Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

I am always looking for ways to stretch my budget and make it go further. I heard about the benefits of making my own homemade laundry soap.  Plus how much it would save me over all.

One thing I noticed that the initial cost may be a little high. However, once the first batch is made. All I need to buy for the next batch will be for the cost of the fels-naptha soap. Which is under $2.00.

My initial cost :

fels-naptha soap $1.99 at WalgreensBorax by 20 mule team for $4.17 at Walmart

Super Washing soap for $3.97 at Walmart

Downy Unstoppable Scents for $5.97 at Walmart

I ended making 5 gallons of homemade laundry soap for roughly $16 to $17.00 dollars. Which is roughly what I spent each month two buy 150 fl. ozs. of Gain laundry soap.

The 5 gallon bucket filled up to containers that hold two 150 fl ozs and one 45 1/2 ozs. Plus, I still have more in the bucket I plan on giving away. Which I am not including in saving money on.

I roughly will be saving anywhere from $37 - $39 dollars each time I make a new batch of homemade laundry soap. Over time, that money adds up.

I took a few pictures as I made the laundry soap.

This is what it looks like after pouring the soaps in.

This is what it looks like with the blended soap and adding the Downy stoppable scents.

This is what it looks like it the bucket. This is what I have left and plan on giving away. I have two people coming over to pick it up. You notice how the color changed after I added the downy unstoppable scents.

Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe
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1 bar of Fels-naptha soap - grated1/ 2 cups Borax by 20 mule team 

1/2 cups of Super Washing soap 

1 full cap full of Downy Unstoppable Scents
10 drops of your favorite scent of essential oil

6 cups of water
1 5 gallon bucket

In a large pan, heat the water. Add the fels-naptha soap, washing soda, and borax. Mix well. To a low boil. When everything is well. Add the Downy stoppable scents. When melted, mix well.

Pour into a clean 5 gallon bucket. Add enough cold water to fill bucket. Add in your favorite essential oil. Blend well.

Allow laundry soap to sit for 24 to 48 hours. The laundry soap will look like a gel as it thickens. 

Some people use a mixer to blend their stuff more. I don't have a mixer or blender at the moment. So, I didn't. I used a funnel and a cup to pour the homemade laundry in to each container. 

Use 1/2 cup for each load of laundry.

Weekend Catch Up 5/21/2016

This past week 'Rusty2rusty's Chatter" blog has been blazing with a multitude of various blogs about : Recipes, product reviews, and an emotional journey. In case you might have missed of my post this week. Here they are : 

Sunday : 

Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom Soup Recipe -

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/cheesy-broccoli-mushroom-soup-recipe.html

Etekcity Digital Pocket Scale Review -

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/etekcity-digital-pocket-scale-review.html

Monday : 

Italian Vegetable Pasta Recipe

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/italian-vegetable-pasta.html

Novapolt USB 3.0 External DVD and Cd Drive Review

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/novapolt-usb-30-external-dvd-and-cd.html

Tuesday :

Will I Ever Be Able To Forgive Him?

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/will-i-ever-be-able-to-forgive-him.html

Wednesday : 

Banana Split Recipe -

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/banana-split-recipe.html

Friday : 

Homemade Chicken Strips

http://rusty2rustyschatter.blogspot.com/2016/05/homemade-chicken-stripes-recipe.html

Homemade Chicken Strips Recipe

Last night for dinner, I was trying to figure out what to make with three chicken breast. As I had four people to cook for. I decided I was going to cut them up in to smaller strips. That way there would be enough for everyone to eat. Plus, others if they showed up.

It worked. My three chicken breast multiplied in to many chicken strips. Enough that my teen son told me I had made to many chicken strips after he made it home for practice. I told him my boyfriend still had to eat yet. If anything was left over. I would send them to work for his lunch the next day. Plus, I would eat them for lunch.

I couldn't made to much. As there was none left over for me to have them for lunch. Ha, ha. That told me they turned out great.

One thing I have tried to teach my children is how to stretch a meal while living on a budget. Or how to make it go further. Cutting bigger pieces in to smaller portions or sizes can make a meal go further. To where you can feed more. Or have more meals out of one.

A meal I can make out of left over chicken strips is by cubing them up and turning them in to a Chicken Parmesan Casserole.

Do you live on a budget and wonder how to stretch your meals?

Chicken Stripes Recipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 chicken breasts - Cut in to strips
3 cups of corn flour
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/2 teaspoon of ginger
1/2 teaspoon of parsley
6 eggs scrambled

Instructions :
Take all dry ingredients and add to a bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
Have a frying pan with olive oil heated to medium.
Take one chicken strip, dip in the scrambled egg til coated, dip in dry ingredients mix. Place in oil in frying pan. Continue til pan is full of coated chicken strips.
Cook til golden brown on each side.
Take chicken strips out of frying pan. Place on plate that has paper towels on it. The paper towels will absorb the extra oil from the chicken strips.
Enjoy!!

This blog post has join a link up party through
"Raising Fairies and Knights" Blog  : 

Banana Split Recipe

Tonight I decided to treat my two teenagers to ice cream. We went to the locate ice cream shop called "Eric's Ice Cream" which has three locations in town.

My teen daughter ordered the Choco Bliss which are a brownie and chocolate chunks mixed in chocolate ice cream. My teen son ordered a Chocolate Heath Blurry. I ordered a banana split. 

I always try to order something with fruit when I order ice cream. I love ice cream and fruit. They make a great sweet treat.

Banana splits are easy to make. I like making them homemade. I make them a bit different from the banana split.

Banana Split

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 scoop of chocolate ice cream
1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
1 scoop of strawberry ice cream
1 banana cut in half
2 maraschino cherries
3 tablespoon whip cream
Assorted chops nuts: Cashews or walnuts

Toppings

~~~~~~~~
Chocolate syrup
Strawberry syrup or topping
Pineapple topping

Instructions :

In an oblong bowl. Add one scoop of each flavor ice cream beside each other. Place the banana halves on each side of the ice cream. Add the chocolate syrup over the chocolate ice cream. Pour the strawberry topping or syrup over the strawberry ice cream. Pour the pineapple topping over the vanilla ice cream. Place 1 tablespoon of whip cream on top of each ice cream with fruit topping. Top off with crushed cashews or walnuts. Serve.

Will I Ever be Able To Forgive Him?

Today I am going to write a post that is a little different than my usual content. As it is the anniversary of my little sister's death. In two days is her birth date. On May 19th, 1979. She died May 17th, 1997. The dates of birth and death have always been strange to me. 

I remember the evening clearly when I found out my sister was dead. I remember the cops coming and knocking on my back door of my one room apartment. My oldest son was just a child at the time. Around six years old. He opened the door. As I was getting out of the shower. The best I could do was to be able to get a long shirt on before I noticed the cops standing at my back door.

I remember driving in town. It all seem surreal. Remembering what the cops had said.  Replaying it over and over in my brain.There had been a wreck. The driver was playing a game to scare the girls. As he drove off the road and back on. Coming to a brick bridge embankment, where he crashed. The truck rolled down and landed in the creek. As it caught on fire.  Everyone seem to be gone. As I went from house to house.  

Later the driver apologized. As he said he didn't see it til it was to late. As he was driving in area he was unfamiliar with coming back from Cedar Point. I thought in my head at the time, he had caused my sisters death with his carelessness. Would I ever be able to forgive him?

You see my sister was living in a foster home at the time of her death. She was moving back home to mom's on her birthday. That is all she talked about was moving back home. She never got the chance.

I did eventually forgive him. It did take some time. As it hurt knowing my sister's last wish to move back home was never fulfilled. In a way, it was. As I believe she is in a better place. I believe she is at home in Heaven awaiting til the day we can see each other again.

Today, I went and visited her grave. There was a small orange butterfly flying around her grave. The butterfly seem content on flying and staying around me. I did ask the butterfly to stop moving. So, I can take a picture. As I was not going to hurt it. It stayed motionless long enough for me to get a picture. Than it flew away. Can you see it?

I turned and looked at my boyfriend. I told him that butterflies are suppose to be a symbol of our loved ones who were able to move on from this world. If it is true, I had no idea which relative it was. As I pointed out my grandpa and grandma Rhodes grave, my little sisters and the unmarked grave of my Uncle Robert Rhodes grave.

I am secretly hoping the butterfly was a symbol of my little sister. As I have had several dreams that she was in a bright and beautiful place. The most beautiful dreams I have ever had, had her in them.

Whether you believe in the butterfly as a symbolic symbol,  dead loved ones sending the living signs, or anything supernatural. Just remember to respect the beliefs of others who do not believe in the same things as you.

May all the loves ones who pass before us, be at peace.

Novapolt USB 3.0 External DVD and CD Drive Review

I had the opportunity to try out a product made by Novapolt. It is a External DVD and CD Drive which connects through a USB port.

This external DVD and CD drive can be use as an extension of any computer, laptop, or tablet that has USB port hook ups. The USB cable easily stores away underneath the product to be unseen if necessary.

It is lift weight and easy to store in a purse, carrying bag, or large pocket. Such as in a hoodie jacket pocket. 

It connects and opens with ease. My grandson has figured out how to turn it on by himself. He is almost 2 years old.

This product for anyone who is on the go or needs an external DVD and CD drive.

If you are interested in this product. You can order it here :  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BS1W6GU

I received this product for free, a deep discount or I paid shipping and handling charges. In exchanged for an honest review based on my personal experiences. I give an honest review whether it is good or bad.

Italian Vegetable Pasta Recipe

It is no surprise to my family that I am not a real big meat eater. Yes, I like to eat meat. No, I do not like to eat a bunch of meat. I am picky about the meats I do eat. I could go without eating any kind of meat if I wanted. I don't want to stop eating meat. 

I do limit how much meat I eat. To the point I will make meatless meals. My family is still free to eat as much meat as they want on the days I make meatless meals. 

What I do like to do is add as many vegetables I can to every meal I prepare. The more vegetables in a meal the better I like it.

Suffering from different food issues and allergies makes it difficult to come up with a food plan that works for everyone in the family.

As for me, I must eat healthy. As I treat my type 2 diabetis by what I eat. My boyfriend and I both suffer from GERD which eliminates many things from our meals. He will still eat things he shouldn't and suffer through the stomach pain and worse. I can't. I don't like the bad side effects I get. If I can't have it, I don't cook it with it.

One of my favorite meatless meals is 

'Italian Vegetable Pasta". When making this meal, I use whatever vegetables I have in my refrigerator at the moment. As I think fresh vegetables works best with this meal.

1 box of twirl multi-flavored pasta
2 cup of carrots - chopped

2 cup of mushrooms - sliced

2 cup of broccoli - diced

1 bottle of Italian dressing

Shredded cheddar cheese

Boil pasta per directions on the box. Allow to cool. while cooling. I start chopping, slicing, and dicing the vegetables. Mix together with the pasta. Pour Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetable mix.

Let chill for one hour. Take out and portion to a serving. Top by sprinkling with shredded cheddar cheese. 

*Tip - Some people do not like their pasta and vegetables drenched in Italian dressing. I always lightly coat the pasta and vegetables with Italian dressing. The rest I leave in the bottle and allow people to add more if they wish. This also helps the pasta from getting soggy.

*Tip - If you wish to make this in to a meal with meat. You can easily add in stripe or chopped up pieces of ham, turkey, chicken or beef.

*Tip - This dish is best served cold.

Etekcity Digital Pocket Scale Review

I was able to receive a product from Etekcity. It was a digital pocket scale. It is made of stainless steel. The digital part has a back light. So, you can weigh in a dim lighting area. Making it easy to read. It can weigh up to 2000 grams.

It is light weight and works to tell you the weight of your item quickly. Even when you keep adding more to it. It weighs faster than other scales I have used in the past.

It is easy to clean. It is small enough to carry in my purse when I am on the go. For those who are counting calories, having a product you can take on the go is very important.

The scale does require two triple A batteries. 

I was only able to use the scale once before I dropped it and it broke. So, I really can't give you an accurate account other than what I have stated on how it works. For what I was able to do. It worked great for me. 

If I was going to order another scale. It would be from Etekcity. They do a great job of having their products look great. Just like I like them. They answer any question and customer service is great. 

I received the Etekcity Digital Pocket Scale for free. In exchange for a honest review based on my families and my personal experiences. All opinions reflected in this post are all mine.

Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom Soup Recipe

One of the meals I make that is simple and quick is soup. When I don't feel good I like to eat soup. It is also something I can take my time making in the crock pot if I wish.

Recently I had to replace my crock pot. As my oldest son had left the last one on high. After being asked to turn it off and put the food away. He said he would. Instead the next morning we could smell something burning. He had left the crock pot on all night on high. The crock pot was ruined. The rubber around the lid was stuck to the crock pot. It could not be removed. It was glued from the heat.

Was upset? Yeah, a little. However, the crock pot was old. I knew it would eventually needing to be replaced. So, I wasn't to upset about needing to replace the crock pot. As I was about my teen son not listening to me. I was more upset that he said he would take care of something. But did not. Lying leads down the wrong path.

I wanted to believe he simply forgot. However, he is hooked on technology that is more important to him than taking responsibility. Because of that, he lost his electronics for awhile.

Yesterday I did not feel good. As I was fighting another bad migraine. So, I decided to make a Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom soup in the new crock pot. 

Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom Soup

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 package of mushroom (diced)

1 bundle of broccoli
1 teaspoon of chicken stock
1 teaspoon of ginger
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/4 sea salt
1/4 cup of onions (diced)

1 block of Velveeta Cheese (melted)

4 cups of milk

I placed the Velveeta cheese in the crock pot on high to melt. Stirring as it melted. I blended the milk, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and ginger. I added the broccoli, mushrooms and onions.

Heat on high for 3 - 4 hours.

Tip : Add crackers. My family loves to add crackers to all of their soups.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photos taken by and belong to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty

7 Things You Can Do To Prepare Your Pet In case Of An Natural Disaster

Today, may 14th, 2016 is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. It was created to help spread awareness of being prepared for your pets in case of an emergency or a nature disaster happens.

Shelters during disasters are overwhelmed dealing with the animals they have in their care. They don't have time to worry about your pets to. As staff is normally understaffed during disasters and trying to stretch what resources they have available. If your pet happens to show up there, they will take your pet in as well.

For this reason you need to have a plan on what to do with pet if a disaster happens. Like in any emergency, you need a plan. Not only for your family but your pets as well.

7 Things you can do to prepare your pet in case of a natural disaster : 

1. Make sure pet is either micro chipped or has a collar with id and contact information. Such as your phone number and address.

2. Have a decal on your doors or window to others know you have pets in your house. If you can include your vets info. As that is one place your pet can end up.

3. Prepare a 'grab and go kit'. This is important to have things you would need to care for your pet already in one place. So, you can grab and go. Such as: pet medications, an extra week supply of food, extra comfort toys to keep your pet busy, extra blanket in case it is cold to keep your pet warm, bottled water, your contact information, your vets contact information, your pets age, name, behavior issues and medical information. Extra collars or harnesses and leashes. Diaper wipes, waste clean up and dog pee pads. As you never know where you will end up or what will be needed to use.You can keep these in a tub or an extra dog crate you can pick up and go.

4. Learn where your pet will hides. This way if you have to leave quick, You can locate your pet and go.

5. Carry a picture of your pet in case you get separated from your pet and need to to locate them later. 

6. Know where you can take your pet or leave them. Many hotels will not allow them. Not even in case of an emergency. See if you can locate pet friendly hotels before hand. Ask friends or relatives if they can house your pet. 

7. Most all remain calm. Pets can sense when their owners are upset. The more upset and moody you are. They more they will be. 

Do you have your pet prepared in case of a natural disaster or an emergency?

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Photos from Pixabay, a free use photo website.