Gone Natural Part I: Hair Care
I'm going down memory lane (in pictures) and giving you two of my all-natural hair care recipes that have contributed to my hair being healthier and more beautiful than ever!
Leading a natural life is easier said than done in our chemical-laden society. One may not realize the amount of chemicals we consume throughout the day until trying to eliminate said chemicals. I'm making progress each day but I, like everyone, fall back on old habits when in a hurry or traveling. For this "Gone Natural" series, I'll share my journey (successes and failures) on leading a more natural existence, one that coexists with the processes of nature versus an existence that tries to reverse nature or lives in combustion with it.
Chia Pudding Parfait Recipe
A delicious and nutritious breakfast packed with super foods. You'll be excited to wake up and eat this every morning and you'll feel satisfied until lunchtime. The recipe can easily be adapted and transformed into a dessert or to match special occasions/diets
Sweet Dumpling Squash filled with Quinoa Apple Stuffing
Sweet Dumpling Squash filled with Quinoa Apple Stuffing
A festive and easy recipe to wow guests and experiment with Fall's bounty of squash varieties. This recipe is simple enough for the newbie chef but unique enough for the seasoned culinary expert who's crowd has come to expect a lot.
Rima's DIY All-Purpose Natural Home Spray & Disinfectant
Make your own, cost-effective and non-toxic all-purpose spray at home with the ingredients in your cupboard.
Have confidence that this cleaner will kill germs & cut grease and grossness. I've used this recipe in my home for over five years now, and it's the only thing I use the clean my whole house.
This recipe is perfect for the person who wants to:
- Save money;
- Be eco-friendly;
- Have a chemical free home while still getting a quality clean;
- Have a non-toxic, safe environment for family, kids, and animals!
These 5 ingredients are gentle and safe on their own but they combine to make a mighty disinfectant that you can use for a multitude of purposes are the home. You can be confident that your space will be clean for whatever life brings your way.
How to Do Kapalabhati - Breath of Fire Pranayama in Yoga (Video)
What is Kapalabhati?
- A form of breath control.
- In Sanskrit. Kapal means "skull" and "bhati" means "illuminating". The increase of oxygen and prone illuminates the skull, face, and skin! It's purifying for the frontal brain, as well.
- Part of the yogic principles of the body cleansing techniques - shatkarma. Therefore, it's cleaning as well as breath work.
- You focus on the exhales instead of the inhales (inhales happen naturally)
- Traditionally done for 3 rounds for 30 pumps of breath each round.
- A very meditative practice - aligns both hemispheres of the brain.
- Can be practiced daily.
Fresh Lavender Lemonade Recipe
Summer's Nectar
There are many ways to make this recipe using dried lavender leaves/flowers, lavender oil, or fresh leaves/flowers (or a combination of all three!). This recipe just deals with the basics. Lemons, fresh lavender, water, and your favorite sweetener - and that's it! (Oh, maybe some ice, too!).
This recipe is the perfect non-alcoholic drink to mix up to appease your friends at any occasion (think summer BBQ, baby shower, kids birthday party, or housewarming party!) or as I said above, you can easily make it more adult-like. Got a lemon tree? Even better. Pick some ripe lemon, cut a few leaves and stem of lavender, and head insider to concoct your masterpiece. Squeeze, steep, shake, slurp - ahhhh... summer's nectar.
Rima's DIY Natural Vegetable & Fruit Wash
Use this spray on all your fruits and veggies!
Washing your produce thoroughly, whether you purchase organic or not, is extremely important! I make homemade veggie broth (which I'll talk about it a future post) from my vegetable scraps so I even clean the parts of the vegetables that we don't consume. Produce cleaners from the store tend to be expensive considering you can make a quality vegetable and fruit spray at home using 4 simple ingredients (one of them is water!).