Monday, March 31, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
My (Future) Humble Abode
The plan: to graduate nursing school in Spring of 2015 and move (back) south.
The humble abode: a fixer upper camper.
Yeap, you read that correctly. I'm going to live in a camper. I want an vintage travel trailer. As a kid my family camped on every vacation in our tents and pop-up Coleman. I honestly thought all families did that until I was about 12 or 13. Family trips to Disney? We camped. Going to grandma's? We camped. We even had Christmas camping.
Anyway, maybe that explains my willingness to refuse the cozy apartment life. Nostalgia. I just don't want to deal with leases and pet deposits and all that crap. I also don't want to pay rent when I can pay a minimal camping fee.
I love the idea of spending this summer fixing up a camper with the help of my Dad. We can customize it and get it ready for me and my furbabies.... I'll have my student loans paid off in no time and my gypsy soul will be well-nurtured. Perhaps when I sign on with a traveling nurse agency I can just relocate the trailer to my next destination.
The humble abode: a fixer upper camper.
Yeap, you read that correctly. I'm going to live in a camper. I want an vintage travel trailer. As a kid my family camped on every vacation in our tents and pop-up Coleman. I honestly thought all families did that until I was about 12 or 13. Family trips to Disney? We camped. Going to grandma's? We camped. We even had Christmas camping.
Anyway, maybe that explains my willingness to refuse the cozy apartment life. Nostalgia. I just don't want to deal with leases and pet deposits and all that crap. I also don't want to pay rent when I can pay a minimal camping fee.
I love the idea of spending this summer fixing up a camper with the help of my Dad. We can customize it and get it ready for me and my furbabies.... I'll have my student loans paid off in no time and my gypsy soul will be well-nurtured. Perhaps when I sign on with a traveling nurse agency I can just relocate the trailer to my next destination.
Friday, March 28, 2014
All the Single Ladies
The single girl saga.
I am going to start sending this to my girls that get a lil confused sometimes.... like when he only calls you at 2 am and you've been seeing each other for months but haven't met his friends. Hmmmmm....
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Coconut Oil Hair Mask
You can't log onto Pinterest without seeing the gazillion amazing uses for coconut oil. Weeeellll... I'm a total CO junkie, so I kinda buy into it all. Like the Dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding & his Windex.
Total cure-all.
My mask is simple: Coconut oil, Lavender, and Tea Tree Oils
If you don't do your research, you can end up with a mess. Here are some tips that I think a lot of the DIY hair mask posts are missing:
Total cure-all.
My mask is simple: Coconut oil, Lavender, and Tea Tree Oils
If you don't do your research, you can end up with a mess. Here are some tips that I think a lot of the DIY hair mask posts are missing:
- Use organic (duh)
- Don't nuke it! Your body heat will be enough to melt it, so just use your hands.
- Apply to dry hair (refer to oil vs water)
- Cover your head to trap some heat. This will open your hair shaft and your hair will drink up the goodness!
- To rinse out, DON'T GET YOUR HAIR WET before applying your cleansing conditioner (or shampoo if you aren't on the bandwagon yet).
- Also, don't use cool water because the coconut oil will become solid in a hurry.
- Use warm water and cleanse, hydrate, and style as usual.
- I do this weekly, but just experiment & see what works for you!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Grapeseed Oil for Your Face
I have oily skin.
Like, super oily. When I worked at a spa the estheticians used to gather around and inspect my skin under a magnifyer ooooing and aaaahing over how "tough" and oily my face was. I knew better than to get offended, because, they assured me this meant wrinkles weren't going to be a problem for me any time soon.
Luckily acne hasn't been an issue since my teenage years, but blackheads on my nose and a shiny face are my deal. This was all under control when I worked at the spa and got discounted high end skincare, but these days I don't have that luxury.
Soooo I'm still working on the whole blackhead issue, but my shiny face is just as matte as I want it!
The trick is my moisturizer. It's an oil, and some people bake with it. You guessed it...Grapeseed Oil!
I originally bought it for my hair but only use it for an occasional deep conditioning treatment. I kept reading about how great it was for skin and so I decided to test it out. Very few moisturizers have ever worked well for me.... Lord help me I was using leftover Oil of Olay I grabbed from the guest bathroom at my parents' house (times are tough)!
So I trashed that poison ... it literally stung my eyelids when I put it on... uhhh.. that can't be good.
So the past few days I've tried Grapeseed Oil and I loooooooove it! Two thumbs up. Not greasy. Not runny. No breakouts, no clogged pores. Simple, one ingredient moisturizer. I think I paid around $7 for 16 fl oz.
Like, super oily. When I worked at a spa the estheticians used to gather around and inspect my skin under a magnifyer ooooing and aaaahing over how "tough" and oily my face was. I knew better than to get offended, because, they assured me this meant wrinkles weren't going to be a problem for me any time soon.
Luckily acne hasn't been an issue since my teenage years, but blackheads on my nose and a shiny face are my deal. This was all under control when I worked at the spa and got discounted high end skincare, but these days I don't have that luxury.
Soooo I'm still working on the whole blackhead issue, but my shiny face is just as matte as I want it!
The trick is my moisturizer. It's an oil, and some people bake with it. You guessed it...Grapeseed Oil!
I originally bought it for my hair but only use it for an occasional deep conditioning treatment. I kept reading about how great it was for skin and so I decided to test it out. Very few moisturizers have ever worked well for me.... Lord help me I was using leftover Oil of Olay I grabbed from the guest bathroom at my parents' house (times are tough)!
So I trashed that poison ... it literally stung my eyelids when I put it on... uhhh.. that can't be good.
So the past few days I've tried Grapeseed Oil and I loooooooove it! Two thumbs up. Not greasy. Not runny. No breakouts, no clogged pores. Simple, one ingredient moisturizer. I think I paid around $7 for 16 fl oz.
Essential Oils
Before nursing school, I was a spa coordinator. I LOVED it. I had a nutty boss, but I never got stressed out. How is that possible? The essential oils, I tell you.
I miss the atmosphere of that place, so I often try to recreate it in my little loft apartment. The concrete floors and exposed brick are a far cry from the soft and inviting decor of the spa world, but I have my serenity Pandora station, candles, and essential oils to make up for it.
Recently I've been really interested in the use of essential oils in a more clinical setting. I did a science project in 4th grade where I tested the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil, so it really just made sense for me to kind of dig a little deeper into this idea that essential oils aren't just for massages and aromatherapy.
I am especially interested because I've taken care of countless patients with all kinds of so called superbugs (thank you antibiotic mania) and aside from gowning up head to toe every time you enter the hospital room like you're on your way to some chemical spill, I just don't see that we as a health care community are doing enough to address the issue. Yes, stopping the spread of the superbugs is paramount. But maybe we ought to be looking into destroying the little critters with something other than heavy duty poisons.
Not only can essential oils aid in healing, but they can benefit the staff. Talk to anyone who works in a hospital. The stress factor is off the charts.
I'm all for it! Going to hit up some peer reviewed data and learn more about this trend. Evidenced-based practice is the cornerstone of nursing, and I am off to find out what studies are out there about essential oils in the hospital setting.
Check out this list of hospitals that currently use essential oils:
Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Aurora Healthcare System, Foxpoint, WI
Banner Health, Mesa, AZ
Benedictine Hospital, NY
Beth Israel Complementary Care Center, NY, NY
Children’s Healthcare, Roseville, MN
The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NY, NY
Elk Regional Health Hospital, PA
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, AK
Florida Hospital Medical Center, Orlando, FL
Goshen General Hospital, Goshen, IN
Heather Hill Hospital, Chardon, OH
Ingham Regional Medical Center, Landing, MI
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Oakland, CA
Manilaq Hospital, Kotzebue, AK
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY, NY
Mercy Holistic Health, Cincinnati, OH
Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg, PA
St. Barnabas Healthcare System, Toms River, NJ
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT
St. John’s Riverside Medical Center, Yonkers, NY
St. Luke’s Medical Center, New Bedford, MA
Sentara Healthcare, Wilmington, DE
The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ
University of Michigan Hospital, MI
Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Sharp Chula Vista, San Diego, CA
Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT
I miss the atmosphere of that place, so I often try to recreate it in my little loft apartment. The concrete floors and exposed brick are a far cry from the soft and inviting decor of the spa world, but I have my serenity Pandora station, candles, and essential oils to make up for it.
Recently I've been really interested in the use of essential oils in a more clinical setting. I did a science project in 4th grade where I tested the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil, so it really just made sense for me to kind of dig a little deeper into this idea that essential oils aren't just for massages and aromatherapy.
I am especially interested because I've taken care of countless patients with all kinds of so called superbugs (thank you antibiotic mania) and aside from gowning up head to toe every time you enter the hospital room like you're on your way to some chemical spill, I just don't see that we as a health care community are doing enough to address the issue. Yes, stopping the spread of the superbugs is paramount. But maybe we ought to be looking into destroying the little critters with something other than heavy duty poisons.
Not only can essential oils aid in healing, but they can benefit the staff. Talk to anyone who works in a hospital. The stress factor is off the charts.
I'm all for it! Going to hit up some peer reviewed data and learn more about this trend. Evidenced-based practice is the cornerstone of nursing, and I am off to find out what studies are out there about essential oils in the hospital setting.
Check out this list of hospitals that currently use essential oils:
Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Aurora Healthcare System, Foxpoint, WI
Banner Health, Mesa, AZ
Benedictine Hospital, NY
Beth Israel Complementary Care Center, NY, NY
Children’s Healthcare, Roseville, MN
The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NY, NY
Elk Regional Health Hospital, PA
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, AK
Florida Hospital Medical Center, Orlando, FL
Goshen General Hospital, Goshen, IN
Heather Hill Hospital, Chardon, OH
Ingham Regional Medical Center, Landing, MI
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Oakland, CA
Manilaq Hospital, Kotzebue, AK
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY, NY
Mercy Holistic Health, Cincinnati, OH
Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg, PA
St. Barnabas Healthcare System, Toms River, NJ
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT
St. John’s Riverside Medical Center, Yonkers, NY
St. Luke’s Medical Center, New Bedford, MA
Sentara Healthcare, Wilmington, DE
The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ
University of Michigan Hospital, MI
Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Sharp Chula Vista, San Diego, CA
Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The Curly Girl Method: Advice to Newbies from a Newbie
Curly hair is a science. Don't believe me? Ask any curly girl to show you her arsenal of hair care potions and products.
I'm no expert in the curly girl world. I am an expert in how to fight and destroy your curls with chemicals and heat to achieve a fleeting moment of sleek straight hair.
I'm moving into my 5th month of no shampoo, no curling irons, no flat irons, no chemical laden products, so I have a bit of knowledge to share about how to start the process. I've listed a few very important things to keep in mind .... because reading the gazillion forums/posts/articles can be a tad overwhelming.
*this book is a great place to start!
Some people use a "low poo" or fancy sulfate free gentle shampoo, but I just use conditioner.
Next, you hydrate. Again, I use a conditioner. Some people use a leave-in instead, some in addition to... it's all a ton of trial and error. Unfortunately there is no simple step by step miracle, but even the worst results are better than going back to destructive chemical abuse!
Finally, it's time to style. Gel, cream, whatever... again, you just have to experiment.
I'm no expert in the curly girl world. I am an expert in how to fight and destroy your curls with chemicals and heat to achieve a fleeting moment of sleek straight hair.
I'm moving into my 5th month of no shampoo, no curling irons, no flat irons, no chemical laden products, so I have a bit of knowledge to share about how to start the process. I've listed a few very important things to keep in mind .... because reading the gazillion forums/posts/articles can be a tad overwhelming.
*this book is a great place to start!
Curly Girl basics are cleanse, hydrate, & style.
This means you cleanse first with no sulfates <--- curly enemy #1Some people use a "low poo" or fancy sulfate free gentle shampoo, but I just use conditioner.
Next, you hydrate. Again, I use a conditioner. Some people use a leave-in instead, some in addition to... it's all a ton of trial and error. Unfortunately there is no simple step by step miracle, but even the worst results are better than going back to destructive chemical abuse!
Finally, it's time to style. Gel, cream, whatever... again, you just have to experiment.
Forget about suds, squeaky clean, and obsessing about rinsing out all your conditioner.
Suds are for dishes. Squeaky clean is just weird... why should my hair make noises? Don't fret if you don't get all your conditioner out. In fact, most curly girls I know either leave it in completely or barely rinse it out. Once your scalp adjusts to the no poo thing, your thirsty curls will never betray you by becoming greasy with conditioner.... it just doesn't happen. It's possible that your curls could get limp, but that typically means the product isn't for you.What works for one curly girl will not necessarily work for you, even if you seem to have the same hair type.
I have type 2c hair (find out your type here so you know what the heck everyone is talking about with this type stuff). That said, I can tell you it's not 2c all over and not even every day. It's currently pretty short- growing out an asymmetrical pixie- so I'm going off of memory and old photos where I was on vacation and didn't have access to my curl fighting weapons. A product or routine that works great for one 2c probably won't work that well for me. I have a different background... consider the variables: hard water, type/frequency of coloring, humidity, porosity.Speaking of porosity, it matters!
Determine your porosity here. Porosity describes how well your hair holds/absorbs moisture, so knowing your porosity can help you decide what products/routines will work for you. I have low porosity, which means I should stay away from protein rich products and use a bit of heat with deep moisturizing treatments.No sulfates, ever.
Become a label reader. My solution? Check out the brands dedicated curly girls like DevaCurl and Shea Moisture.Apply product to soaking wet hair.
This one was hard for me to get used to. My hair holds water for days, so adding gel to soaking wet hair just seemed ridiculous. BUT... I have to admit it prevents friz like you wouldn't believe.No towel dried hair, please.
Don't reach for the towel! Instead, use an old T-shirt (don't buy a special curly hair towel for $12... that's just silly).Hands off!
Don't touch your hair while it's drying. Just leave it alone. This one is tough for me too, but makes a huge difference.Monday, March 24, 2014
DIY Flaxseed Hair Gel
Say what?
A classmate told me about this back when I first went no poo.
Simply boil 2 cups filtered water with 1/2 cup flaxseed. When it gets frothy, strain and add your choice of essential oils if you want some fragrance.
I keep mine in the fridge in a mason jar. Super cheap, super easy....... and super crunchy.
Two thumbs up!
A classmate told me about this back when I first went no poo.
Simply boil 2 cups filtered water with 1/2 cup flaxseed. When it gets frothy, strain and add your choice of essential oils if you want some fragrance.
I keep mine in the fridge in a mason jar. Super cheap, super easy....... and super crunchy.
Two thumbs up!
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Who Cut the Cheese? DIY Car Freshener
Super EASY way to make a stinky car smell fantastic.
Since I started cutting out chemical fragrance, I find that now my nose is OFFENDED by the stench of faux ocean breezes and the like. Blegh. Anyone else experience this?
I am now an olfactory snob.
So my trusty Xterra is a mutt cab. There is no way around it. It's perpetually hairy because my fluffy dogs shed like mad and so do I. Not much I can do about that except vacuum it like a madwoman, so I just accept that it's always going to be at least a little furry.
However, I do not accept it constantly smelling like dog farts. I'm amazed at how long I can smell remaining dog funk after a road trip with the windows down! What's a dog loving mutt cab driver to do?
Ahhh, essential oils.
I found some leftover felt and cut/ glued it into a happy flower. You can get creative with this and make all kinds of felt art, but this happened to be something I've made before with my nieces so I just went with it. Next I tied some twine to the masterpiece and dropped a 12 drop combo of lavender and tea tree oil & voila! My car smells great!
Since I started cutting out chemical fragrance, I find that now my nose is OFFENDED by the stench of faux ocean breezes and the like. Blegh. Anyone else experience this?
I am now an olfactory snob.
So my trusty Xterra is a mutt cab. There is no way around it. It's perpetually hairy because my fluffy dogs shed like mad and so do I. Not much I can do about that except vacuum it like a madwoman, so I just accept that it's always going to be at least a little furry.
However, I do not accept it constantly smelling like dog farts. I'm amazed at how long I can smell remaining dog funk after a road trip with the windows down! What's a dog loving mutt cab driver to do?
Ahhh, essential oils.
I found some leftover felt and cut/ glued it into a happy flower. You can get creative with this and make all kinds of felt art, but this happened to be something I've made before with my nieces so I just went with it. Next I tied some twine to the masterpiece and dropped a 12 drop combo of lavender and tea tree oil & voila! My car smells great!
Friday, March 21, 2014
One Year Post-Injury
It's been a year since I injured my shoulder.
I dislocated my clavicle and fracture my scapula- a football injury. How did I manage this? I fell.
Well, technically I fainted. Dead weight meets concrete floor from a height of 5'8. Most people might end up with a bruise, but I managed to break a bone.
The soft tissue damage was by far the most painful part. I was petrified I'd have to have surgery and get behind a semester in school, but luckily with intensive PT I am good as new! I don't get sore or have trouble with it and I credit my physical therapists 100%.
I never want to be the person that allows an old injury to prevent exercise, so facing my shoulder disaster anniversary, I decided beast mode is officially ON.
Lift heavy, ladies.
I dislocated my clavicle and fracture my scapula- a football injury. How did I manage this? I fell.
Well, technically I fainted. Dead weight meets concrete floor from a height of 5'8. Most people might end up with a bruise, but I managed to break a bone.
The soft tissue damage was by far the most painful part. I was petrified I'd have to have surgery and get behind a semester in school, but luckily with intensive PT I am good as new! I don't get sore or have trouble with it and I credit my physical therapists 100%.
I never want to be the person that allows an old injury to prevent exercise, so facing my shoulder disaster anniversary, I decided beast mode is officially ON.
Lift heavy, ladies.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Shea Baby!
So I haven't used shampoo in 14 weeks.
There are a gazillion blogs/posts out there about how to go no-poo, shamphree, and some other catchy names for ditching this stuff we have convinced ourselves is totally necessary.... but I have come to the conclusion that no matter how you dress it up, there is no easy transition. HOWEVER it is well worth that awkward phase, so I urge you to grab a hat and commit to getting healthier hair.
At first, your hair is just yuck. Ya nasty (Raven voice).
No way around it. BUT your scalp gets over it and before you know it, you are so proud of your crunchy progress and you love the looks you get when you tell people you don't wash your hair. (OK, maybe that's just me.)
Obviously it's different for everyone, because hair is unique. Sometimes you find a more knowledgeable hair twin and you learn all kinds of info. I just recently found out about words like porosity and botticelli.
I am still learning.... but alas, I'll share my hair journey on another day. What I want to tell you today is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Shea Moisture products.
I use the curl enhancing smoothie and raw shea butter restorative conditioner just to name a few. This company is organic, cruelty free, and affordable! I love that Walgreens and Target carry the Shea Moisture Line because it means I don't have to go all thew way across town to the hippie grocery stores (wow that sounded lazy). If I'm traveling and I need some product, I'm not sent into a panic because I can't get my hands on any.
In addition to hair care, they have soaps, body washes, manscaping products, and stuff for babies and kids. They've recently expanded to makeup and I'm so very excited! Imagine being able to get cruelty free organic makeup at your drug store. I guess in some parts of the country this isn't a big deal but for the South East it's damn near impossible to get quality organic anything at your local drug store.
There are a gazillion blogs/posts out there about how to go no-poo, shamphree, and some other catchy names for ditching this stuff we have convinced ourselves is totally necessary.... but I have come to the conclusion that no matter how you dress it up, there is no easy transition. HOWEVER it is well worth that awkward phase, so I urge you to grab a hat and commit to getting healthier hair.
At first, your hair is just yuck. Ya nasty (Raven voice).
No way around it. BUT your scalp gets over it and before you know it, you are so proud of your crunchy progress and you love the looks you get when you tell people you don't wash your hair. (OK, maybe that's just me.)
Obviously it's different for everyone, because hair is unique. Sometimes you find a more knowledgeable hair twin and you learn all kinds of info. I just recently found out about words like porosity and botticelli.
I am still learning.... but alas, I'll share my hair journey on another day. What I want to tell you today is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Shea Moisture products.
I use the curl enhancing smoothie and raw shea butter restorative conditioner just to name a few. This company is organic, cruelty free, and affordable! I love that Walgreens and Target carry the Shea Moisture Line because it means I don't have to go all thew way across town to the hippie grocery stores (wow that sounded lazy). If I'm traveling and I need some product, I'm not sent into a panic because I can't get my hands on any.
In addition to hair care, they have soaps, body washes, manscaping products, and stuff for babies and kids. They've recently expanded to makeup and I'm so very excited! Imagine being able to get cruelty free organic makeup at your drug store. I guess in some parts of the country this isn't a big deal but for the South East it's damn near impossible to get quality organic anything at your local drug store.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
No Poo Bandwagon
All aboard!!
I have wild, wild hair. I've battled it my entire life. As a kid, I sat on the corner of my Mom's bed and she battled it/me on a daily basis. Back then it was straight, but always long, thick, and unruly. As I hit puberty, I was horrified to notice the curls. I wanted stick straight hair with a mini fringe of bangs like the girls in Teen Magazine. Where were these curls in the 80s when people paid to get bad perms? UGHHH
I have dyed my hair every color imaginable. I have had ultra short sleek bobs, long wavy layers, ombre mid length curls, stacked bobs, pixies, and everything between. From bleach blonde to jet black to peak-a-boo pink highlights, I was never afraid to try a new look because I was sure it couldn't be any more of a disaster than my natural hair. I also had the extra fun "go gray at 23" thing going on, so my hair budget has been out of control my entire adult life.
A few months ago, I decided my bank account put the breaks on my fabulous visits to a great stylist. She was amazing... and affordable. But I still couldn't afford her. I loved my blonde asymmetrical pixie, but the upkeep was too much. What's a girl to do?
Get back to her crunchy roots. Literally.
I stopped dying my hair for the time being, I threw out my curling irons and my trusty flat iron and all products that weren't sulfate & paraben free (which was all of them). Since I stopped seeing my beloved stylist I started growing out my asymmetrical pixie by default... ugh I really didn't think that through before taking the no poo plunge... but hey, at least when it grows out it will be healthy hair!
Here it is... my stylist was a miracle worker. I loved it (not sure why I look so pissed). But it was a struggle to blow dry, flat iron, and curl.... all that effort and it was only a few inches long. Something not quite right about all that fuss. Maybe that explains the sour look. Anyhoooo...
Truthfully, my hair felt extremely dry and humidity was more of an enemy than ever. My young nieces remarked at how my hair "felt like straw." Out of the mouths of babes. Hmmph.
Maybe it was the bleach, the crazy amounts of heat daily, and all the wacky chemicals. Just maybe.
As I started to do some research, I realized women everywhere were sick of being told they needed to wash their hair. The little old ladies I take care of in the hospital? They go to the salon once every two weeks for a wash & style. This is a generation thing, girls... these ladies are older than shampoo. Shampoo is HARSH. It is also totally unnecessary. Google pictures of women in the early 1900s before shampoo was even a thing. Hair looks pretty fab, if you ask me.
Won't my hair feel disgusting? What about the dirt and oil?
OK, so for the first month I used 1 Tbsp baking soda to 1 cup water twice a week. Massaged it into my scalp and I really felt like it removed build up. I missed the bubbles and fragrance at first, but that didn't last. In my opinion, baking soda is kinda harsh and since my hair is curly, I decided to switch to cowashing (fancy word for using 2 conditioners and no shampoo).
This is after a month of baking soda and bye bye blonde.
It's been 14 weeks, and I'm thrilled with the results. No heat, no parabens, no sulfates, no shampoo. Just organic conditioner and products.
It's not as curly as it used to be, but I think that has more to do with the fact that my hair tends to be curlier when it's longer. The point is, for the first time in my life it's NOT FRIZZY!!!!!! Miracles do happen. I'm on this No Poo Bandwagon for good.
I have wild, wild hair. I've battled it my entire life. As a kid, I sat on the corner of my Mom's bed and she battled it/me on a daily basis. Back then it was straight, but always long, thick, and unruly. As I hit puberty, I was horrified to notice the curls. I wanted stick straight hair with a mini fringe of bangs like the girls in Teen Magazine. Where were these curls in the 80s when people paid to get bad perms? UGHHH
I have dyed my hair every color imaginable. I have had ultra short sleek bobs, long wavy layers, ombre mid length curls, stacked bobs, pixies, and everything between. From bleach blonde to jet black to peak-a-boo pink highlights, I was never afraid to try a new look because I was sure it couldn't be any more of a disaster than my natural hair. I also had the extra fun "go gray at 23" thing going on, so my hair budget has been out of control my entire adult life.
A few months ago, I decided my bank account put the breaks on my fabulous visits to a great stylist. She was amazing... and affordable. But I still couldn't afford her. I loved my blonde asymmetrical pixie, but the upkeep was too much. What's a girl to do?
Get back to her crunchy roots. Literally.
I stopped dying my hair for the time being, I threw out my curling irons and my trusty flat iron and all products that weren't sulfate & paraben free (which was all of them). Since I stopped seeing my beloved stylist I started growing out my asymmetrical pixie by default... ugh I really didn't think that through before taking the no poo plunge... but hey, at least when it grows out it will be healthy hair!
Here it is... my stylist was a miracle worker. I loved it (not sure why I look so pissed). But it was a struggle to blow dry, flat iron, and curl.... all that effort and it was only a few inches long. Something not quite right about all that fuss. Maybe that explains the sour look. Anyhoooo...
Truthfully, my hair felt extremely dry and humidity was more of an enemy than ever. My young nieces remarked at how my hair "felt like straw." Out of the mouths of babes. Hmmph.
Maybe it was the bleach, the crazy amounts of heat daily, and all the wacky chemicals. Just maybe.
As I started to do some research, I realized women everywhere were sick of being told they needed to wash their hair. The little old ladies I take care of in the hospital? They go to the salon once every two weeks for a wash & style. This is a generation thing, girls... these ladies are older than shampoo. Shampoo is HARSH. It is also totally unnecessary. Google pictures of women in the early 1900s before shampoo was even a thing. Hair looks pretty fab, if you ask me.
Won't my hair feel disgusting? What about the dirt and oil?
OK, so for the first month I used 1 Tbsp baking soda to 1 cup water twice a week. Massaged it into my scalp and I really felt like it removed build up. I missed the bubbles and fragrance at first, but that didn't last. In my opinion, baking soda is kinda harsh and since my hair is curly, I decided to switch to cowashing (fancy word for using 2 conditioners and no shampoo).
This is after a month of baking soda and bye bye blonde.
It's been 14 weeks, and I'm thrilled with the results. No heat, no parabens, no sulfates, no shampoo. Just organic conditioner and products.
It's not as curly as it used to be, but I think that has more to do with the fact that my hair tends to be curlier when it's longer. The point is, for the first time in my life it's NOT FRIZZY!!!!!! Miracles do happen. I'm on this No Poo Bandwagon for good.
Zoya, Non Toxic Nail Polish: A Review
I did it. I dumped all my nail polish.
I figured it would take entirely too long to transition slowly, and I can only paint my toes anyway (thanks to nursing school). So I ditched every last bottle. It was liberating, actually. Like tossing junk food without the regret.
I had never used non toxic nail polish and was skeptical it even existed. I've never been a fake nail kinda girl and it honestly boggles my mind that young girls get manicures and acrylic nails these days. I also work with tons of brides via Stella Clare and I always secretly cringe when they stick these ultra awkward looking faux nails on their fingers. Also, the dead giveaway that a girl knew her man was about to propose? French manicured fake nails in her obligatory engagement ring facebook photo upload! hahahaha! How is that even a thing? (<--- I ask that question way too often)
The fact that nail salons are in Wal Mart is reason enough to steer clear. Am I the only one that thinks these poor salon workers are in danger? The flimsy little masks should be our first clue that this stuff is not safe. I also see long fake nails and automatically think bacteria-fest. You know those girls aren't scrubbing under those talons every time they use the potty. Ew.
Anyway no offense to anyone that finds acrylic nail art attractive. I certainly love a good manicure. I don't find it in my meager budget to get pampered like that, either. I have never had a manicure I thought was worth THAT much money. A massage? Yes. A facial? Of course.
Manicures? I think I'll just keep it DIY. So Zoya is what appealed to me as far as color selection and the fact that it is a legit non toxic polish. Apparently there are some liars out there that market safe polish but aren't. Shocker.
No formaldahyde. No toluene. No DBP. <-- That's what they call the "toxic trio." Also, no camphor. So when I have a mani pedi party with my precious nieces, I don't have to worry about toxins. When my crazy cat licks my fingernails, I don't have to worry she's melting her brain cells. I also don't have to worry that I'm applying scary chemicals directly onto my body.
The color I chose was charisma. LOVE! It smells different than regular polish.. still strong, but not nearly as awful as the other stuff. It also just feels very different. Fast drying & a bit matte, which I like. Color was exactly the color of the bottle, which never seems to happen with the other stuff. Price was $7, which isn't cheap but many of the other non toxic brands I looked into were like $20!
However, I highly recommend using a top coat. 12 hours and one shower after the above photo was taken, this is what my nails looked like:
I figured it would take entirely too long to transition slowly, and I can only paint my toes anyway (thanks to nursing school). So I ditched every last bottle. It was liberating, actually. Like tossing junk food without the regret.
I had never used non toxic nail polish and was skeptical it even existed. I've never been a fake nail kinda girl and it honestly boggles my mind that young girls get manicures and acrylic nails these days. I also work with tons of brides via Stella Clare and I always secretly cringe when they stick these ultra awkward looking faux nails on their fingers. Also, the dead giveaway that a girl knew her man was about to propose? French manicured fake nails in her obligatory engagement ring facebook photo upload! hahahaha! How is that even a thing? (<--- I ask that question way too often)
The fact that nail salons are in Wal Mart is reason enough to steer clear. Am I the only one that thinks these poor salon workers are in danger? The flimsy little masks should be our first clue that this stuff is not safe. I also see long fake nails and automatically think bacteria-fest. You know those girls aren't scrubbing under those talons every time they use the potty. Ew.
Anyway no offense to anyone that finds acrylic nail art attractive. I certainly love a good manicure. I don't find it in my meager budget to get pampered like that, either. I have never had a manicure I thought was worth THAT much money. A massage? Yes. A facial? Of course.
Manicures? I think I'll just keep it DIY. So Zoya is what appealed to me as far as color selection and the fact that it is a legit non toxic polish. Apparently there are some liars out there that market safe polish but aren't. Shocker.
No formaldahyde. No toluene. No DBP. <-- That's what they call the "toxic trio." Also, no camphor. So when I have a mani pedi party with my precious nieces, I don't have to worry about toxins. When my crazy cat licks my fingernails, I don't have to worry she's melting her brain cells. I also don't have to worry that I'm applying scary chemicals directly onto my body.
The color I chose was charisma. LOVE! It smells different than regular polish.. still strong, but not nearly as awful as the other stuff. It also just feels very different. Fast drying & a bit matte, which I like. Color was exactly the color of the bottle, which never seems to happen with the other stuff. Price was $7, which isn't cheap but many of the other non toxic brands I looked into were like $20!
However, I highly recommend using a top coat. 12 hours and one shower after the above photo was taken, this is what my nails looked like:
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Catching Fire- the Natural Deodorant Saga Continues...
Advice (I wish someone had shared with me) for anyone looking to make the switch to natural deodorant:
Do it in the winter- unless you are extremely lucky, this will be a trial and error undertaking.
Don't cake on gobs of the stuff- (esp if you use one with baking soda) I don't know if it was out of skepticism or habit, but I realized I was really loading up.
Buy before you DIY- self explanatory. I recommend etsy over commercially produced stuff like Tom's. You get to sample something made by someone with experience... before you make a huge mess in your kitchen.
For Pete's sake don't forget to wait at least an hour after shaving to apply- I'm so guilty of this, but it's terrible for your skin no matter how natural the product.
Here's my story:
My armpits are on fire!
I couldn't imagine this transition in the sweltering summer.
So I found a natural deodorant that I absolutely adore. You can find it & a bunch of other fantastic products at Hippie Chick Herbal Harmony on Etsy. This stuff smells amazing and I really am very happy with it.
Then, about two weeks in (which, for the record is the longest I've ever stuck with any natural deodorant) I started to notice that my armpits felt a little sore. I didn't see any redness, so I figured I was just going through an adjustment. Then I did a bonehead thing and applied the deodorant without waiting {at least an hour} after I shaved. Redness, bumps, pain.. eek.
I've never had heat rash, razor burn, or any other irritation on my pits. Lucky? No. I get it elsewhere. Ugh. So since this is new territory, I decided to stop shaving and stop the deodorant and do some research.
Turns out that I have a pH problem. Baking soda is incredibly alkaline, and that means irritation. So how do I get my pH back to normal? Distilled water and good ol' Apple Cider Vinegar (1 Tbsp to 1 Cup) twice a day.
And LET ME TELL YOU there ain't nothing in my life that has made me feel so crunchy. Smelling my vinegar-y musky pits these past few days has made me oh-so-grateful that I am on spring break. My, how different spring break for me for degree #2. Ten years ago I was partying in Hawaii.
Back to arm pits! I chose to take the full week off from any deodorant and just do the ACV routine. I'm also not shaving. So I smell ultra funky and I'm rockin the Chewbacca look.... needless to say I have no dates lined up this week.
At night I'm putting a bit of coconut oil on the irritated skin and it seems to be clearing up really well. Two more days and I'll get back to my beloved Perfect Pits in Lavender.
Do it in the winter- unless you are extremely lucky, this will be a trial and error undertaking.
Don't cake on gobs of the stuff- (esp if you use one with baking soda) I don't know if it was out of skepticism or habit, but I realized I was really loading up.
Buy before you DIY- self explanatory. I recommend etsy over commercially produced stuff like Tom's. You get to sample something made by someone with experience... before you make a huge mess in your kitchen.
For Pete's sake don't forget to wait at least an hour after shaving to apply- I'm so guilty of this, but it's terrible for your skin no matter how natural the product.
Here's my story:
My armpits are on fire!
I couldn't imagine this transition in the sweltering summer.
So I found a natural deodorant that I absolutely adore. You can find it & a bunch of other fantastic products at Hippie Chick Herbal Harmony on Etsy. This stuff smells amazing and I really am very happy with it.
Then, about two weeks in (which, for the record is the longest I've ever stuck with any natural deodorant) I started to notice that my armpits felt a little sore. I didn't see any redness, so I figured I was just going through an adjustment. Then I did a bonehead thing and applied the deodorant without waiting {at least an hour} after I shaved. Redness, bumps, pain.. eek.
I've never had heat rash, razor burn, or any other irritation on my pits. Lucky? No. I get it elsewhere. Ugh. So since this is new territory, I decided to stop shaving and stop the deodorant and do some research.
Turns out that I have a pH problem. Baking soda is incredibly alkaline, and that means irritation. So how do I get my pH back to normal? Distilled water and good ol' Apple Cider Vinegar (1 Tbsp to 1 Cup) twice a day.
And LET ME TELL YOU there ain't nothing in my life that has made me feel so crunchy. Smelling my vinegar-y musky pits these past few days has made me oh-so-grateful that I am on spring break. My, how different spring break for me for degree #2. Ten years ago I was partying in Hawaii.
Back to arm pits! I chose to take the full week off from any deodorant and just do the ACV routine. I'm also not shaving. So I smell ultra funky and I'm rockin the Chewbacca look.... needless to say I have no dates lined up this week.
At night I'm putting a bit of coconut oil on the irritated skin and it seems to be clearing up really well. Two more days and I'll get back to my beloved Perfect Pits in Lavender.
Friday, March 14, 2014
DIY Natural Soothing Dog Shampoo
My stinky furbabies have been super itchy as of late. They are indoor pups but we love to play outside, go on road trips, visit our fur cousins, and occasionally trek through the woods and get dirty and smelly.
I recently decided to stop using traditional flea and tick prevention because I'm just not comfortable with a monthly dose of poison nor am I thrilled about the price tag of said poison. Now, my veterinarian brother doesn't know about this yet & I'm not sure what his reaction will be, but I'm hoping he will agree that I carefully weighed the benefits and risks. Do I want my young nieces exposed to pesticides by snuggling up with my pooches?
As of now, we don't have a flea/tick problem. However, we just returned from a road trip where we visited my sister in her new apartment (no telling what kind of chemicals the landlord applied to the carpet prior to her moving in) and my parents' house in SC (where the mosquitoes are already biting).
In the old days I would have gone straight to PetSmart and grabbed an assortment of shampoos, but because my crunchy heart told me to figure out how to treat the itch naturally, I did just that.
Turns out I had all the things I needed already. SCORE!
*This recipe makes enough for two Medium-Largish really fluffy dogs
(one is a shepherd/chow mix and the other a great pyrenees)
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups oatmeal- soothes skin
2 cups baking soda- cleanser
1 Tbsp honey- antibacterial
10 drops tea tree oil -antibacterial and stink-fighter
10 drops lavendar oil -antibacterial and stink-fighter
2 1/2 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1- Grind up that oatmeal. I just threw mine in my cheap blender.
2- Add the water, blend again.
3- Add baking soda, honey, & oils
4- Pour into a mason jar (I used an old tomato sauce jar)
5- Store leftovers in fridge
My dogs HATE baths, so it's like WWE SmackDown when I have to get them in the tub. For this reason I don't use glass when it's time to do the deed... but for storage, definitely use glass.
Anyway the shampoo came out a bit watery but for us that was necessary- too thick and the stuff would have been like paste in their fluffiness. There were little flecks of oatmeal that I couldn't really rinse completely out, but I figured I'd much rather deal with that than the toxic suds I usually can't rinse all the way out. After they were dry I just gave them a good brush and woooooow do they smell great! Also, it's only been a few hours, but there's been no itching!
Success!
I recently decided to stop using traditional flea and tick prevention because I'm just not comfortable with a monthly dose of poison nor am I thrilled about the price tag of said poison. Now, my veterinarian brother doesn't know about this yet & I'm not sure what his reaction will be, but I'm hoping he will agree that I carefully weighed the benefits and risks. Do I want my young nieces exposed to pesticides by snuggling up with my pooches?
As of now, we don't have a flea/tick problem. However, we just returned from a road trip where we visited my sister in her new apartment (no telling what kind of chemicals the landlord applied to the carpet prior to her moving in) and my parents' house in SC (where the mosquitoes are already biting).
In the old days I would have gone straight to PetSmart and grabbed an assortment of shampoos, but because my crunchy heart told me to figure out how to treat the itch naturally, I did just that.
Turns out I had all the things I needed already. SCORE!
*This recipe makes enough for two Medium-Largish really fluffy dogs
(one is a shepherd/chow mix and the other a great pyrenees)
 |
| Road Trippin... on the way home, obviously. |
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups oatmeal- soothes skin
2 cups baking soda- cleanser
1 Tbsp honey- antibacterial
10 drops tea tree oil -antibacterial and stink-fighter
10 drops lavendar oil -antibacterial and stink-fighter
2 1/2 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1- Grind up that oatmeal. I just threw mine in my cheap blender.
2- Add the water, blend again.
3- Add baking soda, honey, & oils
4- Pour into a mason jar (I used an old tomato sauce jar)
5- Store leftovers in fridge
My dogs HATE baths, so it's like WWE SmackDown when I have to get them in the tub. For this reason I don't use glass when it's time to do the deed... but for storage, definitely use glass.
Anyway the shampoo came out a bit watery but for us that was necessary- too thick and the stuff would have been like paste in their fluffiness. There were little flecks of oatmeal that I couldn't really rinse completely out, but I figured I'd much rather deal with that than the toxic suds I usually can't rinse all the way out. After they were dry I just gave them a good brush and woooooow do they smell great! Also, it's only been a few hours, but there's been no itching!
Success!
 |
| Rocko thinks he smells quite nice. |
 |
| Bear doesn't know what just happened. |
Pet Cooties & the Heart Worm Dilemma
I have two dogs and a cat & they're all from the streets. Literally. They all came to live with me flea bitten, half starved, and crawling with cooties.
I'm from the country, so finding a tick doesn't freak me out. I just yank that sucker (hehe) off and flush it. However, I don't want my fur babies to have ticks or itch constantly nor do I want to snuggle up to my sweethearts if I'm going to come away with dozens of bites myself.
I've always had mixed feelings about flea prevention/heart guard. My brother just graduated from Veterinary school and while he isn't the least bit crunchy, his new (also veterinarian) lady friend is .... and I suspect his tune will soon start to change a bit. Anyway, I plan on having a chat with him about the risks/benefits of monthly prevention treatments and alternative cootie repellant.
I'd really like to find a non toxic way to keep my pets healthy. Bear, my recent addition, has tested heart worm positive and I am facing a dilemma with his treatment. My family has had several dogs beat heart worms no problem. We tend to have dogs that live to be 15 + years old. When I was a kid there just wasn't a push to do this monthly treatment like there is today.
Anyway I plan to do some organic pet shampoo shopping. I'll let y'all know how my furbabies do... as of right now, no one has fleas or ticks so our goal is PREVENTION.
Now if I could only find something to keep my car/apartment from smelling like dog farts.....
I'm from the country, so finding a tick doesn't freak me out. I just yank that sucker (hehe) off and flush it. However, I don't want my fur babies to have ticks or itch constantly nor do I want to snuggle up to my sweethearts if I'm going to come away with dozens of bites myself.
I've always had mixed feelings about flea prevention/heart guard. My brother just graduated from Veterinary school and while he isn't the least bit crunchy, his new (also veterinarian) lady friend is .... and I suspect his tune will soon start to change a bit. Anyway, I plan on having a chat with him about the risks/benefits of monthly prevention treatments and alternative cootie repellant.
I'd really like to find a non toxic way to keep my pets healthy. Bear, my recent addition, has tested heart worm positive and I am facing a dilemma with his treatment. My family has had several dogs beat heart worms no problem. We tend to have dogs that live to be 15 + years old. When I was a kid there just wasn't a push to do this monthly treatment like there is today.
Anyway I plan to do some organic pet shampoo shopping. I'll let y'all know how my furbabies do... as of right now, no one has fleas or ticks so our goal is PREVENTION.
Now if I could only find something to keep my car/apartment from smelling like dog farts.....
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Stella Clare Accessories
A few years ago, I sort of fell into a side business. I make accessories from headbands for kids to bridal veils, boutonnieres, bouquets and just about anything my clients can dream up that they'd like me to create.
I was (and still am) poor, so I wanted affordable pieces for other frugal ladies out there. My crunchy heart told me to use all the unwanted materials possible, so I collected boxes of old material (vintage.. score!), decrepit center pieces/faux flower arrangements, broken jewelry, etc etc etc... and I branched out into using feathers (cruelty free, of course) from the birds on my parent's land.
Stella Clare was born.
I named her after my two grandmothers, both style icons in their own rights. Stella was the costume curator at the Met in NYC and taught fashion design at various schools. Clare is the kind of woman who always looks like she's in an advertisement... totally impeccable taste.
Check us out on Etsy!
I was (and still am) poor, so I wanted affordable pieces for other frugal ladies out there. My crunchy heart told me to use all the unwanted materials possible, so I collected boxes of old material (vintage.. score!), decrepit center pieces/faux flower arrangements, broken jewelry, etc etc etc... and I branched out into using feathers (cruelty free, of course) from the birds on my parent's land.
Stella Clare was born.
I named her after my two grandmothers, both style icons in their own rights. Stella was the costume curator at the Met in NYC and taught fashion design at various schools. Clare is the kind of woman who always looks like she's in an advertisement... totally impeccable taste.
Check us out on Etsy!
Let's Talk Arm Pits...
Who doesn't love a good arm pit discussion?
OK so I have always been reluctant to switch to a "natural deodorant" because in my experience rubbing dirt in my pits would have probably been more effective.
I sweat. I'm not one of those girls who has to be on the tread mill for 20 minutes before the sweating starts. I sweat if it's a little warm and I have clothes on.
So needless to say when I get nervous, drink to much coffee, exercise, or any combination of the above, I sweat and I just have to live with that. For me the idea of a natural deodorant working was just laughable. For most of my adult life I was looking for some kind of miracle prescription stuff to keep me from sweating through my clothes all the time. Sexy, I know.
However, my crunchy heart wouldn't let me go that far. I hated thinking about all the chemicals I was shoving under my arms on a daily basis just asking my lymph nodes to get poisoned.
I am aware that the evidence for a link between deodorant and cancer is shaky, but I'm not going to wait around for these researchers to get it together. Doctors used to be in smoking commercials, let's not forget. It took an embarrassingly long time for published studies to definitively link smoking to tons of awful health problems. Regardless of whether traditional deodorants cause cancer, I know they always stop working. I end up with yellow stains from the chemicals and I smell like sweaty flowers.
I've asked my crunchy friends to recommend a natural deodorant because I've struck out again and again. Turns out most of them are dealing with the same issue. So I decided it was officially my mission to find a safe deodorant that actually worked.
I'm happy to report I have found my miracle arm pit saver. Drum roooollllll.....
I mean, the name of this stuff is Perfect Pits. Found it on etsy at Hippie Chick Herbals. I ordered lavender, and I gotta say that after a few intense clinical rotations in critical care units and state mental hospitals, some big exams and presentations, and even working out.... my arm pits smell like a spa.
I still sweat, but I always did no matter what I used. This time I don't have weird stains or funky deodorant balls... does anyone else get those? I can't be the only one. Anyway sweating is toxin elimination, so I am fine with it. I'm also very excited to smell good when I do it.
OK so I have always been reluctant to switch to a "natural deodorant" because in my experience rubbing dirt in my pits would have probably been more effective.
I sweat. I'm not one of those girls who has to be on the tread mill for 20 minutes before the sweating starts. I sweat if it's a little warm and I have clothes on.
So needless to say when I get nervous, drink to much coffee, exercise, or any combination of the above, I sweat and I just have to live with that. For me the idea of a natural deodorant working was just laughable. For most of my adult life I was looking for some kind of miracle prescription stuff to keep me from sweating through my clothes all the time. Sexy, I know.
However, my crunchy heart wouldn't let me go that far. I hated thinking about all the chemicals I was shoving under my arms on a daily basis just asking my lymph nodes to get poisoned.
I am aware that the evidence for a link between deodorant and cancer is shaky, but I'm not going to wait around for these researchers to get it together. Doctors used to be in smoking commercials, let's not forget. It took an embarrassingly long time for published studies to definitively link smoking to tons of awful health problems. Regardless of whether traditional deodorants cause cancer, I know they always stop working. I end up with yellow stains from the chemicals and I smell like sweaty flowers.
I've asked my crunchy friends to recommend a natural deodorant because I've struck out again and again. Turns out most of them are dealing with the same issue. So I decided it was officially my mission to find a safe deodorant that actually worked.
I'm happy to report I have found my miracle arm pit saver. Drum roooollllll.....
I mean, the name of this stuff is Perfect Pits. Found it on etsy at Hippie Chick Herbals. I ordered lavender, and I gotta say that after a few intense clinical rotations in critical care units and state mental hospitals, some big exams and presentations, and even working out.... my arm pits smell like a spa.
I still sweat, but I always did no matter what I used. This time I don't have weird stains or funky deodorant balls... does anyone else get those? I can't be the only one. Anyway sweating is toxin elimination, so I am fine with it. I'm also very excited to smell good when I do it.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Smoothie Prep Bonanza
My blender SUCKS. My Mom's blender? Amazing. I decided to take advantage during my recent visit.
My smoothies are usually just whatever ingredients I have on hand... not much planning goes into them. This time around I tried to incorporate things like oats and peanut butter for a little more of a protein kick (per Mom's request- she wanted me to make her some too).
Hooray for meal prep. It's a pain in the ass on Sundays but glorious the rest of the week. The idea is to have a mason jar of deliciousness for breakfast so I can hit the snooze a few more times.
I have been hesitant to do the whole spinach/kale mixed with fruit. I love greens, but I was just really unsure about how they'd taste with fruit. Turns out what they say is true... you don't taste the greens at all. This means I can buy tons of organic spinach and kale without worrying it will go bad before I can eat it all. SCORE.
Out of the 7 recipes we tried, only one was a bust. The rest were pretty good. Not amazing, but I think that has more to do with the fact that the produce selection is horrendous where my parents live and we didn't have time to head to the farmers market.
Also, I hate greek yogurt with a passion. The smell of it makes me want to yack. But I was trying to be open to the idea that I might not taste it. Wrong.
The recipe I hated was the first one I tried: blueberry pie green monster. I found it on Pinterest and the chick that came up with this was clearly insane. Nothing yummy about this monster. She raved about how good it was but I gagged when I tasted it. My parents both tried it and said it was pretty terrible.
Here are the recipes that I didn't hate & will be even more delish when I can get quality ingredients.
*ALWAYS use fresh organic produce when possible. Frozen organic fruit/ fruit juice works too.
*I add flaxseed and/or chia seeds to basically every smoothie for omega 3's
*I usually add bananas to every smoothie but couldn't any ripe ones (unripe bananas end up tasting like you used the peel)
RECIPES SANS CUTSIE NAMES:
2 cups spinach or kale
1 granny smith apple
1 cup blueberries
1.5 cups pineapple
2 cups spinach or kale
1 granny smith apple
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup pineapple
1 cup mandarin oranges
1/2 cup strawberries
2 bananas
1 cup strawberries
1 cups organic OJ
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
3 Tablespoons rolled oats
1 cup spinach or kale
1 cup pineapple
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup rasberries
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 banana
2 cups rasberries
1 cup organic OJ
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 cups spinach
1 pear
3 Tablespoons of oatmeal
4 Tablespoons of peanut butter
organic dark chocolate chunks to taste
My smoothies are usually just whatever ingredients I have on hand... not much planning goes into them. This time around I tried to incorporate things like oats and peanut butter for a little more of a protein kick (per Mom's request- she wanted me to make her some too).
Hooray for meal prep. It's a pain in the ass on Sundays but glorious the rest of the week. The idea is to have a mason jar of deliciousness for breakfast so I can hit the snooze a few more times.
I have been hesitant to do the whole spinach/kale mixed with fruit. I love greens, but I was just really unsure about how they'd taste with fruit. Turns out what they say is true... you don't taste the greens at all. This means I can buy tons of organic spinach and kale without worrying it will go bad before I can eat it all. SCORE.
Out of the 7 recipes we tried, only one was a bust. The rest were pretty good. Not amazing, but I think that has more to do with the fact that the produce selection is horrendous where my parents live and we didn't have time to head to the farmers market.
Also, I hate greek yogurt with a passion. The smell of it makes me want to yack. But I was trying to be open to the idea that I might not taste it. Wrong.
The recipe I hated was the first one I tried: blueberry pie green monster. I found it on Pinterest and the chick that came up with this was clearly insane. Nothing yummy about this monster. She raved about how good it was but I gagged when I tasted it. My parents both tried it and said it was pretty terrible.
Here are the recipes that I didn't hate & will be even more delish when I can get quality ingredients.
*ALWAYS use fresh organic produce when possible. Frozen organic fruit/ fruit juice works too.
*I add flaxseed and/or chia seeds to basically every smoothie for omega 3's
*I usually add bananas to every smoothie but couldn't any ripe ones (unripe bananas end up tasting like you used the peel)
RECIPES SANS CUTSIE NAMES:
2 cups spinach or kale
1 granny smith apple
1 cup blueberries
1.5 cups pineapple
2 cups spinach or kale
1 granny smith apple
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup pineapple
1 cup mandarin oranges
1/2 cup strawberries
2 bananas
1 cup strawberries
1 cups organic OJ
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
3 Tablespoons rolled oats
1 cup spinach or kale
1 cup pineapple
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup rasberries
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 banana
2 cups rasberries
1 cup organic OJ
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 cups spinach
1 pear
3 Tablespoons of oatmeal
4 Tablespoons of peanut butter
organic dark chocolate chunks to taste
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