Go GREEN!

Today at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), we had a very inspiring speaker named Ashley who spoke to us about ways to "go green." One of the things she taught us was how to make our own environmentally (and WAAAY less toxic) cleaning products. We even made an all-purpose cleaner to take home with us. It is SO cheap and smells fantastic. I am going to try it out here in a bit. Anyway, Ashley compiled some great recipes for different cleaners, so I thought I'd share them here. But first I have to tell you why this is important to me.

Several months ago, I was going to clean the toilet in my bathroom. I got out my favorite toilet bowl cleaner (the blue gel that gets under the rim) and went to work. As I squirted the gel into the toilet, I somehow got some on the toilet seat. I decided to leave it there and when I came back to swirl the bowl, I would clean it off at the same time. So 10 minutes later, I return to finish the job. The gel on the seat had eaten through the enamel coating on the seat!! I freaked out. I mean, what if my kids somehow got hold of that stuff. Talk about TOXIC?!?! I am so grateful to Ashley for sharing these safe recipes. And to show my appreciatation, I'm going to give a plug for her business here - www.crunchyclean.com. She sells environmentally safe laundry detergent. Thanks Ashley!

All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

32-oz. OPAQUE sprayer bottle (must be opaque or the peroxide will oxidize, turning into water and losing it's antibacterial properties)
2 cups water
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
1 cup white vinegar
20 drops essential oil (from most health food stores; lavendar & tea tree are antibacterial; orange and grapefruit help cut grease)

Be sure to shake the bottle before using to mix the oils which settle.


Sophie Uliano's Veggie Spray Cleaner

1 cup water
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
20 drops grapefruit seed extract (antibacterial & antifungal)

Combine in a large container (not a spray bottle!), then transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes.


Creamy Soft Scrubber

Pour about 1/2 cup baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid detergent to make a frosting-like texture. Scoop mixture onto a sponge and wash a surface. It rinses easily and doesn't leave grit. Make just enough to use or add vegetable glycerin and store in a sealed container to use later.


Window Cleaner

Pure Vingear in a spray bottle!


Toilet Cleaner

Simply pour baking soda into your toilet. Then pour a small amount of vinegar. Let soak for a bit and clean.

Cheap Eats

With today's economy in the slumps like it is, I figured I would post some recipes that are budget friendly as well as delicious. Dave Ramsey says when you are trying to save money you should eat beans and rice, rice and beans. So, here are two delicious bean recipes to help you through these tough economic times. When I want to beef up the recipe a bit, I'll add some sliced smoked sausage (turkey smoked sausage when I'm being good) in the last 30 minutes of cooking time instead of adding the grease or oil to the recipe. Serve over white rice and add a side of cornbread and you will be in Southern Heaven. (By the way, don't ask me which of these recipes is better - they are both fantastic!)

Sarah’s “Famous” Cilantro Beans
submitted by my aunt, Sarah Jones

2 lb. bag of pinto beans
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 large clove garlic, minced
Cilantro leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon bacon drippings (health conscious cooks may substitute olive oil)

Sort and rinse beans thoroughly in colander. Soak for about 30 minutes (minimum), then place in a crockpot filled with water. Turn on the crockpot and let it work, adding water as needed. (I usually put them on late at night before going to bed on low and add water as needed in the morning; otherwise cook on high.) When beans are completely cooked, add Rotel, cilantro leaves, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and bacon drippings. Stir and let simmer for another 20 minutes or so. Voila! Buen Probecho!!!

Abbie's Pinto Beanssubmitted by my dad, Abbie Linsenbardt

2 pounds dry beans, washed and sorted
5 full slices bacon, plus grease from cooking
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 Tablespoon cilantro
1 teaspoon salt (may need more later)
1 teaspoon pepper
chopped onion

Soak beans overnight. Rinse and put into crock pot. Cover with water.

Fry bacon, crumble and put into pot. Add 1 Tablespoon of bacon grease and remaining ingredients. Cook on high heat until beans are tender. Continue to check water level and add more water to keep beans covered.