featured – Page 2 – Natural Liv

Crock-Pot Chili

Guys, I love chili. Maybe a little too much. It is warming to the soul. And when you live in Wisconsin, you can eat it year round because winter never ends here. We are in the middle of a blizzard here in Wisconsin. Yes, you read that right. Blizzard in the middle of April.

I love this Chili because you can set it, and forget it. Plus, it makes a large batch. So, you can freeze the left overs for an easy meal another night.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours and 10 minutes
Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

I used all 15 ounce cans for the beans

2 cans kidney beans
1 can navy beans
1 can great northern beans
1 can black beans
1 can cannellini beans
1 can red beans
2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
28 oz. water or vegetable broth
6 oz. tomato paste
1 10 oz. bag organic frozen corn
3 cloves minced garlic
1 large jalapeno diced
1 medium chopped onion
3 tbsp. organic chili powder
1 tbsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
3 Bay leaves (REMOVE LATER)
1 tsp. cumin

This is my favorite part:

Combine all ingredients.
Cook on high for 5 hours (low 9 hours)

So. SIMPLE. I love recipes that you can just set and go. You can serve the chili over some quinoa or noodles. I love to top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Or you can add your favorite hamburger alternative too keep the meat lover in your life satisfied.

ENJOY!

Love, Liv

Bronzer

Hair and Make-Up

This bronzer is really easy to make- it only take FOUR steps. Plus, it is a great alternative to the bronzer in your makeup drawer. To top it all off, this bronzer can actually restore your skin while you wear it! Win, win, and win!

I love arrowroot powder. It sticks to grease, and absorbs it through out the day. So, if you are like me, and have extra oil on your face-this bronzer can help absorb some of the extra oil throughout your busy day. You can focus on being awesome, and never worry about how your contour is holding up. I also use arrowroot powder in my dry shampoo recipe found here.

One of the great parts of this recipe is how you can change it to the color you want. If you want a lighter, more subtle bronzer, add more cinnamon. If you like a richer, more robust bronzer, add more nutmeg.

Ingredients

2 tsp. Arrowroot Powder
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tbsp. Nutmeg
1/3 c. Cocoa powder
5-6 drops Frankincense
6-7 drops Lavender

Combine arrowroot, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cocoa powder.
Mix thoroughly.
Add essential oils.
Mix.
Store in a glass container for up to 2 months.

By using frankincense in this recipe, it restores your skin, and helps to repair any scaring. I have some acne scaring (they are the worst). I love how this bronzer is working to repair those scars while I am at work, running errands, and just living life. The lavender helps to sooth any blemish or imperfection.

This bronzer restores and repairs your skin while your contour is on fleek. WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?! It is a game changer.

Let me know how if works for you!

Love, Liv

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipes

Who doesn’t love warm chocolate chip cookies? They are the best. I love eating the raw cookie dough just as much as the warm cookies. Nothing is better. This recipe is really easy to make, and taste amazing.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Rest Time: 30 Minutes
Cook time: 12 Minutes
Makes 1 dozen cookies

Let’s talk egg alternatives. For this recipe, I use equal parts coconut oil and apple sauce. I have made this recipe more times than I would like to admit. It is a good thing my husband has a sweet tooth, and loves cookies.

I found that using only coconut oil makes the cookies greasy, and they dry out faster. Using only apple sauce makes the cookies too fluffy, and not chewy enough to be a cookie. By using equal parts, you get the perfect cookie. They are chewy, but don’t dry out because the applesauce keeps them moist.

If you want a chewier cookie, use 1/3 c. coconut oil and 1/4 c. apple sauce. If you want a fluffier cookie, use 1/3 c. apple sauce and 1/4 c. coconut oil.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. organic cane sugar
3/4 c. packed organic brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 c. non-dairy milk (my favorite is almond for this recipe)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. unbleached organic flour (or gluten free alternative)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. vegan semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. vegan dark chocolate chips

Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift four and baking soda together in a mixing bowl.
Combine sugar, brown sugar, and salt.
Add melted coconut oil, applesauce, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract. Mix. (BONUS: add 1/2 c. peanut butter for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. You can use a natural peanut butter, or make your own. Recipe here.)
Fold in chocolate chips.
Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Form into golf ball size cookies
Bake for 12-15 minutes.
ENJOY!

If you are looking for an easy vegan recipe to try, look no further. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, bake sales, Sunday afternoons, the possibilities are endless.

Let me know how your cookies turn out!

Love, Liv

Date Protein Balls

Recipes

I love snacks. I am constantly snacking, and I need snacks that fill me up. These date protein balls are sure to satisfy. This recipe is full of protein-without sugar, grain, or dairy. They are great for a pre-workout snack. Or just a filling afternoon snack. Plus, it only takes 3 ingredients to make!

Prep time: 10 Minutes
Makes 15-20 quarter size balls

Ingredients

1 c. chopped dried dates
1/2 c. peanut butter (or almond butter for whole30)
1/2 c. chopped roasted almonds

Medjool dates are my favorite dates to use. They basically become caramel when you put them in the food processor. Make sure you remove the pits! Find a natural peanut butter that has no extra sugar added -OR- you can make your own! (recipe here).

Directions

Roast almonds
Remove pits and chop dates
Add peanut butter

Combine. I used a food processor. It makes it easy, with no mess.
Roll in Chopped almonds

You can use a food processor to chop the almonds. I rough chopped them. The variation of sizes helped to coat the date and peanut butter mixture to make it less sticky.

Keep them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They are so good, you will probably have them all eaten before then.

Enjoy!

Love, Liv

Dry Shampoo

Hair and Make-Up

If you are at all like me, you love a great dry shampoo. I love to skip showers; it is healthier for hair and skin, plus, it helps the environment (also,. When I started thinking about it, I had NO idea what was in my beloved dry shampoo. After researching ingredients in dry shampoo, I found the disheartening truth.

Dry shampoo is made to absorb grease, and there are a few ingredients that do this. Such as: cornstarch, alcohol, butane, scariest of all… Some dry shampoos contain liquefied petroleum gas. WHAT?! So, if you don’t want to spray gas in your hair, here is a great alternative to make at home. You can pronounce all of the ingredients, and it is under $2.00 to make!

Dry Shampoo- Dark Hair:

4 TBSP Arrow Root Powder
1 tsp Clove
1 tsp Cinnamon
10 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil

Combine dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Add oils. Mix again. Store in a glass container. DONE!

Dry Shampoo-Light Hair

4 TBSP Arrow Root Powder
1 tsp Chamomile Powder
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Combine dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Add oils. Mix again. Store in a glass container. DONE!

It is so easy to make, and they smell amazing. I like to apply the dry shampoo with a makeup brush. Apply to the roots of your hair, and let it sit for a few minutes. Allowing your hair to sit gives the oil time to soak into your hair, and the arrowroot powder to absorb the grease. Brush through your hair, and style as normal-no gas needed!

Get creative with your jars! Leave a comment showing off your storage jar. I would love to see what you all come up with.

Love, Liv