Frugal Healthy Choices

Quick Delicious Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:00:29 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Private Selection for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As most of my readers know, I like to make just about everything we eat from scratch.

Soups, sauces, veggies, all meals, meats, granolas, and most especially the desserts.

I will tackle it all to keep us as healthy as possible.

And one of the main reasons for doing this is so that I know exactly what is in our food.

I don't believe in anything artificial, and those hydrogenated and trans fats are a big no-no in this house.

Don't get me wrong, I use and consume fats, but not a one of them is man made.

And neither are any of the sugars or sweeteners - all natural stuff only in our foods.

It's great to be able to do this, but it is very time consuming.

And when unexpected company makes a visit, it is just about impossible to whip up something quick.

But now I will no longer have to worry about the dessert part of the meal when they do show up without warning.

There is a new line of Upsidedown Cakes that are sold exclusively at the Kroger Family of Stores that are made by a private label brand called Private Selection.

These Private Selection Upside Down Cakes are the perfect thing to have on hand for a quick dessert.

Made of only all natural, wholesome ingredients, these cakes are a snap to make.

You warm it in it's own pan, flip it onto a serving plate, then serve the delicious cake to your guests.

And these premium cakes do not have a premium price - you could have dessert any night of the week!

With their homemade taste, they come in three different flavors, so there's something for every one.

There is currently a Private Selection Upside Down Cakes coupon available online to save a dollar on any one of these cakes.

And you can double that coupon to two dollars by Liking and Sharing Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Facebook.

To find the nearest store where you can purchase these Private Selection Upside Down Cakes, please check out this store locator link: http://www.privateselection.com/store-locator/

Be sure to follow Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Pinterest too!

Disclaimer:

Coupon ends 6/2/13. Official Rules. In order to load these coupons to your card, you will need to sign into your Kroger account or set up a Kroger account and enter your card number. Limit one use per digital coupon. Digital offers are not eligible on Manager's Specials, cannot be combined with manufacturer paper coupons on the purchase of a single item, and do not double. Not all items are available in all stores. A limit of 150 coupons can be loaded per household at one time.

Finally, A Restful Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:28 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZzzQuil for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are several different kinds of products on the market that are made to help you fall asleep on those occasional times when it is hard to do so on your own.

And most of them are not very effective, or the sleep they deliver is not a restful, peaceful one.

We received yet another one of these fall asleep products as a sample from P&G, and were excited to try it after reading about it online.

We were sent a sample of ZzzQuil from the makers of Vicks NyQuil, which we know is an effective product when we have a cold.

We received this nighttime sleep aid in the form of a liquid that is in the flavor of Warming Berry.

True to that one of a kind Vick's taste, it was easy going down.

It came with a little cup to measure out the correct amount with no hassle.

In the past, when a sleep aid was used, it would have to be taken a good forty-five minutes to an hour for it to kick in.

We found this liquid to be very quick acting when compared to the pills.

It worked within half an hour.

And the sleep it gave was a restful and peaceful one for the whole night through.

It is great to find a product that works so well, and the best part about it, it is not habit forming.

The active ingredient, Diphenhydramine HCI, really works to help you fall asleep.

We thank you, P&G, for giving us this opportunity to test your product - you have a winner with Vicks ZzzQuil!

If you haven't yet, check out and Like ZzzQuil on Facebook.

And if you have tried the product, leave them a note to let them know if you liked it, and be sure to tweet with the hashtag #ZzzQuilNight too!

If you haven't tried it, and you need a good night's sleep, can't hurt to give it a try!

It's a Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:00:24 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Moen, Incorporated for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Oh where was this little beauty when we were searching for our new kitchen faucet last fall.

And search we did - at all the hardware stores both in person and online.

It took us a few trips to finally decide on the model that we wanted at the price we could afford.

We compromised on the model - I wanted a high one, and my husband wanted one that pulled out with the sprayer in the faucet itself.

We got a pull out one that was just as short as the one we already had in there.

We couldn't find those two features in one model at the time.

But just a few months later the Kiran Spot Resist one-handle pulldown kitchen faucet hits the market at Lowe's.

I wish it had been available when we were looking as it has the features that we both wanted, plus a whole lot more that we could never have dreamed of.

Look at that beauty - so high with the perfect arch.

And it pulls down for easy rinsing and cleaning, and it slick at going right back up with the relex system that it is designed with.

The Moen name is also one of the top brands for quality when it comes to faucets.

But the best part about this little beauty is it's spot resistant finish.

That sleek stainless steel finish resists fingerprints and spots so it stays looking it's best all the time.

We will live the choice we made last year, but it is good to know that if something happens to it, we will be able to replace it with this perfect one for us.

Check out and Like Moen on Facebook to keep up with their new products and be sure to follow @Moen on Twitter too!

Grass Fed Beef - What a Treat!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:57:41 PDT

Eating lean and low fat meat is a necessary part of a healthy diet.

We all know that too much fat is not good, but when eating meat, sometimes it's not only the fat that is not good for us.

There are whole new sections in the markets these days for organic and grass fed meats.

We usually check them out, but even on sale, these meats are very expensive, so they don't make it into the cart on a regular basis.

But every now and then, we hit it just right when the market is reducing them for clearance.

That's when we get to have a special treat.

The grass-fed ground beef makes the absolutely best hamburgers one can ever eat.

This meat is all natural and no hormones were used during the raising of the animal.

We would have never known the big difference between the regular and organic if we hadn't tasted this meat.

It is so good!

We now keep our eyes open more closely on this section in the market.

We don't want to miss a deal when it comes around.

Mixing Potions

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:06:05 PST

I have been having some fun with mixing different ingredients for my own creams and shampoos.

In my last post, I was seeking a more natural alternative to all the chemical products on the market for our skin care.

Some of my experiments have been complete failures.

Some have just not been the mixture that my skin, especially my face, needs or likes.

And I have had some success with a couple of great potions that we use regularly.

But I still haven't found the perfect recipe for my face lotion or shampoo.

When I do make up the mixtures, I make smaller amounts so we can test them without wasting too much of the ingredients.

And the mixing of the oils and waters, which is what most lotions and creams are, is quite a learning experience as those two ingredients just do not mix well.

Using beeswax and watching the temps while mixing them will give better results, but it does take practice to get it right.

Finding the right oils for my skin type is also a learning process.

I will say though, I have always used ivory soap for my skin as it has been the only soap throughout my entire life that has not given my skin any problems.

I have tried numerous beauty bars, soft soaps, and cleansers over the years and not a none of them is agreeable to my skin, face or otherwise.

The ivory is pure, real soap, but as I get older, I find it is drying to my usually oily skin, hence the search for a non-greasy moisturizer.

As I mentioned above, I have had a few successes, but I know I need to make some changes to those recipes so they are perfect.

Once they get used up, the experimenting will continue.

I will share the ones that work the best for us.

Even More Natural

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:40:58 PST

I have always tried to be aware of what I ate and what products I used on my body.

The more natural the better has always been my motto.

No processed foods, no make-up, and the "most natural" soaps and lotions I could find in the market that were not too expensive.

The expensive part has taken a jump these days and combine that with healthy or natural products and the price skyrockets.

So, I have been doing a lot of reading and researching.

Time to try making some of my own lotions, soaps, and shampoos.

This has always made me nervous thinking I couldn't do it right.

But I don't want to keep using all the chemical mixtures on the store shelves on my skin and hair any longer.

And if others can do it successfully, then I don't see why I can't.

I have ordered several types of organic carrier oils that are meant for my skin type - grapeseed, almond, apricot, and my favorite, jojoba.

I already have several bottles of essential oils, and my kitchen is stocked with herbs for cooking - and many of them are also used for skin and hair care.

My daughter is the queen of aloe vera plants - they multiply like crazy for her - so adding them to my supplies will be too easy.

I will start with very small batches, breaking down some of the recipes I have found to just a couple day's supply to see how well they work.

Once I know what works best, I can make bigger batches.

But as with natural products, they don't have the preservatives that the chemical ones do, so they are only good for so long.

I am excited to try mixing and creating my own "potions".

And of course I will share my findings right here!

Stevia Sweetener

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:11:59 PST

In a previous post, I discussed how I was watching the added sugar intake in my diet.

It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be, and I really do feel better because of it.

I tried the different sugar substitutes on the market, but I couldn't get past the thought that they were artificial chemicals - something our bodies should not be ingesting.

Even the stevia sweeteners on the market have been processed with additional ingredients.

They are white and look like sugar.

The natural stevia plant is green.

So why not go straight to the source - the plant itself.

I ordered some dried leaves and soaked them in some vodka for 24 hours.

After straining it, it is ready to use.

It only takes 1/2 a teaspoon to sweeten a 16 ounce cup of iced tea.

With no calories and no affect on blood glucose levels either.

And it is all totally natural.

I think next time I will make it with water instead of vodka.

It only lasts a couple if weeks in the refrigerator though, so it will have to be a smaller batch as the alcohol preserves the vodka method indefinitely.

I am giving some thought to purchasing some seeds and growing it myself this summer.

I am glad to have discovered it - it is amazing what mother nature provides!

Cute Outfit for Spring

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:00:36 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of No nonsense for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The January thaw that we have been having this past week has the mind wandering to the next season.

Spring!

And a new dress for the new season can always bring a smile.

Checking out some of the new styles for this season, I found a cute outfit that is just the right color for spring.

A light blue dress with a graceful touch of lace around the neckline and puffy sleeves that are long for those chilly New England days is what I call a perfect dress.

Classic blue pumps and a white shoulder bag match perfectly with the dress.

But what ties the whole outfit together are the white tights.

No nonsense tights and leggings have a way adding just what is needed to complete an outfit.

And with all the colors that are available, there is a pair for every occasion and every outfit.

They can even be purchased at many food and drug stores, so dropping a pair in the cart while grocery shopping couldn't be easier.

They are a very affordable way to perk up an old outfit too - making it look new and different.

And I agree with the new face of No nonsense, Jill Martin.

She is a leading fashion expert and she thinks these trendy, high quality tights and leggings can change any outfit without costing and arm and leg.

To keep up with all the news on these new products, Like No nonsense on Facebook and follow them onTwitter @benononsense.

Good fashion that is affodable is just we all need during these trying economic times.

Watching the Sugars

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 09:53:32 PST

It comes in many different colors and forms and even has many different names.

But unless it is naturally occurring in the food that is eaten, it is considered an "added sugar" in any of it's forms.

Back in 2008, sugar consumption in the US was 136 pounds per person per year.

That's above and beyond the natural sugars already in our fruits, vegetables, and milk.

And the rest of the world is not far behind us in their consumption too.

Heck, I have even seen our cat eating the sweet-eating ants in the summer, and everyone knows how much bears love honey.

Sugar is just too good and all the Earth's creatures love it.

Even though it is considered "empty calories" it is necessary in supplying the brain with energy.

But being human, it is easy to let our love of something get too far out of hand.

Too much sugar contributes to many health problems, the most widespread being, obesity.

And that leads to many other diseases and ailments which can all be avoided.

So, I have been carefully watching my "added sugar" intake over the last six weeks.

According to my weight and calorie intake, it is recommended that I get 25 grams of added sugar a day.

Man, I was getting over that in just my breakfast alone.

And that iced tea that we always prided on making ourselves - that needed a serious makeover too.

That added sugar is everywhere and in everything.

And I am not one who will substitute those no calorie sweeteners to take the place of the real thing.

Don't need those fake chemicals that do their own damages in other ways.

When I first cut out the sugar, I was eating none, even the naturally occurring ones in the fruits.

But after reading more, I realized that those ones don't count.

I needed to only count the added sugars.

And when it comes down to it, it really isn't all that bad after all.

Even during the holidays with all the goodies, I could get by on just a nibble.

And that is still all that is needed now - it really does work.

And all my tea has been sugar free as well, and I enjoy it just the same.

And the weird thing, I can even taste the sugars in the lettuce now.

Who would have thought that?

Huge Cantaloupes

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 09:39:49 PST

The cantaloupe melons seem to be running large this season.

The market has a fresh batch from Central America, and they are on sale this week.

I couldn't believe the size of the melon that I was getting for only $1.50.

I weighted it when I got home - 5 pounds on the button.

Now, that is going to be a heavy melon on our innards, or it is going to have us running to the bathroom from all it's water content.

It is a very tasty one - sweet and just the right ripeness.

Due to their textured skins, I always make sure I scrub them with a brush under running water to remove the potential harmful bacteria that settles into the nooks and crannies in the rind.

Cubed and served, they sure are a healthy, delicious snack!

A Good Tea

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:06:16 PST

I love tea.

Green tea is my most favorite and this time of the year there is a special treat at the market.

It is by the Celestial Seasons brand and it is a green tea with all natural peppermint added to it.

It is called Candy Cane Lane.

Last year was the first time I tried it, and I was hooked.

I bought a couple of boxes this year, and it is a good thing I did.

When I was last at the market, I noticed they were all gone already.

The mint in this blend gives a cool, fresh feeling to the mouth.

It is a great blend, and if you can find a box, give it a try - it is delicious, and the green tea is filled with healthy antioxidants which are an added benefit!

Starting Anew

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 11:35:44 PST

I have been very lax in recording my food intake and exercises in my daily journal.

I have been using the My Fitness Pal app on my iPhone and tablet to record all of that info for the past eight months.

But during the last couple of months I ran into a few health problems that have thrown me off track plus a death in the family didn't help with the emotional side.

Starting today I have been recording my food and exercise, and I hope to keep it up as I did in the past.

I am not happy with myself for letting it lapse, but sometimes things happen that one has no control over.

I am also trying something different in my diet to see if I can help the body feel better.

I have been more fortunate than most with my lupus, but sometimes it does get to me.

Will post more about my experiment as time goes on - fingers are crossed that it works!

A Meal of Tilapia

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:41:52 PST

The supermarket has been having tilapia fish at the counter for the past few months.

Having not tried it, I was curious to see what it was like.

But paying $6.99 a pound to try it was risky just in case it wasn't something we liked.

When we found it on sale for $1.99 a pound, we were pleased and anxious to have a meal of it.

We had read it was quickly becoming a favorite through out the US for it's very mild flavor that didn't have a fishy taste.

We cooked it on the grill, as we usually cook our fish to avoid the smell indoors.

The fillets were thin and it didn't take very long.

The cooked texture reminded me of salmon, not the like the other white fish of cod or haddock.

The taste was extremely mild - not much flavor at all.

But the thing that got me was the texture in my mouth.

It was mushy.

Salmon is not mushy.

Mush and me do not get along.

So glad we got the tilapia at such a deal - we will not be buying it again.

I can say the cat sure appreciated it though!

Raw Honey

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 18:13:54 PST

We have always enjoyed honey - especially in our tea.

It gives it a smooth flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.

I never really paid too much attention to the different kinds of honey though.

As long as it looked clear with a golden color, I figured that was how it was supposed to be.

And when it begins to crystallize and look cloudy, as it tends to do over time, that is something that is easily remedied.

By setting the jar in a warm pan of water it will go back to it's clear, smooth condition.

But my daughter told me about the raw honey that she has been using these last few weeks.

I checked it out, and there is a difference between it and the one I usually buy.

The raw honey is completely unprocessed.

No pasteurizing or heating it to destroy the natural yeast cells in the liquid.

It's not filtered to remove the pollen grains or small particles from the comb.

Nor has it been strained either.

It contains all the minerals, enzymes, and propolis which all work together as an antiseptic with antibiotic properties.

An all natural product that tastes good too.

It must be used in moderation though as the unprocessed variety may contain toxins from certain flowers that the bees gather the pollen from.

There is no way of controlling the way the bees work.

But when used in small amounts, the health benefits of the raw honey far outweigh the risks.

Conquering Those Raised Beds

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:00:25 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Help is on the way for us with our raised bed gardens.

For years we have used these beds - some for vegetables and some for flowers and herbs.

And each year the yield from the veggies is okay.

The green beans are our best growers, followed by the cucumbers and the tomatoes.

The flowers and herbs don't do too badly, but I am sure their beds could use some new life put back into them.

And we try to do that by adding manure and soil each season.

But this season we are going to go by the books - or videos as it is today.

The Gardenieres has some great info for us gardeners, and one I will be paying attention to is the one for choosing soil.

I am sure that by using the tips that Coach Dave has to offer, my gardens will be doing much better next season.

By using the correct soil for my flower beds this fall, they will get what they need to help them through the winter and they will be off to their best start for the next season.

I never really thought about putting the soil in the beds in the fall, and I will be anxious to see the results next season.

In New England, the ability to Find beauty in the Fall is all around us, and keeping those beds in shape will keep them lasting even longer.

Check out and "like" the Miracle-Gro Facebook page where you can find many other helpful tips from the Gardenieres.

Love That Bread

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:01:52 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nature's Pride Bread for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I must admit, bread is one of my weaknesses, but I have become more picky over the years.

Years ago, the soft white breads had my heart, but as I got older and began to realize that I needed to put the healthiest things I could in my body, the white bread took a back seat.

A back seat to the delicious whole grain breads that are available everywhere today.

Getting the most nutrition from my bread became a priority for me and I scoured those labels looking at what the different ones had to offer.

Then it became that just the nutrition wasn't enough.

As I became a more aware consumer, I realized that not all whole grain breads are created equally.

Some had artificial colors or flavorings in them.

I could certainly do without those ingredients in me.

And trans fats is such a no-no for me that nothing with it ever finds it's way into my cart.

So, that is when I was lucky enough to discover Nature's Pride Bread.

They only use all natural ingredients in their breads, and I am sure that is what makes them so delicious.

So delicious they can be used in a variety of different recipes, and nobody would even be the wiser that they are eating so healthy.

One of my favorites is the Pizza Panini.

It is so simple to make too.

Starting with a garlic butter mixture, spread it on one side of the 12 Grain variety of bread.

Spread the other side with your favorite pizza sauce.

Top that with some turkey pepperoni - keeping it low fat too!

Then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and top the whole thing with another slice of bread.

Make sure you butter the top of it before sticking it in the panini grill.

When that cheese is melted and the bread is toasted, you have one delicious, low fat, healthy lunch.

If you have a great recipe using Nature's Pride Bread, please let me know it in my comment section.

And don't forget to Like Nature’s Pride on Facebook - you can enter their contest to win Free Bread for a month!

From Swimming to Walking

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:50:31 PDT

We knew it had to end.

Our daily swims at the lake have been over for about three weeks now.

Last year we made it into October, but this year it just wasn't possible - the weather didn't cooperate at all.

Last year I picked up yoga to replace the swimming, and I have stuck with it right through the whole year.

I miss the swimming, but joining the Y or a fitness club is just out of our reach at this time.

So, my husband tells me, "I would like to do something to replace the swimming"

Knowing that Yoga was not for him, I began to think.

We needed something we could do that didn't cost us anything.

Something close to home would be great too.

And nothing too hard - I didn't want him to quit before he began.

Walking was the just the ticket.

We figure a good 40 minute walk a couple of times a week would get us started.

Of course, the weather has been cooperating perfectly so far.

But I know it will get colder - New England can be counted on for that.

But hopefully by then it will have become such a desired thing that we won't let it bother us.

Fingers are crossed!

Chance to Win $100 Gift Card

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 20:00:41 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PULL-UPS® Night*Time for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

One area of child rearing has become a lot more fun for the kids over the past years.

I remember the days when our kids were learning how to use the "big" potty.

There was no such thing as the PULL-UPS® Night*Time Glow in the Dark training pants that the kids and parents have today.

It makes it so much easier and for the kids - so much fun.

They love to watch them glow in the dark after they have been exposed to a bright light for 30 seconds.

Parents can now save on these pants by clicking the above image which will take you to a page with a coupon to save $1.

And if you share that offer, the coupon doubles to $2 - a pretty good savings during these hard times.

And by sharing your child's nighttime routine with the PULL-UPS® Night*Time Glow in the Dark training pants, parents can enter to win a $100 Wlamart Gift Card.

Create as many Glow Show Stories as you want and enter them on the website for a chance to the gift card.

The more stories you enter, the more chances you have to win.

And be sure to check back often to see if you are a winner - they will be listed on that page.

Savings on these necessities is a must during these times, and winning $100 is even better.

But the best part - the kids will have fun learning how to use the potty with the glow in the dark training pants for night time!

Salmon on the Menu

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:51:56 PDT

It has been awhile.

The price of salmon in the fish market has been way too much for our budget

Even when it had been on sale.

And usually it was the very pale farm raised variety of salmon that was being offered on the sale.

We arrived at the market at just the right time today.

We heard another customer state as we walked by them:

"Look at all that fish for two bucks" as he spoke to his partner and pointed to his basket.

We both turned and looked at each other mouthing the words: two bucks?

Without another word we headed directly to the fish counter.

They were clearing it out and the beautiful wild caught Alaskan sockeye salmon was $3.99 a pound.

Deep red fillets - just like the ones we watch the bears in Alaska catch on the webcams.

And the pollack fish was $1.99 a pound.

Dinner was the best with the salmon and the freezer has a couple of pollack meals awaiting us.

Man, that fish was delicious and what a treat!

Making Steps Count

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:39:13 PDT

As most of my readers know, I keep a count each day of my steps.

I also count all my calories which has become an easy task thanks to the MyFitnessPal app on my smartphone.

At the end of each day, I log my steps (or miles) at the beewellforlife.com website.

I get "credit" for the steps and calories, and a donation is made to the American Diabetes Assoc and the Women Heart group from the Bumble Bee Foods that sponsors the program.

I have done this for a few years now, and it only takes a minute to help out others in this small way.

I have just recently joined the Walgreens Rewards program, and have checked it out online to track my "points"

There is a load of info on that site, and I discovered the Walk with Walgreens program that they have.

Wouldn't you know, I can track my steps there too, and with the new rewards program they have, I can earn points on my account with my steps.

And when I have earned enough points, I can redeem them for a discount when I check out in the store or online.

Saving money is always right up my alley - so it is a win-win situation all the way around.

Free Layaways!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:01:09 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kmart for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Free is always good, and when you find a free layaway progam, it is even better.

I haven't used a layaway program in years, but I can see where this holiday season , it might be just the thing to do for all those holiday gifts on the list.

So many times we have gone shopping only to find that what we wanted to get was already gone - and the remaining selection was not going to fit the bill.

So, shopping early this season, and putting everything on layaway makes sense, especially now with the Kmart's Big Layaway Giveaway that is going on until 11/17/12.

Beginning 9/9/12, K-Mart will be giving their layaway customers a chance to have their remaining balance paid in full.

Each week there will be a lucky winner, so the sooner the layaway is placed, the more chances you have of winning.

And to make using this service easier - layaways can be placed online - and the payment can be made online too.

That certainly makes it easier than in the old days when you had to drive down and make the payment each week at the store. These days that saves on the gas too!

And everything in the store can be put on layaway, unlike many of the other stores such as Walmart, Best Buy, or Toys R Us.

Time to go shopping for some high-tech gifts on that holiday list:

Check out why layaways at K-Mart are the best deal compared to some other major retailers:

Serene Swim

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:33:30 PDT

The days are getting shorter as the sun sets earlier and earlier each evening.

The swim area at the lake is now closed for the season - there was hardly anyone in it the last couple of weeks anyway.

The cooler nights have made the water too cold for most folks.

But not us.

We are still down there everyday - parking outside the gate and walking down to the beach.

I will admit, that lake water is a bit chilly at first, but once we get ourselves motivating along the swim lines, we are just fine.

In fact, the air is colder than the water when we finally drag ourselves out of it.

And yesterday was one of the best days this past season that we have had for swimming.

The water was pure glass - we were gliding through it slowly - taking care not to create splashes that would disturb that serene surface.

It was beautiful - and the late afternoon light added to the mood perfectly.

As we were drying beside the water's edge, just before we left, Mother Nature gave us a wonderful gift.

According to my phone, it was exactly 5:40, and that must have been when the underwater dinner bell was rung.

All over the surface of the lake, little mouths were popping up and catching the floating bugs for their dinner.

It was quite the site, and to think we almost left directly after the swim due to the chilly air.

Our lake has given us many gifts through the years, and I can see she still has a few surprises left for us.

Haircuts for School

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:12:50 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Regis Family of Brands for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I remember well those last couple of weeks bofore the kids went back to school.

All the rushing around to get just the right clothes.

And the shoes had to be a certain brand and style.

They were not usually too fussy about the paper and notebooks, or many of the other classroom supplies.

As long as they had what was required they were fine.

The book bags were another matter though - even worse than the clothes or shoe shopping.

Color, style, name, size and gadget pockets were a choice that had to made by them alone - my suggestions didn't count here.

But one of the toughtest chores of sending them back to school was the haircuts.

According to them it took too long, could never be scheduled at the right time, and worse of all, they hated how they came out - even if it was the same old regular one they always got.

We learned to get it a couple of weeks before school actually started. That way it would have time to grow a bit and settle in.

My kids have been out of school for years now, but I am betting not much has changed in getting them ready to back with today's generation.

There are many salons now that cater to kids and actually make it a fun thing for them to get a stylish haircut.

And to make it easier on the pocketbook, Haircut Coupon-a-thon is having a great deal - haircuts for $7.99 or $9.99 at many of your favorite salons.

And this coupon can be used by adults too and it expires on 9/30/12.

And are you using your coupon on a mobile device? To redeem your coupon: Touch and hold to save the coupon image. Show coupon to your stylist.

Are you having trouble printing the coupon? Email department@regiscorp.com with the salon brand you'd like to visit and we'll send you a coupon.

Whipped Butter

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:44:53 PDT

I just discovered a really great frugal idea, and it has been around for years.

Whipped Butter - and not the kind you buy at the market.

That is not a frugal idea since it costs as much as the un-whipped kind we are all familiar with, and you get half the amount.

I did buy a small tub of it at the market as that was my only choice for the situation I needed butter for, but that will be my last time buying it.

My husband actually liked it.

And he was getting less of that fat each time he used it as whipped butter has a lot of air in it.

It still looked like he was getting a lot though - and that's what counts to him.

So, by using whipped butter, one is cutting down on the fat intake in their diet.

And by whipping it yourself, the savings really begin to add up.

I used two sticks of softened butter and 1/4 cup of milk to make mine.

I used the whipping attachment on my electric mixer, and I set it to the fastest setting.

It took quite a bit longer than I thought it would, but eventually I began to see an increase in the amount of butter in the mixer bowl.

It close to doubled the amount of un-whipped butter.

I keep it stored in the refrigerator in a covered container and can take it out when it is needed.

It spreads so much easier even when it's cold - so you don't have to give it time to warm up to use it on the soft bread.

I will advise though - don't use it for recipes, as they need a certain amount of fat so it turns out correctly, and whipped butter with all it's air will not work.

Two Great Shoe Deals

noreply@blogger.com (kathy libby) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 03:06:10 PDT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Famous Footwear for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Much as the kids don't want to think about it, the first day of school is just around the corner.

The ads have been coming out with all the sales on everything that they will need for the new school year.

As we all know, the clothes and shoes are the most expensive supplies they will need, so we are all looking for the best deals we can find.

And finding the right deals on the shoes the kids actually want to wear is a job in itself.

So that is where Famous Footwear comes in.

They have all the right styles and brands of shoes that the kids all want and they make it easy for them to shop and find what they want without spending all day in the store.

Right now they are offering a BOGO + 15% off Famous Footwear Coupon that you can print out and take into the store with you.

That's two discounts on this back-to-school deal.

And if you are already a Rewards member, then make that 15% discount a 20% one!

In addition, as a Rewards member, you earn one point for every $1 you spend with them.

Those points add up and you can earn $100 in certificates a year.

You get another discount just for signing up, as well as special discounts and perks just for being a member.

And all of this is free - so there is no reason for not becoming a Rewards member.

Well, that takes care of the shoes for the kids for a new school year and it saves the family a great deal too.

Don't forget to print out your coupon to redeem in any store between 8/2-8/18 so you can Buy One, Get One Half Off as well as save 20% because you are Rewards member.