the cutest little rubber duckies...

Check out my other site to see more of these cute little
rubber ducky soaps I just made!!
I love them!

30 day Vegans

We have decided to stick to a 100% healthy vegan diet for the next 30 days.

Well, actually we've already started Saturday, just planning to go through the weekend, but thought it best to do this for a whole month.

Usually we eat 'almost vegan'.  I cook primarily vegan with the exception of parmesan cheese and light sour cream, my two favorites.  We also do have cheese on our pizza on fridays, sometimes ice cream and other treats containing dairy on occasion.  I don't touch meat, and due to mercury/breastfeeding concerns no seafood for me as well. (don't worry, I do take a hight quality fish oil supplement) 

My husband does have some meat and dairy when he buys lunch during his workdays when I don't get time to make him a healthy sack lunch.  We also have been eating a large amount of treats lately.  Be it Halloween candy, goodies when guests are in town, lots of birthday cakes and other yummy indulgences as well.

We are going to swear off all dairy (99%, I won't worry about milk powder in prepared breads and the like), stay away from sugar and desserts, and keep excess fat out of our diets.  All this for 30 days.  We are both excited to see the results.  

I have a few more pounds I want to shed to make some of my pre-baby (and pre-secretary jobs!) clothes fit better.  I am so excited that I can once again fit into some really nice pairs of pants I bought just 6 years ago and just 2-3 pounds more and they will actually look right!!  Thus feeds my desire to lean down a bit.

My husband will continue working out 2-3 times per week after work, as he has started to do a few weeks ago.  I have started to do yoga in my living room (with daughter laughing at my feet) last week.

Wish us luck and I will share our progress and some really, REALLY healthy recipes.

not a frugal buy.

I did it, I did it!!

I just paid full price for something I have really been wanting.  I actually think this is the most I have ever spent on a pair of shoes, ever. Yes, I am certain.

With the help of some birthday money (thank you Diana, see, I DID spend it on myself!!!) I was able to splurge on some boots I just love to death.  They are those 'trendy Uggs', but this style, the Knightsbridge, is just sooo much cuter than their original.  And they have made a name for themselves for comfort, and thats got me sold.  Plus, they are the cutest thing ever, did I mention that part?

Zappos said they should be here in 4-5 days.....  I dont think I can wait that long!

EDIT:  I just got these boots delivered to my door by the Fed Ex Home Delivery man.  I think they over-nighted them as I placed the order 8pm wednesday.  I didn't even pay for shipping!!  I just might remember Zappos for the next time I want to purchase some really nice shoes!

By the way, they are soooo comfortable and super cute!

(the moral of this story;  we work very hard to save our families tons of money.  treat yourself when you can, you deserve it!)

My Albies trip.

Check out the Grocery Gathering for your favorite Store!

Did fairly well at Albertsons today. Had my $10 catalina to use up so I bought some oranges. I thought the pre-bagged ones would be a good idea as they come with an additional $1 off sticker along with the sale price of $1.50 a pound. I know oranges are higher priced at the Commissary right now so I thought it was a smart buy. Guess I should have weighed them first as that little bag contains almost 12 lbs!!! Yikes.

All in all, I did okay spending $8.13 out of pocket, after I get the $5 gift card back for the popcorn.

If you haven't yet gone for the free popcorn yet, be sure to check out the Jolly Time website for some great coupons. But be very patient. I have had nothing but problems with this site for months. I was only able to print ONE coupon this time after spending way too long trying. Oh, well.

Free vegetables make me happy.

Commissary Deals Pac NW

Check out the Grocery Gathering for your favorite Store!

Some deals at the commissary this week as follows;

Muir Glen Whole tomatoes 32 oz .50 - .75 recent coup or $1/1 = .50 profit

Hunts tomato paste .50 - $1/2 printable (expired) = free

8 O'Clock Coffee, whole bean $4.24 -$1 coupon = 3.24 (a great price, I only hope the coffee isn't horrible!)

Wacky Mac pasta .89 each - recent .50 or .50/1 here = .39 each

Renolds Wrap foil Heavy strength 50 ft 2.19 each - recent $1 coupon= 1.19 each

Parchment paper $1.69- recent $1/1 = .69 each

Pillsbury Coupons

Now Pillsbury has a free coupon book!!  Get yours HERE.  I just got Betty Crockers in the mail and was happy with it, lets hope Pillsbury comes through just as well!

Albertsons Ad is Here!!

Its here, its here!!

Albertsons Ad Sneak Peek!

hot off the press at 10:46 pm.  We can thank my daughter for this one as normally I would be in bed by now.  We are taking turns nursing (okay, Im the only one doing that part) and rocking her as she REFUSES to sleep.  She has never been a big fan of sleeping and has recently gotten into a stage where she wont nap much and doesn't want to go to bed. 

big sigh.

Menu Plan Monday

We will be going out of town for Christmas this year and seeing family we haven't seen in a while.  I just dug out my 'nice clothes' today to see if any fit, they are all pre-baby and some even pre-secretary-sit-on-my-butt-for-8-hours-a-day jobs.  I was really happy to discover that I fit in just about everything.  There are a few pairs of pants I need a little 'help' fitting into, to actually look good, so, we will be eating very, very healthy for the next month.  Oh, and my husband wants to drop a couple of pounds as well, so he will be nothing but encouragement for me!

Very, Very Healthy Menu Week One

Monday

Irish Potato Soup  (this is leftover in the freezer, it was very good)

100% WW bread in the machine (I also made this last week, it is awesome!!)

Tuesday

Summer Fettuccine from my McDougall Quick and Easy Cook Book

Green Salad

Wednesday

Potato Enchiladas from McDougalls

side of beans and rice

Thursday

No Hurry Vegetable Curry from my favorite Fresh From the Vegetarian Slow Cooker

Rice

Friday

Pizza night Vegan style (no cheese, extra veggies)

I will make it on a Whole Wheat Pizza Crust like this

green salad

Saturday

San Antonio Quinoa Salad from McDougall

Leftover potato enchiladas or tacos

Sunday

Chili in the crock pot

tofu sour cream

grocery list;

white flour

corn tortillas

green onions

salsa

carrots

coriander?

garbanzo beans?

better than boullion

Tofu Sour Cream

On of my favorite foods is Sour Cream. I love regular dairy sour cream, light sour cream, IMO (ever had that?) and even tofu sour cream. As I know that dairy is harmful to our bodies, plus make us fat, I try to eat as many substitutes as possible. There are excellent substitutions on the market but they are all so expensive. I have found a great recipe, after changing a few to my liking. Try this sometime, it is quite tasty.
Tofu Sour Cream

1 box Firm Silken tofu ( appx 10oz)
4 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp Braggs liquid aminos (or soy sauce)
1/2 or 1 tsp salt
1 Tbs olive oil
A few drops stevia (or 1 tsp sugar)

Place all items in food processor, scoop tofu out of container by spoon to make it fit. Blend well, end product to be creamy and yummy!

Chill and enjoy!