{Note from Jessica: Today's post is shared by my sweet friend Renee, author of Raising Generation Nourished. We became friends several years ago and I am continually impressed with her desire to help change the world, starting with our newest generation. Real food has to be core of our health and should start in the womb. Considering this is the first time in history that our children are expected to die before us, something HAS to change. I'm honored to call her a friend. I hope you'll stop by her site, Raising Generation Nourished, and say hello!}
My friends I'm going to make a confession…
I'm not a fan of the taste of coconut.
{Cue the Real Food Police}
I know it.
It is such an amazing food – so full of benefits and it's “milk” form is so much easier to digest than regular dairy. I just didn't grow up with it on my palate at all, and it has taken me some getting used to to, even to get it into my baking!
I have been hesitant to try coconut whipped cream wondering how “coconut-y” it would taste and last weekend I decided it was time to try it out.
Oh. My. Goodness.
This coconut whipped cream is just heaven. Perfectly creamy…and it does not taste like coconut! When you get some real vanilla bean and almond extract with the warmth of just a splash of real maple syrup…that is where the magic happens!
My girls didn't even notice it was different than the whipped cream we usually make– one of them thought it was frosting! This really would be creamy enough to frost a cupcake for sure!
Coupons for Dairy-Free Coconut Whipped Cream Ingredients
I am always asked about my favorite ingredients and what I use in my own kitchen. I have linked to the products from my affiliate partners that I personally use and recommend. And now, here are the special coupon offers that select affiliate partners are currently offering:
Thrive Market: If you sign up through this link, you will get 15% OFF your first order.
Amazon, of course, has everything you need for this recipe. Their prices are often very good, though I love to shop around and sometimes find that Thrive Markethas better deals. If you like saving money, it's good to shop around!
I get all of my herbs and spices from Mountain Rose Herbs. I have tried so many other brands and have never found the quality, flavor, and aroma to be as good as the herbs I get from Mountain Rose.
Original article and pictures take www.deliciousobsessions.com site
Each week, for 14 weeks, you’ll be given a specific challenge to do that week. The challenges are fairly simple, but some of them may be harder to complete than others — especially if you don’t eat fairly healthfully right now. (See all of the challenges here.)
Along the way, you’ll learn so much, make baby steps to better health, and will (hopefully!) prove to yourself that you can make lasting changes.
Subscribe for free email updates from Money Saving Mom® and get my Guide to Freezer Cooking for free!
Original article and pictures take moneysavingmom.com site
I’ve never been a fan of medications. Over the counter or prescribed … it doesn’t matter. After being prescribed antibiotics for a good two years of my childhood – and developing severe allergic reactions to them – I’ve preferred treating myself and my family with home remedies when sickness strikes.
Since it’s prime time for seasonal sicknesses, here’s how I cure coughs naturally:
Every time my children start coughing, I pull out my bottle of eucalyptus essential oil. (Make sure it’s Eucalyptus Smithii. Other varieties of eucalyptus oil are quite harmful to children.) At bedtime, I mix a splash of olive oil with a half dozen dashes of Eucalyptus Smithii essential oil, then massage the liquid onto the soles of my cougher’s feet. If I have extra oil left, I’ll also massage it into my son’s or daughter’s chest. I cover their feet with socks and tuck them into bed. Typically their coughs improve by the morning, and after a second night of eucalyptus oil treatment, their coughs disappear. It’s easy, economical, and safe.
Pineapple juice
[Tweet “Did you know that fresh pineapple juice is 5x more effective than cough syrup?”] Fresh pineapple juice is so powerful at suppressing coughs thanks to bromelain, an enzyme that is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
Home remedies
In case you need to treat other ailments, check out these 30 home remedies:
Cure coughs, sore throats, and more with these 30 home remedies!
How do you cure coughs – or other sicknesses – naturally?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through our links, we earn a small commission, which helps keep this site going so we can continue to offer free and useful content, so thanks!
This post is sponsored by Tyndale Rewards. Do you love FREE books & Bibles? Tyndale Rewards is a quick and easy way to earn points that you can redeem for great titles from Tyndale House Publishers. Join today and earn towards some great Christmas gifts!
Original article and pictures take keeperofthehome.org site
Need some simple, healthy summer dinner ideas? I’m dishing on my favorites today, starting with this fast and easy Crock Pot Baked Potato Bar!
Speaking of summer…after five years of parenting, I now understand what summer really means.
We had a great first year experience in our University Model school (similar to Erin’s) but, as the spring semester wound down, we were all ready for a break.
On May 14th, it finally came, and we haven’t looked back since! The kids and I have taken full advantage of our freedom, loading up on more games, creative play, visits with friends, fun outings, and plenty of pool time!
As a result, though, the kitchen has been a little quieter – quick breakfasts, smoothie lunches, and simple dinners like this Crock Pot Baked Potato Bar have become our mainstay.
Crock Pot Baked Potato Bar: a Simple Summer Dinner
A baked potato bar is a simple, healthy, and satisfying dinner that can be ready within minutes of walking in the door. Here’s how.
First, did you know you can “bake” potatoes in the slow cooker? You totally can! They take virtually zero prep, cook in just a few hours, and turn out perfectly! (Sweet potatoes also work, by the way, and are fabulous with my Maple Cinnamon Butter!)
Second, the toppings can all be prepped in advance and pulled out just before serving. (If you pre-cook your bacon, reheat it in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes until the crisp returns)
Third, this recipe pairs well with a quick salad, kale slaw, or any other make-ahead vegetable recipe your family likes.
As a bonus, serving baked potatoes “bar style” allows each person to stuff their potato with just what they like. (My kids have always been good eaters but, the older and pickier they get, the more I appreciate this one!)
The potatoes can be served straight from the slow cooker, or you can place them on plates so they’re ready to stuff. By the way, do you know the “cross cut” trick for opening a baked potato so it holds its form just like those perfect stuffed baked potatoes you get at the restaurant?
More Fast and Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
Want even more great ideas for healthy dinners that are easy to throw together when you’re short on time? Here ya’ go!
If you have a homemaking plan, cleaning most likely is one of the main aspects. But is your method of cleaning safe? Are you creating a healthy home as you clean?
How many times, when cleaning your home, do you get:
A burning nose or throat?
A headache?
A little dizzy?
All of those reactions happen when you’re inhaling the poisons from cleaning products. I know all about these reactions, because I had them – before I knew that cleaners were toxic.
Good news
The good news is that you don’t have to use toxic cleaning products.
You can switch to a safe, chemical-free way of cleaning, like using Norwex.
It’s actually very easy to make the switch to healthy cleaning. Safe alternatives are easy to find, and can be just as effective as the toxic products.
Want to hear more about my family’s journey to healthy cleaning? I’ve shared 45 minutes of it at the online Homemaking From Scratch conference. Conference tickets still are available for $29.95 – you can receive instant access to the conference, and sessions are yours to keep for as long as the Internet exists.
Other healthy parts of your home
Once you’ve made the switch to safe cleaning products, there are plenty of other ways to make sure you’re creating a healthy home.
Examine your:
Diet. What foods and beverages are you bringing into your home after each trip to the grocery store? Will your purchases help your family’s health … or hurt it?
Basic necessities. Is the air that you’re breathing in safe or polluted? How about the water that you’re drinking? If you suspect there’s some level of pollution, get tests done and correct the problems.
Personal care products. Just like certain cleaning products can harm your health, personal care products can, too. Find out what you should avoid and choose safe alternatives.
Creating a healthy home may not be the easiest or most convenient job for a homemaker – but it certainly is one of the most important jobs. Not only can you be an excellent steward of the family and home God has entrusted you with, but you also can demonstrate your love to yourself and your family by making safe, healthy, and beneficial choices.
For you, what is the hardest part when it comes to creating a healthy home? What’s the easiest?
Disclosure: Purchasing a ticket to the Homemaking From Scratch conference through this post will result in a commission for Accidentally Green. Thank you!
Original article and pictures take accidentallygreen.com site
Seven summers ago, my life became healthier all because of a tiny baby. I was pregnant with my first child, and as I researched how to take care of a baby, I found that so many of my habits and choices had been unhealthy. They were unhealthy for me, as an adult, and definitely unhealthy for any infant, toddler or child.
I did what any good mom would do – I started making changes:
I began to green my cleaning.
I dumped all my favorite (toxic!) personal care products and switched to safer brands.
I researched if I could and how I might be able to have a drug-free childbirth. (I quickly learned the unpredictability of childbirth, the need to give myself grace, and to make the best of what happened with my first and second childbirths.)
I took breastfeeding classes.
I looked into every variety of cloth diaper.
It might have taken nine months, but I finally was prepared for my baby – with a radically different life. The good news was that my changes weren’t painful to make; they were sensible. And once I adjusted my thinking and got used to them, they were completely normal.
Unfortunately, babies are born into a world full of toxins. Parents can protect their young ones from a lot of harm, though. To help you make healthy choices – and to create your own little baby-safe world (even if it’s only in your own home) – check out my past Accidentally Green posts:
Diapers
Medical
Safe and Simple Teething Remedies
Does Your Infant Suffer from Acid Reflux?
How to Remedy Infant Reflux
Baby products
Home
Childbirth
Breastfeeding
Becoming Your Own Breastfeeding Advocate
Breastfeeding’s Benefits to Babies
Breastfeeding’s Benefits to Mothers
Does Formula Fail Babies?
Recalling Formula’s Dangers
First foods
Pregnancy
Original article and pictures take accidentallygreen.com site
