Snacks Archives - Miss Everchanging

Categories: Health, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living, Random Things, Snacks, Treats

How to Start Living Your Best Non-Toxic Life

Hi Friends! Spring break is happening now, and I’m trying to fill my week with fun and productivity. So far, I got my eyebrow tattoos touched up. That was much needed! My morning routine will be so much easier. I bought ferns for the front porch and planted a few things in my backyard. I love seeing all my plant babies popping out of the ground for another season. I always assume I’ll kill everything, so it’s a pleasant surprise when one of the perennials grows back. Along with the fun and beautifying, I am continuing to weed out the toxic products from my home.

This still seems like such a weird concept to me, the queen of stuff.

I used to hear people talk about removing toxins from their homes, and I thought, “Nah. It’s not for me.”

It’s too overwhelming. It’s too expensive. How do you know what is good or bad? Does it make a difference? That’s something I’ll worry about later.

Those were some of my honest excuses.

And then I registered myself for a documentary called “Heavy”. My mind was blown with some of the things I learned. Those things were scary enough to be life-changing.

Root causes of cancer and autoimmune diseases are something I’ve been studying for years. All of a sudden, everything about sickness made sense after viewing the Heavy videos.

The missing piece of the puzzle is the toxins in our daily lives.

We didn’t have the huge amount of toxins and forever chemicals 20 years ago. These chemicals are in the air we breathe, in our soil, in our “healthy” beauty products, and even in our organic produce. I fully believe that these pull the trigger on disease. Also, I learned that toxins are stored in your fat cells. More fat is added to those fat cells to keep the toxins from escaping and wreaking havoc in your body. If you’ve ever struggled with weight, this could be the issue. And besides, who wouldn’t want to drastically reduce the risk of chronic illness? Especially if it’s not all that hard.

I’m here to help you figure out where to get started.

Converting to a non-toxic (or less toxic) life can be very overwhelming! I want to make it easy for you. I’ve done a lot of research. I want you to live your best non-toxic life! I’m not a gatekeeper. I’m always willing to share things that have helped me.

Get Rid Of Fragrances

First, I took a trash bag (or three) and filled it up with everything that contained fragrance. Fragrance is one of your worst enemies. Fragrance is unregulated by the FDA. Hundreds of chemicals can be hidden in the word “fragrance” when it’s listed as an ingredient. Whatever you inhale goes into your bloodstream via your lungs. Goodbye Bath and Body, all candles, Febreze, perfumes…..scented EVERYTHING! And it was hard! I had so much scented stuff. I threw away hundreds of dollars worth of things I worked hard to buy. It made me want to cry that I had spent my money on things that were poisoning me.

Get Rid Of Almost All Beauty Products

Next, I threw out beauty products- anything that went directly onto my skin, including my scalp. I might have shed a tear at throwing out my OPI collection of nail polishes. I tossed all of the body wash, lotions, creams, and anything that had more than a few ingredients. I threw out everything that was listed as long-wearing. These all contain forever chemicals that can stay in your body for up to three years. I threw out all items with talc. Most of these items we don’t need. We’ve just gotten used to the convenience. Check the EWG for the rating on cosmetics. I’ve read that you should always stay above a rating of 3. I prefer to use verified products.

Get Rid of Cleaning Products

I threw out cleaning products. I did save a can of Comet Cleanser (for occasional tough stains)….and one can of bug spray to use outside on my door surrounds. Darn, those persistent ants! I threw out dishwasher pods and laundry detergent. I don’t want chemicals near my food. Speaking of that, I got rid of all plastic possible in favor of stainless steel and glass. I made a no-Clorox ban! The surprising thing is that vinegar is great for everything! It cleans perfectly. It shines glasses. It removes odors. It removes mold. I even make my weed killer! I’m sure my Walmart grocery shopper wonders why I buy gallons of the stuff. Pure gold, Y’all!

Get Rid of Processed Food

I cleared my pantry of things that contained more than three ingredients. I didn’t have much to get rid of there, since I already rarely bought processed food. If I treat myself to junk food, I make it homemade with products I can trust. I love these crackers! They are so easy to make. Find the recipe here! And this is the BEST lemon bar recipe!

I’m still throwing away things a month later! But you don’t have to be so drastic. Since it turned my stomach to throw away so much, I put my favorite things in storage bins. I kept only necessities. As I felt ready and more confident in my non-toxic endeavor, I’d revisit and throw away a few more things I learned to live without. Another way to do it is to replace empty items with clean, one at a time. Personally, I couldn’t do that because I wanted everything gone. And because I’m impatient.

Here Are the Benefits I’ve Noticed….

I enjoy having less stuff! I love the look of a tidy drawer with few things.

I love not having to search for things under the sink.

My skin loves me now! After a purge of breakouts, my skin is responding so well! It glows! I was doing more harm with my expensive creams and makeup. How ’bout that!

I have become way more intentional about what I purchase. Although some of the clean items are more expensive, such as laundry detergent, the cost is easily displaced by what I save on making my homemade items.

I have so much less waste, which has gotten me interested in zero-waste sustainable living. Last week, we only had ONE trash bag in our big garbage can. Wow!

Since detoxing, I’ve become so in tune with my body. I’ve noticed that I’ve developed a sensitivity to chemical fragrances. I’d gotten so used to them over time, that I paid them no attention. Now, I can feel it in my lungs if I breathe any chemical smells. They smell terrible to me now! If I put on something that was washed in the old detergent, I become very itchy. My sensitivity shocked me! It goes to show that if you listen to your body, it will easily let you know what isn’t good for you.

The best benefit- I FEEL good!

Here is a List of My Favorite First Replacements. (I’ve Linked the Best of the Best!)

Most of them are EWG verified or rank at least a two on their scale. You can download the EWG app to quickly check products. I check everything now!

Beauty Products– Well People (Owned by ELF), Beauty Counter, Prose customized shampoo, conditioner, and styling gel, Castille Soap, Coconut oil, homemade toothpaste, bamboo toothbrushes, Olive and June nail polish and products, Arrowroot ( to replace dry shampoo and setting powder), deodorant, homemade shave oil, Vitamin E oil, Castor Oil

Cleaning Products- homemade window and floor cleaners, Clean People Laundry Pods and Dishwashing Detergent, Clean People Scrubbing Cleanser

Best heavy metal detox supplement- Chlorella This has even stopped the odor when I sweat- which shows the extent of the detox! I rarely, if ever, wear deodorant now.

These Are My Two Favorite Toxicologists.

Dr. Wendy Meyers

Yvonne Burkart

I hope you find inspiration in this! That’s my goal.

Yes, indeed, plastic particles, heavy metals, and a slew of other toxins are in the air we breathe and in the organic food we eat. There’s no way to avoid them. Your body is made to get rid of a normal amount of toxins daily. However, because there are toxins in so many things we use or consume without thought, we can easily reduce what we can with a little conscious effort. I read that the average person takes in 700,000 toxins a day. Studies of babies were shown to be born with up to 287 toxins. Any toxin load that you can reduce helps!

Once you detox and begin feeling good, I’m pretty sure that you will have forgotten how good you can feel!

Categories: Healthy Eating, Recipes, Snacks

Sugar-Free Bourbon Peach Jam

One of the things I love about summer is homemade fruit jam. One thing I don’t love is the extreme heat.

I’ve complained about being cold in the winter. Now that we are in the middle of summer, I’ll complain about the heat too… It’s just too hot to do anything outside. Before you remind me that I have a pool, I’ll just explain that it’s just too hot for that. I’m not swimming in a hot pool only to get fried by the sun in two seconds. Really, I’m a diva. I want to be comfortable all the time. Not too hot, and not too cold. When I told my mother that very thing, she told me I sounded like an old person. But really, is that too much for a girl to ask? I don’t want to freeze, and I don’t want to sweat.

So, to stay cool, I’ve been inside. I’d even go so far as to say I’ve been domestic. It’s true… I’ve canned some stuff. I was particularly pleased with the outcome of this tasty Bourbon Peach Jam. The original recipe is on the Ball website. It looked like a pain in the rear, so I took shortcuts and substituted some things. While Ball wouldn’t endorse my way of doing things, I was pretty happy. The boyfriend even ate it straight out of a bowl. That’s the ultimate compliment!

First, I suggest you assemble all of the ingredients. When you make jam, you have to be ready to roll. It goes very quickly. Extra hands to take care of the jars would be especially helpful.

Rather than using fresh peaches (ugh…the peeling!), I used two bags of frozen peaches. I threw them in the food processor, half a bag at a time, and chopped them into pieces until they were mushy. Two bags equaled a little more than 5 cups. Close enough, as I’m not a perfectionist chef.

I put the chopped peaches, ginger, lemon juice, bourbon, and reduced-sugar pectin in my large pot. This was the first time I’d used the Ball pectin. It was far better than the Sure-Jell in the pink box. Note the green Rachael Ray cookware. I’m still in love with it. You can find different colors here on Amazon. I buy everything from Amazon because, as a Prime member, shipping is free and delivered in two days. I have surely been spoiled by Amazon!

Before turning on the peach mixture’s heat, I simmered water in a large frying pan. I dropped a couple of lids, bands, and half-pint jars into the water. I don’t do all of the pressure cooking stuff. I’ve never had any health issues with not doing it. My mom canned this way, and we are all clearly still living. The jars are sterilized and sealed, as you can hear them popping the cool. What a thrill! Besides, my jams never sit on a shelf for over a few months. They barely last a few weeks. I’m trying out freezing my jam, which would be an easier alternative. I’ll let you know if it works!

If you are interested in canning for longer-term storage, check out the ball site instructions I have linked.

Back to the peaches……I boiled the mixture on high until it came to a full rolling boil. A rolling boil means that the boiling doesn’t stop while you are stirring. Caution….the peaches will scorch if you don’t stir them constantly! When the peaches came to a rolling boil, I took the pot off the burner and stirred in the Stevia. Make sure you only add a cup at the time and stir well. The Stevia tends to clump. It’s really weird. If needed, use a whisk to break up the clumps. Be patient with it! I promise that it will eventually dissolve. Once all of the Stevia has been added, put the pot back on the high-heat burner and bring the peaches back to a boil. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Then turn the heat off, and take the pot off the burner.

Back to the jars… I took the jars out and put in more jars. I found I needed five half-pint jars. A few years ago, I purchased a canning kit on Amazon that has been so useful. I especially love the little magnetic jar-lid-getter (for lack of a better word).

I placed the funnel (that also came with the kit) into the jar opening. I ladled the hot jelly into the jar, stopping a little below the bottom of the funnel. Yes, it’s messy.

I placed the lids on the jar and screwed the band on tightly. This jar holder was yet another handy tool in the kit.

I’m particularly looking forward to topping my whole wheat toast with the Bourbon Peach Jam in the mornings once school starts. Eating Bourbon Peach jam before school almost seems a little scandalous. And I like being scandalous! And just as a disclaimer….yes, the alcohol does burn off during the cooking process.

You will have to adjust the recipe to your liking. My jam had crisper peach chunks. To make it softer, cook it longer and mash it with a potato masher. Also, add more sweetener and taste as needed to make it sweeter. For a more runny jam, reduce the pectin by a tablespoon. Don’t be afraid of it; it’s totally customizable.

So, if you’d like, try it. I’d love to hear what you think. Maybe you might offer a few substitutions or suggestions of your own.

Sugar-Free Peach Bourbon Jam

Ingredients

2 bags of frozen peaches (or 5 cups chopped)

2 1/2 cups granulated Stevia (or as much as needed to taste)

7 Tablespoons of Ball pectin

4 Tablespoons of lemon juice

4 Tablespoons of Bourbon (optional-you can substitute water)- or add more for a stronger flavor! Eric complained the Bourbon taste wasn’t strong enough.

4 teaspoons ginger

Instructions

Chop peaches into medium-small chunks by hand or use a food processor. You should have around 5 cups.
Place a large pan with an inch of water on medium-high heat until it simmers. Began placing jars, lids, and rims in the water to simmer for a few minutes.
Add the pectin, lemon juice, Bourbon, and ginger to the peaches and stir until combined.
Bring the peach mixture to a rolling boil while stirring constantly. Be careful not to burn!
Allow the mixture to boil for a minute or so. The mixture should begin to thicken.
Add the sugar, whisking until dissolved, return to a boil, and allow to boil for another minute. Take the jam off the heat.
Remove the glass jars from the water with the tongs and invert on a towel. Add more jars and repeat the simmering process.
Spoon the jam into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch at the top for expansion.
To check for proper sealing, push the center of the lid to check for flex. If it pops up and down, it is not sealed properly and should be refrigerated.

Recommended products

Stevia

Ball Sugar-Free Pectin

Ball Jars

Canning Set

Cookware

*Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which contribute to the support of my blog efforts at no cost to you.

Categories: Breakfast, Snacks, Treats

A Blueberry Coffee Cake

Summer just needs to slow the heck down. I can’t even get caught up with chores to enjoy my summer break. Before I know it, I will be back in the classroom, listening to my name being called a thousand times a day. The Fourth of July is always the hump of my summer vaca. Now that I’m officially over the hump, I feel so depressed. Can I please go back to that day? Even if I can’t go back, I can remember the tasty blueberry coffee cake I made….

Fortunately for me, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, so I’m picky over my desserts. I’d much rather have something homemade, versus something store-bought (with all of the icky preservatives). Even though this dessert is made from a cake mix, I feel that it must be healthier than something completely pre-packaged. If you are going to indulge, do it in the best way possible! Let’s face it, a life without treats is no fun! As long as you are eating mostly healthy, using smaller portions, I think that you should treat yourself! This recipe is so tasty and easy, that I must share it with you!

“Old Faithful” , my 1996 Mixmaster, doesn’t get used much these days.

This clay bear was one of the best inventions ever! Thanks to this bear, my brown sugar never gets hard. You can purchase a similar bear here.

I encourage you to try this simple recipe! Celebrate summer and blueberries before they are gone!

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Categories: Healthy Eating, Snacks

A Hot Chocolate Bar to Warm the Soul

Could Christmas really be over so soon? After weeks of preparation? Although I felt a twinge of guilt for dismantling my decorations on the day after Christmas ( I am still receiving mean looks from Smokey), part of me was ready to get my house in order again. I couldn’t bear to part with my gold tree in the bedroom nor the cocktail tree in Smokey’s Bar. I plan to savor those a little longer! If you missed my home tour, you can find both of those here and here. A week before Christmas, I created a hot chocolate bar. It was so nice to create fantastical concoctions those last few rainy days before Christmas. I tried to carve a little time out of my busy days to sip hot chocolate and stare at the tree, all while listening to a little Christmas Jazz upstairs, in Smokey’s Bar. This became such a relaxing ritual, that I may do it again this season, at the first sign of snow. This bar could be easliy changed to a winter theme. When I do it again, there will be some things that I will do differently. Live and learn, right? Next time, I will put my mini Keurig on the table, along with a display of different prepackaged hot chocolates and apple cider. The kids liked those better. I will do away with the spiced hot chocolate mix, as no one was a fan. I will keep the sugar-free mix for the health-concious adults. Besides, you have to try the recipe below. The sugar-free hot chocolate is AMAZING and clocks in at 40 calories a cup!

The sign is a cheap dollars store tray that I painted with chalkboard paint. I glued a bow to the top to make it festive. I used jars to hold the condiments. Next year, I will cover the jar lids with a festive Christmas paper. I didn’t think about it at the time!.No project is ever completely finished!

I loved the opportunity to display my husband’s heirloom silver spoons. Smokey loved the opportunity to pull off the greenery every single day.

I purchased the chalkboard tags at a craft store.
Of course, there as something for the adults, as well. Caramel Godiva for me, please!

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Categories: Snacks, Treats

Granny’s Tea Cake Cookies

Over the weekend, we hit the Christmas season head on, full blast. There has been gift wrapping, baking, cleaning, and more baking. Although I love baking, I don’t do it nearly as much as I have in years past. That’s because we eat what I bake. There is zero self-contol at the Jarrell house! I will always believe that balance is the key to long term successful eating. If you indulge, it’s best to choice homemade goodies, as you are cutting out many of the chemicals and preservatives found in packaged foods. I’m sharing with you my family’s favorite cookie recipe. It was passed down by my great-grandmother, who cooked for a family of twelve. This recipe makes a lot of cookies! Feel free to cut the recipe in half. Also, you could bake half, then freeze the rest of the dough for later. This cookie is not too sweet, very light and crunchy. It perfectly complements a cup of coffee or a favorite tea. I hope you enjoy!

The Crisco and sugar should be fluffy when you mix them. When my great-grandmother made these cookies, she used lard. Remember those days? The next time I make these cookies, I will try substituting coconut oil. How times change…