It amazes me how much pre-packaged things we consume each day. Convenience foods are very popular, especially if both parents work. And even in homes where one parent stays home (ahem, OUR home), pre-made things are pretty popular as well.
I can understand why the number of obese children is astronomical....we simply don't take the time to make things from scratch. Sometimes, we don't even bother to learn how...even if it is a simple and QUICK process.
Pretty much anything we eat regularly can be made from scratch, or at least some version of that food can be made.
Bagels, english muffins, any kind of muffin, cakes, pies, cookies, granola, oatmeal, pop-tarts, granola bars, breakfast sandwiches (for pennies, compared to the several dollars they cost at the fast food places!), soups, deli sandwiches, breads, etc.
I have used Google to search for all kinds of recipes. Here are a few of my favorite sites for recipes on everything homemade:
AllRecipes
Lynn's Kitchen Adventures
MoneySavingMom
Confessions of Homeschooler
I have several more, but these are some I check often for new recipes. They often link up with other blogs or sites with their newest recipes, so you can search those other sites, too, for more recipes.
Things that are pre-made and sold at the stores are so full of things we really don't need - loads of sodium, preservatives, additives, and other unnatural things. If you make your own, you can know exactly what's in there and how much.
And, if you try one thing homemade, you might end up LOVING it and trying more. Before you know it, you'll be buying less of the crap at the stores and making more on your own...which is healthier and TASTIER, for sure!
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Favorite Food Deal of the Week: Pampers CAT Deal
There was a CAT deal from Pampers this week: If you bought $20 worth of Pampers diapers or wipes, you got a $5 CAT for your next Pampers purchase!
With 2 in diapers now (yes, I need to get Addy out of diapers! working on that...), I love these types of deals. It is slightly disappointing that the CAT isn't good on any purchase, but since I'll be in need of diapers again soon I will be able to use this CAT for sure!
I was at Meijer and purchased one Jumbo pack of Pampers Swaddlers (size 1) for $8.99, one Jumbo pack of Pampers size 3 (NOT the cruisers because there are fewer in the Cruisers' packs) for $8.99, and one container of 72 ct wipes for $2.29. I used two $1.50 off any Pampers diapers coupons and one $1 off any 64 ct or higher wipes package. I paid $16.27 (and tax) for all and received a $5 CAT. So, actually, it was $11.27 for two jumbo packs of diapers and a box of wipes! Not bad!!
I'm sure I've found better deals on diapers and wipes, but I was very pleased with this deal because of our need for diapers!
With 2 in diapers now (yes, I need to get Addy out of diapers! working on that...), I love these types of deals. It is slightly disappointing that the CAT isn't good on any purchase, but since I'll be in need of diapers again soon I will be able to use this CAT for sure!
I was at Meijer and purchased one Jumbo pack of Pampers Swaddlers (size 1) for $8.99, one Jumbo pack of Pampers size 3 (NOT the cruisers because there are fewer in the Cruisers' packs) for $8.99, and one container of 72 ct wipes for $2.29. I used two $1.50 off any Pampers diapers coupons and one $1 off any 64 ct or higher wipes package. I paid $16.27 (and tax) for all and received a $5 CAT. So, actually, it was $11.27 for two jumbo packs of diapers and a box of wipes! Not bad!!
I'm sure I've found better deals on diapers and wipes, but I was very pleased with this deal because of our need for diapers!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Motherhood Mania: I Think We're Alone Now...
Saturday, my first day alone with all 4 kids, went perfect! All 4 of them napped, and I got a few minutes to myself. I have to work on timing it just right, so that I nurse Artie after the girls quiet down for naps. This helps him get a nap in, and I can enjoy a quiet lunch. :)
Sunday didn't go very well. No one napped, the baby was fussy, and I was done, mentally! The girls were acting up. It was a bit chilly to take the baby out, so we just stayed in. I reorganized all the cupboards in the kitchen. It took me all day. I reorganized the pantry as well and even added a 3-drawer rolling cart in there for storage. I'm happy with how it turned out - much more functional and I now have "stations". I read in another mom's blog about creating stations in the kitchen for different tasks/things. It made so much sense to group things together for how they're used, not just because they are like items.
I now have a beverage station - one shelf that has mugs, teas, hot cocoa mixes, a sugar bowl, and instant coffee packets. Directly below that cupboard is where I've relocated the coffeemaker. So, now, in the morning, we don't have to pull down the coffeemaker from on top of the fridge, then find the mugs in another area, then go get the sugar from yet another area. It's all there, together. So clever!
Then, I moved the microwave from our largest section of counter space to a small area. I made the largest section of counter the baking station. Directly below it, in the drawer, are utensils used solely for baking. Below that is 2 cupboards that I filled with all the pans, mixing bowls, and appliances I use for baking everything! It is so handy. I used that station this morning to make some cran-apple muffins and it worked wonderfully!
Those are the only 2 stations I organized. Everything else is sort of how it was. The pantry was reorganized to have everything the girls use within their reach. I might regret this later, when I find spilled cereal or they've eaten too many snacks! :) I put all the breakfast foods on the bottom shelf, so they can grab what they want on cereal days. Then, the middle drawer of the cart has all things snack related - raisins, dried cranberries, marshmallows, rice krispie treats, goldfish, ginger crackers, fruit snacks, etc.
I made things accessible for the girls so if they are in need of something and I'm busy with the baby, I can instruct them to get it out themselves. They were so excited about the snack drawer! :) Hopefully, they don't sneak anything without asking!
Today has been going well. I'm working on laundry, and we had 2 visitors this morning - a friend of mine and her little girl, who went to preschool with Iris last year. My girls were so excited to see the daughter! It's been several days since they've played with other kids. And I was happy to have another mom as company. (It's been several days for me, too!) They bought Artie a handprint kit, so we can make his handprint in clay! I'm so excited to do this. I've done it with the girls (just last year, actually, and not as babies), so I'm happy to being doing Artie's hands as well!
I am hoping to get to the grocery store on Wednesday. It'll be my first time out with all the kids, so pray for me! I plan to have the baby in the Moby wrap on me, and have the girls in the kid-friendly cart. Meijer, Dominick's and Target all have those carts that seat 3 kids. Jewel does not, so I don't know if we'll go there...seems like I'd be ASKING for trouble! Haha!
One other thing...I cannot believe how BIG Artie is already! He was 8 pounds 13 ounces at 6 days old (up 9 ounces in 3 days between his doctor visits!!). He did not fit into most of the newborn outfits I had for him and he is quickly outgrowing the 0-3 month size clothing! So, pretty much everything I borrowed from my sister for him is no longer fitting (or didn't fit at all!). This just seems crazy to me. Today he is in a 3 month size outfit! I am, again, so thankful for the surprise shower my girlfriends had for me, because I'm already into clothing I received there! If I didn't have that, I'd be out buying clothes. $$$$
My sister-in-law is graciously allowing my sister and me to go through her boy clothing, up to size 2T!! She is having their 4th baby this Fall; it is another girl (that'll be 2 and 2 for them!). She is wanting to sell her boy clothing, but she is letting us go through it first to see if there's anything we need/want.
I am so grateful to have such wonderful members of our extended family, who are so willing to let us borrow/have clothing. It saves so much money for us! I am sad to think of the day when our kids are too big to get any hand-me-downs! I'll actually have to start budgeting for clothing. Boo!
Sunday didn't go very well. No one napped, the baby was fussy, and I was done, mentally! The girls were acting up. It was a bit chilly to take the baby out, so we just stayed in. I reorganized all the cupboards in the kitchen. It took me all day. I reorganized the pantry as well and even added a 3-drawer rolling cart in there for storage. I'm happy with how it turned out - much more functional and I now have "stations". I read in another mom's blog about creating stations in the kitchen for different tasks/things. It made so much sense to group things together for how they're used, not just because they are like items.
I now have a beverage station - one shelf that has mugs, teas, hot cocoa mixes, a sugar bowl, and instant coffee packets. Directly below that cupboard is where I've relocated the coffeemaker. So, now, in the morning, we don't have to pull down the coffeemaker from on top of the fridge, then find the mugs in another area, then go get the sugar from yet another area. It's all there, together. So clever!
Then, I moved the microwave from our largest section of counter space to a small area. I made the largest section of counter the baking station. Directly below it, in the drawer, are utensils used solely for baking. Below that is 2 cupboards that I filled with all the pans, mixing bowls, and appliances I use for baking everything! It is so handy. I used that station this morning to make some cran-apple muffins and it worked wonderfully!
Those are the only 2 stations I organized. Everything else is sort of how it was. The pantry was reorganized to have everything the girls use within their reach. I might regret this later, when I find spilled cereal or they've eaten too many snacks! :) I put all the breakfast foods on the bottom shelf, so they can grab what they want on cereal days. Then, the middle drawer of the cart has all things snack related - raisins, dried cranberries, marshmallows, rice krispie treats, goldfish, ginger crackers, fruit snacks, etc.
I made things accessible for the girls so if they are in need of something and I'm busy with the baby, I can instruct them to get it out themselves. They were so excited about the snack drawer! :) Hopefully, they don't sneak anything without asking!
Today has been going well. I'm working on laundry, and we had 2 visitors this morning - a friend of mine and her little girl, who went to preschool with Iris last year. My girls were so excited to see the daughter! It's been several days since they've played with other kids. And I was happy to have another mom as company. (It's been several days for me, too!) They bought Artie a handprint kit, so we can make his handprint in clay! I'm so excited to do this. I've done it with the girls (just last year, actually, and not as babies), so I'm happy to being doing Artie's hands as well!
I am hoping to get to the grocery store on Wednesday. It'll be my first time out with all the kids, so pray for me! I plan to have the baby in the Moby wrap on me, and have the girls in the kid-friendly cart. Meijer, Dominick's and Target all have those carts that seat 3 kids. Jewel does not, so I don't know if we'll go there...seems like I'd be ASKING for trouble! Haha!
One other thing...I cannot believe how BIG Artie is already! He was 8 pounds 13 ounces at 6 days old (up 9 ounces in 3 days between his doctor visits!!). He did not fit into most of the newborn outfits I had for him and he is quickly outgrowing the 0-3 month size clothing! So, pretty much everything I borrowed from my sister for him is no longer fitting (or didn't fit at all!). This just seems crazy to me. Today he is in a 3 month size outfit! I am, again, so thankful for the surprise shower my girlfriends had for me, because I'm already into clothing I received there! If I didn't have that, I'd be out buying clothes. $$$$
My sister-in-law is graciously allowing my sister and me to go through her boy clothing, up to size 2T!! She is having their 4th baby this Fall; it is another girl (that'll be 2 and 2 for them!). She is wanting to sell her boy clothing, but she is letting us go through it first to see if there's anything we need/want.
I am so grateful to have such wonderful members of our extended family, who are so willing to let us borrow/have clothing. It saves so much money for us! I am sad to think of the day when our kids are too big to get any hand-me-downs! I'll actually have to start budgeting for clothing. Boo!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
House Help: Kid Chores
I am looking forward to the day when my kids can help more with cleaning and housework, though I think then I'd miss being needed as much by them. :)
For now, I will just be content with having my older girls help out with what they can and enjoy our time of working together on things.
My oldest is going to be 5 this month. I believe that even the youngest of kids (that can walk at least) can help out around the house. Iris has being "helping" since she was very little. She used to really enjoy helping me with laundry - finding matching socks or sorting clothes by the person or folding washcloths. Not so much anymore. She enjoys bigger jobs - dusting, wiping windows, helping vacuum. I let her do things when I remember, but I still have a few items she is responsible to do, with or without my reminders:
-Make her bed.
-Brush her own teeth.
-Put her dirty clothes in the hamper.
-Pick up after herself.
-Set the table for dinner.
-Take her dirty dishes to the sink.
-Help out with her siblings when I need her to.
She, as any child does from time to time, complains and tries to argue with me. :) But, for the most part, I think she understands why we expect these things - because she's the oldest and is capable of helping and every person in the family is expected to help out. And she knows that the sooner we get the chores done, the sooner we can enjoy play time or a movie or whatever.
Lily is 3 1/2. She likes to do what Iris does, but she is still limited slightly with her motor skills. She is an EXCELLENT washcloth and hand towel folder. :) She really likes to do it, too, thankfully! I let her sort the washcloths by the location they belong (bathrooms, kitchen) and she is able to fold and put them away. She also is responsible to take her dishes to the sink after meals, but she struggles some times with balancing her fork on her plate, so it does take her a bit longer than Iris. Regardless, she is expected to do the following:
-Make her bed (she is GREAT at this as well!).
-Brush her teeth.
-Put dirty clothes in hamper.
-Put dirty dishes in sink.
-Help set the table (usually just her spot and not usually carrying anything glass).
-Pick up after herself.
She doesn't quite understand WHY we give each person jobs to do, but she sees that Mom, Dad and Iris all has things they do regularly, so she joins in with her jobs. :) At least we're starting the habit of working around the house; she'll eventually understand and see why we all work around here.
Addy is 2. She is not quite able to actually HELP with much, but she likes to pull out matching socks from the laundry, sort washcloths from towels, and help me take the dog out. She is allowed to set her spot at the table, as long as I watch her carry the items from the kitchen over to her table spot (if unsupervised, she sometimes walks away to another area of the house with her fork and spoon!). Her "jobs" are:
-Put dirty clothes in hamper.
-Assist with brushing her teeth.
-Help with laundry when she wants (nothing required yet, for her).
-Help set her spot at table for dinner.
-Help pick up toys after play.
Of course, Baby Artie doesn't do anything yet. :) His job is to eat, sleep, and poo. So far, he's doing a fantastic job with that! LOL.
I used to give out allowance for the girls when they completed their chore charts, but I fell behind on it and eventually quit paying them altogether. For now, I'm just working on making habits with them to help out. We'll get to the money part probably in the next year or so, once they understand money's value and what to do with it. Iris, I think, understands to save money and give tithe, but I don't think she'll relate the working to the money yet so I'll hold off for now. I am torn with how to approach the relationship of money to chores.
I want my kids to do things because they want to be helpful for their family, but I also want to be able to show them that no one lives for free. They aren't going to get an allowance if they aren't going to do the work...but I don't want them to do the work ONLY to get the money. I guess I'll have to work on showing them we all do our share because we care about our family, and that certain things we'll do because we're a part of the family and certain other things we do in order to get "paid".
Both Arthur and myself we raised with a healthy view of money and work. I think we both have good work ethics and that we understand responsibility and work. I didn't get an allowance as a child; I was just expected to help out with certain things and whatever else my mother needed our help with. We all knew our place and that in order for the family to function we all had to do something around the house. My brothers were almost always responsible for the trash, and my sister and I did the dishwasher. We all shared the lawn mowing at some point (except my sister, who has allergies - LUCKY! lol.), and we all had to keep our own rooms clean and help with laundry. Arthur had to do his own laundry, started working while in high school, and was responsible to pay for his own college tuition.
I just pray that our kids understand why it's important to help out and also that people don't get paid to just sit around. :)
For now, I will just be content with having my older girls help out with what they can and enjoy our time of working together on things.
My oldest is going to be 5 this month. I believe that even the youngest of kids (that can walk at least) can help out around the house. Iris has being "helping" since she was very little. She used to really enjoy helping me with laundry - finding matching socks or sorting clothes by the person or folding washcloths. Not so much anymore. She enjoys bigger jobs - dusting, wiping windows, helping vacuum. I let her do things when I remember, but I still have a few items she is responsible to do, with or without my reminders:
-Make her bed.
-Brush her own teeth.
-Put her dirty clothes in the hamper.
-Pick up after herself.
-Set the table for dinner.
-Take her dirty dishes to the sink.
-Help out with her siblings when I need her to.
She, as any child does from time to time, complains and tries to argue with me. :) But, for the most part, I think she understands why we expect these things - because she's the oldest and is capable of helping and every person in the family is expected to help out. And she knows that the sooner we get the chores done, the sooner we can enjoy play time or a movie or whatever.
Lily is 3 1/2. She likes to do what Iris does, but she is still limited slightly with her motor skills. She is an EXCELLENT washcloth and hand towel folder. :) She really likes to do it, too, thankfully! I let her sort the washcloths by the location they belong (bathrooms, kitchen) and she is able to fold and put them away. She also is responsible to take her dishes to the sink after meals, but she struggles some times with balancing her fork on her plate, so it does take her a bit longer than Iris. Regardless, she is expected to do the following:
-Make her bed (she is GREAT at this as well!).
-Brush her teeth.
-Put dirty clothes in hamper.
-Put dirty dishes in sink.
-Help set the table (usually just her spot and not usually carrying anything glass).
-Pick up after herself.
She doesn't quite understand WHY we give each person jobs to do, but she sees that Mom, Dad and Iris all has things they do regularly, so she joins in with her jobs. :) At least we're starting the habit of working around the house; she'll eventually understand and see why we all work around here.
Addy is 2. She is not quite able to actually HELP with much, but she likes to pull out matching socks from the laundry, sort washcloths from towels, and help me take the dog out. She is allowed to set her spot at the table, as long as I watch her carry the items from the kitchen over to her table spot (if unsupervised, she sometimes walks away to another area of the house with her fork and spoon!). Her "jobs" are:
-Put dirty clothes in hamper.
-Assist with brushing her teeth.
-Help with laundry when she wants (nothing required yet, for her).
-Help set her spot at table for dinner.
-Help pick up toys after play.
Of course, Baby Artie doesn't do anything yet. :) His job is to eat, sleep, and poo. So far, he's doing a fantastic job with that! LOL.
I used to give out allowance for the girls when they completed their chore charts, but I fell behind on it and eventually quit paying them altogether. For now, I'm just working on making habits with them to help out. We'll get to the money part probably in the next year or so, once they understand money's value and what to do with it. Iris, I think, understands to save money and give tithe, but I don't think she'll relate the working to the money yet so I'll hold off for now. I am torn with how to approach the relationship of money to chores.
I want my kids to do things because they want to be helpful for their family, but I also want to be able to show them that no one lives for free. They aren't going to get an allowance if they aren't going to do the work...but I don't want them to do the work ONLY to get the money. I guess I'll have to work on showing them we all do our share because we care about our family, and that certain things we'll do because we're a part of the family and certain other things we do in order to get "paid".
Both Arthur and myself we raised with a healthy view of money and work. I think we both have good work ethics and that we understand responsibility and work. I didn't get an allowance as a child; I was just expected to help out with certain things and whatever else my mother needed our help with. We all knew our place and that in order for the family to function we all had to do something around the house. My brothers were almost always responsible for the trash, and my sister and I did the dishwasher. We all shared the lawn mowing at some point (except my sister, who has allergies - LUCKY! lol.), and we all had to keep our own rooms clean and help with laundry. Arthur had to do his own laundry, started working while in high school, and was responsible to pay for his own college tuition.
I just pray that our kids understand why it's important to help out and also that people don't get paid to just sit around. :)
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