Clean All The Summer Fruit!

In the realm of declutter, reduce the chemicals (not that they're all evil), and in the name of frugality (two mortgages and diapers!!!), a few years ago, I began researching alternatives and methods for everyday cleaning and being more kid friendly.

That's when I discovered the amazing, everyday, multipurpose products I already had in my pantry. (Side note, the word pantry always makes me kinda giggle and I'm really not sure why!) Warning, Pinterest will boggle your mind with endless lists of the ways you can use ordinary and extraordinary staples, but really, if you're like me, you need the shortened version. The hope, no matter how small, of having an extra ten seconds to take the world's fastest shower is incredibly important. Especially with two little ones, who just might, if you're extremely lucky, nap at the same time. Of course, you'll probably end up doing something just as important as well. Like laundry or the dishes, because they will never truly be done. Neverending cycle of family life, laundry and dishes.

But, that is not the awesomeness of this post...it's all about apple cider vinegar.



First off, let me tell you, I like salad. But, smelling salad dressing-like fragrances isn't my favorite. Some people actually love the smell. Me? Not so much.

But, as a fruit and veggie cleaner?

Fabulous!!! Yep, clean up the produce with apple cider vinegar...just put a few tablespoons or so diluted in water and soak your produce of choice for 5-10 minutes.



Then rinse.



Done.

And, if you get fruit flies? Even easier...I use

a container from something like Trader Joe's Mango Salsa (my newest obsession!!!!), poke a few holes in the lid and pour apple cider vinegar about halfway up then watch (or not!) the flies fly right on in to stay. The lid contains the smell (which, as we know, isn't my favorite) and keeps the containment easy to dispose of.

Voila!! Clean produce, and fruit flies be gone!!!

posted from Bloggeroid

Chaos, Direct Sales, And Mommy Time

Direct sales have invaded and taken over my Facebook feed. Between Jamberry (which I've tried and love for my toes!), 21 Fix, Keep, and who knows what else, I'm overloaded with equal parts guilt (some of these friends are really friends, and I want to support them), annoyance (am I just another part of their "business" and that's it?), and the wondering if all those shakes/wraps/fixes really work (and if they do why isn't everyone doing them??).

Honest moment disclaimer. I'm not a fan of any kind of fix, etc, because I wonder why people can't find a way to do it themselves? And, a "fix" implies your broken...and after 21 days, you won't be. Now, sure the support systems of some of these things is really amazing for some people! I get it, we are all different. But, the problem is I have so many other things (Legos, food, training pants, food, food...I have two little boys!!!) that it is just crazy to spend more money on things like this, at least for me.

There's a bit of crazy happening in my life, mainly the daily chaos of raising two little boys and the struggles of trying to do what we love as a way to support our family. And all that other stuff. Like the dishes. Laundry. Sweeping the floor. Getting a shower more than twice a week.

In the spirit of my New Mommy, New Rules once upon a time dream, I'm getting back to basics. Tips, learnings, good times...

For today, get outside and enjoy the beauty of the world. Green, lush scenery and flowers in bloom, the scents of herbs growing in your garden, the sound

s of cicadas showing up for their once in sixteen (or is it seventeen?) years...read a real book in the sunshine (don't forget the sunblock!).

The rule for today? Do something for you, maybe with your little ones or maybe just for you.

Even if it's just a quick shower.

posted from Bloggeroid

Clutter in the Closet: 40 In 40 Challenge

I'm utterly and alternately terrified, frustrated, and appalled at the state of my closet. When we bought our home, I was ecstatic to see the extra room off our master suite. Office? Nursery?

Nope.

Divine walk-in closet.

I found a closet organizing system, complete with long and short hanging options, a shoe organizer (oh, the things of dreams!!), and other perfectly wonderful organizing components that made my inner fashion diva squeal with delight.

Once the set up was complete, I gleefully separated my black works pieces from the longer dresses and pants. Hung or folded sweaters and hoodies, tees and tanks, jeans...summer from fall, spring and winter.

Then, the lil ones came. Gone were the afternoons off, rearranging and lovingly keeping my closet beautiful.

In fact, it has turned into this...



Sigh.

Bring on the Forty Things In Forty Days Challenge!

Donate, sell, or pitch. One (or mire things) a day. Because I'm afraid it might take over the rest of the house. Which means a war with the Legos and Hot Wheels, with Lightning McQueen as General McQueen. I might be watching fee too many YouTube videos aimed at preschoolers...

posted from Bloggeroid

Frugal Mommy...Washing the Washer DIY

Our washer suddenly started having the fall funk...which was making that amazing laundry scent that gently wafts down the hall have a spooky monster mash kinda smell.

After Pinterest and Facebook research, my frugal mommy side decided that buying a "wash for ly washer" just seemed absolutely ridiculous, especially when I had the DIY ingredients right in my spookily decorated kitchen!



Armed with my big ol' jug o' white vinegar and box of baking soda, I marched dutifully into my laundry room (also noting the stalled state if my laundry room update, but more on that later!) prepared for battle.

Easy as one, two, three.

1.) Pour one cup vinegar in washer basin (or bleach dispenser), with a generous dash of baking soda (maybe a quarter cup). Bonus vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser.

2.) Select hot water, lowest water level.

3.) Start the washer, and enjoy the self cleaning of one thing in the house.

Told ya.

posted from Bloggeroid

Oh Dem Bones! Jamberry Review

Time for myself is one of my most precious commodities, and add to that anything much beyond a shower is just about at the realm of impossibility.

But, with two lil dudes, money is still an issue. Cause diapers, fresh fruit (my boys loooove raspberries, and just about any other fruit they can get their lil hands on!), snacks, and three kinds of milk, money doesn't stretch as far as it used to. Luxuries are just that. Luxuries.

But, once in awhile, I love to paint my nails and polish my toes. However, that in and of itself is a huge task. Either I smudge as I go from picking up lil guy, getting juice/snacks, or breaking up the newest toy battle or I barely even get two painted in five minutes.

After being inundated with invites and being unknowingly included in various parties on Facebook and groups, I became anti-Jamberry. Not only did I become annoyed that everybody seemed to be using our "friend" status to try to sell me something, no one asked if I would be interested. They just assumed.

Fast forward six months...

Lately, I've finally found my I'm not just my mommy stride. Well, some days I do. Which means there are days when my hair actually gets brushed (and sometimes even styled!), a bit of makeup is applied, and even brushing my teeth after each meal...or snack.

I decided it was time. Or, I should day I saw a Jamberry design that I loooooved. An mandala (I yoga for sanity, health, and with my lil dudes!), which led to finally reaching out to a friend who touted the amazing results of Jamberry and was a consultant. A habitual nail biter, which I often witnessed firsthand, she actually had nails (for her, anyway!) even though she ran an at home daycare that looked pretty good even after a few days.

I broke down after seeing the super adorable Halloween offerings and ordered. I had planned to treat myself to a pedicure, so four sheets were about the same. Plus, to be honest, I rarely enjoy a pedicure...too much on my to do list to sit still that long and make small talk.

They arrived..and sat waiting for some action for more than two weeks. I admit, I was intimidated due to my polish with lil dudes experience. But, yesterday, I gave in. Mostly because Halloween is just a few weeks away and didn't want to have wasted them.

And, after a bit of a shaky start due to a bit of caffeine (I drink a cup of half caff once in awhile), I successfully used a hair dryer, scissors, cuticle stick, and nail file to apply six spooky nail designs along with polishing the four extras with a quick drying metallic OPI nail lacquer.

Side note...the nail lacquer already chipped once. Sigh.

Easy, once I figured it out. And insanely adorable. Plus, I felt a bit like me again...which only makes mommy even more ready to take on the day!



Only two days in, but with the endless hand washing, baking, toy fixing, and battery changing, not a problem in sight.

I kinda like you, Jamberry. And Dem Bones.

posted from Bloggeroid

It's OK. Seriously.

It's ok.

You don't have to get everything done. The dishes can wait. The laundry will always be there. Seriously, it is neverending. So, don't worry about getting everything cleaned up, every single day. Because it will still be there.

But the snuggles, the giggles, the tickle wars? Those won't.

This summer, so far, has been a huge battle for my family. Two mortgages, a job that has been an almost seven day a week sometimes twelve hour day for daddy, an almost three thousand dollar assessment for our now empty second mortgage property that was housing my very ill mother-in-law (owner occupies clause that was added after we owned the property), emergency triple bypass surgery for said mother-in-law, plus the general insanity of life has all taken a toll on the condition of our home.

The floors, the dishes, laundry room, toys...it is seriously is just a complete hot mess.

But, I've learned something very important. It doesn't matter.

The giggles, smiles, trips to the zoo, playing with the hose outside...reading books.

That's what matters. Even when I have to hide my phone from my YouTube loving three year old.

So, tomorrow I will try to get to a few things. But for now, it is ok.

Seriously.

posted from Bloggeroid

Frugal Mommy...Homemade Peanut Butter

As soon as I became pregnant, I began to notice (even though I had been label watching before!) the insane amount of "extras" in the foods I was buying for my family. Thus began my quest for healthier versions of the things my family loved.

Which leads me to...peanut butter. I don't know about how the old PB rolls in your house, but over here, whether a PB&J, on a banana, with chocolate (you know you've done it!), or on a spoon solo can all happen at any given moment.

Needless to say, we go through a lot of peanut butter. We switched to the "natural" kind of popular brands, but the palm oil always bothered me. How could I give my boys something that harmed the homes of the animals they loved so? (Yep, the guilt sets in often via monkeys over here.)

After shopping at Whole Foods while away from the family (it was the only grocery store close by), I discovered many amazing things (mostly that I loved Aldi's for their affordable organic and basic grocery merch). Kombucha (which is also, I discovered, available at Target!), and...real, homemade (as much as it could be!) peanut butter.

I admit, I love texture in my food. Which means I love all that grainy goodness in supposed "healthy" foods. I devoured the peanut butter, and couldn't wait to try my hand at it at home.

Easiest thing I've ever done. Seriously.

Aldi's carries plain old unsalted, dry roasted peanuts for $2.19 (plus honey roasted with salt for $2.39), plus organic clover honey (though I had a bit of the regular to finish up this time) and organic coconut oil (which I use for so many things!!).

And that's it, really.



Super simple.

1 1/2 cups dry roasted unsalted peanuts

1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts

(2 cups total, so if you prefer just one kind, go for it.)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon coconut oil (for smoothness plus it does add a bit of flavor)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon honey, depending on flavor desired. Optional, but I love it!

Salt, if desired. I found that the honey roasted added just enough.

And...just add the peanuts to your food processor. I have a regular old processor, nothing fancy, and I've used it for just about everything. Turn it on until they are crumb like. At this point, you can add a bit of the coconut oil until you get the consistency desired. Add the honey to taste.

Done. That easy.



Of course, you can double the recipe if needed. We went through this fairly quick because the boys loved it so much!

Added bonus? No plastic jar to recycle! I used a glass mason jar from my collection.

I can't wait to try other nut butters, too!

posted from Bloggeroid