The Tomatillo: One Blogger's Inappropriate Observation (NSFW)

The last time I made my Salsa Verde, this thought popped into my head as I prepared the tomatillos:

Salsa Verde

This is probably not the most traditional Salsa Verde recipe. I made it up on the fly, but I really love the fresh flavor and bright green color. It's delicious eaten with tortilla chips, or you pour it over pork roast or chicken.

If you're not familiar with tomatillos, they look like little green tomatoes but they're actually a member of the gooseberry family. Because of this, they grow covered in a papery outer covering

REFASHION POST: Sugar Skull Tank Top

I am OBSESSED with sugar skulls. I found this image here

Refashion: Scarf to Vest

Here is a quick, no-sew way to turn a scarf into a lose, flowy vest.

I can't take the credit for the idea. (I saw it here first) Some of the commenters had complained that the directions were a little unclear, so I thought I'd try to make it easier to follow.

Recipe Redux: Falafel made from leftover Hummus

I made 3 batches of homemade hummus for a BBQ this past weekend. Needless to say, I had quite a bit leftover. Don't get me wrong, I love hummus. But I can only eat so much of the stuff. I figured there had to be a way to re-purpose the leftovers without too much fuss.

FALAFEL!!

Homemade Weed Spray (Non-toxic)

I can't take credit for this recipe. However, I've seen it posted on so many different sites that I don't feel bad about stealing and reposting.

(Sorry... I know the hose in the picture is annoying and distracting, but I had to set up a temporary sprinkler for some freshly planted bulbs. I could have moved it for the picture, but I'm not a fan of doing work just so I can re-do it when I'm done)

All natural, home-made toothpaste (Fluoride free!!)

There has been a lot of talk about the neurotoxic effects of fluoride. As I mentioned in my home-made deodorant post, I'm not totally convinced yet that this is true, but why not try an alternative if it works as well or better?

Introducing:

 An easy, fluoride free, home-made, customizable toothpaste that may even remineralize your teeth...

 and costs pennies to make!

Refashion: 2 "New" Skirts for this Summer

I'll admit it. I have been a total slacker lately. I have a whole list of projects I want to get started on, but I haven't had the motivation.

I had 3 days off in a row this week and thought that I would have plenty of time to hippie it up. However, my first day off happened to be my bestie's birthday, so I spent the day preparing for that... making reservations, picking out decorations, etc.

Product Update: Hair One Jajoba Packette for Color Treated Hair

I mentioned in my last post that I broke down and used a store bought product to get the remaining Henna out of my hair. I had a packet of Hair One Jajoba Packette for Color Treated Hair that I purchased when I was just starting my all-natural journey. 

My first attempt at coloring my hair with Henna... with pictures :)

As I've said in other posts, I'm trying to phase chemicals out of my life; especially those that go in or on my body. I already make my own "shampoo" and "conditioner" and other hair products. Honestly. my hair hasn't looked or felt this healthy in a really long time. Unfortunately, baking soda and vinegar aren't going to do anything for my natural platinum highlights (ok... grey hair). Even though I usually used a demi-permanent color I still felt like a hypocrite using these chemicals.

I had wanted to try Henna hair color for a long time. True Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is an all natural, flowering plant that has been used for 6000 years to dye skin, hair, fingernails, and fabrics. Sounds pretty straightforward...

Ethical Eating

AKA: How Documentaries are ruining my life

As I become more informed about how our food is raised and where it actually comes from, I get pickier about what I'm willing to eat. I just gave away all of the beef and chicken in my freezer. I've decided that I'm only willing to eat pasture raised and cage free meats. It only sounds crazy unless you've watched "Food, Inc" or "Food Matters".

I still had a bunch of Swai (pangasius) and shrimp that I wasn't sure what to do with. Both were marked with a "Best Aquaculture Practices" certification. If that's anything like being USDA certified, then it doesn't mean much. I turned to Google for answers, because if it's on the internet, it has to be true. Right?

I ended up at www.responsibleseafood.org Turns out, this BAP certification looks pretty legit. They have a 19 page guideline just for the Pangasius alone. It covers everything from environmental impact to animal treatment to employee safety and even community relations. For now, I'm going to continue to eat these products... at least until I watch another documentary

Here is link to a video posted by the World Wildlife Federation

"Responsibly farmed pangasius; a taste of things to come"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZvs_m0rrgo

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (Finale)

Everything has pretty much come together, finally! I'm sure we'll be adding and adjusting, but here is the finished craftroom...

Mushroom Fries with Creamy Horseradish Dip

I really love mushrooms. They're fat free, low in carbs and calories, and high in a lot of vitamins and minerals

(www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=97)

Even though they're super delicious on their own, I can't help but love them even more when they're battered and fried and served with a creamy horseradish dipping sauce. 

I mean, why not take a healthy, natural food and make it terrible... 'Murica

I knew there had to be a way to make a similar but healthier dish. 

Here it goes... 

Grain-free, Dairy-free Portobello Fries with 

Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce!!

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 5)

All of the big projects are done now. The space is brighter and more defined. The Wigglets have 3 separate playhouses and a whole art wall. It's looking good, but I still have a LOT of boring blank space to fill; most of it is cold, hard concrete, too.

Off to the fabric store for inspiration...

Stuffed Zucchini

I has some leftover quinoa and lentils from other recipes I had made today, so I decided to throw them together as a stuffing for some baked zucchini boats. I have to say, it turned out even better than I expected!

This recipe was quick and easy, inexpensive and super healthy. 

Better Eggs Benedict

I was in the mood for a hearty, eggy breakfast. I wanted to keep the vegetables in there, but I didn't want to do another vegetable pancake today. I scavenged my refrigerator and inspiration hit... Eggs Benedict!

A breakfast of Eggs Benedict was always a treat growing up. It has everything going for it: salty, chewy, crunchy, creamy and slightly tart. The version I was accustomed to also had a lot of processed ingredients, nitrates and preservatives. I knew I could do better.

I had leftover grain-free buns from the other day, eggs (of course), a bunch of random vegetables and condiments. So I hit up ol' Chef Google for help...

 I may have dislocated my shoulder while patting myself on the back this morning, but it was totally worth it!
This version starts with a toasted grain-free bun, chewy/salty kale strips, and a poached egg topped with a super easy Hollandaise sauce...

Not sure if I'm more proud of the meal or of the photo. I actually took that pic with my phone! Yay me!

Sweet Potato Pancakes

I LOVE potato pancakes, but I was looking for a way to amp up the nutrition and flavor today. 

So, I give you...

SWEET POTATO PANCAKES

with Maple Cinnamon Dipping Sauce

Grain Free Focaccia-Style Bread

This bread recipe is super easy, and can be made in about 20 minutes (give or take oven pre-heat time). It's grain free, dairy free and it has a great texture and flavor. It's high in protein and fiber and low in carbohydrates.

You can make it as a single loaf (like focaccia) or divide it up as pictured for sandwiches...

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 4)

I still had my paint supplies out, but I was running low on my free paint. So I decided to paint a border around the floor. I figured it would brighten up the boring concrete a little and would also help define the space (play area versus craft area vs off-limits area). I started out just planning on making a sidewalk design around the outside. This would give them a path between their houses. Plus, I was planning on putting an area rug in the middle anyway. No point painting something that's just going to be covered up.

My take on an classic Indian dish (Aloo Gobi)

Sometimes inspiration hits at the strangest times. Case in point, I was watching "An Idiot Abroad", the Ricky Gervais series (you MUST watch it!!). I made it to the second episode where Karl visits India. Suddenly, I couldn't stop thinking about how badly I wanted Indian food for dinner. I did a quick google search and compared the recipes to my pantry items. After a few ingredient adjustments, I settled on this version of Aloo Gobi. It was exactly what I was looking for: healthy, hearty, and easy to prepare. Plus, it's vegetarian/vegan and grain free (if you're interested)

(Confession: This photo was from a google search because my cooking skills are MUCH better than my photography skills. However, this photo looks just like my dish did... minus the fancy garnish)

TEMPLATE: Make your Own Labels (Tattoo Motif)

Here is a template page for labels with an old school tattoo theme.

Just [Right Click] the picture and save to your photos or your documents.

Then, you can open in either "Paint" or "Word" and add your own wording to customize.

Either print onto adhesive backed paper, or print on regular paper and tape or glue to your bottles!

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 3)

My basement is fairly large. It runs the entire length of the house, but doesn't have any dividing walls. Like most basements, it's used as my catch-all storage. That being said, it's probably not a good idea to let kids have free reign down there. I couldn't put up actual walls, because as I said in my first post, I didn't want anything permanent or even semi-permanent, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money.

Also, I didn't want to box these kids in, I just wanted to define their space a little. So, how do I provide a barrier, make it fun and keep it cheap? PLAYHOUSES! Those are definitely fun. There's no point exploring the rest of the room is they have their own little world to play in. But, cheap? Hmmmm

GUEST POST: Homemade Laundry Detergent

So fresh and so clean, clean...

The only thing I hate worse than doing laundry is paying for laundry detergent. Thank goodness for this recipe. When I made this recipe, I cut the amounts in half, making one gallon. That amount filled my old, empty laundry detergent container and cost about $1. The original detergent (ALL free and clear) cost about $10... that's a significant savings for a few minutes of work.

TEMPLATE: Make your own labels (Art Nouveau Motif)

Here is a template page for some Art Nouveau style labels to use for your homemade products.

I LOVE This style. It originated in the early 20th century and had a resurgence in the 1960s and 1970s...

Just [Right Click] the picture and save to your photos or your documents.

Then, you can open in either "Paint" or "Word" and add your own wording to customize.

Either print onto adhesive backed paper, or print on regular paper and tape or glue to your bottles!

Recipe: Side Dishes part deux

If you've been following along with my ramblings, you now have some leftover crock-pot chicken, homemade chicken broth, Spanish rice and some Latin style black beans. Sounds like the makings of a delicious soup to me!!

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Easy Recipes: 2 side dishes for 2 meals

Made a Mexican themed dinner the other night and decided to make everything (mostly) from scratch...

I served the following recipes as side dishes to pan grilled burritos stuffed with seasoned ground beef, black olives and cheddar cheese, topped with a little sour cream and Tapatio hot sauce. 

The BF isn't a fan of Mexican food (he HATES cumin), but he asked me to write these recipes down so that I'd be able to make them again.

Note: A bad side effect of making up recipes on the fly is not being able to reproduce them... Oops. 

Good thing I have a blog to save all my recipes now!

Latin-Style Black Beans

1 c Dry black beans, soaked per package directions

1/2 onion, chopped

3-4 strips bacon, chopped

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

2 Tbls cilantro (fresh, if available)

pinch Cayenne pepper

salt to taste

Rinse and drain beans

Return beans to pot, add 3 c hot, salted water

Bring to boil. Cover halfway. Reduce to simmer for 90-120 minutes (until beans are tender and remaining liquid is thickened)

Fry bacon until crispy. Add onions to bacon pan and saute until soft. Season mixture with cumin, chili powder and pinch of cayenne. Stir over heat for another minute or two to release the flavors of the dried spices. Add onion/bacon/spice mixture and cilantro to cooked beans. Stir to combine.

Spanish Rice

1 Tbls Olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

garlic, minced

1 c rice (brown is most nutrient dense)

1/3 c tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes (I had some roasted, pureed and frozen from last season)

1 2/3 c chicken broth (home-made if you have it)

1/2 c diced tomatoes (also frozen after last season)

salt and pepper

Add olive oil to pot, heated over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic until tender.

Add dry rice and continue to cook over medium heat until golden and slightly puffed (about 5 minutes)

Add tomato sauce and chicken broth and salt (to taste)... homemade broth may need more salt

Bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes (until all water is absorbed)

Stir in diced tomatoes

Each recipe makes about 6 servings. Save 2 servings of each if you can. Posting a soup recipe tomorrow :)

TEMPLATE: Make your own labels (Black and White Outlines)

Here is a template page of the simple Black and White labels that I use for my homemade products.

Just [Right Click] the picture and save to your photos or your documents.

Then, you can open in either "Paint" or "Word" and add your own wording to customize.

Either print onto adhesive backed paper, or print on regular paper and tape or glue to your bottles!

Homemade All Natural Wood Polish

Just like in my Laminate Floor Polish post (1/17/14), I used [Brand X] products for furniture dusting and polishing for a really long time. I was happy with the results and I loved the way it smelled. On the positive side, [Brand X] furniture polish doesn't have to be periodically stripped and reapplied. On the negative side, it still contains a laundry list of chemicals and the MSDS states:

"Hygiene measures : Use only with adequate ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling."

Plain and simple, I just don't want to use chemicals if I can avoid them; especially on surfaces where I might put food that I plan on ingesting... my dining room table, for instance.

So, now I make my own...

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 2)

Last time I posted about this project, I had just painted all of the walls in (FREE) white paint, gathered from a friend's house...

Seeing the room as a blank canvas gave me the idea to keep that theme for the kids. I would do most of the room in white with some black outlines, and they could use the entire space as a coloring book, when we weren't doing other activities.

GUEST POST: Miracle Laundry Whitener and Stain Remover

I may BE a dirty hippie, but I don't want to LOOK like a dirty hippie.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE white shirts. I love button-ups, t-shirts, beaters (yes, I called them beaters), but they never seem to STAY white. God forbid, if the underarm area gets yellow, I'm not wearing it. In the past, these shirts would sit in pile on my closet floor, or get turned into rags, but then my friend Jasmine shared her recipe for a MIRACLE WHITENER AND STAIN REMOVER. It seriously removed sweat stains in old workout shirts. This recipe is amazing, and it fits my requirements for EASY, INEXPENSIVE and EFFECTIVE

Homemade Beef Stock

I just posted a similar entry on last Friday about making chicken stock. Beef stock is even easier. Plus, there are a lot of benefits you get from homemade stocks and broths that you won't get from store bought...

"When you ingest bone broth, it feeds the body with collagen, which is the building block of cells to bones, ligaments, cartilage and the brain.  Gelatin, a form of collagen used in food, is used (among other benefits) to help digestion because the liquid gets absorbed into the body quickly and without much effort. Making bone broth excellent for people with food sensitivities and gastrointestinal disorders because it is usually very safe and tolerable for the body." (http://doctorauer.com/benefits-of-bone-broth/)

Button Soup (AKA: Stone Soup)

One of my favorite stories growing up was "Button Soup" ( sometimes called Stone Soup... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Soup). In a nutshell, it's about a community coming together to make a meal for everyone when they all thought they had nothing... probably thinly veiled Communist propaganda, but I digress. The story is really sweet, and I think of it whenever I make this soup. The basic recipe is the same each time, but the outcome varies depending on what I have on hand.

Make your dog a dirty hippie

This post is going to be super short...

I"ll be making an entry in a few days about making homemade beef stock from roasted bones, with a link explaining all of the health benefits. If you're a dog owner, your pet can benefit from your leftovers.

REFASHION POST: Nightshirt to Casual Dress

Here is another item I picked up for $1 a pound.

I'm not totally sure if it was a night gown or a dress, but it was so close to being cute that I had to pick it up. It was super soft and comfortable, but it had NO shape. So, I started by turning it inside out and laying it out on my sewing table. I had a summer dress in my closet that fit perfectly, so I used that as a guide.

Don't waste your fat!!

In the last week, I posted 2 entries about making broth and skimming the fat off the top...

Don't worry. I'm not going to suggest that you eat it or that you render it down into soaps or candles

(although you could)

But why waste it? 

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on children. I do not have children of my own. I do not claim to know anything about kids. In fact, kids freak me out a little.

However...

Last fall, my boyfriends kids (AKA: the Wigglets), started showing an interest in art. WOOHOO!! What I lack in knowledge about kids, I make up for with knowledge about arts and crafts. Art was a HUGE part of my childhood. And I couldn't wait to introduce them to paint and glue and GLITTER!!

Homemade All Natural Deodorant

I'll be honest. I'm not totally convinced that commercial deodorants and antiperspirants cause Alzheimer's or cancer. But, (1) I'm not convinced they don't have negative side effects, and (2) I hate the way they feel. They leave a weird film on my skin that I don't care for, and they clog up my razors (yes, I shave my armpits. I'm a hippie, not a heathen).

I found a super easy recipe for homemade, natural deodorant last summer, and it kept me stink free even after walking my dog at the park in the heat. I made a few tweaks to the original recipe, but try it out and see what you think.

Why I make my own Chicken stock...

I make a lot of homemade soups. I mean, like, A LOT. Soups are easy. They're filling. They're inexpensive. And, they're a good way to use up leftovers. Plus, they freeze well, so it's a great way to make meals in advance. Because I make a lot of soup, I use a lot of broth.

Don't misunderstand. Store bought broth is quick, easy, and inexpensive. There are even a bunch of brands now that are are "all-natural" and "organic". But, as I've mentioned before, I am a super cheapskate and I hate buying things just to throw them away. Hypothetically, if I were to buy some all-natural chicken broth, it would be a healthy option, but I'm spending about $5 for a quart (or about $10 just for the broth in my homemade soup), and I now have 2 containers I need to dispose of.

On the other hand, an entire chicken is also about $5. This one little chicken will give you enough meat for more than a few different recipes, as well as a few GALLONS of all natural broth. Plus, you can control the amount of fat and sodium... Plus, it couldn't be simpler.

Quinoa with Sauteed Kale and Dijon Vinaigrette

I threw together a delicious, easy, healthy lunch to use up the odds and ends in my fridge. Thought the recipe should be shared here:

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies (Grain Free)

This may be the simplest recipe for Peanut Butter cookies ever devised. I wish I could take credit for it. However, I did steal it fair and square. Not one to leave well enough alone, I added a creamy, honey flavored filling and upgraded it to sandwich status.

(I really need to step up my photography game. This picture does not do these cookies justice)

REFASHION POST: Sweater to Pencil Skirt

About a year ago, I went scavenging through one of those "$1 per Pound" thrift store outlets. I grabbed a few sweaters with the sole intention of turning them into scarves or hats someday. I threw them in my sewing room, and there they sat, waiting for a moment of inspiration (or boredom, but mostly inspiration)

This one had decent bones: 100% cotton, neutral colors, good condition. But the neckline was wonky, It was too wide to be a turtleneck, too narrow to be a cowl, and it had a these weird flaps to tie it down in front.

Creamsicle Bath Fizz

These bath bombs are just as soothing to the skin as the Lavender Vanilla ones I posted last week, but the bright Orange-Vanilla scent will perk you up, even during these gloomy winter months.

Kitchen Surface Cleaner

This All-Natural Kitchen Cleaner is by far one of the cheapest and easiest DIY products you can make.

All you need:
White Vinegar
Tap water
Citrus Peels
Storage Container (like an empty mason jar)
Time

After eating or juicing citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, etc), just put the leftover peels in a jar and pour in enough vinegar to cover.

LIFEHACK: "Bullet-proof" Coffee Creamer Drop-ins

Have you heard of "Bullet-proof Coffee"? I first heard about it here: http://wellnessmama.com/5673/the-only-way-i-drink-coffee/ . However, the idea has been around forever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter_tea)

 OK, so the first time I read about putting butter and oil in my coffee, I though it sounded gross and weird. However, I had all the ingredients and my curiosity got the better of me.

LIFE. CHANGING. COFFEE.

Vinyl and Laminate Floor Polish

Up until recently, I had always used a brand name cleaner on the laminate flooring in my kitchen. I LOVED it. It was easy to use, inexpensive and made my kitchen smell like delicious oranges. Then I read the directions:

[Brand X] floor finish with future shine should be removed from your floor every 6 To 8 applications or annually with a solution Of 1 cup ammonia and 1/4 cup [Brand X] floor cleaner in 1/2 gallon cool water. Then rinse floor with clean water. 

OK, let me get this straight... the product I'm using to CLEAN my floors has to be CHEMICALLY REMOVED? And, as if having to use ammonia wasn't bad enough, I'm also expected to spend more money on another [Brand X] product to get the job done. 

Genius marketing ploy? You betcha. 

Reason for me to find a better homemade product? Precisely.

So, I turned to the all-knowing internet and found some recipes for laminate cleaners and polishes. They all did a great job of getting the floor clean. But they all lacked a very important feature in a floor polish... SHINE. Since my laminate doesn't already have a high gloss finish, the recipes that were out there were leaving me a little frustrated. I tinkered with the formula for a while and finally found a winning combination.

I present to you:

The Totally Natural, Practically Edible, All-in-One Laminate Floor Cleaner and Polish!

(Or, just "Floor Polish" for short)

Lavender Vanilla Bath Fizz

These bath bombs are like a mini trip to the spa. They are soothing to the skin and calming to the senses. Unlike a spa visit, these bad boys won't kill your bank account. (They cost roughly $0.80 per bath)

Antioxidant Exfoliating Scrub

After playing around with the original recipe for this COFFEE SCRUB, I found a few variations that I really loved (link to original recipe at end of post). Since switching to this from a store-brand product, my skin has become smoother and softer. I have fewer breakouts. And, my fine lines seem to be going away... not too shabby for a product that costs pennies to make.

CUSTOMIZABLE ANTIOXIDANT EXFOLIATING SCRUB

Honey Nut Cookies (Grain Free)

I try to eat fairly healthy, but I don't subscribe to any specific diet. I'm not vegan or Paleo. I eat wheat and drink alcohol. I like to eat foods that make me happy. That being said, I'm also not opposed to trying a new recipe, be it vegan or Paleo or whatever, so long as it's delicious.

Here is a grain free cookie recipe that I found and then modified to my liking...

New Year's Resolution: Pursuit of the Perfect Pizza

I don't make New Year's resolutions. Why resolve to make a MAJOR change ONCE a year? That's way too much pressure for this lazy hippie. Instead, I like to set up frequent, attainable goals for myself. My latest goal was to learn how to make the perfect homemade pizza. I vowed that I would accomplish this by the end of winter. 
I started my journey in mid-December and was able to accomplish it by New Year's Eve. Looks like I can relax until Spring

Getting started...

I'm still really new to this whole all-natural, homemade, DIY lifestyle. Because of this, nearly every time I try a new recipe, I end up having to run back to the store to grab "just one more thing". If you're anything like me, stopping by the store for "just one more thing" usually results in a bunch of wasted time roaming the aisles and a basket full of extras I don't need. That's way too much time and money for this lazy hippie to spend. So, I compiled a list of commonly used items for the recipes I'll be posting here. I've also included the total prices as well as a breakdown into price per unit. That way, you can easily figure how much a recipe costs to create and decide if the [time spent]:[money saved] ratio is worth the effort...

 

Here we go...

I don't claim to be an expert in any field. But I DO know what I like and what works for me. I hope some of this will work for you, too!

 

The main thing you need to know about me is that I'm frugal with my money and my time (AKA: I'm cheap and lazy). Last year, I decided that I was tired of wasting time and money on products that didn't work or weren't worth the money, food I didn't truly love and activities I didn't really care about. So, I decided to start making simple changes to the products I use and the foods I prepare. I've found a lot of recipes for both that I really liked, so I wanted to share. Most of the products recipes here are less expensive than their store-brand counterparts. The ones that are equal in price or more-expensive are far superior products... at least in my opinion.
 

Some of the ideas you'll find here have been stolen... err, copied... directly from another page or website. Those posts will feature a link so you can show them some love, too. Some of these items have been altered from the original posts to suit my own preferences. However, all of them have been tried and have been successful.

This little blog is all about finding ways to make life better, easier or less expensive; hopefully, it will satisfy all three of those things.