A few recipes and tips

I've been thinking of making a post like this for a little while, and a couple of weeks ago all us girls got the dreaded stomach bug and I found a couple more recipes.  

Of course we got the stomach bug while Matt was out of town and I didn't have any Pedialyte or Gatorade on hand, so I found these recipes for both.    I substituted lemon juice for the Kool-aid as the lemon juice version was almost clear (which helps when there is a high probability that is coming back up....no need for stains, right??!!).  

Here is the Gatorade one:

• 10 tbs. sugar (5/8 cups or 120 grams)
• .75 tsp Sea salt (4.2 grams) or Morton's lite
• 1 package of unsweetened Kool-aid mix for flavor  (Again I used 2-4 Tbs lemon juice instead of Kool-aid)
• Water to make 2 liters

Here is the Pedialyte one......almost the  same as above plus baking soda.

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3 Tbsp sugar or honey
• 1/2 tsp salt

One this one only use honey if child is old enough to consume honey.  Can also use lemon juice or 1/2 packet of Kool-aid for flavor.

Ok this next recipe is random, but it works great and easy to have all on hand.  I copied this from another blog I've read.

Natural Disinfectant Spray

This disinfecting solution is green, easy on the nose, and very cheap! Vinegar, tea tree oil, and lemon oil all have antimicrobial properties.

1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
10 drops tea tree oil *
6 drops lemon oil *

*Find tea tree oil and lemon oil at Central Market or a health food store. They seem a little expensive, but you only need a tiny bit, so they last forever.

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the surface to be cleaned and wipe with a paper towel or old rag (a greener option).

I use this solution wherever I would use Lysol disinfectant wipes (cleaning the toilet, washing the counter after cutting meat, etc.) I keep my old wash cloths and towels to use as rags. They are actually better for washing windows/mirrors than paper towels--much less streaky. --Sarah

Last two tips are for laundry and fighting stains....and boy do we do a lot of that around here!

One of my really smart friends told me how she has a bucket that she keeps on her dryer filled about half-way of water and one scoop of Baby Oxi-Clean powder.  This works really well when you have a baby who is always having blow-outs!...but just throw stained pieces in bucket and let soak for up to a week.  Really works great.  

I love the Baby Oxi-clean spray as well.  I can almost anything out with that.  If I can't with the spray, I boil water, put garment in a bowl, pour hot water (enough to cover) and then sprinkle with Baby Oxi-Clean powder...let soak to 30 minutes (this may slightly fade material, but my take is better slightly faded than stained).  I've gotten two year old stains out by using this method.  Oh and for some reason the Baby Oxi-clean works better than the regular, and you can find the powder and spray at Target in the baby section (with all of bath soaps) or at Babies R Us.

Well just thought I'd share that randomness....would love to hear any of yours!!!