My Family

My Family

Monday, April 29, 2013

4th Time Is A Real Charm, My Dish Soap Revision

Hi everyone!  So I think I got it this time with my dish soap homemade.  It suds and it smell really good.  I love it, my dishes love it too.  Here is the recipe:

Homemade Dish Soap:
1/4 bar of Fels Nephta
3 C boiling water
2 T washing soda, I used Arm & Hammer
1 T Borax
10-15 drops EO, your choice, I used combination of orange, lime and grapefruit
1/2 cold water

Microwave 1/4 bar Fels Nephta in a safe bowl for 30 sec. increments of 1 1/2 min.  In a small pot, boil 3 cups of water, add the softened soap and stir till soap has dissolved.  Next, add 2 tablespoon of washing soda, 1 tablespoon of borax, stir until well combined and has dissolved into the hot water.  Add 1/2 cup of cold water to the mixture than add your favorite essential oils.  Mix well and transfer to your dish soap.  I used a jar with a lid, easier for me to just scoop a tsp into my dish soap than I add hot water to make a sud.  I tried using a recycled pump dish soap but it doesn't pump my soap due to the thick jelly texture that's why I like the jar better.  I hope you will try this version.  

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

What To Do With Your Conditioner You Don't Care For Anymore

Hi everyone!!! Hope you all are doing well and dandy. Ever wonder what to do with all them conditioner for your hair that you have laying around your bathroom and you just don't have the heart to toss it away?  Well here is one thing you can do with them.... share it with your laundry.  Laundry!? you say.  He! he! he! yup share it with your lovely laundry.  Here is a great fabric softener recipe I've been using since last year.  I learned and applied it to my laundry since and love to share it with you.  I found this recipe on line so I am NOT taking credit for the recipe.  I feel bad that I didn't write the website to give credit to:(  Here it is:

Fabric Softener:

2 c hair conditioner
3 c distilled vinegar
6 c boiling water
15-20 drops essential oil/EO (optional) you probably don't need it, your conditioner probably has great smell to it already.  If it doesn't you can add EO of your choice or not:)

Boil 6 cups of water in a medium size saucepan, once boiled turn heat off.  Add conditioner and distilled vinegar to hot water and mix well.  Transfer to old softener bottle or whatever bottle you may have.  Use 1/4 cup p/ load.  Shake before each use to incorporate all ingredients.  Hope you will try this.  I love it!!!

I do have lots of left over conditioner that I no longer use on my hair instead my laundry enjoy it.  I make my own conditioner now.  Just 1c of organic apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water and 10-15 drops of EO I used peppermint and tea tree EO great for dry hair like mine.  I put 1Tbsp of this concaction with 1 cup of tap water, apply it to my hair and massage it throughout and rinse.  Hair does not smell like vinegar at all.  Makes my hair nice and soft.  I've got a very dry hair so this works for me.  Wash my hair 3x a week.  I shower everyday just not my hair. ha! ha! ha! 

 You all enjoy your day now!!!!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Homemade Dish Soap My Version

I've learned to make my own dish soap courtesy to www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com.  I've made some adjustment to work to my liking and you can do the same.  Here is my version recipe:

Homemade Dish Soap:
1/4 soap bar Fels Neptha grated (you can find this in your grocery store or Walmart .97c) cost .24c
4 c water free
4 Tbsp of homemade Citrus Enzyme (check out www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com for the recipe) or you can add lemon juice or distilled white vinegar degreasier, extra cleaning power, disinfect cost .04c if using vinegar
1 Tbsp vegetable glycerin (you can find this in a health store or order it on line ie. Amazon)Note: Glycerin is an emollient often used on natural cosmetics or household cleaners to balance moisture levels and cleanse gently.  Aid in protecting hands from drying and boost the cleaning power:) cost .56c
2 Tbsp Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castille Soap (optional) added bubbly boost and love peppermint cost .56c
10 drops of lemon essential oil (optional) remove grease, deodorize, disinfect and smells good cost .10c
10 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral action & smells good:) cost .10c

This make about 32-34oz for $1.60, $1.40 w/o essential oils or .84c w/o essential oils and Dr. Bronner's castile soap.  How's that for a great savings:)

You can either grate your Fels Neptha or microwave it in a bowl for 30 sec. increment for a total of 1 & half minutes.  I microwave mine first then I ground it in my bullet grinder or you can use coffee grinder or food processor.  Note: I find that when I grind the soap in my bullet/coffee grinder without microwaving it first, I find that it is too hard for my grinder and I don't like the struggling sound it makes, I've also tried to process it in my food processor and my food processor would do some hard wobbling/shaking dance (like a break dancer gone bad ha! ha!) on the counter which I didn't  care for.  I don't want to break my kitchen buddies so microwaving it first helps a lot to process.  Next heat 4 cups of water in a sauce pan over med. heat to a boil then add your processed Fels Neptha mix well using a whisk or wooden spoon until the soap has dissolved.  Add the rest of your ingredients, mix until well combined. FYI if you are adding essential oils of your choice, you want to wait until your soap mixture has cool to a room temperature.  Adding essential oils to hot liquid will decrease its essential benefits dramatically. Transfer your homemade dish soap to recycled dish soap bottle or a pump bottle.  I have mine in a big 40oz pump recycled bottle that my sister in law gave me.  I love it.  I hope you try my version, you can modify it your own way too. In a few hours your homemade dish will have a gel texture this is normal  I love the tingling feelings on my hands after I washed my dishes and the smell is wonderfully soothing, it also helps clear my nose due to the effects from the essential oils.  Please let me know how you like it.

The best part of making your own dish soap is that you know what's in it: and it's fun to make:).  Suggestion: I pumped couple of squirts to my dish bowl then I add about 1/4 c or more of water, I either use my finger or a fork to make a sud/bubbly dish soap.  You will notice that this homemade dish does not suds like a regular dish soap but works really well if not better.  It is not the suds that cleans your dishes:) that's what dish soaps manufacturer wants you to think because of their commercials with pretty ladies' hands submerged in the bubbles.  Getting use to not getting as much suds that you are use to will eventually dissolve in your mind like mines:)

Happy dish washing you all!!!!!
My ingredient, in the glass jar is my Homemade Citrus Enzyme, you can substitute it for distilled vinegar same amount

I microwave 1/4 Fels Neptha bar soap until soft easier to work with

After I microwave it for 30sec. increments total of 1 & half min.

Pulverized in my magic bullet, that's my 2 1/2 yr old boy's hand

After soap has been pulverized

Boiling 4 cups of water

Added processed Fels Neptha, some use Ivory bar soap

Whisking the soap with water

This is how it looks once the soap has been dissolved

I put some soap mixture in my magic bullet to dissolved the rest of the processed soap that didn't make it to the mix, I didn't want to waste

Here is my finished product.  This is an afterthought photo after few days of using my homemade soap, I realized I didn't take photo of it. 

Monday, March 18, 2013

Very Productive Day/Hamemade Yogurt in a Crockpot

Today was a very fun filled day.  I took my 2 1/2 yr old boy along with his puppy, Sachi for a nice 3ml slushy, muddy snow trekking.  He slept most of the way except the last mile.  He woke up and started screaming with delight as I pushed him in his Trex.  I too was screaming with the same pleasure as my heavy, muddy shoes hit the ground.
Needless to say my lower extremities were covered in dirt. None the less, it was still a lot of fun.






After our run, I did 3 loads of laundry, made a homemade dish soap that I got from One Good Thing By Jillee, I love her website/blog.  I ran out of dish soap and I came upon her site and decided to give her homemade dish soap a try.  I had all the ingredients at home and let me tell you I love it!!!!! and it smells so wonderful makes you want to do dishes all day.  Than while my soap was setting, I baked bread for the very first time without using bread maker (the one I had broke a year ago and never made bread since) .  Thanks to my wonderful, sweet friend Amy who shared her recipe.  Recipe called for 6 cups whole wheat flour and I only had 2 3/4 cups of it so I just used regular flour which I had a lot for the rest of what the recipe called for.  Bread turned out really good.  I was intimidated at first but I'm glad I gave it a try.  My friend Amy and her husband, Ben and their sweet little girl, Ellie Mae joined us for dinner and they all love my homemade bread.  For dinner I made meat balls in the crock pot.  Love my crock pot.  All I had to do a few minutes before serving dinner was cooked the pasta.  I served dinner with the homemade delicious bread.

So since last year I've been making my own homemade detergent liquid and powdered.  I like them both.  I have also been making my own fabric softener.  I now just made my very first dish soap.  I make my own moisturizer/lotion I share with my son.  We both love the smell.  My son always tells me whenever I apply it on him "yummy mommy, I like it a lot" the best compliment.  My next quest is to make homemade shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser, facial mask, bar soap, candles, and much more.  They are so many things to learn from the internet that you don't have to rely on store bought stuffs you use daily and when you make them, it gives you a very satisfaction feeling.

pouring in the yogurt mixture in the warm milk
Here is my own homemade yogurt recipe I just made today:Homemade Yogurt In A Crock Pot

Crock pot
Thermometer 
Beach or bath towel (no you're not going to the beach.  ha! ha!)

2 c powdered dry milk (optional) this makes yogurt creamy and thicker
1/2  c sugar (optional) this is the 2nd time I made my yogurt and wanted to add sugar this time. I like my yogurt sweet. 
1 c plain good quality yogurt or a cup from your previous homemade yogurt made.  I stored a cup for this purpose when I first made my yogurt so I wouldn't need to buy.  So on my second time I only had to buy milk which was $2.54 for a gallon.  

In the crock pot add the milk, powdered dry milk and sugar.  Stir and turn your crock pot on high and cover with the lid.  Let milk mixture sit until temperature reaches 180-185 degree F.  It took about 3hrs and 15min for mine to reach 185.  Turn crock pot off and let mixture cool down to 115 deg. F.  Then in a small bowl combine 1/2c yogurt to a cup of warm milk mixture, stir until completely blend then pour to your warm milk mixture with the rest of your yogurt.  Now the fun part.... the waiting game:)  put the lid back on your crock pot and wrap with a towel to keep warm and insulated let it stand on your counter for 10-12 hrs or until the next day.  There you have it your own homemade delicious yogurt.  Make sure you put aside a cup of yogurt for your next yogurt  making.   I stored mine in mason jars and recycled yogurt containers.  Keep it refrigerated.  I put mines in the back of my fridge where it is the coldest.  It should be good for 10-14 days.  If you think you can't consume all within 14 days just put some in the freezer or share some with you friends or have yogurt party.  You can also use it as face mask by itself or add 1/2 of very ripe avocado and 2 Tbsp of honey to 1/4 c of your yogurt make a nice smooth texture using spoon or spatula. Apply on face and neck.  Enjoy your homemade  yogurt/avocado mask while you eat the rest of your avocado with your salad or sandwich. Leave mask on for 10-20 minutes rinse off really good and viola! you have a radiating face.  This is really good for dry skin like mines.:):):)
 My yogurt mixed with warm milk ready to pour int the milk mixture
This is how it looks w yogurt mix

Wrapped in beach towel.  Now wait for just 10-12 hrs or overnight.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Afternoon Delight

It sure was an afternoon delight.  I went for a 5 ml run with my 2 dogs, Storm and Sachi on a slushy snow while hubby and T followed us in the 4wheeler.  It was pretty slushy with the snow melting but a lot of fun never the less.  I felt like a little kid running in the mud/snow:)  While I was running I had this imaged in my head:  If I was to race with my 20s' and 30s' self, I would beat them both.  First the 20s' self would have her ass left behind.  She lack focus, discipline and she was more into weight lifting than running. She wanted to have a body like Corey Everson ha! ha! thank goodness for my mom when I told her that I wanted to have a body like Corey Everson, my mom's reply was 'you better not come home!' ha! ha!.... What do you think I did? of course I listened to my mom, blessed her heart that one.  I would have died of starvation otherwise. Ha! ha! My 30s' self, I would beat her at the last mile.  She has focus, discipline & drive.  But I'm 40 and some months old now and I am in better shape and has a lot more experienced. Ha! ha! So there you have it, I kicked both my 20s' & 30s' self ass!!!! ha! ha!  Getting older is not necessary mean that life is dissipating....it just begun. 

After our afternoon delight,  I made us a very delicious tuna sandwich than off we went outside to work.  Hubby cleaned up after our dogs' pile of crap, and tidy up the shed and rid of some stuffs.  I cleaned our girls' (chickens) barn.  It was not a very pleasant job at all.  One thing for sure our girls are very happy.  Takoda kept himself entertained playing outside, chasing chickens ha! ha!  It was the first time this year that our chickens got to enjoy themselves outside.  It sure was a wonderful sight watching them.  We can't wait when all the snow melt and they can all be foraging outside instead of being coop in their lovely home.  We get 3-5 eggs everyday now that it is warmer.  Takoda and I may have to start an egg stand on our drive way.  ha! ha!  

Well I've been learning a lot about homestead, sustainable living.  I will be making homemade mayonnaise, I'm already making my own yogurt.  I just learned how to make substitute heavy cream, cake flour, ricotta cheese, half & half, homemade deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, baby powder, lotion/moisturizer, and more.  I've also been making my own laundry detergent and softner for 2 yrs now.  I am loving it.  The less we spend the better and most importantly I know what I'm giving my family and it's all good.  No harmful chemicals.  When we have another child I think I will do cloth diaper, I grow up with cloth diaper.  I will make my own wipes too.  Life is good.

Good day you all!!!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Training For Half Marathon


My favorite magazines I subscribed to
Thursday, January 17, 2013

My feet are itching again for a half marathon race.  I don't know where and when yet but today I started my training.  Hubby says bologna I started long ago.  I did 5mls run on the treadmill and later this afternoon I did the Pure Cardio Insanity workout .  I love Insanity. It's hard but you get great results from it.  So I am incorporating my running with his program.  I also received the best gift ever from my husband. For x-mas, he got me the Asylum dvds.  I will be starting this program in 2wks along with my running regimen.  Asylum workout will kick anybody's behind it will surely kick my behind.  I am so excited to start this program and as scary as I thought it would be I'm finding it all comes in stride.  CRAZY HARD but awesome.  I reviewed couple of  Asylum workout and was quite intimidated just like when I previewed  the Insanity program before I started.  But this Asylum is over the top ... guess that's were they check one in after deciding to actually follow through with it !!!! that's  Asylum b-coz its and anyone who does it must be  NUTS too!!! It literally put you to  EXTREME workout that a lot of us has never experienced before.  You really need to DIG DEEPER.  Today I  kicked and  screamed all the way. Working out is a natural high for me.  

Friday, January 18, 2012

This morning I decided to try one of the Asylum's workout.  I did the speed and agility.  Boy! I was sweating all through the whole work out and out of breath.  Mind you, my agility wasn't corresponding well with some of the routine using the agility ladder and jump rope that came with the program. I have to work on this.  These training methods require a new level of concentration and focus in order to build skills and improve speed and coordination which I am lacking of.  I am very grateful that my husband has had these type of work out when he played football all through college.  He was able to correct me and show me the right way.  I know my endurance and stamina has improved tremendously since Insanity.  I am running better, longer, I've increased my speed and breathing is not labored.  I am always looking forward to my next workout.  Yes I am hooked.  



Monday, January 14, 2013

Hook A Loop Makeover

Hello!!!! I've been doing makeover on my candle holders, plant pot, flower vase and toilet tissue cover.  I had so much fun making them.  My little Takoda has been giving me great compliments saying "Mommy that's nice.  I like it.  It's nice mommy." He is only 2 yrs old.  My biggest fan:)

Here are some of the things I've done.  I was inspired by Crochet With Raymond with her tea pot pattern she has on her blog.  I applied the concept on my makeovers.:) 

This is one of my candle holders I purchased a while back when I lived in Maui.  Here is the pattern that you can probably apply on simple things that you have around your house like a can or planter:
Foundation chain 49, sc in 2nd chain, sc across =48sc
sl st on the first sc, ch3, dc 2x in the same st, (skip 2 sc, 3dc next sc) rep. to end.
[ Sl st to 3rd ch fr previous rnd, 2dc in the same st, 3dc in each space bet. 3dc cluster.] rep. this rnd until you reached desired length. Note: foundation chain varies on what you are working on so play around with it. 



Here they are all done up.  I just love the sorbet colors, very refreshing.

I think they like their new outfit. Can you see them smiling? he! he! he!

It sure brighten up our bathroom.

 I did this on Christmas Holiday. You can see the 3dc cluster better here. I did a fan on the top. 

I knitted those stuffed animals.  Ms. Chicken and Mr. Frog are pattern from Susan B. Anderson, I got 2 of her books; Itty Bitty Toys and Itty Bitty Nursery that I loved so much.  I've done a lot of her work.  Ms. Kitty Kat is my own pattern which I never wrote, just image on my head.  I really need to start writing patterns.  You could say I'm a bit lazy on that part. 

Here is my TP cover in the making.  See what I mean when I mention that you can do makeover on just about anything.

Here it is on our toilet, it look a lot better than placing plain toilet tissues on the toilet.  

While we were in Vegas last month staying at my dad and little brother's house, my dad requested me to give his flower vase a little makeover. 

Here she is in her new dress.

Here is another look see