Thanks to bargin becky we see how easy it can be to compost. To those that are starting a garden of any type compost is like liquid gold. It is environmentally responsible, easy and cheap for your later use. If you have a compost site started we would love your input because a lot of us just started and your tips are valuable to us.
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I finally got around to soaking and cooking my own dried beans. I don't know why this is so daunting a task maybe it feels so "old" time like, maybe we feel we have come a long way with grocery store cans.
There are several reasons to make your own beans. The first is the cost. A bag of beans cost about $1.50 a bag and you will get about 4-6 cups of beans bag. A can of beans cost .60 or more. You do the math.
Save the environment by not consuming so many cans, save your health by not consuming the chemicals found in beans from the can! Save yourself some sodium by not having to ingest the salted, preserved beans.
Canned beans are still an economical buy and if you are careful about rinsing them it will help cut the sodium intake. The chemicals on the cans are true, it is the lining they use on the inside of the can. Organic companies use chemical free cans but we can't always afford organic so the next best thing is to make your own when you can, store them dry and make batches to freeze so you can use them as you need them.
But I don't eat that many beans? I never really did either but it is time to start! Beans are the cheapest way to bulk up a meal, add protein to your diet and not break the bank. Making tacos tonight? Try adding some beans. How about a salad? Add some beans. Chili? Need I say more? Add them to casseroles, mix them with some veggies. Add lentils to ground beef to stretch the beef and add health.
Here is what I did, I took a bag of dried beans (I used black and red beans, keeping them separate) I but them into a big bowl and covered them with a lot of water. Let them soak overnight.
Then I drained them, rinsed them off and looked for any stones. Put them into a big pot and cover with a good amount of water. Simmer for about an hour and a half or a bit more till soft.
Drain, cool and package the desired amount into freezer bags, date the bags and freeze. A can of beans is about 1 cup so I am freezing one cup of beans per bag.
I have read several blogs that just freeze the beans without adding anything and they say they come out fine. This week I saw on the Today Show that you should add enough water to cover beans and then freeze. Not sure which way is best but I am going to freeze without water. If I find out that the beans don't freeze that well I will try the water freeze next time.
Do you use dried beans? If you do let the readers know, share your ideas.
Yesterday was a wonderful day here in Northern Indiana. It wasn't too warm, there was a breeze and plenty of sunshine. Perfect weather for me to start on some yard work and get my garden, flower beds up to par.
Fast forward to this morning...I can't move without aches, pains and moaning. I spent the majority of the day outside. First I push mowed my front yard. It is a good size yard. I needed the grass clippings. Then I put down wet paper, grass clippings and mulch on my flower beds in the front yard. I planted some containers with lettuce, cherry tomatoes and peas. I used the lasagna gardening method for the containers. I also got my prepared lasagna garden planted with lettuce, cauliflower and cucs. This method was so easy to plant, no digging, just push the mulch bedding aside and put the plant in the hole, cover and water.
I have much more to do put that will have to wait for another day (one where I can move). I admit that the lasagna gardening does take some initial work but I see the value of what I have accomplished so far. The weeds will be under control. My watering will be cut in half and the gardens will be already for me come spring next year. This is worth it to me.
Update, above is a picture of the compost bin I got at sam's club for 39.95.
I did a little cleaning today and ended up cleaning the kitchen floor when an unfortunate glass bottle of vinegar hit the floor. I only use homemade natural cleaners in my house. I have tried several 'natural' cleaners but to be honest homemade is cheaper, easier and nicer on the environment. I have some homemade cleaners on my site here but if you go here this site has some easy cleaner recipes. Thanks food storage made easy.
Using vinegar- Go here to see how many different ways you can use vinegar
Note vinegar is a natural disinfectant. You can safely use it on about anything. I use it top to bottom in my home. Keep in mind that the smell disappears quickly. I use it so much I associate it with clean like most people associate pine sol clean. When sickness hits my home I use it on all the door handles and light switches like most people use Lysol.
Using Baking Soda- Go here to see 75 ways for using baking soda
Baking soda has so many uses you can't believe it. I use it for the laundry, as a paste for heavy cleaning and sprinkle it in the house as a deodorizer for the carpets. Keep in mind that brands don't really matter for baking soda. Cheaper is fine.
Using Borax-
Go here to see ways to use Borax. Did you know you can preserve flowers, kill ants and fleas with borax?
Soaps, I loved using castile soap. It is hard to find good old fashion castile soaps that are made with olive oil and nothing else. I have sensitive skin and this soap is a wonder for laundry soap, and using in the shower. I don't always use it but when I find it I go crazy with it, I like the liquid the best. Go here to see what castile soap is and some uses.
Super Washing soda- I use this in my homemade laundry soap and I am learning new ways to use this as well. Go here to see how to use washing soda.
Do you have a cleaning recipe you would like to share, a favorite website you use for environmental cleaners or a comment on using homemade cleaners? I would love to hear from my readers and everyone enjoyes learning new things.
If you would like to see parts of her book go here. If you would like to read the entire series please see the left side bar for Lasagna Gardening Series.
I have had a lot of fun making my garden spot. I have some pictures, however my daughter used her camera and she lost the cord so pictures will be forth coming.
I did spend a bit more on manure and peat moss as well as some other decorative items however I have not done much gardening in the past few years and I want to get some things caught up around here and looking nice.
I will not be planting my seedlings until mid May so I have a bit of to decide which flowers I would like to border or fill in around my veggie plants. The author, Patricia Lanza suggest planting certain herbs and flowers with veggies for optimal planting she calls this companion planning. By placing certain plants together it can help keep pests away or push them towards a certain plant where they can be taken care of easily.
Garlic, Parsley next to roses protect from black spot a fungal disease.
Chives and garlic next to peas and lettuce to protect from aphids
Radishes near cucumbers to avoid cucumber beetles
Rosemary, sage, thyme or tansy near cabbage to deter moths, cabbage worms, cut worms
Nasturtiums near broccoli to lure aphids away from broccoli
*Her favorite lure trap is a wild grapevine planted on a fence or arbor by garden to attract the Japanese beetles.
The next series part will talk about container planting. If you have a question or something you would like me to write on please leave me a comment so I can look it up in the book.
If you have not been been following the Gardening series you can see part one here and part two here.
I also want to mention that if you are not ready to do a full garden area then try this with a small test area and just grow a few small plants. You can do this in containers too and I will speak on that in another blog ahead. You can also prepare a garden area and do nothing with it but keep adding layers to get the best soil possible for a garden next year. You can do this now or in the fall. Bookmark part one and that way you can come back to the series this fall to begin the journey as you get your yard cleaned up for the fall. The thing that is so great about this style of garden is that you can have huge open spaces or just a balcony and have a lasagna garden.
You can also see parts of her book here.
You have the gardening location picked, you have the layers all ready and now comes the fun part, the planting.
If you have plants then you simply need to make a planting hole by pulling back some of the mulch with your hands. Set the plant in the hole, pull the mulch back around your roots and water it thoroughly.
To sow the seeds in a newly built lasagna garden, spread fine compost or damp peat moss where the seeds will go, then set the seeds on the surface. Sift more fine material to cover the seeds and press down. When the plants have two true leaves pull some of the coarser mulch material around them to keep the soil moist and weed free.
You may want to plant some flowers around the edges of your garden as well or even herbs. Tomorrow I will talk about what plants go well together and what herbs compliment your garden.
A tip for encouraging your garden...Encourage the worms. Yes yucky worms are the best possible choice for getting your lasagna garden going and growing. Earthworms are indicators of a healthy garden soil. To increase your worm population quickly buy worms from a mail order supplier or a local bait shop. Be sure they are common worms or night crawlers. Dump them in the garden under the paper mulch or between mulch layers. They will tunnel and eat their way right away and this will greatly improve your soil.
Thinking of getting an energy efficient light? Want one that is earth friendly on this earth day? Try the BOGO when you purchase one another will be sent to a person in need around the world. They have pictures of people using them around the world who don't always have light. No light? Hard to believe but true.
Thanks Leaving Excess for bringing this to light. She also says you can get one at amazon for cheaper put there won't be a free one sent to a person in need.
I have blogged before about making your own laundry soap. I started this last year and really loved it. I try to do it as much as I can to save money but mostly because I have very sensitive skin. I started out using ivory bar soap but have used the liquid ivory hand soap the past two times. It is exactly the same as the bar soap except it is liquid and it is much easier to make and use then the bar soap.
If you are curious about making soap simply put in an Internet search for making your own soap and you will see millions of recipes pop up. Here is my recipe for liquid Ivory soap. Keep in mind that this is my recipe and I ended up using this concentration of ingredients because I wanted it more concentrated.
2 cups Liquid (not aloe) Ivory Soap or any liquid soap of your choice
2 cups of baking soda (any brand works)
2 cups of washing soda (you can find this in your grocery detergent aisle. I have found it at Meijer and Kroger)
1 container with lid. I use a 11 quart container
fill the container half full in the sink with very hot to boiling water. The hotter the water the more the soda will dissolve. However I just use very hot tap water. Add the baking soda and stir very well. Add the washing soda (make sure there are no lumps, crumble them up if there are) and stir that until dissolved. Slowly add more hot water until you are 3/4 way filled and then add the two cups of liquid soap. Gently stir and add water (slow trickle) until water is full, you don't want to make suds.
This is done and ready to use because you don't have to wait for it to gel up. You could actually put it into old detergent bottles as well. I put mine in the container with an old towel under it and a measuring cup that sits on top. Because this is so concentrated I use about a cup of it but for really heavily soiled you could add more. I can tell you that I love the smell of my clothes and have no issue with how it cleans. You can add more of each to concentrate it more if you want. This works out to be about .21 cents per cup of detergent and you are doing something good for yourself and family.
I have also used this with just baking soda and it works well but for extra kick I like the washing soda. You can also add borax to the washing machine before adding clothes for extra dirty clothes. I love keeping these ingredients on hand because I use them all the time for cleaning all types of stuff.
This laundry soap will not sudz up so don't panic if you think it is not soapy enough, I used to think that too but just let it work. Your towels will be softer because there is no residue from detergent.
A few washing soda uses see here
I am going to link this site that explains how to make your own wipes. I have done this before twice with very good results and I will be making some this weekend as well.
The site will have you use an old empty wipes holder. I used a Rubbermaid type container with a small hole in the top so I could pull the towels out. I also used another Rubbermaid type container that I could just pop open and pull one out. I also read about taking paper towels and pulling them off folding them into half or thirds and stacking them into an old baby wipe container.
Using essential oils in here is great. Tea tree oil and lavender has antibacterial properties. Tea tree oil is a bit stronger on the smell area. Remember vinegar has natural disinfected power so you can use other smells you like. I use citrus smells because I like that best. I tend to use a lot more of the oil drops then they suggest because I love the smell. See my going green the natural way on the left side bar for a natural, chemical free spray for you house as well.
The site tells you to use a knife to cut the paper towel roll in half and this is how I did it last time. It does make a little mess so if you have an electric knife use it because it will slice easier for you but you don't have to use one a regular knife works as well.
Other alternatives to paper towels is old rags or towels cut to smaller squares and put into an old baby wipe box or rubber maid container that you use and wash. Happy wiping. You can use these homemade wipes on anything and it is very safe.
Lately the news on the economy has been getting worse and in my area (Elkhart, IN) things are the worst in the nation for job lay offs. The news has been doing a lot of specials on what we can do to save money and get back to basics. One thing that has come up over and over is using natural cleaning products. I do this at my house and it is so much cheaper, better for you and I hate to say it but the smell of vinegar has become the new clean in my home for a year now. You can do a simple search online for homemade cleaning products and you will get tons of recipes. Here are a few things you can do at home that I have tried and like.
All Purpose and Glass Cleaner:
Mix a spray bottle with half water and half White vinegar, gently shake to mix. That is it folks. This cleans better then any cleaner I have ever used. Use it in the kitchen, on the windows and mirrors, you can use it in the bathroom. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant so it kills germs and doesn't hurt anything. *Special note on windows if you have been using store bought sprays they contain detergent and it may take a few times before all that detergent comes off, that is what causes streaks. You can use straight vinegar as well. Try using a microfiber cloth or a squeezer instead paper towels that leave lint.
Natural scrubber:
Baking soda can be made into a soft paste with water and put over stains in the kitchen or bathroom and scrubbed with a nylon scrubber.
Another great scrubber is salt. Good ole salt is a wonderful cleaner for bathtubs, sinks, ovens. Use a nylon scrubber so you don't scratch your surface.
These are just a few ways to save money and help your family stay safe. I will post on how to make your own dis infective wipes and some other things in the next few days.
Leaving excess on my side bar has an article on making your own shampoo, and I added the site she recommended on my blog list, naturemom. I have used organic soap and castile soap before and I like both. I have to admit I get lazy and just buy soap at the store because it is cheap and easy.
Leaving Excess has a blog today on getting BPA free bottles, which made me think of my friend Denise who asked me what was BPA just last friday. (deja vu). So here you go Denise, I told you it was a chemical but here is the whole answer.
First of all, what in the world is BPA?
BPA is short for Bisphenol-a, a chemical that is actually an artificial estrogen. It is used to create the plastic called polycarbonate. Most major U.S. baby bottle manufacturers use BPA in their production, as well as many food storage containers and toys.
Researchers have shown that even low levels of estrogen-mimicking BPA are harmful to animals and people, especially babies and young children. Many environmental scientists believe that Bisphenol-a may cause adverse health effects, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and early puberty.
You can find BPA free bottles at regular stores but they are not always easy to find. You can go online and put in a BPA free bottle search and get more sites then you can look at or just go to amazon or ebay. I found some at our local health food store and they were no more money then anywhere else.
By using BPA free bottles you are keeping your family safe and saving the environment from more bottles leaking chemicals into the landfills.
BeCentable has a environmental highlight on a blog site called the greenbaglady. You can read that highlight by using my right side bar to go to becentable.
This reminded me how much I have been slacking in the environmental department. I was recycling, using my bags, using my homemade cleaners and much more. Then...sigh...my daughter moved back in and my new job got in the way and my recycling has gone out the window.
I went to the doctor this week and my blood pressure was very high, I had excuses as to why I hadn't gotten my medicine in the past few days and the weather had been bad but the doctor looked at me and said, "There are no excuses for a stroke. You have to do what you have to do."
This is true of the environment as well. There are no excuses. I just need to get a better system that works for our family right now. I apologize for my adding to the environmental problems. I will add a few sites to the side bar.
Here are a tip I have picked up over the last year that really work. I got this tip for the BBC channel "How clean is your house?" If you think your house is a mess and are always saying, "I need to clean up around here" be sure to check out an episode of these British ladies and you will never think your house is dirty again. Love this show.
Keep your sinks draining well with salt, baking soda and vinegar.
Run some very hot water down the drain for a bit. Put 1/4 c. of baking soda in the drain, put another 1/4 c regular old salt on top of the baking soda. Put a cup of vinegar into the drain. Basic science here folks if you have never had vinegar and baking soda mix it fizzes like crazy. The kids will get a kick out of it and it can't hurt them so let them give it a try. Follow with a good dose of boiling hot water. Keeps your drains running and helps on the old drain smells. Do this every month to keep all working right.
A quick not on measurements you don't have to be exact I do not even measure just eye the amounts if you want to do so.
Be Centable has a great blog on going green. Check it out for some tips on how to recycle and reuse. You can give her some feedback on how you are green in your home as well. I stopped buying cleaners and air fresheners awhile ago and now make my own. I can say it has made a difference for me because I have bad allergies and sensitive skin.
Recently I tried the new Arm & Hammer Essential cleaner because it was natural and had a money back rebate. I didn't like it because the smell was overwhelming. Once you become used to the nice, gentle clean smell of homemade cleaners the store bought cleaners are not so pretty smelling.
Here is the recipe for making your own air freshener. I swear you will like it better then anything you have ever used before. It is easy and has no chemicals to stay around and get into your body.
Fill a small spray bottle with water and add whatever essential oil you would like to that water. The amount of oil you would add depends on how heavy you like the smell. 20 drops is usually OK but I double it to 40 drops because I like more smell. My faves are the citrus smells, orange, grapefruit seed and lemon. The grape seed oil, tea tree oil and lavender have antibacterial properties as well.
My daughter loves it so much I constantly have to make her some and when my niece visits she loves to spray some. You can use this anywhere in the house and I even use it in the car as well. Just put the sprayer on fine mist.
