Last time we talked about wonderful ways to be frugal with your children over the summer and I wanted to expand on that, but also include a way to be frugal to your stomach as well! We all know that eating healthy isn’t a choice, it has to be a priority. But leafy greens and those bright red apples you buy at the store are not always the best for your wallet. Not only do they expire quickly in your home forcing you to buy fresh consistently, but even at your favorite value store the prices can creep quite high throughout the season.

One fun and frugal way to bring in the spring is to plant a vegetable garden. While spending time with your child is a definite plus, it has the added benefit of going green in your kitchen. Allowing your child to grow a garden  makes them feel accomplished, helpful, and maybe-just maybe- you wont struggle as much getting them to eat something healthy.

The easy way out:

1. For the very smallest child
For children that enjoy a little more dirt but are not quite ready to understand the seeding, you can buy preseeded mats and tapes for a perfect measure every time. You cut and your kids cover with soil and water. Voila! You can pick out a variety of seeded tapes and mats that also include gorgeous flowers. Perfect sowing every time and practically mistake proof.

With warmer weather upon us and summer vacation time nearly here for our kids, we have to sit back and contemplate how we are going to keep them busy over the three month break from school.

There will no doubt be picnics, beach visits, barbeques, and family get togethers, but what happens in the day to day, Monday through Friday humdrum for the mom who needs to entertain? Here are some great ideas to keep your kids going every day through summer and the fun nonstop.

1. Create a Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of outdoor items for your children to find. We suggest different leaf colors, outdoor bugs, sightings of birds, butterflies, and flowers. Print off an “official” list for your kids to check off as they find them. For your very little non-readers, try a picture list that they can identify and point too.

2. Arts and Crafts
For you crafty moms, put together some fun projects for them to complete with you.

With the way the economy is today, Americans are cutting back with their “extras” to save up for harder times and bills. As a woman, that often means fewer or no trips to the spa, nail salon, and hair dresser. While that can be disheartening for many women since how we look can be directly related to how we feel, there are ways that you can look-and feel-fabulous for a less costly alternative.

Hands down, honey and lemon are essential beauty kitchen secrets. Honey, a sweet sticky substance produced by bees from the nectar of flowers, contains sugar and wax and used all over the world by women of all cultures. Here are a few beauty secrets to treat yourself in the kitchen. Remember to use raw, not processed honey for best results and be aware that anytime you work with food to test for allergies.

1. To make a spa quality facial scrub: Add 1 tablespoon of honey to 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and mix. Use the scrub on your face to gently exfoliate in a natural way that smells (and tastes!) yummy. Brown sugar is a tad thicker than white sugar, although you may use white sugar if you prefer or have sensitive skin
2. To tighten your pores: Heat your honey up in the microwave to nice warm temperature and apply to your face. Let sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse. Follow up with a cold water splash to close your pores back up.