Substance of Living

Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil I remember years ago, and I'm talking almost 20 years now, a co-worker friend of mine introduced me to Tea Tree Oil.  It's been so long that I don't remember which brand she used, and suppose that doesn't really matter.  What does matter is that she had been using it for a long time.  She used it to treat all kinds of skin problems including acne.  She also used it as a cleanser around her house. To my uneducated thought process, I couldn't fathom using an oil to clean anything in my house except maybe to condition my wood. Fast forward to 2014 and here I am ordering Tea Tree Oil from Amazon and loving it.  Besides the pureness of this product, it was really quite gentle on my skin.  It is recommended that another oil, such as coconut oil, be used if trying on your skin for the first time. Upon ordering my Apothecary Tea Tree Oil , they also sent me a recipe / use type booklet via email in PDF format. Bes...

I'm beyond excited to introduce you to what I'm calling "The newest sensation in eating gluten free" !  You can now sign up to receive a box in the mail each month packed full of gluten-free items from Send Me Gluten Free .    This is what my box looked like this much.  In addition to some full-size items, there were samples of tea, sweets, energy bars, lip balm, and coupons galore.  After your box arrives, you'll also receive an email with links to each of the products and if you complete a quick survey they'll send you additional discounts or coupons. Another email will come giving you recipes and ideas of how to use the items in the box.  For example, this month there was Sevierly Good: Garlic Bread , TeeChia: Blueberry Date Quickbread , and other recipes . Close up of Items in the August 2014 box. Close up of Items in the August 2014 box. Close up of Items in the August 2014 box. I don't know if I'm actually supposed to co...

Are your eyes ever bigger than your stomach when it comes to food?  Mine are all the time and now my brain thought I was up for a challenge - beyond something I've ever done!  I've pledged (unofficially) to not purchase home decor or ready-made clothing this year.  When I talk about home decor, if it is something that can be sewn then it will not be purchased but made.  Purchasing fabric is permissible. This isn't a new idea and you've probably seen recycling , upcycling, refashioning , and other descriptions of such around the internet and in the book stores for some time now.  Since DH and I moved, we've been downsizing and a lot of the items were donated but now we're to the point that we are into the soft items.  Items that are still in really good shape but no longer wearable for whatever reason.  We don't want to pass along a top if there is a hole in the knit or a stain - so I'm reusing the material to make other things. A challenge, that...

What do you think of the name "The Traveler" for a drink?  When I made this the other night, it made me feel a bit like a big city dweller at the same time a world sea traveler. The two drinks that I chose to combine for The Traveler are the Cosmopolitan (more widely known as the Cosmo) and the Salty Dog. Ingredients 1/2 oz. Triple Sec 1 1/2 oz. Vodka Grapefruit Juice Splash of Lemon Lime Soda * Garnish with a sugared rim or a wedge of orange dipped in colored sugar. Directions In a shaker add ice, vodka, triple sec, and grapefruit juice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled margarita or martini glass. Add a splash of lemon/lime soda. Garnish. Note To garnish the rim of a glass, lightly dip the top of the glass in water, juice or rub a piece of fruit or rind around the edge of the glass top. After wetting the glass top, rub in salt/sugar/cinnamon/or any other garnish. We wanted to see how the taste and look would alter so we added a...

When you and your family head out for vacation this year, don't leave your household budget at home.  The price of rest and relaxation ought to be priceless but in more cases than not are quite expensive. Add up all your cost: transportation, accommodations, sightseeing, souvenirs, food, attractions -- you might be tempted to cancel the trip altogether. Alas - you can still enjoy your vacation, family, and stay within budget by following these simple tips. Be Flexible Travel during "Shoulder Season" (Not during peak season or off season) April - May or Mid-August - October Choose alternative dates or days of the week to travel Try Vacation Packages or All-Inclusive Packages   Eat for Free (or nearly free) Many restaurants offer a free child's meal for each paying adult.  There may be restrictions such as two children maximum or might only be available on certain days. If you do eat out, lunch might be your best time.  The prices are reasonable a...

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.  Lilly Lilly, whom you may have seen around here and here, is our unofficial Substance of Living mascot.  I mention Lilly and not the other kitties because she has to take medicine on a daily basis.  Lilly has, what I've been able to understand, feline equivalent to human lupus. The type of illness that Lilly has is one that her body has for some reason become allergic to the enamel on her teeth.  She has had some of her teeth pulled but the rest are in such good shape that the consensus is to not pull them but to manage the inflammation and pain for the time being. Lilly has to take Prednisolone on a daily basis.  Sometimes, depending on her stress level or allergens in the air, she may have to take more than one pill a day and other times she gets to skip a day.  She gets a break twice a year when she is allowed a steroid shot that is really strong.  The shot is nice...

Black Pirate If you're over 21 years of age (that's the legal drinking age in the United States), this is a drink you'll enjoy during the cold weather.  It's also a nice drink over ice to stay cool in the summer heat. You may be aware of a drink called a Black Jamaican or My Maria that has Myer's Rum and Tia Maria.  This Black Pirate is our version. Can you see yourself serving up this nice drink at a fall or Halloween party?  The name alone makes me think of a movie screening party, pirate party, or a fun night of adult mischief including a scavenger hunt. Like most things, creation is born from necessity.  Well, it wasn't necessary that DH and I have a drink, but it does coincide with our game of choosing something new to try on a regular basis.  Anywhoo! We wanted to make a Black Jamaican but didn't have Myer's Rum and certainly didn't have Tia Maria.  I mean, do you?  But like many people, we did have some rum - which happened to ...