Living La Vida Holoka


How to Have a Non-Toxic Home

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Keep harmful toxins and chemicals out of your house and live a clean and natural lifestyle with these easy tips to help you keep a non-toxic home.

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We’re spending more time at home these days.  Actually, we’re spending pretty much all of our time here.  So it’s important to keep ourselves healthy and at our best.  Having a non-toxic home can help that.  Over the past couple of years, we’ve really taken measures to try and keep an eco-friendly and non-toxic home.  And honestly, all it takes is some simple swaps to make a difference! 

Before you think, “I really can’t be blowing my budget to purchase new items for my home right now.”  Don’t worry.  A  lot of the things I’m about to tell you can be done with items you might already have in your house.  And if you don’t, I’ve got some budget-friendly suggestions to help you along the way! 

How to Have a Non-Toxic Home

Ditch the candles

For years I had been saying that I was going to stop burning candles in our home.  Candles are full of toxic ingredients that are released into the air when burned.  Not only that, they leave black residue on your walls.  After we started repainting our house, I made the decision to stop burning candles for our health and our home.

I’m very into fragrance, so I use an essential oil diffuser instead.  All that goes into a diffuser is water and essential oils.  Just make sure you’re using good quality, 100% pure essential oils and you have a safe alternative to candles!  Plus, essential oils have a lot of aromatherapeutic benefits!  

Make your own cleaners

This is something I’ve just started doing and I’m kind of obsessed.  A lot of cleaners on the market are full of unpronounceable chemicals that might do a great job of cleaning, but aren’t so good to be breathing in. 

You know those essential oils you bought for your diffuser?  Well, you can use them to make your own cleaners!  Make a Tea Tree Oil All-Purpose Cleaner with just a few simple ingredients and it’ll clean everything including mirrors!  Funnel the ingredients into an amber glass spray bottle, shake, and clean!  

Use a water filter

This has been a hard one for me because water bottles are just so damn convenient!  But we have invested in a Brita Pitcher and keep it constantly filled in the fridge.  Not only does it cut down on the use of plastic, but it filters out chemicals, chlorine, and other toxins. 

Water is safer and healthier to drink with a filtration system.  Plus, if it’s any incentive,  you can buy a really cute reusable water bottle to make getting your daily limit of H2O easier! PS: I make them in my shop, Living La Vida Vinyl!

Switch to glass containers

We are storage container junkies!  I keep them to use in the freezer, pack lunches, and meal plan.  But over the past year, we’ve been switching to glass containers, buying sets, and single containers here and there.  

I even like to store ingredients and leftovers in big, quart mason jars with a storage lid on top.  Yes, these lids are plastic, but they’re BPA free, won’t leak, and safe for the freezer! 

Use a fabric shower curtain liner

We have never, ever, ever used a plastic shower curtain liner mainly because we just can’t stand that chemical smell that they all seem to have.  Yuck!  So instead, we use a fabric shower curtain liner.

There’s no chemical smell when you take them out of the packaging.  Plus, they’re really easy to clean.  Just throw it in the washing machine! 

Make your own weed killer and pesticides

A lot of weed killers and pesticides are full of harmful chemicals that are toxic to humans, pets, and the environment.  Instead, you can easily make your own DIY versions! 

You can easily kill weeds with a combination of white vinegar, dish detergent, and salt. And to make your own pesticide, all you need is water, essential oils, and garlic!  Get the full DIY here. 

Buy some new houseplants

This is a fun one for me because I love plants!  Not only do they bring a natural vibe indoors, but some houseplants are great air purifiers! Here’s some of the plants that will keep the air clean:

And there are a ton more!  The best part is that most of these air purifying houseplants are low maintenance, too.  So even beginner plant lovers can easily take care of them! 

Swap out your bath and body products

The older I get, the more sensitive my skin seems to get.  So I’ve been shopping mainly for natural skincare products made for anti-aging and sensitive skin.  It’s a trip approaching 40, but it’s made me more mindful of what I put in and on my body! 

Air out the house

The weather is getting nicer, we’ve been cooped up inside for months, so it’s a great time to open the windows and air out the house.  It’s probably one of the easiest ways to get fresh air in and release any of the bad stuff (juju, air, etc.).  Plus, your home will feel and smell fresher! 

Keep your house clean

Keep a shoe tray by the door and kick those shoes off when you enter the house.  The amount of stuff that’s lingering on the bottom of your shoes is disgusting (seriously, look it up – so gross)!  It’s also important to dust and vacuum regularly to keep allergens and other icky stuff at bay.  

I’m basically obsessed with vacuuming.  It’s a chore I love to do (I know, I’m a freak).  We even have two vacuums!  A cordless Bissell for quick cleanups around the house and our regular Hoover for tougher vacuum jobs. 

Clean your pet’s bed and toys

Oh, little Hunter.  He sure is cute.  But for a “non-shedding” dog, he definitely sheds a lot!  All of that pet dander and hair has to go somewhere (hence the two vacuums), so don’t forget to clean your pet’s bed, crate, blankets.  

Toss the bed and blankets in the wash, along with any plush toys.  You can wipe down the rest of your fur buddy’s belongings to keep them dust and bacteria free!

How do you keep your home toxin and chemical free?

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Spicy Beyond Meat Taco Burger

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You won’t miss the meat with this flavorful Spicy Beyond Meat Taco Burger recipe! It’s a perfect meal mashup for Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, or any day of the week!

This post may contain affiliate links.  Making a purchase through one of these links helps support this blog.


There’s a meat shortage going on and it’s not much of a problem for me (for my husband, that’s another story).  I went vegetarian for a few years back in my 20’s.  Now, I still enjoy plant proteins and meatless meals.  Back when I was vegetarian, I was doing it, not only for my health, but as a stance on animal rights (hello, college years). 

These days, I’ve incorporated meatless meals into my diet mostly for my health, but also because I truly enjoy eating these meat substitutions.  It allows me to cut down on my meat intake while still getting an appropriate amount of protein.  Plus, it encourages me to use a lot of fresh ingredients. 

Spicy Beyond Meat Taco Burger

 
Grilling season is back and I’m so ready to sink my teeth into a juicy burger.  Any juicy burger!  I’ve become a big fan of Beyond Meat products this past year.  In fact, I think they’re the best meatless products on the market right now. 

If you’re trying to cut down on meat, but not the flavor, Beyond is it!  The first time I tried one of their patties, I was shocked to find that it had the same consistency and flavor as a regular beef burger.  


I was able to get a package of Beyond veggie based crumbles in one of my Hungryroot boxes.  Even though they offer the patties, I wanted to be able to make my own and add in additional ingredients. 

After making my Black Bean Taco Salad, I had some of my homemade tortilla strips leftover.  I was immediately inspired to make a taco style burger mixed with hot sauce, taco seasoning, and shredded cheddar.  Once the burgers were cooked, I topped them with lettuce, more cheese, tortilla strips, and salsa! 

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Spicy Beyond Meat Taco Burger

Yield: 4

Spicy Beyond Meat Taco Burger

Ingredients

  • 1 package ground Beyond Beef
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. taco seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. ancho chili powder
  • Splash of Tabasco sauce
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 burger buns
  • Optional toppings: cheddar cheese, salsa, tortilla strips, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Mix the ground Beyond Beef, taco seasoning, ancho chili powder, Tabasco sauce, and cheddar cheese in a bowl.
  3. Form the mixture into 4 burger patties.
  4. Grill burgers for 3 minutes on each side, or until browned with grill marks.
  5. Toast buns and place a burger on each bun.
  6. Top with more cheddar cheese, salsa, tortilla strips, lettuce, guacamole, or sour cream, if desired.
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If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can omit the Tabasco sauce completely.  I just put enough of it in the burger mixture to give it some good flavor.  If you’re not big on meatless proteins, you can totally make a good old fashioned beef burger with this seasoning blend.  Want to get real crazy?  Serve this burger in a soft tortilla! 

Did you make this Spicy Beyond Meat Taco Burger recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #livinglavidaeats. Don’t forget to tag me @lavidaholoka!

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Beach Day Bucket List – Free Printable

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Turn your trip to the beach into a day of fun in the sun with this free Beach Day Bucket List printable!  Check off these activities while you’re hanging on the beach and on the boardwalk!

This post may contain affiliate links.  Making a purchase through one of these links helps support this blog.


Beaches are starting to reopen in New Jersey just in time for Memorial Day weekend. And while I won’t be heading to the shore anytime soon (I prefer off-season anyway), it is exciting to see such a promising step towards moving forward from the pandemic.

Honestly, I can’t tell you the last time I was at the beach.  Well, let me rephrase that.  I can’t tell you the last time that I spent a day at the beach.  Back in the day, you could find me at the Jersey shore almost every single weekend.  We’d pack our bags, drive down to the beach with the music blasting, spend the morning and a portion of the afternoon frying on the beach, and then hit the boardwalk at night.

These days, I definitely prefer just hanging out on the boardwalk. I like to visit the aquarium, play in the arcade (you’re never too old for a crane game!), and stop for a lobster roll and a Kohr’s famous orange swirl ice cream cone!  Most of our visits to the beach are actually off-season when no one is around and we can walk along the water without dodging the crowds.  It’s my favorite time to look for shells and just enjoy watching and listening to the waves crash!

DOWNLOAD THIS FREE BEACH DAY BUCKET LIST PRINTABLE HERE!

 
Things will be a little different at the Jersey shore this summer. Social distancing guidelines have been set into place and restrictions differ at every beach location. But if you’re still planning on packing up the family and heading to the beach this summer, bring a copy of this Beach Day Bucket List with you!  It’ll turn your beach day into a seaside search for fun!  Just remember to stay safe, wear your sunscreen, and be mindful of everyone else having fun in the sun!

What would you add to your beach day bucket list?

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Grilled Steak and Potato Salad

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Hearty steak and potatoes are turned into a lighter dish for summer with this Grilled Steak and Potato Salad recipe full of classic flavor!

This post may contain affiliate links.  Making a purchase through one of these links helps support this blog.


The day I made this recipe, we were expecting a military flyover in New Jersey.  There have been a couple of them this past month to salute front line workers and I’ve quickly become obsessed with military planes.  They’re loud, they’re fast, and just so cool to watch!

Twenty minutes before the flyover was supposed to happen – and not knowing how close it would happen to our house – I threw a foil cover on this salad and decided to wait on making the dressing.  SO WORTH IT!  Not only did the flyover happen RIGHT OVER OUR HOUSE, but it gave the steak enough time to rest and it turned out to be perfect!  Win-win!   

A simple salad that tastes luxurious!

 
I used a strip steak to make this salad.  I had added a couple strip steaks to my last grocery order.  But while my Instacart shopper was shopping, I got a replacement notification.  They only had one steak available.  Hoping it would be big enough to share, I approved the replacement.  Well, it was a little over half a pound.  So I decided to be quarantine boujee and made myself one hell of a salad!  For me, it was enough for two lunches.  Not too shabby!  

It took a little longer for me to put this salad together than I had anticipated.  Not only because I was distracted by the upcoming flyover, but because it was so windy outside that I couldn’t use our gas grill (the flame will keep blowing out and I wasn’t dealing with that).   So I ended up cooking everything on our cast iron grill pan.  Instead of cooking everything on the grill basically at once, I had to grill a couple ingredients at a time.  Still worked out, just took longer! 

Grilled Steak and Potato Salad

 
I threw some sliced creamer potatoes on the grill pan first to get them started.  Once they got nice grill marks, I gave them a flip and pushed them off to one side.  I worked ingredient-by-ingredient adding the mushrooms until they were done cooking.  Then, I added sliced onion and grape tomatoes, cooking just until they burst. 

The last thing I put on the grill was the steak.  I didn’t trim the fat off until the steak was done cooking so I could lock in all of those juices and flavor.  The steak cooked for about 5 minutes on each side to get it to a medium doneness.  Then, I removed it from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes.

The dressing I made was simple.  I did a quick blend of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and some fresh herbs from the garden.  It was just enough and didn’t take away from the other ingredients in the salad.  

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Grilled Steak and Potato Salad

Serving Size: 2

Grilled Steak and Potato Salad

Ingredients

    For the salad:
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup creamer potatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups baby bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 1 strip steak
  • 3 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • For the dressing:
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh herbs, like basil, oregano, and parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

    For the salad:
  1. Preheat gas grill, or grill pan, to medium heat. If using the gas grill, brush veggies with the olive oil. If using a grill pan, add the olive oil to the pan.
  2. Add the potatoes, sliced side down, the onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes to the grill (you may want to use a grill basket or add foil to the grill).
  3. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the center of the potatoes has softened, the onions and mushrooms have softened, the tomatoes start to burst, and there are noticeable grill marks.
  4. Season the steak with salt and pepper and place on the grill. For a medium cook, grill for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes.
  5. Serve sliced steak and veggies over Romaine lettuce. Dress with lemon-herb dressing.
    6. For the dressing:
  6. Blend the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and salt and pepper just until the garlic and herbs are chopped and ingredients are incorporated.
  7. Pour over salad and toss.
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This salad was super satisfying and the steak was so tender!  It just melted like buttah with every bite!  So now I absolutely have to make this boujee quarantine meal again.  And this time, share with my husband! 

Did you make this Grilled Steak and Potato Salad recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #livinglavidaeats. Don’t forget to tag me @lavidaholoka!

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