I've heard of people making nut milk before but I thought it would be a time consuming, tricky process that I couldn't be bothered with. Was I wrong! It was simple, it tastes great and it saves so much money! Next, I will use it to make yogurt in my crock pot. :) Another, easy, inexpensive, healthy treat! :) I'll post that recipe later.
Nut Milk:
Take a cup of your favourite nuts, soak them overnite.
Put those nuts in the blender with 4 and 1/2 cups of water (according to raw-food-living.com, “The soak water will contain the enzyme inhibitors which is very acidic to the body so make sure to rinse your nuts and seeds well.” ) and blend til smooth.
Run the nuts/milk combo thru a nut bag or cheesecloth into a container. I didn't have either so I used a coffee filter and a sieve, but got impatient with waiting so, dumped the filter and ran it thru the sieve.
I then returned the milk back to the blender, reserving the nuts to use in my latest dog food recipe, found on this site, and added to the blender 1tsp of vanilla and 2 tsp of agave syrup. Blended. Tastes great!!!
Will invest in a nut bag or cheesecloth though because it was kinda grainy at the bottom, but worth it! :) Going out to buy more nuts! :)
I would say this might have cost me a $1 to make. Awesome!
It worked great!!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Update on Homemade Dog food - New Recipe!!! :)
So, the food I made last week that cost me about $2 to make lasted me a week. This was giving Noah about half a cup twice per day. He is a 12 pound dog. He loved it!!!
The first day I mixed 1/2 cup of the new food with 1/4 cup of his dry dog food, he ate it all. Later that evening I gave him another 1/4 cup of his dry food with the new food and he pulled the little bits of dry food out as he ate the new food. After some stern, "eat your foods" he ate it. He did get a little more than a cup a day the first few days as we used up his dry food.
That didn't work so well the next day. So, I just didn't give him any new food til he ate the old food. He was so happy when all the dry food was gone, so was I because I wasn't going to force it down his throat and I really wanted him to consume both at the same time because his tummy doesn't handle it too well. Larger dogs don't seem to have this issue so much, at least in my experience.
In any case, the transition was fine! So, I made a new recipe today and of course, Noah loves it! I am not worried so much about transition because the basic ingredients are the same. Oatmeal, eggs and turnip greens. I just changed from carrot to lima beans (because that's what I had). And added a bit of almond meal, sunflower seeds, flax seeds and chicken, and switched up the spices a bit.
So here is the recipe (probably cost me about $2 also):
3c cooked oatmeal (not quick oats)
2 eggs scrambled in 1/2 tsp EVOO
1 c frozen lima beans (steamed)
2 c chicken soup broth
1/4 c carrots (from the soup)
1/4 c celery (from the soup)
1/4 c chicken (from the soup)
1 c almond pulp (left over from making almond milk - will add recipe here, turned out great!)
1 c oat bran
1/2 c flax seed (ground in coffee grinder or food processor)
1/2 c sunflower seed (ground in coffee grinder or food processor)
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp oregano
I put everything but the oatmeal in the blender or food processor because Noah apparently doesn't chew. He had to chew dry food, but anyway... I suspect this is because he's so excited about getting people food that he just wolfs it down, or he's afraid that it will get taken away in short order is what usually happens if people food falls within his reach. I'm hoping this will change soon once he gets used to the idea because I think it's good for him to actually chew stuff!
So, will let you know how this week goes! Still a little nervous about all this as I'm not a dietitian, or a veterinarian, but I do understand about healthy eating and have researched a lot and combined that with intuition and just plain common sense.
Let me know your experiences and how you like it!
The first day I mixed 1/2 cup of the new food with 1/4 cup of his dry dog food, he ate it all. Later that evening I gave him another 1/4 cup of his dry food with the new food and he pulled the little bits of dry food out as he ate the new food. After some stern, "eat your foods" he ate it. He did get a little more than a cup a day the first few days as we used up his dry food.
That didn't work so well the next day. So, I just didn't give him any new food til he ate the old food. He was so happy when all the dry food was gone, so was I because I wasn't going to force it down his throat and I really wanted him to consume both at the same time because his tummy doesn't handle it too well. Larger dogs don't seem to have this issue so much, at least in my experience.
In any case, the transition was fine! So, I made a new recipe today and of course, Noah loves it! I am not worried so much about transition because the basic ingredients are the same. Oatmeal, eggs and turnip greens. I just changed from carrot to lima beans (because that's what I had). And added a bit of almond meal, sunflower seeds, flax seeds and chicken, and switched up the spices a bit.
So here is the recipe (probably cost me about $2 also):
3c cooked oatmeal (not quick oats)
2 eggs scrambled in 1/2 tsp EVOO
1 c frozen lima beans (steamed)
2 c chicken soup broth
1/4 c carrots (from the soup)
1/4 c celery (from the soup)
1/4 c chicken (from the soup)
1 c almond pulp (left over from making almond milk - will add recipe here, turned out great!)
1 c oat bran
1/2 c flax seed (ground in coffee grinder or food processor)
1/2 c sunflower seed (ground in coffee grinder or food processor)
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp oregano
I put everything but the oatmeal in the blender or food processor because Noah apparently doesn't chew. He had to chew dry food, but anyway... I suspect this is because he's so excited about getting people food that he just wolfs it down, or he's afraid that it will get taken away in short order is what usually happens if people food falls within his reach. I'm hoping this will change soon once he gets used to the idea because I think it's good for him to actually chew stuff!
So, will let you know how this week goes! Still a little nervous about all this as I'm not a dietitian, or a veterinarian, but I do understand about healthy eating and have researched a lot and combined that with intuition and just plain common sense.
Let me know your experiences and how you like it!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
All purpose household cleaner - SAFE, Non-toxic
Buy a spray bottle and mark the ingredients on the bottle as you go so you know how much to use next time without looking up this recipe!
Mix well to dissolve crystals then add 2 tblsp White Vinegar
When water cools; Add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil for scent if desired.
Read below (searched to find something to support tea tree oil):
2 c HOT water
1/2 tsp Borax
1/2 tsp Washing Soda
Mix well to dissolve crystals then add 2 tblsp White Vinegar
When water cools; Add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil for scent if desired.
Add 20 drops of tea tree essential oil as a disinfectant.
Read below (searched to find something to support tea tree oil):
I just now found this site - looks great!
http://www.natural-healthy-home-cleaning-tips.com/natural_home_cleaning_tea_tree_oil.htm
Tea Tree oil is one of the most popular of the essential oils. It is one of the strongest natural antiseptics, commonly referred to as the "Universal Antiseptic." This quality makes it one of the most worthwhile ingredients in homemade cleaning recipes. Tea Tree oil is also well tolerated having no known allergic reactions.
The time has come for us to reject the chemical-laden, air-polluting, health destroying, hazardous, commercial household cleaning products. There is something wrong when big corporations are using, "Trade Secrets," which means they are free to put harmful chemicals in the products that we use everyday in our homes. Manufacturers are not required to list them on the label. There are some companies that provide us with many excellent eco-friendly, nontoxic-cleaning products, but it is more economical and satisfying to make our own. You may notice that once you start using natural, safe cleaning products, you will not want to go back to using chemicals. The change is so pleasant to our bodies physiologically, and so soothing emotionally that we can't go back to harsh chemicals.
Clinical studies have documented the value of Tea Tree oil, which date back to the original work conducted in 1923 by Dr. A. R. Penfold, an Australian government chemist. He found that Tea Tree leaves contained an essential oil, which showed antiseptic and bacterial properties 13 times stronger than carbolic acid, the accepted standard of the time. In 1930, Mr. E. M. Humphrey published an article entitled "A New Australian Germicide." He identified that Tea Tree oil's disinfectant action on the typhoid bacilli was sixty times greater than that of ordinary hand soap. So important was Tea Tree in the 1940's that it was standard issue in first aid kits for army and navy personnel.
Tea Tree oil turns out to be one of the most useful of all essential oils, especially as an antiseptic. The antiseptic, germicidal, antifungal, antibacterial immune-boosting qualities of Tea Tree oil make it applicable to a wide range of health conditions. In addition, the antiseptic benefits of the oil allow its use as a natural cleaner and disinfectant within the household environment.
Tea tree oil has many uses for housekeeping. You can prove to yourself how well it works to kill mold and mildew with this simple test: Put 2 teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil in a spray bottle with two cups of water. Spray the mixture on something musty. Let the smell dissipate (it will take a few days). The smell of mold and must will be gone, too, never to return as long as the source of moisture has been
removed.
You can make your own cleaning supplies with antibacterial properties that nature provides. You'll feel a whole lot brighter and energetic after a few hours with essential oils than you will after breathing the fumes of toxic chemicals.
***********
Happy Cleaning! :)
Homemade SAFE dishwasher soap
1c borax
1c washing soda
Use vinegar in rinse if you have hard water
Pour borax and soda into mason jar, cover, shake, store.
Use 2tsp per load! :)
Keep in mind this costs only pennies to make! 20 Mule Team Borax comes in a 76oz box at $3.12 at Meijer in Michigan and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda was $2.79 for 55 oz at Meijer. Both were in the laundry detergent aisle.
I understand you can also get them at Hardware stores or have them shipped to you via Amazon.com links herein.
1c washing soda
Use vinegar in rinse if you have hard water
Pour borax and soda into mason jar, cover, shake, store.
Use 2tsp per load! :)
Keep in mind this costs only pennies to make! 20 Mule Team Borax comes in a 76oz box at $3.12 at Meijer in Michigan and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda was $2.79 for 55 oz at Meijer. Both were in the laundry detergent aisle.
I understand you can also get them at Hardware stores or have them shipped to you via Amazon.com links herein.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Don't throw out your used tea bags!!!
I woke up this morning thinking I should use my used tea as soil for my new in house gardening project. I have and will be taking on many projects this year and hope to blog about my experiences in all of them to save you time and hassle and to just keep track of what's going on.
I thought, okay, this must be a grand revelation, but as with all my great ideas, when I look them up on line, I wasn't the first one to come up with it or some variation of it, so I'll share some other great ideas I cam across and share some of my other uses.
I haven't read about anyone else using tea as the soil itself, but I have read about people using it as fertilizer either with or without the bag. Makes sense. I still wonder if I can use it as soil alone. I did buy some Jiffy Organic Seed Starting Mix ($2 for 4 qt bag at Walmart in Michigan) and Jiffy Pots 3 ($1.50 for 14 at Walmart) that can go right into the ground at the right time but have yet to put that together. Maybe today, or tomorrow. You're supposed to wait for the right timing of year, but I'm going to try to keep some of them indoors year round, and I don't always follow the rules anyway, things usually work out! :) I will let you know how this works! Note: I wouldn't use coffee grounds as coffee is generally regarded as poison by those who study herbs and many nutritionists.
You may like to try some of my other tea bag uses such as using for a sponge either before or after the dishes go into or come out of the dishwasher to get some of the gunk out of the dishes. My dishwasher sometimes will leave deposits on the glasses. It actually works really well! Just make sure you squeeze your tea bag out really well and be sure it has an opportunity to dry well so it doesn't house any bacteria! You may want to rinse with hot water before you put your dishes into the cupboard. :)
I have also made tea body scrub for use in the shower, and at the sinks. I add some sugar or salt and some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) until it gets to the right consistency. I buy it in bulk because I use it so much for homemade beauty products. Just make sure it's 100% Olive Oil, no chemicals or additives.
I have also made this scrub with coffee grounds. It's great for sloughing off dead skin, especially at this time of year! Leaves my hands and feet, and the rest of my skin as needed, very smooth and soft.
I also used the old teabags (about 20 of them) to make my second batch of homemade shampoo! I am very much into eliminating as many chemicals as possible from my life and going "no poo" has been one of the greatest things I've done! My hair is cleaner, softer, thicker, more manageable with less product, it's great! I'm about 3 weeks into it... The best part, the cost is very negligible! I'd say it maybe cost me a quarter at most to fill up 3 shampoo bottles and a 40oz ketchup bottle. That's over 4 months worth of shampoo!!! I used the following teas:
Chamomile (softens, smooths and stimulates growth)
Peppermint (stimulates scalp, removes excess oils, may also aid as a build up remover),
Green Tea, (gets rid of dandruff, psoriasis, prevents hair loss, stimulates growth, conditions, strengthens, adds Vit C, E, and panthenol. It is also a good anti-oxident, probably helps having it on your hands...)
I also used:
1/4 cup Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (Cloudy, organic brand), (Conditions, cleanses - no soap needed!, kills germs, relieves dandruff, gets rid of build up itchy scalp, helps prevent hair loss, aids in PH Balance, makes hair shinier, smoother and softer, kills lice) BUY IN BULK - I USE IT ALL THE TIME!!
http://www.bragg.com/
1 tblsp minced ginger (increases scalp circulation)
20 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (aids in dandruff, dermatitis, eczema and lice)
40 drops Peppermint EO (Essential Oil) (Scent, See oither peppermint benefits above - tea)
2 Cinnamon Sticks, broken up (aids in growth, prevents hair loss)
1 tblsp honey (shine, luster, moisturizes and aids in managability)
1 tamarind pod - (scalp, skin benefits, antioxidants)
(benefits found doing research, you may want to do your own! :) )
I brewed the used tea bags, as well as 2 each of new ones, and let them steep overnight creating an infusion, (they steeped about 16 -18 hours - the longer the better) An infusion is steeping herbs for at least a half hour. I took the tea bags out, saving them for my soil project :) and then began to mix the rest of the ingredients together. I poured into old shampoo bottles and added some pieces of ginger, tamarind and cinnamon to each bottle. The extras I put in the fridge, I'll probably give them away. If you want one let me know! :)
A few things about homemade shampoo, it doesn't lather as the store bought chemical laden 'poos do, and it is much more watery, not as thick. It takes a bit of getting used too. :) Some people use baking soda in their homemade shampoos, just be sure to open the bottle away from you as the contents will be under pressure and you don't want to take an eye out! (my first recipe I used baking soda) :)
My first recipe I made with 2 day old leftover coffee and a bunch more other stuff then you see above. Less is more! I still think it would be wise to reduce the list of ingredients. Next time! :) I do things backwards. I should have started with only a couple ingredients then added to it. Oh well, this is me! :)
Note: Honey, tamarind and chamomile are also used to colour hair (which makes me wonder about "GREEN" tea...) So, just be aware of that. Honey, tamarind and chamomile won't change my colour much. I have strawberry blonde colour hair which ranges in colour from reds, to blondes to browns, so I'm not concerned about these ingredients. A little curious about the greens tho! I didn't find any warnings about it in a specific search tho...
As promised, some of the other tea bag uses from a quick search:
removing stain from wood! do a search, I found it! This one excites me! :)
Cleaning countertops
prevents puffiness by placing over the eyes, after soaking in freezing cold water
make iced tea by freezing them and dropping them in your water like ice cubes!
apply to razor burns
place in cold water, use to stop bleeding and pain from a lost tooth
aids with sunburn pain
Any other uses you can think of, let me know! :)
Like what you read? Take a minute to comment so I know you were here.
I thought, okay, this must be a grand revelation, but as with all my great ideas, when I look them up on line, I wasn't the first one to come up with it or some variation of it, so I'll share some other great ideas I cam across and share some of my other uses.
I haven't read about anyone else using tea as the soil itself, but I have read about people using it as fertilizer either with or without the bag. Makes sense. I still wonder if I can use it as soil alone. I did buy some Jiffy Organic Seed Starting Mix ($2 for 4 qt bag at Walmart in Michigan) and Jiffy Pots 3 ($1.50 for 14 at Walmart) that can go right into the ground at the right time but have yet to put that together. Maybe today, or tomorrow. You're supposed to wait for the right timing of year, but I'm going to try to keep some of them indoors year round, and I don't always follow the rules anyway, things usually work out! :) I will let you know how this works! Note: I wouldn't use coffee grounds as coffee is generally regarded as poison by those who study herbs and many nutritionists.
You may like to try some of my other tea bag uses such as using for a sponge either before or after the dishes go into or come out of the dishwasher to get some of the gunk out of the dishes. My dishwasher sometimes will leave deposits on the glasses. It actually works really well! Just make sure you squeeze your tea bag out really well and be sure it has an opportunity to dry well so it doesn't house any bacteria! You may want to rinse with hot water before you put your dishes into the cupboard. :)
I have also made tea body scrub for use in the shower, and at the sinks. I add some sugar or salt and some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) until it gets to the right consistency. I buy it in bulk because I use it so much for homemade beauty products. Just make sure it's 100% Olive Oil, no chemicals or additives.
I have also made this scrub with coffee grounds. It's great for sloughing off dead skin, especially at this time of year! Leaves my hands and feet, and the rest of my skin as needed, very smooth and soft.
I also used the old teabags (about 20 of them) to make my second batch of homemade shampoo! I am very much into eliminating as many chemicals as possible from my life and going "no poo" has been one of the greatest things I've done! My hair is cleaner, softer, thicker, more manageable with less product, it's great! I'm about 3 weeks into it... The best part, the cost is very negligible! I'd say it maybe cost me a quarter at most to fill up 3 shampoo bottles and a 40oz ketchup bottle. That's over 4 months worth of shampoo!!! I used the following teas:
Chamomile (softens, smooths and stimulates growth)
Peppermint (stimulates scalp, removes excess oils, may also aid as a build up remover),
Green Tea, (gets rid of dandruff, psoriasis, prevents hair loss, stimulates growth, conditions, strengthens, adds Vit C, E, and panthenol. It is also a good anti-oxident, probably helps having it on your hands...)
I also used:
1/4 cup Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (Cloudy, organic brand), (Conditions, cleanses - no soap needed!, kills germs, relieves dandruff, gets rid of build up itchy scalp, helps prevent hair loss, aids in PH Balance, makes hair shinier, smoother and softer, kills lice) BUY IN BULK - I USE IT ALL THE TIME!!
http://www.bragg.com/
1 tblsp minced ginger (increases scalp circulation)
20 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (aids in dandruff, dermatitis, eczema and lice)
40 drops Peppermint EO (Essential Oil) (Scent, See oither peppermint benefits above - tea)
2 Cinnamon Sticks, broken up (aids in growth, prevents hair loss)
1 tblsp honey (shine, luster, moisturizes and aids in managability)
1 tamarind pod - (scalp, skin benefits, antioxidants)
(benefits found doing research, you may want to do your own! :) )
I brewed the used tea bags, as well as 2 each of new ones, and let them steep overnight creating an infusion, (they steeped about 16 -18 hours - the longer the better) An infusion is steeping herbs for at least a half hour. I took the tea bags out, saving them for my soil project :) and then began to mix the rest of the ingredients together. I poured into old shampoo bottles and added some pieces of ginger, tamarind and cinnamon to each bottle. The extras I put in the fridge, I'll probably give them away. If you want one let me know! :)
A few things about homemade shampoo, it doesn't lather as the store bought chemical laden 'poos do, and it is much more watery, not as thick. It takes a bit of getting used too. :) Some people use baking soda in their homemade shampoos, just be sure to open the bottle away from you as the contents will be under pressure and you don't want to take an eye out! (my first recipe I used baking soda) :)
My first recipe I made with 2 day old leftover coffee and a bunch more other stuff then you see above. Less is more! I still think it would be wise to reduce the list of ingredients. Next time! :) I do things backwards. I should have started with only a couple ingredients then added to it. Oh well, this is me! :)
Note: Honey, tamarind and chamomile are also used to colour hair (which makes me wonder about "GREEN" tea...) So, just be aware of that. Honey, tamarind and chamomile won't change my colour much. I have strawberry blonde colour hair which ranges in colour from reds, to blondes to browns, so I'm not concerned about these ingredients. A little curious about the greens tho! I didn't find any warnings about it in a specific search tho...
As promised, some of the other tea bag uses from a quick search:
removing stain from wood! do a search, I found it! This one excites me! :)
Cleaning countertops
prevents puffiness by placing over the eyes, after soaking in freezing cold water
make iced tea by freezing them and dropping them in your water like ice cubes!
apply to razor burns
place in cold water, use to stop bleeding and pain from a lost tooth
aids with sunburn pain
Any other uses you can think of, let me know! :)
Like what you read? Take a minute to comment so I know you were here.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Homemade Laundry Soap :)
So, I finally did it. I studied, and researched and decided to finally, just do it! I made laundry soap.
The best part? It cleaned my clothes - without using an additional bar of Ivory soap, Castile soap, or anything that contains or ever contained lye. I use cold water to wash my clothes and don't have to worry about the grated soap pieces with other recipes not dissolving in my laundry.
Here's the recipe:
1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax (76oz $3.12)
1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (55oz $2.79)
20 drops of Essential Oil (I used Peppermint EO, $6) Great for a fresh, clean scent! (Might use less EO if I combined it with other EOs.)
I bought the Borax and Washing Soda at Meijer and had a 4oz bottle of Essential Peppermint Oil at home that I purchased at The Better Health Market. (I had a 1/2oz bottle of Tea Tree Oil that lasted me over a year...)
If I had Tea Tree Oil, I'd add 10-15 drops of that too, it is Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti Microbial, Anti Septic, It's an Insecticide (wards off Mosquitos!) and does many other beneficial things for your health and well being.
I would also add 10-15 drops of Lavender to round out the Peppermint and Tea Tree if I had it on hand! :) It also has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties which will aid in eradicating rashes, scabies, etc.
Side Note: Essential Oils are great for many things, look it up! I'd much rather have them rubbing against my skin all day then the toxins that are normally present on clothing with regular laundry detergent.
Another side Note: Think of how "The Patch" works for those quitting smoking and how virtually everything that touches your skin is eventually absorbed into your bloodstream...
I put the ingredients in a tall canning jar (consider getting with BPA Free Canning lids when canning food) and just shook it up! I use just 1-2 tsp per load. You may want to use 1 - 2 cups for heavily soiled loads, but my husband finishes drywall and 2 tsp was enough to get his clothes clean.
So, for pennies you get well over 250 loads of laundry. Works great, smells great, no more big plastic jugs going to the landfill.
Try it out, let me know what you think! :)
The best part? It cleaned my clothes - without using an additional bar of Ivory soap, Castile soap, or anything that contains or ever contained lye. I use cold water to wash my clothes and don't have to worry about the grated soap pieces with other recipes not dissolving in my laundry.
Here's the recipe:
1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax (76oz $3.12)
1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (55oz $2.79)
20 drops of Essential Oil (I used Peppermint EO, $6) Great for a fresh, clean scent! (Might use less EO if I combined it with other EOs.)
I bought the Borax and Washing Soda at Meijer and had a 4oz bottle of Essential Peppermint Oil at home that I purchased at The Better Health Market. (I had a 1/2oz bottle of Tea Tree Oil that lasted me over a year...)
If I had Tea Tree Oil, I'd add 10-15 drops of that too, it is Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti Microbial, Anti Septic, It's an Insecticide (wards off Mosquitos!) and does many other beneficial things for your health and well being.
I would also add 10-15 drops of Lavender to round out the Peppermint and Tea Tree if I had it on hand! :) It also has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties which will aid in eradicating rashes, scabies, etc.
Side Note: Essential Oils are great for many things, look it up! I'd much rather have them rubbing against my skin all day then the toxins that are normally present on clothing with regular laundry detergent.
Another side Note: Think of how "The Patch" works for those quitting smoking and how virtually everything that touches your skin is eventually absorbed into your bloodstream...
I put the ingredients in a tall canning jar (consider getting with BPA Free Canning lids when canning food) and just shook it up! I use just 1-2 tsp per load. You may want to use 1 - 2 cups for heavily soiled loads, but my husband finishes drywall and 2 tsp was enough to get his clothes clean.
So, for pennies you get well over 250 loads of laundry. Works great, smells great, no more big plastic jugs going to the landfill.
Try it out, let me know what you think! :)
Toilet Roll Seed-Starter from YOU GROW GIRL.com
Totally stealing someone else's idea for planting - but I'll give her credit for it! Check out here blog:
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/ Great blog on gardening! :)
See the entire post here, with her pictures:
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/2007/04/13/toilet-roll-seed-starter/
Part of the info...
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/ Great blog on gardening! :)
See the entire post here, with her pictures:
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/2007/04/13/toilet-roll-seed-starter/
Part of the info...
Through the magic of online photo-sharing I have been catching a peak at little seedlings coming up all over the Northern Hemisphere. I’ve also been enjoying the smell of tomato plants sprouting fresh leaves right in my own home grow-op. The promise of spring smells good! And yet one thing disturbs me — ya’ll are too in love with those horrible peat pellets! Because I am so eager to get you off that dope I’ve come up with another seed-starting option that is mega-cheap and easy.
It’s so simple I almost feel like I’m talking down to you by providing directions. Simply get yourself a bag of seed-starting mix or mix up a batch yourself. I purchased a 10L bag for $3.99 CDN at my friendly local hardware store. I have seen seed-starting soil for a lower price however this mix is organic, chemical-free, and features compost and “sustainably harvested peat”. [Note: I am not listing the product because while I like it I am still looking into what "sustainably harvested peat" really means.] Regardless, 10L is more than enough to tackle Phase One of my frighteningly large and ever-growing list of seeds and should take me straight through to upsizing my wee seedlings from the starter and into transplant containers. If you’ve got too much save it for next year or use it to root cuttings. The fact of the matter is that you will need to replant into larger containers at some point in the seed-starting process regardless of whether or not you start in those horrible peat pellets or not so you might as well just save the dough, buy a bag, and forego the pellets altogether.
Next, save yourself some toilet rolls. Start a week or two ahead and you’ll have plenty in time. Ask your neighbours and friends! They will not assume that this gardening thing has driven you mad.
With a pair of scissors, cut 1/4″ wide strips all around one end of the toilet roll tube. This is the same method used to wrap a bottle of wine or a poster.
Fold each strip down. The strips should start to overlap each other creating a bottom that will hold soil.
Fill the tube with pre-moistened soil, tap lightly or push the soil down, and add more until there is about a 1/2″ or so left at the top of the roll.
Sow one seed per roll. Watch the sides of the tube for dryness and keep that soil moist!
You’ll need to transplant your tubes into larger containers about 2-4 weeks after your seeds have germinated. The best part is that you don’t have to remove the toilet roll or touch any delicate seedling roots. Just plop the entire thing into a larger container of soil (think 4″ transplant pot). The toilet roll with breakdown into the soil and be overcome by little plant roots in no time.
And since we’re on the topic of toilet rolls, start saving yours now so you’ll be stocked up when it comes time to plant your tomato seedlings out. I am yet to find anything better than a lowly loo roll to protect seedlings from cut worms.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
First Wholesome Dog Food Recipe
http://www.squidoo.com/noah-our-silky-poo
First Wholesome Dog Food Recipe
3 c oats2c carrots (I used frozen)
1 c turnip greens
1/4 c oat bran
4 eggs
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp parsley
Cook oats as directed. I steamed the carrots - not too long, better to have some crunch and preserve nutrients! I sauteed the greens in 1/2 tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and scrambled the eggs in 1/2 tsp of EVOO. Added the spices to the egg and mixed everything
together. Noah loves it! :)
I really felt like it needed corn and rice, but I've read mixed opinions about those two ingredients for dogs, and white rice for sure, hard to digest, etc and since they're not that great for humans, I held off.
NOTE: I was going to add sunflower seeds, ground flax seeds, ground almonds and ground eggshells (for calcium) but I am really serious abut sticking to less is more, especially for Noah's sake, I want to know how he handles things a few at a time and I'm not sure how much calcium he really needs or wouldn't be getting from the other stuff. I've read mixed opinions on almonds also, so until I've formed a confident decision - it's no for now. As far as sunflower seeds ground flax seeds, I've heard only good things but wanted to avoid giving him too much fiber.
together. Noah loves it! :)
I really felt like it needed corn and rice, but I've read mixed opinions about those two ingredients for dogs, and white rice for sure, hard to digest, etc and since they're not that great for humans, I held off.
NOTE: I was going to add sunflower seeds, ground flax seeds, ground almonds and ground eggshells (for calcium) but I am really serious abut sticking to less is more, especially for Noah's sake, I want to know how he handles things a few at a time and I'm not sure how much calcium he really needs or wouldn't be getting from the other stuff. I've read mixed opinions on almonds also, so until I've formed a confident decision - it's no for now. As far as sunflower seeds ground flax seeds, I've heard only good things but wanted to avoid giving him too much fiber.
Valentine Flan Recipe from scratch
So I made flan for my honey for Valentine's Day from scratch. He loves flan and the first time I made it from scratch over a year ago, well, it turned out fine, but this time it turned out really great!! I decided to just cook it in a bath as the directions state, I put the pan inside another larger pan and filled that one with about an inch of water. I had been cheating, using the box stuff, which actually tastes pretty good but I will make it this way from now on.
We didn't add any fruit to it.
Here is the recipe I used:
http://www.food.com/recipe/
We didn't add any fruit to it.
Here is the recipe I used:
http://www.food.com/recipe/
Directions:
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 3 3/4 hrs
Total Time: 3 3/4 hrs
- 1 Heat 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy skillet or saucepan, stirring constantly until it melts and turns a dark golden color.
- 2 Remove from heat and immediately pour into a 4 1/2 cup metal ring mold, swish it around so it evenly coats the bottom of the ring mold.
- 3 In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
- 4 Stir in milk,1/2 cup sugar, vanilla and orange peel.
- 5 Place caramel coated ring mold in another pan and place on an oven rack.
- 6 Pour egg mixture into the ring mold and pour the hottest tap water possible around the ring mold to a depth of 1 inch.
- 7 Bake at 325Ffor close to l hour or until a knife comes out clean.
- 8 Cool flan on a wire rack, Chill for at least 3 1/2 hours.
- 9 To unmold the flan loosen edges with a spatula, slip spatula down the sides to let air in.
- 10 Place the serving platter over the mold and flip to allow the flan to slip onto the platter.
- 11 Spoon the caramel that may remain in the mold on top of the flan.
- 12 Pile sliced fruit in the center and serve.
Enjoy!!! :)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Homemade Granola/Cereal
So, I've searched around on this for a few weeks and finally came up with my own recipe. It turned out pretty good, but don't cook it any longer than 45 minutes or it WILL burn, even if it doesn't look done yet.. :( not with standing, the extra toasty flavour didn't do too much to damage it. :)
Here is the recipe I made:
Dry Ingredients;
3c oats; 1/2 c bran;
1/2 c ground flax (I ground flax seeds in coffee grinder),
1/2 c sunflower seeds,
1/2 c chopped almonds (don't use the coffee grinder - turns to a flour, try a food processor or blender and pulse, watching closely)
2 tsp cinnamon (I will use more next time)
1 tsp cloves (I will use more next time)
1 tsp ginger (I will use more next time)
1/2 tsp coffee (for mocha flavour)
1 tblsp cocoa powder (for antioxidants, and flavour if you like it)
1/4 c brown sugar (I almost didn't put this in, and I actually could have had more, trying to be careful of this kinda stuff in my diet tho...)
Wet ingredients
1/8 c honey
1/8 c agave
1 tblsp vanilla
1/3c EVOO
1/3c almond milk
1tsp salt (I know, it's not wet)
2 tblsp butter
Fruit suggestions (use about a cup total):
dried cranberries
dried cherries
raisins
dried blueberries
apricots
I only used about 1/2 c raisins - sugar...
Simmer wet ingredients for a few minutes, then mix with dry until all coated
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes til well toasted in a cookie sheet. I put a sheet of parchment paper on it and I was glad I did, it barely all fit and made it easier to stir.
Remove and cool, stir occasionally (I forgot, it survived)
Add fruit, store in air tight containers.
Let me know if you tried it and how you like it! I'm going to use some when I make my dog food - for the first time - after I am positive the ingredients won't hurt him. I set some aside for him before I put the raisins in because I know they shouldn't have grapes. Will post when I make the dog food, with or without the granola...
Happy trails to you! :)
Here is the recipe I made:
Dry Ingredients;
3c oats; 1/2 c bran;
1/2 c ground flax (I ground flax seeds in coffee grinder),
1/2 c sunflower seeds,
1/2 c chopped almonds (don't use the coffee grinder - turns to a flour, try a food processor or blender and pulse, watching closely)
2 tsp cinnamon (I will use more next time)
1 tsp cloves (I will use more next time)
1 tsp ginger (I will use more next time)
1/2 tsp coffee (for mocha flavour)
1 tblsp cocoa powder (for antioxidants, and flavour if you like it)
1/4 c brown sugar (I almost didn't put this in, and I actually could have had more, trying to be careful of this kinda stuff in my diet tho...)
Wet ingredients
1/8 c honey
1/8 c agave
1 tblsp vanilla
1/3c EVOO
1/3c almond milk
1tsp salt (I know, it's not wet)
2 tblsp butter
Fruit suggestions (use about a cup total):
dried cranberries
dried cherries
raisins
dried blueberries
apricots
I only used about 1/2 c raisins - sugar...
Simmer wet ingredients for a few minutes, then mix with dry until all coated
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes til well toasted in a cookie sheet. I put a sheet of parchment paper on it and I was glad I did, it barely all fit and made it easier to stir.
Remove and cool, stir occasionally (I forgot, it survived)
Add fruit, store in air tight containers.
Let me know if you tried it and how you like it! I'm going to use some when I make my dog food - for the first time - after I am positive the ingredients won't hurt him. I set some aside for him before I put the raisins in because I know they shouldn't have grapes. Will post when I make the dog food, with or without the granola...
Happy trails to you! :)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Random post
So I have to use this sentence randomly in my post to confirm this is my blog; a sprocket found in the backseat so I can write for other sites. So, here it is.
So, I am on a quest to make soap without, well, soap
I know, soap without lye does not soap make. Okay, fine. But there has got to be another way to clean, without using soap, that's effective. I mean, come on. Really. We went from soap, to now hand sanitizer, and the germs are just getting bigger and badder - why not, start over? Simplify. I'm determined to figure it out.
I am determined to find a way to use as little resources as necessary, buy as few things as possible, especially for personal care with all those darn chemicals in it. Crazy! Who needs that?? That stuff has come about in the last 100 years or less and how many people do you know that have died of cancer? Ugh, never mind, not going there.
Okay, so the first thing I made was, well, soap. I used the glycerin soap we already had, about 2 or 3 bars, chopped 'em up, even tho the directions said to grate them. I should have. But doesn't matter, I'm not using something already and rehashing it (or properly - re-batching it) to make something new. I want to make it uniquely my own.
Anyway, I melted down that soap in a mixture of other stuff like brown sugar, olive oil and I don't know honey or whatever and then poured it into containers to use as a scrub. So, the scrub was awesome!!!! Then later, I remixed it with other stuff, some spices and herbs, cinnamon stick and poured it into tin cans, which apparently you shouldn't do if there's lye in the mix somehow. Which there is lye in any soap you buy, unless it has soapnuts in it. I'll talk about that later. In another post maybe.
It turned out, fine, but doesn't hold together well. And, I should have taken it out of the molds after about 48 hours and let it "age" a few weeks, but, well, I needed soap because I used up all the soap bars we had... This newer batch that I let age some is holding up better.
So, next I made this coffee scrub, which was AWESOME and smelled great!!! Mixed with olive oil and stuff, and then I made some shampoo. Thinking, baking soda is the ingredient I need to make it clean stuff, like hair. I think I put the whole kitchen sink into that shampoo. I made it with leftover coffee and a bunch of other stuff like, well, it doesn't matter what. I won't be making it again. Less is more.
So, back to the drawing board for me.
Oh yeah, the shampoo turned out great! I added stuff to it to reduce or eliminate dandruff, greasy hair and to help fine, limp hair, don't even need hairspray per se... but after about a week, the contents were under pressure and almost lost an eye trying to open it, so now I point it away.
Will start to post recipes maybe as things start to work out better, but for now, just sharing my experiences to help people on the same journey know what to avoid!!!
First lesson learned, LESS is MORE! :) Only a few ingredients in these products will go a long way! :)
I am determined to find a way to use as little resources as necessary, buy as few things as possible, especially for personal care with all those darn chemicals in it. Crazy! Who needs that?? That stuff has come about in the last 100 years or less and how many people do you know that have died of cancer? Ugh, never mind, not going there.
Okay, so the first thing I made was, well, soap. I used the glycerin soap we already had, about 2 or 3 bars, chopped 'em up, even tho the directions said to grate them. I should have. But doesn't matter, I'm not using something already and rehashing it (or properly - re-batching it) to make something new. I want to make it uniquely my own.
Anyway, I melted down that soap in a mixture of other stuff like brown sugar, olive oil and I don't know honey or whatever and then poured it into containers to use as a scrub. So, the scrub was awesome!!!! Then later, I remixed it with other stuff, some spices and herbs, cinnamon stick and poured it into tin cans, which apparently you shouldn't do if there's lye in the mix somehow. Which there is lye in any soap you buy, unless it has soapnuts in it. I'll talk about that later. In another post maybe.
It turned out, fine, but doesn't hold together well. And, I should have taken it out of the molds after about 48 hours and let it "age" a few weeks, but, well, I needed soap because I used up all the soap bars we had... This newer batch that I let age some is holding up better.
So, next I made this coffee scrub, which was AWESOME and smelled great!!! Mixed with olive oil and stuff, and then I made some shampoo. Thinking, baking soda is the ingredient I need to make it clean stuff, like hair. I think I put the whole kitchen sink into that shampoo. I made it with leftover coffee and a bunch of other stuff like, well, it doesn't matter what. I won't be making it again. Less is more.
So, back to the drawing board for me.
Oh yeah, the shampoo turned out great! I added stuff to it to reduce or eliminate dandruff, greasy hair and to help fine, limp hair, don't even need hairspray per se... but after about a week, the contents were under pressure and almost lost an eye trying to open it, so now I point it away.
Will start to post recipes maybe as things start to work out better, but for now, just sharing my experiences to help people on the same journey know what to avoid!!!
First lesson learned, LESS is MORE! :) Only a few ingredients in these products will go a long way! :)
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