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Making your own hand soap is a straightforward process and allows you to customize the scent and ingredients to your liking. Learn how to make your own liquid hand soap at home using castile soap and essential oils. Ingredients: 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap (unscented or scented, depending on preference) 3/4 cup distilled water 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional, adds moisture) 10-15 drops of essential oil (e.g., lavender, tea tree, lemon) for fragrance (optional) Instructions: 1.     In a clean container, preferably a soap dispenser bottle, combine the liquid Castile soap and distilled water. 2.     If you're including vegetable glycerin for added moisture, add it to the mixture and stir gently to combine. 3.     Add your chosen essential oil(s) drop by drop until you reach your desired scent strength. Stir well to ensure the oil is evenly dispersed throughout the mixture. 4.     Close the container securely and shake gently to thoroughly blend all the ingredients. 5.     Your homemade Castile hand soap is now ready for use! Pump or pour a small amount onto your hands, lather with water, and rinse thoroughly. 6.     Store the hand soap in a cool, dark place when not in use. Remember to shake the bottle before each use to ensure the ingredients are well mixed. Note: You can adjust the ingredients according to your preferences. If you have sensitive skin, consider skipping the essential oils or selecting gentle options like lavender or chamomile. Always perform a patch test before using any new product, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities. Enjoy your homemade Castile hand soap!

Making your own body wash is simple and allows you to customize the scent and ingredients to your preference. This homemade body wash recipe is super simple, moisturizing, and inexpensive to make. All you need are a few ingredients and a couple of minutes of time to make it. Ingredients: 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap (unscented or scented, depending on your preference) 1/4 cup distilled water 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin (optional, adds moisture) 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil (optional, adds extra moisturizing properties) 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil (e.g., lavender, peppermint, tea tree) for fragrance (optional) Instructions: In a clean container, preferably a bottle with a pump or squeeze top, combine the liquid Castile soap and distilled water. If you're adding vegetable glycerin and/or oil for extra moisture, add them to the mixture and gently stir to combine. Add your chosen essential oil(s) drop by drop until you reach your desired fragrance strength. Stir well to distribute the oil evenly throughout the mixture. Close the container tightly and shake gently to ensure all ingredients are well mixed. Your Castile body wash is now ready to use! Pump or pour a small amount onto a washcloth, loofah, or directly onto your hands, and lather onto your body. Rinse thoroughly with water. Store your homemade body wash in a cool, dark place when not in use. Shake before each use to ensure the ingredients are properly mixed. Note: Feel free to adjust the ingredients according to your preferences. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip the essential oils or choose gentle options like lavender or chamomile. Additionally, always do a patch test before using any new product, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities. Enjoy your homemade Castile body wash!

Shish kabobs are popular at barbecues and outdoor gatherings due to their ease of preparation and the ability to customize them to suit different tastes. They're also a great option for those looking for a flavorful and healthy meal. This shish kabob recipe features tender marinated beef and vegetables, all skewered together and grilled to perfection. It's delicious served it with rice, flatbread, or salad, and is wonderful accompanied by tzatziki or tahini. SHISH KABOB FLAVOR VARIATIONS One reason shish kabobs are so much fun is that you can put practically anything on the skewers. Here are some fun variations you can try. Meat: Try bite sized pieces of chicken breasts or chicken thighs, pork tenderloin cubes or medium sized shrimp instead of the beef. Vegetarian: For a vegetarian option, you can use cubes of extra firm tofu. Veggies: Feel free to add different vegetables to your skewers such as mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash or cherry tomatoes. You can even add fruit like pineapple for a tropical twist! Spicy: For spicy kabobs, add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the marinade. Servings: 6 Ingredients: For the marinade 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon onion powder For the kabobs 2 pounds lean steak such as sirloin or New York strip, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 large red onion or sweet onion cut into 1 inch pieces 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces 1 green bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Instructions Place all the marinade ingredients in a bowl or in a resealable gallon sized freezer bag. Mix to combine. Add steak pieces to the marinade. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Season the onions and peppers with salt and pepper to taste. Thread the beef, peppers and onions onto skewers. Heat a grill or indoor grill pan to medium high heat. Place the kabobs onto the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve. Broiler directions: Prepare the skewers as directed and place on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray. Broil for 4-5 minutes per side. Continue with the recipe as directed. Notes You can use wood (bamboo) or metal skewers. I like to use metal skewers because they don’t bend or break. If you use bamboo skewers, make sure to soak the skewers for 30 minutes in cold water so that they don’t burn on the grill. You want your veggies to be about the same size as your meat so that everything touches the grill. The longer you marinate the meat, the more flavorful the end product will be. You can leave the steak in the marinade for up to 24 hours. This recipe has been reposted for Dinner at the Zoo

The best dishes are the simple ones like this Arugula Salad. This salad achieves an elegant flavor with just a few simple ingredients. You may want to serve this salad as a first course or pair it with grilled steak, grilled chicken, or a thin crust pizza. Ingredients Salad 5 oz. baby arugula (full grown works too) 2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted 1/2 cup dried cranberries (sweetened variety) 1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano (1.5 oz) Dressing 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp honey Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Instructions Make the dressing: In a small mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey and season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill for 15 minutes if time allows. Slightly soften the dried cranberries in a bowl by covering with hot water. Let them sit for about 1 minute and the strain. To assemble salad: Toss the arugula with about 2/3 of the dressing then on a serving platter or individual salad plates layer half the arugula, half the almonds, half the cranberries and half the parmesan. Repeat layering then drizzle with remaining 1/3 of the dressing. Serve right away. Chef's Notes: 1. Run a vegetable peeler along one of the flat sides of the Parmigiano-Reggiano to create about 1/2 cup cheese shavings 2. Use a canning jar instead of a bowl to make your salad dressing. 3. Added sliced apples to the salad instead of the dried cranberries or cherries 4. Substitute a good quality Balsamic vinegar in place of the lemon juice and honey 5. Experiment with other nuts like pistachios or walnuts

This Old Fashioned English Pea Salad is a classic Southern side dish that is ready in 20-minutes! Tender sweet peas nestled in a tangy mayonnaise sauce with bites of cheddar cheese and red onion - and the beauty of this easy recipe is that there's no cooking involved! Ingredients Makes 4 Cups 12 oz frozen sweet peas , thawed ⅓ cup mayonnaise ⅓ cup sour cream 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar ¼ cup red onion chopped ¾ cups cheddar cheese cubed salt and pepper, to taste Instructions Rinse, drain and thaw frozen sweet peas Add peas, cheese and onion to a large bowl Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and vinegar in a small bowl; fold this mixture into the peas Taste for salt and pepper Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes When ready to serve, let the salad sit out a few minutes; stir and serve Notes Variations: Feel free to add any of the following to your salad: Add one chopped boiled egg or cooked bacon crumbles Drained pimento slices Finely chopped red bell pepper Finely chopped celery Serve slightly chilled This recipe is adapted from Smarty Pants Kitchen

The free Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology uses AI technology to identify bird species by their sounds, displaying in real time a list and photos of the birds that are singing or calling. Merlin features the best of community contributed photos, songs, and calls, tips from experts around the world to help you ID the birds you see, and range maps from Birds of the World—all powered by billions of bird observations submitted to eBird. Identify Bird Songs and Calls Sound ID listens to the birds around you and shows real-time suggestions for who’s singing. Compare your recording to the songs and calls in Merlin to confirm what you heard. Sound ID works completely offline, so you can identify birds you hear no matter where you are. Available for birds in the US, Canada, Europe, with some common birds of Central and South America, and India. More species and regions coming soon. Identify Birds in a Photo Snap a photo of a bird, or pull one in from your camera roll, and Photo ID will offer a short list of possible matches. Photo ID works completely offline, so you can identify birds in the photos you take no matter where you are. Save Birds to Your Life List Build a digital scrapbook of your birding memories with Save My Bird. Tap “This is my bird!” each time you identify a bird, and Merlin will add it to your growing life list. Explore Lists of Birds Near You Merlin is powered by eBird, allowing you to build custom lists of the birds you’re likely to spot wherever you are. Use the filter options to explore birds for different locations or time of year, or switch to show all the species in the Bird Packs you’ve downloaded. The Merlin Bird ID app with the new Sound ID feature is available for free on iOS and Android devices. First released in 2014 and downloaded by more than 6 million people worldwide, Merlin is the only bird ID app enabling both sound and photo identification powered by AI. To the Merlin app or find out more information, click here This information was republished from https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

These red onions are a versatile condiment that can be used to add flavor and texture to a wide variety of dishes. This tangy and crisp pickled onion recipe is ready in 20 minutes. They can be used as a topping for sandwiches, tacos, salads, and burgers, or as a flavorful addition to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and stir-fries. Once you make them, they'll keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Total Time: 10 mins Yield: 2 cups INGREDIENTS 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced (it's helpful to use a mandoline) 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or additional white vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (I've used hot honey and omitted the red pepper flakes) 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat) Instructions Pack the onions into a 1-pint mason jar or similar heat-safe vessel. Place the jar in the sink, to catch any splashes of hot vinegar later. In a small saucepan, combine the water, both vinegars, maple syrup, salt, and pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then carefully pour the mixture into the jar over the onions. Use a butter knife or spoon to press the onions down into the vinegar and pop any air bubbles in the jar. Let the pickled onions cool to room temperature (about 20 to 30 minutes), at which point they should be sufficiently pickled for serving. Cover and refrigerate leftover pickled onions for later. Quick-pickled onions are best consumed within three days, but they keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. Click here for the original recipes Cookie and Kate

This baked cauliflower parmesan is seasoned and covered in saucy marinara that's topped with bubbly cheese. Cauliflower Parmesan is a delicious vegetarian dish that is a healthier and lighter version of the classic Chicken Parmesan. For a perfect meal, serve it with an arugula or tossed salad and homemade rustic bread. ACTIVE: 35 min I TOTAL: 35 min | SERVES: 4 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 cups marinara sauce (I use Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for topping 1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Toss the cauliflower florets with the melted butter and olive oil in a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup parmesan; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and roast until tender and crisp, about 35 minutes. 2. Switch the oven to broil. Transfer the cauliflower to a 3-quart baking dish. Top with the marinara sauce, mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan. Broil until bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. Top with chopped parsley. Why you’ll love this recipe Makes cauliflower seriously delicious. If you’ve ever thought that cauliflower is a bit bland and boring, I promise you this recipe will change your mind. This Cauliflower Parmesan is flavorful, cheesy, saucy and delicious! Vegetarian and can be made gluten-free. Want to make this cauliflower dish gluten-free? No problem! Just use gluten-free panko or breadcrumbs. Easy to make. Not only is Cauliflower Parmesan fun to make but it’s also easy to make! This recipe is reposted from Food Network Kitchen

Since April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated annually. It has grown into a global event by EARTHDAY.ORG including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet. The day is marked by a variety of activities, including rallies, marches, tree planting, and community clean-up events, all aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable living. Here are some things you can do to celebrate Earth Day: Reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights and electronics when not in use. Walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving a car to reduce emissions. Start composting to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for plants. Plant trees or create a garden to increase biodiversity and absorb carbon dioxide. Clean up litter and trash in your neighborhood, local park, or beach. Use reusable bags, water bottles, and containers to reduce single-use plastics. Buy locally grown or produced food to support local farmers and reduce carbon emissions from transportation. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances to reduce your carbon footprint. Reduce your water usage by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using drought-resistant plants in your garden. Spread awareness by sharing information about environmental issues on social media or organizing events in your community. Taking care of the environment is important for many reasons, including: Preservation of Natural Resources: The environment provides us with many resources that we need to survive, such as clean air and water, fertile soil for agriculture, and a diverse range of plant and animal species. By taking care of the environment, we can preserve these resources for future generations. Mitigating Climate Change: Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, contribute to climate change, which can have devastating effects on ecosystems and human societies. By reducing our impact on the environment, we can help mitigate climate change and its negative impacts. Protection of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and providing ecosystem services, such as pollination and water purification. By taking care of the environment and preserving biodiversity, we can ensure that these services are available for future generations. Health and Well-being: Pollution and environmental degradation can have negative impacts on human health and well-being, such as respiratory diseases and exposure to toxic substances. By taking care of the environment, we can reduce these risks and promote a healthier and more sustainable world. Economic Benefits: A healthy environment can provide economic benefits, such as tourism and recreation opportunities, as well as sustainable sources of natural resources. By taking care of the environment, we can promote sustainable economic development and ensure a better quality of life for ourselves and future generations. Live Green, Love Green, Think Green, Dream Green

Ricotta Pancakes are a weekend ritual at our house. This recipe makes an unbelievably delicious pancake packed with protein, lightly sweet, fluffy and full of flavor. The ricotta cheese adds a nice, creamy texture and because there isn’t a lot of flour they don’t sit heavy in your stomach like most pancakes. I loved these pancakes when my mother made them for us when we were growing up. I love them even more now with this updated recipe. Try them this weekend and taste the love! Ingredients 3 large eggs, separated, yolks lightly beaten 1 cup full- at ricotta or cottage cheese 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/8 cup sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp sea salt few dashes cinnamon Instructions In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. Set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together egg yolks, ricotta cheese, vanilla, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula. Melt a bit of refined coconut oil or butter in a griddle/large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the griddle is hot, place about ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake, working in batches. Cook until surfaces bubble and edges are set, about 1 minute. Flip pancakes, cooking about 3 minutes more until undersides are golden brown. It is important to only flip the pancakes once. Flipping the pancakes multiple times will cause them to lose their fluffiness. Repeat process until you have worked through all the batter. These pancakes tend to deflate a bit after cooking, so serve immediately for the best results. I usually serve them with real maple syrup but they are also delicious with berries, jam, powdered sugar, or just a simple pat of butter. Adapted from: Martha Stewart's Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Lemon and Brent * Cottage Cheese Pancakes from dramatic pancake Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 25 mins Serves: makes 12 small pancakes which is about 2.5 servings #recipe #breakfast #vegetarian