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Shared Oct 17, 2014 comment

Brigette’s $57 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on October 17, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 large Pumpkin (to cook up and freeze) – $2.99

1 gallon Milk – $3.69

2 packages bagged Italian Salad (@$0.99/each) – $1.98

1 quart Half & Half – $1.69

2 24-oz packages Zucchini (@1.39 each) – $2.78

1 3-lb package frozen Boneless Chicken Breasts – $6.49

1 3-lb bag Onions – $0.99

1 2-oz pure Almond Extract – $1.99

1 2-oz pure Peppermint Extract – $1.99

1 Cucumber – $0.49

1 3-lb bag Lemons – $2.69

1 24-oz package Roma Tomatoes – $1.19

3 1-lb packages frozen Ground Turkey (@1.69/each) – $5.07 (This is my first and probably last time buying these. I figured it was worth a try, since they are less than half the price of ground beef!)

1 jug Pumpkin Spice Creamer (Bad me, I know! I have been craving this stuff and between nursing a big baby and training for a half marathon next weekend, I am consuming massive amounts of calories. I am trying for healthy calories overall, but this is my splurge :))

1 3-ct package Green Peppers – $1.29

1 2-lb bag Carrots – $1.19

1 16-oz bag frozen Strawberries – $2.19

1 bunch Bananas (2.85lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.25, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51

Total: $41.44, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51

Harris Teeter (Trip #1)

1 jar Sharwoods Curry Sauce – $1.99, used $1/1 printable (doubled), plus $1/1 Harris Teeter evic – $1.00 MM after coupons

6 packs Trident Gum (@$1.00 each) – $6.00, used 3 $1/2 off Trident Singles exp. 11/22/14 (SS 10/12/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons

2 boxes Muellers Hidden Veggie Pasta (@$1.00 each) – $2.00, used $1/2 Mueller’s Pasta Product, exp. 11/20/14 (SS 09/21/14 R)(doubled) – FREE after coupons

1 tube Colgate Optic White Toothpaste – $3.00, used $1/1 printable (doubled), plus $1/1 Harris Teeter evic – FREE after coupons

1 can Vidal Sassoon Hairspray – $3.49, used $2/1 Vidal Sassoon Shampoo or Conditioner, exp. 10/31/14 (SS 09/21/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons

2 4-pk Dannon Yogurt (@2 for $4.00) – $4.00, used 2 $1/1 (These were insert coupons, but I am not seeing them in the database, so I am not sure where I got them from!) (doubled) – FREE after coupons

2 jars Earth Balance Coconut Peanut Butter – (@2 for $5.00) – $5.00, used 2 $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 each after coupons

1 box Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch – $2.09, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.59 after coupons

2 jars Smuckers Natural Fruit Jam (@2 for $4.00) – $4.00, used $1.50/2 Harris Teeter catalina (doubled) – $0.50 each after coupons

2 12-oz packages Sorrento Stringsters – $6.00, used 2 $1/1 printable (doubled) – $1.00 each after coupons

2 Bird’s Eye Voila Alfredo Chicken (B1G1) – $5.69/2, used 2 $1/1 Birds Eye Voila Variety, exp. 11/13/14 (SS 07/27/14) (doubled) – $1.69/2 after coupons

2 18-ct cartons Eggs (@$1.77 each) – $3.54

Total after all Sales, Coupons, and Tax: $9.03

Harris Teeter (Trip #2)

1 container Dole Garden Soup – $2.50, used $1.00/1 printable (doubled), plus $1.00/1 Harris Teeter evic – $0.50 MM after coupons

4 packages Maruchan Bowls (@$1.00/each) – $4.00, used 2 $1/2 coupons (SS 08/17/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons

4 packages Yakisoba Noodles (@$1.00/each) – $4.00, used 2 $1/2 coupons (SS 08/17/14) (doubled) – FREE after coupons

2 single El Monterey Burritos (@$1.00 each) – $2.00, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – FREE after coupons

4 cans Healthy Request Campbells Soup (@$2.15/each) – $8.60, used 2 $1/2 printable (doubled), plus $1.00 Harris Teeter evic and $0.50 Harris Teeter evic – $3.10/4 after coupons, plus receive a $1.00 catalina for buying 4 (which should doubled to $2.00 if I use it before next Wednesday)

1 jar Vlassic Farmer’s Garden Pickles – $2.50, used $1.00/1 printable (NLA) (doubled) – $0.50 after coupons

1 package Campbells To Go Soup – $3.19, used $1.00/1 printable (doubled), plus $1.00/1 Harris Teeter evic – $0.19 after coupons

2 Yellow Squash, reduced – $0.49

2 8-oz packages Kraft Cheese (@$1.69/each) – $3.38

Total after all Sales, Coupons and Tax: $7.16, plus receive $1.00 catalina back

Total for all Groceries for the Week: $57.63, plus receive $1.25 back in rebates

Weekly Menu

Breakfasts

Oatmeal x 3 (My kids have been BEGGING for oatmeal for breakfast recently! I stir in frozen fruit which they love and it helps it cool off faster!), Eggs and Toast x 2, Cereal x 2

Lunches

PB&J on Homemade Bread/Cucumbers/Apples; Leftovers x 2; Build-Your-Own-Salad Bar; Veggie Omelettes/Bananas; Tuna Sandwiches/Carrot Sticks; Baked Potatoes with Cheese/Green Pepper Slices

Dinners

Taco Salad, Peas

Venison in the Crockpot (The last of the venison from last year…REALLY hoping my husband gets some venison this year as well!), Sautéed Zucchini, Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

Out to Dinner with Friends

Best Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing, Apple Slices

Leftovers

BBQ Chicken Pizza (without cilantro), Carrots

Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Steamed Broccoli, Leftover Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

Snacks

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Baked Apple Oatmeal

Shared Oct 17, 2014 comment

The Long Road Bag Tutorial

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 17, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Abi of The Modern Prairie Girl

This bag was made for those LONG road trips.

It holds everything, while still being slouchy enough to get crammed into the car with everything that’s brought along for a vacation! The Long Road bag is super quick and fun to make – so let’s get started!

Walk through it carefully, so you don’t miss anything that might be needed. Lay out your fabric pieces as you go, so it comes together without any mishaps!

I give you some ideas about what fabric choices that would be extra fun to use when you decide to whip up this bag. The handle is really unique. Having the knot or bow option leaves way for it being sized for a petite, regular or tall lady. You can adjust the length of your bag for a cross body style or if you just want it to hang from your shoulder.

The Long Road Bag

Finished flat measurements: 12” wide x 14 ½” tall x 2 ½” deep
Handle strap: 35” to 56”

Required Supplies:

fabric straps
- for outside bag two pieces 13”x10” top half
- for outside bag two pieces 13”x 6 ½” bottom half
- for lining two pieces 13”x 15 ¾”
- for handles two pieces 4”x36”
13” piece of lace (optional)
sewing machine
scissors
sewing pins
matching/coordinating thread

Notes on fabric:

I love to play with my fabric combinations, and I would encourage you to do it also! This bag would be super cute out of burlap, cotton velveteen, or a cotton home décor as well as a fun quilting weight cotton print.

Also, play off of your special piece of lace that you want to show off on your Long Road bag. Sew, have fun!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Sew outside bag pieces, right sides together, along the 13” side. Press seam open. Pin and sew optional lace down to front of bag along the middle seam.

2. Sew outside bag right sides together. Turn bag to the side, matching bottom seam, with side seam. Pin both corners of bag.

Using a ruler, make a straight 2 ½” line. Use a pencil or marker to make your line. Sew down line and cut off excess peek of fabric. Turn bag right side out.

3. Take handle strips. Take one short end of each strip and turn the fabric in on itself ½”. Press. Turn the long sides in to meet in the middle of your strip. Fold over again, so raw fabric edges are encased. Sew along both long sides and the finished short end at 1/8”. Repeat with other strip.

4. Sew handles at each side of finished outside bag.

5. Take lining pieces and sew right sides together, leaving a 3” gap in the middle of the bottom of the bag. Repeat making gussets from step 2 for your lining.

6. Put finished outside bag inside lining. Stitch bag around the top at 5/8”. Clip off excess fabric around the top.

7. Pull outside bag through gap. Sew gap closed and push lining into the outside bag.

8. Topstitch around the mouth of your bag at ¼”. Put your bag on your should and knot or bow your handles at the top.

Your Long Road Bag is finished!

Keep in mind that this bag isn’t just for road trips, but any good times!

This bag is a great Christmas or birthday gift – especially if the recipient loves a beautiful handmade gift!

Sew… what are you waiting for? Have fun and please share your success story with me on the Modern Prairie Sewing facebook page.

designed & made by Abigail A. Long, author of Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You & Your Friends. Head on over to her blog: The Modern Prairie Girl.

Shared Oct 16, 2014 comment

How I Saved Today: Making Starbucks Hot Cocoa at home!

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 16, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

You can take the girl out of Kansas but you can’t take the Kansas out of the girl. Representing our Kansas City Royals in the new shirt Jesse bought me and cheering them on as they head to the World Series!!

So, I’ve been a little quiet here the past two days.

Tuesday we had some big meetings here in Nashville with a team of people to discuss some future projects we’re working on (I’m just about ready to burst with excitement — more details coming soon!) and then we went over to hang out with some friends and watch the Royals game.

Our Nashville friends are {mostly} all rooting with us for our boys from Kansas City with us and we keep getting multiple generous offers to please come hang out while the games are on so that we can watch the games on real cable TV instead of our creative non-cable solution. 🙂

Wednesday morning, I got up in the wee hours of the morning to finish two business projects that were due yesterday. And well, by the time they were done, I was so tired, that I went back to bed at 8 a.m. and slept for a few hours. I guess my body was behind on sleep!

At any rate, it was so nice because we stayed home all day long yesterday. I never even made it out of my yoga pants. And a quiet day at home was just what my soul needed.

The highlight of yesterday was definitely the Royals winning and making it to the WORLD SERIES! If you know my husband, you know what a HUGE deal this is. I’m just so happy for him… this has been a dream of his since he was a little boy and he never believed it would actually happen. And it HAS!

Today, I finally got around to making the Starbucks Inspired Hot Cocoa that reader, Amber, shared with me a few days ago. She’d left a comment saying that they had made it and loved it… so naturally, because I love all things Starbucks, I asked her if she’d share the recipe. She graciously emailed it to me along with details.

I took the recipe and Trim Healthy Mama-fied it. So here’s the original recipe + my tweaks:

Starbucks Inspired Hot Cocoa

3 cups whole milk (I used one cup half and half + 2 cups almond milk.)
6 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
4 Tablespoons sweetener of choice (I used Xylitol.)
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 oz. espresso
Pinch of Kosher salt

Put it all in Vita-mix and use the hot soup option (or start on 1 and gradually increase to 8 and leave there for 5-7 minute, until hot). If you don’t have a Vita-Mix, I’d recommend bringing it to a boil on the stove top, stirring constantly.

Serve immediately. Makes 4-6 servings.

We all agreed that this was very yummy! And it is definitely something I’ll be making again. It was so easy to make and such a fun treat — and much less expensive than Starbucks!

Tell Us How You Saved & You Could Win a $50 Starbucks Gift Card

How did YOU save today? Just for fun, I’m giving away a $50 Starbucks gift card to one reader who leaves a comment on this post telling us how you saved. I’ll choose and post a winner tomorrow.

This giveaway is over with and the winner is Jessi (admin@). You should have received an email with information on how to claim your prize.

The winner of this week’s earlier Mrs. Meyer’s giveaway is Riza {missriza@}. You should have received an email with details on how to claim your prize.

Shared Oct 16, 2014 comment

6 Books I Hope to Read This Week + 2 Books I Read Last Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 16, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Books I’ve Finished Recently:

Love, Skip, Jump — I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, but it encouraged me to continue to look for ways to be a giver in my everyday life.

Chaos to Clutter-Free — This ebook was a great refresher on the need for organization in our homes and the difference it makes. If you need some step-by-step organizing help, this would be a great place to start.

Books I Hope to Finish This Week

I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) — I’ve had this one started for quite awhile, and it’s good. It’s just deep and it’s taking me awhile to get through!

A Proper Pursuit — I’ve not started this book yet, but am really hoping to finally get this book read this week!

Nurturing the Soul of Your Family — This book was one I found when I was searching for another title and the premise resonated with me so I decided to pick it up. We’ll see what I think of it after reading it!

Addicted to Busy — This was another book that I found when looking for another title and thought it looked like a good read. Have you read it?

You and Me Forever — Multiple readers have said that I MUST read this book, so I’m excited to dive into it!

Me Before You — My friend, Ginger, told me this was one of her very favorite books so I knew I had to read it. 🙂

What I Listened To:

The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown — I’m slowly working my way through these CDs and gleaning so much. I especially have been contemplating her thoughts on shame versus guilt (Guilt says, “I did wrong.” Shame says, “I am wrong.”) Lots to ponder!

Movies We Watched:

Dispatches From the Front — My mom gave us this DVD and we watched it as a family on Sunday. It’s always so fascinating to learn about other cultures and beliefs and to see how God is moving and working in lives around the world.

And, of course, we’ve been watching lots and lots of baseball. How about our Kansas City Royals?? We can’t wait for the World Series. Even if our boys in blue don’t win, we’re so proud that they made it farther than most anyone thought possible this season.

What have you read recently? What are you planning to read this week? Any good book recommendations for me?

Shared Oct 16, 2014 comment

Snap App: Are you having trouble getting your rebates?

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 16, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

A reader emailed in yesterday:

I, like a lot of other couponers, have been having HUGE issues with Snap lately and I’m thinking it would be great if you ladies could get someone from Snap to answer some questions about the SLOW processing times, rejected receipts, money disappearing from accounts, etc. You’ve probably already heard about all the issues they are having but if not just check their FB page. -Alison

I am trying to get to the bottom of this, because I’ve not had any trouble with the Snap App personally. However, I don’t want to be promoting something if there are a bunch of issues with it or people aren’t going to get their money.

So let me know: what has your experience been with Snap? Have you had any trouble with getting your cashback?

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!

Shared Oct 16, 2014 comment

Do It Yourself: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 16, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

TheLemonBowl.com shows you how to make homemade roasted pumpkin seeds.

Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Shared Oct 14, 2014 comment

This Week’s $91 Grocery Shopping Trip + Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 14, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I was excited that we were able to stay well under our new grocery budget this week. Jesse and I made the grocery list together — looking at where to get the best deals on what we were planning to buy — and then he offered to go shopping on Monday morning after his workout at the gym.

Here’s what he bought:

Kroger

Smoked Turkey — $19.60
Kroger Peanut Butter — $1.79
Kroger Whole Milk — $2.99
3 dozen brown eggs — $2.99 per dozen (got $0.50 back from Checkout51)
2 packages of Kroger bacon — $2.99 per package

Total: $42.18

ALDI

2 packages of Broccoli — $0.99 each
2 tubs of Ham lunch meat — $2.49 each
3 Avocados — $0.99 each
Egg Whites — $1.99
Butter — $3.49
2 packages of Boneless Chicken Breasts — $6.49
3 bags of Gala apples — $1.99 per bag
2 bags of Sweet Potatoes — $1.99 per bag
Bananas — $0.44 per pound — $2.42 total
2 bags of multi-colored peppers — $2.49 each
Total: $49.17

Total spent: $91.35

Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Bacon & Eggs or Oatmeal (I also ate Healthy Blueberry Crisp.)

Lunches

Sandwiches or Leftovers

Snacks

Popcorn
Fruit/Veggies
Cheese
Apples with Almond Butter
Snacks sent to us from Wild Oats Organic
Protein Shakes
Healthy Cake in a Mug

Dinners

Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Stuffed Chicken Breast
Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
Italian Sausage with Potatoes and Vinegar
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry with Sweet Potato Fries
Marinated Chicken
Dinner Out

What’s on YOUR menu this week? Tell us in the comments!

Shared Oct 13, 2014 comment

How I Saved Today: Working out at home (+ share how you saved today and you could win a Mrs. Meyer’s gift box!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 13, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Welcome to our at-home gym… currently residing in our garage. The walls are scuffed and it can be a little humid at times, but I love being able to work out at home.

I don’t have to pay for a gym membership. I don’t to spend time driving to a gym and back. I don’t have to figure out childcare. I don’t have to worry about looking somewhat presentable. 🙂

I can just walk out to the garage, hop on some equipment, and get in a quick workout. At this season of my life, it’s the perfect solution.

And it’s a way that I save money and time every single day.

~~Tell Us How YOU Saved & Enter to Win A Mrs. Meyer’s Gift Box!~~

~~Share something you did today to save money — either in a little way or a big way. I’ll choose one comment to win a free Mrs. Meyers gift box courtesy of ePantry.com! This gift box includes:~~

~~1 Meyer’s Clean Day dish soap~~

~~1 Meyer’s Clean Day hand soap~~

~~1 Meyer’s Clean Day countertop spray~~

~~1 Meyer’s Clean Day dishwasher tabs~~

~~1 Meyer’s Clean Day surface wipes~~

~~1 Meyer’s Clean Day scented candle~~

~~1 Casabella sponge~~

This giveaway is now over with and the winner is Riza {missriza@} The winner of the $50 Starbucks gift card from Saturday’s post was Becky {t_3_st@}

Shared Oct 13, 2014 comment

10 Goals This Week + an update on last week’s goals

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 13, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Last week’s goals:

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

1. Finish reading Teddy’s Button aloud to the kids at lunch time.

~~2. Have a movie night with Jesse.~~

~~3. Write a love note to Jesse.~~

~~4. Write thank you notes for my birthday gifts.~~

~~5. Work on another craft/sewing project with Kaitlynn.~~

Personal Goals

~~6. Work on reviewing and memorizing Romans 1 and Romans 2:1-2.~~

7. Finish reading I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t), A Proper Pursuit, and ~~Love, Skip, Jump~~.

8. Run or exercise at least 5 times.

Business Goals

~~9. Work on chapters 8 and 9 of my book manuscript.~~

10. Work on draft of my first article for an upcoming magazine column.

Last week’s goals:

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

1. Finish reading Teddy’s Button aloud to the kids at lunch time. {I’m determined to actually accomplish this goal this week! We’ve struggled through this book & it’s not been my kids’ favorite, so that’s contributing to how slowly we’re getting through it… and also we’re changing our read aloud time to breakfast because we recently added in extra swimming and ice skating lessons/practices for the girls that were cutting into our previous read aloud time.}

2. Have a movie night with Jesse.

3. Write a love note to Jesse.

4. Start a new sewing or handwork project.

Personal Goals

5. Work on reviewing and memorizing Romans 1 and Romans 2:1-3.

6. Finish reading I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t), A Proper Pursuit, and a few other titles that I’m still picking out and will share in my book post tomorrow.

7. Run or exercise at least 5 times.

Business Goals

8. Continue to work on chapters 8 and 9 of my book manuscript.

9. Write answers to questions for an upcoming online interview.

10. Finish my first article for an upcoming magazine column.

How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives! You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.

Shared Oct 13, 2014 comment

Cutting Down on Caffeine (I survived another week!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 13, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Bulletproof Coffee

So, I’m working on cutting back on caffeine this month, as part of the 12 Months to a Healthier You Challenge. And while last week was harder, I was excited that this week wasn’t as hard. Yay!

This week, I cut back from 1 and 3/4 cups per day to 1 and 1/2 cups per day. And I didn’t really even notice that I’d cut back a little. I am drinking a few cups of herbal tea, too, and I think that helps.

I’ve already decided this may not be a habit I decide to stick with, but I’m committed to following through with cutting back for this month.

How are YOU doing on cutting back on caffeine?

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!

Shared Oct 13, 2014 comment

5 Things to Remember When Bartering

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 13, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Meagan of More Than a Coupon Queen

Our family has lived on a tight budget for a long time. My husband works for a non-profit ministry and I homeschool both of our children.

I have always wanted my children to enjoy the things we couldn’t afford without breaking our budget. This is where the idea of bartering came into play. I may not be able to pay cash for something but I have a few skills I can trade.

If you’re interested in bartering, here are 5 things to consider…

5 Things to Remember When Bartering

1. Don’t be afraid to ask.

I have bartered with people I never would have expected to. Sometimes a Facebook question such as, “Looking for someone to help us with a stopped up toilet. Willing to do a photo shoot for you in exchange for your time” can end with a great partnership.

2. Make sure the value matches.

I have seen people trade services worth a lot for something small. Make sure your trade is even. Examples of this would include trading 1 hour of babysitting for a full photo shoot or trading 1 hour of yard work for 3 hours of house work.

The only way bartering will make you happy is by making sure that both people are getting the same value.

3. Put terms in writing before you start.

In order to avoid disagreements later, establish the terms of your trade before you start. You don’t need a lawyer and a contract but having something in writing will prevent either of you from feeling taken advantage of.

4. Put a timeline on your trade.

Don’t give someone something with the understanding that they will someday pay you back. Instead, say “I will do this for you by this date if you will do this for me by this date.”

Not only will this give both of you a clear deadline, it will remove a potential disagreement over when something should be done.

5. Realize your Strengths.

I went to school for photography, I work well with children, and I know how to do some basic business cards and branding. When someone is looking to trade with me I will offer these things as options.

What are you good at? Are you good with children? Do you know how to work with Photoshop or an excel spreadsheet? Are you good at cleaning? Knowing your strengths gives you something to barter.

Bartering is a great way to take care of your family without spending cash you don’t have. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Have you ever bartered for something you needed? Did it go well for you?

Meagan is a Sci-loving homeschool mom from Central Florida. She blogs with her husband at More Than a Coupon Queen. If you visit their site you are sure to find money saving tips, homeschool ideas, and Central Florida fun. Meagan hosts a weekly Science link up and offers a monthly Doctor Who inspired printable.

photo source

Shared Oct 12, 2014 comment

Weekend Giveaway: doTERRA Essential Oils Introduction Kit (Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint) 6 Winners

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 12, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I know that many of you are very interested in essential oils, so I’m excited to bring you another essential oils giveaway — this time for a doTERRA Introduction Kit courtesy of Stacia Stuart.

This is a great kit for beginners! It includes an introductory audio CD and booklet highlighting the uses of essential oils, and a 5 ml bottle of dōTERRA’s Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint essential oils. There are also suggested uses for the oils included to help jumpstart you on your journey of using essential oils.

I’ve become a huge essential oil fan over the past year (my poor friends have been so patient with me as I’m often whipping out my travel oil bag and saying, “I have an oil for that! Here just try this!” ;)), but I’m not partial to any brand specific brand. In fact, I really like many of the oils from many different brands. However, since we’re talking about doTERRA for this giveaway, my favorite doTERRA oils are:

Elevation — I love to diffuse this oil when I need a pick-me-up.

Whisper — This smells like perfume to me and I wear it as perfume sometimes and people often ask me what brand I’m wearing! Such a great oil for having a calming affect.

OnGuard — Of all the doTERRA and other brands of oils on the market, this one is one of my very favorites and probably one of the ones we use most of all at our house. I never travel without it, either. I have prevented multiple illnesses by rubbing this on the bottoms of my feet when I felt like I was starting to come down with something. I’ve been amazed at how well it seems to work!

Deep Blue — This is a great oil to rub on sore and achy muscles.

DigestZen — This was the oil that turned my husband from essential oil cynic to essential oil convert. If you have an upset stomach or even just feel bloated, you can rub it onto your stomach and it works wonders!

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use essential oils:

Diffuse them — it’s so fun and mood-boosting to have them wafting through the house!
Rub them on our feet and then put socks on before we got to bed. I seem to sleep better every time I do this.
Put a few drops in our Homemade Foaming Hand Soap. Peppermint is especially fun around Christmas time!
Put a few drops into a warm bath for a relaxing at-home spa experience.

For more information on doTERRA essential oils, visit Stacia Stuart’s site here. If you’d like to purchase any oils, you can check out the option to purchase a wholesale doTERRA membership and get 25% off the retail prices for one year. Just click on join in the upper left corner for details. You can also follow Stacia on Facebook

Stacia is also offering anyone who signs up as a Wellness Advocate with an enrollment kit of 150 points value, a free Mini-Modern Essentials Usage Guide. Signing up as a Wellness Advocate gives you the opportunity to earn commissions and free products by sharing about doTERRA with others.

Would you like to win a free doTERRA Introductory Kit? Just click on the graphic below and type in your name and email address. 6 winners will be chosen and posted early next week. This giveaway ends Monday, October 13, at 11:59 pm, CST.

Shared Oct 12, 2014 comment

Healthy Blueberry Crisp Recipe

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 12, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I “Trim Healthy Mama-fied” the Blueberry Crisp recipe from Bread & Wine a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve made it a few more times to tweak it and get it just right.

Many of you asked me for this recipe, so I’m happy to share it. Please note that if you’re not familiar with the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating, this recipe might just look really weird to you… and it might even have a few ingredients you’ve never heard of before.

I get that, because I was pretty cynical of the whole THM way of eating for a number of months. But now that I experimented with it, I’ve fallen in love with it. And seeing as it’s been going on five months of eating this way, I think it just might be a new lifestyle. 🙂

Healthy Blueberry Crisp

1 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup oat fiber (non THM folks, you replace this with flour or almond flour)
1/2 cup xylitol (non THM folks: you could replace this with sugar)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted (non THM folks: you could replace this with melted butter)
1 1/2 to 2 cups fresh blueberries (can also use frozen or other types of berries)

Mix all ingredients together, except for the berries. Sprinkle half of the oat mixture on the bottom of an 8×8 pan. Sprinkle berries over. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubble and lightly browned. Serve warm or cold.

Please note: This has a higher fat content than a typical THM E meal. You can either eat just a small amount for a meal, eat it as part of a Crossover meal or snack, or use twice as much fruit to the crumb topping ratio.

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How I Saved Today: Making do instead of buying new

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 11, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This whole week has been full from start to finish. As a result, I’ve been just focusing on one day at a time. Today we had to get up early to drive quite a ways to be at an early swim meet for Kathrynne. {Most of you parents are so used to this kind of routine… but for us, this whole arena of sports and activities and competitions is very new.}

So we made it through the morning and early afternoon and then I realized: We were supposed to go to a friend’s 30th birthday party tonight and I kind of forgot to actually plan a side dish to bring tonight nor had I bought ingredients for it.

Since it’s been a week since we last went grocery shopping, I kind of panicked, thinking we probably wouldn’t have enough ingredients to actually make anything presentable. And I considered just running by the store on our way to the party and picking up a veggie tray.

But then I decided to see what I could scrounge up with the odds and ends of veggies we still had on hand. I surprised myself that we had more than enough to make a veggie tray!

This was a good reminder to me to challenge myself to always try to make do with what I already have instead of rushing out to buy something new.

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Gretchen’s $31 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on October 11, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Homeland

1 Herbal Essence Bodywash – $2.49, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.49 after coupon

1 Herbel Essence Conditioner – $2.49, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.49 after coupon

2 Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal – $2.29 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – $1.29 each after coupon

1 Hiland Cottage Cheese (24 oz) – $1.99, used $0.50/1 coupon from the 8/10 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $0.99 after coupon

1.05 lbs Tomatoes @ $0.89/lb – $0.93

1 Nestle Pure Life Water Bottles – $2.99, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.99 after coupon

10 Red Gold canned Tomatoes – $0.69 (Buy 10, Get $4 off instantly), used 2 $0.55/3 printable (one of them doubled) – $0.12 each after coupons (I’m stocked up for fall soups and chili!)

Total before coupons and sales: $43.47

Total with tax after coupons and sales: $7.72

Dillon’s

Pssst Sugar – $1.99

1 Kroger Just Fruit Jelly – Marked down to $0.99

2 cans Beans – $0.60 each

1 Cucumber – $0.89

1 Lettuce – $0.99

1 pkg Kroger Bacon – $2.88

1 pkg Pork Loins – Marked down to $3.65

1 bag Potatoes – $2.69

1 bunch Bananas @ $0.52/lb – $0.72

1 bunch Asparagus @ $1.99/lb – $2.38

1 pkg Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – $3.97

1 Milky Way Bites – Free with Free e-coupon (no longer available)

2 heads Broccoli @ $0.99/lb – $1.28

Total after coupon and sales: $23.63

Total for all both stores: $31.35

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Cereal, Scrambled Eggs & Bacon x 2, Toast with Jelly, Oatmeal

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly on Rice Cakes, Tossed Salad with Cottage Cheese, Baked Potatoes & Broccoli, Cheese Quesadillas, Leftovers

Dinners

Chicken Fajitas, Homemade Applesauce

Mexican Casserole, Steamed Peas

Steak, Biscuits, Tossed Salad

Meat Potato Quiche, Pumpkin Bread, Steamed Broccoli

Black Bean Quesadillas, Tossed Salad

Crock Pot Pork Loins, Homemade Bread, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus

Chicken & Rice Casserole, Steamed Broccoli

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