Q Like everyone, my family is trying to cut back on our spending and pay off some of our bills. Is there a way that we can save some money at the grocery store? Our weekly food bill seems higher than ever.

One thing that can add to the price of your grocery bill is buying meals for each day of the week. You can cut your grocery bill down by planning on having some meals during the week that are "leftover" nights. Leftovers don't have to simply be reheated meals either. Meat from a previous meal can be used to create a soup, stew, or hot sandwich in a "leftover night" meal.

You can also, look online for money saving coupons at sites like:

http://couponcart.com/

http://www.coolsavings.com

http://www.tech-sol.net/interlinks/food-coup.htm

http://www.couponcraze.com/categories/Food_Grocery/

The Diva had some great website links in her answer. I think another suggestion would be to shop early in the morning when they mark the meat(s) down -(b/c or their sold to date) you can get some great deals and just throw them in the freezer for future meals. Check coupons or even stores that will double coupons. I also find that Walmart is alot cheaper for grocery items - I personally will not buy the meat or produce that they offer.

QWhat is rBGH?

rBGH is short for "recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone." In short, it is chemical that given to cows to help them them produce more milk. The US FDA reports that no significant difference has been shown and no test can now distinguish between milk from rBGH treated and untreated cows. rBGH is banned from use in both Canada and the European Union.

If you wish to buy milk from cows that have not been given growth hormones, it is available in most supermarkets. Several dairy farms including Hood, Oakhurst, and New England Family Farms (formerly Vermont Family Farms) have signed legal documents from their farmers that supply milk to them stating they do not treat their cows with artificial growth hormones. You will also find prominent messages on the front of their milk containers.

For more information on rBGH, you can Google what is recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone.

QI am having problems going out to stores with my preschooler. He throws major tantrums in the stores, yelling, kicking, and carrying on loudly when he doesn't get the toy or candy he wants. When I try to pick him up and carry him out he will do everything he can to make it difficult (and more embarrassing). He's very strong-willed. What do I do when this happens?

I have no magic answer here b/c my child has done this - many times. I make it a point to get down to his eye level before we go in the store and explain exactly what we are getting. I tell him he is not getting anything on this shopping trip. whatever you do be firm and if you are going to threaten - ie take away tv or early bed - FOLLOW THROUGH. To many times we don't do that and the kid gets a mixed message.
If this continues - try shopping at times when you know your child will not be tired - like early morning. I know its hard but it might just be easier in the store.


When your son throws a tantrum, I would explain to him in a firm but stern voice that that behavior is unacceptable. Then tell him what the consequence is going to be if he doesn't stop it -- you will leave the store and go directly home for an extended time-out period. If he doesn't stop, do whatever you have to do to follow through on the consequence. Pick him up and take him out of the store. If you are embarrassed, or inconvenienced, ask yourself which is worse - him continuing to act like that each time you go out or you walking out with him a few times so he'll stop?
When you get him home don't forget to have the time out! Remind him why you came home. He probably won't be happy about it, but the next time you tell him there's going to be a consequence, he'll know you mean business. Good luck!

QI need a spring outfit for some events (like Easter)? Please help.

Believe it or not Gaucho's are back and they are very cute. I have seen some styles at Kohls and they are cute paired with a top and denim jacket (- the season must have) . I have also seen the return of the prairie skirt - again paired with a top and denim jacket. Happy Shopping!




Two of the hot trends this season are: cropped tops and crochet sweaters. You can freshen up some of your capris and long skirts by topping them with one of these! The jean jacket will even look great with Belle's prairie skirt suggestion above!



To keep the crochet look fresh and not dated, pick one that is tie-front. Wear a long layer underneath (a tank or camisole works well).

QMy daughter is 5 and is a fussy eater. I have tried getting her to eat well balanced meals, but it is impossible. So now I just let her eat what she likes and I'm happy when she does eat something. The problem is that she doesn't drink milk, but she eats cheese, and yogurt. She loves chips, crackers, and salty snacks. I'm worried that she's not getting the vitamins she needs but I don't know what I can do?

The best thing you can do is continue to provide healthy meal choices and snack options for your daughter. I read once that for a child to decide if they like or don't like a food they have to try it 10 times or more. So don't give up after one try! Wait a week or so and try again. You may have a completely different reaction. I often say "You just forgot ... you really do like this." Also, as hard as it is, try not to compare her eating habits with those of other children. What works for her may not work for her friends -- that's okay. As long as she eating well her personal growth (as measured by he doctor) is normal she is doing fine.

I would first check with your pediatrician to see if he or she has suggestions and ask them about a children's vitamin.
I wouldn't force the issue - that could lead to food issues later in life. Perhaps you could try to let her plan a dinner one night of whatever she wants but the deal is she has to eat what you prepare the next night. Try chicken nuggets and serve carrots or another vegetable with it. Whatever you do try to make it fun.

QHow do I find a bathing suit that will flatter my body type?

There are so many websites now that can help with that. The first two that pop into mind are www.llbean.com and www.landsend.com
Lands End has a virtual model where you can pick your body type then pick a bathing suit to see what it would look like on. They also suggest with each bathing suit what body type it would look good on.


Belle's right -- before you set foot in a fitting room - make sure you know which style will show off your assets and minimize your flaws! You'll save a lot of heartache and time that way.
If you find yourself shopping for a two-piece this year and want to update your swim style, check out the new "skirtini" styles many designers are showing. They offer a little more coverage than the standard bikini and still look great! This one is from Kenneth Cole REACTION (available at Macy's).

QI need some diet and/or exercise tips to drop some extra weight and get in shape for shorts and (groan!) bathing suit season. Help please!

Do I have to wear a bathing suit this season? That is my question every spring. I have always dealt with the battle of the bulge so for me I would eat more veggies and fruits during the day and limit meal portions. For those of us who are to busy to get to a meeting you can join Weight Watchers online - www.weightwatchers.com . The site is pretty easy to navigate!! Also try to incorporate exercise into your routine- I know this can be difficulty - especially for moms that are chasing kids around. If committing to 30 mins a day is hard try breaking it up into 15 minute sessions. Good Luck -and Happy Spring!!

All of the new fad diets promise to help you to lose weight quickly, but remember you might rebound after and regain that weight. So why not think longer term and gradually reshape your habits? If you make healthier choices as part of your day-to-day diet it will result in long term weight loss. For example, eating more vegetables at meals, eating several smaller meals during the day might help, and being conscious of eating only when you're really hungry. I also like Hungry-girl.com she has a lot of good recipe substitutions that give the "taste fix" without the calories!

QWinter's finally over and I need to get some new shoes for spring. I'm tired of pulling on sneakers all the time with my jeans. What other kind of casual shoe can I can wear with jeans or casual pants?

Clogs and mules are one of my favorite choices for a casual look because they're so comfortable and easy to wear. If you have boot cut or flare leg pants, pick a shoe that has a small heel to give your leg a little more length. Here are some updated styles that will freshen up your look:

  

I along with Diva prefer mules and or clogs. I like these mules with a pair of capris. They are great if you want a casual pair of shoes to take your little ones to the park.

QI have a 3 year old daughter and her nighttime antics have me nearly in tears. I have read and listened to all the advice that is out there and I have tried to establish some consistancy. TV is off in the evenings, stories are read every night, we sing her favorite bedtime song and sit and snuggle for a while.

That's where the frustration begins. I put her in her toddler bed, kiss her and say goodnight. She even says goodnight back as if she might listen. But almost as soon as I've left the room, she's up and out of bed.

I return her to her bed, she's up again. I return her to bed. She's up again. It's a pattern. After a while I just get frustrated and angry. I cuddle again, I give swats, I put her back in bed, I sit by the bed, door open, door shut - nothing seems to work. Finally I end up rocking her until she's so tired she just falls asleep. The entire process goes on for hours. What can I do to change it?

First of all don't give up. Been there done that. It may take a few nights or maybe even a week but it can be done. Keeping consistency and a schedule is very important for kids. Keep bedtime routine on a very strict schedule - tub, story bed. When my son was about your daughter's age he went through the same thing. Be firm - you can do this. I used a baby gate on his bedroom doorway and one night he cried for a long time and fell asleep by the gate. It stinks to see your child go through this but you need to establish the rules. They will learn. Good luck!!

It sounds like you are 80% of the way to a peaceful night. Your daughter has fallen into a pattern of going to sleep with you in the room, with you rocking her. Now you need to replace that with a new sleep cycle where she can fall asleep on her own. Instead of leaving right after storytime, why not stay with her in the dark room, on a chair, or on the floor, but not holding her. This will give her the security that you are there, but she will be in bed on her own. Each night you can slowly reduce the time you spend in the room until you leave right after her story. That way she gradually gets used to be alone -- not all at once. You've set some good habits by the bedtime routine, adding this extra step may help transition her through this phase.

QI have a blog. I looked around on internet to find some free designs. I found your page -- can you help me to find some free blog designs that are cool and fun?

Blogs are everywhere these days ... people are blogging about their lives, loves, hates, and everything else you do or don't want to know! Most blogging services provide some standard skins or templates but who wants their blog to look like everyone elses? Once you have a blog, you want to be special and reflect your own style.

Here are some free resources:

• BlogSkins offers designs from the best of the blogging community.
  
• Blog Fashions offers templates just for Movable Type blogs.
  
• Style Monkey offers some nice column designs in CSS that can be customized.
  
• Nucleus Skins has some nicely designed skins, all covered under the Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Creative Commons License.
  

Two final -- but important notes -- (1) if you use someone's design, always be sure to give them credit and (2) save all the graphic files for the blog template on your own server!

Q I was out shopping with my a friend of mine, and I mentioned that I had a hair appointment coming up soon, and that I was looking forward to it. I actually started going to this stylist on her recommendation and I really like how the stylist cuts my hair. My friend said "Oh, you do?" implying with her tone that she didn't think my current style and color flattered me, was current, etc.
I honestly don't care if my friend likes my hairstyle or not, I'm the one who has to look at it every day after all. I just thought that was a rude comment and didn't know how to respond?

Your friend seems to have forgotten the rule "If you don't have something nice to say -- don't say anything at all." Or maybe she never learned it to begin with? Although it's difficult, you can set a good example by not taking her bait and holding your tongue when she makes these snarky comments. Maybe when she doesn't get the reaction she was expecting, she'll stop making them.


I would say: "I am sorry you don't like it. It is a good hair style and it works for me."

QA friend of mine sent me an e-mail telling me that if I press #90 on my telephone I'll give away access to my telephone line to the caller, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to my home phone number. Is this straight-up? Or is it another one of those Internet pranks?

According to Hoaxbusters, this warning is basically true for some but not all phone systems. Some PBX systems transfer a call to an outside, long distance operator when you type 90# giving the caller an outside line on your dime. It works if your phone system requires you to dial 9 to get an outside line, 0 to get an operator and # to transfer the incoming call to the line you have just dialed.

Few home phones require you to dial 9 to get an outside line so dialing 90# will only get you a busy signal. As this is one of thousands of potential scams, sending out a message to everyone you know probably does more damage than the scam being warned about.

MILAN, N.H. - It was a tempting green hedgerow for the hungry young moose. Somehow, a child's swingset got in the way. The moose, who was trying to snack on a backyard hedge Thursday, got tangled in the swingset's chains. The homeowner called police for help.

Sometimes you can't make stuff up that's funnier that reality! Click here for the full story.

QMy 4-year old was playing at the playgym with his 5-year old friend when the two children started pushing each other roughly. My son said the other boy started it, but his mother didn't reprimand him for his actions. My son is very honest, so I'm sure he wasn't to blame. I don't want to punish him for something that wasn't his fault. What should I do?

Both of the boys were involved in the situation, so both of them should be spoken to. There's no need to assess blame and make either one feel badly. If you talk to both children together neither one will feel singled out and blamed and you will have addressed the problem. Make the play rules clear and easy to understand. No pushing each other and no name calling. Treat each other as friends and play nicely. Next time they play together, you might want to remind them of the play rules -before- they start playing!

I haven't posted many crafty photos lately so I thought it was time. It's March ... time to take down the heart decos from February and put up something new ... but what? April will most certainly have bunnies for Easter ...

I decided to make some origami kites for March. They were fun to make and I think they are a happy and colorful display in our window -- welcoming spring (and hopefully chasing away winter?)

Here is a better view of a single kite:

If you want to make your own set of high-flyers, you can find directions at Origami with Rachel Katz.

I read about this exhibit by Gregory Colbert on Yahoo!

A screenshotman sinks through water as an elephant swims above him. A cheetah and a solemn young boy perch on a rock. A girl and an ape balance at the tip of a canoe, both reaching toward the still river.

I find his work refreshing and weighty at the same time. Refreshing in that it is so much different than some of photography that seems to be everywhere these days. Weighty because the images and colors in the photos make you think about how the subjects relate to one another.

Take a look and see for yourself.

Have you seen this ad yet? If you haven't, Dove recently announced the creation of "the Dove Self Esteem Program."

92% of girls want to change at least one aspect of their appearance. Dove believes all girls deserve to see how beautiful they really are and is committed to raising self-esteem in girls everywhere. That's why we created the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.

With all the images and media that are pushed toward young people these days telling them how unperfect they are, this seems like a great program to me. Thank you Dove -- and thank you Melissa for reminding me about it!

Runny nose.
Aches and pains.
After 2 days now I think I have to admit now I caught something.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Little P and P Daddy don't pick it up too ...
Here's hoping anyway.