tips – The Domestic Mama

dollar store crafts

July 9, 2012 1 Comment

dollar store crafts

Over the weekend, my daughter and I camped, ate s’mores and went on some adventures… one of them was the dollar store.

I never have enough cake stands…so I made a couple. It’s pretty self explanatory:

At the dollar store, get yourself two candle sticks, then go to the plate section and find some that “match”. Of course, you could get totally creative and spray paint the glass, but I preferred the clear this time. Glue the two pieces together. (Make sure you use a heavy duty glue that’s good for glass and waterproof)

Next, I want to try some white spray paint, for a classic milk glass look. 😉

You could also try local thrift shops for other bases: cups and glasses, wooden candlesticks, etc.

I could go crazy and make two dozen, I just don’t know where I’d store them all… hmmm.

I guess there is always under the bed…

🙂

meals, tips

whole grains 101

April 4, 2012 No Comments

When I was a kid, I never knew what white bread was until I was in first grade. I only saw white rice at Chinese restaurants and a sugary box of cereal was a big deal, and I’d get some on special occasions like my birthday. Part of all of this was because my mom was a Yoga instructor & health nut.

I tasted carob before chocolate, and preferred Edensoy over cow’s milk. Dried apricots and prunes were “candy”, and the only sugar that made it into our house was “Sugar In The Raw”. When we’d go to the movies, my mom would bring rice cakes and hard-boiled eggs. I apologize to movie patrons of the early 80’s that had to smell boiled eggs while watching “E.T.” or “The Empire Strikes Back”. Back then, it was the “norm” to me because I didn’t know any different. Of course, what happens to a health nut’s kid when she grows up?

I grew up to manage a health food store for 14 years. And, yes.. do Yoga on occasion.

Then I started a blog. A sugary sweet-deep-fried-cheesy-but tasty blog.

But I still have my roots. I keep the “crap” in moderation for the most part… but, sometimes I take my knowledge for granted. Especially when it comes to health food.

Now that the hubs is on a DASH diet for hypertension, I re-stocked my pantry with whole grains and I decided to share some nifty info to inspire you guys as well. Now… go out and get yourself some grains. 😉

Grain Cooking Chart

information from “Enchanted Broccoli Forest” by Mollie Katzen

RICE (1 cup)	WATER	COOKING TIME	YIELD
Brown Rice (long grain)	2 cups	35 to 45 minutes	3 1/2 cups
Brown Rice (short grain)	2 cups	35 to 45 minutes	3 3/4 cups
Brown Basmati Rice	2 cups	45 to 50 minutes	4 cups
Brown Jasmine Rice	2 cups	45 to 50 minutes	4 cups
Black Japonica Rice	2 cups	45 minutes	3 1/2 cups
Wehani Rice	2 cups	45 minutes	3 cups
Wild Rice	2 1/2 cups	1 1/4 hours	4 cups
Manitok Wild Rice	2 1/2 cups	50 to 60 minutes	4 cups

GRAIN (1 cup)	WATER	COOKING TIME	YIELD
Amaranth	1 1/2 cups	25 minutes	2 cups
Barley, Hulled	3 cups	1 3/4 hours	4 cups
Barley, Pearl	2 cups	1 1/2 hours	4 cups
Buckwheat/Kasha	1 1/2 cups	10 minutes	3 1/2 cups
*Bulgur	1 1/2 cups	30 to 40 minutes	3 cups
Cracked Wheat	2 1/2 cups	7 to 10 minutes	3 1/2 cups
Cornmeal (Polenta)	2 1/2 cups	10 minutes	3 1/2 cups
Couscous	1 1/4 cups	10 minutes	2 3/4 cups
Kamut	2 1/2 cups	1 3/4 hours	2 1/2 cups
Millet	2 cups	25 minutes	3 1/2 cups
Oat Groats	2 1/2 cups	35 to 40 minutes	2 1/2 cups
**Quinoa	2 cups	25 to 30 minutes	4 cups
Rye Berries	2 1/2 cups	1 1/4 hours	2 1/2 cups
Spelt	1 1/2 cups	50 to 60 minutes	2 cups
Teff	3 cups	15 minutes	3 cups
Triticale	2 1/2 cups	1 1/2 hours	3 cups
Wheat Berries, Hard (Red)	2 cups	2 hours	3 cups
Wheat Berries, Soft (White)	2 cups	1 1/2 hours	3 1/2 cups

*Soak, don’t cook.

**Rinse first.

kids, life organization

kids room clutter conquer

January 13, 2012 No Comments

I have to admit this and forgive me if I sound like a horrible mama; but sometimes I choose toys by how many (or few) tiny parts they have. Not because of choking hazards thankfully we are past that stage. Although I still have to say “Don’t lick that” a few too many times.

Sometimes, all those little parts make me crazy. All the little plastic ~~hair~~ pony brushes, Barbie shoes… ugh. If you have a boy, it may be little AK-47s or plastic insects. Then again, I have the plastic insects as well.

My point being, is that the little parts end up everywhere and it’s impossible to keep them contained, much less WITH the play set they came with. There are tons of great colorful bins they sell out there but , to be honest I simply haven’t had the loot for a bin-overhaul. I came up with a much thrifty-er version. Yay me.

I took my covered boxes idea a step further, and let my daughter pick out the scrapbook paper for her “toy boxes”.

She has good taste.

The boxes were FREE. The paper was 6/$1.00 and the glue stick was 3/$1.

Can’t get much ~~cheaper~~ thriftier than that.

So, until I have an extra $75 to color-cordinate bin shelf her room, these will be just fine. I’m trying to help her to keep the ponies, little pets and people separate… but she said they like to be mixed up. I’m okay with that. 🙂

For detailed step by steps, go here covered boxes

kids