Cheddar Potato Soup

Fall is in the air and I thought I'd share our family's favorite fall soup-

CHEDDAR POTATO SOUP

• 3-4 large baking potatoes
• 3 cans cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Start by cleaning the potatoes and drying them. Poke several hole in each with a fork and microwave on high for about 7 minutes or until tender to the touch. Then let cool for about 10 minutes. Once cooled take a knife and peel most of the skins off (it is ok if you leave some- it's a rustic soup). and cut into bite-size chunks.

In a large pot pour in the cheddar soups, chicken broth and milk. Add in the garlic, salt and pepper and heat on med/high strirring with a whisk until the cheddar soup dissolves into the other liquids. Bring to a boil. Then add in the potato chunks and turn down to a simmer. Let simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes to reheat the potatoes. Then remove from  heat and either mash the potatoes with a masher or use an immersion blender to break up the potatoes until you get the desired consistancy. BYOC (be your own chef) if you like it thicker- mash/blend less, if you like it creamier- mash/blend more. Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, garlic as needed to taste.

Top with your favorite baked potato toppings; sour cream, bacon, fried onions, scallions, cheddar cheese, croutons, crackers, etc.

Commercial Air Freshner can be Toxic!

 

Many commercial brands of air freshners only mask smells, not elliminate them. Plus they may contain harmful chemicals that can pollute your indoor air and pose a health hazard. Try making your own NON-TOXIC versions with these recipes that are easy, inexpensive and use ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
SPRAY BOTTLE RECIPES:
(Note: these are meant to be sprayed into the center of the room- not directly at a wall or fabric)
Vanilla Air Freshner- Grab yourself a new, or at least clean spray bottle (do not recycle a used commercial one). Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with very warm/hot water and mix until the baking soda dissolves (baking soda absorbs odors). Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract and shake well. Spray away. (note- you can substitute vanilla for another extract like lemon, orange, etc.)
Lemon Air Freshner- Grab yourself a new, or at least clean spray bottle (do not recycle a used commercial one). Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with very warm/hot water and mix until the baking soda dissolves (baking soda absorbs odors). Add 1/4 cup lemon juice and shake. Spray away.
Vinegar Air Freshner- Grab yourself a new, or at least clean spray bottle (do not recycle a used commercial one). Fill with undiluted distilled white vinegar and spray. The vinegar smell evaporates quickly taking the odors with it.

Fighting Colds Naturally

 

It’s September and that means back to school which also means that our house will inevitably be hit with colds. Here are some natural ways to combat colds:
-Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night- this helps to keep the air moist, making it easier to breathe.
-Prop mattress up a little under your head- try sticking a pillow under your mattress directly under where your head lies. This help with keeping drainage going down, not up into your sinuses.
-Flush out stuffy noses with saline. I stock up on the little noses non-medicated saline drops. Since it is just saline you may do this as many times as needed. Helps thin out mucus, making it easier to breathe.
-Drink plenty of fluids and eat lots of healthy food like fruits. Try to get some chicken soup down too!
-To help soothe scratchy throats and coughs try some honey before bedtime. Honey has many antioxidants that can help you fight off the cold faster and because it is thick and sweet it helps coat and soothe the sore throat from coughs. It is best to let kids cough during the day to get the mucus up, but when coughing is keeping them up all night, when they need rest try some honey. For kids ages 2-5 try 1/2 tsp, ages 6-11 try 1 tsp, and ages 12-18 try 2tsp. DO NOT GIVE HONEY TO INFANTS UNDER 1 YEAR OLD- may cause a rare, but serious case of botulism. I usually give my kids honey mixed in with something they like, usually I mix it with a little applesauce and warm it for 3 seconds in the microwave so its goes down smoother, you could try to add the honey to some warm (not hot) water.
http://suite101.com/article/honey-may-be-best-cough-medicine-a169827

Non-Toxic Daily Shower Cleaner

 

0
First of all using a towel on the floor to step onto when exiting the shower and then wiping all shower and tub sufraces down with a towel is always helpful and will definately eliminate ALOT of the mildew in the bathroom. But if you find yourself needing additional help with mildew accumulation try this-
Take a new spray bottle and fill halfway with DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR and the rest of the way with good plain old WATER. Shake well and spray away! You may spray everything down first and then towel dry (which is what I do) or towel dry and then mist shower.
Mildew grows in damp and warm conditions so try using a vent fan, or grab a small table top fan to use during and after showers if you don’t have a vent fan or open the bathroom window. Try opening the bathroom door for a while after showering and leaving the lights on (mildew likes the dark).

Cleaning with a Lint Roller

 

Ever dust your fabric lamp shades with a swiffer duster or a cloth? What happens? You kick up the dust on them and end up sneezing! The best way I have found to clean fabric lamp shades is to use a lint roller. Simply tear off a sheet so you have a new, fresh surface on the roller and roll up and down then roll over the top and bottom-you’ll be amazed at the stuff you find on the roller.

TIP: This also works well for a “quick clean” when you need to clean the house fast for last minute visitors on couches, bedspreads and also doilies.