Organizing Household Appliance Manuals

Do you have a junk draw stuffed with instruction booklets and manuals for your household appliances?  I used to store them in a cupboard and every time I removed one - 10 came spilling out.

Recently we bought a new entertainment cabinet and has more storage than our old so I decided to use it for all those manuals.

I took a basket, a box of  gallon size ziplock bags and marker to organize them better. I labeled the bags with rooms in our house.  I took all the kitchen appliances manual and placed them into the coordinating bag.  Some manuals such as the one for our TV - had lots of little parts and booklets - so those I did in a single ziplock. They are all now in the basket. I have kitchen appliances first in the basket, because I tend to get into those manuals more often - such as when it is time to clean the oven or coffee maker.

Do you have a way you organize those manuals? I would love to hear how others organize them.

2012 Year in Review - January through June

Thank you for reading Domestic Servitude.  Just thought I would take a moment to highlight the posts that were popular in 2012. As always if you have a suggestion please feel free to comment or email danae at danaewhispering@yahoo.com.

January
Edible Massage Lotion  - recipe for natural homemade edible massage lotion by katie
Rice and Sausage Casserole - recipe for a really good and easy casserole
Guest Post: Review of ToodleDo - guest post reviewing a task list app

February
Guest Post: Pack like a Pro & Other OCD Tips - exceptional post on packing like a pro
Dirty Laundry - laundering tips from Jouet
How to Wash Pillows - pillows need to be washed and this post gives steps and tips to wash them

March
2 Week Menu Plan - kaya shared a 2 week menu plan with reviews of recipes
Cleaning Your Computer - this post explains how to clean the outside of your computer
Spring Cleaning - links to printable lists to help in spring cleaning

April
You Turkey - a slow cooker recipe for turkey from kaya
Tips for Vacuum Care - keeping your vacuum in shape helps extend its life
Review for Eco-Friendly Cleaners -  Dahpne reviews 4 eco-friendly products

May
Tacos a New Way - a recipe that is different from regular old tacos
Community Shared Agriculture - Jen does some posts on her weekly CSA haul and this was the first in the series
Easy Peasy Corn Squeezy - kaya shares her easy method of cooking corn on the cob

June
Simple yet Delicious Breakfast - Jen shares her recipe for making popovers
Crockpot Honey Chicken - recipe for the slow cooker
CSA - Week 5 - Jen sharing her CSA haul and a recipe to use strawberries

July through December coming up tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Cleaning the Kitchen Trash Can

Even with a trash bag in your trash can liquid and food particles can escape and cause nasty things to grow and create bacteria that not only smell nasty but produce things we don't want to touch or breath . Every time I change the trash bag out, I spray my normal all-purpose cleaner on the inside and outside.  It has disinfecting properties to it.  I let it air dry before putting in a new bag.

But every so often (about once a month to every 6 weeks), I wash and do a more thorough cleaning of the trash can. This will not only work for your kitchen trash can but all the other trash cans in your home. When cleaning the trash cans I bring to the curb, I just do this process but outside with the hose.

We have a shower that as detachable sprayer/hose so that it isn't fixed position. I use the sprayer on it to rinse off with hot water.  I  fill it up about 1/3 of the way with hot water and liquid dish soap and let it soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.  Then take a scrub brush to it and give it a good cleaning.   Making sure I get all the corners, around ridges and the lip of the trash can.

If you don't have a shower you can use, then use your tub and a pitcher to fill with water and pour over your trash can.   You can also use the outside hose even though it isn't hot water working with all purpose cleaner and soap will get it clean.  

After you have washed it in the shower (or tub or outside), let air dry or pat dry.  Then spray with an disinfecting all-purpose cleaner and either dry with a towel or allow to air dry.  You can also leave it to dry in the sun and the sun will help in destroying any other lingering bacteria.

Shhhhh!

We always are trying to do it find ways so that can make our room more soundproof.  We don't have kids or anything but well the houses in our neighborhood are close together. If our neighbor is standing in her yard, there is no doubt she can hear us...well me moaning and screaming during sex. Not like I can go and hand my neighbors some headphones and say "we are having sex tomorrow please be aware there will be lots of screaming and moaning." I guess I could but not sure it would go over well. 


Here are a few ways to help eliminate some of the sound....
1. Trees - Trees and bushes planted around your property can create a natural sound proof barrier.  Even just planting some in front of your windows help sound proof.   It helps absorb the sound coming into your house as well as out.  


2. Make MORE noise -  such as tv or music. Or better yet have a fountain or white noise machine.  Also are you worried about your tv and music making too much noise?  Make sure they are off the flloor - speakers on the floor vibrate and spread the noise. If they are sitting on top of something it helps absorb some of the vibrations and sound. 


3. Doors - Get solid wood doors as the sound waves won't travel through those as much as they do through the hollow ones.  Also place weatherstripping around the doors leading outside.


4. Electrical Outlets - When electrical outlets are inserted into wall spaces they usually have big gaps around them that are covered by the outlet cover. So remove your outlet covers, fill in the space around the electrical outlet with acoustical caulk, and then replace the cover after it has set. 


5. Holes and Cracks - Like the electrical outlets there are lots of other holes and cracks in walls.  Check around windows and doors, pipes and wires, heat vents, and light switches.  You can fill any the cracks with an appropriate filler like insulation, foam or acoustical or silicon caulk.  To find holes and cracks turn out your lights and see where light flows into the room and those are your spots where noise escapes. 


Of course there are some more expensive and serious ways to sound proofing a room such as using double drywall with a special glue between the pieces that helps absorb noise. Or insulating or using mass-loaded vinyl.   Just make sure you research before putting lots of money and time into soundproofing. 

Tips for Vacuum Care

I once read an article in a magazine that was listing real life house cleaning horror stories from people.  I read one about a woman, who was a newlywed, spilling tuna fish on the floor so she just vacuumed it up.  Several weeks later her and husband smell something that wasn't pleasant.  They searched and finally realized it was coming from the vacuum. When the opened it up, it was...well let's just say gross.  Anyway....on to the actual subject of this post....

Your vacuum will start losing suction the fuller it gets which makes it work harder.  The motor then has to work harder too and can create wear and tear on your vacuum.

These are just a few tips to make help in extending the life of your vacuum cleaner.

As always first look in the manual for your vacuum cleaner to get full instructions on cleaning and changing the bag. If you can't find your manual, do a search online for your model number online via google search or youtube.

So just a few tips...
*  Run the vacuum for about 30 seconds before you are going to change the bag so that it sucks up the dirt and particles left in the hose.

*  Before pulling a disposable bag out, place a piece of duct tape or packing tape over the hole that connects to the vacuum so that when you pull it you don't get a lot of dust spread back into the room.  Before removing a reusable bag, bring the vacuum outside to work so that you don't get dust spread around.

*  If you have a reusable bag or filter in your vacuum, clean it and then make sure it is completely dry before placing.

* Wipe exterior of spills on vacuum to avoid unpleasant smells and sticky messes.

*  Wrap the cord neatly so that it doesn't cause tangles which can cause breaks in the wires.

*  When changing a vacuum bag, check the vacuum hose to make sure there are no obstructions visible from the end.  Also check all the brushes and attachments to make sure there isn't debris obstructing the suction.

*  Check for cracks in attachments and hoses regularly.

*  Clean all brushes and attachments - make sure there isn't any dust or sticky build up that can be spread across or cause marks on your floors.

*  Clean the wheel - removing debris, obstructions and things tangled around it - such as hair and string.

*  Store all brushes and attachments on the vacuum so that you always know where they are when cleaning.

* Change out the bag every month or 2 if you have kids and pets. Otherwise 2 to 3 times a year is all that will probably be needed. If you are having problems with the vacuum picking things up, check how full the bag is by looking at the bag and feeling the fullness.

Spring Cleaning

It is Spring Cleaning time and I am sick as in actually not feeling good. I mean sicker then I have been in 10 or more years. It is driving me crazy as I really was all ready to tackle my Spring Cleaning lists. We have a very special someone coming to visit us in April so I wanted all my Spring Cleaning to be done and things to be organized and refreshed in the house.  I have been sick a lot this year already, so has put me behind schedule in my normal cleaning routines. I haven't been able to clean like I usually do on a daily basis so things add up.  I mean simple things that are just part of my routine like filing are stacked so they are falling over into a bigger mess. I usually shred things 2 to 4 times a year and I haven't at all since last Spring. So I am behind and it is driving me crazy (luckily this last year didn't have that much shredding so the pile isn't completely out of control).  I am hoping today that I can get some filing done because at least it doesn't require a lot of moving around which has been creating coughing attacks.

But in the mean time while I heal and get healthy,  I am sharing with you some Spring cleaning lists, how-to guides, and just some general tips and tricks to maybe help you in your Spring Cleaning.

Spring Cleaning lists...
Living Areas
Dining Room
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bathroom
Closets and Laundry Room
Basement, Attic and Garage
Outside


How-to...
Cleaning the Toaster
Cleaning the Microwave
Cleaning Your Computer
Washing Pillows
Cleaning your Dishwasher
Folding Towels
Folding Fitted Sheets Video and Folding Sheets photos (plus to ways to fold to store them neatly)



Tips...
Overhaulin  - some spring cleaning tips
Spring Cleaning Tips - links to more spring cleaning lists too
100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - a great source for if you are recycling and need places to donate or dispose of items
A Quicker Clean House
5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Clean
Tackling the Endless To-Do List

Friday Favorites

Declutter Calendar 2012 - I could just link to the calendar. I have signed up for it and got the link but this person wants you to sign up so real easy - email and name. And if you haven't already create an email for things like that you sign up for that you don't necessarily want to spam your regular email account.  I have an account that I give whenever a store or restaurant wants an email address to get coupons.  I use it for these kind of things too. Anyway - the calendar is great each day it just has one thing like January 10th is "Clear off the top of a nightstand",  April 13th is declutter cookbooks and each day has tasks like those.

52 Weeks to an Organized Home - another of the same vain as above.  You can sign up to have it delivered to your email but if you scroll beyond that there is the link to the post for each week. 

31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget - just as the title says. Posts help you to a better grocery budget.

Creating the Perfect Plans by TinyBuddha -  Just a good life lesson on things not always working out and being perfect.

Granola Bars - looks like a good recipe for Granola Bars

Apps to Help your Domestic Service

We are geeks in this household so we utilize our smartphone and iPad to help with day to day life . 

All the apps are either linked to their website which has a link to the app or the iTunes store.  But please google the name if you want to see it has an app for other devices such as Blackberry or Android.  We use a AppAdvice to get most of our apps for free (this is geared to iPhone and iPad but again google for name of app for use on other devices.) Things that normally charge will do free for limited time so please bookmark this site as a resources to find apps.  They also have an AppAdvice app - which is how we actually use/read it and I find it is worth price. But view the website not just the above link but the whole website for a while and see what you think.   

Productivity
For a to-do list/task list organizer - Toodledo - it is a great tool. It has customizable alarms, you can set priority levels on them and break the projects down into tasks, you can share with others, it has folders, tags, contexts, subtasks and more to organize, search and sort through your tasks. It also syncs with Google calendar and gmail. 

Reference
Skygrid - basically really powerful newsfeed. If you are needing to find something out on the web and having problems, put that topic in and it will take some time - usually a day and start pulling in everything it finds on the topic. It is really good to if you don't have time right now but let it pull stuff in and then when you are sitting in a doctors office or have 10 mins you can browse through the things it found on the topic you were needing.

Dropbox - sharing files anywhere. It has been an amazing tool for us for business but we use it when we sit just with a wall between Master and my office because it is so easy to use it for sharing files. You just drop and drag to a folder that is on your computer and it will upload it to be shared with those you specify.  There is a little pop-up notification on the toolbox when someone has shared something with me. You then will also be able to access it anywhere because it is saved up in the cloud. So I can save a list of household needs and measurements and when out and about, I can access it.

Evernote - Take a note of anything. I like it because I can save websites, news articles and things I know might not be there at some point but evernote will save it for me forever as long as I want it. I can then access it anywhere. So if I read a great article online about wine, I save to evernote and when shopping for wine pull it up up on evernote.

HowCast - videos on How-To.  How to do almost anything.


Free Wi-Fi Finder - just what says

Remember that many magazines will give you issues via their app for free if you have a (paper) subscription to them. I have Martha Stewart's Living and Everyday Food and love the issues on the apps as they have extras like videos or more photos.  It is nice to read the recipe right on the iPad instead of trying to keep my magazine open on the counter or ripping it out.

Saving Money
Gasbuddy.com has an app that we use all the time to find the cheapest gas. The other night Master saved 14 cents a gallon not traveling very far down the road to get it either.

The Coupon App- pretty much says it in the title what it is huh? :)

Barcode Scanner - it is for the Andriod but Gizmodo has a list of barcode scanners for other devices too. You can scan barcodes or data matrixs and then the app will find you the lowest price. 


Menu Planning/Shopping Lists
PepperPlate.com - Not only a great website but has an app too so you can access everything you have on PepperPlate.com.  Pepper Plate has a place to store recipes easily from their recommended sites as well as other sites. You can create shopping lists, menus and it also has a planner.  From the home page - it looks like the app allows you to set timers and has a feature so your iPad won't dim when you are using to read a recipe while cooking.   I have been only using it for a couple weeks but love everything I have used it for so far - and just love the interface.

GroceryIQ & NutritionIQ  - Grocery IQ is a great app for creating shopping lists. You can have multiple stores, add details such as size, price and quantity, organize by aisle, has barcode scanning and predictive searches, print or email coupons and it can share with multiple devices and syncs the lists to them so if maybe you went shopping that day and then later one after work another member of your household stops by grocery store and they will be able to see an updated list.  Nutrition IQ isn't as powerful as Grocery IQ but gives you categories of food - nutritious foods and you can click on a category such as fiber and it will list all nutritious foods with fiber. You can then add them to a shopping list and it has the ability to check them off as you shop just as Grocery IQ does. 

Around the House
Handyman App - it is from the magazine The Family Handyman.  It has some old issues to flip through on it but if you want current issues you have to pay for them. The old issues they have available are full of great information though. You can read the forums and blog on the app too.  The forums are full of problems and solutions.

Good Housekeeping @ Home - has stain buster, do-it-all cleaning tips, home decor gallery and news & tips.

ColorSmart by Behr - it has a feature if you use with iPad2 or phones with cameras - where you can take a photo of your room and then upload it  so that change the paint  so you can see how it would look. ColorSnap is the Sherwin-Williams app that is like Behr. SnapShop is a similar app but for furniture. 

Houzz - is basically for inspiration when I want to redecorate or when I start thinking of our dream home and want more ideas. But it is just a gallery of photos that you can save and make notes on each photo for future reference or also upload photos you find inspiring. I think this app is only for iPhone or iPad.


Flashlight - I admit it - I have used the iPad for a flashlight before trying to find my way around in the dark. It casts off more light then the little maglite I have in the junk drawer. 

Recipes
I use the Epicurious app quite a bit when needing a recipe or have an ingredient I want to use - I can a search there.

Soup Master - I got this app for free but it has so many recipes that I do feel it is probably worth the $1.99. It will list like 5 chicken noodle recipes but all are a little bit different.  But the variety of recipes is beyond what I could ever think of for soup.

Whole Food Recipes -  It has categories such as bugget, quick and easy, cooking with kids, you can target special diet needs such as gluten-free, diary-free, lowfat, vegetarian/vegan and so on,  and you can also search by ingredient, build a shopping list from the recipes. 

All Recipes - they have a free version and a paid/pro version that doesn't have ads and has just a few more features. I use the free version and have liked it just fine.   But I can see the paid version might have some benefits if you use All Recipes quite a bit.  Because it will access your recipe box, allow you to create shopping lists from the recipes and just a few more features that you can't get with the free version. But the free version allows you access to all the recipes, doing search by 1 ingredient or up to 8, by nutrition or name. It also allows you to bookmark favorites on the app. 

Big Oven - can search 170,000+ recipes, add recipes to grocery lists, and automatically synchronize those grocery lists, search by ingredient

Pocket Cocktails and Cocktails HD - It is an app for iPhone/iPad. It has recipes for cocktails. They now have their Christmas cocktail section up right now and during Halloween they had some really good cocktails that were great way to celebrate the holiday.  They have a full screen photo for every drink, search by drink name or an ingredient.  Also includes a Pocket Sommelier.  There is a list of tips and tricks such as how to coat a rim of a glass, how to make layer drinks, zest fruit and so on. Even though I have an iPad I use Pocket Cocktails as Cocktails HD hadn't come out when I first got Pocket Cocktails. They are both 99 cents so not bad for all recipes and information it gives you.

Green
Good Guide -  find health, environmental and social performance ratings for 120,000 food, personal care and household products,  has barcode scanning built in to retrieve product ratings while you shop, you can personalize by selecting issues you care the most about such as is a product tested on animals if that is a top priority for you - you can select that to make sure it tells you how that product rates in that area. It also allows you to create shopping lists. 

Locavore - find local, in-season food, seasonal recipes, nearby farmers' markets & farms that sell the products you enjoy. 


iRecycle - tells you how, where and when to recycle just about anything by inputting your location and also shares new with tips and ways to make green changes to your life.  Another app that I think is similar is My Recycle List.

Part 2 of this will be apps that I haven't used but heard good things about and a few other resource lists for finding applications. 

Friday Favorites

Specialty Bottle - I found this site and was really happy. I have been searching for a gallon jar without a spout for a while. And it is hard to find a gallon. Find half gallon or smaller but not gallon in my area. This site has so many different kinds of bottles. I saw many uses. Look at the bottom of their home page - they have Martha Stewart using their bottles for many entertaining ideas.

Curbly - is a site I just started exploring. But have found some interesting articles on it. From the about section: "Curbly is a Web community for people who love where they live. Curbly is the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice."

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others - this was geared towards creative types but I think it really works for everyone. It is such a hard thing to conquer at times the comparison game. And although it might seem like a strange link to put here I think we can get caught up it in service - all types of service.

Making your Own Reusable Swiffer Dusters and Mop Covers - a little tutorial on how to do make them

Cooking Light Taco Party Menu - menu includes Blackberry Margaritas,Baked Black Beans with Chorizo, Flank Steak Tacos, Chimichurri Halibut Tacos, Cabbage Slaw, Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa, Pineapple-Mint Sangria Sorbet - so many good recipes and a taco party is great for entertaining

Friday Favorites

Dover Projects - articles on many household projects - everything from creating a pet door, chalking a bathtub, how to insulate an attic door and many more. I haven't had time to go through a lot of the projects but the ones I did skim made me think it might be a good resource

Simple Organic: Natural Deodorant Challenge - With efforts to go more green and find ways to cut costs this I think is my push to try natural deodorant. In the comment section there is several links to recipes.

My Tomatoes - So this would be good for someone who works on the computer a lot or someone who has a computer that is in a living area with speakers. You start your task via My Tomatoes and then it will start a timer and you are to work for 25 minutes. When the timer goes off you, record exactly what you got done in that time. And then do a 5 minutes break before starting over. I think you get a longer break after 4 "tomatoes" done. It is based on this technique that has a downloadable book on the site.

Grilled Corn - it looks so yummy. I love the idea of putting it in the ziplock after. You will have to read it to see what I mean.

How to build a simple deck - from HGTV

Friday Favorites on Saturday

It has been a busy week so a little late on Friday Favorites....but thought I would at least share things I found of interest this week.

Recycle Old Magazines into Coasters

For the Love of Cooking - quite a lot of vegetarian recipes

Dry Erase Board - how to make your own dry erase board

Want to Throw a Party? - Someone breaking it down how to throw party without breaking the bank and enjoying your time with friends

The Household Planner - I have only looked at some of the printables but looks like it could be an interesting site for that at least if not more

Friday Favorites

Country Living Soup Recipes - These are soup recipes for every seasons....including Cool Cantaloupe Soup with Basil Cream, Tomato and Garlic Bread Soup, Ginger-Pumpkin Soup, Cuban-Coffee Chili and so many other delicious looking recipes. I am all about soups this time of year but they had some combination that looked great for every season.

Grocery Store Planner via Design*Sponge - not only does it have how-to on covering the clipboard and the pencil holder but also pdfs to download and print for the grocery store lists and menu planning lists

Project Calculator - It has calculators for figuring out how much paint, wood flooring, vinyl flooring, tile, grass see and several others ones. I am horrible in figuring out those type of things so I see this coming in handy when we start remodeling our bathrooms.

Girl's Night Casserole Swap - First I wouldn't limit this to just girls but friends in general. So how about getting several of your liked minded friends together to do a casserole swap. So that you get something to freeze and have a dinner made some night. And you will have left overs too. I not only like this idea for getting a night off from cooking but the camaraderie and just being able to hang with other liked minded women is always a good thing to mental health.

Declutter Your Bathroom - a list of 11 things to help declutter your bathroom.

Fall Cleaning: Storage Areas & Laundry Room

I think this is the part of fall cleaning that takes the most time. It is cleaning all storage areas: coat closet, linen closet, misc. closets, basement, attic and/or garage and laundry room.

Closets
* Take everything out of the closet
* Wipe down walls, shelves, pole
* Wipe down door, door frame and door knob
* Declutter and reorganize - Make piles for charity items, trash and mend/repair
* Vacuum or wash floor
* Make sure to get winter and fall items up front - winter coats, gloves, boots and in the linen closet flannel sheets and electric blankets.


Basement/Attic/Garage
* Gather in one area paints, pesticides and all chemicals. If needing to get rid of anything, call city sanitation for how to dispose of those things safely.
* Clean all garden tools and outside tools and store away for the winter months
* Make sure shovel and car window scrapers are easily accessible
* Declutter and reorganize - Make piles for charity items, items to recycle* and trash (* look here to find places to recycle electronic equipment)
* Make labels for storage bins when reorganizing
* Stack storage bins with like - such as all holiday items in one stack, memorabilia in another and so on
* Make sure holiday bins are easily available with the holidays coming up
Dust and vacuum moderately dirty curtains and window treatments - Start by dusting from top to bottom using the upholstery or brush attachment for the vacuum. For blinds take a dampened microfiber cloth to them wiping them top to bottom.
* Very dirty curtains and window treatments - Wash or clean according to labels.
* Wash all windows - Using vinegar and water solution with a microfiber cloth
* Vacuum dusty cloth lampshades - using a brush attachment.
* Dust all other lamps - Using a solution of water and vinegar to very lightly dampen a microfiber cloth
* Clean ceiling-mounted light fixtures and ceiling fans.
* Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - change batteries if necessary
* Replace furnace filter and make sure it is working order before it gets too cold
* Make sure flashlights work and other emergency items are working and in place
* Clean the walls - Dust, wash, rinse and then dry painted walls. Wallpaper - dust
* Vacuum and spot-clean upholstered furniture and cushions - if storing make sure covered so keep dust and dirt off them
* Clean all trash cans
* Clean all heat vent covers and vacuum in and around
* Dust - shelves, furniture/appliances, door and doorframe
* Wipe down door knob
* Sweep, vacuum and/or wash floor


Laundry Room
* Clean the outside of washer and dryer and sink
* Clean the counters, shelving and cabinets. Both inside and outside of cabinets
* Run vinegar through washer to clean your washer
* Wipe the inside walls of the dryer. Use a cloth dampened with dishwashing soap and warm water.
* Check and clean dryer exhaust vent for built-up lint
* Clean behind the washer and dryer. Use a vacuum brush
* Clean buildup from minerals or starch off iron
* Dust door and door frame
* Clean door knob
* Clean all heat vent covers and vacuum in and around
* Dust and vacuum moderately dirty curtains and window treatments - Start by dusting from top to bottom using the upholstery or brush attachment for the vacuum. For blinds take a dampened microfiber cloth to them wiping them top to bottom.
* Very dirty curtains and window treatments - Wash or clean according to labels.
* Wash all windows - Using vinegar and water solution with a microfiber cloth

Download and Print: Fall Cleaning List - Basement, Attic and Garage and Fall Cleaning List - Closets and Laundry Room

Newsletters

I am signed up for quite a few email newsletters so I thought I would share them all with you. I like opening them up scanning to see if anything jumps out at me. And then I save them in a folder in my mailbox if I like something or if it really inspires me for the moment - I print it right away.

Allrecipes.com
* Daily Dish - This one is just what it says daily dish - I don't get it anymore but did for years (others below are what I get now). It has one meat recipe and an added one too sometimes vegetarian recipe, sometimes just another recipe that would be good with it it or a quicker version. And then it has a few links to sides that would go them. This actually has saved me a few times when I was completely clueless on what I was going to make for dinner. This one of course is delivered daily.

* Healthy Bites - Again what the name implies healthy recipes. It is delivered weekly.

* Slow Cooker - Seasonal recipes, tips, and ideas for using your Slow Cooker year-round that is delivered weekly. I just started this one not too long ago and haven't seen many recipes so far that have really got my attention. But I love using my slow cooker so don't doubt I will find some inspiration from it.


They also have several others that I don't get. But at the holidays I do sign up for the cookie countdown.

MarthaStewart.com has are probably my favorite daily/weekly emails I get. If you go to MarthStewart.com and go to the top menu tabs: subscribe. Click that and scroll down to newsletters. Click on any of them and it will give you options to sign up for many more then just that one. For some reason I am not finding a link to just all the different options.

From MarthaStewart.com I get:
* Martha Stewart Living - A weekly newsletter of the best recipes, crafts, and decorating ideas.

* Everyday Food - A weekly newsletter for easy and quick meals. Plus dessert recipes, cooking tips and techniques.

* Whole Living - A weekly newsletter with ideas, recipes and tips for living a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

* Craft of the Day - Which is just as it sounds I get an email with a link to the craft of the day. That has instructions and sometimes video with it.

* Organizing Tip of the Day - And this one is by far my favorite an email that arrives daily with an organizing tip.

* Dinner Tonight - a daily email with a dinner recipe. This one has saved me a few times. Through either making it or at least sparking an idea I had in the house to make.

I also am signed up for many of her holiday newsletters. Umm I like Martha Stewart's newsletters can you tell?

Cooking Light's Dinner Tonight - again daily that gives ideas for dinner - except these are healthy.

And I am also signed up My Recipes Chicken Tonight as we have chicken a lot. That you can get to at the link above.

Myrecipes.com has quite a few newsletters but those are the only 2 I get at this time. But have thought about getting the home tips one though.


Kraft Food and Family - I got this because I had their magazine - which used to be free but now they charge for it. Even if I don't always use their products it sometimes gives me a starting off point for meals...that are easy.

And then I get Daily Diabetic Recipes - because often they are healthy recipes with lots of flavor to them. I have probably made more recipes from them then any of the other newsletters I get. And we are not diabetic either. They are just are healthy recipes.

And then also I get the Ideal Bite one that I mentioned here recently.

And then I get Better Homes and Garden's 100 Days of Holidays - which is an email I think it starts the first day of fall(?) and then goes all the way to New Years. And it has decorating, entertaining, recipes, crafts, kid projects, party ideas and so on for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

There are a TON of newsletters to sign up for there. But I really I never noticed until now - because I signed up for the 100 Days through my magazine subscription. There was a link listed in it for the 100 Days that looked fun. And really I have enjoyed it a lot. I made a few craft projects for Thanksgiving last year. And a couple Halloween recipes. This year I hope to do more or their ideas.

I also get 2 daily emails that aren't domestic but they do help keep me centered and positve outlook on life. One is from Daily Om and the other is Notes from the Universe.

That is it. I know it is quite a few but it really just takes me moments to open them up and scan them. And frankly I hit delete on quite a few. But then there is something in several that spark my interest enough to look further.

Do you have any newsletters you would like to share? I obviously need some more. :)

Green Newsletter

I receive in my email box Monday through Friday a newsletter called: Ideal Bite. They send you tips on how to go green. They not only tell you how but tell you why you should. It often gives you names of green products to go with the tip. And it gives little factoids also that I really enjoy.

Check out a few of these past tips:
Hot Mess - on cleaning the oven
Pillow Fight - how to make your pillows last longer
Gnocchi Pokey - which has a recipe and why using sweet potatoes is good
First Class Love Letter - how to save on shipping costs
Rubbing it In - massage oils
Regifting 2.0 - about reusable gift wrap

I know that they have helped me go more green then I would have thought of without all the information they provide. You can view them online too if you don't like getting more emails. I just like emails so that I can save the ones that I know I will use.

Friday Favorites

The Minimalist Principle - Omit Needless Things - Making things more streamlined by omitting needless things. I think that concept can be applied in more general terms of service too.

Canning - Putting Up, with Irma - Vintage Recipe Thursday - Has a great downloadable PDF about canning. It just good basic canning information.

20/20 Superfast Recipes for Supper - there is 360 healthy recipes that can made quickly from Cooking Light

Non-Toxic Home Care Solutions - many good recipes for cleaning your home without harsh chemicals and using things often you have around the house

And also another one that does the same...

Alternative Cleaning Recipes from the Ecology Center

Friday Favorites

Still Tasty - How long will your favorite food or beverage stay tasty? This website will help teach how to best store your food.

The Secret Recipe Blog - A blog dedicated to helping you recreate your restaurant favorites in your own kitchen.

25 Vintage Food Prep Tips- "This collection of vintage tips was gathered from books and magazines that were published in the 1940’s, most are still quite useful for today’s kitchen." (website summary)

Manage My Home- This website offers help for small do-it-yourself projects and repairs in the home. There's also a section that has copies of thousands of household appliance manuals. I've used that section a lot!

Garden Guides - Garden tips and techniques from beginner to expert gardeners.

Real Simple Magazine

I am sure this will be a temporary deal for Amazon but they have Real Simple listed at $5.00 for a year subscription. That is so inexpensive. I don't have a subscription but I pick them up every so often just because I really do enjoy the magazine. I will admit they seem to at time be more about promoting products then actually making life simpler. But I have ripped out, used and saved many articles and tips found in the magazine. So for me the things found outweigh the promoting products aspects.

Book: Home Hints and Tips

Home Hints and Tips by Rosamund Richardson

Product Review from Amazon - "The first in-depth book on "green" products for the home, Home Hints & Tips offers hundreds of tested tips that are safe, gentle on the environment, affordable, and easy to implement. Straightforward without being preachy, the book covers all aspects of natural home management, from designing and building to decorating with natural materials, as well as ecosafe cleaning and laundering methods, recycling, gardening, cooking, and personal care and health."


I will tell you this book freaked the hell out of me. It freaked me out because it goes into toxins that are in your house right now....the paint, the carpet, many cleaners and pesticides and so on and so forth. Not like I really didn't know it but reading about what they do which the book goes into a little bit freaked me. But after freaking, I calmed down and I really enjoyed it the book. Enjoyed it for all the useful information it did give me. I think some of it is a little bit out of the average persons budget. But there were workable ideas and tips. The set up of the book is very visually appealing too. Broken into good segments.

The book gives information on having a green home: conserving water and energy, decorating, cleaning, laundry and recycling. It goes beyond the home though to healthy natural/organic eating, personal care such as understanding labels for your personal care products, natural health remedies, baby care and also working from home. So it is a tiny book that covers a lot of information. It is a book I would like to have on my bookshelf.

Friday Favorites

Three Cream Sauces for Pizza; Pesto Cream, Garlic Cream, & Alfredo - really versatile sauces. I have done similar sauces but to cut down on the fat have used fat free half and half. Of course it tastes different but is still a very good tasting sauce.

Pintuck Pillow - very pretty!

Emily Post Institute - Table Settings - guide for setting a basic, informal or formal table - easy to follow instructions.

16 Household Storage Solutions - I am going through some reorganizing and so some of these really helped give me some ideas on maximizing space.

Home Ec 101 - clean it, cook it, fix it, wash it, read it