Lavender Scented Vacuum

Tuesday's Tip...on Wednesday :) 

Lavender Scented  Carpet & Vacuum

The next time you vacuum sprinkle a little dried lavender on your carpet. It will brighten the room up immediately. Not only does this freshen up the room and make it smell nice and clean it also freshens up your vacuum. So each time I vacuum after I've sprinkled the lavender the scent is still present in the vacuum instead of that nasty dusty (time to be cleaned) smell. I simply take a handful, crush the herb a bit and toss on the carpet like fairy dust. It's fun for your kids too because they are magicked into thinking they are playing when they're really cleaning! Then just vacuum it all up!

I buy my lavender in bulk from the Monterey Bay Spice Company but I am sure you can find it at an herbal store, vitamin cottage and some health food stores.

I just found this solution also. Add it to baking soda, with added preferred essential oil (optional) and let it sit overnight before vacuuming. This will deodorize as well.

Brown paper bag popcorn

Tuesday's Tip: Microwave Popcorn in a brown paper bag

Friday night is movie night at our house, and if meals are eaten up, that means popcorn too! The kids look forward to it each week. We typically make our popcorn in a popcorn popper similar to this one using this completely unhealthy but very much like movie popcorn oil. But sometimes the kids want a quick snack, or I want a healthy salty snack to munch on instead of chips (I said sometimes...).

Try this trick next time you reach for the pre-packed microwave popcorn.  I learned this trick in college while experimenting. The first time I made it I put too many kernels in and they spilled out everywhere but it worked and I modified it. Microwave kernels directly in a lunch paper sack and add your desired amount of salt and butter. It takes 3 minutes and about 2 extra steps. Plus it's the healthiest method!

First, you need 1/3 cup of kernels.

Next, fold down the top of the bag twice. Place bag, upright, in the microwave (Yes, I retouched the splatters inside the microwave so that it looked cleaner. Can you believe it?). Heat for 2-3 minutes; using the "popcorn" button, or until the pops are about 2 seconds apart. You don't want to burn it!

Remove the hot bag. While holding it closed, shake it a bit. With your finger (or unless it burst open naturally like mine did), poke a finger sized hole at the bottom of the bag. You can now gently shake out the old maids and re-pop them later.

Season with salt and melted butter, if desired.

1/2 C kernels = about 12 cups popcorn

Tuesday's Tip: Freezer Space

Originally supposed to "air" last Tuesday but the scheduled programing decided to on Saturday. Oh, well, here it is!

Easy and space saving tip to store ground beef.

1. Weigh beef. Either in half pound or pound increments. Store in freezer safe ziploc quart sized bags.

 2. Seal shut, leaving about 1" space open. Roll out the beef with a rolling pin or glass.

 3. You'll be left with a stack like this. Perfectly thin and easy to store! How do you store your ground beef?

Tuesdays Tip

Is your kitchen like mine? Full of gadgets or containers, most that only collect dust due to under-use? If so, then you'll agree that although sometimes a cake holder or plastic cupcake holder would be handy to have when transporting cake or cupcakes to another location. But is the space it takes up more valuable?

Or does your family eat as much cold cereal as mine? We go through 1-2 small boxes a week and I hate to throw them out.


Well, why not save some? I have a few purposes that I use them for and here is one. A cupcake holder with lid. A recycled transporter that can be dropped off and no need to be returned. I've volunteered to make cupcakes for families that have funerals at my Church lately. I don't want to drop them off on one of my plates or cookie sheets that'll just need to be returned so I put them in a cereal box and let them take care of the trash. No worries.

Remove the bag. Simply tape the end closed, where you normally open to pour the cereal. Then cut one of the sides on 3 sides, to create a flap. Fill with 24 mini-cupcakes or 12 regular. I usually frost them once they're in the box, just to make it easier and less messy getting them in. Then, if you need, just add a little piece of tap to close it and deliver!

What have you used to transport cupcakes in a less messy or inexpensive way? I've seen the use of a disposable clothing box from department stores. You can cut an "x" to create a little tight slot or hole on top of the box to place the cupcake in.  But it won't have a lid. The same concept can be used with a cereal box.