Thursday, October 4, 2012

Make Your Own Ice Pack

Original post: Make your own shapeable ice pack

To make your own shapeable ice pack, mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 parts water in a ziploc bag and put in the freezer. The alcohol will prevent the water from freezing completely. When it’s frozen, wrap with a towel or cloth of some sort and apply. If the mixture freezes too hard, just add a little more alcohol.  If it’s too slushy, add a little more water.


Me: I made 6 of these when The Teenager had his wisdom teeth taken out. They work like a gem!  I double bagged them so if they leaked, it wouldn’t get all over.  They are really awesome! 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

(Caffeine-free) Diet Coke Brownies

Original Source: Diet Coke Brownies

1 box fudge brownie mix (I used the 9 x 13 pan size)

1 (12 oz.) can Diet Coke (I used caffeine-free, of course)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl dump the brownie mix in.  Open that can of Diet Coke and slowly pour over the dry brownie mix. It will foam up a lot.

When all of the Diet Coke has been stirred in and well incorporated the batter will be very liquid, but that's OK.

Pour into a 9 x 13 pan which has been lightly coated with non-stick spray (bottom of the pan only),and bake for 30-35 minutes or as directed on the box. Let them cool, cut them into 24 pieces and try not to eat the entire pan before the family gets home!


Okay, I made these and Yum!  Delicious!  They were a little chewier, but so good.

But I have to say one thing.

24 pieces?  Seriously?  24? Who cuts them that small? 

If you cut them into 12 pieces, that makes them 4 1/2  WW+ points each.  Of course I cut them even bigger than that, but we won’t go there.

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Okay fine, 6 brownies are 9 points each.  I calculated that if I had made them traditionally with eggs and oil, those 6 brownies would have been 16 points each! I saved 7 points!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Original Source: Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Cauliflower  Pizza Crust

Makes one 9 inch pizza crust

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings*

Directions:
Remove stems and leaves from 1 head of cauliflower, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to your food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (You can also use a cheese grater). Place the “riced” cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes (may need to adjust according to your microwave). No need to add water.

One large head will produce between 2 and 3 cups of riced and cooked cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To make the pizza crust:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, beaten egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, minced garlic and salt, mix well. Transfer the mixture to your cookie sheet, and pat out into a 9″ round.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool awhile. This helps to make the crust more solid.

To make the pizza:  add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes). *Toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.


Me: The Chocoholic detest cauliflower.  I make him eat it, but he complains the whole time.  So I thought this would be fun to try.  He knew I was making it and he was determined to hate it. 

My head of cauliflower produced 5-6 cups of riced cauliflower.  I quadrupled the recipe and put it in my big cookie sheet.  For toppings, I used a can of tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, 1 pound of hamburger, 1 can of crushed pineapple, and cheddar cheese.  I cut it in 8 pieces, so they were pretty big pieces.  And this is what happened.

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We ate it before I could get a picture of the finished product!  So you get a picture of the finished off product.  The Chocoholic even ate 2 pieces!  I am thrilled, and cannot wait to make it again.  And I don’t feel guilty about feeding it to my kids because they are eating vegetables!  Whoo Hoo!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

How to Fold a Shirt

Original Source:  How to Fold a Shirt


Me: You have to click on the link above to see the video.  Yes, the video is in Chinese/Japanese, but you seriously have to just watch the video, then try it.  It might take a couple of tries, but once you get it down, you’ll be amazed.  So fast and perfect!  I love it!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

DIY Laundry Detergent

Original Source: DIY Laundry Detergent

1 Box (4 lb 12 oz) Borax- Found in the detergent aisle

1 Box (3 lb 7 oz) Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle

1 Container (3 lb) OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle.

2 Bars (14.1 oz) Zote Soap or Fels Naptha, grated- Found in the detergent aisle

2 Boxes (2 lb) Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the cooking aisle

1-2 Bottles (55 oz) Purex Crystals Fabric Softener- Found in the detergent aisle (This is 100% optional. Like I said, my laundry detergent must smell good and I really like soft towels)

The hardest part is now over and all that’s left is to mix everything together. I used a very large bucket that I got from my Father-in-Law and took a layering approach to mix it easier. I took a small amount of each ingredient and layered it on top of each other, then I grabbed a large mixing spoon and mixed it together. I did this probably 5 times but it was so much easier than dumping all the ingredients in at once and then trying to mix it well.

This batch makes A TON! Now for probably the best part…you only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load depending on the size…I’ll give you some time to re-read that since I’m sure your in total disbelief…recover yet? That’s right, you only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load! Now here comes the stroke of genius, if you opted to put the Purex Crystals in your batch, you can scoop the detergent right into your bottle and use the cap as your measuring spoon. There are 3 lines on the side and the middle one is approximately 2 Tablespoons…genius right?


Me: I have done this before and it works great.  So inexpensive, and it lasted forever!  I used Fels Naptha before, but this time I chose to use the Zote Soap because…wait for it…it’s pink!  LOL  If you know me, you know I LOVE pink!  So pink laundry soap just makes doing laundry that much more fun!

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I used my Bosh mixer to grate the soap.  Much, much faster than hand grating.  And it cleans off really easily.  I mean, it is just soap! 

I have read comments about people being worried about using this soap in cold water, because how is the Zote/Fels Naptha going to melt.  Really?  Melt?  Soap doesn’t melt, it dissolves.  And it dissolves in cold water just fine. 

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So looking at this picture, you can see that I filled both bottles, I filled the OxiClean container, and my bucket is almost 1/2 full.  This will last me for months, and I do about 4-5 loads of darks every week.  I don’t use this for my whites and towels, I use Tide with Bleach for those.  But this is an amazing way to save money.  Try it out!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Homemade Microwave Popcorn

Original Source: How to make your own microwave popcorn

First you need a plain brown paper sack-- the kind you put a lunch in works great. And a 1/2 cup of raw popcorn-- open the sack so that it will stand up, and pour the popcorn into the sack.  Fold the top down on the sack and put the sack in the microwave standing up straight.  Cook for 2 minutes- just like you do the store bought packages. After it has popped, you can eat it plain- or add any topping you like. There are lots of different ways you can flavor it-- and I promise you won't be able to tell the difference between this & the store bought packages.  It's a lot cheaper too- so that is always a plus!!


Me: I was very skeptical about this one.  Notice I am skeptical about a lot of things pinned.  But I figured if it doesn’t work, I am only out 1/2 cup of popcorn.  I had The Artist do this for me and look at the result:

popcorn

I know it blurry, but I had to show you that the bag is full!  Yes, 1/2 cup of popcorn filled the lunch bag!  It popped perfectly!  Then we just used “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” spray, which is zero points and it’s the perfect snack!  I am never spending money on microwave popcorn again!  Whoo Hoo!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Homemade Streak-Free Window Cleaner

Original Source:  Streak-Free Window Cleaner

 

3 1/2 ounces Jet Dry
4 Tablespoons rubbing alcohol
1/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup powdered dish-washer soap
2 Gallons of Hot Water

Squirt windows with hose.

Use long handled brush (we used one of those car washing microfiber thingies) to dip in solution and scrub windows thoroughly. Then spray windows thoroughly to rinse.

Just LOOK at that sheeting action!!

A little while later….the windows will dry to an even shine with no wiping or squeegeeing! A SHINY, STREAK-FREE WINDOW! Just as “advertised”! :-)


Me: Confession time.  We have lived in our house for 8 years, and I have never cleaned the outside windows.  I know, shameful. So I was excited when I read about this.  Skeptical, but excited.  I figured if it works, great.  If it doesn’t, at least I will have cleaned them.  I went out and bought the scrubber from Wal-Mart.  It’s the exact same one, and was very inexpensive.  I followed her instructions, but I doubled the recipe, because I was going to do all the windows.  I didn’t need to.  I had plenty to do every single window, with lots left over. 

I enlisted the help of my children, who lugged the bucket around, sprayed windows, and even climbed ladders and washed the 3 highest windows for me.  When we were done, we went back to the first window, and guess what?

It was GORGEOUS!  It truly was streak and spot free!  I was amazed!  And it was so fast.  We did all the windows in just about an hour.  And that included taking the screens out and spraying them off and spraying down my vinyl siding to get all the dirt off. 

I did learn that when rinsing the window after scrubbing it, spray it really good from the top down to get all the soap off the window.  I will definitely be doing this over and over again! 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Using Rice to Clean Bottles

Original Source: Rice as Vase Scrubber

Prepare a stained vase for a new batch of blooms. If you can't reach the residue at the bottom, add a tablespoon of rice and a lot of soapy water, shake, and rinse until clean.


Me: I started doing this a few years ago, and it is really amazing.  It works with any kind of bottle, including baby bottles.  We use it now with cleaning our water bottles.  You know how they get residue stuck in the bottom and it’s a pain to clean.  Not any more!  Try it!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Make your mascara last longer

Original Source: How to Make Your Mascara Last Longer

  • Add 4-5 drops of saline solution (for contacts) to your mascara bottle.
  • Insert the wand and stir!

Me: This works!  After I saw this pin, I tried it and my mascara was like new!  I have done this many times since.  It gives weeks of life to your mascara.  It’s truly amazing.  Try it out!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Bubble Snake Maker

Original post: Bubble Snake Maker

1.  Gather your supplies ~ an empty plastic bottle, a piece of terry cloth fabric and a rubber band.

2.  Cut the bottom off your plastic bottle and cut your fabric into a circle.

3.  Assemble your Bubble Snake Maker by putting the fabric over the open bottom of your bottle and securing it with the rubber band.

4.  Put some dish detergent in a bowl and add a little bit of water.  Dip your Bubble Snake Maker in and you're ready to go!

5.  Have fun making your Bubble Snakes!!  After dipping into the soap mixture, gently blow into the mouth of your bottle.  A slow, gentle stream of air will create a long chain of bubbles.  ( Just don't inhale, or you might get a mouthful of bubbles ~ yuck! )


Me: I admit, I was pretty skeptical about this, but take a look…

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It worked!  My kids had a lot of fun playing with these.  I didn’t cut the rag because I still wanted to use them.  Then I thought, what if we used bubble solution instead of dish soap?

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They did not work as well.  They were sufficient, but after seeing the dish soap bubbles, they weren’t as impressive.  I would stick with the dish soap.  This is something that even young children can do.  It’s a definite hit around here, and we will be doing it again.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Cleaning Silver

Original Source: How to Clean Silver with Aluminum Foil

I lined the sink with aluminum foil, the bottom and up on all sides. Then I poured a half-cup of ordinary table salt and a half-cup of baking soda into the sink; filled it with boiling hot water, and dropped in the silverware. I left it in the water for about a half hour.  


Me: I have heard about this for years, but I am so skeptical about these kinds of things.  It “magically” takes away the tarnish?  Yeah, right.  So I thought this would be a great time to try it out. My silver is from an antique store, which my hubby found for me about 5 years ago.

Before pictures:

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After:

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I am THRILLED!!!!!  I didn’t even let it soak for 1/2 hour, only about 5 minutes.  I did take a rag and wipe down each piece.  A couple I had to wipe hard, because the tarnish was heavier in the design on the end.  But for about 1 1/2 hours of work, I got this entire set of silver cleaned. 

I will definitely be doing this again!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Fake Makeup for your daughter

Original post: Faux Makeup

Just wash out your old makeup containers with soap and water, and let them dry thoroughly.
Then, (once you've gotten some cheap Dollar Store nail polish, or use some that you don't use as much anymore), just slowly pour it into your containers where the makeup used to be.

I say slowly because you don't want to accidentally pour out the little mixing beads that are inside. Also, before pouring shake the polish well, but then let it sit for a minute so the air bubbles can rise and pop and not mess up your "makeup."

You can use as much as you want, but as the polish dries, it shrinks, so it will actually look like about half of what you pour in. It takes a full 24 hours for the polish to dry, but I waited another few days since it was still pretty stinky (didn't want the kiddos getting high off it), and to make sure it was thoroughly set.

Don't forget to let it dry in a well ventilated area, away from bugs that might get stuck in it. Also, this is probably a craft to do without your kids since, (a) there are lots of fumes & (b) they can't really help much and they can't even play with it for 3 whole days!!!


Me: I had so much fun making this.  I made eye shadow, blush, and pressed powder.

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I got my containers from the dollar store, and just dug out the real makeup, then cleaned the containers. I bought the nail polish from the dollar store as well. I did several layers because it shrunk so much when it dried. And it did take several days for it to dry hard.

The Princess loves playing with this, and I love that she isn’t wearing real makeup.  I don’t like her wearing the real stuff yet, not even for dance recitals.  I want her to stay looking like a little girl for as long as possible!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Best Way to Cut a Watermelon

Original Source: The Best Way to Cut a Watermelon

Step #1:  Cut the melon in half

Step#2: Cut the end off one of the halves.

Step #3:  Place the melon face down on your cutting board.

Step #4:  This is the tricky part. Angle your knife and start cutting off the rind.

Rotate the melon and remove the rind all the way around.  Important tip:  You will be tempted to only remove the white part  and get as close as you can to the red, while saving the precious red part of the melon.  BUT – if you don’t remove enough, then you will taste the bitter/sour flavor of the rind.  In my experience, it is best to not only cut off all of the white rind, but cut slightly into the red part.  Trust me.  You will love your watermelon this way.

You have now finished the hardest part.  The rest is a breeze.

Step #5:  Slice horizontally into 3 sections.

Step #6: Cut into pieces – whatever size your prefer.

Now chill in your fridge and enjoy some ice cold juicy watermelon!


Me: I have to admit, I have been cutting my watermelon this way for quite some time.  In fact, I cut all my melons this way.  It is so simple, and much easier to eat.  I hate eating it cut into triangles.  It always gets all over my cheeks.  This is an easy way to make it clean to eat.

Here are my pictures:

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Now we can serve up watermelon into bowls, and eat it without getting the juice all over our faces or clothes.  This is a great idea!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Baked Bacon

Original Post: Less-Mess Bacon
This spatter-free technique puts the "bake" back in bacon. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, then lay the bacon strips flat, making sure pieces do not overlap. Bake until crisp and browned, 15 to 18 minutes, or desired doneness, rotating the sheets once. Transfer strips to a paper towel to drain.

Me:  I love this trick.  The best part is it’s not really a secret…the directions are right on the back of the bacon package!  Now, a couple of things.  I didn’t put down parchment paper…or foil…or a rack.  I just laid the bacon on the pan.  And I didn’t want to get 2 pans dirty, so I just overlapped the pieces a bit. 
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This is the bacon when I took it out of the oven.  I like my bacon chewy, not crispy.  Just bake it to the doneness you like.  When you take it out of the oven, pull it off the pan and onto a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the grease.  No grease splatters or burns!
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I can’t find the original pin for this following idea, but it’s brilliant!  Line a bowl with foil.  After you take the bacon off the pan, pour the grease into the foil.  Now you can clean your pan right away, and it’s not baked on.  Easy clean up. But…
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Leave your bacon grease overnight and let it harden.  Then…
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Fold up the edges of your foil and throw the whole thing away.  Super easy clean up, and your bowl is still clean!  I love doing this!  Whoo Hoo for easy clean up!
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So I love both of these pins and I will continue to use them from now on.

Frugal Firestarters

Original Post: Frugal Firestarters

Materials:
  • Egg cartons, the grey recycled-cardboard kind, NOT the foamy plastic kind
  • Dryer lint, enough to fill the number of egg cartons you are using
  • An old candle (you know, the ugly half-burned kind– or buy a new one at the dollar store)
  • Some kind of double boiler suitable for melting wax
Procedure:
1. Melt the candles over a medium heat on the stove using some kind of a double boiler. I don’t have a real double boiler, so I use a medium sized metal mixing bowl set inside a large pot. A small pot inside a large pot will also work. Fill the large pot with a few inches of water, then set the bowl or smaller pot into it.  Put the candles in the inner bowl to melt.  (Do NOT try to melt wax in the microwave– you will regret it.)
2. While you’re waiting for your candle to melt, pack each compartment of your egg carton with a blob of dryer fuzz. Cram it in fairly compactly, but there’s no need to be too fussy.
Wax  and lint cooling in egg cartons
3.  When the candle wax is completely liquid, pour the wax carefully over the lint in each compartment of the egg carton.  Use just enough wax to moisten the lint.  You don’t want to completely submerge the lint in wax, just wet it down with the wax– I’d guess it takes a couple of tablespoons of liquid wax in each compartment.
4.  Let cool. Store away from heat.   To use, tear off one compartment at a time, light with a lighter, and set under wood in fireplace.
One firestarter, ready to light and stick in the wood stove
Disclaimer:  I am assuming all y’all are smart and are going to use normal precautions around hot wax and fire.   OK?  Good.
Getting a fire started is sometimes tricky, especially if you don’t have much kindling handy, and these things work great. Light an edge of the egg carton, stick it under a heap of wood in the fireplace, and it will burn for 3 or 4 minutes, plenty long enough to get most fires going.

Me:  Okay, this one really works!  My boys have taken them on Scout camps and they are perfect for getting the fire going.  The leaders also have fun playing with them!
But I found an even easier way. 
Have you heard of Scentsy?  They are a wickless candle system, where you melt the wax in a warmer and it releases the scent without the danger of a flame.  I love it!
Anyway, after the wax has released all it’s scent, I used to just dump the wax in the garbage.  Not anymore.  I keep the egg carton filled with lint on top of my refrigerator and when it’s time to change out the wax, I pull the egg carton down and pour the melted wax into one of the compartments of the egg carton.  It’s a win-win!
Also, because they light easily and burn for quite a while, to give you time to get your fire going, they are great to put in your emergency kits.
I highly recommend doing this.