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.