DIY Soft Scrub

In an effort to reduce my and my family's exposure to toxins and chemicals, I've researched to how to make some of my own cleaning products in minutes. 

Did you know that the simple cleaning products that we use daily like window and glass cleaner, soft scrubs, oven cleaners, bathroom cleaners all come with warnings and are probably the most toxic chemicals we have in our houses? 

What's amazing is most of these products are ridiculously fast and easy to make your own AND they are very effective. If you have allergies, are sensitive or want to avoid breathing in or absorbing toxins from commercial products, DIY is the way to go! 

One of my favorites is make your own soft scrub formula. It can be made in like 2 minutes from ingredients you probably have in the house or can get very easily.  

 It smells so good, is creamy and effective, and makes everything sparkle. The best part is that it's not harsh on the hands, is not dangerous to inhale, and can be stored for a few uses. 
** Vinegar or citrus products are not recommended for use on granite or any natural stone

I made a very small batch but it was enough for using it 5 or 6 times for my bathroom sinks, on my coffee mugs, and some chrome fixtures. Boy did they all sparkle and shine!!!

Lemon Essential Oil is antibacterial, cuts grease and oil, and smells fresh and clean!

** I think Dr. Bronner's Castile soup works the best. You can purchase online or the best price is at Vitamin Shoppe. ( in a pinch although it is not as natural , you can use dish soap)

I bought a Young Living starter kit about 7 months ago and have been researching and learning more and more ways to use the oils everyday. The more I learn about essential oils, the more I love them. If you are not familiar with essential oils and how they help make your home and your self chemical free, I would be glad to share what I know with you. Feel free to email me 
Email: vegyid2@yahoo.com and we can talk. 

If you would like to purchase a starter kit ( which includes 10 essential oils, a diffuser, plus other items), you would become part of my team and I would work with you to learn how to use the oils.  

My Young Living Distributor # is 3329912 if you want to sign up under me.. Email me- Judee Algazi

5 Ways I use Lemon Essential Oil: 

1. Lemon oil in honey. When we are under the weather, we take 1 drop of Young Living Essential Oil in 1 teaspoon of local raw honey. ( Young Living lemon oil is approved for ingestion) 
2. Diffuse in my diffuser- lemon essential oil imparts a beautiful aroma in the air feeling fresh and clean. It is antibacterial so the benefits are diffused in the air. 
3. Goo Be Gone- 1 drop of lemon essential oil on a the price sticker on a picture frame and it's gone in a split second. So easy to remove the sticky goo from any glass surface.
4. Added to cleaning products- lemon essential oil is the perfect oil to add to vinegar for cleaning. I is not only antibacterial, it smells amazingly fresh and clean. 
5. Flavoring- If a recipe calls for lemon and I'm out, I use a few drops of Young Living lemon Essential oil. It imparts a wonderful lemon flavor and adds additional benefits because Young Living lemon essential oil is made not only with the inner fruit, but also the peel which has additional nutritional benefits. Again, Young Living oils are approved for ingestion. ( I would not use other brands) 

Soft Scrub formula Cleaner

3/4 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup Castile Soap 

1 Tablespoon water

1 Tablespoon vinegar

8 drops lemon essential oil 

Mix the baking soda, castile soap, and water. Add the vinegar and stir until smooth. 

Add essential oil. ( * do not use vinegar on granite or any natural stone) 

5 Minute Energy Balancing Routine

Got 5 minutes? You can align your energy for better focus, concentration and creativity. 

Years ago, I took a weekend energy balancing workshop with Donna Eden at the Institute in Rye in upstate New York. The 3 day class was an in-depth course, and I learned a lot about energy, energy balancing for greater mental focus, and energy techniques for stress management.

At the time, I was a high school teacher,  teaching very bright high school students who had ADD and ADHD.  I was interested in the course to see how this energy work might be applied to helping my students with focus, concentration and relaxation. Donna Eden suggested a simple daily routine of energy balancing exercises to help bring your body back into balance and prepare for mental work!

The routine was easy and when I shared it with my students, some of found the exercises helpful. ( I think they also like the opportunity to have a physical activity to do in the class and a short break for sitting still).

The other day I was perusing Pinterest ( one of my favorite activities), and I came across a post entitled, "5-minute daily routine: Super Brain Yoga - a Donna Eden short version - on YouTube" 

Naturally I was curious to see the routine and sure enough, it was a short video demonstration of a few of the simple techniques that I had previously learned ( and had forgotten about) made into a video featuring those very techniques into a quick 5 minute morning routine exercise. 

I'm so glad I found it because it reminded me how helpful simple energy balancing exercises can be and how easy it is to do a few little exercises each morning upon rising, or as a break when stressed ,or when doing long hours of desk or computer work.

I'm going to add these simple techniques back into my morning routine- 

Do you want to join me? 

Once I have the routine down and I can do it without watching the video,  I like to play yoga or spa music in the background while doing it. Music is a great balancer for me as well.  

A few days later, I  found a Youtube by Donna Eden that explains each exercise better plus the whys and hows. She also gives 2 additional morning exercises! 

In addition, here is a link to Donna's book

Black Beans Make a Great Summer Salad

Looking for a quick but satisfying summer salad that can serve as lunch or a light dinner?

My black bean salad is one of our favorites. It's light but filling and packs lots of fiber, nutrients, and taste. The best part is that it can be ready in under 10 minutes. 

I use organic canned beans for convenience and simply chop up some juicy summer tomatoes, sweet red onion, fresh summer basil, and avocado. When I have left over rice, I add that in as well. Splashed with freshly squeezed lime, this salad looks pretty and tastes delicious. Just assemble and serve.

This is also a great recipe to bring to a pot luck or BBQ since it is delicious at room temperature too. It travels well or can be assembled when you get to your get together. Simply make a container of beans and the rice and another container of the salad. Mix when you get there. I will be bringing this to a woman's meet up that I belong too. It's easy and economical, so it's perfect for a larger crowd. I just double the recipe.

Author: Judee Algazi @ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: None
Serves: 6

Ingredients: 
2 organic cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
3 summer or vine ripe tomatoes, chopped
4 large sprigs of fresh basil , chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 medium Haas avocado, diced
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
Himalayan salt to taste
Optional: 2 cups leftover cooked rice or quinoa
Optional: 1 cup of chopped red pepper

Directions 

Drain and wash beans. Combine with everything except the avocado. Add the diced avocado to each plate just before serving. If there are leftovers, do not add avocado to the leftovers as it will get very dark.

Linked :My Blog Carnival List and Souper Sunday at Kahakai Kitchen

Why I eat Celery Every Day

What's all the fuss about celery ?
I recently visited the website of Anthony Williams. He is a medical medium who gives nutritional advice on Hay House Radio. He says that celery is one of the vegetables that can help alkalize and mineralize your body- so it's great for healing what ails you. Many sources say that disease doesn't like to live in an alkaline environment- and guess what celery creates? ( alkalinity) . For healing, he recommends a large glass of organic celery juice daily and drank on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

My morning juice

Celery is a Part of my Morning Juice

I've always included organic celery in my morning fresh vegetable juice.
I use carrots, celery, cucumber, beet, romaine lettuce, parsley, kale. I switch around greens as each green offers a different benefit. Sometimes I use collard greens instead of kale or butter leaf lettuce instead of romaine lettuce, cilantro instead of parsley. In addition, I recently started adding green sprouts. Anthony Williams says that the tender butter leaf lettuce is offers a lot of nutrients.

Although I had always used celery, I never really knew until reading his blog that it has such value. Some other sources say that celery can help improve one's overall health since it contains significant amounts of water which are full of minerals and vitamins. Read my post on getting more energy from juicing 

Have arthritis? 
Celery is also an anti-inflammatory 

In addition, celery is felt to fight inflammation and reduce joint swelling which may be of benefit for anyone suffering from arthritis or gout. It also contains many antioxidants and flavanoids as well as phthlides, and coumarin that are all key in the prevention of disease. I also didn't know that celery provides a substantial amount of Vitamin C as well. 

Celery is Low Calorie but adds fiber, flavor and crunch to soup, salads, stuffings, and entrees.

In addition, Celery is low calorie and low carb but high in fiber. This mildly flavorful light green vegetable is a welcome addition to soups, salads, stuffings, and entrees. Since celery is also low in calories, fiber and carbohydrates, it makes a perfect food for those wishing to lose weight. Its high in fluid makes it helpful to keep you hydrated as well. 

Have you ever had celery stuffed with peanut butter? Great vegan and gluten free Snack!!! 

Why I buy only organic celery

Celery is on the dirty dozen list for foods that have the highest amount of pesticides. Therefore it is one of the foods that I always buy organic.

Strawberries are the #1 Dirtiest with the heaviest pesticides!

The following list gives you the foods that are recommended to purchase organic because of their high pesticide exposure. 

Want to know about the Clean 15 List  which are the foods that get the least pesticide exposure and are safer to buy if not organic? Read Clean 15

Do you like celery? Do you buy organic? What is your favorite way to use celery?

Try some of my vegan and gluten free soup recipes that contain celery- I usually add celery to most of my soup recipes. Because of it high liquid content it imparts a nice flavor to the soup.  Remember all of my soups are fast and easy to make! 

Asparagus Soup

Golden Cauliflower Soup in 25 minutes

Spinach Vegetable Soup

Simple Spinach - zero point soup

Tomato Coconut Soup

 I feel like I should start making  celery soup! Anyone have a good recipe?

This post will be linked to my blog carnival list  of blog parties with lots of shared recipes.