Roasted Honey Cinnamon Chickpeas

Since having my baby over 1 year ago, I have decided it is time to take back my body!  I can't blame my extra weight on baby weight anymore, I can now blame cookies and cupcakes!

I have a wicked sweet tooth, and I decided rather then totally cutting out sugary treats, I would replace them with something healthier.  Below is a recipe I recently tried, and is soo good!

Roasted Honey Cinnamon Chickpeas:

http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Roasted-Honey-Cinnamon-Chickpeas-27908653

This was such an easy recipe and inexpensive to make!!  And really good!  I keep them on the counter and munch on them all day, totally curves my urge for sugar!

DIY Air Freshener

Living with two children, a husband and a cat, my house can become a little smelly at times!  Air fresheners can be expensive and often times just mask the underlying smell.  So I did some research and experimenting, and came up with an inexpensive and fresh smelling DIY air freshener. 

Here's what you'll need:

1 Mason Jar
1 Cup Baking Soda
Essential Oil of your choice
Gift Bag
1 Toothpick

Take the mason jar and fill with baking soda.  Then add the essential oil of your choice; I used Lemongrass.  Depending on the size of your room and the strength of the sent you want, you can add more or less oil.  I put in 10 drops in my living room, and it adds a fresh sent when I walk in.  I suggest you start with 5 drops and add more if you want.

Once you have your baking soda and essential oil in the mason jar, it's time to decorate!  This is a great way to re-purpose old gift bags!  Take the gift bag and cut out a piece a little larger then the top of the mason jar.  Then place the lid over the bag, and trace the inside of the lid.

Place the paper in the lid, and screw on.  Then take the toothpick, and poke holes through the gift bag.

And there you have it, a great smelling, inexpensive DIY air freshener!!  The baking soda absorbs any smells and the lemongrass essential oil really makes the room smell great!

*I purchase the lemongrass essential oil on Amazon.  Here is the link,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MGSJBY?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000MGSJBY&linkCode=xm2&tag=staathommom06-20

Flinstone Vitamins Coupons

Writing to companies is a great way to get high value coupons.  It only takes a few moments, and if you follow my blog, I share all of the companies that I have had good luck with.

Recently I wrote to Flinstones Vitamins.  I explained that I am a stay-at-home mom on a tight budget and that I have two young children who take Flinstones Vitamin daily (which they do).  I asked for any coupons or samples of their products.

Within a week or two, I received an incredible high value coupon!  I received a coupon for FREE Flinstones Multivitamins (up to $17).  I don't typically such great coupons, so this was really exciting, especially since this is something our family uses every day!

Here is the contact information for Flinstones:

http://flintstonesvitamins.com/contactus.php

**Please remember, just because one person received certain coupons or products from a company, does not mean that everyone will have the same results.

McCormick Coupons!!

More coupons in the mail today!!

Just a couple of weeks ago I wrote to McCormick for coupons.  I explained that I am a stay-at-home mom, on a tight budget, and would appreciate any coupons or samples. 

In the mail today I received 3 $.75/2 coupons for any McCormick products!!! 

Here is the contact information from McCormick:

http://www.mccormick.com/Contact

*Please remember, just because one person received a certain coupon or sample from a company, does not mean everyone will have the same response.

Easy Meatless Gluten Free Dinner

During Lent my family does not eat meat on Fridays.  For me, it's a small sacrifice that I traditionally practice.  However, finding meatless dishes my whole family enjoys is a bit more difficult, especially on a budget.  Here is one I came up with:

Crust-less Egg and Veggie Bake

Ingredients:

8 Eggs
1 Head of Broccoli
1/2 Pint of Grape Tomatoes
1/2 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Chop the broccoli into bite size pieces and cut the grape tomatoes in half.  Saute in olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Saute until tender.

Let cool for about ten minutes and then place the vegetables in a pie pan.  Then mix the eggs together and add cheese.  Pour egg and cheese mixture over the veggies.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked through.  Hope your family enjoys this as much as we did!  Enjoy!!

Top 5 Reasons I Coupon

Over the past couple of years, couponing has become part of my lifestyle.  I don't buy it unless I have a coupon!  Since I don't work outside of the home, my job is to stretch the money we do have as far as it will go!

Here are the Top 5 Reasons I Coupon:

1. Saving Money.  This is probably the most obvious reason.  On an average grocery trip I spend about $100-$150 and save at least $30-$40 with my coupons!  Check out my favorite coupon match-up site, livingrichwithcoupons.com.

2.  Stretching my Money.  Couponing allows me to stretch the money we have as far as possible.  As long as I am purchasing healthy food my family will eat, couponing allows me to buy more food at a lower cost out of pocket.

3.  The Thrill.  So this might sound kind of funny to non-couponers, but couponers know what I mean!  Since going to Las Vegas is out of the question right now, when I hand the cashier my stack of coupons, and I see the numbers go down on the register it is honestly exciting!  What's really cool, is when people stop and stare to see how low your bill gets!  I find it empowering that even though I'm not earning a paycheck, I can still contribute financially, by purchasing more food with coupons.

4.  My Own Time.  I know this may sound strange, but when I coupon or grocery shop, it's my time.  No kids, no distractions; just alone with my own thoughts and hand full of coupons!  I try and coupon at night after the kids go to sleep, and I always shop alone.

5.  Money for Other Things.  Since I am always saving money and couponing, I usually have a little bit of money set aside to splurge.  Going out to eat, for ice-cream or to a movie is possible because of couponing. 

Attention Target Shoppers!

Who knew there were so many ways to save money at Target besides cutting coupons!  Some really great tips on saving money at Target from thepennyhoarder.com, click on the link below.

http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/target-coupons/

Thepennyhoarder.com is also a great resource for saving money and living frugally, check them out!