Homemade Laundry Products

Try Homemade Laundry Products

Front-loading clothes washers are designed to use High Efficiency detergent, which means you can use a lot less per load. (Regular detergent will create too much suds, and prevent proper rinsing.) But beyond detergent, you don't need many of the ancillary products sold for laundry. Here are some low-cost natural alternatives to try:
Stain Removers: Before washing, try soaking the stain with water mixed with Borax, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar, writes Dr. Alan Greene. You'd be wise to be as careful as you would using bleach to avoid discoloration, but you won't have to worry about the unhealthy fumes from chlorine.
Bleach Alternative: Add a half cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle of a medium load of whites, according to Annie B. Bond's Home Enlightenment. Or, try a half cup of Borax.
Fabric Softeners: Add a quarter cup of baking soda to the wash cycle, Greene recommends.
Color Brightener: Toss a capful of vinegar in with the detergent, writes Michael DeJong, author of Clean: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing.
Static Cling: To fight static cling, a quarter cup of white vinegar in the washer should help, Greene says.

Fabric Refresher: In between washes, freshen your clothing with a spritz of dilute vodka. The smell will dissipate, green living expert Brian Clark Howard says, and your clothes will be ready for another day out.

This was found on yahoo.com

Happy Homemaking,
Tiffany

Gettin' All Dolled-Up with a Product Review: Got2Be Volumizing Powder

Oh boy have a got a fun and fabulous product to tell you gals about.  If you like big hair, THIS is the product for YOU. 

Here's the scoop...In this past weeks Smart Source Coupon insert there was a coupon for Got2Be Hair Styling Products.  Now this line has been on the shelves at Walgreen's, CVS, etc for quiet some time but I never gave it much thought.  It is rather pricey for a drugstore hair product being close to $7.00, normal price.  If this was a line of specialty or salon products there would be no problem with the price or even double / triple that price...it is just how the brain THINKS of such things.  With the coupon, a 3.00 off 1 product the price is a little more of a "I want to try this stuff" price....but wait...it gets much better.  Walgreen's has a month long sale of BOGO (buy one get one) FREE...AND you can use a coupon on both the "buy one" and the "get one free"....can ya add that up ladies?  That would make BOTH FREE!!!! and I know we all love FREE!!!!

I bought several of the different varieties as I have quiet a few coupons.  I am planning on trying all of these and posting a short review on each...but today I will start with my FAVORITE (so far).

Here is my before shot (please be kind...LOL)

Pretty flat, huh?

Ok, here is what I did.  I took the little shaker of powder and started sprinkling lightly at the roots.  I started out very easy because I had no idea what the end result would be.  After sprinkling, what I considered "enough" (YMMV) I fluffed my hair and here is the result...

MUCH more volume but rather "fly away" or "I just rolled outta bed from doing something FUN" (a look the Hubbie rather likes but not good to be out and about with).  So I proceeded with my "fixin my hair routine" and came out l this....

It was actually MUCH higher at the crown but the Hubbie said that I looked like Snookie from the Jersey Shore so I tamed it down.  When I woke up the next morning it STILL looked good so I just skipped washing it and went on with my day.  I think the powder absorbs some of the oils.

Since I had quiet a few coupons I went out and bought more of this powder to have in my beauty supple stockpile.  This will definitely be a staple in my routine.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope everyone has a very SWEET day!!!!

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Housewife on a Diet AND Couponing for Two: More healthy coupons

As I have said a few times, it IS possible to stock a healthy pantry / kitchen with coupons.  It is not easy but it IS possible.  Here are a few to help you keep your new years resolutions...  Remember, it is only about 3 months (in Texas) from swim suit time.  I WILL be ready...will YOU?






The following are HCG friendly (YMMV, of course) for the different phases of the protocol.  If you are looking for other diet friendly products, check out your chosen brand's facebook or website.  Also, Collin over on Hip2Save is always posting great coupon links.

Peanut Butter and Co. $1.00/1 Peanut Butter is a YMMV on P3
Red Gold Tomatoes (14.5 oz. or larger) $1.25/1  these are great for the P2 Chili
Frank’s RedHot Product .35/1  (use zip 10001) Keep things from getting boring
$0.55 off any So Delicious Dairy Free Product (“like” on Facebook)  This is the company that makes the wonderful Coconut Milk Creamer that a few of us are using.
Nature Made Vitamins up to 10.00 off (plus a great way to remember your vitamins.

Remember to hit your "back" button to print most of these 2 times.  if you have more than one computer, even better!!!!

I know Sprouts has the So Delicious Coconut products and they often have them on sale!!!!

Happy Homemaking,
Tiffany

I find most of my deals thru hip2save.com.  Check it out!!!!

Housewife on a Diet: HCG Progress Pics -30 Pounds

 I was feeling a bit discouraged about the fact I had a big ole GOOSE EGG as my weigh in today until I saw a pic my darling Hubbie snapped of me last night.  The "before" photo was actually a "during" because I had already lost about 15 pounds.  The "after" is from last night.  What is funny is I thought I was lookin'

GOO-UUD on Thanksgiving Day in that purple wrap dress.  I was in control of my eating, I had not cheated on my diet, I was feeling very proud...then I saw the photo and realised I had a lot of work to do and a LONG way to go.  I still do....don't get me wrong...but I am enjoying the fact that I have lost about 33 pounds now and the purple wrap dress is MUCH looser.

Now if I could just get my arms to cooperate....uhggg.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Housewife on a Diet: HCG Spicy Orange Chicken (P2 Friendly)

Have I got a YUMMIE recipe for y'all today ladies.  This is VERY "diet" friendly no matter what plan you follow (might have to tweak it for low carb, etc).  As you know, I am on the HCG Protocol and THIS meal is perfect for P2 (Phase 2).

Since it was Chinese New Year yesterday I wanted to make something that had a very "Chinese food" feel.  I ran across a recipe for Spicy Orange Chicken that was perrrrrfect.  I did not make this recipe up, myself, I found it on the HCG YouTube community from a gal named SoCalSunnyBunny.  I then put my own touches to it and it was so darned yummie that I can not even explain it.

HCG Spicy Orange Chicken (P2 friendly)

juice from 1 medium orange

4 Tbsp lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

.5 tsp ginger

dash of cinnamon

cayenne pepper (to taste...I used LOTS)

splenda (or preferred sweetener to taste...I used about a packet)

500 grams of sliced chicken breast (I used Tyson cooked sliced chicken breast)

Mix all of the ingredients with the exception of the chicken.  Bring to a boil in a skillet.  Throw in the COOKED chicken breast and let simmer while coating the meat.

I served this over VERY spicy cabbage and oh boy was it good.

Another option that my Hubbie enjoyed was the chicken mixture wrapped in a cabbage leaf. 

YUM!!!!

This recipe made 5 P2 serving (100 grams of chicken each)  I used a medium head of cabbage.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany



Housewife on a Diet AND Couponing for Two: SPROUTS Farmers Market

This is a twofer...double header (or heading) post.  I am excited to share with my followers and readers my favorite little shop....SPROUTS Farmers Market.  This is a really neat little (compared to the GIANT grocery stores) shop for some really good for you and GREAT for your pocket book deals. 

The produce department takes up the entire back end of the store...there is a pretty good sized "bulk" bin area, as well.  The Vitamin department is amazing in size and price...bigger than some vitamin ONLY stores like GNC.  Their vitamin prices promise that they are 10% lower than the competition but then they have amazing sales, too.

They have a lot of the "harder to find" healthy things, as well....  Some of the photos are just to give you an idea of their prices but some are to show the amazing selection...

If you are on a special eating program, this is a great place to visit.  They carry the brands you used to only find online...and they are cheaper and NO shipping charge (plus some even have coupons)

The Almond Breeze is on sale for a great price this week, pair that with the 1.00 coupon that is either in the paper or pealed off the product and you have a GREAT deal on this yummy and low cal / carb milk substitute.

Look at the variety of Bob's flours, mixes, etc...and this was not all of them...they had a few end caps, too.

I had no idea that the guys (and gals) over at Braggs made salad dressing???!!!??? All have Apple Cider Vinegar as a main ingredient.

mmmmm Coconut Milk Beverage....I like this better than the Almond Breeze.

So not that this AMAZING sale price is not good enough on the Coconut Butter...Sprouts has a coupon booklet with a 1.00 off coupon to boot!!!!

When you are on a special eating protocol...like the HCG Protocol...Tea becomes a yummie treat.  Look at the wall of teas!!!!  And most are under 2.00.

I am not a fan but they carry Shiratake Noodles, too.  At Whole Foods they run almost 3.00...Sprouts, barely over a dollar!!!!

I am not a fan of most of the Walden Farms products but when you see a variety like this, it sure makes it easier to give them another try.  All were on sale, too.  Also, tthis is just the dressings and dips...other varieties are placed thru out the store.

Zevia!!!!  If you just HAVE TO HAVE bubbles or a "soda" type of drink...this is it for the HCG Protocol. 

Like I said, there are many things to find at Sprouts.  It is such a fun shop.  Their prices are great and the selection can not be beat when you have a special needs diet.  Lots of low carb / low calorie treats and LOTS of things for a Gluten Free Lifestyle.

To find a Sprouts in your area visit their site at http://www.sprouts.com/.  Be sure to look for their coupons, too!!!!

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany