http://spilledingredients.com Safe and unsafe ingredients spilled here Sun, 09 May 2010 16:04:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 http://spilledingredients.com/2010/04/top-3-spring-cleaning-alternatives/ http://spilledingredients.com/2010/04/top-3-spring-cleaning-alternatives/#comments Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:00:37 +0000 Niki http://spilledingredients.com/?p=873 Spring's officially sprung here in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. I really couldn't be more amped, the birds are having a sing-n-dance revolution, kids' bikes are zooming down the sidewalks, the neighborhood park resembles a summer popsicle blanketed with busy bees (kiddos in this case), and air conditioners are humming... really? It is maybe a balmy 65 degrees F outside, snow mounds are still visibly lurking, and window air conditioners are already buzzing? Good ole Twin Cities fair weather fans, ahhhh spring is really in the air. Delightful as the robins flocking the yard are, my top spring sighting so far has been my kiddo and the rest of the state playing outside, jacket-free, green grass underfoot and underway. A close second, though, are the hearty chives popping up to say Hi, Remember me? in our barely unfrozen and otherwise empty garden. While finding the magic in the mess of spring cleaning, there are a few alternatives to keep in mind. read more ]]> http://spilledingredients.com/2010/04/top-3-spring-cleaning-alternatives/feed/ 0 http://spilledingredients.com/2009/08/long-time-no-microwaving/ http://spilledingredients.com/2009/08/long-time-no-microwaving/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:02:29 +0000 Niki http://spilledingredients.com/?p=659 Hi there. Yikes. Neglected this place, I unintentionally have. And there are so many topics on my ever-growing To Tackle list, it's hard to know which to check off next. And check one off very soon, I shall. I've just been consumed with a few things as of late, such as acquiring not one, but two new jobs; researching and applying to grad schools; speaking with recruiters; beginning wellness care with chiropractors; touring and researching childcare options -- double yikes!; my family; weddings; the gammet . Have I mentioned that I have a Wheaten Terrier? He's probably more consuming than all of the above, it's a good thing he has his looks. Please stay tuned, I have much ranting to do. Yep, worth reading, I think. In the meantime, I challenge you to heat your food with anything but a microwave for one week....more ]]> http://spilledingredients.com/2009/08/long-time-no-microwaving/feed/ 3 http://spilledingredients.com/2009/06/balsamic-cider-weed-killer/ http://spilledingredients.com/2009/06/balsamic-cider-weed-killer/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:47:12 +0000 Niki http://spilledingredients.com/?p=489 Earth Day, April 22, inspired my anti-Round-up saga. This rant was aimed at keeping your yard safe by keeping Round-up out of your shopping cart. Chucking Round-up in your trash can would also suffice. Looking back, I realize my glass may have been half-empty and I didn't offer up many alternatives, other than getting your hands dirty and digging up your weeds. While this is still an option, it's not always a realistic one. Afterall, people have families, duties, responsibilities, and other essentials, ranking ahead of weeds. Behold my generously filled glass tonight. And a little wisdom from my cousin-in-law, Tim. Thank you, Tim. And a little further investigation into organic weed control. If you aren't privvy to this organic weed killer yet, you're likely to find yourself raiding your pantry and heading outside to that annoying dandelion patch, momentarily. Brace yourself, more ]]> http://spilledingredients.com/2009/06/balsamic-cider-weed-killer/feed/ 1 http://spilledingredients.com/2009/06/one-gallon-of-pinecone-hill-please-hold-the-vocs/ http://spilledingredients.com/2009/06/one-gallon-of-pinecone-hill-please-hold-the-vocs/#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:39:57 +0000 Niki http://spilledingredients.com/?p=420 It's time. The kitchen needs a change, the baby's on the way, or maybe you just can't take the pink dining room any longer. It's time to paint. We've all been there, and either do it ourselves, call on friends or family for help, or hire it out. I like to do the painting myself. I prefer interior, but don't entirely mind exterior, especially if the weather is beautiful. Painting is the easiest, cheapest way I know to change the dynamics of a room. Your commitment journey begins at the paint store down the street or a warehouse like Home Depot. The array of color choices makes the idea of painting even glamorous, imagining the transformation your home is about to undergo. You were thinking a nice caramel khaki at home, but in person the gold family begins to look like the winner. Now, do you go with the gold, goldcoast, golden autumn, summer of gold, or beachside raffia? At first they looked so similar, it didn't seem to matter which you chose. Further studying, some start appearing blue, tan and green. If you're like me at this point, you take your pile of color swatches home to examine for a week or so, holding them against the floor and other rooms to compare. Once you've made this heavily weighed decision, you need to order. Almost. more ]]> http://spilledingredients.com/2009/06/one-gallon-of-pinecone-hill-please-hold-the-vocs/feed/ 1 http://spilledingredients.com/2009/05/phosphates-in-your-dishwasher-detergent/ http://spilledingredients.com/2009/05/phosphates-in-your-dishwasher-detergent/#comments Thu, 14 May 2009 03:41:48 +0000 Niki http://spilledingredients.com/?p=342 Phosphates in automatic dishwasher detergent have been banned in Spokane, WA. Some devotees are smuggling their beloved phosphates across state lines in spite of the ban. In your face, Spokane River. The fact that these phosphates end up in the river, and suffocate life there, does pale in comparison to the fact that 20 seconds pre-rinsing a soup pot may be spared. A quote from a Season 1 episode of 30 Rock keeps replaying in my head, 'It's after 6. What am I, a farmer?' more ]]> http://spilledingredients.com/2009/05/phosphates-in-your-dishwasher-detergent/feed/ 2 http://spilledingredients.com/2009/04/ode-to-earth-day-say-no-to-roundup/ http://spilledingredients.com/2009/04/ode-to-earth-day-say-no-to-roundup/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:37:29 +0000 Niki http://spilledingredients.com/?p=197 I planned to name and detail only ingredients on this site. But, it's Earth Day and I'm throwing that plan down the garbage disposal today, alongside my green onion roots from last night's wontons. EVERY parent should know the facts about a product you may have stored in your garage or backyard. Roundup, a popular weed killer, is available everywhere in the spring. It's widely advertised on television, in magazines, on the internet, and in stores. As I sit here and type, a "Roundup Extended Control" commerical is airing on television. The marketing for this product is strong. Pick up a bottle, pull the trigger on an attached sprayer, and worry about that annoying weed in your yard no more. If only it was that simple and carefree... more ]]> http://spilledingredients.com/2009/04/ode-to-earth-day-say-no-to-roundup/feed/ 1