Asian Noodle Soup

Hey guys! So this post isn't necessarily about green alternatives, but I definitely have a recipe I'm testing out. It will be up next week. In the mean time, here's a recipe I've made and think I've mastered. 

There are several Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup). It's similar to some noodle soups I tried in China. Feeling adventurous, I walked down to one of the many Asian food stores on my street and whipped up a soup I feel resembles those I've had in China :) Hope you enjoy it too. 

Asian Noodle Soup

Coconut Oil
2-3 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
6 cups water
6 green onions (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
3 boulouine cubes
1package rice noodles
1bunch cilantro, basil, or mint (chopped)
Lime wedges
Sliced fresh jalepeño

1. Heat oil in pan, add chicken. Cook until lightly pink. Add garlic and cook until no longer pink.
2. Add water, onion, and boulouine. Bring to boil.
3. Divide noodles into serving sizes. One serving at a time, dip noodles into boiling broth for 5-10 seconds. Remove with pasta spoon and place into bowl. Repeat for all servings.
4. Pour broth mixture over noodles.
5. Serve with herbs, limes, and jalepeño

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day!

1. Pick up trash- The Cities are having several community events to help clean up. A Clean World is a Happy World

2. Take your reusable tumbler to work. (If you take your tumbler to Common Roots on Lyndale, they'll fill it for free on Earth Day.)

3. Choose to use a reusable plastic instead of disposable plastic bags.

4. Make a switch from a toxic product to a more eco-friendly product- go to http://www.ewg.org/ to learn more about product ratings

5. Plant a Tree (or plant)-There are several seed starter sets in Target's Dollar Section

6. Take a Nature Walk-Snap Pictures of the beauty around you

7. Soak up some Sun (Vitamin D is so important to maintaing our happy hormones and the sun is our main source of Vitamin D, plus it warms the earth)

8. Wishes to the Sky-This is a Kite Flying Festival on Harriet Island in St. Paul. It takes place every Earth Day

9. Como Zoo Party For the Planet-Go check out some animals and celebrate the Earth.

10. Ride your bike or walk to work/school/ errands.

11. Make Recycle Bins for your house out of an old cardboard box or use your old paper bags.

12. Make a bird feeder by coating a pine cone in peanut butter and rolling it in birdseed. Use string to hang it in your yard.

13. Unplug from electricity, and instead use candles tonight for a fun family adventure.

14. Use your own bags when you go to the grocery store.

15. Go Paperless by using your tablet to read books.


Have a Happy Earth Day!

Mouth Wash

Continuing on our oral hygiene experiments, during my diy toothpaste fiasco, I had made a mouthwash that seemed to heal everything in my mouth right up. I absolutely love this and use it every morning an every night. No Flouride (You can read about the dangers of flouride and other popular mouthwash chemicals at http://www.ewg.org/)

Minty Mouthwash

Hydrogen Peroxide (Got this from the medical aisle at Target. Seriously only cost me $1): This is what healed the sores in my mouth from my toothpaste experience and has been leaving my mouth ultra clean with its antibacterial properties.

Stevia-Natural Sweetener. Stevia has no effect on dental hygiene and is used in several natural toothpastes. However, next time I think I will use xylitol, because it's a natural sweetener with so many good things for your teeth. It whitens, rebuilds, and, cleans.

Water-Hydrogen Peroxide is too strong to use by itself, so make sure you dillute it.

Peppermint Essential Oil-For Minty Breath.

Instructions: Mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water (I used about a cup of each). Add about a teaspoon of stevia (or preferably xylitol) and 20 drops of peppermint oil (or to taste). Stir and swish with a small amount after brushing.

Laundry Day!

Ok so since I am selling Norwex, there will be a few shameless plug days. I promise not all days though.

Today was Laundry day, and since I ran out of my generic Detergent last week, I decided to make the green switch. After reading reviews of several detergents on EWG and seeing most mainstream detergents received D's and F's for green ratings (that includes natural brands that mostly receive C's). Not to mention the number of kiddos I have met that are allergic to Tide.

EWG has a label guide to teach what to look for, an Norwex looks like a great alternative. Plus- I can get 66 loads out of Norwex as opposed to the 60 I was getting. Sounds like a small thing, but I go to the laundromat, so every penny helps.

Norwex is:100% biodegradable
Has no phosphates, sulfates, chlorine, fillers, optical brighteners, animal testing, dyes, or fragrances.

After doing my homework, I found out that all of the above mentioned that Norwex does not contain, if a laundry product contains such chemicals, it usually caused an allergic R reaction and/or is very toxic to our water system and the environment.

Not my idea of fun, so I'm switching to Norwex, and though I like my lavender scents, I think I can invest in some essential oils if I miss them too terribly.

I followed up with some dryer balls because they get my clothes so soft. Plus, they reduce the waste that is left by traditional dryer sheets. My mom got them for me, but Norwex sells those too. So far: green laundry day will be every laundry day :)

Norwex Sandwhich Wrap

Took my Super Simple Banana Bread (recipe here) to work in my Norwex Sandwhich wrap. This stuff is soooooo great. It's washable, reusable, plastic wrap. Yes it is 10 dollars, but I did just buy myself a lifetime supply of plastic wrap. :)

Challenge: what else can you do with a Norwex Sandwhich Wrap?

Let me know if you'd like one, I can help you out.

Super Simple Banana Bread

Super Simple Banana Bread

4 bananas (black and smashed)
1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
2/3 cup sugar
1egg
1tsp vanilla
1tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup flour

Heat oven to 350 and grease 1 loaf pan

Combine bananas, oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
Add baking soda.
Then add flour.
Stir until wet.

Pour into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour.

When inserted toothpick comes out clean, take out of oven.
Let sit in pan for 2-3 minutes. Then flip out on to cooling rack.
Let cool for 5-15 minutes (depending on if you're going to enjoy immediately or wrap up for later)
Goes well with coffee, tea, my coworker says with peanut butter, with real butter, at breakfast, or dessert :) Enjoy

Coconut Oil Conditioner

Last week I started this adventure on a previous blog. I tested a DIY toothpaste. Going to hold off on the toothpaste for now, and my mouth sores are healing.

This week it's DIY conditioner using coconut oil. Scrolling through Pinterest there were so many girls raving of the wonders, so....off to the next adventure.

This is me with my gallon-sized jar of coconut oil. That's right. 1 gallon! And I followed the Pinterest-Girl directions to a T!

Coconut Oil Conditioner

Step 1. Spoon a tablespoon of coconut oil into your hand.

Step 2. Go for it! I worked the stuff into my hair until my hair was wet. Greasy wet.

Step 3. Wait 15-20 minutes, (Or however long you want so those beautiful fats can work their way into your hair). I did the dishes, picked out tomorrow's outfit, made some banana bread batter.

Step 4. Shampoo and Rinse.

I wish I had a better picture. I'll work on getting a better one soon. This stuff was FANTASTIC! My hair is so silky soft.

This Adventure's Rating: SUCCESS!