Non-Toxic Household Cleaning Products Spotlight - Branch Basics

Did you know that there is no federal regulation on cleaning supplies? This is why cleaning companies have been using harmful chemicals without transparency, leaving us to assume that their products must be safe.

Branch Basics never set out to sell soap. They are on a mission to help people create healthy homes and experience the power of pure.

Branch Basics products are made with plant-powered, high-quality and effective ingredients that are safe for the whole family and are never tested on animals. All of their products are also free of dyes, parabens, phosphates or phthalates (which have various health concerns ranging from carcinogens, irritants, pollutants, neurotoxins, reproductive toxins that can cause birth defects, and endocrine disruptors that disrupt our hormones).

How It All Started

At 23 Marilee avoided a kidney transplant using food as medicine. Years later her 10 year-old son, Douglas, was chemically injured by pesticides and doctors said his brain and immune system damage was irreparable. Marilee refused to accept that diagnosis. She nursed him back to full health after removing all harmful products from his diet and environment.

In high school Allison was diagnosed with PCOS and suffered chronic, mysterious pain through college. After years of seeing medical specialists and a laundry list of drugs, Allison was desperate for relief and turned to her Aunt Marilee in the Texas Hill Country.

After two months at Marilee’s, eating only real food, using safe products, and staying in a healthy home, her life was transformed. Allison was free of pain and got her life back! Eventually her ovarian cysts disappeared, and she was able to get pregnant naturally...twice!

Allison’s best friend, Kelly, joined her for the summer at Marilee’s. Kelly was generally healthy, but by the end of the summer even “normal” complaints (painful menstrual cramps, dry eyes, headaches) completely disappeared. Kelly and Allison joined forces with Marilee to share the information that transformed their lives and make it accessible to everyone!

So, Marilee, Allison and Kelly started Branch Basics to help people toss the toxins and live healthy lives. We start with the removal of cleaning products that contain some of the most toxic chemicals found in our homes, so join us as we get back to basics and discover the power of pure!

SIMPLIFY & SAVE

One Concentrate For Everything

Replace dozens of toxic cleaners with one Concentrate that can do it all. The bottles are refillable so they’re better for the environment and your wallet!

HAND SOAP

We use this in all our bathrooms and it foams so well and lasts such a long time! It has just a simple clean smell. No fragrance, just clean and fresh.

LAUNDRY

Made with plant and mineral based ingredients like: Decyl Glucoside - A plant derived surfactant used in skincare and baby products. Organic Chamomile - An organic flower extract with skin soothing properties. Coco-Glucoside - A very gentle surfactant derived from corn, coconut and/or palm. Sodium Citrate - A biodegradable sodium salt that acts as a water softener. Sodium Bicarbonate - A mineral-based water softener, also known as baking soda! Sodium Phytate - A natural

binder that prevents minerals from interfering

with the formula.

LAUNDRY

CONCENTRATE + OXYGEN BOOST:

A Powerful Combination! Boost the power of the Concentrate to remove stains, break down grease and clean stained surfaces.

WASHING FRUIT + VEGGIES

Soak your fruit + veggies for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry. That way you have real access to real clean whole food and snacks.

Have you ever looked at the shelves at Whole Foods in the produce aisle? They can be pretty filthy from all the soil still on the produce. And try as they might to keep the shelves clean there, it's not going to sparkle. So, we either buy from there or our local farmers market.

I used to soak my veggies & fruit in GSE (from the health food store), but I switched over last year to Branch Basics since I can use the Branch Basics Concentrate for just about anything in the house that needs to be cleaned: jewelry, stained Nutribullet and Vitamix, tea and coffee cups, kids toys, couch stains, you name it! It is absolutely ahhhhhmazziiiiiiing!!!!!

As for Mrs. Meyer’s & Method products, unfortunately, I do not recommend them. However, there are noticeable changes in their products, which I attribute to consumer power. The first change in Mrs. Meyer’s products is the disclosure of their fragrance ingredients and warning us that there are allergens among them. Another change is that Mrs. Meyer’s does not claim any longer to have natural cleaning products.

As always, I emphasize the importance of looking at the ingredients. I read an email recently that said it all,

"I am so happy that I found you! I have a small boy with many allergies and sensitivities. Along with that he has autism so it can be difficult to know if something is bothering him, so I chose to know what I’m using beforehand just in case. Label reading is very hard to understand but Branch Basics has made it easy."

Be sure to join my mailing list and if you would like

$10 off your first order of Branch Basics

(for any order over $15), use my

Referral Discount Link below:

http://branchbasics.refr.cc/nicolederosa

Special Thanks to:

@EmpoweredAutoImmune + @PlatefulHealth

on Instagram for the photos above.

Fun EXERCISE Videos To Do With KIDS

Whether you're practicing social distancing or it's just a rainy day, these fun free workout videos recommended by family fitness experts are a great way to blow off steam inside! By having your kids work out with you, you are not only helping yourself, but their health and well-being as well. Physical activity can increase our moods, boost our immune systems, and give parents that extra energy you need to care for you little ones.

Getting your children involved in your workouts not only helps keep their bodies healthy, but it can help combat depression, help with motor skills, and my favorite thing is that it's a great way to bond as a family.

"Exercise is a powerful mood-booster, it generates play and silliness for everyone and if you can shift your expectations from it being about your own deep workout time, to a family activity, where everyone gets to move and release pent up energy, you'll find that it is really fun and often a bonding experience for the whole family,"

- Rachel Welch, yoga instructor and founder of Revolution Motherhood in New York City.

Thanks to YouTube, getting in structured, daily movement doesn't have to be intimidating. Here are the best workout videos you can do as a family recommended by fitness professionals.

5 Minute Cardio Stroller Workout

Family Yoga Class

Daily movement allows you to have some time for yourself, and it makes you feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. This is a fun family yoga workout from Manduka Yoga.

Family Fun Cardio Workout

During this pandemic it is so important for daily movement and activity. Especially if you're working from home for more than 8 hours and you're constantly sitting in front of your computer screen. This is a fun cardio workout.

Home Exercises For Kids with Stephen Trussell

I love this video for its quick, balanced sequence that includes both an adult trainer and kids teaching so that everyone can feel engaged and guided by the video.

Youth Exercise: Zoofari Fun

This is an easy and quick idea to do anywhere to teach kids about animals, and encourage animal movement.

obé strength x KIDZ BOP

This video is a great beginner friendly strength workout to great Kidz Bop tracks.

Walk 15: Family Mile With Nick

This cardio Walk Workout with Nick is so much fun! It gives the whole family an opportunity to get those steps in while doing fun moves laughing, sweating, and just having a good time. Whoever thought walking a mile could be so fun? This workout is for your grandma, grandpa, and even that little toddler who just learned how to walk. This is a perfect workout for the entire family!

30-Minute Cardio Latin Dance Workout

This 30-minute Cardio Latin Dance workout is perfect for parents and kids alike because it's like a fun dance party! It gives parents the chance to work on their basic salsa steps, while at the same time it gives the kids a chance to jump around and feel free! Parents and children can have their own little Latin Dance party while they are working up a sweat. They will forget they're even working out in the first place!

Let's Get Moving! Workout

This workout is simple and has cardio, strength and stretching!

Let me know in the comments below

which workouts you and your little ones enjoyed the most!

Also,

Be sure to share your fitness photos on the

@nicolederosalifestyle

Instagram using the hashtag

#FitWithNicoleDeRosaLifestyle

CRISPY ORANGE CAULIFLOWER with Coconut Jasmine Rice

This recipe is in our weekly rotation and is one of our all time favorite dishes! The mixture of warm jasmine rice, with crunchy crispy cauliflower (and bok choy) drizzled with the most delectable sweet citrus dressing is beyond mouth watering!

Ingredients:

○ 1 cup jasmine rice (I use: Lundberg Family Farms brand because it's both organic + non-gmo)

○ 1 1/2 cups water

○ 1 tbs. coconut oil (I use: Dr. Bronner's brand - Unrefined)

○ 1 tbs. pink salt

○ 1 small cauliflower (broken into small bits)

Sauce:

○ 1 tbs. sesame oil (I use: Napa Valley Naturals)

○ 1 1/2 tbs. fresh grated ginger

○ 3 cloves garlic (minced)

○ 1 cup fresh orange juice (I use: 365 brand, organic w/ Vitamin D + Calcium)

○ 1/4 cup maple syrup (I use: 365 brand, dark maple syrup)

○ 3 tbs. coconut aminos (I use: Big Tree Farms, organic, non-gmo, soy +

gluten free )

○ 3/4 tsp. red chili flakes

○ 1 tbs. cornstarch

○ 2 tbs. water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F

2. Rinse jasmine rice and place into a small pot. Add in water, dash of salt and coconut oil. Bring to a boil then simmer with a lid for 13 minutes.

3. Rinse and cut your cauliflower. Lay parchment paper onto baking sheet then add your cauliflower and a tiny bit of avocado oil.

4. Put cauliflower in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. 15 minutes into baking, turn on pure convection and change heat to 480°F. This will burn the edges a bit.

5. While cauliflower is baking, make sauce!

6. In a saucepan, heat up sesame oil. Then add in your ginger and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.

7. Whisk in all of your ingredients EXCEPT cornstarch and water. Whisk for 2 minutes then crank up the heat and bring to boil.

8. While your sauce is heating up, place cornstarch and water into a separate bowl, then add it to sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. You want to make sure the cornstarch has dissolved.

9. Take out cauliflower and carefully place it into a mixing bowl. Pour in your sauce (leave some on the side to top for later) and evenly coat your cauliflower.

10. Place cauliflower back on the baking sheet and cook for another 5 minutes.

11. Serve immediately over rice.

12. Optional - Bok Choy & spinach. I added in some extra greens, so feel free to add in any other veggies you enjoy!

Let me know if you make this or any of my other recipes in the comments below or on Instagram:

@nicolederosalifestyle