Monday Motivation

Natural eating............Clean stuff............Wake-Up Scub
I'm working on organizing my kitchen!

I can look at kitchens all day long

look at this little one

I'm hoping to get motivated to BUY good FOOD and EAT good FOOD more often! 

An organized kitchen should help with that- RIGHT?

At WholeLiving Body and Soul they have a great printable checklist for Natural Staples- click on the picture to check it out.

I'm still trying to figure out the best buying practices for eating organic.  This week at Weis cucumbers and peppers (bell) were on sale 10 of $10 so I bought them even though they are not organic.  The cuks go fast in my house when I'm juicing - I just MAKE SURE to PEAL if not organic.  Bell peppers are low in pesticides I just make sure to use my veggie wash on them. 

BUY these Organic
Celery (worst)
Peaches (worst)
Strawberries (worst)
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Bell Peppers
Spinach
Cherries
Kale/Collard
Greens
Potatoes
Grapes (Imported)


The Clean 15
least amount of pesticides
Onions (best)
Avocado (best)
Sweet Corn (best)
Pineapple
Mangos
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet Potato
Honeydew
Melon

It's going to take a bit of research to really figure out the best places to pick up organics.  Food in general is so expensive these days so it's worth the research.  Down to Earth has some really great specials monthly and I want to check out the Co-Op at the University that is open to the public.

EATING BETTER TAKES PREP WORK!

and after all that work a little pampering can't hurt 

Here's a nice scrub from over at WholeLiving

Wale-Up Scrub

Nothing rouses you in the morning quite like the smell of coffee, so go ahead -- slather some on. A skin-softening body scrub made from coffee grounds and aromatic plant essences is a traditional treatment that's used in Thai and Balinese spas, and it's a luxurious way to start the day.

This recipe couples a rich, smoky coffee aroma with the sweet scent of peppermint -- known in aromatherapy for its mentally stimulating, energizing properties. Thanks to raw sugar crystals and olive oil, which exfoliate and moisturize, your body gets a pick-me-up, too. It makes enough for two to three applications.

Tools and Materials

1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup pure turbinado sugar
15 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)
1/2 cup used coffee grounds from a freshly brewed pot


Wake-Up Scrub How-To

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; using a fork, thoroughly blend. Transfer the scrub to a wide mouthed jar, and store in a cool place until ready to use. The scrub will keep for one to two weeks, longer if refrigerated.

2. While showering, apply handfuls of the coffee scrub to wet skin in circular motions, starting at the feet and working up. The scrub contains oil, so it's best to do this over a rubber mat to avoid slipping. Pay particular attention to rough spots such as heels, ankles, knees, and elbows.

3. After scrubbing, cleanse skin as usual using a mild natural soap or body wash. Pat skin dry with a fluffy towel, and follow with lotion to seal in the moisture.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Wake-Up Scrub