Tuesday, April 7, 2015

A Healthy Local Lunch Find!

In Brentwood (off of Old Hickory) I ran across this amazing little restaurant with freshly made meals and juices for people on the go!  They are dairy and gluten free!  (Perfect for anyone on Candida Clear too.)

I got the Zucchini Alfredo (no dairy ingredients and the noodles are made from fresh zucchini).  It was really tasty along with the juice I got!  I would highly recommend checking the Daily Juice out!  :) 



Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Here is a simple recipe for the homemade laundry detergent I use.  It makes a huge batch and lasts for a long time!  (Very very cost effective considering how expensive laundry detergent can be with the bonus of being free of chemicals and dyes! A WIN WIN!)
All but the Oxo Brite is available at Kroger which I ordered through Amazon. 
  • Borax (1) 4 lb 12 oz box
  • Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (1) 3 lb 7 oz box
  • Castile or Dr. Bronner’s Bar soap (2) bar- (I used the peppermint scented)
  • Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 4 lbs
  • Oxo Brite (1) 3 lb container (I ordered on Amazon) 
Grate the bars of soap (I used a hand grater which was a pain.  Other people use a food processor and say it is much easier- I'll probably do that next time).  Then mix all the ingredients together!! Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. I have a HE washer and just put it in the powder section. For information on what I use for fabric softener click here.   Enjoy! 
 
 
I store mine in a large glass container I got at Target. 
 
(Also- for extra dirty clothes I add in 1/2 cup to 1 full cup of baking soda.  You can get a huge bag of baking soda at Costco for a great price.)

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Dog and Cat Supplements Now at MTCAM!

Our fur babies need support too!  We are very excited to start carrying vitamins for both dogs and cats by Standard Process!  There is general whole body support (just like a multivitamin) as well as specific supports listed below.  If you know your furry little one needs specific support we may have just the right support for them!  They are all powders that you sprinkle on their food.  We cannot tell you what they need but only be able to make recommendations based off of general organ support. 

If you dog or cat is suffering (or you just wanting for preventative purposes) look at the list below to see if one of these whole food vitamins and supports will help.  Louie is on the adrenal & whole body support.
 
Dogs (Canine)
Adrenal Support
Heart/Cardiac Support
Skin/Dermal Support
Digestive/Enteric Support
Joint/Flex Support
Liver/Hepatic Support
Immune Support
Kidney/Renal Support
Thyroid Support
Whole Body Support- Multivitamin

 Cats (Feline)
Heart/Cardiac Support
Digestive/Enteric Support
Liver/Hepatic Support
Immune Support
Kidney/Renal Support
Whole Body Support- Multivitamin
 


 


Louie is the little brown one :)

Monday, February 23, 2015

Fabric Softener and Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Are you ready for this?  It is so simple, cheap, and no work is required to make it...

Vinegar!

Just add it to your washer where you would fabric softener as well as in your rinse aid compartment in your dishwasher.  No- your clothes and dishes will not taste or smell like vinegar.  I promise.  I ran across this because even my 'natural' fabric softener was leaving spots on my clothes.  After some research this is actually what the washing machine people (whoever they are) want you to use!  It is because fabric softeners have paraffin (wax) in them which builds up in the fabric softener compartment and causes issues.

So go to Costco (or wherever you shop) and switch over to this non toxic, super simple cleaner today!

Ps. If you have child with asthma sometimes a simple fix is to change to perfume free, non toxic detergent and fabric softener.  I will have a recipe for detergent coming soon but for now change the fabric softener.  The less toxins and chemicals they breath in the less irritated their lungs are.  It is not a fix for every child but it will help them no matter what.  I have heard some people have miraculous changes by just making this switch.

HUGE (1.32 Gallon) Vinegar at Costco- $3.29

Friday, February 20, 2015

Coffee Ideas and Alternative

Are you potentially a coffee addict?  (It is my weakness and if I could have 5 cups a day I would... especially in the cold weather.)  So here are a couple pointers to help if you do drink it daily.

1) Add a fat to your coffee to help sustain your blood sugar levels.  Coffee spikes them up which is why you get a high and then most people get a crash in 2 to 3 hours.  The fat helps keep your blood sugar levels regulated so you don't crash and burn and want another cup in 2 to 3 hours.  You can add 1 TBS of coconut oil or 1 TBS of high quality butter (grassfed).  It has made a huge difference for me when I add it in helping with my energy, not getting shaky and also getting my great quality fats in for the day (and oh so simple).

2) When you start NEEDING coffee to get up, do your tasks or get through your day that's when there is a problem.  If you just enjoy your cup in the morning I am okay with that.  But it is a different story when you have to have it.  That means you are at adrenal and possibly thyroid fatigue.  You should not have  to have it to function and if that is the case give us a call so we can help get your body back in balance. 

(Other signs/symptoms of adrenal/thyroid fatigue: Mental sluggishness, weight gain or weight that won't come off, not feeling rested in the morning, energy crash between 1 and 3 pm, burst of energy around 7 to 9pm, hair falling out, stress makes you want to start crying or run away, apathy, heart palpitations, etc.)

3) Try this coffee alternative (it doesn't taste exactly like coffee but pretty close)!  I put it in my reusable k-cup or you can brew it in a regular coffee pot too.  They make it in tea bags that I use in the office as well.  It helps curb my cravings and warms me up in this cold weather!  It is available in whole foods in the tea isle- they have the ground 'coffee' and tea bags. 

Stay warm out there! 

 
Ingredients
 


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Coconut Oil Uses for Cooking and Eating!

Here are simple uses for coconut oil for cooking and eating! 
Try them out and you will taste a difference! 

Cooking at High Heat- Coconut oil doesn’t form harmful by-products when heated like most other oils and animal fats. Use it to replace butter, cup for cup in recipes. Sauté, cook, bake, broil, and braise using coconut oil as a healthier alternative.
A PAM Replacement- Coat baking pans to prevent sticking instead of PAM or other nonstick spray

Fry Eggs - Coat the bottom of your skillet with coconut oil to create a non-stick surface and then add eggs.  Delicious!!

Popcorn Topping - Instead of butter, melt a little coconut oil and pour it over your popped popcorn. Then sprinkle lightly with Himalayan crystal salt.

Butter Replacement- Use coconut oil with sea salt on sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn, etc.
Replace Vegetable Oil for Baking - Next time you make your favorite brownie, cookie, baked treat recipe, replace the vegetable oil with coconut oil.  (Healthy baking… right J)
Pan Frying - Next time you fry up a batch of sweet potato fries or a piece of chicken, use coconut oil.  (Use instead of soybean, canola oil, etc.)
Cook Pancakes- Use to ‘fry’ pancakes (Pamela’s Baking Mix)… they taste AMAZING!!
Coconut Oil in Coffee or Hot Tea- Adding a spoonful to your coffee/tea is a delicious way to start your day with a energy boost!
Spoonful in Soup- Add spoonful for added nutrition in your soup
On Toast Instead of Butter - Simply use coconut oil instead of butter on your toast

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Coconut Oil Uses for Pregnancy and Babies!

Here are other uses of coconut oil for pregnancy and babies!

Diaper Rash Cream - Apply regularly to the baby's bottom to improve skin health and help heal mild diaper rash gently and effectively. 

Stretch Mark Prevention During Pregnancy - This safe, healthy oil can be applied multiple times each day to help moisturize your stretching skin.

Nipple Cream During Breastfeeding - Coconut oil is a popular choice for nursing mothers because it is a natural safe product.

Cradle Cap – Coconut oil is gentle and safe for infants and helps ease the itching, pain, redness, and flaking associated with cradle cap.

Enriches Breast Milk- When nursing mother consumes the oil!
 


Ideas and sources: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/hwnl_9-4.htm, http://www.broccolicity.com/2013/08/50-ways-to-use-coconut-oil/, http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/natural-health-tips/using-coconut-oil