Superfoods Your Family Needs to Be Healthy - A Guest Post

I am so honored today to have Cassie Brewer as a Guest Blogger! Cassie is the blogger over at  http://cassiembrewer.weebly.com/ and, In my opinion, one super cool chick!

 

Please swing over and follow Cassie on twitter HERE! You can read more about Cassie at the end of the post!

 

Without further delay...Here are the Superfoods Your Family Needs to be Healthy!

You want all the members of your family to grow healthy and strong, and you also want to maintain your well-being, right? Forget fast food and focus on superfoods. Here are important nutrients found in superfoods that should form part of your family’s diet.

Vitamin C

There are surprising benefits of Vitamin C. These include maintaining healthy blood pressure, protecting against cancer and even preventing asthma. You can find Vitamin C in acai and blueberries, which can be added to your children’s cereal or yogurt. Other foods include leafy greens such as kale. One cup of cooked kale contains 1000% more Vitamin C than a cup of cooked spinach!

A surprising Vitamin C-rich vegetable is cauliflower. Just one serving has 77% of your daily Vitamin C requirements! Although kids might turn their noses up at cauliflower, you can use it creatively in meals, such as by grating it onto delicious scrambled eggs.

 B-Vitamins

It’s not just kids who need energy to run around on the playground; parents also need it when they’re leading busy lives. B-vitamins create energy and release it when the body requires it. They also produce red blood cells so oxygen can be carried to all parts of the body. Some good Vitamin B sources include:

• Eggs. Not just essential for protein, eggs contain all the B-vitamins your body needs. Choose organic eggs for higher nutrient content and less risk of contaminated feed.
• Steel-cut oats. These oats contain good amounts of B-vitamins, such as B6 for brain development; B1, B2 and B3 to convert carbohydrates into glucose for energy; and folate for the production of red and white blood cells. Folate is especially essential during pregnancy, infancy and the teen years.  Choose steel-cut oats as it undergoes less processing, preserving its nutrient content.
• Greek yogurt. It has a range of B- vitamins, such as B1, B2 and B12. These sustain energy levels while protecting your cardiac and neurological systems. Add honey or fruit to yogurt to sweeten it for kids.
• Quinoa. If you or your child suffers from migraines, quinoa can be a natural way to keep them at bay because it contains Vitamin B2 and magnesium. Vitamin B2 also supports cellular functions in the body.

Omega-3s

These fatty acids are vital for cognitive development in children. Omega-3s are also good for the heart - studies have found that people who eat two servings of fatty fish such as salmon twice a week have lower heart disease rates. Remember to feed the older members in your family omega-3s too, as these fight inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Other sources of omega-3s include walnuts, flaxseed and chia seeds. A handful of chia seeds contains nine grams of fat, but five of them are omega-3s!

 

Important Antioxidants

Vitamin E
Vitamin E protects the body and skin from free radical damage, and it can even reduce diabetes complications. Vitamin E coordinates the body’s cells so it’s vital for development, tissue repair and immunity. Some Vitamin E foods include: 

Avocados. Spread them on toast for a tasty treat! Avocados contain monounsaturated fats which help eye and brain health in kids.

• Sweet potato. These maintain blood sugar levels and are high in fibre.

• Pumpkin. It also contains other antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, and zinc which maintains a healthy immune system. Make pumpkin exciting to kids with pumpkin French toast or by filling pancakes with it!

Polyphenols
Amazingly, polyphenols block enzymes that cancers require in order to grow.

• The polyphenol found in tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the one most linked to cancer prevention. Green tea is also good for kids as it contains catechins that protect against flu, but limit caffeinated beverages to one daily serving.
• This is one superfood kids will love! Cocoa contains polyphenols, one of them being flavonoids which boost your heart and oral health. Choose products with at least 70 percent cocoa to reap their benefits.
• Coconut and olive oils also contain polyphenols, but use them in small quantities as they’re calorie dense. Purchase virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil for maximum polyphenol content.

Health is the greatest wealth! By choosing nutritious foods for your family, you can make everyone healthier and happier.

 

 

About Cassie! Please remember to follow her on TWITTER and visit her blog at http://cassiembrewer.weebly.com/

My name is Cassie Brewer and I live in Southern California where I have made a great life for myself doing what I love. My passion is makeup/beauty and writing. I am a pet lover, I have 3 dogs and 2 cats! I attended MUD makeup school and have been working away on short films and small things such as weddings, parties and high fashion runway shows. I believe makeup is an art and I love to express myself through it. Helping others with beauty tips makes me feel good about myself. I enjoy writing about tips that help other girls feel beautiful. I did tons of modeling when i was younger and I think that's what turned me on beauty and makeup because those people made me feel flawless and I figured I could do that to other people. Also, yes my hair color is natural. ;)

 

Save Money by Making Healthier ORGANIC Sodas with the Soda Stream!

I can not tell you how honestly thrilled my son was to open up a Soda Stream soda maker for Christmas. Maybe it wasn't a traditional gift for an 11 year old boy BUT for my son, it was a step towards incorporating sodas into his everyday life - and he was IN!

(IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT ONE...Click HERE and get $10 off all Home Soda Makers with Promo Code: BESTFRIEND!)

As any of the regular follower of this blog know, my family has went on a healthier eating journey and we have been living a mostly organic lifestyle for about 2 years. It wasn't easy at first but now....it is just our everyday life. Nothing complicated - just life. 1 of the things that was hardest to kick was SODA- not just for the kids...but for me too.

We started easily with a juice only rule...That got EXPENSIVE! 5 kids and organic only juice was a drain on the budget. I quickly realized, however, that we could save some money by splitting the juice into halves and adding water. This made each jar of juice last twice as long ---and the kids never noticed! We then made a transition to juice only at meals and WATER in between. Any parent can tell you...that it wasn't an easy task but we made it happen (see 5 ways to get your kids to drink more water HERE) and now...that is simply what they do! I hear their cups being filled all day long from the tap - and I LOVE IT!  They still get soda when we go out to dinner and treat them on family movie nights with an organic soda from the grocery but DARN is that organic soda pricey at almost $1 per can!

I had been seeing a lot about the soda stream and had wondered if they sold organic flavors...I didn't seem any. They do have a "natural" line though...The  soda stream natural mixes are made with real sugar, no artificial sweeteners and NO high fructose corn syrup BUT I WANTED BETTER! I searched high and low for recipes and I saw some but they were very labor intensive or were more like sparkling waters. It was time for trial and error.

I started with juices by simply adding in a few ounces to the sparkling water made by the Soda Stream...they were good but were lacking the sweetness of a soda.  Next step was to add juice and organic agave syrup....closer but still not there. It was time for a trip to the health food store to see what may be available....SUCCESS! I found organic coffee syrups and all natural fruit juice concentrates! So far, I have found the following to work well: vanilla, black cherry, grape, and even caramel. The amounts are going to vary based upon the bottle size and the sweetness that your family likes but know that you can experiment in any way you want. You can even make your own concentrates at home with frozen fruit! Now... I also said we SAVE MONEY with this thing and we do! The 4 pack of organic soda that my hubby used to buy the kids was over $1 per bottle and once it was gone....it was gone. The fruit juice concentrates cost around $10 per bottle BUT so far have made TONS of soda!

Some of our finds that worked!

Here is how we do it:
1. Start with the soda stream. Fill with water to the water line and do a solid 4 pumps of carbonation (the instructions say 3..since when do I listen to instructions)

2. Add 7-8 tablespoons of your favorite fruit juice concentrate.

3. Add maybe 4 tablespoons of Organic Agave Syrup. You can use whatever sweetener your family chooses. We like Agave and it is liquid so it is perfect. If you choose to use traditional sugar - melt it in the microwave first with a small amount of water. Liquid sweetener is best!

4. Roll it! DO NOT SHAKE IT but lightly roll the bottle to incorporate the flavor.

5. ENJOY!

I hope you love this simple and easy way to have fun with your kids while making cool and funky sodas!

Have you found great ways to make your kids some healthy sodas with the soda stream If so..share your favorite recipe!

Red Palm Oil- To try it or not to try it....that is the question!

So...my husband came home from one of our favorite places the other day with something new in his bag...Red Palm Oil. He had been hearing that he should try it, knew NOTHING else about it, but saw that there were tons of people around the shelves AND the sign said that it was Organic - so he was in.

When cooking around the house, we typically use coconut oil - which I LOVE but since we are hearing such great things about the red palm oil....I thought we would give it a try. The fat content was very similar as were the textures (I guess that is what I would call it) so I was in to. (If you have been looking for ways to add coconut oil into your diet - here are 5 easy ways!)

I do want to note that I had no CLUE that the famous Dr. Oz mentioned that red palm oil could fight and target belly fat...nor do I believe it is smart enough to specifically fight belly fat! If I haven't been able to figure it out...I don't think that this jar of oil is going to! In all seriousness though, he did say some great things about it!


Here is WHY  I said OKAY!

Red Palm oil by far contains more vitamins and nutrients than ANY other dietary oil! It  can help you increase your intake of vitamins and minerals and is a great source of vitamins A, E and K and it is even used in some instances to help treat malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. Studies show that just 1 teaspoon a day will give your child their entire Daily recommended Vitamin A and this can easily be slipped to your child in baked goods. Breakfast cookies anyone?

The color is a deep orange because it has such a high content of carotenes like beta-carotene and lycopene - actually, it contains more than in carrots and tomatoes!

I did see that Red Palm oil is high in Saturated Fats BUT while we would all think that this is a bad thing...turns out that, in many studies, it was actually shown to help FIGHT heart disease and to assist in removing plaque from arteries, contribute to lower blood pressures, and is even called an "anticancer" food.

I am definitely not a doctor and there is a lot of medical "mumbo-jumbo" in the articles that I was reading  so here is a GREAT link FULL of information about red palm oil that explains a great deal of benefits! http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article%20red%20palm%20oil.htm


What to look for -

Look specifically for UNFILTERED and Organic. The filtering of the oil actually removes tons of the benefits! Also look for the rich - deep orange color. That is the proof of the carotenes!

HOW TO USE IT -

Red Palm oil is very similar to coconut oil in the fact that it great at high heats. This oil can be used for just about anything -including frying! When it gets to high heats, it may loose some of its color BUT it will still pack the goodness into fried foods.

It is especially great for baking because the natural saturated fats will help KEEP YOUR BAKED GOODS FRESHER LONGER! Add it to cookies, cakes, breads, etc.  NOW....does this mean replace all of the oil in your dish with red palm oil...I wouldn't. The flavor - to me, is a very savory floral flavor....comes from a plant-tasted like a plant. (That is just in my opinion)! So adding it to your famous toll house cookies could give you an unexpected surprise. Just sub in a teaspoon or so.

Now, the savory flavor does lend itself very well to sautéing veggies - it actually gives them a totally new flavor. Try carrots, mushrooms, onions, eggplants, etc.

DO NOT ADD this into white foods like mashed potatoes - they will turn a funny orange color! Stick to darker foods or just tell your kids they are eating alien foods - they may like it!

So...my vote is YES, try it! Just be smart about it! I was told to smear it on toast and go...not sure that was the best way to dive in! The savory flavor scared me off at first but the nutritional verdict was in and I have found ways to use it that don't leave me running for a glass of water!

Will it replace my coconut oil for good...NAH! I love coconut oil and even use it in my beauty routine - see here but this is going to be a staple in my cupboard and taken out daily.

Do you use Red Palm Oil? Share some of your best ways to use it and let me know what your first thoughts were!

Booo....My favorite fast food is NOT vegetarian and I never knew!

Okay, if you are keeping up with the blog, you know that I am all about getting real and organic with my family's food. The bigger part of my family's mission is to  be realistic while living an organic lifestyle. I will never commit to saying absolutely NO to things like fast food, family gatherings, and dinner with friends. Living a healthier lifestyle is JUST like a diet...if it isn't something you can do long term and commit to....then it is never going to work. Allowing for some non-organic meals without beating yourself up will help you stick with a newer healthier living plan!

One thing that I THOUGHT I was committing to was my vegetarian diet. I have been a vegetarian for almost 6 years and have never intentionally broken. No cheeseburger has looked good enough nor has a chicken finger looked dunkable enough to break. Well, I am sad to say that I was unknowingly cheating! I thought I had mastered this whole vegetarian thing but sadly, I was being tricked!

If you want a quick read of 10 things you only THOUGHT were vegetarian..click here! Also, here is another list just in case you are inviting a vegetarian to dinner!

As someone who tries to stay "in the know" on foods....I read a lot of blogs and reports and I will admit that many are bologna. There are so many conspiracy bloggers out there who are trying to make food sound like the devil or maybe mislead you in one way or another. I skim past those ones and go to the people who are not trying to scare you but inform you. Well, this leads me to what I am considering "THE ULTIMATE DECEPTION"....My favorite French fries from a well known fast food joint are NOT VEGETARIAN!!!!

I could not believe it when I first read it. So I skimmed past and moved on with life continuing to indulge in a large fry every few weeks. Yesterday, all of that changed. I actually tasted beef when I ate a fry so I decided to go straight to the source. I went directly to the company's website only to find that many of their items that you would think were "vegetarian safe foods" were actually loaded with beef and animal flavors.

The company is McDonalds. I know that they do not pretend to be the place for "health" foods so this will not be an article about how evil they are or how they are making us fat! The truth is, I made the conscious decision to eat the fries and therefor made the decision to make me fat...I know they are processed and filled with chemicals but part of my lifestyle is making healthy living easy and doable. McDonalds never said.,"here, try our fries...they are good for you!" The hubby was out of town, I had 5 hungry kids, and my parents were willing to bring lunch (they think I am evil for making the kids eat health...you can read more about that here).

Anyway, I went to the site and found that there were many things that I thought were vegetarian that were not so I thought I would share! I am not bashing McDonalds nor am I endorsing them. Just putting the information out there so other vegetarians can quit living the lie.

These were taken directly from the nutritional menu from McDonalds. PS...there are a lot of ingredients and very processed so I shared the entire list of ingredients.
* Please note, I did not list the bread sourced which DO contain dough conditioners (sometimes chicken feathers), items listed with gelatin, and cheeses with enzymes. You can read the 10 things you only thought were vegetarian to find out why these may be no go's.

This list was provided by McDonalds Website and is effective 11-2013

1. BBQ RANCH SAUCE:
   Ingredients: Water, Soybean Oil, Cultured Buttermilk, Sugar, Distilled Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Egg Yolks, Spices, Fire Roasted Jalapeno Pepper Puree, Salt,
   Buttermilk Powder, Natural Flavors (Plant and Animal Source), Orange Juice Concentrate Powder, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup,
   Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor [Plant Source]), Maltodextrin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Xanthan Gum,
   Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lime Juice Concentrate Powder, Dehydrated Green Bell Pepper Powder, Tomato Powder, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor (Plant Source),
   Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Dehydrated Parsley, Dehydrated Onion, Modified Corn Starch.
2. HABANERO RANCH SAUCE:
   Ingredients: Water, Soybean Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Distilled Vinegar, Buttermilk Powder, Egg Yolks, Maltodextrin, Dried Cayenne Red Pepper Sauce (Aged Cayenne Red Peppers, Vinegar, Salt, Garlic), Sugar, Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch, Contains 1% or Less: Salt, Spice and Spice Extractives, Natural Flavor(Dairy and Animal Sources), Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lactic Acid, Habanero Pepper, Red Bell Pepper Powder, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate
   
   (Preservatives), Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Apple Cider Vinegar.
3. MAYONNAISE DRESSING:
   Ingredients: Water, Soybean Oil, Distilled Vinegar, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Enzyme Modified Egg Yolk, Salt, Sugar, Xanthan Gum, Mustard Flour, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Lemon Juice Concentrate, Polysorbate 80, Natural Flavor (Animal Source), Calcium Disodium EDTA to Protect Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color).
    CONTAINS: EGG.
4. Hash Brown:
   Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*, citric acid [preservative]), salt, corn flour, dehydrated potato, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), extractives of black pepper. Prepared in vegetable oil: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness. Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.
    
   CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK.
   *(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients).
5. FRENCH FRIES:
   Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat and Milk Derivatives]*, Citric Acid [Preservative]), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (Maintain Color), Salt. Prepared in Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean
   
   
   Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid added to preserve freshness), Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.
    
   CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK.
   *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.
6. Newman's Own® Ranch Dressing:
   Water, soybean oil, corn syrup solids, buttermilk, distilled vinegar, egg yolks, salt, sugar, corn starch, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, natural flavors (dairy and animal source), lactic acid, parsley, xanthan gum, lemon juice concentrate.
7. Newman's Own® Low Fat Family Recipe Italian Dressing:
   Water, corn syrup solids, distilled vinegar, Romano cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), soybean oil, sea salt, sugar, worcestershire sauce [distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, tamarind, natural flavor (fruit source)], anchovy paste (cured anchovies, salt, water), dried onion, dried garlic, spices, xanthan gum, barley malt extract (contains barley gluten), citric acid, paprika (color), hydrolyzed soy protein.
    CONTAINS: MILK, SOY AND FISH (ANCHOVY).
8. Hot Habanero Sauce†:
   Soybean oil, water, corn syrup solids, distilled vinegar, buttermilk powder, egg yolks, maltodextrin, cayenne red peppers, sugar, food starch-modified, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, spice and spice extractives, natural flavor (dairy and animal source), lemon juice concentrate, lactic acid, habanero pepper, red bell pepper
   powder, ground chili pepper, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), xanthan gum, propylene glycol alginate, apple cider vinegar.
    CONTAINS: MILK AND EGG.

Newman's Own® Creamy Southwest Dressing:

Water, corn syrup solids, soybean oil, distilled vinegar, egg yolks, corn vinegar, corn starch, whey, salt, cilantro, sugar, spices, onion powder, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, sour cream powder (cultured sour cream, skim milk solids, whey, sugar, citric acid, lactic acid), natural flavors (animal and vegetable source), xanthan gum, lactic acid, paprika, parsley.
 

CONTAINS: EGG AND MILK.

So...there it is, my list of 9 things that I THOUGHT were vegetarian from my favorite fast food splurge joint.  I am vert thankful to the people at McDonalds for making such a thorough listing of their ingredients and hope that there are others who are doing the same. I plan to check out various fast food listings and share what I find out. If you want me to check out some place in particular...let me know and I am on it!

Please remember that I am not condoning eating these very processed foods! I do not believe in these chemicals and since I have went to a 98 percent organic diet (yes 2% is just simple living - dinner with family, friends, and the occasional fast food), I have never felt better! If you want to learn more about how to get your family to a more organic eating lifestyle and learn how to do it easily and ON A BUDGET...spend some time on the site and let me know if there is anything that I can help with!  

Organic Beauty on a Budget

That is correct, you can do ORGANIC beauty on a budget!

I started my organic journey with foods. So many people complain about how expensive eating organic can be. I think those people just haven't found the tips and tricks to being organic on a budget. Basically, if you want it - you may have to make it yourself! Hate to say it BUT the same rule applies to organic beauty. Honestly, it is easier than you think!

So Why go organic with your beauty routine?
There are TONS of reasons and each person will have their own personal reasons- BUT for me, it was the fact that I had worked so hard to eliminate chemicals from my diet that putting them on my skin was not an option. After doing research, I realized that your skin is not a barrier - it is like a sponge. Your skin will absorb and use whatever is put on it. Studies are even finding chemicals in new born babies that are only found in beauty products. I am not a "conspiracy" type of gal but this was enough to let me know that even though I wasn't eating chemicals - I was still getting them.

IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE ME....Try This! Cut a raw clove of garlic and then rub it on the bottom of your bare foot. In about 5 minutes, you will taste the garlic in your mouth! NO JOKE!

So HOW do I do it?
It's actually very easy!

• For your skin care/beauty routine, make a list of what you actually use. Shampoo, body wash, sugar scrubs, self tanner, lotions, anti aging creams, etc.
• For your makeup routine, do the same. I do not recommend doing most of this on your own BUT there are some things you can DIY!
• Check COUPONS! Shopping online is great for saving money on organic items! Click here to Check out EBATES!! I use drugstore.com through ebates and not only do I get great deals BUT I get 6% cash back AND earn free stuff! There are tons of retailers available so you can do almost all of your shopping there.  You get a FREE $10 gift card just for signing up!

For makeup -
you will find TONS of organic beauty lines that have hefty prices. Okay, maybe not hefty if you are used to buying pricey cosmetics. I - AM NOT! I do have a splurge line that is a go-to for me - Sappho Cosmetics. Here is my review of some of their items. I am in love with the concealer and foundation! I think I will continue splurging on those!

Keep searching for the deals!
Check out Physicians Formula! They now have an Organic line that is available in many national retailers. They are priced a dollar or so above their regular line and are pretty darn amazing!

Here are some of my favorites!

Physicians Formula Powder - Only $10.23 and one I use! LOVE!
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Moisturizer - Just $13.49
Organic 5X lash BOOSTING Mascara - Just $10!!
Organic Wear Mascara under $8!
Organic Wear Finishing Veil



Wanna DIY?
Here is an AWESOME DIY bronzing powder! It is made with just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry!

Here is a SELF TANNER recipe  - so easy to make and uses ingredients that you have on hand!

For Skincare -
I TOTALLY dig the stuff from Juice Beauty! They actually have both makeup and skincare! You get FREE shipping on orders over $50 and get 3 FREE SAMPLES with each order.

Click on the image to check out Juice Beauty!


You can also DIY your organic skincare!

Here is an Organic Pumpkin Body Butter and Anti Aging Masque Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Latte Cellulite Busting Scrub

DIY Slimming Body Wrap Recipes - 2 ways 

 DIY Green Tea Body Wrap for Weightloss and Detox

All Natural Edible Chocolate Body Paint!

How I went No-poo and Saved my Hair!

DIY Sweet Organic Hot Chocolate Body Scrub

And Even 8 ways to use Organic Coconut oil in your Beauty Routine!

 

I hope that these tips and tricks have helped! I am absolutely LOVING my new skincare and beauty routine. The makeup is just as good - ACTUALLY BETTER - and I am avoiding the extra chemicals. Don't let people convince you that Organic "Green Beauty" has to be expensive...you just need a little direction and maybe even some DIY!

DIY Organic Pumpkin Body Butter - and anti-aging mask recipe!

Fall is finally here! While I am not a fan of the weather, I am a fan of one thing...PUMPKIN PIE!  Come to think of it, I pretty much love everything pumpkin: Fragrances, lotions, potpourri, cookies, you name it - I love it. Since starting my organic journey, however, I have actually found that not only do I not love the ingredient list on most canned pumpkin purees but I am absolutely against the lotions that I used to love. Just looking at the label at the local store (you know the one..smelly and TONS of stuff) made me dizzy (and it wasn't the mixture of scents)! The ingredient list read like a science experiment and one that I had no plan to take part of.

Why not use the stuff at the store you might ask? Well, I switched to a 95% organic lifestyle about a year ago (that 5% is for eating out and my sad soda addiction) and have learned that my skin is NOT a barrier to things...it is actually a sponge! Your skin is actually the largest organ of your body and absorbs everything you put onto it. So, if I am not eating chemicals...why would I put them onto my skin. Recent studies are even showing chemicals contained in makeups are present in newborn babies. That is right...your perfect shade of blush is a part of your baby! No hysteria..I promise! But it is true!

REAL pumpkin is so full of benefits! Fresh and cooked pumpkin are both loaded with vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, alpha-carotene, zinc, beta carotene, and lutein. Heck, it is even used in many spa treatments and anti-aging therapies! Looking at the science experiment of a label available at the store...I was finding zero of this good stuff and absolutely no REAL pumpkin.

So...Inspiration arose. A quick trip to Trader Joes (they always have Organic Pumpkin during fall)...and BOOM! Now...instead of having just pumpkin pie- I ALSO HAVE ORGANIC PUMPKIN BODY BUTTER!

This stuff is sooooo easy to make, inexpensive, and even more beneficial for the skin than you can imagine!

You will only need a few ingredients:

• 1/2 Can of Organic Pumpkin
• Organic Cinnamon or Seasonal Spices
• Can of Organic Coconut Milk - just the thickened part at the top (or 1/2 can of cream)
• 2 tbsp of  Coconut Oil (not necessary BUT I love it! - Click HERE to see WHY!)

The directions are so easy!

1. Skim the thickened part of the coconut milk out of the can - or you can use 1.2 can of heavy coconut cream.
2.  Mix with 1/2 can of Organic Pumpkin Puree, spices (to your liking), ad 2 tbsp of coconut oil.

That's it!! You are DONE!!!

Be sure to store your unused portion in  the refrigerator. Remember, there are no chemicals and no preservatives. It should store nicely in an airtight container for a while!

While you are at it...Go ahead and whip up a moisturizing and anti-aging facial mask (or masque if you are fancy!)!

What you need:

• 2 teaspoons organic pumpkin
• ½ teaspoon organic honey
• ½ teaspoon coconut milk (any milk will do!)
•  cinnamon spice

Directions for use:

1. Mix ingredients together ingredients into a paste.
2. Apply to freshly washed and dried skin.
3. Allow mask to sit for 15-20 minutes
4. Rinse with warm water

I hope you enjoy these "GREEN" pumpkin beauty products! They are bringing a WHOLE new reason to LOVE the fall season...Okay...That and the cookies!

If you loved this GREEN beauty DIY...Check out these other amazing  DIY beauty posts!

Homemade Vanilla Latte Cellulite Busting Scrub

DIY Slimming Body Wrap Recipes - 2 ways 

 DIY Green Tea Body Wrap for Weightloss and Detox

All Natural Edible Chocolate Body Paint!

DIY Sweet Organic Hot Chocolate Body Scrub

Don't forget to follow me on social media!

If you would prefer to let me do the work...I would be more than happy! Organic Pumpkin Body Butter is available in my Etsy Shop for just $9.99!  CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

Also available are items like:
All Natural Laundry Soap
Lemon Sugar Body Scrub
DIY Slimming Body Wrap
Vanilla Latte Cellulite Scrub & MORE!

Mother's Therapy Organic Hand Santizer GIVEAWAY!

I am going to go right out there and say that I am not a "sanitizing" momma. I sometimes think that people go way too far on how often they sanitize their hands! I have friends who will do it after opening a restaurant door,  after viewing the menu,  after touching the table, and even after washing their hands. Now...while I don't bathe my kids in sanitizer (and think some people go a bit crazy)...I do realize that there ARE situations where hand sanitizer is a must.

I have tried the common brands of hand sanitizer available on the market and I was less than pleased.

Why don't I like traditional hand sanitizers?

• They smell like booze. I don't want to smell like a martini - normally!
•  They Left my skin dry. No thanks.
• They Introduced chemicals and/or artificial fragrances to my and my children's skin. This made me choose which was worse...chemicals or germs! I am convinced that my skin is not a carrier but a conductor! Everything you put onto your skin is absorbed into the body. Scientists have even found traces of chemicals used in makeup in newborns! This Definitely makes you think about what you put on your skin.
• The alcohol. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) does say that alcohol based sanitizers are best BUT did you know that some sanitizers are made with synthetic alcohol? You must check labels if you are avoiding synthetic ingredients.

So..with these in mind - I GAVE UP ON FINDING A HAND SANITIZER. When I found out about Mother's Therapy Organics...I knew I needed to give it a try!

Why do I LOVE Mother's Therapy Organic Sanitizers?

• Mother's Therapy Organic's products are organic and filled with ingredients I trust! On their label, you will find ingredients like: Organic aloe; Organic Echinacea; Organic Goldenseal; Organic clove; and Organic Lavender.

• The alcohol in Mother's Therapy Organics is also organic so it is derived from plants not made in a lab!

• Oh...and smell.... AH-MAZING! Instead of smelling like alcohol, you will find a refreshing scent of aloe and cucumber.

• It is made to nourish your skin! You will notice that not only are your hands not dry...but they are actually healthier and softer!! 

Mother's Therapy is definitely onto something! For the same reasons mentioned above...I have really never used baby lotion. In 2012, Johnson & Johnson finally made the statement that it will remove carcinogenic chemicals and other potentially harmful substances from nearly all its adult toiletries and cosmetic products worldwide within 3.5 years. Did you know that was hiding in your baby lotion?

Thankfully...Mother's Therapy Organics doesn't have to promise to remove the harmful chemicals in their products.... THEY WERE NEVER THERE!I

They also make a Germ-Fight'n hand lotion and have tons of convenient sizes (gush)!

Okay...You get the idea..I am in love. I love them SOOOOO Much, I have partnered with them to give some away!

Enter to win an AMAZING FAMILY PACK valued at $30!!!

Picture is just for demo purposes. Family pack may include different sizes or items.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Mother's Therapy Organics in NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES! You must purchase is from with the website http://motherstherapyorganics.com/ or  Amazon! Go ahead...enter to win and grab some to organically guard your family against cold and flue season. You will never have to choose between fighting chemicals or germs again!

 

**this post was sponsored by a truly amazing company who manufactures Organic Sanitizer and Organic lotions. While I was NOT compensated in any way for this post, I did receive items to both sample and to provide to my readers via giveaway. The opinions expressed within are entirely my own. I will only represent companies with products that I believe in and feel good about sharing with my friends and family.