Now that the twins are toddlers, we fly through produce.  Olivia can eat up to 3 bananas a day! I can't complain too much, since they are at least healthy eaters.  I thought I could save a few trips to the grocery store by starting my own little patio garden.  I am going to track my progress over the next few weeks/months to let you know what I've learned from my gardening.  I must let you know that I know VERY little about growing plants and I am crossing my fingers these plants made it past those cold nights a few days ago.  Here's what I've planted:

• 1 tomato plant- in a topsy turvy*
• 1 green pepper plant- in a topsy turvy
• 2 strawberry plants- in a topsy turvy
• Herbs: basil, cilantro, chives and rosemary (in pots... I am trying to find something to replant them in)
• 1 cucumber- in a topsy turvy

*A topsy turvy is one of those plant hangers that are all over the markets.  At Menards they have last year's model for $3.99 and Aldi has a generic version for $5.  You just have to buy a plant and use your own soil to plant them.  So far they are super easy!!

That list looks mighty ambitious, but it was super easy to get it all set up!  I guess setting it up is the easy part though, right?  I have already lost my first tomato plant due to crazy storms last weekend.  But Im staying optimistic!


I'll keep you posted!


Are you a gardener?  Any tips for a small patio "gardener"?!  I need any help I can get!  

Extreme Couponing: good or bad for couponers?

It seems as if everyone has been watching TLC's show "Extreme Couponing" and the buzz is all around the blogs and Twitter.  I finally sat down to watch an episode last night and it kind of annoyed me.  Yes, I love using coupons and saving money using deals, but there is a fine line between stockpiling for what you will use and hoarding!  The people they show on this show are crazy, in my opinion.  Do you need 70+ bottles of mustard?  How in the world do you eat 90 packs of lunchmeat before they go bad?!  Also, a common sense rule of thumb for couponing is to be nice to other fellow deal seekers: don't clear the shelves! 

When I first started using coupons, I realized how easy it was to get caught up in the "freebie frenzy" as I call it.  Its a huge eye opener when you realize how much you can really save.  But one thing to remember is you have to actually need or use the products you are getting.  Also, you have to factor in how much you are spending to get the coupons.  My rule of thumb is to get as many papers as you have family members.  Some weeks (especially for diaper coupons) we will get more papers, but I try to keep it around 4 papers each Sunday. 

I feel there are good and bad aspects of this show.  I'm very happy that it is shedding light on the potential savings out there by using coupons, but I am also worried it makes all deal seekers look like crazy people filling up carts like zombies.

Here's where I want your input!  Did you see the show?  What did you think?

I have noticed quite a few new readers!  First of all, let me say "thank you!" and next I would like to point you in the direction of some posts that will help you out if you are new to saving money.  If you feel like you are completely clueless or have questions please email me!  I love to help get people started and I know how it feels to be kind of lost at the wealth of information out there.  I'm nice, I promise!

Helpful posts to get started:

1. How to Stay Organized
2. Where to find coupons
3. Doubling or stacking coupons
4. How to find freebies
5. Afullcup.com: My favorite 'deal seekers' resource
6. New parents?  Great coupon mailing lists to be on

Have a great weekend everyone!!

*Don't forget to VOTE FOR ME!  The contest ends April 15th! *

Cooking rut? Try a recipe binder!

I must admit, this winter I have been in kind of a cooking rut.  As much as I love cooking, I get so tired of thinking of what to make for dinner.  One thing that helps me find dinner ideas is my cooking binder.  I started this in 2007 and I take any recipe I see that sounds appetizing and put it inside with page protectors.  This past year I had to move to a larger binder and it is still almost full.  Its fun to remember recipes this way and you can just take out the page protector when you want to use it.  I also write anything I may have changed or added to the recipe with either a post-it or right in the margins of the recipe. 

The best way to use a binder is to get dividers and keep it organized.  A binder with pockets on the side is nice too.  When I dont have time to categorize a recipe, I just put it in the pocket for a later time.  Here are the dividers I use, obviously use what is most convenient for you.

1. Chicken
2. Beef
3. Sweets/Dessert/Holiday Treats
4. Seafood
5. Vegetarian/Sides
6. Soups
7. Pasta

There is probably a better way to categorize everything, but I have yet to change my binder in 4 years.

Where do I find recipes?  Everywhere! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Before you recycle your magazines, cut out any recipes you might want to try.  If I try a recipe and we dont like it, I throw it away.  Its pointless to keep a gross recipe!
• I am a Food Network junkie.  Whenever I see a show with a recipe I want to try, I go to the website and print it.  This is usually where I end up writing any additions/subtractions to the recipe in the margins.  If I dont have time to print it, I add it to my bookmarks until I want to use it.
• Allrecipes.com, Epicurious.com or any cooking website. 
• Sunday inserts.   Sometimes our Parade magazine or even the coupon inserts have great sounding ideas.
• From others!  If you go try something you like, ask them for the recipe!
• I just started collecting holiday recipes a few years ago and now when its time to make cookies at Christmas time, we have a huge selection.  

 A great way to do this project for FREE would be to use Amazon.com gift cards from Swagbucks. I have been racking up the points more than usual lately, which is very nice!  If you haven't signed up yet, use the link above.

Enjoy the snow!


Xoxo!

Recipe: Smoothies!

I have noticed so many new smoothie products in the freezer section at Meijer lately and I had to try one out of curiosity.  I thought there had to be something new and super tasty in these that I don't usually put in my homemade smoothies...I mean it they are $2.99.  Guess what, its exactly the same except for that price you get 2 small smoothies and barely any fruit.

Here's my smoothie technique.  Nothing too elaborate, but it's way cheaper than Jamba juice or those freezer smoothies.  Homemade smoothies tend to be better because you can control the ingredients and sugar. 

Ashleigh's Smoothie Kits

Makes at least 4 big smoothies, these kits are baggies you put in the freezer ready for one smoothie at a time

• Big container of yogurt (16-32oz size).  Whatever flavor you like. Best choices tend to be simple like strawberry, raspberry or plain/vanilla
• Juice, once again whatever you want.  Best choices: apple, orange or pineapple. 
• Fruit: fresh or frozen, doesnt matter.  Aldi has some frozen fruit in their Fit n' Active brand which I love.  Banana doesn't freeze well unless sliced with other fruit.  I usually just add a banana when making my smoothie.

1.  In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine 1.5 cups of yogurt and 1 cup of juice.  If you like extra sweetness add a touch of agave nectar or sugar (not necessary at all)
• Note: if you want a super large batch, use 3 cups of yogurt and 2 cups of juice
2.  Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
3. Once frozen, break the cubes into baggies, sandwich ones work great.  These have to stay separate from other fruit.  3-4 per baggie works best. 
4. In a pint size baggie, put 2 cups of fruit and then the baggie of juice cubes.  You want to keep them seperate, or it makes a huge frozen clump which is hard to break down in the blender.
5. When you want to make them, just put everything in the blender with a banana (if wanted) and an extra splash of juice
6. Enjoy!

Great combos:

• Mango, banana & raspberry
• Blueberry & Pineapple
• Strawberry & Banana
• Mango, Strawberry & Raspberry

Be creative!  Frozen fruit works just as well as fresh.  If you ever see fresh fruit on markdown at the store, stock up and freeze it! 

Yumm, I could go for one right now!  Smoothies are also great if you are under the weather and cannot eat much.  It's an easy way to get some vitamins in your system.

Try it out and let me know how they turned out!

Do-it yourself eyebrows: if you're brave!

Gigi Microwave Tweezeless Wax 

This tip is for you brave souls out there.  I really don't have the time or money to go get my eyebrows waxed all of the time, but I really love the look.  And, lets be honest, my eyebrows are out of control if I don't do anything with them.  It looks like my twins are going to have the same problem, poor girls! 

I've been doing my own eyebrows for about 10 years now and this product by GiGI
 is super easy to use.  I haven't tried any other products on the market because I love this one so much.

There aren't many places where you can even get your eyebrows done for that cheap.  The little bottle lasts me at least 3 months.  All you have to do is heat it up in the microwave and use the included applicator to put the wax on your brows.  So easy.  I usually buy it at Sally Beauty Supply, but I just found it on Amazon as well.  With my free shipping at Amazon, this saves a trip to Sally's!

I will be honest, there have been a few instances where I have messed up my eyebrows, but if you take your time it's a piece of cake.  The formula comes in sensitive and regular and I prefer regular, but both work well.  It does sting a bit at first, but the formula does not cause much redness.

It's worth trying, I promise!