HOMEMADE WASHING POWDER.....

 

UPDATED: 

 

HI!!   As you know...I like a green healthy home as best as possible...so I decided it was about time I started making my own washing powder...with out all the nasties ect.  So surfing around the Internet and finding all the lovely people putting on their recipes ect for home made cleaning products...I decided on this as best for me...smells lemony too!

4 cups grated pure soap  approx 4 bars.....(found in the laundry isle)

2 cups of washing soda  (laundry isle)

2 cups of BiCarb Soda ....  Arm and Hammer (laundry isle in Woolworths)....

I cup BORAX  (some supermarkets...all hardware stores)

and essential oil...I used lemongrass....(health food stores)

now you dont have to use essential oil..but I like the smell...and you can choose any oil you like...bought from the health food store....but if you want to save money...you can omit it!  :)...but having said that.. Id rather a pleasent smelling powder...that makes me smile!...

now prices approx...

pure soap.....   approx $3.30

washing soda..  1 kilo...3.70

Bicarb  1 kilo....4.50

Borax  500 grm... $4.50

you only use half the soda, borax and bicarb....so its cheap to make!

roughly $8 - $9   for  over a kilo in homemade washing powder....I don't do it for the cost...but for the satisfaction and knowing of less chemicals.

METHOD:  Ok   just grate up your box of soap....there is 4 bars...make sure you have a sturdy grater!!...and some elbow grease!  good exercise...lol

I then wizzed mine through a processor to make it very fine!...add the other ingredients...wizz some more...and your done!!.here you can add drops of your chosen essential oil..as much as you like...but dont go overboard...a little goes a long way!...now if you don't have a processor...not to worry..still works the same...just not finely powdered.

I use  2 tablspoons of powder... :)  

Ok ...it doesnt suds up all frothy...no no....which is great for front loaders....just a few bubbles....I use warm water....so Ill have to try it out in cold....

White vinagar in the rinse water...gives it a fresher smell..and helps soften....but by all means  find a green...eco friendly softner for  the finishing touch!

Works a treat!!...and of course dried out in the sunshine..I recommend...sunlight is natures brightener!

      

Oh and I did bake a cake!!  just wasn't up to blogging standards that day! Ok till the next post.....bye bye!

SATURDAY IN THE CITY...

Had  a day In Brisbane ...went to South Bank...jumped on the Big Wheel...it would be spectacular at night....considering I'm not good with heights... it wasn't scary at all  :). 

Walked across the river into the city...  went ghost hunting in the Brisbane arcade....apparently a spirit  lady traverses the top floor gallery...didn't see her this time...but always on the look out for a good ghost haunt!...The chocolate shop full of international lolly and chocolates ...was pleasing to the eye..to say the least  :).     One of Brisbane's original shopping arcades...refurbished and just a delight to wonder through.

I may bake tomorrow...if I do Ill be sure to blog...maybe a chocolate cake...but hmmm not sure....an apple cake...maybe sultana...lol...whateva I wake up craving I suppose!!

 

and as usual...click on pics to make them bigger.

 

bye for now...  

 

 

 

ANZAC BISCUITS.....

HI...   :)  Long time no see...

Being a most auspicious day this day ..whilst hubby went to dawn service...I fluttered about the kitchen making Anzac Biccies.... so lets get straight into it..

INGREDIENTS:

1 CUP OF ORGANIC ROLLED OATS
1 CUP OF PLAIN FLOUR
3/4 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1/2 HEAPED CUP COCONUT
125 GRAMS REAL BUTTER
2 HEAPED TABLESPOONS OF GOLDEN SYRUP
1 TABLESPOON BOILING WATER
1/2 TEASPOON BICARB

METHOD:

add flour sugar oats and coconut to bowl

melt butter add syrup then water and bicarb...
when all frothy add to dry ingredients. stir till welled mixed
roll into walnut size balls
flatten down lightly with a fork

bake for roughly 15 minutes on 180 degrees...give or take..how eva your oven is...careful...they golden up quickly...I nearly burnt mine!  :)

they will harden when cooled...I spooned melted chocolate onto mine...delish!  also you can add...sultanas  or some pecans  ect...whateva takes your fancy!

GENERAL TSO CHICKEN....

Hi Ho everybody!! On today's menu we have a delish  Chinese dish..
General Tso Chicken
quick ..simple and really scrummy!..Served with either fried rice or plain rice...whatever you fancy or have time for  :)

SAUCE:

1/2 cup chicken stock..I use Massel liquid stock
2 TBS Hoisen Sauce
2 TBS  Chinese rice wine vinegar
2 TBS soy sauce.. I use salt reduced.
1 1/2 TBS sugar
2 TBS  sesame oil
1 Tbs corn flour.

2 to 3 chicken breasts
2 eggs beaten
plain flour for dusting
sesame seeds

brocollini (baby brocolli)
spring onions (shallots) inch pieces 
3 fresh garlic cloves..finely chopped
2---3 slivers fresh  ginger..finely sliced

mix your sauce ingredients together..adding cornflour last.....put aside..
cut up how ever much spring onions and brocollini you like...

cut the chicken into bite size pieces
dip into beaten eggs
roll each piece in flour


deep fry your chicken in vegetable oil..
till golden brown.  remove and drain on paper

In the meantime add some  vegetable  oil...not much.... to hot wok..add your garlic and ginger.cook for a minute..add the brocollini and spring onion...cook for another minute..add the sauce...till bubbling. Add the fried chicken..cook for a minute and sprinkle with sesame seeds...for another minute...and your done!!

I promise it tastes just like a chinese takeaway..minus the MSG!

I have so many recipes I must get onto my blog!!  
Till next time..Happy cooking!
And remember click on the pics to make then bigger!  :)

Caboolture Historical Village.......

Wow today was sooooo sunny warm..and the bluest skies!...been waiting months for a decent sunday..woo hooo

Went  to the Caboolture Historical Village.  So many old buildings. Lots of nostalgic relics...and I must be showing my age..lol...I remember a lot of the old things...around when I was a kid...oh my....Even the old iron beds where just like my one at home..  :)  ok so I'm not 100 years old...give or take..lol...Mind you my youngest...whos manning the camera...did say... why go to see old things  he can stay right at home and see me...bahahahah...ahhhhh....must cover my grey shinning through!....and up till now...proudly!..  I found the old hopital quite interesting...had such a homely feel to it...like the nurses and doctors treated you as their own.... There is a Thomas the tank train ride for the kiddies...looked like fun.....We spent a few hours mulling around the place...a good time was had by all...

Now I must get a recipe on here this week... haven't decided what ill do yet.....sweet or savoury. I did a Chinese dish this eve ,beef and brocolli , was just like take away...  :)  So will put that one on soon.....so bye for now!!

Bring on the sunshine......

Another full week of cloud and drizzle...oh my..a gal just cant go anywheres fun in this weather... lol...I tells ya...this is the dry season apparently...I have to search through old pics for sunny weather.as above..last summer on the beach..ahh now doesn't all that glorious warm weather  make me smile..why yes!..my oh my...cant wait for spring...for some sun kissed rays on my pale complexion
I should read a good book...hubby says I need a Kindle...wt...nooooooo no fun electronically turning pages...:) hells no...I like the feeling of paper...the eye strain...the folding of the pages to remember where I finsihed..
You'll know when the weather decides to be perfect...Ill be back with fresh updates ..and warm smiles....have a good day!...and in the meantime...those of you sitting on glorious weather...send it this way!

Tower MIll Brisbane....

UPDATED:  Hiho to my most wonderful bloggers.....just dropping by for a quick minute...nope haven't forgotten my blog...just have been on temporary hiatus...and latey so has the weather!  but coming back..bigger and better than ever...I have places to go...things to document..and of course some more delicious recipes....So hold on a little while longer....and then...woo hooo...a brand new look!

P>S...apparently this windmill is haunted..my fav type of windmill... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Windmill,_Brisbane

I did take a night time photo many years ago at this site...during a "ghost tour"and though it was dark inside no electricity..when the photos were developed...one of the windows was bright like  a light was on...now I know what your thinking...flash ect..lol...nope nahar...tried to debunk my own photo, cause I like to scientifically rule out first...mind you this was in the nineties before I owned a digital camera ...and so sorry bloggers...pic not avaliable  :(  I love the paranormal...so ya neva know...I may have some more stories to tell!! lol....

As always..click on pics to make them bigger...:)  OK fellow bloggers have a good one!! what ever that may be...its all good....