Scrub a Dub Dub

I popped over to safemama.com yesterday and discovered that the tiny beads in those exfoliating body washes are actually made of plastic which gets washed into rivers, streams, and the ocean and is then eaten by marine animals. That can't be good, plus I never thought they really exfoliated enough anyway.

So, I am offering up an alternative that is not only green, but also frugal. Homemade sugar scrub! I have tried many different variations of sugar scrubs, but this recipe is by far my favorite. This is not my recipe, but I can vouch for it. In fact, I made a huge batch and gave it to my colleagues as Christmas presents last year.

You can find the recipe here: http://laughter4daystocome.blogspot.com/2006/12/works-for-me-wednesday.html

The recipe calls for baby oil but I have used olive oil and grape seed oil and it turned out just fine.

One advantage of the sugar or salt scrub is that both sugar and salt dissolve, so there is absolutely NO chance of clogging up a drain. And no chance of your fish sticks being full of little plastic beads.

Enjoy!

Radio Days

I don't usually listen to regular radio. I have a Sirius satellite radio in my car and I listen to that exclusively. Since Sirius has 4 great country stations that have no commercials I have little reason to listen to terrestrial radio except when I am in someone else's car. Yesterday I dropped my car off to be inspected and borrowed my mom's car to get to work. I was channel surfing during a commercial and came upon the "Oldies" station. You know the one. Not the classic rock station that plays Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin, but the Oldies Oldies station that one that might possible still be playing Rock around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets. Anyway, I settled on the oldies station since it was actually playing music when I realized that I knew the song... it was part Time Lover by Stevie Wonder.

"Cool!" I thought to myself and I sang along.

But wait... this song itsn't an oldie... I was in elementary school when this was popular... wait that was in the 1980's... this is "80's music" not "oldies."

"Oh Hell Diddlely Ding Dong Crap" (to quote Ned Flanders) 80's music is now oldies!? I said out loud to no one in particular... I guess that means I am officially old.




P.S. This song was released in 1984... I was 8!

It's Mine All Mine

My car that is. I finally paid off my car loan and the title arrived in the mail yesterday. It certainly feels good to not have that debt anymore. Next up... my student loan.

Meeze

Saturday Night

I was able to sneak taking some blurry pictures with my iphone... here they are.

Me and my many chins in front of the stage (before the rain)

That bright spot (the bright spot in the center) is Jimmy Buffett

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

You may not be able to tell this by looking at me but I am a HUGE...

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PARROTHEAD!!!!

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a Parrothead is a fan of Jimmy Buffett. Saturday night, hubby and I will be seeing Mr. Buffett from the 4th row of the floor of Citizen's bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. This is my 8th show (I think) and hubby's second. It is a guaranteed good time and the first time that we have left Nate with a babysitter to go out at night. It will be a big night all around.

Flowers From Hubby

Thanks babe!

Gas

So I bit the bullet yesterday and filled my car up with gas. OUCH! I have a 2003 Honda CR-V and although it is an SUV it is very good on gas this being said, I still spend $50.38 yesterday ($4.12 a gallon). Luckily that will last me about 10 days or so.

Where do you live and what are you paying for gas?

I think it will be interesting to see what the prices are like all over the country and this way we can all laugh (because it ain't worth crying over) at this ridiculousness!

Meme -- Because its Friday

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

10 years ago I had just graduate from college. Since it is friday I was probably getting ready to go out and celebrate with friends. I was looking forward to starting graduate school and I was working in a hoagie shop.

2. What are five things on your to- do list today?

Go to the bank
Get donuts for work
Wash towels
Edit a dissertation
Get a storage tote for my mom

3. What are 3 of your favorite snacks?

String cheese and an apple
Oatmeal cookie
Cream filled donut


4. What would do if you were a billionaire?

Pay off our house or buy a new house
Set up trust fund for Nate
Quit my job
Buy an entirely new wardrobe
Buy my parents a house in the Outer Banks

5. What states have you lived in?
Pennsylvania

Greatest Holiday Ever!

Happy National Doughnut Day!

Corn Bread

I have written about my search for the perfect cornbread before. I have tried many, many recipes and never been happy with the results.

It occurred to me today to think about all of the cornbread I REALLY liked and see if I could find the recipe. Well, as bad as it is, the corn bread I really like comes from Boston Market. So I Googled it and came up with a recipe clone that I think I will be making tonight after Nate goes to sleep. Here it is:

Ingredients

• 2 (8 1/2 ounce) boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 1 (18 ounce) box butter recipe cake mix
• 5 egg
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 15 oz can of creamed corn

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and mix all dry ingredients.
  

• Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  

• Pour into greased cupcake pans or mini loaf pans.
  

• Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  

• Allow to cool slightly in the pan (until pulls away from side a bit).

• Remove from pan and serve warm.

If I can get my act together I will try and take pictures and let you know tomorrow how it turned out.

Frugality and Health

There are many frugal habits that turn out to be very good for your health as well. Cooking from scratch for instance is usually healthier than eating pre-packaged foods and, as we all know, generally a frugal endeavour. Right now I am wondering about taking frugality too far, when is being frugal actually bad for you?

For instance, I wash and reuse plastic bags unless they contained meat or cheese, in which case they get throw out after one use. But Now I am beginning to wonder how many washes before a bag is kaput? Same thing for plastic water bottles? How many times can you wash and reuse these things before you begin to breakdown the plastic and it leaches into the food or beverage?

If anyone knows the answer I wold be grateful to hear it.