Rare 30% off any 1 Book on Amazon promo code

I'm excited to see this again! As it rarely ever happens - I think last time was a year ago! And just in time for the holidays!

Books are always - let me repeat - ALWAYS make good GREAT gifts!

And with promo code HOLIDAY30, any one book sold and shipped from Amazon will be 30% off. This promo code lasts through November 29th.

So go look at Amazon Books! And please click through my referral links to help support Sweet Roots!

Not sure what to use it on? Here are a few pairings for children's gifts:

AND
So if you buy this World of Animals encyclopedia (we love ours!) and this Animals Sticker Encyclopedia Activity Book, you'll pay $23.18. Perfect gift for the animal lover in your home!

This is what I will be doing with my coupon code. Since we already have the animal encyclopedia, I wanted to buy the science book and put it together with a science kit for an easy educational gift.
AND
This World of Science encyclopedia is perfect to go with this Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit and with promo code HOLIDAY30, it ends up being $28.86 for both items. Another great educational gift!

Of course, you can also use this opportunity to get something for yourself!

Here are a few items on my wish list! What books are on your wish list?




AND FOR THE STAR WARS FANS:



AND FOR THE HARRY POTTER FANS:


AND FOR THE HONY FANS

Humans of New York: Stories is originally $29.99 but is currently on sale for $17.64 and with promo code HOLIDAY30, it will be $12.35 (almost 60% savings!)!

Baked Sweet Potato with Broccoli and Cashew Ceese Sauce (vegan, healthier twist on classic baked potato)

A classic favorite with a nutritious (and vegan) spin.

Fall is always rich with color - the changing leaves, the Autumn sunsets, and the seemingly endless supply of squash and sweet potatoes.

Seriously, what's a prettier orange than the inside of a steamed sweet potato? If there is, I haven't seen it. This kind of vibrancy demonstrates a range of nutrients.

I wrote a haiku in demonstration:

 

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes orange
Broccoli green (vegan) cheese covered
I like comfort food.

 

...so it's not perfect but I never claimed to be a poet.

One evening (more like every evening) I needed something that was less than 30 minutes to make. Quick. Nutritious. Effortless.

... so I microwaved my sweet potatoes. *gasp* call out the nutrional police!
But it did only take 16ish minutes to make this. I'd much rather have this quick food than fast food.

 

Baked Sweet Potato with Steamed Broccoli and Cheese Sauce

 

Sweet Potatoes

Broccoli

Cashew Cheese Sauce, recipe below

 

Bake the sweet potatoes at 400 for an hour or until cooked. Alternatively, you can also use your slow cooker or microwave to cook the sweet potatoes.

Steam the broccoli.

Meanwhile, make cheese sauce.

Cashew Cheese Sauce

1/2 cup cashews

2 cups broth

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

3 TB amino acids (sub coconut aminos and punch of salt for paleo version)

2 large carrots

1 TB chia seeds

Pinch of oregano

Pinch of nutmeg, optional

 

1. Heat the broth over the stove.

2. Blend all ingredients in blender.

3. Pour over baked sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli.

 

 

Do you like my plate? We went to a local pottery painting place! It was very fun and I love getting to eat off something we helped create!

DIY Foaming Hand Soap (Easy and Money-saving)

Have you ever seen how much good quality hand soap costs? We have all bought it but have you really looked at the cost? A necessary evil, no?

I was determined not to buy hand soap again. I reused foaming hand soap bottles until finally, I fell upon these great bottles (thank you, InterDesign!). The trick is the bottle here. These special bottles ensure that you never have to buy hand soap again. They come in chrome, white, nickel, black and bronze (pictured below). 

 

 

This is like DIY foaming hand soap for dummies super savvy thrifters. The bottle has two lines on it. First to fill with soap and then to fill with distilled or filtered water. Essential oils (I prefer citrus, tea tree and clove) are a great addition and are naturally antibacterial.

 

All you need:
A Foaming Hand Soap Bottle (found here )

Dr. Bronners Castile Soap (citrus is nice for bathroom and kitchen)

Distilled or Filtered Water

Essential Oils (optional)

Fill the first line with castile soap. Fill to second line with water. Shake gently. And use!

The result is a great foaming hand soap without a lot of waste.

 

Move over triclosan! Make room for Essential Oils! According to Sophie Uliano in her book Gorgeously Green , triclosan, the chemical used in most antibacterial products, is carcinogenic and can weaken your immune system. It also can cause birth defects and fertility issues (p 21). Lavender, Tea Tree, and Lemongrass are all effective antibacterials. I buy Mountain Rose Herbs essential oils.

 

 

Harvest inspired Sweet Potato and Chocolate Pudding Parfait (vegan, gluten-free)

Perfect for Halloween!

Vegan and refined sugar free! Full of good fats and beta carotene! What else can you expect from a dessert? Plus, it makes for such a pretty presentation.

Oh, did I mention the main ingredients are a vegetable and a fruit (because avocados are technically fruits)? That's right. The orange layer is made from sweet potatoes (very similar to my Sweet Potato Frosting) and the chocolate layer is made from avocados.

To make this, you'll need a food processor or high-speed blender ( I used my trusty Vitamix).

Sweet Potato and Chocolate Pudding Parfait
Orange Sweet Potato Pudding
1 cup coconut milk, unsweetened (I used So Delicious brand)
2 sweet potatoes, steamed and still warm
2 tsp arrowroot starch
1/4 cup maple syrup (or 1/2 cup and omit vanilla stevia)
1/4 cup coconut oil
10-15 drops Vanilla Creme Stevia (I used Sweet Leaf brand)

Chocolate Avocado Pudding
3 avocados
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 TB maple syrup
10-15 drops Vanilla Creme Stevia
Pinch of Salt
6 TB raw cacao powder (I used Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Powder )

Blend all ingredients in blender. Start small with the stevia and add more drops as you go. Refrigerate separately since the sweet potato layer will be warm.

Also, for a darker chocolate layer, you can add more cacao powder but we enjoyed this as is - a milkier chocolate.

ENJOY!

I really like the Navitas brand. It's a lighter, realer tasting cacao than what you normally buy in the grocery store. You can purchase Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Powder here. There is even a 25% off coupon to clip on Amazon!

 

Are you dressing up for Halloween? And what's your costume?

 

Organic India Tulsi Tea Review #Momsmeet

When the temperature starts to drop outside, I like to warm up with a hot cup of tea. Whether it be a spicy and creamy Chai or a wonderful herbaceous  (it's the equivalent of bodacious-ness in herb speak) infusion. I want a cup of liquid so hot, it would warm even Scrooge's rickety, old bones.

 

So when there was a chance through Mom's Meet to review Organic India Tulsi tea, I jumped! When I got the box in the mail, I quite literally squealed like a little piglet. It felt like Christmas! (I guess you know what I want for Christmas... she said unabashedly).

I received seven boxes of tea to review! Seven! Of which I will describe later in the post! I also received psyllium husk! Which is amazing for gluten-free and egg-free bakers (like this granola bread) and basically makes you poop like Superman... if he did poop. Who knows because he's not human, right?

I immediately heated up the stove and put the kettle on because honey, time was a waisting.
And then I rubbed my hands together while I devised a recipe made with psyllium... a scone worthy of all the holy basil tea. Check out these Revolutionary Cranberry Orange Scones here.
 

Before we begin, let's talk a little about Tulsi.

 

Tulsi is a wonderful adaptogen herb, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. It can create an overall sense of wellbeing and restore balance. The antioxidants in Tulsi help protect against free radicals and strengthen the immune system. It can help the body more efficiently use oxygen and support respiratory health. It's also anti-inflammatory and aids liver function.

 

Organic India's Tulsi tea includes three varieties of Tulsi leaves: Rama, Vana, and Krishna. Combined, they are powerhouse of taste and antioxidants!

 

And you can save 20% by using code kiwi20 and purchasing from Organic India's website. And go give them a like on facebook.

 

 

I enjoyed all the teas that Organic India sent - they each could be categorized in herbal, floral or fruity notes. After some research, I found that Organic India also creates a few chai tulsi teas. I'm looking forward to purchasing that at the store because chai teas happen to be a favorite.

 

 

Here are the flavors I tried (I starred the ones I would definitely buy again):

Original - wonderfully herbaceous with a little bit of basil spice *

Red Mango - a rooibos base with red mango flavor *

          I love red tea so I enjoyed this one immensely. The fruity mango mixed with the basil             

          was a perfect combo in my book.

Pomegranate green - nice green tea + fruit flavor but my least favorite, strong in tannin

Sweet Rose - nice floral (but not overly strong) notes + a tea I'd want to drink with my grandma *

Raspberry Peach - fruity and fun, my daughter  liked this one the most

Peppermint - very subtle mint flavor (I like it strong) but combined nicely with the herby spice of

          Tulsi

Honey Chamomile - my favorite, very great soothing honey and chamomile taste *

 

 

Overall, I was very impressed with selection. Tulsi has really impressed as an herb and I enjoyed learning about it through Organic India.

 

I hope you enjoy your cup of tea today! And don't forget to check out Organic India!

 

Big Blue Eyes wanted to take a picture of me holding the tea. Of course, I smiled! Even though I'm sans make-up.

 

I received these products for free, in exchange for my review, from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media LLC or the manufacturer of this product.