Natural Living Part 2...

You might remember this post I did several months ago.... Since August 31, I have been washing my hair with baking soda and an apple cider vinegar mixture and have been pleased with the results. I have been even more pleased with my other recipe, though.... Homemade Deodorant.

I know, I know. This sounds even more crazy and over the top, but I am so glad I tried it! After researching the harmful effects of some store-bought deodorants containing aluminum, I wanted to find a healthier and cheaper alternative. It has always been difficult for me to find one that actually works, so this was another experiment that seemed worth trying.



5-6 tablespoons coconut oil*
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
A few drops essential oil (optional, I used about 8 drops of tangerine oil)

Whisk the baking soda and cornstarch together. Slowly add the coconut oil and work it in with a spoon until it maintains a deodorant-like consistancy. (This takes a few minutes, just be patient.) I decided to add a few drops of essential oil, but the coconut scent is also pleasant. You can either scoop it into your old (clean) dispenser or place it in a small container with a lid (which I did) and apply with fingers with each use. I had a bit left over, so I did both. If you choose to use your old dispenser, you will need to keep your deodorant in the fridge. Just think of it as a nice conversation piece for your guests. :)

I am so pleased with this recipe! It keeps me smelling fresh all day long and has not left any residue on my clothes. Here's a few recommendations if you choose to try this for yourself:
1. Coconut oil can be found at Whole Foods, CVS or Walgreens, or online. It can be fairly expensive, but it can be used for many things, and will last you through 4-5 deodorant recipes. (I bought mine at Whole Foods and paid $12.00. I also bought my essential oil at WF for $4.00.)
2. I had irritation on my skin for several days and believe it was caused by putting the deodorant on right after shaving my arms. Now, I try to shave my arms at night time, and have not experienced any more skin irritation.
3. I would not suggest wearing this with silk tops. At least wait until the deodorant has dried, which usually takes about 5 minutes for me.

If you try this, please let me know if they worked as well for you! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Pasta Primavera Recipe

This recipe was adapted from Giada De Laurentiis from the Food Network. In my opinion, everything this lady touches is gold... she also uses Anthropologie gadgets and dishes in her kitchen, so she's a smart one too. :)

Pasta Primavera is a really simple, healthy meal. This recipe combines my two favorite things. Vegetables and Pasta. Love it. Just know you will be chopping away in the kitchen for a good twenty minutes. It's worth it! Trust me.



Here's what you'll need:
1 pound farfalle (bowtie pasta)
3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
2 medium zucchini or 1 large zucchini, cut into thin strips
2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
(I opted out on the onion this time, because the husband doesn't like them. I'll add them in next time... shhh!)

Steps:
1) Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
2) In a large bowl, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Half the vegetable mixture; transfer the mixture to two heavy large baking sheets and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. (I tried using a flat cookie sheet... big mistake. Use a pan that has sides so the oil won't drip in your oven.) Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 8 minutes, about 15 minutes total. (Mine browned more quickly than the original recipe, but our oven has it's quirks... just watch yours closely!)
3)Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
4)Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.

Bon Appetit! This is one of my favorites!

My Introduction to Natural Living...

Well friends, please bare with me as I do a little experimenting. For about a year now, I have been slightly obsessed with reading over blogs, research studies, and books concerning natural health and living more simply. Most articles I read were very convincing, yet it has taken me a while to take the next step and actually implement these ideas. I think living in Portland, amongst all these hippies, has given me a bit more confidence and "you've got nothing to lose" mentality.

With that said, please know that I have found something that sparks my interest and I wanted to share it with you. I don't expect all of you to do the same and agree with me fully, I just want to take you on this journey with me. :)

A couple days ago, I went to Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Safeway to pick up these items....



I actually already had a few of them in the pantry, but still needed the essential oil, Borax, virgin coconut oil and Apple Cider Vinegar. These items, along with some water here and there, will be my household cleaning products, deodorant, and hair cleaner until they run out... so I hope they work well! All in all, I have a little less than $30 invested.

My first adventure: the "'Poo Free" Method. Shampoo strips the hair of natural oils that keep it healthy, shiny, and strong. When I learned there was a way to clean your hair without using shampoo, I was obviously intrigued. This is a frugal, non-toxic, and extremely easy way to care for your hair. (If you want to read more, this site was helpful to me, as well as this one.)

Here's my new hair-care routine:
1. Use a squeeze bottle or an old shampoo bottle. Mix 1 Tablespoon baking soda to 1 cup water. Shake well.

2. Soak your hair completely with water. Squeeze some of the baking soda mixture onto your scalp. Massage it in, mostly concentrating on the scalp, and adding more of the mixture if needed. (This probably goes without saying, but you won't get suds like with normal shampoos... I noticed a more gritty texture. Just now it's doing its job.)

3. Leave in for 3-4 minutes, then rinse.

4. In another bottle, mix 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 cup water. I also added 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract and about 10 drops of Tangerine essential oil to mask the vinegar smell.

5. Squeeze a little of the vinegar mixture onto the ends of your hair (away from the roots) and let it rest for about 30 seconds. (If your hair is like mine and rests on the oily side, make sure not to use too much of the mixture.)

6. Fully rinse, and you're done!



Isn't that simple! I was a little concerned that my hair would smell bad afterwards, but Heath said it smelt lovely. :) The apple cider vinegar made my hair feel so soft, and my hair still has the same body it did before. Though it should take my hair around a month to get used to this method, I am already impressed. I'm really glad I tried it... I'll post an update in a month to give you my final verdict.

When you run out of shampoo and conditioner like I did recently, try it out and tell me what you think!

Our New Home

Greetings from Beaverton, Oregon! After traveling over 35 hours in our Budget truck, we finally made it to our new home, safe and sound. Our adventure took us through many different landscapes, valleys and plains; I took pictures throughout the whole trip and I'll try to post them in the next week or so. Of course, internet is an issue again so I will be out of touch for a while.

This past week has been bittersweet, and I'm not quite sure that this whole process has fully set in with me yet. (How do I know this? I haven't cried near enough. :) ) I already miss friends, and have quickly realized that I am far from southern hospitality. With that said, Heath and I are excited about the days that are before us, and hope to share them with you along the way. Keep us in your prayers as we start pursuing and building relationships here in Oregon. I'm excited.

Pictures, stories, and updates to come