Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The Merry, Merry Month of May (at CVS)!


Here's what I've seen so far that is FREE after ECB's at CVS for the month of May:
Aquafresh Toothpaste (Advanced Whitening 6 oz or Extreme Clean 5.6 oz)
2.99 Limit 3
*1 off Coupons in 4/27 SS

Adidas Action3 Anti Perspirant 2.8 oz
4.99 Limit 3
*Rebate in 4/13 Valassis (Red Plum)

Orapik Traveler Twin Pack
2.79 Limit 3

Tums Quik Pak 24 ct
4.69 Limit 2

Freestyle Lite or Freedom Lite Blood Glucose Monitor
10.00 Limit 2

CVS Allergy Relief 5 ct (Compare to Claritin)
3.79 Limit 3
*Use a $3/$10 CRT

Colgate 360 Clean or Deep Clean Tooth Brush
3.99 Limit 3
*1 off Coupons in 4/27 SS
Let me know if there are any mistakes, please!
Also, if you are new to CVS, go here.
For deal ideas and scenarios, go to the Centsible Sawyer here.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Watchmen Wednesday

For Watchmen Wednesday, I'd like to discuss a recent happening in Israel. I know a lot of people might already know about this, but some of you may not have heard yet.

To give a little background, there is something called the "Law of Return" that says that if a Jewish person (including persons with a Jewish mother or grandmother, a Jewish spouse, or a convert to Judaism) wants to move to Israel, then he or she must be granted citizenship. However in 1989, the Supreme Court of Israel decided that Messianic Jews are no longer considered Jews, and therefore were not entitled to citizenship under the Law of Return. This has been the case for almost two decades, with exceptions here and there.

However a few weeks ago, a major decision was made by the Israeli High Court of Justice which may not only set a precedent for future cases but may also open the door for Messianic Jews trying to immigrate to Israel. The decision that was handed down allows for Messianic Jews who have a Jewish father to be granted citizenship in Israel. It is the hope of many that this decision will open the door even wider for Messianic Jews desiring to make Israel their home.

Why the father? I'll share what a rabbi told me. If this is incorrect, please let me know, but this is simply what I was told. The rabbi said that if you are Messianic Jewish and you have a Jewish mother, then you should know better than to believe in Yeshua (Jesus). However, if you have a Jewish father and not a Jewish mother, then you can't be expected to "know any better" because you were probably raised to believe whatever your mother believes.

As we pray for Israel today, let's remember to pray for the Israeli judicial system. Pray that God opens eyes and that the decisions will be guided by Him alone. Also pray for the Israeli Messianic Jews themselves. Just as this was a victory for Messianic Judaism, they are also facing persecution such as this.

As Yeshua himself said, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done...On earth as it is in Heaven!"

Thanks to Messianic Musings for even further clarification!

Thanks to Allposters.com for the picture!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Happy Hour at Carvel on May 1st!

On Thursday, May 1st between 4 pm and 6 pm, stop by your local Carvel Ice Cream and get a FREE Arctic Blender or Blended Coffee!
They are yummy, and who can beat free? I already told my hubby that we are going to Carvel for date night on Thursday...We just happen to have a certified-Kosher Carvel about 1 mile away from our house!

Enjoy!

Leaving the Corners of the Field

*My dear husband lovingly reminded me that the purpose of this blog is not only to talk about ways to save money and provide for our families, but to be an encouragement to believers. I know that I have been doing a lot of postings about shopping lately, while posts like this one have become a little more scarce. I apologize to my blogging friends, and I thank my husband who got me back on track. Todah dodi!This week our Torah portion is Leviticus 19:1-20:27, K'doshim. It is called in Hebrew "Holy People" after the first verse which says, " You people are to be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy."

K'doshim contains a list of various teachings of the Father. It is really interesting to not only read through these teachings, but to study them in-depth to learn a little bit more about the character of our Heavenly Abba. This week I hope to highlight a few of the teachings in this portion that stand out to me.

You may wonder why I am referring to the verses in this portion of Scripture as "teachings" instead of the traditional "laws" or "commandments." Actually the word Torah, which is usually translated into English as "Law," is more correctly translated into our English word, "teachings." In English, the word law, especially when it applies to the spiritual realm, usually carries with it centuries of negative connotations. I'd rather use the word with no connotations to describe the LORD's Torah, "teachings."

One of the first teachings in this portion that really caught my attention was the one about the corners of the field, Lev. 19:9-10. It says,

"When you harvest the ripe crops produced in your land, don't harvest all the way to the corners of the field, and don't gather the ears of grain left by the harvesters. Likewise, don't gather the grapes left on the vine or fallen on the ground after harvest; leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am the LORD your God."

Now this teaching is about harvesting, yet you may say, "I don't farm or grow crops, so how can this apply to me?" Well, of course, I don't think our all-knowing Abba meant it only for that time when most people had their own fields; He meant it also for those of us that go to the grocery store and buy our grain and wine.

It started me thinking about how different our society would be if we followed this. Even if only half of our society did this, imagine the possibilities! There would be such less need for food stamps, government health care, and all the debating and factions that go along with those things (not that those things are necessarily bad).

Think about it even closer to home now. What if I started taking this teaching seriously? I'm just one person; can only I make a difference? Yes, I believe we can! How many times have I walked into CVS and bought all 5 of whatever product, simply because I could get them for free (and not left some for those that may come in behind me)? I'm not saying that it's wrong to get all the "free" stuff; I am only using that as an example that is an easy comparison. What about free samples or coupon books at the store? How many times have I walked by and grabbed more than my fair share of those things?

Listen, this is not meant to be condemning on anyone. These are just ideas I thought of for my own personal life. It's the spirit behind this teaching that is important, the idea to leave things for other people simply because God said to even if we don't feel like it. A funny thing happens, though, after I start doing things like this. It makes me want to do more! Probably when God gave this teaching, the people that owned fields didn't desire to leave the corners for those in need. They probably wanted all of what they had; didn't they have a right to it? But, after seeing how it worked, think of how it would start getting in their spirits; it wouldn't only apply to their fields, but how about how they acted toward those in need or those that were foreigners in the land?

Also, if you want to see someone who was blessed for observing this teaching, read the book of Ruth. Ruth was both a foreigner AND in need, but Boaz allowed her to glean from the corners of his field. He then, of course, went on to marry her! He was blessed to have not only King David come from this line, but the Messiah Yeshua as well!

These were just some ideas I had this morning. Let me know how you leave the "corners of your field" for others! I'd love to hear your ideas!

Thanks to Allposters.com for the graphic!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Frugal Friday: Cheap Garbage Disposal Deodorizer

Ok...so this might be a little weird. But after having three Passover seders (plus a mini one in my Shabbat school class) I have a few extra food items around that I was trying to think how to use up. And what do you know? I came up with an inexpensive, yet effective deodorizer for my garbage disposal!

The secret: Fresh parsley!

Since I have quite a good amount left over (which I had bought for 89 cents total at Publix) and I noticed my garbage disposal didn't smell the best, I dropped a small bunch into the disposal and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then after I washed a few dishes, I turned on the disposal and let the clean fragrance fill the air. Mmmm...much better! Plus it's much less expensive than the $3.99 stuff that is sold for this purpose!

Ok, that's my tip for Frugal Friday! For more ideas, head on over to Biblical Womanhood. And let me know if you have any good ideas for deordorizing your home frugally!

Shabbat Shalom!

Passover Recipe #2: Mama's Matzah Brie

I made this for my hubby very quickly this morning for breakfast, and thought I'd share it with my wonderful readers. It's filling and very yummy too...which is a rare combination for traditional Passover food! There are many variations on this recipe, but this is how my mama makes it.

You'll need (for two servings):
2 matzot (plural for matzah)
4 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
seasonings to taste

Heat a pan with cooking spray on medium heat. Break the matzah into a little larger than bite size pieces. Soak them for a few minutes in a bowl with the milk (I used vanilla soymilk this morning and it was wonderful!). Open the eggs into a glass bowl, and whisk. Pour the matzah mixture into the eggs and lightly beat. Add any seasonings - salt, pepper, curry - whatever your heart desires!

Now, simply cook just like scrambled eggs, by pouring the mixture into the hot pan, and every few minutes push the edges into the middle. Yummy breakfast (or dinner)!

Do you make matzah brie? What do you like to put in it?

Thanks to this recipe site for the yummy picture!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

We all have bad days...

Just maybe not LIVE in front of 35 million people! Thank God...poor Brooke!

Time to be Real


Can I be real with you, my lovely readers, for a few minutes?

Honestly, I need to apologize first off. I had every intention of writing wonderful blogs about my Passover cleaning, preparation, teachings and the like, with beautiful pictures of course, but it just simply didn't happen.

In the middle of all the craziness of preparing my home and my heart for this joyous holiday came some news at work that caused me much anxiety. I was told that I was being moved to another department, a lateral move really - which was fine with me, except that I really felt it would cause a lot of office drama. I hate drama. I really do.

Instead of taking it to my Heavenly Abba right away, I fretted and stressed and cryed to my husband...much like the children of Israel did to Moses. In the middle of what should have been a time of great renewal and revival of my heart, I became anxious and put myself into mental slavery.

Since Saturday night, I have attended three different Passover seders, one of which I taught along with my husband. Finally, last night I got the picture! It came time for the Hallel section after the meal, and everyone was going around the table telling testimonies of what God has done in their lives lately. I realized that all I could think about was how much I felt I was lacking - at home, at work, as a child of God. This was the sin of bondage. However, repentance is a wonderful thing. Just as we eat the Hillel sandwich consisting of bitter herbs AND the sweet charoset mixture, our tears turn to joy when we repent. God hears our cries and gives us true freedom! Hallelujah!

Last Friday night, my husband and I were sharing with each other the "leaven" that we felt God was showing us was in our hearts. One thing I told him that I will share with you, is that I am happy this year to say that I finally feel that I've moved on to other "leavens." When I was younger my father would give everyone in my family a little booklet to write our sins in, and before Passover we would burn them. But, I was so discouraged when I realized that every year I would write the same exact things. I was reminded of this when I read the following verses:

"Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast - as you really are. For Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Cor. 5:6-8

Praise God - He who sanctifies us and draws us to Himself!

Interestingly enough, here is Oswald Chamber's devotion for April 23:


THE WORSHIP OF THE WORK
"Labourers together with God." 1 Corinthians 3:9

Beware of any work for God which enables you to evade concentration on Him. A great many Christian workers worship their work. The one concern of a worker should be concentration on God, and this will mean that all the other margins of life, mental, moral and spiritual, are free with the freedom of a child, a worshipping child, not a wayward child. A worker without this solemn dominant note of concentration on God is apt to get his work on his neck; there is no margin of body, mind or spirit free, consequently he becomes spent out and crushed. There is no freedom, no delight in life; nerves, mind and heart are so crushingly burdened that God's blessing cannot rest. But the other side is just as true - when once the concentration is on God, all the margins of life are free and under the dominance of God alone. There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your co-operation with Him. The freedom after sanctification is the freedom of a child, the things that used to keep the life pinned down are gone. But be careful to remember that you are freed for one thing only - to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.
We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything; wherever He puts us our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

By the way, here's another post that really blessed me today.

Thanks to Allposters.com for the lovely picture!

Check your e-mails CVSer's!

CVS just e-mailed out some new $4/$20 coupons off any "beauty" items (which we know from the past can be translated into almost anything at some stores)! Check your e-mail to see if you got it! If you did not, go to CVS.com and make sure they have your updated e-mail address. Enjoy!

To see ideas for this week at CVS, go here.
If you are new to CVS and have no idea what I'm talking about, go here.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

CVS Deals this Week (4/20-4/26)

I made out pretty well at CVS yesterday, as I got some things I really did need! I got everything in the above picture and paid about $2.43 out of pocket!

First Transaction:
8 pack of Viva Paper towels $6.49
CVS Brand Tampons (80 ct.) $8.99
CVS Brand Pads $2.00
Softsoap Body Wash (18 oz.) $5.49
Paid $1.67 out of pocket and made back $7.49 in ECB's ($5.49 Softsoap, $1 each on tampons and paper towels).
Coupons used: $1 off Viva CRT, $3/$10 CVS Brand, $1.50 manu Softsoap.
Second Transaction:
Hallmark Birthday Card $1.99
Alavert - D (12 ct.) $6.99
24/7 Speedstick $3.99
Paid $0.76 out of pocket and made $7.99 back in ECB's ($4 Alavert, $3.99 Speedstick)
Coupons used: 75 cents off Speedstick, $4 off Alavert (printable), and $2 Alavert CRT.
Not bad!
See the rest of this week's deals at Money Saving Mom.

Whole Foods: Free Reusable Bags TODAY only!

Today, April 22nd, you can go to your local Whole Foods Market and get a FREE reusable green bag! Just thought I'd share the "wealth!"

Friday, April 18, 2008

Coming Out From Egypt...



The biblical slavery of Egypt represents bondage to your own self.

Every day, every moment, must be an exodus from the self.

If you're not leaving Egypt, you're already back there.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Beginner's Guide to Passover

From Jenny M: It's hard for me to remember my life before my family started celebrating Passover. So sometimes I forget that many of my readers may have not enjoyed this wonderful "feast of the LORD" before! If you are new to the feasts, please read this "Beginner's Guide" I put together. As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have. There's no such thing as a "dumb" question!


What is Passover?
Passover is one of the “Feasts of the LORD,” as found in Leviticus 23:5-8. Actually, Pesach (Passover) is a feast that is literally only a few hours long (between sundown and complete darkness) on the 14th day of the month of Nissan on the Hebrew calendar. Chag HaMatzah, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is observed for seven days following Passover, from the 15th day of Nissan through the 21st of Nissan.

What are we celebrating?
There’s a children’s song that goes, “On Passover we remember, we remember, we remember what the LORD has done…” That’s exactly right. Passover is a time of remembrance. But what are we remembering?
The festival of Passover recalls the story of how the LORD delivered His people from the slavery of Egypt, as written in Exodus 1-15. The commandment was actually given in Exodus 12:1-20 for the Hebrew people in Egypt to observe this festival, even as they were still in Egypt. For four hundred years the Hebrew people had been in Egypt, and a new Pharaoh arose that did not remember Joseph (Exodus 1:8). However, God had a plan; He always does!
He raised up a young Hebrew boy named Moshe (Moses’ Hebrew name). Moshe was told to go before Pharaoh and plead on behalf of the Hebrew people. “Let my people go,” he cried to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh, as we know, was stubborn and ten times, including ten plagues that were visited upon Egypt, he wouldn’t be persuaded.
Most people recall watching the Ten Commandments film, especially the part that shows that as the LORD passed through Egypt, only those who had obeyed His command to smear the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts did not experience any death in their household that night. That is the part of the film I remember most from watching it as a child!
Finally after Pharaoh himself experienced the loss of his firstborn (Exodus 12:29), he sent Moshe and the Hebrew people out of the land, only to change his mind and send his armies after them. Then, of course, God uses Moshe to split the sea, and the Hebrew people walked to the other side on dry ground, while the armies of Egypt are swallowed up into a watery grave! Talk about deliverance!

There’s another deliverance we are celebrating, that of our spiritual deliverance! We all have had our own experience of being “slaves to Egypt,” that is, this world we live in. We can choose to allow our worldly existence to consume our lives with nothing but slavery from beginning to end, which is the road that most people choose. The good news is that we have an alternative – God sent the Messiah Yeshua of Nazareth to come and be our Passover sacrifice. How do we smear his blood on our spiritual doorposts? By faith, just the same way that the Hebrews did! They had to have faith that that lamb’s blood was going to “save” them, or else they wouldn’t have done it. Hebrews 11:28 says, “By faith, he [Moses] obeyed the requirements for the Passover, including the smearing of the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” All the observances and traditions surrounding this feast, as with the other feasts of the LORD, are given to us to teach us about God’s special plan of salvation, both in the past and in the future!

But what if I'm not Jewish?
Direct quote from Exodus 12:48-49, "If a foreigner living among you wants to observe the LORD's Passover, all his males must be circumcised. Then he may take part and observe it; he will be like a citizen of the land. But no uncircumcised person is to eat it [the Passover lamb]. The same teaching is to apply equally to the citizen and to the foreigner living among you."

Remember, it wasn't only the physical descendants that came out of Egypt, but a "mixed multitude" (Exodus 12:38) went out. There were people from "the nations" as it were, that decided that this God of Israel was the one true God, as they had seen his power and might displayed in their land. This was Israel living out her calling to be a "light to the nations." Today, we must also have a "circumcised heart" (Romans 2:26-29) as we are grafted in to the olive tree of Israel (Romans 11:17-24). Therefore, any who has believed in the God of Israel has an invitation to celebrate HIS feasts!


How is Passover observed today?
Today, Passover is commenced by a meal, called a seder. Seder means “order” in Hebrew, and refers to the order of the meal. This is not an eat-and-run meal like the very first Passover meal, back in Egypt. As the saying goes, “Once we were slaves, now we are free!” And what do free people do? Take their time, relax, and recline…and that’s exactly what we do at the seder meal. There is a book that each participant will use at the meal, called a HaGaddah. HaGaddah means “the telling.” As we read through the HaGaddah together, we learn not only about the story in Exodus but also about the special ceremonial foods you see on the seder plate in front of you. If you will be attending your first seder sometime soon, don’t forget to eat something beforehand! The actual meal can come hours after you have started reading the HaGaddah and explaining the seder plate.
Another observance for Passover, and the main observance for Chag HaMatzah (seven days following Passover evening), is to abstain from things that are leavened. Not only do many people not eat regular leavened products (bread, pasta, cereal, cookies, cake, etc.), but the commandment in Exodus says to remove it from one’s dwelling. For the weeks preceding Passover, many families begin cleaning their homes of even the smallest crumbs! Talk about spring cleaning!

What are the ceremonial elements on the seder table and what do they mean?
Seder Plate:

Zeroah (A Shankbone) – Usually a roasted chicken leg is used, although sometimes people do use a lamb bone. This is obviously to remember the Passover sacrifice, the lamb that was slain. Lamb is not eaten during the seder, as the temple has not yet been rebuilt.

Maror (Bitter Herbs) – Usually a fresh horseradish root on the plate or some prepared horseradish to give a painful reminder of the bitterness of slavery.

Karpas (A Vegetable) – Usually a crunchy vegetable such as parsley, lettuce, a potato or an onion, alluding to the back-breaking labor endured by the Hebrew people in Egypt. If using parsely it can symbolize the hyssop that was used to smear the lamb's blood on the doorposts and lintel of the Hebrew's homes.

Charoset (A Sweet Paste) – This is everyone’s favorite element! It is a sweet paste made of chopped fruit and nuts (apples, dates, raisins, walnuts, and little wine or grape juice). It is a reminder of the mortar used for the bricks laid by the Hebrew slaves. As we scoop it up on to a piece of matzah with some of the bitter herbs, it is a reminder that God turns our mourning into joy!

Chazeret (Romaine Lettuce) – This is a remembrance that the exile of the children of Israel in Egypt began well (pleasant tasting leaves), but turned sour (the bitter stalk of the romaine lettuce).

A Roasted Egg – This is a tradition that begun after the destruction of Herod’s temple (the Second Temple) in 70 AD. The roasted hard-boiled egg is meant to symbolize the festival offering that was brought to the temple by the worshippers. It is dipped in salt water during the meal to symbolize the tears that were shed by those who witnessed the destruction of the temple, but the “new life” of the egg is a symbol of our hope to see Messiah rebuild the temple and rightfully reign from Jerusalem. Note: not all seders include the egg.

Other elements:

Matzah – Unleavened bread is made with no yeast, and therefore is flat. It is a symbol for many things. It is a reminder that the Hebrews had no time to allow their bread to rise during their flight from Egypt. Matzah’s greatest symbolization, however, is that of “sin” or “pride.” As we clean our homes of leavened products, we should even more so be introspective of our spirits. It’s a time of renewal and repentance before God, our deliverer. Also, as believers in Yeshua the Messiah, the matzah is a reminder of His sinless sacrifice. As you look at a piece of matzah, read Isaiah 53. The matzah is bruised (“He was bruised for our transgressions”), and it is pierced (“…pierced for our iniquities”).

Salt Water – As we dip the karpas in the salt water, we remember the tears of slavery. How great is the Father’s love that He will one day wipe away every tear!

The Four Glasses of Wine or Juice – Each glass of wine or grape juice represents one of the promises that God gives His people in Exodus 6:6-7.
They are: the Cup of Sanctification (I am ADONAI. I will free you from the forced labor of the Egyptians,), the Cup of Deliverance (…rescue you from their oppression...), the Cup of Redemption (…and redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.) and the Cup of Praise (I will take you as my people, and I will be your God).

*When Yeshua took the cup and said, "Do this in remembrance of me," He did so at the last seder with His disciples. He was saying, "When you observe the Passover, remember how my sacrifice has sancitifed you, delivered you, redeemed you, so that you could praise the Father in Heaven!"

The Cup of Elijah – But wait…one more cup! This cup is actually not one that we enjoy at the seder, but one that is set in case Elijah himself arrives as the guest of honor to herald the coming of Messiah. It is a reminder that Messiah can come at any moment, even in the middle of our Passover seder! Even so, come Lord Yeshua!

Passover Recipe #1: Matzah Pizza

Ok, you've been asking and I know it's high time for my Ten Most Favorite Passover Recipes.
Today, I will feature one of the easiest, but also one of the most-treasured: "Matzah Pizza."

Here's how I do it:
Place a whole matzah (or more, any flavor) on a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil.
Spread about 2 tbsp. tomato or pasta sauce on matzah.
Cover with your favorite cheese (mine's Cabot cheddar - it's kosher too!).
Add your favorite toppings.
Bake for about 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven (just until cheese is nice and bubbly, but don't burn the matzah).
Keep checking back for more Passover recipes. Remember, if you have not yet done so, to go here and get your FREE 36-page Passover resource. Check here for Publix matzah deals to get make your Passover even more frugal! Check out Biblical Womanhood for even more frugal ideas!
Thanks to Mediabistro.com for the above picture!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

One of the Top Ten Ideas that are Changing the World

Read about it here (PDF version from First Fruits of Zion) and let me know what you think! It's very interesting!
UPDATE: I sent this in an e-mail to our local Christian radio station, and my husband and I have been invited to be interviewed on Friday morning.
How fun to get to share about Yeshua and Passover!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Received my $2.99 Listerine Smart Rinse rebate today!


I love when I make money from shopping at CVS. Check out how much I paid for this stuff in the first place here.

To see this week's deals at CVS, go here.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

CVS: Look what I got for $3.97 today!

Everything in the picture plus a bottle of Gatorade (99 cents) and some peanut butter crackers (40 cents - needed a filler). I did this in 3 separate transactions, but I can't post it all right now as I'm making dinner.
Basically I got $62.68 worth of products for $3.97! Plus I made $25 in ECB's!
By the way, that Nexxus gift set IS working for the deal this week.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

[Edit: I started with $22 ECB's and grouped the transactions like this:
1) 2 Benefiber and Pepcid AC - used $5/$15 and 2 - $2 off Benefiber coupons
2) Nexxus gift set and 3 waters - used $5/$15
3) Nexxus shampoo and 2 detergents (BOGO) - $5/$15 and $1 off detergent (printable)]

If you haven't started CVSing yet, it's a great time to start!
Let me know if you need any help or saw any other great deals out there!

Reminder: New You Magazine Cereal Rebate Deal


If you haven't sent in for your New You Magazine rebate yet, make sure you do so before April 20th!

As I was looking at this week's CVS ad, I noticed that Kellog's cereal is on sale at 2/$5. So I think I'm going to buy mine at CVS this week...I'd rather have a $10 gift check for health & beauty items to CVS than to Publix anyday! I can turn that $10 check into at least $50 ECB's!
Edit: Just found out that you have to buy the cereal at the store where you got the magazine. I haven't heard yet that CVS is one of the participating stores yet, so I'm holding off on doing this. For now, we know that Publix and K-mart are honoring the rebate.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

CVS: Benefiber, Nexxus, Diapers

1. This is the best deal I've seen so far for CVS this week (4/13-4/19):
Buy 2 Benefiber (also Maalox, Gas-X, Ex-Lax, and Perdiem) Get $10 ECB's
(Prices starting at $4.99)

*Make sure to buy a newspaper tomorrow (4/13) to get the $2 off coupons for the Benefiber! There were also some on the Benefiber, Maalox, and Gas-X in the 3/16 inserts as well.

Here's a deal idea:
Buy 2 Benefibers at $6.79 each (get one chewable) for a total of $13.58
Use (1) $2.00 off Benefiber coupon
Use(1) $2.00 off Benefiber Chewable coupon
Pay $9.58 for $10.00 in Extra Care Bucks Back
Make $0.42 profit in Extra Care Bucks!

2. Another great deal for those of you that like Nexxus hair care products:
Buy $20 worth of Nexxus, get $10 ECB's back.
(Shampoo, conditioner, styler 3.3-33.8 oz or assorted Professional Brushes)
If you work some of these in with your deals this week, you can get some really great hair products inexpensively! I personally love the Nexxus line and plan to do this!

3. For those of you that need diapers:
CVS Brand Jumbo pack diapers are BOGO at $8.99 each.
Everytime I go in the store I scan my card at the card scanner and receive a $3/$10 for any CVS Brand purchase.
Deal idea:
Buy 2 packs of CVS Supreme diapers (26 ct.) for $8.99 each. ($17.98)
Use $3/$10 coupon - $3
BOGO - $8.99
Pay $5.99 for 52 diapers!
Or work this in with the Benefiber deal, and make it even better!

4. Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent is on Buy One, Get One as well.
They are originally $5.99 each and there are $1 off coupons here and here.
Get both bottles of detergent for $3.99!

See more of this week's deals at Money Saving Mom.
To see how others did last week, see The "Cents"ible Sawyer.
If you're new to CVS, start here.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Frugal Friday: Making Challah


As we are preparing for the week of Passover (begins on April 19), we must start using up all leavened products and products containing flour. A good way to do this is to bake some challah, which is the most delightful bread in the world!

Every Friday night after the candles are lit and the wine has been blessed, we enjoy it's delectable texture and taste. There are so many different ways of making it and so many various recipes, some savory and some sweet, but I've never had a bite of challah that I didn't like!

Here's my favorite challah recipe (courtesy of Rebbetzin Carole Edwards):

SEPHARDIC CHALLAH BREAD*
Makes 3 loaves (6 braided)

Into a large (aluminum) bowl add:
4 tbs sugar, granulated white/raw, Domino 8 pkg
yeast, Fleishman Rapid, 7grm/1/4 oz1 ½ c
water, warm/ 120-130 degrees
Mix w/fork and set aside this YEAST bowl until needed.

Into a medium (aluminum) bowl add:
1 c grape seed oil, Tuscan Sun (purple tin from health food store)
1 c honey, clover
½ c of coconut mixture (17 oz can of Conchita grated coconut and a 15 oz
can of Goya cream of coconut_ store in refrigerated jar)
21/2 tbs packed pumpkin pie mix (kosher), Libby
2 tbs vanilla extract, McCormic
1 tsp Coconut extract, McCormick
Mix w/whisk and set aside this WET bowl until needed.

Into a small (aluminum) bowl add:
1 c sugar, granulated
1/8 tsp powdered cinnamon, McCormick
1 ½ tbs table salt, Morton
Mix w/whisk and set aside this DRY bowl until needed.

Using electric /kitchen aid mixer, beat in a bowl:
8 jumbo eggs, free-range if possible
Beat for 5-8 min. until stiff, white, and frothy, and set aside this EGG
bowl until needed.

Sprinkle a 36x36” plexi-glass board with flour.
Pre-heat oven for 385 degrees.
Into a large (aluminum) bowl wiped with Pam-spray or grape seed oil,
add:
7 c sifted flour, King Arthur’s unbleached Bread Flour_ 5 lb bag = 13 cups½
of the DRY bowl mixture.
½ bag Coconut flakes, Baker’s 17 oz bag

Mix with clean hands, add:
6 c sifted flour, King Arthur’s unbleached Bread Flour OR Whole wheat
flour
½ remainder of the DRY bowl mixture
½ bag remainder of the bag of Baker’s coconut flakes

Mix with clean hands, and to this FLOUR bowl add:
DRY bowl
WET bowl
EGG bowl
YEAST bowl (that had an additional 1 ½ cups of warm/? degrees water added
to it)

Mix with clean hands, add:
Flour, and add remaing warm water as needed to mix all ingredients
sprinkled from a 1 ½ cup container, for desired consistency.
(lump should be about the size of a volley ball).

Then:Place lump on floured surface and knead:50x
Cut, roll in flour, knead3-5x
Slam onto the surface to get out air bubbles
And then:Place lump back into the FLOUR bowl.
Cover with tea towel moistened with warm water.
Place bowl on top of warm stove for 27 minutes to rise.
Again:
Place lump on floured surface and knead:50x
Cut, roll in flour, knead3-5x
Slam onto the surface to get out air bubbles
And then:Place lump back into the FLOUR bowl.
Cover with tea towel moistened with warm water.
Place bowl on top of warm stove for 27 minutes to rise.

CHALLAH BREAD
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare Egg Wash for top of loaves:1 egg½ tsp water1/16 tsp vanillaWhisk
and set aside until needed.
Punch down the lump of dough for the last time.

Say blessing: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has
sanctified us with salvation and His commandments, and given us the blessing of the tradition to separate challah
":
BA-RUCH A-TAH A-DO-NAI ELO-HAI-NU ME-LECH HA-O-LAM A-SHER KID-SHA-NU
B'YESHUA B’MITZ-VO-TAV NATAN LANU
..separate Challah small ball of dough and say the remaining baruch……
…...L’HAF-RISH CHAL-LAH.
Remove a one ounce piece/size of a nickel (to be burned separately in a
piece of foil).
This is a mitzva given especially to women. (Awesome time to pray for your
family).
Say: This is challah. HARAI ZEH CHALLAH.

Squeeze off 6 lumps (the size of your fist) from the lump of dough
Roll them into balls and keep floured so they will not become sticky
Roll/form each of 6 balls into 12” strands/cords (to be used for the
braiding).
Lay strands out like this: l l l l l l
Braid the six strands following the video directions.
Place two loaves diagonally on one lined cookie sheet.
Brush each loaf with egg-wash.
Then sprinkle with:
Poppy Seeds McCormick
Sesame Seeds McCormick
Bake for 30 minutes at 385 degrees, (don’t open the door to check).

*I know this one includes a lot of extra steps and a lot of extra ingredients, but it is so yummy! If this looks a little daunting to you (or you don't have all the ingredients on hand), try a traditional recipe as found here, here and here. Check out rest of Frugal Friday at Biblical Womanhood.
Have any questions about challah-making or good ideas? What do you put in yours? Let me know! My favorite part is the kneading where I feel so wrapped up in prayer for my family. Try it...it's great!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Walgreen's Coupon for Friday, April 11th!


Print your own coupon here.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

And you shall teach them diligently to your children...

And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Exodus 12:26-27 (NKJV)
As I was preparing the lesson last night for our children's Shabbat School, I thought it might be a good idea to post it on here for you to use with your children! As usual, I learned much as I studied the subject of the Four Questions of the Passover seder (seder translates to "order" in English, referring to the order of the festive meal).
Shabbat School (or Homeschool) Lesson: The Four Questions
Materials needed:
- Fresh parsley sprigs (one for each child)
- Small plates (one for each child)
- Bowl of salt water
- Piece of fresh horseradish (or spoonful of prepared horseradish)
- You may make charoset for the children if they won't be attending a seder (see recipe link)
- Pillow (one for each child)
- Coloring pages for each element
- CD including song "Ma Nishtana" (Four Questions in a song - I have this one)
*If your children are new to Passover, you may want to introduce the story found in the beginning of Exodus to them first. For the purposes here, I will begin where I will be teaching from (most of our children have done a Passover seder at least once).
Who asks the Four Questions at the Passover seder?
- Traditionally at the seder meal, the Four Questions are sung or read by the youngest child.
- The answers are to give a brief overview of the story of Passover, as found in Exodus 12.
What are the Four Questions?
It is really one main question with four clauses.
Main question: "Why is this night different from all other nights?"
Four clauses:
1. On all other nights we eat bread or matzah, why on this night do we only eat matzah?
2. On all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, why on this night do we eat bitter herbs?
3. On all other nights we do not dip our vegetables even once, why on this night do we dip our vegetables twice?
4. On all other nights we eat sitting or reclining, why on this night do we only eat reclining?
Answers to the Four Questions
1. We only eat matzah on Passover because our ancestors had to leave Egypt in a hurry. God told them not to put leaven in their dough, as it would not have time to rise (Exodus 12:34). We observe it today to remember the temporary nature of our earthly home.
- Show the children a piece of matzah and ask them how it's different from regular bread.
- Explain how leaven works.
Messianic significance: In the Bible, leaven is a symbol for sin or pride. It is that which "puffs up." Talk to the children about how Messiah Yeshua was sinless, so the matzah can be a symbol for Yeshua!
2. We only eat maror (bitter herbs) to remind us of the bitterness of slavery that our ancestors endured in Egypt.
-Show the children the horseradish and tell them how bitter it is.
-Tell them they will get to try it later.
Messianic significance: We can remember the harshness and suffering of Yeshua's execution through the bitterness of the maror. It may even bring you to tears!
3. We dip twice:
(1) Parsley in salt water - representing tears from the bitterness of slavery
(2) Bitter herbs in charoset (sweet mixture of fruit, nuts and wine or grape juice)
Messianic significance: We remember the tears of those who were close to Yeshua when he died, but their tears turned to joy when they saw the resurrected Messiah. It's a reminder that God turns our mourning into joy!
4. In ancient times, only those who were free were allowed to recline at a meal. The slaves had to eat standing or sitting straight up. Once we were slaves, now we are free!
Messianic significance: Yeshua did this at his Last Seder (Matthew 26:20). We can rest (recline) in the work of atonement that Messiah's death and resurrection accomplished!
- Now give each child a small piece of matzah, a tiny (very tiny!) piece of horseradish, a sprig of parsley, spoonful of charoset (if you make it), and their pillow.
- Help them dip the matzah in the horseradish (and charoset) and taste, the sprig of parsley in the salt water and taste, and recline on their pillow.
Coloring Activity/Song
- Now allow the children to color the pages. I love using Torah Tots, as they have great coloring pages for every single part of the Torah! The Passover coloring pages are found on this page. The ones I am using for the Four Questions are this one, this one, this one and this one.
- While the children color, you could play the Four Questions song ("Ma Nishtana") for them and then teach them the words if you like!
Let me know if you have any questions. I hope this is a great help for introduction or preparation for children to the Passover seder. I will continue to post my preparation tips as the holiday nears (evening of April 19th this year)! Remember, you can still get your FREE Passover Resource or order your own Passover HaGaddah here. Not sure if Passover is for you? Read this post.
To order the book pictured above, go here.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Cover Girl TruBlend Makeup Moneymaker at CVS!

Yes, that's right...You can take home Cover Girl TruBlend makeup AND make money this week (and month!) at CVS.

Pictured above is what I bought today.

Here's how I did it:
Buy 3 participating TruBlend items for $6.99 (or $6.88 at some stores) each.
Use $5/$15 (if you are still able - we haven't had any problems in Florida).
Use CoverGirl BOGO coupon from 4/6 P&G.
Use $2 off CoverGirl TruBlend from Reinventing Beauty magazine.
Paid: 6 ECB's and $1.50 out of pocket.
Received: $10 ECB's!
Therefore, I made $2.50 and brought home a foundation, pressed powder, and blush.

I also did a similar transaction yesterday with the TruBlend Whipped Foundation ($9.29 each). I bought 2 and used the $5/$15, the BOGO (manager had to key it in manually though), and a $2 from Reinventing Beauty. I made money on that deal as well!

If all of this is greek to you, see my post "How to CVS."

For more ideas like this one, see MoneySavingMom's post here.

Whose feasts are they anyway?



I've been asked this question many times. "Well, weren't those things (meaning the Biblical feasts, diet, Sabbath, etc.) only for the Jews?"

My answer is always the same - "Read Leviticus 23."

That chapter is God's calendar, as it were, for His people. But if you read it (which I highly recommend), He never says "the feasts of the Jews" or even "the feasts of Israel." He specifically calls His appointed times "the feasts of the LORD."

Therefore, if you are not of Jewish descent, but have joined yourself to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then these are your feasts too! The Messiah that you have placed your faith in is the same one who is the "substance" of all these feasts!

For more Scriptures on this check out the following:

- Exodus 12:15-20 "It doesn't matter whether he is a foreigner or a citizen of the land..."

-Numbers 9:14 "...you shall have one statute, both for the alien and for the native of the land."

-Deuteronomy 16:10-11 "...and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst..."

- Zechariah 14:16-19 (prophecy that ALL NATIONS will go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles)

If you have never celebrated any of the Feasts of the LORD, I invite you to join in! The next one of His appointed times is Passover, which begins on the evening of April 19th. Here's a free Passover guide to get you started! I pray that you will be blessed beyond belief as you "take hold" of your Biblical heritage.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send me an e-mail (located on the sidebar). I'd love to help!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Free 36-Page Passover Resource!


Many people have been asking me for instructions on how to celebrate the feasts at home, which I hope to do more of on here. For now, I just found out that First Fruits of Zion has prepared a wonderful resource (in PDF format) that you can download by clicking here and clicking on the box that says "FREE Passover Resource" about half-way down the page. It's great for beginners and not-so-beginners alike!

Keep checking back for more on the festival of Passover, which begins the evening of April 19th this year (and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is observed for seven days after Passover). I hope to post my cleaning the leaven out of my house (with pictures!), and some of my favorite Passover recipes! You won't believe the yummy things you can make with matzah!

Time Magazine Article: The Top Ten Ideas that are Changing the World

Yesterday I heard about a recent Time Magazine article entitled "The Top Ten Ideas that are Changing the World." Number 10 on the List was "The Re-Judaizing of Jesus."

I find it very interesting that even the secular world is taking note of a spiritual phenonmenon. Actually for once, I agree with one of their lists! I do believe that this is an idea that is changing the world; not that this in itself is a "new" idea, but that we are beginning to dust off our Bibles and see who Yeshua (Jesus' Hebrew name) was in the time period he was on earth and who he still is today! He did not live in America, eat at McDonald's, wear Levi jeans or even sing "Amazing Grace." The reality is that he lived in Israel, ate kosher food, wore a prayer shawl and tzitziyot and more likely prayed the Amidah.
Check out the Time article and let me know what you think!

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Free Sample of Messiah Magazine

This magazine is wonderful for anyone that wants to learn more about Yesha (Jesus) and His Hebraic heritage. I highly recommend it!
Download a free PDF version sample here.
Get a trial subscription for free by signing up here (includes 3 free issues mailed to your home)!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Publix: Passover Prep Deals!

If you are preparing for Passover, make sure to grab one of Publix's weekly ads this week. There is a $3 off coupon for a 5 lb. package of Streit's matzah, which happens to be my favorite. It is on sale for $10.99 (usually $14.99), so with the coupon you get a ton of matzah for $7.99!

Also, the Manichewitz matzo ball soup mix is BOGO this week. Make sure to get some for your celebration!

Keep checking back for more on the festival of Passover, which begins the evening of April 19th this year. I hope to post my cleaning the leaven out of my house (with pictures!), and some of my favorite Passover recipes! You won't believe the yummy things you can make with matzah!

Tazria: Is Childbirth a Sin?


Read Leviticus 12:1-13:59
Every week, there is a portion (parasha in Hebrew) of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) read by Jews, and more recently, believers all across the globe. It is amazing to read a portion of Scripture along with millions of others, and see what they got out of it. Each of the 53 portions (sometimes we read 2 portions) is named in Hebrew by one of the first words appearing in that portion. This week's parasha (Leviticus 12:1-13:59) is called Tazria, which in English means "childbirth" or "she conceives."
Tazria is one of the most misunderstood parashot (plural for parasha), as it deals with the days of uncleanness ("tuma") for a woman after she gives birth. At first glance it could seem as if God thinks that having children is a "sin." (This is actually the opposite of what God thinks of childbirth - Genesis 1:28). As I stated in the parasha post last week, uncleanness or cleanness do not necessarily have to do with sin. Pigs are not unclean because they are bad. They are unclean because the Creator said they are. Being in a state of cleanness or uncleanness has much more to do with the spiritual reality than the physical. If you read this portion and are wondering why there is a difference in the number of days for purification are doubled if the woman has a baby girl, I have read two theories on this. The first is that since a boy baby would have to be circumcised on the eighth day, the wife would want to be clean and be able to be at the circumcision. The second explanation is very interesting, although I'm not sure about it. I've read that the reason is that females are naturally more spiritual people than males. Men have to do the physical work of providing for their families, but also strive to connect with God. Women, on the whole, are by nature more prone to look at the spiritual side of things, and strive to nurture that spirit (as in raising children, etc.). Therefore, the rabbis say, when a baby girl is born, she has great potential to live up to (as well as boy babies). Therefore the mother must take double the amount of time preparing to raise her. As I said, I'm not sure if I believe all of that explanation, but it is interesting to note. I do know that there are differences in the male and female emotional makeup, but sometimes it seems as if the rabbis are saying that women have greater potential for spirituality than men do, and I don't believe that part to be true. Ok, on with the rest of the parasha!
I read a great commentary on this portion by First Fruits of Zion. If you have not yet signed up to receive Messiah magazine, do so now!
Thanks to Pictopia for the picture!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

How to Have More Time for the Important Things


"If you're serious about something, it has a fixed time. If you're earnest about getting something done and the phone rings, you ignore it.
The spiritual side of your life is not a hobby nor a luxury --it is your purpose of existence. When you are learning Scripture, or are in prayer, nothing else exists.
Your spiritual career should have at least equal priority to your worldly career."
- Tzvi Freeman

Wow, this really convicted me when I saw this come into my e-mail inbox. It really is true. We have time for what we MAKE time for. Crystal has also been posting on this; read her ideas here.

I did have a pretty good morning routine, but when the time changed I got all messed up. Now it is such a struggle for me to rise early, and I really do miss that time. Well, tomorrow's another day, and another chance for me to get it right! His mercies are new every morning!

Do you have any advice for prioritizing? Do you have a daily schedule? I'd love to hear about it!
Picture from Allposters.com

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Publix: Post Live Active Cereal for 95 cents a box!

This new (and yummy) cereal is BOGO TODAY (until 4/3 - tomorrow) at Publix, at $3.89 for two boxes.
There were $1 off coupons in the 3/30 Smartsource. Use two coupons and pay:
$1.89 for two boxes of cereal!

I know this might be a little higher than a lot of you pay for cereal (can we say Chocolate Honey Bunches of Oats?), but I've been wanting to try this and it's really good!
Have you found any good Publix sales lately?

Attention Publix Shoppers!

There is a new free magazine at Publix on the coupon stands, as pictured below:
Inside is an offer for "Buy 4 of these products, receive a gift check for $10 back in the mail!" It includes All Bran, Special K, and Mini Wheats cereals (size 10 oz. or larger), as well as some other Special K products. The items must be purchased in one transaction, and you have to send in the receipt, 4 UPC's and the below original form postmarked by 4/20/08. It has also been reported that this deal is showing up at other grocery stores in the Midwest.


My idea is to buy these cereals when they are BOGO (they usually are every other week at Publix) and use four of the 70 cents off coupons that are floating around every where. That will make this a moneymaker (plus free cereal)!

Note: I just found out that the Mini Wheats ($3.99) will be on BOGO on the sale from 4/3-4/9, but I'm not sure if there are any coupons out on those.
If you choose to do the Mini Wheats:
Buy 4 boxes BOGO for $7.98
Get $10 back in the mail...you make $2.02 (minus cost of the stamp .41 equals a net of $1.61)!

*For those of you worried that you will forget to send off the rebate form, do what I do: Don't allow yourself to use the product until the rebate form is sent off! It really forces you to do it, I promise!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Why Being Frugal is "In" Again!

I saw this article containing the above picture and I had to laugh. Prices are going so high on almost everything, that Americans are having to (gasp!) budget and use those ghastly things called coupons! Imagine!
By the way, can you believe those figures for the average weekly spending? Wow!

Ode to $5/$15

Sung to the tune of "Ode to Joy"

Five-fifteen, Oh, five-fifteen
You helped me save some money
Five-fifteen, Oh, five-fifteen
It isn't very funny

All my CVSing was sweeter
When you came into my life
Five-fifteen, Oh, five-fifteen
I'm so sad you died last night!

R.I.P. $5/$15 3/31/08

*If you have no idea what this is about, see this "birth announcement" post.