Replace nail biting with horsetail herbal capsules

A tried and true way to prevent nail biting is to take horsetail herb capsules. Nail biters seek silicone and this herb supplies it. I am a naughty nail biter from way back (and still do because I am hopeless at taking pills!). However I swear horsetail capsules work and my nails grow like wildfire whenever I remember to take them!

DIY 'mixed vegie bags' makes meals faster and easier

This simple tip saves me money and time every day when preparing meals. Whenever I buy frozen vegetables, I bring them home and immediately divide them into portions, placing them into ziplock bags, then popping them in the freezer. I often divide up broccoli, peas, cabbage, sprouts, carrots into the same bag. This way, they take up less space in the freezer and I know exactly how many meals they will serve. None ever get wasted and they can be either stored together or placed with other food to make it instantly possible to grab a complete meal. The same method works well with fresh food in preparation for things such as school fruit or lunch breaks, when time is at a premium in the mornings!!

Natural sanitiser

I have been receiving your fabulous emails for ages and I thought I'd share a favourite saving hint of my own.
 
My naturopath gave me a tip which saves money and is better for our health too. She said that most hand sanitisers contain chemicals and antibacterial properties that not only kill bad bacteria but also kill off essential good bacteria. The good bacteria on our hands helps to fight off infections and acts as a barrier, so hand sanitisers can compromise our ability to protect ourselves.
 
My naturopath gave me a natural alternative. She told me to buy some small atomisers and a bottle of water-soluble tea tree oil from the chemist. I would then pour about 20 drops of oil into each atomiser, and fill with water – that's all it takes to make your very own antiseptic.
 
These natural sanitisers are cheap, effective and have a lovely scent. An atomiser easily fits into a handbag, and is very handy if the kids get scratches and scrapes after playing – a quick spray on the affected area is all it takes.
 
Tea tree oil really is the best antiseptic around and there are so many uses for it. Happy natural sanitising!

Save a fortune with gift hampers

I came up with a great gift idea last year, which looked sensational without breaking the bank. I wanted to give families items that they really would use and enjoy, and that would not send my spending into overdrive! I created personalised gift baskets.

Each family member has their own personal likes so I decided to work with them. Most of the items were found in the supermarket, so I added them to my weekly shopping. A few dollars extra each week made little difference to my budget but provided excellent gifts for family and friends. For example, my brother likes hot and spicy food so I purchased minced chilli, hot salsa, oil infused with chilli and hot spices and presented them in a basket wrapped in red Cellophane. Two of my sisters-in-law love fragrance and candles so I made up baskets with different candles, incense, drawer liners, pot-pourri and sachets.

Others included:

• Garlic hamper - fresh garlic, minced garlic, garlic salt, garlic oil and a garlic mincer.

• Chocolate hamper - Jarrah chocolate, Cadbury, chocolate sauce, chocolate ice cream topping and chocolate curls.

• A herb bowl with 'boutique' herbs such as bouquet garni, cinammon sticks, oils infused with herbs and herb cook books.

• DVD hamper - a DVD, microwave popcorn, salsa, corn chips and jaffas.

• Gardening hamper - gloves, secateurs, Osmocote, plastic pot, hedge trimmers and Zero.

• Tea lover's hamper - a trivet, tea cup and saucer, UHT mini milks, tea bags, tea leaves and biscuits.

It is easy to pick a loved one's interest and tailor make a hamper/basket to match. Crazy Clints, $2 Shop and The Reject Shop have heaps of baskets and boxes to present your gifts in. Bowls, platters, saucepans and the like are ideal and useful containers for presentation. All it takes is some Cellophane and ribbon and you have a lovely (useful) hamper as a gift. It also works well for new baby gifts. Fill a box/basket with newborn necessities such as baby wipes, powder, nappy sacks, bibs, bottles, bootees, mittens, singlets, bath items and so on and wrap in Cellophane for that professional look. I saved a fortune last Christmas, yet everyone loved and used the gifts they received.