Homemade "Ranch" dip.

This is soooooo good! This is not my recipe. You can find the original recipe here.

I made a few modifications. Takes about 10 minutes to make.

Ingredients for Ranch seasoning:

1 teaspoon dehydrated garlic
2 teaspoons dehydrated onion
2 teaspoons dehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, finely diced
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried dill
2 teaspoons dried chives
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon black pepper
Kosher or seal salt to taste (I use Celtic Salt)

Add all ingredients to a small bowl & stir to mix. Store in a glass jar with lid, away from light & dampness. Use seasoning in dips & dressings.

*I doubled the seasoning recipe so I would have more. I sure am glad I did! I think I need to triple it!





Ranch dip recipe:

1 cup Greek Yogurt, plain, fat-free
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream, optional Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning

Combine ingredients in a medium bowl, store in an airtight container in the frig. Allow dip to set overnight in the frig before serving.

*I do not use low-fat or fat-free anything. Ever. So I used just plain sour cream. After I mixed it all together, it didn't seem to pack much of a punch. So I added another tablespoon of the seasoning.



It is wonderful! After it sits in the frig, it gets even thicker & the seasonings & flavors mix further, making the flavor more intense. If you don't like really strong flavors, I recommend using just the 1 tablespoon to start.

In our opinion, it does not taste like Ranch. I think it has it's own unique taste & my husband thinks it favors Peppercorn Ranch. It's different. It's bold. It's a welcomed change in our home! I already need to make another batch.

This is what the bowl looks like less than 48 hours after I made it. We used it to dip, to spread on sandwiches & in salads. I may add a little milk next time to make it less thick/more creamy.



(Pardon the avocado on the spoon. I added avocado to my salad. Yum.)

I will never purchase bottled dressings again. If we desire something different, I will google & find a homemade recipe. I am really starting to enjoy making our own foods. Did you just pass out? LOL :)

Linking up with Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Shabby Nest, House of Rose, House of Hepworths

Some cute Hobby Lobby!

Good evening Wednesday!

Last Wednesday, we went to Hobby Lobby. Oh Lord, how I love Hobby Lobby!



Seriously. How cute are they? They're heavy, too. I have no idea where to put them! I wish I had a kitchen window. I don't. But I'm thankful I have a kitchen! :)



These two little tykes were in the clearance section. Yip! I would not have purchased them if they had not been. Check out the original prices, but better yet, check out what I paid for them! Cha ching!





Cute & cheap? Winning!!

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Our weekend project!

I am so excited about this little project! This little back patio flowerbed just drives me crazy! Why the builders chose to stick it there, right next to our master bedroom windows, is beyond me. The landscaping here is just nuts. Too much, no consistency, you name it. Eight years later, we're still cleaning it up, clearing it out & replanting.

My plan this summer is to spend a lot of time outside. We do every summer, but moreso, this summer. So I deemed it the perfect weekend to rid this wet, moldy, smelly, unsightly flowerbed. When we first moved in, there were bushes in it, but I pulled those. Some were dying, some were thriving - yuck. They were hideous. I was going to plant flowers there & put down fresh mulch but because I want us to eat outside a lot, I've decided to fill it in!



Here's my plan. Up against one side of our back fence, they put a rock bed, enclosed with landscaping timbers. Why did they do that? There isn't another one anywhere on our property. It's ugly. It fills up with sticks & weeds. So, we're pulling the landscape timbers & relocating the stones over to the back patio flowerbed. Once the stones are laid, my husband wants to pour cement on top, to set the stones. What a great idea! And the only thing we need to purchase for this project is a bag of cement! Hello!? Winning!!



Can't wait to get started! By Sunday, I hope this icky area is gone & we can enjoy our food & drinks on the patio without the dirty, musty smell of the flowerbed.



Isn't such a fulfilling accomplishment to complete a project? Good-bye grossness! :)

Tomato sauce stain? GONE!

When I washed this shirt, I didn't have time to treat the stain. So I washed it, & dried it, & set the stain. It's a Nike shirt, in great condition, so I didn't want to toss it. Last week I pulled it out, treated it (see below), then left it. For about 4 days or so.



Today I washed it. And look! No stain. Not even a hint that a tomato stain was there! Not a toxic chemical was used to remove this stain. I am just tickled pink. Again!



To further prove my point, I lightened the photo quite a bit, so there's absolutely no doubt the stain is gone. Thanks Shaklee! Love, love, love my Shaklee!



How I treat stains:

I saturate the area in Basic H. Then, I generously sprinkle on Nature Bright. I rub it in a bit, then sprinkle just a tad more. Then I let it sit, for days, before washing. Works every time!



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Simple Health Swaps - simple steps to getting healthier!

Looking to take control of your health? Lose weight? Gain muscle? Have more energy?

Feeling overwhelmed & don't know where to start?

Join us weekly & learn how making some simple health swaps can help you take control of your health & feel amazing!



We are a group of moms who have a passion to teach other moms how to live healthier for life. We will be sharing recipes, daily tips, & motivation on our exclusive Private Facebook Group – plus weekly webinars with some amazing guest speakers!

Not sure if this is for you?

Learn from other moms (just like you) who have faced weight issues, eating disorders, health challenges & more in a private and supportive group setting – for FREE!



My friend Erin will be sharing honestly & from the heart about her struggles with food & losing weight. Doesn't she look fantastic? She went from having no energy & being a "couch potato" mom to an active mom who can now keep up with her 3 kids.

Whether you need to lose a lot of weight, need to 'tone up' your body or desire to learn to make healthier food choices - we can help!

Don't miss out!



This webinar is held every week, on Wednesday evenings, from May 22, 2013 to July 24, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. (central time).

Register now!

Click here to register for the weekly webinars.

See you then!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at adoringthesimple@gmail.com. Also, please send me an email when you register, so I can add you to our private Simple Health Swaps Facebook page!

P.S. Feel free to invite your friends or anyone who wants to get healthy!

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Shaklee FREE shipping!

Special is ON & runs through midnight, Sunday (May 19th) night!  Join as a member & receive free shipping on any order, any size!



Here is some more information:

I am giving you FREE SHIPPING when you join my Shaklee Member Team, called Project Health, with any order - this weekend ONLY! (May 18th or 19th) No order is too big or too small to get the free shipping! Including, GOLDS!

The reason I’m writing to you specifically is because I think you want to:

*be as healthy as you can
*connect with other like-minded people
*get discounts, savings, and specials

Here is a list of what you get when you join Project Health (our online Shaklee Member Community):

*join our online community of like minded people (over 600 in our community)
*get discounts (save 15% on all products and 25% on some)
*get a free product
*ask unlimited health questions
*communicate with other members for stories & advice
*get shipping specials
*get the latest specials, news & health facts
*24/7 access to community
*your own secure ordering website with loads of health information just for you
*100% money back guarantee on all products - no questions asked

You can say, “If I were to guess the top 4 questions or objections you will have about joining as a member, they would be these:

*How much is it to renew each year?
*Is there a minimum each month or year?
*What is your return policy?
*By joining as a member, does that make me a distributor?"

So here’s how I would clear those up for you:

*There is no renewal fee. It's a lifetime membership & one time fee of $19.95.
*There are no minimums EVER! You can order once a year or monthly. It's up to you!
*We offer 100% money back guarantee for all products.
*You are not a distributor & will not receive bonuses. If you want to get paid for sharing Shaklee, you need to click here & partner with me!

I want you to be completely without risk, so here’s my guarantee. If for any reason a Shaklee Product is not satisfactory, return it for exchange or full refund.

If our products are not the best they can be — & the best you can buy — what else matters? So if you don't experience the desired results from a Shaklee nutritional, personal care, or household product, you may return the unused portion for a 100% refund.

In addition to a money-back guarantee, we offer:

*100% guarantee that the ingredients listed on the label are in the product
*100% guarantee of quality-controlled product formulations that ensure product safety, purity, reliability, and product performance
*100% guarantee that we use the finest quality ingredients available

Experience the Shaklee Difference for yourself. You deserve it!

It’s really easy to get started. You just go to my Shaklee website & click the 'Become a Member' down at the bottom.

It is a one-time fee of $19.95. Your member fee is waived with the purchase of Vitalizer. (I love this and take it daily.)

Once you decide to get started here’s what’s going to happen.... You will get a 15% discount on your order & you will receive a welcome email from me with all the details about joining our private online community.

You need to do this right now, because I am offering you a free product within your first 30 days of joining when you complete our Learn & Earn Members Program AND you will receive FREE SHIPPING!!!!

Here’s a list of people who have already joined us and exactly what happened for them:

"We LOVE the cleaning products! I haven't had an asthma attack since switching in November 2011!!" Connie

"Basic H & G...so nice to clean without my nose getting all stuffed up, sore throats and terrible headaches behind my eyes like I would get with Mr. Clean and other harsh cleaners." Casey

"I love that I don't get headaches anymore from cleaning, I've been using them for years now and will never switch! And my toddler drank the Basic H2 and was just fine, whew! I LOVE the peace of mind. And the protein shakes are amazing, love love love them, they make meal planning very simple The vitamins give me lots of energy and keep me healthy, no big sicknesses for us this year! I could go on and on and on..." Michelle

"Shaklee 180 Turnaround changed my life! It it's by far the best weight loss program out there! down 35 lbs in 15 weeks! I feel great!" Christi

"My husband and I are losing weight! I thought I never would be able to say that! Definitely life changing!" Linda

I am giving you FREE SHIPPING when you join my Shaklee Member team, called Project Health, with any order - this weekend ONLY! (May 18th or 19th) No order is too big or too small to get the free shipping! You will see the shipping fee come off your order AFTER your order is placed & you'll see it on your email confirmation, also.

Join today & I will see you in the forum! Be sure to pass this information along to all family & friends, in case they want to take advantage of this offer, too! Remember, it's this Saturday (starts at midnight tonight) & Sunday only!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Electrasol and/or Finish Dishwasher detergent RESIDUE!

Hello there! Happy mid-week! I thought I'd hop on here real quick & show you a drinking glass I discovered yesterday in my cabinet.

These photos have been altered in NO WAY. This right here is the REAL DEAL. I have a set of 20 or so of these glasses & the majority are now washed clean with/in Shaklee. Obviously, this one hasn't been used since I switched (thank God I switched!!) & I was just appalled when I saw it. YUCK. Who wants to drink that? That, my friends, is what Electrasol/Finish is leaving in your cups & on your dishes. There is absolutely no question that this residue is from Electrasol/Finish, because that is the only dishwasher detergent I used for 10 years. (I used to love it & thought it was the best! Haha!) I have never used...Cascade...? I don't even know the names of other brands. I have never used anything else. Look how thick that nasty residue is! Isn't that a pretty glass to pull out when guests come to visit?!



I snapped the photo & then quickly washed it clean with Shaklee's dish soap. I did it so quick, I didn't even use hot water, just cold. And it came this clean! Residue-free. Layer after layer of chemicals gone. I am SO thankful my family, my children especially, well heck, my husband & myself, too, are no longer eating & drinking that leftover residue with our foods & drinks.



It's so clean & clear, you can visually see the lights reflecting in the middle & down the sides. Yes, please!

For Shaklee's Dish Washer Automatic Concentrate - click here!

For Shaklee's Dish Wash Concentrate (dish soap) - click here!

To see all of Shaklee's Get Clean kits - click here! (I started with a $40 kit & LOVED it! ONE YEAR LATER, I'm still using most of the products!)

All of Shaklee's products are concentrated & last forever! LOVE!

Oh & if you want to see what I do & who I do it with - click here! This is our amazing Shaklee team! Love these girls! (This isn't everyone. We have over 100 distributors on our team alone!)

We are preparing for a garage sale on Saturday, so off I go! Selling things I've never considered selling before. We have too much stuff & we don't need it all! We are spoiled! Live simple! :)

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