One of my favorite breakfast foods is pancakes. Since going gluten free, I’ve had pancakes less often than usual. For awhile, we were buying Pamela’s Ultimate Baking and Pancake Mix but it got to be too expensive. I just couldn’t justify adding that into our food budget. I had to come up with some recipes that would be gluten free using items we normally had on hand. I have an awesome gluten free pancake recipe that has been tested and endorsed by those who are not even gluten free!

Gluten Free Pancake Recipe

(serves at least 2 people)

-2 cups ground oats (you can use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats for gluten free oats)
-2 cups plain yogurt or full fat milk
-2 eggs
-2 Tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
-1/2 teaspoon of salt
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 Tablespoon of sugar

1.  Mix the ground oats and yogurt or milk.

2. Add the eggs, butter, salt, baking soda, and sugar.  I make sure to let this mixture sit for about 20 minutes so the baking soda will make the pancakes fluffier.

3. Add butter to your cast iron skillet or griddle and cook the pancakes over medium heat.  You don’t want to have the heat too high- these pancakes take a little longer to cook than regular pancakes and are a little thicker.  I check the bottoms of mine to see when they are ready to flip.

4. Enjoy!

Notes: If you have Celiac Disease or are serving someone that has it, please use gluten free oats.  Oats are naturally gluten free but generally have gluten cross contamination during processing.  I grind my oats in the coffee grinder.

About four months ago, I decided to go gluten free to see if it would help with my fertility problems.  I’ve learned quite a few things while being gluten free.  For one, it’s a lot more complicated than eating a the Standard American Diet (SAD).  Secondly, it can be a lot more expensive!  I’ve found quite a few ways to be gluten free on a budget, and I am hoping that my tips can help someone else who already is (or has been thinking about becoming) gluten free.  I am sure that the longer I’m gluten free, the easier it will become.  With that said, here are some tips for being gluten free on a budget.

1. Cook from scratch.  So many prepackaged foods contain weird things like gluten, soy, and corn.  I try to avoid all three of those things, and you’d be amazed at the weird things that corn is in (those little packets at the bottom of the meat package- those contain corn!).  Cooking from scratch will not only ensure that you aren’t eating any gluten, but it will also help save you money because prepackaged foods are expensive!

2. Don’t buy gluten free packaged items.  It seems like so many companies are now labeling their items as gluten free to be able to market themselves to Celiac people.  While I think it’s awesome that more and more companies are looking to cater to the gluten intolerant, I also think that they are trying to just make more money by throwing the label on the package.  Of course, sometimes you might just have to buy a package of gluten free cookies because you don’t have time to make your own.  Overall, it’s much better for you to avoid gluten free packaged foods.

3. Eat more raw veggies and drink more water.  Raw veggies can help keep you full and will help you feel better.  Water helps your body detoxify and keep things moving.  Don’t drink bottled water so you don’t have the extra added expense.  Buy a filter like the PUR Faucet Mount Filter to help keep your water yummy and cheap!

4. Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GAPS Diet) are gluten free.  Search for recipes that are suitable for that diet.

5. Meat and veggies are gluten free.  When in doubt, you can make a meal with some meat from the freezer and a can (or even frozen) veggies.

6. Eat more beans, rice, and lentils.  Beans, rice, and lentils are all cheap and good for you.  When buying rice in bulk though, keep in mind that brown rice does not keep as long as white rice.  Brown rice is better for your health, but if you’re buying rice at Costco, go for the white because it will last longer.  We get a 25 pound bag of Jasmine rice from Costco. Vegetarian chili is a great meal that’s easy to be gluten free.

Going gluten free can help many different ailments.  I know personally it’s helped me, so maybe it can help you!  My budget really hasn’t taken a huge hit, and for that I am thankful!

Do you have tips for being gluten free on a budget?

If you haven’t started to no poo your hair, you may want to consider doing it to save your body from chemicals and help keep cash in your wallet.  If you tried it once and it didn’t work for you, hopefully the no poo tips I’m going to go over today will help you make the transition easier.  There are a lot of questions that I get about going no poo, so I thought I’d address them here.

No poo for long hair

Before showering, use a boar bristle brush to brush your hair from your scalp to the ends. A natural bristle hairbrush will distribute the natural oils from your hair.  With long hair, you may need to use more baking soda and water mixture.  Doubling the recipe should work.

No Poo for Dry Hair

Cut back on the amount of baking soda you are using to wash your hair if your hair becomes dry.  You also may need to rinse with more of the apple cider vinegar conditioner.  Use a little coconut oil or even joboba oil on the ends of your hair to help combat static and the dryness.

White Residue in Hair

You’re using too much baking soda and it’s drying out your scalp and building up there.  Follow the original recipe for a few days and try to let your hair go at least two days between washings. You may need to do a deep conditioning treatment with the all natural conditioner.

Dandruff with No Poo

When you get dandruff, you may need to use some white vinegar and water to help your hair.  Use equal parts of vinegar and water, and run over your hair before doing the no poo routine.  This should help reduce dandruff.  You can also add some sea salt to a water mixture and use that to gently scrub your scalp and help exfoliate it.

The vinegar stinks!

If you can’t stand the smell of the vinegar, try adding some sticks of cinnamon to the apple cider vinegar and let it sit for a few days.  If you want other scented apple cider vinegar, you can use other herbs to make a vinegar infusion.  You could add hair conditioning herbs for a double benefit!

Herbs for Hair

Chamomile: Good for blonde hair.  The flowers help lighten the hair’s color.

Henna: Natural red hair dye.  I’ve used henna in the past with great results.  Be very careful when using it, because it can stain your bath tub!

Lemon: Helps strip hair of build up and lightens hair naturally.  Juice a lemon and add the juice to some warm water.  Use like the apple cider vinegar rinse after the no poo routine.

Stinging Nettles: Helps prevent dandruff in hair and also helps condition the hair.  I buy stinging nettles in bulk from my health food store.

Witch Hazel: Good for oily hair, and acts as an astringent (for your face as well!).  You can find witch hazel in the pharmacy section of the grocery store.

Have you tried No Poo?

I’ve always wondered how to make apple cider vinegar, and this weekend I thought I’d give it a try.  I actually made pineapple vinegar instead of apple cider because I had pineapple scraps.  You can use fruit scraps to make fruit scrap vinegar, and apple cider vinegar is just another fruit scrap vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits

Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, and is great for making salad dressings, using in a bath for detoxification, and even cleaning.  Apple cider vinegar has been often called a wonder drug, and contains vitamins and minerals essential to good health.  Losing weight, lowering blood pressure, and even healing headaches have been some of apple cider vinegar’s benefits.  Personally, I take it when I feel a cold coming on because I think it helps ward off the bad germs.

When you make your own apple cider vinegar, you control what goes in it, and you know you are getting the real deal.  When I purchase apple cider vinegar, I buy the Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar because it contains all the goodness of unpasteurized vinegar.  It’s unheated, unfiltered, and contains the “Mother”.

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar

You can make apple cider vinegar, or any fruit scrap vinegar using this method.  All  you will need is some fruit scraps, sugar, and water.

1. Chop your fruit scraps up.  You don’t have to chop it into tiny pieces, so chunks of fruit are fine.  I made sure to wash the pineapple very well before I used it for my fruit scrap vinegar.  Use the core and skin of the pineapple or fruit you are using.  Apples and pineapple are the most popular fruit to make into vinegar.

2. Mix 1/4 cup of real sugar with 1 quart of warm, filtered water.  Allow the sugar to dissolve in the warm water.  You may need to stir to help the sugar to dissolve.

3.  Put the fruit scraps into a large clean jar.  Make sure you wash it well with hot water and soap.  You don’t want your vinegar getting bad bacteria in it.

4.  Add sugar water solution to the scraps and place a kitchen towel over the opening of the jar.  I secure mine by using a rubber band.

5.  Place jar in a warm area (around 70 degrees) for about two days to a week.  Check it every day and stir if you are able to.  When it smells like vinegar and has a darker color to it, remove the fruit scraps and use!

Please remember: when making fermented foods, if it smells bad, don’t eat it! If it has mold on the top, throw it out!

Apple cider vinegar and fruit scrap vinegar can be added to salad dressings, soups, and even green smoothies.  A tablespoon won’t even be detected by your family.  If you don’t like consuming the vinegar, you can actually use it for cleaning or even conditioning your hair with the no poo method.  Making apple cider vinegar is a great way to use up fruit scraps and provide your family with a great quality vinegar!

Have you made apple cider vinegar?  Do you like it?

I hunted for a long time for how to make your own natural, homemade dishwasher detergent.  I found many recipes that were natural and called for just borax and washing soda, but they never seemed to work very well.  They just didn’t get the dishes clean.  I’ve found a recipe that finally works well and won’t poison my family!  It’s also super easy to make as well.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

-1/2 cup borax
-1/2 cup washing soda
-1/4 cup Citric Acid
-1/4 cup kosher salt

How to Make Dishwashing Detergent

Mix all ingredients together well by shaking. Mine clumps but I just shake it before I use it. If you don’t want to order citric acid online, you can check a beer making store or even a health food store. I found some in bulk at our local health food store!

Use about 1 Tablespoon per load.  If you wanted to scent yours, you could add a few drops of your favorite essential oils in.  I really didn’t mind it unscented, so I went with that. For months we purchased and used Ecover Dishwashing Liquid, which wasn’t exactly frugal but definitely is much better for us than conventional dish washing detergent.

Do you make your own dishwasher detergent?

Here’s a face scrub recipe that you can make at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand.  It will cost you a few minutes of your time but it is definitely worth it!

photo credit: Malte.S

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons applesauce
2 teaspoons olive oil

Mix all ingredients together well.  When you’re ready to use, put a small amount on your hand and work in a circular motion on your face.  Rinse well after using.  That’s it!

How it works

The malic acid and amalase enzymes in apples help remove dead skin and dirt that can clog pores.  The sugar polishes away rough spots, while the olive oil brings the moisture back to the skin.  All natural healing!

If you’re one of the people that frequently shaves any hairy part of their body, chances are you’ve experienced razor burn. I think razor burn is one of the most painful things!  It is definitely not a fun experience. There are products out there (like Bikini Zone ) to combat razor burn, but they contain all kinds of nasty chemicals that you don’t want to slather on sensitive areas.  What’s a girl (or guy) to do?  Make their own!

photo credit: Flavio@Flickr

All Natural Razor burn treatment

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cucumber, chopped and peeled

1 Tablespoon coconut oil

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.  Apply to affected area and let it sit for 15-30 minutes.  Wash off with lukewarm water.  The coconut oil is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial so it helps rid the area of germs that can cause bumps.  Cucumber is anti-inflammatory, and the yogurt contains lactic acid which gently exfoliates the skin.  Now you’re all set for summer!

How do you combat razor burn?  Or are you one of those people that doesn’t shave?

Have you ever wondered how to make hair conditioner? It’s super easy, frugal, and fun!  A couple times a week I like to do a deep conditioning treatment to my hair. Of course I want something all natural and simple, so I make it my own all natural hair conditioner.

How to make hair conditioner

You only need minimal ingredients:

-1 small Avocado

-2 Tablespoons of coconut oil

You want to cut the avocado in half from top to bottom.  Remove the pit (you can compost it) and scoop the avocado from the rind into a bowl.  Add in your two tablespoons of coconut oil and mash with a fork until well blended.  From there, massage the mixture into your hair.  Leave it in your hair for about half an hour, then shampoo out.

The avocado contains vitamins, oils, and hair strengthening proteins.  Coconut oil is moisturizing and enhances shine.  Even if you “no poo” shampoo, this works well.  You may want to use a little less coconut oil though!

Do you use hair conditioner, or skip it? Do you think it’s a waste of money?

Have you wanted to make homemade soft scrub to clean your bathroom? The other day I decided my bathtub was pretty dirty, so I set out to come up with a recipe for homemade soft scrub.  It contains just a few safe ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen.  Of course you knew that this is one of the baking soda uses.

Making your own soft scrubber for cleaning your bathroom should only take about five minutes.  What’s even better is that you will keep the heavy bathroom cleaning chemicals out of your bathroom.  Have you ever gotten dizzy using bleach to clean the bathroom?  You won’t get that way when you use baking soda, water, and soap.  It’s all natural and safe for your family.  You may even wish to clean your bathroom as you shower!

Homemade Soft Scrub Recipe

-1/2 cup baking soda

-3 Tablespoons liquid castile soap (I used Dr. Bronner’s )

-1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of water

-5 drops of tea tree oil (for it’s antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, using a spoon and ensuring that all ingredients are incorporated well.  At this point, you may add in a few drops of other essential oils if you wish.  Different essential oils are nice to scent your soft scrubbing solution.  When the mixture looks like a runny paste, you’ve got your completed product.  You can use the soft scrub to clean the bath tub, sinks, floors, kitchen and pretty much anything else your heart desires!

The baking soda adds a mild abrasive action to cleaning.  It’s nice because baking soda is very gentle and doesn’t scratch like other cleaners may.  You can use more or less baking soda to your mixture to get the consistency you desire.  I’ve found that after I’ve left my homemade bathroom cleaner sit for awhile, I do need to add more water and shake well to mix.

I would save an old squeeze ketchup bottle to use for dispensing the bathroom cleaner.  It works very well, and helps keep the bottle out of the landfill!  If you don’t have an old squeeze bottle, you can just pour some of the cleaner onto the surface and use a sponge or cloth to clean with.  It will work just as well!  Be sure to cover tightly so your mixture will keep well.

What’s so nice about this recipe is that it’s all natural, super easy to make, and contains ingredients that you have on hand.  I think it’s important when you’re transitioning to an all natural lifestyle that it’s an easy transition.  There’s no need to get stressed out about going natural!  You should enjoy saving money and living green!  Once you start making your own homemade cleaners, you won’t want to go back to harsh commercial bathroom cleaners.  You’ll feel much better as you clean your bathroom, and knowing that you aren’t poisoning your family is also a wonderful feeling!

Have you tried a soft scrub recipe before? Do you use homemade cleaners to save money?

photo credit: Tim Patterson

I’m going to start highlighting some foods that are fairly inexpensive and are very good for your health. Today’s focus is on the green smoothie.  Every day I start my morning off with a delightful green smoothie. At first I was repulsed by the idea (and the look!) but after I got down the art of making them, I was addicted. There’s nothing to help detoxify your cells and brighten your day than a green smoothie! Green smoothies are fairly inexpensive to make, and pack a huge nutritional punch.  They may look funny, but they don’t contain any unpronounceable ingredients.

Green smoothie recipes are simple to me: pick any leafy green you want, throw some fruit in (normally not more than two-three like fruits), add some water and ice, and blend.  I like to keep my fruits in the same “family”, like mango, pineapple, strawberry, or orange, banana, and kiwi.  I think it makes the smoothie taste better.  I try not to add too many different fruits because sometimes it is hard to distinguish the flavors of the fruits.

One of my favorite things about making green smoothies is that they save me money and food waste.  If I’ve got some bananas that are about to go bad, I toss them in the freezer to save for a smoothie. When I buy the 1 pound spinach from Costco, I wouldn’t be able to use it up if I didn’t make green smoothies.  That’s a lot of spinach!  You can throw pretty much any fruit or veggie into your green smoothie, which helps reduce any food waste and helps keep your body healthy.   I’m also pretty lazy in the morning, so throwing ingredients in the blender and mixing makes me happy.  Easy peasy!

Ingredients

-Greens. Any type of greens will do, but my favorites are spinach and Swiss chard.  They are very mild, and if you don’t use too much, you can’t taste them in the smoothie.

-Fruit. We buy a large bag of frozen strawberries from Costco just for making smoothies.  We also go crazy buying bananas that are almost brown and discounted in the store and freeze them.  They taste great!  Basically, any fruit will do.

-Ice. If you aren’t using frozen fruit, you’ll want to add in a handful of ice.  I don’t like drinking warm green smoothies. 

How to make a green smoothie

Blend a handful greens with a cup of water in your blender.  Make sure you blend it until it looks like green water.  Throw in a banana (or whatever fruit you choose).  Blend until smooth.  Add in frozen strawberries and pulse.  Blend until incorporated.

At first, I would add in very little greens.  Then you can gradually work your way up to more greens.  Greens are fabulous for your body because they contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, are good sources of calcium, magnesium, and folic acid; and help detoxify your body.  Fruit is full of antioxidants and tastes yummy.

Green smoothies are inexpensive, so healthy for you, and a great way to reduce food waste.  Give them a try!  You’ll be glad you did.

Have you heard of green smoothies?  Would you try them?