A Green Way to Clip Coupons

In honor of Earth Day, read my article for Today's Mama about how to use digital coupons.  It's really easy and you will never show up to the store and realize you left your stack of coupons on the counter at home.  All you need is a smart phone and/or computer!

No Easter Candy?

Photo GummyBears! by TamyCherry

For many, Easter is a fun-filled holiday packed with Easter egg hunts, dyed eggs and lots of sweets and treats.  However, for a few Easter is a stressful time filled with many can'ts and no's.  My son has had food allergies and sensitivities his whole life and artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, and refined sugars (white sugar and HFCS) literally possess my son when he eats them.  This afternoon he happily gobbled up a treat size bag of gummy bears his sister brought home from a school egg hunt, but in about 45 minutes he was bouncing off the walls.  In three hours, he managed to....
Read the whole story and some possible ways to ease the stress here on Today's Mama.

An Alternative to Raw Milk

As many of you know, I drink raw milk.  Besides the fact I think it tastes so much better, its full of natural enzymes and vitamins that are "killed" off during pasteurization (some are added back in after pasteurization, but they are synthetic vitamins).  I am smart about it and understand the fears, concerns, and risks of drinking raw milk which is why I buy my raw milk from a state licensed raw milk provider.  However, with the bill HB75 up for debate in congress, the state (and lobbyists) have been a little scared and going after raw milk (IMHO).  Any who, the state has stepped in and prohibited my local farm from selling raw milk and so I have been forced to find an alternative.  I had purchased organic milk, but Jake's tummy has began to hurt and Lily's eczema is back.  A friend told me about a little store in Dallas that sold low pasteurized milk (vat pasteurized).  I had to check it out.  We've tried it and (while it's not raw milk) its a MUCH better alternative to ultra pasteurized milk.  The milk is also non-homogenized which means the milk and cream still separates, makes it feel a bit more natural :-).  One thing, they do offer low-fat and whole milk options, but be sure to grab the whole milk as your body needs the fat to digest the enzymes and vitamins (especially Vit A & D).  It's a complete waste to buy 2% and just have those goodies go straight through your body.  The Brand is Kalona Supernatural and I'm in love.  They sell cream, yogurt and buttermilk too - all vat pasteurized!  Here's a couple coupons if you'd like to check them out!  Once my farm is up and running again I will go back to raw milk, but for now, this is our new milk.  For those interested, the store that sells this milk is Natural Grocers in Dallas, they have several locations, but I went to the one at Coit & Campbell (think very small Whole Foods).

Great Deals on Kids Play

Kids go through toys so quickly so I'm always on the lookout for sales. Here's a few deals I found on some great toys to help you celebrate spring!

FREE Fun Days at Lone Star Park this month

Looking for something a little different to do this month with your family? Lone Star Park is having some great events for the family that won't hurt your wallet. This Sunday, April 17, they are having their Family Fun Day where the kids can ride ponies, meet SpongeBob SquarePants, enjoy bounce houses, face painting and so much more. AND here's how you get in absolutely FREE! They are also having events on April 23 and 24, but you can get in FREE anytime April 17 - July 10.

Fly a Kite

It has been so windy this week so on a whim, I decided to make kites with the kids this afternoon. I found a template online and drew something similar on construction paper for the kids (think Superman).

Next I let the twins cut out the shapes and decorate their kites. Since this was on a whim, I just grabbed whatever I had around the house so that meant we used Valentine's day ribbon for the tails, although crepe paper would be great too.

After we decorated and added our tail, I then folded the kite in half, then folded the flaps in too. You are just getting a good crease. Next I tied the corners with a string and then added our guide string (yarn would also work).

The kids LOVED making these and had a blast running around the yard with their kites. Of course today wasn't as windy as the past few days, but there was still enough to get those kites up.

Family Fun Day at Amon Carter

If you're looking for something to do with the kids this Sunday, head over to the Amon Carter Museum.  They are having lots of fun activities and crafts the whole family can participate in...and it's FREE!  Get the whole scoop, plus find out about their New Parent Tours in my post at Today's Mama.

30% off Spring Planting

Once April 1st arrives, I start thinking about what I'm going to plant in my flower beds.  I do have some salvia that comes back every year, but I need some more color. Luckily I just came across this 30% off coupon from Calloway's.  If you don't have a Calloway's near you or prefer to shop at Home Depot or Lowes, still print this out and take it with you - most of the time, they will accept competitors coupons (it is up to the manager though). Coupon expires April 10.

Free Museum and Arborteum Tickets

Spring is here and it's the perfect time to get out with your kids before it gets too hot around here.  Here are a few ways you can get free tickets to the Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Museum of Nature & Science (Children's Museum), and the Fort Worth Museum of Nature & Science.

Kids Bowl Free - All Summer Long!

If you haven't heard or checked out the summer program Kids Bowl Free, DO IT!  It's a fabulous program - all you have to do is register at a participating alley and your kids can bowl 2 games every day for FREE!  You can also snag a great Family Pass for $24.95 that gets up to 4 adults in for 2 games every day too.  That pays for itself at my alley in just 2 visits.  Check out all the details and get signed up!