LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:
SPRING? HELLO, SPRING, ARE YOU OUT THERE? HERE'S TO THAT FIRST WEEK THAT STAYS ABOVE 55 DEGREES AND OUR GARDENS STARTING TO BUD AND WE'RE SINGING IN THE RAIN...WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
www.shitmykidsruined.com - Voted one of Time Magazine's Best Blogs for a reason, and it seems appropriate since we are wrapping up months trapped inside with our little ones and their totally adorable antics. You also must check out the sibling websites... http://www.shitmypetruined.com/ , http://www.shitmywiferuined.com/ , and http://www.shitmyhusbandruined.com/ . So funny you will cry, I promise!
BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Family Kitchen Garden: How to Plant, Grow, and Cook Together by Karen Liebreich
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Kitchen-Garden-Plant-Together/dp/160469050X/ref=pd_sim_b_3#_
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Indoor Shitake Mushroom grow kit...who knew...made specifically for beginner to intermediate gardners for your inside kitchen garden! http://www.herbkits.com/organic-shiitake-mushroom-kit
TRADITIONAL WELLNESS
There are so many natural ways to deal with allergies that you shouldn't need to pick up a box of OTC Allergy Pills all season.
Eat local honey - it is believed that consuming honey produced by bees that consume the same pollen that is bothering you may help boost your tolerance (think polio vaccine)
Euphrasia for burning eyes
Allium cepa for stuffy noses
Also check out this article for more options...
http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health-Fitness/Conditions-Diseases/10-All-Natural-Allergy-Remedies.html
This is not meant to diagnose you or to replace the treatment of your physician in any way...these are just tips. This is also not meant to be used by those with extreme allergies, that go into anaphylactic shock or have asthma.
BEAUTY
HENNA
Spring is the time of year a lot of get the itch for a change in our look. You may feel like you are in a rut or that your look has taken on a wintery visage. Change can be, and is often, good...but we don't always need it to be permanant or even long lasting to give us that needed boost. So, may I suggest Henna this spring for your mini makeover.
Henna has long been used in Asian and African societies, as well as being quite important within the Hindu religion itself. It is believed to have powers to bring good luck and ward off evil (hence it's use in ceremonies such as weddings). It is also all natural and pretty long lasting.
Henna can be used in hair and on skin such as the art of Mehndi (intricate designs drawn on the body with various meanings or just for the sake of the art). It is also used on nails and to create lip stains that last for up to a couple of weeks (lip dying).
http://www.earthhenna.com/ - for great kits to get started with henna
http://www.hennahut.com/ - for henna hair dye in various reds, browns and black
FASHION
CHECK OUT http://www.umbrellastand.com/ FOR OTHER CUTE UMBRELLAS
(THE CLICK TO ENLARGE DOESN'T ACTUALLY WORK SORRY)
DIY CRAFTY PROJECT
LAMINATED FLASH CARDSTake a series of graphic pictures that you feel will be intriging or educational for you infant or toddler and cut them to the same size (of your choice). Depending on how chew proof you need them, you can use clear shelf liner as your protective laminate or take the cards to an office supply or copy store and have them professionally laminated. Using a hole punch, make a hole in the same spot on each and use a d-ring or large ring to connect them. Now you have flash cards of anything you want that you can hook to your diaper bag or the stroller.
GOING GREEN ONE MONTH AT A TIME - MARCH
USE ECO FRIENDLY AND ALL NATURAL CLEANSERSHERE'S A QUICK PRIMER
BAKING SODA - SCOURS AND CLEANS - THIS NONABRASIVE CLEANSER CAN BE USED ON STOVE TOPS, OVENS AND CARPETS. IT IS ALSO A GREAT DEODRIZER.
LEMON - ANTIBACTERIAL AND GOOD FOR GENERAL BATHROOM CLEANING, ESPECIALLY GROUT IN THE SHOWER.
BORAX - CAN BE USED ON FABRICS, WALLPAPER, PAINTED WALLS, FLOORS AND CARPETS TO SCOUR AND REMOVE STAINS.
VINEGAR - STAIN REMOVER, PET SMELL REMOVER. CAN BE USED ON FABRICS AND TO CLEAN GROUT IN THE BATHROOM.
HERE ARE A FEW RECIPES FOR CLEANSERS -
All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. Another alternative is microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.
Oven Cleaner:
Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.
Tub and Tile Cleaner:
For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)
HAPPY CLEANING!!!
MENU PLANNER
At that first moment of warmth outside, does your family make a run for the grill? Here's a great salad that is served with warm chicken so it rides the fence between winter and summer food perfectly.
Italian Chicken Salad from FamilyFun Magazine
MARINADE
1 (8-ounce) bottle Italian dressing
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning (optional)
CHICKEN SALAD
8 thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Mixed salad greens
Cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Combine the marinade ingredients in a medium-size bowl and whisk them to blend. Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture for basting the chicken on the grill.
Place the chicken breasts in a gallon-size zip-lock bag and pour in the remaining marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal it. Turn the bag to thoroughly coat the chicken, then place it in a bowl and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, turning it occasionally. Remove the meat from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling.
Prepare a charcoal fire or set a gas grill to medium-high, close the lid, and heat until hot -- about 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill it uncovered, basting with the reserved marinade. Cook the chicken until it is no longer pink inside, about 2 minutes per side on a gas grill. Transfer the breasts to a cutting board and let them rest about 5 minutes before thinly slicing them crosswise. Serve the chicken over salad greens and cherry tomatoes. Serves 6 to 8.
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FEATURES
REMOVING ALLERGENS FROM YOUR HOME
-MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE ALL THE FILTERS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR HEATING/COOLING SYSTEMS ONCE A MONTH. TRY USING A HEPA FILTER IN THE ROOMS YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME IN TOO.
-CHANGE/CLEAN YOUR BED LINENS AND OTHER FABRIC SURFACES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS INCLUDES COUCHES AND DRAPERIES. YOU DON'T NEED TO DO A HEAVY DUTY CLEAN, JUST WIPE OFF, VACUM OR TREAT WITH FABREZE ALLERGEN REMOVER.
-DUST A MINIMUM OF ONCE A WEEK AND VACUM EVERY OTHER DAY.
-USE SCENT FREE VERSIONS OF CLEANSERS AS WELL.
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