Lemony Thyme Zoodles

My birthday is next week, and this year my husband got me a Spirelli Slicer. My joy at the prospect of trying Zoodles was maybe a little bit ridiculous, but I'm happy to report that they lived up to my expectations.

Gorgeous, right?! Here's my recipe.


Lemony Thyme Zoodles:

2 Zucchini
1 small Tomato, diced
Drizzle EVOO

Juice from half a Lemon

Leaves from 2 sprigs of Thyme
Salt and Pepper to taste

Using a spiral slicer, make Zucchini noodles aka Zoodles.(If you don't have a spiral slicer you can use any vegetable peeler to make thin slices of zucchini.)

Toss zoodles, EVOO, lemon juice, thyme, salt and pepper together. Split the noodles into 2 portions and plate. Top zoodles with diced tomato. 

Super quick, easy and delicious! This recipe is completely vegan and was perfect for a light lunch, but for a more hearty meal you could add grilled chicken breast on top.

My husband said it was, "better than he expected" and my kids were begging for my "special" noodles. Total win in my book!

Easy Homemade Chocolate (Soy & Dairy Free)

I love chocolate. For me, a bit of chocolate a day keeps the crazy at bay. Most store bought chocolate is full of junk and/or dairy, though. The junk I might be willing to overlook, but due to my nursing son's dairy sensitivity, I can't ignore the dairy. So, what's a girl to do? Why, come up with her own homemade chocolate, of course!

Easy Homemade Chocolate:

1/4c Honey (raw)
1/4c Melted Coconut Oil
1/4c Cocoa Powder
1/4tsp Vanilla (the real stuff, not imitation)

Combine all ingredients and mix.

That's it. Easy is almost an understatement, right? And this chocolate recipe isn't just easy, it's super versatile, too.

- Add a dash of cinnamon to the chocolate, dip banana slices in the mix and freeze for a cold treat.

- Try this Peppermint Pattie recipe from Meaningful Eats but replace the melted chocolate chip coating with my easy chocolate recipe.

- Keep the chocolate warm for "fondue." Serve with angel food cake chunks, strawberries, bananas, pretzel sticks, etc.

- Dip a crispy piece of bacon in the chocolate, let harden and enjoy. (If this is wrong, I don't want to be right.)

- Pour on ice cream for a healthier chocolate "shell" option.

- Make chocolate bars. Add in:

• Shredded coconut and sliced almonds for a mock Almond Joy.
• Pistachios and dried cherries or cranraisins.
• Toasted walnuts or pecans.

      Mix in the add-ons, place in the fridge to harden, then cut into bars. Due to the coconut oil base these bars will melt at around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so they are best stored in the fridge.

Mmmmm, mmmmm, delicious! I would share a picture of the chocolatey goodness, but I already ate all of the last batch I made. Maybe next time I make this I can restrain myself long enough for a picture or two ... Maybe. ;)

"You use WHAT to clean your face?!"

I have struggled with acne since I was 11. That's 16 years, y'all. 16 years of "gentle" cleansers, harsh chemicals, prescription creams and pills. I even took the "miracle" acne pill Accutane (an Rx that has a list of side effects as long as my arm and requires monthly blood tests) three times in 5 years. Accutane is usually only given to a person once and I was told three times is the absolute max. Even after all that, I was still dealing with acne on my face, neck, chest and back. Note the past tense, "was." I was dealing with acne. Now, for the first time in my life I have people telling me how great my skin looks. In fact, I went to get a facial yesterday and the aesthetician raved about my even skin tone, small pores and clear skin. (Uh, this is kind of a miracle in my world.) Instead of trying to sell me the spas products, she actually ended up asking me about my skin care regimen.

"You use what to clean your face?!" Yeah. This is generally the response I get when I explain to people that I use the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). Here's the idea behind the OCM: When you use traditional soaps and face washes they can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing your body to produce even more oils which can in turn lead to break outs. With OCM you use non-comedogenic (aka non-pore clogging) oils to gently cleanse your face while maintaining and balancing the natural oils of your face. I wasn't getting the results I wanted just using the OCM, so I took things one step further and incorporated my Young Living essential oils into the mix.

Cleanse:

I pre-mix equal parts organic extra-virgin olive oil and organic castor oil. (You can use any oil or combination of oils of your choice, as long as they rate a 2 or below on the comedogenic scale.) Before bed I take about a nickle size amount of the oil mix and spread it over my face and neck starting around my eyes. (Oh and don't worry about make-up removal, this process takes care of that too!) If I am breaking out I rub the evoo/castor oil mix in around my eyes before adding 1-2 drops of Melaleuca Alfornia (aka tea tree) oil to the remaining evoo mix in my hand and continue working the oils over the rest of my face/neck. Massage for 1-2 minutes.

To remove the oils - along with all the dirt, gunk and make-up that was on your face - take a clean (this is important! get a new wash cloth every night) warm wet wash cloth and place it on your face. Allow it to steam for at least 30 seconds before wiping off the oils. Repeat a second time if necessary.

Spot Treatment:

If needed, I spot treat blemishes with Purification, which is a Young Living essential oil blend. I use this on my face, neck, chest and back.

Moisturize:

Like my cleansing oil, I pre-make my moisturizer. To make the moisturizer, combine 1 ounce organic jojoba oil and 10 drops each of Young Living Lavender and Frankincense essential oils. Lavender and Frankincense both have healing properties and may also help improve the appearance of scars.

Keep in mind a little goes a long way when using this "moisturizer." To use just dip a clean fingertip or two in the oil and spread over your face and neck.

*Note: for day time wear you may choose to use organic argan oil as it is lighter and absorbs into the skin more quickly.

Exfoliation:

I personally only exfoliate 3x a week, usually in the morning. I make a paste with baking soda and water or baking soda and milk and use it as a gentle scrub. Pat dry and follow with moisturizing oils mix.

There are several other natural ways to exfoliate including a raw honey mask, honey and baking soda, brown sugar and oil, etc. I use baking soda and water most of the time because I can keep the baking soda in my bathroom, mix and apply before hopping in the shower to rinse.

Commonly Asked Questions:

Doesn't using all these oils make you ... oily? No. That's really the beauty of the OCM. Your skin finds natural balance when it isn't constantly being dried out by chemicals and soaps.

Do you use the OCM morning and night? No. Personally I only do the OCM at night. In the morning I either exfoliate or just wash my face with warm water. Pat dry, spot treat if needed and apply my moisturizer. If wearing make-up wait 5 minutes after applying moisturizer before starting make-up application.

Does this mean you never get pimples anymore? I wish. The truth is that if I get lazy and am not consistent with using the OCM and my essential oils I break out. Even if I am consistent,  sometimes life happens and between hormones and stress I do end up breaking out. However, my break outs have noticeably decreased and, with my essential oil, my break outs heal significantly faster.

Why don't you use coconut oil to cleanse or moisturize? Here is the DL on coconut oil. It is an amazing oil. I go through a big ol' 54 oz container about every other month. I use it in my body lotions, my family eats it, we use it for cooking, oil pulling, etc. But, coconut oil is comedogenic. It's actually a 5 on the comedogenic scale, which is the highest rating. What does that mean? It's pore clogging and therefore, I keep it far away from any part of my body that is prone to break outs.

How do I get the oils you use? You can find olive oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil either at a health food store or online. Look for organic, cold pressed oils. To order Young Living essential oils check out this post. 

Dairy Free Chocolate Cherry Sorbet

You know what is delicious on a hot day? A big scoop of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Garcia ice cream. You know what I can't have? Ice cream. My son is severely lactose intolerant, which means that while I am breast feeding this mama can't have dairy. Luckily, I have a husband who loves me mucho and decided to create a dairy free replica just for me.

Chocolate Cherry Sorbet

1 Can Organic Coconut Milk (Full fat recommended)
1/2 Jar Maraschino Cherries with Syrup*, roughly chopped
1/4c Dairy Free Mini Chocolate Chips (I use Enjoy Life brand)
1/3c Water

Blend all ingredients together, pour into ice cream maker, churn for approximately 15 minutes. Enjoy immediately or freeze for 45 minutes for a more firm texture.
* You can use more or less syrup based on your preference for sweetness.

So Delicious! My container is about half empty already and hubby just made this today. :)

Ditch the Sand, Play in the Dirt

Freaking out because your baby just ate a handful of sand at the playground? I've often heard that "a little sand never hurt anyone" but that may actually not be true.

Here's an eye opener for you, the sand typically found in kid's sand boxes is made from quartz rock and contains little particles known as micro-crystalline silica. What exactly does that mean? Every time your little one tosses a handful of powdery fun up into the air, they are most likely inhaling a carcinogen. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breathing in crystalline silica can be connected to a slew of health problems including silicosis, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and airway disease. Exposure to the compound may also be related to autoimmune disorders and chronic renal disease. Artificial sand, which is usually light and powdery, is no better as it may have materials containing asbestos. All of the sudden that cute turtle sand box is starting to look kind of sinister, huh?

Don't throw out the little green guy just yet, though. Instead, buy some organic soil, dump it in the sand box and let your kids have at it. And if they manage to eat a handful? All the better.  Because, while play sand may pose a danger to kids, studies show that playing in and even eating dirt could lead to them being healthier, happier and smarter. Don't believe me? Check out this article.

Now that we know we know the benefits, here are a few ways the whole family can enjoy getting dirty:

• Join the kids in the sand ... er, soil box.
• Get out in the yard and teach your kids the ancient art of making mud pies.
• Garden as a family.
• Dig for worms.
• Enjoy a bit of mud soccer after (or during) a rain storm.

You get the idea. Be creative, get dirty and stay healthy!

Let's Talk Detox Baths

Every Tuesday and Thursday I take a weight lifting class. Specifically, I take a Les Mills Body Pump class and it's something I look forward to. I like to challenge my body and today I decided to up my weight for every track. Who knew that 5 extra pounds could hurt so much?! And I don't just mean in class. I huffed and I puffed and I made it through the work for each set of muscles. But now, 10 hours later my body is screaming at me. I've experienced this before, and I know that tomorrow even the thought of having to hike up and down the stairs of my 2 story house is going to make me want to curl up in a ball and admit defeat. (You're not allowed to laugh at my dramatics unless you have also done squats for 5 minutes straight with 40 lbs - or 1/3 of your body weight - on your back.) So, what's a girl to do? A detox bath, of course! Detox baths aren't just relaxing, they are also great for gently removing toxins from the body, alleviating muscle soreness and improving tissue health.


Simple Detox Bath:

1c Epsom Salt

1/4c Baking Soda
5-10 drops Essential Oil

*1/2c Sea Salt (optional)

This is important: Do not just dump everything in the bath and hop in. If you dump everything in at once the oils will sit at the top, potentially causing skin irritation and discomfort. Instead, measure out your Epsom salt into a glass bowl, drop the essential oils into the Epsom salt and let them sit for several minutes. Add the baking soda and stir. Now dump the mixture into the bath.

In the picture above, you might have noticed my super classy wine bottle with screw top. (I obviously have great taste in wine.) I like to mix up a big batch of the detox bath mix and store it in wine bottles for easy use. My current bottle has Young Living Rosemary and Lavender essential oils in it. Rosemary is good for muscle aches and Lavender is a relaxant. Using essential oils to mix and match, the possibilities are endless. Aside from my current mixture, I have also used:

Panaway (for aches and pains)
Stress Away (This is one of my favorite smells - it has lime, lavender and vanilla. Yum!)
Peace & Calming
Lavender (alone or with Peppermint)
Eucalyptus Blue (goes well with Rosemary and Lavender for muscle aches)

Personally, I think the best part of a detox bath is that when you break down the cost of ingredients per bath, it is really a cost effective luxury. So cost effective, in fact, that I can afford a nice detox bath and my $6 screw on top bottle of wine - both of which are calling my name. :)

2 for 1 Recipe: Korean Beef w/Vegetables & Thai Lettuce Wraps

It's impossible for me to follow a recipe as written. I blame my mom. She had stacks of cookbooks and a box full of hand written recipes yet we rarely (if ever) ate the exact same thing twice. Mom was a big fan of improvising with food. She rarely used measuring cups and taught me to use a recipe as a base to add on to or take away from as the fancy struck me. With that in mind, it's really not a surprise that while I started off with this recipe for Korean Beef I ended up with Korean Beef w/ Vegetables and Thai Lettuce Wraps. That's right, I somehow ended up with two different dishes. One for dinner, one for lunch the next day - both cost effective, quick and delicious!

Korean Beef w/Vegetables

1 lb organic ground beef (option: Sub ground chicken or turkey)
1/4c packed brown sugar
1/3c soy sauce
1-2 tbs sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (I'll be honest, I just squeezed a blob out from my bottle of pre-minced garlic.)
1/2 tsp fresh finely grated ginger
1/2 head of broccoli, cut into florets
1/2c chopped mushrooms
1-2 carrots, grated
1/2-1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
salt and pepper to taste (I didn't feel the need to use either one)
1 bunch green onions, diced to use as garnish

Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain the fat. Return skillet to the stove and on medium heat add sesame oil, garlic, chopped mushrooms and broccoli florets. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add browned ground beef and grated carrot. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat to low before adding brown sugar, soy sauce, and grated ginger. Add crushed red pepper, salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer on low for a few minutes so they flavors can meld. Reserve half of the mixture for the Thai Lettuce Wraps recipe below. Serve the remaining beef and vegetable mixture over rice and topped with diced green onions. Recipe serves 2-4 depending on your portion size.

*Note: I totally left out the mushrooms because they do not make my mouth happy. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your specific tastes.*

Thai Lettuce Wraps
1/2 meat mixture from the Korean Beef w/Vegetables recipe
1/2 -1 tbs natural peanut butter
Iceberg or romaine lettuce to use as "cups"

Remove several leafs from the lettuce of your choice. Combine the leftover meat and veggies with the peanut butter and heat until warm. Spoon into the lettuce "cups" or "wraps." Immediately devour while still standing at the counter. Oh, that's just me? I guess you could sit down at the table if you really want to. ;)