How to Save Money on Kid's Clothes

It's no fun to spend a fortune on children's clothes and watch them outgrow them overnight. It's a blow to your budget and your time! There are ways to make kids look terrific for very little with a little time and planning.

Instructions

Step 1

Check out the consignment stores for bargains. Don't miss their end of season sales to save your clothes budget! If you need party dresses or suits especially--the ones you use a few times that are real budget crunchers, look here first. Other kids don't wear these much either before they're outgrown so there's lots of stuff that looks brand new. Dress up shoes are also often like new. They often have toys and books as well. Be warned -- saving money this way can become a habit!

Step 2

Don't turn up your nose at yard sales - there are often really pricey items for amazing prices. Baby furniture, riding toys, and decorator bedroom sets also sell for peanuts. Don't forget to look for play clothes here. You can sometimes get tees and pants or shorts for a dime or a quarter that have lots of wear left in them.

Step 3

Try the thrift stores as well. Cheaper than consignment, but pricier than garage sales, there are still some super buys found at these. Ask if they have sale days. Most have one day a week where a certain color tag is reduced to one dollar and they sometimes have buy one get one free sales when they're overstocked. Books, toys, and other incidentals can also be picked up cheaply.

Step 4

Shop end of season sales for the best buys. Some clothes can be worn all year or nearly all year depending on where you live. Look for tee shirts and pants and sneakers and accessories. If you are pretty sure what size your little one will wear next year, stock up now, but don't go too crazy. Kids have a way of surprising us.

Step 5

Buy clothes that 'grow with' your kids. Tube socks can be worn longer than footed ones, and so can those made like women's trouser socks. Shoes with laces or velcro closures have more wiggle room generally than slip ons do. Buy smock type dresses or jumper styles which can later be worn over slacks. Buy two piece pajama sets a little big which can be worn longer than gowns.

Step 6

Buy the best you can get, wherever you get them. Buy boys pants in unisex colors for boys and girls to get sturdier clothing. Buy good quality undies and pajamas if they'll be passed on to others. Avoid plastic snaps which break easily, socks that only match one outfit, trendy clothes that will look dated too soon, and clothes with beads, baubles, and other items that usually fall or tear before the garment is worn out.

Step 7

Iron patches inside the knees and elbows of play clothes. Buy pants with long hems that can be let down if needed--lighter colors don't show hem marks as much. Cute patch pockets and appliqués and even some creative tie dying (you can still buy this now, too) can salvage clothes with small tears or stains. Think of these especially when buying second hand clothing. Many repairs can be made with just an iron or an iron and fusible fabric tape.

Step 8

Don't forget to swap out with friends and family members. If you have good clothing you can't use, bring it to a consignment store to help pay for newer clothes. They take books, shoes, belts, hats and toys as well as clothes.

Yet Another Hamburger Goulash Recipe

"Goulash" comes from the Hungarian word that means "cattlemen" or "herdsmen." In Slovakia it means "mishmash." Either meaning gives people an accurate description of what this meal is comprised of.

This is a recipe is yet another variation on goulash. If one were to search the term "beef goulash recipes" on the Internet, literally dozens of different recipes will come up. This recipe is not necessarily the best one out there, but it is quite good for many reasons.

First of all, it is a meal in and of itself - maybe add a slice of French bread or garlic bread on the side if one chooses to go that route. However, this meal is already high in carbohydrates, so a low carb side dish may be in order.

Second, this meal takes little time to prepare, as it can be ready in less than half an hour. This is a great meal to prepare on a weeknight when time is a bit of a crunch after work, school or soccer practice.

Finally, this meal is a money saver. It is inexpensive to make, allowing money-conscious cooks a great way to feed their families for the tough economic times we live in today.

Ingredients For Hamburger Goulash

• 1½ pounds of ground beef


• one medium yellow onion, diced


• 2½ cups of elbow macaroni


• 1 - 28 ounce can of stewed tomatoes (do not drain)


• 1 - 14½ ounce can of diced tomatoes (do not drain)


• one 14½ ounce can of tomato sauce


• salt, pepper, garlic powder


• Worcestershire sauce to taste

Instructions

1. Put macaroni into a pot of boiling water - let boil until macaroni is tender and then drain in a colander.


2. While macaroni is cooking, cook the ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet until onion is tender and hamburger is no longer pink (garlic powder to season). Drain the mixture.


3. Put the meat and the remaining ingredients into the pot that held the macaroni. Heat the mixture until it is just to boiling.


4. Remove pot from heat and add the macaroni. Stir all of the ingredients together until all is mixed together well. Add salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce to taste. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Hamburger Goulash

• To make spicy, add a small can of green chili peppers to the mix when adding the tomatoes.


• Potatoes can be used instead of macaroni. This will make the goulash in more traditional Hungarian variety.


• Another Hungarian variation would be to add paprika along with the other spices and/or ground lamb instead of hamburger.


• A large green or red bell pepper can also enhance the flavor. Cook the pepper with the meat and onion mixture.


• A favorite cheese can be added as a topping.


• In Step #3, mixing in a can of beans (black, pinto, or another favorite) will add to the flavor.


• For a vegetarian dish, use beans instead of hamburger. In Step #2 above, omit the hamburger and saute the onions in butter, margarine or oil. Proceed to step #3.

As mentioned earlier, this isn't the only goulash recipe out there and may not be the best one available. But people cannot go wrong with this recipe if time is an issue or if money is tight. Enjoy!

Maternity Fashion Tips for Pregnant Women

During the first trimester it is possible to continue wearing clothes proved favorites pre-pregnancy but once a baby bump takes over and the weight goes on many fashion-conscious women find that their redefined shape can prove a challenge.

Just because there is a baby on board is no reason to stop being a style guru — nor is there reason to dive head-first into maternity wear too early. There are likely to be pieces that are already in the wardrobe which can do double-duty before reaching for those maternity smocks and muumuus. Buying standard outfits several sizes larger are also an option provided styles are carefully chosen to suit a pregnant body shape

Fashionable Clothes for Pregnant Women

• Empire-line dresses and tops cinch in the area just below the bustline and provide a flattering silhouette with material grazing over the baby bump. Forget shapeless tent-like dresses — a voluminous tank dress can be gathered up with a ribbon, sash or belt tied under the bust to give definition.


• Evening dresses for pregnant women include maxi dresses and caftans, which prove comfortable, light and easy to wear. However, ensure a narrow cut which skins the figure rather than a diaphanous style. Strapless empire-line dresses look cute on pregnant women but don’t even go there unless they can be kept safely in place.


• With every-growing breasts its time to consider what neckline is the most flattering. Scoop necks, thick-strap vest tops and V-necks are the way to go. According to author Jenny Levin of Harper’s Bazaar Great Style (Aurum Presss 2007), “completely covering up will add pounds, whilst revealing too much will look sloppy.”


• Soft draping fabrics will define the body shape and look pretty when pregnant. Choose skirts and dresses with plenty of swing in them and tops with fabric that falls from on or under the bustline and finish at the hips or beyond.


• As arms put on weight cover them with sleeves, which will also balance out a bulging belly. A 3/4 length will still give a hint of bare skin, and sheer sleeves (short or long) offer both coverage and sex appeal.


• Go for sophisticated, simple single-block colors rather than busy prints and crazy colors.


• Dressing within the same color family from head-to-toe (e.g. different hues of blue or gray) will streamline the figure and make it look taller and leaner. It also means everything goes together and can be reworked with different pieces.


• Avoid wearing baggy jeans with flowing tops. Maternity jeans (probably the most important item in a pregnant woman's wardrobe) should be relatively straight-legged to balance out the volume on the upper part of the body.


• For smart workwear, a suit jacket with a single-button that fastens just below the bust will flatter a pregnant figure. A-line and draped skirts are likely prove the most comfortable.

Easy Ways for Women to Lose Weight

Yo-yo dieting is bad for you; it can lower your good cholesterol levels, decrease the function of your immune system and slow your metabolism. The easiest way for women to lose weight and to keep the weight off is to eat healthy, exercise regularly and set realistic goals that are easy to live with. Here are some tips for losing weight easily.

Plyometrics
Plyometrics is a type of training that involves jumping, hopping and bounding. It uses the principals of interval training--short, high-intensity cardio exercise alternated with longer periods of low-intensity cardio--to help women lose weight. This type of training was developed by the Eastern Europeans in the 1970's to build greater strength for the Olympics. Their program was based on scientific evidence showing that if you stretch your muscles before contracting them, it helps enhance your muscles' power. This high-intensity cardio training helps you lose weight and strengthens your muscles.

Pyramid Weightlifting
Pyramid weightlifting involves using a light set of weights for a warm-up round, then progressively increasing the weight in each set thereafter. For example, perform 15 repetitions at 55 percent of your maximum weight for your first set. With only a brief pause, perform 10 repetitions at 60 percent of your maximum, then six to eight repetitions at 65 percent of your maximum. According to Jillian Michaels in "Making the Cut," pyramid lifting helps build muscle by breaking the muscle down in order to build it back up. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body can burn, meaning more lost weight.

Diet
Eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, which are packed with nutrients and fiber, helps decrease bloating and assist with weight loss. The American Council on Exercise recommends you eat two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables daily for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. You diet should also include lowfat food choices that are low in calories. Be consistent throughout the week rather than dieting strictly on certain days and then taking other days off. You should also try to reduce your portion sizes by about 10 to 15 percent.

High-Intensity Cardio Activity
According to the American Council on Exercise, higher-intensity exercise burns more calories than lower-intensity exercise. Additionally, it helps to increase your caloric deficit and keeps your metabolism elevated even after you are finished working out. You can combine this with interval training, which alternates short bursts of activity with intense bursts of activity to help your body burn more calories.

Keys to a Happy Marriage

A happy marriage can be a bit hard to find. However, it doesn't have to be that way. There are many ways to make sure you remain as much in love with your spouse as when you first got married. Here are just a few suggestions:

1) Spend private time together. Make a date at least once a week to do something as a couple. Take a walk, play a game of cards, see a movie or go to the zoo. Just spend time with just the two of you, and get to know each other all over again.

2) Spend time apart. Taking time for yourself to do the things that interest you will make you happier and more fulfilled, therefore making you easier to live with and more interesting to your spouse.

3) Be spontaneous. The detours you take in life can bring fun, excitement and adventure, and are easy to implement. For example, skip church once in a while, and sleep in. Going to the zoo, but see a beach on the way? Stop and take a romantic walk together. Try to do at least one spontaneous activity together per week, and you'll be amazed at the new life your marriage has.
4) Have a journal in a prominent place. Write each other love notes about anything, including what you love about each other, memories of your first date, or a thank-you for completed chores or tasks.

5) Don't fight in front of other people. It embarrasses you both and undermines your relationship. It also may prevent you from being completely honest. If issues come up while company is present, either go into a separate room to talk, or agree to discuss the issues later.

6) Touch. Remember in the early stages of your relationship when you couldn't keep your hands off of one another? Do that again, and marvel at how good it feels.

7) Listen. Talk to one another about everything and nothing. Ask about your spouse's day, and listen to the answers. Ask how your spouse feels, and tell him/her how you feel. Respect each other's comments. Make sure you understand what is being said by clarifying statements.

8) Don't insult or make fun of your spouse's relatives or friends. Even if it's just in fun, these comments can hurt your spouse and your relationship.

9) Don't go to bed angry. Although there may be times when sleep is more important than making up, try to go to bed on a good note by saying something like, "I'm still angry about this issue, but I'm tired and want to go to sleep. I'd like to talk about this later. I still love you. I will always love you, and I'm glad we are married."

10) Give your spouse the benefit of the doubt. For example, if he is late getting home, assume that he is stuck in traffic and cannot get to a phone, not that he is merely being inconsiderate.
11) Remember the big picture. If your spouse irritates you, think, "Is this going to matter in a few hours? Do I really want to make a major issue out of this, or is this something I can live with?"

10 Little Ways To Show Your Husband You Care

Before I even start the list, I will state the obvious; every woman already knows what to do to make her husband happy, at least for a short time. I am including it just so the men don’t feel cheated or think that I don’t understand what they really, really want. Make his favorite dinner occasionally. Bring him a beer when he’s watching the game. Take off your clothes. Anytime is fine.

1. Let him know you are his biggest fan. Tell him how great he is, how much you appreciate the little things he does to help you (no matter how small), and how much he’s loved. I am not suggesting you lie. If you are not his biggest fan, you should be!

2. It is best to avoid asking questions such as “What are you thinking about, honey?” Men hate this because they know they will get themselves into trouble if they tell you what they were really thinking. Or they can't remember.

3. Always speak highly of him to others. Don’t call up your best friend to tell her about his latest stupid mistake.

4. Don’t cut him down. It may be tempting to tell him exactly what you think of him during an argument, but hold your tongue. Deep down, somewhere, you love this man, and shredding him to bits will only make the situation worse. Don’t remind him of his weaknesses at every opportunity. Most men are fully aware of their weaknesses and do not need reminding.

5. Be quick to apologize for snapping at him when you are tired and cranky.

6. Listen to what he has to say. This may include topics that you neither understand nor care to be enlightened about, such as the rules of fantasy football or a comparison of programming codes.

7. Although it is widely believed that men are dogs, don’t treat him like one. Don’t attempt to keep him on a short leash, or even long chain. I know the idea of a shock collar (as used in dog training) is appealing, but really, he’s a big boy now.

8. Appreciate who he is and don’t try to change him. You knew who he was when you married him. Trying to make him into something different is: A. a waste of your time because it will not work and B. just annoying. He was flawless in your eyes when you first met. Is he really not good enough now? I know, you have grown and changed and expanded. Let him appreciate you, but stay the same.

9. Encourage his hobbies, even if you aren’t fond of them. My husband loves motorcycles. People are always saying things like “I can’t believe your wife let you have a bike” and “How could you let him do that?” Let him? That’s not how it is supposed to work. He is my husband, not my child. Yes, I worry. I ask him call to check in. I also love to see the smile on his face when returns safely from a nice long ride.

10. Don’t make fun of his team, even if they always lose. It is likely that your husband has been programmed since birth to be a fan of a particular sports team. This rule additionally applies to Star Trek and Star Wars fans. If your husband is still a fan of the band KISS, then you have permission to go wild with abuse

Make Your Kitchen the Heart of Your Home

In households across the country, families have allowed television to become the center of every evening. Yet it is important to make an effort to turn off the ‘tube' on a regular basis. Cooking is a wonderful way to get away from the television, and a kitchen renovation project provides the perfect way to create a comfortable, welcoming space. Included below are some pointers to keep in mind for your project.

Plan in Phases. Investments to improve your cooking space pay off because they make cooking experiences much more pleasant. However, it is not always possible to make a big investment, nor is it necessary. Create a plan for what your ideal kitchen would look like and list the needed changes to make your plan a reality. Next, prioritize what you most value and rank all of the tasks. You might want to consult someone with experience in home repair projects, who can help you determine what is feasible.

Pick a Color Scheme. Altering the colors currently in your kitchen is a relatively easy way to change the feel of the room. Bright colors can make a place seem cheerful, while warm colors might be a better match for you depending on your personality. Consider how you will be using spaces when you think of the colors. If you tend to be a messy chef, make sure that you take this into account by selecting washable materials and avoiding white surfaces that easily stain. There are lots of ways to add color, from area rugs to painted walls, cabinet knobs, blinds, and light fixtures.

Involve the Family throughout the Process. Discussing the color scheme with y is a great way to get their input, so that the project really seems like a group one. You should also try to involve them in other decisions. More minds working together means that it will be easier for you to find ways to inexpensively alter your kitchen's look. This might include refinishing the cabinetry, painting, or changing small fixtures.

Update Your Appliances. Cooking is a much more enjoyable experience when you have the appropriate tools for every project you take on. Whether it is making toast in the morning or blending up a smoothie, all tasks are easier when you have good appliances. Evaluate which items you use the most, and replace any outdated models that do not function well. Talk to the other people who cook in your family, and make a list of your priorities for purchasing or repairing appliances.

Think about Comfort. Preparing food together is a fabulous way to have quality family time, giving you the chance to connect with the people in your household. An added benefit is that cooking your own food is normally much healthier than ordering in or eating microwave dinners. Because you want to encourage everyone to spend time in the kitchen, it is important to be sure you have comfortable places to be. Island countertops with stools are great ways to encourage everyone to be in the kitchen, even when they are not the one mixing the ingredients. People are more likely to accompany the cook, even when they are just observing, when they have a comfortable place from which to observe.

How to Make Home Schooling Fun for Your Child

Being a parent, one of the pleasures of life is seeing your child off to school. You watch them go with the knowledge that you are providing them with the lifelong tools that will allow them to succeed.

There are, or a many conditions that lie in wait in school, you might even wonder if sending them to school is the best reward. Parents sometimes worry that teacher influences and peer pressures may not be good for your child. That is often when parents begin to think about homeschooling.

Home schools were created to provide parents with an alternative option to educate their child under personal supervision. They want to find a way to instill additional values. It gives parents the ability to be able to control and maintain the education they want their child to have. They can manage their child's behavior and instill in them the values that are important.

However, what people often don't realize is homeschooling is a great alternative to traditional schooling and both the parents and the children can have fun learning things. With homeschooling, parents can make their child's learning process more fun and less rigid compared to the traditional school system.

Here's a list on how to make homeschooling your children fun:

1. Make reading more fun

The best way to teach a child is to make things easier for him or her to understand and learn. The best way to do this is to introduce fun into the setting.

For instance, if you want to teach your children to read, it would be better if you will read to them just to have some fun. Let them enhance their imagination by generating life into the characters included in the story. In this way, they will be able to learn things with lots of fun.

Create a connection with their books and give them norms and standards than those set by the typical school system.

2. Make learning comfortable

If the child or the student is comfortable with the program, then homeschooling can be more fun. It will generate more enthusiasm persuading the child to participate in the process.

The point here is that in order to make homeschooling more fun, parents should never be cumbered on the idea of teaching itself. They should teach by example. That is, truly, a fun way of learning things

Miscarriage Prevention

For the past ten years I never needled the abdomen of a pregnant woman for fear of causing miscarriage. This method of behavior stems in part from fear of over-stimulating blood flow to the embryo or placenta. This thinking, as I have recently discovered, is incorrect. It has taken me ten years of study and research to enable me to fully understand what is happening in the uterus after a successful pregnancy and why abdominal acupuncture for the first three months of pregnancy is not only safe but serves significantly to prevent miscarriage.

At the luteal phase or secretory phase of the menstrual cycle the predominant hormone is progesterone. Progesterone is created from the follicle that has ovulated the mature egg. This follicle is now known as the 'yellow body' or corpus lutuem. The corpus luteum, under the influence of luteinizing hormone which emanates from the anterior pituitary in the brain secretes progesterone. This action is done to enable the uterine lining to be amenable to a successful embryo implantation and pregnancy. If pregnancy is not successful, the corpus luteum becomes atretic (dies) and progesterone levels diminish and menstruation starts.

When a woman does successfully become pregnant, the LH which is required to maintain high levels of progesterone (P) no longer comes from the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. It comes in fact, from the developing blastocyst itself. The blastocyst (developing baby), secretes HCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin which has a very similar molecular structure to LH. The HCG causes the corpus luteum to continue to secrete P (this is called corpus luteum- rescue), until the placenta is fully formed at which point the placenta itself secretes appropriate amounts of P to help maintain pregnancy.

So, if the developing blastocyst is responsible for secreting HCG to keep itself alive it made sense to me to use very few and well placed needles in the abdomen to gently stimulate blood flow to the blastocyst so that P would continue to be secreted from the corpus luteum.

This, in my opinion is one of the major ways that miscarriage prevention can be achieved with acupuncture. I am the first one to arrive at this idea and have been using it with great success.

After 6 or 7 weeks the placenta is formed and it secretes P. The corpus luteum is no longer necessary. But, one of the major causes of miscarriage is inappropriate blood flow to the placenta. One of the causes of this is due to thrombophilic disorders (The tendency to form blood clots). But clinically what does this mean? Blood carries oxygen, hormones and nutrients to the placenta and excretes dead cells from it.
These dead cells are called 'debris'. By continuing to use abdominal acupuncture, we continue to gently stimulate blood flow to the placenta (reducing the effects of poor hemodynamics which can occur due to thrombophilic disorder or just poor circulation), maintaining its ability to secrete P, estrogen, human placental-lactogen, relaxin and other hormones necessary for the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy.

I am constantly studying Western reproductive medicine and translating my findings into a Chinese medical model which serves to increase a useful knowledge-base to help couples achieve pregnancy. However, achieving pregnancy is only half the battle. The other half is maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The focus of many acupuncturists is to help their patients become pregnant. This too is my first goal, but only my first. My second goal is to maintain a viable pregnancy and this is where my research and studies are now taking me.

I am pleased to say that at this point our successful pregnancy cases are remaining in the 30 to 40 of miscarriages occur within the first trimester.