ashleybensonfitness

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

DIY Toilet Cleaner

Today we are cleaning our toilets with out any chemicals!

And they will be CLEAN! Are you ready?

Here's what I used:

Here's what I did:

1. Pour 1 cup of Baking Soda into the jar.

2. Then add 1 cup vinegar.

Remember that there will be somewhat of a science experiment during this step. This drew the attention of my 7 year old, who asked, "Can I pour it?"

And then...

However, this was so funny to my son...

and now he was fully invested in my project!

3. Add your essential oil.

4. Shake it up.

5. Pour it in the toilet bowl and scrub.

So about THIS picture...

I was cleaning the outside of the bowl before I let Iver scrub the inside (he actually asked if he could clean it!!!... that's NEVER happened before... ever!) So as I was wiping it down, I had the normal noise and movement that IS my son behind me. But when I turned around, I found Iver using the toilet brush as a light saber fighting off who knows what in the bathroom!!! EEEEEEEK!!! I'm just SO glad it was a bran new brush that had never seen the inside of a toilet yet!

And then I made him pose for a picture :)

And then HE happily cleaned the toilet!

hehehehehe

Well, I hope you have as much fun and adventure that I had when it's time to clean your potty!

HAPPY HEALTHY CLEANING!

* Thank you SWANSONVITAMINS.COM for providing the wonderful, natural products for this blog series!!!

Go check out this great company for your supplies.

They have the best prices I know!!!

Click HERE to get a $5 coupon to Swansons!!!

Go get you a FREE essential oil!

* For more DIY CLEANERS, click HERE.

* Take a look at this eBook:

EASY AROMATHERAPY RECIPES

to get more than 40 natural home remedies and recipes, and over 70 tips!

Want to showcase your product on the blog?

Take a look at our ADVERTISING options!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Read about how Pilates can improve your run HERE!

If you like it then let us know!

Thanks!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Smoothie Shopping List... for all the WOC kids :)

Tonight I had the privilege of sharing healthy fitness and food tips with some energetic k-4th graders at the World Outreach Church summer FITNESS CAMP! My goal was to show them how to get healthy greens and other goodies in their diet in a yummy way. The best way I know how to do this is with smoothies!

So we had a smoothie bar with a lot of good looking food and quite a bit of questionable food - like spinach, kale, and parsley - on the smoothie menu.

I loved the looks on the kids faces as I grabbed handfuls of spinach and kale and dumped them in! WELLLLLLLLLL, I must report that every kids seemed to love their sample and lots of them left Fitness Camp asking their parent to go buy some smoothie foods for their home! WOOOWHOOOO!!!

If you want to make healthy smoothies, I hope this will make it easy for you.
I've put together a

SMOOTHIE SHOPPING LIST!

Have these foods in your kitchen
and you will have a world of variety for your smoothie bar!

FRUITS

bananas

apples

oranges

strawberries

rasberries

blueberries

blackberries

pineapple

mango

papaya

kiwi

dates

*If possible, choose ORGANIC and SEASONAL fruit. If not, consider frozen fruit. Also remember that fruit has a lot of sugar, so go easy and leave room for your green friends I list next!

GREENS

kale

spinach

parsley

cucumber

PROTEIN SOURCE

high quality time-release chocolate protein powder

organic greek plain yogurt

almond butter

oatmeal

LIQUID

water

almond milk (we don't have much dairy around here)

orange juice (if you use juice, don't use much)

coconut milk/water

and yes, coffee and herbal tea

EXTRA GOODIES

coconut oil - click HERE to check out the best coconut oil! If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you!
honey

bee pollen

flax seeds

hemp seeds

spirulina

mint leaves

cinnamon

ginger

agave nectar

stevia

WHY I'M A FAN OF SMOOTHIES:

Blending food takes care of the first step in digestion: chewing! Food breaks down faster in the stomach. It's like a mini-vacation for your digestive system :)
Smoothies offer a chance to "eat" food you usually wouldn't eat. For instance, I dislike Kale... a lot! I've tried it different ways, it's just gross to me. One day I got brave and put a small amount in a smoothie. Surprisingly I didn't hate it! In fact, I kinda liked it. Slowly I began adding more and more kale. Now I'm to the point where I crave it. Yes, I've gone there!
Smoothies offer a chance to sneak food to your kids body that they would NEVER imagine eating! THIS REALLY WORKS! At first my kids had no idea what they were "eating", but by this point, they know I put all sorts of stuff in. Both of my kids like their smoothie different ways, and I adjust them according to their preference.
They are easy.
They are fast.
They are yum.

These are some of my favorite smoothies:

CHOCOLATE COCONUT POST-WORKOUT SMOOTHIE

BERRY GOOD SMOOTHIE

MORNING TEST DAY SMOOTHIE

POST-WORKOUT CHOCOLATE ALMOND SMOOTHIE

SUPER HEALTHY TROPICAL SMOOTHIE

SPINACH BANANA SMOOTHIE

Please share the foods you add to your smoothies!

For My Dad

Dear Dad,

I am so incredibly thankful that YOU are my DAD! I can't imagine who I would be today without your love, guidance, and support in everything I have ever done. You took a sick little girl and changed my, "I can't" into "I CAN!" You were my confidence when I had none and helped me dream when I thought I had to settle.

I thank you for loving Mom the way you do.

I thank you for the way you have cared for our aging family.

I thank you for loving your sons in law and becoming their dad.

I thank you for being the Grandfather you are to your grandkids,

and everyone who you've "adopted" along the way.

I am thankful for your heart, compassion, and drive.

You are an inspiration.

I hate living so far away from you and only wish today that I could give you a big hug.

I love you so much and THANK GOD that He chose me to be your daughter.

You are not allowed to make fun of my hair and clothing on Father's Day people!

Feel bad about that!!!! Lol

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

DIY GLASS/MIRROR CLEANER

photo credit

WHAT YOU NEED

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup water

8 drops of a citrus essential oil -

lemon, orange, grapefruit, or lime

spray bottle

Add all the ingredients to a spray bottle using a funnel. Shake well before using. Spray onto glass or mirror and then wipe with a dry cloth or towel.