Bunny Trail Mix - Kid's Snack

I'm in charge of snacks for my daughter's next softball game.  The last mom in charge brought in refreshing mini fruit skewers.  It was a strawberry and a piece of pineapple and the girls just loved them as I'm sure all the parent's did too.  Which got me thinking what can I bring that will be healthier than cookies or cupcakes and with a dash of fun added in?  I wanted the girls to like them too, so I thought about the snacks my daughter loved most and I decided on the trail mix, a mixture of most of her favorites!   Putting in some of her favorite things like pretzels, cranberries, chocolate chips, etc.  Bunny will not eat from the trail mixes my hubby and I do, she tends to be on the picky side as kids often are.   So it was important to mix up her very own and you can do the same for your kids.  Bunny and I had a fun time creating this special batch of trail mix for her and her teammates.

Bunny Trail Mix

Makes 12 - 1 cup baggies

5 cups Mini Pretzels

1 1/2 cup Mini Marshmallow

1/2 cup White Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 cup Cranberries

3/4 cup Dark Chocolate covered plum bites

2 1/2 cups Annie's Cheddar Bunnies 

Mix well in large bowl.  Add 1 cup of mixture to each baggie.

The trick is to add more of the stuff you want your kids to eat like the pretzels, the cheddar bunnies and the cranberries.  The rest of the ingredients ends up being just a little bit in each bag.

Rufus with the finished trail mix treats :)

Other ideas for your trail mix:

• Nuts
• Raisins
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit Snacks
• Whole Grain Goldfish Cracker

Leave out the nuts if making for a group of kids, in case there are nut allergies.

Please keep me posted on what trail mixes you come up with for your children! 

Sunscreen! Sunscreen! We all scream without Sunscreen!

It's that time of year again, and as the weather gets warmer we need to make sure we have  good sunscreen for ourselves and especially for our kids.  I don't know about you but this used to be such a chore for me.  I dreaded shopping for sunscreen.  It's so confusing and there are so many choices.  This was the case until I knew what I was looking for and what I wanted to avoid.  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just put out their 2012 report on sunscreen.  It is full of information regarding higher SPF vs lower SPF, the importance of vitamin D and watching out for toxic chemicals that do more harm than good to your skin.

Here are some things to consider when sunscreen shopping:

• A little sun is good for you.  So good for you.  Wait at least 10-20 minutes before applying sunscreen.  It is one of the ways to get a good dose of Vitamin D.
• Higher SPF does not necessarily provide you better coverage.  We tend to be a little more careless when we apply a higher SPF.  We don't reapply as often as when we wear a lower SPF and tend to stay out in the sun longer.  Plus the higher the SPF the more increased exposure you have to hazardous ingredients on your skin.
• Beware of spray sunscreen, there is the potential for inhalation of spray ingredients that can be toxic and harmful.  There are some good ones if you prefer the spray kind.
• You don't want Vitamin A also known as retinal palmitate in your sunscreen.  I know that sounds crazy but retinal palmitate is thought to spread the development of skin tumors when in the presence of sunlight.(more info) 

Here is a review on some I have at home and if you click on the name it will take you to EWG's rating of this product and break down of the ingredients in the product:

 

Alba Botanica

This sunblock is light in consistency and blends right in.  There is no fragrance in this product and it doesn't smell funny.

 

Badger All Natural Sunscreen SPF 15

A little thicker in consistency but it blends right in and has a nice light scent.

 Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunblock for Kids

Even though this was light in consistency it was not as easy to blend in.  It is fragrance-free but it had a slight unpleasant odor.  Not a favorite but we used it.  

There are some good Coppertone ones on the list and you can find good sunscreen at your local health food store and Target or online.  So please check your sunscreen against EWG's website and see if it is safe to use.  If you need to go buy some here is their list of the best and safest sunscreens out on the market.  And always check with your doctor especially if you have sensitive skin.

Mother's Day and Tea.

 I had an amazing Mother's Day.  I love to visit tea houses with my daughter and like to especially on Mother's day.  Hubby will join us on occasion. This time we chose Harney & Sons in Millerton NY, and boy was I glad we did.  We absolutely loved Millerton and the neighboring town of Salisbury, CT, where we stumbled upon yet another tea house called Chaiwalla Tea Room. After having Lunch at Harney and Sons we walked around and checked out the shops.  If you love small towns with alot of charm then you've got to come for a visit. Harney & Sons was great with a tasting room,  where we were able to taste several different teas and watched as they brewed it to perfection.  Later we looked around their shop and had some tea and lunch.   Bunny chose her favorite tea Vanilla Comoro, and Hubby and I chose a White Vanilla Grapefruit  blend.  After our walk and before heading home we went to Chaiwalla Tea Room and had dessert and tea of course! Yum!

Brigitte - French Baguette with Prosciutto

French Toast for Bunny

a gift from Harney & Sons :)

 & Chaiwalla Tea Room, Salisbury, CT

English Scone with Lemon Curd - The scone was huge!

 A special thank you to my Hubby & Bunny for making this an extra special Mother's Day! Love ya!   Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! xo

Make your own Laundry Detergent

What? Why? What?  Yes, I said make your own detergent.  I know it sounds terribly time consuming and is it really necessary?  It really is quite simple and well here are some reasons why you may want to:

• It will saves you money
• It is safe and free of toxic chemicals that get on your clothes and therefore on your skin and into your body
• It will saves tons of plastic that ends up in our landfills
• It will not release toxins into our environment like most commercial brands do

Big companies like Tide were in the news recently because their detergent carries a high amount of carcinogens, and Tide just so happens to be the number one laundry detergent sold in the United States!  Proctor & Gamble made no apologies for this and stated that they will not reformulate their product because they believe that it is a low amount of carcinogens and that same amount is in most things we use and drink. Here is their response. Well I certainly don't want any amount in my product and if you are using many products a day, a week, what's the percentage of carcinogens and toxic chemicals going into your body and into the environment?  Something to certainly think about.  What kinds of toxins are in the leading laundry detergents out on the market?  Things like Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates, Petroleum distillates, Phosphates, etc.  What do these mean?  You can click here for a break down.  Not good stuff that's for sure.

So here is the best recipe I found out there:

It's by Elizabeth's Kind Cafe and what I love about this one is that it's for liquid laundry detergent which is what most of us use.

2 1/4 Cup Liquid Castile Soap (I use Dr. Bonner’s)

1/4  Cup Distilled White Vinegar (I use Organic – try Whole Foods or your local health food store)

1 Tablespoon Glycerin

3/4 Cup Water

10-15 Drops Essential oil (here you can experiment with a favorite scents like lavender or lemongrass, etc)

Combine all the ingredients,  put them in an empty laundry container

Shake before using. Use 1/4 cup for small loads, 1/2 cup for larger loads.  

That's it.  You will be surprised how a little goes a long way and you can change the scent every month if you'd like until your find your favorite blend.  You can find these ingredients at your local health food store, amazon and online.

 

Now there are alot of worthy laundry detergents out there that are really doing their part and doing it without all the chemicals and allergens that most leading brands carry.  Here are a couple of really good for you and good for the planet laundry detergents.  You can find these at your local supermarket or heath food stores and Target.

Seventh Generation

                                                   I got this at Target for 11.99  (does about 66 loads)

Method
Target has this for 7.99 and 14.99 (for 50 loads) 

Mrs. Meyer's

So this is one more simple step to take in getting healthier and cleaner! :)  Please let me know if you try your own laundry detergent and how you like it!  Thanks!

My Love affair with Wine

I was so in love with wine...I loved everything about it.  The taste, the way the wine glass felt in my hands, the way I immediately felt after having my first sip.  Giving it up has been a struggle that has taken quite a few years.  This is not to say I don't enjoy a glass every now and then.  I'm talking about the obsessive-excessive love affair I had with wine.   And until about a year ago or so I had still been struggling with looking back and feeling like I'm still missing parts of my old life.  My career part, living the fast high life of a Super City Girl.  The designer clothes, the constant traveling, mostly for pleasure, and the drinking.  Ah yes the drinking.  I think I missed that most of all.   My life was like a television show.  Always a drink in hand.  I wouldn't say I was an alcoholic.  I was working and getting up and I certainly didn't look like an alcoholic.  Or did I?  I guess that would've depended on who I asked.  I did crave a drink when I got out of work. I certainly drank alone at home,  while cooking,  getting ready to go out, who didn't?  Could I stop drinking after 1 or 2 drinks?  I guess but I surely didn't want to.  These are some of the questions I found to ask yourself to determine if indeed you had a drinking problem.  Having a drink usually also gave me super powers.  I wasn't so shy anymore.  A little more boldness under my belt. Now I don't want to paint the wrong picture.  I wasn't dragging on the floor all out drunk.  Or in the street begging for my next drink.  Or strung out binge drinking for days.  Because that is true alcoholism, isn't it?  I was functioning and feeling quite beautiful and glamorous too.  Hmmm.  There was always an exciting VIP party to go to.  Hanging at the same parties with celebrities.  How cool was I?   I kept forgetting how empty and miserable I felt the next morning.  Seriously the next morning as I went to work sometimes still a little hung over, or foggy and not clearly focused.  Pretending I was so happy and my life was so great but deep inside anticipating when I was going to have my next drink and enter that other life again.

 How did He notice me?  Why did His mercy extend to me?  This I will never know.  I've done for some years now what the Israelites did as Moses was leading them to the promised land.  Looking back to the time they were slaves in Egypt.  Thinking things were so much better then.  My Egypt was Manhattan and the life I had then.  Because in this Christian life there are still struggles and of course at the first sign of them you're thinking "My life was so much better back then".  But it wasn't.  God had mercy on me and I can now see how blind I was.  How blessed I now am.  I feel I am truly living now and not just going through the motions.  My priorities are in the right place now.  I know what's important and that means the world to me.  I still have struggles.  We all do.  But drinking never solved any of them.  I don't even like to get into how unhealthy this lifestyle was for me.  Did my excessive drinking play a factor in my getting cancer.  Drinking certainly does with other diseases too.  Excessive drinking has been linked to Alzheimer, Liver disease, Cancer and Cardiovascular disease, to name a few.   And how about the long term damage you're doing to your body now that's not going to show up for some years...sigh.  Now I know and have read about how healthy drinking red wine can be providing antioxidants and resveratrol.  I think they are talking about only a glass.  And even then the wine should be organic which doesn't contain harmful sulfates.  The grapes the wine is made from don't contain pesticides, and the soil free of chemicals.   Now organic grapes, raw peanuts, organic blueberries. dark chocolate also contain resveratrol, some of them double the amount.   Something to think about.  I am always so full of emotion every Sunday morning at church.  "Thank you Lord I am here this morning and not hung over wasting another Sunday recovering from last night's partying".    I think about this every Sunday morning.  Every Sunday morning.  And the truth is that His mercy extends to all of us.  If we would just listen.  We can call out to Him at anytime.  When you feel you've reached the limit.  Like I did one night.  And He will respond.  The peace and joy I can feel inside on an ordinary day compares to nothing else.  This may not be your story but it is my story.  So here it is for the world to hear.  And like any addictive personality I have replaced wine with good tea.  But that's another story!   He reached down from on high and took hold of me;  He drew me out of deep waters.  (Psalms 18:16)

Some helpful links for more info:
http://alcoholism.about.com
http://www.heart.org
http://scienceblog.cancerresearch

Skin Deep...What's in your skin care products?

And therefore on your face and in the layers of your skin. Yikes!  I know.  Not another thing to worry about.  But ignorance is not bliss my friends.  I did this myself a couple of years ago.   I checked my cosmetics and toiletries on EWG.COM to see how they scored.  EWG's Skin Deep is an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products, launched in 2004 to help people find safer products, with fewer ingredients that are hazardous or that haven't been thoroughly tested. Skin Deep combines product ingredient lists with information in more than 50 standard toxicity and regulatory databases. The database provides easy-to-navigate safety ratings for thousands of personal care products.   I came up with the sad realization that I had to get rid of some of my favorite things.  As a former professional make up artist and licensed esthetician, this was not easy to do.    But I know that what we place on our skin travels deep, and if I was going to make a conscious effort to go green, watch what I eat and change my lifestyle.  I had to do this too.  So go grab some of your and toiletries and head to your computer to check out how your favorite products score.  Here's an example of one of the products I currently have.  To show you how it works.   My shampoo scored a 4.  (0 being the safest and 10 being the most hazardous).  4 is considered Moderate Hazard. Hmmmm....not the worst but not the best I could do.

By Organix

Health concerns of ingredients
Overall Hazard
Cancer
Developmental & reproductive toxicity
Allergies & immunotoxicity
Use restrictions

It will go on to give you much more information and break down the ingredients for you and score each one.   Please don't get overwhelmed if your products do not fare too well.  Change the items you need to as you start run out.  Start by switching the highest scored ones.  I know this can be costly.  If you can't afford to go completely organic and non toxic on all your products.  You can change to something with a lower score.  Consider how many products you use everyday, any changes you make will be for the better.  I hope this was helpful for you as it was for me.  I have to go now.  Gotta go buy some new shampoo.  See you later!

Awesome youtube video that breaks it down for you: YouTube/storyofcosmetics

More Info: http://safecosmetics.org/
http://www.organicconsumers.org


You can find some great products and cosmetics at the following links too:
http://josiemarancosmetics.com/,
kissmyface.com,
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/,
http://www.physiciansformula.com

The Dirty Dozen & The Clean Fifteen - Produce

It can be pretty expensive buying everything organic.  We have had to make major adjustments to make room for the extra cost in our produce alone. 

Here's a quick breakdown of the difference between buying conventional produce vs organic produce.

 Buying organic means:

1. Your produce is not sprayed with harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers that are not good for your body and puts your health at risk.  
2. The soil is also richer and creates a more nutrient-dense product.  Producing a more nutritious and better tasting fruit and vegetable.  

Why spray them with pesticides?  Conventional produce is sprayed with pesticides and fertilizer because they usually have to travel very far to get to your supermarket.  They spray it so they last the long distance and protect them from pests.  Getting the organic seal is also a very expensive and strict process for a farm to have their crops certified organic.  That's why you may get better prices going straight to the farm to get your produce.  Local produce is usually grown with the same standards as organic produce but without the seal.  Always ask the farmer if there is use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers in their produce.  I know that if you don't have farms by you this narrows it down for you a bit.  Here is a very helpful list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides.

The Dirty Dozen- (always buy these organic)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines - Imported
7. Grapes - Imported
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries - Domestic
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/ Collard Greens

Now the following produce are the ones you can get non-organic if you had to.  They are the cleanest in regards to pesticide use.

The Clean Fifteen:

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe - Domestic
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage 
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

That is my quick version, DR. OZ wrote a great article that explains it all in greater detail.  A good and informative read.  I hope these lists will be helpful to you!  They are updated every year by The EWG and to find a farm by you here's a great website: Local Harvest.

Kid's need healthy juices too!

Here's the latest juice I've been making for my daughter.  I switch it up just a little every now and then.  I first started with just green apples and carrots for quite some time.  But lately I've been getting bolder.  Adding vegetables like kale, romaine and even broccoli.  Little by little and just a little at a time.  To get her a larger range of nutrients.  I love Today I ate a Rainbow (todayiatearainbow.com) and Bunny loves to count how many fruits and vegetables she's accomplished in a day.   And you better believe I do too.

Bunny's Bright-Eyed Juice
(this juice makes about 3- 4oz cups)

2 organic romaine leaves
1organic broccoli stalk
1 organic orange
1 organic green apple
3-4 organic carrots

 The Orange is doing all the work in masking the taste of the romaine and broccoli.  Although green apples are not as high in sugars as other ones it gives it a nice tart taste.  Almost as if I had used a lemon.  But I know the lemon would have been a bit much for her.Carrots are also sweet and help too.  She drinks this up.  As long as it doesn't taste bitter and it still has a sweet taste she is good to go.  Now don't get me wrong.  She's not jumping for joy when it's time to drink her "juice"  but she drinks it and doesn't complain.  And that's all I really need isn't it?  Healthy Bunny girl in the making.

A Sprinkle of Cinnamon...

Cinnamon is an amazing spice.  Since I've been reading about it's healthy qualities. I've been trying to use it everyday.  I like to sprinkle it in my tea and coffee to try and get some in on a daily basis.  It is a super rich antioxidant, balances blood sugar, its a great anti-inflammatory, it's calming and aids in digestion and can also help with blood circulation to name a few.  It is said that even the mere scent of cinnamon  can stimulate regions of the brain to increase attention span and  memory.  I also love all its mention in the bible.

  Dear lover and friend, you're a secret garden, a private and pure fountain. Body and soul, you are paradise, a whole orchard of succulent fruits— Ripe apricots and peaches, oranges and pears; Nut trees and cinnamon, and all scented woods; Mint and lavender, and all herbs aromatic; A garden fountain, sparkling and splashing, fed by spring waters from the Lebanon mountains. 
(Song of Solomon 4:13-15) 

I have perfumed my bed with Myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.  (Proverbs 7:17) 

There are two types of cinnamon.  Ceylon is lighter and sweeter and Cassia is spicier and more pungent, it is preferred in savory dishes and curries .  Ceylon is typically more expensive and said to be more beneficial.   While they both are beneficial, the Cassia contains higher levels of coumarins which can cause too low a blood thinning affect.  I've learned that sometimes it is hard to tell which cinnamon it is.  So do your research.  The average bottle of ground cinnamon won't say which it is.  So always use with moderation unless you know for sure your cinnamon is Ceylon.   If you use alot of cinnamon or want to make sure you are getting the Ceylon one.  And as always I think organic is best.

Some other ways to get more cinnamon in your day:

• coffee
• yogurt
• oatmeal
• baked apples or baked pineapples
• applesauce
• and baking (of course) 

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com, http://www.whfoods.com,
http://www.biblegateway.com/Songofsolomon

Earth Day 2012

How are you celebrating Earth Day?  If you haven't really been doing your part but keep thinking you should, this is the perfect day to start.  And even if you've been on this journey for some time now, there's always a little more you could start doing.  Take it to the next level.  Here are some easy steps to get you going.



1. Turn off the light.  Sometimes we leave so many lights on that we don't need.  During the day I barely have any lights on.  Make sure your curtains are pulled back and let the sunshine in!
2. Visit your local library.  One of my favorite places.  It's a great place to spend some time and pick up a new read.  Also donate books you no longer need.
3. Have you changed those light bulbs yet?  This was the first thing I did when I first started out.  Probably the easiest to do.  And you can find CFL's everywhere now.
4. Are we recycling yet?  I know sometimes it's easier to throw a box or can into the garbage can.  But really it's a small extra effort to separate it and dispose of it ready for recycling.
5. Take a walk.  If you can walk or ride your bike instead of taking the car.  Depends on where you are going I know.  But we have some places we can walk to instead of taking the car.  It will also be good for you.  A double bonus!
6. Talk to your kids about taking care of the earth and saving energy! Get them involved in recycling and shutting down light switches.  Soon enough they will be doing it on their own.
7. Visit the antique shops and yard sales this spring.  Lot's of wonderful finds that can be reused from furniture, books, decor, etc.  So many beautiful finds.

Any small step you take is an improvement.  We all have to start somewhere.


*Free Offer:  Kindle and Nook currently have the following books for free downloads:

• Practically Green By Micaela Preston

Not sure for how long it will be free.  Check it out!


Let me know what new thing you will start doing this earth day!

Breathe Clean at Home

Having plants in your home is a great way to bring nature inside.  Did you know that certain plants clean the air inside to reduce the indoor air pollution?   They will also increase the humidity and reduce airborne microbes.  Take a deep breath now!  If you're anything like me, plants don't really have a good chance of making it in your home let alone clean the air.  I do not have a green thumb.  At all!  But I have been reading about this for some years now and it's about time I get to it.  One simple solutions to help these plants survive is to see what the lighting situation is in your house and start there.    Make sure to follow care for each individual plant and plan accordingly.  If you have pets and small children also check if the plants can be poisonous.   How many plants do you need?  According to NASA (yes NASA), who did testing on popular plants to test their ability to create oxygen and clean toxins from the air in our homes.  Toxins from carpets, paints, furniture, insulation, synthetic fibers, and much more.  They recommend having 15-18 houseplants for 1,800 square foot home.  So do some calculating and see how many you need.  Don't get overwhelmed, one step at a time and build up as you go along. 

 Here are just some of the hard working plants:

1. Peace Lily (spathiphyllum) easy, no direct sunlight
2. Spider Plant (chlorophytum comosum) easy care
3. Devil's Ivy (epipremnum aureum) easy care, medium indirect light
4. Areca Palm (chrysalidocarpus lutescens) easy-med, moderate sunlight
5. English Ivy (hedera helix) medium, partial shade to bright light, not direct light
6. Philodendrons, medium, partial shade
7. Gerbera Daisy (gerbera jamesonii) medium, bright light
8. Chrysanthemum med-hard, bright indirect sun
9. Boston Fern ( nephrolepis) med-hard, bright indirect light
10. Dragon Tree (dracaena marginata) med-hard, bright light, not direct sunlight

for more info on air cleaning plants:

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/best-air-filtering-house-plants-according-to-nasa.html

                         

Detoxifying strawberry lemonade drink recipe | Chatelaine.com

Detoxifying strawberry lemonade drink recipe
Chatelaine.com

Picture and recipe by: ohsheglows.com