Sunday, December 30, 2012

Couponing, updated

Oh yes, one of my resolutions was to start using coupons.  Doesn't everyone, you say?  Surprisingly, no.  I discussed this with my Mom over the holidays, and she said she uses coupons.  Funny, I never recall her using them ... ever.  So maybe I just didn't pay attention at the grocery store?   I don't know if it has just never occurred to me to use them, or Im just  lazy.

I have a funny comparison to talk about coupons.  I have been to the grocery store 4-5 times since I wrote my resolution blog, and not once did I use a coupon.  Because Im not in the habit.  I received a SonicCare SpinBrush toothbrush for Christmas (wait for it - this will make sense).  I was super excited, even though its vibrating and weird, and slightly nauseating the first time I used it (some of you know that I have a pretty strong motion sickness problem).  So the first night, I opened it and used it and it was great.  The very next morning, we had to run out the door, and I pull my hair into a pony, throw on my shoes, brush my teeth, run into the kitchen to pour some to-go coffee .... and my mom is just looking at me.  Yeah, I just grabbed the manual toothbrush.  Totally forgot about the totally awesome SpinBrush (and yes, I would like sponsorship money from SoniCare).

Ok back to the point.  I have not used those coupons because I wasn't used to it.  It takes just a little bit of preparation.  I had to visit the websites, and check the Sunday coupon page, and put them in my purse!  And THEN, I have to remember to LOOK to them when Im at the store, and actively choose those items to purchase.   No, I probably won't use all of them.  But if I can just get this far, I feel like I can get into the habit.  I mean, I make a grocery list!  I should be able to check the websites once a week for coupons I may use.  I guarantee Im not going to remember to check before I leave work when I have an urge to make stir-fry and have to pick up the ingredients on my way home from work.

And this really ties into everything else - changes can be made with a little bit of prep.  Cut out coupons (couponing).  Have a grocery list ahead of time and stick to it (weight loss).  Print out your gym hours and group class schedule (get fit).

So good luck - let me know what you do to prep for changes
(By the way, I do have a good exercise tracking spreadsheet for activity changes)

Peace.  Love.  Serene.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Couponing

See Blog: New Year's Resolutions
COUPONS!

I don't know why I don't use coupons.  I mean, it is manufacturers and stores saying, we want YOU to spend less money, so why don't I accept?  Because Im lazy.  I know that.  Too lazy to research, too lazy to cut them out, too lazy to organize them when I am at the store.  But in all reality, I have more time than money, so I really don't have that luxury.  So one of my resolutions is to be better and finding, and using, coupons.

Does anyone else use coupons?  What is the best way?  I don't get the newspaper, but maybe I can buy one every Sunday just for the coupon inserts - that's where they put them, right?  I also know there are a lot of good websites to print coupons.  Can someone tell me the best ones?  Is it worth it to go to each and every manufacturer's websites?  Do they offer more than what they put out to the websites?

Obviously I'm new to this, but I want to do it right.  HELP!  
I want responses on this one!


Peace.  Love.  Serene.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

New Year's Resolutions

I stopped making new year's resolutions a few years ago because frankly, I didn't stick to them.  But I have realized it is a good time to remind yourself of the changes you want to make in your life.  Yes, they need to be realistic goals.  Yes, you need a game plan.  But it can go so much longer (or sooner) than the usual resolutions.  So here are some of my ideas (not necessarily using this year), and I would love to hear more to add to the list.  They don't have to be the ones you're setting - just ideas for everyone else!

1.  Meditate at least once per week - increasing a day every 3 months (putting on calendar!)
2.  Keep a log of exercise - aim for 2x per week, increasing to 4 by April (putting on calendar!)
3.  Write thank you cards for gifts by Jan 15 (putting on calendar!)
4.  Start using coupons by Dec 15 (I don't mean the extreme couponing, people, get your head out of the gutter - but seriously?  A $400 grocery bill and they pay $13?)
5.  Use up food in my cupboards consistently
6.  Do some of the projects I have saved, taken pictures of, and written down (many of them are nature based, so I might have to wait for spring for these)
7.  Learn how to knit - basic stitches by June 1st
8.  Learn how to use Pinterest
9.  Be less judgemental - to others and to myself
10.  Cook dinner at home more often (Does anyone want to trade 1/2 dinners?  Sometimes I waste because I can't eat it all up before it goes bad)


By the way, it helps to write them down and post them where you can see them every day
Thanks, Miss Katy


Peace.  Love.  Serene

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Christmas Cookies

Who doesn't love Christmas Cookies??

This year I get an honor that makes me both happy and sad.  I am helping Granny make the time-honored super-special super-delicious world-famous Xmas eve Christmas cookies.  It's sad because she has been having some pain issues and doesn't feel that she can do it alone.  It's happy because it has been a super secret recipe my entire life, and NOW for the FIRST TIME, it is being passed down.  I don't know if this means that next year the responsibility will be all my own, but I will take on the shared or solo cooking with gratefulness.
There is also a tradition involved in these cookies that goes like this:

NOBODY gets to eat a Christmas Cookie until AFTER dinner on Christmas eve

But other than these cookies, I will also be baking several others.  In all reality, I don't have much of a sweet tooth.  I will probably only eat a couple of each cookie over the holidays.  But I love presenting them, and I love giving them as gifts.

Here is my list:

Swedish christmas cookies
Candy cane cookies
Ritz thin mints
Buckeyes
Chocolate covered orange balls
Saltine toffee
Candied citrus peel

These are my maybes:

Fruit jellies (I've never made them before, but this is my kind of candy!)
Peppermint marshmallows (I've never made homemade marshmallows, but they are all over this year)
Lemon ginger mint cookies (very good, but not very Christmassy)

I know I will have to cut a few of these out, but it's so hard to choose!!

What are you favorites to make?


Peace.  Love.  Serene