Favorite posts for this Friday

I know, last week I was late some how losing track of the days, and this week I’m early. Well, just a couple hours early,  I have a really good reason!! I am having an overnight guest (a sweet 4 year old who needed some grandma time)  and won’t be able to give the time needed to this post tomorrow.

Just a reminder:  I created Friday’s favorite posts for everyone.  Feel free to share an article you wrote or one you found and would like to share in the comments section.

First up: Couple of recipes for you

I know I never do recipes as I would rather not cook, but these are just too good to let pass.

• While I’m just learning to eat Kale and it’s not my favorite, this Kale and Risotto sounds good, but it’s the Wild Plum Crumble I can’t wait to try.
• I am addicted to smoothies and Almond Bliss is something I couldn’t pass up.

Building your blog

• Wendy at Searching For the Happiness is offering a way to get more exposure for your blog.  The one thing I love about the blogging community is the way everyone is so helpful.  Check out Wendy’s blog and maybe you can return the favor to her one day.

Finding comfort

• Little eco footprints asks if you need a good edit in your life.
• A frugal spinster shows what not being a consumer can look like from this one item.
• Any men reading may want to skip this one, but this tutorial is so easy I just had to share.  Quit buying disposable pantiliners and make your own, or shop the Etsy store link included in the post.
• We all know that being separated from others leads to depression.  Daisey Jayne found getting out of the house can reunite you with people you  haven’t seen in a while, sparking a new relationship around a favorite hobby.
• If my home is a mess I can’t be comfortable. So when I saw this idea to hide cords, which I hate, I wanted to share it with you.
• I always look forward to Live and Learns weekly second look.  Are you tired of the snow, this could be just the reminder that it will be gone at some point.
• What could be better than knowing you can save money around the home by doing it yourself?  Don’t think you can?  Practicing Frugal shows you that with a little help from a link she shares you too can repair your own appliances.

Crafts and Upcycling

• Want a free project for your children?  This is one I plan to do tonight with my grand daughter thanks to Green Dragonfly.
• Don’t know what to do with those twist ties?  Trash Backwards will show you.
• I love toilet paper roll crafts. A Ponytail Kind of Day has several projects here that would trick anyone into thinking you paid good money for your art pieces.
• Here is a wonderful gift idea from Creative Savv, who shares a tutorial on how to make compostable or disposable tea bags.

Environmental and Health Issues

• Annienygma shared a post that really shocked and saddened me, how would you like to open your holiday decorations to find a letter begging you for help as they were being forced into labor to make your decorations?  Check out Annie’s blog here, and the entire story here.
• Do you know the vast majority of crib mattresses are toxic for your baby.  More information can be found here
• So you  have changed all your cleaning products to non toxic ones, you feel pretty good, but wait, what about your shower head.  You could be poisoning yourself by taking a shower.

And finally a couple to make you think

• 100 ways to save on your food bill by Frugal Trenches
• I was introduced to two TED talks I hadn’t previously seen before by Frugal Queen.  Both relate to finding your way in life and knowing what is your “enough” or balance between work and family.  Check them out here.
• Raising children is hard, we hope we set the right examples.  Here’s an important lesson for our children to learn on creating their own happiness.
• There are benefits to getting older, we can see things differently than we did when we were younger.  Check out Empty Nest and see what you think.