Upcycled Chopstick TrivetI have a rather large collection of disposable wooden chopsticks from decades of restaurants and takeouts. After I use them, I wash them and keep them either in my utensil drawer for reuse or in a canister for future crafts. This trivet is one of my favourite chopstick crafts.
Chewy Caramel Apple CookiesI love these cookies because they're kind of like a cross between caramel apples and warm apple pie. The freshly cooked cubes of apple really stand out under the gooey ribbons of caramel. My family enjoys these warm with vanilla ice cream- it tastes just like fresh apple pie a la mode (without the hard work). Give them a try!
Helping Out Lost Little BirdsWe found these little birds crying at the end of the garden, looking lost, no mother around. We put together some dried leaves and mini twigs in a bamboo basket and wooden cheese box to see if they needed nesting. Surely enough, they got right in and got comfortable.
Sharpen Your Vegetable PeelerVegetable peelers go dull rather fast. I spent many, many years just tossing them out and buying new ones. I wish I learned this trick when I first moved out on my own:
Easy Marbled Nail ArtHere's an easy and fun way to do really beautiful nail art at home. I get compliments on them every time!
Egg Carton Rose BroochDon't throw away your empty egg cartons. You can make beautiful roses out of them, then glue them onto an old pin. When painted, the cartons make a beautiful almost canvas-like material. This is one gorgeous upcycled brooch that I think you should try!
Beware of Drug InteractionsMy father has been feeling incredibly ill lately. He has been suffering from muscle aches, weakness, vomiting, shaking, just to list a few. I visited him last week and noticed he had a huge load of medications he was instructed to take daily.
DIY Makeup Setting SprayStop reapplying your makeup and use a setting spray for all-day wear. Here's how to make your own at home for a few bucks.
Honey Lemon CakeI came up with this cake when my husband had the flu and asked, "Why do all things honey lemon have to be medicine?" Let's just say that's been remedied. This cake is very moist and always hits the spot. I've gotten asked for the recipe by everyone who has tried it, even non-bakers. I used an amazing local honey from Washington state, but I have been successful making this using all kinds of honey (squeezy bear, too).
Savoury Cheese and Vegetable TartThis is one of my favourite savoury tarts to make. It's much like a quiche. You can add whatever vegetables you have on hand. The cheese is also optional. My father hates cheese so his cheese-free version is pictured here, too. You can also use a use store bought pie crust.
Plastic Milk Jug FlowerI love plastic milk jugs because they are a lot like thick vellum paper, except they are free after you drink all your milk. After cleaning, drying, and cutting, these milk jugs can make beautiful flowers. Placing a candle in the middle and using it as a votive holder is optional.
Bacon and Cheese Stuffed WafflesI got this idea for a bacon and cheese stuffed waffle after I saw my brother use leftover Christmas ham and cheese inside of a waffle... and it was awesome! I used a simple pancake mix and just added water to make the batter. I used cheese that melts nicely; smoked gruyere and mozzarella. These waffles are fabulous on their own or with a dipping sauce of equal parts mustard and mayonnaise. Enjoy!
Finely Chopped Hardboiled EggsWhen I need my hard-boiled eggs finely chopped for recipes such as Cobb Salads, I peel them and run them through one of those netted bags that holds garlic. Just push through over your bowl!
Mini Taco FrittatasI came up with these frittatas because I love egg breakfasts and adore tacos, but don't have much time to hang around to make both. These are so delicious, guilt-free, and gluten-free. I love to make a batch and keep them in the fridge. They're perfect for days you are on the run.
Valentine's Day EggsThis is a fun and adorable edible craft I learned from my mother. She's been doing this since she was a little kid. All you need are a few household items.
Pistachio Shell Flowers and Candle HolderEver since I was a little kid, I've eaten a "lot" of pistachios. Even back then, I would save the shells in order to make crafts out of them because I thought they were so pretty to throw away. This is how I make flowers and candle holders out of my pistachio shells. Painting them is completely optional.
Deodorizing With Used Coffee GroundsAfter making coffee, let the grounds dry then put them into a new filter, a thin fabric bag, socks, or stockings. Secure with thread or staples. Put these coffee bags inside your shoes, in closets, and shelves. They work really well as deodorizers.
Washable No-Sew MaskYou can make this washable, reusable no-sew face mask at home. If you use something like a handkerchief, you won't even need to cut it. Aside from being able to wash this, it's also beneficial in the way that you can make it custom to your face shape to ensure you're covered over the nose and under the chin.
Mini Sea Salt Caramel BrowniesThese little brownies are perfect for you salty/sweet food lovers! The dash of sea salt really brings out all the chocolate and caramel goodness of the brownie. The flavors are so powerful, just one little bite will truly satisfy your cravings!
Easy Peel TomatoesTo peel tomatoes to use in stews and sauces, or if you just prefer them skin-free like I do, this is an easy way to get the job done quickly. Remove the stem, score the bottom with a big X, then dunk in boiling water for 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer to an ice bath to cool. Right when they're cool, remove from water and the skin will slide right off.
Caramel GrapesThis is a delicious twist on caramel apples. I love caramel grapes because I get everything I want in caramel apples in one bite, with so much less mess. Plus, they're so cute!
Herbed Chicken Rolls in Cherry SauceHere comes a winner-winner chicken dinner from my personal cookbook. This chicken breast is rolled up with herbed garlic butter, then cooked in a tart cherry sauce. It's a beautiful meal for these colder evenings... and I think quite pleasant visually! Enjoy!
Red Riding Hood the Wolf SlayerHere's a twist on the usual Little Red Riding Hood. Just add an axe and a piece of fur to your picnic basket and you go on to tell a whole continuation story of what happened in the woods.
5 Ingredient Apple TartThis apple tart is so easy to make. The great thing is you don't need any fancy equipment or fluted tart pans or techniques. Just throw everything in a pan and put it in the oven!
Travel: Jellyfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium...Here are some Jellyfish from my trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California. I could (and did) look at them for hours. There's something very therapeutic about watching them slowly sway in the water.
Pineapple Upside Down PancakesThis is a fun twist on pancakes. They are so decadent, they can be served for dessert. Caramelizing the pineapples not only gives them a nice rich flavour, but also creates a sticky toffee in the pan that you can use as a drizzle in place of syrup. When you cut into a stack of these, the little Maraschino cherries pop out onto the plate. What a lovely surprise!
Pasta Christmas TreeThis is a beautiful little centerpiece you can make from dry pasta, a foam cone, and paint. I think it'd be beautiful in any colour, but it really looks quite chic in gold with red accents. The farfalle bowtie pasta sitting on top is a cute little finishing touch.
Gravity-Defying Ramen CakeThis is a super cool cake you can make at home with a few fun techniques. It's a bowl of ramen with chopsticks that appear to be suspended in the air. You don't need too many obscure items to make this yourself. Making it will save you literally hundreds of dollars as these fun types of cakes don't come cheap from the specialists. Have fun with this edible craft!
DIY Comb-top DustpanAttach a wide-toothed comb with hot glue to your dustpan in order to brush out all the debris and dust bunnies from your broom. This dollar hack is a copycat of a $25 dustpan I saw at the Home Goods store.
Upcycled Stocking ScrubbyRuns and tears in stockings may cause you to throw them in the trash. Why not use them to clean hard to reach spots like behind faucets, shower heads, or even your own back? To make them durable, take a few of them, tie a knot at the top, and braid together.
Fennel Seeds For Gas and BloatingI was trying to figure out what to wear to my girlfriend's birthday party when I realized none of my skirts or pants were fitting, not even close! I looked in the mirror and was shocked to see I suddenly looked 9 months pregnant. I was very bloated.
Homemade Dried and Caramelized OnionsWhen I find a great deal on onions, I buy a large amount and make these dried and caramelized onions. It ends up being a whole lot cheaper and more tasty than buying dried onions in bottles. You can make these in the oven, in a dehydrator, or even in the sun! To make onion powder, run the finished product in a processor.
Raw Potato For Healthy SkinRub a raw potato on your face to help with skin discoloration, wrinkles, and age spots. Enzymes in the raw potato nourishes your skin tissue, and the alkaline content gives you a nice glow.
Easy Whipped CoffeeEveryone has been making this budget-friendly coffee delight as we are all stuck at home. I have some tips on how to make the most luscious puff with some techniques. Give this a try. It's a tasty and beautiful treat that beats any coffee shop's $5 version.
DIY Organic Food ColouringI was chatting with a friend recently about how his kids are allergic to red food dye. It made me do some research, where I found that it contains plenty of chemicals, including petroleum. I decided to make my own food colouring from organic fruits and vegetables, and it was a total success!
Making a Crab from a Scallop ShellI like to buy scallop appetizers at the seafood shop. They come in these beautiful shells, so I clean them and keep them for crafts. I've made a little red crab with one of them here. It's pretty easy to do and looks so cute. You can add a magnet to the back and put it on your fridge, if you like!
Mini Lemon Meringue PiesI'd never made a lemon meringue pie, but after seeing contestants bake some on a cooking show on TV, I wanted to try one out. Since it's just me and my husband in this house, I made mini versions.
DIY Ombre Hair ColouringI love the gradual colour shift in ombre hair! I wanted to go boldly Aquarius with blues and teals in my hair for my birthday, but my local salons charge a few hundred dollars to do lightening and ombre colouring, especially with my long layered hair.
Healthy Microwave PopcornAll you need for some perfect fresh popcorn is some popcorn kernels, a microwaveable bowl, a microwaveable plate that fits on top of it, and, if you so desire, a pat of butter or coconut oil.
Hot Glue Basket BowlI am so in love with making these little basket bowls. They're so easy to make and barely cost a thing. They're so pretty, you'd never know at first glance
they were made of hot glue!
Lobster Mac and CheeseFor special occasions, my husband and I like to order lobster mac and cheese. We've recently realized, as good as it is, it's just not worth $20 for a plate! Here's a recipe for lobster mac and cheese for under $3 a serving.
Cinnamon Apple Pork ChopsThis is an amazingly delicious one-pan pork chop recipe using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It's so easy to make but tastes like a gourmet treat. You will want to keep this recipe.
Intense Sunset and My CatThis is one of the last photos I ever took with a regular camera before I switched over to digital. I remember rushing home from classes one day because I wanted to snap a photo of the sky.
Making a Multidirectional Spray...It's really annoying trying to get your cleaning done when you are forced to hold your spray bottle upright in order for anything to spray out. Here is an easy fix to use your spray bottle in any position.
Clean Laptop Keys With Interdental BrushRecently I found a naughty little piece of an almond under my "R" key, causing it not to work properly. I've found that interdental brushes for your teeth work so well for cleaning laptop keys. Gently press the brush tip under and scoop out the mess.
Cleaning Badly Burnt Pots and PansDon't waste your time scrubbing a badly burned pot. All you need to do is put it outside in direct sunlight for a few days. The burnt food will crust up together, and when you turn it upside down, it will all fall out.
Aspirin for Swimmer's Green HairThere are many ways to treat your hair before swimming to prevent your hair from turning green, but if you forgot to do that before you jumped in the pool, try this! Crush two aspirin and mix it into your the normal amount of shampoo you'd use while washing your hair.
Curtain Rod HeadboardUse a curtain rod and a couple pieces of fabric to make the most elegant headboard. Headboards can be expensive, and if you try to make your own from wood boards and foaming, it can be a little tough. Mounting a curtain rod over your bed is very easy. You can also change colors whenever you like!
Make Rice with Half the CaloriesScientists have proven that by simply cooking your rice with some coconut oil then cooling, it changes the rice's digestible starch to indigestible starch, which prevents much of the rice from being metabolized into glucose, cutting the calories by about 60%.
Larger Than Life Christmas TreeDue to the economy, we decided to get a tiny Christmas tree this year. Even though it's still adorable and just as loved as a huge tree would be, I giggle at how small it is.
Coconut Oil for Hair LighteningRubbing your hair and scalp with a bit of coconut oil will do wonders for you before you lighten your hair. Just dab some on before your usual lightening routine and proceed like usual. The result is the same gorgeous lightened hair but with silk soft, smooth, damage-free hair.
Peeling Garlic Easily in a JarDon't buy pre-peeled garlic or spend the time doing it yourself. Avoid the garlicky fingers by putting your garlic in a jar, screw the lid on, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. The first half the of the shaking will break the cloves off, and the second half will peel the skins right off the cloves. It's a great little workout, too! ;)
Walnuts for Hardwood Floor ScratchesCrack open a walnut and rub the nut "meat" against cracks and scratches in hardwood floors to repair them. The nut meat fills in the scratch with a color resembling the wood.
Chocolate Cowboy HatsThese chocolate cowboy hats are a wonderful edible craft. I am making them for my nephew's birthday/Halloween party where he will be dressing up as Woody, the cowboy from Toy Story (his absolute favourite). These only take a few food items and a bit of patience. They would also be awesome for a western movie lover or a baby shower!
Turn Cheap Steak Into Amazing SteakI love a really good fillet mignon from time to time, but my purse never does! Here is a super easy way to make even the cheapest cuts of steak into a velvety delight, using just salt and sugar.
Pistachio Shell Birds PaintingI like to save the shells from my pistachio nuts to craft with. Here, I've turned them into birds on a tree I painted.
Leftover Mashed Potato WafflesThese are my favourite things to make after Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time I have an abundance of leftover mashed potatoes. These waffles are creamy in the middle and crispy on the outside; perfect for breakfast with some eggs or just on their own. Definitely a fun twist on a leftover item.
Wildlife: Lone BirdI was trying to take a picture of this tree in front of my house filled with birds. Right when I was taking the shot, the neighborhood ice cream truck came by with its blasting song, scaring all the birds away except this one!
Potato GnocchiI think we all get very excited when we score that 99 cent 5-pound bag of potatoes. But what to do when you're tired of all the garlic mash and baked spuds? Try gnocchi! Little Italian pillows of love.
3 Ingredient TrufflesThese beautiful little truffles will blow you away. They are creamy and decadent, yet so easy to make. You just need a pack of Oreo cookies, a block of cream cheese, and a bag of chocolate chips. Sprinkles are totally optional. I only used them to make them pop for my Valentine!
Yeast Free Naan BreadSometimes you just want a fresh, delicious, warm piece of bread quickly. This is my super easy recipe for the most amazing Indian naan bread made in minutes and right on your stovetop.
Softening Butter QuicklyI often have spur of the moment baking ideas and get annoyed when a recipe calls for softened butter. Even when "gently" microwaved, I have a tendency to melt some of it. The best way around that is to pour boiling water in a microwave safe glass in order to heat it the glass.
Banana Peel Sleepy TeaDon't throw away that banana peel! It will help you fall asleep tonight, for free! Just steep your clean, sticker-free peels in a pot of water for 10 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon, drink an hour before bedtime, and off you go.
Reinvented Character Pillow ChairI wasn't so thrilled when my husband brought home this brown pillow chair from a discount retail store just because it was cheap. I didn't really care for how it looked.
Homemade Coffee Eyebrow TintI have patchy eyebrows from years of over plucking back in the day. Loving a very full looking pair of brows, I have gone through quite a bit of eyebrow pencils and tints. I now make my own with my used coffee grounds in the morning.
Deodorize Clothing with VodkaA great way to deodorize clothes is to place some vodka in a spray bottle and mist them with it. Hang them to dry and you'll notice all the smells are gone. The vodka kills bacteria and odor, but won't leave an alcohol scent behind. This is great for clothes that you just brought out from storage.
Take Advantage of Senior DiscountsMy parents have a list of shops in their area that offer senior discounts. Some are valid every day, some are one day a week, some are one day a month. The discounts can vary from 10 to 25 percent off, and most don't require you to sign up for a free membership.
Crispy Eggplant "Bacon"I've tried to make fake bacon out of so many products and eggplant seems to mimic the texture of bacon the best. Here is how to make your own eggplant "bacon" at home!
Felt Fortune CookiesThe best part of opening a fortune cookie is receiving your paper fortune, so these felt versions can save you from ingesting too many cookies! They can be reused, too, so this is a great craft for Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, and many other celebrations.
Spaghetti Squash FrittersI've been getting a bit tired of spaghetti squash in the usual form I prepare it; with spaghetti sauce or as a layered lasagna. I tried turning them into crisp fritters and they were delightful. You can add whatever bits you like in them, I went with onions, bacon and Parmesan cheese.
Creamy RatatouilleThis is a beautiful vegetable ratatouille that is immersed in a tomato sauce, swirled with a homemade Bechamel sauce. It's lovely and crisp on top, and soft and creamy on the bottom. This is a delight to enjoy any time of the year.
Homemade Upside Down Tomato PlanterReuse your plastic milk container by making an upside down tomato planter. This is great for people with limited space. Not having to grow them on the ground eliminates the need to keep your tomato plants well staked.
