All Natural way to unclog your drains!

Today I am going to share with you THE MOST AWESOME way to unclog your drains! It is inexpensive and safe for the environment, kids, and pets.

                        So for those of you out there who have ever lived with a man (or is a man) knows that a clogged toilet is an unavoidable situation from time to time! The other night after ungodly amounts of plunging, my poor hubby could not unclog the toilet :(  So, I said "No prob! I'll go to the store tomorrow and get some Drano." When I get to the store I am shocked that not one of the 50 items they had are safe to use on a toilet! What the heck!! So what do I do? I google that shit! I'm not paying a plumber to come out and do it. I find many options, most of which don't seem like good possibilities, then I see the baking soda and vinegar way and figure it's worth a shot.

*Side Note: due to the grossness of this post there will be no photos, your welcome :)

                       I get home with my bottle of vinegar and my box of baking soda and get to work. Now just so you know what I'm working with....the water is clear, everything wanted to go down but got stuck somewhere deep in the pipes. So I pour in the baking soda, then the vinegar and I am skeptical that it will work. Suddenly it starts to smell horrible and the water gets "murky" and I am hoping that means its working. I go to the kitchen to get a bucket of hot water and come back a few minutes later....it now smells & looks much worse! I start to pour in the hot water and it isn't going anywhere, it's just filling up the bowl and I am starting to freak out that all I did was make it worse!! So I bust out the plunger and it quickly starts draining, I pour in the other half of the water to clean out the bowl. I then flush as a test to make sure it is indeed cleared....Ahhh Success!

                      This process cost me less than $2 and took about 8 mins! I will never use those expensive chemical drain uncloggers again! I have seen this method used for sinks but never for the toilet. So what exactly is the process you ask?

Items Needed:

• 1 small 16oz box of baking soda (.50 cents)
• 1 large bottle of vinegar (the one pictured is small, you will need more vinegar for a toilet) (.88 cents)

How To:

1. Pour the entire box of baking soda in toilet 
2. Slowly pour the entire bottle of vinegar into toilet. You will need to stop a couple times because it will foam up. 
3. This needs to set for a few minutes to work it's magic. While you are waiting get a large pot or bucket and fill with hot tap water. DO NOT use boiling water, it can cause the toilet to crack, just get your tap as hot as you can.
4. Hold the bucket about waist level and pour slowly into toilet. Use plunger if needed (like I did). Be sure to pour the entire bucket of water in the toilet.

*This process can be used on sinks as well, just use much less of all items but follow the same process.

Tweet

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Who doesn't LOVE chocolate AND peanut butter! This smoothie is super delish, simple to make, will give you some energy, and good for you - it's packed with lots of protein, healthy fats, even fruit! It's great after a workout or as a meal replacement. So good even your kids will love it!

Of course I am sporting mine in my Starbucks tumbler :)

Here's what you need:

• 1 cup Dark Chocolate Almond milk (I like Silk brand)
• 1 Small  Ripe Banana
• 2 tbsp Peanut Butter
• 1/2 cup Frozen Strawberries
• 1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder of your choice
• 1 cup Ice
• Small Squirt of Lite Hershey Syrup (not necessary but I love chocolate!)

* Makes 1 smoothie

Prepare:

Put all ingredients in a blender, except the peanut butter & protein powder, and blend until smooth. Add Protein powder & peanut butter on top (make sure it is in the center away from edges so it doesn't end up sticking to the sides) and blend again until smooth. You can now taste test and see if you need more ice for texture or chocolate syrup for flavor. 

Enjoy the deliciousness!

Tweet

Deluxe Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I don't know about you, but I am not a big fan of oatmeal :( I know it's good for me but its kinda got a weird texture and is not as tasty as lucky charms! Deluxe gourmet apple oatmeal is my solution....and now my kids will not eat it any other way :) What I love most about this is that it is so simple and tasty.

Here is what you need:

• 1 apple
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• brown sugar
• slivered almonds
• walnut topping

* Variations we like: skip the apple (prepare everything else as stated) and after the oatmeal is done cut up banana slices over the top. Sometimes we also like to add a little shredded coconut.

* makes 4 generous servings

Cook:

1. Put water and vanilla & almond extracts in pan on high, bring to a boil.

2. While you are waiting on water to boil, peel and cut your apple into little cubes and set aside.

3. Once water is boiling add oatmeal and cinnamon, stir.

4. Add apple when oatmeal is almost done cooking (we want them to still be a little crunchy). Mix well and let it finish cooking.

5. Separate into 4 bowls, add your desired amount of brown sugar and mix well. Then top with almonds and walnuts and enjoy the tastiness!

Tweet

Chocolate covered oranges!

Chocolate Covered Oranges!

Looking for a yummy snack that you don't have to feel so guilty about eating or giving to your kids? This is it! 

For Valentine's day I was making these delicious peanut butter eggs for my family as a special Valentine treat and had chocolate left over so I decided to peel a mandarin orange and dip it in there. My family ended up loving it so much that now I make them often. They are so easy, quick, and Delicious!

Here's what you need:

1. 3 mandarin oranges

2. 1 cup chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli semi-sweet)

3. 2tsp coconut oil

4. Cookie sheet covered with wax paper

Prepare:

Step 1:

Start by peeling your oranges, set aside.

Step 2:

Put your chocolate chips and coconut oil in a pan and put it on low to med heat. If you put it too high you might burn your chocolate. Stir often.

Step 3:

Put wax paper on your cookie sheet or plate while your chocolate is melting. Continue to stir chocolate until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.

Step 4:

Drop your orange slices in chocolate a few at a time, making sure to coat the whole slice in chocolate. I use a fork to get underneath the orange and scoop up (do not stab the orange). Tap on side of pan a couple times to get the excess chocolate off, then place on cookie sheet.

Step 5:

Repeat step 4 until all slices are covered. Place cookie sheet in freezer for about 15 minutes, just enough for the chocolate to harden. Remove from the wax paper and store in covered container for up to a week in the fridge (though they probably won't last that long!).

Sit back and enjoy the deliciousness you just created!

Hope you like this quick and easy treat, and enjoy devouring them as much as my family does!

Tweet