Goodbye paper towels

Today as I was cleaning my counter tops, I realized this is my last roll of paper towels. The next grocery store list will not include paper towels on it because we’re going  to start using rags. Even if it doesn’t save me a ton of money, I won’t need to worry about buying them (spending money from my grocery envelope) or storing them. What’s one more load of laundry each week or so anyway?

Homemade Baby Food

I’m making my own baby food and it is not as scary as it sounds. So far, we’ve tried banana, avocado, sweet potatoes and pears. Next is butternut squash. A friend of mine gave me a really great book, “Super Baby Food,” by Ruth Yaron. The book teaches you everything you need to know about feeding your baby and kids homemade.  Ruth states in the book that making your own baby food costs 1/3 of what it would to buy it. WOW, that is amazing and it’s surprisingly easy.

Banana- Peel and mash w/ a fork.  This is the easiest.  

Avocado-  Peel when ripe and puree in blender, food processor or even with a fork.

Pears- Wash, cut in chunks and puree in blender or food processor

Sweet Potatoes- Wash, bake in oven when cooking dinner, peel and puree in blender or food processor

Butternut Squash- Wash, cut in half, clean out seeds, chop, steam for 25 min. and puree in blender or food processor

All of these foods can be frozen. As soon as you puree, fill ice cube trays or baby food storage containers, cover and freeze overnight. Store in good freezer bags. Each ice cube is approx. 1 oz. Pull out amount for feeding and enjoy!

This is just the beginning….I’ll post more as I make it.

Plan, plan, plan and you’ll save $, $, $

You will be amazed how much money you’ll save if you plan out your meals before grocery shopping. Here is my menu for next week with all of the recipes on a cork board hanging in my pantry. My sister made that cork board for me out of wine corks (LOVE IT) and the chalk board is just an old cabinet door painted w/chalk board paint.

Homemade Laundry Detergent & Cleaners

 

A few weeks ago I made my own laundry detergent. I’d heard from friends that it works and is a great way to save money. After doing some research on-line, I decided to follow the Duggar family recipe. I’m pretty sure I’ve made a one years supply (5 gallons concentrated)!!!! This detergent works great and has a nice clean smell but is not overwhelming. I don’t use it on my cloth diapers because it has borax in it and CD experts don’t recommend it.

Laundry Detergent Ingredients:

• Borax
• Washing Soda
• Fels-Naptha Soap Bar

All of the above ingredients I found in the grocery store cleaning supply isle

• Water
• Lavender Essential Oil (optional)——-can be found at health food stores, Earth Fare, etc.
• 5 gallon bucket w/ lid—–can be found at Walmart in the trash can isle. It’s a little over 5 gallons but works.
• Empty detergent container (only need one and refill as needed)

Directions:  http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html

*****I put the bucket in my kitchen sink to fill with water and let it sit for a full 24 hours to gel.

 All Purpose Household Cleaner Ingredients:

• 2 T Vinegar
• 1 t Borax
• 3 Drops dish detergent
• 10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• Hot water
• Empty spray bottle (reuse and empty cleaner bottle)

Directions:  Mix all ingredients together in spray bottle with a little bit of hot water until dissolved and then fill top with hot water. Shake well and get cleaning!

Other uses for ingredients:

Vinegar

• Mix a small amount in warm water to mop wood floors
• Use as fabric softener in washing machine
• Pour in a glass and place in room/car/etc. to take out odors
• Mix a little in water to remove pet urine from carpet
• Use in rinse cycle of dishwasher

Lavender Oil or other scent of choice

• Mix in spray bottle w/ just water and spritz around the home for an air freshener. This will also add moisture in the winter.

I tried making dishwasher detergent  but didn’t like the way it left my glasses with spots. I didn’t use the vinegar in the rinse cycle as recommended so that would have probably been better. I’ll try again and will post the recipe if it works.