Thou Shalt Waste Not...

Lately, I've been trying to reduce food waste at home, work, and on the go. As much as I do care about the environment, times are tough and I need to save money where I can.

I wanted to share this article I can across on wholeliving.com, which provides some interesting facts about the hazards of food waste. For example, did you know rotting food produces Methane; a gas 25 times stronger than Carbon Dioxide? It also provides some practical and original suggestions on ways to preserve food and save money. 12 Ways to Prevent Food Waste at Home

One of the suggestions mentioned buying produce locally. This is something I firmly believe in. The local Farmer's Market contains fruits and veggies in season (as nature intended) and straight from the farm ( not that's fresh). If you do have access to one, you still have the option to look at the labels on produce. You know those little annoying stickers. If you look carefully they actually tell where your apple or banana came from.

This brings another dilemma, eating your produce before it rots. Here's a handy guide from Spark People: How to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh

What to Store Where: A Handy ChartUse this color-coded key along with the chart below:

• Store unwashed and in a single layer
• Store unwashed and in a plastic bag
• Store in a paper bag
• *Ethylene producers (keep away from other fruits and vegetables)

Store in Refrigerator Apples (storage >7 days) Apricots Cantaloupe Figs Honeydew Artichokes Asparagus Beets Blackberries Blueberries Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Cherries Corn Grapes Green beans Green onions Herbs (except basil) Lima beans Leafy vegetables Leeks Lettuce Mushrooms Okra Peas Plums Radishes Raspberries Spinach Sprouts Strawberries Summer squash Yellow squash Zucchini

Store on Counter top Apples (storage < 7 days) Bananas Tomatoes Basil Cucumbers Eggplant Garlic Ginger Grapefruit Jicama Lemons Limes Mangoes Oranges Papayas Peppers Persimmons Pineapple Plantains Pomegranates Watermelon Store in a Cool, Dry Place Acorn squash Butternut squash Onions (away from potatoes) Potatoes (away from onions) Pumpkins Spaghetti squash Sweet potatoes Winter squash Ripen on Counter, Then Refrigerate Avocados Nectarines Peaches Pears Plums Kiwi

Style Quiz, Sweepstakes, and Free Arby's Sandwich

Hurry! Arby's is offering a free Hot Turkey Roaster from 11:00am to 1:00pm

No coupon necessary. While supplies last and at all locations.Free Arby's Sandwich info

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucky Magazine Find your Fashion Fall Quiz

Take a fun quiz to help define your fall fashion style plus enter into the The Ultimate "Fashionista" Lucky Magazine Getaway to NYC! Plus, you could instantly win a $100, $50 or $20 Shop Etc. Gift Card. Good luck! Fall fashion Quiz



Free Big Hunk Candy Bar

 

Free Big Hunk Candy Bar

 

 

 

Head over to Facebook for a free Big Hunk candy bar. Click "Send me a Big Hunk", fill out a form, and click "Like" to obtain this freebie. Hurry offer only for the first 10,000. Free Big Hunk candy bar

Free Things on Your Birthday

Looking for free deals on your birthday? The following is my top list of things you can receive free on your birthday. This list is compiled of deals which are completely free (no purchase required). Promotions require you sign up for a club or e-mail list. I suggest you sign-up several weeks in advance to ensure your registration is processed.

Free entree from IHOP

Sign-up for the Pancake Revolution eClub and receive an e-mail for a free ROOTY TOOTY FRESH 'N FRUITY breakfast (or menu item of equal or lesser value) for your birthday. See site for complete details. IHOP

 

Free 10 oz frozen yogurt from Cherry on Top

Subscribe to Cherry On Top eclub and receive an e-mail for a free 10 oz yogurt on your birthday. Locations in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nebraska, Nevada, and Internationally.

 Cherry On Top eclub

 

Free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream from Baskin-Robbins



Become a Birthday Club member and receive an e-mail for 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream at your local participating Baskin-Robbins.  Birthday club sign-up is in located in the bottom left of the site page.

 Baskin Robbins Birthday Club

 

Free Del Taco premium shake





Sign-up for Del Taco Raving Fan eClub and receive an e-mail for a free premium shake for your birthday. I like this offer because you will receive an e-mail coupon for 2 free Chicken Soft Tacos when signing up. See site for complete details. Club sign-up is located at the bottom left of the site page.  Del Taco Raving Fan eClub

$5.00 off any purchase at DSW



Become a DSW Rewards member and receive a certificate on your birthday. Currently the amount is $5.00 off any purchase in store or online. See site for details. DSW Rewards

Free gift from Sephora



Sephora is offering a complimentary birthday gift for Beauty Insiders. Sign-up online or in-store. No purchase is necessary. To receive your free gift simply show your card to the cashier any day during your birthday month. Gifts change annually. See site for details. Sephora Beauty Insider

 

$5.00 off any item at Jason's Deli



Subscribe to the Jason's Deli Birthday Club mailing list and receive a coupon for $5.00 off any item at participating restaurants. Sadly, California only has one location in Riverside. Hopefully more will come soon! Jason's Deli

More Healthy Breakfast Options

As hard as it is to find the time to eat breakfast, it is equally difficult to find the variety I crave to keep breakfast both healthy and interesting. On the look out for culinary inspiration I came across this feature from Whole Living. It offers some unique waffle, pancake, and french toast ideas.
Whole Living - Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Fool-Proof Buttermilk Waffles

I make homemade buttermilk waffles aleast once a week. They taste 1000 times better than the flimsy store bought ones and healthier too. I use whole-wheat pastry flour,which adds fiber and has a wonderfully subtle nutty flavor. This recipe is one I've tweaked over the years and is virtually fool-proof.

Buttermilk Waffles

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 ¾ cup buttermilk

½ cup canola oil

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour (whole-wheat pastry flour is best)

1 tablespoon sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

 Directions:

1.   Preheat waffle iron.

2.   Beat eggs in large bowl until fluffy.

3.   Mix in buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

4.   Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir into buttermilk mixture until smooth. Be careful not to over mix.

5.   Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto hot iron. Cook until golden brown. 

 Serve hot.

5 Craft Ideas Using Scrapbook Paper

I will admit several years ago I was bitten by the scrapbook bug. What seemed like a inexpensive way to archive family moments, turned into a massive time consuming chore. I spent way too much money, so I decided to throw in the towel after my third child was born. The aftermath of my creative experiement involved a mountain of scrapbook supplies and sadly only three completed books for my daughter (the 1st child) and none for my two younger boys. My departure from scrapbook mania has not swayed my affection for scrapbook paper. I often find myself wandering into the long aisles of my favorite craft store consumed by racks and racks of paper. So many of the designs and textures are works of art in their own right. With so many beautiful options at such low prices (10 cents to 1.00 dollar average), I started thinking- what can I do with this? The following 5 projects utilize left over scrapbook scraps, 12 x 12 scrapbook paper, or newly purchased 12 x 12 paper.

1: Line a drawer

  To spruce up an old night stand, I lined the drawer with left over 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. For a bit more drama the sides were painted black. If you choose to paint I suggest doing so beforehand so any drips or mistakes can be hidden. When paint is dry simply measure your paper, cut to size, and adhere with Mod Podge. I love Mod Podge because it also works as a sealer. I put several top coat over the paper to ensure duralibity.

2.  Change up artwork

I purchased this frame from a thrift store but didn't care much for the artwork. I love the vibrant colors in this scrapbook page and knew it would be perfect. After carefully removing the backing, I simply cut the paper to size and secured with adhesive.

3.  Cover a plain magazine file

I purchased plain magazine files from Ikea. They are very inexpensive and great for storing books, folders, and pretty much anything paper. Three full 12 x 12 sheets were used to cover one file. Simply trace the larger side onto one whole sheet, decorated side facing down, adding an additional 1/2 inch around for fold over. Repeat for other side using a second whole sheet. The third sheet can be used to trace the front and back panels ( you do not need to add the additional 1/2 inch). Once everything is cut out, assemble large sides first using craft glue. Carefully fold edges over the sides, front, and back panels. Don't worry the fold over will be covered by the other pieces. Adhere the remaining panel pieces to the front and back and your done. If you stock up during a sale, this project will only cost about 60 cents!

4. Revamp an old dresser

Want to add a little something special to an old drawer? Try decoupaging the face using textured scrapbook paper. Other options include flora designs and lettering. Keep in mind the size of your drawer will dictate the amount of paper you will need. It's faster than decorative painting and cheaper than wallpaper. Mod Podge works great for this project as adhesive and sealer. Note: It really is durable. This drawer has three coats and has not scratched or frayed. If covering  a child's drawer use more coats.

5.  Line a bookcase

 My boys are in the Thomas the Tank Engine phase. Everything has to be train related. Licensed decor is often pricey, so I when I saw this train themed paper I knew I had to use it somewhere in their room. This old bookcase got a new face lift with a little brown paint and scrapbook paper backing. I laminated the pages first using self sticking laminate rolls. You just roll out the sheet and the self-stick backing instantly covers any surface. No need for a fancy laminating machine. It is available at all major retailers and greatly enhanced the durability of this bookcase (imagine dirty hand prints wiped clean away). Double sided tape was used to place the papers to change the paper as the boys grow older.


Stay tuned for more ideas...

 

Free Yogi Tea Samples

Yogi Tea is offering 2 free tea samples for a friend, when you send a personalized e-card. Send a well-wish to a friend, then have them send one to you! Send Well-Wish to a friend

Free Shipping Offer- Last call by Neiman Marcus

                                       

For those of you who may not be familiar, Last call has great deals on designer items.
 I have two free shipping codes for standard shipping only with no minimum purchase requirement!
Use FSANN5 or FSSTORE3 during checkout. Good through August 31st.
 They are also having a great sale now until August 13th with an additional 25% off women's clothing- even clearance (no code required).
Last Call Neiman Marcus

Back to School Savings and Free Activites at your local Mall

Looking for free activities and back to school savings? Check out your local GGP mall. Not sure if your mall is GGP? Use the scroll down menu to see if your mall is listed. There great Back to School events, savings, and even sweepstakes. Here's a sample of what you'll find:

Want to test your wit? Enter the "Are You Smarter Than Your Student Sweepstakes". You can select from elementary, middle school, and even high school questions. Prizes include mall gift cards, Dell computers, and the grand prize - a luxury family vacation for four to the Arizona Grand Resort with daily Arizona Outback Adventure trips.  Enter daily through August 20th.
Are you Smarter Than Your Student Sweepstakes

              During the month of August participating malls are having tax-free shopping events.
                                                            Dates and locations may vary. Tax-Free Mall Events

Take your children ages 2-12 to the Back-to-School Kids Fest. Activities include crafts, face painting, and music. Dates, times and locations may vary. Through August 25th. Back To School Fest