Five Great Uses for Citrus Peels #ItsEasyToBeGreen #greenideas

Five Great Uses for Citrus Peels

We all know that using the zest of citrus fruit can add aroma and flavour to a recipe, 
but they have lots of other uses. 


Here are a few of my favourites:

Make your own citrus scented cleaner: 

• In a large glass jar: 
• Add: the peel and pith (no skin or pulp) of 3-4 oranges, OR 4-6 lemons, OR 4-6 limes, OR 3 grapefruits to 1 litre of white vinegar.
• Leave mixture for minimum of two weeks.
• Strain the peel from concentrated vinegar mixture. Store in fridge until you are ready to use it.
• Pour 50% water and 50% concentrated mixture into a spray bottle.
• Proceed to use your citrus cleaner enjoying the fragrant citrus smell as you clean.
• IDEA: Put into decorative spray bottle, and add a label  and give as a hostess gift.
• (thanks @readyowl for this idea!)

Easy microwave cleaner:

• Place the rinds of 2 oranges in a large microwave safe bowl.
• Cover the rinds with water to the half way mark on the bowl.
• Place in centre of microwave.
• Microwave on high for 5 minutes, or until the water boils and condensation forms on the sides of the microwave.
• Carefully remove the hot bowl of rinds and water.
• Wipe the insides of the microwave using the condensation to clean. 
• Voila! Your microwave should look clean and smell great! 

Easy way to remove stains from the inside of your favourite mug:

• Place a handful of citrus peel into you mug.
• Add boiling water to the mug to just below the top.
• Let mug with mixture sit for an hour or two.
• Pesto! You should have a stain free mug!

Keep cats away from your garden & the sandbox! 

• Cats hate the smell of citrus! Toss fresh orange and lemon rinds around the area you want to cats to stay clear of. Repeat regularly.

Dried orange peels make excellent fireplace kindling and fills the room with a fragrant smell.

• Take peels only (no fresh or pulp) and lie them out flat on a tray to air dry for about 2 days or until completely dried. 
• That is all there is to it. Use the dried peels with other kindling to start a perfect fire. 
• IDEA: Package up dried peels in a decorative box, add a beautiful bow, and you have a perfect hostess gift.

If you have other ideas and uses for citrus peels,
please share with me in the comments section. 
I love your feedback!

For more GREEN ideas check out my 
Recycling and Green Ideas Pinterest Board

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about being green.

Blog Conferences: You Should Go! @BConnectedConf coming in April

You know me, I am all about the informing, sharing and linking. So I thought I would take a minute to share with you an upcoming Blogger conference happening April 2014 in Ottawa. Please note that I am in no way connected (LOL connected to BConnected), or being compensated for this post. I simply felt compelled to share my thoughts with those who care to listen. 

I'm a newbie blogger with so much to learn about all aspects of bloggging. If you can relate, and maybe you hesitate to attend a blogger conference because you think you are not big enough, or experienced enough, then you need to understand, that is exactly the reason why you should attend. Conferences give you access to people, resources, and brands, and a forum in which to ask questions, get advice, and connect with those with experience, expertise, and connections. 

I have only attended one conference (Blissdom) and found the speakers inspirational, and the workshops and sessions extremely informative and fun. More importantly I found the connections and friendships I made to be invaluable both in my personal, and my professional (aka: blogging) life. Meeting so many of my favourite bloggers is real life completely changed my online and social media experience. 

Lately I have been seeing tweets about an impressive list of ambassadors for the conference, giving me one more reason to attend the BConnected Conference. I hope I see you there, and please be sure to find me and say Hi if you decide to go.

FYI - early bird tickets on sale now until Feb 16th, 2014. 

For more information about the upcoming BConnected Conference, here is a link. 
BConnected Conference

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about blogging conferences.

Note: I was was in not way compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Just saw this: 
Ends Feb 10, 2014
GIVEAWAY LINK - Win a Free Ticket to BConnected Conference

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY FEATURE: WORTH THE READ JAN 24, 2014

I read cool informative posts and articles about business, social media, marketing, networking, and the like all the time. I'm a bit of a junkie when it comes to this type of thing. So I thought I would share one said post or article every Friday, and maybe send you into your weekend with some food for thought.

Today I am sharing links to two posts since they are both related to Triberr. Happy Reading! 

Triberr Influencing Marketing via Ron Sela .com

Why you should be on Triberr if you have a website via Three Chickens and a Boat

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Friday Feature: Worth the Read.

TIPS AND IDEAS FROM THE KITCHEN OF CATHY: MEDITERRANEAN WRAP

Today I am sharing with you my version of the oh so popular Mediterranean Wrap. A quick, easy to make, healthy, and budget conscious meal or snack your family will love!

INGREDIENTS:

• Large Wraps
• Hummus
• Feta Cheese
• Italian Style Salad Dressing 
• French's Fried Onions
• Shredded Lettuce
• Diced Tomatoes
• Cubed Cucumber
• Olives (optional)

This wrap couldn't be any easier!

In a bowl mix together the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and salad dressing (go light on the salad dressing so wrap isn't soggy) Spoon hummus onto the wrap. Add the mixed ingredients. Top with fried onions. 

It's a wrap! Mediterranean Wrap that is. 

This is a favourite evening snack and lunch option for my teens! 

Please let me know how you liked it in the comments section. I would love your feedback.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Mediterranean Wraps.

Note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Grow Your #Vocabulary: This post has been brought to you by the Letter B

Three words commonly misspelled or misused.

Bellwether: One that serves as a leader or as a leading indicator of future trends. via The Free Dictionary

Broach: To bring up (a subject) for discussion or debate. To announce. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Brooch: A relatively large decorative pin or clasp via The Free Dictionary

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the letter "B".

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAYS #W2WW This weeks recommendation on what is good to watch! #2

I'm regularly having conversations on social media and in real life with friends and family about what TV shows, or movies are good to watch. So I thought why not share once a week, on Wednesdays (aka #W2WW) the recommendations I have, or one that has been shared with me.  If you have a recommendation please feel free to share them with me in the comments section!

This week Watch Wednesday I am recommending a series I watched on Netflix called:
Luther
(10 episodes/2seasons) 2010, 4/5 stars, 14A
"A dedicated urban detective tries to keep a grip on his personal life while dealing with the psychological factors underlying the crimes he solves."
(via Netflix Canada)
This series is filled with suspense and gripping drama. I highly recommend this series, and only wish there were more than 10 episodes. Note: it is definitely not a series to watch with the kids due to the subject matter
I rated this series 4.5/5 :-) faces. I hope you like it.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post in any way. All opinions are my own, and the purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers.

Grow Your #Vocabulary: This post has been brought to you by the Letter A

Three words commonly misspelled or misused.

Algorithm: A step-by-step problem solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps. via The Free Dictionary

Averse: Having a feeling of opposition, distaste or aversion, strongly decline. via The Free Dictionary

vs

Adverse: Acting or serving to oppose, antagonistic. Contrary to one's interests or welfare, harmful or unfavorable. via The Free Dictionary

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the Letter "A".