1. DEODORANT

We’ve all had those days where we thought we had enough deodorant to get us started in the morning until we pull off the cap, and what little bit you had left, falls to the floor. Baking soda is a quick fix in a situation like this.  Simply apply to underarms with a powder puff to smell fresh!

2. ITCH CREAM

Mosquito bites, bee stings, and rashes can all be relieved with a little baking soda. Simply mix with a little water to form a paste-like substance and apply to the affected area!

3. FRESH FLOWERS

The presence of fresh flowers is something we all appreciate!  Extend the life of your pretty petals by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water in your vase.

4. SNEAKER ODOR EATER

Being active can create a not-so-pleasant smell in your sneakers, boots, or footwear of choice.  Sprinkle a little baking soda inside your shoes to keep those dirty odors at bay!

5. CARPET REFRESHER

So you don’t have the extra funds to spend on carpet smelly goods…  That’s okay!  Simply grab some baking soda and sprinkle on your carpet or rug before vacuuming to neutralize odors.

6. BUG REPELLENT

As the seasons change, we all get those little bugs inside our home.  Whether it be ants, roaches, or spiders, baking soda can deter their invasion.  Just place under windows (or wherever they seem to be getting in) to make them run the other way!

7. CLEANER

Baking soda can be used to clean various household items.  It works great on porcelain such as the toilet or tub.  You can also use it to clean the fridge, sink, and much more!

8. BURNT PANS

All of us have burnt our pots and pans at one time or another.  Instead of spending time scrubbing the burns away, try a little baking soda.  Put some into the pot or pan and add some water.  Bring it to a boil and continue boiling for a few minutes until the burns have disappeared!

9. FRESH LAUNDRY

So you love the smell of fabric softener, but the cost can be outrageous.  Just add some baking soda your wash cycle for a fresh scent!

10. FACE WASH

When you run out of your favorite facial cleanser, try some baking soda.  Make a paste by adding a little water to the baking soda and apply to face.  Let sit for a few minutes and rinse clean.  Baking soda will help clear up acne and keep your face clear.  Don’t forget to moisturize afterwards, as the baking soda can dry out your skin.

4 cooking apples (cored and cut in half lengthwise)

25 vanilla caramels

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Instructions:

Place apples, cut side up, in an 8 x 8 baking dish.  Cover and microwave for 3 – 4 minutes or until apples are tender.  Combine caramels and milk in microwave safe dish and microwave for 2 – 3 minutes or until melted, stirring halfway through.  Pour caramel sauce over apples and sprinkle with nuts.  Microwave uncovered for 2 – 3 minutes (caramel sauce should bubble).  Serve warm and enjoy!

Yields 6 – 8 servings

1 medium acorn squash

1/8 ground cinnamon

1 cup peeled and chopped apple

4 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut squash in half and remove seeds.  Place in loaf pan and add apples to center of squash.  Cover and bake for 30 minutes.  While that’s baking, combine honey and butter in microwave safe dish.  Cover and microwave for 15 – 20 seconds or until melted.  Remove squash and apples from oven when time is up.

Uncover squash and drizzle honey and butter mixture over top.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Bake uncovered for another 30 minutes or until tender.

Remove from oven and enjoy your apple-stuffed acorn squash!  (Caution:  HOT!)

Makes about 2 servings.

Ingredients

Bread (I use the uneaten ends, but any part of the loaf will do.  Remember, stale bread is okay to use)
Parsley Flakes
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Olive Oil

Recipe

Preheat oven to 350.  While that’s warming up, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Cut or break the bread into bite size pieces.  Then, arrange them on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Drizzle the olive oil over the bread.  Do not drown the bread in olive oil, but rather lightly coat the pieces.

Follow with sprinkling the three seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley flakes) over all the bite size pieces.

Next, place in the preheated oven for about 5-10 minutes and bake until you have reached your desired crispness.

Take out of the oven (don’t forget to turn off the oven when your done) and let croutons cool.

Enjoy your homemade croutons on a salad, in some soup, or as a topper for a casserole!  You can also get creative with future recipes by adding rosemary or other seasonings.  Don’t forget that cheese is also great for croutons too!

*Notice I did not give any measurements for the seasonings.  This is for two reasons.  First and foremost, the amount of each ingredient used depends on your palate and what tastes good to you.  Second, how much you use also depends on how many croutons you are making.  Take notes for how much of what ingredients you use and create your own specific recipe.  Trial and error may be ahead to discover your perfect crouton recipe, but I will tell you, I have yet to make a bad crouton!!!

Bird Feeder

All you need for this is some peanut butter, bird seed, twine or ribbon, and of course, a toilet paper roll.  Take your toilet paper roll and cover the outside with peanut butter.  Then, spread out the bird seed, and roll the peanut butter covered tube in the bird seed until it is completely coated.  Finally, put the piece of twine or ribbon through the tube and hang it up outside.  Watch the birds enjoy their new feeder!

Gift or Favor Box

Decorate a toilet paper roll with pretty paper or paint.  Then, simply fold the ends in on each side to close the holes (think pillow-box).  These are great for small gifts or favors.  They could even be used to hand out on Halloween when filled with candy!

Fly Strip

To create a homemade fly strip, you will need a toilet paper roll, tape (double-sided tape is easiest to use), a spritz of apple cider vinegar, and a string.  Cover the roll with tape, then lightly spray it with a small amount vinegar to attract the pests.  Hang with a string and watch those bugs get stuck!

Seedling Starter

Use toilet paper rolls to create containers for seedlings.  By cutting a toilet paper roll in half, it becomes the perfect size for a seedling.  Fill the roll with soil and dampen before sowing in your seed.  For multiple seedlings, try arranging the tubes in a small container.  After the seedling begins to sprout, you can replant the whole thing in the ground as the toilet paper roll will decompose over time.

Desk Organizer

This is a great project if you have multiple toilet paper rolls.  You will need several rolls, a shoebox, and whatever you want to decorate them with (paint, paper, etc).  Cut your tubes to various sizes.  Paint or decorate the rolls and shoebox.  Organize the rolls upright in the shoebox so they all fit in there snugly.  Add pens, pencils, scissors, paperclips, and whatever else is on your desk into your new organizer!

2.  Clean Toothbrushes
Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3.  Sterilize Countertops
Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell.  For easy application, put it in a spray bottle.

4.  Kill fungus
Make a mixture of half peroxide and half water.  Spray on infected area and let dry.  Works great for athletes foot and other skin funguses.

5.  Cure Canker Sores
Rinse mouth out with a capful of peroxide daily to help sooth and get rid of canker sores.

6.  Prevent infection
Use peroxide on minor cuts and scrapes to remove germs and help them heal faster.

7.  Disinfect Bathroom
Use half water and half peroxide to spray down bathroom areas that need disinfecting.

8.  Relieve Toothache
By holding peroxide in your mouth three times a day for ten minutes can greatly relieve the pain of a toothache until you can get to the dentist.

9.  Clear Sinuses
Make a mixture of half water and half peroxide to spray up your nose.  Hold for a few minutes while it bubbles, then blow your nose.

10.  Sterilize Cutting Board
After washing cutting board with dish soap, pour peroxide over it to kill any remaining bacteria.

11.  Streak-free Mirrors
Use peroxide to clean your mirrors without having that smearing effect.

12.  Lighten Hair
For some natural looking highlights or all over hair lightening, spray a mixture of half peroxide and half water onto damp hair and comb through.

13.  Clean Laundry
Add a cup of peroxide to your load of whites for brighter whites.