Homemade Detangling Spray

Combing my daughter's hair has become a daily struggle.  Her extremely thick hair gets tangled so easily, and she has absolutely no tolerance for pain.  The slightest tug on a knot send her into tears.

While we often have coupons for some brands of kids products that offer detangling sprays, I have yet to find one that truly works.  So far this simple recipe is not only cheaper, but more effective.

Ingredients:

• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• 1 C. water

Directions:

1. Combine apple cider vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle.  
2. Spray damp hair and massage in thoroughly.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Recently, I learned something new...how to make homemade vanilla extract. Over the years I have purchased both Imitation Vanilla Extract and Pure Vanilla Extract. If you have purchased either, you know that Pure Vanilla Extract can be expensive.

If you have ever read the ingredients label on the Imitation Vanilla Extract, it can be a bit concerning. I admit, I have a bottle on my shelf right now, and the ingredients include: Water, alcohol, vanilla extract, propylene glycol, invert sugar, caramel color, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, natural and artificial flavor. Without the help of Google, I don't even know what a few of those are.

If you read the ingredients on the bottle of Pure Vanilla Extract it is generally Vanilla Bean, and Alcohol (40%) or roughly there about.

For anyone wishing to make their own Vanilla Extract, now is the perfect time. With the alcohol sales, you can pick up a bottle of Vodka pretty cheap. Safeway, Fry's and CVS all have some pretty good sales going on right now.

There are a number of recipes available online, but this is the one I decided to use:

Ingredients:

2 Vanilla Beans

1 Cup Vodka

Directions:

1. Place 2 vanilla beans on a cutting board and flatten with the side of the knife.
2. Cut each bean lengthwise.
3. Cut each bean in half to insure it will be completely covered by the vodka.
4. Place beans in a small jar with a tight sealing lid.
5. Add 1 cup of vodka to the jar and shake well.
6. Place the lid on the jar and seal tight.
7. Put the jar in a cool, dark place.
8. Shake the jar once a week.

The extract will need to sit for 3 to 5 months before use.  I started my first batch just about 2 weeks ago.  It already has a nice amber/brown coloring.

Once the extract has has sufficient time (3 to 5 months) pour the solution through cheesecloth or gold coffee filters to strain out stray vanilla bean pieces.  Store in air-tight containers.  

Free Sun-Maid Recipe Booklet

Sun-Maid has a Free Recipe Booklet available.

Fry's Produce Sale and Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This week Fry's has both Roma Tomatoes and Mushrooms on sale, making it a great week to make some homemade spaghetti sauce.  Don't forget to add the $1 on produce purchase coupon, if you have a bunch of produce to buy.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce:
Ingredients:

3 1/4 lbs. Roma tomatoes
10 garlic cloves
1 large yellow onion, diced
8 oz. mushrooms, diced
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp. salt
3 Tbsp. Splenda
1 3/4 cup water
1/8 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Blend tomatoes in blender.
2. Peel and chop onion and garlic.
3. Wash and chop mushrooms.
4. In a large pot combine all ingredients and stir to mix.
5. Bring to a boil and then turn down to lowest setting.
6. Simmer for at least 6 hours.
7. The mushrooms should be very slightly firm when done.

Makes about 6-8 servings.
Can be frozen in serving size portions.

Note: The longer it sits, the better it is. Should be made at least 2 days before using to let flavors blend.

Household Recipes - Washing Machine Cleaning

Despite my best efforts to keep the washer door open for it to dry between loads and avoid getting that musty smell, my washer was developing an odor.  I considered buying one of those expensive options from the store.  Then I found the following:

1. Pour 2 cups vinegar into the machine
2. Run it for 3 minutes on hot
3. Stop the machine (pause the load)
4. Let it sit overnight
5. The next morning, resume the cycle
6. Run a rinse cycle on cold

I do this process on the first of the month.

Household Recipes - Washing Machine Cleaning

To clean and freshen the interior of the front-leading washer:

1. Make a solution of one cup bleach and two cups warm water.  Be careful not to spill or spash the bleach solution.
2. Wipe the door seal with bleach solution and soft cloth.
3. Fill bleach dispenser with chlorine bleach.
4. Run the washer through a complete cycle using hot water.
5. Repeat the wash cycle if necessary.

My washing machine manufacturer recommends doing this process every 60 to 120 days.