Repurposed Tin Can to Flower Pot, Vase, & Musical Instrument

Posted on 05/12/2012 by Sonja

DIY FRI.

It’s DIY FRI. , where every Friday I try to post something you can do yourself rather than buy, which is a money saver, and can be VERY REWARDING.  Some of these posts are crafts, sewing projects, homemade cleaners, homemade health aids, tutorials, and the like.

How fun it is to get creative with what most people would deem as garbage.  I can’t tell you where I got this idea to spray paint, boring old tin cans except the Internet.  I saw it in a flash and it stayed in the recesses of my mind, so here it is lived out.  I thought they would make great gifts and decor, though.  I think they’ll look even better when they chip a little with normal wear and tear. Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, DIY, Low Cost Gift Ideas, Money Saving Ideas, Thrifty Thinking, Tutorials, Upcycling & Repurposing | 3 Comments

Fixing Your Scuffed Shoes & Bleach Spots in a Pinch

Posted on 05/11/2012 by Sonja

Thrifty Thinking

Learn a lesson from my mistake.  In the fall Kmart had these shoes on sale for $7.50 a pair.  I bought Ellie two pairs because they were so cheap.  I figured that I’d rather buy two pairs for cheap rather than spend the money to buy some good black leather shoes that would last longer.  Well guess what?  In less than a week they came back scuffed.  Like unrepairable, the plastic was rubbed off the shoes, never the same again, scuffed.  I was not ignorant to think it would never happen, but I couldn’t believe it happened so fast.

The quick fix for shoes: Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Finance, Money Saving Ideas, Thrifty Thinking, Thrifty Thinking, Tutorials | 2 Comments

Homemade Pizza in less than an Hour

Posted on 05/09/2012 by Sonja

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Homemade Pizza in less than an Hour

Homemade Pizza in Less Than an Hour

Homemade Pizza in Less Than an Hour

I found a recipe for a 4 ingredient pizza crust at the Heavenly Homemakers blog REALLY wanted to try it because it involved yogurt.  I did add a few steps that I thought would ease the process.  I love to try to find the best of the best.  I also love to find recipes that are easy without compromising quality, nutrition or taste.  This crust is the easiest I’ve ever made in my whole life, no joke, and it’s so tasty!!

The Pizza Crust Recipe

Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Healthier Recipes, Healthier Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Main Dishes | 5 Comments

Weekly Grocery Deals Great Asparagus, Egg Prices & More! {ending 5/15/12}

Posted on 05/09/2012 by Sonja

 

Grocery Prices to Meet or Beat

EVERY time we go to the store we cast our votes. Stores will stock the shelves with items WE buy. The more we make better choices, the more we can make a positive change.  Consider buying less prepacked items and making your own!

This is not really a stock up week.  This is a week I might go lighter on the grocery bill or stock up at Costco.

Here is Sonja’s Short List of Super Stock Up Sale Prices ending 5/15/12 for healthier living:

Albertsons:

Continue reading →

Posted in Albertsons, Allen Creek IGA, Food, Haggen, Safeway, Store Deals, Weekly Deals | Leave a comment

WinCo Wednesdays {5/8/12} Great Prices Bell Pepper, Broccoli Prices & More!

Posted on 05/08/2012 by Sonja

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I have listed below some selected “Extra Savings” prices (WinCo’s version of a sale), as seen in their “Wall of Values” and throughout the store along with some mostly healthier commonly consumed grocery items.  Unfortunately these prices are subject to change without notice, so these deals were valid Tuesday morning, 5/8/12, in the Marysville, WA area, and it will, at least, give you an idea of prices in your area.
EVERY time we go to the store we cast our votes.  Stores will stock the shelves with items WE buy.   The more we make better choices, the more we can make a positive change.

Here are a highlight of my favorite deals I saw today in the Marysville, WA WinCo:

Variety of Tomatoes $0.78/lb.
 Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Store Deals, Weekly Deals, Weekly Grocery Deals, WinCo Wednesdays | 3 Comments

Triple Orange Berry Smoothie

Posted on 05/07/2012 by Sonja
Triple Orange Berry Smoothie

Triple Orange Berry Smoothie

JSarr is really groovin’ with the Vitamix.  He comes up with a lot of great smoothie recipes.  When our Ellie girl had a hard cough, I requested we make his Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie with some changes since it’s so packed with vitamin C.  The following combination changed the smoothie flavor, bringing us a new fun mixture.  What I love about it so much is the raspberry flavor, which pops to me (in a good way).

The Triple Orange Berry Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients:

  • 3 oranges
  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries (the raspberry dominates, which is a nice, newer flavor to us)
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 large apple
  • 1 banana
  • 1 small tomato
  • 1 cup cranberry juice (water will work)
  • handful of ice if your fruit isn’t frozen
  • 1 T flaxseed oil, optional

The Directions:

  • Blend all ingredients until thoroughly blended.
  • Serve immediately.

The Verdict: JSarr said this is the sweetest smoothie he’s ever made.  We all totally loved it!!

Go here for the complete list of recipes.

Have you tried…?

Pineapple Blueberry Smoothie

Pineapple Blueberry Smoothie

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Posted in Beverages, Breakfast, Desserts, Food, Gluten Free, Healthier Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Snacks | 2 Comments

My Workouts: Week of April 30

Posted on 05/07/2012 by Jonathan

Another week at the grind. Motivation in exercise – at least for me – often comes from having goals in mind and from changing things up to keep them interesting. Even with the four primary kettlebell movements that I utilize most (the Clean and Press, the Turkish Get-up, the Swing and the Snatch), I’m able to consistently vary the sets and reps and times to keep my body guessing.

Before I mention each days’ training plan from last week, a quick update. I have been trying to do some pull-up work throughout the day along with some practice on pistol squats. (This is why I rarely include these in an actual training session; I’m trying to do them as I go.) Well, this week was weak on the pistols, and only so-so on the pull-ups. I was not that faithful. I just wasn’t thinking about it to do it. When I walk by the pull-up bar that presents a reminder, so I try to hit it. Not so with the pistol squats.

Anyway, I’ll try to be more faithful to the pistols practice next week and hopefully I’ll have good news to report. On to my breakdown by the days for last week: Continue reading →

Posted in Exercises and Lifts, Fitness, Fitness Philosophy, My Workouts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bartell Drug Deals Ending 5/12/12 MD Bath Tissue & More!

Posted on 05/06/2012 by Sonja

Here is Sonja’s Short List of Super Stock-Up Sale Prices from this week’s Bartell Drugs ad, ending-5/12/12. Continue reading →

Posted in Bartell Drugs, Drug Store Deals, Store Deals, Weekly Deals, Weekly Grocery Deals | Leave a comment

Fred Meyer Weekly Grocery Deals Ending 5/12/12 Great Pineapple, Greek Yogurt Prices, & More!!

Posted on 05/05/2012 by Sonja

Fred Meyer Logo

These are the best grocery deals at Fred Meyer this week for healthier, more natural, and organic living. “!” Indicates Sonja’s super stock-up prices. This Fred Meyer ad starts Sunday, 5/6/12 and is valid until Saturday 5/12/12.
EVERY time we go to the store we cast our votes. Stores will stock the shelves with items WE buy. The more we make better choices, the more we can make a positive change.  Consider buying less prepacked items and making your own!
  • Simple Truth Organic Milk $2.79/half gallon!
  • Fred Meyer Greek Yogurt $0.75/6 oz.!

    • Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Fred Meyer, Store Deals, Weekly Deals, Weekly Grocery Deals | 3 Comments

DIY: Propagate Your Own House Plants

Posted on 05/05/2012 by Sonja

I used a pencil to prop the plant (although it didn’t need it) since this is a gift for a teacher.

DIY FRI.

It’s DIY FRI. again (except it’s Saturday: Grandma and Papa are in town-yay!!), where every Friday I try to post something you can do yourself rather than buy, which is a money saver, and can be VERY REWARDING.  Some of these posts are crafts, sewing projects, homemade cleaners, homemade health aids, tutorials, and the like.

Since the fall I’ve been thinking about giving my girls’ teachers a house plant for Teacher Appreciation Week.  No matter what the occasion is that you may give a house plant as a gift, this project is one where you have to think ahead to give your plant time to root and grow.  But when you do think ahead, it takes no time at all to put together, and it’s easy and free if you have a pot or very inexpensive (I bought some nice 6 inch terra cotta pots for less than $1.50 each).  Terra cotta is easy to paint, too.  I’ve used acrylic paint and even left over paint for the house. Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Money Saving Ideas, Thrifty Thinking, Tutorials, Upcycling & Repurposing | 9 Comments