post number 800
This is my 800th post. I must start thinking of something brilliant to post about for number 1000 – later this year.
For this entry, I wanted to fill you in on a couple of items I received for Christmas that I think are fabulous. So fabulous that I received two of some items!
I received the book “Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home.” I actually received two copies of this book and we’re still trying to figure out how to return one copy (on Amazon you have 30 days to return, and my husband bought the book in November.) My mom also gave me a copy of the book. She has an older version which I envy. It has instructions on how to clean your home with simple products that don’t involve bleach. My mom makes her own laundry soap – how cool (and cheap) is that? One of my goals this year (that I didn’t make an “official” resolution) is to be a lot more green, and I want to do that with the help of this book.
The other item I’m excited about is my food dehydrator! We’ve used it for over a week straight. Again, my mom had one for years while I was growing up. She used to dry all types of fruits and herbs (she still does.) A few months ago, the husband wanted banana chips and we spent about $6 for a small container at the grocery store. This weekend I spent about $2 and am making more than what that small container provided us. They have no added ingredients, so while they may not look as pretty as processed foods, they taste great! We’ve also made lots of dried apple chips (we’re almost out again. Must make more tonight.) And I’ve dried catnip for Chloe (that stuff is EXPENSIVE at the store!) I grew the catnip this summer, in hopes that I could either user my mom’s dehydrator, or that I would get one of my own. This weekend I also started drying pears. They should be ready tonight. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
So there you have it. My 800th post and a few of my favorite things. I’m curious to find out if anyone else has the book or the dehydrator, and their thoughts and tips!
What soap does your mom use for the laundry soap? and where does she get it? I make my own too, but I am having a hard time finding the soap I need for it.
Let me know how the dried pears turn out, I have my mother-in-law’s dehydrator on loan and am trying to think about all of the things I want to dehydrate.
Stephanie, My mom uses fels naptha. I bought a lot of the bars in New York this past summer. Not sure when I’m going up there again, but I found it in a grocery store. I’ve read online you can buy it at Ace Hardware (and if I find it in Asheville, I’ll let you know.)
Shannon, Hold off on the pears. My first batch did not go well. I can barely bite into them (and they’re thing) and they have very little flavor.
I will check at Ace. I haven’t been able to find it in any of the grocery stores here.
that book sounds fabulous! im trying to go green bit by bit. i’ll have to look for it in the bookstores! will you do a review for us?
food dehydrators always make me think of yummy homemade fruit rollups. yum! š
I’ll definitely review the book as I read it. The cool thing that I’ve found with this book is that you don’t necessarily have to read it in order. I’ll keep you updated š (And I haven’t seen it in bookstores, only online…check for it on Amazon!)