Fav Things July 15-19

(pic source)

Let me start by saying that the above picture is NOT my laundry room. That is the laundry room I wish I had! So this week I starting adding a few drops of essential oil to my laundry soap when I run a linens load (towels, bed sheets). My friend Brit told me she did that and it would take away any musty smell, especially out of towels. It would add a nice subtle scent of whatever type of oil she used. Who doesn’t want to smell a little bit of lavender on their bed before they go to sleep? Just put about 3-4 drops of an essential oil (best to use one that is naturally antibacterial like lavender, peppermint, bergamot, lemon grass, tea tree). I used a blend (lavender and tea tree)I had from the California Baby line. If you haven’t tried this I suggest you do. It is especially a good way to get those pool and beach towels to smell fresher and cleaner.

Old Bay Lemon and Herb Baked Shrimp (serves 4)

1 1/4lb of fresh shrimp (de-shelled and deveined), 5 garlic cloves sliced, olive oil, Old Bay Lemon and Herb (OBLH) seasoning (or any lemon seasoning) and lemon

1) De-shell and devein shrimp place in large mixing bowl. Add a couple of glugs of olive oil and the OBLH seasoning until shrimp are lightly covered (then a few more shakes for good measure). Finally mix in the garlic.

2) Let shrimp sit in fridge for an hour or so.

3) Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with a little bit of cooking spray. Arrange shrimp on cookie sheet in one layer. Once oven is ready place shrimp in oven and cook for 8-10 minutes (no turning over required). Once they are pink juicy they are ready. Add a the juice of one lemon to the shrimp when they are right out of oven.

4) Enjoy!

We became owners of an Apple TV this week. I love it because, it’s so cute and it is so much easier to navigate than our blu-ray is. It is a box that provides access to popular streaming services (Netflix, Hulu). If you already own iTunes products it enables you to stream everything through your Mac.

That is all for this week. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Green Cleaning

I imagine we will all catch the spring cleaning bug very soon. I thought I would share some of the green products I use around the house. Most of the cleaning products I use I make myself.  There are a few I still buy and I love Method products. My friend Kate introduced me to this very helpful website. Click here to check it out. I use their all-purpose cleaner for almost everything around the house especially, in the kitchen. I use it for everyday granite counter cleaning, glass stove top and the sink. I also use it every where in the bathroom.

I use baking soda to clean the tough spots on my glass stove top. If you put a little bit on a sponge with a little water it really cleans up even the hardest food stains.  I also use it to clean my toilets. I put a bit in the toilet and then I add about a 1/2 cup of vinegar. I let it sit for a while. I also put some on the toilet brush and use it to scrub all over. It really leaves your toilet nice and sparkly.

My friend Kate introduced me to Borax about a couple of years ago. It is now one of my go to cleaning products. You can put a little in your dishwasher to substitute for jet dry. I use it in my all-purpose cleaning solution and I use it in the best floor tile cleaning solution. Click here for the recipe. I also add a little bit of organic dishwashing soap (to pick up any grease) and a glug of organic window cleaner( I love Methods window cleaner) for the shine. It will disinfect and leave it so shiny and clean!

As I mentioned earlier I use vinegar for my all-purpose cleaner, for my toilets and for the best floor tile cleaner. I also use it on my hard words. I put equal parts hot water and distilled white vinegar and add a little Method window cleaner for a shine. It leaves my floors clean and with a nice shine.

I wish you all a happy spring cleaning and I hope if you don’t use green products you might give these a try. They work just as good, if not better. It’s cheaper AND you don’t have to breath in nasty harmful chemicals!