Deal Alert: Free Quick Reference Guide for Essential Oils!

What's Savin'?

This is a shameless self-promo.  During the month of August, anyone who enrolls under my Young Living sponsor/enroller member number will get a free copy of the Quick Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley.  Once you are enrolled I'll contact you and send you your copy. 

My sponsor/enroller member number is:  1634316

Please click here for the direct link to the sign-up page, or on the link pasted below [options for joining are on this page].  Let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?isoCountryCode=US&sponsorid=1634316&enrollerid=1634316

Click here to learn more about Young Living Essential Oils:
http://www.youngliving.com/en_US

I'm not one that says "YL is the best and only good brand of essential oils."  It's what is working for me and my family, although I've been known to use other oils.  For example, Nature's Sunshine Peppermint Oil is my favorite peppermint.  I use Aura Cacia in most of my soaps and lotions.  However, when it comes down to therapy use, we choose Young Living.

I currently own the Essential Oils Pocket Reference by Gary Young and use it all of the time (well, sometimes I do other things like eat, sleep, etc so it's not a continual use, but you know what I mean!).  I have been wanting the Quick Reference Guide for Essential Oils for months now.  I have looked at it in person and it looks wonderful.  I have also borrowed a friend's when I wanted to compare and expand from the information in my book.  That is what will arrive in your mailbox:  Quick Reference Guide for Essential Oils.  I can't wait to get my own copy (which I'm ordering with yours!).




    


This post has affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission with no additional cost to you.  Thank you!


~

Deal Alert: Aldi

What's Savin'?

On Tuesday I swung by Aldi (which I always forget is there!) and got a dry pint of organic grape tomatoes AND a container of organic salad greens for about $4.  They also had organic baby carrots for $1.  It has lasted this family of 5 more than 2 meals; though it would probably have only lasted one if salad were the main course.  We served it with tacos one night and taquitos the next night for inside the tacos and as a side dish.  There are still plenty of greens left for today's leftover noodle/chicken/veggie dinner.

Anyway... while I was there I saw dehydrators for $19.99!  Yes, they may be smallish but what a great way to start or see if you like dehydrating.  We love our dehydrator and I can't wait to get back in a kitchen and be able to cook from scratch again.

On the flyer for this week they have posted:

Oranges: $2.49 for 3 pounds

Bananas: $0.39/pound

They also have blueberries on sale, $0.99/dry pint.  I would have to see where they are from though.  I quit eating USA blueberries and just eat Canadian since the US ones went on the Dirty Dozen list.  If they are Canadian I plan on stocking up and freezing them.

[I also saw that Sprouts has Santa Cruz organics on sale for 25% off this week]

 

 

 

It's Mango Time!

What's Cookin'?

Mangoes are on sale for less than $0.50 each right now.  That is when I usually load up for the year - or I hold out for 3 for a $1.  I can't do it this year so we're just getting a few at a time and eating them (yum!).  However, this is what I have done in years past (and hopefully in years future!).

First things first:

You can eat green mangoes (best soaked a bit in lemon juice with Real salt!), ripe mangoes (very sweet, juicy, messy, and stringy!), or... my favorite... sazon mangoes - that perfect stage in which they are starting to get sweet but are not yet stringy... just perfect!  Sazon ripeness is when you can just barely start to feel 'give' when you gently sqeeze it

There are several ways to peel and cut mangoes.  Some people, one of my daughters included, like to use a potato peeler and peel it first, then cut it.  I like to slice it up first and use a paring knife to easily slide the peel off of each piece.  That way it's easier for me to hold it steady while I'm cutting.  When processing a bunch, we throw the seeds in a big bag and toss it in the refrigerator.  Then we eat them for snacks so we don't waste a bit of tasty fruit.  Just chew the flesh off of the seed like you are eating corn on the cob.

Preserving Mangoes

There are 3 main ways that we preserve mangoes.  Freezing, dehydrating, and canning.

Freezing Mangoes:  This is the easiest, fastest, and freshest way.  Simply prepare your slices, arrange single layer in your container of choice, and freeze.  You could freeze on parchment paper and then repackage.  Sometimes when I'm in a hurry I actually just use baggies (I know, I know! I don't recommend them!) and lay them flat in the freezer. 

Dehydrating Mangoes:  We love these for snacks!  Simply prepare your slices (thinner than for freezing), arrange single layer on your dehydrator trays, and dehydrate to taste.  I've been known to double bag and toss the dehydrated and cooled mangoes in the freezer.  Otherwise I keep them in a well-sealed mason jar in the cupboard.

Canning Mangoes:  Canning is non NT-friendly (NT=Nourishing Traditions) so I am not actually recommending this, but we will occasionally can fruits.  I generally use this website for canning help.  It is an amazing resource for finding fresh fruit/veggies in your area:

http://www.pickyourown.org/

Note:  I just saw that the book Nourishing Traditions is on sale for $17.34 right now (instead of $27) and is eligible for free shipping with Amazon orders over $35.



This post is part of Fat Tuesday and Real Food Wednesday.

There may be some affiliate links in this post which may give me a tiny commission with no extra cost to you.

Addition Booklets (Montessori)

What's Schoolin'?

I ran across this pdf and thought I would post it in case anyone can use it... I used these for our addition booklets as part of our Montessori shelf work.

Click here for the pdf file to print (2 pages).  For personal use only, thanks.

Deal Alert: 20% off Lavender (Young Living)

What's Savin'?

Young Living Lavender essential oil is 20% off through July 22, 2014.  Yeah!  I just ordered one.  If you are a member and missed the announcement, now is your chance to head on over to order some.  If you are not a member, this is a good time to sign up... or you can order as a customer instead of a member.  It's a quick turnaround but I hope this sale is helpful to someone who was needing lavender.

Member price: $18.80 (plus tax/shipping) - regular price is $23.50 plus tax/shipping

Customer retail price: $24.74 (plus tax/shipping) - regular price is $$30.92 plus tax/shipping

To order the lavender go here.
To sign up with me and receive the great discounts go here.

[I, literally, just opened the web site linked to above, so... please let me know if there are any kinks to iron out with it.  Thanks!]

Why use Lavender essential oil?

Here is the product information:
https://static.youngliving.com/en-US/PDFS/PIP_Lavender.pdf

It is one of the three oils in the "allergy bomb" that has really helped my children this season.

Here is a (rather long!) audio about the Lavender product.



I could say a lot more about lavender, but then I would never get this sale post out!



I am a Young Living distributor and may receive a commission on any sales through these links.  Thank you for your support!

Deal Alert: 100% Pure ~ 20% off order

What's Savin'?

100% Pure has a 20% off sale going until June 22, 2014.  The sale is off of your entire order.  Use the code:

PUREFAMILY

Here is the main homepage and the code is on the top banner in case you forget:

http://www.100percentpure.com/

I got some nail polish and creamsticks (lipsticks) a long while ago when they had a sale.  I actually haven't tried the nail polish yet, but my children have :).  I like that the creamsticks are not glossy or shimmery.  They have other products that are glossy if that's more to your liking.
http://www.100percentpure.com/Lips-Creamstick/

I am not affiliated with this company - just sharing a good deal from a company that I have used.  I am considering it, though :)...

If you miss the sale and want to add to an order you are making on Amazon already, here is a link to the 100 percent pure products on Amazon.

100% Pure Products

(This is an affiliate link and purchases through this link may earn me a small, tiny commission)

Enjoy!

Diego Rivera 3-Part Cards

What's Schoolin'?

I am slowly uploading some files I made for Lit-Mont Learning Resources years ago... I never launched the business so I am putting the files on Etsy as I'm able.  Anyway, I came across this non-commercial file that I made for Diego Rivera's art.  I love the bold colors and indigenous focus.  Having Mayan ancestors somewhere in the family tree, I confess I'm a bit partial to Mexican/Central American subject matter even though I don't hold to his political persuasion...

I had them paperclipped and set up in a business card holder on the shelf.

I hope you enjoy these cards and please let me know if you use them (I can always use the encouragement - and yes, I'm fishing!! :) )

Here is a link to the pdf file.

http://tinyurl.com/nzvuf4h

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzY-sfWD2RgpZjgxZDBkNTYtNzU4NC00NDk5LTg2ODYtMjE4ZDVmYzc0ZmU2/edit?authkey=CI7r9O4F&authkey=CI7r9O4F

If you want to explore more about Diego Rivera's art and life, here are a few Amazon resources.  I have seen some but not all of them - please use your own discretion whenever choosing books for your children.  I would personally choose the ones that focus more on his childhood and painting but there are some here for older kids that go into more detail of his personal life.






If you happen to purchase through these links I may earn a meager commission with no extra cost to you.

Practical Life for Olders: Felted Soap

What's Schoolin'?

"Life" and "School" overlap so much with a Montessori inclination (and even homeschooling in general), but this certainly fits with Practical Life.


We have discovered the art of felting soap and my youngest in particular (12) just LOVES to felt soap.  This is her newest creation.

What on Earth is 'felted soap'???  It's so cool :).

Felted soap is a bar of soap encased with 100% wool.  The wool shrinks and encases the soap.  It becomes the 'scrubby' and exfoliant.  We only use our all-natural soap blends for ours, but you could use whatever soap you prefer.  They make great gifts.

1. You take 100% wool and pull it out thinly to make a "blanket" for your soap.   We use roving wool from Hobby Lobby (using their perpetual 40% off coupon :) ) similar to this and this.


2. Wrap your soap both ways (vertically and horizontally) with no soap showing. 


3. Wrap it in the foot of an old nylon hose and knot it.


4. Optional:  Put a little squirt of dish soap just to help it get started.  This will rinse off so it won't be in your soap at the end.  It spares a little of your own inside soap.


5. Dip it in really hot water and squeeze gently.  Do this until the wool is saturated.


6. Scrub and rough it up a little all over it.  When the wool doesn't pull away easily take off the nylon.  Keep rubbing until it doesn't pull away at all (a few fuzzies are okay, but no strands).


7. Rinse in cold water and squeeze gently.


8. Dab gently with a towel or paper towels.


9. Leave it to dry at least overnight before gifting, using, or storing.


Here it is ready for the local Farmer's Market!

[UPDATE:  This pretty pink/purple one she made sold yesterday - first day out.  We have 3 small round ones and just 1 large one left - time to felt some more soap! :)]

Here are some more that the children and I have made.  A few are listed in the Etsy store and a few have already sold:

This post contains a few affiliate links through which I may earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through those links.  Thanks!

Deal Alert: Ends today - Philosophy Adventure 40% off digitals or free shipping

What's Savin'?

Homeschool Adventure is having a sale that ends today.  40% off all digital downloads or free shipping on print orders.  Use the code ANNIVERSARY40 at checkout.

I have not personally used nor can endorse these products.  However, I just looked through the sample of Philosophy Adventure and I really liked what I saw. The only  thing I saw missing in the sample was a table of contents.

I attempted teaching Philosophy to my olders last school year but didn't have a good resource.

So, for a little over $23 I could have the download version of the student text, student workbook, and teacher resources.  That's pretty good for a Philosophy course!!

They have a variety of buying options including printed text and workbook all the way to digital download.

Here's the link to the store:
http://www.homeschooladventure.com/store/

Philosophy Adventure:
http://www.homeschooladventure.com/products/philosophy-adventure-pre-socratics/