Place 1¾ cups (250 grams) of raw cashews into a bowl. Fill the bowl with enough water to cover the nuts. Wrap a sheet of plastic wrap over the bowl, then place the bowl into the fridge. Leave the bowl in the fridge overnight. Remove the bowl from the fridge and pull the plastic wrap off. Place a colander in the sink, then pour the cashews inside it. Rinse the cashews using fresh water, then shake the colander to remove any excess water. Place the drained and rinsed cashews into the food processor first. Next, add 2 tablespoons (17 grams) of nutritional yeast and the juice of 1 lemon. Hold off on the chives for now. This will take about 5 minutes. Every so often, pause the food processor, and scrape any grainy mixture towards the bottom with a rubber spatula. This will help the cheese blend more evenly. Remove the blades from the food processor, then use a rubber spatula to scrape the cheese into a bowl. If you want to give the cheese a little more flavor, stir in 2 to 3 chopped chives. Wrap a sheet of plastic wrap over the bowl. Place the bowl into the fridge, and leave it there for 1 hour. This will allow the cheese to become firmer. If you want to, you can transfer the cheese into a smaller bowl. You can even reuse a plastic tub from a previous container of cheese. Keep the cheese in the fridge when you are not eating it.

Summary: Soak the cashew nuts overnight. Drain and rinse the cashews. Place the cashews, yeast, and lemon juice into a food processor. Blend the ingredients until everything is smooth. Scoop the cheese into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate the cheese for 1 hour. Use the cheese within 3 to 4 days.


Unless you also want to be cleaning mud off your car seats, toss your shoes into a shopping bag or trash bag to keep the mess contained. You may be eager to clean your shoes off right away, but trying to wipe the mud off before it has dried can actually stain the fibers of your shoe. Put your shoes somewhere warm and dry--outdoors in direct sunlight, if possible.  Don't put your shoes by a radiator or other direct source of heat to dry, as this can warp the plastic and alter the shape of the shoe.  If it's humid, damp, or there's no sunlight, dry your shoes with a household fan. Either put the shoes on a towel or plastic tray with the top facing the fan (so the air gets inside the shoe), or use an over the door hook (or "S" shaped hook) to hang the shoes directly on the grill of the fan.  Don't leave your shoes outdoors overnight. They'll just get damp again. You don't want to do this very often--try brush the shoes clean whenever possible--but after a mud run you will probably need the power of the washing machine to thoroughly clean your shoe. You can wash them with towels or sheets to protect the machine and your shoes from damage, but the other items may need another wash afterwards.  Wash the shoes in cold water only, and on a "gentle" or "delicate" setting. You can machine-wash the inserts as well, just make sure they are not still in the shoe. Stuff your shoes with newspaper or paper towels to help absorb dampness. The same rules apply as before--try to let your shoes "bake" in direct sunlight and don't leave them outside overnight. Do not put them by a radiator or in the dryer, as this can ruin the shoe (and your dryer).  Your shoes should be dry in about 12 hours.  If you insist on trying to dry your shoes in the dryer, lace them back up and tie the laces to something heavy. Hang the laces over the dryer door, with the weight on the outside of the door, and close the door. This should keep your shoes from banging around. You can also put each shoe in a pillowcase and try to dry them that way.

Summary: Stick your muddy shoes in a plastic bag until you get home. Wait for the mud to dry. Put your shoes in the washing machine if they're still dirty. Let your shoes dry.


Since small children are constantly making messes and dirtying their clothes, it's easy to feel like your house is always a wreck. If you want your child to help you keep things tidy, make chores or simple tasks into a game. Avoid just telling your child that he has to clean something up. You may need to help him or get him started. You can also make challenges or chores into races where you compete.  For example, get a large bucket and help your child toss toys into it. You might encourage your child to find all of the blocks or balls to throw in. This will help him learn to sort and makes cleaning more interactive. Make chores a competition between several kids. This will make it seem more like a game. Kids like feeling as though they have some control or power over things. If you give your child an option, he'll feel as though he's in control of the situation and he'll be less likely to disobey or throw a tantrum. For example, you might tell your child he can select his pajamas to get ready for bed or he can pick out what story he'd like to listen to before bedtime.  When giving small kids options, keep them simple or your child might become overwhelmed. Also, give your kid a chance to make the decision. If you're caring for several kids, ask "who wants to help me with this project?" Small children don't have a sense of time like adults do. But, they do have a sense of routine. Knowing what comes next and what to expect during the day can be comforting. You don't need to plan out detailed activities for every hour of the day. But, a loose routine will give your kid a sense of security which can improve his behavior and create good habits.  For example, a loose bedtime routine might include getting pajamas on, brushing teeth, snuggling while reading stories, and bed. When handling more than one child, it can help to coordinate their nap schedules so that they both get rest and you get a break. Don't wait for your child to do something naughty before talking about appropriate behavior. Instead, catch your child doing something good and praise him for it. Kids respond better to positive reinforcement than punishment. Just be sure to use specific praises or your child might start tuning it out.  For example, if your child wipes up a spill, you could say, "Good job cleaning up after your mess!" Avoid chastising one child by pointing out how good another child is. This will just make one kid resent the other one.
Summary: Make tasks fun. Give choices. Create a routine. Reward good behavior.