Tuesdays with Michelle: There's Nasty Stuff in WHERE?!!

Mmm hmm, that's right.  The washing machine.  The very thing that is supposed to make our stuff clean.

Gross gross gross... and there were more nasty brown stains hidden up in the rim... 

I never thought about cleaning the washing machine until I started seeing posts about it on pinterest.  And then I looked at my machine.  And then realized that two boys had previously used {I mean, I hope they used it...} the washer and dryer.  And then I began to think about what kind of nasty stuff might have gone in the washer... um, yeah.  That thought alone was enough to make me give it a nice cleanse!


It is super easy to clean and here is the down and dirty on how to clean your top-loading machine!


Step 1:  Fill washing machine with hot water.  Add 2 cups white vinegar halfway through.
Step 2:  Turn off cycle and let water/ bleach mixture sit for an hour.
Step 3:  Run washing machine on longest cycle.
Step 4:  When water has drained, scrub sides and twisty thing in the middle (what is that even called?!)  Concentrate on the areas around the rim.  You want your machine to be white!  Not any other shade.
Step 5:  Repeat steps 1-3 except substitute 2 cups liquid bleach.


And you're done!  And your washer should look like this now... sparklin' white!  :)

Have any of you ever cleaned your washing machine?  Are you gonna do it now?  Let me know!

   

Tuesdays with Michelle: It's a Purrrfect Life

I couldn't decide what I should write about for today's post.  So lucky you, you don't get to hear me rambling on about some new health thing I'm following.  Enjoy the silence and Enjoy some pictures taken throughout the past few months in our favorite place we now call home: the Bay Area.

Half Moon Bay

 San Francisco

might I add this picture was taken on top of Twin Peak on 4/20...
yeah the fumes from everyone up there nearly killed us... oh San Fran & your lax laws! 

Home Sweet Home, Linda Mar Pacifica

Tuesdays with Michelle: What's Triclosan?

  Simply put, Triclosan is a pesticide... a toxic chemical...    


  ...And it can be found in every day items such as hand soap, hand sanitizers, antimicrobial plastics (labeled as "Microban"), deordorant, make-up, and toothpaste just to name a few.


  I had never heard of it until a few weeks ago when the Yahoo home page posted an article on it.  Right away I checked some of my product labels and found out that it was an ingredient in our toothpaste and Beau's face wash.  We are now proud users of Trader Joe's Antiplaque Toothpaste with Fennel, Propolis, and Myrrh {it's fluoride-free and we only pay a little over $2 at the store, I don't know why Amazon is selling it so expensive!} 


  Studies show that Triclosan can disrupt normal Thyroid and hormonal function, cause birth defects, and antibiotic resistance.  Studies also prove that Triclosan is easily absorbed into the body; it is found in breast milk of every 3 out of 5 women.  {So all my pregnant friends out there, please read your ingredient labels!}


  With this basic knowledge under our belt, there's no wonder why our society is having so many issues with conceiving and crazy mutated bacterias causing severe illnesses - And this is only one of the many chemicals we touch, eat, and breath every day.


  It's scary to know that the FDA and EPA are aware of this chemical's potential side effects, but still haven't done much about it.  There are on-going tests and trials, and blah blah blah but the least we can do is take action ourselves and rid our homes of this toxic substance.


  There are many many many articles regarding Triclosan, just google and you will be amazed at the info out there.  


  Now that I have got your attention, what household items have you found that contain Triclosan?  Are you going to replace it with a Natural substitute?  Share your ideas so we can all benefit! 

This article gives some examples of common items that contain Triclosan.

   
Here is a very informative article about Triclosan.

This is a very in-depth research paper published by Tufts Medical.



{FYI: I am in no way an expert on this issue.  Please do your own research and determine what is best for you and your family}

Tuesdays with Michelle: NWM

  So what is this acronym  I speak of?

  Yes, you read that correctly... I am doing the Nike Women's Marathon this October!  And proceeds go to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which is amazing.

  But... so you can hold me accountable...

  Training officially begins: today.

  26.2

  Certifiably insane.  Especially considering the Pensacola Half marathon didn't end too pretty.  (But I did finish it!)

  So, I really don't have an excuse not to run (except for my slight fear of a mountain lion jumping me haha no big deal right?)  I'm going to train hard and run those insanely steep hills and kick butt!  

  I'm a little sad that Beau will be gone for training during my race, but how cool is it that my awesome friend Liz from back home (who now lives in SF) is running the half?!  And remember my bff Meagan?!  Well she's doing the half as well!  I know a few others as well who are racing (just no one who is doing the full... guess that means they all get to cheer me on!)

  I am very excited to push my limits and conquer this race.

  Even if it means crawling across the finish line.  No shame on that!

  So... do any of you have any great tips?  How about awesome GF training foods and snacks?  Fueling the body properly is so important, but that is one area where I need to do some more research!

Tuesdays with Michelle: Housewarming Party!

  So today's "thought-provoking" post will be short and sweet.  


  Beau and I are hosting a housewarming party at our new house this Saturday!  We think about fifteen people or so are going to come!  (Yay!  I can finally make new friends!)  


  But anyways, I basically have all the food planned out except for a meat or main dish of sorts.  


  We have a spiral ham in the freezer- what are your thoughts on cooking a ham for a summer party?  I know ham will go well with homemade mac'n'cheese, but what about cold quinoa salad, "raw" tacos (no worries, not meat!), spinach artichoke dip, etc...?  I feel like that combo is kinda weird.


  Suggestions would be great!  

xoxo

Michelle

    

Tuesdays with Michelle: The Dirty Doz.

Since we now live in an {awesome} area, the organic options are so much better than... the Florida Panhandle, ick.


Here is the quick and dirty about veggies and fruit:


Dirty Dozen
celery
apples
strawberries
nectarines
grapes
potatoes
sweet peppers
blueberries (domestic)
lettuce
kale 
collard greens
peaches
spinach

oops, non-organic spinach and strawberry salad from
the Florida days.  see, that place was no good, making us eat
dirty food!**  {sorry Floridians, I'm just so happy to be out of that state}

You should always buy those guys listed above in organic form.  By the way, I listed 13 items... not quite a dozen so not too sure if my sources or I ever learned how to count properly back in kindergarten... hmm.


Clean Fifteen
onions
pineapple
asparagus
mango
cantaloupe
kiwi
eggplant
sweet corn
sweet peas
avocado
cabbage
watermelon
grapefruit
sweet potatoes
mushrooms

mushrooms are ok!  see the wee little mushroom men?  they're running
away from the pesticides!  {although I do not recommend getting crazy
non-organic Asian mushrooms, they might have stuff on them... do as I say, not as I do!}

These less scandalous fruits and veg do not necessarily have to be organic.  However, the more organic the better!  When we have a little more cash flow coming in, I plan on buying more of these "clean" foods in organic form... but for now I'm just focusing on the "dirty" ones.  Any little bit helps!


What foods do you like to buy organic?  I like to buy organic meats when I get the chance.  Like chicken.  I'm finding there is a huge difference in taste and quality.  I've also heard that organic eggs is much much better as well.


**Florida Panhandle does have organic foods, I'm just picking that area right now! 

Tuesdays with Michelle: Basic GF Foods to Fuel the Soul

  So I know what you're thinking... "Tuesdays with Michelle" lame-o.  But, hehe, I think I'm quite ingenious.  Not that I've ever read the real book or anything... (here is a quick plot explanation from good ol' wikipedia; yes I quickly googled the book - no judging!) 


  But, alas!  Such a thought-provoking title for Tuesday's posts.  Every Tuesday will be a post on anything that may come to my mind (hmmm, maybe not such a great idea?  we'll see what happens!)  And for this very gorgeous California afternoon, I want to do a quick run-down on basic gluten free foods.
   
  The process of eliminating gluten from one’s diet scares a lot of people.  The first things that come to mind: pizza, pasta, sandwiches, cakes, and cookies are off limit.  My life is over.  

  But that is far from the truth!

  Please! 

  Don’t despair!

  Eating those special “comfort” foods once again will just take time and patience.

  I believe that when one begins a gluten free lifestyle, they do need to eliminate all those “comfort” foods (like pizza and cake) in order to kick off their new healthy self.  Don’t buy those pre-packaged cookies.  And please for goodness sake do not buy pre-made bread at your local grocery store!  (I’ve found 95% are totally inedible and all will break the bank).

  Let your body detox and get rid of any gluten that may be wreaking havoc on your body.

mmm salads are a great way to "detox"

  Many people wonder, however, how can I begin eating gluten free?  Recently a hometown friend asked me, “how can I prepare gluten free meals for my fiancé without letting him know they’re gluten free”?

  Well thankfully, there are a lot of meals that are naturally free of wheat, barley, and rye.

 Here are some of my favorite go-to ingredients that are naturally gluten free and can make delicious meals!

Risotto (made from Arborio rice)

Rice Pasta

Rice – white, jasmine, brown, etc (absolutely no pilaf, it contains gluten.  Also steer clear of packaged rice mixtures because the flavorings usually contain gluten)

Sweet potatoes (an all-time favorite in my house!  You can either roast, mash, bake in the oven or microwave)

Potatoes

oven roasted potatoes with LOTS rosemary!

Vegetables (steer clear of pre-packaged ones that often contain extra calories, salt, & gluten in sauces)

Fruit

Meat (carefully check labels for meats such as marinated meats, sausages, hot dogs, etc)

Asian inspired pork tenderloin with rice noodles, gf soy sauce & veggies

Eggs

Almond Milk

Nuts (try to buy raw or roasted nuts but be sure to check labels, gluten is sneaky!)

Quinoa – a super grain that is super delicious!

Buckwheat (regardless of the name, it is actually a seed and not even close to being related to wheat)

Yogurt & cheese (just double check ingredients)

Spaghetti Squash with feta, kale, tomatoes, garlic, peppers

  So that list above… it goes on forever (but I got tired of listing!)  If you’re used to cooking from scratch, going gf is no biggie.  If you’re used to packaged meals then it is a little more intimidating.  


  The key is getting back to the basics and cooking with wholesome foods.  Once you get comfortable cooking the basics, then you can begin gluten free baking which is more of a science.  At that point you'll be able to make fresh homemade foccacia bread (recipe coming soon!) or gooey chocolate chip cookies.


  Keep your eyes out for tomorrow's drool-worthy recipe: Oven Baked Salmon with Pasta Primavera.  O. M. G.  so good :)


Ps-- for the life of me I cannot figure out how to get my font colors to match!  please excuse!