Thrifty Thursday - Cleaning Rags

I used to spend a fortune on Lysol or Clorox wipes to clean our kitchen and bathrooms. Not only was this costly, but I have serious concerns about the safety of the chemicals in those products. Then I began making my own natural cleaning solution (see previous post for directions) and using that along with paper towels to clean. But the cost of going through so many paper towels meant I had to find a better way. So I went through our overstuffed linen closet and found a few old towels. I cut them into squares that are roughly 5x5. I stitched two squares together and there was an absorbent cleaning rag. I keep a basket in my laundry room for dirty rags and do a wash for them about every 7-10 days. At about 10 cents per load it saves a bundle compared to paper towels or commercial cleaning products. Give it a try!

Works for Me - Sorting Laundry

For me, Saturday is laundry day. And as much as I dread doing laundry all day, I really dread having to sort out all the clothes in the morning to get started. So last week I implemented a new rule for hubby and I: each laundry basket has a color designation - darks in one baskets, whites in another, reds in another. As we undress each day, the clothes go in the designated basket. Simple as this may be, it gives me a jumpstart on the sorting process and makes me dread laundry day just a little bit less. It works for me!

For more great tips please visit Rocks In My Dryer.

Make This Monday: Black Bean Hummus

Try this for a different twist on the usual hummus:

1 can black beans - drain and reserve liquid
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 tsp tahini
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbl. lemon juice

Mince garlic in food processor. Add black beans and 1 tbl. liquid. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Serve with pitas or fresh veggies.

Burpcloth Tutorial

When we had our first daughter, we spent too much money on uneccessary baby items. Like the first two packs of burpcloths we bought - some were so thin they barely absorbed a drop of water. Then a friend gave us a pack of large flannel burpcloths, and those were the way to go! They actually covered your whole shoulder - no more having to change shirts after baby spit up. Most of those have gotten lost since our daughter was a baby, so I decided it was time to make my own version. It is very simple and quick if you want to try it. All you need is a few yards of flannel to make burpcloths like these.

Instructions:

1. Lay out your flannel and fold it in half so that the printed part is on the inside, and you are looking at the backside.

2. Measure out the burpcloths- I make mine 17" long and 13" wide. This may seem huge, but it provides great coverage.

3. To sew them, just use a straight stitch (easiest on the sewing machine, but could also be done by hand)to sew the sides together. On the last side, leave a couple of inches unsewn.

4. Reach in the opening and turn the fabric right-side-out. Now you can stitch up the opening and voila! You have a burpcloth.

Let's try this again!

Well as you can see I have gotten off to quite a slow start. Shortly after I decided to start blogging I learned that I am pregnant with baby #2! During those first few months my morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness made it hard for me just to get through each day, much less take on anything extra. But I'm 20 weeks along now and feeling much better, so let's give this another try!

For those mamas that can relate to feeling so badly during the first trimester, the one thing that helped me this time around was peppermint tea. Celestial Seasonings makes one that is pure peppermint leaves. It helped take the edge off the nausea.

Tomorrow I will be posting a how-to on making burp cloths - it is cute and so easy. I am a novice sewer, so if I can do it anyone can.

Natural Cleaning Solution

One of first things I did to reduce the amount of chemicals in our home was to throw out the Lysol wipes and start making my own cleaning spray. Not only has this made cleaning my home safer, but it has saved money as well, and is so simple.

I take a large spray bottle and fill it 2/3 of the way full with white vinegar. Fill the rest with distilled water. Add 8-10 drops each of tea tree and lavender oils. The vinegar is a disinfectant, and the essential oils both have antibacterial properties.

Make This Monday

Wondering what to make for dinner? This recipe is a favorite in my family. It will take about 25 minutes to prepare, and another half hour or so in the oven, but it is well worth it and we are usually able to get 2 meals out of it.

Italian Sausage and Penne Bake


3 links mild Italian sausage
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
salt, oregano, and red pepper to taste
8 ounces penne pasta, cooked
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Directions

1.Saute sausage and garlic in olive oil until browned.
2.Add tomato paste, vinegar, tomatoes, and seasonings. Cover & simmer for 15 minutes.
3.Combine with pasta in 9x13 pan.
4.Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.