My newest kitchen gadget

A few months ago, a friend of mine bought a food dehydrator at a thrift store. After that, I couldn't stop thinking about getting one for myself. . .and the next time we got together to thrift, I found one for $6.99! Score!

The first thing I made was some nacho cheese kale chips. They took about an hour and are oh-so-good.

Here is the recipe I used:

one bunch curly kale (I bought organic)

1/4 red pepper, diced

1/4 c. cashews

1/4 c. nutritional yeast *

dash of cayenne pepper (or more if you like the heat)

1-2 T. water

Wash and pat dry the kale. Tear the leaves into pieces and put in a bowl.

Put all the other ingredients--except the water--in a food processor and pulse until it's ground. Add a tiny bit of water and pulse until it holds together. Use your hands to mix with the kale leaves. Mix until each leaf is well coated with the mixture. Put in dehydrator. Time may vary--mine took one hour.

*Nutritional yeast is carried in most larger grocery stores and health-food stores. I found mine in the natural food section.

Yummy--and bonus, the cats don't seem to like them! Ha!

How to make rosehip-infused olive oil

Today, I thought I'd share something completely different--how to make rose hip-infused olive oil. In the past year, I've learned how to make cold-process soap. I thought I could use some rose hips in my soapmaking, but I've discovered they are wonderful as a body oil instead.

First, start with fresh or dried rose hips.I am fortunate to have a friend whose wife has a large rose garden, so mine are pesticide free.

Rinsed and ready to use.

Put the hips in glass jars. Leave some space and don't fill the jars full.

Fill jars with olive oil.

Cover jar with a lid or aluminum foil and place in crock pot. Add enough water to have a couple of inches in the crock pot. Heat on low for at least 8 hours. Check water level periodically.

Here are the jars after heating.

You will need to strain the mixture. I used a piece of old pantyhose tied over the top of a container.

You may choose to add an essential oil (I chose lavender). I also add capsules of vitamin E. Vitamin E is good for skin and is also a natural preservative.

Using a funnel, pour the oil into a clean glass jar.

Place a lid on the jar and you're done! I like to use mine in the shower or when shaving your legs instead of shaving cream. It feels wonderful on your skin and the moisture lasts for two days.

Note: I apply the oil just before rinsing out my conditioner, so my body isn't oily when I'm done. I also suggest wiping out the tub after your shower, so you don't slip.

New water bottle

I ordered this cute "Pink Meow" water bottle from Ecousable last weekend. It's really nice and much lighter than I expected. No metal taste either. It's the same size as a typical plastic bottle, and came with a free elastic wrap.

Homemade window cleaner

I found a mention this in one of my stamping forums, tried it, and it worked so well, I wanted to share it with others. To make your own window cleaner, take one spray bottle and add 2-3 t. of corn starch. Fill up with water and shake well.

Use as you would Windex--spray and wipe clean. I'm not sure how it works, but it does. There is no streaking. Note: use this mixture within a few days, or the corn starch will start to ferment.

Signs of spring at our house

Hanging laundry outside!

Starting seeds for planting outdoors. The four larger containers are vintage tomatoes. The egg carton on the right has basil, green peppers, and two violet cuttings.

How to make laundry soap

A few weeks ago, I came across a thread on a forum about making laundry soap. Then, when I visited relatives recently, my sister Cheryl said she had made some and it worked well.

This piqued my interest, so I made some too. Here is the recipe I used for a smaller batch:

1/8 bar Fels naptha soap
1/4 c. washing soda (NOT baking soda, see photo above)
1/4 c. borax
2 c. water

Grate the soap. Heat the water on the stovetop and add the soap. Stir (I used a wire whisk) until the soap dissolves. Remove from heat. Add washing soda and borax. Pour into a gallon ice cream pail. Fill the pail 1/2 way with warm water, then add three more cups of water. Stir.

Mixture will gel up overnight. Add 1/4-1/2 c. per load, depending on size of washer.

After a night of sitting, the soap will look like it does above--sort of like pudding that's been in the fridge too long. Measure out a glop and use like any other soap. It works great and costs just a penny or two per load.