Buzz Off

Like clock work, my mom watches the nightly news to hear about the next wave of humidity scheduled to hit Wichita. She’s quick to inform me of the impending weather so I can prepare for my best friend: the mosquito. Pesky, irritating, and numerous, these little insects seem drawn to anyone who decides to step outside. With giant itchy welts spread across my legs, arms, and yes, even my face sometimes, I know first hand how annoying these tiny terrors can be. Thankfully, I’ve discovered several products that put an end to the mosquito magnetism.

“Buzz Away” insect repellant does just what its name implies, it makes mosquitoes buzz right away from you! The best part: this product works! It boasts a terrific citronella scent and contains no Deet as well. “Bug Bands” are also another wonderful product. These colorful wrist, or ankle, bracelets emit bug repellant for up to 120 hours! They come in many different colors, great to match with your child’s squiggle bracelets! Slap it on and head outdoors with the assurance that you’ll be bug free for a fun summer evening!

For those who fear the great outdoors because of its smallest hazards, have no fear, these great products are available to help ensure your summer is the best, and most comfortable, yet!

Aura Cacia's Medieval Mix

During the dark ages, physicians and grave robbers alike protected themselves with the aromatic herbs of lavender, thyme, and rosemary.  Today, research indicates essential oils from these plants have the potential to kill germs, destroy bacteria and eliminate offensive odors due to their antiseptic qualities. 

Essential oils derive their antibacterial effect from their unique chemical makeup. Each single, pure essential oil consists of several, sometimes hundreds of distinct natural chemicals. Many of these have antimicrobial activity, and show synergistic effects; blends of the chemicals - as found naturally in the oils - can be more potent than any individual chemical alone.   These same oils also demonstrate antiviral and antifungal aspects in research studies. 

Aura Cacia Medieval Mix aromatherapy blend contains pure essential oils from several powerful essential oils.   Oils include Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus X Limon (Lemon) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Red Thyme) Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (White Thyme) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil.

This oil is a perfect choice for this busy travel season.   Here are a few recipes to get you started!

Travel Protection Mist

Combine 18 drops of Medieval Mix with 1 oz. water in a spray mister. Purify the air around you with 2-3 protective spritzes of this blend. Alternatively, spritz into the palm of your hand and use as a simple hand purifier. (Shake contents well before spraying.)

Room Purification Diffusion

Place 10 drops of Medieval Mix in a candle lamp diffuser with 1/4 cup water. Besides the comforting ambiance provided by the glowing candle, these lamps are a great way to provide a sustained and protecting diffusion of essential oils.  For travel, you can pick up a scent ball.  Place the drops of oil on a pad and just plug it in!

Cool Savings with coupon Match-ups!

First batch of coupon match-ups for July!  These deals can all be found in our dairy and frozen departments.  Look for more match-ups soon!

Lightlife Smart Dogs on sale for $2.69.
$1/1 Lightlife product when you sign up here. 
Final cost $1.69!

Wallaby 6 oz. select flavors on sale for 99 cents each.
$1/4 in the Green Spring 2010 Mambo Sprout (available in-store)
Final cost 74 cents each when you buy 4!

NaSoya Tofu select varieties on sale for $2.49.
$1/1 NaSoya product in the Mambo Sprout summer supplement (available in-store)
Final cost $1.49!

Organic Valley Grade A Large Brown Eggs 1/2 dozen on sale for $2.29
75 cents/1 Organic Valley egg here.
Final cost $1.54!

Organic Valley Parmesan Tub on sale for $3.39.
75 cents/1 Organic Valley cheese here.
Final cost $2.64!

MorningStar BBQ Riblets on sale for $3.99.
$1/1 Morningstar product here.
Final cost $2.99!

Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt or I Cream Select Flavors on sale for $3.19
50 cents/1 Yogurt or I Cream here.
Final cost $2.69!

Drink yourself Svelte!

It's here!.....a healthy AND delicious protein drink! CalNaturale Svelte drinks come in four scrumptious flavors including Chocolate, French Vanilla, Spiced Chai and Cappuccino. Thick, rich and creamy with 16 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber!

These drinks make a wonderful snack or meal replacement if you are on the go or just don't have time to sit and actually chew your food. They leave you feeling full and satisfied and will definitely tie you over til dinner!

Ingredients include organic soymilk, erythritol and stevia and a vitamin and mineral blend including including B-12. Oh, and did I mention they are on SALE this month?

Vegan Wednesday!

Delish Summer Pasta Salad
1 box pasta (rotini, penne, spiral)
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
1 large cucumber, cut into quarters, then chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped finely
1 cup vegan Italian dressing
1/4 cup Vegenaise
1 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
freshly cracked pepper, to taste
2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Cook pasta according to box.

While pasta is cooking, wash and chop the celery, pepper, cucumber, tomato, and onion. You want nice chunks of the veggies.

After pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta. I also take the empty cooking pot and run it under cold water so that the pot can cool down and I can use it to mix the pasta salad.After pasta is drained well, return to cooled pot.

Add chopped veggies. Next, whisk together the Italian dressing, Vegenaise, Dijon mustard, dill weed, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add to pasta and veggies.Finally, mash your chickpeas with a potato masher until crumbly. Add chickpeas to pasta and veggies and mix well.

Enjoy!
Serves: 5-6
Preparation time: 35 minutes

Gluten Free Tuesday: Blackberry Vanilla Almond Muffins

Sadly, I cannot take credit for coming up with this delicious recipe, but I will pass it on to you! Happy cooking!

Blackberry Vanilla Almond Muffins

1 1/2 cups Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix

1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds

2 eggs

1/3 cup apple sauce

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup Vanilla almond milk

3/4 cup melted butter

4 oz. blackberries (save some for the tops)

Preheat oven to 325°.
Mix dry ingredients, reserving the berries. Mix liquid ingredients. Combine.

Carefully fold in the berries, taking care not to squish them too much.

Scoop approximately 1/4 cup into muffin tins.

Bake for about 25 minutes

If wanted, put more blackberries onto tops of muffins!

Courtesy: Pamela's Products

Aura Cacia Giveaway!

In need of a great feel-better kit? Look no further than the Aura Cacia goodie-bag we put together this week! This week's goodies include a half oz bottle of Medieval Mix, a box of 3 tablets of Eucalyptus Shower Tablets, and an Inspiration-scented bath salt package.

Interested in winning? Enter your name and email address in the comment section of the blog!

Prize available for in-store pick up only!

Honestly Good Deals!

Go here to print off new Honest Tea coupons.  These include:

50 cents/1 Honest tea bottled tea

75 cents/1 Honest Kids 8 pouch

Buy One Get One Free Honest Kids 64 oz (you can print four!)

These are on sale today at the store for $3.29!   That would make them only $1.64 each!  Limited supply available at this price, so hurry, hurry!

 

Reusable Bags

Many of us have heard the numbers and know the facts, but let me refresh your memory from Reusablebags.com :

• --Society's consumption rate is now well over 500 billion plastic bags annually, almost 1 million per minute




• --High-density polyethylene bags are the main culprit, used to tote your purchases but will accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1000 years




• --Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when the animals mistake the bags for food




• --According to the BBC, only 1 in 200 bags in the UK are recycled




• --The average family accumulates 60 bags in only four trips to the grocery store




• --Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime

Food for Thought has a Wooden Nickle Program where customers are given a wooden nickle for each reusable bag they bring in and use in our store. Now what is the point? We have two charitable organizations at a time and the customer gets to choose where to put their nickles, and then Food for Thought matches the nickle by donating 10 cents for each nickle to the various organizations.

We currently carry several reusable bags and only use paper bags for purchases. Chico's brand of reusable bags are my favorite, mostly because you can fold them up and don't always run into the problem of forgetting them in your car or at home. We are also starting to carry our own line of reusable bags for each season, so come out and see own new Yellow, summertime Food for Thought bags!