The Lenzi Family Times

Getting My Life Back, Finally!

2013-07-30T12:47:00.001-04:00

In January, I vowed to myself this was it! No matter what, I was not going to quit. I was going to the gym four to six days a week, doing cardio and strength training. I was adding new excercises that my husband would incorporate. (He is a previous power lifter with national and state championships.) Our entire family had started incorperating clean eating. Before long, April was here and I was at my routine kidney specialist appointment. Not one pound shed and the realization that I could not hide from the biopsy anymore. By May, not another pound shed and biopsy came and went. Frustrated, confused and depressed! My biopsy came back that everything was great! I was estactic, after two years of doctor visit after doctor visit. But then, what is wrong with me? I mean, the obvious- I need to lose weight. But, there has to be something wrong that I am not. PCOS had been ruled out. Then, was onto my thyroid. There is no way- I have had it tested how many times in the past. Then, my OB called me that I had hypothyroidism. My PCP was telling me that my numbers were fine. UGH!!! How frustrating!! After night after night of crying from frustration and fighting with doctors to run more tests, I decided the only way any of this is getting any better if I once and for all lost the weight. While, I have all the syptoms of Hashimoto's, it is so difficult to diagnose. Plus- I dont want to be any more life sustaining medication than I already am. Therefore, I started working out harder, eating more clean... still NOTHING! More tears and frustration.

A friend approached my husband about starting Advocare and becoming a distributor. We were already familiar with the products and they had worked in the past, but we never stuck with it. We still continued to order Spark on occasion (MY ABSOLUTE ADDICTION!!!) It is a great oppurtunity, why not? So- my hubby jumped on the boat and started his 24 day challenge. Within a few days, I was seeing results. He was cleaning... yes, I mean- cleaning, not the typical "hey honey I got some stuff done" and everything looks exactly the way it was when you left. He was feeling good about himself. The "man boobs" were going away! (Sorry, honey- I had too!) :) He lost 11 pounds and 11 inches during his 24 day challenge while building muscle for an upcoming competition in November.

Still, with all these results, I held back. Why would this work when nothing else has?!?! Well-- he starting catching up. :( I felt defeated. No woman wants to be bigger than her guy. Right?!?

LETS DO THIS THING!!! I finally ordered it! Anxiously awaiting it to come in the mail. Following the change in eating was not difficult (aside from my cheese addiction.) It was pretty much what our family had been following. Within a couple days, I felt ALIVE!!! Not only was I working out in the mornings, we go walking at night when we have the chance. Every day, I would continue to push hard! My motivation was through the roof because my body felt rejuvenated! There was no questions that changes were coming!

Anxiously awaiting my husband to wake up and take all my measurements this morning! Today is my day 11!!!! Hopped on the scale.... . NO WAY!!! It finally moved, I mean it MOVED!!! Chills up my spine.... SEVEN POUNDS LOST!!! WHAT??!! Im only through the cleanse phase!!!

Finally-- my husband is doing my measurements and I am dying to see the results as he keeps hiding them from me... 13 1/2 INCHES!!!! I honestly just wanted to cry in JOY!

SOMETHING WORKED FOR ME!!!! Today, I start phase two and I cannot be more than estactic going in and more motivated!

August 12, 2013 will be MY day, just in enough time before MY FIRST 5K!!!!!

More results to come! :)

PLEASE, if you are interested at all in what we are doing, please email me Rebecca or my husband, Mike OR message me on facebook. . . YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

Advocare is saving my life!!!

18 Days Until my Baby is a Kindergartener!

2012-08-17T15:47:00.003-04:00

For anyone who knows me, they know my babies are my life! When I became a mom on March 9 2007... I was overjoyed, anxious and then the thoughts of "is he really ours??" Those beautiful blue eyes that sparkle when they look at you, I was in love! At five years old, I can honestly say that my baby has a heart of gold! He is full of manners (most days) and always has common curtosey. Kindergarten is going to be a wonderful experience for him to grow.

More than anything in life, I wish that I teach my children how to grow into beautiful people and always stay true to themselves. In the world we live in, I always worry with the influences around my babies. So many sad things in the news. But as parent it is our job to protect our child and make sure they love one another.

Please share your experiences sending your babies into school. How do you prepare you kids?

God Bless!

$1 COUPON AND Possibly FREE Oscar Meyer Selects Product!

2012-07-11T14:12:00.001-04:00

Head on over to the Oscar Mayer Facebook page, click on the Taste-A-Monial tab, and share a Taste-A-Monial to print a coupon for $1.00 off a pack of Oscar Mayer Selects hot dogs or cold cuts.

Thanks Couponing to Disney!!!

Starbucks Freebie on Friday!

2012-07-11T14:06:00.000-04:00

Stop by any Starbucks location on Friday, July 13, 2012, to get a free Tall (12 oz) Handcrafted Refreshers beverage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
No purchase is necessary. One per person.

GOALS for 2012

2012-01-04T14:51:00.001-05:00

Every year, we all make a new years resolution. This year, I am not only making a new years resolution, I am going to be setting a years worth of goals. Some little, some big... but ones I KNOW I can accomplish if I really put my mind to it with some help.

Acts of Kindness/ Paying it Forward- There is a lack of this is our world anymore and it can be the most simplest thing and it Contagious!

Read one book monthly.
For everyone that knows me, this may be a real challenge. But it is about putting time aside for myself and
learning new things to help better myself.

Monthly date night with my husband.
With kids, work and school... we lack time together. This could be as little as going to see a Sunday matinee
together or taking a stroll in the park.

Mommy/ Michiah time and Daddy/ Michiah time at least once a month.
This has something I said over and over again before our daughter was born nine months ago, but sometimes
life gets in the way. I want to make this a priority!

Increase savings, decrease debt/ spending
Being frugal, increas use of coupons and decrease any spending that is not needed ( my Amazon habit) and
setting aside more saving for our emergency fund.

Become natural
Between my kidney disease and my sons eczema, we have really started to become more aware of what we
are putting on and in our bodies.

Organize my photos better and keep them in albums
the digital world has made me lazy with this

Home made projects
ie there are clothes of my kids that I just cannot part with. I want to use them to make a blanket for them.

Become more spontaneous!

Become more involved in our church!
I would really like to get our nursery up and running again.

Cook more by using a menu plan
which will help with another goal of decreasing eating out/ fast food

Get Healthy!
Since being diagnosed with kidney disease within the last year, being at the early stages-- its all of me with
prevention. Losing weight and exercising as well as watching

Plan/ re- organize office.
It feels like no matter what we do, its paper paper paper and things get shuffled which doesnt help when you
lose a bill.

Teach my son how to read :)
I recently, well maybe not so recent, bought the hooked on phonics to teach preschoolers how to read. He has
really be itching and been doing wonderful with sight words.

Become more positive daily!

Laugh MORE

Love MORE

BE ME!

DIY CORKER BOWS

2011-11-15T16:10:00.001-05:00

So, anyone been wanting to take on the task of making bows? Since my little girl was born, I have been itching too. We still have a while for hair, but these go great on crochet bands. I used the do it yourself tutorial directions from The Ribbon Retreat. I made oodles and oodles of this last weekend. I bought my dowel rod at Lowes and had it cut into three peices.

DIY: NO SEW BLANKETS

2011-11-15T15:43:00.001-05:00

First, you want to choose two pieces of fleece. You can choose two pieces that are the same pattern, two different patterns, two plain colors or a pattern on one side and a plain color on the other. I chose to use on patterned and one colored. The two that I made for a child, measured 1 1/2 yards and the one I made for an adult was two yards. You may need to judge by the height of the person you are making it for. Take the peices and align them together. Make sure that you trim edges if needed to make them even. Some of the patterned material has an edging with the company's name. This too will need cut off. Cut the strips about one inch and one inch apart. Tie the strips hand over hand, switching right to left if you prefer so that the patterned side and plain side go back and forth. Then, there you have it! Enjoy!

PSSST...

2011-11-08T09:31:00.000-05:00

Make sure you sign up for Psssst... and get some GREAT coupons and samples!

Right now, sign up and get a 1.10 off coupon on cereal bars!

SUPPORT OUR VETERANS BY PRINTING COUPONS!!!

2011-11-05T18:36:00.000-04:00

Head to Believe in Heroes to print a load of valuable coupons!

These 51 coupons include:
Advil
Clorox Bleach
Hormel Pepporoni
Sargento Shredded Cheese
Angel Soft Toilet Paper
Pop Secret
Spleda
Aleve

and that is just to mention a few!!!

Hormel Foods Coupons

2011-11-05T18:27:00.000-04:00

Head over to www.hormel.com for some great printable coupons!

Sun Maid 10,000 Movie Ticket Give Away

2011-11-05T18:24:00.000-04:00

Sun Maid is giving away 5,000 pairs of movie tickets!!! Go to www.sunmaidprize.com to enter to win!

EVEN MORE 4x6 PICTURES FOR FREE @ Walgreens

2011-11-04T13:33:00.000-04:00

Head over to Walgreens, Use coupon code FREE4X6 and choose in-store pickup. You’ll get 25 photos for free to pick up at your local store.

The photo deals just keep rolling!

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

NO MORE RACK DEAL: ANGRY BIRD ALARM CLOCK $9 Shipped!

2011-11-03T14:24:00.000-04:00

Angry Birds Classic Alarm Clock

Style: Angry Birds Classic Alarm Clock

You Save: $17.99 (72%)

Head over to No More Rack and get an Angry Birds alarm clock for $9 shipped!!! As you can tell from my previous post on Halloween costumes, we love Angry Birds in our house! I just purchased one that I will put away for my son for Christmas! :)

Thank you Penny Pinching Mom!

HOME MADE: ANGRY BIRDS AND THE PIG

2011-11-03T13:47:00.001-04:00

Last halloween, I challenged myself that I would make my son's costume the next Halloween. He was a very Handsome Scooby Doo, but draining the bank fifty bucks for something he would where one time! OUCH! Halloween was getting very expensive, not to mention all the treat bags and goodies for daycare AND preschool.

Michiah decided he wanted to be an Angry Bird for Halloween. Sure, I said, but truly I was thinking how the heck was I going to pull this one off. To stay with the same theme, we decided to dress our 6 month old daughter as the green pig from Angry Bird. I proscrastinated, but finally went to Joann Fabrics carrying a 40% off of one item coupon of course. :)

I grabbed a yard of red fleece, multiple peices of felt red thread, needles, elastic, tool, headband, and feathers. Total spent: $26. The joy of my son: Priceless!

I went home and my journey began. Little by little, I freehanded the whole costume. I found a light green sleeper on ebay to complete my daughters costume and the results:

My son had on a red "cape" that looked like wings. I was so excited to hear all the wonderful comments. So much so that I say bring on the challenge of next years costume!

$35 Kidkraft Wooden Train on AMAZON with FREE shipping!!!

2011-11-03T13:47:00.000-04:00

****CHUG A CHUG A CHOOO CHOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo!

Head over to Amazon and pick up the Wooden Railway 70-pc. Construction Train track Set by KidKraft reduced to $34.99 shipped (from $59.99.)

Thank you, She Saved!

BUY TWO GET TWO YANKEE CANDLE COUPON

2011-11-03T13:46:00.000-04:00

Stock up on those Christmas Presents! You can never go wrong with candles!
Click for Coupon.

Patience, Anyone?

2011-11-02T09:33:00.000-04:00

We all get pulled in when we take our children for pictures, even though we prep ourselves to not buy every picture. For some reason the photographer can get the picture that you want. Granted since we have added number two to the mix, pictures have become more frustrating. While, I do take my kids to get professional pictures taken, in between time, I set the scene and take them at home. You will need a lot of patience, especially when you have more than one child.

I wanted to take full advantage of the Walgreens deal of 40 free 4x6 pictures since Christmas is coming and our christmas cards are already bought and I just need to add a picture. So, even though my husband was at work, I went for it on my own. While, I beg you to please have a couple people on standby helping you.

"Smile"

"Look at the Camera"

One would think that the baby would have been the hardest, however my four year old would never look at me and smile at the same time. Once I would get him to smile and look at the camera, my daughter would be grabbing at his tie and chewing on it. So, you really do need time and patience to complete this task.

After 88 pictures, I was able to get one picture of the two of them together. While, I was completely exhausted at the end of all these pictures, it was so worth it!

Children's Place 15% OFF and GREAT deals!!!

2011-11-01T13:41:00.000-04:00

CHRISTMAS SAVINGS ON TOYS

2011-11-01T11:02:00.000-04:00

There are some HIGH VALUE printable coupons at Fisher Price! Start stocking up on those Christmas Presents! Let me know if you come across any great matches! Thanks!

EXPIRED WALGREENS PHOTO DEAL, EXPIRING TODAY!!!

2011-11-01T10:49:00.000-04:00

~~Walgreens Photo~~ is offering 40 FREE 4×6″ Photo Prints! Get caught up on all those pictures you have stored in your camera that you have been neglecting! I will be doing the kids pictures for our Christmas cards. :) Make sure to chose in store pick up so you are not paying for shipping.

~~Order 40~~ ~~4×6″ Photo Prints~~
Use Promo Code: DRUGSTORE40
~~Chose In-Store Pickup~~
~~Final Price: FREE!~~

~~Remember... this expires tonight! Hurry!~~

~~Thanks~~ ~~Thrifty Mama!!!~~

Saying "NO" to Cable

2011-10-30T22:21:00.001-04:00

Two years ago we thought we were making a huge sacrifice by giving up our cable. Football was on my husbands mind deterring him from saying yes. Frustration is the only thing that could describe my feelings every time the bill came in the mail. It was never the same price every month. I mean, lets face it, besides hgtv, football, and nickelodeon... We really only watch abc, NBC and CBS anyway. Finally, we just canceled it. We were paying about $60 a month. That is $624 a year!! We did sign up for Netflix! Which we love! Since the new switch, we still stream at $8 a month ($96 a year.) total savings: 528 dollars a year! I can honestly say I do not miss it! Netflix has also added a ton recently to streaming, including every episode of "Clean House." There is unlimited shows of Thomas, Veggie Tales, and Word World for our son.

Do you have cable? Have you ever considered putting an end to all those cable bills? Share your thoughts and comments...

You are looking a little SHAGGY!

2011-10-30T22:10:00.001-04:00

When my husband and I were dating, he once asked me to cut his hair. Eeeek! Do what?!?! That is some trust! I gave it a shot as he walked me through step by step. Ten years later, I'm still cutting it and have to admit I have a knack for it! It takes me a little more time than your typical hairdresser, but I can honestly say I've never really screwed up. :) In the last year, I have started to cut my sons hair as well. For the cost of clippers (about 20 to 25 bucks) and good scissors (15 dollars,) I'm saving loads of money. For both my husband and son to get there hair cut, it costs $30, times that by twelve.... We save 360$ a year!!! :)

PUMPKINS EVERYWHERE

2011-10-27T09:23:00.000-04:00

What to do with all those uncarved pumpkins laying around?!?! Well, with the supposive upcoming shortage in canned pumpkin, why not use it to your advantage? Talk about a lot cheaper too! Just a little elbow grease and now you can really call that pumpkin pie homemade!!!

Freeze for Pumpkin Pie/ Pumpkin Roll

Step by Step Instructions:
Cut the Pumpkin in half
Hollow out the inside seeds with a spoon (put these aside)
Cut off the Stem

Oven:
Lay both sides in a cake pan (or two if using larger pumpkins)
layer the bottom of the pan with water
place in oven at about 375 to 400 for at least twenty minutes.

Microwave:

Put in glass pyrex dish with about a half an inch of water

Cover with lid or plastic wrap

Set timer for 10 mins and check (all depends all size of your pumpkin.)

Once the pumpkin is soft, peel skin off of the pumpkin

Blend Pumpkin until smooth.

You can set aside and freeze the pumpkin in small plastic containers, or I prefer plastic bags because its a space saver.

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

After cleaning out the pumpkin, clean the seeds

I put them in a strainer and clean.

Once clean, lay on a paper towel to dry.

Place a liner of wax paper on a cookie sheet
Spread pumpkin seeds on cookie sheet.
Spray with cooking spray
Sprinkle with desired about of cinnamon and sugar
Place in oven at 250 degrees for about 15 to 20 mins. Keep a close eye on them as you may want to shuffle them around for even roasting.

Then EAT! :)

Make sure you store in an air tight container!

Mama Knows Best

2011-10-25T14:39:00.000-04:00

When I was little I can remember running through Phar Mor (or Par Mor if you knew my Grampy) with a coupon in hand because they had triple coupons! That was the start of my coupon days. At first it was fun, then it was the "but moooommmmmmm." Over the years, I have always coupon shopped here and there. Before our son was born, I loaded up on Luvs diapers when they were on sale and I had coupons for 2$ a pack! I did not buy diapers until he was a year and a half old! I realized how valuable this time of clipping and running all over Phar Mor was when my husband lost his job in 2008. Once I started getting the hang of it and was loading up an entire grocery cart (including the under rack) for under fifty dollars, it became a high.

At first I started out using a small coupon organizer you would buy at the dollar store. Then, about two years ago as the coupons were piling up my desk and surrounding areas- I upgraded and made my own coupon binder. I use a regular binder and added baseball card holders and dividers. Then label them and organize them in a way you would walk around your favorite store. Categories: Dairy, Produce, Fruits/ Veggies, Breads, Dry Goods, Frozen Foods, Baby, Toiletries, etc.

I guess to fill that coupon binder, you will need to know where you can start clipping. There are many websites that you can print coupons and use them at your favorite stores:
Coupons
Smartsource
Red Plum
also note that if you search your favorite product sites, they also have coupons on their websites.

On Saturday, in our local area, the Pittsburgh Early Edition paper includes inserts. On Sundays, (excluding major holidays) there are coupon inserts in the newspaper. I typically buy two, sometimes more depending on the coupons.

Recently, magazines seem like a great way to get a hold of some great coupons. My favorite is All You. It is usually filled with over a hundred dollars worth of coupons. Before you get a susbscription keep an eye out for great deals. Amazon.com was offering a 6 month subscription for 6$!
Lastly, write to your favorite companys. Often, they will send you coupons when hearing that you love their products. One personal experience- I sent an email to Calbot because I LOVE their cheese. (imagine that for those who know me :) ) Their cheese is about $4 a block of 8 ounce. After receiving my email, they sent me 6 coupons in the mail!

KEEP Tuning In... The party has just began .

Welcome to LENZI FAMILY TIMES!

2011-10-25T11:05:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my new blog! I miss my blogging community, therefore I want to return with open arms. My blog will focus on frugal family living, including: , frugal fun, couponing, natural living, crafts, etc.
A. Family- updates on my family and fun times
B. Couponing- There is a love- hate relationship sometimes, but I love to teach people how to coupon!
C. Crafts- Im trying to make more time for crafting and welcome you to join with me. Post your DIY crafts!
D. Natural Living- Since the birth of our daughter and recent medical problems that were discovered, we have been doing some organic shopping as well as making some of our own products to avoid all those chemicals. This is very new to us.
E. Great Deals! I love to find a great deal and share it.

Please feel free to comment and add your opinions. If you would like be a guest blogger, please email me your blog and I will post if feel appropriate. Thanks again!!!

~~ Rebecca