Chemical Cleaning Products
For the longest time, I’ve cleaned with traditional chemical cleaning products and have hardly thought twice about it. But over the past several years, my husband and I have become increasingly aware of the dangers of chemicals, pesticides and herbicides lurking in nearly everything, from our food to various household products. With a two-year-old underfoot and a second baby on the way, I’m making the effort to purge chemical cleaners from our home. Switching to natural alternatives has simplified my cleaning, saved money and spared me the guilt that used to come with pouring my bleach-spiked mop water down the drain.

To purge chemical cleaners from your home, here are some natural-cleaning recipes that have become my staples. A few are compliments of Passionate Homemaking; Earth Easy also has an exhaustive list of recipes.

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/2 gallon water. Vinegar is a natural antimicrobial, so it works as a disinfectant. I sometimes add a few drops of tea tree oil to scent the water and further enhance the antimicrobial properties. Use on kitchen counters, floors, showers, tubs, mirrors and windows.

Tub and Showers: For tougher tub/shower jobs, sprinkle with baking soda, then spray with the all-purpose cleaner. Baking soda acts as a scouring agent to remove soap scum.

Carpet Stains: Spray hydrogen peroxide onto the stain and let set for a few minutes (screw a spray nozzle directly onto the bottle), then pat dry. Because hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, be sure to test for colorfastness first. For tougher stains, mix equal parts salt, Borax and vinegar. Rub in and leave for a few hours or until dry, then vacuum.

Unnecessary Expenses
In an effort to become completely debt-free, including our mortgage, my husband and I have been cutting out extraneous spending, devising (and sticking to) a monthly budget, and setting realistic, long-term financial goals. Though I initially balked at the thought of debt-free living (selfishly I didn’t want to give up the freedom of at-whim spending), I have since become its proponent. Knowing that my husband and I are working towards a common goal that will result in financial freedom and long-term wealth is exhilarating. Yes, it is a sacrifice, but it’s worth it in view of the goal. It’s also given me a sense of control; knowing that I’m operating within pre-determined boundaries prevents me from the worry that sometimes accompanied my previous spending habits. As we purge unnecessary expenses from our lives, here are some insights that have helped me embrace this new discipline.

Dave Ramsey: We’re following Dave Ramsey’s method for debt-free living. Though I know there are others out there, his formula is the one we’ve chosen.

Monthly Budgeting: It’s impossible to expect your spending to trend exactly the same each month. Some expenses are monthly, some three times a year, and so on. As a result, it’s imperative to set budgets that will realistically address each month’s real needs.

Make a Game of It: This has helped in my grocery shopping. If I view the budget as a game rather than a burden, I then feel challenged to win every week.

Give Yourself Some Grace: Sticking to your budget is key, but you also must extend yourself some grace. If from time to time, you end up over-budget, don’t let guilt usher in feelings of defeat. Acknowledge where you went astray, recommit yourself to the game, and then move on toward debt-free living. And know that you’re in this for the long haul … it’s a marathon, not a sprint, which means you’re likely to stumble. When you do, just get up, brush yourself off and get back into the race.  What gives you balance in your life?

photos Shalene Roberts, istockphoto.com

Enter How Fast Time Flies. Founded by mom Cathy Bennett, How Fast Time Flies creates a wide variety of pre-designed digital scrapbook page templates. With 624 designs to choose from, you can easily drag and drop photos into a variety of templates. The templates can then be customized with titles, fonts, quotes and journaling.

When finished, your 12-by-12-inch creations are printed on four-color card stock and can be easily slipped into industry-standard scrapbooks. You’ll love the result: a professional-quality, custom-crafted album to showcase those precious moments. And that is definitely something worth collecting!

For additional customizable albums, we also love Blurb and Tiny Prints.

photos howfasttimeflies.com

Pack a picnic and head to a park or botanic garden. Be sure to stock a bag with balls, frisbees, books and anything else to keep the kiddos entertained. If your youngsters are older, pack some binoculars and/or a magnifying glass so they can watch nature … the birds, the detail of ladybugs, the patterns in a leaf.

Plan a movie night. Rent a $1 flick from Redbox or use the mail-order convenience of NetFlix. Then plan a fun meal to enjoy during the movie. It has become a tradition in our house to make homemade pizza once a week, and it pairs wonderfully with a good flick. Purchase a pre-made crust or make your own—it’s a cinch to make pizza crust from scratch, and it beats store-bought hands down—and then allow each family member the chance to assemble their own creation. Let everyone sample each pizza concoction and then snuggle in for the show.

Organize a game night. Like #2, plan a game night that brings the whole family into the living room. Solicit the kids’ input and ask them for their ideas regarding games to play. Plan a fun menu consisting of easy-to-prepare finger foods so the kiddos can assist in the kitchen before the games begin.

Become a member of your local zoo or children’s museum. Though the initial price of a family membership will be more than $10, we use our zoo and museum memberships so frequently that it averages out to mere dollars (sometimes even cents) per visit. Plus, many zoos and children’s museums will allow you to pack a picnic lunch, so you don’t have to fork over more money for food or drinks.

Organize a neighborhood block party. Neighborhood block parties may be fond memories of your childhood, but they needn’t be relegated to history. A block party will not only foster a sense of community and allow neighboring families the chance to get to know one another, but they’ll give your family the chance to show hospitality to others while getting you all outside together.

Go camping, hiking or biking. Head into the great outdoors and pitch a tent. Camping sites can often be had for dollars a day. If staying overnight in nature’s hotel isn’t your idea of a good time, check online for resources listing local trails and get the whole family outside for a bike ride or hike.

Plant a garden or small container garden. Coaxing herbs, vegetables and flowers out of the dirt is a rewarding endeavor that you and your children can enjoy immensely. Little tykes can help dig holes, plant and water, while older children can take full responsibility for plants of their own. Gardening teaches little ones to respect the miracle and beauty of nature, and provides a sense of personal satisfaction when they see the fruits of their labor. Start with one container and one plant to keep the initial cost under $10.

Visit a Pick-Your-Own farm. Some of my fondest memories are those times in my grandmother’s garden when I picked warm strawberries and ate them right off the plant. Now you can give your family similar experiences with a visit to a Pick-Your-Own farm (also called U-Pick or PYO farms). Crops vary based on the season and your location, but the experience will be rich no matter the bounty you bring home. Visit www.pickyourown.org to find local farms near you.

Fly a kite. Need I say more? It’s such a simple activity, but it brings my two-year-old immense joy. I myself still have memories of kite-flying times when my dad would let the string out so far the kite was only a tiny speck in the vast sky.

Engineer a scavenger hunt. This one takes some foresight and planning, but older kids will love it! Plant clues around your home and backyard or in a public place that will allow the game. Divide your family into competing teams (if numbers allow) or have everyone collaborate together. Assist the kiddos as needed in solving the clues and then have a fun treat waiting at the end as a reward.

My mother grew up on a working farm in a little Kansas town. Several times a year, our family would return to the farm for holidays, family reunions or weekend get-togethers. As a kid, I loved it; as a teenager, I tolerated it; and as an adult, I’ve come full circle. I now relish our return trips … the chance to get outside and experience a bit of a simpler existence while passing the experiences onto my son. As I reflect on those years when I was younger, some of my sweetest memories include my grandmother’s garden. I still recall days in her garden, helping pick strawberries and the sweet treat of popping the ripe fruit, still warm from the sun, into my mouth.

My grandmother grew an abundance of flowers with heady perfumes, as well as fruits and vegetables. Nurturing seedlings as they grew into thriving plants was a passion of hers, and throughout the past couple years, it’s also become a love of mine (despite my tiny city yard). I love the chance to get outside, to get my hands in the dirt and tangibly connect with nature, and I especially love getting my two-year-old in on the action. Involving kids in gardening—no matter their age—is a great way to instill in them a love and respect for nature and a passion for the cultivation of living things. And no matter your space—a large garden plot or a small window box in the urban jungle—you can involve your children in planting something. So as spring heralds the planting season, follow these tips and let your kiddos dig in the dirt.

Relax! A garden tended to with help from kiddos will not be perfect, so don’t set unrealistic expectations. So what if your toddler dumps an entire watering can on one poor plant and drowns it. It’s the experience of the entire process that matters, not a picture-perfect garden.

Force plants indoors from seed. Allowing little ones to drop seed into a peat pot and watch as the seedling pokes through the soil will reap smiles and a sense of satisfaction for your child. You can then assist your child in transplanting the seedling outside.

Give kids their own plants. If your children are old enough, allow them to be responsible for a few plants. I potted several begonias for my two-year-old last summer, and they were all his to tend. He loved knowing they were his to water. And though he often drowned the poor things, he couldn’t kill them if he tried!

Choose plants that germinate quickly. Because tots can get impatient waiting for seedlings to sprout, plant quick-germinating plants. According to Martha Stewart, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, calendula, marigolds, sunflowers and zinnias all germinate quickly.

Give kiddos their own tools. A pint-sized spade, rake and watering can will allow the little ones to fully take part in the gardening action and will further their sense of ownership.

Avoid chemicals. You want your little ones to be able to freely enjoy the garden. Use organic methods for their safety and your peace of mind. Check www.organicgardening.com for resources and information.

Let them pick! Once flowers bloom and vegetables and fruits produce a crop, let the kids get out and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Cutting flowers for fresh arrangements indoors and eating a fruit or veggie straight off the plant are rewards that can only be had in a garden.

photos istockphoto

Founded by Jane DeLaney (right) and co-created by her sis, Jenny Cochran (left), E-Mealz is the secret to stress-less meal planning and grocery shopping. The program—designed to give busy families the tools they need to create tasteful, budget-friendly meals amidst the busyness of their hectic schedules—delivers weekly dinner menus to subscribers based on supermarket specials.

The subscription-based program costs just $1.25 a week. For that price, members can choose from 23 meal plans, including regular family meal plans (serves 7 meals for 4-6 people), regular meal plans for two (serves 5 meals for 2 people), or specialty meals plans, including low-fat and vegetarian. Each week, members receive a family-friendly weekly meal plan complete with easy-to-follow recipes and corresponding grocery list. No more hours spent designing dinnertime menus or compiling a supermarket-shopping list; it’s all e-mailed directly to you in a printable format so you can just print and go. And the grocery total for a week’s worth of meals averages $75 (for the plans serving 4-6) or $35 (for the two-person plans). The time-saving convenience and direct-to-you meal plans and grocery lists coupled with the promise of substantial savings make E-Mealz a must-have program for any busy family seeking togetherness and connectivity over shared dinnertimes.

photo courtesy of E-Mealz

So to help you solve the how-to-get-in-shape-despite-my-busy-life dilemma, we chatted with Lisa Druxman, an expert in pre/postnatal fitness and founder of the mommy-and-me fitness franchise, Stroller Strides. A published author, certified fitness instructor and personal trainer, Lisa is a wife and mother of two who is encouraging other moms to take “me” time. It’s her belief that “fitness will help energize and invigorate women for motherhood.” We couldn’t agree more.

To overcome the challenge of fitting fitness into your day, heed Lisa’s advice. “Fitness does not have to be a traditional hour workout in a gym. Fit it in anywhere–on the playroom floor with baby, lunges in the kitchen, squats while brushing teeth.” And of course, be inspired by Stroller Strides and head outside for a workout with your kiddos. When it comes to healthy eats, Lisa emphasizes preparation. The toned mama suggests having bagged veggies, pre-cooked chicken breast, washed lettuce and more on hand. “Make double batches of healthy meals and freeze half so you are always ready,” she added. “The key to healthy eating is to have lots of healthy choices readily at hand.”

She makes it sound so easy, we know, but it starts with baby steps: some crunches here, 20 lunges there, a game of tag while outside with your kids. Get creative, get inspired, try a Stroller Strides class or simply gather a couple moms and tote your tots together–you’ll get fit, gab with friends and get your kiddo some fresh air … even we can make time for that!

www.strollerstrides.com

photos Lisa Druxman

Editor’s Note:  Join us this month as we take a look back at some of our top posts from the past!

Agonda Tunic in color GOA

Linen Poet Shirt

Ruched Long Skirt

Striped Apron Dress

Lizzard Ballerina

Button Color Top (in carrot)

Bone Bangles

Benitoz Tote

The Hamptons look is understated elegance, pretty and chic looks with a beachy feel. The day looks are designed to take you from a day at the beach to an afternoon of shopping; pretty cover ups, sandals with a little shine and the perfect hat are essentials. Evenings in the Hamptons are so much fun! Maybe you’ll be invited to a casual beach cookout or an elegant dinner party; pretty and polished looks for evening can be a long dress or casual linen jumpsuit. Remember to add a gold cuff for instant glamour!

Barbara’s Picks for Kids
(Clockwise from top left)
Olive Juice nautical stripe dresses
J. Crew boys surf shorts and orange polo shirt
Tory Burch tunic top
Gap gold sandals
Papo d’Anjo Liberty of London top
Papo d’Anjo driving moccasin

Barbara’s Picks for Hamptons Days:
(Clockwise from top left)
Tory Burch swimsuit
Jack Rogers metallic sandals
Calypso eyelet beach tunic
Agate stone bracelet from Anthropologie
Straw beach hat Calypso
Poupette long linen jumper from Scoop
Linen market tote Calypso

Barbara’s Picks for Hamptons Evenings:
(Clockwise from top left)
Tory Burch blue shorts
Michael Kors Rattan clutch
Milly long chevron party dress
Calypso gold espadrilles
Michael Kors jumpsuit
Alice and Olivia blue chiffon dress
Anthropologie starfish cuff

SAMPLE SALE SITES – These sample (or flash sale) sites offer name-brand wares at a fraction of the retail price. Sales are live for a short time (typically three days). Items are limited, and the sought-after goodies sometimes go fast.

Kiddos/Moms

Home Decor

Womens/Mens/Kiddos

GROUP COUPON SITES – These sites offer deep discounts on one or two products or services per day. On some sites (like Jasmere), the price drops as more people purchase the item of the day; you’re billed at the absolute lowest price. Sign up for e mails to receive notifications on each day’s sale.

photo zulilly.com 

Then I got married, and suddenly, Valentine’s Day and I were in good graces again. My hubbie and I don’t exchange extravagant gifts, and we don’t fight the crowds for a linen-clad tablecloth. Instead, we cook up something special at home, open a bottle of wine, indulge in a delicious dessert and enjoy one another. Yes, my husband does bring me flowers, and we do exchange cards. And this year, I’m trying to ignore the Hallmark route. I’d like to give something a bit more unique. So I’ve been searching the Internet for some printable lovelies, and here are a few that have caught my attention.

Emmy Lu Printable modern love notes.

Jones Design Co. Printable valentines for sweethearts, kiddos or friends.

Twig & Thistle  They’re not cards, but sneak these stickers into your spouse or kiddos’ lunch and you’re sure to earn smiles.

The Mother Huddle Valentine lacing cards to keep little hands entertained.

Oh So Beautiful Paper  Print this out, frame and top with a handwritten note.

Twig & Thistle Stuff these Valentine goodie bags with sweet treats and sentiments.

One Charming Party Classroom cards for kiddos.

vicinitystudio You, Me, Oui.

Martha Stewart Valentine’s Day sentiments wheel.

Kate Spade e-cards. No, they’re not printable, but they’re too good not to share.

What about you? What does Valentine’s Day mean to you, and have you discovered any printables you’ll be handing out this year?

photos emmy lu, Jones Design Co., Twig & Thistle, The Mother Huddle, Oh So Beautiful Paper, Twig & Thistle, One Charming Party, vicinitystudio via Etsy, Martha Stewart, Kate Spade