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Tea Tree & Coconut Oil

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Simple Works

Jess and I are both believers in simplicity in products that we use or put into our bodies. Over the years we have found simple ingredients that we have around the house that also works wonders as products for our bodies. For our first topic on this, we are going to focus on the ways we use tea tree oil and coconut oil.  

Tea Tree Oil

We use this wonderful all natural oil for so much in our homes. Here are some of the ways we like to use it.

  • Dandruff Eliminator – Tea tree oil is a natural alternative for hair care. Not only does it help eliminate dandruff, it gives your hair this great smell. Tea tree oil fights off the fungus that causes dandruff. After taking my hair out of a weave or braids, my scalp is so dry and can have clusters of dandruff.  I like to do a deep scalp massage with tea tree oil.  The oil gives your scalp this tingling refreshing feeling without any harsh chemicals.
  • Hair Growth – This oil helps unclog pores and feeds the root which promotes hair growth. You can simply add the tea tree oil to your shampoo or for a more intense repair, you can add the tea tree oil to one of your favorite oils, massage it into the scalp and hair, let sit for 15mins, then wash. 
  • Hot Oil Treatment – I grew up getting hot oil treatments from my mom. A hot oil treatment is a deep conditioning with warmed oil that you massage all over your scalp and throughout your hair. Tea Tree oil should not be the base oil but an addition. I like to use 3 to 5 tablespoons of Argon oil and add 5 to 7 drops of tea tree oil to the Argon oil. Once the hair is coated, wrap the hair in a towel or put on a shower cap and let it penetrate the hair for 30-45 mins. Rinse your hair and blow dry as usual. You’ll feel an instant difference. 
  • Bath – Tea tree oil can be used for a soothing bath. Whether you have itchy skin or just want to relax, adding a few drops of tea tree oil along with a couple of tablespoons of Olive, Jojoba, or Coconut oil will help soothe you.  
  • Bug Bites – Tea Tree oil helps relieve itching, pain, swelling, and inflammation caused by those pesky bug bites. Once again, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a couple of tablespoons of natural oil and rub onto your bug bite for instant relief.

 Coconut Oil

This is probably our favorite oil! It is so versatile and used for EVERYTHING!!!! Coconut oil is a natural healthy fat and considered a superfood. Basically anytime you need some type of oil for ANYTHING, use coconut oil.  We can’t wait to tell you all the ways we love using this magic oil!  

  • Cooking – Coconut oil is great to use for cooking because you can saute and fry food at a high temperature and it is very healthy for you. Not only can you use it on your pans, you can also use it any time a recipe calls for a type of cooking oil. 
  • Moisturizer – This is my favorite thing to lather myself in after a shower. Coconut oil naturally nourishes your body while preventing wrinkles and gives you a glow that is undeniable. It is my secret facial moisturizer (ssshhhh) and actually absorbs quick and doesn’t leave me feeling too oily. 
  • Popping Popcorn – We both love making fresh popcorn and making it with coconut oil makes it healthier. You can also drizzle it on top before adding your salt. So tasty!
  • Makeup Remover – This is the most gentle and effective makeup remover I have ever used! Gently rub it on in a circular motion and wipe off with a warm towel. 
  • Soothing Oil – This is the perfect oil to use after shaving or a wax. It soothes your skin and doesn’t burn at all. Your cuticles love it too. 

Share!

We would love for you to share the ways you use tea tree oil or coconut oil. Have you found anyways these have changed your life? How about any fails? Either way, we want to hear from you!

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Damn Good Green Beans!

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Healthy Can Be Tasty

Green beans are my absolute fucking favorite. They are versatile, delicious and such a healthy snack! Click here to check out some facts on the benefits of green beans! I eat green beans so often that I have to get creative, so I don’t get bored with them. Playing around with seasonings can make all the difference in your green bean dish. I have one that is my go-to favorite and will be sharing it with you. I hope you try it and enjoy these beans just as much as I do!

Some of my favorite seasonings!

Ingredients:

  • Green Beans (frozen or fresh)
  • Butter ( I use Vegan Earth Balance butter)
  • Light Soy Sauce – 1-2 tablespoons
  • Sriracha- 1-2 tablespoons
  • Minced Garlic – you decide the amount- I love garlic so I use quite a bit
  • Black Pepper
  • Salt, Onion, Parsley seasoning mix ( I get mine from Trader Joes )
  • Everyday Seasoning ( From Trader Joes) But feel free to use whatever you have on hand!
  • Harissa Olive Oil or another spicy infused olive oil like cayenne or chipotle. These are not mandatory but I love infused oils and vinegar and use them DAILY. If you have never tried or invested in them I highly recommend you check them out. They are local in every city. Here’s a site to check out what they have to offer. I can’t live without my oil/vinegar!
If you don’t like too much sauce you can use less and they will come our more like these

Directions:

  • Boil your fresh or frozen green beans for 3-7 minutes depending on which kind you are using.
  • Drain green beans and leave in strainer for a few minutes
  • Put some butter and the minced garlic into the pan and sauté the garlic until toasted
  • Add in the green beans
  • Add in the soy sauce, sriracha and seasonings of your choice
  • If you are using an infused oil feel free to add it in now as well
  • Turn down and let them cook down for about 10-15 minutes. Cooking them slow lets all the flavors use together and the green beans become such a nice consistency
  • Add some more sriracha or seasonings if you feel it needs it otherwise you are done!
I love spice so i tend to get heavy handed and my finished green beans usually come out looking like this!

Easy and Delicious

As you can see, this recipe is straightforward and can be prepared quickly. These green beans can go with a lot of different meals, or they can be eaten alone just as they are! Check out some recipes here to pair these green beans with! You can get as creative as you want with this recipe which is why it is one of my favorites. Some days I might not want so much spice so I can tone it down and they are just as good. I hope you give this recipe a try and fall in love with these damn good green beans!

Damn good green beans paired with vegan mac & cheese and vegan chicken!
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Turmeric Jasmine Rice

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Spice Up Your Life

I love rice and make it constantly.  Therefore, I need to get creative so my taste buds dont get bored. There is nothing worse than bland rice so seasonings are my best friend. I legit have two rows in my pantry that are filled with seasonings, oils, balsamic vinegar, and sauces. I don’t play when it comes to making my food taste fucking amazing.

The Good Stuff

This is one of my favorite batches of rice to make. I will eat it with vegetables, by itself, or with one of my vegan meats. My husband loves this rice and he will ask for it if I go too long without making some. We received a rice cooker as a wedding gift and its changed the rice game in our house. You can make this without a rice cooker so don’t stop reading now if you don’t have one! I hope you enjoy this rice as much as we do!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of Jasmine rice
  • vegetable stock or both ( so much more flavor over water)
  • Vegan butter or traditional
  • Soy sauce
  • Turmeric
  • Basil seasoning
  • Garlic salt or just traditional salt. I prefer the garlic!
Measure out your rice
Pour in equal parts broth
Add your preferred amount of turmeric
Sprinkle in basil, garlic salt & soy sauce as well!
Mix ALL ingredients together before closing the lid and letting it cook!

Directions:

  • Pour in 3 cups of Jasmine rice
  • Pour in equal parts vegetable broth
  • I never really measure my turmeric. Some days its a tablespoon sometimes is less. Just toss some in!
  • Sprinkle some basil in there. Again, I just eyeball this step.
  • Tablespoon of the butter of your choice
  • A squirt or two of soy sauce. I’m a rebel, I dont measure shit I make all the time lol. sorry.
  • Mix all of the ingredients together.
  • Close the lid and let it cook for 60 minutes. If you’re making this on the stove just cover and cook as long as required per the directions of the rice you are using

Yum!

When your rice is done you are ready to eat! Depending on what I am pairing it with I might top it with some sriracha, lemon or lime juice or just leave it as is. Trust me, it is going to be packed with flavor. If you do decide to top it with something else it will just make it taste even yummier then it does all by itself.

What would you add to or subtract from this rice? What is your favorite rice and why? Share with us!

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