Bountiful Baskets-my thoughts

Okay...so here is my first impression of bountiful baskets. I wasn't able to get a picture of my basket because my husband had already cut up the mango, watermelon and strawberries-needless to say those and about 1/2 the apples are gone as well as the broccoli- they have already been eaten.  While my variety is different than the one below by only quantity-(I got 2 beets-3 tomatoes and maybe one more banana)..this picture is a good comparison to what i received last Saturday. I really like it-considering half is almost gone by day 3....I'm thinking i may need to order more often. I had wanted to purchase extra strawberries last week-but they were all gone.  So If I still do every other week but am able to do a few add ons-I think every 2 weeks will still work for my family.   i definitely enjoy the variety so far and it is encouraging me to make my meals around what I'm getting-which means my family is going to be eating a lot more veggies for sure--which is so nice in warmer weather. Tons of salads in the recipe forecast!!  We already made broccoli  salad-and will be making a casserole later this week with the cauliflower. The green beans are on the menu for tomorrow night..still leaves the beets to figure out-as a child i hated them..so not sure those will get used at all..but will try to make something work.  The fruit will get downed by my children as snacks-they love fruit.  And tomatoes are always a staple in our house for salsa, blts, salads, stews, tacos, pizza...etc.  I'm loving it so far!  What do you all think-did you order a basket last week-are you enjoying it too??

Bountiful Baskets-Have you ordered Yet??

I heard about Bountiful baskets about a year ago and was always interested in participating. Bountiful Baskets is a non-profit food co-op for families that want to have more fresh produce for less money We've done a garden in the past in our backyard but since we are on city water we wanted to see if we would save more money purchasing our produce through Bountiful baskets for the same amount we would have spent extra on our water bill had we gardened.  So this week is my official first week ordering!!  I am kind of excited because there is a mixture of fruits and vegetables and it's only $15.  Ofcourse this is all able to happen because of Volunteers and they ask you if you are willing to volunteer on occasion to help.  If that is what i need to do to get great produce at an amazing price-then alright!  There is usually 6 fruit items and 6 vegetable items-that are in season, high quality and locally grown.  They have changed the order cut off to Tuesday in our area-so you have one extra day to contribute (I love how they call it contribute instead of purchase)..because it allows a big group of people to buy locally and get wonderful prices for wonderful produce.  Besides Produce each week, they have other offerings you can add to your basket such as::
Produce By the Case: Utah Peaches, Citrus, Tomatoes, Pickling Cucumbers, Apples, Pears, Chiles, etc.
Bread Products: Sandwich Bread, Hamburger / Hotdog Buns,
Ciabatta, Chile Cheese, Cinnamon Raisin & Other Specialty BreadsEthnic/Specialty Produce Packs: Italian, Asian, Mexican, Guacamole, Party Produce Pack (think Guacamole, Salsa, and things you dip in ranch!)Pantry Items: Rice, Beans, Granola, Olive Oil, Canola Oil, All Natural Nut ButtersDecadent Deserts with 100% Butter, No hydrogenated oils or corn syrup

This week in my area the add-on offerings are: a veggie lovers pack (mexican themed), tortilla pack, granola ingredients, 9 grain bread, honey wheat bread,  valencia oranges,  tropical fruit pack and strawberries.

The typical savings from participating in Bountiful baskets is $35!  Awesome!!   This is a picture of the amount/types of produce you might get in your basket:

When I pick up my first order this weekend I will post a picture of what I get!  

Things to know:

The First time you participate you pay a $3 fee.

NO Refunds or exchanges

You must pick up your produce at the specified time/place or it will be donated. 

(you can have another person pick it up for you -just give them the confirm. number)

You will need to bring your own container to bring home your produce.

To Participate and Find a local bountiful Basket site close to you visit the website: http://bountifulbaskets.org/ 

Let me know how you like it!!  And if there isn't a location site close to you-you can 

send in a request to get one started-how cool is that??

Ultimate Blog Party!!

Welcome all you Ultimate Blog Party Goers!!

If you aren't familiar with  5MinutesForMom you should pop on over there and see what this party is all about-tons of giveaways and the opportunity to meet more amazing bloggers like you!!

I wanted to just say a little bit about myself to the new visitors:
I am a mommy of one boy age 2 and three girls ages 9,7, 4  with another girl on the way (August). Wife of 10 (almost 11) years to a wonderful husband who will do anything for his family. I am so lucky in my choice of companion!! I love to save money and keep a clean house and have fun with my family when I can. I love to dance- in any form. I love to play sports when I have the time-basketball, volleyball and softball. I love to make my house a home and am continually working on some area of my house. I usually keep this blog up to keep my family and friends updated on my life and also to share the fun things I find. I am Independent consultant for Paparazzi Accessories-which I absolutely love- $5 accesssories??SAY WHAT?? OH YEAH!!  My family keeps me busy and when they don't..I have plenty to keep myself busy with.  I have to say I love being busy and active -when I'm not struck down with morning sickness.  I am one of those people who really doesn't not like anyone-I was talking to a gal lately abt this and I really can't say that I dislike or hate anyone-even though they may have done something awful to me, I forgive and then get over it and am friends again.  Maybe I'm too trusting and inclusive-but it's better than the opposite right?  SO hopefully that gives you an idea about me-if you didn't know me already!!  Anyway-I hope you all enjoy my blog and are welcome to come back often.  And I am also doing a giveaway on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/PaparazzibyArin...so head over there and like me to be entered-it ends on Friday 4/20!!

That time of year again!

 Yes-Spring...which inevitably makes you think of Spring Cleaning at some point...no matter how long we want to put it off-it has to be done..at least at my house.  I'm still not feeling the best-but with the sun shining more-it just puts that itch in me to organize better and declutter.  Ofcourse finding out we are going to be having daughter #4--Yes we are having a baby girl!!- has brought us full circle to the question "where are we going to put four girls?"   If baby had been a boy -than it would have shared a room with Trevor and the 3 girls would remain sharing.  Now that there will be a 4th and I don't see us moving any time soon...we are having to do some rearranging...we will transform our Bonus Room into the Master Bedroom and make the Master bedroom our 4th bedroom..hence 2 girls in each room and Trevor with his own.  SO no more playroom/computer room...we have to now get rid of alot of toys and narrow them down to what I feel is appropriate to have in a bedroom. I have loved having a bonus room because I could keep all toys out of the bedroom-hence less distraction to keep kids awake and playing at night.  But I am looking forward to less toys to clean up!! With 5 kids...I'm sure I will appreciate it. Heck with 4 i'd appreciate any help. Now to come up with some creative ways to store the toys my kids choose to keep.  SO without further ado---here are my favorites I've found that I am loving:

Clear Drawstring Bags: kids can easily see what is in each bag!

                                                         Underbed chalkboard storage containers-so toys are labeled

Coolest thing ever: Magnetic Knife strip for toy cars-GENIUS!

I am picturing stuffed animals in these 2 and they both hang up!!

Corkboard or Magnetic strip to hang up pictures!

Another Underbed storage idea-I like this more for books/coloring books.

I love this idea for book storage-it hangs too!!  Less on the floor is ideal to me!

Jewelry Giveaway!!

Paparazzi Accessories Giveaway!!  

Paparazzi Accessories is a company that sells jewelry and accessories for $5...that's right just $5.  It's the most incredible job ever-I love it!!  Beautiful and Trendy Jewelry at an affordable price!!

You can win this beautiful pink ribbon necklace set (comes with 2 pink pearl drop earrings) or another item of your choice from my inventory!! 

Giveaway Ends 4/20

 

All you have to do is stop on by my facebook page PaparazzibyArin and Like it!!!  

Come back here and leave a comment saying you did it. Thanks and enjoy!!