Words that I wish I had written: 1927

Words that I wish I had written!

Sometimes a song seems to say everything you are thinking or have thought or have wanted to say. It makes it easier for you because it is already written and put to music AND who am I kidding that I'd ever but I wanted to say that first!

Anyway, I play this often. It means a lot to me because it was one of my earliest love songs...before I even had love on my mind...and I knew what it said and why it was important even before I knew what it said and why it was important! You know what I mean! I was 13! It was a good time in life. It was the 80's.

You may never have heard it before. You may have been directed to it by me far too many times. Either way!

It's so good.

Farmer's Market Monday: Baking Soda Toothpowder

'FARMER'S MARKET MONDAY; LIVING MORE ORGANICALLY'

One of the very first things I altered when learning to avoid chemicals was my toothpaste. I've never been a huge fan of commercial toothpastes and have tried many different ones. I have never been satisfied that one was doing a better job than the other and always felt that what I was consuming wasn't the best. You can mask a lot with strong faux flavours like mint! 

So it was an easy choice to start with in attempting to live more organically and naturally! 

When I came across baking soda as a basis for tooth powder I was intrigued to say the least! I looked over the ingredients and was satisfied that it might be worth trying. I was already a huge fan of baking soda as a natural cleaner/cleanser so why wouldn't I try this!

I gathered the ingredients I needed, added the chosen natural 'flavour' and was totally gobsmacked! It was horrible and bitty in my mouth! It was terrible! But I continued using it for a few days, just to give it a good trial period, and then when it was still horridly horrible I re-thought what I had done. I realised it was the cinnamon 'flavour' I had used, which was far too coarsely ground cinnamon instead of essential oils. 

I decided to try again in my quest for lovely clean teeth, fresh breath and no chemicals. This time I used only essential oils and I was successful and have never ever had to use commercial toothpastes again! It has been one and a half years and my teeth and mouth, my oral hygiene in general, feels peppermint perfectly healthy!

Below is the recipe I use, and I also always incorporate clove oil to keep from getting sensitive teeth. 

It is adaptable to individual taste, but I promise you will not be disappointed with the results and I am confident you won't want to return to chemically-formulated commercial toothpastes again. That the toothpowder comes at low cost is, well, an added bonus inspiring!

Baking Soda Toothpowder/Toothpaste

500g baking soda

1/8-1/4 tspn stevia powder or alternative (a natural sweetening powder found in health food stores)

10 drops peppermint essential oil (or lemon, cinnamon, spearmint (alternative during pregnancy and breastfeeding), clove oil, or combination) 

Place baking soda in an airtight container or jar, add the stevia (to personal taste) and the essential oils, and shake well to combine. Dampen your toothbrush and dip into the toothpowder to coat the bristles well. Brush away that horrid furry feeling! Your teeth will feel so clean and your breath so fresh. 

Baking soda is an amazing cleansing agent and helps keep your mouth and breath fresh for hours. Baking soda is also an amazing natural bleaching agent and if you have teeth stains these should slowly lighten and new stains will be thwarted by the regular use of this toothpowder.

If you don't get fluoride in your water intake, you might want to ask your dentist or healthcare professional if you should take supplements.

Happy healthy oral hygiene! It's worth it!

...now if you have any ideas on how to get my children to use it let me know, because they have tried bless them but I simply cannot force make convince them!

If you have any other ideas on natural oral hygiene or any special blend of essential oils you use in this toothpowder I'd love to hear about them!

Sweet Sundays: Fancy Chocolate Mousse

'Sweet Sundays; Something Borrowed, Something New, Something Baked, Do You Fancy Some Stew?' 

Sometimes we want to feel a little posh when we get down and dirty in the kitchen! 


Chocolate can be a little bit posh if you dress it up! Well, in this case melt it down, do some whipping (because we like our cream a little posh too sometimes), slosh in some liquor, and...

Fancy chocolate mousse? Well I have just the Fancy Chocolate Mousse to fill your pretty, but empty, dessert bowl. 


This mousse is luscious, posh, and it has a little alcohol option which makes it extra fancy for adult guests!


This mousse was originally discovered and made  many moons (about 23 years worth of moons) ago by my Grandmother and I! We devoured it instantly, and endeavoured to find any old occasion that necessitated making more. A lot more.


To this day, said Grandmother makes this gorgeous creation for special occasions, like birthdays.


After 23 years I was honoured enough to be able to make it for her birthday last weekend. I forgot how easy it was to make (so long as you remember the boiling water...first batch became posh ice-cream, but that's another post!).


Not surprisingly, I have never forgotten how delicious it is, and my palate can conjure up the taste just by word/thought association!  


While I realise this is another chocolate-centred (mmm, yummy) Sweet Sunday, I could not deny that if I introduce it to you then there will be more in the world for me to stumble upon at dinner parties I believe it important to share good food!


So, bring out the mixing bowls, grab some chocolate (and a few other bits and pieces) and let's make this thing!

Presentation is important, and my Grandmother presents her finished mousse in a quaint glass bowl. I, in all my busy-ness failed to photograph the final finished fancy chocolate mousse. It becomes a smooth, delicate, and very light, cream-laden mousse. Served in a large bowl or prepared in single servings, with a dollop of whipped cream, it is a wonderful dessert accompaniment to any meal.

This mousse becomes a heavenly creation of happiness and there is no way to be satisfied with one serving! Perhaps make the main course light? Then you can satisfy your tastebuds!

Happy, Sweet Sunday everyone!