I was contacted a while back to feature 9 tips in 2009 on surviving and thriving in turbulent economic times. The economic woes of our country are affecting everyone in one way or another, so the timing is definitely perfect. Although the book is Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution, the principles still apply. I hope you enjoy these great tips from them!

Inspired by stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution
By Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, D’ette Corona and Barbara LoMonaco

Everyone makes resolutions: The new year motivates all of us to improve our habits, and holds the promise of a clean slate. But after January passes, many of us may beat ourselves up for letting resolutions fall by the wayside – which is why now is precisely the best time to renew commitments you’ve made to yourself. While most years, our resolutions are primarily about things like diets, being on time, becoming neater and similar issues, this year many resolutions have a different feeling. Set a household budget. Start recycling. Save more. If these sound familiar to you it is because this year, more than most years, the resolutions are related in some way to the troubled economy.

Here are 9 Tips for 2009 for surviving and thriving in turbulent economic times:

Simplify. As Mary Davis writes in her story “Resolutions for Sale,” we all have items from previous resolutions that never panned out: Exercise equipment still in its original packaging, organizational gadgets collecting dust. So why not make a buck or two and have a “Resolution Sale?” Sell all of your unwanted and unused items, make some money, and simplify your life for the better.

Go green. When going green, little changes can make a big difference for the environment — and your wallet. Ashley Sanders writes in her story “I’m Not a Dirty Hippie” that her husband was apprehensive about going green at first, but got on-board once he saw the savings benefit. “After a lot of testing and trying, we began to find products that we could not only use, but that were more affordable than the products we previously used,” Sanders writes.

Count your blessings. List-obsessed Sarah Jo Smith shares in her story “A Daily Practice in Gratitude” how even the most sincere resolutions can turn sour. “I planned to write down three things a day that expressed my appreciation and love for the things and people around me….[But] what started as a positive exercise turned into a mental list of countless complaints and worries,” she writes. However, after an emotional encounter with a stranger, Sarah realized there was much more room in her life than she previously allowed for gratitude. In the face of financial worries and other daily stressors, remember your gifts – you’ll likely discover the strength you need in life’s intangibles.

Don’t exceed your needs: Try downsizing! Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution story contributor Harriet Cooper had a size problem – with her home. Saddled with double the house space she needed, she realized there was a lot going to waste. Cooper was also unhappy with her home’s “double identity” – one side that guests saw, and one side that she actually lived in. In her story “One House, Two Faces,” she writes about selling the house and moving into a smaller one. With her savings, she bought herself two years of freedom to explore new job possibilities. What’s more? Now, her guests get to visit a relaxed hostess who is happy with her (smaller) home, just the way it is.

Put the unnecessary items back. Single mom Rebecca Jay tried to save money, but every month she was living paycheck to paycheck. So she invented a game that she and her son could play to save money at the grocery store. At the check-out lane, she and her son perform a “Cart Check,” pulling out items they really don’t need. When her son puts something back, Jay rewards him with the savings. In her story “Check the Cart,” she recalls how this game not only helped rein in impulse spending, it taught her son a valuable lesson on personal finances in the process. What a great legacy to pass on to a younger generation!

Find financial peace. Kristine Byron likes to look at what she spends, rather than what she saves. In her story “Spend, Spend, Spend,” Kristine resolves to save money by cutting out certain things, but recognizes all the ways she gets to “spend” time doing something else. “As I have pledged to save on lavish meals dining out, I have vowed to ‘spend’ more time entertaining at home,” she writes. When you make resolutions to save, you can also resolve to “spend” more time with your family and doing things that you love to do … for free!
Work with those you love. Working with someone you love might seem scary at first, as B.J. Taylor describes in her story “A Leap of Faith.” But when her husband needed her to work at his company because of financial setbacks, she stepped up. The two agreed to sit down and talk every six months about what’s working and what’s not. Though challenging at first, the couple has worked with each other now for 15 years. Could it be possible to go into business with your loved ones?

Give gifts of yourself. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on the people you love, just spend time doing things with them. In his story “A Commitment to Play Dolls,” Timothy Martin recalls his decision to play with his four-year-old daughter for an afternoon. “I still thinking playing with dolls is dumb,” writes Martin. “But my four-year-old daughter, Emily, loves them. She plays with her Barbie dolls every day. Since I want to be a good father, and because Emily and I don’t get to spend much time together, I resolved to learn.”

Celebrate the old. While everyone else may be resolving to try something new, don’t forget to remember your old treasures. Dayle Allen Shockley writes in “Let’s Celebrate the Old” about all the many items, principles, and people that she celebrates every new year. “I enjoy making new friends, but old friends who have shared my pain and sorrow, celebrated my joys, and remained steadfast when trouble came knocking; they are the ones I will celebrate most in the New Year,” she writes. In 2009, which old pleasures are you thankful for? Life can be improved just by recognizing the wonderful gifts we already have.

And remember, improving yourself is not exclusive to the month of January; it’s a year-round opportunity.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution (Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, D’ette Corona and Barbara LoMonaco) is published by Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC. For more information, please visit chickensoup.com.

Today I’m going to focus on the “fun-tivity” part of Easter. Dying eggs, Easter baskets, Easter egg hunt, etc.

Although I do consider myself an “easygoing” frugal mom, I have found ways to make things nice for all 6 of my kids on less than we used to spend when the oldest two were little. Not by taking extreme measures…it’s in all the little choices made along the way (could be said for much of life actually).

When we only had one, money didn’t feel so tight and it was easy to give him a nice Easter basket, but as our family grew there were many times where spending $15 or more was simply not in the budget.  So, I had to find creative ways to give each of them a fun basket of their very own that cost less than $10 each.

That amount is down to $5 each now though.  Here’s some basics:

• Find fun spring plastic buckets to reuse year after year…if you don’t have enough storage to keep an Easter box, then donate your items to Goodwill when you’re done with them each year, or see if a grandparent would be willing to store them for you.
• Be sure to use these buckets for all Easter activities and Hunts that are planned.
• Shop at the dollar store…sure, be picky in what you actually purchase or it’s a waste, but there are many things to be found there.
• As your children get older you can consider giving them alternative Easter gifts like kites or yard games.
• Choose products to fill the baskets with carefully.  Simply filling it with toys that are unsafe or will have to be thrown away later that day doesn’t usually work well.

Our children usually get a plastic easter bucket with a small amount of tissue paper (or shredded paper) at the bottom.  Then there is the traditional chocolate Bunny, a couple plastic eggs with candy, and sometimes even Peeps, though I detest the taste of them LOL.  Overall though, there are usually several other things like pencils, fun erasers, maybe a dollar calculator (they love these) and a toy car or two.

Kids don’t care if their basket is absolutely stuffed to the gills, just be creative in how you pack it so it doesn’t look empty.  Of course these are all great ideas for boys, but it can be just as simple to fill for a girl…hair things, nail polish, etc.

Every year as part of our Easter celebration we do plan a big Easter egg hunt for the kiddos in my family.  This requires a ton of plastic eggs and candy, but we try to be creative with that too.  Plastic eggs are fine as long as you plan to reuse them over and over for many years.

We usually make up about 18 eggs or so per child.  We have even purchased sets of eggs filled with Easter toys like stickers, spring animal toys and wacky balls (you can find these at Oriental Trading).  It all really just depends on what you are able to do… how much you want to spend, what you have on hand already and what stores you’re willing/able to shop at.

Not purchasing a premade basket is a great place to start for many families.  If you already make them yourself but need to save a bit in the process, think outside the box a bit and look for creative, less expensive fillers for the baskets and egg hunt.

I hope to have time to post a bit more about Easter traditions, and maybe some craft ideas and recipes over the next week or so.  In the meantime, what Easter “Fun-tivities” does your family do each year?

When in the world did I become a frugal green mom?  Sure, I do my part, but to realize recently that I “live”  it (or try to) was a little shocking for me.  The crazy thing is that it’s really simple stuff that makes the difference…not extreme measures.

Over the years, describing myself as frugal or “green” wouldn’t have come to mind.  I guess it’s a result of many contributing factors, but I have definitely become both in many ways.

Though I’m still consciously improving and learning the Green Mom part (and definitely qualify as a work in progress), I will be focusing on sharing more tips (simple though they may be) over the next few weeks.

In April we will celebrate both Easter and Earth Day, I actually find that oddly inspiring!  I love Easter…what’s not to love?  The sacrifice and rising of Jesus, resulting in new life and salvation for all who will receive…the tradition of family togetherness…even the Easter Egg Hunts (sorry, but I LOVE them!).

The great part about Earth Day being in the same season (this year, the same month) is that in many ways it also inspires thoughts of fresh new life and even seems to epitomize spring.

Getting ready for Easter can be a great challenge for families, especially on a budget, so I’ll be tackling that subject first.   I know that many families are extra strapped this year, and Easter is practically right around the corner (April 12), so on Monday I’ll be posting some fun tips to start getting ready now.

What traditions does your family have for Easter?  Do you typically do anything for Earth Day?  Blog about it (leave a comment with a link to your post so I can visit please) or leave a comment and let me know .

This contest has ended and winners have been contacted. Go to our home page to enter all the latest contests.

‘Tis the season …. for many coughs, colds, viruses and more.  So, finding a natural way to fight off illness and maybe even to help bolster up immunity is a huge issue around here.  I prefer not to buy just any old name brand either.  As part of getting healthier and going greener, it’s all about going back to natural products that really do work.

We’ve definitely seen our fair share of viruses … from stomach bugs and croup to full fledged RSV and it isn’t fun no matter how positive you try to be about it!  So when I was contacted to try out Sinupret for Kids, I was very interested!

Sinupret for Kids is a safe, natural remedy that supports healthy sinus, respiratory and immune function.

No other clinically tested, all natural kids’ product on the market does all three.

Sinupret for Kids syrup promotes healthy drainage in the upper respiratory tract, improves airflow in the nose and supports healthy mucous clearance from the nose and sinuses. In addition to supporting sinus and respiratory functions, it also supports the immune system.

Sound good?  I thought so!

Dr. Sears, a very well known pediatrician supports Sinupret for kids.  In conjunction with Sinupret for Kids, he has created some great podcasts filled with common childhood medical and development answers and information.  You can see and listen to all those podcasts HERE.

Of course many of you will also want to check out the Sinupret for Kids website, and I encourage you to do so.

I have 5 Sinupret for Kids gift packs that include:

• a sample of Sinupret
• a copy of Dr. Sears’ book, The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood
• Children’s Yellow Binoculars
• Activity books
• Sinupret Stickers

If you would like to be one of the 5 lucky winners to get this package, make sure you leave a comment here telling me why you want natural alternatives for your children.  There’s also two ways to get extra entries ….

1. Blog about it.  Once you have done this, simply come back here and leave me a comment with a link to your post.

2. Tweet about it (make sure to include a direct link to the contest and include @afroginmysoup in your tweet).  Then come back here and leave a comment with your twitter name to let me know!

This giveaway is open to US addresses and available for entries from Monday December 23, 2008 through Monday Jan. 5, 2009!

It’s been a little while since my last “Green” update!  We continue to purchase more and more natural, organic and green products as we find them.  Getting products that work for your family can be a little bit of a trial and error, but it’s worth it!

As with so many other families right now, we are always looking for a combination of factors in the products we purchase ….

They need to be readily available at our local stores (occasionally I’m happy to purchase online if the rest of the factors I list here are met)

They need to be affordable!  This is huge for us and putting out a lot of money on products that I haven’t tried is not going to happen often, so it pays when they offer a “kit” of some sort!  For instance, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products are fabulous and readily available at the supermarket I shop at most frequently! When I first decided to try out these products, the store was offering a seasonal cleaning kit (I believe it was called the “Spring Cleaning Kit”) for under $15.  It came with a variety of cleaning products and really was an excellent way to try them out …. and discover that I LOVE them!!!  I now use them all the time!

Seventh Generation is also a great resource for us and the same local supermarket carries a fairly wide variety of their products.  Feminine Hygeine, baby care, cleaning, etc.

I would absolutely love it if our local store would carry an even larger variety, or even having a store close by that offered only natural, organic and green products … but I live in the sticks, so I’m probably dreaming.  Either way though, don’t hesitate to look throughout the store for these products.  What you find may shock you!  Just because your local store has an area that is named “organic” or “natural” products, you may still find many products mixed in with everything else on the “normal” shelves .

Are you going green?  How has the process been for you???

There is nothing more frightening than a child making his or her way into your household cleaning supplies. It’s a parent’s worse nightmare! So, I understand how important it is as a mom to find alternative ways to clean my home without jeopardizing the health of my children and family. We are all trying to become more environmentally aware of the dangers of toxins, not only in our home but as it relates to polluting our air, waters, and landscape.

Are your household cleaners safe? If not, here are some measures you can take to make your home a healthier one.

This is what absolutely amazes me … Vinegar, Borax, Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, Salt, and Baking Soda are all the ingredients you can use to clean your entire home. They are safe, non-toxic, and can do just as good a job as your more toxic household cleaners.  Simple easily purchased items that can keep your home and children healthy.

I personally struggle with products that contain bleach, I know what that can do to people and the horrible caustic side effects of breathing it in, especially for someone who may be prone to asthma.  My sis and I completely cleared our homes of it when her youngest son started having severe asthma issues.  It’s just not worth it to have such questionable substances in the home.

Let’s begin with windows. Instead of using a popular brand of glass cleaner, use water with vinegar and lemon juice to spray onto your windows. Vinegar can also be used to clean surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom; just add salt and water. If the oven needs to be cleaned, use liquid soap, Borax and warm water. Borax can also be used as a disinfectant in hot water as well as for cleaning toilets.

Polish your furniture with olive oil and lemon juice. You can also use lemon juice to polish copper kettles; just add a bit of salt. For use in the bathroom, use baking soda and warm water. This can also be used to unclog the drain by pouring the baking soda down the drain with a cup of vinegar.

I’d also like to point out that many stores are carrying a wide variety of organic and safe cleaners in it’s own section and I HIGHLY recomment Mrs. Meyer’s products!!!!!

At a time when pollutants are contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer; while gas and oil fumes are literally killing our natural resources; it is time to take a hard look at what we can do as individuals to decrease the toxins from our air and water. Perhaps if we begin to use alternative methods to using brand named household cleaners, we can send a clear and definitive message to these companies that toxins are no longer an acceptable form to be used in any capacity. It all begins with us taking a stand; it all begins at home.

Ever since I posted a while back about taking steps toward a greener living, I have been doing just that.  Little by little trying things out here and there.  This is important for a few reasons, financially it’s impossible to do everything at once and some people just don’t like that much change all at once. 

I have started by purchasing organic products at my local superstore … one that offers groceries, clothing, etc.  Here’s what I found:

J.a.s.o.n. Aloe Vera Shampoo and Conditioner – these would be perfect for someone who washes their hair daily, also for someone that has problems with extremely dry hair.  I loved it the day I washed my hair, it wasn’t frizzy (such a huge problem for me), was soft and easy to handle.  But by day 2 my hair looked a little greasy and wasn’t as comfortable.  I am an every other day hair washer, so I need my products to last a little longer.  For me, I think using a little less moisturizing shampoo would work great.

Bottom Line – I think these products are fine, but I look forward to trying out other brands to find “the one” that I LOVE!

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear – Tinted Moisturizer and Mineral Veil.  I purchased these two products as a set to see what they were like.  The tinted moisturizer has an SPF of 15 and is a convenient idea.  Unfortunately it smells so terrible I actually felt nauseous after applying it. 

The mineral veil would probably be alright if I don’t use the oh so convenient all-in-one container it comes in that is oh so rough on my sensitive skin.  Again, the idea is great, the product is in a sifting jar that is attached to a brush with a cap to keep it all in when not in use.  There’s even a little mirror on the front of the cap.  But none of that works if the brush is so rough it actually is painful to apply LOL. 

Bottom Line – Sorry ladies, but don’t waste your money.  Yes, it’s affordable, but I would rather spend a couple extra dollars for something that smells better and doesn’t hurt my skin.

I’m thrilled to be sharing a fabulous boutique with all of you today that specializes in carrying quality natural and organic products for babies! Sweetie Pie Baby Boutique carries a wide variety of natural and organic baby products to include baby clothes, toys, skincare, slings and carriers, bedding, and more! Some of our featured designers are Speesees, LuLus American Baby, Mia Joie, Zoe and Sprout, and more.

Be sure to go shopping with them by July 6th to take advantage of a wonderful 20% off discount they have offered. Just use the code FROG20!

To read more about this great shop and enter a fabulous giveaway they have offered please be sure to CLICK HERE!

Tater’s teacher is pregnant and the class is throwing her a baby shower tomorrow.  I’m so glad they are, she’s very sweet, but it meant finding a great gift for her.  In my effort to purchase sustainable and more eco-friendly products I was in a pickle .  I had never tried to purchase a “green” gift before, so I thought it might be fun to see what was out there.

Truth be told, I didn’t walk into the store to purchase an earth friendly gift, it didn’t even occur to me.  I was shopping at one of those “one stop shopping” stores that combines everything-you-could-possibly-need-in-this-life-and-the-hereafter after all, but as I was standing in the baby section, my favorite brand caught my eye. 

They have started offering handmade infant toys using better matierals, like hardwoods, water based colors, etc.  The packaging is made of recycled paper and has no plastic on it at all (one of my biggest pet peeves).  Is this the “perfectly safe” baby product we’ve all started looking for?  I don’t know that for sure, but I do know that I feel a lot better about this product than all of the other plastic ones surrounding it.

I topped the gift off with a great little Burt’s Bees gift pack (for baby’s hospital bag ) and headed off to get a bag for it all.  I only needed a little bag, but ‘lo and behold there was nothing even remotely resembling “made of recycled materials” – hmmmm, maybe the card and wrapping producers should take note as well.  I’m sure I could go online to find something, but the fact of the matter is I didn’t have time to search online, wait for it to arrive … you get the idea – I needed it now! 

So, I have to say that overall I love that the store I shop at are getting more and more “green” and organic products to help me get off to a good start – but like me, the stores still have a long way to go. 

Much more than a creative title for a post, this is actually the title of a great new book!  Gorgeously Green 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life by Sophie Uliano.  I was excited to recieve this book to review since the whole “going green” idea has been in the forefront of my mind lately. 

The really great thing about this book is that it isn’t overwhelming.  It helps us as moms to break down the important things in our lives to change and to do this one step at a time.  I love her philosophy, “One change makes a difference”, but if you’re anything like me you need to be told which changes really do help. 

Step One: Becoming aware of your habits and purchases and the changes you can and should make. 
Step Two: Beauty the Green way
Step Three: Greening your Workout
Step Four: Shopaholics go Green – Showing you how everyday purchases can be modified.
Step Five: Find out how simple it is to have a Green Home and not feel like you’re missing out!
Step Six:  Learn about green food, cooking, recipes and sustainable eating.
Step Seven:  Green-up your transportation, vacations and entertainment.
Step Eight: Using what you’ve learned even outside of the home.

I highly recommend this book, it is very affordable and offers a wealth of information making it totally worth the expense (clicking on the image takes you to Amazon.com).   Tons of resources are also mentioned both within the book and on Sophie’s website at www.GorgeouslyGreen.com - they really do go hand in hand!

Be sure to let me know if you get the book!  I’d love to hear your thoughts!