Homemade Fruit Tea Recipes

I love fruit tea, preferring to create my own homemade fruit tea recipes, over those who you can find in most grocery stores, simply because most of them have either green or black tea. I am a purist when it comes to fruit teas. I like the recipes simple and easy, and adjustable. With small changes, like adding some spices like cinnamon or coconut flakes to the mix, you can create interesting flavor combinations without all of the unnecessary additives and fillers many commercial tea blends and mixes have.

Here is a great base recipe you can work from

250 grams of strawberries
Organic pears, apples and peaches – five each
10  organic oranges
10 organic lemons
2 sticks of lemon grass

Remove stems and seeds from the pears, apples, and peaches, cut all fruit and lemon grass in same size, small pieces
and place into a dehydrator. Dehydrate according to the manufacturers instructions.

Mix well and place into an sealed container, storing it for up to 6 months in a dry and cool place.

To prepare:

Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the tea mix into an infuser, reusable tea bag, or your favorite tea ball. Steep until desired
strength is reached, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the infuser, tea bag or tea ball, or strain. Sweeten with your favorite
sweetener.

Variations:

Add a half of cup of dried coconut flakes and a half of cup of dried pineapple to the mix for a Hawaiian flavor.

You can also add extra flavor like cinnamon, or ginger.

Add a handful each of your favorite dried berries to the mix, for a berry blend.

You can also skip the citrus and add a cup of dried hibiscus leaves to the mix instead.

 

Available on Amazon now!

I highly recommend this beautiful tea cup with enclosed infuser/strainer from Teaveli decorated with ancient Chinese symbols this pretty cup makes a perfect tea. I love the fact that it has a lid, which keeps the warmth of the water, while the tea is brewing. This cup is perfect for homemade fruit tea blends, or any green or black tea. It is dishwasher safe, microwavable, and comes with a saucer. Makes a great gift for birthdays, or just any day! Buy it on Amazon today!

Disclaimer: I have received this cup for free in return for an honest review.

Meal Prep Made Easy – Portion Control Containers by PrepRx

The following blog post is a sponsored post

As I have mentioned before in this blog  I deeply believe in meal planning, not only because it much
more convenient for our family of different food preferences, but because it is easier to make sure we all have access to
healthy food option at all times. So when I had the chance to receive the “7-Pack of Reusable Portion Control Meal Prep Food Containers” by PrepRX,  I was eager to try them out

Here is what I found:
Pro:
Tight seal lids. I have had no problems with spillage whatsoever even after taking it with me just about anywhere.
Perfect fit for the microwave. While other meal prep boxes are often a little too large for smaller microwaves, Not this one,
It’s almost square design making it a perfect fit
Easy to clean – while they are really easy to clean by hand, I especially love that they are dishwasher safe, saving me
not only time via the meal prep, but also in the clean up
Freezer safe. Perfect for leftovers or prepping ahead!
Easily stackable – they truly do not take away much space in my already cramped kitchen. Perfect.

Con:
When they say tight lid, they mean tight lid! Sometimes it is hard for me to open those containers, and even harder for my 12-year-old.

If you love meal prep, take lunch to work with you, and want to stay overall healthy, these containers are for you.
I love filling them with already cut up fruits and veggies, making sure that when I am getting hungry, I am not grabbing
for those snacks that are not so good for me. what is not to love? Available on Amazon now! 

Product Dimensions are 9.8 x 4.3 x 5.9 inches

Made out of FDA-Certified BPA-Free Polypropylene

Homeschooling Parents, Teach Your Kids To Code!

My coding skills are minimal and basic on a good day. But that does not stop me from making sure my homeschooled kids
are learning important coding skills.

I know that there are many homeschooling parents out there that are not choosing to teach their kids to code.
Some of it is out of fear of teaching a subject matter, they have no knowledge off, for others, it is the fact that they
do not see the relevance. Both of these sides need to be debunked right now.

You see, we desperately need people who can fill the positions that need coding in this country. In order to stay
competitive with other nations, it is important that all of our kids have the skills to secure themselves a good job
and with that help our economy grow. Yes, I am oversimplifying things at the moment, but I am not trying to make a point
about raising the economy one person at a time, but rather giving that one person – your child – the chance to be one
of the successful ones. For that, these skills are needed, skills that as a homeschooling parent, you are responsible for sharing with them. Coding is one of them.

Now, if you, like me, have no idea how to do more than basic coding, how in the world are you going to teach your children?
Simple, invest in a good program, like “Simple Coding”. Just like you would and probably are investing in language lessons and music teachers, you can use Simple Coding to teach them, and yourself this important skill.

Why do I like this program so much?

1. Because they have multiple learning options, like my current favorite the “Game Design Software for Kids“, which is
what my son is working through right now. .Other options are their Summer Camps and in person live classes.

2. It is affordable. There are no hidden fees, high up-front costs, or minimum purchases. You simply buy the program that
fits your kid, and that is it.

3. Online support. With an access to support and a forum, you are not on your own when you are teaching your children.

4. Incentives. Simply Coding gives away scholarships, like their 2016 JavaScript Game Design Competition, that is
currently going on, and ends May 21st.

But don’t just take my word for it, watch these testimonials right here:

Check out the Simply Coding JavaScript Platform details:

• ✓ LIVE MENTOR ASSISTANCE: Unlike other programs that offer you a “how to” sheet and let you go, we offer live chat assistance to make sure you or your child know exactly how to best use our JavaScript software. Also, on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month we conduct an hour of live question / answer with our mentors!
• ✓ SCHOOL APPROVED CURRICULUM and STEM CERTIFIED: The Simply Coding program has been approved by school systems throughout the country, both as part of their course catalogs and as an after school program. It has been in operation in classrooms for the last three years!
• ✓ DESIGNED BY PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMERS: Our software has been designed based on the feedback of thousands of kids who have helped us test, refine, and perfect our system.
• ✓ CODING EDUCATION: Our educational software is not only meant to teach children how to build games and learn coding, it’s about expanding their critical thinking skills and ability to innovate. Your kid has done Scratch, Khan Academy, Code.org, Codecademy, Hour of Code and now this is the NEXT STEP!
• ✓ WORKS ON ANY PC OR MAC: Unlike other programs that require strict system requirements, you simply need to access our online class via the provided registration access code, create an account and start using our videos and tutorials to receive a solid JavaScript education through creating computer games.

So, dear homeschooling parent, what are you waiting for? Give yourself and your child the gift of coding today!
Disclaimer: I was given the Simple Coding Javascript Platform at a discount in return for an honest review.

A Deodorant For People With Aluminum Zirconium Sensitivity – Cruelty-Free And Vegan

——-This post may contain affiliate links – see disclosure page for details ——-

As many people who are allergic to certain product ingredients are aware of, it is often a hassle finding a product
you can safely use, one that does not leave bumps, redness, and itchy irritation behind. For a long time, that was my
major problem with commercial deodorants.

There are some wonderful folks on Etsy and various local shops that create perfect handcrafted beauty products for people like me, and while I am forever grateful to them, I am often left looking for another alternative after a shop closes,
or we move, which has happened rather frequently throughout the years.
So finding a deodorant that does not include Aluminum Zirconium or any other ingredient that I might have a reaction to,
and being able to order it from Amazon makes my life so much easier.

Natural Sea Spray Deodorant by Skin2Spirit  does not only fit my sensitivity needs, but is also cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, paraben free, and 100 % natural.

Instead, it contains the following wonderful ingredients:

Purified Water, Organic Aloe, Magnesium Chloride, Witch Hazel (alcohol-free), Essential Oils and / or Natural Flavors / Scents,Glycerine, Potassium Sorbate, Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid (Vitamin C), Water
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE OIL: Pure and natural from the Dead Sea, antiviral, antimicrobial, helps reduce odor from bacteria

ORGANIC ALOE: Moisturizer, emollient, and excellent for scars, burns, rashes, and dry skin.

WITCH HAZEL (Alcohol-Free): Soothing, natural astringent to help alleviate stinging for sensitive skin. Antibacterial & anti-inflammatory

ESSENTIAL OILS: Including Tea Tree, a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal solution from the Melaleuca tree

SILVER CITRATE / POTASSIUM SORBATE: When combined make a powerful broad spectrum
antimicrobial that helps stop odor in its tracks

I have been using this deodorant for more than a week now, and I am very happy with the result. I  must say, that people
who use natural deodorants for the first time – which is not the case for me – should expect a detox period, meaning that
it will take about two weeks before this deodorant or any natural deodorant will bring full the full effect you may
desire. This is normal and should not discourage you from making the switch – your skin and health will
thank you for making that decision.

I highly recommend this product for anyone with allergies and sensitivities to standard and mass-produced
deodorants, even more so if you are vegan, and want to live a cruelty-free lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This product was given to me at a deep discount in return for an honest and unbiased review. See the
disclosure page for more details.

5 Facts About Mortar And Pestles You Might Not Know

——– The following post may contain affiliate links ——————–

Mortar and Pestle are not a beautiful but also a functional pair of tools to have in your kitchen, especially if you do
a lot of cooking with herbs and spices. But as you already know, I always want to know more about the tools I use, so I
decided to dig up some facts about this interesting contraption you might not have known before:

5 Things You May Not Know About Mortar And Pestles

1. Did you know in some places there were used for meat preparation? Large stone mortars with wood pestles were used in West Asia to grind meat for a type of meatloaf called kebbeh as well as a type of hummus called masabcha.

2.Here is a non-food use of the mortar and pestle: It is traditional in various Hindu ceremonies such as weddings and
upanayanam to use the mortar and pestle to crush turmeric.

3. Mortar and Pestles are a big part of Thai history: The Thai mortar and pestle dates back to the Sukhothai period which was the 1st Kingdom that was founded in 1238 A.D. and was used to grind foods and medicines.

4. the results of your grinding depend on the material of the mortar and pestle. I will get more into the details of that
in a moment.

5. The oldest mentioning of the mortar and pestle stems from Ancient Egypt, in a medical manuscript called the
Papyrus Ebers, which dates about 1550 BCE.

What are the best Mortar And Pestle material for which use?

Ceramic:
stains easily used to create powdered substances

Stone/Granite:
very heavy, durable and sturdy, look for a not so porous mortar for best use. Good for general cooking uses

Wood:
best for griding seeds and salts. Do not use with moisture. Never leave in water so it won’t warp. Delicate.

Porcelain:
Easy to clean, usually dishwasher safe, need salt in order to make grinding easier. General household use

Marble:
the heaviest of them all. Easy to clean, very sturdy, easiest to use. does not absorb odor.

 

Maxam Mortar and Pestle Available on Amazon now

I was recently given the chance to review the Maxam Marble Mortar and Pestle, and here are my thoughts:

My first impression was, that is was as heavy and beautiful as I expected from a marble piece. Of all Mortar and Pestles, I prefer marble as the material, as it is the most functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing, allowing me to leave  in full display, rather than hiding it in the cupboard somewhere. The Maxam Mortar and Pestle is not exception to that rule. With a large bowl,  it is  wonderful to use for the larger patches of spice mixes I tend to make, cutting my work time.  It is almost completely white, with the slight colors I also expect and love from marble. The pestle rests well in my hand and is well balanced, which makes working with this item easier and more convenient. Overall I am very happy with this item, which is available on Amazon at a very reasonable price.

Disclaimer: I was given the Maxam Mortar and Pestle for free in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Stay tuned for some more interesting facts about every day items, you might not have thought about before.

This post is a part of the following blog hops:

Weekend Blog Party

Wednesday Blog Hop

Inspire Me Wednesday

Too cute Tuesdays

Amaze Me Mondays

Vegan Spaghetti Carbonara (Creamy Coconut Leek Sauce)

—- The following post contains affiliate links, see disclosure page for details ——- 

I like eating creamy dishes – which is why I almost always have coconut milk in the house. It is no wonder then, that I had to find a replacement for one of my favorite pasta dishes – carbonara. Not exactly the most healthy meal in its original form,
but yummy enough to break all of the rules.
But now I don’t have to feel guilty about my creamy indulgence anymore because I came up with a carbonara that replaces the real thing. I hope you like it as much as I do, just one warning – it is addicting.

You will need:

1 package whole-grain pasta (you can use gluten-free, or regular whole-wheat, whichever you prefer)
1 leek
2 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 can (about 250 ml) coconut milk (for this do not use the low-fat variety – trust me on this, it is time to splurge)
salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg to taste

Preparation:
Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Rinse and set aside.
Meanwhile, cut the white part of the leeks in thin rings. Add the coconut oil into a deep pan, cook until the leek becomes
somewhat translucent, similar to cooking onions. Add the coconut milk to the leek and simmer for 5 minutes, or until
the leak becomes soft. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
Top your pasta with the creamy coconut sauce – and you are done!

Another simple, yet yummy meal, that is easy to make, and satisfying enough for a meat eater. If you are participating in the Meatless Mondays’ this is the perfect easy, and decadent meal for you, that keeps you full, energized, and will not make you miss the meat, dairy or any other animal product!
Variety: I have made a variety of this dish by adding broccoli instead of leek to the sauce. It is just as yummy!

CuliChef Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula Available On Amazon Now

To make the creation of this dish even easier, and keep your food from sticking, use this great CuliChef Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula that I have recently discovered. I love this heavy duty kitchen instrument, as it can hold some weight, does not stick and can handle heat up to 445 Degrees Fahrenheit (220 Celcius). I have become a fan of anything silicone when it comes to kitchen gadgets, and this spatula is no exception. It has a long handle, which prevents any splattering on your hands, which is great, especially when you are trying to teach children how to cook. As an extra bonus, I found it very easy to clean, no matter what sticky mess I made.  Try it out, it is available on Amazon now.

(Disclaimer: I have received the CuliChef Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula for free in return for an honest and unbiased review. )

 

Have a wonderful day!

Claudia

Powerful Flashlights For Everyday Use – #BYB – Pack of 4, BYBlight Cree LED Flashlight Torch

————This post contains affiliate links, see disclosure page for details.———

I was looking for small, versatile flash lights after a few short but annoying power outages in our neighborhood.
The Byblight cree LED Flashlight Torch was exactly what I needed. Available in a 4 pack (for the price of one decent
flash light), I have now have a flash light in every bathroom, the kitchen, one for the living room. They are compact, fitting
in the smaller drawers without taking away too much space. They are made out of metal, no cheap plastic, that breaks after one drop, but that also makes them a little heavier. I do not like that their loop at the end of each flash light is really
small, only a small child’s hand could fit through them, so the loop is pretty much more for deco than practicality.

These are the specs:

Available on Amazon Now

Uses cree LED with a lifespan of over 50000 hours
– Max outputs a blinding 150 lumens
– 3 Light modes: Lightly press the button to switch in high, low and strobe
– Adjustable focus: Simply controlled by pulling the head
– Compact design for everyday carry and all kind of outdoor activities
– Solid state and ergonomic designed durable aluminum alloy
– Powered by 3x 1.5v AAA battery, easy-to-get, Not Included
– Pack of 4

Specification
* Powered By: 3 x 1.5v AAA Not Included
* Runtime: 10,000 hours
* Max Brightness: 150 lumens
* Body Material: Aluminum
* Dimension: 4.1″ (length) * 1.18″ (diameter)
* Net Weight: 3oz
* Color: Black

Overall I am very pleased with these four flashlights. If you are looking for inexpensive, small flash lights that are
going to last you for a while, these set is the way to go,
(Disclaimer: I have received this product for free in return for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own)

Azure Naturals: A Vegan, Cruelty-Free Skin Care Line Suitable For Sensitive Skin – A Review

 

Over the last few months, I have been looking for a suitable skin care regime for myself, that
would actually live up to my fairly stringent criteria, while being effective. While this search
has been leading to some frustrations, I have come across several products, I can actually happily endorse,
and Azure Natural skin care line happens to be one of them.

What I look for in a skin care product line:
1. Cruelty free
2. Preferably vegan, but not necessarily (I will use products containing honey, as I am already restricted on what I can safely use I will state if the product is or is not vegan)
3. Fitting for sensitive skin (I have several allergies, and never know when my face reacts to something in various degrees
4. It suits my somewhat aging skin (lets face it, I am in my early 40’s, I have different skin care needs, than a 20 year old)

I have been using the Azure Natural Ocean Minerals Skin Care Line for the last two weeks now, and wanted to share with you,  my experience with these cruelty-free products.

The skin care products I have been using are three of their products:

1. Ocean Minerals Facial Cleanser
2. Ocean Minerals Facial Toner
3. Ocean Minerals Facial Moisturizer

Ocean Minerals Facial Cleanser
This Organic Facial cleanser comes in a 4 oz pump bottle, containing wonderful ingredients such as Organic Aloe, Rosehip and
Tea Tree Oil. I love how this cleanser leaving my skin feel balanced, not overly dry, nor oily. It has a very faint scent, which for someone like me who does not like strong scented beauty products (unless I am wearing perfume), absolutely perfect.
After almost two weeks, it has not given me any adverse reaction, while cleansing my skin perfectly.

Ocean Minerals Facial Toner
Again containing ingredients that are organic and natural, in its case Aloe, Irish Moss and Sea Kelp, this toner is a nice addition to my skin care routine. I have previously always neglected using a toner, but will from now on, as it has lessened the size of my pores. Also, it adds an extra layer of protection from environmental effects, which is always a great thing. This is also only minimally scented and feels cool upon application. Comes in a 4 oz spray bottle.

Ocean Minerals Hydration Cream
I love this moisturizer. Containing Aloe, Irish Moss, and Shea Butter, this creme leaves my skin soft and smooth without producing an oily or sticky film. I find it to be the perfect way to end a morning facial routine, light enough to wear under makeup, and nongreasy. It comes in a 1.7 oz pump bottle.

All of the above products are, as I mentioned vegan, cruelty-free, organic and very natural.
If you are looking for a great gift for Mom on Mother’s Day, or want to treat yourself to a beautiful skin, I highly recommend
Azure Natural’s Ultimate Ocean Mineral Skin Care Line. It is available on Amazon now.

Dollar Store Quality At A Non-Dollar Store Price: Soccer Ball Necklace – A Review

This post may contain affiliate links 

I get quite a few products and books to review each week, for which I am very grateful for. But of course, not all of them
are going to be off the highest quality. And while I have no problem singing the praise for those who have done a great job with their products, books or services, I am equally as willing to write a neutral or negative review, when warranted.

As it is in the case with this Silver-Tone with Black Crystal Pave Soccer Ball Pendant Necklace 18″, from Dee Zee Global. While it might make a cute everyday gift for the young girl who just started with soccer, it is more dollar store quality than what I usually see on Amazon. The pendant is rather light, and nothing special, the chain a standard stain of the same quality that will last for the few weeks it is meant to be worn anyway until it is tossed in the corner. It is not ugly, it is sparkly enough to get a young girls attention, but like I already mentioned, not above the quality I see in the local Dollar store.

Instead of giving your daughter, or anyone else this necklace, there are much prettier, and more high-quality options out there in the same price range.

Disclaimer: I was given the soccer ball necklace for free in return for an honest, unbiased review

Tea Leaf Reading Symbols “I”: An April A to Z Blogging Challenge Post

The following post may contain affiliate links

Hi and welcome back to another week of the A to Z Challenge. While green and black tea are widely known, it’s cousin the white tea sometimes gets ignored. However, white tea has many health benefits that warrant a closer look. From cancer-fighting and antibacterial properties to cardiovascular benefits, this gentle tea is also used often in skincare and cosmetic products.  So the next time you are looking for more variety in your tea consumption, consider adding the white tea to your repertoire.

But let’s get back to our tea leaf reading symbol dictionary. Today’s Letter is I.

 

Letter I:

Inkpot: A symbol of a state of positive acceptance. Potential symbol for pregnancy.

Iris: A positive flower, this symbol speaks of hope and upcoming good times

Iron: any obstacle occurring in the near future will be overcome in a quick manner

Ivy: This plant is a symbol of patience and long-lasting endeavor. A steady path filled with long lasting prosperity and deep, meaningful friendship are an additional meaning of this.

Valentia Skin Care line has a wonderful External Youth Exfoliating Scrub  containing the above-mentioned white tea, as well as green tea. I love this scrub as it gently exfoliates my skin, leaving a smooth and clean feeling, relieving some of the redness and unevenness that comes with having hypothyroidism. It is gentle enough to not irritate my skin, and like everything in the Valentia Skin Care line, it is cruelty-free.

I received the External Youth Exfoliating Scrub for free in return for an honest review.