DIY on Shared Bits

Short Bits 2026

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-29

01 - Check the Ingredient List When Purchasing Baked Goods in the Whole Foods Market Bakery (2026-02-06)

Image courtesy of Arturs Budkevic at Pixabay

If you buy baked goods made by Whole Foods Market bakery, you should check the ingredient list. About a year or two ago, I began to notice that Whole Foods Market bakery began using a GMO (genetically modified organism) ingredient in their cupcakes and in one of their pies. I was dumbfounded…Whole Foods Market, who prides themselves for selling organic food, using a GMO ingredient?! A few months ago, I noticed that they are now also using a GMO ingredient in their cookies. As a result, I choose not to purchase the products.

Shared Bits 7-Year Anniversary

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-14

Highlights of my life and seventh year of blogging; Oct 2024 - Sept 2025.

01 - Shared Bits

I published 10 posts this year, including this post, bringing total posts published to 82.

Shared Bits visitor count began to increase quite a bit beginning in October last year. Shared Bits reached another milestone this year by exceeding 5,000 visitors per month for four months of the year. For the year, the average visitor count for Shared Bits was 4,053.

Creamy Chili Lime Dip, Salad Dressing, or Baked Potato Topping

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-01

01. - Introduction

I was watching YouTube videos about two years ago and a suggested video caught my eye; oven roasted chili lime garbanzo beans. I decided I wanted to try the recipe, so I purchased a can of garbanzo beans from Wegmans and chili lime seasoning from Trader Joe’s .

I didn’t think much of the recipe and it definitely wasn’t better than popcorn in my opinion. I also didn’t like the chili lime seasoning I purchased from Trader Joe’s. The chili lime seasoning from Trader Joe’s was very bland. Any chili seasoning should have a little bit of a kick to it in my opinion.

Sauteed Mushrooms & Onion

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Updated 2026-09-11

1 - Introduction

In the past whenever I used onion in a recipe, I usually didn’t use the whole onion. I would wrap the leftover onion in plastic wrap twice, place it in a plastic food storage container, and then place the container in the refrigerator. The storage technique helps to prevent the transfer of onion odor in the refrigerator. I would tell my wife that there was leftover onion in the refrigerator and that she could use it if she wanted. However, I usually had to end up throwing the onion away, which I hated because that was food going to waste. However, I couldn’t think of a way to use the leftover onion.

Gluten Free Oat Bread

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-16

1 - Introduction

Just over three years ago, I watched a video on the Fy Nyth YouTube channel. In the video, Ariel McGlothin mentioned a gluten free oat bread recipe that she planned to do a video of in the future.

At the time, I was buying Canyon Bakehouse Mountain White gluten free bread from Walmart . The bread was just okay, the loaves were very small, and the bread was quite pricey; $5.99 per loaf and that was three years ago.

My First Yellow Jacket Nest Elimination

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-08

I’ve heard about yellow jacket nests being in the ground, but I’ve never encountered one in the past. I’ve heard about people getting stung multiple times because they weren’t aware that a yellow jacket ground nest existed until they walked across one.

On July 05, I went outside to set up another rat trap to catch chipmunks. While walking back toward the exterior basement walkup, I noticed yellowish-colored insects flying from the ground close to the edge of the top of the exterior basement walkup. I then peered down into the hole from which the insects were flying and I observed yellow and black faces lined up around the perimeter of the hole (scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page)…yellow jackets. Great, like I needed more things to do.

Replaced the Original Water Heater Anode Rod with a Corro-Protec Anode Rod

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-11

Our last water heater, a Rheem 75-gallon gas water heater, lasted about 17 years. I never replaced the anode rod in that water heater and I wondered if it would have lasted longer if I had. The replacement 75-gallon gas water heater, made by A.O. Smith, cost my wife and I $1,810. I didn’t realize that water heaters were so expensive, so I endeavored to do everything I could to keep the replacement water heater for as long as possible.

Short Bits 2024

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-18

Image courtesy of FAI

01 - Dalton Thomas Resigns from Frontier Alliance International (2024-02-19)

Updated on 2025-08-18

I was getting ready to contribute to the Five Dollar Monthly Giving Campaign at Frontier Alliance International (FAI) in the early morning of Feb 08. A banner at the top of the organization’s site stated that Dalton Thomas, the founder and president, had resigned .

I loved Dalton Thomas. He was the best teacher of the Bible I’ve ever encountered. I was dumbfounded when I read the details about his resignation. I’m very saddened, hurt, and confused about what Dalton did. How could he continue to falsely represent himself as a man of God and hold the leadership position that he held at FAI while having an adulterous relationship?

Five Ingredient Lower Oxalate Trail Mix

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-01

01 - Introduction

In January 2023, I suffered the third kidney stone of my life and less than 4 years after my second kidney stone . I had to give up eating a number of snack foods which were high in oxalate content .

I began eating dried, sliced cranberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts as a snack, mixing one dried fruit with one of the seeds or walnuts. I also use the same dried fruit, seeds, and walnuts in another recipe that I make (future blog post). Thinking about the other recipe, I came up with an easy-to-make trail mix recipe in May 2023 that is healthy, tasty, and low in oxalate content.

Homemade Yogurt Using Milk and Probiotic Capsules

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-02

01 - Introduction

In April 2022, I watched a video on the Mary’s Nest YouTube channel about making your own yogurt . I had just successfully made my first batch of ghee , so I was intrigued about being able to make my own yogurt as well.

I consume a lot of yogurt; currently about 6 quarts a month. I eat yogurt mixed with fruit preserves as part of my breakfast on a daily basis. I also have a few bread recipes that call for yogurt. Lastly, I use yogurt as a dip, salad dressing, and baked potato topping .

Creamy BBQ Dip, Salad Dressing, or Baked Potato Topping

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-01

Introduction

In the past, I used hummus and sometimes oil-based salad dressings as a dip for carrot and celery sticks, but I kind of got tired of both options. I also desired to use a yogurt-based salad dressing versus an oil-based salad dressing when I ate a salad. I saw yogurt-based salad dressings in the produce section at a local Wegmans , but the salad dressings contained preservatives.

Early in 2020, I decided to research yogurt-based vegetable dip recipes on the Internet. I found a number of yogurt-based dip recipes, two of which I began using as a vegetable dip and also as a salad dressing:

My First Attempt at Making Ghee - SCORE!

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-08

I use DMSO topically for pain relief on a number of areas of my body. One possible side effect of using DMSO topically is eczema . Therefore, I apply natural moisturizers on the application areas both after applying DMSO and after bathing.

In the past I’ve used Great Value brand organic virgin unrefined coconut oil from Walmart and I’ve also used Badger Balm for Sensitve Dry Skin . I kept a tin of Badger Balm for Sensitive Dry Skin in my bathroom for use during the warmer months because virgin unrefined coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees fahrenheit. While there’s nothing wrong with melted coconut oil, I prefer using something solid because it’s less messy.

Short Bits 2022

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-18

01 - What Is He Wearing?! (2022-01-26)

Did I become a crossdresser? No. Did I become a transvestite? No. Did I become a gender denier? No. Depending on what part of the planet you visit, the garment goes by a number of different names. Throughout the remainder of the post I’ll refer to the garment as a sarong . The sarong is worn by adults and children, male and female.

Toilet Tank Rebuild

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000

My first draft of this post was about trying something different during a recent toilet tank rebuild. However, due to a leak issue after the first rebuild attempt and then shelving the idea I had, I decided to re-write the post about my rebuild experience.

Towards the end of last year, the toilet in our powder room began making a high pitch sound after it was flushed. We had a Fluidmaster fill valve and a little bit of Internet research turned up two possible causes: grit in the fill valve seal or the fill valve seal was shot.

Suffering from GTPS Pain? I Have Some Tips for You

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-18

Disclaimer: The following is not medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only.

1 - Introduction

On May 13, 2020, I experienced a recurrence of thoracic spine pain. I believe the pain recurrence was the result of temporarily discontinuing use of arthritis-strength acetaminophen, which had been helpful in managing the pain since 2018. It was very painful to have pressure applied to the thoracic area of my spine, so I began sitting on the sleeper sofa in the family room, using sofa pillows from the living room sofa in an attempt to relieve the pain while allowing me to sit with back support.

My First Experience with Oat Beverage...Pleasantly Surprised

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-11

My interest in milk alternatives was piqued after watching a video on the Torin by the Ocean YouTube channel about two years ago. I wasn’t interested in replacing milk with a milk alternative, but I thought I might be able to save some money by buying less milk. At that time I was buying organic lactose free milk which has become quite expensive. I made it a point to check out the milk alternative offerings the next few times I went grocery shopping.

Braun Series 7 Model 7893s Electric Shaver Battery Replacement

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2022-08-05

1 - Introduction

I purchased my first Braun electric shaver, a Braun Series 7 model 7893s, in 2017 at Costco . I’ve used electric shavers for most of the time I’ve shaved and the Braun Series 7 model 7893s is hands down the best electric shaver I’ve ever used. A site dedicated to electric shaver guides and reviews thinks the same about the Braun Series 7 in general, although not so much the newest iteration of the series. Two to three months ago, I began noticing that my electric shaver needed recharging after fewer shaves. Time to replace the rechargeable battery I thought to myself. The owner’s manual had a section on how to access and remove the rechargeable battery and the process looked simple, so I decided to attempt to replace the battery myself.

Pure Water from the Megahome Water Distiller

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-11

I became concerned about the water I drank a few years ago after reading about some of the things that cannot or are not removed from tap water; e.g. excreted pharmaceutical medicines, hormone disrupting chemicals, etc. I had been buying and drinking bottled spring water, but I got to thinking that maybe even spring water might have contaminants in it. Therefore, I decided to start drinking distilled water .

I was familiar with distilled water since I have used it in the past for steam irons and ultrasonic humidifiers . Steam irons usually require distilled water because the minerals in tap water can result in mineral buildup in the steam vents. Using distilled water in ultrasonic humidifiers results in easier cleaning and lower operating costs since you don’t have to buy a filter that some models offer to remove the minerals and chlorine in tap water. I’ve also used distilled water for automotive applications such as topping off lead acid batteries and diluting anti-freeze for engine coolant.

Nubian Heritage Body Lotion in a User-Friendly Container

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-09

Introduction

I began to look closely at the ingredients of all personal care products I used after being diagnosed with atopic dermatitis on my face in 2016. The body lotions I used at the time had at least one preservative ( phenoxyethanol ), synthetic fragrances, and other ingredients that caused me concern. I spent hours attempting to locate a body lotion that didn’t contain preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or other suspect ingredients. I finally discovered Nubian Heritage body lotions, most of which do not have preservatives and none of which contain synthetic fragrances.

DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

Mon, 13 May 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-08-30

In 2016 I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. There is no specific known cause for the skin ailment, but there are suspected triggers such as synthetic fragrances, artificial preservatives, and certain foods. I’ve also discovered that anything that boosts or modulates the immune system, specifically certain herbal remedies, triggers atopic dermatitis flareups for me.

Our family has just about always used Tide laundry detergent. I began using Tide Free & Clear due to concerns about the synthetic fragrances used in the scented versions and their effects on humans and the environment. However, I later read that Tide laundry detergent has a chemical called 1-4-dioxane that seems pretty nasty, so I began using Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus laundry detergent.

Short Bits 2019

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-14

1. Cleaner Method of Measuring Honey for Recipes (2019-04-11)

I recently tried a recipe that I’ve had for some time that called for the use of oil and honey among other ingredients. I didn’t plan it, but I measured the oil first and then used the same measuring cup to measure the honey. All but a very small amount of honey slid right out of the measuring cup.

Loaded Baked Potato: My Version

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-04

When I was younger, I enjoyed going out to dinner with my parents and siblings at Ponderosa Steakhouse for steak, baked potato, and salad. I always liked to put sour cream on my baked potato.

As a working adult, I began eating a baked potato for lunch. However, I learned that using plain yogurt as a replacement for sour cream was a healthier option. I began mixing in a cup of plain yogurt with the baked potato and then commenced to eat the whole thing, skin and all.

Markup a Bible for Chronological Reading

Sun, 09 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-06

Introduction

I set a personal goal a few years ago to read the entire Bible. I have now read the entire Bible twice, although I skipped over the genealogy parts both times and the instructions from God for the building of the temple on the second read.

The second time I decided to read the entire Bible, I wanted to read the Bible chronologically; i.e. in the order of events. I decided to purchase HCSB Reading God’s Story: A Chronological Daily Bible by Dr. George H. Guthrie (henceforth called the HCSB chronological Bible). HCSB is an acronym for the Holman Christian Standard Bible, one of many Bible translations . I found reading the Bible in chronological order to be a more enjoyable and enlightening experience. However, the HCSB chronological Bible would not make a good reference Bible. If you needed to look up a particular book, chapter, and verse, how would you do that? I also much prefer the New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation of the Bible.

Eat the Gelato, Reuse the Container

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-09-11

I discovered Talenti gelato a few years ago while trying to pick out ice cream at Whole Foods Market . Previously, I bought Stonyfield ice cream, but Whole Foods Market slowly decreased the number of flavors offered for that brand. I then started eating a frozen dessert made from soy milk, for which there were many flavors, but I became concerned after reading that it wasn’t good to consume large amounts of soy, especially if you’re a male.

Moleskine Pim Hack

Sun, 23 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Updated 2026-08-26

01 - Introduction

In 2009 I was searching the Internet for ideas of how to make a paper PIM (personal information manager). I came across a blog post by a Japanese lady named AK, where she detailed how she used a large Moleskine squared hard notebook to make a personal PIM/diary.

Note: The link to AK’s blog post may generate a javascript error window. If so, just click the OK button. The post is old and probably uses outdated javascript code.

Body Wash by DreamSideOut

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Updated on 2026-08-26

In 2016, I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis on my face. One of the things I was told not to do was to wash my face frequently with soap and water. I have oily skin, so I still needed to clean my face about every 4 hours. I tried gentle facial cleansers, but I couldn’t find a gentle cleanser that didn’t have chemicals, preservatives, or artificial scents, all of which can also aggravate atopic dermatitis.