DIY Taco Seasoning Mix - Recipe

  Have you ever tried to make your own taco seasoning mix?  It is so easy!  We love soft tacos in our house and for a long time I would always buy Old el Paso's Taco Seasoning (as this is what I grew up with).  That was until I stumbled upon a DIY recipe (somewhere on Pinterest) for making my own!

  This recipe is quick and contains ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!  I use a mason jar to store the mix, just give it a shake before you use it.

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe by Love and Farkles

Taco Seasoning Mix

1 cup chili powder
1/2 cup onion powder
1/4 cup ground cumin
2 tbsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. paprika
2 tbsp. sea salt

Using a funnel (so you don't spill any!) add all of the ingredients to a mason jar or container.  Shake well. 

I add about 2 tbsp. to my ground turkey taco dishes! But you can add as much or little as you like!  Enjoy!

I Heart Friday - Essential Oils for Healing Product Review, Skin Care Products

  I had heard about essential oils (as there are many people selling them through large companies like YoungLiving and DoTerra) but I had never used them.  I wanted to talk to someone who was certified and knowledgeable with the oils, not just distributing them.  I'm so glad I was put in touch with Veerpal at Essential Oils for Healing.  She is a Certified Aromatherapist and a member of the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy.  As well, she also has over 10 years of experience as a Medical Lab Technologist.

  Now I've been a customer with Essential Oils for Healing for over a year now, just using their essential oils.  I first tried the oils on my daughter who, at age 3, was not sleeping through the night.  I used the Peaceful Child and Lullaby blends on her and she was sleeping all night within a few days!  I was hooked!  I've also bought oils for myself, including some custom blends made for me (motion sickness for when we go boating!)  

  As I am slowly changing over all the products in our home to more natural options, I figured it was finally time to trade in my drug store face wash for something better for me.  I decided to give Veerpal's skin care products a try!  I've been using the products for 2 weeks now and here is my review:

 Aloe & Milk Facial Cleanser:  This product has very little scent (which I prefer) and is very silky and smooth. Easy to apply to your face and makes my skin feel very soft once rinsed off. It does not create any bubbles, it is almost like a cream. I love this and my skin has never felt smoother. The price for 120ml is $20.00 which I think is a great deal. This jar will last you quite awhile. It is less then those department store brands, and you know exactly what goes into this. Ingredients are all natural.  I would rather be putting a natural product on my skin! (no more chemicals in this house!)

 

 Lavender Toner:  This toner is easy to use and smells lovely! I just spray onto a cotton ball and apply to my face. I love that the scent is light and not overpowering. It is a perfect way to remove any excess oil off my face and does not feel like it dries out my skin. The price is $15.00 for 60ml.

Veerpal was awesome and sent me a few samples of the facial creams to try out as well!  The Rose Facial Cream smells light and fresh.  It rubs into my skin very easily without a greasy feeling.  My skin feels soft and moisturized all day.  The Under Eye Cream is also great for my skin (as I'm starting to see wrinkles! Eeep!), perfect to add a little extra moisture and brighten the under eye area.


I would highly recommend these facial products.  I know what is in them, all natural with no chemicals and they are a great value for the price.  I will continue to buy and use them.  And if you haven't tried essential oils, I would definitely send Veerpal a message and she can recommend an oil for you. Whether you need a boost in your energy, help with sleeping at night or another issue, she can help find something that can work for you!  

Links to view ingredients and to purchase products:
Lavender toner
Aloe & Milk Facial Cleanser
Rose Facial Cream
Under Eye Cream

Essential Oils for Healing Facebook page (watch for lots of giveaways!)
And on Instagram!

**This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and I am not paid to promote this business**

I Heart Friday! - Product Review for Jack and Audreys Organic Baby and Beauty Products

 How many natural products do you use in your home? Over the past few months I have slowly started to change over the products we use in our home to more natural and safe alternatives. I've found that beauty products have been my hardest challenge. (I just can't give up my make up....yet!)

Our little garden gnome had to get in the picture!

  When I saw Jack and Audreys Organic Baby and Beauty Products post her shampoo bars the other day I just knew I had to try one! I sent the owner, Sasha a message and explained that I have never used one before and told her the type of hair I had. She explained that using a shampoo bar is super easy, just rub in on like a bar of soap. She also gave me a recipe for a great conditioner rinse to use after (chamomile tea, apple cider vinegar and some essential oil). Sasha also sent some of her Natural Sunscreen to try out too!

  I received the shampoo bar in the mail and let me tell you, it smells great! A nice light fresh scent.  I was worried it would have too strong of a smell as some do (I'm not a fan of patchouli oil!)  So I've been using the shampoo bar for about 2.5 weeks now. My hair feels great, although it did go through a 'detox' at first. And it's safe to use on my daughters hair as well. (List of ingredients at the end of the post) One more product changed over in our home! 

  I'm loving this sunscreen! This can be used every day as a cream under your make-up. It goes on nice and light and rubs in great (doesn't leave that white greasy residue) Always a good idea to wear sunscreen on your face every day, even when the sun is behind the clouds! I would definitely recommend this as it is all natural (no chemicals!) List of ingredients at the end of the post :)

  So if you are looking to add some more natural products to your home, I highly recommend Sasha at Jack and Audreys Organic Baby and Beauty Products. She is so passionate about making her products with all natural and safe ingredients. She has answered all my questions about the ingredients used and always has great advice in how to make my choices more 'natural'. Check out her product list as it is huge! Everything from soaps and creams to bug spray and lip balm! (I've used the honey lip balm as well....it is my FAV!)

  I will be placing more orders with Sasha as I love to support small businesses, especially moms working from home! (her two little kids are super cute!....this is where her business name came from!) Just send her a message on her Facebook page to order (she ships from Chilliwack, BC) or visit her at one of many events she will be attending!

What are your favorite natural products?

SHAMPOO BAR INGREDIENTS: organic coconut milk, organic coconut oil,  neem oil, organic cocoa butter, local beeswax, castor oil, organic olive oil, organic tallow, shea butter, mango butter, jojoba oil, french green clay, lemongrass EO, tea tree EO, lye and distilled water

NATURAL SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS: jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, local beeswax (Chilliwack), non nano zinc oxide, mango butter, organic shea butter, vit E

**This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and I am not paid to promote these businesses**