Now that summer is here, kids will want to eat all summer long. It’s true, it appears once summer break hits they turn into bottomless pits that can never be filled. The good news is you do have some frugal options when it comes to snacking. Look below at these 15 frugal summer snack ideas for kids so you can fill the kiddos up for less. You might be surprised at how far you can stretch your grocery budget even when an assortment of summer snacks is on the menu! 1. Fruit kabobs. Give kids wood skewers and cut fruit (use what it is in season as it will cost less!) so they can make their own yummy and healthy fruit kabobs. 2. Make your own freezer pops. Buy refillable freezer pop trays and fill them with fruit juice or powdered drink mix for a cool summer treat. 3. Make your own fruit chips. Dehydrate or bake fruit slices into fruit chips. These are perfect for snacking and a great way to use up produce before it goes bad! 4. Try making trail mix. Buy … [Read more...]
8 Ways To Save Money On Summer Activities For Kids
While the arrival of summer brings excitement, you might also be seeing dollar signs. It is no secret that beating summer boredom can also mean racking up the bills, but the truth is there are ways to save money while still having fun! Look at these 8 ways to save money on summer activities, so you can still have all the fun you want without going broke. 1. Check Groupon and Living Social daily. Since deals on these websites are always changing, it is always worth checking them out! Look for attraction tickets, movie deals, gift card deals, and other offers from summer fun spots. This way, you can enjoy the activities you love for less. 2. Call your local parks department. Chances are your local parks department is offering all sorts of summer camps and activities for kids. Since these programs are often funded on tax dollars, this means the cost passed onto you is minimal. Call your local parks department for a schedule of summer events and be in the know! 3. Head to the … [Read more...]
Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad
It might seem like the summer weather is far away when you take into consideration all of the rain that we have been having here in New York City lately. Maybe it is my wishful thinking longing for some sun and fun outdoors but I am really looking forward to cookouts and family get-togethers this summer. Since my brother and father work in the produce business, I always have access to fresh fruits during the spring and summer. There is nothing better than enjoying fruit salad with your loved ones when the weather is warm. Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad is one of our favorite recipes because, not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it is delicious too! It's also an extremely versatile recipe because you can substitute any of the fruits for those that you prefer or that are more pleasing to your palate. Not to mention any that you need to exclude due to any existing food allergies that you may have. So have fun with it and serve it at your next outdoor event this summer! … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Beach Trip Packing List
Is your family beach bound soon? If so, you want to make sure you are well prepared! Packing for the beach can be tricky, because you might be in such a hurry to get out and go that you forget some essentials. To make sure you are well prepared for your next trip of sun and sand, look below at the ultimate beach trip packing list. This list will help you arrive to the beach well stocked and well prepared for anything you are likely to encounter! 1. Mini first aid kit. Cuts, scratches, and other minor injuries can occur when at the beach. Save yourself a trip to the life guard stand or searching for a band aid when you bring your own mini first aid kit. It is an easy way to deal with minor injuries fast. 2. Inflatables. Don’t forget water wings or vests for kids as well as any inflatables adults may wish to use. Carry an air pump in your trunk so you can easily inflate your items without having to blow them up by mouth. 3. Baby wipes or wet wipes. Hands can get … [Read more...]
Watch #SummerintheCity this Saturday, August 13th at 9pm/8c on @HallmarkChannel! #Ad
Being off during the summer affords me the opportunity to enjoy some of my favorite programming. This vacation, I am enjoying watching The Hallmark Channel and their all new "Summer Nights" programming happening all summer long! Their latest movie, "Summer in the City", premieres Saturday, August 13th at 9:00 PM / 8:00c. Throughout July and August, the Hallmark Channel will be releasing the original movies, Summer Villa, For Love and Honor, My Summer Prince, Managing Manhattan as well as the Kitten Summer Games, and the new original TV series, Chesapeake Shores. As a New Yorker, I can totally relate to the main character of "Summer in the City," a small town woman with Midwestern charm. It was a big culture shock for me to move to the Big Apple from a small town in Spain when I was eight years old. There were so many new cultures, people, and experiences to become accustomed to. She is given a … [Read more...]
Piggie Grahams Recipe
We are two days from the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation here in New York City and I'm so excited! Our family joined a pool club this summer and we will be going there almost every day so I have been trying to come up with easy snack ideas that we could take with us that the kids could enjoy. What's summer without some sweet treats to let the kids indulge in? Piggie Grahams are so easy to make and my boys love to eat them. I like that they don't take up a lot of my time to make and that they are so adorable! The only bad part is that I end up eating some of them as I am packing them in the picnic basket and the boys are always asking where all the extra Piggie Grahams went. I always plead the fifth so, if I don't tell and you don't tell, there is nothing to worry about. Ingredients - white frosting, any brand pink gel food coloring graham cracker squares Wilton pink … [Read more...]
5 Tips For Looking Your Best This Summer! $25 GC #Giveaway @CoverGirl @OlayUS @Walmart
Looking my best is always a priority for me because I am a career woman and because doing so makes me feel beautiful and good about myself. The summertime is the perfect time to experiment with new looks and to try new outfits because the weather is warm and everyone loves to spend time outdoors looking good. The truth is that, although I enjoy buying beauty items that look flattering on me, I don't like to spend a lot of money on them. Walmart always has products from P&G brands like Olay and CoverGirl that help me look gorgeous while allowing me to save due to their everyday low prices. Here are some tips for looking your best this summer using some of my favorite CoverGirl and Olay products: Use self-sharpening eyeliner pencils that glide on easily so you could get the perfect line every time like CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Pencil. Use beauty bars that cleanse your skin without leaving it dry such as Olay Ultra Moisture Beauty Bars. Apply … [Read more...]
Spice Up Your Staycation With Chicken Fajitas! @MezzettaFoods #BringTheHeat #Ad
Now that we are getting closer to summer vacation here in New York City, a lot of people have been asking me what my plans are for the next two months. While my husband and I do hope to take a family vacation this summer, I am also looking forward to enjoying some time right at home sampling good food for the first couple of weeks. Thank goodness, Hubby loves to cook so it gives me a break from my culinary duties sometimes. One of our favorite recipes to prepare and to eat during our little summer staycation is Chicken Fajitas with Mezzetta Roasted Bell Peppers. Mezzetta Peppers are perfect for adding to many of our Latino-inspired dishes because they come in multiple varieties and flavors that are not only spicy but savory at the same time. We also love how versatile these peppers are because they add a pop of flavor to many of our grilled foods. We want to preserve our culture and teach it to our children by making traditional dishes whenever possible to peppers are … [Read more...]
Cool Off This Summer With Homemade Ice Pops!
When I was a kid, I remember visiting my grandmother and taking my bike to the park to spend all day outdoors with my friends. Throughout the day, we would get hot and thirsty from playing "Red Light, Green Light, 123," "British Bulldog," and Freeze Tag. To cool off, we would visit one of the neighbors who made homemade ices and buy one each for only a quarter. I have such fond memories of sitting on the edge of the curb with my buddies enjoying these cool and refreshing ices. Now that I'm a mom, I want to prepare some of the treats that I enjoyed during my childhood with my own sons so I am always on the lookout for ways that I could replicate them right here at home. I'm a teacher so I have summers off and I greatly enjoy spending time with my boys and also enjoying cool desserts when we get overheated during our warm weather outings and adventures. One of the ways that we get refreshed after a long, hot day here in New York City is by enjoying some homemade ice … [Read more...]
Get Everything Your Family Needs This Spring And Summer At Kohl’s! @Kohls #FindYourYes #Ad
This weekend I went shopping with the family to check out the latest Kohl’s offerings from on-trend seasonal fashion to fun and fresh home décor. We tend to go there every season to stock up on our seasonal wardrobes and to find new items to decorate our home with. Since this weekend was Memorial Day, everything was either marked down or on sale so I was able to get the most for my money. Since I have two growing boys, it's important that I have a budget set aside to revamp their wardrobes whenever they grow out of their clothes. I'm sure those of you who are moms know exactly how quickly kids outgrow everything. Thankfully, Kohl's always has the latest styles for kids and tweens at just the right prices. That's a win-win for everyone because our sons are happy with the items they pick out and their father and I are always happy with the sales that Kohl's offers, especially on clothing. The best part is that, by shopping at Kohl's, we are helping to support its … [Read more...]
