Vegmom Moments

My First Try at Kelp Noodles

Ok I've seen Kelp Noodles all over raw food blog land, and had yet to find them in stock ANYWHERE.  Even Amazon was out of stock just about every time I looked.

Then a class mate said something about them the other day which made me check Amazon again.  And there they were!  (note, they are sold out as of this posting, I must have gotten the last two bags)

Less than 48hrs later, I had kelp noodles in my kitchen but wasn't sure what to do with them.  Some sites said to soak them for up to 12 hrs.  But I don't have that kind of time when I'm hungry.

The bag said to merely rinse them, but I did notice that the longer they were in the water, the more the texture changed.  Soooo, I rinsed a little longer.

Next up, I made a quickie peanutty sauce inspired by Happy Herbivore cheater pad thai.

Mine had Peanut Butter, Coconut Nectar, Tamari, Schezwan sauce, garlic salt, and water.  Well combined that combination turned in to a creamy, spicy, peanutty sauce.  

I also chopped up some fresh celery, carrots, onion and avocado.  

Mixed everything with the sauce and noodles:

OH MY YUM!!  This was soo good!  And I was surprised how filling.  I couldn't eat the whole batch ( it was only a quarter of the bag).

Think me and the Kelp Noodles will become good friends.

 

Muffin Tin Goodness

I've posted many Muffin Tin Meals and snacks through the years, and some people ask "WHY?" Here are just a few reasons:

1. They are cute
2. Creative ways to get kids eating more variety
3. Avoids the sensory issues that some kids have about foods touching 
4. Avoids flavors mixing from juices like would happen on a regular plate
5. Easy to throw together
6. Completely addicting (I dare you to leave a cup empty)

And so so so much more as seen on Muffin Tin Mom's Site.

Imagine my excitement when Muffin Tin Mom asked me to guest post about our Banana Whip:

Be sure to check out that post here  and look for her other Muffin Tin Ideas, as there are many.

Including this absolutely adorable paper doll.

And this delicious looking Strawberry sorbet with granola!  YUM!

So if you haven't tried yet, do something fun for lunch or snacks!  Surprise the kids with muffin tins on the table.

 

Appearance and Happiness

Continuing with the theme of the changes lately... here is another!

I had a stranger mention that I was "glowing" and hense their thought to stop me and ask questions about coconut oil.  This made me laugh, because I happened to know a Lot about coconut oil, but the "glowing" part??  Not so much.

Someone mentioned something about my hair recently, another about my skin color (since I don't wear make up, my skin o'natural and not so o'pretty) 

I had another person randomly mention how rested I looked and tried to figure out what was different about me.  

Have you lost a few pounds?  Another person asked.  It seems every day that I see someone, even on the street on the jogging trail, heck I even had someone roll down their window to talk with me at a red light about my car.  

There is a difference.  A Pep in the step, a new me that people want to talk to instead of the wall flower that has been ignored since the age of about 3.  I've had people ask me questions in stores, inquire about my green juice, or ask what I use in my hair.  I've even had some great phone calls lately with some great people that I don't even know in person.  (Hi great people if you are reading this)

What is so funny about all this is that nothing has changed.  My food, my marriage, my lifestyle, my Job, my Exercise... still pretty consistent.    If anything, I've gotten busier with adding school and business.  So what is really different?  What is it that people are seeing??

I think its because I'm HAPPY!!!  I've been happy lots... but now I'm really HAPPY.  

Cheers to Green Goodness!  

Ps.  Yes, after 6+ yrs. I posted a picture of ME on this blog... Laugh if you will...

Pss. Yes those are plastic cups, don't holler at me, at least they are compostable.

Psss. Sorry for all the reflecting posts lately, but I have to share the goodness.  Falling in Happy really is a state of mind!

Back to food posts and silly life happenings soon!

Extra Special Things

When talking to my Health Coach last week about all the things going on in my life, all the great things, and a couple not so great things, she was worried that I would quickly become overwhelmed and/or defeated by the Negative Nellies.

Of course I myself am not worried about this because I have it all under control.  Yes, Yes I do!  *smile*

So when it was time to hang up, she gave me an extra goal for the next month. 

She asked that I do something special for myself every day and to make sure I'm taking care of me.  Well you all know that I work hard to take care of me.  That is my Mantra.  In fact that is what Falling in Happy is all about.  But for this month I decided to humor her and add more special stuff.  hee hee

In fact I took myself to dinner one night, bought myself a new running skirt  one day, Took a super long shower on another day, and finished my best 8 mile time ever on another day.

I purchased something I really wanted for my business, walked my new over-confident happy face down two blocks to see if I could find a landscaper in the neighborhood that would mow my yard for me just once (which he did)....

I splurged on some Chlorella powder for smoothies, busted open a coconut, tried a new mango, and learned how to cut them (thank you Annie)

I spent lots of time looking through the weeds in search of pretty flowers:

But tonight... tonight is what I'm most excited about.  I made some more Pumpkin Spice body scrub.. Bring on the spa for this Vegmom!

So I'm thinking my Health Coach would be proud.   Fact is, I do a good job at taking care of me and finding my happy, but I don't always do something Extra special.  

It has been fun finding those extra special things, even if that is just extra shower time with no interruptions. 

How about you?  Do you do extra special things for yourself?.. If the answer is no, then hop to it!  Because your worth it!

Happy Monday Everyone

 

 

Looking Closer You May Be Surprised What You Find

Last fall I had the opportunity to watch a documentary that showcased a Photographer.  He mentioned getting a closer look at things and how that changes them.  I've sort of put that in to play in my own life a lot lately, and these pictures are no exception.  

Of course they are no where near the beauty that was shown in the video but will hopefully explain what I'm talking about.

Our yard is filled with weeds.  Every year, I just see weeds.    

If you look at this picture, you will see weeds and grass.  But if you look really close, you may see a tiny purple flower.

But if you get down on one knee and move your camera just right, you see this guy!

You see this year with my new outlook, I'm seeing way more than weeds.

This little tiny yellow flower would normally be mowed over with out a second glance.

But this year, I took a peak at the little tiny flower, and it was quite beautiful:

You may think a Dandelion is just a Dandelion or a Fluff ball is just for blowing, but up close:

Up close they have beauty

Especially with little weed flowers shining through:

You see, I could look at a lot of things from far away and think of them as just weeds or think of them as too far away to be reachable.

But I'm choosing to find the flowers.   

Laptop Lunches Love

Yup its another Laptop Lunches Plug....

You all know how much I love the Laptop Lunches product.  My son makes all his own lunches now, but he still uses the bento every day as a simple reminder to fill every container (Fruits, Veggies, crunchy snack and main course)

The Laptop Lunches Crew put together this video which I had to share, showing how easy and functional the system can be.  

.

Not to mention it is Waste Free (no disposables in that bad boy):

I especially liked the the couple in the video going for a bike ride with their laptop lunches packed for picnic over their shoulders.  When the Vegkid is no longer using his some day, I will have to get myself one of those sling carriers and take my self on lots of park picnics.  

Hmm, actually??  Why wait??  Maybe I just need to get myself a set now.  :-)

Spring Time Changes

First the Clocks Changed.   

The Sunrises began to show their beauty:

The flowers started to bloom:

The thermometer hit 88 Degrees, the Bunnies are out in the grass:

Spring has Sprung!!

And then the Vegmom Sprung out of her shell!!  Yup, its official... Here goes the story...

Several times I have thought about wanting to do more.  Taking Vegmom to the next level but not knowing what that would mean for me.

Then I found a school to learn about being a Holistic Health Coach.  Which sounded like a good fit.  Then I found out that my real job will be going away.  Talk about a kick in the pants to find my Happy!!

Sooo, insert the school.  Not only have I been busting out the learning but I've been busy behind the scenes of my life developing this new attitude, this new me.  The kind that is not afraid to talk to people, explain what I'm doing, get ideas and have real conversations with strangers, co-workers and friends.  The person that has confidence to now walk down the street after 9 years and introduce my son to a boy his age then stand back and watch a friendship bloom.

The person that told the Cellphone guy where he could put his phone (on the shelf) when he gave me really cruddy service and I felt shafted.  I didn't take it, knowing I could find a better deal.  And I DID!

Not only did I find a better deal, get the phone I wanted and save money, but I got a lead for my future practice by the great lady that assisted me. 

I started getting involved on Facebook, talking to School parents and trying to make plans for the Vegkid.  I've reached out to my own class mates and have made some great connections. But even better, I've learned when NOT to talk.  

Oh Yes!!!  I sat through an entire conversation listening to someone talk about their diet that allows carmel rice cakes with melted marshmallows on top because they don't have fat in them.  AND I didn't say a word. Really, I didn't say a WORD!   If that doesn't prove to you that I've learned something, then I'm not sure what will.

I have blossomed, or am blossoming, and I'm not talking about the buds on my chest because they have done blossomed and wilted by now.  I digress!

I've thought about starting little classes, speaking at events even having a booth at a Spring Festival until I get my official certification to see clients.   Who knows, the possibilities are endless?  

But what I do know is that I'm finding my HAPPY!!!  

For those of you on Facebook, come visit me at Falling in Happy.  Like the page if you like it, send messages, add comments, reach out if your interested and check in often for details.

Don't worry MOM... Vegmom.com isn't going anywhere.   

Happy first day of Spring everyone!!

 

 

 

Half Marathon Training Differences

Either I'm getting used to this or making some changes have really improved my performance this year.  Here is an update on my Half Marathon changes and progress:

Not only am I faster (slightly), stronger (a little bit), and leaner (by a smidgen) but I'm feeling really good.  I can finish 11.5 miles and not even be a tiny bit sore.

Today is the day I taper off which means no more 10-11-12 milers, but I go back to 9, then decrease until race day.  For me, the differences from last year, that I committed to at the beginning of this training season have really paid off.

Here are just a few:

• Strength Training a couple days a week
• Impromptu Push-Ups, Chair dips and stretches when ever the feeling arises.
• Drinking more water during each and every day
• Sleeping better (except this week)
• Powering myself with more plants and avoiding more gluten 
• Starting each day with lemon and/or apple cider vinegar water
• Interval training for longer runs (a few minutes run to one minute walk) when needed.
• Spending time with "ME" during the long runs and not using the phone for distraction (unless purposely walking and talking in between)
• Not planning stops.  Just getting through it.
• Remembering to charge my iPod and Garmin watch before every long run (the simple things that make a difference)
• Drinking a green smoothie or chowing on some massaged kale salad with avocado before heading out.  (Green energy goodness)
• Drinking more smoothie or recovery drink of some sorts when I get home.
• Trying out spices and herbs to help with metabolism, sugar processing and inflammation to keep my adrenals happy. (loving this)

And the most important thing I have done different this year is taking some breaks when I needed it.  I extended my training season by a couple weeks so that if I had to adjust schedules, I could.   Towards the end here due to weather or other family commitments, I have adjusted way more than I like, but I think my body was happy with a couple breaks thrown in.

During all previous training seasons I gained 4-8 pounds.  Yes, I would burn 2600 calories on a single run and still gain weight.  After the full marathon, I gained so much weight that I was almost as heavy as my pregnant self.  Of course it was distributed differently and people kept saying I was gaining muscle.  But I learned later that my adrenals were SHOT.

But this year, I've been losing about a pound every couple weeks and I can actually see muscles forming.  Real muscle definition for the first time in my life!  

Sooooo, net result is Progress!   

Progress is Good!!

 **Update from today's 9 Miles.  Turned out I had a phone call that I couldn't miss for School, so I had to break my rule and walked/talked the last 4 miles... AND I had to stop for fluids as it was HOOOOTTTT Out there today!  And regarding the soreness factor.. Still no soreness from the run/walk, BUT those crunches yesterday are sure being felt in the abdominal area!   Woah!

 

Letting Kids Be Bored

I've posted on this topic before, but worthy to do so again.  You see my kid is on Spring Break.  He lost video game privileges for several days (don't ask) and we have no TV Channels.  What is a Mom to do? Besides stick in some movies?

While Husband is kind of doing his own thing right now, My time is taken up with Working, Starting a Business, Keeping two websites going,  Pushing through School, Half Marathon Training, keeping the house in order, doing laundry, grocery shopping, dealing with Insurance and roofers, creating meals, and starting the Garden.

In addition to that there are board games, cards, legos, flower plantings, creating parachutes, dropping cowboy men and attempting to climb a tree. (don't ask)  After all, nothing is as important as spending time with my kid.

So with all that said, I have managed to squeeze in several Adventure days for the Vegman while making sure his brain is staying occupied.  You see a Vegkid brain that is not stimulated is like a hamster losing its wheel.  It does NOT go well.  But the awesome thing is that I don't have to be the one to always stimulate the brain.

Example was this Juice... I was just making JUICE, Veg turned it in to a science experiment when he noticed the colors separating:

Sending him to the recycle bin became a set of binoculars:

And putting out a bucket of random legos became this flag and 5 more from other countries:

A "rock" from the garden became a crystal with beauty and working in the garden became payment for a phone game.  I could go on, but you get the idea.

While keeping the Vegkid's Brain happy is a forever challenge, allowing him to be bored and find his own adventures is not so bad.

Or at least seeing what he makes is pretty great... Now, listening to the "I'm Booooooorrrreeeed"  Whiny tone is something I could do without.  Let me tell you!

 

It's Garden Time at the Veg House

Note to self:

When you are dumping the stuff from here:

In to here:

And here:

Make sure ALL parts of your body are NOT within splashing distance!

This has been a composting public service announcement, we now return you to your regularly scheduled garden blog post!

Last year I planted Parsley.. The fall came and went, the parsley stayed..  Winter came and went, the parsley stayed.  Spring is here, and so is the parsley!

It is the only thing I have ever planted that lasted a season let alone 4 of them!  How fun is that???

So we have turned the dirt, added dirt, added compost, and turned some more.  We weeded, we chopped through clay and removed rocks.  (But we left the parsley alone since it was so happy)

Drum roll please........

The Garden of 2012 is ready for some seeds, or starters, or what ever we end up doing!

Yes, oh yes, we are trying it again!  Not sure why I do this to myself, but some day, we will have a bountiful crop.  Just ask the parsley!

Out in the yard, there is a barrel of Strawberry plants still trying to make a berry....

In the mean time, back on the deck:

Sunflowers are planted (sprinkled with cayenne to keep the critters away)  

And I'm trying Kale on the deck this year as well as salad mix...

It grows right in side the clam-shell container.. and the lid acts as a water thing from the bottom.  If your really good, you can make it in to a green house by reusing two salad mix containers.  Super duper duper cool!!!  

Of course there are flooding rains expected tonight, so lets see how happy our seeds are in the morning.

The Vegmom Gardening season of 2012 has officially begun... Will there be vegetables?  I have NO IDEA, but the Vegkid and I sure had a nice day getting it started.

So Many Adventures

We have been quite busy around these parts:

A visit with some critters (funny enough I have no snake pictures and it was a snake place):

Not sure what this guy is, but husband thought it was cool:

Hello, cute little lizard:

Sleepy Kitty:

I loved this goat!!!  We cuddled and talked and I pet his little nose and under his chin just as if he were a Puppy.

Look at those eyes.. how can anyone hurt these guys??

Then there was Arcade stops... lots of arcade games.

And lots of tickets, here is just ONE batch:

\

We stopped by the Titanic for a visit and tour:

We Built Fort Sumter out of recycled boxes for a school fair:

We attended the school fair, where I had no less than three children come up to me and say that I wasn't so good at building canons.  Apparently they teased Veg about the canons earlier in the day because they weren't the right size for that scale model.  He informed them that "I" built the canons and that they should come talk to me.

So they did!

Hey, at least I tried, right?  Gotta give a girl some kind of credit!  It's not like I help build forts and canons every day.  Goodness!   *smile*

Anywho, its been a fun and busy few days.  Including a husband visit to the ER and getting a business started.

I can say that I don't have good news to report on the sleep or coffee front, but I'll get back on the wagon there.  

As for 1/2 Marathon Training?  That is chugging along.  I finished the longest training run on Sunday, and now I get to taper back until race day.

Not much else to report!  Hope your week is going great where ever you may be!

 

 

 

Change of Plans Kind of a Day

I went to sleep with full intentions of waking up and doing my 11 Mile Run.  Expecting to get it done today instead of tomorrow because tomorrow is supposed to be windier.

But then a 9yr Old bundle of Sweetness jumped in my bed and said:

"Mom Mom MOM, its the first day of Spring Break, what kind of adventure are we going on???"

Hmmm Adventure???  I can't let the kid down! <think think think>

Next thing I know we were in the car and off for our adventure.  

A Game of Putt Putt, 2 Gigantic arcades, lunch in a place full of lava lamps, a museum full of snakes, a bass pro shop, tons of smiles, 9 hours, a $100 spent and a partridge in a pear treeeeeeee! 

(Not really a partridge nor a tree, but we did see an Emu)

So tonight I shall go to bed with the expectation that I will wake up tomorrow and prepare for an 11 mile run.

At least THAT is the plan for now!

 

 

An Almost Raw Vegan Soup Concoction

Veg and I were talking tonight about soup.  It is a cold and rainy evening here at the Veg house.   But he wanted NeeNee soup and not MY soup.

Well NeeNee isn't here, and only SHE can make her soup.  So he had Vegan French toast and fruit instead.

However, I still wanted soup!   I felt like something creamy, and needed to use up some celery that had seen better days.  That is when I looked up celery soup on-line.   Turns out lots of people make celery soup, but nothing was hitting the spot... 

That is when I grabbed Mr. Vita-Mix and the kiddo ran to hide "Not another concoction" he said! 

OH YES!!  I'm going to have me some soup... Going with what I have learned regarding tastes, I knew I couldn't go wrong!  I just needed a sweet, a bitter, a sour, a salty and a fat (think thats right)

In to Mr. Vita-Mix went the following:

Vegetable broth (this was not raw)

1/4 head of raw washed cauliflower

6 Long washed stalks of raw celery

Small Handful of Raw Macadamia nuts for the fat

Some pine nuts and hemp seeds also for the fat

Some Lemon juice for the sour

Coconut nectar for the sweet

Cumin and chives for the bitter

Himalayan salt for the salty

Then I turned on the Happy Soup Maker for a couple minutes to chop/grind liquefy and warm up my soup.

When the soup was complete, I added some garlic powder, onion powder and a few dashes of garlic salt to get the taste just right.

This came out SOUP-ER creamy and Soup-er Tasty.   I was going to save some for tomorrow, but ate it all up tonight!

OH MY YUM!!

 

 

Vegmom and Social Networking

Well here I am writing another blog post for the 6th or 7th year, can't believe it has been that long!   But it has.  You may notice, that I recently made a few changes to the left rail.  

The search widgit should help us find old posts more easily, and the advertisements are really advertisements but they are products that I or a family member use and enjoy.

I never planned to put those, but times are changing :-)   I'm starting to prepare this new chapter of my life, which will mean more than just Vegmom as a site.  I need to step out behind the words and be a real person.  See if I can offer real people assistance and maybe even earn a living.  

I realize that I won't earn income off of those advertisements, but by playing around with this site, I'm learning how to do new things for my "business" site.

My current plan is to not change this site too much.  Maybe put a few Ads to help with the cost of keeping the site up, and maybe make it more viewer friendly over time, adding more features etc.  But if all goes well, I'll keep this one as my fun outlet.

Outside of this blog and a few forums, social media has scared the Kale right out of me.  From privacy concerns, to everything else, I really can't stand it.

Recycled Shelf Labels

Remember when my Husband made me this:

I started to ponder ways to make labels.  This way when things were empty, I could quickly glance for my shopping list.  But I didn't want to waste paper.  

That is when it hit me..

Use the label from the empty can/jar as a place holder.  So when it is time to go shopping, I can just glance at any labels left behind and add them to my grocery list.

<insert my Mom shaking her head at me>

But it worked..  And no paper wasted!

 

Sleeping Experiment Failure Day 2

It is 1am and I'm still awake.  Same thing happened last night.  

There is definitely a connection between what time I eat dinner, and when I can fall asleep... If I eat too late, am not tired at 10, its a problem.  But if I miss the 11:00 mark, then I'm up all night long!  Which means coffee in the morning, and the cycle begins.

Tomorrow I shall break the cycle before it gets too out of control.  Or should I say today I will break the cycle.  

Or so I'm telling myself that right now while I'm wide awake and typing this.... 

 

 

Cauliflower Rice by NeeNee

My Mom sent me a phone picture of her dinner tonight... Look at her rocking out this Veg Goodness:

She made Cauliflower "Rice", with veggies and mushroom stirfry!   

Go NeeNee, Go NeeNee.... {me doing happy dance}

Muffin Tin Dinners Still Happening

Even though my Kiddo is officially age Nine, he still requests Muffin Tin meals.  Something about the variety, the colors, and the not touching of foods makes him happy.  

Only difference is now he asks for refills.. AND I can get more creative with what I put in there as his taste buds are pretty happening!

This one has:

• Fresh Tomato/Sweet Potato and Vegetable Bean Soup in the upper left corner
• Apple sauce
• Carrot/celery/avocado salad (he picked out the celery and later dunked them in peanut butter)
• Vegan French Toast 
• Baby Bella Mushrooms sauteed in an Everyday Happy Herbivore sauce

Not sure how much longer he will want these.  I'm assuming they won't go over well in college, but for now they still work!

 

Chess Season is Over

I didn't even know there was a Chess Season until a couple of months ago when we signed Vegkid up for his first Chess Club.  At that time, I never realized he would be competing for anything.  I just thought he would learn more about the game and have fun hanging out with kids that are like him.

Little did I know that he would start 2 months late, win all but 2 games and walk away with 3rd place.

What I really love about this is that, he enjoyed it.  Looked forward to going every week.  And I enjoyed watching him.   There were no screaming coaches, no parents yelling on the sidelines, and no disappointing looks from others when my young one decided to play in the grass instead of kick the ball.

At each chess board it was just HIM and One other kid.  Whether he won or lost and his behavior during the games were all his to own.

So that trophy is all his.  And I would have been just as proud if he walked away with nothing more than a handshake.  

He played well, learned a lot, matured along the way and showed good sportsmanship to his comrades.  

I couldn't ask for much more, except maybe that he would act that way at home too...

Hmm.. Must - work - on - that!!!

 

NeeNee's Getting Healthy Update

I have received some wonderful notes from my Mom that I must share... (with her permission)

A few days ago she wrote and said that her husband asked for Sloppy Joes which she did make for him, but did not consume herself.  Instead she made a Salad after eating a Veggie Stir fry earlier in the day.  

Yesterday she mentioned eating an almost entire head of steamed broccoli.  

Then today I received a note that went something like this:

"Dear Daughter,

Are you sure you didn't hypnotize me when I wasn't looking?  Yesterday I was on my way out to work and I kept thinking all the way out there, boy would I like some junk food..I thought ok I really need to satisfy this craving and I pulled into a Fast food place  for a burger..

I got up to the window and I said "just a small fries please".  hahahaha..I looked at the burgers on the photos and my stomach did a flip flop.  Then last night I went out with friends.  They had everything you can think of and I filled my plates with salad, Chinese veggies and rice and a couple drops of chicken.   When someone came back to the table with Prime Rib and I looked at it and my stomach did a flip flop again and she said I can't believe you didn't get prime rib..normally that would have been the first thing I picked. 

What did you do to me????"

I told her that I didn't do anything, it is her body giving her signs that she is on the right track to healing herself.   And it is telling her exactly what it wants/needs to do so.  

When asked how she is feeling after a week of being home, which is two weeks total of more mindful eating, here was her response:

"I'm Feeling pretty good..I actually can grip with my thumbs which I couldn't do before without them hurting. I also feel lighter..I know that sounds weird because I don't think I have lost any weight.  But I don't weigh myself so I really don't know but I don't feel weighted down like I used to if that makes sense.  

My avocados finally ripened and I made one with a salad for breakfast this morning and later today I will make that kale thing. My ankle was feeling pretty good when I woke up this morning but it started up again about a half hour ago.  I think it acts up when I turn my foot a certain way or pressure from the stairs but it isn't burning as bad as it was so maybe it is on the mend."

Yes, I know exactly what she means about feeling lighter.  It is such an amazing feeling, and I'm sure she has lost some weight too.  But even if not, just the light feeling of not having that burden on your body from animal products is amazing!

For my Mom to be able to use her thumbs again without pain, just makes me feel great all over.

Also to hi-light that she mentioned having salad for breakfast.  This is so great, because she used to not have breakfast at all, which is very bad for you.  Not only did she eat breakfast this week but she had SALAD with avocado to start her day.

Good Going NeeNee!!  Keep up the great work.  And send more updates soon!

 

My Personal Challenges Status Update

With all the excitement the past few weeks, some of my personal challenges have been hijacked by other goodness.  But most stayed on track.

Here is an update:

Made Our Own Body Care Products (again)

A Vegmom Spa Week wouldn't be complete without some Serious Skin Pampering.

First things first... Pull out the supplies:

We made some more C-Serum:

I kept asking my Mom after she used it, if her face was burning yet.  And the answer kept being "NO" although her face did feel tighter.  

THEN - She put this stuff on, right out of the shower... and I heard "Um, OK its burning now"  hee hee

Some more Aloe Toner:

Refilled the Minty Vanilla After Shower Spritz... Oooh we do love this stuff:

We made some Antibacterial Hand Salt Scrub:

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Body Scrub (oh my yum):

And Sugar Spice Hand scrub.. (Oh my Double yum):

Our skin became sooooo soft and smelled sooo good, my Mom was walking around singing:

"I feel so pretty and pretty and bright"

We didn't even know what to use first... the whole kitchen was full of delight.  I think every women should have a Spa day in their own house.

Thankfully I had lots of jars, so she was able to take a lot of this home with her.  And she wrote down the recipes to make her own too.  

As for me?? I couldn't get enough of the pumpkin spice scrub... I may or may not have put it in my hair.  But if I did, my hair would have been really really really soft!   Just sayin!

As for recipes for all this goodness.  The two sugar scrubs were found via Pinterest:

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub (this one is spice, sugar and oil, so it will keep for a while in a jar)

Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub (this one has actual pumpkin in it and no oil, so you have to use within a couple days) ------ This is the one I may or may not have put in my hair.

We also made a general counter/sink scrub cleaner with a grapefruit oil scent.  So I could show how shiny things can get without chemicals.

As for everything else, they were all found in the Do It Gorgeously Book.  Some were modified to my likes, but most were left as is.  You can find many of her recipes in video on the Gorgeously Green website.

It has been a week since the "Pamper Our Skin Day 2012" and I can't confirm how my Mom is feeling, but my skin feels wonderful.   

Thankfully, I have lots left over.   The only thing I need to make more of, is the pumpkin puree scrub.  You can bet that will be on my grocery list!

I'm not sure which of us liked the day more.  But I do know that we will have to do it again soon!!