Posts
You like bowling? Have you ever heard of National Bowling Day? Check out this site for more details:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090827/ARTICLES/908249974/1016/ENTERTAINMENT?Title=Bowl-for-free-on-National-Bowling-Day
Aug 30, 2009
Free stuff for kids
Free stuff for your kids:
http://www.actualfreestuff.com/kidfreebies.htm
http://freestuff4kids.net/
http://parenting.leehansen.com/kids/kidstuff.htm
http://www.actualfreestuff.com/kidfreebies.htm
http://freestuff4kids.net/
http://parenting.leehansen.com/kids/kidstuff.htm
Have a Staycation
Have you heard of a "Staycation?" it's instead of a Vacation! Saves you time and gas money since you aren't traveling very far from home. Become a tourist of the area you live in. Go to the museum on the free day - most museums do. Go to the park. Go see a dollar movie. Check out the "old town" or shopping strip and take "the tour" if there is one.
Go camping! Its about as free as you can get - especially if don't go to established "camping grounds". Heck, camp in your back yard - the kids will love it.
Go camping! Its about as free as you can get - especially if don't go to established "camping grounds". Heck, camp in your back yard - the kids will love it.
Aug 28, 2009
Cook from scratch
I love to cook as many meals as I can from scratch. I try to always make my own bread, tortillas, dinner rolls... I make chicken pot pie, enchiladas, pizza, lasagna ...
I feel that when I make my family meals from scratch that they are getting more wholesome foods, less preservatives/sugars, and we are saving money by not buying prepackaged foods all the time.
I also try and cook/bake with whole wheat, whole grains and lots of vegetables - you can add more nutrients to your meals by putting fresh vegetables in a canned soup, blend them up and mix them into your spaghetti sauce or meatloaf... these are also great ways to get finicky eater to eat their vegis!
I make double batches of bread dough or pizza dough. I divide the dough into the correct portions and I freeze some of them so I don't have to mix up more the next time.
The next posting I'll add some dough recipes for all you bread lovers!
I feel that when I make my family meals from scratch that they are getting more wholesome foods, less preservatives/sugars, and we are saving money by not buying prepackaged foods all the time.
I also try and cook/bake with whole wheat, whole grains and lots of vegetables - you can add more nutrients to your meals by putting fresh vegetables in a canned soup, blend them up and mix them into your spaghetti sauce or meatloaf... these are also great ways to get finicky eater to eat their vegis!
I make double batches of bread dough or pizza dough. I divide the dough into the correct portions and I freeze some of them so I don't have to mix up more the next time.
The next posting I'll add some dough recipes for all you bread lovers!
Lists
I love to make lists. I don't think I could survive without my lists. They help me keep track of what I'm doing, what I've done, where I have to go, what I need to get, what I need to bring... You get the point.
I think that making lists helps me to stay on track; without my lists I wouldn't be nearly as organized as I am.
When I make grocery lists I try to write items down - by aisle or by what they are (which turns out to be pretty much the same list)
I will give you a few sample lists of my own... feel free to copy and paste so you can print them out.
When packing for over night or extended time I write the number of days I'll be gone on the top of the page so I remember to bring the correct number of clothing etc. Feel free to add to the list or take away from it.
CLOTHING
under clothing
socks
pants
shorts
skirts
dress clothing
-tie
-slip
-nylons
shirts
-long sleeve
-short sleeve
shoes
-walking
-nice
-hiking
sweater/coat
hat
TOILETRY BAG
toothbrush
toothpaste
mouthwash
hairbrush
hair products
shampoo
conditioner
facewash
Q-Tips
tissues
feminine prod.
body wash/bar of soap
medication
sunscreen
hair accessories
lotion
BABY
diaper bag:
diapers - I often don't bring more than I need to get me there then I'll buy once I arrive
wipes
rash cream
formula - course if you breast feed, it'll save you space and money!
bottles
change of clothing
burp rags
snacks - good ol' stand by - cheerios
toys
baby toiletries
-wash
-powder
-lotion
OTHER
camera
(film if 35mm)
extra money
cell phone
wallet
sunglasses
jewelry
perfume
makeup
video camera
gifts
snacks
directions (map)
tickets (plane, train...)
I think that making lists helps me to stay on track; without my lists I wouldn't be nearly as organized as I am.
When I make grocery lists I try to write items down - by aisle or by what they are (which turns out to be pretty much the same list)
I will give you a few sample lists of my own... feel free to copy and paste so you can print them out.
When packing for over night or extended time I write the number of days I'll be gone on the top of the page so I remember to bring the correct number of clothing etc. Feel free to add to the list or take away from it.
CLOTHING
under clothing
socks
pants
shorts
skirts
dress clothing
-tie
-slip
-nylons
shirts
-long sleeve
-short sleeve
shoes
-walking
-nice
-hiking
sweater/coat
hat
TOILETRY BAG
toothbrush
toothpaste
mouthwash
hairbrush
hair products
shampoo
conditioner
facewash
Q-Tips
tissues
feminine prod.
body wash/bar of soap
medication
sunscreen
hair accessories
lotion
BABY
diaper bag:
diapers - I often don't bring more than I need to get me there then I'll buy once I arrive
wipes
rash cream
formula - course if you breast feed, it'll save you space and money!
bottles
change of clothing
burp rags
snacks - good ol' stand by - cheerios
toys
baby toiletries
-wash
-powder
-lotion
OTHER
camera
(film if 35mm)
extra money
cell phone
wallet
sunglasses
jewelry
perfume
makeup
video camera
gifts
snacks
directions (map)
tickets (plane, train...)
Aug 27, 2009
Cleaning Time Savers
Here are some lists of things you can do each day to save time cleaning the various rooms in your house.
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/daily-cleaning-checklist-00000000000953/index.html
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/daily-cleaning-checklist-00000000000953/index.html
Family Reunion?
Check out this site for great tips on planning a family reunion:
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/planning-family-reunion-00000000018674/
Large family? Try sharing the responsibility of planning the event by having a different family member plan it each year. This works well especially if your family is spread out and live in different States.
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/planning-family-reunion-00000000018674/
Large family? Try sharing the responsibility of planning the event by having a different family member plan it each year. This works well especially if your family is spread out and live in different States.
Talent Swap
Do you know how to play the piano? Are you a really good swimmer or a great artist? Try swapping talents by teaching a friends kids while they teach yours. This is a good way to get your kids lessons for "free".
Don't have kids? Take the lessons yourself!
Don't have kids? Take the lessons yourself!
Aug 26, 2009
Your own recipe book
Do you have 10,000 cookbooks and are forever searching for that elusive recipe that you "know is in one of them"? I don't like searching for things. I bought a binder (2 or 2 1/2 inch) and plastic sheet protectors. I also found a recipe printout that I liked. I copied down all my favorites and put them into the plastic sheets (in groupings, like: chicken recipes, beef, pork, beans, breads, desserts etc.) Now, all my favorites are all together, within reach. Also, if I find a new recipe that we love its easy to add.
UPDATE: I've discovered that planing my meals is WAY easier if I planned them around the basic filler foods: Beans, Potatoes, Pasta, Rice and Whole grains. So I re-organized my homemade recipe book into these categories... of course I have one labeled desserts as well...
Now as I plan out my meals for the month, I just assign a filler food to a day of the week: Monday is Bean day - I can put the beans in water right after church on Sunday and leave them to soak all night. Tuesday is rice day - mostly because beans and rice go really well together. Put them in whatever order you prefer. Saturdays are leftover days (anything that doesn't get eaten gets tossed - makes it easy to know just how long that tuna noodle casserole has been in the fridge - since you know what day you made it) Also, Sundays are easy to make days, soup: salad, sandwiches etc.
UPDATE: I've discovered that planing my meals is WAY easier if I planned them around the basic filler foods: Beans, Potatoes, Pasta, Rice and Whole grains. So I re-organized my homemade recipe book into these categories... of course I have one labeled desserts as well...
Now as I plan out my meals for the month, I just assign a filler food to a day of the week: Monday is Bean day - I can put the beans in water right after church on Sunday and leave them to soak all night. Tuesday is rice day - mostly because beans and rice go really well together. Put them in whatever order you prefer. Saturdays are leftover days (anything that doesn't get eaten gets tossed - makes it easy to know just how long that tuna noodle casserole has been in the fridge - since you know what day you made it) Also, Sundays are easy to make days, soup: salad, sandwiches etc.
Trimming Babies nails
I find it easiest to sit baby on my lap and trip his nails with his hands pointing away from me ... this way I don't clip or pinch his fingers. Alternately, you could trim his nails while nursing or while he's asleep... these options work well since baby doesn't move as much.
Family Home Evening
A great idea for Family Home Evening (F.H.E.) that I found in "The Friend" magazine - for anyone who doesn't subscribe - is to get three jars.
Jar one: put names of favorite children primary songs.
Jar two: put favorite scripture stories
Jar three: Put children games
Each time you hold F.H.E. just pull out a slip of paper from each jar and you're all set!
Jar one: put names of favorite children primary songs.
Jar two: put favorite scripture stories
Jar three: Put children games
Each time you hold F.H.E. just pull out a slip of paper from each jar and you're all set!
Facebook Users!
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Cook Once a Month!
I've discovered that trying to think of something new and exciting to cook for my family each night is a CHORE! So, I cook once maybe twice a month. What!? Is that possible? Yes.
Day One
~Start by making a list of all the meals you enjoy.
~Then make a list of the ingredients you need for each meal.
Unless you want to learn and add new recipes to your list you'll only have to do day one once.
Day Two
~Go shopping! This may be a hard thing for some of you who are used to shopping weekly or daily but you'll be buying in bulk - don't be suprised if your total is $300 or more but believe me you'll actually be saving money. Places that sell in bulk like Costo or Sams Club may offer you the best deals. And remember your coupons! Look for sales!
Day Three
~Cook all your meals. This works best on a Saturday for me, or a day when you can enlist the help of family or friends. Heck, make a cooking party of it and your friends can all take home meals as well.
I've also, when in a crunch for time, cooked all beef meals one day, all chicken meals another day etc. By buying in bulk and larger cans (like tomato sauce) you can put together many meals at once.
~Freeze your meals. Gallon size zip-lock bags work great and stack nicely in the freezer. Just remember to let them cool a little first and don't stack too high until they are frozen. Label what they are and be sure to put the date on them.
Tips
~For chicken meals I like to buy 3-4 whole chickens and boil or broil them then shred the chicken - you can use one of those for dinner the night you do all this cooking (you wont want to cook another meal after cooking all afternoon.)
~Prepare all raw meat meals (meat loaf) with seasonings before freezing.
~Weigh out your ground meat into 4oz. per person (example I have 4 people in my family so I weigh out 16oz) then cook them and freeze. Use for meals like spaghetti. A kitchen scale is a must! I love mine.
~Put a roast in your crock-pot.
~You can freeze rice and pasta - just don't cook it all the way beforehand.
Day One
~Start by making a list of all the meals you enjoy.
~Then make a list of the ingredients you need for each meal.
Unless you want to learn and add new recipes to your list you'll only have to do day one once.
Day Two
~Go shopping! This may be a hard thing for some of you who are used to shopping weekly or daily but you'll be buying in bulk - don't be suprised if your total is $300 or more but believe me you'll actually be saving money. Places that sell in bulk like Costo or Sams Club may offer you the best deals. And remember your coupons! Look for sales!
Day Three
~Cook all your meals. This works best on a Saturday for me, or a day when you can enlist the help of family or friends. Heck, make a cooking party of it and your friends can all take home meals as well.
I've also, when in a crunch for time, cooked all beef meals one day, all chicken meals another day etc. By buying in bulk and larger cans (like tomato sauce) you can put together many meals at once.
~Freeze your meals. Gallon size zip-lock bags work great and stack nicely in the freezer. Just remember to let them cool a little first and don't stack too high until they are frozen. Label what they are and be sure to put the date on them.
Tips
~For chicken meals I like to buy 3-4 whole chickens and boil or broil them then shred the chicken - you can use one of those for dinner the night you do all this cooking (you wont want to cook another meal after cooking all afternoon.)
~Prepare all raw meat meals (meat loaf) with seasonings before freezing.
~Weigh out your ground meat into 4oz. per person (example I have 4 people in my family so I weigh out 16oz) then cook them and freeze. Use for meals like spaghetti. A kitchen scale is a must! I love mine.
~Put a roast in your crock-pot.
~You can freeze rice and pasta - just don't cook it all the way beforehand.
Welcome!
I've created this site for anyone, like myself, who loves to be organized, save time and money and swap great ideas. A one stop place for it all. Feel free to ask/answer questions and leave advice for anyone visiting the site or for the site itself.
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