New Vitacost Coupon Code - Father's Day Special

I just got ahold of a new vitacost coupon code for an extra 10% off the entire order. Unfortunately for me, I just put an order in two days ago and missed the deal (booooo!!!! hissss!!!!). Fortunately for you all, I am sharing the code :) It's in honor of Father's Day, and is good until 6/19/11. Enter this promo code at checkout: FATHERSDAY .

Vitacost Free Shipping February

Vitacost.com is offering free shipping during the month of February on orders over $49. No coupon code is required, but it is only valid on orders placed online. If you need to place an order, now would be a good time! This offer expires 2/28/11.

Probiotics Help Allergies?

I am by no means a medical doctor or expert, but I do try to keep educated and informed about ways I can improve my health, especially in ways that do not require putting medication in my body. Don't get me wrong, I do believe medications can be a blessing in many ways, but if I can find a solution to my health issues without using medication, I will try to go that route.

For many years, I required prescription medication and treatments for my allergies and asthma. If necessary, I will seek those treatments again, and I still have my rescue inhaler handy at all times. However, I have, through natural remedies and dietary changes, been able to keep my allergies and asthma at bay. One of the things that I have recently discovered that affects my allergies and asthma are probiotics.

Recently, I had run out of probiotics and had decided I could just forgo them until I was ready to put another order in at Vitacost.com. A week had gone by, and all of a sudden I was having allergy attacks, which often lead to asthma attacks for me. I got to thinking about why my allergies were flaring up suddenly again. Then I remembered I had stopped taking my probiotics for the time being. Curious, I decided to look up online whether or not probiotics affected allergies. Sure enough, there is ample evidence that suggests good bacteria in the gut affects allergies. I stopped by the local drugstore to pick up some more probiotics for the time being, and shortly after starting them, my allergy issues began to subside again.

There are many good food sources that contain probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, raw honey, raw milk, etc. I am not always good at getting these foods into my diet regularly, but they definitely do contribute to a healthy gut (if you are ever looking for some interesting health reading, studying up on how the gut affects overall health is fascinating!). While I try to eat some probiotic foods, in order to positively affect my allergies, a probiotic supplement is what seems to have the most effect. My preferred probiotic supplement is called Kyodophilus and contains several strains of good bacteria. This link is one of the Kyodophilus products that I have successfully used: http://www.vitacost.com/Kyolic-Kyo-Dophilus-45-Capsules .

Obviously, my story is more of an anecdotal type of evidence, but when looking into the issue, the scientific evidence backs up my experience. For further reading on this subject, you can click on the links that follow: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AllergiesNews/Story?id=4727318&page=1 http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/probiotics-and-the-gut http://www.beyondallergy.com/allergy-news/probiotics-for-allergy-relief.php . For even further reading, an internet search should turn up additional information.

October Vitacost Coupon Code

If you need to order more supplements and supplies from Vitacost.com, now would be the time to do it. There is a coupon code this month for 10 percent off your entire order, no minimum order required to use it. Lots of times, Vitacost coupon codes for percentages off require at least an order of $50, but not this time! I had a smaller order to put in, and I was still able to get the discount. If you decide to order, when you get to the checkout, enter the promo code EMOCT, which will get you the 10 percent off. It's good through the end of October.

Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Really The Same As Sugar?

Recently, there has been more awareness about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and its effects on the human body. Because of the negative press surrounding HFCS, the FDA is currently being lobbied to change its name to "corn sugar" on ingredient labels.

HFCS is increasingly difficult to avoid. Most processed foods contain it, and the reason for that is because it is cheaper for manufacturers to use HFCS in place of sugar. HFCS is sweeter than sugar, so it takes less to sweeten a product. It is also cheaper because it is made from government subsidized corn crops. Yes, that's right. The government is subsidizing the nation's junkfood in a roundabout way. So much for the war on obesity, right?

Speaking of the war on obesity, a recent study on HFCS vs. sugar found that HFCS caused an increase in weight gain and an increased difficulty in the ability to lose weight. The study was conducted at Princeton using rats. One group of rats was fed HFCS, while the other group was fed sugar. Both were given the caloric equivalents of each item. The rats fed HFCS showed more problems with weight than the sugar fed rats.

Chemically, the HFCS and the sugar appear to be similar, but evidence is showing that how the body processes the two substances is different, thus leading to the weight problems with rats. Other health problems associated with HFCS include diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. It causes elevated insulin levels, which are also connected to cancer and heart disease, among other things.

HFCS is found in just about every processed food product there is, it seems. From obvious products like soda pop and candy and sweets, to less obvious things such as ketchup and barbecue sauce. The best thing is to read your labels before you decide to purchase a product, and to avoid HFCS if at all possible. Some companies have made the change to eliminate HFCS from its products because of increased awareness, but there are still plenty products that contain it.

For further reading, I have included links to a few websites:

http://www.grist.org/article/researchers-yes.-hfcs-is-much-worse-than-table-sugar/

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6210.cfm

http://www.3fatchicks.com/10-side-effects-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup/

Yet Another Reason To Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Recently, there have been reports that have come out stating that women who use commercial cleaning products more frequently have higher rates of breast cancer. Many of the chemical ingredients in these cleaning products are harmful and toxic to the human body. And, because of government regulations, manufacturers of these products are not required to disclose all the ingredients in the cleaners. I have tried to read the labels of these products before, and I have seen many that said, for example, "Ingredients: Surfactants", and that's all it will list.

I started making my own cleaners mainly because of my asthma, as the fumes in the commercial cleaners really bothered my lungs. However, I also realized that making my own was quite a bit cheaper than buying them, and you also get rid of the chemical exposure when using natural ingredients in your cleaning solutions. Another reason I love making my own is because my children can safely use them when I ask them to help me clean, and because it is non-toxic to them (and pets!) when used as the main household cleaning products.

Here are some links to previous posts with homemade cleaning recipes:
http://thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/add-some-oomph-to-your-vinegar-cleaning.html

http://thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/steam-cleaner-solution-alternative.html

http://thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/homemade-softscrub-recipe.html

http://thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/another-cleaning-cost-saver-recycling.html

http://thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/cutting-costs-on-laundry.html

http://thethriftyhousewifeblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/saving-money-on-household-cleaning.html

For further reading on the latest reports on this subject:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100719205630.htm


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=68555


http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Environment/household_cleaning_products_linked_to_breast_cancer_2107100645.html


There are several experts who disagree with the findings of the study, and report that since household cleaning product use was self-reported (after the patient was already diagnosed), that the information is skewed and unreliable. However, in light of that, I don't agree that the information should just be ignored. I don't trust using these chemicals in my home, for my asthmatic health reasons, but also because I do tend to believe that they are poisonous and do have the potential to cause harm to human bodies.

Shorten The Life Of Your Cold Sore

I just got over a nasty cold. I'm glad I am feeling better, but at the tail end of the cold came a few (un)lovely coldsores. I have a simple trick that helps mine dry up faster than if I just let them go. I dab a little bit of rubbing alcohol on them with a q-tip several times a day. By doing so, it dries the sores out faster so they don't last as long. I wish there was a way to make them stay gone, but since they are caused by a virus, there isn't. The rubbing alcohol shortens the life of my coldsores down to a few days, rather than a week or two.

There are a few things to remember when treating your coldsores. The most important is to not pop the little blisters. Doing so will increase the chances of them spreading. The key is to get them to dry out, and not spread them further. When you start feeling that telltale tingle, start applying the rubbing alcohol to the area in question. I use the rubbing alcohol on mine at least 5 to 6 times a day. Since we can't make them stop coming, the goal is to make them go away as fast as possible. I have used prescriptions before for my coldsores, but honestly the rubbing alcohol works just as well, if not better for me. I can't guarantee that it will work that well for you, as I am not a medical doctor, but it's an idea to try out next time you get one of those nasty little nuisances.

Saving Money On Handsoap

In our family, it seems like we go through alot of handsoap. The good side of that is that it means people are washing their hands and having good hygiene. Going through alot of handsoap can add up quickly, though. We have found a way to have plenty of handsoap to use for around $14 per year for our family of 5. Pretty impressive, huh?

Here's my secret, revealed to the public at no cost, LOL. I go to Sam's Club and buy the four pack of Dial foaming soap dispensers for around $7. Then I get a ginormous (is that even a technical word? I keep hearing all the cool kids saying it.) container of Member's Mark handsoap, also for around $7. When the foaming soap dispensers are empty, I refill them 1/4 of the way with handsoap, fill the rest with water, put the pump back on, and shake to mix the soap and water. The pump will then continue to dispense a foamy soap for hand washing. In our experience, the ginormous container of soap stretches for a whole year before we have to buy a new one.

New Year's Resolutions - Losing Weight

One of the top New Year's resolutions is to lose weight. As someone who struggles with weight, it is a very hard thing to do. I have lost some, but I still have a ways to go. So far, I have lost around 20 pounds. I do feel better in general even losing that amount. I need to lose about 80 more pounds. The New Year is a great time to refocus on those efforts.

I have found a very useful tool to aid in the weight loss process. It is incredibly helpful, it is free, and it has accountability built in. It is an online course, really a bible study, that digs deep. There is a daily lesson with questions and answers. What this program does is pair you up with a mentor who has already successfully completed the course. This mentor reads your lessons and responds accordingly. It has been so good for me. I wanted to pass it along, especially during a time when so many will be focusing on losing weight. You can find the course, called "The Lord's Table", at http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/ . And I am going to use the New Year as a time to refocus and continue along on my way to my weight loss goal.

Diaper Cream Recipe

I found this recipe today for homemade diaper cream. We are trying it out, so far I like it. I like it because it is made from ingredients in my kitchen, without all of the extra added chemicals and preservatives. Not only that, but it is super thrifty, and it seems to be doing well for my little one's diaper irritation. Super simple, super thrifty!

Diaper Cream

3 Tbsp Cornstarch
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Mix together to form a paste, add more cornstarch or oil to get desired consistency, if necessary. Store in a covered container.

I personally added a little bit extra cornstarch because I wanted the paste to be a little bit thicker. I got the recipe from this website: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=29378.0

Homemade Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal baths are a good way to soothe sore, chapped, dry, irritated skin. The last time I checked (and that was a few years ago!), it cost quite a bit for a small box of oatmeal bath packets from the store. I believe a box of about 6 cost around $3-$4, and that was for the generic brand. The Aveeno brand was closer to $5 or $6. I got to wondering if there was a way that I could make my own, as just plain old oatmeal is rather inexpensive.

I managed to find a few ideas online. I haven't tried all of them, but I will share them with you. One idea was to place plain oatmeal in an old nylon stocking, tie a knot in the end, and let it sit in the tub. The soothing part of the oatmeal is supposed to leach out of the stocking and into the bath water. I haven't tried this one personally, but theoretically it sounds like it should work.

Another idea I liked even better was to take some plain oatmeal and place it in the blender or food processor and grind it up until it is a fine powder. You can use it like that, or you can also add a little bit of cornstarch and baking soda to add additionally soothing ingredients. That is the way that I make it, it works great! I actually adapted that recipe from this website http://www.allfreecrafts.com/homemade-gifts/oatmeal-milk-bath.shtml. The way I make it is I take 2 cups of finely ground oatmeal, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and 1/2 cup of cornstarch and mix it all up. Add 3-4 tablespoons per bath. I store the mixture in a ziploc baggie. The cost to make up a batch of this oatmeal bath is pennies on the dollar for what it costs to buy a box of oatmeal bath.

The website I posted above has printable sachets that you can make and put the oatmeal bath mixture into, as well as a more elaborate oatmeal milkbath recipe. I just may have to try that for personal gifts this year, especially Christmas!

thethriftyhousewife

Breastfeeding is a Bargain

It's been a little while since I weaned my last child, but I would like to put a plug in here for breastfeeding. Yes, it does save money (ALOT!!!), but there are so many other positive reasons to breastfeed as well. According to the website http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/ formula can cost between $1,160 and $3,915 per year. That can be a significant chunk of anyone's budget!

As a stay at home mom, I have had the privelage of being able to exclusively breastfeed two of my kids. My oldest started out breastfeeding, but mostly had formula as she got older. Honestly, I did find breastfeeding to be more convenient and time saving than bottle feeding. With breastfeeding, the milk is always ready, at the right temperature, and there are no bottles to wash afterwards.

I think the benefits to my children were notable as well. I did notice a difference in the health of my two younger children who were exclusively breastfed. My oldest child was sick more often as a baby, while my two younger children rarely had any health issues at all. Breastmilk provides antibodies to the infants to strengthen their immune systems. That is one thing formula cannot provide. Statistics show that breastfed babies are generally healthier as infants, but later in life as well. The health benefits don't apply just to baby, either. There are additional health benefits to moms as well, such as a lowered health risk of diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression. Better health equals less trips to the doctor equals less money spent. I think, however, the best benefit I experienced with breastfeeding was the bond that I shared with all of my children. For even more information about how breastfeeding can benefit your family, check out http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc

thethriftyhousewife