Look Ma, No Cavities!

I'm on a roll with teeth...

Last August, I tested out a recipe for homemade toothpaste. I honestly thought would try it out for the two weeks I had promised and then go back to my regular toothpaste. I ended up liking it so much, that I decided to continue using it.

After about a month into using my homemade concoction, I noticed that my tooth sensitivity had almost vanished. I was surprised. My former brand designed for sensitive teeth hardly made a difference.

Last January I had been using the toothpaste for 6 months and I went for my check-up at the dentist. To my surprise, a tiny cavity that they had been keeping their eye on had gone away. They had to double check their records. My appointment with the Hygienist which is normally 45 minutes, was practically cut in half as she had nothing to clean. I was happy! I even blogged about it, I was THAT happy.

So...today... six months later, I had another check-up at the dentist. Again, no cavities, and the Hygienist didn't have anything to clean. My appointment was not long at all. She kept commenting on how clean my teeth were.

All I have to say is that this homemade toothpaste recipe WORKS! So I'm smiling and posing. Sometimes people shy away from homemade remedies and they shouldn't. They really work.

Here is the recipe:

The ingredients are Baking Soda, Coconut oil, Stevia and Peppermint oil.

1. Coconut oil: 3 Tablespoons
2. Baking Soda: 4 Tablespoons
3. Peppermint Oil: 20-25 drops
4. Stevia: 3 to 6 packets
   
   Mix all the ingredients together and store in a container with a lid. That is it. If you don't have peppermint oil, don't worry. The toothpaste will still work without it.

When I first made the toothpaste, I personally needed 6 packets of Stevia. I am now used to the taste of the baking soda so I no longer use the Stevia.
All the best,
Marnie
http://www.whatsupwithred.blogspot.com/

The best guacamole ever!

Freshly prepared food is best, but if you don't have the time, you really need to read those back labels. Some of the ingredient names sound like they were created by a mad scientist.

In general, I find homemade food often tastes the best. Even if it's fattening, it's healthier to eat as there are few to zero additives.

It's a very hot day here where I live. In fact, I just don't feel like turning on the stove. So I decided to make some guacamole. It's so tasty that I'm going have it in a salad tonight in place of my regular olive oil/vinegar dressing.


I also love using guacamole in wraps, on top of baked potatoes, and as a side dish to some barbecued chicken.


Here's the recipe - it's tastier than the ones prepared in the stores:

2 ripe Avocado's
1/4 onion minced
1 tomato chopped
1 clove of garlic
1/2 lemon juiced
2 healthy pinches of sea salt. (I'm a personal fan of himalayan salt)

Use your stick blender and you've got guacamole!
All the best,
Marnie
http://www.whatsupwithred.blogspot.com/

Green Smoothies

I truly believe that high quality ingredients are the key to health and beauty. I have blogged a lot about the importance of eliminating or limiting preservatives and toxins from the items we use everyday when grooming etc.

I also find this to be true with nutrition. Health supplements and drinks are quite popular. The problem is that they are often loaded with sugar, or better yet a chemical sweetener. Most of these brands are also loaded with a lot of preservatives and they have been over processed.

What I find interesting is that we are living in a time where the obesity rates are at an all time high, but yet most people are malnourished. Scary.

A few years back, I read a wonderful book called '"Green For Life", by Victoria Boutenko. The book is about green smoothies. You simply mix greens and fruit together (see video) and drink. I have been making these drinks on and off for 3 years, and they are tasty...really! They are quick and easy to prepare. They are also great for someone who doesn't want to eat their greens. The best part is that they are preservative free and more nutritious than any supplement you can buy on the market. You can drink them anytime you want. Some people do green smoothie fasts, and others simply drink them whenever they feel the need. There's no right or wrong way to do this.

We just celebrated Halloween and I have a lot of extra candy on hand ;0) I will be dusting off my blender and making my smoothies to get back on track.

All the best,

Marnie

Peachy Pork Picante = BANGING

I was flipping through an old cook book my mom gave me when I got my first apartment a few years back, when I came across this recipe that immediately caught my eye. I was looking in the pork section (me likey pork! the other white meat!) for something easy that wouldn't require a lot of ingredients (thus saving me money). I decided the recipe for Peachy Pork Picante was easy enough and looked like it would produce enough left-overs to supply me lunch for work over the next few days. It also fits into my low-glycemic diet pretty well! And, yes, I did just start 3 sentences in a row with "I".

Here's the recipe:

• 1 lb. boneless pork loin
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix (I ended up having to use more)
• 2 tablespoons parsley minced (again, I used more)
• 2 teaspoons veg. oil
• 8 oz. chunky salsa
• 1/4 cup peach preserves
  

--Ok, so you cut the pork loin into 1 inch cubes.
--combined the taco seasoning and parsley
--coat the pork cubes in the seasoning mixture by rolling em around in it. This is where the extra taco seasoning mix and parsley comes in (for me at least)
--brown the pork (bout 4-5 min) on medium-high heat
--add the salsa and peach preserves to the meat and let simmer

T'was so sooooo yummy!

*LIA*

The Results: Homemade Toothpaste & Mouthwash

About a month ago, I decided to test out two recipes for homemade toothpaste and mouthwash. The recipes were very simple and could be made within minutes for just pennies. So I put them to the test. I have to be honest with you, I had my doubts on how effective these remedies would be. Let's face it, these are items that are instinctively purchased regardless if it's at the grocery or health food store.

Before I go any further...here are the recipes:

Toothpaste


The ingredients are Baking Soda, Coconut oil, Stevia and Peppermint oil.

1. Coconut oil: 3 Tablespoons
2. Baking Soda: 4 Tablespoons
3. Peppermint Oil: 20-25 drops
4. Stevia: 3 to 6 packets (I used 6)

Mix until blended and store in a container with a closed lid. You could also substitute the peppermint oil with Cinnamon oil, but I recommend adding a few drops at a time until you get the right flavor - it's strong.

Mouthwash


1. 500 ml Distilled water
2. 15 drops Tea Tree Oil
3. 15 drops Peppermint Oil

Shake in a glass bottle before each use.
Results
I used both the toothpaste and mouthwash twice a day along with dental floss (sorry, not going to cheap out on that item). The toothpaste took a little getting used to, as it doesn't foam. It also doesn't taste like traditional toothpaste. Once I got over that, I have to say that I really liked how it performed. My teeth are really clean. Now that it's been over a month, I have also noticed that my tooth sensitivity has almost completely gone away. My teeth are so sensitive, that I have had treatments at the Dentist for this problem along with religiously using a toothpaste designed for sensitivity...so it does make you wonder how this simple remedy can work so well.
The mouthwash is surprisingly strong and it works amazingly well. Only a little is needed. For pennies, it does the job just as well as the store brands.
Overall, I really like the results of both the toothpaste and mouthwash. As stated earlier, my tooth sensitivity has almost gone away so that is an added bonus. For now, I will continue to use these remedies.

For anyone interested in trying these remedies out, I encourage you to do so. It's not expensive to make, so it's worth a try. My experience was a positive one, so for that I'm happy.

All the best,

Marnie
http://www.whatsupwithred.blogspot.com/

A couple of weeks ago, I made a fantastic purchase. This book its full of wonderful home beauty treatments that leave you feeling fabulous and wont break the bank!

Here are some of my faves:


CARROT SKIN RENEWAL FACE PACK

• Take 2 large carrots and 2 tablespoons of honey. Cook carrots slowly, then mash or blend in mixer.
• Mix honey with carrots.
• Apply gently to the skin when lukewarm and wait for 15 minutes.
• Rinse off with cool water.

This secret is jam packed with Vitamin A to remove dead skin cells and hydrating elements which condition and smooth the skin.




CRANBERRY LIP GLOSS

• Take 10 to 12 freas cranberries, 1 tablespoon of alomond oil and 1 teaspoon of honey.
• Place almond oil and honey in a bowl and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Crush the cranberries in a tea strainer over the honey and almond mixture. Pour into an airtight container.

This secret delivers a potent combination of antioxidants , Omega 3, Omega 6, Vitamin E and essential minerals to condition and protect your lips.



AVOCADO HAIR CONDITIONER

• Take one cup of avocado paste and the yolk of 2 eggs. Beat the egg and mix in the avocado, adding 1-6 table spoons of olive oil.
• Apply for half an hour then rinse with lukewarm water.

This secret will enrich the hair with proteins, nurturing oils and vitamins A, B5, C, D, E ,and K

A Celebratory Recipe!

I had my first major culinary success of married life tonight! Considering the fact that my husband and I have been living Spanish-style and eating assorted appetizers in the place of full-fledged meals for the past six weeks, the fact that I a) took the time to make a full meal and b) it was good is a big deal. In celebration of this event, I give you the following recipe:

Wild Rice Risotto with Red Peppers and Cheese

1 small red pepper, diced

1-2 Tbsp oil

3 cubes chicken bullion

1 1/2 cups wild rice

3-5 cups water

Parmesan cheese, shredded

Romano cheese, shredded

In a medium stockpot, saute the red pepper in the oil until slightly softened. Add bullion cubes and break up. Add rice and stir. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of water and stir fairly frequently until water begins to be absorbed. Add more water as needed and cover the pot in between stirrings. Continue this process until rice is soft and creamy (should take approximately 20-30 minutes). Add cheese, stir to incorporate flavors.

Bon Appetit!

Blessings,

Cindy

Check out my personal blog at http://wherescindynow.blogspot.com!

Seriously, the Cranberry Sauce Was a Steal!

Things I Have Learned in the Approximately Four Months Since I Have Graduated College and Therefore Entered What Has Been Intimidatingly Described to Me as "The Real World":

1. The delicate art of layering clothing to ensure optimal warmth and minimal periods of freezing/sweating

2. How to surf the sale shelf at our local grocery store, which is one of man's most beautiful inventions. Hello, all the cranberry sauce I could ever need!

3. That sometimes galoshes really are a fashion statement (in Southeast Alaska, at least).

4. I really can live a full and worthwhile life without cable on my TV

5. Netflix is a beautiful, beautiful thing (see #4)

6. There is incredible beauty in living simply

7. Working to live instead of living to work is really where it's at

8. Getting snail mail is the deserved source of much excitement

9. Refrigerator magnets are essential when trying to make a house a home

Like most post-graduation myths and legends, I've realized that life in The Real World isn't that bad. It's not all walking seven miles in the rain and snow to an underpaying job and coming home to a dirty house full of screaming kids and overdue bills. It includes walking only about two miles in the rain to an admittedly underpaying job and coming home to a house containing a few misplaced shoes and dirty dishes, completely manageable bills on the teeny tiny kitchen table, and a Beta fish and a new husband who are both very excited to see me.

Blame the rain thing on living in Southeast Alaska.

The rest isn't all that bad.

Blessings,

Cindy

http://wherescindynow.blogspot.com/

Make your own Whipped Beauty Butter.

I have a great recipe for whipped beauty butter. I am not calling it body butter because this recipe can safely be used from head to toe. The ingredients are the purest you will ever use and it costs a fraction of what you would pay in the stores...without the preservatives, colorants or chemical based fragrances. This would be a great item to have on hand during the winter months.

I have naturally curly hair, and it's dry by nature. I find that this beauty butter sinks right into my hair, giving my curls definition. Also use it as a moisturizer under my make-up. I normally couldn't do this with store bought butters, but I can with this recipe as the ingredients are all raw and have never been touched by heat.

Now with that being said, every ones skin/hair is different so your needs will dictate how long your beauty butter will last.

The Recipe:

1. 1/2 cup Raw Shea Butter
2. 1/4 cup Raw Coconut Oil
3. 10-15 drops Ylang Ylang Essential oil (optional)
4. Hand Mixer
   

Since the oils are raw, they are in it's purest form. There are many ways you can melt the ingredients. I personally prefer melting them in a hot water bath. I place my ingredients into a glass bowl and immerse it in a hot water bath. I take it out when it's almost fully melted.
Then mix the ingredients with a hand mixer for 5 minutes and let it rest for 5 minutes. Mix it again for 5 minutes and let it rest for another 5 minutes. If you like essential oil add it to your mixture at this stage and mix it again for 5 more minutes. Done.

This recipe yields 8 oz (or 1 cup) beauty butter. Have fun with it!
All the best,
Marnie
http://www.whatsupwithred.blogspot.com/

Summer is Not Over Yet!

Agave Lemondade
SERVES: 4
TIME: 5 minutes

* 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1/2 cup light agave syrup
* 1 quart of water
* a few lemon slices for garnish, if you like

Mix everything together, adding a bit more of any ingredient, if necessary, so it’s just the right mix of sweet and tart for your taste.

Norma's Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups grated raw carrots
1 8 3/4 oz. can crushed pineapple drained




Instructions:

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon into mixing bowl. Add sugar, oil, eggs and mix well. Stir in carrots, pineapple and nuts. Pour into greased and flowered oblong cake pan or two 9 in. layer cake pans. Bake 45 to 50 minutes at 350* or until toothpick comes out clean when put into center of cake. Cool and frost.

Frosting:

1 cup softened butter or oleo
1 tsp. vanilla
8 oz. softened cream cheese.
1 1/2 box confectioner sugar.

Beat all until blended and smooth. Then sift in sugar and add milk if needed.

Garlic Hummus

I love Hummus and I love making it. I have finally figured out how to make it the way I like it.

I like my hummus thick, like paste. You can then spread it on sandwiches and tortillas, which is exactly what I do with it sometimes.
It is easy to make, good for you, and soooooooooooooo tasty, yummmmmmm!!

You will need:
1 can of garbanzo beans (chick peas)
2-4 tablespoons of Tahini (ground sesame seeds)
2-4 tablespoons of extra virgin Olive Oil
4 cloves of garlic (this is really personal, I LOVE garlic, 6 or 7 cloves for me, I make this so it burns my nose sometimes when I eat it and I make sure I don't have to go anywhere for awhile or not, if I am feeling like a rebel)
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
1 lemon- juice
2 Green Onions sliced

Rinse and drain the garbanzo beans (if you like your hummus runnier, you save this drained off water and add to the hummus when you mix it.)
Add beans to your food processor bowl and then add all the other ingredients.
Pulse the processor until you like the consistency. I prefer it to be completely creamed. No chunks.
Place into a covered bowl and serve chilled with a drizzle of olive oil and some chopped green onions.
I like to eat this with tortilla chips but it is also very good with crackers, pretzels, or vegetables too, like celery, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli.
And like I said spread on bread and on an avocado sandwich. It also makes a really great spread for flour tortillas wraps, instead of mayo or dressing.
I have a few variations on this.