Homemade (NO GRATE) Bodywash

I am always trying to find ways to save money by making things myself (if I can).
So, I usually end up searching on "One Good Thing" By Jillee and am never disappointed!

I started making my own laundry detergent and thought, why not try and make homemade body wash?
I figured how hard can it be, right?  Turns out it is way easy, and it's a way to save lots of MOULA! 
Got your attention now? 
Today's recipe of homemade body wash is brought to you by "One Good Thing" By Jillee. 

Homemade Body Wash

6 cups of water

3 bars of soap ( I used Dove)

Put the water into a large pot and bring to a boil on stove, then turn down heat to medium.

Microwave the bars of soap, One bar at a time, for 90 seconds each and put in pot of water immediately! This is the exciting part, because usually, like the homemade laundry soap, you would have to grate the bars of soap....and me no likey that part....I still have a cut on my hand to prove it!

Continue stirring your soap soup occasionally over medium heat until all the soap is well dissolved.  It may take a little bit, but you want to be sure it's all melted! Go give yourself a facial while you're waiting, you know you deserve it!

When completely dissolved pour into a glass jar or bowl ( I used some canning jars) and allow it to cool.

It will thicken after about 24 hrs.  If it gets too thick, just add a little bit of water until it's where you want.

Math Breakdown

I bought a six-pack of bars for about $6.88

I used 3 of the bars at a cost of $3.44

This made approximately 48 oz. at  $1.72 for a 24 oz. bottle!

That's a saving of 75%!!!!!!

Here's to all of us smelling good for a lot less $$$$$
Happy washing!
Aimee

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Low Cal)

Raise your hand if you love pumpkin pie (ME, ME, ME)!!!

Now, raise your hand if you love smoothies!!!

Guess what?  Your in luck today...I'm gonna give you my recipe for a 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie!

8-10 oz Almond milk or skim milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp stevia or other sweetner

1 med ripe banana

3-4 ice cubes

Blend Away and Enjoy!!

*Recipe is for 1 serving

My Hunger Games Obsession

Ok, so I just want to start by saying that I haven't been this excited, obsessed, or inspired to read a series of books in a long while, until The Hunger Games!  I started reading the first book of three on a recent trip and finished before I got home.  I loved it so much, I was tempted to buy book two while on our trip, even though I already had a copy at home.  I HAD TO HAVE IT!!
Everything is so different about these books....I love the names....Katniss, Peeta, Rue, Haymitch....they're so different.  There's science-fiction, intrigue, action, and love...

Storyline:
The story is set in North America in a post-apocalyptic nation known as Panem.  There are 12 districts who do not have contact with each other. They are oppressed and starving. The Capitol is the cruel "overseer" of the outlying districts, and every year to punish the districts for their uprising 75 years before, they have the Hunger Games.  Two people from each district, a girl and boy, are chosen through a lottery to play in the games, a fight to the death with only one winner. 

So, I'm on book two (started yesterday) and most likely will be done reading it today.  I'm telling you, I just can't put it down. 
Thank goodness the last couple of days have been nice so I can kick the kids out to play and READ!! (After lessons, of course) I told you I was obsessed! 
With all that said, to those of you that have read the books....are you as danged excited to see the movie as I am? I mean really, how many times can I say the word "excited" in one post?  I need to consult my thesaurus. 
Mark it on your calender if you haven't already...March 23!

Katniss and Gale (sigh...Gale)



I'm rooting for Peeta as Katniss' love interest, but Gale is pretty darn hunky.  I do love the fact though that Katniss is a strong female character. 

 Not just in her physical abilities but the fact she hasn't caved to her feelings for either Peeta or Gale. At least not yet.... 

Like I said, I'm on book two, so don't spoil it for me if one of the above mentioned hunks dies....I don't think I could handle it. 

I mean, how could you choose if you were Katniss?  I had a hard time when putting myself in Katniss' position as I was reading the books, let alone looking at the cast for the movie?

Ok, so I really encourage you to read The Hunger Games, then go see the movie! 

The Hunger Games Trilogy Set
The Hunger Games (Book 1)
Catching Fire (Book 2)
Mockingjay (Book 3)