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.
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!
Liquid Bandage For Covering PimplesI get pimples quite often. I noticed a while back that my liquid makeup and foundations would cover everything except my pimples, and that would make them stand out even more.
Baba GanoushBaba Ganoush is a delicious eggplant dish that originated in Lebanon. It's super easy to make and tastes phenomenal. I love it extra because it's full of fiber!
Boots from Old Sandals and a SweaterI love to upcycle! I made these knit boots by taking an old pair of sandals my fiance was not very fond of and covered them with the sleeves of an old sweater that had good stretch in the arms, but not so much in the body.
Straw Pendant Necklace HolderThis is a great way to organize your pendant necklaces so the chains don't get twisted and you can see which necklace is which.
Cheapskate CheesecakeHere's a way to make cheesecake when you're a bit low on funds. It tastes so good and with a healthy dollop of whipped cream on top, no one will notice you cut some corners!
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.
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.
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.
Upcycled Plastic Bottle Jewelry StandThis a super cute and thrifty jewelry stand you can make out of some plastic bottles and a few pieces of hardware. I used it to fill up with the jewelry I wear most often, and separated them by colour using the different tiers: silver on top, then gold, then colour pieces. I love this stand!
Fluffy Egg CloudsI love this recipe because it only has two ingredients and turns into something deliciously elegant. With the high prices on eggs these days, this is nice way to stretch your money.
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.
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.
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.
In Memory of Bunson (Rabbit)Bunson was about a 1 year old rabbit. She walked into our garden one day about a year ago. She was a bittersweet "find", because we had just lost our cat a week prior.
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.
Pulled Pork SwineappleWhat do you get when you cross pulled pork, pineapple, and bacon? Swineapple! This is a fun stuffed pineapple recipe for these hotter months that will make your friends and family squeal. Give it a try!
Pistachio HummusI've come up with a few hummus recipes where I replace the tahini with something else due to allergies or high cost, but this one is by far my favourite now. This hummus uses pistachios to replace the sesame paste and gives it an amazing flavour. I've also added green peas for colour, texture, and dimension. I urge you to try this recipe!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reuse Garlic Bag as Soap BagDon't throw away the little net bag that your garlic came in! Put all your little chips of soap inside, tie the ends and use it as an exfoliator. You won't believe the amount of suds you will get out of your soap when using your new little bag.
Honeybees for the Honeymoon (Southern...When we arrived to our vacant honeymoon farmhouse in the wine country of France, we were shocked to discover this massive beehive attached to the window of our bedroom.
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!
Hungry Mama SquirrelFor the past few months, my parents had been talking non-stop about this squirrel family that frequents their backyard for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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.
Clear Browser for Cheaper Online Airline TicketsMany travel websites track your activity and see how many times you've been on their page. Clearing your web browser's cookies and cache can help you score cheaper air travel online, making it look like it's your first visit to their site.
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.
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!
Kitten in the Window (France)This cute little kitty was staring at me as I was walking down an alley in France on the way to getting some croissants. I thought the huge wooden shutters were beautiful, too. It really made my day!
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.
Make Boxed Cake Taste HomemadeSometimes I bump into a boxed cake mix on sale for SO cheap, I can't say no. Having it handy helps save precious time, but it just doesn't taste nearly as good as a cake made from scratch. Here are some tips on getting your boxed cake tasting homemade.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Two Ingredient Coconut Banana CookiesI love these little cookies! They only have two ingredients, shredded coconut and banana. They turn out like a cross between banana bread and coconut macaroons. You can use a super ripe banana and unsweetened coconut or a plain banana and sweetened coconut, however you decided to go by how sweet you like them. These are a great option for those who are vegan or gluten-free.
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!
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!
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!
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.
Drinking Straw Statement NecklaceI save straws for two reasons: to save the earth and to make beautiful jewelry. I love this necklace because it's super easy to make and makes any plain outfit incredibly bold. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it out and no one knows they're upcycled scraps of plastic. Give it a try!
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.
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.
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!
Microwave for Drying HerbsUsing a microwave to turn your fresh herbs into dry herbs doesn't only speed up the process, it also secures a longer lasting, stronger flavour. You will also notice that they retain their natural, beautiful, vibrant colour.
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!
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.
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! ;)
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.
Fudgy Black Bean BrowniesI've been using this healthy two-ingredient brownie recipe for two years now. It's full of protein, fiber, and it's absolutely delicious. It has an amazing fudgy texture to it, you won't get from making the brownies with the box directions.
Coconut Crusted MarshmallowsHere is a super simple way to make your own marshmallows at home. They are so much better than the store-bought variety and no corn syrup is added.
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.
Upcycled Bottle Top Bag SealerI don't always have spare containers or chip-clips handy so I make my own airtight enclosures for my goodies using empty plastic drink bottles.
Homemade MarmaladeMaking your own marmalade is so easy. It's also a good way to use up everything that comes with the orange fruit, from the meat to the juice to the skin. The trick to this bright and vibrant marmalade is in the boiling method.
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.
Snow White and the Undead DwarvesI love taking regular Halloween costumes and giving their storyline a bit of a twist. This year, the narrative of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves met a terrifying zombie apocalypse. The dwarves turned first, then got ahold of Snow. Obviously, it's a bit of a cute joke costume as I used little plush dwarf dolls for the planned attack.
Purple Sweet Potato PieI'm sure many of you have had sweet potato pie. This pie is very similar but uses purple sweet potatoes. Baking the sweet potatoes in the oven (in lieu of boiling them) gives this a beautiful creamy consistency and not at all watered down. Baking them also retains their beautiful purple colour. Purple sweet potatoes can be found in grocery stores labeled as Okinawan, Hawaiian, or purple sweet potatoes. They are packed full of potassium, B6, vitamin C, and fiber.
Secretly Budget PastaI call this Secretly Budget Pasta because I make it when I'm short on funds. This recipe is super quick and cheap but the outcome is something fancy and delicious. Enjoy!
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.
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.
Saving an Orphaned Baby SquirrelMy mother was doing some gardening when she found a squirrels' nest knocked out of a tree on to the garden ground. There was no mother squirrel around, mum made a warm bed of foliage for the little guy while keeping an eye out for mother squirrel.
Fast Folding T-Shirt TechniqueIt's so easy to just stuff your shirts away after doing laundry. Not so great when you pull them out and they're mixed up and full of wrinkles. I pulled out all our shirts to do some organizing. There were so many! My thrifty nifty mum showed me how to fold them all FAST, and it was a lifesaver. Here is how to do it
New Cleaning Use For An Old ToothbrushDon't through away that old toothbrush. Carefully heat the toothbrush handle with a lighter for about 10 seconds and bend into a curved L shape. Dip in cold water to cool it down.
Cardboard Tube WreathThis is a gorgeous way to recycle the cardboard tubes from the inside of your toilet paper or kitchen roll. You can dazzle them up with some colourful findings from nature outside. Enjoy and happy holidays!
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).
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.
