I'm Losing My Marbles!

There are definitely a few times a week if not more that I feel like I am losing my marbles in one way or another as I navigate through this crazy and wonderful life!  I really am losing my actual marbles every week, and it's one of the best little things keeping me grateful and in the moment.  It's actually something we've implemented called Legacy Marbles.  It was introduced to us in a sermon one Sunday at church.  The idea is that you only get 936 weeks from the time your child is born to the time they leave the house after high school graduation.  The concept is if we count our weeks, we make our weeks count more.  It's had an amazing impact on me.  It's helped me to focus more on what matters most, and spend more quality time with my kids.  My conversations are different with them, and I find myself enjoying moments more.  Every Sunday night I take a marble out of each kids jar and put it away in the bag the marbles came in.  It's a weekly ritual I've come to enjoy.  I meditate on the victories and even the shortcomings of the week, and say some prayers as I look forward to the next week.  Over time, you can see the marble levels decreasing.  This is not meant to depress, but rather to inspire us to perhaps live our days a little more intentionally.  In addition to the book, I bought the precounted bag of marbles.  You could buy your own, but last I calculated, the price is about the same, and it's worth it not to have to count them all!  You will have to count a while lot of them if you already have kids.  That was the hardest part!  I may have missed taking a marble or 2 out here and there, but I'll figure that out during the last few weeks of high school and adjust it then.  There are also special marbles for birthdays, graduation, and special events in the child's life.    I used 2 vases I found at the 99 Cent Store to display the marbles in.  One thing I thought about as I write this post - I really need to put some museum clay on them. We live in earthquake country and one big jolt would send them flying everywhere!  Check out this link HERE for more information on Legacy Marbles, the accompanying book, and how to purchase your own.  Cheers to losing your marbles!

Join the Farm Large Share Meal Plan - Week of 7/20/14

Large Share Box Contents:
Carrots
Cucumber 
Green Onions
Fennel
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Swiss Chard
Crookneck Squash
Lemon
Lemongrass
Green Beans
Oranges
Bell Pepper
Beets
Avocado
Zucchini
Watermelon
Casaba Melon

The Usuals (Stuff I make almost every time we get our box!):
Cut up Carrots, Bell Pepper & Cucumber to dip in hummus
Lemon Water
Avocado - Good plain, with scrambled eggs and in quesadillas. For a dairy free quesadilla, give Daiya Cheese a try - it melts the best!
Watermelon, Casaba & Oranges are amazing snacks in this summer heat - try infusing some in water too!
Fennel roasted with salt, pepper & parmesan

Lemongrass Tea
Imake a big batch of hot tea then simply save the rest in a pitcher that I put in the fridge for later to drink as iced tea.  I prefer the taste without any sweeteners.
If you don't want to do tea, try this:  Black Rice with Coconut (and Lemongrass)

Roasted Tomatillo & Tomato Salsa 

Roasted Beet Crostini

Zucchini Spaghetti (Zoodles!) & Meatballs - I'll be using Trader Joe's Vegan Meatballs

Green Bean Salad

Spicy Bean Soup - Using Crookneck Squash & Bell Pepper

Enjoy!

5 Tips for Shopping at the 99 Cent Store

1.  Find the Healthier Items:  Stores get different items in throughout the year.  While there are a lot of junk foods there, you can still find some healthier options.  In my opinion, even these healthier options are on the junkier side (whole and homemade foods usually being the best), but you can score some good finds that are perfect for days when you are out and about.  In my recent trip I got pretzels (which are there quite often), organic cheese crackers (for my dairy tolerant kid), applesauce pouches (I would prefer organic, but for every once in a while I'll get this), Honest Organic Juice, yogurt covered raisins and regular raisins.  There is usually a good selection of dried fruit and occasionally some granola bars that are not entirely sugar laden.  This is the perfect example of snacks I would stock up on for a family trip, as mentioned in my post "A Frugal Family's Path to Disneyland."

2.  Be on the Lookout for Name Brands and Better Quality Items:  You typically won't find great quality items, but occasionally some sneak in.  This week I found a pack of Hanes girls underwear, and sunglasses and tights of brands you will find at some big retailers.  You also can't go wrong with things like flip flops.  I like to get these for my kids to wear to the pool or beach.  I stocked up on a few sizes!  I also found my favorite kids flossers there.  Watch out though - a few weeks ago I got a pack of 60 plain white flossers, while these are only a pack of 30.  This brings me to my next tip.

3.   Read Labels Carefully!:  Something my look like a better deal, but if you look at the quantity you are getting, that may not be the case.  Take note of how much product you are actually getting to see if it is comparable to what you get at a grocery store.  Also note the expiration dates!  Sometimes items end up at the 99 Cent store because they are close to expiring.  If you are going to use them right away, go for it.

4. Shop the 99 Cent Store First, Before You Head to the Grocery Store:  This is important, especially if you do not use coupons or if you are on a little hiatus from couponing. I just finished such a hiatus and am glad to be back in the swing of things.  It was so nice to score some deals on things like toothpaste and flossers before I headed to the grocery store.  Discover what your 99 Cent store staples are.  One of my staples is band aids.  My kids go through band aids like crazy!  They love these animal print ones.  I also like stocking up on dried beans and veggie pasta. You could most likely find just as good if not better deal on dried beans at a store that sells bulk items, but these are good in a pinch. 

5.  Don't Forget Your Party Supplies:  Planning a party?  Wrapping a gift?  Shop here first for these items.  I don't think I've bought a gift bag in a long time because I keep recycling them, but if you do need one, don't pay over a dollar!  I was able to stock up on some party favors for a birthday party.

Did I mention they often have Disney items?!  I grabbed these items to add to my Disney swag bags - a collection of a few things I'm getting on the cheap to avoid the high priced gift shops at Disneyland.

I leave you with some other finds.  What are some of your best finds?