eMeals Natural and Organic and Clean Eating Menus

eMeals appeared on Groupon today for $29, half of the normal $58 a year fee.  I had always wanted to try this Dave Ramsey recommended online meal planner, but the sample menus never looked like they fit our lifestyle (or tastes).  When I saw the Groupon, I revisited the eMeals site and found that they now offer a family Natural and Organic meal plan and a family Clean Eating meal plan, both complete with shopping list.  Both plans can be used when shopping at any store, but the Natural and Organic plan can be customized for shopping at Whole Foods.  I nabbed the Groupon and will put it to use when we return from a trip to Singapore this Fall.

If you like what you see and want to purchase the eMeals Groupon, you better hurry.  There are only a limited number available!

Eco-corner

I have lovingly nicknamed this corner of our new backyard the eco-corner.  I wish we could take credit for it all, but the only green idea that we contributed is the pop-up compost bin (from Target).  It's my first time composting and I'm not even sure it's going to work.

I just hung Sweet Son's diapers to dry (sans clothespins since I have yet to find good ones at the store) and judging by the insane heat and harsh sun, they should be dry by the time I finish this post!  Oh, and yes, I had a new addition since the last time I posted, along with a cross country move and many other family changes.

Homemade deodorant

I absolutely would have never thought about making my own deodorant!  But since I am currently paying a pretty hefty price for my Jason brand Tea Tree oil deodorant, I'd love to find an cheaper homemade alternative that would work just as good.  I found this recipe on Passionate Homemaking tonight and wanted to share it.

Ingredients:

5-6 Tbsp Coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch

Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder. Then slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon until it maintains the substance you desire. It should be about the same texture as the store bought kind, solid but able to be applied easily. You can either scoop this into your old dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. After applying the product, you can just rub the remains into your hands as a lotion! This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

I already have all these ingredients in my pantry.  I can't wait to make up a small test batch and try it out!

Success!

Last week, I made my own dishwasher detergent. This week, I use it for the fist time. Sweet success came in the form of beautifully washed dishes with only a tiny hint of white residue in the dried water spots. I'd say that's pretty good when you consider we had been using Electrosol tabs with Jet Dry Powerballs! So, go ahead and try it yourself, and let me know if it works for you! 

Hint - make only a half batch of the detergent at first... just in case you end up hating it and throwing it out.