Updates from Mysie

Ok. It's not so much a hack as just a way to up-leveling my toothpaste. 

I've been using Thieves toothpastes for years already because they are fluoride free. But I recently saw this and had to try it. It uses the Thieves Whitening Toothpaste, which I'll admit was not my favorite. So I was a little nervous I wouldn't like it. But I gave it a shot and with the mouthwash and orange oil, I have to say it's taken the front-runner spot. Better than learning to like the flavor, I found out Thieves Whitening Toothpaste also contains Hydroxyapatite! A 2014 review found that this has a "remarkable remineralizing effect" on teeth.  

What you need:

Thieves Whitening Toothpaste

Thieves Mouthwash

Young Living Orange Vitality Essential Oil 

(get them here)

I found a super cute pump dispenser on amazon. It's big enough I could have doubled or even tripled the batch but I started with a single batch. But I will definitely be making bigger batches down the line.

I put all ingredients in a glass measuring cup and mixed until combined and smooth enough that you could use the dispenser to pump it. Voila! That's all there is to it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: not my sound on the video. watch your volume if children are nearby :) 

At one point today, the temp hit 90. In Minnesota. In May. Who knew that could happen?

So it was a good thing I made some popsicles yesterday.
I didn’t take any pictures of the process. And I kind of eyeballed the recipe.
I have two sets of 6 popsicles molds. So I just mixed it up and thought I’d fill as many as I could. It ended up making 6 popsicles. But I will definitely be making more.

I mixed frozen strawberries in a blender. I stopped once to scrape down the sides and then blended a little more. I poured the strawberry mixtures into the molds to roughly half full.
I repeated the process with frozen mangos and kefir. I used this mixture to top off the popsicles. I added the sticks and popped them in the freezer.

I’m new to kefir. I don’t always tolerate dairy but thought I should give this a shot

For the strawberry layer:

1 1/2 c frozen strawberries

1/3 c kefir 

For the Mango layer:

1 c frozen mango

1/3 c kefir

This is the kefir I used.

Bonus points: the kid LOVED them and had zero clue they had kefir in them 😉 

This whole blog thing is new to me. Well, I've read a lot. But writing it is something I'm just getting into. 

I've been on a health journey for a few years and love to cook and bake healthy food. Most of the time. And sometimes I like to eat stuff that not quite as healthy. I try to mainly stick to paleo recipes because they are grain and dairy-free and don't use refined sugars. 

I've been ordering from Imperfect Foods for a couple of months now and completely love it. In my first order, though, I was unsure how to edit what was in my box. I ended up with two tangelos, among other things. I've never had a tangelo and though I could have eaten them just like an orange, I decided to google recipes to use them in. I found this one that said would work just as well or oranges or tangelos. So I gave it a shot.

I love oranges but the idea of boiling them seemed a little weird to me. It's just not something that we did in my family growing up. 

Also, I'm not a fan of pulp. I like my orange juice pulp-free. Even when I eat an orange, I prefer to cut all the rind off so there is no leftover pith. But when I try a recipe for the first time, I usually follow the recipe as precisely as I can, figuring I can make adjustments later. 

I have to say, this one knocked it out of the park for me. Pulp, pith, and all. I did put a light dusting of organic cocaine (powdered sugar) on this one. Honestly, though, it's just as good without. 

Have you made orange cake before? Will you make this one?

Save $20 on your first Imperfect Foods order with my code: CLICK HERE

Ingredients

2 whole oranges (peels on)

3 c almond flour

1 tsp baking soda

3 eggs

3/4 c maple syrup (real grade A, not log cabin or butterworths)

First, please both oranges in a pot with enough water to cover the oranges. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 25 min.

 While oranges are simmering, mix flour and baking soda in a med/large bowl. Mix eggs and maple syrup in a small/medium bowl.

Once the oranges are done simmering, drain the water and set them on a cutting board to cool slightly. I quarter them carefully to help the cooling process. You can let them cool first and then quarter if you prefer. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Once the oranges are quartered, make sure to remove all the seeds. Then put them into the food processor or blender. I love my Ninja. Process a couple of minutes and then push any pulp down the sides. Then process 3-5 more minutes. 

While the blender is running, mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Then fold in the orange pulp.

Grease a 10" round pan or a regular muffin pan. Bake. (45-50 min for the round, 25-30 min for the muffins). They are done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

They will probably disappear fast. If you're pacing yourself, store them in the fridge to prevent molding as they are super moist. 

* recipe will be refined sugar free if you leave out the dusting of powdered sugar

Recipe Credit: A Saucy Kitchen

Learn more about me here

I LOVE Mac + Cheese. Unfortunately, cheese doesn't always love me back. Over the last couple years, I have tried a handful of different mac recipes and so far this one is my favorite. 

First I make my "Cheese Powder." I like to make a big batch so I have it on hand. I use an old container from Costco cashews. 

2 c Nutritional Yeast Flakes (aka Nooch), I like Anthony's brand

1/4 c Arrowroot Powder, also Anthony's

1/4 c Garlic Powder

1/4 c Onion Powder

Once that is all mixed and ready to go. I cook my noods. I use Gluten free noodles, but you do you, boo. 

While the noods are draining, make the "Cheese" for the mac. I put the ingredients in the pot I just cooked the noods in to save on extra dishes. 

1/3 c milk of choice (I like almond of coconut milk from Silk). 

1/4 c Cheese Powder

Whisk with a coated whisk. Once it starts to thicken, add the noodles and mix thoroughly.

Enjoy!