Au Naturel

The toxic chemical of detergent and cleaner like many different brand of multipurpose cleaner, Windex(glass cleaner), etc. will leave traces of chemical after we use it. Last year we bought a spray bottle which come with a few very useful microfiber cloths including what I found very interesting is the recipe of non-toxic cleaners printed on the bottle.
After one year of using the natural general cleaner, we are very satisfied. We clean our stove, counter top and refrigerator with it, it is an amazing cleaner! I am sharing the recipe here. So far the next one I would like to try is the window cleaner, but wonder if apple vinegar works

Let me know if you tried the rest…

GENERAL CLEANER
Add 2 tablespoons baking soda to 16 oz. warm water

WINDOW CLEANER
Add 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar to 16 oz. warm water

DISINFECTING CLEANER
Add 10-20 drops of tea tree oil to 16 oz. warm water

FLOOR CLEANER
To 16 oz. of warm water add:
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap
1/2 teaspoon borax
Squeeze of lemon or
Splash of vinegar
Spray for with solution and mop as usual

LINEN SPRAY
Add 5 drops of your favorite scented oil to 8 oz. water
Use to freshen linens and curtains

The Power of Words

Last Saturday, as I shared this story, I saw the kids faces lit up and the adults nodded in agreement with a BIG smile…

Enjoy the story… :)

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and
two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs
gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the
pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as
good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and
tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their
might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that
they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of
frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He
jumped even harder and finally made it out.

When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?"
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He
thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.
Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who
cross your path. The power of words....it is sometimes
hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way.

Remedy for heat rash

Hah! My beloved "bedak"!
This is very handy during scorching hot weather, like what we're experiencing here lately. This is a powder made of rice which will melt in your palm when water is added. Then, you can apply it to the skin and wait for it to dry. It gives a soothing,cooling effect as it dries. If you are from the South East Asia region, I think you are familiar with it. I had some heat rashes at the back of my neck a few days ago, after using it a couple of times, it dissapeared. :)

This is handmade by my grandmother, one of her specialties.It was made from scratch patiently over the period of months. It don't look smooth, tiny and cute like those in the market because my grandma is making it for the family only and I think it's faster this way :P

Nowadays, I think people don't use it as much anymore. I wonder if it will dissapear one day...

Let's go Banana!

Note: I waited for the whole month to use my birthday reward. The card was tossed around and I even use it as a coaster for my mug, hehehe...

Yes, I mean Banana Republic!

Eversince I become their member, they kept shower me with gift cards and reward cards. And I have to say their reward are very different from the others. Most of the time, a very long time limit (up to 6 months) and no minimum purchase, they will just give me the $15 to spend on whatever I buy, including the clearance. How can I not love them?!
Few months ago I used a gift card and bought a pair of beautiful earrings for only $0.98 which original price was $26!

They also send me birthday gift card too. I love their merchandise because it's elegant and beautifully made with good quality.

Now, if you say, I must have spent a lot in order to get all those gift cards. I can assure you I didn't because I'm a frugal spender. I was brought up to only buy things that I need, not so much for indulgence or desires.
Living in the US, a shopaholic nation, I believe not only me but almost everyone is bombarded with coupons, rewards, sales, gift cards...etc. which basically trying to lure you to spend your money at their retails. But most of them come with tiny small prints which excluded so many things that you cannot use the coupons for. This is especially true for Macy's. They send you like so many gift cards and coupons but it all has a minimum spending and they will not allow you to spend on their clearance or discounted items. Then again, if there's something that you need in coincidence, the coupons work, better than nothing. But do not just go there thinking you're saving with those coupons and end up buying things you don't need.

Anyway, I am so pleased to be a member of the Banana Republic. Thank you! By the way, the banana rewards are good for Gap, Old Navy and Piperline too! So if I can't find anything at Banana, I can still go to Gap or the other store.

Psss... Banana Republic is having a sales now & their 4th of July special let you get another 25% off their sales merchandize. And I just found out they have this special thing now(not sure until when) that if you bought something on Tuesday you get a $10 reward good for your next purchase, this apply for card member only.

Whatever it is, be a smart spender. It would not be very wise of you to go shopping everytime you got a coupon in the mail, isn't it?