Use Your Bicycle For Everything
I just got a Dahon folding bike. I looked all around the town and the internet, and its the perfect one. Not because it folds, not because its lightweight, not because of the color. No, I got this bike because of the super-low step-through! I wear long skirts...
Use Kids Cookbook to Teach Cooking and Independence
Theres a wonderful website called Start Cooking (http://www.startcooking.com). The instructions begin, I believe, with how to cook a grilled cheese sandwich, and move from there. The instructor moves with precise, clean movements so that you can always tell...
Reusable Cotton Menstrual Pads
The idea of the smell is the main objection most people seem to have, Ive noticed. The thing is, the disposable pads have a far stronger smell to them, because you wear them for so much longer, four to six hours, in many cases. The cloth pads, you change every...
Flavoring Sun Tea?
Bacteria thrive in sun tea. You might instead consider buying cold-brew teabags (I think theyre put out by Lipton) and making the tea in your refrigerator, with the lemon and ginger or any other flavorings you like, instead. Or just make regular hot tea at...
Matzo Pizza
If one uses Ragu sauce, it isnt kosher for Passover, nor is it kosher at all. No Ragu products are certified kosher. If you enjoy matzah pizza at Passover, try http://www.kosher.com/store/kosher-passover-food-market/new-york-city-passover-food-market/new-york...
How much margarine is a "stick"?
In the US, butter is sold in 1-pound blocks or 1-pound boxes containing 4 sticks. One stick = 1/4 pound. In the US, 1 stick = 1/2 cup, but a cup in the US is not the same amount as a cup in the UK, so dont go by cups. If you want to be completely precise, 1...
Healthy Comfort Food?
What they already eat is fine, if its prepared properly. * Pan-fry with a LITTLE healthy oil (olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, or flaxseed -- canola or safflower are best for frying), and unstick things from the skillet with broth or water instead of adding...
Keeping Peanut Butter Smelling Fresh?
Peanut butter will keep for a long time before the jar is unsealed, but only six weeks (at most) once the seal is broken. If you want to keep your peanut butter fresh, use it up. If that means buying a smaller jar (with a slightly higher price-per-ounce), thats...
Eating Out Can Be Cheaper Than Eating In
When each person has his or her own entree, the tip is easy to figure: 15% for standard service, 20% for exemplary service, 25% if youve just won the lottery and are too cheap to leave a $100 bill. ;) If you share an entree, the tip should be about 30-40%. Thats...
Cheap Meals?
Fresh vegetables are less expensive if you can garden them, get them from a local farmer or farmers market, or buy at a store that stocks only locally produced vegetables and fruit. Fresh vegetables and fruits are also what people need the most, and miss the...
Thawing Fish?
Thaw fish by putting it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a day. However, I dont even bother thawing frozen fish, unless I want to batter and fry it. The Canadian Cooking Method for fish works just as well for fresh, thawed, or frozen fish. It goes...
Substitute for Consomme?
As Scott E. says, there is no substitute. However, you can make your own consomme. Every time you cook meat or fowl. save the skin, bones, and gristle in a baggie or container in the freezer. When youve got a couple of good full bags, toss their contents into...
Inexpensive Finger Food Recipes?
(b)1. Make the rice:(/b) 1 C short-grain rice or long-grain rice, UNWASHED 2 C water 1/2 teaspoon salt Prepare rice per directions on rice package. (b)2. Make the zushizu (vinegar):(/b) 1/2 C mirin (rice wine vinegar, available in most Asian groceries and in...
Saving Small Amounts of Leftovers
I find that especially with picky eaters, or those who would otherwise forget to eat lunch, that its easier to get them to eat something thats tiny and cute than to get them to eat a whole big serving of one thing that maybe wasnt their favorite. I also highly...
Side Dishes for Salmon Balls?
I like a side of steamed brown rice or quinoa, and Israeli salad. Israeli salad is cubed cucumbers, cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, bell pepper, scallions, and sometimes an avocado or a little feta cheese. I dress it with just olive oil, lemon or lime juice...
Use Your Potato Ricer to Remove Moisture from Spinach
I dont have a ricer either, so I just thaw my spinach in a colander over a bowl, then hand-squeeze the rest of the moisture out.
Take Vitamins Right Before Bed
My DH had the same problem, so I started buying Flintstones for DH, and now theres no problem. Sure, theyre supposed to be for kids, but the doctor said thats what she would have suggested too, when I asked her.
Inexpensive Church Mother's Day Project Ideas?
Look up, and print out, the history of the pretzel. Then make pretzels together and give a few to each child.
Using Leftover Uncooked Pasta?
Prepare the pasta in smaller portion sizes and pack them in your own or your childrens lunch boxes. For the lasagna noodles, you can fold up the cheesy filling in just one or two cooked noodles. Do just one for a single serving, or do several in a loaf pan...
My Husband Doesn't Like Vegetables?
I dont adore every single thing I eat, but I know Ive got to eat it if I want to remain healthy. Every single night, I make at least one green vegetable, and a little more than half the time, I dont even like it, but I make it because its the healthiest thing...
Recipe Ideas for Potato Crisps?
These arent even meant for use as substitute for potato chips. Use them as dried potatoes, not fried potatoes! Dump them into stews in the crock pot, make them into gratin dauphinoise (potatoes au gratin), crush them and put them into dry soup mixes. If you...
Cooking with Almond Milk?
Milk in a recipe is used for one of three things: 1. Wetness, in which case water, broth, juice, or any other liquid is a fine replacement; 2. Taste, in which case any milk-substitute such as almond milk or soy milk is a fine replacement; 3. Chemical reaction...
Butter Sugar Cookies
What is sweet milk, as opposed to normal milk? Do you use whole, 2% fat, skim, or are we talking about a whole different type of milk?
Homemade Spice Cabinet
Where did you get the door-mount spice racks? Was it a big chain hardware store (so I can find one here in my neck of the wood)? What brand/company put out the rack? Id love to get a couple of these myself.
Carpet is Sticky from Urine?
Try the first two steps a couple of times, then treat with hydrogen peroxide (with the pre-test in a discreet location first) or Oxy Clean. If the do-it-yourself -- inexpensive -- treatment doesnt work after the second time, then bring in a professional. But...
Foods That Increase Metabolism?
A diet is something with a finite ending. The reason they dont work is because either people lose their enthusiasm and go right off the diet, or they reach their goal and go off the diet. I suggest making small changes, one at a time, and keeping up each change...
Buying Colored Kitchen Items To Keep Kosher
Yep. It helps us keep things separated. We also wash things in separate sinks or dish-pans, with separate cloths or sponges, cook the categories in separate vessels and with separate utensils (and in separate ovens and/or crock pots), serve them on separate...
Candle Wax on Wood Burning Stove?
Depending on what type of wood-burning stove you have, there may be different answers. If youve got a modern one with a stainless steel or enamel top, some chemicals will be okay. If your stove is one of the antique or antique-style stoves, its probably cast...
Song Ideas for a Photo Slide Show?
Memories is a great song, but its also a very sad one, about how the singer (Grizabella, the Glamour Cat) used to be young, beautiful, held, petted, fussed over, and loved, and now is abandoned and alone. To my mind, thats really not the best choice to play...
Reusing Ceramic Pot from Crockpot?
Heres how Ive re-purposed my ceramic crock pot liner and its lid. I sprinkle a little baking soda, add a bit of vinegar and boiling water (no more than 1/3 of the way full), and let it foam up and then cool down. Then I add a couple of drops of tea tree oil...
Store Honey in the Refrigerator
To keep honey from crystallizing, just turn the jar over once a week or so. Honey is one of natures miracles, because it is the only known food which does not spoil, ever. Honey has been found in Egyptian tombs, crystallized but still edible, after many thousands...
Buy Chanukah Candles For Year Round Use
Not exactly, Britt. Chanukah candles are just candles. Only when they go into the chanukiyah (the nine-branched menorah, or candelabra specifically designated for Chanukah) do they become special at all. Any candles can be used for Chanukah, as well, from tea...
Ideas for "A Night in Paris" Themed Birthday?
Paris is known for food, wines, fashion, art, architecture, and lovers. Focus on a couple of these ideas. Art & Architecture: Try going to miniature Paris. Find largish map of Paris and maybe a few pictures of Paris (skyline, famous buildings/monuments, well...
Removing Cheese from a Sponge?
Sponges are notorious for collecting and breeding bacteria, while a rough-textured cloth can simply be tossed in the wash and come out perfectly clean. But if youre going to use a sponge, try replacing them every week on a set day. If you want to get really...
Reusing Matchstick Roll Up Blinds?
In order, I would use them as they aged: 1. Window coverings for rooms I use frequently, but probably not for a truly formal room if I had one. 2. Window coverings for basement windows, workout room, laundry/utility room, work shed, kids playhouse/treehouse...
Food Ideas for 16th Birthday Party?
A Hawaiian theme is great, because so many different types of foods are eaten in Hawaii. When I lived there, the big thing was the pupu (hors doeuvre) platter. There would be popcorn shrimp, bacon-wrapped shrimp, or coconut shrimp. There would be a little cracker...
Preventing Frequent Dust Build-Up?
Most indoor dust is dead skin cells. I read somewhere that... I think it said something like 75% of it, unless youve got a lot of animals and children tromping in and out with mud on their feet/shoes. If you have dry skin, moisturize often, and use a body loofah...
"12 Days of Christmas" Parade Ideas for Brownie Troop?
I like the simple, easy ideas that the others have come up with. I would only add that each girl should have the number of her verse somewhere visible, in case anyone isnt sure what she is. (Curious fact, which will probably never come in handy for anyone: Christmas...
Having a Large Wedding on a Budget?
Depending on your wedding theme, any/all of the previous suggestions are terrific. If youre having a beach theme, I also suggest a little plastic or tin bucket of sand, accented with seashells, a flower or two, ribbon, seagrass, and/or candle. Theres nothing...
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Ideas for Children?
Right now, Chanukahs over and there will be Chanukah supplies in grocery stores that can be bought at great, low prices. I went to the store and got about $200 worth of Chanukah supplies for $50 because the stores didnt want to keep them around for another...
Graduation Party Ideas: Librarian?
At my grocery store, theyve got a machine that will print any picture on a sheet of rice paper. They put the rice paper onto a frosted cake, so the cake now holds the picture of whatever the original was. If your store does a similar service, give them your...
Turn Shower Off When Lathering
In my family, we do baths like the Japanese. We get some hot water with a little soap in it to pour over ourselves, then rub down till we lather up. Then we pour a little more hot water over ourselves to rinse off. Usually this will take one to two 20-ounce...
My Family Doesn't Clean?
1. Be Specific! Your son is seven. He may not understand what you mean by clean up your room. Thats a broad, sweeping direction. Give him a narrow direction, like Please put all your shoes in a neat row in the closet. Then put all your toys in the toy box. When...
Church Harvest Tea?
It depends on what kind of a tea youre having. Afternoon tea is the fancy one with the miniature cakes, crustless finger sandwiches, decorative biscuits (cookies), petit fours, and the other small, fancy foods in pretty little serving things, sugar tongs, silver...
Homemade Cold Remedies?
General Feelings of Sluggishness Bullshot: a cube of beef bouillon added to a cup of tomato juice, served warm/hot. Its healthful and hearty, and will warm you up from the insides. Sore Throat or Cough 1 shot of whiskey (any kind you can stand to drink) 1 whole...
Product Warning: Dollar Store Toilet Paper
I had this problem too, thanks to some truly awful, cheap, rough toilet paper in the bathrooms at my office. Heres my solution: Baby wipes! Theyre so much softer than the personal wipes put out by the various toilet paper companies, and the cleansing solution...
CSI Themed Child's Birthday?
Its probably a little late to respond, but what the heck, it might come in handy next year too, or for someone else. Have you seen the CSI board game? Do a net search or check eBay. That might be a fun activity. Send invitations that look like arrest warrants...
Decorating For Pastor Appreciation?
You and your fellow congregants obviously care a great deal about your pastor and appreciate all he does for you as a pastor. But remember that he must have lived twenty, thirty, or more years before ever entering seminary. Hes an entire, complete person, not...
Substitute For Plastic Garbage Bags?
1. Reduce! Use and re-use a cloth bag for groceries. You can purchase these, or use an old (or new) backpack, laundry bag, purse, even a wheeled suitcase if you walk to and from the store and dont want to carry it in your arms! 2. Re-use! If you must accept...
Having a Wedding Reception Without Candles?
Now that Christmas is over, you can get very good string lights at very good prices. Stock up on those, as well as LED tea lights and LED votives (some are a steady flame while others flicker realistically). String the string lights around every post, beam...
Packing a Lunch Without a Soggy Sandwich?
1. Separate containers for bread/meat/cheese and veggies/tuna. Use small re-usable containers rather than plastic wrap or baggies, since the wraps and baggies will almost certainly go directly into a landfill. 2. Pick up a big box of condiment packets at Sams...
Electrical Savings 102
1. Set your computer to go to screen saver mode after 10 minutes of inactivity, and into sleep mode after half an hour. Most computers (at least the ones Ive used, both Mac and PC) have automatic defaults to go to screen saver mode after half an hour and sleep...
My Frugal Life: The One Dollar Dinner
My mother and I were driving to another state to visit her mother, who was ill. We had enough money if all went well -- but it didnt. A tire blew out, so we changed it (well, she changed it and I held the flashlight), but then the spare tire also blew out, so...
Make Wiping Squares to Save on TP
Im so glad someone else is doing this! Some additional thoughts: 1. With pinking shears, you dont have to stitch the edges. 2. Cloth diapers are fine, so cloth wipes should be just as fine. 3. If youve got an energy-saving laundry machine, youll use less energy...
Decorating Chairs for a Wedding Reception?
Use red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries (summertime), pomegranates (some of them cut open), cherries. Dont forget fruits that are only partially red, too, though: nectarines or peaches, red or partly-red pears and apples, and other fruits of variegated...
Beware of Products You Don't Need
There are some times when disposable products or single-use products are sensible. If youre traveling to a place where you may not have access to a washing machine for several days (camping, hotel stay, relatives who dont need any extra strain on their already...
Keeping Grass Stains Off Wedding Dress?
The dresses that painterjayne is talking about are called tea length dresses or gowns, and they are extremely flattering to most figures. They wont get grass stains unless you sit down on the grass, which... well, its your wedding, so show some dignity, and...
Homemade Wedding Money Bag?
Whats a money bag? All I can picture are those old Warner Bros. cartoons which feature bank robbers and sacks with dollar signs on them, and I cant imagine what those would be doing at a wedding.
Starry, Starry Night Themed Wedding?
Think about a few things before deciding on a color scheme. First, look at your venue at the time of day in which you intend to get married. That is, look at the time in relation to sunset, not just the clock time. If youre going to have a sunset wedding at...
How to Package Homemade Soaps?
Wrapping a homemade soap with tissue paper provides a biodegradable packaging that allows the recipient to smell the soap and anticipate using it. Wrapping in fabric allows the recipient to smell the soap, and provides a slightly more sturdy wrapping. You can...
Gluten Free Cornbread?
I used to miss cornbread, but not anymore. Im now quite fond of making Southern batter bread instead. Its got the same general flavor, but its more moist; you can use soy milk to make it dairy-free; you can use ground flax seed meal and a bit of water as an...
Gluten, Egg and Dairy Free Meal Ideas?
Oats do not contain gluten. Not inherently, anyway. They often acquire glutens because oat crops are rotated out with barley crops in the same field, so theres often cross-contamination. Then in the mills, the same grinding equipment is usually used to grind...
The Benefits of Wearing Uniforms to School
Problems with uniforms: 1. Uniforms discourage fashion-related creativity and individuality. 2. Uniforms that are bought from schools or school-contracted tailors are expensive. Answers to problems with uniforms: 1. Kids have evenings and weekends to wear anything...
School Snacks
Beware sending peanut butter or nuts in your kids school lunches. Peanut allergies are creating a lot of problems for the kids (and teachers) who have them. Some will only get a little aspirating if they ingest nuts themselves, but some people have it so bad...
Teaching Laundry Skills To College Bound Students
Laundry sorting was my special job when I was a little kid. When I was tall enough to see into the machine, I was allowed to wash everything that got washed in hot water without bleach (dark colored socks and towels, pale socks and towels that didnt need bleach...
Back To School Breakfast Schedule
Thank your lucky stars they like turkey. Turkey is the most inexpensive meat, at least in the kosher section (I know kosher meat is way more expensive than non-kosher, but for all I know, turkey is the most expensive non-kosher meat instead of the least expensive...
My Frugal Life - Frugal Sunburn Protection When Riding a Bike
Why not a bandana? You can get them for about a dollar to a dollar-fifty at Walgreens and other convenience stores, they come in lots of colors to match different outfits, and they are REUSABLE rather than disposable.
Soap Making, No Boil Method
For those who cant use animal fats for soapmaking, for whatever reason, are there viable alternatives? Would Crisco, Nya-Fat, or any other vegetarian/vegan shortening work? What about soapmaking that uses oil instead of fat (liquid rather than solid)? Ive heard...
Using It Up - Old Pantyhose and Nylons?
Weve all been there. Weve all used soap till its just a sliver that breaks into smaller slivers instead of delivering lather. Heres what I do: put them in the cut-off toe of an old pair of pantyhose, or an old knee-high stocking thats lost its mate. When you...
Kosher Salt?
Kosher salt can be any of several things. Babbie is correct when she mentions the chemical properties of the product packaged as Kosher Salt. It is also more coarse than table salt, and for this reason makes a good abrasive when cleaning. Different salts have...
Kosher Salt?
Babbie got kosher salt and table salt exactly backwards. I apologize for saying otherwise. Kosher salt is used for kashering meat (making kosher-slaughtered meat fit to eat by removing the blood from it) precisely because it does NOT dissolve as quickly as...
