My 45 Cent Bath Towels

Nice towels are expensive.  My husband & I received some really nice light blueish gray towels as a wedding present.  Now, 6 1/2 years later, those towels are no longer quite as nice.  Structurally, they are great, but they have dried many surfaces and picked up some unknown stains.  We don't mind using stained or frayed towels, but we don't want to put them on display or give them to guests.

A few months ago, without a specific task in mind, I picked up some RIT (denim) dye from a thrift store.  Normally only around $2, but only .45 at the thrift store.  Can't beat that!  

I have used RIT to dye stained baby clothes before with decent results.  

So, before giving up on these towels, 

I decided to try to dye them.  I also had a stained white hand towel that I threw in. 

First, I pre-washed the towels and left them wet & set them aside.  I followed the machine dye instructions on the inside of the package.  I dissolved the dye in a separate container  of water and poured it into my washing machine as the water was filling.  I also added a little bit of detergent, as instructed.  When the water was done running, I unfolded the wet 

towels, wash cloths, etc. and added them to the washing machine dye bath.

After the first cycle was done, I ran them through again.  Keep rinsing until water runs completely clear and you will want to wash them, at least the first few times, with only dark items, in case some small amounts of dye still need to be released.  I was anxious to dry them 

& see how the stains looked.

What stains?  I was so excited!  They came out like a brand new set of towels! 

 In one batch, I dyed 3-4 large towels, 4 hand towels & 3 wash cloths, all for .45!

I cannot guarantee that this will work for every stain, but it is not that expensive to try.

I also only recommend dying to a darker color, unless you are starting with something white.

The one white hand towel I dyed was a brighter blue than the others, but it still 

covered the stain and is now useable again.  

Have you used RIT before?  What did you dye?  How did it turn out?  

Easy DIY Valentine's Day Party Favors

I take no credit for coming up with these brilliant little favors.  My extremely 

creative mother made these with me when I was in elementary school, long

before Pinterest, Facebook or even the Internet was in very many homes.  I remember

the kids being so excited about them and I had so much fun helping make them.  Well,

now I'm old and have kids of my own to impress.  

You will need: Empty paper towel/toilet paper holders, aluminum foil, decorative tape (I got

mine at Dollar Tree), scissors, Sharpie, stickers & little candy/toys.

I made these 4 with 1 paper towel holder & 1 toilet paper holder,

so do the math with however many kids you are wanting to make them for
and save up those rolls! Or have your family & friends save them for you too!

 First, cut your paper towel rolls into 3rds.  Get a piece of aluminum foil that will completely wrap around tube without excess.  Use tape to adhere foil seam together.

Don't forget to add your candy/toys!  We put in a big heart Ring Pop.
Then pinch ends together, giving them a little slack so that the

foil is not too tight and tears.  My decorative tape was paper so I was able to write on it.  

Then I let my 3 yr.  old daughter put on the stickers.

So cheap & easy!  Can't wait for our Valentine's Day tea party.

Neither can she!

Did you try this?  How did they turn out?

DIY Cute Dinosaur Plant Holders

For Christmas, I was trying to find some creative ideas for homemade gifts.  I saw these cute plant holders that are so fun and modern.  They were really simple and cheap.  I even found
the plastic dinosaurs in a free bin at a thrift store.  I like cheap, but I LOVE free! 

Here is what you do: 

-First, I took a small exacto knife (purchased from Dollar Tree)

and carefully cut the holes for my plants.

-Next, I painted the dinosaurs.  They took several coats.  I had 8 oz. sample paint

colors from Lowe's that I got for free using coupons found as magazine inserts,

sometimes you can print them too.  Keep an eye out for these.  They are great for crafts!

Next time I will prime them before I paint and think that will cut down on coats needed. 

-After the paint was good & dry, you add some dirt that came with the plants to fill the legs and
then fill the main body with the plant and it's roots.  Water according to plant.
(Some plants may require drainage- in which you'd drill holes in feet)
I originally wanted to do succulents, but they were out of season so I took what I
could find.  One plant (yellow dino)died pretty quickly and the other is doing great (mint dino).
Next time I will use air plants.

I have also seen turtles, giraffes, elephants and other animals used, 

so keep your eye out for those when you're thrifting.

Here I have them displayed with my Christmas table setting on my DIY $2 pedestal mint trays
and my coffee filter and book page Christmas trees.
Together everything was less than $8.  What do you think?

Would you display one in your house or give one as a gift?

I think they would be so cute on an elementary teachers desk! 

Simple Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

All of this just gets thrown into a crockpot or slow cooker on low for 5-6 hours 

(easy for overnight) or on high for 3-4 hours.  It is so yummy! 

*For this picture, I used (6) bone-in drum sticks, but that is what I had.  I usually

use (4) boneless skinless chicken breasts. 

*1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (more if you are using it as a sauce for rice or pasta)

*2 cans of diced tomatoes and green chilis (no need to drain)

*1 medium onion (sliced, not chopped)
*2 Tbs. minced garlic

*2 Tbs. basil

*1 Tbs. oregano

*1 tsp. rosemary

*1/2 tsp. thyme

*Ground pepper & sea salt to taste

*If you don't mind the calories, add a little bit of shredded mozzarella before serving.

This recipe really needs the basil, however, if you do not have the other herbs, 

you can omit or sub the rosemary & thyme.  You can also use an Italian 

Seasoning Blend for the oregano.  Use what you have!  It will still be delicious!  

This is excellent served over a bed of pasta, brown rice or

quinoa and served with a green vegetable and crispy garlic bread.  

This can also be made on the stove top.  Cook chicken in a skillet w/ a couple Tbs. of olive oil, lower temperature and add the rest of the ingredients.  Cover and simmer until onions are soft.  Cut chicken to ensure it's cooked through and enjoy!

My slow cooker has gotten more use on the Fast Metabolism Diet than it has in 

the last year.  Love throwing everything in and having delicious (good for you) 

meals!  What are some of your favorite slow cooker dishes?

Spiced Cucumber Slices

Spiced Cucumber Slices 

I used delicious seedless organic English Cucumbers from Trader Joe's.  They have

a great size and texture for this snack and their skin is not as bitter.  

If using regular cucumbers, you may want to trim the skin off.  

*Wash & slice cucumbers (2 small or 1 large) and place in a container that has a lid

*Add juice of 1 lemon (fresh or bottled)

*Add 1 tsp. sea salt

*Add 1/2 tsp. pepper

*Add 1/2 tsp. chili powder (or more to taste!)

*For those who enjoy extra spice: Add 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

*Put lid on and shake ingredients together to coat

*Place in fridge overnight to marinate and Enjoy!

This was a quick veggie snack to grab during the day or throw some nitrate free 

deli meat with when we were doing the Fast Metabolism Diet.
Now it is an anytime snack!

Do you like spicy things?  What are your favorite sauces?  

Turkey Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Look at this!  Doesn't it look delicious?  Believe me, it is and soooo easy!

This was my husbands favorite snack for the Fast Metabolism Diet.  I bought Oscar Meyer nitrate free Turkey Bacon from Target.  I got it for .50 off (coupon attached to another Oscar Meyer bacon product).  Did I tell you I love deals too?  Well, I do.  For this diet, I'm so thankful to have a Trader Joe's nearby because they carry such great organic, natural and preservative free products.  

Also, their Whole Milk is only $2.99!

Okay, let's get to the good stuff!  Here's how you do it:

*Preheat oven to 400

*Wrap Turkey Bacon around trimmed & washed raw asparagus spears

*Place carefully directly on oven rack (placing a cookie sheet underneath to catch drippings)

*Bake for approximately 12 min.

These are delicious.  I did 2 spears per bacon slice, but you could do 

more if you desire.  Enjoy these tasty treats and let me know what you think!  

What are some other easy crash snacks you have tried?

New! Hersey's Chocolate Spread

They're finally here!  The moment we've all been waiting for: New Hersey's Spreads!  Yummmm!

Thanks to CrowdTap & Hersey's, I had the fortunate opportunity to sample their new Hersey's (chocolate) Spreads.  Everyone who I've let try this, has enjoyed it (and believe me, I've been stingy for a reason-hehe Just kidding! Kinda).  The only thing I wish, is that this were more healthy because it is SO good & addicting.  I sampled pretty much anything I could get my hands on: strawberries, bananas, mango, apples, pineapple, celery, Lays potato chips, animal crackers…..my finger.  

Yes, they were all delicious!

I don't know if I could even pick a favorite if I wanted to, I guess it would just depend on my mood.  I got the chocolate flavor, but I hear they have hazelnut and almond too.  

  It had a wonderful creamy texture and seemed to be easier to dip than Nutella (which I feel like tends to be drier or something).  It had a great chocolate flavor, perfect for salty or sweet without being too overpowering.  I definitely recommend checking this product out the next time you are at your local grocery store.  And if you want to be the hit of the party, bring some to share with your friends…..just don't expect to bring any back home with you.  Thanks CrowdTap & Hersey's for letting me join you in this promotion.  Now, time for a snack!  : )

Don't forget to check out Hersey's other products, like their chocolate chips which helped me create some beautiful salted caramel chocolates as Christmas gifts.  Recipe & process to come…..