A May Resolution

I don't usually do New Year's Resolutions. They just seem doomed to failure for me. But I recently decided that it's time for me to get in shape, and I think I can hand a few New Month Resolutions, it happening to be the beginning of May and all. So, I hereby resolve to work out 3 days a week, every week this month. I can handle that, right? Not too terribly intimidating of a resolution. Maybe I should use the word "goal" instead of "resolution." But no, that seems too much like a good intention that's not really going to happen. Better stick with "resolution."

Yesterday morning, after walking Madi down the road to school, I made my way to the convenient "hike-n-bike" trail that parallels the road we live off of. That is something nice about where we live - lots of parks and running trails. No need to spend money on a gym membership. As soon as I broke into a run, my entire body started protesting. I could almost hear the alveoli in my lungs and muscle fibers in my legs screaming at me "Noooo!!! What are you THINKING?! This is so wrong! Get back on the couch where you belong, and eat ice cream instead!" It was a challenge, but I ignored their persuasive voices and managed to go about 2 miles. Granted, I probably only ran for less than half of it, and by "run" I really mean "pathetic little survival shuffle," but it brought my heart rate up nonetheless, which is what I was going for. Then I went home and ate ice cream.

Day 2 was also a success. Of course a cold front blew in over night, and it was about 50 degrees with 500-mile-an-hour winds this morning, but I was determined. This time my friend Jessica joined me, and we walked very briskly for about 2.8 miles, according to the pedometer app on my phone. After that I walked to my dentist appointment down the road, then walked home, and then ate ice cream. I think Haagen-Dazs will be my downfall. But the dentist said my teeth look great!

In other news, we went tadpole-hunting at the park yesterday evening. Madi caught one with her bare hands. But I think it turned out to be a minnow, not a tadpole. He now lives in a bowl on her dresser. I guess we should think up a name for him. Any suggestions?

Orange peels, borax, and whatnot

I've been making my own laundry detergent for about 5 years now. It's a fun way to save money, easy to make, and doesn't hurt the environment. I once saw a baby have to be intubated in the ER after swallowing one of those colorful packets of concentrated laundry detergent, and I was even more convinced that homemade is better. Here's my recipe, if anyone's interested in trying it.

A few weeks ago, I finally joined the Pinterest bandwagon and started searching more do-it-yourself recipes for household items. I'm slowly eliminating dangerous and costly chemicals from underneath my sink. To be honest, I'm really just a DIY nerd and think this kind of stuff is fun :-)  I grew up using store-bought detergent and chemicals, and I'm still alive. But it is fun to make things yourself, and saves money too.

This is an easy all-purpose cleaner that costs about a dollar to make. Fill a jar with citrus peels. I used orange peel, but I'm sure lemon or lime or grapefruit peel would work too. Then add enough white vinegar to cover the peels. Let the jar sit for 2-4 weeks, and it's ready to use! I waited 4 weeks. Be sure to get a cute spray bottle to put it in. I just started using mine, and it seems to work pretty well for counters and sinks.

Next I looked up a bunch of recipes for dishwasher detergent. I've been hesitant to try this, for fear of leaving streaks on my dishes, but lately my store-bought Cascade hasn't been doing a very good job - maybe it has something to do with our water, I'm not sure. But I thought I might as well try to make some. Here's the recipe I used, along with where in the store to find the ingredients:

1 cup borax (laundry aisle)

1/2 cup washing soda (laundry aisle)

1/2 cup baking soda (baking aisle)

1/4 cup kosher salt (baking aisle - sea salt would probably work too)

1/4 cup citric acid (with the canning stuff - I read that Fruit Fresh also works)

Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. I also put a couple tablespoons of white vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher, to help rinse.

Does anyone have any other do-it-yourself recipes for household items? Glass cleaner? Liquid dish soap? Let me know what works for you! I'm a big fan of easy recipes, with cheap ingredients :)

What made my day

Madi: "I'm just glad you and Daddy got married."

Me: "And why is that?"

Madi: "Because you're the best step-mom ever."

:-)