Tag: natural

The Life I Live

Winter Citrus Stove Top Potpourri

Feeling chilly? Warm up with this stove top potpourri. This smell will never cease to remind me of my childhood and especially my Gram. Citrus peels are simmered with winter spices and the aroma fills the house. Best of all, it’s natural!

Stove Top Potpourri:img_20170109_094300

  • citrus peels (grapefruit, oranges, lemon and lime)
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks

Dry out the peels until they feel dry to the touch, about a week.

Add dried peels, cloves and cinnamon sticks to the pan and fill it with water. Simmer on low to medium heat and make sure to keep the water topped off.

This one batch can be used several times with the additional water.

Enjoy and stay warm XOXO

The Life I Live

9 Reasons I Love Essential Oils And Why They Have Replaced My “Medicine” Cabinet

Everyone knows that plants hold the essence of life, filled with all the vitamins, minerals and healthful properties, making them one of the most important facets of your daily diet. Now, imagine you can take all the goodness from the very leaves, flowers and innards of said plants and have only that wonderful concentration, at your fingertips, for use at will.

No need to imagine, because you can. And they’re called essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and were first recorded around 5000 years ago. This form of ancient healing and medicine is so old that it’s even mentioned in the bible. There are so many reasons to love and use oils, they’re great.

 

1. They’re naturalnono

Reducing chemicals and toxins in this life is a top priority of mine. From phytoestrogens to GMO’s, everyday life introduces and contains more man made substances than ever before. Find and use more natural sources of nutrition and wellness wherever possible.

2. They’ve been used for thousands of years

This day in age, if something doesn’t work or react the the way you want it to- you replace it. To me, it’s saying something that these oils have been around forever and are still being used. Not only that, they’re more popular than ever.

3. They promote everyday wellness

As a former daily allergy pill user, I have not used OTC allergy medicine of any kind since starting with essential oils. Also, instead of lotions or moisturizers, I now use an oil (and carrier oil) blend for my face and body needs. Beyond this, I diffuse oils daily for the amazingly fresh (non-toxic) scent and the benefits associated with inhaling the blends.

4. They prevent sickness

Preventative health includes eating well, exercising and “feeding” your body far before you get sick. Taking healthful oils and staying well is the most important. This will ensure you become healthier sooner post sickness and help keep you from getting sick in the first place.

cooking5. They can be used in cooking

When you add (food grade) oils to meals, they provide flavoring and therapeutic benefits all-in-one. Just make sure not to heat them too hot as essential oils lose their therapeutic properties when heated beyond their flash points.

6. Save time and money

Time and money are saved in regards to preventative health. If you don’t get sick, you don’t have to visit the doctor or pharmacy. A typical doctor visit will cost you $500 these days ($50 with insurance). Whereas an emergency visit can cost upwards of $1200.

Thieves and oregano oil mixed 50/50 is my favorite preventative oil blend, dubbed “No Sick” for its healthful effect. (And I ALWAYS have this blend with me when I’m traveling.)

7. They are the best of the anti’s

Essential oils have all the best properties including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, and antiviral. To me, there is nothing better than experiencing all of these healthful benefits from something completely natural “medicine.”

8. Boosts the immune systemlemons

Lemon essential oil is a great essential oil for boosting immunity. (Frankincense, oregano, thieves, and peppermint oil too.) Often used in the diffuser, lemon smells great and can also be directly applied to the skin. Tip: If you plan to be in the sun, make sure to apply lemon at night. Lemon can cause photosensitivity and therefore shouldn’t be worn in the sun.

roller-balls9. Roller Balls!

You can purchase roller balls making the mixing and application of your favorite (homemade blends) so easy. Make sure that you find dark glass bottles for the best applicators around.

 

Essential oils are so earthly amazing, it’s almost hard to remember a time before using them. Try these oils and experience the benefits for yourself.

Disclaimer: I use Young Living Essential Oils and based on my research, I believe these are the best, safest and most pure oils on the market. PLEASE do your own research and determine which oils are best for you and your family. 

Recipes The Life I Live

Sweet Potato Coconut Pancakes with Roasted Walnut Maple Syrup

Let’s have sweet potato casserole for breakfast, but healthy and more tasty! Not only are these pancakes gluten free and paleo, they are warm, sweet and delicious too. For breakfast or brunch, they will fill you up for a taste of  Thanksgiving goodness without the “too full” feel.

Sweet Potato Coconut Pancakes

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, roasted
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup shaved coconut
  • a pinch of allspice
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil for each pan on pancakes

Roast the sweet potatoes in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes or more. (Make sure to poke the potatoes with a fork before roasting to prevent steam burn!)

Peel potatoes and place them in a bowl. Mash the potatoes and add the remaining ingredients, stir until incorporated.

In a skillet pan, add the coconut oil and heat on low medium. Spoon mixture into the pan in pancake form and cook on each side about 5 minutes or until easily flipped.

Roasted Walnut Maple Syrup

  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • pinch of salt

In a small skillet pan, add crushed walnuts to a heated pan on high heat. Roast the nuts for about 3 minutes, shaking constantly. Turn the pan down to low and add the additional ingredients. Stir and cook one minute.

Drizzle this syrup and coconut flakes over the sweet potato pancakes and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Recipes

These Two Ingredient Apple Chips Are Def Your New Favorite Snack

This treat tastes like Fall, in a bite-sized package.  Tote-able, natural, and deliciously sweet, these dehydrated apples are the best.

Red Delicious Apple Chips20161023_110315

  • 5 red delicious apples, cored and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice

Core and evenly slice the apples. In a medium bowl, add in two tablespoons of orange juice and toss the apples to coat them.

-Using a dehydrator, lay the slices on trays and dehydrate for 6 hours or until the slices become crispy chips.

20161023_110856-Using an oven, lay slices on a foil lined baking sheet and bakes at 200 degrees for 2-3 hours or until preferred texture.

Enjoy and Happy Fall!

 

Recipes

Emmy’s Fruit Salad

Summer heat calls for lots of hydrating fruit! This is my favorite combination of fruits and the addition of bananas is a great contrast to the berries.

Emmy’s Fruit Salad

  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1 cup strawberries, cut in half or fourths, depending on their size
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice

Add all the fruit to a bowl and then the OJ. Carefully mix the ingredients and enjoy!

 

 

The Life I Live

Try This Natural And Chemical Free Bathroom Scrub

My husband cleans out the tub and stand up shower, and I love him for it. Frankly, he is better suited for the job due to his height and that is just fine with me. Being a fan of natural products throughout the house, it is no wonder I was drawn to creating a natural scrub for the bathroom.

Vinegar can replace so many different chemicalized cleaning agents that it was a fast go to for me when deciding what to start with. I also added baking soda to the mixture for its whitening properties and ease of breaking up grease and soap scum (in this case).

This cleaner is great for the tub, toilet, sinks (including the kitchen) and you can even use it in the oven!

Vinegar And Baking Soda Scrub

  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup baking soda

Combine ingredients in a medium sized bowl, dip your brush into the bowl and scrub the entire surface. When you’re finished, spray down with water. Repeat as needed for desired level of cleanliness!

Tip: When you add the baking soda it fizzes intensely for a couple of seconds so use a large bowl.

 

Grab a good scrub brush and get to it!

IMG_20160530_160647
Before..
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And after!

We live in a rental and the tub has permanent marks on the bottom and will never be perfect- but look at that shine! Natural ingredients and a clean tub make me one happy (about to take a bubble bath) wife!!

Nail Fun

So Fresh And So Clean Clean

I spent years of my teenage life coveting long and beautiful nails and here they are! As much as I love to paint my nails and play around with different styles, there is something to be said about au naturel.

 

Want to know how I did it? Watch for future articles and tips!

 

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The Life I Live

Keep A Bowl Of Onion Peels On Your Counter

The story goes like this, centuries ago in Medieval times, people placed cut onions in the different rooms of their houses to ward off and protect their families from the black death. This story or myth as some say is dispelled, again and again, but this is what I know.

I always have a bowl with onions on my counter. I believe it to be a way to naturally purify the air.  Here’s why.

Onions, once sliced and diced, absorb toxins, chemicals and even smells. Onions soak up whatever is in the air around them,  which is why you should never store them,  uncovered, in the fridge.

Onions are a daily staple in my recipes and as such, not only do I always have them on hand but I am always cutting, peeling and using them.

I thought, if you can’t put a cut onion in the fridge because it soaks up everything, then why not leave them on the counter so they do the same?

Be it a wives tale, a rumor or simply untrue..no one really knows. However, everywhere you look sources tell you to preserve and properly store cut onions, they absolutely must be kept in an airtight container.  Does an onion soak up all the nastiness in the air? Are pieces of onion placed on the counter a solution to sickness? Try it out for yourself, it won’t hurt and it may help!

How To: Take the cut off ends and the top peel of each side and place them into your onion bowl. Make sure that no one eats these peels, pets included!

The Life I Live

10 Reasons To Use Coconut Oil Everyday

When was the last time that you had an amazing go to substance that was natural, economical and had countless uses?  Coconut Oil! Once you start using this, you will see what the hype is all about and want it on hand all the time too.

 As a natural moisturizer

Coconut oil is great for your skin and as natural as it gets. Make sure to only use a small amount to start until you get used to it

 Coconut Oil as a makeup remover

Using this oil to remove your makeup works great and will moisturize the sensitive area around your eyes as well

 Sunscreen of SPF 4

Coconut oil has a natural SPF of 4 and therefore acts as a (low) sunscreen

 To help rid your hair of frizz

Rub a dime sized amount onto your hands and then run through your hair while it’s damp

 Chapstick

Smear on your lips for a great moisturizer and natural chapstick

 Allergy Reducer

Rub oil on the inside of your nose to help decrease symptoms from allergies

 To Cook

This oil has a high smoke point and is great to use in recipes for cooking and baking alike

 Use on your hands to reduce dry skin and on cuticles to increase nail growth

Oil used sparingly on your hands creates a great defense against dry skin and helps your nails grow

 For dry heels

Before bed – apply a substantial amount of coconut oil to your feet and then cover them with socks. Your feet will feel smooth and silky in the morning

 As a shave cream and an after shave

Coconut oil creates a smooth feel and because of its moisturizing properties, it is great to use pre and post shave 

 

With these uses and so many more, coconut oil is a daily staple. Coconut oil is easily found online and in stores everywhere. If you haven’t tried using this oil yet, make today the day!