Catch some savings!

Simple way to save some money... download the walmart savings catcher app, scan your receipts,  let it shop other stores to see if you got the best price matches, and if you could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else....IT PAYS YOU THE DIFFERENCE!  Just like that.... catch some Savings! 

MineCraft Birthday

This year, my son turned TEN and wanted a Minecraft theme for his party. We always do our own party favors and make the cake. I must admit, this was the easiest cake I have ever made and he absolutely loved it!

 

 

 

We had to have one with the #10 on it, so we used square Starbursts
and a little hand made Minecraft sword.

And every party has to have some special little favors! The place that we had the party already supplied the thank you gift bags, but we made little chocolate Creepers to add to them!  We simply wrapped little Hershey bars with green construction paper, taped them, and drew on the faces...easy peasy!

 

 

 

HAPPY MINING!!!!

FREE channels!

HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime are all FREE channels for the weekend on Dish network! Watch and record some faves!

Photo reminders for Santa



Over the weeks, leading up to Christmas, my kids will see something in the store that they "just love" and think they have to have...we snap a pic to save or forward to Santa as a reminder, it satifies them, they put it back on the shelf and know that we can revisit it later to see if they really want it on their Santa list.  This ALSO help ME to find the correct item! lol!

 

"oh Mommy!!  I really hopes Santa brings me this exact
purple piggy" and thanks to this pic....he just may!

Fun Crafty Christmas Gifting!

This year, the kids are giving handmade gifts to the special people in their lives.  They love being creative and it's a great way to make a personalized gift! 

The kids and I had fun putting together a "guy gift basket" for their older sister's boyfriend.  We hadn't met him yet, so we didn't know what he might like...this was a way to still show that we cared.  We picked out guy-food and piled it in a microwave popcorn bowl.  The kids loved the way it turned out and they couldn't wait to give this gift!

They both enjoyed making photo ornaments.  I let them pick them out and then choose the self portrait that they wanted to make them with. Their sister got one ornament of each of them.

Another really cute one was the little angel necklace that we made out of beads and a pipe cleaner!  It was adorable and could be hung over the rear view mirror, a key chain, necklace, or just hang from a handbag, etc...

Our very favorite one is a special memory jar they are making for their dear Aunt Sissy.  It consists of a jar/container filled with 52 special memories, songs, jokes, pictures, etc that she can open weekly.  Every Monday morning, she can reach in and grab out a special surprise from one of the kids.  We took time over a couple family dinners to talk about Aunt Sissy and how special she is to us, I jotted them down and then the kids took little cards and created "memories" for her to open!  This is a gift that will keep giving ALL YEAR!  (can't show pics, because we will ruin the surprise! lol!)

Charter Rewards!!!

If you use Charter for your home phone, internet, or cable provider, chances are...you have Charter Rewards,  if you don't, you need to sign up for it.  They just posted all kinds of neat gifts on their shopping page.  I got a paddle ball set and a magic singing microphone for the kiddos for Christmas for FREE! 

SQUEEZING some fruit into breakfast!

My kiddos love waffles for breakfast, but I hate the fact that the syrup and carbs alone are NOT a healthy way to start the day!  I had been trying to serve sausage and fruit on the side, but guess what was always left on their plates...the fruit.  Even the tastiest fruit will seem sour if you've just licked maple syrup off your fork, so....

I decided to make my own blueberry syrup to cover their waffles with....ta-da!!!!  Fruit served "on" waffles was, obviously not my very own idea! lol!  But making my own "healthier" version is working to get the fruit into my kiddos with less syrup...

berries heated in syrup and left whole

I always have ample frozen wild bluberries around,  i use them in my smoothies everyday, so I just decided to blend some up with a tad of the normal maple syrup, heat for a few seconds in the microwave and pour atop the waffles.  Sometimes I leave the bluberries whole, and sometimes I puree them in my blender to make a smooth syrup...either way "squeezing or sneaking" good stuff into meals is always a challenge for parents, but this is easy and they LOVE IT now!

berries totally blended up with a tad of syrup

Food Deals

I am loving the deals that local supermarkets are running lately!  They are family meal deals!

Dierberg's is running their "Family Style Savings" this week.

You buy a rotisserie chicken and you get FREE mashed potatoes, side of gravy, 1lb green beans, and King's Hawaiian dinner rolls!  That's a super easy dinner for the family!

Schnuck's has a "MEAL DEAL" offer this week!

Purchase a package of Buddig lunchmeat and get FREE american cheese singles, loaf of bread, and a box of Mac n'cheese!

Schnuck's also has a "Dynamite Deal"...you buy a 12oz prepack of chili or soup and get a Torpedo sandwich for free!

Enter to win 25,000 BOX TOPS for your school!!!

Register at  BTFE.com/Hero for a chance to WIN 250,000 BOX TOPS for YOUR school!!!  Wouldn't that be so cool?!?!?!?

Food Deals and Box Tops!!!

Shop n' Save has an awesome deal going on right now...

Totino's pizzas and pizza bites are on sale for 10 for $10....but....you get $5 off your bill when you buy 10!!!  That's only 50 cents each!  PLUS you get double box tops on each box AND a bonus 25 electronic box tops with your receipt!!   Looks like we may have some pizza nights to line up!

btw...you do not have to buy 10 pizza items...there
is an entire page of products that qualify and you
CAN mix and match them!!!

Healthy and smelling good!

I have been on a search for a good deodorant that is aluminum-FREE.  I started out looking on the ingredient list of each and every deodorant at Walmart, Target, and Walgreen...each and every one of them had aluminum as the main ingredient. I figured there would be a really expensive, all natural choice somewhere local that I would splurge on...no find. I have even looked up recipes for making your own deodorant from arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and baking soda or cornstarch, just thought it would be easier to make that splurge of a purchase for the first try. 

Now, as silly as this sounds...I'm not even sure what has prompted this "all of a sudden" opposition to deodorant containing this ingredient.  I do know that in the past I have heard that it can cause breast cancer.  With freshly shaven skin and lymph nodes near...putting such an ingredient so near breast tissues and then harnessing ourselves (keeping the harmful chemicals that have been absorbed) right around the generalized area...I really have no data to back this up(although there are endless studies and Internet articles arguing it). I know that I will not want Taylor, when the time comes, to wear this type of deodorant near her newly forming little body.  Why not just make the change and be safe???

I finally stopped in an Organic Nutritional Shop and found an all-natural deodorant.  At first I liked it, but it was a bit sticky and smelled...weird.  Eventually I couldn't stand the scent.  Believe it or not, I found the perfect aluminum-Free deodorant.  TOM'S 24 hour odor protection natural deodorant.  This particular one is aluminum-free with no artificial colors, fragrance, or preservatives. The scent is "fresh apricot" and I do not like the smell of apricot, but this is light and I love it!  It goes on easily and smells good all day!  Even working in the yard and an all day outing to the zoo on a  near 100 degree day...I'd say it passed the test!  Wanna know the coolest part?!?!  It was at both Walmart and Target all along.  It was at the very top isle and regularly priced.  I believe it was around $4...that is why i missed it...who would think that a natural based product wouldn't cost and arm and a leg?!? 

cheap treats for my expensive dog

My great dane, Sophie has developed food allergies, possible food intolerance, and inflammatory condition.  YIKES!  This means that I spend a small fortune on her hypoallergenic venison and potato food.  It also means that I can't just give her snacks and treats...treats are hard to find and since she can only have venison..they are super expensive.  I was giving her ice cubes and then the vet told me the number of tooth extractions that take place weekly due to cracked molars...ugh!  My poor puppy has tummy trouble and then is deprived of snacks too.... 

I finally found something else that I can give her...frozen green beans. I found a huge bag of them at Costco...she loves them and looks forward to her snacks throughout the day!

Around the House

I loved an article in last month's All You magazine..Around the House.  It had all kinds of natural "make-it-yourself" ways to clean your house. 

I already mix vinegar and water in a "clearly marked" spray bottle to make an ALL PURPOSE spray to clean countertops, windows, and to spray my produce after washing, but there are lots of other uses for this cheap and safe ingredient...vinegar can be used as a stain remover, floor cleaner, and laundry softener.

To make DISHWASHER DETERGENT just mix 2 cups washing soda, 2 cups borax, and 25 drops of grapefruit oil in a large bowl.  Wear rubber gloves and use hands to mix well.  Store in a plastic container with lid.  Use 2 Tbs. per wash.  You can add 1 tsp vinegar to rinse cycle or use in your rinse aid container in dishwasher door to prevent spotting.

To make TOILET BOWL CLEANER just pour 1/2 cup baking soda directly into toilet bowl, then add 10 drops of tea-tree oil, then 1/2 cup vinegar (in that order) and let effervesce do it's work! Wait several minutes, then scrub bowl with brush, flush!  Yay, shiny clean toilet!

To make a FURNITURE POLISH just pour 2 Tbs. olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 tsp. lemon oil or fresh lemon juice into a squirt bottle. Shake well before each use. Squirt onto microfiber cloth and rub onto wood surface.

Quilter's Convention in Kentucky

Last weekend, my husband, the kids and I took a trip to Kentucky to see my family.  While getting to see my brother, sister-in-law, and my adorable niece was wonderful, it wasn't the only reason for the trip.  We have gone into business together and have started promoting Visalus.  It's a healthy/weight loss product that all of us are loving!!  We are super excited to share this and got a great deal to set up at the local quilt convention.  It was the first time we had promoted at an event.  We got together some great visuals, brought the laptop to play videos, and set up an awesome booth.  We got to meet some amazing people, I love meeting and talking to new people!

I made this right before we left...i was proud of myself!

Regina's 1st $100 bonus from Visalus!!!

The  "quilt" convention was more like a treasure trove of people's passions.  Booths were set up with all kinds of products and crafts.  The quilt section was full of intricate pieces of hand-sewn artwork. Some of the wonderful people we met that had neighboring booths were...


This was the brightest collections of Tupperware i've ever seen! There are several things that I am gonna have to have!!

For all your Tupperware needs, contact:
Jerrie Freeman  (270)437-4791
jerrie@wk.net or www.my2.tupperware.com/jerriefreeman

We met Donna at her Avon booth, she had an extensive collection!  I especially liked the jewelry, I am starting to wear more accessories!

For all your beauty, fragrance, and avon needs, contact:
Donna Cullen (270)703-0272
hershey215@mchsi.com or www.youravon.com/donnacullen 

Another nearby booth had the most adorable hand-made crafts!  The windchimes were made with silverware!  They had the most creative ideas...we are going to purchase some more scarves...talk about talent!

This is Regina sporting the "visalus green" hand-made scarf!
This is made with fringe and the flower, all out of t-shirt
material!  She made some that were long scarfs with
twirls...I want a grey one for winter!

To check out all of the wonderful gift ideas, contact:
Vintage Creations
(270)205-5668
mick01@windstream.net

After the convention, we hosted a Challenge Party at Regina's house and got to share the Body by Vi Challenge with lots of people!  This was an awesome weekend to see the family that I love AND to get to share health and wealth with newly made friends...a total success! 

If anyone is interested in learning more about Visalus or getting healthy by joining us in the Challenge, visit:

www.ShakeMeUpVi.com

Loving the Challenge!!!

I am ready to start my second 90 day Challenge with Body by Vi and am so excited!!  I'm a bit slow posting, but that's because I've been so busy!  As of today, I have lost 29lbs and almost 3 pants sizes! I do have a couple of complaints about the Body By Vi Program...#1.  Wearing baggy clothes is miserable, maybe more so than tight ones! I hate pulling up my pants and I don't want to buy new ones, b/c they will be too big soon too!!!  #2. Even my wedding ring is too loose?!?!?  Ugh, those ring adjuster things pinch my finger, I don't think Billy will understand if I tell him that Visalus caused me to NOT wear my ring anymore! lol!  It literally fell off my finger in Walmart, so I'll have to have it resized.  #3. I am missing my tv shows...I have way too much energy to sit down and watch a show!  My dvr is full with things I want to see, but end up making use of my extra energy by doing things that are a bit more constructive! 

I am gonna rock this second challenge because I now have a system that is working for "me".  I absolutely love my vi shakes, they are a real "treat" for me to get to have.  I wake up each morning and have my cup of coffee (with honey & half and half), sometimes I have two cups.  Then, I make my morning shake...it usually consists of 8oz skim milk, 2 scoops vi mix, handful of spinach, 1/2 cup frozen bluberries, and 2 Tbs ground flax.  This is so yummy!  I sip that as I run around getting kids and husband off to work, or as I drive to gym.  I immediately start on my water.  I flavor them with raspberry neuros for the gym or an occassional Crystal Light packet, I am using a 32oz rubbermaid container (helps me measure my intake).  I usually have one container down before I even think about a snack, I eat big snacks that are around 200-300 calories, you can see some of them HERE!!!   I refill my water, and usually eat something when the kids have their lunch. My lunch is usually a salad with leftovers, grilled veggies, or turkey/cheese rollups. Sometimes I have breakfast food, cuz I love eggs! I have another shake around 2pm.  This shake is usually just the cake mix flavored regular one, i still just love it plain, it gets me through the afterschool routine and energy to cook dinner for everyone, I am usually not even hungry for dinner, but at least it makes me cook healthier, no big cravings to change my menu plans! lol!  Anyways, somedays I don't get my afternoon shake because we have dinner early or lunch late, whatever, then I just have my 2nd shake as a dessert with dark cocoa powder and mix ins from Kassi's Recipe FB Page!  I try to get 3-32oz containers of water down...it's getting easier and I feel full all the time too!

So, you see...I do not miss a meal, I am just happy that my mind is on something other than FOOD!!  I am busy being healthy, getting stuff done, and being involved with the best company ever!  It feels so good to hear how great a friend or family member is feeling, their health is so important!  If I stopped losing weight on Visalus, I would continue my shakes just for the healhty way it makes me feel, the weight loss is just a mega bonus for me!!  I'm getting ready to start this next challenge, so come one and join it with me!  Contact me for a free sample...100% money back guarantee, what do you have to lose, but inches!

Weekly Grocery Shopping 4 Less

I had this weeks menu planned and had Wal-Mart on my errand list to get everything I needed in one place..you know...the way Wal-Mart always sucks me in!  My gym is very close to our local Aldi's store so I glanced at my list and decided that most of what I needed could be gotten there, maybe I'd save a buck or two, why not?!? 

I strolled through, getting what was on my list (mostly dairy and produce) along with a few extras.  I even picked up a spiral cut ham in place of smoked ham for sandwiches.  My cart was overflowing, I always spend $100 on a weeks worth of groceries, but guess what?  I only spent $66.70 and since I even bought a whole ham and extras.....WOW!!!  I guess the pennies really do add up, back to shopping different stores for different deals!  I will not have to go to a store for an entire week, so I am thrilled! 

GO ALDI'S!!!!

Veggie Beef Soup

THIS is one of my all time favorite meals from growing up!  Mom would make this soup on a cool autumn day, or when we were sick.  So, this is what's for dinner at my house tonight, because we all have our first colds of the year.  This recipe is simple, and very inexpensive.

Beef stew meat, cut into 1" chunks. (I buy roasts in bulk and use the ends for soups)
Beef stock (optional, the meat cooking creates juice and flavor) or water
Onion soup packet (also optional, I rately use this...it has enough flavor without)
1-2 cans each of:  corn, green beans, carrots, stewed tomatoes with juice, peas, and any veggie or bean you love. You can even add small pasta if you wish.
Potatoes diced

I cut my beef roast into chunks, heat a crock on high with 1 Tbs. vegetable oil, sear the meat for a couple minutes, add beef broth or water, tomatoes with juice, potatoes,and seasoning if desired.  Simmer for 20 minututes, then add all the other canned veggies!  Heat well...  DONE!!  Easy and "oh so yummy" !!!!

Snacks under 200 calories!!!!

Since I started a 90 day "get healthy" challenge with Body by Vi, I have my shake for breakfast and lunch, but healthy snacks are needed and super important!  I found these yummy snacks on the Dr.Oz show and am so excited to share them! While they may not save you money, they will certainly save you some calories...that's important too!  are all 200 calories or less!  They are also put together with their health benefits in mind!  These snacks keep me from feeling deprived or hungry....so yummy!

Antipasto Power Plate
This easy-to-assemble snack packs a protein punch with the proscuitto, and there's plenty of fiber in the chickpeas and zucchini.

Ingredients
1 thin slice prosciutto or thin sliced ham
One 2% mozzarella string cheese
2 olives
1 cup grilled zucchini/squash
1/4 cup chickpeas (feel free to season with herbs..yum!)

Directions
Wrap the prosciutto around the string cheese. Enjoy with the olives and veggies on the side.

Mini Pizza Pocket
The vegetables bulk this snack up, without adding any extra fat. The lycopene in the tomato sauce is fat soluble, so the cheese helps with the absorption of this nutrient.

Ingredients
1 mini 100% whole wheat pita pocket or wheat sandwich thin
1 oz of 2% reduced fat mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp pasta sauce
1 cup spinach
2 onion slices plus any additional veggies
Directions
Assemble and place in toaster oven until cheese is melted.

Skinny Dip & Chips
The black pepper and hot sauce kick your metabolism up a notch. The Greek yogurt and walnuts are full of protein that'll help you stay fuller for longer.

Ingredients
For the dip:
1/2 cup of 2% Greek yogurt
1 tsp walnuts
Garlic
Black pepper
1 tsp hot sauce

What to dip:
1/2 oz blue potato chips (8 chips)
1 cup cherry tomatoes or favorite vegetable

Directions
Mix all dip components. Enjoy the dip with 8 blue potato chips and the cherry tomatoes

Cheesy Apple Sandwich
The apples are full of water and keep you feeling full, while the lemon juice regulates your metabolism and regulates your body's sugar absorption.

Ingredients
4 apple slices (these act as the "bread")
3 tbsp low-fat ricotta cheese (sometimes I use almond butter)
10 almonds
Lemon juice

Directions
Core apple and slice in thick pieces. Spread cheese and almonds on top of the apple slices. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Peanut Butter & Banana Quesadilla

Ingredients
whole wheat tortilla
1 Tbs peanut butter
banana
cinnamon
Directions:  Spread pb on tortilla, top with sliced banana, sprinkle with cinnamon...you can even grill if you want it warm...so satisfying and delicious!! 

No Bake Truffles

Ingredients
5 dry dates
11 dry apricots
1/3 cup cacoa powder
1/2 Tbs. vanilla
1 Tbs. vanilla
1 Tbs. agave or honey
pinch salt
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:  place in food processor, pulse, form into small 1 inch balls, then roll in chopped nuts or additional cocoa powder...you have a yummy chocolate snack!

Pizza Popcorn
This will make 8 cups of popcorn for only 200 calories.

3 Tbsp of un-popped kernels
1 Tbsp of grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of paprika
1 tsp of oregano
1 tsp of salt
1tsp of chives

Directions:  place in small brown paper lunch sack, fold opening over twice to close, microwave for 2-3 minutes on high, listen for the popping to slow down!  YUM, cheap, easy!!!!

My FAVES were the antipasto plate, apples with ricotta, and the pb banana quesadilla!!!!

WhoNu? Now, I do!!!

I have seen the commercials for WhoNu? Cookies...I didn't pay much attention, because I figured that if we are going to have a special snack or dessert...may as well forget nutrition...but, when I saw these on sale yesterday, we picked some up.  Suprisingly, they were just as delicious if not more so, then an actual Oreo cookie! They were $2.50 for a package, comparable to Oreos.  They are in a sealed package inside of a reclosable box.  The inner package has a tear off stip that seals back with a sticky strip to keep cookies fresh.

3 cookies claim to have:

As much Fiber as a bowl of oatmeal
As much Calcium & Vitamin D as an 8oz glass of milk
As much Vitamin C as a cup of blueberries
As much Iron as a cup of spinach
As much Vitamin E as 2 cups of carrot juice
As much Vitamin B12 as a cup of cottage cheese with fruit
As much Vitamin A as 8oz glass of tomato juice


As you can see, this cookie is enhanced with
vitamins and minerals, but is in no way a low-calorie
food.  Nor should it be considered a "diet" food.
It is however, healhtier than regular packaged cookies,
therefore, I WILL purchase these again, the next time
I want to treat the kids to a special treat!



Healthcare Coverages YOU may not know about!

I am blogging about this again, because I feel like many people may not realize that under the "Affordable Care Act" there are preventative services that your health insurance company HAS to pay at 100%!!  No copay or deductible required! 

Some of these services include:  immunizations, weight loss counseling, well-woman screenings, tobacco sesation, children's eye exams, and sooo many others!

Check out the link to see all benefits, then make your appointments, no longer put them off because of the out-of-pocket expenses!

Preventative Services Covered under the Affordable Care Act