PracticalGRITS

Sunday, August 29, 2010

I HEART BLEACH!!!

OK I know I'm getting old when I am posting about a cleaning product. 
As much as I hate cleaning, I LOVE relaxing in a clean house once I am finally done.  I have recently decided that out of all the cleaning products on the market these days, there is an old faithful that is just my favorite.




That's right.  BLEACH. 
It is super cheap, it majorly disinfects, and I just love that "MAN this house is CLEAN" smell that bleach gives off! 
I recently came across this list of uses for bleach and thought I'd share with all my PGs.

1. Mix ½ bleach and ½ water to make a cleaning solution for mild dew, stain, tub-ring, shower curtain, shower door, and around the toilette.

2. Use undiluted bleach to kill weeds, moss, and algae in your yard.
3. Mix ¼ bleach and ¾ water to use for kitchen cleaning solution. It is great to kill germs on the counter top, and stove surface.
4. Add a capful of bleach plus one sugar cube in the vase to make a mixture for your cut flower to make them last longer.
5. Shine porcelain objects using bleach to rub around the outside of your porcelain, let them sit for ½ hour, then rise them out, and towel dry them.
6. Brighten glass wear by adding ¼ bleach in your warm soapy water, let them sit for 15 minutes, then wash them as usual.
7. Clean plastic lawn furniture by mixing ½ bleach and ½ water in a spraying bottle and spray them down, then rise.
8. Cure poison ivy by wipe the bleach over the affected area, and it will dry up.
9. Cure smelly feet by mixing 1 part of bleach with 3 part of hot water, soak for 10 minutes, and dry with a hair dryer.
10. Sore throat relief by mixing 2-3 drops of bleach with a 16 oz of warm water, then gargle until the glass is empty.

I'm not sure about #10, but the others are great ways to use our friend bleach! 

Do you like to clean?  What cleaning products do you use??

GLAM,

ALI~



Fast, Easy, & Economical Meals!

I hate the rush of having to fly in the door from work, figure out something to cook for dinner, get it made as fast as possible, and then finally sit down to eat.  By the time dinner's over, it feels like the night is gone and its time for bed already!  So, I am always on the lookout for quick, easy meals to cook on work nights. 
Here's what's on the menu tonight.......even though its not a work night......

TATER TOT CASSEROLE
This is one of our family's favorites.  Definitely not on the "light" side so avoid it if you're on a diet... but otherwise, your family will love it too!

1lb. ground beef

1/4 large onion diced
1 pkg frozen tater tots
1 - can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 empty soup can of milk
1 1/2 - 2 - cups grated cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
Brown ground beef and diced onions, adding salt & pepper to taste. Drain. Pour ground beef & onion mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish. In a separate bowl mix together the soup and milk. Pour the soup mixture over on top of the ground beef layer spread evenly to cover the meat mixture. Top with tater tots, sprinkle with grated cheese over the entire casserole. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese is completely melted.  DELISH!  Its almost like a cheeseburger and french fry casserole.  :)




What are some of your quick, cheap family favorites??

GLAM,

ALI~

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Hey good lookin'! Whatcha got cookin'!?

Okay, so this blog has been a little neglected lately.  That's because we've been hard at work and hard at work being mommies, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, etc.  I finally had a few free minutes so I thought I'd blog about what's cookin' for dinner!

Today is my day off so I have made a promise to myself to get things done on my days off.  That includes laundry, cleaning, errands and having dinner ready for when my hubby gets home from work.  Crock pots are a life saver because they let me do just that - get all my errands and chores done while dinner is cooking away all day and I haven't wasted 3 hours preparing, chopping, cooking, steaming and baking.  Tonight's dinner is Crock Pot Chicken and Black Beans and boy does it smell delish!!  Below is the recipe and guess what - I was a "bargain shopper" on this one because we already had all of the ingredients in our cabinet.  If this meal tastes as good as it smells it'll definitely be a keeper.  


Crock Pot Chicken and Black Beans
  • 3 to 4 boneless chicken breast halves, cut in strips

  • 1 can (12 to 15 ounces) corn, drained

  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 1 onion, halved and thinly sliced

  • 1 green bell pepper, cut in strips

  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

  • Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on LOW about 6 hours.
    I usually leave out the green peppers and I only add 1 tsp of cumin.  But do what suits your taste.  Now warm some tortillas.  Place your crock pot mixture in the tortilla, add lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Roll it up and you have a fabulous burrito!
    Bon Appetit,
    Stro