Waffle Sandwiches…YUMMY!

W = Waffle Sandwiches in our house.

Here is what you need:

Eggo Whole Wheat Waffles, Peanut Butter, Honey, and Apples

We slice our apple slices pretty thin.

 (Sorry for the bad pic.)

Toast your waffles and spread your favorite peanut butter on both sides.

Squirt a little honey on but not too much or it will pour out when you go to take a bite.  Add the thin apple slices to one side, slap them together, and call the troops!

 

This is a great way to start the day!  It stays with you.  In fact we won a school recipe contest with this and won an IPOD shuffle!

You can also add banana slices to this as well.

Have a “YUMMY” Day!

CONTEST COUNTDOWN - I am in the final strech of my tips.  To enter the contest link any of my A-Z tips on your blog and let me know.  I will enter you for a chance to win some really wonderful prizes. 

 

 

5 posts left….?

No, you are not getting rid of me that easily.  I just have five more posts until my A-Z tips are done and my contest is over.  If you are new to my blog I am having a series of posts that are tips from A-Z.  If you link any of these tips on your blog, and let me know, I will enter you in my contest.  Check it out:

http://realworldmartha.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/wanna-know-what-you-are-playing-for/

Today’s tip is V for Volunteer

I just got an email from my brother talking about how my niece (and happens to be named Virginia -coincidence I don’t think so!), who is 17, is taking her first mission trip to Mexico.  I am so proud of her.  I think she will be going to another country so full of amazing culture but will also learn about the extreme poverty that exists in other parts of the world.  She is already a beautiful child of God, and I think this experience will just bring her closer to God.

So today my tip is talk with your family, and pray, about a possible mission trip.  If your children are too young to go abroad, find something locally.  You can try your local church for ideas.  Here is some websites as well:

www.familycares.org

Action Without Borders www.idealist.org/kt

Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org

Food for the Hungry (offers mission trips) http://www.fh.org/

Weekend Missions www.weekendmissions.com

www.volunteerfamily.org

Have a “Helping” Day!

 

Have no fear “Underwho” is here?

Today’s tip is on our undergarments.  I have to admit that I need this more than anyone else I know.  I just recently got rid of my nursing bras to which I got 11 years ago!!!  I still have underwear from my bridal shower (14 years ago).  Until recently I would wash them in the regular load.  It’s bad.  I need an intervention

I have been trying to improve on this area and have started using a lingerie bag for these items and washing them more delicately.

Here are some tips I have found.  I hope you find them useful!
(Taken from here: http://playtexbras.com/bras101/wearcare.asp )

Wear & Care

Caring for Intimate Wear

Always follow the care label. For bras that require hand washing, use a cleaning product designed for delicate fabrics.

For machine-washable bras and panties, always attach hooks and eyes to prevent tangling and snagging. Then, place garments in a zippered lingerie bag.

Remember: harsh detergents are not only bad for bras, they may also cause irritated skin.

Don’t dry bras in a clothes dryer — this greatly decreases the lifespan of lingerie. Instead, air dry by draping across hooks or hangers.

Rotate, rotate, rotate — Give bras a day to “rest” to return to their original fit and to prolong elasticity.

Time is running down for the A-Z tip contest.  If you wish to enter please link any of my A-Z tips on your blog and let me know.  I will then enter you and a name will be drawn at the end of the tips.  Here is what you are playing for:

http://realworldmartha.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/wanna-know-what-you-are-playing-for/

Have a “delicate” day!

 

I’m going on a trip and I’m taking….

Have you ever played that game?  It’s a fun game to do in the car.  To play you use the alphabet and go around naming things that one would take on a trip

“I’m going on a trip and I am taking an APPLE.”

The next person says “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking an APPLE and  BAGGAGE”
Until you get to Z.  This is a great memory game as well.

I thought that this was an appropriate game since I am doing my A-Z tips and today’s is T for travel.

If you are traveling this summer with your family get an autograph book that you can use as a souvenir.  Have everyone you meet sign it.  If you are going to visit relatives or friends make sure they sign it.  And encourage them to add more than their name.  If you are visiting National Parks have the Park Rangers add their name and why they love the Park you are visiting.  The kids can get anyone they meet to add their signature or comment.  You may even want your signers to add recommendations of places to visit or their favorite thing about where they live. 

This makes for a low cost project during the trip and a great keepsake afterwards.

Have a “Safe Travels” Day!

P.S. - Speaking of T…Time is running down for my first contest.  If you want to enter before I hit Z, link any of my A-Z tips on your blog and let me know about it.  I will enter you in for a terrific prize.  Check out what you will be playing for:

http://realworldmartha.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/wanna-know-what-you-are-playing-for/

 

Let’s go shopping!

I do love to shop.  So we have to go shopping for the A-Z tips.  I would love to focus on non-essential items however as grocery prices increase I think a few grocery tips may help.  Please feel free to add your own as I know many of you have terrific tips yourself.  I want to learn from them.

Let’s go shopping:

• At the store shop the perimeter.  All the sale items will be stocked there.  And you will cover fresh veggies and fruit which is more healthy then processed foods.
• Only purchase fruits and veggies that are in season. 
• Try making your own salad dressings, seasoning mixes, marinades, and biscuit mixes.  They are fairly easy to do and will save you $$$$$.
• Compare price per unit when buying in bulk.  You may not be saving money with some items.
• Keep a list.  This is so true.  All those extras really add up.
• Buy spices in bulk.  You don’t need as much of some spices and spices don’t stay fresh forever.
• Stay away from prepared foods.  They are very expensive.
• Decide if you are a coupon person or not.  If you are not, then accept it and don’t hang on to them and feel defeated.  Instead, shop store brands and use other tips.  If you are then get a good system for using them.  There are also subscription type services like the www.thegrocerygame.com that might work for you. 
• Find lower priced cuts of meat and find recipes on ways to cook them instead.
• Keep a budget for food.
• Eat less meat.
• In most cases, toiletry items are more expensive at your grocery store.
• Have you shopped at a 99 cent store lately?  Mine has veggies and fruit.  I also got a beautiful jar of mixed mushrooms (that looked like something you would get in a gift basket, for –you guessed it–99 cents!
• Use up stale bread to make your own breadcrumbs of croutons.  Easy to do and saves $$
• Know when the sales are for your store.  And you may want to find out when they stock so they are not out of the items when you go.
• Start with a menu and then shop.
• Make your own cleaning products will save a bundle!!!  The companies that produce that stuff is making a ton of $$ as we need very few cleaners yet most households are full of buckets of different cleaners.
• Watch the register.  Make sure someone unloads the cart and you watch the register.  If you are alone, look over the receipt before you leave.
• AND NEVER GO TO THE STORE HUNGRY!

Don’t forget to share your tips.

Contest: Link any of my A-Z tips on your blog and let me know and I will enter you in my contest to win some lovely prozes.  Check out my post- Wanna now what you are playing for? to see them.
Have a “Cost-Effective” Day!

Debbie aka The Real World Martha(S)

 

Triple R

I couldn’t do a tip on just one R it had to be 3.  Of course my R tip is going to be on Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling.

As I have stated before these are in proper order.  Reducing first, Reusing second, and finally Recycle.

Today’s tip is easy.  The reusable bags are everywhere and are very cheap (unless you go for the designer ones).  Do you have any?  Pick up a few and keep them in a basket in your car.  Just don’t forget to take them in the store when you go (like I have done on a few occassions).  Some store will even give you a credit for bringing in your own bags.  Since grocery prices are on the rise I’ll take any credit I can get!  How about you?

Have a “(R)elaxing” Day!

P.S. - To enter my contest all you have to do in link any of my A-Z tips on your blog and let me know you did so.  I will enter you in my contest to win some great products!  I will draw the prize after the Z tip.  It’s coming up quickly!  Check out the prize here:

http://realworldmartha.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/wanna-know-what-you-are-playing-for/

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is my husband’s birthday…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY BUNCHES OF O’S !!!!!

 

What to do with Q?

Hmmm…Q????  I don’t quilt.  I don’t know anything about quails.  I am not a queen.  I have no tips on Quartz.  So what to do with Q for today’s tip?  How about a quote? 

I have talked, even just yesterday, about the minitry of Joyce Meyer’s.  I had the pleasure of attending a conference just recently and she said something that really struck me so I thought I would share it today.  Now if you are not familiar with Joyce she has a point blank way of speaking.  She doesn’t hold back and tells it like it is.  You are never left wondering what was she trying to get to.  That’s what I like about her.  You may not always agree but you know where she stands and I respect that.

Q

“If you think you can’t be happy until all your circumstances are right, you will never be happy.”  This quote was from her website.  Now at the conference she said something like “If you think that when your husband becomes a Godly Man in the home(i.e. decisions, etc) you will be happy..NO YOU WON’T ( I love the way she said it.).  Then you will be mad that you lost control.”  She gave several more examples of what we think will make us happy rarely does.  We have to choose happiness in our mind.

Do you have a story of something you thought would make you happy and it didn’t? 

Here’s her link if your are interested: http://www.joycemeyer.org/

Have a “Happy” Day!

Debbie aka The Real World Martha(S)

CONTEST ALERT - While you are happy as a clam today, please link any of my A-Z tips on your blog, and let me know about it, and I will enter you in my contest.  The drawing will be held after the final Z tip (which isn’t too far away!).

 

“Velvet Covered Bricks”

Today for the A-Z tips we are taking a trip to P for Parenting.  I don’t know about you but I can always use some parenting tips.

I receive Joyce Meyer’s monthly magazine and one regular contributor is John Maxwell.  I don’t know if you are familiar with him or not but he writes a lot on Leadership.  Most of the the articles have a business tone, but I believe some of them can work well in parenting.

One article that I pulled out was on “Velvet Covered Bricks”.  I just loved the visual concept of this.  What a great thought that as a parent we are to be soft (velvet) at the same time strong (like a brick) in knowing what is best for our children.  Only I might change velvet to a baby soft blanket.  Aren’t the things so super soft now a days?  I digress.

John Maxwell states that a velvet covered brick is “a leader (parent) that makes difficult decisions, but at the same time, acts as an emotional caretaker to the people their choices affect.  The instill discipline, but they also provide encouragement and inspiration.”

He states that a velvet covered brick leader will confront problems but consider different perspectives, commited to results and relationships, respected and approachable, etc.  Sounds like good parenting ideas to me. 

To see the entire article please follow this link: http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Magazine/0802/Velvet-Covered+Bricks.htm

So wrap up a brick in something soft and now you have a constant parenting reminder.  But I wouldn’t recommend taking it with you when you go to the store with your children.  For ladies, we already have too much in our purses as it is.  You will just have to keep the velver convered brick in mind

**Contest alert.  I have a contest running until the end of my A-Z tips.  We are on P so you are running out of time.  All you need to do is link and of my A-Z tips on your blog and let me know you did so.  I will then enter you in my contest.  At the end I will draw for some wonderful products.  Please go to this post to see them: http://realworldmartha.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/wanna-know-what-you-are-playing-for/

Have a “Good Parenting” Day!

 

M, N, Q, P?????

I was away from the house this weekend so I didn’t get a chance to write any tips.  I left off at N so today we will be on Q.  Just testing you to see if you have learned your alphabet.  Is there anyone else that needs to sing the alphabet to file something?  :) 

O

If you know me you know I like to organize.  I find that I work better in less chaos.  So today’s simple tip is to look around your home and pick 5 things that don’t make your heart happy and give them away.  The less things we have to take care of allows us to focus on the things we do want to take care of.

Disclaimer - This is meant for your things not hubby’s favorite (UGLY!!) shirt that he has had since 1979 and the odds of fitting into it again is about as likely as children obeying you for an entire day.  Or the childs toy that won’t be parted with even though it’s broken in more pieces than a lego set.  No, I am not suggesting that you remove those.  Keep it to your items only for a less stressful event

OK, GRAB YOUR ITEMS AND GO

Have a ”Purging”  Day! 

 

Almost forgot.  Don’t you too forget about my contest.  Ping/link any of my A-Z tips on your blog for a chance to win my very first ever blog contest.  Let me know when you do and I will enter you.  See Wanna know what you are playing for to see the beautiful products you can win.