RazNoggle

I know, second post for today wow! Actually I’m procrastinating on wrestling with car seats, ugh! I wanted to give you a couple of links you can visit for a little more info on some of the stuff I mentioned in my ‘experiments’ blog post. So here goes.

HERE is a link to a site that will give you more info than you will EVER use on uses for vinegar. It’s white vinegar, but there are also things you can use Cider Vinegar for with better results…. I don’t know why, but the hair rinse is one of them.

THIS is a post written by my friend on the Oil Cleansing Method. I’m loving it!! Even though a lot of things I read on it suggest using a blend of castor and EVOO, I’m really liking the Coconut oil because the smell and feel is so pleasant! Wow, you’ve got to try this. Oh, and I’m sure you can find coconut oil in stores like Trader Joes and others, but I found it on Amazon for $13 for 2 15oz containers. They will last a LONG time as this is all I’m using it for.

HERE is another blogger raving about the amazing effects of going “no-poo” and using Baking Soda washes and cider vinegar rinses for your hair. You’ll notice her hair is pretty short. I honestly think that is the key. My long hair just wasn’t getting enough moisture with this method though I really enjoyed getting it clean w/o the effects of shampoo. Now I’m totally loving using the baking soda in the conditioner and my hair is very pretty and soft and touchable as well! Last night Stuart was rubbing my head and he said, “Wow your hair does feel good!” So that works for me!! I know that conditioners still have small amounts of those chemicals in them, but for now it’s working. I’ll keep looking for a natural method, but as the co-wash suggests using some of the cheapest conditioners anyway, I think it’s still frugal. Just my own take.

Okay, well I’m off. I have 4 children in this house who in the next half hour need to be gotten up from naps, changed if applicable, and packed into the car. I’m dropping off 2 with their dad and then hauling the lads with me to my first midwife appt. *sigh* It’s going to be an adventuresome afternoon!

Hi friends, I just thought I’d share this recipe with you all because it’s very hearty, delicious and FAST! I made some yesterday, and Stu loves it! He’s not a big soup fan, but this one is an exception! Plus you can make this in like 10 minutes, it’s great!
1 can condensed chicken w/rice soup, undiluted
1 1/3 cup water
1 cup salsa
1 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup canned or frozen corn
1 cup diced cooked chicken (I use the canned chicken breast if I’m really in a hurry)
1 tsp ground cumin
Crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream (optional)
In a large saucepan, combine the first 8 ingredients. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 min or until heated through. Serve w/ tortila chips, cheese and sour cream. (5 servings)

This is a GREAT cold weather meal! I always save the left over canned beans and corn together in the freezer for the next time I want to make it. We get 2 meals worth out of this recipe, and it’s so easy and very very yummy!!! I haven’t tried it with sour cream, but the chips and cheese on it are great! So if you like Mexican-y food and enjoy soups too, this is a must try especially since it’s so stinkin’ easy!

Hey I ran across this great blog called the $5 Dinner.  This mom apparently loves to cook, but likes to keep things economical too.  Think about it.  If you had dinner for $5 a day (and some of her recipies double for a second meal like pork and potatoes, with the left over pork being bbq pulled pork for another meal) then you’d be spending $35 on dinners a week!  Add to that oatmeal for breakfasts, and some simple soups and sandwiches for lunch and you have a weeks worth of food for less than $50!!!  Wowsers!  I’ve been doing a LOT of reading on this stuff lately, because I want to be as frugal as possible (without sacrificing my sanity) when it comes to our eating.  We eat out very seldom which helps a ton if you really keep track and break down where your food money is going.  But anyway, I’m always on the lookout for more ways to save.  This week my goal is to make out a month’s menue so that when I go shopping on Monday I’ll have an ingredients list of exactly what I need minus what I have at home on hand already.  I think it will save us oodles of cash in the long run.  I’ll let you know how it goes!  Ta ta