A Lovely Motto

Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.
- Edwin Teale

Simplicity is the essence of happiness.
- Cedric Bledsoe

Straightforwardness and simplicity are in keeping with goodness.
The things that are essential are acquired with little bother;
it is the luxuries that call for toil and effort.
To want simply what is enough nowadays suggests to people
primitiveness and squalor.
- Seneca, Letters from a Stoic

Finally! Natural Homemade Deodorant that really works!

Are you wondering why anyone would want to make their own deodorant? Here's an article from Dr. Mercola on the dangers of antiperspirants. Not only is it important for your health but it's more frugal then buying and trying several from the health food store that you aren't sure will even work!

Thank you, One Long Adventure for testing this out for us and to Cheap Like Me for the idea of using tree tea oil for natural antibacterial properties!!

* Place 5 tablespoons of coconut oil (unrefined from natural food store) in a pot and liquify over low-medium heat. This happens very quickly.

* Remove from heat and add other ingredients.

* Add 1/4 cup of corn starch

* Add 1/4 cup of baking soda

* Stir continuously until smooth

*Add essential oils drop by drop until desired scent is reached (I would suggest at least 5-7 drops of tea tree oil for its natural anti-bacterial properties and then another for scent if you'd like)

* Pour into a 4 oz canning jar.

*Leave lid off until cool. Re-stir once cooled, as essential oils sometimes float to the top. Can refrigerate for a couple days to solidify.

Dab a bit onto your fingers and apply to underarms.

If you prefer a spray you might try this one:

• ¼ cup witch hazel extract
• ¼ cup mineral water
• ¼ cup aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp. glycerin
• 6 to 8 drops of essential oil of your choice (again, I'd use a few drops of tea tree oil)

This spray should last about 2-4 weeks. Re-apply during the day if necessary.

I would love to know how these work for you! Please come back and leave a comment.

Who Needs Delivery?

Not with this recipe! Make several and freeze before cooking for a quick meal any time.

Here's what you'll need:

*Crust:
4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp honey
3 cups warm water (110*F)
2 tsp salt
1 TB Italian seasoning
1/4 cup olive oil
6 1/2-7 1/2 cups bread flour

Sauce:
1 large can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
1 TB Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp honey


Toppings:

Whatever floats your boat - I used raw milk cheese topped with chicken, bacon, red onion, and fresh tomatoes drizzled with a bit of olive oil.

Other favorites:
Chicken, tomatoes and pineapple
Spinach, red onion and tomatoes
Beef, red onion and green bell peppers

Directions:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast, honey and water. Let sit 10 minutes.
• Stir in about 3 cups of flour along with the salt, italian seasoning, and oil.
• Turn dough out onto a clean, floured surface and knead in more flour until dough is moist but not sticky. Put back in bowl, cover with damp cloth and let rise until double; about one hour.
• Meanwhile, stir together sauce and grate cheese.
  
• Punch down and form a tight ball. Allow to relax for about 5 minutes before rolling out.
• Coat pizza pan with olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal.
  
• Top with sauce, cheese, and goodies. :P
• Bake at 425* for 15-20 minutes.

NOTE: If using a pizza stone top and bake immediately. If not, let rolled out dough rise for about 15 minutes before topping.

*Makes 3 large pizzas.

Family fun: Make small pizzas and let everyone top their own! You can also do this for a get together.

A New 'Friend' For Tea

After months of researching, I finally decided to purchase a Bissell steam mop. I really, really like it! I liked it so much I decided to share a cup of tea with her. :P

For general cleaning I just use the steam mop after a thorough sweeping. For tougher jobs I use my homemade all purpose cleaner to spray the areas that need a 'pre-soak' and then plug in my new friend and within moments (30 seconds) she's rearing to go! When finished, toss the washable microfiber pad in the wash for the next time.

I've used it on my ceramic tile and our concrete that has been painted and coated with poly-urethane. It's great! It's easy! It's better for you and better for the environment!

Quick & Easy, Fun Lunch

We try to avoid over processed, preservative filled, pre-packaged foods from the store. I'm sure you're wondering what in the world we eat then, right? So do I, sometimes!

Fresh fruit, boiled eggs, fresh veggies, cheese sticks with crackers, fresh bread, or tortillas is what we eat a lot of during the warm months. Here's what we had today!

Next time you make sloppy joes or spaghetti, save out about 1 1/2-2 cups of the sauce. We purchased the whole wheat mini bagels, shredded some cheese and that's all you need! I sprayed the pan with oil to avoid cheese drips sticking to the pan and preheated the broiler on the oven (you can use your toaster oven too).

Split the bagels in halves and lay on pan, spoon on about 2 TB leftover sauce, top with shredded cheese and place under broiler for a few minutes until bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned in spots.

Cut up an apple and banana, throw in a bowl with grapes and wa-lah a quick, nutritious lunch!

More-With-Less Peanut Butter Cookies

More-With-Less is one of my favorite cookbooks! It focuses on eating healthier and being good to our planet with lots of frugal from scratch recipes. I use the recipes as a base and be creative adding flavors and spices as desired. Here's one I tried today.

Cream together:
1/2 cup shortening (I used softened butter)
1 c. peanut butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg (I used the flax replacement*)

Add to creamed mixture:
1 c. wheat germ
2 tsp. vanilla
6 TB water

Combine and add:
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (I used white wheat)
1 c. dry milk solids (I omitted this and added a bit more flour)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda

Roll into balls and flatten with fork in criss cross pattern. Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes.

These aren't the kind of cookies you take to a potluck where everyone is used to eating store bought processed, high fructose corn syrup laden junk. These taste healthy, aren't very sweet and are a wonderful snack or even breakfast with a tall glass of ice cold raw milk and a piece of fruit.

*2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds & 3 Tablespoons water -mixed well

The Goodness of FRESH Tortillas

You won't believe the difference in store bought vs. homemade until you try it!

Mix 4 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder together. Using fingers, work in 1/2 cup of softened butter until crumbly.

Mix in 1 - 1 1/4 cup water until soft dough is formed. Turn out onto floured surface and knead a few times. Meanwhile, heat a cast iron griddle or skillet on medium heat.

Separate into 12-16 balls and cover with damp cloth. Take 1 ball at a time and roll out onto a floured surface until about 1/8 inch thin. We like ours a little thicker then store bought.

They don't have to be a perfect circle! Place on hot, dry griddle until brown spots appear.
Watch closely and don't burn!

It's a unspoken rule that you must eat one immediately with butter! ;) You might consider sharing one with each of your loved ones.