Tip of the Day #291: Easy Eating with Pomegranates!

Do you love pomegranates but hate getting the seeds out? Cut the pomegranate in half and use the back of a wooden spoon to knock out the pomegranate seeds.

Tip of the day #290: The Perfect Pork Chops

Pork chops get a bad rap for being too dry most of the time. A simple solution to this problem is to lightly brown them on both sides and finish them off in the oven for 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees. The browning will lock the juices in, creating a succulent piece of meat.

Tip of the Day #289: Cornstarch & Water

When using cornstarch as a thickening agent, always mix it with cold water, NEVER hot water. This prevents clumping.

Tip of the Day #288: Easy Pancakes while Camping

Does your family go camping?? How about adding pancakes to the mix!! When preparing to leave your home, just fill baggies with the batter, tie off the end and when you are ready, just snip the small ends to use as a piping bag and you are ready to cook! :)

Tip of the Day #287: Removing Stains & Old Grease from Baking Sheets

There are two methods for removing the build-up that seems to always happen on our trays--unless of course, you use the following methods after every use. If you need to remove the grease for the first time, use either of the methods below:

1. Tea tree oil is AMAZING..leave on for about 1-2 hours then scrub off with a good scrub brush...it WILL take a bit of elbow grease. *In my opinion, this is the most effective method*

2. Use a paste made from hydrogen peroxide and baking soda (premix in bowl then spread over area). Leave on for 2 hours then use scrub brush and rinse.

Tip of the Day #286: DIY SCENT OIL REFILLS

Most people don't realize how easy it is to refill your plug-in scent oils (Airwick or Febreze)! All you need to do is remove the old wick from the refill (some are harder to pull out so a pair of plyers may be needed), pour in any essential oil of your choice (about 1/3 full) fill the remainder with water, place wick back in and you are done. Talk about a MONEY-SAVER!

*If you are unfamiliar with essential oils, they can be found at your local health store or online.

More Tips for Fresh Produce

1. To ripen avocados quickly, place them in a wool sock and set in a dark place.

2. To revive limp asparagus, try placing them in a tall pot with ice water in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

3. If you cook your vegetables with a small amount of milk, it will bring out more colour.

4. If you sprinkle salt into the water when you are washing vegetables, it will draw out any insects.

5. When cooking onions or cabbage, boil a small amount of vinegar in a pan to remove the odours.

6. If you sprinkle lemons with water and refrigerate them in a plastic bag, they will last a month or more.

7. If citrus fruits are warmed in the microwave or warm oven for a few minutes, they will yield more juice.

8. To keep cauliflower white during cooking, add lemon to the water. Overcooking tends to make cauliflower darker and makes it tougher.

9. To keep mushrooms white and firm when sautéing them, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to each quarter pound of butter.

10. When making stuffed peppers, coat the outside of the pepper with vegetable oil and it will retain its colour. Also, cook them in muffin tins to keep their shape.

10 Simple Tips to Improve your Meals

1. French fries will be deliciously golden brown and extra crispy if lightly sprinkled with flour before frying.

2. To peel thin skin fruits and vegetables easily, place in a bowl and cover with boiling water, let stand for one minute then peel with sharp paring knife.

3. To keep your pizza crust crispy, try placing the cheese on before the sauce. Of course you can add a bit more on top too! ;)

4. To bake the perfect potato, rub butter over potatoes before baking to prevent skin from cracking and to improve the taste.

5. A dull knife works better to cut cheese. Warm the knife and the cheese will cut like butter.

6. A FAVOURITE TIP!!! To reduce shrinkage in sausages, they should be boiled for 3-5 minutes before frying.

7. To keep meatballs from falling apart when cooking, try placing them into the refrigerator for 20 minutes before cooking.

8. When stuffing a turkey or chicken, try sealing the opening with a small raw potato.

9. To ensure the freshness of fish, place it in cold water – if it floats it has recently been caught.

10. You can thaw fish in milk. The milk will draw out the frozen taste and provides a fresh caught flavour.

Tip of the Day #285: Duct Tape on Warts

Home cure: Duct tape for Warts

Yes, this really does work! Covering warts with duct tape eliminates them better than freezing them off, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. In the study, the duct tape eliminated 85% of the warts after 2 months, compared with 60% with the freezing method.

To use duct tape safely, clean the skin area. Then cut a piece of duct tape to a size slightly bigger than the wart. Apply the duct tape to the site and rub into place. Every 3 days, remove the tape and file down dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file. Repeat until the wart disappears. Chemicals in the tape suffocate and kill the wart.

Tip of the Day #284: Paint Calculator

So you've picked your color, but how many gallons will you need for your room? Calculate the wall area of the room; you'll need ONE GALLON FOR EVERY 450 SQUARE FEET.To determine the wall area, multiply the height of each wall by its width (don't subtract for doors and windows unless they take up more than half the wall); total the figures for the walls.

Height x Width = Wall Area

Add 10 percent for future touch-ups. For two coats, double the number.

Tip of the Day #283: Cake Tips

--If you dust a little flour or cornstarch on a cake before icing it you'll find that the frosting won't run as much. --When frosting a cake , dip the spatula in warm water as well to smooth the icing.
--Also, put a piece of apple in the cake tin to keep your confection's freshness longer!

Tip of the Day #282: A 'Green' Cleaner/Disinfectant--Orange Peels & Vinegar

Some people are deterred from using vinegar as an everyday cleaner because of its initial strong smell. There is a WONDERFUL solution to this problem that will keep you wanting to use it again and again!

Recipe:

-1 Large Jar or Tub with Lid

-2-3 Oranges (depending on the size of your container)--Peels ONLY!

- White Vinegar

**Curl the peels around the inside of the jar. If your oranges are small and you could fit another peel, feel free to add one more.  Pour vinegar into the jar to cover the peels and close tightly.  Store in the cupboard for TWO WEEKS, then transfer the vinegar to a spray bottle and use for all your cleaning purposes!

You could also try lemon, lime, clementine or mandarin orange peels as alternatives! Yummy! :)

Tip of the Day #281: All Purpose Cleaner

I love my multi purpose cleaner because it combines all of my favourite natural products in one bottle!
*Note that this IS safe on all surfaces*

Ingredients:

2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Dawn Dish Soap
4 tbsp White Vinegar
1 3/4 cups (400mL) Warm Water

Combine in a spray bottle and shake well before use!

Tip of the Day #280: DIY Foam Soap Refills

I will only use foaming hand soap in my home--mainly because I love the way it feels and it causes much less of mess as it doesnt ever leak. However, it can be costly every time you run out!
That is until I found a solution to making your own at home.

All you need to do is fill the empty bottle 1/4 full with either other handsoap OR dishsoap, then the remaining 3/4s with water. VOILA!

Sometimes you will find that it is difficult to get the last few pumps out if some soap is left at the bottom of a foam soap bottle--simply add a little water and you can use it right up! :)

Tip of the Day #279: DIY Dishwasher Tablets

Dishwasher tablets or discs seem to be all the rage right now--the only thing is, they are very pricey!

So why not make your own at home quickly and easily!

Here is what you will need:
1 Cup Washing Soda
1 Cup Borax
1/4 Cup Epsom Salt
Lemon Juice
Ice Cube or Mold Trays

This will make about 60-70 tabs--you can cut the recipe in half if needed.

Directions:
-Mix all of your dry ingredients together -Slowly add your lemon juice a tablespoon at a time (around 7-8 tablespoons in total)You don't want it to be too wet or too dry
-Fill your ice cube trays
-Let them dry until they are hard and fairly easy to remove.

Tip of the Day #278: The Laundry Detergent Challenge!

Many of us may be pouring money down the drain by using too much laundry detergent--even the recommended amount may be too much!
So I challenge all of you to use HALF the amount of detergent you normally do and come back to report if you noticed a difference in th cleanliness of your items or not! :)

Washing machines today are much more efficient than the ones your parents used to have and detergents are much more concentrated — so a little goes a long way. Using too much laundry detergent not only wastes money, it can shorten the life of your washing machine and make your clothes stiffer.

If you really want to save money, here again is my homemade laundry detergent recipe:
1 bar of Fels Naptha (Or Linda's)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax.
GRATE FULL BAR OF SOAP, COMBINE WITH WASHING SODA & BORAX. USE 1 TBSP PER LOAD.

Tip of the Day#277: Stubborn Lotion/Soap Dispensers

I cannot tell you how many times Ive run into the problem of a stubborn dispenser! When this happens, try this trick:
Push the dispenser down while covering the opening with your thumb--this allows for the tube to back up. Repeat if necessary until the lotion or soap dispenses.

Tip of the Day #276: Preventing a Ring in your Bathtub

Adding a few drops of baby oil to your bath water will stop a ring from forming inside your bathtub. Plus, it will keep your skin soft! ;)

Tip of the Day #275: Slow Ketchup Remedy

To speed the flow of ketchup, insert a straw into the bottle then remove it. So simple! :)

Tip of the Day #274: Take Photo When Sending out Invites

When sending invitations out to visitors for a party or event, attach a photo of your home or venue to make it easier for them to find!

Tip of the Day #273: Taking Care of Wounds

If an emergency occurs, before you can get to the hospital, here is what to do:

Hold pressure on the wound and crack open an egg. Remove the egg's membrane and place over the wound while still holding pressure. The membrane will dry and harden, acting as a 'seal' until you can get to the ER for proper treatment.

Tip of the Day #272: More Garlic Tips

1) To easily break up the cloves, place one hand over the other on top of the garlic, and push down hard. So easy!

2) To remove all peelings off the cloves, pop in the microwave for about 15 seconds, remove, and lightly shake. Works every time!

3) If your recipe calls for minced garlic, use a cheese grater. You will be done in 1/4 of the time!

Tip of the Day #271: Preserving Ink Cartridges

1) Whenever possible, print in 'Times New Roman' font. You'll get 100 more pages out of a cartridge than you will printing in heavier fonts like Arial or Verdana!

2) When your computer warns you that your ink is almost empty, take out the cartridge and shake it vigorously a few times--there is still plenty of ink left in there!

3) If your ink cartridge has a reset button/hole, use it when the low ink warning comes on and again, you will greatly extend the life of your cartridge.

Tip of the Day #270: Laundry Basket in Tub

Do you have toddlers? A laundry basket in the tub can act as a seat! Your children wont bump their heads on the tub, theyre secure and their toys stay confined!

Tip of the Day #269: Get Rid of Rats & Mice

Rats will leave your home if you introduce a smell that drives them away. This gives you a natural rodent control method that doesn't introduce chemicals into your home and resolves your rat problem without killing them.

The answer is PEPPER-- but don't try black pepper for rat control. Go with cayenne pepper instead or a hot pepper sauce.

Instructions:

Sprinkle the dried spice in areas that have a proven rat presence. When the rats get a whiff of the pepper, they'll move out. Repeat as often as needed, if the rodents move elsewhere in your landscape or if new rats appear.

Tip of the Day #268: Vinegar in Toilet Tank

I was reminded of this great tip on Pinterest today!

A small bottle of vinegar can make a huge impact with your toilets. If you poke a hole into the lid of a bottle of vinegar and then put the whole bottle into your toilet tank upside down, the vinegar will prevent a toilet ring from forming by releasing some everytime you flush and also use LESS WATER with every flush!

Tip of the Day #267: Cleaning your Hood Vent Filter

Many people don't think to clean their hood vent very often, however, its extremely important as grease and debris build-up can become very dangerous! To clean, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and place filter(s) inside. Sprinkle 1/2 a cup of baking soda in VERY slowly (a tsp at a time) as it will fizz and overflow. Watch the grease just slide right off!
If you do not have a pot big enough, pouring the boiling water into your sink and following the same process will work as well.

Tip of the Day #266: Newspaper while Gardening

Lay newspaper down in in your flower beds!
Newspaper will prevent any grass and weed seeds from germinating, but unlike fabric, it will decompose after about 18 months. By that time, any grass and weed seeds that were present in the soil on planting will be dead. It’s green, it’s cheaper than fabric, and when you decide to remove or redesign the bed later on, you will not have the headache you would with fabric!

Tip of the Day #265: DIY Art Smock

Painting is fun for kids, but can cause such a mess! So why not take an old pillow case, turn so open side is at the bottom, then cut arm holes and a neck hole at the top. If it is way too big, you may choose to snip the area between the neck and arm holes (shoulder area) then tie in tighter knots!

Tip of the Day #264: Never lose your Earrings again!

1) Travel is best done in pairs. To keep a set of earrings together on your next overnight jaunt, fasten them to a button so they won’t get lost in your suitcase pocket.

2) Keep track of your earrings while you hit the gym (or the spa). Place the studs through the holes on the watch strap and then attach their backs. You can even do this when removing your earrings at night and storing for the night!

Tip of the Day #263: Removing Hard Foods

Aluminum Foil as Glassware Scrubber

To get baked-on food off a glass pan or an oven rack, use dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of a steel-wool soap pad. It's one way to recycle those used but perfectly good pieces of foil you hate to throw out!

Tip of the Day #262: Aluminum Foil as an Antenna

If your DVD player is stacked on top of the TV (or vice versa) and the picture is fuzzy, the two electromagnetic fields may be commingling, confusing the signals. (This usually happens with plastic casings; with metal it's less likely.) Slip a sheet of foil between the machines to separate the fields.

Tip if the Day #261: Painters Tape as Snack Sealant

Preserve family-size packages of snack foods. Painter's tape is best because it allows you to seal and reseal a cereal or chip bag without losing its tack.

Tip of the Day #260: Packing Tape as Nut and Bolt Holder

Gather loose bolts and nails in the garage by sticking them to a length of tape and layering another piece of tape on top.

Tip of the Day #259: Reusable Packing Materials

Zippered Plastic Bag as Packing Material

Cushion precious cargo in a box. Before closing it all the way, slide a straw into the top, and inflate. Then remove the straw and completely seal the protective bubble. Once done, just deflate and put bags back away! :)

Paper/Styrofoam Plates between Good Dinnerware

These plates act as great protection as they lay perfect and do not move. Your plates are guaranteed to arrive safely!

Coffee Filters as Plate Protectors

If you dont have any paper plates lying around, coffee filters also work great in protecting your plates--you can also use them later to dust!

Do you have any other useful packing tips? Feel free to share!

Tip of the Day #258: Getting Rid of Odours

When my house develops a musty scent, I fill bowls with white vinegar and place them in all the affected rooms for a few hours. This works especially well to rid cigarette smoke or after cooking foods like fish. You can also use the same method to deodorize the refrigerator.

Through Mama's Eyes

Through Mama’s Eyes
By: Shelley Prince

As you began introducing the news of the birth of your child, you heard the constant tale of how a little one would change your life forever, but nothing prepared you for just how much such a small being would change every detail of your entire existence.

Having a child is all about the milestones—or the ‘firsts.’ These steps are with you for eternity. They are what kept you going every single day and they are what make life truly worth living.

You watched as your belly began to grow for the very first time. You watched in awe and without a single word to describe the image of your first unborn in black and white. Then you felt that very first flutter inside of you and questioned if it were real until you felt it another time. You will never forget the day as you lie there and hear the doctor shout “hear they come” and you hear the first sounds of your baby—yes, YOURS—the miracle YOU created. You count their tiny fingers and toes, and stare at their perfect, milky skin as your eyes are flooded with tears. You do this every day and it always feels like the first time. No one but a Mother knows this feeling and it is an honour to be able to do so. The weight gain, the stretch marks and scars, the pain of childbirth—this all means nothing anymore.

Times progresses and before you know it, you hear your little one say ‘Mama’ for their first time. It is not until now that being a Mother has felt like such a reality—someone calls you their MOM, you are responsible for another human being. This leaves you vulnerable, uncertain and emotional, but you know one thing for sure--you would do anything for this small person, without question.

No one can ever prepare you for the trials you face, the frustration you will feel, or the constant questions in your head. Some days you want to lie in bed all day from both the physical and emotional exhaustion, but you remind yourself that this is a GIFT. Not everyone is privileged enough to have these feelings and they would give up anything to be in your shoes, so you get up and carry on.

Before a child was born into this world, spontaneity was your best friend. Vacations, dates and pampering were the ‘norm,’ but now, you are lucky enough to have enough time to pee alone.

It is the days you are at whit’s end, your child senses your anger and comes up to hug you and say—“I Love You.” Words so powerful that they can turn the worst day into your best one. They reassure you that you are doing something right. She flashes you that little smile on her precious face that lights up your world, time and time again. Her laugh is incomparable. As a Mother, nothing ever gets old.

In track pants, your hubby’s over-sized hoodie and 3 day old hair, you go shopping. You see what society calls ‘the perfect Mom,’--that beautiful, patient woman, smiling from ear to ear with her ever so quiet son playing happily in the shopping cart. You see the Mother’s in movies, or the ones singing the loudest at the Mother Goose morning group. You second-guess your own capability as a Mother, what you are doing wrong and if you are ‘normal.’  Every Mother has their own way of parenting, but what should only matter is how your children see you—and to them, you are perfect.  It is called unconditional love.

Before becoming a Mother, you had dreams and goals for yourself, but they are nothing in comparison to what you hope for your child. Nothing can describe the feeling and sense of pride you possess when your daughter brings home her first school award or masters her first dance recital.

If I could tell my children what I want for them in life and for my daughter to carry on when she becomes a Mother is to LOVE. Love with everything you possibly have. Embrace each moment and capture it in your heart. Make memories and photograph them. Never forget how special moments are. Talk to your children, but most importantly, listen to them. They are wiser than you may ever know.  What may be a small issue to you, may be their entire world at that time. Acknowledge them, consider their words and act upon it.  Children will never remember the materials you bought them, but rather how you made them feel.

Tip of the Day #257: Dealing with Stained Items

How many times have you washed a shirt only to discover a stain on it after the fact? That phenomenon is the reason my mom required everyone in the house to tie a knot in their stained garments before they put them in the hamper. That way, when you sort the laundry, you instantly know when something needs extra attention. I implemented this rule within my home and it saves me headaches, time, and money!

For those pesky stains, here is a guide of what to use: http://amumntheoven.blogspot.ca/2013/01/tip-of-day-163.html?m=0

Tip of the Day #256: Handling Sparklers

Stick a sparkler in Play-Doh, then light it up. The container protects hands from flying sparks, preventing burns!

Tip of the Day #255: Kitchen Time-Saver

Minimize Trips to the Garbage Can:

While preparing a meal, keep a big bowl on the counter. Put all your chopping, cutting, and peeling discards into it, then make one trip to the garbage instead of 10!

Tip of the Day #254: Preventing Blisters

When you have a blister it can be a pain in the, well, foot, for sure, but there's an easy way to prevent friction blisters without buying special socks or shoes,  or whatever else you may have tried in the past. Studies have found that applying antiperspirant to your feet reduces your odds of developing foot blisters.
Here's why: Friction causes blisters, and when your skin is sweaty or moist, you increase that friction and the odds of developing blisters. Antiperspirant fixes this problem because it's made to reduce sweat -- in this case you're just using it on feet instead of underarms. To prevent a white mess, use a clear stick or a spray.

Tip of the Day #253: Shower Tiles

I personally cannot stand the look of water spots and drips on my shower tiles--but that could just be my OCD peeking ;)

If you are like me, here's what to do:

To keep shower tiles cleaner for longer,  wax them with car polish after giving them a good clean. This will help stop the grime from sticking to them and the water will just bead off!

Tip of the Day #252: Maintaining a Clean Refrigerator

1. Stop fridge odours by lining the vegetable drawer with a sheet of newspaper.

2. Clean fridge seals by using a toothbrush and toothpaste or baking soda with water to form a paste.

3. Get in a habit of cleaning out your refrigerator every time you bring home groceries. Dispose of any food that is no longer edible or your family is not going to eat.

4. Wipe down shelves once a week or so with white vinegar to remove stains and eliminate funky smells.

5. Many of us are guilty of not doing this--ALWAYS wipe up spills or drips as soon as they happen! In the cold fridge, they become even more difficult to remove later!

Tip of the Day #251: Natural Floor Cleaner

FLOOR CLEANER- 1/4 cup vinegar,1 tbsp dish soap, 1/4 cup washing soda (not baking soda) and 2 gallons water (use less if you want a smaller amount)

**This is safe enough for ALL types of floors!

To make your HARDWOOD really SHINE, boil 3 black tea bags in the kettle--the natural tannins will leave those floors sparkling! ;)

Tip of the Day #250: Battery Storage

 Since recently moving, I promised myself I would do something with all the loose batteries lying around! So, once testing out if they worked or not, I took a trip to the dollar store to pick up a plastic tackle box (usually found in the 'craft section'). I then categorized all sizes of batteries and placed them in separate slots. SO MUCH BETTER! Now, if I can remind everyone in the house to keep it like this! ;)

Tip of the Day #249: Homemade Fabric Softener

FABRIC SOFTENER- 6 cups HOT water 3 cups white vinegar 2 cups Hair Conditioner (I used Suave, but you can use any that you like the smell of!)

Whisk the hot water and conditioner together. Make sure that the conditioner is completely mixed with the water and there are no clumps.Then mix your vinegar in--this is actually the softener, the conditioner is just for scent :) Use the same amount as normal fabric softener when doing a load!

Recipes for Homemade Dishwasher & Dish Soaps

DISHWASHER DETERGENT- 1 cup Borax 1 cup Baking Soda 1/4 cup Table Salt 2 packets Lemon Kool-Aid Mix all the ingredients in a tightly sealed container and use 1-2 tablespoons per load of dishes.


LIQUID DISH SOAP -1 ½ cup of hot water -½ cup liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bonner's) -1 tablespoon of white vinegar -1 tablespoon of Arm&Hammer’s Super Washing Soda (used to thicken the soap) -1/8 teaspoon of tea tree oil (optional) MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER, THEN ADD THE HOT WATER--WHISK TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALL WELL-BLENDED. THEN ALLOW TO COOL BEFORE USE.