Homemade Dog Shampoo (4 Basic Ingredients!)

 INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup of Liquid Castile Soap (you can buy one w/ essential oils added like Lavender Castile Soap)
1/4 cup of white vinegar OR apple cider vinegar (I like ACV)
1 tbsp of Vegetable Glycerin OR Olive Oil (I use olive oil although glycerin would be awesome)
2 tbsp of water
**Optional:  3-4 drops of essential oil such as geranium oil or tea tree oil (natural tick repellant) or lavander oil.

IMPORTANT:  Please ask your vet if certain oils are SAFE before applying.

The Recipe

Use a funnel to pour 1/2 cup of liquid Castile soap into a small, lidded bottle. Add 1/4 cup of either white or apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of vegetable glycerin or olive oil, and two tablespoons of water. You can add three or four drops of essential oils if you choose. Shake the bottle gently to mix the ingredients. The soap will hold the ingredients together, but gently shake the shampoo before each use to ensure it is properly mixed.

Directions for Use

Wet your canine pal with warm water. Lather the shampoo gently through his fur down to his skin. Take special care to avoid his eyes, as the mixture will sting them. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the shampoo. Groom your buddy as needed.

BLT Salad W/ Lemony-Mayo Dressing

Who doesn't love a good BLT in the summer?  I had my first homegrown tomato and I always like to celebrate by fryin' up some bacon and toastin' some bread.  Since going gluten free, I sometimes have to get a little more creative.  This was a GREAT way for me to get my own version of a "BLT"!

LEMONY-MAYO DRESSING**

NOTE:  This recipe makes about 1/2 cup.  Double if you want more.

1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp of lemon juice
1/2-1 tsp of dijon mustard (start w/ 1/2 tsp, taste, add more if you want)
1/4 tsp of sea salt
1/4 tsp of honey
1/2 cup of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

In a HEAT PROOF BOWL (glass or metal) whisk 1 egg yolk and lemon juice.  Set the bowl OVER a little pot of boiling water.  DO NOT LET THE BOWL TOUCH THE WATER.  Whisk until the yolk is fluffy and hot, about 20 seconds.  DO NOT ALLOW TO SCRAMBLE.

Remove from heat and continue to whisk 2-4 minutes to cool down.  Whisk in the mustard, salt, and honey.  Drizzle in the EVOO.  Continue to whisk until shiny and thick.  (not super thick...just "dressing" thick)  Taste and adjust...want a little more spice?  Add more mustard.  Too spicy?  Add more honey.  You get the idea.

You can cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.

**This recipe was taken from the Williams Sonoma "Family Meals" cookbook.

BLT SALAD:

Uncured bacon (I buy mine at Costco or Trader Joes)
spinach
homegrown tomato
green onion (optional)
purple onion
a little colby jack cheese (buy blocked and shred yourself)
pickles for garnish

Toss all ingredients into large salad bowl.  Drizzle on lemony-mayo dressing and enjoy!

Favorite Summer Drink

ICE WATER
ORGANIC LEMON SLICES
FRESH MINT LEAVES
A FEW BERRIES AND/OR CHERRIES
2 PINCHES OF STEVIA POWDER (or more to desired taste)

HOMEMADE BUG SPRAY...safe for infants!

There is nothing better than knowing I'm putting SAFE ingredients on my kids.  This is my all-time, tried-and-true bug repellant recipe.  It's so easy, smells delightful, and WORKS!  (we LIVE outdoors in the humid mid-west so mosquitos and ticks are hard to avoid)

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SENSITIVITIES TO ESSENTIAL OILS, SO ALWAYS PUT IT ON A SMALL SKIN AREA TO SEE IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD HAS ANY KIND OF REACTION.  

Here's what you'll need.

1.  Glass Jar to store/mix it all in.  (I bought a dark glass jar with a seal tight lid)
2.  Smaller spray bottles (such as the one pictured above).  I highly recommend DARK BOTTLES to filter out sun.  And try and keep it indoors, although I know that's not always feasible.  I carry a small bottle in my purse/car for those times when we find ourselves at a local park or outdoors during the summer months.
3.  Good bug-repelling essential oils OR make it easy on yourself and just buy a synergistic blend already made!  (this is what I do)  Don't know where to buy a good blend?  Click HERE to see what I buy.  **NOTE:  whatever oils you end up with, make sure that it includes GERANIUM OIL OR TEA TREE OIL to repel ticks.

4.  1 bottle of witch hazel.  My local Walmart and Target carry witch hazel.

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Pour entire bottle of 12 oz witch hazel into large glass jar.

2.  Add 75 drops of the synergistic blend.  **NOTE:  if you spray it on and still end up with bites you need to add more oil.  Add 25 drops, try again.  Repeat by adding more oil until you see desired results. (no bug bites!)  

3.  Shake jar.  DONE!  

4.  Use a little funnel to transfer to smaller bottles.  Store in dark, cool spaces if possible.  Avoid leaving out in sun.

Rise & Shine BREAKFAST BARS: Gluten free

My man likes a QUICK breakfast...preferable one he can eat IN HIS CAR.  This is a perfect recipe for people like him.  Don't box yourself in...have fun tossing in your own favorite ingredients...nuts, various dried fruits, seeds...the sky's the limit!  Oh, and can I just add...this is the easiest recipe EVER???  Chewy consistency but no need to use a fork.  Just grab it and go!

4 cups of rolled-oats (use GF if you are avoiding gluten!)
2 cups of almond meal (I used Trader Joes brand...you could totally omit and use all oats if you want)
1 cup (or even a little more) of dried fruit (I used cranberries/cherries but you could use anything)
2 cups of unsweetened apple juice (I LOVE Costco brand which is NOT from concentrate)
1/4 cup of sucanat or brown sugar
1/4-1/2 cup of agave, honey, or maple syrup (start w/ 1/4 cup and then add more if you want it more sweet)
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil melted OR EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1/4 cup of almond butter or organic peanut butter

**OPTIONAL:
1/2 cup UNSWEETENED coconut flakes
1/4 cup of chia seeds or ground flax (I used chia)
1/3 cup of chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
1/3 cup of sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds



1.  Heat oven to 375.  Grease a large 9x13 glass pan or line it w/ parchment paper.
2.  Dump everything in a large bowl and mix.
3.  Spread evenly in pan w/ a spatula.  Bake 30 minutes.  Allow to cool. (you can let it cool in pan)
4.  Cut into bars and enjoy!  A GREAT breakfast-on-the-go or mid-day snack.

Quick Lemon Skin Toner (for any skin type)

Since I'm doing lots of experimentation in my kitchen these days (since going Gluten Free) and not able to post solid table recipes, I thought I'd change it up and post some of my HOMEMADE BODY CARE RECIPES.  Some of these have been collected over the years off blogs or just whipped up with whatever I have on hand in my kitchen.   Good for any skin type.

QUICK LEMON TONER:

2 ounces of lemon juice
4 ounces of distilled water
3 ounces of witch hazel

1.  Combine all ingredients.  Pour into a clean bottle.  Shake well before using.  Apply w/ a cotton ball.
2.  Refrigerate indefinitely.

Cinnamon Toast: Think outside the box

If you're anything like me, sometimes I just need help THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

For example:  CINNAMON TOAST.  Typically the bread is slathered w/ butter, refined sugar, and cinnamon.  But what about changing it up just a bit to make it a healthier version?

In my version, I use oven-toasted Gluten Free bread, coconut oil, raw honey, cinnamon, and either chia seeds or flax.  Simple and yummy.

Start with some bread.  This is UDI'S GLUTEN FREE SANDWICH BREAD

Instead of butter, spread on some coconut oil and then TOAST it in the oven.  (you can also toast it BEFORE spreading on your coconut oil)

Find some local raw honey.  Not sure where to start?  Best thing is to just start asking around and look at your local whole food stores.  Remember:  no raw honey for kids under 1 year.

This is my oven-toasted bread, now w/ a layer of coconut oil, honey, cinnamon and chia.   Use a knife to spread.

A simple, healthier alternative for my kids...and sometimes their mommy!