Bone broth

I believe in keeping the bone broth recipe simple.  If it gets too complicated, I will not make it. Here is my easy bone broth.  

Bones-beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb; whatever you have is fine

Apple cider vinegar

Carrots, onions, celery (optional)

This works best with a big crock pot. Place bones and veggies in crock pot.  Place enough water in the crock pot to cover the bones.  Add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.  Let the mixture sit in the crock pot for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes, turn the crock pot on low for 12 hours.  

**Note**  I do this at night so no one is bothered by the crock pot.  

Stew or sauce starters

One thing that has helped me to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into my family's diet, has been Bountiful Baskets.  Every other week, I pick up my basket that is 50/50.  For two baskets it is $31 and sometimes the co-op has extras that are great for canning or freezing.  I ended up with extra tomatoes, onions and bell peppers.  However, right now is a time when there is a lot of fresh produce from the farmer markets or gardens.  These starters are no canning required and can easily be finished in weekend.  Starter packets can be changed up to whatever you have on hand.  The packets I did contain roma tomatoes, onions, and green bell peppers. Keep it simply to 3-3-1; 3 tomatoes, 3 bell peppers, 1 onion.   If using plastic freezer bags, make sure all the bags are air tight.

Homemade dishwasher soap and laundry soap

Live on Less and One Good Thing by Jillee are two of my favorite DIY blogs.  I've made laundry soap from One Good Thing and dishwasher soap from Live on Less.

Dishwasher soap-adapted from Live on Less
1 box Borax
1 box Arm & Hammer washing soda (at Walmart, both are next to each other in the laundry soap isle; both are used to make laundry soap as well)
3 canning salt
1 container  of unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid (acts as the citric acid)

The recipe can be cut down or increased.  I used the whole box of borax and washing soda plus a whole container of the unsweetened lemonade and 3 cups of salt.  Mix all ingredients together and store in an air tight container.  To use put one tablespoon in latched compartment and 1 tablespoon in the bottom of the dishwasher.  I have found that adding a drop of Dawn dish soap to the dishwasher helps bring the grease off and that adding 1/4 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle cuts down on cloudy glasses.
http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-for-06-a-load-picture-tutorial/
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/08/make-a-years-worth-of-laundry-soap.html
 

Frugal and gluten free

I have been slacking on posting recipes and reviews of GF products and I plan on getting caught up.  My goal is to stay caught up and posting items.  Since blogging last, my husband lost his job due to medical issues.  He could've stayed working but due to his condition he needed a more steady schedule and his employer wasn't going to let that happen. I have been online looking up ways to be frugal and gluten free.  Besides making my own edible products, I've been making my own cleaning supplies.  I will include links from other blogs and comments on what has worked for my family.