December 5, 2010

November 14, 2010

Cool Blog

http://thefreebieblogger.com/
This is a really cool blog I found.. Enjoy

November 13, 2010

Here are some links

Facebook :http://www.facebook.com/michelle.belt
I play some games on there : Farmville > Frontierville > Cafe World are some

Just copy and paste ... My Link option is not working right for me ... UGH ..

Cool site I found today

A Thrifty Mom

November 10, 2010

To do list

My to do list for today is to get the entire upstairs cleaned up well...
Vaccuming > dusting> mopping and organizing ... I have 30 min until I start this ....lol..
Will keep you posted

Here is a cool recipe I got from one f my groups

This recipe in the 'all you' magazine this month for dishsoap. The total cost for a 20 oz. batch is .81 cents.

1 cup of borax
1 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup kosher salt

Pour all ingredients in a plastic container, and shake to mix.

I am going to try this one ..

Here are some pretty cool groups I belong to ...

Here are some groups I belong to that help a lot with the frugal way of life ... Just a FYI some are a very large volume email sending so if you do Daily Digest you should be fine
I have belonged to some of these groups for years ... others I have just joined.. All are awesome groups ... !!
PC_Struggling2Survive
Pantry_Challenge
ThriftyHomemakers
SimplfyMeWithTipsAndHints
rugal-Folks-Life
WasteNothing
HillbillyHousewife
DollarStretcher
I will get links up here as soon as I can...

November 9, 2010

This is the other Blog

lol.. I have 2 and cannot link them or even merge them...
http://michelleandstephen.blogspot.com/ is the other one

Making Yogurt

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/yogurt.htm

Really good site

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com

This is a really good site ... I get a lot of good info here > I also get the Newsletter

Update

Here is an updated : About Me

This is a page about my Life > I am a Mom > 48 years old and engaged to a wonderful man > I have 3 children ages 25 / 19/ 16 I have 2 girls and 1 boy >

I work full time for a Wireless Phone Company 4 days a week full time so I get 3 days off a week > I have 6 fur babies most I have adopted to make sure they have a good life > others are from having puppies ..lol.. not by choice > the picture in the corner is My Buddah > he is is my big baby..

My Finance Stephen is 33 and a stay at home dad and takes care of everything for me... We were taking care of my mother for 3 years and he sacrificed his job to take care of her and has never looked back.. she is in a home now for Alzhimers so he stays home and I work and it works for us.

This is why we have begun < over 4 years ago > living frugally and making our own when possible .. I make laundry soap > make cleaners > we also use the bread maker > shop stores that are good but prices are good : Aldi's is one > Redners Warehouse > Dollar General > Dollar Tree > Ollie's > are some I use > we are going to be trying Bottom Dollar > we have a garden planned this year > also we are downsizing and getting rid of things we don't really need and donating to a Thrift Store as well > We shop more at a Thrift Store and have found awesome deals > like 5 Articles of Clothes for $ 10.00 then we get a stamp and once we have the card filled we get $ 10.00 of FREE Clothes so we win either way !

This site is going to be a site in progress with information > recipes > links to sites and such to help us all SAVE money.. please share your ideas with me and I will give credit to you ... Michelle.Stephen2010@gmail.com is where to send all info ..

Here is my favorite quote ever : Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind ! by Dr. Suess

Cool Sites

http://www.groupon.com : join and get daily coupons for your area
http://www.mindspay.com : another cool site .. take surveys make money
http://www.keepandshare.com : A awesome online calendar > like Cozi but better > I use this one and Google Calendar ...
I will add more sites as time goes on ... IF you have any sites you want to add feel free..

Michelle and Stephen
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind !

Cholesterol Information

Cholesterol : this is information I received from my doctor and there are links to websites at the bottom..

1. Drink two glasses of orange juice every morning. But make it Minute Maid's HeartWise or another brand spiked with the same kind of cholesterol-lowering plant sterols found in margarine spreads like Benecol. When researchers at the University of California-Davis asked 72 men and women with mildly high cholesterol to drink either HeartWise or regular OJ, those drinking the sterol-fortified juice found their total cholesterol levels dropped 7 percent (an average of 13 points) and levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol dropped 13 percent (an average of 8 points). Those who drank regular juice had no changes. But maybe they weren't drinking enough: Another study, this one from the University of Western Ontario, found that three glasses a day of orange juice--any orange juice--for four weeks raised HDL levels 21 percent and improved the ratio of good to bad cholesterol by 16 percent.
2. Eat six or more small meals a day. A large study of British adults found that people who ate six or more times a day had significantly lower cholesterol than those who ate twice a day, even though the “grazers” got more calories and fat! In fact, the differences in cholesterol between the two groups were large enough to reduce the grazers' risk of coronary heart disease 10-20 percent. Just make sure those six meals are truly small.
3. Quaff a glass of wine every evening with dinner. Studies find a daily glass of wine or beer a day can boost levels of HDL cholesterol. Make the wine a red one--red wines are 3-10 times higher in plant compounds called saponins believed to be responsible for much of wine's beneficial effects on cholesterol.
4. Fix all your sandwiches on whole grain bread. Simply cutting back on simple carbs like white bread and eating more complex carbs, like whole grain bread and brown rice, can increase HDL levels slightly and significantly lower triglycerides, another type of blood fat that contributes to heart disease.
5. Use paper filters when brewing your coffee and skip the espresso.Two substances found in brewed coffee, kahweol and cafestol, increase cholesterol levels. But paper filters trap these compounds, so they're only a problem if you drink espresso or use coffeemakers without filters.
6. Use olive oil in your homemade salad dressing tonight. A Baylor College of Medicine study found that diets rich in the kind of monounsaturated fat found in olive oil reduced LDL cholesterol in people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome--a cluster of risk factors including low HDL, high insulin levels, and overweight--just as well as following a low-fat diet.
7. Sip a cup of black tea every four hours. Government scientists found that three weeks of drinking five cups a day of black tea reduced cholesterol levels in people with mildly high levels.
8. Add half a tablespoon of cinnamon to your coffee beans (ground or whole) before starting the pot. A Pakistani study found that 6 grams cinnamon a day (about 1/2 tablespoon) reduced LDL cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes nearly 30 percent and cut total cholesterol 26 percent.
9. Have oatmeal for breakfast every morning. There's a reason oat manufacturers are allowed to boast about the grain's cholesterol-lowering benefits: Plenty of research has proved them. Rich in a soluble fiber called beta glucan, oatmeal can drop your LDL 12-24 percent if you eat one and a half cups regularly. Choose quickcooking or old-fashioned oats over instant.
10. This week, have a few glasses of cranberry juice every day (cut it with seltzer or water so you get less sugar). Cranberries are rich sources of anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, plant chemicals that prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, a process that makes it more likely to stick to artery walls. These chemicals also keep red blood cells from getting too sticky. An added bonus:They initiate a complex chemical reaction that helps blood vessels relax. Plus (the part you were waiting for) they decrease LDL cholesterol levels. Not only that, but University of Scranton researchers reported that three glasses of cranberry juice a day can raise HDL levels up to 10 percent.


Breads - Whole wheat, rye, pumpernickel, or white

Soft tortillas - Corn or whole wheat

Hot and cold cereals - Except granola or muesli

Rice - White, brown, wild, basmati, or jasmine

Grains - Bulgur, couscous, quinoa, barley, hominy, or millet

Fruits - Any fresh, canned, dried, or frozen without added sugar

Vegetables - Any fresh, frozen, or (low-salt) canned without cream or cheese sauce

Fresh or frozen juices without added sugar

Fat-free or 1% milk

Cheese with 3 grams of fat or less per serving

Low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Lean cuts of meat - Eye of round beef, top round, sirloin, or pork tenderloin

Lean or extra lean ground beef

Chicken or turkey - White or light meat, skin removed

Fish - Most white meat fish is very low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

Tuna - Light meat canned in water

Peanut butter, reduced fat

Eggs, egg whites, egg substitutes

Low-fat cookies or angel food cake

Low-fat frozen yogurt, sorbet, sherbet

Popcorn without butter or oil, pretzels, baked tortilla chips

Margarine - Soft, diet, tub, or liquid

Vegetable oil - Canola, olive, corn, peanut, or sunflower

Nonstick cooking spray

Sparkling water, tea, lemonade

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1-1,low_cholesterol,FF.html

http://allrecipes.com/features/articles/lowcholesterol.aspx
http://mycholesterolhealth.org/cooking-and-cholesterol.html

Posts

A lot of my posts are from other sites and I appreciate them all... I have a list saved somewhere of all the sites I use and I will post as soon as I find it ... I do not want anyone mad at me for sharing some good information ..
Thanks

Michelle and Stephen
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind ! < LOVE this quote > Dr. Suess

More Cool Stuff

Psoriasis, acne, mouth sores, insect bites, etc. p

I have a theory with regard to the remedy: when I last lived in the States (about 25 years ago), meat tenderizer was made with papaya, whose enzymes break down meat tissue. Just intuitively, it sounds right that something like that would disperse or neutralize the irritant in insect stings. In addition, papaya is the main herbal ingredient of a line of cosmetic creams produced here in Israel, as it has fantastic anti-wrinkle, skin-softening ability. The lady whose business it is first noticed the healing properties of papaya when aiding an injured man: having nothing else to bind his gaping wound, and knowing that fruit is sterile inside, she cut a papaya she fortunately had with her and bound it to his wound as an improvised bandage. By the time they reached help, the wound was healing noticeably.

When I get bug bites they don't itch or pain me anymore. They use to react terribly on me.. however, quite by accident a few years ago I started to use a body lotion with a 5% concentration of Tea Tree Oil and now the bugs still bite me but, they don't seem to itch or pain me anymore.. I can see the bite.. but I get no reaction and the only thing that I can attribute it to is the TTO which must be in my system all the time.
Now when my hubby gets bitten he reacts terribly to them.. and I put a little bit of TTO on the bite neat...it relieves the pain and the itch considerably for him.. so that it is not as bad as it use to be.. and he is not scratching etc now. I have also found that they don't get infected for him anymore either.

To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.
Chigger bite -- preparation H
try ammonia on the sites. It will dry up the secretions. I don't know if they are ants or spider bites. ants are usually extremely painful bites for me, while spider bites just itch (but my spiders don't bite me, we have a deal, besides, I LOVE my spiders)
To keep them out of the house, I would suggest to clean the house thoroughly, vacuum everywhere and dispose of the bag immediately afterwards. This keeps them from crawling out and restoring their nests. Black Walnut leaves and pennyroyal will keeps some of the pests out, mostly fleas. Tansy Leaf (I just lay mine on the sink where ants travel) prevents ants and keeps them at bay. (don't plant tansy near your paeonies)
Another possiblility is that you have chiggers infesting your house. for bodily relief, paint the bite site with clear fingernail polish. To rid your house, sprinkle Sevin dust, leave for a day, then vacuum, disposing of the bag immediately afterwards.

does anyone know of any herbs that help psorisias and any herbs that help dandruff ??
a tisane of rosemary as a body rinse will help with skin and scalp. an internal concoction of equal parts honey and applecider vinegar (i tblsp) in an 8 oz glass of water every morning will heal the skin and truly improve one's disposition.

I don't know if it was for psoriasis or what, but I know that Bag Balm or Udder Balm has been very effective for a family friend with a skin condition (pretty sure it was psoriasis). You should be able to get it at Walmart or a health food store. Comes in a green tin. It's very effective, but I don't know what all it has in it.

This may sound too simple but in clinical trial it has worked for Psoriasis. Your dad may want to try Aloe vera gel topically. It is supposed to heal 83% of the patients if you believe the research. If he has a lot of scaling and cracking making a tea of Wild Pansy(Viola tricolor)and washing the area with this tea before applying the aloe gel may also help.
Eczema: We just started giving her Black Currant Oil because in all my research this week everyone just sang it's praises. Although it can take up to 2 months to show any signs of workingwe are hopeful that it will.

I belong to an oil/herb group that has been offering help to an adult with eczema. These are some of the suggestions...I personally have not tried them but just wanted to pass along the infomation to you.
#1 www.flyinghandsfarm.addr.com makes a salve out of plantain,comfrey, chickweed and other "weeds" that many people have found very helpful for topical use in eczema.

Now, about tackling the ROOT CAUSE of skin conditions. Look to the liver and large intestine.
Run to Amazon.com, and find "Healing Psoriasis" by Dr John A. Pagano. Everything you want to know about psoriasis and eczema, and how to get rid of it!

#2
Someone else suggested using Hemp Seed Oil to externally rub on the affected areas. Also to take Flax Seed Oil internally
Also drink lots of water.

I have some mild psoriasis in my ears of all places. What has worked for me even better than prescription meds is tea tree oil. I dab it on with a Q-tip and within 2 or 3 days, it is gone. Don't know if this would work with eczema, but you might consider giving it a try. My husband also puts it on his athlete's foot and it clears up in a matter of a week instead of months!

I had to look us verruca! Wart. Ok, Heinerman (who I'm not real sure of) says rub the milk from a dandelion on the wart several times a day. Doesn't say how long it takes but says it works. Also on age spots according to him. Haven't had occasion to try it. Edgar Casey says rub with castor oil.

It really works!! I was cooking a curry tonite, opened to lid of the pot toward me and got a nasty steam burn on the tender skin on the inside of my arm above my wrist.
I went out into the garden, got some plantain leaves, mashed them a little between my fingers and put them on the burn. In about five minutes, all the pain was gone. Still have one taped on under a piece of gauze. No pain!

PLANTAIN #5 DISPOSABLE PLANTAIN BURN PADS
1 ROLL OF GAUZE DRIED PLANTAIN LEAVES, CHOPPED
1 TUPPERWARE SANDWICH CONTAINER OR OTHER TIGHT SEALING CONTAINER.
Carefully unroll a portion of the guaze, usually about 8 inches long, and unfold the sides. Sprinkle plantain leaf over center of guaze until completely coated in the middle 4 or 5 inches. (This leaves the ends free for tying or taping). Fold guaze sides back over to cover the plantain and fold neatly and place in container.
Make as many as you want to keep around.
TO USE:
Bring water to a boil and shut off heat. Immerse one guaze strip in the water until the plantain is well moistened and the water turns into an infusion. Remove strip and let cool before placing over the area you wish to treat. (If treating a burn, be sure it is cool!)
We keep these on hand around the farm thru the winter months when fresh plantain is not available.

* Bee stings - meat tenderizer
* Chigger bite - Preparation H
* Paper cut - crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals)
* Sore nipples - (Nursing Mothers) chap stick - or a wet Lipton tea bag


fistular (also called 'rondular') eczema, like me!" I told her it was supposed to be ringworm, and she gave a wry chuckle and a prescription for cortisone cream. I used it just long enough to get the crusty little rings and patches on my arms and legs dissappearing, so stopped using it and started using other things.
The weirdest thing is, the best stuff I ever used on it was Yves Rocher's 'Huiles Essentials', made with (gastp!) mineral oil and isopropyl alcohol, back before I learned about them as topical ingredients to stay away from. So now I'm trying pine tar ointment and lavender oil on one really tough spot. The patch is no longer red and itching/burning, but it's still there.
Dawn says rosewater and glycerine have helped many folks with it, so I'll be giving that a try, too.

I have an answer for Laurie, and her scars. Mederma is, now, available over the counter. It sells for about $15.00 for a 0.7 ounce tube. My Wal-Mart, also, sells a tube twice that size for a couple of dollars less than double the price of the smaller tube. She'll find it next to the bandages.
I've used it on my 20+ year old stretch marks, and it works.

DRY SKIN: First, make sure you are drinking enough water. Eight 8-oz cups of water throughout the day (not all at once) will help with your skin dryness. Most people do not drink enough water, and the skin reflects that.
Secondly, you might try applying grapeseed oil directly to your dry skin. You can purchase grapeseed oil at any health food store, and I've seen it at Walmart, too, for around $5 for a 4-oz bottle. You can also purchase it
online at WholeFoods.com, and they'll deliver it to you. The oil is derived from grape seeds, and there are no other ingredients that may cause an allergy. Grapeseed oil is very light, both in color and in texture, and the
skin drinks it in. My mom uses this on a daily basis, and at age 76, she looks fantastic. Grapeseed oil is also used in cooking, so there's nothing in it that will hurt you.

When Skin Gets Hot it Itches and is Painful
I need help! My son has always had dry skin (it reminds me of lizard skin) and I always assumed it was because we lived in Arizona. He is now in Pennsylvania on a mission for our Church. He wrote home recently desperate for some help. When he gets hot and begins to sweat, his skin over his entire body begins to itch and then burn to the point of PAIN. He says it is if he has a rash but there is not one on him anywhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? Several people have suggested cortisone which I don't think will solve the problem as he doesn't have a rash. I would prefer, as would he, a solution that doesn't involve the use of steroids as I am aware of the side effects. Thanks in advance for your help

*Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema Cream:
Both of my children have Eczema and their skin is very sensitive. I have been using this lotion called Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema Cream. It soothes the itchy dry skin that goes along with eczema. It works very well. You may try this for your son. It may be very helpful. Marty

*Mexsana Medicated Powder or Ice Packs:
My mother used to have what sounds like the same problem. She used to use Mexsana medicated powder on that (as well as on chiggers), but I don't recall if it helped. Also has he tried ice packs? Nell from Texas

*Allergy & Use Olive Oil for Relief:
It sounds to me as though he is getting reactions due to some kind of allergy or even worse, an intolerance. This is not going to be easy for him to track down! It could be something he is eating, what he uses to do laundry, a personal hygiene product he is using, a fiber in his clothes, any of hundreds of different things. This is not the kind of thing you can do allergy testing for, especially if it's just an intolerance and not a true allergy. Trial and error and a lot of patience are the only way to deal with finding the culprit. Meanwhile he might try rubbing a bit of olive oil all over after every shower or bath. Soothes the skin, and helps protect. Good luck tracking this down! J. in northeast Indiana

*Aveeno Oatmeal Bath:
Try Aveeno Oatmeal bath or any small grain oatmeal bath, soak and (this is the most important part) while still wet (without toweling off) apply Vaseline/petroleum jelly to the entire body with downward strokes. Try to cover entire body within two minutes. Hope this helps, it did for me when a dermatologist told me to do it.
*Colloidal Silver and Pro Bema:
My son has "lizard" skin as well. We have found that an application of colloidal silver water, followed by a product called "Pro Bema" made from aloe vera works wonders. I can't explain why either of these work, but Pro Bema especially seems to take away my son's "lizard" skin within two days, and that's WITHOUT using the colloidal silver first. I apply the Pro Bema
to his skin in the morning when he wakes up and at night after bath.

*Lecithin: I have not tried it but have read that psoriasis-like skin problems have been helped by taking three tablespoons of lecithin a day to "fix" the problem and a few tablespoons a week to control it. Debbie

Paper cut -- crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead
of sutures at most hospitals)

Sunburn-empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath water
Minor burn-Colgate or Crest toothpaste
* Elmer's Glue-paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off
and see the dead skin and blackheads, if any

Blogging from iGoogle and Gmail - Blogger Help

Blogging from iGoogle and Gmail - Blogger Help

More Home Made Hygiene

Lotions and Potions

Relief for dry skin
This is for anyone that may suffer from dry skin.
2-9oz. bottles of Johnsons Baby Lotion (Equate works just as good)
1-7.5 oz. jar of petroleum jelly (any brand will do)
1-2 oz. bottle of Vitamin E oil (you can get it at Wal-Mart by the vitamins. The brand name is Spring Valley.
Put all of the ingredients in a big bowl and mix up well with your mixer. Put in jars with a lid.
I thought it was a little greasy at first, but after a few minutes, my skin soaked it up and it just feels wonderful. I will never use any other kind of lotion on my skin.

HOMEMADE LOTION FORMULA WITH VASELINE
15 oz baby lotion ( like Baby Magic or any pink baby lotion) 15 oz jar Skin Cream with Vitamin E
Medium size jar of Vaseline.
Mix together in a ziplock bag and knead. Cut corner to squeeze lotion into container.
You can pick up the 3 items at Family Dollar, General Dollar, or Dollar Tree store for about $3.50. If lucky you may find some nice container there too. I have made a double batch, but don't use a bag for it....can get real messy. Better to use bowl & your mixer. Just be sure to clean them well!

Skin/Foot Cream
16 oz. jar of petroleum jelly - Dollar General Brand - $1
16 oz. jar of DeLon Vitamin E creme - Dollar General - $1
16 oz. bottle of baby lotion - sleepy time - chamomille and lavandar -
Dollar General Brand - $1.
Mix altogether (I use my hand) using a large plastic bowl. Just put into any jars you may have sitting around.
I don't think this would be too invigorating. My 87 year old Mother uses it all of the time.
I think I am going to add an equal amount Vitamin A creme the next time I make a batch. As you can see, it's equal amounts of each so you would not have to make all of this at once...maybe a half cup of
each until you see if you like it.

Custom - Scented Body Lotion
1/8 tsp. Borax 1/4 cup distilled water 1/2 cup almond oil
1 tbs. grated beeswax Fragranced essential oil, your choice of scent(s)
Combine borax and distilled water; set aside. Heat almond oil and beeswax together until beeswax is almost melted. Remove from heat and stir. Heat borax and water mixture to almost boiling. Slowly pour water into heated oils while stirring with a wire whisk. Once the water is completely mixed into the oils allow the mixture to cool. Once it is completely cool add the essential oil or oils of your choice for fragrance. Makes about 8 ounces.

LEMON HAND LOTION
1 tsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. glycerin
Use 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for every 2 teaspoons of glycerin.

SUPER DRY SKIN FORMULA
1 pt. pure aloe gel 1 oz. (tube) zinc oxide paste 2 T. sunflower oil Few drops vitamin E oil
Whip ingredients together. Store in a container. Smooth over damp skin after a shower or bath.

Silky Hands: Mix 1 tablespoon baby oil with 1 teaspoon sugar. Rub the mixture into your hands for at least a minute, wash hands. This oil/scrub will make your hands silky and smooth. You can also use body lotion instead of the baby oil.

Apply a light coat of almond oil as a facial moisturizer.
Hand Sanitizer If you have any empty bottles that had sanitizer in it, refill it for pennies with this recipe...
1 c 100% aloe vera gel 1 tsp rubbing alcohol 2 tsp glycerin 6-8 drops eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil
Blend well and store in a clean jar or bottle. Use as you would any store-bought sanitizer...

MOST BABY LOTIONS are double-action products that gently cleanse and moisturize at the same time.
If you have a tendency to over cleanse, these products are perfect because they won't strip skin of its natural oils.

BABY MOISTURIZERS are great for all skin types but the heavier ones are perfect for drier skin.

Mix a few teaspoons of almond oil with a drop or two of your favorite essential oil, for an aromatic body moisturizer.

Baby oil: Rub on after bath or shower when skin is still damp. This seems to re-hydrate the skin much better than lotion and gives you a nice silky look and feel!

NATURAL LEMON SKIN EXFOLIANT
1/2 to 2/3 C. granulated sugar Juice of 1 lemon
Mix sugar and lemon juice to form a paste.
While showering invigorate your skin with the paste. Use the inside of the lemon rind to rub heels and elbows.

HOMEMADE HAND CREAM
1 jar of Vitamin E Cream 1 bottle of Baby Lotion 1 jar of Vaseline
All purchased at the Dollar Store. Mix all together and put in jars.
I've made this hand cream ever since I found the recipe here and it is GREAT! Thank you to who ever came up with this recipe.

Curing Dry Skin:
An oatmeal bath is absolutely great for dry skin and feels wonderfully refreshing on a hot day. Here's an easy way to create an oatmeal bath:
Pour about a cup or so of oatmeal into a cheese cloth and tie or rubber band the top. Hang this under the faucet as the bath water is running. You can then remove it from the faucet and use it as a soothing sponge for bathing to soften and moisturize skin -- and no messy clean up!

Dry Skin Treatment:
An oatmeal bath is absolutely great for dry skin and feels wonderfully refreshing on a hot day. Here's an easy way to create an oatmeal bath without the usual mess:
Pour about 1 cup of oatmeal into a cheesecloth or piece of netting and tie or rubber band the top. Hang this under the faucet as the bath water is running. You can then remove it from the faucet and use it as a soothing sponge to soften and moisturize skin—and no messy cleanup!

Making Your Own Hand Cream:
Mix two parts glycerin to one part lemon juice. Massage a little into your hands after washing and at bedtime. It only takes a little to do the job. Glycerin is available in the hand cream section at the drug store and is very inexpensive.

I buy the “light tasting” olive oil in the supermarket, and find that it has barely any scent at all. Then I “infuse” it with chamomile and rosemary (actually, just dump the herbs in and let them steep for awhile), and it takes on a very nice chamomile/rosemary scent. I use that ”infused” oil as my skin moisturizer, and it looks, feels, and smells wonderful!


Baking Soda
I recently read that Queen Latifah uses baking soda mixed with a little water to exfoliate her skin. It rinses off easily and I find that it works just as well as the expensive products - and it's always in the house!

A Basic Lotion
Melt together: ¼ c. vegetable oil of choice ¼ c. stearic acid
Gently warm: ½ c. distilled water ¼ c. glycerine 1 t. liquid lecithin ½ t. sodium bicarbonate
You can use infused oil, or an herbal tea for the water. Though it’s not as oily as many lotions, two drops is about all your hands will need. After a minute or so, the skin will feel satiny.

Softening Hands and Feet:
Rub your hands and feet, especially those dry, cracked heels, with a mixture of equal proportions of cooking oil and granulated sugar. I do it sitting on the edge of the tub, prior to a shower and, boy, does it work!

Most recipes for creams follow this procedure. Waxes are melted in one container while oils are warmed in another. All ingredients should be at about the same temperature when you mix them together or the mixture may curdle. You can substitute any suitable herb infusion for the rosewater.
4tbs lanolin 1 tsp zinc oxide ointment 2 fl onces almond oil 1/8 tsp borax
6 drops essential oil of rose 3 tbs rose water 1 tbs glycerin
Melt the lanolin and gently heat the almond oil and glycerin together. Slowly pour the oil and glycerin mixture into the lanolin, beating constantly. Dissolve the borax in the warmed rosewater and add gradually to the lanolin and oil mixture, beating all the time, Leave to cool. When cool and creamy, beat in the zinc oxide and rose oil. Spoon into prepared jars and label.

SIMPLEST LAVENDER LOTION
1 oz. Glycerin 2 tsp. oil of lavender
Put ingredients in a clean glass bottle and shake well. Refrigerate

Lady of the Night - Light Moisturizer
1/2 cup distilled water 3 tsp glycerin 5 drops fragrance oil
Pour ingredients into storage bottle and shake vigorously. Product can be used by applying with a cotton ball or by spraying the skin lightly and allowing to dry. Does not require refrigeration.

Lotions and oils both moisturize the skin, but commercial lotions contain water and emulsifiers as well as oils. Just two ounces of homemade oil will last for about a month.
For normal to oily skin, mix two ounces of jojoba oil (or cold-pressed olive oil) with 20 drops of patchouli oil and 10 drops of lavender oil.
Vitamin E oils moisturize, but essential oils travel through the dermis to the muscles beneath and have been proven to provide healing benefits.
For dry skin, combine 1-1/2 ounce avocado oil, 1/2 ounce of wheat germ oil, 10 drops of lavender essential oil and eight to 10 drops of rosewood oil.
Make a dry-skin lotion by mixing five ounces of rose water and three ounces of glycerin with 20 to 25 drops of lavender essential oil.
Here's a recipe for a make it yourself skin care treatment that will take the place of expensive
commercially prepared creams and lotions. It will cost you a lot less and give you the same, if not better, results!
Mix together in equal amounts petrolatum jelly and baby oil. You can heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds to soften the solution. There you have it - a simple and inexpensive concoction to use as a make up remover, dry skin treatment cream, and a hand lotion.



"I have been using castor oil on my face for 15 years. Just one drop on my finger, I put around my crow's feet and lines around my mouth. I am 68 and my daughter who uses commercial facial cream ,looks older than me. The same 4 ounce bottle has lasted 10 years. It doesn't stink or be sticky because I only use one drop. Many people comment on my beautiful skin."

Make Hand Cream As A Gift
A very inexpensive hand cream can be made with this recipe. I never buy any other kind anymore since I have made this. All items can be bought at the $1 store. Mix together with electric mixer, the following.
1 - 15 oz. bottle baby lotion 1 - 8 oz. jar of petroleum jelly 2 - 8 oz. jars of vitamin E cream
Fill clear jars, These make wonderful gifts! I make it for all my friends and they love it!

LEMONY LAVENDER TONER
3 drops lemon oil 3 drops lavender oil 3 tsp of distilled water
After cleansing use a soft cotton ball to massage this toner into your skin. Follow with a moisturizer if desired.

Slick on a little almond oil to heal chapped lips or just add shine.

Homemade Eye Wrinkle Treatment/Formula
I found this oldie but goodie from our newsletter - a reader had submitted this much sought after recipe to treat eye wrinkles.
The ingredients are: Jojoba oil Primrose oil Carrot seed oil
Pour 1oz. Jojoba oil into a small dark glass bottle. Pierce 1 capsule of Primrose oil and squeeze into the bottle. Add 10 drops of carrot seed essential oil. Shake well. Place two drops under each eye and tap to spread. Don't get into eyes. It will keep for 6 months if stored in a dark, cool place.
Zit Buster! Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply to any breakouts. Let it sit overnight and wash off in the morning - it really works.
Facial Cleanser Sprinkle some baking soda into your hands and use a bit of water to make a paste to clean your face with. It's a gentle scrub that will leave your skin feeling fantastic! (I leave a box in the bathroom for just this reason.)
My citrus fruits get quite a workout! There are two things I do with the rinds, depending on what I need at the moment. One is to zest them, dry the zest in my microwave and put it through my miniature food processor. I keep a jar of it in the bathroom to use as a facial scrub and just keep adding to it whenever I can. Right now it is probably a mix of oranges, lemons, grapefruits and pomelo. Zesting is easier to do though before the fruit is squeezed, peeled, juiced, etc. The other thing I do instead of zesting is take the peels, put them in a saucepan covered with water, boil then let sit for several hours or even overnight, add a citrus EO (usually blood orange from Israel - smells heavenly) to enhance the scent and use as a facial freshener. Add some witch hazel if you want more of a toner.Most of my citrus fruits end up being juiced so after juicing I take the pulp and make masks, scrubs, etc.

HOMEMADE HAND SANITIZER
1 cup 100% aloe vera gel 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol
2 teaspoons glycerin 6-8 drops eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil
Blend well and store in a clean jar or bottle. Use as you would any store-bought sanitizer...
In the Bath Great for sensitive skin - sprinkle about a half cup of baking soda into lukewarm water while your bath water is running.
Exfoliate skin. Wash your face, then apply a soft paste made of three parts baking soda and one part water. Massage gently with a circular motion, avoiding the eye area; rinse clean.
Skin Blemishes: Cover blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. The honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works OVERNIGHT.

Sunburn Remedy:
At bedtime, cover sunburns with a towel soaked in water and vinegar and try to persuade the victim to sleep this way. Younger ones, of course, will have a struggle with this, especially because of the smell!
Put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray on sunburn. It soothes for quite a length of time. Just like store bought stuff.
Vinegar will take the sting out of a sunburn - just soak a paper towel and apply to burn. Smells bad but, hey, if you're in pain, who cares?
To relieve swelling and fluid from too much sun, mix a paste of baking soda and apple cider vinegar and apply. This reader says it will draw out the fluid.

I met a girl who was told by her doctor to sit in the sun (she had some sort of skin problem). She was to use diluted red wine vinegar to keep from burning. She was out in the sun everyday of the summer and had a nice tan.(You have to understand that she lived in Phila., PA and I was visiting from FL).

When I went on a trip to the Keys to spend a lot of time on the water, I used a spray bottle filled with undiluted red wine vinegar. I had my friend spray my back occassionally while spraying the front more frequently. My back did get somewhat burned, but from head to toes the front of me was nicely tanned. (I did look really red from the vinegar, but after showering...ta da...tan) I'm not sure, but using the red wine vinegar has seemed to help me tan faster.

Remove eye makeup. Dab a little lemon juice under the eyes and rinse off with a washcloth.
Treat dry skin. Rub a thin layer of lemon juice over the skin after a shower or a waxing.
My dad is 77 years old and his skin on his face is just so smooth and soft looking. His secret is he uses vinegar for aftershave. Also if he gets any rashes or pimples he uses vinegar for that as well. He drinks apple cider vinegar, honey and hot water every morning. The vinegar odor goes away very quickly when he uses it for aftershave. He started this when he always broke out in a rash after using the regular aftershaves.

Spray your hands with a mist of vinegar, or dip them in vinegar and dry after washing dishes or having them in soapy water to keep your hands soft.

Facial Cleanser Sprinkle some baking soda into your hands and use a bit of water to make a paste to clean your face with. It's a gentle scrub that will leave your skin feeling fantastic! (I leave a box in the bathroom for just this reason.)

Once a week I treat myself to this most fabulous beauty treatment. I give my hair and scalp a massage with olive oil. Using a regular comb, comb it through my hair. This gives it unbeatable shine and it's never looked healthier. Leave it on for an hour or two. Wash hair as normal to remove oil and wrap hair in towel to dry. Then I run a hot bath. While the water's running I stand in the tub and scrub my face, body, and feet with a paste made of olive oil and salt- regular table salt. (This makes your skin extra soft, leaves it glowing, and has cleared up my acne.) Then I soak in the tub for 15 minutes.
The first time I did this everyone noticed "something different" about me but couldn't figure it out. I even got stopped on the street by another woman who asked me how I got such beautiful skin. So there... I've told my secret!

Hair Conditioner for smooth shaving! "Hair conditioner works great as a shave cream and guards against nicks just like Edge does. I discovered it quite by accident when my shave cream ran out."

Alternate Bath: Add 1/2 cup 35% hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup sea salt, 1/2 cup baking soda or Epson salts to water and soak.
Foot soak: Add 1 &1/2 ounces 35% hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon water and soak.

Here's a TNT tip for your legs. Use coconut oil. Use it for all your skin problems from dry skin, to burns, itches, scratches and bites. It nourishes your skin as well as heals. Remember one thing when you use it though. You only need to use small amounts as too much will just pool on your skin.
Coconut oil is the only oil/lotion we use on our skin.

Rosemary also is widely used in beauty products such as popular shampoos, facial washes and perfumes. Try making strong rosemary tea to use as a hair rinse, or to add to shampoos and conditioners. Soaking rosemary leaves in plain rubbing alcohol for several days can make a concentrated rosemary scent. Remove the leaves; if alcohol has partials in it, the mixture will need to be run through a coffee filter. Then simple allow the alcohol to evaporate and you will have potent rosemary sent.

Use a little baking soda with your normal hand wash to remove tough stains or odors.
Add 1/2 cups or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
Use soda as an underarm deodorant.
To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
This is a wonderful after-bath powder to give as gifts, or you can use it everyday.
1 cup baking soda 1 cup cornstarch 10-20 drops of Rose essential oil, or essential or fragrance
oil of your choice Glass jar, to store
Combine the baking soda and cornstarch in a big glass jar. Add the essential oil, a few drops at a time, shaking very well after each addition. (You can use a small wire whisk or fork to get out any clumps.) Test the scent of the bath powder after each addition to get a powder that's perfectly scented for you. (Some people like a strongly scented product, others like a very subtle scent. It's up to you!)
Allow the powder to sit for about a day before using, to let the fragrance or essential oil completely absorb. That's it! This is a wonderful, simple recipe that you'll use for years to make your own wonderful bath powder!

Splash vinegar on your varicose veins. The vinegar is supposed to reduce the veins and relieve the pain and swelling. Of course, you might smell like a tossed salad!

Mix 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 white vinegar and 1/3 water. Store it in any old clean dropper bottle (like Visine eye drops) and use it to clean out your ears!! It also works fine on dogs and cats. As a matter
of fact my VET gave me this tip years ago when I had a cocker spaniel that got frequent ear infections. Just squirt 8-10 drops in ear holding head to side; let it stand in ear for a minute then drain. With my three dogs, while I'm holding their head tilted I message the ear around in a circle then tilt and wipe out with Kleenex; usually apply one a month or if they are ear scratching. My current VET laughed and said 'Well, I've got animal ear cleaning drops here and it only costs 8 dollars a bottle but what you are using seems to be working. Your dogs ears are certainly clean.' Warning: If applied daily for 3 days and dogs are still scratching or rubbing ears--see VET; they have mites or bacterial infection.

We use 1/2 tsp white distilled vinegar to 1 tbsp rubbing alcohol to prevent swimmers ear.
I have found that the vinegar bath also cures yeast infections, not only mine but also my infant daughter. My midwife suggested the vinegar bath while I was pregnant and it cured it and hasn't come back since. Twice daily and in about two days it's gone.

Put 1/2 cup vinegar into a pan to soak your feet in before a pedicure. It softens your skin.

When my brother got married in October, my now SIL hired someone to do makeup. I had mascara applied and I never wear it. After getting home that night, I could not find baby oil or vasoline to take it off and decided to use Olive Oil. Worked great and was probably better than baby oil or vasoline.

Olive oil can be used as cleansing cream if your skin is dry. When I pour it out there is always a drip-so I wipe it up with my hand and rub it in, my elbows are alot better now for it.

I put a few drops of olive oil in warm water to soak my nails before an at-home manicure.
Use olive oil as bath oil. Two to three tablespoons will do the trick.
For a hand scrub, rub in olive oil then scrub with sugar and wash.

Use olive oil to treat lice on children - better than the expensive treatments from the store and conditions the scale. Apply on hair, being sure to get into scales. I leave this on for at least 30 minutes, but it could be all day if you don't have any plans - then shampoo out. It might take 2 shampoos to get the oil out of hair. Use once a week as a conditioner and preventative. Olive oil smothers the lice. Once I started doing this on granddaughters hair the school never called us when others were sent home with lice.

To condition scalp on bald heads: rub with olive oil and then lay on a hot (not burning!), moist towel. When the towel cools, reheat in the microwave. Be careful not to get too hot. Continue doing this several times.

When I was home last summer (U.S.) and stocking up on my known remedies I asked the pharmacist where I could find the old fashioned 'sweet oil' that they put in ears for wax and ear aches. He said it was really olive oil that was used! Needless to say I did not bother to search the shelves any longer, as I have it in my cupboard.

For a facial, wet face thoroughly, then massage olive oil into your skin. Use about a half teaspoon of sugar and scrub your face with that, then wipe off gently with a warm, wet cloth until the sugar is all gone.

when Sol had nappy (diaper) rash, I tried commercial creams, and then - guess what - olive oil. It works better and is cheaper than specific nappy rash creams.

Natural Deodorant Sprinkle or pat on pure baking soda on your armpits for a natural deodorant.

Glitter your face for a holiday party.
Rub in a little Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing onto your cheeks, then dust lightly with glitter.

eye pillows are that nice little fabric bags filled w/flaxseed & lavender buds that you can heat in microwave & place over the eyes to help in relaxation and/or relieve a headache.

OLD SORE RELIEF
A wonderfully simple home remedy for cold sores (fever blisters): As soon as you realize you have a cold sore coming on, apply Witch Hazel to the site with a Q-tip. It will immediately stop the process, and prevents further spread of the blisters. Apply Witch Hazel frequently, and healing time is shortened to a fraction of normal healing time.

One of my children tends to develop a strong odor at the bottom of her feet.
Does someone know what causes this tendency (my other children don't appear to have the some condition) and what herbal remedies might be applied to address the cause or at least ameliorate the symptoms?
Extracts or essential oils of Peppermint or Tea tree ( meleleuca ) is very effective for that ....,, just rub it on the feet daily

Mouthwash: Use 3% hydrogen peroxide for germicidal mouthwash and throat gargle. While
cleansing the mouth and throat, it destroys the bad bacteria. It also helps to clear up periodontal disease. Watch how white your teeth become!
Toothpaste: Use baking soda and add enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Or, just dip your brush in 3% hydrogen peroxide and brush.
Toothbrush: Soak your toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide between brushings to kill bacteria and stop the passing of sickness to family members
Shower: Keep a spray bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the shower. Spray your body after washing to replace the acid mantel on your skin that soap removes.
Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath: Add 6 ounces of 35% hydrogen peroxide to a tub of water. You may increase up to 2 cups. Soak at least 1/2 hour.
Wounds: Use it in 3% grade in a spray bottle for cuts and sores. Spray on frequently and watch them disappear.
Prevent ear infections: Pour a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each of your ears after swimming to prevent ear infections.
Astringent: Use 3% grade as an astringent on your face, neck and full body after bathing. Gets rid of acne FAST.
Athlete's Foot: Soak feet morning and night in 3% hydrogen peroxide until condition is improved.
Douche: Use it as a douche in 3% grade.

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with a cup of warm water. Use it as a mouthwash.
Honey cleans teeth and dentures, and kills germs in the mouth.
Of course, we all know that honey is one of natures most delicious treats, but did you know that there are many topical uses for honey as well? Because honey contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, it is a wonderful beauty aid that nourishes the skin and the hair. For best results, use raw honey.
Raw honey is unprocessed and has up to 50 percent more vitamins than processed, or cooked honey.
Honey mixed with ground almonds makes an excellent facial cleansing scrub.
Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or
Toothpaste : Again, make a thick paste and apply to your toothbrush and use as you would any other toothpaste. It's a great non-fluoride option.
Once a Month Plaque Remover (Submitted by Paula) I also use a baking soda tooth scrub once a month. It really cleans the plaque off your teeth.
Mix some baking soda with water and use as a mouthwash.
Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with soda, then rinse.
Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.

Make Your Own Lipstick Compact With Leftover Lipstick
My tip is for being able to use the last of lipstick tubes. You take a pill box that is labeled for the days of the week. Then you dig out the last remnants of the tubes of lipstick and you put one color per compartment. In the last compartment, you put vaseline. Now you have your own custom lipstick compact. Just use your lipstick brush and mix and match any of the colors for your own special look and then use the Vaseline for the glossy finish.

Use Aloe Vera To Make Eyebrow Gel
Here is a great idea I found while searching (and searching...) on the net for a way to make my own eyebrow gel. The stuff out now is so expensive! Just mix a tiny bit of aloe vera gel (from the dollar store, of course :) with a dark eyeshadow that suits your brows. Mix on the back of your hand and apply with brow brush. I was so excited about this because the person who suggested it is Annastasia who is selling the most famous eyebrow kit and is considered a brow "expert" to the stars!

I nurse my daughter who has extremely sensitive skin. It seems that everytime I turn around, I have eaten something that breaks her out. I started giving her vinegar baths. I run her bath water and pour about a cup of apple cider vinegar in. It has been weeks now and her skin is smoother than it has ever been.
For cleaning dentures - leave your dentures in vinegar for as long as you would leave them in a denture cleanser - about 15 minutes to half an hour, or longer, if you wish. Then brush them thoroughly. Your dentures will be cleaner and whiter than a proprietary dental cleaner can do it!
My grandmother swears by vinegar as an antiseptic for abrasions,to reduce itch from poison ivy or mosquito bites,and even to help rehydrate sunburned skin.
She also uses it diluted 50/50 as a skin cleanser as most soaps are alkaline as compared to skin ph.

I know that TTO is very drying which why I do not use it 'neat' anywhere on my body unless I have an infection, cut or blemish etc.. I always use a body lotion with only a 5% concentration of TTO in it when I am using my moisturizer (which is everyday). I have been using the moisturizer on my feet because I am subject to fungal infections on my feet and hands because I spend so my time in the garden and the TTO keeps these fungal infections in check for me.

Puffy eyes - Preparation H (Be careful not to get it into your eyes.)
Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish
Paper cut - crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals)
Stinky feet - Jello!! (made)
Athletes feet - cornstarch
Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vicks vapor rub
Body paint - Crisco mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour into a empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice!

Applying Eye Shadow as Smudge Proof Eyeliner
For easy to apply, smudge proof eyeliner, just use eye shadow applied with either a slightly moistened sponge eye makeup applicator or a cotton swab. I prefer to use dark brown eyeshadow applied with a cotton swab. The best thing about using a cotton swab is that they are relatively inexpensive (usually 150 for $1) and you can toss it once you are done. Source: The cotton swab package does state it can be used for makeup application.

Here are some home remedies to help you

GOOD HOME REMEDIES p

Lavender Essential Oil (not fragrance oil) will stop itching from insect bites and poison oak, heal cuts and burns, including sunburn, and is a generally a good first-aid remedy. A small bottle lasts a long time as you only need a few drops each use. I recently had a large burn on a leg when a pot handle broke. Blisters formed before I could run from the kitchen to the bedroom. I applied Lavender Oil and had no pain and the leg healed in a few days. A dime-size spot I missed on my hip took six weeks to heal. I also have no scars where I used the oil. If I had not known to use this remedy I would have gone to the emergency room, the burn was so large and blistered.

For Chiggers, I tried using Blue Star ointment for a week and my son's chigger bites didn't clear up. So then I used triple antibiotic ointment with the extra added ingredient (generic Neosporin) and they dried up overnight! Hope it works for you.

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1/2 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Eliminate puffiness under your eyes.....
All you need is a dab of preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling instantly.

Honey remedy for Skin Blemishes......Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

EAR WAX REMOVAL
"Don't buy the ear wax cleaners in the store. They are VERY sticky and VERY expensive. I was told by my doctor to use half hydrogen peroxide and half water to squirt in the ears. Hold your head sideways and let it bubble and do it's work before letting it run out on a tissue. I have been using it full strength every 2-4 weeks. "
"I used to have a major ear wax build up problem...to the point it was affecting my hearing. There is a product you can get at your local drug store/grocery store or WalMart called Debrox. It's a liquid that you put a few drops in each ear, follow with a cotton ball and it starts disolving the build up."

Smart splinter remover....
Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-all over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Hunt's tomato paste boil cure....Cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress.
The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and brings the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters.....
To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine....a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz vinegar to heal bruises...
Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour.
The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

That will work and I know the vegetable oil is probably readily available but if you have some Witch Hazel I would add the tea tree to that if you have..... the Witch Hazel is good for the skin, will promote healing, and help stop bleeding.
But.......If you have dried Oregano and Thyme, you probably have the best two medicine's right in your kitchen cabinet, as they are herbal antibiotics. Make a very strong tea of the Oregano and Thyme and use it to bathe the hurt area several times a day. 2 tsp of each herb to each cup of water. Boil in a glass or enamel pan with the lid on, strain the herbs, or let them settle to the bottom. Let it cool then use. You can even do this in the microwave in a glass bowl with plastic wrap or lid to keep the volatile oils from escaping. You can add cloves if you have them to help ease pain.

NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLANT
"For the reader who requested a mosquito repellent, here is a very simple formula that has a shelf life of about 6 months. Label the jar for easy and safe identification.
1 to 25 drops essential oil, like Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender
2 tbsp vegetable oil - olive oil is fine tbsp aloe vera gel (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing. If you use a mister to apply you will get better distribution on your legs and arms. I use citronella oil in my mixture. "

ATHLETE'S FOOT REMEDY
"the most effective remedy for athlete's foot I've ever found is : after a bath or shower, dry feet well, especially between toes & the heels . Break open an ODOURLESS garlic capsul, & rub oil into feet, ( may need 1 1/2 - 2 capsuls per feet ). It gets rid of painful cracks between toes , thick cracked skin on heels, & the smell caused by the fungus. Can be done before going to bed, just pull on white pom-pom socks."
Athletes feet – cornstarch

Homemade Electrolyte Solution
Here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte. It is very important for babies and children not to become dehydrated when they're sick!
Use instead of juice or milk for diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. This will not aggravate a sick tummy.
2 quarts water 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt
7 Tablespoons sugar 1 packet Sugar-Free Kool-Aid 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute
The salt substitute and Kool-Aid are optional. Store in the refrigerator. Be creative; use your special Kool-Aid to make ice cubes so it will stay cool in their bottle or sippy-cup. Or, insert toothpicks into your ice cubes before freezing and make homemade popsicles.

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly -- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.

Good Morning

Day one of vacation and I am doing nothing today but make lists and get organized on my pc desk... I have so much stuff saved in my emails I NEED to clear it out and get them all organized ...
Hope your week goes well.. I will be posting some recipes and such here soon..

Gmail: Email from Google

Gmail: Email from Google

November 7, 2010

Yummy

http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-US/FoodandRecipes/Pages/chicken-taquitos.aspx

Another Day

I am going to be on a mini vacation next week and I am hoping to combine and add more info here for everyone to enjoy ... Hope you are all have a good week ... I will be getting information to save money over the winter on utilities and such ... and I am really hoping to get out there and have more followers and contributors... Hopefully...
Michelle

Make Your Own

I have collected some MYO Recipes over the years and I am not 100 % sure where I got them all. Some from friends > family and other sites... If I ahve something you posted somewhere let me know and I wi;; give you credit ..

If you are wondering what this list of “basic ingredients” are, I will show you:
Baking Soda
Vinegar
Rubbing Alcohol
Washing Soda (can be found near laundry detergent in most stores)
Borax (also near the laundry section)
Mild Dish Detergent


Floor Cleaners
Homemade Floor Cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water
Mix in your cleaning bucket and use this to clean vinyl type floors.

Wood Floor Cleaner
½ cup vinegar
1 gallon water
The most important thing to keep in mind while cleaning wood floors is that they can not get overly wet. When you use the above mixture, dip your sponge mop into the solution and squeeze until almost dry. Then mop. Never put the cleaner directly on the floor. Dry any streaked or wet area with a clean towel as you go along the floor.

All Purpose Cleaners
I like to make a large batch of my favorite household cleaner. I make this in a gallon size container and fill spray bottles as I need it.
My Homemade Cleaner
Crystal Miller
In a clean, empty gallon milk jug put:
2 Tablespoons ammonia
1 teaspoon dish detergent
1 pint (2 cups) rubbing alcohol
4 drops food coloring – optional
a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice fresh scent, I use Orange
Fill the rest of the gallon jug with hot water. Pour into spray container to use.

Here is a cleaner you make right in your spray bottle:
All-Purpose Cleaner
2T vinegar
1 t Borax
Hot water
a few drops of a mild dish detergent
10 drops of essential oil, optional
In a 16 spray bottle put vinegar, borax and hot water. Swish around until borax has dissolved. Add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add the essential oil (I like using orange or lavender).

All Purpose Cleaner in a Bucket (for big jobs like walls)
½ cup ammonia
¼ cup vinegar
¼ cup baking soda
Mix the above ingredients with 1 gallon of warm water and use for basic cleaning jobs around the home. Double the above ingredients for cleaning shower walls or other extra heavy duty areas.


Window Cleaner
Homemade Window Cleaner
This one can be made right in your spray bottle.
½ t mild dish detergent
3T vinegar
2 cups water
Put all these ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake this up some and use it just like the commercial variety.

Homemade Window Cleaner #2
3T Ammonia
1T vinegar
Put in spray bottle and fill the rest of the way up with water


Commet Type Scrub Powders
This is an easy one. You can use baking soda! Sprinkle on sinks, counters or anywhere you need to get rid of build up or stains. Dampen slightly and scrub with a soft cloth to prevent scratching


Easy Scrub

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup borax
dishwashing liquid
Combine the baking soda and borax. Mix in enough dishwashing liquid to make a smooth paste. If you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to the paste.


Heavy-Duty Disinfectant Cleaner

1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 tablespoon borax
3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup pine oil, or pine-based cleaner
Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute it with water.



Rug Cleaner

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
1 cup lukewarm water
Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean nongreasy stains. (Don't use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug's color.)
Toilet Cleaner

1 cup borax
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
Combine the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to the inside of the toilet bowl, let sit for 1 to 2 hours, and scrub.


Carpet Freshener

1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.
Scrubbing hand General-Purpose Cleaner

1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
2 cups hot water
Combine all the ingredients. If you don't have washing soda (generally found in the laundry section of supermarkets), use 1 teaspoon baking soda instead. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Be sure to label the bottle accordingl

September 9, 2010

More Cleaners

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Another alternative is microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.

Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.
• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.

Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower.

Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.

Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.

Coffee and tea stains: Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a teakettle or coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar; bring to a boil.

Deodorize:
• Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda
• In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit
• Carpets - sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming
• Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours

Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs.

Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)
To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.

Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.

Fabric softener: To reduce static cling, dampen your hands, then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier. Line-drying clothing is another alternative.

Floor Cleaner and Polish:
vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.
wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.

Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.

Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads.


Metal Cleaners and Polishes:
aluminum: using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water.
brass or bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking-soda solution, or vinegar and salt solution. Another method is to apply a dab of ketchup on a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots.
chrome: polish with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny side out.
copper: soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean. For tougher jobs, sprinkle baking soda or lemon juice on a soft cloth, then wipe. For copper cookware, sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub., A simpler method is to apply a dab of ketchup on a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots.
gold: clean with toothpaste, or a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour.
silver: line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.
stainless steel: clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil. For stainless cookware, mix 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt water, and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth. For stainless steel sinks, pour some club soda on an absorbant cloth to clean, then wipe dry using a clean cloth.

Mold and Mildew: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.

Mothballs: The common mothball is made of paradichlorobenzene, which is harmful to liver and kidneys. Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbant cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Cedar chips are available at many craft supply stores, or make your own using a plane and a block of cedar from the lumberyard.
Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made with lavender, rosemary, vetiver and rose petals.
Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet.

Oil and Grease Spots: For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush.

Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.

Paint Brush Cleaner: Non-toxic, citrus oil based solvents are now available commercially under several brand names. Citra-Solve is one brand. This works well for cleaning brushes of oil-based paints. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a used bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job.
Fresh paint odors can be reduced by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room.

Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue.

Scouring Powder: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge.

Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.

Stickers on walls: Our children covered the inside of their room doors with stickers. Now they are grown, but the stickers remained. To remove, sponge vinegar over them several times, and wait 15 minutes, then rub off the stickers. This also works for price tags (stickers) on tools, etc.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

Wallpaper Remover: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, apply with sponge over the old wallpaper to soften the adhesive. Open room windows or use a fan to dissipate the pungent vinegar smell.

Water Rings on Wood: Water rings on a wooden table or counter are the result of moisture that is trapped under the topcoat, but not the finish. Try applying toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into the ring. Once the ring is removed, buff the entire wood surface.

Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.

Healthy Home Cleaning Habits

Exchange Indoor Air
Many modern homes are so tight there's little new air coming in. Open the windows from time to time or run any installed exhaust fans. In cold weather, the most efficient way to exchange room air is to open the room wide - windows and doors, and let fresh air in quickly for about 5 minutes. The furnishings in the room, and the walls, act as 'heat sinks', and by exchanging air quickly, this heat is retained.
Minimize Dust
Remove clutter which collects dust, such as old newspapers and magazines. Try to initiate a 'no-shoes-indoors' policy. If you're building or remodelling a home, consider a central vacuum system; this eliminates the fine dust which portable vacuum cleaners recirculate.
Use Cellulose Sponges
Most household sponges are made of polyester or plastic which are slow to break down in landfills, and many are treated with triclosan, a chemical that can produce chloroform (a suspected carcinogen) when it interacts with the chlorine found in tap water. Instead try cellulose sponges, available at natural foods stores, which are biodegradable and will soak up spills faster since they're naturally more absorbent.
Keep Bedrooms Clean
Most time is spent in the bedrooms. Keep pets out of these rooms, especially if they spend time outdoors.
Use Gentle Cleaning Products
Of the various commercial home cleaning products, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and oven cleaners are the most toxic. Use the formulas described above or purchase 'green' commercial alternatives. Avoid products containing ammonia or chlorine, or petroleum-based chemicals; these contribute to respiratory irritation, headaches and other complaints.
Clean from the Top Down:
When house cleaning, save the floor or carpet for last. Allow time for the dust to settle before vacuuming.

Make Your Own

I have collected some MYO Recipes over the years and I am not 100 % sure where I got them all. Some from friends > family and other sites... If I have something you posted somewhere let me know and I will give you credit ..

If you are wondering what this list of “basic ingredients” are, I will show you:
Baking Soda
Vinegar
Rubbing Alcohol
Washing Soda (can be found near laundry detergent in most stores)
Borax (also near the laundry section)
Mild Dish Detergent


Floor Cleaners
Homemade Floor Cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water
Mix in your cleaning bucket and use this to clean vinyl type floors.

Wood Floor Cleaner
½ cup vinegar
1 gallon water
The most important thing to keep in mind while cleaning wood floors is that they can not get overly wet. When you use the above mixture, dip your sponge mop into the solution and squeeze until almost dry. Then mop. Never put the cleaner directly on the floor. Dry any streaked or wet area with a clean towel as you go along the floor.

All Purpose Cleaners
I like to make a large batch of my favorite household cleaner. I make this in a gallon size container and fill spray bottles as I need it.
My Homemade Cleaner
Crystal Miller
In a clean, empty gallon milk jug put:
2 Tablespoons ammonia
1 teaspoon dish detergent
1 pint (2 cups) rubbing alcohol
4 drops food coloring – optional
a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice fresh scent, I use Orange
Fill the rest of the gallon jug with hot water. Pour into spray container to use.

Here is a cleaner you make right in your spray bottle:
All-Purpose Cleaner
2T vinegar
1 t Borax
Hot water
a few drops of a mild dish detergent
10 drops of essential oil, optional
In a 16 spray bottle put vinegar, borax and hot water. Swish around until borax has dissolved. Add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add the essential oil (I like using orange or lavender).

All Purpose Cleaner in a Bucket (for big jobs like walls)
½ cup ammonia
¼ cup vinegar
¼ cup baking soda
Mix the above ingredients with 1 gallon of warm water and use for basic cleaning jobs around the home. Double the above ingredients for cleaning shower walls or other extra heavy duty areas.


Window Cleaner
Homemade Window Cleaner
This one can be made right in your spray bottle.
½ t mild dish detergent
3T vinegar
2 cups water
Put all these ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake this up some and use it just like the commercial variety.

Homemade Window Cleaner #2
3T Ammonia
1T vinegar
Put in spray bottle and fill the rest of the way up with water


Commet Type Scrub Powders
This is an easy one. You can use baking soda! Sprinkle on sinks, counters or anywhere you need to get rid of build up or stains. Dampen slightly and scrub with a soft cloth to prevent scratching


Easy Scrub

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup borax
dishwashing liquid
Combine the baking soda and borax. Mix in enough dishwashing liquid to make a smooth paste. If you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to the paste.


Heavy-Duty Disinfectant Cleaner

1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 tablespoon borax
3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup pine oil, or pine-based cleaner
Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute it with water.



Rug Cleaner

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
1 cup lukewarm water
Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean nongreasy stains. (Don't use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug's color.)
Toilet Cleaner

1 cup borax
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
Combine the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to the inside of the toilet bowl, let sit for 1 to 2 hours, and scrub.


Carpet Freshener

1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.
Scrubbing hand General-Purpose Cleaner

1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
2 cups hot water
Combine all the ingredients. If you don't have washing soda (generally found in the laundry section of supermarkets), use 1 teaspoon baking soda instead. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Be sure to label the bottle accordingl

Merging Sites

http://michelleandstephen.blogspot.com/

I am bring my 2 blogs together so I only have to use one site...LOL