.money saving tip: hand soap.

Saving money is pretty much a universal desire. Nobody wants to spend more money than necessary. I've been trying to find ways to save, without skimping on quality. One of these ways is by making my own hand soap.

Ignore the fact that my handwriting looks like it says "Hard Soap."

Okay, roll your eyes. Yeah, yeah. I'm such a Suzy Homemaker. 

Really though, it's incredibly easy and saves a bundle. The average 7.5 ounce container of hand soap is around $2.00, depending on where you shop. I can make 256 ounces, two gallons, of hand soap for about $4.25. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. 

For the mathematically challenged, that means I'm saving about $64, or roughly $32 per gallon of soap. 

Do you want to pay over 10 times more for something that you could only spend $4.25 on? I didn't think so. Here's how to make your own hand soap.

Hand Soap makes 128 ounces

1 4-ounce bar of soap. I used Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented with moisturizing cream and bought a 2 pack, hence 256 gallons.

1 gallon of water. 

Shred, grate or chop the bar of soap anyway you would like. I used a paring knife and basically shaved it, which made the pieces flake off perfectly. You could also use a grater though. I just avoid mine at all costs, I hate grating. 

Next, heat a gallon of water in a large pot until steaming, not boiling. Pour the soap flakes into the water and remove from the heat. Let it sit for about 15 minutes then mix well with a whisk or electric mixer. Let the soap sit overnight then remix in the morning and funnel into your soap dispenser(s) and add the remaining soap back into the gallon jug. 

I've seen a lot of other recipes that put additional things into the soap to add fragrance or moisture but I prefer just the plain ol' unscented Dove. You can use any soap you would like though. 

And that, my friends, is how to save $64 with very minimal effort! 

XO

.chicken marengo.

Tonight's dinner was inspired by a little dish posted on the Whole Foods website, here. I made their recipe a few months ago and the Man and I devoured it. It's savory, rich, hearty and delicious.

While trying to decide what to make with my thawed chicken breasts tonight I thought back to this meal. I made some adjustments based on what I had in the pantry and what came out of it was a healthy, filling, super tasty meal.

Sara's Chicken Marengo serves 6
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup flour
1 large onion, diced
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can black beans (I used low sodium)
1 cup chicken broth (again, I used low sodium)
1 package button mushrooms, thinly sliced
Salt, pepper, garlic salt and red pepper flakes to taste

Heat 1/4 of the oil in a large pot or saute pan over medium heat. Mix the flour and desired seasonings together. Dredge the chicken in the flour and add half of the chicken to the pan. You can do all of the chicken if you have a big enough pan, just use 1/2 of the oil. Stir occasionally until browned. Remove and place on a plate.

Add 1/4 of the oil to the pan. Saute the onion until softened. Add the tomatoes, black beans, chicken broth and browned chicken to the pan. Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.

While this is simmering saute the mushrooms in a separate pan with the remaining 1/4 of the oil until they are golden brown. After the 45 minutes is up add the mushrooms to the other pan.

This dish is great served by itself but we put it over brown rice tonight (with a glass of red wine!) and it was so good.

XO

.so easy.

Tonight's dinner was quite possibly one of the easiest things ever. It always amazes me when I make something that requires so little effort but then tastes so delicious. In college I avoided cooking meat and fish because I was terrified I would mess it up. Under cook it, over cook it, season it wrong, etc. I wish I had known back then how easy it is to make a superb meal out of very few ingredients.

The ingredients tonight were a steam fresh bag of broccoli, quinoa with diced tomatoes and the show-stealer: Baked salmon with a spicy mustard.

Which is exactly what it sounds like.

Baked Salmon with Spicy Mustard serves 2
2 salmon fillets
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon spicy mustard (I used mustard with horseradish in it)
Salt

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place the salmon on a baking dish or sheet, skin side down. Sprinkle with salt and olive oil. Add the mustard and spread evenly on top of the fillet. You can use more or less mustard, depending on your taste.

Cook for 30-35 minutes, or until cooked all the way through, and enjoy an awesome piece of fish.

XO

.i'm back baby.

And feeling awesome! To those who are new to my blog, welcome! To the oldies, but goodies, you will notice some changes. Like the blog name, for instance!

I decided to reinvent this little ol' guy into something more indicative of what I will be blogging about. I'm still going to post recipes and deliciousness, but I also wanted to be able to share cute crafts, funny stories, adventures in parenting and, well, nik-naks.

I'm not sure what my blogging schedule will be, but I know I need one. I have very clearly failed at that in the past. I now, however, have a nearly 6 month old bundle of joy that sleeps through the night in her own crib and blogging is something fun I can do in my free time that makes me feel good and like myself. If anyone has a thought about a schedule I would love to hear it!

Right now I'm just taking things one day at a time, getting back into the kitchen, watching la bebe grow in leaps and bounds and loving life!