Songs My Daughter Diggs

My daughter has an eclectic taste in music, and this week here are some of her favorites. 

• Moves Like Jagger, by Maroon 5
• Super Bass, by Nicki Minaj
• Twinkle Twinkle, by Mommie
• Itsy Bitsy Spider, by Mommie
• Jesus Loves Me, by Mommie
• Ragged Road, by Reckless Kelly

I just love to watch her dance.  She gets her shoulders moving and then her hips!  Too cute. 

Homemade Chicken Soup

 
Chicken Soup

3 pound chicken
4 cups water
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery (I substitute carrots)
2 chicken bouillon cubes
Salt to taste
16 pepper corns
1 cup noodles or rice
2 bay leaves

Brown chicken
Brown onions
add everything but noodles or rice
Cook for 4 hours add noodles and cook for 30 minutes

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

This is what I use for normal toilet bowl cleaning.

Mix the following in an old dish soap bottle:
1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Dish Soap

That's it!  Really, I squirt it around the bowl and scrub with a brush.  Then I let it sit until someone uses the toilet.

Homemade Laundry Softener

Homemade Laundry Softener, Okay this isn't really homemade, but it works great.  Are you ready for this revelation?  Vinegar.  Just plain old vinegar works as a great laundry softener.  Here's why I love it as a softener:

• Smell - really after drying it doesn't smell so my clothes smell clean and not like smelly softener.
• Low residue - doesn't leave a film on towels like other softeners.
• Low stack cling
• Cost about $0.02/load (I use 1/4 cup per wash)
• Non-toxic
• Better for environment.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have been using this for 6 months now and am pleased with the results.

Mix until combined:

• 1 Bar Fels Naptha (shredded to powder)
• 1.5 Cups Borax
• 1.5 Cups Washing Soda

Use 1 TBS in wash instead of soap. 

Tips:

• I use a hand grater to powder the bar soap.
• Use any soap you want, I like a low smelling laundry soap.
• Cost: $0.03/load
• The above amount lasts a long time - 3 months or so.
• For whites you must use Oxy Clean - otherwise the whites can dull.

Homemade Sugar Scrub

I use this everyday as a face and body scrub.  Such a great cheap luxury!

Mix until combined:

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Baking Soda (optional)
• 1/8-1/2 Cup Coconut Oil (enough to coat sugar)
• 2-10 drops essential oil of choice

Tips:

• I put this in a cottage cheese container and keep it in my shower.
• This is so great, my daughter loves to play with it.
• I use this head to toe everyday.

Homemade Deodorant

I LOVE this stuff and I smell better than ever before!  Never thought I would, but it is is better than anything in the store.

Mix until combined:

• 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 2-6 drops of essential oil of choice

Tips:

• I put mixture into an old deodorant tube.
• For travel it's best to not use the tube because Coconut Oil melts at 72 degrees.
• It is easy to put too much on.  Be sure to rub into skin after applying.
• I allow it to dry some before I put a garment on (I have never had issues with staining, or grease spots on my clothes).

Homemade Shea Butter Salve

This stuff is great for dry skin.  It's a little tricky to make but worth it!

Heat the following in the microwave (heat in batches of 20-30 seconds until melted):

• 1 Cup Shea Butter
• 1/2 Cup Oil (I used Olive and Avocado Oils)

Add the following to the melted mixture:

• 4 Capsules Vitamin E

Put in the fridge for 30-40 minutes to cool the mixture.

Then I whip the semi-cooled mixture in the kitchen aid until frothy.

Place in container of choice.

Tips:

• As with all homemade lotions there is a shelf life of 3-6 months.
• You might have to warm this salve with your hands before applying.
• I use this as a night cream and on any area that is too dry.
• Be careful not to use too much oil, as it makes the salve oily.

Homemade Chapstick

Recipe for Homemade Chap-stick.  I love this and always have one with me.

Heat the following in the microwave until melted (heat 20-30 seconds at a time):

• 1.5 tsp Beeswax
• 2 tsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Cocoa Butter
• 3 tsp Oil (I use 1 tsp Olive, 1 tsp Jojoba, 1 tsp Avocado)

 Then add the following to the melted mixture:

• 3 Capsules Vitamin E
• 5-12 drops essential oils (I used Sweet Orange and Lavender)

Pour in to 6-7 empty chap-stick tubes.

Tips:

• Use a Pyrex measuring cup, so you can pour into the tubes.
• Do NOT use emulsifying wax not the right texture for chap-stick.
• Experiment with different essential oils to get a unique smell.
• Mountain Rose Herbs is a great place to find the ingredients.

Why I love to nurse my toddler

That's right Toddler!  I know I'm so UN-American but it is so wonderful I had to share some of the reasons why!

• Fussy - put her on the boob for a few minutes and then she is a happy, content child again.
• Hurts - nursing is a pain reliever
• Sucking - I don't have to mess with pacifiers, or her sucking her thumbs, she is able to fulfill that need during our nursing sessions.
• Food - I don't worry about how much she ate and when.  She eats often but I know everyday she is getting "good" food when she nurses.
• Sleep - So easy to put her to sleep!  No crying, going to be is a happy time at our house.
• Sick - When she is sick, nursing helps me keep her hydrated and feed when she wont eat anything else.
• Sick - We don't get sick that often and when we do it is very mild!  Thanks to all those immunities in breast milk.
• Calm - Nursing releases hormones, when I'm grumpy and she is too, a few minutes of nursing and all is right with the world again.

This list could go on and on!  SO many wonderful benefits!

Finance New Years Resolutions

Every year I hope to get our finances in order, so that they can be on autopilot.

• Increase: 
• 401K
• 529
• Roth IRA
• Savings
• Cash Budget
• Trust/Will
• SELL House!

What do you want to work towards this year?

Professional New Years Resolutions

Most of my time is with my family, but outside of them there are a few things I'd like to do this year.

• Get Accreditation (for LLL)
• Join a writing group
• Network with other writers/editors

Health New Years Resolutions

This year (as every year) I try to add some healthy things to our lifestyle.

• Run a 5K
• loose 5 pounds
• Increase cardio
• Exercise once more per week
• Eat more veggies!!

Family New Years Resolutions

I hope to do this with my family in 2012

• Eat dinner together 5 times a week
• Walk together at least twice per week
• Pray together daily