Honey Oatmeal Mask

Oatmeal is an amazing natural moisturizer, gentle exfoliant, skin soothing element. To use as a mask combine raw oats that have been pureed into fine dust with olive oil, honey and water to make a paste. Apply to face and reswt under a hot towel for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off and enjoy a baby-soft face.

Ingredients for 1/2 pint jar:
1 cup ground oats
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp oil
2 tsp honey
~Combine until thick. Use immediately, or withing 5-7 days

Oatmeal Bath

My kids have very dry skin, and this is an inexpensive way to give them the luxury of having an oatmeal bath anytime they want. Great for those with eczema or sunburns too!

Supplies:
Quick cooking oats

Directions:
Place dry oats into a coffee grinder, blender or food processor. Grind until very fine & store in an airtight container. (6 cups of whole oats made 1 quart of oatmeal bath) To use in the bath dissolve 1/4-3/4 cup of ground oats in the bath water. Soak & rinse.

Kettle Corn

I have been told this is the "best popcorn in the world." Whenever I bring it to a gathering I always get requests for the recipe!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup corn oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup popping corn

Directions:
1. Heat the oil, sugar and popcorn in a large pot on high.
2. Using hot pads hold the lid on while shaking the popcorn frequently. Because of the sugar - it is important to keep shaking it every few seconds or it will burn.
3. When the popping slows down - remove from heat and add salt to taste.
4. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool. It will harden as it cools - toss it gently to loosen. Makes approx. 10 cups of popcorn or enough to fill 2 medium tins.

Brown Sugar Facial Scrub

Two ingredients, easy as pie --- works like a charm! Use a Tablespoon of this scrub on your face when you are in the shower a few times a month. The sugar gently exfoliates and the olive oil locks in mositure leaving your face feeling super soft and smooth! (If it dries out before using it all, just add more oil)

Ingredients:
Light Brown Sugar
Olive Oil (the more "virgin" the oil the stronger the smell will be, but any of them will work)
Jars for gifting

Directions:
Pour unpacked brown sugar into jars & slowly add olive oil until the sugar is saturated and no longer absorbs the oil. It will begin to pool on the top of the sugar. Enjoy!

Wall Calendar

These are a fun way to stay organized and keep your week visa blue for your whole family. You can find multi-pane frames at Walmart or even thrift stores sometimes. Simply cut scrapbook paper to fit the frames and write the days if the week in each. Use the 8th frame for a to-do list or simply write "coming up this week". You can use a cricut or pre-cut letters for the days of the week as well. A dry or wet erase marker works beautifully on the glass of the frame for your schedule. If you have a big family try using different color markers for each person in the family. :)

Homemade Chip & Salsa

I had an extra cup of coffee this morning so you get two homemade recipes instead of just one. :D

Homemade Tortilla Chips
Cut small tortillas (flour or corn) into wedges and place on a greased cookie sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 min or until crispy.

Homemade Salsa
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
1 small yellow onion, peeled
1 clove garlic, peeled
1-2 jalapeños
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
- - - Roughly chop the onion and place in a blender with the garlic, cilantro and liquid smoke. Slice the jalapeños in half and add one half to the blender. Add the canned tomatoes with juice and pulse till combined. Taste and add additional jalapeño halves until desired heat is reached. Store refrigerated in a 1 quart jar for 1-2 weeks.

Homemade Dressings

Did you know that most dressings are super simple to make and most, if not all of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen?! Here are two of our family favorites that have replaced their store-bought companions.

Ranch Dressing
1 1/4cup mayo*
1 1/4 cup sour cream*
1 1/2 cup milk
1 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried dill
1 tsp dried parley
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt & pepper to taste
- - - Place all ingredients in a quart sized glass jar and shake well to combine. Add more milk if the dressing is too thick. Refrigerate for several hours for best flavor.
*NOTE: Plain greek yogurt may be substituted for some or all of the mayo and sour cream for a more healthy version. Keep fresh in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Coleslaw Dressing
1 1/2 cup mayo*
1/2 cup white sugar
2-3 Tbsp white vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste
- - - Mix well using a wire whisk before adding to your favorite cabbage blend. Start by adding just half of the dressing then add more as needed after refrigerating the salad. Store any remaining dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week.
*NOTE: Plain greek yogurt may be substituted for some or all of the mayo for a more healthy version.

Homemade Muffin Mix

Prep Time: 10 minutes max
Total Cost: Less than $20 for full recipe (add $10 for gift jars). Approx. $2-$3 each.

Muffin Mix
(Makes 17 cups or 9 dozen muffins)
Five pound bag all-purpose flour

3 ¾ cup white sugar

12 oz Dry Buttermilk Powder

4 ½ Tbsp Baking Powder

1 ½ Tbsp Baking Soda

1 ½ Tbsp Salt

1 ½ Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 ½ tsp ground nutmeg

- - Combine all ingredients well with a whisk and store in a large airtight container. (Recipe adapted from the original posted on grouprecipes.com)

To give as gifts, place 2 3/4 cups mix in quart sized jars and attach baking instructions (below). A muffin cup turned upside-down fits nicely over the lid of the jar, tied with rafia makes a quick & easy finish. :)

To Make Muffins:
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup water
1/2 cup oil
2 3/4 cup muffin mix
1 cup mix-ins (fruit/nuts/baking chips)

- - Combine ingredients until moistened. Scoop into greased muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Here are a few of my favorites:
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bran Muffins
2 cups Muffin Mix
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup Kellogg's Bran Buds
2 eggs
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup apple butter (or cinnamon apple sauce)

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 1/2 cup muffin mix
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup water
1/2 cup softened butter

Homemade Brownie Mix

Brownie Mix
(makes 8 cups/4 batches)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups white sugar

- - Combine ingredients with a whisk and store in an airtight container.

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
2 cups Brownie Mix
1/2 cup oil*
1-2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter, softened

*NOTE: Oil may be substituted with applesauce or yogurt to reduce fat & calories.

- - Mix together brownie mix, oil, eggs and vanilla until moistened. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan (thick), or 8x13 pan (thin). Drop spoonfuls of softened peanut butter on the brownie batter and swirl in with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Meal Planning Day 5: Freezer Meals

Even though I am a stay-at-home mom evenings are crazy - - - my kids are whinny, I am tired, and a lot of times it seems like making dinner is anything but a relaxing or enjoyable time for anyone. So, to save myself time and a little sanity I like to prepare and/or freeze a lot of my meals ahead if time - with my favorite Pandora station playing and a glass of wine in hand.

Today's Goal: Prepare meals in advance to save time in the kitchen
Printable Worksheet: Prep Day Planner
Time: 10 minutes planning (prep time varies)

Step 1: Grab your {meal plan} and print the {prep day planner}. Pandora & wine highly recommended but not required ;)

Step 2: With a supply of Tupperware or ziplock bags at your side, prepare any vegetable that you have so they will be ready to cook or eat for snacks right away. If you or your kids take fruit/veggie snacks to go use snack baggies to have them ready to grab - this will also encourage your kids (and husband too) to make healthy choices!

Step 3: Decide which meals you would like to prepare right away to keep in the fridge (meal for the next 3-5 days) and which you can prepare and freeze for later. When you are deciding, keep in mind which ones are better made fresh the day that you will eat them and plan to make them on days when you will have more time in the kitchen. With the others, plan to do as much of the preparation that you can to make them "ready-to-cook" - out of the fridge into to oven. Even breakfast items can be prepped early - batters can be made the night before for quick hot breakfasts and sweet breads frozen ready to bake. {sample prep day planner}

Step 4: Choose a plan of attack based on how much time you have available.

• Option 1 - Plan a cooking day to prepare everything for the next two weeks all at once (approx. 3-4 hours)
• Option 2 - Spend a little time preparing a few meals at a time over several days (after bedtime or during naps??)
• Option 3 - Prep as you go. Make extra while you are cooking one meal with the plan to use extras in future meals. (If you are cooking chicken - make enough all at once for several meals).

As far as recipes go for freezer meals here are the top 3 best-selling cookbooks on amazon.com

  

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!!

 

Meal Planning Day 1: {Kitchen Inventory}

Meal Planning Day 2: {Store Ads & Coupons}

Meal Planning Day 3: {14-Day Meal Plan}

Meal Planning Day 4: {Shopping & Keeping Budget}

Meal Planning Week BONUS Craft: Family Menu Board

You can download the printable menu >here<

Supplies:
8x10 frame
Embellishments
Printable menu

This craft is so easy you will be done in less than 10 minutes! Print the menu and trim to 8x10 from the upper left hand corner. You will be cutting off the right side and the bottom. Place the menu in your frame and embellish with bows, flowers, etc. Use a dry/wet erase marker to display your family's upcoming meals for the week! ;)

Homemade Glass Cleaner

I think my kids think clean windows are a personal challenge to smear their sticky pbj hands all over the instant I finish cleaning them. I must clean the mirrors in their bathroom, the front of the fridge, stove and dishwasher at least every other day!

It reminds my of a silly book we read...the baby gets a hold of some markers and draws spots on the mirror. When everyone looks in the mirror and sees spots on their face they figure they are sick and crawl into bed until Grandma comes to the rescue with chicken noodle soup and does a little house cleaning while the family is in bed. (She must've brought a bottle of homemade glass cleaner) LOL

Glass cleaner is super easy to make and you probably have everything already at home. Grab an empty spray bottle and let's get to it!!

Homemade Glass Cleaner
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1/2 cup white vinegar
2-3 drops liquid dish soap
1-2 drops blue food coloring (optional)

Place all items into an empty spray bottle and fill with water. Replace the lid and gently tilt back and forth to combine and you are set to go.

*Note: I have found the best material to use to clean your windows & mirrors for a streak-free finish is non-glossy newspaper!

Happy window washing and let me know if you have any tips keeping the pbj monsters away! :)

Meal Planning Day 1: Kitchen Inventory

Welcome to Meal Planning Week!!! This week is all about how to plan your family's meals so that you can save time & money. I know that I would much rather be spending time with my kids than grocery shopping everyday! Well, lets get started.

Today's goal: Take an inventory of what you already have on hand
Printable worksheet: Kitchen Inventory
Time: 10-15 minutes

The Kitchen Inventory is super quick and easy but is an important first step. Doing an inventory plus building your menu based on what is on sale is the best way to save money. Start by printing the worksheet then list the top 10 items you have in the following categories: leftovers, produce, fridge, freezer, pantry, other. These items will be the starting point for as many meals as possible because you already have them on hand. Less shopping to do = money saved. When you finish the list, start thinking about meal ideas. We will finish our meal plans on Wednesday. Click here to see a sample inventory - as you can see I had alot to build on this week.

Don't Forget to enter the

Coupon Giveaway

going on this week!!!

Tomorrow: Making the Most out of Store Ads & Coupons

Homemade Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener

Time:
15-20 minutes prep
24 hour cooling time for the detergent

Liquid Detergent:
1/2 bar Fels-laundry soap
1/2 cup Borax
3/4 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
3 empty gallon milk jugs
Funnel (or top half of a soda bottle)

-Using a cheese grater, shred the Fels-Naptha. Save 1/2 for your next batch. In a large stock pot melt the remaining 1/2 bar of shredded soap with 3 cups water over medium high heat. Add the Borax and Washing Soda, stirring until well mixed. Put 2 cups into each of 3 clean gallon jugs. Add HOT water to 2/3 to 3/4 full. Shake. Remove lids and let sit for 24 hours to thicken. Contents may seperate, shake before each use.
-TO USE IN LAUNDRY: Use 1/8-1/4 cup per load. Good for HE washers and front loaders as well.

Fabric softener:
1 cup Suave Conditioner
2 cups white vinegar
1-2 empty container(s)

Combine conditioner and Vinegar with 3 cups HOT water. Shake well.
-TO USE IN LAUNDRY: Use 2-3 Tbsp per load diluted with water where you would normally place the fabric softener.
-NOTE: Use 1/2-1 cup straight white vinegar for towels to help with mildew smell and to help maintain absorbency.