Pantry Inventory

Hey, hey, happy Friday!

This week, I shared some thoughts on being more eco-friendly at home. These are simple ideas that anyone can do. Today, it's all about food storage.

How's your pantry situation? I must admit, sometimes I forget what's in my pantry, so I'm left with food items past their expiration date. What a waste. Definitely blah!

My solution? Blah scrap paper!

I use the blank side of the paper to make a list of what's currently inside my pantry. I attach this list to the inside of my pantry door.

I do the same for the cupboards where I store kitchen & cleaning staples and bathroom necessities.

Same with the contents of my freezer & refrigerator.

Once I use up the items, I cross them off the list.

I add to the list whatever new item is introduced.

This way, I have a running inventory of food and the stuff lurking in the back of the freezer are not forgotten. This makes meal preparation easier {get creative with what you have on hand!}. Plus the crossed out items are what I need to get on my next trip to the market or grocery.

As an added detail, make a master list of pantry staples that you have and save it as a file on your computer or mobile phone. Refer to it when trying new recipes or planning meals -- it will instantly tell you what you have or don't have without having to rummage around. Update it regularly and allow it to help you avoid wasting food.

I wish you all a weekend full of fun & sunshine!

A Soapy Situation

I'm cleaning up my act and finding ways to

minimize the extras I use at home.

Take for example, liquid soap:

Don't get me wrong, I love using them,

but once the bottle is empty, it goes

to the bin. Very blah.

My solution -- I'll opt for the big refill

packs/bottles and reuse these existing

dispensers by pouring the soap into them.

Less plastic in the long run.

Another option is to commit to decorative

liquid soap pumps like these. They're not

only pretty, they'll last forever.

TADA!

Green and Clean

I'm trying to cut down on the cleaning products I use. This is not only environmentally responsible, it's money saving and frees up space in my cupboards, too.

Here's something I'm doing my best to

use less of: paper towels.

Even if they're made of recycled paper,

they're harder to break down compared

to other paper products. Blah!

I found these small towels at the dollar store.

I use them as cleaning rags.

Another option is to use your old, blah towels.

These are absorbent and the texture works wonderfully when scrubbing off nasty stains. Just throw them in the washing machine & then reuse them. TADA!

Spray away the Germs

Happy Tuesday! In the recent years, I've started to become more consciously afraid of germs because I know they can make you sick. I think I'm in the less extreme end of the germaphobe scale, since I don't mind handshakes {versus fist bumps} and I can still open public doorknobs without getting queasy.

I do have a small bottle of hand sanitizer and a pack of hand wipes in my bag. I use the hand sanitizer before and after eating, when I cough or sneeze or after I use the ATM. I use the hand wipes for instances like cleaning the tray tables on airplanes, the telephone and remote control devices in hotel rooms...you just never know who was there before you!

As mentioned in this post, I like to keep empty cosmetic bottles, clean them up and use them again. I'm doing the same for these blah fragrance spritz bottles.

I fill them with rubbing alcohol.

Here's my spray bottle, properly labeled. I use it at home to disinfect doorknobs and handles. I can also carry it in my bag as an alternative to sanitizer and wipes! TADA!

A Shiny New Year

Happy New Year once again dear friends! I'm now back to regular programming. I like to escort the New Year with thoughts of optimism and plenty, thus the positive words I shared with you in the previous weeks. I hope they gave you that little push to make 2012 the best year yet.

Let's see. What have I been up to? Well, I've been fighting jet lag after a memorable holiday trip to see family. When I'm awake in the wee hours of the morning, I make lists -- grocery lists, things to do, books to read, movies to see, blog ideas...I've even updated my Christmas gift list already. I also made a list of things I hope for this year. They're not New Year's resolutions -- I don't really keep the ones I make. But the few items on that "hope list" require something powerful: COURAGE. As I've told you here, I can be a worrisome mess, and I'd like to change that because I know, everything will be okay.

As for blah to TADA!, I'm working on new ideas about crafting, recycling, thrifting, shopping, even cooking/entertaining, and little things you can do around the house to make Mama Earth smile.

One thing I'm doing at home is using up whatever commercial cleaners I have in my cupboard. These, while very effective, can be harsh and smelly. So blah.

I'd like to go back to basics.

I've started using white distilled vinegar and

baking soda for cleaning. TADA!

They're inexpensive, environment-friendly,

non-toxic and they get the job done.

The acetic acid in vinegar can kill most mildew, bacteria and germs. I combine 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle and use it like any regular cleaning product. You'll find more tips on using vinegar for cleaning, laundry and gardening here.

I keep baking soda on hand for my baking needs, but I buy extra cartons to put in the fridge and freezer {to keep odors away} and another to use for cleaning. I pour the contents in a re-used plastic container {TADA!} with a tight-fitting lid and label accordingly. I use a tablespoon to scoop out the amount I need to bring back the shine to stove tops, faucets, sinks, handles, cutlery and even jewelry. You can also use this with the vinegar-water solution as a scrub for stubborn stains. Check this out for more ways to clean with baking soda.

My dear friends, whether you are new visitors or have been with me since I started blogging in 2009, thank you for visiting! Thank you for your comments, e-mails and showing my little blog some love. Let's make this New Year TADA!, okay?

All in the Mind

A creative soul made this print & sells it on Etsy.

It's so positive that I'm not surprised

why it's been re-incarnated in

different media.

Believe & achieve my lovelies!

Have an awesome weekend, too.

You'll Be Okay

Whatever our current situation,

here's something to remember:

Yes You Can!

Some thoughts as we begin a new year:

Thoughts on Creativity

This is quite comforting --

failure is okay.

Have a great day!

A Week of Inspiring Thoughts

Happy Monday!

I am so grateful for this New Year.

I'm in brainstorm mode right now and

I can't wait to share exciting new

blah to TADA! ideas.

All this week, I'll continue to

share words that can push

us to make this the best

year yet!

Hooray for Normal Everydays

I found this quote on the web and I can

only agree with its truth:

Cherish your normal every days

and have a wonderful weekend!

Strive to be Happy

I'm gearing up for a new year of crafts & ideas

but this week, I wanted to fill my thoughts

with all things positive. I hope these

words inspire you too!

Goals for the New Year

As we begin a new year,

let's think about this:

Be Happy in 2010

I wish we all follow our passion this new year!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year My Dears!

I have a bunch of blah to TADA! ideas

as we begin 2012. But let's take it

slow and start with positive words

that we can carry throughout

the year.

A Charm Bracelet for 2011

I love the allure of a charm bracelet. One that you build yourself and tells the story of you. The charms can be expensive, quirky or collected over time.

The charm bracelet I created was inexpensive but still lovingly assembled, meaningful and will be a piece of heirloom jewelry that will remind me of 2011.

My year was peppered with a few heartaches, but it also finished with many sighs of relief. That's why I picked this charm -- an angel wing. I know that each of us has a guardian angel who protects and defends us. A being who's got our back and our best interests at hand. A bodyguard who will be with us in the high and low points of our life.

As the year comes to a close, I am grateful for all that I have been blessed with -- yes, even the sad events. I'm looking forward to the New Year with much enthusiasm and optimism.

And I promise you, I'll continue to turn

blahs into TADAs!

Happy New Year dear Friends!

Asking for a Sign

If you've been reading my posts since the start of the week, you already know my year-end craft project. If you just tuned in, I made a charm bracelet:

I used some beads, invisible string and gold clasps.

In between the beads, I added some gold-toned charms, each one whispering a tale of what my 2011 was like.

It was generally a peaceful year marked with the passing of loved ones and a few health issues. How can I call my year "peaceful" even with tragedy? I could have easily anointed this year as "terrible" or "a year I would like to forget", but I am accepting that everything can't be shiny, happy 24/7.

I'm deeply spiritual and would like to uphold hope and faith in my life. But sometimes, it isn't easy. Especially when I'm afraid or worried or upset. Then I pray. I asked God for a sign that everything will be alright. He spoke loud and clear.

God showed me a rose. Not just one, but many in different forms -- fresh ones at the deli, a sculpture at a museum, a design on a stained glass window, an ad in the newspaper. Then I read this passage from the Bible {Isaiah 41: 10,13}:

Do not be afraid - I am with you!

I am your God - let nothing terrify you!

I will make you strong and help you;

I will protect and save you.

I am the Lord your God;

I strengthen you and tell you,

Do not be afraid; I will help you.

And that's why I have this rose on my bracelet -- it's a reminder of God's reassuring love.

Tree of Life

Thanks for stopping by today!

I'm taking a pause and reflecting on the year that was. And if you're a crafter like me, this is a great excuse to craft.

I made this bracelet with charms marking

important events of my year.

One of the charms is this vibrant tree.

I look at it as a symbol of stability & longevity.

You see, this year I had a few minor health issues. I try to live a healthy lifestyle but sometimes, sickness can hit you out of the blue. And it's times like these when you value "normal days" -- days when you are strong enough to go through your daily routine without having to worry about aches or pains.

It's also this year that many loved ones and friends are battling health problems like heart ailments and cancer. It sucks. I worry for them and keep them in my prayers.

Health is a gift to be cherished.

This tree will remind me to never,

ever take it for granted.

Hope to see you back tomorrow!

Thoughts of Love

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

As the year comes to a close, I'm looking

back at the highlights of my 2011.

Look, I even made a charm bracelet:

Each charm represents a significant event.

Today, it's all about this heart in an envelope. I think it represents thoughtfulness -- one of the best qualities of my Uncle O. Uncle O is my dad's brother who loved to travel. He'd always send us a postcard from where he'd been or a greeting card to send some birthday love. Out of the blue, he would also call just to say hello. This October, Uncle O passed away.

I know, another death. It's heart-breaking. I hope I'm not making you depressed; I just wanted to honor his memory.

To my Uncle O -- this charm will always

remind me of your kind & gentle spirit.

Party on!

My Year in Review

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas!

It's the last week of 2011 and I always get

nostalgic at this time of year.

My 2011 was a quiet ride on the highway

but with a few rattling bumps along the way.

To mark the significant events of my 2011,

I crafted this bracelet.

I made it out of inexpensive charms...

...and a string of beads.

{I happen to like black accessories,

thus the color}

Everyday this week, I'll tell you the story

behind each charm.

The first charm is for my father-in-law, Daddy Y.

Sadly, we lost him in March.

I chose a set of golf clubs & a golf ball -- he was

an avid golfer. Everyday I think of him and miss

his hearty laugh, generous heart, zest for

living and inspiring courage.

If you've experienced death in a family,

you know that it leaves a

hole in your heart.

While we miss him dearly, we

know that Daddy Y is in good

company and winning many

rounds of golf up in heaven.

See you again tomorrow!