My Favorite/ Best Natural Products (& not so favorite too!)

Before I even get started on this post, I wanted to recognize the fact that I just realized there is a blogger by the name of Amber Fillerup and her page name is Barefoot Blonde and she’s very well-known! Little did I know, and now I have this blog page name that will probably change. Anwayyyy check out her page though- she’s absolutely beautiful, has an adorable little boy, and a great sense of fashion.

Now on to what I find important. I prefer to look at useful pages that educate me and that’s what I am hoping to do here. The little about me blurb on my page says “Just a girl, going with the flow, learning as I go :)” That’s all! Anything I say is my opinion, but may be useful to others.

With that being said here are my Top Favorite All Natural Products:

Shampoo: Hugo Naturals Tea Tree & Lavender & 100% Pure Honey & Virgin Coconut

IMG_8792 IMG_8793

Conditioner: Hugo Naturals Smoothing & Defining Creamy Coconut & 100% Pure Honey & Virgin Coconut

IMG_8791IMG_8794

Body Wash: Dr. Bronner’s Almond Soap

IMG_8803

Shaving Gel: Dr. Bronner’s Lavender

IMG_8804

Body Butter: Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar (this scent is amazing!)

IMG_8805

Eye Makeup Remover: I simply use Coconut Oil and it is truly the best to get off your makeup… even waterproof

IMG_8795

Face Wash: 100% Pure Purity Facial Cleanser & Mask or 100% Pure Eucalyptus Seafoam Cleanser 

IMG_8801

Face Wipes: Yes to Cucumbers Clear Skin  

IMG_8787

Nail Polish: So toxic, yet makes us all feel pretty/girly. Here are 2 brands that have a lot less harsh chemicals then the leading nail polish brands like Essie. Zoya & SPARITUAL

IMG_8802

Dryer Wool Balls (Instead of Dryer Sheets): I add a few drops of essential oil to the wall balls and then place in my dryer. It makes the clothes smell better and helps dry them quicker. My favorite essential oil for this is Lavender. Smart Sheep 6-Pack XL Premium 100% Wool Dryer Balls, Reusable Natural Fabric Softener

818acppeYPL._SX522_ 31qfMuwzQwL

Laundry Detergent: I have 2 favorites – Honest Company and Biokleen 

41qzsee-41L._SX425_ IMG_8807

Dish Washer Detergent: Seventh Generation 

IMG_8809

Liquid Dish Wash Soap: J.R. Watkins 

GreeningYourCleaning

Hand Soap: Method Gel Hand Wash – Sweet Water

71RnmtVHRSL._SX522_

All Purpose Cleaner: Seventh Generation 

IMG_8808

Cleaning Wipes: Seventh Generation

IMG_8790

Floor Steamer: So instead of a swiffer, I purchased a floor steamer. This is a much safer alternative way to clean your floors. The cloth on the bottom is machine washable and you do not need to use any chemicals on the floor! If you want it to smell fresh you can always add some lemon essential oil, peppermint, tea tree, thieves, or really any scent that you prefer. The steamer I have is The Luna Plus Steam Cleaner.

44786542625667p

Moisturizer (Day time): 100% Pure Argan Oil Hydration with SPF 30 or Organic Pursit by 100% Pure Pomegranate Moisturizer with no SPF 

IMG_8775 IMG_8780

Moisturizer (Night time): Organic Pursit by 100% Pure Night Repair Balm (one of the best skin care products I have ever purchased!! In love with this night balm!) 

IMG_8786

Eye Cream: 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (does not smell like coffee bean, more like vanilla bean and so yummy!)

41ToAuIgv8L._AC_UL320_SR274,320_

Facial Massage & Hair Oil: Agran Oil (be careful not to put too much in your hair otherwise it becomes very greasy)

IMG_8781

Toner: Apple Cider Vinegar & Water in a glass spray bottle (this is a magical ingredient and works wonders on the skin internally and externally) or Rose Water (can be mixed into other ingredients as well)

IMG_8782

Tinted Moisturizer w/SPF: 100% Pure Tinted Moisturizer 

IMG_8776

SPF: Alba Very Emollient Sunscreen or 100% Pure the Argan Oil Hydration SPF 30 that I mentioned earlier

ALB-01393-1

Leave in Hair Conditioner: Mix a little bit of your conditioner with distilled water and a few drops of rosemary and tea tree oil.

IMG_8778

Face Mask: I am a big fan of honey! Honey with lemon, honey with turmeric, honey with sugar or salt to exfoliate and a non homemade one I recommend is Origins Charcoal Mask. It’s not completely all natural, but does not have Parabens, Sulfates or Phthalates.

IMG_8796

IMG_8779

Toothpaste: Toms of Maine or Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste 

31eBGuerhrL IMG_8806

Body Scrub: Pacifica Kona Coffee & Sugar Detox with Coconut Oil 

IMG_8788

Aloe Vera Gel: All Natural Biodegradable Aloe Vera Gel by Mexitan 

IMG_8783

Fragrances …. made of all chemicals!! Stay away from perfumes/ colonges unless they are all natural. A great brand that I like for perfume is Pacifica (the tahitian vanilla is my favorite) and I also use a roll on oil one from my local farmers market store called Sprouts and the scent is Egyptain Goddess. Look for fragrances in your beauty products too. If it says fragrance in the ingredient list, that is a red flag for chemicals.

411-R73fcPL

Shaving Cream for Men: Herban Cowboy Dusk Premium Shave Cream (Yes, I even got my fiancé using all natural products! He had to try a few before finding ones that worked for him)

IMG_8789

Hair Gel for Men: Aubrey Organics: Men’s Stock Ginseng Biotin Hair Gel

IMG_8784

*I recommend getting an essential oil diffuser as well. I am obsessed with mine and put it on every time I am in my bedroom. The calming sensation and scents make my room feel like a peaceful spa. I use Lavender Essential Oil (no surprise there)

IMG_8811

Another recommendation is to keep houseplants all over your home as they detoxify the air from pollutants and chemicals. They are also pretty and bringing nature indoors gives a sense of peace (at least it does to me).

IMG_8755

I saved the Best Torturist one for last!

DEODORANT! Ugh what a nightmare it was to find one that actually worked! I’ve tried several and I have to say there are a few all natural ones that work pretty well. Since I tested them all, you don’t have to! Here is what worked and what did not:

This is my absolute favorite one: Nourish Organic in Almond Vanilla

IMG_8797

This is my LEAST favorite one: 100% Pure Lemongrass Deodorant (This is the only product by 100% Pure that I have tried and do not like)

IMG_8798

A pretty good deodorant is this Soapwalla Deodorant Cream- I used this one for a while and even bought 2 more after the first container was gone. The only thing about this deodorant is you have to put it on with your fingers. After a while I got sick of doing that. It may also burn if you put it on right after shaving. This happened to me a few times, but not with the Nourish Organic Deodorant that I currently use.

IMG_8799

I did not like the Jason Tea Tree Deodorant Stick. It did not work for me!

19b9d711895904adcbb6a6de8f7d0732.1500

The Ava Anderson Organic Deodorant worked pretty well. It kind of has a cocoa butter scent and did not make me sweat. This is harder to get and once I finished this deodorant I decided to give others a try.

127_deodorantnewpackagingdetail_1

For Men: Not Good Maximum Protection Deodorant – Dusk 2.8 oz (80 grams) Stick

My fiancé hated this one! Let’s just say he did not smell great using this!

41fGby2JklL

The Tom’s Long Lasting Deodorant has been his favorite Men’s kind and so far has been working really well!

IMG_8785

That’s all I have for now. I am probably forgetting something, but oh well! I can also do another whole post on natural makeup if anyone would like to read that (comment your thoughts below)!

I hope this was helpful and if someone has a great natural product to share, please do!

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

Chemical Free Natural Soap (DIY) Honey Almond Oatmeal Goat’s Milk Soap

I fully transitioned my home into using only natural ingredients.

I’ve always loved creating things, but as I became more aware of what is in all of the products we use today, I became passionate about it. It’s hard for me to imagine that people still do not look at the ingredients on the back of the products they purchase daily. These chemicals are killing us. More and more people are getting sick with disease and I feel a lot is to blame on the chemical industry (even the ones in our food).

There is a pre-conceived notion that it is too expensive or hard to switch to chemical free products in your home. Its NOT!!! I shop frequently at Target and I can tell you that you can buy all of your cleaning products chemical free for a competitive price with chemicals. Brands such as Seventh Generation, Method, & Honest Company are just a few that sell laundry detergent, hand soap, dish soap, cleaners for your home, etc.

Yes to Cucumbers, Dr. Bronner’s, and Pacifica are also great natural brands that can be purchased at Target. Another incredible brand is 100% Pure. I am fully addicted to that store! It is quite pricey, but so worth it! They have completely natural makeup and skin care. I could do another whole blog on that store alone, with all of the amazing products I use.

We don’t need to be purchasing all of these items though because there are so many simple solutions in our home that we can use to clean, use for skincare, and treat many illnesses. Vinegar is a great cleaning solution, apple cider vinegar is great for treating tons of things (like acne & skin rashes), baking soda is great to remove stains and clean jewelry, and the list goes on!

In this past year, I have done so much research on getting to the root cause of things. Sometimes it takes an illness within your own body to realize that these chemicals are destroying us. That was the case with me, but I am trying to make a point here to stop this before more and more people get sick! It is never too late.

Sorry for rambling, but this means so much to me. It is really not hard to make a few changes here and there.

This now leads me into a homemade all natural soap I made! I still love my Dr. Bronner’s Almond soap, but this one smells just as amazing! You can easily buy all natural soaps online and in stores, but I like to make my own products. Its kind of like peace to me.

You will need Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Honey, Almond Essential Oil Fragrance, Vitamin E Oil, Oats, & Organic Goat’s Milk Glycerin Base.

IMG_6446IMG_6449 IMG_6451

Cut the Goat’s Milk into cubes and place in a glass bowl. Microwave or use a double boiler to melt down the base.

IMG_6450  IMG_6453

It is now time to add your other ingredients. I did not really measure any of it. I used a 1/3 measuring cup to add the honey and the rest I just added the amount I thought would be good 🙂 Add in your oats, almond oil, almond essential oil, vitamin e, & honey and stir until everything is completely mixed together.

Put the mixture into soap molds (I got mine off of Amazon) and refrigerate for at least an hour.

IMG_6447

My soap molds were 2 different sizes. Below is the finished product! I feel like I am smelling the almond while writing this! It is so yummy and moisturizing for your skin.

IMG_6465IMG_6466

IMG_6468IMG_6469

IMG_6476IMG_6477

Here is some information about the ingredients in the soap:

Oats– They are used in skin care all of the time. It is known to soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and heal dry, itchy skin. It also becomes a great exfoliator in the soap and is completely hypoallergenic.

Honey– It is a great moisturizer and a natural antioxidant, which protects the skin from damage.

Vitamin E Oil– It prevents water loss from the skin and helps it to retain its natural moisture.

Sweet Almond Oil– It is moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, restores normal PH of the skin, reduces wrinkles, protect against sun damage and is high in vitamin E, A and D.

Goat’s Milk Soap Base– It has many vitamins and other essential elements to nourish the skin. These include vitamins A, E, C, some of the B vitamins, amino and citric acids, unsaturated fatty acids and zinc. It helps moisturize the skin better than commercial soaps made with chemicals. It is an alkaline product to keep the skin’s PH balanced. It does not contain any additives which makes it great for sensitive skin and eczema.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Enjoy the recipe & I may be starting an Etsy account to sell the natural products I make. I will keep you all posted if you are interested in anything. Thanks for reading 🙂

With Peace, Love & Smiles,

Deanna

DIY All-Natural Hair Detangling Spray (Great for Kids too!)

I had a hard time finding a good all natural hair detangling spray without any chemicals. My hair is getting longer and in return a lot more tangles are forming. I needed something for when I got out of the shower that I can brush through to get out the knots (using a wet brush of course!) If you do not have a Wet Brush you must get one!

Here is a great recipe to make your own hair detangling spray that literally takes less than two minutes to make.

1st you’ll need to have an empty spray bottle. I prefer glass and got mine from Amazon (although it is a little large for this recipe)

IMG_2587

IMG_2585

1 tbsp of vegetable glycerine

6 drops of rosemary essential oil

6 drops of tea tree essential oil

6 drops of lavender essential oil

and water

Combine all of the ingredients in your spray bottle and top it off with water (I prefer purified water). This recipe is for a 4oz bottle. If you have a larger one just fill it up with a little water.

Make sure to shake your bottle really good before each use and then you can use it on wet or dry hair! No chemicals, all natural ingredients. Your hair will thank you.

Enjoy! 🙂

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

My Helpful Tips to a Great Night of Sleep

We all want to feel energized, good, and well rested. Am I right? Of course this is not an easy task and requires planning, organization, and setting up your bedroom to feel peaceful.

I used to have pretty bad insomnia.

Occasionally, when something exciting is happening, starting a new day of work, or hosting a party can still cause me to have sleepless nights. I’ve done research and tried to overcome the mind racing at nighttime. I can tell you some things have worked and some have not at all, but here are the things that have worked for me (and hopefully will help you too)!

1. Creating a bedroom space that is spa like and tranquil. A comfortable bed, pillows, sheets, and blankets are probably the most important items to buy for a bedroom. You spend so much of your life sleeping in your bed and investing in high quality products will truly pay off. Along with having a great bed, it’s important to have a clutter free room (even under your bed!) It keeps the energy flow moving and being organized helps to declutter your mind! How good does it feel when you go to bed with everything cleaned and in its place? When you enter your bedroom at night, put on a candle or two with dim lights. It will create a peaceful mood while you are preparing your mind for a good night of sleep. Make your bed feel like a cloud and always make it in the morning when you get up! Getting into a nicely made bed at night is one of the greatest feelings (besides getting into your pjs and having a delicious dessert 🙂 )

2. Drink chamomile tea or any kind of tea without caffeine that helps you to relax. Too bad I don’t have a nice jacuzzi tub in my house, otherwise taking a bubble bath before bed with a cup of tea would be perfect! Drinking a warm beverage like tea is comforting and helps me to unwind from the busy day. I usually like to drink a cup at least an hour or two before bed.

3. Lavender oil. This has been something that has truly helped me! (I don’t know if it’s my mind playing tricks on me or if it really does work). I love to use oil diffusers next to my bed and I also have lavender room spray by J.R. Watkins (all natural). I feel it has become a ritual to spray my room or put a little tea light on with the oil on top of my diffuser before I get ready to go in my bedroom for the night. When I walk in, it smells like a spa and there’s just something about it that calms me down. (make sure to get pure lavender essential oil because many scents sold in stores are artificially made)

4.  One of my favorite things to do while in bed is to make a to do list for the next day. Let it go if you don’t get everything done, but its nice to make a list with the most important things first. Writing it down gets it off your mind and organized for a successful next day.

5. This last step I fail at several nights. I think it’s important, but I am still working on it! Turning off your phone, computer, and any devices an hour before bed. When I finally lay down at night, I love to check Instagram, reread certain things, go through emails, track packages that I have ordered online, and start thinking of all these brilliant ideas that I need to research or plan for. This is not a good idea to do before bed. Your mind starts getting all excited and then you go on Pinterest and literally cannot get off of it for a very long time. Bad, bad, bad!!!! When this does happen to me, I get carried away and realize it’s the middle of the night when I should be getting rest to feel good for the next day. If you don’t let yourself pick up your computer, phone, or iPad, your mind will eventually get bored and go to sleep. A better idea is to read a book that captivates your mind and takes your thoughts somewhere else.

This concludes my helpful tips for a great night of sleep. I hope it will be helpful to someone even if it only lasts for a week! Get organized, make your room feel amazing, and use essential oils to calm the mind. Think spa.

IMG_8827IMG_9632

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

DIY Autumn Leaves Candle

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Woo hoo 🙂 I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house in San Diego with all of our friends who aren’t able to spend the day with their family.

I love to host parties and decorate and lately I have been really into crafting. I was trying to find a way to incorporate these old leaves I had from the preschool I worked at into decorations for the table. With only two items I had to buy, I was able to turn mason jars into beautiful autumn leaf candles!

It is not the easiest craft, but definitely not hard either. It took me about a half hour to complete all three candles.

Here is how to make them!

IMG_9309 You will need: Mod Podge, Raffia Ribbon (or any other kind), a Foam Paint Brush, 3 Mason Jars, Tealight Candles, and Fall Fabric Leaves.

IMG_9332 The first step I did was put down some newspaper or magazines on my table. Then using the mod podge and foam brush, put a thin layer of the mod podge down on the mason jar. Then stick on the leaves and brush over them to flatten out the leaves with some more mod podge. You continue doing this around the whole mason jar overlapping some leaves, but also leaving some blank space. (yes that’s a Taylor Swift song that I am currently obsessed with)

IMG_9334 Here is what the mason jars will look like right after sticking on all of the leaves. The mod podge looks white at first, but will dry clear.

IMG_9336 This is the finished product without the candle being lit. You can add the raffia ribbon once everything is all dry. I tied mine on at the beginning and then added another bow on top when it was dry.

IMG_9339 Here they are lit!

IMG_9340 Up close look!

I can’t wait to light these on my table for Thanksgiving and to simply use throughout the season!

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

DIY Egg, Honey, & Apple Cider Vinegar Face Mask

This is for all the women out there, and well men too! Here is a quick and easy face mask that is hydrating, nourishing, and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth.   🙂

You will need:

IMG_8790 Only 3 simple ingredients: honey, apple cider vinegar, and an egg. 

IMG_8791 In two small bowls, separate the egg white from the egg yolk. 

IMG_8792 Whisk up the egg white until frothy. 

IMG_8793 Add in 1 tsp. of honey to the egg yolk.

IMG_8794 Mix in 1/4 tsp. of apple cider vinegar to egg yolk and honey. 

IMG_8795Combine the egg yolk mixture into the frothy egg white and make sure everything is completely mixed together. 

Apply to a clean face using your hands or the back of a spoon. The face mask will dry fully in about 10-15 minutes and then you can wash it off with warm water. Your skin will feel moisturized and soft once you rinse off the mask. (This recipe for the mask will probably be able to go on 3-5 people, so doing it at a girls night would be perfect!)

Apple cider vinegar is great to put on the skin because it has antibacterial properties and it contains powerful alpha hydroxy acids that help remove dead skin cells. Apple cider vinegar also helps balance the pH levels in your skin.

Honey is antibacterial as well, which is great for treating acne. It also is full of antioxidants and moisturizing.

Egg in the face mask is beneficial to maintain elasticity, reduce fine lines, and is high in collagen and vitamin A.

I love using products I have in my home to pretend I’m at a spa without spending all of that mula! If anyone else has any DIY recipes that they swear by, feel free to share!

Have a happy Monday!

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

Butternut Squash Soup (dairy free optional)

Next to my love of tea is soup. Actually, as I think about it, soup may be my all time favorite. Now that it is finally getting cooler in San Diego, (75 is cool right?) I have been in the mood to have soup literally every single day! I’ve been looking up recipes and came across this dairy free butternut squash soup that I thought would be perfect considering I already had all of the ingredients in my house.

I also just made a delicious roasted cauliflower, leek, potato, onion soup last night with a friend. There will not be a blog post on it because I was enjoying beers while cooking and my phone was no where in site to take pictures of the process. 🙂

Who doesn’t love butternut squash for the fall?! Here is the recipe so you can enjoy a warm sensation in your mouth that is also extremely nutritious:

IMG_8145 You will need about two cups of butternut squash and for me that was one squash. (they all vary in size)

IMG_8143 Cut off the outer layer skin so that it’s nakey. 

IMG_8144 You will need 3 cups of vegetable broth. 

IMG_8147 1 onion. 

IMG_8148 1 clove of garlic chopped. 

IMG_8149 1 green apple. 

IMG_8154 2 teaspoons of thyme. 

IMG_8150 1 tablespoon of olive oil. 

IMG_8146    The 1st thing I did was coarsely chop the butternut squash. 

IMG_8151 Then chop up the onion and garlic. 

IMG_8152 Next chop up the apple to equal about 1 cup or 1 apple. 

IMG_8153 Put in 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a large pot. 

IMG_8155 Once the oil is heated, soften the onion and garlic. 

IMG_8157 Next, add 2 tsp. of thyme. 

IMG_8163 Add in the squash and apple and give it a stir.

IMG_8164 Let the ingredients sauté for about 20 minutes. 

IMG_8165 Then add in the vegetable broth and let it simmer for 10 more minutes. 

IMG_8167 This next step would be a lot easier if I had a hand blender (that will be on my Christmas list Mom if you are reading this.) Well anyway, use a food processor or regular blender to puree the soup until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.  At this point you may add in 1 tbsp of half & half.  (optional)

IMG_8168 This recipe made 4 bowls of soup. 

IMG_8169 Here is the final picture. I sprinkled a little bit more thyme on top and added pumpkin seeds! 

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall and eating lots of soup! Stay warm and fuzzy inside! ❤ My next blog post will not be about food, but I am trying to perfect an amazing soup recipe all my own to share with everyone!

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

Parsley Tea

Lately I’ve been on a parsley binge. I think my love for parsley began when my Mom would make tortellini soup (or any soup for that matter), and add parsley to it. Something about  it made it extra special and I grew to really love parsley.

I am always doing some kind of research and came across the benefits of this lovely herb. It is not only rich in Vitamin A and C, but it also helps clear blemishes, maintain an even skin tone, and even cleanses the urinary tract, liver, and kidneys! Parsley is also very high in Vitamin K, which improves skin elasticity and not to mention may play a role in treating Alzheimer’s and Osteoporosis. I think I may just start adding parsley to everything! 🙂

A great way to get all the benefits of parsley without consuming that much of it is to drink parsley tea. It’s easy and quite delicious if you ask me!

Here are my simple steps to make the tea: 

IMG_7418 First you must buy a bundle of fresh organic parsley. I then rip off about a handful. 

 IMG_7421 Next, wash the parsley thoroughly. 

IMG_7424 Add the parsley to a mug. 

IMG_7417 Boil water.

IMG_7442 Pour water over parsley. 

IMG_7441 I like to add half a lemon for flavor and more added health benefits. (optional)

Let your tea steep for at least 5 minutes. Drink and repeat daily or as often as you’d like! Go try it, you won’t be disappointed!

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

I gave up sugar this Monday… let’s just say that is close to impossible for me! I was having major  cravings and found a healthy dessert to make with only 4 ingredients. Sounds easy enough right? I got out my measuring cups, a bowl, a mason jar, and the simple ingredients that were already in my house.

Recipe for Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding:

Ingredients 

IMG_7401 1/4 Cup of Chia Seeds

IMG_7402 3 Tbsp of Cacao Powder

IMG_7403 1 1/4 Cups of Unsweetened Almond Milk

IMG_7404 1 Tbsp of Honey

Recipe

IMG_7405Pour 1 cup unsweetened almond milk into a bowl.

IMG_7406 add in an extra 1/4 cup of almond milk.

IMG_7407 add 1/4 cup of chia seeds.

IMG_7410 add 3 tablespoons of cacao powder.

IMG_7411 add 1 tablespoon of honey. (does this count as sugar?! Please say no)

IMG_7412 add a dash of salt!

IMG_7448 Give it a good mix in the bowl and then put the pudding mixture in a mason jar, shake it up (like a lot), and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This is my chocolate chia seed pudding after being refrigerated over night! You can add some extra ingredients on top like coconut 🙂 Super yummy and satisfying to kill any chocolate or sweet craving!

IMG_7450Don’t mind if I do! 😉

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

Homemade Creamy Hummus

Who loves hummus as much as I do?! It is pretty much a daily staple in my diet. I love hummus with pita, crackers, on sandwiches, and most of all, just eaten out of the container with baby carrots or bell peppers.

There is a small family owned restaurant called “Vanoos Grillette” right down the street from me. They have the best hummus I’ve ever had! I think the fact that it is freshly made to order and topped with some olive oil makes it so delicious.

Every time I am in a grocery store and about to pick up a package of hummus, I remember that a homemade version is SO much better! I have a food processor that I’ve only used once to make pesto, so I decided to put that thing to work and make my own homemade hummus.

Here are the steps and the recipe I used to make this creamy, delicious homemade hummus:

IMG_7369 You will need 1 15oz can of Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas). I always try to buy organic and I was happy to see that this can does not have BPA lining. Woo hoo! Finally brands other than Eden are using BPA free lined cans!

IMG_7370 1/2 Cup Organic Tahini 

IMG_7371 Paprika (for sprinkling on at the end)

IMG_7372 Extra Virgin Olive Oil (around 2 tsp to put on top of hummus at the end)

IMG_7374 Half of a Lemon

IMG_7375 3/4 tsp Salt (I use pink Himalayan salt)

IMG_7376 2 Cloves of Fresh Garlic

IMG_7377 A Small Handful of Parsley (optional)

Now here is what to do with those ingredients: 

IMG_7379 Open up your can of Garbanzo beans (way to state the obvious, but I am trying to go step by step) haha

IMG_7380 Make sure to drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.

IMG_7381 Get your food processor all ready to go!

IMG_7382 This step was a little time consuming, so for anyone who doesn’t have the time, skip taking off the skins from the chickpeas. For this recipe, I did take off all of the skins so that the texture of the hummus would be creamier.

IMG_7383 Place the skinless chickpeas into the food processor.

IMG_7385 Start pulsing until the chickpeas become crumbly.

IMG_7386 Add in 1/2 cup Tahini. (who knew this is what Tahini looked like?! Not me! Also for anyone wondering, tahini is just a paste made from sesame seeds.)

IMG_7387 Squeeze the juice of half of a Lemon into the mixture.

IMG_7388

IMG_7389 Add in 2 chopped Garlic Cloves.

IMG_7391 Add in about 3/4 tsp of Salt. (Can always add more depending on your liking)

IMG_7392 Pulse all of the ingredients together. (Note the consistency, it is still fairly thick)

IMG_7393 To make the hummus creamy, the next step is to slowly add in filtered water while the food processor is on.

IMG_7394 Wah La! That’s all there is to it unless you like to get a little fancy like myself.

IMG_7395 I used a spatula to get all of the hummus out of the food processor and put it in to a glass pyrex dish.

IMG_7397 To complete the hummus and make it taste even more amazing, add in about 2 tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a sprinkle of Paprika, and some fresh Parsley on top!

Refrigerate the hummus and enjoy for up to a week in an air tight container! 🙂

With Peace, Love, & Smiles,

Deanna

Previous Older Entries