Deep South Home: What is on your playlist?

Opportunity #2 for Motivated Moms Giveaway (Remember this will work well for everyone, not just moms!)

When it comes down to it I really do not despise cleaning all that much. I just have a few requirements for bridging the gap to enjoyment.

1. I must have a caddy on each floor of the house filled with all my favorite cleaning products. Since you all shared yours with me I am going to share a top ten list of my favorite cleaning products in no particular order.

#5 (hey I told you no order) Method Tub and Tile Scrub. Simply amazing are the only words that come out of my mouth after I use this product. It is great for getting the grime out of a bathtub or even making that stainless sink really shine. It smells wonderful and it isn't harsh on your hands - win!

#8 Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes and Spray. I definitely prefer the wipes over the spray for convenience and longevity, but they both do amazing things with pesky stainless steel appliances. I can usually stretch one wipe for two appliances (stove and dishwasher/microwave and fridge). If you live near a Publix they go on great sales for BOGO.

#4 Method Wood for Good. Best dusting product out there and smells like almond oil. Your house smells so fresh and not overly scented.

#10 Weiman Granite Cleaner. I have under my sink three other granite products I have tried and they just don't make the cut. This also goes on sale at Publix BOGO and I stock up. Spray all the surfaces and then wipe down really well and they are left streak free. Trouble spot? Just spray a little right on the spot and let it soak for a few mins and it will wipe right up.

#3 Colored sponges. I know this sounds so simple but since all my products are in a little caddy the colors help me differentiate and keep things sanitary. Blue for toilets you know and other colors for counters, sinks and tubs.

#7 Swiffer Dusters. These are great for baseboards (really any wood work), lamp shades, tvs/electronics, etc. There are always coupons and you can use one many, many times (that is if you have cleaned your house recently - if it has been five years you will probably go through a box per room).

#1 Tilex Mold and Mildew. Gives you that nice bleachy smell (which is totally warranted from time to time). Great for showers to prevent mold and mildew and clean up any little spots that creep up on you unexpectedly.

#9 A toilet brush for every bathroom. Who wants to cart a toilet brush all over the house...not this girl! You can get these guys for so cheap and instead of buying them all at once, you can just pick up one from on different grocery trips and add to your collection.

#2 Clorox Wipes - I keep these under all our sinks like most of you and in accordance with the binder wipe them out at the end of the day when they get a little toothpaste grunge going on.

#6 The Original Swiffer. Whip it out and sweep the kitchen at the end of the day or if your kiddo spills a bowl a cheerios. Simple. Easy. Functional!

Still in search of a really good hardwood floor cleaner. I have a love hate relationship with most of the ones in my life. If you are in love with yours please let me know!

2. I always have to have music while I clean. It makes it so much more fun and enjoyable when you are dancing and singing all the grime away. Anything from Taylor Swift to Eminem to OAR it all works for me.

That leads to your entry opportunity -

• Tell me one song that is a must have while cleaning. If you enjoy peace and quiet just say your favorite song for the car.
• Refer a friend to comment and you get an entry.
• Post on your blog about the contest to link back here and you get a third entry.
• Facebook about it and you get a fourth entry - just comment here that you facebooked Deep South Sweets

with Belles and Beauxs

Deep South Eats: Pork and Cashew Stir-Fry

Pork and Cashew Stir-Fry around our house is a go-to weeknight meal. It meets the three judging categories of easy, filling and absolutely delicious. If it was in the Super Bowl of weeknight meals it would be walking away telling you it was going to Disney World.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp of stir-fry sauce (I prefer House Tsang Stir-Fry Sauce - you know it is made by Hormel so it has got to be super authentic)
• 1 Tbsp of frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed (Just scoop one tbsp out into a bowl to thaw and stick the rest of the container in a baggy and back in the freezer)
• 1 1/2 tsp of corn starch
• 1/2 pound boneless pork loin cut into 1/2 inch pieces (When the boneless pork chops are on sale I buy them and they work just as well)
• 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil
• Assorted chopped veggies (I just use whatever I have on hand but prefer julienne cut carrots, celery and green onion)
• 1/2 cup of unsalted cashews
• Hot cooked rice

Directions:

• Stir together stir fry sauce, orange juice concentrate, and corn starch until mixed well. Do not worry if you cannot get all of the corn starch globs mixed in.
• Pour over pork and toss to coat.
• Heat oil in non stick skillet over medium high heat. Cook pork for 4 minutes and add any vegetables you want. Continue cooking 2 to 4 minutes until pork is fully cooked.
• Stir in cashews and serve immediately over hot cooked rice.

Original Recipe: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000258165

Stay tuned: tomorrow is entry opportunity #2 for the Motivated Moms giveaway.

with Belles and Beauxs

Say Hello to My Little Friend

A blog that I confess that I stalk introduced me to the hallelujah glory that is Motivated Moms. I often find that I let the cleaning around the house pile up. When the house becomes a desperate situation I would much rather sit on the couch feeling overwhelmed than actually clean. Then came Motivated Moms. It is a system that breaks down your house cleaning day by day into a very manageable list. It includes daily chores to keep the house sparkling as well as the things you should be doing every day in the house. The working mom might find the schedule overwhelming, but someone that works from home, stays at home, or works part time will find this extremely helpful.

Think about it this way: what sounds more overwhelming, clean the whole bathroom or clean all the toilets in the house? Breaking it down into segments takes the overwhelming factor out and keeps the house maintained. I actually timed myself and it took me 12 minutes to clean all 5 toilets! I could go on and on, but please go check it out. Over the month of December I will be having several chances to enter the contest to win a free year subscription to Motivated Moms.

First question for entry: What is the one cleaning product you cannot live without?

Disclaimer - I am in no way a part of Motivated Moms, I just think it is totally awesome!

with Belles and Beauxs

The Sweet Kitchen: Whats on the Menu?

I apologize for the blogger silence over the last week. Mine and my husband's cars have both been under the weather. Instead of getting to share with you all I was stuck driving from car shop to dealership to rental, well you get the picture. Hey, in the process of having to tell people our contact information over and over my little nut learned my phone number (not kidding).

I am excited for December because I have a great giveaway to introduce you all to tomorrow. It is low on the monetary scale but in terms of applicable value within your life it is HUGE!! Stay tuned!

This week at Deep South Sweets, I am cleaning out the meat that I have frozen in our freezer. I know it can last longer, but I like to use it no later than the 3 month mark. Two of my meals center around getting rid of my stock!

Monday: Pork and Cashew Stir Fry with Steamed Rice and Broccoli (This is a staple food that I plan on featuring Wednesday)
Tuesday (Work Night): Leftovers from the end of last week
Wednesday: Tomato Basil Soup, Cheese Biscuits, and Tossed Salad (Splitting the meal and taking to a family member with a new baby)
Thursday (Work Night): Leftovers/Sandwich
Friday: Spaghetti with Homemade Meat Sauce and Garlic Green Beans
Saturday: Poppyseed Chicken, Kernel Corn, and Sugared Raspberries
Sunday: Church Class Party - I am bringing Chocolate Cake

with Belles and Beauxs