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Pure Potluck Party : The Berry Party

 

Hello friends! TGIF! And to celebrate, we have another exciting Pure Potluck Party for you!

Welcome to The Berry Party!

Tis the season, my favourite season for fresh beautiful bountiful berries! What are your favourite ways to savour these juicy delicious fruits?

I like to put out a bowl of just simple berries with mint leaves on top to dig into with you hands, but I also like to put them in smoothies, and all kinds of desserts, like vegan cheesecakes, pancakes, shortcakes and maybe pie? I still have a berry pie to make on the agenda. Maybe this weekend?

Please share your favourite recipes with berries! I can’t wait for all the inspirations and deliciousness that you all will bring.

Thank you all for coming to the Party.

Linking up? As a reminder, we’re focusing on mostly VEGAN and GLUTEN-FREE recipes, some exceptions are allowed for ancient grains such as spelt or kamut, or honey. No artificial or processed ingredients and no refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, ingredients etc. We’re striving for healthy and “pure” recipes! Please add a backlink if you can to the recipe post you’re submitting.

Your recipes don’t have to be new, we welcome any recipe that fits the bill dusted off your archives – I don’t think recipes ever age, do they?
Don’t have a “berry” recipe? How about you link to the Spring Potluck Party, it’s still on at the same time. Thanks for coming!

Share a recipe! Join the party!

DON’T FORGET TO SPREAD THE EXCITEMENT by clicking the “Like” button on top or sharing on Facebook or Twitter etc. where you’re at!

Speaking of Berries? Are you familiar with The Berry? One of my favourite places to hang out and have fun and be inspired.

Wishing you all a great weekend! I’m off to bake a pie! ;)




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Why I’m totally against bottled water!

There’s no doubt that water is an amazing life source!

It is the fountain of youth, health improving, great for digestion, curbs cravings, improves mood, promotes healthy weight loss, improves metabolism, relieves headaches and stress – it is basically a pure life giving gift that mother nature has for us. And it’s free. Actually it’s neither pure or free – that’s why I’m totally against bottled water!

1. Bottled water is big business.

Companies are quick to jump on board with what people want. They have whole departments, marketing strategists and advertising agencies to tell you what you want. And you are now made to believe you want bottled water. It’s just good business for them – NOT for you.

2. A bottle of water is $2!

Asses the product yourself and do the math. Bottled water is usually tap water that’s filtered, packaged in toxic plastic, shipped across the continent so you can pay $2 for… what? A bottle of water drives a false economy – it strips people of their hard earned money, only to get something so simple they can get in their own tap*.

3. Is bottled water even healthier?

From production to store shelves to your hands. That water’s been seeping in toxic chemicals from day one.

We’re talking arsenic, cancer-causing synthetic compounds, bacteria, microbial contaminations, fluoride, industrial chemicals, nitrates and so much more (reference and more details on these studies at the very bottom of this post).

I’ve heard advice to make sure people buy cold water from the fridge as the plastic bottle chemicals react to heat more and that way you’re safer. Do you know where this water’s been before a store clerk placed it in the fridge? It can sit for weeks in containers before it’s cleared in customs, shipped in trucks and ocean freight ships.  Where it’s blasted with the sun’s rays for days on end.

All that production and shipping also causes great pollution to our air and overall environment. Bottom line it’s not healthier at all. (than tap water*)

*please check with your city’s tap water regulations to ensure safety and the solution for the best water isn’t tap water also – see point #5

4. Takes 4.5 minutes to drink, 450 years to break down in the earth!

It’s the worst piece of garbage on the planet! On our beautiful only-one planet we have! Did you know it takes 450 years for a plastic water bottle to break down in the environment? And while it’s doing that, slowly all the toxic chemicals in the plastic leeching into our environment polluting our fresh water and earth.

Oh, but you recycle. My apologies, but are you not aware of the toxic storm and wasted electricity created from cleaning and melting all that plastic and to finally recreate more of the same problem. It all goes right back to the air we breathe and pollute our planet, animals and people.

5. So what water should I drink?

SOLUTIONS FOR THE BEST DRINKING WATER:

Water is extremely important to your health and wellbeing so you should never panic and forgo the clean refreshing glass of H20.

There are a few quality alternatives to a bottled water bottle. Buy a stainless steel thermos or use a glass reusable bottle and refill with these two healthy water options!

#1. RO System aka The Reverse Osmosis System, water filtering system is the best option to have attached by your kitchen faucet. It’s a long-term investment to your family’s health.

#2. Only if option #1 is not available, although highly encouraged, you’re better off boiling tap water, letting it cool down and fill up your reusable non-plastic water bottle and away you go. Boiling will kill off the bacteria that could linger in tap water, although it still won’t remove the flouride or other contaminants that could be in your water. But with the list below, neither does bottled water. Which is why the RO System is the best.

When we did our kitchen renovation and our RO System was down, we boiled water when going to bed and it by morning it was nice and cool to drink throughout the day. We poured it into a nice water jug and it lasted for a few hours.

Here are some awesome infographics that creatively tell you why you should also be against bottled water!

 

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pure happiness : the beach, sushi and us

Pure Happiness is…

a mini getaway to the Beach
so beautiful but cold
way to cold to sit by the lake with the winds gusting and us not really dressed for the chill
but rather a summer day
which it was not

do you try to skip a whole season with what you wear too?

but when we went up the street it was so much better
with the heat of the sun warming us
and big trees and buildings shielding the wind

we love this part of the city
we always pick the house we want to buy right by the lake
oh, you know in case we ever have a few million bucks in our pocket
so, we’re ready, just in case

it’s kind of just fun and silly to keep daydreaming like that
we dream up this life of living by the beach
like teenagers, like we used to do
16 years and nothing’s changed
only our love grew into a family

we grabbed sushi at our favourite place,
always ‘to go’
and found our table waiting for us in the park
always the same spot, on purpose

we found that our little one likes and embraces repetition
so positively that we just go with the same

you know the cool feeling about a déjà vu moment
well, we create it on purpose
and say things like “remember last time when we were here….”

there’s just something about old familiar places
that although time travels in light speed
this moment feels like it got stuck
and we can savour it and treasure it longer

there were also fireworks,
long conversations
tickles and giggles
and waffles -

yes, we officially switched from pancakes to waffles. ;)

♥ Pure Ella

Please join the fun…What’s making you happy right now?

 

ps. speaking of happiness ~ remember these lovely little gluten free and vegan donuts/ doughnuts I made a while ago? Well, they could use your help in the So Delicious Recipe Contest. Please click on this link, and click LIKE next to the Coconut Vanilla Donuts. You can repin too, but only likes are counted. Thanks SO much!

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Pure Beauty : firming and softening DIY body scrub

Are you itching for beautiful glowing skin after the longest winter? You are going to love this simple Firming and Softening DIY Body Scrub ~ it’s my go-to therapy for rough dry skin. It feels great and even smells great – and it works!

For years now, I’ve been sneaking kitchen ingredients into the bathroom all the time. It’s true and drives my husband insane sometimes (sorry hun – but it’s worth it ;). These ingredients especially are my favourite because I love to reuse things, leave no waste and keep it all natural and pure.

Here is the recipe for this beautifying two-ingredient, all-natural, firming, vegan body scrub.

Firming + Softening DIY Body Scrub:

  • 1/4 cup coffee grinds from coffee maker or french press
  • 1/2 – 1 cup coconut oil

.

Directions: Strain the coffee grinds fairly well, (but they don’t need to be dry) and place into a recycled jar. Melt the coconut oil and pour over the coffee grinds, stir with a spoon and put aside to set. You can refrigerate or just leave at room temperature to set. The grinds will settle near the bottom, if a mixed consistency is desired (like mine in the photos) (really not required though) just mix it a few times as it’s setting. You can also use it even before it’s set as long as it’s not hot.

How to use:

Use in the shower, to scrub all over your body paying close attention to rough skin on the elbows and feet. Also, apply to areas that are prone to develop cellulite and need a little firming action, like the belly, thighs and bum.

Scrub hard in circular motion with your hands, in the direction towards your heart. Do this for a few minutes then rinse with cold/ or cooler temperature water. Pat dry with a towel. (this is not recommended for the face as it may be too rough, you still may, but just be very gentle with the scrubbing and do it only once or twice a week).

For an intense treatment : apply the scrub daily for two weeks, then continue once or twice a week to maintain your natural glow.

Note: please keep in mind that the coconut oil in this scrub will be naturally oily and it may be slippery in the shower or bath to use. Use caution and stand on an old towel or paper towels if you don’t want to risk falling.

Why it works and why it’s naturally firming:

Coffee has been used for centuries as a natural cellulite fighting and skin firming ingredient. Almost all firming lotions out there have coffee extract as one of the ingredients + a whole load of other bad ingredients; toxic stuff like parabens, unsafe dyes and scents that you wouldn’t want to be near let alone put on your skin.

Caffeine enhances fat metabolism and when it’s applied topically, coffee absorbs and removes liquid fat from your skin, which can decrease the appearance of cellulite. Of course, other factors help reduce the appearance of cellulite too, such as a regular workout regime and a clean healthy diet*. (*diet, as in healthy eating lifestyle not dieting – I never promote dieting).

Why it works and why it’s naturally softening:

Coconut oil is a fantastic natural moisturizing lotion. It is anti-aging, is an acne fighter, non-comodogenic and will not clog your pores. Together, the coconut oil and coffee grinds are an amazing all-natural firming and skin softening therapy at home mask.

 

I love this scrub so much! It stripped off all that dry skin I had from the cold days and now my skin looks and feels soft and beautiful to the touch.

And packaged so cute, I no longer take the french press on tub of coconut oil to the bathroom with me. Not like I ever did that ~ wink!

I hope you like this Pure Beauty recipe, do you have any natural diy beauty tricks and tips, please share ;)

I have tons more, so I’m excited to share more pure body care tips, products and information and gently help you move away from all these toxins and parabens used in most body care products.

 

 

 

 

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Pure Potluck Party : Spring

Hello my friends! It’s been a while since the last Potluck Party… Oh dear how I’ve missed the fun and happiness and the great food and great friends that come and visit.

What can I say, I needed the break. The last few months have been so busy with work and life that I just couldn’t pull myself to throw a party. There were either deadlines, or someone was sick or things got in the way. I think a little break helped me realize how I missed everyone and how I missed these lovely get togethers and seeing all this great food was pure joy!

So, please accept my apology for my 1 month absence, and let’s resume the fun! Shall we?

As a reminder, we’re focusing on mostly VEGAN and GLUTEN-FREE recipes, some exceptions are allowed for ancient grains such as spelt or kamut, or honey. No artificial or processed ingredients and no refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, ingredients etc. We’re striving for healthy and “pure” recipes!

This week also is Allergy Awareness Week. Which is just perfect because all the recipes here cater to allergen sensitive people.

I am very respectful of the special diets out there and do offer support and understanding when it comes to food allergies. My approach to food however is very positive, I do not dwell on what you can’t have, I enjoy all* good food to the fullest ~ there really is nothing missing! ;) (*allowed)

THANK YOU! DON’T FORGET TO SPREAD THE EXCITEMENT!

ps. If you are linking up, don’t forget to spread the word where your fantastic recipe has been shared!  Simply, click ‘like’ at the bottom of the post to tell your friends where your recipe has been! Everyone is invited… so if you have friends who you think might like to join the Party, please let them know.

 

I’m sure you have noticed, that I recently changed the name of my blog from Lifeologia to Pure Ella ~ this was a big decision that I’m very happy with. My life, especially in the last 5 years has really been all about pure living. From cooking to everyday products I use at home for cleaning to pampering are natural, chemically free. So, I think the name Pure Ella suits me so well that I love to share more tips and recipes on a journey of pure living.




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