You know your stainless steel sink is clean when it shines. A shiny sink is like a smile when the sun reflects off of it. It is your kitchens way of showing it’s a happy kitchen. When your sink is clean and shiny it helps the rest of your kitchen and even home fall into place. You tend to want the rest of your home to be clean to compliment your shiny clean sink. To achieve this is simple.
Fill one sink at a time up with hot water. Add a small amount of bleach to the hot water and let it sit for an hour. Use tongs to pull the drain plug out when the hour is up. This not only helps break up anything that may be built up on the sinks surface but it also helps to clean your drains and deodorize them. You can scrub your sink with a cleaner once a week after doing this. Make sure your sink is rinsed out well with warm water and any cleaner residue or food particles is rinsed away.
Now take a cloth and wipe down your sink to dry it. This is where you put the shine to it. Take a glass and surface cleaner or even just a window cleaner will work like Windex or a home-made glass cleaner you may have made yourself. Spray your sink and faucet down with the cleaner. With a clean cloth wipe it down. I usually take a napkin and shine my faucet up after I do all of this. I “polish” it so to speak to make sure there is no streaks or water spots.
Some people like an added shine and a way to protect from water spots. The trick to this is car wax. It protects your sink the same way it does your car. Not to mention the longer lasting shine it adds. You can shine your sink with car wax once a week or less. This helps the water to roll off and not leave behind water spots or streaks after you have cleaned and shined it. The added bonus to all of this. It takes at the most 10 minutes to clean your sink like this after the initial soak.
A few reminders about caring for your stainless steel sink. Do not use anything abrasive on it. Stuff that can scratch your sink up are a big no. Do not use steel wool to clean your sink. Use a scrub brush that is not too stiff. Do not use real abrasive cleaners on your sink either. If you take good care of your sink it will look brand new every day.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Yummy Homemade Granola!
I love when I get in magazines. Especially when I get in the ones with yummy recipes. I have blogged before about how I like the website Familyfun.com. It is from Disney. Well they have a magazine called Disney FamilyFun. Well I checked my mailbox today and there was an issue of this magazine in my mailbox. I brought it home and when I had a chance to breath I sat down and skimmed through it. I came across a recipe to make your own Granola! Many families I know try to do what they can to one be healthy but two to save money. It's hard this day and time to do so with our economy getting the way it is. I think this would be a great one to try though and I believe I will be trying this one this coming month. So here you guys go since I believe in sharing. Hope you all enjoy it!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup chopped walnuts or slivered almonds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water
1 (6-ounce) package dried sweetened cranberries or other dried fruits such as cherries, raisins, pineapple, or papaya
1. Heat the oven to 300ยบ. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, wheat germ, nuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the oil, honey, and water. Toss the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, then spread it evenly on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake the granola for 40 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 10 minutes to keep the mixture from sticking. Let it cool completely, then stir in the cranberries or dried fruit. Makes about 7 cups.
Variations:
Hawaiian Sunrise Granola
Add 1/2 cup sweetened Coconut, 1/2 cup each of dried mango, dried pineapple and toasted macadamia nuts, chopped to the 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 6 tblspoons unsalted butter melted, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 cups rolled oats,and 1/3 cup wheat germ.
Berry Blast Granola
1 cup Dried Berries of your choice
Vanilla Almond Granola
Add a tblspn of Vanilla Extract to the butter/honey mixture and add sliced almonds to the granola.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup chopped walnuts or slivered almonds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water
1 (6-ounce) package dried sweetened cranberries or other dried fruits such as cherries, raisins, pineapple, or papaya
1. Heat the oven to 300ยบ. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, wheat germ, nuts, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the oil, honey, and water. Toss the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, then spread it evenly on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake the granola for 40 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring every 10 minutes to keep the mixture from sticking. Let it cool completely, then stir in the cranberries or dried fruit. Makes about 7 cups.
Variations:
Hawaiian Sunrise Granola
Add 1/2 cup sweetened Coconut, 1/2 cup each of dried mango, dried pineapple and toasted macadamia nuts, chopped to the 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 6 tblspoons unsalted butter melted, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 cups rolled oats,and 1/3 cup wheat germ.
Berry Blast Granola
1 cup Dried Berries of your choice
Vanilla Almond Granola
Add a tblspn of Vanilla Extract to the butter/honey mixture and add sliced almonds to the granola.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
No Sleep for the Weary...
No job is harder than that of a mother. Our jobs don't end at a certain time of the day. They don't even end when we close our eyes to go to sleep at night. There is the nights we end up sleeping in the floor of our young ones bedroom just to make them feel comfortable and safe waking up every move they make through out the night. Nights like that just to get up early in the morning to get your oldest together and to school.
I have learned an organized home is a well run home. It makes it faster and easier to find what you are looking for when it is where it belongs. Also makes it easier and faster to pick up your home. That way when you do have to do your more major cleaning it won't be a lot piled on you and will take less time. If your cleaniing time is not long that means you have more time to spend with your family and then later time for yourself.
I have learned an organized home is a well run home. It makes it faster and easier to find what you are looking for when it is where it belongs. Also makes it easier and faster to pick up your home. That way when you do have to do your more major cleaning it won't be a lot piled on you and will take less time. If your cleaniing time is not long that means you have more time to spend with your family and then later time for yourself.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
My Sunday
I spent my Sunday relaxing plus did some cleaning. I cleaned and conditioned my dining table and chairs with some Murphy's Oil Soap. Also shined and polished my kitchen sink. Made it look like my kitchen is smiling. Sorted clothes for whats being given away, thrown away, hung up and folded. Cleaned my kitchen up nice. I even rearranged my dishes, glasses and coffee cups. Made the kids dishes and cups more accessible for them and put the breakable stuff up higher. It has actually been a bit of a lazy Sunday here.
What did all of you do or what do you usually do on a Sunday?
I have also been checking out other blogging moms' work online. Found some awsome blogs I will have to try and get links for posted up soon. I won't be stingy. I'll share. :)
My oldest son as I had stated earlier this week started the First Grade which was also his first time to attend public school. He has been home schooled since he was well preschool age. Well no that's a lie. He started out doing educational games and such online when he was a year old. Yes my child was surfing the net playing Sesame Street and Blues Clues by the time he was 18 months old. He was really good at it too. Now he's growing up and learning to read. He is a quick study too. He can read off the words for the colors. Knows a good bit of the words for the numbers. He is doing really good and acts well in school. He is even making a lot of friends.
Let me know how your children did for their first day of school this year!
Night everyone!
What did all of you do or what do you usually do on a Sunday?
I have also been checking out other blogging moms' work online. Found some awsome blogs I will have to try and get links for posted up soon. I won't be stingy. I'll share. :)
My oldest son as I had stated earlier this week started the First Grade which was also his first time to attend public school. He has been home schooled since he was well preschool age. Well no that's a lie. He started out doing educational games and such online when he was a year old. Yes my child was surfing the net playing Sesame Street and Blues Clues by the time he was 18 months old. He was really good at it too. Now he's growing up and learning to read. He is a quick study too. He can read off the words for the colors. Knows a good bit of the words for the numbers. He is doing really good and acts well in school. He is even making a lot of friends.
Let me know how your children did for their first day of school this year!
Night everyone!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
First Day of School in the South
My oldest son started the first grade yesterday. It is his first time attending a public school. He was so nervous hugging to me, his daddy and his grandma. Once we got in the classroom though and seen there was so many kids in his class he smiled and his nerves eased up. He went and sat in the desk of his choice which was one closest to where we were standing. Most of the desk were already full. He choice the group away from the two little girls who kept staring at him smiling.lol
He came home happy and told us about his day at school. He told us how the teacher had them take all of their supplies out and put them where they belong. They got to draw. He drew a building. They had recess. One little boy he made friends with at Vacation Bible School over the summer was in his class. Another little boy with the same name as my son (just one letter difference in his name) is also in the first grade, but in one of the other classrooms. It was one of the little girls birthdays so they had pink and blue cookies. He enjoyed his first half a day. He told us next week starts when they do all of the learning stuff like reading, writing, spelling and all the other fun stuff.
Has your child had their first day yet? How was their first days at school? Post it up in the comments and let me know.
He came home happy and told us about his day at school. He told us how the teacher had them take all of their supplies out and put them where they belong. They got to draw. He drew a building. They had recess. One little boy he made friends with at Vacation Bible School over the summer was in his class. Another little boy with the same name as my son (just one letter difference in his name) is also in the first grade, but in one of the other classrooms. It was one of the little girls birthdays so they had pink and blue cookies. He enjoyed his first half a day. He told us next week starts when they do all of the learning stuff like reading, writing, spelling and all the other fun stuff.
Has your child had their first day yet? How was their first days at school? Post it up in the comments and let me know.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I have been surfing Youtube...
I have an addiction to Youtube.lol I have come across some really great videos that people have posted for our veiwing pleasure and I figured I would share them with all of my blog readers.
This one here I am sharing, because it reminds me of myself when I was living in Oregon. My step dad was the only father I knew since I was 10 years old and he taught me how to bust my butt to acheive what I wanted and needed. This is the ending result of what I became before I became a mommy.
This is extremely funny! I love IJustine! Her videos on Youtube are some of the best. She does it all herself with her camera's and computer. She shows you on her other channel (behind the scenes) how she does things. It's so cool to watch her.
Here is one of my favorite IJ videos. She also does a serious of Youtube videos called Ask IJ.
This one here I am sharing, because it reminds me of myself when I was living in Oregon. My step dad was the only father I knew since I was 10 years old and he taught me how to bust my butt to acheive what I wanted and needed. This is the ending result of what I became before I became a mommy.
This is extremely funny! I love IJustine! Her videos on Youtube are some of the best. She does it all herself with her camera's and computer. She shows you on her other channel (behind the scenes) how she does things. It's so cool to watch her.
Here is one of my favorite IJ videos. She also does a serious of Youtube videos called Ask IJ.
Summer Sunday
As the days of summer slowly come to an end over the next month and a half I thought I would find a recipe to place my seal of approval on. I looked for one that would have a summer touch to it and looks like a great cool down for a hot summer Sunday. I don't know about the rest of you, but I live in the south where you sit under a shade tree and sip on something ice cold like some sweet tea, lemonade or something of the sort. Most of us also love to enjoy snacking on some cold watermelon during the summer or homemade ice cream.
I have found a recipe on Allrecipes.com with a touch of summer to it. It has frozen strawberries and watermelons in it.
This recipe was submitted to Allrecipes.com by Nobody'sGirl. I am putting my stamp of approval on this recipe and hope you all enjoy it.
Nobody's Strawberry Watermelon Shakedown
"Frozen strawberries and watermelon take a spin in the blender with cream, yogurt, and orange juice for a sensational summer smoothie! Serve with a slice of fresh watermelon, or a dollop of whipped cream!"
PREP TIME 5 Min
READY IN 5 Min
Original recipe yield 1 large glass
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 1/2 cups frozen diced watermelon
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon white sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add to Recipe Box
My folders:
Add to Shopping List
Customize Recipe
Add a Personal Note
DIRECTIONS
Blend the strawberries, watermelon, cream, yogurt, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla in a blender until smooth.
Here is a great summer recipe for the kiddos to try. You can make changes to it as you want. Frozen yogurt though is very yummy and healthy at the same time!
Yogurt Sundae Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 4 oz. waffle cone bowls
2 cups low-fat or non-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
2 Tbsp. chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
2 tsp. maple syrup
This recipe I came across while surfing the web via Google.
It can be found at Kids Cooking on About.com.
I have found a recipe on Allrecipes.com with a touch of summer to it. It has frozen strawberries and watermelons in it.
This recipe was submitted to Allrecipes.com by Nobody'sGirl. I am putting my stamp of approval on this recipe and hope you all enjoy it.
Nobody's Strawberry Watermelon Shakedown
"Frozen strawberries and watermelon take a spin in the blender with cream, yogurt, and orange juice for a sensational summer smoothie! Serve with a slice of fresh watermelon, or a dollop of whipped cream!"
PREP TIME 5 Min
READY IN 5 Min
Original recipe yield 1 large glass
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 1/2 cups frozen diced watermelon
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon white sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add to Recipe Box
My folders:
Add to Shopping List
Customize Recipe
Add a Personal Note
DIRECTIONS
Blend the strawberries, watermelon, cream, yogurt, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla in a blender until smooth.
Here is a great summer recipe for the kiddos to try. You can make changes to it as you want. Frozen yogurt though is very yummy and healthy at the same time!
Yogurt Sundae Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 4 oz. waffle cone bowls
2 cups low-fat or non-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
2 Tbsp. chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
2 tsp. maple syrup
This recipe I came across while surfing the web via Google.
It can be found at Kids Cooking on About.com.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I think these products are a keeper!
I am going to put my Momma Stamp of Approval on these items that Amazon.com has for sale.
Ok really now. Who doesn't want to be the next Rachael Ray or Martha Stewart. I myself love to make cakes and such and would love to be able to decorate my stuff to where it looks like Martha Stewart stepped into my kitchen and done it. With this miracle tool all you do is take the design shapes, press the design onto your cake in the icing and then use your decorating icing to follow the lines from the imprint. Voila! A beautifully decorated cake. :)
This book I have read myself and really enjoyed it. Very well written! I could not set it down once I started reading it. If you love stories of history pre-christian or even just in general you will love this book!
This movie had me laughing! I could not stop. My sides were even hurting and I was in tears. It is a must see!
Back to School
For some of us school starts back in a couple of weeks. The rest of you it starts back first part of next month. I thought with school starting back being just around the corner that I would include some great recipes for lunchs and snacks for all of you moms.
Peanut Butter and Jelly stars
(this great recipe I found on the familyfun website)
http://familyfun.go.com/
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 slices white bread
2 slices whole wheat bread
Peanut butter
Jelly
1 1/2-inch star cookie cutter
1. Use this recipe as an opportunity to teach your kids how to use cookie cutters and spread peanut butter and jelly on bread.
2. TIP: Jazz up your sandwiches by using mini cookie cutters to cut puzzle pieces out of white and whole wheat bread. Swap the whole wheat shapes with the white, then press them into place.
3. Using the star cookie cutter (available at party supply stores), cut two stars out of a slice of the white bread and two stars out of a slice of the whole wheat bread.
4. Fit the whole wheat stars into the star-shaped holes in the white bread and the white stars into the whole wheat bread.
5. Now the bread is ready for the peanut butter and jelly. Have your child use a table knife to smoothly spread on peanut butter and jelly, working slowly to avoid tearing the bread.
6. Assemble the sandwich, then wrap in plastic. Makes 2 star-studded sandwiches
I came across another great website that many of you would probally enjoy. It is called Familycorner.com.
they have some wonderful recipes and articles. Here are some snack ideas I came across while visiting this site. It is 4 different trail mix recipes for your little ones. Something they will enjoy to snack on when they come in from their long day at school.
What You Need
Just a few minutes is all that is needed to mix together some of these tasty trail mixes:
Zoo-licious Animal Feed
2 C. animal crackers
1 C. dry-roasted peanuts, sliced almonds or pecans
1 C. banana chips
1/2 C. sunflower seeds
1/2 C. sweetened or unsweetened coconut
1 C. cheese flavored fish crackers
Mix well. Store in gallon size plastic bag or plastic container.
Pirates Treasure Treat Mix
2 C. plain popped popcorn
2 C. mini cheese crackers
2 C. mini pretzels
1 C. raisins
1 C. peanut butter chips
Mix together cheese crackers, pretzels, raisins & peanut butter chips. Store in a plastic container. Pop popcorn and store in a separate container. Add the popcorn into the mix the day that it will be eaten for the freshest taste.
Princess Pixie Mix
2 C. Apple Cinnamon O's cereal
1 C. assorted dried fruit mix
1 C. yogurt covered raisins
1 C. granola pieces
Mix well. Store in well sealed container
S'mores Campfire Crunch
2 C. mini pretzels
2 C. chocolate graham cracker cookies
1 C. mini marshmallows
1 C. peanut butter chips
1 C. mini chocolate chips
Mix together and store in a gallon sized plastic bag or in a sealed container.
Be sure to check out these two sites for more great recipes and even family fun ideas!
Disney Family Fun
Family Corner
These sites have the Momma Stamp of Approval.
Peanut Butter and Jelly stars
(this great recipe I found on the familyfun website)
http://familyfun.go.com/
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 slices white bread
2 slices whole wheat bread
Peanut butter
Jelly
1 1/2-inch star cookie cutter
1. Use this recipe as an opportunity to teach your kids how to use cookie cutters and spread peanut butter and jelly on bread.
2. TIP: Jazz up your sandwiches by using mini cookie cutters to cut puzzle pieces out of white and whole wheat bread. Swap the whole wheat shapes with the white, then press them into place.
3. Using the star cookie cutter (available at party supply stores), cut two stars out of a slice of the white bread and two stars out of a slice of the whole wheat bread.
4. Fit the whole wheat stars into the star-shaped holes in the white bread and the white stars into the whole wheat bread.
5. Now the bread is ready for the peanut butter and jelly. Have your child use a table knife to smoothly spread on peanut butter and jelly, working slowly to avoid tearing the bread.
6. Assemble the sandwich, then wrap in plastic. Makes 2 star-studded sandwiches
I came across another great website that many of you would probally enjoy. It is called Familycorner.com.
they have some wonderful recipes and articles. Here are some snack ideas I came across while visiting this site. It is 4 different trail mix recipes for your little ones. Something they will enjoy to snack on when they come in from their long day at school.
What You Need
Just a few minutes is all that is needed to mix together some of these tasty trail mixes:
Zoo-licious Animal Feed
2 C. animal crackers
1 C. dry-roasted peanuts, sliced almonds or pecans
1 C. banana chips
1/2 C. sunflower seeds
1/2 C. sweetened or unsweetened coconut
1 C. cheese flavored fish crackers
Mix well. Store in gallon size plastic bag or plastic container.
Pirates Treasure Treat Mix
2 C. plain popped popcorn
2 C. mini cheese crackers
2 C. mini pretzels
1 C. raisins
1 C. peanut butter chips
Mix together cheese crackers, pretzels, raisins & peanut butter chips. Store in a plastic container. Pop popcorn and store in a separate container. Add the popcorn into the mix the day that it will be eaten for the freshest taste.
Princess Pixie Mix
2 C. Apple Cinnamon O's cereal
1 C. assorted dried fruit mix
1 C. yogurt covered raisins
1 C. granola pieces
Mix well. Store in well sealed container
S'mores Campfire Crunch
2 C. mini pretzels
2 C. chocolate graham cracker cookies
1 C. mini marshmallows
1 C. peanut butter chips
1 C. mini chocolate chips
Mix together and store in a gallon sized plastic bag or in a sealed container.
Be sure to check out these two sites for more great recipes and even family fun ideas!
Disney Family Fun
Family Corner
These sites have the Momma Stamp of Approval.
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