CREPES:
3 Eggs worth of prepared egg replacer
3/4c rice milk
3/4c Water
3 Tbs canola oil
1/3c Rice flour
1/8c Sweet rice flour (glutinous rice flour)
1/8c Potato starch
1/8c Tapioca flour (starch)
1/2t Salt

1. Blend everything in blender
2. Pour onto non stick pan in thin layer
3. Wait until bubbles on surface pops and bottom browns before flipping it

As usual, I encountered problems. The first one turned out to be a gooey log of partially done crepe, which tasted like glutinous rice). The second one was better, but I then realized that it takes quite a while for it to be completely done.

If I lifted it too soon, it's be too gummy. I ended up with only two or three edible crepes from the whole batter, having ruined the rest with gummy crepes, but in all, I'm quite satisfied with the recipe. I even dared to flavor some of the batter with Pandan, thus making it green. Then I filled some with some leftover filling I had made for onde-onde, and it became kuih dadar/ketayap! Even the kids said it was good. Alhamdulillah.

The next day (yesterday), I tried a pancake recipe, which I found here. The recipe is below:

Pancakes

1/4 c. tapioca starch
1/3 c. potato starch
1-1/4 c. white rice flour
4 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1-1/2 - 2 c. soy or rice milk*
1 Tbsp. vinegar

I used rice milk, and I probably made the mistake of using all 2 cups of it despite the recipe's warning of using less than that until the desired consistency is reached. That made the pancake batter quite watery and I ended up with quite thin pancakes, not like in the photos on the site. I had problems with sticking too, even though I used a non stick pan. It tasted, disappointingly to me, a lot like rice flour, so I mashed half a banana and added it to the batter. It tasted rather like Jemput-jemput pisang. I decided to give it to Baby Z because I made quite a lot. So we gave him a teeny bite and waited a few minutes. Nothing happened, so we gave him another teeny bit and waited a while. After an hour of no reactions, we gave him more, and today he had it for breakfast and for intermittent snacks, alhamdulillah.

That means, that he is okay with rice milk, vinegar, and baking powder; all ingredients I've never exposed him to before. And now, I'm trying out a kuih lapis recipe I got from here. The only ingredient in here Baby Z hasn't had yet is coconut milk. Since today is Friday, I'm not going to take the risk and give him this. Since last time's incident, I decided to only give him something new on weekdays, and not on the weekends. Friday is too close for comfort to be counted as a weekday. So, maybe next week, Baby Z.

As for me, I just realized that I have about four more months of breastfeeding left, which means that after that, if I managed to wean him completely, I can again take dairy, eggs, wheat, peanut, and soy. Now, why am I not that excited?

But wait…. Let me back up.

Remember that TV I found near the dumpster the other day? It worked, it didn’t have a problem other than it was so old, it didn’t have RCA adapter jacks built into it. I was planning on looking for a 2 dollar VCR to wire into it or something, but it was not my first choice in the matter. I knew the TV would be temporary, but I didn’t know how temporary until the next night.

It was 11 pm and I was coming home when I passed the dumpster and there it was. A 26 inch TV, just sitting there. Well it wasn’t thrown IN the dumpster so I would imagine it still worked but had problems... I looked for RCA adapters and BINGO, there they were.

 I picked it up and put it in the car and it promptly fell over and cracked the Housing on it...

Shit… well it was a small crack, but let’s see if it still works.

The reason it was out there is because it takes about 5 minutes to warm up and then the picture is as clear as a day. So a question came to me:

Should I use this 26 inch TV with the pain in the ass TV tube with the RCA jacks or should I put it back, and use the 19 inch TV with no RCA jacks but seems to work well even though I have only seen static on the TV?

Then I had a second thought? I wonder if I could sell the 19 inch TV on Craig’s List?

This is exactly what I did. I took a picture and uploaded it to Craig’s List price a low low price of 10 dollars. I was getting it for free, but I just pretended it was like Marine Salvage rights, but without the marine part. I put it out there at 11pm and by the morning I had an offer for the TV. Within 13 hours I had ten sweet dollars in my hand and I deposited it into my petty cash fund…Well since ‘petty cash’ is relative, lets just say I put it into my Folgers 401k can.  

With ten dollar in hand and having to go out to work my second job last night, I found I had to drive by the Habitat for Humanity store.  They have pretty cheap used stuff. I bought a frying pan there for 25 cents but the last two times I drove past and went it, they had no lasagna dish…

Well this time was different. I picked up a 9X13 lasagna dish that was not only 2 dollars; it matches the corning dishes I picked for a dollar-fifty a few weeks ago.

So the Lasagna dish saga is done. I can obsess about something different now. And I’m eight bucks richer than when I started

Explore the possibilities
This exciting new show is both an experience and an opportunity. You’ll be surrounded by new ideas, new products and new ways of achieving the perfect look for your home. Plus you will have an opportunity to meet the experts and receive one-on-one advice from design professionals such as Erin McLaughlin, Editor, Canadian Home & Country magazine and Margot Austin, Senior Design Editor, Style at Home. Stop by and meet the Master Gardeners including Aldona Satterthwaite, Editor, Canadian Gardening and participate in the hands-on activities. Get inspired and find the best decorating buys from the many unique and one-of-a-kind exhibitors.

And don’t forget to visit the Chef’s Kitchen where you can watch the live demonstrations from some of the best chefs including Elizabeth Baird, Food Editor, Canadian Living and meet Glen Peloso. Be sure to check out the celebrity speakers at the Main Stage, including Colin & Justin, Sarah Richardson, Kimberley Seldon, Lynn Spence and Samantha Pynn.

The Style at Home Show is the convergence of ideas, products and experts, everything you need to make a statement and bring your style home.

When: Oct 17 to 19, 2008
Where: Direct Energy Centre, Toronto
More information: Style at Home Show

For now I want to introduce you to my latest project, a wee little bird that will eventually be a part of a birthday gift for a friend:
The center of the flowers still need to be filled in, but I am almost finished with this one.  I am making this on a tea towel, and there is one more that will comprise the set, but I am throwing around the idea of doing these and then stretching the towel across a piece of canvas.  I would love to hear some feedback on that idea. 
I just realized this week that there is an embroidery museum down the street from my office, and I hope to making a stop by there shortly.

Finally--as promised--I have some pictures from bowling. 

Somehow Brandon and I have a tendency to match without even knowing it until we have left the house...
 

He probably got a strike when I was too busy taking the picture to notice.  Check out the lights at the end of the lanes!

That ball was only 9 pounds, but it was soooo heavy!  Brandon kept making fun of me because it would move so slowly down the lane...I'm weak; what can I say?!  Oh yeah, and check out the earrings...those are from Jennie over at The Frivolous Ferret. 

I have big ambitions for the weekend which include cleaning my house, finishing the tea towel set, making a set of cafe curtains for a custom order, and making another birthday present for a very special family member who shall not be named.  I have 5 birthdays coming up within the next month, and I am really striving to go handmade (by me) for all of them.  Let's hope that works! 

Just today, the house was a hive of activity. We had Hamble making sunprints with some paper he bought himself at the NSW Art Gallery months ago...

Booboo was busy making spooky, blood-stained invitations for her pre-Halloween party (she also made a stained-glass suncatcher to hang in her bedroom window)...

And the boys and I made some rather spectacular marshmallows (almost more chemistry than cooking)...

In this more challenging market, "Price Your Home to Sell" featured in FrontDoor.com - has some helpful hints and how to list and sell your home.

Interest rates are still historically low and there are buyers.  Although, those buyers - even first timers - are very knowledgeable and know exactly what they want - and many want a more move in home.

How can you stand out as a seller without spending too much money that you may not recoup?

• First impressions are very important and you want a buyer to feel good  when they drive up to your home.  Add a dash of color with seasonal flowers - mums are great now in the Fall. Keep shrubs and grass trim, leaves raked and walkways clean and inviting. To take it a step up, Lowe's has some great ideas - even if you just use one of these.
• Keep your home clean and tidy - view HGTV's Speedy Cleaning & Organizing Tips - Remember, buyers have a hard time getting past the mess!
• As you all know, the Kitchen and Bathrooms are the most important features that buyer are looking for.  Keep them clean, decluttered and as updated as possible.  Some inexpensive ideas - like changing the hardware and/or painting cabinets, can help bring in more buyers.

A few other ideas - Reed Diffusers are great - they smell delicious and there is not the worry that you may have with leaving a lit candle.

Light and Bright - Open your blinds, pull back your curtains, have your lights on when you know there is a showing and leave a note for the Realtor to please shut them off when done.

Leave a "Treat" for your potential buyers. Some have being viewing homes all day - a Trick or Treat bag is perfect this month!

"Show off" your home by having your listing agent take many photos and add all that is allowed to your listing.

Please be flexible when it comes to showings.  You don't have to leave your home for the entire afternoon - wondering if the agent has come yet.  As soon as they arrive, take a walk, a ride or visit a neighbor.

If your selling your home in the Fall or Winter, have photos of your home during the Spring and Summer seasons.

Also, if possible, have copies of your survey, floor plan, school info, local parks and shops.  Anything and everything that will help draw a potential buyer not only to your home, but your community.

Most importantly - PRICE it right!  Unfortunately, it's not what you want or need - the market controls the price.  Have your agent inform you of what has recently Sold and any New Listings in your neighborhood as they come up during the entire listing time.  You need to know if a home 3 doors down that is larger and totally renovated, is on the market for LESS than your home.

Lot's of LUCK!

Anyways I dont know wut to do cause Mummy acktually reely likes mouses jest fine and she used to have one as a pet when she wuz young. This is before she had me and obveously she likes me better than a stoopid mouse but my point is that I am now very confoozled about whether Mummy likes or doesnt like the mouse behind the frigerator.

So Daddy and Mummy went and got a thang what is called a live trap where the mouse is sposed to walk into the trap and then get stuck in it until Mummy takes it outsides and lets it go. But Mummy also tolled me now Dozer dont you let that mouse run around in the kitchen and get into thangs. But Mummy didnt tell me how I wuz sposed to stop the mouse frum doing bad thangs so now I am kinda worried that I will not do my job correctly and then Mummy will be unhappy.

Also this is the worst injustiss of all is that Mummy putted peanut butter into the mouse trap! Can you beleeve that I didnt get any of it and Mummy sed Dozer this isnt fer you this is fer the mouse. Wut?? I wuz thinking Mummy didnt like that mouse but now she is giving it delishuss peanut butter and not me!!

Aw I am always getting treated so badly.

Check it out: http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/category/home-gadgets/kitchen/

We're all about stimulating that economy, y'all.

And, for once, we aren't doing all the work.  However, the MOD, eager to earn back the full glory of the title of the "Minister of Details," has been happily measuring tile and sanding spots on the wall to get ready for the installers.  We spent last weekend doing demo work.  Now, when I think of demo work, I think me + a sledgehammer working out some aggression while removing crap that we don't need anymore.

Hmmm...that's not really how it turned out since we ended up selling all the cabinets, appliances, and counter tops to someone.  So, we had to be careful and work gingerly and it was so not as much fun as it once sounded.

The MOD, happy as a clam when he has a project, spent Friday night drilling, sanding, patching, removing, plumbing, wiring, painting, etc.  He is the ultimate Minister of Details!

The MOD uncovered this weird hole behind a cabinet.  So I did what any helpful wife and errand girl (...in his mind when he's in Project Man mode) would do...

I drew on it.

He thought that was really funny, by the way.  He also really enjoys when I'm in his way, taking lots of pictures of construction areas, pipes, and general messes.  Like this one, where you can see the contrast between the supposed function of the kitchen and the construction zone that it really is.  By the way, just because you can see a bit of the faucet in the photo does not mean that we have a functioning kitchen sink.  Oh No.  That would be too easy.  A kitchen sink in a kitchen??? Totally unnecessary.

The best and funniest thing came later on after we had removed all the cabinets, and other "necessary" appliances like microwave ovens and dishwashers.  Apparently, someone building our house in about 1992 decided to make his very own time capsule in our kitchen wall.

Why, yes, that is a McDonald's cup featuring Team USA basketball player, David Robinson, in the 1992 Summer Olympics that took place in Barcelona, Spain.  For some reason, I found this hysterical and revolting all at the same time.

So, you ask, what do you do with three children and no kitchen...?  You grill and tell your children that they're only allowed to dirty one cup per day and clean out your coffee pot in the bathroom sink.  Then, if you're like me, that girls trip that you've been planning for four months just happens to fall all on the same weekend...so you do the responsible Mom thing and take off for Vegas leaving your husband with three kids.  And no kitchen sink.

That's me.  Mom of the Year.  See you Monday when I'll be a lot richer AND in possession of a house with a working kitchen!

First… wear an apron. If you are dressed for the occasion you’ll feel ready and able to tackle your kitchen cleaning duties with style. Wearing an apron also protects your clothing from splashes of tainted water and other debris.

Dishes first

Dishes must be washed in hot clean water.  If you do not own a dishwasher make sure you change dirty/greasy water often while washing your dishes.  There is something quite distasteful about a cup of tea with a hint of bacon flavor.

Don’t use “soaking” as an excuse not to wash something.  Be honest about the state of your pots and pans.  Often, the length of time it takes to load the dishwasher or properly clean the stove is sufficient to soak the pot or skillet. 

The refrigerator is part of your kitchen. 

The fridge is often neglected in the kitchen cleaning process yet it is important to the overall health of the kitchen.  Cleaning the fridge is a simple task that people often delay until they see evidence of penicillin or substances that look as if they belong in Petri dishes.  Give the fridge a wipe from the inside out and toss out old food.    

Don’t neglect the microwave or stove (apply fridge-cleaning etiquette)

Crumbs have a habit of falling in discreet locations throughout the kitchen.  They are the enemy for any Modern Lady who desires to have an immaculate kitchen.  A thorough sweeping and mopping of the kitchen floor should be enough to maintain a crumb free kitchen.

It also great to be made as any other house hold items due to its looks and durability. And for you who's looking for any stainless steel products for your household items i would recommend you with a great site that provides great stainless steel products online. Here in this site you can find any stainless steel items from outdoor, greens, welcome, relax, decorate, work, cooking, dining, or else. All stainless steel products here by Blomus.. So if you want to find for example; blomus stainless steel fireplace set, blomus stainless steel teaset, or blomus stainless steel firepit, you have come to the right place.

By definition a refrigerator stands alone in its corner and, withdrawn from the world, it controls its atmosphere and protects its contents. Its door must be kept closed, otherwise it looses its cool. This withdrawal explains the isolation of refrigerators.

Is it possible to envision the encounter between two refrigerators? In this installation, two solitudes unite through a canal connecting their inside worlds. This unusual encounter produces a mist on the surface that binds them together.

via

After his strange carafes to decant wine "Decanter Sculptures", the designer Etienne Meneau back this time with glasses of wine in total break with industry codes. Baptisé " Little Heart ", de part leur forme, ils sont davantage à considérer comme des sculptures que comme des verres à dégustation. Known as "Little Heart" by their form, they are better regarded as that sculptures as tasting glasses.

via

Dry ingredients/Spices/Condiments/Seasonings/Flavorings/etc.

• Salt, pepper, and sugar - The basics.
• Zesty lemon chicken seasoning -  Not just for chicken.
• Butter -  Can take the place of oil in many cases.
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce -  For marinading, cooking, and seasoning... pretty much everything.
• Hot Chili Sauce - I like the one by Sriracha.
• All-purpose flour
• Steak sauce - Even if you don't eat steak, it's good for marinading and cooking in general.
• Garlic powder
• Chicken bouillion

Dry/Canned/Preserved/etc.

• Pasta - Fusilli, Rigatoni, and Linguine or Angel Hair are my favorite shapes.
• Ramen noodles - I like the ones that come in the styrofoam cups if I'm in a hurry.  The ones that come in packages are easy to dress up into something more wholesome.
• Canned beans - Great source of protein and really stretches a dish... use in chili (which is very easy to make)
• Rice - I can't live without it; it really makes food go far.  My roommate and I alternate on who gets the carry the 25 lb. sack of rice from the grocery store, on the bus, and all the way home whenever we run out; somewhat of a hassle if you don't have access to a car, but it's well worth it!  They also come in smaller, easier to carry packages.  Get REAL rice, NOT Uncle Ben's Ready Rice--that's just such a disgrace to the rice family.  Also, don't get sticky or sweet rice.  (I prefer Thai jasmine or Korean rice.)
• Pasta sauce - Get a really good, flavorful one.
• Bread and/or Bagels - Refrigerate them.  Bread is really versatile:  it's great for making toast (mmm... cinnamon and French toast) and can be paired with an egg or toast, and it's an essential sandwich material.  You can put jam or peanut butter & jelly on it as well.  Bagels are also good toasted and are AMAZING with Nutella (you can't beat a chocolate hazelnut spread on a warm, airy, perfectly-textured piece of bagel... it's what I live for).  Plain cream cheese also works.
• Canned tuna and/or Canned sardines - Sardines really aren't as bad as they sound!  Get the ones drowning in tomato sauce from Asian grocery stores/markets.
• Canned whole/sliced tomatos or tomato sauce - Your preference.
• Chicken noodle soup - For your lazy days.

Frozen

• Mixed veggies (peas, green beans, corn, carrots) - Good to use in fried rice or stir-fried dishes.  Never buy frozen broccoli--it gets too soggy and fragile no matter how you cook it, which is never a good thing.
• Shrimp or prawns - Well, they're kind of expensive, but they're quick and easy to prepare.  They're great in pasta, ramen noodles, or stir-fried dishes.

Meat

• Eggs - Not really a meat, but I didn't know what to categorize this as.  Can be fried, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, or poached (I love poached eggs with raw yolks in a bowl of ramen noodle soup!).  Also good to coat chicken as a glue before rolling the chicken around in flour or bread crumbs.
• Chicken breast fillets and/or chicken wings - They both cook quickly and evenly due to their sizes.
• Beef
• Hot dogs - Chicken franks are good.  I don't eat them on hot dog buns; instead, I like them with rice with a bit of soy sauce and hot chili sauce.  Mmm...

Random Stuff/Things I couldn't really categorize above so I invented a new category for

• Jam and/or Cream Cheese and/or PB&J and/or Nutella - Refer to "Bread and/or Bagels" above.
• Tofu - Great for stir-frying or soups!  Also, extraordinarily inexpensive.
• Spam - I don't personally like this so much, but I know a lot of people do.

- Ms. Mouse

Paint Types in House Painting

Choosing your paint is probably the most important thing you will do on your project. This is because most paints are designed for a specific purpose. Primer paints are designed to adhere to raw surfaces and then to stick to a protective coat over the top of it. In general, there are four types of raw surfaces that you might want to paint over, wood, masonry, drywall, and bare metal. You should be able to find a primer that will work on your bare surface. Do not be tempted to simply skip the primer coat as finish paints will sometimes not stick well to the surface, especially metals.

The big question for many painters is whether they should use oil or water based paints. Glossy oils tend to be more impermeable to water and will bubble up if the surface beneath is damp. Latex and other water based paints will make wallpaper peel. Industry experts have argued for a long time over which formula is better in general. For exterior applications, water-based paints have the upper hand. Besides allowing the house to breathe, they tend not to crack as readily. In addition, they have the great advantage of water clean up. In addition, if you are worried about the ultimate environmental impact, water-based paints tend to be friendlier to the eco-system. Oil paints usually have a stronger and more overpowering odor. You should always ventilate well when painting, but it will seem even more vital with oil-based paints.

Even so, oil is often the choice to make, especially when painting over a surface that was previously painted with an oil base. If you simply must use a water-based paint over an oil-based paint, you should sand down the finish then prime it so that the paints will adhere to each other.

Although the price is not always the best indicator of quality, it does serve as a good general guideline. Also, the warrantee on paint will indicate how long it is likely to last. Remember that even inexpensive paint is relatively cheap when compared to the amount of time it takes to apply it. Better to have a durable paint that lasts a few extra years than a cheap one that gives out in less than five years.

Pigments in paints also make a difference. Cheaper paints often have cheaper pigments, so they tend not to cover as well, requiring more than one coat. Here again labor is a factor. Two coats of a paint that costs you half as much, is really only doubling your labor. Yellows tend to be the fastest fading color. Titanium dioxide is reported to be the best pigment. If you are buying an expensive paint, be sure to check the can for this ingredient.

Solids are included in paints to thicken the coating. It is calculated as the percentage of the paint that finally adheres to the wall. Solids generally run more than 40 percent of the paint. Higher than 45 is considered good. Do not look for this item on the can, as it is not usually on the label. The solids and pigment are held together with binders. In an acrylic paint, you will want to have all-acrylic binders for exterior paint. For interior paints, this factor is not as important.

Oil and acrylic will both cover most exterior surfaces, but stucco is a special case. Be sure to use an elastomeric paint, which continues to cover small cracks that can develop. Old aluminum siding can be painted. The old paint should be removed and a coat of latex primer and an additional coat or two of exterior paint can then be applied for an acceptable and durable finish.

When you go into the paint store, you will be confronted with flat, satin, and glossy paints. You should use flat for general background surfaces that are not subject to much wear and tear. Satin is better in bathrooms and kitchens where you would like to be able to clean the surface repeatedly over the years. Glossy paints accentuate a surface and bring people's attention to it. It also tends to be easier to wipe clean. Use glossy paints on cabinets, banisters, some molding and places where little fingers are constantly smudging. Remember, though glossy paints are easier to clean, they tend to show imperfections in wood, drywall, etc.

It probably goes without saying that you should use exterior paints outside and interior paints on the inside. The fact is that exterior paints are designed to be more durable in the elements and interior paints are designed to adhere better to surfaces commonly found indoors. Recent years have brought about advancements in eco-friendly paints with zero or low VOCs. These are worth checking into especially for those who have health concerns or who frequently work with paint.

If you are looking for a hardworking, reliable, and trustworthy person to paint the interior or exterior of your home, the only place to search is on Repairfinders.com. On this site it will only take you a couple of minutes to find a qualified professional in your area who is more than happy to paint your home, quickly, efficiently, and for a reasonable price. For all your repair needs there is only one place to go, and that is Repairfinders.com

In our house we can go through that many spoons in one meal!  I don't do dishes after every meal and I don't want to.  We have a great number of forks, knives and spoons so a typical organizer won't work for us.  I have small rectangular wire organizers that hold pieces at a time.  I have one for forks, one for knives, one for spoons, one for serving spoons and a few more.  It works well for me because I still keep the different utensils separated but I can hold many more without one type spilling into another type.

Another option, a client uses is the small wire utensil carrier.  This is the carrier that keeps her utensils standing up.  She only has 4 people in her house and she doesn't even set the table.  She just grabs the carrier at every meal and sets it in the middle of the table for people to grab what they need.  It is a unique solution and it works for her.  Think outside the box and think what might work for you and your family.

When I found the photos of Mattie's home photos on Flickr, I was blown away. A teacher, mother and woman in New Mexico, Mattie has transformed her home into a color wheel of eclectic finds. I found myself staring at her photos forever, trying to see every little element, from magnets on her 'fridge to cooking utensils in a hominy can on the counter.

But it's not just her home photos that are so interesting. Browse her flickr site and you'll find yourself following her through Mexican pueblas, outside and looking at the most interesting scenes.

Click here to see "Our Casita," the entire collection of at-home shots.

"Keep your sanity!" (wise words from your very own ethereal girl)

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" (random dude)

Now imagine your very own ethereal girl giving random dude a glare and head tilt that non verbally says "Oh NO you didn't, bro. Go watch yourself some CNN."

In case you are having trouble reading between the lines, we were mildly discussing the economy, business, our business, life in general, financial meltdown, loss of optimism, emotional distress, lack of sleep, no real understanding concerning the meaning of life, etc., etc., etc. We have fallen on REALLY hard times people, and I'm starting to see it all seep its way into my life.

It's sad...in such a way that sad doesn't even scrape the surface.

floor cleaner for vinyl or ceramic... mix 1 cup vinegar + 1 gallon water. mop like usual but there is no need to rinse.

hard water stains on porcelain? mix 1 cup salt + 1 cup baking soda into a paste. use as a scouring agent.

gunk on copper pots? mix a paste of vinegar + salt. (or a lemon slice and salt) scrub in with a soft toothbrush. rinse away with water. not recommended for laquered pots or decorative details

clean and shine glass and chrome appliances? use clubsoda on a soft cloth. Apparently this has more uses than just cleaning up wine spills

silver cleaner? straight baking soda (i think i need to buy a case of this magic stuff)

clogged drain? mix 1 cup salt + 1 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup vinegar. pour into drain and let sit for 15 min. flush with 2 quarts boiling water for one min.

gunk on iron? sprinkle salt on wax paper or soft cloth. iron right over the salt to clean. if stubborn ick use the baking soda and salt paste.

coffee stains in the pot? fill pot-caraffe-thermos with ice and some salt. swish around for one min and rinse. for tough jobs add lemon wedge (or lemon juice)-

Found in "Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips" by Mary Hunt,

Her book is not entirely focused on the environmental aspect, but more of a money saving standpoint... so its just a bonus that most of the tips save the environment too. Find more tips for reuse/recycling in the garage, garden, kitchen, around the holidays, for the kids and in your beauty bag.

After reading that simple baking soda was such a super cleaning agent i needed to research just how environmental it is.

It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. The salt has many related names such as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, bicarbonate of soda. Colloquially, its name is shortened to sodium bicarb. The word saleratus, from Latin sal æratus meaning "aerated salt". (Wikipedia: Sodium Bicarbonate)

Ancient egyptians used natron as a cleaning agent. Those brilliant egyptians.

Commercial quantities of baking soda are also produced by a similar method: soda ash, mined in the form of the ore trona, is dissolved in water and treated with carbon dioxide. (wikipedia again)

While it seems that the extraction process and mixing to create the brand we purchase today is lengthy, and definately with non-environmental methods there is a company who claims they are "the only provider of naturally-occurring sodium bicarbonate in North America" called Natural Soda. They supply major brands with the soda, yet they dont talk about which brands they are. The Description of their process.

Baking soda or Sodium Bicarboate has also been tested as a carbon sequestration agent to trap carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions in solid form, as one potential tool against global warming (CNet News 2007)

I am both amazed and impressed with Skyonic's developments and environmental efforts. They have reduced emissions by reusing their Co2 the factory creates thus saving the ozone BUT they also save the energy used in extracting the minerals to produce Bicarbonate Soda, and create a cleaner baking soda for commercial and industrial use.

The CEO of Skyonic, David Jones, devised a way to make baking soda out of the carbon dioxide emissions from his factor so 90 percent of carbon dioxide from smoke stacks will be converted into a cleaner than conventional mined mined baking soda. (GreenDaily)

So why havent we heard anything about this... why arent other factories using this technology?