Friday, August 27, 2010
ideas....
Hey there! Just so you know, this blog is on my mind and I have a post coming soon...not sure when, but soon :)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Alternative Sugars
Another thing we have been trying to do differently is less SUGAR! We have cut the sugar intake of our family drastically! It makes me happy to know that my kids consume MUCH less sugar than they used to! The only things we use sugar in now are coffee, and sweet tea (which we are also drinking LOTS less of these days, less tea, more coffee-which is probably not good)
SO, what are we using? We have been using mostly honey and sucanat. So far we have been pleased. Sucanat is dehydrated sugar cane juice. We have used stevia just a little, in baking. I have been searching for a good sugar substitute in coffee. Agave Nectar is good, but seems rather expensive. This week at Harris Teeter, we were able to get a few things with their Super Double Coupon deal. As you well know I LOVE coupons and thankfully just because we are eating different, doesn't mean I have to give up coupons! I was able to score some really sweet deals!
One thing I got was Sun Crystals. It is supposedly a natural sweetener that uses only stevia and sugar cane juice. Matt and I tried it in our coffee, but we really didn't like it! :( I wanted to share the idea with you though because I thought someone else might like it! If you go to the link above you can find a free sample of them and I think it is for sure worth trying! I do not regret my purchase at all, and I hope to try the sweetener with something else soon!
SO, what are we using? We have been using mostly honey and sucanat. So far we have been pleased. Sucanat is dehydrated sugar cane juice. We have used stevia just a little, in baking. I have been searching for a good sugar substitute in coffee. Agave Nectar is good, but seems rather expensive. This week at Harris Teeter, we were able to get a few things with their Super Double Coupon deal. As you well know I LOVE coupons and thankfully just because we are eating different, doesn't mean I have to give up coupons! I was able to score some really sweet deals!
One thing I got was Sun Crystals. It is supposedly a natural sweetener that uses only stevia and sugar cane juice. Matt and I tried it in our coffee, but we really didn't like it! :( I wanted to share the idea with you though because I thought someone else might like it! If you go to the link above you can find a free sample of them and I think it is for sure worth trying! I do not regret my purchase at all, and I hope to try the sweetener with something else soon!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Laundry Detergent
Well I tried the laundry detergent again and it went really well! We have used all of the first batch and we were very satisfied with it! So when we finished the first 2 gallons, I was really excited to make more! I made a double batch the second time and I am VERY happy to report that I now have 4 gallons of laundry detergent that cost me MAYBE $4-5!! YAY! I highly recommend this to EVERYONE! It is SO easy!
Vitamins
So one of the many changes that we have made recently is that we have chosen to TRY treating our kids with vitamins and herbs before rushing to antibiotics! So far it has gone REALLY well! We are enjoying it! I am really happy about that, since it is SO much better for them than the antibiotics!
The down side is that vitamins and herbs can be VERY costly! I have been shocked by how much they can cost! SO, I was THRILLED when my friend introduced us to VitaCost. We can order most anything we want from there at almost half the price of local retailers!
Now, most of you started following me b/c you knew of my LOVE for coupons! Well, I have FINALLY gotten my coupon-ing back together and I have been dabbling a bit here and there! Thanks to Money Saving Mom I found an AWESOME deal on vitamins this week! Nature's Bounty vitamins are on sale at CVS Buy One, Get One for a penny! (there were a FEW exceptions) there are also, $2 off Manufacture's coupons here. All you need to do is fill out the registration form and print the coupon! I believe you can print two from each computer you have access to! To print two, you just need to hit the back button! You will also need a CVS card, but those can be gotten at the store!
I was REALLY excited about this because, we have been taking a LOT of probiotics. We were actually needing to order more! I was able to get two bottles (200 wafers) for less than $3! HOW?
They were priced at $11.49 each. I bought two, which was (with my CVS card) $11.50. I was then able to use my two manufacturer's coupons, which was -$4. Bringing my total to $7.50. I then used $6 in Extra Care Bucks (that expired today) bringing my total to $1.50 plus tax!! I think my total was $2.39 or something close to that! It was AWESOME! Even if you don't have any ECB's you can still get two bottles for less than $8 and that is STILL a great deal! If you are after any other vitamins, you might find them cheaper and an even better deal!
Just a couple of warnings-this deal will expire Saturday! So hurry :) And also, the first store I tried this at, would NOT accept two coupons, they said that one bottle was only a penny so they couldn't accept it :( Good new is, the store in Wake Forest, didn't hesitate! They had NO problem accepting it and were happy to do so!
If you need the vitamins I hope you enjoy this sale!
The down side is that vitamins and herbs can be VERY costly! I have been shocked by how much they can cost! SO, I was THRILLED when my friend introduced us to VitaCost. We can order most anything we want from there at almost half the price of local retailers!
Now, most of you started following me b/c you knew of my LOVE for coupons! Well, I have FINALLY gotten my coupon-ing back together and I have been dabbling a bit here and there! Thanks to Money Saving Mom I found an AWESOME deal on vitamins this week! Nature's Bounty vitamins are on sale at CVS Buy One, Get One for a penny! (there were a FEW exceptions) there are also, $2 off Manufacture's coupons here. All you need to do is fill out the registration form and print the coupon! I believe you can print two from each computer you have access to! To print two, you just need to hit the back button! You will also need a CVS card, but those can be gotten at the store!
I was REALLY excited about this because, we have been taking a LOT of probiotics. We were actually needing to order more! I was able to get two bottles (200 wafers) for less than $3! HOW?
They were priced at $11.49 each. I bought two, which was (with my CVS card) $11.50. I was then able to use my two manufacturer's coupons, which was -$4. Bringing my total to $7.50. I then used $6 in Extra Care Bucks (that expired today) bringing my total to $1.50 plus tax!! I think my total was $2.39 or something close to that! It was AWESOME! Even if you don't have any ECB's you can still get two bottles for less than $8 and that is STILL a great deal! If you are after any other vitamins, you might find them cheaper and an even better deal!
Just a couple of warnings-this deal will expire Saturday! So hurry :) And also, the first store I tried this at, would NOT accept two coupons, they said that one bottle was only a penny so they couldn't accept it :( Good new is, the store in Wake Forest, didn't hesitate! They had NO problem accepting it and were happy to do so!
If you need the vitamins I hope you enjoy this sale!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Another Change
This didn't really fit with the previous post, but it is a new change none the less. I made our own laundry detergent! It was SUPER easy to do and I have now washed two loads of clothes in the "new detergent" and so far, I am very well pleased! It was VERY cheap to make. And it makes a TON! I am super excited about this since it is something I can do that is quick and easy, and cuts down on the budget just a bit! Interested? I used this link which I found very easy to follow and when it talks about grating soap, I used a whole bar of ivory soap. It was what I had on hand! Feel free to ask any questions! Not sure I can answer since I have only done it once, but I will be happy to try!
Changes
WOW! It has been a LONG time. I have not forgotten this blog at all, it has just been a bit removed from the front page of our lives. We are beginning a whole new "diet" at our house which really is nothing like what we have done in the past. We are trying to eat only whole foods, mostly organic, and raw.
Our oldest child has a few digestive issues, that most doctors want to treat medically. They have suggested putting him on medication indefinitely, which honestly just scares me. He is only four. I can't imagine starting him on a medication that I am not sure when we will stop. We have some "other" options. And one is to change our diet. That is where we are. This has been a gradual process. Well, I suppose it has. It seems very all of the sudden, but at the same time a long time coming.
If anyone is still interested, I think I may start "venting" here. Sharing what we have change and what we are trying to do. I would love questions, as they help me to figure out what we are doing and why!
So for now, we are working to only buy whole foods (which is HARD) and rid ourselves of the non-whole food items in our home. We have begun to buy only raw milk, eat beef that has come from the people who raised the cow, not the supermarket. We are trying hard to eat mostly organic fruits and veggies, meat and dairy too for that matter. We have just bought a grain mill attachment for our kitchen aid mixer. We will be getting wheat berries to grind and make wheat flour. We also bought a bunch of whole oats.
I have no clue where this is leading, or where it will end. I suppose we will see! Are you interested in reading and walking this new road with us?
Our oldest child has a few digestive issues, that most doctors want to treat medically. They have suggested putting him on medication indefinitely, which honestly just scares me. He is only four. I can't imagine starting him on a medication that I am not sure when we will stop. We have some "other" options. And one is to change our diet. That is where we are. This has been a gradual process. Well, I suppose it has. It seems very all of the sudden, but at the same time a long time coming.
If anyone is still interested, I think I may start "venting" here. Sharing what we have change and what we are trying to do. I would love questions, as they help me to figure out what we are doing and why!
So for now, we are working to only buy whole foods (which is HARD) and rid ourselves of the non-whole food items in our home. We have begun to buy only raw milk, eat beef that has come from the people who raised the cow, not the supermarket. We are trying hard to eat mostly organic fruits and veggies, meat and dairy too for that matter. We have just bought a grain mill attachment for our kitchen aid mixer. We will be getting wheat berries to grind and make wheat flour. We also bought a bunch of whole oats.
I have no clue where this is leading, or where it will end. I suppose we will see! Are you interested in reading and walking this new road with us?
Friday, May 8, 2009
What could possibly make me post??
Well I do suppose there are a few things that would make me take the time to post...BUT I can't think of many that are more important than giving a shout out to some of our best freinds in the whole wide world! One of my best freinds and her husband are living their lives fully to the glory of our Lord. They are serving Christ in Kenya! That to me is one of the most awesome things in the world! I love them and am so thankful that they were obedient to the call of Christ. I miss her greatly and I am longing for November when we get to see them again! I can't wait to hug her neck, and snuggle her sweet new baby. I highly recommend you follow their blog and see all that they are doing there in Africa. They have three beautiful babies and lots of interesting stories to share. It is so much fun to see their lives unfold as they serve Christ. If the excitement of life in Niarobi was not enough Nathan and Candace have recently decided to start giving away things from Africa. How cool is that? They are currently giving away an African bowl. You should really go check it out. It is neat. Enter to win! You have nothing to loose, and while you are there...read a bit, see what God is doing in their life!
Now the other thing...free chocolate! I am not sure how long this link will work...BUT you can get a free candy bar, one per email address, four per mailing address. That rocks! I hope you get yours quick! Check it out here!
Now the other thing...free chocolate! I am not sure how long this link will work...BUT you can get a free candy bar, one per email address, four per mailing address. That rocks! I hope you get yours quick! Check it out here!
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