Cooling Fennel, Apple & Cucumber Salad

Crisp, bright, and ready in minutes—no cooking required.

Ingredients:

1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced with a mandolin
1 large apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp, Gala, or your favorite)
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or more if you love the taste
Salt, to taste

Instructions:

Shave fennel, apple, and cucumber using a mandolin for ultra-thin slices.
Place everything into a large bowl with the chopped parsley.
Drizzle in olive oil, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar.
Sprinkle with salt and toss gently until evenly coated.
Let sit 5–10 minutes for flavors to meld—or enjoy immediately.

Optional Add-Ins (based on what you have):

A handful of chickpeas or white beans for extra protein
Toasted sunflower seeds or slivered almonds for crunch
Fennel fronds for garnish
Fresh mint or basil for extra brightness
A small spoon of honey or maple syrup if your apples are tart
A pinch of chili flakes if you like a subtle kick

You can make it yorself in less than 5 minutes

Do you really need all those ingredients in your products?

After eight years of living in America, I realized my skin and body weren’t processing every ingredient the same way. After a few hospital visits, I started paying closer attention to labels, ingredients, and what I was exposing my family to.

That’s when I began making my own vegetable stock, face serums, sanitizers, toners, and more. But one thing I always wanted? A cleaner, non-toxic laundry detergent and dishwasher soap.

To my surprise, most holistic moms use similar, time-tested recipes! That’s the beauty of this lifestyle—you can tweak and customize your own formula to fit your family's needs.

Genie's Magic Laundry Soap

• 1 cup Borax (20 Mule Team all-natural borax detergent booster & multi-purpose)

• 1 cup Castile soap (Dr. Bronner's Organic)

• 1 cup hot filtered water

• 15-25 drops of organic essential oils

Pro Tip: Make sure to shake and blend all ingredients together. This can be a bit difficult so add a little bit at a time. Hot water helps blend it together.

Great Essential Oil Blends for Laundry Soap

Citrus Fresh: Lemon + Orange + Eucalyptus (bright and antibacterial)
Lavender Mint*: Lavender + Peppermint + Tea Tree (calming yet deodorizing)
Herbal Clean: Rosemary + Thyme + Lemon (antimicrobial and fresh-smelling)
Warm Spice: Clove + Cinnamon + Orange (cozy, antibacterial blend)
Floral Fresh: Geranium + Chamomile + Vanilla (gentle and fabric softening)

Try adding essential oils

Cleansing & Stain Removal

Lemon – Fresh scent, natural degreaser, stain remover
Tea Tree* – Antibacterial, antifungal, helps eliminate odors
Orange – Uplifting scent, cuts through grease and stains
Eucalyptus – Antimicrobial, removes tough odors and bacteria

Odor-Fighting & Freshness

Lavender* – Calming scent, antibacterial, odor neutralizer
Peppermint – Cooling, energizing, fights musty smells
Rosemary – Herbal scent, antimicrobial, fights mildew
Spearmint – Refreshing, deodorizing, antibacterial

Softening & Fabric Care

Chamomile – Gentle on sensitive skin, calming scent
Geranium – Balances scent, fabric softener alternative
Jasmine – Luxurious floral scent, fabric conditioner
Vanilla (in jojoba oil) – Warm, comforting scent, gentle on skin

Antibacterial & Mold Prevention

Cinnamon – Antibacterial, antifungal, warm scent
Clove – Strong antibacterial properties, removes odors
Thyme – Powerful antibacterial, great for disinfecting
Oregano – Antimicrobial, prevents mold growth

You can mix and match oils depending on your preferences!

*Please note: some studies suggest that tea tree and lavender oils may contain chemicals that disrupt hormones in kids.

But I am not a doctor... so what do I know?

Safe Blending Guidelines:

Complementary Scents: Some oils blend better together. For example, citrus oils (lemon, orange) pair well with floral or herbal oils (lavender, rosemary).

Skin Sensitivity: Oils like cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme are strong and can be irritating to the skin. If using these, keep the total amount of essential oils on the lower side (closer to 15 drops per batch rather than 30). Always perform a patch test by applying a small amount to your skin to check for allergic reactions, such as redness, itching, or rash, before using it more widely.

Balance Strong Scents: Some oils, like tea tree, eucalyptus, and peppermint, have powerful aromas. Mixing them with softer scents (like chamomile, geranium, or vanilla) can help create a more balanced fragrance.