2-Ingredient Pancakes

One of my favorite things to have for breakfast are pancakes. There is just something about a pancake that feels absolutely right in the morning. However, since I am a mom of an infant I need simple, quick and easy. Plus I am always looking for meals to be as clean and natural as possible.

These are definitely the easiest pancakes to make and oh so tasty!!  The only two ingredients you need are a banana and an egg.

Begin by mashing up the banana in a bowl until thoroughly mashed. 

Add only the egg white to the banana. If you add the yolk it will be too runny and will be more like a crepe instead of fluffy!

Now is the fun part! You can add anything to these pancakes that you want! I was in the mood for Fall this morning so i added 1tsp Vanilla, 1/4 tsp Cinnamon and 1/2 tsp Nutmeg. Yummmmmmm! 

Put your pancakes on a griddle. Don't make them too big or they will be hard to flip over. I made mine about 3-4 inches wide. 

Flip the pancakes when you begin to notice the edges changing consistency and lightly brown on the botton.  If you flip them too early they may fall apart.  

I topped my pancakes with honey from my local farmer's market! Perfetto! 

These pancakes were even approved by my 11 month old! She was devouring them right along with me.  These will make one serving of pancakes. So if you want to make them for more people you just need to double/triple/whatever the recipe. 

Let me know how you enjoy your pancakes! I am always looking for new ways to make them yummy!

Peanut Butter, Date Granola Bar

I am always looking for new clean recipes for things that I enjoy looking for at the store.  This morning I was beginning to make these yummy raw "brownies" that I love to make and instead I decided to change it up and create a granola bar instead.  I wanted to add foods that I love together and make a healthy and clean substitute for a daily staple.  I've never made homemade granola bars before, so this was definitely a much needed venture!

Ingredients:
3/4 C Dates
1/2 C Cashews
1/4 C All natural or Organic Peanut Butter (Look for the least amount of ingredients possible)
1/4 C Honey or Agave  (I used locally collected honey)
1 Tbs Raw Organic Cacao Nibs (Optional)
1 1/2 C Organic Oats





Step 1: Put the Dates and Cashews in a food processor. I used my baby bullet for this. Process them until they form a sticky "dough". They can still have a few chunks if you want.



































Step 2: Put the Date/Cashew mixture, oats, and Cacao Nibs together in a bowl.

Step 3: Heat the Peanut Butter and Honey on the stove just until thoroughly combined.

Step 4: Add Peanut Butter/Honey to the bowl. Mix everything together until combined.

Step 5: Line an 8x8 pan with Parchment Paper and put the mixture into the pan. Press down firmly and spread evenly over the pan. This may take some convincing if it's a little sticky.

Step 6: Place in the fridge until set and no longer sticky (about 20 minutes). Once set, cut up and enjoy! I stored mine a tupperware in the fridge.  I layered them with parchment paper so that they are easy to separate later.





























Enjoy!

These are seriously better than the ones I get from the store. I definitely prefer these to what I typically buy. There is just something about knowing what they are made of and just the taste of completely fresh!

My Journey to Clean Eating

So I mentioned briefly in my last post about my decision to cut out gluten and dairy from my diet, but if you didn't read that post, I will recap it here.  At the beginning of the year, I made a decision to cut my diet significantly. This was only supposed to last a few days, but as I began getting further into it, I realized that this is an emotional issue not just a weight issue.  So I chose to stick with it.  I have previously read "Made to Crave" and I was reminded that I am craving food, not God like I am meant to do.

So I kept eating really clean.  I had basically just fruits, veggies, and nuts.  I would have some almond milk to get my calcium (and it tastes good!) and I would often add some pre-made fruit smoothies for breakfast.  I began to realize that by eating cleaner foods, I was really giving my body the things it needed! Not only do I feel so much better physically, but I have also lost over 10 pounds in just a few weeks.  I definitely did not expect that much of a change!

So why eat clean? Before I was eating clean, I was fine. I didn't notice that I was more tired than I should be or that my skin was breaking out because of my food choices.  I just thought it was a result of having a baby.  I also didn't have reactions to processed foods, because my body was so used to processed foods, that it didn't know any differently.
                                            
                                                                                    Ignorance is bliss, right?
                                                                                                               WRONG! 

Just because I didn't notice those things, didn't mean that they weren't there.  Since cleaning up my eating, I have seen such a change in my life.  I think more clearly, my skin has nearly completely cleared up, I have lost weight, I feel generally better, and I enjoy the things I eat more than I ever have! So, yes, all those processed foods are pretty tasty, but I have really learned to look at how they affect my body and have decided it's just not worth it!

What does eating clean mean? By choosing to eat clean, I am saying that I value the food the Lord has provided and therefore I am going to eat foods that are natural.  I eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and some lean meats (I choose to eat this minimally).  You can also have dairy and grains in there, but I keep those out of my personal diet. Eating clean is simply eating foods that are pesticide, preservative free and therefore giving your body the most nutrients you can give it!

Why gluten free? The biggest reason that I have chosen to take out gluten from my diet is because I am a carboholic! I absolutely love my breads and anything related to breads. So I felt it was important to simply take away the temptation.  I have added in a few gluten free carbs, however I eat those in moderation and try to be careful of how much of that I consume.  I also have felt that I get a little gassy when I have gluten (i.e. beer on new years eve).  So I have just chosen to avoid it.

Why dairy free? I think this one is even more important than the gluten.  I have read in several places that many people have a dairy intolerance to some level, but most people don't even realize it.  I have also read that taking out dairy can really help clear up your skin.  The largest reason I chose to keep it away it is because of simply how my body feels without it.  Adding dairy back in would result in me becoming really gassy, bloated, and feeling generally sluggish.  I could choose to have these on occasion if I wanted to, but I feel that it's simply easier to just not mess with it at all.

So what now? Now I begin to find new ways to eat that are incredibly tasty.  A typical day for me looks like this:
Breakfast- Green Goodness Fruit Smoothie or 2 egg whites with veggies and some almond milk
Lunch-leftovers typically or a salad or a cup of fruit smoothie
Dinner- a sweet/white potato and sauteed veggies or vegan, gluten free chili/soup
Snacks- snack bars, fruit and veggies, or a big glass of juice.

I don't count calories or feel as though my life is limited because of my diet.  In fact, I feel more free than I ever have been.  I no longer feel bloated after I have a meal or that I am missing out. Instead I know that by choosing to eat the food God has given me, I am becoming a better steward of my body and therefore enjoying my life even more!

New Year, New Mentality

This year I want to make a change.  Well, not just one change but many. And not just for this year, but for my life in general. For so long I have lived my life wanting more out of it.  Wanting to be inspired, wanting to be healthier, wanting to look at life very different than most Americans look at life.  I want to be different.  But I just sat and did nothing.  I would talk all this talk and dream about how life would be, but I never really saw that my life could be that way right where I am at.

Maybe it's just knowing that we are getting out of the Army this year, or maybe it's just finally being able to look at my life objectively.  Whatever got my to where I am, I am thankful for it.  I feel like it has been a series of events that have all tied together.  But I want a change.  I want to live my life with intentionality and inspiration.  I always have...

After I had Marie, I was really ready to lose the baby weight, but for the first few months I would not actually do anything to meet that goal. Mostly because I was not emotionally ready, which was totally fine.  However, at the beginning of 2013 I decided I was going to make a dramatic change. I decided to cut out all Gluten products, Dairy Products, and Animal Proteins from my diet (So basically just eating things that were natural).  This was supposed to be only a few days, but it ended up being much bigger than I thought it would be.  After about 3 easy days, I hit my first wall. My mom made dinner one night that was all foods I loved.  I was at a crossroads.  I wanted to continue my diet, but up to this point it was just that, a diet.  So I didn't care about it as much as I thought I did. So I wanted the food she made as well.  For about an hour I walked around the house struggling constantly about whether or not to eat the food she made.  I finally decided that I needed to continue my diet change, however I realized that this was an emotional journey as well....

I am emotionally connected to food. I've known this for a long time. However, I never really thought of it as a bad thing until now.  I realized that it's not a healthy connection with food. So I decided to continue keeping gluten and dairy out of my diet.  This has been a welcomed challenge.  Not only am I relearning what food is good for me, how is it good for me, and how does it affect my body, I am also learning that the food I eat is so important for my overall health.

I have also begun exercising again.  I really want to work towards my goal of running a marathon at some point! So I joined a gym with childcare so that I can go as often as I can and have begun putting a focus on myself and trying to get my energy and feel better about myself! I absolutely miss running regularly.


My mom has always told me that not having organization costs you money. I have since learned that this is true. I have lost formula coupons, gift cards, and bills.  It also costs you in time and stress. I have spent hours trying to find things or just felt generally stressed when I walk into my room.

The other day I was watching "Clean Freaks" on TLC. It really inspired me to become more organized.  Now, I don't want to be THAT crazy! Sometimes I feel too much organization and structure is not a good thing.  However, I would like when I have my own place again, to walk into it and feel refreshed, not stressed. I want to have a way to keep my papers in order so that I can easily find the things that I need and don't have to search for a long time.

Part of organization is also keeping things clean.  I have really made an effort to keep up with picking things up after myself, wiping things off as they need to be, and not letting things sit on the counter or my bed. I realized that even though I'm not living in my own house right now, that I will never be used to taking care of a house, until I begin.  So I have started now. And trust me, my mom is loving it!

Art has always been very important to me. However, I lost my inspiration to do any kind of art over the last few years.  A lot has happened that has forced me to re-examine where and how art fit into my life.  The biggest part of it is Photography.  I have always loved being behind the camera and seeing something that someone else may not be able to see.


Recently I attended a fashion photography workshop that taught me about the business of photography as well as opened my eyes to a whole different world of possibilities!  I don't know yet what direction I want to take my photography business, however I am beginning to refocus and figure out exactly where I want to put all my attention. This new found inspiration is exactly what I needed to get myself back out there.  Now, I still have so much work ahead of me, but I got the push I needed.

I also learned that inspiration isn't always just in existence.  Some times you have to search it out.  You have to push forward and do things that aren't necessarily good, to get to a place of greatness.  That applies to every aspect of my life.

I have always wanted everything I do to feel inspired, and in all reality I need to focus on the moments between inspiration to reach a place that is truly great.

Daily Cleaning Schedule

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Today I wanted to share with you my Daily Cleaning Schedule that I live by! One of my biggest struggles is that when I don't break everything down to a workable schedule, I end up skimping on the important stuff, like taking out the trash or mopping the floor.  My house would be visibly clutter-free, but I wasn't really getting everything done as necessary.  So I came up with a plan that allows me to break everything down throughout the week.  This helps me keep up with everything, without getting overwhelmed! It also gives us more freedom on the weekends, rather than having to clean all day.

A few notes about this schedule:
1. There are some things I do each day. For instance, I do one load of laundry a day, as to not get overwhelmed with it.
2. I do dishes each day so that they don't pile up.
3. Everything else is spread out throughout the week.
4. I use this in my Home organization binder, which I will post about next week! That way I keep track daily of what I do.

I hope this helps you think creatively about a cleaning schedule of your own! What are some things you find it's important to do throughout the week?

With love,
Erica

Cloth diapers vs. Disposable diapers?

I've always had a pull towards cloth diapers, even before I was actually pregnant.  I wasn't really sure why I had such a pull, I just knew it was there. Once we found out we were pregnant, I started to actually do my research as to which we would choose: Cloth or Disposable.

On one hand, I completely understand why so many people use disposable diapers. It's very simple, since you literally just put them on the child, let them dirty it, and then throw it away. I also see the value in time as well.  Disposable doesn't require the extra steps that cloth diapers do, so it's a huge time saver! However, I just can't seem to get over the simple cost of diapers and wipes as well as how many diapers must be sitting in landfills right now.

Now, let me just clarify one thing... I am not a crazy environmentalist who takes every precaution to keep things out of landfills. I do, however realize that the hundreds of diapers I would use over the next few years will just pile up!

So I have made the decision to go with Cloth diapers. It took a bit of convincing for Kendall to go along with it, but eventually he just kind of gave up. :)

Here are a few of the reasons why we are going cloth with our diapers: 
1. The obvious one: financial.  Once we put the initial money into the diapers we will have very few to purchase in the future.  I know there will be a few expenses later, and some of them will wear out and such, but I think the initial couple hundred we may spend on our diapers will be much better than the $500-$1000 we would spend each year on disposable diapers. They also have a great resale value if we decide to sell them later. I've seen people pay $20 for a diaper and sell it for $15. That's over half your money back!

2. The environmental factor: Although using cloth diapers will require a bit more water usage each month, the amount will be minimal compared to the huge pile up of diapers that would end up in a landfill.

3. they are so cute!: Alright, this isn't a super valid reason, but I had to throw it in there... Cloth diapers are so cute!! You can get them in the colors of the outfits and they will match a dress or look adorable when they pop over the top of a pair of pants.

4. We can reuse the diapers on our next child as well.  Since we will be investing in these diapers, they should last long enough to even be used on our next child! That means that potentially we could end up spending next to nothing with our next child's diaper needs.

5. They can be good on sensitive skin: Although every child is different (I know people who get diaper rash with cloth diapers as well) however, many moms that i've spoken to say that they deal with very little diaper rash after they switched to cloth. I am hoping this will hold true for us as well!

There are also a few cons that go with cloth diapering as well: 
1. I hate laundry! I will definitely have to get over this one... However, I am not currently on a good laundry schedule and so I get very overwhelmed when laundry time comes.  Once I am on a better schedule, I will hopefully like it a little better.

2. It's kind of gross at times: Since we will have to dump the poop into the toilet... That will probably be a little gross at times! However, I'm sure we will get used to it rather quickly.

3. the initial finances: Even though we will save money in the long-run, we still have to dish out a couple hundred dollars for the diapers up front. Which will be a little harder than just adding it to the budget each month.

4. they aren't quite as absorbant: which means changing diapers a little bit more often. This can pose problems at night which is why some people do disposables at night (when they sleep through the night) or they double stuff the cloth diapers to make them more absorbant.

Altogether, I still feel that the pros out-weigh the cons in this situations. However, I would love your input as well! What do you think about cloth diapers or disposable diapers? 

With love,
Erica

Homemade Laundry Detergent

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I've always had an interest in living as green and simply as can, while also staying budget friendly and realistic.  Several years ago my mom began making her own liquid laundry detergent and that has always been really interesting to me.  When I moved down here they made some for me and it lasted me from August to nearly February! That was amazing because we had spent no more than $7 on all the ingredients.

Recently while looking through blogs I found another blogger who makes her own laundry detergent, using the exact same recipe as my mom, however her is powder instead of liquid.  This sounded much more realistic to me because the liquid takes over a day to make and the powder was much quicker.  So I wanted to share this recipe with you today! I found the alternative version of this recipe over at Elisa Loves, which is definitely one of my new favorite blogs, so check her out!

Homemade Laundry detergent
This recipe is very simple and only requires 3 ingredients!  Borax, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, and a Fels Naptha bar. Even better, the box of Borax and Washing Soda will last for several recipes and you will only need to buy Fels Naptha (97 cents at Walmart, last time I was there).  Not too bad at all!

Required Materials: 

1/2 cup Borax

1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda 

1 Fels Naptha Bar 

Container to hold detergent (This can be glass like what I got or simply a tupperware container, anything you want!)

Strong knife to cut the Soap bar 

Food processor (If you don't have a food processor you can always try to use a cheese grater as well, although I don't know how fine the soap will get. Let me know if you try it, please!)

Small bowl to hold soap throughout the process 

Let's get started! 

Step 1: Take the Fels Naptha Bar and cut it in at least 8 pieces. 

Step 2: Place each piece in the food processor. I have a 2-3 cup processor, which is the small one, I found it was easiest to do one piece at a time. Allow it process a few minutes until the soap has become more of a powder. (It may not be the finest powder, just do the best you can! We will put it back in later) 

Step 3: Dump out the powdered soap into a small bowl and continue which each piece of soap remaining. 

Step 4: Once finished with each piece dump the powdered contents in the bowl back into the processor and allow it a few more minutes in the processor. 

Step 5: Pour contents from the processor into your detergent container.

Step 6: Add 1 cup of Washing Soda and 1/2 cup of Borax (per bar of Fels Naptha). 

Step 7: Mix and enjoy! Each load use between 1-2 Tablespoons of soap depending on the size of the load. 

Left: one "serving" of soap.  I bought a 1/2 gallon glass container from walmart ($4) which should hold between 3-4 servings of soap. 

Notes: If you do multiple "servings" of this soap, I recommend giving your food processor a break between bars, especially if you have a small processor like I do. I felt mine was getting a little hot after I finished processing the bar. 

This recipe is a little messy, so make sure you have plenty of counter or table space to utilize. 

Let me know what you think of this recipe! So far I like it alot and find it's a lot easier to handle a small container of powdered detergent than a 5 gallon bucket of liquid detergent! 

Have you ever tried homemade detergent? If so, what is your opinion? 

Talk to you soon! 

Erica