Facebook bullying

Our little baby girl recently turned five months, and whilst it's taken some adjustment, I love being a mum. When I was pregnant I joined a few Facebook groups, as we don't know anyone in our area and most of the friends we had within an hours driving distance have also moved. I thought this would be a great way to meet other mums.

But, oh, how I was wrong!! Years ago, when I'd move to a new town, you could jump online to meet some people and within a couple weeks you'd have friends to chill with that had similar interests. Now however it seems like the internet has become a platform solely for bullying people that don't 100% have your views.

I have since deleted myself from the vast majority of these groups. Even just agreeing with someone else's opinions can bring you a swarm of abuse. Why do people think this is an ok thing to do? Sadly, the more I think about it, the sadder I get about the life my children will have.

When I grew up, I got bullied in school and I got bullied by neighbours.. But, at least I could feel safe from the cat calling in my home. However, this can no longer be said and it stresses me no end that my children won't have that.

What are your thoughts on cyber bullying? Do you think Facebook is leading this horrible trend?

Chalkboard Freezer

This is my solution to two insignificant problems that were annoying me. The first problem was we had an old rusty chest freezer that was given to us, and for space and convenience is situated outside. Calling it an eyesore is definitely an understatement (I really wish I'd taken a before photo!)

The second problem was more of a wish. When I was a little girl, my grandparents painted part of their backyard fence with a massive chalkboard. I absolutely loved it!! However, the only spot in our yard that suited this was also the best and easiest spot for my veggie garden (more on that another time) 

So... What is a girl to do? Paint that ugly freezer with chalkboard paint!!

It was such a simple and easy process. First I thoroughly cleaned the chest freezer down. Then I found an old pot of blue chalkboard I bought from Spotlight ages ago for a different project. The blue would certainly not work with the freezers surrounds, so I got some of my green and gold acrylic paints to mix a more 'organic' colouring.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the finished project. It goes perfectly with the work we're doing outside, we want to actually keep the old freezer now, and even better we have an extremely low cost fun activity for our children to play with when their older.

With hugs,
Chantal

What you missed from Facebook...

Hello!!

I hardly ever use my desktop computer anymore, it is really only used for study, accounting/tax, and personal budgeting. As such, I haven't really been updating the blog - oops! However, I believe I have finally got blogger to work on my phone, so expect the posts to be more frequent from now on!

In the meantime, I have been able to post to Facebook to my hearts content, and here is what you may have missed from my page:

• delicious and possibly Halloween appropriate Jaffa Pinwheels
  
• My Vodka beauty tip
  
• a quick and simply easy detox
  
• My yummy Beetroot relish, perfect on a ham sandwich
  
• a healthy daily lunch wrap
  
• wanting an alcohol-free, tasty wine replacement? Try my juice concoction
  
• some more sweets, like this Choc Coconut biscuits
  

    

With Love,

Chantal

Spring Clean #1

It's that time of year again... the old spring clean! I both loathe and look forward to spring cleaning time. On one hand, it's a darn dirty job, but on the other I know that once it's done the house is shiny clean! I set myself one room per week (sometimes two, if they are tiny rooms), which takes up my entire spring. So far, I have finished our kitchen and one of our lounge rooms. I looooove to see all of my Tupperware all sorted, stacked, and organised!!

Not long before Violet was born (it's amazing how fast time flies.. it's been over three months already!), I decided to minimize the amount of chemicals in our home. The first, and easiest, step to do this was to change our general house cleaners. Now, all I need for general day to day use is two sprays that I have made, along with gumption (I don't know if I'll ever be able to give that baby up), and bleach.

The first spray is made up of 1 tablespoon of Bicarbonate Soda, 5 drops Lemongrass Oil, 3 drops Tea Tree Oil, and then filled with water. I shake this thoroughly before each use. This is a great cleaner, I use it for a multitude of purposes, including floor scrubbing, on furniture to stop the dogs from peeing, oven cleaner, rust, mold, and anything really, really sticky. This mix of oils is a bit of a bug repellent too, however the Bicarbonate soda can leave a residue behind, so I use my other spray afterwards quite frequently. Oh, and don't use it on your coloured home walls as it can cause fading.

My second homemade spray is made up of 1 cup white vinegar, 1 shot vodka (rubbing alcohol is preferable, I just like to use up my clear spirits that I don't want to drink anymore), 4 drops orange oil, and then fill with water. This is my "quick clean" spray, used for benches, tables and even streak free windows! A bonus of the orange oil is that it is a natural deodorizer, so if you accidentally spill milk in your car - this will remove that stenchy odour that seems to always linger for days (I seem to always spill milk if I have it in our car).

What cleaning products have you made for cheap at home that you have found work as well, if not better, than the chemical versions found in shops?

Love and care,

Chantal

In The Kitchen... Ginger Beer

I recently decided to start saving money, and my health, by making as many things at home as I possible can instead of purchasing them. This is no easy task, as I have always been completely useless in the kitchen. In fact, DH has always had to do any of the cooking in our household... and I appreciate it immensely! But now that we have little miss in the house, I thought it was time I step up to the plate and contribute in the kitchen. From now on, any meals, baking, beverages, or just anything in general, that I find easy to do - I shall share with you!!

I have started with a simple to make, refreshing and one of my all-time favourite beverages, Ginger Beer. It is simply superb on a hot summer day. This recipe will make a 1L – 1.25L bottle of Ginger Beer (depends on the bottle you use). Also, I encourage you to play around with it as we all different taste buds!!

Ingredients / You Will Need:

-  1 cup finely grated or chopped ginger

-  2 lemons juiced

-  1 cup hot water

-  1 teaspoon brewer’s yeast

-  ½ cup raw sugar

-  1 plastic bottle

-  Jug room temp water

-  Glass bottle / jug

-  Cheesecloth

Process:

1.       Pour the sugar in bottle, along with the hot water to dissolve.

2.       Add grated ginger, and lemon juice to bottle.

3.       Shake vigorously, and then leave to sit for approximately 1 hour.

4.       Add brewer’s yeast, and then fill the bottle with room temp water – ensuring to leave enough space at the top (I generally stop when the top starts to get small again)

5.       Shake bottle to mix up ingredients.

6.       Leave to sit for 24 – 48 hours. The longer you leave it the more intense the flavouring will be.

7.       Pour contents into your desired bottle/jug, using your cheesecloth to sift as you pour.

8.       Pop this bottle/jug in the fridge to cool.

9.       Serve with ice.

10.   Enjoy your refreshing hard work!!

Kind regards,

Chantal xx