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Need an Energy Boost? Try Munching Down on Asparagus!

It's always a wee bit challenging to pick a "Foodie of the Week"... mainly because the week before, we consume A LOT of that ingredient.  So, this mama can try out new recipes + take photos for all the places of social.  

Sitting on the floor of the living room with loads of books scattered all around me, I kept mumbling... "what should be next week's "foodie"?  what should be next week's "foodie"? hmmm".   When a tiny pair of hands touched my arm and said, "spar-gus, mama".   Our little miss (who makes up 50% of our 4yr old duo) loves to cook asparagus... and manages to eat MORE when she cooks the side item than when it's simply placed in front of her on a plate.  

Now.  I love asparagus... and for awhile, I have been chopping it up into 2" bits for our twins to eat as well; however, I have learned that our little man (the other half of the duo) would rather the asparagus to stay LONG in it's spear form and not cut up into bits.  The reason,...

All-Natural Berry Body Scrub

 

Here's a sweet DIY all-natural body scrub recipe... it made sense to try it, since blueberries are known for being loaded with antioxidants which is great for the skin + the sugar is an excellent exfoliator.  I like to add a wee bit of lavender essential oil to give it a relaxing-spa-like vibe.  

So.  Here you go, love!

ALL NATURAL BLUEBERRY BODY SCRUB

GROCERIES

  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 cup of frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup of coconut oil  (room temperature)
  • Few drops of lavender essential oil (optional) 

NOW WHAT?

  1. Take a gallon zip-lock bag and place blueberries in it, sealed.  You will be CRUSHING the blueberries with a rolling pin and this will help reduce mess + aid in crushing.  
  2. In a bowl combine the sugar as well as the crushed up blueberries.  
  3. Stir in the coconut oil (+ optional lavender essential oil) into the blueberry/sugar mixture.
  4. Place mixture into individual sealed glass containers (air tight).  Use within...

Why we call blueberries... BRAIN BERRIES!

Blueberries remind me of the hubster... see his side of the family use to have a blueberry farm + I got pretty spoiled.  Each summer, there would be gallon ziplock bags of freshly picked blueberries for the taking.   DELICIOUS!!!  

And whenever we head out to a farmer's market, fresh berries are always a must (along with cut flowers).  It just reminds me of a time when we were first dating... back in college... getting free food (like the blueberries) from family members who felt pity for us broke college students.   

His family would send me home with blueberries... and my folks would send me home with a case of tuna fish (because my dad would have a SAM's club card)!  HAHAHA!  

Fish + blueberries... not a good combo, I'm not recommending it here.  

{ insert: gross face }  

Let's divert from this subject and dive a wee bit deeper into the goodness of blueberries + recipes which don't include fish!  You are welcome. 

How...

All-Natural Homemade Blush Recipe

Now. Here's a sweet DIY all-natural blush recipe... it made sense to try it, since beets always leave a nice subtle hue to my skin when handling + beet root powder is used in the culinary world to "pink" dishes up!  So.  Here you go, love!

 

ALL NATURAL HOMEMADE BLUSH

GROCERIES: 

  • 1 tbsp of arrowroot 
  • 1 tsp of beet root powder
  • cinnamon (optional)

NOW WHAT?

  1. Start with a base of arrowroot powder then gradually add in the beet root powder until you get the desired color.
  2. If you need a wee bit of glow... try adding in a dash of cinnamon.

NOTE:  Just a note, beet root powder can be bit bright... but, you can always add more arrowroot powder to lighten it back up.


If you want to dive deeper into the benefits of beets + beet root juice for your health, hair and skin... then check out, Style Craze's website where you can find additional tid bits.  


“Since the 16th century, beet juice has been used as a natural red dye. In...

Simple Homemade Cracked Heel Salve

Now.  I don't like to waste bananas... for some reason, it's different than a wee bit of honey or a lemon or even an egg.  I have no idea why.  Maybe it's because a WHOLE banana is a snack for the Gillies, our 4yr old twins.  

Anywho.  Here's a recipe I found to help smooth those cracked heels... you can score more DIY beauty recipes using bananas here!

CRACKED HEEL SALVE

  1. Mash up two ripe bananas then put the mashed bananas on your heels!  Make sure your feet are dry and clean first, though! 
  2. Wrap your feet in socks so not to cause a mess. 
  3. After 10 minutes, rinse your feet thoroughly... and add your favorite foot lotion to your feet!

Now.  Seriously... how easy was that, love?  I'd love to hear what YOUR favorite recipe is with using banana!  Jot it down below + share. 


love + gumption.

a. 

Brain + Gut Health Explorer

All-Natural Eye Makeup Remover

Honestly.  When writing this blog, I struggled with how I actually use ALMONDS for a beauty hack.   Seriously, though...  "almonds in my beauty regimen, how in the heck?"  

Buttttttttttt... then I realized, I do use almonds in my beauty regimen.  Well, it's almond oil.  That counts, right?  Almond oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the sweet almond tree (thank you, Essential Oils book!).   Almond oil is suitable for most skin types... it's gentle enough for sensitive skin! 

Goodness of Almond Oil: 

  • Natural moisturizer - helps soothe dry, irritated skin
  • Gentle oils - even heard it can be used to treat diaper rash 
  • Excellent make-up remover 
  • Treats chapped lips

Need a few more bits about the goodness of Almond Oil, check it out here


Now. Here's a sweet DIY eye-makeup remover recipe I found... about a year or two ago.  BUT, it was also spotted on JH's website, so I thought... "why not give her some...

Just BEET it: here's a few tid bits on why I started adding beets to our grocery list...

Fun factoid: About 5-15% of U.S. adults are estimated to experience beeturia following consumption of beets in everyday amounts (source).  Beeturia = the pink discoloration of one's urine due to consumption of beets.  

Maybe it's TMI but I am part of that 5-15%... and I did have a mild panic attack one day when I noticed our littles (4yr old twins) had slightly red poop!  Being a veterinarian... my mind went through a WHOLE list of differentials (or causes) of the red poop.  Seriously.  This mama bear went into PANIC MODE... until my calm and more reasonable husband pointed out, over the past few days we ate a lot of beets.  

WHEW.  

Besides the discoloration one can get on their hands (+ countertops) when handling beets... and in their voids (pending if you are a child, in the 5-15% of folks who naturally have this occur or have an underlying medical condition)... there are some amazing benefits to beets.  So. Let's dive a wee bit...

Almonds Are Not Just a Snack Food

Fun factoid:  Almonds aren't actually nuts... they are called drupes (like a coconut) which are a type of fruit that has an "outer fleshy part that surrounds a pit (or stone), with a seed inside this pit."   If you are a visual person, like myself, check out these photos.  

 

My love for almonds has grown tremendously over the years since I have learned all the benefits these little powerhouses hold.  I use a wee bit of almond milk as a creamer for my morning cup of Joe... dab a spoonful in my daily superfoodie smoothie for a wee bit of sweetness... and even, crush them up for a nice coating on chicken.

The love-affair is a strong one... but enough about me gushing, let's get down to it!

 

01// SELECT YOUR ALMONDS 

  • opt for raw almonds... consistency with color and none that are shriveled or discolored
  • there should be a sweet nutty smell

 

02// STORE YOUR ALMONDS

  • we keep our almonds in an airtight container (aka. mason jar) in the...

[SUGAR DETOX]: Few Health Hacks To Kick The Sweet Tooth... Buh-Bye!

With the holidays wrapping up, I finally had time to sit... rest... and FEEL the effects of all the holiday goodies had on my body.  Seriously.  I was a wee bit cranky... and the mama-fanny pack, aka. MFP, was protruding more than I care to admit.  But, hey.  I couldn't resist some of those homemade desserts that only come out during Christmas celebrations... right?  You feel me?

Anywho. 

I figured it was the PERFECT time to do a quick "5 Day Sugar Detox"... and thankfully, some beautiful ladies in our Community were ready to link arms with me and kick the sweet cravings together!    

 

But... you may be wondering, "why on EARTH would I need to do a sugar detox?" Hmm... Well. Check it. 

 



Benefits one may see when reducing their sugar consumption, include a reduction in: 

  • Acid Reflux        
  • Migraines    
  • Fatigue     
  • Joint Pain
  • Irritable Bowel     
  • ...

Tips To A Positive Mindset In This Beautiful Chaotic Life

 

First let me start off by saying I am not all rainbows and sunshines... but I have been asked more than once in our virtual community, "How do you stay so positive?!?".  

So.

After being asked for the second or third time, I thought... maybe I should jot these down to remind myself to DO THEM but also to inspire YOU {if you need}!  Because sometimes, life happens and you find it hard to keep riding the positivity train. 

Trust me, I get it.  Yet, if one of these tidbits HELPS you find your joy each day, then why not share it, right? 

ME LAUGHING. CAUGHT BY BETTER TOGETHER PHOTOGRAPHY

 


MINDSET SHIFT HACKS

 

1. BACKGROUND

My sisters which may be a wee bit unfair, because you didn't have them as sisters growing up. My sisters taught me the importance of finding the good in things... seeing solutions instead of obstacles... and how to laugh even when life, well, sucks at times. 

 

2. GRATITUDE JOURNAL 

...

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