Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Ingredients in Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Rachelle Mathia

Your environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent is going to have four main ingredients. - Washing Soda—This stuff has been around forever. It is a natural substance, made from salt and limestone. Scientifically it is known as sodium carbonate. It cuts grease on anything and can be used for many (if not most) of the cleaning projects in your home. Arm and Hammer puts it out in the United States. If you can't find it at your grocers you can find it on Amazon and other places online. - Borax—Borax occurs naturally in the environment and can be mined as well as created in a lab. It is toxic in concentrated amounts, and you should keep it out of the reach of children. You can find it by the laundry detergent; Borateem is one brand. - Kosher Salt—Kosher salt is a pure salt. I use it for cooking because the food tastes cleaner. It it what my recipe calls for, I am not sure why. - Citric acid—You can buy food grade citric acid like Fruit Fresh or just use unsweetened lemonade packets.

Recipe for Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
 - 1 cup Washing soda
 - 1 cup Borax
 - ½ cup salt
 - ½ cup citric acid

 Mix together and store tightly covered in a Mason Jar. Use one tablespoon per load. Add vinegar to the rinse dispenser for the best results.

Hypertufa Pots

Hypertufa Pots
Martha Stewart

Make beautiful garden containers that will last for years with this wonderful hypertufa technique. The term "hypertufa" refers to a type of artificial stone, and is a conglomerate of the words "tufa," a natural volcanic rock, and "hyper," a prefix meaning excessively or extremely; hypertufa are extremely rock-like containers.

You can use almost anything that has an interesting shape for a mold, such as an old tub, bin, or nursery pot. Keep in mind that this mixture is an approximation, and not an exact science -- you can play around with the measurements.

This recipe will make really light pots; if you want heavier, sturdier pots, simply add more cement to the mixture.

Tools and Materials

* Rubber gloves
* Dust mask
* Perlite
* Peat moss
* Portland cement
* Cement pigment (optional)
* Acrylic fibers (if making larger-size pot)
* Plastic tub
* Water
* Spray cooking oil
* Mold (Martha used a nursery pot)
* Small wooden dowel (optional)
* Plastic bags
* Wire brush or sandpaper
* Buttermilk (optional)

Hypertufa Pots How-To
1. Wearing rubber gloves and a dust mask to avoid breathing cement dust, mix 3 parts perlite, 3 parts peat moss, and 2 parts Portland cement in a plastic tub. If desired, add cement pigment for color. If making a large pot, add acrylic fibers for strength.

2. Add water to tub, a bit at a time, until the mixture has the consistency of moist cottage cheese.

3. Spray inside of mold with cooking oil. Push a handful of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against the bottom of the mold. Repeat until you have made a bottom base that is approximately 1 inch thick. Push handfuls of wet hypertufa mixture firmly against the sides of container approximately 3/4 inches in thickness. Continue until rim of mold is reached. Press bottom and sides firmly to remove air pockets.

4. Create drainage hole by pushing finger or small dowell through the bottom of mold so that it penetrates the hypertufa mixture.

5. Cover with plastic bag, let dry for about 48 hours.

6. Take off plastic bag and remove pot from mold (pot with be slightly wet). Using a wire brush or sandpaper sponge, rough up the surface of the hypertufa for a more rustic appearance. Let sit for 2 to 3 weeks to dry completely.

7. If desired, coat pot with buttermilk and moss; the moss will grow around the pot.

Resources
Peat moss, perlite, and Portland cement are available at The Home Depot or your local hardware store or garden center. Acrylic fibers can be found at craft, hardware, and building supply stores.


Planting Succulents in Hypertufa Pots
Hypertufa pots are extremely versatile; many plants will grow well in them, including all types of succulents. Completely weatherproof, these pots work indoors or out and can freeze and thaw naturally as a result of their porous nature.

When planting, be sure to cover the drainage hole with a pottery shard to prevent soil from washing away. Half-fill container with potting soil suitable for succulents, such as Scotts Cactus Mix, or make your own with 3 parts high-quality soil-free potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part perlite.

Arrange succulents on top of soil. Once happy with their placement, fill in around the root balls with potting mix, firming it down -- the base of the plants and the top of the soil should be 1/2 to 1 inch below the container rim; gently water. Top soil with pebbles or crushed stones for a neat finished appearance, if desired.

Yoga Towel

Yoga Towel
Martha Stewart

Keep this easy-to-make towel on hand when exercising or practicing yoga.

Tools and Materials
Terry cloth bath towel (about 30 by 56 inches)
Pins
Tailor chalk
Scissors
Sewing machine
Coordinating thread

Yoga Towel How-To
1. Begin by cutting towel in half lengthwise. To establish center line, fold towel in half lengthwise and pin along crease. Open towel and draw a line along pins with tailor chalk. Cut down line with sharp scissors, removing pins while cutting.

2. Using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine, sew along the entire raw edge of the towel. Fold zigzagged edge over half an inch and pin in place. With a straight stitch, sew folded edge in place 1/4 inch from fold.

Wax Bowl Centerpiece

Wax Bowl Centerpiece
Martha Stewart

Complete any table setting with a stunning wax bowl centerpiece filled with floating candles.

Wax Bowl Tools and Materials
3/4 pound paraffin

1/4 pound beeswax

1 teaspoon Vybar

One ivory colorant chip

Double boiler designated for candle-making

Metal mixing bowl

Oven mitts or hot pads

Tub of cold water

Chopsticks

Dried greenery

Mini pine cones

Dried star anise

Dried berries or rose hips

Warm skillet or heated cookie sheet

Floating candles (homemade or store-bought)

Wax Bowl How-To
1. Melt paraffin, beeswax, Vybar, and colorant chip together in a double boiler to make wax.

2. Pour hot wax into metal mixing bowl, almost to the top. Using oven mitts or hot pads, carefully place mixing bowl to float in tub of cold water. Wax will begin to set.

3. Using chopsticks, place greenery, mini pine cones, and star anise or other natural embellishments in wax in desired design. Toss in berries for pop of color.

4. Let wax cool about 2 1/2 to 4 minutes, until film forms over top of bowl.

5. Cut through film with chopsticks and pour out excess wax.

6. Pour a small amount of hot wax back into bowl. Swish wax around bowl to melt off excess wax from greenery and berries; pour out excess wax. Cool in freezer for 15 minutes until wax bowl cleanly pops out of mixing bowl.

7. Finish bowl by pressing rim for a few seconds onto a warm skillet or heated cookie sheet that is used only for wax and crafts.

8. Fill wax bowl with room temperature water, and add floating candles.

Floating Candles Tools and Materials
Muffin tin

Cooking spray

Double boiler

Wax

Candle wicks with base

Floating Candles How-To
1. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.

2. Melt wax in double boiler. Pour hot wax into muffin tin.

3. Add wicks to wax when bottom of wax begins to deepen in color. Let cool. Pop out candles.

Resources
Wax bowl-making kits are available at waxenmoon.com. Greenery, such as dried cedar, is available at flowermart.com. Other tools and materials can be found at most crafts stores.

Copyright 2010 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Vanilla Marshmallows

Vanilla Marshmallows

Ingredients

Makes about 16.

* Nonstick cooking spray
* 3 (1/4-ounce) packages unflavored gelatin
* 1/2 cup cold water
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* 2/3 cup light corn syrup
* 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, plus 1 vanilla bean, scraped
* Confectioners' sugar, sifted, for coating


Directions

1. Lightly spray a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 10 minutes. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water. Place saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil; boil rapidly for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and, with the mixer on high, slowly pour the boiling syrup down the side of the mixer bowl into gelatin mixture. Add salt and continue mixing for 12 minutes.
3. Add vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds; mix until well combined. Spray a rubber spatula or your hands with cooking spray. Spread gelatin mixture evenly into pan using prepared spatula or your hands. Spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place, spray side down, on top of marshmallows. Let stand for 2 hours.
4. Carefully remove marshmallows from pan. Remove all plastic wrap and discard. Cut marshmallows into 2-inch squares using a sprayed sharp knife. Place confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. Working in batches, add marshmallows to bowl and toss to coat. Marshmallows can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Laundry Soap

This is a GREAT and cheap laundry soap. My friend Bri gave it to me a while ago.

1/2 Bar Fels Naptha
1/2 Cup Washing soda
1/2 Cup Borax

**You can use a whole cup of each powder if you want. the soap will be thicker but also stronger.


Grate soap and put in 6 cups water over medium heat. Stir occasionally until soap is melted. Add powders and stir til dissolved.

Put 4 cups hot water into container. Add the soap mixture and stir. Pour 1 galleon and 6 cups cold water into container. Let sit for 24 hours.

To USE
1/3 cup laundry soap per regular load. (Shake container well before measuring out).

Soda Crackers

Soda Crackers
More With Less Cookbook

Makes about 1/2lb
375F
10-12 min.

Preheat oven to 375F.
Combine in bowl:
2c. flour
1tsp salt
1/2tsp salt

Cut in:
2 T. margarine

Stir in:
2/3c. sour milk or buttermilk

Round dough into a ball and knead a few strokes. Divide dough into several pieces and roll out very thin on a floured board. Lay sheets of dough on ungreased flat baking pans. Sprinkle with salt and prick with fork. Cut into 1 ½” squares with sharp knife or pizza cutter. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Notes: add 1c. shredded cheese for cheese crackers.

BAKE - ABLE SALT CLAY

BAKE - ABLE SALT CLAY
Combine:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
1 Cup Cold Water (may need a little more)
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
Optional: Food coloring (color dough before baking)

Knead well until you can form a smooth ball. Then roll out the clay with a rolling pin and cut shapes with cookie cutters, or mold into shapes by hand. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil and bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees - or until the shapes are hard. Paint with acrylic paint and then finish with a coat of clear spray paint or shellac to make them last a long time.

PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH (Edible)

PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH (Edible)
½ Cup Peanut Butter
½ Cup Honey
1 Cup Powdered Milk
Mix all ingredients and knead until smooth. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.

BUBBLE MIXTURE

BUBBLE MIXTURE
1 Cup Water
1/3 Cup Liquid Dishwashing Soap
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
Combine ingredients. Use bubble blowers or experiment with different objects - anything with a hole will work. Hangers bent into circles, slotted spoons, etc.

Classic (Non-Edible) Playdough

Classic (Non-Edible) Playdough

You'll need:

• 1 cup Flour
• 1 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Salt
• 2 tablespoons Cream of Tartar
• 1 tablespoon Oil

Mix ingredients in a saucepan and cook you reach a smooth texture. Turn out onto a plate or piece of wax paper, and knead in food coloring of your choice.

You can add Kool-Aid packages for color and scent, or even instant coffee.

*Important Note: It has been brought to my attention that this sort of (non-edible) homemade playdough may be potentially toxic to animals, such as dogs. Don't let your pets eat the playdough you make. This article discusses the issue in detail. Homemade playdough is fun and I've used them myself many times, it's just important that you take adequate precaution.

Pie Crust 101

Pie Crust 101

By following these seven simple rules, you can produce a flaky, tender crust every time.

1. When making the dough, make sure the butter is very cold.

2. Handle the dough as little as possible. Both the stretching of the dough and the warmth from your hands will further the development of gluten -- long, stringy protein molecules that form when flour is blended with liquid -- resulting in a tough dough that's difficult to roll out.

3. Since our pie-dough recipe yields two single crusts, divide the dough in half, and pat each half into a flat disk before wrapping it in plastic and chilling. This will make it easier to roll out each crust into a perfect circle.

4. Chill the dough thoroughly (at least 30 minutes) before rolling it out, and use a minimum of flour to dust the rolling pin and work surface. Brush excess flour from the rolled dough with a dry pastry brush before transferring it to the pie plate.

5. For an extra-crispy pie crust with a golden color, brush the unbaked top crust with water, and sprinkle it with sugar.

6. For a shiny pie crust, brush the unbaked top crust with an egg wash made from one egg and 2 tablespoons cream.

7. Cut decorative vents in the top of a double-crusted fruit pie; vents allow steam to escape and prevent the fruit juices from overflowing.

Master Baking Mix

Master Baking Mix
Sarah Parson

9 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk solids
2 cups shortening (which does not require refrigeration)

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar
three times. Add dry milk. Mix well. Cut in shortening with pastry
blender or two knives until mixture looks like cornmeal. Store in
covered container at room temperature.