charcoal for whitening

October 20, 2015

I feel like charcoal is the new coconut oil and I want to know who out there is using it? More specifically for whitening their teeth?

Here is what I’ve gathered so far in my reading of charcoal. It contains millions of tiny pores that can absorb things like chemicals, poisons and even gas from our bodies. It then safely removes them. Awesome right? I’ve also read that many hospitals keep activated charcoal on hand for it’s super absorbing of poison power.

Now before you go popping charcoal supplements do know it is advised to take 4 hours from eating or medications as it can absorb the good stuff too. Also, consult a physician before taking any supplements to ensure your personal health safety.

Time to talk teeth. Since charcoal can absorb things like poison you better believe it absorbs stains, toxins and bacteria from our teeth and mouth. Some oil pullers out there are also sprinkling a little charcoal dust into their oil to enhance toxin removing capabilities. (Coconut meets charcoal and fights crime in our mouth basically.)

How does this charcoal teeth whitening thing work exactly? In a nutshell you wet your brush, dip it in the black powder and brush for 2 minutes. It’s a pretty gruesome act. You may want to keep the kids away as to not scare them with your zombie teeth. Many claim that after a few days of doing this before bed (you brush with your regular toothpaste in morning) they have not only fresher breath but whiter teeth as well.

I love the idea of using something natural to whiten teeth. To be frank all those whitening chemicals freak me out. Thanks to amazon I made the charcoal plunge and have been charcoaling my teeth for a few days now. While I have not noticed an extreme difference in color, I have noticed much fresher breath.. which is a much more pleasant way to wake up in the morning.

Here are some charcoal options out there for you (Colgate even makes toothbrushes!):

charcoal whitening

1Smart Ash tooth & gum powder/2My Magic Mud whitening tooth powder/3All Natural Activated CHARCOAL tooth & gum powder/4Colgate slim soft charcoal toothbrushes

I will update this post after I have used the powder a few weeks longer. I am hopeful and so far pretty in love with this black stuff.

If you are using charcoal in any form please share! I would love to hear more about your experience!

xo,

brandyjsig

 

 

 

*As always, consult a doctor before ingesting any supplements, even if they are natural.*

Posted in beauty, product love | Tagged | Leave a comment

halloween ease

October 19, 2015

T-minus 12 sleeps until Halloween! Yes, I love this October date maybe a little more than the average Joe but I can’t help it.. any event that involves a costume is typically my kind of event.

If you are more of a “meh…” person when it comes to Halloween (party pooper…) might I suggest dipping your toe in just a bit? By wearing one festive thing or going incredibly easy in the costume department may make this fabulous holiday more manageable for you. (That’s right, this is a fabulous holiday.) Here are a few options to bring out the festive Halloweener I know is somewhere deep down inside:

Halloween 20151Forever 21 aunt t-shirt/2Forever 21 cat ear headband/3H&M butterfly dress/4H&M bat bow tie/5Charlotte Russe flapper dress/6Modcloth skull dress

Whether elaborate or only wearing pumpkin socks I wanna see your Halloween! Please tag #PPJHalloween, my favorites will be posted on November 2nd!

xo,

brandyjsig

Posted in costumes, halloween, holidays | Tagged | Leave a comment

these six

October 16, 2015

These Six1I’ve got Mickety on the brain bad lately and these socks simply had to find their way into Sticky’s sock bin./2who knew some funky yarn, a few popsicle sticks, some sparkly teeth and a couple of eyeballs would make such a cute monster. Jettie is in love with her and still deciphering a name./3My favorite fall beer. Not too heavy yet just full enough to feel like the season./4“MAGNIFICENT (That means you are grand from your toes to your chin. Take a deep breath and let that sink in.)” Reading those words to my babies gives me a satisfaction I never knew. “The Crown on Your Head” by Nancy Tillman is one of our regular favorites. A highly suggested read for your library./5soup is officially on rotation in our home and this vegetarian chili makes an appearance almost weekly. Satisfying and yummy!/6if you happen to see me ugly crying in my car.. rest assured it’s just Meghan Trainor and John Legend singing their hit song and making me bawl. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” sums up what unconditional love feels like and good grief I can barely take listening to it. Losing someone you love deeply is a hurt like no other.. yet loving someone in a pure, genuine, with everything you’ve got kind of way allows a sort of beauty in your life that not even your wildest imagination could dream up. I can’t think of anything better than that. (And now I need to go hug my man and kids…)

xo,

brandyjsig

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

diy mary lou retton costume

October 15, 2015

DIY Mary Lou Retton Costume

Okay, I am well aware that there are many of you out there going “Mary Lou Who??!!” But…if your kid goes trick or treating in this ensemble I can promise you that many of the other, ahem, “older”.. parents will know exactly who this is. And who she is a famous gymnast that every girl wanted to be in the 80s.

1984 was the year, Los Angeles was the setting. Mary Lou stole America’s heart when she wore her iconic flag leotard and nabbed the gold medal in the individual all-around gymnastics. She later became the first female athlete to adorn a Wheaties box. Basically, she was 4’9″ of awesomeness.

And that leotard was darn fun to recreate:

DIY Mary Lou Retton CostumeIf you have an avid gymnastics fan or are interested in throwing it back 80’s sports star style this is the costume for you. And just because my version is on a 4 year doesn’t mean you can’t rock this as an adult!

What you will need:

  • white leotard
  • blue painters tape (wide width)
  • red tape (desireed width – mine was close to 2″
  • white duct tape (2″)
  • red, white, blue ribbon
  • sparkly gold foam paper
  • short brown wig (optional)
  • tools: exacto knife, hot glue and glue gun, scissors

This is a super simple costume. Basically, take your tape and replicate Mary’s leotard pattern. Making the stars out of the white tape. Construct the medal by cutting 2 circles out of foam paper and attaching to ribbon with hot glue. Finish with wig and tights/sneakers (if cold and for walking). Your lil’ Mary Lou is ready to compete!

DIY Mary Lou Retton CostumeIf you can find painters tape over duct tape for red I highly suggest. The red duct didn’t stay on the leotard fabric extremely well, especially her arm. It could be reinforced with clear tape if you cannot find red painters tape.

Can we talk about the wig? Sorry Mary, it was as close as I could come. Shocked Jettie was willing to wear it. Makes a momma happy that she loves costumes so much!

DIY Mary Lou Retton CostumeStay tuned for Bing as an 80s sports icon…you’re not gonna want to miss it!

Don’t forget to tag #PPJHalloween when you post you or your loved ones in their fabulous costumes! I’m extremely excited to see them all!

xo,

brandyjsig

Posted in costumes, halloween, holidays | Tagged | Leave a comment

pumpkin chocolate chip bread

October 14, 2015

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip BreadI get so much satisfaction out of baking something yummy while Jettie is at school. Love the idea of her being welcomed by a house full of good smells. There’s just something about cinnamon and the way it gives your soul a hug…it let’s you know that you are home.

This bread is full of the hug giving cinnamon..and pumpkin…and chocolate. Jettie wanted to know if it was like Starbucks pumpkin bread. I told her this one has chocolate chips and she said “Oh, so it’s better.” That’s my girl.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Pumpkin Chocolate Chip BreadThe best part about a bread like this is the ease. Mix dry ingredients together, then the wet, combine the 2 and you’re done! No mixer, no special equipment of any kind. Just a couple of bowls, a whisk and a spatula. Love it.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

If you believe the very best things come to those who wait then you are going to enjoy this bread immensely. It’s good the first day, it really is. But that first day is NOTHING compared to day 2. I don’t know what pumpkin does inside of bread over 24 hours but I do know it has a beautiful, intense flavor if you are willing to put in the wait. Of course a 4 year old is not going to wait, and that’s okay. (I didn’t either.)

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

 

pumpkin chocolate chip bread
 
Print
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
  • 1¾cup all purpose flour
  • 1tsp baking soda
  • 2tsp cinnamon
  • ¼tsp ground cloves
  • ¼tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¾tsp kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾cup sugar
  • ½cup brown sugar
  • 1½cup pumpkin puree
  • ½tsp vanilla
  • ½cup melted coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • ¼cup apple cider (or orange juice)
  • ⅔cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet if dark is not your thing)
Instructions
  1. Move rack to bottom ⅓ of oven and preheat 350ºF. Grease a 9X5 loaf pan.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl whisk eggs and sugars together. Add pumpkin, vanilla, oil and cider - stir wet ingredients until combined.
  3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Start checking for a toothpick to come out clean (can have a few crumbs) at around 50 minutes. Allow to cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Tastes great day of but really, really, really good 2 days after baked. Keep in airtight container for up to a week.

 recipe very slightly adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment