E-Mealz

A couple of you have noticed a button on my sidebar for E-Mealz, so I've been meaning to share my experience with it for you. We've been using E-Mealz for about the last 5 months. This has helped me tremendously in an area I am very weak...meal planning. I enjoy cooking, but too often I would wait until 5:00pm to decide what to make for dinner only to realize I don't have half the ingredients in the house and we end up eating the same things over and over. Sound familiar?

E-mealz does all the grunt work for me! We chose to get the Aldi's meal plan because we do the majority of our shopping there. (There are also a few more store-specific plans, and also diet specific plans as well, or plans for families of 2). So, once a week I go into my account and download 7 days worth of recipes (main dishes and sides included!) complete with the grocery list for it! We've tried probably about 90% of the recipes and pretty much every one has been delicious and easy to prepare. There is a lot of variety in each week - ususally one crock pot meal, one mexican-type meal, one fish meal, and a mix of chicken, beef, and pork main dishes.

It costs $15 for a 3 month subscription (you can get a $2.50 discount if you search the web for a promo code by the way), which amounts to a little over a dollar a week! I'm very happy to pay someone a dollar and change a week to choose my meals, write out the recipe, and provide me with the matching grocery list! (And for you Financial Peace people out there, this program is endorsed by Dave Ramsey!)

I think it does 2 major things for us:
1. Makes it super easy for me to be prepared and organized in an area that gets overlooked or pushed aside for all the other jobs I do around here because I don't enjoy that part of it.
2. Although for us it hasn't changed our grocery budget much (because we were already doing pretty well keeping it very low for a family of 5, especially by shopping at Aldis), it has prevented us from "stocking up" on all kinds of things that end up pushed to the back of our pantry and never used. We buy things for specific meals, and everything gets used, so we're not spending money on food we "may or may not" need.

If you decide to give it a try after reading this, please click on the following link or the button at the top or on my sidebar before signing up so they know I'm the one that sent ya! Feel free to ask me any questions. It really has made a big difference for our family and maybe it will for yours too!

CLICK HERE:

E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families

Melissa's Must-Haves #6 - Indulgences

It's been awhile since I've done a "Must-Haves" post and there are so many new things I've tried and want to post about that I thought I'd share a combination of items that I use and LOVE in my daily cleansing routine. I seriously look forward to my shower and bedtime each day because I get to use these products. They make me feel not only super clean, but pampered and fresh and I highly recommend each of them. As a mommy of young kids there is nothing like feeling truly clean after being covered in peanut butter, spit-up, and all kinds of other bodily excretions all day. They are my small indulgences that make a big difference in how I feel, and as I am quickly approaching turning 30 this year (eek!) I think it is so important to use products that I love AND are high in quality because this is the only skin and hair I am going to get! I am starting to turn into a QVC junkie because all of these products are available on there for a great price (I stay tuned for the special values or introductory deals mostly). But I have found that a lot of the same products are available on ebay for some of the best prices you can find.

One item I had been eyeing and wishing for for a very long time was the Clarisonic facial cleansing system. It is basically a sonic micro-massager for the face that claims to remove 6x more dirt, makeup and all the other gook off your face than ordinary washing. But, it was way out of my price range for something like that...until I caught a special value deal on QVC for the Clarisonic Mia set which is basically the smaller version of the original for half the price. I prefer the smaller one anyways because I don't have a lot of bathroom storage space, and it is perfect for travel as well. I treated myself to it and I couldn't live without it now! It is seriously a face massage each evening for me and my face feels SO clean afterward. I have noticed that my complexion looks so much healthier and I can't stop touching my skin after I use it because it is so smooth and clean-feeling! Definitely a must-have for me!

I have also been turned on to the Philosophy line of skin care products recently. Each night I use the Purity facial cleanser with my Clarisonic. It is very gentle and creamy and fragarance-free, and I have found I prefer it over the cleanser samples that came with my Clarisonic, although I do think it would be even nicer with a pretty smell to it. So, I go to bed with my face feeling very clean and fresh, and then in the morning I use the Philosophy Microdelivery exfoliating wash which has tiny little micro-scrubbers in it that gently rub away any residue grime or night cream (which I am still looking for a great one that doesn't make my skin break out if you have any suggestions!) and polishes up my skin for the day. Love these products.

Another Philosophy item that I have fallen in love with is the Amazing Grace line. I purchased a sample kit of the three "grace" scented shower gels to try them out, Amazing Grace, Pure Grace, and Inner Grace. I thought Pure Grace was a very mild, clean, fresh scent, but I love that Amazing Grace has the same scent with a hint of floral in it - very feminine. I have the body spritz in the same scent and plan on purchasing the lotion and eau de parfum in the future as well because I wish the smell lasted longer! I also really liked Inner Grace and especially like using that one right before bed. It has a little stronger floral smell to it, but is very pretty and calming to me as well. I'd love to try the other scents in the Philosophy line and hope to do so over time, but Amazing Grace is definitely a keeper for me. Honestly, I would love to try anything with the Philosophy name on it at this point (I'm really looking forward to the new spring Color of Grace makeup collection they are coming out with too)!

And last, but not least, is my all-time favorite hair product, and that is the Wen Lavender Cleansing Conditioner. Since discovering this product, and committing to using it exclusively, I no longer shampoo my hair...and it looks and feels amazingly better than it ever has in my life. I have so many more "good hair days" now than bad, and I'm the person who used to look in the mirror almost every day and say I hate my hair. It is shinier, fuller, and so much less damaged. I used to see flyaways and frizzies and broken hairs all over, and now they are gone. My color is so much less brassy since using it and stays longer than ever before instead of fading after a couple weeks. If I miss a day or two of washing it, it never looks greasy or dull. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it isn't my favorite smell - it is a strong, minty scent, but honestly as I continue to use it I kind of like it and it is kind of a pick-me-up smell in the mornings which I can use! I've pretty much stopped using shampoo altogether because when I do skip a day of Wen and use regular shampoo I notice such a difference. There are 5 or 6 difference kinds you can get - I have used a couple different ones and I think the Lavender does the best job with volumizing which is what I need.

So there you have it - a few of my favorite must-have indulgences! Let me know if there is a must have indulgence you love and think I should try!

Melissa's Must-Have #5

One way I can totally make my kids' day is by letting them use paint. But, as much as I love to see them having fun with paint, I don't see the fun in cleaning up a huge mess afterward. I have a great appreciation for products that make the process and the clean-up much easier. That brings me to Melissa's Must Have #5, Elmer's Squeeze n Brush paints. No cups, no brushes, no mixing up paint colors (and ruining them by turning them all brown), no spills, and on top of all that they are refillable! The paint comes in the brush and then rinses clean when you're done! That's it!

The kids needed a little help learning how to squeeze the tubes the first time we used them, and this obviously wouldn't be for detailed painting, but for a 2 and 3 year old these are perfect, and this mommy is more likely to say yes to paints!

Just remove the cap:
Squeeze until you see some paint on the brush:
And paint your heart out!

And, if any gets on you like this, no worries, it's washable!
Hope this inspires some mommy's out there to bust out the paints and let the kids go nuts!

Melissa's Must-Haves #4

Welcome to Melissa's Must-Haves #4: My Cosmetic Bag Edition!

As the impending conclusion of my life in the 20's creeps ever closer, and the number of sleepless nights, endless days, and coffee-dependent moments have increased with each child, I simply must have my make-up. Without it, I fear I would scare poor children in the streets. Or at least get endless comments about how "tired" I look. I am perpetually tired and it's really amazing what a little make-up can do for the ego. Like a fresh coat of paint in a room. ;)

I don't have a lot of money to spend on make-up (but who does these days?). So other than a few indulgent purchases at Mary Kay parties, I pretty much stick to the drug store brands. I tend to keep using certain products, because it is too expensive to buy-to-try and end up not liking it. Every now and then I live on the edge and pick up something new, but only if there is a crazy sale or a great coupon for it because then I can justify it to myself.

So here is a peek into what's currently my make-up bag. Again, these are really basic brands, nothing fancy here, but maybe you'll see something you want to try.


Bronzer:
A definite must-have, especially after the nearly 8 month absence of the sun here in NY. I probably use too much of this, but the key is to not make yourself look sun-kissed, not orange. I have tried a couple different bronzers, but I love the Neutrogena Mineral bronzer, mainly because of the built in brush.



Powder:
I pretty much use powder exclusively in the summer in lieu of bronzer to take away that extra perspiration shine. In anticipation of those warmer days, I just picked up Maybelline Shine Free Powder.




Eyeliner:

I probably wear too much of this too, but I can't seem to get rid of the eyeliner. I exclusively use CoverGirl Smoothers in smoke, which self-sharpens. Colored eyeliner looks like fun, but I can't bring myself to buy it for fear of sporting a retro look I do not want to bring back.




Eye shadow:
Not a huge fan of eyeshadow but I do like a light color to brighten the eyes. I usually grab the CoverGirl or Maybelline brand, whatever is cheaper at the time. Again, the bright colors scare me a bit, so I stay really neutral. Not sure I could pull off the lime green/fuchsia or orange/yellow combos I've seen recently.



Mascara:
Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline. The Colossal Volume Express is my current fav. It's not gloppy or clumpy, it goes on well, and finishes nice with an eyelash curler. That's enough for me.





Blush:
Don't use this much, if at all, but I do own the Maybelline Mineral Powder Blush. I've been happy with it when I do use it.






Lipstick:
I don't have a set lipstick brand that I use because I tend to grab whatever is on sale at the time. But this is one MaryKay product that I do like to indulge on and use repeatedly. I love their selection of colors and, even though it isn't specifically a "long-lasting" lipstick, it tends to stay on my lips longer than the drug store brands. Gloss is a must-have too and it ends up being whatever is the cheapest :).



Foundation:
I'm still looking for the "perfect" foundation...you know the one that gives that airbrushed, flawless finish in the exact color of my skin. Does it exist? I don't know but I'm willing to look for it, so this is one I tend to switch up on. I currently have the Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse, which I think I bought in slightly too dark of a shade. Hopefully in the next month or so I will have some exposure to the sun and will be able to get some use out of it for the summer months.


I'd love to have a peek into your cosmetic bag too, if you're willing to spill! Leave me a comment! I take make-up recommendations very seriously :).

P.S.
I was asked recently if I had a button for people to link to my site. (Flattered!) I don't have an html code set up, but you are welcome to use this button to link here. If you do snag it, I'd love for you to leave me a comment to let me know. Thanks for asking!

Edited: Special thanks to Stacy for creating a code for my button! Just add the code listed on my sidebar as an html gadget and you're good to go!
Also, if you are here from my recipe blog, Momma Bee's Recipes, welcome! Thanks for following! I've decided to merge that blog into this one, so any new recipes I post will be shared here from now on!
All the recipes from that blog are now available here! You can search through my recipes collection by clicking the Recipes button located on the sidebar, or search by topic by using the drop menu on the side.

Thanks!

Melissa's Must-Have #3

I am a self-professed smoothie-aholic.

I pretty much drink a smoothie a day. You can check out my recipe blog to see a sampling of some of the scrumptious concoctions I've tried. They are healthy, delicious, and filling, not to mention there is an endless array of flavor combo possibilities! You can even hide things like spinach in them for some extra nutritional value and you can't even taste it (a tip I learned from my smoothie-loving friends Karen and Al!)

What then must a devoted smoothie-lover have? Well, I have my good old hand-me-down blender, and that certainly does the trick, especially if you are serving a crowd. But my latest must-have machine is the Hamilton Beach personal blender, in ruby red of course. Isn't it pretty?

This personal blender has only enhanced my smoothie-loving regime. Not only does the size make it easier to store than a traditional blender (or with as frequently as mine gets used just keep it out on the counter), the container doubles as a cup, complete with travel lid! You know what that means?

One less dish to wash :).

Melissa's Must-Haves #2

Without new photos I am going to have to tap into my creative side for my posts, but thank goodness my creative side and I get along pretty darn well and even really like each other most days.

Figured I'd go ahead and share my next Must Have and that would be the rich, creamy, pure goodness that IS . . .Nutella! Nutella is a chocolatly, hazelnut spread that originated in Italy in the 40's but has made it's way to a grocery store near you. Not only is Nutella good for s'mores, fluffernutter sandwiches (a new fav for my kids which I feed them sparingly don't worry ;)...), and a quick fondue fix, did you know there are tons and tons of recipes you can make using Nutella? I've decided I'm going to start cooking with the stuff and see how it turns out . . . that is if I can ever get past scooping it out without licking it off the spoon.

It's that good.

And in case you didn't know, because I didn't until after I started writing this post ironically, this Thursday, February 5th is World Nutella Day. Now that is a holiday I am definitely going to be celebrating.
Click the link to find out how to participate. Trust me, you don't want to miss out.

Melissa's Must-Haves #1

If you check my blog at least once a week then guess what...you are a follower! :) I finally added the "follower widget," so scroll down and on the left sidebar under My Readers click "follow this blog"...thanks!

I decided to start another series of posts that will come randomly as I think of them, or as I discover new things, or just need something to post about. So welcome to Melissa's Must-Haves. I thought it would be a fun way to share things that I have found to be fun or valuable as a woman and a mom. These are things that make my life a little easier or just more enjoyable, and maybe they will be helpful to you too. I have a huge list of things to share (hopefully without sounding too much like a commercial!) :) If you've used any of these things yourself and want to share your experience with it, please do! And if you haven't and plan on trying it, let me know!
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Must Haves #1

I used to be addicted to chap-stick. Seriously addicted. Once I broke the addiction, I was always afraid to go back to using it for fear I wouldn't be able to stop again. I'm convinced that using chap-stick makes you keep needing to use it. But then with this cold, dry winter air, Riley started licking his lips and getting chapped around his mouth, and I got a cold and had been breathing through my mouth and that just feels gross. So I decided we really needed something. Then I remembered someone telling me I HAD to try Burt's Bee's Lip Balm and I will never use another chap stick again! Riley's chapped mouth looked so much better within a day, and I only put this stuff on once on the days I need it and I'm good to go! It is definitely a must-have for this mom!

I Heart Jane

This summer I became a true Jane Austen fan. I have read the book and loved the movie Pride and Predjudice since I first saw it (what girl doesn't fall in love with Mr. Darcy?!). And I had seen the film versions of Emma and Sense and Sensibility, but my fondness of Austen pretty much stopped there. For some reason her stories caught my attention and I decided that I was going to become familiar with her works, especially the ones I had never read/seen before. (Guess having a husband who is gone as much as Brad a girl needs a good love story now and then even if it is vicarious :) and I find her stories despite the cultural differences to be timeless.)

I have been in the process of watching all the different versions of the books in movie form while I read the lot of them as well and have found I am fascinated by the charcters Jane gave life to and the culture of that generation. At times I find myself wishing I lived in a time when women wore such elegant, feminine clothing, attended dances and picnics on a regular basis, and men (for the most part) were gentlemen and respectful and proper. Even the poorest of them seem to live in grand "cottages" and have at least one or two servants...such a different lifestyle! But how horrible to feel such pressure to marry, and primarily to marry well financially, and to please everyone pretty much but yourself in choosing a spouse. I love though how all of Jane's heroine's, after much trial and grief and uncertainty, always find themself with a well earned happily ever after.

Since there are many movie versions of the same stories out there, I have narrowed down my favorites of each.

Persuasion was a new one to me. I did enjoy the newest BBC version of this story, but I found the actress playing Anne and the scenery to be a little too dry and she looked too old for the part. I much preferred the 1995 film version starring Amanda Root.

Northanger Abbey has become one of my new favorite stories and is the next book I plan to read of Austen. I love the character of Catherine and how her imagination was brought to life in this movie. I have only seen the 2007 Masterpiece Theater version, so I have none to compare to yet, but I loved this story and would definitely watch it again!

Emma is quite a different character than the rest of her main characters and a bit harder to like, but I have to say I enjoyed Kate Beckinsale's portrayal of her in the 1997 A&E version much better than Gwenyth Paltrow.

Sense and Sensibility has to be tied for first now for my favorite with Pride and Prejudice after watching the 2008 BBC mini-series version of this film! I LOVED it! The casting was phenomenal - MUCH better than the 1999 film version which I barely tolerated Hugh Grant and could care less for Emma Watson as Elinor and Kate Winslet as Mariann. The plot was developed much further in this version and the scenery was gorgeous throughout. I am excited to also watch the new, Miss Austen Regrets, that is included with this DVD and is based on Jane Austen's life. I have heard that it is even better than Becoming Jane, another biographical Austen movie, so I am looking forward to watching that one this week. It fascinates me that Jane Austen never married, but I admire her strength and determination for being so independent in a culture in which that was looked down upon.

As I have already mentioned, I love the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. I did like the 1996 A&E version, but much prefer Matthew MacFadyen as Mr. Darcy to Colin Firth. And this is just an excellently filmed movie in all categories.

Mansfield Park was another new story to me, but a pleasant surprise. I loved Fanny Price probably most of any of Austen's main characters. She was comfortable with who she was, regardless of what others thought, never pretended to be better than anyone, and stayed true to herself throughout the storyline. I still plan on reading the book and watch the two older versions of this, but I did enjoy it more than I expected. In fact, I expected to not like it at all because of reviews I had read, but I think because I had nothing to compare it to, I watched it with fresh eyes. I may think differently of it once I read the book for myself, but for now I am looking forward to getting to know the character of Miss Price much better!

In the end of each of these tales though, I am reminded how thankful I am to have found my very own Mr. Darcy, a good man who loves me more than I probably know and treats me with so much love and respect.