Hello everyone! This has been a super busy week and I apologize for not posting the past couple of days :( We have had everything from school conferences to unexpected trips to the doctor's office going on and honestly, I am pooped!
School officially starts Monday for my kiddos and I think they are finally getting excited! We finished all our preparations and they are even back on track routine wise. But after a trip to the grocery store yesterday, I realized I was less prepared to begin packing healthy lunches again.
I stocked up on fresh fruit, veggies like baby carrots and celery, V8 Fusion drinks, and nuts. But I still have that nagging fear in the back of my mind that the kids will get bored eating the same ole healthy foods. So I decided to do what I do best - research!! I found a great food chart I had to share:
Decided maybe a food rainbow instead of the old food pyramid might be more entertaining to look at on the fridge! I even found another food plate, I love these!
And then of course, down to business! Disney's Family Fun Magazine offered a ton of good tips:
http://familyfun.go.com/back-to-school/back-to-school-lunches-snacks/
The ideas here are amazing! Everything from quick and healthy sandwiches in clever shapes to dressing up lunch boxes with Con-Tact paper to make an instant dry erase board! One of my favorite ideas was from a reader submission, she offered her daughter $10 a week to either buy a lunch at school or if she wanted to make a lunch at home she could keep the money every week! What a great idea to assist with older kids who would prefer to have a little say in what is going on in their life!
Another great site I found was http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/kid-friendly/lunchbox-ideas.aspx
Love all these ideas! The best part, they are all easy to do and the "lunch box jokes" will be a great surprise for the kiddos!
So I have concluded that after a few minutes of jotting down some fun and healthy recipes, a few cool new lunch box surprises (let's face it, us mums need new inspiration too) I think this years lunch box race will be a great success!
Another great aspect of back to school time, the cooler weather! Here in StL we are currently enjoying mild temps in the eighty degree range, and that means more time outside! Here are a few of our families favorite activities;
1. Backyard scavenger hunts - sometimes we hide things for them to find and other times we simply let them find the usual backyard bugs or plants, etc. Even better at night!
2. Family walks after school. Simple and funner than you might expect, family walks provide time for me and my husband to reconnect and talk about our day, the kids to burn off some extra energy, and very de stressing for everyone!
3. After school activities and sports. School is a great way for your entire family to become more involved, whether it's volunteering at special events or school provided sports, it can help the whole family become more active, so let the signing up begin! Just remember, you don't want to over do it, so set the limits on how many activities to keep everyone happy ahead of time.
4. Wednesday game nights. Pick a day of the week when everyone is going to be home and reserve that night for family game night. Not video games either! We bust out the board games or play tag in the backyard. Board games are great to teach kiddos important skills that video or computer games can not accomplish, mainly because kids play these games alone!
5. Bed time stories. How simple of a tradition is that? Knowingly, we all lead busy lives and at the end of a crazy day we just want to climb into bed in a pitch black room with soundproofing. But something as simple as reading to your child every night (even if not at bed time, do what works for your family) can help with everything from a good routine, reading skills for them, and better sleeping habits. Plus, you'll be creating memories they'll never forget!
Hope these ideas are helpful to you and yours! What are some of your secrets to a successful packed lunch?
Grocery Sales this week:
Aldi:
Peaches $0.19 ea
Plums $0.19 ea
Strawberries $0.99 lb
Red Grapes 2lb pkgs $1.58
Applesauce cups 6pk $1.29
Schnucks:
Kraft Mac&Cheese $0.79 ea
Nature Valley 2/$5 - $0.75/2 MNFC
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $2ea - $0.50/2 MNFC = 2/$3.50
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel $2.50 ea Buy 3 - $1/3 MNFC = 3/$6.50
Crescent Dinner Rolls 2/$4 - $0.40/2 MNFC (Schnucks doubles any coupons $.40 or less) = $3.20/2
Pillsbury Refridgerated Cookies $1.25 Buy 2 - $.30/2 MNFC (again, coupon doubled) = $1.90/2
Tortilla Stuffers $2.50 - $1 MNFC = $1.50
Yoplait Go Gurt 2/$4 - $0.75/2 MNFC = $3.25
Smuckers Preserves 2/$5 - $1/2 MNFC = $4/2
Shop N Save: **Coupon Thursday, August 11th, $10 off $50 purchase**
Sweet Corn 3/$0.98
Cucumbers/green peppers 2/$0.88
tomatoes $0.98 lb
Quaker Quakes snacks $1 ea
Bumble Bee Tuna $0.98 ea
VO5 Shampoo $0.65 ea
Kellog's Cereal $1.98 Buy 3 - $1/3 MNFC = $4.94
Buy 4 of any combination of the following products and save $3 w/ SC (in wkly ad):
Oreo Cookies $2.78 ea
Newtons Cookies $2.98 ea
Nabisco Wheat Thins/Triscuit crackers $3.48
Nutrigrain 2/$5 - $1/2 MNFC = $4/2
Capri Suns $1.98 - $1 MNFC = $0.98
Kellogs Fruit Snacks $1.78 Buy 2 - $1/2 MNFC = $3.56
Red/Black Plums $0.98 lb
Dierbergs:
Purple Eggplant $0.99 lb
Green Giant Veggies $1 ea
Skippy 2/$4 - $1/2 MNFC = $3/2 + see special in store add for FREE Bread
Welch's Grape Jelly 2/$4 - $1/2 MNFC in store
Off Deep Woods $4.99 - $0.75 MNFC = $4.24
Kotex U Tampons $3.99 - $1 MNFC = $2.99
Schick Quattro Womens Razor/cartridges $7.99 - $2 MNFC = $5.99
Kellog's Mini Wheats $2.49 Buy 2 - $1/2 MNFC = $3.98
Shoe Carnival B1G1H + $5 off $39.98 purchase coupon in wkly ad
Events:
August 10th - Parties in the Park in Downtown Clayton on Meramec Ave - 5pm - 8:30pm
description: Music lineup (Vote 4 Pedro), food and drink vendors, 1/2 price beer between 5pm - 5:30pm.
cost: free minus food and drinks if you wish to purchase
website: www.partiesinthepark.org
August 11th, Hard Rock Cafe St Louis
description: Live Music every Thursday from 5:30pm -7:30pm free to all ages. We will also feature happy hour during live music as well.
August 13th, Cheap Date Night, Science Center Planetarium
description: Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower at the Planetarium from 6:30 pm - 10pm. Enjoy live music, cash bar, and free parking in Planetarium lot.
cost: $7 a person
website: www.slsc.org
August 14th, Iron Barley Tomato Fest, 12 - 7pm
description: Join us as we attempt to make the World’s Biggest BLT! Also a tomato dodge pit, BLT eating contest, raffle tickets and live music. Event features a special tomato menu, drinks and beer. Bring your favorite tomato dish, tomato art & that “special looking” tomato for our contests. All entries due by 1 pm. Proceeds benefit Lift For Life Gym & Corporal Todd Nicely. For more information call 314.351.4500.
cost: FREE to attend - food & drinks regular price
location: Virginia & Bates Street
Make sure to follow our facebook and twitter pages for more instant updates and ways to get free stuff everyday!
As this week draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment and express our condolences to the family members of the service members who tragically lost their lives this past week while serving our country. Often, we overlook how privileged we are as Americans, forgetting the struggles of all those who came before us, the unimaginable circumstances our service men and women are enduring currently, and the peace we all have when we retire for the night. The sheer scale of lives lost this past week in one incident perhaps awoken that internal alarm that things are not over, they are never truly over. Our service men and women who are currently deployed need our support just as much now as they ever have, as well as our vets who have returned home, and even those who have been home for years. Serving our country, putting their lives on the line for our beliefs as a nation, should grant them the utmost respect and diligence from us to ensure they are never forgotten, showing them that we are here for them and their families, and that that will never change. Our thoughts and prayers are with these families and our appreciation for all they give weighs heavily on hearts.
If you are like me, finding the time to volunteer does not always come easy, but it is simply a way of expressing gratitude to help where ever help is needed. Here is the link for Volunteer Match, a great site to find local organizations that need your help: www.volunteermatch.org
Quick match ups from Sunday's paper (look for grocery ad match ups later today):
Quick guide to coupon codes:
WAGS: Walgreens
TAG: Target
CVS: CVS Pharmacy
RR: Register rewards coupon that prints at WAGS, good on any purchase at next visit
EB: Coupon that prints at CVS, CVS allows you to use EB coupon on other items in your cart, or next visit
SC: Store coupon
MNFC: manufacturer's coupon
B1G1F: buy 1 item get the second item free
B1G1H: buy 1 item get the second item at half price
**Please note, at CVS to get items for their sales price, fill out a form to get their free rewards card**
WAGS:
Purex 2x Laundry detergent $1.99 - $0.50 MNFC= $1.49
Purex 3 in 1 Complete Sheets $4.99 - $2RR = $2.99
Renuzit Aroma Air Freshners $1.99 buy 2 - B2G1F MNFC = 3 pkgs/$3.98
Ziploc bags 2/$4 - $1/2 MNFC = $3/2
Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color $5.99 w/ SC - $2 MNFC = $3.99
Ban Solid Deodorant $1.49 w/ SC - B1G1F MNFC = 2/$0.75
Garnier Herba Shine $5.99 w/ SC - $3 MNFC = $2.99
Schick Hydro razor of 4 pk cartridges $8.49 - $2.50 RR = $5.99 - $2 MNFC = $3.99
Listerine Smartrinse $3 - $2 RR = $1
Mead Five Star Binder $9.99 - $2 MNFC = $7.99
Kotex Security Tampons 2/$5 - $1.50/2 MNFC = $3.50
Kotex Pads 2/$5 - $2 MNFC = $3
Colgate Advanced or Gum Defense toothpaste or 360 toothbrush 2/$6 - $4 RR = $2
Sinful nail polish 3/$4 w/ SC
TAG:
Ziploc containers $2.39 buy 2 = $4.78 - $1.50/2 MNFC = $3.28
CVS:
Spend $30 on select products and get a $10 gas card :)
Great lash mascara $4.99 - $1 MNFC = $3.99
Nutri Grain 2/$5 - $1 MNFC = $4/2
Keebler Fudge Stripes cookies $1.99 buy 2 = $3.98 - $1/2 MNFC = $2.98/2
Rice Krispies $1.79 buy 2 = $3.59 - $1/2 MNFC = $2.59/2
Wanted to give you a quick heads up on some great deals starting Sunday, August 7th via browsing over the early edition of the Sunday paper. Take a look below to see what the stores are offering:
Walgreens:
B1G1 Free on Anchorage or High Trails Backpacks or Booktotes ($9.99 for one)
Crayola Crayons 24 pack $1 + $1 RR = FREE
Wexford 2 pocket folders $0.09 (limit 10)
Elmer's Glue $0.29 w/ SC
Academic 5" Scissors $0.29 w/ SC
Crayola White Posterboard $0.29
Penway Highlighter or designer pencils $0.09
Office Max:
Office Max filler paper 100 sheets $0.01 (limit 3)
Papermate Pens $0.10 (limit 3)
Papermate mechanical pencils $0.75 (limit 3)
Target:
Pencil box, wooden ruler, book covers, markers, colored pencils, 24 pk crayons, 70 sheet spiral notebooks, or 100 ct index cards $0.50 ea
Up & Up pencil sharpener or 2 ct erasers $0.20
Check back this evening for all the coupon match ups, looks like there are 3 inserts this week. Happy shopping!
Today was the first official day of the Tax Free Holiday here in Missouri. You betcha I was armed with our school supply list and back up (my bff) to help keep me focused! Great deals, semi crowded stores, and big time savings! I managed to get 90% of the items on the list today with the other 10% (mostly clothing items) to be bought tomorrow. We also headed to Family Value Thrift Store to check out their deals and I found a ton of stuff!! Although not as much as my bff, but hey it was all at a great price! Here are a some pics of scores today:
First, my receipt from Office Max:
I spent a mere $3.27 and even got an extra coupon for $5 off $25 purchase at Payless!
(excuse the blurriness my digital camera is MIA)
Next up are my Thrift Store finds! To Start, an adorable white platter for the kitchen:
This plate was marked $3.93 plus I got 50% off today for a sale they were having and I have some great ideas on what to do with it!! More on that to come soon...
Then I found a silver charger, again marked $0.99 plus 50% off:
I love these chargers to put candles on, holiday decor, all kinds of greatness will come out of this find.
My favorite find was a simple black pillar holder for a quarter!!
Love this so much! Why you ask? Because I love candles!! And I see these in every single decorative mag spread and really want to get them in every size possible lol! One idea besides using it to hold a pillar candle was this:
The size of the glass bowl isn't exactly right but just bare with me here - now watch what it looks like when you flip it:
Looks a little better huh? Now imagine what you can do here, the possibilities are endless! I have great plans for this little candle holder!
Last, I found two glass containers w/ silver lids and my little heart started to putter:
These were marked $0.99 ea! No sale, but a great deal! I have tons of ideas on what to do with them, but most likely they will end up in the kitchen and not holding cotton balls in my bathroom...like some have suggested...I won't name names :)
I also found a couple of uniform pieces for my son, a super cute pink eye glasses case for my daughter, a bag full of cutesy jewelry for her, and misc stuff. All of it was less than $18 and all of the school supplies today were about $34 (for two kids mind you). Pretty satisfied with the bottom line!
Then I come home to another free sample in my mailbox:
Downy Unstopables that are supposed to increase the smelly goodness of your wash! They smelt amazing through the package! I'll let you know how they do soon :)
Now the tax free weekend continues through Sunday and I am sure I will be taking advantage of some great clothing deals tomorrow at JcPenny's (I have coupons), Shoe Carnival (more coupons + B1G1 1/2 Price), Payless (scored a coupon today + B1G1 Free deal happening) and maybe even Old Navy.
Don't forget to take advantage of some really great events this weekend around the metro area!
Delta Dental Health Theatre grand re-opening is Saturday August 6th from 10am til 4pm.
Back to school fair @ Chaifetz Arena from 9am til 3pm.
Free kids workshop at Home Depot from 9am til 12pm. This is for the pencil box :)
Kids eat free during the month of August @ IHOP.
Some many great things to do this weekend! Don't forget to check Fox 2's website for a map of yard sales as well :)
http://www.fox2now.com/lifestyle/yardsale/
And just a quick note about or 100 fan giveaway, follow us on our Facebook page and when we reach 100 fans we will be giving away a gift basket filled with some amazing items from arond the St. Louis area! Pictures will be posted soon, still awaiting on a few things to come in!
Everyone has a unique outlook on their own health, a general concession on their children's health, and most agree the last thing they need to hear from anyone is what they should or should not be doing, they already know. Occasionally you might talk to your doctor or your friends, ask for advice, look up things on the net, even turn to a reality show or two and take notes. But what are you really doing to promote over all health and well being for yourself?
I awoke today feeling a little queasy, tried to push it aside and get on with my normal routine, and headed out to run some errands this morning. An hour later I am standing in line at the supermarket praying I don't blow chunks on the poor woman in front of me! Thankfully, I made it through checkout, the drive home, and unloading it all. I heard rumors of a stomach bug going around and evidently I am just another victim (at least according to my sister whom just dealt with the same scenario several days ago) who has to put life on hold for the next 24 hours and deal with it.
The funny thing, I thought I was just over stressed, usually for me stress leads to what I like to call "stress pains". The kids are returning to school in two weeks, cut backs at my husband's work, and changes to my own schedule are just a few of those little stressers. I have learned to cope with stress over the years in several ways to alleviate those stress pains and sometimes prevent them all together by working out and eating healthier. Simple solutions really. The more active you are the less time you (or your body) have to lay around and induce more worrisome thoughts upon yourself. But, once I realized that yeah, this is a virus, you have to call it a day and get well, it got me to thinking, how many other moms put their own health to the side thinking they are doing the right thing by taking care of everyone else first?
This was an excellent point brought up at a recent health seminar I attended at my gym, Ellipse Fitness St. Louis. The seminar is part of a 4 week program aimed at teaching you ways to rev up your metabolism and offering everything from group workout classes, nutrition support, to the online support. All of the resources you need to take those next steps at becoming a healthier version of yourself are right there at your disposal. I must say, what lead me to Ellipse was a horrible experience at a different gym. I was so humiliated when a trainer pretty well refused to assist me in reaching my goals I almost gave up on the whole sha-bang!
Luckily, Ann, a trainer at Ellipse, offered for me to come out and give it a try. She explained they were a "classes only" facility and it was a mix of strength training and kick boxing. Hesitant, I decided to just go and see for myself. The first class was amazing and hard! I had never kick boxed before and honestly hadn't worked out in years. At the end of the first class I could feel it head to toe and the adrenaline stuck with me well into the next day. Every class after has given me the same feeling and even better - a way to spend 45 minutes doing something important for myself.
At one time (until very recently) I would have thought it was selfish, taking 45 minutes out of my day just for my own pure benefit. Then I attended the first seminar and Ann spoke very clearly, "You have to take care of yourself first, if you don't, you aren't going to benefit anyone else either.." Those words struck a chord in me and for the first time it made a little more sense in my mind, it's okay to take care of me, I have to take care of me.
The biggest benefit I have received from classes at Ellipse; the support! Every trainer is readily available to answer any questions I have, they take the time to insure I'm performing the exercises properly so I get the full benefit from each class, and they offer encouragement. I never feel judged when I walk into class, we are all there for the same reason, to get a great workout! If you'd like to check out Ellipse, they have a great deal going on right now for a FREE WEEK, just visit their website: www.ellipsefitness.com and print the coupon :)
Other quick tips for healthier living:
~ Avoid soda! The carbonation in soda can reek havoc on your bones, your digestive system, and lead to unwanted weight gain.
~ Have fresh fruit and veggies readily available to snack on throughout the day. I cut up celery, add baby carrots, and peppers to ziploc bags so I can grab a bag anytime I am running errands. Of course making a fruitty bag is just as tasty.
~ Note that after a workout your body needs time to rest to recover, especially when doing strength training (weights) you are tearing your muscles and need them to repair in order to properly build muscle. Plus it helps train your body to continue burning calories while at rest, a huge point when trying to loose weight.
~ Attend yearly doctors appointments. A routine check up can catch signs of problems early and helps maintain your overall well being.
Hope this gets you thinking and as always, I am here for any questions or thoughts you may have!
A few Grocery deals this week:
Aldi:
$0.44 lb Bananas
$0.99 lb Strawberries
$1.49 lb Blueberries
$1.39 cantaloupe
$0.75 lb Red Grapes
Shop 'n' Save:
$2.98 Seedless Watermelon
$1.28 lb tomatoes
2/$0.88 cucumbers or green peppers
Dierbergs:
$0.99 lb purple eggplant
$0.99 lb zucchini or yellow squash
$1.99 Kellog's Cereal
10/$10 mix & match items:
Puffs tissue
Baby peeled carrots
mushrooms
broccoli crowns
Schnucks:
10/$10 mix & match:
Iceberg lettuce
turkey bologna
weber grilling spices
barlett pears
ocean eclipse seafood
2/$4 Jif Peanut Butter
3/$1 ears of corn
