Dairy Free Vanilla Cashew Ice Cream by theorganicbunny on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 If there is one thing I can not live without, it’s ice cream. I love ice cream! However, my body hates ice cream and every single time I eat it, I end up with a stomach ache and major regret. Traditional ice creams are packed full of hormones, gums, stabilizers and other nasty ingredients, which is why I always end up with bad skin, stomach aches, and eczema anytime I consume dairy or other store bought milks. {Organic almond milk is no exception here! The store bought brands of organic nut milks also have gums in them so beware!} So, what’s a girl to do that loves dessert but ends up sick after eating it? Make a new, healthier way of course! I came across this Dairy Free Vanilla Cashew Ice Cream on Pinterest and just knew I had to try it out. Not only is this recipe so simple, it is so delicious, better than regular ice cream in my paleo personal opinion. Read More
Paleo Garlic Mashed Cauliflower by theorganicbunny on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 I recently got a Vitamix, so I guess you can say I’ve been going crazy on Pinterest recipes. First of all, for anyone who says a Vitamix isn’t worth the money, I strongly disagree! I am obsessed with mine and can’t believe I ever lived without it. I know they are pricey {$528.00}, however if you think about how much you can do with it, it’s totally worth it. With that being said, I had to share tonight’s Pinterest creation- Paleo Garlic Mashed Cauliflower. If you already eat Paleo, then this idea is nothing new, but this was my first time making it and it was so delicious and so easy, I had to pass on the tip. Read More
How to Make Nut Milk at Home by theorganicbunny on March 15, 2015April 16, 2015 When it comes to dairy, you always want to buy organic or make it at home yourself. I am currently half way through my Food Babe way book and I’m learning more and more about exactly why conventional milk is terrible for us. Did you know that non-organic dairy is polluted with genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH)? This drug increases a cow’s milk production by over 10%, but in return, increases our risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Unless your milk is clearly marked “organic” or “rBGH Free” it probably contains this hormone. Because this additive is so harmful, the cows udders become inflamed which then requires even more antibiotics be given. This, as you can imagine, is bad news for us, as these hormones and antibiotics stay in the cow’s milk that is then placed into the grocery stores we shop at. Because I refuse to drink dairy, or even store bought nut milk (because of its carrageenan or gums), the only way I drink milk is to make it myself. Here are some of the other disturbing ingredients that cause me to further avoid store bought milk. Bad Ingredients in Store Bought Nut Milk- Carrageenan– This ingredient is derived from seaweed so at first it sounds safe, however, Carrageenan is an inflammatory agent that could be to blame for your bloated tummy. Ever get a stomach ache after eating ice cream, dairy or almond milks? Probably this to blame. With links to gastrointestinal problems and colon cancer, Carrageenan should always be avoided, but be warned- it’s in everything. Yogurts, cream cheese, whipped cream, deli meats and more, this is one tough ingredient to avoid so be sure to check your labels! Xanthan Gum– Xanthan gum is a largely indigestible polysaccharide that is produced by bacteria called Xanthomonas Camestris. A bacteria? Gross. It’s no wonder that this ingredient has serious links to unwelcomed bathroom issues. One study had volunteers consume 15g of xanthan gum per day for 10 days, in which they found xanthan gum to be a “highly efficient laxative,” and subjects experienced greater stool output and gas. Guar Gum– Not considered a carcinogen, but studies do show Guar Gum causes an increased risk of gastrointestinal issues and abdominal discomfort. Many also have an allergy to this, causing them to break out in a rash or experience an extremely flaky scalp. Gellan Gum– This gum is very similar to Xanthan Gum, as it also produced by bacterial fermentation. Many complain of the same stomach aches and pains after consuming this, and when it was fed to rats it resulted in abnormalities in their intestinal microvilli. So, now that you’re hopefully ready to kick store bought milks goodbye, here is how I make my own instead. It is more work than just picking one out at the store, but if it can heal your dry scalp, eczema, rashes, acne, and bathroom issues, I would say it’s worth the extra work if you asked me. Read More
How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally by theorganicbunny on March 14, 2015April 9, 2019 With Easter less than a month away, I thought that dying Easter Eggs naturally could be a fun little project for you and the family to try out one weekend. Not only did these eggs turn out adorable, but there were also no harsh dyes involved, ensuring the whole family stays safe. These eggs were colored with mostly all fruits and vegetables, how cool is that? How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally Every colored egg has its own specific concoction so, check out this list below and dye according to your color preference! Bluish- Gray: Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries. Blue: Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon. Jade Green: Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar. Read More
Puracy All Natural Cleaning Products Review by theorganicbunny on March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for safer products to use for your family, and because I have spent so much time cleaning up my eating, as well as my beauty routines, I have now started to clean up my home cleaning products as well. As you know, the products we use each day to clean our homes are made up of very harsh and toxic chemicals. At first I did not think this was a big deal because I am not eating them or putting them directly onto my skin, but the more I researched, the more I realized these harsh chemicals should also be replaced with safer items. What Are the Risks of Conventional Cleaning Products? Not only can the cleaning products we use be inhaled in, they also can absorb into the skin if we are not careful. For people with little ones around this can especially be concerning because if there is any cleaning residue left on tables or counters, this can easily be touched and entered into your child’s skin or mouth. Rubber gloves do prevent these products from entering your skin, but that still does not reduce the risk of chemical inhalation or touching the toxic surface at a later time. Other toxic products like laundry detergents and fabric softeners can also put us at risk for skin irritations, allergies and eczema, as the harsh chemicals saturate our clothing items which are then placed directly onto our skin where they remain for long periods of time. Conventional laundry products also contain parabens, dyes, petrochemicals and formaldehyde releasing agents which are considered stage 1 carcinogens. Read More
Stinkbug Naturals Deodorant Review by theorganicbunny on March 13, 2015April 9, 2019 So far, my quest to rid my life of toxic products has been smooth sailing. I have easily swapped out all of my makeup, skin care, self-tanners, and perfumes, but one product that seemed to be the hardest to replace was my deodorant. After scanning my current Secret deodorant on the Think Dirty app and learning it was a filthy 9/10, I knew it had to go. What’s Hiding in Secret Deodorant? Fragrances- A combination of over 3,000 fragrances are added to deodorants to give them a pleasant smell, however, these harsh synthetic fragrances can cause hormone disruption and severe allergic reactions. Talc- This is a hydrated magnesium silicate made to absorb, with ties to respiratory problems, skin allergies, and possible ovarian cancer. While the FDA claims Talc is safe, because deodorant enters into your sweat glands quickly, I do not want to risk using Talc in this area. Petrolatum- This is a mineral jelly used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin, but because it comes from crude oil, it can be known to cause mild irritation, itchiness and is considered a possible carcinogen. Aluminum- This is in almost all deodorants, serving as an antiperspirant, astringent, and deodorant. The aluminum compound forms a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stops the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. Some research suggests that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like hormonal effects. Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. Behenyl Alcohol- This is added to keep formulas from separating while also keeping moisture locked into the skin. This is not a carcinogen, but it has been linked to skin irritation. Read More
Chocolate Sun Organic Sunless Tanner Review by theorganicbunny on March 13, 2015April 1, 2024 There is nothing I love more than a fresh sunless tan, which is why every time I come across a new one, I gotta try it out. I recently learned about Chocolate Sun, an organic sunless tanning line, so I did what I do best and ordered a few online to review for you all. Considering I am an avid sunless tanner, I can easily tell a good tan from a bad tan and do have pretty high standards when it comes to the perfect tan. It has to be the perfect glowy bronze color, it can’t smell much and it has to apply easily all while holding up at least a week. So, how did the Chocolate Sun Organic Sunless Tanner hold up? Check out my start to finish Chocolate Sun experience below. How to Apply a Sunless Tanning Lotion- Before I applied this sunless tanning lotion, I exfoliated my skin entirely with an exfoliating glove and my TASTYFACE Organics Tangerine Exfoliant. You always want to apply your tanning lotion on fresh, smooth skin. If you have any dry patches, make sure you exfoliate them all off prior to your tanning. Once I had smooth, clean skin, I applied the Chocolate Sun Cocoa Glow tanning lotion to one section of my body at a time to ensure even application. Start with your ankle and work your way up to your knee, rubbing the lotion in entirely. Once that section is done, move up to your knee to the thigh and so on, until your entire body is covered. I let the tan dry and then went to bed with it on me so it could really saturate. You definitely want to let this sit on your skin for a good 7-9 hours for the best results. Read More
