I’m not a big fan of mayo heavy salads. I used to love loading my plate up with a variety of these, but now I prefer something lighter. (Not that I have anything against a good homemade mayo!) It’s nice to have something that’s lighter on the stomach, but still filling for hot days. This quinoa salad is good cold, but I also like it warm and we eat it year round.

A Grain Free Superfood

Quinoa is often mistaken for a grain, but it’s actually a seed. Quinoa is more closely related to beets and spinach than wheat and corn. It’s safe for those with gluten sensitivities and many people on grain free diets can safely consume quinoa. This seed is versatile, nutritious and can be used in many different recipes, in place of rice or pasta. I’ll sometimes add it to my hearty sausage kale soup.

Quinoa Salad Ingredients

Quinoa salad is so versatile, you could argue that you don’t even need a recipe. I rarely use recipes anymore, and when I do I always have to change it. That aside, we’ve come to love this salad so much that I decided the recipe needed to be shared. There are plenty of different ways to mix it up and still have a tasty, healthy side dish.

I use whatever ingredients I have on hand. It’s also a great way to use up leftovers. I can’t be the only one that ends up with half a can of beans, part of a bell pepper, or a few random cherry tomatoes in the fridge! Here are just a few options.

• Black beans
• Chickpeas
• Sundried tomatoes
• Avocado
• Black olives
• Kale
• Spinach
• Grilled corn
• cucumber

Making Quinoa Salad Taste Even Better

I usually double the recipe so I have leftovers for the next day or later in the week. Quinoa salad is one of those things that tastes even better the longer its been in the fridge. The dressing has more time to soak into the quinoa and all the flavors meld together for a more intense flavor. If you don’t eat it all right away, it should last about a week in the fridge. We always polish it off way before then though!

The Secret to Non-Bitter Quinoa

The first time I tried quinoa, it tasted bitter and gross. Since then I’ve discovered that it needs rinsed first. I love taking shortcuts when cooking, but this is one step I never skip!

Make it a Meal

I’ll add shredded beef or chicken breast, or even a salmon patty to this for a simple way to turn this into an easy lunch. I usually double the recipe so we can add meat and eat it for lunch the next day. This meal also works really well in a storage container for taking on the go.

What’s your favorite way to eat quinoa? Have you tried a quinoa salad before?

The post Chilled Quinoa Salad for The Perfect Summer Side Dish appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

During the summer I feel like there’s a sign on my back that says “drink me.” Despite the fact that mosquitos seem to love me, I can’t say the feeling is mutual. With this badger balm copycat recipe though, you’ll have effective and lasting protection to help keep the unwanted little friends away.

The dangers of camp

This summer my little guy had his first trip to an overnight camp. I wasn’t worried about him getting hurt, or being away from home for the first time… I was worried that someone would share their toxic, conventional bug spray with him. Just the idea of that poison on his little body made me cringe.

So to ease my mind I made sure to send him off with some healthy bug repellant and told the camp counselor we (strongly) preferred not to share. And in case you’re not so convinced DEET is really that bad, then take a look at all the damage it can do to not just our bodies, but animals and the environment.

Why a badger balm?

Since this recipe uses essential oils, which are very volatile substances, the balm base helps them to stay on the skin much longer than a spray. It also doubles as a nourishing skin protectant. These essential oils will deter a wide variety of pesky things, including mosquitos and ticks that can carry disease.

How to use it safely

This recipe is safe for children ages 3-4 and up, but there are some caveats. A higher concentration of essential oils are needed in order to be effective at repelling bugs, but this also means that more care is needed when using the bug balm.
A little bit can be applied to the ankles and wrists, and for older children and adults, it can also be applied to the back of the neck. This will offer optimal protection, without risking a headache from breathing in the oils for a prolonged period of time. This safety info comes from a personal conversation with Jessie Hawkins, founder of the Franklin Institute of Wellness.

The dilution rates for this are a little higher than what I typically use in a skincare product, but this is common for a bug repellant. Keep in mind that using less will decrease the effectiveness, and it’s still very safe at the concentration it’s at. It’s also something that I have no issues using on my 4 year old.

Natural bug repellant – DIY badger balm

• 50 drops citronella (5% concentration)
• 20 drops cedarwood (2% concentration)
• 10 drops lemongrass (1% concentration)
• 10 drops rosemary (1% concentration)
• 50 drops geranium (5% concentration)
• 2 T. organic beeswax pellets – get it here
• 6 T sweet almond, grapeseed or coconut oil – get carrier oils here

1. In a small saucepan combine the carrier oil and beeswax. Heat over the lowest heat possible, stirring occasionally until it’s completely melted.
2. Allow the oil and wax to cool for just a couple minutes, then stir in the essential oils.
3. Immediately pour into your tin or glass jar and cap. Since this will still be warm, you don’t want the volatile oils evaporating into the air!
4. Rub on ankles, wrists and the back of the neck to help deter pests.

How do you keep the bug’s at bay? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with the buttons below!

The post Natural bug repellant diy badger balm appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

Delicious, photo worthy bowls of fruit on the counter may look appealing, but they can also attract unwanted pests. As much as you love that fruit, the bugs love it even more! Learn the secret for how to get rid of fruit flies with this easy DIY fruit fly trap.

What Causes Fruit Flies?

I neglected to empty the compost bin last week, and the fruit flies discovered an all you can eat buffet. We’re now in the process of ridding our house of the unwanted little guys.

These tiny bugs aren’t just attracted to fruit. Here are some other things to watch out for in your home.

Things that Attract Fruit Flies:

• Used cloth diapers. Keep that pail clean!
• Food splatters on cabinets
• Sticky residue on the fridge and dishwasher
• Compost pails
• Fruit of all kinds
• Fermenting and fermented foods (kombucha, kefir, vinegar etc.)
• Any rotting root vegetables like potatoes and onions
• Wooden and plastic utensils (these can absorb odors that attract the bugs)
• Dirty dishes
• Garbage disposals and sink strainers
• Trash cans

How Long Do Fruit Flies Live in Your House?

Too long. These annoying pests live for about 40-50 days and are busy making babies a large portion of that time. It’s easy for them to get out of control and there’s a full on infestation. Luckily, I’ve found a way to keep them away for good!

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

• Thoroughly clean everything in the kitchen that could be attracting fruit flies. I wiped down all the cabinets, counters, appliances and other surfaces. Don’t use a cleaner with vinegar in it though, as this will just attract them even more!
• Wash cloth diapers daily, especially the poopy ones. If I keep to my every 3 day diaper washing routine in the summer, the bugs are more likely to swarm.
• Move the kitchen trash can outside temporarily. My parents have been dealing with an infestation and they’ve had success with doing this.

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned all areas, it’s time to set the traps! I’ve tried a lot of different things to attract them, but here is what I’ve found to be the most effective, and it’s so easy!

How to Make a DIY Fruit Fly Trap that Really Works

You Will Need:

• Fermented Juice or wine ( kombucha or raw apple cider vinegar can also be used)
• Dish soap
• Small, shallow bowls

Instructions

1. Fill the bowl almost to the top with the juice or wine.  For every 1/4 cup liquid, add 3 drops of concentrated dish soap. I’ve successfully used Dawn brand, but I’m not sure how others will work.
2. Place bowls of the mix around the kitchen in areas the bugs like to congregate.
3. It’s important to fill the bowls close to the very top, otherwise bugs will gather on the rim and stay there.

Will regular juice work? Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting and rotting things, so regular juice doesn’t work as well.

A Fruit Fly Trap Without Vinegar

White vinegar works great for cleaning tile in my homemade, citrus infused cleaner, or in this citrus splash all-purpose spray. I haven’t had much luck with it in a fruit fly trap though. Apple cider vinegar works much better, but I’ve found that the bugs like wine more than anything else. They apparently have good taste. Any cheap wine works, but I’ve used the dark red wines successfully.

Have you ever dealt with unwanted fruit flies? What did or didn’t work for you? Let us know in the comments below!

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