simplify...

brushing my teeth

continuing to simplify our lives, the next product i wanted to tackle was toothpaste.  i read a few things online about toothpaste and taking good care of our precious teeth.  i did not find one particular recipe that i fell in love with or one that worked well with my new simplified outlook on everyday life.  soooo with all that here is what i did to make my very own toothpaste.  i havnt convinced the rest of my family on this one yet, but i know they will come around.  i am not going to bash companies that sell certain products with certain ingredients, but i urge you to check whats in your products the next time you use them.  

ingredients:
baking soda
coconut oil
hydrogen peroxide
water

i did not use any specific measurements.  this recipe is a add each ingredient until you get the right consistency kind of recipe!=)  i used a little mason jar and started with the baking soda (about a 1/3 of a cup).  

about a tablespoon of the peroxide

i melted little bits of the coconut oil at a time and slowly added it to the mixture.  when i found my desired consistency i let it cool and harden.  after it had hardened i added some water to liquify my toothpaste a bit for ease of getting it on my toothbrush=)

next weekend i am going to make some for my kids and husband, but will add some mint essential oil.  i dont think they will be big fans of the baking soda flavor!!!  it was a little hard to handle the first few days, but now i am used to it and even taste the coconut oil more and more!!  

happy brushing

read

the hundred- year lie

a friend of mine from work shared this book with me!!!!  its a must read.  

so much interesting life changing information.  

happy sunday

simplify...washing my face

after i started washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar i decided hey, i might as well wash my face with it and see what happens!!!!!!  the answer... I LOVE IT!!!!  its better than any expensive face wash i wasted so much money on at the department store!!!!!  i am sure it is not for everyone, but why not try and just think of all the money you will save if this works for you.  i was a little worried because our alaskan winters can be incredibly dry and cold, so after reading all sorts of wonderful things about coconut oil i started using that as my moisturizer.   (more on coconut oil later) =)  my face has been clearer and more balanced so my "normal" daily powder has not been needed for the last few months!! i am thrilled!!!

my vegan life...roasted veg soup

i don't like to waste anything so every now and then i dig out all the veggies out of the fridge and make a good hearty soup!!  theres nothing better on a cold winter day!

here it is...roasted veg soup=)

saute all veggies in oil (i used grape seed)

with garlic and your favorite spices

after cooked throw in blender, vitamix, or food processor.

after blended well place in soup pot.  i added a can of pumpkin and a little water to the mixture.

cook for a little bit on the stove and then enjoy=)

i ate mine with a side of roasted cauliflower!!

2013

2013 begins today!  a fresh new year to choose happy.  do the things that make YOU happiest, love yourself, love others, talk positive, and find the goodness that this earth has to offer.  

my 10 goals for a happy healthy me in 2013:

1.  find more time for myself without guilt.

2.  find new ways to make my vegan lifestyle exciting with new recipes.

3.  continue simplifying my life 

4.  strengthen my yoga practice

5.  share more about our goals for kenzi lu=)

6.  create more

7.  thrift more

8.  help more

9.  love more

10.  surround myself with those who love me for who i am and don't worry about the others!!!

hope your 2013 is full of all things that make you happy

LOVE

oooh la la...

alternative earth clothing!!!!

sharing with you a new little company that i found through the yoga studio where i practice;)  i love these clothes and can't wait to get more of them=) they are doing good things--check them out online.  here are the items in my shopping cart...

happy weekend!!

simplify...washing my hair

my husband and i were talking one day about ways we could save money in our everyday lives.  i had been wanting to try some homemade products for a while and i thought this would be the perfect opportunity.  slowly i researched, then implemented different products into our everyday lives and i am thrilled with the results.  its is amazing to think about the amount of money we spent on products  we didn't need and learn about the harmful chemicals they were bringing into our home.  i would like to share with you what i have found in a little series called...SIMPLIFY.  Each week i will bring you something new that has inspired and worked well for me and my family.

it all started over 5 months ago when i finally took the plunge and used all my shampoo and conditioner and haven't purchased another expensive bottle from my salon.  about a year ago a friend of mine told me about how she only washes her hair once a week.  i was shocked because her hair always looks nice and never greasy.  i was intrigued and kept asking questions.  what shampoo and conditioner do you use???   her answer shocked me...baking soda and vinegar!!!!!  crazy!!!!!  i asked her all the details and was super excited to try it!!

i purchased a 13 pound bag of baking soda ($8) and the largest container of vinegar (just over $2)  i could find at our local costco-like store.  i know it is cheaper at costco but our closest costco store is 3 hours away.

what i do:

mix baking soda and water in a tupperware to desired consistency (i like mine to be a thick paste).  place lid on tupperware and place in shower.  make sure that you use a wide tupperware, i made the mistake of putting my first batch in a jar that i couldn't reach my hand into!!  ooooops!!!!  wash hair with soda paste (it will be a little weird at first but i promise you will get used to it=)  rinse your hair completely with water before using vinegar.  baking soda and vinegar when mixed create a little volcano like eruption =)  i keep a cup in the shower next to the vinegar and pour about 1/8th of a cup in the bottom of the cup.  i then fill the cup with water and rinse my hair and then rinse again with plain water.

its amazing how soft your hair will be and no you won't smell like vinegar all day.  i never smell it and have never had anyone tell me they smell it=)  i am unable to only wash once a week but twice a week works just fine for me.  another bonus is my shower never gets dirty because there is absolutely no soap buildup!!!  woo hoo!!!!!

give it a try and let me know what you think=)
happy hair washing!!