Frugal Finds From your Frugal Friend: 10/01/2009

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Natural Ways to Fight the Flu.....

I am a firm believer in immunizations and wish all kids would be immunized. I do respect others opinions though. I do have a child that can not take over the counter cold medicine so over the years we have learned a few "natural" ways to help when he gets sick. I share a few with you here.

Himalayan Institute Original Neti Pot this is great for cleaning out sinuses

Cold-Eeze Homeopathic, Cold Drop Lozenges,18 ea - PARENT we love these and take them regularly

Safety 1st Hospital's Choice 8 Second Digital Thermometer I am always monitoring temperatures on a sick one

Vicks VapoRub-Cough Suppressant, 6oz (170g) put put it on the bottom of feet as well as on the chest when a little one is congested.

Johnsons Baby Soothing Vapor Baby Bath - 15 Oz - great to add to a very warm bath. These vapors and the hot steam work wonders.

Gatorade-Sport Drink, 24/20oz Orange helps fight dehydration.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Heirloom Vegetable Harvest Part #1

Above is a picture of some of our heirloom vegetables that we've harvested this year. This particular picture shows a type of Dry Bean called "Cherokee Trail of Tears" beans. These beans were carried with the Cherokee Tribes when they were relocated on a march that left some 4000 deaths from Kentucky to Oklahoma. Thus the name "Trail of Tears". An interesting story and a great vegetable. The beans, when left to fully dry on the vine, are shiny and black.

We had a very wet year this year thus some of our crops, particularly our tomatoes, did not do well. Some of the beans have a brown tint and that is due to our local wildlife. Funny Story.....sort of. You see, the raccoons (probably) decided that they needed the Oxacan Green Dent Corn (another heirloom vegetable that has been planted in Mexico for centuries) that was growing and was being used as a support pole for the Beans more than we did. The raccoons (probably) knocked the corn down and ate the kernels right off the cob. Never bothered the beans, but the corn crop was destroyed and the beans laid in the drenched garden for weeks on end. We picked some early and dried them inside for fear of them rotting (thus some are more brown than black). Of 75 corn stalks we "harvested" 1 cob. And yes, we have our entire garden fenced in to a height of 4'. Keeps the deer out (we think) but not the other critters. Oh well, it's a funny story (at least that is what we keep telling ourselves).

As I've said before, we do not use pesticides and we only plant heirloom seeds that we recycle year after year. An initial purchase provides fresh vegetables that have an interesting history for years to come. For more information on other heirloom vegetables that we've planted / harvested this year, stay tuned. Up next, Hinkelhatz Peppers a Pennsylvania Dutch Heirloom Pepper.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Cyber Christmas Shopping.....

Time to start thinking about Christmas shopping. I like to start early and do a little at a time so it does not hit me all at once. Here are some early suggestions. More to come in the upcoming weeks.

Connect 4 x 4 - cool spin on a classic game

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Mr. Squiggles - Light Brown - hot new toys for this Holiday season

Bakugan Battle Pack (Styles and Colors May Vary) - another hot toy for this Holiday season

LEGO Pirates Brickbeard's Bounty - this is such a cool set. I would love to get it for my son!

iCarly Sam's Remote - any iCarly fan would love this!!

Fisher Price Elmo's Tickle Hands this is so cute for any little Elmo fan

Scene It? Twilight Deluxe Edition great for Twilight fans!

Apple iPod nano 8 GB Purple (4th Generation) OLD MODEL - great for any age

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL upgrade to the hottest model

Snuggie Fleece Blanket As Seen On TV - a cult sensation!! Everyone loves a snuggie! It is all about freedom for the hands!

Shoes Under Space Saving Shoe Organizer I want this!!!

Note: I do get a small compensation from Amazon for anyone buying items through my links.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Home Made Fire Starters....

This is a reprint from last October. It is time for me to make these again this year.........

Every year, I make my own fire starters. I use all recycled items and turn them into something I use almost everyday. I start with shredded paper. I use the paper I get from the fax I receive from my work at home job each morning.