Don't have time to cook? Now you do...

This post is looong over due.  I have found a new love.  An appliance love (yes....again. :-)  )

My steamer was starting to give out so I went online months ago looking for a new steamer.  Everywhere I looked this thing called an Instant Pot popped up.  I ignored it.

Then I decided to find a new pressure cooker to use on the stove.  I have one but it is aluminum and I am NOT cooking in aluminium anymore.  Guess what kept popping up in my search for a new pressure cooker?  Yep, you guessed it, this weird little appliance called an Instant Pot.  Still, I ignored it.

Then a friend sent me a link to this appliance that she knew I would love.  Can you guess what the link was too?  Yep.  An instant pot.

Hilarious, right?!

So, I started researching and asked for an Instant Pot for Christmas.  My giving husband delivered. :-)

Then for about what feels like 2 weeks, I sat there staring at the Instant Pot.  The manual was overwhelming and my past fear of pressure cookers was resurfacing.  Finally, I decided to bite the bullet and just try something...anything.

So, I boiled water (this is a test they want you to perform before using) I thought I could handle that.  

Then I was ready to cook a meal.  And it turned out beautifully.

Here are a few reasons why I am in love with my IP:
-Chuck roast in IP-45 minutes....crock pot 8 hours
-Beef bone broth in IP 1 hour 50 minutes and delicious....stove top 1 day.
-Refried beans in IP-30 minutes....crock pot 24 hours.
-Ribs-actually tender
-Best cheesecake ever
-Best soft boiled eggs ever
-Best hard boiled eggs ever
-Dinner time is no longer stressful and I enjoy meal planning

So, for those of you who have told me you can't cook traditional, that there aren't enough hours in the day....well.......guess what?  Now you have no excuse.  Start saving for the appliance that will change your life forever and allow you to cook healthy, home cooked meals in a fraction of the time.  And I can't even imagine how much this is cutting down on our electricity bill.  Click here to see the one we bought.  A 6qt Duo.  There is a new one with blue tooth, but I didn't want that one.

You can see in the picture the 3 cookbooks I bought.  I love them all but Bob Warden's is my favorite.

Also make sure you are part of the Instant Pot community on Facebook.  It's amazing.

Happy instant potting!!!  Your life will never be the same.

  

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Pumpkin Pie

From "The oils I use" International post

One drop each: cassia, clove, ginger and orange

2 cups of steamed or baked, mashed pumpkin (rinds to the chickens)

1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (or 1 drop of ginger oil)

1 cup of organic heavy whipping cream,

1 cup of organic sugar (or honey)

6-8 egg yolks (local, pastured)

Springform Pie crust, see below.

Blend and pour into a springform pan with a pecan-coconut crust, bake 75-90 minutes at 350, cool, refrigerate overnight to cure, and you have one gorgeous custard. Hubbard squash also makes a great pie.

Springform Pie Crust is the pressed form of a crumbled bottom:

Combine 1/2 stick of melted butter (KerryGold)

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup organic sugar

Pumpkin pie spice to taste (Trader Joe's contains cardamom A+).

Let infuse/cool after stirring, press on glass/metal bottom of springform, pre-bake 15 minutes, cool, and add the pumpkin mixture prior baking.

Do not remove the "wall" of the springform until the pie has cooled 12+ hours; use a knife along the interior wall to aid separation sans damage, and the result is a gorgeous "tall" presentation of a true custard.



Enjoy!!

Homemade Canned Pumpkin

Well, it's that time!  Time to think about all things pumpkin!  I used my last jar of canned pumpkin this past week to make gluten free muffins, so it's time to restock the freezer.  You can also can pumpkin, if you want.

I had some volunteer pumpkins grow this year below our bedroom window (so cool) and now it is time for them to take their 2nd step in the adventure of their lives.  1st step was decorating our front porch.  :-)

Making canned pumpkin is so easy, you will not believe it!

The recipe I use calls for a pie pumpkin, but I have used both and loved both for baking and eating.   Pie pumpkins tend to be smaller, sweeter and less grainy.


Ingredients:
1 pumpkin (Any size really.  Pie pumpkins are generally 8 inches in diameter.)

Tools:
Knife
Spoon
9x13 glass pyrex
Water
Oven
Bowl
Submersion blender/mixer/blender
Glass pint Jars (washed) (buy at garage sales or your local store)(I prefer wide mouth)
Lids (I love the plastic white ones)

1.  Cut pumpkin in half.  

2.  Scrape out seeds and stringy stuff (you can wash and roast the seeds in the oven for a yummy snack, wash and dry them and plant them in your garden next summer or throw everything in your garden for volunteer pumpkins next year now).

3.  Place both halves cut side down in a 9x13 glass pan.

4.  Fill 9x13 glass pyrex pan with 1/4 inch reverse osmosis water.  

5.  Bake for 30-45 minutes at 350.  At 30 minutes prick the pumpkin halves with a fork to see if it is soft.  If it isn't soft, bake for 15 minutes more.  

6.  Let pumpkin halves cool a bit.  Then scrape out pumpkin and place in a bowl.  

7.  Blend it up!  (I have always used my submersion blender here, but a mixer or blender should work too.)    

8.  Place pumpkin in pint jar, allow 1 inch space at top.  Put in freezer!  

9.  Thaw as needed.  And use just as you would a can of pumpkin.

Note:
1 pint = 2 cups = 16 oz  
1 small can of store bought pumpkin=15 oz

That's it!!



*If you prefer to pressure can your pumpkin follow these steps:
Follow steps 1-6.  
7.  Prep pressure can for 11-12 pounds.  
8.  Cut pumpkin into squares.  
9.  Place into heated pint glass jars.  
10.  Fill with boiling water, leaving 1 inch headspace.  
12.  Add lids and rings.
12.  Let pressure canner steam vent for 10 minutes.
13.  Put weight on and once gauge hits 11 pounds, start timer for 65 minutes.
14.  Maintain 10 pounds pressure.    

Share your homemade pumpkin recipes!

Here's a recipe using "The oils I use" essential oils!!
Pumpkin Pie

Enjoy!!

Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

I use this recipe when I make cubed steak.  It is delicious!!!!!

Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time:  20 minutes
Serves: 6

2 tablespoons KerryGold butter
2-4 ounces of fresh organic mushrooms
2 tablespoons of fresh organic onion, chopped or 4-5 dashes of organic dried minced onion
1-2 organic garlic cloves, minced (or the already diced up organic garlic from Meijer)
1/4 cup plus 6 tablespoons organic King Arthur all-purpose flour
2 cups of homemade chicken broth or stock
1 cup heavy cream (raw preferred, if not organic at least)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp organic pepper
1/4 tsp organic nutmeg

1.  Heat butter in a cast iron skillet.
2.  Cut the mushrooms into slices.
3.  Add mushrooms, onion and garlic to butter.  Saute until onions are soft.
4.  Stir 1/4 c + 1 Tbsp flour into the butter, mushroom, garlic and onion.
5.  Slowly stir in chicken broth.  Heat until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
6.  Stir in cream plus 5 Tbsp flour and your seasonings.  
7.  Stirring constantly, heat till soup reaches consistency you are looking for.
8.  Use a submersion blender, and CAREFULLY blend soup to a smooth consistency while still in cast iron skillet.
9.  Spread over browned cubed steaks and bake at 350, covered with a baking stone for 1 1/2 hours.
10.  Enjoy!

Recipe:  From food.com

Soothing Salve with Essential Oils

Here is the link to the awesome company that begins with "do"'s blog on how to make a Soothing Salve.


http://doterrablog.com/diy-soothing-salve/

Making Beef and Chicken Stock and Broth

This is the link I use to make Chicken and Beef stock and broth.  It is from the blog created by Sarah Pope at The Healthy Home Economist.  You can watch the video or read and print and transcript.

I prefer the stock method.  It kills 2 birds with 1 stone.  The end result:  delicious stock that I freeze and shredded chicken for 2 days (or more) worth of meals.

I love this recipe and have used it quite often.  Enjoy!


http://www.westonaprice.org/beginner-videos/stocks-and-soups-video-by-sarah-pope/

Deodorant Discussion and Recipe

I used to use Dove anti-perspirant every day of my life.  Some days multiple times.  

No more.

Sarah, at The Healthy Home Economist sums it up wonderfully.  Read her post here.  We HAVE to start reading labels!!!  Have to!  

I used Tom's and thought it was time to try a homemade recipe.  I owe all the thanks for this recipe to my cousin Lisa (love you and thank you!).  I LOVE this recipe and I use it daily!!

So, before you make this, I want to make sure you get this.  Sweating is good.  Stinking is bad.  You want to sweat.  That is how our body rids itself of the toxins and pesticides we ingest every day.  So, you will still sweat.  You just won't stink.  Get it?  Good!!!  Now go make some good for you/safe deodorant.  It will take like a minute!!!  It is super easy!

Lisa's Homemade Deodorant
3 tsp Arrowroot powder (I use this)
1 tsp of baking soda*
Enough coconut oil to make a thick paste (I use this)
4 drops of doTERRA Melaleuca** essential oil (You can buy here.)
About 10 drops of doTERRA Lavender or Serenity (I used 8 Serenity and 3 Balance, hey why not?!)  (You can buy here.)

Yields: 1 ounce

Place ingredients in a bowl and use the back of a fork to mash everything up.  Transfer to container of choice.  I use a butter knife.

I use this glass container from Aroma Tools and love it.  I just store it under my sink in the bathroom.  I use the back of a finger nail, scrape a small amount out of the glass container, flip it around to my finger tips and rub it in my arm pits.

You can also clean out an old deodorant tube and put the deodorant in there, but that needs to be stored in the refrigerator.  It melts right on and leaves no residue.  

If any irritation occurs, slightly cut back on the baking soda next time.  I have a friend that this happens to in the summer.



*I have heard that some baking soda has unwanted ingredients in it.  And I know of people who buy Bob's Red Mill only.  I could not find anything bad about Arm and Hammer and that is what I had on hand, so that is what I used.  If you have any info regarding Arm and Hammer, please share it.  I would love to know.

**The Melaleuca is a MUST when making this recipe.  Melaleuca kills the bacteria that can cause the odor, but too much can be irritating.


~I only recommend, stand behind and use doTERRA essential oils.


Keep on striving towards Living GREEN!

Homemade "Gatorade" Recipes

Well, with all of this flu going around I thought it would be perfect to share some recipes that would help with dehydration.  And with spring sports starting up these recipes are doubly perfect.  :-)  

Let me begin by saying Gatorade is poison.  And I do not mean that jokingly.  Please do not buy it, drink it, or give it to your kids.  It is full of artificial food coloring, that has been proven to increase ADD and ADHD in our kids (and in adults too).  And has an ingredient list on it that only a scientist could explain.  Pepsi has made millions off of Gatorade.  Millions.  If in doubt of what to give your kids, give them water.  Please.  We get enough sodium in the food we eat.  They are not going to dehydrate because water doesn't have salt in it.

Read this article about kids and ADD (this article is good, but don't give soy milk to your kids or drink it yourself either) and this article on ADD is good too.  

Honestly, you don't have to believe me.  Just watch your kids behavior.  I was together with a group of teachers a few months ago and they referenced the "Fruit Punch test," I asked what they were referring to?  They told me that when there are class parties, parents will send in the big plastic containers of Hawaiian Fruit punch for the kids to drink.  And they said like clockwork, after the kids drink it they become out of control.  The combination of sugar, red food coloring and the other harmful ingredients in the Fruit Punch create out of control kids.  (Do your teacher a favor, don't send in anything with artificial food coloring in it (even those cute little colored cupcakes), go with white icing on mini cupcakes.  They kids will love them just as much.  And for a kid drink buy Honest Kids from Meijer.  It comes in pouches or large plastic containers.  (It isn't perfect, but is a lot better than red fruit punch.)

And you know the rule:  IF there are more than 12 ingredients in a "food" and/or you can't pronounce or understand what they are.....then you should not be drinking or eating it.  Very simple.  And if there is food coloring, especially Red 40...DO NOT drink or eat it!!

Why would you want to put poison in your or your kids body when you can make your own healthy version of Gatorade??  I just don't understand.

I ALWAYS recommend glass or stainless steel water bottles.  Plastic is not good.

So, here are a few recipes to pick from......


Homemade "Gatorade" Concentrate
1 cup lemon juice (about 6-8 organic lemons)
1/2 cup raw honey or maple syrup (Farmers market)
1 teaspoon Redmond Real sea salt (Meijer or WalMart)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Place in a pint mason jar and shake to combine.  Store concentrate in the refrigerator.  You can either add this entire recipe to 1 gallon of water or add 1-2 tablespoons to 8 ounces (2 cups) of water as you need it.  


Homemade Energy Drink
2 cups water or coconut water
1-2 tbsp maple syrup
Juice of 1/2 organic lemon
Juice of 1/2 organic lime
Pinch of Redmonds Read sea salt
Stir, add ice and enjoy.


Homemade Sports Drink (ginger is great for the flu)
3-4 slices fresh organic ginger (or 2-4 drops "do"Ginger essential oil)
1 cup r.o. water + extra
Juice of 1/2 organic lemon
1/4 tsp Redmond Real sea salt
1-2 tablespoons raw honey

Slice the ginger and put it in a small stainless steel saucepan with 1 cup water.  If your ginger is very large only use 2 slices.  Place on stove and boil for 5 minutes.  Turn stove off.  Let ginger steep in hot water, on hot burner, for an additional 5 minutes.

Meanwhile juice your 1/2 lemon.  Please use fresh lemons.  Most bottled lemon juice contains preservatives.

Pour the hot ginger water into a glass jar.  A quart mason jar works great.  Anything glass.  Then add your honey, lemon juice and sea salt. Put lid on and shake until honey and sea salt are dissolved or stir with a spoon.

Then add enough water and ice to make 3 cups.  Some who are sick with the flu prefer this warm or room temperature.  Do what you like.  


Homemade Orange Sports Drink
1/2 cup fresh organic orange juice
2 tablespoons organic lemon juice
1/2 tsp. Redmond Real Sea Salt
7 cups r.o. water
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c raw honey or 1/4 tsp clear liquid stevia or 1/8 tsp. powdered stevia

Mix the salt, baking soda and water until dissolved.  Some people put this in a small stainless steel saucepan and warm until all if perfectly dissolved.  But stirring should be good enough if you don't have time.

Add the orange and lemon juice and sweetener and shake or stir well until combined.  If the honey is too difficult to mix in, add it to your bullet  and blend.  Drink as desired.  Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.  


**Tips:  Freeze lemon, oranges and limes (individually) and free in ice cube trays in 1 tbsp servings.  Pop out and store in a glass pyrex bowl or ziploc bag in the freezer.  Pull out as you need.

For more recipes Google "Homemade Sports Drinks."  Or click here or here or here for a very indepth article. (One of my favorite blogs is at www.kitchenstewardship.com/ ).

Let me know which is your favorite!!

Happy and healthy drinking!!

Homemade Shower Gel (sorta)

I made shower gel the other day (sorta) and it was so simple I had to share. :-)  I say "sorta" because I didn't make the actual shower gel.  Whole Foods gets credit for that, I just jazzed it up a bit.  :-)

I went to Whole Foods and bought a big bottle of their unscented shower gel.  $4.99 for 32 fl oz.

This time was a trial run in my mind, so I only filled my 16 oz glass bottle 1/2 full with the 365 shower gel and then I added 15-20 drops of doTERRA Citrus Bliss essential oil blend and swirled it around to mix the oil with the shower gel.  I bought the 16 oz amber glass bottle and lotion type pump from here.

This made a FABULOUS, easy and inexpensive shower gel!!!  

Add a cute little waterproof label and cover the label in clear packaging tape (so the writing doesn't run in the shower).

(I am still in a testing time frame with the label.  I bought waterproof labels and used a black sharpie, which is supposed to be waterproof to make the label shown below.  The words on the label did not survive the shower.  So, that is why I suggest adding a piece of clear plastic packaging tape over the top of the handwritten label to see if that helps.  If not, the labels from my label maker are waterproof.  Not near as cute but will work.)

If you have any questions message me or click here.  The company that begins with "do" essential oils are the absolute best in my opinion!  I will NOT use or recommend any other brand.

I picked Citrus Bliss because it smells AWESOME and it brings peace and happiness to the mind and body and joy to the heart, promotes energy and is soothing .  I thought that would be a great way to start the day.  :-)


Happy Oiling!!

Happy Oiling!!

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray

This was one of the homemade gifts I made for Christmas this year.  I thought I would share the recipe.  I have Witch Hazel to use up.  So, that is why this recipe has it in it.  But after the Witch Hazel is gone I will be going a different route.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer Spray
(This recipe makes 1 1 oz bottle)

1 1 oz glass spray bottle (I buy mine here)
Reverse osmosis or filtered water
1 tsp Lemon Witch Hazel (Whole Foods, Amazon and Meijer carry)
8 drops Company that begins with "do" On Guard essential oil
1 400 IU Vitamin E gel cap (this is what I have so I am using them up, gave me 8-10 drops)*
Small kitchen funnel

Always first wash your hands.  Preferably with an On Guard hand soap (either homemade or bought). :-)

Fill your 1 oz glass bottle 1/2 way with water.  Sit glass bottle on counter top.  Carefully drop 8 drops of your On Guard essential oil into the 1 oz glass bottle.  Put lid back on On Guard (this is like liquid gold and you don't want to accidentally knock it over). 

Then using a sanitized straight pin, poke 2-3 holes into your Vitamin E gel cap in the same location and squeeze the gel cap over the glass bottle, allowing the Vitamin E drops to fall into the glass 1 oz bottle (if you squeeze to hard and the gel globs out all at once, that is ok, just gently run your finger over the top of the glass bottle allowing the Vitamin E to drop into the glass bottle).

Then place your small kitchen funnel carefully into the top of the 1 oz glass bottle.  Slowly pour the 1 tsp of Lemon Witch Hazel into the funnel.  Lastly, pour a small amount of water through the funnel, making sure you don't waste any of the Lemon Witch Hazel left in the funnel.  Then add water (either through the funnel or by carefully pouring it into the bottle) filling the glass bottle to the bottom of the neck of the bottle.

Place sprayer on top of glass bottle and tighten.  Shake well.  I gave these away for Christmas presents and have one in my purse.  

To use:  Spray liberally on hands and rub together.  Repeat as needed.

That's it!


*When you are purchasing Vitamin E oil, just make sure the label says that the oil is safe for internal consumption.  You can buy a bottle of oil, you don't have to but the gel caps.  When a product is labeled "not for internal consumption" the manufacture is not confident and is not standing behind the health and safety of this product to be used internally.  Well.....when we are putting hand sanitizer on our hands....where does it go????  Into our bloodstream (absorbed through the skin), thus far we ARE using it internally.  So just we are careful here.

Such a beautiful and amazing oil.  My kids get 2 drops on the bottoms of their feet every morning and every evening during cold and flu season.  Amazing oil!

Pre-made doTERRA On Guard Foaming Hand Wash

And, of course if you are interested in learning more about doTERRA essential oils, please contact me or visit my website at www.itstimetogreen.com and click on the doTERRA link.

Happy Oiling!!

Dena's Homemade Deodorant Recipe

This is the recipe for the deodorant Dena had with her when she was here teaching.

Thank you Dena!!



Dena's homemade deodorant recipe

1/4 cup unrefined, virgin, organic coconut oil

1 Tbsp organic baking soda*

2 Tbsp arrowroot powder, I prefer Bob's Red Mill

20 drops Company that begins with "do" Bergamot essential oil

20 drops Company that begins with "do" On Guard essential oil

Mix coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot with a fork until smooth.  Then add essential oils and mix with a mixer.  Store in a glass container with tight fitting lid.  Using your fingers apply a small amount to each armpit.



*(I have researched this and cannot find organic baking soda 
anywhere nor where it says that arm and hammer baking soda contains aluminum, fyi.   
Please let me know if you find different information.)



Note:  The company that begins with "do" essential oils are the only oils I use and stand behind.  

I will post a picture when I make this.

Happy Oiling!!!

Homemade Foaming Hand Soap (with "do" essential oils)

This recipe is from my Aunt Laura.

2 tbsp unscented Dr. Bronner's castile soap (I had peppermint, so used it)
1/4 tsp fractionated coconut oil (we use The company that begins with "do". ask me how to get wholesale pricing)
10 drops "do" On Guard essential oil (scroll down to almost the bottom)

Fill a glass jar, like this homemade one half way with water, add above ingredients and fill jar to bottom of the pumper with water.  Shake to mix.  Voila!




**As most of you know I am a "do" girl.  I will not use any other brand of essential oil on myself or on my family.  "do" essential oils are the purest, safest, most tested essential oils I could find.  They are BEYOND organic.    

If you want to start using "do" eo's or have questions, please leave me a comment below with your email.  I will not publish the comment so your email address will be seen by me only.

Happy Oiling!!!

Hand soap in glass...FINALLY!!

Oh my word!!!

Look what I made today...and it took minutes.  (Of course, that is thanks to my awesome hubby and his drill.)  :-)

I have been complaining forever that someone needs to make glass hand soap bottles.  I have even emailed Aroma Tools asking for this very item.

Well today, I saw something on Pinterest that had to be made....so here they are.  What do you think?

It was very simple.  All you need is.....
1 plastic ball jar lid (I used a regular mouth size and I buy mine on Amazon here)
1 glass ball jar (I used a regular mouth size) you can get these at Meijer and Walmart
1 foaming pump from an old bottle of hand soap
The tools you see below (or you can use a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and chisel out the hole you need)

This is how you get your hubby or boyfriend to involved in this project. :-)

Aren't the rocks adorable?!?

And that is it!!

I think these jars would be adorable too! 

Click here for the recipe for the foaming hand soap.  :-)

Note: after thinking about it, I don't know if the little river rocks were a good idea or not...I don't know what essential oils do to rocks...maybe the little glass marbles would have been a better choice...need to research here. :-)

Merry Christmas!!!

Homemade Breakfast Patties

This is something I have wanted to try for a long time.  But, to be honest I have spoiled my kids.  They love the shape and size of the tiny breakfast patties you can buy pre-made (and think about how much more pure and healthy these are, being homemade) and hate my hand shaped mini patties.  I guess there is something to say about uniformity. Anyway, I started to research and I found this.  Isn't it cute?  Oh, how much do I love Amazon??  A lot.  :-)

Unfortunately, for you, as of today this patty maker is out of stock.  But keep your eye on it and hopefully they will get more back in stock.  I only paid $7.99 for this one.  So, I would hold out for a bit and see if they get them in stock.  Otherwise, if you don't mind paying $12.95 you can get this one.  Which looks great too.

So, of course I bought my ground turkey from Becker Farms.  Remember this post about Kyle and Emily Becker.  (a.k.a. the best place to buy all of your meat! :-)  ).

I used one pound and made 9 patties.  I wish I would have made a couple of them thinner, so I probably could have had a total of 10-11 patties.

Homemade Breakfast Patties
1 pound local raised ground turkey, chicken, or hog
Redmond's Sea Salt or Celtic Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Cast iron skillet
Small patty press

I would put about 1 1/2 - 2 rounded teaspoons of ground turkey in each patty maker press.  You don't want the meat to the top of the press, but just below.  All I did was sprinkle the patties as they were cooking with salt and pepper (you can add a ton of different ingredients here, but I didn't want to lose my kids, so we went the simple route).  

You do not want to overcook them, so watch them carefully.  Remove from heat when you think they are done.  The patties will cook further when you take them out of the freezer and warm up for later breakfasts, keep in mind.  Of course, I cooked mine in a cast iron skillet, cause I think EVERYTHING tastes better cooked in cast iron.  I season my cast iron skillets with KerryGold butter.  It is the best way I have found to season a cast iron skillet.

Let me and my son tell you...they are DELICIOUS!!!  So, Kyle and Emily, I will be placing an order soon for more ground turkey and sausage!!

They are cooling right now, but after they cool I will place them in a glass Pyrex container and separate them with parchment paper for future breakfasts.  You can thaw them or simply place the frozen patties in your cast iron skillet, heat thoroughly and enjoy.

Enjoy!

And keep living GREEN,

Easy Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

So, I have a confession.  I HATE cleaning toilets.  H  A  T  E   

Yes, I know I should be blessed that we have indoor plumbing, yadda yadda yadda but I procrastinate cleaning our toilets to the point that it is VERY obvious they need cleaning.  

Then, I reluctantly make my way to the cabinet to get my wowgreen toilet bowl cleaner (which by the way wowgreen has sadly fallen off of the face of the earth, I have grieved this and finally moved on, by the way).  Spray it in the toilet, let it set and do the scrub thing with the poky brush thing.  And I have a container of Seventh Generation wipes that I use to clean the outside of the toilet, seat, lid, etc.

By the way, I also have a "thing" that I have to scrub my toilets right before I get in the shower, because the idea of scrubbing a toilet and then preparing dinner just grosses me out.  BIG TIME !!  (sharing one of my many idiosyncrasies with you all)

So, a couple of days ago I went to the cabinet to get my wowgreen toilet cleaner and guess what??  The bottle is empty.  Great planning on my part, right?  

So, I think to myself....why can't I make a toilet bowl cleaner myself?  There has to be a doTERRA oil that makes a rockin' toilet cleaner, right?  The answer to that is a big, HUGE YES!  :-)  And it is sooooo easy.

So, here's the deal-e-o.....

Ingredients and supplies:
1 8 oz cobalt blue or amber glass spray bottle (I buy mine here)*
10 drops "do" OnGuard essential oil (buy from me :-) )
1 cup Distilled White Vinegar
1 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Morton Salt (the only place where I use this kind of salt...BUY sea salt that is not pure white to cook and eat with)

1.  Mix the vinegar and OnGuard essential oil in a spray bottle, spray inside bowl.  I used a kitchen funnel to do this.

2.  Mix baking soda and salt together in a shaker container of some sort and sprinkle on vinegar mixture.  I used one of my Bullet cups and the sprinkle top that came with it, it works perfectly.

3.  Spray vinegar/OnGuard mixture inside toilet bowl, until you feel the inside is covered with the spray.

4.  Then sprinkle some of the baking soda/salt mixture inside the toilet bowl on top of the vinegar/OnGuard spray.  You will hear a fizzing/bubbling sound, it's kinda cool.  :-)

5.  Let stand for 10 minutes then scrub with poky brush and flush.

6.  Repeat in other dirty toilets and store for future use.

All done!!

This is the sprinkle top I was telling you about.

*You probably don't have to buy a glass bottle to scrub your toilets...yes the OnGuard will pull petrochemicals out of a plastic bottle, but since you are not drinking it, I think it would be ok.  I just had an 8oz glass, so I used it.

Keep trying to live green,

What's going on in my kitchen today?

This is too funny.  I had to share it with all of my traditional foods and GREEN friends.

When I took a breath today and stepped back and looked at my kitchen, I laughed.  Look below and you will see why.

This is what went on in my kitchen today....

Butternut squash cut up and ready to freeze (chunks and fry shape) and 4 jars of Kimchi.

Butternut, Kimchi and Kombucha on it's 2nd Ferment.

Of course I saved the seeds from the Organic Butternut Squash to plant next year!

Water Kefir Brewing.

Becker's Farm Whole Chicken Cooking to make Chicken Stock and of course shredded chicken.

My beautiful Butternut Squash Soup, part of my new sort of GAPS life.

Beautiful Kimchi!  In 3 days I get to eat it!

I liked both pictures, couldn't decide which one I like better. :-)  Kimchi again.

So, by now you can figure out why I laughed so hard today when I stood back and looked at my kitchen, I had a lot going on!  But it is ohhhhh so worth it!!!

Keep Living Green,