I’ve been doing my laundry without a washing machine for about 7 months now and I’m loving it! While eco-friendly, this method I’m going to show you is NOT for everyone. I choose to wash my clothes this way because as an active fitness professional who can go through about 3 changes of clothes in a day, laundry adds up…QUICK! It saves me $$, time, and a trip to the laundry mat. It’s also convenient because I don’t like a full hamper of dirty clothes just waiting for me to take them to the laundry mat only to get 65% clean and half-way rinsed. Washing my clothes this in this manner is a sure way for me to get my clothes clean, rinsed thoroughly and smelling fresh—just the way I like it!

Want to see how I do my own laundry without a washing machine?

Here’s what you’ll need:

–Vinegar

–Baking Soda

–A bucket (I used a collapsable one)

–The Breathable Mobile Washer

–The Ninja Portable Mini 3200 (Spin Dryer)

–An Accordion Clothes Drying Rack

–Recipe for Lavender Vanilla fabric softener

-Your choice of Laundry Detergent. Here’s one of my eco-friendly faves

-A large towel for spills

First of all, let’s talk about white vinegar and baking soda and why I use them for my laundry. This combo is one of 3 star players in this process.

I use a combo of white vinegar & baking soda (2 to 1) to soak my clothes before I wash them. In my findings, these simple, minimalistic ingredients are thee most effective for removing sweat and odors from my clothes. This lovely combo has even removed old sweat stains. As I mentioned above, I am an active fitness professional. On top of my own workouts and personal training clients, I also teach group fitness classes. Soaking my clothes in baking soda and vinegar before I wash them gives them added softness and keeps them nice, refreshed and clean smelling. #gamechanger

The Breathable Mobile Washer

The Breathable Mobile Washer has been such a game changer as well. It’s the second star player in my laundry day process and looks a lot like a plunger. Sturdy and eco-friendly, it helps me get my clothes sooooo much cleaner than a front or top load washer. It’s nice because it has holes at the bottom which allows me to push and pull soapy/clean water through my clothes. And last, but not least, I can’t bare not to mention the tiny workout this thing gives me.

The Ninja Spin Dryer

This is where the 3rd stage of magic happens. The Ninja Portable Mini 3200 is the 3rd star player–it’s basically a spin dryer. It’s not just any ole’ spin dryer though…it’s more quiet and spins much faster than the spin cycle on your average washing machine, allowing laundry to get close to dry after one (under) 4 minute cycle! No need to wring your laundry out by hand!

A Body in Motion, Stays in Motion

This unique laundry process can definitely help to keep anyone active and on their toes. Even during our current quarantine due to Covid-19’s “stay at home orders”, doing laundry without a washing machine is one surefire way to increase your daily caloric expenditure (if you care about such thing).

Happy Laundry Day!

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(If you make a purchase through any of links in the above, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

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The post How to Do Laundry Without a Washing Machine appeared first on That Green Lyfe.

For starters, can we all agree that our refrigerators and countertops should be filled with a colorful array of fresh fruits and veggies? Cool! While produce is an absolute necessity for any and everyone, the importance of this list is to highlight shelf-stable items and other items that are essential to keep around in your kitchen.

Caveat: Don’t stress about it…Make it your own!   Use this list as a guide to assist you in setting up your own pantry then personalize it to your particular likes and needs.  Oh, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, be sure to have the ingredients to your favorite go-to meals on hand. In addition to fresh fruits and veggies, I intentionally left off fresh/dry herbs & spices.  Chances are, you already have your favorites stocked in your pantry already.  If there is a particular recipe that you’d like to try, then sure, feel free to add those particular herbs and spices to your next grocery list.

Ready? Let’s do this! Operation: “Build My Vegan Pantry” in full effect!

Legumes

Dry beans are ideal. For convenience, consider stocking up on canned beans.  Oh, and just be sure to give them a good rinse to reduce the sodium content.

-Black Beans

-Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)

-Kidney Beans

-Lentils

Grains

Grains make an excellent side dish and can also serve to boast the heartiness of main dishes.

-Quinoa

-Brown Rice

-Couscous

-Jasmine Rice

-Amaranth

-Oats

-Bulgar wheat

Whole grain flours (if you like to bake)

-Cornmeal

-Whole Wheat pastry flour

-Whole Wheat flour

-Spelt Flour

-Specialty Flours (quinoa, teff, rice, etc)

Pasta & Noodles

Keep a variety of size and shapes of  whole wheat pasta (lasagna, spiral, angel hair, spaghetti, penne, etc.

Asian Noodles (udon, soba, rice, bean, etc.)

Nuts Seeds, Dry Fruits

Keep what you like on hand. (Nuts and seeds should refrigerated during the hot summer to prevent them from going rancid)

-Cashews

-Pistachios

-Pumpkin Seeds

-Walnuts

-Macadamias

-Sunflower Seeds

-Almonds

-Flaxseeds (If you can only find them as whole seeds, just grind them in your blender or coffee grinder and store in a mason jar or plastic Ziploc bag)

-Chia

-Hemp

Nut Seed Butters

Look for natural organic options.

-Peanut

-Cashew

-Tahini

-Almond

-Sunflower

Sweeteners

-Raw Agave Nectar

-Pure Maple Syrup

-Coconut Sugar

-Medjool Dates

Oils/Vegetable based butters

-Coconut Oil (organic, extra-virgin)

-Sesame Oil

-Sunflower, avocado, or other lightly flavored oil (good for baking and cooking foods in high heat)

-Soy-free “Buttery” Spreads (i.e. Earth Balance , Melt)

Alterna-Milks

Store in the fridge.

-Almond

-Cashew

-Hemp

-Coconut (I buy this canned and keep in my pantry, then refrigerate after opening)

Vegetable Broth/Stock

Use Vegetable Broth/Stock to add a little extra “oomph” to sauces, rice, pasta or just use it as you see fit.  You can make your own or choose from the long list of options at your local grocery store.

Vinegars

-Rice (for Asian-style cooking_

-Apple Cider (wide range use in cooking/baking and is an all around “helpful health tonic”)

-Balsamic

-Red/white wine vinegar

-Balsamic

Prepared condiments & sauces

For times you’d prefer the convenience of not having to make your own

-Pasta Sauce

-Salsa

-Barbeque Sauce

-Ketchup

-Salad dressings (opt for low-fat, low-sugar varieties of your faves)

Salty Flavorings

-Soy sauce (low-sodium)

-Tamari (a version of soy sauce made with little-to-no grains)

-Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (non-fermented alternative to soy sauce and tamari)

-Coconut Aminos (soy-free; often used a healthier alternative to soy sauce and tamari)

Other

Essential to have on hand for pairing with other foods and baking something super yummy

-Corn Tortilla

-Nori Wraps/Sheets

-Jams & Jellies

-Nutrional Yeast

-Cacoa/Cocoa Powder

-Semi Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips (Enjoy Life brand)

-Cornstarch

-Tapioca or arrowroot starch

-Baking Soda

-Baking Powder (Aluminum-free)

-Vegan Protein Powder

-Tea (for sipping and baking)

Boom! There you have it–a solid list of pantry essentials for some pretty legit plant-based snacks, meals, breads, and desserts.

Join in on the discussion! Feel free to offer your suggestions and ask questions below.

The post A Stress-Free Guide to Stocking Your Vegan Pantry appeared first on That Green Lyfe.

Going vegan can open up  a whole new world of food options and possibilities. It can also mean, finding comfort knowing that some of the snacks you may have enjoyed during your pre-vegan days, and are STILL “safe” to eat.  These said snacks can be referred to as being “Accidentally Vegan”.  I personally find that these types of foods–“junk food” or not–are helpful to people transitioning to veganism.  It sort of says, “Hey, being vegan isn’t as hard or bad as you may have thought!”

So, what does “Accidentally Vegan” mean anyway?

Accidentally vegan is a term referred to foods that were created without the intention of being vegan (free of animal products).

Now, before I go listing off foods and such, I’d like to point out that all of the foods and ingredients listed aren’t necessarily what I’d consider to be healthy. It is important that I point out that every food or ingredient under the “vegan” category does NOT automatically get the “good for you” label.

Enjoy in moderation, and remember to balance things out with more wholesome plant-based foods.  Kale-apple salad anyone?

Also, be sure to double check the labels to ensure that companies have not slipped in any animal products here and there.

1. Ritz Crackers

2. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars (Apple Crisp, Cinnamon, Maple & Brown Sugar)

3. Doritos: Spicy Sweet Chili

4. Fruit By The Foot

5. Oreo Cookies

6. Life Cereal (Original & Cinnamon)

7. Hershey’s Syrup

8. BacOs Bacon Bits

9. Chocolate Teddy Grahams

10. Clif Bars

11. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

12. Smucker’s Uncrustables

13. Thomas’ New York Style Bagels

14. Nutter Butters

15. Trader Joe’s Soft-Baked Snickerdoodles

16. Lays Potato Chips (Classic & Barbeque)

17. Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting

18. Nabisco Graham Crackers

19. Fritos

20. Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies

21. Sara Lee’s Cherry Pie

See any of your favorites on this list? Anything you want to add? Join in on the discussion below!

The post 21 Accidentally Vegan Foods and Ingredients appeared first on That Green Lyfe.