25 Ways to Use Baking Soda

I have recently seen a few posts like this trending on Facebook and Pinterest. Here are the things that I have used baking soda for in my lifetime. I tried to expound enough to make them applicable to everyone. Baking Soda, AKA Sodium Bicarbonate, is pure, safe, and Natural, and therefore, a great way to replace some of the more harsh cleaning products that we use every day. 

Use it in the bathroom:

1. One part baking soda mixed with two parts of ground oatmeal makes a great scrub for your face. Just mix together the two ingredients and add enough water to make a paste. Gently rub onto your face, and leave the paste on for a few minutes. Then, gently remove it with plenty of cool water and a wash cloth. Your face will feel noticeably soft and smooth!

2. Is your skin suffering from a case of Poison Ivy or Sumac? Or, does someone have the measles or chicken pox? Add a half cup of baking soda to a bath tub full of warm water. Sit and soak for a bit. The baking soda will help relieve the itching and irritation.

3. Teeth whitening! The most natural is plain old baking soda. Simply dip your toothbrush into some soda each time you brush! Not only will it help whiten your teeth, but it will help to freshen your breath as well!

Baking soda can also be used to safely clean dentures, partials, and other dental apparatus.

4. You can use baking soda just like a dry cleanser to clean sinks, bath tubs, and toilets. It works especially well on chrome fixtures! It rinses off easily and you don't have to worry about scratches either.

5. Hairbrushes and combs pick up not only loose hair, but they also get oily. Clean yours once a month by soaking them in a solution of warm water and a teaspoon or two of baking soda. Scrub them with a soft brush, if needed, then rinse them with clean water and let them air dry.

6. Is your hair dull and dingy? Maybe you have a build up of shampoo, spray, mousse, and other products in your hair. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in with your shampoo the next time you wash your hair. The soda will remove any build up and leave your hair soft. There is also a huge "No Poo" trend starting where people replace their shampoo completely. I'll try it and let you know what I think. Stay tuned.

Use it in the Kitchen:

7. Save Dawn! A pan with stuck on food in it can be cleaned with less effort if you soak it in baking soda and hot water first.

8. To open up a partially clogged drain, pour a half cup of baking soda into it. Follow this with a cup of vinegar. Allow the solution to bubble for several minutes, then run hot water down the drain. Finish off by pouring some lemon juice down for a clean smell, or you can use a lemon bomb in your garbage disposal. I have a great recipe for it. Stick with me again, I'll get it put up here.

9. Do you love dried beans, but not the gas and bloating they cause? Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda in the water when you soak beans, and there you go... No more digestion problems!

10. You don't need a store-bought cleaner to remove dirt and insecticides from your fresh produce either: Just use a quarter of a cup of baking soda in a sink full of water. Wash your fruits and vegetables in the solution, then rinse with clean water.

11. Baking soda is an awesome cleaner/ deodorizer for your refrigerator too. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge and clean the inside of the appliance as you normally would. Rinse clean, and see and smell the difference. Again, I like to finish it off with a little bit of lemon. You can even add just a touch to your cleaning paste and do it all at once.

12. Your oven is another appliance that baking soda can easily clean/deodorize. Mix some baking soda and enough water to make a paste. Use a sponge to spread the paste over the inside of your oven. Allow the paste to sit undisturbed for several hours. Then, scrub away. It is much easier than plain old elbow grease and a store bought degreaser. This is perfect for the night before you clean. let it sit overnight, and simply remove with a wet scrubbie in the a.m.

Use it in the Laundry Room:

13. Do you need to use a laundry booster to help get your clothes clean? Then pour in a half cup of baking soda to every washer load of laundry. You can also use baking soda with bleach too. Your laundry will look brighter and smell fresher! you can use a smaller amount with a HE machine and get the same result. I usually do this to recharge my towels. I wash the load normally, and then add an extra rinse cycle to the end. During the first rinse cycle, I add a quarter of a cup and it does just fine.

Use it in the Living Room:

14. Carpet and cloth-covered furniture make beautiful additions to your house. But, they do tend to hold body odors, pet smells, cigarette smoke, and other unwanted aromas in your home. To freshen your carpet and upholstered furniture, sprinkle them with baking soda. Allow them to sit undisturbed for a half hour or so. Then, simply vacuum the baking soda up. I like to mix a few drops of an essential oil to the baking soda before I put it down to give a clean inviting smell to a room before I have company over.

15. Fireplaces can also help make your home warm and cozy. But, the soot can also give your house yet another unwanted odor. To help freshen up your fireplace, clean the ashes out, then sprinkle the baking soda in the bottom for a bit. Brush it out just as easily as the soot.

Use it in the Bedroom:

16. Fill a pair of old socks with baking soda. Tie a knot in the top of each sock. Then, place the socks in a pair of shoes or slippers that you want to deodorize.

17. Are there light water rings on your finished wood nightstand? Mix together a paste of baking soda and toothpaste. Dip a soft cloth in the paste and rub the water spots away.

 Use it in the Garage:

18. A paste made up of baking soda and water will clean and polish the chrome on your vehicles.

19. A box of baking soda can make an effective extinguisher if a small fire erupts in your garage.

20. Baking soda works better than one of those hanging pine trees in your vehicles. If your vehicle smells musty or smoky, fill up the ashtrays with baking soda. The soda will absorb the odors and effectively freshen the interior. You can also open a box and place it under one of your seats.

21. Corroded battery terminals can make your car, truck, van, or SUV refuse to start. Eliminate this problem by periodically cleaning the terminals with a paste made of baking soda and water. Wipe the paste and grunge off with a clean rag.

Use it all around your home:

22. Does the smell of the litter box in your house announce to visitors that you have a cat? If so, you can remedy the problem by starting with a clean box. Then, pour baking soda in it until it's a couple inches full. Finally, add kitty litter as usual. The soda will help absorb the ammonia smell.

23. Ants in your house? Keep them out by mixing up equal parts of baking soda and salt together. Then, sprinkle the mixture wherever you see the intruders coming in at.

24. Do you need to fill in some nail holes in a plastered wall? If you don't have any Spackle handy, you can simply mix together some white toothpaste and baking soda. Fill the holes in completely, then allow the mixture to dry. If you want to match the wall color, add a drop or two of food coloring to the mix before you use it.

25. And finally, many flowers, fruits, and vegetables need to be planted in acidic soil in order for them to grow to their fullest. If you're not sure whether the soil in an area is acidic or not, then perform this test: mix up a quarter of a cup of baking soda with two cups of water. Then, stir in a cup of the soil. If the mixture foams up, then the soil is acidic.

How To: Canvas Signs

I saw this absolutely adorable sign on Pinterest and I thought to myself, I could totally do that. I decided that instead of doing it on wood, I was going to do it on canvas, because it is lighter, and I live in an apartment (No big holes in the walls).

First I went to wal-mart and picked up a 16x20 canvas. It came in a pack of two for $10. I also picked up a bottle of gray, black, and white acrylic paint and sponge brushes. It doesn't take much, so I got the 50 cent bottles.

I painted my canvas gray, and then black. Really sorry, but I forgot to take a picture of the gray layer. I did this because I like the distressed look a little bit, and wanted to be able to rough the edges up a bit.

While the paint was drying, I used my cameo to cut a stencil for my lettering. It took a couple of tries, and a lot of placing and taping. once my whole stencil was taped together I put it on top of my, now dry, canvas. I chose to tape it down so that I knew it wasn't going to move around at all.

Once it was all taped down, I used my white paint, to go over the stencil. When everything was all dry, I pulled the stencil up. It worked fairly well, and I only had to touch up the spaces that needed filling. These were the centers of letters like "O" and "A" Once that was done and all dry, I hung it up with some frames bordering it. This is what I ended up with. Love it!

20 meals for $150 or less.

How do you feed a family of four for less than $200/month? Many would say it's impossible, but it's not. I have a menu that will feed a family of four 20 meals for $150. My family eats one of these meals each week night, and has a leftover day on Saturday. This leaves only 5 days per month that must rely on the $50 surplus. Often times, we have dinner with family on that last day per week. By swapping meals with family, we are able to maximize that $50.

Here's my shopping list. I choose to make most of my purchases at Costco, because it is where I can maximize my budget.

NOTE: There are always leftovers from my shopping list. I always have excess potatos and rice, as well as other ingredients.

1 big package of chicken breasts (contains 6 – 1 lb packages)

1 big package of ground beef (about 5 1/2 to 6 lb)

1 package of beef for stew (about 4 lbs)

1 - 5 lb bag of baby carrots

1 - 15 lb bag of gold potatoes

1 - 6 ct package of avocados

1 - 40 ct bag of 6″ tortillas

1 - 36 ct bag of Costco bakery dinner rolls

1 - 4 lb package of frozen broccoli

1 - 18 ct package of eggs

1 - 6 lb package of spaghetti noodles

2 pack Prego pasta sauce

2 pack Kirkland salsa

1 - 24 oz. container Parmesan cheese

1 - 4 lb bag of rice

1 - 8 ct package of canned corn

1 - 8 ct package of canned black beans

1 - 8 ct package of canned tomatoes

1 - 6 pack fresh peppers

1 box mangos

And, here are my recipes.

NOTE: I do reuse recipes through out the month. Many of the inredients are interchangeable, so you do have some freedom with which recipes you reuse.

Rice with Corn & Black Beans

• Quinoa (or rice)
• Can corn
• Can tomatoes (subbed for the diced tomatoes and green chilies)
• Can black beans
• optional – diced pepper
• Optional – garlic, lime, cilantro

Beef & Broccoli Stirfry

• 1 lb. stew beef
• 1 lb. frozen broccoli
• Baby carrots on side, or cut up and mixed in with the stirfry
• Quinoa or rice on side
• Mangoes on side

Note: to package for freezer, combine all ingredients except rice/quinoa and add to gallon size freezer baggie. Freeze. Let thaw overnight in fridge before adding to slow cooker.

Meatballs & Spaghetti

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 Egg
• Spaghetti sauce
• 1 lb spaghetti noodles
• 4 dinner rolls

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken & Potatoes

• 1 lb. chicken breast (chopped)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups baby carrots
• 4-6 potatoes
• 4 dinner rolls

Note: to package for freezer, combine all ingredients except the dinner rolls and add to gallon size freezer baggie. Freeze. Let thaw overnight in fridge before adding to slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

• 1 lb. beef stew
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups baby carrots
• 4-6 potatoes
• 4 dinner rolls

Note: to package for freezer, combine all ingredients except the dinner rolls and add to gallon size freezer baggie. Freeze. Let thaw overnight in fridge before adding to slow cooker. Add enough water to cover, then slow cook.


Potato & Egg Breakfast Tacos

• 8 eggs
• 4-6 potatoes
• 8 Tortillas
• Salsa
• 1 Mango
• 1 Avocado, on side or mixed in

Ranchero Chicken – makes 2 meals worth

• 2 lb. chicken breasts
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 8 tortillas for 1 meal and rice/quinoa on side for other meal
• Side dish, can black beans
• Avocado, on side or mixed in

Note: to freeze, let the cooked chicken cool and then add to freezer baggie. Freeze, then thaw and use at a later time.

Beef and Bean Soft Tacos

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can tomatoes
• 1 avocado
• Salsa
• 8 Tortillas
• Rice or quinoa on side

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

• 1 lb. ground beef
• optional – diced pepper
• 1/3 jar of Prego pasta sauce
• 1 lb. spaghetti noodles

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesean

• 1 lb. chicken breast
• Pasta sauce
• Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
• 1 egg
• optional – mozzarella slices
• 4 dinner rolls

Grilled Chicken with Mango & Avocado Salsa

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced into tenders)
• 1 avocado
• 2 mangoes
• optional – diced peppers
• 4 dinner rolls

The Truth About Your Nursing Diet

The truth about nursing is that it's hard. It's hard to get up every two to three hours, and it's hard to get through that first month of pain. It's hard to nurse on the go, and it can definitely be hard to stock pile your milk.

It's a struggle for many women, but it is definitely worth the perseverance. It is worth the scheduling, and the strict diets that many follow. The benefits more than outweigh the downsides. It can help you drop that baby weight, it provides needed nutrients and antibodies for your baby, and it can help you bond tremendously.

Here are some tips that I learned while breast feeding:

Diet. It's not just "Die" with a "T" The things you eat and drink have dramatic consequences for your supply. Here is the science behind it. (If you don't want to know the why, feel free to skip ahead).

While you are adjusting to your new baby, you are usually not sleeping well. You are getting up multiple times during the night, and this is causing fatigue during the day. Fatigue during the day will cause the body to crave quick fixes that will get you going. The downside is that you will quickly crash, and crave more sugar infused junk. The cycle starts here. Massive amounts of sugary intake can severely decrease the amount of necessary minerals that the body needs to sustain energy. Minerals like Manganese, Chromium, Magnesium, and Zinc are crucial in the breakdown of complex carbs. These complex carbs are what will break down and create the needed glucose to sustain our energy levels. Failure to break these down also perpetuates weight gain. There is your quick science lesson for today.

Now that you know the science behind it, here are some power foods that will help combat mineral loss, and increase your energy throughout the day.

Oatmeal. No there is not a definitive study that proves oatmeal will boost your supply, but countless moms, including myself, will swear by it. It has iron, complex carbs, and plenty of protein. We know that iron deficiency has been a proven cause of supply loss in breast feeding, and the complex carbs and protein will keep you feeling full and energized. Oatmeal has also been linked to postpartum constipation relief due to it high fiber content as well. You'll need the old fashioned rolled oats for this, not the instant.

Eggs. Studies have shown that women who eat two eggs for breakfast rather than a bowl of cereal have shed weight much faster post-partum. Want some extra iron? Add some spinach and make an omelet. If your baby starts to get fussy after you incorporate eggs, back it off to a couple times a week.

Nuts and Seeds. These are full of the good fats that mommies and babies need. They are also packed with protein. Try to stick to raw nuts because they haven't had any damage in the roasting process. Some studies show that if you soak them in water overnight and let them air dry the next morning, you can boost protein absorption by up to 30%. Totally worth the time if you ask me. If you are on the go, add some dried fruit and make a quick trail mix.     I know, I know... what about nut allergies? Studies show that unless there is a history of nut allergies in your family, or children this is not likely to cause a new allergy through your breast milk. Don't give them directly to your baby until they are at least a year old though.

Legumes. Lentils, peanuts, dried beans, and chickpeas are all sources of protein that we tend to forget. They have an added benefit of being a natural detoxifier.  A great quick snack is hummus and raw veggies.

Avocados.  About 75% of an avocados calories come from healthy fats. One avocado has 60% more potassium than a banana, and is rich in B-vitamins which help sustain energy Another bonus... of all the fruits out there, the avocado has the highest fiber content. It will also help with lowering your blood sugar because it is full of monounsaturated fats.

Foods rich in Vitamin C. Kiwis, Strawberries, Bell Peppers, and Dark, Leafy Greens  are all great sources of vitamin C.  After childbirth, the loss of blood can decrease our iron content. Eating foods rich in vitamin C helps bind iron in our bodies and will help boost our energy and shorten recovery time.

Toasted Wheat Germ, Sesame Seeds, low fat roast-beef, and pumpkin seeds.  These all go in one category for one reason, zinc. Zinc is involved in over 200 enzyme functions and is important for every aspect of immune health, reproductive health and breastfeeding. Zinc can help protect cracked nipples, and may help ease post-partum depression. Your level of zinc absorption is nearly twice as high during lactation as it is prior to conception and the amount of milk your baby absorbs is also high. If you see some white spots on your nails, it most likely means you have a zinc deficiency.

And of course, top it all off with lots and lots of water. Proper hydration while nursing is essential. I found that to stay on top of my supply, I was drinking around 128 ounces each day. The best way to combat dehydration is to leave a water bottle next to your most frequent pumping locations. Always refill it when you are finished.

Good luck mommies! It really is worth it!

Cookie Monster's Mommy

If your 19 month old is anything like mine, they love cookies. Not just cookies, but graham crackers, and animal crackers, and ritz crackers, and saltines too. I often worried that my sweet little boy was filling up on empty treats, and wasn't getting enough of what he needed.

This is definitely not a problem anymore. I'm probably not the first mom to figure this out, but I've finally found a way to use up all of my rice cereal, AND get my big guy to eat his fruits and veggies.

That is a win in my book, and I felt like I had to share. Here's a great easy recipe that takes maybe 20 minutes from start to finish.

Enjoy!

Healthy Toddler Cookies

What you'll need:
1 cup rice cereal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup apple sauce
2 teaspoons  cinnamon
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons water

Mix it all together and flatten on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 425° or until golden brown.

Let cool, and let kids devour.

I love this recipe because it is quick and easy and has no added sugars.

I have also found that you can use any fruit puree, and any type of rice cereal (flavored or not).

You can also cook them a little longer. This makes them a bit crunchier and allows them to aid teething.

Happy Baking!

I haven't forgotten

Dear Blog,
I haven't forgotten you. I'm still here. There's just been a TON going on. You'll see me soon. Don't worry.
Much Love,
Jenn