Crocheting and Pet Hair?
Cat dander (from their hair) is what people with allergies react to. You may wish to hand wash your finished products with a mild soap, warm water, cool water rinse, lay flat to dry (on a surface with no cat hair and where the cats cant get to it). When dry...
What To Do With Many Bracelets?
Why not wear them everywhere you go? Contribute them to fundraisers / silent auctions? Womens shelters?
Outfit With 5th Grade Promotion Shirts?
How about a red skirt (if you dont have, check out a local thrift shop)? Red sandals? If youre really hating yellow that close to your face, consider either shawl / wrap or suit jacket? A matching skirt or slacks and shoes? Dont worry about covering names and...
From a Chinese Girl's Curiosity?
Cant say as I know a great deal about China, although I am aware it has a very long history as a populated nation. I do admire the traditional Chinese approach to healthcare which includes herbs, acupuncture and other homeopathic remedies. Other impressions...
Losing Weight Without Being Able to Exercise
Congratulations on your success! And thank you for sharing your journey.
Flax Egg Substitute
Also an excellent source of omega-3s (brain food), Judy, and with soy sauce (or tamari for the salt-conscious), a pretty terrific thickener for stir-fry sauce.
Program for Church Dinner?
First things first: do you have a theme (Thanksgiving, for example)? Knowing this will help you plan a menu as well as decorations. Do you plan on inviting guest speakers or other entertainment? Will this be a potluck type of event where everyone will bring...
Using Under Eye Masks?
Face yoga: simple exercises. No fancy / expensive creams, no need to raid the fridge. Amazingly effective (Ive been followig the routine for about six months).
Lentils Bolognese
Sounds very yummy, Judy! Thanks for posting. Its on the Saturday menu at my house, as many of your ingredients are pantry staples.
Hamburger Patties Are Dry?
Another option is adding a vegan egg (2 tbsps ground flaxseed with 1 tbsp water, stir and set aside for ~15 minutes before using. I find it a good binding agent with the added benefit of omega-3s (brain food). Let us know how you make out with all the suggestions...
Single Frugal Folks?
Research. Learn answers to such questions as (for example), cost of landline vs. cell phone. Do you really need a cell phone when a landline can cost as little as $10 / month (in Western Canada, that is). Simple stretches can help with sciatica pain and mobility...
Carrot Dogs
Also very good with sauerkraut, relish ... any / every other topping with bun or without!
What Is This Kitchen Utensil?
We call it a dough hook, and its typically used in making bread to combine all the ingredients before kneading.
Low Calorie Vegetable Dip?
Substitute yogurt or sour cream or mayonnaise in any recipe with an equal amount of either soft tofu or cooked white beans. Puree in food processor to achieve creamy consistency and add seasonings of choice.
Binding Agent For Making Corned Beef Hash Patties
Cooked steel-cut oats are another great binding agent (very glue-y and nutritive).
What Is My Steamer Trunk Worth?
I have several, and keep them in the spare bedroom as theyre not entirely visually appealing (mismatched, as a group, and dont really fit well with my other furniture). They are, however, terrific for organizing things like gifts, gift wrapping / bags / tissue...
Origami Butterfly
Absolutely beautiful, Shirley! Thank you very much for providing such detailed and easy to follow instructions.
Brainstorm: What makes the best stocking stuffers?
Hand warmers for anyone living where temperatures are cool or downright cold: baby socks each with ~1/2 cup any inexpensive rice, tie a knot in the sock, and include a slip of paper with instructions for warming in the microwave. These little gifts are great...
Stuck Drawer?
Humidity might be the problem, and a blow dryer might just work (even if from above and below the stuck drawer [if you cant remove the back]). However, cold often causes things to contract and might be another option. Can you set the unit itself in a cold room...
Best Vegan Caesar Dressing
This looks great, Toosa, and thanks for posting! Many vegans these days are avoiding processed foods such as oil: semi-firm tofu, cooked beans of any kind, almond flour, or cooked (drained then pureed) cashews are wonderful alternates to oil and / or hummus...
Brainstorm: Non-MLM Work From Home Ideas?
Writers (business materials, social media content, technical documents) and commercial artists, website designers, editors (student papers, white papers for corporate employees), research assistants ... quite a lot of work can be done from a home office. One...
Brainstorm: What have been your most memorable Christmas gifts?
Hand-made slipper sox. My mother knits beautifully and sends a pair every year. Theyre perfect for keeping my feet (and ankles) warm, particularly when working at my computer (the PC fans are under the desk and constantly blow cool air).
DIY Lamination Alternative
All the pieces of paper we carry with us or keep in the glove compartment of our car which get raggedy or torn over time: emergency contact information, licenses, insurance slip, copy of medications .... Thank you for this terrific idea!
Value of Old Steamer Trunks?
I have several of these, and wouldnt part with them for anything: theyre valuable for storing gift wrap and ribbons, Christmas decor, gifts for all occasions (as I make them), games .... And theyre handsome to boot / part of the decor.
Breed of My Dog?
Labradors are among the gentlest of dog breeds, and she may have a smidge of shepherd as well. I cant tell the height, but youll likely have a better idea when shes fully grown. (She is a beauty, though.)
Microwave Corn on the Cob for One
Microwaving with the husk on works wonderfully as well, and has the added advantage of more easily removing the silk.
Wire Woven Ring
This is gorgeous, and thank you for posting. I dont have access to transformer wire ... would you have any idea of the gauge (thickness)?
Plant Pots for Vertical Garden
https://empressofdirt.net/sew-grow-bags/ provides another option which, with S-hooks (from a dollar store) would be great for larger plants (such as tomatoes), to hang on a fence or deck railing ....
How to Keep Thread From Unwinding
The words bobbin and spool were used almost interchangeably a number of years ago. Nowadays, however, most commercially-purchased spools of thread include ways and means to keep thread from unravelling. Smaller bobbins, on the other hand, the smaller spools...
Hair Flat Iron for Wrinkled Ribbon
What a great idea! And so much easier than hauling out the ironing board and fidddling with laying out the ribbon. Thank you very much.
Hearty Sausage Chickpea Veggie Soup
Cold days in L.A.? This looks delish, Toosa, and Im betting the vegans in the crowd can use TVP (with perhaps a few extra spices) instead of sausage.
What is a Bug Out Box?
For those of us who store photos and documents electronically, weekly back-ups to an external drive are not only a good idea (in case of disk failure or system crash), but an external drive can be easily added to the bug-out box at the last minute.
Asian Inspired Baked Salmon
This looks / sounds absolutely delish, Michelle! Thanks for posting, and I look forward to trying. One quick question, though: when you say 4 red peppers, do you mean bell peppers or those spicy little red bird peppers? Thanks, Rose_Anne
Organising a Chest Freezer?
Containers within a chest freezer are a terrific help, Ive found. I like stackable dairy crates as theyre easy to use as compartments and easy to lift. Keeping an inventory / list of contents? Also very helpful (particularly if one takes pains to keep it up...
Choosing a Healthy Cooking Oil
And then theres the option to go absolutely oil free in cooking as well as baking. Its a bit of a learning curve and involves re-training taste buds, but the bonus is significant reduction in caloric intake.
Thanksgiving Turkey Veggie Tray
Count on you, Toosa, to come up with something fun, interesting, easy to make, and a great solution for vegan and vegetarian dinner guests (others too, of course, but one always worries just a wee bit more about those who dont eat meat).
Spanish Style Shrimp and Rice
As with any of your recipes, Toosa, Id prefer to make it to your specifications as nearly as possible before mucking about with other ingredients. This looks simply excellent and Im looking forward to mkaing it!
Leaves Bending and Drooping on Spider Plant?
I cant easily see from the (lovely) photo whether the pot for your spider has drainage. Its fairly important, I think. Try increasing watering to twice a week, perhaps a bit less water than the full amount you usually use? Mine tend to be somewhat thirsty and...
Lebanese Style Falafel
Looks yummy, Toosa! I particularly appreciate the baking-as-opposed-to-frying option! But tell me, please, do you cook the beans at all before pureeing?
Peanut Butter And Poor Sleep
Hi, Jess. Have you ever watched a bunch of kids after eating Halloween candy? Beyond wakeful! The point? Most commercial peanut butters contain sugar. Perhaps check the ingredients of your preferred brand: that may be the culprit. On another note, since running...
Caramelized Onion Balsamic Chicken Salad
Toosa, this was heavenly! I made it yesterday and wow. Delish! (Of course you know I substituted aquafaba for the oil, and it was simply sublime.) Could I please share this to my Facebook cookbook page? xox
Yummy Italian White Sauce
An excellent alternative with significantly less fat content? Puree soft tofu in your food processor, add seasonings. For a cheese-like consistency, add 3 tablespoons of tapioca flour (aka tapioca starch). White beans cooked until soft can also be used, in...
Use a Plastic Plate Instead of Flower Pot Saucers
Brilliant! I have a bunch of the thin plastic variety. They do not last terribly long and are prone to cracking when moving the plant or from being in direct sunlight. Thanks much for the alternate solution!
3-Step DIY Hair Treatment Tip
Thanks for this, Toosa! I curl my hair once in a while, and use a blow dryer occasionally ... even though my eating plan is exceptionally healthy, my hair still gets a bit dry at times.
Sprouted Seeds from your Kitchen Cabinet
Hi, Jackie. Im with you when it comes to broccoli or radish seeds (which Ive only ever seen at the garden center), but dry legumes - chickpeas / garbanzo, lentils, mung as well as other dry beans - sprout well, and easily.
Sprouted Seeds from your Kitchen Cabinet
Dry garbanzo beans / chickpeas as well as other dry legumes are readily available at most grocery stores. We can also order seeds online or, if convenient, check the plant section of Walmart. Small packets of seeds (for gardeners) arent inexpensive, but are...
Food Containers for Ornament Storage
I particularly like the fruit containers with holes: ideal for storing gift-wrap ribbons! Keeps things from getting tangled.
Instant Pot Cranberry Orange Marmalade
This looks fabulous, Toosa! Quick question, please? For those of us who dont have an Instant Pot, whats the stovetop cooking time?
Partially Cook Veggies Beforehand
And, of course, finishing the cooking process with a light sauce enables us to omit oil altogether.
How to Store Cucumbers
Thanks for this, Toosa. Ive been wrapping them in old / soft dishcloths and refrigerating ... they turn fairly quickly. Ill give this a try!
Spicy Asian Watermelon Salad
Cant begin to tell you how many of my favourite recipes are from you, Toosa! Time for a cookbook (or 5) of your own? xox
Cans Can Do So Many Things
Please be careful of food acidity in relation to aluminium? Although I applaud innovations which help save us time and money, Id much rather see the unused contents of opened cans stored in plastic or glass.
Tulle Masquerade Mask
Wonderfully, beautifully creative, Toosa. As always! Thanks for the inspiration.
Living Within Your Means
Have you considered ways to perhaps supplement your income, even a little? Make desserts or bake bread for neighbours? Something you love to do which others - much like your children - dont have time for?
Saving Water at Home
Saved water while waiting for the hot can be used in myriad other ways as well: watering houseplants, brushing teeth, adding to the kettle (for tea), making soup from bullion .... My local bottle depot has large (19 L / 5 gallon) water cooler jugs for sale...
Add Salt to Strong Coffee
Starbucks decaff is an excellent alternative (for those meetings when someone else chooses location).
Cauliflower Rice Stuffed Peppers
Such a good idea, Judy! Never even crossed my mind to try it with riced cauliflower. That same thinking could also apply to cabbage rolls, right?
Freeze a Hot Water Bottle To Cool Down
Ill be sure to pass this along to those of my friends enduring hot flashes. Rice or wheat bags put in the freeze for a while work pretty good, too.
Zingy Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Cant wait to try this ... with silken tofu (instead of mayo and oil): I recently tried another recipe with tofu as a base. In the food processor? Wonderfully creamy. I can almost taste the zing of your honey, mustard and spices. Thanks for the inspiration!
Shallot Yogurt Dip (Mast Moosir)
Sounds yummy, Honey. Are you about ready to publish a cookbook? all these great recipes?
Handmade Jewelry Business Name Ideas?
Another consideration, particularly if you intend to market / sell your goods online, is to think about how people (potential clients) might find you. Using descriptive words in your company name could be beneficial?
Fresh Herb Falafel
What are the chances these could be made without frying, Toosa? Have you ever tried baking them?
Spiced Tomato Chutney
Thanks for this, Toosa. Ive been looking for a spicey recipe (my tomato plants are blooming like crazy): very timely.
Stretching the Waist of a Dress?
Do tell us more about the dress, please? Is it a shirtwaist (with a seam at the waist itself) or is it long panels sewn together? One way to give yourself a bit more room is to undo the seams and re-sew closer to the outer edge. This can be a fairly complex...
In-Store Pickup to Save on Shipping Costs
Im of exactly the same mind, 15, and thanks for voicing your thoughts. One observation? Walmart (here in Canada) charges more per item for the pick up service than the price posted on the shelf. I much prefer the flat $3.00 well-shop-and-package-for-you-to...
Whey for Healthy Skin and Nails
Also excellent in the bath for silky skin and remarkably easier shaving!
Microwave Door Keeps Shutting Once Opened?
I have the same problem with my front-loading washing machine, and it certainly is a nuisance when putting clothes in or taking them out. Sometimes its just the nature of the appliance or built that way to conserve energy (closed door = internal light turns...
