Jul10

DIY: Flaxseed Gel to Help With Frizzy Curls

Posted on by
Standard

Tools:

Tongs

Pot

Flaxseeds

Water

Strainer which can include panty hose or leg stocking

 

  1. Boil a pot of water about half of quart and place about ¼ cup of flax seeds in the pot.
  2. Constantly stir the water and seeds.
  3. When the water thickens like gel & white foam is produced remove the pot from heat and continue to stir.
  4. Place a strainer over the storage container.
  5. Pour gel into container. If using a panty hose or leg stocking as a strainer use tongs to squeeze the gel through the hosiery.
  6. That’s it! Let the gel cool before using and store in the refrigerator for later use.

 

The seeds can be used again unless boiled for a very long time. The longer the seeds are boiled the less gel you will produce next time.

 

Advertisements
Jul6

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent without Borax

Posted on by
Standard

Items Needed

4 ounces shaved glycerin soap or castile soap (cleanser)

1 cup washing soda (cleanser)

1/2 cup of citric acid (helps to remove tough stains)

1/2 cup baking soda (makes laundry brighter, deodorizes, balances pH, and fights stains)

1/4 cup course salt (works as a fabric softner)

 

Instructions

1. Mix the ingredients together and store in a sealed plastic or glass container.

2. Use two tablespoons per load of laundry. Of course, the amount needed may vary with each load.

Jul1

Mushroom Sliders Recipe

Posted on by
Standard

Big Portobello mushroom heads

Spaghetti sauce

Chopped green peppers

Chopped onions

Cheese (optional)

Salt

This is such a simple but delicious recipe! Just spread a layer of spaghetti sauce on the mushroom. Next, add the green peppers and onions followed by another layer of spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle a little bit of salt over the whole thing. Pop the mushrooms into the oven.

Cook just until the peppers and onions are done. Add the cheese after removing the mushrooms from the oven. Coating the mushrooms in a very small amount of olive oil will prevent a burned snack.

 

Jun25

Natural Insect Repellants

Posted on by
Standard

The list of oils that will work as a natural insect repellant.  A few things to note:

1. Depending upon the oil reapplication is needed every thirty minutes to two hours. You could mix the oils together and reapply every two hours or as necessary.

2. Essential oils should never be directly applied on the skin without diluting in another product such as lotion. Diluting these oils in a carrier oil such as a soybean oil will work just fine. If not, the skin will experience a burning or stinging sensation and maybe other painful and harmful reactions.

3. Soybean oil is a carrier oil. The remaining oils are essential oils and will need to be diluted. Essential oils should be measured in droplets or very small amounts.

4. Lemon eucalyptus oil is recommended not to use on kids less than three years old.

5. Mix and match.

 

Geraniol

Lemon Eucalyptus

Rosemary

Peppermint

Lemongrass

Clove

Citronella

Soybean

Cedar

Jun20

How to Protect Hair from Pool Chemicals

Posted on by
Standard

Who doesn’t want a good time in the pool without your hair being living proof of your fun? Read below for easy tips to protect your hair the chemicals of the pool.

Before swim

–Rubbing oil through out the hair will help the hair to soak up a lesser amount of pool chemicals. Olive oil and coconut oils are good options. These oils will not immediately wash out of the hair upon water contact. If using an outdoor pool keep the hair covered because the sun will cook the hair, so to speak.

–Wetting the hair before a swim works to do the same thing. Both options are taking up space in the hair strand so there is less room for the chemicals to absorb into the hair.

–After applying a product to your hair put on a swimmer’s cap for an additional barrier between the hair and the pool chemicals.

After swim

–Immediately rinse your hair with plain water for a pre-rinse before applying the cleansing product.

–Apple cider vinegar will work to remove chloride from the hair, unclog hair follicles, remove dead skin cells from the scalp, and remove build up from other products. Rinse vinegar from the hair.

–Purchase shampoo that is made to get rid of pool chemicals. Look for a shampoo that mentions removing copper deposits since this will remove the green tint left in the hair.

–Deep condition the hair after the swim and use a leave in conditioner, as well.

–Applying a mixture of aspirin and water will help to get rid of the green in the hair.

Additional tip:

If outside, don’t forget to use sunscreen for the hair and scalp. That’s right, the sun can impact your hair, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jun13

Delicious & Easy Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Posted on by
Standard

Items Needed:

2 pounds of chopped chicken

2 pounds of chopped vegetables (your choice)

1 1/2 cup orange juice

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup lime juice

1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons honey

4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

skewers

 

Instructions

In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, oil, lime juice, soy sauce, cumin, honey, garlic and pepper until well blended to make a marinade. Put vegetables in 1 or 2 large ziplock bags. Put chicken in another large ziplock bag. Divide marinade equally among the bags, seal and refrigerate, turning the bags occasionally, for at least 3 hours or  overnight.

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat cooking. Place vegetables and chicken onto skewers. (If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before assembling.) Discard marinade.

Grill, turning often, until chicken is just cooked through and slightly charred, about 8 minutes. If using the oven, preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange skewers in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until chicken is just cooked through, about 10 minutes, and vegetables are tender. Transfer skewers to a platter and serve.

 

 

Jun4

5 Ways to Stop Procrastination

Posted on by
Standard

Tick tock. Tick tock. You know procrastinating isn’t doing the situation any good. Yet, you continue to do it. Understandable. Who likes doing something that you don’t enjoy? Yet, the deed needs to get done so let’s look at ways to beat procrastination.

 

Change your mentality

Look at the benefits of accomplishing the task. Be honest. Be practical. Once you’re done with the job, it’s over. You can go on with your life.

Break it down to smaller tasks

Completing each step of the process can actually be encouraging since you’re accomplish something making the whole issue seem less insurmountable. You may find that the project takes less time to complete than expected. Planning your steps decreases the time used to make corrections because less mistakes are made with a thought out plan. Also, you spend less time trying to figure out what to do for the next step.

Change your environment

Create a space that lacks distraction but promotes a calm but productive environment. What this environment might be is up to the individual. Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, author of Better Than Perfect, has a helpful tip. She encourages  “So try this: During your scheduled block of time for working on a particular task, close your email and IM, turn off your phone (or at least set it on “Do Not Disturb” and put it out of sight), and don’t let yourself get on the web until you have completed the task, or hold off any necessary internet searches until the end.”

Look at the consequences of not completing the goals in short and long terms

Short term negative: It’s not a good feeling to underperform or failing to complete a goal when you’re quite capable. It can induce thoughts that you’re a failure creating this emotional and mental downward spiral, be it in a big or a small way.

Long term negative: The pattern of unproductive behavior continues along with experiences the consequences of it.

Reward yourself

Treating yourself reinforces positive behavior. Knowing there is something that brings happiness is waiting for you at the end of a finish line encourages you to finish and run faster. For example, working out all week so you can eat your favorite food without guilt. Besides, breaking a habit is hard so treat yourself. You deserve it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

May29

Give Your Outdoor Summer Party a Pop

Posted on by
Standard

The look of a party sets the guests’ moods. Immediately perk up your guests by having a vibrant look. Below are a few tips to invite fun to a summer party.

Plan a Picnic

Surprise your guest with a picnic outdoors! Rent or borrow some inexpensive foldable table and chairs, if needed.

Add Color

Adding color to a summer party is a simple task. Add a table cloth that is bright in color or that even has a pattern. Too add extra pop to the table include a few fun and simple table decorations. Use plates of color in addition to the standard white plates.

Include Outdoor Lights

Who wants to go inside when everyone is having fun?. So, add outdoor lightening to the backyard. Hanging strand lights will give the yard an inviting cozy atmosphere as the night settles around the party.