More Ways to Reduce Plastic

Believe it or not, we are in the last four months of 2015 and my resolution to reduce my plastic usage is still going strong.  Well, stronger than if it had been another diet resolution, anyway. There have been a couple of times that I forgot my reusable shopping bags (whoops) and I'm still trying to find my way around the gargantuan plastic bags from Costco. However, there are some tips and even brands that I have come to use and depend upon on a daily basis. They are listed below in the three main categories of my life: Cleaning, Food and Beauty. (For how to reduce plastic in the kitchen with kids, read here.)


Cleaning

Making your own cleaning products is of course a great way to reduce plastic bottle usage. The link here will get you started on a whole bunch of effective and easy to make cleaners. After we moved, I found that my homemade laundry and dishwasher detergent was not compatible with hard water but I was lucky enough to come across these two brands that have zero plastic in their packaging.

If You Care Automatic Dishwasher Tablets work even in my hard water. Placing a 4 oz glass filled with vinegar in the top rack before starting the dishwasher will help the dishes rinse clean as well. The box is also 100% post consumer recycled paperboard that is processed with no chlorine. The tablets are wrapped in a polyvinyl alcohol that is biodegradable. You can find it here.

Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Soap are just berries from the Sapindus Mukorossi (soap berry) tree in Asia that acts as a natural detergent. They are nut allergy safe and also act as a fabric softener. To clean clothes, just throw 4-5 soap berries into the included mini linen bag and then into the washer. They can be left in even during the rinse cycle. The same soap berries can be used up to ten times or until they start to disintegrate. They can be found here.


Food

If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you know there are quite a few recipes to make food stuffs from scratch that can be found here. In lieu of making items from scratch, you can vote with your dollars by choosing to purchase items like condiments in glass jars over their plastic counterparts. Everything from olive oil, applesauce, local honey, mustard and mayo can be bought in glass jars. If you have the option, always choose glass. (Here's why you especially don't want your food stuff being stored in plastic.)

While this lovely local popcorn is initially housed in a plastic bag, it does get transferred to a glass jar once I get it home. By buying this popcorn local, I am assured that it hasn't been sitting on a store shelf in plastic for months at a time and that it wasn't wrapped in yards of plastic on a crate going across the country. It also cuts back on the individual plastic wrapping of microwave popcorn as well.

I realize that I blog about Yogi Tea. All. The. Time. But, oh, it is sooo good. Not to mention that the entire package and its contents are either recyclable or compostable. Like I mentioned in another post, the insides of the box also make unique and pretty names tags for gifts.


Personal Care

Just like the cleaners and food recipes above, these DIY beauty recipes will have you kicking the plastic bottle habit and looking fabulous!

Ladies, when that time of the month comes, not only do we have to deal with lovely mood swings, cramps and hormonal breakouts but we also leave the garbage dumps filled with plastic wrappers, inserts and other accouterments of that fun week. A few years ago, I switched to a Diva Cup and haven't looked back. The Diva Cup is a silicone cup that is inserted just like a tampon but only has to be changed twice a day no matter what your flow is at the time. There was a learning curve the first month but now I can never go back to tampons... and those organic tampons were expensive anyway. The Diva Cup costs $30 but it has more than paid for itself in the three years that I have had it. You can find it here.

Natracare is a natural line of women sanitary products that are organic, chlorine, fragrance and plastic-free (even the packaging). Even the paper strip on the back of the pads can be recycled or composted. You can find them here.

Even brushing teeth can produce plastic waste in the form of flossing. Countless plastic floss containers get thrown out everyday all across America. Most of them are not even recyclable. Eco-Dent packaging is recyclable and biodegradable. The floss itself is infused with essential oils to help keep the gums clean and healthy. You can find it here.

I grew up using bars of soap for hand washing and in the shower. It wasn't until about twenty years ago that liquid soap took off with all their alluring smells and plastic bottle waste. Today's bar soap can smell just as alluring as the bottled stuff without all of the plastic. My favorite is from Farmer's Market. The bar has a rich lather and rinses clean and leaves behind a yummy subtle natural fragrance. You can find them here.


Even if you don't have the time to make everything from scratch, there are many great products out there that will help lessen your eco-footprint. The power of choice is in your hands when it comes to buying products not packaged in plastic. Once you start becoming more aware of your choices, you'll find it is actually easier than you thought to reduce your plastic use.

Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are the new it couple. You can find this duo on many store shelves in pricey little bottles, jars, serums, packs and pastes. The benefits of this star couple are actually quite impressive. Vitamin C is a known antioxidant, however, it also aids in healing the skin, suppresses melanin and helps lighten hyperpigmentation (age spots, acne discoloration, etc.), strengthens capillary walls and supports healthy collagen formation.

There are several different vitamin C serums online, one of which is from blogger and esthetician Jenni from Jenni Rain Cloud. She had the brilliant idea to only make enough serum to last 3 to 5 days. Not only does this remove the need for it to be refrigerated like other online recipes but it also ensures that the Vitamin C in your serum stays active. Vitamin C has a very short shelf life and all those amazing benefits are literally dead in the water after a few days. That means all of those expensive Vitamin C creams that you are trying to make last a few months is nothing but a glorified emulsion of water and oil. My recipe below is based off of Jenni's with a few exceptions, one being the addition of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a strong water binder that helps the skin to retain water, making it look moist and smooth with the added benefit of helping to temporarily plump fine lines and wrinkles. Along with the Vitamin C, this serum is your anti-aging Hercules and it only takes minutes to make!

Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum By: Living Life Granola Printable recipe here.

1 tsp Collagen Replenish with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C (Find here.) 1 1/2 tsp distilled water 1/4 tsp glycerin 1 capsule Vitamin E 1 dark colored glass dropper bottle Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until the powder dissolves. Carefully pour the liquid into the glass dropper bottle. Vitamin C oxidizes quickly in air and light so keep the cap on when not in use and store in a dark cabinet. Shelf stable for 3 to 5 days or 1 week in the fridge. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test first to check for any possible irritations.

The jar of Collagen Replenish costs a little under $15 and will cover over 2 months worth of serum-making. One bottle of a store bought serum that only lasted for about a month, without the benefit of active Vitamin C, cost me close to $20. No matter how you look at it, the homemade is the better bargain all around. Not having to trudge to the fridge morning and night in the middle of your cleansing routine is another bonus. Don't forget to follow up with Cheaters Face Lotion. Here's to youthful, beautiful skin... naturally!


Linked with the Homemade Monday blog series.

Why You Should be Soaking Your Grains and Nuts

Last week I took a little hiatus for my kids' first day back at school. This week I'm back with a long overdue post on the importance of soaking grains and nuts before consumption. Not only has the wheat that we eat changed since our grandparents' day but how we consume it and other grains has as well. Soaking grains, and then going through the process of sprouting them, is a time-consuming and therefore forgotten practice. However, it is one that will yield countless dividends on your health.

All grains, seeds, nuts and legumes contain phytic acid, a phosphorus-bound organic acid, in the outer layer or bran. While phytic acid can sport some health claims, unfortunate side-effects like bone loss can occur when eaten in excess (like most American diets). Phytic acid binds with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc in the digestive tract impeding absorption of these minerals.

In addition to phytic acid there are also enzyme inhibitors that protect the seed from germinating under less than ideal conditions but can wreak havoc in the body. If the diet is high in these inhibitors then over time it can lead to obesity, lethargy, gas, bloating, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal difficulties, enlarged pancreas, diabetes and destruction of the body's own naturally produced enzymes.

With gluten sensitivity, IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders on the rise, I feel it is important that we get back to our ancestral roots of soaking, fermenting and even sprouting our grains and nuts.Whether your ancestors hailed from Europe, Asia, Africa or Latin America, every traditional cultural diet prepared their staple grains in these ways.

When it comes to soaking grains and nuts, there are three different mediums that can be used: warm acidic liquid, fermenting and brine. Soaking in this manner greatly reduces the phytic acid content and breaks down the enzyme inhibitors. Not only does this allow the body to absorb all the nutrients but it also increases the vitamin content and makes these nutrients more bio-available to your body. Win-win! Fermenting grains also provides lactic acid and lactobacilli to help break down complex starches, irritating tannins and difficult-to-digest proteins (like gluten).

An acidic liquid is warm water (between 95 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit) with lemon juice or vinegar added to it. Slightly warm up half the amount of water that the grain or legume calls for and add in the grains and acidic medium, stir, cover and let sit for at least 8 hours. After eight hours, add in the rest of the water and cook as normal. Cooking time may be reduced. A good tip would be to start soaking any grains for the night's dinner right after that morning's breakfast.

Fermentation works best for stone ground flours and oats that are going to be used for baking, oatmeals, pancakes and the like. In this method the grains are soaked in either cultured buttermilk, yogurt, kefir or a whey/water mixture for 12 to 24 hours. The full 24 hours provides the best results, especially if you are working with a recipe that requires rising dough. I'll have more specific recipes in later posts but if you are in a hurry to try this method, the Nourishing Traditions cookbook that I reference below has a ton of great ideas to try.

The third method, soaking in brine, is reserved for seeds and nuts. There are different soaking times that are listed in the chart below. I like using mason jars to soak nuts in overnight. Just place the nuts and salt into the jar and fill with filtered water. Leave on the counter for the specified amount of time. After soaking, drain in a colander and spread out evenly on dehydrator trays to dry. (The oven can also be used. Put on the lowest setting and dry 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The nuts will no longer be raw using this method to dry.) Dehydrators vary in settings and results so make sure to taste test during your first run.  I usually do the full 24 hours dry time on 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Finished nuts will be crisp, completely dry... and very yummy.

Nut	Quantity	Salt	Soak Time	Dry Time	Dry Temp.
Almonds	4 cups	1 tbsp	7 to 12 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Cashews	4 cups	1 tbsp	2 to 6 hours	12-24 hours	150 F
Hazelnuts	4 cups	1 tbsp	6 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Macadamia	4 cups	1 tbsp	4 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Peanuts	4 cups	1 tbsp	7 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Pecans	4 cups	2 tsp	7 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Pepitas	4 cups	2 tbsp	7 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Sesame	2 cups	1 tbsp	7 to 8 hours	12-15 hours	105-115 F
Sunflower	4 cups	2 tbsp	7 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F
Walnuts	4 cups	2 tsp	7 to 8 hours	12-24 hours	105-115 F

At this point, I'd like to share my experience of when I first became aware of the practice of soaking grains and nuts. I can sum it up in two words: panic attack (because that's how I roll). However, I'm one of those people that has to jump right in and do everything all at once- right now. That never works for anyone. Soaking really doesn't create more hands-on time but it does require a bit of forethought and meal planning. This takes time, patience, practice and a good bit of humour. I can say it is worth it in the end. Certaintly for your good health, but also, soaking and fermented grains and nuts have led to some of the tastiest meals and baked goods that my family and I have had the joy in eating.


 Sources:

Fallon, Sally. Nourishing Traditions. Washington: New Trends Publishing, Inc, 2001. Print

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/issue/11-sprouting-to-remove-enzyme-inhibitors/

Morris, Julie. Superfood Kitchen. New York: Sterling Epicure, 2012. Print



Linked with the Simply Natural Saturday blog series.

Fizzy Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Making time to clean my toilets is never a high priority- neither is spending a lot of time making the stuff that will actually clean it. This cleaner works just like a fizzing bath/toilet bomb but in a powdered form and it only takes 5 minutes to make. Cleaning the toilet will go just as fast. Just dump a scoop into the bowl and the fizzing action will start working right away. You can start scrubbing right then or let it sit a bit while the rest of the bathroom gets cleaned.

This cleaner utilizes four strong anti-bacterial essential oils that will kill any nasties lurking under the bowl but won't leave behind any hazardous fumes for you or family to breathe in. This fizzy scrub actually smells quite good!

Since powders are used to make this cleaner, it will be easy for the particulates to make their way into the air. I wear a face mask while mixing to prevent breathing any of this into my lungs. Even a bandanna tied around your mouth and nose will do the trick. This is not a concern when using the cleaner in the toilets- just for the mixing part.

Fizzy Toilet Bowl Scrub By Living Life Granola Printable recipe here.

Glass jar with tight fighting lid or another air-tight container 1/8 cup scoop (I use the scoop that came with the oxygen powder.) 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup oxygen whitening powder 1/2 cup citric acid (mountainroseherbs.com) 24 drops lemon essential oil 21 drops scotch pine essential oil 8 drops tea tree oil 7 drops cinnamon essential oil *optional but recommended: face mask or bandanna tied around nose and mouth Mix together the baking soda, oxygen whitening powder and citric acid until well combined. Add essential oils while stirring the baking soda mixture. Use the back of the spoon to crush any clumps that may form from the oils. Transfer to the glass storage jar with a tight-fitting lid and let sit for 4 days to synergize. To use, pour 1/8 cup of scrub into the toilet bowl.  The scrub can either sit for while or be used with a toilet brush right away.

The tight-fitting lid is important for keeping moisture out of the container. If moisture does find its way in then your nice loose, powdery cleaner will turn rock hard. Cleaning toilets is chore enough- the cleaner shouldn't be adding to it!


Linked with the Homemade Monday  and Simply Natural Saturday blog series.

DIY Wood and Cabinet Polish

When it comes time to make my wood furniture shine, this homemade cleaner does the trick. It also leaves behind a delightful lemon fragrance. The fragrance comes naturally from essential oils so you need not be afraid of any dangerous phthalates that can come from the artificial counterparts. You can check out the rating for the well known lemon-scented wood polish here. (EWG.org is a great website to look up all of your commercial cleaning products to see whether or not they are truly safe for your household.)  Give this polish a try to save your money and your health!

This polish is composed of mostly water so it is important to make sure that your furniture is completely dry after wiping it down to avoid any possible warping. This is a polish, after all, so a buffing motion will really help bring out the shine on your furniture (not to mention helping to tone the arms- it is still tank-top season!). I have been using this polish for years with great results. If you are interested in safer dusting for non-wood surfaces, check out this post .

DIY Wood and Cabinet Polish By: Living Life Granola Printable recipe here.

1 16 oz spray bottle 1/4 cup white vinegar 2 tsp olive oil 8 drops lemon essential oil Water to fill bottle Funnel (optional) Place the funnel on top of the open bottle and fill with the ingredients in the order they are listed. Screw the spray top back on the bottle and shake well. Shake before use. Store out of the light in between uses. Use within 6 months.

Although cleaning is not a favorite task of mine, this lemon-scented wood polish is a definite pick-me-up that has me whipping through the house in no time. I can also feel good about not filling the air with harmful carcinogens and other bronchial irritants. Remember that breathing happy should also be breathing healthy no matter what part of your home you're sprucing up!


Linked with the Simply Natural Saturdays blog series.

Healing Herbal Toner

The weather has finally starting acting like summer this past week. While I love the heat, my pores have decided to open the flood gates, leaving my skin with breakouts, blotchy-ness and enough grease to start my own McDonald's (bleh!).

Nature does not dissapoint, for even though my pores are going through a teenage rebellion in this heat, these warmer months also provide a ready aresenal of healing herbs to help calm things down. On Living Life Granola's Facebook page, I had given a heads up to start saving your strawberry leaves in the coming weeks. Strawberry leaves are an excellent gentle astringent for combination and oily skin. It helps to rid the skin of excess oil without over-drying, which is so important, especially for skin that has to deal with breakouts and wrinkles (thanks Irony, love ya, too). To dry the strawberry leaves, just leave the clean leaves on a tea towel for two to three days until they are completely dry. Store in an airtight container or sandwich bag.

In addition to the strawberry leaves, there is also calendula, which is known for its healing qualities, rosemary as an antiseptic, chamomile as an anti-inflammatory and sage as a disinfectant & astringent agent. All of these wonderful herbs are then cold steeped in witch hazel, which itself is also a gentle astringent, to completely de-grease and refresh the skin- all without over-drying!

Most of the herbs were bought from Whole Food's bulk section.  Mountain Rose Herbs online is also a great source for all kinds of herbs. If you are lucky enough to have any of these plants growing in your back yard, use them! Just up the amount of fresh herbs to one tablespoon.

Healing Herbal Toner By: Living Life Granola Printable recipe here.

1 16oz bottle of witch hazel 2 tsp  dried strawberry leaves 1 tsp  dried sage 1 tsp dried calendula flowers 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers 1 tsp dried peppermint leaves 1 tsp dried rosemary *Use organic ingredients whenever possible. Pour the witch hazel into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Add in all the herbs and shake well. Store in a dark cabinet for two weeks, shaking everyday (or whenever you remember). After two weeks, strain back into the witch hazel bottle. Apply with a cotton ball, shaking the bottle before use. The toner will last for a year.

This toner has been a life saver for me in the summer but it is also great after workouts or anytime you will be breaking a sweat. You can even pore a little into a small glass spray bottle for a little refresher through the day, as well. So no more hiding under layers of powdered foundation to help soak up all that excess oil (You're choking your skin!).  This toner will give you the glow without the shine!


Linked with the Homemade Mondays and Simply Natural Saturday blog series.

American Fries

American fries were always part of my birthday dinner requests while growing up (along with a rack of ribs and sparkling grape juice- what can I say, I've come a long way diet-wise). I remember standing next to my dad as he turned the potatoes in the hot, popping oil waiting for those babies to be just cool enough to do the "chew, blow, chew, blow, wave hand in front of mouth" routine because I could not wait to chow down.

These days, instead of frying the potatoes, they are baked in the oven. They are still as delicious and crunchy as I remember as a child but without all the cleanup from splattered grease everywhere. I have used all different kinds of potatoes with success along with olive oil (not extra-virgin!) and coconut oil as well. Enjoying fries at home has never been so easy!

American Fries By: Living Life Granola Printable recipe here.

3 to 4 large baking potatoes or 6 to 8 small heirloom varieties 3 to 4 tbsp olive oil (not extra-virgin!) or melted coconut oil Sea salt and pepper to taste *Use organic ingredients whenever possible. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrub potatoes and dry on a tea towel. Using a mandolin slicer, slice potatoes 1/4 of an inch thick width-wise into rounds. Alternatively, slice potatoes using a sharp knife as thin as possible. Arrange in a single layer on two  baking sheets, that can fit in the oven side-by-side. Brush the oil over each round, salt and pepper to taste, then flip the rounds over and repeat on the other side. Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, turning once, halfway. Serve immediately and store any leftovers in the fridge. These fries are even great cold the next day for lunch!

American fries make a great accompaniment to any meal without any of the trans-fat that you get from the fast food guys. Depending on the size of the potatoes used, you can also give these a try on the grill for another vegetarian grilling option. Just lower the cook time to about 10 minutes total. However you cook these American fries, you can enjoy not only the taste but also the fact that they are made from fresh ingredients that are safe and nutritious!


Linked with the Simply Natural Saturday blog series.