Our Heavenly Calling

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kudumomo/ / CC BY 2.0

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven
for our Lord God. We should acustom ourselves to think of our position and work
as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but
on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow."
Martin Luther

May God bless you today as you serve your family!

Covermate: Review and Giveaway

I recently received a box of CoverMate food covers to use and review from CoverMate through MamaBuzz. I was very excited about this product and it definitely didn't let me down!

I really hate riffling through my storage containers to find the right size for the leftovers from dinner. I hate trying to find the lid that fits. That's why my husband usually tackles this part of cleanup. The new solution: just pop a CoverMate food cover over the plate and skip all the hassle! It's ready to go right into the refrigerator!

That's cut up cooked sweet potatoes for the baby, by the way! Like our Pooh-bear dinnerware? :)

This is also perfect for when my daughter won't finish her dinner and I save it for when she asks for a snack... :) They're microwavable, so it makes it easy to reheat her food without it splattering and making yet another mess for me to clean. Their shape allows them to easily fit round or square containers. You can even check out a video about them here.

These little things are super easy to wash, especially if you're a zip-lock baggie saver. I just wash mine by hand in soapy water, but they're even dishwasher safe. The manufacturer suggested turning it inside out and putting it on a clean plate and into the dishwasher. Voila! Clean and dry!

Interested in getting some for yourself? I thought so. If you hop on over to their site, you can get a free sample pack, you just pay $3.95 for shipping and handling. For some reason, their site is having a security certificate issue. I clicked through and it was fine, but it's up to you if you want to click through or not.

Want to get a pack for free and make me pay for the shipping? I now I would! Well, because I love my readers, I will do just such thing. I have one sample package of 4 medium, 4 large, 2 extra large and one small can CoverMates Stretch-to-Fit Food Covers to mail to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway you can do any of the following, leaving a separate comment for each:

1. Leave me a comment telling what you think of saving my kid's food and making her eat it later when she asks for a snack. LoL. That's what my mom used to do. Guess we often do a lot of what our parents' did!
   
2. Leave me an encouraging comment. Sometimes I just need to hear something nice. :) Make sure it's true though, I wouldn't want anyone to lie!
   
3. Become a follower or tell me if you already do (left side of the blog)!
4. Become a subscriber or tell me if you already do (left side)!
5. Follow me on twitter or tell me if you already do!
6. Become a fan of the Christian Frugal Mama Facebook page or let me know if you already are!
7. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

That's 7 chances to win! Sorry, but I can only ship to the USA or Canada. The giveaway is open from now until Friday May 14th at 11PM EST when I will randomly pick a winner. I will email the winner (so make sure you leave a way for me to email you!) and the winner will have 48 hours to respond. If they don't, I will pick a new winner. Good luck!!

Share Yourself Saturday: Cooking

I love to cook. I love to eat the things I cook. I love to feed others. I love to cook! The year I got married, I decided I was going to cook the turkey we had for Easter dinner and I've been doing it since. I think this was our 4th celebration at our house and it was so much fun!

Usually, I over-do it. I usually want to make a bunch of fancy stuff to impress everyone or something like that. :) But this year, I kept it really simple (since I have two kids and all) and I was surprised at how great it was. I was sitting there, with dinner almost finished, shocked at how unstressed out I was. Normally when I cook the Easter dinner, I'm running around all day cooking, cleaning and stressing out. What a huge difference keeping it simple made!


And even though I didn't do anything really fancy, we had a great meal, great fellowship and over all a great day. Lesson learned. Don't stress out over making a huge, perfect, impressive meal. Just make good food and have good family and friends over. It'll be a day worth remembering!

Spring Cleaning: Your Finances!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/ / CC BY 2.0

What did you think of the ideas to Spring Clean your house the non-toxic way? Well, now you can think about Spring Cleaning your finances. Now is a wonderful time to check through your files, get rid of no longer needed paper and see how you're doing on your budget since the beginning of the year. Dave Ramsey gives some great advice on Spring Cleaning your finances.

How's your "Spring Cleaning" going? Or have you not started yet, like me? :)

Spring Cleaning: The Non-Toxic Way

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/ / CC BY 2.0

Are you going to be attacking your spring cleaning this coming month? There's an a post over at GOOD Instructions on making non-toxic homemade cleaners for everything from floor soap to oven cleaner to air freshener. Take a look if you want to be a little more green (and cheap!) this spring!

Before Motherhood....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/frederickmdrocks/ / CC BY 2.0

Before Motherhood, I would never have believed that one day I'd be spraying down my carpet with Windex Antibacterial in Lemon scent because my baby puked on the carpet and I didn't know how else to clean it up. :) When my husband came home he asked "Why didn't you use the carpet cleaner we have?"

In my panic (and with my head spinning from the awful smell) I'd forgotten the carpet cleaner under the sink. Oh well. At least my carpet and living room smelled like lemons instead of carpet cleaner/baby puke. I also found out later (on facebook) that Resolve is a good way to clean it up. Good to know. I doubt that'll be the last time I have to clean it up. :)

How do you clean puke off your carpet? You can check out other Before Motherhood confessions over here!

Moving... Now!

By the time this posts, we will be officially moving to our new place. I have mixed feelings, of course. This is where we brought our 2nd daughter home. This is where my older daughter did so much, like gardening with me.

But I'm excited to get moved into a new place. It's like a new adventure. A fresh start. Everything will start out clean and organized and I get the chance to fix it up just the way I want. Then life happens and tears it apart, but at least at the beginning it's nice!

Because we're moving, I'll be unplugged for a little while. We'll see how long it takes to convince the cable internet guys to come out to the house. *Cue ominous music* I totally despise dealing with the cable company. They are a true test of patience. It'll probably be good for me.

So anyway... :) I hope to be back around soon! I'll post a few scheduled posts to keep things flowing a little bit, but in the meantime, feel free to explore around a little and get to know me! I'll do my best to respond to you soon if you leave a comment or question. :)

Works For Me Wednesday and Giveaway: Junk Drawer

The worst, most disorganized drawer in the house is probably my kitchen "baking drawer." It somehow always ends up a mess:


Then, I have to waste precious baking time searching through a big pile of utensils. I once hurt myself trying to force a stuck utensil out of there. So when Rubbermaid's organizing blogger asked me if I'd like to receive their new Drawer Organizer 6 piece set, I quickly jumped at the opportunity!

One really neat thing about this set, is that they are all separate pieces of different sizes, but they can interlock with each other so they stay together! I actually used 4 of the pieces in one drawer and two in another. What a perfect fit!

These could be used in any drawer... make up, toys, kitchen and more. They come in different sizes so they're all good for different things (one for utensils, one for twisty ties, etc). Plus, they have a no slip feet on the bottom that keep them from sliding around in the drawer when you open it.


Oh my, what a difference these made!! Now, all my measuring cups, measuring spoons, and odds and ends are all grouped together for easy finding and using! These little organizing containers certainly worked for me! Rubbermaid also provided some tips on organizing the junk drawer and a $1/1 coupon for any Rubbermaid Kitchen Organization Product.

Because these worked so well, I'm very pleased to be able to give a set away to one of my readers!! To enter the giveaway you can do any of the following, leaving a separate comment for each:

1. Leave me a comment telling me your worst drawer in the house!
   
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.
3. Become a follower or tell me if you already do (left side of the blog)!
4. Become a subscriber or tell me if you already do (left side)!
5. Follow me on twitter or tell me if you already do!
6. Become a fan of the Christian Frugal Mama Facebook page or let me know if you already are!
   

That's 6 chances to win! Sorry, but they can only ship to the USA or Canada. The giveaway is open from now until Friday February 26th at 11PM EST when I will randomly pick a winner. I will email the winner (so make sure you leave a way for me to email you!) and the winner will have 48 hours to respond. If they don't, I will pick a new winner. Good luck!!

Interesting: Bleach vs. Peroxide

I recently received an email from a friend about the benefits of peroxide and thought I'd pass it on to you. Hope it helps you!

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a
doctor's wife), and I want to share it with you. She
was over recently at a friend's home for coffee and
smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and
counter tops. This is what she said:

I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain
little ole bottle of 3% Hydrogen peroxide you can get for under
$1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost?


My husband has been in the medical field for over
36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide.
Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!!
Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the
nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if
they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!

Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's?
It's chlorine, folks! And it was used to kill our troops.
Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20's. It was
used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops
and hospitals.

Please think about this:

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes
with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes
daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more
canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without
expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

e.g. Arm & Hammer baking soda & PEROXIDE

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide
to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide
to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a
little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on
the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour
peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed
a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them
(especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five
to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has
seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was=20
healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide
and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect
without harming your septic system like bleach or most
other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your
50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus.
It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for
a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to
a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into
your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times
a day. The pain will lessen greatly.


10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your
hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after

a shower and comb it through. You will not have the
peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages
but more natural highlights if your hair is a light
brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens
gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help
rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.


12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of
bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten
them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly
on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub
it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no
smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no
home should be without!
With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad
there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple,
healthy manner! "
This information really woke me up I hope you gain
something from it, too.

Are there any tricks you use peroxide for? Share with us!

In keeping with one of my new habit goals this month, I wrote out a menu plan for this month, including breakfasts and lunches. It was a little hard though, with the holidays. I never know when a party or event will pop up or when we'll end up staying longer with family, etc. Anyway, I did my best and this menu uses only stuff we already have on hand and a few fresh things I'll pick up ( like salad). I know you can't really read this, but I thought I'd just show you my style. :)

A New Habit: December

Last month, Life as Mom started a neat challenge called the Get a Good Habit Going Challenge. I was very excited about the idea, but it just didn't work out for me to do it last month, so I'm going to jump in this month! I know it's already December 2nd (wow!!) but it's not too late to state a goal or two and map out a way I hope to achieve it. There are SO MANY habits I want to change/create, but I think for sanity's sake I'll just choose 1 or 2 to baby step my way through. That way I'll I'll be more likely to actually accomplish it!

For this month I'm going to work on two main goals: Get to bed at a decent hour and Use up our pantry and freezer without buying additional supplies. I know I'll have to work on these goals in steps to make it more achievable and lasting.

I always have been a night owl. However, I notice that when I get to bed at a decent hour and get up before the girls my day seems to go much smoother and I'm a much happier Mom. Sunday night I was up until 3AM and not because I was doing anything terribly productive either. I woke up the next day when the girls did and was very tired still, which made for a long day with a short temper. This needs to change and I know it! Here's my plan of attack:

• For Week 1: get to bed by 12:30 AM and up by 8:30 AM
• For Week 2: get to bed by 12AM and up by 8AM
• For Week 3: get to bed by 11:30 AM and up by 7:30 AM
• For Week 4: get to bed by 11PM and up by 7AM

As for the freezer and pantry challenge, here's how I plan to get better at using stuff up with out going to the store (I've failed miserably in times past!):

• List out all the pre-made meals in the freezer from past freezer cooking days
• List out all the side dishes I have in my pantry
• Make out the month's dinner menu based on what we have on my sharpie calendar
  
• Make fruit smoothies for breakfasts to use up some of the frozen fruit I hand picked this summer
• Drink hot tea once a day. It's good for you and we have a TON of it!

Well, that's my plan of attack this month. Are there any good habits you're working on this month? Share them and any tips you have with us!

Organizing: Step One

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cote/ / CC BY 2.0

My organizing project for this week comes from the ideas in the book Survival for Busy Women by Emilie Barnes. She recommends starting in a room in your house with 3 trash bags: throw away, giveaway and put away. Take 15 minutes a day (set a timer!) and go through a section of your home with your three bags (or boxes in my case). Be objective and unattached to your junk stuff. Attack one pile or drawer at a time.

I started with my kitchen and started putting all the stuff I haven't even thought about since we've moved into this house (7 months ago). Most of it I'd forgotten about, so I must not really need it. I threw away any useless stuff old straws, etc) and put extra dishes, water pitchers and so on in a box to give to Goodwill. It already feels much cleaner and like I have so much more space. See how easy that was? Now start on a seemingly daunting area of your house today. Just take 15 minutes and go plow through it. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!