The Crunchy Bean

EDITED TO ADD: New look and location! The Crunchy Bean is now located at 1128 Main Street. Just down the road in the shopping center.

A new store for natural families has made its way to Gardendale, Alabama and I am in love. As I am considered a “natural mommy”, I am an avid supporter of having a store so close to me where I can purchase my cloth diapers, soaps, and family cloth!

They have a great stock of cloth diapers and wipes (including “preloved” diapers and inserts for a deep discount) as well as homemade soaps, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.

 

 I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners, Kahla Brown, while shopping; and knowing that the people running the store are sweet makes it even easier to shop at this already great place!

The Info:

1312 Main Street

Gardendale, Al 35071

thecrunchybean@hotmail.com

Tel: 205-470-6655

The Hours:

Sunday-Monday: closed

Tuesday-Friday: 11-6

Friday-Saturday: 11-5

Visit their website here

If you live in or near the North Jefferson area and are a parent or lover of natural care products, I suggest stopping by this store. I guarantee you’ll be back!

ON A SEMI-RELATED NOTE

This will be my last post before I have my little girl, so be looking forward to the next post being from a guest blogger! And then…OBNOXIOUS AMOUNTS OF BABY PICTURES!

Thanks for reading!

Oil Pulling 6 Months Later

I started oil pulling in January 2014. Read more about what oil pulling is here.

My swishing buddy. We apologize for the rawness of this picture. We didn’t have our makeup on yet and I had a mouth full of oil.

 

Here is a 6 month update:

• I no longer feel the need to brush my teeth. I have started only brushing every other day. That’s how well oil pulling cleans your mouth! (Edit: My diet consists of mostly whole, very few processed, foods. I do not recommend skipping the tooth brush if you do not have a whole food diet. If I were doing pulling alone with a typical American diet, the reports from my dentist would not be glowing!)
• My sinuses are no longer my mortal enemy! I wake up able to breathe in the morning!
• I healed my sensitive teeth and gums. I can now eat something sweet without feeling the need to rip my teeth out!
• I once struggled with dry AND oily skin (tell me how that’s possible), and now my skin has balanced out and I no longer peel or have to squeegee!
• I still get those 20 glorious minutes of quiet time in the mornings due to my mouth being full of oil.
• Whiter teeth!
• I just feel better! 6 months of oil pulling hasmade me really feel like my body/bloodstream is being detoxified!
• Bonus: I haven’t had to try this, but it’s been said that it’s a great hangover cure.

I have seen awesome results in just 6 months! Hope you have great success with it!

[The opinions expressed on my blog are based on my own thoughts and experiences. Please keep in mind that I am NOT a Doctor or other health professional so please do your own research before making any changes to your diet or health. You should always do what is right for yourself.]

Sea Salt Brownie Cookies

This is a late night post for me…but I thought if I don’t post this recipe now, I won’t.

I made these cookies last night for my sweet-toothed family. They were such a hit with the little ones that I have no pretty pictures to show for them. A big blogging no-no! Here’s a picture of a really cute baby to make up for it.

I was afraid these cookies wouldn’t be that great since they are made with olive oil instead of butter or vegetable oil, but they were delicious!

They are especially yummy if you’re a dark chocolate fan!

Sea Salt Brownie Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup sugar (I used coconut sugar)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup flour (I used spelt flour)
• 3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp hot water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips are optional

Instructions

• Mix the olive oil and sugar until well combined.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each one.
• Add the cocoa powder, flour, and salt and beat until a dough forms – it should look like a thick brownie batter.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda into the hot water. Add dissolved baking soda and vanilla and beat until well combined.
• If you choose to use chocolate chips, now is the time to stir them in with a spatula.
• Refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Use a cookie scoop to scoop out heaping tablespoons onto the baking sheets and sprinkle with sea salt.
• Bake for 10 minutes, or until edges are set.
• Let cool completely on the baking sheets then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe source: butterlustblog.com