Edible Glitter

It's that time to be making Christmas cookies and I always want different ideas on decorations.  Why not edible glitter?

The Pin Picture

The Pin Says

I THINK I JUST DIED!!!! 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of food coloring, baking sheet and 10 mins in oven to make edible glitter....Christmas cookies

 

I SHOULD HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO DIRECTIONS ON A PIN!

The Website

http://www.planetpals.com/craft-non-toxic-craft-supply-recipes.html

The Website's Directions

Make Non Toxic Glitter This glitter can be used for almost any type of project and may even be mixed with glue for special crafts

Tools needed for this project

• Baking Pan
• Jar
• 1/4 cup of salt (or granulated sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon of LIQUID food coloring
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees
• Oven for 10 mins

Directions:

• 1/2 cup coarse salt (non iodized) or 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 -10 drops food coloring (a drop at a time), adjust for desired color
• Measure salt or sugar into a clear jar with a tight fitting lid. Add food coloring one drop at a time and screw the cap on tightly. SHAKE to combine. Repeat until desired color is reached.
• Sprinkle, dip or shake onto whatever you like. I like to put this in a clear salt shaker for easy shaking or pour some into a saucer and dip the wet rim of an empty glass in it to make the glass pretty!

NOTE:

• Some recipes suggest that you bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Paste food coloring can result in smoking
• You may also store it in an air tight container for several months.
• This stays drier and stores wonderfully as is but even better if you spread colored salt/sugar in a thin layer to air dry for about an hour or microwave in 30 second intervals, stir and repeat for about 1-2 minutes or until moisture is evaporated. You can also add a few grains of rice to absorb any moisture. Allow your homemade glitter to cool before using it.
• Temperature extremes (weather) may cause different results

Be aware that colors like silver are hard to obtain.

 

Problems

1. It didn't look anything like glitter.

2. It was very clumpy, even stored in an air tight container.

My Picture

Nothing Like the Original Picture!!!  Don't waste your time.

Yummy Baked Potatoes

I'm always a sucker for a baked potato, so having one with a little bit of a twist, I'm on board.

Website

http://pagesfoodblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/your-new-favorite-way-to-cook-potatoes.html

Directions

Slice whole potatoes aaalmost all the way through, so that the slices are all 

still attached at the bottom of the potato.

 Drizzle with olive oil and your favorites potato seasonings...

..bake for about 40 minutes at 425 F..

 

My Thoughts

I love them.  My husband isn't really a fan of baked potatoes but he was excited to eat them.  He told me how good they look.  This is definitely a keeper recipe.  I start them off by putting them in the microwave for 5 minutes to speed the process since baked potatoes take awhile to cook.

 

My Picture

Yup that's parm cheese as a topping.  I waited until the potatoes were done cooking before I added the cheese.  YUM!

 

Brussel Sprouts

I'm not a huge fan of brussel sprouts but sometimes I want a different side dish.  I feel like I'm always cooking the same side dishes.

Website

http://whatsgabycooking.com/lemon-garlic-brussel-sprouts/

Directions

Ingredients

• 2 lb Brussel Sprouts
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 3 tbsp gruyere, grated
• sea salt
• pepper
• 
  

Instructions

1. Clean the brussel sprouts by trimming off the ends and peeling the outer layer of the sprout off. Cut each one in half.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Once heated, add the halved brussel sprouts to the pan and saute for about 7-8 minutes on each side until the outer part is a caramelized brown and the inside is soft and fully cooked.
4. Add the garlic half way through the cooking.
5. Reduce the heat to low and add the lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper.
6. Stir to combine and taste. Adjust seasoning if needed. Add the cheese on top and serve.

Their Picture

My Thoughts

These were good brussel sprouts.  My husband doesn't eat brussel sprouts and he said they are the best he has ever had.  That being said, he will only eat a couple and hope that I don't make them often.  I will use this recipe again, despite no one else in the family wanting to eat them.

My Picture

 

DIY Glitter Play Doh

I never really thought Play Doh was expensive so I never really understood why people make it.  But why not jump on the Pinterest bandwagon and make some.

Website

http://tenkidsandadog.blogspot.com/2010/01/s-is-for-snow.html

Their Picture

My Thoughts

Maybe I made it wrong, but it was crumbly.  I played with it to mix in the glitter and to soften it up, which it did.  However, I tried making a snake and it kept breaking off.  I don't think this would be fun to play with.  Plus the peppermint smell might make a child think they can eat it.  I would just go buy Play Doh instead of wasting the time.

My Pictures

I have no clue how they got the Play Doh so white in the picture!!!

DIY Gel Air Freshener

I know that it's been awhile, but I'm back.  Part of the reason is for being sick and the other part is for trying to figure out what I want to take on as a challenge.

I already tried an air freshener that didn't work so why not try another.

Website

http://sewstylishboutique.blogspot.com/2011/07/gel-air-freshener.html

Their Picture

Directions

All you need is:

2 Envelopes unflavored Gelatin 

1tsp or more of some perfume or other fragrance

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 cup ice cold water

Food coloring 

A small jar like a jelly or baby food jar

Mix the gelatin and hot water in a bowl until the gelatin in dissolved. Stir in Fragrance and food coloring, then the ice water. let set in a cool place. ( do not put it in the frige)  

My Thoughts

It smells great, when you put your nose to it.  I would assume that's the essential oil that I chose.  I cannot even smell it about 6 inches away.  It definitely will not scent up a room.  Oh well.  I guess it's just easier to buy air fresheners.

My Picture

Yeah I went ghetto and put it in tupperware.  I figured there was no point in making it look nice if I don't know how it's going to turn out.

My Leave of Absence

I haven't posted in awhile due to the fact that I've been sick.  I'm being treated for Lyme disease and I'm still awaiting the test results.

I have been looking up stuff on Pinterest but I've been having trouble figuring out what would be good to test.  I seem to keep seeing the same pins and nothing that's catching my eye to test.  There is a homemade pore strip that I would like to try but I need to by plain gelatin and I haven't found it yet.

So I'm asking you what you would like to see tested.  If there's a pin that you are curious about, please let me know and I'll see about testing it.

Diaper Pail Deodorant Disk

I have a special needs child.  Even though she's 3 and 1/2, she's no where near ready to be potty trained.  With that comes an extended use of the diaper pail.  It reeks!!!!  I have tried the ones from Arm and Hammer and even 3 at a time with no luck!  So what could it hurt to make one and see what happens?

Website

http://zksim.blogspot.com/2012/01/stinky-diaper-pail-make-your-own.html

Directions

For baking soda disks, you will need:

• distilled or boiled water
•  2 cups of baking soda
• your choice of essential oils 
• a muffin pan
• paper muffin cups

Add a few drops of essential oil to a small amount of water. Mix the water with the baking soda. Mix well. Gradually add and mix more water until you have a thick paste.

 Press about ½" of paste into each muffin paper and let dry 24 hours. Tear the paper off. After you've used each disk for a month or so (however long you find it effective), crumble the disk into the diaper wash. Baking soda deodorizes and softens the diapers.

This recipe made me a year supply. Happy Diapering! :) 

My Thoughts

Our pail still reeks!!!  It's beyond repair I believe.  We should just invest in getting another since we don't know how long we will be using it anyways.  These disks might work in the fridge or something less potent, but not a diaper pail.  Luckily the only time we smell the pail is when we have to empty it and put in a new bag!!