Creamy Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

I had been in a soup slump for a few months.  I just wasn't feeling creative enough to attempt something new, and I was bored with all the veteran ones that have made their way through my kitchen too many times to count.  Since making my Cream of Broccoli Soup a few weeks ago, I have been re-inspired, and have been on a soup kick ever since.

When a friend mentioned having tomato soup the other night, I immediately thought...Yum, there' my next soup!  And so the soup experimenting continued...

Creamy Fire Roasted Tomato Soup served with Grilled "Cheese"

This soup by far exceeded my expectations.  I'm not, and have never been a fan of the plain tomato soup that you get from a can; the ones with no texture and taste like pure tomatoes.  So if that's what you're looking for, this is not it.  This is full of texture, flavor, and creaminess.

I was also a little worried how Nya would take to this, but she gobbled hers up in no time, and even dipped her grilled "cheese" into it. This soup was a total hit in our house, and I hope you find it to be in yours too!

What you need:

1 Large Onion, peeled and chopped
5 Cloves Garlic, chopped (I would have added more if I hadn't ran out!)
3 cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes (I use these)
1 cup Raw Cashews
1/4 cup Pine Nuts (Can omit or use cashews instead)
6 - 8 cups Veggie Broth (Can use water or combination of broth/water, just amp up spices)
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1 Tbsp Dried Basil (1/2 cup fresh)
2 tsp Dried Oregano (1/4 cup fresh)
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder (I would have just used more fresh garlic)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

What you do:

1.  Saute onion and garlic in water or veggie broth until translucent.  Add 1.5 cans of tomatoes, red pepper flakes, dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic powder, and cook on low heat for 10 minutes. (If using fresh herbs, don't add them here.)

Tomatoes and spices added to garlic and onion

2.  In a high speed blender, combine cashews, pine nuts, and tomato mixture (along with fresh herbs if using), and blend until smooth.

3.  Pour mixture into large pot and heat on low.  Slowly add veggie broth until reaching desired consistency. Then add remaining tomatoes.  Cook on low heat, stirring to incorporate, and serve.  Makes 6 large servings.

Creamy Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

Notes:

The high fat is due to the cashews, which are naturally high in healthy fats, plus an abundant of other vitamins, minerals, and protein.  You want this kind of fat in  your diet to help you reach the feeling of satisfaction and fullness.

You can blend all tomatoes in high speed blender if you prefer a smooth soup.  I left some out to give texture.

The more garlic, the more flavor...don't be afraid of it.  I would have added MUCH more if I had it.

If you want this soup spicy, add more red pepper flakes.

To cut back on the sodium and sugar, use fresh tomatoes.  You can roast them on the grill, or bake in the oven at 425 for 8 - 10 minutes (or until charred slightly).  I should be doing this, but have fallen into the convenient and cheaper trap of buying the cans.  Not the best option, but it works for our family for now.

Chopped Red Peppers would be great in this soup.  And if I had some on hand, I probably would have thrown them in.  You can roast them, cook them in step 1, and blend in step 2.  Or, add them in step 3 and leave them chunky to give more texture.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Info per Serving:

Calories: 305

Fat: 19 g

Saturated Fat: 3 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 305 mg

Carbohydrates: 24 g

Fiber: 3.4 g

Sugars: 7.9 g

Protein: 9.4 g

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

The Tale of The Picky Eating Toddler

Sometimes I want to rip my hair out when Nya does not want to eat anything I just made her. Especially when I've been slaving (or at least it feels that way) to come up with a nutritiously tasty, and balanced meal.

Nya's a very healthy eater, but goes through spurts of loving something one day, and wanting nothing to do with it the next.  Every day I find it just a little bit trickier, and when I look back to the early days of feeding, those seem like a piece of cake in comparison.

So how do I make sure she eats a healthy, whole food, and balanced diet?  

In order to continue to get enough variety in her diet, as well clean, whole foods, I have learned to be extremely creative and patient.  These two things are critical.   Sometimes it's simple, and just a matter of not offering something for a few days, before then trying again. But then there are the days when nothing I put in front of her is appealing....

Putting that patience and creativity to the test, here are some simple things that work for our family:

Help with Meal Prep:

Nya likes to feel a part of what I'm doing. When she's able to contribute in some way to the meal, she's much more likely to eat it.  This can be VERY challenging with little ones because we tend to be in a rush to get the meal going (amongst the hundred other things we have going on).  I understand this...and if you're not in the right mindset, this idea can end up backfiring, as you both get upset and frustrated.  Take a deep breath, step back, and realize your little one is just curiously learning and exploring his/her worth in the world. By letting them help prepare the meals, it builds your child's confidence and justifies their capability of what they're able to do.

I allow Nya to help me get the meals going, whether it be pouring ingredients, holding measuring cups, or stirring.  She's still so little and can't do too much, but she does do what she can.  Last night, I made sticky black rice, and Nya scooped the rice into the rice cooker for me (I had to guess on measurements and eyeball what she had scooped in, but it made all the difference in the world to her, which in turn, made things easier for me.)

She Chooses the Food:

For most snacks and some meals, I allow Nya to pick out her food.  I will take her to the fridge or freezer, and give her choices of what she can have.  Sometimes it's something so simple as almond butter or peanut butter.  But by offering Nya a choice, she feels that she has some say in what she eats.  This always works for us (so far!), because she isn't going to eat something that she didn't pick out.  Make sure not to have options in front of them that you don't want them choosing, because that could turn into a nightmare when you say, "No". 

Food From My Plate:

Nya eats what I eat, and vice versa.  (This will help you clean up your eating in a big way!)  I don't make anything that I'm not comfortable feeding Nya, so if she's refusing to eat what's on her plate, I'm happy to give her what's on mine.  And she's happy to accept.  Sometimes I will prepare a plate of food for Nya that she wanted, until she sees what I'm having and decides she just has to have that.  So, giving her some of my food ends up solving the problem quickly and easily.  This works especially well when out at restaurants or a friend's house.

She Feeds Me:

This can sometimes be very unappetizing as Nya has mixed all her food together and what is left is a piece of sweet potato covered in banana and blueberry juice.  Yet she loves to take on the caretaker roll, and feed me as I have done for her.  I like to think she's just being sweet, but sometimes I think she just wants to see if it's something I will eat before she puts it in her own mouth.  It's usually just one or two bites that she will offer me, so I eat them willingly and with much enthusiasm.  Nya gets the biggest smile and excitedly chows down on her food.  Hey, whatever works.

Offering me her food, straight from the hand...

Adult Utensils:

This seems really silly, but sometimes all it takes for Nya to eat, is switching up her utensils.  She prefers to eat with the same fork or spoon I'm using, and recently, no longer wants to drink milk from a sippy cup. I had tried making many different kinds of milk, even adding dates to sweeten them; but nothing.  Exasperated, I poured the same milk she refused from a sippy cup into a plastic mason jar (similar to what I use but small and made for children), and she drank it right up.

Eating Watermelon with her "Big Girl" Utensils

These are a few things that Nya always enjoys, and they are packed with enough nutrients that I'm comfortable allowing her to eat if all else fails.

Smoothies: I make one almost every day, and Nya LOVES them.  I use about 60% greens (spinach or kale) and 40% frozen or fresh fruit (as much variety as possible).  I also add nuts (for extra fat and protein), chia seed (fiber, essential fatty acids, calcium, protein, and tons of extra vitamins), and coconut water (hydration, B vitamins, and amino acids).  If I feel she's needing extra fat and calories, I will use nut milk or coconut milk.

Smoothie from the "Big Girl" cup...no more sippies.

"Ice Cream": It's rare that Nya won't eat this, and it can be made using any fruit combination.  I've recently starting adding frozen beets in with a berry mixture and it gives a beautiful rich color, and doesn't change the taste whatsoever.  I always keep ripe bananas, cooked beets, and fresh fruit in the freezer so I can toss together Yonanas ice cream at any time.  I haven't experimented with other veggies yet!

Beet, Banana, Cherry, Strawberry, and blueberry "Ice Cream"

Popsicles: Another all time favorite of Nya's, and I usually make them from leftover smoothies.  These are especially great during teething time, when Nya's appetite is naturally lower.  I'm ok with her eating a few throughout the day because they are complete meals packed into a frozen treat that feel good on her sore gums.

Adopting some of these strategies can be hard, because it forces you to realize that your little baby is not such a little baby anymore.  They're growing up and asserting their independence in this world.  By offering some freedom of choice in certain areas, you can save yourself from temper tantrums in others.

Good luck on this journey, and remember that your child is just asserting his/her new found independence.  If you can remain calm and get inspired, you might enjoy watching this independent little personality develop.

To connect with others in this crazy journey called life, discover new parenting ideas and fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, and find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Spicy Thai Noodles

I found this recipe on Pinterest from A Small Snippet , and was slightly hesitant until a friend told me they LOVE it.  I altered it slightly (very slightly), and I too, fell in love.

Here's what I love about it:

It's fairly healthy (if you're not considering the large amount of oil and sodium content - but everything in moderation - just don't make it a regular part of your diet!  And this version is MUCH healthier than what you would by from a restaurant or from the store).

It's unbelievably easy and quick - which is perfect on those, what am I making for dinner nights!

It can be modified in so many ways (noodle choices, veggies used, spiciness, etc.).

And it's absolutely delicious!

What you need:

1 Box of spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta (You won't notice flavor so find the healthiest with minimal ingredients)

*1 - 2 Tbsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 c Unrefined Oil (Olive Oil works)

6 Tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos (or Soy Sauce - Look for low or no sodium)

2 cups Chopped Veggies of Choice (I use a frozen organic mixture from Costco that contains: edamame, peas, carrots, green beans, corn, and broccoli)

* If making for kids that don't like spicy food, only use 2 tsp.  You can always add crushed red pepper straight to the dishes of those that prefer more spice.

Optional Garnishments

Chopped Green Onions
Chopped Fresh Cilantro
Chopped Peanuts
Sesame Seeds

What you do:

1.  In a large pot, water saute veggies until tender, then add 1 Tbsp liquid aminos.  Let sit.

2.  Boil pasta according to package. (I like this brand.)   Drain and rinse once cooked.  Then add pasta to veggies.

Spinach Spaghetti Pasta

3.  In a small pot, heat oil and crushed red pepper on medium heat for 3 - 5 minutes.  (I burned all the pepper the first time and it still worked fine with no burnt taste, so don't worry!)

4.  Strain the crushed red pepper and reserve the oil.  (I poured the oil through a nut milk bag, but anything will work.)

5.  Add remaining liquid aminos to oil, and whisk together.  Pour over pasta and veggies, and allow to cook on low for a couple of minutes until liquid is absorbed.

6.  Serve immediately while hot (this is what we like best), or refrigerate and serve cold.  Makes 4 large servings.

Notes

For babies and tots, I would reserve pasta and cooked veggies before combining with spicy oil, and just add a little bragg liquid aminos to their dish.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Info per Serving:

Calories: 306

Fat: 27 g Due to Oil

Saturated Fat: 3.7 g Due to Oil

Sodium: 1461 mg Due to Liquid Aminos

Cholesterol: 0

Carbohydrates: 14 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugars: 0.7 g

Protein: 7 g

To connect with others in this crazy journey called life, discover new parenting ideas and fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, and find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

DIY "Frozen" Olaf Valentine's with Homemade Hugs

I always loved giving and getting Valentine's as a kid.  They're simple, sweet, and always make you feel good.

I came across one of the most clever DIY Valentine's from Amy over at The Idea Room, and just had to share it.  My husband and I just saw Frozen for the first time a couple weeks ago, and I too, fell in love with the characters; specifically huggable Olaf.

Frozen Olaf Valentine via Amy at The Idea Room

Amy has created a printable Olaf that you can download, print, and cut out to attach to your bag or bottle of hugs.  The link takes your directly to her Facebook page and you have to "like" the page in order to gain access (clever!).

To amp up this Valentine further, you can make your own "hugs"...keep the same great taste but in a much healthier, greener (and non addicting) way!

There's two ways you can do this....

1) Make the white and dark chocolate from scratch and pour into molds, or...

2) The quicker way; buy vegan chips and melt them down to pour into molds.

Either way works!  Children love participating in baking, and this is a simple and fun activity they can enjoy and feel good about.  Imagine their pride when they can share that they made their own hugs. You can also personalize them with wrapper choice, tagline (instead of hugs, it can say Happy Valentine's Day!), and filling choices.  How cool is that?!

To create a Hug, alternate pouring the white and dark chocolates into the mold, allowing to sit a few minutes between each layer.  Freeze, or allow to sit until stiff.  Pop out of the candy molds, wrap a tag line (see below for free printable), and wrap with foil.

Molds

You can find one here from Amazon.

Chocolates

Here is a great link to Gluten Free, Vegan, Non Gmo Project Certified Chocolate Chips.  They're great, and you can feel comfortable with your and other children eating them.

For white Chocolate, I have not been able to find a Non GMO project Certified vegan brand, but these two options are the closest I could get. They're vegan and kosher, yet both contain soy lecithin (as most chocolate does) and can be a hidden GMO.

King David Kosher Vegan Lactose Free White Chocolate Chips
Polar Dream White Chocolate Bars - Gluten Free, Nut Free, Milk Free

Filling Ideas

Almonds
Hazelnut
Puffed Quinoa (A new favorite of mine!)
Almond or Peanut Butter
Raisin

DIY Chocolate Recipes

White Chocolate
Chocolate

Foil Wrappers

You can simply use the traditional silver aluminum and cut into square sheets small enough for wrapping up your chocolates, or you can purchase colored and patterned foil through craft stores or online.  Here are a few:

Solid Foil Wrappers
Heart Print Foil Wrappers

Paper Strips

These are the little messages that stick out of the foil wrapped "kisses" and "hugs".  You can make your own, or print these here.

I will have mine done for the next write up, but I wanted to get this published as soon as possible to give you enough time to create your own hugs and kisses.  Please feel free to share and post pics of yours, along with any tips and suggestions.  Happy Valentine's Day!

To connect with others in this crazy journey called life, discover new parenting ideas and fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, and find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Dear Nya....#3 Never Lose Your Ability To Dream

To My Dearest Nya,

Never lose your ability to dream.  This world is full of endless possibilities, miracles happen every day, and dreams really do come true.

One of the purest attributes that makes a person successful is their ability to dream and believe in limitless potential.  YOU have this within you.  YOU are capable and able to do anything you dedicate your heart and mind to.

This perseverance is frightening to some, and there will be those along the way that are threatened by your dreams.  You may often hear...

"That's silly."

"It's not realistic."

"That'll never happen."

"You don't even know how to..."

"That's not the world we live in."

Realize, as with most things in life, what others project onto you has everything to do with them, and nothing to do with you.  When others react to your dreams this way, it's because they have lost the ability to see the unlimited potential available within themselves; they've lost their ability to believe in their dreams.

You may also have moments of self doubt, and fear.  Fear of failing.  Fear of not being good enough.  Fear of someone else being better.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of what other's may think.  Fear that others won't understand.  Fear of criticism.  Fear of controversy.  Fear of not fitting in.  Fear of being ostracized.  Fear of going against the social norm.  Fear of the unknown.

These feelings are the reason people don't reach their full potential.  They're the reason goals aren't pursued, and dreams are not reached.  Fear is behind the negativity in life.  It creeps into your mind and plagues you with self-doubt.  And it always seems to surface when you're on the verge of greatness.

This is one of life's greatest tests:  Are you willing to pursue your dreams, reach your full potential, fulfill your purpose, regardless of what obstacles may stand in your way?  It's God's way of testing your faith, determination, and inner strength.  It has nothing to do with capability, but rather, the limits your ego and mind have constrained you with.

The only person who can put limits to what you're able to achieve, is you.  So go forward in life with reckless abandon.  Follow you heart and believe with all your mind.

Anything is possible.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Dear Nya...#2 Speak Your Truth

Dear Nya...#1 Question Everything

To connect with others in this crazy journey called life, discover new parenting ideas and fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, and find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

This Is It.

Yesterday is over, and tomorrow is not guaranteed.  All we have is now, so we better change our attitude and enjoy it.

Wow.  I was once again reminded tonight of a very important lesson.  One I know all too well.  One I try to live out every day.  And one I often preach to others.  Yet one that momentarily escaped me.

This is it.

2014 began a little rough for me.  Mostly because of my own expectations and reactions to what's going on around me. Things and ideas that are completely out of my control.  I became focused on the negatives; what wasn't happening, who wasn't there for me.  I was focused on what was going wrong in the world, instead of believing in the goodness of life and people.  I wasn't looking at all the positives and those people that actually were there for me.

Last weekend in church (my husband and I found an amazing spiritual group that is open and accepting of all religions and people...we love it!), the main message was about life, and remembering that this moment is all we have.  It was very powerful to me because of the place my mind had wandered to these past couple of weeks.

Yet here I was, again tonight, reliving a lesson I had just been reminded of.

After putting Nya to bed, I sat down to write a blog that I have been working on and researching for the past two months.  I had  talked with numerous health professionals, documented and graphed my research, and compared and contrasted different alternatives.  All that was left was to put the puzzle pieces together and fill in the gaps.

As I sat down and began writing, I went to pull up all of my research... Only to discover that it's GONE.

I wanted to cry.  My first thought was calm, This can't be right.  It's got to be here somewhere.

Yet as I searched, panic began to set it, Where is it?!?

When my husband could not find any of the work, and somehow managed to lose additional work, I had moved well beyond panic to anger, frustration, and despair.  I spent so much time... How did this happen?!?

I felt a little lost and sat here, staring at the computer screen, wallowing in self pity. What now?   I called my mom for advice and a brief pep talk, and she reminded me of my beliefs and the lesson I had just learned.

Life is this moment.  Here and now.  What's done is done, and I can't get it back.  What happens five minutes from now is not promised.  This is it.  This moment, right now.  So how do I want to spend it?

I quickly recovered from my utter panic and frustration; instead focusing on what I try to be mindful of every day.  Instead of blogging about what I was intending, I blogged about life.  I blogged about this moment.  It was an important lesson that I had not anticipated, but one that I obviously was in need of relearning: Life isn't waiting to happen.  It's happening now.  This is it.

"Life is available only in the present."  ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

"Wherever you are, be there. If you can be fully present now, you’ll know what it means to live."   

~ Steve Goodier

To connect with others in this crazy journey called life, discover new parenting ideas and fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, and find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Whole Foodie Brownie...Who Knew?

Last night I set out to make my daughter some chocolate snack bars using amaranth.  I'm not too familiar with this gluten free grain and had only cooked it once before, so I wasn't (and am still not) sure of it's full potential.  I adapted my original recipe slightly because I was out of certain ingredients, and added others in the spur of the moment. 

What transpired from the madness was pure and utter chocolate brownie bliss.

Whole Foodie Brownie

I could not believe the ingredients I had thrown together could taste exactly like a brownie.  Who would have thought?  My husband loves brownies and makes the Ghirardelli boxed brownies often for himself, so I knew I needed his opinion on this one. This was just too good to be true!

Jamie thought the taste, texture, and density were exactly like a traditional brownie.  The only down part, according to him was, "They have a date aftertaste."  (I don't notice this at all, but then again, I'm used to baking with dates).   

The best part about these?  They are made from whole foods, with no refined flours or sugars, they're packed with nutrition, and they're vegan.  Even better, they don't contain any oil or beans.  (I've tried a few of the black bean brownies and just couldn't seem to stomach them.)

So I couldn't wait to share this information with you.  Before we get started and jump into the recipe, I want to give you a little background on amaranth, in case, like me, you have never used it before.

What is Amaranth? 

Amaranth is considered a native crop of Peru and was a major food crop of the Aztecs, domesticated somewhere between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago.  Seeds from the amaranth plant spread around the world and both leaves and grain became important food sources in areas of Africa, India, and Nepal.  In the past two decades, amaranth has reached a much larger number of farmers and can now be found in many non-native regions such as China, Russia, Thailand, and Nigeria, as well as Mexico and parts of South America.  Amaranth made it's way to the states in the 1970s, and is used today in many gluten free dishes.

Amaranth is a powerhouse in the grain family.  It is naturally gluten free, and contains more protein than any other grain.  It's also a complete protein, containing lysine (an important amino acid) and is very well absorbed in the intestinal tract.

Other benefits:

~ High in calcium

~ High in magnesium

~ High in iron

~ High fiber content

~ Good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids

How did it end up in these brownies?

I did not set out to make brownies.  When preparing meals for my daughter, I always make sure to give her lots of variety.  This helps ensure, especially with today's food sources that have become depleted in nutrients, that she is getting all of her nutritional needs met through whole, plant based foods. 

Enter amaranth.  I had always heard about it, but never cooked with it.  While out shopping one day, I happened upon it and thought I'd give it a try.  This is only the second time I've used it, and still have a long way to go in learning how to prepare it.  I cooked it, and then baked it after combining with the other ingredients to create a nutritious snack bar that turned into one of the best brownies ever (originally contained chia seed but I omitted that in creating the brownie because it took away from the texture.  If you want the nutrition of chia, I would suggest cooking it with the amaranth, or pureeing with the dates).

Important note on cooking Amaranth:

What I discovered in the two times I cooked amaranth, is that it takes quite a bit of water in order to not have a "crunchy" texture.  Also, when cooked all the way, it looks like a thick goop.  I had to add water throughout the cooking process, as it absorbed quickly.  I also let it cook on the stove for a 30 - 45 minutes in order to fully break down the texture.   It is extremely important when making these brownies, that you cook the amaranth enough, otherwise, you will taste a bit of a "seedy" texture throughout the brownie.  Not bad, but not really a brownie.

Uncooked Amaranth

So let's get to it!

What you need:

2 cups Medjool Dates, soaked or softened

1 1/3 cup Cooked Amaranth (I started with 1/3 cup uncooked and 1 cup water, and added about 2 cups more water throughout the cooking process)

4 Tbsp Ground Flax

2 cups Almond Meal/Flour

1 cup Natural Almond Butter

5 Tbsp Cacao Powder (or Cocoa)

* Dark chocolate chips (Optional for extra chocolaty brownies!)

What you do:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook amaranth according to instructions until soft, thick, and gooey.

Cooked Amaranth

2.  Puree dates until smooth paste forms.

3.  Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir.

Brownie Batter

4.  Scoop and spread batter into a 8 x 8 silicon or slightly oiled pan.

5.  Bake for 18 - 23 minutes. (Slightly more time for thicker brownies).  Makes 24 brownies.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Info Per Brownie:

Calories: 181

Fat: 12 g (due to almond meal and almond butter)

Saturated Fat: 1 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 7 mg

Carbohydrates: 15 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugars: 4 g

Protein: 6 g

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

What is Castille Soap and How Can I Use It?

I recently purchased and began using Castille liquid soap after learning what was in bar soap.  Not only does it produce a great lather and leave my skin feeling soft and clean, it's also safe for the environment, contains no harsh chemicals, and has many different uses.

What is Castille Liquid Soap?

Traditional Castille Liquid Soap is a vegetable based soap made from Olive Oil, water, and lye. Modern day formulas have tweaked the true version and added butters (shea, coco), natural antioxidants and preservatives (Rosemary, Vitamin E), essential oils (For smell and healing properties such as lavender or peppermint), and additional oils (Hemp, coconut, avocado, etc).  True castile soap does not contain harsh synthetic detergents and the best ones don't add any skin-irritating artificial colorants, fragrances, or preservatives.

All natural castille soap is completely biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe for the environment, which makes it an excellent choice for camping or other outdoor uses in which it may wash intro streams. These natural oils are saponified (turned into soap through a chemical reaction with the presence of lye).  It's safe for cleaning and personal care uses.

What is lye?  

Lye is a necessary ingredient used to create both liquid and bar soaps.  I researched and researched trying to see if I could find or make soap without this chemical, and it is impossible (unless creating a "beauty bar" but those are filled with many more chemicals that are extremely harsh).   Potassium Hydroxide is one type of lye, and is used in the making of liquid soap.  Sodium Hydroxide is the other type of lye, and it is used for creating bar soap.  When lye is mixed with water and added to the oils, a reaction occurs and this process is called saponification. No lye remains when the reaction is complete.

Is lye safe?

On it's own, lye is not safe.  When working with lye, special safety precautions must be used in order to protect the skin from its harshness.  However, when the reaction takes place in making soap, no lye remains. The FDA acknowledges this to be safe, and you will not find any soap that has not gone through this saponification process.  Having said that, I personally would prefer to do without it, but then you don't have soap, and I haven't found another alternative.

How can oils turn into soap?

Lye is used in any soap making process.  When combing lye with the oils and water, a chemical reaction occurs that turns the oils into soap.  This process is necessary (I looked for ways around it), and you won't find anything labeled "soap", that hasn't gone through this process.

What about antibacterial soaps?

Antibacterial soaps were heavily marketed to consumers as the "better option" promising to get all of the germs regular soaps would leave behind.  The chemical triclosan is present in most antibacterial soaps (as well as mouthwash, toothpaste, and toys), and after decades of review, the FDA states, "the agency does not have evidence that triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water."


"Simple hand washing with soap and water still remains one of the most effective ways to decrease the risk of spreading infections after preparing food, using the toilet, or after coughing or blowing your nose."   ~ David Hill, director of global public health at Quinnipiac University's medical school in Hamden, Conn.

Longstanding warnings from scientists also warn that triclosan and other antibacterial ingredients can interfere with hormone levels.  There is also evidence that suggests there may be an association between triclosan exposure and allergies.  And widespread use of antibacterial soaps may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

"Given our emerging understanding of chemicals as hormone disruptors, this is a remarkable and positive step towards protecting children."  ~ Leonardo Trasande, a professor of environmental medicine at New York University's Langone Medical Center.

"There are laboratory data showing that bacteria exposed to these products do change their resistance patterns."   ~ Sandra Kweder, deputy director of the office of new drugs at FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

For more information on antibacterial soaps, click here.

Other Uses for Castille Liquid Soap:

Because Castille soap is great at cutting through grease, it has many uses...

Body Wash ~ 2 Parts Soap to 1 Part Water.

Dog Shampoo ~ 2 Parts Soap to 1 Part Water.

Foaming Hand Soap ~ 1 Part Soap to 4 Parts Water.  Add a few drops of essential oils for scent.

Face Wash ~ 1:1 Ratio of Water and Soap.

Shampoo ~ 1 Tbsp Baking Soda, 1/2 tsp Soap, 1 cup Water.

Dish Soap ~ 1:1 Ratio of Water and Soap.

Laundry Detergent ~ Recipe here.

Bathroom Cleaner (Toilets, Tile, Tub) ~ 1 Part Soap, 3 Parts Water in a spray bottle.  Sprinkle baking soda liberally on the area you wish to clean, then spray with castille solution.  Scour with a sponge or scrub brush.  This also works on stove tops!

Carpet Cleaner ~ 1/4 cup Soap to 1 Cup Water.  Place solution in blender and let blend until a stiff foam forms.  Apply as you would any other carpet cleaning product.

Mopping Solution ~ 2 - 3 Tbsp Soap in a bucket full of water.

Veggie Wash ~ 2.5 cups water, 1 Tbsp Soap.  Fill in a spray bottle or let veggies bathe in it.

I purchase Castille Liquid Soap from Vermont Soap Factory, simply because their castille soaps don't contain citric acid (a common hidden GMO) or other additives.  But there are many brands to choose from. Do your research, shop around, and enjoy the many uses of castille soap while taking care of the environment!

"The supreme reality of our time is ...the vulnerability of our planet." ~ John F. Kennedy

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

Valentine's Day Keepsake for your Little One - 14 Ways I love you!

It's hard to believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  This is a great craft to the entire family will love, and will be a cherished keepsake for years to come.  It's simple, thoughtful, and should only cost about $5 for a family of 3 (even less if you have coupons!).

Sharing positive affirmations with the ones you love is a great way to boost each other's confidence, feel appreciated, and see the good in each other.  This craft is to tell your family what you love about them, in 14 days.  

Start before February first, by cutting out all your hearts.  Then, when February 1st rolls around, write down what you love about each family member.  Each family member gets their own heart from each person, each day.  Continue until February 14th.  So for a family of 3, each family member will get 28 hearts.

Hang each heart on the wall, or keep them in a jar and wait until Valentine's Day to read them all. Afterward, punch a hole in the top left corner of each heart, and thread string through, tying them all together in a book. Create one final heart as the cover with the date, and save throughout the years.

It will be special to look back on over the years, and will hold many memories about where each family member was in their journey of life.

Below, you can find a template of hearts to use.  Pick out any color card stock you like, and run through the printer.  Happy Valentine's Day!

What you need:
A few sheets of card stock in any color
Hole Punch
Scissors
Metallic Marker (Or any pen)
String
Clothespins (Optional for hanging on wall)

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

Crusty Artisan Bread

This was my first attempt ever at making a crusty artisan loaf that you would typically find in a fresh bakery. I was shocked how easy it was, and the texture was great.  I found this recipe for a no knead bread from the Comfort of Cooking, and stayed fairly true to the original recipe.

I began my dough the night before, and let it sit through the night and next day until dinner time.  I forgot to cover the pot while baking those first 30 minutes, but it still turned out just fine.  So if you too forget, don't worry!

I'm not sure how well this type of bread would do with grain free flours.  If you choose to try this bread grain and gluten free, Quinoa flour would be my starting point as I've found that to bake fluffy, and is most similar to whole wheat (from previous experiments).

Here's what you need:

3 cups flour (I used a combo of white whole wheat and spelt)
1.5 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp active dry yeast (one packet is about 1.5 tsps)
1.5 cups lukewarm water

Here's what you do:

1.  In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt, and yeast.

2.  Add water and stir until the mixture is combined, careful not to over stir.

Dough just combined

3.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 8 - 24 hours.  Dough will bubble and rise.

After sitting overnight

4.  When dough is ready, preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Place Dutch oven, uncovered, into the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

5.  While Dutch oven preheats, turn dough onto a well-floured surface and with well-floured hands, form the dough into a ball. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest.

6.  After the 30 minutes are up, remove dutch oven and carefully place bread dough into it (I placed a silicon baking mat in my Dutch oven and placed dough on top of that).

7.  Cover Dutch oven, and bake for 30 minutes.

8.  Bake an additional 7 minutes uncovered.  Makes 8 large slices.

This bread is great with stew, soup, or salad.  Click on any of the links below to see some of my favorite recipes.

Cream of Broccoli
Black-Eyed Peas and Quinoa Chili
1 Pot Chickpea, Lentil, and Butternut Stew

Enjoy!

Nutrition Info for per Slice:

Calories: 150

Fat: 0.7 g

Saturated Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 210 mg

Carbohydrates: 27 g

Fiber: 4.6 g

Sugars: 0 g

Protein: 6.1 g

UPDATE: I made this bread tonight using quinoa flour.  I took whole, uncooked white quinoa and ground it until it became a powder.  I used equal substitutions and did not add anything.  It came out a little heavier than the first loaf with white whole wheat flour, but tasted delicious.  Grain and gluten free.

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

Cream of Broccoli Soup

With the freezing cold weather we've been  having, I've been craving soup, but completely uninspired by my regular soup recipes.   I was looking for something new, and came across a cream of broccoli soup recipe from Healthful Pursuit.  A friend of mine had made this the night before, and had quite a few notes about what she didn't like, so I took this into account and recreated a soup that is creamy, healthy, and delicious.


The results?

I thought it was delicious and totally hit the spot for a cream based soup. I may have prefered it be a tiny bit thicker, but the flavoring was great.  My husband loved it as is. And my 15 month old seemed to think it was just ok.

What you need:

8 - 10 cups Liquid Base (Water, Veggie Broth, or Combination)
2 onions, chopped
20 cloves garlic, chopped (Doesn't taste "garlicy"; provides good flavor and health benefits without the sodium)
1 head cauliflower, chopped or broken
2 - 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and chopped (Or use another head of cauliflower - I didn't have one on hand so used potatoes to create a thicker base)
1 cup raw cashews
4 cups or 4 small heads broccoli
Salt and Pepper to taste

What you do:

1.  In a large pot, saute onions and garlic with a small amount of the liquid until translucent. (Make sure there is enough liquid so onions and garlic don't stick).

2.  Add remaining liquid, cauliflower, and potatoes and cook until tender (If you are in a hurry, keep on higher heat, stirring often.  If you can't be watching it, heat on low and you can walk away and come back anytime).

Potatoes and Cauliflower cooking in broth

3.  Use an immersion blender, potato masher, or blender to blend vegetables until smooth.

4.  Remove 2 - 3 cups and combine with cashews in a high speed blender.  Blend until smooth.  Pour back into the soup pot and stir until combined.

Ready to blend

Blended with Cashews

5.  Add chopped broccoli and cook on low until ready to eat.

6.  Salt and pepper to taste. Makes roughly 12 large servings.

Notes:

You don't taste cauliflower or potatoes.  The soup is very creamy and flavorful (because of the onions and garlic).  I kept my broccoli pieces fairly large, and I think they would have been better as tiny pieces.  You can also add 1 - 2 Tbsp of nutritional yeast if you have on hand to boost your Vitamin B12, and give more of a "cheesy" flavor.

This is also a great cream based soup to create any of your favorite "Cream Ofs...", such as mushroom, onion, asparagus, etc.

Great with a salad or this crusty artisan bread. (Click here for recipe)

Crusty Artisan Loaf

The nutrition info provided is for 1 large serving (a full bowl of soup) not small 1/2 cup servings that is impossible to be full by and is completely impractical.  

Enjoy!

Nutrition Info Per Serving (2 Cups):

Calories: 186

Fat: 8 g

Saturated Fat: 1.5 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 32 mg

Carbohydrates: 32 g

Fiber: 4 g

Sugars: 3.8 g

Protein: 7 g

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

What do you do with all those glass jars?

About a year ago, I had an "Ah ha!" moment, and began saving all of the used glass jars we accumulated as a family.   You know, all of those things you buy at the store that end up getting tossed in the recycler after the food is gone?  From spaghetti sauce and artichokes, to peanut butter and jam (even spices!).  I couldn't believe how quickly they added up, and I had numerous sizes at my disposal, all for free (minus the cost of the food....but that doesn't count.).

They provide so many different uses from storing prepared food (great soup, salad, and smoothies to go), and dried food (such as beans, lentils, rare flours, and even spices), to hundreds of fun craft ideas.  The large ones are exceptionally great for homemade plant milks and veggie broth.

And if you're worried about those large, sticky labels, and "Best By" dates, don't be.  They come off easily...in under ten minutes!

After soaking in hot, soapy water for 5 minutes

Here's how:

Simply soak the jars in hot, soapy water for at least five minutes (you can soak longer if you'd like).  Then simply peel the label off and scrub with scouring pad to remove fine debris.  Even the "Best By" date will wipe right off with soapy water.  Check out the video below to see just how easy it really is.

Other ideas include:

Turn into a tumbler drinking glass - Drill hole in lid and create your own "tumbler".  All you need is a straw!

Use them for gifting bath salts and bubbles - Relaxing Bath Salts Recipe, coming soon!

Use them for party drinks - Leave the lids off and add a fun straw.

Create your own snow globe - Click here for instructions and a tutorial from PBS Parents.

Grow a flower or herb from seed with your child - You can buy Non GMO seeds here.

Remake them into soap/lotion dispensers - Find out how, here.

Drill a thin slot in the lid and turn them into a piggy bank with your child.

Store crayons, colored pencils, paintbrushes, and other craft hobbies.

Turn them into a "family fun request night" - Throughout the week, have your children write down a family activity they would like to do together, such as watch a movie or game night.  At the end of the week, choose one randomly or vote together.

Store loose change and do something fun with what adds up.

Enjoy!

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.

The Judgment Behind Parenting.

I originally wanted to sit down tonight and write about the amazing dinner we had, but my heart and mind are somewhere else.  I instead want to explore the world of  parenting and the judgment that so often follows.

Throughout my life I have been judged for having views that differ from mainstream society.  But never did it bother me as it does, since having a child.  Only then, did the judgment find a way of sinking its teeth into my heart.   It is exhausting having to defend yourself, your family, your beliefs, and your views from those that prematurely judge you, prior to learning your story.

So this letter is to all of you that have been entwined in the dance of judgement; either on the attacking or receiving end.

Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs in the world.  We all strive to raise healthy and happy children. We do this by researching, talking with doctors, talking with other parents, and drawing our own conclusions about what we feel is best.  The decisions we make are our choice for the betterment of our family.

So why can't we support one another?  Why can't we disagree respectfully and openly, free of judgment? Why do we judge those that parent differently than we do?

I see judgment ALL the time.  Either through averted eyes, hushed comments, questioning stares, or disrespecting words.  This hurts.  And I can't fully comprehend why we do it to one another?

Aren't we struggling enough?  Do we really need to add more pain and pressure to others that disagree or raise their children differently than we do?

My biggest fear having experienced this, is how it impacts my child.  These parents that are so quick to judge me... will their children be equally quick to judge Nya?  And simply because that is what they have learned and witnessed from their parents?

This thought alone is terrifying.

How are we supposed to make this world a better place for our children if we, as adults, simply can't get it? Children learn how to behave based on their examples.  If we can't set forth a judgement free attitude, how do we expect our children to?  How do we expect to end bullying?  To end harassment?  I don't think we will ever break the chain unless we each begin to work on ourselves.

So every day, I encourage you to remember that each person you meet has a story.  Each parent is struggling to be the best parent they can be.  Remember that.  No matter what your beliefs, we all come from the same place and are in the same boat.  We want healthy, happy children. Let's try to remember this, and be conscience of the example we set for our children.  Through our actions, one by one, we can create a beautiful, judgement free world to live in.

To connect with others, find healthy whole food recipes, and share in this journey called life, please visit our Facebook page, Loving Green, at Loving Green FB.