Got Cow Juice?

When I was a kid, my dad always called milk "cow juice".  His explanation was this: squeeze oranges, get orange juice; squeeze apples, get apple juice; squeeze a cow?  Cow Juice!

So, the rep for cows' milk has become pretty damaged in recent times.  Most popularly due to the increase of hormones and antibiotics injected in cattle today.  Mass production has pros and cons, but cheaper is rarely better.  More on that by Global Healing Center.

We (Hubby, Sydney, et moi) are not allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant, but we recognize the problems with processed cows' milk.  So we are attempting a dairy purge.  Wish us luck - it isn't going to be easy!  I'm sure it will be worth it though.  As awareness grows, so do the alternative options.  Here are a few:

• ALMOND milk - This one is for the sweet tooth!  Nice and creamy with sweet accents.  You may love this one, you may hate it.  But do try it!  

• SOY milk - A hearty milk choice, a little thicker.   My favorite in a bowl of cereal!

• COCONUT milk - My favorite brand is So Delicious.  It doesn't have an overwhelming flavor, and it has a nice medium consistency.  Get a $0.55 cent off coupon on the So Delicious site!

• RICE milk - Typically pretty thin.  Probably a good choice for those used to skim or 2% (versus Vitamin D or whole milk).  Often found in a box carton, as shown here.

    
 

(Also, hemp milk and goat milk, which I've yet to try.)

Also on my dairy free grocery list: coffee creamer and ice cream!

Thanks for reading!

Liv ;)

Three Apps for Thrifty Folks

Ya gotta spend money. We all do. That's okay, because it's FUN! Feel that cash just slip right through your fingers? Mhhmmm. ;)

But don't those budgets seem to burst at the seams every month? WHY do the things we love cost so much stinking money?! There are many apps and websites offering coupons and deals, not to mention scissors for good, old-fashioned coupon-clippin' fun. In my efforts to pinch some pennies, here are a few apps I have come to appreciate:

ibotta Try ibotta!
A neat spin on the rebate coupon! The coolest factor is that you can use paper coupons at checkout, then go home and use ibotta coupons to save even more. I've actually earned back all the money I paid for some products!

This method requires you to have a PayPal account. (You should have one anyways. PayPal is handy!)

Ibotta offers coupons from $.50 to $1.50 on popular products from various departments. You earn these coupons by taking polls, watching ads, writing reviews, reading recipes and trivia... Easy Peasy!

Once you've bought the item(s) at a participating store (41 options), simply scan the receipt and collect! Transfer the cash to your Paypal account and Ibotta will replace the used offers with new ones!

Bookoo Try Bookoo!
You will never use Craigslist again. This is for those of us who are grateful for affordable, secondhand STUFF. Categories from appliances to clothing to furniture to pets. Posts for items wanted, lost and found, barter, even FREE! Who likes free? Everyone. :) Bookoo is military friendly, but not exclusive. Shop gently loved items here.

Groupon Try Groupon!
This is a hugely popular app, so you're probably familiar with the details. But I've gotta give Groupon a pat on the back here. My husband and I have bought groovy gifts, tried new restaurants for half the cost, got discounts at spas and salons... Groupon offers deals on resorts and getaways, concerts, gourmet items...
Tailor the offers to your preferences.
Gift Groupons to others.
Earn great rewards for sharing.
Get it. Use it. Love it. Groupon. :D

Happy Saving!

Liv ;)

Nursery for Number One and Related Thoughts

Now that my Sydney Gray is 3 months old, I finally feel like my nursery is finished! I filled one wall with canvas art (with some help from my girlfriend - Thanks Britt!), one with shelves my hubby put together, and - ta da! - my first shadowbox!

I'm not a pink hater... exactly... but I wanted something un-pink for my first girl. Enter Pinterest.

Something tres chic (chevron) but not overdone (yellow and gray) found me. Unfortunately, because of our ever-imminent relocating with the Army, I didn't feel like investing time and $$ in painting the walls. Regardless, I'm satisfied!

Oh, and elephants. Still looking for an elephant piggy bank. Err... elephant... bank. You know.

In retrospect:

• Splurge--- crib, mattress (Your baby will spend most of the first year here, so think quality.)
• Skimp--- decor (There are sooo many DIY helps out there for the creatively challenged [me!] so don't break the bank to fill space. It's more special when you put your personal touches on it anyways!)
• Save--- clothes (This borders on personal preference, but unless you know you are done having babies, it usually makes more sense to store the barely used clothes to pull out again.)
• Stock--- diapers, wipes (They go fast. Fast.)

There is a lot I have yet to learn, but it's a fun ride! :)

Thanks for reading!

Liv ;)

Introductions

Hello Blog World!  Quick bio for my first post:

My name is Olivia, and I love being an Army wife and a new mommy!  I love God, my family, and coffee.  Originally from Southern Ohio, my hubby and I have lived in Colorado Springs since November 2011.  Our Sydney Gray was born in January.  She is an adorable blessing!

I'm taking timid steps toward more creative hobbies!  You should be getting a peek at my attempts on scrapbooking, mommying, cooking, et cetera.

Here are a few tidbits about me:

Music: gospel, contemporary Christian, opera, occasionally country, jazz, big band... almost anything except rap and screamo.

Movies: Romantic (not soap opera sleep arounds) Comedy (not vulgar or slapstick).  I also love The Incredibles, Meet the Robinsons, Despicable Me...

Reading: Classic Lit.  Please read The Count of Monte Cristo immediately.

Politics: It is a privilege to live in America!  I love being an Army wife, and I am super proud of my husband and the rest of the men and women in uniform.  I vote for the "lesser of two evils", the more conservative view.

Coffee: Medium to Dark Roast.  It's Folgers at home, Pike Place at Starbucks.

M&Ms: They're the new Jelly Bellies with all the crazy flavors.  Carrot cake, really?  I prefer the milk chocolate original.  Someone say b-o-r-i-n-g! ;)

Faith: I'm a Christian!  I attend church, I believe all of the Bible is true, and I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I believe each person has a soul which will spend eternity in either heaven or hell.

Cereal: Cocoa Puffs, Cap'n Crunch, Honey Bunches of Oats

Vacation: The mountains or the city.  I'm not a beach fan...  Firstly, I can't swim.  In fact, I have a bit of a phobia of drowning.  Secondly, I don't tan- I burn.  That goes for my hubby as well.  He's whiter than me, if it were possible.  SPF 1,000,000,000,000 please.

Habits: Coffee, Breakfast, Procrastinating.

Anything I missed?  Let me know!  This blog is just me, in slippers and stilettos.  Hope you enjoy.

Liv ;)