DIY Deodorant

One of the things I definitely prefer to make at home (when I have the time) is deodorant. Store bought deodorant is too pricey and full of crazy chemicals for our taste. This version has only four ingredients, takes only 10 minutes to make, and is a fraction of the price. Not to mention, The Hubs and I prefer the way it smells to any other deodorant we've ever used. So, here it is!

8 Tbs Unrefined Coconut Oil

1/2 C Baking Soda

1/2 C Cornstarch

20 drops Essential oil of your preference

(I cut this last batch in half due to close to no cornstarch, so feel free to do the same.)

Put the coconut oil in a glass bowl and melt the oil (my microwave takes about 30 seconds to do this). 

Once melted, add the essential oil. We tend to do half cinnamon oil and half clove oil. 

In a separate bowl mix the cornstarch and baking soda. 

Slowly and thoroughly mix the dry ingredients into the oil. 

Set the mixture in the fridge to harden. 

When solid, pack the deodorant into an old deodorant tube, or use as is.

Be sure to store it somewhere cool since the oil has such a low melting point.

There you have it! Cheap and easy deodorant!

Meal Plan Monday...

Uhh... Tuesday... Ehh Monday was long and consisted of a car ride stretching from New Jersey to Virginia. The next MPM will actually be on Monday. Probably, anyways.

Chicken and Rice Soup*
Chicken Caesar Salad
Chicken Casserole*
Frozen Alfredo Skillet Meal
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole*
Leftovers/Panera (As is the Wednesday night knitting group custom)
Beef Lo Mein

What is your meal plan for the week? Link your post over at True Confessions of a Real Mommy.

*These meals will be updated with links to my blog posts with the recipe, so keep an eye open! :)

Overnight Oats

I've seen a particular set of pins over and over on Pinterest, and finally decided to make it. The pins were for Summer Porridge or Overnight Oatmeal. The premise is brilliant! Simply mix all the ingredients in a mason jar, and stick it in the fridge until morning. Since becoming pregnant I eat a lot more breakfast, however I don't want to do much first thing in the morning. Because of this, my breakfasts tend to consist of a piece of fruit and, if I have it, a Greek yogurt. Needless to say, I felt this would be absolutely perfect. I could have real breakfast without all the work.

The particular recipe I followed came from Pepper Lynn.

Overnight Oats 

1/2 cup Rolled Oats (not quick cooking)

1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt (I was doing the strawberry banana flavour, and decided to use strawberry flavoured yogurt)

2/3 cup Milk

1  tbs Chia seeds (I decided to use flax since I couldn't find chia)

This is the basic recipe, from here you would add the specific amounts for the different flavours. For mine that consisted of:

2-2 1/2 tbs Strawberry Jelly

1 small banana, mashed

From here it's super simple, basically you put everything into a container, mix it up, and let it sit.

The directions say to mix in your flavourings the next morning, but I decided to do it ahead of time.

Here is the finished result:

Now, my thoughts...

I wasn't a huge fan. To be fair to the recipe, it tasted fine, the strawberry banana flavour was awesome. I had trouble with the texture and temperature. It was a bit, for lack of a better word, slimier than I would have liked. As for the temperature, it was cold, exactly as it is supposed to be... And I couldn't handle it. I felt the same way about it as I do about gazpacho, it tastes fine, but dang it oatmeal and tomato soup are supposed to be hot! Also, I recommend you steer clear of the flax seeds. They have a bit of a smoky flavour that just didn't fit with the fruit.

All in all, I think a lot of people would really enjoy this recipe... I'm just not one of them.

Salsa Black Bean Soup

About a week ago I found a recipe for Salsa Black Bean Soup at Frugal Granola and knew I had to try it. Part of the decision was influenced by R and the fact that he had me craving anything even remotely resembling Mexican cuisine, but the other part was my need to find bean dishes that Hubs will eat. He is very adamant that he hate beans unless they are refried, and I am adamant that I can prove him wrong. For the most part, as long as they in no way resemble beans, I am correct. This was another dish I can add to the Beans Hubs Will Eat list.

Salsa Black Bean Soup

Serves 4

4 cups cooked black beans, drained (I used two cans, but you can also use 1 lb of dried beans soaked over night and cooked)

1 cup Chicken Stock 

1 cup Salsa* (The recipe came with an attached salsa recipe, but I used our favourite jarred salsa)

1 cup frozen corn (It will thaw in the soup.) 

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried mint

1 tsp. dried cilantro 

Sea Salt & Pepper, to taste

1 lb Stew Meat (This was not included in the recipe, but Hubs won't eat a meatless dish without large amounts of complaining!)

Toppings:

Yogurt or Cultured Cream

Thinly Sliced Green Onions

Grated Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese

Guacamole or Sliced Avocado (optional) 

Begin by browning your meat if you are using it. I seasoned our with a mix of cumin, salt, pepper, and chili powder. 

Combine beans, broth, salsa, and spices in a blender, and blend until fairly smooth. I just put all of these straight into a saucepan and used my immersion blender. In my opinion it works just as well and is easier to clean.

Pour into a medium saucepan (if you didn't use my nifty trick), and add corn and herbs. If you have any extra cooked beans, you can add them at this time, too. (You can also add the meat now)

Heat over medium heat until lightly bubbling and heated through, stirring often to prevent sticking. Add additional chicken stock, if you prefer the soup to be a bit thinner.

Ladle into bowls, and serve with a selection of toppings.

*Chipotle Salsa

2 cups diced Tomatoes

1/4 cup diced Onion

2 cloves minced Garlic

2 tsp. minced Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (or just add a couple spoonfuls of the sauce, if you prefer a milder flavor) 

1/4 cup chopped fresh Cilantro

1 tsp. Taco Seasoning (or to taste)

1 Tbl. dried Basil

1 Tbl. Lime Juice

Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients.  Flavors will meld if left sitting for a few hours, but it can also be served immediately.

I hope you all enjoy, I know we did!