How I disinfect & clean my makeup brushes.

I don't clean my makeup brushes as often as I probably should, but I do clean them. Think of the abuse these little things endure. Tossed in dirty purses or makeup bags, thrown on bathroom counters where God only knows what's been on them, exposed when others flush the toilet, etc. That's why I clean them. And this is how I do it.

I only use three brushes. My powder brush, my eye shadow brush & my eyebrow brush. I've had them for years & they're my favorite. So of course, I want to take care of them.



In a small bowl, I put a splash of Basic G & fill it with water. Basic G is a disinfectant & I want all bacteria removed from my brushes. I then swirl the brushes around to get them good & soaked, while at the same time, it's removing powder & makeup build-up.



After that step, I place them on the towel (I only get my kitchen towels at Kohl's & they are the best!!) for 5 or 10 minutes to let the G kill germs & bacteria. Then, I rinse them under the faucet until the water runs clear.

Next, I add just a tad of dish soap (I love this stuff & always have an extra bottle so I'll have one when I need one!) & then add water. Once again, I swish them around, just to give them a gentle wash & to remove any Basic G that might be remaining. I then rinse them really well, until the water runs clear.



Tada! That's it! The drying process takes much longer than the cleaning process. I just lay them flat & let them air dry.



I'm so glad I have Shaklee products now to clean my makeup brushes. I much prefer using an all-natural disinfectant & dish soap, considering these brushes are extremely close to my nose, mouth & eyes.

Safety first!

Skinnytaste.com!

A friend referred me to this amazing site & I love it! We are really implementing healthier eating here at our home, & I fell in love with her recipes! So, I thought I'd share!

Happy health!

Skinnytaste.com

Work from home. You make the hours. You make your paycheck.

When I became a Gold Ambassador with Shaklee the end of July, I told my Business Leader I had 2 goals: 1.) to inform others anywhere & everywhere about these phenomenal, effective, all-natural products that work & 2.) I want to earn an income, so I can contribute financially to help my own family.

Last week, I opened my own bank business account, because I'm now making enough money, that I need my own account for tax purposes. Note, I do not work 40 hours weekly. And if you think you aren't capable of doing this, you're wrong. I do it, I'm successful & I have 4 young children. I'm a mom, first. I market Shaklee, second. That will never change.

All that said - Shaklee is the most amazing opportunity, for myself & others, I've not only seen, but participated in - ever. I searched so long for 'green' products that I was content with & that met my standards. It took five years, but alas, I search no more. And I will never search again, literally. Shaklee is it for me - personally & professionally.

As I've stated before, I'm in Shaklee for the long haul. This is not a temporary fix for me, this is not anything I take lightly. This is the real deal. And for me, this real deal is my professional passion.

Our world is polluted. Our world is contaminated. It makes absolutely NO sense to not make changes where we are able & when we can. Many times we have choices when it comes to improving our health & that of our family's. It makes NO sense that everyone, everywhere is not using Shaklee products. Take, for example, Shaklee's incredible Get Clean line. The products are proven effective (for over 50 years now!) & the majority of them cost LESS than store brands that people/you already buy! Shaklee products are products you already use. They're already in your home. Why in the world would anyone not change them out for proven, non-toxic, less expensive cleaning products?

Sorry. I kind of got off track. LOL



My point is this. I want to inform as many people as I can & encourage them to make a change. For their health. For the health of their loved ones. Any change is better than no change at all. Changing brands can change your life! I want people on MY team, yes MY team, to mentor & encourage & challenge to go big or go home. Who desire, with passion, to help others. Who desire, with passion, to make some serious money for their own family, for whatever reason they want. I want those who desire to be self-employed, I want those who are willing to work their rears off to meet their goals & I want those who are committed & serious. Because committed & serious will get you where you want to go.

Join my team & we'll do it together. You will be included in one of the largest, fastest growing groups Shaklee currently has. You will have access to a wonderful, fun group of women (& some men!) on a private, members only Facebook page, where you'll get more training & more support than you can imagine. Relationships are blossoming. And those are just the beginning. But more importantly - by being self employed marketing Shaklee products, you'll also get to call the shots, make your own hours & work/don't work when you choose. Make as little or as much money as you desire. You reap what you sow & that is one terrific benefit.

 

If you are interested, follow my Facebook page here & email me at: adoringthesimple@gmail.com

As an additional bonus, until midnight tonight, I am offering a 'shipping special' to anyone who purchases any product, & that includes becoming a Gold Ambassador. I personally will write you a check to reimburse you your shipping fee. I know - you can't afford to. But ask yourself - can you afford not to? www.melissabrazell.myshaklee.com

You can start helping others & making money immediately.  Can't wait to hear from you!

In with the happy!

This is one area of my life where it seems I'm constantly trying to improve, & recently, I've even found it carrying over into my computer time.

 

We all have something in our lives that is unpleasant. We all have bills. We all have strained relationships somewhere. We all have daily chores & tasks. We all have unmet goals. We all have health issues or know someone who does. We all are spread too thin. We all need more hours in our day. We all lack patience. We all have too many irons in the fire.

Welcome to life.  Welcome to reality.

 

But I've discovered with me, as I grow through life (that sounds better than 'the older I get'), I'm quite discouraged by all the negative. Why do we feel the need to constantly discuss our problematic issues? Talk about our problems? I seldom worry (which I am very grateful for), but I compare negativity to worrying. What in the sam hills does it solve by being negative? By constantly talking & complaining about it? It sure as heck doesn't turn the situation around.  It doesn't make the issue disappear.  I've been guilty of being negative myself many times. My mother is one of the most negative people I know & boy howdy, it's very difficult to carry on a conversation with her. When I tend to be negative, sometimes I think that naturally, I inherited her unfortunate trait. And I've finally come to the conclusion, so what? Big stinkin' deal. It is my choice to kick that trait to the curb. For the most part, I'm diligently trying to keep negativity out of my daily life & off of my blog. I don't need it, my husband doesn't need it, my kids don't need it & others don't need to hear about it. And it just feels good. It just feels right.  Honestly, it boils down to choice. And we all are very blessed to be able to make most of our own choices.

 

Lately, I've found that when I visit a website, or a blog, or heck, even Facebook, Twitter & Instagram (did I get them all? Ha!) - if someone just repetitively complains over & over or constantly has a derogatory post or attitude - without even thinking, I automatically mumble 'yuck' & boom - that person/site/whatever is deleted. I have my own problems (which really are nothing because I am so truly blessed!), so why would I want to continue reading someone else's complaints? I feel bad, I am sorry that they are facing so much hardship or whatever their case may be, but when I sit down to relax, I don't want to read anything bothersome. I just really don't want to read or hear about it. I want fun.  I want to laugh.  I want to converse & share.  I don't want to be drug down by someone else's negativity.

 

It's really aggravating that I'm figuring all this 'how to live in peace' stuff out in my 40's. Geeze. I wish I would have figured all this out in my 20's, or even 30's! But I guess it's like cooking - if you're not really taught, if you're not really exposed or encouraged to do it, then more than likely, you aren't going to do it. You figure it out with experience & as you go.  Better now than never, right?

 

I know without a doubt that life is so short. None of us know when God is going to call us home.  So, out with the depressing & in with the cheery. Out with the negative & in with the positive. Out with the bitter & in with the sweet! And I hope for the most part, that I portray that via the internet (excluding my occasional rant on my personal Facebook page).  I actually went through my blog not long ago & removed all posts that tended to lean towards the negative side. I hope to keep my blog, as well as my image, going in one direction & one direction only -

In with the HAPPY!

How I keep my carpets clean - without harsh chemicals!

It's no secret that I strive for spot-free carpet. Is it attainable having 4 children & 3 dogs? Yes & no. Sure, we get spots & dirt just like everyone else. And when we do, I clean them. I do not leave spots on our carpet. It helps that most of the time we remove our shoes, we do not eat anywhere in our home except at the table (I am exempt from that rule, sometimes I'll eat here at my desk while I work) & all drinks stay on the kitchen table or island. My four year old still runs around with her sippy cup at times - it does leak & I do have to clean those spots. But she's getting older now, so that won't be happening much longer.

For years, I have used the Bissell Little Green Machine. I use it often & I'm hard on it. I purchase replacement parts if a part breaks, but I've also bought 3 or 4 machines over the years. Love this machine. Does a fabulous job on spots.

 

In the past, I've always used the Little Green cleaner. It's always worked just fine - but it's not all-natural & it costs about $9 a bottle.

Now? Now I use Shaklee cleaners in my Little Green. For literally, pennies! I add a dash of Basic H, Basic G & a tad of Nature Bright. Works great & lifts every spot! And there are no toxic chemicals on our carpet when I clean! That is priceless! No toxins, no harsh scent, just all-natural products. It doesn't get any better than that!

Notice my Basic H bottle. I started using it in May & it's now the end of September. Look how much is still remaining! I've 'overused' a lot of the product, too, experimenting & whatnot. So if I hadn't done that, there'd be even more left! Amazing stuff it is. So inexpensive & it cleans everything! You can find Shaklee's amazing cleaning products here. Worth every penny & then some!

Another satisfied customer!

 

 Click here for Scour Off!

Why I do what I do.

I love helping other people. Many already know that about me. I just love people, period. And this is why I do what I do. I get paid for helping others. It doesn't get much better than that. Watch this sweet video & let me know if you're interested in changing your life. I'll take you on my team immediately. Email me at adoringthesimple@gmail.com.

How to remove excess, messy nail polish from cuticles!

I am so particular about clean, attractive fingernails. I get that from my dad. We could not come to the dinner table until our nails were cleaned with a nail brush. I notice fingernails on everyone & if I notice hands, so do other people. My husband always has nice fingernails & I'm teaching my children to have clean, attractive nails, as well. I think our fingernails (& toenails!) say a lot about us as individuals.

Messy nails polish drives me crazy! Take a few extra minutes to clean up the mess up. Why go to all the trouble of painting them a pretty color, only for them to look unfinished & horrible? I have used this method for years & years & it works really well.

Supplies needed: Polish remover, cotton ball & polish 'sticks'. I have no clue what those little sticks are called! I've actually had mine for well over 15 years, but recently I had to purchase a few more after a few of mine were summoned to piece together a styrofoam science snowman. :) The ones I purchased recently I got at Beauty Brands, but you can probably get them at any beauty supply store.



Next, gently tear off several pieces from the cotton ball. You don't want them too thick & you don't want them too thin. You may have to practice a few times to find what works best for you. I'd say thinner is better than thicker.



Take the pieces & wrap them around the end of the stick. Holding the cotton firmly against the tip of the stick in one hand, spin the stick with your other hand, resulting in wrapping the cotton tightly around the end. You don't want it loose - you want it nice & tight.



Dip the cotton into the remover.



Carefully, remove all excess polish from cuticles & fingers. The reason you want the cotton somewhat thin is so the edge of the stick glides nicely into the sides of your nail bed. This will allow you to precisely take off unwanted polish without removing the nail bed polish.



Voila! Pretty, manicured nails! So much neater!



Your nails are one of your best features! Take care of them & wear them proudly. It's just tacky to have chewed, gnawed on nails and/or sloppy polish. If your nails are painted & it begins to chip - remove the polish! Bare nails are certainly more attractive than chipped, uncared for nails.

And don't forget to do your toes! I use this very same procedure to remove unwanted polish from my toes, too!

Happy painting!

Shaklee's amazing work-at-home opportunity!

Amazing work-at-home opportunity. Marketing the best wellness products on the market. So much fun. So much money to be made. Work when you want. Don't work when you don't want to. Exploding team. Unlimited support. Unmatchable training. Why? Why not! Join me tonight @ 9:00 p.m. central & learn more. I want 3 more people on my team. Is one of them you?

Register here to register!

Shaklee orders - I'll reimburse your shipping fees!

8:00 p.m. Sunday 9.16.12 through 8:00 p.m. Monday 9.17.12! Now is the time to restock or try products!

View all products & place your order on my Shaklee site: www.melissabrazell.myshaklee.com

Shaklee is so confident in all of their amazing products, they offer a 100% money back guarantee!

Indeed, this includes becoming a Distributor & going GOLD! Desire to be your own boss? Make your own hours? Work from home? Make as little or as much money as you want? Operating my own Shaklee business is one of the best decisions I have ever made! I am making money & I am having so much fun! If you are interested, if you are serious, contact me at: adoringthesimple@gmail.com I would love to have you on my team! Let's make money, get out of debt & help other families get healthier!

Follow me on Facebook here!

Have a fabulous week!

The BEST Sausage Cheese Balls!

Trust me on this one!



This is a Jimmy Dean recipe I cut out of the paper years ago. It is so super, I have never searched and/or tried another recipe!

Sausage Cheese Balls:

2 pounds (Jimmy Dean) regular sausage.

1 1/2 cups baking/biscuit (Bisquick) mix.

4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

1/2 cup finely chopped onion.

1/2 cup finely chopped celery.

1/2 tsp. garlic powder.

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients. Form into 1" balls. Bake 15 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet until golden brown. (Sausage balls can be frozen uncooked.)

Yield: 6 dozen.

No need to wait until Christmas to make these! They're one of those feel good foods. And I dare you to eat just one. Or twelve. So you might want to double the recipe!

Balls up!

(I don't think that came out right.)

Follow me on Facebook for more fun stuff! Click here!

Moments.

Now one of my most favorite photos. Ever. ♥

My Shaklee giveaway - TOMORROW!

Tomorrow, 9.12.12, I will be choosing my Shaklee sample giveaway winner! Here is what you have a chance at winning:

Dish Washer Concentrate - 2 loads

Basic H - 1 'multi-purpose' 16 oz. spray bottle

Basic G (disinfectant) - 1 16 oz. spray bottle

Fresh Laundry Concentrate - 2 loads

Dryer Sheets - 2 loads

And then just maybe, I'll be tossing in a few fun things, too! But you'll have to follow my Facebook page to find out & to be entered for a chance to win! Click here!

So exciting!!

Nature Bright to the rescue again!

I love my little Mercedes girl. I really do. She's so precious. But she's so nasty. She is the messiest child we've had. I know she's 4 1/2, but boy do I sure contemplate putting her back in a booster & slapping a bib on her.

Say hello to her somewhat new Gap tank. Good Lord, I have no clue what she got all over it. I can't keep up with her messes anymore. Nonetheless, I sprayed it with Nature Bright, let is sit (but not long at all - maybe 20 minutes, if that) & threw it in the washer. Though much better (would have been satisfactory for anyone but me), I could still see some spots. I was not giving up. So, what the heck, I saturated the now-set spots in Basic H & Nature Bright. Those spots were coming out, darn it! After I saturated the shirt, I folded it up to let it sit. Well let me tell you, I forgot about it. For like, 5 days. Ha!

Ah, whoopie. Nothing some all-natural H & Nature Bright can't handle!



So funny. Not one spot. It's almost like a challenge for me now to find something Nature Bright can't get out. So far I've failed. And I'm using it everywhere! It's currently in the hall bathroom toilet. I guess I better go take care of that.





Shaklee. What a blessing!

Homemade granola 'bars'.

These actually turned out really well & my entire family loves them! The recipe is super easy, too!

(I don't sprinkle chocolate chips on top - I only did it for the photos. ;o)



Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups rolled oats.
1 cup whole wheat flour or spelt. (I use whole wheat flour.)
1 tsp. baking soda.
1 tsp. vanilla.
1 cup butter, softened. (I use 1/2 cup of real butter & 1/2 cup of peanut butter.)
1 cup honey. (Spray your measuring cup with nonstick spray before adding honey & the honey won't stick.)

Add-ins: 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used regular milk chocoate chips), 1 cup chopped walnuts, or try any combination of 2 cups or less of dried fruits, sunflower seeds, coconut, nuts, etc. I also add marmallows, craisins, raisins, etc. Really, you can add whatever you like!

Directions:

First, while hands are clean, place parchment paper in 9 x 13 pan.

In a large mixing bowl combine butter & honey.

Then add all ingredients except add-ins. Beat hard until combined.

Stir in add-ins. (I mix with my hands, but it's messy!)

Press mixture into pan - be sure to really jam it in there so your bars don't fall apart.

Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.

Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into bars. (I let these sit for hours, not 10 minutes. They are very sticky! Sometimes I put them in the frig.) When cool, I dump pan upside down on foil & pull off parchment paper. Otherwise, it's a mess. This works great!

Done! My family eats the entire pan in one night!

Shaklee's incredible disinfectant - Basic-G.

Ironically, as I was compiling this post, one of my Shaklee team members posted this information today:

"I just got back from an early morning appt with my 3 year old. We noticed his hands were blistered last night after his bath, so I called and they rushed me in this morning. Turns out my little guy has chemical burns on his hands from ONE Clorox wipe. My husband said that he found him with it after he had wiped the counter down, but didn't think anything of, and then he put him in the bath, so he thought it would take care of any chemicals. He thinks he got it out of the trash. Protect your babies, don't wait to use up all the other stuff like me..."

Pediatrician confirmed "chemical burns". Her little guy is three years old.

I love G - oh goodness, I love it! Not only does it disinfect, it cleans amazingly well! Here are some items I use my G on:

All floors (mixed with H)
All kitchen counters
All bathroom counters
All bathroom hardware/faucets
Tub/Showers
All toilets, in & out
My SUV
Kitchen table
Kitchen chairs
Hair/makeup brushes
Trash cans
Keyboards (piano, computers)
Treadmill
Dog crates/bowls
Doorknobs/light switches
Refrigerator, in & out
Outside microwave & oven
Phones/remotes
Vacuum filters

Basic-G has a 3 year shelf life, which is great because the bottle is huge! Its residual effectiveness lasts up to three days after application. Chlorine (bleach) used as a disinfectant is effective no more than one hour. Great wherever disinfectants are used! Kills up to 99% of bacteria.

Basic-G kills 32 pathogens while Lysol only kills 8 pathogens.

Basic-G Germicide is effective against the following pathogens:

Streptococcus pyogenes *Vaccinia

Salmonella choleraesuis *Rubella (German Measles)

Candida albicans *Adenovirus type 4

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus *Feline picornavirus

Bordetella bronchiseptica *Feline leukemia

Chlamydia psittaci *Canine distemper

Fusobacterium necrophorum * Rabies

Listeria monocytogenes * Pseudorabies

Pasteurella multocida *Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

Salmonella enteritidis *Infectious bronchitis (Avian IBV)

Enterobacter cloacae *Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Enterobacter aerogenes *Transmissible gastroenteritis virus

Proteus vulgaris (TGE)

Salmonella typhimurium Escherichia coli1

Shigella flexneri Proteus mirabilis

Salmonella typhi Streptococcus faecalis1

Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus1

(methicillen resistant) Klebsiella pneumoniae1 Shigella sonnei Pseudomonas aeruginosa1 Serratia marcescens Staphylococcus epidermidis2 Trichophyton mentagrophytes Aspergillus niger *HIV-l (AIDS Virus)

*Influenza A/Hong Kong 1 ATCC & antibiotic-resistant strain

*Herpes simplex type I 2 Antibiotic-resistant only

*Herpes simplex type II * Virucidal



Love it. Will never again clean without it! It's a concentrated (all-natural) cleaner, so you add 3/8 teaspoon to a 16 oz. spray bottle of water. That's it! Click here for Basic-G! If you don't like it (haha), you get your money back! Click here to visit my entire Shaklee shop!

** 3/8 teaspoon is more than 1/4, but less than 1/2. I pour G into a 1/2 teaspoon, but don't fill all the way to the top edge. Or, 1/4 teaspoon & then half of that. Or, pour 1/4 teaspoon of G into a 1/2 teaspoon, then add a little. There. I think that's enough options for converting 3/8 tsp. :)

Homemade pancakes!

I make the best homemade pancakes ever, I'm telling you! My family gobbles them right up! Last week I added chocolate chips - although personally, I could do without 'em. The angle of the camera is making them look bigger than they are. I make the best pancakes, not the biggest!



My Black Bean Chicken was a big flop. I'll only post recipes that our entire family enjoy - so I've decided to post my pancake recipe instead. :)

Easy peasy:

1 cup flour

2 tblsp. sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. In a separate bowl, wisk eggs & milk. Add to flour mixture & wisk until lump-free.

You can add a dash of vanilla and/or cinnamon if you like. Sometimes I add chocolate chips, blueberries, whatever, to taste.

Makes approximately 16 pancakes, so I usually double.

Dig in! Yum.

Black Bean Salad - amazing!

You know what a finicky eater I am. Very much so. So I'm only posting recipes that rock my world. This one - now an absolute favorite!

****************************************


Black Bean Salad

2 cans black beans, drained, about 30 ounces.
1 (15 oz.) can corn, drained.
2 Roma tomatoes, diced.
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper.
1/4 cup diced red onion.
1/4 cup diced green onions.
1/4 cup diced pineapple.
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves.
1 jalapeno, seeded & minced.
4 tablespoons sherry vinegar.
Juice of 1/2 lime.
3 tablespoons honey.
1 tablespoon salt.
1 teaspoon black pepper.
Pinch ground cumin.

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl & refrigerate for 1 hour.

****************************************

Very simple recipe. It also contains many ingredients, which I prefer. I followed the recipe to a T, except I used Red Wine Vinegar versus Sherry Vinegar & I did not double the pineapple. I also drained and rinsed my black beans.

I doubled the recipe because we had many guests. I served this with hamburgers on the grill, but think it would be equally as good with chicken, pork chops, etc. Everyone loved it & took home leftovers.

10 actions that kids learn from their parent’s marriage.

Powerful! Yes, yes, yes & yes! I love it!

**********

10 actions that kids learn from their parent’s marriage:

1. Affection: Cathy & I are very affectionate and I like having my kids see me holding their mom’s hand, hugging, kissing, cuddling, etc… as often as I can.

2. Saying “I’m sorry”: I want to be quick to use this phrase and I want my kids to hear me say it (and I have to say it a lot more than Cathy).

3. Affirmation: this is my primary love language so it’s easy for me to dish out encouraging words. My kids get a lot of verbal affirmation, but they also hear me directing it toward my wife (which is really easy).

4. Attraction: I think Cathy is hot… and, I make it known around our family. I’ll regularly say, “Isn’t your mom beautiful?”

5. Time: our kids know that we like to spend time together. When they see us steal time away to sit in the backyard and talk, or go in the hot tub, or go on a date night, or sneak away for the weekend…that’s a good message I want them to see.

6. Laughter: we laugh a lot in our house and my wife’s cute sense of humor cracks me up. I like having my kids see that my wife makes me laugh.

7. Respect: opening the door for Cathy, saying “thank you” and “please” and showing her simple signs of respect.

8. Faith conversations: we’re not always praying in front of our kids, but they hear and see our faith conversations and know that we’re always talking about Jesus and what it means to be a follower.

9. The value of friends: our house is well worn from the traffic of friends in/out of our house. We love having people over and the Fields’ house is a regular hangout for some incredible friends.

10. Servanthood: I know my kids have had a better example in Cathy than with me because she’s the ultimate servant. Always asking, “How can I help? What do you need to make life better?” Serving one another is seen in the daily, little things and there’s many opportunities to serve.

Full article here:

http://www.dougfields.com/posts/marriagemodeling/

Couch to 5K?

You know, for a while now, I've seen 'this' here & there. Had no clue what it was or what it is. So today, I googled. And I am very, very intrigued. I did the outside thing. Then, I did the inside treadmill thing. Then I just quit, even though I didn't desire to & I knew better. But this exercise program is 30 minutes! That's doable outside in Texas, isn't it? 30 minutes?

I need to read more on this tonight. Are you c25k'ing it? I'd love to know!