How to Clean a BBQ Grill Easily

 It's that time of year with the sun out, drinks on the patio and that bbq cooking your favorite foods..  ahhhh summer living!

But after a few meals, that bbq grill tends to build up burnt on food and grime.  You can try and burn it off by keeping the bbq going after you have cooked your food, but that is not super efficient and I find it simply cakes up on the grills.

You could take them inside and use oven cleaner, 

or 

you can use this simple method:

VINEGAR and TIN FOIL

This really works and then there are no fears of harsh chemicals transferring to your next meal.

What You Will Need:

Spray bottle filled with plain white vinegar

Balled up pieces of tin foil.

Method:

1.  When your BBQ is cold, spray white vinegar onto your grill.  

2.  Wait about 15 minutes

3.  Use your balled up tin foil to go back and forth along the grills and you will be amazed at what comes off!

The tin foil is basically your scrubber brush.  Works super well.

Have an awesome summer!

How to Trim Your Calories to Lose Weight - No Fuss No Muss

 As with many people, the silly saying that is going around is how "I gained the Covid 10 or 15 or 20"!!  

Without the activities,  going to the office, the gym and socializing many people took to the couch and Netflix and gained a few pounds!

If this is you (and me!) then here is a brilliant way that has worked for me in order to lose the stubborn pounds without counting every bite, depriving yourself or working your butt off in exercise.

I find counting calories super stressful and the minute you take away any treats I will constantly think about them, so to me trying to lose weight seemed stressful until I found this idea.

PORTION CONTROL

Now before you hit the back button as visions of scales and measuring spoons come into mind, I came across these portion control plates.

You simple fill the spaces with your favorite foods and you are using portion control!

Portion control is the best way in my opinion to ditch some calories without feeling deprived.  A came across an article that stated our dinner plates have seriously grown in size since the 1950s, and of course we tend to fill them.

I despise measuring and weighing food, so this idea has been working for me.  I don't cut anything out I simply control the size, which is easier when you use a premeasured plate.  You get used to eating less.

Hope this helps!

How to Make Brewed Coffee Less Bitter

 If you love brewed filtered coffee, but some brands just seem to have a bitter taste?  Try this old fashioned trick to mellow out that brew and start your morning off right.

This life hack will even take that pound of coffee you got on sale and turn it into a decent cup of joe!!

What you will Need:

Egg shells

Vinegar

Coffee Maker (type that uses paper filters)

ground coffee

water

Method:

After your next batch of eggs, don't throw out those shells.  

Step 1:  Take the egg shells and place in a bowl of water with some added vinegar and give them a little wash and then rinse.

Step 2:  Place on a paper towel to dry.

Step 3:  Prep your coffee maker as per usual with filter, water and coffee grounds.

Step 4:  Crush the dried egg shells of one or two eggs and place on top of the ground coffee.

Step 5:  ENJOY!

The eggshells are alkaline which neutralizes some of the coffee acidity that tends to make it bitter.

This way you can purchase some of the cheaper brands and still enjoy a mellow cup of coffee to start off your day right!

Maybe it is time for a new coffee maker?  Especially if the water runs through yours very slowly.

You can get all kinds of models online. Some will help to make your coffee taste much better. But if you can't swing a new one right now, keep and wash those egg shells!!

Homemade Nail Polish Remover DIY

 With this pandemic going on, we do have to get creative with some of our personal care.  

If you have been doing your own nails/pedicures then you know just how stinky and toxic that nail polish remover can be.

I found this recipe, and it really does work!  So if you find yourself wanting to work on your personal grooming ie: nails! ... and you don't have any remover at home, or don't want to use harsh chemicals...  Check this idea out.

What you Will Need:

Lemon juice (the stuff in the bottle works well too)

white vinegar

cotton balls 

Method:

1.  Mix equal parts of lemon juice with white vinegar.  

2.  Soak some cotton balls in the mixture.

3.  Then press a cotton ball soaked in the mixture against your nails and hold it for at least 30 seconds.

You will see that the mixture has begun to dissolve your polish.

That is It!!!!!

It does work.  It does take slightly longer, but you get the same result without the harsh chemicals.

If this is not your idea of fun, you can also purchase complete nail care packages online.

Have fun and spend some time and effort on yourself. Doing your nails or a pedicure can make you feel like a million bucks! Take care and stay safe!

Recycling Berry Containers - Repurpose Those Plastic Holders

 I love blueberries.  But when I purchase them at my local grocery store, they are in those plastic containers.

I simply throw them in the recycling bin when done, but the other day I looked at one and realized I could use this in my yard.  Repurpose, reduce, recycle right?

There are holes in the plastic ones for airflow and you can put this to good use in your yard.

Small Grass Patch?

Wash and dry the plastic container, hold your hand underneath and fill with grass seed, wild flower seeds, anything that needs spreading.

Head to your yard and shake this container around.  It will evenly spread the seeds!

Spot Seeding?

Perfect for redoing spots in your lawn where you just need a small amount of seeds. 

Starting Seedlings, Mini Greenhouse, Craft Supplies...

Take the top off and use both pieces.  Sit them in a tray and fill with your soil and seeds.  The holes make great drainage.

...or leave the lids on and put your seeds in a sunny spot and this will create a greenhouse effect.

...Craft Supplies, especially ribbon holders which are famous for getting tangled.

Have I got your Creative juices flowing???   Good, now take a second look at food containers before you pitch them, it is amazing what you can come up with.

If you get creative, you can find all kinds of uses for berry plastic containers. 

 

Removing Ticks From Your Dog

 It's that lovely time of year with the warmer air, spring flowers and greener grass but also with that comes the dreaded ticks!  In the spring there just seems to be an abundance of them.

As we have all heard, ticks are not good for dogs, cats or humans.  They carry disease and/or can create infections and problems in dogs.

Using tweezers, is ok, if that is all you have.  But just how do you find them especially on a furry animal?

How to find Ticks on long haired dogs

1.  Hair dryer on low heat outside is one good way.  It will separate the fur so you can see the skin.

2.  Manually checking all sections of their fur.

I know this can be a pain but it really is the best way.  I also decided this year to invest in a tick removal kit as we moved to a high tick area.  

I don't want to sit at home scared of these ticks. I love to walk my dog thru the parks and trails.  I just decided to be more prepared.  

After we get home, I give her a quick check especially around the face and groin. 

If you see a Tick that Hasn't Bitten Yet...

1.  Always check outside so you don't bring them in the house

2.  Use the hairdryer method or have a dog brush outside to brush them and then check the brush.  This too should not be inside the house.

3.  Use tweezer to get them not your bare hands.

4.  Dispose by squishing in paper towel and disposing.

5.  Keep some of these supplies outdoors in a sheltered area, so it all becomes a habit.

6.  Don't forget to check yourself.

Pet Bedding?

If you are concerned about the bedding you can wash it but ticks have been known to survive a wash cycle, but their enemy is HEAT, dry on high heat for a little while and it will kill them.  Or hang out in the hot sun.

Dog Tick Prevention

These products will deter ticks and fleas

Even if you use these products, you should still check to see just what your dog might bring in the house!  I found once you get into the habit, it just becomes one of those things you need to do like toweling them down after rain..  

Keep a small kit of things just outside in a sheltered spot, or take with you on hikes in your backpack so you are ready.  

How to Clean Sticky Dirty Buttons in Your Car

 

With spring around the corner, our cars start showing their winter fatigue!

Not only does the winter leave grime and stains on the car, but the interior has seen better times too!

With COVID many of us, have been eating in our cars instead of inside, and it is easy to get those sticky fingers onto all the buttons in your car.

I have found the most AWESOME way to clean those buttons without water or damage.

Check this out:

Step 1 - Vacuum the buttons and in between them with the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner.

Step 2 - Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes

These work AWESOME!  

You can get them on AMAZON for a great price too.  

Simply put over your finger and wipe the buttons one at a time.  Use gentle pressure and all the goo, and dust that stuck to the goo are gone!  No spraying cleaners, or damage.  IT WORKS!

I had been told this trick by a friend and didn't believe them, but it is true!  These wipes are not too wet which is best because electronics and water of course do not mix.

Your buttons on your dash, console and doors look good as new again.  There is NO need to rinse anything off.  You just wipe and go.

Keep Some In Your Car 

Since you buy them in packages, it wouldn't hurt to keep some in your car for emergencies.  Not something you would normally see in a glove compartment, but HEY it works!  

Coffee Filters

This is another trick I learned.  Apparently coffee filters are awesome for picking dust of the dashboard and absorbing spills on any of those buttons!

So keep a couple of them in the car too!  

With COVID still hanging around, our cars have become our second homes.  So finding ways to protect your car are important.