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Saturday, November 30, 2013

Microwave popcorn, no bags, no butter, no oil

For the popcorn lovers!!!
COOL

Microwave popcorn, no bags, no butter, no oil!!!!


It’s genius really. Simple, simple genius.

Glass bowl + ceramic plate + popcorn kernels = perfectly popped popcorn in the microwave.

No bag. No butter or oil. Nothing to throw away afterward. And even no un-popped kernels.

This is life-changing.

Stay with me now.

Take 1/4 cup of dry popcorn kernels and place in the bottom of a microwave-safe glass bowl (pyrex is a great choice). Place a microwave-safe plate on top of the bowl. Plate should be wide enough to go beyond the rim of the bowl.

Microwave for 2 minutes 45 seconds. Watch in glory as your popcorn pops perfectly into little puffs of heaven.





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facebook comment notes: some have suggested using a brown paper bag/lunch sack for popping the popcorn in the microwave; no butter, oils or mess, just the paper bag.



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as seen on and copied from facebook 
 
 
http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

12 Home Remedies for Coughs

12 Home Remedies for Coughs

 


Home Remedy for Coughs #1 – Honey and Cinnamon

Pour some honey in a small container (I used an 8 ounce mason jar) and mix in some cinnamon to taste.  Take one spoonful as needed to quiet cough.  Both cinnamon and honey are anti-bacterial and anti-viral, and the honey coats and soothes the throat.  (Bottom right image in photo.)

Home Remedy for Coughs #2 – Lemon

Lemon helps to loosen and clear phlegm.  You can mix it with your honey, make a lemon gargle (1/4 cup water plus 2 tablespoons lemon), or mix up a cup of warm lemonade (1 cup water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, sweetener to taste).

Home Remedy for Coughs #3 – Elderberry Syrup

I was so relieved when I discovered how to make elderberry syrup, because it was something that my youngest could take that really helped quiet his cough but didn’t make him throw up.  He’s got a sensitive stomach, and when I tried OTC meds when he was younger (before I knew better), he’d hurl them back up again.  Learn how to make elderberry syrup. (Top right image in photo.)

Home Remedy for Coughs #4 – Hot Tea

Whether it’s herbal or regular, the steam and extra liquid provided by hot tea help loosen congestion, keep you hydrated and soothe irritated tissues.  Lean more about herbal teas for congestion.

Home Remedy for Coughs #5 – Slippery  Elm

Slippery elm is good for sore throats and sore bellies.  It was commonly  in colonial America.  Because it is hydrophilic and absorbs a lot of water, it gets a slippery, somewhat gelatinous texture when heated with liquid.  Slippery elm gruel is recommended for diarrhea and sore throats (it bulks up stool and gently coats the throat and digestive tract).  I made up a batch using about 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons powdered slippery elm, and seasoned it with just a sprinkle of salt and a dab of honey.  I thought it was okay, but my eldest found the texture too slimy.  (Top left image in photo.)

Home Remedy for Coughs #6 – Herbal Cough Syrup

There are many variations of herbal cough syrup, but this season I’ve been using Rosemary Gladstar’s “Cough-be-Gone and Sore Throat Syrup”.  It’s made with an assortment of herbs and sweetened with honey.  You can find the full recipe at this Herbal Cold and Cough Care post. (Bottom left image in photo.)

Home Remedy for Coughs #6 – Herbal Cough Lozenges

You can purchase herbal lozenges like Ricola or Halls (the stronger flavored ones tend to work better than the sweeter ones) or make your own.  In the video below, Mountain Rose Herbs explains how to make homemade lozenges with slippery elm bark, licorice root and honey.  The herbs sooth as well as fight the underlying illness.


Home Remedy for Coughs #7 – Peppermint

Sucking on a peppermint candy or sipping a drop or two of high quality peppermint essential oil in a glass of water may also help calm a cough.  Use caution with this one – don’t use more than six drops of peppermint oil, and don’t use the oil with children.

Home Remedy for Coughs #8 – Steam

Few things are more comforting than a warm, steamy shower for loosening congestion and opening air ways.  This is likely to provide only temporary relief, but it sure feels good.  Keeping a humidifier running to moisten air will also help a dry cough/itchy throat.

Home Remedy for Coughs #9 – Cold Air

We came across this remedy by accident when our youngest had a croupy cough as a baby.  During the course of taking him in to the ER one night when he was really miserable, we found that transporting him in the cold air quieted his cough.  The doctor advised us to use this trick again as needed if he was hit with another coughing attack.  The cold air helps reduce the swelling and inflammation in the throat.

Home Remedy for Coughs #10 – Booze

There’s a reason many over the counter medications contain alcohol.  Alcohol kills bacteria and acts as a counter-irritant in the throat (thus the burn on the way down).  Instead of high priced alcohol cocktail, adults may opt for a simple shot of liquor to calm their cough.  Mom used to dose us with peppermint schnapps. Just a sip can often have the desired effort.  Whiskey is another popular option, but I think the alcohol/peppermint combination is better.

Home Remedy for Coughs #11 – Milk and Butter

This was a new one on me, but in Home Remedies What Works, they suggest combining 1 cup of warm milk with two tablespoons sweet butter for dry coughs.  This will work better for a dry, unproductive cough (not much mucus), because it will coat and relax the throat.  (Skim doesn’t have enough fat to get the job done.)

Home Remedy for Coughs #12 – Chinese Hot Mustard, Wasabi or Horseradish

If you can brave them, these fiery spices can kill your cough – and possibly your taste buds – as well as clearing out congestion in a hurry.  You can use them liberally on food, or take them straight.  What I don’t recommend is something a college friend of mine did on a dare – inhaling Chinese hot mustard right up your nose.  He won the bet and cleared his congestion, but I don’t think his sense of smell has been the same since.


http://www.commonsensehome.com/home-remedies-for-coughs/


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as seen on and copied from facebook 
 
 
http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/

Sunday, November 24, 2013

For Icy Steps & Sidewalks in Freezing Temps

✿♥✿ FOR ICY STEPS & SIDEWALKS IN FREEZING TEMPS ✿♥✿



MIX:
1 teaspoon of Dawn dish washing liquid
1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol
1/2 gallon hot/warm water

POUR over walkways.
They won’t refreeze. No more salt eating at the concrete in your sidewalks & tracking into your house.







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as seen on and copied from facebook 
 
 
http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/

Monday, November 18, 2013

40 Quick Healthy Snacks

40 Quick Healthy Snacks


  1. Nuts
  2. Trail mix:  Mix dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and a handful of real dark chocolate chips
  3. Fresh fruit:  Whatever deliciousness is in season – our selection this week is apples, oranges, and strawberries
  4. Dried Fruit:  Raisins, dried berries, dried apple slices
  5. Salad:  If your veggies are pre-washed you can put this together very quickly.  As well, salad can be preassembled.  Simply add protein and dressing at serving time.
  6. Veggies:  carrots, radishes, sugar snap peas, celery, peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes
  7. Steamed veggies:  Top them with cheese or chopped hard-boiled eggs
  8. Eggs: Nature’s fastest protein – boil, scramble, poach or fry – eggs make a great topper for other “fast foods”
  9. Yogurt Parfait: Top your homemade yogurt with fruit and granola
  10. Leftovers
  11. Cheese: Opt for a healthy version without additives and artificial colors
  12. Smoothies:  Throw fruits, veggies, yogurt and your milk of choice into the blender.  Add a little pure vanilla and some honey.  We like to freeze fruit for this purpose to make a rich thick shake.
  13. Homemade granola cookies: Recipe HERE (you can make them into granola bar shapes if you want to)
  14. No-bake haystack cookies:  Recipe HERE
  15. Hummus:  Serve the dip with veggie sticks, homemade crackers, or tortillas
  16. Applesauce:  Try topping it with homemade granola and vanilla yogurt for a  quick no-cook “apple crisp”
  17. Chocolate Milk: Directions HERE
  18. Apples with natural peanut butter
  19. Frozen Yogurt Berries:  Toss well-washed berries in homemade vanilla yogurt.  Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours for a cold, healthy treat
  20. Popcorn
  21. Edamame
  22. Pancakes or Waffles:  Top with fruit for a nutrition boost
  23. Couscous:  This speedy grain only requires the addition of boiling water or broth.  Let it sit for 5 minutes, covered, and you have an instant hearty side dish.  Add some steamed veggies and lean protein to turn it into a one dish meal
  24. Cottage cheese:  Top homemade cottage cheese with fresh fruit
  25. Home-canned food:  Meals like chili, soup, and spaghetti sauce can be pressure canned at home for a delicious healthy “fast food meal”
  26. Fruit Salad: Top it with nuts and a honey-sweetened yogurt for a protein boost
  27. Dill Pickles:  Home-canned, of course
  28. Ants-on-a-log:  Celery sticks stuffed with natural peanut butter then topped with raisins
  29. Quick Greek Salad: Chopped cucumber, peppers and cherry tomatoes with feta cheese and vinaigrette
  30. Homemade Fruitsicles:  Puree fruit that is overripe, then freeze it in popsicle forms – strawberry-banana is a favorite combo here
  31. Guacamole
  32. Savory snack mix:  Popcorn and nuts sprinkled with parmesan cheese and spices
  33. Tzatziki:  This yummy Greek garlic and yogurt dip is a satisfying snack with homemade crackers or veggies
  34. Medjool dates and almonds
  35. Frozen grapes
  36. Homemade gazpacho:  Puree tomatoes, peppers, onions, jalapenos, and other seasonal veggies.  Keep in the fridge and serve cold.
  37. Quick Banana Nut Cookies:  Mash 2 overripe bananas well.  Stir in 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
  38. Latte:  Make a delicious latte with a homemade creamer
  39. Mexican Black Bean Salad:  (you can use a can of rinsed organic black beans or beans that you cooked yourself previously)  1 cup of black beans, 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup of chopped bell peppers, some fresh cilantro, and lemon juice
  40. Green Apple Salad:  Chopped green apple, red grapes, and walnuts sprinkled with a dressing made from honey, lemon juice and cinnamon



http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/11375-quick-clean-eating-40-non-processed-snacks-for-busy-moms.html



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as seen on and copied from facebook 
 
 
http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/

Friday, November 15, 2013

42 Healing Ways to use Coconut Oil

42 Healing Ways to use Coconut Oil


Here are 42 of the many amazing benefits and uses of this miraculous super-food by Real Food Heals for Young and Raw:

1. Lower cholesterol through regular consumption of coconut oil.

2. Improve immune function and the body’s resistance to both viruses and bacteria with regular consumption of coconut oil.

3. Can be used in cooking since it has a high smoke point and will not burn like other cooking oils such as olive oil or butter. Great for sautéing, baking and stir-frys.

4. Can help with weight loss if taken daily, since it isn’t stored as fat and may boost your metabolism. (Results have been seen with 1-3 tablespoons a day.)

5. Add to smoothies for a whole host of nutritional benefits. Try this one!

6. Can be used as a healthy creamer substitute for coffee.

7. Can boost metabolism so you burn more calories naturally.

8. Can be used on the skin as a moisturizer.

9. Can be used on the hair as a deep conditioner.

10. Apply to your nails as a cuticle softener.

11. Apply to skin as a natural sunscreen. (Only an SPF 4 though!)

12. Soothe a sunburn or any other type of burn.

13. Hydrate dry, cracked feet by coating the feet in oil and sleeping overnight with socks on.

14. Can be used as a soothing eye make-up remover.

15. Soothes psoriasis and eczema skin conditions.

16. Take orally to kill intestinal parasites and yeast overgrowth.

17. To replace butter in baking recipes.

18. Can be used for minor scrapes and skin rashes as a natural antibacterial ointment.

19. Can soothe bug bites and reduce the itch.

20. Supports healthy thyroid function.

21. Can be used as a scalp treatment for dandruff.

22. Can stimulate hair growth.

23. Can smooth frizzy hair.

24. Mix with epsom salts for a detoxifying body scrub.

25. Mix with baking soda for a whitening toothpaste.

26. Can improve digestion if taken before meals.

27. Can be used as a natural baby lotion and diaper rash cream.

28. Fight signs of aging as a natural facial moisturizer.

29. Heals cold sores naturally when applied topically.

30. When taken daily, can help with allergies.

31. When taken daily, can improve sleep and mood.

32. Can improve insulin levels for diabetics.

33. Can remove bacteria and plaque from the mouth with oil pulling.

34. Use as a tropical massage oil.

35. May help you to shed “difficult to lose” abdominal fat by taking daily doses of 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil.

36. Can be therapeutic for brain disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

37. Reduce appetite with regular consumption.

38. Reduce hot flashes through coconut oil’s ability to regulate hormones.

39. Absorb fat-soluble vitamins better (like vitamins A, D, E & K).

40. Can be used for shaving. It doesn’t wash off and it will moisturize your skin as you shave!

41. Can be made into a homemade deodorant.

42. Rub on a pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks.

See the full post on YoungandRaw.com here: http://bit.ly/17q15Zc









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as seen on and copied from facebook 
 
 
http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/

Monday, November 4, 2013

Breathe easier!!

With the weather turning colder, EVERYONE should know this!

Just add 1 TBSP of Vicks to your warmer!

This is way cheaper than the plugins and refills I buy! Breathe easier this year!

I have had a few message me and say this works AMAZING!!!!





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Cold relief, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, Vick's VapoRub (TM)




as seen on and copied from facebook 
 
 
http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/




Saturday, November 2, 2013

DETOX WATER

DETOX WATER



Helps you maintain a flat belly.

2 lemons
1/2 cucumber
10-12 mint leaves
3 quarts water

Brew overnight to create a natural detox, helping to flush impurities out of your system.




as seen on and copied from facebook 


http://tinajo.origamiowl.com/

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Winter Sore Throat "Tea"

Winter Sore Throat "Tea" ´¯`*•.¸¸✿


This is a must share!!! the season is upon us!!

´¯`*•.¸¸✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿

Make sure you have some of this ready... great recipe for sore throats and chest colds

Makes about 2 cups
2 lemons thoroughly cleaned and sliced
2 piece of ginger about inch thick sliced into thin pieces
Honey (about 1 cup-maybe more)

In a 12-16 oz. jar combine lemon slices and sliced ginger. Pour honey (organic is best) over it slowly. This may take a little time to let the honey sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices. Make sure when the honey has filled in all the voids, there is enough to cover the top of the lemon slices. Close jar and put it in the fridge, it will form into a "jelly". To serve: Spoon (about 1 tsp) jelly into mug and pour boiling water over it. Store in fridge 2-3 months.









as seen on and copied from facebook 

Stripped Screws???

Use a Rubber Band to unscrew stripped screws.








as seen on and copied from facebook 



Saturday, October 26, 2013

Kitchen "Miracle" Cleaner

FINALLY...HERE IT IS!
How to clean your cookie sheets--

Kitchen "Miracle" Cleaner!


You put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small glass bowl and squirt in hydrogen peroxide until it makes a nice paste. Then you rub it on the offending dirt/stain/grease...whatever!
You can usually just use your fingers...but you can also use a small sponge as well.







as seen on and copied from facebook 

Friday, October 18, 2013

3 easy remedies to help a dry nose

3 easy remedies to help a dry nose





http://everydayroots.com/dry-nose-remedies

1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is simple, natural, effective, and it smells good. It also doesn’t glob like petroleum jelly does, so the risk of a big chunk getting sucked up isn’t there (although its solid at room temperature, it’s softened before use here.)
You will need…
-1/2 teaspoon or so of virgin coconut oil
-Cotton swabs
-A small bowl

Directions
Place a half a teaspoon or so of coconut oil in a small microwave safe bowl and warm it until it is soft enough to be easily applied (about 10 seconds.) It does not need to be melted down into a liquid, and in fact should be left semi-solid. Dip a cotton swab into it and generously cover it. Apply to the inside of each nostril so that there is a good through coating. Apply up to 3 times a day (and always before bed.)


2. Steam Bowl
Allowing steam to fill your noise can moisten the mucous membranes that have become dried out and painful. This really helps relieve discomfort in the short-term, and also clears out your nose so you don’t have to blow it a bunch (which dries it out even more.) With each breath it’s like a warm comforting wave of moisture is sinking into your sore nose and making it feel better by the second. I usually follow this treatment with coconut oil about 15 minutes afterwards.

You will need…
-A large bowl
-A towel
-Hot water

Directions
Bring several cups of water to boil and then pour into your bowl. Place your face over the bowl (not too close though, as the steam can be quite hot) and drape a towel over your head and the bowl to trap the steam. Breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes, and then follow up 15 minutes later with an application of coconut oil. If you don’t feel like making up a bowl of hot water just for your nose, even inhaling the steam from a cup of tea or taking a hot shower can really help.


3. Almond Oil and Aloe Vera Gel
Almond oil is a natural emollient, or moisturizer, helping the sensitive skin in the nostril to become softer and more pliable, therefore lessening the chance that it will crack. It may also help lessen evaporation. Aloe vera can help soothe the dryness quickly, but it won’t provide the same lasting moisture as the almond oil. I use it mostly for the initial relief (I refrigerate mine) but you can stick to just almond oil if you like.
You will need…
-1/2 teaspoon almond oil
-1/4 teaspoon aloe vera gel (optional)

Directions
Thoroughly mix almond oil and aloe vera gel. Soak a q-tip in the mixture and swab gently inside your nostrils. You can also apply with a cotton ball that has been soaked, but I find this way to be slightly more difficult.
When I find my nose dried out and painful I tend to sink into despair. It sounds dramatic, but when it gets so dry it cracks and bleeds it can really be a downer. Before actually realizing I could probably do something for it, it felt like I had to suffer through the whole winter, but with the above remedies (that are truly about as easy as it gets) a dry nose is one less thing I have to worry about during these frigid months.



Tips:
-Turn down the heat, turn up the humidifier. The heat will dry out the air more than it already is, while the humidifier adds moisture. This will also help if you wake up with dry eyes/a dry throat.
-If you are suffering from a nose dried out because you have a cold and have been blowing it too much, using a saline spray can help loosen up mucous and provide moisture/relief in a less harsh manner.
-Since it’s colder in the winter it’s easy to drink less water, but it’s just as important to stay hydrated. If you aren’t drinking enough, where will your body get the moisture to keep your nose comfortable?




as seen on and copied from facebook :)


Sunday, October 13, 2013

DIY Vicks Shower Pucks

Love this idea!!! We are starting to get into the flu season.

Great Idea!!!

DIY Vicks Shower Pucks

~ put these in the bottom of your shower when you're sick and let them melt away while you have a hot shower. Leaves you feeling less stuffy and helps to clear up colds faster.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Baking soda
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
1/3 - 1/2 Cup Water
2 - 3 tsp Vicks vapor rub
muffin tin
paper cup liners

Heat water enough to melt vicks in. Add in baking soda and cornstarch and mix into a thick paste; if you need to, add more water. Line a muffin tin with paper cups, fill each cup about half way with mixture. Let dry overnight. Remove from paper cups when discs are hard and store in an airtight container.




*** one reader's tip ***
Use Doterra essential oil called Breathe instead of Vicks, no greasy residue.
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as seen on and copied from facebook :)


Thursday, August 8, 2013

Natural Bleach Alternative

12 cups water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup hydrogen peroxide

Mix.

Add 2 cups per wash load or put in spray bottle and use as a household cleaner.






as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Monday, July 29, 2013

Foot Soak

This is crazy.

Mix 1/4 cup Listerine (any kind but I like the blue), 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup of warm water.

Soak feet for 10 minutes and when you take them out the dead skin will practically wipe off.


as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

GREAT USES FOR DRYER SHEETS

~GREAT USES FOR DRYER SHEETS~



1. Use in your bathroom. Cut your cleaning time in half. Makes bathroom mirrors and fixtures sparkle. Cuts right through bathtub scum.

2. Use to get sticky dust right off furniture, blinds and baseboards.

3. Cleans up stove tops and greasy cabinets quickly.

4. Soak paint brushes with warm water and a dryer sheet. Watch the paint come right off.

5. Clean dead bugs off your car.

6. Wipes pet hair off furniture and clothing.

7. Run a dryer sheet over thread before sewing to keep tangles away

8. Keeps mosquitoes away.




as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Medicine Reminder

Having trouble remembering if you might have missed a doses of your child's medicine? Draw lines on the back of the bottle and mark off with each one given.




as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Instead of buying shaving cream or gel...

Use up that old hair conditioner to shave your legs. It’s a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth.




as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Cookbook Holder

Need an inexpensive cookbook holder?
Try a pants hanger!






as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Recycle....Make your own seed starters!

Love this idea!!! Toilet paper rolls as seed starters!! I am going to be doing this!!!

Gather empty toilet paper rolls; cut them as seen in the photo; fold together the bottoms; open them up & flip them over! Recycled seed starters!








as seen on and copied from facebook :)

How to get Gum out of Hair

Get gum out of hair easily.

Pour a little EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) on the spot where the gum has attached to the hair strands.

This actually works better than peanut butter.

Work oil into gum/hair by rubbing/kneading for a short while.

Then just gently pull the gum out of the hair strands.



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DIY Veil Face Powder (Bare Minerals)

DIY Veil Face Powder (Bare Minerals)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon baby powder

sprinkle powder foundation OR cocoa powder in for color

Mix together in old powder container and apply as you normally would.

*Bare Minerals ingredients reveal it’s basically cornstarch with parabens and iron oxides for color. By mixing the above ingredients together you achieve the same product for less!




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Saturday, July 20, 2013

Pain Management

4 oz V6 mixed with 25 drops each Vetiver, Myrrh, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Copaiba and 5 drops each of Clove and Valor.

This can be used specifically or generally all over the body for pain.



as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Get Relief from the Heat!

Run your wrists under cold water every hour or so. A main vein passes through this area, close to the skin, so it helps cool the blood and lowers your body temperature.

Or, put a bag of ice under your left arm, where the blood pumps out of your heart.






as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Coconut Water

Coconut Water - The coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost 9 months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored within its shell. This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure and sterile, which is one reason why it can be used for blood transfusions.

Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration.



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Friday, July 19, 2013

Homemade Flea Shampoo (for pets)

Tired of your fur baby having those pesky fleas?

Well tonight we took our fur baby "Lily" out on the town (so to speak) when we got home she had some fleas. Nor
mally with store bought flea shampoos we have to wash her a few times to get them all, so tonight we decided to change things up. We made a homemade flea shampoo that worked wonderfully! One wash and we got them all and her fur is super soft!!

We used...
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup of antibactial soap
1/2 of water (you could use less if you wanted to)
Also we used a empty shampoo bottle to mix it up in.


We mixed all items in the shampoo bottle and shook it up. We got our fur baby completely wet and applied the shampoo. We let the shampoo sit for a few minutes and then rinsed her off and every flea was dead!!

**this is also good for pups with sensitive skin**

We'll be saving money with that now way better then store bought flea shampoos, leaves fur babies smelling fresh and clean!!



as seen on and copied from facebook :)

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Homemade Glow Stick Solution!!!

For camping or late nights at the beach.....

Leave 1/4 of Mountain Dew in the bottle (just don't drink it all), add a tiny bit of baking soda and 3 caps of peroxide.

Put the lid on and shake......walla!

Homemade glow stick (bottle) solution. Super Cool!!!




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Secrets and Tips to making the best Fried Rice

Here are some secrets to making light, fluffy and flavorful fried rice, no matter what ingredients you use.


Use previously chilled leftover rice
To get the perfect fried rice, you’ll want to use yesterday’s rice as it’s had a chance to dry out a bit in the refrigerator. The heat of the pan and the liquid seasoning (soy sauce) will re-steam and hydrate the leftover rice. If you try to use freshly cooked, hot rice (like I did years ago,) you’ll end up with too much moisture in the rice and will make a heavy mess in the pan.


High heat is essential
But high heat doesn’t mean that you need super high BTU’s or a gas stove. All it takes is a bit of patience to let your pan or wok heat up. The high heat ensures that whatever ingredients that you put into the pan gets fried quickly and that each grain of rice gets hot to the core.


Don’t touch
A common mistake of stir frying is to constantly poke, prod, turn and flip every second. In a restaurant kitchen where flames are so powerful they can singe your brows, chefs have to keep things moving. But in home kitchens, our stovetops need a little more time to do their work to heat up and cook our food. If you keep poking at the rice, the grains will break, release more starch and turn the entire thing goopy. It will never have a chance to fry correctly…not enough “wok time” as my Mom likes to say. The best thing is to do is to spread out the rice, use the entire cooking surface of the pan and just leave it alone. Put your spatula down and back away from the stove for a minute. Give the rice a chance to heat up. Then flip, toss and redistribute the rice, again spreading it out and leaving it alone to cook another side.


Fry ingredients separately
Fried rice has many different ingredients, and in my home it’s usually just a mixture of whatever vegetables, meats or seafood I can scrounge up from the refrigerator or freezer. But whatever the ingredients, you want to make sure that you can taste each individual one. To do this, you’ve got to fry your meat or seafood first, remove from the wok or pan when 80% cooked through and then toss it back in towards the end of the stir fry to finish cooking. Because if you try to fry all of the ingredients at the same time in the same pan, they’ll all compete for “wok time” and everything will end up tasting exactly the same!



as seen on a recipe that was posted and shared on facebook :)