Frugal Healthy Choices

Yoga Anytime

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:00:34 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gaiam for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I like to do my yoga workout from my home - being able to progress at my own speed and fitting it into my schedule is the main reason for not going anywhere else.

I knew practically nothing about Yoga when I started, so I kept my eyes open for previously used videos and dvd's in my travels.

I found plenty, and I would watch them before I used them to see if they were something I might like.

It didn't take me long to figure out the ones that I liked the best.

They were made by Gaiam, and they always had the best set-ups, instructors, and workouts.

Well, now there is another way to get videos for yoga, fitness, and health and wellness, and it doesn't involve fiddling with the video and dvd machines.

It is GaiamTV, which is a streaming video subscription that brings all things health, wellness, and exercise right to the computer, iPad, or smartphone.

You can take your workout with you where ever you go.

They offer over 2,000 titles of all types of workouts - yoga, cardio, pilates, and all the health and wellness info you can use.

Many of the top instructors will help you with your workout.

The best instruction is important to get the most benefits from your workout.

Each workout can be customized for each user, whether it be to loose weight, increase your energy, or sculpt your body.

One can make playlists and preview their selections before they use them, so finding the perfect one will be very easy.

I think the best part about GaiamTV is being able to to have access to their service all the time - twenty-four hours a day, seven day a week.

It is available when I am, with just the workout I want.

And it goes with me - I don't have to be in my living room with the VHS or DVD player.

I won't be interrupting the TV viewing to do my workout - I can use my computer or smartphone.

Gaiam offers a free ten day trial to check it out. Then, it is just $9.95 a month to stream unlimited content.

And one can cancel at any time since there is no commitment or strings attached.

Right now they are having a contest to win a free month's subscription and a yoga mat.

Keep updated on Twitter by following them @GaiamTV.

A Cooking Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:01:38 PST

Today was a freezing one outside, a high of 17 degrees.

But we were cooking up a storm on the inside, keeping the house nice and toasty and smelling good.

We made an extra large batch of cabbage rolls, and while we were at it, we added in a couple of stuffed peppers too.

Five pounds of cooked ground beef and pork mixture combined with five cups of cooked rice for the stuffing.

And two very large cabbages, precooked to make the baking part quicker.

We layered the leaves and filling instead of rolling them, and topped the whole thing with two large cans of pureed tomatoes that are seasoned just right.

The baking pan just barely fit in the oven it was so large.

There will be plenty to eat, freeze, and share for several meals.

And all for under a total of $20.

Wholesome, healthy, and homemade.

Can't beat that!

Man, I Hate That Scale

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:44:44 PST

I don't usually get too mad.

I tend to take things in stride and work through things that need it.

But when that stupid scale told me I gained 1 1/2 pounds this week, I was seeing red.

I have been very diligent these last few weeks on my morning and late afternoon exercise routines.

Very diligent.

And the eating has not been out of control either.

It is quite discouraging, and it makes one wonder: why bother?

As my husband kept telling me: Because it makes you feel good to do your exercises.

And that is worth it.

Besides, muscle weighs more than fat, but it's denser and smaller.

I suppose, but I still despise that scale.

I really felt like throwing it right out the door this morning - but I just would have regretted it later.

Perhaps not.

Saving Clips

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:38 PST

Ever find something while searching the internet that you are sure you can get back to at any time?

Other than bookmarking it, which can get very confusing very fast in the bookmark bar, there is a new way.

And you can even share your finds with your friends.

You don't have to send a link in an email.

Posting a link on a social page gets buried pretty quickly as more info gets posted.

By using the clipix website, you can save anything you find on the net and get back to it very easily.

When you save it, it gets added to a clipboard already set up for the particular subject you want to keep in it.

It's very organized and easy to share if you want.

You can also keep your clips private or share them with friends or share them with the entire Clipix community.

The above is a shot of the clipboard that I made for recipes.

One can share them on Facebook and Twitter, and they can have comments made on them too.

Check out the Clipix website to see how easy it is to use.

If you find you like it, leave me a comment to let me know how it worked for you.

The uses for it are endless!

Promoted Post

Chicken Tortilla Soup

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:53:43 PST

It has been a couple of years since I made some Chicken Tortilla soup.

I don't know why either.

It is easy and very inexpensive to make enough for several good meals.

Taking some chicken breasts out of the freezer, I thawed them last night.

I started the soup at ten o'clock this morning, and we were eating it for lunch a couple hours later.

Quickly cook the chicken, then add garlic, onions, two cans of diced or pureed tomatoes, chicken broth, cilantro, chili powder, cumin and broken up uncooked corn tortilla pieces.

Simmer for about an hour..

Shred the chicken and add more tortillas if it isn't thick enough.

Enjoy as-is or add some shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips if desired.

Yum!

More Savings on Phones

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:01:45 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all need to save money where we can these days.

And if you are looking for a new cell phone, then Sprint has a couple of new smart phones that just might catch your eye.

And they are being offered at very great deals - all the newest technology at very inexpensive prices.

The first phone is the Nexus S™ 4G.

This super fast 4G phone from Google is being offered for Free when you open a new line of service or add a line to your account.

It uses an Android powered platform and seamlessly integrates with the Google apps that make life easier.

This true multitasking smart phone is available online only for Free.

The second phone that Sprint has to offer is the HTC EVO™ 3D.

This speedy smart phone has 3D display.

It also has an Android platform, and this phone is being offered for $49.99 when you have a new line of service or add a new line to your account.

As with the first deal, this phone for $49.99, is only available online.

The activation fees are waived by Sprint for new lines of service, and the shipping is free at sprint.com.

Good Deals For Us

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:00:43 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We are always shopping for a deal.

Paying more for a product at one store just doesn't set well with us when we know we can get a better deal at another store.

This attitude towards shopping has helped us during these hard economic times.

And it is funny to hear others talking now about how they have discovered new ways of saving money by really watching how they shop.

This way of life for us is a new discovery for many today, and that is a good thing, especially for families with children.

And another way to save even more is with the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club that offers families and individuals the opportunity to get discount prices on over 8,000 brand name and all generic medications and prescriptions.

For $35 a year, the family plan offers these discount to a spouse, dependents 22 years old and younger, and the family pets.

An individual plan is $20 for a year.

The plan also includes discounts on flu shots, nebulizers, diabetic supplies, and pet prescriptions.

Bonuses are also earned when the Walgreens brand products are purchased and when you use their photofinishing services.

Keep updated with them by following Walgreens on Twitter and liking Walgreens on Facebook.

New Smells in the House

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:28 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are some new smells in the house these days and they are a welcomed change from the traditional smells we are all used to.
Packaged in a stylish and pretty dispenser, the new Glade® Expressions™ fragrance mist is very easy to use.
It sits on a table top waiting to be squeezed so it can spray its scented mist into the air.
And when it is empty - it can be easily refilled with your favorite scent.
For those who like to have a continuous scent wafting through the home, there is the new Glade® Expressions™ oil diffuser.
This option for fragrance lasts for 30 days and it doesn't use electricity to work.
It's pretty no-spill design works in any decor.
Both of these scent options offer long lasting fragrance that fills the home with life.
They both come with a fragrance satisfaction guarantee.
If you are not happy with your scent, just mail the original UPC and receipt with the purchase price on it within thirty days of your purchase.
They have a form available here if you are unsatisfied.
Both of these products are available at Walmart. And to save on their already low prices, there is a coupon for a $1.50 available here.
I will be checking out the Spice Lavender and Juniper Berry Spray Mist. A new scent will be in the house shortly.

New Yoga Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:02:26 PST

We hit the sales today.

I usually do my exercises in an old pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

While looking through the clearance racks at one of our favorite stores, I found a real bargain.

One I couldn't resist - make that two I couldn't resist.

A pair of very comfortable stretch yoga pants was on sale for $3.00, and they were my size.

I am not one to wear form fitting clothes, but this deal was just too good to pass on.

Finding a matching shirt for $9 sealed the deal, and they both came home with me.

And they are so comfortable!

I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing them in a gym, but in my own home - they are perfect.

Glad I "looked" outside the box - I've been missing some comfy clothes!

Bending is a Breeze

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:52:46 PST

It didn't used to be.

My head would pound.

I could barely bend over at the waist.

I certainly couldn't touch anywhere near the floor.

I would be out of breath when I came back up.

I was a mess.

Then, yoga had me bending, bending, and bending again.

At first the hands went to just below the knees.

Then they advanced to the calves and then the feet.

They are now on the floor.

Granted it is only the fingertips, but since yoga is a progressive thing, those hands will be flat on that floor someday.

And I love to bend now - it is so easy with no after affects!

Back to Counting the Steps

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:31:51 PST

I am back to counting my steps on the Beewell For Life website.

They are doing something a bit different this year.

Instead supporting only Breast Cancer causes, they are also including Diabetes and Women's Heart causes as well.

And coming in March, after they have rebuilt the program, the users can choose which cause they want to donate their miles to.

They will also be having new challenges and of course the healthy tips and meals will still be ongoing.

Looking forward to the changes as we track our miles each day on the site.

Stay tuned for updates - as I learn more, I will post it here.

Stretching That Soap

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:27:51 PST

They have been getting smaller and smaller - those bottles of dish soap.

But the prices have stayed the same or gone up a bit.

They are supposed to be more concentrated so you get more for the money out of a bottle.

That would probably work if everyone used less instead of the same amount.

So, a few years ago, I started keeping a separate bottle, and mixing some of that dish soap with water.

It certainly went a lot farther, and the same amount was being used just the same by everyone.

And it didn't affect the suds in the sink - there were always enough.

This small trick has saved us money, and I still buy the good brands as they are the best latherers.

But I only do so when they are on sale - and a coupon is always a bonus!

Savings at Walgreens

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:00:41 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Walgreens and Express Script are parting ways when it comes to filling prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.

And there are many customers that are very upset with this news.

Instead of having the friendly pharmacist fill their prescriptions, they will have to use a mail service to get their medications.

Worries are abound as to where these medicines are coming from.

They know it will not be the reliable pharmacy that they trust who can answer their questions and make sure all goes well each month with the refills.

To help make the transition a bit easier on them, the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is offering a special discount on their annual membership plan.

This plan offers savings on over 8,000 brand name medicines and all the generic medications too.

In addition to our prescriptions, they also offer discounts on pet prescriptions, flue shots, nebulizers, and diabetic supplies.

Members even earn bonuses when they purchase Walgreens brand products.

For individuals, it costs $5 for membership for a year.

A family membership, which includes a spouse, dependents who are 22 and younger, and pets, costs $10 for a year that receives discount prices on prescriptions.

Show your support for this pharmacy by following Walgreens on Twitter and by liking Walgreens on Facebook.

Counting Steps Socially

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:31 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cafe Well for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As most of my readers already know, for the past couple of years, I have used a pedometer to count my steps and monitor my walking.

I would track the numbers online and it would go towards helping a worthwhile organization at the end of the year.

Cafe Well has taken this idea to a new level.

Using a social network and wireless pedometers, participants track their steps when they walk or run.

A wellness program called Race to the Moon rewards them for their total steps and milestones along the way.

This program offers incentives and is fun for the participants.

That is the secret to the program's success - competition and talking with others about their progress keeps the users interested and wanting to accomplish more.

This Race to the Moon program is open to certain Health America members in their partnership with Cafe Well.

Creating a health care challenge sounds like a lot of fun too.

If it were based on eating healthy food, then that would be a double advantage to this program.

Not only would the users be exercising with their walking or running, they would also be eating better.

Eating healthier food will help with weight issues and will give an overall feeling of well being.

Little steps at a time to get us feeling and being healthier is always a good thing.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:16:16 PST

We love pumpkin pie, but it doesn't always love us.

Actually, it isn't the the pumpkin filling that is the problem, it is the crust.

For years I used one that contained shortening as an ingredient.

Well, those hydrogenated fats just weren't agreeing with us.

So, I went to a butter recipe that was oh so delicious.

Once again, the fat was not agreeing with my system.

My husband was never too crazy about pie crust to begin with, so I thought about trying something different for the pumpkin.

I mixed the filling per my recipe, but instead of putting it in a pie dish, I filled six custard cups with it.

Putting them in a baking dish filled with water, I baked the cups per my recipe.

Keeping a close eye on them, it took about twenty minutes less than the whole pie takes to cook.

After they cooled, we dug in.

They were so good - cooked perfectly just like in the pie.

We now think of them as a "veggie" serving instead of a dessert.

And they are the perfect size in those cups, with a lot less fat and calories to worry about!

Lasagna Tip

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:28:51 PST

We finally got everything together to make a large batch of lasagna.

A really large batch of it - enough to freeze a couple of dinners and a couple of lunches after we eat our fill of it now.

We had the meat in the freezer, which we bought on sale over time.

All we had to get was the cheese, so it made making this meal quite a bit easier on the pocket.

There are tons of recipes out there for lasagna - both with cooked and uncooked noodles.

But what I have found that works best is soaked noodles.

No hassle of cooking them, or having to try to figure the correct amount of liquid for the uncooked ones.

Soaking them for 15 minutes in a tray of water that has been boiled is all that is necessary.

It keeps the noodles from being too soggy from all the cooking, and too dry because they absorbed all the fluids.

I have used this method for years, and the lasagna is perfect every time - whether it's a regular batch or a really large batch.

Dinner is going to be so good tonight!

Watching Those Triglycerides

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:51:06 PST

Oh those Triglycerides.

Normal levels of them need to be 150 or lower.

Mine are 240, which are on the high side.

But the good news concerning them - they are the easiest to bring back under control.

It all has to do with the amount and type of calories that one consumes.

Triglycerides are what store the unused calories and when they are too high in the blood, it means one has been eating too many starchy and fatty foods.

So, by lowering those types of food, the triglycerides will come down on their own.

Now, I am not a big consumer of fatty foods, but those starches, well, we have way too cozy a relationship.

Pasta, rice, bread, I just love them all.

And I always thought the fiber they provided was of most importance, so eating them had to be all right.

I am going to have to pay close attention to how much of them I eat from now on - it certainly beats having to go on medication for something that is totally controllable.

Watching the Weight

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:43 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It has been a life long thing, this battle with weight loss.

It's not that I am overly overweight, but if I were to loose about thirty pounds, I would be right on the mark according to the weight chart.

I have always kept up a good exercise routine, which is a good thing - I can only imagine how many more pounds I would be overweight if I didn't.

And of course, with the holidays here, a few extra pounds are sure to find their way onto the hips anyway.

Years ago, I tried a diet plan called Slim-Fast.

It was a very simple plan - all they offered were powered shakes, but it worked for what I needed it for.

They are still around after all these years, and they have made some major improvements.

They now have a Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan that includes shakes, snacks, and real food.

The plan involves eating three of the Slim-fast delicious snacks, and two of their new improved, already mixed shakes as meals during the day.

One meal is a balanced 500 calorie one that is made with real food.

It sounds pretty easy to follow, and I am most anxious to try that Chewy Chocolate Crisp bar shown above.

My kind of diet - one that includes chocolate!

Check out the tips and stories about Slim-Fast on Facebook and give them a 'LIKE'.

You can find the Slim-Fast products in department stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway, and Kroger, and online at Amazon and the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Store on Facebook.

Lipid Panel Test

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:13:45 PST

It's been a few years since I had one done, so I went for a lipid panel blood test a couple of weeks ago.

Cholesterol is what this test is all about, and the numbers are now in.

It registered at 212.

It should be under 200, but other factors are also taken into account.

The HDL, which is the good cholesterol, and the LDL, the bad cholesterol.

My good was 49, and since it is supposed to be over 40, mine is a good number.

The LDL is a factored figure, which I will get into on my next post.

The prognosis: my levels are good, keep up with the low fat diet and exercise.

In my next post I will discuss the triglycerides and the part they play in figuring the bad cholesterol.

Holiday Frames

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:26 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I think I have seen just about everything now.

For those who like to really show off their holiday spirit, Zenni Optical makes eyeglasses that have frames designed for the holiday season.

And they are really cute - check out the colorful candy cane and Christmas trees ones shown above.

Now, most people spend so much on their glasses, that the thought of buying a pair to wear just during the Christmas season just isn't possible.

But those folks don't know about purchasing cheap eyeglasses online at Zenni.

They make such affordable glasses, that one can have a pair for every season.

And since it is Christmas time, the money saved by purchasing them online will come in real handy when shopping for all the people on your list.

You may even be able to get a few gifts you couldn't even consider because they were out of the budget range.

And if glasses are the Christmas gift, then head over to the Zenni website and check out what they have to offer.

Tons of stylish frames to choose from, and at their prices, picking up a spare pair would be a wise decision.

Leave me a comment to let me know which ones are your favorites.

Deciding isn't easy, but it is a lot of fun to browse through them all.

Applebee's Giftcard Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:01:04 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

For all the Applebee's fans out there - be sure to read this post .

You could be the lucky winner of a $25 Applebee's giftcard during this coming week of giveaways on Facebook.

Each day there will be a card given away during the week of 12/10 through 12/18.

And how does one enter to win one of the card giveaways?

Well, that's the easy part.

All you have to do is like the Gift Card Weekend on Facebook.

And it doesn't stop there.

Each one of your friends can earn extra chances of winning by how much "like" they influence.

If you happen to be one of the lucky winners, the card can be redeemed during the Gift Card Weekend of January 6-8, 2012.

There are many featured offers available from these fine retailers also:

JCPenny
Regal Cinema
Subway
Sephora
Applebee's
Bass Pro Shops
Adidas
Buca di Beppo
Lowes
Spa Finder
Marriott
Giant Eagle

Be sure to come back and check the page each day - there are gift cards to be given away for the whole month to the best places to eat, shop, and pamper yourselves.

It's easy, it's fun, and best of all, it's free to enter to win!

Exercise Motivation

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:18:43 PST

I was reading a fellow blogger's post today, and she asked at the end of her post:

What gets you motivated to keep up with an exercising routine?

I thought about that one for a bit, and the thing that keeps me going is that it feels so good after it is done.

There are some times when it just isn't happening, but for the most part, since I sit at a computer for much of my day, I know I have to have an exercise routine.

It took me a long time to get my muscles built up to do the exercises, and I don't want to loose them.

My routine doesn't have me loosing any weight, but it keeps me moving.

I try to do it at the same time everyday.

When I am short on time, I still try to get a few minutes in.

A few here and there adds up though the day when there is no chance for the whole routine.

The Yoga exercises that I have recently discovered add a whole new spin on the exercise routine.

I really miss them when I don't do them.

So, yes, my answer is, it feels so good after I do them that I don't want to miss doing them.

And who doesn't want to feel good?

Mediterranean Flatbread

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:44:39 PST

We have a new recipe to add to our growing collection.

It is for Mediterranean Flatbread.

We tried this style of bread for the first time last week as there was a loaf on the markdown rack.

What a treat it was - especially when we warmed it up in the oven.

Crisp on the outside, yet so tender on the inside.

And the taste was oh so good.

We just had to find out how to make it ourselves.

We made a batch this afternoon, and we are so pleased with the results.

It was so easy to do, and I can see us using it in the future for pizza too, only we will spread it a bit thinner for the crust.

If you haven't tried this style of bread before, give it a try - warmed in the oven.

I think you will be pleased!

Yoga Update

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:07:59 PST

It has been almost two months now, and I am still enjoying the Yoga exercises.

The flexibility has increased quite a bit.

And the ease of movement in doing everyday activities is an added benefit.

Many of the poses were just about impossible to attain, forget about holding them for any length of time in the beginning.

Some of them are still difficult to do, but I can see progress, and someday I hope to be able to do them.

It really does take concentration to keep one's balance at times, but I can feel the strength building in many areas - the ankles, knees, and arms.

I have been using one particular VHS tape that runs for almost 45 minutes.

And I just about have it down pat now so I can do it without the tape.

I will keep looking for another one that uses some different poses, but is beyond the beginner ones that I have now.

Yoga is definitely a positive choice for a healthy lifestyle.

I recommend it!

A Deal on Security

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:01:12 PST

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Norton Small Business by Symantec for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Running a business online is a rewarding experience.

Keeping up with the technology that gears your online business can sometimes be a headache though.

Learning how everything is put together for a computer system is hard enough, but when you start learning about the software and what it takes to keep it running, then it starts to get overwhelming.

And all of that on top of keeping the business running smoothly.

It's a big job holding it all together.

There is no time to have a virus infect your computer system.

But they do, all the time, especially if the computer doesn't have the correct protection.

Norton Small Business by Symantec is a software program that all business owners should have in their computer.

And as of this posting, you can get 30% off Norton Small Business Products now.

Having your computer down while you try to figure out how to fix it can be devastating to a business.

And not to mention that it could compromise your customer database and all their information.

We have always used the Norton Internet Security product, and will updating to the 2012 version as we do each year.

Check out how Norton can help you and your computer and leave a comment to let me know what works best for you.

Saving money while protecting your computer is a good thing!