Inexpensive workout tools and exercise equipment gifts to hit New Year weight loss goals

Did your New Year's resolutions involve weight loss or improved fitness? Whether you weigh as much as folks on "My 600-lb Life" or just need to shed 20 pounds, it can be difficult to get into a healthier habit. Here are easy and cheap exercise workouts to burn post-holiday pudge without busting the budget. These are inspired by Mama June [VIDEO] of "From Not to Hot" and her amazing weight loss.   Easy fitness workouts, weight loss exercises inspired by Mama June and Dr. Now

Christmas food bank donation shopping list, Thanksgiving holiday food drive tips

Thanksgiving and #Christmas are seasons for giving and a food bank or soup kitchen is a great place to donate. Is your workplace or church hosting a food drive? Here are the best food bank donations. If you work at a mission, homeless shelter or food pantry, you know that some items you get too much of and others, never enough. Use this Christmas shopping [VIDEO] list to donate when food basket collection comes around.   Christmas food bank donation shopping list, Thanksgiving holiday food drive tips

100+ Halloween candy alternatives: non-food treats, prizes, giveaways for trick-or-treat

Halloween is an ironic celebration: all year parents teach kids to eat healthy. They tell them not to take candy from strangers. Then on Trick or Treat, parents dress kids in costumes and tell them to beg for candy door to door! Then all that candy has to be sorted and half gets thrown away. Then kids eat too much sugar and get wild or sick. So, here are 50 Halloween candy alternatives and cheap non-candy Trick or Treat giveaways kids will love. Non-candy giveaways work for kids with ADHD, allergies, special needs or health conditions. Use these ideas for the classroom, scouting activities and Halloween party planning. These ideas will work for Trick or Treat handouts at libraries, banks, businesses, restaurants and any other places. These treats will be less messy and cost effective as well.

All non-food Halloween candy alternatives can be found for $1 per dozen or less. Check the Oriental Trading catalog. Many are available at local dollar store chains. Check the bulk section and clearance shelves at party supply stores for birthday prizes. Party City and Party America sell many of these cheap. Online sites are offering free shipping around the Halloween season.

Give school supplies for Halloween candy alternatives. Pass out pencils, rulers, mini marker sets, crayon sets (look for glow-in-the-dark Halloween crayon packs), colored pencils, mini stampers, pens, tablets, note pads, stickers, scissors, glue sticks (from back to school sales). Little coloring books and reading books are always well-received in Trick or Treat bags.

Give pocket toys and birthday prizes as Halloween candy alternatives. Pass out adjustable rings, tops, bubbles, glow bracelets, squirt guns, friendship bracelets and rings, key chains, compasses, slide flutes, sticky hands, little yo-yos, tiny decks of cards, whistles, puzzle games, Chinese handcuffs and parachute toys. Give Halloween themed toys like fake fangs, spider rings, skeleton rings,glow-in-thedark bugs, fake fingers and squishy eyeballs.

Give little game sets: ball and jacks, ring toss, finger puppets. Noisemakers are popular, Give science gadgets like magnifying glasses, prisms, putty, play dough in little cans and kaleidoscopes. Kids love the "growing"creatures in capsules (sponges in pill capsules that expand when put in water). Give out

Cheapest Halloween candy alternatives are balloons, sticker sheets, temporary tattoos, rubber band bracelets, mini notepads, plastic rings, bouncy balls and play spiders. These sell for about $6 a gross from Oriental Trading. Kids might like Trick or Treat candy alternatives better than Halloween candy!

Best Valentines Day gifts for women: Valentine presents for moms, girlfriends and wives

Did you put off Valentine's Day for your gal? Now at the last minute, Feb. 14, you grab chocolates and flowers. Sorry guys, thanks for the thought, but boring. Here are frugal, thoughtful Valentine gifts for women--wife, mom, girlfriend--that will delight. Use for women's birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day gifts.

First what not to buy: candy (she may be dieting and it's
impersonal), bouquet of flowers (she may have allergies, it's also impersonal, they die quickly), sexy lingerie (unless you know her size FOR SURE, you'll either get it too small or too big. Both cause seven levels of drama), stuffed animals or other stupid tchotchkis (childish, impersonal), sex toys (unless she specifically asked for a vibrator, it's just a bad idea).

Also avoid anything that represents work. Women work all the time. So you get her a waffle iron--oh how nice. She can jump right up and go make everyone waffles. Seriously, guys, would you want a weed whacker for Valentine's Day? On heart day, women need to be pampered.

How about a spa Valentine's Day gift, suggested the Christian Science Monitor Feb. 13. Women love long soaks in a hot tub. If you can't afford to treat your woman to a spa day, no problem. Make a spa kit. Include any or all of the following: plush bathrobe, slippers, spa head wrap, eye patch, loofah sponge, back scrubbing brush, wooden massage beads, body scrubber, natural sponge, spa scrubbing gloves, bath pillow, neck roll, bath oil, bath salts, spa mud face mask and of course, cucumbers for eyes.

Bed. Bath and Beyond carries the above spa supplies and bath tub caddie. This metal or wooden rack attaches to the side of the tub. The bath book holder has an easel to hold her book upright. There's a special holders wine glass, candle, flower vase and a surface for spa treats. Remember to include a wine glass, bottle of wine (or tea mug and favorite tea), fresh rose bud (you may give one), chocolates (just a couple) and a copy of the newest book by her favorite author.

You will win that special woman's heart with this gift from the heart.

100+ cheap Christmas stocking stufferrs, non-candy Trick-or-Treat prizes

Halloween and Christmas are top-grossing holidays and that's largely down to indulgent parents. But overindulgence doesn't lead to happy kids--if you give too lavishly, expect greedy, demanding children. If you load those children up on holiday candy, you have sugar-crazed, spoiled brats.  How about some practical inexpensive gift-giving ideas for Christmas stocking stuffers or Halloween giveaways that are sugarfree. Keep the holidays simpler and more special with these cheap, non-candy gifts and prizes.  Halloween alternatives: 100+ non-food, non-candy Trick-or-Treat prizes, giveways

Toddler birthday party do's and don'ts: Preschool party activities for toddlers

A toddler birthday party-or any party for kids--can go either way -- great fun for all or completer disasters. Many a toddler birthday party fails because it doesn't provide age-appropriate preschool party activities for toddlers. That toddler birthday party will end in crabby out-of-control children and stressed, grouchy parents. Here are do's and don'ts on preschool party activities for kids. Do's and don'ts for toddler birthday party cover party planning, age-appropriate party activities for toddlers, crafts, games and child-friendly food ideas.   Toddler birthday party do's and don'ts: Preschool party activities for toddlers | Examiner.com

Fathers Day gifts for dads under $50: Budget gifts for men, guys gifts under $50

Back in the day, Fathers Day gifts for dads were ties, after shave or an ashtray you made in art class. Well, times have changed and so, mercifully, has the understanding of appropriate gifts for dads. It's important too, that as costs rise, folks demand better value for their gift-giving dollar. Here are budget gifts for men under $50.   Fathers Day gifts for dads under $50: Budget gifts for men, guys gifts under $50

Mothers Day gifts for mom: Best presents come in acts of love, not boxes

 Mother's Day gifts for mom are a no-brainer right? Just get flowers (but she's allergic and they die in a few days), candy (but she's on a diet) and a card (which costs $5 and gets tossed). How about some better Mothers Day gifts for mom? These gift ideas range in price--some cost nothing and all reflect lots of love.



Start by remembering that your mom starts your Christmas shopping in July, gets in fights at the mall to procure the shoes you wanted in just the right color, and went to 15 different stores to find the video game you had to have. So give some thought and energy to Mothers Day gift ideas for this very special lady, huh?  Mothers Day gifts for mom: Best presents come in acts of love, not boxes | Examiner.com

Bridal shower mimosa bar: Budget DIY mimosa champagne cocktail bar for parties

Looking to host a bridal shower with class? Why not serve a bridal shower mimosa bar. The mimosa is a traditional beach-themed champagne cocktail. The mimosa brunch is popular in New Orleans. Here's a guide for budget, DIY mimosa brunch bar for wedding showers. Bridal shower mimosa bar: Budget DIY mimosa champagne cocktail bar for parties | Examiner.com

Free printable all occasion greeting cards, party invitations, birthday cards

Making and sending greeting cards has been a time-honored tradition in my classroom and homeschool. We made Get Well Soon, birthday cards and holiday cards. We made our own party invitations, too. Holidays, birthdays, new baby, wedding, anniversary, sympathy, illness, congratulations, whatever the event, out came the construction paper, scissors and markers. We shunned pricey impersonal party invitations and made our own. Here are free printable all occasion greeting cards for kids to print and make. Whatever the occasion, greeting cards make people smile.  Free printable all occasion greeting cards, party invitations, birthday cards | Examiner.com

Homemade Easter baskets for girls: Budget, candy-free Easter basket fillers

I'm the original minimalist mama, always looking to do natural, sustainable, frugal, recycled. But I also love to party, especially with kids! You don't have to spend a lot to have a fun with children. You can make homemade gifts that are just as nice as store-bought. Here's are candy-free homemade Easter baskets for girls. Give these Easter basket fillers minus Easter candy and delight your daughters! Because holidays don't have to center around candy to be fun!  Homemade Easter baskets for girls: Budget, candy-free Easter basket fillers

Childhood obesity: Diet, nutrition helps kids lose weight without drugs, surgery

Childhood obesity: those are terrifying words. Most people are used to seeing obese adults. But overweight kids are more worrisome: for parents, healthcare professionals, and the nation at large. Because more children are getting fatter--not just baby fat fatter--the weight they are gaining won't come off in puberty. These overweight kids are tomorrow's morbidly obese adults. And more obesity means more healthcare costs (weight related problems account for the largest piece of insurance and health care spending). But childhood obesity is treatable with diet. Good nutrition helps kids lose weight without drugs or surgery. Did that stop you in your tracks--anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery for children? It should shock but consider this, drugs and surgery are the logical outcome if those overweight children can't or won't lose weight and carry that fat into adulthood.  Childhood obesity: Diet, nutrition helps kids lose weight without drugs, surgery | Examiner.com

Best Valentines Day gifts: Personal blender for power shakes, breakfast smoothie

You want to know what the best Valentine's Day gift for him or her are? Well, I can tell you what they're not and that's candy or sweets. This Valentine holiday, give a practical gift of health. Give a Magic Bullet or similar brand personal blender system. Why a personal blender? Several reasons. It helps maintain the weight I've lost--about 100 pounds. It helps me manage diet goals.   Best Valentines Day gifts: Personal blender for power shakes, breakfast smoothie | Examiner.com

Free printable romantic cards, love poems, love letters: Romance Awareness Month | Examiner.com

 Why wait till Valentine's Day to celebrate romance? August is Romance Awareness Month (it's also Read a Romance Book Month). So if your love life is a budding or in full bloom here are free printable romantic cards for your loved one. Or maybe romance has gone to seed for you. Maybe its time to plant a new relationship. Use these cards to spark the fire. These websites offer intimate, sensual cards to sent to spouses, sweethearts and lovers and are sensual or romantic. None are obscene or pornographic.  Free printable romantic cards, love poems, love letters: Romance Awareness Month | Examiner.com

Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons

I homeschooled our children, our Catholic Lenten lesson plans centered on prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in solidarity with the poor and imitation of our Lord Jesus. A favorite Lenten service project was to help with church missions for our twin parish in Haiti. Here's a Lenten almsgiving service project. Make personal care kits and school supplies kits for those in need. Fill gallon size zippered plastic bags with hygiene products. Discuss needs. Read on  Lenten almsgiving service project with social studies, math lessons | Examiner.com

Take down the Christmas Tree Day: Give Christmas trees to birds or elephants! | Examiner.com

The 12 Days of Christmas have past. Epiphany came and went on Jan. 6, and with it should have gone your old Christmas tree. Because Jan. 5 is Twelfth Night, the final hurrah of the Christmas season. So yes, Virginia, there is a real Take Down the Christmas Tree Day (reported WBUR NPR on Jan. 5). Alas, great weeping and Bah humbugs were heard in Whoville (and across the world) as mourners bemoaned the last rites of the yule season. But now comes another dilemma--what to do with your old dead Christmas trees? Some communities collect them and dump them in the local landfill. But, as nearly half of a landfill is composed (decomposed?) of yard waste, perhaps that's not such a green idea.  Take down the Christmas Tree Day: Give Christmas trees to birds or elephants! | Examiner.com

Homemade Christmas presents: Use recycled greeting cards and wrapping paper in gift crafts

Parents, are you burned out this holiday season? It's hard to keep up with kids home on winter vacation, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, baking, cooking, decorating--oh and your job (can't forget that!) Well, how about a holiday parenting first aid kit that puts children to work in productive ways making holiday gifts? Here are homemade Christmas presents and gift crafts kids can make from recycled greeting cards, valentines and Christmas wrapping paper. Make these gifts free or super cheap with reused materials. These gift crafts are perfect for grandma and grandpa, godparents, teachers, coaches and parents!   Homemade Christmas presents: Recycled greeting cards, wrapping paper gift crafts | Examiner.com

Burned 8 y/o Safyre, sole survivor of arson fire, wants Christmas cards | Examiner.com

Do you send Christmas cards? Here's a name to add to your list--Safyre, and she is a true gem. When you read her story, you'll smile through your tears. Because this little lady has true grit in the face of staggering adversity and all Safyre asks for is Christmas cards. KSDK reported on Dec. 9, that Safyre was badly burned at 5 years old and is the sole survivor of a 2013 arson fire that killed her entire family. As you might imagine, life has not been easy for the fire orphan. Her auntie and uncle care for her, but what with scarring, surgeries, skin grafts, stares, disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, loneliness, emotional scarring from arson, fear, perhaps survivor guilt, life isn't easy. The holiday season is particularly difficult for anyone struggling with grief, loss, pain and suffering.  Burned 8 y/o Safyre, sole survivor of arson fire, wants Christmas cards | Examiner.com

Christmas work party wish list questionnaire for holiday gift exchanges | Examiner.com

Holiday gift exchanges for the Christmas work party are awkward. Trading gifts among people you don't know may seem like a pointless pain in the neck. But if you're attending a company work party and the gift exchanges are unavoidable, here are ways to make it work. Some people look forward to gift exchanges--senior citizens, developmentally disabled people, employees in small businesses, adult education students, work at home groups. A problem with gift exchanges is not knowing what to get a co-worker for the holiday work party. So have participants fill out a work party wish list questionnaire or preference profile. Here's a wish list questionnaire to print and distribute a few weeks before your holiday party. Gift suggestions based on Christmas wish list questionnaire answers are included.   Christmas work party wish list questionnaire for holiday gift exchanges | Examiner.com

Thanksgiving food basket donations: Best food drive items to give food banks

Thanksgiving is the season for giving and food pantries are a great place to donate. Is your workplace or church hosting a food drive? Here are the best donations to give food banks, canned good drives, missions and homeless shelters this holiday season. If you've worked at food banks you know that some foods are donated in over-abundance. There are also certain food basket donations you never have enough of. So give these foods and supplies to the next Thanksgiving and Christmas food drive.  Thanksgiving food basket donations: Best food drive items to give food banks | Examiner.com