To Spring Clean or Not To Spring Clean?

So, May is over, school is out, and Spring has just about sprung.  And my house still needs a spring clean. Badly.

The mere thought overwhelms me.

Where to start?  Where to end?  Because I know when I get to the "end," the "start" will be trashed again, so I will have to decide when enough is enough.

How high?  How low?

Eye-infection inducing chemicals that may or may not kill my cats or play chemist to make all natural cleaning products?  I hated chemistry in high school but I'm kind of fond of my eyes and my cats, so that's a tough one.  A real tough one.

I went to Pinterest, of course, to search for a starting point.  I will never search Spring Cleaning on Pinterest again.  Information overload!!  There were checklists, recipes, tips, and more checklists.

Massive checklist!

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Chemistry crap.

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A nifty idea.

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A list only fit for over-achievers.

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One idea that I can do!

I'll just sweep it all under the rug while wearing slutty clothes.  Hopefully my husband will be distracted enough he won't notice the house, buying me more time to make a plan.   

Pinned on Clever, Organization, and Furries, Funnies, Feel Goods.

Melissa

21 Unique Smoothies for Summer

If you live in a multi-seasonal area, summer is fast approaching.  If you live in a pleasant all year area, smoldering hot is on its way.  And, by smoldering hot, I don't mean Shemar Moore. (this time)

( Melissa )  

Instead, I mean sweaty boobs, melted makeup, and bugs the size of popcorn balls. I really don't understand the mad love for summer.  To each their own, I guess.

There are only a few things that make my summers more bearable.  First and foremost, central air. Second, no mad dash to the bus stop five mornings a week. Third, the pool in my backyard.  Lastly, fresh fruit, summery treats, and cold drinks.  One of those treats is smoothies.

If I can't have Shemar Moore for the summer, smoothies are the next best thing.

21 Unique Smoothies

CLICK ON GREEN FONT FOR RECIPES

Cherry Vanilla

Pineapple Coconut Banana

Berry Kiwi

Banana Caramel Blueberry

Apple Pie

Apple, Strawberry, Mango

Spinach Banana

Peanut Butter Banana

Mixed Berry Banana with Spinach

Kiwi and Honeydew

Strawberry Banana

Orange Push Up

Green Energy

Watermelon Kiwi

Mango, Strawberry, Banana

Pineapple Crush

Watermelon

Kiwi Mango

Peach

Key Lime Pie

Wild Blueberry Kick-Start

(with ginger and cayenne)

Smoothie Tips

Blending order matters.  Liquid (go easy), frozen fruit, powders, ice, fresh fruit.

Use coconut water or green tea ice cubes for added potassium, magnesium, and electrolytes.  

Add greens.  Kale or spinach are good options.

Unusual add ins - chia seeds (fiber), bee pollen (energy, vit C, protein), cacao (vit C, natural aphrodisiac), maca (endurance, circulation).  

Skip the sugar.  Choose sweet fruits.  If you need extra sweet, use agave, nectar, or stevia.  

Use frozen bananas.  Freeze your over-ripe bananas.

Make-ahead smoothies to freeze.

Not all blenders are created equally.  Vitamix rocks.

VERY GOOD

Vitamix CIA Professional Series Ruby Red Blender

NOT GOOD

Pinned on Yummy Drinks.

If you like your drinks a little more "adult," check out Happy Hour.

Melissa

Five Favorite Finds

1.  Paper Towel Butterflies.  These butterflies are adorable!  You only need white paper towels, food coloring, and pipe cleaners.  Pinned on Kids at Play.

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2.  Grilled Malibu Chicken.  AKA, chicken wrapped in sinfully delicious stuff.  For starters - pineapple, cheese, butter, molasses, and ham.  Pinned on Good Eats.  

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3.  I love this outfit.  White, turquoise, and brown are a killer combo.  And I can even afford everything but the $145 flip flops and $395 sunglasses.  I'm not that fabulous yet.  Pinned on Fashion (if only...).

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4.  I want my master bedroom to look exactly like this.  Pinned on I Love Turquoise.  

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5.  I pinned a lot of desserts since I have talked you last, but I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone.  Desserts make my world go 'round.  This particular dessert, Triple Coconut Cheesecake, tempts my diet.  Big time.  It's mile high in coconut and I'm drowning in drool.   Pinned on Yum, Yum, Gimme Some.

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I hope you enjoy my five favorite finds from this week.  Share your own interesting finds with a comment below.  Happy pinning!

Melissa

Missing In Action

Long time, no blogs, huh?  My very cushy SAHM gig turned into a full-blown WAHM empire over the course of one month. (I exaggerate.)  My head is spinning, my house is a disaster, my brain hurts, and my eyes are only open because I super glued my eyelashes to my eyebrows.

I pinch myself every day.  I'm fairly certain this is just a dream.  Sooner or later, I'm going to wake up and my only concerns for the day will be not damaging my children, hoping there's neat stuff on pinterest, what's for dinner, and deciding between Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, and HGTV.

Until that happens, I must chug along, be grateful for the opportunities I've been entrusted with, and build my confidence while staying grounded.

I would love to share my adventures with you but you'll have to stay tuned.  I want to bless your internets with a long overdue Five Favorite Finds for this week and I only have time for one.  I'm fabulously in demand, remember?  

Melissa