Bulk Spices

I went to the store today in need of some dill weed for a soup I am making for dinner. I usually prefer fresh dill, but right now in our area there is really no place to get it. Plus, I like growing it in our garden and picking it fresh to use, but that's only during the summer. But anyhow, back to buying it at the store. In the past, I have paid anywhere from $3.oo to $6.00 for a bottle of dill. I was pleasantly surprised to find organic bulk spices at the store, at a hugely reduced price when compared to buying pre-packaged spices. Plus the organic factor is a bonus! I bought a baggie of dill (about as much as comes in a bottle when I buy it that way) for $1.00.

Don't let the price tags on the spices scare you. The price tag on the dill said it was $19.99 a pound. Yeah, that sounds scary! However, the amount of dill I purchased weighed around 1/2 an ounce, so it turned out that I got a nice amount of dill for a small price. Many of the spices are sold by the pound, but they weigh so little that it really doesn't cost that much to get an adequate amount of the spice. So, the benefits for me to buy the spices in bulk are that they cost less that way, they are organic, and I can buy in any amount that I want to. Yay!

P.S. The picture came from www.naturallifemagazine.com/9604/herbs.htm

Natural Astringent Recipe

I have been on the lookout for a more natural alternative to store bought facial astringents. This is quite simple and easy to make, and so far I like it. It consists of two ingredients, witch hazel and tea tree oil. For acne prone skin, tea tree oil is supposed to reduce inflammation and redness. Just buy a bottle of witch hazel from the store, add around 25 drops of tea tree oil. Shake bottle before each use. A bottle of witch hazel around here goes for a dollar or two, and if you buy a bottle of tea tree oil, it really lasts for a long time because a little bit goes a long way.

Guaca-Taco Cheeseball Recipe

We had a small family gathering today, and since we are trying to eat healthier, I have been making fruit and veggie trays every now and then. What goes well with fruit and veggie trays? Cheeseballs!!! I have been trying my hand at making cheesballs upon occasion, and today's cheeseball experiment turned out quite well. I always like to try to come up with new ideas and creations based on the things I already have on hand at home. I decided to name this creation "Guaca-Taco Cheesball", and it was a hit!

Guaca-Taco Cheeseball

1 - avocado

1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

2 tbsp taco seasoning

2 garlic cloves, finely minced or put through garlic press

1/2 tablespoon lime juice

1/2 cup chopped peanuts, or nuts of choice

De-shell and remove pit from the avocado. Mash avocado with a fork, then add the cream cheese and continue mashing together until well blended with a somewhat smooth texture. Add the taco seasoning, garlic, and lime juice. Mix well. Take a piece of plastic wrap and place mixture in the middle of the sheet. Fold up the plastic wrap around the mixture while shaping into a ball. Refrigerate overnight, or place in freezer for 1 to 2 hours. After chilling the cheeseball, unwrap and roll in chopped nuts until well coated. Serve with vegetables or crackers.

Homemade Softscrub Recipe

Yesterday, I tried out a new cleaning recipe for my bathtub and shower. I have used store bought cleaners in the past, but I really think I liked this softscrub recipe better than those, and it got the soap scum off better than those other cleaners ever did. Plus, it didn't have all the nasty fumes and chemicals. I have asthma, so the fumes of store bought cleaning products really seem to bother me. All the more reason to continue to find and use homemade cleaning recipes! I found this recipe at www.lifeorganizers.com/Organize-Your-Home/The-Organize-Clean/Household-soft-scrub-cleaner-recipe.html .

Homemade Softscrub

1 cup baking soda
1 cup diswashing liquid
1/2 cup vinegar

Mix the baking soda and dishwashing liquid. Then add the vinegar. Use a sponge or a cloth to apply mixture to the surfuce you are trying to clean. Rinse well.

When I tried this yesterday, I used a sponge with a scouring pad on top. I used it to apply the solution to my shower walls and tub. I scrubbed a little bit initially, but I let the solution sit on the tub and shower for about an hour, then came back and scrubbed it some more, then rinsed. I also used it to clean the inside of the toilet bowl, which is now sparkling clean.

On a side note, the rinsing can get very sudsy, since there is dishsoap in the mixture. That was the biggest drawback of this cleaning recipe for me, but since it did an excellent job of removing soap scum, I think I can overlook it. I will be using it again for sure!

Just Say No To The Cashier!

We went out for a bit of shopping at a few stores this evening. One consistent thing that each store did was to have the cashier offer a 10% discount if we signed up for their store credit card on the spot. Then if you say no thanks, they try to tempt you with the extra coupons they send out to cardholders. Despite the floundering economy, these credit card offers persist like a pesky fly that just won't go away.

It never used to be this way. Even just 5-10 years ago, customers were not bombarded with credit card offers every single time they shopped their local department stores. It is rather annoying, and the benefits of their cards are not worth it. Often times, the store credit cards are charging interest rates of over 20%. Insane!

I am not a big fan of credit cards to begin with. I am an advocate for living within your means and using credit as little as possible. We ourselves are still working towards that goal. When you get that credit card bill, will you remember what you are paying for? You will be better off in the long run to just say no to that cashier. That 10% discount on your current purchase will not even begin to cover the interest charges you will get when the bill comes, and the stores are counting on that. Don't just walk away from those store credit card offers, RUN!!!!

Broiled Grapefruit Recipe

'Tis the season for citrus fruits. That means that it is a good time to buy them because they are all on really good sales. We have gotten quite a bit of grapefruit on sale lately, so I thought I would post a recipe for broiled grapefruit, which makes a lovely healthy dessert alternative, snack, or side dish. This is my own version of broiled grapefruit, enjoy!

Broiled Grapefruit

1 grapefruit

2 tsp honey

1 tbsp butter

cinnamon

Halve the grapefruit and cut around each section. Place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon, as much or as little as desired. Place a half tablespoon of butter on each grapefruit half. Drizzle each half with 1 tsp. of honey. Broil for around 3-4 minutes. Serve warm.

Saving Money On Supplements

I like to make sure my kids have good quality vitamins. It has really impacted their health in a positive way. They are sick less often, and they are good and healthy kids. I recently found a website that offers a huge selection of supplements and health food items for a discounted price, plus a flat rate of shipping for $4.99, no matter what the size of my order. It is called vitacost.com. We have ordered several times from them now, and I am satisfied with their customer service, as well as their prices. For the things I want to buy, they generally have the lowest prices on the web. You can also google for a promotion code to use upon checkout to get an additional discount, or a free promotional item. So far we have gotten two reusable bags for free with our orders. I will continue to give Vitacost our business, as they offer high quality supplements at a discount price. And better health is always thrifty!