What’s that smell?!?!

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Well let me tell you!! That is the aroma of á la garbage! I’m totally kidding!!  It’s not garbage like you might be thinking.

You would never know that I have a pile of rotting food on my counter- top right now! Feeling inspired after watching Cowspiracy on Netflix, I purchased two different pieces on Amazon to help me embark on saving the earth one piece of rotten banana at a time! I’m composting!

Wait a minute, rewind…Cowspiracy? It actually was a very interesting movie on how livestock are causing so many of our environmental issues today. It was a little disturbing, and honestly, I’ve contemplated becoming a vegan after seeing it.( Read more about it here.) If not a total vegan, could I be a vegan until 4:00 each day? Or, could I eliminate meat out of my nightly meals, maybe a few days of the week? Could you? Would you? If you have time you should check out the movie and then I’d be interested in your answer! Big things to ponder.

The bottom line is that I do want to help save the planet!! So I will start with baby steps and at least I can compost, right? Every little bit helps. Maybe you too will consider changing your diet or at least composting too!! Read some interesting facts about trash here!

Compost Compost

Let me explain how it works. The Compost Pail  (pictured on the left) sits on the counter and as you are preparing a meal, you can drop the items into it easily. It is completely sealed with charcoal filters on the top to prevent the smell from permeating your kitchen. Trust me, you don’t want to leave it open! After the pail becomes full, I can transport the items to the larger EcoBin Composter (pictured on the right,) which is outside in my yard. How easy is that? It really requires very little effort. As I tell my first graders, “You just need to train your brain!!”

Items that you should compost are: kitchen scraps, fruits, vegetables, used coffee grounds, tea bags, and egg shells. You should not put in fish, dairy products, animal fats, or oils. These items are harmful to plants and they may cause odor, which of course, would attract rodents and flies. You do not want to add diseased or insect ridden plants as they might infect your new plants when you transfer the compost to your garden. I also read that you do not want to add black walnut leaves or twigs since they will omit harmful compounds to plants.

In the outside bin, in addition to your kitchen scraps,  you would add grass clippings, green leaves, flowers, vegetables from the garden, dry, brown leaves (other than black walnut), dried grass, straw, hay, sawdust, coffee filters, paper napkins, or shredded newspapers. For the best results, you want to alternate layers of greens and browns. You would not add coal or ashes, pet waste or coated paper products either. You will want to bury and mix in food scraps so the local critters don’t chow down. You want to remember to break the items down for quicker decay.

Of course winter is not the ideal time to start this process but, what the heck! At least I got started!!! The compost needs heat to break down. You will need to aerate the pile by turning it at least once a month. The more you turn it, the quicker the items will break down. A well maintained compost will have temperatures of 140-160 F. If you decide to take a break from composting the outside bin folds up for easy convenience.

I’m excited about using the compost soil in my flower pots once spring time comes!! I can’t wait to plant some Impatiens and geraniums on my porch! I know they are going to be vibrant with color and add that nice pop!

Now on to something else totally trendy: A smoothie bowl. You may ask, “What is a smoothie bowl?” Well it is actually a nice twist on a basic smoothie. You add the ingredients you would typically add in your smoothie, but instead of sipping it out of straw, or a cup, you would pour it in a bowl. I know, that sounds really weird and crazy, but I have to tell you, they are awesome! You are able to add toppings and eat it with a spoon. It is like ice cream or frozen yogurt, but way simpler. No waiting time to freeze! On top, I added my homemade Earthy Girl Granola and some fresh strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and coconut pieces. I was excited to throw all the toppings from the strawberries and banana peel into my new counter-top compost pail!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl Recipe

1/4 cup yogurt (vanilla or your favorite) *Vegan omit yogurt
1 cup berries of choice (I like strawberries) can be frozen
1 banana (best if frozen)
Chia seed 1 tsp
Flax seed  1 tsp
Maca root 1 tsp (  find out about it here)
1 scoop Trim Shake protein powder vanilla (contact me if you want more info on this product)
Coconut water ( just enough to get it in a liquid state)

I used a frozen banana and fresh strawberries. It gives the smoothie a good consistency. You could use ice cubes too.

Mix in a blender, pour into a bowl. Add toppings. I put blueberries, Earthy Girl Granola, and toasted coconut chips on mine in the photo.

The best thing about smoothies is how easy it is to change them up. You can tweak the amount of any of the ingredients to suit your taste.  Be creative with your fruit choices!! Find a combo that you like!! Just try it!

Check out how pretty these things are and not to mention absolutely delicious too!

 

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Let’s Get Uncomfortable

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What do I mean “Let’s get uncomfortable?” Why would anyone want to be uncomfortable? And on purpose? Am I loosing it? I have been so blessed in my life; beyond words to express. I am so dog-gone lucky, so why in the world would I be saying “Let’s get uncomfortable?!” I just want you to ponder this…… If you are warm and comfortable, in your own little cocoon, there is no growth happening. Growth is hard. It is cold. It is scary! But you know what?, “life begins at the end of your comfort zone!”

Because it is a new year, I’ve decided that I am using the mantra “New Year, New You” to motivate me to make those changes. I was going to have to get uncomfortable to take new steps in the right direction. I wrote down a few things that I knew needed some work  My house for one, is on the top of my list. As my children have grown up, and moved out, their empty rooms have been left behind and needed a little TLC. Yes it is bittersweet to clean out all the yearbooks and memories of their childhood, but I have to get uncomfortable. Right? Maybe a few tears too!

I decided I want to use one room as a work-out/ “Aromatouch Technique” room. I have been certified in this technique which is an amazing process of applying oils to the back and feet. It creates an overall felling of wellness. It is very powerful, yet simple. I invested in a massage table and I needed the space to set it up. So the number one goal was to clean out the ol’ bedroom. I worked on it a little each day, and it created the biggest disaster! There were things everywhere and I couldn’t hardly walk through the hallway. Was I uncomfortable? Yes! I couldn’t stand it!

We started by heading to Home Depot and we picked out some wall colors that would be fun and up-lifting. My artsy daughter chose moroccan sky, which is an orange shade;  a purple shade called heather sachet, and a light gray. I was thinking…”What the heck?…this is going to be awful, but I went with it. We got home and cleaned everything out of the room. Talk about time consuming and slow. That’s when things started piling up everywhere. OH!!, one thing I forgot to tell you, “I think I’m part hoarder.” NoIMG_0856IMG_0859 really!! I hate to get rid of things because one day I could possibly need it. So this task was difficult to say the least. I’m still having separation anxiety as it all sits in the garage to go to Goodwill. We painted the walls and it looks amazingly fresh and fabulous! I touched up the baseboards and doors with white gloss so the colors on the walls would pop! We got some new wall decorations from Target (50% off, gotta love it) and Etsy. We included a Himalayan salt lamp which I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond. It has many healing properties to help with allergies. (Read 10 Reasons to Have a Himalayan Salt Lamp). You know me,  trying to go for the natural approach.

 

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So now, I challenge you to start taking steps toward your goals. Do you have anything you want to get started on in this new year? You can make it happen. One small step at a time. Pick one thing! It’s so motivating to see the results. Like “I did this!!” Yes!!

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We got a lot done this weekend and decided to celebrate by making some granola. This is something that is super easy to do (minus breaking open the coconut). It is so much better for you than store bought brands. You know exactly what you’re adding. I love to eat my granola on yogurt, ice cream, or as a cereal with almond milk. It’s great on smoothie bowls if you’ve hopped on that train!! Here is my new granola recipe if you are looking for new, deliciously healthy options for this year.

Earthy Girl Granola

4 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup chopped cashews
3/4 cups sunflower seeds
3/4 cups Pepita seeds (pumpkin seeds)
3/4 cup shredded coconut (if doing from scratch here’s how and don’t forget to freeze it first, because it will save your life, or your hardwood floors 🙁 at least!)
1/4 cup Sucanat (dark brown sugar replacement. Found( here)
1/4 cup maple syrup or to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
salt to taste (if the nuts you are adding are salted, you will want to decrease the amount used)

Preheat oven to 250. Mix the ingredients in a bowl, stir thoroughly, place on jelly roll pan or baking dish with sides. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes or 1 hour and 30 minutes if you like it crunchier. Stir every 15 minutes for an even, golden color.  Let cool, eat and enjoy!!  Store in Ziploc or Tupperware.

Sneek Peek: Next week I will be diving into all things composting and delicious smoothie bowls. I will be posting my blogs on Sunday nights around 7:00. I hope you all will join me each week as I embark on this new journey!

Naturally,
Lisa

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New Year, New You!

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Hello friends,

I have been pondering this in my mind for a while now and being that the new year just kicked off, I thought…. “JUST DO IT.” I have never considered myself a writer but have always tossed around the idea of writing a book, possibly for children or a novel of some sort. I mean, who would want to listen to what I had to say? I teach first grade and have a captive audience already and they love me! They have to listen to what I say. They are supposed to listen to what I have to say (…well I hope they listen to me).

About seven years ago, I got on this kick where I wanted to live a more healthy and natural lifestyle. This included eating cleaner and exercising more consistently. I of course, in the process, changed my family’s lifestyle and their eating habits too.

It all started out by going to a “getting started class” on how to grind your own wheat and make your own breads. I started making my own whole wheat bread, muffins, pancakes, etc. We haven’t bought a loaf of bread from the store since then. I even started making my own peanut butter! My husband actually lost about 40 pounds by simply making better choices and eating differently.

Last year, I was invited to an oil class (get your mind out of the gutter haha) and was excited to learn how essential oils could help with this transition to a healthier lifestyle. I was skeptical, but I thought why not? I was very intrigued by the oils and found the information on par with what I wanted for my life. I actually got started that night as a wellness advocate for dōTERRA, which I will post about later (or for a quick tid bit check out “About dōTERRA” on my menu bar).

My passions have changed as I have grown into the person I am today. I am very excited to share with you my journey on living a healthier lifestyle. This blog will be filled with DIY tips, recipes, information about essential oils, my travels, and updates on my life. I have a lot planned for the future! I hope to inspire you and show you how you too can make these types of simple changes in your lifestyle. Happy New Year!

Naturally, Lisa