Two Great Recipes for Summer/Picnic Time

Do you like that Asian coleslaw with the ramen noodles in it?  I do, but wanted something with a nutritional power-punch to it.  I found a recipe that gave me a similar flavor.  It uses olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sesame seeds, etc.  My secret ingredient was to add chopped almonds.  It gave an extra crunch.  Also, the recipe does not mention salt.  Personally, I found it to be an essential ingredient.  It seemed to marry all the flavors.  Here is the recipe for Asian Cole Slaw.


Another recipe I used this past week was for a tahini-free Hummus.  Why tahini-free?  Well, I didn't have any on hand.  Also, it makes it more inexpensive.  I thought it turned out pretty tasty and my guests couldn't tell any difference.  I do recommend using sesame oil to retain a sesame flavor.

Simple Hummus (tahini-free)

1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
1/2 - 1 tbsp lemon juice

In blender or food processor combine beans, garlic, cumin, salt, oil and lemon juice.  Blend on low, gradually adding reserved bean liquid until you achieve the desired consistency.

Homemade Crockpot Yogurt

So this is my new food obsession...replacing my obsession with homemade crockpot chicken stock.
I have made three batches of yogurt now.  I try to use it in place of everything, i.e. sour cream, buttermilk.  

The kids are still getting used to it.  I usually mix in honey or maple syrup and some fruit, when serving it for breakfast.  I used it in a kale smoothie, and that was a hit.  I also used it in place of buttermilk in my Chocolate Blackout Cake I made for son's birthday.

HERE is the recipe for crockpot yogurt.  Let me know how it goes for you!

Great Week for Aldi's!

My ad lists $.39 Avocados, and $.99 Pineapples  (and $.99/lb strawberries--I'm trying to only eat organic, though)

Today I saw packs of frozen pineapple at Trader Joe's.  They were cut up in chunks!  I didn't know you could freeze pineapple!   So, I think I am going to buy 5 or 6 this week and freeze some of them.  They should be great for smoothies, yogurt, etc.

Kraft First Taste & Some Conventional Food Finds

Did you happen to sign-up for the Kraft First Taste offer for free samples of food?  It was posted on Hip2Save a few weeks ago.  I never pass up free food, so I signed-up for it.  Well, when it arrived, it not only came with samples, but also coupons for free products, and even better, a $10 rebate. (I don't know if the offer is available any more, but you can go HERE to Kraft First Taste and register.  Then click on "My Offers".  There are different promotions all the time.)

Now the rebate required spending $30 on Kraft products to receive $10 back.  At first I didn't pay it any attention, thinking I wouldn't buy that much Kraft stuff.  Then I started hearing how others were using it, and realized that there were a lot of products that I didn't realize were Kraft.  You can go HERE to see all the products that Kraft makes.  You can look through the list alphabetically.

Now, yesterday I managed to qualify for the rebate.  I didn't even realize until I got home!  Here are a couple products I found that may be of interest:

Planters Natural Harvest nuts are on sale at Target for $3.99 (usually $4.99)  There is a $1/2 Planters products coupon from a past insert.  I love these nuts.  They are roasted with sea salt, and no added oils.  Planters is a Kraft product!!  So after I had stocked up with 4 bags, I was well on my way!  BTW, you have to submit original receipts with product and price circled.  Prices are before coupons!!  So if I hadn't reached my rebate goal, I could have used the free product coupons Kraft gave me to boost it more.

Oscar Mayer Selects, Turkey Hot Dogs   OM now has hot dogs with no nitrates or nitrites!!!  They still aren't organic, but a lot better than a traditional hot dog.  The Angus beef dogs are around $4.  But I found the turkey dogs for only $1.99!  Plus I had a $1/2 printable coupon.  (let me know if you want a link).  Oscar Mayer is also a Kraft product.  I am really hoping they put out a high value coupon for these hot dogs sometime this summer.  That will be the time to stock up! 

Old Navy 50% Off Clearance Sale!!! Fri & Sat

Old Navy just posted on Facebook that there will be a 50% off clearance sale Friday & Saturday. 

You can find a $5 off $25 coupon in their ad HERE.   Scroll down to the bottom of page two.

Old Navy Weekly is still alive too, however it is now on Facebook.  You have to Like Old Navy and click on Barker's Bones.  Every week you dig around and find one coupon hiding just for you.  That's all you get for that week.  This past week's coupons expire today, so that means it should reset with new coupons tonight or tomorrow.

And if you are an Old Navy cardholder, you may have gotten a $5 off any purchase coupon this past week.  I'm glad I held on to mine!  These usually are coupons, so can't be used with another coupon.  I typically break my order up and do one order for around $5 and use that coupon, then do another to use with the $5 off $25 or whatever is on hand.

Coupons

Maple Grove Farms  $1/1 Syrup, Pancake Mix, Salad Dressing
      You can find the maple syrup at Walmart and other places.  This is the first time I have seen a coupon for it.  The link does go straight to printing.


$2 off Al Fresco chicken sausage!   There are two links:
     $2/1 at coupons.com  (if you don't see it, try zip code 32955)
     $2/1 found HERE     Both links will print twice when you hit the back browser.

Amazon Deal on Cascadian Farms Cereal!!!

Amazon currently has a $4 coupon available off Cascadian Farms cereal and snack bars.

Go here and click on the coupon.  Then choose your item.
Choose Subscribe & Save to save another 1.  (you can cancel the subscription right away)
Then use codeGNMLS8O3 to save another 15%!!!
The $4 is automatically taken off at checkout.  And shipping is free!
And, you can do this more than once by going back to the coupon page and starting again.

If you have any giftcards from SwagBucks, you can really score a great deal.

If you haven't signed up for SwagBucks yet, click here and get started!

You can also earn Amazon gc's doing surveys with Opinion Outpost.  Here's my referral link.

I bought 4 boxes of Cinnamon Crunch for about $3, and 6 boxes of Raisin Bran for about $4!

Free Mini Clif Bar Samples

Just go HERE and sign-up for their e-newsletter!  Make sure to give them your address so you can get free yummy samples by mail.

Sign-Up for Mambo Track Research Panel

I received another survey from the Mambo Track Research Panel today.  This is hosted by Mambo Sprouts.  I earned a free product valued at up to $10!!  Can't tell you from who, but a very well-known natural/organic health & beauty manufacturer!  So far, I have received free sunscreen and free chocolate, as well, for doing these surveys!

To sign-up, just go HERE and fill out the form.  Be sure to check "yes" for signing up for the Research Panel at the bottom of the page.  You can also friend them on Facebook to hear about surveys.

Jasmere: 6 mo. Subscription to Meal Planner

Today Jasmere is offering a 6 mo. subscription to Relish, a meal planning website.

Price is currently at $11. (Regular price is $7/mo., so you would be getting 6 mo for price of less than two months!)  (Price dropped $5 in first one hour of the listing!)

You choose 5 meals out of a list of 15 and then you are given comprehensive shopping list and recipes, etc.  Meals are said to take 30 min. or less.

The voucher can also be applied towards Gfree, which is the gluten-free sister site.  Pricing is different though, so read fine print (will go toward 6 mo. sub, but not cover it all, or just get a 3 mo.).

Single-use voucher, so no amount will be left over.  Expires Aug. 31

Remember, Jasmere is a daily deal site, and deals only last 24 hours.  You can purchase the product, but your card won't be charged until the deal is over.  You will pay the lowest price the deal reaches, as the price drops the more people participate in the deal.

Food Revolution Resources

Were you as inspired by Jamie Oliver's show "Food Revolution" as I was?

I really wanted more information, such as the recipes and menus he was using, etc.

Well, I finally found these great resources.  If you go HERE, you can find Jamie's resources for schools trying to have a food revolution.  He has a 2-week menu planner, recipes w/ menu planner, kitchen advice, and advice for principals (or parents) wanting to initiate change.

The Lunch Box is also another great resource on changing school food.  It lists more recipes, ideas, etc.

Even though my kids are not currently in school, I found lots of great ideas and recipes from these sites.

25% Off Nourished Kitchen's 12-Week Online Cooking Class (Today Only)

Nourished Kitchen will be offering a 12-week Online Cooking Class, beginning June 1st.

Sign-up today and use code FB25OFF to save 25%  (good today only)

"If you’ve ever wondered how to feed your family healthier, wholesome and nourishing meals, but been stumped trying to put it all together, you need this class. If you want to support the local foods movement, but are stumped by seasonal cooking or how to even find quality foods from local farms, you need this class. If you want to save money and time feeding your family healthy, organic, seasonal meals, you need this class. If you want to learn to cook from scratch, if you want to give up sugar and learn to use natural, wholesome sweeteners, you need this class. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to soda and soft drinks, you need this class. If you want to develop your own recipes based on locally available fruits and vegetables, you need this class. You need to learn how to cook real food. It’s good for the environment, your local economy and, most of all, it’s good for your family’s health."
Enrollment closes May 31.  There will be a 14-day money back guarantee.  Go HERE to see all lessons and what will be included.  This looks really great!

My First Farmer's Market Trip of the Year

So, I think things move a bit later here, since I am now farther north than I have ever been.

Today I bought rhubarb, strawberries and kohlrabi.

I am thinking about making THIS.

Woman's Day Month of Menus: June

I think I have mentioned this site before.

Woman's Day provides a Month of Menus.  These are generally, simple, quick and often composed of real food.  With a little tweaking, I find it can provide a great menu-making jump-off point.

The June Menu is now available. 

A couple new features:  there are now links to recipes, also there is the full shopping list and now a side dish shopping list.

Go with the Flo Seconds Sale on June 1st

Go with the Flo will be having a seconds sale on June 1st.  You can check out her hyena cart HERE.
I'll try to post a reminder and more details as we get closer.

I have quite a few of her products and absolutely love them.  Great quality, made with organic bamboo velour or cotton, wool and/or Malden Mills fleece.

Printable In-Store Coupons

 Jo-Ann's
Go HERE to print a coupon for 40% off any regular priced item.  Expires May 22.


Payless Shoes
Go HERE to print a coupon for $5 off purchase of $25 or more.  Expires May 31st.  Can be used online or in-store.  Just print page and take into the store with you.

Reminder: Starbucks Half-Price Fraps 3-5 pm!

Just wanted to remind you that Starbucks is having Happy Hour from 3-5 pm every day beginning today through May 16th.  You will be able to get half-price Frappucinos!!  One per customer.

Jasmere: Get $50 BabyStar GC for $19 (and dropping)

Jasmere has a HOT offer today!

Get a Baby Star $50 gift card for only $19 (this keeps dropping as more people buy) (It was at $22 a couple hours ago and there is still 20 hours left!)

Remember to check out the fine print, which is located on the right side of the page under "Shipping & Other Details".  Best part is that your GC can be applied toward shipping (which is $9.95).  You might just tell yourself that you are buying a $GC for $40.   Also, it is a single-use voucher and no amount will be left over.  Voucher expires Aug. 31st.  You can purchase multiple vouchers, and they can be combined upon request to Baby Star.

As you can see from the picture above, I think everyone should get a pair of Simple Shoes baby weegee eco-suede shoes!  They are $34, so the voucher would cover shipping and you would only pay less than $19!!

Jasmere: GLOB It On Natural/Organic Paints

Jasmere is a fantastic site that uses the deal-of-the-day format to save you upwards of 70% off, but features specialty items from more hard-to-find retailers.  The deal starts out with a great discounted price, but as more people get in on the deal, the price continues to go down.  You may purchase the item for the discounted price, but when the deal ends, if more people have participated, the price will have gone down even more and you will only be charged that lowest price.  Very cool!  So if you find something great, let everyone know so they can help drive the price down--plus you earn credit for referrals!

Today: Natural/Organic Paints!

Today's deal is for two of GLOB it on’s most popular paint sets. Use them together for a pumped up palette, or split them off to use as gifts! Your order will include:

• Natural Color Blends Set - six powdered paints, ready to be mixed to order. Lemon Verbena, Tangerine, Pomegranate, Plum, Berry & Basil. Otherwise known as Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, Blue and Green.
   
• Easy Shake Jars - four colors that turn from powder to paint with a little water and a shake in the reusable jar. The jars make 2oz of paint at a time, and can be refilled with additional powdered paint packets. Lemon Verbena, Pomegranate, Berry Blue & Tangerine.

Mambo Sprouts New E-Messenger

Mambo Sprouts has launched its new E-Messenger, a digital mag with articles and, of course, coupons! 
You can check out the E-Messenger HERE.

Or you can access the coupons directly HERE.  You can print each coupon twice per computer.

I printed the coupon for $1/1 Barbara's Bakery item today.  It expired 6/30/10 (just as an fyi).

Enter to Win a NatureMill Compost Bin!

SheKnows and Sierra Club Green Home — a site that helps you make your home more energy efficient, sustainable and healthy — are giving away a NatureMill PRO XE Compost Bin, an automatic indoor/outdoor home composter, and a set of 12 eco-friendly cleaning products from J.R. Watkins.

In celebration of Earth Day, Sierra Club Green Home — a site designed to help you make your home more energy efficient, environmentally sustainable and healthy — is giving away a special eco-friendly prize pack to help one lucky winner get started on going green! The grand prize winner will receive one NatureMill PRO XE Compost Bin, an automatic indoor/outdoor home composters that offers an easy and sleek way compost, as well as a J.R. Watkin's Natural Home Care set, which includes Aloe & Green Tea All-Purpose Wipes, Lavender Window Cleaner, two Sink Sets in Lemon and Aloe & Green Tea, and four Hand Soaps and Room Sprays in Aloe & Green Tea, Lavender, Lemon, and Orange Citrus (12 items). Please visit www.SierraClubGreenHome.com learn more about composting, green cleaning, and more than 100 other subjects related to sustainability for the home.

$.99 Pineapple at Aldi

This week, the $.99 whole pineapple is back at Aldi's!

Also on sale: grape tomatoes, 2 lb bag Vidalia Onions ($2)

Tropical Traditions: Free Shipping, 5/10 Only

Through midnight EDT, Monday, May 10th, all ground shipments within the lower 48 United States will be FREE with the use of our FREE Shipping coupon! This special offer only applies to items shipped from our main warehouse in Reno, and does not apply to drop shipped items from other locations, such as refrigerated items or eggs. It also does not apply to 2nd day air and overnight shipments.

NOTE: To take advantage of this special, you MUST enter coupon code FREESHIP5810 in your cart before checking out! FREE shipping is NOT applied automatically. Orders placed before today cannot be refunded for shipping charges.

Enter coupon code FREESHIP5810 into your cart before checking out.

Now, through Sunday, May 16th only, you can buy 2 gallons of Tropical Traditions non-certified Expeller-pressed coconut oil for the price of 1 gallon! That is a $120.00 value for only $60.00! Order here:
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/expeller-pressed_coconut_oil.htm?s=e51010

Now, through Sunday, May 16th only, you can buy one of our Organic Natural Deodorants and get a second one FREE! That's two for the price of one. Order here:
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/aluminum-free_deodorants.htm?s=e51010

10 oz. Organic Peanut Butters are marked down to $4.99 each.

Sprig Toys Discover Rig, $24 on Amazon

Amazon.com has the Sprig Toys Discover Rig for $24 (down from $60) with Free Super Saver Shipping 

• This is a kid-powered adventure vehicle
• This toy features battery free lights and sound
• Made from eco-friendly Sprigwood - a 100% recycled bio-composite material
• The interchangeable driver characters change the story and sounds of the vehicle
• Cap Faraday is a world famous safari explorer, ready to find fun animals in the Serengeti

Aldi Alert

This week has $.29 avocados.
The tomatoes on the vine (pesticide-free, grown in the USA) that I love are on sale for $1.49 for a package.  That's over 50% off.  I should make some salsa...
(I think our sales run Sun-Sat.  Not quite sure, but our ad comes out on Sun.)

So I decided to look around a little more than I usually do.  Usually, I skirt the store and just hit the produce, and occasionally the cheese or meat.

Here are some of my finds:

Nature's Nectar Sparkling Apple Cider  (this is 100% apple juice with no preservatives or artificial anything!!)  $1.99   (I hope to use this to make a punch for upcoming b-day party!)

Frozen Fruit Bars (Lime Pineapple, yum!)  $2.49  Ingredients include just lime & pineapple juice, sugar, pineapple and some natural stabilizers.  Nice.

Egg Spaetzle Noodles   $2.49   

They also had a couple organic brands.  They are Special Buys, so I assume that just means not regularly stocked items.  I hope they continue getting more of these!  It is wise to remember that because Aldi doesn't take coupons, sometimes things can be cheaper with a sale/coupon combo.  But generally, their prices on these types of items are considerably less than the same item at a health food store.

EnviroKidz Peanut Butter Panda Puffs   $2.49   (ok, I generally give the kids a bowl and then eat them all up myself as a nighttime snack **blush**)

Amy's frozen lasagna  (these were a single portion frozen meals)   Don't remember the price.  We don't need them, but I was thrilled to see them available.

Have you found any gems at Aldi lately?

Free Digital Subscription from Mothering

MDC (or motheringdotcom) is now the largest parenting forum on the web.
To say thank you, MDC is offering all its members a free digital subscription to Mothering magazine.
Just use code CDIGM at checkout.

If you aren't a member of MDC yet, go HERE and join (it's free).  You'll find thousands of other moms talking about everything imaginable, but particularly issues concerning natural parenting and living.

And, if you haven't read Mothering magazine, this would be a great way to get an introduction.  It is always filled with excellent articles!


It may be possible to use the code for a gift subscription, too, but not sure on that one.

Starbucks Happy Hour

Starbucks Happy Hour
May 7-16,  3pm-5pm

Half-price Frappuccino Blended Drinks!!!

one per customer at participating stores.


Me wish we had a Starbucks close!

Free Sample for Nursing Moms

LearningCurve.com is offering a free sample of the Nursing Care Instant Relief System from First Years.  If not for you, maybe for friend or addition to a gift basket.

How to Get a Great Deal on Shoes!

So I finally did it.  I ordered a pair of Chacos.  Orig. $75, paid $53 (with hopefully another 10% cashback coming my way)

Here is what I did, and you could do the same on any other pair of shoes.

Shoebuy.com has an offer for 20% off any purchase.  Expires May 9.

When you check out, if you register for a new account, you will receive an additional 10% off your first purchase.

AND, if you go through Ebates, you get another 10% cashback!  Now, I rarely bank on cashback, as it can be so finicky.  But, it is worth a try, and should work!   First go to shoebuy through the link above.  Pick what you want, and you should see it in your cart with the 20% off.  Close the window then go to ebates and select shoebuy.com   You should still have the items in your cart along with the discount. 

Voila!