Using coupons is a fantastic way of saving money; however, this can often be difficult in households where multiple allergies are present. Food allergies are becoming increasingly common and more than two million people within the United States suffer from these. There are eight common food allergies, which are collectively responsible for around 90% of all food-based allergic reactions. The presence of any of these proteins must be listed on the ingredients for the product. However, when planning shopping using coupons, it is often difficult to tell from the coupon whether the products that you have coupons for contain allergens.

Allergies are most common in children, with eight percent of American children suffering from one or more food-based allergy, while two percent of adults do. The eight most common food-based allergies are:

• Milk: here the person is allergic to proteins within the milk, mostly when and casein proteins
• Eggs: a person may be allergic to proteins that are only present in the yolk, or the white or both portions of the egg. This allergy is common in children
• Peanuts: this allergy is a reaction the peanut protein, and can cause anaphylaxis
• Tree nuts: tree nuts include a range of different types of nuts, including cashew, walnuts and almonds. As the proteins differ between types of nuts, a person may be allergic to a specific tree nut but not others
• Soy: soy and wheat allergies can cause a range of different symptoms, but generally not anaphylaxis
• Wheat: this is a significant component in bread, so people allergic to wheat must find an alternative to traditional bread
• Shellfish: this includes shrimp, lobster and crab, and generally one will be allergic to all types of shellfish rather than a specific one
• Fish: there are many different types of fish, and it is best to avoid all if an individual experiences an allergic reaction to one type

While finding coupons for shopping in general is easy, and there is often more to choose from that you could ever hope to browse, this is not the case when you need to avoid food with allergens. If you have a family with multiple allergies, it is often best to shop for food that contains no allergens at all. One very useful site to start your search is Food Allergies on a Budget. This website focuses on the difficulties and needs that a family faces when having to manage food allergies. They have a section for coupons and recipes that are allergen free, and offer a daily newsletter, which contains a number of coupons for allergen-free products.

Another site that contains a number of coupons is Thrifty NW Mom. This contains many of the same coupons that were on the website discussed above, however once difference is that this website lists them in an easier to read manner, and also contains a number of coupons specific to Target stores. As the author notes, it is possible to combine these coupons with coupons from manufactures for the same product to get bigger savings.

These sites are the best ways to find coupons for products that do not contain allergens, however, the number of products that do not contain allergens is still small, and it is a matter of searching around to find exactly what you are after. One recommendation that many of these sites make is printing coupons even if you are not certain that you are interested in the product, because it is often possible to combine an in-store special with a coupon, making a purchase worthwhile that was not previously.

While there are not many locations to find coupons for allergen free products online, these sites provide a good start and can significantly help the process of shopping for a family that has multiple food allergies. Because the authors of these sites have families with food allergies themselves, they are a good source of information, and are likely to remain updated, as the authors need the information for their own families also.

This post was written by Ella Davidson of couponing website, Coupons. The site offers trustworthy and up-to-date couponing information as well as retailer coupons and deals.

Something clicked this weekend.  I’m ready to make changes in my habits and know it’s going to be hard…but I’m ready.

I’m not happy with my current physical health.  I’ve been the same weight for over a year and blamed it medication, allergies, illness, food restrictions, injury and so much more.  While each of these things were and are factors in my life, I let them become the reason I didn’t have to work at regaining my health.  Instead of being my own advocate I became my own enemy.

I eat my feelings.   I ate when sad & happy.  I eat when depressed; tired; annoyed; and any other emotion throughout the day.

I skipped the gym because I didn’t feel like it.  Workouts are a struggle on so many days yet I skipped the gym for no reason at all. 

I’ve put everything ahead of a healthy me.  For all the saying I want to improve my health, lose weight, and get back to the place I felt the best I’ve been my own worst enemy.  It finally clicked over the weekend.

Instead of retreating into a hole – a typical me move – I made a plan to change.  Change; something that scares the crap out of me.

I’m counting calories because it works best for me.  I made a workout schedule and menus.  I’m not getting in my own way.  It’s about being the best for me, instead of making excuses for the worst.

Back to being the best me!

I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember.  And before that Momma read for me.  I enjoy new books, new series and new authors.  But my favorite books quickly become classics.  Those are the books I read over and over. 

I have my own classics and my reading on the BBC Top 100 list.  So it’s no surprise I loved this quote.

Each reading of a book the words on the page are still the same.  The characters have not changed.  The setting and plot are identical.  Yet with each reading I see new thing or enjoy them differently.  It’s not the book that has changed…it’s me as a person. 

The same is true for classics new and old.

I’ve found the same to be true of so many other things.  Running is still hard.  Social media still causes anxiety.  Eggplant is still purple…and tastes the same.  Yet my opinion of them has changed over time and may change again.

Okay seriously I love these Honest Tea caps; especially the ones that make me think.

Last Week’s Goals

• Happy Date Day.  Valentine’s Day isn’t very big around here but Hunni was a sweetheart and bought me a gift that thought of everything.

  After our meeting on Wednesday 15 February we went to a fancy movie theatre to see The Vow for our date.

• Kick in the Pants.  My pants were kicked…just not as hard as I’d hoped.  I need to rethink workouts on days I get allergy shots.  Friday was nothing but naps.  However double dose Zumba Saturday made up for it. 
• Commercial Planks. Hmmm.  I’m crapping on this goal.  I didn’t watch a ton of TV this week so I didn’t do many planks.  I need to work on it or I’ll fall short of my 2 min goal.
• Organize clothing.  Extra work this week moved this task to the bottom of the list.  It’s now for this coming week. 
• Make a menu, keep it up. I’m still hunting for an app I like.  But my menus were followed about 85%.  I’m building up my menus I can make on the weekends and eat throughout the week.  It was nice to have a plan. 
• Read!  One book done, one I’m trying to get through.  I may have to put it down for a bit.  But I’m enjoying the break. 
• Plan a friend date.  I’ve planned a few friend dates for the coming weeks.  It’s nice to have plans for the weeks to come with people who care.

This Week’s Goals

• Pantry Shopping.  We have food, we have menus.  The only thing we need to buy this week is the fresh stuff (milk, bread, yogurt).  Everything else already exists.
• Closet Shopping.  My next big de-cluttering task is organizing my closet.  I’ve done it before but my drawers are begging for it again.  Repeated from last week.
• Write every bite.  I’ve fallen short on my goal to write every meal in the first 60 days.  Lots of reasons but at this point I need to get back at it.
• Take a night off.  Oh My!  I need a night with no work.  No blog work.  No video work.  No work work.  No nothing.  Just a book, cup of tea and a warm blanket snuggie.
• Make new routines.  I’m in love with my new alarm!  It gives me so much more time in the morning without the grog.  Now I need a plan for what to with the time.
• Positive Beauty Manifesto.  This is a wonderful idea suggested to me by a friend and I’m looking forward to creating my own.

Hunni is sweet enough to go shopping with me.  He seems to enjoy himself at times.  He’s my personal Tim Gunn but clothes shopping is not is favorite.

He’s not keen on buying things for himself either.   After buying a few workout things on sale with birthday money, I suggested this awesome shirt for Hunni.

He’s a huge Star Wars fan and the reason I finally watched all the movies and understand some of the Sci-Fi jokes on Big Bang Theory.

Hunni had another choice in mind…

Not exactly a shirt but it’s offered hours of fun for him.  Unfortunately, many of our conversation now have philosophical references. 

I feel like being the kid who asks questions just because.  Why?  Because. Yep it’s one of those days.

The tough 50 questions have no right or wrong answers making them fantastic.  I’ve answered the first 40 already. 

• questions 1-10
• questions 11-20
• questions 21-30
• questions 31-40

…go check them out!

Now for the last 10 questions.  It’s down to the wire.  And away we go!

1. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?

   My grandma and grandpa in South Carolina.  I don’t see them enough.  The last time wasn’t under the best circumstances and I’d love to spend some of my last time with them and my now husband.  They last met him when we were engaged.  Bring the puppers along for fun too.  Everyone wants to spend time hearing stories from decades long gone and memories I’ve forgotten.

   

2. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
   
   Nope.  They don’t last.  Okay, wait.  How famous are we talking?  Famous enough to make a good chunk of change and have people forget about me in about 5 years.  That I could live with…or die earlier so I could provide for those I love.

3. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
   Merely living only involves breathing and some minimal brain function.  True living is enjoying looking up at the snow flakes so they collect on your eyelashes and sitting at eyelevel with the dog to see what she sees (she likes to stare).  Truly living is being me overall. 

   

4. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

   Have you met me?  If not, the answer is almost never.  Even if I go ahead I’m still calculating risks and rewards (mostly risks) as I go.  Pros and cons lists are my friends to see which side outweighs the others.  These are the things that keep me up at night, even after I’ve made the decisions.

5. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

   To learn it has to hurt a bit.  Remember touching the outlets as a kid?  Come on you know you did it.  Hurt like heck!!!  I didn’t repeat that again.  I was told not to do it but did it and had to learn. 

   One of the best “grown-up” lessons I learned was “no pain, no gain” doesn’t always work in fitness.  Pain is bad and hurts like heck!  Don’t do it.  And sue the person who made this phrase.  Pain is no good when working out and it took several injuries to learn that before I could train properly.

6. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

   I would speak my mind more often….and take more fashion risks.  Both for the same reason.  My choices are often different than the norm and I’m not keen on ostracizing myself from friends, society, etc. I put a filter on it’s my regular habit.  I take little and big risks occasionally but most times I’m a casual dress and tights kind of person.
   
     Otherwise I might look like this just because no one was judging. 
   

7. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?

   I have a fantastic new alarm app that slowly wakes me up.  As I drift out of sleep I can feel and hear my breath.  Such a relaxing start to the day in opposition to the jarring alarm I once had.

8. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
   
   I love growth and learning.  It sounds so high-falutin’ but my life is always changing so I’ve had to grow and learn to accept it.  Recently making decisions to do things I’m passionate instead of the same-old-same-old showed me I am loving to grow into being me. 

   I may get stuck on Wikipedia pages learning the history of Big Bang Theory and watching videos on how to apply new make-up.  I love reading manuals, non-fiction and tutorials, all to learn more and grow.  It’s helping me enjoy the day to day as I share it with others.

9. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?

   I may remember yesterday because it was Valentine’s Day (I wrote this on Thursday) and spent it at a meeting and then at the fanciest movie theatre ever!  The other days not so much.  My memories mesh together into one big story and unless it’s a specific event nothing is tied to a day.  That’s why I keep a day planner and Google Calendar.

10. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?”
    
    Both.  I chose a profession where some decisions are made for me and I make others.  I like it that way so I’m okay with that…more than okay on most days. 
    
    I chose Hunni to be my life partner and make major decisions as a team.  Some days it’s all flowers and chocolate and others it’s more like this song from Avenue Q.  Yet, as partners decisions are made in the way that’s best for us.

    All the other decisions are on a to-do list.  If I have time I make them myself…that means they are important.  If not someone else is more than welcome to take some on.
    

The first soup I learned to make was cheesy potato soup.  I looked up the recipe in Momma’s ancient copy of Joy of Cooking and spent a snow day chopping away to make something to keep me warm.  I turned out fantastic and I made it whenever I could.

Potato soup was in my recipe to wow friends and family.  I made it in small dorm kitchen and rental apartments; for dinner parties and random midnight meals.  Potato soup and I have a history so it’s been a goal of mine to revamp it my adult interesting tastes.  This spicy kick was it.

Spicy Potato Soup

Prep: 15 minutes                            Cook time:  5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Earth Balance [soy free]
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
• 4 stalks celery, chopped fine
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 large Russet Potatoes, peeled and chopped small
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 bag frozen broccoli

Instructions

1. Heat the oil and the Earth Balance in a large pot.  Add the onions and celery.  Stir them allowing the onions to sweat but not brown for 3-5 minutes.  Add the garlic for an additional 2 minutes. 
2. Add all the spices to the bay leaf to the pot with the vegetable broth.  Stir and add in potatoes.  Bring the potatoes to a boil and then simmer on medium for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  For last 5 minutes add half the bag of broccoli florets.
3. Remove the bay leaf before blending.  To blend use one of two methods:
   
   1. In blender – remove potatoes in batches and blend with broth and parts of coconut milk.  Continue in batches until soup is as smooth as desired.
   2. With Immersion Blender – add coconut milk and puree using immersion blender until desired consistency.
4. Add remaining broccoli and simmer until cooked through.  The soup will be thick.  If you like a thinner soup add more coconut milk or broth.

My busy work schedule along with change in workouts and diet has invited some extra sleep.

But there’s a problem with sleep.

Full Google Reader.

Lamp accidentally left on with books piled on the nightstand.

Energy…

Oooops!  That’s not a problem.  That’s fantastic.  I’ll adjust to the rest and have no problem at all.

We needed to replace some things in our apartment so I relived my college job exploring Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I forgot how many options there were.

I picked up a few plates, storage containers and my pride and joy…

A new bathroom trashcan.  I’m such an adult.   I’m so proud of it!

What recent purchase do you love?

I’m not a big fan of excuses but some aren’t excuses…they’re just life.  I had a fabulous streak of healthy eating and consistent workouts through November, December and the beginning of January.  It was my pride amidst all the insanity.  My break from the crazy to have a bit of normalcy.

Then sickness…ickiness…illness…allergies happened.  Oh the joys.  Lots of sleep and rest are the only cure.  It’s much easier to breathe that way.

Yet since the illness has fled my “resting” habits have not.  I’m out of the gym habit.  I don’t think of fitting in my workouts first…I think of relaxing.  I don’t think of eating to perform the best in Zumba…I enjoy a bit too much chocolate.  I don’t think.  Pure and simple.

Writing this out is my wake up call.  My kick in the pants *edit* I’m taking Hunni to the doctor for his hurt back. I’ll be at the gym this evening during How I Met Your Mother* I ate a filling breakfast. And my workouts for the week are scheduled.  See…

• Monday – Zumba & New Rules of Lifting
• Tuesday – Cardio & Stretching
  
• Wednesday – Off! (Travel)
• Thursday – Cardio
• Friday – New Rules of Lifting & stretching
• Saturday – Zumba
• Sunday – Yoga

I’m okay if a few things get switched around but I’m starting off simple and building back to my cardio 6 days a week with some lifting too.  I just need a kick in the pants to rebuild the habit.  Here’s hoping it doesn’t take 21 days to rebuild a habit that already has a foundation.

Last Week’s Goals

• Mrs. Fix-it. I hung hooks, fixed cement, created electrical switches and all around pretended to be Bob Villa.  It was kind of cool.
• Daily Face Washing. This took some consistent self-reminding but it was necessary.  I like wearing make up so I need to take it off at night.  Now to find a face wash I really like to complete the task.
• Practice Planking. Uh, oh.  The lots of rest was lying on my back or side…not holding a plank position.  We’ll have to add this to the following week.
• One day of meals without media. I had a total over 8 meals without media.  The last minute hail Mary for a full day was Saturday.  Nice to enjoy breakfast in bed with Hunni and the puppers, lunch with Emily while shopping and dinner reading my book.  So nice.
• Things are rearranging. Our front office looks so nice.  So open. So spacious.  My office has room to move.  The classroom supplies were organized.  I was a busy bee this week.
• Say it, do it.
  • Zumba – 3 classes   1 class
  • New Rules of Lifting for Women – 2 days
  • Other Cardio – 80 minutes  
  • Yoga – 60 minutes

This Week’s Goals

• Happy Date Day.  We don’t do traditional Valentine’s Day with cards, flowers, candy, etc.  In fact we have to work that day until 8PM.  But we are making arrangements for a nice date night midweek.  It’s a good change-up from our regular week.
• Kick in the Pants.  See above.
• Commercial Planks. Commercials are boring…even most Super Bowl Commercials.  Yet they are the perfect time for practicing my planking.  That and some stretching will make commercial breaks go by faster.
• Organize clothing.  This is on my organization radar and I have the time to do so.  My drawers are begging for it as well.
• Make a menu, keep it up.  I’m hoping “there’s an app for everything really applies.”  I need menus as a guide but have been lazy and lacking with time and planning for more than eggs or pasta stuff.  This week it’s back to business.
• Read!  Forget watching YouTube videos until all hours of the night with insomnia. Or infomercials and repeats on TBS.  I have a book goal and I need to get cracking.
• Plan a friend date.  It may not happen this week but I need to plan time fun time with friends.  It keeps me kind of sane.

Yesterday (Saturday) I did not want to workout; least of all run. I’ve been in a running slump and stress-filled days we begging for a day off. A day to do nothing but lounge in bed, eat a late breakfast, go shopping, and watch movies.

Well I did all of the above and remembered when me days also required a good workout; usually a run. And then I remembered Sherry. For her all good days included a run.

If you aren’t familiar with Sherry’s story please read about her wonderful memories at SUAR ie Beth. Today was the virtual run for Sherry in her memory. To not let the evil win but the good prevail.

While people around the world gathered in groups large and small, I was my group of one. My desire to not run was pushed to do my best run in months (on a treadmill) in memory of Sherry.

My 3 miles was rough but I finished with a smile knowing it was a good way to end the day and remember Sherry who loved to run.