ML Interest Tag: all-purpose

12 Non-Toxic Homemade Cleaners You Can DIY

By Kristen Chapple

If you are tired of buying toxic chemicals to clean your home, you can easily DIY homemade cleaners using the recipes below.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Bathroom

1. DIY Hand Soap
With the current pandemic raising havoc worldwide, I always do everything humanly possible to keep my kids safe. This means preparing an effective and non-toxic hand soap for them to use every day when they come home from school or after using the toilet.

For non-toxic hand soap, you need to fill 25% of the soap dispenser with liquid or grated castile soap and then top it up with water. Mix it well and place it in the bathroom for everyone to use after visiting the toilet or getting home.

2. Disinfectant
Despite being where we clean our bodies, the bathroom floors are prone to bacteria infestations; therefore, Eco Peanut recommends that you disinfect them regularly. And being an environmentally conscious parent, you can prepare a simple yet effective disinfectant for your floor using simple ingredients like lime, lemon, lime peels and white vinegar. Mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, lime peels, juice of one lime and juice of one lemon and 0.24 liters of water. Mix this well and spray it on the bathroom floor and then rinse it after a few minutes.

3. DIY Toilet Cleaner
For the toilet, I have two solutions (heavy-duty and mellow cleaners) that I prepare for specific types of cleaning. The mellow cleaner keeps the toilet clean daily, while the heavy-duty formula helps with stain removal.

4. Mellow Cleaner Recipe for Toilets
To prepare this mellow toilet cleaner, you need to mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, half a cup of baking soda, and one and a half teaspoons of tea tree essential oil, lavender, grapefruit or orange essential oils. Mix it well before cleaning your toilet. This DIY toilet cleaner will leave your toilet clean and smelling nice.

5. Heavy-Duty Cleaner Recipe for Toilets
For a heavy-duty cleaner, you should mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, ¾ cup of baking soda, five drops of lemon essential oils and 10 drops of lavender essential oils. Mix them well before scrubbing your toilet.

6. DIY Shower & Tub Cleaner
For the tub and shower, I also have two unique recipes that I use, one is for heavy-duty cleaning, and the other is for mellow cleaning.

Mellow Cleaning Recipe for Tubs & Showers: I always spray some white vinegar on the shower’s surfaces or the tub for mellow cleaning and let it sit for about half an hour before rinsing it.

Heavy-Duty Cleaning Recipe for Tubs & Showers: For deep cleaning, I mix half a cup of salt, washing soda, a cup of baking soda and five drops of lemon. Mix the mixture well and then sprinkle it on a damp floor and leave it for about 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing the floor.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Kitchen

7. DIY Clogged Sink Drain Cleaner
For clogged pipes, I have a simple yet effective formula that I learned from my grandmother. To unclog the sink drain, I always pour eight tablespoons of salt and eight tablespoons of baking soda down the drain. And then top it up with some water and let it sit for about three hours.

When dealing with a grim-clogging situation, I always leave the mixture in the drain overnight. And then repeat this process twice to clear the drain.

8. DIY Dishwasher Detergent
A huge percentage of dishwashing detergents have fragrances that trigger allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. So if any member of your family has allergies, you should try a DIY dishwasher detergent. Mix 0.24 liters of water with liquid castile soap and then add it to the first detergent compartment. Fill the other compartment with four teaspoons of lime or lemon juice and white vinegar.

9. DIY Countertop Cleaner
Instead of wasting a lot of cash on a branded cleaner with toxic chemicals, you can mix water and vinegar. If your countertops are not made from stone, granite or marble, then you can create a mixture containing one part water and one part vinegar and put it all in a spray bottle.

But for marble, granite and stone surface, you should mix 0.36 liters of water, 0.12 liters of rubbing alcohol, half a teaspoon of liquid castile soap and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake the mixture well and rub it gently on the surfaces using a cotton cloth.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Rest of the House

10. DIY Furniture Polish
For non-wood furniture, I  mix 0.18 liters of olive oil with 0.6 liters of vinegar and apply the mixture to the furniture. This all-purpose cleaner works perfectly with a wide range of materials except for wooden surfaces.

For wooden surfaces, you need 0.96 liters of hot water, three teaspoons of white vinegar and six teaspoons of olive oil. Apply this mixture to wood surfaces and wipe gently using a cotton cloth.

11. DIY Floor Cleaner
For my floor, all I need is a mixture of warm water and three teaspoons of washing soda and I am good to go. After cleaning the floors, I always apply a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil in certain parts of the house and then rub it to create a shiny thin coat.

12. DIY Mirror & Window Cleaner
For my windows, I mix 5 parts water, 1 part white vinegar, squeeze some juice from half a lemon and some lemon peels in my spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before washing all the windows and mirrors in the house. You can spread the mixture all over the window using a cotton cloth or sponge.

RELATED STORIES:
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Brands You’ll Feel Good Investing In
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I am an environmentalist who loves to share knowledge about sustainable living and how to save our lovely planet! 

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Bake This Now: Fruit & Oat Crumble Bars

By Catherine McCord

Photo: Weelicious

Soft, chewy and perfect for snacktime or your kid’s lunchbox, this recipe for fruit and oat crumble bars checks all the boxes. Created by Catherine McCord of Weelicious, we love that there’s no processed sugar and that it’s packed with goodness from wheat germ to old fashioned oats. Read on for the recipe!

Makes 18 bars
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds)
1/4 cup honey
2 cups apple butter or preserves

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place all the ingredients except the apple butter or preserves in a food processor. 3. Pulse until the ingredients are combined and oats and nuts are in small pieces. 4. Press all but 1 cup of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9 x 9 inch pan lined with parchment paper.  5. Cover the oat mixture with apple butter or preserves. 6. Crumble the remaining 1 cup of oat mixture over the apple butter or preserves. 7. Bake for 30- 35 minutes. 8. Cool, use parchment paper to move bars to a cutting board and cut into bars.*

*For perfectly cut bars, refrigerate for an hour before cutting into squares.

This post originally appeared on Weelicious.

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Catherine McCord is the co-founder of One Potato and the founder of the popular Weelicious brand, a trusted content resource synonymous with family and food. She has written three cookbooks including her latest Smoothie Project. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

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Detoxifying Your House, One Product at a Time

by #MomLife

Whitney Popa

Whitney Popa is a Communications Consultant in the PNW who loves good books and bad TV.

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I kneeled on the floor of our son’s nursery, my big belly resting on my thighs, as I folded tiny onesies and sweatpants, lifting up each piece to inspect it and sniff it, breathing in that sweet Dreft mixture of baby powder and potential. Each pile was arranged by size and type, and I was pleased with myself—for my organization, and for my forethought. Our baby would be the best dressed baby on the block and his small, cool guy clothes would be laundered with their own special products and process. Only the best for my man!

By the time our daughter arrived two years later, I was buying baby-specific bath and laundry products for them and many bulk cleaning supplies from Costco. That is, until our daughter started getting car sick.

At least once a week, even on a ten minute drive to the freeway entrance, our daughter would throw up her latest meal, all over herself and her car seat. My husband would strip the seat and hose down the inner plastic, his nose scrunched as he investigated to ensure he didn’t miss a drop of puke. We’d wash the cover and pads in our Kirkland detergent and hang it all to dry. As soon as I’d climb into the car, I’d feel a pounding headache begin to form right above my eyebrows. I’d drive with the windows down to help the air circulate, knowing I had to make some big changes.

I am a fan of The Bachelor franchise, so I jokingly started talking about my “Clean Product Journey” on Instagram. I had already converted to Tubby Todd for everything kid bath-related and was slowly working through my beauty products, but I hadn’t considered our dishwasher pods or Clorox wipes or detergents—not even my beloved Dreft. From our daughter’s 4th or 5th car barf, it was on: my journey would end in—at minimum—a new long-term relationship with products that were both clean and not overly crunchy. I would become a hippie, a fancy one—a fancy hippie who likes light smells and decent price points.

The items you see here have been deeply and lovingly researched, often with support from the Environmental Working Group website, which rates products on their toxicity. I’m pleased with where I am on my journey and glad I get to share my progress, but I’m far from done. Hope they help!

1

Aspen Clean Natural Laundry Detergent Lavender & Lemongrass

A non-toxic detergent that is SCENTED. It exists!

$21.99

This is one of the few EWG-verified laundry detergents that has any scent, and it smells like a lavender and lemongrass wafting in to your window on a warm afternoon. I get it on Subscribe and Save from the company, along with their dishwasher pods.

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2

Tubby Todd The Regulars Bundle

Tubby Todd has a cult following for good, clean reasons!

$40

Any mommy Facebook group will tell you we swear by Tubby Todd's All Over Ointment (AOO) for all things eczema and dry skin-related. Their bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner, detangler, body lotion and thicker Dream Cream are daily go-tos at our house. I even got a bottle of bubble bath for myself so I wouldn't have to keep taking one out of our kids's bathroom!

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3

L'Avant Collective Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes

Who knew cleaning wipes could be this pretty?

$8

I learned from the L'Avant ladies (two moms from Seattle with six kids between them) that most cleaning wipes are made of plastic. Their Multipurpose Wipes are not only powered by plants, but also 100% biodegradable. Score one for us, and one for the environment!

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4

Puracy All Purpose Spray (Two-Pack)

An All Purpose spray that's endorsed by Bravo? Okay!

$14.49

I've tried a lot of sprays, you guys. Like, so many sprays. I keep coming back to this one. It leaves NO streaks, doesn't give me headaches, and has a nice scent that I don't mind smelling all over the house, even in the kitchen where I prefer citrus. It's also nice that I can get it with a quick trigger finger Amazon Subscribe & Save, but I've seen it at Target too.

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5

Raw Sugar Simply Hand Wash Raw Coconut + Mango

A cold-pressed hand soap that doesn't strip your skin.

$4.99

We're all washing our hands a lot more these days and that can strip out moisture. Raw Sugar makes the only soaps I've found that don't dry out my hands. Plus, they look and smell great! The Coconut + Mango is my go-to, but I love all the scents they have and keep Lemon Sugar in the kitchen.

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6

Parasol Clear+Pure Baby Wipes (600-ct)

Better for babies than Honest or Water Wipes.

$40.98

Honest and Water Wipes are marketed as super pure, but they're actually not as pure as these wipes are. This is another Amazon Subscribe & Save item I get for us that's a little pricier than the others, but worth it for sensitive baby booties. Plus, I use them on their faces, too, and haven't seen any little rashes like I did wiping with the others. The price goes way down if you subscribe.

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7

Tubby Todd Dream Cream

Your antidote to dry hands!

$16

Dream Cream deserves its own spotlight because it is so deliciously moisturizing. I get a weird patch of dry skin on my right pointer finger every year when the weather gets colder and Dream Cream, with its shea base, is one of the few lotions that can combat it. We love it so much that I got an extra tube for husband to lather on his dry hands throughout the day. The scent is light and very gender-neutral.

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8

Wool Dryer Balls Laundry 6-Pack-100% Organic New Zealand Wool

Time to get on the dryer ball bandwagon!

$19.99

I've been using dryer balls for a handful of years and I love knowing that I'm not burning chemicals into our clothes with dryer sheets. I put a drop of essential oils on them (I like Saje blends) in the dryer and let them do their thang. They do get caught up in our clothes when we take loads out, and I like to huck them back into the laundry room and see how successful I am at making my shots. Our kids have fun throwing them back, too!

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9

Ecos, Dish Mate Bamboo Lemon

Nice suds, fights grime, and plant-based—oh, yeah!

$3.99

My first deep product research journey was for dish soap. I spent at least a year looking for something that smelled citrus-y, was clean, had good bubbles, fought grime, and didn't dry out my hands. Ecos has been the far and away clear winner so far. I find it on Amazon (fulfilled by Whole Foods) and at other similar fancy grocery stores. When I can't find it, my backup is the dish soap from Trader Joe's.

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10

Tubby Todd Bubble Bath

The only bubble bath my husband says isn't whack.

$15

If you're like me, at the end of a long day, you might want to grab a glass of wine and soak in the tub while you watch bad TV on the iPad. It's important that when you take those baths, the bubbles are nice and fluffy and stick around. Enter: Tubby Todd. I tried a bunch of bubble baths at various price points when our toddlers were smaller and nothing compared to this stuff. It's also hydrating and great for sensitive skin! Treat yourself to this—it'll change your baths for good.

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‘Tis the Season for Halloween Fun Facts & Baking!

By Ruthi Davis

Fall is here, and pumpkins are everywhere! Americans, both young and old, share enthusiasm for this time of year—maybe it’s the trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, baking tasty treats, setting up decorations, enjoying pumpkin lattes, baking pumpkin pie, dressing up in Halloween costumes—either way, there’s a comforting feeling and festive energy with this season.

Do You Know The Origins of Halloween?

The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward-off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a time to honor all saints. Soon, ‘All Saints Day’ incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as ‘All Hallows Eve,’ and later ‘Halloween.’ Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating treats (source: history.com).

Pumpkin Fun Facts (source: Farmers Almanac)

* The word ‘pumpkin’ comes from the Greek word, pepon, which means a “large melon.”

* Pumpkins originated in Central America.

* Pumpkins are actually a fruit. Many people think it should be our national fruit.

* Pumpkin is also a squash; a member of Curcurbita family.

* The yellow-orange flowers that bloom on the pumpkin vine are edible.

* Pumpkin seeds taste great roasted and contain medicinal properties.

* Native Americans grew and ate pumpkins and their seeds long before the Pilgrims reached this continent. Pilgrims learned how to grow and prepare pumpkins from the Native Americans.

* Pumpkin was most likely served at the first Thanksgiving feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans in 1621.

* The earliest pumpkin pie made in America was quite different than the pumpkin pie we enjoy today. Pilgrims and early settlers made pumpkin pie by hollowing out a pumpkin, filling the shell with milk, honey and spices and baking it.

* Early settlers dried pumpkins shells, cut it into strips and wove it into mats.

* Pumpkin has been prepared in a variety of ways from soups to stews to desserts since the immigration of the first European settlers.

* The ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ is Morton, Illinois. Home of Libby’s pumpkin industry.

* The state of Illinois grows the most pumpkins. It harvests about 12,300 acres of pumpkins annually.

* The latest U.S. record (2019) for the largest pumpkin ever grown weighed in at 2,517.5 pounds by Karl Haist of Clarence Center, New York.

* Pumpkins were once considered a remedy for freckles and snakebites.

Natural medicine practitioners have proven that consuming pumpkin seeds reduces the risk of prostate disorders in men.

Decorate Those Pumpkins!

Carving, coloring, painting, and stenciling are just some of the millions of ways to trick-out Jack.  The real stars of the night are our little one’s dressed to fright!

What to do with all that pumpkin goo? Check out this bonus recipe, so easy to do!

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies with Almond-Maple Cream Cheese

These soft pumpkin cookies are a great snack idea when having a pumpkin carving party! The almond maple cream cheese gives it a nice finishing touch.

Recipe Type: Easy

Time to cook: 40 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients

12 oz. butter, softened 3/4 c. granulated sugar 3/4 c. brown sugar 2 eggs 1 c. pumpkin puree 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. allspice 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 12 oz. white chocolate chips 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/4 c. maple syrup 2 c. powdered sugar 1 tsp. almond extract 1 c. pepitas, toasted

Instruction:

For the Pumpkin Cookies:

* Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

* In a KitchenAid mixer or using a handheld mixer, add 8 oz. butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Mix for 1-2 minutes or until light in color and fully incorporated.

* Add one egg at a time. Mix.

* Add pumpkin puree, vanilla , and white chocolate chips.

* Fold in flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

* Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

* Roll cookie into golf size balls or use a small cookie scoop. Place evenly on the baking sheets. There should be 12 cookies on each sheet.

* Gently flattened the cookie dough with the bottom of a spoon.

* Bake 10 minutes.

* Remove from the oven once turned light brown.

* Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

For the Almond-Maple Cream Cheese:

* In a KitchenAid mixer, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, almond extract, and maple syrup. Mix for 1-2 minutes at medium speed.

* Add 4 oz. of butter (1 tbs. at a time) and mix until fully incorporated. Taste.

* Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Pepitas:

* Heat an 8 inch pan on medium-low heat. Add pepitas.

* Cook for about five minutes. Stir frequently.

* The seeds will pop, puff up, and become toasted.

* Remove from heat. Set aside to cool.

Assemble:

* Once cookies have cooled, top with almond cream cheese.

* Garnish with toasted pepitas. Enjoy!

—via Chef Ryan Rondeno

Private Chef to the Stars, Ryan Rondeno, is a true master of his trade and is ready to shake up the restaurant industry by bringing elegant dishes, bold flavor, and simple technique to the home front. His masterful cuisine has been relished at large-scale culinary events, gala dinners, and as a personal chef to some of the most notable names in the industry. As founder and owner of Rondeno Culinary Designs and the Rondeno Spice Collection, Chef Rondeno is focused on guiding cooks of all skill levels enhance the flavor of the dishes and experiences to the kitchen table with his FoodCulture App.

 

 

 

Ruthi Davis is a the Founder of Ruth Davis Consulting LLC with over two decades of success in advertising/marketing, media/publicity, business development, client relations, and organizational optimization for a variety of clients. Ruthi is a proud mom and influencer in the parenting and family market as founder of the Superfly Supermom brand.

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Get to Know This Seattle Kid Chef Who’s Cooking Up Fun

by Allison Sutcliffe

If you ask us, Seattle kids are some of the most enterprising and amazing around. And Sadie Davis-Suskind is no exception. We sat down with this MasterChef Junior competitor to see what she’s up to. And lucky us, Sadie even shared an easy-to-make recipe families can whip up just in time for Thanksgiving. Feast your eyes on this!

Carlton Canary

Red Tricycle: What was the first recipe you ever made? How did it turn out?

Sadie Davis-Suskind: I started cooking before I was talking. As soon as I could crawl into the kitchen, I started creating what my 5-year-old chef self thought to be culinary masterpieces. Were these early dishes edible?  Probably not. But it was these experiences that initially fueled my love of cooking.

Jewish foods are the foods that I first learned to cook while watching and helping my grandmother, Sally and my mother, Rebecca make traditional dishes for Jewish Holidays. My favorites are a beautifully flavorful red wine simmered brisket and to contrast that, as nobody really likes the traditional bland gefilte fish, I make a whitefish fritter with beet vinaigrette that is amazing!

RT: When you’re not busy cooking up something in the kitchen, what else do you enjoy doing?

SDS: My second passion, if I’m not cooking, is theater. If I’m not in the kitchen I’m on the stage. I love the camaraderie and creativity of the Theatre Community. I so enjoy starting from scratch, with just an idea of what I want to create, adding in my own flair, working with a team and creating something beautiful, much like cooking.

RT: We know that eating healthy is important to you, Sadie. What tips or tricks do you have to help kids eat healthy?

SDS: Rather than trying to conceal vegetables within dishes like pasta or zucchini bread, my main focus when creating dishes and encouraging kids to eat healthy is ensuring that vibrant vegetables and nutritious foods are highlighted in the dish. I try to create recipes that use seasonal ingredients to enhance the natural flavors of these foods to make kids (and their adults) excited about eating them!

RT: What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since your appearance on MasterChef Junior?

SDS: Since being on MCJ, I’ve had incredible opportunities: I've been invited to film promo videos for artisan food companies; I've appeared on several TV stations getting out the message that great food and cooking is accessible to kids as well as adults; I've got to meet some of my culinary heroes, Tom Douglas and Ethan Stowe to name two; and I have my very own weekly column in the Seattle Times where I am given full creative freedom to create dishes I think kids and their families will love.

RT: Do you have any advice for young chefs-in-the-making?

SDS: Follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone get in your way. Don’t use a recipe, taste with your heart (and your palate!) and don’t go by the rules. Make all creations uniquely yours.

RT: Sadie, would you share a seasonal recipe with us?

SDS: Sure!

Rebecca Davis-Suskind

Sadie’s Apple Brown Butter Blondies
You'll need:
9” square baking pan
Medium saucepan
Medium-sized mixing bowl (x2)
Parchment paper
Whisk
Toothpick

Ingredients
For the apples:  
2 cups peeled, chopped apples (I usually use granny smith but you can use any tart apple type you like)
1/2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon

For the bars:
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 2/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped nuts, optional (pecans or walnuts)
non-stick cooking spray

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray your baking pan with non-stick spray. Then, line your pan with parchment, leaving the paper to hang over the pan. This will make it easier to cut the blondies after they are baked.

2. In your saucepan, add the butter and melt it over medium heat until it turns a beautiful brown color and smells nutty, about 5-6 minutes. Take the pan off the stove and pour the contents into a mixing bowl.

3. In the same pan, add your apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir and cook over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, until the apples have softened a bit.

4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk in your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

5. In another medium bowl, whisk in one cup of your browned butter, your sugar, the eggs and vanilla extract.

6. Into the flour bowl, pour the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is well combined. Gently add in your apples (and nuts if using).

7. Pour your batter into the prepared pan.

8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until your blondies turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Let your blondies cool down. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Want to keep up with Sadie? You can follow her on Instagram.

—Allison Sutcliffe

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Study Looks at the Top Trends Dominating Instacart 2020

by Jennifer Swartvagher

What shopping trends have come out of 2020? Toilet paper and antibacterial soaps are sure to be at the top of the list. Instacart looked at what their customers have been buying to see which products are finding their way into grocery baskets across America.

The last six months have been unprecedented and unexpected for everyone. As shelter-in-place orders rolled out nationwide, people’s sense of normalcy changed almost instantaneously, and many turned to grocery delivery services to get the items they need safely. As Instacart baskets started filling up, Senior Product Manager and Trends Expert, Laurentia Romaniuk, partnered with the data science team to better understand just how drastically America’s shopping habits were changing in the wake of COVID-19. 

Groceries

The team looked into search data, examining aisle-by-aisle performance and trending terms to trace online grocery searches through winter, spring and summer. While many people were looking for toilet paper in March, other items topped the charts as the quarantine lifestyle continued. 

Romaniuk noticed that cleaning products and household goods dominated search trends in early March. Brand names like Clorox and Lysol emerge as popular terms as consumers began scouring digital shelves for trusted disinfectant products.

Searches in both the “Household Cleaning” and “Personal Care/Bathroom Needs” categories rose in unison through the month of March.

With the stay-at-home orders in full swing, people started to spend more time experimenting in the kitchen and indulging in homemade comfort foods to pass the time.

Romaniuk said, “The wild surges we experienced in the baking category led us to believe that consumers started feeding those sourdough starters and preheating their ovens in early April. ‘Yeast’ and ‘all-purpose flour’ proved to be two of our most popular search terms platform-wide in early spring.”

 

Aside from homemade bread, other comforting foods and seasonal flavors began to unexpectedly trend during the early days, including the classic fall favorite pumpkin spice.  

‘We were surprised to see searches for ‘pumpkin spice’ and ‘pumpkin’ start spiking as early as March this year. Given that pumpkin spice is associated with coziness and pleasant Fall activities, it seems that consumers may be seeking extra comfort during an unsettling time,” said Romaniuk.

As we entered spring many Americans became desperate for personal grooming products after going weeks without hair cuts or coloring, manicures. This is when beauty and personal care items began to spike. In particular, nail polish, tanning lotion, and hair care products proved popular amongst those eager for some self-care.

 

With the warmer weather people started leaving their living rooms to set up camp in their backyards. Seasonal items started to trickle into trending search terms. Barbecue-related products like grill fuel, hamburger buns, charcoal, and fresh produce like melons saw a predictable uptick in search.

One unexpected outdoor item caught Instacart by surprise, bird food. Another at-home quarantine trend—searches for bird food increased by as much as 450% in the spring.

Romaniuk said, “In the spring of 2020, homebound nature-lovers turned to Instacart to kickstart their backyard birding habit. Just after the first stay-at-home order in the United States was issued, searches for ‘bird food’ began to climb, vastly outpacing its performance in 2019. With more and more people taking staycations and spending time in their yards as the weather warms, it makes sense that we’ve all taken up birding —an inexpensive, socially distant hobby.”

Romaniuk and the team are now looking at the fastest rising search terms across our digital aisles to predict what products may start to trend in the months ahead. In August they saw classic fall favorites and back-to-school staples like Lunchables, pumpkin spice, pickling/mason jars, spaghetti squash, and shelf-stable gravy tick upwards.  

Additionally, preliminary data shows that consumers are also starting to pay closer attention to their health and sleeping habits this fall. 

Romaniuk said, “‘Melatonin’ was in our top ten fastest growing search terms in early August, leaping up 139 slots in our search rankings in just four weeks. Protein supplements and acai health drinks also appeared on our list. As parents turn their attention back to remote work, at-home schooling, and life inside, I predict we’ll see more products in the dietary and health supplement categories trend this fall.”

Romaniuk will continue to monitor shopping habits through the fall to see what happens as the holiday season draws near.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Maria Lin Kim on Unsplash

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These Creative Mom Inventions Will Change Your Life

by Karly Wood

When it comes to creativity, moms have no shortage of inspiration. From unique wall art and heirloom keepsakes to pretty pet accessories, these women are making home, travel and life in general more beautiful.

Jewelry for All: Super Smalls

Super Smalls

Maria Dueñas Jacobs shares a love for all things sparkly with her three girls. As a former jewelry editor, she understood why her oldest daughter Luna preferred her own jewelry to play with instead of the cheaper, kids version.  When she discovered little existed that coincided with kids' creativity and parents preference on price, she decided to create her own. So she created Super Smalls! All products in the line are for all children and include jewelry, sunglasses and hair accessories that come in amazing packaging.

Online: supersmalls.com

Premium Polishes: Little Lady Products

Little Lady Products

Mom of two Arda Tashdjian left her career in the fashion and cosmetics industries when she welcomed her children into the world. While at home, Tashdjian noticed her daughter’s growing interest in nail polish and jewelry and didn't want her wearing traditional polishes that came packed with chemicals. So, she started Little Lady Products, a lineup of long-lasting, quick-dry colors and “matching” scents made to spark creativity and play. All products are formulated without the seven major toxins and are topped with a wearable pink or blue bow ring. Little Lady Products is now carried in 275 stores and in four product showrooms.

Online: littleladyproducts.com

Sustainable Cleaning: Branch Basics

Brand Basics

Kelly Love, Allison Evans, and Marilee Nelson are three moms committed to making homes safer. The trio has seen first hand how real food and a non-toxic environment plays a roll with chronic health issues and recovery. The created Branch Basics, a passion project to help others live a clean life. Branch Basics best-selling multi-purpose Concentrate makes cleaning simple with a nontoxic formula that is safe for families and can be mixed with water to make a variety of cleaners, including bathroom, all-purpose, hand soap and even laundry soap. Each product is human safe, plant and mineral-based, biodegradable, non-GMO, not tested on animals and free of harmful preservatives.

Online: branchbasics.com

Planning Mamas: Plum Paper

Plum Paper

As a mom of two, Kristina is more than familiar with being able to stay on top of a busy schedule. As a naturally unorganized person, she decided to create a planner that could be customizable for everyone, removing the hard work of planning and resulting in a more productive life. Plum Paper is a mainstay in the planner community, and the company believes that each product should be unique. Made in the USA, Plum Paper offers everything you need to stay on top of life, including planners, notebooks, stickers, stationary and subscription services.

Online: plumpaper.com

Batik Artwork: Art 4 All

Art 4 All

Earning her bachelors in fine art and a masters in art education, Abby Paffrath's love for art is evident. Drawing from the nature and wildlife around her home in Jackson Hole, Paffrath uses her skills in the art of Batik to create truly unique prints and products for her company, Art 4 All. The mom of two produces beanies, hats as well as oil, acrylic and Batik artwork that is full of texture and life.

Online: art4allbyabby.com

Reusable Stickers: reStickity

reStickity via Instagram

Jodi Falk spent over 15 years in a corporate office and managing life as a mom: alongside her oldest daughter battling pediatric cancer, moving her kids into and out of college and transitioning her parents to senior living. After experiencing the challenges of displaying pictures, she set out to produce a product that no one else had managed to do yet. Having always wanted to run her own business, Falk and her daughter created reStickity, fabric photos that don't rip or wrinkle and can be used over and over again. reStickity allow people to "display pictures of the faces, places and pets you love most on any surface regardless of the distance or life situation that separates you." 

Online: restickity.com

Precious Keepsakes: Pokidots!

Emily Keeney Photography

Louma El-Khoury Salloum, a Seattle-based fashion illustrator and author started Pokidots! as a way to display and enjoy meaningful keepsakes made from baby clothes. Rather than leave them in boxes or drawers, Salloum helps families create custom artwork as gratitude pieces for infertility journeys, turns keepsake clothes into works of art and transforms sentimental garments into heirloom pieces.

Online: pokidots.com

Heirloom Quality Blankets: Superstitchous

Superstitchous

The idea to create a luck-themed gift-worthy product came to Samira Khoshnood years ago, but a demanding job in tech left little time or energy to make much progress. In December 2019, while on maternity leave after the birth of her son, she launched Superstitchous. After searching for heirloom quality baby blankets that compliment her decor but unable to find exactly she was looking for, she set out to design a playful yet sophisticated collection of blankets that would be used and loved by people of any age. Superstitchous blankets are illustrated with symbols of good fortune from around the world, based on traditions thousands of years old. All blankets are designed in San Francisco by Samira and made in the USA by a second-generation family-owned mill, from environmentally-friendly upcycled cotton.

Online: superstitchous.com

Wall of Inspiration: My Heart Wall Custom Photo Wallpaper

Kathy Vegh

After finishing her MBA, Kathy Vegh went back home to Cleveland to work at her father’s business—and she helped it grow it from a small family business to a multi-million dollar company. When her daughter was born with a congenital heart defect and had to undergo open heart surgery shortly after birth, Kathy was inspired to start My Heart Wall. Baby O healed and is doing well, but Kathy wanted to create something that offered commemoration and celebration. My Heart Wall creates and sells photo wallpaper while staying true to its mission to help promote support and advocacy for children born with congenital heart defects.

You can customize your wallpaper at their website and learn more about the company at myheartwall.com.

Turning Chaos into Beauty: GoodHangups

Leslie Pierson

Leslie Pierson created something every mom has dreamed of: a product that brings order to the chaos. Her inspiration? The prolific creativity of her artistic 6-year-old son. Like so many moms, she hated the idea of throwing away her son’s masterpieces but was tired of the mess they made on the fridge. So she invented GoodHangups. GoodHangups MagnaStickers can be used on almost any wall surface to hang up unframed items: without a hammer, a nail or a frame! If this product seems familiar, you may have caught Leslie on Shark Tank (where she scored a deal with Lori Greiner).

Online: goodhangups.com

Ride-On Luggage: LIL FLYER

LIL FLYER

As a mother of a 3-year-old who traveled extensively within and outside of the country, Yen Brown realized it was getting more and more difficult as her son got older. Managing a crowded airport was no easy task. She had her "ah ha" moment as she watched parents plant their kids on top of rolling suitcases to navigate the busy airport, and when Amazon didn't have what she needed, she took the task up herself. After a brainstorm session in an airport that involved several napkin sketches, the idea for LIL Flyer was born. "What If we turn it sideways and add wheels to the bottom.  We can add a seat and a safety belt and maybe some grips for our son to hold?"  For almost an entire year Brown and her husband worked with manufacturing parters and traveled the world until her dream became a reality. The result is a ride-on suitcase that is functional, and most importantly gets kids excited for travel.

Online: lilflyer.com

Pretty Pooches: Pink Papyrus

Pink Papyrus

On a routine trip to Costco one day, Christine Abdelmalek noticed a woman walking her dog as she waited at a light. According to Christine, the woman and her dog had, "Very sad and unexciting accessories." In response, she started Pink Papyrus, a pet accessory company focused on colorful, exciting, unique and fun products. Now a mom, Christine and her daughter design together! You can check out Isabella's hand at creativity for the aptly-named Isabella leash and color line.
Online: pinkpapyrus.com

The Working Parent's Bestie: XDesk

NextDesk

Just months after co-founder of XDesk, Jamie Fertsch, left her stable job in wealth management to launch her company, she discovered she was pregnant, with twins. So Jamie called on her support system of family and friends to help her keep her company growing while juggling motherhood. It’s worked! In its second year, XDesk (then NextDesk) experienced an incredible 600% growth in demand for its motorized standing desks! These standing and flexible desks are the perfect fit for work-from-home and communal office spaces. XDesk products are all handcrafted in Austin, Texas by dedicated artisans, too, so you get quality with all that flexibility.

Online: xdesk.com

—Kate Loweth, Amber Guetebier, Erin Lem and Karly Wood

All photos provided by companies 

 

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My 3 Favorite Things to Eat When I’m Stressed

By Chef Gerard Viverito

Raise your hand if you’ve ever eaten something unhealthy because you felt stressed. During my trips to the supermarket, I have been shocked to see so many grocery carts overloaded with junk food. I understand that people are tired and seeking comfort. But tater tots and ice cream won’t help. In the past, I’ve turned to food to bring me solace. But in hindsight, I learned that when you eat poorly, you feel worse so you eat poorly again. After two slices of pie, you might as well eat the whole thing, right? It’s a downward spiral!

Cleaning up your diet may help you feel better physically and emotionally. If that’s still not enough to motivate you, here are my 3 favorite food categories that I reach for whenever I’m stressed. Comfort foods don’t have to be junk. And healthy foods don’t have to be boring (see below for 2 of my favorite recipes that prove just that).

Foods I Reach for When I’m Stressed:

1. Food with Fins. Meat prices are skyrocketing and there’s talk about shortages. Meanwhile, there’s been a spike in seafood consumption. But I still hear from people who are afraid to serve fish at home because they don’t know how to prepare it. Really, it’s easy. Just saute it at high heat until it changes color and flakes easily. Total cooking time would be about 8-9 minutes for thick fillets, and 6-7 minutes for thinner fillets.

  • Make sure to use the right oil. Some oils become carcinogenic at high heat. Malaysian palm oil is ideal for fish because it has a neutral, buttery flavor. Plus it’s heart-healthy, nutritious and certified sustainable.
  • Choose sustainable fish. We’re all attuned to shortages right now. Get into the habit of making responsible choices that help protect our food supplies and our planet. The American seafood industry generally has better sustainability practices than those of other countries.

2. Food from the Soil. There’s no shortage of fruits and vegetables. Because they are rich in fiber, you’ll feel fuller so you’re less likely to want to snack. Consider serving plant-based proteins a few times each week instead of animal proteins. You may know that beans and legumes have a lot of protein. But I’ll bet you didn’t know that there’s also protein in whole grains, broccoli and sweet potatoes. So, challenge yourself to create the most colorful plate of food possible.

  • Make sure you’re always eating a variety of foods. Consider what you ate yesterday, and try not to eat it again today.
  • Opt for fresh or lightly processed. Many over-processed foods, even those sourced from plants, can contain too much sugar and salt. Even if it’s made from plants, you still need to read the labels.

3. Food That’s Fun.

Keep the kids from going stir crazy by getting them into the kitchen. Instead of swinging into another drive-through, teach your kids how to choose and prepare foods on their own that will keep them occupied and sharpen their minds.

  • Plant a garden with kid-approved brain foods such as strawberries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach and broccoli.
  • Encourage them to sample new things. Have your kids research traditional foods and meals in different parts of the world. Then ask them to share what they’ve learned around the dinner table. It’s a wonderful way to take your family on a culinary adventure while you’re all stuck at home. For instance, my kids know that I only cook with palm oil produced in Malaysia because it is certified sustainable; it’s made without harming wildlife or rain forests.
  • Have enough measuring spoons and measuring cups so that each child can use their own. That speeds up meal prep time. Kitchen shears are safer for kids to use than knives.

If you feed your family junk food, your health will pay the price. But you don’t have to be a slave to your stove. Do what I’ve done and try eating just fresh foods for a couple weeks. Pay attention to how eating different foods makes you feel, not just in the moment but also the next day. Then slowly introduce processed or sugary foods back into your diet and see how you feel. Once I cleaned up my diet and realized how great I felt, and how much clearer my thinking was, it became easier to kick my favorite junk foods to the curb, permanently!

Here are 2 of my favorite comfort foods that are healthy to boot:

Chicken “Palm-atta”

Ingredients:

  • 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
  • Sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
  • all-purpose flour, for dredging
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 7 tablespoons Malaysian sustainable Red Palm Fruit Oil
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice, fresh
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
  • 1/3 cup Italian parsley, chopped

Directions:

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
  2. Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 6 tablespoons Malaysian Red Palm Oil.
  3. When butter and oil are hot, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is golden, flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
  4. Remove from the pan and hold in a warm spot.
  5. Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock, and capers. Place on the burner and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan to deglaze for extra flavor.
  6. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
  7. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  8. Move chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1 Tbsp of Palm oil to sauce and whisk to emulsify.
  9.  Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Mashed Root Vegetables with Chevre and Chives

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds celery root (celeriac), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 4 tablespoons Smart Balance Spread, divided
  • 1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup Chevre goat cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup fresh chives, snipped

Directions:

  1. Bring 1-inch of water to a simmer in a large saucepot.
  2. Place celery root, parsnips, and potatoes in a large steamer basket over the water, cover and steam over medium heat for 20 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and continue steaming until the vegetables are fall-apart tender, 20 minutes more. Add more water if necessary.
  4. Drain the cooking liquid through a sieve and return the vegetables to the pan.
  5. Place over low heat and continue to stir for 3-4 minutes to steam dry.
  6. Add 2 tablespoons Smart Balance and mash until chunky-smooth.
  7. Gradually stir in buttermilk, chevre, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  8. Just before serving, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons Smart Balance and chives.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare everything through Step 2 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a double boiler and stir in the remaining butter and chives (Step 3) just before serving.

Check out more of my healthy recipes at ChefGerard.com.

 

 

Chef Gerard Viverito
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Chef Gerard Viverito is Director of Culinary Education for Passionfish, a NGO non-profit organization dedicated to educating people around the globe on the issue of sustainability in the seas. He is also the operator of Saveur Fine Catering, a company focusing on local, sustainable and organic foods.

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Orange-Infused Nutella Whoopie Pies

by rtnatashaartavia

They’re cute, they’re miniature and they are oh-so delicious! Whoopie pies are the perfect-sized dessert for our little sweet tooth. And these orange-infused Nutella whoopie pies will have our little one begging for these homemade goodies again and again. Plus, this dessert makes for a great gift!

Ingredients for Orange-Infused Nutella Whoopie Pies

Cream filling:
1 orange
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 cup caster/ superfine sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup cream cheese

Whoopie pie:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4  cup caster/superfine sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup Nutella
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup skimmed milk
a pinch of salt

Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F

2. Make the cream filling. Finely grate the orange zest and squeeze the juice. Melt the butter in a bain-marie or a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Add the sugar, egg, juice, and zest of the orange. Beat continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Beat in the cheese and chill for 1 hour.

3. Make the whoopie pies. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, Nutella, cocoa powder, and milk. Mix well then add the flour and baking powder mixture.

4. Place 30 small spoonfuls of the mixture on a baking sheet covered with baking parchment. Bake for 10–15 minutes. Remove from the oven, leave to cool on a cooling rack, then sandwich together with the cream filling.

 

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