Beef Vegetable Soup

 
Beef Vegetable Soup

2 pounds beef (neck bones, other misc cuts)
1 onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped (I substitute carrots)
1 bay leaf
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups V8
2 16oz cans diced tomatoes
4 cups frozen mixed vegetables

Add all but frozen veggies to crock pot. Cook for 4 hours on high, add veggies and cook high for 1 more hour, or until beef falls off the bone. I remove beef and tear off the bones. Also remove bay leaf. Serve with corn bread. Yum

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 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).

I Feel Rich When...

There are often times I feel 'rich' and these are some of the things that make me feel this way.

• When all the laundry is folded and put away on the same day as washing
• Cooking a double batch of food, one for the week and one for the freezer
• When the fridge is full of cut fresh fruit and veggies
• Clean bathrooms
• Wearing brand new socks
• When the bathroom is fully stocked (full lotions, soaps, TP, etc...)
• Everything has a place and is in it
• When coupons have cut the bill by half

Anyone else feel rich?