Homemade Laundry Detergent

Are you looking to save money? Try making your own laundry detergent! It saves money and it’s easier on your skin.

Store in a glass jar and use as needed, 1/4 cup per load 🙂

Natural Cough Remedies for Kids

Natural Cough Remedies for Kids

It’s cold and flu season, my little munchkin was among the lucky and came down with a cold, but with kids you can’t give them cough medicine. Any child under 6 it is deemed unsafe for them to take any kind of cough medicine and it actually wouldn’t work on them anyway because their little bodies are still developing. So what can you do so that you both can get some sleep at night?

1. Onions (safe for all ages)
Seriously, this works. It will make your house smell like an Italian restaurant, but it works so well that I don’t care because I’d rather sleep peacefully.
Chop an onion, place it in a bowl of warm water and put it in the room where the child will be sleeping. It’s safe for people of all ages, from newborn on up! This is my favorite thing for coughs because it works so well.

2. Honey and lemon “tea” (not suitable for children under 1, sometimes up to 2 years old ask your pediatrician when honey is acceptable).
Heat up a cup of water and add honey and lemon to taste.

3. Lavender essential oil (safe for all ages)
Add 2-4 drops of essential oil to a vaporizer for coughing relief. This was my go-to before I found out about the onion, it works well, but I still think the onion works the best.

4. Eucalyptus oil (vaporizer method safe for all ages, on child must be 5+)
Add 3-5 drops to a vaporizer for coughing relief. For older children (over the age of 5) you can mix a few drops of oil with olive oil and rub it into the soles of their feet to stop coughing (much like the vicks remedy but all natural).

5. Chicken soup – the sodium content helps to coat the throat, break up mucus and calm coughing. Obviously to be used on children who are old enough to eat, you can serve broth to younger children (1+)

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. I am in no way a doctor, physician, or nurse, just sharing methods that have worked for me – a mom – and countless others when it comes to caring for our children. 🙂

I hope your nights are easy and your rest is peaceful this holiday/cold/flu season!

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Couponing!

We just moved into a new place. “I love moving!” Said no one ever. It’s such a pain!

However, now that we are here and it’s Christmas season, that means it’s time for me to start saving money by clipping coupons again! I should really do it all year, because why pay for things when you don’t have to? But I tend to just do it in the cold months when I can’t go outside and do anything else. Living in Ohio means frigid temperatures. It went from 70 degrees two weeks ago, to snowing over the weekend, not so fun.

I’m not the couponing queen of the world and I’m not super extreme, but I like to save a few dollars when I can! My favorite place to coupon is Rite Aid because you can stack manufacturer coupons with their coupons and they give you UP+ Rewards. UP+ Rewards are basically free money. You can use this money on anything in the store, so say you don’t have a coupon for something like milk, but you have $3 in UP+ Rewards then you can get free milk! Their rewards register the day after you receive them, so if you need milk you can’t go use your coupons, get the UP+ Rewards and then go right back in the store, but that’s okay for me. 🙂

Here are a couple of deals that I found that have printable coupons and can be used today 🙂

Lindt Chocolate $1 at Walmart, retail price $3.48, but on sale for $3.00, use the $2 off one from here; http://www.coupons.com/coupons/?pid=15493&nid=10&zid=yn07&plid=ESCRSS3024&crid=GN201211-n3&varb=473&cid=18067161&afsrc=1 and you get some inexpensive delicious chocolate!

Crayola Markers, $0.97 at Walmart, normally $1.97, but there is a $1 off coupon here; http://www.coupons.com/coupons/?pid=15493&nid=10&zid=yn07&plid=ESCRSS3024&crid=GN201211-n3&varb=473&cid=18058026&afsrc=1

Softsoap is on sale at Walgreens for $0.99, print this coupon for $0.50 off 2 and get each softsoap for $0.74 http://www.coupons.com/coupons/?pid=15493&nid=10&zid=yn07&plid=ESCRSS3024&crid=GN201211-n3&varb=473&cid=18051075&afsrc=1

 

I know it’s not a ton of deals, but like I said I’m no couponing queen (yet!) I just look for a few deals here and there on things that we need (or I would like… I don’t think I NEED chocolate lol).

Delicious Berry Streusel Muffins!

This amazingly delicious Berry Streusel Muffin recipe comes from my friend Ashley who has her own mommy blog over here; http://www.agturley.blogspot.com/

Berry Streusel Muffins

What you’ll need:

1 1/2 c flour,
1/4 c sugar,
1/4c brown sugar,
2 tsp baking powder,
1 tsp cinn.,
1 egg,
1/2 c plus 2 TBSP milk,
2 TBSP melted butter,
2 c frozen/fresh berries (I used mixed, but also like just raspberries as it makes it tart!)
Combine all the dry ingredients, and stir. Combine the wet ingredients and mix into the dry until moistened. Fold in berries. Place muffin liners in muffin pans and add batter until 2/3 full!

Topping-

In a bowl mix

1 TBSP melted butter,
1/4 c brown sugar,
2 TBSP flour,
1 tsp Cinn, and 1/4 c pecans (I don’t like the nuts but that is just a preference)

Add to the top of the muffins bake at 350 for 18mins let cool for about 5 mins

glaze:

1 TBSP lemon juice,
1 c powder sugar (no milk-makes it healthier right? lol), pour on top of the muffins. ENJOY!

 

Thanks Ashley, for that awesomely delicious berry streusel muffin recipe! It’ll make a great birthday breakfast!

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Homemade Coffee Creamer – Over Two Dozen Recipes!

Homemade Coffee Creamer – Over 2 Dozen Flavor Varieties!

Did you know that storebought creamers contain a bunch of artificial flavors and ingredients that can also cause cancer? Yeah, yuck. I didn’t want that either! I LOVE my coffee and I’m not a huge black coffee drinker, so here are some homemade creamer recipes 🙂 (Pictured is French Vanilla!)

For whatever flavor of creamer you want, you start off with the same basic ‘base’ recipe.

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14oz sweetened condensed milk
1 3/4 cup milk or cream (whole, lowfat, skim, almond, soy, heavy cream, half & half etc – whatever your preference, however the more fat, the more creaminess)

Mix the ingredients together well. Add them to a mason jar and shake it like crazy or you could also opt to use an old (washed) creamer container.

French Vanilla Creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR vanilla coffee syrup

Vanilla Bean Coffee Creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Chocolate
2-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
(1 tsp vanilla extract, optional)

Chocolate Almond
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon almond extract

Strudel
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Vanilla Caramel
2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Chocolate Raspberry
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons raspberry syrup

Irish Cream
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon instant coffee
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Coconut
2 teaspoons coconut extract

Samoa (like the Girl Scout Cookies)
2 teaspoons coconut extract (or sub coconut milk or cream of coconut, heated & strained, for the milk/cream)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping

Peppermint Patty
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Cinnamon Vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pumpkin Spice
3 tablespoons pureed pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Honey Vanilla
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Almond Joy
1-2 teaspoons coconut extract (or sub coconut milk or cream of coconut if you heat it first, strained, in place of the milk & extract)
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Sweet Cream
Use 1 3/4 cups of heavy cream instead of the milk in the base recipe
2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR the inside of a vanilla bean, scraped
1 teaspoon almond extract

Chocolate Orange
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1-2 teaspoons orange extract

Hazelnut
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Chocolate Hazelnut
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Cinnamon Cake
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Salted Caramel
2-3 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
1/2 teaspoon salt

Eggnog
replace milk in base recipe with equal amount of heavy cream
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rum extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Toasted Almond
2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions & Tips:
In all these recipes, anything that has a dry or thick ingredient (like cinnamon, honey, etc..) should be heated up with a small amount of your milk/cream from the base recipe so it can dissolve properly. You don’t want grainy creamer! Then, add the rest of the milk/cream along with the sweetened condensed milk.

If you want really creamy creamer, use heavy cream instead of milk in your base recipe.

You’ll want to stick a piece of tape on they mason jar lid with the expiration date from the milk used. Use this as a guideline as to when the creamer should be used by.

Feel free to play around with amounts of extracts and other ingredients used if you like stronger or less intense flavors!! And, let your imagination turn, and make up your own combinations. Use this as inspiration to create your very own perfect homemade flavored creamer!

 

25 Sodastream Recipes & Syrup Instructions

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So we just got a Sodastream, I was pretty excited because sadly my downfall is drinking carbonated beverages that have a gazillion calories and cost a lot of money. I was like a Sodastream will save money!!! Yay!! But then I realized something; all of the Sodastream syrups contain sucralose. I’m not sure if you know what sucralose is, but in case you don’t it’s basically Splenda. I’m allergic to it and can’t have it, it makes my tongue swell up and gives me a ton of phlegm – no fun (makes it hard to breathe). Honestly I don’t want my daughter consuming sucralose either and I want to make a healthier change, so I came up with my own recipes to enjoy the bubbly fizz guilt free!

25 Sodastream Recipes

1.) Mockmosa – 2 parts carbonated water, 1 part orange juice = a lightly refreshing orange drink that tastes like a non alcoholic mimosa.
2.) Lemon-Lime – 3 squeezes of lemon and lime juice and a teaspoon of sugar. Lightly stir.
3.) Cherry Limeade – 1 oz of  Torani cherry lime syrup in full bottle of carbonated water.
Or make your own syrup directions: 1 packet of cherry limeade koolaid, 3/4 cup water, 2 cups of sugar. On low heat dissolve the sugar in water, add the packet of cherry limeade and store in a container.
4.) Chocolate Italian Cream Soda – 10oz carbonated water, 2 tbsp choc. syrup, 1/4 cup half and half, stir lightly and serve with whipped cream.
5.) Pomegranate Soda – 2 tbsp syrup, 8oz carbonated water.
Syrup directions: 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup pomegranate juice. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and juice; bring to a boil over high, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce to a simmer; cook, without stirring, until mixture is syrupy, about 2 minutes
6.) Key Lime Soda – 2 tablespoons of syrup in 8oz of carbonated water.
Syrup directions: 2/3 cup lime juice, 2 tsp. lime zest, 2/3 cup water,
1 1/3 cups sugar. Combine all ingredients. Simmer for 5 minutes and cool.
7.) Clementine and Pomegranate Soda – 1/2 part clementine juice, 1/2 part pomegranate juice, 1 part simple syrup, 4 parts soda water. (Simple syrup: 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup water, dissolve sugar in water on the stove).
8.) Lemon Basil Soda– 1 part lemon juice, 1 part basil simple syrup (see note above) ,4 parts soda water
9.) Strawberry Lime Soda – 1 part lime juice, 1 part simple syrup, 4 parts soda water, 2 strawberries sliced.
10.) Mango Lime Soda -1 mango, peeled, and roughly chopped, save the pit
1 cup of sugar, 2 cups water, 2 limes, juice (about 3 tablespoons) and zest, bring ingredients to a gentle boil to dissolve sugar. Mix 1 part soda syrup with 5 parts soda water.
11.) Cream Soda – 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract . Dissolve sugar in water, and then add vanilla. Add 1-1/2 tablespoons vanilla bean syrup to 10 ounces of soda water or to taste.
12.) Lavender Lemon Soda – 1 C. water, 1 C. Sugar, 2 T. fresh lavender florets,
1 C. fresh squeezed lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then remove to cool when sugar is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of lavender syrup and 1/4 cup lemon juice in 1 pint soda water.
13.) Coconut Lime Soda –
1/2oz Torani Coconut syrup, 1/2oz Torani Lime Syrup in 1 sodastream bottle.
14.) Blackberry Soda – 1oz Torani Blackberry syrup in one soda stream bottle.
15.) Kiwi Strawberry Soda – 1/2oz Torani Kiwi syrup, 1/2oz Torani Strawberry syrup, in one Sodastream bottle.
16.) Peach Soda – 1oz Torani Peach syrup, in one Sodastream bottle.
17.) Pink Lemon Soda – One packet of pink lemonade koolaid and simple syrup (Simple syrup: 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup water, dissolve sugar in water on the stove). 1oz syrup to 1 bottle of Sodastream water.
18.) Fruit Punch Soda – one packet of koolaid fruit punch mixed with simple syrup. 1oz syrup mixture to 1 bottle of Sodastream water.
19.) Cherry Pineapple Soda – 1/2oz Torani Cherry syrup, 1/2oz Torani Pineapple Syrup (or use simple syrup mixed with pineapple juice).
20.) Vanilla Coconut Soda – 1/2oz Torani Coconut syrup, 1/2oz Torani Vanilla Syrup, 1 bottle Sodastream Sodawater.
21.) Hibiscus Soda – 1oz of P&H Hisbiscus Syrup in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda water.
22.) Strawberry Soda – 1oz Davinci Strawberry syrup in 1 bottle sodastream soda water.
23.) Honey Melon Fruit Soda – 1oz Davinici Honey Melon Fruit syrup, in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda Water.
24.) Mandarin Orange Soda – 1oz Davinci Mandarin Orange Syrup, in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda water.
25.) Mango Soda – 1oz Davinci Mango Syrup in 1 bottle Sodastream Soda water.

So there you have it, 25 Sodastream Recipes! Get to work 😀

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Homemade Water Bagels – Super easy!

I bet you never thought making homemade bagels would be easy, well you’re wrong! They are SUPER easy to make and don’t take that much time (an hour total, including cook time!)

The original recipe is from a guy who used to wake up at 5am and make them every day for his bakery, and I was pleased not to have to adjust the recipe all that much, I think you may need a little more than 4 cups of flour, but not by a lot.

What you’ll need;

4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast (or 1 packet instant yeast)
1-1/4 cups of water

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. You don’t have to worry about soaking the yeast when you use instant yeast (most yeast sold these days is instant yeast). The dough should feel stiff, but add the extra water if it’s really stiff, or you can’t get all the dry flour incorporated.

Plop the dough down onto the counter, and knead for about ten minutes, or until the dough is uniform and smooth.

Cut the dough into 8 equal sized balls, and let rest for 10-20 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 425.

Now, take each of the dough balls and using two hands, roll it into a little snake on the counter. When the snake is longer than the width of your two hands, wrap it around your dominant roiling hand. The dough rope should be wrapped so the overlapping ends are together at your palm, near the start of your fingers. Now take the two overlapping ends, and use your palm to squish/roll these two ends together. Once the dough is fused, you should have a perfectly circular bagel-to-be! This is the only part of the process that can take a little practice before your bagels will look really professional. Don’t get discouraged if they don’t look perfect, it just takes practice!

Let your bagels rest on the counter for about 20 minutes, and meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil, and grease a large baking tray lightly. You can just rub a splash of vegetable oil and rub it around.

After the 20 minute wait, your bagels will start to look puffy, and it’s time to get them boiling! Add them as many at a time as you can to your boiling water without crowding them. Boil for about a minute, turn them over, and boil for another minute. Take them out a let dry for a minute and then place them on your oiled baking tray. Repeat until all the bagels are boiled.

Add the tray to the oven, and after 10 minutes, flip the bagels over, bake for another ten minutes; and they’re done!

 

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Crazy week!

Ahh! It’s been such a crazy week, we have had so much going on with moving and adjusting and trying to get everything packed, unpacked, washed, cleaned, etc. In the last 10 days I haven’t really had much of a break until today. Today I plan to watch TV and sip iced coffee while trying to catch up on my neglect for my blog and all of you! In the midst of the craziness that was going on, I did happen to come across some awesome recipes I will be making and some fun tips and DIY projects that I will be able to do soon. 🙂

 

In the meantime here are a few new tips to hold you over 🙂

 

Having a hard time sticking to your diet? Imagine yourself 2 dress sizes smaller. Researchers from The Journal of Neuroscience analyzed brain scans and found that those who were successful in resisting temptation pictured a future reward.

 

Castor oil helps heal blisters! It contains ricinoleic acid which reduces inflammation, soothes pain and encourages the formation of new skin.

 

Are you prone to upset stomachs? Eat slowly and chew thoroughly, avoid spicy foods and arguments at the dinner table.

 

Have a lot of aches and pains? Lay in the sun for 20 minutes a day, doing this daily for a week can greatly reduce muscle aches and pains because of the vitamin D content.

 

On a diet? Avoid mint gum. According to a new study done, researchers found that mint gum makes fruits and vegetables taste bitter, but candy and cookies taste fine. It’s a diet ruiner for sure!

 

So there are 5 useful tips to hold you over until I’m back on track 🙂

 

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Copycat Zaxby’s Sauce

Okay, so I lived in Georgia for 2 years and I LOVED Zaxby’s, unfortunately moving back to the North means no more Zaxby’s. So when I saw this recipe in the Atlanta Journal I was super excited!! So try it and let me know what you think 😀

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Mix together the mayo, ketchup, and garlic powder, blending well. Add Worcestershire sauce and blend well. Cover the surface of sauce with lots of black pepper until just coated. Blend well. Repeat process covering surface with black pepper and stir until blended well.

2. Refrigerate for at least two hours prior to use to allow the flavors to mingle.

Serve with chicken fingers or fries!

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10 Ways to Naturally Repel Mosquitos

Alright, so it’s summer time and you want to go outside and have fun with your friends/kids/family, but you HATE being eatten alive by mosquitos. Well I have some great news for you! Here are 10 ways for you to naturally repel mosquitos. No DEET please and thank you!

10 Ways to Naturally Repel Mosquitos 

1. Add a few drops of citronella oil to an unscented lotion and apply. Or dillute it with coconut oil 🙂
2. Crush Rosemary leaves and rub them on your skin – the mosquitos hate this smell!
3. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, put 10 drops into a 2oz travel sized spray bottle, fill the rest up with water, spray on for an insect repellant. Provides similar protection to those that have low doses of DEET in them (avoid eye area!)
4. If you can stand tea tree oil scent, then put that on you, mosquitos are like eww you’re gross. If you’re not so fond of it, you can put 10-20 drops into a bowl of water and dip cotton strips into it and hang it around the back deck, patio, etc.
5. Wear light colored clothing, mosquitos are attracted to dark colors, so if you’re always wearing black or navy blue, time to change it up!
6. Geranium, Soybean and Coconut oil mixed in equal parts can repel mosquitos for up to 2 hours.
7. DIY Bug Spray #1 lavender essential oil, tea tree oil, witch hazel and distilled water. In a 4oz spray bottle fill halfway with distilled water, halfway with witch hazel, add 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree oil.
8. DIY Bug Spray #2 5 tablespoons of pure cedar oil in 32oz of water in a spray bottle.
9. DIY Bug Spray #3 Basil, water and vodka, put a handful of fresh basil into bowl, add 1/2 cup of boiling water, let it steep for 2-4 hours. After the steep time is up, squeeze the basil to get all of the juice out, discard basil leaves and add 1/2 cup of vodka. Pour into a spray bottle. This is safe, but keep it out of the reach of children.
10. Eat more garlic! Mosquitos are like vampires, they suck your blood, well also like the rumors about vampires mosquitos HATE garlic. If you want to smell like an Italian restaurant you could even rub garlic cloves on you before you go out for extra protection.

There you have it! 10 ways to naturally repel mosquitos.

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