Tracey Allen's Blog, page 13
August 23, 2012
Each Pallet Idea Pictured Separate as requested
re-purpose pallet to art desk www.simplifyandsave.ca 
re-purpose pallet to shoe rack www.simplifyandsave.ca 
re-purpose pallet to book case www.simplifyandsave.ca
Re-use for Pallets - Save Money - Create, Bookcase, Art Desk or Shoe rack all with materials on hand.
We just finished building a house - and there is no budget left for 'other things' for example an art desk for our youngest son who plans to go to art school next year. Enter re-use for pallets. We sourced pallets as mentioned in a previous blog from a number of sources for free. Well using a few left over from making the deck we created an art desk, shoe rack and bookcase.
Art Desk
We also had a left over piece from the kitchen cabinets that was the perfect top for the art desk. We simply cut a pallet in half and added the cabinet top and a bracer piece or board cut from another pallet. Voila - and he loves it and we didn't pay $250 for him to paint all over it!
Bookcase
Next our book case didn't move well so we were in need of another book case, yes we could just go buy one but what is the fun in that! Lol We just simply flipped a pallet over, added three boards cut from other pallets for the 'shelves' and painted it with left over paint from our house painting...so it even matches our room.
Shoe Rack
We downsized our house and well that meant that we don't have a big closet to throw our shoes in at the entry-way. Short on space a pallet cut in half and put up against the wall (painted with left over paint) does perfect for vertical storage!
I'm sure there are more pallet ideas coming i.e dog house, shed, etc.....as long as they are free and plentiful!
August 21, 2012
Free and easy PVC Raised Garden Beds
We used to farm hogs or pigs and are familiar with the penning used for weaners or your 8 weeks to grower stage. The penning is PVC is some cases and very durable since pigs can ruin anything! And to buy a PVC raised garden bed say a 4 foot by 4 foot and 8 inches high is $90! Here I've shown a 4 foot by 8 foot and 18inch high PVC raised bed and the cost was free. How? For us maybe easier since hog barns are dropping like flies due to the lack of a local kill plant and the market price. We saw a farmer dismantling his operation and he was throwing away the PVC penning. We asked if we could have them.....his response, "fill your boots!" So ask around to find some for yourself.
So we loaded them put on a truck, put them in a field to air out....since pigs barns tend to have an odor, we waited a fews days. Then between free wood pallets and free PVC pig penning we created our 4 foot by 8 foot raised garden beds. Hope this idea gives you some ideas on reusing and recycle materials to use in your garden.
August 17, 2012
Gluten-free - Lactose-free - Vegan - Raw Lunch
I sometimes like to eat raw food or un-cooked food and today was that day. I had some beets and carrots so created a mix to have them as lettuce sandwiches....yum. They definitely have a sweet taste to them. Ingredients:
3 beets
2 carrots
1/4 cup walnuts
3 dates
2 teaspoons lemon juice
salt to taste
Instructions: Put all the ingredients in a food processor and process until well blended. Spoon out and unto washed lettuce or romaine lettuce pieces. Enjoy a nice, detoxing, delicious, cool, filling and healthy lunch!
August 16, 2012
August 13, 2012
Harvest - Peas both for seed and soups/stews
It has been a dry summer almost everywhere in North Amercia....so this year the peas dried right on the plant. I simply came along and harvested the pods. Then put them in a baggie and shake them...all the peas come out. Simply sort out any bad ones and jar them for either seed for next year's pea plants or used them for soups and stews.
August 11, 2012
We just built a new house (August 2, 2012
Back To School Healthy Snacks & Meals for your Kids!
First off - healthy doesn't need to mean expensive or hard to make. No it can be very easy. Snacks - See the picture at the left - fruit like bananas or apples can be 20cents to 90cents each or buy bulk raisins, apricots, figs, dates, prunes etc. I've seen all kinds of pre-packaged, pre-cut, fruit but I truly believe that our children can peel a banana or bite into an apple without much difficulty. I mean we could do it as children and they are just as smart as us! The added advantage of the snacks mentioned is that they don't require a lot of packaging so there isn't much waste to throw out.
For those that like to have fun in the kitchen there are cocoa snacks listed in the book or recipe below - no cooking involved.
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Cocoa Snacks
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups walnuts (or other nuts)
3/4 cup raisins
1 tbsp. honey or maple syrup
1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa
Pinch of salt
Optional: coconut flakes for rolling.
Directions: Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the raisins and mix thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients and pulse. Remove from processor and form into balls. Roll in coconut, if desired. Freeze or eat right away.
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Lunch Meals - Leftover homemade pizza would be kids dream....at least my kids. Challenge your kids to create their own, special sandwich with themes like meatless Monday or Wild Wednesday etc. Change up the bread or for gluten-free kids use a lettuce wrapped sandwich. Start asking them what they want for lunch and to create their own homemade treats. There are some different rolls/muffins that can be made with cheese or other fillings to create a great pop in the mouth but healthy treat on the go. Make sure they have a protein of some sort to help keep them full longer. If school lunch planning is a weekly event rather than chore, the ideas can be endless....and it might ensure they actually eat it, since they created it!
Have fun, eat healthy and enjoy your kids while they are young....my 20 and 25 year olds make their own lunches now....most of the time :-)
July 26, 2012
Potatoes are good for you....recipes
Potatoes are good for you and I'm not just saying that because I come from a world famous potato growing region....not not at all. Here are actual facts, according to the Farm and Forestry Fact of the Day: Based on a 100-gram weight, potatoes are low in calories at 77, compared to rice and pasta with 138 and 129 respectively.One of the recipes in my book is for a Potato Pizza base and it is good. For other great potato recipes go to the PEI Potato Board's website and try one or two. Not only are potatoes low in calories they are nutritionally good for you. Check the Nutrition Charts here. According to the Nutrition Data website, "This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium and Manganese."
Now if that isn't good enough for you - they are cheap food too! At an average of .60cents a pound with 3 medium potatoes per pound they cost .20cents a potato or per person. New potatoes shown in the photo will cost a little more due to their size. Pretty cheap food that is low in calories and has good nutritional value.
That that a step further and grow your own....they are easier than you think! Short on space use the old trick my grandfather did - start with an old tire (free from your local garage), fill with dirt, plant your potato seed (from a register source), and then when the plant starts to grow put another tire on top and add more dirt and so on until you have about 3-4 high. Remove the tires and let the dirt fall when you are ready to harvest.
Whether you grow your own, get them from a local farmer, or at the store...please, please don't buy the mash potatoes in the b
