To be a coupon queen...

I am an 18 year coupon veteran.  Why do I sometimes decide that I don't want to clip coupons any more? How silly is to say I just don't like saving tons of money each month???

I tried to give classes in my home town and it just took up so much time.  I am a full-time student.  I work full time.  I have four children...five if you count the hubby!  Just not enough time in the day to go around.  I was crazy to think that I could add in ten hours of teaching others to coupon on top of all that!  SO....I decided to take to the blog!  I know that there are SO many blogs out there and this is just another of the same.  But, let's see how this goes.  With help from readers and LOTS of feedback, I can tweak this thing until it shines! So, here goes nothing!  :)

Cream of Something Soup Mix

Cream of Something Soup

1 cup non-fat dried milk

3/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup bouillon - You can use whatever kind you like (ie, beef, veggie)

4 Tablespoons freeze dried minced onions (I used the minced onions from Sam's Club)

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme (I couldn't find the thyme so I used dried parsley instead)

1 teaspoon pepper

Put all ingredients into an airtight container and mix or shake well.  Mix 1/3 C powder with 1 1/4 C water.  Heat until thickened.  The prepared soup is fat free...did you know that a can of cream of chicken soup has 20 grams of fat!!!  So much less sodium than cans.  SO much cheaper, too!  This can be used in place of any cream of soup.  I have made my kids macaroni and cheese with this and added some turkey smoked sausage and they LOVED!!!

Baking soda and orange juice for your skin...

I am in love!  I know how great vitamin C is for your skin and that baking soda is a great deep cleanser.  I came across a recipe for an orange juice and baking soda face mask and adore it so far!  The recipe calls for 1T. orange juice and 1T. baking soda.  I adjust the amounts to make it the consistency I like.  Should look something like this:

I don't use it as a mask every day because I feel like it is maybe a little too acidic for a daily mask.  I do, however, wash my face with it daily and haven't had any issues.  I am thinking that if you have sensitive skin, I would back off to a couple times a week.  The baking soda is working great at scrubbing my pores and cleaning out blackheads.  The vitamin C is working great at tightening my skin, minimizing pores, and brightening skin.  I follow up with a great little cream I made from coconut oil and vitamin E oil.  This cream is FAB...doesn't clog pores, great for cuticles and hands...

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Natural or commercial anti-aging products?

    I am huge into natural remedies and supplements.  I take an array of supplements daily and even have my skeptical husband on the bandwagon.  This brings me to my current issue...should I stick to my natural roots when it comes to anti-agers?  I am 36 years old and beginning to see age around my mouth, eyes, and a little on my forehead.  I have read blogs, watched videos, and tried many different products.  I am almost embarrassed to even say this, but I even watch Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty and want so bad to find a product that actually works as promised.

     I have spent so much time on makeupalley.  It's a great way to read reviews of all kinds of beauty products and even natural regimes.  It's the peer review that is the most reliable.  There is just so much out there!

     Right now, I am using a homemade cream made with organic coconut oil and vitamin E oil at night and Vaseline Intensive Therapy lotion during the day.  I have heard that we should stay away alpha-hydroxy acids as over time they tend to make the skin appear thin and papery.  Coenzyme Q-10 is excellent for the skin because it reverses damage caused by free radicals.  It regenerates cell production, preserving collagen and elastin, causing the skin to appear younger.

     When we hear that CoQ-10 is great for the skin, we need to remember that it's beneficial to take it internally as well as topically.  I take a myriad of supplements for the sole purpose of anti-aging.  CoQ-10, Vitamin C, Turmeric, and Evening Primrose Oil are all excellent supplements that battle aging and promote cell regeneration.  Many don't know that you can purchase Vitamin C granules to dissolve in water and apply topically to the face.  This is great for the skin!

     I might also add that I suffer from mild adult acne.  It's not horrible but I just hate it.  It keeps my skin from looking clean and fresh.  I currently use Proactive products and am somewhat happy with it.  It does not give the miraculous results I was hoping for.  Walmart actually has an Equate brand of Proactive that I find just as effective as the name brand.

    I am happy with the supplements I take and the Vitamin C I use topically.  However, I am looking for a great cream that I love.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  If anyone is interested in more info on the supplements I discussed, just let me know and I can pass on more info!