I'm feeling dirty

I don't assume this is by any means a coincident that I just started making my own laundry detergent a week before BOTH of my kids caught a stomach bug. It has either been one end or the other (you wanted to know THAT) for one or both of them and I literally, have been covered in throw up or poop for the last 4 days! Told you I was feeling dirty! ;) 

I was tired of paying $20+ for a little over a gallon of detergent that lasted me MAYBE a month. I was on my last 'shake the jug and get as much out as I can' when I decided to try making my own. I've seen other blogs where people show how to make the detergent and promise that it works but I never see any pictures where it did actually work! So...leave it to me and beware. These are pictures from this last week which really put the homemade detergent to the test!

What you need:

1 bar of any soap you like  

1 cup Borax

1 cup Washing Soda

Large pot for cooking

grater

long spoon

a container/containers that will hold up to at least 2 gallons

Side note: I used a whole bar and the detergent is kind of chunky thick, which I don't mind. However, if you want less chunky, use half a bar of soap.

How to do it:

Step 1: Grate your soap into your large cooking pot and add 1 gallon of water. Boil/heat until the soap has dissolved. 

Step 2: Add Borax and Washing Soda, bring to a boil! (Watch this step carefully b/c the mixture WILL overflow and spill everywhere...not that I would know or anything)  ;)

Step 3: Remove mixture from heat and add 1 gallon cold water, let sit to cool down. 

How much to use: 1/2 cup per load.

No, that is NOT lemonade unless you really want to act like it is for the purpose of not getting sick. I added what I normally would for stains, a little oxyclean and that's it.

EVERYTHING came out! There is your proof that it works and I actually prefer this detergent to my regular name brand detergent, it doesn't leave a weird smell. 

Maybe Tuesdays will be 'try it out' Tuesday...next: homemade stainless steel cleaner! 

Dinner party in my mouth

I made the most uh-maze-ing dinner tonight! Seriously, I have been thinking about it NON-STOP and can't wait to have it again. I would eat this meal EVERY night...if I didn't have a husband & daughter to feed (the son is on formula he doesn't count with this) and didn't have to consider their food preferences. You know what else I wouldn't have to do if I wasn't married??? SHARE this meal...it would be all MINE!!!! I'm selfish and I meant it...I'm hungry. <---now, read that last line again to the tune of 'I'm sexy and I know it!' That song goes with anything...'I'm hormonal and I know it....I break out!' 'I'm pregnant and I know it....I waddle!' Yep, I have said all of those and more, that song has taken over my life. It could be worse!

Ok, back on track. This dinner was amazingly EASY and delicious! Thank you Pinterest (duh!)

http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2012/07/sesame-ginger-sweet-teriyaki-salmon-with-garlic-quinoa-stir-fry/

I LOVE salmon so this recipe caught my attention quick and then to have it as stir fry....YES!! Might be my Asian roots coming out, which don't actually exist beyond a terrible Asian accent my husband and I sometimes use. But, who am I kidding, I can't even master basic English half the time! Think George W. Bush (who I love) and his combining/making up of new words.

When I made this, I didn't add ginger, as I'm not a fan, and I let the salmon sit for a minimum of 4 hours. Other than that, I did everything exactly like this recipe....mouthwatering! Best part, if you are new to this whole quinoa thing, she gives instruction on how to make it! PERFECTLY! (see below).

So how do you cook quinoa?

First start with a 1:2 ratio–one part quinoa, two parts water. It’s important to rinse your quinoa to prevent a bitter taste. Place water and rinsed quinoa in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat. (At this point I usually add in my spices or vanilla). Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand another 5-10 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork. 

Here are some of MY pictures of dinner. I'm not a food picture taker-er, I plop it on my plate, iphone camera it, and devour! Very sexy....I can't help it! ;) Seeeeee, I did it again with that song. Always a dance party happening in my head!

I added green bell peppers to the mix and tossed on some black pepper as well. I've never eaten peppers like this but I will be doing it again after this! For the quinoa, I did exactly like the recipe says and then added some onion powder too. And...I can't eat fish without green onions! Last picture is the final product. Nothing like the blog picture but if this picture was a scratch and sniff...my face would be stuck to the computer and I may or may not be trying to lick it, you would be impressed!

Don't even bother asking me the calorie count because I will tell you ZERO! Here is my logic: if it is a fruit or veggie, it doesn't have calories b/c it is healthy. If it is light as air (popcorn, cotton candy, quinoa, etc), it can't have any calories, just as air doesn't. If it is DELICIOUS, it doesn't count either (ice cream, chocolate, THIS). So....keeping that in mind, Wednesdays will officially be 'WOW'-Work out Wednesdays!

I will leave you with these words of wisdom....make this when your family has the stomach bug (all but you) because you will have the whole dish to yourself! So there it is....ENJOY!

Drawing a Blank

ueiosrufshdjkfajldajsdkjlajds....ok there! I have been postponing writing anything on here because I wasn't sure what to write! I procrastinated by trying out a million different backgrounds and headers (whatever that means beyond a car part). I'm not sure where I want to go with this blog, I'm just going to let it 'happen' and see where it ends up. I know there will be some recipes, documenting my spiritual walk, mommy lessons, workout accountability, and LOTS of family posts! I will warn you, in person I tend to have A LOT of word vomit so I can only assume I will have A LOT of finger vomit?? on here....I like to call it 'truthing' while my husband likes to call it 'nagging.' Tomato, tomatoe.....

Here is some background on me:
1) I'm sticking with 24 until I feel like turning that biological age that I am or until I truly forget how old I am.
2) Graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Political Science and History. I went on to teaching high school (at the high school I graduated from) history (World Geo, World History, US History and US Government). I loved every second and every one of MY KIDS! I miss it everyday but know I'm where I'm supposed to be, at home with my 3 yr old daughter and my 4 month old son taking care of my house and family!
3) I have been through quite a lot in the 24ish years I have been here and do my best to understand other peoples' walk of life.
4) For the last 3-4 years, I have really been struggling with my faith. I plan to share this experience as it truly has been an amazing journey that took a very real turn on March 16th, 2013!
5) If I had to pick a couple words/phrases to describe me....sassy pants, goof, overly protective and cautious, master at failing, laid back in a stressed way, loving, caffeinated!

Let's see how this goes....stayed tuned!