I’ve been talking up our morning shakes on Nutrition Fruition, my other blog.  Our family calls it a Brainy Breakfast, and we have been drinking this almost daily for the last several years.  We noticed from early on that when we begin our day with it, we just feel “better”.   And when we go without, for whatever reason, we sorta feel “off”.  I can’t explain it but anyone who has incorporated this shake into their diet can attest to the same.

Intrigued?  Get the recipe and read the rest here.

When I took this photo, I realized that this is what Sunday mornings typically look like in our house.  I realized just how far we’ve come on this journey towards Simplicity, Frugality and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality.  And I felt kinda proud of us.  I know, I’m an eco-dork!  ;0

Do you periodically look back and see how many positive changes you’ve made in your life?

The {Sofia’s Ideas} Frugality Series ::

{Beauty} Hygiene

Now that I’ve introduced you to the Stages, I’m going to begin with Beauty since that is where I (re)started.  Last time, we talked about Skin Care.  This week, its all about personal Hygiene.  In particular, I want to share my journey with deodorant.

© Daniel Gilbey

Papa had been warning me about deodorant for years, but I thought he was just being an alarmist.  Whenever we had family visiting from abroad, he would show me their deodorant labels to educate me on the differences of what we get here, in the U.S., and what they get abroad, by the same manufacturer.  Popular brands of deodorants and antiperspirants contain harmful ingredients.  Yes, they work.  They do their job.  Congratulations, you don’t stink.  But at what cost? {Stage 1}

I tried to make the switch to natural brands during that period of awakening.  I avoided aluminium, parabens, fragrance, triclosan, etc.  I purchased the most expensive, in hopes of finding something that actually worked – to no avail.  I lived in South Florida.  It’s hot.  And I just couldn’t take stinkin’ all the time.  So I switched back.  (Gasp!)  Intellectually, I understood the dangers of deodorant, but I rationalized it by saying that my new & improved immune system would take care of any naughty cells.  {Stage 2}

And of course, I stockpiled tons of this garbage during {Stage 3}.

However, like I’ve said… We have a choice.  We can pay now or pay later.  We can either choose to invest in our health or choose to subsidize our illness.

So I made a commitment.  I was going to figure this out.  I didn’t want my sons and daughters putting these toxins on their chemically-sensitive and developing bodies.  Alzheimer’s, cancer, autoimmune disease?  Um, no thank you.  So, the first thing I did was make my own.  {Stage 4}

Sofia’s Ideas Homemade Deodorant Recipe ::

• some baking soda

• some cornstarch

Directions :: Place random amounts into a sealed container, shake like heck.  Apply 50 times a day with a large poofy powder brush.

Brilliant, right?  Well, the truth is, it was astounding!  Papa and I were amazed at how well it worked.  It was a revelation!  We gushed about it everyday!  And that lasted for about 2 weeks.

Something went severely awry at that point and we were just rancid!  I mean, we knew we were going to experience some detox, so we tried to push through it for a couple of weeks, but like I said, we live in Florida.  It’s hot.  And we were stinkin’.

So again, we started purchasing every natural brand we could find at Whole Foods, drugstore.com, and Etsy.  Nothing worked for very long.  Eight weeks in, we switched back to the chemicals.  (Gasp!)

And that’s where we still are today.  Honestly.  I wish I could say that I found the perfect solution, but this is a work in progress for us.  I have a few homemade recipes that I think I can pull off, but I feel kinda “meh” about it.  Know what I mean?  I just want someone to tell me “Buy this.  This works.  And its safe.”  The end.

Seriously, my poor kids – are they really destined to have the mom that makes homemade deodorant and toothpaste?  Aren’t we weird enough as it is?  ;0

This recipe seems simple enough, though, and I already have all the ingredients.  We shall see.

What about you?  Have you tried to make the switch?  Have you found the magic potion?

• The Story of Cosmetics is a great introduction.  If you have not watched this video, I urge you to take a few moments of your time.  If you see value in it, share it with others.

• Skin Deep  is an essential tool to use.  The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database is THE resource.  Grab something out of your cabinet now and look it up – I bet you’ll be surprised!

• The Dirty Thirty by Glamology is a quick list for reference.  Print this out or bookmark it on your phone so you can refer to it while out shopping for products.

Pure Genius!

photo via mobypictures :: Peter Xtian Villar

photo via designmom.com

I loved this short post on how to… Use Storytelling to Inspire Kids to Go Green by Simple Mom.

You can also click on the image above to learn how to make your own colored pencil necklace!  So neat!

Sometimes the desire to teach our children about being a good steward of the Earth pushes us to be more creative.  We never want the message to be of the doom and gloom type; we don’t want them to live in fear of a toxic and dying planet.  What we want is to educate and empower the next generations, so we come up with ideas on how to ensure that they “learn what they live” in positive and optimistic ways.

Having an open and ongoing discussion about the choices we make as a family is the predominant way we “teach” our kids about going “green”, and about Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality.  In other words, we weave it into our daily conversations, and its naturally intertwined with the rhythm of our day, rather than a “subject” we teach during homeschool.

What about your family?  How do you approach this subject with them?

All I have to say about this is… AWESOMENESS!!!

pinterest

Note :: I could not find the original source of this photo.  (It just keeps cycling back to the pin.)  If anyone knows where this originated, please email me so I can give proper credit.

The person who made these brilliant canvases used whole crayons and left them as part of the artwork.  I, however, need to “green” it up a bit more by suggesting that you use Fractured Crayons instead.  If you have kids, you have fractured crayons, loads of them!  Instead of tossing them, or recycling them into chubby crayons, make something nifty like this.

Also, instead of purchasing a canvas, you can simply staple fabric (think cheap muslin or even old t-shirts) onto a shoebox lid or t-shirt box.  Works just as well, for little to no cost at all!  How’s that for keeping this project in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality?

The January/February edition of Whole Foods Market :: The Whole Deal is out!

“Keep your healthy resolutions, gear up for game day and discover Valentine’s Day values all with the latest issue of the The Whole Deal value guide. It’s packed with more than $46 in coupons, 17 Sure Deals, 9 new budget-friendly recipes at less than $4 per serving, a handy meal planner for 4 and 10 money-saving shopping tips.”

Click on the image below.  You’ll be able to download your copy & print out extra coupons from there.

What I like to do is skim through the available coupons and just make a mental note.  I wait to see what’s on sale & what specials they run, which usually come in my “Whole Foods Market Local Store News and Sales” email (sign up below).  I cross-reference the two, match them up, see if I have additional manufacturer coupons I can stack, then print out only what I need for that week.  I used to print, cut, & file them all at once, but found that it creates paper & time waste.

Utilizing The Whole Deal’s coupons & money saving information is just another way we provide our family with nutritious foods.  And as always, in a way that fits Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

Sign up for your Whole Foods Market Local Store News and Sales here.

What’s your coupon “system”?  Any tips you’d like to share?

Months and months ago (ahem), I contacted the Newman’s Own Organics company to inquire about coupons for their products.  They responded more than generously by offering to send us “a few of our products to sample”.  Um, yeah, I think we got just about every snack in their line!

I was completely taken aback when I opened the box.  The kids were obviously elated!

The Good ::  I really love that the products are certified organic.  I trust the brand and the company.  If you look them up, you’ll see that their online presence is positive.  The company is known for doing right by people and the planet.  And when it comes to superior ingredients, there’s no question.

“‘Great tasting food that happens to be organic.’ (That’s what we kept in mind when we created our products.) We focus on the kinds of products we loved as kids, but take them one step further by using the highest quality of available organic ingredients.”

The majority of the snacks were more than good.  I mean, like a whole lot more than good.  Better tasting than other organic brands?  Perhaps.  Better tasting than non-organic counterparts?  Most definitely!  Can’t quite explain it, but once you’ve eaten organics for awhile, you can actually taste the chemicals in the other stuff.  I’m not kidding.  My kids can tell the difference between organic apples or chicken and not.

The Strawberry and Tangerine Licorice Twists topped our favorites list, unanimously!  All of the cookies, and I mean ALL, were full of yummy delicious goodness.  My personal favorites were the Hint-O-Mint Newman-O’s and the Orange Chocolate Chip Family Recipe Cookies.  All of the Fig Newmans were delish, but I think fig is an acquired taste, no?  If you dig Kraft Fig Newtons, you’ll totally dig these!

The Bad ::  The stuff we didn’t like, we really didn’t like.  Not a fan of the Soy Crisps, in any flavor.  And the mints made my tongue feel like I had bad breath.  Does that make sense?  It didn’t actually give me bad breath, but my mouth felt like I did.  Trust me, I made Arcane smell my breath.  That was interesting.

The Ugly ::  Price!  You know, I’m all about “you get what you pay for” and “invest in your health” and “vote with your dollars”.  BUT, even with all of that in mind, picking up a package of one of these snacks at our local market is unlikely, unless its on sale and I have a coupon for it.

With all of that said, I did use the available coupons to see how it would impact the out-of-pocket price of their items.  I first went to our local Publix, but the items I had coupons for were not sold there.  So I headed to Whole Foods Market and was disappointed; even with the coupons, it was still far more reasonable to choose a comparable item in the Whole Foods 365 brand.

Conclusion :: All in all, we would put Newman’s Own Organics in our “yummy delicious goodness” category.  That means we loved it!  Perhaps there were specific flavors we wouldn’t purchase, but there are already items in their line that have bogarted their way into our grocery list.  Yeah, I’m looking at you, Fig Newmans!  ;0

• Head over to Newman’s Own Organics to print out some coupons here.  They update monthly.  Currently, they have coupons for Fig Newmans, Chocolate Bars, & Licorice Twists.

• Amazon.com has some of this available for Subscribe & Save, which is a program I am a huge fan of.  You lock in your discount, have complete control over your shipments, can cancel at any time, and customer service is awesome!

Finding affordable ways to purchase organic “extras” is one way we grocery shop with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

I was not compensated for this post in any way.

Even though I prefer print editions of magazines, this is one digital version I do enjoy!  I’m (kinda sorta) looking forward to curling up on the couch with this, cup of black tea in hand… It’s the Annual Fitness Issue – can’t wait to see what’s new!

Click on the cover below to get your digital copy of Organic Spa magazine FREE!

Tip :: Once you get your copy, click on the text of any cover article, it will take you straight to the page!

In so many ways, this is in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  Are you having a hard time transitioning to digital too? or do you actually prefer reading books & magazines on your gadgets?

The {Sofia’s Ideas} Frugality Series ::

{Beauty} Skin Care

Now that I’ve introduced you to the Stages, I’m going to begin with Beauty since that is where I (re)started.  Last week, we talked about Hair Care.  This week, its all about Skin Care.

So, skin, it seems, is another touchy subject.  Some people have been blatantly condescending towards me.  Really?  Just because I don’t personally have ashy skin means I don’t have the capacity or the wherewithal to understand it?  Its skin, not rocket science.  Believe me, I don’t want my kids to suffer, which is precisely why I refuse to slather Vaseline on them.

But, I will admit that I am a girlie girl (when it comes to this, anyway) and I REALLY love my lotions and potions.  I was the kind of girl that couldn’t walk out of the store without a little something – new lotion, body scrub, something.  I love to pamper myself.  My soft skin used to be part of my identity.  {Stage 1}

But again, that was before I educated myself about the products I was so willingly slathering onto our bodies on a daily basis.  (The Story of Cosmetics is a great introduction.)  So I threw out all that crap, began using organic products, and eventually found companies that were compatible with our needs.  My concern was the totality of our health, which included what we were absorbing into our bodies through our skin.  Believe me when I say, I spared no expense!  {Stage 2}

But all of that went out the window when I had to pinch pennies.  I started buying ANYthing.  I refused to pay more than a dollar out of pocket.  I ended up with tons of body washes, lotions, and sunscreens from all the drugstore brands we are familiar with.  And not only did our skin change (for the worse), but I developed allergies, and eventually that rash.  {Stage 3}

I got fed up.  What I wanted was an easy and affordable way to maintain our health & hygiene & budget simultaneously.  That’s when I got smart and read the “made with…” parts of the bottles.  And instead of purchasing things that were “made with…”, I just purchased the things they were made with.  In other words, why buy lotion made with coconut oil if you can use pure coconut oil?  Why buy body scrub made with olive oil if you can just make your own with the oil in your pantry?  Why pay for fragrance and fillers?  Or poison and preservatives?  {Stage 4}

So now, we have these four things.  And we all use them.  I think we have reached a happy medium.  Simple. Frugal. Natural. Healthful.  And please notice, 2 of these items, we also use for hair care.

1. {Wash}  Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Liquid Castille Soap ::

We use this for EVERYthing!  And I mean everything; it’s in every room in the house.  I buy the biggest size I can get, for the lowest sale price available (Amazon.com or Whole Foods Market).  Just a little squirt onto a loofah will do it.

Note:: It will NOT make a ton of suds.  You will be tempted to use more because that’s what we’re used to.  Don’t.  You’ll just be wasting it.  I assure you, you’ll be clean.

2. {Moisturize} Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil ::

Again, we use coconut oil for EVERYthing and it smells like macaroons.  A little bit goes a really long way.  Once you’ve used coconut oil on your skin, it is very unlikely that you’ll want to use anything else.  Aside from knowing it is healthier, it also feels healthier.  Rather than wasting money testing chemical laden products that simply strip our skin of its natural health, I opt for this.  I feel good knowing that I’m not slathering chemicals onto our skin for vanity’s sake.

3. {Baby Wash}  Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild Liquid Castille Soap ::

I usually use this with the lil’ lovies until they are able to close their eyes when I’m washing their hair.  Every baby is different, but I would say that close to age 2 is when I ween them off and move onto the peppermint.

4. {Baby Moisturize} Burt’s Bees Apricot Oil ::

For no other reason other than I love the way it smells on babies, I use this.  Not after every bath, but when necessary.  (I have learned, the hard way, that babies do not need to be bathed as often as Johnson & Johnson would like us to think!  ;0 )  And when I can manage to create a quiet moment, apricot oil is wonderful for an infant massage.

Simple.  Frugal.  Natural.  Healthful.

I can’t give you an exact on how much I spend on skin care, but I can tell you that those items do last a long time around here, and we are a family of 8.  For all of its uses, not just skin care (cleaning the house, cooking, etc.) I spend about $50 every 2 months for those 4 products.  $25/month ÷ 8 people = $3.12/month/person for beauty, cleaning, nutrition, etc.  Pretty darn good.

Other benefits I didn’t cover include, but are not limited to, less plastic waste, less chemicals down the drain, and less bathroom shelf space.

So there you have it – that’s how our family approaches skin care with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  What are your thoughts and/or experiences?

5 Homemade Organic Beauty Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less

Beauty Brands Sued Over Use of the Term “Organic” on Labels

Study Finds Popular Cosmetics Contain Lead, Arsenic and Other Toxic Heavy Metals

something I’ve been doing while taking a break from purging…

Yummy Delicious Raw Goodness {Desserts} :: Pinterest Board

Even though I prefer print editions of magazines, this is one digital version I do enjoy!  I’m (sorta) looking forward to curling up on the couch with this, cup of black tea in hand… I’m looking forward to reading a Yogi’s advice on stress-free holidays.

Click on the cover below to get your digital copy of Organic Spa magazine FREE!

In so many ways, this is in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  Are you having a hard time transitioning to digital too? or do you actually prefer reading books & magazines on your gadgets?

It’s been awhile since I’ve received an award here, and its always exciting when I do!  It feels really good to know someone is reading my blog without me begging them to, let alone enjoying it, let alone thinking its of any good.  But to think that someone considers Sofia’s Ideas as a blog that is written Straight from the Heart?  Well, now that is just the best feeling…

Since there are no “rules” to this one, I am simply going to accept this award from Mary of Living with Food Allergies and Celiac Disease with gratitude, appreciation, and much delight!  Thank you so much, Mary!  May we continue to get to know each other…

This picture was so inspiring; I decided to make these for my daughter’s birthday…

photo via juicy-bits.typepad.com

Nailed It!

The {Sofia’s Ideas} Frugality Series ::

{Beauty} Hair Care

Now that I’ve introduced you to the Stages, I’m going to begin with Beauty since that is where I (re)started.  Let’s talk about Hair Care.

Before I begin, let me just say that I get it.  Not only is there a spectrum of hair types & needs, but also a spectrum of emotions when it comes to one’s hair.  On one end, there’s “its just hair” and on the other, there’s “its my hair!“.  I personally lean towards “its just hair”.  I also have to preface this with the fact that my children have “multicultural hair”.  People love to advise me on what I should be doing with my daughters’ hair.  I used to take that advice, I even used to seek it, because my concern was how good their hair looked, at any cost.  {Stage 1}

That was before I educated myself about the products I was so willingly slathering onto our scalps on a daily basis.  (The Story of Cosmetics is a great introduction.)  So I threw out all that goo, began using organic products, and eventually found companies that were compatible with our needs.  My concern was the totality of our health, which included what we were absorbing into our bodies through our skin.  {Stage 2}

But all of that went out the window when I had to pinch pennies.  I started buying ANYthing.  I refused to pay more than a dollar out of pocket.  I ended up with tons of shampoos & conditioners & goops from Herbal Essences, Garnier Fructis, etc.  And not only did our hair change (for the worse), but I developed allergies, and eventually that rash.  {Stage 3}

When I got fed up, I researched even more than I did the first time.  What I wanted was an easy and affordable way to maintain our health & hygiene & budget simultaneously.  That’s when I stumbled on the No Poo Method, which I eagerly tried on all of us, despite my well-known disdain for all things vinegar.  It was super cheap, super healthy, and worth a shot. {Stage 4}

Well, it turned out that their hair didn’t take to it that well.  No matter how many times I tried to adjust it, it was just not working.  And honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking – even the faintest vinegary smell induces my gag reflex.  Adding the vanilla bean or the cinnamon stick did NOT help.  You can certainly try the No Poo Method, people swear by it.  Baking soda and apple cider vinegar… who knew?  But for us, it just didn’t work.  So this is what we do…

We used to buy shampoo, conditioner, anti-frizz, deep conditioner, gel, putty, grease, and leave-in detangling spray.  A different brand/line for each person in the house. (I wish I was kidding.)  Now we have these four things.  And we all use them.  I think we have reached a happy medium.  Simple. Frugal. Natural. Healthful.

1. {Shampoo}  Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Liquid Castille Soap ::

We use this for EVERYthing!  And I mean everything; it’s in every room in the house.  I buy the biggest size I can get, for the lowest sale price available (Amazon.com or Whole Foods Market).  For shampoo, I put about 3 tablespoons (although I just eyeball it) into a plastic squeezie bottle (16oz.) and fill the rest with water.  Every so often, (instead of a residue shampoo) I add a tablespoon of baking soda and shake like heck.

Note:: It will NOT make a ton of suds.  Your hair will feel dry and stringy.  It will be weird at first.  You will question whether your hair is truly clean.  You will be tempted to rescue your shampoo out of the recycling.  Don’t.  Do not be alarmed; this is perfectly normal.  I assure you.

2. {Conditioner} Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Conditioning Hair Rinse ::

I suggest first trying the apple cider vinegar rinse if the smell is not bothersome to you.  It’s healthy, super inexpensive, and effective for most hair.  But if you’re like me, then this is a great alternative.  I put about a dallop of the conditioning rinse in a squeezie bottle and fill the rest with water.  I tilt my head back, squeeze some onto my hair line, let gravity pull it through my hair, then rinse with cool water.

3. {Anti-Frizz, Detangling, Styling} Desert Essence Jojoba Oil ::

My first choice is the jojoba oil, but like the peppermint castille soap, we use coconut oil for EVERYthing and it smells like macaroons.  Either one, a little bit goes a really long way.  All I need to do is run my fingers through with whatever is left from doing the girls’ hair.  Their hair requires more moisture than mine, but it’s still more cost effective this way.  Rather than wasting money testing chemical laden products that simply strip their hair of its natural health, I opt for this.  I feel good knowing that I’m not slathering chemicals onto their scalps for vanity’s sake.

Simple.  Frugal.  Natural.  Healthful.

I can’t give you an exact on how much I spend on hair care, but I can tell you that those items do last a long time around here, and we are a family of 8 (well, 7 because Mia is still a lil’ lovie).  For all of its uses, not just hair care (cleaning the house, cooking, etc.) I spend about $50 every 2 months for those 4 products.  $25/month ÷ 7 people = $3.57/month/person for beauty, cleaning, nutrition, etc.  Pretty darn good.

Other benefits I didn’t cover include, but are not limited to, less plastic waste, less chemicals down the drain, and less bathroom shelf space.

So there you have it – that’s how our family approaches hair care with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  Are you willing to try the No Poo Method or have you already?  What are your thoughts and/or experiences?

Sofia’s {Ideas}

A Sunday series.  A single idea.  One of way too many.

Last week, I shared how we set out water bottles for trick-or-treaters on Halloween, instead of candy.  But I also shared my awareness that plastic water bottles are so not in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on an Eco-Mentality.  Today, I’m sharing how to Upcycle those Plastic Water Bottles & Candy Wrappers inevitably strewn about.

This is what I meant when I said “But that is not all, oh no, that is not all!“

All we need are empty water bottles, candy wrappers, glue + water mixture, and scissors.  By simply decopauging the water bottles, we have the foundation for several different crafts that children can make with no (or minimal) help.

Your classic birdfeeder and planter, but with a cool new look…

organizational containers… for the little things boys tend to collect…

and for girls with their hair accessories & trinkets & “tiny adorable preciousnesses”…

Remember that sneak peak? where I showed you the scale of these itty bitty cuties?

How about turning those rosettes into a mini topiary?

Use one of those decopauged bottles as a vase for either the mini topiary…

or the classic paper flower, this time made with candy wrappers instead…

But my favorite, of course, is more educational.  For us, an addition to our simple, frugal, and green homeschooling arsenal, but great for any home with lil’ lovies… color matching containers to use with whatever you have around.  We have all sorts of stuff to color sort – rainbow pasta, plastic bottle caps (of course), and colored craft sticks…

The possibilities, really, are quite endless…

Pom poms are always fun to sort!  As you can see here, sometimes its irresistible…

to put all those little “puffles” in their place…

But that is not all, oh no, that is not all!

Stay tuned for even more on celebrating Halloween with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

Give the Gift of KIWI Magazine

KIWI is the only magazine dedicated to helping parents raise their children the natural and organic way, covering health and wellness, social and environmental issues, parenting, and more. A gift subscription to KIWI shows that you care and is ideal for birthdays, baby showers, holidays, or “just because” gifts!

photo via kiwimagonline.com

 

Click HERE to order!  I highly recommend this as a gift for the holidays; I have given this subscription to people in the past (and I would do it again this year except that I think I’m going to try for a 100% handmade and $0 holiday.  Think I can pull it off?  We shall see!)  Kiwi is one of the magazines that I look forward to reading from cover to cover because their mission & philosophy fits very much into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

 

Just a Sneak Peak of what I meant when I said

“But that is not all, oh no, that is not all!“

The {Sofia’s Ideas} Frugality Series

The Stages

There was a Hidden Cost to my Frugality; the cost was the deterioration of my health.  That rash was the last straw for me.  I was sick & tired of being sick & tired, especially after having had the experience of optimal health.  That gave me the impetus to investigate how we could go back to living in alignment with our philosophy – that investing in quality is synonymous with investing in our health, and our futures.

I’ve had to find a balance between being frugal and still living in alignment with that philosophy.  Its been a journey.  I look at my journey, thus far, as having four stages…

Stage 1 :: I Know Nothing

(or the “I’m a closet huffer so I buy whatever smells good” phase)

This stage began from the time I left home, until Aysia’s ASD diagnosis.  During this stage, I didn’t even know enough to question quality or safety.  I figured, “if they make it and sell it, it must be safe to consume, right?”  I also didn’t think in terms of a budget.  If we had it, I could spend it.  There was no focus during this phase.

Stage 2 :: I Know Everything

(or the know-it-all “Organic without Abandon” phase)

This stage began with our commitment to only non-invasive treatments (including dietary intervention, chemical & metal detoxification) until Papa was downsized from his job.  During this stage, I purchased Organic without Abandon.  Whatever our family needed, I bought the organic or natural version.  Money was of absolutely no object.  I didn’t look at prices.  Ever.  The focus during this phase was solely on quality.

Stage 3 :: Scarcity Mentality

(or the “if we become homeless at least we’ll have 2 years worth of toothpaste” phase)

This stage began from the time of our sudden & dramatic financial change, until that rash.  During this stage, I completely abandoned the mindset I had developed in Stage 2.  I was in survival mode; learning how to use coupons to create a stockpile.  If I couldn’t get it for free or for cheap, I made it myself or did without.  The focus during this phase was solely on quantity and price.

Stage 4 :: Abundance Mentality

(or the current phase I’m in)

This stage began the day of that rash, and is still currently running.  I’m becoming an increasingly mindful and intentional consumer.  I’ve learned that there is very little that we actually need.  I’ve learned that if we are willing to revisit our ideas on what is necessity, and what is superfluous, we will be surprised at the quality & quantity we can actually afford.  The focus now is on quality, quantity, and price. 

We have a choice.  We can pay now or pay later.  We can either choose to invest in our health or choose to subsidize our illness.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing what we actually purchase and use in our home today – from food to clothes to sundries… all in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you? Do any of the stages resonate with you?  What are you most looking forward to reading about?  and why?

Sofia’s {Ideas}

A Sunday series.  A single idea.  One of way too many.

I’ve been asked this before, but never posted anything on Sofia’s {Ideas}.  So today, I’m going to answer the question :: “If you guys are all healthy & natural & organic & stuff, what do you do about Halloween?“  Good question, simple answer :: water.

Hey, I told you we were that family.  But, I’m not preaching about the detriment of chemical laden “treats” because all you may hear is “sugar bad  blah blah blah  immune system  blah blah blah  holier than thou” right?  All I’m doing is sharing what we do.

I felt like a hypocrite giving out candy and I saw there was a need here.  Like I said before, it gets hot in those costumes.  And these kids get thirsty!  And a lot of the time, mom’s hands are too full of the cumbersome swords & wands & things to even think about carrying drinks, soooo …

Our "Happy Halloween" Door Sign

In years past, I printed this on copy paper, then slipped it into a paper condom (sheet protector) before taping it to our door.  This year, I’m laminating it.  I have an orange metal bin that I fill with water bottles.  How are plastic water bottles eco-friendly?  Well, they’re not.  But I have a solution for that too, which I will be sharing.  Soon.

We’ve done this for several years now; I find it to be more simple & frugal than what we used to do.  And I’m not giving out fruit or homemade treats that parents won’t feel safe with.  Those things end up just going to waste.  But water bottles, I’d like to think, are actually appreciated and consumed, as children continue on their trick-or-treating.  No matter the weather where you live, kids need water, especially on Halloween.  So, if you feel compelled, be that family, be that house, and feel good about it.  We do!

If you would like to share, please share a link back to this post or my blog,

rather than a link to the pdf itself.

FREE to download ::

 HalloweenWaterSign.SofiasIdeas

Setting out water bottles for the children that make their way to our door is a healthy Halloween alternative that is in complete alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity…. all with an Eco-Mentality!  

But that is not all, oh no, that is not all!  Stay tuned…

DIY Halloween Costume Contest {KIWI Magazine}

There is a super easy entry form when you click on the link above.

“We’re on the hunt for the cutest, greenest, and most unique homemade Halloween costumes—and we want to see YOUR child’s DIY masterpiece. Snap a photo of your child in his homemade costume and send it to us by December 15. Your child could win $250 and be featured in the October/November 2012 issue of KIWI! Click here for official rules“

Simplicity :: I know there are a gazillion local costume contests happening in our communities, but I love that I don’t have to make my kids sweat and stand around in their costumes to enter this one!  And like I said, the entry form is super simple!

Frugality ::  Entering is FREE!  Seriously, I’ve seen at least 2 costume contests come through my email where you had to pay an entry free.  Huh?

Frivolity ::  Well, the whole thing is frivolous, really.  But its Halloween, though; it’s fun!  I think it’s worth it to enter if you’re making your child’s costume anyway, right?  If I can get my act together with these costumes, I’m so going for it!

Eco-Mentality ::  5 Sofia’s Ideas on Simple, Frugal, and Green Halloween Costumes

Will you be entering this costume contest, or any other contests in your community?

I’ve been kicking myself in the rear for not accepting the first Pinterest invitation I received, when they first launched.  My only hang up was that I had to sign in with my facebook account.  I dunno, I’m a num num, what can I say?

So, with all this talk about how addictively awesome Pinterest is, I finally got another invitation, thanks to Kate at See Kate Sew.  And I have been pinning away…

Yummy Delicious Goodness (autumn)

I’ve been moving some of my things over from Delicious, slowly but surely.  I am just in love with this whole concept – it is simple, aesthetically pleasing, and a really great tool for so many areas of your life!

“Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.”

The possibilities are endless!  And I have so many ideas brewing in my head, but I wanted to just pop in here and show you this Autumn Yummy Delicious Goodness board I made on {Pinterest}.  I’ve been using this, rather than my old method, to plan our menu for the weeks ahead.  Isn’t it delightful?  I love, Love, LOVE it!  Seriously, it totally fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

Oh, and by the way, I already made the Pumpkin Funnel Cake you see on the bottom right-hand corner.  Ok, I made it twice.  Once for dessert, and once for breakfast.  What?  I couldn’t let all that leftover batter go to waste!  Hey – don’t you judge me!

So if you’re already on Pinterest, come play tag with me!  You can tag me HERE.  If you want an invite, go ahead and inbox me; I’ll send out invitations until I run out!

You’re welcome! 

OH, and also, I wanted to publicly thank Sarah of Dizzy Happy Mama, The Russell Institute of Higher Learning, and Sarah’s Kitchen Savors for “pinning” me on her Best Blogs Ever board.  Thank you, Sarah, for your all-around awesomeness.  So, please take a moment to “follow”, “friend”, and “like” her blogs – she’s good people! 

Here is my side of a recent conversation with my three year old ::

“… because they have a strict ‘No shirt, No shoes, No service’ policy!”

{5 minutes later, he re-enters my room…}

“Really? Do I really need to specify that it doesn’t mean only shirts and shoes?!?…”

“Yes, I’m sure you need pants…”

“No, they won’t check, but I would prefer it if you would wear some underwear…”

“Yup, I’m almost positive the librarian doesn’t want to see your penis…”

“No, it doesn’t matter that its big…”

“Yes, you are funny… Of course, I love you…”

“No, you still have to wear pants…”

“Yes, now.”

I know I am always going on and on about our Whole Foods Market here in Wellington, Florida.  So, I will spare you from having to listen to the details of their amazing awesomeness once more.  I will not go into detail about how the kids really enjoyed themselves at the Pizza Patch Garden class.  I’ll just let the photos speak…

And I won’t be redundant with how the classes are in complete alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality! 

Especially not this particular class, where they showed the kids how to plant organic basil in an empty plastic bottle.  (Note: this was purchased gravel.  If I were going to suggest something, I would suggest gathering pebbles, small shells, etc. instead for a bit more frugality & eco-mentality.  But I’m not suggesting anything.)

I’m not going to bore you with how impressed I was that Ms. Cheryl made it simple for even the youngest of kids to make healthy pizzas independently.

{Ezekiel (sprouted grain) English muffins}

And I will refrain from gushing over how Ms. Cheryl went out of her way, after class, to walk us over to the prepared foods area, to make sure we were able to take home the new Health Starts Here whole grain pizza dough, even though they didn’t have a plu# for them.

You can also forget about me reminding you that these awesome classes are FREE!

Oh, and you can bet that I will not be sharing how the Whole Kids Foundation has an amazing School Garden Grant program that you can look into over HERE.

Nope.  Not saying a word!  You can count on me!    Hee! Hee!

Am I the only one that’s in love with Whole Foods?  Seriously, I think I have a problem.  I should probably see somebody about this.  I told you I have issues! 

What about you?  Where do you like to go in your community for such things? 

Did I ever mention I failed home economics?  Not once, but twice?  Oh, but if my teacher could see me now…

Batik Napkins

I think she’d be kinda proud of me.  Shoot, I’m proud of me!

In fact, I think they look so nice, I’ll show you twice!

.

Listen, I know for those of you who know your way around a sewing machine, this is nothing to brag about.  But for me?  This was HUGE!  I was so proud of myself that I stood back and shouted “Look what I have created!“  Tom Hanks style…

 I kid you not.

I really did that.

But without the fire.

And I meant it!

Ah, heck – three time’s a charm!  Hee! Hee!

.

btw, this has been on my to-do list since 5 Simple & Frugal Additions to Dining Simplicity.  Yeah, it took me that long!  But you know what?  These are surprisingly easy to make, will save you tons of money on paper goods, are super pretty (especially if make them to your liking or to match your decor), and not to mention so much better for our planet than the disposables.  Therefore, reusable cloth napkins are in complete alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality! 

And yes, thank you for noticing that these too are color coded!

When was the last time you were really proud of something you made?  I’d love to hear about it!  Or better yet, if you have a link, please share it below! 

National Costume Swap Day

 Saturday, October 8, 2011

We will not be participating in National Costume Swap Day.  (Gasp, I know!)  Well, we’re not into Halloween costumes that you buy at the store.  Yes, we do have a spiderman & superman ensemble lying around here, maybe even a leftover princess gown from back in the day.  But for the most part, I make these kids put together their own costumes (more on that below).  Because for one thing, store-bought costumes are pretty ugly & cheaply made.  Another thing, and the biggest reason, is that they do not make costumes for children that live in warm climates!  (Well, not ones that don’t make them look like little hoochies anyway!  Why is that?)  I’ve been saying for years that they need to come out with a line with cool, breathable fabrics, specifically for those of us who experience summer year round.  How’s that for a Sofia’s Idea?

5 Sofia’s Ideas on Simple, Frugal, and Green Halloween Costumes

1.  Hand Me Downs.  Like when Aysia was a nurse, she simply borrowed my sister’s scrubs.  Obvious, I know, but I mean you can use hand me downs & work your magic on them to turn them into something unexpected!  Let the kids raid your & each others’ closets for inspiration.  You might just want to make sure they run things by you before they take a scissor to anything.

2.  Thrift Store.  I give my kids a budget (a miniscule one, like $5 each) and take them to the thrift store.  This especially helps when they still have no clue what they want to be.  Sometimes a certain hat or gadget will spark their imaginations!  Like when Aslan was some kind of punky brewster type of fairy princess, she put the whole thing together herself and had a ton of fun doing it.

3.  Garage/Basement/Attic.  Aside from a dusty moldy chest of old garbs, what else do you have down/up there?  I wish I had a picture of Arcane’s first costume; my mom turned an old couch foam into a slice of Swiss cheese!  Yup, she also made him the mouse costume, and the cheese is where he held the candy.  Pure Awesome.

photo via photoshopessentials.com

4.  Originals.  If you have the ability and the time, head over to the thrift store and see if there are any sheets, rugs, gowns, etc. that will spark your creativity!  There’s nothing like a costume that mama made, an original, one that you know 5 other kids will not be wearing too!

5.  Anything or Everything.  Seriously, just put on anything!  I’ve never understood why we have to buy brand new Halloween costumes every single year.  Especially when the costume choices don’t vary much from year to year.  One year, my mom cut out holes in a giant leaf bag and I went trick-or-treating as a garbage bag.  I still got candy.  And I didn’t need an umbrella.  Or tell them to put on everything they own!  One year, Aslan put on rainbow socks, a tutu, a floral crown, and a wand along with different shades & patterns of pink and she looked adorable!  AND she loved it!

The point is, you have choices.  You don’t have to go with store-bought if you don’t want to.  You don’t have to spend a lot of (or any) money.  You don’t even have to sew an extravagant original!  You just have to be resourceful and creative and playful.  Keep it simple, keep it frugal, and minimize waste all at the same time.  That’s how we do Halloween with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

You can also click here for more information on how to “green” your Halloween!

What are your thoughts on Halloween costumes?  Is Halloween a big deal in your family?

Personally, Halloween is not a huge deal in our house.  I’ve even gotten a few snarky looks in the past from those who judge my parenting by the absence of plastic bats & spiders & skeletons on my patio.  However, this year I will finally attempt to make (yes, sew!) our family’s costumes.  In fact, the older kids will be designing and sewing their own.  Fingers crossed.

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of September 25, 2011

© Renata Osińska

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

Chinese Cooking with Chef Joe

Sunday, September 25th :: 2:00-3:30pm

Free

Join Chef Joe as he demonstrates the art of authentic Chinese cooking using the freshest Whole Foods Market ingredients.  Bring your appetite and sample these great Chinese dishes.  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Kids Class – Pizza Patch Garden Favorites!

Tuesday, September 27th :: 5:30-6:30 pm

$1.00 donation to Whole Kids Foundation

Looking for a fun cooking event for your budding chef?  Healthy Eating Specialist, Cheryl Kobal, will show kids how to grow a “Pizza Patch” garden using bring-your-own recycled beverage bottles.  They’ll also learn how to make a healthy pizza out of the colorful pizza patch garden vegetables and other flavorful, healthy ingredients.  The best part of this activity – eating it!   All children must be accompanied by a parent.  One hundred percent of the funds collected will be donated to the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Project to create and expand school garden programs.  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Mom’s Morning Escape & Whole Kid’s Club Story Time & Snack

Friday, September 30th :: 9:00-11:00 AM

Story Time 9:30-10:30am

Free

Moms will receive a free mini-massage, coffee or tea, and muffin from the Coffee Bar.  Please check in at the Customer Service desk to pick up your Mom’s Morning Escape Voucher, then make your way to the Coffee Bar for breakfast. Also, don’t forget to enjoy a relaxing five minute chair massage by My Massage Corner in the Lifestyle Center (first-come, first-served).  Massage sign-up sheet is located just outside of the Lifestyle Center). Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

*Whole Kids’ Club Story Time & Snack 9:30-10:30am

Come with your little ones to enjoy a healthy snack and story in the back of the Café.  Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to attend.

♥♥♥♥♥

Royal Palm Beach Library →

561-790-6030

Johnny Appleseed Story Time

Monday, September 26th :: 3:30pm

We’ll honor this seed-sowing hero’s birthday with stories, songs, and a simple craft. Ages 4-6. (45 min.) Preregister.

Silly Story Time

Thursday, September 29th :: 3:30 pm

Listen to silly stories, sing songs, and make a simple craft. Ages 4-6. (45 min.) Preregister.

♥♥♥♥♥

All but one of the events are FREE!  And that’s just because Whole Foods is asking for a $1 donation to the Whole Kids Foundation.  So for us, its still only going to be $5 for the kids to go!  5 bucks for an awesome class with Miss Cheryl?  AND the money is going to a fantastic cause that is totally in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas?  Um, yes please!

What about you?  What do you have planned for the week? 

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of September 18, 2011

© Renata Osińska

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

Seafood 101

Wednesday, September 21st :: 6:30-8pm

Free

We have heard that many of our customers wanted to learn how to fillet a fish, so guess what?  We listened and back by popular demand we have invited Associate Seafood Coordinator, Terry Guam to share some of his best tips.  Participants will learn the basics of filleting a fish to get the most out of every piece and then treat you to a delicious taste of seafood cooked to perfection!  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Health Starts Here™ Tour & Demonstration

Saturday, September 24th :: 2-4pm

Free

Join our Healthy Eating Specialist, Cheryl Kobal, for an informative, introductory tour which runs through our entire store and features our Health Starts Here™ program ingredients and prepared foods.  You will learn about the program’s four Healthy Eating Principles, how to identify the most nutrient dense foods and how to make them work for your busy lifestyle.  The tour will be followed by a live cooking demonstration in the Lifestyle Center, using recipes that utilize plant-strong ingredients for you to taste and enjoy.  The tour will begin at the new, state-of-the art Health Starts Here™ Information Station!  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

♥♥♥♥♥

Royal Palm Beach Library →

561-790-6030

International Day of Peace Story Time

Wednesday, September 21st :: 3pm

Celebrate this special day with stories, songs, and a simple craft. Ages 4-6. (45 min.) Preregister.

GO Club

Friday, September 23rd :: 4:30pm

A member of the American GO Foundation will teach you how to play this ancient Asian strategy game. Ages 8-17. Adults accompanying youngsters are welcome to play. (60 min.) Preregister.

Ballet Story Time

Saturday, September 24th :: 11am

Dress up in your dance clothes and listen to stories about ballet. We’ll also sing songs and make a simple craft. Ages 3-6. (40 min.) Preregister.

♥♥♥♥♥

Cultural Connections

There are so many events this week that are not only in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality, but also with our current unit studies!!  So of course, this would be the week that everyone starts getting sick, right?  Right.  As it is, I think I may have to rearrange a few things as to accommodate for the sickies so I doubt that we’ll be doing much of anything above.  Ugh!  I’m gonna go load up on my Juice Plus+ now…

What about you?  What do you have planned for the week?  I know you guys are probably enjoying the weather in your neck of the woods, right?  

Operation Build A Box

Frames USA & Art Gallery along with a host of sponsors invites you and your kids to participate in a Frames USA & Art Gallery, first Operation Build a Pencil Box event.

Our goal is to have 250 kids design and build a free pencil box each one of our sponsors is even going to donate $2 for each box built.

On Sunday October 23, 2011, children between the ages of 5-12 can participate in this free event.

Operation Build A Box will be held in front of Frames USA & Art Gallery located at 6822 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33155 in the Bird Ludlam Shopping Center. The hours are from 12pm-4pm.

Kids will use kid friendly tools to create their own pencil box that will be theirs to keep. Along with the pencil box, a free school backpack will be given to the first 250 kids which has been sponsored by Humana. Each pencil box will be photographed and judged by a committee. The winners will be announced on Facebook and will receive prizes.
For more information please call 305-666-3355 or check our Facebook page. You must register your child at our facebook site.  Fill out the form and email it to framesusalovesart@gmail.com.

“Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.” — Elise Boulding

I read that on another blog and wrote it down; I’d love to give credit but I failed to write down which blog – sorry.

In general, there are a lot of misconceptions about frugal people.  There are stereotypes and there are myths.  Sure there are cases that fit those images, but from where I stand, those are the exceptions to the norm.  In my life, there are people that assume the reason I choose frugality, or the reason I live with “rustic” things, or the reason I opt for less is because I can not afford to do differently.  What they don’t know is that my love affair with thrift started decades ago…

When I was a teenager and got my first real job, I would cash my check and have my dad drive me to the Goodwill.  I could have, but I didn’t want to shop at the mall like all my friends, who wore the teen uniform of the moment.  I loved spending hours in there, going through all the racks, and finding those hidden treasures!  My peers absolutely gave me shit for it, even then they assumed I was poor, but I didn’t care.  Nothing was more satisfying than getting a compliment on something and saying “oh yeah, thanks, I got it for a buck at Goodwill!” while thinking “and you can’t have one, nanny nanny poo poo!”

I’ve always loved a good bargain and the thrill of the hunt, but its that unique find that gets me.  Till this day, my favorite piece ever was this royal blue velvet coat with bright red silk lining and giant brass buttons.  It looked like something Jimi Hendrix would have worn on stage.  I loved that coat!  For a few years, it was my signature piece, until someone stole it.  And I got it at the Goodwill for about ten bucks.  Even a piece I found more recently, a vintage black skirt with hidden pockets, inspired a new love song from my husband.  My wardrobe is minimal compared to most women I know, but I like it that way.  I like that I actually love and wear the pieces I own.

OK yes, my recent flirtation with stockpiling our food and sundries was born out of necessity.  But the reason I continue to practice some of the skills I learned during that time is because I find value in it, not because I can’t afford otherwise.  The reason I continue to first REFUSE, then reduce, reuse, and recycle has nothing at all to do with being cheap or poor.  It is a lifestyle choice based on my philosophies and beliefs and the legacy I want to leave.  There are people that assume if it were more financially feasible, I’d buy more and “better”.  They can’t understand the concept that the lifestyle I am attempting to live is a conscious one.

With that said, I will be honest and say that I do miss being able to go to Whole Foods without coupons, without looking at prices, and only focusing on reading ingredients labels.  I miss making decisions based on what is best to feed my family, without the constraints of a budget.  But even if our income were to triple tomorrow, I wouldn’t go back to that wasteful way of grocery shopping.  I’ve learned far too much about financial stewardship for that.

I guess what I’m trying to say to the people that assume these things about me, those who either consciously or unconsciously use a condescending tone with me, those who raise their noses when they see me picking through discarded curbside items is that for me, and for many others, The Road to Frugality is an Intentional One.

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of September 11, 2011

© Renata Osińska

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

Health Starts Here™ 28-Day Challenge Information and Sign-up

Monday, September 12th :: 11:30 – 1:00pm

Free!

We invite you to kick-start your healthy eating commitment and join us for an exciting, life-changing adventure!  Bring a friend or two and learn about our Engine 2 28-Day Diet Challenge and experience a sample recipe from Rip Esselstyn’s book The Engine 2 Diet.  Engine 2 is a plan of action for following – and sticking to – a heart-healthy, mind-healthy, body-healthy, and taste-bud tempting PlantStrong™ lifestyle.  Healthy Eating Specialist, Cheryl Kobal, will host the 28-Day Challenge and guide this support group on a five-week long challenge that will walk you through healthy eating guidelines, cooking demonstrations, taste tests and workshops designed to help you stick to your goals.  Those who attend all five workshops will have the opportunity to win books, gift baskets, and other prizes.  A potluck graduation party will be held on the last day of the challenge.  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Deliciously Raw with Renate: Sea Vegetables

Tuesday, September 13th :: 6:30 – 8:00pm

$20/Person

Join Raw Foods Chef, Renate, as she prepares divine dishes with sea vegetables and shares her secrets to living a raw foods lifestyle.  Each month, Renate shares how to live a raw lifestyle without sacrificing taste!   Each class will include three delicious recipes all with plant-based ingredients full of nutrients.  This is the perfect class for the amateur, novice or expert!  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000, Payment Collected upon Registration

Gluten Free Cooking with Chef Joe

Wednesday, September 14th :: 6:30 – 8:00pm

Free!

Join Chef Joe as he demonstrates how to create a Gluten Free meal that is easy to make and flexible to fit your taste.  Be sure to bring your appetite and your Gluten Free questions.  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Health Starts Here™ Taste of Health Thursdays

Thursday, September 15th :: 1:00 – 4:00pm

Free!

Stop by our new Health Starts Here™ Information Station located next to the Juice Bar in our Produce Department to see what nutrient dense dish Healthy Eating Specialist, Cheryl Kobal, is whipping up to tantalize your taste buds.  You’ll also learn about the inside scoop on healthy eating and get tips on how to incorporate more nutrient-dense foods into your diet.  No registration necessary, just stop by.

♥♥♥♥♥

Royal Palm Beach Library →

Crochet Club

Tuesday, September 13th :: 5:00pm

Learn basic skills and socialize while you work on projects. Ages 8-12. Space is limited. (45 min.) Preregister.

Bilingual Story Time

Wednesday, September 14th :: 6:30pm

A fun family story time in English and Spanish, where we’ll read, sing, and create a delightful craft. Ages 3-6. Preregister. Comparte en familia una divertida hora de cuentos en inglès y español. Leeremos, cantaremos, y podras crear una preciosa manualidad. Edades 3-6. (45 min.) Se require registrarse.

Community Helpers Story Time

Thursday, September 15th :: 3:30pm

Honor our firefighters, police officers, doctors, and nurses with stories, songs, and a craft. Ages 4-6. (45 min.) Preregister.

Sing Your Way to Spanish with Jody Dreher

Friday, September 16th, 3:30pm

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, learn wonderful Spanish songs and rhymes as Jody involves her audience creatively using song, movement, games, and drama. (45 min.) Preregister.

♥♥♥♥♥

• Saturday, September 17th :: 11am
• Glades Road Branch Library
  20701 95th Ave. S. , Boca Raton , FL , 33434
• 561-482-4554
• Stories, songs, crafts and movement activities designed for children with developmental disabilities. Registration required.

Super Saturdays

• Saturday, September 17th :: 11am
• Greenacres Branch Library
  3750 Jog Road , Greenacres , FL , 33467
• 561-641-9100
• Hang out with friends at the library for games, crafts and a movie screening. Ages 4-8.

Recycled Jewelry

• Saturday, September 17th :: 3pm
• Royal Palm Beach Branch Library
• 500 Civic Center Way , Royal Palm Beach , FL , 33411
• 561-790-6030
• Make eco-friendly jewelry at this class for ages 10-15.

Those Whole Foods Markets events and the Recycled Jewelry class are definitely in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!  There are lots of great things happening this week!  And the vast majority of these events are FREE!

But, since we’ll be busy with our permanent weekly classes, we will only be attending Crochet Club and Story Time at the Royal Palm Beach Library this week.  Hey, now that you know what we look like, won’t you please introduce yourself?  I’d love to meet you in person! 

What about you?  What do you have planned for the week?  Any great events you’d like to share?  in my neck of the woods or yours?

Even though I prefer print editions of magazines, this is one digital version I do enjoy!  I’m (sorta) looking forward to curling up on the couch, with my (children’s) tablet, cup of black tea in hand… I’m heading straight to the Eco Fashion section to see what’s new!  Click on the cover below to get your digital copy of Organic Spa magazine FREE!

In so many ways, this is in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  Are you having a hard time transitioning to digital too? or do you actually prefer reading books & magazines on your gadgets?

You guys know how much I love Burt’s Bees, right?  Well, for the rest of the month, you can enter to win Pampering Pomegranate Prizes every single day!  Just click below!

It’s super easy to enter, and no purchase is necessary.  So, this totally fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of September 4, 2011

© Renata Osińska

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

POWER DINNER Featuring Fiesta Cuisine from Engine 2

Friday, September 9th :: 5:30 – 7:00pm

$10/person

Join us for a Nutrient Dense Power Dinner to energize for the Jeff Annas Memorial 5K Run and to learn about our upcoming 28-Day Challenge Program featuring Engine 2.  Guests will enjoy a plant-strong, fiesta-inspired meal that will contain the nutrients necessary to run a winning race!  The menu features Portobello Mushroom Fajitas, Black Beans & Rice, Tex Mex Spinach Salad, Salsa & Guacamole, and Dark Chocolate Brownies.   Guests are encouraged to sign up for more information about the 28-Day Challenge Program at the Health Starts Here™ information table in the Café. Dinner will be served in the Lifestyle Center from 5:30-7:00 pm.   A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Whole Kids Foundation.  To learn more about the Jeff Annas Memorial 5k please visit: www.jeffannas5k.com   Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

•••••

Sushi & Stroll Summer Walk Series

• Friday, September 9th :: 5:30 – 8:30pm
  
• $7 adults; $5 children ages 4-17; museum members and children 3 and under are FREE; $2 for taiko performance (optional)
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
  4000 Morikami Park Road , Delray Beach , FL , 33446
• 561-495-0233
• Summer nights in South Florida are something special, especially when they are augmented with taiko drums and a cultural backdrop that can’t be beat! Add a cold drink, a breathtaking sunset and a walking path through a tranquil garden, and you’ve got Sushi & Stroll Summer Walks! Stroll the gardens at your own pace and take advantage of our self-guided audio tour. Excite your palette with something delicious from our own Cornell Café, indulge in some shopping at the Museum Store or tantalize your senses with a drumming performance by Fushu Daiko. Please note that the museum galleries are closed for these special nights.

 Butterfly Gardening Workshop

• Saturday, September 10th :: 1pm
• FREE with paid admission to the park.
• Tradewinds Park
  3600 W. Sample Road , Coconut Creek , FL , 33066
• 954-968-3880
• Learn how to make a  butterfly garden at this workshop. Topics covered include how to attract local butterflies and which plants are best for butterflies.

It doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot going on this week in our neck of the woods.  Well, not stuff that fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality anyway.  Which is fine by me cuz I think we need some time to adjust to our new & cluttered schedule (more on that later, I’m sure).  Although, I must say, I am surprisingly pleased with the way the kids & I have jumped back into our routines.  We still have some kinks to work out, but still impressive. 

What about you?   Is everyone back to school already?  If so, what are your plans for the week?

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of July 17, 2011

 

 

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

Block Party: Teams’ Choice!

• Tuesday, July 19th : 5:30-7:00 PM

• FREE

• Experience a new way to shop for dinner.  Enjoy free samples around the store and vote for your favorite department sample based on creativity and taste.  Teams will create flavorful dishes to give you new ideas for meals and recipes while competing for our Recycled Earth Trophy, so be sure to pick up a ballot in our Produce Department to cast your vote and turn it in to Customer Service.  No registration necessary, just come on by!

What is Type 2 Diabetes and How is it Related to Food?

• Tuesday, July 19th : 6:30-7:30 PM

• FREE

• If you suffer from Type Two Diabetes and are looking for an answer natural answer, then sign up today for this informative talk.  Natural health expert and Chiropractic Neurologist Dr. Tim DeCanio will provide alternative and non-medicinal options to improve Diabetes. Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Local Artist Celebration: Joanne Baker

• Friday, July 22nd : 6:30-8:00 PM

• $5 Per Person

• Meet our current local artist, Joanne Baker, who has created beautiful paintings inspired by our local wildlife sanctuaries.  Join us for this special event to honor her work and enjoy live music and a wine and cheese tasting — all for a great cause!  One hundred percent of the event entrance fees will benefit the Wellington Art Society Scholarship Fund. Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000.  Payment will be collected at event entrance in the Café.

•••••

Intro to Stand Up Paddleboarding

• When: Fridays : noon – 1 pm (ends January 27th)
• Price: $20.
• Venue:Jupiter Outdoor Center
  1000 N. A1A , Jupiter , FL , 33477
• Phone: 561-747-0063
• Description: Hang out and learn this new water sport that everyone is buzzing about. Learning on flatwater is ideal for beginners. Reservations recommended.

Lighthouse Sunset Tour

• When: Friday, July 22nd : Sunset
• Price: Members, $15; Nonmembers, $20
• Venue: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
  Lighthouse Park
  500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL, 33469-3508
• Phone: 561-747-8380
• Description: Visit the Jupiter lighthouse during sunset for a tour. The tour includes a look at the watch room and the lighthouse’s operating area. Children must be a minimum of 4 feet tall to climb the stairs. Wear closed-toed walking shoes. Reservations required.

Dr. Logger Presentation

• When: Saturdays : 3:30 – 4 pm (ends July 30th)
• Price:  FREE
• Venue:Loggerhead Marinelife Center
  14200 Federal Highway, Juno Beach, FL, 33408-1406
• Phone: 561-627-8280
• Description: Dr. Logger is an educational ambassador for sea turtles. In his 30 minute show, Dr. Logger addresses threats to turtles, nesting, anatomy, and the turtle lifestyle. For all ages.

We still haven’t made our way over to the Jupiter Lighthouse yet but I think its mostly because I’m a huge sissy -  the mosquitoes are especially vicious at dusk and dawn.  And even though Papa makes big batches of his home-brewed bug spray, and I practically bathe in the stuff, they have the ability to find the most miniscule hole in my protective barrier and bite me right there – like my eyebrow, or the top of my head, or even between my toes!  Besides, the family van is currently in a thousand pieces in our driveway so I’m not making any definitive plans just yet.  Hhhmmm… I see lots of sewing in my future (more on that later, I’m sure!).

I love that most of these events are FREE, and as always, they all fit into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  What are your plans for the week?

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of May 29, 2011

© Renata Osińska

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

Support Our Troops Cookout!

• Sunday, May 29th : 12 – 4 pm

• $5 Donation to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

• Stop by our cookout and enjoy a hamburger, hotdog or portabella burger along with a side and choice of drink all for a great cause!  100% of the money raised will go to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, to ship care packages to our troops.  Our store will match up to $250 in donations so be sure to bring your family and friends to help us reach our goal.  To learn more, come by the information table or visit www.forgottensoldiers.org.  Customers are invited to write letters of encouragement to our troops at the info table or donate toiletries to be included in the care packages.

Block Party: Health Starts Here

• Tuesday, May 31st :  5:30 – 7 pm

• FREE

• Enjoy an evening of health samples around the store with some of our favorite nutrient-rich ingredients and vote for your favorite Health Starts Here dish.  Each department will present cuisine based on the four principles of the Health Starts Here program – whole foods, plant strong, healthier fats, and nutrient-dense.  Be sure to stop by the Health Starts Here desk at Customer Service to learn more about upcoming classes.  No registration necessary, just come on by!

•••••

Gardens GreenMarket

• When: Sundays : 8 am – 1 pm (ends June 26th)
• Price:  FREE
• Venue:Gardens Park
  4301 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• Phone: 561-630-1100 (Phone)
• Description: Enjoy live entertainment and shop for produce, plants, flowers, crafts, prepared food and more. Rain or shine.

Waldorf Wednesday

• When: Every 1st Wednesday of the month : 11 am (ends July 6th)
• Price: Members $2; Nonmembers $2.50 with paid admission
• Venue: Schoolhouse Children’s Museum
  129 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, FL, 33435
• Phone: 561-742-6780 (Phone)
• Description: Kids will create an art project using all-natural materials.

Lighthouse Sunset Tour

• When: Friday, June 3rd : Sunset
• Price: Members, $15; Nonmembers, $20
• Venue: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
  Lighthouse Park
  500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL, 33469-3508
• Phone: 561-747-8380 (Phone)
• Description: Visit the Jupiter lighthouse during sunset for a tour. The tour includes a look at the watch room and the lighthouse’s operating area. Children must be a minimum of 4 feet tall to climb the stairs. Wear closed-toed walking shoes. Reservations required.

Dr. Logger Presentation

• When: Saturdays : 3:30 – 4 pm (ends July 30th)
• Price:  FREE
• Venue: Loggerhead Marinelife Center
  14200 Federal Highway, Juno Beach, FL, 33408-1406
• Phone: 561-627-8280 (Phone)
• Description: Dr. Logger is an educational ambassador for sea turtles. In his 30 minute show, Dr. Logger addresses threats to turtles, nesting, anatomy, and the turtle lifestyle. For all ages.

Birding at MacArthur Park

• When: Saturday, June 4th : 5 pm
• Price:  FREE with park admission
• Venue: MacArthur Beach State Park
  John D MacArthur Beach State Park
  10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL, 33408-3440
• Phone: 561-776-7449 (Alternate), 561-624-6950 (Phone)
• Description: Take an educational walk with a park ranger and observe a variety of bird species. Bring binoculars or rent them at the park.

Looks like it’s going to be a great week!  I am really looking forward to Saturday; we’ll be going to both the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and to MacArthur Beach.  The classes are very close to each other and we’ll even have time to eat a quick dinner in between.  I can’t wait to tell Zany about the Birding class since her current independent study is “Birds”.  How perfect is that?!

I love that most of these events are FREE, and as always, they all fit into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  What are your plans for the week?

My sister is so proud of her daughter, my niece, Jade.  We were all very excited about an article that was recently written about her…

Jade Master at stars2come.

In case you missed it, here is the first video I posted about Jade, and another video I posted here after she won the Palm Beach Idols contest!

The Scrap Kins has just released Scrap Collector :: FREE Scrapkins app! I can’t believe I never told you guys about The Scrap Kins before! From their About page…

The Scrap Kins is an NYC-based Creativity program for kids based on the
adventures of a group of monsters that live in a recycling center and build

their world out of the things we throw away. Created in 2006, by children’s

designer Brian Yanish and inspired by his childhood drawings, The Scrap Kins

mission is to encourage creativity and resourcefulness through stories and

recycled art projects. Endorsed by Scholastic After-school as an Instructor Resource,

The Scrap Kins have developed programs and projects for Clif Bar & Company, The
Wildlife Conservation Society, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Free Arts and
Children’s Day NYC.

Here’s an interview with the creator of Scrap Kins, Brian Yanish…

In “Scrap Collector” you’ll help Itcher navigate a rainstorm of falling junk as you try to collect recyclables in your recycling bin.

FEATURES:
• Easy to Play: Simple tilting of mobile device left and right moves the character
• Levels increase in difficulty with faster falling objects and wacky gravity
• Learn the basics of what you can recycle
• Links to ScrapKins.com to explore the world of the ScrapKins® creativity
• What can you make from all that stuff you collect? Stay tuned!

Download it FREE from the App Store here.

♥ For the rest of us who don’t live in NYC, we can download 2 FREE projects here or go ahead and buy the book here.

I love Love LOVE it!  I love the whole premise behind Scrap Kins and love how Brian is making it easy, fun, and frugal for children to learn about making recycled art projects!  This soooo fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

It’s no secret that we love our Whole Foods Market.  Although we didn’t stay for very long, we were really glad we went to the CSA Meet & Greet yesterday, to show our support for our CSA, Swank Specialty Produce.

Jodi had a small table set up right by the front door, in the produce department…

(I know these pictures aren’t great but I forgot my camera at home and these were taken on my dinky cell phone.)  She had people sample the wonderful veggies they offer…

What I loved was hearing her passion for what she is doing.  She & her husband are expanding their farm and are currently taking new members for next season!  If you live in the area, I would encourage you to take a tour of the farm so you can see & learn for yourself why we are so excited to be a part of their CSA.

You can pick up your shares at the farm like we do, or you can pick up from the Wellington Whole Foods Market since they are now a CSA Drop Point.  Click here for more details & contact information for our CSA.

We also went to the Lunch & Learn at Whole Foods this afternoon and had this yummy delicious plate of goodness at the end of the class…

Everything was fresh, raw, and really healthy.  Our favorites were unanimous – we all really enjoyed the Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese Dressing and the Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad.  The kids & I couldn’t believe how delicious the cashew cream was; everyone in the class was seriously impressed.  We plan to make both of those for our next picnic on the lake.  (The instructor stressed that everything she prepared was picnic friendly and would hold up well in the heat.)  The other recipes on our plate…

Cabbage Slaw with Gala Apples and Walnuts

Southwestern Couscous Salad

These were both good, but a bit too dry for my taste.  The slaw was made with radicchio since they were out of red cabbage.  I’m not a fan of the it’s bitterness so I’m thinking if I make it with the red cabbage and double the dressing, I’ll enjoy it a lot more.

The Meet & Greet and the Lunch & Learn were both FREE!  We had a fantastic lunch, picked up some new cooking tips, and met some fun people too!  I just love our Whole Foods Market; participating in their events are one way we plug into our community with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

Click here to find your local Whole Foods Market and check out their events calendar!

What local events do you enjoy in your neck of the woods?

You may also want to check out…

5 Sofia’s Ideas on Whole Foods Market

Get More of the Good Stuff for Less

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events ::

Week of May 22, 2011

© Renata Osińska

Wellington Whole Foods Market →

Meet & Greet our First CSA Farm

• Sunday, May 22nd : 3:00-6:00 pm
• Free
• Meet Jodi Swank, co-owner of Swank Specialty Produce, and learn all about our new Community Supported Agriculture Drop Program.  Jodi will have on display an example of a typical share that participating customers pick up weekly at Whole Foods Market and some delicious samples of their amazing produce.  Also, be sure to pick up a flyer from our produce department with all of the CSA details.

Deliciously Raw with Renate: Picnic Favorites

• Tuesday, May 24th : 6:30-8:00 pm
• $20/Person
• Celebrate your health on Memorial Day and learn to make great picnic dishes that everyone will enjoy. Each month, Renate shares how to live a raw lifestyle without sacrificing taste!   Each class will include three delicious recipes all with plant-based ingredients full of nutrients.  This is the perfect class for the amateur, novice or expert!  Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000, Payment Collected upon Registration.

Health Starts Here Lunch & Learn

• Tuesday, May 24th : 11:00-12:30 pm
• Free
• Kick off your summer of grillin’ and chillin’ with this month’s Lunch and Learn class, which will feature healthy side dishes just in time for Memorial Day cookouts and celebrations.  Join our Healthy Eating Specialist, Cheryl, as she prepares Health Starts Here side dishes full of flavor that are sure to be crowd pleasers!  Pre-Registration Required@ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

•••••

Gardens GreenMarket

• Sundays : 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (ends June 26th)
• Free
• Gardens Park
  4301 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• 561-630-1100
• Enjoy live entertainment and shop for produce, plants, flowers, crafts, prepared food and more. Rain or shine.

Lighthouse Sunset Tour

• Wednesday, May 25th : Sunset
• Members, $15; Nonmembers, $20
• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
  Lighthouse Park
  500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL, 33469-3508
• 561-747-8380 (Phone)
• Visit the Jupiter lighthouse during sunset for a tour. The tour includes a look at the watch room and the lighthouse’s operating area. Children must be a minimum of 4 feet tall to climb the stairs. Wear closed-toed walking shoes. Reservations required.

The Adventures of Eco-Man

• Friday, May 27th : 6 – 8 p.m.
• Free
• Boulevard Heights Community Center
  6770 Garfield St., Hollywood, FL
• 954-967-4235 (Phone)
• The Atlantic Coast Theatre For Youth brings you a superhero comedy showcasing the importance of going green.

Dr. Logger Presentation

• Saturdays : 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. (ends July 30th)
• Free
• Loggerhead Marinelife Center
  14200 Federal Highway, Juno Beach, FL, 33408-1406
• 561-627-8280 (Phone)
• Dr. Logger is an educational ambassador for sea turtles. In his 30 minute show, Dr. Logger addresses threats to turtles, nesting, anatomy, and the turtle lifestyle. For all ages.

Story Time at Green Cay Nature Center

• Saturday, May 28, 2011 : 10 - 11 a.m.
• $2 per child
• 561-966-7000 (phone)
• Join us monthly as we read stories, have learning time, and make crafts about animals and other nature-related themes! Topics will vary each month. Ages 3-5.

Boardwalk Tour at Daggerwing Nature Center

• Saturday, May 28, 2011 : 10:15 a.m.
• Free
• 561-629-8760 (phone)
• Join a docent for a 1/2 hour guided tour of Daggerwing Nature Center’s swamp habitat! Families & All Ages.
• Daggerwing Nature Center is located within South County Regional Park in western Boca Raton.  11200 Park Access Road, Boca Raton, FL 33498

Gosh, there’s just so much going on this week; it’s going to be really tough to choose what we’ll be doing in addition to what’s already on our calendar!  I know we are definitely going to Whole Foods Market today to show love and support for Jodi (owner of our CSA).  And even though that Adventures of Eco-Man play will be a bit of a drive for us, we love going down to Hollywood Beach!  I know some people refer to it as HollyWeird (how rude!) but I just say that it has a “colorful & charismatic crowd”! 

I love that most of these events are FREE, and as always, they all fit into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  What are your plans for the week?

On Sunday, I shared one of the many ways we reuse newspapers around here.  Now, those bookmarks are really quick & easy compared to these Plantable Greeting Cards, but don’t get discouraged!  Believe me, if I can pull this off, you can too!  (Remember, I always say that my crafting skills start and stop with a glue stick!)  It’s not that its a difficult project, but it has several steps and you must be patient since it takes a few days to get to the finished product…

Plantable Greeting Cards

The kids were really creative, coming up with both Easter and Mother’s Day shapes for their cards.  Me?  Just a standard square or rectangle as you can see below.  Bo-ring!  That’s my square on the right, and Sparkle’s Easter egg on the left.

After several botched batches, Zany and Sparkle were really proud of their Easter cards…

We also came up with a poem to mail along with the cards…

We made this card just for you

turned a newspaper into something new

Within this card are wildflower seeds

some dirt and water are all it needs

In a few weeks beauty will be found

where you planted this in the ground

I have to admit, I really love this project!  I just love handmade gifts – both giving and receiving them.  But I especially love how “green” this one is, don’t you?  And I think because these take a few days and require a bit more tlc to get them “just so”, they kinda feel a bit more special!  Just another way we spread the love in a way that fits with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

the little list has this great directory of the classics…

free children’s audio books: a directory

Incorporating this great resource into our children’s educational arsenal definitely fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

Her site is full of great resources that you can utilize no matter what your educational approach!  I really love her nature study lists, especially since Arcane, Zany, & Sparkle are all doing different fields of nature for their independent studies right now.  If you decide to head over and explore, please let her know Sofia from Sofia’s Ideas sent you to spread the love! 

Other posts I’ve done in the same vein…

FREE “Green” Online Children’s Books

FREE Books for Your FREE Kindle

5 Sofia’s Ideas on Frugal Homeschooling

© Renata Osińska

South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events :: Week of May 15, 2011

Gardens GreenMarket

• Sundays : 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (ends June 26th)
• Free
• Gardens Park
  4301 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• 561-630-1100
• Enjoy live entertainment and shop for produce, plants, flowers, crafts, prepared food and more. Rain or shine.

The Art of Found Objects

• Friday, May 20th: Dusk
• Free
• Mizner Park Amphitheater
  590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
• 561-237-9000
• Enjoy a family-friendly flick outside.

Lighthouse Sunset Tour

• Friday, May 20th: Sunset
• Members, $15; Nonmembers, $20
• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
  Lighthouse Park
  500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL, 33469-3508
• 561-747-8380
• Visit the Jupiter lighthouse during sunset for a tour. The tour includes a look at the watch room and the lighthouse’s operating area. Children must be a minimum of 4 feet tall to climb the stars. Wear closed-toed walking shoes. Reservations required.

Family Fun Day and Open House

• Saturday, May 21st : 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Free
• Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex
  501 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316
• 954-468-1580
• Find out what the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex has to offer. The event includes: early registration / tryouts for summer programs such as the swim team, swim lessons, swim camp, dive team, dive camp and dive lessons. Also available are museum tours, water aerobics, prizes, cotton candy, and swimming. Bring your swim suits.

Personally, I plan to take advantage of the green market that’s still open.  While market season is just beginning for some of you, its coming to an end for us.  Spending a weekend morning with my family, strolling through the green market, enjoying all the organic and “green” goods our local community has to offer?  Well, that totally fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  What are your plans for the week?

Sofia’s {Ideas}

A Sunday series.  A single idea.  One of way too many.

If you’ve been here from the beginning, you probably recall me promising, week after week, to show you some examples of how we reuse our newspapers.

10 newspapers hardly seems eco-conscious, you say?  Well, I agree.  It breaks my heart every time I look at the stack sitting on my dining table.  However, our family has found a few ways to reuse those newspapers, lighten our impact, and lessen my guilt.  (More on that later, I’m sure.)

Alright, so it’s way later, and its been a long time since I’ve purchased 10 papers!

There are a gazillion ways to reuse newspapers; we’re all familiar with using them to clean windows, wrap gifts, line cages, and catch paint.  And while this fun project isn’t a Sofia’s (original) {Ideas}, I thought I’d still share it since there are so many people looking for last-minute, yet thoughtful, teacher appreciation gifts.

We made these for our librarians on Valentine’s Day, inspired by these bookmarks by Pink Paper Peppermints.  We had so much fun making them!  I just love the one with the crossword showing through.  You can use different sections of the newspaper for different teachers (music, art, sports for phys ed, etc.) and replace the flowers for something relevant (musical notes, paint palette, etc.)!  The possibilities are endless!

Reusing the newspaper to make these bookmarks for gifts?  Just another way we spread the love in a way that fits with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

There’s still time to…

KIWI is looking for kids who love to cook!
Our panel of prestigious judges will help us pick the next generation of culinary experts. Parents, there are two ways to enter: send us a video of your child (age 4 to 17) making his or her favorite original recipe using our sponsor’s products OR send us a photo of your child with the finished recipe. Be sure to include the complete recipe in your entry so your child may become the Next Great Young Chef™!

 

Grand Prize: $2,500 and a feature in an issue of KIWI magazine

First Prize: $1,500 and a feature in an issue of KIWI magazine

Second Prize: $500 and a feature in an issue of KIWI magazine

Honorable Mention: $250

Click here for the official rules.

I had all these baseball card holders leftover from my stockpile-couponing days and so when I saw this seed starter project in a magazine, I was thrilled!  We had everything we needed so for us, this was a FREE project.  Here’s how we started growing Simple, Frugal, and “Green” Greens…

Organic Pea Greens (window seed starter)

Gather:

• baseball card holder

• 2 suction cup hooks

• potting soil (we had organic)

• seeds (we had organic peas)

Simply:

1. Punch a hole in the top corners of the baseball card holder for the hooks.
2. Fill each pocket about halfway with soil.
3. Push 2-3 seeds down into each pocket, covering them with soil.
4. Hang them in a sunny window and water carefully.

All the kids took pictures of their own seed starters and began recording their observations and predictions in their Science/Nature Journals.  I was really glad that we had pea seeds because they started sprouting on the second day…

Day 2

The roots were easily visible by the fourth day….

Day 4

Edible pea greens were hard to resist after only a week…

Day 7

Watch the pea greens grow bigger and stronger with each day…

Day 9

And when they outgrew their humble first home, we transferred them to their more spacious quarters when they turned two weeks old…

2 Weeks

Reusing our baseball card holders was a brilliant way to grow our own organic veggies in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

Hanging Garden Seed Starter

© Renata Osińska

Hey guys, I know I used to tweet this events for you every Sunday, but I stopped because tweeting each event individually was very time consuming.  But with summer fast approaching, I wanted to share these types of activities with you again.  From now on, I’ll share them right here, on Sofia’s Ideas, all in one post.  So, here are the South {Florida Frugal Family Fun} Events :: Week of May 1, 2011

 

Gardens GreenMarket

• Sundays : 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (ends June 26th)
• Free
• Gardens Park
  4301 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• 561-630-1100
• Enjoy live entertainment and shop for produce, plants, flowers, crafts, prepared food and more. Rain or shine.

 

Sawgrass Nature Center’s Nature Explorers

• Wednesdays : 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. (May 4th through May 25th)
• Members, $5; Nonmembers, $8
• sawgrass nature center
  3000 Sportsplex Drive, Coral Springs, FL, 33065-7501
• 954-752-9453
• View Website
   
  Kids will learn about a variety of creatures living in their natural environments. Registration required.

 

Guided Hammock Walk

• Wednesday, May 4th : 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Free
• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL, 33432
• 561-338-1473
• View Website
   
  Take a stroll on a raised boardwalk. Explore this rare remnant of coastal hardwood hammock.

 

Lighthouse Sunset Tour

• Friday, May 6th
• Members, $15; Nonmembers, $20
• Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
  Lighthouse Park
  500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL, 33469-3508
• 561-747-8380
• Visit the Jupiter lighthouse during sunset for a tour. The tour includes a look at the watch room and the lighthouse’s operating area. Children must be a minimum of 4 feet tall to climb the stars. Wear closed-toed walking shoes. Reservations required.

Kids Paddle Camp

• Saturday, May 7th : 9 a.m. – noon
• $35
• Jupiter Outdoor Center
  1000 N. A1A, Jupiter, FL, 33477
• 561-747-0063 (Alternate)
  772-223-2097 (Phone)
• Kids ages 7-12 years old are welcome to join this water sports class. Learn the basic paddling skills for both kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Excellent for team building, environmental enrichment and fun.

Nature Craft for Mom

• Saturday, May 7th : 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Members, $10; Nonmembers, $15
• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
  1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL, 33432
• 561-338-1473
• Kids will decorate a card and make a gift bag for Mother’s day. The supplies used are all natural and found around the center.

Boca Raton Green Market

• Saturdays : 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (ends May 7th)
• Free
• 561-239-1536
• A community green market with local produce, plants, prepared food, soaps, doggie treats, arts and crafts, food tastings and vendors live music and more. South Federal Highway and South Mizner Boulevard Call 561-368-6875.

Personally, I plan to take advantage of these last few weeks of our local green markets.  Spending a weekend morning with my family, walking through the green market by the water, enjoying all the organic and “green” goods our local community has to offer?  Well, that totally fits into Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!

What about you?  What are your plans for the week?

Originally posted February 10, 2010

I woke up this morning knowing I needed to take some long overdue “Mama Time”.  Just because I’m moving towards simplicity, frugality, and an eco-mentality doesn’t mean that I can’t treat myself to some frivolity, right?  Maybe I can no longer justify the expense of going to the spa or having 2 1/2 hours of massages a week, but I can be resourceful and I can pamper myself.  I found these 5 Homemade Organic Beauty Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less and here’s what I did…

© Dan Ionut Popescu

1.  Moisturizing Hair Conditioner by Glamology.  I wasn’t crazy about the mayo smell but I loved the way it made my hair feel.  While I waited for that I also did the

2.  Coffee Facial Mask by Happy Hearts at Home.  I’ve used this recipe before and I love it, but now I have no chocolate to put in my coffee tomorrow morning.    Instead of just rinsing, I gently exfoliated my face with the mask, then rinsed both the hair & face mask off.

Later on in the day, I found more time and I did the

3.  Hydrating Hair Mask by Glamology.  So simple, so frugal, so wonderful!  The end results are fantastic so I did it on the girls too!  I definitely see a huge difference in their hair.

Then I jumped in the shower and did the

4.  Sugar Body Scrub by BlissTree.  Instead of lavender, I used peppermint essential oil because the smell of lavender reminds me of “old”.  Old what, I don’t know, just “old”.  Now my skin feels so soft & smooth!  Love it!

I ran out of time but the next time I decide to take some “Mama Time”, I hope I have the ingredients on hand for this

5.  Apple and Honey Facial Masque by Glamology

Today, “a day at the spa” consisted of having one (surprisingly strong) kid dig an elbow into my shoulder while another walked on my back.  It consisted of making beauty concoctions from items in my pantry and painting my toenails in a contorted position next to the tub while the little ones splashed around in it.  My “Mama Time” wasn’t a few consecutive hours away from home or being pampered by strangers.  Rather, it was a series of “stolen moments” (as my JP+ friends would say) right here, amidst the chaos.  And I’m all the happier!

© Johanna Goodyear

Originally posted June 28, 2010

Listen, I’m not bragging, I’m really not.  But I often get compliments for how well-dressed my children are.  (I could take credit for this, but its really Papa that encourages us to always “look good, feel good”.)  And I know that sometimes people assume we have more money than we actually do because of this.  The truth is, we have 5 6 children, currently living on a single salary.  But as our home manager, I feel it is part of my job to make our dollars stretch as far as I can.  I could easily resort to outfitting them in cheap garments, but I think that its important to choose quality pieces for several reasons.

I have learned how to work within our small clothing budget to ensure that we don’t let cost determine how presentable our children are.  We do want our kids to take pride in the way they look.  However, we don’t want them to confuse being presentable with being superficial.  So, we try to teach them that looking and feeling like a million bucks doesn’t have to cost a thing!  Here are 5 Sofia’s Ideas on Frugal Family Fashion…

1.  Hand-Me-Downs:  I say “yes!” to hand-me-downs.  I never say no, and I am always willing to return the favor.   I make sure to only take what my children will wear, take very good care of those items, and offer to return them once my children outgrow them.
2.  Freecycle:  I am an active participant in my local Freecycle online community.  I make sure to post more “offers” than “wanteds”, to only offer quality items, and to be more than cordial when arranging the transaction.  I find that when its time for me to ask for something, my fellow freecyclers are more than happy to oblige.  I just make sure that Papa always comes with me when I do a pick-up, for safety reasons.
3.  Craigslist:  I frequently check the “Free” section of my local Craigslist.  Many people will offer up items in great condition for convenience’s sake.  Papa accompanies me with these pickups too!  Whatever I decide not to keep gets posted onto Freecycle.
4.  Thrift Stores:  I frequent the local thrift stores that benefit a good cause, such as Goodwill & Salvation Army.  When I walk in, I make note of what items are on sale.  I won’t pay more than $3 for any one item, or $5 for a higher-end brand such as Ralph Lauren.
5.  Summer Sales:  One of the great things about living in Florida?  No more seasonal wardrobes!  I shop online beginning in the early summer, when online retailers are having their summer clearance sales.   Here is how I make the most of it…

• I start by shopping through a rewards site such as Parenting Privileges, Shop at Home*, Mr. Rebates*, or Ebates* to get up to 20% cash back on my purchases.
• I sign up for my favorite online retailers emails/newsletters.  I receive sale alerts and additional coupon codes this way.  My favorites are Old Navy, The Gap, and The Children’s Place.
• I shop for the following year, and stock up!  When ON, Gap, & TCP run their summer clearance sales, I stock up on larger sizes of tank tops, shorts, and underwear.

“But what about shoes?”, right?  Well, I used to try saving money on shoes by going to places like Target but this would often end in an argument between me & Papa.  “Your feet are your foundation”, is what he says, “they need to be comfortable”.  And I get that.  So instead of paying mall prices for their kicks, we go to Marshall’s and Ross instead.

“But what about eco-friendly and organic clothing?”, right?  Well, I feel like we do our part by choosing second hand when possible, maintaining our clothes in an eco-friendly fashion, and by passing our outgrown clothing along to others.

Like I said, our clothing budget is tiny but we manage to still afford quality clothing by being resourceful.  And by choosing quality over quantity, we can dress our children in a way that embraces Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity all with an Eco-Mentality!

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When I started this blog last year, I knew at some point I’d have to answer this question: “Do you know that it is grammatically incorrect to begin sentences with but, and, & because”?  I’ve had a handful of really sweet emails from readers asking me this, from a helpful place, of course.

The answer is yes, I do know it is grammatically incorrect.  But I think that’s partially why it became such a big part of my writing style so early on.  I’m sort of rebellious by nature.  And I loved that I knew I could get away with it.  Because my teachers could see that I was a good writer, even if I didn’t follow the rules, I did get away with it for the most part.  Of course they would always correct me, and I’d have a debate with them.  Sometimes I’d have to choose between a lower grade or just following the rules, but not very often.  Most of the time, they let me do it.  And I got a kick out of it.

But it wasn’t until I started taking advanced writing courses that my defiant use of but, and, & because was validated.  I had this professor who, on the very first day, said he knew that honors students were not used to anything but A’s and 4.0′s, which is the precise reason he didn’t give them out.  Believe me, I tried to get another professor but he was the only one teaching that course.  I was stuck.  And boy, was he ever tough on us.  He stayed true to his word – only giving B+’s as the highest of marks.

He challenged us, he made us defend ourselves, he made us grow.  Honestly, he was one of those teachers you hated and loved simultaneously.  He had this way of invoking intimidation and admiration at the same time.  And I’ll never forget the day he asked me to stay after class.  He told me that he knew I was sacrificing my integrity as a writer in exchange for a high GPA.  He encouraged me to write my next paper without fear of getting a low grade.  So I did.

I wrote in the style I had been developing my whole life.  Sentences beginning with but, and, & because littered my pages.  But I was really proud of my work, and unlike all my previous papers in that class, it sounded like me.  Even though I loved what I wrote, I was not at all confident when I turned it in, a first for me.  He actually made me sit there while he graded it.  I was sweating, literally sweating the whole time!  I watched him, trying to get a read, but his facial expression stayed neutral and never gave him away.  I swallowed hard each time he made a mark, each time he turned back a page instead of forward, each time his finger traced the same space over & over.

photo via www20.csueastbay.edu

When he finally gave me back the paper, it was upside down.  He held it out to me but firmed his grip, looked me in the eyes for a moment, then let go and walked out of the room.  I was 19, I didnt know what the heck to think.  But I turned it over and saw a big red A in the corner, supposedly a first for him.  I was shocked.  I sat back in my seat, not knowing what to make of it after accepting the fact that I’d never get an A from him.  As I looked through my paper, I noticed that the only marks he made were the underlines beneath the first word of all of the sentences that began with those three words…  But, And, Because.

© Dmitry Maslov

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