Cleaning Your Dishwasher

After a while your dishwasher isn't working as well as it use to. I am sharing a link today
( with step by step instructions) to making it work just like new :)

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Repair/Appliance-Repair/dishwasher-repair-tips--dishwasher-not-cleaning-dishes

I think this just may solve at least one of my problems.

Acne/Facial Masks

Aspirin Mask for Acne, Rashes and Pimples


1-3 Aspirin
a glass to smash the aspirin
shallow dish for mixing
warm honey or a good moisturizer

• stir a few drops of warm water with the aspirin to make a paste
• add warm honey/moisturizer
• apply as a mask or spot treatment
• allow to dry
• rinse

Egg White Mask

2 egg whites

2 TB plain white yogurt

• separate eggs
• add 2 TB yogurt
• mix
• let sit for a few minutes

clears and tightens skin

Semi-Homemade Caramel Popcorn

2 bags microwave popcorn ( take out the uncooked kernels)
1 c brown sugar
1 c butter
20 Large marshmallows or (3/4 of a 16 oz bag)
you could add pink/ red food coloring or sprinkles for Valentines Day!

Microwave and stir till it gets completely melted and all bubbly ( around 5 minutes). Cook longer if you like your popcorn "crispy". Cook it less time for softer popcorn. Total cooking time approximately 15 minutes.

Parenting, The Most Important Things I've Done.

I am not saying I am a perfect parent, but I am a person who see's the things I've done right AND the things I have done wrong and like to change the wrong.
 My husband and I have put our children first, sometimes too much. Together we've been told by a variety of people that we appear so close/happy to our kids, and have been asked what we did to make that happen. My Top Parenting Tips are these, if you don't do at least these, you may have some regrets.

• Love your kids
• Play with your kids ( wrestle, toys, tag etc)
• Do things as a family and don't let life get in the way.
• Be consistent. If you tell them they will be grounded and don't follow through as a child , as a teenager they will never respect you and your decisions. Always be consistent. ( ONE OF THE TOP TIPS)
• Talk to your kids.
• Treat your spouse how you want your child to treat their spouse and be treated by their spouse later.
• Respect your kids and they will respect you
• Have family discussions about life, homework and thoughts.
• Teach them how to work. Don't do anything for you kids that they are capable of doing themselves. Life is about hard work, don't let being an adult be a shock. teach them that through work they can feel accomplished.
• Sometimes you need a "time out" from them. Respect yourself enough to take it.
• Compliment the positive. I have competitive children. They aren't perfect but, I always can find something they do well. I share those often.
• All bonding time comes around a good meal. Sometimes eating frozen meals doesn't bring you kids home as they get older. If I  plan a good meal, they all find their way home, we eat, we share, and most importantly we bond.  It's what this life is all about!

What are your important parenting tips?

Yummy Green Smoothies

I have been hearing a lot about "green smoothies" that are yummy. It's a whole new movement, for better health. I am still short a few of the ingredients, but I am looking forward to trying them.

Green Smoothie basics( from Suzette Stokes)
3 cups water 
2 handfuls of spinach
2-3 large leaves of dark greens (kale & collard greens are my favorites and some of the most nutritious)
3 Tablespoons sprouted, ground flaxseed (can find at the Boise Co op)
2 Tablespoons flaxseed oil
2 Tablespoons frozen OJ or apple juice concentrate (for sweetening)
2 – 3 one inch chunks of frozen lemons (to prevent skin cancer)
BLEND THE ABOVE FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES...WHILE BLENDING, CHOOSE 2 OF THE FRUITS BELOW, WASH AND CUT UP FRUIT INTO CHUNKS….I RECOMMEND YOU ALWAYS USE A BANANA AND THEN CHOOSE 2 OTHER FRUITS:
1 fresh apple
1 orange (not the peeling)
1 fresh peach
1 pear
1 – 2 bananas
1 C. FRESH pineapple cut into chunks
1 C. Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 C. Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 C. cantaloupe 
(you can use other fruits but the above are my personal favorites & usually on hand) 

Remember that you only choose 2 – 3 fruits...try to use fresh but frozen works good too but the “live” unfrozen fruit is healthiest.

Blend until smooth & drink one quart per day of green smoothies...health equivalent to 15 servings of fruits and vegetables.

Hot Pink Smoothies:

2 medium organic carrots cut into chunks
1/4 piece of a large, raw red beet…you don’t have to peel if you scrub it good!
3 C. water
12 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 c. raw cashews
1/4 c. pitted dates (may use whole pitted or the chunks from the bulk section)...also may add a little more if you want your smoothie sweeter
2 tsp. vanilla

Chocolate peanut butter green smoothie: 
2 cups rice milk
spinach (as much as you can stuff in the blender)
1 scoop vegan protein powder (Sun Warrior brand is awesome)
1 scoop cocoa powder, ice. (can add a banana, scoop of natural peanutbutter...ENJOY!!!
1 banana
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 cups ice
BLEND UNTIL SMOOTH…ENJOY!

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie:
Ingredients:
• 2 whole bananas (best with brown flecks on peel) 
• 2 cups Ice 
• 1/3 cup yogurt - preferably honey Zoi Greek yogurt 
• 1/2 cup COOKED oatmeal 
• 1/3 cup raw almonds 
• ½ tsp of vanilla 
• ½ tsp of almond extract
•
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients in blender pouring ice in last. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until smoothie thickens.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 380; Total Fat 15 g (Sat 2 g, Trans 0 g, Poly 4 g, Mono 8 g); Cholesterol 5 mg; Sodium 35 mg; Potassium 690 mg; Total Carbohydrates 53 g; Dietary Fiber 9 g; Total Sugars 19 g; Protein 12 g. Percent Daily Value: Vitamin A 2%; Vitamin B6 25%; Vitamin C 20%; Vitamin D 0%; Calcium 15%, Iron 15%.


Try them and share your thoughts with everyone.

Making Valentines Treats For Your Sweet

My favorite Valentines treat is chocolate covered Strawberries This Christmas a neighbor brought me a treat that I want to add to my holiday treats here's the recipe's.

Chocolate Covered Cookies ( The easiest addictive recipe)

things you'll need: Ritz crackers, peanut butter, melting chocolate. ( block, pieces or chips)
take 2 Ritz crackers, spread creamy peanut butter on the Ritz
next, take the crackers and dip into melted Chocolate.
They taste like girl scout cookies :)

Chocolate Covered Strawberries


things needed : white chocolate and milk chocolate
grab the stem of the strawberry and dip into the milk chocolate and let dry.
next, dip your spoon into the white melted chocolate and drizzle back and forth over the strawberry. A fun and inexpensive valentine treat!

2 keys to making your dishwasher and toilet last longer

Did you know that the detergent you are using could be ruining your dishwasher? The "Tabs" have a agent that hold the detergent together, and is also shorting the life of your dishwasher. My dad has worked for 40 years supervising a plumbing department of a company and gave me that sweet bit of information when my dishwasher started making a funny loud noises. The moment I stopped using the "tabs" my dishwasher stopped making loud sounds. He see's it all the time, and whether your dishwasher is making noises or not, it's simply not good on your dishwasher. Try the liquid or the power for detergent.

Your toilet can be ruined by cleaners too, the new bleach tablets are not good on your toilet. I was using a bleach tablet that sat in the tank of my toilet, self cleaning and it seemed to work great. The bleach breaks down the rubber gasket and makes your toilets have slow leaks over time. You will eventually have to replace the stopper or gasket that controls flushing. It also wastes water which will add up on your water bill.

If you have any smart tips please let me know. I am always looking to share smart bits of information.