Picture of the day

As you can see I have been busy. My starts are starting to raise up to the sky! Oregon weather is finally staying in the 50's and this week should peek to the 60's. Woot woot!

$50 a week

New Season's

$1.97 Bulk Dishwashing Powder
$2.99 5lb bag of organic russet potatoes
$2.99 3lb bag of pink ladies apples (cheaper to get the bag this time)
$2.49 Organic Navel Oranges (99 cents per pound sale)
$2.19 Dozen Vegetarian free range eggs
$3.98 Nitrate free bacon pieces (had to ask because they were not in the deli case.. $2.99 per lb)
.79     Organic yellow onion
$4.99 Gallon of organic milk

TOTAL minus bag credit $22.29

Whole Foods

$7.99 Liquid Amino's 32 oz (basically soy sauce but healthy and 50% less sodium plus YUMMY)
$1.49 Sunshine hormone free half n half
$2.69Mother's butter 1 lb (usually $2.99 but was on sale)
$1.13 Boc Choy (1.49 per lb)
$1.47 Fair Trade Banana's (69 cents per lb)
Bag donation was donated.

TOTAL 28.77

WINCO

$3.24 Bulk White Rice (.47 per lb)
$1.48 Natural Cough Drops
.05 bag credit
TOTAL $4.65

GROCERY OUTLET

$12.90 10  2lb bags of hash browns
I should state that these are my husband's favorite hashbrowns and Grocery Outlet doesn't always carry them so when I find them I buy a ton of them.  These are 2lb bags so 20 lbs of hashbrowns should last us a month or so.  I dislike the fact they come in plastic bags but I do recycle them. Uggg


GRAND TOTAL $68.61
$18.60 over budget

I am way over budget but I have a happy husband. I could of passed on the butter because I didn't look to see if we had any and I never want to run out.  They were also on sale so I snagged one anyways.  But I  still would of been over budget.  Oh well .  Nuff said.

Garden Progress March 2011

Yeah I know its been a while. Thursday of last week I thought I came down with a cold. Well turns out I have hay fever and I have been dealing with that since then.  Thanks Lisa Sharp for bringing that to my attention.  For some reason it never occurred to me because I have never had hay fever before. So all week I have been doubling up on my allergy medicines and drinking lots of nettle tea. The problem is that I forget to take my medicine all the time which leads to me suffering more. I suck.

Oh yeah today was a good day. I was able to use my new rubber boots that my best friend scored a deal for me. $11 is a good deal if you ask me. I played in the mud and enjoyed every single minute of it.

Remember that wire I snagged from my grandma's place? Well today I put them to use with my twins. We wired them together into circles, filled the sides with leaves n such to keep the soil in and then planted potatoes into them. I have been stashing small finger potatoes, purple potatoes and russet potatoes (all organic) in my pantry and they finally were ready to plant. This is my first time planing in above the ground so we will see how it turns out. This option should make it easier to harvest later. Yeah for no more digging up potatoes!!!

I decided to put my tall wire things (name?) in the center of my garden beds. I will be planting beans and pea's to grow up them. I am trying to use up every single space in these garden beds.

I snagged this small wooden box thing from grandma's wood shed.  Not sure what they used it for but I decided to plant some marigold's and alysums in them.  Should be interesting....

I finally moved my poppy plant in the front yard by my strawberries.  My truck needs the space so I have been moving all the plants to other places so we can fill that area in with gravel.  When I moved the poppy I found this small poppy baby. Perfect time to move it because it's been the 3rd wettest March on record here in Oregon.  They look like they will make the move just fine.  Excited to see how large they get this year.

Last year my father in law moved into a home and this fountain was there. He ended up giving it to us so we dragged the heavy thing home. We put a new water pump in it and had it up and running for a while but issues came up.  I noticed slime and the pump getting clogged from my twins putting organic matter in the water.  So this year I decided to turn it into a garden feature instead of a water feature. It turned out better than I thought it would and I can't wait until the plants fill in more.

My last photo is just a fun one. My plum tree is in full bloom and I just love these tiny little blossoms.  Its photo's like this one that make me love my camera that much more. Love close shots . Have a nice day!

Monthly budgeting questions

I have been getting many questions about my monthly budget and how it exactly works. So today I thought I would break it down for you and hopefully you can get some inspiration from it.   Here we go!

My husband get's paid only once a month so I have to really budget my money or we will be up a creek if we don't.  I head on up to the bank and withdraw $600.  I immediately set aside $50 for 4 weeks which is a total of $200. This is for my $50 weekly food budget that I use to keep fresh seasonal items in the house.
 I then head on over to Winco to fill up on bulk items that I still cannot find cheaper or local. I know that Winco helps people with their super cheap prices but I just don't like to shop there for a few reasons.
-Produce is not organic or local
-Only has a few local company product options
-Not many organic products
-Plastic bags are the norm there.
-Crazy busy and way too many people for me.
-Not many products in glass containers
-Will not allow you to bring your own container for meat etc.
-Meat selection has no non hormone/nitrate free options
-Etc need I go on?
I am almost ready to stop going there but I have just a few things I still cannot find cheaper alternatives to. Rice and cheese is my biggest problem. I can get rice in the bulk section for .50 cents per pound or up to $1.50 per pound for organic. This is way cheaper than Whole Foods or New Seasons. I am pricing it out on Azure later to see if I can find rice in larger quantities.  But until then I buy my rice from Winco. I usually will pick up about 6 pounds of white rice and 4 pounds of brown rice because this will allow me to only shop at Winco once a month.

My next problem is cheese. I have a love hate relationship with cheese. I really really love love cheese of all kinds. I DISLIKE all the plastic involved. So I either need to learn how to make it or just get over it. Ugg. So I buy about 6 pounds of assorted cheese blocks. I will figure out if bulk or name brand is cheaper and go with the cheaper one. Sorry but I just cannot live without cheese. Not happening.

I also pick up my dog food from Winco. She is on a raw food diet due to all her allergies and Winco has the cheapest meat around besides a butcher which i'm still deciding on whether or not to check them out. 88 cents per pound is a steal. This does not come out of my food budget but out of our main account. I buy animal fat for her and also eggs as well.  None of this is organic because honestly we just can't afford it. I love my dog but I love my kids more. Sorry Riley....Anyways my dog isn't picky about what type of meat or part  of the animal so if I find a deal somewhere else then I buy it. I just scored some chicken skin (with meat) for 50 cents per pound and some beef fat for 25 cents a pound. I randomly went into Albertson's (which I never shop at) and asked the meat counter guy if they sold it and he off loaded a ton to me. I think he was happy about it and actually said they throw it out sometimes.
So rice, cheese, and things like that I pick up at Winco.   They do have a bag credit of 5 cents for bringing in your own bag but honestly I rarely see people doing it. Its mostly those damn plastic toxic bags. UURRR.

The left over money from my Winco trip is use to get by as long as possible.  The longer I put off using my $50 weekly money the better. The money I save can be used for other things we normally wouldn't be doing. Maybe pizza one night or maybe ice cream. I do need to mention that my monthly budget money also pays for anything the kids might need.  All my Goodwill trips, random things the school will require my daughter to get, shoe's, laundry items, etc. I also will order or go in on somethings from Azure from time to time. If they have a killer deal on produce I get ours through them.  My friend will sometimes want me to go in on a rather large item so we can both save money. For example we usually share a 50 pound bag of organic flour for $30. We each will pay $15 and split it up at her house. This is a killer deal.

Now onto my weekly $50 budget and meals. I usually will Facebook about what I make for dinner and how much it will cost to make it each week.  I have had some inquiries about some items not being in my weekly $50 groceries or what not. The $50 is for the fresh in season items. Items like milk, butter, produce, or anything that I run out of and need now.  Because I do my once a month shopping for things like rice, I don't need to buy it because I already did.  I do factor that in when I do my total for the meal though. Make sense? So if you don't see it in the $50 a week picture its because I bought it in the beginning of the month. I also get some free produce from a friend once in a while which you will know because I always give her a shout out. Thanks Theresa!!

The rest of the month I shop at New Season's, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's in that order once a week. New Season's has the best produce and meat  prices, Whole Foods has cheaper half n half and sells particular things I need, and Trader Joe's has the cheapest snack items. All of these stores are within a few miles from me and I only hit them up once a week and usually on a Sunday so I can leave the kids at home and actually think when I buy. Who would of thought? Thinking??? Crazy notion I know.

Now i'm not perfect but this is a plan that works for my family of 6.  Thinking about it now my actual total amount for food each month is only around $400 or so.  I should really sit down and write things down but i'm not that organized.  Actually i'm surprised I stick to a budget as well as I do.  Honestly its pretty pathetic how forgetful I really am. Just ask my husband. This plan keeps me from going to the store very often which makes me happy because I hate shopping.

One thing that I do not do when I shop is write a list down.  You see the thing about buying in season to save money is that it's always new things each week. One week its oranges on sale, the next it's apples. You just never know. If I stick to a list I spend more money.  You save more money using what is in season and on sale.  We like it because each meal is different and meals don't get boring.  I always try something new each week as well so the kids are excited to try new things out.  Last week it was dandelion greens (which we loved) and this week its marinated tofu which will be used tonight. All this enables me to save money and keep it fun and exciting.

Hopefully this answers some of your questions but if not feel free to leave your questions in a comment below. I will answer them as quickly as I can. Thanks!

Green Review One With Nature,Giovanni, and Collective Well Being

One With Nature

One With Nature is a company that makes everything from soaps, lotions, body wash, and hand wash products which are all made using salts/muds from the dead sea. They have been saying for centuries that the mud/salt from The Dead Sea have therapeutic properties that heal your skin. This goes all the way back to Cleopatra.  You can find One With Nature in just about any all natural store there is. Retails for $4.49 each bar of soap.

My Review 

Although the company is aware that The Dead Sea is shrinking at one meter per year,  they continue to use its resources. Yes they are working with a organization that is leading a international effort to investigate and promote large scale efforts but I feel its not enough. To me they are into profits more than conversationship.

But I do have to give credit where credit is due. My review is on their Dead Sea Mud soap.  This soap is pretty amazing. It leaves my hands super soft, clean and leaves a nice smell. The soap is triple milled and last a long time. It's not like those homemade soaps that dissolve into the bath and melt away in just a week.  The small bar I have is in our bathroom by the sink and has been there for about 3 months now.  It is a sample bar so its only about 1 inch wide and 3 inches wide. Imagine if you had the full size bar? This soap would be good for washing your hands after working in the garden or even doing some engine work. Yes its that good.

That being said would I recommend this product? If and only if you live near The Dead Sea. Otherwise no.

Giovanni


I have done a review for Giovanni before and was excited to try their hair care products this time.  This is a somewhat local company to me which is good. All their products are made in California except for the lip balm which is made in Mexico.  None of their products contain SLS, SLES, Phthalates, artificial or synthetic fragrances.  They also don't test their products on animals and are vegan.  They unfortunately not gluten free.  The company prints a expiration date on each product and state that each product has a 3 year shelf life. Most companies do not do this step.

My Review

Would I recommend this product? If you live in the West then yes. If you live somewhere in the East I would start researching to find a local company to you.  I used the shampoo/conditioner for damaged hair because I was able to snag a sample from Whole Foods. I do color my hair so I was excited to see if it would bring a little life into it which it did. It had a lovely light scent which was not over powerful at all.  My hair felt nice and soft with no added weight to it. When my hair was dry it was still super soft with no frizz.  I usually take bath's and didn't notice any oily stuff or weird discoloration on the surface of the water which meant that everything in the conditioner was going straight into my hair. This is a all around great product. Would I recommend this product? Yes especially if you live in the West where its local.

Collective Well Being


This is my first review of Collective Well Being products. Collective Well Being was founded in 2004 after more than three years of three years of development with some of the best dermatologists, microbiologists, green chemists and naturopaths, Collective Wellbeing was born.  They were the first company to have made its entire product range paraben-free,  and were the first to develop an effective acne treatment that has no benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide or artificial fragrance.  They also have a zero carbon footprint and is the first beauty products company to have pledged at least 1% of annual revenues to environmental non-profits. Retail cost is $12.50. Now that being said onto my review.

My Review


My review is of their Camellia/Sea Kelp  Partner in Shine.  I washed towel dried my hair as usual then put some of this in my hair as directed.  I combed my hair then used my hair dryer to dry all my hair.  I was pretty  disappointed by the results.  I didn't see any new shine to my hair and if anything it made my hair frizz. There also was no hold what so ever. Only thing I could see that it did was help my hair smell a tad bit better.  Yes my hair still felt nice and moisturized which is its claim to fame.  It was no worst or better so again felt like it did nothing.  Maybe I need to use this for a while before I see results? In that case its not worth the money then. I need quick results which this did none.
Would I recommend this product? No.  So save your $12 because your better off just putting olive oil in your hair and getting quick results. Oh and plus if you have it in your house already, its free.

$50 a week

New Season's

$4.99 Organic Whole Milk

$4.99 5lb bag of organic carrots

$4.69 Minneola Tangerine's (in season so they are 99 cents per lb)

$2.29 Organic Rainbow Chard

$1.48 Bulk Peppermint Tea (much cheaper when bought in bulk vs in prebagged)

$1.54 Anise Seed (using in tea for sore throats)

$2.19 Vegetarian Fed White Eggs

Total with bag refund=$22.22  

Whole Food's

$3.58 Organic Crushed Tomatoes Canned 2 total

$1.49 Hormone free half n half

$4.99 Tofu (this is our fun purchase. Marinated tofu!)

$1.10 Organic Honey Tangerine (on sale for 99 cents per lb. they were as small as a walnut. FUN!)

Also pictured but not listed is 2 banana's and one orange which the girls got for free using their WF kids card. Sweet deal!

Total $10.86

Trader Joe's

$3.98 White Cheddar Puffs 2 bags

$1.29 Sweet Chili Sauce (super yummy! Plus comes in glass so it can be recycled)

$1.99 Gorgonzola Crackers

$1.99 12 Grain Crackers

$1.29 Organic Fusilli Pasta

$1.29 Organic Penne Pasta

Total=11.83

GRAND TOTAL=$44.91

I ended up using a gift card with some money still on it and also returned a book I had purchased so my total was actually a but less than what you see.  It actually only cost me $38.65 which is a sweet deal!!! I did forget to check my pantry before I left which resulted in me buying sweet chili sauce when we didn't really need it. That's okay though because we use it on just about everything.  Once again i'm still using up all that sausage I bought 2 weeks ago so I didn't have to buy any meat again. Again saving me money down the long run. Worth scraping by that week for sure! 

Look what we had for lunch today. Organic Penna pasta with yam(Thanks Theresa!), carrot, fennel(again thanks Theresa!), sausage crumbles and a simple white sauce.  Topped it off with fresh parsley and fennel sprigs (thanks Theresa!). Super yummy savory and sweet. Total cost= $2.54 Picture is of the pasta after 6 people already ate. It makes a ton of food.

Earlier in the day my husband bought a truckload of organic compost for $20.  My 10 year old daughter Hailey helped me unload all the dirt into one of the garden beds. We thought one truckload would be enough for the two beds but as you can see it didn't. It was pouring down raining when we did this and as you can see by the picture I was getting stuck in the mud several times. After we came inside and cleaned up it stopped raining. Go figure!

Oh looky what I have here!  Whole Foods has organic certified Botanical Interest seeds for sale and I couldn't resist.  The carrots will be fun for the kids to grow and the tomatoes are all me. Yummy!!!!

Scappoose Bread Place and Thrift Shop

I have been telling people for a long time about this little place called The Bread Store.  This little place is tucked away on the side of Highway 30 and they only way you can find it is by the tiny little white sign that sits on the side of the highway.  If your headed north up Highway 30 its on your left just before Fred Meyers. If your headed South out of Scappoose its on your right just after the light by Fred Meyers.  Look for the tiny white sign that says "Bread Place". Honestly I tried to find their address but wasn't able to get it.   If you live near Scappoose or within 10 miles of it then you must stop by. They are open Monday through Saturday 10am-2pm.

Bread Place is a little place that gives away bread products for free. Its operated by elderly volunteers each day who love to talk about the weather or just about anything if you stand long enough by them.  You see stores give their day old breads to this place.  Anyone can stop by and get some free bread items and all they ask in return is for a small donation.  Anything you have is just fine. Sometimes I only have one dollar and some days I give more. They don't ask for any certain amount, just what you can afford or nothing if you can't afford it. They also have you sign a paper with your name on it so they can keep track of how many people they help each day.

You can get anything from bread, rolls, hamburger buns, bagels, English muffins and sometimes yummy pastries. Sometimes they set limits on what you can have. For example today they limited it to only one free wheat bread loaf.  I was able to get 2 loaves of bread, one English muffin, one pack of small cinnamon bagels,    
a bag of hoagie rolls and a box of pastries. Pretty good for only $1 don't ya think?  They have plastic bags if you need them but if your green like me you bring your own.

Best part is that if you go during the summer, there is usually free produce.  Most the seniors and regulars bring in and donate produce from their gardens. Anyone can donate and they even have a refrigerator if you need it.  I get many apples, cucumbers and very large zucchini there.  Its just amazing how generous people are even when they don't have much money themselves.  Sometimes you will even find the random can of food, canning supplies and even spices. People just donate anything food related and some lucky person gets to take it home.

All profits from donations are given to the senior center and also put gas into the truck they use to go get the bread from stores.  Its a great place which has a good cause. But it gets better. You see they also have a thrift shop in the very same parking lot. SWEET!!!

The building next to Bread Place is the Thrift Shop which is open Monday through Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.  You can find anything you need in this store and sometimes even the kitchen sink.  Again this place is operated by elderly volunteers.  They paint the place (they were doing that today), dust it, clean it, organize it and ring you out.  My favorite part is that it's priced to get rid of it. Unlike Goodwill who sometimes wants more than its worth, this place just wants to sell it and make money.  All profits from this place also go to the seniors.  They even have a public bathroom which is unheard of in places anymore.

Meet Beverly.  She just happened to ring me and my mom out today.  Thank you Beverly for letting me take your picture even though you hate getting your picture taken.  You really are a beautiful lady and should be in more pictures.  As you can see the volunteers are lovely people who are there to help you with anything you need.  I recommend taking your own bags but if you forgot them they also have plastic ones for you.  Also take in anything you need to donate. Sometimes I take in a bag or two of stuff and come out with a bag or two of stuff. Today I bought a good jump rope and some sew on snaps from the early 50's.  I spent a whopping 70 cents for the both of them. Whahoo! This is a sturdy wooden handle and cotton rope jump rope too. Not one of those plastic cheap ones. Anyways I just love these two places and I visit them once a week. The people are amazing and the prices are fantastic.
 It's worth the drive for sure. I have been coming here for 3 years now but  moved away from this place and I still drive the 20 minutes to go there. It saves me money and i'm glad the money I donate goes to wonderful people. Its a win win if you ask me.