Be a world changer - End Human Trafficking

I get stuck on that title when I read it...

"Be a world changer."

Prior to November 2016, I was interested in essential oils but couldn't bring myself to pay the price for what companies charged. It may seem silly to be expecting for something all natural and pure, but to not want to pay for that. 

It took a lot of research and digging around until I stumbled upon (much like some of you have done for our blog), Simply Earth.

I'm not only passionate about the natural beauty of the essential oils or what the ingredients are, but this company is set out to change the world.

Literally, their website says: "As a business that supplies products that enhance the beauty of our customers, Simply Earth believes it to be a responsibility to help people like Harriet who have been victimized and whose beauty has been abused."

The story of Harriet is quite striking and paints an awful picture.

 "Harriet* ran away from home when she was 11 years old and moved in with a 35-year-old man who sexually and physically abused her.  He convinced her to become a prostitute, leading to drug addiction..."

I get so sad and discouraged that things like this are happening and do happen every single day. I'm passionate about what Simply Earth stands for and what they do for organizations fighting to end human trafficking. The sacrifices that these organizations make to ensure the safety of those who survive human trafficking as well as keeping up the fight to rescue those who have been taken into sex trafficking.

Now that the realness is out there, you can read up on what organizations Simply Earth helps here.

Let's get into what essential oils Simply Earth has to offer!

While looking into essential oils, I found it hard to pick which oils to try and to purchase at that time. It seemed like a lot of money (to me), to fork out and not LOVE the oil. When I found Simply Earth and their subscription box, I was floored at what I could get in the box and what I could DO with the contents. I am absolutely amazed at what I get for the cost. I received a free diffuser with my first monthly subscription. I have downloaded their e-book which is essential oils for beginners. You can grab that here. **I suggest flipping through that if you are looking to use essential oils. It has GREAT details inside for you to learn about each oil and the use!**

I have created a YouTube video capturing all of the goods that I have and the August box that was delivered to my mailbox yesterday! I was so excited to get this box as it contained my ambassador cards with my coupon codes!

Subscription Box Unveiling: August

I know everyone knows lavender essential oil for relaxation. But do you know 'Tranquility?'

I bet you don't!

A great addition to your essential oil bag, box, or wherever you'd like to store your oils! (Make sure it's dark where you store them!) As you can see on the upper right, the website gives you clear description and ingredients for the oil you are purchasing.

Get in touch with me about how we can make your home natural, chemical free, and smelling amazing!

❤ Matthew & Melissa

Grab Your Subscription Box Here!

Insta: arcticfox.blueheeler

Google+ Community: Essentially Simple


How about a dessert recipe today! 

Ingredients

• butter and flour, for greasing the pan

Cake:

• 1 + ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2 + ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 + ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
• confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Butter and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or line with parchment and lightly grease with non-stick baking spray.

Make the Cake:

1. In a medium bowl sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl whisk the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla together until well combined.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and gently fold in with a spatula or wooden spoon.
4. Scrape the batter into the greased pan and spread evenly from corner to corner - it will be a very thin layer.

Make the Topping:

1. In a medium bowl whisk the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon together. Pour the melted butter over it and toss together with a spoon until well combined.
2. Use your hand to sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the top of the batter breaking the mixture apart into big crumbs.
3. Bake 10 minutes and rotate the pan. Bake 10 - 12 minutes longer or until a toothpick comes out clean from center.
4. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
5. Dust the top generously with confectioners' sugar and use a serrated knife to cut into squares or rectangles.
6. Store tightly covered in a cool, dry place up to 4 days.

Mmmmm... 

'To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.' -Audrey Hepburn

 We are having a bit of a problem with garden pests.

Last year, our main problem was the chickens getting at the ripened crop and destroying them before we could harvest. It was frustrating, to say the least. We have managed to control the chickens, but now we are having a few other pests bothering our crop.

I first noticed the problem with my roma tomato plant. Look at the skeleton that is this branch! Ugh. So annoying to go out and see bare branches and holy fruit. There are traces of what is causing this lying on the leaves below...

These little turds, really, are from a very camouflaged caterpillar. The horn worm, tomato worm, whatever you want to call it... is eating my tomato plants all up!

Vile bugger it is. I've actually found a few LARGER than this one yesterday, if you can believe it. See the horn at the bottom of the worm? Disgusting. These guys are destructive mostly at dawn and dusk as they don't care for the heat of the day. The best way to identify if and where a worm is at, I've found following the destruction and the poo. 😒

I have also found a great way to get these pests off my plants. If I can, I snap the branch off and give it to my oh-so-willing chickens!

It totally sounds like free food to me and I hate squishing things since some of these, as you can see, are quite large! It's rather disgusting and I really spend most of the day searching these plants over now that I know I have a problem.

As these horn worms grow, they get a cocoon and turn into this hellion. A Five-Spotted Hawk Moth. Look familiar? I bet it does. These guys are pretty large and are numerous around North America.

One thing that has actually helped keep most bugs at bay is the Diatomacious Earth. The areas that have the dust on it seem to be less affected by the worms than others. 

Another issue we are having involves our brussel sprout plants. They look like skeletons! 

In the middle of the row, there's a whole plant that looks like this! It's absurd.

 Here's our culprit. Cabbage worms.

Not necessarily limited to cabbage plants themselves, these worms love brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and the like. As you can see, these guys are hanging out on the BACKSIDE of the leaves. The front of these leaves have the Diatomacious Earth on them so they are a little more covered on the back. 

(This leaf was given to the chickens as well.)

Going back to the horn worms... I wanted to say there are a species of bug that are actually helping get rid of these worms. The Braconid wasp can be a threat to tomato worms. The wasp will hunt out tomato worms and lay its eggs inside the worm. As the larvae age, they feed on the tomato worm. It is really gross and kind of brutal but if you could see what destruction the worms leave, I'm cool with it. 

Here's a picture because it's gross...

Enough of the pests. I'll leave you with a kinder image 👇

He's just so handsome 😍

Until next time friends... I bid you adieu with this recipe. Enjoy!

❤ Matthew & Melissa

Insta: arcticfox.blueheeler

Essential Oils: Simply Earth

Google+ Community: Essentially Simple

LOADED BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
Serves 3-4

4 russet potatoes, cubed
4 chicken breasts, uncooked and cubed
1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 and 1/2 cups cheddar
4 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons butter, sliced
Salt & pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place potatoes in a 9x13 baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Stir to coat potatoes. Mix in bacon, raw chicken, and cheddar.
3. Lay butter slices over casserole. Season with salt & pepper.
4. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes.
5. Top with green onion.