I've been looking for more things to keep me occupied and less stressed, yep less stressed... you know you stop thinking about the problem and it really lets you think about that problem with a clearer head and tends to stop making you look like a lunatic! haha :D Also homemade gifts are always AWESOME! so I found this website and there are all these different projects that you can make! sooo I wanted to share maybe you'll find something that you can make! ENJOY!
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-add-yours-4/
Thursday, June 30, 2011
make your own wool dryer balls!
ok so I came across this site and it shows you step-by-step instructions on how to make the wool dryer balls! You'll save a ton on not having to buy dryer sheets, it's natural, and we create less waste! so try it out and ENJOY! :D
http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html
Ps all in all a really good site if you have kids! even if you dont!
http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html
Ps all in all a really good site if you have kids! even if you dont!
Home made Laundry Detergent!
So Ive been trying to save money and be a little greener in anyway possible. Making our own laundry detergent, seems like a great way! Sooo here's the "recipe" for that and I'll also post up how you can make felt balls for your dryer instead of dryer sheets!
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: You can also use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
Inexpensive Fabric Softener Recipes
Recipe #1
1 Cup White Vinegar
Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.
Recipe #2
1 Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener
4 Inexpensive sponges, cut in half
Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: You can also use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
Inexpensive Fabric Softener Recipes
Recipe #1
1 Cup White Vinegar
Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.
Recipe #2
1 Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener
4 Inexpensive sponges, cut in half
Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Cantalope and Strawberry Summer Salad!
OMG! this is a favorite and sooo perfect for that hot summer day or just because!
1 Large Cantaloupe - cubed
1 pint Strawberries - hulled and halved
3/4 cup marshmallow cream
2 tbsp. fresh squeezed orange juice
a pinch of salt
fresh grated orange zest of 1 whole orange (about 2 tsp)
In a large bowl mix cantaloupe and strawberries. In a smaller bowl mix marshmallow cream, orange juice, zest, and salt. Mix until smooth and pour over fruit. Toss until well coated. Serve immediately or keep in refrigerator up to 6 hours. * My personal opinion is it doesn't do well in the refrigerator, it taste better the fresher it is! :) Its Yummy!!! Roxy and Jovie ... Gobbled it up!
1 Large Cantaloupe - cubed
1 pint Strawberries - hulled and halved
3/4 cup marshmallow cream
2 tbsp. fresh squeezed orange juice
a pinch of salt
fresh grated orange zest of 1 whole orange (about 2 tsp)
portabello mushroom pizzas!
this is a family favorite! we came across this recipe about a year ago....
what you'll need:
portabello mushrooms - cleaned and destemed
1 can of tomato sauce
1/2 a bell pepper - chopped in small pieces
1/2 squash green or yellow - chopped in small pieces
1/2 carrot - chopped in small pieces
a hand full of mushrooms - cleaned and chopped into small pieces
scallions or onion - chopped in small pieces
Garlic powder, salt, & black pepper to taste / Olive Oil
shredded cheese - whatever you choose or like! :)
In a large saute pan start off with onions and olive oil, once onions are transparent add the carrots. Add 1 cup tomato sauce, if you think it needs a little more just add more. Add in your squash and mushrooms, let simmer. simmer until all veggies are soft. Season to taste. Lay the mushrooms top side down on a cookie sheet or any cooking pan, top with tomato sauce and then with your cheese. Bake @ 350 for 15 min. or until cheese is bubbly and browned. Enjoy! :D
what you'll need:
portabello mushrooms - cleaned and destemed
1 can of tomato sauce
1/2 a bell pepper - chopped in small pieces
1/2 squash green or yellow - chopped in small pieces
1/2 carrot - chopped in small pieces
a hand full of mushrooms - cleaned and chopped into small pieces
scallions or onion - chopped in small pieces
Garlic powder, salt, & black pepper to taste / Olive Oil
shredded cheese - whatever you choose or like! :)
In a large saute pan start off with onions and olive oil, once onions are transparent add the carrots. Add 1 cup tomato sauce, if you think it needs a little more just add more. Add in your squash and mushrooms, let simmer. simmer until all veggies are soft. Season to taste. Lay the mushrooms top side down on a cookie sheet or any cooking pan, top with tomato sauce and then with your cheese. Bake @ 350 for 15 min. or until cheese is bubbly and browned. Enjoy! :D
Quinoa & Teriyaki Potatoes and Kale = YUMMY!
SOOOO Yummy and easy! a nice simple lunch or quick dinner! try adding carrots, bell peppers or any other veggies! <3 Enjoy!
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
Teriyaki Sauce:
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water, divided
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
sriacha or red pepper flakes, to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
olive oil, for frying
2 red potatoes, diced
2 big handfuls chopped kale
black pepper
Directions:
1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
2. Teriyaki Sauce: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1/2 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sriacha. In a small dish, whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water, then add to saucepan. Heat until boiling, stirring occasionally, until thick. Remove from heat.
3. To a large pan over medium-high heat, add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add potatoes; saute until tender and browned. Add kale; stir it around until wilted, then add black pepper. Turn off heat.
4. Mix in the teriyaki sauce.
5. Grab a plate. Scoop some quinoa on that bad boy and then the potato mixture on top of that. Enjoy.
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
Teriyaki Sauce:
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water, divided
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
sriacha or red pepper flakes, to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
olive oil, for frying
2 red potatoes, diced
2 big handfuls chopped kale
black pepper
Directions:
1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
2. Teriyaki Sauce: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1/2 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sriacha. In a small dish, whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water, then add to saucepan. Heat until boiling, stirring occasionally, until thick. Remove from heat.
3. To a large pan over medium-high heat, add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add potatoes; saute until tender and browned. Add kale; stir it around until wilted, then add black pepper. Turn off heat.
4. Mix in the teriyaki sauce.
5. Grab a plate. Scoop some quinoa on that bad boy and then the potato mixture on top of that. Enjoy.
Yummy Yummy Blueberry Coconut Pankcakes!
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup blueberries, rinsed
oil for the pan
Directions:
1. In a medium-size bow, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add coconut milk and oil, mixing until combined. Carefully fold in blueberries.
2. Spray a small frying pan with oil and preheat over medium-low heat. Pour approximately 1/4 cup batter into the pan and spread into a 5″ circle. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the bottom is lightly browned. Flip over and cook an additional 1 minute or so on the other side. Once the pancake is golden brown, remove from pan and place on a plate. Repeat with remainder of batter until all has been used.
Half & Half Pancakes: prepare as above except use 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 cup whole wheat flour.
saucy tempeh curry
mmmmm! this looks soooo yummy, I havent made it yet but the pictures look AH-MAZ-ING!!!! :D
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
Sauce:
1 shallot
2 cloves garlic
2 medium tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 block tempeh
Olive oil for frying tempeh
Directions:
1. Sauce: In a blender, combine all sauce ingredients; blend until thoroughly mixed. (You can use an immersion blender, or in this case, a magic bullet. Just get it blended!)
2. Cut tempeh into strips and then in half to form bite-size pieces.
3. In a pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add tempeh pieces; fry until golden brown. Set aside on a plate.
4. Drizzle pan with more olive oil, pour "raw" sauce into the hot pan, cook until sauce is reduced and has thickened. Season as necessary. Add tempeh to sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Serve curry on top of rice!
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
Sauce:
1 shallot
2 cloves garlic
2 medium tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 block tempeh
Olive oil for frying tempeh
Directions:
1. Sauce: In a blender, combine all sauce ingredients; blend until thoroughly mixed. (You can use an immersion blender, or in this case, a magic bullet. Just get it blended!)
2. Cut tempeh into strips and then in half to form bite-size pieces.
3. In a pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add tempeh pieces; fry until golden brown. Set aside on a plate.
4. Drizzle pan with more olive oil, pour "raw" sauce into the hot pan, cook until sauce is reduced and has thickened. Season as necessary. Add tempeh to sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Serve curry on top of rice!
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