I don't know where you'd get the idea that I had been couponing again. Nope. No idea where that thought would come from...
Thursday
SOS Mom Saver: What's In Season When?
Most of us have heard that the best way to save money on produce is to buy in season.
But what does that mean?
How do I know what's in season when? Does that mean in season here or in season in another state? Well...Yes.
The closer to the source of the produce, the cheaper it will be. If you're in California or Florida where they grow oranges, then they're going to be cheaper for you than if you're in Michigan. If gas costs are up, then those oranges are going to be even MORE expensive in Michigan.
The oranges are going to be cheaper for everyone when those oranges are in season because they grow with less assistance and in greater quantities when in season.
There are a lot of variables that can affect produce prices. A hurricane that wipes out the citrus crop in Florida is going to affect us all by raising prices or causing a shortage as would a flood, drought, or fire that destroys crops in California.
The bottom line, though, is that all other factors aside, buying when the produce is in season will save you the most money.
I couldn't possibly list what is in season in every area of the country every month. I could tell you some general guidelines to go by. For example, oranges and other citrus fruits will be in season in the winter, melons and berries will be in season in the summer, and apples and different squashes will be in season in the fall. Your BEST bet, though is finding out what produce is in season in your area. If nothing is currently in season in your area, find the state closest to you with in season produce and know that those items will be your cheapest buys.
Epicurious and Sustainable Table will give you a general idea of what is in season in your area each month. Local Harvest goes one better, though. It will direct you to farms in your area. Many of those farms list what they grow each season on Local Harvest. Even better, many will let you buy directly from them to save even more money. Plus, you'll be getting the produce directly from the source which is ALWAYS best!
If you can't buy directly from a farm in your area, check your grocery store sale ads. Typically, the produce that is currently in season will be the cheapest! In the summer, we stock up on berries when they're $.99 for 6oz to 1lb (depending on the berry) and freeze enough to get us through the winter.
It's always a little scary at first to start gardening; especially if you've never done it before. I promise you, when you see the fruits (literally) of your labor, the hard work will have all been worth it!
But what does that mean?
How do I know what's in season when? Does that mean in season here or in season in another state? Well...Yes.
The closer to the source of the produce, the cheaper it will be. If you're in California or Florida where they grow oranges, then they're going to be cheaper for you than if you're in Michigan. If gas costs are up, then those oranges are going to be even MORE expensive in Michigan.
The oranges are going to be cheaper for everyone when those oranges are in season because they grow with less assistance and in greater quantities when in season.
There are a lot of variables that can affect produce prices. A hurricane that wipes out the citrus crop in Florida is going to affect us all by raising prices or causing a shortage as would a flood, drought, or fire that destroys crops in California.
The bottom line, though, is that all other factors aside, buying when the produce is in season will save you the most money.
I couldn't possibly list what is in season in every area of the country every month. I could tell you some general guidelines to go by. For example, oranges and other citrus fruits will be in season in the winter, melons and berries will be in season in the summer, and apples and different squashes will be in season in the fall. Your BEST bet, though is finding out what produce is in season in your area. If nothing is currently in season in your area, find the state closest to you with in season produce and know that those items will be your cheapest buys.
Epicurious and Sustainable Table will give you a general idea of what is in season in your area each month. Local Harvest goes one better, though. It will direct you to farms in your area. Many of those farms list what they grow each season on Local Harvest. Even better, many will let you buy directly from them to save even more money. Plus, you'll be getting the produce directly from the source which is ALWAYS best!
If you can't buy directly from a farm in your area, check your grocery store sale ads. Typically, the produce that is currently in season will be the cheapest! In the summer, we stock up on berries when they're $.99 for 6oz to 1lb (depending on the berry) and freeze enough to get us through the winter.
This was our first cucumber ever!!!
It's always a little scary at first to start gardening; especially if you've never done it before. I promise you, when you see the fruits (literally) of your labor, the hard work will have all been worth it!
Then the Watermelon Had to Die
The picture above only tells part of the tragic story. It is only half of one watermelon...but it says oh so very much. It is evidence of the tragedy that has been occurring multiple times a day for the past couple of weeks here at the Thompson household.
The death of the watermelons.
But what you have to understand is that it's not my whole family working together to devour these tasty melons. Oh no! It's just one of us. That's right. And it's the tiniest one of us at that! Not only that...these aren't the baby watermelons. No, they're the mid-sized ones.
That's right! My little Whitney, our Peanut, has single-handedly eaten 11 mid-sized watermelons in just 7 days. I haven't a clue where she's putting it. Well, except that she's also on a growth spurt. So there's also that. I guess, then, that it's fair to say that she's putting it in new clothes. Clever girl, that one! Figured out a way to use fruit to get new clothes!
Disclaimer: Several watermelon WERE harmed both in the making of this blog AND in the growing of my Peanut.
And I guess I'm okay with that.
SOS Mom Saver: Homemade Popsicles
I've been getting ready for summer by dehydrating foods we'll eat while out and about this summer. Now, it's time for me to fill my freezer with healthy popsicles.
Feed my kids popsicles for breakfast? Why not?
(What kind of a mom ARE you? You'd feed your kids POPSICLES for BREAKFAST?!?! I'm not sure I can keep reading your blog!)
I promise. I'm not crazy. In fact, I can almost guarantee that YOU will feed YOUR kids popsicles for breakfast too after I'm done with you. These aren't your typical "is there even any actual fruit in there" popsicles. These are popsicles that you and/or your kids make from scratch. And it's EASY!
The easiest way to make popsicles at home is to use pre-packaged fruit juice that you'd buy at the store. If you purchase a juice from the Lakewood "Just" juice line, or the Knudsen "Pure" juice line, then you'll be giving your kids pure fruit juice popsicles. (Thankfully, these are now carried in most grocery stores. As a bonus, they also come in organic varieties.)
I like to go a step further here, though. I like to find creative ways to use the fresh fruit that I get...especially as it gets past its prime. (I know every one of us has that apple that gets lost in the back of the fruit drawer in the fridge.) Many people think these fruits are trash. The opposite is actually true. The riper the fruit gets, the sweeter it becomes. I wouldn't eat it plain, but I'll freeze this fruit straight to use in smoothies or...my kid's favorite...puree the fruit and make homemade popsicles.
The ingredients are incredibly simple:
Feed my kids popsicles for breakfast? Why not?
(What kind of a mom ARE you? You'd feed your kids POPSICLES for BREAKFAST?!?! I'm not sure I can keep reading your blog!)
I promise. I'm not crazy. In fact, I can almost guarantee that YOU will feed YOUR kids popsicles for breakfast too after I'm done with you. These aren't your typical "is there even any actual fruit in there" popsicles. These are popsicles that you and/or your kids make from scratch. And it's EASY!
The easiest way to make popsicles at home is to use pre-packaged fruit juice that you'd buy at the store. If you purchase a juice from the Lakewood "Just" juice line, or the Knudsen "Pure" juice line, then you'll be giving your kids pure fruit juice popsicles. (Thankfully, these are now carried in most grocery stores. As a bonus, they also come in organic varieties.)
I like to go a step further here, though. I like to find creative ways to use the fresh fruit that I get...especially as it gets past its prime. (I know every one of us has that apple that gets lost in the back of the fruit drawer in the fridge.) Many people think these fruits are trash. The opposite is actually true. The riper the fruit gets, the sweeter it becomes. I wouldn't eat it plain, but I'll freeze this fruit straight to use in smoothies or...my kid's favorite...puree the fruit and make homemade popsicles.
The ingredients are incredibly simple:
- A blender, food processor, or smoothie maker
- Popsicle holders (or small cups)
- Lids for the popsicle holders or small popsicle sticks
- Fruit...Be creative!
- Some sort of liquid: Yogurt or Kefir can be used for a thicker popsicle. Juice or water can be used to make it more light.
We
got these molds on sale at Albertson's for $2.49 each, but you can find
them at Wal-Mart, Target, and other discount stores as well. WARNING:
The lids typically do NOT hold up well! I would highly recommend that
you have wooden sticks on hand because the lids WILL eventually break on
these cheap holders.
The fruit is in! It's ready to go!
It's blending! (The
blender pictured has long since died. I now have the mother of all
blenders; a Vitamix...which I LOVE! Someday, I will update these
pictures.)
Ready
to pour! This is when the kids run over and try to eat some before we
pour. They usually end up eating a good bit of this "fruit sauce"
before I get it all poured. I fought them off this time just for you.
You should feel special.
Children have been fended off and pouring begins!
They're all poured now and ready for the freezer. Wasn't that easy?
Once
you put them in the freezer, they'll be ready in about 12
hours...although my kids are usually trying to grab their first one well
before that.
Doesn't
that look delicious! And it's FULL of nothing but fruit! How awesome
is that? So go tell your kids they can have popsicles for breakfast
now, K?
Saturday
Why We're Heading To Tulsa
Rather than trying to message everyone who has asked separately, I figured I'd just update everyone at once here.
First, thank you everyone for your prayers. Our family appreciates them.
Some of you know the details, but here's the summary: In the last couple of weeks, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer which has spread throughout his body, started chemo, & is now in ICU with his liver & kidneys failing.
My brother & I who live out of state are traveling tonight & tomorrow to Tulsa to join our other siblings.
I am thankful for wonderful friends who stepped in at the last minute to take our dogs & keep watch over our house & cat. Thank you. You are a huge blessing to us!
I think everyone knows that more than anything, we pray that our loved ones would come to know Christ. That has always been my prayer for my family. One by one, I have seen them come to Christ. What an amazing treasure to know that we will see our loved ones again in heaven after their time here is done. I cannot imagine a greater thing in life than having that blessed assurance. That remains my prayer for every member of my family. I would ask that you join me in this prayer specifically at this time.
Nothing makes you think about this more than when you face losing someone you dearly love. At least when you lose someone who is a follower of Christ, you can have the peace that comes from knowing that you will see them again. I can imagine nothing more heart-wrenching than losing someone you love...and knowing you'll never see them again. What has happened with my dad has happened so quickly. It has awakened me to the importance of talking to your loved ones now...before it's too late.
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