End of Month One

After one month of our journey to a healthier family I would like to reflect on what we have noticed as a family.

1. After getting the toxic chemicals out of my daily skin care and using the Ava Anderson skin care line my skin is clear and feels great.

2. After using the Ava Anderson shampoo and conditioner on Siena cradle cap, which has been around for most of her life (19 months), is gone. *Note we were using baby oil and the doctor had recommended a dandruff shampoo.

3. Ava Anderson shampoo and conditioner does not cause any tears on my toddler and makes bath time much more pleasant.

4. Zucchini and Squash is easy to grown and makes someone that feels like they have a black thumb feel better about growing fruits and veggies.

5. There are easy recipes to use up the fruit and veggies you have around.

6. When you know there are toxic chemicals in products that you have been holding on to it makes it much easier to get rid of them. I have so much more room in my medicine cabinet.

Berry Picking and Homemade Jam

Over the last few summers I have gone berry picking out on Sauvie Island at the Sauvie Island Farms and have frozen the berries for later. These berries usually go toward baking or smoothies. Although last year many of them got thrown out. Last year I went with an infant of 6 months and no carrier which made it difficult to pick berries. This year I had a blast with our friends the Olivers and Siena who is now 19 months old. She loves berries and ate a ton of blueberries off the bush and had a blast running around yelling "berry". This is an activity I will do a few more times this summer. The positives included, fresh produce for a minimal price, a happy child especially from the tractor ride, exercise for the child, a reason to try something new to save the produce from spoiling.
So after collecting almost 14lbs of berries (blue and raspberries)between both families I decided I would try to make freezer jam. Let me just say I can't believe I didn't do this earlier. The process was simple and the jam tastes amazing. I actually am planning to go back and get more berries with my mom for some more jam and a little baking. To try making a little jam to store for the winter or give as a gift this site was helpful Canning and Preserving

My Story and a Possible Link

Why am I so passionate about these health care products? As many of my friends and family know my husband and I struggled to conceive a child. We waited a couple of years after getting married to seriously try having a child and then found out that it was going to be a challenge. This process was an emotional roller coaster that I would not wish upon even my worst enemy. I know that both my husband and myself had problems if it wasn't a sperm count it was my hormone levels along with cysts. I truly believe that there are a lot more people dealing with infertility then there has been in the past and that this could be one of the causes. I don't want my daughter to have the same struggles I have dealt with and as most parents I want her to have a better life then myself.

Great Summer Salad Recipe

This has been a favorite of mine now for a few summers and is always a hit (unless people are lying to me). I would like to try it with Quinoa instead of Orzo but haven't done that yet. I always put a little more basil, red wine vinegar and of course goat cheese then called for in the recipe along with using a rotisserie chicken when I'm in a hurry.

Chicken Orzo Goat Cheese Salad

Challenge to find a shower gel / body wash with a "0"

A challenge to find a body wash/shower gel that scores a "0" that is sold in our store was a bust. I did introduce the sales person to the cosmetic database and she went through a large number of their products and I believe was surprised. Great service from New Seasons Employees as usual, but the lowest number we could find was a "2" which doesn't beat a "0" or a "1". After my husband said he could find something that didn't have to be ordered and was cheaper. Well we are down to the wire and he has settled for Bronners Castille soap and I found a bar of soap to try that is made of pure olive oil. I will give it a couple of days but then I'm ordering Ava Andersons Shower Gel for myself and the little one and he can continue with his soap.

Non Toxic Skin Care

If you are looking for a safer personal care product check out the following link
http://avaandersonnontoxic.com/rosejanusz
or like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/A-Healthier-Family-Ava-Anderson-Non-toxic-Skin-Care-by-Rose/238001129562508?sk=info

A Twist on Meatloaf

Growing up as a child and as an adult one of the few foods I would not eat was meatloaf. My family loved meatloaf and when I was away they would make meatloaf as a treat. I tried in high school to make it myself for the family thinking this would change my mind on this meat dish but alas it didn't. A few years ago I was introduced to Quinoa and have since learned that it is one of my favorite grains and it alone browned a little before cooking the grain is a treat with a little vinaigrette dressing. So when looking for healthy recipes for the family I came across a turkey quinoa meatloaf I decided I would try making a meatloaf again. Success!!! I have now made this dish twice and the whole family is a fan. The little one seems to like it cold but I enjoy it warm. The recipe says cook for 50 min. but I have cooked it for 1hr 5 min both times to get the meat to a safe temperature. The recipe is really very easy and can be made ahead of time I encourage you to make this for your own family. Check out the link provided for the recipe. Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf

A TODDLER SEEMS HAPPY WITH THE MEAL:)