Most mornings I’m hungry, but I don’t want to take the time to make breakfast; solution, Overnight Oatmeal! Overnight oatmeal is delicious, it stays fresh 2 to 3 days in the fridge (so I can make a couple at once), and the additional ingredients can be changed each morning.

Good Food for Little Cash: Grocery Shopping on a Budget  was an article that helped me focus on my cooking habits, but one thing I didn’t mention were the tips and tricks for preparing and storing food. Using these 12 tips and tricks for preparing and storing food, after each grocery trip has streamlined my cooking experience and made meal planning and cleanup easier.

1. Wash off any dirt, and then clean your fruits and vegetables with 1 part/cups distilled white vinegar and 3 parts/cups water. Use a spray bottle to cover smooth skinned fruits and vegetables (strawberries, raspberries, peppers, eggplant) and let set for about 3 minutes, then rinse the vinegar solution off, and let the fruit/vegetable dry on a towel. For rough skin or leafy fruits and vegetables (kiwi, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and lettuce) fill a bowl or clean sink with the vinegar solution and let them soak for about 5 minutes. Then rinse the solution off and let dry on a towel. It is good to use this solution on all fruits and vegetables (even those you remove the skin of) because many farmers use pesticides and many produce have harmful bacteria on their skin, that when cut or bitten into can leave you sick.

2. With clean dry fruits and vegetables cut up the produce you will need for the week and store it in the measurement sizes you will need for each meal, and make sure you have some set aside for snacks.

3. Prepare meals ahead of time: salad in a mason jar will last for about a week (bottom to top: dressing, fruit, nuts, broccoli, carrots, spinach, lettuce); boil eggs for breakfast, a snack, or to use in tuna/chicken salad; overnight oaks (a flavorful oatmeal that doesn’t require heating and last 2 to 3 days in the fridge); and hummus and hot sauce last a week in the fridge.

4. Replace original frozen fruit and veggie bags with quart size freezer bags. Place 2 cups of the fruit or veggie in each bag, roll the air out, zip closed, spread the produce flat, write the measurment on the bag, and place in freezer. This allows the frozen produce to lay flat in the freezer, take up less space, and make it easy to grab the amount you need without additional measuring. The standing bags frozen produce comes in (like the Dole brand) take up more space in the freezer and the ones that are supposed to lie flat don’t have all the air removed and can result in damaged food.  (12 oz. Great Value blueberries = 1 ½ – 2 cups; 16 oz. Great Value strawberries = 3 -4 cups; 16 oz. Dole Mangos = 4 cups).

5. Freeze extra fruits and veggies (or those needed for smoothies).

• Freezing Vegetables: Blanch clean veggies first in boiling water, and then submerge in ice water, dry thoroughly, place in air-tight container (filling to top) or freezer bag.  Frozen vegetables will last about 18 months.
• Freezing Fruit: Spread fruit out on a parchment lined cookie sheet and freeze, so they won’t stick together. As soon as they are frozen place in freezer bag and return to freezer. Frozen fruit will last about 1 year. (If eating frozen fruit by itself, eat before it is completely thawed so it won’t become mushy.)
• Make sure your freezer temperature is at 0°F or colder.
• Freeze fruits and vegetables quickly while they are fresh.
• Make sure you remove as much air possible from your container.

6. Freeze extra hot sauce in a quart mason jar.

7. Freeze extra yogurt cups and if you place a popsicle stick in them before freezing you can have a yogurt pop.

8. Freeze dough in a tube (biscuits, crescent rolls, cinnamon buns) or homemade dough.

9. Freeze blocks of cheese or shredded cheese (make sure to thaw completely before use).

10. Freeze cooked rice.  (Cook rice, freeze on a parchment lined cookie sheet, place in freezer bag, and return to freezer.)

11. Freeze mashed potatoes. (Cook mashed potatoes, scoop individual serving sizes onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, freeze, place in freezer bag, and return to freezer.)

12. Prepare crockpot ingredients ahead of time, place in freezer bag, and freeze. (Make sure to label what crockpot meal it is and any additional instructions needed.) (Most recipes leave the broth/stock and rice out of the freezer bag.) (Try freezing crockpot chicken fajitas – just leave out the chicken stock until everything is in the crockpot.)

I hope using my 12 tips and tricks help you make meal planning and cleanup easier. What are your tips and tricks for preparing and storing food?

As the school year ends I think of all the kids that will be home for the summer and a parent’s need for fun budget-friendly activities for kids. Every year I get my younger (7 to 16 years younger) sisters for a week during the summer, and a few weekends throughout the year, and every time I need activities to keep them  engaged instead of sleeping all day or saying, “I’m bored.” Here are 25 fun and budget-friendly activities for kids, which I have used for all age levels.

1. Visit a state park. State parks are very budget-friendly and offer a variety of things to do. The most it has cost to get into a park was $3 for parking, or $20 for camping. We even found a park near Monroe, La for $1 per day. You can fish, swim, go hiking, look through the visitor’s center, take nature tours the park rangers provide, and some parks have boat rides and rental areas (paddle boat, kayak, and canoe).
2. Go to the zoo. A family can spend an entire day at the zoo, just remember to pack your lunch and only take pictures for souvenirs to save money.
3. Go on a safari. Drive through safaris can be cheaper than visiting a zoo, plus they are more interactive. Most drive through safaris offer a petting zoo and food to feed the animals from your window.
4. Collect scrap metal. I know, you are wondering how that is going to entertain your kid. Well, it works for my sisters. We happen to have access to land that has a lot of scrap metal buried in the dirt, but if you don’t you can always take a walk and collect cans as you go. This not only cleans up pollution, but you can turn the scrap metal in for money and give your child a portion for their help.
5. Target practice. Target practice can be a fun way to work on hand-eye coordination. This can be done with your choice of equipment (archery, shooting, darts, sling shot, airsoft, throwing bouncing balls, etc.) Make sure you go over safety and handling rules with all target practice items.
6. Have a beauty day. Make homemade body scrub and moisturizer, use the beauty products on each other, give massages, soak your feet in Epsom salt, and give each other manicures and pedicures.
7. Make crafts. Make paracord bracelets, key chains, gun slings, or dog collars; decorate plain headbands with ribbon or buttons, use beads, buttons, and twine to make bracelets; learn to crochet or knit.
8. Puzzles. Instead of just putting a puzzle together have puzzle races or do group puzzles within a time limit. You can also make your own puzzle (glew a picture onto cardboard and cut out the design).
9. Game day. You can play a variety of board games, card games, or active games, like hide and seek, freeze tag, Simon says, etc.
10. Have a scavenger hunt. You can give clues to find the next item, or you can have a list of items that need to be found – great for a nature hunt or at the mall (take a picture of the item, so you don’t have to buy it).
11. Go swimming. There are many free swimming spots at local lakes or at a park.
12. Go on a picnic. I actually recommend this one any time you leave the house for a fun activity (even if it is in the back of your car).
13. Go fishing. Before fishing make sure you check your state’s regulations and teach your child how to safely handle a fishing pole and hook.
14. Go camping. You can go camping at a state park for a small fee, in your back yard, or in the woods (make sure you have permission of the owner).
15. Campfire cooking. I love cooking outside, especially on a campfire. This can get everyone involved on building the fire, preparing the food, and making dessert (smores!).
16. Go to the movies. I recommend going to the movies in the morning, this is when prices are lower.  And skip out on the popcorn and drinks, sneak in your own snacks if you must.
17. Go to a museum. Check the schedule online for rates and ways to save. At the museums of Fair Park in Dallas we were able to get into 3 museums for the price of one by going on a Tuesday.
18. Work on your photo albums. This gives you and the kids a chance to reminisce and organizes your collection of photos.
19. Take a walk or hike. This can be done around your neighborhood, at the track, or at the local park.
20. Have a mud bath. Ok, this might not be for all adults, but you would be missing out on a great skin treatment. Put your swim suits on, find a mud hole/or make one, and have fun covering each other in the wet dirt and making mud pies. Tip: Rinse off with a water hose and have a towel for each person to scoot across the floor with until they get to the shower.
21. Bake or cook from scratch. Make cakes, cupcakes, pies, and different meals from scratch. Try a new recipe.
22. Have an obstacle course race. Use pillows, blankets, chairs, clothing, eggs, spoons, and anything else you can think of to race around an obstacle course and have challenges to do (like put on and take off dress up clothes, or balancing an egg on a spoon).
23. Decorate windows. Crayola has widow markers. They are washable, but allow kids to draw whatever they want on a window.
24. Make presents for hospital patients.  You can make cards, cookies, sock puppet dolls, gift baskets, and more for hospital patients (you might call the hospital to ask for suggestions and rules).
25. Have a water fight. Use water guns, a water hose, and water balloons to get each other soaking wet.

I could keep going, but I think I’ll just stop with 25 fun and budget friendly activities for kids. What are some of your favorite activities you do with your kids?

 I love peanut butter!!! I could eat it every day, but I don’t like the added preservatives, sugar, and random ingredients from the store-bought peanut butters. I’ve bought the pure peanut butter (made only with peanuts) but the cost is high and my husband prefers it to have a little sweeter taste and to be easier to spread. The homemade peanut butter I make in my high-speed blender fits his requirements (even though I still love just plain peanut butter) and costs around $1 for a 16 oz. jar.

I know, you are asking yourself why anyone would make homemade cloth baby wipes when you can just buy disposable wipes; it’s what almost everyone does. Personally, the only advantage of disposable wipes is convenience.  Just because something is convenient/easier and popular doesn’t mean it is better. Homemade cloth wipes have a variety of benefits that you can’t get with traditional wipes:

1. Cloth wipes save you money. You don’t have to keep purchasing more wipes.
2. Cloth wipes are eco-friendly since they don’t contribute to landfills.
3. Cloth wipes are healthier. Have you ever read the ingredients on the back of your wipe container? Even “hypoallergenic” disposable wipes have ingredients like glycerin, polysorbate 20, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, and the ever mysterious “fragrance”. I wouldn’t want to use these on myself, much less an infant or my hairless dog.
4. Homemade cloth wipes are versatile. You can make different wipe solutions to fit your child’s and family’s needs.
5. Cloth wipes are stronger and clean up the mess better.

 Making Cloth Wipes

So how do you make homemade cloth wipes? That is up to you. You can cut up receiving blankets or other soft fabric – such as cotton, fleece, and flannel – and sew up the edges to keep from fraying, use socks, buy baby washcloths, or buy brand cloth wipes like Thirsties, Bumgenius, or my personal favorite OsoCozy Flannel Baby Wipes.

Containers

You will need to keep your wipes in a container available at home and during travel; plus you will need a way of storing dirty wipes. For at home, I recommend the OXO Tot Perfect Pull Wipes Dispenser. With this dispenser you don’t have to worry about how you are folding your wipes, as long as they are layered one on top of the other. The weighted opening  allows you to reach and pull out one wipe at a time with ease and the clear window allows you to see when wipes are low. I can fit 30 cloth wipes in this dispenser. For travel I recommend a Planet Wise Wipe Pouch, if you don’t want to carry the large dispenser. For dirty wipes a large wet bag works great at home (this can be used for cloth diapers too) and a small/medium wet bag for your diaper bag.

 Cloth Wipe Solutions

There are a variety of cloth wipe solutions and recipes to choose from, and you have the added choice of storing your wipes wet or dry. I personally prefer dry wipes and the use of a spray bottle for the solution, to avoid mold and mildew, but using a wipes wet bag with pre-moistened cloth wipes for traveling (since there are fewer and less likely to sit around long enough to mold or mildew).

If you don’t want to take the time to make your own cloth wipe solution there are a variety you can buy:

• Pre-Made Solution that is usually available in a spray bottle, such as Thirsties Booty Luster, Eco Sprout’s Bottom Spray, and California Baby Diaper Area Wash.
• Wipe Concentrate is a liquid super concentrated form of the solution you will use. You will follow the directions to dilute the concentration. Examples are Lusa Organics Baby Wipe Juice and Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion.
• Wipe Bits are small wax looking masses that are dissolved in hot water, then cooled before using. You only use one at a time when you need it and can carry them with you. You can purchase them from Knickernappiers Baby Bum Drops and  brands on Etsy.com .

 Homemade Cloth Wipe Solution Recipes

First, there are four basic ingredients when making a homemade cloth wipes solution:

1. Water is the main part of the solution; it can be used by itself or to dilute the other ingredients so they aren’t too harsh for baby’s sensitive skin. (I recommend distilled or boiled water when using wet wipes.)
2. Oil helps the skin stay soft and helps the wipe slide gently across the baby’s skin. (I recommend Dr. Bronner’s Organic Coconut Oil.)
3. Soap is used to cleanse the skin and remove urine and feces. (Many recipes call for baby wash – read the ingredients before choosing baby wash, many are just as damaging as those of disposable wipes. I recommend Dr. Bronner’s Castile Baby Soap.)
4. Essential Oils are an optional way of adding antibacterial, healing, and aromatherapy properties. (Always choose pure essential oils, never synthetic, and buy organic when available to provide the most benefits possible.)

Tip: When mixing solutions first pour your water to avoid creating bubbles.

Basic Wipe Solution (Can be used with your favorite soap and oil.)

• ½ cup oil (Melted Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, etc.)
• ½ cup liquid soap or baby wash (only 1 Tbsp. if using Dr. Bronner’s Organic Castile Soap)
• 2 cups water

Chamomile Tea and Lavender Solution

• 2 chamomile tea bags (Steep in 2 cups of boiling water – make strong.)
• 2 tsp. lavender oil
• 1 Tbsp. baby wash

Anti-Fungal Solution (Great for preventing and treating yeast diaper rashes.)

• 1 tsp. white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. calendula oil
• 5 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops tea tree oil
• ¼ cup 100% aloe vera gel
• ½ cup hot water

Tea Tree and Lavender (Great for preventing and treating diaper rash.)

• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. baby wash
• 5 drops tea tree oil
• 10 drops lavender oil
• 3 cups water

Vitamin E Solution (Can be added to the bath.)

• 2 drops tea tree oil
• 2 drops lavender oil
• 2 drops chamomile oil
• 2 cups water
• ¼ tsp. vitamin E oil or 2 vitamin E capsules emptied into solution

Coconut Oil Solution

• 1 cup hot water
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap

Washing Cloth Wipes

Unless your baby is entirely on breast milk their poop will need to be cleaned off the wipe (shake, dunk in toilet, spray off, or use a spatula to wipe squishy/sticky poop off), just like cloth diapers.  Some families use toilet paper to grab the bigger chunks and flush them, then use the cloth wipe to finish cleaning baby. Since I wash clothes by hand I like to boil cloth wipes for 2 or 3 minutes, then use that hot water and detergent to wash them, then get fresh water and detergent for a second wash, finishing with two rinse cycles and drying on the line.

Other Uses for Cloth Wipes

• Cleaning faces and hands.
• Family Cloth in the bathroom (Basically cloth baby wipes, with or without the solution, instead of toilet paper).
• Wiping dogs with allergies down after going outside. (My hairless Chinese Crested gets wiped down – feet, legs, and belly – after each trip outside to decrease swelling of feet and itching.)

Using cloth wipes is a versatile and easy way to make a healthy and eco-friendly habit for your child and entire family. What is your favorite cloth wipes solution and what are your tips for cloth wipe beginners?

Next Homemade Savings: Homemade Peanut Butter (sweet and creamy)

Next Financial Tip: 25 Fun and Budget-Friendly Activities for Kids

Superfruits are really just that – “super fruits” to have in your diet.  For years now, superfruits have been the buzz among nutritionists and health conscious people, but what exactly are they?  Simply put, they are fruits found to have a higher than average level of nutritional value and antioxidants.  Antioxidants are the good guys. They protect our cells from free radicals, or unstable molecules, which cause damage, illnesses, and possibly even life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

There are roughly 25 fruits classified as superfruits. Depending on which research study you look at, this number can be more or less.

Wanting to make sure I was eating the best of the best, I researched these fruits and the reason they make the list. Below is my list of the top 10 superfruits I like to have in my diet (your list may be different, depending on your needs and tastes):

1. Kiwifruit – These green jewels are low in calories and have more vitamin C than oranges. They are also an excellent source of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood coagulation and maintaining bone health as we age.
2. Oranges – This delicious fruit is high in vitamin C and is an excellent source for thiamine and potassium. Thiamine supports the body’s immune system and is necessary to convert carbohydrates into energy. Potassium helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also moves nutrients into cells and waste out of cells.
3. Blueberries – These are a great go-to fruit to add to your cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and smoothies. They are known to help improve brain function and memory.  They are also high in vitamins C and K, and are a great source of manganese, which supports your metabolism.
4. Strawberries – They are high in vitamin C and are a good source of folic acid, which helps the body make new cells and is necessary to maintain heart health. Like the blueberries, strawberries are great to add to cereal, oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies.
5. Apples – They are a good source of fiber and when eaten with the skin left on, they contain quercetin, known for it’s anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory effects.
6. Cantaloupes – This sweet fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. Vitamin A is the vitamin known to help skin grow new cells, giving you a healthy glow. It is also important for maintaining healthy bones, eyes, and teeth.
7. Grapes – They contain an antioxidant known as resveratrol, which promotes a healthy heart. They are also a good source of Vitamin K and maganese. These make great snacks to satisfy a sweet tooth.
8. Grapefruit – This fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C and is known to help lower cholesterol. This is a great addition to a healthy breakfast.
9. Cranberries – These little tart fruits support a healthy urinary tract and are known to increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels. The dried cranberries that are packaged as a healthy snack work just as well as the fresh ones.
10. Bananas – These favored fruits are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, Potassium, Maganese, and Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps the body make antibodies so that it can fight off illnesses. Keep in mind that bananas have a higher calorie count than many other fruits.  I love to put bananas in smoothies with lower calorie fruits and vegetables, like spinach and blueberries.

What are some of your favorite superfruits, and why?

Resources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/10/healthy-superfruits_n_1765768.html

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b1-000333.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/potassium.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/folicacid.html

http://menshealth.about.com/od/diet/a/vitamin_a.htm

 Next Health Tip: All About Homemade Cloth Baby Wipes and Wipe Solutions

March 14, 2013

Getting Started

Waking at 6:30 a.m. came easy to me. I weighed and noticed I was down 3.4 pounds from day four. I am not sure what happened, but, needless to say, I was happy all the same. Maybe it was the iced tea. Guess what I was drinking on day 7? Personally, I think my body likes to hold on to fat as long as it can, refusing to let go of it until the last-minute. Makes sense to me, anyway.

Breakfast

I spent the morning paying bills and making phone calls. Before long I realized I had not eaten breakfast, and it was already 9:05 a.m.. I decided to eat Special K Cinnamon Pecan cereal with almond milk and blueberries. I also made a glass of fresh orange and grape juice, because my husband’s cousin had given him a bunch of oranges from his trees, and I had grapes on hand that were about to go bad. This juice was delicious and I liked the fact that I did not need any added sweetener.

Lunch

I had to run errands which took me way past lunch time. By time I was done, I was starving. Luckily, I had already planned to have leftovers.  I had the  Baked Chicken with Homemade Barbecue Sauce from the day before,  corn, and green beans.

Snack

Later in the day I got hungry, so I had a snack of apples, cheddar cheese and some wheat thins. After this I had a Fiber One Chocolate Carmel and Pretzel Bar. I know I was not hungry at this point, but I was just craving something sweet. This is one of my problems – I give in to cravings.

Dinner

I was planning to cook dinner but, once again, my fatigue took over. I guess it’s just the nature of my disease (sarcoidosis). Wanting something quick and easy, I made a sandwich using one chicken breast and the Arnold’s Sandwich Thins. I certainly got my share of barbecue chicken for two days.

Conclusion

Exhausted, I went to bed early – once again, not getting any exercise. I hate days like that. I used to have all kinds of energy but now since being diagnosed with my illness, I have to give in to fatigue way more often than I want to – especially on the days I don’t get a nap (which, by the way, used to be something I never did either). Oh well, we never know what is going to happen in life. We all just have to make the best of the situation and try to be as healthy as possible, right?

This fresh orange and grape juice is so easy and nutritious, without all the added junk found in many store-bought brands.

 Next Recipe: Homemade Peanut Butter (sweet and creamy)

With Earth Day around the corner, I began thinking of all the products we have switched to (bought and homemade) over these past few years, to create a healthier and more eco-friendly home. These products cut down both landfill pollution and water pollution, and besides being eco-friendly they are budget friendly.

Cloth Paper Towel Roll

I hate buying an item that is only used once, then tossed. Paper towels seemed to be the main item filling up our trashcan. The solution was to ditch the paper towels and use cloth paper towels instead. These are great at cleaning dirty hands and faces, wiping up spills, and scrubbing grime from the counter, but allow you to wash and reuse a countless number of times. When searching for them, they are called unpaper towels, reusable paper towels, or cloth paper towels. I love the ones made by SewItBoutique on Etsy (they snap together and are reinforced in the center so the cotton and terry cloth sides don’t move around). I like having my pretty unpaper towel roll on the roll (I duct taped an old cardboard roll to keep it sturdy) for simple things like drying hands and wiping up a spill. I bought some white unpaper towels (ManInTheMoonHerbs on Etsy) to use for cleaning up grease and dirt. Even with 3 people we don’t go through a roll of 12 cloth paper towels or 13 white cleaning cloths in a week. If you are just drying your hands after washing them, the same towel can be used throughout the day. (Tip: Buy a wet bag to keep dirty towels separate from the rest of laundry.)

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid Cleanser

This product was a must have for us. I have sensitive skin and my husband will get sick (difficulty breathing and stomach problems) from smelling fumes from cleaning products (bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, Comet, etc.). Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid Cleanser is organic, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and a fair trade product. It can be used for washing dishes, laundry, and household surfaces. We bought the gallon jug and it lasts forever, plus it cleans better than anything else I have used. I had been trying for 2 years to remove the soap scum from my tub; after 5 minutes of soaking in Sal Suds, the soap scum wiped right off. You use 1 ½ tsp. of cleanser with 1 gallon of water to make the solution. Then for easier use put the solution into a spray bottle. (Tip: With the first batch buy the gallon of distilled water at the store, then when the solution runs out boil your own water and after it cools reuse the water jug to make the solution). We also love Dr. Bronner’s organic hand soap, organic shampoo/body wash, and organic shaving gel.

 Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent and Liquid Laundry Detergent

Follow the links to discover the financial and environmental benefits of both of these DIY laundry detergents.

Haan FS20 Steam Mop

As you discovered previously, my husband and I have issues with cleaning solutions. I really don’t see the benefit of using chemicals in a home. My mom has used a steam mop for years but I wondered if it really was sanitizing, or was it just making the floor look clean. When doing my research to find the steam mop perfect for me, I came across the Haan FS20 Steam Mop. It gets up to a temperature of 212 F, hot enough to kill germs. Besides the floors, I have used it on our mattress, the couch, the table, counters, and the tub. I recommend also purchasing the short handle accessory and TH20 tray so all the functions are available. If you are like me (or my husband when he wants to “play” with the mop), you might want to clean everything in a day, so buy more microfiber cleaning pads, so you have enough for each job. (Tip: Read the instructions and remember it will take a few minutes to heat up and cool down completely; and be careful around the hot steam and handling the used pads.)

Reusable Cloth Grocery Bags and Produce Bags

Like I mentioned earlier, I hate trash. Even though we typically don’t get charged for grocery and produce bags, I hate the idea that I am polluting the environment when shopping, and that my groceries are touching something with possible harmful chemicals. These bags are eco-friendly since they can be reused. The produce bags are healthier and help fruits and veggies last longer, plus they are made from recycled products. (Tip: ChicoBag rePETe mesh bags are perfect for storing apples, oranges, onion, potatoes , and other produce not stored  in the fridge – it allows ethylene gas to escape; ChicoBag hemp-cotton blend bag is perfect for nuts, grains, green beans, and bulk food – it absorbs excess moisture and restricts airflow; and the ChicoBag rePETe bag is perfect for squash, broccoli, carrots, and celery – restricts airflow and locks in moisture.)

Menstrual Cup

Follow the link to discover the health, environmental, and financial benefits of using a menstrual cup compared to tampons and pads.

Drying Rack 

When the weather is warmer, we use our drying rack, instead of wasting electricity on the dryer. Also, without the intense heat of the dryer, clothing lasts longer.

Homemade Baby Wipes

I know we don’t have a baby (yet), however, the use of baby wipes started with our dog, Frodo. He is a hairless Chinese crested that has allergies, resulting in itchy skin and breakouts. The vet said we needed hypoallergenic baby wipes, so we can wipe him down after each trip outside. That is a lot of wipes. They are expensive and, as we came to find out, it is a major pain to find hypoallergenic ones that are not in a plastic box. We save money, decrease trash, and know we are using safe, healthy wipes, by making our own hypoallergenic reusable cloth baby wipes.

Ceramic Cookware

Many people are beginning to learn the benefits of cooking with ceramic cookware. It is nonstick, without the toxins and chipping of Teflon. For additional information on the dangers of teflon, check out Dr. Weil’s answer about the difference in teflon and ceramic cookware.

Reusable Food Containers

Another way to cut down on trash is by using reusable snack/sandwich bags and Pyrex glass containers instead of plastic storage bags/ freezer bags. Pyrex is dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe. It does a beautiful job of freezing leftovers; and is a perfect container for taking pastas, meat, and soups for lunch. The LunchSkins reusable sandwich and snack bags seal with velcro and easily wipe clean.  These hand-sewn, American made bags are BPA, lead, and phthalate free. I was able to fit an apple, slice of cheese, and a spoon in the sandwich bag, and two protein bars in the snack bag, but they make a perfect place to store sandwiches (duh), fruits, and veggies.

Bonus Tip

Instead of throwing away toilet paper rolls or the lent from the dryer, we save them to use as fire starters when camping or making a bonfire. By adding vanilla or sage to them, bugs can be deterred.

Wow! Looking back I can’t believe how all of our small changes have added up. We are definitely cleaning up some clutter in our lives: physical clutter in the house, environmental clutter, toxic clutter around the home, and financial clutter (by saving money). What are some of the ways you are cleaning out clutter and making your everyday life more eco-friendly?

Next Financial Tip: All About Homemade Cloth Baby Wipes and Wipe Solutions

Next Health Tip: What are Superfruits?

Next Step to Green Living: All About Homemade Cloth Baby Wipes and Wipe Solutions