My "boredom buster" that brings me some "play" money. Check it out! :)

7/7/11

I Just Won 8 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

I Just Won 8 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com
My search was for "Google Plus"! I'll gladly share an invite with whoever posts a comment here after I get one myself. :)

6/23/11

How to Store Food Properly in the Freezer and Fridge

lifehacker.com
Most of us have probably thrown out food due to spoilage, but regularly doing this is terribly wasteful and expensive. Thankfully, you can safely preserve the quality of your food and make it last longer by learning a few food storage techniques. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when storing food, such as: how to safely handle food to prevent foodborne illness, the types of containers you use, and how long foods normally last in the fridge or freezer. Here are some guidelines from the USDA (and, where noted, other sources):

7 Time-Saving Kitchen Tips

www.wisebread.com
You don't spend years working in professional kitchens without picking up time savers. Learn easy ways to speed up your cooking with some restaurant biz tips.

13 things that are free at the library!

money.msn.com
If it has been a few years or a few decades since you've ventured into your local library, you're going to be very surprised by what you find. No longer are these dusty institutions of quiet corners, musty books and stern librarians. They are home to bestsellers, coffee carts, teen rooms, community, and civic gatherings. 
 
The bottom line
Obtaining a library card is simple. Visit the library, fill out a card application, present identification, and you have instant, free access to a world of information. Check out your local library for some amazing programs and unbeatable bargains this summer.

How to lower your blood pressure

www.stopagingnow.com
Improving this single risk factor could reduce hypertension rates enough to dramatically lower cardiovascular risk and heart attack deaths.

6/7/11

Ground Beef Recipes


I'm always on the lookout for recipes like these. If you have any, please share them in  a comment below. :)

Also, go to Deep South Dish's Facebook page & "like" it!

How to: Grill the Perfect Burger!

lifehacker.com
For something so simple and easy to make, a good hamburger can be difficult to find. Thankfully, the trick to grilling a delicious and perfectly cooked hamburger isn't a mystery.
Adding my own 2 cents... Make up your own patties using a lean ground beef and add 1 cup oats (regular but I'm thinking of giving the maple syrup/brown sugar flavor a try!), 1 egg, 2 Tbsp. dried minced onion, 1/2 cup ketchup & a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce.  You could use anything in place of the oats. My dad used to crush up saltine crackers to put in his patties as well.  Not only does it stretch the meat to feed more people but it gives the burger a nice texture.  My husband LOVES to add the McCormick Grilling Mates Seasoning to the mix!  These burgers are awesome!

DIY - Washing Soda

A neat blog full of useful household tips/ideas. :) This particular link goes to a page on how to make washing soda out of baking soda. For some people it's not available locally so I finally came across a way to make our own! :) (Or of course you could buy it from Amazon. lol)

myblessedhome.blogspot.com

DIY - Homemade Butter

thenaturallivingsite.com

 Also, I love this tutorial by Christy Jordan. Her cookbook is by far one of the best I've ever bought so far. It's the only one I've ever read every page of! Each recipe reminds me of my dad's wonderful home cooking. :)

How to: Display the Tiniest Flowers Kids Pick for Mom

How cute & easy! My kids are always picking tiny flowers for me so now I know how to display them! :)

46 Smart Uses for Salt

www.mnn.com
Put this versatile, nontoxic mineral to work around your home.

DIY - Upside Down Tomato Planter (Topsy Turvy)

lifehacker.com
www.wisebread.com
There are a myriad of ways to increase health and happiness without spending a bunch of money. Here are 25 of healthy changes you can make today.

10 Reasons to Drink Tea

It's not surprising how much I love the website, WiseBread! Here's another great post from them.

www.wisebread.com
From warming you up to soothing your stomach to protecting you from cancer and more, there are a lot of good reasons to drink tea.






www.wisebread.com
Stressed out by the economy? Here are 99 ways to de-stress that are free, or virtually free.

Water is the best drink for your body to stay hydrated. Since adults are supposed to drink 6 - 8 glasses a day, who says it has to taste boring? 

Freebies & Samples

Walmart samples
Sam’s Club samples
Target samples
Kroger samples

What $1 Will Buy These Days

www.wisebread.com
What can you buy today for just $1? From used books to houses, here are some ideas for ways that you can spend your one dollar bill.

4 Cheap & Easy Homemade Mosquito Repellents


www.wisebread.com
When summer hits, the mosquitoes start swarming. Here are several easy, cheap, and chemical-free recipes for making homemade mosquito repellent.

Layered Tortilla Casserole Recipe


www.cdkitchen.com
A recipe for Layered Tortilla Casserole containing (8-inch) tortillas, refried beans (optional), salsa, chicken breast strips or ground beef. The oven temperature was left off but I'm guessing 350 to 375 would work. ;)

How to: Extend Life of Razor Blades


lifehacker.com
You know those little packets that you often find packed in a shoebox or with a moisture-sensitive gadget? The ones that say "Don't Eat" and "Throw Away"?

DIY - Soda Can Fish Hook


lifehacker.com
So you're out on the lake, and you've remembered to the beer but forgotten the food. Luckily, you can snag yourself a couple of fish by fashioning your can tab into a fish hook. Whether you're on the run trying out escape Skynet's army or you've just forgotten the hooks on your weekly fishing trip,.

Very Handy Grocery Shopping List Helper!

This site is so handy if you're trying to shop with coupons! It takes the headache out of figuring everything out. Just click what you want to include on your shopping list, acquire the coupons, and head to the store!

www.southernsavers.com
Saving Money with Grocery Deals, Weekly Ads, Printable Coupons, at your favorite stores! Stores include: Publix, Kroger, CVS, Walmart, Target and more!

Home-made Ice Cream in a Bag


Here's a really easy way to make homemade ice cream that even the kids can get involved in! (Click the above link for recipe.) Experiment with it and make your own tasty creations. :)

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