I’ve been working on my own version of “Plumpy Nut” to get us through the really tough times. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumpy%27nut<<<
Yes it would work, and if I were making it, I think that I would use the honey and cinnamon that we were talking about being so good for you, in place of the powdered sugar.
Might work with a little cocoa added too.
In my normal way, I have to play with recipes.
But the thought of honey and cinnamon on toast still sounds good to me and if it is really good for me, then so much the better.
MIDNIGHT EGGS
A poached egg over mixed greens is a midnight snack idea suggested on returning from a night out. The fennel seed condiment (see third recipe) was inspiration for a snack worthy of a stellar post-performance meal, and a nice ending to the Christmas season.
3 cups mixed baby greens
3 poached eggs (see poaching tip next page)
Sliced tomatoes
Warm Herb Yogurt Sauce (see next recipe)
Place one cup of greens in the middle of plate—creating a nest. Slice tomatoes and arrange attractively around the ‘nest.’
Poach eggs (you can do this ahead of time—chill and re-warm by gently placing in hot water for 15-30 seconds). Place a poached egg in each greens nest, pour sauce over egg and serve.
Poaching Tip: If you are like me and your poached eggs are not stellar in appearance, an egg poacher is a life saver (the microwave kind work very well—just remember to put some water in each bowl and prick the egg yolk to permit steam to escape).
WARM HERB YOGURT SAUCE
1 cup of plain yogurt, gelatin-free
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-2 teaspoons corn starch
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons of Fennel Parsley Condiment (below)
Place yogurt in a sauce pan and very, very gently warm—stirring regularly (using a double boiler may be easier). Add in lemon juice and olive oil. Mix corn starch and water together and pour slowly into warmed yogurt—stirring to desired thickness. Add condiment and stir in well.
FENNEL/PARSLEY CONDIMENT
1 teaspoon fennel seed, ground
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water
In a mini-processor or with mortar and pestle, mix fennel and parsley, add oil, and add enough water to make a paste. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Use in following recipes.
Other Uses: As a sandwich spread with sliced chicken; make tuna salad with 1 tablespoon Fennel/Parsley Condiment, 6 oz. tuna, mayo and a bit of salt and pepper; toss with 1 cup chopped tomatoes and a bit of salt and pepper if desired; 1 tablespoon mixed into scrambled eggs.
CILANTRO LIME SODA
With limes and cilantro in season, serve this sparkling homemade soda and toast the end of the 12 days of Christmas. (Coriander/cilantro is one of the Biblical herbs.)
1 1/2 cups of fresh lime juice
1/2 cup rinsed and dried cilantro
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup boiling water
4 1/2 cups of sparkling water, club soda, or seltzer
Sprigs of cilantro for garnish
Add sugar to boiling water and stir until sugar is dissolved, add cilantro and let steep until cooled. Strain into lime juice. Add sparkling, chilled water, stir and serve with a sprig of cilantro in each glass.
Option: By the glass — Stir and dissolve sugar in lime juice, add cilantro and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Strain, and use chilled still, water, club soda, seltzer or sparkling water. Ratio is 1/4 cup of lime syrup to 3/4 cups of water.
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/
KITCHEN
ORANGE FENNEL SALAD
A sunny salad with lots of flavor and good for you (and seasonal) ingredients.
2 oranges, peeled and sectioned (make sure to catch any juice)
6 red radishes, shredded or thinly sliced
1/2 cup fennel leaf “feathers” (loose packed)
2 tablespoons almond oil
1 tablespoon cider or rice wine vinegar
Pinch of salt
Use the ‘feathery’ leaves from bulb or leaf fennel — reserve bulb for other meals. Blend oil, vinegar and salt. Gently toss with orange, radish and fennel. Serve immediately.
MARINATED TOFU
Tangerines are in season now and add a lovely sweetness to this recipe. The challenge for most folks with tofu is its blandness, but that is what is great about it, because it picks of the flavors it is cooked/mixed with. You always need a pinch of salt with tofu
1 cup cubed extra firm tofu
½ teaspoon dried savory (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
Zest of 1 tangerine (or orange)
1 tablespoon tangerine juice
1/4+ teaspoon salt to taste
Olive oil
Place cubed tofu in bowl, gently toss with zest, savory, juice and half the salt. Take a clean 12 oz. jar and pour a little olive oil in bottom. Pile mixed tofu in jar (being sure to scrape bowl juices and spices into jar), and add rest of salt to top. Cover with additional olive oil, cap tightly and turn jar to mix well. Turn several times over one hour and serve or refrigerate — will keep for approximately 4-5 days. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.
Serve over mixed greens, or on crackers or slices of apple.
TOFU TIP: Press extra liquid from extra firm tofu by placing in a bowl, covered with plastic of flat plat weighted down with a 1 lb can, then cube.
MARINATED OLIVES
Use some of that wonderful fresh citrus to make this great appetizer or salad topper.
Who doesn’t need another appetizer - when I go to parties, friends/family ask me to bring this dish.
Make this at least 3-4 hours ahead of time or the day before and allow to come to room temperature before serving.
2 cups green olives (can be stuffed)
2 cups kalamata olives
2 cups medium sized black olives
(You can choose to leave pits in, but warn folks!)
1 orange, zest and juice
1 lime (or lemon), zest and juice
1/2-3/4 cup finely chopped mixed herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, oregano, marjoram, dill, chives, etc. - use at least 3 different kinds - leaves, no stems)
1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and minced or finely shredded
Optional: 1-2 cloves of garlic, pressed or finely minced
Olive oil to cover
Drain olives of any water, but reserve oil if oil packed.
Mix olives, citrus zest and juice, herbs, ginger and garlic, tossing to mix well. Let sit for 1/2 hour, tossing periodically to coat.
Place this mixture in an attractive tall lidded jar, making sure to scrape in all herbs and juices. Use reserved olive packing oil and fresh olive oil to almost completely cover the olives. Cap tightly and turn (up-end) every 1/2 hour or so to keep mixture coating the olives. Serve and enjoy. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 weeks — oil will solidify, so bring what you wish to use to room temperature before serving.
Serving tip: Use an edible bowl (seeded cucumber or squash ‘boats’, bread bowls, seeded- sweet peppers etc.) to serve the olives in. The bread bowl can be cut up at the end and nibbled on, and if the veggie bowls are still fresh, can be used in a salad later that day.
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/
There is a silver lining to these clouds, though — we will mostly likely have a lovely wildflower season in the desert, where the hills and valleys are painted in desert colors of gold, blue, lavender and more. Look for the display to begin in ernest sometime in March and continue through at least a part of April. Last spring the hills leading up to Boyce Thompson Arboretum looked they were painted in solid gold, and sides of the road were in royal blues and purples - breath-taking.
To replace a chilly valentine weekend, promise your valentine a trip to the desert to enjoy the wild flowers and don’t forget to add chocolate to the picnic.
Speaking of chocolate — do you know there are chocolate scented flowers? There is even one that tastes like unsweetened cocoa!
Most chocolate scented flowers are not edible, but the exception is the Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata) with the flower head tasting of unsweetened cocoa and smelling like dark chocolate when opened in the morning.
Some medicinal uses were found among the Native People of the southwest (the plant is native here) along with references to use of the flower heads in sausage — kind of like a Native mole flavoring. —(Castetter, Edward F. 1935 Ethnobiological Studies in the AmericanSouthwest I. Uncultivated Native Plants Used as Sources of Food. University of New Mexico Bulletin 4(1):1-44 (p. 19).)
This plant is also called chocolate daisy, greeneyes, lyre-leaf greeneyes, and brooch flower.
Look for seed packets or plants for sale now into late spring. They will take full sun, but for a longer growing season, find a spot in the garden where they will get some afternoon shade moving into the summer.
With the temperatures eventually moving into spring conditions here I will share tomato growing tips in the desert in my next blog.
Have a great day,
— Catherine, The Herb Lady
Another all night google link:
Global Food Catastrophe 2009
http://standeyo.com/NEWS/09_Food_Water/090212.catastrophic.food.fall.html
A page of monsanto horror stories
http://www.energyrefuge.com/how-to/solar_power_generator.htm
Solar power generator
This how-to will help you make a solar power generator for
around $350 dollars or less depending on the materials that you buy.
[It will not be as big as you want, but check the links and info on the page....granny]
http://www.energyrefuge.com/how-to/build_solar_heater.htm
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Build a solar heater
By: Gary Reysa (www.builditsolar.com) © Gary Resa 2005
After walking into our new workshop one December morning and finding the inside temperature to be a bone-chilling 10°F (-12°C), I decided that it was time for a heating system! Given the rising costs of propane and our environmental concerns about using nonrenewable fossil fuels, a solar solution seemed fitting. I reviewed many solar collector concepts, and finally decided to install a thermosiphon air collector on the south wall of the building. The concept is elegant and simple. A thermosiphon design uses only the buoyancy of heated air to circulate air through the collector, eliminating the cost, maintenance, and energy consumption of fans, sensors, and controllers commonly used in other collector designs. On a sunny day, in a cold climate like ours here in Bozeman, Montana, this simple system can produce the heat equivalent of burning about 2 gallons (8 l) of propane. To minimize material use, I integrated the collector within the building’s structure. I also tried to make the collector easy to construct using readily available materials. In fact, making this collector should only take one trip to the hardware store and US$350. Set aside two or three days to complete the project.
Materials used to construct the thermosiphon collector can be found at most lumberyards and hardware stores.
solar heater supplies
How It Works
The thermosiphon collector consists of clear, corrugated poly carbonate panels fastened to vertical 2 by 6s. The clear panels, on the building’s south face, admit sunlight. An absorber—in this case, two layers of black metal window screen—suspended inside the collector captures the sun’s heat energy. The air around the mesh expands and rises as it warms, creating a convection current. Vents located at the top and bottom of the collector allow air to circulate and become heated. Cool air enters the lower vent, is heated by the absorber, and rises through to the upper vents that exit into the building’s interior. This circulation of air continues as long as the sun shines on the collector. At night, as air in the collector cools to outside temperatures, airflow tries to reverse. Air in the collector sinks through the bottom vents and attempts to pull the warmed air from the building through the top vents. Use of flapper valves on the top vents helps prevent this reverse circulation and keeps the heat inside.
Nuts & Bolts
The collector is 20 feet wide by 8 feet high (6.1 x 2.4 m) for an overall area of 160 square feet (15 m2). The collector is 6 inches (15 cm) deep. In most cases, make the collector as large as your south wall allows (see sizing solar collector). The top vent and bottom vent areas should each be at least 50 percent of the collector’s horizontal cross-sectional area (again, more is better). The collector frame is constructed from wood, and consists of six vertical members, a bottom sill, and a top sill. The six vertical 2 by 6s divide the collector into five, 4-footwide (1.2 m) bays. A 2 by 6 is used for the bottom sill. A 2 by 8 is used for the top sill, which should be sloped at about 10 degrees to shed rain. The collector frame attaches to the building by lag bolts from the inside. The collector is glazed with clear Suntuf corrugated polycarbonate panels. These panels have an ultraviolet light-resistant coating on their sun-facing side to extend their life. Each panel is 26 inches (66 cm) wide by 96 inches (244 cm) high. There are ten panels. Pairs of 26-inch-wide panels are joined over a 1- by 1-inch (2.5 x 2.5 cm) vertical wood strip to make the 4-foot-wide panels for each bay. Two, 1- by 1-inch horizontal members provide additional support for the glazing. The absorber is installed on battens placed about halfway between the glazing and siding. After measuring the thermal performance with one, two, and three layers of window screening, I found that two layers work best.
Next
Disclaimer: Please use caution when working with tools such as saws, hammers, electric drills, etc.... Just because we feature these alternative energy how-to’s does not directly imply that you will be able to do everything with any incident just by following the directions. Please make safety your number one concern! EnergyRefuge.com assumes no liabilities for accidents involving our instructions or those that are re-posted. Please use common sense and please consult a professional if needed.
Page 2 of the solar heater is here, interesting and should be easy enough to do.....granny
http://www.energyrefuge.com/how-to/build_solar_heater2.htm
I have not read this one, it is pdf and I have too many tabs on too many browser pages open for pdf....granny
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_wtnd.php
Where There Is No Doctor
We are happy to have other organizations link to our online publications, but in order to prevent out-of-date or altered editions of our publications from being accessed online, we do not allow Hesperian publications to be posted on other sites without our explicit permission.
The entire book is now available for download:
* Table of Contents: Introduction, Note About This New Edition
* Front matter: Cover, How to Use This Book, Acknowledgements
* Brown Pages: Words To The Village Health Worker
* Chapter 1: Home Cures and Popular Beliefs
* Chapter 2: Sicknesses that are Often Confused
* Chapter 3: How to Examine a Sick Person
* Chapter 4: How to Take Care of a Sick Person
* Chapter 5: Healing Without Medicines
* Chapter 6: Right and Wrong Use of Modern Medicines
* Chapter 7: Antibiotics: What They Are and How To Use Them
* Chapter 8: How To Measure and Give Medicine
* Chapter 9: Instructions and Precautions for Injections
* Chapter 10: First Aid
* Chapter 11: Nutrition: What to Eat to Be Healthy
* Chapter 12: Prevention: How to Avoid Many Sicknesses
* Chapter 13: Some Very Common Sicknesses
* Chapter 14: Serious Illnesses That Need Special Medical Attention
* Chapter 15: Skin Problems
* Chapter 16: The Eyes
* Chapter 17: The Teeth, Gums, and Mouth
* Chapter 18: The Urinary System and the Genitals
* Chapter 19: Information for Mothers and Midwives
* Chapter 20: Family Planning- Having the Number of Children You Want
* Chapter 21: Health and Sicknesses of Children
* Chapter 22: Health and Sicknesses of Older People
* Chapter 23: The Medicine Kit
* The Green Pages: The Uses, Dosage, and Precautions for Medicines
* The Blue Pages: New Information
* Vocabulary: Explaining Difficult Words
* Information: Addresses for Teaching Materials, Dosage Blanks, Patient Report, Information on Vital Signs, Abbreviations, Weight, Volume
* Index (Yellow Pages)
To buy the complete book, visit our online store
http://www.envirocept.com/gh_guide/greenhouses.htm
A Greenhouse builder with information on planning to build and use one.
http://www.webpal.org/b_recovery/3_alternate_energy/electricity/all_low_rpm/low_rpm_index.htm
[Almost every line is a link]
Low RPM Generators
This is the main page on this site regarding the construction of generators. While many of the examples are regarding wind driven generators, the principles regarding the generators themselves apply equally to other motive sources. Anyone contemplating building a low rpm generator should look through all the sources on this page. Those persons specifically building a wind generator should also look at our “WIND” page which has on it many things specific to wind generators such as towers, blades, tails and testing them.
Comparison of Generators and Alternators
Most generators and alternators (like off of a car) need to revolve at around 1800 rpm (that is they have to make 1800 revolutions per minute in order to generate power) and it is often difficult to get a third of that speed with most homemade wind, water or other sources.
Overview: Comparison of Alternators and Generators
SEALED: Comparison of Alternators and Generators
This is the SEALED mirrored version of this site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe.
Low RPM Generators and Alternators
Since the difficulty with most generators is that you have to turn them too fast before they start generating power these low RPM ones are neat because they put out power at low rpm and so will work with a bicycle, a low head water source, or lower wind power.
The low RPM generators will start generating power at around 100 rpm and remain efficient up to about 600 rpm. Their “sweet spot” is often around 400 rpm but it will vary from generator to generator.
SEALED: Wooden Low RPM Alternators (SEALED)
This is a SEALED mirrored site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe. This and the link following give more information about building wooden generators. Much of the information is available through the open links.
SEALED: Alternator from Scratch (SEALED)
This is a SEALED mirrored site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe. The reason that they are mirrored here is that hopefully this way the information will be available later - even if the open links no longer are. Special plans are being made to protect to protect these pages and to distribute them afterwards.
Brakedrum Generators and Alternators
Brakedrum: Use the brakedrum off an old pickup truck to make a low RPM generator!
Although the literature says these brakedrum generators are easy to make, we made ten of them and found it a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, they all worked reliably and are very durable.
SEALED: brakedrum_update
This is the SEALED mirrored version of this site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe.
Front Disk Generators and Alternators
There seems to be a trend away from brakedrums to disks. Talking with Hugh Piggot, he tells me that he is writing a new book on this subject.
Disk 1: Forcefield Low RPM Disk Alternator
SEALED: Forcefield Low RPM Disk Alternator
This is the SEALED mirrored version of this site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe.
Disk 2: Making a Volvo Front Brake Disk into a Generator
More details from the same source - on the same idea.
SEALED: Making a Volvo Front Brake Disk into a Generator
This is the SEALED mirrored version of this site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe.
Wooden Generators and Alternators
Some wind generator designs can be put together very quickly. You can carve less elegant blade designs in an hour or two. Some motors can be used as generators. People have gone out and stuck their wind generators up on top of a hydro pole that is not being used. Hopefully the need is only temporary anyhow, until a more permanent source of electricty is re-established.
These may not produce so much electricity as a metal based generator and may be not as durable but they may be more accessible for one of the main components.
Simplest: Wood Axe
This one is particularly fast to build. Even if you don’t build it you should study this one because the pictures and explanation by Force Field are so excellent.
SEALED: Wood Axe (SEALED)
This is this SEALED mirrored site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe. This and the two sealed links following give more information about building wooden generators. Much of the information is available through other open links.
SEALED: Homebrew Windgenerator (SEALED)
This is a SEALED mirrored site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe. Much of the information is available through other open links.
Wooden 2: all the plans and information for another wooden one
BUT these are 9 pages of plans mirrored in .pdf format from Home Power Issue #88 are ones that you can download and print off NOW.
Wooden 3: A key set of plans to study
These are 49 mirrored pages of plans in .pdf format are ones that you can download and print off NOW. While you may not build this unit - you should definitely study these plans from Hugh Piggot because they give you details on many subjects such as how to build a coiler, the winding of a coil and how to wire the coils together.
SEALED: Additional Info on Coils (SEALED)
This is a SEALED mirrored site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe. Much of the information is available through other open links.
On-line Info: Lots of info on build it yourself windmills
This is a link to Hugh Piggot’s website. Hugh lives in Scotland. This is probably the world’s most authoritative source for build it yourself windmills. For those who look into it ahead of time they can get Hugh’s book. We also have a .pdf file from Hugh (available on our low rpm generators page) - that gives LOTS of details.
On-line Info: North American Source for Hugh’s info.
This is a link to Bob Budd’s website. Bob has built lots of Hugh Piggot’s brakedrum windmills, and he has put out a superb video on how to do it. I have watched the video many, many times with many people and have talked with Bob tens of times, and have gone to visit him and see his windmills in the process of our building ten generators ourselves.
Other Generators and Alternators
Microwave Oven: Making a Microwave Oven into a Generator
This is a particularly neat idea and there are lots of neat ideas at the Windstuff Now site.
SEALED: Making a Microwave Oven into a Generator
This is the SEALED mirrored version of this site that won’t be opened until after The Great Catastrophe.
Testing
Experiment: Testing your theories
Here are some experiments done by another individual developing a low rpm generator. It is an example of the kind of approach that you may wish to take.
Sealed: Testing your theories
Same as above but sealed until after the Holocaust.
MENU: HOME » Reconstruction » Recovery » Renewal » Energy Types
1. Golfer’s Billiard Games Recalled by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09122.html)
2. Camp Stoves Sold Exclusively at Dick’s Sporting Goods Recalled Due to Burn Hazard (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09123.html)
3. Catalina Lighting Recalls Halogen Clamp Lamps Due to Fire and Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively At Staples Stores (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09124.html)
4. Marzocchi Recalls Bicycle Forks Due to Crash Hazard and Risk of Injury during Repair (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09125.html)
Evenflo(r) Recalls Children’s Activity Centers Due to Fall Hazard
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2009
Release #09-131
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 233-5921
Firm’s Media Contact: (212) 299-3962
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Evenflo(r) Recalls Children’s Activity Centers Due to Fall Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Evenflo Activity Centers
Units: About 213,000
Manufacturer: Evenflo Co. Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio
Hazard: When used as an activity table, the cap on one end of the product can loosen and fall off, posing a fall hazard to a young child.
Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 11 reports of dislodged end caps which resulted in nine minor injuries, including bumps and bruises. Evenflo has also received a report of a dislodged end cap that resulted in a child suffering a broken collarbone in Canada.
Description: The recall involves Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun stationary activity centers made between October 2006 and December 2008. The model number is 6231711. Stage 3 position involves converting the product into an activity table. No other ExerSaucer models use end caps and, therefore, no other models are included in this recall.
Sold at: Juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Toys ‘R Us and Burlington Baby Depot, from October 2006 through February 2009 for about $120.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: : Consumers should immediately stop using the activity table in Stage 3 and contact Evenflo to receive a free replacement end cap. The product may continue to be used in Stages 1 and 2 without changes.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.exersaucertriplefun.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recall product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09131.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/current/RES
Daily Reservoir Storage Summary
Ending at midnight - 02/17/2009
For selected reservoirs in Northern and Southern California
Report generated: 02/18/2009 13:02
[I think it says they have 60% of the normal water supply...granny]
US-CERT Current Activity
Active Exploitation of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Vulnerability
Original release date: February 17, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Last revised: February 17, 2009 at 4:25 pm
US-CERT is aware of a public report indicating active exploitation of
a previously patched vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.
This vulnerability was addressed in Microsoft Security Advisory
MS09-002. Additional information is available in US-CERT Technical
Cyber Security Alert TA09-041A.
US-CERT encourages users to apply the update or workarounds as
specified in Microsoft Security Advisory MS09-002. Additional
information can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 961260.
Relevant Url(s):
http://blog.trendmicro.com/another-exploit-targets-ie7-bug/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/961260
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS09-002.mspx
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-041A.html
End of article.....
“The average American used to be able to borrow to buy a home, send their kids to a good school [and] buy a car,” Davidowitz says. “A lot of that is gone.”
Going forward, the veteran retail industry consultant foresees higher savings rate and people trading down in both the goods and services they buy - as well as their aspirations.
The end of rampant consumerism is ultimately a good thing, he says, but the unraveling of an economy built on debt-fueled spending will be painful for years to come.
[One comment of the 7,800 comments...granny]
A few days ago I would say that this guy is way off base. Then today I saw someone stop their car to pick up a road kill rabbit. Last year dead deer would rot by the roadside, not any more.
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf933336.tip.html
Lemon Manicure
Ingredients:
* 1/2 of a Lemon
* 1 Cup Warm Water
Directions
Squeeze the lemon juice from the lemon half into the warm water. Soak your fingers in the lemon water for 5 minutes. Then rinse and dry your hands. Push back cuticles, then cut and file nails. Then rub lemon peel against each nail. Buff nails with a soft cloth.
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf933336.tip.html
LOL, I bet oranges will work too......granny
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44998467.tip.html
Raspberry Truffles
Ingredients
* 1 1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup seedless red raspberry jam
* 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles
Directions
In microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips on high 1 minutes; stir. Microwave 1/2 minute more or until almost melted; stir until completely melted. Or melt chocolate chips in top of double boiler over barely simmering water. stir in raspberry jam. Pour into small bowl; cover. Chill until firm, 4 hours or overnight.
With measuring teaspoon or melon baller, scoop out chocolate mixture and quickly shape into 1 inch balls. Refrigerate 1 hour or freeze 20 minutes; roll in sprinkles. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze; thaw in fridge before serving. Makes 2 dozen.
By Robin from Washington, IA
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44998467.tip.html
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21690922.tip.html
RE: Sara Lee’s Chocolate Fudge Icing Recipe
Post by Cricket Girl
Hi, I have a REAL FUDGE ICING (frosting) it is the very best, WITHOUT using icing sugar, powdered sugar or confectioners sugar, this recipe you can pour over the cake, it is WONDERFUL
“The Very Best Chocolate Fudge Frosing”
1 1/2 C’s white sugar
1/2 Cup REAL Butter
1/2 Cup WHOLE milk
Boil hard for 1 minute
Remove from heat; ADD
12 -14 ounces Chocolate chips, mix thoroughly till all chips are melted & consistency is SMOOTH.
Pour over cake while warm
NOTE: Do NOT put vanilla extract in this recipe, because it will turn the icing to real FUDGE, (hard).
If you want to thin this recipe a bit use more milk or 1/2 & 1/2 (cream)
You can use cream instead of milk in this recipe, if you want.
ENJOY
RE: Sara Lee’s Chocolate Fudge Icing Recipe
Post by SweetCali40
This recipe was likened to Sara Lee’s Fudge Frosting
Sounds YUMMY :)
“A good fudgy frosting for cake or cupcakes.”
Original recipe yield: 1 cake or 2 dozen cupcakes
PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 15 Min
READY IN 35 Min
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1 pound confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk
DIRECTIONS
Melt chocolate and butter in the microwave, or in the top of a double boiler. In a large bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and 1/2 cup of the milk. Blend in the melted chocolate mixture. Add remaining milk, a little at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.
Let stand until spreadable (frosting will thicken as it cools).
Please check out the site and users reviews
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/caroli ... chocolate-fudge-frosting/detail.aspx
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17949197.tip.html
Spring Cleaning at its Finest
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh
Spring Cleaning at its Finest
The mood to clean up and refresh seems to be an annual idea. Perhaps it’s the freshness of the outdoors, the signs of new life, or just the need to make changes after months of being cooped indoors. Regardless, some basic financial rules need to be followed when delving into spring cleaning: sell it, donate it, toss it.
Sell It
The first rule of spring cleaning is to decide was is resalable. If an item is nearly new, brand new, or collectible consider selling it. Your basic options are to have a yard sale or to sell it on a venue such as eBay.
The following items resell well on the internet if they are in new or nearly new condition: children’s clothes (3T and under), children’s toys, baby items, sports collectibles, and hard to find sizes of quality clothing (XXXL, etc.) Anything can sell in an online auction, but timing seems to be everything. Don’t list everything; there are items that could be free and they wouldn’t attract attention. Shop around the site to explore what’s selling, what’s over-listed, and what’s unique.
Yard sales are a good way of selling items that will not sell well online. Separate your sale items into two categories, yard sale and online sale. Typical strong sellers at yard sales include: items too large to ship from on online sale, furniture, craft items, children’s items, electronics and appliances, household fixtures, and decorative items. Don’t clutter your yard sale with items such as clothing and glassware; this will deter the “drive-by shoppers.”
Donate It
Items that don’t resale well but are in good condition should be donated to a local charity. Some charities collect for redistribution to those in need, and others resell the items at thrift stores that work as non-profit. Both are assets to healthy communities, and your contribution can mean a great deal to someone.
Items such as clothing, dishes, and books usually find a happy home at these collection areas. Avoid donating items that are damaged, soiled, or outdated. These items actually cost the charity money to dispose of themselves, not to mention the man-hours needed to sort through them. The resale is not worth their time to repair items.
Toss It
Sadly, some things need to be tossed. Any item which is broken/torn or soiled beyond cleaning should be discarded. No one is going to repair it; if that were true it would have been repaired already. Every item will come to the end of its usable life at some point; there is no point in prolonging the inevitable.
In the End
In the end, don’t forget the final rules that apply to your spring cleaning money:
* save it
* declare it
* learn from it
Save the money you earn from your resale and put it towards something you will really enjoy. Don’t put it in your pocket and let it disappear on cups of coffee and lunches. Items that were donated to charity are tax-deductible making them a small earning in the long run; keep your receipts. Lastly, learn from your spending mistakes. For every piece of clutter that was nearly new, learn from it. Money was spent on something that wasn’t used. Keep that in mind when shopping; it will save you money and spring cleaning next year.
About The Author:
Kelly Ann Butterbaugh is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to a variety of magazines and has written a history book for middle readers. Visit her website for writing help, lesson plans, history fun, or work for hire at
http://www.kellybutterbaugh.com
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17949197.tip.html
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RE: Frugal Spring Cleaning Ideas
Post By Guest
The Happy Slob has lots of fun, easy and free cleaning tips - and even more cleaning recipes that are non-toxic. http://www.happyslob.com :) Hope this helps!
P.S. Try some of her daily cleaning routine tips and you’ll find that you’re never stuck with as much to do when spring cleaning rolls around!
RE: Frugal Spring Cleaning Ideas
Post By Barbie
one thing I have found very helpful is to use two buckets one with your cleaner mixture in it and one with nothing but water......if you rinse your rag after wiping things down before returning to the bucket of cleaner, your cleaner will not only last longer but you will not be adding dirt from one area to another.....so each time you wipe whether it be a wall, table, bookcase ect. you will be starting with a fresh clean cloth. if you use spray cleaner then you only need the bucket of water to rinse between wipings.....
Article: Spring Cleaning - The Frugal Way
Post by moderator
Well, spring is, once again, upon us. With it comes sunny days, balmy breezes, blue skies and that dreaded household chore — spring cleaning.
Not only is spring cleaning time consuming, it can also get expensive. Lately, it seems as if there is a different product for cleaning practically every item in your home. If we’re to believe the advertisers, our houses will never be clean without this assortment of new, wonderful and expensive products.
Not true, says the frugal homemaker. Your house can be spic and span shiny, with just a few household products you can probably already find in your kitchen. Not only is it a more economical way to clean, it’s also better for the environment, and your health.
Here are just a few frugal house cleaning tips to help you get started.
*~*All Purpose Cleaners*~*
* Mix 2 teaspoons of borax and 5 cups of hot water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing soap and 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Mix well. Great for general clean-up.
* Clean with vinegar on its own or diluted with water. Add essential oils to the mix to mask the strong odor of vinegar.
* Sprinkle baking soda on hard to clean surfaces and dishes. Mist with water and let sit a couple of minutes. Clean as usual.
* To clean your plastic cutting board, sprinkle salt on the board. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze half of the lemon onto the board. Scrub and clean. Use warm water to rinse off the lemon/salt mixture.
* If your cutting board is made of wood, you can clean it this way. Once every month or so (depending on use) sand lightly. Rub a small amount of olive oil into the board. Never immerse into water.
* If you need to unclog a drain, or just want to help keep them clear, place 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Pour hot water or boiling water down the drain.
* To make your faucets shine, put a couple of drops of olive oil on a dry rag. Spray faucet with club soda and wipe dry with the rag. It will spot less too!
*~*Floor Cleaners*~*
* Mix 2 cups of vinegar with 4 cups of hot water. Add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil and 2 drops of tea tree oil. Tea tree oil acts as a disinfectant.
* Add 2 tablespoons of dishwashing soap to a bucket of hot water. Rinse with a vinegar/water mix.
* Add 1/4 cup of borax to hot water. Add 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap and 1 cup of vinegar. Fill the rest of the bucket with warm water. Add your favorite essential oil to the mix.
*~*Window Cleaners*~*
* Spray club soda on the window and wipe dry.
* Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water. Spray the mixture on the window and wipe dry.
* Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with half a pail of warm water. Clean the windows and wipe dry with a lint free cloth
*~*Air Fresheners*~*
* When weather permits, open your windows.
* Add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil to a cup of baking soda. Mix the oil into the soda and place in a decorative box. Another idea is to dip a cotton ball in pure vanilla extract and place in a small dish. This tip works best in small spaces, such as drawers, closets, and bathrooms.
* For Kitchen odors: Place a small dish of vinegar near the kitchen odor. The vinegar will get rid of it for you.
* Place your favorite citrus peels in a pot. Cover with water and simmer. It will freshen your kitchen and the rest of the house all at once.
Ashley Ocampo is a freelance writer and mom who publishes bot the Labor of Love Recipe Box, a daily newsletter that contains quick, easy dinner ideas for your whole family, as well as Organization and Cleaning 101, a weekly ezine with tips to make your homemaking easier.
To subscribe send a blank email to tlolrecipebox-subscribe@topica.com.
Or for Organization 101, a blank email to org101-subscribe@topica.com