Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Oh My Stars! Bento :)

So, Rich's Monday Bento ended up lasting him through Tuesday because he has been SO busy at work!  I just finished making his Bento for Wednesday (tomorrow) and I like it!  Here is Monday/Tuesday's Bento, Oh My Stars!!
Beginning at Top, Left then proceeding clockwise:  Star and heart-shaped watermelon bites with a cute, sword pick, Vanilla Yogurt with a star-shaped dollop of my homemade "Kitchen Sink" jam (several diff fruits), Crinkle cut cucumbers and carrots (more about these is a minute) with a star/music pick, and finally a star-shaped boiled egg that I wrote on with edible markers. 
About the crinkle-cut veggies...This past Saturday my family had a picnic get together.  One of the things I brought was a big bowl of fresh veggies with ranch for dipping.  I cut the veggies using my Pampered Chef crinkle cutter which made little wave-like patterns in the veggies.  I want you to know that the kids were all amazed by the veggies and 3/4 of them were eaten by the kids!  Some had only veggies on their plates instead of hot dogs and chips!!  Goes to show that we eat w/ our eyes FIRST!

How did you start off your work week?  What did you have for lunch??  How do you get your kids to try new things without a fight?

Sunday, July 22, 2012

What's in Rich's Bento _ Friday Edition!

A little late here...sorry!!  My guy had a really sucky week last week so I wanted to make him an extra special Bento!  It drew TONS of comments on Facebook (he's cute bc he always takes a pic and posts it). Here is my guy's bento from this past Friday:
Top left: Watermelon from my sister's garden cut into heart and star shapes with a few pieces of a sprite melon underneath, below that is a bear-shaped boiled egg(Rich's daily staple). In the big section, he has a mini star-shaped ham and colby cheese sammie with a homemade peanut butter/choc chip/oatmeal cookie on top. Right beside that is an oatmeal/raisin pawprint. In back, is a mini cheese biscuit and beside that are 2 picks of black olives and colby cheese cubes, all topped off with an Mini Iron Man gummy! :) This is what he eats on throughout the day, hence the variety of things! I think he also brought a dab of homemade chicken orzo from last night. :)  He is holding up the note that I tucked into it the night before so he would find it when he got to work!
 
This made me laugh....
He posted this on Facebook and his caption said, "In case y'all are wondering, it was good!"  I like how he truly appreciates my efforts.  Makes me enjoy doing it for him!
What's in your lunchbox for Monday-Monday??

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Guest Post at SHopping Detox: How to Make Your OWN Laundry Detergent AND GIVEAWAY INFO

Hey, y'all!  First of all, I have been told that "just because we don't follow doesn't mean we don't read."  I understand that, but I have been collecting lots of FREE STUFF to do a giveaway.  ALL I need is 30 people following!  When I do, I will randomly choose one of those following...maybe even 2 because I think I have plenty of "stuff"! 

Anyway, I did a guest post for Annabella over at Shopping Detox while she is on vacation.  It is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own laundry detergent!  EASY!  CHEAP!  a couple of pennies a load!  So, if you're here from her blog, WELCOME!!  If you come here first, visit her blog and check out my article...and the other posts as well!  She is a trip and writes like you are sitting there talking to her.

So...make you some laundry detergent to save some money AND get rid of funky chemicals THEN follow my blog....OR go ahead and follow first, then make your detergent!  Let me know how it goes!!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

STARBUCKS FREEBIE Friday, July 13th

July 13, Noon to 3 p.m. 
 Starbucks Refreshers Verry Berry Hibiscus Handcrafted Beverage
Enjoy a free Tall (12 fl. oz.) handcrafted Starbucks Refreshers™ beverage at participating stores. No purchase necessary. Limit 1 per person. 
 
Love me some FREEBIES!
Bananas:  Love 'em or hate 'em!  I LOVE them!  Did you know there are TONS of things you can use them for besides eating??  Bananas are so cheap so this intrigued me! After reading an article on Care2, I chose my fave ones to tell you about!

Bananas can be used to treat dry, damaged hair.  For the scoop on how to do it, check out THIS article

Who doesn't want whiter teeth?  Bananas are a natural whitener!!  Rub banana peel on your teeth for about two minutes every time you brush! 

This time of year, bugs are out full force!  Rub some banana peels on the bites to alleviate the itch.

Potassium also helps with the healing process for cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

Splinters stink!!  I'll have to tell my splinter story one day that ended in an ER trip (thanks, sis)!! If you press banana peels onto the splinter, the fruit’s natural enzymes will work to get that thing right outta there!

Bananas are a perfectly safe, healthy treat for your furrybaby!

To save on the hips when you have an ice cream craving, simply blend a frozen solid banana in a food processor or blender. You’ll be surprised how much it tastes like soft-serve ice cream!
 
Dried and ground banana peels make an awesome mulch for seedlings and new plants.

There are TONS more tips for using bananas in your daily life! Did I miss any really good ones?  What things have you used bananas for besides just for eating?

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

FREE ZonePerfect Bar

This is totally FREE!!  Limit ONE per person, THREE per household!  Go HERE and simply fill in your mailing info and choose 1 of the 3 flavors.  FREE is always good!!