Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Friday Follow Along BLOGHOP & Giveaway



It's PARTY Time!

So grab a hand and follow the leader!
If you have a blog or website with any article pertaining to family, fitness, being cheap (I mean frugal), crafting, recipes, or is just plain fun.... 
  •  There are no real rules-except nothing x rated! 
  • Link up at least 1 post (max of 2) AND 1 social media site so we can all follow along!
  • Visit as many links as you can and leave comments! 
  • Its just like the game Follow the leaders (host &cohosts) and  follow at least the person ahead of you and behind you. Follow others via twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', etc 
  • Link back if you can and when!   Not required but appreciated!
  • If you have a blog hop today or this weekend...go ahead and link it up!  

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

All-Natural Bronzer DIY - chemical free

Okay...I have been wanting to try this for sometime and have seen a lot of versions on the internet..some look good and some look crazy, I finally broke down to try it! You see, In the past few months, I have made the switch to chemical free cosmetics and body care. I totally began realizing that my skin is a conductor not a barrier. Here I am working so hard to keep chemicals out then slathering them on my face and skin only to be absorbed! I even found out that there are certain chemicals found only in makeup that can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn child! Don't worry, I am not starting a rant about it but it did bring home the need for me to go chemical free. I began by buying organic and vegan items at the store but found  it was certainly not budget friendly!

Monday, August 26, 2013

All Natural- DIY Self Tanner & Bronzer

I hate to admit it but I am addicted to the tanning bed. For the record, I am not one of those people who goes 3 times a week but I do like to go once a week...set the timer for 15 minutes, plug in the headphones, and zone out. It is like therapy! Some say that it is because of the healthy dose of Vitamin K that the sunless bed's offer but even if that is true, I still worry about the harmful effects of the tanning bed. Don't worry...this is NOT that article.

Now, I know what you are all thinking-or at least those of you who have tried self tanners before are probably thinking the same thing. Most self tanners typically leave streaks and  are an ugly orange color. If you are watching the chemicals you put on your body...don't even turn over the bottle from the store. It is LOADED with chemicals!

This organic and all natural self tanning method is practically foolproof. I have tried a few others that were not foolproof! Now I will caution that this will not get you DARK but it will give you a healthy and radiant glow.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO DIY THIS AWESOME TANNER & BRONZER

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Friendly Bunch Blog Hop - Beauty Lovers Wanted!

I am so excited to be co-hosting the Friendly Bunch BLOGHOP this week with some amazing Beauty Bloggers like Nia from Cherryfashion Blog and Luchessa from Beauty Expression by Luchessa!

I guess you already know...I am not your typical beauty blogger....I focus on Green and Eco-Friendly beauty tricks and tips but these gals focus on ALL kinds of beauty.
 

Saturday, August 24, 2013

$15 Buca Di Beppo Coupon

GRAB IT WHILE IT IS HOT!!!




Grab a fast $15 off your net purchase at Buca di Beppo when you join the Buca e-club!!!!



Who doesn't love a great discount on some amazing pasta?! ENOUGH SAID!

Friday, August 23, 2013

The Friday Follow Along LINK-UP and GIVEAWAY!



It's PARTY Time!

So grab a hand and follow the leader!
If you have a blog or website with any article pertaining to family, fitness, being cheap (I mean frugal), crafting, recipes, or is just plain fun.... 
  •  There are no real rules-except nothing x rated! 
  • Link up at least 1 post (max of 2) AND 1 social media site so we can all follow along!
  • Visit as many links as you can and leave comments! 
  • Its just like the game Follow the leaders (host &cohosts) and  follow at least the person ahead of you and behind you. Follow others via twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', etc 
  • Link back if you can and when!   Not required but appreciated!
  • If you have a blog hop today or this weekend...go ahead and link it up!  
BEFORE WE START THIS PARTY...Leah and I want to apologize that we missed last week's party. School is starting up and life has gotten CRAZY! We want to make it up to you! For the next 3 WEEKS we will be offering a new giveaway EACH WEEK! 

LOW-CARB LASAGNA! vegetarian or carnivorous- you decide!

Over the course of my life, I have been a variety of sizes and have done almost every diet in the book. I have done fad diets, tried supplements, and have even invented my own "version" of diets. Throughout it all, the quickest and easiest way I have found to loose the pounds was the Low-Carb diet. I have also found that, if I don't enjoy some of my favorites while on a "diet", I certainly am not going to stick to it. It is vital to make it a lifestyle to see prolonged benefits!


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Go Back to School Eco-Friendly with NewWaveEnviro!

As my family and I started our organic mission, we found that it was essential to pack snacks and foods every time we left the house. It was no longer acceptable to grab a snack at the food court after shopping or rely on convenience store goodies to get us through a long drive. I also did not want our new "lifestyle" to change our lives too much....the kids LOVE eating out and if our new eating habits made things "un-fun" they were NOT going to go along with it.

So...I began packing food and drinks every time we went out (nothing major - fruit juices, water, fruit, sandwiches, etc.) and we began having family picnics on trips. I really do think that the kids like these more than eating in a restaurant! Then, one day as I cleaned up, I realized that my mission to get my family healthier was causing another problem...tons of plastic waste. I also am working on my family a little "greener" too so this certainly wasn't going to work. I had to find a better solution.

Photo
My old way of packing! Tons of packaging WASTE!
I took the the internet (as we all do) to see how much of a litter issue our lunches really are. Turns out that, every day, over 9 million pounds of lunch garbage ends up as litter, or in our landfills - adding up to over 3.5 billion pounds a year!  A big majority litter comes from single use bottles, aluminum  foil, and plastic/paper bags used to pack lunches. Uhhhh....my old luches.

I had to find a way to get both of my missions in line! I needed to pack healthy foods AND be good to the environment while doing it!

Enter the wonderful people from NewWave with their Enviro Products! The must have heard me thinking because they provided some AMAZING solutions! My absolute FAVORITE has to be the LitterFreeLunch!

Litter Free Lunch BagsThe LitterFreeLunch is an insulated lunch case that is available in 4 different designs. Each bag comes with reusable containers that are all BPA & Lead Free as well as dishwasher &  microwave safe! BONUS: They are also recyclable!

I absolutely LOVE these lunch kits. Everything is all in one place and so easy to clean! The 4 reusable containers are great sizes and I feel like I actually am able to get more into the box because of how nicely they fit inside.  This company speaks to my organic heart, my green heart, AND my frugal heart. These amazing lunch kits are around $20! Think of all the money you will save in plastic baggies and convenience foods!

You can check them out at their website HERE. They also offer amazing water treatment solutions, stainless steel bottles, BPA Free drinking bottles, and so much more!

Are you ready to try one of New Wave Enviro Products LitterFreeLunch Boxes? 
I hope so...they are ready to give one away! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway
They are also available on Amazon so check them out there too!


I was not paid in any way for my review of the LitterFreeLunch. I was, however, given an awesome LitterFreeLunch to review. The company-IN NO WAY- influenced my thoughts or opinions. All of my opinions are my own and can not be influenced by a company.

Monday, August 19, 2013

On Display Monday #15! We are pinning!

I am so proud to be a party of the fun group of gals who put on the On Display Monday Link Party..each one of us brings something to the table...now, we are waiting for you to do the same!




The rules of this party are EXTREMELY simple!
1. You may post up to 3 projects...please no repeats!
2. Link directly to your post and NOT to your main blog
3. Please no giveaways, stores, promotions, items for sale, roundups, or posts that do not belong to you.
4. Add the party button or visible link to your sidebar or party page. If you have been featured....proudly display your featured button!
5. Follow your host and co-hosts via email or social media. It is the BEST way to be notified of upcoming parties and of featured projects.
6. Please be kind and visit other links and leave comments!

*By submitting your link you are authorizing me to post your projects and pictures as a feature and on various social media websites along with links to your post. I have the right to delete links that do not adhere to the rules. 

Saturday, August 17, 2013

I Quit Using Shampoo! $1.50 Saved my damaged hair!

Okay, when I first started reading about my friends who "no-poo", I totally thought that they were giving me more information that I needed to know.

I FINALLY urged myself to click the link and see what this craze was all about. Thankfully (and to my surprise), they were talking about haircare and SHAMPOO! My first thought was ewwwww (sorry, the honesty card is out). Since I am working on getting my family a little greener, I did transition to organic shampoo and conditioner recently -but yikes...it was pricey for this cheap gal (not pricey for most people...about $7 per bottle). My friends were singing no-poo praises and it was super cheap so why not try it....right?!?!?

Click HERE to learn how to No-Poo and LOVE IT!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

All Natural Laundry Soap - DIY

For the majority of my adult life, I have been a management professional and have been in charge of the profit, loss,and operations of multi-million dollar companies. When baby number 5 came along, I realized that it was time to step back. I became a work from home mother and began devoting my time to my family's profit and loss! I quickly realized that we had been spending too much money buying things for convenience! I never would have accepted that from myself while operating other people's businesses so why start now?


I changed up how I looked at everything...including my cleaning supplies. I now pay only 6 cents a load for my detergent and it is All-Natural and chemical free!


Saving Money in Summertime - A Guest Post

Today, I have a special guest post from Shaye- a single mom that has a passion for family, budgeting, healthy living, fitness, and travel. She loves finding new ways to cook healthier and stay fit, all while doing it on a budget. She has a beautiful son and one eccentric dog, but wouldn’t have it any other way.. Follow her blog at http://simplyshaye.wordpress.com!  

Shaye is all about saving money and is sharing some great tips for  saving in the summer. Plesse take a few minutes to check out her blog and follow her on social media at:


Enjoy the post from Shaye and enjoy our last run of summer! 
 
 

Saving Money in Summertime

Summer's here, and you know what that means: the kids are always laying around the house and it's hot as an oven outside. With a rising cost of living and summer getaways always expensive, saving up the money to take some time off with the family isn't easy, but it isn't impossible, either. Take a look at these easy household tips anyone can do, and you might just save up the money you need.

Ditch the Bottled Water
There's a lot of hubbub about the benefits of bottled water over tap, but it's not as clear-cut as you may think. Tap water is actually just as safe as what you get in bottles, and it contains a lot of the minerals your body needs. If the taste of tap water makes you balk, pick up a cheap filter and keep away from that expensive bottled stuff.

Plan the Store trips
Everyone does it, they see something that looks delicious and just can't help buying it. Impulse purchases strain a family's grocery bill, and cutting them out will save you a lot of money. Plan out meals ahead of time, make a strict list of everything you want to buy, and don't stray from it at all if you can help it! The savings will start immediately.

Board a Dog
If you want to make a little extra cash on the side, you should definitely consider getting into dog boarding. A lot of families are a whole lot more comfortable leaving their pooch with a family rather than at a kennel. Their dog gets a much better home while its owners are missing, you and your family get to play a new pup for a couple days, and everyone wins.

Take a Survey
Believe it or not, you can make money, taking surveys on the Internet! It's very simple, and it only takes a couple minutes of your day to take a survey and put a bit of extra money in the bank. You already spend money keeping that connection up, now it can pay a little bit for itself.

There's a lot of ways to make money out there if you keep your eyes open for them. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or a career woman, anyone can get out there and find a way to bring home a couple more bucks and get herself a little bit closer to that vacation of her dreams.

Shaye is a single mom that has a passion for family, budgeting, healthy living, fitness, and travel. She loves finding new ways to cook healthier and stay fit, all while doing it on a budget. She has a beautiful son and one eccentric dog, but wouldn’t have it any other way.. Follow her blog athttp://simplyshaye.wordpress.com!  


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Black Bean Brownies

If my children ever figure out the secret ingredient in my brownies, I will be in a lot of trouble. I honestly did try to convince them that there were beans inside and for some reason, they did not believe me!

These brownies are so much healthier than your typical brownie! They are more like a sweet protein bar. This recipe has no flour, 2/3 less sugar than usual recipes, only 2 tbsp. oil, and is packed with heart healthy protein and fiber.


Friday, August 9, 2013

The Friday Follow Along Link-up



It's PARTY Time!

So grab a hand and follow the leader!

If you have a blog or website with any article pertaining to family, fitness, being cheap (I mean frugal), crafting, recipes, or is just plain fun.... 
  •  There are no real rules-except nothing x rated! 
  • Link up at least 1 post (max of 2) AND 1 social media site so we can all follow along!
  • Visit as many links as you can and leave comments! 
  • Its just like the game Follow the leaders (host &cohosts) and  follow at least the person ahead of you and behind you. Follow others via twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', etc 
  • Link back if you can and when!   Not required but appreciated!
  • If you have a blog hop today or this weekend...go ahead and link it up!  

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Most Likely To...... WIN with Meijer's Photo Sweepstakes!


There is still time to enter the "Most Likely To" Photo Sweepstakes and win 1 of 25 $100 Gift Cards from Meijer! 

This is your chance to share that special picture of your child(ren) showcasing what they are "Most Likely To" be or do when they grow up! 
 

 It is so easy to get entered!

  1. Simply Click HERE to get to the Facebook Contest
  2. LIKE the page
  3. Upload  your favorite photo and what your child is "most likely to be" when they grow up!
 Don't forget to visit Meijer for all of your back to school needs.  Each year, at least 6% of Meijer net profits go toward overall community giving - one of the highest percentages in the retail industry so you can feel good shopping!


Most likely to be Bobby Flay's replacement!

Here are a few from my family that definitely should get some recognition...

Most likely to hokey pokey at graduation
                               
Most likely to win "best hair" in a beauty pageant!






Most likely to be the next Ty Pennington

What were you voted "Most Likely To" do? 
I certainly wasn't voted Most Likely to be the Mother of 5 Kids...nor would I ever have been voted Most Likely to be a Mom Blogger! Just shows you how things change! 

Cash in on your kids winning personality and poise and upload your pictures today! 



Get a $10 Gift Card JUST for eating at Chipotle!

YOU Read it right...You can grab a sweet $10 gift card just for eating at chipotle! 


Join PLINK today and start earning rewards at over 75,000 national locations just for eating out and buying at stored you are already shopping at!

Places like:
GAP, OLD NAVY, BURGER KING, TACO BELL, and tons others are rewarding you so HURRY and sign up TODAY!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Organic Beauty Products from Sappho Cosmetics!

If you have been following along with my blog, you know that I have worked very hard over the last 8 months to get my family a bit "greener". We started with cleaning supplies, moved to food, and I am now working on "greening" our health care and beauty items. Little did I know, this was easier said than done.


Finding GREAT organic beauty products is NOT as easy as it sounds. When going to the "big box" stores, you will find brands who try to LOOK Organic but are not! Because there are no legal definitions of what "green" or "natural" makeup is, the companies deceive you by adding pretty pictures of flowers and plants to the packaging or by adding the word "natural" to the label. All you have to do is flip the package over to see that the chemicals and additives are still there.


On Display Monday Linky Party #13!

Just like in my twenties...I am turning out to be a party girl! I am so proud to be a party of the fun group of gals who put on the On Display Monday Link Party..each one of us brings something to the table...now, we are waiting for you to do the same!




The rules of this party are EXTREMELY simple!
1. You may post up to 3 projects...please no repeats!
2. Link directly to your post and NOT to your main blog
3. Please no giveaways, stores, promotions, items for sale, roundups, or posts that do not belong to you.
4. Add the party button or visible link to your sidebar or party page. If you have been featured....proudly display your featured button!
5. Follow your host and co-hosts via email or social media. It is the BEST way to be notfiied of upcoming parties and of featured projects.
6. Please be kind and visit other links and leave comments! 
 

Friday, August 2, 2013

It's time to LINKUP and Win a Keurig!




It's PARTY Time!

So grab a hand and follow the leader!

If you have a blog or website with any article pertaining to family, fitness, being cheap (I mean frugal), crafting, recipes, or is just plain fun.... 


Also - enter to win the awesome Keurig GIVEAWAY!!!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Low Carb & Gluten Free Pasta! Quest Nutrition


I was like a kid in a candy store waiting for my Shipment from Quest Nutrition. My family recently embarked on a cleaner eating path and that eliminated most "snack" bars and sadly a large majority of the protein bars on the market. When I found out about Quest nutrition, I KNEW that I had to find out more! They actually have an all natural line that contain no artificial sweeteners, no junk, no glycerin, and are gluten free!In fact...all of their snack bars are Gluten-free!
 
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