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We live about 45 minutes from Cologne and decided to just go. It was a beautiful day and the drive was pleasant. We got there at about 3:30 and parked in the structure under the church. The steps going up lead us right to it.
panorama done with iPhone app “360″
We decided to climb to the Belfry. You see this shit? I worked out today.
All of us made it all the way to the top and then back down. My legs are going to feel it in the morning for sure. So after that, we decided we were hungry and went in search of a restaurant. On our way to one we saw a few interesting things. I’m sure the guys are performing some kind of illusion. Schmuck Christ made us chortle. And of course, my husband says out loud, “Let’s check out the fountain that looks like a giant penis.” Yes. Lets. The water that came out of it was brown …
All the stores were closed (it is Sunday) but the restaurants are open until about 7:00PM. There were many street vendors and artists about. We wanted to have the kids sit for an amazing portraiture artist, but there were a few people in front of us and we said, “Eff that, we’ll come back another day.”
Eventually, we settled on a Mexican Italian restaurant. After a week straight of watching “Kitchen Nightmares”, I wished I could call Gordon Ramsey on this place. They even effed up a simple taco order. It was like mushed shite on a plate. DO NOT EAT MEXICAN FOOD IN EUROPE. It is just not done right. Not that I liked Mexican food to begin with, but I didn’t want to spend $22 for a filet mignon. I’m pretty sure I’ll have diarrhea from Maggiano’s.
At Maggiano’s
To get the crap taco taste out of our mouths, we got some ice cream and walked around. Got lost and some how ended up really far from where we started. We took some random streets to the view of the church, passed a homeless man camped out in a store front alcove, screaming in German at people as they walked by. It was very theatrical, and kind of scary. I became cranky because I couldn’t understand how we ended up where we were. All I wanted was some bubble tea. By the time we returned, the bubble tea people were closed. I wanted to smack the Italian guy behind the counter who had the nerve to tell me “no bubble tea.” Grr. So we hoofed it back to the parking garage and drove home.
So that’s it. Our trip to Cologne.
That’s right. Home made armpit odor eliminator. AND it WORKS. I have to admit I was skeptical. I usually go into a lot of things with skepticism because I don’t want my hopes up. But even after a hard core workout, I my pits smell like coconut oil. If you don’t like the smell of coconut oil, you can use essential oils to cover it up. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties which I feel is effective in keeping the pits fresh and clean 
Recipe:
- 1/3 cup Bob’s Red Mill Arrowroot Powder
- 1/3 cup Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda
- 6 tbsp Virgin Coconut Oil (Organic Expeller Pressed)
- 8 tbsp beeswax (***you don’t have to use beeswax if you don’t want to or are allergic. This deodorant works fine without it, but you will have to keep it in a glass jar as the coconut oil will melt in temps under 74 degrees fahrenheit)
- Few drops of your choice of essential oils (optional)
Heat all ingredients over a double boiler (I used a pot and a glass bowl) and stir until melted and well blended. Remove from heat and let cool until it begins to stiffen (if your container does not have holes in the bottom, you can pour it directly in), then scoop into clean, empty sticks.
Makes 3 of these sticks (They are emptied and washed Nature’s Gate deodorant sticks) Or you can buy empty containers. I will be ordering some of these from amazon to use as lotion sticks as well as deodorant sticks:
My son has eczema. It seems to be flaring up a lot more now that it’s allergy season. I wanted to make him something that he could take to school and wouldn’t be messy to apply to his face. He has a small spot near his mouth that needs to be consistently moisturized. So I decided to make some lip balm for him and the family. I purchased these empty containers from Amazon (of course!).
I have a stock of organic, fair trade butters and oils for use in making deodorants and lotions already, so I used what I had on hand.
Recipe:
- 2 Tbsp Beeswax (I recommend buying this in bead form, easier to measure and melt)
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 Tbsp Shea Butter
- 1 Tbsp Cocoa Butter
Melt all ingredients in a double boiler (or a pyrex measuring cup or bowl in a pot of water). Once incorporated, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before using a dropper or a small spoon to drop into the tubes. This recipe fills 12 with a little left over. The mixture will sink as it cools so be sure to top it off before letting it harden completely and cap.
There are 11 pictured here, my son has taken one of his tubes to school. You can decorate them if you like. I used wrapping paper and some packing tape and wrote the kids’ names on the backs of the labels as well.
This mixture has kept my lips soft for hours. I put it on before bed last night and woke up with still moisturized lips! Let me know what you think if you make it as well. For added sun protection, add a bit of avocado butter.
One thing you’re going to find out about me in this blog adventure is that I’m a woman of few words. I find it boring and tedious reading long winded blogs. So I will try to just get to the point as fast as I can. It could change though as I get the hang of this … ANY WAY. To the point!
In my quest to not only do better for my family, I am also trying to do better for our environment as it in turn, affects my family and everyone else on the planet.
One of the things I have changed in my home after trying and tiring of the ‘no poo’ method, was find a clean and organic shampoo and conditioner. This is what my family uses:
On the bottle:
They are organic and fair trade certified. Also from their website:
And the icing on all that cake, my kids and I have fabulous looking and smelling hair. I haven’t tried their lines of lotions or face products yet as I make my own at the moment, but have plans to test them out. What are your favorite hair products that leave little damage to humans and our environment?
Well. I guess I’ll start like everyone else starts:
Hi! I’m Anya. I am a stay at home mom to 3 kids (pictured in my header). They are my reason to do what I do. To be healthy.
Before this revelation I lived life oblivious to the health risks I was taking for my self and my family. It wasn’t until my son was born with several health issues that I began to question the reason behind it. He was sick often, diagnosed with anemia once, hypothyroidism, pneumonia twice, and a few bronchial infections all before the age of 2. He also had issues with eating which landed him in the hospital for 3 days due to low blood sugar levels. He was also allergic to milk, egg whites, and dog proteins (hair, dander, saliva, blood).
One day, at a doctor appointment (we’d had many) I was given his prescription list. It was two pages long. I thought to myself, “My god, this CAN’T be good for him. I have to find a way to make this list near to completely empty.”
SO I sat down and did research. I still research every day, learning about health benefits of good, organic, natural foods is an ongoing study for me. With what I learned, I completely changed my family’s diet. Within 6 months of his last blood draw and a final diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism, his new blood draw pulled up no trace of hypothyroidism. In fact, his levels were PERFECT. His eczema has improved and aside from the occasional sniffle, he (and my daughters) are rarely sick any more. His medication list is 0 pages. SUCCESS
He eats organic eggs with whites included, organic milk, and we adopted a dog to help him become naturally immune to that allergy. Everything we have done has worked and life is so much better for him now.
So I decided I wanted to share what I’ve learned and am still learning with others who want ways to improve the health and well being of their family.
Along with good nutrition, we exercise. Exercise keeps us fit and healthy as well. If you’re interested in how I stay fit, just ask and I will be happy to answer your questions!
3 Comments
Amazing photos Anya. Glad to see you shooting again. Loved the post!
at least the ascent of the tower was in english and you weren’t confused into thinking you were getting ice cream cones instead of 533 stairs to climb.
what were those guys doing (the street performers)? Did will want to join their circus?