Toxic Overload (& Microwave Cleaner)

Until the beginning of the Chemical Age in the middle of last century people used basic substances to keep their houses clean and the pests out. These are probably things that you still have in your cupboard today, Soap, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Ammonia, Borax, Alcohol, Cornstarch and other food ingredients. These were used to lift stains, deodorise fabrics, polish wood and metal, disinfect, repel pests, clean animals, wash clothes and the list goes on. Simple ingredients such as eggs, oil, clay, vinegar, coconut oil, essential oils and herbs were used for skin and hair.

Weeds were weeded by hand. Pyrethrum, a pesticide derived from chrysanthemum which is non toxic to mammals, controlled a wide variety of pests. It is still used today but is often mixed with other chemicals to increase its effects. I have simply planted Marigolds in my Vege patch to control bugs and pests. 

We can learn something from the past for a better future, we can use safe alternatives instead of chemically filled ones. We need to care about our health now, not in 10-15 years time when the damage is done. I will publish some recipes over the next few weeks that will save not only your health but $ as well.. everyone wins!

Here is one to get you started..

Natural Healthy Microwave Cleaner:

1/4 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon vinegar

5-6 drops thyme, lemongrass, or lemon essential oil

Combine all ingredients to make a paste. Apply to the walls and floor of the microwave with a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse well and leave the microwave door open ot air-dry for about 25-minutes.

 The Lemon Canary x

freshen the house..

As LC was vacuuming today she thought the house needed something to pep it up, as an experiment CB put 8 drops of essential oil onto the vacuum bag and kept vacuuming.. instant success.. (will only work if your vacuum has a vacuum bag though) :)).. try lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus &/or lemon if someone in the house is sick for an instant antibacterial remedy, great for the flu season - lavender & geranium to relax - basil, mandarin or lemongrass to freshen up for guests.

The Lemon Canary x

Hummingbird Bakery.. Red Velvet Cupcakes

Recently LC was sent an amazingly delicious... cookbook from her friend J that lives in the UK, the cookbook is the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, if it's not on your shelf yet LC recommends putting it on your wish list for your next birthday. The Hummingbird Bakery was first opened in 2004 on Portabello Road, London. Tarek Malouf (the author) came up with the idea when he spent thanksgiving in North Carolina, after indulging in cupcakes, brownies and banana cream pie he wondered why no London bakery ever excelled at these.. and the idea was born..

This is LC's's favorite recipe from the book.. Red Velvet Cupcakes..mmmm.. 

PS - these are naughty recipes!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients

60g unsalted butter at room temperature

1 egg

150g caster sugar

20g cocoa powder

40ml red food colouring

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

120ml buttermilk

150g plain flour

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar

Frosting

300g icing sugar, sifted

50g butter at room temperature

125g cream cheese, chilled

12 Hole muffin tray lined with paper cases

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.

2. Cream the butter, egg and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl mix the cocoa powder, food colouring and vanilla extract. Once mixed add to the creamed mixture.

4. Mix carefully until combined and then add half the buttermilk, mix further and add half the flour and the baking powder. Mix thoroughly before adding the remainder of the buttermilk and flour and mixing further on high speed until you have a smooth even mixture,

5. Add the white wine vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and mix on low speed, turn he speed up again and beat for a couple more minutes.

6. Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 mins or until the cupcakes spring back slightly when touched.

7. Allow the cupcakes to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire cooling rack.

8. In the meantime, to make the frosting cream the icing sugar and butter together until well mixed.

9. Add the cream cheese and mix until it is incorporated. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy for at least 5 mins.

10. Use a spatula to layer the frosting on top of the cupcakes.

The Lemon Canary x

soap in a stocking

Kids go through soap like there's no tomorrow. As an alternative, gather up the unused scraps of soap that normally sit in the bathroom, stuff them into a stocking and tie it onto the tap in the laundry, so when they're washing their hands they are using these otherwise wasted bits of soap!

The Lemon Canary x