Random Thoughts

How to Make Homemade Scented Furniture Polish

2010-05-11T14:26:00.000-04:00

A great way to condition your furniture and keep it free of dust at the same time is to make your own Furniture Polish. For years, I used only soap and water to clean the dust off of my furniture, then one day I noticed that one of my tables was starting to show signs of aging much faster than I thought it should. So I started making my own conditioning furniture polish. It is so easy and cheap, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner!

There are several recipes that I use depending on my mood when I make it. The best part about these recipes are that they are all natural and an easy way to go green at home!

I like to use the spray bottles that have measurements on them and mix everything right in the bottle and shake it up.

If you would like to find out how to make Homemade Scented Furniture Polish, please stop by these sites where I publish my freelance articles:

eHow: How to Make Homemade Scented Furniture Polish

Associated Content: How to Make Homemade Scented Furniture Polish

How to Make a Quick and Simple Lip Gloss

2010-03-24T17:25:00.000-04:00

Adding Lip Gloss is a quick and simple way to look sexy or add a bit of style to your look. Myself, I am not a make-up person, but when I need to dress up my look, I always add shine and sometime a bit of color to my lips. During the day, I wear just the lip gloss, and at night I finish off my lipstick with a coating of lip gloss to help keep my lips from drying out. One of the greatest things about making your own lip-gloss is that you get to control how thick or thin it is along with the exact scent.

You can find the instructions on how to make your own Lip Gloss by following these links to articles that I have published:

eHow: How to Make a Quick and Simple Lip Gloss

Associated Content: How to Make a Quick and Simple Lip Gloss

How to Make Homemade Conditioning Hair Treatments

2010-03-23T13:17:00.000-04:00

Making a simple Conditioning Hair Treatment is so easy, it can be done as often as you like. Most take a just a few minutes to prepare and will leave your hair feeling soft and smelling great. These are my favorite Homemade Conditioning recipes...

Get started with simple homemade hair conditioner "recipes" that I have published on these sites:

eHow: How to Make Homemade Conditioning Hair Treatments

Associated Content: How to Make Homemade Conditioning Hair Treatments

How to Make Homemade Herbal Shampoo

2010-03-20T10:53:00.000-04:00

If you have a hard time finding the perfect combination of your favorite herbal scents in shampoos, you should try making your own at home. I have found that when I buy herbal shampoos, often times the scents mixed are not what I am looking for or they are too strong or not strong enough. You can make your own blend with a basic unscented shampoo or a castile soap such as Dr Bronner's.

You can learn how to make your own Herbal Shampoo by checking out these articles published here:

eHow: How to Make Homemade Herbal Shampoo

Associated Content: How to Make Homemade Herbal Shampoo

How to Test for Fetal Movements After 28 Weeks

2010-03-19T16:34:00.000-04:00

It is recommended that after 28 weeks pregnant women should take a few minutes twice a day to stop and count Fetal Movements. After 28 weeks, baby’s movement may slow down as he starts to run out of room to move around in. Babies are easily rocked to sleep by their mother’s daily routine, so it is very likely that you might not feel any movement for hours if you are busy and on the go. In addition, it is just as likely that when you stop to sit down or go to bed at night, that baby will start to become more active. If you have suddenly realized that you have not felt any movement for several hours it is a good idea to take a break and test for fetal movement, as well.

You can read more of this article that I have published here:

eHow: How to Test for Fetal Movements After 28 Weeks

Associated Content: How to Test for Fetal Movements After 28 Weeks

How to Dry Citrus Zest for Homemade Beauty Products

2009-06-18T13:48:00.003-04:00

Adding lemon, lime, orange or even grapefruit zest to Homemade Beauty products is a refreshing and cheap way to add a touch of scent and exfoliate at the same time. I use zest to make exfoliating salt and sugar scrubs as well as a facial cleanser and toothpaste. Additionally, the great thing about drying citrus zest, is that if I have too much I can add the extra to my spice cupboard to make dressings, desserts or toss on pasta.

You can find complete instructions on Drying Citrus Zest for all of your Homemade beauty products that I have published on either of these sites:

eHow: How to Dry Citrus Zest for Homemade Beauty Products

Associated Content: How to Dry Citrus Zest for Homemade Beauty Products

How to Pamper Yourself with a Foot Bath at Home

2009-06-14T10:18:00.003-04:00

It doesn’t matter if we work at home or outside of the home, if we spend all day chasing our kids around the house or hiking the trails, at the end of the day, a hot aromatic Foot Bath is a great way to pamper yourself at home. You can use an expensive bubbling foot bath massager, but I like to just use a simple plastic storage bin, they are much more affordable and easier to clean out.

You can find out all the simple steps to Pamper yourself with a Foot Bath at Home by visiting my articles published on these sites:

eHow: How to Pamper Yourself with a Foot Bath at Home

Associated Content: How to Pamper Yourself with a Foot Bath at Home

Relax and Enjoy!

How to Prepare Dry Foods for Long-Term Storage

2009-06-06T12:49:00.002-04:00

Whether you are preparing for a natural disaster, possible job loss in the family or just like to stock up when you find a good deal, stockpiling food has become increasingly popular over the past few years. Many people like to plant huge gardens and spend the end of growing season canning, while others prefer to stock up on canned goods from the grocery store.

When it comes to storing dry goods like rice, grains, flour, sugar, salt, pasta, beans, oats and oatmeal, cream of wheat, tea, ground coffee, hot chocolate, powdered milk, bags of cereal, powdered eggs, commercially dried fruits and veggies, and even vitamins (just to name a few!) there are added steps that you should do to extend the life of these foods.

You can learn more about storing food for long term storage on either of my articles here:

eHow: How to Prepare Dry Foods for Long-Term Storage

Associated Content: How to Prepare Dry Foods for Long-Term Storage

Good luck!

How to Earn Cub Scout Achievements by Celebrating Earth Day with Your Wolf Scout

2009-06-03T11:32:00.002-04:00

Getting involved in Cub Scouts is a wonderful way for children to learn responsibility, respect for others, get exercise, have fun and go on an the occasional adventure. Before becoming a Boy Scout, young boys have to first complete many achievements as Cubs. The International Celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd and month of April is a great way for your Wolf Cub Scout to get together as a Den, Pack or even just with family to earn certain achievements.

You can find fun and exciting activities to do with your Wolf Scout to earn Achievements in my articles published on these sites:

eHow: How to Earn Cub Scout Achievements by Celebrating Earth Day with Your Wolf Scout

Associated Content: How to Earn Cub Scout Achievements by Celebrating Earth Day with Your Wolf Scout

How to Earn Cub Scout Achievements by Celebrating Earth Day with Your Tiger Cub

2009-06-03T11:26:00.004-04:00

Getting involved in Cub Scouts is a wonderful way for children to learn responsibility, respect for others, get exercise, have fun and go on an the occasional adventure. Before becoming a Boy Scout, young boys have to first complete many achievements as Cubs. The International Celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd and month of April is a great way for your Tiger Cub Scout to get together as a Den, Pack or even just with family to earn certain achievements.

You can find fun and exciting ways to earn Tiger Cub achievements by checking out my articles on these sites:

eHow: How to Earn Cub Scout Achievements by Celebrating Earth Day with Your Tiger Cub

Associated Content: How to Earn Cub Scout Achievements by Celebrating Earth Day with Your Tiger Cub

Enjoy and have fun with your Scout!

How to Make Homemade Foaming Hand Soap

2009-05-31T13:28:00.003-04:00

Foaming hand soap that comes out of the pump already sudsy, bubbly and easy to use is quickly becoming the soap of choice in households with young children as well as those without. For children, it is so much easier to use, as well as rinse off, without spilling soap on the counter or washing it unused down the drain.

You can find out how to do make this quick and simple Foaming Hand Soap on either of these sites:

eHow: How to Make Homemade Foaming Hand Soap

Associated Content: How to Make Homemade Foaming Hand Soap

How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

2009-05-12T11:56:00.003-04:00

Whether you are trying to save money, go green, avoid possible carcinogens or find that perfect flavor, making your own toothpaste at home is a simple alternative to store bought brands. This may be something that you will only use when you run out of your favorite toothpaste, need something simple for camping or you might just love it so much that you will never buy another tube of toothpaste again. Once you experiment with a few techniques, I am sure that you will be able to come up with a recipe that suits your taste, while saving money at the same time.

You can read the rest of this article and see my Toothpaste recipes on these sites:

eHow: How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

Associated Content: How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

Enjoy :)

How to Make a Moisturizing Salt Body Scrub

2009-05-04T16:03:00.002-04:00

A moisturizing salt, body scrub is a great way to keep your skin soft anytime of the year. There are so many different ways to personalize a salt scrub to make it perfect for you, that there really isn't a reason to go out and buy a pre-made scrub.

You can read the rest of this article and learn how to make your own Salt Scrub that I have published at these sites:

eHow: How to Make a Moisturizing Salt Body Scrub

Associated Content: How to Make a Moisturizing Salt Body Scrub

How to Make an Apricot Facial Scrub

2009-03-24T13:49:00.003-04:00

Apricots are a tasty treat and they have a wonderful kernel inside the pit that, that once ground up, makes a great facial scrub. Apricot scrubs can be found all over the place, from high end department stores to money saving dollar stores. The thing about the pre-made scrub is, I had a hard time finding a scrub with a cleanser that worked well with my skin. I found the best solution is to make my own, using my own cleanser that I have used and loved for decades.

You can read the rest of this home facial treatment article on any of these sites:

eHow: How to Make an Apricot Facial Scrub

Associated Content: How to Make an Apricot Facial Scrub

Helium: Homemade facials and cleansers: How to Make an Apricot Facial Scrub

I love using this facial scrub & I think you will too! Enjoy :)

How to Cut Down on Preparation Time in the Kitchen

2009-03-14T10:57:00.002-04:00

You have just found the perfect recipe in your favorite cookbook, recipe website or cooking Television show with a preparation time of 15 minutes and cooking time of 30 minutes. Unfortunately, 20 minutes into your prep time and you still can’t find that measuring cup that is supposed to be in the drawer under the microwave, your kitchen is a mess and you are still only half way done. Suddenly this recipe isn’t so perfect and dinner is late.

You can read the rest of this article on any of these sites:

eHow: How to Cut Down on Preparation Time in the Kitchen

Associated Content: How to Cut Down on Preparation Time in the Kitchen

Helium: Time-saving tips for cooking at home

How to Cook for a Large Family: Chicken Pot Pie

2009-03-04T16:56:00.005-05:00

I have found that cooking for a large family is not as easy as doubling the recipe, it just never turns out the same. So, I have come up with my own recipes. This Chicken Pot Pie is great for a large family for dinner or for a smaller family for dinner and leftovers. My kids are young enough that we can eat this for dinner two nights along with at least one lunch with the leftovers. This is one of our family favorites, so I have a feeling it won’t be long before this only lasts one night! Either way, this is not your small Chicken Pot Pie.

You can find the rest of this delicious recipe on eHow: How to Cook for a Large Family: Chicken Pot Pie

How to Add Highlights to Your Hair Naturally

2009-02-27T11:48:00.003-05:00

Highlighting your hair can be done very easily and with little cost just by using natural ingredients you find in your kitchen cupboards. By adding a few simple steps to your daily routine, you can add highlights to your hair without the harsh chemicals found in hair dye or color. You do not need to pay a fortune at a salon and spend hours away from home. The natural ingredients I use will not stink up your house with chemicals, in fact, every one of them smells great! There is also no need for extra brushes, combs or foil, you have all the tools you need in your kitchen already. Additionally these are great steps to add to your routine during the months you spend more time indoors, as they help to keep the natural summer highlights all year long.

You can read about these Naturally Highlighting techniques that I have published on any of these sites:

eHow: How to Add Highlights to Your Hair Naturally

Associated Content: How to Add Highlights to Your Hair Naturally

Helium: How to Add Highlights to Your Hair Naturally

Enjoy :)

How to Cook for a Large Family: Broccoli Quiche

2009-02-26T12:22:00.003-05:00

I have found that cooking for a large family is not as easy as doubling the recipe, it just never turns out the same. So, I have come up with my own recipes. This Broccoli Quiche recipe is great for a large family for dinner or for a smaller family for dinner and leftovers. My kids are young enough that we can get dinner and lunch for the next day with the leftovers, but I have a feeling in a few years this will be better served with a full breakfast. Either way, this is not your small, pie sized Quiche.

You can see the rest of this recipe that I have published on any of these sites:

eHow: How to Cook for a Large Family: Broccoli Quiche

Helium: How to Cook for a Large Family: Broccoli Quiche

Associated Content: How to Cook for a Large Family: Broccoli Quiche

Enjoy!!

How to Clean Your House Before 9am, Everyday

2009-02-25T11:07:00.002-05:00

If you have kids, you know how hard it can be to keep up with the housework. There is always something more to be done and always a little some one right behind you to make more work. Having a clean house in is not something to stress over, but a messy house can add stress to your already busy day. You do not have to be a clean freak or have OCD to keep your house clean. Cleaning your house every day can be done before your day really even begins, in fact it can be done by 9am if you do it right.

You can read the rest of these cleaning tips that I have published on these sites:

eHow: How to Clean Your House Before 9am, Everyday

Associated Content: How to Clean Your House Before 9am, Everyday

How to Make a Double 9 Inch Pie Crust

2009-02-21T19:08:00.002-05:00

Making pie crust from scratch is not something to be feared. For years, I only used store bought crusts. I tried a few times to make crust from scratch, but failed miserably. Then one day, I decided that I would no longer fear the pie crust and make it from scratch. It also helped that I was given a family recipe. I use this crust for all of my fruit pies, as well as pot pies, quiches, and mini tarts. My first couple of crusts, were not quite right, and I quickly learned that it is not just the recipe that makes a good crust, it is also how it is mixed together that determines how the crust will turn out.

You can see the rest of this recipe that I have published on eHow: How to Make a Double 9 Inch Pie Crust

It is also published on Helium: How to Recipes: Never fail pie crust

Enjoy :)

How to Make Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2009-02-20T17:05:00.003-05:00

I love a good original Oatmeal cookie, but when you add chocolate to an American favorite, you just can’t go wrong. And as long as you are going to be adding chocolate once, you might as well add it twice and make it a Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie!

I have to brag a bit about this recipe, it took me several tries to come up with the perfect mix of ingredients, and now that I found it, I am sharing it with you.

You can read the rest of this awesome recipe that I have published on these sites:

eHow: How to Make Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Associated Content: How to Make Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Helium: How to Make Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I know you will enjoy this one!

How to Give Your Cardiac Baby His Daily Aspirin

2009-02-12T12:54:00.004-05:00

Your newborn has just come home from the hospital after having Heart Surgery and now it is up to you to take care of your baby. In the hospital, either you had help giving him his medications or the nurses did it for you. You have been given all the information you need to take care of your little one, but without the doctors and nurses watching over you, it can be very easy to second-guess yourself. The first day that you wake up and have to prepare all of your baby’s medications and make sure he gets everything he needs can be a bit stressful. It does get easier and you will gain confidence in yourself. My baby is on ¼ of an 81mg dose of baby aspirin and that is what I am demonstrating here. You and your baby are different, so please make sure that you are giving the proper dose to your baby, and as always if you have any questions or concerns get in touch with your baby’s cardiologist before making any decisions.

You can see the rest of this article with pictures and complete instructions on either of these sites:

eHow is a great site for posting articles with pictures, this article is complete with pictures and instructions all in one place.

eHow: How to Give Your Cardiac Baby His Daily Aspirin

Associated Content is a great site too, but they have articles and slide shows as two separate formats, so it is published as both a slide show and complete instructions.

Associated Content: How to Give Your Cardiac Baby His Daily Aspirin, A Visual Instructional Guide

Associated Content: How to Give Your Cardiac Baby His Daily Aspirin a Step by Step Guide

I hope this helps.

How to Make Mornings Easier for You and Your Children Before School

2009-02-10T11:35:00.004-05:00

School starts early and sometimes getting up and out the door can be a difficult, even crazy way to start your day. I have a few tips that will make waking up on the wrong side of the bed a thing of the past and even give you a few extra minutes to sleep in for a little bit of extra rest.

Believe it or not, getting your kids ready for school starts on a Sunday afternoon. You need to have your laundry at least clean for the week, (it does not even have to be folded and put away) and your grocery shopping for the week done by Sunday afternoon...

You can read the rest of the article that I have published on any of these sites:

eHow: How to Make Mornings Easier for You and Your Children Before School

Associated Content: How to Make Mornings Easier for You and Your Children Before School

Helium: How to Get to School on Time

I have to say, there is some great info here, I hope you find it useful :)

How to Send a Soldier a Postcard and Say Thank You

2009-02-05T09:58:00.002-05:00

Let's Say Thanks is a website started by Xerox and is partnered with many others including Give2TheTroops, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Boys & Girls Club to name just a few. These companies make it easy for you to say Thank You to US Troops stationed overseas. Children from all over the country created postcards and the designs are available to you through the Let's Say Thanks website. In the past several years, millions of postcards have been sent to deployed US service men and women who love getting the thanks they deserve.

You can read the rest of this article that I have published on any of these websites:

eHow: How to Send a Soldier a Postcard and Say Thank You

Associated Content: How to Send a Soldier a Postcard and Say Thank You

Helium: How to boost a deployed soldier's morale

Run for the Fallen Memorial Run Honors Fallen Soldiers

2009-01-30T10:33:00.005-05:00

June 14th 2008 was not just another Flag Day for runforthefallen.org. The director and founder Jon Bellona lost his best friend and college roommate 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary to the war in Iraq over two years ago. This, along with his love of running and the love he has for his country motivated him to organize Run for the Fallen. This memorial run started on June 14th at Fort Irwin California and is scheduled to end at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA with a 10k finish on Sunday August 24th 2008.

You can read the rest of this article and learn more about this amazing organization in my article that I have published on Associated Content Run for the Fallen Memorial Run Honors Fallen Soldiers

Enjoy :)