Battle of the Suds

I was out of dishwashing detergent and being the frugal person that I am, I said to the family, “I’m not buying detergent until we move. I’ve got some Dawn in here that we can use.”

And then the moaning ensued. Too bad for them. I’m not above using what I’ve got, and I actually like doing dishes by hand. All they had to do was put the dishes away. Slackers.

However, God in all his infinite wisdom knew that we had better things to do with our time – like packing the house and trying to find a trash can that didn’t require a lien. Those two tasks alone have consumed much of our time... So he had a very nicely-timed challenge plop into my lap. I was asked if I would like to review both Cascade Complete and Electrasol Advance liquid dishwashing detergents to see which cleaner did a better job. That God – he sure has a great sense of timing, not to mention a great sense of humor.

So for the last few weeks, I’ve been alternating the detergents, trying to determine the pros and cons of the two products.

Using the same process for both detergents (no pre-washing, filling dishwasher with the same amount of dishes, letting dishes sit the same amount of time between washings), here’s what I’ve discovered:

Cascade Complete

Liquid is thick
Has a pleasant clean smell
Left the dishes completely clean
Added a “sparkle” to the glasses
No water spots on dishes
Only one filled detergent compartment to clean dishes

Electrasol Advance

Liquid is thick, but not as thick as Cascade
Has a pleasant lemon smell
Food was left on some dishes
Some glasses sparkled
Water spots on silverware
Had to filled the detergent compartment AND the extra fill area to get similar results as Cascade
Hands down, Cascade Complete won the challenge. It did the job right the first time, without using as much detergent to do the job. I’m not really surprised. I always found Cascade to be a time-tested, constantly-working cleaner that makes doing dishes just a little bit easier. Others may be cheaper on the front end, but when you have to use more, pre-wash or rewash some dishes after the fact, you realize that you didn’t really save yourself anything in the long run.

Green Detergent That Saves Some Green (Free Sample!)

Back in the days before I made my own detergent, I used to buy Purex, mainly because it cleaned really well at a fraction of what Tide, Gain or All cost. I was always pleased with its scent, its cleaning power and its price.

A week ago, I received a sample bottle of the new Purex Natural Elements Apple & Melon scented detergent, a laundry cleaner derived from 100 % natural cleansing ingredients and natural fragrance. I had high hopes about this detergent. I wondered if it could still live up to its reputation of cleaning really well while being gentle on the environment.

I can honestly say that after umpteen loads of laundry, I am extremely please with the results. It really is tough on dirt while it’s still softens the clothes and makes them smell fantastic! This detergent is concentrated, so I still have many capfuls left after all my washing. And being the rebel that I am, I always just poured the capful into the tub when I started the washer and threw my clothes into the washer immediately. I’ve had clean clothes every single time.

So if you’re looking for a way to go a little greener without it costing an arm and a leg, I would recommend this detergent. If Apple & Melon aren’t for you, there’s also Linen & Lilies or Cherry Blossoms & Vanilla. You can find a 100 oz bottle for about $7. So not only is Purex going green, it’s saving green too!

If you want to know more about this product, check out this Purex site. In addition to tips and product information, the site is home to an auction of celebrity designed t-shirts with eco-friendly slogans with all proceeds going to the Earth Day Network (check out Jaime Pressly and Bette Midler’s designs among others). Consumers can also get involved by entering the national design contest and creating a virtual t-shirt with your own original design. Every person who enters the contest will get a free sample. The winner will have their design produced for sale on the Web site (with all proceeds going to EDN) and will win a smart-for-two car from Mercedes Benz.

Not in the mood to design a shirt? You can still get a free sample here.

You’re welcome.

Head on over to Shannon’s place for some other fabulous tips.

WFMW - An Endearing Children's Book

Since I didn't realize that this week's WFMW was a cooking, you're getting something that will nourish your mind as well as all the great links to nourish your body.

I know Boomama just did a giveaway for this sweet little book, but I wanted to put my two cents in as well.



A few weeks ago, I was sent a copy of I Love You More by Laura Duksta. To my complete delight and surprise, I fell in love with this charming flip book - a book that tells the story of love from a parent's point of view and then from the child's viewpoint.

My first thoughts about the book as I was reading it was that this sweet book is a cross between the classic Guess How Much I Love You and What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best. (In Guess How Much I Love You, the two rabbits try to best each other in love and in What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best, each page details how a the mothers love their children and then you flip the book to see how the fathers show the same kind of love.) Duksta was able to render a tender, fun story using these two combined techniques, but still she made it an original all her own.

I liked the flow of words and feeling of unconditional full love that I Love You More reflects to the readers. Both sides show the unlimited depths of each to the other, but they are reflected in the terminology that is appropriate for the viewpoints. I mean, to be told by a child that I am loved more than a lollipop is big love indeed, especially considering the love of candy that we've seen around this house after Halloween!

No children's picture book can make it on it's own. The illustrations play a huge factor in the making or breaking of a story. Fortunately for I Love You More, it had Karen Keesler on its side. Keesler created beautiful renderings that accurately portray the thoughts of the characters and she does it with color and lines and a soft style. And I have to say that I love the creativity that plays out on the "back" or flip side of the book. It had me chuckling when I turned the book over to start the child's version of love.

So if you're looking for a unique treasure to share with your child this year, I highly recommend I Love You More as a Christmas, a birthday or a "Just Because" gift.  (Although I put "child", I don't want you to read toddler to 7 year old.  This book would be a wonderful way to show your love to a son or daughter of any age.)

And as an added bonus, I asked if I could give a book away and they gave me THREE!  Woo hoo!

So leave a comment for me on this post, and I'll do a that handy-dandy random drawing thingie for three on Saturday, December 8th.  Please make sure that you leave a way for me to contact you in case you are one of the lucky ducks who will get a book.  You may be able to cross one Christmas gift off your list!

Head on over to Shannon's for some other fantastic ideas.

How Good Is It? I’m Posting On A Saturday If That Tells You Anything.

The Girl has been listening to Christmas since before Thanksgiving. I don’t know about you, but there’s only so much Christmas music a girl can take, especially I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Silver Bells, and Baby, It’s Cold Outside. 

Don’t get me wrong!  I like these songs, and I sing along with them for a while. But one of the things that bothers me greatly about the 24/7 Christmas music is that most of it doesn’t have much to do with the reason for the celebration in the first place. It’s all about Santa, snow, romance, animals… Where are the songs that sing about the greatest gift of all – Christ? The stations will throw one or two in occasionally – What Child Is This? or O Holy Night, but not enough to make me want to listen to them all the time.

So when I was blessed enough to receive one of the new Michael W. Smith Christmas CD, It’s A Wonderful Christmas, I threw it in the CD player when The Girl and The Boy were in the same room and behaving rather nicely to each other (a sure sign that Christmas is coming soon), and oh my lands  -  it’s fantastic! It’s simply a lovely, gorgeous natural mood enhancer around the Christmas season – perfect for decorating a tree, relaxing for moment with your favorite Christmas drink and for reflecting on Christ in Christmas.

The music is beautiful and inspiring, and as usual, Mr. Smith incorporated the voices of children in some of the songs. My kids take notice and appreciate it when they hear a performer who understands and delights in the special qualities of young voices. The songs have such great qualities of sounds to them; they are meant to be heard by many. And the songs don’t cram Jesus down anyone’s throat, but they’re not afraid to mention his name.

My favorite one? That song would have to be the duet he sings with Mandisa, Christmas Day. I think their voices blend eloquently, producing a stunning sound.

So what I’m trying to tell you is that this CD,It’s A Wonderful Christmas, would make a perfect addition to any Christmas CD collection. Maybe while you’re out picking up gifts for your family, you’ll consider getting this CD for yourself. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed at all.

WFMW - GLAD Simply Cooking Bags

I was sent 3 GLAD Simply Cooking Microwave Steaming Bags (click link to visit GLAD site) and all I can say is I really, really like them.





These little babies easily hold a 16 oz. bag of frozen vegetables perfectly. All I had to do was add the frozen veggies to a well designed bag (it didn't flop over or close while adding the vegetables), seal the ziplock top and microwave for the suggested time on the package. These bags are made to allow the vegetables to steam in their own juices, making them tender, juicy, flavorful and colorful. I added no water, dirtied no pots or pans and I had an instant storage container at the end of the meal.



The only thing I did wash was the bag. They are completely reusable, making them a bit more worth the cost, which is about $3 for 10 bags.



And the bags aren't subject to frozen food alone. They can be used to cook fresh vegetables and meats as well. The bags are recommended for preparing and storing foods, reheating leftovers and in par cooking.



If you're looking for an easy no-mess way to cook foods that are chocked full of great natural flavor, then I suggest that you give the GLAD Steaming Bags a try.

Now head on over to Shannon's for some truly wonderful ideas.

Dogdays of Summer Aren't Completely Gone

I've missed out on so much!

Over the time that I was gone, Shannon hosted the coolest little giveaway event. And I missed it all. (See, I only blogged about our vacation and then I turned the computer off... mainly because I wanted Mr. Right to be with me another 15 years and then some. I'm just crazy like that.)

However, I'd like to get caught up on a few things.



First, I so want to win this tv. I think it would look just fine in the tv room, or in the kitchen so that I could watch "French Chef" DVDs. I'm just saying...

Find out more about it at 5 Minutes for Mom, and I want to say a huge thanks to Best Buy for making it available to the blogging world!

Secondly, I want to highlight a sweet CD that I received when I returned from the trip. I felt blessed to be one of the first 100 people to request the new Monk & Neagle CD. And let me tell you something: It is fabulous! So if you didn't win a free one, go ahead and pre-order one for when it comes out on September 18.

It's that good.

GiBee directed me to this little doozy...Over at Ashwin’s blog, you will find one crazy blog owner!! You can win $2500!! To enter just copy this text and paste it in your blog!! But hurry, this competition will not last long! So get posting!


Third, it's not too late to still contribute for the Love On Parker lovathon.



Plus, Melody came up with a brilliant plan. If the donations total more than $3000, then she'll give away her blog! Go see her for more details and let's make her actually have to do it!

Okay, I'm sure I missed something, but that will have to do for now. But I promise you that tomorrow's post will be all about me. (If that doesn't scare you away, then I don't know what would...) Make it a great day (especially for Parker).