Local. H. O. N. E. Y.

It is in no way embarrassing I have 4 jars of honey. Two are Durango, CO local honeys and two are San Diego locals. Do yourself a solid and research your area for some raw, delicious, local, healing honey love! If you are vegan look into the local aspects of proper beekeeping before making a call on more humane honey. It is literally a gift! 

Holistically Natural Cleaning with Vinegar!

So not sure if you are in the know; my main secret stinks.

Vinegar.

I had read up on easy ways to use vinegar as a natural cleaner and jumped at the fact it cleaned almost every thing I needed it too. Right way fell IN LOVE with the pure alternative and had not a second thought to it. After awhile my wonderful and amazing husband declared no more vinegar he could not take it. Because I was using it so much the "vinegary" smells never really had time to dissipate and on top of that we had just moved for the 1st time as a military family to a place that had no AC and limited wind flow throughout...so smell what I am wafting? 

i. was. mortified.

I HAD TO STOP USING VINEGAR?

not these tatas.

So after a whiny moment and secret use of it when he went to work the next day I sat down to the new then website pinterest and found my cleaning salvation. CITRUS INFUSED VINEGAR!!

my 1st citrus vinegar cleaner in Jan 2011

GLORIOUS CITRUS PEELS!! I was stoked *and still am 2 years later* with all I can do with the cleaner and no smelly after-burn! I try to use organic only peels in certain batches that are all only organic any way; such as a bag of oranges, or a small bag of limes, but you can mix and match ANY citrus combination you want and it does NOT have to be organic!...that is just a weirdo move I do so I know if it's all organic or not. IF you are not eating and cleaning organic make sure to scrub hardy tardy so you can get rid of all pesticides and germies that will effect your health

if ingested or contaminate your natural cleaner. 

Citrus usually falls in the middle of the road between the "Organic-vs-Non" debate but I tend to follow the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen  ruling! Buying only organic what I need to and seeing what is on sale. If the organic is only a few cents more, the protection of workers rights starts to pull at the cheap me and she gives in hence, sometimes organic cleaner..sometimes CLEAN cleaner :)  Since it is a HUGE misconception that every thing you eat has to be organic, this list as well as the free app come in handy seasonally! My 1st few batches were somewhat boring but later I started playing around with adding lemon and oranges together or just lime.. That's fun in the summer months! I mean have a blast. Mandarins. Clementines. Limes. Lemons. Grapefruit. Lesser knowns: Pomelo, Citron, Mikan, and Red Finger Limes from Australia! Read up on the health benefits of this holistically aPEELing fruit! It is definitely an easy (& cheap!) remix of a classic! Unplug your nose and breath in that refreshing feeling you are one step closer to living the healthier life! 

Directions:
Citrus peels + fill and top off with Vinegar. Store in cool place for 2-8 weeks *the longer the better*, shake every few days and either use full strength or dilute down!

Uses: Um, *Everything but specifically: add to your laundry's rinse cycle for THE green way to get rid of static, add to dish rinse cycle to get rid of all residue inside and on dishes, add to your toilet water 10 minutes before you scrub down to let citrus odor penetrate, or pour some into a small bowl or jar and leave out in a room for an odor absorber! I use my peels two times, adding more the 2nd time and use them before I discard them the second time! I do not know where I read it, but I remember it being on Pinterest to use your left over vinegar peels by adding baking soda to them and scrubbing down the sinks and kitchen area, then running them through the disposal. It makes the kitchen smell lickalicious, shine and those hard to "naturally" bleach areas easier!!!! I use this for cleaning and my weekly hair rinse!! LOVE IT AND YOU! Hope this inspires you!





* not recommended for granite, wood floors, and marble

so...When and Where does this "Green World" exist?

Ah Penny Lane. The Band Aid every one knows. Always off in her own land of the surreal. Kind of like most folks today not knowing how devastatingly EASY it is to just "greenify" any routine. One "green" blog read. One "eco-friendly" product purchased. Then One "earth conscious" moment later.. you realize how many small things you can do. Do not feel like change happens easily. I would kick myself when we were first learning to recycle and go dig through the garbage's to make sure "I did it right" or try to pick up EVERY piece of garbage at the park *now I bring a bag to pick up what I can and that's it*, or my favorite..... just reading and getting upset this information is not public practice here in our way awesome but way self-destructive world. I mean we are a pretty cool planet and all! This knowledge is out there. Here is some now! If you have ever wanted some great insta ideas on living a healthier life these are great for influencing all areas, even your food! Giving up meat once a week is no myth; lighten your carbon footprint and lesson chances of chronic disease- DIS EASE. Having a personal arsenal of references is what keeps me on point (or pinterest) so bookmark (or pin) me for a quick guide to GOING GREEN TODAY!

5 tips for a Green Kitchen

Tips from the EPA on recycling

The Daily Green

Worldwatch Institute

50 Ways to Help

8 Easy Ways to Start finding Clean Green

care2 : Green Living

Have it sent to you!
Conscious Box

You Can Too: Hallow's Eve Treat 2013 BLAST from DIY 2010!

Halloween could possibly be my favorite holiday. That is a bold statement. 

I truly love all occasions with family and friends alike but there is just that thing about Halloween... dressing up and scary stuff. Okay. Two things. I do not think I know one person who doesn't love getting a little creeped out at their shower curtain or wondering if you should check under the bed, for that masked killer you read about in a fiction novel from yesteryear (& not that it matters but, one of my favorite "scary" movies is Little Monsters!). 

When we lived in Monterey we wanted to have friends over to celebrate and pretty much just have an excuse to purposely live in decorations...for a week we added this and that and made some fun stuff so that I can use them again and again. And let me say, we had a good time! Our rental in Monterey was a find and I really liked that town. If you ever get a chance, go. You will not regret it. 

Sweet Avery (then almost one) did not know what to think of the webbing on our stairwell. It was a tremendous feat that took me late into the night with giddies, don't be fooled it was like watching THAT girl decorating for Homecoming. I was so into it. I was online searching like crazy for cheap ideas, up cycling projects, ANYTHING. And in my very humble opinion, it paid off! 

Almost everything was purchased at the Dollar Tree or found around CL free.

I used clear tape to hang skeletons I had tied some cooking twine around to look like they we hanging skeletons, can be too much for some folks but Avery never noticed. The adults did! 

With the front porch I used blood dripping candles on wine bottles of Two Buck Chuck purchased from Trader Joes, un-carved pumpkins that we later decorated, and "shrunken heads" from apples I carved and let air dry inside (and I only kept these outside for our party and the actual Hallows Eve!)! There are lots on online tutorials for fruit shrunken heads, and since you're not eating them it its ok to skimp and get the non organic brand. 

Eeeeerrrriiiieeees huh? 

For our large front window I got some large trash bags our neighbor was throwing out and some from our multiple moves and cut layers of "flame". Another "cheap Halloween decor idea" search. Still have these too and have used is several windows or can layer in one for a different look! It was super fun in this home because the air vent was on the floor so when the heat kicked on the flames flickered in the shadowy window and it looked super fun! 

For random knick knack areas around the home I glued eye balls on pumpkins and filled glass containers with craft beads and little skulls I found 10/$1 at Target. 

AND again, clear tape makes any decorating super easy. 

Hung a net and tangled little plastic buggies in it and even some fake flesh. 

Found these glow in the dark window skulls for 90% off the DAY of Halloween.. BPA free too. Not an AWESOME eco buy, but since it IS reusable, I figured it'd be worth it for the years/moves to come! I store all my decor in a marked bin for moving/easy seasonal decorating!

Ben admiring the front porch before trick or treaters show up!

some awesome ghouls! 

Found this link for Spiderweb Cookies 

and inspired myself a cake...

My 1st spider web cake was so easy! 

I hope these pictures provide some thrifty encouragement! The one item I did not have pictures of  *and I am not digging them out just yet* are spray painted roses. Found some free ones on Craigslist & cheap elsewhere, bought as-clean-as-I-could black matte spray paint and had black roses all through the house too! Used awesome terrorrrific food ideas from online like dried cranberries as scabs, stuffed dates as roaches, knobs of ginger around as witches knuckles,  witches fingers (cheese sticks with almond ends), vampire punch,... so many ideas out there! Here is a great one for Family Halloween Ideas and another I love is Easy Halloween Ideas . They are the most common you will see flying around, but I encourage you to not give up! YOU CAN PARTY ON A BUDGET, don't be scaaaaaarrrrrrrrred. See for yourself!

Boo for now!

Quinoa Burgers

I Can Not resist the temptation of something fried right up from time to time.

 If you are comfortable and familiar with salmon/crab cakes I'd dive right into rummaging around the fridge/pantry and have some fun. For others who need some guidance to find their art...: The actual pictures were taken last summer, the 1st time I made these! Since then I have upgraded to frying in cast iron skillets only (even then I was all about the coconut oil and evoo but it is a long journey and I learn daily)! Taking steps to walk a clean, healthy lifestyle can be a challenge for some folks and if it is I challenge you (and me) to find what you love and make it healthier; then when you learn more,... healthier, and healthier... until you're happy, or healthy, or since they'll go hand in hand...

when you're body is healed :) 

   I 1st had quinoa patties at a local spot in Newport, RI called Keenwah :) Completely obsessed I quickly ventured to google where I found this recipe from epicurious then decided I am free and so is my quinoa. ROAR. 

Following the basic draft..needed the binder, eggs, bread crumbs, etc... I ended up toasting up two pieces of gluten free bread and pulverizing them with Trader Joe's 21 season salute in a 15$ blender. It is salt free, scrumptious, and not only is this good for me but every one, even if you're not actively

 watching your sodium intake. 

fry you freshman patties

cleaning greens to eat with qp! 

Ended up chopping up some onions, garlic, squash, used local chèvre and all the seasonings of my 

heart's desire!  

After the Quinoa Patties were done I served them over a luxurious salad, because all things green are gorgeous, and topped it avocado slices and homemade dijon vinaigrette! I typically serve them over any hot or cold greens and homemade dressing or juice from the greens! Wrap in lettuce for ultimate protein wrap or vegan treat if you substitute the cheese for almond pepper jack! HELLO! I also have added red onions, roasted pablano peppers, flax, roasted eggplant, any veggie.... the options truly can be catered to you! These guys can be super filling or small and easy to serve as finger foods for younger kids or parties! Blend up some avocado, lemon, salt, evoo and you have one yummy healthy dipping sauce! The whole point is I saw/tasted some thing I loved, and made it my own! You Can Tu! 

Hope this inspires you some way to eat some thing fun!

 Responsibly.

MamaMade Potato chips

When in doubt (or over abundance) do it yourself! Today my fuel is snack making for a road trip. We have fresh fruit and veggies delivered weekly from Abundant Harvest Organics and I have a lot of potatoes from the past two weeks. I am taking some to cook but I'm craving something salty so .... Chips :) easy peazy potato chips. And yes it's considered vegan but still a treat.

I used my Kitchen Aid food processor to slice potatoes and turnips (I had three) then massaged in evoo (extra virgin olive oil, organic of course), Himalayan sea salt, and rainbow pepper. I also am doing two methods to show y'all it's ok to not have a dehydrator! 

Method 1:

1) Slice 

2) Marinate

3)Place on dehydrator rack 

4)Set at 115-110 until crisp

Method 2: 

1) Slice

2) Marinate 

3) Preheat oven to 500F

4) Bake 15-25 mins! 

You can use potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, beets, carrots, broccoli stems.......... Any root vegetable can be a chip!!! This is just a basic salt and pepper chip. Add nutritional yeast and brags for a cheesy chip, or spice yours to your liking and you'll be ready for that sweet, salty road ahead. 

 Peace. Love. And Chips made with love. 

CHOCOGOOP

Try this:
1 tablespoon cacao
1 tablespoon honey
1 table spoon coconut oil
mix until mixed

slather that bad boy goo on any thing from toast to a banana to strawberries your finger.

Underarm Mclovin

Make your own deodorant! Why subject yourself to harsh chemicals that cause illness in products only intended to force you to come back for more because they only mask the problem with junk. (longest run-on sentence award, thank you! thank you!) Most deodorants are loaded guns of toxic metals and other ingredients no bueno for you or your any one. Love all of ourselves, even our underarms! Even if you are buying aluminum free, or organic, you can still be making it with items found in your pantry! 

I have been doing this on and off for almost three years now; for my personal use and for a few out there that have come to me for help in their own journey! I am in the process of selling more and more as people are becoming aware of the toxins allowed in our every day products. I could go on FOREVER in the toxin department, but if I did, then how would you know to go read on your own :)? I completely encourage continuous education. With food, health, living, world news; read it all, or read about what you want..but read. Research. Experiment. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO FAIL. Because three years later you could be sending personalized samples to folks all over the country and attempting to write a decent d.i.y. post.

First I will start with this. I make my own calendula and chamomile oil. You do not have to.  It can be purchased or you can read up on Crunchy Betty's tutorial.  Or even without the soothing properties of these flowers this power-punched-pit-lovin cream is full of goodies. Back to CB, I had been making my own deodorant with coconut or jojoba oil for awhile but as Betty mentions; her (and my) 1st time (or 1st few for me!) were almost disasters but through trial and error and tweaking I have perfected my sexy pit cream! So much truth! Arm pits get no love!!! By reading TONS of posts, researching common allergies, detoxing off chemicals as much as possible, and friends like Lexie kept me encouraged through some pretty rough patches on my journey to today and I encourage you to not give up either! Whether you just want to be money savvy, are looking for safe natural products free from chemicals, or are just interested in starting some where;

start today!

Calendula Chamomile Infused Oil

infusion time: 2weeks

2 1/2 tbsp organic chamomile flowers

2 1/2 tbsp organic calendula flowers

6-8 oz of coconut/jojoba/avocado/

sweet almond/sweet 

apricot/mixture to cover flowers

store in cool place. shake often.

Essential oils give you the freedom of playing! 

The number one thing I can say is use arrowroot powder not cornstarch if you have sensitive skin. It has been through trial and error (or what I had on hand) that I've come to find my skin does not like cornstarch; it likes the arrowroot but se la vie, see what works best for you! I first used the cornstarch then switched to arrowroot. It is less irritating and after sharing Hippie KarMama:Raise UP with several folks from the East to West, Arrowroot seems the favorite amongst them all! Some folks like CB and Lexie:Naturals use baking soda and some times I do. I personally have not had any in awhile since the last batch I did was so big I had to look up my recipe to write this. So I've used only Arrowroot but have made it with baking soda and have had no complaints! :) 

 Every one I know who infuses has a trick or hack for straining. Some use cheese cloth. Some use coffee filters. I use a cheesecloth or these lemon savers that fit AWESOME on glass jars! Should get about 4 total oz of oil. Mix in 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup depending on if you want to mix in baking soda. If so make it equal 1/4 cup measurements and don't be scared to sprinkle some more to saturate the oil. Add  15-20 drops of whatever essential oils you desire and store in a sterile container. Clean your container after every use, please!

I love mine in these little spice jars!

Recap:

4 oz of coconut oil (or infused oil or healthy oil of choice)

1/4 cup arrowroot

1/4 cup baking soda

essential oils (tend to use lavender and tea tree oil)

OR

4 oz of coconut oil (or infused oil or healthy oil of choice)

1/2 cup arrowroot

essential oils (tend to use lavender and tea tree oil)

chocolate ice cream for breakfast

The days of youth are constantly at our fingertips. Wind blowing through your arms that make you want to fly like a bird, sounds of the ocean always bringing magic to your heart, a smell of vanilla in the summer to remind you of sweets that only long gone elders knew how to make; All of the small wonders make a soul so simple and childlike. The sheer giddiness of childlike behavior should be reason enough to enjoy chocolate ice cream for breakfast :) It IS a Mama D version of chocolate ice cream but it's soft serve yumminess will have you melting faster than itself if you don't hurry up and enjoy!

They key to almost all of the smoothies I make is a little trick called FROZEN BANANAS aka Vegan Ice Cream aka Smoothie aka Milkshake Heaven. I am telling you.

 No I am YELLING AT YOU, THIS ISH IS BANANAS- B A N A N A S :) 

 I buy bananas in bulk and usually use most of them but towards the end I will slice up some, freeze them on a single layer and store them in the freezer until I need some creamy satisfaction. I usually use coconut water or water as my thinner but feel free to use milk or juice of choice (once I juiced some spinach for spinach water). Use about 1 cup of bananas per adult serving. For me and the two toddlers I used 3 cups. Pile up bananas, start with 1 tablespoon of cacao, a drizzle of honey and blend. Watch it and go with your instincts/preferences! It will be THICK so work a little bit of your fluid into it slowly (or it'll get kind of watery like in my pictures). Taste it. If you need more cacao or coconut water or honey keep going. This is a VERY sweet treat if you are not careful with your desire to be flooded with pure ice-cream-for-breakfast nirvana!!! I am working on knowing my body better and kind of refuse to give exact measurements. . just start with a basic measurement ( 1 tsp - 1 tbsp )  and taste your way from there. It's bananas and honey and chocolate. YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG!!! As I am mixing these simple ingredients together I drizzle in some melted coconut oil. I keep the coconut oil on top of the fridge so on most days some of it's liquid or you can heat it up as you see fit. Microwave, Stove, Double Boiler. I have a little Turkish tea pot I melt mine with over the gas stove.

Perfection is what this breakfast is. Oh and the kids will adore it too. We were going to add strawberries and blueberries but we ate those while watching this magic happen. 

Let the kids help or if it's for company that is hesitant to "try new things" secretly serve this bad boy and set up a "healthy sundae" bar without folks even knowing *yes I have been known to sneak tons of healthy alternatives into Casa Cantu gatherings but only after I ask for allergies.. I myself can not eat mushrooms so why ruin someone's night/life just because I want to prove vegan ice cream/smoothies are literally a culinarist-guru-in-training's dream!* 

I first was inspired by Dr. Ben Kim's chocolate vanilla smoothie while we were in Rhode Island. It was an instant summer hit. I am now very confident in my testing abilities and use this first experience as a guide to what I have on hand or am planning. This was a quick version Avery happened to ask for one morning so I was like OH YEA! Some times I add the vanilla especially in the smoothie, and most times I sprinkle some crushed walnuts on top. Depends on what I am craving. For the healthy sundae bar you can have a spread of fresh and dried fruit, healthy whip cream, raw nuts, dried coconut flakes, chia seeds and cranberries give a fun sprinkle-ish feel to this but if you're down with sprinkle town then do it! Eating a healthier ice cream is a HUGE first step in a healthier lifestyle or if this is for a dairy free soiree then you know your guidelines, I'm just here for the ICE CREAM :)

I encourage you to try this fun treat any time with some one you love, especially YOURSELF!!!  

CSA Chamomile Tea

Good Day to y'all!! You would think that the way I run my mouth it would be easier for me to blog but it is not. Unless Dragon dictation develops the from brain thought to word *yes i use word for macs* I don't think it'll ever be easy to sit here and type for 20 mins then erase it all just to give up and not post for months. . pretty much my blog cycle. Either way... quickies seem to be the best. Little blurbs to get me and you until the next in depth sit down! This sweet little number is a tea I made with the fresh chamomile that came in our CSA box earlier this month.

I love our CSA by the way.

pretty little things

Got the inspiration from a wonderful place I took an Herb class
called Self Heal School of Herbs and Healing 

We literally took "weeds" and made a delish tea from room tempered water that took about 3 hours to brew after a good muddling!
I on the other hand did not want to wait hours so I left this baby in the sun for about an hour.
Then mixed in a simple syrup of coconut sugar and water and enjoyed some fresh Chamomile Tea from our beautiful CSA! I encourage you to try some simple tea with your favorite edible flowers!!