Several years ago I started having severe allergy problems. I suffered numerous sinus infections a bout with bronchitis and relied on a daily dose of allergy medication. This nightmare with allergy issues began sometime around the time of my first pregnancy. During the pregnancy, I attributed it to the pregnancy. Afterward my son was born I continued to have problems and take meds. This went on for about 8 years.
Like many women I love a clean house. One of my favorite smells was the scent of lemon scented Pine-Sol. My husband and I used it for all of our general cleaning. I just felt like my home was really clean if I smelled that scent. Along with the Pine-Sol, my hubby loved to give the carpet a sprinkle of carpet freshener. About two years ago I realized my symptoms were much worse immediately after a good cleaning. I also suffered from problems associated with a chemical used to strip floors at my workplace. Once I realized the Pine-Sol seemed to make my allergies worse I did a little research on more natural cleaners.
I started using vinegar, peroxide and baking soda for most of my cleaning task. Sometimes I use lemon scented ammonia. Since we moved into our current house, I have never used any pine-scented cleaner in my home. Thank goodness we have lots of hard surfaces and less carpet. We rely only on vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and sometimes a little ammonia. These cleaners are very inexpensive and make my life easier. We even use vinegar on the carpets when we rent a carpet cleaner. I have been allergy free for about two years.
I’ve tried several of the more natural products, but they are very expensive. My favorite is the Method (sold at Target) furniture polish- it has a light almond scent. I also love candles, but the Yankee Candle Store sends me into a sneezing fit. Thank goodness I have no aversion to scented Tide because I like a little scent on my clean laundry. If you or your children suffer from similar issues do a little experimenting with your cleaning products.
I don't know about you, but I have an obsession with having a very clean kitchen sink. I go to great lengths to keep it stain free and the faucet very shiny. As I was cleaning today, I wondered if other people have the same obsession or if it is some other part of the home they must constantly clean.
Maybe the obsession started in home economics class. Before we could dive into the chocolate chip cookie lab we had to learn to clean our kitchens. My teacher found great pleasure in a clean sink. We had to scrub the sink with baking soda or Bar Keeper's Friend, rinse, dry and then polish the faucet and drain with Windex.
I must admit when I visit the homes of other people I notice the kitchen sink. I don't want to seem judgemental, but I just know the potential that lies beneath all of the food and drink stains. While visiting, I've even been known to search out the cleaners hidden underneath the sink and scrub until it shines. Just ask my sister. I am really obsessed. It gives me great pleasure to remove all of the grit and grime only to be left with SHINE. Don't worry if I come to visit- just leave out the baking soda and Windex and I'll get to work.
Thanks for letting me tell my dirty little secret!
When I picked up my daughter from school yesterday I found a note pinned to her little pink backpack. This is the customary method for my daughter's teacher to deliver messages and information. I opened the note and read to find out starting next week my sweetheart will come home with a bag containing a book and suggested activites. This is the dreaded "parent homework" I detest. As hubby and I complete each of the activities we are to verify our participation and return the bag and contents by a specified date so our little sweet will be rewarded for our good deeds. What!!!! Not to mention the activities are nothing more than scripted parenting. My husband was extremely turned off to read the suggestion he play the role of a child "trick or treating" while our sweetie plays the adult. This activity goes with the book Halloween and we would do the activity to teach safety related to "trick or treating". I guess the creators of this activity think we would actually allow our child to go "trick or treating" by herself. When I found examples of the activities online and showed hubby- let's just say I can't repeat what he said. I can't imagine how much money was spent on these useful educational tools.
Up next- the State of Our Union
A couple of months ago I posted some information about the supper club co-op some friends and I tried several years ago. Since then a friend requested I post a few recipes for "Sunday Cooks". Here are a few of my favorites:
Baked Spagetti
1 jar premade spagetti sauce ( you can make your own if you wish)
1 lb. ground beef
8 ounces uncooked spagetti
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese
Bring water to a boil and cook spagetti noodles according to directions. Brown ground beef in a skillet. You might choose to add onion and bell pepper. If so saute w/ground beef. Drain fat from ground beef. Add sauce to ground beef and simmer. Cover the bottom of a 9x9" pan w/sauce. Add a layer of pasta, then half of the cheese; repeat layers (minus cheese), ending w/sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and continue to cook until cheese melts and bubbles. If you want to freeze, prepare as directed w/exception of 30 minutes of oven time. Place in freezer and thaw before baking. Bake 30 to 45minutes at 350 degrees.
Chicken Enchiladas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can rotel tomatoes/chilis
1-8oz package cream cheese, cut up and softened
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and chopped
4- 8 inch tortillas
4 oz. grated monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup milk
jalapenos
Saute onion in oil in a skillet over medium heat. When onion is tender add rotel. Saute until warm. Stir in cream cheese and chicken; cook, stir until cheese melts.
Spoon chicken mixture onto center of each tortilla. Fold tortillas and place seam side down in 8.8' square pan. Sprinkle cheese on top of wrapped tortillas. Pour milk over cheese. Place jalapenos over cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. I have also combined taco sauce w/cream of mushroom soup and substitued for milk.
Chicken Tetrazzini
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
16 oz. milk
4 oz. canned mushrooms
1- 10 1/2 oz can cream of mush soup
2 oz. pimentos
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked and shreadded, or one rotissere chicken shredded
2 cups chicken broth
16 oz egg noodles, cooked according to directions
1/4 lb grated cheddar cheese
In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter: add flour and seasonings; add milk slowly, stirring constantly until thickened. Add chicken broth, mushrooms, soup, pimento and diced chicken. Mix noodles w/sauce, tossing gently. Pour mixture into a 9x13" pyrex casserole dish. Sprinkle w/cheese and paprika. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20-30 minutes until heated. Make about 12 servings.
*I usually make this in two 8x8" pans and freeze one before baking. Thaw from frozen state and cook according to the recipe when ready to serve.
Jalapeno Corn Quiche
1 unbaked 9-inch pastry shell
3 slices bacon
1/2 cup chopped onion
1-17oz can cream style corn
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers seeded and finely chopped
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
jalapeno slices
Place plastry shell in a pie plate/quiche dish if not purchased in pan. Prick bottom and side w/fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 3 minutes and prick w/fork again. Bake 5 minutes. Let cool on cooling rack. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp; remove bacon, reserve 1 tbsp. drippings. Saute onion in bacon drippings until tender; drain well. Combine onion and next 8 ingredients; mix well; pour into pastry shell. Crumble bacon and sprinkle on top of quiche. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until set. Garnish w/jalapeno slices.
*I've used the jalapenos you purchase in a jar (pickle aisle) if I don't have access to fresh jalapenos.
One of my favorite parts of blogging is learning about all of the unique stuff available for purchase. Just had to share some of my favorite things.
Favorite cookbook to give as a gift: Southern Entertaining for a New Generation by Rebecca Lang. Rebecca and I grew up in the same South Georgia town. Great book for newlyweds. She has a new book coming in Spring 2010. Link to her website:
http://rebeccalangcooks.com/ Favorite new gift to give: engraved stemware at Whitewash Sundries. Learned about this etsy seller from Southern Hospitality Blog. Love the wine glasses w/intial or numbers.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhitewashSundries Favorite personalization: This past summer I was looking for personalized lunchboxes and was introduced to Laurie's Lagniappe. She has wonderful gifts for everyone in the family. Lunchboxes, stickers, sippy cups, personalized platters, tumblers, etc. The lunchboxes I ordered were too cute. Can't say enough about the packaging. I will definitely order more from this company. Link:
http://www.laurieslagniappe.com/store/Default.asp Favorite little girls' clothing: Last spring I was invited to a trunk show for Loblolly Lane. I was so surpised at the reasonable prices. Check out the adorable fabrics and dresses for little girls. They also have skirts for women.
Reuben Casserole (serves 6)
12 ounces corned beef, chopped (I use cold cuts or deli corned beef)
2 cups rye bread, cubed
1 -16oz can sauerkraut, drained
1-8oz bottle Thousand Island dressing
6 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a casserole dish w/Pam. Layer half of each ingredient in order listed. Repeat. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.
Just before Christmas I discovered a wonderful Blue Cheese Dressing recipe. I really like it because it makes a quart which can be used on several occassions. The dressing is also not your average creamy blue cheese, but instead a vinegar base dressing. Took salad and the dressing to several parties and got many request for the recipe. Enjoy!
Blue Cheese Dressing
½ pint cider vinegar
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 pint Wesson oil
2 tablespoons sugar
20 stuffed olives, sliced
2 teaspoon capers
¼ lb blue cheese, mashed
1 clove garlic, minced
½ pint tomato ketchup
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Worcestershire
Heat vinegar and bouillon cubes over medium heat until cubes are completely dissolved. Add remaining ingredients. Store in refrigerator. Must be stirred each time you serve.
Makes 1 quart or more
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