Creative Uses for Orange Peels

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Use dried orange peels as kindling for your fireplace. There is a large amount of flammable oil in the peel called limonene which makes them a great fire starter!

Limolene oil is also a very effective, natural pesticide. A puree of orange peel and water spread around an outdoor barrier will prevent ants from crossing over. Flies and mosquitos will flee from an area with small piles of orange zest, so finely grate the rind and place it around your blanket at your next picnic.

Do you want kitty to stop digging in your plants? Place dried peel around them. Cats hate the smell!

Orange peels are a great deodorizer. Grind some up in your garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh. Put dried peels in a cloth bag or pillow case and place it in a cupboard or closet. The musty odor will leave.

A piece of orange peel placed in a box of brown sugar will keep it from drying out.

Pamper your skin with orange peels! Simply drop clean peels in your tub while the water is running. Vitamin C is absorbed through the skin, so soaking in an orange peel bath is a healthy way to strengthen your immune system. And the aroma is heavenly!

Dehydrated peels can be ground in a coffee grinder and used as a spice for cooking or added to a batch of potpourri.

Make little bird feeders with orange rinds. After an orange is cut in half and the fruit is removed, the little "bowls" can be filled with sunflower seeds, suet, or peanut butter mixed with bird seed. Place the feeders in the crook of a tree branch to give a nice treat to your feathered friends!

Make delicious candied orange rind for your family. Simply scrape away the white part of the rind with a sharp knife. Slice the peels into strips and cook them in a simple syrup (1 part water and 1 part sugar) on low until strips start to look translucent. Remove them, roll in sugar, and place on a plate to dry. Chop them up to add to recipes or to use as an aromatic decoration on top of baked goods.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Rubbing Alcohol:Frugal First Aid in a Bottle

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Rubbing alcohol is an inexpensive and easy to use remedy for simple injuries and skin problems. Here are a few ideas for you to try.

To lessen the duration of a cold sore, dab the area several times a day with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol. It quickly dries up the sore and makes it fall off.

Do you have itchy skin from mosquito bites, poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac? Apply alcohol to the affected area for fast relief!

To clobber acne outbreaks, use alcohol instead of those pricey store astringents. Simply add alcohol to a damp washcloth and clean your face.

Do you have minor scrapes and cuts? Clean them with an alcohol wipe to prevent infection.

Do you have achy muscles from exercise? Try an alcohol massage. At first the alcohol cools the skin, then a deep heat feeling sets in and relaxes tense muscles.

Make a homemade ice pack for emergency sprains and burns using rubbing alcohol. Simply add one part alcohol and two parts distilled water to a small plastic ziploc bag, and chill it in your freezer.

Finally, wash your hands with rubbing alcohol to get rid of strong smells on your hands. It is great for eliminating the odor of onions and stinky pet fur!

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Frugal Tips for Gardens and Houseplants

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Did you know that the average family can save over $500.00 a year by putting in a vegetable garden?

Are you aware that certain houseplants actually clean the air, and help reduce allergens that cause breathing difficulties?

If you want a healthier body and a fatter wallet, you should consider having a green thumb!

Here are some very inexpensive, natural, non-toxic ways to have healthier houseplants and a lusher, bug-free garden.

To make seeds sprout more quickly and plants grow faster, add Jello gelatin to the soil. The sugar produces beneficial microbes that act as a natural fertilizer. The nitrogen content of gelatin stimulates growth.

Do you want your garden to be lush and bug free? Try bananas. Dry the peels on a screen and chop them up in a blender. Work the ground up pieces into the soil. Bananas are rich in both potassium and phosphorous which is excellent for plant growth. Banana peels placed around the base of plants act as a natural repellent against those pesky little aphids that invade your garden.

Coffee is very useful as well. In the garden use the cans, both ends removed, as a way to protect newly sprouting tomato plants. Simply sink the cans into the soil, and remove them later when the plants are larger.

Sprinkle grounds around the perimeter of your garden to repel ants and cutworms. Also use the grounds as a natural composting material. They enrich the soil.

Coffee is also good for houseplants. Top off the potting soil with old coffee grounds. Occasionally water your plants with room-temperature coffee.

Eggshells are a wonderful way to add calcium to your garden. Don't sprout seeds in pots, put them in clean dried eggshells instead. When it is time to plant the seedlings in your garden, simply crush the shells and mix them into the soil. Crushed eggshells around the perimeter of the garden act as a deterrent against slugs and snails as well.

Coca Cola spayed on your lawn makes the grass greener. It can also be used as an effective pesticide. Mix a 12 oz. can of cola with 1 cup of ammonia and 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap, and spray it on your lawn or plants.

Club soda that has gone flat is great for watering houseplants. The mineral content gives your potted friends new vitality and health.

Peroxide can be used to keep the leaves of your houseplants healthy. Put one ounce of peroxide in one ounce of water, and use it to mist your plants.

Finally, don't use expensive black plastic bags between the rows of your garden to cut down on weeds. Use old newspapers instead. You can also shred them to make an inexpensive mulch and use them to cover plants if frost weather is in the forecast.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Natural Ways to Fight and Avoid Depression

I sent this to someone I dearly love a while back. I think it is a good fit for this blog. When asked how I managed to survive so much in life, and handle current problems with a smile, this was my reply:

First, I practice GRATITUDE. When my eyes first open in the morning, I than God for a new day. Then I focus my thoughts on my blessings---I have a job, sweet ferrets, friends, nice weather, food for breakfast etc. As I encounter each thing, I silently say thank you to God for it. Switch on the heat? Thank you God I have a warm home. Ferrets kiss me? Thank you god for the unconditional love and companionship of my furry angels!

It is hard to feel depressed when you are richly blessed, and live in that awareness.

Second, I want for others what I want for myself, and I send those thoughts to everyone, including and especially strangers. If someone sneezes,or is riding around in a wheelchair, I think, "God please heal them." If someone is sad, I ask God to comfort them. When I would spend so many hours (5 a day!)commuting to and from my job, I would often silently greet each person boarding the train or bus with, "God loves you" or "Bless you" or "I wish you peace" etc. I found myself feeling full of peace and love all day. ;-O

When you acknowledge others are like you---have the same needs, face the same struggles etc. then you start to feel connected. People respond to you in very nice ways. The world feels like a friendly place, not a sad one!

I also say as much as possible things like, "I love you," "I appreciate you," "thank you," or even "I'm sorry."and I try to keep things light. I laugh and joke every day!

We all need to feel loved, appreciated and respected. A few kind words benefit both the giver and receiver. Be generous with your thoughts, words and good will.

Most important of all, I constantly choose to forgive others AND MYSELF.

Sweetie, therapists say that depression is "anger turned inwards." When we nurse hurts, real or imagined, dwell on painful experiences, and feel upset at how life or others have treated us, anger rears its ugly head!

But remember this:

Sometimes people hurt you out of stupidity, thoughtlessness or some other common human failing. Nobody is perfect (ourselves included!) so we should overlook those injuries, even if they stung us. We all need grace and  understanding, and should extend it to others.

Sometimes people hurt you deliberately, which hurts even more! Even then, it isn't necessary to react in anger. Remember, God sees and knows everything. He collects your tears in a bottle and writes them down in His book. He knows when to mete out justice when needed. Forgive like God commands us to, and let Him settle the score!

Sometimes we are mad at OURSELVES. We rehearse our failures, stupid mistakes, bad behavior and hurtful words, and we judge ourselves very harshly! (Been there, done that, bought the tee shirt for a souvenir!)But really, it all boils down to two things. We acted out of human weakness-in which case we are entitled to grace-or we did something because we consciously made a bad choice or decision. In that case, resolve to become a better person. We all are a work in progress, so don't beat yourself up over anything!

If you find yourself thinking about something painful, that causes you regret or anger, or any other unhappy feeling, STOP, FORGIVE YOURSELF OR THE OTHER PARTY, AND CHOOSE A HAPPY THOUGHT TO OCCUPY YOUR MIND.

Moment by moment we choose our thoughts and actions. Choose good ones!


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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MY MEDICINAL PASTA REMEDY

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I sent this to my daughter-in-love a while ago, and thought it was worth posting here

I have been cooking for over 40 years, so a lot of things I do automatically, and without precise measurements.

The basic concept is to dice a medium onion and chop about 6 big cloves of garlic and to sautee them over medium heat, until the onions are clear. Don't chop the garlic too tiny, as it may burn a bit if you do.

Add a can of chicken broth, or make your own with bullion. You want about two cups of broth.

Add some crushed red pepper--David likes it spicy, so use about 1/4 tsp or a little more--and some basil. If you are using leaves, put in two, if you are using the ground up spice in a jar, 1/4 -1/2 tsp is fine.

Add some pasta that you have cooked on the side to the sauce and cook a few more minutes until everything is coated and the sauce has thickened a bit. Elbow macaroni or tiny shells work just as well as long spaghetti. Just choose what you like.

The pasta provides carbs and energy, basil cleans the blood, red pepper opens the sinuses, onions open the lungs and the garlic kills all kinds of germs. chicken broth has antibiotic properties.

Hope you don't have to use it too often!


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Acupressure: A Frugal and Natural Healing Therapy

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We live in a tense, high-pressure world, causing stress that can wreak havoc with our health and well-being. We suffer insomnia, tension headaches, eye strain, back and neck pain, allergies and a host of other discomforts, sometimes on a daily basis.

It is impractical and costly to constantly run to the doctor for tension-related ailments. Medicines meant to alleviate the symptoms can have side-effects that leave you feeling worse! Constant reliance on these substances can even cause drug-dependency.

In my opinion, it is far better to seek drug-free ways to restore health and maintain your body's natural state of emotional and physical wellness. Acupressure is one method that is really helpful in this area.It is easy to do, requires no special equipment and has no serious side-effects. You can use it on people of all ages, and even your pets!

Following you will find some general information, obligatory common-sense “warnings” and a few resources to help you understand, apply and benefit from this natural therapy.

What is acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses pressure on key trigger points on the surface of the skin to relax muscles, increase blood flow and to free up “chi,” the body's natural energy. Stimulation of key points on the body can relieve the symptoms of many ailments, and restore physical and emotional balance.

How is it done?

In acupressure, a brief, probing pressure is applied to a trigger point using a fingertip, knuckle, or eraser at the end of a pencil. The point is stimulated or massaged for 15 to 30 seconds. When the right point is located, you may feel a brief twinge of pain or soreness, which quickly turns to a numbing sensation or tingling radiating from the area. Some people perspire, belch, feel their sinuses drain, or experience a release of tension. Sometimes different effects are felt on opposite sides of the body. Some points seem to give quicker relief than others. Experiment and use the points you feel are the most helpful to you.

What are possible areas I need to be warned about?

Acupressure is not intended to replace medical help. It is best used as a complimentary treatment.

It shouldn't be done right before, or within 20 minutes of eating a large meal, bathing or engaging in heavy exercise.

It should be avoided by pregnant women, and those with heart trouble.

Of course, you shouldn't apply pressure to, nor massage a point where there is a varicose vein, break in the skin, mole, wart, or any kind of bruising or injury.

For more information and basic instructions, visit these helpful websites:

http://www.acupressure.com

http://med.stanford.edu/personal/pointfinder/


youtube videos

back pain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exxVsJm9WEE&feature=channel

depression
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqbG84Zat_U&feature=related

migraine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nG0DTtL2jc&feature=PlayList&p=3F9384A4F10E1A29&playnext_from=PL

neck pain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q3E-b7JJgE&feature=related

sinus pain and congestion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glpQlCU2LDI

stress
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g58pcNCC34&NR=1


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

How to Make More Money at your Yard Sale

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Cleaning clutter out of your house is a great way to turn trash into cash!

People love bargains and they are naturally curious when they see a neighborhood sign offering some great bargains at a yard sale. Many drive by or stop to have a look, but only a handful of people actually make a purchase. Using a few strategic, tried-and true-tips, you can turn those casual lookers into happy buyers.

First of all, use a brightly colored poster board, with black block letters to make your sign easy to spot. Studies show that bright orange is the most effective at attracting attention, and it puts people in a happy shopping mood.

Next, do some strategic arranging. Make sure to put popular items out front, where they can easily be seen by people driving by. Appliances, TVs, baby items, and bicycles are good front line choices.

Hang clothing up and have it sorted by size. It can increase sales up to 50%.

Arrange items in sections, housewares in one area, books in another etc. It allows shoppers to gravitate to an area of interest and browse leisurely, instead of wasting time sorting through mixed up piles of stuff.

Have some tempting, low-cost treats available. If it is a hot summer day, offer Dixie cups with lemonade, or a couple of homemade cookies to munch on. People like free stuff and will spend more if the atmosphere is neighborly.

Offer better deals for buying lots of one item. For example, if you have a hundred paperback books you are dying to get rid of, price them by the box, instead of individually. Sell things like yarn and fabric scraps by the bagful.

Have a multi-family sale. People are attracted to variety, and a big event is a great way to draw a big crowd.

Start early, like 7:00 am. Weather is nicer, traffic is better, and serious shoppers will want to get in on the action before everyone else. You will find your sales will be the briskest between 7 and 9 in the morning.

As items are sold, rearrange things. Avoid having big gaps in the lawn, and items looking picked over. Passersby will assume all the good stuff is already gone and drive on without a second look.

Let people test items they are buying. Have an extension cord available so a toaster oven, CD player or TV set can be plugged in and turned on. It reassures the buyer they won't be taking home any junk!

Make things easy for your shopper. Mark prices clearly. Have plenty of shopping bags and boxes. If you are selling large items, have a dolly available to get them easily to the customer's vehicle.

Be sure to have plenty of change so you don't lose any sales!


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Frugal Ways to Get and Stay Fit

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It seems Americans are obsessed with getting a perfect body these days. They want six-pack abs, buns of steel and the sculpted look of a god in a Greek statue. Billions of dollars are spent each year on home fitness equipment and gym memberships that are usually neglected within six months.

There are healthier, safer and cheaper ways to get fit, my friend. Here are some practical ideas for you to try.

Do exercise that requires little to no money for special clothing and equipment:

Jumping rope is great cardiovascular exercise, low cost, and portable. People who travel a lot for business can throw their rope in their suitcase, and get a good workout wherever their plane lands.

Walking is great exercise, easy to do, and requires only a good pair of shoes to get started. It is low impact and perfect for people with joint problems.

Swimming is probably the best overall exercise. It is great for the lungs, low impact, works every major muscle group, and is fun! If you live in an apartment complex that has a pool, the cost of using it is included in your rent. No need to invest in a gym membership to get a great beach body!

Do like Madonna and use the stairs in your apartment building as a workout routine. Walking up and down a bunch of steps is great for the heart and lungs, builds strong legs, and costs zero!

Try a gentle stretching or yoga routine.It promotes flexibility,calms the mind,sculpts the body and is low impact, so injuries are kept to a minimum. You can find very inexpensive videos at superstores like WalMart, or rent them for free at your library.

Give your poor dog a regular and vigorous walk.Play with your best furry friend. You both will benefit from the exercise and develop a stronger bond.

Play with your kids at a playground or park. You will all enjoy a healthier body and a closer relationship from doing fun things together, and the cost is free.

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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10 Foods that Help you Sleep

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A good night's sleep is essential for physical and emotional health. A lack of sleep can contribute to obesity, worsen depression and anxiety, decrease mental capacity and create unpleasant mood swings.

I am not in favor of using tranquilizers to get to sleep. They are expensive, habit forming and have some alarming side-effects. There are natural ways to get to sleep that are both effective and inexpensive. One good solution is to eat one or more foods that relax the body and mind and allow you to drift off into a natural slumber.

Here are ten common foods that you can try for yourself.

Warm milk: Grandma was right, it really does help you sleep! The warmth is comforting, the calcium calms your nerves, and the tryptophan it contains helps the brain manufacture the neurotransmitters needed for a deep and restorative sleep.

Cherries: They contain melatonin, which is necessary for regulating a natural sleep cycle.

Bananas: They contain both tryptophan and potassium, which is thought to be responsible for slow, deep-wave sleep.

Pecans: Loaded with B vitamins, pecans help soothe frazzled nerves, which may be keeping you awake. They also contain pyroxidine which is responsible for the production of serotonin and melatonin in the brain.

Whole grain foods: Brown rice, quinoa and oats make you feel calm and help you feel full. No more getting up for fattening midnight refrigerator runs!

Celery, black eyed peas and lentils also have a calming effect on the body. Mangoes and dates are also sedating and can satisfy your sweet tooth, without adding lots of calories.



Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Saving on Entertainment Costs

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Keeping the family entertained can get expensive! A trip to the movie theater for tickets and snacks can put a dent in your budget. Video games are outrageously priced, and it seems kids tire of them rather quickly. It just isn't possible to constantly buy new things. So what do you do?

Here are some ideas to keep everyone from being bored, without going broke!

Organize a swap session with family, friends and neighbors. Have each participant bring a box of DVDs, music CDs, computer games, board games etc. that are collecting dust on their shelves. Have them indicate what they will loan out, what they want to swap permanently for something else, or what they will sell at a modest price. Then let the "shopping" begin!

Who knows, the game their kids are bored with might be just the one your kids have been begging for. Those old DVDs that your kids have outgrown may be perfect for a neighbor's little one.

And think of the fun you'll have checking out all the stuff and doing some old fashioned wheeling and dealing!

Check your newspaper's community calendar section for free events. There may be a free concert or movie in the park, a city sponsored festival or other event.

In the summer months,when kids are home from school, theaters sometimes offer cheap tickets for kids movies.

Churches have camps and daytime programs as well.

The public library offers free story time sessions and modestly priced crafting classes. They also have a large collection of movies, CDs and computer software you can borrow for free!

Bulletin boards at the stores you shop at often times have flyers for great events around town. You may come across an ethnic festival, yummy bake sale, or sporting event to go to.

Try supporting school events, or special events for your friends children. You just may like their Pop Warner football game, school cheerleading competition, concert or play.

Be creative and have fun. Most of all realize money isn't essential to having a great time. Sometimes the best things in life really are free!






Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

Frugal Ways to Add Years to your Life

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Eat brown rice: it is packed with phytates. European studies have shown they kill off cancer cells, and boost the immune system.

Eat blueberries, cherries and apples: they contain ellagic acid and anthocyanins, which help to eliminate toxins from your body.

Eat one red grapefruit a day, and snack on a handful of pistachios:These two foods will keep your cholesterol levels in check.

Drink a glass of orange juice every day: the potassium and vitamin C help lower high blood pressure.

Eat greens: they are loaded with vitamins and chlorophyll. These nutrients help the liver get rid of toxins and boost your energy level.

Substitute refined sugar with honey:it stabilizes blood sugar and increases stamina and endurance during exercise.

Eat onions: Believe it or not, they build bone mass and can prevent osteoporosis. They also contain falconoids and sulfur compounds that can reduce the risk of some cancers as much as 50%!

Spice your foods with oregano: it contains 42 times the antioxidants of apples and 30 times more than potatoes. Researchers have found it fights illness causing bacteria, including e coli and staph infections!It is as effective as prescription antibiotics, without the cost or side effects.

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

Swap Parties: A Fun and Frugal Way to Get New Stuff

I work at a large company, and it seems like all my friends are selling something on the side to make a little extra money. My desk can become clogged with catalogs for candles, cookware, makeup, purses, costume jewelry, trendy clothes, and candy. I could go broke in a hurry if I bought all their products!

Sometimes these items are given as gifts for special occasions, or are re-gifted to some unsuspecting coworker. So one day I was thinking...

Isn't there a better way to get some of this stuff, at a price I can afford?

A friend and I came up with the idea of having a swap party.

We could all get together and bring a box of stuff we would gladly trade for something else. Our trash could be another person's treasure. Their junk may be something I have been searching for.

We could even have a swap party around a theme like books, kids clothing and toys, or beauty products. Bring along some snacks, drinks, a few juicy bits of gossip, and let the fun begin!

What could be better than getting things without spending a dime?


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

Aromatherapy for Weight Loss and Cellulite Reduction

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Banish Cellulite, Curb your Appetite, and Lose Weight with Essential Oils!

Cellulite. Yuck! The sight of it makes most women cringe, and sigh in exasperation. That unsightly collection of dimpled, fatty tissue can be oh so stubborn to get rid of! And plastic surgery is dangerous and expensive.

Fortunately, aromatherapy massages are a low-cost, pleasant and effective way of releasing the built up toxins in the tissues, thought to be responsible for this unattractive mess. Essential oils are also effective in curbing appetite and assisting in weight loss.

All you need to do is add one or more essential oils to your bath water, or mix them in some lotion or body oil, and massage them into your skin.

A few drops of these powerful, healthy essences are all you need!

Here is a handy list of essential oils and the roles they play in appetite suppression, elimination of cellulite, and weight loss:

Appetite Control - Bergamot, Grapefruit, or a blend of two or three citrus oils, such as Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Sweet Orange or Tangerine

Cellulite Elimination - Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lemon, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, White Birch

Circulation Improvement - Black Pepper, Blue Gum Eucalyptus, Cypress, Coriander, Geranium, Ginger, Lemon, Lemongrass, Orange Blossom, Peru Balsam, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Spruce, Thyme, Violet, White Birch

Firming and Toning Skin - Black Pepper, Geranium, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Marjoram, Rosemary, Sweet Orange, Tangerine

Increasing Metabolism - Fennel, Geranium, Grapefruit

Reducing Water Retention - Angelica, Carrot Seed, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Grapefruit, Juniper, Lovage, Rosemary, Sage, Sweet Orange, Tangerine, White Birch


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Frugal Fun:Birdwatching!

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Kids love nature and playing outdoors. They also like to make things with their hands. If you are looking for a frugal, fun thing to do with your kids or grandkids, why not help them make little bird feeders and treats that will attract feathered friends into your yard?

Below you will find several easy to do projects that children can make with just a little adult supervision. All the ingredients and craft supplies are inexpensive and easy to obtain.

Pine Cone Feeders

Large pine cones
12 inch lengths of colored yarn
Mixed bird seed
Peanut butter

Using a butter knife, spread the pine cones with peanut butter. Roll them in bird seed. Securely tie the yarn around the bottom of the pine cones. Suspend the feeders from tree branches around the yard.

Tree Trimming Treats

Pieces of stale bread
Pretzels
Day old donuts
Peanut butter
Bird seed
Scooped out orange halves
Suet or shortening
Cookie cutters
Yarn

Cut out shapes in the stale bread using a cookie cutter. Spread the bread with peanut butter, and roll in a tray of bird seed. Affix a piece of yarn to the treat, and hang. Or if you prefer, hang plain bread cut into shapes.

Tie pretzels and donuts, (plain or spread with peanut butter and bird seed) with colored yarn and hang.

Scoop out an orange half and stuff the rind with suet and seed, or Crisco shortening and seed. Rest the orange piece in the crook of a tree branch.

Filled Birdie Bag

Small pieces of net bag (like you buy onions in)
Suet or shortening
Bird seed
Sunflower seeds
Pieces of fruit
Peanut butter
Bits of bread
Leftover meat scraps
(or any other ingredients your favorite birds like to eat)

Mix the ingredients you have chosen into a “bird pudding” and place the mixture into a net bag. Tie it securely around the neck of the bag with string or yarn, and hang. The birds will pull the food from the holes in the net.

If you like, fill a net bag with cotton or dryer lint. The birds will take it to their nests to use for lining.

Bird seed biscuits

2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick)
1/2 cup cold water
2 Tbsp margarine
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp mixed bird seed

cookie cutters
a straw
colored yarn or ribbon, in 12 inch lengths

Preheat oven to 425F.

Form a soft dough with baking mix & water.

Roll the dough to 3/4" thickness & cut it into shapes with cookie the cutters.

Using a straw, punch a hole in the top of each cookie.

Melt the margarine & brush it over the dough using a pastry brush.

Sprinkle the seeds onto the dough and press firmly with a fork.

Bake for 15-20 min., or until light brown.

When cool, thread brightly colored yarn or ribbon through the hole & hang in a tree.

For more fun nature craft ideas suitable for small children, visit these websites:

www.childfun.com

www.kidsrcrafty.com



Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

Getting Fit on a Budget

Image by Walking for Health via Flickr

Walking is an ideal form or exercise. It doesn’t require spa membership or specialized equipment and costs little to do. All you need is a good pair of shoes!

Did you know:

Walking:

• Improves cardiovascular endurance

• Tones muscles of the lower body

• Burns calories (about 107 if walking 4 1/2 miles per hour)

• Reduces risk of heart disease

Tips for picking the right pair of shoes:

• Make sure the shoes you purchase fit properly. The balls of your feet should rest exactly at the point where the toe end of the shoe bends during walking.

• Avoid high-top shoes that cover the entire ankle. They limit your foot's ability to move freely and naturally.

• Select shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact of your walking.


How to walk for best results:

• Swing your arms freely, in sync with the opposite leg.

• Don’t look down as you walk. You will carry your weight improperly if you do.

• Don’t carry weights or dumbbells while you walk.

• Walk briskly.

• Walk on a good surface. A cushioned or rubberized track is ideal. Grass is also good, but you should watch out for dips and hidden holes! Avoid mall walking and other concrete surfaces if you can. This type of surface will not absorb much of the impact your body will experience. If you do walk on concrete, be sure to wear a highly cushioned shoe.

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Water: A Cheap and Abundant Resource for Good Health

Image via Wikipedia

Did you know:

• Blood is about 66% water. The brain is 70%-80% water.

• Water is essential for the proper functioning of the respiratory and digestive systems.

• The disc space between vertebrae is mostly water. When you are dehydrated, discs are harder to heal, and easier to damage.

• Water affects our eyesight, hearing and sense of balance. It also affects every cell, organ and muscle in your body.

• Most people are suffering the disastrous effects of dehydration.

How do I know if I am dehydrated?

You may have these tell-tale signs:
• muscle ache
• back pain
• fatigue
• weakness
• lethargy
• sunken eyes
• dizziness
• headaches

Hydration can prevent disease:

Researchers now believe water can play an active role in reducing the risk of some diseases. According to Susan Kleiner, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, those diseases include kidney stones, urinary tract cancer and colon cancer.

In one National Cancer Institute study, women who drank five or more glasses of water a day were 45 percent less likely to develop colon cancer than women who drank less than two glasses a day.

Be sure to drink eight to ten, eight-ounce glasses, of good quality water every day!


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Cost-effective Ways to Fight Migraine Headaches

Image via Wikipedia

I have suffered the hell of migraines for forty years! Traditional medicines to prevent or treat them are very costly and have some terrible side-effects. Luckily there are natural ways to prevent and/or lessen the severity of these crippling attacks.

First, you should know that foods high in the amino acid tyrosine can trigger headaches in many migraine sufferers. Try avoiding bananas, cheese, chocolate, wine, oranges, eggs, spinach and tomatoes.

Supplement your diet with vitamins B5,C and E, evening primrose oil and feverfew.

Add fresh ginger root to your recipes.

Try aromatherapy oils. A drop or two of lavender essential oil under your nostrils can help ward off an attack. A cool compress with a few drops of peppermint and lavender oils applied to the forehead and temples can bring quick relief. Boiling water with a few drops of rosemary, sweet marjoram or melissa and inhaling the steam can shorten the duration of these painful attacks.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Fight Fatigue & Headaches with Cucumbers!

Image via Wikipedia

Cucumbers are a powerhouse food, high in benefits and easy on the budget!
They contain B vitamins, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

The perfect pick me up during the day when you hit an energy slump, cucumbers leave you feeling energized, without the jitters caffeine can produce.

Eating cucumbers at bedtime can thwart headaches and hangovers. Cucumbers contain sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes. They replenish essential nutrients lost while consuming alcoholic beverages.

Hungry? Try eating cucumbers to ward off the urge to binge eat. They are filling, hydrating and low calorie.

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

Frugal Zit Zapping!

Pimples are unsightly, and can be traumatic and embarrassing for teens. Those skin care products on TV are so expensive too! So what is a parent to do to help their poor, miserable kid?

Try these frugal folk remedies:

Make a paste out of sugar and water, and dab it on the pimples. After a few minutes, wash it off. Sugar is actually an antibacterial agent, and will kill the germs that are causing the breakout.

Clean your face with a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel.You can find it in the drug store next to the alcohol and peroxide. It is a natural astringent which dries up oily patches on the skin and the zit itself.

Put Crest toothpaste on your pimples and leave it on over night.

Or use my favorite product in the whole wide world---tea tree oil! It is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. A few drops on a cotton ball is all it takes to clear up problem skin and keep it clear.

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Frugal Tips for Getting Rid of Headaches

Image via Wikipedia

Being a migraine sufferer for decades, I know firsthand the agony of a headache! Medicines to treat them can be horribly expensive, or have dangerous side effects.

Here are a few tricks I have learned to prevent a headache, or shorten the duration of the misery.

Dehydration is a big contributing factor in headaches of all kinds, so be sure to drink plenty of water. Low levels of magnesium and depleted electrolytes can also be the culprit. In hospital ERs it is customary to start a migraine patient on a magnesium IV.

If you have a headache try these frugal tips:

Make an electrolyte replenishing drink by adding 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the juice of half a lime to 2 cups of water and sip on it slowly.

Eat a cucumber! They contain a certain combination of sugar, electrolytes and B vitamins to restore your body's balance. Plus they are hydrating and light on the stomach.

Eat dark green leafy lettuce and spinach salads. They are loaded with magnesium!

Rub lavender essential oil on your temples, neck and scalp. It is a natural pain killer and tension tamer, and it helps you get to sleep.

Take a steamy hot bath with Epsom salts. A 15 minute soak relaxes tense muscles, rids the body of toxins and makes you feel calm. While the tub is filling, put your hands under the faucet for a few minutes. Make the water as hot as you can tolerate. The blood will rush from your head to your hands and relieve a lot of the pain.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making.
Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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