Baby Wipes

Two months ago my husband and I had our first baby, a wonderful, healthy baby girl. :) Now, if you have had (or have) a newborn, you know that you go through a TON of diapers and wet ones. My husband had went out and bought three big containers of wet ones and we used them up in practically no time flat! 

So...I decided to look up a “recipe" for wet wipes and I love them! They don't save you a ton on cash, (they do a little bit) but it's wonderful knowing exactly what is being applied to your little one's skin. ;) Below are the ingredients. I've made them a couple times now and changed the original recipe a little bit.  I've found that the changes I made works better.  You may need to adjust things for your recipe, too! :) I made this recipe for two containers of wet wipes. 

*NOTE: This recipe makes 2 containers of wet wipes.

What you'll need:

2 Wet Ones containers

1 roll Viva paper towels

Divide the following ingredients in half so you can make 2 containers:

4 Cups Water

2 Tbsp Baby soap (your choice)

4 Tbsp coconut oil

6-10 drops essential oil, optional

You are going to have to buy two commercial containers of wet wipes before this little project due to the fact that you will be using the containers.  Otherwise, you could find a jar or other container that they would fit in, if you'd prefer.

1. Before you start the “hard work" of this, put the water in a pan and let that start to boil. As soon as it starts to boil, turn off the burner and remove from heat.

2. Let the water cool to room temperature before adding the ingredients. (This step will help keep the wipes fresh and not become moldy.)

3. Now for the hardest part of all - cutting the roll of paper towels in half. (I found out after I did this that you should probably NOT use a serrated knife for this step.  It shreds it a little - as I found out!)

4. Once that is all finished, wipe off the excess paper towel pieces and put each half into a container so that they are "standing up".

Hopefully, if you use a knife that isn't serrated you won't have as big of a mess as I did. Haha :-)

5. Dividing the liquid ingredients, combine 2 cups of the boiled and cooled water in a small bowl.  Add 1 Tbsp of baby soap and 2 Tbsp of coconut oil.
If you are adding essential oils, add 3-5 drops.  
Mix until coconut oil is dissolved.
(Be sure not to stir too much otherwise it will become very sudsy.)

6. Next, pour the mixture over the paper towels.
Press the top of the paper towels down a bit.

**Repeat steps 5 & 6 for the other container.

7. Close the lids and flip the containers upside down.
Leave them upside down for about 5 to 10 minutes.

8. Flip the containers back upright and remove the cardboard pieces inside the paper towels.

9. Pull the first wet wipe from the center (where you pulled out the cardboard) and push it a little through the top of the lid.

And there you have it! :)

Peanut Butter & Date Protein Balls

Recently my husband asked me if I could pick up some protein bars for him next time I'm at the store.  Of course, me being me, I wanted to try a homemade version before throwing money into commercial bars that have unnecessary "filler" ingredients.

Using caloriecount.com's recipe analyzer, we were able to choose a recipe with a high protein and fiber content and very little sodium.  The sodium and protein content will vary depending on the brand of peanut butter and fiber/protein powder you use.  We used Full Circle Organic Creamy Unsweetened Peanut Butter (only contains peanuts and salt!) and Garden of Life Raw Fiber (Beyond Organic Fiber) powder.  Using these ingredients, the recipe analyzer says one serving of these little protein balls contains 7.8 grams of fiber and 9.2 grams of protein!

Combining only four ingredients in a food processor will get you on your way.

Blend until it's all well combined.

Make sure the texture is firm enough to hold its shape, adjusting ingredients if needed.

Roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Peanut Butter & Date Protein Balls

Recipe adapted from Vegan Family Recipes

Recipe makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

10 tablespoons (1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp) organic natural peanut butter, creamy

12 dates, pitted

4 tsp. chia seeds, ground

2 level scoops raw fiber powder (Garden of Life brand)

Directions

Blend all ingredients in food processor until well combined.

Using a small scoop, form into 20 balls.

Healthy Avocado Egg

It seems like I am constantly saying, "I need to lose weight!"  If you have followed our blog, you've seen the statement in the past and I can guarantee you'll see it in the future as well.  It's an ongoing struggle for everyone, right!  Please tell me so.  

With trying to lose weight, I decided to cut back on my carbs--this week anyway. ;) I saw this "recipe" on Pinterest and thought it looked amazing (and easy), so I noted it. Hearing that both avocado and eggs are a good source of protein, I decided to make this before I ellipticalize. :)

It was very yummy!  Next time, I am going to cut up tomatoes for the "side dish".  I like a little contrast in texture and temperature.  I think it will pair well. 

Because this is a pretty basic recipe, I am just going to give you what you need, no instructions.  I have faith you can figure it out. ;)

Things Needed:

Avocado

Knife

Sheet pan

Aluminum Foil

Egg

Salt

Pepper

Cayenne

Bake at 300 degrees until egg is the consistency you like it.

Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling. Have you heard of it?? If you haven't...Seriously, it is not as complicated as it sounds! Here is the list of everything you will need to try it:

Coconut Oil.

Yep, that's it. Now you just need to make sure it is organic, cold pressed, and unrefined.

Now what to do with the oil:

1.  Measure out 1-3 teaspoons of coconut oil. (You can also use sesame oil .)

2. Put it in your mouth and gargle for 20 minutes trying to "pull" the oil through your teeth. 

Yep. You read that right. It really does say 20 minutes. :-) I know that sounds crazy but it really isn't as bad as it sounds. I usually put it in before I get it in the shower and keep gargling while I comb my hair and start getting ready for the day.

Now for some tips:

1) It is said that morning, before you eat, is the most beneficial time of the day to do this.

2) DO NOT swallow!

3) Spit the oil into the garbage when finished (you don't want the oil hardening in your pipes).

4) The coconut oil will obviously be solid when you scoop it out of the jar. It will take about 30 seconds for it to "melt" after you put it in your mouth. If that texture makes you a little queasy, go ahead and melt the oil on low heat on the stove top being careful not to overheat before using.

Now for the benefits:

1. Whitens teeth...Yep! That's a good enough reason all on its own! :-)

2. Helps with bad breath!

3. Helps with TMJ!

4. Helps with teeth sensitivity!

5. Helps reduce cavities!

6. Helps with acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin issues!

7.  Helps with allergies!

8. Helps you sleep better!

9. Helps hormonal imbalances!

10. Helps your overall health!

Sounds to good to be true, right? :-)

How it works:

Coconut oil, naturally, has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, & anti-inflammatory properties.  

Now when you are gargling, it is suppose to be "pulling" the toxins out of your body.

  Now... I am not a doctor nor am I claiming to be anything close to one! I have not personally had experience with all of these "claims" but can definitely tell you that I have noticed my teeth becoming whiter, teeth sensitivity decreased, and not nearly as offensive of morning breath! Win! Win! :-)

I am hoping to notice even more changes as the time goes on. :-)

If you have tried "oil pulling" and noticed some positive changes, please comment and let me know! I would love to hear about your experience!!

Lacing Your Workout Shoes

Wow. What a crazy week and a half! I went on a 1000 mile road trip (that's one way!) with my family, camped along a stream that my little brothers really enjoyed {they caught all sorts of critters, including salamanders, tadpoles, bugs, and even saw some snakes! Eek!}. It was a wonderful trip! Now, I've been back to reality for a few days. After working and getting daily tasks done, I will soon be back on the road again! This time with my wonderful hubby! :) So excited!!

Since I've been gone for awhile, and super busy in between, I haven't really had a chance to do anything worth blogging about. So, I decided to share a little tip instead. 

If you are a runner (or even a walker!), you probably have a specific pair of shoes for your workout. How do you lace them? Have you ever thought about it?

I've been doing some reading, and it turns out, lacing your shoes like normal may not be the best for your feet. 

This is how I normally lace my shoes. Like normal people. :)

According to RunnersWorld.com and Katie at KatieRunsThis.com (just a couple of the sources I found), there are many ways to tie your shoes to more comfortably fit your feet.

Whether your shoes are too tight, too wide, slipping at your heel, or even if you have a high instep, there are ways to tie your shoes that can help!

My awesome hubby bought me some brand new running shoes that I love, but they are fairly narrow. Plus, I have wider feet that doesn't help. Until they get broken in, I've been using Katie's lacing technique for wide feet and, on my last run, I could not believe the difference!

(This lacing technique is for wide feet.)

So, go ahead, click on those sites, and test one out!

Happy running! :)

Energy Bites (No-Bake)

The weather has been warm, but not quite long enough to get people to jump in the lakes quite yet. I'm pretty sure the outdoor pool at my apartment complex opens this weekend. It just seems to be an ugly reminder that I did not lose as much weight as I would have liked before swimming season. BUT....on a positive note, this week has been quite successful. My husband has gotten into the "I want to lose 30 pounds" mode and it helps me tremendously when he is making healthier choices as well.

We've both been working out and eating healthier. Cutting out unhealthy fats and most carbs. Drinking hot tea instead of coffee loaded with french vanilla creamer. Making homemade vinaigrettes instead of topping our fresh salads with ranch & western dressings. Snacking on celery/carrot sticks and hard boiled eggs instead of a bag of our favorite chips. Blending up frozen fruit and a little yogurt for a smoothie when we're really craving ice cream. I think you get the point. 

Anyway, now that my leg muscles can barely accomplish their task before giving way and crumbling beneath me, I'm actually excited to see a difference! 

I found this recipe via the Gimme Some Oven blog and decided to give it a try. I modified it to what I had on hand, and boy, will I be making these again! They are so yummy and just the right amount of nourishment to get you through a great workout. 

Recipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Ingredients

1/3 c. honey

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 c. flaxseed, ground

1/4 c. wheat bran

2/3 c. coconut flakes, toasted and cooled

1-2 Tbsp. chopped almonds, toasted and cooled

1/4 c. dried fruit (I used raisins and dried cranberries)

1/3 c. chocolate chips

Directions

First, chop your almonds and spread on half of a cookie sheet. Spread coconut on other half.

Toast in oven until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Combine honey, peanut butter, and vanilla in medium bowl and mix well.

In separate bowl, combine oats, flaxseed, wheat bran, toasted coconut, and toasted almonds.

Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips.

Gently stir dry ingredients into creamy mixture and mix thoroughly.

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Remove from fridge and form into balls.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

 (Directions with Photos)

First, chop your almonds and spread on half of a cookie sheet. Spread coconut on other half.

Toast in oven until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Combine honey, peanut butter, and vanilla in medium bowl and mix well.

In separate bowl, combine oats, flaxseed, wheat bran, toasted coconut, and toasted almonds.

Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips.

Gently stir dry ingredients into creamy mixture and mix thoroughly.

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Remove from fridge and form into balls.

(I used the medium Pampered Chef scoop (approx. 2 Tbsp), but next time I think I'll use mini dark chocolate chips and use the small scoop (1 Tbsp) instead.)

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

(I got 21 golf ball-sized balls out of this batch.)

These energy bites remind me of a combination between a chewy granola bar and an oatmeal cookie dough ball. 

Healthy AND satisfying!

Motivation Marbles

With the assumption that I’m not the only one who struggles to reach my goal weight, I decided to post regarding weight loss. With the new year, I’ve been trying to eat healthier and exercise more. I always get really excited about it, then skip a few days and my motivation plummets. Before I know it, it’s 6 weeks later and all I’ve done is get frustrated every time we go out because nothing fits right. I knew I needed some visual motivation and a way to make losing weight fun.

I found some little plastic containers full of marbles at the dollar store. 

Reusing these containers, I made some labels with scrapbook paper and glued them on. 

I decided the total amount of weight I want to lose and counted out that many marbles. 

I’m going to weigh myself each week and move the respective marbles. I’ll be able to see these each day as a reminder of the goal I have. I’m hoping by the end of the year most, if not all, of the marbles will be moved to the “Pounds Lost” jar!

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink

I don’t know about where you live, but where I live, there are a lot of bugs going around. Not the buzzing kind (they will come soon enough), but the kind that keeps you home, wishing your head would stop pounding and you could stop looking like you could guide Santa’s sleigh on your own.

About a month ago, my Dad had some serious issues with his blood sugar sky rocketing. I started looking up things he could take to naturally help regulate it since he would prefer not to be prescribed medications. I came across a few different recipes for “detox drinks” that claimed they would help, along with a huge list of other benefits. With all the sickness going around lately, my husband and I decided to start drinking this daily to help keep our immune systems up. So far, it’s been good to us!

Ingredients

1 cup filtered water

2 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp grape juice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

dash cayenne pepper

few drops liquid stevia (optional; for sweetness)

Directions

Mix all ingredients well. (A shaker works best to blend the cinnamon in.) 

Here’s a list to the benefits of each ingredient:

RAW APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
-Full of enzymes, potassium, and good bacteria
-May help “eat up” starches if you eat grains
-Natural remedy for heartburn
-May help clear skin conditions & acne
-Promotes digestion helping you stay regular
-Helps control weight
-May help regulate blood sugar
-May help regulate high blood pressure
-Helps reduce sinus infections & sore throats
-Can help ease menstrual cramps

LEMON JUICE
-Helps balance blood sugar
-Helps your body regulate it’s pH
-Contains Vitamin C

GRAPE JUICE
-Helps raise good cholesterol

-Helps lower blood pressure
-Helps control weight

-Helps purify blood by flushing out toxins

-Helps boost your immune system

CINNAMON

-Great anti-oxidant

-Helps balance blood sugar

CAYENNE PEPPER

-May help regulate blood pressure

-Increases metabolism