Homemade Foaming Handsoap

I finally got an empty bottle to make my own foaming Handsoap! Have been wanting to make it, but never went to look for the right kind of bottle...

I had put a bottle of foaming Handsoap that my mom had gotten for me from bath and body. Then it very quickly got empty because my kids prefer the foaming soap! :) 

I've seen recipes for this, but, ahem, I didn't fully follow it. ;)

Here's what I did:

Cleaned out empty bottle of foaming Handsoap...

Added about 3 tablespoons Bronners castile liquid (non-smelling) soap

2 teaspoons coconut oil

20 drops of thieves essential oil

Add water, but not too full because you sill need to add the top!

Add top and shake gently. Viola. So easy!

I decided to use thieves this time since we are dealing with cold season and already have had the snotty runny noses and coughs.

You can use other oils as well.

Super easy! Give it a try!

Homemade Toothpaste

 Yes that's right.

You read it right.

No, you don't need your eyes checked.

It says homemade toothpaste.

I did it.

I've made my own deodorant, laundry soap, dishwasher soap... 

I've always wanted to try toothpaste, but wasn't sure I was fully ready for it.

Well, when you completely run out and have squeezed EVERY last possible drop from the tube, and you really don't want to drive into town for a tube of toothpaste... You FINALLY bite the bullet and make it! :)

I now have the right kind of oils to make it, the ones that are safe to swallow. I had NO excuse.

So I looked up a few different DIY recipes and found one that I liked.

I may go back and add a bit of xylitol. It's a sweetner. A lot of recipes call for stevia or this xylitol. From what I've read, the xylitol would be better for your toothpaste. 

The only reason I would get the stevia, is becasue I can say stevia. 

I want to be able to say all the ingredients in my toothpaste. ;)

I had two medium sized empty baby food jars that I used. But had an idea. You know those squeeze bottles they use for melting chocolate and putting into molds? That would be way cheaper than a squeeze bottle from Amazon.. I think I'm gonna get two of those and put it in that. You would still be able to squeeze it to mix it up...

Right now I have two plastic knives on top of each jar.

Here's my recipe:

3 tablespoons baking soda

3 tablespoons coconut oil

15 drops young living essential oil (now you don't have to use young living, it's just what I use, and LOVE it! Just make sure the essential oil you are using is safe to be taken internally. If you need some YL oils, let me know and I can order it for you! ;) ) you can also start testing at 8 drops to see if it's right. I like 15. :) I wouldn't do more than 15 for one recipe. 

I used orange for one and peppermint for the other. Some kids wanted orange and others wanted peppermint. Why not try both?

Just mix it up and use right away or put lid on til ready to use. :)

I'm going to make another one once I get my new bottle of theives and make a theives one! :)

How did it taste? Honestly, salty. A little more than I was expecting. But it wasn't horrible. Half of the kids wrinkled up their noses and hurried through their brushing, but they liked the flavor of the oil. They also said their teeth felt cleaner than before! (WIN!!!) pretty awesome when your KID notices that their teeth feels cleaner!

I will check the prices on xylitol and stevia and will prob add a bit to help the saltiness....

I think though after a few brushings, we would all get used to it...

Mine was a bit runny right after making it and then having two more showers from keeping it in bathroom... But it has thickened up tonight. It really only takes a very small amount to brush. 

I'm excited about this because I can say everything that's in it! :) and it's realllly cheap to make! And easy!

Let me know if you have any questions or need some essential oils! :)

Let me know if you try it and how you like it!

*note: even after eating all day and not brushed my teeth yet before bed, they still have a nice clean feeling. :) I've read that using YL Orange oil helps whiten teeth...

Enjoy!!!

Strawberry "Cheese" Cake Bites

Oh yum!  These are soooo good!  Hubs even liked them!  Def make again here!  I didn't take pics as I went, just of the final product...  But it is pretty easy!

You will need a super high powered blender or food processor for these!  I have a vitamix thanks to my momma 5 yrs ago...  LOVE that thing!  It is soooo awesome!!!!  Yes it is expensive, but you totally get your money out of them!

Here's what I did:

Strawberry "Cheese" Cake Bites

Crust:
3/4 - 1 cup almonds
3/4 cup pitted dates
juice from half a lemon

Filling:
2 1/2 cups raw cashews
juice from one and a half lemons
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla

Topping:
9 medium strawberries
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tsp honey
mini chocolate chips are optional...  But I really like a few on top!  ;)

I made this in my mini muffin pan... So it made 24. :)

1. Place all of the ingredients for the crust in a food processor/blender.  Process until you have a sticky dough consistency. 
2. Take a small amount of crust and roll it into a ball.  Then place it on the bottom of your muffin tin and press down firmly so it holds together.  
3. Clean your food processor/blender (the only annoying part of this process) and place all the ingredients for the filling inside.  Process until you have a smooth cheesecake filling consistency
4. Layer the filling on top of the crust, leaving just a little bit of room for the topping. 
5. Place all of the strawberry topping ingredients into the food processor/blender and blend until you have a sauce like consistency. 
6. Add the topping on top of each mini cheesecake.  Add a few mini chocolate chips to the tops...
7. Place in the freezer for about an hour or until they are set. 
8. Enjoy! 

Everyone in my family LOVED these!  Soooooo good!!!!  :)

Let me know if you made these and how you liked them!  Add anything, take away anything?  :)

Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Man were these good! They are also filling.  :)

The kids and hubs gobbled them up!  :)

They really weren't super hard to make...

 Bake sweet potatoes and scoop out some in the middle....

 Cook quinoa (I used a combo red and white) and sauteed onions, black beans, corn and cilantro and spices...

 Stuff the sweet potato

 MMMMmmmm....

 Add some shredded cheese on top and broil til done!

I got a little goofy with dinner....  The potato is the hair and blackberries, eyes, banana, nose, and cantaloupe is the mouth.  :)

I can't find pic of them right out of the oven...


Qunioa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

As many sweet potatoes as you need, I used 10 and had enough filling for all of them, with a bit leftover.  

• 2 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 1/2- 2 3/4 cup water
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups  frozen corn
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground paprika
• 3 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 3 1/2 Tbsp honey
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bunch, or half a bunch of chopped cilantro
• 2 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese (1/2 cup)

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven until tender, about 40 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring quinoa and water to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until fluffy.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add onion and saute until tender, about 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauting. Add onion mixture to cooked quinoa, along with black beans, corn, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne, lime juice and honey,  chopped cilantro and toss mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cut cooked sweet potatoes in half and scoop out some of the sweet potato flesh to create a bowl shape, while leaving about 1/3 to 1/2-inch of sweet potato intact (reserve scooped out potato in refrigerator for another use). Fill sweet potatoes with quinoa mixture, then sprinkle tops evenly with cheese. Transfer to oven and broil until cheese has melted. Serve warm.

Let me know if you try this and if you like it! It really is easy to make! 

You can use your mashed sweet potatoes with the leftover filling and mix it all together for lunch the next day!  :)

Enjoy!

Quinoa Enchilada Casserole

Kinda on a quinoa kick again... Soooo good, and soooo good for you!!! :)

Last week I made a quinoa and cheese, it's basically Mac and cheese without the Mac. :) The kids gobbled that down!! No leftovers!! Will try and post that recipe as soon as I can. I'm so behind, sorry!! :/

The kids really liked this as well! You can add some guac, sour cream, lettuce, and more cheese on top if you want. You could even crush some tortilla chips on top, or layer some on the bottom and then put your casserole on top! :)

I also made the enchie sauce. A few reasons... I never ever have the canned stuff on hand, and homemade is healthier! :) it really was easy too! I'll include that recipe after the casserole recipe.

If you make this, please let me know and how you liked it! Also if you added anything! :)

Sauté onions, green peppers and garlic

Add some frozen corn and sauté for  few minutes

Mmm.... Cilantro!! I add a whole bunch of it! I just use my kitchen shears and chop the whole bunch!  Stir and turn off heat.

Take your cooked quinoa and 2 cans black beans and stir in big bowl.

Add your sautéed goodness to quinoa/bean mixture. Stir to combine.

Then add your enchie sauce!!

Add 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stir to combine.

Place in greased 9x13 pan.

Add the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese to top. Cover and bake.

Not only did it smell so good, it tasted fantastic!!! :)

I added a bit too much of my enchie sauce, so it wasn't as firm as it could've been... But it was still really good! :)

Quinoa Enchilada Casserole

2 cups uncooked quinoa

4 cups water

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

coconut oil (for sauteing)

1 onion, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 green pepper

(add any colored peppers as well, I just didn't have any, but next time I make this, I will be adding those colored peppers to this dish!)

1/2 bag of frozen corn

1 bunch of cilantro

Enchilada Sauce (recipe below)

2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Rinse quinoa with cold water, place in pan of water.  Bring to boil, turn down heat to simmer and cover for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed.

In large skillet, add coconut oil (or olive oil), onions, garlic and peppers.  Saute til soft, then add corn.  Stir to mix and cook for about 5 minutes.  Then cut cilantro with kitchen shears, or knife (or break up into pieces with your hands...  ;)) and add that to onion mixture.  Turn off heat and stir.

In big bowl, combine 2 cans of black beans and cooked quinoa.  Stir to combine.  Add onion and pepper mixture, stir again.  Then add enchilada sauce, you may or may not want to use the whole thing.  It's up to you.  I did.  :)  Then add 1 cup shredded cheese, stir.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and then add remaining 1 cup cheese one top.  Cover and cook for 20 minutes.  Uncover after 20 minutes and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until cheese is nice and bubbly.

Take out and put toppings on top if you wish, or eat it as is.  You could also place this inside a tortilla.  :)  ENJOY!!!  :D

Enchilada Sauce

1 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 3/4 cup water

1 small can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Blend all ingredients in Vita Mix, or blender til mix thoroughly.  Add to quinoa casserole.  :)

*If you want spice, add some cayenne pepper..  My kids aren't huge fans of super spicy, so I didn't add any, but if that's what you like, add some!  I may add a teeny tiny pinch next time...???  :)

Eat Smart Recipe Book

I can't talk enough about this new cookbook I got!  Well, I got it a month ago and absolutely LOVE it!

I needed a good, easy cookbook to help me get rid of all wheats and pastas from our diet, and this is the book that helped me do it!

I love and support Trinity Fitness as much as I can!  They are GREAT and AWESOME people that work there, the owner is a Christian, and has scriptures all over their walls and awesome inspirational quotes!  Ones that help you keep going when you want to give up!

They are getting ready to do another challenge, it starts the 7th and goes to the end of the month.  It is 100 kettle bell swings AND 100 squat thrust jumps!  Anyone wanna join me?  ;)

Ok, back to the cookbook.  My hubs has LOVED each and everyone of the recipes I made!  Plus since we don't have a ton of "snacky" foods, I've been making him the protein cookie recipe.  He loves it!

I planned 3 weeks of recipes using this cookbook and each one was a hit with the hubs and kids!  BONUS!!!  Everyone loved them! Not only are good and healthy, they are EASY!

I've been doing something new, and each night one of my kids helps me cook dinner.  All the recipes are easy enough that my kids can help me like I want them too.  It is also teaching them about health, so we usually have a talk about the foods we eat when we are cooking.  It is a little harder with my 2 kids who are deaf, so trying to sign and cut the food can be a challenge, but instilling in them now about healthy foods.  :)  It's also our health class this semester!  Hands on! :)

There are a few ways you can get this awesome book!

PDF version is $9.99 and go to website to order:

eatsmartprogram.com/books

Their acutal book is $24.99, let me know if you want one and I can get it for you, or you can call them at  (240) 776-4135 to see a good time to go pick one up!  :)

I was not asked by them to talk about this cookbook, I just LOVE it and want everyone to know about it!

Peanut Butter Bars

Oh yum!!!! What a treat!!

I put a little bit of melted chocolate on top of these, but you cold omit that if you want it even healthier. I'm really watching what I fix for my family and this is a special treat! :)

Peanut Butter Bars

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup water

1 cup natural peanut butter (crunchy or smooth- whatever you like)

1/2 cup oat flour, or quick cooking oats (bet you could use almond flour if you want it gluten free... or just get the gluten free oats...)

Chocolate chips- optional

Add honey, vanilla, cottage cheese, cinnamon and water to blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into bowl and add peanut butter, sir to combine. Add the oar flour or quick cooking oats and stir to combine.

Put a piece of Saran wrap into a 9x9 baking dish. Make sure the edges of saran wrap are hanging over a little bit. Pour your peanut butter goodness into pan and spread all over. Use hands to make flat and even all over and pushing into corners.

If adding chocolate over top, melt about 1/2 cups chocolate chips of our choice and pour over the top. Put in frig to set and once set break or cut into pieces and place in covered container. Keep in freezer or frig!

We love these because they are healthy and have just a bit of chocolate. Sometimes you need a little bit of chocolate! ;)

Hope y enjoy these!! :)

Granola Bars

Love me some granola bars, esp after a workout! Need to fill your body back up with some calories that you just burned off! ;)

I have a batch of these, or some other homemade granola bar, always in my frig! Not only are they healthy, they are easy to make and kids can help make and eat as well!! :)

Granola Bars

3 cups oats

1/2 cup cranberries (can also use raisins)@

1/2 cup almond meal

1/3 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup honey

1/4 shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together in mixing bowl and stir until incorporated. Lightly coat a 9x9 baking dish, pour it mixture into pan. Press down into corners and all over until flat with your hands. Bake anywhere from 12-20 minutes depending if you like crunchy or chewy bars. Cool. Cut into squares and store in frig.

See, super easy and healthy! My kids love these!! 

If you aren't into coconut, use almond milk and then se chopped peanuts or sunflower seed instead of the shredded coconut. :)

Enjoy!!!

Below is a pic of the granola bar..  It was my "snack" after my workout!  ;)

Mandarin Orange Fish

If you know me, you know I dislike fish. With  a passion. I won't tell you that I've never had a "fresh" crab... Yes I live in Maryland and have never had one. People tell me I will love it. I'll try it... ;)

My hubs and kids all LOVE fish, so I fix it for them and I'll eat the veggie sides or chicken if I have leftovers! ;)

This is so simple but yet all my family love the taste of this! I love the simpleness of it! :) 

Easy and healthy, that's what I like! ;)

Mandarin Orange Fish

Tilapia (depending on many you are serving depends on how many you fillets you need)

Can of mandarin oranges, keep in juice, don't drain 

Preheat oven to 350. Place your fish fillets in bottom of 9x13 baking dish and just dump the can of oranges over the top. 

If fixing alot you may need more than one can. I usually have about 9 fillets and 2 cans of mandarin oranges. I buy my oranges from Alids.

Place in oven uncovered for aprox 20-30 minutes. Every oven will vary on time.

Don't over cook your fish or it will be rubbery and no one will want to eat it! ;)

If you want even easier clean up, sometimes I'll place a piece of foil on bottom of pan... :)

Sweet Potato and Squash Soup

This is super easy and doesn't take much time at all!

Bake your squash and your sweet potatoes after lunch...  Then it will be ready for dinner time!  :)

For our family of 8, I cooked 2 squash, and 4 sweet potatoes.  But I only used half, and put the other half in a baggie in the freezer.  Then all I need to do is thaw out that part for another batch!  :)

Sweet Potato and Squash Soup

1 butternut squash, cooked
2 sweet potatoes, cooked
1 onion
5-6 cloves of garlic (less if you want, but we LOVE garlic!)
1 (or 2) big carrots (ya know, not the baby ones...)
milk
sea salt
pepper
caradom

I sauteed the chopped and diced onion in some coconut oil. Then add the diced garlic and grated carrot and saute until done, slightly soft.
Add milk (I used 2%, but you could use coconut milk, or whole milk...), as much as you want.  I filled my pot half way full.  Then I added my cooked squash and 2 cooked sweet potatoes.  I stirred it up, and then gradual add your soup mixture to blender and blend til all the onions and garlic are chopped and everything is thoroughly mixed up.  :)

Dump it all together back in your pot and simmer until ready to eat!  Super easy and good!  You could eveb double the amounts and it would be an even thicker soup.  All the kids and hubs loved it and gobbled it down!  There was just enough leftovers for a bowl for lunch for me the next day!  :)