...While grocery shopping

 Just a quick post about things that I think about while grocery shopping.

1) Gosh, I'm so hungry - why didn't I eat before doing this!?

1) If you have an Aldi near buy, make sure you shop there as much as you can!

Here are a few reasons to back that up:

a) They offer a lot of really great products, at really great prices

b) They take care of their employees. The cashiers start at $11/hr

c) They work with local farms which not only lowers their costs, and thus their prices, but also gives you the chance to support your local farmers! (Of course farmer's markets are a great way to do this as well, but their hours and locations may not be as convenient.)

d) They encourage all of their shoppers to bring reusable bags - by charging .25/bag. Again, this helps keeps costs down, but it's also great for Mama earth!

2)There is no difference between brown eggs and white eggs.

While at Trader Joe's the other day (a parent company to Aldi, actually), I noticed they were charging $2.50 for a half dozen brown eggs and $1.50 for a full dozen white eggs.

Do you want to know where brown eggs come from?

Chickens with brown/reddish feathers and lobes.

Do you want to know where white eggs come from?

Chickens with white feathers and lobes.

That's it.

(Now stop overpaying for eggs.)

3) Star fruit is not only super cool to look at, but it's also pretty great for you.

It has a ton of antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C - but it also doesn't have a ton of sugar or acid.

Although we need natural sugar in our daily diet, many fruits are quite high in sugar and can count against some diet and weight-loss programs. Also, since it is not very acidic and it still kind of tastes like a citrus fruit, you can eat them more frequently without harming the enamel on your teeth.

Bonus! - #4 - My regional grocer recently started selling ostrich eggs.

I only have one question... 

Why?

Until I think of other things while grocery shopping,

-N

May Challenge - Day 8

A piece of advice you have for others

Find beauty in the little things.

And share that beauty with others.

-N

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is just a few weeks away and instead of procrastinating and crafting something out of popsicle sticks, I figured I'd share some gift ideas for the moms in your life!

 (1 | 2 | 3 | 4)

Now, if your mama is anything like mine she loves flowers, and gardens, and nature, well, you get it. So, if you're noticing a theme to my gifts here, it's because I was inspired by a nature/garden theme.

You might think the first item is just a card. But it is so much more. It actually has rannaculus seeds in it (one of my favorite flowers) so you can plant it after you've enjoyed it and it will grow flowers!
How stinkin' cool is that??

It's also made by my favorite card shop - and one of my biggest inspirations - so that's pretty cool, too.

Then you have a bundle of flowers.
Kids, guys, friends, sibling, aliens... never underestimate the impact a beautiful bunch of flowers can make! I'm not talking about the $75 dozen roses (that die the next day) but instead a thoughtful bunch or your mom's favorites. And yes, they can even be picked right from a garden! (Since it does have so much less of an environmental impact! But of course if it's her garden, you might want to ask first.)

The third item I chose is listed as wedding jewelry, but I think it is just stunning for any occasion.
Every woman needs a great statement piece, and is this timeless or what?
Also, the tangle-esque details reminded me of vines and the pearls of sweet little buds.
(Sticking with the theme here.)

Lastly, some darling herb labels. Minimal with a pop of color - you can't go wrong.

How are you celebrating your mom this year?
-N

Herb Garden

One of my favorite places to sit is at our dining room table, right across from this lovely window which is home to our herb garden. The window faces East so there is plenty of warming, life-giving sun, and although it looks out to a weird hill/backyard/street (the perks of city living) it's still a great place to soak in the sun and enjoy the wonderful creation in which we were gifted.

Our fun little (money-saving!) herb garden all started with some left over scallions. 

I couldn't bring myself to throw away more than half a bunch, so I decided to do a little science experiment. I planted half in some potting soil I had, and set the other half in a cup with water and waited to see what happened. 

To my surprise (as well as Dave's) the little guys in the water were growing about 2x faster than those planted in dirt! I water them the same & they sit in the same sun, but for some reason the ones in water are taking off! It's pretty fun to watch how quickly they are growing, and of course use them whenever I need!

After a few weeks of strong growth (and feeling like a pro at growing things), I picked up some parsley and mint to join the family. Most local grocery stores sell small potted herbs - usually in the organic section - so I encourage you to pick up a few, too! They're rather inexpensive and easily pay for themselves after the first use.

Both the parsley and the mint are super easy to maintain (this coming from the girl who continues to kill succulents... like, really?!) And they produce a lot! (The more you prune, the more they grow!)

Living in an apartment definitely has it's challenges, but being able to bring some life into our home has had a great effect.

To green thumbs!
-N

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

I work as a nanny for two awesome kiddos (age 4 & 2), and I'm often looking for/creating educational activities to keep them engaged.

Today I wanted to share a super easy activity that is great for kids just mastering their "ABC's" all the way up to those practicing spelling. (You can also check here for some other activities I did with the boys.)

         

Grab a sheet of paper, ask s/he to tell you all the letters in the alphabet and record them.
(This helps get them interested in what they're doing - up until then I told J that we were going to play a game.)

 Then, have the kiddo run around the house/room/yard etc. and collect things that start with each letter of the alphabet. What's so great about this activity is that you don't need any special supplies and it gets them moving! (J was running back and fourth with each new thing he found to match a letter.)

You may have to help by giving hints and such, but you might also be impressed by how your child thinks outside of the box. (We didn't have an "x-marks-the-spot" toy... but we did have a pirate.) 

Also, it was pretty great to hear J look at things and sound them out to see if they matched any other letters he needed. That being said, even if you're child isn't even working on writing or spelling, when they find an item, ask them to watch as you write it down and spell it out for them. 

 (You can never build too much of a foundation when it comes to learning!)

We had a lot of fun with the Alphabet Scavenger hunt and I hope you do, too!
 

I'd love to hear about what activities you have created/found/tried!

-N

Life Hacks

So, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm pretty innovative and creative when it comes fashioning something out of nothing. I like to channel this to create simple solutions to my daily/household needs. You want a cute place to hang your paper clips? Done. A chess set made out of masking tape? You got it. A place to hide your sponges? Check.

Some call me Lady MacGyver.

Okay, no one actually calls me that, but I do have a few life hacks "MacGyered" by yours truly.

Keep your tooth paste rolled-up as it's running out

I try to waste as little as possible in all aspects of my life (except when it comes to time, but I think that's a challenge for most people lol) Anyway,  I'm always looking to get the last drop out of things, and that includes toothpaste. I hate just rolling up the tube because it inevitably gets unrolled, and squished, so I came up with this clever solution.

Store your plastic bags in an easily accessible way

I think I came up with this on my own, but I also could have read it in a Real Simple issue. Either way, super handy (no pun intended) and quite compact. (In case you can't tell, it's a tissue box.)

Hide those ugly tooth brushes
No offense to anyone who loves the look of tooth brushes, but I think oral hygiene products are far from aesthetically pleasing. I know most people store them on the bathroom counter in some container but not only did we not have any space when we moved into our new apartment, but like I said, they're ugly and kind of gross (since no one ever really cleans them and the moisture just sits at the bottom. ew.) 

This small container (part of a desk organizing set, actually) lives on the inside of our bathroom vanity door. It has a lip around the side that fits well into two small command hooks. (It also hangs well on c-hooks - that's what we have in our kitchen cabinet to hold our sponges.) It's super easy to set up, holds a bunch of stuff, and can be tossed in the dishwasher to ensure cleanliness!

I hope you can use these tricks to help make your life a little bit easier ツ
What are some things that are uniquely "you" about your house and how you function?

I'd love to hear some!
-N

Cleaning Schedule

After much thought and searching for inspiration, I finally made my own cleaning schedule!

I wrote out all the things I do/want to do (more regularly) and then got to thinking about a reasonable time schedule for each. (Keep in mind we have a small apartment which doesn't require too much work.)

The design is quite simple, but let's be real, it's just a cleaning schedule... how complicated does it need to be?

As I mentioned in my February update Dave and I have committed 10 minutes/day to tidying & the daily row includes just that. Believe it or not, we can get all that done - and more! - in just 10 minutes.

I tackle some of the weekly row on Saturday, but I actually break most of it up. (For example dusting & vacuuming on Saturday, laundry on Sunday, meal planning on Monday, etc.)

The monthly row is something that I naturally do about that often, but for me specifically choosing the "first Saturday of each month" is going to be a big help. This way I can actually keep track of how often it is getting done and I won't fall behind.

Yay for cleaning things on schedule!

-N

>>If you'd like a copy of this design, feel free to snag this blank version of it<<
(Just click and drag the image to your desktop!)

Food For Thought

I watched this movie on Netflix many months ago, but impact it made on me is pretty tremendous. I know it's been out for awhile, but if you haven't seen it yet, please stop reading and go turn it on. This movie really brings to light all of the atrocious things that corporate food companies are doing with our food.
(If you can even call it that after the stuff they do to it.)

Now to all my vegetarian/vegan friends out there, I respect your choice, but I urge to reconsider. If of course the reason you don't eat meat is health related and you must abstain, then go right ahead.

However, if you choose not to eat meant because of the cruel ways animals are treated (and I agree) then start supporting stores that sell meat from animals that are treated fairly, given no antibiotics, & fed normal diets (when I say normal, I mean things that they would eat naturally. Grass, feed, etc.)

The more demand for these products, the more production - thus more animals will be treated well!

What's that? If you all tell people to treat me better, they will? Sweet!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This movie also reminded me of the impact we make on the earth in general.
Now, I'm a proud tree-hugger (no shame), but in the hustle and bustle of life I know we all forget to do out part sometimes.

Here I've created a list of things I do regularly that are super simple:

1. Don't use produce bags - they are a complete waste!
2. Bring your own grocery bags - Tons of companies give them out for free advertising & if you can't find any of those, there are always inexpensive options at your grocery store. Plus it makes carrying groceries infinitely easier, because you can put the bags over your shoulders!
3.  Eat at home! (At least every night for dinner) - this helps you know where your food is coming from, saves you TONS of money, is a healthy choice, and develops the relationships of those you eat with! (Family, roommate, friend, etc.)
4. Eat your leftovers. This should be common sense, but many people throw away extras instead of saving them for lunch or dinner, or even a snack for the next day. It can save you time to prep more once in the beginning of the week and eat the rest throughout, plus it can save you money and keep unnecessary trash from going to a landfill.
5. Reuse & Recycle plastic bags -When I buy meat I use a plastic bag to bring it home, then I use it as bathroom trash bag. Also, most plastic bags are recyclable now, so at least throw it in the recycling bin if you're not going to use it again.
6. Buy local whenever you can - This not only helps the economy & local families and business owners personally, but it has a lesser impact on the environment (since the food travels a shorter distance) and in many cases is actually more beneficial to your body (i.e. local honey can help with seasonal allergies).
7. Use your own travel mugs - We have a couple in the house to take coffee/tea out, and two that are always in our car for when we're on the go and need a pick-me-up. (Also, most coffee shops offer a discount for people who bring their own mugs. Another money saving tip for you!)

If you don't already do these things, I encourage you to start now and soon they will be such a natural part of your routine you won't even have to think about it!


Here is a slightly more complicated list, but still very important if you can figure out a way to make them work:

1. Compost! - So many things can be composted and put right back into the earth! It is a great way to fertilize your gardens, as well as keep those landfills less full. (Because who really wants thousands of GIGANTIC piles of trash lying around?) I am still trying to work out the logistics of composting in apartment living, but I've learned a few new things recently that should help me get the ball rolling. One, two, & three are some great options for other apartment dwellers who want to make composting a part of their daily routine.
2. Find other uses for packaging - I've been known to save many containers and jars for various crafts. Some jars are also great for collecting any excess oil from cooking that shouldn't be poured down the drain.
3. Recycle & Donate - (duh) Nowadays you can recycle just about everything & I fear that many people don't take advantage of recycling enough. Everything from batteries to televisions to coffee makers can (and should) be recycled if they aren't functioning. And if they are, drop them off at your local thrift store or Goodwill. (Donations are tax-deductible!)

(I was happy to recently find out that Pittsburgh has a pretty great recycling center just a few miles from my apartment. So, despite the fact that the bin outside my apartment is only for glass and aluminum, I can still recycle a bunch of other things!)

I know this was more like reading a short book than a blog post, but now you can go watch Food, Inc. & not have to worry about reading for a little while ツ 

Keep loving our one & only earth!
-N

A nanny & an educator, all in one!

Sorry, that loud noise was me tooting my own horn.

(I kid.)

Anyway, I spent this past week with two sick kiddos and a lot of time to fill with activities that would be stimulating for them, and allow me a few moments to recharge.

I found a set of wooden letters amongst the copious amounts of toys and decided to have the 4yr old find the letters to spell some basic 3 letter words.

This activity helped with his letter recognition, spelling, & reading, and took all of 2 minutes to set up.

Oh, and it kept him busy for about 30 minutes ツ

Then, for the little guy (18months), I created a simple "toy" to help his fine motor skills further develop. I think I had seen something on Pinterest with pipe cleaners and color matching, but since they didn't have pipe cleaners (and the skills to really match colors, yet) I adapted the idea.

I took an old bread crumbs container, poked a few holes in the lid and grabbed a handful of un-sharpened pencils and Q-tips.

I started him with the pencils, since they are larger and easier to hold and then added in a few Q-tips as we went along. 

To say he LOVED this activity would be an understatement. It was a HUGE success with him and he just kept wanting me to open the lid, dump out the supplies, and let him "play" again. He would smile and giggle every time. It was pretty adorable.

Here's to keeping the kiddos engaged!

-N

Closet Make-Over

I have a TON of clothes, I hardly ever go shopping (maybe twice a year), & I'm awful at putting outfits together.

Great combo, right?

I'm finally starting to realize that just because my clothes still fit (many of which are 5+ years old) doesn't mean they're still wearable.

Plus, with all of the clothes that I do have, I don't have many basics at all. 

I found this great list on Real Simple today, and I could barely check off 5.

So, I got right down to business and purged whatever I could. 

Most I will drop off tomorrow at Goodwill, but I was also able to find a few gems to sell on Threadflip (a great site to buy & sell slightly loved clothes & accessories)

I also totally reorganized the way I hang my closes. This will help give me a new love and appreciation for the clothes that I do have and hopefully inspire me to wear them more often.

 

 Plus. they're grouped by style (as you can see with the different colored hangers) which makes finding things a whole lot easier in the morning! (Or evening, depending on how much effort I need to put into my outfit that day haha)

If you're bored and uninspired with your wardrobe, try sifting through, reorganizing, and rediscovering pieces you once loved.

Thanks for letting me share some OCD love with y'all!

-N

Life as a nanny...

I'm currently working as a nanny for two boys (aged 1.5 & 4). They have so much energy that often times I need to make sure I have activities planned for them to keep them engaged and to keep me from running around (and playing make believe) for hours on end. (I mean it's great for an hour or so but you can only be a pirate for so long, ya know?)

Anyways, I recently set up somewhat of an obstacle course for the oldest and it was such a success (for him, and me!) that I had to share. 

 

The first obstacle was something I think I stole from Pinterest (does anybody else confuse things they thought of with Pinterest ideas? Addicted much?)

Well it's a simple "laser beam" obstacle of course! (but really it's just ribbon and tape.)

It was so fun to watch him slither under & hop over the "lasers". I even made him restart if he touched one.

 No short-cuts here!

ツ

#2 Bowling made from blocks, a ball, & a wooden spoon to mark where to stand (...naturally...)

#3 Hopscotch - Pillow Edition

#4 Counting Army Men (the teacher in me is starting to show)

I drew a few squares & wrote numbers above them so he could place the correct amount of Army Men in them. I even had him add(/count) them all together at the end as a "special challenge".

#5 Practicing writing on a magnetic board (do they have a special name? I can't remember.) Anyway, I had him write his name, his brothers name, and Mom & Dad. 

 

Isn't his writing nice for a (young) 4yr old?

This ended up keeping him busy for at least a half hour (he wanted to do it a couple of times) and it was literally free to create (make use of what you've got!) and super simple to set-up.

I highly recommend creating structured activities - especially for stay at home moms - (which is what I feel like sometimes, ha!) It helps the kids stay actively engaged and keeps you from running around like a mad-women (or a pirate...)

Have fun playing!

-N

Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Cleaning, regardless of how bothersome,  is a necessary evil. Today I wanted to share a few tricks that can help make the challenge a little more tolerable. If you happen to be someone who loves cleaning, then please message me and we can chat, ;) - but, if you're like most people I know, it's just another tedious task. 

(Tip #1) One of my least favorite parts about cleaning is dusting. a) Because I am HIGHLY allergic to dust and b) because I have to move everything from it's place and then put it all back again... I've tried various "Swiffer" type dusters, but nothing seemed to trap the dust well and I usually ended up having a sneezing attack. Instead, I've ditched the expensive cleaning supplies and have been utilizing lonely socks.

Wear it like a sock puppet, and get cleaning!

What makes this trick really great is that it's free, it fits into places as small as your pinky finger, it holds dust better than anything I've ever tried or seen, and it's reusable - just throw it in the wash when you're done!

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(Tip #2) Another not-so-favorite cleaning task of mine is washing dishes. Now, if you're lucky enough to have a dishwasher, be very appreciative. Unfortunately, not all of us have been blessed with such high-tech machinery. One thing I always struggled with was scrubbing away coffee or tea stains from my mugs since they are a very pale beige. However, I quickly discovered the beauty of lemon juice and how great it is at doing the scrubbing for me. If you find coffee rings or discoloration on your ceramics, simply fill it half way with warm/hot water, put 3-5 drops of 100% lemon juice in, and fill it the rest of the way with warm/hot water. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (no harm it letting it sit longer though), and wash it normally. 

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(Tip #3) Vacuuming, by far, was my least favorite thing to do, ever. I would have opted to pull out my own eye lashes before I'd want to get up and vacuum the house. It used to take forever, hurt my back, and usually just result in the dirt or crumbs being moved around and not so much being sucked up. I've always dreamed of having a Dyson vacuum though, because they work like magic, and are really nifty and actually fun to use. Problem was, they started around $400 and that was way out of our budget. That was until my husband introduced me to Woot! This website (also available as an app) offers a couple of items per day at a highly discounted rate. I patiently waited and lo and behold they were selling a Dyson at half price! Needless to say, I jumped at the deal and am now a happy "Stepford-esque" vacuumer!

Woot! often sells Dyson vacuums like this and some other models, 

so be on the look-out!

                                                             Happy Cleaning! -N

With the right tools, what used to be my least favorite thing to do, has easily become my favorite.