Make your own dishwashing detergent

I have read posts about making your own soap for awhile, and I was curious but sceptical!  I wanted to do it to save money, but I was afraid it wouldn't work right. I was unsure of how to find the unfamiliar ingredient: Borax.



As it turns out, Borax is in the soap aisle, right by the laundry soap.  Mine was in a cardboard box (the size of a cereal box) on the top shelf and cost a little under $5.00.  The other ingredients (baking soda and lemon kool aid packets) were easy to find for CHEAP.

This couldn't have been easier to make, and after the initial cost of the Borax, I've made 2 batches and have enough left to make at least 2 more.  The soda is cheap and the lemonade packets are $.15 at my store.

This is the recipe I used.  1 Cup borax, 1 C baking soda, 4 packets of unsweetened lemonade.  I store it in a big Zip Loc bag under the sink.  I haven't had any problems with residue or specks left on my dishes, but if you check out the link, it does have some suggestions if you have these kinds of problems.  I think it has to do with what kind of water you have.

So go ahead and give it a try!

Publix Baby Trip-saved 64%

I have spent an arm and a leg at the grocery store this week, and although I tried to meal plan for company with the sales in mind, a lot of what I bought was without coupons.  So this little trip to Publix with all my baby coupons made the hit that my grocery budget took feel a little less painful!

I bought

• 1 package of eggroll wrappers ($2.29 not on sale)
• 1 Miracle Whip ($2.45 on sale)
• 2 Beechnut Mini Meals (used Px BOGO Q and 2 $1/1 Qs)
• 2 Earthsbest organic cookies (used 2 Px $1/1 Q)
• 2 Gerber Lil Entrees (used 2 Px $1/1 and 2 man $1/1)
• 2 Gerber Puffs (used 2 Px $1/1)

Total before sales/coupons:  $25.72
Total after:  $9.69

Publix Trip-saved 76%

I had a small but great trip to Publix today.  They had stacks of the Big Baby Bargains flyer (I got 2) and the 1 page baby Q's flyer (I got 2), but they were out of the Publix hot dogs for a penny (bummer) so I got Popsicles instead. 

Here's what else I got...

1 Fresh Express Salad Kit- used $.75 off Q
2 Men's Speedstick Deodorant- used 2 $.50 off Q
1 large bag Doritos
2 Bailey's Creamer-used 2 $1 off Q
1 Smart Balance Milk- used $1.50 off Q
2 Bic Mechanical Pencils- used 1 $1/2 Q
1 Freezer Popsicles-penny item

Total Saved: $24.20
Total Spent: $7.78

Pork Chops and Pineapple Salsa

This has become one of our favorite meals this summer.  It is EASY and delicious.

Start with some nice pork chops, salt and pepper them and throw them on the grill.  About halfway through is the perfect time to put any other veggies on the grill to serve as a side, we like asparagus with this meal.



Pineapple Salsa:
1/2 of a fresh pineapple, diced into very small squares
1/8 of an onion, diced small (more or less depending on your tastes)
1/3 jalapeno (more or less depending on your tastes)
3 T fresh parsley, diced
a splash of olive oil
a few splashes of vinegar (rice wine is my fave)
1/2 t poppy seeds
salt

This salsa is really best if it's made ahead of time, even 24 hours in advance.  It's also really easy to adjust the recipe to your tastes or to what you have in the pantry.  I use parley instead of cilantro because my husband prefers it AND I have wonderful parsley growing in my garden right now.  The poppy seeds could be eliminated or replaced with another herb/seed you have in the house...you are only limited by your imagination!

I usually serve this with lemony cous-cous.  I follow the directions on the container of cous-cous as far as ratio of water to grains.  When it is finished, I add a few teaspoons of chopped parsley, salt, and lemon zest (from 1/2 to 1 whole lemon).

Delicious!

Company Menu Plan

We're having some major company this week, and with a newborn in the house and 9 mouths to feed, I feel like organization is the key.

Dinners:
Saturday: Chicken brats, potato salad, chips, watermelon
Sunday: Meatball subs, cottage cheese, leftover potato salad, cut up cucumber/tomato
Monday: Grilled Pork Chops, pineapple salsa, lemony cous-cous, grilled asparagus
Tuesday: Low Country Boil, homemade bread, veggies and dip
Wednesday: BBQ Brisket, devilled eggs, rolls, Cole slaw

Thursday: we'll go out to eat at least once for dinner

Breakfasts: I won't go out every day for breakfast, but we'll cook 3 "big" ones.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole, Quiche (already made and frozen), BLTs, muffins (in the freezer), cereal, fruit, yogurt,

Lunches: I'll get a big tub of chicken salad from Sam's, taco salad and southwest eggrolls, tomato/cheese on an English muffin,

Desserts: Sliced apples and the worlds greatest apple dip
                Key Lime Cake (my recipe is very similar to this one and delicious)
                Cookies: I made apricot shortbread, cowboy cookies, and butter royales
                             (they're already in the freezer!)

Menu Planning Monday

Well, last weeks' menu was only about 60% accurate, so I'll try again this week.  It may take me a few weeks to get back in the swing of following a menu.   We're expecting company for a week starting Saturday, so I'll leave the company menu plan for another day.  We'll have 7 adults and 3 little ones in the house, so I'll need to be organized and creative!

Monday: BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, cucumber salad
Tuesday: Taco Salad
Wednesday: Grilled Italian chicken, pasta-roni, veggie
Thursday: Cheese, crackers, pepperoni, fruit
Friday: Buffalo Chicken Wraps, fruit or a veggie

Our first few outings with the baby

Well, baby is 2 1/2 weeks old and since I was such a homebody when I was pregnant, I've felt pretty cooped up in the house since I've had her.  I've made quite a few quick trips out without her, but we've brought her a few places too!

Friday we went to Longhorn for lunch with her.  I was a little nervous that she'd start screaming and ruin everyone else's lunch, but she was an angel.  It helped that we fed her right before we left, so she snoozed in the booth next to me the whole time. 

Then today, we took her to church for the first time.  She was an instant hit with everyone (of course-who doesn't love a tiny newborn) and I was relieved that she was quiet and well behaved.  I see years and years of Sunday morning church attendance in store for her, so I might as well break her in early!!