I've been asked to share recipes and discoveries for natural products
that I use. I'll try to start here and see what comes to mind. First of
all, as I have been recently asked so it is fresh on my mind, is hair
color.
I stopped using any hair color other than my own
creations about a year ago. For years, I highlighted and colored in a
salon. Then when money was tight as a stay at home mom, I started buying
the boxed colors, from there to a beauty supply store to mix my own,
and then as I started my journey to natural products, to the boxed
natural colors at a local market or from Amazon. Frustrated and tired of
coloring last year, mainly now to cover those pesky grays, I stopped. I
even used natural products to begin stripping the added colors from my
hair until I could see what it actually looked like. Horrors!! Then I
began to research natural ways to color and cover. There are so many
sites out there that offer suggestions and how-tos! My two favorites are http://wellnessmama.com/5112/natural-hair-color-recipes/ and http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-herbal-hair-dye/
So from there, I began to try all sorts of combinations and here is where I have settled for about the last 6 months:
8 oz aloe vera gel
1 Tb Henna powder
2-3 drops olive oil
1-2 Tb each Dried calendula and chamomile
1
Tb black tea, either loose leaf or empty 1 small tea bag (this step is
optional, as it makes the blend darker but olive oil and chamomile
lighten)
Water
I empty half of the bottle of
aloe into another bottle (I usually save the empties and split the
bottle). The I put the henna powder, olive oil, herbs and tea into the
half full bottle. I add water to fill 3/4 full, cap and shake. Then I
place the bottle in my cabinet and leave for a week to "steep" the
colors together, or longer until I am ready to use it. I strain out the
additives and keep the colored aloe gel in a squirt bottle, using as
needed about every 4 weeks, to stain my hair. Leave in approximately 30
minutes. I take a detox bath or clean my bathroom while it is on my
hair. The amount needed depends on the length of your hair and the
amount of gray. Once stained, it makes the gray appear as golden
highlights. I also keep some of the same in a bottle to apply topically
here and there for a boost if needed. To keep the color from being
stripped, use homemade, natural shampoos, or even better, no-poo
recipes. Baking soda or vinegar tend to strip faster so minimize the use
of these healthy no-poo recipes. My recipes for those to come later.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Non-Microwave Popcorn - Buttered or Caramel
One of our favorite snacks is popcorn. I love caramel popcorn. To make a more healthy popcorn, I no longer use my microwave. This article by DIY Natural tells of the dangers of microwave popcorn: Microwave Popcorn Dangers.
Instead of the microwave, you can make stove top popcorn. I use the Great Northern Popcorn Popper. It's a stainless steel, stove top popper that makes the best popcorn ever! One of our favorites is caramel popcorn. I'll share my recipe:
1/2 to 3/4 cup popcorn kernels (I like Bob's Red Mill Popcorn)
1 TB oil (olive, safflower or coconut)
1 TB butter (real butter)
1 tsp salt
Pop corn kernels in the popper following directions for the popper. Or use the stove top method by putting it in a deep pan or dutch over, covering with a lid, and shaking gently side to side on the burner as it pops. To serve as simply buttered and salted, you are done. To serve as caramel, lightly grease a deep bowl and pour the popcorn in (to keep the caramel from sticking). Then prepare the topping.
Caramel topping
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar (organic cane or coconut palm sugar)
1 tsp butter
pinch of salt
1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter or coconut butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
Put honey, sugar butter and salt in a small saucepan and heat on medium high, stirring occassionally. Once it begins to boil, turn the heat down a little and let it continue to boil for 3 minutes. Turn down the heat once more and stir in peanut butter or substitute. Once that is thoroughly incorporated, remove from heat. You can add a teaspoon of vanilla once removed from heat. Pour gently over the popcorn, stirring as you go, to coat. Serve and enjoy!
Instead of the microwave, you can make stove top popcorn. I use the Great Northern Popcorn Popper. It's a stainless steel, stove top popper that makes the best popcorn ever! One of our favorites is caramel popcorn. I'll share my recipe:
1/2 to 3/4 cup popcorn kernels (I like Bob's Red Mill Popcorn)
1 TB oil (olive, safflower or coconut)
1 TB butter (real butter)
1 tsp salt
Pop corn kernels in the popper following directions for the popper. Or use the stove top method by putting it in a deep pan or dutch over, covering with a lid, and shaking gently side to side on the burner as it pops. To serve as simply buttered and salted, you are done. To serve as caramel, lightly grease a deep bowl and pour the popcorn in (to keep the caramel from sticking). Then prepare the topping.
Caramel topping
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar (organic cane or coconut palm sugar)
1 tsp butter
pinch of salt
1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter or coconut butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
Put honey, sugar butter and salt in a small saucepan and heat on medium high, stirring occassionally. Once it begins to boil, turn the heat down a little and let it continue to boil for 3 minutes. Turn down the heat once more and stir in peanut butter or substitute. Once that is thoroughly incorporated, remove from heat. You can add a teaspoon of vanilla once removed from heat. Pour gently over the popcorn, stirring as you go, to coat. Serve and enjoy!
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