Are Your Cleaning Products Really "Clean?" - Recipes to Help You Clean

It's hard to go from using your old cleaning products to new, natural ones! I found myself wanting to revert back to what I know works - bleach, formulated granite cleaners/polish, chemical-laden window and toilet cleaners, but alas! Here are my favorite "recipes" for disinfecting your home!

In case you want to copy and paste these recipes to a word doc, here they are in text format! 

All Purpose Cleaner

• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Dawn dish soap
• 4 TBSP white vinegar
• 400 mL warm water

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Dusting Spray

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 c white vinegar
• 1 c warm water

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• 1/4 c baking soda
• 1/4 c borax
• 1 c white vinegar

Place ingredients directly into toilet. Mix gently with bowl brush. Let sit at least 30 minutes before scrubbing. 

Granite Cleaner

• 1/2 c rubbing alcohol
• 8 drops Dawn dish soap
• 2 c warm water

Combine in a squirt bottle.

Glass Cleaner

• 1/4 c rubbing alcohol
• 1/4 c white vinegar
• 1 TBSP cornstarch
• 2 c warm water

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Tub Cleanser

• 1/2 cut grapefruit
• 1/4 c kosher salt

Place salt directly on grapefruit half. Scrub your tub!

Grout Cleaner

• 1/2 c baking soda
• 1/4 c white vinegar

Mix in a small, open container. Using a toothbrush, apply paste to grout and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Rinse off.

Not sure what you need to get your Green "Clean" Cleaning Pantry stocked? Check out our shopping list from yesterday's post!

Do you have a favorite green cleaning recipe to share? 

Low Carb Chicken Chili

Did you enjoy our chicken chili but perhaps you are looking for a lower carb option?  Look no further!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground chicken
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 3 cups zucchini, chopped
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp Xylitol brown sugar blend
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• 4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp spicy mustard
• 1 Tbsp regular yellow mustard

Optional Toppings: cilantro, green onion, cottage cheese

Directions:

1. Brown meat with onions and garlic in a large pot.  Cook until no longer pink.

2. Place meat in crock pot.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Stir until combined.

3. Place on "low heat" for the desired about of time (we prefer 2 hours since the meat is already cooked).

He & She Tip: You can also make this without a crock pot.  To make without a crock pot you would still brown the meat in a large pan and then add the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. 

Makes approximately 6 servings.

Macros (per serving):

Calories - 140 

Protein - 22 g

Fat - 1 g

Carbs - 8 g

* Recipe Adapted from Jamie Eason's Reduced Carb Turkey Veggie Chili.

Four Ingredient Protein Bars

Need a grab and go breakfast on hand for when you oversleep or just don't feel like your normal eggs and oatmeal? This one is perfect! It will literally only take you a few minutes to prepare. After you are done, throw them in the freezer!

View more of our Four Ingredient Recipes here.

Four Minutes - Four Ingredients - Four Steps

Four Ingredient Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Gluten Free Quick Cooking Oats
• 1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
• 4 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1/2 cup of Water or Unsweetened Almond Milk

Directions: 

1. Line an 8"x8" Glass Baking Dish (we use Pyrex) with wax or parchment paper.
2. Mix all ingredients by hand in a medium size mixing bowl.
3. Press mixture down into dish using a spatula to flatten.
4. Freeze for approximately 30 minutes. Cut into six bars. Refrigerate.