All-Natural DIY Cleaning Products

I hate cleaning.  There, I said it.  I don't get the gratification some few people get by scrubbing tubs and pots.  But I think we can all agree we love a clean house.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap All-Purpose Cleaner

 We had some friends staying with us and they left this Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in our shower, and I set it aside thinking it was shampoo or something.  While researching DIY cleaning product recipes, I found this really simple all-purpose cleaner using this exact soap.  After looking up all this soap can do, I got really excited and will have to buy some other kinds with different essential oils to try too.  For now, I cleaned every surface in my house with the spray I made and washed the floors.  It smells so fresh and it's nice knowing that I'm not using any chemicals.

It really works:  clean your tub with a grapefruit and kosher salt.  I think cleaning the tub one of my all-time hated chores... crouching down to scrub, scrub, scrub with some nasty potent smelling stuff trying to fight the soap scum... and then there's what to do with my disgusting brush/sponge when I'm done.  This is awesome!  I only cut about 1/4 of it on each side so I still had a good middle chunk to eat :)  One end for each tub was enough too.  Sprinkle some salt and go to town- it smelled heavenly and worked like a charm!  Best part was just tossing the fruit in the trash- easiest clean up :)

Almond Milk and Almond Meal

I discovered it is impossible to buy almond milk at the grocery store without some kind of added preservatives because fresh almond milk is only good for a couple of days.  It is surprisingly easy to make at home... just not really any cheaper.  If anything it is actually more expensive unless you know a great deal on raw almonds.  Even still, it is worth it because of the health benefits and it tastes far superior to store-bought.  Plus, you get the bonus of almond meal out of the process.


This is a helpful blog about making it yourself.  I used a food processor this first time I made it and will try a blender next time.  It was good, but my food processor couldn't hold all the liquid without leaking and the result was somewhat gritty, but not necessarily in a bad way; it was just super nutty tasting :)

Home-made Almond Milk

Healthy Chocolate Milkshake

Healthy Chocolate Milkshake:  Creamy, icy, smooth chocolatey goodness that you can drink to your health.  Blending frozen bananas allows endless "shake" possibilities and here's my favorite I concocted.

I love bananas, yet I rarely eat them by themselves anymore now that I've discovered how delicious they are with so many things.  This is a perfect summer dessert.  It fills me up and satisfies me for the evening.  I actually crave this over dairy milkshakes because you feel light and refreshed after drinking it, and I feel better about what I'm putting in my body.


Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana (I keep an ice tray in my freezer with chunks of of peeled banana)
• 1 cup (maybe more) of unsweetened vanilla almond milk 
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• dash of cinnamon (optional)

Prep time = 1 min:
Place frozen banana chunks in a blender (or I use the jar I will drink it out of and an immersion blender to cut dishes).  Pour enough milk to cover bananas; add cocoa and other spices if using.  Blend until milkshake consistency and add more milk if necessary.  You'll never believe there's no sugar or milk! Enjoy...

Easy Banana-nutter Oatmeal

Easy Banana-Nutter Oatmeal:  This concoction barely counts as a recipe, but I've been loving it so much lately I had to share.  I am all about:  easy, quick, non-complicated, few dishes, no cooking, healthy, and delicious, and this one covers it all.

 Bananas, oatmeal, and peanut butter are among my favorite things, so not everyone may be as excited about this, but if you love those things, give it a try for a quick breakfast, snack, or light lunch.







Cost:  maybe $0.40

Prep/Cook time:  1 min

Ingredients:  1 banana, 2 Tbsp of peanut butter (I prefer natural and crunchy) rolled oats, and chia seeds are optional (but I love the added crunch and nutrition)

Slice the banana and mix with the peanut butter until all the pieces are sticky.  Then pour enough oats to coat the bananas, and sprinkle with the chia seeds if using.  Yum!  Sweet creamy bananas, rich and salty protein packed peanut butter, chewy wholesome oats, and crunchy healthy seeds.  Satisfying anytime snack.

Whole-Wheat Indian Griddle Bread- satisfies carb craving with healthy whole grains and olive oil and inexpensive side to any middle eastern dish

I found this recipe to accompany an Indian lentil dish I was making and it is awesome!  Super delicious, cheap, healthy, easy.... just really time consuming and putzy- but in the fun way and they are totally worth it, I promise!

Go to the link for an awesome step-by-step...
whole-wheat Indian griddle bread



Cost:  like nothing! ok, maybe $0.20 per serving if that...
Prep/Cook time:  long... an hour and a half

Kale Chips

Kale Chips- satisfies crunchy/salty cravings with lots of nutrients, low calories, and healthy fat

As I write this, I am polishing off a batch I just made.  I can’t believe it when you look at the bunch of fresh intimidating dark green leaf-ness how easy it is to consume the whole thing in minutes, love it, and feel great about it!

Cost:  $0.75 per serving ($0.40 for non-organic)

Prep/Bake time:  20-30 min after washing drying kale preferably the day before

Directions:  Wash and thoroughly dry kale leaves (preferably the day before to ensure there is no extra moisture).  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Rip leaves off stems in about 2 in pieces (they will shrink), and put them in a bowl.  Add a splash of olive oil, just enough to wet all the pieces, but careful not to add too much or they will be soggy.   Sprinkle seasoning of choice without the salt.  Spread on non-insulated baking sheet curly side down so there is space for air to flow under the leaves.  You may need to do several pans or a few shifts because you don’t want them over-lapping.  Bake 10 min and check if they are completely crispy.  Edges will be slightly browned when done, but not dark or you have burned them.  Be careful with the timing; they can go from done to burnt in seconds.  Sprinkle with salt and enjoy!  You don’t even have to feel guilty if you eat the whole pan. 

Dark Chocolate Bar

Dark Chocolate Bar- satisfies chocolate/sweet/rich/fat cravings with antioxidants, healthy metabolism boosting fat, and low in natural sugar.

Could it really be?  Delectable, mouthwatering rich dark chocolate that will benefit your health?  Yes, you are encouraged to eat your chocolate every day for rich nutrients and potential weight loss!  I love coconut oil for many reasons.   After doing lot’s of research, it definitely seemed worthwhile to try.  It’s great to cook with in place of butter or canola oil, and it turns out to have many health benefits in consuming a few tablespoons every day.  One delicious way to help you do that is this super easy recipe.  You can vary it up with different flavors and experiment to find your desired consistency, but this is what I do, and it’s high-end candy shoppe quality every time!

Cost:  $0.75 per serving

Prep/”bake” time:  5 min

Directions:  Whisk together about 3.5 Tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably organic) with 3 Tbsp of organic unrefined coconut oil.  It will be a thick paste.  Add your preferred natural sweetener up to 3 Tbsp.  I use about ½ Tbsp of pure maple syrup, plus ½ Tbsp of raw honey, but I don’t mind it pretty bitter so you may need to add more if you like it sweeter.   The reason I add a tad more cocoa than oil is because it gets harder and less oily that way but it is smoother like a truffle if you use equal parts, which is yummy, just messier.   Next you can add any natural flavorings you’d like.  I usually add pure vanilla, almond extract, and cinnamon, but I assure you it will even be delicious without anything else.  Other ideas are a little cayenne for some heat or peppermint extract.   Note:  you will taste some lingering coconut flavor but it won’t be over-powering.  Taste as you mix and when you’re ready, spread it on some parchment paper and put it in the fridge until hardened enough you can break it apart.   Keep it stored in the fridge because it will melt just above room temperature… Enjoy and thank God for making something so delicious so healthy!