Two of my favorite things!

Well I decided to highlight two of my very favorite things that help me be clean and be a good mom. They both are the Shark Steamers. Very easy to use, no chemicals just water that turns into hot steam, and you can use it on everything! This the pocket steamer. It cleans crayon off the wall in seconds, cleans kitchen chairs that have food stuck on them, the toilet, wipes finger prints off walls in seconds, mirrors, Toys, etc. I think this one is a must if you are doing preschool, daycare, nursery, etc. It sanitizes in seconds, and when those kids start sucking on a toy, you will know that no chemicals are on the toy, and it is clean.

The other favorite thing is the Shark Mop. No Chemicals used, only water, and washable pads. This is a very effective way to clean your floors. I think it is a must for any Mom with little babies. I think we have seen all babies lick the floor, and eat things off the floor, so to have it clean with no chemicals is a plus.

I have used steamers before, but hate the fact that they take 30 minutes to heat up. With these, you put the water in, plug it in, and 30 SECONDS later it is ready. I got mine for my birthday about two years and I love them. They are worth the 70-100 dollars they cost. Anyone that knows me can call me anytime and try it out before they buy one.

Apple Tips for Drying, Canning, and Getting!

Dried apples are a healthy snack for kids. Because my mother has lots and lots of Apple trees, I always am trying to find ways to preserve my apples.

Last year I bought this dryer. It works so great and I love it. I also bought this Apple Slicer, peeler, and corer in one. I love this and my kids LOVE how the apple comes out all hooked together and sliced and peeled. This is a dryer item that I bought for 17.95, but I have found that my kids like to have their apples cut this way. So I keep it in the pantry all year round, for quick access. I can get them to eat tons of apples if I slice them this way. I am really careful that if they want to help me I only let them turn and not put the apple on and off. They could get hurt doing this. My kids love to take the dried fruit off the trays and they love to put the fresh fruit on the trays and take them to the machine. I think it is great that they help me with this.

I only bought this stuff last year. What if I couldn't afford it then? Here are three ways to do the same thing I did, with resources you have.

Dehydrator or Oven Drying
1. Cut apples into wedges and slice into 1/4-inch-thick slices, or slice the apples into rings.
2. Dip apple slices in an ascorbic acid mixture (1/4 c. lemon juice to 1 qt. water) - to keep them from turning brown as they dry.
3. Place the slices one layer deep on kitchen trays. Do not overlap the slices.
4. Dry at 115 degrees F for 6 to 8 hours. Turn the slices after 4 hours and rotate the trays if needed.
5. Test for dryness after 6 hours and then every 2 hours until no moisture remains in the center of the slices.

Sun Drying
1. Prepare the same way as above.
2. Cover with cheesecloth and place in a well-ventilated area in full sunlight.
3. Turn slices every few hours.
4. Take trays inside at night. Drying takes two to three days.

Spices: I like to change up my dried apples. I have put before: Cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, Carmel, and cayenne pepper on my apples as they were drying.

My last thought was what do you do if you DON'T have apples to dry. Last year my two sisters in law answered this question. They drove around town and looked for apple trees that were not being picked from. They got over pride and went and asked if they could have some. Everyone said take as much as you want, and were grateful someone could use them. Both of my sister in laws have over 19 kids between them and needed that extra blessing.

If you DO have money to spend, go to a local orchard and pay for the apples.

Not related at all to drying apples, but my last tip of the day is that if you are making applesauce (bottling or fresh on the stove) throw in a few red hots. It will make the color pretty and give a hint of cinnamon.

My favorite new thing, and my favorite old thing!

My baby had the worst diaper rash ever! Nothing worked and we went through so many brands trying to get it to work. Finally my sister told me about this stuff. I found some at a local boutique store. It was 14.95. Yes. ouch. But I was well on my way to take this baby to the doctor and that would have been a 20 co-pay. Anyway it worked within a day. I don't like the smell that much, but I really like how fast it cleared everything up for him. It has other uses for Athletes, and older people. This would be a great addition to your 72 hour kit. I will be ordering in bulk for this. I have to know how much I am buying before I know how much they will charge me. If you know me contact me and you can get in on this order. If you don't, just go to their website. http://www.bootybalminc.com/ and you can read why it is called a Miracle Cream, and order on that site.

This is one of my all time favorite things. I call it Bunny Bunny. This is 9.75 per can and the can really lasts a long time (even though I use it every night). It opens my airways, and relaxes me so I can go to sleep every night. Uses other than colds are: Chapped stuff, Hemorrhoids, muscular soreness, scratches, cuts, cracked heals, children that pick their scabs (just put a dab on each night, and minor burns. You can google Rawleigh products to get this, of if you know me, I am doing an order soon and can order you some. The price does go down the more you buy. It is also great for your 72 hour kit. On a side note this is my Great Grandfather. He sold Rawleigh products as a door to door salesman his whole life. It is really fun that it is still such a great product that I still want to buy it. I guess it is in the genes.... I am a Rawleigh girl at heart! Also Rawleigh sells a lot more things. If their is anything else you want, let me know!