Home with Tracy

I have written about my experience with Zaycon Fresh previously, but I wanted to share with you a little more. We recently picked up our order of ground beef. This is my first experience purchasing the ground beef and just like everything else I have purchased from Zaycon Fresh in the past, I was very pleased. Here is the description of Zaycon Fresh's ground beef: Comes fresh, never frozen! The beef cattle have a grass diet which is supplemented by grain after they reach approximately 700 pounds. 100% grown in the USA. There are no chemicals, additives or water added to meat during processing. Processed at a USDA-inspected, state-of-the-art plant employing strict operating protocols (including HACCP) and the highest in food-safety standards. Prior to processing, inspectors from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service randomly sample cattle under a monitoring plan and perform testing for antibiotic residues. USDA nutrition labeling standards defines "extra ...

Homemade granola. It is simple to make, I know what the ingredients are and where they came from so I have peace of mind. The kids love it and I can always have it on hand. They eat it with fresh strawberries from our garden, with yogurt, as a trail mix with cranberries or raisins or just plain. I adapted my recipe from Lynn's Kitchen Adventure's recipe. Granola 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup coconut oil 1/2 cup honey (I use local raw honey) 1 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp vanilla 3 cups rolled oats 4 cups quick oats Combine first 3 ingredients in a pan, bring to a boil on medium heat. Remove from heat and add cinnamon and vanilla. Combine oats together in a large bowl. Pour mix over oats, mix well. Place granola mixture in two 9x13 pans. Bake at 350 for 10 mins. Turn off oven, stir granola, leave in oven for 3 hours. Super simple!

In the past few months I have been trying to shop smarter, healthier and prepare better meals for my family. I have been trying to get away from processed foods. We planted a family garden. It has been a wonderful experience for the entire family. My children, who would not touch most vegetables before, excitedly go to the garden to pick fresh veggies to eat. They each actively participated in planting. They actively participated in helping maintain the garden. They loved watching what they planted grow into food we could put on our table to eat. The beginning of this year I discovered a co-op, Bulk Natural Foods . They have several pick up spots in Tennessee. I'm not sure what other States they have pick up spots in, but you can check out their site to see if it is near you. I order organic dry beans, natural white flour, wheat flour, natural peanut butter, organic dried fruits, fresh produce from local growers. There are too many things for me to list! It is also reasonabl...

The first thought that came to my mind when I heard people talk about keeping stocked pantries and freezers was; How can they afford it? Now that I have been building up/stocking my freezer and pantry for about six months, I can answer that question. My method involved starting out slow.  I didn't just go out and buy a bunch of food so my pantry would be full.  Instead, I looked for coupons, made lists of the meals we regularly eat, and started shopping at Aldi. Now that I have been shopping at Aldi, I don't know why I waited so long.  I have to tell you though,  make sure you price check to insure you are getting the best deal.  I find that I can usually get canned goods the cheapest at Aldi, as well as produce, oatmeal, eggs (only .49 cents a dozen) and some freezer items.  Other items I find cheaper at Sam's Club.  When figuring out what is cheaper, try to go by a price per measurement.  For instance, I buy a 2 lb bag of powdered sugar at...

Today, CBD has the Chronicles of Narnia, Boxed Set on sale for $12.99 (reg. $55.93).  Great deal! Set includes:The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair and The Last Battle . (this is my affiliate link)

Today, Amazon has the Scotch Thermal Laminator on sale for $16.99 (reg $80.49).  This is the laminator I bought last year around this time.  I have used it for so many things.  Scotch Thermal Laminator (click here) The kids love to make placemats according to the season/holiday and have me laminate them.  It is a great arts and craft project.  I also laminate printables so they can be used by all of the children over and over again.  Dry erase markers work great after they are laminated. (this is my affiliate link)

You still have 5 days left to get this great deal!  Living Social has a great deal today.   You can get a set of 6 Baby Genius DVDs for $25 (regularly$60).  What a great savings and just in time for your Christmas shopping.  Baby Genius DVDs - click here to get your deal My kids loved these DVDs when they were younger (and still today).  They have great animation, lovable characters and songs that your kids will love to sing. Click on the orange link above to get this great deal! (The link above is my affiliate link.)

About three years ago we went to an outlet mall and I picked up three bottles of foaming hand soap from Bath & Body Works.  They were in the clearance section, and if I remember correctly, I only paid around $5 for all three. I love having foaming hand soap for our children.  It is less messy and it doesn't get all over. Even if they put too much in their hands, it still doesn't make a slimy hard to clean up mess.  I don't, however, like the price.  I know $5 is a good deal for three Bath & Body Works soap.  And I will splurge on occasion and get a bottle or two, but I can't justify having it for every day use. I decided to reuse those foaming hand soap bottles and make my own.  I went to Sam's Club and picked up a pack of two 80oz bottles of liquid hand soap.  This pack sells for around $6.50.  To make the foaming soap, I first put in warm water, about 2/3 to 3/4 full.  I will then fill the rest of the bottle with liquid han...