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Mike

Homemade Ginger Ale (Contains Alcohol)

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You'll need:
--1c sugar (or less)
--Champagne yeast
--small piece of ginger root
--a lemon
--a grater (microplane or fine holes) or food processor/chopper
--an empty 2L plastic (important) bottle
--around 2L of fresh water

Peel and finely grate a small piece of ginger. How much is up to you; it depends on how strong you want the final ginger ale to be. Try 1T or so in the beginning, and if you want it stronger, add another half tablespoon; weaker, add less.

Add a full lemon's worth of juice to this. If, like me, you don't have a juicer, roll the lemon between your hand and a hard surface a few times; this will help you get the juice out more quickly once it's cut. 

 To the empty 2L bottle, add:
--1c sugar (Again, taste comes into play. I like it less sweet, so I add ~ 3/4c. You may wish to add more or less depending on your personal taste. Add a full cup the first time you make it, and go from there).
--1/4 tsp yeast
--lemon juice
--grated ginger

Fill your 2L bottle to an inch or two below the top with fresh water. Screw the cap on tightly, and shake until everything is dispersed. Be certain to flush the sugar from the nooks at the bottom of the bottle.

Once you're finished, place the bottle in a warm-ish place (fridge, towards the back) and let it steep. Check on it every few hours by squeezing the bottle. When you can no longer push in on the bottle (i.e., it's become pressurized), take the bottle and put it in the fridge. This will slow down the fermentation and keep things from exploding. It never takes more than a day or so, but depending on how you vary the ingredients, things may take a little longer.

 Mike

Salt Water Battery

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Mike

Earth Battery Cell

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Mike

Recipe: Speedy Homemade Salsa

Yields: 1 1/3 cups
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients

Fresh

1 (14.5 ounce) can whole
peeled tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
In a food processor, combine all ingredients; cover and process until chunky. Transfer to a small bowl.

and Speedy

Notes:
When cutting or seeding hot peppers, use rubber or plastic gloves to protect your hands. Avoid touching your face.

Salsa

Alterations:

Toss in a few diced tomatoes or some extra garlic.
Have fun with it, see what you come up with!

Serves 4,

34 Calories per Serving

Babel

Recipe: Baked Russet Potato Chips

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. russet potatoes, cleaned and sliced into 1/8" slices 
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes together with the olive oil and salt. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a large baking pan, coated with cooking spray.
2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chips are crunchy, but watch to see that the potatoes do not brown. Allow to cool completely.

Serves 4, 107 Calories per Serving

Pair with one of these yummy homemade ketchup (catsup) recipes or another condiment of your liking.



Babel

Superb Corset Instructional a la Steampunk!

a la steampunk

A brilliant Instructable on crafting a corset!

Happy Vernal Equinox, 

Babel

Revisiting: Two Ingredient Ice Cream - No Machine Required

Two (or, possibly three) Ingredient Ice Cream

Prep: 10 minutes Freeze: 6 hours
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of honey
2 1/2 cups of cream (35% fat)

Alterations: Add a teaspoon of vanilla (to the whipped cream portion) & just a tiny bit of grated vanilla bean (to the honey and cream portion) for a boost of flavor. 

Directions:

1. Whip 1.5 cups of whipping cream (plus 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, if desired) until it forms stiff peaks, refrigerate.

2. Heat honey on low heat until it is very runny and add the remaining 1 cup of cream. Stir together until well blended (and grate in a tiny bit of vanilla bean, if you like). Allow to cool to room temperature.

3. Add cooled honey/cream mixture to the whipped cream. Whisk until well blended.

4. Freeze approximately 6 hours until the mixture is the consistency of ice cream. If time permits, periodically whisk the mixture during freezing to produce a creamier texture.

Serve with the topping of your choice & enjoy!

Making progress, keep whipping

Add 1.5 cups cream, note texture pre-whipping

There's our peaks...refrigerate

Warm honey on low

Mix in remaining cup of cream

Pitch (add) cooled honey mixture to whipped cream.

Here's what happens if the mixture is added when warm (it still tasted yummy!)

Whisk well

For a creamier texture, whisk periodically throughout the 6 hour freeze.

Babel,
Self proclaimed ice cream connoisseur

Reusing Wire Hangers

From Northwest Edible Life

"If you or a housemate work off the farm at one of those jobs that require clean, starched shirts, you probably have a lot of dry-cleaner's wire hangers kicking around the house. We return our wire hangers to our dry cleaners for re-use (better for the earth and helpful to the small business owners who run our laundromat) and they can also be recycled. Some people haven't gotten the message, though, because 3.5 billion (with a B!) of these hangers get tossed into landfills every year. That's a lot of coated wire floating around."

From Lifehacker

A few more garden-related uses for your wire hangers:

• Make a simple wind chime or bird repellent by tying shells, bits of sea glass, or old silverware to the straight edge of the hanger, and hang it from a tree or awning as a decoration or in a garden bed (especially one in which you have corn or berries planted) to frighten birds away.
• Straighten the hooked end of the wire hanger, then use pliers to shape the wire hanger into whichever shape you prefer. Stick the straightened end into a pot, and you have a great, free topiary form to grow ivy or other climbing plants on.
• Use them to make plant labels for your vegetable garden.

Mike

DIY Cell Phone Car Mount

I can never find my cell phone when I'm in my car.
If you are constantly digging through your purse, pockets, car...it may be safer to build yourself a cell phone mount for your car. It's super easy and you'll probably have all the supplies around your home or office. A simple how-to guide can be found at Lifehacker.

Now, just remember to set your phone in the mount/stand and the next time it rings, you'll know where to find it!


Babel and Mike

How to Make Dishwasher Detergent

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

You'll Need:
1 Cup of Borax
1 Cup of Washing Soda (Baking Soda may be substituted)
Lidded Jar, for storage


Directions:
Combine the Borax and Washing Soda in your jar. Secure the lid and shake until well-mixed.  Place 2 teaspoons of your home made detergent into your dishwasher's  detergent compartment.
Optional: Use straight vinegar as your rinsing agent; (we do.)

And, if you prefer a liquid dishwasher deterget...

You'll Need:
Borax
Baking Soda
Water
Lemon or Orange Essential Oil (optional)
A Lidded Jug


Directions:
Combine equal parts of the Borax, Baking Soda, and Water in your jug. If you like, add a drop of lemon or orange essential oil per cup of home made detergent. Place 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent into your dishwasher's detergent compartment.
Optional: Use straight vinegar as your rinsing agent.


For variations and additional information, visit TipNut.

Babel

Build a Stone Bath Mat

                  Image gallery on constructing this really cool natural bath mat.



 Mike

Upcycle a Loofah into a Shower Caddy

   Make a shower bottle holder; instructions found here.

Mike

Revisiting: 100 Percent Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread Recipe

Has your wheat bread been too hearty? Perhaps a little dry and not quite as soft as you'd hoped? Try sifting the flour, you'll be pleasantly surprised. 

Just look at the difference... (A loaf that was prepared with non-sifted flour can be found at the end of this post.)

Whole Wheat Bread- Sifted Flour

100 Percent Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
Makes three 1 1/2 pound loaves

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of granulated yeast (1 1/2 packets)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 5 tablespoons, plus extra for greasing pan, oil (of neutral flavor)
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
• 6 2/3 cups whole wheat flour, sifted
  

  Directions

  Mix the yeast, salt, honey, oil, milk and water in a large bowl (at least 5 quarts.)
  Mix in the flour.
  Cover loosely and allow to rest at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours (until the dough rises and collapses.)
  The dough can be used immediately after the initial rise, though it is easier to maneuver when cold. Refrigerate in a lidded (but not airtight) container and use over the next several days.
  
  
  On baking day, lightly grease a 9x4x3 inch loaf pan.
  With wet hands, gather about a cantaloupe sized portion of dough.
  Quickly shape the dough into a ball by gently  stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on 4 sides, rotating the ball a  quarter turn after your fold so that the bottom forms four bunched ends.
  Drop the loaf into your prepared pan, it should be just over half full.
  Allow the dough to rest for 40 minutes.
  Flour the top and slash with the tip of a serrated bread knife.

  
  Ten minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 350F and place an empty boiler tray on the bottom shelf.
  Set the loaf pan in the center of the oven. 
  Quickly pour 1 cup of (at least) warm water into the boiler tray and immediately close the door. (You'll hear some neat fizzling, but no worries.)
  Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until deeply browned and firm.
  Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing.
   
  
  

  

  Whole Wheat Bread- Non-Sifted Flour

  
  

Alterations:
Add in raisins, walnuts, flax seeds, or whatever your heart desires; just let me know how you make out.

Recipe thanks to Mother Earth News.

Babel

Homemade Vegetable Oil Lamp

Click here to learn how to make this simple lamp from household items.
I'm about to go make one myself.


Mike

Counter Top All-Grain Brewing - Make your own beer!

This is very cool, brew your own beer from grains:

Mike

How to Make Your Own Incense

Save money by harvesting your own plant resins, herbs, and wood to create your own incense.

Heres a quick tutorial on making cone incense out of honey, dry herbs, wood, and resin.






Links

Incense Ingredients by Emotional Attributes

Incense Resins, Woods & Herbs A-Z


Mike

Homemade Peanut Butter

• 3 cups of roasted shelled unsalted peanuts

• Mix with a blender to get a creamy peanut butter or mash by hand to make crunchy.

Doing it this way saved me $ .50 a jar. Its 100% natural with no salt added.

Mike

Build a Solar Powered Charger for $4

I found this project over at lifehacker. It's basically a small 2 cell solar panel, which may help you understand how solar power works. This one might be able to charge a battery with over a full day's worth of sun.

According to a user(JoshuaZimmerman) at Instructables

"You'll need 15-20 hours of peak power to charge 2 AA fully"

For more info go here.



Mike

Recipe: 100 Percent Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

100 Percent Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
Makes three 1 1/2 pound loaves

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of granulated yeast (1 1/2 packets)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 5 tablespoons, plus extra for greasing pan, oil (of neutral flavor)
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
• 6 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
  

  Directions

  Mix the yeast, salt, honey, oil, milk and water in a large bowl (at least 5 quarts.)
  Mix in the flour.
  Cover loosely and allow to rest at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours (until the dough rises and collapses.)
  The dough can be used immediately after the initial rise, though it is easier to maneuver when cold. Refrigerate in a lidded (but not airtight) container and use over the next several days.
  
  

  
  On baking day, lightly grease a 9x4x3 inch loaf pan.
  With wet hands, gather about a cantaloupe sized portion of dough.
  Quickly shape the dough into a ball by gently  stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on 4 sides, rotating the ball a  quarter turn after your fold so that the bottom forms four bunched ends.
  Drop the loaf into your prepared pan, it should be just over half full.
  Allow the dough to rest for 40 minutes.
  Flour the top and slash with the tip of a serrated bread knife.

  
  Ten minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 350F and place an empty boiler tray on the bottom shelf.
  Set the loaf pan in the center of the oven. 
  Quickly pour 1 cup of (at least) warm water into the boiler tray and immediately close the door. (You'll hear some neat fizzling, but no worries.)
  Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until deeply browned and firm.
  Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing.
   
  
  

Alterations:
Add in raisins, walnuts, flax seeds, or whatever your heart desires; just let me know how you make out.

Recipe thanks to Mother Earth News.

Babel