DIY Life

I don't know about you, but when I think of homemade butter, I picture long afternoons spent at a butter churn. But did you know that you can make fresh, tasty butter in the comfort of your own modern kitchen? Not only is it simple, the results are immediately edible.

Apartment Therapy's Ohdedoh shares the simple steps for making homemade butter. All you need is some heavy cream, a jar, and some kids to do the shaking. Or, you can make life easier for everyone and put the cream in your food processor with either a plastic blade or its regular chopping blade. I'm not saying your kids won't like to shake, but when they get tired out, it's your biceps that are going to be aching.

When it's done, you can either eat it immediately or "work it" and store it in the fridge. For more details on how to make this yummy treat, check out the gallery below. Before you begin, I highly recommend baking a batch of homemade muffins or bread. You'll thank me later, I promise.

(via Craftzine)

Got milk? Ha, sorry, I couldn't resist. At over $4 a gallon, milk is a very expensive commodity these days. It is very important to have on hand, especially as it helps us grow up big and strong. Of course, if you are lactose intolerant, then you can use milk for other things, and as I have, learn to love soy!

Are you curious to know what else you can do with milk beside make excellent mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner? Gomestic has a list of 20 extraordinary uses for milk that is, well, extraordinary.

The author mentions everything from using powdered milk and water as a facial mask, using milk as a shaving cream, and using milk to make yourself a foam bath. Check out the list to see if there is anything that you can use milk for:

For those who get cold sores or fever blisters, this is a dreaded season. Outbreaks are more common and dry uncomfortable skin seems to slow the healing process. Here are 9 ways to speed the healing and control the spread of these painful lesions.

1. Make sure you have a cold sore
   Confirm what you're dealing with so that you can treat it effectively.
   
2. Notice when an outbreak is pending
   The affected area will feel tender and sore. You will likely notice a small bump before an actual outbreak. If you catch the sore before it's completely erupted you'll have an easier time treating it.
   
3. Quarantine your sore
   Yes, that means no smooching. Keep the sore to yourself. Don't share drinks or dishes with people. Wash your hands well and avoid touching the sore.
   
4. Toss the toothbrush
   You could be reinfecting yourself, so get a new toothbrush and start fresh.
   
5. Take an antiviral medication
   Ask your doctor about medication that you can take to suppress outbreaks and stop from passing them on.
   
6. Take care of the fever
   Cold sores and fevers often go hand in hand, particularly in children. Monitor and treat the fever.
   
7. Ease the pain
   Over the counter creams and pain medication can help ease the pain. 10 minutes with an ice-pack or a whole milk compress will also do the trick.
   
8. Have patience
   Outbreaks typically take 2 weeks to subside. Picking at the sore will only agitate it and prolong the healing process.
   
9. Talk to your doctor
   If healing doesn't progress as you'd expect or if you are in particular pain, talk to your doctor. The doctor may recommend a vitamin B complex and amino acids.

That nasty looking cold sore is not going to compliment your new holiday outfit. Look your best and spare your date the awkward moment of rejecting your goodnight kiss by following these useful tips for quick healing and quarantine of the dreaded cold sore.

Last week I tested out a homemade deep conditioner. It was an avocado and mayonnaise concoction that had impressive results. Days later, my hair felt great!

This week I tested a homemade face mask. I tried out the Autumn Apple Face Mask. The results were a little less impressive, but I'll share the recipe and experience with you, and you can see for yourself.

The Autumn apple face mask
This seasonal mask is designed to combat dry flaky skin that tends to creep up on us with the changing season. The apple and oatmeal recipe helps you get rid of dead skin cells, invigorating your skin, creating a bright, fresh complexion.

Gallery: Autumn apple facial mask