Eating Sensible

I changed jobs and decided that I should take my lunch to save money. It's mostly to pay off these credit cards. Well it's also helped me lose weight without trying. Most containers you can put in a lunch bag aren't big enough for multiple portions. So you have built in portion control. Also if you cook it's much easier to cut out extra salt, fat and sugars. The most interesting part is that I now enjoy desert more often because I have room for it. No more 1000 calorie lunches or lunches where I have no idea. Also no more tempting french fries. They simply do not exist. We have had a few days of eating Wendy's but those have been few and far between. It's also helped my relationship because I used to get a lot of flack for not cooking.

Whole Chickens .59/lb at Harris Teeter

I have never seen chicken this cheap. It makes me wonder about the quality but I can't pass up this deal. There is a limit of 4 with your Harris Teeter VIC card.

Extreme Couponing

It's very easy to get sucked into your couponing. I try to keep it under wraps and only buy what I can use or donate. It can become like hoarding for some. What do you think about these two videos?

ABC News Story


TLC Extreme Couponing

Washington's Green Grocer

What's better than an organic coop that delivers to you door? Heaven. This week I tried Washington's Green Grocer since the Healthy Solutions coop is inactive right now. You set up an account and input your credit card number that they keep on file. You can select a weekly, biweekly or as needed schedule. They offer organic and mixed veggie boxes. They also have meat, dairy, poultry and baked goods. You can also switch out items in the box. The another unique feature is that you can select items you never want. This is great for those who have allergies. Since it is winter most of the stuff is not local but they tell your where everything is from. Now for the the important part money.

$37.75-Small All Organic Items (includes delivery)
$34.63-Peapod + delivery charge
$15-Healthy Solutions Coop All Organic Small Box (no delivery)

Still nothing beats Healthy Solutions dollar for dollar. The coordinator had a family emergency so she is taking a break so I will fill in with WGG. The other thing is that WGG has other items and it is all delivered to your door. I think I will use them on weeks where I am busy on Saturday coop days and can't make the coop delivery pickup. But since I am mostly concerned price I think Healthy Solutions is the winner.

Hot Sephora Deal: NARS Lip Stain/Lip Gloss Duo

Sephora.com has NARS Lip Stain/Lip Gloss Duo for only $10 and is reguraly $36. If you like this stuff stock up. You should have also received an email if you are a Beauty Insider for a $15 gift certificate (min. $40 purchase) and free deluxe sample of Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder and a mini brush. They have a lot of holiday deals right now.

Holiday Craze

When I was elementary aged all I wanted for Christmas were Cabbage Patch Kids. That's right plural. My birthday is also during the Holiday season so I expected to get several. I was spoiled and I always got several. This year the hot item seems to be Zhu Zhu pets. I have no idea what they are why they are coveted. I have got a deal for you I found on iheartcvs. There is a BOGO and a B2G1 deal. When you combine them together you can get 4 for the price of one. Let me make it clear how this works.

$9.99 ZhuZhu
+ $0 ZhuZhu
+ $9.99 ZhuZhu
+ $0 ZhuZhu
-$9.99 coupon
________
$9.99

Giant Food 12/3-12/9

Here is what is mostly fresh, mostly healthy, and inexpensive at Giant.

Healthy
$4.77 Sweet Seedless Clementine’s (5lb Box)
.88lb Broccoli Crowns or Bunches
.79lb Kale
$1 Giant Canned Tomato (28oz)
$1.67 Giant Apple Sauce (six pack)

Possibly Healthy*
B1G1 Pork Tenderloin
.99lb Suger G Whole Chickens
$1 San Giorgio Pasta

Not So Healthy
B1G1 Hormel Bacon

*Since we do not know the source of these meats I have listed them as possibly healhty because they may have additives and hormones. I'm still in the process of figuring out if my household wants to switch completly over to hormone and antibiotic free meat exclusively. I have not done enough research on the impact of consuming these types of products. For now we are getting all natural stuff 90% of the time. We just don't want to spend more for some new marketing gimmic. We are concerned with actual health benefits. Since this blog is for everyone I will continue to list all types of deals but make it clearer what I consider to be health promoting.

Knitting Newbie

About five years ago I met a wonderful woman named Sauinell Nichole. She was a software engineer by day and knitter by night. We would go out to dinner or a party and I would ask whre she got that scarf or sweater and she made all of them. I consider myself to be daft when it comes to hand eye coordination so I never asked her how to knit. I just convinced her to make me a vest.

Well this summer Groupon had a nice deal on a beginner knit class from Stitch DC. I learned to make a scarf and hat. I made the scarf right away but the hat I just got around to. Neither one of them is perfect but I think they are great for my first pieces. The hat has some unintended details but it actually looks intentional.

It takes a brush to make a great face.

As you have figured out by now every three months or so I have a new obsession. Right now it's make-up. My skin is currently not becoming of me so I have worked my CVS and Youtube magic to get some great finds at great prices. What I learned is that it is less about the product and more about the application. What you really need are great brushes. I was using the same makeup as some of the youtube superstars but not getting the same results. After hours of video watching I became convinced I needed brushes but didn't want to invest and I wasn't too sure about eyeslipface $1 line of brushes. Yeah I am becoming high maintenance.

The foundation brush I have now is from Studio and I got it at Walgreens at the retail price of $6.50. I bought that because I was impatient and wanted to see if using a real brush would help me. Well it really did help. I now get great coverage from my drugstore brand liquid foundation. Also didn't need a $32 brush from MAC. According to youtube I need several brushes to get the eyes, cheeks, and lips that I want. Today I ventured over to HauteLook for the first time and they have a set of 15 NYX brushes for $54(retail $99). According to Youtube and Makeupalley.com these are great quality brushes. Here is a little round up of what I am using for now as I sit and ponder a brush purchase.

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation: Goes on light and provides full coverage without looking made up. I personally use the Rich Ginger sade. It covers all my imperfections. The problem is that I still have some dry patches and it doesn't work so well and those areas. $13.99

MAC Blot Powder: I'm not really sure what this is doing or not doing for me the jury is still out. I bought this probably five years ago but I used it maybe three times a year.

Smashbox PhotoFinish Primer: I got this as free gift from Sephora. It provides a light silky base and seems to make my foundation last longer. However I need to find a more economical product when this sample runs out. $16-$49

Studio Foundation and Concealer Brush: This double sided beauty does the coverage trick. It can leave streaks at first but just keep blending until they disappear.

Leapfrog Deal

With four great nieces/nephews it is time I get on the ball and start shopping for the holidays. Today I got a great deal thanks to the Krazy Coupon Lady. Target has the Leapfrog Tag Books for $9.99 and BOG0! But wait there are two coupons that could help you get it for free.

Scenario
Buy 2 for $9.99
Use Two $5/1 coupons

Although using two of the exact same coupons is legal, (as long as it obtained legally) some cashiers may question you. You can use this $3 coupon with much less hassle.

Target also has a $10 off the starter system in their online coupon section. So for $29.99 I got the Leapfrog Tag system plus two books. I think I'm going to go back tomorrow and get two more free books for an excellent gift.

Coupons!

So here is a little coupon round-up from the interwebs. Enjoy and let me know if you have others.

American Apparel via Groupon.com
$50 of stuff for $25. I don't really shop there but you might. It's an online groupon so anyone can use it.

http://www.groupon.com/akron-canton/?utm_medium=afl&utm_campaign=3125087&utm_source=rvs

Starbucks
11/18 through Sunday 11/21, Buy 1 holiday drink and get 1 Free automatically between 2-5:00 PM! You don't even need a coupon. How cool is that?

AMF Bowling Centers

$20 bowling for 4 people
http://www.amf.com/corporate/inquiries/promotions/affiliate_20off_a.amfx

New York & Company
They are having a Buy 1 Get 1 50% off everything sale.
Coupon for $25 off a purchase of $75 or more. Redeem through November 22nd.

http://email.nyandcompany.com/PS!lc4prk+uJA0FBgIAAAAGCgFICgg3MzIyMjc3MAoKMzYwMDE2NjY2OAkARt2VCgk1NTUyNTgxMjgF?EAN=


Bath & Body Works
Print a coupon for a FREE Signature Collection travel size item with any purchase. Redeem through December 1st.

http://f.chtah.com/i/34/528207786/20101102_Welcoupon2_rev.HTML

JCPenney

$10 off a $25 purchase
http://f.jcpenneyem.com/i/2/95827765/main_20101116_welcome.html

Ann Taylor Friends and Family

http://ebm.mail.anntaylorloft.com/c/tag/hBM4rssBgYd1XB8VqRIBhv/doc.html?&email=

Once again I've abandoned my blog

I feel bad that I didn't tell you guys how to get not 1 but 2 free tubes of toothpaste this week. I didn't get any either because it's 8:37pm and I wanted to get to CVS today but I will not make it before they close. To make matters worse we are actually running out of toothpaste and I might actually have to pay for it!

Sales for the Little Ones

So many people in my life have little pooper scoopers now. So I wanted to help a few folks out with a list of this weeks baby sales.

Walmart Deals

Enfamil Premium Baby Formula, 12.5 oz. – $13.84

Gerber Good Start Gentle Plus Baby Formula, 12 oz. – $12.97

Similac Advance Baby Formula, 12.4 oz. – $13.17

Gerber Rice Cereal, 8 oz. – $1.77
$0.50/1 Gerber DHA & Probiotic Cereal All You Magazine Oct 2010 (found only at Walmart)

Pampers Wipes, 7 pk. – $11.98

$1/2 Pampers Boxed Diapers AND Pampers Wipes 8/15 RP

Huggies or Pampers Special Pack Diapers – $25

$1/2 Pampers Boxed Diapers AND Pampers Wipes 8/15 RP

$3/2 Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers
$2/1 Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers 9/26 SS

RiteAid Deals

Huggies, Pull-Ups or Goodnights $7.99
$2.00/1 Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers 9/26 SS

$3.00/1 Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers, 9/26 SS

CVS Deals

Huggies or Pampers Big Pack $19.99

$2.00/1 Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers 9/26 SS

$3.00/1 Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers, 9/26 SS

$3/2 Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers

Target

Buy 5 Pampers or Huggies Baby Wipes, Receive $5 Target Gift Card

Huggies Wipes, 448-504 ct $11.99

$0.75/1 – Huggies Baby Wipes, 64 ct or larger, target coupon – (target.com)

$2.00/1 – Huggies Baby Wipes, 320ct or larger – (coupons.com)

$2.50/3 – Huggies Baby Wipes, 64 ct or larger – (smartsource.com)

Pampers Wipes, 420-504 ct $11.99
$2.00/1 Pampers Boxed Diapers and Wipes 8/15 RP
$2.00/1 Pampers Diaper,Pants or Wipes 8/29 PG

Sources: Bargain Briana, The Krazy Coupon Lady

Possible Free Fage at Whole Food September 17th Only

Who doesn't love Fage Greek Yogurt? Well this Friday only Whole Foods Market has Fage on sale for $1 just for Friday only. They didn't specify the size when I was there buying hair stuff yesterday. The chalkboard said save .79 cents which probably means the 5.3 or 7oz cup. But if you go to Facebook and get a Fage $1 off coupon so that could make at least one of them free. I was able to do it twice so that's two free for me.

Giant Doublers

The ladies at Redemption Unlimited are reporting that there are Giant Doublers. If you have some the Barilla Piccolini becomes free.

Fresh and Healthy at Giant

Where have I been? Riding my bike and jogging. I have 12 sticks of butter to prove it. I've lost 3lbs and that's like losing the weight of 12 sticks of butter. I've also been cheating and letting someone else shop all will nilly at the new Yes! Organic. He's now had the "fish is expensive" moment and will simmer down and come back to my side. With that said let me tell you what to buy at Giant until September 16th (yeah hella late). If I don't get around to posting deals in the future please remember to visit the links in the sidebar.

$1.99/lb-Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
.99/lb-White Seedless Grapes
.99/lb-Broccoli Crowns
.99-Barilla Pasta ($1/2 8/29 SS)
$9.99-2lb Bag Frozen Jumbo Cooked Shrimp
$2.99-Nature's Promise Soy Nut Butter
$3.99-Cottonelle 6 Double Rolls (great price)

Remember you must scan your Giant card or key in your phone number to get these prices.

Decisions: I really want french toast

I am going to brunch today at Social 14 in Columbia Heights. I've looked over the menu from to find the best option given what I have to look forward to this week. I really want the Grand Marnier French Toast but there is one problem. I have no idea how to estimate the calories. It could have anywhere from 100-500 calories per slice. That's a huge range and today I am not willing to take the loss. I am not willing to undo all of my hard work in the gym this week over one indulgence. The thing is it could be low in calories (wishful thinking) but I won't know because I can't be sure if they use cream, how many eggs and how much butter. So I am going to have the crawfish Benedict which could have about the same amount of calories as the french toast but I can easily figure it out. Its really about knowing and not guessing on this one. On a different day when I have been eating fruits and berries and running marathons then I can have the french toast, just not today.

It's all about planning.

Impromptu Trip to Yes! Organic Market

We got a juicer! Eff Yeah! I have not been able to stop thinking about the beet lemonade from Stuff I Eat. I tried to make it with our old juicer but it had lots of cracks and a terrible design which made it hard to clean. We wanted a heavy duty juicer and for the past six months but we have been a little shy about spending so much money on a single appliance. Well thanks to those trusty 20% off coupons from Bed, Bath and Beyond we now have this beauty.


We were out of town this past weekend so we didn't go grocery shopping. So what were going to juice with our fly new juicer? Nothing it seemed. That's when I got the bright idea to go to the new Yes! Organic in Anacostia/Fairlawn. They have free parking so we slid right in. The prices are pretty mixed. Somethings I found to be cheaper than the regular store while other were quite expensive. I was annoyed that the red bell peppers were from Holland. There has to be a local or even US source for the peppers.







But all organic food is not healthy. There is plenty of organic junk food. O'Griddle?

Mental Preparation

Last Sunday I was tricked into a 3o mile bike ride on the Mt. Vernon Trail. I was finally on my bike after nearly a year away. I was very weary and mentally committed to only doing about half the trail. Somehow my riding partners convinced me that I could do the entire thing. Punking out ceased to be an option. We did most of the trail before bonking on the way back due to extreme calorie deficiency. I had never rode over 10 miles thus I felt extremely accomplished. I felt high that I completed such a feat and assumed that it would result in a lower number of the scale that week.

Two days later I entered the room and got on the scale very confidently. I was up 1.4lbs and I shouted "No!" very loudly. I was on the verge of tears. I didn't understand how this could be. I was so moody and I proceeded to drown myself in a slice of vegan cake. I didn't want to hear any of the madness of "maybe it's muscle" or "keep trying." Really why should I keep trying if I was going to get the exact opposite results of what was intended?

Tomorrow I have to do this all over again but this time I'm using a different measure. I have to just do what I know is right because there aren't any gimmicks to this. If the scale is up I can count plenty of other victories this week. I have to be mentally prepared, whatever the result.

Free Classic E-Books

Barnes and Noble has a lot of the classics on ebook format for free this weekend. I've never looked into this before but they have a special app that you can download to read their books. So for all of us Ipod touch users we have a nice selection of e-books to download before we go on vacation this weekend. I will download just about all of them so they will be available to my future little ones.