Ooh La La

Oh my goodness! You guys have to try the chocolate covered strawberries and bananas. So easy! And oh sooooo yummy! I ended up melting the chocolate in my mini crockpot instead of a double boiler. We sprinkled the fruit with crushed pecans and sprinkles. Great way to get the kids to eat some fruit. And talk about an inexpensive valentines gift. Daddy/DH is going to love it!

Cohen loved it too! He knows Mommy doesn't like to show his face on the blog, so he kindly smeared a chocolate beard on for a disguise.

Learning Time

At bedtime for the last couple of weeks we have been reading Dave Ramsey's Children's Series on financial planning. I know what your thinking... BUT can we really start too young teaching our children to be responsible with money. Anyways... Most of the books focus around the importance of designating earned money into "GIVE," "Save," and "Spend" envelopes. DH developed a chore chart a couple of weeks ago for Colby to earn a few nickles and dimes for helping out around the house. Were talking $0.05 for making his bed; $0.05 for making sure toys are in the toy box; and $0.10 for playing with Cohen in the bathtub at bath time.

Anyways... today I am planning on helping Colby make "Give, Save, and Spend" envelopes and we will go ahead and divvy up his earnings into the appropriate envelopes.

For Cohen, we continue to work on body parts and learning how to talk. He is quite confident with his belly button and facial features but just refuses to say a word! There is NO doubt he knows what we are talking about because he can follow commands. He just seems to have no interest in trying to communicate back, other then pointing and grunting. We have been spending a lot more time reading books and purposefully describing all actions and things to him- but so far no change! I would love any tips you have to offer!

Devotional Time

For Devotional Time I focused on the verse of the week.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5

Before we went inside for "devotional time" I blindfolded Colby and attempted to lead him on an obstacle course by having him follow my voice commands. I had envisioned that this "life application" lesson would leave a lasting impression on him when I sat down to explain how "trusting the Lord means we have to follow him even when we don't understand where he is taking us." However, I did not take into account that at 4 years old he does not know his left from his right. We both just ended up getting frustrated at my futile attempt to lead him around the backyard. I think the verse that more appropriately applied to this "life application" was Col 3:21 Parents don't exasperate your children....

Live and Learn!

Craft Time

Today we are going to have a playdate with one of our good friends and make chocolate covered strawberries and bananas for our Daddy for Valentines Day.

I found this recipe for Chocolate Covered Strawberries at allrecipes.com

Should be fun, and YUMMY!

Familytime Friday- accountability

Alright ladies here is your chance to tell us about some of the fun activities you are doing or are planning to do with your kiddos or families. I'd love to know how you are going to celebrate Valentines!

Annual Budget Countdown

I have two receipts for the countdown this week- Kroger and a Local Meat Market. I am very picky about my meat and so I opted to spend a little more for the ham I will need for our ham and cheese sandwiches.

This Week Kroger:
Spent: $104.33 for 62 items
Saved: $69.00

Meat Market Spent: $9.15 (ouch!)
Saved: $0

Total Spent this week: $113.48
Total Saved: $69.00
Total Spent to date: $614.77
Total Saved to date: $546.53
Budget left for 2009: $4385.23

Ok this is getting ridiculous! I am STILL about $38 above budget for the year! I am going to really buckle down this week and try to catch myself up by at least $15!! Surely with my $5 Entertainment Book coupon AND my $15 rebate Mastercard I can do it... right?

Go Niki, Go Niki- you can do it!!! Sorry, sometimes I'm my number one and only fan!

Deal Alert- Kroger

Got to say I'm not too impressed with the Kroger ad this week. But that's ok, I'm hoping this might be the week I get myself back on track with my annual budget.

Of course I will rely on the Grocery Game and my weekly menu to help me compile my final grocery list for the week but here are the best deals I was able to find floating around the internet for Kroger this week (2/11 - 2/17)

The Daytona Event is still going strong this week. Buy 10 participating items get $3 off your final bill. Remember to watch your receipt to ensure you get the discount! Go here to see all participating items.

My favorite participating item is the General Mills Cereal that is on sale for 3 for $5
Best Scenario: Multigrain cheerios on sale 3 for $5

Use $.75 from recent coupons.com printout and $0.75 from Cellfire loadable coupons PLUS $0.30 off from the Daytona promotion

Final Price: Free plus $0.13 in overages!!

Florida Strawberries are on sale for $1.97

Blueberries on sale for $2.50

Otherwise the only other exciting news is they are having a special one day sale on February 13 (Friday) from 9am to 9pm.

Most of the savings for this one day sale are for sweets; but as your RD I wanted to tell you about some of the healthier choices:

The best deal of the event if you ask me is for the $0.99 sweet red seedless grapes!

Although I am not a big fan of juice (little to no fiber) my boys do enjoy an occasional OJ in the morning so I will take advantage of the $0.99 Kroger OJ on Friday.

Just this week one of my friends was telling me that she only likes to buy Motts Apple Juice. So she is going to want to really stock up at the one day sale.

Motts Apple Juice on sale for $0.99

That's it folks. If you see any other great deals at Kroger please leave us a comment.

Walmart Deals

Here is a first for the DRS Blog- Walmart Deals. Kinda feel bad that I chose this week to debut Walmart deals in light of the massive corporate layoffs that will surely negatively effect our regional economy. But, the deals must go on....

This is just a sampling of my favorite deals, you can see a more complete list complete with printable coupon links at centsible savings

Johnson's Buddy Bar Soaps on sale for $0.97

Use $1 for 1 from 1/18 RP

Final Price: FREE

Kotex pantiliners on sale for $1

Use $1 for 1 from 1/11 SS

Final Price: FREE

KY Jelly 2 oz on sale for $2.59

Use $3 off 1 from 1/4 RP

Final Price: FREE

Suave Hand Lotion 3 oz for $0.97

Use $1 off 1 from 12/14 RP

Final Price: FREE

Beech-nut Let's Grow Microwaveable Meals on sale for $1.06

Use $1 for 1 from 1/4 SS

Final Price: $0.06

Benefiber drink mixes on sale for $2.50

Use $2 off 1 from 11/16, 12/14, or 1/4 SS

Final Price: $0.50

PS I have not been to Walmart to check out these deals. I am just assuming our Walmart has the same prices as those found in the deals above! Let me know if you find something different!

Deal Alert- Walgreens

You are in for a treat this week- LOTS of great deals at Walgreens this week!

Don't forget to pick up the new February EasySaver Catalog that is at the front of the store near the weekly ad. Not only will you find some great Walgreens coupons that you can stack with your manufacture coupons you will also find a ton of Walgreens Rebate items.

This Weeks deals:

Revlon Foundation, Powder, Concealer, Blush or Eye Cosmetics on sale for $3 off original price

Best Scenario: Revlon Matte Eye Shadow- original price: $4.99 - $3 sale would be $1.99

Use $2 off 1 from 1/11 SS

Final Price: Free

Bounty Basic Paper Towels for $0.89 with walgreens weekly flyer coupon

Use $0.25 from 1/18 PG

Final Price: $0.64

Ensure 6-pk on sale $6.99

Use $3 for 1 printable here

And send in for $6.99 manufacturer mail-in-rebate here

Final Price: Free plus $3 in overages after coupon and rebate

(thanks Thrifty Mama for this deal!)

Progresso Soup on sale 4 for $5 with walgreens weekly flyer coupon

Use 4 $1.10 off 1 coupons here (if you have access to 2 computers!)

Final Price: $0.15 each with 4 coupons

Register Rewards RR

Gillette Fusion or Venus $8.99

Use $4 off 1 for Gillette Fusion in 2/8 PG or $2 off 1 for the Venus from the 2/8 PG

Will get back $6 in RR

Final Price: Free for Gillette plus $1.01 in overages or $0.99 for venus after RR and coupons

This week Rebate Offers found in EasySaver Catalog

Glade Sense and Spray Air Freshener for $9.99 each

Use BOGO coupon here and $4 off 1 from 2/8 SS

Submit for $6 EasySaver Rebate #28

Final Price: FREE plus $0.01

The following deals will work with Rebate #30 in the EasySaver Catalog

Rebate #30 will give you $1 back for each qualifying item up to a total of $4 (or 4 items) so choose your favorite 4!

Note: All the printable coupons come from the same site below!

Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair on sale 2 for $7

Use $2 off 1 from here

Submit for $1 rebate

Final Price: $0.50 after coupon and rebate

Scrubbing Bubbles Wipes or All Purpose Cleaner on sale 2 for $5

Use $3 off 2 here

Submit for $2 rebate

Final Price: Free after coupon and rebate

Windex Spray on sale 2 for $5

Use $1 for 1 here

Submit for $1 rebate

Final Price: $0.50 after coupon and rebate

Windex Wipes on sale 2 for $5

Use $1.5o off 1 here

Submit for $1 rebate

AND submit for Windex Manufacture rebate from 1/11 SS for $2.50 back!

Final Price: FREE plus $2.50 in overages after both rebates

February Free after Rebate Items

Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler up to $4.29

Use $1 off 1 from 1/4 RP

Final Price: Free plus $1 overage after coupon and rebate

Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer or Spa Foundation up to $10

Use $2 for 1 from 1/11 SS

Final Price: Free plus $2 overage after coupon and rebate

Revlon Creme Lip Gloss up to $10

Use $2 for 1 from 1/11 SS

Final Price: Free plus $2 overage after coupon and rebate

Thermacare Trial Size Neck, Shoulder and Wrist Heat Wrap up to $2.49

Final Price: Free after rebate

Walgreens Multi-Purpose No Rub Solution 4 oz up to $1.99

Final Price: Free after rebate

Zucol Cold Care Lozenges 18 pk up to $7.99

Use $2 for 1 from 2/1 SS

Final Price: Free plus $2 overage after coupon and rebate

The FREE TP just keeps coming!

SmartSource.com now has a $0.50 coupon available for our favorite toilet paper!

You know the drill: Print your coupons (each computer will allow you to print 2) and then take them to Kroger to purchase the $0.99 Cottonelle 4 pack. Once the coupon doubles- that means FREE TP for you! WooHoo

Thrifty Thursday

It's Thrifty Thursday time! Today you can look forward to Kroger, Walgreens and even Walmart Deals to post throughout the day. I look forward to hearing about some of the deals you have found around town.

My house never fails me!

I am so grateful to my home- it keeps my life interesting and gives me great material for this blog! Although my family has asked me not to share what I'm about to tell you, I felt you must know............

Tonight while doing my zone work.... gulp.... I found several packages of molded bread behind my microwave. Now let me explain- I often store our bread on top of the microwave which sits on top of my double oven inside a cabinet- oh wait, I'll just go take a picture so you can see what I'm talking about, be right back......

So you can see from the picture above how easy it would be to let things go unnoticed behind the microwave for... well months (maybe even years!) The fact that I have NEVER (not once in the 3 years we have lived here) thought to remove the microwave and clean behind it makes me quite nauseous to think about how old the petrified bread could have been. Do you know what color comes after green during the molding process? I do. I'm just not sure the color I saw was directly after the green stage or if it was several stages past green! Uck! You know it must have been bad if I didn't even take a picture to post. Your Welcome!

As always, thanks for letting me share!

HUGE PRAISE!

Wow! God is good- no make that AWESOME! The level 2 ultrasound showed NO hints of Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 18, or Spina Bifida-Praise God! These were the three that we were most fearful of after last week's ultrasound and then this week's lab results. The only thing the doctor did find were 2 cysts on my niece's brain, but he felt confident they would go away in a couple of weeks.


Again I am reminded of Emily's very timely devotional last weekend and the verse she shared that I have clung to for the last 6 days "You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the people.” Psalm 77:14 I truly believe that God performed a miracle in this little girl's life. Going into this appointment today all signs pointed toward bad news but the report they got exceeded all expectations!

While I pleaded with the Lord for a miracle. The Holy Spirit did not let me forget this week's verse of the week. "TRUST in the Lord with ALL of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in ALL your ways acknowledge HIM and he WILL make your paths straight." Although I was not ready to let my brain take me to the "what ifs" my heart knew that the Lord was IN CONTROL and He had a plan no matter what the outcome. I have no doubt the Lord would have and will use this child to bless all of our lives. No matter what- God is AWESOME!

I can not thank you enough for your prayers and friendship!!!!

Product of the Week

I'll admit I am not a big yogurt fan. I want to like it, so I buy it and let it take up valuable real estate in my fridge until it reaches its expiration date and then it occupies my trashcan. Well last week I tried yogurt once again- well, because it was FREE! And guess what? I liked it! I liked it!

I am so excited about this find because yogurt is such a great source of calcium and this particular yogurt also contains Probiotics and Fiber.

According to the Yo Plus packaging "the unique blend of priobiotic bacteria and fiber work together to help crowd out the unfriendly bacteria in your system and promote digestive health."

Nutrition Information

Meal Plan: 110 calories, 1 milk and 3g Fiber

Yoplait challenges us to "Try it for 10 days and See how different you feel!" With such a great taste- I'll gladly give it a try! You can learn more about Yo Plus yogurt at www.yo-plus.com

PS: I highly recommend the Blackberry Pomegranate. Yummy

PSS: If you didn't already print your 2 $1.50 off 1 coupons you can do so here. Remember to also load your Kroger card with an additional $1 savings to make this product FREE or nearly free at Krogers. I think there might be an additional $1 off coupon at the coupon.com link on my sidebar to the left.

Wellness Wednesday

In honor of Valentines Day I want to focus on the Heart! One of the best ways to get a healthy heart and keep a healthy heart is by participating in regular physical activity- especially cardiovascular or aerobic exercise.

Are you an exerciser? Surveys show that 24% of Americans over the age of 18 are not active at all. Scary!!

If your one of the 76% who don't exercise here are some tips to get started:

• Get medical clearance. As your RD I feel an obligation to advice this, ALTHOUGH I'm sure the majority of my readers can bypass this step unless there are known physical limitations.
• Pick an activity that you enjoy. You're going to be sooo much more likely to stick with it if you don't dread the activity. Try out a fun aerobics class, go swimming, how about Wii Fit, or download my playlist and go for a walk or just dance!
• Start slow. Don't go gang busters when you first start your exercise routine- your more likely to injure yourself or simply burn out.
• Make it routine. Don't just say your going to exercise "sometime" today, have a set exercise time. Your less likely to let other things crowd out your exercise time if you have a set appointment with yourself.
• Set a goal. Most times we are more motivated it we have something to work toward. Maybe you could have a goal to walk a 5K by the end of summer or to master all the Yoga Poses on the Wii Fit in 2 months. (I do caution against a weight loss goal as your motivation- although weight loss is often a side effect of exercise it SHOULD NOT be your only source of motivation- more on this topic in the future!)
• Set up a Reward System. How about buying a new workout outfit after one month of exercise or treating yourself to a massage after your able to swim 5 laps.
• Get an exercise buddy. Not only will a workout partner make you more accountable to show up but it will also make the exercise so much more enjoyable. I know I burn so many more calories when I workout with my exercise buddy because she keeps me laughing the whole time.
• Just get started!!!!! The hardest part of beginning an exercise program is just getting started. So no more excuses, step away from the computer, and GO!!!

Wellness Wednesday- Accountability

You got a Wellness Goal you want to share? Do so here!

Morning Routine Done!

Wow getting up after only one snooze button really makes a big difference! I had most of my morning routine done by the time I usually roll out of bed. I even remembered to put dinner in the crock-pot. And never before would I have had time to sit down at the computer to jot down a post before work!

Bedtime Routine Done

Well I broke my pledge to you, myself, and the cottonelle toilet paper puppy to get in bed by midnight BUT I did get my bedtime routine done! Good Night!

Daily Routine-update

Just feel I need to confess something to you...... I can't remember the last time I did any part of my morning, afternoon, or nightime routine!!! Ok I feel better just writing that out loud.

I mean really- why don't I do these routines! My day flows so much better when I do! So here is what I'm going to do:

Tonight I am not going to bed until I have done all of my bedtime routine. Then no matter how tired I am, I am going to get up without even hitting the snooze one time, ok maybe just one time- Yes! I am going to get up and start my morning routine after just hitting the snooze one time tomorrow!

Thanks for letting me share my plan with you- it always makes me feel better. If you are new to DRS you can read about my daily routine plan here.

Hey! I know.... you can join me- wouldn't that be fun! Just for kicks I am going to throw out a Mr. Linky to see if anyone will bite.

Spinach Lentil Soup- Verdicts In

Although every bite I took of this soup was jam packed with awesome nutrition (fiber, iron, folic acid etc, etc, etc) it was lacking in flavor. Adding the cornbread to my bowl of soup did help but if I was to make the soup again I would definitely add more spices- even a packet of low sodium taco seasoning would have helped. So there you go!