Monday

Make Your Own Cloth Wipes Solution

Since before my son was born nine months ago, I've been saying I was going to make and use cloth wipes. I was already planning on using cloth diapers, so using cloth wipes only made sense. I even had cloth wipes already. But it just never happened.

So, I finally made the goal to start using cloth wipes as soon as I ran out of my current box of disposable wipes.

When it comes to clothes wipes, there are two methods: the wet method and the dry method. With the wet method, you keep the wipes in a container and pour the cleaning solution on top of them so they are damp prior to use. With the dry method, you keep your wipes dry and apply the cleaning solution to the wipe or baby bum via a spray bottle.

I was interested in trying the dry method first because it seemed easier to tote along in the diaper bag and I had heard you can have problems with mold growing on yours wipes with the wet method.

So, now all I needed was a cleaning solution. You can buy a commercially made cleaning solution, but why buy one when you can make your own! Making your own is cheaper and you can normally find all the ingredients you need in you home!

There are tons of cloth wipe solution recipes on the internet. I opted for a basic solution with some specific ingredients in mind.

  • Soap - to cleanse and remove urine and feces.
  • Oil - to help the wipe glide across baby’s skin and keep it soft.
  • Aloe - to sooth skin and protect skin.
  • Essential Oil - to use for antibacterial properties.

Here's the recipe I used:

Cloth Wipes Solution

1/2 cup Hot Water
1 1/2 teaspoons mild soap (I used a baby mild castile soap)
1 1/2 teaspoons jojoba oil
1 1/2 teaspoons aloe juice
1 drop tea tree oil

Mix your ingredients and pour into spray bottle.

You can use this solution for the wet wipe method by increasing the amounts of the recipe.

So far, I've been enjoy the wipes a lot. I feel like the cleaning solution cleans and nourishes my baby's bum very well. I'm glad I made the switch and wonder what took me so long!

Are you using cloth wipes in your home? What cleaning solution do you use?

Recycling: Turning Waste into New Materials

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve challenged you to think about waste and ways to control the waste we produce through practicing the tenets of waste management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

At the beginning of this series, I talked about the importance of first taking actions to reduce the waste in your life. After reducing waste, find ways to reuse potential waste. Finally after completing those actions, you can focus on recycling.

Recycling is similar to reusing. However, with recycling you break down an object in order to create a new object. This helps reduce the use of raw materials and waste produced by the disposal of potentially useful materials.

There are two main forms of recycling: Traditional Recycling and Composting

Traditional Recycling

This is what usually comes to mind when you think of recycling. With this method, you collect specific materials and drop them off at a recycling center. These materials are then processed and manufactured into new products.

One of the reasons why recycling is emphasized as the last of the actions to perform is because recycling is limited in which materials can be processed. These materials typically consist of glass, plastic, paper, metal, textiles and electronics. Plus, additional energy resources are required to turn the old product into a new one.

Composting

According to the EPA, yard trimmings and food waste make up 26 percent of U.S. solid waste. However, much of this so-called “waste” can be put to good use and turned into nutrient-rich compost. Composting is very easy and just takes food and yard waste, something to “fluff” and turn the compost pile, space and a little enthusiasm!

Compost is a key to organic gardening and has a host of benefits, such as being an economic way to improve the quality of your soil, preventing pests and disease and educing or eliminating the need for chemical fertilizer.

Are you currently recycling in our household? Tell us about it!

Thursday

Guest Post: Reusing Clothes

A big thanks to Sara Parsons (my dear sister) for this guest post.

Ever since I was little, I’ve gotten an extraordinary amount of joy from creating something from something else. I made pianos, cars, guitars and numerous other intricate play things from cardboard boxes and other household “trash”.

This joy has followed me into adulthood. However, I‘ve moved on from cardboard boxes. Today, my favorite repurposing medium is clothes.

This dress was constructed from a long
sleeve tee, a short sleeve tee, a tank top
and an old slip.

In our culture, clothes are a big deal. They aren’t just for covering our bodies or keeping us warm. Clothes are an expression of who we are. The ornamental nature of clothes results in a huge industry and a lot of clothes - a lot of clothes in stores and a lot of clothes in our closets.

All these clothes amount to a lot of waste and can lead to a sad pocket book. And personally, I’m not willing to sink a lot of money for something so transient. Repurposing allows me to enjoy a varied and changing wardrobe without all the waste.

So, let’s talk about the various ways to reuse clothes.

Secondhand

The most basic form of repurposing would be acquiring used clothes through hand-me-downs or consignment. And let me tell you, hand-me-downs aren’t just for kids. Clothes swap parties are becoming quite popular. My group of girl friends always sends around clothes we are cleaning out. You never know what someone may be in the market for. So, don’t assume you don’t have anything someone else would want.

Don’t have friends who are into hand-me-downs? Donate unwanted clothes to charity. But never throw away clothes. Goodwill actually recycles old clothes they can’t sell in their store.

I turned a pull over, hooded sweater into a
hooded cardigan. I added lace detail on the
hood and an applique flower for interest.

Mending

Have that favorite shirt that’s seam has popped? Received a great pair of slacks that are too long? Don’t throw them out or give them away - fix them!

Don’t have a sewing machine? Find a mom, grandmother or friend that does. No friends or relatives with sewing machines? That’s okay! Most basic mending only requires a needle and thread.

If your confidence in sewing is shaky, maybe you could ask that mom, grandmother or friend for a couple of basic lessons or if they can do it for you. But take this from a seamstress - repay them for their time in some way. Chocolate is good, or favor them with a skill you have. But please, don’t take advantage of their skill. Additionally, there are great resources on-line for basic sewing.

The skirt was made out of two sweaters.
I used scrap fabric from other projects to

create the flower applique.

Altering

Sometimes there is a clothing item that you have a love/hate relationship with. Maybe the fabric pattern is to die for but the cut is lousy. Maybe that blouse is the perfect fit but kind of boring. Perhaps that over-sized men’s shirt is just begging to be made into a dress. Okay, maybe that last one is just me. The point is that clothes are full of potential.

My favorite repurposing project was my wedding
dress. I made it from an Edwardian style costume
I had sewn in highschool. It features antique
doilies and laces made by relatives.

Altering clothes can bring you into the exciting world of fashion design. Let’s face it, we all get the urge to get new clothes. But instead of going to the store, ponying up a lot of money and contributing to waste, why not try your hand at making your own clothes through reusing old clothes.

I admit, it takes a bit of creative eye, but it’s immensely fun and I highly recommend you give it a go. Pretty soon you will be seeing clothes like you’ve never seen them before. And it’s so rewarding to have new clothes that you made.

Having a sewing machine and some skill helps, but these things aren’t required. There are lots of no-sew alteration options you can do. The website New Dress A Day is a great resource for inspiration for taking clothes and making them into something else without a lot of fuss.


Sara Parsons loves most things artistic and crafty. And when she isn’t turning sheets into rugs and dresses, you will most likely find her trying out a natural. real food recipe, being a barista, or loving up her husband.

Tuesday

Reuse: Twine Wrapped Bottle Tutorial

One thing I particularly enjoy about reusing items is how you can turn something that would otherwise be thrown away into something that is really cool. I don't consider myself to be super crafty, but I do enjoy great DIY projects.

I admit, I’ve seen ideas for repurposing items that basically look like you’re using trash to decorate or organize your home. I like things to look nice and I prefer to reuse in a way that is in line with that philosophy. So, I’m always keeping an eye out for those unique and creative ways to reuse.

A couple years ago, I saw an idea in a Real Simple magazine that I just had to recreate myself. In the article, they had wrapped various bottles and jars in twine and used them as centerpieces. They looked so simple and elegant. Plus, the ways in which I could create and use these twine wrapped masterpieces were so varied!

And so I give you instructions on how to make your own twine wrapped gems.

What You Need:
  • A clean, empty bottle or jar (I prefer glass because they look nicer.)
  • Twine
  • Craft glue
  • Super glue
  • Scissors

What You Do:

STEP 1: Apply a small, vertical line of super glue toward the top of the bottle. Place the twine on the line of super glue. This will hold the end of your twine in place and allow you to have a clean edge of twine at the top of your bottle. Allow the glue to set.


STEP 2: Apply a ribbon of craft glue along the top section of the bottle and begin to tightly wrap the twine around the bottle.

 
STEP 3: Continue to apply ribbon of glue as you make your way down the bottle. It’s okay if glue seeps through, as it will dry clear and help the twine stay in place. You can wrap the twine as close together or as far apart as you want. Irregularities are okay and add to the look.



STEP 4: Once you reach the bottom of the bottle, cut the twine, leaving a small piece sticking out. Apply super glue to the bottom of the wrapped twine and secure remaining edge of twine to the bottle.


 STEP 5: Use for flowers, decorative branches, as a candle holder and more!

 
Additionally, you can be as creative with these as you want. Use colored rope, add beads, stamp a design on the bottle, etc. to create the look you want!

Monday

Reuse: An Alternative to Throwing Away

Fork Coat Rack by JJ Evensen Art.
According to the EPA, Americans produced approximately 243 million tons of trash in 2009 (that equals the weight of about 665 Empire State Buildings). And if you break that down even further, that’s comes to around 4.3 pounds of waste per person per day. I know 4.3 pounds doesn’t sound like a big number, but in terms of trash, that's a lot.

So last week, I challenged you to take time to think about the waste you produce. I’m not asking anyone to do the impossible and completely eliminate waste from their lives. But I am asking you to take responsibility for what you throw away and question the waste habits you currently have. And we’re addressing the issue by talking about the tenets of waste management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

After talking about the importance of reducing waste in our lives, let’s talk about the next step.

Reuse, the second tenet of waste management, challenges us find an alternative to an object that would otherwise be thrown away. This might be through conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function or reusing an item for a new function.

Reusable Items

One of the best ways implement the action Reuse is through replacing disposable items in your life with reusable ones. This step alone can make a big difference in the amount of waste produced in your home.

Start thinking about the disposable items you use and their reusable alternatives. Paper napkins, paper towels, plastic water bottles, freezer bags, plastic wrap, plastic shopping bags, etc. are all items that are relatively easy to replace or reduce the use of through reusable items.

You might be surprised with just how many things you can replace with reusable! In addition to the commonly thought of reusable alternatives, a few other options to consider are reusable coffee filters, reusable produce bags, cloth diapers, cloth wipes, and reusable feminine products.

Reusable items might require an initial upfront cost, but in the end, you can save a lot of money through using them. And as I’ve said before, start with one thing, like a reusable water bottle and go from there.

Repurpose

Another aspect of reusing is to find an additional use for an item. What might have found the end to its useful life in one aspect, can have a purpose in another. The key to this alternative is to be creative and think outside the box.

The options for repurposing are truly ENDLESS. Those glass food jars can be used for storing food, art supplies and more. Wine and beer bottles can turn into candle holders. Egg cartons and toilet paper rolls can be used to start seeds in. And don’t even get me started on the craft options available to kids.

One Last Thought

As I bring this post to a close, there is one thing I’d like to clarify. While reusing it an important aspect of waste management, remember that reducing waste comes first. You can find great alternatives to throwing something out, but I am not an advocate of holding on to everything in hopes of finding an alternative use for it. I’m big on keeping chaos out of your home. Think creatively and have fun reusing items, but use wisdom.

So, join me this week as I share some ideas for reusing items in your life.

What are your favorite ways to reuse in your home?

Thursday

Reducing Waste: Simplify Your Home

When I was a teen, I always had a hard time keeping my room clean. I know, I know, what teen doesn’t? But the thing is, I WANTED a clean room. I wanted an organized room. And so once a month, when I couldn’t stand it anymore, I would clean my room. And it would take me ALL DAY LONG.

It was kind of ridiculous.

I would often lament about my room to my younger sister. Her room was always so perfect and tidy and felt nice to be in. And so one day my thoughtful sister gave me a gift that really changed everything. That gift was Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley aka The FlyLady.

It was a sort of funny gift for a 16-year-old, but it was just what I needed.

I could write a whole post about the FlyLady and her practices, but one of the main things that book did to change my life was to teach me to get rid of stuff and simplify. She has an activity called the 27 Fling-Boogie, in which we would turn on crazy fast, peppy songs and run around our rooms for 15 minutes randomly grabbing 27 unneeded items and throwing them in a box to get rid of.

We would do this once a week. It’s crazy to think I had enough stuff to get rid of 27 items every week. (And we did this for several weeks.)

Slowly, but surely I started to reclaim my room and my stuff. And this was the first time in my life that I had really ever done it. I was learning to take responsibility for what I owned, figure out what was truly needed and what was purely unnecessary. And it felt really good.

That lesson stuck with me and shaped who I have become and how I view keeping my home. At 16, my eyes were opened to how awful I felt by having chaos in my life and how freeing it was to simplify the stuff in my room.

What does this have to do with reducing waste? Well, I learned that when you simplify the possessions in your life, you use what you have more efficiently and have a tendency to accumulate less unnecessary stuff and therefore produce less waste.

Here are some tips for simplifying your life to reduce waste:

Purge. The first step to simplifying your home is to purge those unnecessary possessions. Take a good hard look at what you have and start purging. For some this step is easier. Begin with one room and take it a bite at a time. Start with a particular drawer, cabinet or shelf. Look at everything in it or on it and decide if you really need it.

If You Don’t Use It, You Won’t Use It. Having a hard time deciding? Well, they say if you haven’t used something in a year, chances are you’ll never use it. And in general, I find this to be true. So, if you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it. If there’s still stuff you’re not sure about, put a date on the item, stick it in a container and place it in the garage or a closet. If in a year, you haven’t missed something in the container, get rid of it. (However, I find through simply relegated an item to said container, within a month I have a clearer view of its necessity in my home.)

A Place For Everything and Everything in its Place. Once you’ve initiated the purging process, take time to go through each room and find a place for everything and make sure it resides where it’s supposed to go. This makes tidying your home so much easier. You don’t end up with that pile of stuff you don’t know what to do with that you just move from room to room.

Get Rid of It! After you’ve collected the items you don’t need, get rid of it! But do so RESPONSIBLY. You can sell the items or for simplicity’s sake, donate them to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Whatever you do, do it quickly.

Once you’ve simplified your home through purging, work hard to keep it simple. Before you allow something to enter your home, ask yourself if you really need it. I found that once I started purging my room of stuff, I had a better idea of what needed to be there. It’s a lesson I’m still learning today, but it is a lesson that becomes easier to learn through continual practice.


So, what are you doing to simplify your home?

Wednesday

Reducing Waste: Buy Used!

As I explained in my previous post, preventing waste is first priority when it comes to reducing waste. And one of my favorite ways to prevent waste is to buy used.

You can find pretty much anything you need used. Some examples of what we’ve bought used are: clothes, dishes, home decor, baby items, appliances, lawn mower, car, camera, camera lenses, bed frame and couch.

I know for some buying used isn’t as appealing, but you’d be surprised by you can find, especially with the resources available. And just because you buy used doesn’t mean you can’t get really nice quality or trendy stuff. Often times, you can find items that are practically new.

Plus, buying used has great benefits.

First, you prevent waste. Buying used helps prevent the waste that comes with purchasing a new item - either through production, transport or packaging. And you’re helping to ensure an item is used to it’s full potential.

Second, you save money. In fact, you can save A LOT of money. When we moved into our new home, we needed several appliances. Through buying used, we got a range, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer for the grand total of $125! (Two of those items were free!) And we got quality appliances that are in great working condition!

Even if you’re in a good financial place and don’t NEED to save money, we all like a good deal! There are a lot of things you can do with the money you save on a good deal. Put it toward retirement or give to charity!

Here are some tips for buying used:

Read the description. Sounds obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to skim. Carefully reading the description can answer a lot of questions before you move to the next step in the buying process. As you read, jot down thoughts or questions that come to mind so you know what questions you want to address if you contact the seller.

Ask questions. It’s good to make sure you have all the information you need to know you’re making a quality purchase, especially for bigger items. Ask things like: How old is it? Why are you selling it? Have you had any problems with it? Were you happy with it? What if I get it home and it has a problem?


Touch and feel the product. When you’re looking over an item, it can be easy to be quick in your assessment. Don’t be afraid to give something a thorough look over before agreeing to buy it. If you can, test it out.

Be patient. If you’re in the market for something, get a good idea of what you’re looking for, the price you want to pay and have the patience to wait for it. In our experience, once we start watching for something, the perfect item pops up within about two weeks.

Set up an alert. A lot of websites, like eBay or craigslist, have the option to set up alerts on your computer or phone to make the looking process easy. You can create a customized search for an item on the website or a phone app and be alerted every time an item that fits your shttp://www.oursimplynaturallife.com/2011/04/reducing-waste-in-your-life.htmlearch criteria is posted. It makes looking for an item a breeze.

Now that you have some helpful info about buying used, here are places to look for what you need:

eBay - Most people are familiar with eBay. Here you’ll find used clothes, used books, used electronics, used movies, etc., etc., etc. eBay is great because it is an international website, thus you have access to stuff all over the world. The downside can be the fact that you probably will pay shipping and you usually can’t touch and feel the product. However, one plus is that through using eBay and Paypal, you have some buyer protection.

craigslist - Craigslist is a free, on-line local classifieds forum. You can get just about anything on craigslist. Craigslist makes some people nervous because they’re concerned about the safety of meeting with strangers or getting ripped off. The important thing here is to use common sense. Meet in a public place when you can or don’t go alone to someone’s home. Remember to ask questions and check out the product your buying. Yes, criminals are out there, but the majority of interactions don’t have any problems.

Freecycle - Freecycle is an Internet-based community recycling project of reusing and sharing usable goods. All you have to do it join your community’s local group and ask for or watch for what you need. I’ve found my Freecycle network is pretty slow and not a viable option for getting stuff, but I have friends that have great Freecycle networks in their community and have landed some great finds.

On-line swapping sites - These are just another example of how people can utilize the internet in creative and helpful ways. There are countless websites for swapping books, movies, clothes, handbags, and more. Basically, if you do a search for any item and add the word ‘swap’, you’ll find a website for just that purpose. When it comes to these sites, it’s proper etiquette to give back and not just be a taker.

Consignment stores - Another great option is consignment stores. You can find furniture, clothes, accessories, toys, movies, household items and more. Find out when they have sales and you can get even better deals. Plus, if you shop at consignment stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army, your money is going to a good cause.

Consignment events - many cities have community events that provide the opportunity for consigners to come together at one big consignment event. These are great opportunities to find a variety of items. Opening days are usually busy, as people want to be first in line for the best stuff.

Garage sales - Can’t leave these off the list. Garage sales can be a great way to find used items. And the beginning of spring is the most popular time of year for them.

Your social network - With all the social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, you have instant access to a lot of people. You’d be surprised what becomes available with a little shout-out to your friends. But remember, don’t spam your friends, it’s not nice and a little fairy dies every time you do.

So, what are your favorite tips or places to buy used?

Monday

Reducing Waste in Your Life

Waste.

Just take a moment to dwell on the word. What feelings or thoughts come to mind when you think of that it? In my mind, I associate the term ‘waste’ with misuse; if I've wasted something, I've not used it correctly or efficiently.

Waste is a byproduct of consuming goods. But the amount of waste produced can vary depending on the choices we make. And that’s where the Three R’s come in.

In my previous post, I explained that I’m going to spend the next few weeks focusing on the tenets of waste management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It’s a simple little phrase with a powerful message.

But it’s more than just an eco-friendly, environmental campaign. It’s a mindset and way of living. It’s a motto I find helpful as our family strives to be good stewards of what we are given. And if we apply this philosophy to our lives, we will reap a multitude of benefits, such as saving money, simplifying our lives and caring for our world.

The actions of the Three R’s are in a specific order and for good reason. Recycling is great, but before we do that, we should be finding ways to reuse our waste. And before we reuse our waste, we should be focusing on reducing it.

The purpose of ‘Reduce’ is to prevent and minimize the amount of waste produced. Think about the difference we could make if we prevented waste from ever being made or decreased the amount of waste we create.

So, let’s explore how we can apply the action ‘Reduce’ to our lives.

Prevention

This is where we need to start. And in order to prevent waste in our lives, we have to reduce what we buy and consume.

When people talk about financial responsibility, an important point they hit on is understanding the difference between needs and wants. The principle applies here as well.

We live in a very material based society. There are a lot of things we can do, eat, wear, fill our homes with, etc. And to be perfectly honest, a good portion of the things in my life are things I don’t NEED. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad about those little luxuries and comforts, but it’s important to think about their place in our priorities.

Before you bring something into your life, ask yourself if it is helping you maintain or achieve your priorities. Is producing unnecessary waste in your life?

Minimize

After preventing waste from being made, look at minimizing the waste you create. This is a huge challenge in a society with a disposable mindset. So many things are designed to be used and thrown away. And this is where we have to change our perspective. If you take responsibility for everything you throw away, you start to realize just how much you throw away.

I’ve begun to do this, and it’s made me see my waste in a whole new light. As I take responsibility for what I throw away, it causes me to question the necessity of something in my home or if it needs to be thrown away at all. Disposable items like paper napkins, paper towels, plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic cups, paper plates, etc. are being used less or eliminated from our home altogether. And you know, it hasn’t made our life any more difficult. In fact, I find it freeing to know I’m producing less waste.

Another thing to think about is the waste a product will produce by how it’s made or packaged. For example, avoid products packaged in serving-size portions. They cost more and produce more waste than their conventionally packaged counterparts. Instead, buy the regular product and portion out the item as you need it in non-disposable containers.

So Let's Get Started...

Reducing waste in our lives is a big task. There are countless ways we can address this issue. And that's why I'll be posting ideas for reducing waste in your life for the rest of the week. I don’t plan on covering all aspects of the issue. I mainly want to get you thinking and present some of the things we do in our household.

Don’t try to do it all at once. In our home, we’re taking things one step at a time. This helps prevent us from getting overwhelmed and ensures we master the change we are implementing.

So I’m curious, in what ways do you try to reduce waste in your home?

Saturday

Good Stewardship

As Christians, my husband and I feel we are called to be good stewards of what we have been given. We have a responsibility to care for what God has blessed us with and feel our choices should be in line with that task. One of these blessings is the world in which we live.

We live in a society of convenience and sometimes it’s easy to forget how our lifestyle impacts our world. We’re far removed from how our stuff is made and what happens to it after we’re done with it. Just think of how easy it is to get something or get rid of it. You want a new doodad? It’s yours. Don’t need that piece of junk? Throw it in the trash can.

I’ve been guilty of it and still am! But I’m working to change my perspective about my choices. I want to have a greater awareness of my stuff. I want to view it as more than just stuff, but as my responsibility. I want to be a good steward of what I bring into my home.

And with that said, for the next few weeks, I’d like to give a tip of the hat to Earth Day with a 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' series. Each week, I’ll focus on one of these tenets and share ways we apply these actions to our life!

So stay tuned!

Thursday

Oooey Gooey Black Bean Bronwnies

We like to eat healthy, but I’ve not really ventured into baking without grains much. Lately, I’ve seen recipes for black bean brownies pop up a few times on blogs I read. Each time I saw the recipe, I thought “I’m not so sure about that.” But I was so curious. The pictures looked amazing and people REALLY liked these brownies.


I decided to take a stab at these black bean brownies and let me say, they weren’t lying when they said they are good. Our family loves them. And since I'm now a black bean brownie believer, I must pass a recipe on myself!

“But wait!,” you say. “Why would I make brownies out of black beans, when I can make normal brownies?” Very good question. The long answer would require another post. The short answer is that grains, especially refined grains like the flour we buy off the grocery store shelf, are difficult for our bodies to digest and are stripped of their nutrients in the refining process. And as you might have noticed, grains are a very prominent part of our diets in Western culture. I’m just trying to find alternatives to a grain heavy diet.

So, let’s get to the brownies!


Black Bean Brownies

2 c. black beans (canned or cooked)
3 eggs
1/3 c. butter, melted
1/8 c. coconut oil, melted
1/2 c. honey or sugar
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c. crushed walnuts (optional)
1/4 c. shredded coconut (optional)
NOTE: If you use unsalted butter or cooked beans, add 1/8 tsp. salt to the recipe.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put all ingredients in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Grease 8x8 glass baking dish. Pour mixture into dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips, walnuts and shredded coconut on top. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until brownies set in the middle. Remove from oven and enjoy!

We like to chill the brownies in the fridge before eating them, but warm is good too!

Thanks to Tammy's Recipes and 365 Days of Clean Eating for the inspiration!