So it's been a while since I've posted about taking steps toward better nutrition.
A few little things that we have done in addition to the more major things that I've already shared with you are these. We have made some substitutions that don't take much money and really are not huge adjustments. Just little ways to improve our health.
We use butter, olive oil and coconut oil instead of other more processed, bad-for-you oils.
We use Braggs Liquid Amino Acids instead of soy sauce.
We use arrowroot powder instead of corn starch.
Sea salt is so much better for you than iodized salt.
Plain yogurt is great for you and can substitute for sour cream (we still buy sour cream occasionally though.).
Homemade salad dressings not only taste better but are so much better for you than store bought.
Pure maple syrup (although more expensive) is better than processed pancake syrup (which by the way isn't maple syrup at all). We sometimes use honey as a replacement too.
I used to mix up water with essential oils in a tiny spray bottle in the bathroom instead of Glade. I haven't done that in a while but it's a great way to freshen up the air without using toxins.
What have you done to take tiny steps toward nutrition?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Freebies
CVS
Walgreens
This week was a small week but all 4 of these items were FREE! None of them required coupons so you can run out and get them for yourself. The 2 from CVS gave me full amounts in ECB's for my next purchase. The 2 from Walgreens did the same. They are still printing out RR although they will not be anymore very soon. Walgreens also had a deal on Scope and with a coupon match up 2 of them were free, but my Walgreens was out so I missed that deal. Go grab ya some freebies this week.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
School of Hard Knocks
Just got kids off to school - it seems it rarely happens without some form of drama or training.
We are in a stage now with our older 4 (ages 7,9,11,13) where we are having to use more "reality discipline" methods with them. Kevin Leeman has several really good books about child training, and he has coined the term "reality discipline." I'm the first to admit that when reading it, it makes sense, sounds easy and sounds effective, BUT as a parent to actually put it into practice is hard for me. I want my kids to get an A, I want them to be neat, I want them to be responsible, I want them to succeed. Reality discipline shows them normal life consequences when they don't do those things. It teaches responsibility without the need for Mama to nag.
So each morning sending the kids off to school can have it's conflicts. Lunch boxes forgotten, beds unmade, hair not brushed, papers left on the kitchen counter, milk left out from cereal. I hear myself every morning saying the same 20 sentences over and over and over. "Get your lunch box. Don't forget to brush your teeth. Tuck in your shirt. Get out of bed - look at the clock." It's like a broken record (has that phrase become obsolete with our advanced media?) It frustrates me and honestly, I think they just tune me out anyway because they still forget their lunch, their hair still is tangled and the papers are still left on the counter.
So I recently refreshed myself with the guidelines of "reality discipline" and informed the Fish Sticks. I posted a list of about 12 things (my normal reminders) that they need to check before heading out. I started setting their alarm clocks so I don't go upstairs to wake them and coax them to get up. I fix their lunch, engage in sweet conversations, and kiss them off. New rule - if you are not ready when Daddy loads up and heads out at 7:30, you will be left behind. Then you must wait for Mommy to get dressed and ready to take you late for an unexcused tardy. Today my 7 year old ran after the truck in the driveway, waving him down to catch her ride and I think I heard her ask her sister to fix her hair in the truck.
No reminders from Mama other than "check the chart" one time. No nagging. No begging. No fussing. I will say it's made our mornings go smoother and it's teaching my kids responsibility. Sure makes me feel better. So far I haven't driven one to school. I am not keeping my fingers crossed though because I know I will have to one day.
And not all 4 Fish Sticks struggle with this. Two really struggle. One has his days and one could probably run a household on her own at this point. They are all different, but for now reality discipline seems like a good solution for us.
We are in a stage now with our older 4 (ages 7,9,11,13) where we are having to use more "reality discipline" methods with them. Kevin Leeman has several really good books about child training, and he has coined the term "reality discipline." I'm the first to admit that when reading it, it makes sense, sounds easy and sounds effective, BUT as a parent to actually put it into practice is hard for me. I want my kids to get an A, I want them to be neat, I want them to be responsible, I want them to succeed. Reality discipline shows them normal life consequences when they don't do those things. It teaches responsibility without the need for Mama to nag.
So each morning sending the kids off to school can have it's conflicts. Lunch boxes forgotten, beds unmade, hair not brushed, papers left on the kitchen counter, milk left out from cereal. I hear myself every morning saying the same 20 sentences over and over and over. "Get your lunch box. Don't forget to brush your teeth. Tuck in your shirt. Get out of bed - look at the clock." It's like a broken record (has that phrase become obsolete with our advanced media?) It frustrates me and honestly, I think they just tune me out anyway because they still forget their lunch, their hair still is tangled and the papers are still left on the counter.
So I recently refreshed myself with the guidelines of "reality discipline" and informed the Fish Sticks. I posted a list of about 12 things (my normal reminders) that they need to check before heading out. I started setting their alarm clocks so I don't go upstairs to wake them and coax them to get up. I fix their lunch, engage in sweet conversations, and kiss them off. New rule - if you are not ready when Daddy loads up and heads out at 7:30, you will be left behind. Then you must wait for Mommy to get dressed and ready to take you late for an unexcused tardy. Today my 7 year old ran after the truck in the driveway, waving him down to catch her ride and I think I heard her ask her sister to fix her hair in the truck.
No reminders from Mama other than "check the chart" one time. No nagging. No begging. No fussing. I will say it's made our mornings go smoother and it's teaching my kids responsibility. Sure makes me feel better. So far I haven't driven one to school. I am not keeping my fingers crossed though because I know I will have to one day.
And not all 4 Fish Sticks struggle with this. Two really struggle. One has his days and one could probably run a household on her own at this point. They are all different, but for now reality discipline seems like a good solution for us.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Great Mac-N-Chac
I don't have a picture to show you for this dish because it was gone before I got my camera out.
Do you love macaroni and cheese like we do but are not crazy about the processed shelf cheese or powdered cheese? Here's a super and easy recipe that my Papa shared with me when I was newly married.
Cook one package of noodles according to the directions. (Today we did penne but usually use elbow)
Drain and add 1 cup evaporated milk and 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar. Stir well. Voile!! That's it. It looks like Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese and tastes wonderful. Give it a try!
Do you love macaroni and cheese like we do but are not crazy about the processed shelf cheese or powdered cheese? Here's a super and easy recipe that my Papa shared with me when I was newly married.
Cook one package of noodles according to the directions. (Today we did penne but usually use elbow)
Drain and add 1 cup evaporated milk and 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar. Stir well. Voile!! That's it. It looks like Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese and tastes wonderful. Give it a try!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Clean House
Keeping my house clean has been an issue for me the last year. It probably shouldn't be as much of a frustration as it is. My first job in college was cleaning the dorm bathrooms (there are many stories there that could make you lose your lunch but I will refrain). My side job post-college was cleaning 2 houses. I think I'm a pretty good, thorough cleaner and heaven knows I have lots of experience. Ironic thing is that as a newly married woman, cleaning was my least favorite thing to do, so I just didn't do it. My poor Man. Hey, I can overlook black mildew in my shower. Those cob webs up there in that corner....that's just my Halloween decorations. Pink in my toilet? Didn't even notice it.
Shameful, I know.
I think I've learned to love a clean house and so I strive for it yet try not to obsess over it. Living in the country with 8 people in one house equals nothing but dirty house. And so that is my challenge. I've read the books from the library about speed cleaning, refreshed myself on Don Aslett's professional cleaning book and tried many systems and charts. They all have gone by the wayside. Now that I'm only homeschooling before lunch time each day (kindergarten "let's out" early), I should have more time to focus on keeping the house clean.
My Man suggested I just do a little everyday - say an hour - as my goal. Sounds good, but will I really make that a priority or will it just become stressful? I have a large house - over 5,000 square feet, so cleaning it is very time consuming.
Last week I jotted some notes to try it out. I broke my downstairs into zones. Each day I did a zone, top to bottom and then left out my cleaning supplies hidden in a corner. I got the downstairs done well in 5 days. That leaves the school room (over garage) and the upstairs. I told the Fish Sticks that they would be responsible to clean the upstairs with my help and supervision every other Saturday. They all have a rotation chart posted on the back of their door. As for the school room, I can do that on the off Saturday.
Then my sister sent me this link. Later that week I read this link. I liked both ideas, although I am assuming that both these women have smaller houses than I do. So there's my homemaking challenge. What's yours? Do you have a great cleaning schedule to pass on?
Shameful, I know.
I think I've learned to love a clean house and so I strive for it yet try not to obsess over it. Living in the country with 8 people in one house equals nothing but dirty house. And so that is my challenge. I've read the books from the library about speed cleaning, refreshed myself on Don Aslett's professional cleaning book and tried many systems and charts. They all have gone by the wayside. Now that I'm only homeschooling before lunch time each day (kindergarten "let's out" early), I should have more time to focus on keeping the house clean.
My Man suggested I just do a little everyday - say an hour - as my goal. Sounds good, but will I really make that a priority or will it just become stressful? I have a large house - over 5,000 square feet, so cleaning it is very time consuming.
Last week I jotted some notes to try it out. I broke my downstairs into zones. Each day I did a zone, top to bottom and then left out my cleaning supplies hidden in a corner. I got the downstairs done well in 5 days. That leaves the school room (over garage) and the upstairs. I told the Fish Sticks that they would be responsible to clean the upstairs with my help and supervision every other Saturday. They all have a rotation chart posted on the back of their door. As for the school room, I can do that on the off Saturday.
Then my sister sent me this link. Later that week I read this link. I liked both ideas, although I am assuming that both these women have smaller houses than I do. So there's my homemaking challenge. What's yours? Do you have a great cleaning schedule to pass on?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Great Deal!
I just had to pass on this information.
Last spring I read a blog about Zaycon Foods. It's a great company that takes pre-orders for meats in bulk to give you the best deal possible. You actually pick up your meat straight from the processing plant. Another great thing is that they don't use fillers, antibiotics, hormones, etc. It's just solid, good stuff.
I had checked into the system back in the spring but saw that they didn't have any available pick ups in my area.
I just got an email that you can order skinless, boneless, chicken breasts for only $1.69 a pound!!! That is incredible. You buy in 40 lb. cases so your minimum order would be $67.60. I got 2 cases and will stock pile for sure.
Go to www.zayconfoods.com and you can see a small video about how the system works. You can also see if this offer is available in your area. This deal is available in all the main cities in my state of TN but they also have it around the US. The order closes soon and sometimes they sell out, so check it out fast!! My pick up date is October 22 at a local church. When you sign up, they will send you updates on other meat deals available to you.
Check it out!
Last spring I read a blog about Zaycon Foods. It's a great company that takes pre-orders for meats in bulk to give you the best deal possible. You actually pick up your meat straight from the processing plant. Another great thing is that they don't use fillers, antibiotics, hormones, etc. It's just solid, good stuff.
I had checked into the system back in the spring but saw that they didn't have any available pick ups in my area.
I just got an email that you can order skinless, boneless, chicken breasts for only $1.69 a pound!!! That is incredible. You buy in 40 lb. cases so your minimum order would be $67.60. I got 2 cases and will stock pile for sure.
Go to www.zayconfoods.com and you can see a small video about how the system works. You can also see if this offer is available in your area. This deal is available in all the main cities in my state of TN but they also have it around the US. The order closes soon and sometimes they sell out, so check it out fast!! My pick up date is October 22 at a local church. When you sign up, they will send you updates on other meat deals available to you.
Check it out!
Monday, September 10, 2012
This Week's Deals
At CVS I got:
* 3 packs of Hershey's snack size candy bars - 3 for $3 with $1 in ECB back so they were only 67 cents each. There are 6 in each pack - a perfect number for my 6 Fish Sticks
* Colgate toothpaste was $2 each with $2 in ECB when you buy 2. Coupon for 75 cents off in 8/26 SS so they cost 25 cents each.
* Hershey's simple Pleasures chocolates were 67 cents each with 67 cents in ECB so they were FREE! My CVS was out of stock but check yours. They might be in. Who can pass up free chocolate??
* Right Guard body was was $3 each with $2 in ECB when you buy 2. There was a $2 off 2 coupon in Sunday's paper making them $1 each.
* Pert was BIGI and there was $1.50 off 2 in Sunday's paper - final cost was $2.40. That might not sound like a super deal but that is My Man's favorite shampoo so I try to keep it stocked - and these were the large bottles - not bad.
* Suave was 99 cents each with $2 RR when you buy 2, making them both FREE
* Carmex was $1.50 each with $1 RR when you buy 2, making them $1 each. I had to buy these for a service project at school or I wouldn't have caught this deal.
* Pert Plus was $4.99 each with $3 back in RR and this Sunday's paper had $1.50 off 2, making them $2.74 each - Now I feel stocked with My Man's main shampoo. :)
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