It's "fantastic."-- From Reader's Digest
1 1/2 pints water
1/3 c. rubbing alcohol
1 t. clear household ammonia
1 t. mild dishwashing liquid
1/2 t. lemon juice
32 ounce spray bottle
combine and shake
The Cutting Edge
3 months ago
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
October...Make it Yourself Month
We've had a little lag in posts lately so I'm proposing a theme for October posts: Make it Yourself. Submit your ideas for homemade products. I haven't actually made this stuff (below) but the Duggar's swear by it. By the way, the theme for November will be handmade gifts.
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: We 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. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. 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: We 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. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. 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.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Book Reviews
Tonight was book review night. Melissa suggested a business book that was applicable to everyday life. She talked about ways to get "feed foward" and use it to make positive changes to your life...I forgot the name of the book but, hopefully, she'll post it.
Caryn suggested two books Two Old Women and Life is so Good. Both of the books shared a similar theme, gaining wisdom with age. That's the whole purpose of this group!
Betty suggested The Last Lecture and we watched a video clip related to it, but we had to stop when we got all teary-eyed.
Kelly suggested a video instead. I can't find the You Tube link (maybe she'll post it) but it was about a man that sells 500 different kinds of soda. Fascinating man with a unique business philosophy.
I'll try to post bits and pieces from the book I read later.
Next month we'll be making fabric tote bags for carrying groceries and whatever. Bring a yard of fabric, thread, webbing for a handle (or you can make one from your fabric) and we'll need a few sewing machines.
Caryn suggested two books Two Old Women and Life is so Good. Both of the books shared a similar theme, gaining wisdom with age. That's the whole purpose of this group!
Betty suggested The Last Lecture and we watched a video clip related to it, but we had to stop when we got all teary-eyed.
Kelly suggested a video instead. I can't find the You Tube link (maybe she'll post it) but it was about a man that sells 500 different kinds of soda. Fascinating man with a unique business philosophy.
I'll try to post bits and pieces from the book I read later.
Next month we'll be making fabric tote bags for carrying groceries and whatever. Bring a yard of fabric, thread, webbing for a handle (or you can make one from your fabric) and we'll need a few sewing machines.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Cheaper and Better Quality Hair Color
Did you know that if you buy your haircolor at Classic Hair Supply next to Raley's it is only $7.00 for several applications instead of what it costs somewhere like Long's or Walgreens? I just bought Wella Color Charm. You need the color tube and the bottle of developer. You also need some plastic gloves and a bottle to mix the color in (about $2.00 -- but the mixing bottle is reusable).
But the great thing is you can mix as much hair color as you need, rather than the whole bottle. I used about 1/3 of what I bought. The color is semi-permanent, so it fades after about 6 weeks. You can also mix colors together, although I have never been brave enough to try this. If anyone wants me to try it on their hair, though, I would be happy to try :) This formula also has no ammonia, so it doesn't smell like the kind of color you get at the market.
With my furlough days and Jim's furlough days coming up in September, we are looking at whatever we can do to save money, so I can't afford to have my hair cut and colored like I used to. By coloring my own hair this way, I saved about $85.00 and I would have to say that the results are about the same.
But the great thing is you can mix as much hair color as you need, rather than the whole bottle. I used about 1/3 of what I bought. The color is semi-permanent, so it fades after about 6 weeks. You can also mix colors together, although I have never been brave enough to try this. If anyone wants me to try it on their hair, though, I would be happy to try :) This formula also has no ammonia, so it doesn't smell like the kind of color you get at the market.
With my furlough days and Jim's furlough days coming up in September, we are looking at whatever we can do to save money, so I can't afford to have my hair cut and colored like I used to. By coloring my own hair this way, I saved about $85.00 and I would have to say that the results are about the same.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
IKEA catalog and super deals
IKEA 2010 catalog Super Deals
IKEA 2010 catalog [ikea-usa.com] is out and on P.2-3 it listed three super deals that are available during a certain time in Aug and Sept.
HAJDEBY Swivel Chair $14.99 (Reg. $29.99) Available Aug 28-Aug30
SATER Sofa $199 Available Sept 4-Sept 6
MARTORP nest of tables (set of 3) $49 (Reg. $99.99) Available Sept 18-Sept 20
IKEA store locator. [ikea-usa.com]
Also they've lowered prices on quite a few items. See here: http://info.ikea-usa.com/newlowerprices/
IKEA 2010 catalog [ikea-usa.com] is out and on P.2-3 it listed three super deals that are available during a certain time in Aug and Sept.
HAJDEBY Swivel Chair $14.99 (Reg. $29.99) Available Aug 28-Aug30
SATER Sofa $199 Available Sept 4-Sept 6
MARTORP nest of tables (set of 3) $49 (Reg. $99.99) Available Sept 18-Sept 20
IKEA store locator. [ikea-usa.com]
Also they've lowered prices on quite a few items. See here: http://info.ikea-usa.com/newlowerprices/
Monday, August 3, 2009
USDA Grocery Budget Guidelines
You have probably already seen these numbers, but in preparation for Jim and I having a megabudget family meeting tonight (with the necessary chocolate homemade cake) I was looking at the USDA budget guidelines for how much our government thinks families should spend on groceries. If you click on the title, you can get the Official USDA Food Plan at Four Levels: thrifty (food stamps), low-cost, moderate, and liberal.
I was shocked when I tracked our money very carefully this last month and found out we had spent about $600.00 on groceries and household supplies like cleaners and toiletries. Now, this is not stuff we ate all month. We usually buy in bulk and have a well stocked freezer with meat, and lots of staples for making most meals. Usually the only things I buy not to stock are milk and perishable things. We get a veggie box, so I don't buy many veggies above the box contents. And I had done some big stocking up last month. But still, food was our biggest expense after our bills.
Then I found out that according to the USDA our family is somewhere between "low cost" and "moderate" in our spending habits. The USDA calculates that people on food stamps can live on nutritious food on $35.00 per week.
I don't even know if I could come up with a nutritious menu plan if I only had $35.00 per week per person. This would be only $105.00 a week.
I was shocked when I tracked our money very carefully this last month and found out we had spent about $600.00 on groceries and household supplies like cleaners and toiletries. Now, this is not stuff we ate all month. We usually buy in bulk and have a well stocked freezer with meat, and lots of staples for making most meals. Usually the only things I buy not to stock are milk and perishable things. We get a veggie box, so I don't buy many veggies above the box contents. And I had done some big stocking up last month. But still, food was our biggest expense after our bills.
Then I found out that according to the USDA our family is somewhere between "low cost" and "moderate" in our spending habits. The USDA calculates that people on food stamps can live on nutritious food on $35.00 per week.
I don't even know if I could come up with a nutritious menu plan if I only had $35.00 per week per person. This would be only $105.00 a week.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Month Without Spending
I was noodling around on the Huffington Post and found this article about a group that pledged to go one year without spending money (click on the title to link to the article). I mean they could buy underwear and food, prescription drugs, gasoline for your car, things like that, but they otherwise had to buy everything used, barter, or trade it. I was wondering what this would be like and decided I would like to try it for a month. Anyone with me? I am suspecting that Betty maybe already does this?
The blogger who wrote this article also had some wonderful links to truly wonderful frugal posts. Blogs where people take photos of the food they waste every week to see if they can reduce it. I really need to try this one as our family often wastes a lot of food.
The blogger who wrote this article also had some wonderful links to truly wonderful frugal posts. Blogs where people take photos of the food they waste every week to see if they can reduce it. I really need to try this one as our family often wastes a lot of food.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Got Tomatoes?
I am looking for recipes for freezable tomato sauces. I prefer not to have to peel the tomatoes because I don't want to heat up the kitchen by boiling water. I couldn't find any last night so I created my own. It was similar to the one below (which I just found) except I didn't half or seed the tomatoes and I only used fresh tomatoes, no canned. I also didn't simmer the sauce (I'll do that when I defrost it). I made some pizza dough last night and it worked okay for pizza sauce.
I've also heard you can just put fresh tomatoes in a blender and then freeze them...anyone tried it? What did you use it for?
Roasted Tomato Marinara sauce
Ingredients:
2 28 oz cans whole Italian tomatoes
3 to 5 whole fresh tomatoes, halved and seeded
3 cloves minced fresh garlic
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup diced yellow onion
1tablespoon fresh minced oregano or 2 teaspoons dried
4 basil leaves, chopped
pinch of red chile flakes (opt)
salt and ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil (to finish the sauce with)
Instructions:
1. Char the fresh tomatoes over an open flame, BBQ or broiler until the skin is charred black. Remove and reserve.2. Place the 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauce pot and heat over a medium flame.3. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 2 minutes,4. Add the tomatoes (both canned and charred) and the herbs, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally will reduce your chance of burning this sauce.5. Puree the sauce in a food processor or blender and return to the pan. Continue to cook, if necessary to reach the proper consistency has been reached.6. When the sauce is thick or as thin as you like it, remove from the heat & season with the salt and pepper.7. Now is the time to finish this sauce with the ¼ cup of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Slowly stir in the oil (adjusting the oil level for your taste and/or dietary needs), check the seasoning again and serve over warm pasta.
I've also heard you can just put fresh tomatoes in a blender and then freeze them...anyone tried it? What did you use it for?
Roasted Tomato Marinara sauce
Ingredients:
2 28 oz cans whole Italian tomatoes
3 to 5 whole fresh tomatoes, halved and seeded
3 cloves minced fresh garlic
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup diced yellow onion
1tablespoon fresh minced oregano or 2 teaspoons dried
4 basil leaves, chopped
pinch of red chile flakes (opt)
salt and ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil (to finish the sauce with)
Instructions:
1. Char the fresh tomatoes over an open flame, BBQ or broiler until the skin is charred black. Remove and reserve.2. Place the 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauce pot and heat over a medium flame.3. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for 2 minutes,4. Add the tomatoes (both canned and charred) and the herbs, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally will reduce your chance of burning this sauce.5. Puree the sauce in a food processor or blender and return to the pan. Continue to cook, if necessary to reach the proper consistency has been reached.6. When the sauce is thick or as thin as you like it, remove from the heat & season with the salt and pepper.7. Now is the time to finish this sauce with the ¼ cup of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Slowly stir in the oil (adjusting the oil level for your taste and/or dietary needs), check the seasoning again and serve over warm pasta.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Walmart free samples
If you're not philosophically or morally opposed to Walmart, you might enjoy getting some free stuff from them. I don't have personal experience with Walmart's free samples, but it could be fun. Here's the website: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SWAP MEETing (1st Annual?)
Here are the results of our swap meeting. We also had a bread tasting. We had so much fun and we all went home with fun stuff! Next months meeting is for the cookbook compilation.
My project-- reusable lunch bags with cloth napkins
More fabric lunch bags
Betty's project- sprouting kits for alfafa sprouts and salad sprouts
Sorry for the sideways photos. Maybe one of the other blog author's can fix this problem.
p.s. Betty also gave us fresh garlic.
Cat's project- jasmine bath salts. She drew special pictures and wrote funny thoughts on each packet.
My project-- reusable lunch bags with cloth napkins
More fabric lunch bags
Betty's project- sprouting kits for alfafa sprouts and salad sprouts
Sorry for the sideways photos. Maybe one of the other blog author's can fix this problem.
p.s. Betty also gave us fresh garlic.
Cat's project- jasmine bath salts. She drew special pictures and wrote funny thoughts on each packet.
Caryn's project-blackberry pie from her garden and quilted hot pads
Michele's project-side dressing for gardening. See more info here: http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/planning/side.asp
Monday, June 8, 2009
IKEA events
Ikea Events at West Sac Store:
Friday, June 19thMidsummer CelebrationBring the family to IKEA West Sacramento and celebrate midsummer. Midsummer is the day Swedes observe summer with a big festival filled with food, activities, and family. Enjoy a traditional Swedish Smorgasbord food tasting complete with crackers, cheeses, and other Swedish specialties in our restaurant on the second floor.Stop by our entrance and visit the Swedish School in Sacramento. The school will be conducting a free laurel wreath making activity for children and talking about their curriculum. Start your weekend off by celebrating the Swede within you at IKEA West Sacramento.
Saturday, June 20thFree Father's Day Craft ActivityKids! Come to IKEA West Sacramento for the free children's craft activity on Saturday, June 20th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Småland and make a gift for Dad for Father's Day! This event is open to the public and on a first come, first served basis.
Friday, June 19thMidsummer CelebrationBring the family to IKEA West Sacramento and celebrate midsummer. Midsummer is the day Swedes observe summer with a big festival filled with food, activities, and family. Enjoy a traditional Swedish Smorgasbord food tasting complete with crackers, cheeses, and other Swedish specialties in our restaurant on the second floor.Stop by our entrance and visit the Swedish School in Sacramento. The school will be conducting a free laurel wreath making activity for children and talking about their curriculum. Start your weekend off by celebrating the Swede within you at IKEA West Sacramento.
Saturday, June 20thFree Father's Day Craft ActivityKids! Come to IKEA West Sacramento for the free children's craft activity on Saturday, June 20th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Småland and make a gift for Dad for Father's Day! This event is open to the public and on a first come, first served basis.
Bath and Body Works Sale
For more information about the semi-annual sale at Bath and Body Works, see the "Frugal is Fabulous" link to the right. She has the scoop.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
happy, simple, healthy, frugal events
Picnic in the Park 2009! March 11 through October 28, 4:30-8:30pm EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Farmers Market in Davis with Live Entertainment
Yolo County Visitors Bureau
Outdoor Quilt & Textile Art Festival
Dates
06/27/2009
Time
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Public
Location
Historic Downtown Main Street, in Winters
Description
View quilts hung outdoors and in businesses throughout historic downtown Winters and check out local vendors and artisians. Featured artists are Margaret Miller & Melinda Bula.
2009 Cache Creek Lavender Festival Open house
Saturday June 13 and full festival events Sunday June 14, 2009. For more information click here.
Davis Food Co-op new cooking classes and tastings (fee required) http://www.daviscoop.com/classes/May_June_09class.pdf
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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