Health and Beauty Roundup

Here's a post highlighting my health and beauty favorites.  Scroll down to see what you can make or use today!

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Make Your Own Deodorant

I've been turning to this DIY deodorant for about ten years now.  Think of that.  I've been saving my armpits from aluminum all that time!  It's the only deodorant I've used that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.  Bonus: it works!

Honey-Turmeric Face Mask

This mask is great for moisture and detoxification, especially at this time of year.  Super simple and easy to prepare, this mask won't let you down.

Nice and Spicy Melt and Pour Soap

Click above for an easy DIY project that you can put together in minutes.  This easily customizable project is great for everyday use or unique gifting.  Give it a try!

My Number One Must Have Beauty Product

Click the link above to see my favorite beauty product. This one is not a DIY, but I love it nonetheless.  It's a staple I turn to every day!

9 Practical Uses for Vinegar

This post does not focus specifically on health and beauty, but I'd be remiss to exclude it.  Look at numbers 8 and 9 for ideas on how to treat athlete's foot and sunburn.  This is good stuff!

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Series Page

Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Easter Eats

If you're looking for ideas for your Easter feast, look no further!

The first thing we make every year is hard boiled and dyed eggs.  The kids love it.  I'm not sure they'll ever really grow tired of it.  I never have!  As the years go on the designs get more elaborate and the hands stay cleaner, but the tradition remains the same.

Typically we only hide our plastic eggs, so we have a bunch of hard-boiled eggs available for eating on Easter morning.  These make a quick and easy breakfast for everyone!

Here are some eggs we've decorated in the past.  I do recommend rinsing off the sparkles if you use those!

Sparkly Eggs

Along with your hard boiled eggs for protein, you can't go wrong with a cinnamon treat!  This is a recipe for the absolute best homemade cinnamon buns I've had.  Part of the trick is using the bread machine to make the dough.  It kneads it perfectly and lets the dough rise at the ideal temperature.  The result is smooth, fluffy dough that puffs up just right.  You'll want to try these for sure!

Cinnamon Buns for the Bread Machine

Once it's time for lunch, you'll want to use up some more of those hard boiled eggs.  One of our favorite ways to prepare them is deviled eggs.  My husband can down half a dozen without trying!  Check out this cute version I made inspired by a magazine article.  They are adorable, don't you think?

Deviled Chicks

For lunch we traditionally have ham and potatoes.  I love scalloped, but twice-baked and mashed are also great!  I usually try to get a spiral ham if it's on sale, but sometimes I get the whole, unsliced ham and that's is quite delicious as well.  Typically I skip the glaze because I find the ham just right without it.  If I'm making the whole ham I like to top it with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries. If you do this, be sure and save some of the pineapples and cherries for the recipe below!

For dessert, one of my favorites is pineapple upside down cake.  It's an older recipe and my mom used to make it often for Easter when we were kids.  Follow this link to for a most delicious treat!

If you're not in a sugar coma by this point, check out these adorable cupcakes and cake.  They were, like the deviled chicks, inspired by a magazine article.  I found the marshmallow bunnies while I was out shopping and I thought they would be adorable on these grassy green cakes.  I have no separate post or recipe about the cupcakes, I just thought they were too cute not to include!

To make the cake, just bake up your favorite box mix or other favorite cake recipe.  Pour half into an oven-safe bowl and the remaining into a cupcake tin with liners.  Bake as directed.  Frost with any icing you like, then top with  *grass and decorations.   Here's a recipe for icing if you need it.

*To make the grass, empty a bag of coconut into a bowl and squeeze in a few drops of food color.  Mix until color is evenly distributed.  Voila!  Grass.

The jelly beans, by the way, are Starburst jelly beans, my fave!

Do you have any favorite Easter recipes or traditions?  Comment below to share.


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Barbie Cake
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Slow Cooker Recipe Roundup

Start the new year with some easy slow cooker recipes!

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Broth
This one is simple, quick and healthy.  What else do you need to begin the new year right?  Ok, well, maybe more than a chicken and a crock pot, but this is a good start!

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
This is another great healthy recipe that whips up quick.  My family likes it and it's easy to adjust to your family's taste preferences.

Easy Pulled Chicken
This recipe hardly gets easier.

Sweet and Sour Kielbasa
This one is a much-requested appetizer favorite.  I've even used it as a meal over rice.  It's name says it all.

Lazy Applesauce
While making applesauce is typically associated with fall, it can be made year-round.

The list here is relatively short and one of my goals this year is to use the slow-cooker more often.  I also plan on purchasing a second one and maybe even a third!  I want one that is larger so I can more easily cook chickens and bigger recipes.  I also would like to get a smaller one that would be good for hot appetizers such as dips.  I'll be watching sales and thrift stores for some great deals!


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Breakfast Recipe Roundup
9 Practical Uses for Vinegar

Blanket Roundup

Looking for a personal gift idea?  Most of my blankets are very quick to make so you should be able to whip one up before Christmas.  Here's a roundup of many of the blankets I've crocheted and featured here on my blog.  Check it out, you might be inspired!

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Do you have scraps of yarn laying around?  Check out these scrap blankets!  They are the perfect solution if you have time and yarn but not a lot of money.

Double Crochet Scrap Blanket

Multicolor Crochet Scrap Blanket
This yarn came mostly from a bag of yarn a friend gave me.  It was so fun to go through and see what potential could come from a jumbled trash bag full of yarn.  I was happy with how it turned out!

Striped Double Crochet Blanket
This one is another double crochet blanket in stripes.  I love stripes!

Here are some blankets that work up super quick.  They combine two strands of yarn to make something nice, thick, quick and comfortable.

Coffee and Blue Jeans
This one is probably my favorite.  I gave it to one of my nephews as a gift.  You might recognize it from the homepage of my blog!

Boyish Stripes

I really like this one too.  I made it for another of my nephews and gave it to him for Christmas last year.  It's so warm and comfy!

Pink and Gray Double Crochet
This is a more recent one.  It's the same idea as the others just different colors and a different pattern of stripes.

Neapolitan
This one reminds me of the ice cream that you always seem to find at birthday parties: strawberry chocolate and vanilla.

These next ones are granny square and granny stripe blankets.  They are crocheted as just one giant granny square that continues to increase in size each round.  When you get to the size you like, just stop!


Giant Granny Square Blanket

Watermelon Candy
This next one is also a favorite of mine.  I gave it to my niece for Christmas last year.  I just love how all the colors came together.  It is a granny stripe as opposed to a granny square.  I also added a ruffle edge to make it just a little more special!

If you want to see more of my crochet items, just check out the Crochet/Knit page found on this blog!



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Pumpkin Roundup

Do you love all things Pumpkin?  Check out this list of posts and recipes, perfect for fall.


New England Pumpkin Pie

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Bread

The Pumpkin Patch

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Apple Recipe Roundup
Breakfast Recipe Roundup


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Apple Recipe Roundup

I love fall in New England because as much fun as summer is, the cool, crisp air of autumn calls to me.  When this beautiful and colorful season comes, I welcome it with open arms.

One of the best ways to welcome autumn is with a trip to the apple orchard.  If you have just gone and gathered up a bunch of apples or you just stocked up from a great deal at the grocery store, check out this recipe roundup.  There are some great ideas here for putting those apples to good use!


Lazy Applesauce
This one is a favorite and if you leave it in the crock pot a little too long, just keep cooking until you have apple butter!  It's no-fail!

Apple Cranberry Crisp
Try this delicious blend of sweet and tart.  Perfect for any fall table.

Apple Crisp
This is a recipe that's been in the family for years.

Swedish Apple Pie
This is delicious.  It is similar to a crisp, but is topped with a thick cake-like batter.  It's so much easier than rolling a crust and the flavor never disappoints!

Dried Apples
This is a great way to preserve your apples if you don't want to bake with them.  I don't know about you, but sometimes if I keep my apples from the orchard in the refrigerator too long they get grainy and unappealing.  Drying apples is one option to keep them nice and tasty.  We love them in our family.

Apple Bread
This is another family recipe.  Give this classic a try and I'm sure you'll like it.

What is your favorite apple recipe?  Let me know in the comment section below.  It doesn't have to be one listed here.  I'd love to try a new recipe if you have something good!

And remember, apples are a good source of vitamin C, fiber and the antioxidant, Quercetin.  So when you're making up one of these delectable goodies or a favorite of your own, don't feel guilty in the slightest!



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Breakfast Recipe Roundup

Breakfast Recipe Roundup

Looking for ideas for breakfast?  Look no further!  Here is my Breakfast Recipe Roundup.  Be sure and share this page and these ideas with your friends.


Mom's Pancakes

What are Mom's Pancakes without some syrup?

Homemade Pancake Syrup

This banana bread is super sweet and pairs well with a delicious cup of coffee.

Auntie's Banana Bread

This granola is our family favorite.  Make it and you'll see why!  Try it by the handful, in a bowl with some nice, fresh milk, or as a topping on any yogurt you have on hand.

Raw Brown Sugar Granola

I have not found a better pumpkin bread recipe.  This is another one that has been in the family for years.  If you want to tone down the sweetness, spread it with some cream cheese.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Pumpkin Bread

A Christmas favorite in my house, these cinnamon buns don't disappoint.  I have to exert extreme self control when I make these!

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Buy It, Make It, Maybe

Buy It, Make It, Maybe

Sometimes you might wonder if it's worth it to make everything from scratch.  You can find recipes online for basically anything in your house, but in the end is it worth it?  Here are some things I think are worth buying, and others worth making.  The last section is a list of things that you'll have to make the call on!

Buy It

• toothpaste - I've tried homemade and for me nothing beats basic Crest Cavity Protection.
• mouthwash  - I've also tried homemade for this, but for me store bought is the way to go.
• dish soap - The homemade ones tend to leave a filmy residue.

Make It

• deodorant
• all purpose cleaner - Just mix 1 part vinegar 1 part water with a couple drops of dish detergent and put in a spray bottle.
• frosting - The best buttercream for decorating.  Coming soon, my favorite frosting ever!
• lotion bars - Try these.
• bread crumbs - If you have some stale bread lying around it's worth it not to waste!
• spice mixes such as italian seasoning, taco seasoning, seasoned salt Budget 101.com is a great place to find any homemade mix you might be looking for
• ketchup - Try this delicious recipe that tastes just like store-bought.
• cookies - Try these. 
• pancakes - Skip the mix and make a batch of these.
• pancake syrup - If you don't splurge for the real thing, try this.  It's delicious and a budget saver!

Maybe

• cake mix - Many found here.
• brownies - I love Ina's recipe, but it's time consuming and compared to a box mix, quite expensive.
• disinfectant - This can be made with 1 cup water and 10 drops tea tree oil (or 1 tsp tea tree oil if you're trying to remove mold).  Hydrogen peroxide and 70% alcohol are also great.
• laundry soap - The recipe I use is found here.
• cream of anything soup - Try this one.

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