Category: clean

clean, cook

My Favorite Pans…

livingswagger

My husband and I have owned and used lots of different cookware in our time. Our pot set, which was handed down from my parents when we got married, is from Amway (Amway Queen Cookware) and, despite being older than I am, it still looks like new, cooks beautifully, and never stains or sticks. I seriously love my pot set! Pans, however, we have not had as much luck with…we have tried Cuisinart, Calphalon, Analon and more and have never found a set that works for us. Some have been ok, yes, but eventually they have all let us down and forced us to go searching for yet another pan set…

In steps Sur La Table and their GreenPan Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Skillets. No joke- these are, by far, the best pans I have ever owned. Nothing sticks to these pans- nothing…eggs? no butter needed…meat? slides right around the pan with no spray…pancakes? no oil necessary…and that is just the beginning. Clean-up is so super easy, with even dried sauce literally sliding off. The nonstick coating of these skillets is also eco-friendly, safe, and non-toxic, and they are dishwasher safe (though I would never put mine in the dishwasher). Sur La Table offers these pans in a few different colors, and the turquoise brought a little pick me up to our kitchen. I would totally recommend these pans to anyone looking for a new set. The price is definitely worth the quality!

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Note: I was not asked to review these pans, nor have I had any contact with, or compensation from, Sur La Table or GreenPan…I just love their pans!!

clean

Cleaner, Fresher, Healthier, Cheaper Glass Cleaner

livingswagger

With young kids in the house, I am continually trying to find cleaning products or “hacks” that I can make or use that will not throw so many chemicals onto our home’s surfaces, or into the air. Another big draw to most homemade cleaning products, for us, is that most of the ingredients are those we already have around the house, meaning less store runs and less out of pocket expenses.

One of those cleaning products that I have recently replaced with a homemade formula is our glass cleaner. The homemade glass cleaner we use is not only made entirely of products we keep in the house at all times, but it is also made with inexpensive products and can be “customized” to suit your own families needs and preferences.

Take a look at the ingredients listed in a popular blue glass cleaner:

  • Water
  • 2-Hexoxyethanol
  • Isopropanolamine
  • Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate
  • Lauramine Oxide
  • Ammonium Hydroxide
  • Fragrance
  • Sky Blue Dye
Now for the ingredients (recipe) in our homemade cleaner:PhotoGrid_1441480129024
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup Rubbing Alcohol
  • 1/4 cup White Vinegar
  • 1 TBSP Corn Starch
  • 5-6 drops Essential Oil of your choice (I use Lemon Oil, but think Peppermint or Lavender would work well too)
  • Mix well in a bowl so that all Corn Starch is emulsified and transfer to a spray bottle for use

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**A quick note on the Essential Oils- if you don’t have them in your home, or use them, I highly recommend them! We love our doTerra Family First Aid Kit…and use it for everything from headaches and allergies to wound care and cleaning.

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This glass cleaner produces great results and is safer for the family (note that it does still have Rubbing Alcohol). No way would I go back to the blue stuff…

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