Here is the SECRET for the most STUPENDOUS window cleaning SOLUTION ever! I'm not kidding I read about this online while trying to figure out how to clean a mirror I have that I could not get STREAK free no matter what I did, and believe me I tried everything!!!

   1 Tablespoon of cornstarch to 1/2 Cup water and shake well...

THAT'S IT!

Cheap and your windows, glass, and mirrors will be SHOCKINGLY clean. I mix it in this proportion because you can't really STORE it or it gets freakishly STINKY. I learned that the hard way :D... I just mix it in a mini SPRAY bottle and go to town! The cornstarch will SETTLE at the bottom of the bottle so give it a SHAKE before each SPRAY. If you have a huge project ahead of you a larger batch would be 1/2 Cup cornstarch to 4 Cups water. Washing windows will SOON become your favorite chore!

SAVING STARTS SMALL

IT's SEPTEMBER people! Which for a lot of us means back to SCHOOL and back to routine. The SUMMER was filled with lazy mornings of SLEEPING-in, wet n' wild activities and late bedtimes. But like all good things, it came to an end. I dragged my feet and clung onto the last STRINGS of the SEASON, denying that it was really over. But even I had to come to except it. So I guess it's back to business. Part of our regular routine includes daily chores. My husband and I are big Dave Ramsey fans and went through his finacial peace university. Changed our lives! If you don't know who Dave Ramsey is- he's worth the google SEARCH. He is a very knowledgeable and funny guy. He knows what he's talking about! He has a program for parents in teaching their kids at any age the value of money. Our children have chores to do around the house which are required of them by just being a member of the family, but there are also extra things they can to do earn some money. We don't pay our kids allowance. As Dave would say we "pay them commission".
Which leads me to this fun craft! My kids needed a money jar to STORE their earnings. We used mason jars decorated with different colored rubber bands so my kids can SEE their STASH of cash growing. This is a fun and easy activity to do with your kids. Plus it recycles that giant wad of rubber bands taking over your desk drawer! I used a dremel to cut a slot in the top for dropping coins. If you don't have a dremel you can punch a slot with a hammer and chisel or screw driver or you can try drilling a long hole with a power drill. These jars end up so cute you could do this for more than just money jars! Maybe for gifts, cute storage, party favor holders, decor- let your creativity guide you!

SAY goodbye to tears!

I'm was so SICK of crying every day as I prepared meals with onions. I was on a mission to SOLVE the SITUATION. Here's the SCIENCE behind onions and tears...
When an onion is cut, the ruptured onion cells release enzymes which break down nearby sulfur compounds into oxides and acids. These re-form to make a gas. This gas moves into your eyes and then mixes with your tears to form sulphuric acid.–from Alton Brown in a Good Eats Moment Who's looking for more SULPHURIC ACID in their life? not me. According to the SCIENCE, isolate your eyes, and no SADNESS. The SUMMER is over and who doesn't have a pair of goggles lying around collecting dust? I have made 4 goggle purchases before finding some that didn't leak on my kids... Enter my onion SOLUTION.
All you need is a moment of effort to go find those useless leaking goggles in the swim bag or bottom of the closet, walk over to the kitchen and pick the drawer or cupboard closest to where you do your cutting and deposit them. They don't have to be water-tight, just snug.
Before you cut into the onion, SLIP them on and whoa-la, happiness. Added bonus: your family will think its hilarious. :)
Help me, help you. YOUR WELCOME!

5 STEPS to give you 5 STARS in 5 minutes!

I love having guests STAY at my house.  When they do I try to make them feel as SPECIAL as possible. Here are a 5 SECRETS for making my guest bed and bath rooms like a 5 STAR hotel.

#1. make your towles STYLISH! 

here is how to do it....

1. fold large bath towel in thirds vertically

 

2. fold in horizontally so the ends meet in the middle

    

3. Fold in half 

  

4. Lay hand towel about 1" from bottom of bath towel

    

   

6. flip the whole thing over and put 1 end of the hand towel inside the "hole" of the other

    

    

    

7. fold wash cloth in half and then fold back and forth like an accordian

    

8. put washrag just behind hand towel


You can display them on the floor (like I did at the top), in a basket, or over a bar. If you do it over a bar just place the bath towel over the bar after step 3 then continue with the steps.

    

#2. Make you guest (or you) feel pampered. Have a variety of SOAPS, lotions, bath SOAKS, bubbles etc. in coordinating colors. I got this whole set at Ross for $4.

#3. Have a plunger, extra toilet paper and air freshener in the bathroom to prevent any embarrassing inquiries.

#4. Make your guests feel welcome and wanted



Other than have a clean room and made bed, a plate of cookies or chocolates and a note will make them feel extra special.

#5. Have fresh clean SMELLING linens. We don't have guests very often SO when guests leave I wash the linens and remake the bed right then. SOMETIMES no one else will come for a few months. Rather than washing everything again my SIMPLE SOLUTION for fresh smelling linens is...

Dryer SHEETS!!!

I put a dryer sheet in each pillow case, and a few under the sheets a few hours before the guest arrive. Everything will smell clean and freshly washed. I like these bounce extended release ones, but if your guests are staying for a while, and they need a boost, take a hair dryer to them while your guests are out, and the heat will freshen the dryer sheets up!

 

Some of these things you can do for yourself and your hubby too, to help make your own bathroom more SPA like!

WARNING! Your guests will want to stay with you again if you follow these steps so use caution when choosing who you invite to stay! :D



Conquering TOFU!

So I'll have you know that I've had a long and at times painful relationship with tofu. We should be a match made in heaven, it's got everything I love in a food product. Tofu is nutritious and versatile and CHEAP! The trouble has been that in the past it's not been a great substitute for Chicken or Ground beef because of the texture and taste. WELL, I THINK I'VE GOT SOME GOOD TIPS I'VE FINALLY FIGURED OUT!

Tofu Tip #1: Don't cut the block of tofu! It will never feel like meat in your mouth if it's in perfect cubes. This has been my mistake from the beginning. Instead, either break it apart with your hands which makes it crumble or put it into a food processor and chop it up into bits. I'm a food processor fan.

Tofu Tip #2: Fry it with Onions. I've experienced fried tofu from others that tastes great, but I've never been able to achieve it. Throwing it in with minced onions insures it tastes like something!

Tofu Tip #3: Don't fry it too long! Tofu turns into hard plastic when it's left on the stove frying. Also the oil can't be too hot. This is all trial and error.

Tofu Tip #4: I like to use it in recipies that already have lots of flavor, specifically mexican dishes. Works great as a filler in Taco Soup, replace the chicken in Enchiladas, and last night we devoured it with taco salad. :) Hurray! You could also easily do the same with a teriaki sauce or curry and coconut milk.

Here's the Taco Salad Recipe:

I block of Tofu: Crumble or food processor
1/2 onion: chopped or food processor
1 Tbs Olive Oil
1 package Taco seasoning
1/3 cup Salsa

Saute the onion and tofu together in the oil. When onions are cooked add the taco seasoning and let it combine for a couple minutes. Turn the stove off and mix in the salsa. Use it for the chicken or beef substitute in enchiladas, burritos, or salad.

HOPE YOU ENJOY!!! It's not SCARY, it's SCRUMPTOUS!

SO heres the SKINNY on being SKINNY

I was recently talking with a Dr who specializes in weight loss... he told me a SECRET I was SURPRISED by... now I SHARE it with you... drink a glass of water with a scoop of metamucil (or any psyllium fiber) a half of an hour to an hour before dinner and you will lose weight! Now I'm SURE this wont work if you eat like crap the rest of the day and never exercise, but if you do this in conjunction with other things, it wil...
A. Give you a good dose of fiber (that most of us need)
B. Psyllium fiber expands with water so it will help you feel full and not eat as much dinner
C. Keep you regular and healthy from the inside out (if uyou know what I mean!) ;)
After looking into it a bit, I learned that a while ago Dr. OZ came out and said the same thing so the way I SEE it... Its a cheap easy way to possibly help you STAY on track and SHED a few unwanted pounds, SO why not!