Lighten Up as you Light The Night on October 31st

Treat Basket with 300+  items from the Shopping List 

below all for just $11

Ding Dong! Knock! Knock! It's Trick or Treat time!  Candy, Candy and more CANDY!!  But who says that TREAT = CANDY? Technically, a treat is really any source of pleasure or special enjoyment.  While candy is quite a delight, our dental hygenists, immune system and waist lines are more likely to put it in the trick category. 

But, did you know that there are ways you lighten up on the sugary treats as you Light the Night when you adopt a less is more attitude.  Check out my $11 treat basket with 300+ items. Now candy is cheap because sugar and high fructose corn syrup are subsidized commodities so you can give out fist fulls.  But if you share a couple of these trick-free treats you’re sure to get the same cheery faces and perhaps an even bigger smile when they see what they got. Best of all, it still works on a tight budget.

Top 15 Super Fun, Budget Friendly, Sugar-Free Treats Shopping List:

1. 20 Army Men                            $0.97
2. 12 Metallic Pencils                  $1.00
3. 50 Jumbo Play Money            $1.00
4. 9 Bottles Bubbles                    $1.00
5. 7 Mini Raisin Boxes                $1.00
6. 12 Reward Erasers                 $1.00
7. 8 Flutes                                     $0.97
8. 8 Mini Pots of Dough               $1.00
9. 35 Doggie Tattoos                   $1.00
10.  6 Toy Story Tissues                $1.00
11.  1000 Sticker Set                      $1.00
12.  10 Glow Braclets                       $0.97
13.  6 Bananas                                $1.00
14.  8 Glow Animal Shapes           $1.00
15. 10 Tracing Strips                       $0.97

BONUS Pack: 48 Sports Party Favors  $6.47  (apprx. 8 for $1.00)

  

Now the reality is that when you go out to Light up the Night, you will bring home some candy.  So here’s what you can do:

• Portion out a couple of days worth for the kiddos (both small and big J )
• Store or donate the rest of the candy.  Just make it disappear somehow so that we don't form lasting candy habits that eat away (no pun intended) at our healthy lifestyle!  

WARNING: Don't Leave the Pumpkin On the Porch

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie makes a healthy high-energy
breakfast.  More ideas for pumpkin all-day below.

What’s a great pizza topper, sandwich filler, lasagna layer and can cost as little at $0.29/pound? Weighing anywhere from a few ounces to over a ton this gourd makes  lip-smacking seasonal treats. But did you know that it’s one of the most affordable ways to stay healthy this fall? Here are three reasons why you need to bring that pumpkin in from the front porch:

1) Pumpkins are packed with Vitamins, Minerals and immune boosting antioxidants like alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which make it orange, protect our eyes, maintain our skin, and aid in cancer prevention. It’s got high amounts of essential Vitamins and minerals A, B, C and E, and magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron.

2) Pumpkins are High in fiber;one cup of pumpkin meat contains 3 grams of dietary fiber, which the body uses to control blood sugar, lower bad cholesterol and aid in weight loss. AND it keeps you regular J

3) Pumpkin is Low in calories (and fat):pumpkin is naturally low in fat and calories (½ cup contains only 40 calories), making pumpkin a healthy snack (and probably a healthier pie option too -  now, I'm not trying to say pumpkin pie is healthy, but a better choice).

So we all know pumpkin makes a great pie, here are a few ideas for using that power packed pumpkin any time of the day:

• BREAKFAST: Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
quick tasty and easy. Just need ice, yogurt, milk, pureed pumpkin, frozen banana, pumpkin spice and sweetener like stevia, raw agave or maple syrup and you will a yumtastic healthy morning.
• LUNCH: Pumpkin Soup
cumin, coriander and cinnamon, are the key spices to a pumpkin soup where the only other ingredients are a can of pumpkin, vegetable broth, garlic and onion  and pair it with a Pumpkin Salad Toss spinach and roasted pumpkin together, then add a few pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries and goat cheese.
• DINNER: Roasted Pumpkin
cube the pumpkin and toss with olive oil, garlic, parsley and coarse salt and roast in the oven or pumpkin Lasagna It’s your same lasagna recipe, just Mix the ricotta or cottage cheese with pumpkin puree then a layer of the pumpkin mixture
• SNACK: Toasted Pumpkin Seeds –
don’t throw them out when you carve your pumpkin; just spray a pan with cooking spray, spread a thin layer of pumpkin seeds and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or sea salt and toast…keep a close eye because they cook quickly
• DESSERT: Pumpkin Pudding
an easy way to fortify vanilla pudding mix, just add a can of pumpkin, a teaspoon of pumpkin spice and cut the milk in half and you’ve got a seasonal treat that’s a much healthier version of pudding. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg of the things you can do with pumpkin so take

advantage of this cheap and easy way to make almost any dish more healthy and tasty! 

But, remember when you buy prepared pumpkin products not all product are created
equally healthy.   Just because it's a pumpkin donut or pumpkin ice cream does NOT mean 
it's healthy. Otherwise, Bon a petit!

Look Better In Just 10 DAYS: Healthier You & Fatter Wallet

What if I told you that I have a plan that can have you looking and feeling better in just ten (10) days AND it saves you money.  Would you want to try it? 

This Southwest Salad is an example
 of a Daniel Fast lunch.
More ideas are below.

Good! Here it is:  The Daniel Fast and it’s found right in the Bible in Daniel 1.  This passage is the account of Daniel leading Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego) in a vegetable fast because he wanted to be at his best physically, mentally and spiritually as he prepared to enter the king’s service.  The king’s assistant didn’t buy it and was afraid they’d wind up with no meat on their bones (pun intended J).  Yet the exact opposite happened.  The Bible says “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food." - Daniel 1:15

It doesn’t get much more practical than this.  If you want to look good, feel good, be sharper mentally and ready for your next big job or assignment, then try following Daniel’s example. 

My husband and I have done it in the fall and spring for different reasons for several years.  But this year was extra special because our oldest two children volunteered to join in because we timed it to end on the 2^nd homecoming anniversary of our youngest.  They were super committed even trying to figure out the best choices at school and making sure we didn’t cut them any slack.  We were all praying to be fit to enter the King’s service, live out James 1:27 and thanking God for the blessing Joshua has been to each of us. 

So if you are wondering what we ate here’s the deal: vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds.  All foods with very low price points.  A day in the life looked like this:

• Breakfast – Baked Plantain, Apple Sauce & Raisins ~OR~ Sweet Potato Smoothie
• Lunch – Pumpkin Soup & Salad ~OR~ Southwest Salad
• Snacks – Celery, Carrots, cherry tomatoes and hummus ~OR~ and handful of Almonds
• Dinner – Spaghetti Squash with Marinara and Canelli Beans and Steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower ~OR~ Vegetable Chili garnished with sliced roasted potatoes and Hummus
• Dessert – Frozen Bananas & Grapes  ~OR~ Sliced Apples and Sunbutter

                             Scrumptious!

Spaghetti Squash, Marinara Sauce Canelli Beans 
with Steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower

There are tons of websites and even a few books with plans for a 10, 21, or longer fasting period with various menus that may include grains and some even fish.  You can mix it up with a vegetable only day or fruit only day.  When you add fasting from media every evening you give yourself even more time for reflection. The point is NOT the food. It’s the Spiritual focus. 

If 10 days is too much, then why not pick one (1) day to try it or try 10 days eating like Daniel for one meal a day.  It could only help!

11 Nutritious Back To School Foods to Fuel the Brain & Body for about $3

Who says it costs too much to eat healthy when you have a family of hungry growing children and teens, or you’re living on a college student budget? GOOD NEWS! There are tasty, cheap, healthy food choices that can fuel your body and mind for a great new school year. Many of these foods cost less than $3.00 per package and make 5-15 servings. Prices may vary based on location and the season.  This is a list of staples to keep in your kitchen the entire school year.

1.    Old Fashion Oatmeal

§  Uses = hot cereal, Muesli cold cereal (oats, raisins, sunflower seeds or nuts and honey), add to muffin mix, sprinkle on yogurt, toast for granola

§  Serving Size = ½ cup dry oats

§  Price = 42oz  $2.99

2.   Frozen or Fresh Vegetables

§  Uses =side dish to fill half plate, in soups, stews, pasta, stir fry & casseroles

§  Serving Size = 1 cup

§  Price = 14oz frozen broccoli $1.79 or med head of cabbage $1.18

3.   Brown Rice

§  Uses = hot cereal, fried rice, with lentils, in soup, stews, casseroles & burritos

§  Serving Size = ¼ cup

§  Price = 32oz bag $1.29

4.   100% Whole Wheat Bread

§  Uses = toast, French toast, sandwiches, bread pudding

§  Serving Size = 2 slices

§  Price = $1.39

5.   Canned Beans or Dried Lentils

§  Uses = Burritos, side dish, in soups, chili, with rice, salad, makes dip

§  Serving Size = ½ cup

§  Price = 29oz  can black beans $1.66 & 10oz dry lentils $1.59

6.   Canned Wild Caught Salmon

§  Uses = with crackers, sandwiches, pasta, salad, pasta, casseroles, patties, wraps

§  Serving Size = 3 oz

§  Price = 15oz can $2.19

7.   Marinara Sauce

§  Uses =  spaghetti, tortilla/English muffin pizza, lasagna, chili

§  Serving Size = ½ cup

§  Price = 32oz jar $2.89

8.   Whole Wheat Tortilla (medium)

§  Uses = soft tacos, burritos, pizza, quesadillas, wraps, crepes

§  Serving Size = 1 tortilla

§  Price =  8 for $2.69

9.   Plain Fat Free Yogurt

§  Uses = with cereal, fruit and granola parfaits, smoothies and anything you’d use sour cream for

§  Serving Size = 1 cup or 6 – 8 oz

§  Price = 32oz container $2.89

10.   Whole wheat pasta

§  Uses = pasta dishes, macaroni & cheese, and pasta salads

§  Serving Size = 1 cup

§  Price = 12-16 oz box or bag $1.39

11.    Olive Oil

§  Uses = sauté, stir fry, salad dressing, baking, grilling

§  Serving Size = 1 tbs

§  Price = Cooking Spray $2.99 or 17oz $4.89 (I know it’s over $3, but it will last over 3 months even for a family of five (5) using it with healthy cooking daily.  It stays freshest when refrigerated.)

3 Tips For A Healthy Start to the New School Year

Get ready, get set and GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!  After a wonderful slower paced summer vacation, late nights watching the Olympics, getting back into the school routine may be a bit of a challenge.  But with this three (3) step game plan you will be set to win!

1.          PLAN AND PRIORITIZE

o   Download a free calendar and create a family calendar or purchase a large “dry erase” board and write down all school and extra curricular activities for the week or month.  This will help keep the entire family organized!

o   Mark busy days and plan meals that will work well on those days.

o   Call family & friends to make requests for any help you may need.

o   Get a spiral notebook for your child to journal their goals for the school year for everything from behavior and attitude to organization, study habits, extra vurrivular activities and grades.  Put dates to these goals and review them with your child weekly throughout the year.

2.         HEALTHY FOOD AND PROPER HYDRATION

o   Call a few family meetings to Discuss the connection between healthy eating and their ability to focus and concentrate and get good grades.

o   Set goals for healthy lifestyle  e.g. drinking more water (even at school like every time they pass the water fountain), walking, eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day or baking rather than frying foods.

o   Encourage your children to assist with the grocery shopping and making a weekly list.  Go to the store together and have them select the vegetables and put them in the shopping cart.   

3.         REST

o   Implement a set plan on how you intend to “settle down” for the night.  Try having your child read for 15 minutes or take a bath or listen to soft music to settle them down from summer’s late night fun in the sun.

o   Start mimicking your school’s schedule a couple of weeks before school starts.  That means getting the kids to bed early and seeing what time they naturally wake up on their own. 

o   A NOTE TO PARENTS:  This means you too.  Soon we will be headed to fall and we all should be getting to bed soon after the sun goes down.   Talk about refreshing.  YES – sleep works!

Next time we'll talk about an Affordably Healthy Back to School Nutritious Shopping List  to fuel the body and brain with out breaking the bank!

What Mom's REALLY Want for Mother's Day!

What do flowers, clothing and jewelry all have in common?  May not be what you think.

So hear me now Dads and kids Mother’s Day is SUNDAY and a recent poll suggests that almost half of you forget to honor Mom altogether. So we are here to help because another poll suggests that we’ve been getting it all wrong when it comes to gift ideas too.

Over the years the most popular gifts tend to repeat as flowers, clothing, jewelry, gift cards and accessories. These are nice and all, but not necessarily what Mom wants most.  So what do Moms really want? Survey after survey says mom's greatest wish is for a little R&R, ideally an entire day off from all responsibility.

In one poll, one out of three admitted that they secretly want to be alone on the holiday…that’d be me…Forty-eight percent of moms in another survey named a day at the spa as their number one gift choice…once again me…LOL. 

Simply put, if you want to make the mom in your life feel special then the best gift is affordable even in today’s economy and will keep her healthy: Rest is the real Reward!

Here is how you can pull it off affordably: 

• Make a coupon for her day off so she can choose when she wants to use it.  You might even have the kids make chore coupons for things they will do for Mom on Mother’s day or whenever she wants to redeem them.
• Next make your plans for things to do to keep the kids busy for Mom’s day off (e.g. park, zoo, museum, etc.).  Plan their meals and perhaps take paper and crayons and have an art time for them to make cards for Mom and grandma. 
• If you want to indulge Mom with a spa day there are ways to get more for less.  Groupon has tons of deals where you can get like a $235 spa deal for $79 or $78 deal for $39 so still well under $100 bucks.  And Moms do deserve it! 

Mother’s Day a Tough Time for you?

Now I still get to celebrate my awesome Mom and in fact she will be in town so we get to be together.  But I know for some Mother’s Day is a tough time.  Father’s day is tough for me because I lost my dad in 2008, so I can sort of relate.  Be encouraged, though because where there is grief there was love and that is something to be grateful for. Perhaps celebrate that love by writing a letter of appreciation to your lost loved one.  Now if you know someone grieving, offer to include them in your activities or give them space.   And if you know a single mom, take her kids for her.

Let’s make the most of what ever we have and serving our Moms or others can help us get there.

It's Not Easy Being Green

What do the  Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act all have in common?  Here's a hint, Friday I started my weekend by dropping off a trunk load full of old electronics to the ABC 13 E-Cycling Drive then I went to the recycling center to take our paper and cardboard and Saturday I did some cleaning with non-toxic products.  You've guessed it, April 22^nd is EARTH DAY! The day that gave birth to each of those environmental protection acts and is now the largest civic observance in the world. Earth Day is all about protecting and preserving the global environment for ourselves and our children. The theme this year is Mobilize the Earth™. 

So here are three things you can do to celebrate Earth Day:

• Do some Spring cleaning and participate in recycling or e-cycling events
• Make a pledge for the Billion Acts of Green: Plant a Garden. Bike to Work, Get an Energy Audit and do what it says, write your legislator about going green or eliminate toxic cleaning products and pesticides in your home.
• You can also sign the petition for Renewable Energy for All, asking  government to end fossil fuel subsidies, invest in renewable energy technology, improve energy efficiency, and make energy universally accessible. 

It’s can be easy being green when you make it a habit.  Not to mention the savings that can be found.  Because of Earth Day we take our bags to the store more times than not, we recycle most of our plastics, boxes, papers, glass, and metals on a regular basis and we finally planted a tree to replace the one we lost with Hurricane Ike in 2008 three and a half years ago! SO this year I think I am going to go for the energy audit!  What will you do? Visit www.earthday.org so you can join the celebration for a better today and tomorrow for our planet!