day 39

10/14/12

DIY Non-Toxic Toothpaste

I found this video by the brilliant Stacey Kimbrell on youtube while trying to figure out how to make homemade toothpaste, since the Colgate I was using contains.... ANTIFREEZE - like so many other products. --->  Non-Toxic Toothpaste and Mouthwash

There are ONLY THREE ingredients in this Toothpaste - the main one is Baking Soda - ((one of my favorite products - as stated on Day 6)).  Baking Soda acts as a gentile abrasive that cleans better than the strongest conventional toothpaste.  It neutralizes the acidic bacteria while deodorizing the mouth and polishing teeth.
















The other two ingredients that make this product so awesome are:

• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Thieves Essential Oil Blend  

These are the most pure Essential Oils and they were purchased through a wonderful company called Young Living. It is because of the video above that I got started with Young Living and became a distributor ((in order to get the wholesale prices)...more on that later).

The oils combined with the baking soda give a refreshing flavor - the peppermint is clean and energizing - and the thieves is a unique antimicrobial, antibacterial blend of clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus.   

I have been using this toothpaste for three days now- and I was shocked the first time at how CLEAN my teeth felt.  I think the last time they felt that clean was a few months ago after a trip to the dentist for a cleaning ((and I take great care of my teeth))

If you have any questions after watching Stacey's video, please let me know! Tomorrow..... Mouthwash!

Day 38

10/13/12

20 Uses of Coconut oil for Baby & Nursing or Pregnant Mother

Coconut Oil is very beneficial and safe to use before, during, and after pregnancy - here are 20 uses for mom and baby.

1. dissolve cradle cap
2. prevent stretch marks
3. use on sore nursing nipples
4. relieve yeast infections
5. safe diaper rash cream
6. relieve vaginal dryness
7. reduce stretch marks
8. use on perineum starting at month 8 to prepare, protect, soften (less chance of ripping)
9. use on newborn's bottom to prevent meconium from sticking
10. consume 3 tbsp. daily to increase milk supply
11. ear infection - put a few drops into ear
12. lessen morning sickness
13. boost immunity
14. circumcision healing
15. decrease cellulite
16. shaving cream
17. soft spot strengthener
18. teething pain reliever 
19. carrier oil for homemade baby wipes ----> consider this since most baby wipes contain antifreeze (propylene glycol)
20. heartburn relief

---30 more uses on day28--- *If you know of more uses, please share*

Day 37

10/12/12

Who wouldn't want to lessen their environmental footprint and save money at the same time?  Here are some more energy-saving tips to do just that.  Additional tips for the kitchen and laundry room can be found on Day 31.



-invest in a (5-10$) Belkin Energy Saving Socket which shuts off after 1/2 hour, 3 hours, or 6 hours - I use mine for my cell phone at night since overcharging them lessens battery life

-set computer to enter sleep mode after 30 minutes and it will use 95% less power

 -switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs which save up to 75% on energy and last longer  than regular bulbs

-turn down the brightness on televisions and computers 

-set air conditioner 2 degrees warmer and heater 2 degrees cooler than you prefer

-use a programmable thermostat

**standby power accounts for 5-10% of energy use - plug electronics, TVs, chargers, and game consoles into a power strip and shut off when not in use - it costs 165$ a year to power a turned off entertainment center


To calculate your household's low impact living score, visit low impact calculator
My household's index is 65 which seems pretty low.  Please share your scores in the comment section below!