Earth Day

Today is Earth Day.  I had every intention of celebrating this ever important day with Earth loving activities for the whole family.  My intentions were good, my reality made that impossible. I  felt guilty for a little while today because I felt I was not acknowledging this very important day to the extent that I have in the past.  But, after further reflection, I realize that my family and I are pretty "green" already and that we celebrate Earth Day, everyday.  Here is a list of the things that we already do.

1. 90% of our light bulbs are fluorescent

2. We use reusable, canvas shopping bags

3. We eat a lot of organic food

4. We belong to an organic CSA

5. We compost

6. Our washer and dryer is Energy star and the washer is HE

7.  Our heater, a/c and water softener are all energy star.  We replaced all of these things when we moved in to this house.

8.  Our heat is kept at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees when we sleep

9. My husband drives a car during the summer months that gets 35 miles to the gallon

10. I line dry our laundry in the summer

11.  I use non toxic cleaning supplies

I look at this list I am happy with our progress.  But we have a lot of room for improvement. Now, here is a list of the things we need to do to love our "mother" even more.

1.  We need new windows!  

2.  I drive an SUV, my husband drives one in the winter.

3.  I HATE being hot in the summer, I run the a/c colder than I should.

4.  I drive a lot more than I need to.  Especially in the summer.

5.  We get too many magazines.

6.  We should turn the water heater down a few degrees

7.  10% of our light bulbs need to fluorescent

8.  We buy too many products from China

9. We should plug our electronics into power strips that can be turned off when we are not using them.

10.  Our toilet has a leak that we keep ignoring

11. We have a freezer in the garage that we keep stocked, but, it is an energy sucker during the hot summer months.

12. I burn petroleum based candles

13.  We could wear organic clothes

14. I could buy our clothing second hand so that we are recycling

As anyone can see, these lists can go on and on.  I think that it is time for my husband and I to take a look at what we could do to improve our carbon footprint.  I like to think that when I write a post about Earth Day next year, I can add more to the list of things we are already doing.  I will probably never buy all organic clothing, it is too expensive.  I love candles, but have been trying to use more soy based, maybe I will convert to all soy by next year ( I doubt it).  The freezer is mandatory with our family.  So, I am guessing that by next year, we can accomplish half that list.  Wish us luck!

Today is my Birthday!!

Today was my birthday.  I had a fantastic day!  Thank you Eric, Alec, Hannah and Maeghan.  You all made it such a special day for me.  It could not have been better.

My husband made a birthday cake for me.   My girls decorated the cake for me.  As you can see by the picture, they all did a great job. I loved it.  It made me very sad to eat the cake.  So, I took a picture of their beautiful work so that I can remember the first cake that my little girls made for me.   

My cake was very frugal.  The cake came from a mix that I had bought for .79.  My husband made the frosting from scratch.  It tasted as good as it looks. 

My husband took me out for lunch, instead of dinner.  We chose lunch for a couple of reasons. One, our kids are in school.  By going out for lunch, we don't have to hire a babysitter.  Two, lunch is cheaper.  My favorite restaurant in Milwaukee is a French restaurant.  It is generally very pricey.  But, I signed up for something (I can't remember what it was)and they have my birthday in their system.  Every year on my birthday I get a $20.00 off postcard for a meal during the month of April.  My husband and I had a French meal, wine included for me, for $26.04 plus tip.  A meal for dinner would have run us over $100.  It was a great deal and the meal was just as good during the day as it would have been at night. 

I had a great day.  Again thank you to all my family and friends who extended birthday wishes to me.  It is so appreciated. 

Family Game Night

Tonight my family and I played a game together.  Apples to Apples Junior was the game of choice for us this evening.  We try to play a game once a week, but, I sadly admit that we are not always able to do so. 

My kids like to play games.  They usually have a good time and enjoy the family time together.  But, I have learned that there is a time limit to what we can do until fighting begins. Because board games involve a winner and a loser, my oldest children who have been rivals since birth become very competitive when it is clear that one of them will be the winner, instead of the rest of the family.  I can win, my husband or youngest can win, and they are fine with losing.  The attitude completely changes when that turns out not to be the outcome.  So, when that starts to happen, it is time to wind things down and end the game gracefully and without fighting.  It can be a challenge, but tonight we were successful, everyone ended the game pretty happy, in fact they want to play again tomorrow night.

We have always liked to play board games as a family.  It is such a frugal activity.  Of course the upfront cost of purchasing the game is required.  But, once the game is purchased, it will pay for itself in just a few uses.  The time together as a family is invaluable.  I love the idea of having time with my kids that involves thought and conversation.  The TV and computer are off and the phone is ignored.  Kids grow up so fast, I believe that it is so important to embrace these moments together, they won't be here forever.

Milk Shake Recipe

Here is the recipe for the milk shake my daughter made last night.

1 cup of milk

1/2 frozen banana

2 tbsp chocolate ovaltine

2 ice cubes

Put ingredients in blender and blend until thick.  

We had to multiply this recipe by five to make it work for our family.  I used 3 frozen bananas instead of 2 1/2.  You can obviously change the amount of the ingredients for your own taste.  Enjoy:)

Menu April 19th-April 25th

Here is our menu for the week of April 19th-April 25th.

Sunday April 19th - Salad People, Tortellini with Pesto, Cranberry Lemonade and Banana Chocolate Milk Shakes

Monday April 20th - Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots, corn on the cob, buttermilk biscuits

Tuesday April 21st - Pasta w/Red Sauce, Salad, Bread

Wednesday April 22nd - Leftover Pot Roast

Thursday April 23rd - Fish and Chips, Yellow Carrots and Beans

Friday April 24th - Pizza

Saturday April 25th - Steak, Shrimp, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Red Peppers and Sliced Tomatoes

I departed from my normal Saturday Taco Night this week because I was lazy.  I did not have tortillas and did not want to go to the store.  So, I dug out some steak and shrimp out of the freezer.  Surf and Turf!

Salad People

Tonight I had help in the kitchen.  My daughter, Hannah, helped with the preparation of tonight's meal.  Yesterday, she went through some cook books, picked out some dishes and gave me a list of what I would need.  I am so proud of her, she really showed maturity today.

First thing on her meal plan, salad people.  We cut up strawberries, cucumbers, string cheese, bananas, cantaloupe, celery, etc.  We then took the pieces of produce and cheese to make salad people.  Everyone was able to make their own salad person.  My husband and son made aliens, my daughters made little girls and I made a down in out depressed person(at least that is what my husband said mine looked like).  It is really hard to be artistic with food.  I think he was being a little critical!  The great thing about this salad was my kids picked out what they wanted, so they ate it all.  My kids really did get their recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables today.  I heard no complaints, only compliments for my daughter's choice.

Next thing on her menu, cranberry lemonade.  This was lemonade made from scratch, no little packets (which I am guilty of using).  She used the measuring cups and spoons correctly, she needed a little guidance with the math, but she did great.  The lemonade turned out very tasty.  I had her cut the sugar in half which turned out to be perfect.  More sugar and that would have been some VERY sweet lemonade.

Finally, she made Chocolate Banana Milk Shakes for dessert.  YUM!  The best thing about this milk shake was that it did not call for ice cream.  We used frozen bananas and ice cubes. Seriously, it was the best milk shake I have ever had.  My son, Alec, wants me to emphasize in this blog how good the shake really was.  I think that this is a shake that could be served at breakfast.  I will pass on doing that though  because it turned out to be such a successful dessert.  I would like to start serving healthy desserts and this shake definitely qualifies.  We were able to use frozen bananas that had come from my husbands employer.  One day Eric came home with dozens of free bananas.  We cut them up and froze them.  We have a lifetime supply of bananas for smoothies, all for free.

I made the main course, since it required the stove, it was my responsibility.  I shopped my own freezer and found some tortellini, I threw some pesto in it and voila, dinner was served.  My daughter really did the bulk of the menu planning, the list and the prep work.  I just did the dangerous cutting and the very simple main course.  She even set the table.  I told her tonight she is hired!  She can help again next Sunday.  I wonder what she will have planned next week?

Money Savers April 5th-18th

1.  In spite of being $30.00 over my grocery budget for the month, I shopped my pantry and freezer for many of our meals.  I think that I better seriously reconsider the $400/month budget!

2.  Started line drying our laundry

3.  Utilized FREE places to visit while kids were home for Spring Break.  We have been to the park 3 times this week.

4.  Had friends over for dinner and made a simple meal, instead of going out for a costly meal and hiring a babysitter.

5.  Allowed my son to take a week off from music lessons during Spring break.  Saved us $63.00

6.  Bought my daughter a dress for father/daughter dance with a %50 off coupon.  Dress was $40, I got it for $20.

7.  Started walking with a friend for exercise.  I think I will be able to cancel the costly gym membership.  Walking is free!

8.  Utilized all the coupons I have gotten from merchants this month for my birthday.  Free lunch at Noodles, free lotion at Aveda, $10 gift card from Chicos, etc.... The list goes on.  

9.  Used birthday money from in laws for a treat for myself.  A pedicure.  Okay, I know not frugal, but I am using money that was given to me for me.  

10.  Went to Mall of America and spent only $15.00.