What do you eat?

I was reading a friends blog - Full Tummies - where she talks about a book she picked up from the library (very fascinating book) and lists what they eat in a week. I think we must be big piggies here! I'm fascinated at what others eat. Anyone interested in keeping track for the week - maybe even a couple of weeks? I'm going to update this post each day this week. I know we will be eating more pre-packaged food this week because we've been clearing out the pantry/freezer.

Monday:

breakfast:
1 box of dry cereal - plenty left - (Kellogg's Smart Start - kids love it)
1 2/3 c of oats (hubby didn't eat this much, I burned the first batch because I got distracted and there is enough leftover to make oatmeal muffins later this week...)
1 cup coffee for me
2 c. skim milk for the cereal
2/3 cup of skim milk for the oatmeal (I think the flavor is better with at least a little milk added)

Lunch:
3 apples - cut, cored, distributed between the 4 of us.
few grapes for the baby
5 hotdogs/buns (baby didn't eat but 1/2 of hers, then I forgot to refrigerate the rest, so they've become today's dog training treats)
cup of coffee for me - reheated
1 glass of Dr. Pepper for hubby

Snack:
handful of grapes
crackers
1 can of coke for me
1 32 oz bottle of water with 1 crystal light packet for oldest dd
2 cans of coke zero for hubby @work

Dinner:

hubby is having chicken alfredo at work - leftover chicken thighs that were grilled and chopped/frozen last week, leftover noodles from my weird beef w/creamy gravy experiment (I got the seasoning a bit off), 1 c. Ragu alfredo sauce.

The girls and I will be having chicken thighs, leftover green beans, mashed potatoes (shamefully from a box because I actually have these in the house and not any fresh ones.)

We are also having a boxed chocolate cake with no frosting because we are craving chocolate and the only other option would be the M&M's (which are set aside for potty training rewards!)

I'm back! Here's some sales...

Okay - we moved and are settled fairly well, started potty training with the youngest, and now we've started the next grade for the oldest (she wants to do 2 grades in one year... I hope I can keep up!!) So - now that it is *kind* of settled down...

Some of these coupons can be found at the various coupons sites. If you are going to do a big order, I would highly suggest Coupon Dede (link at top of page). You get a 10% discount on orders over a certain amount, and she doesn't charge excess fees. If you have couponing friends, combining your orders can be a great way to save some extra cash! There is a TN lady at couponsandforms.com who has decent stock, and then there are a few other coupon clipping sites if you do a google search.

There's also ebay as another decent source if you don't get caught up in the hype of bidding on excessive numbers and amounts. Watch shipping fees! There are great combo coupons available also. For instance, there are 1.00/2 Oscar mayer hot dog target coupons, free buns when you buy 2 OM hotdogs manufacturer coupons, and 1.00/2 manufacturer coupons. Target has a sale on several varieties of OM hotdogs - 1.52 each. If you buy 2 packs of hotdogs and a pack of buns, combine all 3 coupons, you pay 1.04 + applicable tax for 2pks of dogs and 1pk of buns. Lots of various combos out there - so look around!

Food City

Sweet baby ray's bbq sauce - 5/5.00
- 1.00/1 manufacturer coupons are available
.69 Carolina Peaches - no q, just thought it was a good deal
French's mustard - 2/3.00
- .75/1 manufacturer coupons
- .50/1 manufacturer coupons
(it's an okay deal if you realllllyyy need it)
Keebler Club crackers - 2/5.00
- 1.00/2 manufacturer coupon
Mt. Olive pickles - 2/4.00
- .55/1 manufacturer coupon (blinkie machines)
Rolaids - 2.99
- 2.00 mq
Coke - 4/10.00
- various coupons available - most are combo coupons (i.e. 2.00 off when you buy coke and chips, etc...)
Bogo Oscar Mayer Bologna - says savings of at least 2.19 - 2/2.19
- 1.00/2 mq
Fuze 10/10.00
- bogo manufacturer coupons
Turkey breast lunch meat
-3.99/lb

I'm sure there are other deals... those are just the ones I noted because I've been staring at ebay coupons for a while.

Kroger has their Daytona sale going - now through 7/4 (plenty of time to find and order coupons - and if you plan on getting a lot of something, try asking your store manager to special order you what you want!) There is no limit to the number of items/promotions per transaction. Buy 10 items, get 3.00 off your order. Lots of coupons to match, and there are usually items that aren't listed in the sales paper. Because someone else took the time to do it (and saved me the work), I copied the following matchups.

Thanks to Manders13 @ HCW

Daytona Mega Event- Buy 10 get 3$ off
PRICES ARE AFTER discount


*Banquet Entrees or Banquet Brown'N Serve Sausage, Selected Varieties, 5-10.25 oz 58¢ Each

*Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks Selected Varieties, 4.5-9 oz $1.49 Each
Betty Crocker, Misc., Print [pillsbury.com] & Print [bettycrocker.com] & Print [boxtops4education.com]

*Betty Crocker Brownie Mix or Betty Crocker Muffin Mix Selected Varieties, 13-26.7 oz $1.69 Each
Betty Crocker, Misc., Print [pillsbury.com] & Print [bettycrocker.com] & Print [boxtops4education.com]
Betty Crocker Box Supreme Brownie Mixes .50/2 (7/4/09) SS 5/10/09

*Bounty Paper Towel 6 Big Roll or 8 Regular Roll $6.69 Each

Bounty .25 (7/31/09) P & G 6/7/09

*Breyers Ice Cream Selected Varieties, 48 oz or Klondike Frozen Treats 6-12 ct $1.99

* Cheeriois Select Varieties 2.19
Cherrios $1 on 2 (7/25/09) SS 6/14/09
Cheerios, Banana Nut., .55, Print [cheerios.com]
Cheerios, $1 off via Email 1 per wk, starts in June, Print [cheerios.com], Try Direct Print [coupons.com]

*Cheetos 1.38

*Coke 20 pack 12oz cans 5.69

*Country Crock 1.69
PRINT [coupons.com]55¢ OFF CALCIUM

*Dial body wash or soap 2.99
Dial, Body Wash, $1 off, Print [dialsoap.com] [dialsoap.com]
Dial, Handsoap, Pump or Refill, .55, Print [coupons.com] [coupons.com]
Dial Body Wash $1 on 2 (6-30-09) SS 3/8/09
Dial Body Wash products $1 on 2 (8/31/09) SS 5/17/09
Dial Multibar Pack, Foaming Hand Wash or Liquid .35 (6-30-09) SS 3/8/09
Dial Multibar Pack, Liquid Hand Soap, Pouch Refill, or Foaming Hand Wash .35 (8/31/09) SS 5/17/09

*Frito Lay 7.75-11.125 ounces 1.38

*Gatorade .70

*General Mills Cereal Selected Varieties, 10.9-18 oz *$2.19 Each
General Mills Cereals $1 on 3 (7/11/09) SS 5/31/09

*Hefty Trash Bags Selected Varieties, 25-45 ct *$4.69 Each
Hefty Tall Kitchen Bags $1 (6/30/09) V 5/17/09
Hefty Trash or Lawn & Leaf Bags $1 (6/30/09) V 5/17/09
Hefty Waste Bags, $1, Print [redplum.com]

*Huggies Jumbo Diapers 8.69

*Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Assorted Varieties, 21-22 oz *$2.19 Each
Kelloggs Pop-Tarts, 8ct+ .55 (8/2/09) V 6/7/09

*Kraft BBQ .69
Kraft Barbecue Sauce .75 (7/14/09) SS 6/14/09
VARIOUS PRINTABLES

*Kroger 8oz. cheese 1.03

*Kroger Coffee 4.69

*Kroger creamy peanut butter 2.19

*Kroger Salad Dressing .94

*Manwhich or Cher boyaredeee .64
Chef Boyardee Can or Microwavable Pasta .35/3 (7/12/09) SS 5/31/09

*M&M's candy select varieties 19.9 oz 3.19
M&M Brand Chocolate Candies, 9.9oz-42oz bags $1 on 2 (7/18/09) V 6/7/09

*Orrivle Redenbacker popcorn 1.69

*Oscar Meyer weiners EXCLUDES fat free, beef or cheese $1.07
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs $1 on 2 (7/5/09) SS 5/10/09

*Pedigree Dog Food 10.69

*Prilosec 14ct 9.69
Prilosec OTC $3 (7/31/09) P & G 6/7/09

*Purex Select Varieties 24-32 loads 2.19
Purex, Natural Elements, .50 off, Print [purexsavesgreen.com] [purexsavesgreen.com]
Purex, 3 in 1 Laundry Sheets, $1, Print
Purex Complete 3-in-1 Sheets $2 (7/31/09) SS 6/14/09
Purex Ultra Concentrate or Naturals Elements laundry Detergent $1 on 2 (7/31/09) SS 6/14/09


*Ragu Select varieties 1.28
Ragu, $1/2, Print

*Ritz Cracker Kroger PB 2.20

*Scott Bath tissue 6.69
Scott Extra Soft Bath Tissue $1 on 8 or more rolls (7/26/09) SS 6/14/09
Scott Naturals Bath Tissue, 4 rolls+ $1 (6/28/09) SS 5/17/09
Scott Naturals Paper Towels, 6 rolls+ $1 (6/28/09) SS 5/17/09

*Totinos 40ct 2.99

*Windex Glass Cleaner Selected Varieties, 26 oz $2.19 Each
Windex Glass Cleaning Product .40 (7/5/09) SS 5/10/09

Oh my - parents beware

I have 3 drafts going right now, and I'll get them posted ASAP. However, this is really scary!

Child Rights Campaign

Now, I realize that "child rights" sounds so lovely and sweet - so why would it have me concerned? Hmm... how long do you have??

Apparently, the UN had adopted a policy on Children's rights, and to date all members of the UN have ratified this policy to their constitutions except for the United States and Somalia. Now there is a movement to get the US to ratify this to our constitution.

Now, before we even delve into the whole parenting side of this, from a legal standpoint, ratifying this to our constitution would be a mistake. The United States would be saying that it's own constitution is not adequate, binding, or the ultimate authority in the United States. We would be accepting the authority of another entity for policy and lawmaking. Doesn't anyone see this as a problem? We will be giving up our rights to govern ourselves, and would then be subject to UN regulations and rulings. What happened to our democracy?? Our national pride?? Are we going to be the UN's lap dogs, and put ourselves at risk? What happens if someone violates this policy? Will the be held accountable to the US - or to the UN?

If you read the first page of the link I posted, you will see some ridiculous statements. These are made to appeal to your emotions, not to logic and reason. It states that children have "unique status in our society", and that they are "vulnerable" and need to be protected.

In the third paragraph, they proclaim how children are the future and that we must "raise resilient children who will make good citizens, who care about others, who share our values, and who will make excellent parents." They also claim that childhood needs to be made a priority if children will thrive.

Do we not already do these things? The Declaration of Independence proclaims: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," and our Constitution starts: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Children are afforded the same basic rights of every single human being in this country. In fact, the only thing that a child is barred from participating in are actual privileges - not rights! (drinking, driving, shooting a gun, voting, etc...) Other issues are left up to the parent for a large extent - meals (vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, etc...), education - public, private, home - college/tradeschool/work, religion, activities - sports, dance, music, etc... Are not the majority of parents creating "resilient" children, children with morals and values, children who "care about others", and even children who learn how to parent well? If they haven't been doing this for hundreds of years - I don't believe we'd be having this discussion! I am not denying that there are rotten parents or adults who abuse, neglect, and abandon children - nor do I deny the fact that the legal system sometimes fails these children - but there are laws and "safeguards" in place ALREADY. Their failings don't require more laws - the failings require correction within the legal system that is already in place.

The last paragraph, as both a Christian and a parent, really gets my blood boiling.

"Children are seldom considered as a factor in decision-making. It is passed the time that we think about how our decisions affect the lives of each and every child. After all, we are going to have to live with the consequences of our actions."

EVERY responsible parent (and especially Christian parent) considers how his or her actions affect the children and the other people in their lives. To claim otherwise is a serious fallacy and only shows how this is an attempt to exploit emotions and ellicit a non-rational reaction. As for children not being considered as a factor in decision making - do they mean that folks dont think of them, or that kids aren't always allowed a "decision"? The point of children having parents who restrict certain "choices" or "decisions" is to PROTECT the children from their CHILDISH thinking and decision making skills while also TEACHING them how to develop the correct mindset, thinking, and decision-making skills that will be crucial in ADULTHOOD!

1Cr 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Blue letter Bible website

As Christians, we take our parenting responsibilities very seriously. We take nothing for granted - whether it be their education, their friends, their values and morals, their daily activities, daily nourishment, etc... Sure, we mess up at times - and sure, there are those who are evil parents (and call themselves Christian), but there is no reason to take a policy from the UN and make it a national law for the United States. We already have laws to protect our children from fiends - we don't need laws to protect them from good parents!

If the US were to accept this policy, we would be stepping straight into a beehive. Parents will find all THEIR rights as parents stripped effectively overnight, and the nation will see its rights and self-government gone just as quickly.

Personally, this seems like a very immature position to take. "Everyone else is jumping off the bridge mom and dad... can't I do it too???"

Don't fail your children - pay attention to this movement and prepare to stop it dead in its tracks.

In an interesting side note, if you click on the "get informed" tab, then on the left - click on the link for "What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)?", you will see that the top prioritized rights is "the right to Survival". Gee, would that mean that abortion would be illegal then - since murder and tearing a fetus apart tends to threaten the survival of children, I would think they would have to overturn Roe V. Wade.

Another scary point is that there is an awful use of vague language - particularly in the Summary - particularly "in their best interests." There is a lot of power given to the government to "ensure" those interests, and by presumption - to decide what those best interests will be instead of allowing the parent to make that decision.

Well...