Homemade Taco Sauce

 

 

Happy Cinco De Mayo! What better day to share this recipe? This is incredibly easy and probably the best taco sauce I have ever tasted. The best part? Nothing nasty added in, like preservatives. My five-year old was licking this off of her plate tonight at dinner lol. I found the original recipe here but I did not follow it exactly.

Here is what you will need:

• 1 cup tomato sauce (I used organic)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, whisk together. Cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, whisking occasionally. That is all, could not be easier! This is a very mild sauce, if you want to make it spicier you could add more chili powder, maybe some cayenne or red pepper.

This sauce would probably be even better made a day in advance so the flavors have more time to meld together. Store in the fridge.

We had it on homemade Mexican pizzas tonight, YUM!

 

Enjoy!

<3 Ashley

 

Homemade “Vaseline”/ All Natural Non-Petroleum Jelly

I was inspired to make this because my husband’s hands are so dry and cracked this winter. Coconut oil healed the little cuts, but his skin is still super dry. He doesn’t just need a moisturizer, he needs something to protect his skin as well. What would most people turn to in that situation? Good ole petroleum jelly. Problem is, I don’t have any and haven’t for a long time. When I read about some of the dangers I threw it out. It can easily be contaminated and is a possible carcinogen. Cancer causing slop? No thank you! I don’t want that stuff anywhere near my family ever again. On top of that it does not even moisturize at all and can actually prevent your skin from getting rid of toxins. It is even banned in some other countries! It is amazing how many products I used to use all the time without even thinking about WHAT I was using, and many other people are the same way. Of course now I am always checking labels lol. Anyways I knew there had to be a better way, and luckily I found one! This recipe is for homemade non-petroleum jelly. I was even able to simplify it a little more and make mine totally organic! It could not be any easier

Ingredients:

• 1/8 cup (about 1 ounce) beeswax (I used organic beeswax pastilles)
• 1/2 cup olive oil (I used organic olive oil)

Pour your ingredients into the same jar you are going to be using to store it. Place the jar into a saucepan and add enough water to go about halfway up the jar. Heat on medium until the beeswax melts. Stir, and carefully remove jar from pan – I am sure it goes without saying but just in case, it is HOT. Let cool completely, store covered.

I loved using the same jar to store it in, because there was no clean up afterwards! I always have popsicle sticks on hand because we love to make our own, so I used one of those to stir. Literally the only thing I had to do was dump the water after I was done. You could even let it cool completely and use it to water your plants. It only takes a few minutes for the beeswax to melt so keep an eye on it. I would not recommend boiling the water because the jar might tip and spill. This only fills a small jar so if you want to make a large amount use a bigger jar and double the ingredients.

I actually made two jars of it, and while one was cooling I stirred some essential oils into it to make a natural antiseptic ointment. I used about 10-20 drops each of lavender, lemon and tea tree essential oils. I will probably also use this as a base for homemade vapor rub with some eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender essential oils. Any one of these would make a great gift too!

Enjoy!

<3 Ashley

Homemade Shaving Lotion

Finally an alternative to store-bought shaving cream! I have tried using plain soap or body wash (can we say razor burn?!) and also plain conditioner (worked fine but not silky enough for me) So yes I will admit I was still using store-bought, but now I can kiss it goodbye! I was using lotionized shave creme, but looking at the label makes me cringe. Sulfates, parabens, and a whole bunch of other crap I can’t even pronounce. I am so glad this homemade shaving lotion can be made without all that! Not to mention it works great and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth.

I found this recipe here but I did modify it a bit to make it more natural

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shampoo (I used 1 cup of my homemade liquid castile soap)
• 1 cup conditioner (I used Simply U sulfate and paraben free conditioner)
• 5 tablespoons baby oil (I used grape seed oil)
• 5 tablespoons lotion (I used 1/2 cup of St. Ives with natural moisturizers, but I plan on using homemade lotion in the future)
• Essential oils (optional, I did not use any in this batch but probably will in the future)

Wisk all ingredients together, pour into a bottle and you are done! I am absolutely in love with this stuff and never plan on buying any chemical laden shaving cream from the store again! I store mine in a pump bottle, which makes it super convenient. Enjoy!

I will leave you with this bonus tip… Dry your razor blades off when you get out of the shower. They will last longer, seriously!

<3 Ashley

Homemade Chia Seed Pudding

I know most of you hear “chia” and think “Ch-ch-ch-chia!” but this seed is good for so much more than growing “wool” on a cute clay lamb. I recently bought a pound of chia seeds because I heard about the many health benefits. It contains essential fatty acids, protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, antioxidants and many other nutrients our bodies need. You can read about the many other wonderful benefits of chia seeds here. After buying the seeds admittedly I had no idea how to use them. I did a quick search and one of the first things that came up was 10 Uses for Chia Seeds by the Wellness Mama. She has a wonderful recipe for chia seed pudding and says her kids love it (the seeds soak up the liquid and gel up). I decided that is what I wanted to try first, since it sounds like something my daughter would like as well. I decided to try her strawberry version since I had just bought some fresh strawberries (although the chocolate recipe sounds heavenly as well and we will be trying that next!) Here is how to make the strawberry recipe:

• 2 cups milk (we use almond milk)
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1 cup fresh strawberries (about 6 large strawberries)
• 1 tbsp honey

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to bowl and chill in fridge. It takes about 10 minutes to thicken up to the right consistency. I personally think it is better if you let it sit for a few hours, the outside of the seeds will soften up more so it feels smoother.

I know it does not look all that pretty but wow it is good! It tastes so creamy and strawberry-y There are so many combinations you could dream up! I am so glad I decided to try this, I love it and my daughter does too.

The only downside is cleaning the blender, some of the seeds will get stuck. I just used the hose attachment on the sink to blast most of them out. Then I filled my blender halfway with water, added a drop of dish soap and used the cleaning cycle to get the rest out. I hope this will not keep you from trying this recipe, it is so worth the few extra minutes of clean up. It is so good for you and the chia seeds will also help keep you full!

Enjoy!

<3 Ashley

Homemade Electrolyte Drink (Homemade Pedialyte)

The flu is going around like crazy! We have been dealing with it in our house for several weeks now. My daughter and I are past the worst part now, thank God! There was one day we were both very weak with very high fevers. I was so happy I had made some of this homemade Pedialyte the day before. This is a great way to save yourself some money and a trip to the store. You can also flavor this any way you want! I know there are quite a few recipes out there but this is how we do it:

Homemade Pedialyte:

• 8 cups water (I prefer to use distilled water, I always have some on hand)
• 1/4 cup honey (you can also use sugar but we try to stay away from extra sugar and the honey has added benefits)
• 1 teaspoon SEA salt (contains important minerals that table salt does not, you could also use Himalayan salt which would be even better)
• Juice of an orange, lemon or lime (optional but has even more benefits, like Vitamin C)
• Crystal Light or Kool-aid powder for flavor (also optional, we love the lemon Crystal Light with Stevia)

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, stir until salt and honey have dissolved. Store in refrigerator.

We also love to make this into popsicles, great for when you or your child is burning up from a fever. When my daughter is sick I make sure she takes a sip of this every 10 minutes or so. Best served chilled.

Warning: Honey is not considered safe for children less than a year old.

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Also a quick update on my cousin Joe… (I mentioned in the First Birthday post about how he had a massive heart attack) Miraculously he has no serious brain damage, his heart is working on its own and it looks like he will be okay! He still has to get through heart surgery on Thursday so he is a long way from full recovery, but I am just so happy and thankful he is still with us. If anyone could send some positive thoughts or prayers his way I would really appreciate it

Homemade Garlic Knots

These garlic knots are to die for and incredibly easy to make. The first time I ever had a garlic knot was at an Italian restaurant in Florida, and I was hooked! I wanted to go to that place all the time just for the garlic knots, lol! When we moved to Massachusetts I started having garlic knot withdrawals! There is not a single place near us that serves them, and even if they did I highly doubt they would be as good. So I was determined to make my own, and dare I say these might even be better than the ones we loved so much in Florida. You might want to make a double batch because everyone will be begging for more, at least that is what happens around here You can also freeze leftovers (if you have any) and then reheat in the oven.

I started by looking for an easy pizza dough recipe, and found an awesome one on The Fauxmartha. I just made a couple of changes and had my perfect dough.

GARLIC KNOTS: (Makes 8)

• 1 cup WARM water (about 110 degrees, you don’t want to kill the yeast)
• 1 tablespoon oil (olive, grape seed, whatever you have on hand)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 and 1/4 tsp instant yeast, or one package
• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together warm water, oil, honey and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes, you should see bubbles/foam forming from the yeast.
3. Add flour, parmesan cheese, and sea salt.
4. Stir together until it gets tough to stir, then knead in the bowl with your hands until you have a smooth dough ball (should only take a minute or two).
5. Oil a flat surface, I use a flexible cutting mat sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
6. Transfer dough to oiled surface, turn to coat.
7. Divide into 8 equal sections.
8. Roll into long “snakes” and then tie into a knot. (don’t worry if they don’t look perfect)
9. Place knots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
10. Bake 20-25 minutes, until tops are golden brown.

While the knots are baking prepare your garlic sauce:

• 1/2 stick of butter (4 tablespoons)
• 3 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (If you use salted butter you can leave this out but I personally like them a little salty)

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, cook on low to medium-low for about 10 minutes. Watch carefully, you do not want your garlic to brown or else it will become bitter.
2. Spoon over baked knots, making sure to coat each one with some of the garlic.

We love to sprinkle ours with grated parmesan cheese too, yum!

Happy Holidays! Enjoy!

<3 Ashley

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Goodbye commercial glass cleaner! Who wants to pay more when you can make it yourself? Besides being cheaper it is much better to know exactly what you are using in your home. The kind sold in stores contains 2-Butoxyethanol, which can cause adrenal tumors in animals (not good if you own pets!). Moderate exposure in humans can cause irritation of the mucus membranes and heavy exposure can cause more serious side effects like hypotension, metabolic acidosis, hemolysis, pulmonary edema and even coma. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be breathing that in or touching it, and certainly do not want it around my child. Luckily there is a solution and it is super easy!

Homemade Glass Cleaner:

• Empty Gallon Container (I used a spring water jug)
• 1/2 cup Ammonia (I used lemon because that is all I have)
• 16 oz. Rubbing Alcohol (I used 1 and 1/2 cups of the regular kind and 1/2 cup of the mint kind because I ran out of the regular)
• 1 tsp Dawn Dish Soap (I used the blue Dawn)

First fill your container halfway with water, add the remaining ingredients in the order listed, then fill the rest of the way with water. Give it a gentle shake and you have a gallon of glass cleaner! Pour some into a spray bottle and be amazed at how awesome it is!

I cannot take credit for this recipe, when doing a search for “How to make homemade glass cleaner” This was one of the top results. If this is not quite what you are searching for then check out Crunchy Betty’s Battle of the Homemade Glass Cleaners. I prefer this one because it cleans easier but the others are good if you don’t want to use some of these ingredients.

Here is a little secret to get streak free, fuzz free windows and mirrors…. clean them with NEWSPAPER! It works like a charm I have been doing it for years!

Now get to work, those windows and mirrors aren’t going to clean themselves! Cleaning is a lot more fun when you make your own cleaners!

<3 Ashley

P.S.- You can use this on other hard non-porous surfaces as well. It is great for the outside of the toilet and bathroom counter tops!

Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

The best part about carving a pumpkin? Getting to roast the seeds! At least for me I have memories of doing this with my mom and papaw as a kid, and this is how they did it. These have the perfect amount of saltines and crunchiness, and you can eat the whole thing… shell and all. Our family has literally been fighting over the bowl of these since we finished dinner lol. My daughter doesn’t even like the pumpkin seeds you can buy at the store so that says something! These are way better than the ones you can buy and are SO easy.

Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

• Pumpkin seeds, separated from pumpkin flesh and rinsed
• Salt
• Water
• Cooking spray/oil

1. Put your seeds into a bowl, sprinkle with a generous amount of salt. You don’t really have to measure but I would guess I use about 1/2 to 1 tablespoon per cup of seeds. I like to use sea salt but whatever kind you have will work great.
2. Add just enough water to cover the seeds. Let soak 1-2 hours.
3. Preheat your oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with foil, spray foil with cooking spray or rub with olive oil.
4. Drain your seeds but do not rinse them, spread out evenly on prepared baking sheet.
5. Sprinkle with a little extra salt. I used kosher salt for this step.
6. Place into preheated oven, stir seeds around every 5 minutes for even browning. The seeds are done when they are golden brown. It took about 15 minutes for our oven but could vary, just keep an eye on them.
7. Remove from oven and enjoy!

If you want you could add herbs/spices when you sprinkle the salt onto these, but they are so good this way we have never tried adding anything else. I hope you enjoy this simple but yummy recipe from our family!

<3 Ashley

 

 

 

P.S. I found this photo being passed around on Facebook, many great reasons to eat pumpkin seeds! It mentions that they are high in magnesium, most Americans are deficient in magnesium and it is needed for over 200 functions in the body.

Homemade Soap Scum Remover (that really works!)

This is another wonderful, EASY homemade cleaner recipe that will save you money. You might even have the ingredients on hand already…. dawn and vinegar! I know this recipe is going around on Pinterest, that is how I found it, but I still feel the need to share and give you my two cents

My husband loves to use bar soap in the shower, which leaves me with a problem… soap scum! I have literally begged him to switch to something else and even took his favorite soap and made it into a body wash (hoping it would rinse easier) but I just couldn’t get him to part with his bar. Before I “woke up” to the dangers of many cleaners I tried just about everything they sell for soap scum and I still had to scrub like crazy. This was also a problem for me because sometimes my back acts up and that definitely doesn’t help.

So I decided to give this a try after seeing it spread on Pinterest like wildfire. My only regret is not trying it sooner! It works amazingly well, I have literally never had an easier time getting the tub clean. I sprayed it on the dry tub, let it sit for about an hour, wet down my scrub brush and started scrubbing. I figured I was going to have to scrub the entire tub pretty hard but I was surprised to see how easily it was coming clean. There were still a few spots that I had to use more elbow grease, like the area where the bar of soap actually sits for example… but still I was very impressed. The walls were sparkling when I was done rinsing…I almost did a happy dance

You can also use this for cleaning sinks and even your toilet… yes your toilet! You may want to test it in your toilet using only a small amount first but I have had no problems. At first I thought it might be TOO sudsy but it worked great. I bet this would be fantastic for cleaning outdoor toys and furniture although I have no tried it myself yet. I also plan on using it to clean my bird’s cage. For a little extra scrubbing action if you have a really heavy duty mess you could add some baking soda.

Just a little warning, as with any cleaning product you will want good ventilation… crack the window or turn on the vent fan. The smell is a little strong but at least it is not toxic!

You can find the recipe here: Tub and Shower Magic or continue reading below:

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces white vinegar
• 12 ounces liquid blue Dawn detergent

Directions:

1. Heat vinegar in microwave until hot and pour into squirt bottle.

2. Add the Dawn soap. Put the lid on and gently shake to incorporate.

3. You now have a powerful cleaning product that will melt soap scum and tub and shower buildup, clean sinks, appliances and just about anything. Just spray it on, scrub, rinse and be amazed. For tough soap scum build-up, spray the mixture on and allow it to sit as long as overnight. Then, scrub and rinse.

I hope you love this stuff as much as I do!

<3 Ashley

Flax-seed Benefits & How to Get More In Your Diet

Don’t let this tiny seed fool you, it is packed with many benefits. Flax seeds contain fiber, lignans, micronutrients, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. It has been shown to help lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, prevent hardening of the arteries and may even be helpful to people with certain types of cancer. You can find a lot more information on health benefits and other uses here and here.

The best way to consume this amazing little seed is to grind it up, whole flax seeds will just pass through your system and you won’t get the benefits. You can buy ground/milled flax-seed or you can grind it up yourself in a coffee grinder. It is best to store your ground flax-seed in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them from going bad. It is recommended to take 1-2 tablespoons daily.

If you have never used ground flax before, or you are not sure how to get more into your daily diet have no fear! I have some great ideas for you, and you won’t even taste the flax in most of these.

• Stir into unsweetened applesauce (I like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon for the benefits of that as well)
• Stir into yogurt
• Add to your morning oatmeal or overnight oatmeal
• Sprinkle on top of cereal
• Bake into bread, such as this wonderful oatmeal molasses bread
• Bake into muffins
• Add to homemade tortillas (which you can also turn into baked chips)
• Add to meatloaf or meatballs
• Make some homemade popcorn, stir in some unrefined coconut oil and sprinkle on top along with some sea salt
• Sprinkle on top of ice cream or frozen yogurt

I asked my Facebook friends to share some of the ways they use flax seeds and these were the responses I received:

Chandra- “I put flax-seed in my green smoothies in the morning. Spinach, kale, cucumber, flax seed, a banana, frozen blueberries, a couple frozen strawberries and a little fresh OJ. All 3 of the kids love it. (and so does my hubby!)”

Jessica- “I have made peanut butter/granola ball snacks with honey and flax-seed in it. Delicious! I did throw a little bit of chocolate chips in for some yummy goodness “

Pari’- “We eat ground flax every single day in our lunch smoothies. Even if you don’t have this routine, ground flax is much easier than the seeds to consume wether it be cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, or baked into practically any goods. You can also get cold milled flax-seed oil & pour it on any dish once it’s done cooking. Such as salads, casseroles, stir fries etc. A little bit goes a long way!” (Note: The oil does not contain the fiber benefit)

Haley- “They make flax-seed chips and they are yummy!! They taste kinda like fritos!”  (She recommends these corn chips with flax seed)

I hope this has inspired you to get more flax into your diet. If you have any other ideas please let us know in the comments

<3 Ashley