An apple a day...

I recently invested in a juicer for us, the Breville Juice Fountain Plus, to be exact. I researched which juicer I wanted for a long time, and finally decided this was the one. It has 2 power speeds for juicing soft and harder fruits and veggies and cleaning it is not that bad. We have been juicing almost everyday since we got it! I couldn't be happier! I usually just throw in a little of everything we have and it tastes amazing! Casey drinks his glass in less than a minute it is so yummy! We are definitely getting a lot more fruits and veggies in our diet than we used to that is for sure!



Here is what I usually use to make our juice:

2 apples
2 peaches
2 handfuls of spinach
3 carrots
1 celery stalk
3 handfuls of blueberries
2 handfuls of strawberries
2 handfuls of blackberries or raspberries
1 orange
1 kiwi

My new favorite pastime

So I found some great sites that I thought I would share! I have been really into finding coupons for our grocery shopping trips, finding online deals, and getting freebies. I only clip or print coupons that I know we will use, and do not buy a product just because it is an amazing deal if we do not need it-though it it is very tempting!

Some of my favorite sites that post freebies and have them nicely organized in categories are:

http://www.heyitsfree.net/

http://www.sweetfreestuff.com/

I love getting Penny natural dog treat freebies from those sites!

I have also been reading up on how to use the "bonus dollars" that certain drugstores such as CVS, RiteAid, and Walgreens offers. There are sites that post the best deals of the week for each drugstore and then post coupons that make the deal even better. Some products in the store will be "free" after you get your bonus dollars printed on your receipt. Those offers, combined with coupons, can give you what is called a "money maker." You just have to get the ball rolling by purchasing an item that will give you the same amount of bonus dollars in return. From then on, adding coupons into the mix, doing multiple transactions, and rolling your bonus dollars to future weeks, you can get SO much free stuff! And these are some of my favorite sites that make it easy and walk you through it:

http://moneysavingmom.com/

http://thefrugalgirls.com/

http://www.couponingtodisney.com/

http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/

http://theprudentpatron.com/

http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/

http://www.mypetsavings.com/

http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers

They also have tips on how to cut down your grocery budget, save money, menu ideas, and links to other helpful sites.

I have also found this site that lists recipes that cost under $5 if you buy items on sale! Who doesn't like to save money?! Pretty neat!

http://www.5dollardinners.com/

Also, check out the free entrance days coming up at these National Parks to see if you can go!

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

2010

Taking the dogs out

Penny sticking her head out the car window

Visiting Robby at his new house in SLO

At bubblegum alley!

Robby sticking his gum on the wall

Walking Baron in Ellwood

Dinner with Laura!

letting the tad poles go in the creek

Penny stuck on a rock in the middle of the creek

Going hiking

Dog walk with Allie and Hula

Big crab on the beach

sea urchin and crab leg

Frisbee golf

Goleta beach with Tanda and Richard

on the pier

me and Tanda

I caught a snake!

and a baby turtle!

On a walk around the pond by our place

Graduation weekend!

walking across the stage!

Me and my parents :)

Grandpa and Shirli!

Me and Grandma!

with Kori and Robby

with Dad as he wears the "Stole of Gratitude"

Me and Casey!

Robby and Dad

Running wild

Sadie

Jump for joy!

Looking at the tad poles

got one!

got my toe shoes on!

this one has legs!

sisters :)

WEEE!!

WooHooo!

At the Douglas Preserve

Me and Casey

with Penny!

getting a bath in the driveway for touching poison oak

her first swimming lesson

visiting Robby in SLO

going horseback riding!

Sharell and Kermit cross the creek

me and Kermit

the girls

at the dog beach

Hiking up to Inspiration Point

at the start of the trail

at the top!

Family Reunion!

found a clam at the beach

neat fort

big starfish!

found another one!

it only has 4 legs!

:)

getting frozen yogurt with Tanda!

on the pier

Happy Valentine's Day!

Casey got me flowers on Valentine's Day :)

We got to go on an exclusive tour of PAWS-the Performing Animal Welfare Society!

Our trip to ARK 2000

getting fed candy while her nails are being trimmed.....she is over 50!

conducting beaver research at a nature preserve

hiking at Lake Barryessa

waiting for my turn to speak

Presenting my turtle research at the Undergraduate Research Conference

someone is ready for the living room camp out!

Penny learns the hair dryer won't hurt her

Going for a walk at a new park

Opening her Easter eggs

Happy Easter!

She found another one!

searching for eggs on the patio

Our new patio table!

Penny loves her brother Bentley

Helping with the laundry

Playing with Sadie

Me and Penny!

CRAZY FACE!

My mom and Kori visit us in the spring and we go to the Sacramento Zoo!

We saw all sorts of cool stuff!

Going into the Herp House! My fave!

Just chillin'

Red Panda!

Me and Kori VS. Casey

caught a newt!