Homemade Air Fresheners - Guest Post w/ Recipe!

Photo credit: Susan Bewly @ Budget Earth

If there is one thing I am proud of in my home - it that I can keep a clean house without having to worry about using toxic chemicals. Years ago, I was horrified when I found out just how many toxins we breathe in everyday in our home. I have even read that some tests have found the air in homes can be up to three times more toxic than the air outside, due to hazardous chemicals found in everyday cleaners. For those who read my blog, Budget Earth, you know I spend quite a bit of time talking about earth friendly cleaners and effective alternatives like making your own cleaners with vinegar.  While these cleaners can smell amazing with a few drops of natural essence, vinegar isn't the best for dealing with odors, leading to me experimenting with creating my own natural homemade air freshener.

In my mind, there are two types of natural air fresheners - ones based on bringing out the essences in herbs, and those released by burning candles. While I love candles, sometimes they aren't the best for dealing with obnoxious scents, especially ones caused by pets - cats and fire can be a recipe for disaster! For these tough-to-eliminate smells, I make my own homemade air freshener using common fruits and herbs found in just about any kitchen.

Unlike many other recipes, the homemade air freshener recipe I have below is very malleable - you can change out some of the herbs and seasonings without bad effects. For example, if I want my kitchen to have more of a fall scent, I will mix in some whole cloves or all spice in the mixture. While it may sound complicated at first glance, this recipe is very easy to make, and extremely cost effective depending on your choice of herbs.  As a special treat, I sometimes put a used vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract into the mix. This can make the recipe a bit more expensive but is very worth it if you enjoy your whole house having a very soft, vanilla scent.

Homemade Air Freshener

Ingredients

• 2-3 Whole Lemons or Limes
• 3-4 Sprigs Rosemary
• 5-6 Mint Leaves can substitute 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 6 Whole Cloves
• 5 Cups Water

Instructions

1. Pour the water in your preferred sauce pan and bring to a boil.
2. As you are waiting for the water to come to a boil, cut up the limes or lemons. Squeeze the juice and seeds into the water. Instead of discarding the skin, put in the pot as well.
3. Once the mixture has come to a boil, set to a simmer and put in the other seasonings into the pot. Let simmer for half hour to two hours. The scent will become stronger as water evaporates from the pan.

If you need an air freshener fast, place twice the amount of fresh herbs into the pot and keep the mixture at a boil. At this setting, your room or the first floor of your house will smell like the herbal mixture within ten minutes. As a fair warning, these herbs can be very fragrant so don't go overboard.

If you would like a stronger scent that will go throughout your house, I highly recommend using fresh herbs over dried herbs. These herbs have much more natural essence stored in their leaves, and are much cheaper than using dried herbs. For people who do not have access to fresh herbs due to the season, feel free to use dried rosemary, basil, and other pleasant smelling herbs, though you may need a bit more of them.

Added for guest author: You can keep this going for several days just by adding more water when it gets low. 

My spin: I plan on putting a pot on my wood stove to get the scent without having to use my stove and electricity!

This is a guest post written by Susan Bewley, head writer at Budget Earth. For more natural living ideas and green product reviews, free to check out their site!

Simply Potatoes Review & Giveaway- ends 11/27

Photo credit: SimplyPotatoes.com

Busy families sometimes need help getting a quality homemade dinner on the table.  I believe that homemade dinners eaten together as a family is extremely important.  But, I also know that families are busier than ever and it can be hard to get a meal together that isn't fast food or an entree from a box.  Simply Potatoes has a great solution to this age-old dinner time problem.

Simply Potatoes aren't dehydrated, canned, or frozen potatoes....they're refrigerated products that can make a good meal great.  They have a ton of choices too, although I found out that not all stores or regions carry them all.  The have the basic potatoes like hash browns, diced, wedges, etc.  They also have side dishes like macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.  Their new products are steamable seasoned potatoes and they look really good.  I can't wait until some of these are in my stores.

We gave a couple packs a try to see how it went for dinner and breakfast.  I made the Steakhouse Seasoned Diced Potatoes for dinner.  The bag of potatoes was certainly enough to feed my family of 2 adults and 2 growing teens and was on sale for $1.99 at Food Lion.  I followed the package directions exactly, but I think the potatoes needed cooking a few minutes more because they were a little crisper than I generally prefer.  The seasoning was nice and had a peppery taste to it.  Hubby and son didn't love them all that much, but my daughter was in love with the left overs she re-heated.

For breakfast I made the Shredded Hash Browns.  These were also quite enough to feed all of us with some left over and were sold at the same price as the Steakhouse potatoes.  I liked the hash browns with the exception of the seasoning.....which I'm not sure was there at all.  You really need to add some salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you want to these while they're cooking to get a good taste.

I was definitely pleased with how easy these sides made dinner time and I'll be getting more of them when they're on sale.  I can't wait to try out the new Steamables and possibly use some of the recipes they have on their website.  They also have a good selection of gluten-free recipes there too.

Now for the fun part.....Simply Potatoes has offered one of my readers a free product coupon to try it out for yourself!

Contest ends 11/27 at midnight EST and winner will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  US only.


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Cellfire Coupons- November 2012

Another great round of coupons are available from Cellfire.  Go HERE to add them to your shopper's card!

These offers are valid at Kroger and Kroger subsidiaries, Carrs, Genuardi's, Randall's, Tom Thumb, Shop 'n Save, Foodtown, and Harps. These offers will be available from 11/1 - 11/30 and they expire on 12/15/12.
PB Rolled Pie Crusts Save $.75 Save $0.75 when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

PB Sweet Rolls Save $.40 Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls.

Pillsbury® Crescents Save $.50 Save $0.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls.

PB Cookie Dough Save $1 Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Chex® Cereal Save $1 Save $1.00 when you buy any TWO BOXES Chex® cereals: Rice Chex®, Corn Chex®, Wheat Chex®, Honey Nut Chex®, Chocolate Chex®, Multi-Bran Chex®, Cinnamon Chex®, Apple Cinnamon Chex®.

BC Cookie Mix Save $.50 Save $0.50 when you buy ONE POUCH any flavor 14 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix.

Cheerios® Cereal Save $.50 Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX Original Cheerios® cereal (the one in the yellow box).

Cinn Toast Crunch® Save $.50 Save $0.50 when you buy ONE BOX Cinnamon Toast Crunch® cereal.

PB Refrig'd Grands! Save $.40 Save $0.40 when you buy THREE CANS any size/variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® or Grands! Jr. ® Biscuits.

Bisquick® Save $.50 Save $0.50 when you buy ONE 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick® OR Bisquick Heart Smart® Baking Mix, OR 10.6 OZ. Bisquick® Shake ’n Pour® Pancake Mix.

Yoplait® Frzn Smthie Save $.75 Save $0.75 when you buy ONE any flavor Yoplait® Frozen Smoothie.

Yoplait® Cups Save $.40 Save $0.40 when you buy SIX CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt (Includes Original, Light, Light Thick & Creamy, Thick & Creamy, Whips!®, Lactose Free, OR Simplait™)

Yoplait® Fruplait™ Save $.50 Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor Yoplait® Fruplait™ Yogurt Multipacks

Gorton's Skillet Crisp Tilapia Review

 

Fixing Gorton's Skillet Crisp Tilapia for dinner is a quick and easy way to get a wholesome and quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes.  Fish is one of those things that we all need more of, but so many people just don't know how to cook it right.  Fish can go from under cooked to over cooked in just a matter of a minutes.  If you're looking for a quick way to get a tasty meal on the table, you'll want to check this out.

Gorton's Skillet Crisp Tilapia comes in two tasty varieties, Classic and Garlic Herb.  I tried out the Garlic Herb with the family today.  What I noticed first when I opened the package was how large the filets are and how many there were in the box.  For a retail price of $6.99, you get 5 decent size filets that don't shrink up substantially when you cook them.  You can't get four pieces of grocery store frozen fish for less than that.

The fish cooked up easily and was gently seasoned.  For me it could have had a little more seasoning, but I know that some people don't like a lot of season on their fish.  I cooked my regular garlic and herb tilapia as well as Gortons' version so we could do a side by side comparison of the two dishes.  Hubby didn't care for the smell of the breading on Gorton's fish, but he thought that the fish inside was good.  My teenage son liked Gorton's okay and went back for seconds, although he didn't prefer the fish with the breading.  I thought the fish was light and pleasant tasting and the filets were very plump and juicy.

Although it wasn't an overall smash for the whole family, I would definitely eat it again if I was in a pinch for dinner.  Gorton's Skillet Crisp isn't available at all grocery stores yet, but you can check their website for a list of stores in your area that carry them.

    

Toe Juice (Funny Name, Multi-Use Product) Review & Giveaway -Ends 11/16

I don't know about you, but it's very frustrating to me to buy 10 different products to take care of 10 different skin issues.  You end up with a bathroom cabinet full of various skin treatments, lotions, swabs, etc.  When I heard of Toe Juice, the name simultaneously made me laugh and cringe!  But, Toe Juice isn't a product meant solely for your toes.....as a matter of fact, it has more uses in other regions of your body than it does on your toes!

Toe Juice uses DermaVine, a blend of plant based extracts, to enhance the skin's natural repairing ability.  Toe Juice can be used for a number of common skin ailments such as:

• Ezcema
• Warts
• Skin toner
• Acne
• Insect bites
• Athlete's foot
• Ringworm

The list really goes on and on, but you can see here that Toe Juice is a natural and all-inclusive way to help solve a variety of common skin problems.  Head on over to Toe Juice to see a complete list of uses for Toe Juice.  You can also check out a video here that shows the many uses of Toe Juice. 

I have some pretty irritating rosacea on my face that causes redness and bumps that look and act like acne.  There's no treatment for rosacea, but you can do things to minimize the effects on your skin.  Avoiding trigger foods, cooling after exertion, and constant but gentle cleansing of the affected region.  I've tried all sorts of creams and toners to help, but haven't found anything that really does a great job, so I thought I'd try Toe Juice.

Before, see the red bumps?

This product really  helped reduce the acne like bumps and kept the face cleansed and toned.  Unfortunately, I also have sensitive skin, so Toe Juice's alcohol-based product lit me up like crazy.  Some mild tingling/burning sensation is good when you're dealing with a product that gets rid of acne and other like skin conditions, but it's not good for sensitive skin folks like me.  My face was flaming red in the spots where I put the Toe Juice on for a couple of hours.

After, bumps gone, but redness remains

Deciding that this probably wasn't a product that I should keep on using for my face, I decided to try it on hubby's razor bumps and acne.  He didn't have any adverse reaction to the product and it cleared up those pesky bumps quickly.  I also tried it on a bug bite that I had and it worked better than any topical anti-itch medication I've tried before.

All this being said, I'd definitely recommend this to be a multi-use product in your skin challenge arsenal, but caution you to test the product out in a small area first before you use it all over your face.

You can buy Toe Juice on Amazon, Drugstore.com, and Walgreens and many other stores.  Check out their list of brick and mortar stores that carry Toe Juice.  Additionally, you can get Toe Juice directly from their website, and they're running a web special that gets you a free bottle and you pay only the price of shipping.

And now, get a chance to try Toe Juice out for yourself and see the difference it can make for you and your family!  One luck reader will win a Toe Juice kit just like the one I received!

Giveaway ends 11/16 at midnight.  You must complete all of the mandatory entries for your entries to count.  US only.

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Candle Warmers Giveaway- Ends 11/22

Hosted by Everything By Chelsea

Co-hosted by One Heart, One Family & Live Laugh Love To Shop

During the holidays in my family we always have a nice smelling candle lit. With an open flame candle it can be dangerous, especially if you have kids in the house. With a candle warmer you can still obtain the lovely fragrance without all of the dangers of doing so. Everything By Chelsea recently found this amazing company that offers all types of candle warmers, called Candle Warmers. Candle Warmers was founded in 2001 and they wanted to bring a different method for releasing fragrance from a candle without the dangers of an open flame. Candle Warmers is committed to bringing the home with affordable and safe candle warmer appliances and accessories. Their products consist of candle warmer lamps, crocks, plate warmers, and many more! You can check them out all here.

I especially love that Candle Warmers products aren't just like what everyone else has....a crock that you put a tea candle or tarts in.  Candle Warmers has beautiful rustic looking lanterns like this one that fit my country cabin decor perfectly.  I love that their styles are individualized to fit everyone from modern to classic to rustic. 

Hurricane Candle Warmer Lantern Combo

Everything By Chelsea received a wonderful opportunity to review one of their holiday candle warmers, the Snowflake. You can read her entire review here. If you are looking for a personalized gift for someone this holiday, then I highly recommend Candle Warmers. Not only are they safe and affordable, but they have many options for just about everyone. It is so hard to choose just one fragrance because there are so many of them! Here is your chance to win your own holiday themed Candle Warmer!

This giveaway will end on 11/22. Please remember to complete all mandatory entries as they will be verified! Good luck!!

Disclosure: Everything By Chelsea received this item for the purpose of a review. Chelsea received no compensation for this publication. Her opinions are her own and may vary from those of your own. SW Virginia Saving Money is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. 

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Rachel Ray Cookware Giveaway- Ends 11/15

Welcome to the Give Thanks Rachael Ray Cookware Event!

Hosted by Mom Blog Society and Mom to Bed by 8

Special thanks to our lovely co-hosts Capri's Coupons, Swank Savings, and My Vegan Gluten Free Life!

Oh, how I love good cookware and kitchen gadgets.  I've seen some of Rachel Ray's cookware sold in Wal-Mart and it looks to be quality pieces.  I've spent too much of my life trying to create great meals for my family on flimsy and cheap cookware and over the past few years I've decided that it's time that I stop that.  I may not have a lot of money to buy a 10-piece set all at once, but I like to buy a nice piece at a time or ask for it for Christmas.  This giveaway event is an awesome way for you to get quality cookware all at once----and for FREE!!

The stylish two-tone gradient exterior on the Rachael Ray Porcelain 10-piece set adds color and style to any kitchen. This cookware heats quickly and evenly, reducing "hot spots" that can burn foods. A long-lasting nonstick interior allows food to slide off and makes cleanup quick and easy. The rubberized dual-riveted handles are comfortable and oven safe to 350 degrees. Watch your foods cook without having to remove the lid to keep moisture locked in. Comes with a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

• Number of Pieces: 10
• Includes: 2-qt. Saucepan with Lid, 3-qt. Saucepan with Lid, 6-qt. Stockpot with Lid, 8.5" Skillet, 1-qt. Saucepan with Lid, 10" Skillet
• Features: Clear Glass Lid, Riveted Handle, Nonstick Coating
• Pan-Pot Material: Porcelain
• Handle Material: Rubber
• Lid Material: Glass
• Finish: Enameled
• Baking cooking surface: Nonstick
• Care and Cleaning: Oven Safe up to 350 degrees, Hand-wash Only
• Warranty Description: Lifetime Limited Manufacturer Warranty

One lucky reader will receive a Rachael Ray Porcelain II Orange 10pc Set!

Giveaway ends November 15th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!