Parenting for the New Year

I have recently discovered a great new website with a wonderful blog on it full of new articles for me to read on my favorite subjects - Home and Family!  Jill Savage's blog, Helping Mom's Keep Their Hearts at Home.  This morning I went to the blog and looked at the all the entries on parenting.  I found some really great posts including one on teaching your kids the difference between things we have to do, things we get to do and things we want to do!  I also really like the whole cell phone contract idea... maybe we will have to come up with some other contracts?

She also has a some wonderful books out, and I already have a cart full!  I can't wait to read some of these books.  Some of them looks like possible Parenting Teens bible study material...  :o)

Check her site out... Perfect reading material to get ready and focused for the 40 Day Family Love Dare that we are starting on January 5th!

Retail Therapy

Heading out to get some end of the year deals today!  I have lots of great coupons and ideas to share with you.  If you head over to Kohls they have 70-80% sales right now.  Plus, if you print out this coupon you can save even more with an additional 20% off all sale, regular and even clearance-priced merchandise!  I also found a coupon from JCPenney.  Theirs is $15 off of $75 or $10 off of $50.  I plan on going out and looking for a new jacket and flannel sheets sets for all the boys beds.  These will all be on clearance now.

The after Christmas shopping that I do is usually a little later than immediately after Christmas.  I don't NEED much and usually still find some really great items once they mark them down 75-80% off.  There is still plenty of wrapping paper, wire edge ribbon, bows, tissue paper, etc. during that time.  I also like looking for all the holiday scented Airwick and Glade oil refills.  They are usually marked down 50% and I always have a coupon to add.  Target has the holiday flavored creamers marked down and paired with a coupon you can get them for as low as $.25!  You can find those printable coupons and find even more deals at the Crazy Coupon Lady's site.

Of course my favorite stop will be Bath and Body Works!  They are currently having their annual clearance sale of up to 75% off online and in the stores.  I love to stock of the year at this sale. I put away lots of goodies for gifts for future birthdays, housewarmings, etc.  I love their products and can't wait to see what I will find this year.  JUST FOUND THIS TODAY (12/31/10)... A coupon for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more!  Wish I had this yesterday...

Lots of great deals you just have to start looking...  :o)

I am off to get some shopping done.  I will let you know if I find anything new...

Using Herbs

I have been enjoying the benefits of using herbs in our family for over 15 years now.  I enjoy being able to find something that is far better for your body, something that God created, rather than the typical over the counter stuff.  I am talking about using herbs to help boost your immune system and heal your body.  My anthem these years has been that our bodies do have the ability to heal themselves if under the right conditions.  Adding the right herbs usually does the trick!

I have pretty much raised all three of my sons on herbs and because of this they have each only been on antibiotics 2-3 times in their whole life!!  This is a huge benefit, because if they ever do need antibiotics for something serious the antibiotics should work just fine.  Since they haven't been using them their whole life they are not immune to their healing properties. 

My favorite place to shop for herbs and get information is the Bulk Herb Store.  Their website is the most informative and least confusing of any that I have ever seen.  They have great articles with instructions on how to safely use herbs.  They also sell combination of herbs that are premixed.  I use these to make teas and tinctures.  To make the teas I have a coffee pot that is reserved for tea only.  For 12 cups I use a coffee scoop and put in 3-4 scoops of the dried herbs and brew.  So yummy!!!  One of the most used mixes that we use is the Double-E Immune Booster.  I use this as a tea mostly, but if I am on the run then I use a tincture that I made from the dried herbs.  Instructions on how to make tinctures and other remedies can also be found on their site.

I have many posts planned for this week on my favorite remedies and how I use them.  In the meantime check out all the articles at the Bulk Herb Store...