4 cups Water
1 cup Dish Soap – any kind works
1/4 cup Corn Syrup
container – plastic tub, gallon jug
Mix it by stirring, and enjoy!
Use things like paper clips, straws, cookie cutters ect.. for bubble wands, get creative!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Homemade blowing bubbles:
Yep we have been busy around here, I have really been into making my own homemade things, and it's giving me a nice break from cooking, and new outlook on life, and learning about how people used to live!
Homemade Bubbles:
4 cups Water
1 cup Dish Soap – any kind works
1/4 cup Corn Syrup
container – plastic tub, gallon jug
Mix it by stirring, and enjoy!
Use things like paper clips, straws, cookie cutters ect.. for bubble wands, get creative!
4 cups Water
1 cup Dish Soap – any kind works
1/4 cup Corn Syrup
container – plastic tub, gallon jug
Mix it by stirring, and enjoy!
Use things like paper clips, straws, cookie cutters ect.. for bubble wands, get creative!
Making soap bars #2:
Olive oil with sage and eucalyptus.
This was my first made up recipe, and I learned a lot!
Here's what you need:
- Bar of olive oil soap, I got 100%
- Sage leaves crushed
- Few drops of Eucalyptus essential oils
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of water
How to do it:
-Step one: Grate or chop your olive oil soap into small pieces
-Step two: Add water and olive oil.
-Step three: Heat in a pyrex measuring cup set in a pot of boiling water. You'll want to keep the water at a simmer.
-Step four: Keep heating until the soap is like melted marshmallows.
-Step five: THE MOST IMPORTANT PART! You must allow soap to get stringy, this takes 10-15 min more after step four. Don't worry if it takes longer, just be sure it is stringy.
- Pour into some kind of mold, anything works as long as it's plyable. Keeping in mind you probably won't be able to keep your shape.
It can take up 5 hours or so to cool and dry a bit. If it won't come out of the mold and seems really soft, don't worry, I have just the solution. Scoop out and roll into balls or make disk shaped and set on a cooling rack, or you can slice the soap onto your desired chunks and let dry that way. This is the step I was highly confused by, but I get it now! As it dries you will want to shape it a little bit here and there to smooth it unless you like the rough look. But if it pops out of the mold and seems like a regular bar of soap you should be set, it really depends on the temp it was cooked at and the mixture/base soap used.
Some fun information I found about olive oil soap is that it alone without additives has many amazing uses. It can cure rashes, is very good for dry and sensitive skin. Olive oil soap is dated back to the 1500's as one of the most commonly used soaps.
The eucalyptus I added has healing properties, as well as helping clear respitory/ breathing problems when used in small amounts. It can also be a good bug repellent, so be sure to soap up before camping :)
If you have any questions please leave a comment!
Here's what you need:
- Bar of olive oil soap, I got 100%
- Sage leaves crushed
- Few drops of Eucalyptus essential oils
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of water
-Step one: Grate or chop your olive oil soap into small pieces
-Step two: Add water and olive oil.
-Step three: Heat in a pyrex measuring cup set in a pot of boiling water. You'll want to keep the water at a simmer.
-Step five: THE MOST IMPORTANT PART! You must allow soap to get stringy, this takes 10-15 min more after step four. Don't worry if it takes longer, just be sure it is stringy.
- Pour into some kind of mold, anything works as long as it's plyable. Keeping in mind you probably won't be able to keep your shape.
The eucalyptus I added has healing properties, as well as helping clear respitory/ breathing problems when used in small amounts. It can also be a good bug repellent, so be sure to soap up before camping :)
If you have any questions please leave a comment!
Things that keep people from going green/organic..
I feel it is neccisary to discuss what holds people back, and why it's hurting them, in more ways than one!
1. They don't want to pay extra.
- Paying a little extra money now for healthy foods, keeps you from paying for doctor visits, helps you feel better, and may even extend your life. Things like light bulbs may cost more but they last longer, and save you money on your electric bill. Composting, keeps the amount of trash leaving your home, and your end result is nice soil for your garden, or if you aren't into that, I bet you know someone who will use it. There are lots of ways you can save by organic, like growing your own herbs and seasoning is way cheaper, and healthier than buying them.
2. They think it's more work.
- It's really not. So you have to cook dinner instead of eating crap, that you don't know what's in it. But I bet if timed how long it took to cook and then how long it took to wait for your food at a fast food place, it wouldn't be so different, also eating at home is cheaper. Sure a little gardening means more work, but if you have small herb garden inside all it takes is the set up then some watering from time to time. Plus even if some things are more work, it's good for you to get moving.
3. They think they still need to eat as much.
- When you begin to eat organic, you find that you don't need to eat as much. This is because you are actually getting the nutrients you need. When you eat processed foods you don't get what you need nutritionally, so your body tells you to eat more, resulting in weight gain and overeating. This can lead to problems like obesity, even diabeties.
4. It's not convienent enough.
- Now a days organic is offered in more than places then it used to be. Try to plan ahead and bring your lunch, and if you absoluetly have to, pick something on the healthier side, like a veggie soup or a salad. You could even drop by the store and grab some fruit and yogurt, it doesn't take any longer than waiting at a fast food place.
5. They don't care.
6. They think it doesn't make a difference.
- It absolutely makes a difference. It will improve your health, it supports the farmers struggling to help the planet, it helps mother nature, it shows your family and friends that you care, it saves you money, and a lot of organic organizations donate portions to help others in need, imagine if you were the one in need to feed their family. There are so many more!
7. People would rather spend their money on other things.
8. They think that because they won't be here later on earth that they don't need to care.
I understand that if you have a big family to feed it might hurt you budget a little, but there are ways around that. Just do some research!
1. They don't want to pay extra.
- Paying a little extra money now for healthy foods, keeps you from paying for doctor visits, helps you feel better, and may even extend your life. Things like light bulbs may cost more but they last longer, and save you money on your electric bill. Composting, keeps the amount of trash leaving your home, and your end result is nice soil for your garden, or if you aren't into that, I bet you know someone who will use it. There are lots of ways you can save by organic, like growing your own herbs and seasoning is way cheaper, and healthier than buying them.
2. They think it's more work.
- It's really not. So you have to cook dinner instead of eating crap, that you don't know what's in it. But I bet if timed how long it took to cook and then how long it took to wait for your food at a fast food place, it wouldn't be so different, also eating at home is cheaper. Sure a little gardening means more work, but if you have small herb garden inside all it takes is the set up then some watering from time to time. Plus even if some things are more work, it's good for you to get moving.
3. They think they still need to eat as much.
- When you begin to eat organic, you find that you don't need to eat as much. This is because you are actually getting the nutrients you need. When you eat processed foods you don't get what you need nutritionally, so your body tells you to eat more, resulting in weight gain and overeating. This can lead to problems like obesity, even diabeties.
4. It's not convienent enough.
- Now a days organic is offered in more than places then it used to be. Try to plan ahead and bring your lunch, and if you absoluetly have to, pick something on the healthier side, like a veggie soup or a salad. You could even drop by the store and grab some fruit and yogurt, it doesn't take any longer than waiting at a fast food place.
5. They don't care.
6. They think it doesn't make a difference.
- It absolutely makes a difference. It will improve your health, it supports the farmers struggling to help the planet, it helps mother nature, it shows your family and friends that you care, it saves you money, and a lot of organic organizations donate portions to help others in need, imagine if you were the one in need to feed their family. There are so many more!
7. People would rather spend their money on other things.
8. They think that because they won't be here later on earth that they don't need to care.
I understand that if you have a big family to feed it might hurt you budget a little, but there are ways around that. Just do some research!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Paper Mache post #1
Trying to keep the kiddo and myself busy over here, I re-descovered paper mache! The first thing is a rainstick. Now you can make a rainstick just like this without the paper mache, but I wanted a nice sturdy one. I used a push pin to make the holes and then shoved the toothpicks thru, I recommend pushing the toothpicks all the way as they keep falling out! I taped one end with a small round piece of cardboard, then left one side open for the filling which happens in post 2.
The second project I am making is a maraca:
I am using water balloons, if you are using big balloons you can use different fillings for the maraca sound, but I am using rice.
Use a funnel to fill the fill the balloon, then blow it up and tie it off.
Here is a picture of the first two, with the first layer.
The third thing I am doing is a small bowl, again using a water balloon and taping it to the cup like this:
I found an old lid to make the bottom of the bowl, and marked the balloon roughly where the bowls edge will be.
Here it is with it's first layer:
The paper mache paste I made was just 1/4 cup flour and water added to my desire. It was the perfect amount for all of these projects first layer.
I wanted my things to be eco friendly, and non toxic. So we have the use of old newspaper, and flour and water is non toxic. When we are finished I want to try to make my own paint, so it's non toxic too.
More about that in post #2. (Soon to come)
Use a funnel to fill the fill the balloon, then blow it up and tie it off.
Here is a picture of the first two, with the first layer.
Here it is with it's first layer:
I wanted my things to be eco friendly, and non toxic. So we have the use of old newspaper, and flour and water is non toxic. When we are finished I want to try to make my own paint, so it's non toxic too.
More about that in post #2. (Soon to come)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Beach in a jar:
Mix sand, (I used rice for a filler when I ran out of sand) rice, and shells. Place them in a jar so that your child can turn the jar around to see different shells.
She absolutely loves it! She carries it around and gets excited when she sees a new shell!
Making soap bars #1:
This first post about making soap is the kid friendly version. I plan to make more using recipes from my new book, and I'll be posting about those soon.
First I bought a soap kit at hobby lobby, so that I could get aquainted with soap making without the use of lye, which is very dangerous.
The kit included:
Molds, white glycern bars, clear glycern bars, fragrence (not natural, so I got my own essential oil), 3 basic colors, and a few recipes to make them pretty and fun.
Additional things you need: A spray bottle with rubbing alcohol in it, pyrex measuring cup, and a spoon.
-First you take a glycern bar and melt it in the microwave.
-Then you add your color and essential oils, start with very small amounts. I have read you should mix a few drops of the essential oils with something like olive oil just a little beacause direct contact on skin isn't recommended.
-Pour into mold and let sit, they cool very quickly.
- Spray once with rubbing alchohol to reduce bubbles.
To spice it up, you can grow your own herbs like lavendar or sage for example and toss those in there.
You can also leave the coloring out to be more natural. I plan on doing this soon!
To make these you would just color some soap and then after it has hardened cut into chunks, lay in mold and pour melted soap over it and put in the fridge to cool quicker!
I choose to store mine in jars to reduce plastic use, but for gift giving you can make all kids of pouches for soaps by using scrap cloth, scrap cardboard, anything like that and decorating it up nice. Another fun craft to do, by painting and labeling it you can personalize it making it more fun and heartfelt!
Next soap post will be about olive oil soaps. Until then I hope you enjoy this eco friendly project!
First I bought a soap kit at hobby lobby, so that I could get aquainted with soap making without the use of lye, which is very dangerous.
The kit included:
Molds, white glycern bars, clear glycern bars, fragrence (not natural, so I got my own essential oil), 3 basic colors, and a few recipes to make them pretty and fun.
Additional things you need: A spray bottle with rubbing alcohol in it, pyrex measuring cup, and a spoon.
-Then you add your color and essential oils, start with very small amounts. I have read you should mix a few drops of the essential oils with something like olive oil just a little beacause direct contact on skin isn't recommended.
-Pour into mold and let sit, they cool very quickly.
- Spray once with rubbing alchohol to reduce bubbles.
To spice it up, you can grow your own herbs like lavendar or sage for example and toss those in there.
You can also leave the coloring out to be more natural. I plan on doing this soon!
Next soap post will be about olive oil soaps. Until then I hope you enjoy this eco friendly project!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Beeswax candles:
Not only do they naturally smell beautiful, they are much healthier for you and your home. Burning a beeswax candle not only scents the home beautifully, it also purifys it!
In a jar:
What you need:
- Beeswax
- Jar for candle
- 100% cotton twine
- Pyrex cup for melting
- Pot of hot water to set pyrex cup in
- Paper clip to weigh twine down when coating
How to do it:
1. Preheat oven to warm to warm your jar in so that the beeswax doesn’t crack when cooling.
2. Chop up beeswax or measure your beads into pyrex cup.
3. Melt beeswax stirring almost constantly.
4. Tie twine to paperclip and dip in melted beeswax and hanging in the jar to keep it straight and have somewhere for it to drip.
5. When your wick is dry gently pour your beeswax into jar and leave to cool completely before placing lid.
There you have it!
What you need:
- Beeswax
- Jar for candle
- 100% cotton twine
- Pyrex cup for melting
- Pot of hot water to set pyrex cup in
- Paper clip to weigh twine down when coating
How to do it:
1. Preheat oven to warm to warm your jar in so that the beeswax doesn’t crack when cooling.
2. Chop up beeswax or measure your beads into pyrex cup.
3. Melt beeswax stirring almost constantly.
4. Tie twine to paperclip and dip in melted beeswax and hanging in the jar to keep it straight and have somewhere for it to drip.
5. When your wick is dry gently pour your beeswax into jar and leave to cool completely before placing lid.
Making easy bath salts:
What you need:
•3 cups Epsom Salt
•2 cups sea salt
•1 cup baking soda
•1/2 ounce of fragrance or essential oil
How to do it:
Mix salts first. Then add essential oil, start with a few drops, be sure to break up any clumps. Then mix in baking soda. You may color it but it’s not necessary if you want it to be natural. Then you enjoy!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Earth day crafts:
I am planning on starting these crafts next week. One craft per day will replace preschool for one week, as her spring break so to say!
I am so excited and these barely cost anything. I will try to make a post about each one on how to do them too. This may be my new favorite holiday, it is so much more exciting then the same old thing for other holidays :)
1. Make bath salts
2. Make bubbles for kids
3. Make bar soap with a kids kit
4. Make a rain stick.
5. Make a mud house with stuff outside!
6. Make pinecone birdfeeders.
7. Make a small composter (it will be a test run, but lots of learning too!)
8. Maybe we'll decorate boxes for recycling.
9. Make herb pots out of tin cans, painted and labeled.
10. Begin planting our garden.
11. Make beeswax candles, it's lots of fun to dip them over and over!
12. Make pouches with bath salts to give away.
So hopefully I can insipre you all to love this time of year and how we can re-use some of our trash to make fun learning and beautiful decorations for the kids to enjoy!
I am so excited and these barely cost anything. I will try to make a post about each one on how to do them too. This may be my new favorite holiday, it is so much more exciting then the same old thing for other holidays :)
1. Make bath salts
2. Make bubbles for kids
3. Make bar soap with a kids kit
4. Make a rain stick.
5. Make a mud house with stuff outside!
6. Make pinecone birdfeeders.
7. Make a small composter (it will be a test run, but lots of learning too!)
8. Maybe we'll decorate boxes for recycling.
9. Make herb pots out of tin cans, painted and labeled.
10. Begin planting our garden.
11. Make beeswax candles, it's lots of fun to dip them over and over!
12. Make pouches with bath salts to give away.
So hopefully I can insipre you all to love this time of year and how we can re-use some of our trash to make fun learning and beautiful decorations for the kids to enjoy!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Two great posts I came across...
http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/diy-homemade-vanilla-extract.html
http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/5-ways-to-use-mason-jars-in-the-bathroom.html
These are great ideas, the first is about making your own vanilla, and the second one is about using mason jars for decor.
http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/5-ways-to-use-mason-jars-in-the-bathroom.html
These are great ideas, the first is about making your own vanilla, and the second one is about using mason jars for decor.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What you cook your food in...
Is just as important. Did you know that teflon heated over a certain point can kill a bird? Isn't that suppossed to mean evacuate the premiss?
Ever notice the little bits of black in your food? That is not from burning, this is teflon scraping off into your food, and if your sure it's not, it is probably plastic then. On my journey I have discovered that teflon is the worst, I avoid it at all costs and I only use my plastic utensils when taking things like cookies off the cookie sheet, not for cooking like scrambled eggs.
The best alternative is stainless steel, and even though it may be an investment, they also last a lot longer with no worries of toxins in your food that you pay so dearly for. More on that later!
Ever notice the little bits of black in your food? That is not from burning, this is teflon scraping off into your food, and if your sure it's not, it is probably plastic then. On my journey I have discovered that teflon is the worst, I avoid it at all costs and I only use my plastic utensils when taking things like cookies off the cookie sheet, not for cooking like scrambled eggs.
The best alternative is stainless steel, and even though it may be an investment, they also last a lot longer with no worries of toxins in your food that you pay so dearly for. More on that later!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Things we do for preschool!
I'd like to compile a list of stuff I do as a pre preschool learning, for everyone. I thought they were good ideas to get you started! My daughter is only 3 1/2 and these things are age appropriate!
We got a preschool book and do a couple pages every day.
We color in coloring book, talking about colors.
We cut and glue shapes in the book we are making together.
We count jelly beans, crackers ect... for snack.
We do puzzles together.
We practice writing our letters, big and small.
We learned how to play tic tac toe!
We look for stickers that relate to what we are doing.
We read books together and I point out the words to her.
We have flash cards with one word and a picture, so we can learn reading.
We plan to make a book about fruits and veggies, even though she already knows them, I want her learn what the seeds look like, my nature teachings will not stop when school starts.
Thats all I can think of for now, if I can come up with more stuff I will make a second post :) Hope you enjoy!
We got a preschool book and do a couple pages every day.
We color in coloring book, talking about colors.
We cut and glue shapes in the book we are making together.
We count jelly beans, crackers ect... for snack.
We do puzzles together.
We practice writing our letters, big and small.
We learned how to play tic tac toe!
We look for stickers that relate to what we are doing.
We read books together and I point out the words to her.
We have flash cards with one word and a picture, so we can learn reading.
We plan to make a book about fruits and veggies, even though she already knows them, I want her learn what the seeds look like, my nature teachings will not stop when school starts.
Thats all I can think of for now, if I can come up with more stuff I will make a second post :) Hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Keeping preschool learning at home Green!
Sure we want our kids to learn and we want them to have all the free space to do that. But have you noticed how much paper you thru? It's absolutely absurd, it's coming out my ears! Here are some ideas to green it up and still have what you need to get the job done!
Tip #1 Recycle what you can. This will allow you to still do things like paint.
Tip #2 You can get dry erase books for things like writing. ( Got some today!) You can even get a dry erase board (or in my case a piece of paper inside of a clear cover sheet) to post up things like letter of the week.
Tip #3 Make a book out of some of your favorite things, maybe make a story to go with it for you to read to your child, it makes for double uses of your paper and time put into the learning!
Tip #4 We got a preschool book so that the pages of paper are limited.
Tip #5 Keep all your preschool supplies put up when not using them and make sure they have some they can do whatever with, this keeps you from replacing a ton of supplies.
I hope these tips help you!
Tip #1 Recycle what you can. This will allow you to still do things like paint.
Tip #2 You can get dry erase books for things like writing. ( Got some today!) You can even get a dry erase board (or in my case a piece of paper inside of a clear cover sheet) to post up things like letter of the week.
Tip #3 Make a book out of some of your favorite things, maybe make a story to go with it for you to read to your child, it makes for double uses of your paper and time put into the learning!
Tip #4 We got a preschool book so that the pages of paper are limited.
Tip #5 Keep all your preschool supplies put up when not using them and make sure they have some they can do whatever with, this keeps you from replacing a ton of supplies.
I hope these tips help you!
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