The Magical Powers of Vinegar

For a while now, I've been on this ongoing quest to remove products that are toxic, carcinogenic, or otherwise unhealthy from my life. Obviously, in the world we live in now, its near impossible to escape it all, but a few small, easy changes can still be beneficial.

Take common cleaning products, for example. Three of the most common ingredients in household cleaners are bleach, ammonia, and formaldehye. All respiratory irritants, all toxic, some dangerous if combined with other chemicals, some known carcinogens. Sounds like something you want to be breathing in, doesn't it? More about the three most dangerous chemicals under your sink here.

A much safer, more natural, and even cheaper option for plenty of cleaning tasks is an old standby in the kitchen. Plain white vinegar!

Vinegar can be used for so so many uses, from degreasing, deodorizing, preventing mildew, killing mold, laundering, etc, etc, etc. For an awesome, extensive list of some of the best ways to use vinegar, check this article out. I was surprised to see it can remove stickers and labels from surfaces, and get the smell of smoke out of fabric!

I've been using vinegar for cleaning around the house for a few years now. Recently I decided to see if it would work on a really tough job...degreasing and cleaning a really dirty stovetop. Take a look..

This was what I was up against. Old, melted on, burned-up grease. Both vegetable and animal.


For this job, I sprayed the vinegar on at 100% concentration, or non-diluted. Really saturated the entire surface. Then I let it sit for about 15 minutes to give it a chance to soften up the hard stuff. When it was time to come back and use some elbow grease, I used a regular sponge, scrub side. That's all it took. Everything started coming up!


After a bit of work (nothing too difficult, and definitely less trouble then potentially inhaling poisonous cleaners), the job was done and I had a gorgeous white stovetop once again!


Long live a clean, inviting space! Now I want to cook for everyone!! Visions of stir-frys, scrambles, soups and sauces are dancing through my head...let's eat!


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Thanks to The New Homemaker for the links :)

Oatmeal = Winter Wonderful

Brrr!!! It's all of a sudden a bone-chilling winter in the Bay Area, which means rain, rain, rain. I've caught the nasty bug thats going around and haven't really felt it'd be adventageous to venture outside during it all. I need to be well in order to work! So, in between stringing together poetic sentences showcasing my talents as an employee (I'm STILL looking for a job), nursing this cold, and shaking the boredom out of my bones, I've been reaching into the depths of the pantry to rustle up some hot yummy winter meals.

Oatmeal is a staple in most homes, but one that I'd almost forgotten about. It wasn't a favorite of mine as a child, so its one of those meals I had to re-discover as an adult and have consequently grown to love. Some of the things I love about it: its cheap since I buy in unpackaged bulk, its EASY to cook, its good for you, and its so versatile!! This morning was gray, rainy, cold...and definitely an oatmeal morning.

Sprouted Buckwheaties Oatmeal (with goodies on top!)

The measurements and recipe are so easy, and easily tweakable.
Today I used:
2/3 cup WHOLE oatmeal (not instant) and "buckwheaties" mix. The mix was about 3 parts oatmeal to 1 part buckwheat.
1 1/5 cups water (you can also throw in some soy/hemp/almond/whatever milk)

Bring water to a slight boil, simmer grains for about 5-7 minutes.
Turn off heat, cover, let sit for 3-5 mins until water is absorbed. Makes one giant helping or two decent helpings.

Thats it! And here we have our blank canvas to work off of. Some organic maple syrup, crushed raw almonds, and dried cranberries made it delish and hearty morning meal!


Now, what in the world is a "Buckwheatie"?? A sprouted, dehydrated buckwheat "grain" (its actually closer to a fruit seed, and gluten free.)A little about the health benefits of buckwheat here. I borrowed the term from Juliano's Raw: The Uncook Book. I re-cooked them here, but if left raw, you can use them sprinkled on your fave faux-gurt, in salads, in raw bread alternatives, etc, etc, etc. Sprouting at home is one of the easiest, lazy chef things to do, as well as dehydrating if you have the proper equiptment. It will also unlock different health benefits you wouldn't find in unsprouted groats.
Sprouting Buckwheat Groats.
I made a gigantic batch probably months ago and have had them pantried ever since.


Speaking of dehydrating, one of my favorite things to add to my tea press-pot is dehydrated fruit! I've been on a blueberry and strawberry kick lately. Adding them to my green tea as its steeping adds just that much more flavor and antioxidant kick. I'm convinced the combo is helping to kick this cold out of my body!


Now bring on the day!

Breanna who?

I've learned a lot in the past few months. Quite a lot. There is more to this world than I'll ever be able to digest....but I've got my appetite back.

Motivation is a funny thing for me, as its something I desperately want, yet is all too often held just out of my grasp by the other things going on in my head.

The cycle is swinging back toward "get something done" time. I'm in. This blog will have a proper re-birth soon.

I miss you already...

I love you bubby.. you're in a better place now...

my little Pickle head..

Starting Over!

Good Morning world!
AFter about two months in my 4th floor Oakland apartment, I've finally got the motivation to get rolling on a few projects. When I was in the warehouse, I got to experiment with all sorts of stuff, such as vermicomposting, outdoor compost pile, drying foods, refinishing furniture, remodeling, etc. etc. etc., lots of things that were easier to do when you had a TON of space.

Now, though, I'm back to having a mini kitchen, and kind of an overall feeling of compactness that comes with an apartment. I won't let it get the best of me!

I've always considered myself an excellent suitcase packer. Maximum efficiency with minumum space. I think I'll apply that same philosophy with this new apartment, and really look at how I can best utilize the spaces around me for the goals I want to reach.

Some Ideas:
- Getting the worm bin up here, they're still kicking ass!
- Working with my neighbor to string up a clothes-drying line
- Growing food on my super sunny balcony
- Getting my sewing machine up and running and really dedicating a space for it!
- using the vertical space in the kitchen for getting things up off the countertops, for more cooking, juicing, canning, baking, sharing!

This is just a start, but I'm excited and will update regularly on this small-space homesteading makeover.

Finally got my jarred dry goods up here!