Freebie Friday Courtesy of The Freebie Blogger!

Below is another list of Freebies from the Freebie Blogger! Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!



Free 1oz jar of Skinner’s Vaporizing Salve

Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Free Sample

Free Animal Nibbles Dog Snak Pak

Free Pill Glide Swallowing Spray After Rebate

Kotex Feminine Care Free Sample

Free Hugo Boss Bottled Night Fragrance Sample

Better Oats Free Product Coupon

Free National Geographic Music Album Download

Parenting Early Years Free Digital Subscription

Free Soap Opera Digest Magazine Subscription

“Truth Endures” Free Hardcover Religious Book

Free Relaxing Nature Sounds MP3 Downloads

A Sweet Summer Give Away from Florida Crystals

A Sweet Summer Giveaway from Florida Crystals®
Florida Crystals® is all-natural and organic sugar that’s better for you. It’s better for the environment, too, because they’ve taken the time and effort to become Certified CarbonFree® as well as Vegan Certified. Visit floridacrystals.com to learn more and be sure to enter the sweet summer giveaway!

Giveaway Details: One lucky winner will receive a $500 gift card plus coupons for free Florida Crystals® products! In addition, three winners will also receive coupons for free Florida Crystals products! It's so simple - just fill out this online form to enter! And be sure to download the Sweet Summer Party Planner filled with party planning tips and fresh menu ideas!

Enter by August 28th. Winners will be selected and notified via email on or around August 31st. Click here for official rules.

Thanks to Mambo Sprouts for the information!

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

I LOVE swagbucks! I have been redeeming my swagbucks for Amazon.com'>Amazon gift cards and purchasing all kids of great stuff. I was able to get my husband’s birthday gifts and most of my children’s Christmas gifts through Amazon.com'>Amazon by using my gift cards I won by searching through swagbucks!  If you are not searching with swagbucks, you should start today and be rewarded for surfing the web!

I will be the first to admit, I was a little skeptical about swagbucks at first! Now, I am hooked! If I am going to be searching the internet, I may as well be rewarded.

So, just how does swagbucks work?

• Go here and sign up for an account. You get $3 Swagbucks just for joining.
• Begin Searching. Search just as you will with Google. Swagbucks uses Google and ask.com.
• Begin earning. Friday is Mega swagbuck day, so they are giving away twice as many swagbucks today! There are even $100 swagbucks available to win! Rewards are random, and the highest I have ever received at one time is $5 swagbucks.

• Redeem Your swagbucks! Prizes include:

1. $5 Amazon.com'>Amazon.com gift card for $45 swagbucks
2. $10 Barnes and Noble Gift card for $125 swagbucks
3. collectibles, electronics, comic books, and so much more!

Happy searching with Swagbucks!

Frugally Farming Family Loves….

• Dear friends both old and new!
• Air conditioning on these very hot summer days!
• Iced Fruit Tea!
• Newborn babies (my newest will be here soon!).
• All of my friends, readers, and followers! Thank you so much for reading my blog!

Baby on a Budget

Below is my guest post titled “Baby on a Budget” which was recently featured on The Coupon Mommie website here.

As a mother of six children ages 9 years down to 19 months with number seven on the way, I am often asked how I can afford to have so many children especially on one income! Many people only have one or two children and two incomes and are barely surviving. My goal is to give you some tips to help you have a baby and stick to your budget too!

Learn to Sacrifice. The first step is a must if you want to live frugally! It is also one of the most difficult steps to take when trying to live on a budget or save money. Make a list of the things you really need! Do you really need a wipe warmer or twenty sets of clothes? No, not really! So what do you need? It will vary depending on your family. However, I have listed some basic needs below.

• Crib or bassinet unless you plan on co-sleeping.
• Crib sheets (a frugal way to make them is to take some sheets you already have
  and cut them to size and add elastic!).
• Diapers (either cloth or disposable). Cloth diapers can also double as burp
  cloths! You will use the most diapers the first month or so!
• Bottles and Formula if you do not plan to breast feed.
• Basic Layette set (onesies, gowns, sleepers, mittens, socks, blankets)- only a
  few of each should be sufficient. It may mean doing laundry a little more often,
  but they will only wear these clothes for a short time. Blankets can also be used
  for burp cloths.
• A few outfits in each size for outings.
• Hygiene items (soap, shampoo, nail clippers, diaper rash cream, etc.)
• Stroller- only if you are an active person. I have a double stroller and used to use
  it a lot. Now, I only use it once or twice a year since there is usually someone to
  carry the baby. Stroller will vary depending on the family
• Car seat is a must if you are going to go anywhere with the baby in a vehicle!
• Diaper bag. It does not have to be the most fashionable! A purse or even a
  reusable grocery bag will serve the purpose!
• Thermometer
• Towel and wash cloth, but regular towels and washcloths will work too!
• Nursing Bra and Nursing Pads for nursing moms.
• Baby wipes or make your own (recipe at end of article). You can also use
  washcloths.
• Baby Swings and/or bouncers are nice if you can afford them, but they are not a
  necessity!
• High chair for later when the baby is sitting up eating. Again, not a necessity. He/
  she can always sit on your lap!

I left many things off of the list. They may or may not be a necessity to your family. The things I mentioned above are the things most people use most often. There are even some of the things I mentioned above which I do not even own myself! You will have to make a list to suit your family.

Register at a Local Store. Whether it is your first baby or your seventh, there are always people who want to get you a gift. One of the best things to do is to go ahead and register for the things you need at one of your local stores. Most of these stores allow registering online, so you will not even have to leave your home! Make sure you make known to your family and others who inquire about the items you need, you have
registered at a store or stores!

Shop at Second Hand Stores. Knoxville has many different thrift stores around including KARM and Goodwill. There are also great Thrift Stores in surrounding counties (The Good Neighbor Shoppe in Lenoir City is AWESOME!) as well as yard sales all summer long many of which are loaded with great deals for baby items! My friend recently purchased a brand new bassinet for me from a yard sale for only $10! It had never even been slept in because she ended up keeping the baby in the bed with her! I also found a brand new crib mattress (an expensive brand) for only $15! There are many great deals out there! Our local community center even has a yard sale every other week. My mother-in-law found me a nice brand new jogging stroller for $5. It had a flat tire which was fixed for only a few dollars! She also has found clothing, baby swings, and other large items at the yard sale for little to nothing!

Consignment stores and sales. There are many consignment stores in Knoxville area as well. Sometimes the prices are lower than at the thrift stores, but most of the time you may pay a little more. Also, each spring and fall most of the local large churches and even some of the small will have consignment sales. I have found many useful items which were gently used brand name items for next to nothing! I remember my
first year ever going, I spent about $15 and had several outfits for both of my children I had at the time as well as shoes, books, and even a baby sling and boppy pillow!
Check Freecycle or Craigslist. There are also free deals out there for those people who cannot get out and shop at yard sales and thrift stores. Freecycle is dedicated to keeping things out of the landfill. I have obtained and given away many items on Freecycle. The best part about it is it is TOTALLY FREE!!!!! You can also post specific items for which you are looking! Craigslist is similar. They have things for free, but you
can also sell items on Craigslist. I always look on the free items first, but you can also look in the baby section and find great deals on baby items and not spend much money.
EBay and Goodwill online. I have never purchased an item from EBay, but I know of several people who have gotten great deals on the site. Goodwill is also online and operates similar to eBay. I have never used it either.
Ask Friends or Relatives. You can also ask your friends or relatives for things you may need. They may have things in storage which you can borrow for the short amount of time you need them. My sisters-in-law and I are always swapping out things we need with each other. We also pass things around to each other such as clothes or toys. It really helps all of us out to have our own little circuit!
Breastfeed! Breastfeeding is a great way to save money on a baby! I realize not everyone can always breastfeed for various reasons, but even if it is only for a few days, weeks, or months, it will be worth it not only for your pocketbook, but also for the health of your baby and you!
Make your own baby food! My first son HATED jarred baby food! So, I started to make my own. It is very simple! I would puree apples in my blender! They are fresh and unprocessed, so he had all the enzymes he needed to digest them. Similarly, I would puree and/or cook (if needed)other fruits and veggies for him. Then, as he got older, I would cut them into bite size pieces or thin slices! None of my children have ever eaten from a jar. Most of them will not eat baby food from a jar!
Check Jennifer's site for deals and freebies! Most of you reading probably realize that many items can be obtained for free or really cheap when there is a good deal at the stores out there. Check Jennifer's site and others weekly to get those deals. Stock up on the things you know you will use! Target, Walgreens, and CVS often have freebie items and you do not even have to use a coupon! Also, there are other free offers out there for baby items or samples of baby items!

Having children should be a blessing and NOT a burden! Once you learn to do without things, you will not even realize you are missing them! I received my first baby bouncer as a gift after baby number 7 was born. I still do not have one of those little bumbo seats or whatever they are called! Also, i no longer have a bath seat. It was more of a burden than a help as I rarely used it.  Good luck on sticking to your budget! As I mentioned earlier, one of the key steps is learning to sacrifice or to do without the things you really do not need!

Recipe for Homemade Wipes (from My Good Friend Kelly, mother of 17 with #18 on the way!)
1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels (cut in half with a sharp knife)
2 cups water
2 tbs. baby oil or olive oil with essential oils added
2 tbs. baby bath
Put the 1/2 roll in a plastic container (Tupperware or Rubbermaid). Pour the water, oil, and
baby bath over the towels. Cut a slit in the top of the container and you have a dispenser!
Recipe for Homemade Diaper Ointment (from my midwife)
1/4 cup Vitamin E oil
1/2 cup cornstarch
Mix thoroughly. Apply after each diaper change. Ointment can be stored about one
week in a jar. Make a new batch each week. You can also add essential oils for scent.

Free Re-Usable Bag from Annie’s!

Go here to enter two UPC’s from any Annie’s Homegrown Product. You will receive a Free Kids Konserve lunch sack! Be sure to order yours as soon as possible as the items usually go fast!  Only products purchased between 07/15/2010 and 10/31/2010 are eligible.

Recently my Wal-Mart had the gluten free pasta on clearance for $0.75 per box!

$5 off a $50 purchase at Tractor Supply Company

Right now you can get $5 off a $50 purchase at Tractor Supply when you use promo code SAVE 5. Offer expires August 3, 2010.

Go here to begin shopping. You can also get 5% cash back when you shop through Shop-At-Home!

Save 25% on EnviroKidz and Nature’s Path

Amazon has a great deal going on right not for Nature’s Path and Enviro Kidz. Not only are they organic, but most products are also gluten free!
Save up to 25% on select Nature's Path and EnviroKidz Organic Cereal and Bars. Save 10% when you enter code NATPBTS3 at checkout. Plus, save an additional 15% when you combine the instant rebate with your Subscribe and Save order.  You save 25% all together. Click here to see the products available!
These are some of our favorite bars and are $2.99 this week at Kroger for 6 bars. However, I love the free shipping at Amazon as it makes one less thing to get a the store and one less reason to have to go to the store! I love shopping online!
Don’t forget to use your Swagbucks to get an even sweeter deal and possibly get everything for FREE!
Thanks to Your Green Helper for this great deal!

Free Earth Fare Bacon or Turkey Bacon!

• Go here to get a coupon for free Earth Fare Bacon or Turkey Bacon (12 oz.) with purchase of a dozen Earth Fare Natural Large Eggs!
• Go here to get new printable coupons from Earth Fare. Click here to take the boot challenge.
• Click here to Sign Up for emails from Earth Fare.
• Don’t Forget Kids Eat FREE every Thursday from 4-8pm!
• New Earth Fare Deals and Coupon Match-Ups for August coming soon!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom- Speechless

As I think about how to word what I want to say, I am also at a loss for words for this week’s post title. Recently, a wonderful friend and mentor of mine went home to be with the Lord. He was 88 years old and had been married to his wife for 65 years. They have seven children all who are serving the Lord. He and his wife were also best friends to my grandparents who are already in Heaven.

This man, Mr. V, I will call him, was one awesome person! He was totally devoted to serving the Lord. He was a deacon in the church where I grew up. He helped my family in many ways through the years including bringing me home from the hospital when my dad was already out on another business trip! He took me to the doctor several times and did many more things for my family. However, the most important thing he ever did for me was live a Godly example in front of me. I believe this man knew Jesus and was truly close to him!

Mr. V passed away last Wednesday night of Congestive Heart Failure. One of his daughters told me at the funeral he knew his time was near. He told all of them he would not be here on Saturday. His funeral was Friday night and he was buried on Saturday morning. However, he was not mourning his death or even scared! He was excited! He continued to pray with and for his family and to help them stay focused on living for the Lord instead of crying and weeping because their daddy was about to pass on. He knew it would be difficult for all of them including his wife and best friend! He wanted all of them to make sure they had their final preparations in order as well so one day he would see them again.

He was a wonderful father, husband, and grandfather. He and his wife were the only ones for a long time outside of our family who were supportive of my husband and me having a large family and allowing the Lord to be in full control of our life together as a married couple. He and his wife had lived it themselves! They had seven children during the time after WWII when most people were cutting their families by half or more! Mr. V told Tim and me to keep our priorities in order and always put God first and he will always provide for us and for the children. He said as long as we serve the Lord HE will not give us more than we can handle or more than HE can provide for! It is so true! Mr. V said the children kept coming, but God always provided! Mr. V said God not only provided food, clothing, and shelter for his family, but they also had plenty to share and he never missed a tithe to the church! AMAZING! Can God really provide for a family that way? I believe he can! He promises in his word if we keep him first all of our needs will be met! He reminds us of how he feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the field!

As a husband he was greatly devoted to his wife who has been sickly and frail for years now. He always cared for her. He loved her so much and it was evident! They did not bicker or argue and if they did ever have a disagreement it was when they were alone! They continued to hold hands and be romantic even after 65 years of marriage! His daughter told me even up to his last breaths of life, he wanted his wife snuggled up to him holding his hand, kissing, rubbing noses, etc! How romantic is that? My husband and I both cried when we heard this story. Mr. and Mrs. V have been the best example of a married couple we have ever found! We love them. Tim and I love each other too and are excited about growing old together! We still take date nights and date days as we had on Saturday. We make sure the other one knows he/she is special to the other! We are affectionate in front of our children. We refrain from belittling each other and arguing in front of anyone. Fortunately, we have few disagreements as there are few things really worth arguing over!

Mr. V left quite a legacy! He will be greatly missed! I was blessed to have ever known him!

What kind of legacy are you leaving? Will people leave your funeral encouraged or depressed? I was greatly encouraged upon leaving Mr. V’s funeral! Do you love your spouse as Christ loved the Church? Are you fulfilling and living up to your wedding vows? Do you truly love your children? Do you have faith in God? Are you prepared for eternity?

Think about the questions above. No one is perfect and Mr. V would have been the first to admit he was not perfect and give you examples of his mistakes. However, it is important to make an effort to be the best you can be! Any less is not only cheating God but you are also cheating your family and all of those who know you!

 

***I realize there are many of you who are not Christians. However, you do not have to read the blog. It is your choice to read and my choice to write. I hope you enjoy the things I write and are willing to have an open mind if you are not a Christian. I pray for all of my readers that God will use my words for HIS glory! Many blessings to everyone who may read this post!***

Homeschool Freebies

• Free Homeschool Classes from The Old School House Magaizine and Homeschool Blogger Go here for more details, to sign-up, and a schedule of events.
• Free Homeschool Planner here.
• Book lists, timelines, projects, and interactive games here from A Book in Time.
•   Free Science Labs here.
• Free Printable Calendars here.
• Free math worksheets here.
• Free phonics worksheets here. 

UGO Deals July 25-July 31st

Deals $1 or less

• Famous Brand Name 4.5 oz. Lunchables: $0.59
• Family Pack Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs $0.99/pound
• California Nectarines $1/pound (check your Wal-Mart we have been getting local Nectarines probably from Florida for only $0.75/pound!)
• Red Delicious Apples $1/pound
• Fresh Green Cabbage $0.33/pound
• New Crop Sweet Onions $1/pound
• 4” Tropical Plants $0.89 each
• Georgia Peaches 2 pounds/$1 (great deal!)
• Large Slicing Tomatoes $0.79/pound
• 6 oz. Famous Brand Name Ham $1
• 5 oz. Canned Famous Brand Name Tuna $0.59 each
• 18 oz. Famous Brand Name Mayo or Salad Dressing 2/$1
• 20 oz. Hart’s White Bread $0.79
• Strawberry Ice Cream Bars 4/$1
• 24 oz. French Fries $1
• 20.5 oz. Famous Brand Name Grapefruit Bowls $1
• 11.5 oz. Apple Juice Concentrate 2/$1
• 16 oz. Jalapeno Slices $1
• 8.8 oz. Mexican or Yellow Rice 3/$1

**Manager’s Special Back-to-School at Closeout Prices!**

Blog of the Week- Saving Naturally

I am excited about featuring Saving Naturally as my blog of the week. Many of you may know Stephanie from Keeper of the Home which is her other blog. Below is information directly from her Saving Naturally blog. Be sure to check it out soon!

 

 

Here at Saving Naturally, we believe that living in a healthy and natural way is really, truly possible– for every family, on every budget. You'll find daily posts with deals on bulk groceries, coupons relevant to a whole foods diet, frugal living tips, and all other manner of bargains that fit with your natural and organic lifestyle.

I’m Stephanie Langford, and I’m blessed to be a wife to Ryan and a mama to three sweet children (so far)– Abigail (04), Caden (07) and Johanna (09).

I’ve been around the blogosphere for quite some time, and you may know me from my other site, Keeper of the Home: Naturally Inspired Living for the Christian Homemaker. I love sharing about real, nourishing food, good nutrition, natural living, alternative health, gentle mothering, and especially about honoring and glorifying the Lord in all that we do…all subjects that I feel are important, and all dear to my heart.

I also love to teach about frugality.

It has long been a favorite topic of mine, probably because of my own experience with poor money management and debt as a young adult, and then the realities of getting married, struggling to pay down a $30,000 debt and becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Pay down that enormous debt we did, but not without a lot of hard work and sacrifice. We had to learn to live frugally, to go without, to carefully set our priorities, to get creative and to not care about whether we kept up with the Jones’ or not.

We had a challenge, though, and it was this:

Not only did we want to live frugally, but we also had developed strong convictions about wanting to live healthfully, carefully stewarding our bodies and our children’s, as well as the earth. We needed to learn how to live according to our values– whole foods, non-toxic products, living as naturally and sustainably as we could– without compromising on our need to live on a tight budget.

Long story short… we did learn how.

We haven’t had to compromise in either finances OR health. The debt is long gone. We continue to make changes to our eating habits and lifestyle in accordance with my studies on nutrition, alternative health, natural remedies, sustainable living and more, but without a serious increase in our budget or standard of living.

I began SavingNaturally.com because I want to challenge the common misconception that living in a healthy and natural way is unaffordable.

I love to share what the Lord has graciously taught us, in the hopes that it will encourage and inspire other families to make positive changes in both how they manage their money, as well as how they steward their health and the earth.

Want to get to know me a little bit better?

I’m a home educating, stay-at-home mom who just loves spending my day with my favorite little people. I’m an avid organic gardener who finds it soothing to putter around amongst my vegetables on a warm summer’s evening. Our home is filled with books, I’m always up for good friends, games and dark chocolate, and the kitchen is one of my favorite places to be (which means I love to cook and eat!).

I love the Lord and all that I do is in an attempt to honor and glorify Him. He is the motivation behind our healthy, natural living and desire to live more sustainably. Without Him, I am nothing, and He alone is worthy of all the praise.

Visit my other site, Keeper of the Home, and check out my About page.

Learn 100 Things About Me (slightly outdated–I now know how to bake a good loaf of bread– but revealing nonetheless!).

Read one of my books, Healthy Homemaking: One Step at a Time and Real Food on a Real Budget: How to Eat Healthy for Less.

Menu From the Farm

Right now our biggest crop from the garden are tomatoes! We have tomatoes out our ears, finally! No matter what variety we grow or how early we plant them, they always are late ripening. However, once they start ripening, we have lots of tomatoes to find a use!

I already shared my spaghetti sauce recipe. Here is another recipe for fresh tomatoes. It is a fun snack or appetizer type food. My family loves it!

Cheesy Tomatoes

Ingredients:

2 Medium tomatoes

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

2-4 tbs. mayonnaise

8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1 cup mozarella cheese

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Instructions:

Slice tomato into 1/2” thick slices and drain on paper towels for 5-10 minutes. Place on a lightly greased broiler pan or cookie sheet. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Spread with mayo. Top with bacon, cheese, and oregano. Broil 3” from heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts. Makes 4 servings.

Organic and Eco-Friendly Coupon Round Up Courtesy of Your Green Helper July 26th

Go here to see the latest printable coupons for Organic and Eco-friendly products! Enjoy!

Below are some of the top deals:

Top Coupon Deals
$1.50/2 Kashi TLC Bars
75¢/1 Smart Balance Milk (enter Zip Code 70523)
$1.00/1 any Peace Cereal
B1G1 Free 64 oz multi-serve Honest Kids
$2.00/1 Any Full Size Kiss My Face Kids Product
$3.00/1 Green Works Laundry Detergent (Target only!)
FREE Kashi item with purchase of two Kashi items (Target only!)
$1.50/1 6-pk. Soy Joy nutrition bars (Target only!)
$1.00/1 6-pack or 8-pack Squeezers YoKids Yogurt
$1.00/1 4-pack YoToddlers Yogurt

Freebie Friday from The Freebie Blogger!

It is already Friday again! This summer is passing by quickly! Below is another list of wonderful freebies from Wendi at The Freebie Blogger! Enjoy! Have a wonderful weekend!





Kmart Birthday Club Freebies

Gano Excel Coffee Sample

Nicorette Mini Lozenge Taste Sample

Free Working Mother Magazine

Carolina Herrera Fragrance Sample

Free Electronics Magazine Subscription

Nexxus Humectress Hair Care Sample

Free Organic Sample Packet

Oxy Clinical Sample

Free Charmin Toilet Paper Holder Extender

Better Than Ears Dog Treat Sample

Free Wicked Cool Records Album Download

Free Mozzarella and Basil from Earth Fare!

• Go here to get a coupon for Free Fresh Mozzarella and Fresh Organic Basil when you purchase 1 pound or more of Heirloom Tomatoes.
• Go here to get new printable coupons from Earth Fare.
• Go here for July Earth Fare Coupon Match-ups!
• Click here to take the boot challenge.
• Click here to Sign Up for emails from Earth Fare.
• Don’t Forget Kids Eat FREE every Thursday from 4-8pm!

Organic Printable Coupon Update from Your Green Helper!

Below are all the details for the newest printable organic coupons! Follow the link below to print yours! Thanks, Your Green Helper!

 

Please note, the Earth Fare coupons are now only redeemable at Earth Fare!
http://yourgreenhelper.blogspot.com/2010/07/organic-coupon-round-up-july-19.html
Hunting for coupons takes time, especially when you are only looking for organic and eco-friendly  varieties. This is why each week Your Green Helper compiles all of the available organic and eco-friendly printable online coupons. We are your one stop source for all of your organic and eco-friendly coupon needs!

Top Coupon Deals
75¢/1 Smart Balance Milk (enter Zip Code 70523)
$1.00/1 any Peace Cereal
B1G1 Free 64 oz multi-serve Honest Kids
$2.00/1 Any Full Size Kiss My Face Kids Product
$3.00/1 Green Works Laundry Detergent (Target only!)
$1.00/1 6-pack or 8-pack Squeezers YoKids Yogurt
$1.00/1 4-pack YoToddlers Yogurt

All You Magazine Online
$1.00/1 Chef’s Requested 100 Calorie Steaks
75¢/1 Kashi Frozen All Natural Entrees or Pizza
$1.00/1 Similasan Earache Relief Homeopathic
$1.00/2 any Litehouse Products
$1.00/1 Truvia Natural Sweetener
$1.00/1 any Peace Cereal

Betty Crocker*
75¢/3 any flavor/variety LÄRABAR®, JOCALAT® or JamFrakas™ bars
*Requires registration to print coupons.

Brown Cow*
50¢/3 6oz Cream Top Yogurts
50¢/3 6oz Low Fat Yogurts
50¢/3 6oz Non Fat Yogurts
50¢/1 32oz Cream Top Yogurt
50¢/1 32oz Low Fat Yogurt
50¢/1 32oz Non Fat Yogurt
*Requires entering email address. However, you can opt out of receiving emails.

Coupons.com
75¢/1 Smart Balance Milk (enter Zip Code 70523)
$1.00/1 any Peace Cereal
$1.00/2 any Litehouse Products
$1.00/1 Truvia Natural Sweetener
$1.00/1 Similasan Earache Relief Homeopathic
$2.00/1 Nature Bounty Your Life Multivitamins

Delicious Living
50¢/1 Skinny Water
$1.00/1 any 10oz Chef’s Requested Brand Bacon Wrapped Filet Product
$1.00/1 any 25 or 50oz Chef’s Requested Brand Bacon Wrapped Beef Steaks Box
$1.00/1 any Chef’s Requested Brand Steak-a-licious Box
$1.00/1 any Chef’s Requested Brand 100 Calorie Steak Packages
$1.00/1 any Ian’s Item
$1.00/2 Pacific Natural Foods Products

Earth’s Best
$1.00/1 TenderCare Chlorine Free Diapers
$1.00/7 Organic Baby Food
$1.00/2 Sesame Street Products
$5.00/1 Organic Infant Formula
55¢/1 Organic Infant Cereal

Earth Fare* 
$1.50/1 any Earth Fare All Natural Fresh Chicken
60¢/1 any jar of 7J Ranch Garden Salsa
B3G1Free Bear Naked Granola
75¢/1 any box of Bigelow Tea
$1.00/1 any Blue Diamond Product
$1.00/1 any Cascadian Farms Granola Bars
$1.00/1 Earth Fare Bacon
$1.00/1 Earth Fare Bengel Bites Children’s Multivitamin
$1.00/1 Earth Fare Organic Fresh Chicken
$1.00/1 Earth Fare Hot Dogs
50¢/1 Kombucha Wonder Drink Beverage
$1.00/1 1 lb Larry’s Beans
$1.00/3 Liberte Yogurt
$1.00/1 any Natrol Product
$1.00/2 Nature’s Path Waffles
50¢/1 Organic Valley Eggs
50¢/1 Organic Valley Stringles
$1.00/1 Organic Valley Soy
50¢/1 Organic Valley Yogurt
$2.00/1 TheraNeem Organix Shampoo or Conditioner
$1.00/1 Rainbow Lite Children’s Gummy Supplements
75¢/1 Rudi’s Organic Wheat and Honey Wheat
55¢/1 San-J Gluten Free Cooking Sauce
75¢/1 Santa Cruz Organic 6-pack Applesauce Cups
$1.00/1 Earth Fare Whey Powder
$2.00/1 Beef when you buy 2 Snyder’s Products
75¢/1 Vaska Laundry Product
$1.00/1 Ziyad Product
75¢/1 Applegate Farms Dinner Sausage
$1.00/1 Talenti Gelato or Sorbetto
50¢/1 Garrett County Product
$1.00/1 Ascentra NutraSea
$1.00/2 Pirate Brand Snacks
$1.00/2 Wild Planet Sardines
75¢/1 Horizon Butter
50¢/1 Froose Product
$2.00/1 Pearls Products
$1.00/1 Yogi Cereal or Granola Crisps
$1.00/1 H2Organics Kids 8-pack
75¢/1 Michael Season’s Product
$1.00/1 andy Similasan Product
*Only redeemable at Earth Fare now!

Eat Better America*
75¢/3 any Larabar Jocalat or JamFrakas Bars
*Requires registration to print coupons.

Ecover
75¢/1 Morning Fresh Fabric Softener
$1.00/1 51oz Laundry Liquid
$1.25/1 100oz Laundry Liquid

HealthESavers
$2.00/1 Sunsweet SupraFiber
$1.00/1 Sunsweet Herbal Blends
$2.00/1 any Carlson Nutra-Support Product
$2.00/1 any Katz Gluten-Free Product
$3.00/1 Bone Solid
$1.50/1 GoodBelly Drink
$3.00/1 any ReNew Life Cleanse or Detox 2 or 3-part kit
$3.00/1 any ReNew Life Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oil
$3.00/1 any ReNew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotics

Horizon Organic*
$1.00/1 any 4-pack of Little Blends Yogurt
55¢/1 any 3-pack of Single Serve Milk
55¢/1 any 6-pack of Milk Breakerz
55¢/1 any Half Gallon Milk Plus DHA Omega-3
*Requires registration to print coupons.

Honest Tea*
B1G1 Free 64 oz multi-serve Honest Kids
50¢/1 any Honest Tea or Honest Ade
75¢/1 any 64oz multi-serve Honest Tea
75¢/1 any 8-pouch carton of Honest Kids
*Requires registration to print coupons.

Kiss My Face
$2.00/1 Any Full Size Kids Product
$1.00/1 Any Full Size Product
$2.00/1 Any 16 oz Classic Moisturizer
$1.50/1 Any Full Size Oral Care

Mambo Sprouts
$1.00/2 Lifeway Kefir Products
50¢/1 any thinkThin Bar
75¢/1 any Lundberg Rice Chips
B2G1 Free Stretch Island Fruit Flats
75¢/1 Santa Cruz 4-pack Organic Sparkling Beverage
75¢/1 RW Knudsen Family 32 oz Organic Juice
$1.00/1 any Bar Pure Organic
$1.00/1 any Nasoya Product
$1.00/1 Clif Kid 6-pack Organic ZBar or Organic Twisted Fruit
55¢/1 any San-J Cooking Sauce or Salad Dressing
$1.00/1 Scharffen Berger Chocolate Product
$1.00/1 Equal Exchange any Bulk or Packaged Fair Trade Coffee
75¢/1 Natural Brew 4-pack
$1.00/2 Helios Nutrition Organic Kefirs
$1.00/1 Crunchmaster 4.5oz Crackers
$2.00/1 Rescue Remedy Pet
20¢/1 Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Seasonings
$2.00/1 Bach Rescue Remedy, Rescue Sleep, Rescue Energy or Rescue
$1.00/1 Country Choice Organic Product
$5.00/1 Bach Emotional Eating Support Kit

Newman’s Own Organics
$1.00/1 Any Soy Crisps
75¢/1 Any Fig Newman’s
75¢/1 Any 4 oz Training Treat

Organic Valley
75¢/1 Organic Valley 8 oz or 16 oz Butter
75¢/1 Organic Valley Half and Half or Heavy Whipping Cream
75¢/1 Organic Valley Soy
75¢/1 Organic Valley Cottage Cheese
75¢/1 Organic Valley Cream Cheese
75¢/1 Organic Valley 32 oz Yogurt
75¢/1 Organic Valley Eggs
75¢/1 Organic Valley Cheese 4 oz or larger
75¢/2 Organic Valley Half Gallon Milk or 1 Gallon Milk

Santa Cruz Organic*
75¢/1 Sparkling Beverages
75¢/1 Toppings
*Registration required. However, you can opt out from receiving email.

Seventh Generation
$1.00/1 Laundry Product when you buy one Dishwashing Product
$1.00/1 any Disinfecting Spray or Wipe
$1.00/1 any Seventh Generation Product
$1.00/1 Baby Care Product
$1.00/1 Laundry Product
$2.00/2 Seventh Generation Products

Simply Organic
50¢/1 any 2oz Extract or Flavor
50¢/2 any Seasoning Mixes, Dips or Dressings
50¢/1 any Grilling Season or Marinade
50¢/1 any Mini Spice
$1.00/1 any Grinder
$1.00/1 any Baking Mix
$1.00/2 any 6.25oz Spices
$1.00/3 any Seasoning Mixes, Dips or Dressings
$1.00/1 4oz Vanilla

Smart Source
$1.00/1 eos Shaving Cream
$1.00/1 Truvia Natural Sweetener
55¢/1 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze
$5.00/1 Neuragen Homeopathic Pain Relief
$1.00/1 Fruit2Day
$1.00/2 Odwalla Superfoods
$3.00/1 World’s Best Cat Litter

StonyField Farm*
75¢/1 multipack of B-Well or B-Healthy Yogurt
$1.00/1 6-pack or 8-pack Squeezers YoKids Yogurt
$1.00/1 4-pack YoToddlers Yogurt
50¢/1 multipack of YoBaby Organic Drinkable Yogurt
50¢/1 multipack YoBaby Organic Whole Milk Yogurt
50¢/1 any YoKids Yogurt Multipack
50¢/1 any Stonyfield Organic Fat Free Probiotic Multipack
50¢/1 any half gallon Stonyfield Organic Milk
50¢/1 any Stonyfield Organic Yogurt Smoothie Multipack
50¢/1 any Stonyfield Organic Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
50¢/2 any 10 oz Stonyfield Organic Yogurt Smoothies
50¢/3 any 6 oz Stonyfield Organic Yogurts
50¢/1 any 32 oz Stonyfield Organic Yogurt
50¢/1 any 4 oz 4-pack of Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt
50¢/1 any 16 oz Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt
50¢/2 any 5.3 oz Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt
50¢/3 any 6 oz O’Soy Yogurts
50¢/1 any O’Soy Multipack
*Requires newsletter signup.

Target*
$1.00/1 Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent
$3.00/1 Green Works Laundry Detergent
$1.50/1 GE Reveal CFL
*Valid only at Target

Whole Foods*
50¢/1 any Tazo Zero Calorie Bottled Tea
$1.00/1 any Nasoya Product
$1.00/1 any MI-DEL Product
$2.00/1 any Soy Kaas Product
75¢/1 any 15.2 oz. Berry Veggie Machine, Orange Carrot, Tropical or Peach Guava Naked Smoothie
$1.00/1 any Oikos Organic Greek 4oz 4 pack or 16oz Yogurt
50¢/1 any thinkThin or thinkThin Bites
$1.00/1 Half Gallon So Delicious Coconut Milk Vanilla, Original or Unsweetened Beverage
75¢/1 Traditional Medicinals Lemon EveryDay Detox, Heartburn Soother, EveryDay Detox, Ginger Aid, Eater’s Digest, Roasted Dandelion Root
$5.00/1 Vitamin Code Raw Multivitamins EXCLUDES Targeted Nutrient Formulas
$2.00/1 Weleda Facial Care Product
*Valid only at Whole Foods Stores.

Homebirth Questions- Question #6

“What should I have on hand for a homebirth?”

Most of the supplies you need, you will already have in your house or are affordable and easy to obtain.

• Towels (large towels 6-7)
• Washcloths (4-6)
• Plastic sheeting (sheet cover for your bed, shower curtain liner, paint drop cloth, tarp, etc. Just make sure it is clean!)
• Large plastic trash bag
• Extra set of clean sheets for your bed after the birth
• 1 clean medium to large bowl or a cookie sheet (for afterbirth)
• Clothes for the baby: nightgown or sleeper, onesie, socks, mittens, 2 receiving blankets, diaper
• 1 clean night shirt or t-shirt or whatever you want to wear after the birth
• 1 large box of feminine napkins (super absorbent!)
• Music you enjoy
• Candles if you want them to light the room during labor
• Olive Oil or Arnica oil
• Essential oils mixed with carrier oil for massage. Lavender oil is nice and relaxing.
• Food for during and after the birth (juice, bread, honey, and butter for after birth)
• Coffee and snacks for midwives
• Camera and tripod if desired
• Birth Plan
• Numbers for emergency
• Numbers of people to contact after birth
• Birthing ball, stool, etc.
• Birth Kit designed by midwife (includes an assortment of items such as gloves, under pads, mesh pants, peri bottle, gauze, bulb syringe, pads, hat for baby, measuring tape, lubricant jelly, cord clamp, antiseptic pads, scrub brush, herbal bath)
• Eldon card if you want to know your baby’s blood type
• Anything else you feel you may want to have with you or your midwife may recommend.

**I am not a midwife or medical professional. I am sharing my experiences in hopes to help you during your journey of natural childbirth!**

Update on Blog

Hello, Everyone!
We have been extremely busy this week with bible school, canning, and life! Therefore, I have not been posting very much. I hope to be able to blog more next week. However, as the time is nearing to baby number 7’s arrival, the posts will be fewer. If anyone is interested in guest posting, please let me know. Otherwise, posts will be fairly sparse as the end of August draws nearer!

Thank you so much for your continued reading and support! I love blogging and I love “meeting” all my readers through email and other avenues such as coupon fairs or in the grocery store!

Have a great weekend!

New Printable Coupons from Earth Fare!

• Go here to get new printable coupons from Earth Fare.
• Go here for July Earth Fare Coupon Match-ups!
• Click here to take the boot challenge.
• Click here to Sign Up for emails from Earth Fare.
• Don’t Forget Kids Eat FREE every Thursday from 4-8pm!

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

I LOVE swagbucks! I have been redeeming my swagbucks for Amazon gift cards and purchasing all kids of great stuff. I was able to get my husband’s birthday gifts and most of my children’s Christmas gifts through Amazon by using my gift cards I won by searching through swagbucks!  If you are not searching with swagbucks, you should start today and be rewarded for surfing the web!

I will be the first to admit, I was a little skeptical about swagbucks at first! Now, I am hooked! If I am going to be searching the internet, I may as well be rewarded.

So, just how does swagbucks work?

• Go here and sign up for an account. You get $3 Swagbucks just for joining.
• Begin Searching. Search just as you will with Google. Swagbucks uses Google and ask.com.
• Begin earning. Friday is Mega swagbuck day, so they are giving away twice as many swagbucks today! There are even $100 swagbucks available to win! Rewards are random, and the highest I have ever received at one time is $5 swagbucks.

• Redeem Your swagbucks! Prizes include:

1. $5 Amazon.com gift card for $45 swagbucks
2. $10 Barnes and Noble Gift card for $125 swagbucks
3. collectibles, electronics, comic books, and so much more!

Happy searching with Swagbucks!

Have You Joined Blog Frog?

I joined Blog Frog a while ago, but have not tried to do anything with it. Have you joined? You can now join and be part of my community and get updates on my blog as well as from other bloggers. On Blog Frog you can ask other readers a question or share your own blog content!

Here is a direct quote from Blog Frog about their mission:
"Our Mission
At BlogFrog, we are building the web’s best online community platform, one that allows you to cultivate authentic relationships, promote your blog or website, earn income and most of all have fun."

You can click here or below and join my community as well as find other friends and blogs of interest. Hope you have fun with Blog Frog. I am just getting started!

Freebie Friday Courtesy of The Freebie Blogger

Thanks to Wendi at The Freebie Blogger for today's Freebie Friday list! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Free Horse & Rider Magazine Subscription

Schiff MegaRed Omega-3 Krill Oil Sample

Free Prints From Ritz Camera

John Frieda Root Awakening Hair Care Sample

Free Pangea Skin Care Product On Birthday

Tena Serenity Sample

Goodnights Sleep Underwear Sample

Free Skin Care Sample From Spa Resource

Toys R Us Birthday Club Freebies

Redken For Men Conditioning Shampoo Sample

The Body Shop $5 off $5 Coupon - Ends 7/18

Free Hand Sanitizer Pen at CVS - Ends 7/18

Homeschool Freebies

• Free Homeschool Units and Materials here
• Freebie Everyday here beginning Monday, July 19th.
• American Presidents Timeline here
• Free DVDs and posters for teachers here
• Free Sunday School Printables here
• ABC News DVDs for teachers here
• The Idea Book for teachers here

July Garden and Farm Chores

Garden:

• Mulch to control weeds and conserve moisture. Wait until hot weather sets in to mulch heat loving plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Use dried grass clippings, leaves, hay, straw, or newspaper strips.
• Stay out of bean patch when it is wet to prevent spreading diseases.
• Direct seed in garden:

      Crowder peas, beans for drying, carrots, winter squash

• Transplant: late tomatoes, cabbage plants
• Start seeds indoors: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
• Harvest: green beans, peppers, cucumbers, acorn squash, summer squash, cauliflower, corn, tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, okra, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, beets, romaine, swiss chard, leaf lettuce, basil, parsley, cilantro, tarragon, garlic, blueberries, cantaloupe, black raspberries
• Pick Corn when ears are full and the silks are brown and dry. The raccoons may beat you to it, so you might have to resoirt to live traps baited with cat food or peanut butter or even tuna.
• Collect and identify insects and record arrivals, infestations, habitats, and whether they are pests or predators.
• Make sure you are watering during dry periods!

Livestock:

• Check water daily! You do not want your animals to get dehydrated. Always make sure they have ample water supply!
• If you are experiencing a drought, you may find you will have to feed some hay this month until it rains and gets your grass growing again.
• Make sure your livestock has access to salt and minerals as well. The heat will deprive them of minerals especially potassium very quickly as it does with humans!

Menu From the Farm

I have been posting recipes using things from our garden/farm.

Today I canned spaghetti sauce and want to share that recipe. It is a recipe I made up last year. It is so delicious. I am not a big tomato eater and really only like fried green tomatoes. As far as spaghetti goes, I would rather have a cheese based sauce than a tomato based sauce at least that is how I felt until I came up with the following recipe last year. I LOVE it and do not want to eat any other spaghetti sauce! I opened our last jar from last year a few weeks ago. It smelled so delicious, and I could not wait to be able to make some more again this year. My tomatoes are slowly turning red, but they are turning. We finally had some much needed rain today which I hope will help with the tomatoes turning red. Anyway, below is the recipe. Let me know if you try it and what you think!

Hannah’s Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients:

4 quarts tomato sauce

2 cups chopped bell peppers

2 cups chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. black pepper

2 bay leaves

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. thyme

1 Tbs. salt

1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot or dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer until desired thickness. Place in quart or pint jars leaving 1/4” headspace. Place two piece lids on jars. Place into a boiling water bath canner for 15 minutes or until jars are sealed. Makes 10 pints or 5 quarts.

Budget Update

It has been a while since I have posted anything about our budget! It has just been too crazy around our house and farm!

There were a few weeks I went over $50 for groceries. However, there have been several weeks where I have not had to purchase anything at all! Our total grocery expenses as of Thursday, July 8, 2010, are $977.22 for a family of 8! Our budget is $50 a week. There have been 27 weeks so far this year. So, we are $372.78 under budget at this point. These expenses include going out to eat, paper products, personal hygiene, diapers, food, pet food (not livestock food!), etc. Our average amount spent per week is $36.19! Not bad!

How can we keep our groceries so low? We raise a lot of our own food. However, I shop around where the prices are cheaper. I try to buy from local farmers as well. There are lots of great blogs out there who specialize in the deals each week for each store. Southern Savers has most every store. I use coupons and store rewards as well. I make most of my own cleaning products, so the ingredients are also included in the grocery expenses. Also, we try to eat organically as well as gluten free. We are NOT buying a lot of processed foods. Most of the foods we purchase are whole foods.

How are you doing with your food budget this year?

Questions about Homebirth- Question 5

“How do you cope with the pain? You must be a very strong woman!”

I get this question a lot! It is also a difficult one for me to answer. I wish I could tell you all of my labors are pain free, but I would not be telling the truth! Labor can be very painful, but it does not have to be!

There are several things I do or have done in order to cope with the pain of childbirth.

1. Prayer is a great comfort to me in getting through labor. God promised he will never give us more than we can bear! I also know he will take care of the baby and me, and no matter what the outcome, it is his will.
2. I tell myself over and over, “The pain only lasts for a few minutes and it is over! Then, I will have a beautiful baby in my arms!” You will not believe how much this statement going through my head along with prayer comfort me and help me relax.
3. Relaxation is the next thing to TRY to do! It is so difficult for me to relax ever! I am such an uptight/non-laid back type of person, I can hardly ever relax! I have a difficult time getting adjusted at the Chiropractor because I cannot relax enough for him to adjust me correctly! Anyway, there are several ways to try to relax before the baby. You can practice progressive relaxation where you lay still and quiet and maybe play some soft quiet music. Then, concentrate on relaxing the muscles in your back and pelvic area. Relaxing and just letting the contractions go really helps! I wish I would have been able to do more relaxing with my first baby and maybe it would not have lasted so long (38 hours!).
4. Relaxation can be learned in child birth classes. There are many types of classes to take. I highly recommend taking childbirth classes especially if you are having your first baby or if you have never taken them before. A few of the different types/styles are Bradley, Lamaze, and Birthing from Within. Check with your midwife and see which one she recommends as well as which ones are offered in your area!
5. My husband is a great comfort! One thing which is normal to do in the last stage of labor is to feel like just giving up! I think I only had two pushes left with the last baby, and I felt like just giving it all up! I was so tired. I had been in labor for a few days. I did not have hard labor pains until my water broke which was less than 10 minutes before the baby was born! Anyway, I was just tired! We had also been building an addition on our house. I was ready to give up! My wonderful husband encouraged me, I was doing great and the baby was almost here. So, I kept going! I good birthing partner/coach makes a big difference! I do not know what I would do without him there with me!
6. Drink water or juice during the labor and pushing. The most painful part for me is pushing! For me now, it usually only lasts about five minutes. However, with the first baby it was an hour and fifty-five minutes! I am not sure if I drank anything during that time. I lost all track of time!
7. Listen to your midwife and her suggestions of how to relax and push and deal with each contraction!
   
8. Take each contraction one at a time! Try to rest as much as you can between contractions and drink water or juice if you can!
9. Walk, change positions, get in the tub, do whatever helps you relax and cope with the pain. A shower or hot bath is one thing which will always help me relax!
10. To prepare before birth and to help reduce tearing, try perineal massage. There is a good article about it here. I am a firm supporter of perineal massage! I have had six children (all with big heads!), and have never torn! My first child had a head 14 3/4 inches! The average head size is 12 1/2 inches! It is also something with which your husband can help!
11. You can use ice packs or heating pads or hot water bottles as well. You can also take an old tube sock and fill it with rice. Heat it in the microwave or oven (be careful not to catch on fire in oven). Place it in the area where the pain is!
    
12. Ask your husband to rub your back or wherever you may hurt! My husband and my midwife are often rubbing my feet and back during labor (usually transition until the end).
13. Try to stay calm. Take deep breaths. Focus on something in the room and just blow the contractions away.
14. Feel free to ask for anything you think may help you feel better!
15. Wiggle and moan if needed. Yes, it is okay to make noises. Sometimes just the moaning will help you relax! With my first birth, I tried to hold it all in (he was born at a birth center). Then with the following births, my midwife always encourages me to wiggle during the contractions and to moan. She says it helps relax and it really does!
16. Change positions during pushing if needed. It is also more comfortable and easier to push if you are not on your back! Try squatting or sitting on a birthing stool or birthing ball. There are many different positions you can try which will help ease the pain as well as help the baby descend.

It is evident there will be pain in your labor experience. However, you do not have to dread it! You can do it! You can get through it! Be patient with yourself and the baby! Remember all the pain is worth it when you are holding that sweet, precious little one in your arms!

**I am not a doctor or midwife! I am just sharing my thoughts, opinions, and experiences! Please consult with your midwife or doctor!**

Freebie Friday from The Freebie Blogger!

I can hardly believe it is already Friday again! This summer is passing by very quickly! Below are your freebies! Be sure to thank Wendi, at The Freebie Blogger for all of her hard work in compiling the deals!
Have a great weekend!





Free Ziploc Back To School Gift Pack

Tend Skin Care Free Samples

Free Magazine Subscription of Your Choice

Flix Stick Floss Free Sample

Free Photo Collage at Rite Aid

Gas X Prevention Free Sample

Free Thai Cashew Chicken at Panda Express

Philosophy Cleansing Cloths Free Sample

Free Kids Bible Song Downloads

Hylands Restful Legs Free Sample

Free PaperMate Pen

Pro Workout Supplement Free Sample

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

I LOVE swagbucks! I have been redeeming my swagbucks for Amazon gift cards and purchasing all kids of great stuff. I was able to get my husband’s birthday gifts and most of my children’s Christmas gifts through Amazon by using my gift cards I won by searching through swagbucks!  If you are not searching with swagbucks, you should start today and be rewarded for surfing the web!

I will be the first to admit, I was a little skeptical about swagbucks at first! Now, I am hooked! If I am going to be searching the internet, I may as well be rewarded.

So, just how does swagbucks work?

• Go here and sign up for an account. You get $3 Swagbucks just for joining.
• Begin Searching. Search just as you will with Google. Swagbucks uses Google and ask.com.
• Begin earning. Friday is Mega swagbuck day, so they are giving away twice as many swagbucks today! There are even $100 swagbucks available to win! Rewards are random, and the highest I have ever received at one time is $5 swagbucks.

• Redeem Your swagbucks! Prizes include:

1. $5 Amazon.com gift card for $45 swagbucks
2. $10 Barnes and Noble Gift card for $125 swagbucks
3. collectibles, electronics, comic books, and so much more!

Happy searching with Swagbucks!

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Become a Fan on Facebook!

Friday Freebies From the Farm

Right now it is HOT and humid here on the farm. Everything is drying up! After the flooding in May, who would think there could be a drought? Yesterday it got up to 98! I know that does not sound very hot to those of you living in places like Kansas where even 110 is not that bad! However, here in East Tennessee, the 98 degrees with humidity is miserable (and being 8 months pregnant doesn’t help any!)!

Anyway, from our garden we are finished with beans! Our tomatoes are finally getting ripe. Our onions and potatoes are ready as well. Our sunflowers are blooming and huge! It got too hot for blackberries and most of them have dried up, but I did get two gallons picked this year!

What are you harvesting from your gardens?

Frugally Farming Family Loves

• Picking blackberries on those very few cooler mornings!
• Blackberry Jam
• Blackberry Custard Pie
• Quick and Easy Blackberry Cobbler
• America!
• All my friends, family, followers, and fans! Thanks you!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom- Love Your Country

Sunday was the celebration of the birthday of our nation! How many of you celebrated? I hope all of you did! We had our big celebration on Saturday night with friends and family while also celebrating my oldest child’s birthday!

I love America. I do not love all that goes on in America, but I do love America! I love the words “We the People!” Notice it does NOT say, “We the politicians” or “We the Republicans” nor “We the Democrats.” It says, “We the PEOPLE!” It is our country! Things we do not approve of happening only happen because WE the People let them! It is our duty, right, privilege, etc. as an American to vote and to love and support our country! I love America and am NOT ashamed to say I am an American!

I am not afraid to stand up for my rights and what has been promised to me by our Founding Fathers who wrote the Constitution! I encourage you to take a stand as well! America is not going the way I want it to go! I certainly believe God has a plan and knows what HE is doing. However, HE often uses HIS children to as tools to accomplish the tasks and work he wants accomplished! Are you working? Are you a tool?

I love my country and encourage you to do the same! Do not be ashamed to be an American. No, I do not agree with everything going on in the political world of America right now. However, I am an American and I love my country!

I love the song below written by Al Jacobs, Lyrics by Don Raye

“This is my country! Land of my birth!
This is my country! Grandest on earth!
I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold,
For this is my country to have and to hold.
This is my country! Land of my choice!
This is my country! Hear my proud voice!
I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold,
For this is my country to have and to hold.”

UGO Deals July 4-July 10

Below are the best deals for the week from UGO. You can go here to see the entire ad. Also go here to find a location near you! Be sure to check for other unadvertised deals! I often find ORGANIC items for very cheap! I will usually stock up and place them in the freezer if they are perishable!

• 12 oz. Famous Name Brand Hot Dogs or Bologna $1 (often nitrate free)
• Famous Name Brand Turkey or Ham Lunchmeat $1
• 12 pack/1 liter bottles Jana Water $2
• 6 pack Famous Brand Name Popcorn $1.49 (often organic)
• 33.8 oz. Famous Name Brand Apple Juice $1
• Canned Green Peas, Cream Corn, Pintos or Green Beans 3/$1
• 10 oz. Blueberries $1 (last year they had this deal and the blueberries were organic!)
• Fresh Lettuce $0.69 each
• Fresh Mangoes 3/$1
• Fresh Limes 6/$1
• New Crop Nectarines $1/pound
• New Crop Plums $1.29/pound
• 10 pound bag potatoes $1.99

Earth Fare Weekly Deals End July 13

Bakery

With a My Health Journey account, you can save products to your favorites list and be notified any time they are available as a Fare or Weekly Deal. Create Account

Cannoli
Small or Large each
.75 - $1.00 each

Meat & Seafood

Carolina Bison Local Bison Ribeye
$15.99 lb

Earth Fare Chicken Grillers, Assorted Varieties
2/$6.00

Fresh Alaskan Halibut Fillets
$16.99 lb

HeartlandMeadow_Bacon_CountryStyleUnCured
2.1 oz
$3.99

Prepared Foods

Emerald Kale
$5.99

Produce

Apricots_Organic
$2.47 lb

Fresh Locally Grown Southern Peaches
$0.97 lb (great deal!)

Organic Fresh Strawberries
16 oz
$3.97

Organic Locally Grown Blueberries
1 pint
$3.97

Organic New Crop Washington Bing Cherries
lb
$5.77 lb

Organic Red Grapefruit
each
2/$3.00

Organic Red Raspberries
6 oz
$3.97

Organic Tropical Mangoes
2/$3.00

Organic Valencia Oranges
each
3/$2.00

Earthbound Farms Organic Clamshell Salads
5 oz
3/$10.00

Organic Black or Red Plums
lb
$2.77lb

Organic Blackberries
6 oz.
$3.97

Organic Pink Lady Apples
$2.27 lb

Organic Sliced White Mushrooms
8 oz
8 oz.

Organic Whole White Mushrooms
8 oz
$2.77

Red, Yellow & Orange Bell Peppers
2/$4.00
2/$4.00

Specialty

CypressGroveGoatCheeseDisks_Assorted
4 oz.
$3.99 each

Mainland New Zealand Cheddar
$6.99 lb

Pecorino Romano Cheese
$8.99 lb

Smoked Natural Gouda
$8.99 lb

• Go here for monthly deals and coupon match-ups.
• Go here to enter the Second Annual Take Our Tomato Contest.
• Click here to take the boot challenge.
• Click here to Sign Up for emails from Earth Fare.
• **Don’t forget to check out earthfare’s coupon on their site. They expire on July 14th! **

Homeschool Freebies

If you are like me, you may be getting ready to start the school year again. We usually begin on the Tuesday after Labor Day, but since the baby is due just before then, we are going to begin a little earlier. I want to re-establish our routine so the children will be able to continue their school with little assistance during my recovery period. Therefore, I am in the process of getting my lesson plans together. This week the freebies deal with lesson plans!

• 4000 + Free Lesson Plans from Grades K-12 here
• Timely Lessons and Units for All Your Teaching Needs here
• Free Lesson Plans, Printables, and More here
• Thousands of Free Lesson Plans Webquests, Worksheets,
  Student Links and Clipart here
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Homebirth Questions- Question 5

“What are some resources to learn more about homebirth?”

There are many resources available. This list is only a few. Talk with your midwife and local library. You may find some of the books are out of print, but can often be found at used book stores. Also, I do not agree with everything written in all of the resources listed! You more than likely will not either. Eat the fish and spit out the bones. Take in the good and leave out the bad. Some things will work for your family and others will not. Pray about them and talk to your husband before making any decisions!

• Shonda Parker has a website and a wonderful book called “The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy.” It is in a series of Natural books. I love the information she gives in this book. It has recently been updated as well. Shonda Parker is a midwife and herbalist.
• Giving Birth Naturally a website full of wonderful information about home birthing.
• Your Local Library!
• Your Midwife!

Books

• The Home Birth Advantage by Mayer Eisenstein
• Homebirth and Other Alternatives to Hospital by Sheila Kitzinger
• Heart and Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Elizabeth Davis, Linda Harrison, and Suzanne Arms
• Holistic Midwifery: A Comprehensive Textbook for Midwives in Homebirth Practice by Anne Frye
• Holistic Midwifery: A Comprehensive Textbook for Midwives in Homebirth Practice, Vol. 2: Care of the Mother and Baby from the Onset of Labor Through the First Hours After Birth by Anne Frye
• Home Births: Stories to inspire and inform by Abigail Cairns
• A Child Is Born by Lennart Nilsson
• Special Delivery by Rahima Bladwin
• Spirtual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
• Homebirth by Sheila Kitzinger
• What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know by Gail Brewer
• The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Robert Bradley
• Birth Reborn by Michel Odent
• Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Simkin Whalley, and Keppler
• Husband Coached Childbirth by Robert Bradley
• Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper
• A Good Birth, A Safe Birth by Diane Korte and Roberta Scaer
• Hearts Open Wide by Pam Wellish and Susan Root
• Creating A Joyful Birth Experience by Sandra Bardsley
• Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year by Elizabeth Noble
• Silent Knife by Cohen and Estner (book about VBAC)
• The Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Experience by Lynn Richards
• Nursing Your Baby by Karen Pryor
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
• The ABC Herbal by Steven Horne
• The Birth Book by William Sears and Martha Sears
• Childbirth without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read revised by Helen Wessel Nickel
• Emergency Childbirth by Gregory White
• Heart and Hands by Elizabeth Davis
• The Joy of natural Childbirth revised edition of the Natural Childbirth and the Christian Family by Helen Wessel Nickel
• Under the Apple Tree by Helen Wessel-Nickel
• Birth After Cesarean by Bruce Flamm
• Understanding Diagnostic Tests in the Childbearing Year by Anne Frye
• Breastfeeding by Renfrew. Fisher, and Arms
• Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing by Shelia Kippley
• Keys to Breastfeeding by William and Martha Sears

Education:

• Midwifery Institute of America
• NAPSAC InterNational Association of Parents and Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth
• Apple Tree Family Ministries
• Christian Homesteading Movement
• International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
• Pathways into Midwifery
• Christian Midwives International
• The Bradley Method

Birth Supplies:

• Cascade Healthcare Products
• Baby Birth and Beyond