Mr. Green {Review + Giveaway}

November 7, 2023 By 6 Comments

My cat is my little buddy that is by my side. He likes to get involved in whatever I am doing and since I spend a good majority of my time blogging and working on posts for my blog through recipes and so on, he is right there with me. When I say “right there”, I mean it.

I was melting some chocolate for an upcoming post and he decided he was gonna guard it. Normally, I do not let my cat sit on my kitchen counter and certinally not near my food, but he sneaked up there when I was busy typing away. I came into the kitchen to check on my melted confection and there he was.

I love how much my cat can make me laugh. What I don’t like is [Read more...]

Filed Under: Green Living, Product Reviews

Welcome Autumn with the Heavenly Scent on your Stovetop!

November 2, 2023 By 7 Comments

What scents remind you of fall?

To me, it’s warm scents of cinnamon, apple butter and baking bread.

These scents always makes me feel like Autumn is officially here!Isn’t it amazing [Read more...]

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living, Homekeeping

Casabella {Holiday Gift Guide}

October 30, 2023 By 36 Comments

Living in an apartment with only one room carpeted, a good mop and cleaning routine is very necessary. I have many ways I like to clean my floors, but after being [Read more...]

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living, Homekeeping, Product Reviews

Save your money! Dry your own herbs!

October 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Herbs can be expensive, especially fresh ones. I often find that I buy way more than I could use for one meal.

For dried herbs, you pay a lot. When I need dry herbs, I find myself in the bulk herb section of my local health food store. You don’t pay for packagin, bottles or labels, so the savings in phenominal. However, if you can grow a little herb garden, you can really rake in the savings by drying your own. Some herbs are really easy to dry and just require placing them on a cookie sheet in a dry place.

For this example, I will show you how easy it is with bay leaves.

My mom has a bay leaf plant. (by the way, these plants produce a lot-more than a single person could really need at one time and are easy to care for) and I was given some leaves to have after I ran out the last time I made spaghetti sauce. The process is very simple. All you do is lay them on a cookie tray and set a book on top of them to prevent them from rolling up. In just about 2-3 days, you will find them dried out. Now, the last time I went to buy this same quantity of bay leaves. I found them at around $4.00 for a jar, (cheaper in bulk, obviously) but this way, if you have your own plant, it’s free.

Many herbs can be dried out. Just remember that when using dried vs. fresh, you need about twice as much for optimal flavor.

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living, Homelife

Homesteader’s Cleaning Tips

October 7, 2023 By 1 Comment

I like simple things. In the “olden days” there were simple ways to clean things without all the chemicals and special tools we have in our modern world. While these things have made it easier, I can’t help but wonder how well the old way of cleaning was and how well it worked. I did some research and found some awesome tips to help you keep home that are more from the old way of doing things. I hope you can find one or two things on the list that may make you give them a try!

* Try cleaning your wood floors with cold tea to bring out their shine.

* If you have a greasy pot, try wiping it out with a cloth and using cornmeal to scour. No harsh chemicals needed!

* To keep sink drains (without a garbage disposal) free from odor, pour boiling water and baking powder down them. For sinks with a garbage disposal, boiling water, lemon peels and grind.

* To make a simple disinfectant, use equal parts water and rubbing alcohol and a squirt or two of lemon juice.

* To remove odors from Fridges, try this simple thing I did: Place a bowl of unused charcoal brickets in the center of the fridge. Make sure they are the kind that is not Instant Light. It took about a week, but the odor was gone.

*To clean your microwave, place a bowl of water with a couple drops of some vinegar in it. Heat up the bowl until it foams. This will loosen anything that is stuck.

* To get rid of hard water spots, cut a lemon in half and rub it on the areas.

 

Photo via flickr by Jos Dielis

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living

{Video Review} Soda Stream Review

August 28, 2023 By 5 Comments

This is another video review of mine. I thought it was best to post this as a video review because I wanted to demonstrate for my readers exactly how it works!

We love our Sodastream here. so much so that I actually bought more flavors after we used up all the ones we were sent. We need to replace our carbonizer as well!

Sodastream is a new way to save costs on making soda at home. After figuring out the costs of buying soda here, it was clear to see the Sodastream was a awesome solution to the cost.

I love, too, that the Sodastream is easy on the environment. Think about all the plastic bottles and cans you throw away every year! You could really make a positive impact on the environment by using this system. I also love that the bottles are BPA-free!

I have to be honest, I requested to test out the Sodastream because I already have the competitor’s product, the Flavorstation. I had heard the Sodastream was better and I had to see for myself. I have to say, I agree with the opinion that the Sodastream is better. There are a couple reasons why, which I will compare and contrast for you:

  • The Sodastream has over 60 flavors. The flavorstation does not offer near that many choices.
  • There are several local places I can exchange my co2 Carbonizers in town. Last I had checked, the only way to exchange for the Co2 through the flavorstation’s website was to ship it to them and buy an extra.
  • The Sodastream’s construction is better in my opinion. It seems to be a harder plastic.
  • I like the safety feature of the Sodastream that prevents a person from removing the bottle after carbonization without letting the extra gases out. The first time I used the flavorstation, I nearly blew up the machine because there is an extra step where you have to physically press a release button to let out extra gases. It was easy to forget to do this. With the SodaStream, a person only needs to pull the bottle towards them for unscrewing and the extra gases are released.

There are 2 things I disliked about the Sodastream that I tried that I did like about the Flavorstation:

  • I disliked how the Sodastream was taller and so it did not fit under my cabinets as my flavorstation did.
  • I disliked how large the bottle was for the flavorstation and that it only came with one bottle. I did notice however that Sodastream sells smaller bottles for an extra charge.

Overall, I find the Sodastream to be the winner in the battle of the soda makers!

 

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living, Product Reviews

{Review & Giveaway} Green Shield Elite Care Lavender Laundry Soap

August 17, 2023 By 16 Comments

Since trying to go greener this last year, I admittedly have been reluctant to try some switches with products I have relied on for years. One of these was laundry soap. I was worried the organic kind would not get my husband’s dirty, greasy work clothes clean. I just couldn’t bring myself to take the risk with the cost of products such as these.

I was so happy when I was given the opportunity to try Green Shield’s organic “Elite Care” Lavender Laundry soap.

First, let me say that we do not have a washer and dryer here. We are forced to drag our dirty clothes to the laundry mat. I have found that laundry mat washers and dryers do not do as well as some of those newer washers/dryers.

I was pleasantly surprised by the awesome scent of the soap. It did not smell like that fake lavender scent one often encounters. It literally smelled just like our lavender plant.

I used the soap to clean everything from dedicates to my husband’s dirty work clothes. It worked absolutely well on all of it. I was actually shocked by how well it cleaned my husband’s work pants. He has khaki work pants and the bottoms of the leg are forever grungy. We have tried other products and pre-treated them and not ever had theses results!

I wish I would have been wise enough to take photos at the laundry mat, because the difference is astounding! I have 100% confidence in this product!

Green Shield’s Lavender “Elite Care” Laundry detergent is certified USDA organic. It is free from dyes and perfumes so it is safe for even the most sensitive skin and fabric.

I am officially converted to this product and no longer skeptical of organic laundry detergent!

You can find Green Shield’s “Elite Care” in stores by using the store locator or purchasing online.

 

Want some really great news?? Greenology Products, the makers or the Elite care Laundry Detergent want to give one lucky reader of Saved By Grace a chance to win a Summer Cleaning set that will include the free & Clear Laundry soap, Organic Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Organic Al-Purpose Degreaser plus a T-Shirt! Just enter to win on the rafflecopter below! Giveaway goes live 8/22 and ends 8/28!

 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Green Living, Product Reviews

New uses for the “magic eraser”

August 13, 2023 By Leave a Comment

I am sure most of us have used a Magic Eraser to clean pots and pans, counter tops and refrigerators. But did you know that it really can clean other things you thought were impossible?

Here are some of the things I use it to clean:

Rust. It really will take off rust on just about anything. Of course it takes a bit of elbow grease, but it works wonders!

Do you have hard water spot or stains in cups? It works beautifully on those!

My husband is a but anal retentive when it comes to keeping his white shoes white. It works great on the rubber part.

Clean up your tarnished silver with one.

I have used Magic erasers to clean up spilled nail polish that is dried on.

Get rid of those annoying stickers on new items.

When my daughter was little, I used them to clean marker and crayon off surfaces.

Restore an old Dry erase board with a Magic Eraser.

I have also used them to clean the grill.

If you are unsure where you can use one, do a test spot.

Magic erasers work great to get tomato stains out of plastic storage containers!

By the way, if you want a cheaper alternative, just buy some Melamine Foam, which is all the Magic Eraser is. Its cheap on amazon.com

 

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living, Homelife

Dragonfly Organix

July 22, 2024 By Leave a Comment

 

A while back, I won an organic cleaning and gardening set from Dragonfly Organix and “the Garden Guys” on another blog. I was so impressed, I wanted to tell you all about the products and I wanted to offer a giveaway of my own.

Thankfully, Dragonfly Organics said yes to sponsoring a giveaway and you will be able to enter to win some as the huge prize package on my upcoming giveaway event next week!

The first item I want to talk about is the Dragonfly Organix Odor Eliminator. It was the first item in my prize package that I tried. I used it in my car. I was very surprised how quickly it worked and the fresh scent was nice as well. You can use it to kill odors on contact such as pet or smoke odors.

I also tried the Egg Wipes. Healthier Homestead Egg Wipes are great for someone like me that loves to buy farm fresh eggs from local farmers. They are simple to use and you can use one wipe to clean about 2 dozen eggs. What I really love is they are able to be tossed in the compost pile because they are environmentally safe.

Next, I tried the Dragonfly Organix All-Purpose Cleaner. It really does clean well and leaves afresh scent behind. It works great on grease. It is safe for use around kiddos and pets and has no petroleum solvents.

Last, as I started my gardening, I used the Garden Guys Garden Neem on my vegetables. It is environmentally safe as a form of pesticide and kills many common pests. I have found that it works well and I feel safe using it.

 

 

Filed Under: Green Living, Product Reviews

Quick,Easy Ways to re-use throw-aways!

July 17, 2024 By Leave a Comment

 

I have been in a financial bind for a long time. This is good in the way that it helps me to be more frugal and creative! It is my passion to not let things go to waste!

I have found several ways to create wonderful, useful things from common throw-aways. I would like to share a couple with you, my readers!

 

Make a Watering Can from an old milk jug:

Super easy! Just poke some holes with a nail in the top of a milk jug’s cap and Voila! a watering can! Make the holes as big or as small as you want to control water flow.

Don’t throw away those grated cheese containers! instead make a carpet deodorizer! Just mix baking soda with a dry powdered spice of your choice like cinnamon or cloves. Sprinkle it on your carpets, vacuum and deodorize!

Use plastic pop bottles to make seed starter pots. Simply cut the bottoms off and poke holes in the bottom, fill with dirt and plant seeds.

Reuse coffee cans for cooking grease.

Do you buy bottled water? Use those bottles for lunchbox ice packs! Fill with water or koolaid, freeze and use to keep lunch cool. By the time lunch rolls around, it will be thawed and the food will still be cool.

Make your own Croutons with stale bread! Cut into squares, put in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, add seasoning such as oregano, basil and pepper and gently toss. Bake on a cookie sheet at 325 degrees for 5-10 minutes until crispy. Use for casseroles and salads.

Reuse non-aresol hairspray bottles to make your own leave in conditioner. simply rinse out, add a bit of your favorite conditioner and water down. Spritz some on wet hair and go!

Make Garden markers out of used plastic silverware. Label them with a permanent marker and stick on soil.

 

I hope these tips have been helpful! What do you reuse in unique ways?

 

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Green Living
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