Reduce Ocean Pollution with Hippo Sak

We got the opportunity to try Hippo Sak earth friendly trash bags and boy they are amazing!  This company employs struggling families in Haiti and Mexico by paying them for cleaning plastic out of our ocean!  This plastic is then used to produce trash bags, which we buy and use.

These are super strong bags and come in a variety of sizes.  A wonderful solution to waste that anybody can get on board with.

Check them out on Amazon HERE!

Tide Ultra Stain Release Review

how will it preform? 

My Tide Ultra Stain Release came!

I received a 37 ounce bottle in the Original scent.  To me it smells clean and maybe a little like blue flowers, not overpowering, just nice.  The detergent is HE safe and this bottle promises to wash 19 loads of laundry!

I tried it out on my yard work clothes...  it seems to work great!  I have a lot of old set in stains on my work jeans but anything new came right out!

This scent made my hubby happy, he loves this sort of product.  I prefer a more natural scented detergent, so this will be his!  Cant wait to see how it preforms on his smelly exercise clothes :)

I rate this product with a thumbs-up!  It gets new dirt and stains out wonderfully!

OG LORI Dolls at Target... and Im in love!

My daughters spotted these darling little dolls at Target a couple weeks ago.  I have heard about them almost daily ever since :)  I decided to take my littlest one out today to spend some of her birthday money and learn a little more about these sweet dolls she can't stop talking about. 

Playing at dusk, with Buzzsquito bands!

These late, warm summer nights are my favorite.  May they never end!  Hanging around on our property will always be one of my favorite things to do.

The products I am reviewing.... and how you can too!

I signed up with this brand new company a few months ago...  they have since grown and are now a part of my daily and/or weekly life!

I had SO much fun reviewing these essential oils!

day 6: fun friday

Man oh man we seem to go through a lot of produce!!!

I hit up Safeway this morning and got some bargains. After tax the total was just $15 for all this. 

day 4 & 5; a little treat!

Wednesday is early-release day in our school district and I love to use that extra time to do something fun with my kiddos.  They have been asking for ice cream lately so I knew we were upon a good opportunity!  Our Dairy Queen has half-priced milk-shakes until 4pm so on early-release day we can make it just in time for the bargain!

both kiddos choose cherry milkshakes!

day 3: free haircut

Heading into Day 3 I knew I had to visit Costco.  Produce was really low and our poultry was too.  

Last summer when we did a no-spend month we just sucked it up and lived on beans and rice and pasta and homemade breads.....  and what other home-made carbs can I add to this list?  I know I gained a few pounds that summer and didn't have much energy.  We are not willing to go to that extreme this time, trying to focus on our health as well....  its a tough balance!

day 2: spending and one big cut!

The realization hit that we indeed needed some non-carb protein for the week settled in and I accepted the fact that I had to go to the grocery store.  I knew I could hit up Safeway and stick to my budget while finding what I needed.

Day 1

 

March 1st, Day 1.  

I am organized and ready to save every penny this month.  We have a deadline, and its major!  Here is the beginning of our financial journey, Phase 2: adding on to the home.  We will clearly be financing the construction but need to pay cash for many things.  This month we need to save the remainder of our Architect fees.  ....and its a LOT!  

Emergen-C Review, lots of flavor options! and FREE sample!

I've had Emergen-C in the past, maybe only a couple times.  I was lucky enough to be chosen to do a review for them and received a wonderful variety to try!

Menu Plan Monday... No-Spend March!

Whew- the best solution to organize my meals for the entire month was to just do it.  I printed out a calendar from a free site and got to work!

No-Spend March... getting ready!

For some personal reasons we NEED to do a no-spend month.  We need to come up with some extra money, a LOT of extra money actually, for a very large home project.  We've been saving, but we need a little more.  Here is our push.  Its real, its NOW.

Menu Plan Monday- 21 Day Fix= all clean eating!

Monday starts The 21 Day Fix, and I'm so excited to say my hubby is joining me this time!  Its my 3rd round with this program and I love all Im learning from it.  Changing my habits to healthy ones, making portion control automatic now.  Love, love, love!!  Here is what the whole family will be eating this week.....

Avoiding the 'Danger Food' zone

I am generally a fairly controlled eater.  I generally like most healthy foods.  I generally don't eat so much I make myself sick.  Generally.

With a lot of my recent health and food education with Beachbody I feel pretty confident that I am choosing what is best for my body most of the time.  My portions are generally ideal for me and not often do I do any emotional eating any more.

There are a couple exceptions and I refer to these as my 'Danger Foods'.

What do I do with 14lbs of chicken.....

Ran to the Military Commissary and for the first time in my 15 years of shopping there I saw discounted chicken!  So, yeah, I got 14 lbs!

Friday Night Pizza Night!! my healthier version!

My children are now at that age where they expect pizza every Friday night.  I guess we have started a tradition.  Traditions are wonderful and important for children, they build security, self-confidence and strength.

Menu Plan Monday- Dinner for 4 at $25 a week!

I did all my grocery shopping for this pay-period yesterday. That post here!  I spent about $180 and will use those groceries along with what we already have to organize our Menu for the next 2 weeks.  This leaves me still $100 to pick up produce and other items (dog food!!) 'til the 15th.  I will make this work- no problem!

Tips for Shopping and Bulk Cooking; A quick Saturday Project

I plan my families menu every single week.  I don't just plan out what sounds good to me.  Nope.  I scan my pantry, fridge and freezer to see what I have on hand, sort through my recipes then hit the grocery store.  I ONLY buy what is a true bargain.

While at the store my husband texted me and asked for granola.  There was none on a discounted price so I didn't buy any.  Thats how I shop.  We have other food and will make due.  When granola is on clearance again I will stock up.

New leggings on the 1st!

Im starting to learn more about Fabletics as each month goes on....  I have just put 2 and 2 together and discovered that a few BRAND NEW styles come out on the 1st of each month!  With new styles comes a fully stocked size selection.  I was able to grab these darling leggings in MY SIZE this morning!  Im so excited for their arrival!  

And now I really think I need some new sneakers to go with them.....  hmmmmmm......

Allow me to INVITE YOU to Fabletics.  Their referral system is also awesome.  But even without it I will solely buy their workout gear from now on.  Basically priced the same as TJMaxx stuff but touting quality like Lulu(which I cannot afford by the way).  They are awesome.  High quality workout wear comfy enough even for sleep.  Oh, and they look fantastic on!  I have reviews of them here, if you wanna learn and see more :D

No go put your workout gear on and get some exercise!  .....or just clean the house.

(and may i add a note here...  i just had an issue trying to enter a gift card i received so i called in to customer service...  yes, at 7:30am on Sunday!  i was only on hold for a few minutes and was quickly helped by a very sweet girl who was both competent and friendly.  she actually logged onto my account and did everything for me.  A+ Fabletics, A+!)