The Practical Housewife

In The Kitchen: Macaroni and Cheese (How To Make)

2012-02-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

Simple...homemade...goodness.

Macaroni and Cheese
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes
6 servings (3/4 cup each)

2 cups uncooked macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard (dry)
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheese (use what you have on hand)
Heat oven to 350*F.

Directions:

Cook macaroni as directed on package.

While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in saucepan over low heat.

Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly.

Remove from heat.

Stir in milk.

Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir 1 minute.
Stir in cheese(s).
Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
Drain macaroni and pour into casserole dish.

Gently stir in cheese mixture into macaroni.

Bake, uncovered 20 - 25 minutes or until bubbly.

How To Video:

In The Kitchen: Easy Pico de Gallo

2012-01-18T23:00:00.000-05:00

Photo and Recipe from Elizabeth (Shutterfool on Flickr.com)

Elizabeth, also known as Shutterfool on Flickr, posted this easy recipe for pico de gallo. This can be used for an appetizer or a meal. Thank you Elizabeth for posting this. The picture is mouthwatering!

Easy Pico de gallo

With nearly equal amounts of diced roma tomatoes, diced red onion (or use sweet), finely diced Jalapenos peppers (seeds and white membrane removed) and chopped cilantro.

I added sea salt.

You can also add lime juice.

I served with chips, gone in less than 5 minutes, thanks to husband and kids.

Next time I need to double the amount!

This was very similar to the Pico de gallo served at our hotel and Bill and I put on just about everything on our trips to Mexico

"In Mexican cuisine, pico de gallo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpiko ðe ˈɣaʎo], rooster's beak), also called salsa fresca, is a fresh, uncooked condiment made from chopped tomato, white onion, and chilis (typically jalapeños or serranos). Other ingredients may also be added, such as lime juice and/or apple cider vinegar, fresh cilantro (coriander leaf), cucumber, radish or firm fruit, such as mango."
Wikipedia

29 Ways To Stay CREATIVE

2012-01-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.Pick one of the ways listed and DO IT TODAY!

Decluttering: Things That Need Fixing

2012-01-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

Source: Flickr

DECLUTTERING CHALLENGE: This week let us take a look at the THINGS THAT NEED FIXING.

Items that are broken in our home can be a drain that continues to hang over us. Find the things that need fixing and plan a time this week to repair them.

If you know that you are not ever going to do that - donate it.

If you know that something is beyond repair and yet it is STILL hanging around your house - get rid of it!

If there is something not worth fixing - get rid of it!

Broken items represent brokenness in our homes and lives. If you are feeling like everything in your life needs fixing...take a look at your home. When you care for your home by looking after the things you have within it, it says that you also care about yourself. When you don't, can you guess what that says?

I am worth having nice things around me that are not broken or in need of repair. I am worth taking care of!

Something to think about as we start heading into the new year. Let 2012 be a "whole" year for us and not a "broken" one. ♥

From Tomato Sauce to Tomato Soup: Recipes & Menu

2012-01-05T11:05:00.001-05:00

Soups on! We are going to take that leftover tomato sauce you made for spaghetti night and turn it into homemade creamy tomato soup. If you don't like the cream, simply omit that part. Add a grilled cheese sandwich, a salad and you have an amazing meal that takes minutes to make.
When you make spaghetti sauce, do you buy the jar variety or do you use the little packet? You can do that but...why? You can make your own and it doesn't take that much longer to do. It is healthier and cheaper. If you have leftovers from your jar skip ahead to the soup recipe.
Let's start with a basic spaghetti sauce recipe...

Here's What You Will Need: Spaghetti Sauce

1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes with juice
1 can (6 oz) can of tomato paste
Seasonings (use what you have on hand: salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, etc.)

Open the cans, put in a saucepan, add your seasonings and that's it! How easy is that? If you don't like the chunky sauce, use a potato masher or fork to mash the diced tomatoes and whisk until desired consistency.

Let's break down the pricing here:
1 jar of spaghetti sauce will cost you roughly $3.75
or
1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes: $1.60
1 can (6 oz) of tomato paste: .60 cents
Total: $2.20

That's $1.55 in savings. If you can your own tomatoes, you will save even more. That is a post for another day.

With you leftover sauce, you can use it to add to another soup, a casserole dish, calazone, pizza.

Today, we are going to make creamy tomato soup...

Here's What You Will Need: Creamy Tomato Soup

leftover spaghetti sauce
splash of cream or milk (not a fan of creamy soups, omit)
splash of water

Add ingredients to a saucepan, whisk/stir and slowly heat.

If you have a little more time and more ingredients, try this tomato soup:

Comfort Food: Homemade Tomato Soup

Menu

While your soup is simmering on the stove, make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Here's What You Need: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

*2 slices of bread
*cheese (slices or grated)
*butter
(Optional: ham, turkey, etc.)

Place cheese between the two slices (add your ham) and close the sandwich. Add butter to both sides of the outside of the bread and grill or pan fry until cheese has melted.

Add a salad and you have one pretty amazing meal.
Since we are talking price comparisons, this single meal out would cost me (roughly):

$6.00

This took minutes to make and cost me much less than going out. It's healthy because I know what is in it (and what's not).

What's not to love?!

Get Started Now

2012-01-02T00:00:00.003-05:00

Each step we take brings us into a new learning experience - challenges, obstacles, you name it! We can take those experiences and we use them into the next - challenge, obstacles, you name it!

It's a new year and a new you!

Let's take the above paragraph and apply it to ourselves...

I won't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. SO WHAT! I am starting NOW! With each step I take, I will grow stronger and stronger. I will be more and more skilled. I will be more and more self-confident. And I will be more and more successful!

- Your Name Here

Hello 2012! Are you ready for me?!

Your Produce Guy: Winter Squash

2011-12-18T09:58:00.001-05:00

YourProduceGuy shows you a variety of Winter Squash. You'll learn what they are used for, why they are called winter squash and probably see a bunch of yummy varieties that you've never heard of.

Squashes: Delicata, Gold Nugget, Acorn (Table Queen), Carnival, Buttercup, Butternut, Spaghetti, Banana, Pumpkin, Hubbard & Sweet Meat. Oh and the Turban Squash (at the end of the video).

_________________________

You can also keep up with YourProduceGuy on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/YourProduceGuy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/YourProduceGuy

YouStyle: How to Measure for Bra

2011-12-15T10:30:00.001-05:00

Life is too short to be wearing ill fitting bras. This is an item of clothing we wear the most of and yet we ignore the importance of the fit. Here is to no more tugging, pulling, adjusting and digging bras!

Tomima's Bra Fitting Tip

"Want to get the perfect bra fit? The best way is to try on your best fitting bra, decide what you don't like about the fit, then adjust your size according to our list of bra fitting symptoms & solutions. However, if you have no idea of your bra size, start with our measuring system. It may not be exact, but it will get you in the ballpark."

» Meet Tomima

Rule of Thumb: 1 + 1 + 1 = 3

Good quality bras can be expensive. My rule of thumb is to have at least 3 on hand - 1 for wearing, 1 for washing (preferably by hand) and 1 for drying (if possible, not in the dryer). Most of us don't have $50, give or take, to spend on a bra but that doesn't mean you can't try one on and see how it fits! Go to your local lingerie store or department store and be fitted for a bra and try on the different brands. This will give you an idea of which brand you like the best and make notes. Which brand do you like the best? Do the sizes vary from brand to brand? Underwire? Push-Up? Find out what you like, what makes you feel incredible and make sure it is pretty.
Cat's Tip: Now, take that information and head to a discount store (Ross, Marshalls, SteinMart, etc.) and find that same brand for much less. You can also wait until the major department stores have a buy one get one free sale.

Make Sure It Is Pretty

Did you notice the make sure it is pretty part up there? Why when no one can see them? Because you know it is there and is my little secret to feeling fabulous. Let me explain....
If you are wearing a bra that is ill-fitting, the elastic is stretched and would no longer be considered elastic in any way, you have holes, rips or tears: You are going to feel the same way.

If you are wearing a bra that fits you in all the right places and is pretty: You could be wearing a gunny sack and work it!

What's the difference?

Think about it. If you are wearing an outfit that you feel fabulous in - you hold your head up a little higher and feel great about yourself. But, if you are wearing an outfit that makes you feel frumpy - your attitude will reflect that frumpy feel. The same can be applied to what we wear underneath.

♥

For more information about finding the perfect fit, brands and solutions: HerRoom.com. It is one of my favorite go to sites.

Before You Speak: THINK

2011-12-13T09:39:00.000-05:00

Before you speak, before you write...ask yourself if what you are saying is forward moving? Our intentions toward others can be magnified in our very literal world of Facebook, Twitter & Blogs by the comments we leave behind.
Before we speak and before we type...Let's THINK! There is enough negativity going around - let's not be the ones to add to it.

If you have someone who has left you a disparaging comment - do not feel it deserves a response from you.

Ignore it and move on.

Choose to be encouraging to another. THINK about the comments we leave behind. Think of it as leaving behind a piece of positive energy that can be passed on - paying if forward. You never know. Someone may come across that comment one day (weeks, months, years from now), that you left behind and be inspired by it.

♥

In The Kitchen: How To Make Almond Milk

2011-12-10T05:16:00.006-05:00

If you have a blender, 5 cups of water and 1/2 cup of raw almonds - you can make your own Almond Milk. It is really just that simple! Like your milk a little sweeter? Or maybe you like chocolate milk? Check out the variations below. Almond milk is a great alternative if you have allergies to cow's milk and can be used in your everyday recipes. Give it try!

Here's What You Need

blender
1/2 cup of raw nuts (I used almonds*)
5 cups of water (this will depend on how you want the consistency to be)

Place ingredients in blender and blend to the consistency you like.
Strain milk, using a cheese cloth and save nut pulp to dehydrate or use in breads/muffins/cookies. This step is optional.
Store milk in the refrigerator (4-5 days)

*When I am not in a hurry, I will soak my almonds overnight, rinse well and then make the milk. Soaking adds vital energy to the nuts which is then passed on to you! :)

Optional:

1/2 pitted dates or raisins
pinch of salt

Variations

Vanilla Milk

Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to basic nut milk

Chocolate Milk

Add 3 tablespoons of carob powder (caffeine-free) or cacao powder or regular cocoa powder (use what you have on hand)

Store milk in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 days but don't count on it lasting that long!

In The Kitchen: How To Make Butter

2011-12-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

Making Butter: A weekly thing for us here. This is more Blaine's doing than mine. He gets a kick out of making the butter along with white cheese and a sour dough bread - his specialties. Nothing goes to waste - every part of the milk gets used and made into something. I like that.

Here are just a few things we make:

Homemade ice cream - during the summer, this is a treat!
Whipped Cream
Cheese
Yogurt
Homemade Waffles - using the leftover butter milk or milk
Salad Dressing - butter milk from making butter
Breads
Butter
Everyday cooking
And for Blaine - a glass of ice-cold milk with his dinner.

Not bad for two city folks huh?!

How To Make Butter Blaine's Way:

Skim the cream off the top of the milk - we use raw milk straight from the cow and yes, we are still alive and kicking with exception of the tail growing out of our backsides - not sure what that is all about. Other than that, we're okay! ;)
Allow the cream to sit in the fridge for a day or two. I was told the cream will do better if you let it sit.
Pour cream in a mason jar and shake the heck out of it until you see the cream turn into curds. This can take 5 minutes or 20 minutes - it depends on the cream. It is a great upper body workout!
Strain the butter from the butter milk making sure to remove the excess moisture - if you don't your butter will start to smell rancid - not a good smell.
Place butter in a crock mold or butter dish and freeze/refrigerate.

If you do not have access to fresh milk or are not too sure about it, head down to the store and pick up a carton of cream. You can do the same thing. :)

Hey You! Stop Being Unhappy With Yourself

2011-12-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

Yes you! I want you to own it! Own who "you" are and not who someone else is or who they think you should be. Love the person you are right now at this point and time in your life. You are in charge of how you feel - not someone else. Don't let the haters pass on to you how they feel about themselves. Allow yourself to be unique. If you don't like the same thing as someone else and they have issues with it - so what. That is their issue...not yours. Give yourself permission to have some backbone and say no so that your yes means something.

Hey You! Don't forget! You are pretty amazing.

♥

Your Produce Guy: How To Make Apricot Chicken (Video)

2011-12-04T19:47:00.001-05:00

Another new feature here on The Practical Housewife: Your Produce Guy! Everything and anything you wanted to know or learn about produce...this is your guy!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds apricots, roughly chopped, pits removed and discarded
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
2 pounds skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces
Salt
1 Tbsp unsalted butter (can sub olive oil)
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 cups chicken stock or broth (use gluten-free stock if you are cooking gluten-free)
1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons Tabasco or other hot sauce (you can add more if you like)
Black pepper

Recipe Steps:

Place the chopped apricots in a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and the vinegar. Let sit while you brown the chicken in the next step.
In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, place chicken pieces in the pan, without crowding the pan, and brown them on each side. As the chicken cooks, sprinkle salt over it. Once the chicken is browned, remove the pieces from the pan to a bowl and set aside.
Add the remaining oil to the pan and sauté the onion until it begins to brown. As the onion cooks and releases moisture, use a flat edged spatula or wooden spoon to scrape off the browned bits from the chicken (called fond) from the bottom of the pan.
Once the onions have browned a bit, add the chicken stock and lower the heat to medium.
Put about 2/3 of the apricots, along with any juice they have given up, into a blender and blend into a purée. Pour the purée into the pan with the chicken stock and onions.
Add the cinnamon, rosemary and Tabasco and taste. You may need to add some salt. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and gently simmer for 10-20 minutes.
When you are ready to serve, put the chicken and the remaining apricot pieces into the pan and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Serve hot with rice.

Want to see more from Your Produce Guy? He is on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/YourProduceGuy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/YourProduceGuy

The Practical Husband: Beware the "CAVE" People

2011-12-02T07:50:00.001-05:00

A new series here on The Practical Housewife is from The Practical Husband (aka: Blaine Staat or if you ask me, Mr. Cutie Pie). We made a huge move six years ago from a very corporate lifestyle in Orlando to living life in a small rural town in Kentucky - more about that here. And, we have never been the same since! If you want to know more about our journey here, you can purchase Blaine's book: Finding Liberty. Aptly named because not only did we find liberty from the corporate who ha ha but we found Liberty, Kentucky.

Where is that you ask?

Exactly!

Blaine is currently the Director for the Chamber of Commerce and EDA here. Sounds more puffed up than it is. He writes a column in our local paper as well as a monthly newsletter. From time to time, he will post something on his blog but don't count on it. For such a small town - he stays pretty busy.

Below is an article he wrote for a recent newsletter. Be sure to check back often for updates from The Practical Husband!

Beware the “CAVE” People by Blaine E. Staat

Every community has them. They are the people who spread false rumors. The people who vandalize public property. The people who complain about all of the problems (and then complain some more about all of the solutions).

They constantly criticize, but never lift a hand to help. They have all of the answers, but you’ll only hear them after the exam is long over. They are judge, jury, and executioner even as they hold themselves “above the law”.

They are CAVE people: “Citizens Against Virtually Everything”, and we do mean “everything”. If you gave them a million dollars, they’d complain it wasn’t five million, and then they’d instantly go on the hunt to see if anyone else got more than they did. Everything new is bad. The old isn’t any good either.

And the real shame of it all? They’re generally pretty good people. They’ve just gotten jaded and cynical over the years, often times for no other reason than just being around other CAVE people. In Star Wars parlance, they’ve “gone over to the dark side”, and while some of them have no intention of ever coming back, the majority probably would if they only had a reason.

Every January we start a brand new year. A year that’s clean & unsullied, full of promise & hope. As we enter into this New Year the Chamber of Commerce would urge everyone to engage some of these people in our midst who seem to be so negative about everything and show them just how much fun it can be to be a part of the solution!

Maybe begin the conversation with, “Can I ask you a question?”.

The Practical Housewife Notes: I'm sure we all can say we know of someone who is a CAVE. Let's try and not be one ourselves!

Giveaway: Goose Creek Holiday Jar Candle

2011-11-30T18:23:00.000-05:00

Goose Creek Apple Spice - GooseCreekCandle.com

What is your favorite candle scent for the holidays?

A few weeks ago, I toured the Goose Creek Candle factory, located in Liberty, Kentucky. I can't say enough about the people behind the company and knowing them personally, I can say that they truly love what they are doing and it shows. This is one of those Made in the USA companies that started in someone's kitchen.

Please check out their website here: Goose Creek Candle Company. Be sure to check out their funny commercials. :)

The Giveaway Part

Here is how to enter:

Head on over to The Practical Housewife Facebook page: (http://facebook.com/thepracticalhousewife) and "Like" the page. If you have already "Liked" the page - go to Step 2!
Under the post: What is your favorite candle scent for the holidays? Let me know what it is and be sure to "Like" The Practical Housewife page here and you may win a Goose Creek Holiday Jar Candle!!! Let me know what your favorite candle scent is. (One entry per person please!)

I will be giving away some of the Goose Creek Holiday Jar Candles. If you are picked, I will try and find the scent you mentioned and mail it to you right here from Liberty!

Hurry!!! Offer ends December 10th!

*The Practical Housewife is not affiliated with Goose Creek Candle but love what they are doing and I just love giveaways! ;)

Are you still here? -----------> The Practical Housewife Facebook Page

How To Host A Cookie Exchange

2011-11-29T09:42:00.001-05:00

Cookie exchanges are a nice way to get together with friends during the busy holidays and not to mention a great way to have holiday cookies on hand when you need them. I am by no means an expert in hosting exchanges and gladly pass on to you those who are.

My one time experience in hosting an exchange turned out great and we all had fun but...it means spending a few hours in the kitchen baking cookies. If you have the time - great. If not, take one friend's solution to this, noted as a cute little poem (attached to the bags of cookies on a recipe card), about getting in your car & heading down to the grocery store, cruising down aisle seven (the cookies & crackers section), picking up a few bags of cookies, individually wrap because Cat told her she had to. We all laughed at that one.

If you are up to hosting a cookie exchange, below is the link for you along with links and links to all the cookie recipes you ever wanted:

Cookie-Exchange.com: http://www.robinsweb.com/cookies/

Cookie Recipes:
Holiday Cookie Assortment (MarthaStewart.com):http://www.marthastewart.com/274912/holiday-cookie-assortment

12 Days of Cookies - Christmas Cookies & Holiday Cookie Recipes (Food Network): http://www.foodnetwork.com/12-days-of-cookies/package/index.html

50 Best Holiday Cookie Recipes (RealSimple.com): http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/best-holiday-cookie-recipes-00000000046700/index.html

Holiday Cookie Swap Recipes - StyleAtHome.com: http://www.styleathome.com/food-and-entertaining/holiday-cookie-swap-recipes

Try to remember, exchanges are about getting together - not who can make the best cookies.

*You can do this very same thing with ornaments too!

What To Do With Leftover Mashed Potatoes

2011-11-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

Potato Soup

You made a big batch of mashed potatoes and now you have them coming out of your ears! You don't want to be wasteful and throw it all out. What to do with all those leftovers?

Actually, there is a lot you can do with them. Here is a small list with links to recipes to help you out:

And my favorite way...

Potato Soup

leftover mashed potatoes
milk
broth (chicken/turkey or vegetable - use can use water)
garlic powder
salt
pepper

Toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, chopped fresh chives, sour cream

Place leftover mashed potatoes in a pot, add enough milk & broth to make creamy & smooth (or to your desired consistency) using a whisk* to stir.. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

*Use a whisk, immersion blender or process your soup in batches in a blender until smooth.

If you don't have enough mashed potato leftovers to make the above - don't throw them out. Freeze what you have and use later for:

adding to soups or casseroles
additional topping for twice-baked potatoes
add to veggie burger for binding ingredients together
mini pancake for breakfast
or feed your compost!

How To Make Turkey Stock

2011-11-25T00:28:00.000-05:00

Don't throw that turkey out just yet! We are going to make that bird bounce well after the holidays by making Turkey Bone Soup or turkey stock. You might be amazed at how easy this is to do and once you taste the results, you will not go back to store bought broth again!
Too busy? Stick with me, I will show you how to break the process down to fit your busy schedule. Follow the directions below on making turkey stock or skip down and watch the video on How To Make Turkey Bone Soup.

Let's Get Started

Take the carcass and any leftover bits of turkey, place in a large stock pot and add seasonings (salt, pepper, bay leaves, coarsely chopped carrots and celery, garlic & other seasonings - use what you have on hand) - Cover with water.
Place pot on the stove and bring to a boil.
Turn down the temperature, cover and let simmer on the stove for about 2 hours or until the meat starts to come away from the bone.
Turn off stove, remove pot from burner and let cool for about 1 hour. (Crazy Busy? Stop Here & Follow Directions Below)
Strain the soup, reserving the stock in a large bowl.
Portion out stock into freezer containers, label and allow to cool.
Remove meat from bones and portion out into freezer containers making sure there are no bones left in the meat. Label and allow to cool.
Place stock and meat containers in the freezer.

Crazy Busy Directions:

4a. Place cooled stock pot in the refrigerator and let sit overnight.
4b. Next Day or Two: Take the pot out of the refrigerator and continue on to Step 5.

(Note: You might find a white/yellow gelatin like crust on the top of your soup. This is the fat from the turkey. Simply scrape this off and discard.)

Video: How To Make Turkey Bone Soup (Turkey Stock/Broth)

Go ahead! Give it try!

Now...what to do with all those mashed potatoes?!

100 Gift Ideas

2011-11-24T08:03:00.000-05:00

Image Source

Christmas Ornaments: Whether you buy them or make them yourself, ornaments make memorable gifts that last a lifetime.
Food Gifts: Who doesn't love a box of homemade cookies or fudge? Pick up inexpensive containers at your local dollar store or cookie tins at thrift stores to help keep costs down.
Calendars: This is one of those gifts that continues to give throughout the year. Everytime someone changes the page over to the next month - you will be remembered. If you have a new in-law, be sure to include birthdays & anniversaries.
Recipe Books: I got this idea from a dear friend from Australia. Purchase or make your own recipe book and include handwritten recipes from relatives. Have them tell a story about where the recipe came from and include in the book. A pricelss gift!
Books: Pick up books at discount stores, dollar stores, thrift stores & your local Friends of the Library Book Sales.
Magazines: Another gift that continues to give throughout the year. Try and find the coupons that allow you to buy one get one free subscription.
Pictures: Print off a few family photos and give as a gift to relatives.
Picture Frames: Include this with Number 7 or add a child's drawing.
Note Cards: Blank note cards come in handy when you need to send of a quick note or thank you to someone. You never have any on hand when you need them - give them as a gift! Be sure to include a book of stamps.
Pencil/Pen Holder: If you have ever been to a thrift store, you will find hundreds of cups or containers that could be (re)used for pens & pencils. Include some fun pencils or pens with your gift.
Plants: You can take a cutting from your own or pick one up at your local nursery. Include a pretty pot, wrap a bow around it with a cute little poem about watering and voila!
Quilters: Pick up material or pre-cut squares for the quilter in your group. Don't forget to look at the dollar table!
Knitters/Crocheters: Print a free pattern online and add a skein or two of yarn.
Blankets: My youngest daughter's friends love to give fleece blankets to one another. You can pick up a single size blanket that is perfect for car trips, games and just snuggling up with Number 5 or 6 above. Personalize by monogramming their names or initials.
Scented Candle(s)
Handmade Soaps
Diary/Journal Book: Include a nice pen or if you are buying this for a younger person, add a packet of markers or crayons and let their imaginations go wild.
Hair Accessories: Bands, clips & bows - all can be picked up inexpensively at a dollar store.
Gift Vouchers: Print some off or design your own by hand. Have the kids make a booklet of gift ideas.
DVDs: Many of the classic movies can be picked up for $5 or less. Put inside a bowl with a bag of popcorn!
Aprons: Vintage aprons are very popular right now. I love finding them at consignment/thrift stores. Wash/iron and wrap.
Joke Book & Whoppie Cushion: Need I say more?
Hot Chocolate Mix: Make a big batch of homemade hot chocolate mix (minus the liquid) and place in a mug (dollar store) with a bag of mini marshmallows.
Puzzles: We always have a puzzle on the dining room table during the winter and love working on it together.
Board Games: New or used - they never get old!
Cards: Pick up a pack or two at your local dollar store along with instructions on how to play a game (print off on the computer).
Craft Kit: Do you have a craft that you really enjoy? Make a kit up along with the instructions and share the joy with another.
Record A Book: You can pick these up or make your own. Find your favorite storybook and record yourself reading it. This makes a great gift to a grandchild who lives far away.
Teen Driver: Make a gift basket and fill it with items they will need to wash that new/old car - chamois, ice scraper, key ring, tire cleaner. All of these items can be picked up at the dollar store.
Cookie Jar: Fill the jar with your favorite holiday cookies or candies.
Kids Artwork: This makes a great gift for grandparents. Frame your child's artwork from school.
Art Kits: Many of the craft stores sell these kits for $5.
Candies: Purchase bulk candy and individually wrap them with a ribbon or raffia. Attach a handmade notecard
Tea Cup & Box of Herbal Teas: Tea Cups can be found at your local thrift/antique stores cheaply. Add a box or bag of herbal teas.
Bottle of Sparkling Cider: This makes a great host/hostess gift.
Make-up Tote: Again, the dollar store. Don't forget to add sample size lotions.
Bread Mixes: Make your own, package and place in a bread pan with directions on how to bake.
Socks: You can find these for $10 to $1.
Make-up Brush Set: Wrap in a red ribbon.
Flashlight: From the fun to the serious - flashlights always come in handy. Don't forget to include batteries!
Colorful Post-It Notepads
Prepaid Long Distance Phone Cards
Peppermill & Peppercorns
Nail Polish Kit: Nail polish, cotton balls, polish remover, etc.
Muffin Mixes With Muffin Pan: Make several and pick up pans at your local dollar store - love the $ store!
Movie Theatre Gift Certificates
DVD Movie Kit: Find a family moive in the $5 bin, put in a popcorn box, add some popcorn & boxed candy. Depending on the movie, you could include foods that fit the theme of the movie itself.
For The Pet: Gourmet dog/cat biscuits or treats. Include cookie cutter in shape of cat, dog or bone.
Small Clock or Radio
Basket Filled With Kitchen Gadgets
Decorative Serving Plate: When you go to a friend's home, make a dessert or hors d'oeuvres, place on the plate and give as a hostess gift.
Scarves: Hand-made or store bought - these make great accessories.
Garden Kit: Include gloves, tools, seed packet, gardeners t-shirt, gift certificate to a seed catalog, etc.
Tree: Buy a tree to be delivered in the spring!
Cookie Cutter Kit: Buy one already put together or create your own.
M&Ms: Have a Merry and Most Wonderful Holiday Season!
Crayons & A Coloring Book: Hope Your Holidays are Colorful!
Homemade Fudge: Easy & quick to make.
Gingerbread House or Kit
Grater, Cheese & Cheese Board: You could inscribe this gift with, "To a Grate Friend (Neighbor, Sister, etc.)."
Tub of Bubble Gum
Jar of (fill in the blank): One Christmas, my daughter gave her daddy a jar filled with little bits of this and that and called it an Idea Jar. It sits on our fireplace mantle to this day. So cute!
Fruit Basket
Cheese Basket
Homemade Bread
Bubble Bath Kit: Bubble bath, soaps, sponge, candles and don't forget the rubber duckie!
Fire Starter Basket: Pine cones, long stick matches, starter blocks, etc.
Chocolate Covered Spoons: Dip spoons in melted chocolate, cool and wrap. Given individually or with mug.
Watches: Fun, trendy or practical. You can pick these up for under $10.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels: Dip pretzels in melted chocolate, leave plain or add sprinkles.
Magnets: Funny sayings, pictures or clip magnets.
Homeschooling Mom Gift: Purchase a subscription to EnchantedLearning.com
Teacher Gift: Gift certificate to her favorite Teacher Supply Store or Book Store for her classroom.
Re-Gifting: There is nothing wrong in re-gifting something someone gave to you that you don't love. I have a basket I keep in the closet for such things.
Jewelry Holder/Stand: If you are really creative, make your own.
Pasta Lover's Basket: Fill with assorted pastas, jar of sauce, bottle of wine and an Italian music cd.
Pick A Name: If you have a large family, have everyone pick a name out of the hat and cap off the amount to make it easy on everyone's wallet.
Pillows
Holiday Hand Towels: Did I mention the dollar store yet?
Bird Feeder: Include a bag of seeds, bird guide book & binoculars.
Picnic Basket: Fill a basket with plates, utensils, napkins and throw.
Webcam: Set up a Skype account and talk to loved ones far away for free.
Juicer: These can be picked up for around $30 (more or less) and a great way to start the new year off healthy.
Paper Weights: You can pick these up at a store or get creative and make your own. I have one sitting on my desk that is a geode found on one of our walks by the river.
Set of Coffee Mugs
Set of Wine Glasses & Bottle of Wine
Framed Signatures: Using card stock, have family members sign with love notes and children's hands traced for grandma/grandpa and frame.
Love Note Jar: Find a jar that has a lid (pick up at craft store or simply use a mason jar) and add love notes, sayings or thoughts.
Collage Art: Make a collage of pictures & clippings for the person you are giving it to that makes it personal.
Garden Flag & Stand
Kitchen Timer: Everyone can use one of these.
Wind Chimes
Holiday Table Runner
Tiles: Pick these up at your local hardware store or thrift store and give as a coaster or trivet. Make sure to put the appropriate backing for it's use.
Cast Iron Skillet: I have my grandmother's skillet that has been well seasoned and love using it because it reminds me of her.
Napkin & Napking Ring Set
Trophy: You might be surprised the different kinds of trophies available with some looking like sculptures that can be personalized.
Phone or iPad Cover
Thumb Drive on a Keyring
Salon Gift Certificate: Hair, massage, mani/pedi-cure, waxing, etc. - everyone loves to be pampered.

If you have any tips on gift buying you would like to share - head on over to ThePracticalHousewife Facebook page.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T00:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from me and my bunch to yours!

Lunch Ideas For Kids

2011-11-22T10:51:00.000-05:00

1. Angry Bird Sandwiches 2. Fruit Rainbow Wraps 3. Pirate

Can you imagine being a kid and opening your lunch box and seeing Angry Birds looking right at you? How about the pirate and his cute lil' friend? Not only would you be the coolest kid with the coolest lunches (not to mention having the coolest parent in the entire world!) but I'm going to guess you would also be the kid who ate his whole lunch!

Getting kids to eat a healthy lunch can be challenging. Shoot! Getting them to eat healthy period is difficult! With the latest declaration that "pizza is a vegetable," whether it is true or not, and the sub-standards to which school lunches currently have here in the US, would it not be better to make your children's lunches? This way you know what they are eating and what's in it.

Too busy you say? Get your kids involved and make the lunches together. If they are a part of the process, chances are, they will be more likely to eat their lunch instead of tossing it. While you are at it, make one for yourself too!

Check out these lunch box ideas:

Food Blogs - Babble.com (pictured above)
Happy Healthy Life - Lunchbox.com (pictured above)
Bebento Kids (pictured above)
Lunch In a Box (list of lunch links)

Not your ordinary lunch boxes:

Lap Top Lunches (for big kids too)
Bento Boxes (Amazon.com)

I love the bento boxes! Not only are they cute but love how they have portioned sections for your food. If you are a part of our Fit & Fabulous* group (The Practical Housewife Social Network*), you have heard me mention the importance of portion control in feeling fit and looking fabulous.

Have fun with your lunches and don't be afraid to get creative.

*To join our online social network, please send an email to: thepracticalhousewife@yahoo.com for an invitation. We would love to have you join us!)

Stress Free Thanksgiving Preparations

2011-11-21T14:42:00.000-05:00

With only a few days away until Thanksgiving, try and make things easier by doing a little bit here and a little bit there. Rushing around (crazily) trying to put everything together at the last minute is too stressful. With all that needs to be accomplished on Thanksgiving Day, and in such a short period of time, let's not stress ourselves out completely.

Hopefully, by now, the turkey is sitting in the refrigerator thawing (or thawed) out waiting to be greased down, stuffed and cooked for the big day. We also have our menus made, recipes checked and supplies bought. Right? If not, stop reading this now and get to it! If you don't think you have enough time to thaw out the big guy in the refrigerator - don't panic. You can speed up the thawing process by soaking him in cold water. Please see Turkey Cheat Sheet: Thawing, Cooking, Servings & Recipes for more help.

Planning ahead is not only key but helpful. I'm all for Keeping Things Simple especially if you are the one hosting dinner. Don't be afraid to ask others to bring a dish or two. And when it comes time to clean up, by all means, let people help! This is not the time to make a never-tried-before dish. Stick to the tried and true and work on that new recipe you saw on television when things are not so busy. Serve foods your family loves. My menu (please see above) is made up of the things my husband and children requested for Thanksgiving. Nothing fancy here. It is, for the most part, comfort food and things they like having. How simple is that?

If budgets are tight, stick to the basics. Do you have to have a turkey? Pfft! No. One year, we had roasted chicken instead and, you know, it tasted just as good! Heather, over at The Domestic Diva shared how she spent under $40 for her Thanksgiving meal shopping at Wal-mart. It is possible to have a nice dinner on a budget. Don't you love when others show us how they make ends meet? Thank you Heather. You are too cute for words!

Time can be a big factor and trying to do everything that needs to be done can seem near impossible. Did I mention doing a little each day? Did I mention how helpful this is? I did? Oh good! Whether you work outside the home or not - doing those little things beforehand will help.

Some things to think about:

How long does your turkey need to cook? If you only have one oven - this will have to be taken into consideration with the other items you want to serve that day. Pies and cakes can be made a day or two before as can casseroles. Simply reheat them in the oven, after you take the turkey out to rest.
Do you have enough plates, silverware, serving dishes, tables & chairs?
Is there enough space in your refrigerator/freezer to store leftovers? If not, now would be a good time to clean it out.
Speaking of leftovers, do you have containers, storage bags & wrap to store them in?
Salt & Pepper? Seems silly but not so much when you find yourself completely out.
Toilet Paper. You definitely don't want to run out of this! As a funny and depending on how serious your crowd is, have everyone bring their own roll! <winking>

Basically, we want to think about what we can do today or tomorrow to help make Thursday easier. Thanksgiving doesn't have to be crazy. It really doesn't! Keep things simple and enjoy spending the time with family and friends. As it should be.

What are some things you do to make Thanksgiving Day a stress-free holiday?

Turkey Cheat Sheet: Thawing, Cooking, Servings & Recipes

2011-11-18T10:13:00.002-05:00

If you haven't already, pull that turkey out of the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator! A fully thawed turkey can be kept in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

If you haven't bought your turkey yet, today would be a good day to pick one up. Need a coupon? Butterball has one for you: http://www.butterball.com/promotion/mrs-smiths-edwards
Thank you to Butterball for the very helpful videos (see below).

Now...let's get to that cheat sheet!

_________________________

Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet

How Much Turkey?
A good rule of thumb for buying a turkey to serve all your guests (with some leftovers) is 1 1/2 pounds (uncooked) bird per person.

THAWING THE TURKEY CHEAT SHEET

TURKEY WEIGHT	IN REFRIGERATOR	*IN WATER
10 to 12 pounds	2 Days	4 to 6 Hours
12 to 14 pounds	3 Days	6 to 9 Hours
14 to 18 pounds	4 Days	9 to 14 Hours
18 pounds and over	4 to 5 Days	14 to 24 Hours

*Do not be tempted to use warm or hot water to thaw the turkey, only cold water will protect the process in the safest manner.

APPROXIMATE COOKING TIMES FOR A STUFFED* TURKEY (AT 325ºF)

TURKEY WEIGHT	TIME	TEMPERATURE
8 to 12 Pounds	3 to 4 Hours	325ºF
12 to 16 Pounds	4 to 4-1/2 Hours	325ºF
16 to 20 Pounds	4-1/2 to 5 Hours	325ºF
20 to 26 Pounds	5 to 6 Hours	325ºF

*For an unstuffed turkey, subtract 20 to 40 minutes from the total cooking time, but always check the internal temperature for safety to be sure your holiday bird is safe and cooked thoroughly.

How To Stuff a Turkey

How To Cook a Turkey

Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL for questions

TIP: If thawing your turkey in the fridge, keep it in the wrapping and place in a rimmed baking sheet to catch any juices.

TURKEY MATH FOR SERVING SIZE AND LEFTOVERS

TURKEY WEIGHT (In pounds)	AVERAGE SERVINGS	AMPLE SERVINGS WITH LEFTOVERS
14	14	9
16	16	10
18	20	12
20	22	14
24	26	17

If you desire very large serving sizes and seconds as well as leftovers, allow another 1/2 pound of turkey per person.
How to Carve a Turkey

Outside Links:
25 Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes - RealSimple.com
11 Make Ahead Hors d'Oeuvres - RealSimple.com
10 Best Store-Bought Party Appetizers - RealSimple.com

Check back with me and I will share with you how to make that turkey of yours bounce! Be sure to "Like" our facebook page to stay up to date on tips around the house:

The Practical Housewife Facebook Community

xo Cat

The Practical Housewife Online Social Network - FREE!

2011-11-18T01:23:00.000-05:00

You read that correctly! Membership to the group is now FREE and upon approval.

We would love to have you join us!

Email me: thepracticalhousewife@yahoo.com

xo Cat

How To Make Muesli

2011-11-15T09:07:00.006-05:00

Homemade Muesli

Making your own Muesli or Granola is not difficult at all. It takes a few minutes to put together and can easily be made in bulk. The recipe below is a basic one - use what you have on hand and what tastes good to you and your family.

Muesli
(1 Portion)

1/2 cup oats
2 tablespoons raisins/dates/figs
1 tablespoon almonds (chopped or sliced)
1 tablespoon nuts (walnuts, cashews, etc.)
2 teaspoons sunflower seeds (I used pumpkin seeds)
2 teaspoons honey/maple syrup, agave nectar
*I added almond pulp (dehyrated) & coconut flakes

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with spoon or fork.
Serve with almond/rice milk, add some berries or sliced bananas.

Store muesli in the refrigerator in an air tight jar for up to 3 months.

How To Make Muesli Video

xo Cat

I'm a 20 x 3 - Are You?

2011-11-10T11:43:00.001-05:00

Our Fit & Fabulous Group over at The Practical Housewife Social Network is committing 20 minutes, 3 times a week to getting fit. We are sharing what is we have done for the week, what we ate for the day, recipes and encouragement.

What do you love to do for exercise?

Running
Walking
Hula Hooping
Bicycling
Strength Training
Yoga
Pilates
Dancing

Our goal is not only getting ourselves fit but feeling very fabulous. Join us! It is much more fun when you have girlfriends cheering you on!

For more information about joining the Fit & Fab Group on the network, click on the Social Network tab at the top of the page.

xo Cat

Whatever You Do - Do It Good!

2011-11-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

Image Source: Google

Do we think about the things we do repeatedly? You know? The stuff we do without giving much thought towards it? We just do it.

Whatever you do, do it good! Give 110%. Make excellence a habit and excellence will always follow you in whatever it is you do.

Now that's a lot of do-ing!

Who Is Ready to Feel Like A Million Bucks?

2011-11-04T10:43:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, one very lucky person won the $245 Million Dollar lottery in Connecticut. Can you imagine?! On The Practical Housewife Facebook page, I asked what would you do if you won that amount of money. Now, I'm asking you guys.

What would you do with that amount of money and how would it feel?

The great thing is we don't have to win the lottery to feel like a million dollars! Shoot! We don't have to have a million dollars to feel that way. We (I'm speaking of the royal "we" now) can feel absolutely fabulous by doing some very simple things, tricks I call them, and rethinking how and why we do what we do.

Are you ready to feel like a million bucks?!

This week, over on our Fit & Fab Group (The Practical Housewife Social Network) our focus is on snacks & making sure we keep the healthy ones on hand & avoid the dreaded vending machine! Also, what's in your closet? Do you have clothes that don't fit you? Let's go through them & only wear what fits us now, right where we are at & only the clothing that makes us feel like a million bucks!

I want you to feel Fit and Fabulous in everything you do!

Join in on the discussions on the Fit & Fab group or the many others we have just for you!

We are women in all stages of life - single to married to divorced to empty nesters - all of us are what makes home a home.

Pursue With Everything You Got!

2011-11-02T06:09:00.014-04:00

Photo Source

Don't worry about what others will think or say. Don't worry about failing - failures are simply experiences we learn along the way and use them to our benefit down the road. And! Don't be afraid of success! Go For It! Pursue With Everything You Got! ♥

Believe in yourself. Know that you can do anything you set your mind to. You...you have to be the one to take that first step. What is it that you want? Pursue those dreams of yours. Use the passion you have for it and run with it! See what happens.

So, what are you waiting for?

xo Cat

Book Chat Tonight: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011-11-01T07:30:00.001-04:00

EDIT:

Awesome BOOK CHAT tonight! Thank you guys for joining in. I loved, loved, LOVED getting to know you! ♥

____________________

Join us tonight as we chat about The Help by Kathryn Stockett from 9 pm to 10 pm EST in TPH Chat Area. If you did not read the book or only saw the movie, we would love to have you join in on the conversation! See you guys tonight! ♥

How To Join In

Members

If you are a member of the of The Practical Housewife Social Network we will be using our Chat feature at the bottom of the home screen.

Go to the home screen.
Scroll down until you see the Chat area - there you will see how many members are online and on the right side of the Chat Module members pictures and names.
Go to the bottom of the Chat module and click on View Chat.
The chat screen will pull up and you join in at anytime - look for the highlighted (blue) box below the smiley face icon, volume adjust icon and clean messages icon.

Please RSVP and let us know you will be there!

Non-Members

You will have to join The Practical Housewife Social Network. You can do that by following the instructions to join the network below:

How To Sign Up Today

You will need the following:

Working Email Account
Paypal Account or Checks or Money Order will be accepted and membership approved after your check has cleared.
Or simply click on the Subscribe button below.

Membership Fee - $3.99 USD - 1 Year Subscription

(10 Day Money Back Guarantee & TOS Agreement)

Safety
Please know that I will do my best to keep this group safe and will looking at each email carefully before allowing entry into the group. Those caught violating the TOS will be banned from the group and will not receive a refund.

I'm Sorry

2011-10-30T19:07:00.006-04:00

There is the "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings" or "I'm sorry if you feel that way" kind of apologies and then there is the true, heartfelt "I'm sorry - I screwed up. Please forgive me" kind.

I'm Sorry If I hurt Your Feelings - I'm Sorry If You Feel That Way
Are you really sorry? This kind of apology totally dismisses the part the person had in the first place. What this says is they fault the other for being overly sensitive and not what they had done to hurt us. I have heard these types of "I'm sorry if you..." before along with a few others that started along those same lines. My favorite one was sent via email, "I didn't mean to diss you but..." which was followed by several paragraphs of why and blamed the dissing on a book the person was reading. Oh puh-lease!

This is not an apology and says a lot about the person you are dealing with.
I'm Sorry - I Screwed Up - Please Forgive Me
A true apology is sincere and comes without excuses. It comes from the heart and means it.

Need I say more on that one?

We Have All Been There

I have had to do some "I'm sorry - I screwed up - Please forgive me" type of apologies of my own. No one is perfect and we all do some things that we regret. If you are the one doing the apology, mean it - don't just say it to say it. As a friend, we forgive and move on. But...(there is always a but in there somewhere) when someone is being insincere, it is time to move on. They are NOT a friend and will continue doing what they do. People like this always give themselves away. It is up to us to pay attention to those clues and not ignore them.

Are there some gray areas with this. Sure. You have to decide that for yourself.

Conclusion

If you are wrong and you know you are wrong - apologize immediately and do so sincerely. If someone is trying to apologize, from their heart, than forgive them and let it go. Do not bring it up again. This does not mean that you forget it or condone it - it just means you are moving on.
And for those who are not being true - put them at arms length and...

move on!

Do not waste your time with the negative persons. They will do nothing but keep you down and hold you back because of their own issues. This will only bring more of that negative energy your way.

Surround yourself with those who care about you and your heart. People who want the best for you and attract that positive vibe you want in your life. It is amazing how that works!

Questions

Have you ever had someone apologize to you and not feel as if it were a heartfelt one? Do you remember how they worded it? What made it seem like it was not from the heart?

Eggs: Good Today Bad Tomorrow

2011-10-28T10:09:00.000-04:00

Eggs. Good for you today - bad for you tomorrow. So, which is it?

There sure does seem to be a lot of conflicting information out there which bugs that you-know-what out of me. Don't you ever want to tell those, ~~who for whatever reason think they are the authority on all things good and bad~~, to make just up your minds already? Good Grief! I have to wonder if they even know themselves.

My philosophy is: Keep it real as possible & enjoy everything you eat in moderation. I mean, how simple is that?!

We pick up eggs from a local farm here and know the owners very well - which is very cool for this big city girl. The chickens are free range, well cared for and live in a great environment. What I find interesting about farm fresh eggs vs. the store bought variety is the color of the yolks...

Our favorite Go To Meal Here: Fried Egg Sandwiches

They are not pale yellow but a beautiful orange yellow and the taste does not even compare! If you can, find a local farmer/market (see link below) that sells free range eggs. I promise you, you will never go back to the store bought kind again! Even this veggie lover enjoys farm fresh eggs on occasion.

Eggs are not only good for you but they are an inexpensive way to feed you and your family. We like to make fried egg sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Omelets are another easy meal where mommas can get sneaky and add chopped spinach, peppers, onions and such. How about making egg salad or deviled eggs? Simple, easy and cheap, cheap, cheap. No pun intended.

Okay. It was - I couldn't resist. ;)

Do the research and make up your own mind about eggs and don't listen to the ever changing reports. You decide.

Here is a link to find a local farm/market in your neck-of-the-woods that sells organic produce:

Eat Well Guide

You can type in what you are looking for, your zip code, how far you are willing to travel, etc., and it will find local farms, markets, restaurants and more for you.

Or, you could move here. :)

xo Cat

Getting Back To Basics: What Are You Looking For

2011-10-21T08:59:00.002-04:00

Who is ready to get back to practical...doable...everyday living?! Is it just me or have things become more complicated than they really should be? We are bombarded with information with lots of "expert" advice where, many times, they contradict one another. I'm all for going back to the basic fundamentals!!!

Who is with me?

The Practical Housewife is about bringing back those fundamental basics that our grandmothers knew about long before we had information overload! How ever did they survive?!
If you are a women, whatever role you find yourself in right now (single, married, divorced, working outside of the home, working from home, mother, grandmother and all the above)...The Practical Housewife is written just for you! I want to make sure we cover topics that will help you, encourage you and hopefully inspire you to get in there and just do it!

We are undergoing some renovations here on The Practical Housewife. I would love to know what it is you are looking for to help make the day-to-day in your life easier. Please leave me a comment below or drop me a line (thepracticalhousewife@yahoo.com).

The Practical Housewife is for all women in all stages of life and it is time...time to get back to the basics and remember what it is that is truly important.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

♥

UPDATE:

I asked this very same question over on The Practical Housewife Social Network. Here are a few responses I have received so far...

Comment by Chrystal C.

I try to live by the K.I.S.S. system.. KEEP IT SIMPLE SISTER!! We over think things WAY too much, and make things harder than they need to be. Just remember KISS and you will feel much less stressed and happy!

Comment by Diane M.

"Back to the basics" - I like that!! Having choices is good, but having too many choices is just overwhelming! I think that in our attempts to make our lives simpler, we have actually made them more complicated some times! There is just too much information out there! lol

The Practical Housewife Social Network - Welcome & More Information

2011-10-12T23:40:00.000-04:00

You are going to hear a lot about The Practical Housewife Social Network. It is a big project I have been working on and will be for some time. So what is it exactly?

I hope this video explains a little bit about the group...

A passion of mine is encouraging others and more specifically women and the many roles we have in our lives. If we were to list out the things we do in a given day, it would be longer than our arms.

My hope is to provide a place where we can come together, support, encourage, inspire, laugh, cry - whatever it is - in our daily roles as women, wives, mothers, single, married, divorced, working outside the home, inside the home, empty nesters - the list goes on.

We have a great group of ladies who have already joined and have shared their lives, their goals, their passions - it is truly amazing. I wake up every morning excited to see what is going on within the groups and I go to bed thinking about the groups and ladies that are in them.

It is the members that make this network what it is.

To me, that is beautiful!

xo Cat

The Practical Housewife Social Network-Members Only Giveaway

2011-10-11T20:06:00.000-04:00

Today I had a giveaway on The Practical Housewife Facebook page and now I want to do the same for the members and your friends! :)

This offer applies to new members as well - so hurry and sign up!

For every friend* that you invite that becomes a paid subscriber*, you will be entered into a drawing to win this Hamilton Beach Personal Blender...

Hamilton Beach 51101B Personal Blender w/ Travel Lid

Product Features

175-watt personal blender for smoothies, shakes, and more
Simple one-touch operation; durable stainless-steel blades
14-ounce blending jar doubles as a travel cup (less to clean)
Fits most car cup holders; recipe book included
Measures 3-3/4 by 3-3/4 by 12-1/2 inches

With every friend that joins*, you get a ticket. For example: If you recommend two friends and they become members* of The Practical Housewife Social Network, you will then receive two entry tickets. :)

How cool is that?!

And For Your Friends...

Your friends* will also be entered into a drawing to win their very own Hamilton Beach Personal Blender(see picture above)!

Have your friends email me (thepracticalhousewife@yahoo.com) that you sent them. Better yet, you email me too so that I can make sure I don't miss your entry ticket(s) for the drawing. Here's the information I will need:

Friends* Name & Email

Referral From: Your Name

I will send them an invoice (from Paypal) or they can send me a check or money order for $3.99 to:

Catherine R. Staat

and mail to:

Linear Wave Publishing

Post Office Box 177

Liberty, KY 42539

You can also access the "Subscription" button here: Subscribe to The Practical Housewife Network - scroll down the page to find the button under subscription information.

Once they have been verified, you will receive a entry ticket.

And that's it! So easy and so much fun!!!

Offer Ends October 31, 2011 (midnight EST) and winners will be drawn on November 15th, 2011.

*Must be a paid subscription to The Practical Housewife Social Network and after 10 day trial period has ended.

How to Make Chickpea (Gram, Besan or Channa) Flour - It's So Easy!

2011-10-10T18:35:00.001-04:00

What is Chickpea Flour? Basically, is it dried Garbanzo beans ground up, in your blender, ground to a flour like consistency and that is it! It is also called besan, gram and channa flour. Here is what led me to making the flour...

I love little discoveries like this don't you?!

Did you know that you can make other non-wheat flours?

Amaranth, Barley, Beans (chickpea, soy, etc.), Buckwheat, Chestnut, Millet, Oat*, Quinoa, Rice & Rye.

If you have any type of gluten allergies, you have some wonderful possibilities not to mention a variety of flavors to choose from. The beautiful thing here is, you can make your own! Gotta love that!

Give it a try and don't be afraid to interchange the flour with a recipe you use now. See how it goes. Like I said in the video, the worst thing that can happen is you don't like it and it goes into the compost pile.

*Make sure to find raw oats that have not been processed with wheat/gluten. Be sure to read your labels carefully!

The veggie burger? Blaine really liked it which was very surprising.
Spinach & Chickpea Veggie Burger

It was 1 can of chickpeas (drained and semi-mashed), seasonings, chopped spinach and enough chickpea flour to make it a burger like consistency. I heated them up on the stove with a little bit of olive oil, garlic and onions.

It was just that easy!
xo

What I Ate Today: 10-05-11

2011-10-05T19:47:00.000-04:00

The Menu

Breakfast: water, coffee, banana, oatmeal w/raisins, cinnamon & almond milk, coffee and water (it's a coffee kinda day)
Lunch: whole wheat burrito w/beans and rice, a big salad and a slice of homemade sourdough bread, water and coffee
Snack: a spoonful of peanut butter - sometimes this just hits the spot!
Dinner: 2 small slices of pizza, glass of red wine, water and I'm off to bed!

Not very exciting today! ;) It is a busy time for me and, as you can see, my appetite is waning a bit as does my energy. My friend decided to visit me early and can tell when the only thing I want to do is drink coffee and sleep! I know...weird but then so am I!

I am busy trying to get The Practical Housewife Network ready for the grand opening. I have quite a few ladies in the group now testing things out, checking out the different options. I am really trying to make this a place for us to come together, get support and encouragement in all that we try to do. For more information on the group, click here:

The Practical Housewife Social Network

If you are a part of the group already, I have added the link to check in with your password on the tab above. It looks like this:

About The Practical Housewife

The Practical Housewife is a social network

Sign In: Click Here

I have had some really good feedback so far and look forward to all suggestions in order to make this group..your group! :)

The grand opening will have some really, really, REALLY cool giveaways! Dvds, juicer, blender...sound good to you guys? :)

This tired chick is off to bed!

What I Ate Today: 10-03-11

2011-10-03T22:12:00.001-04:00

Amy's Kitchen: Natural & Organic Foods

The Menu

Breakfast: water, coffee, banana, basic smoothie with mixed berries and water
Snack: Finished off the rest of the berry smoothie - oh my it was so good!
Lunch: water, Amy's Pot Pie (broccoli, carrots & potatoes) & coffee
Dinner: pasta with sauteed veggies (onions, garlic, red & green bell peppers, snow peas, spinach), salad, 1 small slice of sourdough bread (homemade), glass of red wine and water before bed.
Snack: waffles (homemade) with real maple syrup w/coffee

Thoughts & Things

Have you ever noticed the portion you are given in the prepackaged meals? It all fits on a salad plate. I was reading over a website that was talking about the Ayurvedic diet and how much a person should really eat in a meal. Any guesses to what thatmight be?

Basically, if we took our hands and cupped them, that is the amount of food we should eat. Everyone has different sized hands and they are proportioned to fit them just like your foot size is made to fit your body size to carry you and give balance.

Now think about some of these mail ordered diet plans. These guys are making some cha ching! They portion out your meal and not saying that these meals are the best food for you to feed your bodies. Some of them use cellulose...

15 Food Companies that Serve You "Wood"

Can you make your own portions? Yes you can. And if I hear one person say that it takes too long to make a meal...I will flat out prove you wrong. Are there times when you use those convenient type foods? Sure. Like I did above, but be picky about what you eat and make a better choice.

Did you notice the word cellulose. Break that down to...

cell - u - lose (cell you lose).

Funny huh?!
xo

The Art of Forgiveness

2011-10-02T00:25:00.002-04:00

Source: Google Images

"You can forgive someone almost anything. But you cannot tolerate everything... We don't have to tolerate what people do just because we forgive them for doing it. Forgiving heals us personally. To tolerate everything only hurts us all in the long run."

-Lewis B. Smedes

"Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future."
-Lewis B. Smedes

"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well."
-Lewis B. Smedes

Forgiving someone is not an easy thing to do. I believe we have to go through a series of emotions until we get to that point. The initial hurt, then anger and then a mixture of emotions as you think things through. This can take a few days or it can take a few years. The important part, when you are ready, is facing whatever it is, examing it fully, addressing your part in it and then take action.

There is a time and season for everything. There is a time to be hurt and then there is the time to start healing. There is a time to hang on and then there is a time to let go. There is a time to stay put and then...then it time to move forward.
I'm all for that! :)

Here's to moving forward!

xo

What I Ate Today: 9-29-11

2011-09-29T21:15:00.000-04:00

Seasoned Curly Sweet Potato Fries

The Recipe

1 sweet potato, peeled and ends cut off
using a spiralizer, cut potato into ribbons
lightly season with olive oil and seasoning (I used cumin)
bake for a few minutes - keep your eye on these or they will burn - turning over to evenly bake.

The Menu
Breakfast: water, coffee, slice of whole wheat bread w/almond butter - water
Lunch: [At the 49'er] BLT minus the B, potato wedges, sweet iced tea & tried the fried dill pickle slices. I can say I have had them and...that's all I can say! ;)
Dinner: Sweet Potato and homemade sweet potato curly fries, glass of red wine & water.
Snack: AM-granola bar PM-apple

Thoughts & Things

I had the most amazing day today! :) I am attending the Casey County Leadership again this year. I have pictures of our day posted on The Practical Housewife Facebook page. Lots of fresh air, lots of walking and just a great time with a great group of people. It also helps when your husband is the one leading the class! ;)

If you have a leadership class available (through your local Chamber of Commerce), I would highly recommend you take the class! It is a great way to learn about your community. It certainly has made living here even more personal.

Tomorrow? I need to go to the grocery store!!! I am out of spinach and greens and veggies and greens!

xo

What I Ate Today: 9-28-11

2011-09-28T21:53:00.000-04:00

High-tech tomatoes. Mysterious milk. Supersquash. Are we supposed to eat this stuff? Or is it going to eat us?
– Annita Manning

Whole Wheat Burger Buns

The Menu
Breakfast: water, coffee, 1 slice of whole wheat bread w/almond butter, oats w/almond milk (made yesterday), figs, coconut flakes & more water.
Lunch: Fried egg on whole wheat bread w/slice of cheese & water
Dinner: Pasta w/simple sauce & sprinkle of parmesan cheese, glass of red wine, an apple which was absolutely amazing & was perfect to eat alone for dessert & water before bed
Snacks: AM-basic green smoothie PM-homemade waffles w/real maple syrup

*Another busy day. To have simple things available to grab and run with makes it easier to make better choices. George, an old friend of ours used to say, "I was ah burnin' and ah churnin' today!" Tomorrow's diet should be v-e-r-y interesting.

Thoughts & Things

I have been experimenting in the kitchen again and playing around with different recipes to make the ultimate whole wheat burger bun. The ones I made today turned out beautifully and still think the recipe needs a bit of tweaking. Now that I have a keeper recipe, I feel like I can adjust a bit here and there. ;) I can't wait to try these out on my veggie burgers!

So how you guys doing on your daily diet? Need any support or encouragement? Let me know!

Bread Making Tip: How to Help Your Dough Rise

2011-09-28T06:48:00.000-04:00

To help encourage your dough to double in size, use your oven and your oven light...

How To Help Your Dough Rise:

After proofing the yeast, mixed all the ingredients & kneaded the dough, cover with a clean & slightly damp cloth.
Open the oven door and move your top rack to a lower position. When the dough rises, we don't want it bumping into the upper heating coils. ;)
Place covered dough bowl on the rack.
Turn your oven light on & shut the oven door.
Set your timer for an hour or the time necessary for your dough to double in size.

*Don't forget your bowl is inside the oven!

What I Ate Today: 9-27-11

2011-09-27T21:14:00.001-04:00

Your body has the amazing ability to naturally realign and heal itself, if you’d just give it some basic attention!

Diane McLaren

Sorry! No picture to share today. If you look at my previous "What I Ate Today!" post you will see the leftovers I had.

The Menu
Breakfast: water, coffee & granola bar, basic green smoothie and water
Lunch: Leftovers from yesterday (still yummy!) and a scone from a local bakery
Dinner: Pasta with the leftover vinaigrette I made, sourdough bread, a glass of red wine and water before bed - not super hungry after having the green smoothie earlier.
Snack: PM - basic green smoothie

Thoughts & Things

Busy day overall. Here is what I am working on...

The Practical Housewife Social Network - so excited about this! It is like facebook, twitter, youtube and forum all rolled into one. Very cool.
Made a few videos and editing ones from earlier. I think if I could actually sit down long enough to work on one straight through it might be easier. I am doing a bit of multi-tasking at the moment. There is a lot going on for me at the moment. All good and all very exciting!
A few writing projects.

Looking at the quote above, what attention did you give your body today? I hope you treat yourself with care and lots of love.

xo

How To Freeze Extra Produce

2011-09-27T06:42:00.001-04:00

Go ahead and pick up that extra bag of fruit - use one for your meals throughout the week and freeze the other for later. This is a great way to keep fruit on hand and pull out whenever you need it.

Now you have no excuse for not making those good for you basic green smoothies!

xo

What I Ate Today: 9-26-11

2011-09-26T21:40:00.001-04:00

Salad with Tomato Basil Vinaigrette with Mushrooms

The Recipe

Tomato Basil Vinaigrette

2 large tomatoes, diced
2 teaspoons onion powder or 2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves or 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh
garlic powder (to taste) or minced garlic clove
1 small can of mushrooms, drained or handful of fresh, sliced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar (optional)
salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients.

The salad today was, julienned carrots, chopped spinach, diced green peppers with the tomato basil vinaigrette and topped with Parmesan cheese.
The Menu

Breakfast: water, coffee, 2 slices of sourdough bread (homemade) w/almond butter, basic green smoothie - water
Lunch: pasta (raw) salad with the tomato basil vinaigrette dressing above, homemade waffles with real maple syrup - water
Dinner: 2 slices of veggie pizza, salad, glass of red wine and water before bed.

*I did have half a peach today to taste test and decided they would be better frozen.
Thoughts & Things

Ah Monday! So glad to see you! I am ready to put the past week behind me and start a brand new one.

Blaine had the day off today - so nice. Later on in the afternoon we headed over to the bulk food store we have here and picked up several pounds of flour, flax, dried figs and dates, oats, 3 vanilla beans - love shopping there.

Next stop - produce! We picked up a bushel of apples and a small bag of peaches. I know...peaches are not quite in season but I couldn't resist. They were not super tastey so they are now diced up and freezing nicely where they will be featured in tomorrow morning's basic green smoothie!

What kind of things did you eat today?

Own It Girl!

2011-09-26T08:52:00.001-04:00

Be who you are, right where you are and then own it! Whether you are a size 10 or Plus Size Woman - own it and make the dress follow you! ;)
The Challenge

Head into your closet and pull out the clothes that no longer fit you - right now, right where you are at - get rid of them! The only items we should be wearing are things that look good on us, fit our current shape and make us feel like a million dollars!

Wearing clothes that fit you now will change your outlook on so many things. You will feel as good as you look and then stand back because something amazing happens!

You will want to take better care of yourself.
You will think about the foods you eat because you want to continue to feel & look good.
You will think about how you walk and hold your head higher.
Your attitude will change and you will be able to handle things better.
You will have more confidence in what you do.
You will speak more clearly.

Why? Because...

You Own It Girl!

What I Ate Today: 9-23-11

2011-09-23T21:33:00.001-04:00

flax & almond cakes

The Recipe

Flax & Almond Cakes

This is a recipe tweaked from another. I simply altered the ingredients to fit my taste and what I had on hand. A change of mindset might be necessary when trying this different kind of pan-cake out. The cookbook I got the recipe from is all about raw foods and keeping the nutrients intact. So keeping that in mind, here is the recipe...

1 1/2 cups of flax meal
1 cup of almond flour (I used almond pulp leftover from making almond milk, dehydrated & stored.)

-The original recipe called for 2 cups of whole flax seeds or 3 cups of flax seed meal.-

coconut flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/2 cup of real maple syrup (recipe called for agave wh/can be really sweet.)
pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup of water (add gradually to get the desired consistency)

Mix ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Form balls (using an ice cream scoop) and flatten into a pancke shape - 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick
Serve "raw" or heat slightly.

Batter will keep for four to five days in the fridge.

Optional: Add raisins or blueberries or mashed bananas or walnuts.

Next time I make this, I will be using mashed bananas and walnuts!

The Menu
Breakfast: water, coffee, 2 almond/flax cakes, grapes and water
Lunch: soup w/noodles, handful of leftover salad and leftover tomato sauce* - water
Dinner: Gyro sandwich minus the meat and an Amish fried apple pie - water
Snack: 1 bite of Miss Sarah's funnel cake - coffee

*I was not very hungry after the breakfast I had. It had some staying power! Knowing that I would be walking around town during the festival, I wanted to make sure I would not be tempted by ALL of the food vendors and ate something light before heading out the door. Not that the temptations were hard to pass up. Fried pork rinds?! Bleck! Fried Dill Pickles? Who thought to do that one and why? They both must be good because I saw plenty of people walking around eating them.

The Outfit

[No Picture]

Navy blue golf shirt, faded jeans, Avia runners (for walking downtown), silver hoop earrings, silver charm bracelet, silver watch - very casual

Thoughts & Things

One of the benefits of living in town is that the parade always passes by our house.

What I Ate Today: 9-22-11

2011-09-22T20:33:00.002-04:00

Happiness is your nature.
It is not wrong to desire it.
What is wrong is seeking it outside
when it is inside.
-Sri Ramana Maharshi

tuna, brussels sprouts, salad and a slice of whole wheat bread

The Recipe

Tuna (Quick & Easy)

1 can of tuna, drained
1 tsp of mayonnaise
pickles, diced
seasonings (sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder & coriander)

Mix ingredients in a bowl and enjoy on bread, on a bed or lettuce and tomato or just by itself!

Brussels Sprouts

1 handful of sprouts, steamed
seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)
sprinkle of cheese (I used Parmesan - just enough to give it flavor)

Salad Dressing

Flax Seed Oil
Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)

Mix flax seed oil with seasonings in a small bowl and mix well. Drizzle over salad and enjoy

The Menu
Despite waking up so early yesterday and not getting into bed until 11ish (stayed up to watch the E THS Special on Bethenny Frankel) - I woke up early ready to hit the floor. Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: water, coffee, basic green smoothie & slice of homemade cornbread (leftover) - water.
Lunch: brussels sprouts, tuna,a slice of whole wheat bread (from the bakery) & mixed salad w/flax oil dressing - water
Dinner: salad (see above), glass of wine and slice of the No Bake Fruit Pie w/coffee - water
Snack: None today - I wasn't hungry in between.

The Outfit

The weather outside was amazing today. It was warm in the sun and cool in the shade - perfect! I found this brand new burgundy/red jacket (perfect for this kind of weather) at a thrift store for only $1.99! I LOVE resale shops! Great finds & great prices & great for a practical housewife!

I borrowed the black tank (AE) from Miss Sarah, denim Lee shorts (JCP), thrift store jacket/brand new (Christopher & Banks) for $1.99, black sandal wedges (Pesaro wedges), paper beaded necklace (thrift store), green stone earrings, silver heart bracelet (with Blaine's name) and a silver watch.

Thoughts & Things

Love the quote above! Our happiness does not depend on other people. Our happiness does not depend on having certain things. Our happiness does not depend on where we live or what kind of car we drive. Our happiness does not depend on what others think or say. Our happiness begins within ourselves.

It is one thing to say it...it is another entirely to believe it. Then it is time to start living it!

What I Ate Today: 9-21-11

2011-09-21T20:12:00.002-04:00

.“Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food.” – Hippocrates

No Bake Fruit Pie

Recipe

Pie Crust/Cookie Dough:

2 cups raw/whole almonds
2 cups dates
1/2 cup raisins
pinch of sea salt
agave nectar or honey

Add almonds to food processor and process lightly - keeping some of the chunks.
Add the dates and raisins with the nuts and pulse to bind and add the agave nectar/honey to help bind and make a dough-like consistency.
Press dough into pie pan or individual serving cups to form a crust.

If making cookies, add coconut flakes and roll out into individual balls or roll out and use a cookie cutter. I like to use some of the processed almond flour to keep the dough from sticking on the table. You can roll the cookies in coconut flakes instead of adding them to the dough. They look (and taste) great either way.

Fruit Filling:

4 - 5 cups sliced apples, pears, peaches, strawberries or a combination (I used apples, pears and raisins)
1/4 cup agave nectar or honey or real maple syrup
dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or other seasoning depending on the fruit used
I added a splash of vanilla which goes great with apples and raisins

Place the fruit filling ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Spread filling into pie plates or dishes
Enjoy!

If you have time, allow the fruit filling to marinate for a few hours. This will give your filling the appearance of being cooked.

The Menu

My morning started off early (4 am) with a bad dream and couldn't shake the feeling enough to fall back asleep - hate that! So I was up and at 'em. A little too early for the dogs -they were not budging from their beds. Plus, it was raining and dontcha know they hate getting their lil' paws wet. <rolling eyes>

Breakfast: water, coffee, banana, basic green smoothie (rice milk, banana, strawberries & spinach) & water
Lunch: Amy's Burrito (Cheddar Cheese)*, cornbread (homemade) and water
Dinner: 1 slice of pizza and glass of wine & water before bed
Snack: AM-more of the green smoothie - very filling PM- No-Cook Fruit Pie and Rooibos Tropica tea from Teavana.

Thoughts & Things
Took a semi-break from the major cleaning and decided to work on other things. I needed a creative day. I did re-organize the book shelf in the office but it stopped there. So I edited a video (see previous post) and decided to make a fruit pie. After today's smoothie...I was not really hungry.

We have a festival going on in town for the next couple days and since we live right in town...getting out of our drive way is near impossible. Thank goodness we have a small market not far from us that I can pick up some basics in case we need them. I will try and shoot some video of the festival.

And the kittens which are all boys btw! We have had some interest in them and was hoping to find them homes of people I knew. This has not been easy. With the festival here this weekend the timing is perfect and could be very easy to give them away but...I hate to give them to strangers. I want to know that someone is going to love and take care of them.

Let's Eat Healthy Together!

2011-09-21T14:33:00.019-04:00

Most of y'all know I have a huge passion for healthy everything especially when it comes to the foods we eat. I will be the first to admit, my diet is not 110% but I do try. And...that right there is the point of the "What I Ate Today!"

Are you in?! I hope so!!

You can join in by:

leaving a comment below
blogging about it - be sure to grab the "What I Ate Today!" button and link it back here and let me know so that I can put you on the list over there in the "What I Ate Today!" Friends --->
vlog about it - if you have a youtube account and would like to share - let me know and I will put your vlog on the list over there "What I Ate Today!" Friends --->
share your daily diet on The Practical Housewife facebook page

We are not here to criticize anyone in their diet choices. This is about our own personal awareness in what we eat and understanding why. I am here to support and encourage you and that is it! :) Comments are moderated and there will be no bashing or discouraging comments allowed.

My Website - My Rules - Period.

Here's the cute lil "What I Ate Today!" button to post on your blog, vlog or forum site...

Copy the button and hyperlink it back here: http://thepracticalhousewife.com and let's do this...together!

xo

Week-By-Week Cleaning Challenge...

2011-09-21T05:33:00.000-04:00

...will resume shortly.

Going through some changes and re-working. All good! :)

Here's to bigger and better things to come!!!

xo

What I Ate Today: 9-20-11

2011-09-20T19:32:00.005-04:00

Basic Green Smoothie

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
– Michael Pollan

Recipe
Basic Green Smoothie

Here is a very basic smoothie recipe - use what you have on hand and more importantly, what you like!
1 cup of water, juice or milk
2 cups of fruit
2 cups of greens
splash of aloe vera juice (optional)
splash of flax oil (optional)

(Today I used coconut water as my base, pineapple as my fruit and spinach as my greens)
Add ingredients to your blender and liquefy to desired consistency. Enjoy!

The Menu

Breakfast: water, coffee, green juice (using what I had on hand: coconut water, pineapple & spinach)

Snack: granola bar, green juice and water

Lunch: leftover casserole, salad (carrots, tomatoes, spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli) & a mango/coconut scone from our local bakery w/coffee - water

Snack: Rooibos Tea from Teavana (one of my favorites) & handful of cashews

Dinner: guacamole (avocado, diced tomato, lemon juice, coriander & sea salt), salad, corn bread & glass of wine and water before bed.

Thoughts & Things
I did accomplish a lot today but the pace is starting to wain a bit. I am at the point where I just want to be done with the cleaning already. With only a few rooms left...there is light at the end of this tunnel but oh vey! Can I have a smaller house please?

Today I was able to:

clean carpets (hallway, master bedroom and office)
detail master bedroom & closet (curtains, blinds, windows, bedding, from ceiling to floor)

What did you eat today? Did you add some greens into your diet? How about some fruit? Try blending together some water or juice or almond milk, a handful of fruit (2 cups) and a handful of greens (2 cups) and get those daily fruits and veggies in!

What I Ate Today

2011-09-19T21:02:00.001-04:00

I am bringing back the daily diary not only because it has been requested but because I find it helpful to me personally. If this does not interest you - feel free to skip! ;)
What did you eat today?
Sometimes on The Practical Housewife Facebook page, I like to ask what everyone is having for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I love the idea of all of us thinking about what we eat but also making (good) healthy choices. If you are doing a daily "What I Ate Today!" kinda of thing on your blog already let me know. :) I would love to pass it along to others and think we all can use encouragement from one another.

Grab The "What I Ate Today!" Button

New to this whole idea?

You can join in at anytime and set up your daily diary however you want - daily, weekly or just whenever. For me, I have included not only my food but what I wore and some thoughts on the day.. I will start including pictures later on. Today was pretty busy with my major cleaning therapy - see below.

Oh! I almost forgot! Copy the button above, add it to your page with the hyperlink http://www.thepracticalhousewife.com/search/label/What%20I%20Ate%20Today. I will set up a section on the right side module linking to our sites. The goal here is to support and encourage one another!!
So, here we go...

What I Ate Today

Breakfast: water, coffee, banana, homemade waffles w/almond butter & more water
Snack: Kombucha Tea
Lunch: 1 egg on a slice of homemade sour dough bread, salad (zucchini, carrots, spinach, romaine, tomatoes and avocado), granola bar and coffee and water
Snack: handful of cashews - more water
Dinner: Fettuccine Alfredo (homemade), big salad, bread and glass of wine & water before bed.

What I Wore Today

My morning routine is simple. Get up, get into "work-at-home" clothes, get coffee and then run Miss S to school and start my day.
AM: Tank, Nike shorts, Avia Runners, hair pulled back and getting ready to work it - shower
PM: White t-shirt, black cardigan, my favorite go-to Levi's jeans and Avia Runners

*I'm sure Clinton Kelly would have something to say about my wardrobe selection today but this practical housewife is in cleaning mode!

Thoughts & Things
Life. It happens and can seem like one great big emotional roller coaster ride. So, buckle up, strap yourself in and hang on!
Right now, we have some things we are trying to address here at home and why I had to step back a bit. This is my M. O.: Take a step back, look at the big picture, think about the steps that need to be taken, step back in, take the bull by the horns and move forward.
Major Cleaning Therapy

I am dealing with this in my own strange way, I suppose. When something is bothering me or have a lot on my mind, I have to do something productive. I can't just sit and do nothing or sit and worry over whatever it is. So, right now, I'm doing a "major" cleaning.
Major cleaning is therapy for me. You can take something negative and turn it into a positive and...give yourself time to think things through while busy cleaning.

Shoot! By the time everything is said and done - I will have one clean house! :)
Today it was about the Family Room, hallway, stairs (what a pain in the hind end) and the part of the upstairs hallway. When I clean a room, I start from the top and work my way down to the bottom. Curtains come down (wash/dryer dust), clean blinds and hang dry, ceiling fan/vents, clean windows, clean carpets...you get the idea. After lunch I started spot treating the carpets for tomorrow and decided to clean the dogs bedding.

Yep! I'm pooped!

xo

She Turned Her Can'ts Into Cans

2011-09-19T09:13:00.002-04:00

Source: Famous, Inspirational, Wisdom Quotes

What is holding you back from making your dreams into plans?

In life we have...

the bubble busters out there who love nothing more than to have their pin ready to pop your balloon.
those who think that they are helping you with their opinions which always seem to be on a negative note.
the constructive critiques that feel more like destructive criticism and make you wonder if the critique-er is really expressing how they feel about themselves.
those who love nothing more than to cut you down with those oh-so-slight digs here and there.

There can be a lot of background noise that keeps us from making our dreams into plans.

But the biggest factor we face is...ourselves.

We can tell ourselves a story. We listen to all the above and then add into it the other mind noise we replay over and over in our head that keep us from doing what we would love to do. I gotta ask.

Is it working for you?

I think it is important to address the mind noise. Face it head on and look at it for what it is. Be honest with yourself and how it makes you feel. Why do you believe it to be true? What is the source? Then...then it is time to decide whether you believe it or not and MOVE FORWARD!

Don't be afraid to try something new. Go outside your comfort zone. Try different things. Nothing you have done is a failure but a learning experience. Don't let others tell you a story. Be bold. Be passionate. Find who you are and wear it proudly.

If you have a passion about something...a true love for doing whatever it is...then do it! Do, whatever it is, with all your heart. Don't listen to the crap above - no matter where it is coming from. Surround yourself with people who will support you and put the rest of the nay-sayers at arms length.

Time to turn off the noise, turn your can'ts into cans and your dreams into plans!

Taking Some Time

2011-09-15T08:59:00.000-04:00

Taking a step or two back to address some personal things in our home.
♥

Decluttering Tips: Family Room (Living Room or Lounge Area)

2011-09-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

This week we are in the family room decluttering.

What kind of collections do you have in this area?

Magazines? Newspapers? Books? DVDs? CDs? Games?

Yep...me too! And from time to time, I have to go through them, edit/modify what stays and what goes. How do you decide what to keep, what to donate and what to do with the those donation items?

Video

In The Kitchen: Making Flaxseed Crackers

2011-09-11T14:29:00.001-04:00

Flaxseed Crackers & Hummus

Flaxseed Crackers

1 1/2 cups flaxseed (milled or seeds*)

1 1/2 cups wheat germ (optional)

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (raw)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (raw)

1 cup of water (may use less than a cup)

2 teaspoons of spices of your choice

2 teaspoons of sea salt

1. In a large bowl, add the flaxseed, wheat germ,pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, seasonings. Thoroughly mix by hand.

2. Add water.

3. Spread out thin layer of the mixture onto a baking sheet and put in a dehydrator or the oven, set between 100 and 115*F. If using an oven, open the door periodically to release some of the heat. Dehydrating will take between 8 and 24 hours to bake depending on the type of oven you are using.

4. The crackers are done when they are crispy and easy to break into pieces. Store in a sealed container.

*If using flaxseeds, soak for 2 to 4 hours before baking.

Flu Season: Knocking Out That Crud!

2011-09-10T13:56:00.001-04:00

Mr. Crud-Mudgeon

The Crud has hit our house! That creepy, crawly, no-good-for-nothing crud-mudgeon has become an un-welcome visitor here. It has decided to hang out with my kids and this momma is having none of that!

How do you deal with the crud?

You pull out the big guns baby!

Here is some of what I try to keep on hand:

*Herbal Teas
*Honey
*Unkers Medicated Salve
*Vitamin C
*Lemons (juiced & peeled)
*Throat Lozenges
*Garlic
*Heating Pad
and don't forget...
*Comfort Foods
*Comfy PJs
*Snuggle Blanket

No matter how healthy our diet, we can still get the creepy crud. All of us have moments when our energy is low and our defenses are down. Knowing that, we can keep our ammo fully stocked so that we can knock that crud right on out!

What do you use when the flu comes knocking on your door?

How To Get Rid Of Unwanted Gifts

2011-09-07T20:03:00.001-04:00

Q: What do you do with those unwanted gifts?

A: Get rid of them!

They have no room or space in your home especially if they have an unhappy memory attached to them or guilt!

By keeping them, you are giving over the power to that "thing" and to that person who gave it to you. Decluttering these items from our homes can be difficult. Let's face that giant and start creating the space we want for our homes!

Video

You can get rid of those unwanted gifts by...

regifting
donating
exchange for something you love
selling online/garage sale
gift swap
freecycle.org
trash it (if this makes you feel better!)

There's More
How to Get Rid of Unwanted Presents - HowToGetRidOfStuff.com

Got An Unwanted Gift? - Billy.com

If you need any help our support through your decluttering journey - drop me a line. I would love to help and encourage you! :)

xo

In The Kitchen: Raw Zucchini Pasta & Marinara Sauce

2011-09-07T09:02:00.003-04:00

Raw zucchini pasta? Who has ever heard of such a thing?! Not me and not until I started doing some research on raw and gluten free foods. Before you poo poo the idea - give this a try. This dish is easy to make.

I love basic recipes like this one. Not only is it easy to remember but you can use what you got, add to it, take away and tweak to your hearts content . In other words,

"Go ahead! Play with your food!"

Here's What You Need

1 zucchini (peel if not organic)
1 handful of spniach (be generous)
1 tomato (diced and reserve the juice)
olive oil
garlic (minced or powder)
salt (try to use sea salt)
pepper
Italian seasonings

*Julienne the zucchini using a vegetable peeler, julienne peeler/slicer/cutter or a spiral vegetable slicer* and place into a bowl.

*Chop spinach, dice tomatoes and add to zucchini.

*For the Marinara Sauce: Whisk in a small bowl, olive oil, tomato juice, garlic, salt, pepper and Italian seasonings.

*Pour over zucchini pasta and gently toss mixture until the sauce is mixed throughout.

And enjoy!

Use your favorite sauce just like you would a regular pasta dish. If you prefer a "warmer" dish, heat on the stove using a steamer.

*I used a Benriner Cook Help Spiral Vegetable Slicer

Peek-A-Boo: We Have Kittens!

2011-09-02T09:32:00.000-04:00

Peek-a-Boo!

A few weeks ago, a stray cat (a kitten herself) adopted us and started camping out under our house. She is not only super friendly but sweet as can be. Sarah decided to name her Olive so that we didn't go around saying "the stray cat under the house" all the time. As you can guess, within a week, I could tell she was expecting.

Four of the cutest lil' fur babies...ever! ;) I'm not partial or anything. We think (think) there are 2 girls and 2 boys.

How cute is this one?

Three of the kittens are gray and then there is the Momma Mini Me. Mini Me is the first one to come and check things out.

You want to take us home!

I'm not sure why Miss Olive decided to adopt us but I am so glad she felt secure enough to have her kittens under our home. I look at this as a blessing and an absolute joy to be a part of.

Here is a video of one tired momma and her crew...

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

2011-09-01T09:32:00.003-04:00

Asian Pear

We planted 2 varieties of pears in our garden a few years ago. One of the trees, an Asian Pear, produced some of the sweetest & juiciest fruit. All I have to say about this is...

It was delicious!

I can't resist fruit trees - love and currently have 9 fruit trees in our yard. If I could, I would have a mini orchard of fruits and maybe some nut trees. Blaine ~~has~~ told me we could not possibly fit any more fruit trees in our yard.

After he tasted this juicy sweet goodness, guess what we will be doing this spring?

Every Town Has A Story: The Nashville 9 in Liberty, Kentucky!

2011-08-31T08:51:00.000-04:00

A year and a half ago, 3 guys from Nashville threw a dart at a map - literally - and hit Liberty, KY. They came here for a weekend to listen to people's stories and "find a song". The result was some great memories, a very entertaining documentary, and a beautiful song called "Black Dress".

Reality TV that's actually real.

Blaine is in both clips - he is so cute! Me? In the background (clip 2) hanging out with the crowd - a good place to be.

Welcome to our town...

Finding the Song Full Show Part 1 from The Nashville 9 on Vimeo.

and...

Finding the Song Full Show Part 2 from The Nashville 9 on Vimeo.

xo

Homemade Lemonade: Using Dehydrated Lemons

2011-08-30T10:46:00.000-04:00

I'm back in the kitchen experimenting again!

Today, I'm using dehydrated lemon slices to make lemonade - David's favorite! A few weeks ago, I had bought a bag of lemons, more lemons than I knew what to do with actually. Being in that Waste Not Want Not mode, out came the dehydrator. Boy, do I love that gizmo! Thinking I may need to step it up a bit and purchase an Excalibur Food Dehydrator. <--- Click on the link and let the drooling begin. I would like a black one please with lots and lots of trays.

Here's What I Did

1 handful of dehydrated lemon slices

1 pitcher full of water

sweetner of choice (honey, agave nectar, etc.) and to taste

ice cubes

Stir mixture together and let sit for a few hours.

How simple is that?

It is so much fun playing with food!

A Berry Smoothie Way To Start The Day

2011-08-29T17:29:00.000-04:00

Using what I had on hand this morning, 1 cup of rice milk, 1 apple, 1 banana and 1 handful of frozen blackberries (from our garden). Blend until smooth. Double this recipe and you will have enough for 3 glasses - one for you, one for me and one to share! :)

Get Out(side)!

2011-08-23T20:43:00.001-04:00

(Video Edit: Reloaded the video for better quality. Thank you for letting me know! )

When you are a stay-at-home-mom/dad, it is really easy to get stuck in a rut.

Get up, get out and have some fun!

Walking is a great form of exercise and easy to do! :) Join David and me as we head out with the dogs and walk...

How to Make Pizza - From Dough to Crust

2011-08-21T11:12:00.000-04:00

Making pizza is so fun and so easy. If you have never made your own pizza dough before or were intimated because it involved yeast or had many failed attempts at getting your dough to rise properly - stay with me! We are heading into the kitchen and see just how easy it is to do. :)

First things first: Proofing The Yeast

Next: Making The Dough & Pizza

See?! If I can do this...So Can You! Get in there and give it a try. Let your kids make their own mini-pizza by cutting the dough into fourths and make smiley faces with the fixins. Go ahead! Play with your food and have fun with it! :)

Need More Details

Friday Night is Pizza Night

Share your pizza making adventures with us! If you blog about it, place your link below in the comments so we can find you. You can also share your pictures on The Practical Housewife Facebook page too!

Who is making pizza this week?!

How To Proof Yeast

2011-08-20T12:36:00.000-04:00

If you have ever tried making bread or any type of dough that required rising only to find out (after placing all the ingredients into the mix & waiting the hour) that your yeast did not work...ugh! This can be so frustrating.

Don't give up!

Here is what I do to check (proof) my yeast...

Check the expiration date on your yeast package.
Make sure your water temperature is 105*F to 110*F (some directions will vary on the temperature) - if you don't have a thermometer, use your wrist to check the temp. Basically, you don't want the water to be too hot because that will kill the yeast but warm enough to jump start it.

You can do this!

Some Helpful Links:

Baking Lessons: How to Proof Yeast - Apartment Therapy

How to Proof Yeast - About.com (additional links included)

Spritzing the House

2011-08-19T11:11:00.001-04:00

I love the word spritzing! It is just one of those words that are fun to say. So, not only say it with me but join me as we take about 15 - 20 minutes to freshen up our homes!

Challenge yourself and set the timer for 20 minutes. See what you can get done in that time! Who is with me?!

To show just how long it takes to "spritz" an area...

Spritzing Video - Part 2

Less than 2 minutes. So, no excuses! Get in there and get 'er done!

Up To My Chin In Tomatoes

2011-08-18T13:04:00.000-04:00

Who knew that tomato plants were so prolific. Trust me! One plant will produce more than you can eat. So what to do with all those tomatoes? Well, you can...

can them
juice them
freeze them
save your favorites for seeds

or my favorite ways is to...

eat them straight off the vine thanks to my Uncle
slice them up and make a tomato and cheese sandwich

When I was a little girl, my mother would drive us back home (Virginia) to visit with family for the summer. I remember one time, while visiting my Uncle Marion, he took us out back to see his garden. I remember being amazed at the vegetables actually growing out of the ground instead of being packaged at the grocery store.

As we came up to the tomato plants, Uncle Marion told me to go ahead and pick one and eat it. I looked at him twice like he was crazy. He couldn't believe how much of a city girl I had become. I wasn't going to eat that right off the vine was I?! Yep! Uncle Marion showed me how to rub the tomato off on my shirt and then chomp right in to it! He said there was nothing better than that and boy was he right!

Let me tell you. That was the best tasting tomato! I remember biting into that beef steak tomato and having the juice drip down my chin. It is now my favorite way to eat them - right off the vine.

Now that this big city girl has moved to a rural town where growing a vegetable garden and canning are second nature - I have a lot to learn. If you are new to the whole canning/juicing thing and have been a bit intimidated by it all, don't be! It really is pretty easy. If I can do this...so can you!

Here are a few helpful links that I came across that make canning, juicing, freezing and seed saving doable:

Canning 101: Home Canned Tomatoes

Homemade Canned Tomato Paste

Canning V8-Like Juice

How To Can Tomatoes & Tomato Juice

Saving Tomato Seeds

My Uncle has since passed away but everytime I walk out to my garden and pick a tomato off the vine, I think of him and what he taught me that day. Thank You Uncle Marion!

Cleaning Challenge & Scheduling Changes (Video)

2011-08-15T18:53:00.001-04:00

I have loved the feedback so far on the cleaning challenge this week. What you will find when you start writing down your intentions is things will start to come across your path via articles, Facebook, Twitter and will be the very ideas and inspirations you are looking for.

Also, with school starting for many of us, scheduling can get crazy until you can find a flow or pattern that works for everyone in your house. For us here, I will be keeping things very simplified and not add more stress to the changes we have going on. One thing I will be doing is keeping meals quick and easy.

We would LOVE to have you join us over on the Facebook page. I have set up a community page for us to share links, pictures and videos: The Practical Housewife.

I have more things to share with you this week!

The Pre-Clean: Preparing To Clean House the Night Before

2011-08-14T20:52:00.000-04:00

Make things easier on yourself and put things away before you clean house so that you can focus on "cleaning" and not clearing. Monday is cleaning day for me here and I do more than just the 15 - 20 minute tidy before bed - please see video on the 15 Minute Tidy I do here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edjq09KNMWs.

Pick up, clear off the counters and put things away so that you can easily zip through your cleaning routine.

Check out the blooper at the end of the video. The dogs were playing in the background and poor Otis got knocked over by the girls (Miss Ellie and Miss Anna)!

What do you do at your house to make cleaning easier?

Happenings Around Here: August 13, 2011

2011-08-13T20:23:00.000-04:00

Our oldest daughter turned twenty today...TWENTY! I can't believe it.

Our beautiful girl...Lillian!

The past couple of days have been busy...productive...busy. If you are on the Facebook page (Facebook.com/The Practical Housewife) I posted a video about schedules, penciling them in vs. using pen and being flexible to opportunities that come our way.

Well! Be careful what you say because I had to be very flexible to what lied ahead. I did manage to get a few things accomplished today...

That's it for today! Have a great Sunday with your families!

Quick Tips: Quick, Easy & Healthy

2011-07-13T18:35:00.000-04:00

Unheard of right? In the time it takes for your coffee to brew* you can make this quick, easy and healthy breakfast.

(More videos on The Practical Housewife Channel - be sure to subscribe to get the latest updates!)

Here's What You Need

1 cup liquid (water, juice or milk)
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup granola or sprouted whole grain cereal (see link below)
1/2 cup fruit (diced apples, bananas, raisins or mixed berries)
splash of vanilla (optional)
spices (optional)
natural sweetners (local honey, agave nectar, etc. - optional)

Continue stirring and let simmer (low heat) until heated or desired consistency.

Extras

Ezekiel 4:9 - Sprouted Whole Grain Cereals

Google Search - How to make vegan granola cereal

If you are buying granola at the store - be sure to read the ingredients label!

Recipe for Rice Milk - Heather Nauta (healthyveganrecipes.net)

*Most coffee makers take 5 - 7 minutes to brew a full pot of coffee. No excuses...you can do this!

Quick Tips: Forgot the Clothes in the Dryer?

2011-07-02T12:43:00.002-04:00

How many of us have done this...

(If you have problems viewing or hearing the video - click on the YouTube icon.)

And how is it I know this tip works? Because I continually forget about the laundry! ;) Life gets busy and so do we and it just happens! The great thing is that we don't have to start all over again. Simply add a damp towel to the wrinkled clothes, toss in the dryer for about 5 minutes, take them out, fold/hang-up and you are as good as new.

♥

Quick Tips: Don't Throw Out Those Bananas Just Yet!

2011-06-28T09:37:00.004-04:00

Try this before you throw out those soft, over-ripe bananas...

(If you are experiencing problems viewing/hearing the video, click on the YouTube Icon)

Some Helpful Links

Boo Boo Banana Bread - Bethenny Frankel (I love this girl. Listen out for tips and alternate ingredients.)

100 Things You Can Do With a Banana - who knew there were 100 things you could do with a banana?!

What are some of your favorite recipes using bananas?

Giveaway: Organize Now by Jennifer Ford Berry

2011-06-23T22:45:00.001-04:00

Everyone loves a free giveaway especially when it is practical and something you can really use...

Source: Amazon.com

About The Author

Jennifer Ford Berry is a life organization expert. She has been professionally helping people get their lives organized, both internally and externally, since 2002. She frequently speaks to groups and businesses on various organizing topics. You can read more about Jennifer on her website http://www.jenniferfordberry.com/.

I Want This Book!

Here's how you can win this book...

First Entry: Leave a comment below with one of your favorite organizing tips.*

Second Entry: Go to The Practical Housewife Facebook page and hit the "Like" button and then leave a comment with your favorite organizing tip (it can be the same one you posted on here).*

Third Entry: If you have a blog, post this giveaway with your favorite organzing tip (let me know you did here with a link to your blog - love sharing blogs and tips with everyone!)*

And that's it!

Giveaway ends midnight July 2, 2011!

*PLEASE NOTE: I will need a way to reach you so be sure I can get in touch with you. If your blog is private - I can't reach you. If you don't have an email posted on your About Me profile page - I can't reach you. If you prefer to keep your identity private, drop me a line (thepracticalhousewife(at)yahoo(dot)com) and let me know your username you used on here - so I can reach you! And...I hate to limit this but must: US Residents Only. I will notify the winner (if I can reach you) as soon as possible.

Tuesday Tips: Potatoes - Check Before You Bring Them Home

2011-06-21T16:17:00.002-04:00

Have you ever brought home a bag of potatoes only to discover (after a few days and a rather rank smell coming from your pantry) that most of the potatoes in the bag were rotten? To me, there is nothing worse, aside from that smell, than having to return items back to the store. Here's a little tip (from your goof ball housewife) on checking the bag out and what to look for (and smell) before taking the bag home...

Yep! I'm a definite goof ball! ;)

And One More Thing...

I came across this website that I had to share with y'all. Ray from Produce Picker Blocast has everything and anything you ever wanted to know about produce - from purchasing to storing to cooking - it's all there along with helpful videos too. Gotta love that! Here is a post he did on potatoes...

Choosing and Storing Potatoes and "New" Potatoes

Ray has a great sense of humor and, if this were possible, makes learning about produce pretty fun. If you get a chance, check out the rest of his site. Thank you Ray!

xo

The Versatile Blogger Award

2011-06-15T16:25:00.003-04:00

Adrienne, The Rich Life (on a budget) was so kind to give me The Versatile Blogger Award...

Please visit Adrienne's blog. You will find that she is one beautiful, chic, savvy lady that is truly versatile and well versed in all areas of living a rich and full life. Thank you Adrienne!

Here are the rules for accepting the award:

1) Thank the person who gave you the award.

2) Share 7 things about yourself.

3) Pass on to 15 other bloggers (but I chose 5).

Seven things about me and maybe more than you really wanted to know:

I collect heart shaped rocks and have a few of my finds scattered throughout the house. They just make me smile. When I am visiting a friend's home and come across a rock in their drive-way that is heart shaped, I pick it up and leave it on their front door step as a little surprise for them to find later on.
Last year was the first time I had ever spent the night alone in my entire life. Course, I had all 3 dogs and the cat in the bed with me! ;) That still counts, right? Blaine and the kids were out camping with the church youth group and me, not being a camper, stayed home.
It is very rare that I will read a fiction book. I do try. Really, I do. I just can't get through them. I mainly stick with non-fiction and more specifically books that I can learn something from - health, cooking & self-help. Boring? Maybe or it shows my more serious side.
When I start cleaning the house like a mad woman - stay out of my way! Blaine will tell you that if he walks into the house from work and I'm cleaning like this that momma ain't happy and it is best to just let me do my thing. Cleaning, for me, can be great therapy. You can take the negative energy and turn it into something positive - a clean house! By the time I have finished, I've worked out whatever it was and have moved on.
I am most definitely a Type A or D & I personality (DISC) - when it comes to work or business. I can be very matter-of-fact, goal oriented and bottom line. Nothing personal and I don't take things personally when I'm in that mode. I am a do-it-like-yesterday kinda girl which can come off like a bull in a china shop to some but if you want the job done and I'm on it...consider it done!
When I was taking classes last year and working and doing all the things you still have to do at home, friends would tell me, "Cat, you know you don't have to make an A. Just pass the class and you're done!" In my mind, that "A" is there to be had and I'm going to do everything I can to get it. In one class, I submitted my final paper and received a 98. What?! (giggling) I think I forgot to dot an i or something but it killed me to miss those 2 points.
I don't own a robe - please see Number 5. When I get up (however slowly that may be) I'm up. I get dressed (shorts or yoga pants), pull my hair back and start the day! Being dressed in my workout clothes does two things for me: 1. It puts me in a work mode or get 'er done frame of mind (dressing the part/feeling the part) and then 2. I have no excuse not to work out.

Now to pick others. This was not easy to narrow down to only five. So I thought I would share with you some people you may not have come across before and who I think are real women and in my mind, not only talk it but walk it. They are truly Versatile Bloggers.

Conni - MrsMamaHen.com

Becca - Mama of 10

Lyndsay - The Kitchen Witch

~ B. - Way to Be - B, I know you have already received this award but you are just adorable and had to share your site with others!

Kim - Cheap Chic Home - A new to me blog with lots of how to and ideas.

Ladies, please do not feel obligated to participate (no pressure) - just passing on the love! I hope it brings some people your way and that they learn from you as I have. Thank you for sharing your lives with us!

xo

Tuesday Tips: Remember to Drink Your Water

2011-06-14T20:20:00.002-04:00

A new weekly series here on The Practical Housewife - Tuesday Tips. This week it's all about the water. I will warn you ahead of time, this is not a professional video or professional anything. It's just lil' old me trying to share...

I hope this tip helps you. If you have a suggestion or tip that helps you remember to drink your daily water intake - please leave a comment below or go to The Practical Housewife Facebook page and leave a note there. :)

Daily Water Intake Calculator - How much water should you be drinking?

The Water In You - Interesting information.

If you have a tip you would like to see on here - leave a comment below or drop me a line thepracticalhousewife(at)yaho(dot)com.

xo

Quick Clean-Up Tips

2011-06-13T06:30:00.002-04:00

Family Room

You had a great weekend with your family at home and enjoyed having everyone together. You got to relax, hang out, do whatever - that is what weekends are for.

Fast Forward

Now it is Monday morning and the house looks like a tornado ran through it.

What just happened here?

You are annoyed, grumpy and discouraged - all the above - because now you are the lucky one who gets to clean up the mess.

Where do you even begin?

I can't say this enough but, "Declutter, declutter & declutter some more." It is my mantra and the first thing I tell anyone who asks me about helping them with a cleaning plan for their home. Cleaning or just simple straightening up is so much easier without all the clutter. However, I don't recommend decluttering until a few things are in order - first things first dontcha know.

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time. That is exactly what we are going to do with each room. We are going to tackle one room and one thing at a time. There will be no wandering down rabbit holes. In other words, finish the room/area you are in before you start on another.

That's great Cat but how do I do that?

Our plan of attack: The Mount Vernon Cleaning Plan. Start at the front door and work your way around your house/home/apartment until you come back to your original starting point. For me, the first room I come to (on my right) is the family room. Next the music room. Next is the laundry room - kitchen, dining room, etc.

Family Room

The biggest pieces are where to start first - sofa(s), coffee table and/or end tables, ottoman, etc. Why? Not only because they are the biggest pieces but they are the first things people see when they enter into the room.

Straighten the sofa, cushions and pillows.
Fold any blankets/afghans and put in a basket, across the arm of the sofa or stacked neatly.
Clean off the tables/ottoman of magazines & newspapers (unless you like the doctors waiting room look) and donate the ones that are outdated.
Pick up any items that do not belong in this room and put them away.
Do a quick check of the floor.

That is it for this room. And we are moving right along!

Kitchen

What are the big items in here? The sink? Counter tops? Kitchen table? All the above? I don't know about you guys but we have one area in our kitchen that seems to be a "hot" spot or dumping ground for mail, books, purses and just stuff.

Start with the obvious - the kitchen sink. Clean the dishes and put away. If you have a dishwasher - even better.
Clean off the counter tops, put away items that don't belong on there and wipe down.
Clean off the kitchen table - same as Number 2.
Take a few minutes to attack the hot spot in your kitchen.
Sweep the floor.

Bedrooms

Sometimes, just getting the bed made in the morning can be a huge accomplishment. But now add to it the laundry that has yet to be put away, dirty clothes scattered on the floor and books piled high on the nightstands and you got yourself one messy room. It may look bad now but give it 5 minutes and you will be amazed. Go ahead! Time yourself and see how long it really takes to put things into order.

Make up the bed. I promise you that this alone can make a huge difference.
Clean/straighten the nightstands and dressers.
Pick up dirty laundry and put in the hamper. See?! The room is looking better already!
Put away/hang up clean laundry
Pick up shoes and put in the closet.
Stand back and be amazed!

We are almost there!

Bathrooms

You can have the most sanitary bathroom in the world but walk in when there are wet towels and dirty clothes all over the floor and it will look you didn't clean it.

Hang up or launder any wet towels. Having a hard time figuring out who is leaving the towels on the floor? Give everyone in your house their own colored towel.
Pick up dirty clothes and place in the hamper.
Check the shower/tub for dirty washcloths and close the curtain.
Wipe down sink and counter tops.
Clean mirrors.
Swish the toilet with cleaner and brush.
Shake out floor mat (outside) or run through the dryer to give a quick dry dusting.

Okay. That wasn't so bad...was it?! Just a few minutes in each room is all it takes.

Carpe diem and enjoy!

Forty Plus and Fabulous

2011-06-10T19:00:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago, I entered the Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search contest...

Picture Source: Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search

And, as you can see, I didn't make the cut. I have to say, the ladies who did make it to the semi-finals look absolutely fabulous! Good luck ladies!

Why did I enter? Why not!! You never know. Anything is possible no matter what someone else may tell you - Go For It!

When I was in middle school, I wanted to try out for cheerleading. One of my friends, who was a cheerleader, told me that the cheerleader captain found out that I was going to try out and didn't think I would be very good. My friend told me not to bother trying and that I would never make it. And so, I didn't. After the try outs were over the coach came up to me and asked why it is I didn't go to the try outs - she thought I would have definitely made it and would have been great.

I learned a valuable lesson from that. Never, NEVER be afraid to do what you want to do. Never, NEVER let anyone tell you not to bother trying. Never, NEVER let anyone influence your decisions.

If someone tries to do that to you, call me and I will tell you otherwise! You have to be willing to try even if it is a bit outside your comfort zone.

Okay, so here's the really cool thing...
I get to share with you a $20 Off coupon to apply towards a Miraclesuit purchase at Macys...

Miraclesuit Swimsuit Coupon
Hurry! Offer ends this Tuesday (6/14/11). Coupon can only be used at Macys and not online.

Despite not making it into the semi-finals, I think I am 40+ and Fabulous! *wink*

Book Club Discussion - Introduction (Questions)

2011-06-08T10:46:00.004-04:00

The Practical Housewife Forum is currently reading Living the Savvy Life by Melissa Tosetti and Kevin Gibbons. You can follow along here or join us in the forum for a more in depth discussion.

What I love about Melissa's book is that it gets to the point - no page fillers, no tap dancing around issues & no talking "at" you but "to" you. Life gets busy and trying to find time to read a book can be challenging. When I do get to sit down and read, I don't want someone telling what I should be doing (I already know that!) but tell me "how" to do it. How do I put these things into action in my life?

Please don't make me wade through 20 pages of noise that is either not relevant or is obvious you are just trying to fill up pages. Get to the point already!

[Can you tell I'm a bottom line kinda girl?]

I appreciate how Living the Savvy Life gets to the nitty gritty! This book will get you thinking about how you want to live your life and then doing it. Great job Melissa and Kevin!

Here are the first set of questions from the book discussion...

1. What does being frugal mean to you? (cheap, miserly, savvy, smart...)

2. Do you think frugality is/or has to be an all-or-nothing commitment?

3. Melissa illustrated two different types of women - Average & Savvy. How do you see yourself right now and what characteristics do you share in one or both?

a. What characteristics would you like to change or see a change in?

4. On page 5, Melissa mentions how she studied the habits of people around her. Can you think of someone who has qualities you admire?

a. List what those qualities are:

b. How can you implement them into your own life?

[Please share links/blogs that inspire you to be more frugal/savvy in your life]

5. What part(s) of the Introduction spoke to you and why?

Again, feel free to join us in the discussion on the forum (more personal) or add your thoughts here. What I love about discussions is the sharing. I think we all can learn a lot from one another. Who knows? What you have to say may help another person out. *smile*

List of Edible Foods

2011-06-07T10:33:00.109-04:00

At my house, we have a wide range of food likes and dislikes. And, as y'all may have noticed, I tend to lean towards the vegan, vegetarian and whole foods side. As for the rest of my family - not so much. Trust me, I do try to convert my family over on a daily basis and not with a whole lotta success I might add. If anything, I provide (healthier) food choices for them.

I thought I was being pretty good about adding in the foods that everyone else liked. [Insert a momma size grin here] Apparently I thought wrong!

According to a certain someone (who will remain nameless), I need a little assistance in making out the grocery list!

In case you can't read the list...

List of edible foods you might consider buying before your children starve.

Kraft mac'n'cheese
Pop Tarts
Cheerios
cheese
bread
waffles
corn chips
Strawberry Shortcake ice cream bars
cookies
cherries
pears
apples
Italian Sausage
Chocolate Pudding Mix
Ramen

NOTE: Such things as brussel sprouts, canned mushroom soup, and veggie burgers were not included in this list as they are neither wanted nor edible.

Thank you!

Green Smoothie

2011-06-03T15:13:00.001-04:00

Would you like to find an easy way to get your daily fruits and veggies in? Try making this...

A Green Smoothie!

Trust me! You will never know there are greens in it!

This is a basic green smoothie recipe. I love basic recipes. A basic recipe means you can add, delete or just tweak to your hearts content. It also means that you can...

make it however you want
make it whenever you want (the recipe is so simple - no need to write it down)
make it with whatever you have on hand

Here's What You Will Need:

blender
1 banana frozen*, peeled & sliced
pineapple, cut up into 1" cubes (roughly)
lettuce/spinach or salad (leftover)**
rice or almond milk
aloe juice (optional)

Pour 1/2 cup of milk in the blender, add your banana, 2 handfuls of pineapple, 2 handfuls of greens and a splash of aloe juice.
Blend until smooth or the consistency you like.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

(How easy is that?!)

Options:

Place smoothie mix into ice cube or ice pop molds and freeze for a nice cool treat later on.
To make salad prep easier, buy pre-packaged mixes.
Rice/almond milk can be picked up at your local grocers.

*When your bananas start to go bad, don't throw them out! Place them, peel and all, in the freezer. Using the frozen banana in this smoothie not only keeps your drink cool but adds some thickness too.

**This is a great way to use up that last bit of leftover salad.

Money Lessons For All Ages

2011-06-02T11:00:00.003-04:00

Image Source: Google Images

Melissa Tosetti, TheSavvyLife.com and author of Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman's Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living (the book The Practical Housewife Forum is reading), shared this article about money lessons...

Money Lessons for Every High-School Graduate

The article brings up some very good points about perceptions we may have of others - see item number 3. Another favorite point (item number 5) and a great reason to cut the cable, save your money and quit being influenced by what we see on TV!

It is easy to get "caught up" in it all especially if there is pressure to keep up with the Joneses. Where we used to live, neighbors would often try to out do one another on home improvements, cars, pools - it was crazy. If one had renovated their kitchen it wouldn't be long before the house down the street was doing the same exact thing.

In Chapter One of Living the Savvy Life), Melissa helps us to identify what is truly important to us and then applying it to our lives. We all have different ideas of what is important but if keeping up with the Joneses is what floats your boat - may I throw caution to the wind...

No one ever wins at that game!

If you can, join us in the discussion with the group. I think we will discover a lot about ourselves and find support from others trying to accomplish the same things...

Living a savvy life!

More Links...

106 Money-Saving Tips for a Frugal Lifestyle - zen habits

Money Saving Tips - 75 Painless Ways to Save Money