Frugal Family Life - What to Drink

July 1, 2008

The bright side of high food prices is that they are forcing us to reevaluate what we need versus what we want or what we buy out of habit. If we make the right kinds of changes to save money on food, a magical thing starts to happen. The food can actually get healthier, and the load of throwaway packaging going to the dump gets smaller.

One of the most elegant of these changes has to do with what your family drinks.

Posted by Kati Chevaux | Filed Under Featured Family Matters Articles, Fun Family Activities, Kati Chevaux | Leave a Comment

Make A Natural Shampoo That Is Perfect For You

June 20, 2008

Making your own salon quality shampoo is fun, easy, and in the long run, it will save a lot of money.

If you have been paying attention to what you’re spending when you buy expensive salon shampoos, you’re probably less than thrilled.

Have you ever thought of how much money you spend on shampoo a year? Add it up, and watch the numbers rise.

When you decide to make your shampoo at home you can eliminate the preservatives and unnecessary ingredients found in store-bought shampoos, and you can create a customized product that works perfectly for your family - for far less that you are paying now.

Prepare yourself for a treat because it only takes about 20 minutes to whip up a batch!

Posted by Cary Ann Flank | Filed Under Cary Ann Flank, Featured Family Matters Articles, The Natural Choice | 2 Comments

Top Ten Fun Summer Fruit Activities

June 19, 2008

Summertime means plenty of opportunities for fun. But little hands and minds need something to occupy all that free time. Why not experience the sweet, fresh fruit of summer with everyday food activities you can do with your children? It’s an easy way to pass the time and doesn’t cost extra.

1. Go berry picking. If you don’t have a backyard garden, look up a local U-Pick farm for a berry-picking adventure. Start now. Strawberries are in season first, then blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

Posted by Kati Chevaux | Filed Under Featured Family Matters Articles, Kati Chevaux, The Natural Choice | Leave a Comment

Themed Cooking: Making Memories That Last

June 11, 2008

Themed cooking day is an all day affair that actually picks up the night before. You start by gathering together and picking a theme. Fun ideas include cultural themes like Italian, Mexican and Chinese, or food specific themes such as eggs or cheese. If you don’t plan to shop for specific foods for your theme, check out what foods you have on hand before you pick your theme. The best way to save money is to pick a theme that only needs a few special ingredients, and have the rest of the food already on hand.