Spring is kind of weird this year. We have been having a mix of hot, rainy, cloudy, sunny, thunder days. Yes, that’s right, sometimes we have all that on the same day.
I had started seeding some vegetables but with this weather I don’t know if I will have something growing on my garden.
I had already started treating my garden mainly removed the weeds but with so much rain and sun at the same time weeds are growing back and I think it’s best to let the weather control itself before trying to take care of the garden again.
I have an outdoor fireplace in the backyard garden that needs to be cleaned and covered for the outdoor meals, but with this weather we can’t even think in eating outside. One minute is sunny the other is cloudy and raining.
For now I am enjoying my view through my “home office” (in the dressing room) window. Pine trees shining with the rain being illuminated by sun rays.
I am always searching for shopping tips that can help me to save money and reduce my grocery bill. This week I bring here a youtube video posted by CentsibleSawyer. It was posted one year ago but it has great tips than can help us to save some money. This is the first video, next week I’ll post the second one.
Today I went to the supermarket to buy a few things I needed and while I was waiting to be attended by the cashier I took a look around to the items they have to sell near the cashier. I realized that most products were made of paper or cardboard: Gift paper bags, baby shower invitations, happy birthday cards, etc.
I know it is easier to buy a already made birthday card but I can’t stop thinking that they are so easy to make at home that we could save a few trees by not buying them.
Cereals boxes, milk packages, plain paper can be used together with a wide variety of other material to make home made cards to offer for a special occasion. Of course we will have a little more work but we will be reusing some materials we have at home, we save money and our friends and family will receive a personalized card.
Do you make your own invitation or birthday cards?
Barter System
Everybody is always so busy that some of the daily chores are not accomplished. Why not contact your neighbors, friends and family and set up a bartering system?
Imagine you need your lawn mowed but you are allergic to the recently cut grass or you simply don’t like to do it. Talk to a friend and say you will babysit his/her children in exchange for a lawn mow. Or you can offer yourself to take a family children to school in exchange for a car wash. You will save money because you don’t have to hire a gardener or take the car to the wash station. Organize yourself and save money.
Reward Plan
Having two kids at home is very easy to spend money on a visit to the coffee shop. Fried potatoes, gums, lollipops everything is an excuse to buy something. It’s easier to take money to school and buy there something to eat instead of taking it from home. A nice strategy is to establish a reward plan with your kids. Tell them the money they save on gums and snacks out of the house will be put in a box and when you have save enough you can spend a day in a Theme Park or the Zoo. This will make them realize that they can have a fun and different day if they save money.
This Monday my daughter went to her 6 years old check up. She was weighted, measured and did the vision test. In one year she gained 6 kilos (13,2 pounds) and the nurse said it was too much weight gain in one year. She really scared me by telling me that my daughter’s diet had to be supervised because she could be obese in a near future. I was really scared with the idea and told the nurse that I would follow her instruction.
Usually, this routine check ups are followed by a doctor appointment in the same day. When I entered in the doctor’s office I immediately told her what the nurse had told me. The doctor said: Uau…13,2 pounds in one year between the age of 5 and 6 really is too much. Than she check my daughter’s book (where all medical data is) and she immediately said: Well, she’s not fat nor gaining weight too fast. She grew 10 cm (3.9″) in one year and the height versus weight is just fine. She increased 13,2 pounds but she also grew in the same proportion. She is just fine in the final chart, she can be taller and heavier than other kids her age but because of her genes.
When comparing my son’s data at the same age my daughter is slightly taller so everything is fine. It just show us that she is not going to be like her two grandmothers, who are small.
This gives us a warn. Sometime kids seem they are gaining too much weight but we always have to take the height factor to compare. Of course this is different when we are talking about adults that already have their established height, but the gain factor should always be taking into consideration before trying to find the top diet pill.
Here is a video, weight related, for those that think they are too fat or too skinny.
I have been eating so many deserts lately. Yesterday my mother in law made a delicious Chocolate Mousse full of calories…I repeated 3 times.
Once I only publish here healthy recipes I decided to post a Healthy desert for those, like me, that love deserts. I saw this recipe at Taste from Home and photo is also from the.
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar substitute, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in vanilla. Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Transfer to individual dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Just before serving, top with marshmallows and walnuts.
Yield: 5 servings.
This a very easy recipe that you can make from time to time. No need to have resumes including cooking classes to bake this desert. The preparation is around 30 minutes and than comes chilling time.
Stay tuned for my ideas for you to Have a Better Life!
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Health – Conscious Living
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