July Earth Fare Deals and Coupon Match-Ups

Contests:

• What is the strangest thing you ever ate while on vacation?  Email your answer to stories@earthfare.com by July 30, 2012 and YOU could be this month’s winner of a $100 Earth Fare gift card! Submissions should be 250 words or less and include your name and preferred Earth Fare location. By entering this contest, you consent to subscribing to our weekly email newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time!
• What is your favorite patriotic song? Send your answer to eat@earthfare.com by July 30, 2012 and YOU could win an Earth Fare sampler full of delicious treats for your whole family! Submissions should be 150 words or less and include your name and preferred Earth Fare location. By entering this contest, you consent to subscribing to our weekly email newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• Take Your Tomato Contest July 11th-July 20th Take a photo of a tomato in a cool location. Email your photo to contests@earthfare.com before 11:59 pm EST on 7/20/2011 (JPEGS only).  Prizes $500 Earth Fare Gift Card, $250 Earth Fare Gift Card, $100 Earth Fare Gift Card OR $200 Earth Fare Gift Card. Limit one entry per email address. Entries should be photos without digital manipulation.

*****BEST DEALS*****

• FREE Mangos Earthbound Farms Organic Mangos 5/$5

Use $2/2 Any Earthbound Farms Recycle Bank Printable (Makes it FREE WYB 2)

• Zevia Natural Stevia Cola 6 pk. assorted varieties 2/$7

Use $2/1 Zevia All Natural Soda Printable (Makes it $1.50 each!)

• Metro Mint Metro Electro 20 oz. 3/$5

Use B1G1 Free Metro Mint Printable (Makes it $0.83 each WYB 2)

• Earth Fare Brand Organic Lemon Iced Tea 16 oz. assorted varieties 5/$5

Produce

• Earthbound Farms Organic Mangos 5/$5

Use $2/2 Any Earthbound Farms Recycle Bank Printable (Makes it FREE WYB 2)

 $0.75/1 Earthbound Farms Organic Product (Makes it $0.25 each)

In The Aisles

• Nature’s Path Cereal 10.5-14 oz. assorted varieties $2.98
• Amy & Brian Coconut Juice 17.5 oz. assorted varieties 2/$4
• Annie’s Naturals BBQ Sauce 12 oz. assorted varieties 2/$7
• Bhuja Mix 7 oz. assorted varieties BOGO regular retail $4.99
• Blue Diamond Breeze Almond Milk 32 oz. assorted varieties 2/$5

Use $1/2 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk Refrigerated or Shelf Stable, any (Limit one coupon to a customer) - 06-03-12 SS (Expires 7/29/12)

$0.55/1 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk Refrigerated or Shelf Stable, any (Limit one coupon to a customer) - 06-03-12 SS (Expires 7/29/12)

$1/2 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Shelf-stable Almondmilk or Coconut Milk Blend

• Blue Diamond Nut-Thins Cracker 4.25 assorted varieties 2/$5
• Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal 16 oz. $2.79
• Boulder Canyon Chips 5 oz. assorted varieties $2.29
• Cholula Hot Sauce 5 oz. assorted varieties $3.49
• Food Should Taste Good Chips 5.5 oz. assorted varieties 2/$5
• Good Health Veggie Stix 6.75 oz. 2/$6
• Grab Breen Bleach Alternative 24 loads $4.99
• Green Mountain Gringo Medium Salsa 16 oz. assorted varieties $3.79

Use $0.55/1 Green Mountain Gringo Salsa,  05-06-12 SS

• Hint Water 16 oz. assorted varieties 3/$5
• Metro Mint Metro Electro 20 oz. 3/$5

Use B1G1 Free Metro Mint Printable (Makes it $0.83 each WYB 2)

• Pirate’s Brand Ice Age White Cheddar Booty 7 oz. 2/$7
• Popcorn Indiana 9-10.5 oz. assorted varieties 2/$7
• Reed’s Ginger Brew 4 pk. assorted varieties $3.99
• Spectrum naturals Organic Squeeze Mayonaise 11.25 oz. $5.29
• Stoneridge Orchards Montmorency Cherries 5 oz. $6.99
• Garden of Eatin’ Corn Chips 16 oz. assorted varieties 2/$7
• Zevia Natural Stevia Cola 6 pk. assorted varieties 2/$7

Use $2/1 Zevia All Natural Soda Printable (Makes it $1.50 each!)

Use $1/1 Zevia All Natural Soda Printable

• Sweetwater Spice Company Lime Jalapeno Fajita Bath 16 oz. assorted varieteis $7.99
• Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt 5.3-6oz. assorted varieties 2/$4

Use $0.50/2 5.3 oz. cups of Stonyfield Organic Oikos Greek Yogurt

• Late July Chips 5.5-6 oz. assorted varieties 2/$4
• Rise Bar Gluten Free! 1.4-2.1 oz. assorted variteis $1.29-$2.19
• Village Harvest Quinoa and Rice 8-10 oz. assorted varieties $3.39-$4.09
• Kind Bars 1.4 oz. assorted varieties 3/$4
• Eco Nuts Natural Laundry Soap 5-10 oz. soap nuts, liquid detergent $7.99-$11.99
• Good Belly Probiotic Juice Drink 32 oz. assorted varieties $3.29

They want you to try Goodbelly! They will send you the coupons to pay for your first purchase PLUS they GUARANTEE IT WORKS! Sign up for the coupons, and/or scroll down to the bottom of the page for the Money Back Guarantee info. The GoodBelly 12 Day Challenge | GoodBelly

• Noosa Yogurt 8 oz. assorted varieties $1.99

Frozen

• So Delicious Dairy Free Iminis 4 pk. assorted varieites $3.99

$1/1 So Delicious Dairy Free Product, any - 05-20-12 SS (Expires 7/31/12)

$0.55/1 So Delicious Dairy Free Product, Any

• Dominex Eggplant Veggie Fries 14 oz. $3.49
• Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala 11 oz. assorted varieties $4.99

$1/1 Any Saffron Road Product Printable

• Graeters Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream 1 pint assorted varieties $4.49

Bulk

• Peanut Butter Covered Pretzels $5.99/pound
• Men’s Energy Mix $5.99/pound
• Women’s Vitality Mix $5.99/pound
• Roasted Tamari Almonds $5.99/pound

Earth Fare Brand

• Natural Diced Pimentos 7 oz. 2/$5
• Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk 13.5 oz. assorted varieties $1.78
• Natural Vanilla Ice Cream 48 oz. assorted varieties $4.29
• Compostable 10” Paper Plates 20 count 2/$6
• Natural Ketchup 36 oz. 2/$4
• Sparkling Lemonade French Soda 1 liter assorted flavors $2.99
• Organic Honey Bear Cookies 8 oz. assorted varieties 2/$5
• Organic Lemon Iced Tea 16 oz. assorted varieties 5/$5
• Mozzarella Pesto Pizza 13.4-14.06 oz. assorted varieties $4.99
• Organic Cocktail Sauce 10 oz. 2/$5
• Calorie Quencher 90 cap. $15.99
• CLA 780 MG 90 softgels $18.99

Wellness

• Plant Fusion- ALl Multi Sourced Plant Protein Powders on Sale! 1 pound assorted flavors! save up to $3
• phion All products on Sale! save up to $6
• Ultima Health Products ALl products on sale! Save up to $3.00
• Solaray All Products on Sale! Save up to $6
• Heritage All products on Sale! save up to $2
• Acure All Hair Care Products on Sale! Ssave up to $1.50
• W.S. Badger All Sun Care Products on Sale! save up to $3
• Natural Factors B-12 Sublingual Methylcobalamin 90 tabs $11.29
• Garden of Life ALL Raw Organic Protein Powders on Sale! assorted flavors! Save up to $10

Use $5/1 Garden of Life Raw Meal or Raw Protein Product Printable

Other Things to Remember About Earth Fare

• Take the Boot Challenge- Replace your unhealthy food with healthy food!
• Earth Fare Printable Coupons
• Sign-Up for Weekly Freebies
• Thursday Kids Eat Free from 4-8pm with $5 adult meal purchase
• $2 Burgers and Dollar Sides from 12-3 pm every Sunday!

Articles Worth Reading

• Herbs for First Aid
• The GMO Labeling Revolution
• CitizenLink Report: The Decision We’ve All Been Waiting For
• Deleware Senate Bill Outlaws Spanking
• The Wonders of Everyday Materials
• Backwoods Home Magazine Newsletter

Coupon Print Reminder!

It is time to print all those great coupons you want before they reset on July 1! Below are the links you can check out!

Coupon Network

Coupons.com

Red Plum

Smart Source

Mambo Sprouts (resets later in the month)

Swagbucks.com (Yes they have coupons and if you print them from there and use them, you can get more swagbucks!)

Health-e Savers

Stonyfield

All You

Eat Better America

Please see my disclosure policy as there are a few links above which are affiliate links. Thank you!

Freebie Friday from The Freebie Blogger

So sorry this post is late! I have had trouble with my computer all day. Not sure what was wrong, but hopefully, I got it fixed! Enjoy the Freebies below from Wendi at The Freebie Blogger! Have a great weekend! 

                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                             
Free Sample of Shout Color Catcher



We Reuse It Product Testing for Kids



Free Buds Organics for Kids Samples



Free Flair Square Print at PictureMe Portrait Studios



Free Blueberry Recipe DVD



Free $10 LL Bean Gift Card



Free July 4th Craft & Recipe eBook



Free Grilling Pork Recipe Booklet



Free Greeting Card at Cardstore.com



Free Downloads of CBS Shows



Free 1,001 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes eBook



Stim-U-Dent Plaque Removers Free After Rebate

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Review and Giveaway! 3 Winners!

My family was recently given the NEW Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk Coconutmilk Blend to try. It was the shelf stable variety. It was absolutely delicious! We loved making smoothies with the milk as well as eating it on our homemade granola. Be sure to shake well before each use because the contents do settle. The Almond Breeze Almondmilk Coconut Blend was unique because you have the taste of the almonds and coconut combined. I thought one flavor may be overpowering, but they seem to blend well together and make a great addition to granola! It was a nice treat to have something besides goat milk too, although we do love our raw goat milk fresh from our farm!

 

Ready for the  giveaway? I have three coupons for a FREE Blue Diamond Shelf Stable Almond Breeze Almondmilk product! All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me why you would like to try it or telling me your opinions if you have already tried it. Limit one entry per person! There will be three winners chosen each will receive ONE of the free product coupons. I will choose the winners using Random.org. The giveaway ends on Monday, July 16 at midnight EST. Good luck!

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of
the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it
directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agreed
to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the
manufacturer of the product.

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

Have you joined Swagbucks? If you haven’t you should! Swagbucks is a search engine where you earn points to redeem for prizes! Some of the prizes include store and restaurant gift cards as well as clothing, toys and much more. You can even get Pay Pal cash!
I have been using Swagbucks for two years now, and I am hooked! If I am going to be searching the internet anyway, why should I not be rewarded? I have purchased many things including groceries, toys, apparel, and much more all for FREE using Swagbucks.
It is FREE to sign up and very easy to use! You can either search from theirSwagbuckspage, or download the toolbar and search from there. Each search has the potential to winswagbucks. You useSwagbucks.com just like you would any other search engine to search for things. As you are searching occasionally you will get a banner that pops up and says you won a Swagbuck which are points. You keep earning them and then turn them in to get free stuff. The more you save them up the larger the stuff you can get. You can also get Swagbucks by reading the Swagbucks site on their blog, on their Twitter page, or on their Facebook page.
Every Friday they give away more swagbucks, so your chances of winning are increased. Every time you search you have the chance to win 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 or 100 bucks.
Remember, it is totally free to search and the prizes are great!
You can also earn Swagbucks by watching videos, participating in offers, and even printing AND redeeming coupons from their website!
Happy searching with Swagbucks!
Please see my Disclosure policy. While this link is NOT an affiliate link, I do earn swagbucks when you sign-up for swagbucks through my referral link. Thank you!

Thrifty Thursday- Make Your Own Perfume!

A couple of weekends ago, our neighbors had an estate sale. There were many things which did not sell, and the people in charge of the sell gave a bounty of items to our family. One thing which was given to my oldest daughter was a cute little bottle. She wanted to know what it was. I told her it was a perfume bottle. Then, I asked her if she wanted to make her own perfume! She was thrilled! Earlier this week she taught the other neighbor’s nieces to make their own perfume! It is so very easy.

Materials:

Bottle

Water

Essential Oils

Directions:

Put water in your bottle. Add drops of essential oils to your desired strength scent. Michaela used cloves and peppermint in her first bottle. She made several different kinds with her friends earlier this week. My favorite is Lavender! After you add the essential oils, shake bottle. Lightly dab on your wrists, neck, etc. OR you can put it in a spray bottle and use it as a body mist!

No Coupons this week due to July 4th!

No coupons this week! Happy 4th of July!

FREE GO! Frog Wall Hanging Pattern from Accuquilt

Get your FREE Go! Frog Wall Hanging Pattern from Accuquilt!

Get $0.75 off Petite Farm Stand Lettuces from Earthbound Farm Organic!

Get $.75 Off Petite Farm Stand Lettuces

These whole little heads of sweet, tender and crisp heirloom lettuces make beautiful music in salads, sandwiches and more.

$2 Watermelon at Earth Fare

Sign in or sign up to get your coupon for a $2 watermelon. This coupon is not valid on organic.

Other Things to Remember about Earth Fare:

• July Deals and Coupon Match-Ups Coming Soon!
• Take the Boot Challenge- Replace your unhealthy food with healthy food!
• Earth Fare Printable Coupons
• Sign-Up for Weekly Freebies
• Thursday Kids Eat Free from 4-8pm with $5 adult meal purchase

HSLDA @home e-Vents

The Complete Guide to Earth

Upcoming Live E-vents:

• I’m from the Government, and I’m Here to Give You Money … Maybe—HSLDA Staff Attorney Darren Jones

Featured On-Demand E-vents:

• The Least of These—Jayme Metzgar
• Marine Biology: Oceans of Evidence against Evolution—Sherri Seligson
• Teaching History around the World—Sherrie Payne

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 28, @ 3:30 p.m. (ET)—“I’m from the Government, and I’m Here to Give You Money … Maybe”

Darren Jones

It’s not too late to sign up!

HSLDA Staff Attorney Darren Jones has prepared this unique live, members-only e-vent for families (or friends of families) who are in need of financial help to continue homeschooling their children. Register today to hear how homeschooling interacts with Social Security, food stamps, and other benefits, as well as how HSLDA stands for your freedoms in these circumstances. You can sign up now before it’s too late!

On Demand—“The Least of These”

Jayme Metzgar

Inspire your kids to care for the broken.

It’s never too early to start missions work—whether you sponsor a child, send a shoebox full of toys, or go out in the field yourself—but this work is not about doing a chore or impressing your friends. Find out how to give your children a heart for the needy in the on-demand recording“The Least of These” with Romania Reborn founder and homeschool mother Jayme Metzgar. Jayme takes a step-by-step approach based on Scripture that will guide your child toward this goal. Registerfor this great e-vent now!

On Demand—“Marine Biology: Oceans of Evidence against Evolution”

Sherri Seligson

Discover untapped evidence against evolution!

Evolutionary theory permeates almost every scientific curriculum, but one area of study that is often overlooked is marine biology. In the on-demand recording “Marine Biology: Oceans of Evidence against Evolution,” marine biologistSherri Seligson shows the design behind several sea creatures and how their makeup defies evolution. See how sharks, dolphins, and even penguins can teach scientific and apologetic lessons. Sign up today!

On Demand—“Teaching History around the World”

Sherrie Payne

History has never been more exciting!

Have you noticed your child’s eyelids getting heavy during history lessons? History doesn’t have to be a doldrums of names and dates! In the on-demand recording “Teaching History around the World,” curriculum author and homeschool mother Sherrie Payne opens doors to an exciting view of historical facts—from Africa to Antarctica. You and your children of all grade levels will benefit from this fascinating and fun e-vent. Register now!

Don’t have an @home e-vent account? Follow these simple steps to register for an account and start signing up for our live and on-demand e-vents now!

• Go to www.hsldaathome.org and click the Login link
• On the next page, click the Register link
• Fill out the registration information, and you’re good to go!

If you have any questions, please visit the @home e-vent website or contact the @home e-vent team by emailingathome@hslda.org.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom- Never Give Up!

 

Have you ever been to the point where you wonder if your prayers are getting through? Do not lose faith or hope! Wait just a little longer because help is on the way!

Since we have been in Michigan we have been looking for a church to attend. God recently led us to a church which we love! In fact, the church had been praying for a pianist for six years and praying really hard for help with their music for the last few months!

God is awesome and HE does listen! God is using our family to help this church and this church to help our family! I was the church pianist in the church where I grew up for five years! My husband and I went to another church in 2003, and I basically have not played the piano since! A few weeks before we visited the church in Michigan, I had a dream they needed a pianist. I have also had dreams over the last nine years that I was playing the piano in a church, but did not know where it was. Anyway, I was NOT looking in any way to be a pianist again. However, God had other plans! While I am quite a bit rusty, God is blessing! We are looking forward to serving God in this church while we are living in Michigan! We are thankful God led us there and thankful the church did not give up!

God answers in his timing! He is wonderful! Keep the faith! Do not lose courage or heart! God is wonderful all the time!

Gluten Free Printable Coupon Round-Up!

 

• $2/1 any Applegate Hot Dog (Facebook) (Look for these marked down at Ingles! You may be able to get them free!)
• $1/1 Any Hansen Natural Soda (Facebook)
• $1.00 off (1) One NEW! Almond Plus
• $1/1 Hodgson Mill Pasta product
• $1/2 Food For Life Products
• $0.50/1 Any Food for Life Product

FREE Earth Fare Natural Ice Cream with $5 Purchase TODAY ONLY!

Be sure to check your text messages from Earth Fare! Today Only June 26, 2012, you can get a FREE Earth Fare Natural Ice Cream (48 oz.) with a $5 purchase. To sign up for Earth Fare Text Messages text EAT to 71700.

Other Things to Remember about Earth Fare:

• June Earth Fare Deals and Coupon Match-Ups
• Take the Boot Challenge- Replace your unhealthy food with healthy food!
• Earth Fare Printable Coupons
• Sign-Up for Weekly Freebies
• Thursday Kids Eat Free from 4-8pm with $5 adult meal purchase

Homeschool Freebies June 26, 2012

• 

• FREE Homeschool Daily Planner 2012-2013

• 21 Sites Offering Free Homeschool Planning and Organizing Printable Forms

• Free Homeschool Forms and Planners

• Free Downloadable Homeschool Planners

• Free Homeschool Planner and Organizer

• Donna Young's Homeschool Planners & How to Plan

• Homeschool Skedtrack (Free online lesson planner, scheduler, and tracking system rolled into one

Beginning Homeschool- Keeping Records

Keeping records does not have to be complex. In fact, in some states and with some umbrella schools, you can get by with just keeping attendance for the lower grades! A simple spread sheet created on your computer should be easy enough. Be sure to check out your state’s requirements as well as your umbrella schools requirements. For my umbrella school, I have to send grades in once per semester and they are to be letter grades such as A, B, C, D, F. The children must attend a total of 180 days during a calendar year (August 1-July 31). My children keep folders with their work for the semester. Their grades come from here. I keep attendance using my planner and calendar as to what days we actually “had school.” I was more thorough at one time, but I realized I no longer have to be at this level of school. However, I will be more thorough during the high school grades. Other ways to keep attendance are attendance charts with stars or stickers for each day they are there. You can also keep a grade and attendance book. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be!

Be sure to check out my post later today with lots of great freebies for homeschool planning and organization!

40% off at Bulk Herb Store

Save 40% on the Making Babies Series and Making Herbs Simple Volumes 1&@ at Bulk Herb Store!

Also, save with other Deals below good for June Only!

Please see my disclosure policy as this link is an affiliate link. Thank you!

Up to 80% off at Vision Forum!

Save up to 80% on over 250 items at Vision Forum from Now through June 29th!

 

Please see my disclosure policy as this link is an affiliate link. Thank you!

Free Paragraph Train from Currclick

This week’s currclick freebie is Paragraph Train by Teaching with TLC.

Blog of the Week- Bargains to Bounty

This week I am highlighting Bargains to Bounty for the Blog of the Week. It is one of the few deal blogs I have found so far for the area of Michigan where we are currently residing. She has deal match-ups for Kroger, Meijer, Aldi’s and more. One of my favorite posts is the Yard Sale post where her readers can post their yard sales on her blog for free advertising!

Monday Menu from The Farm

Monday

• Breakfast- Oatmeal made with goat milk instead of water
• Lunch- Cheese, Apples, Nuts
• Supper- Meatloaf, Gourmet Potatoes, Green Beans, Homemade Goat Milk Ice Cream

Tuesday

• Breakfast- Eggs, Tennessee Fry Bread
• Lunch- Cheese Tortillas
• Supper- Leftovers from Monday

Wednesday

• Breakfast- Mango Kiwi Smoothies
• Lunch- Swiss Chard with Egg Salad
• Supper- Baked Lemon Haddock, Rice Pilaf, Greens

Thursday

• Breakfast- Egg and Veggie Scramble, Plums
• Lunch- Celery and Peanut Butter or Homemade Goat Milk Cream Cheese
• Supper- Roast, Mashed Turnips, Green Beans

Friday

• Breakfast- Children’s Choice
• Lunch- Leftover Roast Beef Sandwiches or salads
• Supper- Leftover Quiche

Saturday

• Breakfast- Apple Sauce Oatmeal Muffins, Bacon
• Lunch- Apple Walnut Turkey Salad
• Supper- Leftovers/Snacks

Sunday

• Leftovers from Week

Articles Worth Reading/Watching

• Only Government Can Deliver Babies (A must see for Homebirthers and Homeschoolers or those who prefer to go against the grain of the main stream!)
• General Mills Company Adopts ‘Gay marriage’ (Yet, another strike against them in my opinion. They are officially banned in our house hold! Includes Gluten Free Rice Chex, Cascadian Farms Organic, Muir Glen, and Lara Bars to name a few.)
• Top Companies that support Gay Rights (Be sure to read the comments section)
• How to Be A Cleaning Tornado
• 8 Foods You Should Always Buy at The Farmer’s Market
• The Most Important Fruits to Buy Organic: Strawberries
• Brain Booster Tea
• 5 Tips to Stay Safe at The Grill
• Stolen Freedoms Regained in Stunning Blow to State Lawmakers
• How to Make and Can Homemade Pizza Sauce
• Is Your Grocery List Toxic
• The Worst Cleansers in America

• Parents of Boy Seized by State Hopeful after Favorable Court Ruling

• 6 Shocking Facts About Your Dinner

 

How to Clean with Children Part 4- Bathroom

One of my least favorite rooms to clean is the bathroom especially the boys’ bathroom. I am not sure why or how it gets so gross. However, my children have lots of fun cleaning the bathroom! Most of the fun comes from the homemade cleansers! There is not much else to cleaning it other than taking out the trash, picking up dirty clothes, putting other things away, etc.

For the Toilet:

1/2 cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

a few drops favorite essential oil(s)

Pour baking powder into toilet, pour vinegar and essential oils on top. Prepare for chemical reaction which my children LOVE! Use toilet brush to scrub. Let set for a while and scrub again or flush immediately!

For the Shower/Sink:

1 cup baking soda

10 drops essential oils (tea tree oil will help prevent mold and mildew)

Mix well. Use a microfiber cloth and scrub shower with the mixture.

To Unclog drains:

Baking soda

Vinegar

Hot water

Pour baking soda into sink (remove all standing water and anything large which is on the surface blocking the pipe). Pour Vinegar on top. Allow to set for an hour and pour scalding hot water down drain.

All Purpose Cleanser:

A few drops clear dish washing liquid such as Seventh Generation Free and Clear

10 drops essential oils

Water

Spray onto commode seat, sink counter, etc. and wipe off as you would any other spray cleaner.

For an all-purpose deodorizing room spray:

Water

Essential Oils (such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus, lavender, etc.)

Mix together in a spray bottle. Spray/mist over room.

My children absolutely LOVE making their own cleansers and especially love cleaning the toilet! They know they have to clean the floor of dirty clothes and put other things away first. Then, they get to have fun. Baking soda and Vinegar are relatively inexpensive, so I will let them experiment with it and cleaning from time to time which they really love!

Other things we use to clean the bathroom:

• Shampoo which is old or made of ingredients we do not like to use on our body (free sample shampoos work perfectly)

Shampoo is great to add to the toilet cleanser! Not only do you have the reaction from the baking soda and vinegar, but the shampoo will add bubbles which makes it even more fun!

Shampoo also works well to scrub the shower. Just place a little on a microfiber cloth. Scrub the shower and either rinse off or wipe off with a damp rag.

• Essential oils and Hot water

Essential oils and hot water also work great for cleaning mirrors, disinfecting sinks and toilets, mopping the floor, and general all-purpose cleaning. Just add a few drops to a spray bottle full of water and have fun!

• Baby wipes

I do not like to use them because they are not reusable, but sometimes there are messes (such as poop) where we want to dispose of it and not worry about washing things out. Baby wipes are perfect for wiping up messes you just do not want to deal with, but need something wet to thoroughly clean!

Congratulations to Envelope of Coupon Winners!

The winners for an Envelope of Coupons have been selected! I used Random.org to choose the winners. They are below. I have contacted each winner who has 24 hours to respond, or I will choose another winner. Thanks to all who entered!

Shannon F.

Savannah (1987)

kport207

Friday Freebies from The Farm

From the Mailbox:

• Nursery Tag and $0.55/12One Gallon Bottles, One 2.5 Gallon bottle, or One Multi Pack of Nursery Purified Water (Tags are given out everyday after 12pm EST)
• Nordic Naturals Sample and $2/1 coupon and Mercury Level in Fish Card
• Free Everyday Food Magazine (won a subscription)
• Free Tully’s Coffee Samples and $1/1 Coupon
• $1/1 Bounty Coupon

Not Pictured:

• Free Nathan’s Hot Dogs Coupon up to $5.99 (already used)
• Free Woman’s Day Issue (Won a free subscription a long time ago and have kept getting it free when there is a link to subscribe)
• Free All You Issue (Won a subscription a couple of years ago, it’s about to expire.)

From the Garden/Farm:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Lettuce
• New Potatoes

Freebie Friday from The Freebie Blogger

        Happy Friday, Everyone! Enjoy another great list of freebies below from Wendi at The Freebie Blogger. Remember you can visit her blog everyday for more great freebies.                                                              
                                                                     
                                             
Free After Rebate: Security Software



Free Kids Workshop at Apple Stores



Free Specialty Wall Potrait at Sears



Free Burger or Dessert at Champps



Free Nivea Lip Care Product



Free Animals Don’t Smoke Action Pack



Free Jeweled Pendant



Free Road & Track Magazine Subscription



Free Tape Measure



Free Foot Issues Coloring Book



Free Depend Incontinence Product Sample

Apple Carrot Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 large carrots, shredded
• 2 tart apples, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1 tbs. Dijon or spicy mustard
• 1/2 tsp. salt (may need a little more or less depending on taste)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Serve immediately or chill first.

Frugally Farming Family Loves

• Doortodoororganics.com- I just discovered this place which brings local and organic produce, meats, dairy, and more to our door in Michigan! Awesome!
• Friendly cashiers who have ties to the South!
• Roses blooming in the flower bed.
• Finding a church to serve which is close to our house in Michigan and similar to our church at home in Tennessee!
• All of my readers! Thank you!

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

Have you joined Swagbucks? If you haven’t you should! Swagbucks is a search engine where you earn points to redeem for prizes! Some of the prizes include store and restaurant gift cards as well as clothing, toys and much more. You can even get Pay Pal cash!
I have been using Swagbucks for two years now, and I am hooked! If I am going to be searching the internet anyway, why should I not be rewarded? I have purchased many things including groceries, toys, apparel, and much more all for FREE using Swagbucks.
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Coupon Preview for June 24, 2012

The Sunday Coupon Preview is an awesome source to let me know if I want to purchase a Sunday paper or not as we do not subscribe to the local papers. Each week, there is a list of all the coupons in the upcoming Sunday paper! I love this resource. My tip is to only purchase the paper if there are enough coupons within it to pay for itself! This week there are inserts for Red Plum and Smart Source.

 

Please see my disclosure policy as this link is an affiliate link. Thank you!

Thrifty Thursday- Creative Gifts

 

 

We have been reusing LOTS of things around our house lately in an effort to not only recycle, but to save money and be creative and thrifty!

Above is a picture of a gift my daughter made for her cousin who just turned 7. It is a jigsaw puzzle made out of an old calendar picture.

Materials Needed:

• A wall calendar page
• Piece of cardboard same size as calendar page
• a can with resealable lid to hold puzzle pieces
• craft knife
• cutting mat or folded newspaper
• spray adhesive
• 2 fabrics covered can and top of lid
• lightweight fusible interfacing
• small picture cut from back of calendar to match puzzle picture (if available)
• small toy to match theme of calendar
• short length of narrow wooden dowel
• curling ribbon
• white and 2 colors of paper
• felt tip pen
• pinking shears
• craft glue
• hot glue gun and glue sticks

To make puzzle: Cut desired page from claendar. Use spray adhesive to glue page to cardboard. Use a pencil to draw shapes for puzzle pieces on back of cardboard (pieces must be small enough to fit into can).

To decorate can: Remove lid from can. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse interfacing to wrong sides of fabrics. Measure around can and add 1/2”. Measure height of can. Cut a piece of fabric the determined measurements. Overlapping short edges at back, use craft glue to glue fabric to can. Draw around lid on second fabric. Cutting just inside drawn shape, use pinking shears to cut shape from fabric. Use craft glue to glue fabric shape to top of lid. Use craft glue to glue small calendar picture to 1 piece of colored paper. Trim paper to 1/4” from edges of picture. Hot glue picture to front of can.

For sign: Cut a small piece of white paper. Use pen to write desired greeting on paper piece. Use craft glue to glue white paper piece to second colored paper piece. Trim colored paper to 1/4” from edges of white paper. Hot glue sign to 1 end of dowel. Tie several ribbon lengths into a bow; curl ends. Arrange toy, sign, and bow on lid; hot glue to secure.

 

The picture above is one of the presents we gave my husband on Father’s Day. The children saw these bouquets in Kroger which had nuts in a vase and energy bars as the flowers. They were $24.99 each! I told them we could make our own for way less than that! We already had everything but the bars. We usually do not purchase these particular brands due to the soy ingredients, but they were on sale and I had a coupon and before we eliminated soy, they were some of my husband’s favorite bars, so we got them! It cost us about $2 to make this entire arrangement!

Materials needed:

Vase or other container (I used a 1/2 gallon mason jar)

Peanuts, pistachios, etc.

Tissue paper

Floral Foam

Dowel sticks

Energy Bars, Candy Bars, etc.

Tape

Instructions:

Fill clean jar with nuts to almost the top. Cut floral foam to fit into jar, but still hold firm in it. Cover it with small piece of tissue paper. Place foam in middle of two sheets of tissue paper. Insert foam into jar with tissue paper splayed out over rim of jar. Tape bars to dowel sticks and arrange in floral foam.

 

Below is a picture of what a friend of mine received from his wife and children for father’s day! Really cool idea!

HSLDA @home eVents

Foundations for Fathers

Upcoming Live E-vents:

• How to Homeschool in Oregon (Rescheduled)—HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt
• I’m from the Government, and I’m Here to Give You Money … Maybe—HSLDA Staff Attorney Darren Jones

Featured On-Demand E-vents:

• The Supportive Homeschool Dad: How to Have Presence in Your Absence—Derek Carter
• Confessions of a Homeschool Dad: Homeschooling for Heaven, not Harvard—HSLDA Senior Counsel Jim

Thursday, June 21, @ 4:00 p.m. (ET)—“How to Homeschool in Oregon” (Rescheduled)

Tj Schmidt

Due to technical difficulties, this e-vent has been rescheduled for Thursday, June 21, @ 4:00 p.m.This is a great opportunity if you weren’t able to sign up for the original e-vent and if you would like to hear an informative and engaging presentation on Oregon homeschool law and current issues in the state. If you have already registered, you have been automatically signed up for this session. Click here to register if you haven’t already!

Thursday, June 28, @ 3:30 p.m. (ET)—“I’m from the Government, and I’m Here to Give You Money … Maybe”

Darren Jones

An e-vent packed with benefits!

Many parents choose to homeschool their children despite their own personal setbacks—be it job loss, disabilities, or otherwise. Along with these obstacles, however, parents can also have their benefits withheld based solely on their choice to homeschool. Are you or is someone you know facing these challenges? HSLDA Staff Attorney Darren Jones will show ways to assure that you receive the assistance you need in this free, members-only e-vent “I’m from the Government, and I’m Here to Give You Money … Maybe.” Darren will also show how HSLDA monitors legislation for your protection and how you can do the same. Sign up today!

On Demand—“The Supportive Homeschool Dad: How to Have Presence in Your Absence”

Derek Carter

Exercise your leadership from afar!

Is a seat in first-class more familiar than the easy chair in your family room? The demands of your job might take you to places far and wide, making it difficult to stay connected with your kids. Find out how to stay involved in the on-demand recording “The Supportive Homeschool Dad—How to Have Presence in Your Absence” with Derek Carter. Derek has worked with many fast-paced families as well as personally experienced this hectic lifestyle. He has several tips for how fathers can still have a deep influence in the family. Sign up for this great recording today!

On Demand—“Confessions of a Homeschool Dad: Homeschooling for Heaven, not Harvard”

Jim Mason

Love them for who they are, not who you want them to be.

Where do you want your children to find their value—in their athletic, academic, or artistic success? Or should their value be found in the eyes of God? In the on-demand recording“Confessions of a Homeschool Dad: Homeschooling for Heaven, not Harvard,”HSLDA Senior Counsel Jim Mason shares his story of how he refocused his goal as a homeschool father from pushing his children toward success to guiding their hearts to Christ. Jim gives simple yet profound lessons he has learned to help homeschooling dads everywhere pass on divine wisdom.Register now!

Don’t have an @home e-vent account? Follow these simple steps to register for an account and start signing up for our live and on-demand e-vents now!

• Go to www.hsldaathome.org and click the Login link
• On the next page, click the Register link
• Fill out the registration information, and you’re good to go!

If you have any questions, please visit the @home e-vent website or contact the @home e-vent team by emailingathome@hslda.org.

Free Peaches with $5 Purchase at Earth Fare

Sign-in or sign-up to get one pound of peaches free with $5 purchase at Earth Fare!

Other Things to Remember about Earth Fare:

• June Earth Fare Deals and Coupon Match-Ups
• Take the Boot Challenge- Replace your unhealthy food with healthy food!
• Earth Fare Printable Coupons
• Sign-Up for Weekly Freebies
• Thursday Kids Eat Free from 4-8pm with $5 adult meal purchase

Gluten Free Fried Okra Recipe

One of my absolute FAVORITE things to eat is Fried Okra! I do not eat a lot of fried foods, but okra is one I love and is a necessity! I have ONE package of okra left in the freezer from our garden last year! It is already breaded with blue corn meal which we grew the corn in our garden, then ground it into the meal. Anyway, below are two ways I fix okra including using the oven and then, it is not really as bad as the fried! Don’t forget to serve it with Cottage Cheese! YUM! My absolute favorite foods even when I am not pregnant!

Skillet Fried Okra

You will need a cast iron skillet with a lid for the best tasting fried okra!

Ingredients:

Okra, washed, dried, and sliced

Corn meal (I use blue corn meal)

Salt

Pepper

Oil and/or bacon grease

Directions:

Heat a layer of oil which just covers bottom of cast iron skillet on medium low high. In the meantime, Place okra in large bowl add cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Bread with your hands and toss to coat evenly. Not all of the cornmeal will stick. Which is okay. Once oil is hot, add okra by handfuls. Leave extra breading in bowl, you will use it later. Cook okra for 1-2 minutes, then turn. Sprinkle with remaining breading. Turn down to low and cover. Allow to cook for 10-15 minutes before turning again. You will want to check to make sure it is not burning and turn before the 10-15 minutes if needed. You may also need to add more oil or bacon grease if needed. I usually add at least a tbs. of bacon grease at some point for flavor. Continue turning and covering with lid until okra is tender and the cornmeal has turned brown! Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Cottage Cheese!

 

Oven Fried Okra

You will need a cast iron skillet with a lid for the best tasting fried okra!

Ingredients:

Okra, washed, dried, and sliced

Corn meal (I use blue corn meal)

Salt

Pepper

Oil and/or bacon grease

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In the meantime, Place okra in large bowl add cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Bread with your hands and toss to coat evenly. Not all of the cornmeal will stick. Which is okay. Add just enough oil to lightly cover bottom of cast iron skillet. Pour the breaded okra evenly into oiled skillet. Bake at 350 degrees turning every 10-15 minutes until okra is tender and breading has lightly browned! Salt and pepper to taste! Serve with cottage cheese!

Gluten Free Printable Coupon Round-Up

Be sure to read ALL labels before purchasing!

• $0.55/1 Sargento Cheese Coupon
• $0.55/1 Hormel Chili Products
• $0.50 off Newman's Own Salad Dressing
• $1/1 Filipio Berio Olive Oil
• $0.50/1 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk
• SAVE $1.00 on any TWO (2) Alexia® Frozen Items (any variety)
• 55¢ off when you buy any ONE 4-pack of Stonyfield YoKids Greek Organic Yogurt (Product may not be available at all stores.)

 

Please see my disclosure policy as there are a few affiliate links. Thank you!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom- Do Not Compromise!

There are so many things going on in the world today. People and companies keep compromising their values whether it be in support of GMO crops or in support of Homosexual Rights or a host of other things. I am tired of them trying to pull everyone into their mindset. I know what I believe and I plan to stick with it and NOT to compromise! While staying steadfast in my faith, I also feel I have to stop depending on these companies who support the very things which I am so strongly against. However, just this week, I read a list of those companies who are supporting the things I am against. I deducted it is going to be more difficult than I thought to boycott ALL of those companies on the list! Google is on the list. I use Google for this blog as well as my email. Motorola is on the list which is the cell phone I use. General Mills, Shell Oil, Dell, Microsoft, Target, JC Penny are also on this list not to mention many, many others. To boycott all of the ones on the list I would have to go live off the grid somewhere without a computer, a car, or a cell phone. I would have to raise my own food and live off the land. Actually, it does not sound so bad! It is really one of our goals to be totally self sufficient and depend on the labor of our hands and the blessings of God to provide all our food. Unfortunately, as of this moment, it is not currently in God’s plan. So, I ask, “What can I do to make sure my money I contribute to these companies is NOT going to where I do not want it to go?”

• Start Small

I am starting small with boycotting. I can stop using General Mills, Target, and JC Penny. In fact, I have been for several months. General Mills has double against them and HAS to go in my book! They are also owned by a company which partners with Monsanto and you who have read my blog at all KNOW how much I do not approve of Monsanto!

• Do not begin using any on the list I do not already use.

Nike is on the list so are Nordstrom, MetLife, and MasterCard. I do not use these and of the four have only used Nike in the past when I played sports in school.

• Do not continue to purchase from the companies on the list.

I already have a Dell computer which uses Microsoft on it. I also have a Motorola phone. I can choose a different computer next time I need a new one, however, I cannot guarantee it will have something besides Microsoft on it! I can get a different brand of phone next time I need an upgrade.

• Figure out all the brands included in each company.

To fully boycott General Mills, I can no longer purchase Cascadian Farms, Muir Glen, or Lara Bars as they are all products of General Mills not to mention MANY others! Same goes for Pepsi and Coca-Cola which are also on the list! I am going to try my best to NOT post any deals, coupons, etc., in support of these companies; however, I am human and I am sure I will make a mistake especially with the larger companies which are comprised of so many different brands!

To fully boycott ALL of these companies is going to take some work. Therefore, I have an alternative to boycotting!

• Stand Firm and DO NOT COMPROMISE!

Stand Firm in what you believe! Just because these companies support such immorality does not mean you have to support it as well. Yes, boycotting them would be best, but there are other things you can do as well.

• Write the Companies!

I plan to email these companies and let them know how I feel. I will especially point out I am a blogger and plan to let the world know where they stand on issues. After all, they are here to please the customers. Sure, I am just ONE person, but God has often used the small in Number or stature to work for HIM with success!

• Look for other sources.

I will not be able to boycott everything right away. However, I can begin (and already have) looking for other sources or methods which hold the same values as me. It may mean I will stop blogging and using the computer and a cell phone all together one of these days. However, I feel right now, I can use these things to my benefit and to express how I feel. Google Blogger may shut me down. They do not really like me anyway as they already turned off my Google Ad Sense last fall for no just reason in my opinion (at least they could not give me a just reason).

• PRAY!

Pray for everyone! Pray for God to show HIMSELF in their life and do a mighty work! One day every knee shall bow before HIM whether they want to believe it or not!

 

I realize this post is probably going to offend many. However, I am adamant at standing steadfast in my faith and unmovable! I am also the first to admit when I am wrong. I am not a hateful, unloving person. I have many friends and some relatives who support GMO and.or who are homosexual. I believe we are to love everyone unconditionally. I do love them and I pray for them. However, those who know me, know I do not support them in their lifestyle. As far as the GMO issue goes, my friends, family, and colleagues have agreed to disagree. With the homosexual issue, I have had a friend who has admitted she knows what she is doing is wrong, but she is happier than she has ever been in her life and has no plans to change. I have reminded her there is pleasure in sin for a season. She says she knows and she plans on enjoying it while she can! She is the daughter of a deacon in a Baptist church. On the GMO note, I have actually made people at least think about where they stand and consider no longer supporting the GMO part of Agriculture. Being an Agriculture major, a farmer and gardener, with a brother who still teaches AG in school keeps me involved in the Agriculture Community. I am a minority not in gender, but in the values I hold.

I teach my children to LOVE everyone! We do not have to like what they do or do the things they do, but we are to love them and treat them kindly! Just this past week at church there were some children teasing a little boy about being black. Coming from rural South East TN, my children have not been around black children very often. However, they are surrounded by them here in Michigan. Anyway, I was proud of my oldest three children. They told the other children to stop teasing the boy! God loves HIM too and the only difference in us was the color of our skin which really did not make a difference in God’s eyes! The bullies said he knew they were just kidding, but my children said it did not matter because you did not need to have fun at another person’s expense! I was so very proud of them!

I encourage you to pray and seek God’s will for your life! One thing HE does command us to do is to Love Our Neighbor! It is possible to LOVE one another while still standing firm and steadfast in your faith!

Get 22 Free Patterns from Accuquilt

 

Get 22 Free patterns when you sign up for Accuquilt Email!

Beginning Homeschool- Planning

Planning your homeschool for the year can be quite a challenge especially if you are teaching several grades, but it does not have to be! Below are some of my suggestions for planning your homeschool year!

• Take it one step at a time.

Do not try to plan every day for your entire year! Just try a week or two at first as you do not want to be overwhelmed if you cannot keep to your schedule!

• Check Your State Requirements

Each state differs for requirements of how many days per semester, how many hours per day, etc. Check your requirements for your state as well as your umbrella school.

For TN, we need 180 days per calendar year which is from August 1 to July 31. Also, 4 hours per day. I usually begin the first week in August or the Tuesday after Labor Day and try my best to be finished by the time we begin heavily into our garden in late April or early May. However, we will be in Michigan this year for almost the entire school year. There are not really any requirements in Michigan. Since my baby is due in mid-August, and gardening begins so late in Michigan, I have opted to officially begin school for the 2012-2013 year the Tuesday after Labor Day. Unless there are holidays, we will “have school” Monday-Friday with any field trips which can be educational taken on the weekends also to be counted as our school.

• Pick a Theme.

Each year I pick a theme which all of our lessons will revolve around. It is easy to do because I pick my own curriculum and do not use one particular set, but choose from many which I like as well as use other things to make sure the children are learning the competencies required by the state for their grade or age level. Last year our theme was “What Is Your Legacy?” We discussed the legacies left by various people throughout history. These legacies were not always good ones either! The year before our theme was “Patriotism.” I have not chosen a theme for the 2012-2013 school year at this time.

• Decide which subjects you can teach across the grades.

There are many things you can do as an entire group in what are called “Unit Studies.” There are plenty of free Unit Study lesson plans online. Some of the subjects I teach basically the same throughout all the grades or age levels are Bible/Character, History, Music (non-instrument specific), Art, P.E., and Science. There are days when we can still do some other activities together in Math and Reading as well.

• Decide the remaining subjects to teach.

Depending on the age level and requirements of your state or umbrella school, your subjects can vary greatly. If you have a high school student I suggest determining what he/she is going to take and teaching like subjects to your younger children.

• Remember to include things your children enjoy.

I know the things my children love to study. I try to incorporate as many of those things as I can to make up for the things such as English Grammar which they do not enjoy learning as much. Include games, field trips, arts, crafts, and more!

• Choose a Planner for You or Make Your Own.

I have a few planners I have been using which someone gave me. I also use scrap paper to write down each day what the daily objectives are for each child. They get the drift pretty soon and know within a week what is expected. There are TONS of free Educational Planners out there! Homeschool Mom has great planners on her website as does Chart Jungle. Next weeks homeschool freebies will feature freebies for organizing your homeschool! Remember you can find almost any type of printable you desire on line for FREE! Just search for it!

• Realize you CANNOT teach EVERYTHING!

It is often difficult to cover ALL the material you desire in one semester or sometimes even in one day. Teach what you can while not pressuring your child! You may find what you plan for one day that you actually need a week to cover. Then again, you may have planned a week for something and find you cover it thoroughly  in a day or less! I know I have in the past! If you need to, break the subjects up by days. For instance Reading, Spelling, History, and English on M,W and Science and Math on T, Th, with arts and crafts on Friday, devotions every day and PE everyday. These are just some suggestions which I have tried in the past. However, I have found my younger ones do better if they trouble subject is done consistently every day! I have one who struggles in Math, so he does Math EVERY DAY! Another who struggles with reading so he does Reading EVERY DAY (including the summers for both of them!).

• Make a basic outline for your daily routine.

If you do not have a daily routine, try to make one. I will have a separate post in the future of our daily schedule and routine for both the school and summer months. Children thrive on consistency! I do not suggest saying, “At 10 am until 10:30 am Monday-Friday we will have our spelling lesson.” I cannot schedule like that because there is always something which will happen. Things such as the goats and chickens getting out, an important phone call emergency, a big messy poopy from the baby or another mess one of the others has made which will need to be cleaned immediately!

• Have activities for the younger ones planned so they also feel included.

You can have coloring pages, legos, play dough, or something else to include them.

• Take one step at a time.

Yes, I am repeating myself. Be patient with yourself! There is NOT a perfect schedule! Learn to be flexible! You may find you often have to change your schedule to adapt to what is going on with your family. It’s ok! Just make the changes and keep going! No big deal!

 

More next week!