No 'poo for me!

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No sillies. Not that kind! ShamPOO that is! I have decided a more natural method of cleaning my hair. My hair has gone completely nuts since I had my babies. I used to have super curly hair, but ever since pregnancy, my hair barely holds any sort of style. I also color my hair, and really don't take good care of it. I shamefully brush my hair while wet, and I live in ponytails. My hair is stressed my friends. Also, I am trying really hard to get rid of as many chemicals in my house as possible. With your skin being the largest organ your body has, have you ever stopped to think about all the harmful goop you put on it daily?


SimpleMom says -"Most shampoos also contain mineral oil, which is a byproduct when gasoline is distilled from crude oil. It’s added to shampoo (along with hundreds of other products) to thickly coat the strands, giving hair an artificial shine. And since it can’t absorb into skin, like the other ingredients, it acts as a barrier on our scalp, preventing oil from being released — thus requiring more shampoo to strip away the grease. This is why the more shampoo you use, the more you need."

Don't forget about all of those crazy unpronounceable chemicals that most shampoos are chalked full of. Do the research, you will find out more than you want to know about what you are "cleaning" your hair with.

I am sure you are saying, "Okay, now what?" There is an alternative, and it sooooo much cheaper too. Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar! The Baking soda cleans your hair and scalp while absorbing odors and oil. Apple Cider Vinegar counteracts the baking soda and acts as a detangler and a "conditioner". 

Success is all mine!

Ah yes, I finally veganized a recipe on my own! I am pretty excited about this! I found this recipe on Pinterest, (where else, of course!) and decided I wanted to try it only. Only problem? We don't eat eggs anymore. So what's a girl to do? Figure it out of course. I am pretty pleased with how they turned out, except for one detail. I used Splenda brown sugar, (all I had) so they have a bit of an aftertaste. I would recommend using regular from now on. So here is my version of Pennies on a Platter's version of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies.


Gooey Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars

1 can of Pumpkin
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup unbleached (or any kind) flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp flax meal (optional)
1 tsp unsweetened coca powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp chai spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
pinch of sea salt
2/3 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup dark and semisweet chocolate chips mixed

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients and spread into a greased (I used coconut oil) baking pan of your choice. I used a 9x13, but if you want them thicker, a 9x9 or 8x8 would work too.

Back 15-20 mins. You want the edges to start separating from the pan. These bars a gooey from the pumpkin, so the toothpick method isn't the best.

Cool 10 mins.

Sit down and enjoy! Hope you enjoy this recipe. I am as I type this!    

 

Already thinking about 2012.

So...it's been a week since my little man turned a year old. It amazes me how fast they grow. While reflecting on the past year, it dawned on me-I did not, in any way, shape or fashion, make the best of this past year. I spent most of my year living a pretty mundane life. I didn't add excitement to my children's lives. I wasn't the exceptional wife that I wanted to be. I spent a good portion complaining about everything that has been going on, and not dwelling on the good. Huge. Character. Flaw. I don't want to be like that anymore. I don't want to bring negativity in my home. I wear my heart and feelings on my sleeve and it may be time to put them away. I don't want my children to ever know what hardships their father and I may have to go through. I don't want them to look back as adults and say that they enjoyed their childhood. So, I plan on making these changes BEFORE the new year. I even have my resolutions down pat.

1. Be less negative. This was my resolution for last year, but I still didn't hold on to it. My children are definitely my motivation this time around.

2. Work on my book. Yes. I have wanted to write a book for some time, but I have been a bit embarrassed to say so. Now-I don't care. I am going to do it anyways.

3. Go back to school. Already doing that. I start back on Monday! I will be going to Grand Canyon University, which is a Christian school out in Phoenix. It's an actually university, not just an online school. I will be getting my BA in English Literature! I am beyond excited!

4. Make my house a home. Although I despise this house (everything keeps breaking and I am not fond of the town we live in) I can't keep living like I do. I gotta put my big girl panties on and start loving what God has blessed me with.

5. Be more of a people person. The years that have gone by without much social interaction has done something to me internally. I am not the outgoing person that I used to be. A lot has changed since I got married and became a SAHM. I would not change it for the world, but I have gotten lost a long the way. I got to get back into knowing how to be a person, around real people-not just on the computer.

6. Get healthy. I have already lost 35 lbs, but I have a long way to go. Fifty-five more to be exact. I also want to finish the process to becoming vegan. Our household is already vegetarian, and mostly dairy free, but there are a few things here and there that need to be changed. Also, changing how we eat when we are out is another challenge. We tend to eat like everyone else depending on who we are around-that's gotta stop. We know we want to be vegan, and we stand by our reasons; now we just have to make everyone else understand.

7. Get closer to God. In my bitterness at recent events, I have pushed Him away more than ever. Not sure why I feel like I can doing anything without Him, but it is a struggle. I think that is where the dead feeling comes from. In fact, I know that's where it comes from. So, this is what has to change before anything, because, who am I without Him?

8. Etsy shop. Hmmm. I did this before, but wasn't too dedicated to it. Now I want to be. Not sure any details, but I am thinking it over even as I write this.

9. Blogging. I have to get better at this. When I am on top of my blog, I feel like I can get most of my frustration out in words. I feel almost cleansed. Not to mention all the wonderful people I get to meet from doing it!

10. Oh  yea....did I mention I want to run a 5k in the Spring? More reason to get off my butt and get back to running! The cold can't be my excuse anymore.

11. Couponing. I have been so slack it's unreal. Being that I will be teaching at the local college beginning in January  I better get on it. I must perfect my skills again. Plus, we NEED for me to get back into it!

So that's the low down on what I have been thinking about these past weeks. I hope you all will hold me accountable for these things. I depend on it!