Simple Homemade

Building your natural summer care kit- six common ailments and their remedies

Donielle — Wed, 30 May 2012 07:01:09 +0000

Written by contributor Donielle Baker of Naturally Knocked Up.

We normally think of natural remedies come winter time, fending off and treating colds, flus, and those terrible little stomach bugs that get passed around.

But what about summer?

The warm weather and a new season can bring about problems of its own, and with a few basic natural remedies on hand, you can meet the summer months with confidence that you can treat your family and any minor issue naturally.

Six common summer ailments and their remedies

For Sunburn

Cold water – this works just like how cold water can help relieve a burn you receive on your hand from a hot pan; it lessens the burn by cooling the skin. So after a long day out in the sun, if you or your kids are feeling the heat, finish out your day with a nice cold shower or bath.

Cold cucumber can help cool the skin as well. You can also blend the cucumber and apply to the skin as a mash if you’ve burnt a larger area of skin.

100% aloe vera gel is a common go-to remedy for sunburns and great to keep on hand, just make sure the only ingredient is aloe. (this video from Vintage Remedies includes both aloe and cucumber to make a gel for sunburnt skin!)

One thing to make sure to remember is that the skin will also need healthy nutrients to heal, so use some natural oils like evening primrose oil or coconut oil as a moisturizer. This can prevent peeling and also speed healing, but use caution if the skin is still hot to the touch – it may keep the heat in.

Photo by Donielle

Herbal Insect Bite and Sting Relief

Plantain – one of the best herbs to use for bug bites is plantain as it tends to pull out the toxins and irritants the bug injects into your skin. You can make a paste of plantain and warm water, or think ahead and start now to make your own salve, oil, or even an apple cider vinegar extract with plantain. If you’re out hiking and and need something fast – just look around, plantain tends to grow everywhere!
Comfrey and calendula can help speed healing, though use comfrey only if a puncture wound is not present.
Bentonite Clay – mixed with a touch of water or apple cider vinegar to form a paste, this is also helpful in pulling out irritants. (Renee at F IMBY also makes an herb powder with plantain, comfrey, and clay)

And of course the best remedy for mosquito bites are prevention! Look for natural bug sprays (check out the Environmental Working Groups list of safer alternatives) and choose products like MadeOn Hard Lotions Bug Block Bar or if you’re camping you might want to check out the Don’t Bite Me Patch.

Help for Poison Ivy

While you’re out playing in the poison ivy…….if you actually happen to notice it while you’re busy gardening or hiking, take a look around for jewelweed and bring some home with you. It almost always grows right near poison ivy and it’s a great herbal remedy for the itch and future sores that accompany it. Just split open the plant stem and apply the liquid from inside.

Sore Muscles

Summertime often brings busy schedules and strenuous activities. You can easily sooth those sore muscles at home without worrying about chemicals. And you definitely don’t have to “tough it out” like my husband usually tries to do. Cause you know, he’s all tough and what-not.

Peppermint makes a great sore foot soak. I love to make a strong ‘tea’ with it and (after straining) mix it with some nice sea salts in a warm foot bath.
Make your own sore muscle oil with arnica, ginger, and calendula.

Photo by martin_thomas

Salve for Scratches and Sores

When treating a minor cut (always head to the doctor for anything seemingly major) always make sure to rinse the cut clean, allowing the blood to flow for just a bit to also push out any dirt that may be trapped inside.

Follow up with some plantain or calendula salve if you have it premade or just use crushed plantain and enough water to make a paste.

Stress Relief

Ahhh…..the fun of summer. Also tends to bring out a bit of stress, whether it’s because your toddler has skipped naps everyday this week or a wrench got thrown into your weekend plans. Stress happens.

My favorite go-to remedy is called Rescue Remedy, a bach flower remedy. I don’t know how it works, but it does.

You can also head to the tea aisle and grab some chamomile. Sip it warm with a touch of honey (hopefully after that toddler finally falls asleep) or brew and chill to have over ice if you end up stuck at home instead of the beach.

To Recap

If you have at least plantain, calendula, chamomile, jewelweed, peppermint, and apple cider vinegar you have a great start to a natural summer care kit!

If you’re not the “do-it-yourself” type, you can easily purchase a ready made natural first aid kit to have on hand.

And of course, use common sense along with any natural remedy – if symptoms get worse or life threatening, call a doctor immediately.

What do you keep on hand in your summer care kit?

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Building your natural summer care kit- six common ailments and their remedies is a post from Simple Homemade

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How to make (patriotic) paper pinwheels

Nicole — Mon, 28 May 2012 07:01:31 +0000

The following is a guest post from my sweet and oh-so-crafty sister-in-law, Angelina Pavone. Happy Memorial Day!

You should know that I love paper. Paper crafting is my favorite kind of crafting. I love that it’s cheap, easy to find, and versatile. Win, win, win!

When Nicole told me that this post would go up on Memorial Day and suggested that I share a patriotic craft with you, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I made these paper pinwheels last Fourth of July, and I had been wanting to add a few more to my collection to use this year for Memorial Day.

This is a super simple project that can be done quickly and you probably have most of the supplies around the house.

Materials

Cardstock or double sided patterned paper
paper cutter (optional)
scissors
bone folder (optional)
glue gun
½”-1” paper punch
wooden dowels (mine are 3/16”)

Make your pinwheels

Start by deciding how big you want your largest pinwheel. I’ve found it’s easiest to determine sizes if you start with the biggest one (I chose to start with a 5” square). Take your paper and cut it into a perfect square (with a paper cutter as shown above, or with scissors).

Fold the sqare in half on the diagonal. If you have one, use a bone folder to crease your paper. Fold again on the opposite diagonal and crease. Cut your paper on each crease starting at a corner and continue about halfway up the crease. Repeat on all four creased lines.

Take one of the points and bring it towards the center. Try to use your finger to gently bend the paper towards the center while being careful not to make an actual crease. You’re getting your paper ready to bend how you want it to before you glue it.

Using your glue gun, glue one tip to the center of the square. Repeat with every other corner. Look at the picture above to see what I mean.

When all the appropriate corners are glued, use your circle punch (or trace a small circle and cut with scissors) to cut a circle out of a contrasting color. Glue the small circle that you just cut to the center of your pinwheel.

Then, all that’s left is to glue your dowel onto the back of your pinwheel . Depending on the size of the jar you’re putting it into, you may need to cut the dowel down. I used regular scissors to cut mine, and it was not a problem at all.

Once you finish one, you could make more, or put a single pinwheel into a narrow vase. The possibilities are endless! I like mine in a bouquet in a mason jar wrapped with twine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the same patriotic paper that I used the first time I made them, but I actually like the way the solid paper balances the patterned paper.

I have used this basic pinwheel for centerpieces at a large church event, as decor for a baby shower, and around my home for various holidays. The possibilities are endless with all of the beautiful paper out there. I hope you enjoy your pinwheels!

What’s your favorite paper craft?

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How to make (patriotic) paper pinwheels is a post from Simple Homemade

Weekend Links {and Nurturing Creativity winners}

Nicole — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:01:23 +0000

End of school year teacher gift + free printable :: The Larson Lingo {cute, garden-themed gift!)
DIY beauty: homemade lip balm with Herban Crafts :: Crafting a Green World
Three steps to simplify DIY stain removal :: Little House in the Suburbs
Summer is for ice cream :: Passionate Homemaking {actually all year is in my opinion… but especially summer!}

Congratulations to our five winners who will each be receiving a copy of Nurturing Creativity: Jessica, Keri, Kim P., Jardinière, and Stephanie! You will be contacted by email shortly.

And here’s wishing all our American readers a happy Memorial Day weekend!

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Weekend Links {and Nurturing Creativity winners} is a post from Simple Homemade

From Pinterest to Real Life: May 2012

Nicole — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:01:35 +0000

It’s that time again… the last Friday of the month means our linky where you can showcase some of the fun things that you’ve taken from your pinboards to reality!

I thought this would be a month where I got crafty with my pins, but alas, as the pretty graphic above reminded me, we all go through seasons of life. The season I’m in now seems to allow me more kitchen time than anything else when it comes with actually using my pins. There’s always next month!!

Honey-Sweetened Berry Lemonade

Inspired by two pins.

In a large bowl, mix together:

2 quarts filtered water
1 cup-1 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and
1/2 cup raw honey.

Whisk until honey dissolves. Pour into pitcher(s) and chill.

Measure out 1 cup of frozen berries (I have an organic blend from Costco- strawberries, blueberries, tart cherries and raspberries), and let thaw for about 3o minutes. (I also rinsed mine in a colander first to start the thawing process.)

In a small bowl (or glass measuring cup), mash with a potato masher a bit. Scoop (get all that juice, too!) into pitchers of lemonade.

Drink immediately or allow to chill for flavors to meld more. After lemonade is enjoyed (don’t worry, it won’t last long), try putting those lemonade-y berries on top of homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Oh.my.goodness. So amazing.

Remind yourself how beneficial both lemon and raw honey are for your health! Score!

More pins I put into action (i.e. into my belly) this month:

Penne Rosa with Shrimp (delicious. makes a lot)
Simplest Scalloped Potatoes (so easy. so rich and creamy)
Egg Muffins (ate these on the way to Disneyland for some pre-park protein)
Chocolate Baked Doughnut Muffins (donut or muffin- which is it? either way, it’s GOOD.)

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From Pinterest to Real Life: May 2012 is a post from Simple Homemade

How to enjoy a home spa day

Krissa — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:01:32 +0000

Written by contributor Krissa Jeldy of More Than Mundane.

We could all use a little pampering now and then. A day at the spa sure sounds wonderful, but may not always be possible, either financially or time-wise–at least for me! But it is important to take time for self-care.

With a few easy steps, you can make some simple and natural spa remedies of your own and treat yourself to a relaxing home spa time. To make yourself a home spa day (or hour), planning ahead is essential. You’ll want to consider the following:

1. Put it on the Calender

Scheduling a time where you’re going to be committed to some self-care is key to a successful spa time. Especially if you have kids, it’s essential to plan your spa time for a time when they won’t be needing your attention. Easier said than done though! Try one of the following if you have kids:

Have your spouse take them on a fun outing so you can have a few hours to yourself.
Swap with a friend. You take her kids for a few hours one day and then she takes yours.
Plan your spa time for the evening hours after the kids are in bed.

2. Prepare Your “Spa” in Advance

You don’t want to end up spending your whole spa time mixing up your spa treatments, clearing the kid’s toys out of the tub, or running to the store for supplies. Take some time the day before to prepare.

Clean the bathroom or wherever you plan to spend your spa time so that it’s ready to go and you have a nice, relaxing environment.
Wash some towels so you have fresh, clean, fluffy towels at the ready!
Gather any supplies you will need and prepare any treatments you can, ahead of time.

3. Plan Your Spa Treatments

The following is just an idea of what you might want to include in your spa time:

Herbal Steam

An herbal steam is a great way to leave your skin feeling fresh and clean. Steams are a great way to open your pores, clear out the toxins, and let your skin breathe in some of the benefits from herbs or essential oils.

Before beginning a steam, make sure to cleanse your face thoroughly. Try adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your cleanser for some extra exfoliating power.

Follow these easy steps for a facial steam:

Heat 1 quart of water (preferably distilled) to boiling on the stove.
Lower the heat and add in your herbs (3-4 TBSP) and/or essential oils (3-6 drops) and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and drape a towel over your head, leaning over the pot. Keep your eyes closed and hold your face about 6-10 inches over the pot. If the steam becomes uncomfortable, remove the towel and get some air. Steam for 7-10 minutes or until the heat is gone.

Some herbs/essential oils to try: rosemary, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, rose petals, calendula, sage, or lemon.

Face Mask

A face mask is a great way to give your skin a little extra pampering. If you’re doing your spa treatment in the morning, I love this Mocha-Frappuccino Mask (pictured above with Peppermint Foot Scrub). Or try this Turmeric Mask using turmeric, honey, and yogurt.

Foot Care

Give your feet some attention with this Peppermint Foot Scrub that Stacy shared earlier this month. Peppermint is energizing and cooling and will leave your feet feeling refreshed!

Another option is an herbal foot soak. Steep 1 cup of dried herbs in boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain the herbs out and pour the herbal infusion into a basin, adding warm water until the temperature is comfortable. Then sit back, relax and soak your feet.

Bath or Shower

If you have time for a bath, treat yourself to an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt relieves aches and pains and also draws impurities from the skin. Just add 2 cups Epsom salt to your running bath water. You can also add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil to the Epsom salt before adding it to your bath water.

If you prefer a shower, use a body scrub to exfoliate and leave your skin moisturized and smooth. I love fellow contributor Stacy’s ebook, Simple Scrubs to Make and Give. It’s full of great scrub recipes that are quick and easy to make at home.

Resources:

You can find dried herbs at your local health food store or at various places online. I get mine at Mountain Rose Herbs.

For more homemade bath and beauty products, see my Health and Beauty board on Pinterest.

How do you pamper yourself?

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How to enjoy a home spa day is a post from Simple Homemade

How to make garlands of paper shapes

Melissa — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:01:51 +0000

The following is a guest post by Melissa Camara Wilkins.

I have a thing for buntings. And by “thing” I mean “undying love.” I can’t be the only one, right? I have at least half a dozen different fabric buntings stashed in a cupboard, and I switch them out for different occasions: birthdays, holidays, rainy days, random Tuesdays…

But a girl can’t live on fabric buntings alone. Lately, I’ve been branching out into all things garland, from pom pom garlands to garlands of paper stars. One of my favorites is a string of tiny paper books. I’m finding that garlands are a great use for all the random paper stashed around the house, whether that’s leftover scrapbook pages or pretty catalogs that have already been leafed through.

Here’s how to get started, if you want to make your own garlands of paper shapes.

1. Create your paper shapes. For the garland of stars, I made these Christmas stars in bright, everyday colors. For paper books, I folded and cut colored index cards using this method. And these hearts can be made out of anything from cardstock to repurposed junk mail.

2. Punch holes in your shapes. I used a paper needle, but a large sewing needle would work, too.

3. String your first shape onto a thread. I used a sewing needle and DMC Pearl Cotton, which is a little bit sturdier than embroidery floss.

4. Tie a knot before stringing on your next shape. Evenly spaced knots will keep your paper shapes from all sliding toward the middle of your garland once it’s hanging. You’ll want to leave a little extra space around the very center shape.

5. Keep going, stringing shapes and tying knots, until you’ve added all your shapes onto your thread.

6. Tie loops at the ends of your thread, for hanging purposes. Done!

And here’s an idea: for a quick project, make a garland with just a few shapes on it. A big pile of those paper stars would take forever to make, but even just three would be super cute swooped over a bathroom mirror. For example. (See? Undying love. What can I say?)

Would you try a project like this? Have you already? What else have you made garlands out of? Do tell!

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How to make garlands of paper shapes is a post from Simple Homemade

Questions to ask at your Farmer’s Market

Emily — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:01:38 +0000

This post was written by contributor Emily McClements of Live Renewed and was originally posted at Keeper of the Home on May 19, 2010.

I grew up in West Michigan where the local farmer’s market was always a highlight of the summer. Early on Saturday mornings my sisters and I would head to the market with our mom to buy fresh, local, and delicious produce.

My mom was raised on a farm in Ohio, so she always taught us the value of fresh produce, whether we grew it ourselves in our garden, or we bought it at the farmer’s market. I grew up eating, and actually enjoying, fresh veggies like lima beans and beets, as well as the typical strawberries, peaches and sweet corn.

When I moved away from home I struggled to find places to buy fresh produce. And if I did find a market or local produce stand, I wasn’t sure the best way to go about finding the kind of food I was looking for.

A few years ago, we moved within walking distance to the farmer’s market in our city. I was so excited to be able to frequent the market and buy fresh and local produce, just like my mom did when I was growing up.

But, the farmer’s market here is much different than the one that I grew up going to. Ours is indoor, and open year round, and has everything from a restaurant, antiques, hand made items, fresh coffee, to meat counters, and more, as well as local produce and plants.

I was a little overwhelmed when I first started visiting the market. Which vendors are the best to buy from? Why is there a booth with cheap sunglasses? Why does that produce stand have bananas? How do I know where and how these tomatoes, or corn, or apples, are grown?

And then my mom came to visit one weekend and I took her to the market with me and watched and listened and learned, all over again. I learned how to ask questions, and what kinds of questions to ask, and since then, I have found the farmers and vendors that I buy from regularly, and have gotten to know some of them to the point that my kids know them by name, which I love.

Photo by ilovebutter

Questions to ask at the Farmer’s Market

One of the most important ways to get the most out of your local market, and all it has to offer, is to ask questions, lots of questions.

Open-ended Questions

The first thing I learned is to ask open-ended questions. Instead of yes or no questions like – Do you use pesticides? Or, Is your beef grass-fed? How about – How do you grow your strawberries (or corn, or tomatoes)? Or, How do you raise your beef (or chicken, or lamb)? Let the farmer tell you about what he does, most of them are more than happy to tell you all about what they do. And if they seem reluctant, or don’t want to share their practices, you can take that as a clue to move on.

If you’re lucky, and ask the right questions, you may find that diamond in the rough – the produce booth that’s not certified organic, but uses all organic practices to grow their fruits and veggies, or the chicken that is supplemented with corn and grain, but is also free range and pastured, and raised without antibiotics, and is half the price of certified organic pastured chicken.

Also, if you are trying a fruit for vegetable for the first time, ask about the best ways to store, prepare, or even preserve it. Farmers have a wealth of knowledge about the products they sell. The day my mom and I were at the market she bought leeks for the first time and asked the women at the booth what to do with them. She probably learned more than she ever needed to know about leeks that day!

Photo by rhett maxwell

Specific Questions

There are also specific questions that are really helpful to ask. Questions like, When was this fruit or vegetable picked? If it’s been more than a day, you might want to pass, you can probably find some that were actually picked that same morning.

You may also want to ask where the produce is grown and raised. Part of the idea of going to a farmer’s market is to buy locally, but when you see something that seems like it’s probably not locally in season, you can ask where it’s from. A tip that my mom taught me is that if the produce has grocery stickers on it, it was not grown by the vendor that is selling it.

Also, several of the vendors at our market bring in produce, like strawberries, peaches and tomatoes, from the south, before things are in season here. In these cases, I have to decide how much I want produce that’s been shipped across the country, or if I can just wait a few weeks until things are in season here. Usually the prices are higher on produce that’s not in season locally yet.

All of these questions will also help to tip you off if the seller buys the produce at an auction and brings it to the market to sell. We, unfortunately, have lots of booths at our market where the seller is not the actual farmer. I avoid those booths, even if they’re offering a lower price.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for a deal! I have, on several occasions, bought large quantities of produce at the market to preserve, and have either asked for a lower price, or because of my relationship with the farmer, they have given me a great deal.

Remember, if you have a question, just ask!

Most of all, don’t be intimidated to ask questions. Vendors are selling at the local farmer’s market because they want to sell directly to customers. They want to build relationships and share their expertise and knowledge with their customers.

Sometimes I feel like a vendor or farmer might be bothered by, or not have time for, my questions. But remember, you are the reason the farmers are there, they want you to buy their products, and be happy with them, and keep coming back. Take advantage of the opportunity the farmer’s market provides to learn all you can about where your food comes from, how it is grown and raised and processed.

And again, if the vendor seems reluctant, or gives you a round about answer, then you know that’s probably not someone you want to be buying from! Take your questions, and your dollars, to a farmer you can feel good about supporting and buying from!

What questions do you ask the farmers at your local market?

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Questions to ask at your Farmer’s Market is a post from Simple Homemade

Inspiring books: Nurturing Creativity {Review & Giveaway}

Nicole — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:01:41 +0000

All of us editors here at Simple Living Media have a common love for books. We love being able to share (and, whenever possible, give away) those of them that have inspired us in one way or another. Maybe you’ve seen Aimée’s Bite This Book series?

Well, I’ve put together a new category for book reviews here on Simple Homemade where you’ll be able to view the archives at any time if you’re looking for something new to read. And Inspring Books is a new series that will feature a book with some Simple Homemade-type flair (hopefully each month).

The inspring book I’m sharing about today is super special. It’s written by one of my favorite bloggers, Renee Tougas, of FIMBY, and it was literally the perfect book for me, for the season of life I’m in.

Let me tell you a little about Renee’s first ebook, Nurturing Creativity, and also give you a chance to win one of five copies.

Like Renee, I believe we humans were designed as creative beings. I honestly feel like it’s part of who I am, and if you’re not sure about that for yourself, this little book is just the thing to change your mind.

“I’ve come to describe what I do simply as creative living, not defined by any one craft or activity but an overall approach to life,” says Renee, and that’s how I want to live life as well.

I love how Renee encourages us moms to adapt our creative living to whatever season of life and motherhood we are in. Reading Nurturing Creativity really expanded my definition of what creativity looks like and encompasses.

Sure, I love to sew and craft and even paint with my kids. But this book left me thinking outside the creativity box per se. Making do with what we have in the kitchen or adapting a recipe? Oh, yeah, that is getting creative. I never before thought about how great it is when I do something creative (and fulfill one of my own needs) while also doing something practical for my family.

Being a mom can be a busy job, and we can find our time is fleeting. This easy-to-read book is almost more like an encouraging letter from a friend, nudging us gently to see opportunities for creativity we didn’t notice before and nurturing that instinctive desire in our hearts to create, and giving us tips and tools for finding and using our own creativity.

And isn’t the cover art just beautiful?

About the book

From Renee:

Nurturing Creativity is about embracing the seasons of motherhood and appreciating where you are while helping you to make creativity a priority in your life.

It will encourage you to let go of perfection, to start small, and to find inspiration in everyday living. This little book will challenge you to make the most of the time you do have.

Time you can spend creating beauty and meaning – with your head, heart, and hands.

I know you’re a busy mom so this book is short (just under fifty PDF pages). You can easily read it in one sitting or savor it slowly.

Nurturing Creativity is available directly from FIMBY, where you get three different file types (PDF, .mobi (for Kindle), .epub (other readers such as Nook) to download for the amazing price of just $3. It is also available as a single download through Amazon for Kindle.

Giveaway

This giveaway has now ended.

Renee has been kind enough to offer a copy of her ebook to 5 lucky Simple Homemade readers today.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment answering this question: how do you like to express yourself in creative ways?

Giveaway ends Thursday May 18th at midnight PST. Good luck!

Thanks, Renee, for the review copy!

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Inspiring books: Nurturing Creativity {Review & Giveaway} is a post from Simple Homemade

Engage Your Children in Shopping for Vegetables (Farmer’s Market Bingo Printable)

Katie Kimball — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:01:55 +0000

Written by contributor Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship.

As a former teacher and current mom, I’ve read all the great advice about keeping children engaged in shopping trips and the myriad ways one can make a simple grocery store excursion into a learning experience.

Most of the time, I’m just too tired or harried or hurried to do anything formal beyond some conversation about food and allowing the kids to help fill produce bags and “beep” our purchases at the self-checkout.

This summer, I’m determined to give my 7-year-old son practice with mental math and making change at the Farmer’s Market, and his almost-4-year-old sister is the perfect age to work on her letters and sounds, as well as vegetable identification.

Luckily I have an amazing friend, my son’s godmother, who created this Farmer’s Market Bingo sheet when he and I visited her a few summers ago. I’ll make another one with letters for my daughter, and as long as I, you know, remember to actually bring them and have a few brain cells to rub together to keep the kids on track, each Farmer’s Market trip can be a total learning experience.

Photo by Name

My friend was gracious enough to share her creation with all of you, and I hope you can have fun with it this summer too! (You may have to switch out “balloon animals” unless your market is as cool as the one we visited in the Twin Cities…and “doughnuts” could probably be replaced with something unique to your market, too.)

Click HERE to download the document.

Enjoy playing Farmer’s Market Bingo this summer!

What do you do to make fresh, local food fun and exciting for your kids?

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Engage Your Children in Shopping for Vegetables (Farmer’s Market Bingo Printable) is a post from Simple Homemade

Weekend links (and Uprinting winner!)

Nicole — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:44:33 +0000

Looking for a few inspiring reads for this spring weekend?

Musings on Mother’s Day :: Simple Bites
Naturally sweet: strawberry sorbet :: Whole Living Daily
Only fair trade jewelry :: See Jane Advocate
Let’s save some money: The eat from the pantry & freezer challenge :: Keeper of the Home

Hopefully you didn’t miss our posted-quite-late post on Friday, by Stacy. But just in case you did, I wanted to mention it here because it is chock full of good ways to use peppermint.

Thanks to everyone who entered our weekend giveaway with Uprinting. Congratulations to Amy and Tabitha, you will be notified today about winning.

And finally, Happy Mother’s Day to all! May each one of you moms feel especially loved and pampered today.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

UPrinting - Spread your message.
Healthy Snacks to Go - 30+ recipes for real food snacks, fast.
MadeOn Lotion - Dry skin relief.
Simple Scrubs to Make and Give - A comprehensive guide to homemade body scrubs.
Smart Sweets - 30 Healthy Dessert Recipes

Weekend links (and Uprinting winner!) is a post from Simple Homemade