Sourdough Bread #1

For those who have never had sourdough bread... You are missing out. Yes, it's a two day process but it only take a few minutes in the morning and evening those days to have a slice of yummy deliciousness. 

The first step is to obtain a starter.  The starter is something you can make or you can get it from someone who already make sourdough...like me!  If anyone in the Lexington area wants one i'm happy to share. 

Once you have the starter you MUST feed it.   The yeast is a living thing that has to be fed to stay a live.  I feed mine once a week but you can do it every 4-8 days.  If you feed it on the early or late side of this I would suggest putting a teaspoon or two of yeast to give it a boost.  You feed it with the following ingredients...

1.   1/4 cup potato flakes

2.    3/4 cup sugar
3.     1 cup of warm water.

After putting this in with the starter you will place it in a warm area for about twelve hours.  I put mine in the microwave and leave the light on.  It will start to fizz as the yeast becomes active.

Lemon Hand Scrub

I was originally inspired by this when I was eating at Lambert's while on vacation in Gulf Shores, AL.  They had this wonderful scrub in the bathrooms that made my hands feel AMAZING.  I really wanted to buy some.  However, upon reaching the gift shop and seeing the huge $26 price tag on the small pint size jar full of the wonderful scrub I decided that my hands would have to remain rough man paws indefinitely.

Then the crafty/thrifty side of my brain started working and with a simple google search I decided this is something I could easily make for myself!  This stuff feels and smells amazing!  Here's what you need...

• Sugar (Just plain white sugar)
• Vitamin E oil (You can get this right next to the vitamin E capsules at Wal-Mart)
• Coconut oil
• Lemon juice 
• Lemon zest
• Honey

You microwave the coconut oil until it's a liquid I used about 1/4-1/2 cup, about 20-30 seconds should be enough.  Then you add a few drops of Vitamin E oil, about 2 teaspoons of honey, and your lemon zest and juice all together.  Then just pour in the sugar until it's the consistency of wet sand.   

Place your sugar scrub in a bowl, dish, or container and use it!  I've been keeping mine by my bathroom sink.  I even set it on the edge of the tub so I could use it in the shower on my lips, feet, elbows, and knees!  It feels and smells like summer!  

FYI, the great thing about this is that you can mix up the recipe; the main thing is the sugar and oil.  You could use olive oil or almond oil.  You could also leave out the lemon if scents bother you or use something else instead like peppermint or vanilla.  Have fun with it and enjoy!

  

Preview of Things to Come

I always feel the first post is the most awkward, so lets get on with it. I decided to start a mommy blog (it's what I call it anyway) as a way of putting my thoughts out there and sharing some things that I enjoy or find interesting. 

Somethings you might see here in the future are silly stories about my two sons, silly stories about my husband who stays at home with them (he's an amazing dad), DIY projects, recipes, and devotional thoughts. I guess I could go on but that is what I have in mind for now. A few specific posts I have in mind are about... 


 #1- Cloth diapering. When people find out that this is something I do I usually get a "You're crazy" look. This is normally followed by tons of questions because the cost savings intrigues people.

   

#2- Making lip balm, lotions, and body scrubs.

   

#3- A weekly menu/shopping list. We have recently challenged ourself to a $50/week grocery bill with a $50/month meat allowance and to only eat out at most once during the week and once on the weekend. I'll keep you updated on how that's going.