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Where the hell has staceygreenliving been?

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“Where have you been Stacey? Why have I not read any amazing/informative posts lately? Why did you desert us and leave us all alone? Whhhhyyy???”

 

Here’s the deal my wonderful and patient friends - I have been studying. Yep, I wish it was more glamorous than that but alas, it’s not. As many of you know, I am completing my schooling to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and will hopefully be done by June 2013. I was moving right along quite smoothly until I hit this latest module – the science module. Dum dum dummm.  Now, to put this in perspective for you – I went to university for Theatre. Yes, you read that correctly. So asking me to jump into the science world has been quite the challenge. I am plugging my way through it though and I will persevere!!

 

That is why the world of staceygreenliving has been so dark. I do not want to post anything that is sub-par because you deserve only the best! So I won’t do it! You can’t make me! I will only post things that are helpful and funny and educational and fabulous, and these kinds of postings take time, love and nuturing…and sometimes a little bit of wine. ;)

 

To sum up: I apologize for my absence. It hurts me too. And I will do my best to get my head out of my ass in the very near future.

 

Until then,

 

High-five like you mean it – because otherwise, what’s the point!!?

Stacey

 

CHEF MICHAEL SMITH INTERVIEW!! (I could not be more excited about this)

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I love food. I love cooking it, reading about it, eating it and watching shows about it. I love the Food Network as well. Who doesn’t, right? My favourite show is Chef at Home starring Chef Michael Smith – the fabulous and personable gentleman that cooks without a recipe and makes me feel like I can too! I love the way he gets excited about food and genuinely wants to share his knowledge and recipes. I may also feel a certain connection to him because he’s 6’7″ and I’m 6’2″ – it’s a tall thing.

But I digress…

photo credit: Loretta Campbell

A few months ago I wrote a blog on  making your own pasta sauce  and in this posting I referenced Chef Michael’s delicious Roasted Tomato Sauce. That blog got a great response so it got me thinking “wouldn’t it be great if I could ask Chef Michael some questions about food and healthy living? And wouldn’t it be great if he actually took the time to answer them?”

Why, yes! Yes it would!

So, I sat down behind my computer and wrote my little heart out. I contacted his publicist who was unbelievably gracious and passed on my questions. And wouldn’t you know it? HE ANSWERED THEM! I am bursting at the seams with excitement. This is like the holy grail of food for me. Honestly. I am so very grateful that he was kind enough to take time from his incredibly busy schedule of filming and book touring to let me pick his brain! And not only did he answer my questions, he also gave me two of his brand new recipes from his just release cookbook – Fast Flavours- 110 simple speedy recipes.

So, without further ado. I give you:

staceygreenliving’s Interview with Chef Michael Smith!!!

staceygreenliving:      You have travelled the world and cooked with some of the most unique ingredients out there. What would you say is your current favourite ingredient to cook with and why ?

Chef Michael Smith:     Local apples. I love the annual ritual of loading up the car with the kids and heading for MacPhees orchard, picking ourselves silly than going home and making pies and applesauce for the winter.

staceygreenliving:      You always stress the benefits of eating locally, and I totally agree! Now that we’re into autumn I’m loving crisp apples and delicious squash. Do you have a particular dish you love to cook up when the air gets a little crisp?

Chef Michael Smith: Baked Apples from Fast Flavours- see recipe (I have included this recipe here)

staceygreenliving: I try to stress the importance of cooking using whole and fresh ingredients although sometimes I buy canned beans and frozen veggies so I always have solid basics to work with. What is one ingredient you always have on hand to ensure success in the kitchen?

Chef Michael Smith: I keep canned chickpeas, legumes and canned tomatoes on hand but that’s it for cans!

staceygreenliving: While you are extremely adventurous in the kitchen, which your audience loves – not everyone is as brave. What are a couple of spices that you feel people should absolutely try?

Chef Michael Smith: Try rosemary in sweet dishes like apple pie and nutmeg in savoury dishes like mashed potatoes!

staceygreenliving: I know you’re a new dad (congratulations!!) and also have 2 other beautiful kids as well. I have a 4-year-old son and getting him to eat well is sometimes quite the challenge! Do you have any tried and true tricks for introducing your children to new foods?

Chef Michael Smith: Practice patience and persistence. Be ready with healthy snacks when they come home from school. Put veggies on the table first at dinner. Give veggies names like magic bushes for broccoli or flying spears for asparagus or shark for any fish!  Our only rule is that you have to try it.

staceygreenliving: Finally, we all work crazy busy lives, you definitely understand this! When you come home and you’re tired and it’s late and everyone is hungry – what is your one go-to meal that saves the day?

Chef Michael Smith: Penne with rotisserie chicken and pesto from Fast Flavours

This recipe is also included below. I made it last night for my son who has never had pesto before and if you read my blog regularly, you know he’s quite the challenge when it comes to new food. Not only did he eat it, he ASKED FOR SECONDS!!

 

 

Baked Stuffed Apples

 Ó Fast Flavours Chef Michael Smith

Nothing says cozy comfort better than local fall apples and cinnamon. It takes mere minutes to get this simple treat into the oven. Just fix and forget and when you remember you’ll be rewarded with lots of cinnamon scented baked apple flavour!

 Prep Time>10 min

Total Time>50 min

 Serves 4 to 6

6 or 8 of your favourite apples

1/2 cup of softened butter

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 cup or so of rolled oats

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350F. Turn on your convection fan if you have one.

Rest each apple on its side and neatly slice off the top half-inch or so. The stem will fall out. Reserve the little apple hats. Use an apple corer to pierce the works and punch out the seeds. Nestle the apples tightly together in a colourful baking dish.

With your fingers stir together the butter, sugar, oats and cinnamon working the mixture until its combined and crumbly. Evenly divide the mixture between the apples, stuffing and filling their centers and mounding the rest on top. Replace the little tops on each apples.

Bake until the apples heat through, collapse a bit and taste delicious, about 45 minute, maybe longer depending on the apple type. They’re done when they soften and look and smell delicious. Serve and share with lots of vanilla ice cream!

 Speed It Up

You can turn up the ovens heat and the apples will bake faster but above 350° you’ll run the risk of burning the sugar. You can use your microwave to dramatically speed up this treat. The results are not quite the same as baking but delicious nonetheless.

 

Penne with Rotisserie Chicken, Spinach and Pesto

 Fast Flavours Ó Chef Michael Smith

 

Done in 20 minutes!

This rustic dish shows off one of my favourite flavour combos ever: roast chicken and bright green pesto with chewy pasta and dark green spinach tossed in for good measure. These are true comfort flavours to me. It’s nice to roast your own chicken but just as nice to save time with a store bought rotisserie bird!

Serves 4-6

1 store bought rotisserie chicken

1 pound (450g) of penne

1 cup or so of pesto, hopefully homemade

1 bag (10 ounces/284g) of baby spinach

Lots of freshly ground black pepper

Use your fingers and a fork to shred as much meat from the chicken as you can. As the cook you get first dibs on the tender roasted wings. Snack if you like! (Reserve the carcass for making stock for another meal.)

Meanwhile, prepare a large pot of freshly cooked, steaming penne. Drain the pasta in a colander, returning 1 cup of the starchy cooking water to the pot. Don’t rinse the pasta. Stir the pesto into the water, add the chicken, toss in the spinach and top with the steaming pasta. Stir the works together until everything is combined and evenly coated. Serve and share with lots of freshly ground pepper.

Speed It Up

On the top ten list of time saving kitchen shortcuts is the ubiquitous store-bought rotisserie roast chicken. Just about every supermarket offers this tasty time-saver. You can slice and shred its goodness into a menu of food choices! Be sure to simmer its leftovers into a tasty broth, and you’ll save time for another meal.

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A giant thank-you to Chef Michael Smith for allowing me this opportunity! Make sure you get out and buy his new cookbook Fast Flavours- 110 simple speedy recipes and visit www.chefmichaelsmith.com

Did you like this posting? Want to see more just like it? Follow me here, on Facebook @staceygreenliving or on Twitter or Pinterest @staceygliving

High-five like you mean it!

Stacey

Do-it-yourself facial? I think so!

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For those of you who don’t know me personally I work at a high school in Toronto, Canada. While my days are spent editing papers and solving math problems like 2x +3 = -4 + 7 : solve for x (painful memories are surfacing, aren’t they!) – I also coach the girls rugby team. Today we had our very first tournament and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, it was 5 degrees all day and windy as a son of a gun!! Seriously, it was like being in tornado alley. Why am I telling you all of this? Stay with me folks, there is a point.

I got home from my crazy day outdoors and had a shower. Upon exiting my steamy bathroom I noticed that my skin was chapped and red. Now, I already suffer from very dry skin in the winter but the wicked winds and frigid temperatures were not my friends. So, I decided today would be the perfect day to give myself a homemade facial!

There are literally dozens of combinations you could use while making your concoction. And the best part is that everything you need can either be found in your kitchen or bathroom. Pretty great, right? I know! The following are just a few suggestions you can use to make your very own easy and inexpensive skin care products. Your epidermis will thank you!

You’re welcome for this fantastic picture of my facial in progress.

Dry Skin – You’re going to want to look for things that will add moisture to your skin. Also, to combat the flakiness that will surely come your way – remember to exfoliate with something gentle as not to damage the skin.

  • Avocados
  • olive oil
  • yogurt (all-natural)
  • papaya
  • pumpkin

Oily Skin – Those of you with oily skin are going to want to look for thing with astringent properties – this will tighten your pores and reduce the amount of oil. Nothing too harsh though because irritated skin will just revolt against you and then you’ll have a whole different set of problems on your hands!

  • lemon juice
  • witch hazel
  • peppermint
  • egg whites
  • buttermilk – I know, you’re thinking this is a typo but it’s true. The active cultures can tighten your pores.

Combination Skin – This is a tricky one because people with combination skin are often oily in their T-zone ( forehead, nose and chin) and dry everywhere else. You’ll most likely have to combine a few of the above products to come up with one that works for you.

  • honey
  • pineapple
  • cucumber
  • oats

For everyone -

  • Remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is your best friend for moisturizing from the inside out!
  • Don’t smoke – it ages you, sucks the life out of your skin and body and it’s gross
  • Dry brush – exfoliating your skin is an excellent way to keep it silky smooth and young-looking! You’ll be oh so touchable.

Stacey’s Banana-Honey face mask:

1 ripe banana

2 tsps of honey

2 Vitamin E capsules broken open 

Mash together the ingredients until smooth. Apply to your face and let dry. Rinse off with warm water and follow-up with your favourite moisturizer – olive oil works great here!

Do you have a homemade skin care trick you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it. Leave a comment here, on Facebook @staceygreenliving or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest @staceygliving

High-five like you mean it!

Change Your Life Now, Save Your Hearing Later! – Guest posting by John O’Connor

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Old age is not the only reason behind hearing loss. Plenty of people lose their hearing for reasons that have nothing to do with how old they are. In fact, a significant number of people who experience hearing loss do so because of poor lifestyle choices they make throughout their lives. Some of the people who experience hearing loss will experience it because of age, but some people who lose all or part of their hearing because they are unaware that the choices they make today are part of the reason they will be unable to hear tomorrow. In order for people to avoid losing their as they grow old, they need to start making changes in their lifestyle right now.

  • Noise


Too much noise is one of the biggest factors that contribute to hearing loss. Most people know that if they work on an airport runway, fly helicopters, work with heavy machinery in factories or on job sites, they need to wear earmuffs or earplugs. However, most people are completely unaware of the fact that they also need to wear earmuffs or earplugs when they mow their lawn, use a saw, or drive a tractor.

  • Music


This may fall into the noise category, but it’s a little different. Listening to music too loudly on headsets is one of the worst things people can do for their hearing. Listening to music at loud levels is a way to age the ears faster than even age can do. This means people are more likely to experience hearing loss later in life than those who listen to their music at an appropriate level.

 

 

  • Improper Ear Cleaning


Most people are good about cleaning out their ears to get rid of unsightly ear wax. However, the vast majority of those people go about it the wrong way. When there is wax in the ear, it is okay to remove it. Wax in the ear canal, however, should never be removed. This wax is there for a reason. It protects the ear from infection, disease, and even insects. Additionally, placing a q-tip into the ear canal actually pushes some of the ear wax further into the canal, putting it too close to the inner ear where it can harm the drum.

  • Poor Nutrition


Everyone knows how important a good diet is to their health. It keeps them looking good, feeling good, and it allows people to live longer lives. However, eating right also prevents hearing loss later in life. Here’s how that works: People who eat a poor diet without enough nutrients and with too much junk are more likely to develop diabetes. Studies show that people who suffer from diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop some form of hearing loss later in life.

 

 

  • Smoking


Smoking is a habit that is unhealthy for people on a number of levels. It’s the number one reason people develop lung cancer. Additionally, smoking also leads to hearing loss later in life. The negative effects of smoking on a person’s body are so bad that it’s completely amazing people still smoke! Furthermore, children who are exposed to secondhand smoke on a daily basis are more than 70 percent more likely to develop hearing problems later in life. This is staggering news for any parent who smokes; it’s not just their health they are jeopardizing.

 

 

There is a direct relationship between hearing loss later in life and current lifestyle choices. While not everyone develops hearing problems because of their lifestyle choices, most people can prevent their hearing loss by making changes. Those who will lose their hearing due to age can’t help that, but they can lower their risk of losing their hearing later in life by making lifestyle choices that are healthy. A solution to help with hearing loss is the use of a hearing aid to help amplify and clarify sound. Knowing that a person did everything they could to prevent hearing loss is a powerful feeling.

 

 

 

My name is John O’Connor and I have always been passionate about living a healthy lifestyle.  Over the years I have become more and more passionate about hearing loss.  My father and grandfathers along with other family members and friends are affected by hearing loss.  I feel there is general lack of understanding around the issue and it is our job to spread awareness where we can.  Check out my new blog atbloggingwjohno.blogspot.com!

 

 

 

Did you like this posting? “Like” staceygreenliving on Facebook, follow me on twitter and pinterest @staceygliving or sign-up here so you never miss a posting!

 

High-five like you mean it!

Stacey

Exercise – The Best Medicine: Guest blog by fitness guru Jim Rollince!!

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Exercise – The Best Medicine

We’ve all heard that exercise is very important for our health and well-being. Doctors around the world recommend that everyone get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. The problem is that most of us are still not getting the physical activity that we need due to hectic work schedules, not having access to a gym, or lacking the willpower to do so. Over the past decades, we have become more and more sedentary. Years ago, our ancestors would be on the move all day long. Nowadays, we spend hours sitting behind a desk, getting up to go sit in our cars and drive back home. We are lacking the physical activity that is essential for our physical and mental well-being. Because of this, we are plagued with disease, stress, and mental health issues.

Exercise and Physical Health

Exercise is very essential for our physical health. One of the biggest benefits is that working out increases our high-density lipoprotein (HDL ) cholesterol and decreases triglycerides. This increase in the “good” stuff and decrease in the “bad” stuff helps healthy blood flow freely throughout our bodies. This decreases our risk for heart disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and certain types of cancers. Your lungs also benefit greatly from exercise. They work more efficiently and effectively when exercise is performed.

Exercise seems to decelerate the process of aging. The physical activity strengthens your muscles, improves flexibility, and decreases bone loss. Women that exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis. Regular workouts also decrease your risk of developing arthritis and bone or muscle injuries. The following Mayo Clinic website has excellent information on the health benefits of exercise:

Exercise and Mental Health

So, you managed to drag yourself to the gym and get through a rigorous workout and then you find yourself realizing that 1. It wasn’t that bad and 2. You feel excellent after the workout. We’ve all experienced the happy, energized feeling that a good workout leaves us with. This is because your brain releases endorphins when you exercise that produce a “happy state”. These endorphins are also natural pain relievers that can have an effect similar to morphine, which is why you sometimes find that your headache disappeared after your workout. The brain also releases serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters that elevate your mood. In addition, working out results in individuals feeling more confident about their bodies and have higher self-esteem.

Exercise not only makes you feel happier and better about yourself, it can help relieve some chronic mental health illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Studies over the years have consistently shown that regular physical activities are associated with a decrease in these chronic illnesses.

No Gym, No Problem

We all have a million excuses of why we cannot exercise. So, you can’t afford a gym, no problem. There are a lot of different physical activities that you can do that don’t require a gym membership. The great outdoors is a great place to exercise when weather permits. Go for a jog around your neighborhood or on a trail, visit some hiking trails in your city, ride a bike around town, go swimming, or play some sports. The possibilities are endless and you can mix them up so that you are never bored. The key is to look for opportunities in your city. If your city has tracks and trails then take advantage of them. You can also sign up for sports team or events in your city. If there are several people at work who would love to get out and exercise, start a soccer, softball, volleyball, or basketball team.

Exercising outdoors is really nice, but there are many times that it is rainy, too hot, or too cold to even be outside. You can always purchase home gym equipment, such as treadmills www.gymsource.com/treadmills and  or ellipticals www.gymsource.com/ellipticals so that you can work out from the comfort of your home. You can enjoy your favorite TV shows while doing your daily exercise. No matter what you do or where you do it, make sure you are getting up and active today!

Jim Rollince is a member of the creating writing department of Gym Source

http://www.gymsource.net

He enjoys writing about Fitness, Nutrition, and many other related topics.

Contact him at jimr@gymsource.net

Did you like this posting? Find it helpful? What do you do to stay fit and healthy? Leave your comments here, or follow me on Facebook @staceygreenliving or on Twitter or Pinterest @staceygliving

High-five like you mean it!

Stacey

“Stepping on is step one” – Guest blogger- Carrie-Lynn Neales. Woot!

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Is it possible to move through life with an open heart and still feel safe?

 

A question that I ask each and every time I step onto the mat. Especially in the summer months when, according to Chinese Medicine, one of the organs associated with summer is the heart. We move through chaos, hate, and mania, into peace, love and joy through opening and releasing.

 

 

I practice yoga to find peace in the chaos, not to avoid it entirely. That’s an unattainable goal, for chaos is simply apart of a bigger cycle: The Cycle of Awareness. One must travel through the chaos to find the fertile void that leads to better self-discovery and awareness. I practice yoga to embrace the pangs of the heart, the breaking, the healing, the weighting, not to escape it. For when a heart is broken it is opened. We don’t break it closed, do we? No, we break it open and then choose to sew it closed or heal it open. Embracing the openness of a broken heart for whatever reasons it’s broken is where the growth and the healing begins.

 

Yoga, for me, is a part of my life. It’s a choice I make every day. To step onto my mat or not, is my choice. To open my heart or not, is my choice. To leave it open or keep it closed when I step off my mat is my choice. There’s no harder or scarier choice, really. But by creating an opportunity and space for my body to make a connection with the mind and spirit, by holding space for myself I have inevitably strengthened my heart. This benefit far outweighs the discomfort that exists sometimes with an open or broken heart.

 

Yoga has taught me how to give not only to others, but to myself. Yoga has taught me that my relationship with pain is deeply and traumatically dysfunctional and has provided a new outlook on pain which is rather only a sensation and if we’re curious enough it’s less scary and more enlightening. It’s shown me that by healing my body of its conditioned patterns, which are no longer of use to me, I have created space for new and exciting experiences to flood in. And Yoga waits. My yoga waits for me, for when I’m ready to embrace all that comes with committing to its wonderful practice. My yoga accepts where I am mentally and physically without judgement. My yoga has shown me that there is beauty in chaos, and that eventually it’ll all make sense.

 

 

I have made a practice of encouraging my students (and my own inner student) to find what their yoga is. How yoga fits into their lives. How the transitions through life can be so clearly mirrored by the transitions between postures on the mat. Taking time to develop this relationship and trust in its unfailing support is step one. Every time you step on your mat you’ve made a choice to go inside. Track your breath. Witness what happens to the body when you deepen your breath. Feel your feet firmly grounded on the Earth as the Earth supports you from below. And then listen. Listen to your extraordinary machine of a body and make everything count. Not allowing one inhale or exhale to escape your consciousness. Not powering through to get to the next posture. Everything, including the transitions, takes the time it takes. Trust in that. Follow your breath. Open your heart. And then you decide if you can walk through life with a beautiful open heart and still feel safe.

“The only way out is through” — Robert Frost.

 

Practice laughing, practicing loving, practice yoga.

Namaste.

 

Carrie-Lynn Neales

 

 

 

 

 

Recently traveling to Nosara, Costa Rica to study under Don and Amba Stapleton, Carrie-Lynn graduated      with an Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher certificate. Drawing from various forms of yoga, Carrie-Lynn weaves the spiritual with the physical into each practice encouraging her students to get interested with the sensations and find their own unique yoga. By bringing awareness to the idea that every experience is an opportunity for growth, Carrie-Lynn will empower, challenge, and motivate her students to enjoy, get curious, and play within each posture. Offering a variety of hands-on assists throughout her classes, Carrie-Lynn will guide the student and encourage a deeper connection to the internal, and multidimensional being.  Namaste!

http://www.carrielynnyoga.com

Photo Credit - Ace Hicks

 

 

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My sparkly clean colon… the story of my first colonic!

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Today I had my first colonic. Woot! I have been wanting to get one done forever but just recently decided to go ahead and book one. A friend and I were joking the other day about the things you look forward to in your 30′s because let me tell you, I was pretty excited to get this done! My how times have changed!

 

What is a colonic?

If you have never heard of a colonic or colon hydrotherapy let me briefly explain what it is and why you may want to consider having one done. A colonic or colon cleanse is intended to remove feces and toxins from your colon by flushing it with water. Sounds weird, right? I get it, but let me explain a little more. Basically you go to a trained hydrotherapist and they insert a tube into your rectum and alternate letting  warm water in and flushing toxins and feces out. All this is done while you lie on a table and have your stomach gently massaged to help remove build up. It’s not at all painful but can be slightly uncomfortable at times, depending on how impacted you are.

 

Why get one?

 

Now you may be saying to yourself – “Why do I need to do this? I go to the bathroom everyday and am not constipated.” While this may be true, you might want to take a minute to consider your diet. If your diet consists of mainly clean foods i.e. lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains – you’re probably doing OK and may not need a colonic. On the other hand, if you eat lots of processed food, drink pop or sugary juices and visit restaurants a few times a month, a colonic may be something you want to consider.

 

Our bodies are not meant to process all of the junk that we put into them and sometimes fecal matter can get impacted on our very long colon. Our lovely, healthy bodies should be able to push out everything we don’t need but occasionally it needs a little help. I chose to get one done because I am starting a fairly strict clean eating plan and wanted to give my body a little jump start.

 

All the being said, this is a personal choice. There are a few situations where having a colonic is not a good idea – if you have Crohn’s disease or suffer from severe hemorrhoids. Also, don’t believe the hype about crazy weight-loss. It’s not going to happen. You should not get a colonic in the hopes dropping 10 lbs quickly. And as with any new procedure you should check with your doctor or naturopath to make sure that a colonic is right for you.

 

So what did I think of it? I liked it. I feel better knowing that I have cleansed from the inside out. If was slightly uncomfortable but nothing I couldn’t handle. And my hydrotherapist was great and made me feel very comfortable.

 

If you do decide to look into a colonic – do some research first and call and ask questions. You will feel a lot more comfortable with the idea if you are informed.

 

Did you like this posting? Was it helpful? Leave your comments here, on Facebook @staceygreenliving or follow me on Twitter @staceygliving

 

High-five like you mean it!

Stacey

 

Image from: www.coloncleansertruth.com

Homemade Body Butter Recipe – (thanks Matt and Rebecca!)

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I live in Canada where it snows. A lot. And with the snow comes cold, dry and nasty winter’s. Never ending winter’s if your skin is anything like mine. But let’s be honest here, anyone who knows me know that my skin is drier than the Sahara in the middle of summer too. My skin is itchy and tight and I’m constantly trying new creams and oils in search of that one magic balm.The one that will give me silky soft skins, touchably soft skin like the girls in the commercials. But not only do I want skin that feels like a baby’s butt, but I want one that is good for my body and the earth too.  Seems like a pretty tall order, don’t you think?

Not so, friends! It seems my long tireless search is finally over – and therefore so is yours!

I was flipping around on Facebook the other day and I noticed a conversation that had come up on my feed. Two of my friends were discussing homemade body butter. Homemade body butter? Say wha? That’s brilliant! Why had I never heard of this before? I mean, I make my own body scrubs but had only ever used plain old oils when moisturizing my skin. Not anymore friends!! I researched how to make my very own butter and found out that it is wicked easy. AND I already had all of the ingredients in my cupboard. Let’s get to it!

Homemade Body Butter

3/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 almond oil

1/2 tsp of vitamin E

A few drops of an essential oil of your choice (must be safe for skin)

Use a stand-mixer if you have one ( I used a hand mixer and it worked just fine) and beat the oils until light and frothy and they look like whipped cream. You may benefit from mixing them for a bit  then placing the oily goodness in the fridge for a few minutes to set. Take it out and continue to mix for 5-6 minutes or until it the oil sets. Pop the butter into pretty little jars and share the gift of soft, moisturized skin with all of your friends!

Tip of the Blog!!

This is a potent mixture – the whole thing is oil so it had better be! A little goes a long way. I like to moisture right out of the shower so I can lock in the delicious water drops that hang out on my skin. Pamper yourself from head to toe in natural goodness and you will never go back to the store brands again.

Did you like this post? Have you ever made your own body butter? Tell me about your experience in the comments below, on Facebook or on Twitter @staceygliving

High-five like you mean it!

Stacey

Wanna know what’s in your fabric softener? Probably not…

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Picture this: you’re watching one of those fabric softener commercials. A woman is dressed in a flowing white gown as she hangs her clothing from line in the mountains. She smiles as a breeze gently blows her hair back and inhales the fresh, clean scent of…flame retardant.

Not as wholesome and clean now, is it?

The reality of this is that unfortunately, what we see on TV and what we are led to believe through pretty pictures isn’t always the truth. Fabric softener is a perfect example of this. We as consumers are told that it’s all lambs and teddy bears and snuggles and sunshine inside those bottles. That by adding Downy or Fleecy or whatever to your laundry that you are doing something good for your family by providing them with soft, clean clothes. And truth be told, they do smell nice. Fresh laundry is one of my favourite things – or it was until I researched what fabric softener is actually made of. Read on Health Warriors!

The purpose of fabric softener is, as the name so cleverly suggests is to soften fabric. This goes way back to the time when manufacturers first started dying fabrics and found that they came out rough to the touch. How could they soften these fabrics? Well, mostly with oil, tallow to be exact. Yup, all you vegans out there might be shocked to find out that it’s animal fats that make your clothes so soft. Companies discovered that adding oils to the washing cycle would soften up clothes and make them more consumer friendly. Fast forward a few decades to the era of chemical solutions for everything and what you have today is not only oil based but full of a boat load of other good stuff as well. For example: Alpha-Terpineol,  Benzyl acetate and Chloroform all of which are known to contain carcinogens and can cause serious health concerns.

There is talk about the levels in the softeners being too low to cause any damage, however we wear clothes everyday  that are covered in chemicals and are in direct contact with our biggest organ, our skin. Over time the chemicals begin to build up and quite frankly that a risk I’m not willing to take for my family – no matter how much of love the smell of fresh laundry.

So what can we do? Thankfully there are lots of great alternative that I had no idea existed! Some will work better than others for you, so if one doesn’t work don’t be discouraged. Keep at it and your skin will thank you!

Green alternatives to fabric softener!

  • Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda  to water before you wash clothes. This will soften the water and in turn soften the fabric.
  • Ball up some aluminum foil and toss it into your dryer. This will eliminate static.
  • Add a 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your wash. The clothes will be super soft and the smell disappears with the water.
  • Or you can make your very own felted wool balls. What the hell are they you ask? Basically just balls of…wool. I know, crazy, right? These are super-duper cheap, last for like 5 years and if you have an old wool sweater lying around – totally free! One day when I am not so video blog challenged I will show you how to make these but until then – I direct you to youtube.

Tip of the Blog!!

Don’t forget that clothes lines are a fabulous alternative to dryers. Now that summer is here, hang your clothes outside! They will be fresh and clean and best of all – it’s free and environmentally savvy! Look at you doing good things for the earth! Rock on green gurus!


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High-five like you mean it!

Stacey

Image from:www.pinoygigs.com

A few of my favourite things!

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Hello friends!

So I’ve been thinking about the kind of posts and blogs that I like to read lately. I tend to gravitate towards the ones that are funny, helpful and personal. I like to know what the people I read about really think. On that note, I feel like that may be why Twitter is so successful…if only I could go back in time and invent Twitter. Dammit.

I thought it might be fun for all of you to see the products and things that I use and really love. This is going to be right across the gammet here so we may jump from foods to soaps to people. Maybe you’ll discover a new product that you love or maybe you’ll leave a comment below and I’ll discover something great. I’ve come up with 8 that I’m really into right now but I’ll probably come up with a whole different list in a few months! I’m excited to share, so here we go!

  • Dr. Bronner’s Magic Pure Castile Classic Soap - This stuff is some crazy ass goodness. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils. You can use it for EVERYTHING! Washing your body, washing your hair, washing your clothes, as a shaving cream, as toothpaste…seriously, you can use it for EVERYTHING! I like it because it’s fair trade, organic and biodegradable. It comes in a bunch of different fragrances but I like the lemon-citrus one. You can get it at various health stores and it’s not crazy expensive. http://www.drbronner.com
  • Burt’s Bees lip balm in Honey – Burt’s Bees is fantastic because it’s all natural and you can buy it pretty much everywhere. It goes on smooth and doesn’t leave a gross waxy feel on my lips. There is a whole Burt’s Bees line out but the lip balm is my favourite. http://www.burtsbees.ca
  • Brita Bottle Aqua – This is a water bottle with the filter built-in and I love it. It saves something like 300 bottles of water for every one filter, it’s BPA free, recyclable and dishwasher safe. It saves me tons of money and is great for the environment too! I use a green one so if you want to be cool like me, we can match! http://www.brita.com
  • Green Grocer Organics – I realize this may seem biased because I am partnered with them but they are legitimately awesome. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables delivered to your door once a week, twice a week, once a month or whenever you need it. I love that unlike other services like this – you can pick and choose what goes into your box. This is often when I try out produce that I’ve never had before. I love getting new flavours and coming up with ways to eat them! Use my partner code PP1530 if you’re interested! http://www.organicfooddelivery.com
  • Kris Carr and Marie Forleo – These are two amazing and inspiring women that I one day strive to be in the same room with. Kris Carr is my health guru. I go to her site whenever I need to be motivated or inspired. She is a strong and vibrant cancer survivor with a message of prevention. Marie Forleo is my business guru. She is smart and friggin hilarious and has resources for women in business coming out the ying-yang. I love watching her weekly videos and I love her no-nonsense attitude! Both these ladies rock my socks. http://www.crazysexylife.com and http://www.marieforleo.com
  • Vita-mix blender – I don’t technically own this “lexus” of kitchen appliances but I will!! Mark my words! This is the most wonderful blender in the world. You can make 12 fruit smoothies – peels and all, fondue, soups, dips, dressings, you name it! It will run you about $500 so this is not your everyday blender but this is not your everyday blender! http://www.vitamix.com
  • Little Green shampoo and body lotion – My lovely, fellow mom friend Ashley introduced me to this brand and I couldn’t be more grateful! It is a line of kids products that are hypoallergenic, clinically and dermatologist tested, contain no allergens or parabens and they smell fantastic! We all know that our skin is our biggest organ so we should try to put only safe products on our children. http://www.littlegreencares.com
  • Tiny Devotions Mala Beads – If you are into yoga, meditation or just really pretty jewellery with a positive vibe then these necklaces and bracelets are for you! I discovered this site on another blog and have been drooling over the necklaces for a few weeks now. They’re actually prayer beads but they’re more about spirituality and living in the moment than religion. Each necklace has its own specific intention – for example the African Jade Mala is associated with strength and good luck. They’re really beautiful and I would recommend checking them out! http://www.lovetinydevotions.com

Check out some of these amazing sites and who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favourite of your own! And why not share some of your healthy living favourites with me! I’d love to hear what you love!  Share them below, on Facebook @staceygreenliving or on Twitter @staceygliving

As always, high-five like you mean it!

Mad photoshop skills by: http://www.luisapariselli.com