Debunking Cleaning Myths

Organic.  Non-Toxic. No GMOs.  Every where you turn, people are trying to avoid the toxic chemicals in their homes.  There are some good old fashioned cleaning tips which have fallen by the wayside in this fast paced world.

Here are some of those tried and true cleaning solutions our grandmothers probably used:

1. Cleaning and unclogging pipes.

Pour four teaspoons of baking soda into the sink, then add a cup of vinegar. If fizziness and bubbles arise, rinse it down with hot water and your pipe will be unclogged.  I know this one works because we have used it when we are out of Drano.  Cheaper and always on hand.

 

2. Cleaning pots with tomato sauce

Tomato sauce as a cleaning product … who knew? Stainless steel pots usually have a layer of copper, where copper oxide is formed during cooking. The tomato sauce contains acetic acid, which attacks the copper active base of the pan. Apply a thick layer of sauce on the base of the pan and let it work its magic for 30 minutes. Then wipe it away and watch the black stains disappear right before your eyes.

3. Plants help get rid of dust.

Dust appears everywhere, even after having cleaned it away 10 minutes ago. The good news is plants can help!  They not only bring life to the living room, BUT they also filter the pollutants from our air and provide us with fresh oxygen. Plants such as ferns and orchids catch the floating dust in the air on their leaves and can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

4. Sparkling water removes stains 

Another stain on your shirt? Quickly grab a bottle with sparkling water or soda and let the carbon dioxide dissolve the colour and tannins from the fabric.  This doesn’t work for fat or oil stains!  To use this method, saturate the spot and blot it up with a dry and absorbent cloth in a circular motion- always dab, never rub.

5. Lemon juice makes your exhaust duct shine 

The exhaust duct in the kitchen is a magnet for odors and oil stains. To remove the sticky spots, cut the lemon in half and rub it all over the metal surface. The acid quickly and efficiently removes fats and oils. For stubborn stains, add a few drops of detergent on a cloth and gently rub the stains away. Avoid the use of stainless steel sponges, as they tend to scratch the hood, making it shine even less than before.

6. Clean silver jewelry and silverware with toothpaste.

Is your silver jewelry starting to look dull? Just like your teeth, it turns out toothpaste is the perfect solution for silverware. Get your trusty toothpaste (not gel) out of the bathroom and scrub the ornaments with a toothbrush. Rinse the toothpaste off by dipping the silverware into a cup of warm water. The oxidized silver particles will be quickly washed away and your jewelry will start to shine again.

What is your best cleaning tip that was passed down in your family?  Share it with us.

Have an Epic day!

 

Tasty Tuesday: Lemon Bread

 

 

Thank you Kathy Stine of Paparazzi for today’s recipe.  This sounds yummy as a light dessert or to have with a hot cup of tea for a snack.   The recipe makes one loaf!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 large lemon
• 1 ½ cup flour
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• ¾ tsp. Salt
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup nuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix and set aside equal parts from juice of lemon and sugar.
2. Grate just the yellow of the lemon peel,
3. Add to flour, sugar, soda and mix well.
4. Now add oil, milk, eggs and mix.
5. Put into a greased loaf pan.
6. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until tooth pick inserted into center comes out clean.
7. Turn out onto a cooling rack.
8. Poke loaf all over the top with a skewer and brush with the lemon mixture while hot.
9. Do this in layers (brush all over top & sides, let set a few seconds and repeat until mixture is gone)
10. Cool & enjoy

Kathy is a consultant with Paparazzi.  Don’t what what they are about???  What’s the most important thing to know about Paparazzi? It’s fabulous fashion for just $5. Every piece. Every day.  If that’s not enough, you’ll also be glad to know Paparazzi products are:

• Lead-free and nickel-free
• One-of-a-kind featuring original design, style, and feel
• Always changing—buy it when you see it!
• Designed in the U.S., made in China
• Produced in facilities with elite standards and regulations for quality and labor
• Available only through our Consultants

Paparazzi is really about change! Changing the way people look. Changing the way people feel. Changing people’s futures and their lives. Though our fashion-forward jewelry and product parties are centered on fun, Paparazzi fulfills a serious mission. We believe that trendy accessories can be available, and affordable, to women everywhere. We know that wearing a new look, and feeling confident in your appearance, builds amazing self-worth. Our passion is inspiring dreams, empowering talents, and reaching goals by sharing our products and the excitement of Paparazzi. We see it happen every day.

Team their fabulous jewelry up with a Thirty One Baubles & Bracelet Case for an awesome gift.  Keep your jewelry protected and clean as you travel with the Baubles & Bracelets jewelry case. This small case has a zipper closure, three cinch-top organza pouches for necklace and bracelet storage, and interior snap tabs designed to organize and protect rings and earrings. Or use one to store essential oils, medications, nail polish or as a first aid kit.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Saturday Spotlight: Plunder Designs

Happy Saturday!  I love helping other women grow their business.  I love being able to connect with amazing women who are making a difference not only in their own lives but in the lives of others.  So, where online do you go to meet these amazing women from across the country?  To the League of Audacious Women in Direct Sales!  This is a group for women in Direct Sales, Party Plan and Network Marketing who are ready to stop playing small and start building an empire.  We bend the rules and aren’t afraid to be bold.  This group is led by Desiree Wolfe, Marketing Maven & Business Coach for Women in Direct Sales.  It is my go-to no drama group by my favorite business coach!

Today I want you to meet Mindy Meyers a Plunder Design stylist.  Here is her story:

I joined Plunder with one thing in mind… help our family pay down our debt in the next 3-5 years. Thanks to the income I make every month with Plunder we have a plan set in place to do just that!

Plunder Design is a leading Vintage Jewelry company known for our shabby, vintage style. We offer a wide variety of pieces at affordable prices. We are most known for our custom pieces to hold your favorite photos, quotes, verses, etc. close by in necklaces, bracelets, and key chains. Plunder Design was founded in Utah in the spring of 2014 and has been a fast-growing company ever since.

You can view our entire collection at www.plunderdesign.com/mmeyers. Also, I would love to connect with you through my VIP Facebook group: Vintage Jewels by Mindy . I look forward to connecting with you!

Be sure to check out her website and I would love to hear what your favorite pieces are…

Need something to carry all of your new jewelry in?  Check out Thirty One’s Shine On Jewelry Case.  Great for travel and practical enough to store everyday jewelry or other small necessities. Features one PVC zipper compartment with two organza bags, one zipper pocket, two jewelry snap tabs and a tie closure. It’s available in new Spring prints and can be personalized for an added touch. Size: Approx 6.25″H x 9″L

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Saturday Spotlight: Paparazzi Jewelry

Where are my fashionistas? Are you a jewelry addict?  Do you like to coordinate your earrings, necklace and bracelets when putting an outfit together?  I will admit, I don’t wear a lot of jewelry and I tend to wear the same thing over and over again.  WHY?  Because it can be expensive.  What if I told you, there is an alternative to spending BIG BUCKS on jewelry but you can still look stylish?

Let me introduce you to my friend, Kathy Stine.  Here is her direct sales story:

I’ve represented many direct sales companies in the past – Tupperware, Undercoverware, Partylite, Park Lane, and Avon and a couple of them more then once.

Recently I had a storefront (Bible Book Store of Imlay City) which I closed in November 2016, after 3 years. As a store owner you look for things to carry people might like. When I opened the store, I had a local person bring in her handmade jewelry to sell. Since I wasn’t selling much of her stuff she decided to scale back her display and eventually she removed everything. When she scaled back, I knew I either needed to try making my own or find another source for jewelry, but something a little more affordable.

At the same time, I noticed someone posted about a $5 jewelry company but didn’t think much about it. It wasn’t until a friend started talking about possibly joining the company to sell it, I mentioned I was interested in the products. I didn’t act on things until my jewelry lady pulled her stuff, then I checked back with my friend to see if she joined yet and where she stood.

I reached out to a consultant from the jewelry company, expressing an interest in the products.  I explained I was thinking of carrying the product in my store and maybe even join so I could sell, however I was very skeptical of the jewelry and its quality, after all the stuff was only $5 each. I asked if she could bring stuff to the store so I could get the “bird’s eye view” and see it for myself. So she came in and brought lots for me to see. I was impressed. The pieces were truly amazing and nothing like I expected. They were not small either, some of the necklaces were huge (lots of beads, long in length,etc). I knew right then I wanted to try to sell the jewelry but I didn’t have the start-up money.

Our town’s big event was the next month and I wanted to have stuff by then. She asked if she could set up a display while I gathered the needed funds to join myself and of course I said she could. A couple days later she brought in a huge display. My customers admired the jewelry and couldn’t believe the pieces were only $5 each. I got many nice comments on it. I sold quite a few pieces from her stuff and finally had enough funds together to purchase my own kit. Of course I asked a lot of questions before joining. The main question of course is how much do you earn selling the jewelry – I mean after all the customer is only charged $5.00. She proceeded to tell me we make a 45% commission! I couldn’t believe it as no company gives so much away. However she showed me proof. Plus not only do they give you a large commission, they also give you free products with your orders as long as they are a certain amount.

About the only draw back from this company is they do not print catalogs. Reason being as most items sell out really fast and they’d have to produce a new catalog almost monthly and it would be costly. They do give us a free shopping web site for our customers to shop from. Most consultants carry a lot of stock and do cash and carry. Home parties can be done as well as online parties.

The company I am referring to is paparazzi. To check out what is currently available go to my website . If you are on Facebook feel free to join my VIP group. In this group I list everything I have currently have on hand. If you want the item just let me know and once I receive payment I will ship the item(s) to you. I am really glad I joined paparazzi and wish I knew about it a lot sooner. I have met some awesome people as well. I am always looking for events and places to get into with my jewelry. Its really nice stuff.

Be sure to check out her website and I would love to hear what our favorite pieces are…

Need something to carry all of your new jewelry in?  Check out ThirtyOne’s Shine On Jewelry Case.  Great for travel and practical enough to store everyday jewelry or other small necessities. Features one PVC zipper compartment with two organza bags, one zipper pocket, two jewelry snap tabs and a tie closure. It’s available in new Spring prints and can be personalized for an added touch. Size: Approx 6.25″H x 9″L

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Something Beautiful

Thank you Gwen Smith for today’s message…

“..Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” ~ Matthew 26:10, NIV

I am completely crazy about cool jewelry, so when the Lord prompted me to take off my favorite necklace and give it to the woman who had just admired it, I tried to pretend that I didn’t hear Him.

“It’s mine, God!” I reasoned. “It isn’t replaceable! Why would ask me to do that?”

My self-plan didn’t like the God-plan that was laid out before me. God was asking me to give up something that meant a lot to me so that another woman could be blessed. It seemed crazy. Unnecessary. But, in this instance, through the strength of Christ, I chose to obey even though I didn’t want too. It hurt. It cost me big. I felt the loss.

God softened my childish heart, however, as the woman wept at the Lord’s blessing. As I silently confessed my selfish thoughts, God poured a deep joy into my soul. He showed me that my sacrifice was an act of worship to Him. Blessings boomeranged right back to my heart as I humbly thanked Him for allowing me to participate in His moment with her. It was a beautiful thing.

There are just some times I’d rather give gifts that don’t cost me too much. But that’s probably something that only I wrestle with, right? (Kidding.) It’s hard to be open handed with things that we hold dear, isn’t it? Some of us struggle with an unwillingness to give away material things or money. Others of us hold tight to our schedules, affections, positions, jobs or our availability. Still more of us hold tightly to our children, grandchildren, spouses, friends, parents or other people in our lives that we want to keep a tight reign on.

The Bible addresses this issue and shows us a beautiful picture of surrendered devotion in Mary of Bethany. The offering she poured out onto the feet of Jesus was worth a year’s wages. She lavished her costly perfume, her attention, her affection, her time and her worship on Jesus because she loved Him. He was her Savior. Her Friend. Her Hope. The Healer who had miraculously brought life back to the stench of death that had fallen on her brother Lazarus.

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13, NIV)

The Message paraphrase says it this way:She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. (Matthew 26:10)

When I read this story, I’m compelled to wonder: when God looks at my life, does He see a beautiful thing? Does He see me do anything that is wonderfully significant for Him?

What do you think He sees when He looks at your life?

Does He see a beautiful thing?

When we open the hands of our lives to God’s presence, to His service and for His glory, rest assured Godwill see a beautiful thing. When we obey God’s promptings and listen to His voice that whispers to our soul, He fills us with peace, satisfaction and His beauty.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!