Urban Sustainable Living

My sweet friend sent me this link..thought I'd share. Enjoy the great info!
http://www.gardengirltv.com

Natural cleaning for my home

In an effort to reduce the chemicals I use in my home, I have been making some home-made cleaning products. The two that I use the most are a multi-purpose cleaner and laundry detergent. I am so happy with both of these that I will not go back! I use Seventh Generation dish soap, and I am so happy with it! (BTW - it is considerably cheaper at Target than HEB). Here are the recipes for the MP cleaner and the laundry detergent.

Multi Purpose Cleaner
3 c water
1 c white vinegar
1-2 T Dr Bronner's Peppermint Castille soap

(I also use about a c of vinegar and 1-2 T Dr B's in a bucket of hot water for mopping)

Laundry Detergent (I got this recipe from a Quaker friend I made on Ravelry)
1 c Borax
1 c Washing Soda
1 c Baking Soda
1 c grated bar soap (I used Ivory, the cheapest, and one bar was the perfect amount)
10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

It takes only 1 T of this for a load of laundry! 2 T if the clothes are extra dirty. I line dry my clothes and have been perfectly satisfied with the way they turn out. Nice and clean and fresh!

I feel that, by making the effort to reduce chemicals in my home, reduce packaging, and definitely saving money, I am being a more conscious steward of this beautiful planet entrusted to us by God.

If you take a leap and try these methods (or use them already), drop a quick comment and let me know what you think.

Blogiversary

Yesterday was my one year anniversary of blogging!!! I initially started this blog as a knitting journal, but, while I am still knitting, my passions have been going through a shift. I have definitely been doing a lot of reading and research, and spending quallity time with my family and friends. There has been a lack of pics because my USB port needs to be fixed/replaced, it is not letting me get pics from my camera to the computer. Hopefully that'll be fixed soon and you'll get an eyeful!

All the reading and research I have been doing, well, I am trying to find a way to articulate it all to you....I have trouble finding the words to accurately represent my beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. You will be the first to know when I get those thoughts organized! : )

But for now, thank you, friends, for reading my blog. I will keep writing and try to make it interesting.

Menu Plan for the week

I am a little early for MPM, but posting anyways...

Sunday - leftover birthday Shrimp Curry and snacky foods

Monday - roast garlic rosemary chicken with potatoes and carrots

Tuesday - steak with barley and zucchini ribbons

Wednesday - salmon turnovers, salad

Thursday - pizza

Friday - arroz con pollo, beans, tortillas

Saturday - Daddy is preparing food - Mommy's working

Birthday Blessings

Yesterday was my birthday. I won't go into all details, as there are lots and I am tired. I will say, however, at the end of a long, fun, and very full day with family and friends, as my beautiful family was singing me happy birthday with a perfect home-made chocolate cake full of candles, my eyes welled up with tears as I was thinking about how blessed I am. Then I tried to blow out the candles and they were trick candles!!!! That stopped my tears! Ha! those crazy people I call my family. I just love them!

I'm Sorry

A friend sent me this link. Please take a little time to read this. You won't regret it.

http://www.christiansconfess.com/

Menu Plan Monday

Greetings! Here is the meal plan for the week:

Sunday - BBQ pork ribs, grilled yellow squash, pasta salad, canteloupe
Monday - Arroz con pollo, home made tortillas
Tuesday - 7 steak stroganoff, green beans
Wednesday - Baked Potatoes, grilled sausage
Thursday - I'm not cooking on my birthday!!!! : )
Friday - Potato corn soup with grilled chicken legs
Saturday - hot dogs with friends

Don't laugh - I never made a meal plan last week because I couldn't find my dry-erase markers! Yah, that is how my brain works sometimes. I am really working at getting more organized.