Sweet Potato Curry Soup

Recipes

Another snow storm, another soup. We are preparing for life to get shut down again this weekend as more snow get dumped on us here in Wisconsin. Whenever the weather starts to look gloomy, I start to crave soup. Because we have a record breaking year of snow fall, we have been eating soup by the gallon. I have for you a Sweet Potato Curry Soup. It is sure to fill you up, and warm your soul.

This recipe is SO easy. It is perfect for a week night meal. You dump everything in a pot, and wait about 30 minutes. I love recipes you put in one big container, let it hang out while you get homework with the kids done or a quick load of laundry, and BAM! Dinner is ready. Plus, everything is in one pot, so clean up is a breeze!

Ingredients

2 large garlic cloves
2 large sweet potatoes
5 medium yellow potatoes
2 medium yellow onions
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
2 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
Pinch of red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper
8 cups vegetable broth

Directions

Place 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large stock pot over low heat.
Add two minced cloves of garlic.
Roughly chop: sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, and onion into cubes. Add to the stock pot.
Raise heat to medium. Stir frequently for 5-10 minutes, or until the onions start to release their juices.
Add 8 cups of vegetable broth. 2 tsp curry, 1 1/2 tsp chili powder, pinch of red pepper flakes, 2 bay leaves, salt and pepper.
Simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender, and reduce to medium low heat.
Roughly chop red, yellow, and orange bell peppers into 1/2 pieces. Add to soup.
Simmer for 10-15 more minutes.
Remove Bay Leaves, and Enjoy!

You can top with coconut cream at the last second to tone down the heat if needed.

This is a new household favorite-I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Love, Liv

Hearty Sweet Potato Soup

Recipes

People. It is cold out. I am over this polar vortex. It has been colder in Wisconsin over the past few days than it has been in Antarctica. You read that right. Colder than the place that has snow year round. I think people live here because they are frozen to the ground, and cannot leave. I need a warm an sunny beach vacation, because I am not about this cold life.

Since, we are all frozen, and cannot leave our houses; I have been making lots and lots and lots of soup to keep warm. This is one of those everything-but-the-kitchen-sink creations, and is sure to warm you up. Plus, it is super easy to dump everything in, let it simmer, and in 30-45 minutes you have dinner. YAY!

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato
1 small butternut squash
1 large yellow onion
4 cloves of garlic
8 cups vegetable stock
1 can black beans
kale
1 1/2 tbsp herbs de province
2 tsp each: rosemary, basil, tumeric, marjoram (or 1 drop of essential oil if you have them)
salt and pepper
Optional: 1 cup quinoa

Directions:

Place a large soup pot over medium heat
Add sweet potato, squash, onion, garlic, quinoa, salt, pepper, and vegetable stock
Let simmer until the sweet potatoes and squash are fork tender
Add herbs, black beans, and kale. Simmer for 10-15 more minutes
EAT!

It is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, or a make ahead meal to eat throughout the week. This soup is hearty, and keeps you full. Plus it tastes delicious.

Stay warm, and send me warm thoughts!

Love, Liv

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

Lifestyle

I like to eat off clean plates, I mean who doesn’t? Unfortunately, many of the cleaners we put in our dishwasher are more toxic than the stuck on food we are trying to remove. So, if you want a non-toxic alternative to your dishwasher detergent, give these a try.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. Baking Soda
1/2 c. Washing Soda
1/4 c. Citric Acid
3 tbsp. Vinegar
10 drops On Guard Essential Oil.

Combine all ingredients, and press into an ice cube tray. Leave dry for 24 hours. I add a cup of vinegar into every load to help boost the cleaning power.

I really wanted to see how strong these pods are, and to see if they really work. So, one night I decided not to rinse my plates (do not do this at home), and let the food dry on them overnight. Gross, I know, but I do gross things so you don’t have to. I was shocked on how well these worked! After running the dishwasher.

All. Of. The. Plates. Were. CLEAN.

After the first wash! WHAT?! Not only do these work better than any dishwashing detergent I have ever used, they are cheaper, easy to make, and best of all, non toxic.

Let me know how yours turn out!

Love, Liv

All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Lifestyle, Products I Love

What is if your all-purpose cleaning spray? Most cleaning product containers have to be thoroughly cleaned before being recycled because they are so toxic. If you want to kick those toxins out of your home, this is the cleaner for you.

About a year ago, I cleaned my bathtub. I grabbed what everyone does to clean my tub. Bleach based products, straight bleach, and of course a “natural” cleaner. Not long after I was done with cleaning, one of my cats jumped into the tub. I started thinking about what his little paws were absorbing. So, I started really looking into the ingredients in those cleaners under my kitchen sink. It. Was. Disgusting. I was at a loss for words.

Most environmental experts estimate the average house hold has 62 toxic chemicals in their home. 62. We think we are “cleaning” out homes, but end up spreading toxins that are even worse for our bodies. Household cleaning products can include any amount of toxins because big corporations can re-name them as “antibacterial” or “fragrance” without having to disclose the actual ingredients in the product. There are potential neurotoxins in your home; potential endocrine disruptors, and a laundry list of other potential carcinogens. We think of our homes as a safe place where we can relax after a long day, but the things we are using to clean our homes with should have us running for the hills.

I was fed up. I didn’t want to introduce anymore toxins to myself, my husband, or my adorable fur babies. Enough was enough.

This cleaner has replaced EVERYTHING that I previously used for cleaning my home. It cleans everything from: floors, to counter tops, and leaves a streak free shine on windows or mirrors. It cost $2.78 to make (including the spray bottle). Best part, I know and can pronounce every ingredient in the cleaner. Talk about a win-win.

Ingredients:

1 c. vinegar
10 drops On Guard Essential Oil
5 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil

Make sure to use a stainless steel or glass container for your all-purpose cleaning spray. If you want to get your own on-guard, you can find it here.

That is it. So simple. It smells amazing. Plus, if you husband is like mine, he loves the smell, and started cleaning the house more because he loves to smell the cleaner. (No complains coming from me).

Here is how well this works:

In Wisconsin, sometimes we get 30 inches of snow in the the middle of April. So, after brushing off cars, shoveling, and crying about the weather, there can be a wet mess left on the floor from boots and outdoor apparel. That is what you see below.

This is after using the all-purpose cleaner I made.

Seriously, this stuff is the real deal. It is amazing on any surface. Let me know how it works for you!

Love, Liv