Schmoozins

While complaining about my extremely high grocery bills to one of my friends, she asked me if I had ever given Angel FoodMinistries a try. I didn’t even know what it was so I asked her and she explained that it was a Christian program that lets you buy special grocery packages for a low price. You can order as many packages as you want at the low price and you have 7 or 8 different package options to choose from.

We decided to give it a try and order a variety of packages to see if this was really a good deal and if the food was any good. You have to order by like the tenth of the month, give or take a day or two and you get the food the last Saturday of the month. Most orders have to be made in person but they have started taking online orders and that is growing in popularity, see website for locations near you.

I went and picked up the food on Saturday and was skeptical after seeing that most of the food comes in generic packaging and looks like cheap food, but my friend swears by it so I decided to give it a chance. I will say after giving it 3 meals it is pretty good and I am pleasantly surprised by the quality. Everything has tasted good and exceeded my expectations. If I were to guess I would say we got $400 worth of food for $190 and have now cut my grocery bill by as much. The variety of packages changes every month but has something for everyone including seafood, steak, and fruit and vegetable packages. I think anyone tired of spending too much on groceries should give this a try, even if it is just a basic pack to see what you think for yourself.

My grandma used to make these for me when I was little and I still love them today, the measurements are approximate because while I know how to make them, my grandma never measured anything so I have tried to do the best I could in translation.

What you need for the batter

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking soda

½ cup cocoa

2 cups water

2/3 cup oil

2 tbsp vinegar

2 tsp vanilla

Mix together

What you need for the filling

8oz cream cheese

1/3 cup of sugar

1 egg

Pinch of salt

A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips

Mix together

Fill muffin cups half full with batter, put one tsp of filling in center, continue filling with batter.

Bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

This is a recipe for salsa that we started making about a week ago, it is simple and tastes better than the store bought salsa.

What you need:

1 packet salsa seasoning

½ Vidalia onion

2 cans diced tomatoes (flavored)

Sugar/Splenda (optional)

The seasoning packet can be found at your local grocery store. We buy diced tomatoes in the can because you can get them mixed with either jalapenos or green chilies so there is no need to mess with them separately. They also have a new one we tried with lime and cilantro which is also good. Finely chop the onion and mix all ingredients together, the sugar is something I actually recommend giving a try. Start by adding a tablespoon and go from there, it does help. When you get it to desired taste chill for at least an hour so the flavors mix. I will tell you that it doesn’t make much so we usually make at least 4 batches at a time, but we really like salsa.

Losing your cell phone can be devastating! If you are anything like me, you’d be lost without it even for a day. Not to mention, the cost of replacing it and the inconvenience of losing pictures, downloads and your contact list. 

I’ve compiled a list of hints to help you to NOT lose your phone. Hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me!

1. Keep your cell phone in the same pocket of your clothes. Get used to it being there and you’ll feel weird if it is suddenly not there!
2. Get a handy-dandy cell phone carrier. They make them now in very stylish and cool colors and styles. They have ones that clip on to your clothing and ones that hang around your neck among others. Check out Accessory Geeks.
3. Always do a “cell phone check” before leaving somewhere. Get used to doing this just like you would with a purse or wallet. It will save you panicking and driving back where you’ve been.
4. Don’t get in the habit of holding it in your hand when not using it. This is a set-up for laying it down and forgetting it.
5. If you have a car charger, which you should, keep your phone plugged into it instead of laying in your lap. I don’t know how many times I have dropped mine on the ground getting out of my car.
6. Check to see if your cell phone provider offers a back-up service for the data on your phone. This is a just in case, but necessary if the worst should happen. Also, this is handy should you upgrade your phone.
7. Consider not taking your phone into places like concerts or very congested areas where you won’t be able to hear or be inclined to use them anyway. They are too easy to be stolen from your pocket or dropped. Even a case can be thieved in a place like this and you might not notice until it is too late.
8. Keep your phone in the same place all the time in your house if it isn’t on you. They have the most efficient and adorable cell phone caddies now. This will save you searching your house frantically which can be quite frustrating even if the loss is temporary. 
9. Don’t let your kids play with your phone. You never know where it will end up. I’ve seen so many parents letting toddlers in strollers play with their phones and then dropping them. Even older children are likely to lay your phone down when something else captures their attention. 
10. Finally, there is a wonderful service you should get NOW while you have your phone in your hot little hands. It is called Track It Back. Track It Back is a lost and found recovery service for electronic devices including cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc. This service costs a one time fee of 9.95 per item/label which you place on your phone. You also register your item on their website. It prompts the finder of your phone to call Track It Back and they are offered a reward to return your phone (all the arrangements for safe return are handled by Track It Back). All finders receive a Track It Back gift pack for their honesty. You also have the option to offer them a reward! 

I hope these tips help you to keep hold of that precious cell phone. Now, let’s say you tried everything above and still lost your phone or your phone was stolen. Check out my blog I Lost My Cell Phone! What Do I Do Now? on Family on the Phone for some great hints.

My daughter’s birthday is next week and we are getting ready for her party. We have always done birthdays for my daughter as big as we can because she wasn’t supposed to be here for any, so every birthday for her is truly a celebration.

We start preparing months In advance by letting her pick a theme and getting all the decorations and stuff needed for the party. Her grammy (wife’s’ mom) is the one that truly makes this all happen, she buys most of the decorations and comes over to help get everything ready, plus she sets the agenda and leads in the games and activities. She does this because she wants to, we try to help her but I think we just get in the way so now we just stand back and help when asked. We invite between 40-60 people and really have a big party, this year is going to be Hanna Montana themed and we all have to dress up like rock stars.  We will have karaoke for all who dare and even guitar shaped balloons.

I wish I had birthdays like this growing up; it will truly be her day to feel special. That happens less than it should with the quads in the house. Speaking of them, we now have to do their birthdays like that too so they don’t feel any less love from us. Thankfully we have grammy there to help with all the setup, their birthday is already to go and it is still 3 months away. At least we only have to do one party for all four, otherwise it could get ugly.

I am approaching a very difficult decision that I am wishing I didn’t have to make. I am probably going to have to ask my aunt for my inheritance from my uncle that she has control of. My uncle died about 25 years ago and left me, my brother, and my cousin each a large sum of money to be given to us when we grew up and needed it.

Having four more mouths to feed and cutting our income in half has really put a financial strain on our family.  We are having a hard time making ends meet and things are getting tight around here. Even if I wanted to or was able to find a job that would work with my schedule, why would they hire someone that has a limited availability when there are so many people who will work whenever just to get a job.

The issue is that this aunt is my fathers’ sister and she hates me, not to mention I have not had any contact with them in years because they are evil. It’s a long story but we just don’t get along. I asked her for the money once before when I purchased my first home and she insulted me for an hour before she said no, I was too young and not ready yet. The situation is now much different and I have very good credit and a family with quadruplets now. If that doesn’t show responsibility what does?

I have never bothered before because we have always been financially secure and money isn’t worth trying to suck up to her. I think this time I am going to have to take her abuse and hope she has even a shred of a heart left to see that it is for my family. The money is mine in the first place and my reason for wanting my money is valid, I just don’t know if I can bring myself to being humiliated by someone as mean as her.

Working women all over know the joy that comes when they find out there will soon be a baby added to their family. She and her spouse have a lot of planning to do and a long time to plan. Many women decide to breastfeed their babies and wonder how being a breastfeeding mom will affect their job.

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy no matter how natural it is. Add job stress to the fears you may already have about not being able to supply enough milk for your baby, and you may be concerned about the prospects of being able to do both. You may be glad to know that millions of women have been breastfeeding moms and held down their regular job.

Employers are required by law not to discriminate against breastfeeding moms. In fact, they may also be required to provide you with a relaxing place where you can pump while you’re at work. Of course, you would have to pump during your scheduled breaks and during your lunch hour, but they cannot keep you from doing so.

You may wonder if it’s worth the effort to continue breastfeeding. Here are some reasons why continuing to breastfeed even though you’re stressed from work is a good idea:

* Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition possible for your baby.

* Pumping while at work will make breastfeeding while you’re at home easier.

* Breastfeeding can save you quite a bit of money.

* Your baby will be healthier because your breast milk provides antibodies and nutrients that just aren’t available in formula.

* Because your baby is healthier, you’ll miss less work. This should be enough reason for your employer to encourage your choice to pump while you’re at work.

* You won’t miss your baby as much which could make you more productive.

Be sure to let your boss know that you plan to breastfeed and that you intend to pump during the day to provide your baby with the best possible start. Talking with them ahead of time will enable them to research the laws concerning breastfeeding and to set aside a private area where you can pump in privacy.

If your company doesn’t have a refrigerator, plan to bring a small cooler that you can use to store the breast milk. You’ll also need to bring an electric breast pump to make expressing milk quicker.

Don’t beat yourself up if you find that pumping while at work doesn’t work for you. Remember that your baby will still get the benefits of breast milk while you’re at home on maternity leave. If you continue to breastfeed when you get home, your child will receive the benefits of breast milk but you’ll have formula to fall back on while you’re apart.

With our busy lives and full schedules, sometimes coming up with a great meal at home can be a real challenge.  Fast food and carry-out meals are so quick (with little cleanup) – but definitely affect the bank account!

Whether or not you love to cook, if you are looking for something new – something different – something fresh, you’ve GOT to check out FoodBuzz!

FoodBuzz is a community for people who love all things food.  Or people who just need to find something good to eat for dinner!

What is it you want to win? Do you want to win cash? How about a car? Maybe you want a cruise to the Caribbean? These are often prizes you can win in sweepstakes, contests or giveaways. Have you ever looked at the Publishing Clearinghouse sweepstakes envelope and thought “I want to win a sweepstakes”? I think most of us have thought this at one time or another. So how do you win? You must enter!

Do you just have to enter to win?

Nope. Believe it or not it is all about averages. In sales you are taught if you want to increase your sales you must increase your contacts. It is all in the law of averages! The same thing applies for entering any type of giveaway. In order for you to win you need to enter more. If you have been winning and want to win more then enter even more!

So where do I get the time?

As women we have so many things on our plate to do each and every day. As a mother of four I completely understand! Some of us are wives, mothers, chauffeurs, housekeepers, cooks, financial advisers, cheerleaders and the list can go on. We barely have time to do the laundry and wash the dishes and most of the time we don’t make enough time for ourselves. Well it is time to stop that! If you want to enjoy the hobby of sweeping, then make that time!

Entering sweepstakes doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools you can enter twenty sweepstakes in fifteen minutes online. You don’t have to enter by way of snail mail. You don’t have to pull out the stamps, envelopes and 3×5 cards. You definitely don’t have to come up with a jingle or a creative new recipe. There are sources online that help you enter quickly and easily.

Where do I find these sweepstakes to enter?

There are several websites for online sweepstakes. Here are some: Online Sweepstakes, Sweepstakes Advantage, Sweepstakes Today, Power Sweepstaking, Contest Hound, Sweepsgoat, HyperSweeps & Sweepswire. These websites will do all the work for you in finding the sweepstakes. Some of these websites will even keep track of what you enter. Check them all out and see which one you prefer. There are forums on some of these websites to share what you have won and to ask for help! There are some great communities full of “sweepers” (those who enter giveaways).

How do I enter these sweepstakes quickly?

If you have a Google toolbar then you have AutoFill. AutoFill allows you to fill in forms with one click. It stores your data in a profile then you click the auto fill button and it fills in the form. This makes it so much easier in filling out all those sweepstakes forms online. A favorite software program among sweepers is RoboForm. This is software that will store passwords and AutoFill information. It will also allow you to login-in to any website in one-click! You can put this software on a flash drive and take it everywhere you go! You can find out in more detail what Roboform can do for you here. Roboform or Google AutoFill will allow you to enter two and three times more giveaways!

No more excuses! If you want to win a brand new high definition television or a trip to Cancun, then start entering. Take your laptop and enter while you are watching t.v. at night. Before you check your email enter twenty sweepstakes. Have fun and watch for the wins to come in!

About The Author: My name is Danielle. I am a wife and mom of four.  I am currently an blog intern for Mom Talk Network on  the Mom Giveaways blog.  My blog Danielle’s Journey chronicles my journey to an online business.

Good Day Bronzer – I said Good Day! Probably the best runway piece missing from faces that has been seen this season (or rather, not seen) is the bronzer.

Bronzers usually confused me in general.  I was usually somewhat confused on what kind to buy and how to use it and it was really a hit or miss experience for me in general.  I have tried numerous brands and the closest I came to enjoying using a bronzer was the Physicians Formula brand.

That being said, a pale person like myself could really benefit from using a bronzer, except the all too common problem of having it trigger breakouts.  I normally don’t have breakouts too often, yet each time I’ve used a bronzer, no matter the brand, it’s triggered one in me.  I will say that I haven’t had breakouts with the bare minerals products, which include bronzers in their collection, but I haven’t used those so much.

So at least for this season, I don’t have to worry about it and I plan on indulging in real sun a bit more to give myself some added color.  If the trend comes back, then I am in trouble!