I have waited to post my menu because *gasp* I haven't made one yet. I had planned to eat only fruits & veggies Monday - Wednesday. Trying to Detox my body. Hubby would most likely eat the same and therefore I would just be throwing together something simple for the kids to go with the fruits and veggies.
The winter weather as well as hunger has motivated me to eat a bit more. Now I am in the mood for Chilli, Soup, Bread, etc. I still plan to eat mainly fruits and veggies but will eat a little bit more. I did not set out to starve myself just to eat a bit more healthy. It has motivated drinking more water and eating more fruits and veggies. With that, I have thrown together a menu plan.
Monday
Fruit, dry cearl
School
Veggies & Rice (PB for Zeke, Pasta for Abi)
Tuesday
Eggs, Toast, fruit, Smoothie
salad (cearl for kids)
Chilli, French bread, salad
Wednesday
Fruit, toast, Smoothie
Sandwich, Salad
Chicken Noodle Soup
Thursday
Fruit, Cearl, Smoothie
Salad, Leftovers
Breakfast Casserole
Friday
Fruit, Dry Cearl
School
Pizza, Salad
Saturday
Fruit, Toast, Smoothie
Sandwich, Salad
Fish Tacos
Sunday
Fruit, Eggs, Pancakes
Sandwich, Salad
Tator Tot Casserole
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Deals for the Week 1/31
I am so sad that my camera is not working because the deals I got today are definately picture worthy!! I think I saved around 57% at Kroger today! Just a quick recap of my "scores"!!! (I do not have specifics on coupons, if you have questions, just ask and I can try to remember)
Target
Tostitos Tortilla Chips 2 for $5 (if you buy 2 you get a Free Salsa)
* I bought 2 chips and 1 salsa, used 3 - $0.55 off 1 coupon
$3.35 OOP
Kroger (M=Mega Sale)
Kettle chips - $0.29 (1.29, used $1 off Coupon) (M)
Pure Almond - $1.49 (2.49 used $1 off coupon) (M)
Softsoap - FREE (0.88 used 0.35 off coupon)
Pampers Easy Ups - 5.49 (8.49 used 1.50 coupon and 1.50 ecoupon) (M)
Pampers Wipes - FREE (1.49 used $2 off coupon if you buy both pants and wipes) (M)
Blueberries - $1 per pint
Knorr Sides - $0.25 each ($1 used 0.50 off 2 coupon and 0.50 off 2 ecoupon)
No Yolks egg noodles - $0.25 (1.25 used 0.50 off coupon)
Adams & Eve Fruitables (8 pack) - $1.99 (2.99 used $1 off ecoupon)
Krusteaz Pancake mix - $0.49 (1.49 used 0.50 off coupon) (M)
Bar S Franks - $0.39 (0.89 used 0.50 off 2 coupon) (M)
Nestle Cookie Dough - $1.29 (2.29 used $1 off coupon) (M)
Kraft Singles - $0.24 (0.99 used 0.75 off coupon) (M)
I am sure there are some other deals I am forgetting!!! I load coupons to my Kroger card from the following websites.
http://www.cellfire.com/
http://www.shortcuts.com/
http://www.kroger.com/
You can double with paper coupons. Only one of each ecoupon will come off in a single trasaction.
I love me some good deals!!
Target
Tostitos Tortilla Chips 2 for $5 (if you buy 2 you get a Free Salsa)
* I bought 2 chips and 1 salsa, used 3 - $0.55 off 1 coupon
$3.35 OOP
Kroger (M=Mega Sale)
Kettle chips - $0.29 (1.29, used $1 off Coupon) (M)
Pure Almond - $1.49 (2.49 used $1 off coupon) (M)
Softsoap - FREE (0.88 used 0.35 off coupon)
Pampers Easy Ups - 5.49 (8.49 used 1.50 coupon and 1.50 ecoupon) (M)
Pampers Wipes - FREE (1.49 used $2 off coupon if you buy both pants and wipes) (M)
Blueberries - $1 per pint
Knorr Sides - $0.25 each ($1 used 0.50 off 2 coupon and 0.50 off 2 ecoupon)
No Yolks egg noodles - $0.25 (1.25 used 0.50 off coupon)
Adams & Eve Fruitables (8 pack) - $1.99 (2.99 used $1 off ecoupon)
Krusteaz Pancake mix - $0.49 (1.49 used 0.50 off coupon) (M)
Bar S Franks - $0.39 (0.89 used 0.50 off 2 coupon) (M)
Nestle Cookie Dough - $1.29 (2.29 used $1 off coupon) (M)
Kraft Singles - $0.24 (0.99 used 0.75 off coupon) (M)
I am sure there are some other deals I am forgetting!!! I load coupons to my Kroger card from the following websites.
http://www.cellfire.com/
http://www.shortcuts.com/
http://www.kroger.com/
You can double with paper coupons. Only one of each ecoupon will come off in a single trasaction.
I love me some good deals!!
Healthy Slop (Recipe)
My amazing 20 year old son has created a wonderful healthy dessert!! After last nights introduction, hubby had to make some more tonight.
Basically it is a combination of Rice, Butter, Fruit, Nuts and Sweetner. Below is what me made it with tonight, You can tweak it to your taste or to whatever you have in your cupboards. Also amounts are whatever you choose.
Cooked Rice (hot so that it melts the butter)
3-5 TB butter
Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries
Dried Cranberries
Walnuts
Peanuts
Sunflower Seeds
Turbando Sugar
Cinnamon
Vanila
We found that letting it sit made it a bit sweeter!! So yummy!
Basically it is a combination of Rice, Butter, Fruit, Nuts and Sweetner. Below is what me made it with tonight, You can tweak it to your taste or to whatever you have in your cupboards. Also amounts are whatever you choose.
Cooked Rice (hot so that it melts the butter)
3-5 TB butter
Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries
Dried Cranberries
Walnuts
Peanuts
Sunflower Seeds
Turbando Sugar
Cinnamon
Vanila
We found that letting it sit made it a bit sweeter!! So yummy!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
God's Way
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Focusing on the goodness of God seeing the bigger picture! Boy am I glad that His thoughts are higher than mine and His ways are higher than mine!!
I recently was asked to complete a reveiw of myself at my job. I had the hardest time even sitting down and reading it to complete it. I did not want to speak too highly of myself but I also did not want to focus on the negative. Bottom line I would have much rather had someone else complete it! When it came down to it, I basically rated myself "mediocre". My supervisor came back to me and smiled and said "you do not think enough of yourself". She rated me "excellent" in most topics. She had great encouraging things to say.
Why is it that I was so quick to focus on the negatives? Not wanting to brag about myself? Do I sense a bit of insecurities?
My husband and I recently were discussing the scripture "Love your neighbor as yourself" from Matthew 22:39. How hard can it be to love your neighbor as yourself if you do not Love yourself? If you are not speaking highly or at least thinking highly of yourself how can you pass that on to your neighbor? Believe me I am not advocating being big headed, prideful or having your head stuck up your own butt! But I know I could definately "love myself" a little bit more.
How do you love yourself? Right now for me it is to not leave my "needs" at the bottom of the list. I have to take some time each day for ME! If I do not take care of ME there will be no ME to give away!
This post definately went in a couple of different ways, mostly I am thankful that God's thoughts and ways are greater and bigger than my own! I am thankful today that He sees the bigger picture. Makes it much easier to follow His lead!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Focusing on the goodness of God seeing the bigger picture! Boy am I glad that His thoughts are higher than mine and His ways are higher than mine!!
I recently was asked to complete a reveiw of myself at my job. I had the hardest time even sitting down and reading it to complete it. I did not want to speak too highly of myself but I also did not want to focus on the negative. Bottom line I would have much rather had someone else complete it! When it came down to it, I basically rated myself "mediocre". My supervisor came back to me and smiled and said "you do not think enough of yourself". She rated me "excellent" in most topics. She had great encouraging things to say.
Why is it that I was so quick to focus on the negatives? Not wanting to brag about myself? Do I sense a bit of insecurities?
My husband and I recently were discussing the scripture "Love your neighbor as yourself" from Matthew 22:39. How hard can it be to love your neighbor as yourself if you do not Love yourself? If you are not speaking highly or at least thinking highly of yourself how can you pass that on to your neighbor? Believe me I am not advocating being big headed, prideful or having your head stuck up your own butt! But I know I could definately "love myself" a little bit more.
How do you love yourself? Right now for me it is to not leave my "needs" at the bottom of the list. I have to take some time each day for ME! If I do not take care of ME there will be no ME to give away!
This post definately went in a couple of different ways, mostly I am thankful that God's thoughts and ways are greater and bigger than my own! I am thankful today that He sees the bigger picture. Makes it much easier to follow His lead!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Birthday Parties (Frugal Fridays)
Birthday Parties have always been special in my household. With both sides of my famly we always have a celebatory dinner for the family member who is having a birthday. Now that we have grown, we combine and have a monthly meal if there are multiple birthdays in one month.
But for my little ones I am still throwing bigger shindigs!
Invitations: I used Evite for the majority of my invites. Others who either did not have an email address or I did not know it received a very simple invitiation printed on resume paper and folded into a business envelope.
Location: For the past two years we have been blessed to have had my son's birthday at the church where I work for a very low price. The price includes use of the sitting areas, gym, foosball table and pool table, kitchen, and BOUNCE HOUSES!! This year we had a much larger guest list because we included our new friends from Mother's Day Out! That made this such a frugal find since it is one price not priced per child.
Food: I made cupcakes instead of purchasing a cake which saved me a minimum of $10 (more since the amount of cupcakes was more than what one cake would have fed) I prepared other inexpensive dishes from home as well; Cinnamon Rolls, cut up fruit and veggies and Goldfish. These were great becuase any leftovers were easy to work into our menus.
Drinks: This was probably the most expensive item on the list. We wanted to be sure we had plenty. And plenty we did. Again leftovers were great!!
Goody Bags: After Christmas Clearance!! Need I say more?? I found great goodies for our guests at the Target $1 bins for 75% off! Everyone got a small dry erase board. Cost to me $0.25! I also gave away Magnets & small packages of M&Ms. Also frugal finds! The smaller guests got board books and older guest received small planners. Both found at Target for $0.25 each.
Decorations: This was very minimal. I did have some leftover balloons from a previous party and had them blown up with helium there at the church. Because I made cupcakes, plates and forks were really not needed. I had a big package of napkins and a smaller package of plates and forks. All the drinks were individual so cups were not needed. I purchased very neutral, inexpensive paper products to keep cost down.
All in all I spent around $100 for a party for 60+ people!
But for my little ones I am still throwing bigger shindigs!
Invitations: I used Evite for the majority of my invites. Others who either did not have an email address or I did not know it received a very simple invitiation printed on resume paper and folded into a business envelope.
Location: For the past two years we have been blessed to have had my son's birthday at the church where I work for a very low price. The price includes use of the sitting areas, gym, foosball table and pool table, kitchen, and BOUNCE HOUSES!! This year we had a much larger guest list because we included our new friends from Mother's Day Out! That made this such a frugal find since it is one price not priced per child.
Food: I made cupcakes instead of purchasing a cake which saved me a minimum of $10 (more since the amount of cupcakes was more than what one cake would have fed) I prepared other inexpensive dishes from home as well; Cinnamon Rolls, cut up fruit and veggies and Goldfish. These were great becuase any leftovers were easy to work into our menus.
Drinks: This was probably the most expensive item on the list. We wanted to be sure we had plenty. And plenty we did. Again leftovers were great!!
Goody Bags: After Christmas Clearance!! Need I say more?? I found great goodies for our guests at the Target $1 bins for 75% off! Everyone got a small dry erase board. Cost to me $0.25! I also gave away Magnets & small packages of M&Ms. Also frugal finds! The smaller guests got board books and older guest received small planners. Both found at Target for $0.25 each.
Decorations: This was very minimal. I did have some leftover balloons from a previous party and had them blown up with helium there at the church. Because I made cupcakes, plates and forks were really not needed. I had a big package of napkins and a smaller package of plates and forks. All the drinks were individual so cups were not needed. I purchased very neutral, inexpensive paper products to keep cost down.
All in all I spent around $100 for a party for 60+ people!
Finer Things Friday: Indoor Playgrounds
We love to visit Chick fil A! Mainly because they have a great indoor play area. It is pretty small so not too much trouble to get into. And it is usually pretty clean. I try to get a table right by the door. If I can't get that table, I will get one that is beside the glass. If we are not there for a meal, I will get a drink (free coupon from calender) or coffee. Other places with great Indoor play areas include McDonalds, Burger King and recently founded Arbys!! Finding a place for my kiddos to play that is safe, comfortable and clean is definately a Finer Thing!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Humbled!
I am humbled to be the parent God has chosen for my children.
These past several days sickness has invaded my household. Started with my sweet little boy having Ear pain the day before his birthday. This was short lived and he seemed to feel better within 12 hours. Then my sweet daughter developed lots of congested, runny nose, itchy eyes and cough. Next sweet husband began to feel pretty under the weather and since he has a job in the medical field decided it best that he visit the doctor. Turns out he has Strep Throat. With the kiddos continuing to have congestion, etc we decided it best that they make a visit to the doc as well. Turns out they have Ear Infections (could have strep but antibiotics for ear infection with treat that as well).
My humbleness comes in the fact that I didn't think they were THAT sick. I would not have gone to the doctor. They were getting well! They played the entire time in the doctors office as if they were perfectly healthy. Had my husband not gone to the doctor and found out he had Strep Throat, we would have sat at home all the while my kiddos suffering from Ear Infections.
So grateful that God works circumstances and situations so that we make good choices. He is the one in control and He sees the bigger picture. I thank God that he is taking care of my children. And me! He is a faithful God so much bigger than I can even imagine!
How has God blessed you today??
These past several days sickness has invaded my household. Started with my sweet little boy having Ear pain the day before his birthday. This was short lived and he seemed to feel better within 12 hours. Then my sweet daughter developed lots of congested, runny nose, itchy eyes and cough. Next sweet husband began to feel pretty under the weather and since he has a job in the medical field decided it best that he visit the doctor. Turns out he has Strep Throat. With the kiddos continuing to have congestion, etc we decided it best that they make a visit to the doc as well. Turns out they have Ear Infections (could have strep but antibiotics for ear infection with treat that as well).
My humbleness comes in the fact that I didn't think they were THAT sick. I would not have gone to the doctor. They were getting well! They played the entire time in the doctors office as if they were perfectly healthy. Had my husband not gone to the doctor and found out he had Strep Throat, we would have sat at home all the while my kiddos suffering from Ear Infections.
So grateful that God works circumstances and situations so that we make good choices. He is the one in control and He sees the bigger picture. I thank God that he is taking care of my children. And me! He is a faithful God so much bigger than I can even imagine!
How has God blessed you today??
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