Daily Thrifty Tips - June 12, 2007

There's an urgent recall regarding SHIR FRESH fresh toothpaste in the More Reading section. Apparently, the recalled toothpaste has the same ingredient used in anti-freeze, which begs the question, why are they putting anti-freeze in toothpaste? If you have that type of toothpaste, I would return it, even if it doesn't fall within the recall. This is a problem with a Chinese import which seems to be a common theme in a lot of these recent recalls.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Pop Bottle Bird Feeder

Here's an easy bird feeder that can be made from a painted 2 litre pop bottle.

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Icy Leaves

Here's a picture of icy leaves.

By Jessica from Arlington, TX

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Precious (MinPin/Chihuahua)

Precious is 4 1/2 years old and is a Miniature Pinscher and Chihuahua mix. I got my first dog 5 months ago from my loyal cousins.

She always chew stuffed toys, she loves to sleep (otherwise, she seems lazy when she sleeps. When I pick her up she starts to growl.) She's always jumping at the door and wants to go outside. She loves to eat. She always hiding from us and has gotten us to worry. She is always quiet, and never barks.

By Datrell Morgan from Omaha, NE

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Making A "Boppy" Style Pillow For Babies

Boppy pillows are so handy for nursing moms or simply for baby to lay on while we Grandmothers rock them to sleep. At the baby stores, they are around $25 but, with the following instructions, you can make your own for half the price.

A boppy is a horseshoe shaped pillow which fits around Mom's waist. It is 43 inches around, and each side of the horseshoe is 9 inches wide. The center of it (between each side) measures 5 inches.

Trace your "horseshoe" pattern onto a posterboard or newspaper, according to these dimensions. Cut two pieces,and lay front sides together to sew. Be sure to clip the curved parts to prevent ripping. A stretchy type of material, chenille, or terrycloth actually works best. When sewing by machine, leave an opening for stuffing.

To stuff, use the really soft craft stuffing. To prevent lumps, I shred mine really finely. You want this pillow really soft and stuffed (almost OVERSTUFFED) really tightly. No Lumps! Babies Love them. My Grandson slept with his body in the center and his head on top. He liked the snuggy feeling of the sides pulled in close to him.

By Sharon from Ravenna, KY

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Tips For A Great Camping Adventure

• Build a good fire at night, it keeps the bugs away.

• Take all the ingredients for s'mores, a must have for camping. And don't forget the marshmallow sticks.

• If you like to read, take good lanterns and battery operated lamps.

• Remember to sit back and look at the stars. You never get to see them like that with all the lights in town.

• Be prepared for any kind of weather. Take rain gear, warm clothes and shorts and tanks. I made that mistake once, thought it would be cold and it was 90 degrees.

• A wonderful camping food if you have it is wrapping fresh fish, lemon, garlic and butter in foil and putting them in the coals in the fire. I've never tasted anything better. Works great for potatoes too, especially the small red ones.

• Have a wonderful time!

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Kid's Stepping Stones

Materials

• Bag of cement (buy at hardware or home store, about $3.00 for a big bag, get the kind that says premixed - just add water. Nothing fancy, just the end line stuff)
• small, durable momentoes to place in cement (I've used rubber frogs and bugs on one, a pacifier and a rattle in one, and hot wheels cars in one, in the past)
• round 9 inch disposable cake pans (check to make sure children's feet fit in these, if not, use a larger size)

Directions

This project is easier than it sounds :) Do it outside, because it gets messy! Mix cement with water according to directions on bag. Pour in tins. Let it sit until it is firm enough to hold a print. Place child's foot in center of tin and smoosh :) Try to not go all the way to the bottom! Place small knick knacks around foot print like a toy, etc., as listed above. Cement is hard to write in, but we were able to do initials with aquarium rocks. Let set. Cover with water to cure according to package directions. Let these set for a few days before removing from the tins. These can be buried in the garden as stepping stones, left out on the deck, or anywhere outside. Once hard, they are quite durable!

By Barbara from West Union, OH

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Keep Camp Pots From Boiling Over

When cooking over an open camp fire, place a stick or one strand of spaghetti across the top of pot to keep it from boiling over.

By Jean from Raleigh, NC

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Saving Money Running a Motel

I run a 19 room motel and I try to help my boss/best friend save some money wherever we can.

One way is when I'm watering the yards and the hose has a leak. Instead of letting the leak just waste away on the ground, I put a large watering can under the leak and use the water from that to water the plants the sprinklers don't reach. Other times, I put it on a tree or in a planter box and water them that way. No water is wasted that way.

Also, we have a planter box that is always in the sun and nothing wants to grow in it because it's so hot and dry. What I did is planted some pansies in the box then put some big fluffy fake flowers over them to act as umbrellas to shade them during the hottest times of the day. It's working quite well.

During the fall, I rake all the leaves onto the trees and other plants to preserve them from the cold. Best free compost we have and I've saved plants I never thought would grow again.

KellysArk from Bend, OR

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Use Grocery Bags For Garbage Liners

We use small garbage cans in many of our rooms. To cut out the cost of small garbage bags, I use the plastic bags that my groceries come in. They fit pretty good and they come with a built in handle that can be tied when they are full.

By Kim from Franklin Park, IL

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Tips for Saving Money on Food

1. It's summer, grow stuff! You don't need a garden. I grow vegetables in containers outside my back door. Some is eaten as it's picked, the rest becomes soups, sauces, cakes, etc. for the freezer. Also, look for roadside stands for produce while the weather is warm.
2. Check the dollar store. They usually have a food aisle.
3. If you have a Big Lots in your area, I highly recommend it. Not only do they have lower priced, name brand food, they also usually have closeout shelves where items are half off their prices.
4. Believe it or not, you can also sometimes find food at garage sales. I once collected a whole bag of canned goods from a homeowner who was moving and didn't want to pack and move the stuff.
5. Be clever and creative in the kitchen. Think of new ways to use what you already have on hand.

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Reuse Meat Packaging For Making Bird Suet

When making my bird suet, I've started using the meat containers that you get when you purchase meat. I shop a lot at Walmart, their meat trays are also dishwasher safe.

By miniduck from Indianapolis, IN

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Kitchen Window Covering

Drapes can be very expensive, so in covering my window in the kitchen, I took a flowered bathroom shower curtain, with ruffles. Take one rod and slip curtain onto rod. Buy $1.00 hanging tassels, in a colour to accent your walls. Pull back drapes from side to side. You will be pleased at the look.

What a great covering for the window.

By Janet from Toronto, Ontario

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Share Magazine Subscriptions

When I worked at the studios, etc, in the entertainment biz, they would have a circulation of the trade papers like Variety, rather than everyone getting their own subscription. I have done that, splitting up fashion magazine subscriptions, and so on with a friend. Saving duplications! and money, too.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Preparing Ground Beef For Safe Consumption

With the recent recall of fresh and frozen ground beef, it's more important then ever to cook ground beef safely. Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice.

• Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 °F. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 °F throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

• The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate food thermometer.

• Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

• Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 °F has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness.

• Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Source: USDA.gov

Read More About the Recent Recall

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Grainy Fudge

Today I tried a recipe for fudge and it has a grainy texture from the sugar. I can hardly eat it. I hate to be wasteful and throw it out. Is there any way to fix it or doctor it up? Thanks for the help!

Tracey from Duluth, MN

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How Can I Wear My Frizzy Hair?

I'm hot and my hair is frizzing (as usual). Got any suggestions to wear my slightly past shoulder length hair up?

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Alternative Adult Incontinence Pads

I have a friend with incontinence that has a sensitivity to the chemical in adult incontinence pads and underwear (same result with different brands). I suggested we figure out how to make a layering of diaper material as a sanitary napkin, but need suggestions. Or how to keep the chemical off her, while still using the commercial pads.

She tried plastic panty covers, but they dripped and became uncomfortably hot.
I appreciate any help you can give me to solve this perplexing situation. Thanks for your time and creative suggestions!

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Blue and White Stuffed Dog

I am looking for a discontinued blue and white stuffed dog that was sold at Target last year. Unfortunately, I've found two on eBay that were already purchased.

Char from Chicago, IL

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My Puppy Swallowed a Fly

My puppy is appeared to have swallowed a fly. Now it is restless. Please suggest a home remedy.

Thanks in advance,
Ambili from Andhra Pradesh, India

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Red In a Water Softener

What gets the red out best in a water softener?

Stephanie from New Smyrna, FL

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Rooting Plants

I am putting my home place on the market. I have several plants and flowers that I would like to root. Gardenia, snowball bush, sweet shrub, Camilla's and butterfly bush. Any idea on how to do this?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks,
Suzi from Middle Georgia

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Candlewicking Instructions

I would like to know how to do candlewicking and are there kits I could buy?

Juanita from Mount Ulla NC

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Preserving Blueberries

I was wondering if anyone knew how to put up blueberries either in the freezer or by canning where the skins of the berries will not get tough? I have canned the berries. I have put them in the freezer without washing in ziplock bags, but the skins get tough. The berries in the blueberry pie filling you buy are tender. Maybe it is the type of berries they are? If anyone has any ideas - Please Help! Thanks in advance.

Mona from Lumberton, MS

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Recipes Using Plantains

Does anyone have any favorite plantain (aka pltano macho) recipe they'd like to share? Plantain looks like a large banana. It's stages of ripeness can range from green to yellow to black and, like a potato, it needs to be cooked.

Holly from Richardson, TX

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Cleaning Chrome Fixtures

We have these spots on our chrome fixtures in our bathtub/shower. It's impossible to remove! Any recommendations out there?

Eric from Houston, TX

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Water Stains on Vertical Blinds

My vertical blinds have fabric inserts, how do I get water stains out?

LMmill from Novi, MI

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Cockroach Repellents

Can someone advise a safe remedy to repel cockroaches?

Cathy From Greece

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Cleaning Silver with Products at Home

I have a lot of silver pieces I'd like to clean up and use. What can I use from here in my home to clean them? I just don't know? Thanks for your help.

Diana from Brookpark, OH

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Money Sheets and Comforter Set

I am looking for the big money sheet set and comforter set. Where can i find it at?

Sharon from Jackson, Mississippi

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Dealing With Ant Hills

I have a couple of ant hills in my backyard and I was wondering if anyone had a natural way to get rid of them?

Thanks for your help,
Jenn from Canada

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Getting Rid Of Grubs

I have trouble with moles in my yard "off and on". Then, this year I noticed also that I have grub worms. I have never had the grub worms (that I have known of). Between the grub worms and the moles; they are destroying my yard. Any suggestions has to how to rid of these pests?

Thanks!
Judy from Collierville, TN

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Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top

I left a cleaner with bleach in it on top of my Formica countertop. Now there is a bleached out ring. Is there anything I can try before replacing the entire top?

Valerie from Florida

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
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Urgent Nationwide Recall of Toothpaste (SHIR FRESH)

Gold City Enterprise LLC, Hallandale, Florida, is initiating a nationwide recall in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the toothpaste made in China involving:

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California Firm Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli Contamination

Below is information about a current and recently expanded recall of various brands of fresh and frozen ground beef. It currently impacts the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

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