Scrapbook Paper Storage

Oh m'gosh, of course!  This makes so much sense! 

Trying to fit the paper into a neat folder or slot is a pain.  It's also frustrating trying to locate papers, but this system from Scrap Recylage looks easy to make, use, and keep organized.

Outdoor Twister for a Group

 

Twister on your lawn!  You can make it really big for a large group, but you'll either have to make your own spinner or do like Tausha at Sassy Style and just draw slips of paper out of a jar.

I'm thinking this would keep my kids busy outside quite a bit for the 2-3 weeks it would take for it to grow out and get mowed.

Bandana Shirt or Dress for Girls

Ok, I don't sew much, but this thing is adorable and looks pretty easy.  And cheap.  And did I mention adorable? 

Complete instructions at Daisy Janie. 

Eat Organic When You Can-- The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen

On our budget I just can't buy everything organic; it's too expensive!  Even the Farmer's Markets in our area are not too cheap, so I use the Environmental Working Group's list of foods that are musts when it comes to buying organic.  The reason: these foods don't have enough protective layering to prevent pesticide contamination.

You can go to their site for a list of the Dirty Dozen, foods that should either be bought organic (pesticide-free) or else avoided.  They also have a list of produce that is fine to buy non-organic, the Clean Fifteen.  I love having both lists so that I know when I can get cheaper produce without worrying about the pesticides.

Keep in mind, this list only refers to the pesticide content; it is not a guide for genetically-modified organisms.  I can't currently handle the stress that all entails, so I'm just sticking to the pesticide issue for now.  

Here's the lists typed out, in case you want to just copy, paste, and print for your binder to keep the list handy:

Dirty Dozen  Buy Organic!

apples
celery
strawberries
peaches
spinach
imported nectarines
imported grapes
sweet bell peppers
potatoes
domestic blueberries
lettuce
kale/collard greens

Clean Fifteen  Non-Organic ok!

onions
sweet corn
pineapples
avocado
asparagus
sweet peas
mangoes
eggplant
domestic cantaloupe
kiwi
cabbage
watermelon
sweet potatoes
grapefruit
mushrooms


And as always, produce that is in season is cheaper and better-tasting.  If you eat following the seasons, you'll provide your body with a good variety of vitamins and minerals; the way God made it to work for us!

Quick Tip Tuesday:

When moving clothes from the washer to the dryer, don't heave out large wads of clothing.  Take a fraction of a second to un-clump each item; simply shake out those jeans/towels/shirts as you pass them between machines. 

It doesn't take much time, but your clothes will dry faster.  Because your dryer doesn't have to separate hunks of clothing lumped together, it can get started drying them right away. 

Less time of dryer running = less money spent in the long run.