Ivory® 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash

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Hi readers!  I’ve discovered a new product that is DEFINITELY worth sharing.  Before I start, I do have to disclose that I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.  However, this post is 100% my honest opinion!

When I was selected to test this product,  I wasn’t too sure I would enjoy using it.  I thought it would be a product I gave to my husband to use.  A 2 in 1 product that would keep my hair looking sleek and smooth?  Sure.

I must say,  I was incredibly wrong.  My hair is still soft, not course like I had thought it would be.  Plus, the smell is… refreshing (maybe that’s why it’s called ‘refreshing scent’.  There’s really no other way to describe it).  I love the scent.  My husband tells me I smell good ALL THE TIME.  I’ll take that compliment any day.

I have used the product on my kids, ages 2 and 4.  So easy!  It’s so gentle on their hair and skin and doesn’t hurt their eyes if some accidentally gets in there while rinsing.

Although my free product is long gone, I have since purchased more with my own money.  I like it that much.

Their Facebook page has a hilarious video that really sums up the experience.  Click here to watch. You may become a believer in the simplicity!

 

Please visit their Facebook page , and tell them I sent you!

Let me know in the comments if you have tried this product, and if you love it as much as I do!

Weight Loss Tip- LOSE THE BREAD

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Hi everyone!

Back for another post about bettering yourself.  This time I’ll talk about the way I am steadily losing 2 lbs a week- and it’s mostly due to not eating bread.

Tonight we are having hamburgers for dinner.  I am saving 200 calories just by nixing the bun!  The type of buns we have are whole wheat, and they still have that many unwanted, empty calories!

Bread is filled with carbs your body DOES NOT NEED!

What do you think?  Any other tips for the readers?

Money Saving Tip- EAT OUT LESS

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Eat out less.  I know everyone has heard this, but it’s true.  Just brewing your own cup of coffee and taking your lunch to work 1 day a week can save $10!  Here are some fun ways to really expand your food budget monthly.

1. Have a food prep party.  Everyone loves a party right?  Have 4 of your friends come over with ingredients, and leave with full meals to be frozen and heated when needed!  Use 2-3 recipes from each person, have everyone bring a bottle of wine, and cook!  Plus, you may find dish you love and didn’t know about!

2. Crock pot cooking.  Prep your meals in freezer bags when you get home from the store, and you’ll be able to stick it in your crock pot later!  So great for those days I REALLY don’t want to cook.

3. Brew your own coffee.  “But what if I really love the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks?” you ask.  Put some pumpkin pie seasoning in with your coffee grounds.  I’ll put a post in later of all the “Starbucks Hacks” I’ve come up with!  I make a wonderful tasting coffee!

 

How do you expand your budget?  Have any recipes for a crock pot?  Let me know!

Lindsey

 

2013 Resolutions!!

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Hi everyone!

It’s the 3rd week of January, and by now we have probably forgotten all about our new year’s resolutions.  After my holiday season was interrupted, giving me no time to even think about resolutions or goals for 2013, I have finally started this week and compiled my list.  I’ll post an update weekly on how I’m doing at sticking to my goals.

1. Lose weight.  Isn’t this on most everyone’s list?  Something about losing weight, or getting healthier, or working out more?  Well, I actually HAVE to do it.  I’m not very overweight, but I haven’t quite gotten back to my pre pregnancy body since having my 2 kids. I’m going to be involved in a 10 year reunion of my old theater company coming up at the end of April, and it is imperative that I look good on that stage!  My husband and I are pretty sedentary in our home life, he works a physically demanding job so when he gets home, he just wants to relax.

ACTION PLAN:  I have started working out this week!  I have a XBox Kinect that I am using to work out on.  I’m on day 3 and although I am sore I have continued on!  This is HUGE for me, usually at the first sign of pain or toughness I give up.  Not this time!  I have a goal and a deadline!

2. Pay off that stinking debt.  Using some principles from Dave Ramsey and other sources, I will pay off at least 2 credit cards this year. 

ACTION PLAN:  We are already selling everything extra we don’t need/want anymore.  I am selling all of the girls’ baby items.  Just today I sold their jumper and got $30!  We are really watching our cash and seeing exactly where every penny is going.  Husband is putting in as much overtime as he can.  This week to pay for groceries I used the coinstar and cashed in that coffee can full of change.  The one by our house in the Albertson’s does not charge a fee to get an Albertson’s gift card!  $50 worth of groceries and nothing out of my bank account feels good.  Post coming soon on money saving ideas.

3. More “me” time.  I never allow myself any time for me.  In 2013 I would like to focus more on my happiness and mental state.  I’m not saying I’ll neglect my children, I’m just saying I’ll take a hot 20 minute shower during nap time instead of cleaning vigorously every once in a while :)

ACTION PLAN:  This month, I took up crocheting.  I’ve already made a couple earwarmers and a scarf!  This is something that I can do in my free time before bed and I am really enjoying it.  I’m going to focus more on my blog.  This site is somewhere that I can speak from my heart.  I would like to get a following, but if not at least I will get some fellow blogger friends. 

 

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?  Any tips for me on how to accomplish mine?

 

Thanks for reading,  Lindsey

An Update.

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Hi everyone,

I had to take a step back from starting the blog for the remainder of 2012.  My grandmother passed away at the age of 91.  I went to New York to attend her funeral and visit family.  I was gone the greater part of December, which made Christmas very hectic when I got home.  The tree was finally trimmed on Dec 22nd, which gave my family and I no time to get into the spirit.

With New Year’s here, I have made one of my resolutions to focus on this site more.  I would love to get a following and have a network of bloggers, friends, and readers to share ideas and get new ideas from.

If you read this, thank you for your support, and please continue to come back and visit :)

Lindsey

Shopping List 11/26

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Based on my menu for the week, this is my shopping list.  Prices are estimates of what I will spend. 

2 Loaves of bread- $1.50 each

3 lbs of ground beef- $7

Sweet and sour sauce- $2

Brick of cheese- $5

Eggs- $2

Mozzarella Cheese- $3

Bag of frozen chicken breasts- $6 for 3 lbs

Lunch meat- $6/lb

Green beans- $1

Kraft Singles- $3

Sesame Seeds- $2

Peanut Butter- $3

Total: $43

This leaves me a lot of wiggle room to change the menu or list based on prices!  I’m so excited!  I’ll post my actual list and prices when I get home from the store.

Menu Monday 11/26

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OK, so now that all of our leftovers are gone, I guess that means I have to start cooking again…

Remember, my budget for groceries is $50 a week, and I didn’t go shopping at all last week except to get a few essentials (milk, etc.).  So, this week I will need to restock my pantry and fridge while making good meals for my family.

Monday:

Breakfast- Scrambled eggs with cheese

Lunch- Penne noodles with marinara sauce.

*At this point in my day, I will go to the grocery store*

Dinner- Meatloaf with green beans and mashed potatoes

Tuesday:

Breakfast- Cinnamon french toast

Lunch- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Dinner- Sesame Chicken with sweet and sour sauce and rice

Wednesday:

Breakfast- Waffles

Lunch- Chicken nuggets

Dinner- Burritos

Thursday:

Breakfast- Scrambled Eggs with cheese and toast

Lunch- Chicken quesadillas

Dinner- Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti

Friday:

Breakfast- Banana and peanut butter toast

Lunch- Turkey Roll Ups

Dinner- Pizza- every Friday we usually run to Little Ceasars and grab a pizza.  A treat for all of us, and only $5!

Saturday:

Breakfast- Banana pancakes

Lunch- Leftover pizza

Dinner- We try to go once a week to my in laws or my parents’ house.  We’ll have a barbeque or just hang out and snack all night. 

 

Any easy dinner plans for you this week?  How do you plan your menus on a budget?  Let us know!

And please, share this site with your friends!

 

 

Leftover Burritos

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I have been told that I am the queen of making leftovers appetizing, or making a meal out of nothing.

Last night, I made burritos comprised entirely of stuff I already had in my fridge/pantry.  It was so rewarding to spend nothing on an awesome meal!!

We always have tortillas on hand at my house, along with frozen boneless skinless chicken breast.  I boiled a breast for about 30 mins in water and taco seasoning until it was able to be shredded.

Also on this monster burrito are pinto beans, avocado, sour cream, cheese, diced tomatoes, and Cholula hot sauce.

My husband raved about these burritos all night, saying they were better than anything you can get from a Mexican food restaurant.  I beg to differ, but I’m glad my family enjoyed the meal!

Do you have any tips for not wasting any food in your fridge?  Any awesome leftover recipes?  Please let us know in the comments!

Cleaning the Bathroom

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It’s time for me to start my daily cleaning. *sigh*

Today I will be deep cleaning all the bathrooms in the house.  This is often a very dirty job as I have a little girl who is potty training and still uses a little potty, a cat, and a husband.

MY LIST FOR AN IMMACULATE BATHROOM

Take everything out of the bathroom that you can.  Rugs, towels, dirty clothes, soap dispenser… Grab the rubber gloves and get ready to get dirty.

  • Tip- As I am cleaning the bathrooms, I am also washing the towels so that I can put clean towels back in the bathroom!
  • Tip- Work top to bottom.  That way you only have to vacuum and mop once!

I always start with the shower/bath.  I spray some shower cleaner, let it sit for a minute or two, and scrub away. 

  • Tip- Cleaning the shower is so much easier if you do it daily while showering!  To avoid soap scum buildup, leave a squeegee in the shower so everyone can run over the tile and glass when they are done.

Next for me is the mirror and windows.  I use glass cleaner to leave a nice streak free shine.

Then it’s time for the countertop and sink.  Wipe down and make sure to get all the caked on toothpaste out of the sink.  Also, pay attention to that little drain hole at the top of the sink, this area can get VERY dirty.

  • Tip- To get that caked on toothpaste off your sink, spray it with a little vinegar mixed with lemon juice.  The acids in the mixture will work to loosen the toothpaste.  I just use an old toothbrush to scrub it off.

Toilet time.  UGH.  I used a toilet bowl cleaner around the rim, let that set while I am scrubbing behind the toilet, then use a sponge to really clean the hard water stains from the toilet.  Remember to wear your gloves for this job :) Cleaning the seat and the tank just requires a wipe down, and I use my toothbrush for those little crevasses and hard to reach places.

After this, you are almost done.  I swear. 

Next is vacuuming.  I have a special vacuum for tile and hardwood floors which makes this job a breeze.  After I pick up all the dust/cat hair/human hair/nastiness from the floor, I mop with a good smelling floor cleanser.

Do you have any other cleaning tips?  Anything you do differently?  Let me know in the comments!

Boneless Buffalo Wings

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Here is my recipe for my famous (to my family) Boneless Buffalo Wings.  It’s probably really bad for you, but it tastes so good :)

Step 1

I make a rub using flour, pepper, salt, garlic salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.  The majority is flour, then its just a dash of everything else to taste.

Step 2

Cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into little squares and put in flour mixture.

At this point you will cook the wings.  I’m a bad girl, I know… I deep fry them.  So good :)

We use Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce.

Mix cooked wings with sauce.

Add ranch and done.  Now where’s the celery? :)

Tastes just as good as Buffalo Wild Wings I swear.