I hate cooking.

I could bake all day. Baking is usually a treat so, you just have a little bit at a time. Usually the labor of baking is enjoyed over a few days. 

Cooking on the other hand... devoured. In five minutes. 

Baking, my kids love. My cooking, hit or miss which I know is normal, but none the less annoying and joy stealing.

Fact is... food is a major part of life, and I want to feed my family good food. 

We eat pretty simply around here. I used to be overly concerned with variety. Worried about my family getting tired of the food I make. Then, I started thinking about the past. Like pre-internet past, even pre-tv past, before people were so connected to the whole world. People didn't eat Chinese food if they weren't Chinese. Most people ate what they grew. No matter how big your garden, you were bound to repeat meals.

Mike and I have made great effort to simplify our lives. Why not apply that to our eating?

Simple is okay.

So, I compiled a list of all of our favorite meals. There are about 25.

*Edited to add: I guess we have more than 25! I had some requests to share our go-to's so here it is.*

My husband, God bless him, does our grocery shopping once a week. On grocery day, I make my weekly plan. I only plan ONE meal to cook a day. Ideally each person gets to pick one meal for the week.  

Our breakfasts are always quick and simple: smoothies, fruit, oatmeal, toast, eggs, etc. Sometimes, waffles or pancakes are actually one of the planned suppers. So, I make a big batch to freeze. Then, we can pull those out for a quick breakfast as well.

Lunch is either left over supper from the night before or what we refer to around here as "snacky lunch." I simply set out containers of pre-cut veggies, cut up an apple, set out a container of grapes, maybe add some slices of cheese, a few tortilla chips or pretzels and voila! Lunch. The same, every day... the kids don't care. Neither do I. 

Believe it or not, I have tried menu planning before; it never stuck. 

Two things have made this round of menu planning stick for that last several months.

1. Posting the menu on the fridge. 

Before I had it written in my planner. I don't know what it is about the visible reminder, but it works!

2. NETFLIX. No joke. 

I realize I am privileged to afford Netflix, but there are plenty of ways to watch free shows too. PBS, NBC, ABC and most other networks air their shows for free online. We don't have an actual TV. I just set up my laptop or my phone. Watching something I enjoy (which is currently the Great British Baking Show) while I cook has taken the drudgery out of it all. 

Do you love to cook or, are you more like me? I would love to hear how you plan meals. OR share what meals your kiddos love. Because, in reality, my kids really only like about ten of the 25 meals I make : /

My Minimal, Mostly Natural Hygiene Routine

* This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase something, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Little Things, Love... and Reality. *

Also, please do your research on essential oils if you are truly interested. Read this post for more.

When I started looking into essential oils for my anxiety, I learned A LOT about the amount of STUFF that is in beauty and hygiene products; so much of that stuff is really awful for us. 

Chemicals, dyes, perfumes... 

When I really took stock of what I was putting on my skin and in my mouth, I was shocked!

So, in the last couple of years, I have been making changes to have a more natural, chemical free life.

But I'm gonna keep it real.

Here is the other side of my bathroom counter:

I fully intend to dye my hair next week after I get a hair cut. Baby steps, right?

Oh... and jelly beans, 'cuz potty training.

Let's talk tooth paste.

I was worried that natural wouldn't cut it. After all, there's no fluoride in it. Well, let me tell you a story. The first time I went to the dentist after I started using natural tooth paste, the hygienist asked me, 

"Are you doing something different since your last visit?"

My first thought was OH CRAP! I totally lied and said no.

Her reply was that I need to keep doing whatever I was doing, because the number of "deep pockets" (whatever the heck those are) had gone from 17 at my last visit to 8.

She didn't even lecture me on flossing, 'cause well... I don't... very often... like once a week... or maybe once every two. Did I just admit that?!

When she told me this, I *suddenly* remembered to tell her that I was using a home made toothpaste. 

Here is what I use for my toothpaste:

1 part coconut oil

1 part baking soda

1/3 part hydrogen peroxide (optional for whitening)

Appropriate ratio of peppermint essential oil

Now, I'm not gonna lie, the first time I used this, I was NOT A FAN. It tasted so salty and bland compared to the minty, Aspartame (yes... ASPARTAME) sweetened toothpaste I was used to, but I was determined to stick with it. After just a few days, I was used to the taste and thoroughly impressed by how clean my mouth felt after every brush. I'll never go back.

Facial Care:

I don't have time or patience for any more facial steps than cleanser and moisturizer. 

I use a simple Neutrogena bar cleanser (not totally natural ingredients though) if I wore make up that day. If I didn't wear any make up, I just use my body cloth from Norwex. 

I moisturize with a mixture of 50% Jojoba oil and 50% Rose Hip oil. I add to that an appropriate 2% ratio combo of Tea Tree essential oil  and either Lavender or Frankincense essential oil. 

Six to 8 drops on my face is all I need for all day moisture. Oh, and don't freak out if your Rose Hip oil is yellow... it absorbs colorlessly ; ) Seriously, the container I have right now will last me a year for sure!

Body Care:

Again, soap and moisturizer only for me and actually, I rarely ever use lotion on my body other than my hands. I need LOTS for my hands especially during winter.

In the shower, I wash up with Dove bar soap for sensitive skin, and exfoliate with my Norwex cloth mentioned above.

My lotion is 50% coconut oil and 50% shea butter and then 2% ratio of your favorite essential oils. I am currently using Spearmint and Eucalyptus. 

This lotion is so thick and creamy. It takes just a tiny amount to do the job, and I really only need to re-apply after I wash my hands.

Hair Care:

I used to use shampoo and conditioner, but not any more. I found this bar soap and I LOVE it. 

I did a whole ton of research on the "no poo" method and all kinds of DIY shampoos. It just seemed that home made shampoos that were actually PH balanced (do your research on that) had to be mixed right before you used it or refrigerated or lasted only a few days. 

This shampoo suds up nicely which isn't always the case with natural shampoos. It also rinses totally clean. 

I use this on my kids too, even my daughter's long hair. There is no need for conditioner, and her hair is no more tangly than it was using the popular store bought kids' shampoos.

A few times, I have used regular shampoos while we've traveled and stayed other places. I notice every time how slimy they leave her hair, like the shampoo never rinses out. It just feels like build up in her hair.

Finally, for control of my pixie cut, which can be affected by major cowlick action, I use this recipe by Robin Konie of ThankYourBody.com. 

Less chemicals. Less time. Cost effective. All of these things are a win for me!

Have you thought about the ingredients in your products before? It's worth a look. Share your experiences in the comments!

Easy Pesto Pizza

The last couple weeks have been really busy. 

Have I every mentioned that I really don't like cooking. Baking... yes, I love baking, but cooking... not so much.

I barely take time to cook when our weeks are normal, let alone when we are busy.

This is one of my favorite meals for three reasons:

1. It's delicious.

2. It's super easy.

3. It's made with fresh ingredients.

Oh! and four!!

The kids love these : )

Layout out some tortillas on a baking sheet. I like to use whole wheat.

Spread on Pesto sauce. I like to use a regular pesto as well as tomato pesto. Both are delicious; I can't choose a favorite.

Add your toppings. My favorite include: black beans, navy beans, onions, tomatoes, peppers, sun dried tomatoes, cheese (especially feta!).

Bake at 350 degrees F. until the cheese is melted and edges a bit crisp.

ENJOY!

My All Natural, Truly Amazing Deodorant

A lemon.

That is all.

I'm not kidding.

It works.

Even in the hot summer. Once in a great while, I have to reapply, but I reapplied my old chemical containing, aluminum filled antiperspirant so, no difference there.

The difference is, I still sweat. Sweat is okay. Sweating is natural. Blocking our sweat?! Not natural.

I haven't tried it, but a friend of mine uses baking soda to keep dryer. Makes sense.

So, keep a "deodorant only" lemon in a container in your fridge. Cut off the tip. Hold the lemon just like a deodorant stick and apply the open end of the lemon to your pits. Then, cut off a tiny slice (which you discard) and put it back in the fridge for the next day.

Warning: Give this at LEAST a week. I promise you won't smell unbearable, but your body will go through a slight "detox" adjustment period. 

I'll never go back. I love lemons!

What ways do you naturally deodorize? Tell me in the comments. Let's share ideas with each other.

Essential Oils -- They are Something, but Not Everything

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
But, I will never link you to anything I don't trust or use myself!

One of my great experiments when I went off my meds was to see if I could control my anxiety symptoms using essential oils.

If you are wondering about the essential oil world, my one piece of advice is to DO YOUR RESEARCH. Please, please, PLEASE don't take the advice of one site or blog... or even fifty for that matter. It's an over saturated market right now, and it is difficult to find factual information!

*And remember, I am not a medical professional, I am a regular person.*

I first heard of essential oils from a friend on Facebook. Then, I started reading some blogs and articles about them. Everything I was reading was very convincing.

But, I don't really do anything without researching 10X more than the average person.

Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals is 650 pages of information! You definitely don't get this information from Pinterest. Like Technically, each individual oil has it's own safe dilution percentage. Some are more than others. So, we are given a blanket percentage on most informative sites. There are many cases of essential oils that are just counter productive together. There are some that actually interact with pharmaceutical medicines. This book also explains the science of absorption and chemical reactions that happen in body which is really impressive and cool.

Essential have become a major trend. I'm not saying that's bad, but with trends there is a tendency for things to get overlooked in order to spread the word about such a good thing quickly.

Essential oils are powerful. They have scientific research to back their medicinal qualities. They shouldn't be used casually, without careful thought. In my opinion, the trending use of essential oils is careless and wasteful.

Everywhere, you can find recipes for any ailment. You can find advice from people who use essential oils straight out of the bottle. I saw a video of a essential oil seller who's daughter was sprinkling her essential oils onto her wrists before school. I know that not all essential oil sellers promote this, but I have found many that do.

Using MORE essential oils does not make them stronger! Using them straight up is just plain wasteful (so, frankly, a way to get you to use more and get more sales). Check out this page. It is extremely informative about diluting essential oils.

Basically, safe dilution of a 15 ml essential oil is 2% which would fill up a wine bottle! That would last for a VERY LONG TIME. There is no reason anyone should be going through bottles of essential oils per month.

Some oils that have sensitization properties, which means that even if you've used them before without reaction, it could develop at any time.

There are a list of oils that are just NOT safe to use around children... common ones like Peppermint and Eucalyptus, unless at a extremely low dilution? I have to admit, I made this mistake. I didn't do all my research before actually using my oils. I know better now.

Many (and please note I am saying many not all) people endorse dropping essential oils in their water or a capsule to ingest them. This is what originally made me very skeptical of essential oils. If they are that powerful ON your body, why would we need them IN our body? Again, do your research and come to your own decide on your own conclusions.
Mine is that I will NEVER ingest them.

Here are a few sites that I found that give the REAL scoop on essential oils
(these are not affiliate links):

Learning About EOs

The Barefoot Dragonfly

The Tisserand Institute

Intoxicated on Life did a really great series called the Skeptics Guide to Essential Oils.

This post  by Kayla Fioravanti is a great condensed list of cautions to use.

So, after extensive research, I decided to try Eden's Garden essential oils. This company consistently gets great reviews by users, and they are very affordable.

I used specifically for my anxiety:
Frankincense
Align Synergy Blend
&
Relaxation Synergy Blend

As I mentioned in my previous post, when I get into a bad anxious state, I pretty much ignore self care. I wasn't totally consistent in applying the oils in the worst times so, maybe that was my problem.

The essential oils did not have significant effect on my severity of anxiety.

HOWEVER, that is not to say they didn't help at all.

First, I mixed Align and Frankincense, because I CAN'T STAND the smell of Align. Frankincense makes it bearable. And remember, of course, all of these oils are diluted to 2% in a carrier oil (I use coconut or jojoba oil).

I noticed that on days that I used Frankincense, my nervous ticks (yes... I never told you about those) were more under control. When I had the flu really bad, I noticed that I stayed calmer when I used the Relaxation synergy blend. Still today, when I rub Frankincense on my feet at night, I notice my sleep is deeper.

When I rid myself of hype that essential oils should totally replace my pharmaceuticals, I started to really love them. I'm excited to share with you in future posts some of the things I do use essential oils for.

Because, essential oils are something, but they are not everything.
(thanks Laura Miller - Wink).