Easy, Basic, All Natural, Home made Laundry detergent for sensitive skin!

Lupus is rough on my skin.

I get rashes and bruises, have prickly sensations, and sometimes my skin just outright aches.  When I talked to my doctors they prescribed prednisone, which is a steroid, so I passed on that and started looking for natural ways to treat and manage my skin issues.  

In my opinion any natural treatments should start with preventative efforts such as identifying and eliminating triggers.  So I began paying closer attention to the things I ate, drank, wore, or touched the days that I had skin problems.  One big thing that I noticed was that things scented with perfumes bother me.  I don't bathe in any scented products but my laundry detergent was scented and used chemical that I wasn't comfortable using for me or my family.  

After my super scientific research experiment to find out what my triggers were I was able to identify some of my triggers.  My biggest triggers seem to be dairy and perfumes/chemicals.  The part that sucks about knowing better is that then you have to do better. So now I either have to buy natural detergent (which can be expensive as hell, people will tax you for good, natural products) or I have to make my own detergent (which means that after working, running my business, homeschooling and transporting kids, cooking, and what ever else I have to do I am also expected to make laundry detergent, NOOOOOOOOOOO!).  But my cheapness always outweighs my exhaustion, and to my surprise making your own laundry detergent is extremely easy and easy on the pocketbook as well!

Amber's All Natural Laundry Detergent

1. 1 cup Borax (I found some at Walmart)

2. 1 cup Washing Soda (I found some at Family dollar but it is very easy to make your own if you have baking soda)

3. 1/4-1/2 Bar soap (Ivory works just fine, I use Dr. Bronner's Lavender Castile Soap)

Shave your bar soap (I use a cheese grater)and measure out 1/4-1/2 cup, add 1 cup of borax (stir) and then add 1 cup of washing soda (stir mixing well).  

*Store in an air tight, food grade container.  I keep mine in large mason jars.  Use 2-3 tablespoons per load.

$$$ I spent roughly 13 dollars on products which will last me at least 3-4 months.

All Ingredients can be purchased at:

https://goto.target.com/PYeOX

30 Day raw detox: Day 21...never trust a fart...

This is a moment of complete transperancy...today I pooped my pants!

Yesterday afternoon my body began purging toxins to the tenth power. I felt horrible but I knew it was necessary so I didn't trip, I let my body do what it needed to do and I got some much needed rest.  The sulfur burps an loose stool gave me the heads up that my body is healing itself and getting rid of the cap is just a part of the process so I was mentally prepared to let it flow, literally.  I threw up a few times last night and woke up this morning feeling brand new, but of course that was the overlay for the underplay.  My body was really setting me up for an adult failure of epic proportions.  My sister and I had gone to the grocery store to grab items for dinner, when we got to the car I couldn't wait to down my vitamin packed fruit juice that I had just purchased.  I drank a bit of juice and felt gassy, so I kinda lifted up in the seat to pass gas, at that moment tragedy struck!  I felt like a human soft serve machine!  I was tickled,  devastated, and disgusted at the same time.  Luckily I was wearing a maxi pad, so it didn't seep threw my clothes  (it mad clean up a hell of a lot easier too).  I rode home semi-seated on a plastic bag gagging (although my poop smells a lot like salad lately) and cracking up with my sister!

The two lessons that I learned today are that when detoxing NEVER TRUST A FART!  Your body is doing some serious dirty work and you never know when it will decide to "clean you out".  The second lesson is that SHIT HAPPENS, in a literal and figurative sense.  Allow it to happen, learn your body, accept your healing, and don't take yourself to serious.  

I am sharing this because someone may be embarrassed and think it is just them going through these changes and I want to let them know that they are not alone.  Healing isn't always pretty and fun, it is a struggle,  just keep the faith in your bodies ability to heal and don't give up when it gets hard. 

In the words of my pops "tough times don't last, but tough people do".

Amber Hasan's: "Loud Mouth Ghetto Girl One Woman Show" July 15th Footage

Footage from the July #Loudmouthghettogirl #onewomanshow

30 Day Detox: Day 15 the good, the bad, and the ugly

In 2012 I was diagnosed with Lupus.  Being diagnosed was a relief honestly.  The weight loss, the rashes, the anxiety, the headaches, the seizures, the joint pain, the mouth ulcers, and fatigue all made sense.  I wasn't being lazy or going crazy, I was dealing with a disease that is hard to diagnose and even most doctors don't fully understand it.  Of course I was given a slew of medication with names that I didn't even try to pronounce.  Although I may not have been able to pronounce the names I am far from stupid, so I turned to my trusty homie Google and searched every single one...and not one of them sounded any better than the effects of Lupus.  With possible side effects ranging from tingling extremities all the way to liver damage and suicidal thoughts if I stopped taking the medication suddenly.

I was quick to make the decision NOT to use any of that garbage, until I had a Lupus flare and realized that I had no idea how to manage this shit!  I was out of my league and spent three years just being sick, I would research holistic treatment methods but honestly I really didn't trust them.  My 30+ years of being treated in a pharmaceutical only health care system had me scared to even try any of the holistic methods that I had been feverishly researching.  So here I am with this well of knowledge that I was doing nothing with.  Then one day in the fall of 2015 I just woke up and decided that it was time to make a change.

I intentionally started very gradually.  I knew that this change would effect my entire family and I didn't want it to be drastic.  My first change was to cut out red meat.  I remember how proud I was of myself for making a commitment to begin healing my body through lifestyle changes.  The process was going well, I was taking it slow but in January of 2016 I got very sick all of a sudden.  I was running out of both ends (TMI, I know), it was nothing but green mucous, and it had the worst smell that I have ever had come out of little old me.  I was miserable and even sharted on myself in my sleep.  It was 2 days of hell, and at that moment I decided to cut all meat from my diet.  It wasn't a difficult transition and I quickly noticed a boost in my energy.  I thought I had made it. I was feeling better, I was exercising, and my pain was decreasing so I just knew everything was all to the good now, but that's not how my life is set up.  So in the Spring of 2016 I was diagnosed with Cancer (in a very intimate location) and it was depressing and frustrating.  I had plans and those plans did not include trying to fight cancer with my raggedy assed immune system!!!  I was angry as hell and planned on having like a week long pity party, which ended up not being much of a pity party because my 6 kids are always all up in my space so I didn't really have the luxury of locking myself in my room with Netflix, chocolate, and tears.  My pity party was low budget and consisted of little debbie cakes and one 30 break down in the shower.  I looked in to all of the available treatments that my doctor suggested and decided early on that I wouldn't be doing any of them.  No shade to anyone who does though, we all walk different paths.

I eventually decided to do an all holistic treatment plan that consists of a detox, a mostly alkaline vegan diet, and a high dose IV vitamin C treatment, along with herbal supplements.  I am currently half way through my detox and I have had so many questions about it so I will share what I have learned during the past 15 days.

Amber's 30 Day Detox

Only raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and mushrooms

At least one clove of garlic daily

No salt, No sugar, No caffeine

Immune Booster Tea (3x daily)

Herbal Teas (drink as much as possible honey or agave are ok)

Smoothies and 100% Juices (2-3 times daily)

Chaga Tea 2X daily

Vegan Multi Vitamin

Vitamin C

Natural deodorant and toothpaste

64 oz. water (preferably alkaline)

Daily Meditation

At least 30 min of Yoga or run 1 mile daily

Massage (as often as possible)

The first thing that I learned about this detox is that Yes, it is as challenging as it sounds.  I didn't realize I was addicted to sugar until I tried this detox a few months back and had sugar withdrawal like I was coming down off of heroin!  I had insomnia, cold sweats, a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and irritability.  I couldn't believe it!  That detox lasted only 5 days but it caused me to start limiting my sugar intake and cutting high fructose corn syrup from my diet all together.  I have cravings and i've had insomnia a few nights but nothing that I can't manage.  This detox is tough mentally but I have more energy than I have had in years.  I have learned so much about myself and my body during these first 15 days but 4 things stick out the most:

1.  Commit

Set a start date and tell others about your plans to start a detox program.  It is easier to back out of things when no one else knows, but if you have your mom and best friend texting to find out when your detox starts you are more likely to stay committed.

2.  Gather Support

Tell people what you are doing and why.  After announcing that I was doing a detox my fiance' decided to join me for the whole thing, I was shocked and so happy that I didn't have to go through the month alone, now I had a battle buddy!  I have also had a few friends join me as well, some of them for the whole 30 days and others just for a day or so.  I have received encouraging calls, texts, emails and DM messages, all of the support helps me to stay motivated and focused on my purpose and goal.  I have had people donate alkaline water, fruits and veggies, herbs, and vitamins to help me supplement the costs.  I have cried just about everyday due to random words or acts of kindness in support of my detox.

3.  Be prepared

Totally random, but when ever I hear "be prepared" i always hear it in a Scar from The Lion King  voice.  Any way preparation is the key to being consistent with this detox.  Make sure you have enough food to last you for the day.  Stock up on olive oil and apple cider vinegar for salad dressing, find raw vegan recipes so that you won't get bored with your meals, make a list of stores that carry the things you can eat, create a budget and a schedule and if possible pick the brain of someone who has done a detox so that you can get some tips that will help you to be successful.

4. Be aware

Once you start the detox pay attention to your body and the changes that are going on inside you.  You may notice withdrawal symptoms from salt, sugar, and caffeine.  You may notice changes in your mood, bowels, body odor, and energy levels.  These are all normal and are manifestations of the toxins leaving your body.  For instance I was musty as hell for the first 6 days of the detox but now i'm good.  I also have lots of natural energy that I didn't have before the detox began.  You can keep a daily detox journal in order to track these changes, if you experience anything that you are unsure about contact your doctor or a holistic medical professional, the detox process is uncomfortable at times but always listen to your body.

My detox journey is only at the halfway point.  Some days I want the whole process to just hurry up and be over, but I try to remind myself that healing is a process that should not be rushed.  We live in a society full of quick fixes and instant gratification, so through this detox process I am also teaching myself to slow down, be patient, and enjoy the journey.

Just a few of my meals/snacks

Loud Mouth Ghetto Girl: The one woman show

Footage from the debut of Loud Mouth Ghetto Girl: The one woman show

The next show will be

July 15, 2016
Greater Flint Arts Council
816 S. Saginaw St.
Flint, Mi.

Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door

call 810-458-3844 for more information

Loaded Stuffed Pineapple RECIPE

As a vegetarian I am always looking for meal ideas that are healthy, cost efficient and most of all TASTY!!!  People can’t imagine being vegetarian because they don’t know what to eat if meat is not on the plate!  This meal is filling and it tastes amazing.  I’m not a huge fan of salt so the seasoning that I used was black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic and a small amount of Agave nectar, but feel free to season to your own taste.

Loaded Stuffed Pineapple

Ingredients-

1 whole Pineapple

1 Bell Pepper

1 Small Onion

1 Small Mango

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 Can Black Beans

1 Cup Raw Unsalted Cashews

¼ Cup Coconut Oil

2 cups Jasmine and Wild Rice

4 cups of Water

Directions-

Cut up your Bell Pepper, Mango, and Onion to the desired size (I like mine chunky).  Put Bell Pepper and Onion in a pan, add 1 tsp. of Coconut oil to your pan cook on medium heat until they start to soften and brown slightly.  Add Mangos and let cook for 3-5 more minutes, then add Pinto Beans and Black Beans, turn heat down to low and cover, cook for 15 minutes on low stirring often.

Put your water in a pot (season to taste) and add half of the remaining coconut oil.  Bring water to a boil and add 2 cups of rice, turn heat down to low, cover and let cook for 20 min., keep covered and remove from heat.

Cut the stem off of the Pineapple, then cut in half the long way.  Cut the fruit out of the inside of the pineapple leaving about a half inch of fruit.  Take the fruit that you cut out and slice it into small chunks.  Put pineapple chunks, cashews and the remaining coconut oil in a pan and cook on medium heat until the Pineapples are slightly caramelized (I add a pinch of light brown sugar or a tsp. of Agave Nectar).

Layer the Rice with the Bean mixture (I like it better with the rice on bottom) and then top it off with the Pineapples and Cashews.