Real Simple Healthy Living for You

Hello Dolls

2012-02-10T01:48:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my blurbs (basically random thoughts of a modern mom) about anything and everything that I am passionate about.

Random Thoughts of a Modern Mom is basically a redesigned Real Simple Healthy Living for You which was created and founded as a resource for others who are looking to simplify their lives to create a harmonious and peaceful way of living through the physical, emotional, and spiritual plane of existence.

Random Thoughts of a Modern Mom and Real Simple Healthy Living for You is dedicated to raising the awareness of nutrition, fitness, illness, health, and wellness issues for improving your mind, body, spirit, as I have seen the improvement in my own life on my mind, body, and spirit.

Random Thoughts of a Modern Mom and Real Simple Healthy Living for You is also dedicated to the physical, emotional, and spiritual health to maintain your sense of you.

I believe if we live real, it keeps us grounded.
I believe if we live simple, we have less clutter in our lives.
I believe if we live healthy, we ultimately feel great.
I believe if you live for you, you are finally putting yourself first.

I started this site simply for the reason that my own health is poor and as I am slowly working towards a healthier lifestyle; I decided to start sharing it with the world with the hopes of inspiring someone else's life in a positive way; through living a real, simple, and healthy lifestyle but ultimately living for you.

Having learned from my mistakes and realizing the impact it has had on my emotional, physical and spiritual health; it was time to make a change and so Real Simple Healthy Living for You was born.

My site is based on the belief that people's health is of the utmost importance in today's world. I am committed to meeting these needs in the best way possible by sharing information regarding health, nutrition, fitness, wellness, illness, recipes, relationships, parenting and life in general.

Now the latest and greatest news is:

I started adding organizing tips to Real Simple Healthy Living for You simply to teach and inspire others on how to go from chaos to organization in their personal and professional lives. I teach by example as my own life in the home and office is efficienct, organized and simplified.

I hope Real Simple Healthy Living for You blog inspires you to look around and discover fun and interesting ideas to help you in simplifying your life and to follow your passion so you can be thriving and having fun too.

As I have broadened my horizons, I have now started doing book and product reviews, so my dears, please read on:

Before you email me with a product pitch, please take a moment or two to familiarize yourself with my blog and my family. My son is age 16 and I have two Persian cats. I am very much into healthy living, as you can see for yourself by my articles found on this blog.

I will only post reviews of products or books I have personally tested or read.

In addition, my receiving a product, even if I asked you in an email to send me a sample, does not guarantee coverage on Real Simple Healthy Living for You. Please do not ask me to post press releases or ask if I want to interview experts, I don’t have time to do either of those.

All products sent must be non-returnable unless you want them back covered in cat hair! :)

The best way to get my honest opinion of your business, website or brand and its products is to sponsor a product review. Let me choose a few items from your site so that I can see how the ordering process works, how the items are packaged, and the quality of the items you carry.

I find that being able to see products and or books for myself helps me write a much more thorough and honest opinion. I want to help you spread the word about your business, site and the products you carry!

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your precious day and visiting Real Simple Healthy Living for You, an everyday lifesytle resource that celebrates people, creativity, simplicity and diversity.

Blessings always and forever,

Annie

My New Passion - Running

2012-01-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

A little over a month ago I decided to start running again after many years. Life has just been too busy so to speak being that I am a single parent, working and so on, these things took priority over taking care of myself.

Pretty sad isn't it?

However, due to recent health issues and weight gain after a hysterectomy maintaining a reasonable weight has been difficult, no ovaries no estrogen, no more cancer, endometriosis or andomyosis, though the seizure disorder is much better. With any type of surgery there are going to be "consequences" in the body. Controlling weight, sweating, night sweats, yeast infections all started after my hysterectomy...oh what fun it is!

Please do not get me wrong, I am glad to be alive, but I am not happy with my body and am depressed by how I look, so since I no longer have a gym membership due to financial reasons, that was let go so I started thinking about how I can exercise from home, very low cost and get fit at the same time. Talk about having my work cut out for me!

So I started doing basic stretching exercises to start, and walking, then I started wanting to jog and so it has begun. It is a slow process but remembering when I used to run it is better to start slow and work your way up. I am slowly starting to feel better even though I am tired all the time. You would think exercise would help but my seizure medicine makes me sleepy and can not go without it, no choice in the matter. So I do the best I can.

I love the thrill of walking and then starting slowly into the jog, my heart rate increasing, my breathing fresh air in and then I am off. Alone and free all thoughts gone from my mind, away from the stresses of life. It is awesome. Runners and cyclists understand this philosophy very well as I am a cyclist too.

I am so happy to be exercising and pushing myself to get fit and toned. I want to live a long life and feel that God has given me a second chance in life and I am taking it. Will the weight come off quickly, honestly no but in time it will and I have noticed some weight loss, my cholesterol levels have gone down and no need to take meds for controlling it, no diabetes to boot and my doctor and I are both happy with the results so far.

So I encourage you all if you can, start an exercise program, get moving, get fit, just do it. Your body and your mind will thank you someday for it.

The Perfect Gift

2011-12-26T02:20:00.000-05:00

Many of us all have in our minds what the perfect gift is. However when you really think about that perfect gift do you think of it as God’s Love?

This morning the day after Christmas I had gone to sleep early on Christmas and woke up and was channel surfing and stumbled upon a station that was dealing with the “Christmas” issue that is happening in our day and time. I was hooked as I lay in my bed watching and listening while tears were streaming down my face as it touched at the very core of my beliefs.

The story began with a young church pastor who was part of a church that had lost the reason why it was there. Along comes this drifter named Jes who is a carpenter by trade and starts the building of the nativity. Then a committee had informed the young pastor that since the rezoning of the city ordinance, the church could not display the nativity scene as it was within the 5 mile rule. So it was taken down.

Later on that night, people of the community gathered and rebuilt the nativity. There were children there and so was Jes, the children showed Jes the book Twas the night before Christmas and asked if he would read it to them. He started to, but then chose to tell a different story the story of Jesus’ birth (his story).

In summary the nativity stood and the council withdrew their petition to have it destroyed after the citizens of the community started giving money to pay the fine of $5000 for a display on the church’s property. All in all the money ended up being donated to a homeless shelter and the girl involved in the story learning all about Christmas from Jes, figured out he was Jesus when she gave him a birthday card with the symbol of a Candy Cane on the front.

The inside said Happy Birthday Jesus!

It is so true how God’s love is the perfect gift other than my precious son and two cats. However in retrospect through everything God is always there even when we do not feel like he is. He has the whole world that he loves, he wants us to not be afraid to celebrate his birth, his teachings, his glorious love, and he wants us to proclaim it for the world to hear.

Christmas is Christ.

Just think about it for a minute if you will the symbols that are displayed every Christmas. How many of us really stop to see the symbolism behind the Christmas décor?

For example the list below lists the meanings behind things we see displayed every year at Christmas such as:

• The wreath which is in the form of a circle that represents Christ and his love as eternal.

• Evergreens represent the new and eternal life Christ brings to the world.

• Laurel is the symbol of victory over affliction and persecution.

• Holly represents the immortality of Christ.

• Cedar symbolizes strength.

• Candles represent Christ as light of the world.

• Candy canes symbolize the shepherd’s staff.

• The red of the candy cane represents Jesus’ blood.

• The white of the candy cane represents purity and virgin birth.

Thought provoking is it not?

So please let us all remember just because we are a diverse nation under God does not mean that we have to be “politically correct” when celebrating the birth of Jesus. Each and every one of us has the right to celebrate according to our beliefs.

Happy Birthday, Jesus.

My perfect gift is the unconditional, eternal and pure love of Jesus. How could anyone want anything else?

Merry Christmas!

Annie

Are you feeling the loneliness of being a single?

2011-12-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

As a single person, you may have doubts and uncertainties with your future love life. This is only natural.

I have been there before and I am here once again since my marriage ended several years ago. Of course I am sure many of you have been there too at some point in your life. When you are single, it is only natural that you long for the day when you are finally with someone or have someone to spend the holidays and everyday with for all eternity.

But... perhaps it is better to stand on your own two feet than to be with someone who devalues you as a human being and partner.

Remember it is also healing to understand that you have the power within you to transform your love life. How? It lies in how you think and attract love.

May this poem encourage and comfort you!

Thanksgiving come and gone

The sounds and smells of Christmas just begun

Lights glowing ever so brightly and beautiful

The tree and decorations are up

Festivities and parties galore

As the holiday season starts

Joy you should feel in your heart

But you don’t as you remember a time long ago

When someone laughed with you, loved you and shared your soul,

But lo and behold it was soon through

And now comes Christmas with sadness and tears

With a deep everlasting yearning for love, hope and peace

That shall not be denied

When lo and behold

Silent Night is playing

It was then I realized

That all is calm and bright

For unto me is born

This Christmas Day

My savior a wee babe

Wrapped in swaddling clothes

Layed in a manger

With a star shining ever so brightly

And angels loudly proclaiming

The birth of Christ the King

Remembering that I am loved

Unconditionally by Christ

My Lord, Savior, and King

Brings me to tears

With the hope of love, joy and peace

For the New Year and forever always

Believing in the blessing that has come

May we all be truly blessed

In this season of love

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T22:35:00.001-05:00

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Believe in the blessing that came on that night, the star that we followed, shining so bright, leading us all to a love that will bring Joy to all people, the birth of our King.

May you all be truly blessed in this season of love.

Merry Christmas!

Aunt Fannie's Famous Squash Casserole

2011-10-22T22:23:00.001-04:00

3 lbs. fresh yellow squash 1 medium onion, chopped

1 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper 2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 stick margarine, melted 1 cup cracker meal

Place sliced squash in saucepan and stew until tender. Drain, then mash. Stir in onion, salt, pepper, sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup cracker meal and half of the butter. Place squash mixture into 1 1/2 quart casserole. Pour remaining butter on top. Sprinkle with remaining cracker meal. Bake at 350o until browned on top, about 35 - 40 minutes. 6 servings.

Note: I usually substitute crushed Ritz-type crackers for the cracker meal.

Healthy Eating

2011-09-23T17:36:00.001-04:00

One or two meals a week, substitute beans or legumes for meat in salads, soups, or in the main dish.

Eat several small meals each day instead of three big meals. Your metabolism will stay high and burn more fat.

Cook with canola oil or other healthy vegetable oils. Avoid processed polyunsaturated and hydrogenated oils.

When grilling bacon or sausage, allow the fat to drain away by placing it on a wire rack during cooking.

Read the label on "fat-free" foods carefully. Often the fat has been replaced by sugar - which makes you fat!

When life does not goes as planned

2011-09-04T22:54:00.001-04:00

Many of us are all too familiar with how life does not always go as planned. Believe me I have had my fair share of it and still do to this very day. I remember how frustrated I would get and how much it angered me.

Did it solve it?

No, unfortunately not.

There will always be plans, it is important to make plans but to remember that plans can change and often do. I have learned over the years of planning, that my plans did not quite work out and I thought to myself what is the point of making plans when things do not work out that way?

I gave much thought and prayer regarding this.

My answer:

Is sometimes in life the greatest plans are waylaid for a reason, whether it be illness, children, scheduling conflict, cancellations, unexpected circumstances and so on. Look at the bigger picture, did God have his hand in this? Did this waylaid plan prevent a disaster of another sort?

I look over my life, time and time again everything has happened for a reason. It was in God's hands all along, it was never in my hands. I just did not see it as it was not time for me to see what God would eventually show me.

Is life perfect?

No.

Is planning perfect?

No.

Will any of my plans work out?

One never knows.

So what does one do?

Answer:

Breathe, Adapt, Evolve, Pray with these 4 things you can handle any waylaid plan, even if angry for a moment or two. Sometimes you just have to let go and let god, that my dear folks is a very hard thing to do, but you know what?

It can be done, I have done it, I have lived and thankful for my life lessons and God's unconditional love and grace.

Please God I'm Only 17

2011-07-22T21:06:00.003-04:00

Now that I am a parent of a teen driver, I am reminded of a poem: "Dear God, I'm Only 17" that appeared in Dear Abby's column when I was a teenager. This poem was written by John Berrio in 1967 after a friend's son died in a car accident.

I read this poem and actually cut it out and always kept it back in my mind and now is stored in my cedar chest, remembering being a teen myself at one point I know that teenagers will think like teenagers and not like adults, this is totally normal.

Now that my son, Michael is driving at the ripe "old age" of 16 (scary), it is time to post the poem for all who are parents of teenage drivers, not to scare anyone, just to remind them that goofing off, texting and driving, talking on cell while driving are dangers and if an accident occurs and the consequences are dreadful, there is no turning back if a person dies.

Parents I ask you to print this out, give it to your teenage driver(s) to put in their wallet or purse, hang on the fridge as a constant reminder, that you only have one life, do not screw it up, be wise, be smart, be responible, drive safely and by all means Thank God everyday for the life you do have as it can be gone in an instant.

Now the poem:

Agony claws my mind. I am a statistic. When I first got here I felt very much alone. I was overwhelmed by grief, and I expected to find sympathy.

I found no sympathy. I saw thousands of others whose bodies were just as mangled as mine. I was given a number and placed in a category. The category was called "Traffic Fatalities."

The day I died was an ordinary school day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was too cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of Mom. "Special favor," I pleaded. "All the kids drive."

When the 2:50 bell rang, I threw all my books in the locker. I was free until 8:40 tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot, excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss. Free!

It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off -- going too fast -- taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard the deafening crash and felt a terrible jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.

Suddenly I awakened; it was very quiet. A police officer was standing over me. Then I saw a doctor. My body was mangled. I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn't feel anything.

Hey, don't pull that sheet over my head! I can't be dead. I'm only 17. I've got a date tonight. I'm supposed to grow up and have a wonderful life. I haven't lived yet. I can't be dead!

Later I was placed in a drawer. My folks had to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom's eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly looked like an old man. He told the man in charge, "Yes, he is my son."

The funeral was a weird experience. I saw all my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They passed by, one by one, and looked at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked away.

Please -- somebody -- wake me up! Get me out of here! I can't bear to see my mom and dad so broken up. My grandparents are so racked with grief they can hardly walk. My brothers and sisters are like zombies. They move like robots. In a daze, everybody. No one can believe this. And I can't believe it, either.

Please don't bury me! I'm not dead! I have a lot of living to do! I want to laugh and run again. I want to sing and dance. Please don't put me in the ground. I promise if you give me one more chance, God, I'll be the most careful driver in the whole world. All I want is one more chance!

Please, God, I'm only 17!

P.S. My son Michael is driving, and riding with him at first was scary, though I would have to say he is doing pretty good for just starting, however, I have noticed on occassions and he hates being told as the response replied to me when I correct him is "I know this already", but as a parent, it is a parent's job to tell their teens even if they do know, it is just sometimes their minds are elsewhere at the moment. He still has much to learn, and is getting plenty of practice. I always tell Michael that he has the rest of his life to drive and not to be in a hurry to get his permanent license. Take your time, learn, practice and then when the time is right, you will know.

Blessings and Prayers for all Parents of Teens Driving,

Annie

The Mom Pledge

2011-07-21T21:39:00.002-04:00

I am a proud to be a mom. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my online activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one, "right" way to be a good Mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against cyber bullying. My online space reflects who I am and what I believe in. I will not tolerate comments that are rude, condescending or disrespectful.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference.

Longaberger Basket and Clothes Pins

2011-07-13T18:17:00.004-04:00

When it comes to organizing my small apartment there is not a whole lot of storage for items as compared to when you have a townhouse, or house. Due to limitations, I have found a clever way to use baskets for storage. One of those baskets is a hanging basket by Longaberger.

Since I needed a place to store the many different kinds of clothes pins I own and rarely use any more, I placed them into the basket and wow, they all fit!

I could have rid myself of the clothes pins, however as soon as I do that, and then there will be a reason to use them, so I keep them on hand for those times that may pop up.

I currently have my basket hanging up on the wall by my washer, in a perfect little spot, handy and within in reach.

So there you have it a simple solution for small apartment living.

Care, Wear, and Tear

2011-07-08T18:30:00.002-04:00

On the whole, your kitten or cat is extremely good at taking care of itself, however there are certain matters that you as owner, need to pay special attention to.

Such as:

Eyes
Ears
Teeth
Claws

Wash the cat's bowl

2011-07-07T18:22:00.001-04:00

Thoroughly after each meal, and do not leave uneaten food too long in hot weather. Do not let the cat eat off family plates (oops!)

Time Controlled Feeders

2011-07-06T18:17:00.001-04:00

Time controlled feeders are great for dispensing two meals and can be used to feed your cat if you are away for the whole day or longer.

Food types

2011-07-05T18:10:00.001-04:00

As pet owners we know there are several different food types available for our precious animals (family members), however there are some of us who are just learning the ropes so here is a list of the different food types and their descriptions:

Fresh Food - such as cooked fish, poultry, or meat should not make up the whole diet.

Canned Food - can provide a balanced diet, but can be supplemented with something crunchy to strengthen the teeth and jaws.

Dried Foods - can contain all the nutrients needed, but always ensure water is available with dried foods.

Semimoist Food - in sealed savhets is convenient, but does not always provide complete nutrition.

Vacuum-packed Foods - are rather rich, and should be regarded as an occasional treat.

Biscuts - are not a complete food, but are useful for crunchiness.

Table scraps - will be welcomed by your cat - but do not give them straight from the table

Pet supplies to buy

2011-07-04T18:05:00.001-04:00

When it comes to having a pet, there stands to reason there will be a need to purchase pet supplies, so here are a few things to buy your pet when just starting out:

Food and water bowls
Food
Toys
Litter tray
Litter
Carrier
Scratching post for cats
Collar and identity tag for dogs and cats
Sleeping basket or bedding (keep in mind cats sleep anywhere they please)

Itch, Itch Go Away

2011-07-03T19:20:00.001-04:00

With summer in session and folks outdoors more, there is always the chance of coming into contact with an unexplained rash with so much itching, you just cringe! Recently, my dear "baby" sister developed a rash and thought it was poision invy and me being the wannabe doctor, gave her some home remedies to try that have been around for years and in most cases probably have some of these items in the house already.

With her case it turned out to be "contact dermatitis", per the medical professional at the hospital emergency room, however family members have seen the rash and it definitely looks like some 'poision" plant she came into contact with. We really are not sure which one, it could be poision sumac or oak, just to name a couple.

With this being said, I shall share with you all some good home remedies to try first and if that does not work and the rash spreads and worsens, then it is time to see a medical professional to properly diagnose the condition.

Keep in mind, rashes are common and usually the result of contact, medications, allergies etcetera.

Oatmeal - simply boil oatmeal water as you normally would when cooking to eat it, let it cool, then apply to affected area, it will harden as it dries.
Baking Soda - use 3 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon water, mix and apply to affected area.
Vinegar - just sprinkle on rash or pour onto a cotton ball and apply to affected area. People might avoid you for awhile because of the "smell".
Aloe Vera Gel
Banana Peel
Dishwashing liquid

Who would have thought, these simple products are age old remedies and sometimes will cure the "itch"!

P.S. This article is dedicated to my sweet, loving, "baby" sister. Hope you feel better soon and know I love ya always.

Yours in health,

Dr. Annie

Finding Coupons

2011-07-02T12:14:00.001-04:00

1) Sunday Newspapers – These are the biggest sources of coupons. To find additional copies, check recycling bins or ask your family/friends if they are using theirs. There are anywhere from none to three inserts per paper. For a preview of upcoming coupons, click here. For the 2009 schedule, click here.

2) Mail – You can sign-up for coupons from Red Plum.

3) Free Samples – Signing up for free samples is a great way to get some higher dollar coupons. I’d advise creating a separate email address for “freebies.”

4) In-Store – You can often find coupons called “blinkies,” which are the little machines that spit out coupons by the products they are for. There are also “tear-pads,”as well. You can sometimes even find “peelies” right on the products themselves.

5) Printable Sites – Two of the big printable sites are Coupons.com and Smart Source. These coupons rotate week after week and sometimes even have maximum printings that when the limit is reached, they are pulled off the site. So if you see one you think you might need, you should print it. (You can usually print two per computer.) Other sites are CoolSavings and EverSave.

6) Blogs – Blogs are a great place to find coupons.
7) Search Engines – If you are looking for a specific coupon, just type the brand name followed by the word coupon and you might be able to find one that way.

Join Groups/Surveys – There are some groups you can sign-up for that will offer/mail you coupons from time-to-time. Some are:

Vocal Point

Shoppers Voice

Upromise

Ebates

Cashbaq

9) Manufacturers Websites – More and more manufacturers are hosting coupons on their own sites now. If you use a lot of a particular item/brand, check their website to see if they offer coupons. If they don’t, email/mail them and request some.

10) Magazines – By far, the magazine with the most coupons lately has been All You magazine, which you can only get by subscription or at Wal-Mart. The price of the magazine is well worth the coupons inside. Make sure you check your magazines to see if there are some inside.

11) Free Periodicals – Some stores will have local newsbooks that have local area coupons inside.

12) eBay – There are several coupon clippers that sell their services and send you coupons for a fee. Just type in the product and the word coupon to see what’s available. Be sure to go through Ebates to earn 3% more.

13) Forums – There are several great forums out there to check into. The top ones I’ve found are WeUseCoupons, HotCouponWorld and AFullCup. You have to register at each of them, but it’s free.

14) Store Websites – Make sure you sign-up for your local store’s loyalty programs and register at their websites so you can get emailed coupons. You can also sign-up to have them pre-loaded at Shortcuts or Cellfire.

15) Phone Book – Don’t forget to check your phone book for coupons for your local area businesses.

16) Entertainment Books – The Entertainment books here have coupons for restaurants, entertainment, retail stores, etc.

Here are a list of common sites that regularly offer coupons:

Coupons.com

Smart Source

Pillsbury

Very Best Baking – Nestle

Family Cents

Eat Better America

Box Tops for Education

Red Plum

Target Coupon Generator

Shortcuts.com

Cellfire.com

Coupon Lingo

2011-07-01T12:03:00.001-04:00

$$/$$ – This means $ off when you spend $ amount. Example: $5/$30 is $5 off your purchase when you spend $30. (Check to see if the amount has to be before or after coupons to apply.)

$/# – This means that you get $ off for every # you buy. Example: $5/2 would mean that you get $5 off every 2 that you buy.

B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free (B1G2 is Buy One Get Two Free etc.)

Blinkie = A coupon that prints out at a machine in the store. They are located by the product associated with that particular coupon.

BOGO = Buy One Get One Free

Cash Register Tape = Your Receipt. Also refered to as CRT.

CAT = Catalina. A coupon that prints out at the register that is either $$ off your next purchase or $$ off a certain product. You typically have to use them at the store they printed, but some stores will take “competitor’s” coupons. Note: These are sometimes delayed in printing so wait a minute before walking away from the register. If you think you were supposed to get one and didn’t, talk to the cashier/manager and explain.

Catalina = Also refered to as CAT. A coupon that prints out at the register that is either $$ off your next purchase or $$ off a certain product. You typically have to use them at the store they printed, but some stores will take “competitor’s” coupons. Note: These are sometimes delayed in printing so wait a minute before walking away from the register. If you think you were supposed to get one and didn’t, talk to the cashier/manager and explain.

Closeouts – These are typically greatly reduced items that the store does not plan on re-stocking.

Competitors – This is the term meaning “of related chains.” For example, grocery stores will take other grocery store’s coupons and drug stores will take other drug store coupons. Always check with each store on what their couponing policy is and whom they consider to be a competitor.

Couponing Policy – This is the statement that each individual store abides by, in relation to coupons. What is typically included in their policy is whether they: take competitor’s coupons, take coupons past expiration dates, “double” or “triple” coupons, accept Internet Printables or if they even accept coupons.

Coupon Insert – These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week. These are typically sent out by Smart Source (SS or S), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG)They are also refered to as inserts, S, SS, RP and PG.

CRT = Cash Register Tape, or your receipt

Discontinued – This means that a store has depleted their inventory of an item and does not plan on re-stocking it.

Double Coupons = This is the term used when stores will double a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they’ll take $2 off. Stores vary on how often they do this ranging from never, always, on occasion or specific days of the week. Some stores may also set a maximum value limit. Example, no coupons over $2 and only 10 per transaction/day.

ECB = Extra Care Bucks. Exclusive to CVS. They work like cash on your next order. (Some restrictions do apply.)

ES =Easy Saver. This is Walgreens’ monthly rebate program. You can find the books by their ads in the store.

EXP = Expires or Expiration Date

FAR = Free After Rebate (See Rebate for explation)

FAE = Free after Extra Care Bucks (See ECB or Extra Care Bucks for explanation)

FARR = Free After Register Rewards (See RR or Register Rewards for explanation)

Inserts = These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week. These are typically sent out by Smart Source (SS or S), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG) They are also refered to as coupon inserts, S, SS, RP and PG.

Internet Printable = A coupon that can be printed online. Also refered to as IP or Printable.

IP = Internet Printable Coupon. Also refered to as “printable.”

IVC = Instant Value Coupon. These are found at Walgreens in their weekly ads.

MFR = Manufacturer

MIR = Mail In Rebate. These are checks or coupons that the manufacturers/stores will send you if you meet the requirements on the rebate form.

OOP = Out-of-Pocket. This is the amount of money that you have spent after coupons, ECBs, RRs, Catalinas (See terms for explanations)

OOS = Out-of-Stock. This means that the store is temporarily out of an item but plans on getting in more inventory. Sometimes they will offer a raincheck in cases like these.

OYNO = On Your Next Order. Used when refering to coupons that you can use on your next order at that store. (Sometimes Competitors will take them.)

OYNP = On Your Next Purchase. Used when refering to coupons that you can use on your next purchase (order) at that store. (Sometimes Competitors will take them.)

Peelie = Coupons found on products in the store. (Don’t forget to pull these off and hand them to your cashier when you check-out. Don’t rely on the cashier to notice them for you. It will only aggravate you later when you come home to find it’s still there!)

PG = Proctor & Gamble. A big chain of brands that also puts out a coupon insert.

Prinables - These are coupons that you can print online. Also refered to as IP or Internet Printables.

Q = Coupon

Raincheck = A slip you can ask for in the store when an item’s on sale and out-of-stock. Some sales will specifically say “No rainchecks” and some stores will put an expiration date on their rainchecks

RP = Red Plum. This is a coupon insert that you’ll either find in your paper or the mail.

Register Rewards = Exclusive to Walgreens. They work like cash on your next order. (Some restrictions do apply.) Also refered to as RRs.

Rolling Catalinas – This means that you can use a catalina (see definition) as payment on another transaction of equal merchandise and another catalina will still print. Example, if you buy 5 “name brand items,” a $5 catalina will print. If you then buy another set of those same 5 “name brand items,” you can use the previous catalina you received as payment towards the order and another $5 catalina will print.

RR = Register Rewards. Exclusive to Walgreens. They work like cash on your next order. (Some restrictions do apply.)

S or SS = Smart Source. This is a big name coupon source. They not only send out inserts in the papers but they also have an online site with printables.

Stacking Coupons = This is the term used when stores will let you use their own store coupons along with a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item. Example: Most Targets would let you use their $ off “specific brand” product coupons along with a manufacturer’s coupon for that same “specific brand” product.

Triple Coupons = This is the term used when stores will triple a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they’ll take $3 off. Stores vary on how often they do this ranging from never, always, on occasion or specific days of the week. Some stores may also set a maximum value limit. Example, no coupons over $2 and only 10 per transaction/day.

UPC = Universal Bar Code. This is the bar code that’s scanned on products for pricing/info at the stores. Several companies will ask you to mail these in on rebates

WAGS = Abbreviation for Walgreens

WT = Wine Tag. These are coupons that you’ll find hanging on the wine bottles in the stores.

YMMV = Your Mileage (Manager) May Vary. This is what you’ll see when someone finds a deal but they want you to know that your store branch may not offer the same deal.

WYB = When You Buy

Well folks, ya all can put on your job applications/resumes that you speak a foreign language – Coupon Lingo!

Land of Lost Socks

2011-06-29T20:36:00.009-04:00

Do you ever wonder wear that missing sock(s) go?

I have a 16 year old son and for the life of me, can not simply fathom how a sock partner disappears. I wonder if the washer or dryer has a secret pipe line and decides to swipe them for the fun of it making me more frustrated.

However, what happens is socks end up under the bed, between the sheets, under books, in the couch cushions, under the chair or couch and even on the floor in plain sight. Though with a teen in the house, the missing socks usually are not in the most obivous places, they always end up in the strangest places in our apartment.

Go figure, I will hopefully understand the Land of Lost Socks and even if I never find out the answer, the greatest joy will be when my son one day has children of his own and calls me on the telephone and says: "Mom, we have missing socks, this totally blows my mind, what did you do?"

The best solution is to grond in child's head from an early age, put clothes in wash hamper, however for some reason as they get older this training seems to depart from the mind, exit child's mind, enter teen's mind.

My son still gets frustrated with me as I remind him day in and day out (he knows this already), please put all your dirty clothes including the socks and their partners in the wash hamper, please.

Does it work?

Absolutely not, but hopefully the daily drilling one day will remind him years down the road when Mommy rolled her eyes! :)

P.S. For some reason, it is just lost on the male species about putting clothes in the wash hamper when dirty instead of the floor and who knows where else, just my two cents!

Shopping with your coupons

2011-06-27T12:41:00.001-04:00

It is time to do the weekly shopping and time for another lesson in couponing!

You now have gotten all your coupons organized in your binder and you are ready to shop! The following tips will help you get the most for your money using coupons:

• If your store has a loyalty card sign up for it! Many stores will only allow you to get their sale prices if you have a store card.

• Check your stores weekly ads for sales and match up your coupons.

• Make a list before you shop: I always make a list of what I'm going to buy and which coupons I am going to use. This keeps me from forgetting anything or buying something I do not need.

• Keep the coupons for your shopping trip together: When I plan a shopping trip I place all the coupons I'm going to use at the store for that day together in an extra pocket of my binder. That way when I get to the store with my list I don't have to search through my binder to find them.

• Buy multiples: If you can get 5 tubes of toothpaste for free or really cheap, get them! By the time you go through those 5 tubes of toothpaste they will probably be on sale again. If it is something you do not use, buy it and donate!!

• Always check the clearance section for really cheap items you can use your coupons on.

• Check the meat department: Most stores will discount meat that is getting close to its "sell by" date. I get a lot of really cheap packs of meat that I freeze and use later.

• Price match: Walmart and other stores will price match competitor's ad sale prices. The items must be identical to get the price match. In other words, if Target has Crest Pro-Health 4.0-oz. mint flavored toothpaste on sale for $2.00 then you can get Crest pro-Health 4.0-oz. mint flavored toothpaste at Walmart if you show them your Target ad.

• See a great deal on chips but the expiration date is tomorrow? Do not fret, Cheetos, Fritos, Sun Chips, Tostitos, Doritos and most snack crackers can be frozen. What is really great is you can eat them right out of the freezer- no thawing! The items never freeze hard and stay fresh forever! Other items you can freeze are saltines, bread, coffee, tea bags and shredded cheese. You can also freeze milk but you know the expression "don't try this at home"? Well, take my word for it; do not try freezing skim milk or sour cream!

• Stockpiling:

• The number one reason most people don't coupon (or don't for very long) is they don't understand the concept of stockpiling. I hear statements all the time like " I used to take coupons to the store but I just didn't save enough to make it worthwhile" or " It's not worth all the trouble to coupon if I'm only going to save a few dollars here and there" If all you're doing is cutting out coupons for your regular weekly shopping trips then both of those statements are probably true. In order to save BIG bucks you need to learn the art of stockpiling.

• This the number 1 reason you need to have several copies of the Sunday paper coupon inserts! When you find dish soap on sale for cheap or free buy 5 of them, when you find 5 cans of SpaghettiO's for $.25 each, buy 5 of them. Pretty soon you'll have a stockpile of items that cost you very little. The more you have in your stockpile the less you'll have to buy on your weekly shopping trips. After awhile you'll find you're buying very little regular priced items and saving a bundle on your grocery bill! Stores put things on sale in cycles so buy the time you've used up your stockpile on something it will be on sale again!

• What does your family use the most? If you only use mustard every once in awhile then just buy 2 instead of 5. Your stockpile will depend on you and your family's wants and likes.

• Designate a closet or cabinet for your stockpiled items. If you don't have enough room to keep it all in one place, split it up. Put your stockpile of toilet paper, toothpaste etc. in the linen closet or extra shelf in your bathroom. Put extra canned goods in your pantry if you have room.

Target Coupon Policy

2011-06-26T14:10:00.001-04:00

Target has both it’s coupon and lowest price guarantee policies available online. If you ever have any issues while shopping and using coupons, Customer Relations wants for you to contact them right away (while in the store) so the problem can be taken care of. The number to call is (800) 440-0680.

Coupon Policy:

Target Stores Coupon Policy

Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping with us, and it’s easy to use them at our stores. When accepting coupons, we follow the guidelines below.

Manufacturer and Target Coupons:

Target accepts one Manufacturer Coupon and one Target Coupon for the same item (unless prohibited by either coupon).

• Item purchased must match the coupon description (brand, size, quantity, color, flavor, etc.).

• Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied.

• We can’t give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item.

All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier during checkout.

All applicable sales taxes are paid by the guest at the full value of the item.

These guidelines apply to all coupons accepted at Target (Color Checkout Coupons, Internet Coupons, Mobile Coupons, Mailed Coupons, Coupons from Newspapers and Magazines, etc.).

Internet (Print-at-Home) Coupons:

We gladly accept valid internet coupons that contain a clear and scannable bar code.

We do not accept internet coupons for free items with no purchase requirements.

Mobile Coupons:

Guests can receive Target Mobile Coupons by signing up for Text Alerts at Target.com/mobile or by texting COUPONS to 827438 (TARGET). Message and data rates may apply. See site for full details.

To redeem, simply show your coupon barcode to the cashier. With one simple scan, all applicable coupons are applied.

BOGO Coupons:

BOGO coupons cannot be combined (i.e. you cannot use two BOGO coupons on two items and get both for free). Unless stated otherwise on the coupon, the use of one Buy One Get One Free coupon requires that two of the valid items are presented at checkout of which one item will be charged to the guest and the 2nd item will be discounted by its full retail price.

A second cents-off coupon of the same type cannot be redeemed towards the purchase price of the first item.

• If a Target BOGO coupon is used, one additional manufacturer coupon maybe used on the first item.

• If a Manufacturer BOGO coupon is used, one additional Target coupon may be used on the first item.

Exclusions:

Coupons are void if copied, scanned, transferred, purchased, sold, prohibited by law, or appear altered in any way.

We can’t accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons for products not carried in our stores.

Some items may not be available at all stores.

We do not accept expired coupons.

Lowest Price Guarantee (Price Matching) Policy:

How does price matching work?

If you find an item in a competitor’s printed ad that is priced lower than it is at your Target store, we will match the price. The competitor’s ad must be local and current, and the product must be the identical item, brand name, quantity and model number. Target.com is excluded from our price matching policy. Competitor catalogs can also be ad matched as long as the catalog displays a valid date and meets all other qualifications.

What if I’ve already made the purchase at Target?

No problem. Within seven days of purchase, bring your Target receipt and the competitor ‘s current printed ad. We will reimburse the savings to you.

What qualifies as proof of a competitor’s advertisement?

Please show us the entire printed advertisement. Photos, photocopies, or mobile phone versions of the ad cannot be accepted as verification of competitive pricing.

What does ‘identical store item’ mean?

The program covers items with the identical brand name, size, weight, quantity and model number of the item at Target stores. We reserve the right to verify a competitor’s advertised price and the availability of the product.

Can I use coupons when price matching?

A guest can use coupons when price matching per Target’s normal coupon policy. When the guests presents a coupon(s), these steps will be followed:

Manufacturer Coupons:

Manufacturer coupons will be applied after the price match is made.

Target Coupons:

Target coupons will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price.

Combining both a Target and Manufacturer Coupons:

The Target coupon will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price. Once the price match is made the manufacturer coupon will be applied.

Reminder: We accept one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item unless either coupon prohibits it.

Target does not ad match a competitors coupon-required offers.

What do you mean by local retail competitors?

This refers to retail stores located within the same market area as a particular Target store. Examples of a market area can be a city, a metropolitan area or a specific rural region.

What about online price matching?

All online pricing, including Target.com, is excluded from our price matching policy, as well as online retail promotions or products advertised on another company’s web or mobile sites.

Other price matching exclusions include:

• Online prices, including Target.com

• Promotions or products advertised on another company’s web or mobile sites, even those advertising in-store prices.

• Timed events (e.g., early bird, door busters)

• Items advertised as limited time/limited supply/limited quantity

• Membership club or loyalty programs (e.g. prices that require a club or loyalty card)

• Coupon-required or giftcard offers

• Prices advertised only as a percent off or $ off

• Competitor’s free product, buy one, get one, bundled offers, or special purchases

• Mobile coupons

• Sales tax promotions

• Damaged product or opened packaging

• Clearance or closeout items

• Mail in offers or instant rebates

• Product services (warranties, assembly, etc.)

• Going-out-of-business liquidations

• Special financing

• Used or previously owned items

• Display merchandise

• Pricing or typographical errors

• Owned brands (i.e., Home, Merona, Circo, Market Pantry and Archer Farms)

• Non-branded items (e.g. produce not marketed under a specific brand name)

• Target Portrait Studio, Optical, and Clinic offers

• Expired Ads

Etiquette Couponing

2011-06-26T12:53:00.001-04:00

There are times we get so wrapped up in getting the deal that we forget to show simple kindness and respect to the store employees, the shoppers around us and even to each other! Here are a few key points to remember:

• If it was not for the stores accepting coupons we would not save much! Remember, they don't have to accept coupons and if stops being beneficial to them they'll stop the practice all together.

• Being hostile over an issue will get you nowhere. Always stay calm and politely state your case. You are more likely to get the manager or cashier to listen to you this way. If they still say no, say thank you for listening and move on. There will be other deals.

• Treat your cashier with respect. Always be polite and say thank you! Cashiers can either make your couponing experience smooth and easy or wreck havoc if they do not like you. If they are couponers too, share some of your coupons with them (if your store allows this) so they can get in on the deals......you will make a friend for life!

• If for some reason the cashier has a problem with a coupon, or for anything else and it is holding up the line, apologize to the person behind you for taking so long. Usually they will be understanding. If not, just smile and be polite.

• Don't be a pain by taking all the tearpad or peelie coupons so that other customers’ can not get in on the deal. Do not do 10 transactions in a row holding up the checkout line. Stores get tired of this and it affects their coupon policies which is not good for us in the long run. They may stop putting out tearpads or peelies altogether or only allowing 1 transaction per trip.

• Trying to "get one over" on the cashier is dishonest as well as just plain not nice. Please use your coupons as they were intended. The cashiers have to account for their coupons at the end of the day so do not try to slip something by that they will get in trouble for later.

• If you see another couponer in the store gives a friendly greeting and shares a few coupons. It is not a competition.....we are all just trying to save money in today's declining economy.

Walgreens Coupon Policy

2011-06-25T14:05:00.001-04:00

General

• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.

• Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.

• Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.

• Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.

• Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.

• The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register RewardsTM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.

• Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.

Sale Items

• Walgreens will accept manufacturer coupons for an item that is on sale.

• In the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.

Multiple Coupons

• When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.

• The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).

• When purchasing multiple items, Walgreens accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.

Buy One, Get One Free Coupons

• When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.

• Sales tax must be paid for any Buy One, Get One Free coupon offers, if required by applicable state laws.

Internet/Print at Home Coupons

• Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons.

Register RewardsTM coupons

Earning Register RewardsTM

• Register RewardsTM will only print for in-stock merchandise during the promotional period.

• Register RewardsTM can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions.

• There is a limit of one Register RewardsTM (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction.

• Customers redeeming a Register RewardsTM against the same offer may not receive another RR.

Redeeming Register RewardsTM

• Customers redeeming a Register RewardsTM against the same offer may not receive another RR.

• Refer to Register RewardsTM coupon for expiration date.

• The RR coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount. No cash back and no cash value for RR coupon.

• The number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, must not exceed the number of items in the transaction.

• Register RewardsTM must be forfeited if the qualifying merchandise is returned.

• Register RewardsTM cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards and pre-paid cards.

• Register RewardsTM can be redeemed for eligible items only. Review the policy for ineligible items

Annie's Simple Organizing Tips

2011-06-24T13:41:00.004-04:00

Organize as you go will make your week less stressful
A daily routine of picking up eliminates mess and chaos
Be selective with accessories - group a few items together, then balance the arrangement with empty space to draw a visitor's focus to the special collection
Donate unwanted items to a thrift shop or local charity
Tackle one project at a time
If you have not used an item in a year it is time to get rid of it
Recycle junk mail
Organize the worst room first, then the other rooms will be easier
Make a To Do list
Stop buying stuff not needed

Junk drawer no more

2011-06-24T13:39:00.002-04:00

We all have at least one junk drawer. Well you can actually bring your junk drawer to order with spring-loaded divides. These dividers will help keep your spoons and spatualas separate from your tongs and timers. Tiny items such as measuring cups, measuring spoons will not get lost when they are contained in the shallow bins.

Stack smart

2011-06-24T13:37:00.003-04:00

If at all possible, do not nest your frequently used cookware, you will end up wasting time searching for the right size and probably wind up with some scratches and dents. If you should not have enough spae to un-stack, protect your pots with paper plates nestled between them.

Put a lid on it

2011-06-24T07:06:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it can be very annoying searching for those missing pot toppers in cabinet recesses. The solution to this is a door-mounted lid rack. Saute pans can be placed on a tiered holder which will make it easier to slide them out for use. Then place your heavier cookers on bottom shelves to prevent pull-down accidents.

Rubberized shelf liners

2011-06-24T07:02:00.003-04:00

Rubberized shelf liners are great for cushioning glassware, however they can also be used to cushion pots, pans, servers and more from damage. I personally used to use them years ago and loved them for the very reason they kept my items from being damaged. The other plus to it was less noise.

Drowning in mail?

2011-06-22T19:50:00.004-04:00

Are you drowning in mail? If so, here is a tip for you.

Prevent paper pileup in just five to 10 minutes a day, flip through, then sort into one of three baskets or trays labeled To Do, File, and Recycle/Shred.

Double Duty Dental Floss

2011-06-22T19:49:00.001-04:00

Did you know there is another use for dental floss other than for flossing your teeth? Surprisingly there is. Because dental floss is very sturdy it makes for a smart replacement for frayed wire on the backs of old frames.

All you have to do to rig it is:

run a few lines back and forth
then cut to length
twist together
tie into a tight knot

Tray chic

2011-06-22T19:08:00.003-04:00

What in the world is a tray chic? Easy, it is a tray with sides that you can store boots, sneakers and other type of shoes in one place instead of shoes being scattered about your home and driving you absolutely crazy! What is even better is the fact that any mud, dirt, or water stays on the tray and actually makes cleanup a snap.

Bins

2011-06-22T19:07:00.003-04:00

Bins are ideal for holding day to day items such as:

baseball hats
golf balls
scarves
school supplies

These bins can be organized by name or item. You can even decorate the bins with colorful labels.

Stack smart

2011-06-22T19:06:00.002-04:00

Pressure mounted shower rods

2011-06-22T19:05:00.003-04:00

Being that I live in an apartment now, coming up with ways to neatly organize and store stuff can be a challenge, however I have managed to do so and one of those ideals is using pressure mounted shower rods in my laundry room.

My laundry room is off of the kitchen and very small with a full size washer and dryer in it. One person can fit in the small space left at a time. So I have all these hangers and I needed a place to put them besides the closets.

I wanted conveinence and so the idea was born use pressure mounted rods. I chose the shower rods as they are thicker and much more sturdier. I bought 2 rods. Placed one above the washer and one above the dryer. Hung up my hangers on both sides and now as I do laundry I can hang up our clothing right away and prevent wrinkles from setting in.

The other plus to using pressure mounted rods, especially in an apartment less holes in the walls.

Curtain hooks and towels

2011-06-22T18:49:00.003-04:00

Wondering why curtain hooks and towels are in the same sentence?

Well, here is the reason they are:

With apartment living, you have a much smaller space to live in and less storage compared to having a home. So finding workable solutions takes time, however I have in 4 years come up with several ideal solutions, keeping my apartment from looking like "clutterville".

I always like having a towel to dry my hands on, and since counter space is pretty much limited I thought what if I hung a hand towel up, but the question was how to do so. After much thought and shopping and thinking, my mind began to work wonders and I saw these little curtain hangers with clips on them and I thought perfect all I have to do is get a set of these, hook to a towel and place on an over the drawer hook and low and behold, my solution was born.

I currently have one in my kitchen, one in my guest bathroom, and one in my master bathroom.

It works and even my son can not miss drying his hands, since it is eye level next to the sink! :0)

3 white baskets

2011-06-22T18:48:00.002-04:00

Another solution I have is I currently own 3 white lined baskets. They are color coded, I am an extreme fanatic for dividing and organizing things by labels, colors, styles, etcetera.

The 3 white baskets originally came in a wood cabinet many moons ago, however with age the cabinet fell apart and I kept the baskets since they were in perfect condition. Believe it or not, these baskets were used when my son was an infant to store baby items in and they did match his room decor also.

My baskets are lined with material that is checkered and ties with a bow at the front of the basket. My colors are pastel green and white, pastel yellow and white, and last but not least pastel blue and white.

The green basket contains light bulbs, different sizes and colors
The yellow basket contains batteries of all sizes and types
The blue basket contains samples

So what I did was reuse and recycle my baskets for a new use and now they sit atop my desk in my office on the top shelf. The items are neatly organized and easy to access.

Bill Organizer

2011-06-22T18:38:00.002-04:00

When you receive bills, where do you put them? Do you put them in a file tray, waiting to be paid, or do you just toss them into a drawer and get around to paying them eventually by keeping them ought of sight and out of mind for the moment?

For myself, I have to have a place for everything and everything has to have a place. I used to just put my bills in a drawer and go through them when I needed to pay them. No organization which is like unusual for me.

Which brought me to the point I wanted a bill paying system planner, however a simple bill paying folder can be a bit costly. One day while at Target a few months ago, I had a little extra funds and decided to look at office supplies and see what I could come up with for my bill paying system on a less expensive plan.

I got lucky as what I found was on clearance, don't you love it when you can find great deals?

I do especially with a tight budget. This is what I got:

a yellow plastic binder
2 sets of colored plastic file divider inserts
2 ziplock plastic sleeves

**all came to a total price of $7.84 compared to $15 and above**

How to assemble:

open up the binder and insert the 2 ziplock plastic sleeves in front
mark labels individually starting with the letter A thru Z
insert labels into each file divider insert
insert file divider inserts alphabetically
close binder

How to use bill paying folder:

in the first ziplock bag I keep stamps and address labels
in the second ziplock bag I keep any receipts that would be attached to a bill (if any)
mark bills on outside envelope with due date
file bills by name alphabetically, such as Cincinnati Bell would be filed in "C"
close and file in a safe place

That is it and so very easy. Do keep in mind, you probably will not use all 26 letters of the alphabet, then again you just never know, I myself, only have 5 regular bills, however I feel that having all 26 letters of the alphabet will cover any bills that come in as new, or as a one time bill.

I love my bill paying folder, as it is very simple, and cost effective. It is not fancy, it is plain, and keeps my bills organized and easy to find.

CVS Coupon Policy

2011-06-19T14:18:00.001-04:00

CVS/pharmacy will accept coupons printed from the Internet. They must have a legible barcode that will at the register.

If the coupon does not scan at the register, the cashier should politely inform you that we are unable to accept your coupon. We do allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.

Our registers are set to allow 1 CVS coupon and 1 Manufacturer coupon per item. However, the staff should be allowing customers to use ExtraBuck coupon in combination with other CVS coupons since these are coupons you have “earned.” In the addition, similarly they should be allowing the use of “offer at the register” coupons which would be an open offer of $3.00 off of $15.00 or a certain dollar amount off of a specific item. Since our registers are programmed to only accept 2 coupons (1 CVS, 1 manufacturer) per item if the number of coupons exceed the items purchased a member of management will need to assist the cashier in processing the coupons. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.

You can use coupon towards clearance items but the coupon will be adjusted if it is more than the price of the item.

The BOGO coupon allows you to purchase 2 items and get them both for free. With the manufacturer’s coupons you can combine one with one CVS coupon. You will be responsible for any tax due.

Rainchecks are only issued on regularly carried items. Rainchecks are not available on items that are not regularly carried. We reserve the right to limit quantities on all items. Also, our stores should be issuing rainchecks on regularly carried items that are currently on sale with an ExtraCare Buck reward coupon. The store would have document the ExtraCare coupon code on the receipt.

Hot Spot Don'ts

2011-06-19T06:30:00.001-04:00

When using glass bakeware here are some don'ts to follow:

Don't place glassware on a burner or under a broiler
Don't pour liquid into hot glassware
Don't take dishes directly to the oven from the freezer or vice versa

Hot Spot Do's

2011-06-19T06:26:00.002-04:00

When using glass bakeware here are some do's to follow:

Do set hot glassware on a dry, cloth potholder to cool
Do preheat the oven before putting the glassware in
Do add liquid to the bottom of the dish before cooking meats

Decoding Poultry Labels

2011-06-19T06:21:00.001-04:00

Here is the lowdown on poultry terms that are popping up more frequently:

Free Range - A USDA regulated designation, meaning only that the bird had access to the outdoors
Farm Raised - Usually refers to chickens raised on a local farm, but technically all are raised on a farm of some sort
Certified Organic - All feed given to the birds, must be certified organic - it does not contain chemical fertilizers, pesticides, animal by-products or other additives.
Natural - The most commonly used label has nothing to do with standards of care, type or quality; it simply indicates no additives or preservatives were added after the poultry was processed.
Hormone Free - Irrelevant - no artificial hormones are used in any poultry production
Raised without antibiotics - Medications not classified as antibiotics may still be used

Sodium Rx

2011-06-18T10:40:00.001-04:00

Look for lower-sodium salsas
Draining and rinsing beans reduces salt by 40%
Poach and shred chicken breast rather than using preseasoned, prepared meat

Pita Crisps and Creamy Hummus

2011-06-18T10:38:00.002-04:00

Cut pita into 6 wedges and split, brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika.
Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
In a food processor, blend 1 can drained chickpeas, 1/2 tsp seasoned salt, 2 cloves garlic and 2 tbsp each light cream cheese, lemon juice and olive oil until smooth.

Mini Reubens

2011-06-18T10:35:00.001-04:00

Spread 1/2 tsp fat-free thousand island dressing on party-sized pumpernickel bread slices. Top with 1 tbsp sauerkraut, and 1/2 slice each turkey and reduced-fat Swiss cheese (such as Alpine Lace). Heat gently until cheese melts.

Shrimp and Dip

2011-06-18T10:33:00.001-04:00

Ten large shrimp weigh in at about 55 calories. Serve with cocktail sauce or bottled reduced-fat dressing, such as honey mustard, Caesar or Ranch (for an additional 35 calories per tablespoon)

Super Sippers

2011-06-18T06:12:00.001-04:00

Mix equal parts cold light beer and diet lemon soda or ginger ale for a shandy - a refreshing twist on a spritzer.
Flavor a glass of seltzer with a teaspoon or two of creme de cassis or framboise to create a festive cocktail.
For a spin on a Cuba libre, add a splash of vanilla-infused vodka and a twist of lime to Diet Coke.

Chimichurri Sauce

2011-06-18T06:01:00.001-04:00

1 cup parsley leaves, chopped
1 shallot, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a medium bowl or food processor combine parsley, shallot, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly, or pulse to combine. Use as a marinade or serve over grilled meat.

Pork Tenderloin wth Peaches and Pecan Sauce

2011-06-18T05:46:00.001-04:00

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 20 min
Servings: 4

1 tbsp olive oil
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb) cut into 3/4" thick slices
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, sliced
1 can (10 1/4 oz) Campbell's Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
1 can (about 15 oz) sliced peaches in juice, drained, reserving juice
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup pecan halves, tasted and broken into large pieces
Hot cooked rice

Heat oil in 10" skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove pork from skillet.
Add garlic and onions to skillet and cook and stir 1 minute. Stir soup, peach juice, soy sauce and honey in skillet and heat to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until soup mixture is slightly reduced.
Return pork to skillet. Stir in peaches. Reduce heat to low. Cook until pork is cooked through. Stir in pecans. Serve pork and sauce with rice. Sprinkle with additional sliced green onion, if desired.

Abdominal Epilepsy

2011-06-17T07:40:00.001-04:00

Believe it or not, abdominal epilepsy is a real medical condition, although it is rare. It can occur in children and adults. It is more likely to occur in children compared to adults. The seizure activity will cause abdominal symptoms such as pain and nausea. With abdominal epilepsy, it is thought to primarily affect the digestive system.

Gastrointestinal symptoms that occur are:

Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Lethargy
Sleep
Confusion
Seizures (gran mal/tonic clonic)

People with abdominal epilepsy have different patterns. These patterns can be different each time a person has an episode. There really is no known cause to Abdominal Epilepsy due to it being so very rare.

How long does your food last in your refridgerator?

2011-06-15T22:08:00.001-04:00

How many of us actually think about how long our food lasts in our refridgerators? I do as I am extremely cautious of eating expired food and getting sick from it. So to make my life and everyone else's lives a little easier, I am posting this list from a dear friend of mine. Print it out, and post it on the fridge so you never forget.

Uncooked hamburger meat - (1-2 days)
Uncooked roasts, steaks, and chops - (3-5 days)
Uncooked poultry - (1-2 days)
Uncooked fish - (1-2 days)

Cooked meats - (3-5 days)
Cooked poultry - (3-4 days)

Fresh eggs in shells - (3-5 weeks)
Hardboiled eggs - (1 week)
Eggs, chicken, tuna, ham, and pasta salads - (3-5 days)
Soups and stews - (3-4 days)
Mayonaise - (2 months)

Hot dogs and luncheon meats - (2 weeks unopened)
Hot dogs - (1 week opened)
Luncheon meats - (3-5 days opened)

Meijer Coupon Policy

2011-06-15T20:00:00.002-04:00

When accepting coupons, Meijer uses the following guidelines:

We accept two kinds of coupons; Meijer issued coupons and manufacturer coupons.

Only one manufacturer coupon and one Meijer coupon for the same item will be accepted (unless prohibited).

Mealbox coupons are considered Meijer coupons.

We accept all valid internet coupons. See store for details.

We reserve the right to limit quantities.

If the value of the coupon is more than the price of the item after discounts or coupons are applied, the value of the coupon will be applied up to the price of the item.

We do not apply the excess value of a coupon to the order total if the value of the coupon is over the price of the item after discounts or coupons are applied.

Only coupons for products carried in our stores will be accepted.

All coupons should be given to the cashier while you’re checking out and cannot be applied to a previous purchase.

Walmart Coupon Policy

2011-06-10T14:14:00.001-04:00

Walmart has both it’s coupon and price matching policies available for print on-line. It has been my experience that some stores try to say they can change policy – so it is a great idea to keep these with you when you shop.

Coupon Policy:

Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):

• Manufacturer coupons (Cents Off)

• Free merchandise (or manufacturer’s Buy-One-Get-One-Free) coupons

• Store coupons

• Pharmacy (Advertising and Promotional) coupons

• Internet coupons

• Soft drink container caps

The following are guidelines and limits:

• Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise we sell and only when presented at the time of purchase.

• Coupons should have an expiration date and be presented within the valid dates. Walmart will not accept expired coupons.

• Internet coupons should be legible and say “Manufacturer Coupon.” There should be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and a scannable bar code.

• Only one coupon per item is permitted.

• Use of 40 or more coupons per transaction will require approval by Customer Service Manager.

Price Matching Policy:

Store managers make the final decision in always taking care of our customers, but we do have guidelines for matching our competition.

• We do honor “Preferred Shopping Card” advertised prices. Must be like items, be advertised and require a competitor’s shopping card, for the discount to apply.

• We do not honor advertisements that require a purchase in order to receive the advertised price or free product.

• We do not honor “Buy One / Get One Free” advertisements.

• We do not honor double or triple coupons or percent off advertisements.

• We do not honor other retailers’ “Misprinted” advertised prices.

• We do not honor Internet Pricing.

• We do not honor competitor advertisements from outside of the store’s or Club’s local trade territory.

Easing cold symptoms

2011-06-09T23:32:00.001-04:00

We all know that a cold can just wipe us out. It often times feels like the flu, however it has a shorter life span. A cold usually will last 7 to 9 days. There are ways to ease your symptoms.

Drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated beverages – this will loosen congestion and will prevent dehydration
Eat some chicken noodle soup – this can possibly loosen the mucus and sometimes can act as an anti-inflammatory
Gargle with warm salt water – this will actually draw up excess fluid and temporarily eases sore throats
Spray saline in the nose – this can help to combat stuffiness
Try an over the counter medicine – this is short term, but beware of the side effects, as it can leave a person feeling like medicine head

I have a cold

2011-06-09T02:51:00.002-04:00

Question: I have had a cold for what seems like weeks, should I see a doctor?

Answer: Yes

Why: A typical cold lasts 7 to 9 days, symptoms that last longer than this can possibly be a sinus infection and will need treatment with antibiotics as in most cases it is a bacterial infection. The common cold is a virus and has to just run its course.

Germ Warfare

2011-06-09T02:42:00.002-04:00

According to the Journal of Applied Microbiology, frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is one of the ways to prevent the common cold, the flu and other viruses. However, they strongly suggest that making sure hands are totally dry is just as important. The theory is that by eliminating wetness it can reduce the transfer of bacteria by as much as 99%. Do note that people will dry their hands better with a towel than a dryer as a towel takes less time compared to a dryer and people are always in a hurry so they walk off wiping their hands on their clothes.

The Heat is on!

2011-06-08T16:51:00.001-04:00

For some of us, Summer has apparently arrived. In Ohio, we are in the 90's this week with the temperature index in the 100's. So I have decided that we all need some reminders and ideas of what to do when the heat is on.

Drink plenty of water, not ice tea, beer, soda as these items will actually dehydrate you. Water hydrates the body.
Wear light colored clothes
Use plenty of sunscreen
Use your AC if you do not have AC then go to a store, library where it is air conditioned
Go swimming
Keep lights off and blinds shut during the heat of the day, this will help to cool your home

Bare Minimum

2011-06-08T01:08:00.002-04:00

Bare Minimum

Recently I lost my job and having not been prepared, I quickly ran out of funds. I have applied for over 150 jobs since May 14^th with only 2 interviews and no other bites. This time is very frustrating as I spend hours and hours searching for employment, customizing resumes for each application, takes it toll.

Being a single mom in this economy and no income except for the little child support received is not enough to pay for rent, utilities, phone, internet, food, automobile insurance and house hold supplies. This does not include any car repairs needed for my 16 year old car.

Basically, my family and I are now down to the bare minimum with food, we have 22 days left in our apartment, are currently ineligible for foods stamp assistance and the food pantry, we have run out of luck.

To stretch our food, I am eating very little as I have a teenage son (16 yrs) who is growing and eats and eats. I make sure he eats; I deal with my hypoglycemia which in turn affects my Epilepsy provoking tremors, dizziness, and etcetera.

Fun world we live in, huh?

I continue to pray for God’s provision as so are many of my family and friends are doing, however even though I have trust in God, I have so much fear that this time we will lose everything and become homeless for sure. This is not setting right with my son or I. It is scary for us not knowing what our future will be.

I know there are many families like mine, struggling to keep a roof over their heads, provide food, keeping a car running on a wing and a prayer, trying to keep stress free and keeping the children happy as in times like these sacrifices have to be made to survive and they do not always understand, or in my case just plain sick of the life they have especially when you are poor.

I pray for the families that have been there or are now there, I understand the emotions, the fear, the struggles, and the unknown future. All we want is to live within our means, be free of the fear and financial worry so many of us face.

Let us all lock elbows and empower and pray for each other that God will provide and show us the light at the end of the tunnel. For one day when our struggles are over with we will be able to share our story with others giving them the encouragement to keep on going and not give up when it is so very easy to do.

Blessings for a brighter tomorrow,

Annie

The Baby Food Diet

2011-06-07T23:10:00.002-04:00

Baby Food Diet

Another new diet trend is the Baby Food Diet. Yep, you heard it right. Apparently, many Hollywood actresses are trying this to ease their food cravings.

The pros are as follows:

Organic varieties are available
Broad variety of flavors
Gluten free
No additives
Pure
Full of vitamins
Small portions
Free of fats
Free of fillers

The cons are as follows:

Bland taste
Small portions could lead to an eating binge

According to my research the dieter will eat baby food for all meals, or a dieter may actually eat one adult meal and then baby food the rest of the day.

Have I ever tried it?

No I have not as I only recently heard about it. However, my belief is that people in this world are so desperate to be a certain size they will try any new fad diet that comes out.

My belief is eating healthy foods and regular exercise is the key to maintaining weight, however we do have to keep in mind if there is a weight change that we need to be looking at other circumstances besides proper nutrition and exercise, we have to look at illnesses, medications, stress factors, etcetera as these can be contributors.

I caution anyone who tries The Baby Food Diet, please check with your healthcare provider before choosing to do this. I am in no way recommending this as a good thing as I have not tested it myself and quite honestly not really sure if it would be safe for me with the Epilepsy and Hypoglycemia.

Yours in health,

Annie

Living Frugal

2011-06-06T00:56:00.002-04:00

Life can be so very hard, difficult, and challenging in a struggling economy.

However, it does not have to be impossible with resources in hand you can make things easier in time. Country Suburban Chic is dedicated in sharing resources and information in the hopes that you will find what you are looking for in regards to being frugal.

Being a single parent since my divorce, I have struggled financially and now with having lost a job, my family and I are facing some very hard times, so as we deal with the insanity of today’s world, we are learning ways to cut costs, save money, and make food stretch especially with a teenager in the house.

It is by no means easy at all and there are many sacrifices, such as no going out to eat as a treat, walking to the store instead of driving if it is close. Utilizing Kroger points for gasoline fill-ups, etcetera…the list goes on.

Living frugal is important for all of us, not just because of the state of the economy, but because we as consumers should always be conscientious of our money plain and simple.

Living simple and within our budget is the only way to survive. I encourage you all to take a look at your lifestyle and decide what a need is and what a want is. This way if the worse case scenario should happen, you will be better prepared to handle the many changes that come with a job loss.

Well that is all for now folks and please remember there will be blessings for a brighter tomorrow.

Family Contract for Online Safety

2011-06-05T00:30:00.001-04:00

In today's world of social networking and our kids using the internet regularly we as parents should take a pledge to protect our child(ren). Below is a copy of the Parent Pledge from SafeKids.com. You can print this out, parent and child sign it and post on fridge or a handy place for a daily reminder of internet safety. Our world is not safe anymore and with the internet it is even more dangerous.

Parents' Pledge

1. I will get to know the services and Web sites my child uses. If I don't know how to use them, I'll get my child to show me how.

2. I will set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by my children and will discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder. I'll remember to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time they spend on the computer.

3. I will not overreact if my child tells me about a problem he or she is having on the Internet. Instead, we'll work together to try to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.

4. I promise not to use a PC or the Internet as an electronic babysitter.

5. I will help make the Internet a family activity and ask my child to help plan family events using the Internet.

6. I will try to get to know my child's "online friends" just as I try get to know his or her other friends.

I agree to the above

___________________

Parent(s)

I understand that my parent(s) has agreed to these rules and agree to help my parent(s) explore the Internet with me.

___________________

Child sign here

Top Cat

2011-06-04T23:07:00.003-04:00

If your cat is pedigree, or particulary pretty, you may consider entering it in competitions, if it has the right personality. Some cats love the attention and others simply hate shows, so avoid competitions if your cat is going to sulk about it or get upset.

Noble Birth

2011-06-03T23:03:00.004-04:00

All cats are capable of behaving as if they are direct descendants of famous Egyptian cats who were once worshipped and still should be. You should keep a journal to record relatives and distant relations your cat is know to have. If you do not have any information on your cat's ancestary, then use your creative mind and make something up just for the fun of it. Pretend you are writing a book.

Throw Rugs Galore

2011-06-02T22:42:00.020-04:00

I don't know about you all, however I use throw rugs (matching) in my master and guest bathrooms, kitchen, computer/cat room, entrance and dining area. Some may find this to much and a lot of work when having to clean them. But I like them for the purpose of keeping dirt off of the floors and carpet.

In my apartment, our carpets are very thin and so is the padding underneath. They are not soft to walk on and even though I have the no shoes on rule in my home, dirt is still tracked in and it is hard to get the carpets clean.

I have noticed in the years of living at our apartment, when a tennant moves out, the landlord tears out the old and puts in new...explains why it is so cheap (oops did I say that?). So why use the throw rugs then?

Well read on for my reasons why:

I use throw rugs to help keep the carpet a little cleaner especially when the landlord does the Section 8 inspection every couple of months.

Now for the bathrooms, they are great for not slipping and sliding on wet floors after a bath or shower. Plus the other advantage is feet are not cold in the Winter time!

In the computer/cat room, there is a light brown and light baby blue rug under each set of cat bowls which just happens to match the color of the carpet. This helps keep the food dropped by the cats (I think intentionally to make me work) on the throw rug instead of the main carpet, easier to clean.

Of course the entrance to the apartment has a Welcome Mat which is designed to keep dirt out, but does not work anyways, though it does look pretty and matches the Apple Wreath I have hanging on the door above the Welcome mat. Has to look and have the touch of home even in an apartment. At least I try.

In the kitchen I use a big area rug in case of spills or if the cats are having their tuna treat, it is better on the carpet than on the floor for those pesky little ants that come up through the cracks under the floor.

Pretty much those are the reasons I use them and have so many. It is easy to clean them as I simply wash them in the washer, any with rubber backs are hung up on a hanger with those clothespins I keep for when I need them.

Yes they are perfectly safe to wash and dry per the tried and true advice of the Laundry Fairy and that is me!

What more can I say?

Some would probably think I was crazy and nuts and others think I am completey sane.

I vote Sane! :)

Couponing Recipe

2011-06-01T20:11:00.013-04:00

There are two key things you should always remember:

Coupons are only as good as the sale.
A sale is only as good as the coupon.

Ingredients:

Reliable Sources
Shop Around
Be Flexible
Be Knowledgeable
Make Lists
Be Organized
Have a Plan
Bring Coupons

Have fun saving money and being a successful couponer!

Grabbing a beverage

2011-05-31T01:34:00.001-04:00

Sometimes we are in a hurry or pressed for time and are so thirsty we grab a beverage. So when you have a moment like this don't go for sugar laden, empty calorie drinks, instead choose a no or low calorie drink such as:

diet soda
low-fat milk
water
unsweetened tea

I will caution you all on one thing, if anyone has an allergy to aspartame, which is used in diet sodas then you will want to avoid this.

Out of this list the best option is water, however I do understand the thirst quench and flavor is a desire.

Drink healthy.

Yours in health,

Annie

Living or Existing

2011-05-31T00:08:00.001-04:00

Living or Existing?

Recently I myself have been struggling, it seems like my life is a continuous tidal wave of struggles, without really having clear direction from God and what he wants for my life.

After having found a wonderful job with a great company and people a week before my son and I were to move into a homeless shelter, I was unexpectedly let go four months later. In total shock and disbelief, I cried and once again fear claimed my life.

I started job searching that day, knowing full well it took 2 years of job searching to find the job I just lost. The positive note is at least I have recently been working which puts me current, compared to the negative side of unemployed over 6 months. Times have changed.

Since the middle of May, I have applied for 115 jobs, majority of them online utilizing several job boards. The frustrating thing is it is so time consuming and out of all of them I actually received 3 interview requests so far.

I had posted on facebook that this Memorial Day weekend was just another weekend come and gone doing the same thing I do everyday…wondering when my life is going to start. I know I have to make it happen, however looking upon my circumstances, no gasoline in car, no income, unable to buy food, household supplies, pay bills including rent, now once again facing homelessness if I do not find a job in time. How can I do anything and find joy in it? I guess all in all, life has been a struggle for a number of years since my divorce, being a single parent, holidays are lonely and finances are very tight and trying to keep my teenage son happy and stress free is a challenge.

I constantly pray and give thanks to God, for everyday I awake and do the same thing over, praying for clarity and direction for my life path.

Then I begin to wonder am I really living or do I just exist?

Right now, I am living but not how I want to be living. Let me explain. I want to be able to live without the worry of whether or not I will be able to pay my bills, keep a roof over our heads, provide food for my family, and praying the car keeps on running as it is 16 years old and counting. I want to be able to go out and do something fun (inexpensively) with my son or friends once in awhile, don’t want to go homeless and lose our beloved pets, etcetera.

Many are probably wondering about getting assistance from my county and state, unfortunately as of this date and time, I am ineligible for food stamps do to the amount of my income the last 3 months gross is more than the federal guideline for a family of 2. Food pantry was the same thing. So come the first week in July I will go and reapply and will then be eligible. What to do in the meantime…well make sure my son eats and I eat less to stretch what we have left.

I at present time consider myself as existing, I am alive and thankful for what God has provided before, but in my heart, mind, and soul I am not living comfortably, I am living with fear even though I do trust God.

So I hope this article is not a downer, I hope I will reach people out there like me in similar situations. Let it be known…I so understand what you are facing, or have faced. It will get better in time and one day I will be able to breathe without fear or worry and enjoy the simple things in life such as gardening.

Until then you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Blessings Always,

Annie

Simple Sun Safety

2011-05-29T17:05:00.001-04:00

When it comes to Summer many of us are often times outdoors in the sun. So below I have complied a list of simple sun safety tips.

Choose Broad Spectrum - you want protection from uva (causes premature skin aging) and uvb (causes sunburn) rays.
Use enough
Know your numbers - spf of 15 or more is better
Reapply often - make sure to put sunscreen on 15 to 30 minutes before going out and reapply every 2 hours. Also, there really is no waterproof sunscreen even though there are some out there that claim to be, so always be sure to put more on every time you come out of the water.

Preventing Asthma Summer Risks

2011-05-29T16:55:00.001-04:00

If you are a asthma sufferer, then here are some tips to avoid problems during the summer. Now of course some may already know this, however there are always people who do not or are just learning about asthma and knowing what to avoid helps.

Leave sneakers outside as they can track in pollen
Leave sandals outside as they can track in pollen
Sit far away from campfire or grill smoke as it can irritate the lungs
Air out summer cabins, tents, cabanas and other confined areas
Flip on the good old air conditioner in your home and car to help keep the air free from containments

Well that is all, but a very good list to keep in mind for yourself, family and friends.

Balance your meals

2011-05-28T18:59:00.001-04:00

It is very important for each meal to be balanced. For example each meal should include the following:

Whole grains
Protein
Vegetable based fat (olive oil)
Fruits
Vegetables

One Pot Dishes

2011-05-28T18:57:00.002-04:00

Try one pot dishes such as:

Stir-fries
Soups
Frittatas

These type of dishes are very low-maintenance and honestly can make a handful of vegetables into a great and healthy meal.

Watermelon Salad

2011-05-28T18:52:00.003-04:00

Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 6

5 cups watermelon balls, chilled

6 Medjool dates, pitted and sliced into slivers

¼ tsp salt

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

1/3 cup roasted pistachios, chopped

In a large bowl, combine watermelon and dates. In a small bowl stir salt into lime juice, drizzle over melon and toss. Sprinkle with pistachios just before serving.

Per Serving: 144 calories, 3 g protein, 30 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, 0.4 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 99 mg sodium

Healthy Eyes

2011-05-28T13:16:00.001-04:00

Myth: Eating carrots improves vision.

Fact: Actually it is the vitamin found in carrots that improves vision.

Other sources of foods with vitamin a include:

Cheese
Egg yolk
Milk

For a healthy mouth

2011-05-28T13:09:00.001-04:00

Many people may not realize that eating healthy is good for your mouth especially in the prevention of gum disease. The list below is what everyone should be eating to help take care of their mouth:

Water
Sugarless gum
Nuts
Hard cheese
Kiwi
Basil
Sweet potatoes
Apples
Celery
Broccoli
Carrots
Cabbage

Sniffle Triggers

2011-05-28T12:59:00.001-04:00

At one time or another a person usually will sneeze. The majority of people who sneeze are ones who have allergies and they usually will know what their triggers are such as: dust mites, mold, pollen, etcetera. However, in my constant reading and research I have discovered a few more triggers that I never even thought about or have an issue with myself. Others may have, so if this comes as no surprise to you great, but for others at least I want to educate the ones who do not know about these little triggers.

Houseplants
Nonslip bathtub mats
Shower curtains
New paint
New furniture

My Health Goal

2011-05-26T17:22:00.001-04:00

Every season many of us get into the "mode" of setting health goals. I am one of those very people, however struggling with it on a daily basis as personal circumstances has disallowed me to pursue these goals. In the meantime, I am finding ways to work around the circumstances to meet my health goals even though it is an extremely slow process.

So here is a little something to help you list your health goals and check it off once completed.

Take a piece of paper and title it "My Health Goal", then write underneath... This season, I plan to improve my health by:

At the end of it: write a title...I Did It! and put an X next to it once completed.

Epsom Salt Baths

2011-05-25T00:47:00.003-04:00

Recently I learned that taking Epsom salt bath actually is very beneficial to the body.

Epsom salt is actually hydrated magnesium sulfate. It is rich in sulfate and magnesium. According to research sulfates actually play a very important role in the development of brain tissue, digestive track proteins and joint proteins.

Basically, Epsom salt detoxifies the body of containments and medicines.

Well for those inquiring minds who want to know, below is a list of what Epsom salt bath actually does:

Removes toxins from the body
Helps relieve muscle pains
Helps people suffering with Arthritis
Improves circulatory health
Gives the body the ability to use insulin
Improves nerve function by regulating electrolytes
Relieve stress
Improved oxygen use
Absorption of nutrients
Prevention of migraines

It is suggested a person do an Epsom salt bath for at least 12 minutes 3 times a week. However, I will ear on the side of caution as with each person a detox can have different affects.

If you have any health conditions, take prescriptions or supplements, pregnant or nursing, please by all means check with your healthcare provider first.

I myself have taken 2 Epsom salt baths this week and can tell the difference, swelling has gone down and skin is much softer. Though, the one thing I noticed is detoxing affects my nervous system and with Epilepsy, I usually have minor tremors for a couple of days. Did I notify my doctor, no I did not, only for the reason I know how my body reacts and can manage it. In the future I intend to do it just once a month as this will be a safety issue, however it will help rid my body of toxins on a regular basis.

Please by all means, do not follow what I do for myself, trust your doctors and go from there as I will remind you that I am not a medical professional, I am just someone who is very interested in sharing information regarding health, nutrition, fitness and wellness as it is my passion.

Improving your health 21%

2011-05-24T13:32:00.001-04:00

According to more research studies it has been discovered that people can cut their risk for a stroke and risk of heart disease 21% by getting more potassium, rich foods in their diet.

Foods such as:

Sweet Potatoes
Bananas
Spinach
Poultry
Milk

Quick Home Remedies

2011-05-24T00:10:00.001-04:00

In today's world many people will use over the counter items for bug bites to take the swelling down, and relieve the pain and itching often associated with bug bites. However, more and more people are starting to look into alternative treatments compared to over the counter meds.

Some of those reasons I believe are as follows:

Usually no side effects depending on the remedy or remedies used
Safety
Cost
Natural

I myself treat my son and I with both natural remedies and traditional over the counter medications, just depends. In the case of bug bites I definitely will use essential oils or just baking soda paste.

Repelling bugs - mix 2 drops of essential oil (geranium, peppermint, or eucalyptus into 2 teaspoons of water. Rub the mixture on the skin.

Note: essential oils are usually found in health food stores and vitamin stores.

To relieve pain and itching apply an ice cold pack wrapped in cloth for 15 to 20 minutes. The cold actually relieves pain and itching by reducing blood flow to the site wound.

Another method of relieving pain is applying a toothpaste or baking soda paste to the site wound. Use 3 teaspoons of baking soda to 1 teaspoon of water, mix, spread mix over wound site several times a day until the pain and swelling subside.

19% More Sleep

2011-05-23T22:01:00.001-04:00

Recently while thumbing through a magazine I came across a sleep study that stated: "people are more likely to enjoy a good night's sleep if they make their bed each day instead of leaving it rumpled by a whopping 19%.

Wow is all I can say!

Danger Signs in Newborns

2011-05-22T21:57:00.003-04:00

When you become a first-time parent of a newborn, there are some danger signs you should always be on the lookout for:

• no urine in the first 24 hours at home. This can be difficult to assess, especially with disposable diapers.

• no bowel movement in the first 48 hours.

• a rectal temperature over 100.4° F (38° C) or less than 97.5° F (36.5° C).

• a rapid breathing rate over 60 per minute, or a blue coloring that does not go away. Newborns normally have irregular respirations, so you need to count for a full minute. There should be no pauses longer than about 5 seconds between breaths.

• retractions, or pulling in of the ribs with respirations.

• wheezing, grunting, or whistling sounds while breathing.

• odor, drainage, or bleeding from the umbilical cord.

• yellow coloring of the eyes, chest, or extremities.

• crying, irritability, or twitching which does not improve with cuddling and comfort.

• a sleepy baby who cannot be awakened enough to nurse or nipple.

• any signs of sickness (i.e., cough, diarrhea, pale color).

• the baby's appetite or suck becomes poor or weak.

Remember that each child is different, however make sure to care your pediatrician or take your child to the local hospital emergency room or urgent care facility. It is better to be safe than be sorry.

Honey-Spice Oatmeal with Bananas

2011-05-21T18:13:00.004-04:00

Microwave 3/4 cup rolled oats and 1 1/4 cups water for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp honey and 2 tbsp sliced almonds. Top with 1 small sliced banana.

Toasted Oat and Berry Yogurt Parfait

2011-05-20T18:10:00.005-04:00

Toast 1/2 cup rolled oats and 1 tsp cinnamon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 4 minutes.
Top 1 cup plain, nonfat yogurt with toasted oats, 1 cup thawed frozen berries and 2 tsp honey.

Tomato and Basil Breakfast Wraps

2011-05-19T18:00:00.005-04:00

Whisk 1 egg and 2 egg whites and cook in pan with 1 tsp olive oil.
Fill 2 whole grain tortillas each with half the egges, 1 tomato slice, 1 tbsp chopped basil and 1 tbsp reduced-fat shredded cheese.
Serve with 1 cup of grapes

Pineapple Spread on Toast

2011-05-18T17:55:00.001-04:00

Mash together 1/2 cup chopped pineapple with 1 cup low-fat cheeses and spread on 2 slices.

BreBanana Berry Smoothie

2011-05-17T17:48:00.003-04:00

Blend 1 cup plain nonfat yogart, 1 1/4 cups frozen berries, 1 medium banana, 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon honey.

Indoor Games

2011-05-16T11:42:00.004-04:00

You will need to keep your cat or kitten indoors until it has really settled into its new environment. It should not come into contact with other animals, indoor or out, until it has had all its inoculations, so keep it amused with a few toys.

Litered with Cats

2011-05-15T11:39:00.003-04:00

The ability of the cat to breed raises some of the most important decisions you must make as owner and guardian of your pet.

Breeding Notes

2011-05-14T11:17:00.002-04:00

If your cat is a pedigree and is going to be breeding, make sure you keep careful records so you can trace back relatives and find out about their medical history, if necessary.

Fleas, Fleas, Go Away

2011-05-13T10:53:00.006-04:00

Checking your cat or kitten and treating for fleas regularly is important for the comfort of yourself and your pet, especially in the summer. Worming can be done at the same time, to break the parasite cycle.

Parasite Prevention

2011-05-12T10:50:00.003-04:00

Regular worming is advisable for the health of your cat (s). Carefully follow instructions which come with treatments, or talk to your vet.

Hanging File Folder Boxes

2011-05-11T10:35:00.001-04:00

You know those hanging file folders that you buy, you probably never ever think about using the boxes for storage do you? Most people, including myself have usually just thrown them away. However, over the years and many changes including moving I have found they are great for packing picture frames in.

Another good thing you can use the boxes for is for categorizing your photos, or drawings your children have made through out their growing up years.

Another storage solution is putting the endless mouse pads a person collects in these boxes.

Other things that can be stored in them are:

Looseleaf paper
Birthday cards
Christmas cards
Anniversary cards
Bookmarks
Post it notes pads

So what it boils down to the boxes get recycled and you do not have to spend additional money for storage boxes etcetera.

Kind of cool, ya think?

I think so. :0)

Ticks

2011-05-10T19:54:00.001-04:00

Ticks will sometimes attach themselves to cats that have access to the countryside. They require very careful removal.

Rite Aid Coupon Policy

2011-05-09T21:03:00.001-04:00

Rite Aid gladly accepts the following coupon types as detailed in the coupon acceptance guidelines listed below:

COUPON TYPES:

Manufacturer Coupons

Manufacturer coupons are found in newspapers, magazines and even affixed to products. The UPC on these coupons begins with a “5.”

Rite Aid Manufacturer Coupons

Rite Aid Manufacturer coupons generally appear in our weekly circular, on our website and are sent to customers via email.

These coupons are labeled “manufacturer coupon” and have a UPC that begins with “49.”

Rite Aid Valuable Coupons

Rite Aid coupons are labeled “Valuable Coupon” and have a UPC that begins with “48.”

Internet/Print at Home coupons

Rite Aid will accept internet / print at home coupons up to the equivalent value of $5.00 off.

A Rite Aid coupon (with the Rite Aid logo) is NOT considered an internet coupon (even if printed off the internet) and is therefore not subject to the $5.00 maximum.

+UP Reward Coupons

+UP Reward coupons are special coupons earned by a customer in a prior purchase that can be used for any nonprescription purchase with a small number of exclusions that are listed on the +UP coupon. Multiple +UP coupons can be used (subject to the printed exclusions) up to the amount of purchase before sales tax.

Buy One, Get One Free

Rite Aid accepts Buy One, Get One Free coupons, however only one coupon can be used for each pair of items purchased. A customer can use one “cents off” coupon in conjunction with the item they are purchasing on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion (or with a Buy One Get One Free coupon), although the value of the cents off coupon cannot exceed the selling price of the item.

Buy One Get One Free coupons cannot be used in conjunction with a Buy One Get One Free promotion.

Total Purchase Coupons

Rite Aid may feature total purchase coupons which discount the total purchase amount based upon meeting specific

requirements. For example, $5 off a $25 purchase price threshold coupon.

These coupons are accepted under the following conditions:

The coupon is valid and in date; only one total purchase coupon per transaction.

Total purchase equals or exceeds $25 before tax (before any coupons are applied).

Coupons for individual items can also be used including another “48” coupon that is tied to an item in the transaction.Provided the total of items purchased is equal to or greater than the purchase requirement, other coupons can be used in conjunction with the total purchase coupon.

ACCEPTANCE GUIDELINES

General Guidelines:

Coupons must be valid and in date; Coupons cannot be exchanged for cash.

Register will validate coupon through scanning or keyed entry of the coupon UPC number.

In the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Rite Aid will accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is allowed.

When making a return for a product that had a coupon attached, Rite Aid cannot refund cash for the value of the coupon and cannot return the coupon that was used.

Rite Aid reserves the right to not accept any coupon where the validity or the coupon cannot be established.

Multiple Coupons

More than one coupon can be used on the purchase of a single item under the following conditions:

All coupons match the item being purchased.

The total of the coupons is equal to or less than the selling price of the item before sales tax.

No more than one “48” Rite Aid Valuable coupon, one “49” Rite Aid Manufacturer coupon, and one “5” Manufacturer coupon can be used on a single item.

Rite Aid may accept up to 4 identical coupons for the same number of qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers within the store manager’s sole discretion.

Friends to the Rescue

2011-05-08T10:58:00.002-04:00

Keep a record of freinds, neighbors, or relatives who will look after your cat when you are away or in an emergency.

Health Notes

2011-05-07T10:55:00.003-04:00

It is very important to have a complete record of your cat's care, including illnesses and accidents, in case your vet needs to refer to your pet's medical history.

Moving In

2011-05-06T10:53:00.002-04:00

Sometimes with a cat it is hard to tell whether you chose to live with it or it chose to live with you.

Th Hidden Tiger

2011-05-05T10:50:00.003-04:00

Somehow, even the most domesticated cat still has a little wildness in its nature, and nowhere does this become more evident than when outdoors.

Ticks

2011-05-04T10:47:00.001-04:00

Ticks will sometimes attach themselves to cats that have access to the countryside. They require very careful removal.

Cupboard Love

2011-05-03T23:50:00.002-04:00

Giving the right food to your cat is crucial to its health - but feeding also plays a key role in building your relationship with your pet.