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A Sweet Snack Mix & A Salty Snack Mix– Perfect For Your SuperBowl Party

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign withPollinate Media Group™ and Rubbermaid and Sharpie but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #RubbermaidSharpie  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO
If I’m going to take the time to make a savory or sugary treat (or both!) that does not offer much nutrition, I’m going to have a few ultimatums.
1. It has to be for a fun reason–a get together with friends, a birthday or a party–like THE SUPER BOWL!
2. It has to make a lot of treat for a little time in the kitchen.
3. It has to be low cost.
4. It has to be easy.
5. It has to taste awesome!
Bonus points: It has to be easy to store.
These two snack mixes do all of those things…times 2!
My favorite thing about both mixes is that they have at least 4 ingredients in common–peanuts, cheerios, pretzels and bugles.  It is so great to buy one bag of each of them and divide it between the 2 recipes! I love efficiency.
These mixes are perfect for feeding a crowd and munching on during a football game.
Let me tell you how I made them the perfect snack for the Super Bowl game.

I headed out to Target to pick up my supplies.  I got 2 glass Rubbermaid bowls for holding the mix, a package of Sharpie Pens, and some plastic cups.  I made sure I got enough cups for holding both drinks and snack mix.  Again, I’m all about efficiency!

While you are at Target, make sure you use the mobile coupon service and text COUPONS to TARGET (type TARGET into the phone number section of your phone) and grab the $1 off food storage Rubbermaid coupon and the $1 off Sharpie 4 pack or larger coupon.  This option will be available January 25- February 8.

I love my Sharpies! If you have been reading this blog long enough, you know I am a huge fan of Sharpie markers.  I use them all the time.  I love them for crafting and I use them almost daily in the kitchen to label my leftovers or write little surprise messages for girls’ lunchbox.
You probably also know I am a big fan of using glass for storage…usually I re purpose jars.  I have been wanting some bigger bowls to store larger portions of soup leftovers and snack mixes.  Rubbermaid glass line is the perfect solution.  They completely seal with one easy touch, they lids nestle into each other for easy storage, or if you want to stack the bowls they do that perfectly, too!

I used the bright green insert from the Rubbermaid bowls — which was actually a picture of green beans– to use as a fun border for my snack tags.  I thought it looked like grass which is perfect for a Super Bowl party.

I cut a piece of white card stock into a square, backed it in the green, then used Sharpie markers to embellish with a simple black and white border on top and the numbers of a football field on the bottom.  You don’t have to be an artist to get crafty with Sharpie!
I used a container I found in the dollar section of Target to put my Sharpie markers in.  It looks pretty to set the Sharpie markers out and let the guests mark their own cups.

Isn’t Juiper the cutest name ever?  My daughter has a friend named Juniper and they call her ‘Junie’ for short.  Ahh..so cute!

Some guests will use the Sharpie Markers to write the team name on their cups– in team colors of course–letting everyone know who they are rooting for.
Doesn’t that look yummy?  Bugles, pretzels, cheerios, peanuts and M&M’s!  Like I said, a great thing about making these two recipes at the same time is that they use common ingredients, but no one would even notice because they are such different tasting recipes.
It had been awhile since we had a fun sugar treat in the house.  This is how my daughter felt about that!

Every party should have a little bit of sweet…

…and a little bit of salty!
Make sure you pick some of these cute football brownies up while you are at Target.  They come in a long, thin box with a little girls face on it.  Yea…that one!  They make a fun, football touch to the table without having to spend hours in the kitchen, AND they are inexpensive!

If you are traveling for the party, you can just put the tags on top of the lids and use the lids as snack markers.  If your party is at home, grab a couple little jars, tape a paper clip to the back of the jar, fill it with mix to cover the tape, and display your snack tag.  Easy!  If you love how this looks but are taking the mix to a party, take the jar and and stick the mix in and the tag on when you get there.

I bet you are wondering how these snack mixes taste?
Well, the sweet one speaks for itself.  It is very sweet with just a touch of salty, crunchy with chocolate and peanuts, all covered in white almond bark.  It makes a ton and both kids and adults love it.
The savory, salty mix is a unique one, and you will get asked for the recipe often.  It is salty with a bit of sweet, has chili powder and curry in the seasoning which makes it stand out from your typical snack mix.  It uses some fun colored potato and vegetable chips which also makes it stand out from the crowd. It is very addicting and also makes a very good amount.

What are your super bowl plans?

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Super Bowl Sweet Mix

1/2 jar (8oz) peanuts (16 oz jar)
1/2 bag(8oz) pretzels (16 oz bag)
1/2 bag (6oz) bugles (12 oz bag)
1/2 box Cheerios (8.9 oz box)
1/2 bag M&M’s (12 oz bag–use extra to make table pretty, or just eat them :))
1 lb vanilla almond bark

Mix all ingredients except for almond bark in a large bowl.  Melt almond bark as package directs.  Pour over mixture, mixing to coat well.  Spread out onto waxed paper to dry.  Break into chunks and store in airtight container.  Saves well for several weeks.

Super Bowl Savory Mix

1/2 jar (8oz) peanuts (16 oz jar)
1/2 bag (8oz) pretzels (16 oz bag)
1/2 bag (6oz) bugles (12 oz bag)
1/2 box cheerios (8.9 oz box)
6 oz chips (I used Terra Chips- Exotic Harvest)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix peanuts, pretzels, bugles, cheerios & chips in a large bowl.

Mix brown sugar, butter, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, curry powder and garlic powder in a small saucepan.  Heat on med until sugar is dissolved.

Pour seasoning mixture over dry mix.  Toss until well coated.  Pour onto 2 large cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, stirring after 20.

FAMILY/ Marriage/ Sponsored/ Valentine's Day

Datevitation–The Perfect Gift For Any Occasion + Giveaway

We were recently at a family get together, and all the adults were discussing Valentines Day.  I realized in that discussion that I usually plan ahead and have lots of fun ideas for my 3 lovely girls for Valentines Day each year, but have fallen in a rut when it comes to Valentines plans with my sweet husband.  Don’t get me wrong–getting dressed up and going out for dinner and an evening focused on the two of us is pretty close to perfect, but I wanted to think outside the box and get a bit more creative this year.
Usually getting creative means getting crafty, and honestly, that is not too appealing to me right now.  I’m trying to live the simple life, with less mess and more time. After spending the last 3 months laid up while healing from surgeries,  I am in the habit of looking for ways to simplify. Using online services for creating gifts and shopping for gifts certainly is convenient, and when you can customize those gifts, it makes it so much more personal.
This is why Datevitation jumped out at me as something fun to do for my man.  It is the web’s first online platform to create a custom love coupon book. Unlike the pre-packaged coupon books on the market, you get to pick the title, the dates, and the text. Datevitation will then print it out and and ship it to you. 

That alone intrigued me, but when I saw that their library contains over 500 date ideas ranging from skydiving(um, no) to stargazing(maybe) to steamy adult-only(umm…ok!) activities, I knew this was the fun gift I was looking for for my Todd.

I loved all the different & fun date ideas they had to choose from, there is no way I would have been able to think of all of them myself!  I also thought the stick figures and graphics were really cute. The Datevitation website is really well laid out and super easy to use, and I think Todd will love the dates I chose.  Two of them were pretty traditional, but things we both love to do.  The last 3 dates I chose from the steamy adult-only section, which are also things we both love to do {blush} and I think they will make this a Valentine gift he won’t forget!

 I especially loved the new feature that allows you to add your own photos to the faces of the illustrations.  So funny!

The packaging is simple, which of course appealed to me.  I liked that it was not too fru-fru as it IS for my guy.

The thing that appeals to me about a love coupon is that it gives the recipient something to look forward to.  It also gives me, the giver, a way to stay committed to giving to my husband in a creative and purposeful way.  I need this accountability, as life can get busy.  I like that I am the one who chooses what I am committing to, and being this purposeful about a gift makes it happen.  The process of ordering Datevitation coupon love book was so fun that it sure made me look forward to fulfilling those coupons.

Especially THESE coupons!  {wink}
Datevitation is not only for a significant other.  They make great gifts for all ages and all occasions.  All 3 of my girls (age 14, 13 & 10) would love this, and I love that I could customize them according to their personalities and interests.  My middle girl would especially love coupons that includes spending quality time together, as that is her main love language.  My oldest would appreciate getting to go out and shop or get a manicure with me.  My youngest would like just about anything, and would really get a kick out of seeing her own face in a book and on a stick figure!

So how much are these super cute love coupon books?

Well, regular price starts at just $25 so it makes for a super thoughtful yet economical gift.  But, with Valentines Day is coming up, Datevitation wants to spread the love to all of my followers, so by using the code ‘NEWNOSTALGIA’ you can get $10 off you purchase plus FREE shipping. (total values of $13.50)  That means you can order your Valentines a customized gift starting at just $15!

To guarantee delivery by Valentine’s Day, the order cut-off date is February 3, so make sure you get your order in before then!

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Datevitation is also sponsoring a super great giveaway, so be sure to enter via the rafflecopter form below.

Winner will receive a coupon code for a Datevitation coupon book with 5 personalized pages and free general shipping (Additional pages are $1 each.)  Books ship to U.S. only.

5
Spiritual/ Sponsored

My One Word Of The Year

Have you chosen your word for the year yet?  I have!

It took some time to commit to this word, as it seemed a bit boring at first, but I just couldn’t get away from the word, and then I found the above perfect verse, Isaiah 43:19, and now I love it.

My one word for the year is ‘NEW.’

There are so many reasons why I chose the word ‘new’, and so many ways it is already changing me.

After participating in the #oneword challenge last year, I am not surprised at all.  Last year I chose the word ‘calm.’  It really was the perfect word, and I thought about it all throughout the year.  It is amazing how powerful claiming a word can be.

I felt myself grow immensely in the area of calmness, and that is saying a lot, as I tend to be a bit frantic in my thoughts and actions.  My default is many “what ifs?” My personality is one that likes things to be in order and expected, and when life brings the unexpected, I tense up.

As you all know, life has brought lots of unexpected the last few years for me and my health, and the end of this past year was no exception as I had 4 surgeries in 3 months, pleurisy & 2 infections brought on by a sensitivity to the materials used for reconstruction.  This ‘forced slow’ of sickness & healing solidified the calm God had been teaching me throughout the year.  He is very faithful and has shown me that He is trustworthy and reliable in the midst of unknown and scary.  He is the perfect place to just lean into and just ‘be’ when life gets scary. I loved my ‘one word’ last year.

Back to my one word for this year.

New.

Just the sound of that word brings an excitement and anticipation, but for me, it means change.  It means trying something different, especially in my reactions to things and in my thought processes.

I used to watch Dr. Phil quite often, and one of the phrases he used all the time was “How’s that workin’ for ya?” I can just hear him saying it in his southern drawl.  This is a question I have been asking myself a lot lately with my NEW word.

What are things I am in the habit of doing that are not “working” for me?

What can I do that is different and NEW?  How can I respond differently and change?

1. Marriage

I’ve noticed a few areas of my marriage that needed this question asked.  I refuse to get comfortable and stop growing in our marriage. I don’t just want a good marriage.  I want a thriving marriage that is ALL that God intended it to be. I have already found myself responding differently than I have in years and delighting in the change that has been brought about because of that.

What was not working for me?

Responding in a sensitive, defensive manner.

I would get defensive.  He would get defensive. We could go round and round.  Why do I continue to do the same thing if it does not work for me?  Or for our marriage?

I’ve been experimenting with responding differently, and OH what peace it is bringing to my heart and to our communication.  Who knew that my stubborn defensiveness would result in unresolved issues.
Well…duh, right?  Honestly, when I am more concerned about being right, or my own thoughts and emotions, or just wanting to be understood, then I am thinking of myself way more than my Todd and that is NOT the wife I want to be.  That is not loving.

When I put the defenses and emotions away and put his feeling before my own, beautiful things happen.  Walls come down.  Words are exchanged that are profitable and good.  I get heard, he gets heard.  Love happens.

2. Parenting

Another area where I am challenged to respond differently is parenting.  Specifically, parenting teens.

I don’t write about parenting challenges as much anymore as my girls are teens and I want to respect their privacy, but lack of words about it all on this blog does not mean there is lack of challenge. As proud as I am of our girls, parenting is HARD my friends, and takes a whole lot of faith and trust in God and prayer!

My NEW way of responding differently in parenting, again, has to do with emotions.  Can you tell God created me a very emotional being?  I FEEL everything!  A blessing and a curse!

What was not working for me in parenting my teens was responding out of emotion and hurt feelings. Parenting requires a toughness, an ability to feel intense emotion without responding out of that emotion.  That takes a lot of self control and a whole lot of self talk for me.

My NEW way of thinking?  My new self talk?

“I am the adult.  They are the child. I need to act and respond like an adult. They are still learning how to respond appropriately.  It is my job to teach them.  The best teaching is showing them by doing it myself.”

“I cannot control my children.  They will make their own decisions, and I have a good and faithful God who IS in control and promises to work all things out for good.

3. A Slow Life
Another big way I see this word being used is in my thinking about life.  I now embrace what I call the slow life.  It is a purposeful way of living, a deliberate thinking of how I want to spend my time and energy on this earth.  Life is so very precious and short.  As I do this, I can SEE and experience all that God is doing. I am so excited to claim the promise of the verse above, how God is going to do NEW things, and make a path of refreshment through the wilderness.  I am going to watch for how He is doing this, as He is already doing it!

4. Health
The last way I am embracing this word is when it comes to this NEW body of mine.  After 3 years of constant issues with reconstruction and many surgeries, I think we are done!  I am so very thankful to be able to say this and so very thankful for great results.  I find myself very motivated to take care of this body of mine.  I do quite well when it comes to what I eat, but I am eager to start taking better care of it when it comes to physical activity.  I am finally healed enough to at least start walking and some gently yoga.

Do you love how this precious necklace looks on this NEW body of mine?  I adore these One Word Personalized Vintage Dictionary Necklaces from Krafty Kash and am starting to have quite the collection of them, each one of them dearly loved and meaningful.  Did you notice in my One Word Necklace above, the definition has the word ‘health’ in it?  I was delighted to see that! So fitting!!

What is your one word for the year?  Have you thought about it yet?

Challenge yourself and your friends to choose a word.  Then surprise your friends with an awesome, personalized word pendant gift from Krafty Kash!  You could also get your children one with words describing their personalities or a word you want to claim for them.

Now is the perfect time to get your #oneword necklace, as she is having a great sale!  The #oneword pendant necklaces are on sale for $18.00 and if you use the coupon code ‘oneword’ at checkout you will get FREE SHIPPING!  

AMAZING deal.  Let me know what your word is and if you ordered a necklace!

Find Krafty Kash:
{shop-click here for your One Word Personalized Vintage Dictionary Necklace}

Blessings to you all in this 2014 year!  I am expecting and anticipating many NEW and excititng things!

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Books/ Spiritual/ Sponsored

Peace in the Pressure Cooker + A Book Giveaway




“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned: struck down, but not destroyed.” 
2 Corinthians 4:7-8


I have been waiting and waiting to share this amazing book with all of you!  I can’t think of a better time than Christmas to give you all the gift of knowing this beautiful woman’s story. Boy, do I wish I could give one of her books to each and everyone of YOU!  But since I cannot, I decided to celebrate this Christmas season of giving by having a book giveaway.


I am giving away 5 copies of Peace in the Pressure Cooker to five wonderful readers.  If you would rather not wait to read Patti’s story, then order her book right here, right now! 


I watched the powerful video below of Patti talking about her life story a few months ago.  I had the honor of being one of the first to watch it, while it was still in the editing phase.  Even then, I knew that what I had seen and heard from Patti would be life-changing for me.  I finished watching the video with tears streaming down my face and chills covering my body.  I became very passionate about sharing her story, and even felt frustrated that I had to wait until the book came out and the video was done! 


There is so much that struck me about watching and hearing Patti’s story. It is very rare to see someone who has overcome the challenges Patti has, yet still see joy and peace in their life. Peace & joy just flow from Patti.  Patti has shown me exactly what it looks like to love our God with a giddy love (she even gives a giddy giggle in the video a couple times, so watch for it..it is my favorite!) It is a  passionate, intimate and trusting love.  She also showed me what it looked like to just hold on, as she grasped tight, pushed back, and found peace despite the extreme pressures life brought..

Some of the pressures that Patti has overcome?
 ~physical and sexual abuse
 ~breast cancer
 ~divorce 
~single-parenting
~ living with a chronic pain and a brain injury from an auto accident 
~depression and homelessness. 

Yes, she has had her share of life’s pressures, but what peace she has found in the midst of them.

When I finally got my hands on her book, Finding Peace in the Pressure Cooker, the timing was perfect.  If you have been following along, you know that since mid-October I have been going through breast cancer reconstruction surgery.  It was a much longer process than we thought it would be, with many, many complications.  Reading Patti’s book truly helped get me through it all, and reminded me to keep giving my concerns and burdens to God.  I found myself highlighting  many pages as I read.  

Here are some of her words that really touched me:

“That’s Mom; she was never going to change. But something changed inside me. I had gained new ground by standing up to her, and I was healed of the emotional injury that day in church. I was never going to let her bully me again. She tried, but I stood my ground for the next eight years.”
“Then the Lord spoke to my heart telling me to make a choice: I could either carry the offense of my Mom’s actions or carry the burden of her lost soul. The choice was mine to make. What was it going to be?  I felt a strong burden for Mom’s soul.”
“…if I carried fear, resentment, and malice—then these emotions would keep me from sensing his presence.”
“What have I told you that you can do with all your burdens?” I answered him, “You said I can give all my burdens to you.” God promises he will not just walk with us when we are burdened, but that he would also take our burdens upon himself. Isn’t he amazing? I love him so. I was instantly released of the heaviness in my heart, and peace took its place.”


Patti writes with an honesty that I could relate to.  She is authentic and vulnerable.  I kept finding myself nodding my head at the book in my hands…I could so identify with her feelings.  Her honesty was very refreshing.  

Here are some examples:

         “Angry people frightened me.” 
         “Personal criticism made me defensive.”
         “My life was shaped by the demands of the people around me, and I lost all sense of my own      identity.”
         “I confused love with pity by protecting the addicted or depressed people in my life, rescuing them from their problems.”
          “I felt responsible for the damaged people in my life and tried hard to help them change their behavior or attitudes.” 
          “I trusted the addicted or depressed person’s promises, even if he or she had broken countless promises before.”
          “I had unhealthy boundaries and couldn’t say no without feeling guilty.”
          “I avoided pain by working, spending, serving, and clowning around—anything to not feel.”
 Can you relate to any of these things?  I know I could…most ALL of them. Patti tells us how she overcame and found peace.  


I will end this with some of my favorite words from Patti:

What drives me to sit before women? I love to get eye to eye with them so they can see into my heart.  I share the pressures of life, not to pick a scab, not to trigger anything, but just to show them that I understand pressures of life–prolonged, consistent pressures that can crush you–but because of what we have in God, because of the empowering of His word & His promises, we can push back from the inside out.   

Maybe our surroundings won’t change, but we change.  This is the God I serve. He changes the conditions inside my heart.  He didn’t take me out of anything, He kept me in everything. I’ve been hit by cancer, I’ve been hit by cars, I’ve been tied in chairs, I’ve had my nose torn open–but I’m NOT going to be quiet about my God.  The world has done alot to us, but my God has taken it back by His design.  You CAN have peace in this pressure cooker world.

Join the Giveaway!



Get to know Patti Davis:




~Follow Peace In The Pressure Cooker On Facebook


Don’t forget to watch the video above! 

11
Christmas/ DIY/Crafts/ FUN/DIY/ Holidays/Parties/ Sponsored

Last Minute Simple But Thoughtful Christmas Gifts With Easy Homemade Gift Tags

I have so many sweet friends, but I only buy Christmas gifts for a select few of them.  Every year I try to come up with something simple but personal. This year I decided I could not go wrong with a coffee gift card — they ARE my closest friends after all, so of course they all love coffee!  I smile when I think about the precious time I have had with each one of them sharing our hearts over a cup of coffee.  
Another thing I know my close friends all love is chocolate.  Coffee + chocolate + a fun gift tag, “homemade” by the help of a kit and my love for Metallic Sharpies = a fun & simple gift!
Sharpies have always been my favorite brand of marker– by far!  I love that you can always expect them to work long and hard for you.  They are dependable, predictable, come in all types of point sizes & colors.  My new Sharpie crush is the Metallic Sharpies. Gold, Copper & Silver –they are so pretty!
Right now is a great time to purchase Sharpies.  Staples is having an amazing deal. They are selling the 12 pack of Sharpies for only $6.00!  I bought a 12 pack of black Sharpies and a 12 pack of multi-colored fine-point Sharpies both for $6.00, and a 4 pack of assorted metallic Sharpies for only $5.00.  
I store mine in mason jars (of course!) and they sit out on our art desk so I can easily grab a single marker or a whole set if needed.  My 10- year old Avery drew this amazing owl using the metallic Sharpies and some crayons.  She is crushing on the metallic Sharpies, too!
On to my fun project.  I stamped the tags with white ink, and envisioned how I could embellish them with metallic Sharpies just to make them a bit more special.  
I used the metallic Sharpies to add a bit of shiny & shimmer to my gift tags.  Just a touch here and there made a huge difference.  I also used metallic Sharpies to to write who the gift was ‘to’ & ‘from.’

I got out my ribbon and some jute, stacked the coffee card and chocolates, and tied the shiny gift tags to the gifts.

I had fun finding different ways to tie the gifts together and using different Sharpie markers to embellish and sign the tags.
So festive and fun!
Don’t you love how the gold Sharpie shines? I wish the camera could capture it better.  Take my word, it is PRETTY!
These little packages look so cute under my tree.  I cannot wait to give them to the special ladies in my life.  I hope it reminds them too, of our shared love of coffee and chocolate, and just how much they shine light into my life!  
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For a TON of fun Sharpie project ideas, make sure you follow them on:
Get inspired, then head to your nearest Staples this holiday season and purchase the 12-Ct multi colored pack of Sharpies for &6.00 and the Sharpie Metallic Assorted 4-Ct pack, as well as other Sharpie products for your holiday needs.  You will love them!
HOME/ Meals/ RECIPES/ Sides/ Sponsored

Cleansing Chicken Soup, Portable Puzzles & Lots of Kleenex

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign withPollinate Media Group™ and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KleenexTarget  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”
 
My little Avery has been blowing her nose and coughing for the past week now.  I can’t tell if it is allergies or a cold, but it sure is messing with her asthma!  She is our soccer player so she would say it is messing with her game!  Usually her allergies are in the spring and fall, and once we have a freeze she gets better.  Well, we have had our freeze and she still has an asthma cough and runny nose.  I sure hope this doesn’t mean she now has indoor winter allergies.  That would mean I have to dust. {grin}

I’m over her constant cough, especially when I hear her coughing during the night in her sleep.  My poor girl!

I decided to dig out my super healthy and Cleansing Chicken Soup recipe.  I made this often when I was going through cancer treatment, and it was always comforting to know I was filling my body with nutrients.  It makes a huge amount and freezes beautifully!

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**I used a very large crock pot, and it barely all fit!  I started it at 10:00 pm and it was ready the next day for lunch.  I also pureed mine after removing the chicken and bones, I was not too into all the chunky vegetables, so I used my hand blender, then added the shredded chicken, peas, and parsley in at the end for texture.  
Cleansing Chicken Soup
1 Whole Chicken (free-range, pastured or organic)
1 Tbsp, raw apple cider Vinegar
3-4 qts of filtered water
4 medium size onions coarsely chopped (I will only use 2 next time)
8 carrots peeled, coarsely chopped
2-4 zucchinis coarsely chopped (I used 2)
4 Tbsp of extra virgin coconut oil
½ c frozen green peas (I added these at the end after pureeing)
4 inches grated ginger
¼- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
6 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
1 lb green beans
1 bunch parsley
5 garlic cloves
2-4 Tbsp Celtic-Sea Salt (I added 2 tsp pepper)
Directions:
If using whole chicken: make sure to remove gizzards, and fat glands from cavity.
Place chicken or chicken pieces in large stainless steel pot (I used a large crock pot) with water, vinegar, garlic, ginger, salt, cayenne pepper, extra virgin coconut oil, and all vegetables (except parsley). Let stand for 10 minutes before heating. Bring to a boil, remove the scum that rises to the top. Cover and cook for 8-12 hours. The longer you cook the Stock the more cleansing it will be. **See my notes above about pureeing. 15 mins before finishing the stock, add parsley.(this imparts additional mineral ions to the broth)
Remove from heat, take out chicken. After it cools, remove chicken meat from carcass, discarding bones. Drop meat back into the soup. 

In addition to comforting soup, I brought out our Portable Holiday Puzzle.  I wanted to give little one something fun but low- key to do. Every November at the start of the holiday season we bring out a puzzle and keep it portable on a large bulletin board.  The cork of the board helps keep pieces from sliding off to the floor.  We love being able to move the puzzle from one room to another, but most of the time it stays at our dining room table.  When it is time for dinner, we simply move the board.  When company comes, we slide it under the couch out of site.

Another way we are helping my poor girl feel better is by keeping stocked up on super soft Kleenex tissues. I use boxed Kleenex tissues for home, but I especially love their little pocket packs.  We keep them in my purse, in the car, in lil’ ones soccer bag…they are just so cute and handy.  Avery loves the fun prints on the packages, and I am grateful for something soft to use on that cute little nose of hers!

Right now Target has a coupon for $1 of 4 packs or larger of Kleenex.  Stock up and be prepared for the season!

2
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Pumpkin Patch, Fall Allergies, & Kleenex Pocket Packet

 “This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #KleenexAllergy #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

August, September & October are the months of the year where my family suffers the most with allergies, thanks to ragweed season! My husband and 2 of my daughters are all on prescription nose spray right now because of allergies, and honestly the spray works GREAT!  As much as I try to stay away from meds, I have been very thankful for this particular prescription, as it keeps my husband from sniffing constantly (sniffing is NOT sexy) and it keeps my youngest from asthma attacks.  Her allergies and post nasal drip is what causes her attacks, so as long as we can keep her allergies under control, she can breath & so can her Momma!

Even though allergies are pretty under control now in our household, I still think I can benefit from having Kleenex brand tissues in my home.  You all know I’m pretty frugal and if you are a close friend and have needed a facial tissue in my home, you often would get handed a roll of tp.  Granted, it would always be a nice new roll, but still…I’m too frugal to buy a bunch of facial tissue…unless:

1.) They are the cute little Wallet Packet or Pocket Packet from Kleenex. Kleenex brand is so soft, and I love the small packet sizes.  They are so convenient!

2.) My family is in the middle of allergy season or are sick.  This doesn’t happen too often so I smile when my girls get excited about soft Kleenex tissue for their noses. I know when I do have Kleenex tissues on hand it makes them feel loved and cared for.  If they get sick it is one of the first things I throw in my basket.

 

3.) When I have an awesome coupon like this one that I can use at Target, a store I frequent anyway, so an extra trip is not needed!   The coupon offer?  Buy 1 Kleenex 4 pack, get 1 free wallet pack (2-pk) or 1 pocket pack (3-pk) -bothe are $1.00 value.  This offer is good while supplies last, so click here for coupon.  Because of this offer, my friends are not going to get handed a roll of tp when they come to our home and need a tissue,  as I will be able to stock up Kleenex and get free pocket packs to boot!

The Pocket Packet came in very handy just this last weekend.  I took two of my girls to the pumpkin patch and they both ended up needing to use tissues.  Between sitting on bales of hay (allergen), the smoke from the pit fire, and all the dust in the air from people walking around on dirt paths, it didn’t take long for my girls to start sniffing.  Having Kleenex on hand helped make our day at the pumpkin patch one that was full of smiles and memories!

 

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