Homemade Laundry Soap

Grab your food processor (or cheese grater), a large glass or stainless steel bowl, a large metal spoon, a box of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, a box of Borax, and 4 bars of Ivory soap or 2 large bars of Zote (which is hard to find thus the reason I use Ivory).

Grate the bars of soap and let dry out for a few hours. I then transfer the soap flakes back to the food processor with the blade and chop into small pieces. Mix the boxes of washing soda (note: NOT baking soda), Borax, and soap flakes together. Store in an airtight container.

Wasn't that easy?! You just made an ample supply of laundry soap for pennies per load!

You only need 1 Tablespoon per load, 2 Tablespoons for heavily soiled loads. Use 1/4-1/3 cup vinegar in your rinse cycle and not only are you saving money but you are keeping the toxins out of your home! Yea for you!

National Playdough Day

September 18th is National Playdough Day! It doesn't take long to whip up a batch of this fun stuff...and let me tell ya...the results are quite rewarding. Rewarding? Ummm...yes...I call hours of uninterrupted peace while the children entertain themselves with dough, cookie cutters and whatever utensils they dig out of the drawers is quite rewarding!



Grab the following ingredients and put in a 2 quart saucepan:

• 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
  
• 1/2 cup salt
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• Food coloring (add last after you've mixed thoroughly)*

It will be lumpy but that is okay. Stir on medium-low heat until a ball forms. This doesn't take long. Turn onto your kitchen counter or a table and cool slightly. Let the kids knead and play until their heart's content. Each batch yields approximately 2 cups of dough. Make multiple batches of separate colors!

*Note: You can add a packet of dry koolaid drink mix in place of the food coloring for a smell good effect.


Try the following for an edible safe dough (the above is non-toxic, obviously but doesn't smell or taste quite as nice).

Peanut Butter Dough

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  
• 1/4 cup honey
  
• 1 cup instant nonfat dry milk*
  

Mix together until smooth. *For milk allergies, you may substitute flour for the instant nonfat dry milk.
**For peanut allergies use the first recipe only.

ENJOY!!!

Super Speedy Supper 8/28

This is an introduction into my new series of posts called 'Super Speedy Supers'. Since I am the queen of 'don't make a plan for dinner til hungry' I thought I'd share some of the fun, quick meals we have.

Above we have 'poor man's steak', a nice broccoli and lettuce salad with roasted red potatoes.

Here's what you need to feed 4:
1 lb ground beef, formed into 4 patties and seasoned with all purpose seasoning
2 lbs red potatoes, washed and cut in about 6 wedges each, patted dry
Salad fixings incld. romaine lettuce, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, golden raisins and sliced almonds
seasonings: all purpose, salt, and pepper
Your favorite salad dressing (Try my poppyseed dressing)

Preheat the oven to 450*
Fire up your heavy skillet and get those 'steaks' cooking.
In a large bowl toss the red potatoes with 2 TB olive oil and salt and pepper. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes (turning once) until tender and browned.
Flip those 'steaks' now. ;)
Meanwhile, wash and cut up your salad ingredients. Toss with dressing.

In no time the meat and potatoes will be done and wa-lah: A healthy super speedy supper!

August Sunrise

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

(The beautiful view from my backyard this morning!)

Life Skills 101

I believe ALL children should help out around the house. They live there, they make messes, they should help with the housework. It teaches them responsibility and gives them a sense of accomplishment when completed.

Here's a neat list of age appropriate chores.

I personally do not think children should be compensated with money for their daily household chores but that's completely up to the individual family. I believe children should have the opportunity to do extra chores that result in a reward whether monetary, a special outing or treat of their liking.

I also believe children should be exposed to a variety of household tasks not based on their gender. Children can and should learn how to do a wide array of tasks. For example, boys should learn how to do laundry, mending and cooking while girls should be taught to change the oil or tire on the car, repair various household items and work in the yard. I know this is not as big of an issue as it was in the past but still feel it is worthy of mentioning.

What kind of things do you know how to do that you are grateful you learned? What do you wish you had learned? Does/did this have an effect on what you are training or trained your children in?

MIA

My laptop crashed. :( I will be back in action asap. Blessings!

Berry Greenalicious Smoothie

Throw those nasty meal replacements in the garbage...that's what they are anyhow! They are loaded with artificial flavorings and sugars as well as synthetic vitamins that your body has a hard time digesting. My personal rule of thumb: If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it!

Here's a great alternative that is not only superior health wise but tastes good too!

Get our your blender and add the following:

1 cup yogurt or kefir
1/2 cup orange juice (not from concentrate)
1 cup frozen fruit (strawberries and blueberries are our favs)
1-3 tsp high quality whole food Greens powder (or throw in a handful of fresh spinach leaves)
1 TB Agave Nectar, optional
1-2 tsp ground flax seed, optional
1 scoop Whey Protein powder, optional

Blend together and enjoy! I make a blender full because even the kids beg for it.