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Veggie Wash

June 7, 2012 2 Comments
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I can’t help but sing the “Veggie Tales” theme song in my head when I use this on my  produce.

This stuff is amazing ~ all natural, gluten free, vegetarian, non-toxic, etc, etc, etc…simply called, Veggie Wash.  Duh!

It takes the grime off of grapes, it shines up berries, removes wax from cucumbers and bell peppers and makes sure your citrus zests are all zest and not extra, well, extra anything else that could muck up the flavor of your zest!

Spray it on, rub to remove wax or soil and rinse.  It’s that easy.

Check out these rasperries ~ see the film on them from the grocery store?

I sprayed them with some Veggie Wash and let it do its thing.

And then rinsed.

Ta-da!  Nice and clean and ready to devour!

So easy and non-toxic I let my 4 year old, who insists he can and knows how to do everything himself now, do it.

 

Which also ensures he’ll eat it up because he’s more likely to want to eat what he helped prepare.

So two birds with one stone and we’re all happy about it!

LOVE this stuff.

Run out to the produce section of your grocery store and grab a spray bottle starter, or pick some up here.  Then, buy the refill solution in bulk and you’re set for a summer of fruits & veggies you can genuinely taste and feel good about feeding to your kids.

Smells great too!

Now EAT YOUR VEGGIES (that have been thouroughly washed and cleaned in Veggie Wash)!

Love,

Mom (uh, I mean ~pw)

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Written by: Phanneth
Life

Instagram’d

May 7, 2012 No Comments
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At first I was skeptical because I didn’t fully understand its privacy settings.  Once I figured out how to lock it down, I gained a little courage.

And snapped a picture:

…applied the Lux feature, and a filter,

and I am now in love with Instagram-ing.

So is my sweet Aiden 🙂

Found this one in the archives:

And Instagram’d it:

L-O-V-E-ing it!

It’s like photo editing on the fly.

It makes fun photos funner and makes this rookie photographer feel like a pro.

Gosh my husband is handsome…

Oh, back to Instagram-ing info…oh yeah!  It shares your photos with only the people you allow to follow you, kind of like twitter-ing.  You can be as private as you like ~ total lock-down, open it up to friends and family, or go public.

Try it!  Leave me a comment if it converts you, or if it still scares the heck out of you.

Come on ~ be brave ~ the force is with you.

~pw

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Written by: Phanneth
Food Tales

Khmer Food

May 3, 2012 3 Comments
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We grew up eating rice (bai) with every meal.  Mom’s fried rice was a treat, and her noodle soup weekends were feasts!  Rice & steak, rice & pork chops, rice & fish (with mangoes and fish sauce), fried rice & pork chops (Dad’s breakfast specialty!), rice soup & Chinese sausages, etc…this list goes on and on.

No wonder the food in Cambodia was so amazingly, deliciously comforting to me.

I couldn’t get enough of the Phnom Penh style noodles at Seng Lipp restaurant (Granny’s favorite noodle shop in the city)!

I am so in love with green noodle soup that I devoured my bowl of it at this roadside stand in 1 minute flat (50 cents a bowl ~ I should have had seconds…or thirds!)

Check this out:

It’s a mobile rice warmer.  Actually, just a giant thermos shaped cooler that Khmer use to tote rice around while keeping it warm (instead of throwing beer or ice in like we would here in the states).  Smart, huh?

Mom’s sister, my Aunt Mala, makes these amazing beef sticks (saich-koh ah’ng) flavored with garlic, lemongrass, salt, black pepper, sugar and some other awesomeness skewered and cooked over a charcoal fire pit.

Mmmmmm.  Thank goodness you can’t see me, I’m practically salivating over the memory.

Fresh fruit is a big part of every meal.

Mangoes (svai), ripe & barely ripe dipped in chili salt (picked from the family trees) ~ I’ve turned Joel onto the barely ripe apple mangoes.

The cutest little pineapples (m’noa-ah), so sweet they taste like their trees were watered with honey, peeled and cut while you wait.  Bagged, skewered and served with a side of chili salt.

Kulen, or lychee fruit, sold by the kilo at Phnom Kulen (Lychee Mountain).  Just peel the red skin back to reveal a pearly white cotton ball sized fruit.

Coconut juice (dteuk doang) for 25 cents, or fresh from my Auntie’s backyard (which is on the land that Dad grew up on).

Machete your way to the refreshing juice, then scrape out the young coconut meat for a little snack.

Beef cubes (bo luc lac, which is actually Vietnamese pronunciation, but that’s what we called it growing up), cooked with whole Kampot green peppercorns, served with a side of rice.

Mom makes the best, but Paper Tiger on Pub Street came a close 2nd.

Prawns and rock lobsters cooked up on the beach, dipped in lime juice and (you guessed it!) eaten with rice.

I need to stop!  I’m making myself hungry.  Not for anything I can cook well here in Khmer (pronounced: Kh-mai) tradition, but for the mouthwatering meals mom and dad make, the local Khmer favorites the Aunties spoiled us with, the delicious foods that remind me where I come from.

chum reap leah (good bye) for now ~ I have to go to bed before I raid the fridge and make myself a midnight snack!

Love,

~pw

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Written by: Phanneth
Favorites

Best Brows

March 24, 2012 No Comments
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So beyond the embarrassment of having pink eye as an adult (not even contracted from my own kids), I had to face the public without eye makeup for a few days.  Embarrassing for me since I’ve been wearing some sort of eye makeup since I was 15, and horrific for the general public brave enough to look me in the eye.

For fear of contamination, I had to throw out, yes, THROW AWAY, all make-up that touched or came near my eye.  This included eye liners, mascara, shadows that brushes were dipped into, powder tubs that brushes grazed, brushes that touched those brushes, etc…yikes!

Like any girlie girl, I love getting new makeup and I love getting lost in an Ulta or Sephora.  It’s like Christmas for me when I get to open a new tub of bareMinerals foundation or mineral veil.  The fresh click of a new tube of mascara opening for the first time is like opening a refreshing cold bottle of water on a hot summer day.  New brushes are like the first butterfly kisses of spring on my eyelids!  Until I realize this is going to cost me almost $200 to replace everything! …Eeeek!

First things first; if I have to wait for my eye to clear up, I can’t put new brushes or new product on, or near, stink eye.  My brows, though, can’t go untouched up.  I have this condition where random eye brow hairs decide to jump ship and leave gaping holes in the center of the arch.  Those that are left behind decide to rebel and point in opposite directions rather than go with the flow.

I’ve been through eye brow pencils and powders aplenty and have finally found the ultimate, the best, brow product on the market.

Hello Smashbox Brow Tech!  An amazing discovery that has now made my list of favorites!  Two colors ~ TWO ~ and wax ~ yes, WAX ~ to make imperfect brows look perfect.  I bet those sad, missing little brow hairs wish they hadn’t vacated their seats now!

At first I didn’t think the dark brown shade would be dark enough since my black hair is, well, black.  But it’s just right!

I followed the directions exactly and got fantastic results: start by applying the lighter shade of powder to fill the sparse areas, then use the darker shade to define. Finally, apply the wax to groom brows and keep them in place all day.  It doesn’t look look drawn on, doesn’t look clown-ish and doesn’t melt or smudge!

I did not, however, use the recommended Smashbox angle brow brush #12 for two reasons:

  1. it was almost as expensive as the tech trio itself
  2. the handle was longer than I like for an eye brow powder brush

I opted instead for a Japonesque Travel Angled Brow Definer brush for portability, cost efficiency and precision control.

It also scores very highly for overall cuteness and therefore can piggyback Smashbox on this favorites post.

Now run out and get yourself some using any of these excuses below:

  1. Free Shipping at Ulta.com on all orders of $25 or more ~ code 22519
  2. $3.50 off orders of $10 or more ~ code 77739 (some restrictions apply)
  3. Penny got pink eye, so you must treat yourself to new cosmetics
  4. $10 off orders of $60 or more ~ code 80531 (some restrictions apply)

Not missing those M.I.A brow hairs one bit (thank you, Smashbox!) and enjoying my Ulta shopping spree courtesy of stink eye,

~pw

 

**photos courtesy of smashbox.com and japonesque.com**

 

 

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Written by: Phanneth
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Instagram post 2272265904946805462_9478705541 Before settling in to work from home today, I loaded up my diffuser with this trio and stepped out of my comfort zone and participated in a virtual yoga flow.  Oh how my soul needed it! 💗
⠀⠀
💧Frank (2) to increase my spiritual awareness, deepen my meditation, improve my attitude, uplift my spirit and keep me grounded. ⠀⠀
💧Peppermint (2) to stimulate my mind and help me focus ⠀⠀
💧Tangerine (3) to promote happiness and calming and combat irritability ⠀⠀ Biggest takeaway from my flow was consciously make an effort to SMILE every day 😀 ⠀⠀ I know these times are scary and there is so much unknown but we also have community and love and light. I hope you find time today to find something to smile about. ⠀⠀ STAY IN and spread joy to those in your social distancing circles as best you can. ❤️
Instagram post 2263483285362807049_9478705541 Does anyone need me to order Thieves Cleaner (ultra concentrated), Thieves Spray, or small Thieves Hand Sanitizers for them? 🙋🏻‍♀️
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I’m putting in my monthly rewards order and an happy to hook you up 😘
⠀⠀
I’m a firm believer that effective cleaning products shouldn’t include toxic warnings or fake fragrance, especially when I’m using them around my kiddos, on things they touch and surfaces they eat from or am gifting to pregnant mom-to-be’s or sending to use in the kids’ classrooms 🌿
⠀⠀
Google “Thieves Chicken Test” or “Cleaning Products Lung Function” to see why we switched. There are plenty of articles supporting the power of plant based cleaners and many against VOCs; none penned by me but plenty to be eye opening 🤢😳
⠀⠀
My wholesale discount with Young Living is like my Prime membership for good-for-you cleaning products, bath, hair, makeup, AND oils. When everyone started going crazy stockpiling sketch-for-you cleaning products, I logged in ONLINE and put in my order for all kinds of Thieves things and got my package in 2 days. Just sayin 🤓
Instagram post 2188615754102258949_9478705541 Yay!! YL’s Black Friday sale has been extended through today! 😱

So thankful for a company that takes product quality (we own our own farms!), and its members’ non-toxic health and wellness seriously! 🧡

These are wholesale member prices so let me know if you want to jump on my order TODAY to try a few out OR use the link in my profile to jump in and get your membership. 🙋🏻‍♀️ You can add these specials to your cart, along with your membership enrollment, when you check out and will get the wholesale membership pricing for these PLUS a membership kit. Membership kits start at $35 (1 oil and a few samples + your membership discount, no diffuser). PM me for deets on the other options 💜😘💜
Instagram post 2136542016121041567_9478705541 🍂 Let me know if you want an invite to this Facebook event / class. It’s all online so you don’t “go” anywhere! ⠀⠀
🎃 We’re sharing which essential oil combos can make your home smell like all the fall, all the pumpkin spice, and all the cinnamon apples WITHOUT all the toxins you’d get from a “fragranced” candle. BONUS: mood + wellness support, focus, calming or happy dancing could be side effects of diffusing these natural plant juices around your family. 🧡
⠀⠀
🙅🏻‍♀️ My boys all have allergies so we had to break the candle habit and I’m so grateful we did. Huge difference! ⠀⠀
🤩 *plus* one lucky person will win this super cute oil shelf just for sharing the invite with a friend + interacting with the posts. EASY!
⠀⠀
🍎 here’s a sneak at one of the diffuser blends / recipes we’re sharing. .
.
.
#PSLminusthetoxins #pumpkinspice #applepie #fallintooils #diffusercombos #winterwellness #falldiffuserblends
Instagram post 2112527759708737321_9478705541 We are getting out of our comfort zones! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💫 We made it to the starting line of The Denver Color Run!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wish us luck and pray we make it to the finish line!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♀️ 💜❤️🧡💛💚💙 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Pre-run warm up with all the Valor, all the Ningxia, all the Super B and all the mineral sunscreen. How do you pre-run prep??
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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#thecolorrun #thecolorrunlovetour #wildchild #babytiger #mykidrunsfasterthanme
Instagram post 2060224138392770421_9478705541 Real girls wear sweats, Valor and Tranquil on windy sailboats across the Aegean Sea. 💜
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.

@nike @express @youngliving @yocolorado .
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#valormademedoit #onceinalifetime #vacation #realgirls #nike #express #youngliving #santorinigreece #vacationstyle #aegeansea #mybigfatgreekvacation
Instagram post 2043276215343012223_9478705541 These poor flowers got the short-end of the stick yesterday. The lucky ones went home with some incredible baseball moms. The rest got shoved into a bag, into a wagon, sat on by a 5 year old and smooshed by baseball gear in 75 degree heat. 🤦🏻‍♀️
.
They’re fighters though.
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💧 Add 1 drop of Purification to your water to make flowers last longer. 🌹 They not only perked back up but are starting to bloom when I thought for sure they were goners. 😍
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#flowersformomma #bloomsfordays #makeflowerslast #flowersmakemesmile #sunshineandflowers #lifehack #tipoftheday #baseballmoms
Instagram post 2017785085102112881_9478705541 Baseball season is back at our house! ⚾️ Love this super cute + super comfy shirt I got from my girl @archersarrowsbychele ❤️ ( she makes all my EO labels too y’all )

My kiddo threw +80 pitches yesterday and really brought the heat. He went 3 innings, only allowing 5 runs off 4 hits and struck out 5. He also hit a triple that might have been an in-park home run except he spent 2 seconds too long watching his ball sail to the fences. 😁 .
.
.
#baseballmom #baseballlife #baseballshirt #weekendsareforbaseball #pitchesbecrazy
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fireflytales.essentials

+ natural wellness & essential oil education & inspiration 💕
+ YL oily recipes 🌿
+ positivity & motivation💪💋❤️
+ grab a kit and join our team! 💜

Instagram post 2272265904946805462_9478705541 Before settling in to work from home today, I loaded up my diffuser with this trio and stepped out of my comfort zone and participated in a virtual yoga flow.  Oh how my soul needed it! 💗
⠀⠀
💧Frank (2) to increase my spiritual awareness, deepen my meditation, improve my attitude, uplift my spirit and keep me grounded. ⠀⠀
💧Peppermint (2) to stimulate my mind and help me focus ⠀⠀
💧Tangerine (3) to promote happiness and calming and combat irritability ⠀⠀ Biggest takeaway from my flow was consciously make an effort to SMILE every day 😀 ⠀⠀ I know these times are scary and there is so much unknown but we also have community and love and light. I hope you find time today to find something to smile about. ⠀⠀ STAY IN and spread joy to those in your social distancing circles as best you can. ❤️
Instagram post 2263483285362807049_9478705541 Does anyone need me to order Thieves Cleaner (ultra concentrated), Thieves Spray, or small Thieves Hand Sanitizers for them? 🙋🏻‍♀️
⠀⠀
I’m putting in my monthly rewards order and an happy to hook you up 😘
⠀⠀
I’m a firm believer that effective cleaning products shouldn’t include toxic warnings or fake fragrance, especially when I’m using them around my kiddos, on things they touch and surfaces they eat from or am gifting to pregnant mom-to-be’s or sending to use in the kids’ classrooms 🌿
⠀⠀
Google “Thieves Chicken Test” or “Cleaning Products Lung Function” to see why we switched. There are plenty of articles supporting the power of plant based cleaners and many against VOCs; none penned by me but plenty to be eye opening 🤢😳
⠀⠀
My wholesale discount with Young Living is like my Prime membership for good-for-you cleaning products, bath, hair, makeup, AND oils. When everyone started going crazy stockpiling sketch-for-you cleaning products, I logged in ONLINE and put in my order for all kinds of Thieves things and got my package in 2 days. Just sayin 🤓
Instagram post 2188615754102258949_9478705541 Yay!! YL’s Black Friday sale has been extended through today! 😱

So thankful for a company that takes product quality (we own our own farms!), and its members’ non-toxic health and wellness seriously! 🧡

These are wholesale member prices so let me know if you want to jump on my order TODAY to try a few out OR use the link in my profile to jump in and get your membership. 🙋🏻‍♀️ You can add these specials to your cart, along with your membership enrollment, when you check out and will get the wholesale membership pricing for these PLUS a membership kit. Membership kits start at $35 (1 oil and a few samples + your membership discount, no diffuser). PM me for deets on the other options 💜😘💜
Instagram post 2136542016121041567_9478705541 🍂 Let me know if you want an invite to this Facebook event / class. It’s all online so you don’t “go” anywhere! ⠀⠀
🎃 We’re sharing which essential oil combos can make your home smell like all the fall, all the pumpkin spice, and all the cinnamon apples WITHOUT all the toxins you’d get from a “fragranced” candle. BONUS: mood + wellness support, focus, calming or happy dancing could be side effects of diffusing these natural plant juices around your family. 🧡
⠀⠀
🙅🏻‍♀️ My boys all have allergies so we had to break the candle habit and I’m so grateful we did. Huge difference! ⠀⠀
🤩 *plus* one lucky person will win this super cute oil shelf just for sharing the invite with a friend + interacting with the posts. EASY!
⠀⠀
🍎 here’s a sneak at one of the diffuser blends / recipes we’re sharing. .
.
.
#PSLminusthetoxins #pumpkinspice #applepie #fallintooils #diffusercombos #winterwellness #falldiffuserblends
Instagram post 2112527759708737321_9478705541 We are getting out of our comfort zones! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💫 We made it to the starting line of The Denver Color Run!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wish us luck and pray we make it to the finish line!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♀️ 💜❤️🧡💛💚💙 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Pre-run warm up with all the Valor, all the Ningxia, all the Super B and all the mineral sunscreen. How do you pre-run prep??
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#thecolorrun #thecolorrunlovetour #wildchild #babytiger #mykidrunsfasterthanme
Instagram post 2060224138392770421_9478705541 Real girls wear sweats, Valor and Tranquil on windy sailboats across the Aegean Sea. 💜
.
.

@nike @express @youngliving @yocolorado .
.

#valormademedoit #onceinalifetime #vacation #realgirls #nike #express #youngliving #santorinigreece #vacationstyle #aegeansea #mybigfatgreekvacation
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