Homemade Banana Milk

Interesting enough I had never before heard of banana milk prior to this past weekend. When I initially was asked to whip up some banana milk, I thought it was a really strange request and I am not sure why since I love adding banana's to my smoothies.  I guess it was because this is not a milkshake type recipe but a much thinner, milk like drink.  It didn't sound very appealing to me at all, but since we were trying to find some healthy milk alternatives to help supplement my young nephew's diet, I was up for giving it the old college try! 

I have to give the credit to my husband as the brains behind this recipe.   By brains, I mean he told me to put a banana, water and vanilla in a blender and mix it all up.  Of course this means I am the brains behind the brains, since I then had to figure out the measurements! :) Strangely enough, when all was said and done, it worked and tasted great, too.  The banana flavor was obvious but still subtle enough to not feel overpowered by it and the consistency was very much milk-like and there is just a hint of sweetness & vanilla.  It also passed the test of a one year old, for he drank it right up!   

Homemade Banana Milk
~by Herban Adventures

*Ingredients:
1 Ripened Banana, frozen and cut into chunks**
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

*Directions:
Add the frozen banana chunks, water and vanilla into a high speed blender (amazon affiliate link).  Blend on high until all the banana has been incorporated into the liquid. Pour and drink immediately or keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.  The banana milk will turn brown after it sits over a period of time.  This is entirely normal and expected.  It is a fresh banana after all! 

**Note:  It is very important to use super ripe banana's (much more so then the ones seen in my photo above).  This will make the banana taste so much more flavorful and sweeter.  Also, I use banana's quite frequently in smoothies and I have found it easiest to unpeel the banana and cut it into chunks before freezing it.  If you freeze the banana unpeeled, you'll have to let it sit and thaw a little bit before you'll be able to peel it. 

Enjoy!!!

~Chrissy

Quarterly Co: No More Dirty Looks #NDL09 Subscription Box Review

The Quarterly Co. is a unique subscription box service.  They offer a wide variety of different curated boxes from different celebrities and cultural icons.  Quarterly Co. states that each box will have products that reflect each curator and promise each box will have a story behind it thereby giving you a better understanding of that person. 

For my very first purchase, I choose the No More Dirty Looks subscription service.  No More Dirty Looks are a team of two women (Siobhan O'Connor & Alexandra Spunt) who are best friends, bloggers, and authors.  They specialize in non-toxic beauty products.  I first encountered them via Twitter and have enjoyed following them, so I was especially eager to see what they would be offering in their boxes. 

The Quarterly Co. No More Dirty Looks Box #NDL09:
*Cost: $50/box.  Boxes are shipped every three months.
*Products: "Spotlight the best clean products, reawakening a tradition of self-care and showing that organic ingredients are all you need." (Quote via Quarterly Co. website)

Each box comes with a letter from the curators detailing the story behind the products chosen for that particular quarter.   The theme of this box is "Bounce back, beautiful." 

Olivia Garden Healthy Hair Bamboo Hairbrush:  value $13.95
*made from eco-friendly, natural bamboo
*ion-charged bristles = no static
*anti-bacterial

From the two-toned stripe pattern to the beautiful swirling etching on the back, this brush is absolutely gorgeous.  I never thought I would ever say that about a brush but it's true with this one.  I would never have purchased this brush on my own, but it definitely puts all my other brushes to shame.

In the enclosed letter, there was a little side note in which Siobhan's nickname for Alexandra is in fact "Hairbrush".  It hinted at telling the story behind this in the future but stated it has nothing to do with her amazing curls.  Hmmm....very intriguing!  I really like the personal touch of adding this little "secret side note" to their letter.  It is nice to get a special glimpse inside the friendship between the two. 

Amazon Beauty Rahua Jet Setter Kit value $32 ~Amazon Affiliate Link
*Kit includes: Rahua Classic Shampoo (2 fl.oz.), Rahua Classic Conditioner (2 fl.oz.), Rahua Voluminous Shampoo (2 fl.oz.), Rahua Voluminous Conditioner and a clear plastic travel bag. 
*Products are 100% natural & organic.

I was completely surprised these little travel size products cost $32!  Wow,  these are definitely what I would classify as High-End products.  I have been having such a hard time finding a good, quality non-toxic shampoo & conditioner that works for my hair.  Just one bottle alone of the Rahua Classic Shampoo-9.3 oz. is $32 (Amazon Affiliate Link), so this is definitely the way to try these out before deciding if the cost is worth purchasing it in the full-size. I am excited to see how they perform on my hair!!!

Lulu Organics Hair Powder in Lavender & Clary Sage Travel Size: value $9.50

Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner (0.34 oz. samples ): value $2 (estimated)

We all have days when we don't feel like washing our hair.  Hair powder is the key to transforming that greasy, unwashed hair into looking clean again.  I've never tried the Lulu Organic Hair Powders before and am excited to see how they hold up. 

I thought it was sort of odd that there was yet another Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner sample in my box, even if it was just a one time use sample.  I'll definitely use it but I think they could have used the opportunity to include a sample of some other brand.

My Two Cents:  I paid $50 for this box and ended up with $57.45 worth of products.  One thing I enjoy about subscribing to subscription boxes is discovering new products.  This box has introduced me to 3 new brands of non-toxic hair care products and I can't wait to try them all out! I also really enjoy the letter from the curators with the story behind why they have chosen the products they did for the box.  It really does make the box feel all the more special & unique.

What do you think of the Quarterly Co. No More Dirty Looks Subscription Box? 

~Chrissy

Dr. Bronners Magic "All-One!" Organic Lip Balm Beauty Review

Temperatures here in Nebraska are ridiculously cold today.  We, along with many other areas of the US, are experiencing what the weather forecasters are calling a Polar Vortex.  Our wind-chills could dip down as far as -40F.  I'd say that is some dangerously, bitter cold. 

Even though this is definitely the extreme for here in Nebraska, our winters are nasty cold which always wreaks havoc with my skin.  I am always struggling to keep my skin from drying to the point it looks and feels like the Sahara Desert!  Blech!!!!

One area that is especially experiencing critical levels of dryness are my lips, so moisturizing lip balm is extremely important to have on hand at all times.  I've been using Dr. Bronners Magic "All-On!" Organic Lip Balm for a few weeks now and am very happy with the results. 

Dr. Bronners Magic "All-On!" Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint (0.15oz) $2.99

* Ingredients: Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Organic Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Mentha Peperita (Peppermint) Oil, Tocopherol

My review:

• Packaging: Packaged in a pretty standard Lip Balm plastic twist up dispenser.  The only gripe I have about the container is that they sealed it almost too good.  I had a heck of a time getting the sticker off of the cap so I could open it up.   
• Texture & Application:  The lip balm is semi-solid and glides onto the lips very smoothly.  There is a slight cooling & tingly feeling once on.
• Scent & Flavor: It has a very pleasing peppermint scent.  There really is no flavor to this lipbalm which I think is a good thing.  You don't want to be licking your lips anyway, because it aids in drying them out.
• Extra Bonuses:  The Dr Bronner brand is Made in the USA.  I love buying USA made products!  This product is also certified Organic and is not tested on animals! 

Verdict: 
I am very thrilled with how well this product has worked for me. First and foremost, I love that it is made with organic ingredients.  This is very important to me, besides, I once heard that the average woman will eat what constitutes to an entire stick of lip-balm over the course of a year.  This is so gross to think about but as long as it's not any of the nasty, un-natural chemicals and toxins then I am much more comfortable with the thought!  It has also, definitely, helped moisturize and heal my chapped, cracked lips which is sort of the whole point, right? :)

~Chrissy

A Homemade Elixir for Cold & Flu Season

Today was one of those days where I could not seem to shake off a general feeling of yuckiness.  This yuckiness has been slowly getting more and more hard to ignore over the course of my Saturday morning, which is not good at all.  There is just no way I can let myself get sick, not that I ever want to let myself get sick, but this is by no means a good time for this to happen.  First, Christmas is only a few days away and I have parties to go to and food to prepare.  Secondly, a co-worker retired on Friday, leaving us a bit short-handed at my place of work and I really can't afford to have to take a sick day right now.  Nope, this girl just ain't getting sick!!!!

There was no choice but to call in for reinforcements.  My husband, Andy, has a tried and true homemade remedy for just these kinds of moments.  Any time we feel like a cold or the flu is imminent, we start drinking Andy's "Icky Hot Elixir" to knock it out of the park, so to speak. It doesn't sound pleasant because it really isn't.  I'm not going to lie to you here. It tastes kind of nasty and the drink is a hot one.  Knock it down quickly and just remember the fact that your throat will be burning after downing this drink can only mean it is killing all those nasty bugs and viruses!

Andy's "Icky Hot Elixir":
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Tumeric
1 tbsp. Raw Honey
juice of 1 Lemon
12 oz water
--Mix all ingredients together and drink twice a day until you feel better.

What cold and flu home remedies are your tried and true favorites?

Medical Disclaimer: All information about home remedies in my post is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.

Schmidt's Natural Deodorant Review

One of the most frustrating products I've found to convert over to is a natural deodorant.  The main reason for this is simple, I don't like a sweaty armpit.  Natural Deodorant products are designed for eliminating odor, not sweat.  It's the aluminum found in mainstream deodorants which acts as an antiperspirant to eliminate wetness.  Aluminum, a metal, is toxic to the body and has been linked to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.  Of course I don't want either of these things, but as much as I want to avoid this ingredient, I still struggle.  Sure, its natural to sweat.  Sweating helps detox and cool down our bodies. I get that. Maybe it is vain of me, but I just don't want sweaty pits ruining my all my outfits not to mention sweat stains are also extremely embarrassing. 

I've still been very hopeful something will come along which will not only keep the odor away, but will also help keep the sweat in check :)  I learned about Schmidt's Natural Deodorant when it popped up in my twitter feed one day about a month ago from a blog I recently began following, Organic Beauty Talk.  What intrigued me to immediately add this product into my shopping cart, was this statement taken directly from Schmidt's Natural Deodorant's site:  "Our formula effectively neutralizes underarm odor and absorbs wetness without the use of aluminum or other harmful chemicals."  Could this really be true??? Could it really help with wetness??  I couldn't wait to try it and find out.

Schmidt's Handcrafted Organic Deodorant - Bergamot & Lime (2oz) $11.99
~Amazon Affiliate link

* Ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), Maranta  arundinacea (arrowroot) powder, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter,

Citrus bergamia (bergamot) essential oil, Citrus aurantifolia (lime) essential                         oil, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Humulus lupulus (hop) extract

 

My review:

• Packaging: I love the little jar it comes in.  It's simple yet adorably chic.  It even comes with a little spatula to help scoop the deodorant out of the jar.  You can use your fingers but when I do that I get deodorant underneath my fingernails, so I prefer using the provided spatula. 
• Texture & Application:  The deodorant is kind of a flaky, semi-solid cream.  It warms up when you begin rubbing it into your skin becoming very soft and pliable.  A pea sized amount sufficiently covers the entire area.  It absorbs right in and won't leave you feeling greasy or slimy or anything like that. 
• Scent & Odor Protection: In the jar and for about an hour after application, it has a very pleasant, lime scent.  After wearing for about an hour, the lime scent disappears, leaving more of a fresh, very light, almost piney scent.  It still smells feminine though and I really like it.  I think the best part is it keeps the odor away, lasting all day and even overnight.  
• Wetness Protection:  The baking soda and arrowroot powder are what is added to help with controlling wetness. 
• Extra Bonus: Made in the USA in Portland, OR.  I love buying USA made products!

Verdict: 
I am very thrilled with how well this product has worked for me. I've been wearing this now for a month now and have been very impressed. I've still had a few sweaty moments especially when I've been stressed out and even aluminum based deodorants do nothing for me in those moments. The product doesn't rub off on your clothing and you won't get all those little white flakes caking all over your underarms.  Odor control is fantastic. This deodorant held strong through a college football game I attended with temps in the 90's and 100% humidity, so I'd say it works!!!  I am super excited about this natural deodorant.  I can finally toss out another yucky, toxic product from my bathroom shelf!  

Homemade Almond Milk

My husband recently sent me an email titled "Almond Breeze is Crap".  For those of you who don't know, Almond Breeze is a widely stocked brand of Almond Milk in most grocery stores.  It's the brand I have been drinking for years now.  The reason for my husbands harsh words were due a blog he had read about an ingredient called carrageenan.  Now to be fair, Almond Breeze is not the only company who uses this ingredient.  There are in fact a lot of "crappy" almond milks out there.  It is found in all of the brands available at my local grocery stores.  You'll find it in the coconut and soy milks too.  Interesting side note:  This morning while brushing my teeth, I decided to check out the ingredients on my Tom's of Maine Fluoride-free toothpaste and guess what I found?  Yes, carrageenan is in that as well.  I suppose my next project is to find a new toothpaste or make my own.

Carrageenan is extracted from a red seaweed, Chondrus crispus, or Irish moss. The carrageenan found in your processed foods is in an un-degraded form and is chemically processed.  It has no nutritional value and is primarily used as a binder and thickening agent to improve texture in foods like ice cream, yogurt, almond milks, coconut milks, etc...   When researching carrageenan on the internet, you'll find both the pro and cons as to whether or not this ingredient is thought to be "good" for us to consume.  The key arguments for the cons were what spoke to me, and in particular the research studies on laboratory mice which have shown this type of carrageenan to be linked to malignancies, inflammation of the GI tract, glucose intolerance and impaired insulin action among other things.  Since a properly working digestive system is my primary health goal, the inflammation of the GI tract findings really worries me, enough to immediately make a dietary change.  There is a lot of nasty stuff out there in our foods and beauty products.  It is sure hard to avoid them all, but I am always happy when I become more aware of them.  Knowing more about carrageenan can only help me make better informed choices for myself.  Since I drink almond milk every morning, I know making my own is a surefire way to help me avoid this nasty ingredient in my daily morning drink!   

PLEASE NOTE:  This is only a very short synopsis of my own internet research findings, but the blog post my husband sent me which inspired me to dig a bit deeper and then make a change can be found on the blog Higher Purpose Living.  Please read it, as it has really great and detailed information about Carrageenan. 

Homemade Almond Milk:

Making my own almond milk has always intrigued me, but after learning about carrageenan and not liking what I was learning, I was immediately spurred into action.  Thankfully, I already had all the necessary ingredients on hand or I would have been making a late night run to the store!

The best thing about making almond milk is it's not hard to do.  The most time consuming part is soaking your almonds.  You'll want to make sure and soak them overnight for optimal results.  The worst thing about making almond milk is there are a few pieces of essential equipment you'll also need:
1. a high powered blender, and
2. a nut milk strainer bag.  I tend to do a lot of my on-line shopping at Amazon, where there are a variety of options for $6-8. 

Once your almonds are sufficiently soaked and rinsed off well, toss them in a blender.  Add 3-4 cups water, sweetener (i.e. dates) and anything else you may want, like vanilla or cinnamon.  Blend at high speed.  Transfer to your nut milk bag and strain into a large bowl.  That's it, you're all done.  It is so easy to make and tastes so much more fresh and delicious then the store bought variety that you won't want to go back to store bought anymore, carrageenan or not, anyway, which is kind of the point.  Right?  :)

You can find the full recipe with step by step directions at Oh She Glows.  Enjoy!!!

~Chrissy

My journey to living a natural & organic lifestyle

I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog about natural & organic topics for a few months now.  I think it's best to start with why my husband and I have been moving towards a natural & organic lifestyle.  Our biggest influence has been my husband's chronic health problems.  He has been struggling for over 10 years now with a variety of symptoms.  We've been to a countless number of Doctor's all across the US who were, quite frankly, of little to no help.  They couldn't offer any kind of definitive diagnosis for why he was feeling so awful.  What they did offer was pain pills, antibiotics, sleeping pills, and more to help "manage" his symptoms, all the while my husband felt worse and worse.  Our frustrations were obviously mounting.  We were going in the wrong direction, he is supposed to be getting better, not worse and we wanted answers. My husband began doing his own research. (Thank God for the internet!!!)  Through his research, he's changed his whole way of thinking about health, starting with his diet.  He is now eating a raw, vegan diet.  I am not, LOL, however I have dramatically changed my eating habits and am noticing very positive changes to my own health. We've even changed our dogs food. (Yup, no more Kibble for us!)

This journey hasn't only been one of changing our diets, we have become more conscious of all the nasty chemicals we've been using on our bodies, inside our household and on our lawn.  We're not perfect, I'd never even dream of claiming that.  I don't always eat organic (gasp!).  I still pop a bleach tablet in my toilet tank to help keep the ring around the toilet bowl away.  If anyone has a good option for this please let me know!  I guess what I'm trying to say is the journey is a gradual one.  My husband and I are constantly learning, constantly discovering new products to try out, and always working towards a better sense of health and wellness for the both of us.  While my husband is still not well, he is noticing small changes for the better, and we can both sense he is now, finally, on the right road to recovery.  Yippee!!!!

My goal for this blog is to share ideas, recipes, product reviews, natural remedies and what-not,  Most importantly, I need help, and I hope to learn from others who are also interested in a natural & organic lifestyle.