this is worth sharing

Quite possibly one of my favorite things to clean with is vinegar; it is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and very economical. It also kills most mold, bacteria and germs. Which makes me very happy. So when I stumbled upon this article I figured it is worth sharing...another non-toxic, economical, and versatile cleaning agent!


40 Ways to Clean Using Baking Soda

1. Clean baby toys safely: dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water and use the solution to wipe down toys with a sponge, rinse, and dry.

2. Get bathroom floors sparkling: mix ½ cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water, mop, and rinse.

3. Deodorize trash cans: dust a bit of baking soda over the can every now and then, and then when you empty it, rinse the canister with 1 cup baking soda to 1 gallon water.

4. Deodorize drains: sprinkle ½ cup baking soda down the drain while running warm water.

5. Refresh carpets: shake a bit of baking soda over the carpet before you vacuum to get out any lingering stinkiness.

6. Clean tile floors: add ½ cup baking soda to a bucket of warm water, mop, rinse.

7. Clean walls and furniture: sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto a damp sponge and apply directly to walls and furniture—it even works to get out crayon stains!

8. Refresh sheets and towels: add ½ cup baking soda to the rinse cycle to help get linens extra clean and fluffy.

9. To deodorize post-spill: after you’ve cleaned a spill off your upholstery and the area is completely dry, sprinkle the spot with baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum to neutralize any odors.

10. Clean ashtrays: sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of an ashtray to get out the smoky smell.

11. Clean camping and fishing gear: wipe gear down with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.

12. Freshen up gym bags: just dust some baking soda directly on the bag to deodorize it.

13. Keep closets smelling good: leave a box open in a corner of your closet to mitigate lingering smells.

14. Make sure the recycling bin is fresh: sprinkle baking soda periodically over both the bin and its contents to drive away the stink.

15. Stave off refrigerator grossness: leave an open box in the fridge and swap it out monthly.

16. Clean countertops: apply baking soda to a clean damp sponge or cloth for wiping down food prep areas.

17. Clean produce: dust baking soda directly onto fresh fruits and veggies to get off lingering dirt. Scrub with a vegetable brush or clean sponge before rinsing.

18. Get silver sparkling: make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto sterling or silver-plated flatware and dishes with a clean cloth, then rinse.

19. Get your microwave spic and span: apply baking soda to a clean damp sponge to wipe down the interior and exterior of your microwave.

20. Clean Tupperware: scrub down plastic containers with baking soda, and for stubborn stains, let them soak in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 part water.

21. Clean the coffeemaker: give coffeemakers (and mugs) a thorough scrub with ¼ baking soda to 1 quart water.

22. Deodorize the dishwasher: sprinkle a handful of baking soda on the bottom of the machine to absorb food odors before your next load.

23. Clean sponges: to get out the musty smell, soak sponges in 4 tablespoons baking soda with 1 quart warm water.

24. Clean pots and pans: to help lift stubborn baked-on foods, shake on a hearty amount of baking soda, add dish detergent and hot water and let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.

25. Get dishes sparkling: add 2 big tablespoons of baking soda to your regular dish detergent to cut the grease and foods left on your tableware.

26. Remove tea stains on teapots: soak stained teapot in ¼ cup baking soda and 1 quart warm water overnight before washing.

27. Laundry booster: add a cup of baking soda to your laundry load to help brighten clothes.

28. Clean grills: for tough, greasy stains, scrubs grills with a wire brush and a paste made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part warm water, then rinse well.

29. Get gunk and mildew off pool toys: use ¼ cup baking soda with 1 quart warm water and wipe down plastic and vinyl pool toys.

30. Clean patio furniture: before you store it for the season, scrub lawn chairs with baking soda and a wet sponge. You can also sprinkle baking soda underneath cushions every so often to keep them fresh.

31. Deodorize your dog: to keep Fido smelling fresh between baths, sprinkle fur with a bit of baking soda before brushing it through.

32. Remove grease and oil stains in the garage: dump some baking soda directly onto the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

33. Wash your car: mix ¼ cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water and use the solution to clean chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats and floor mats without scratches.

34. Clean hairbrushes and combs: remove oil and produce buildup by letting brushes and combs soak in a sink full of warm water and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Rinse and let dry.

35. Refresh stinky sneakers: sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes to soak up sweat and odors.

36. Clean retainers and dentures: let them soak in a glass full of warm water and 2 teaspoons baking soda.

37. Clean stuffed animals: dust baking soda onto stuffed animals, let it sit for 15 minutes, then dust off.

38. As a shampoo booster: sprinkle a little baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo to help get out residue from styling products.

39. Deodorize baby bottles: fill bottle with warm water and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Shake, rinse, and clean thoroughly.

40. Clean pet toys: scrub down plastic chew toys with 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water.


Sources: armandhammer.com; thefarm.org; thenewhomemaker.com

it is almost that time.

I have been waiting very patiently all summer for fall to arrive. There is something so refreshing about waking up to crisp cool air. However, my most favorite thing about the arrival of fall is that I can pull out all my winter clothes. Especially my most adored scarves. They go with everything, they are the perfect addition to any outfit, so versatile. If you don't already have one please, please don't forget the MUST HAVE accessory this fall, THE INFINITY SCARF. So as the temperatures drop (slowly, might I add), I will pull one scarf out at a time and bask in the fact that soon I will be able to throw one on and run out the door. Please fall get here quickly.

my little piece of heaven

I don't think a day goes by that I do not stop in at Starbucks and grab my daily (sometimes 3x a day) Iced Venti Unsweetened Green Tea. It has gotten to the point where any one of the three Starbucks in my neighborhood know what I am going to order, and if I order anything different they look at my funny. Not only does this lovely little beverage taste good but thankfully it is good for me too! Green tea is full of anti-oxidants. I am doing my body a favor by drinking two or three of these a day! Not to mention the favor I am doing Starbucks.

so to die for...

Lemon Poppy-Seed Layer Cake- Found in Traditional Home magazine...

Prepare Lemon Curd filling the day before you bake the cake. Chill overnight.

Lemon Curd (see recipe)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons finely shredded lemon peel (from 3 large lemons)
4 large eggs
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon extract
3 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
Coconut Buttercream Frosting (see recipe)
4 cups natural raw chip coconut (about 5 to 6 ounces), toasted*
Fresh strawberries

Prepare Lemon Curd. Cover; chill at least 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two (9x1-1/2 inch) round baking pans. Set aside.

In very large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lemon peel on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon juice and lemon extract. (Mixture may look curdled.)

In another large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Fold in poppy seeds.

Divide cake batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans; cool completely. When cakes are cool, trim tops of cakes if necessary to make them flat. Split cakes in half horizontally to create four cake rounds.

To assemble, place one cake round on cake plate. Spread with 1 scant cup Lemon Curd. Top curd with another cake round and another scant cup of curd. Repeat with third cake round and the remaining curd. Top curd with last cake round.

Frost top and sides of cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top of cake and press into sides of cake. Serve immediately with fresh strawberries, or store cake in refrigerator. Let chilled cake stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving. Makes 12 to 16 servings,

Lemon Curd:
In large saucepan stir together 1-1/3 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Stir in 1 tablespoon finely shredded lemon peel, 3/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/2 cup water. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

In large bowl lightly beat 7 egg yolks. Slowly stir about half of hot lemon juice mixture into eggs. Return lemon-egg mixture to saucepan. Cook, stirring continuously over medium heat until mixture comes to gentle boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until melted and well combined. Cover surface of curd with waxed paper or plastic wrap. Chill curd at least 8 hours or until firm. Makes a scant 3 cups lemon curd.

Coconut Butter Cream Frosting:
In large mixing bowl beat 1 cup softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Gradually beat in 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat in 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon coconut extract. Gradually beat in 4 cups additional powdered sugar until smooth, with spreading consistency. If necessary, beat in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make spreading possible. Makes about 3-1/4 cups frosting.

*To toast coconut: Preheat oven to 325°F. Spread coconut in shallow baking pan. Heat about 5 minutes or until coconut is fragrant and just barely toasted, stirring once. Cool completely.