This post is sponsored by Ball®; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I remember when we purchased our first home, the excitement of having things done my way from organizing things to home decor was overwhelming. I vividly remember going from store to store unable to decide the best things to purchase, scrolling through Pinterest for hours looking for ideas to spruce up my home. Probably the most useful thing that I ended up purchasing was Ball® Mason Jars for almost everything as well as simply storing food and drinks. Less than $3 a jar in various sizes, Mason Jars can be found at your local Target store or other retail chains.
The appeal of these unique jars is their character and multi-functionality. One of the most obvious ways to use a Ball® Mason Jar is for food and drinks. My husband and I constantly use them in our kitchen whether it is to make overnight oats or having infused water for the week (my recipe for both are listed below). For preserving different vegetables, give canning a go. Cleaning them is no fuzz since they are dishwasher safe. Here is another useful tip, keep your spices in mason jars to prolong their freshness.
Mason Jars can have a number of other household uses too. These could be in the form of a vase, or poured candle (follow my how-to listed below) for something extremely special. I also like to use them in summer to make outdoor oil lamps. I simply just love to display my garden flowers in them and create a perfect centerpiece with different size jars.
When I attended the Domino magazine event a week ago, I was inspired by the beautiful creative arrangements created with the use of Ball Mason Jars. I mean seriously, how cool and innovative are these?!?!
Whether you use them as a table vase or for storing food, mason jars are elegant and versatile jars that have many uses. I hope this blog sparked some interest and ideas for you to try in the future. Also, don’t forget to save you some extra cash on Ball® Mason Jars with the Ibotta app, its better than a coupon, Ibotta pays you real cash whenever or wherever you shop. Learn how the Ibotta app works here: App Link. So get to downloading the free app and locate Ball® offers within Target. #manyusesofmason, #balljars
Overnight Oats
Here’s what you’ll need to make overnight oats
INGREDIENTS
1 160z Ball® Mason Jar (I like to use a little bigger jar if you like you can use 140z as well)
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats plus ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
1/2 cup milk or 1/3 cup yogurt of your choice. (I prefer regular yogurt)
½ cup fruit (I like fresh or frozen blueberries and Strawberries)
*Optional add either honey or maple syrup to make it sweeter. Also for a little crunch add nuts or granola. Add a tablespoon of water for thinner consistency.
Mix all the ingredients together and let it sit in the fridge overnight. When ready to eat, top it off with even more fresh fruit and nuts for extra flavor and texture.
Infused Water
I don’t know about you guys but I have a hard time consuming the amount of water I’m supposed to drink daily. To overcome this challenge, I hydrate with infused water. Infusing water with the essence of fruits, herbs, and other botanicals could help you drink plenty of water without the downside of excess calories, sugars, and artificial flavorings. It’s also a great way to get your little ones to hydrate.
You can use any size Ball® mason jar of your preference. I like to use the 80z for a perfect cup of glass. Here are some helpful tips:
*infuse water at room temperature for no more than 2 hours. After that, put it in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth.
*keep it simple. Think of flavor combos you like in other recipes and build from there.
*use cold or room temperature filtered water. Hot water makes produce fall apart faster and can compromise the nutrients.
Soy Candle
Supply list: Soy candle
One Ball® Mason Jar of your size of preferences (I really prefer the Ball® Collection Elite® Wide Mouth Half-Pint 8Oz. Glass Mason Jars With Lids And Bands)
One package of candle-making soy wax
One package of large candle wicks
One bottle of fragrance oil
One spatula
One heat-proof container
One double boiler
One pair of chopsticks or pencils
Step 1: Measure the wax
Before you begin the candle-making process, make sure you have a clean, flat surface to work on. You can also protect the area with newspaper or paper towels. Move anything that you don’t want to get wax on.
Measure out how much wax you would need to fill your container, then double it. That’s how much wax you will need to melt.
Step 2: Melt the wax
Pour the wax into your double boiler and allow to melt for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 3: Add fragrance oils
When your candle wax is melted, it’s time to add fragrance oils. Follow the instructions on your wax package for how much to add. Simply pour it into your melted wax and stir for a few seconds. While this step is optional, I definitely recommend Eucalyptus Oil. It is my little #momhack. It is great for when your kids get cold all year long to help them sooth. You can add any fragrances of your choice or even add a couple of them for the perfect scent of your choice.
Step 4: Attach the wick
The wick needs to be attached to the bottom of your container before you pour in the wax. You can attach the wick by dipping it in the melting wax then quickly sticking it to the bottom of the container. Let the wax sit five minutes to harden. Alternatively, you can superglue it.
Step 6: Secure the wick
To prevent your wick from swaying in the melty wax, you need to secure it in place. Lay two chopsticks across the top of the container. Sandwich the wick in between so that it stays centered while the wax hardens.
Allow the wax to set for four hours at room temperature.
Step 7: Cut the wick.
Your candle wick should be less than half an inch long. If, when lit, the candle flickers or has a tall flame, trim the wick.
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