Life Above the Clouds

I needed dishwasher detergent, and surprise surprise, I was too lazy to go to the store. If I can make my own laundry detergent, why can't I make my own dishwasher detergent? Well, I can! Some recipes I found online called for citric acid, lemon juice, or even citrus oils, none of which I had and was obviously not going to go to the store to buy. Then, I found the simplest recipe ever, equal parts baking soda and Borax. All you need to do is mix the Borax and baking soda together. Then, add about two tablespoons to your dishwasher's detergent compartment, and run as usual. I mixed mine in a jar so I could just pour it in to the dishwasher. 

The dishes seemed clean to me, so it looked like this homemade dishwasher detergent works. I'm not sure how it'll do with stuck on foods though because I'm one of those crazies that likes to scrub down my dishes before running through the washer. According to About.com, "Borax and baking soda are both natural disinfectants and mild abrasives – just what you need to blast away stuck on food and germs. In fact, you may be interested to learn that Borax is a common ingredient in many commercial detergents."

Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

(Inspired by About.com)

I needed dishwasher detergent, and surprise surprise, I was too lazy to go to the store. If I can make my own laundry detergent, why can't I make my own dishwasher detergent? Well, I can! Some recipes I found online called for citric acid, lemon juice, or even citrus oils, none of which I had and was obviously not going to go to the store to buy. Then, I found the simplest recipe ever, equal parts baking soda and Borax. All you need to do is mix the Borax and baking soda together. Then, add about two tablespoons to your dishwasher's detergent compartment, and run as usual. I mixed mine in a jar so I could just pour it in to the dishwasher. 

The dishes seemed clean to me, so it looked like this homemade dishwasher detergent works. I'm not sure how it'll do with stuck on foods though because I'm one of those crazies that likes to scrub down my dishes before running through the washer. According to About.com, "Borax and baking soda are both natural disinfectants and mild abrasives – just what you need to blast away stuck on food and germs. In fact, you may be interested to learn that Borax is a common ingredient in many commercial detergents."

Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

(Inspired by About.com)

I got these glasses for free. I love them because they're my favorite color and they actually fit my face (which is extremely hard for my little nose), but they say Smirnoff on the sides. I thought about painting them, or covering it with paper, but then I remembered a box of emboridery floss my mom sent me home with after Christmas. I was planning on being nostalgic and making some friendship bracelets, but so far the box has gone untouched until now! I made this project extremely easy by using double stick tape, but you could do the same with glue for something a little more durable.

1. Cut double stick tape to fit the length of your sunglasses.
2. Starting with your first color, tie a double knot around the sunglasses making sure it is hidden on the inside.
3. Wrap the embroidery floss around the glasses, pressing it into the tape as you go.
4. To change colors, finish off with a knot and start your new color with a double knot.

That's it!

I got these glasses for free. I love them because they're my favorite color and they actually fit my face (which is extremely hard for my little nose), but they say Smirnoff on the sides. I thought about painting them, or covering it with paper, but then I remembered a box of emboridery floss my mom sent me home with after Christmas. I was planning on being nostalgic and making some friendship bracelets, but so far the box has gone untouched until now! I made this project extremely easy by using double stick tape, but you could do the same with glue for something a little more durable.

1. Cut double stick tape to fit the length of your sunglasses.
2. Starting with your first color, tie a double knot around the sunglasses making sure it is hidden on the inside.
3. Wrap the embroidery floss around the glasses, pressing it into the tape as you go.
4. To change colors, finish off with a knot and start your new color with a double knot.

That's it!

Ever noticed all those little pictures on your clothing tag? Some of them are pretty self-explanatory, but a few are a little tricky. Here's a great guide to make sure you're taking care of your clothes the right way.

(Inspired by Lifehacker)

Ever noticed all those little pictures on your clothing tag? Some of them are pretty self-explanatory, but a few are a little tricky. Here's a great guide to make sure you're taking care of your clothes the right way.

(Inspired by Lifehacker)

I used to think I was really cool and used olive oil for everything because it's "healthier." But you have to consider using different oils based on the dish you're making and how you plan to cook it. Depending on whether you plan to bake, fry, broil, or grill, a different oil will yield different results in your food, and give you more control over the cooking time and temperature. I usually keep extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil and peanut oil in my pantry. Here are some things to think about when deciding which oil to use.

Smoke Point: The Number That Determines When Oil Goes from Tasty to Terrible

As you heat a fat of any kind, it begins to break down into free fatty acids and glycerol. As the temperature rises, the glycerol breaks down further and produces a bitter-smelling, acrid chemical called acrolein. It's that acrolein in the smoke that makes your eyes itch, and it's also what makes the food you cook in that overheated oil taste terrible.

If you plan to fry or grill, you want an oil that will stand up to high heat without breaking down on you. If you're going to use the oven, you have some more flexibility depending on whether you plan to bake, broil, and the temperature you set. With the right oil and the right cooking method, you'll taste a noticeable difference in your food.

Use Flaxseed Oil, Olive Oil, and Butter for Low-Temperature Cooking and Baking

As a rule, unrefined oils, dairy products, and animal fats have the lowest smoke points, and are best suited for lower-temperature cooking like baking, simmering, and low-heat pan frying.

Use Coconut Oil, Canola Oil, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Medium-Heat Cooking and Frying

Most of your middle of the road oils have applications in low-heat and cold preparations but can also be used on the stove or in the oven

Use Peanut Oil, Avocado Oil, and Ghee for High-Heat Grilling and Deep Frying

The highest-smoke point oils are generally reserved for high-heat frying, brushing on the grill, and deep frying

(Inspired by Lifehacker)

I used to think I was really cool and used olive oil for everything because it's "healthier." But you have to consider using different oils based on the dish you're making and how you plan to cook it. Depending on whether you plan to bake, fry, broil, or grill, a different oil will yield different results in your food, and give you more control over the cooking time and temperature. I usually keep extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil and peanut oil in my pantry. Here are some things to think about when deciding which oil to use.

Smoke Point: The Number That Determines When Oil Goes from Tasty to Terrible

As you heat a fat of any kind, it begins to break down into free fatty acids and glycerol. As the temperature rises, the glycerol breaks down further and produces a bitter-smelling, acrid chemical called acrolein. It's that acrolein in the smoke that makes your eyes itch, and it's also what makes the food you cook in that overheated oil taste terrible.

If you plan to fry or grill, you want an oil that will stand up to high heat without breaking down on you. If you're going to use the oven, you have some more flexibility depending on whether you plan to bake, broil, and the temperature you set. With the right oil and the right cooking method, you'll taste a noticeable difference in your food.

Use Flaxseed Oil, Olive Oil, and Butter for Low-Temperature Cooking and Baking

As a rule, unrefined oils, dairy products, and animal fats have the lowest smoke points, and are best suited for lower-temperature cooking like baking, simmering, and low-heat pan frying.

Use Coconut Oil, Canola Oil, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Medium-Heat Cooking and Frying

Most of your middle of the road oils have applications in low-heat and cold preparations but can also be used on the stove or in the oven

Use Peanut Oil, Avocado Oil, and Ghee for High-Heat Grilling and Deep Frying

The highest-smoke point oils are generally reserved for high-heat frying, brushing on the grill, and deep frying

(Inspired by Lifehacker)