Archive for Tips and Tricks

15 Uses for Plastic Ice Cream Buckets

January 26, 2012 Jessi Tips and Tricks

Despite my mild lactose intolerance, I still have a weak spot for good, old fashioned vanilla ice cream. So, when I find those gallon buckets of ice cream on sale, I’ll usually pick one up.

Not only do they last quite a while for quick treats for the fam, but I particularly like the buckets themselves. In fact, I always keep them to use around the house.

They’re pretty rad in the versatility department.

15 Uses for Plastic Ice Cream Buckets

1. Small Toys: My eldest son is six and my youngest is two, so some of his toys have small pieces that his little brother shouldn’t have. We sort those toys–like the action figures which come with no less than a bajillion little accessories–into the buckets and then he can put the lid back on and slide them right under his bed.

2. Tub Toys: I poke a few holes in the bottom using a hammer and a nail. The boys can put their favorite bath toys inside and excess water can still drain out.

3. Cleaning Supplies: I have my cleaning supplies sorted into different buckets depending on which room I use them in. Then I can just pick the right bucket and go.

4. Cleaning Rags: I cut up old towels, rags and shirts to clean with, and keep them in a bucket. As I’m cleaning around the house, I always bring a spare bucket along to drop dirty rags into so they don’t touch clean surfaces, bleach won’t get on clothing and I don’t have to keep walking back and forth to the laundry room.

5. Sick Buckets: It’s gross, I know, but every mom will encounter more than her fair share of kids with stomach bugs. It’s sometimes hard for little ones to run all the way to the bathroom in time, and the handles on these buckets make it much easier to grab in a hurry.

6. Art and Craft Supplies: Whether they’re crayons for the kids or goodies for my own side projects, ice cream buckets hold a whole lot. And, because of their lids, they’re easy to stack.

7. First Aid Kits: Those little first aid kits are great for bandages, but fully stocked kits need more room. I keep a kit in my house and one in the back of my minivan.

8. Cookie Cutters: I store my cookie cutters in these handy containers, and since I have so many, I even have them divided by holidays.

9. Dog Food: My kids like to help feed the puppies in the morning, but they have a hard time manipulating the big bags. So, I keep an ice cream bucket filled with dog food and toss a small butter container in as a scoop.

10. Soapy Water and Rag: These buckets work well for holding soapy water and a washcloth when you’re going fishing with the kids.

11. Camping Catch-all: Keep all the little things you’ll need, from matches to extra garbage bags, in there and everything will stay dry and in one easily accessible place.

12. Picnic Place Settings: Tired of trying to hold down napkins and paper plates? Put everything you need into an ice cream bucket and slap a lid on those babies.

13. Plastic Grocery Bags: Cut a small hole in the bottom and line it with duct tape. Then when you get shopping bags, put them in the top and when you need one, pull it out of the bottom. The handle can even make it easy to hang in a utility closet.

14. Extra Buttons, Nuts or Bolts: If you buy a new shirt or piece of furniture that needs to be put together, they sometimes come with extra small pieces. Put them in a little baggy or envelope, mark what they’re for and toss them into one bucket.

15. Toilet Brush or Plunger: I keep my toilet brush and plunger in a closet, because generally I don’t think of them as conversation pieces. I pop them, yucky end down, in an ice cream bucket and when they need to be sanitized, I just pour in a bleach and water solution.

I love reusing plastic food containers in new ways and ice cream buckets are no exception. They can hold a lot of loot, are easy to mark and can be used in any room of the house.

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Wellness Wednesday: Tired of Being Tired

January 4, 2012 Amy Health, Tips and Tricks, Wellness Wednesday


If there’s one thing that drives me nuts it’s that I constantly feel drained lately. Yet despite how I feel, I’ve got to push on through. Having three kids is a full time job in itself, and I can’t afford to be exhausted all the time.

I decided to make some small life changes to help get back on track and amp up my energy levels! Being energized is very important to us mamas if we’re going to make it through the day! So, I decided to come up with a list of simple things we all can do to rev up our internal engines.

Breakfast: Having your morning meal within an hour of waking up jump starts your metabolism. A higher metabolism leads to higher energy levels to keep you go, go, going throughout the day. So, grab something that’s good for you, like a banana, handful of nuts, or a bowl of high fiber cereal. You will be happy you did!

Fish: Fatty acids and omega-3s found in fish fuel your brain, making it sharper and will help you to function better. It will keep you going and prevent you from feeling mentally drained throughout the day.

Sleep: I know it’s hard getting eight hours a night with kids and work. But, getting yourself and your family on schedule, so you can get plenty of rest will help keep you energized and your mind working throughout the day. Your brain can’t function without good sleep, so try to get in your solid eight ladies!

Small Meals: Eating small amounts every few hours gives your body a consistent amount of fuel to keep going. This is because eating every few hours in small amounts helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. In turn, this leads to a more energized and motivated mama.

Vitamins: Believe it or not, a simple multivitamin a day can make a huge difference in how you feel. Your body needs the right amount of nutrients to function each day. Without the proper nutrition your body will grow tired and weak.

Water: I can’t express enough that water is so important. If your body is dehydrated it won’t function well. When dehydrated, your blood thickens, even if you are only a little dehydrated, forcing your heart to have to work harder to distribute nutrients throughout your body. This will lead to fatigue.

I hope that these tips and tricks help you ladies to feel great and spunky! I sure know it’s helped me out a lot!

Photo: flickr.com/photos/stephcarter/405289474

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Saving Dough: Learning to Coupon

January 3, 2012 Amy Coupons, Shopping, Tips and Tricks

I’ve noticed that Extreme Couponing idea has come blazing into the entertainment scene. With my time being so limited, I’ve personally only had the opportunity to watch a couple of episodes, but definitely found it interesting.

Who can deny that it would be awesome to get buttloads of groceries and other various items for literally pennies on the dollar?

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve maybe twice in my life actually used a coupon–and that was only because they were taped to the product I was purchasing. I also must confess that I don’t have hours or even days to devote to the couponing process like many of the people on those shows have.

My time with three children and other responsibilities is limited and precious, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like a little extra cash in my pockets. With this in mind, I decided it would be nice to learn a little about couponing and seeing what it entails in the hopes that I could cut some of my grocery bills down.

Couponing is a great and practical idea when you’re trying to save cash. While I haven’t a clue how to teach you how to do it the extreme way, for those of you just starting out like me, I can give you a few pointers about some of the things I’ve learned.

When it comes to coupons you should stay organized. Get yourself a binder or something to store everything, that way it’s ready to go when you are at the register. You won’t have to juggle all your items while trying to find the right coupons. It’s also helpful to make sure that all barcodes are facing up in the same direction to make them easier and quicker for the cashier to scan.

Also, make sure that before you use your coupon that you’ve checked the expiration dates and terms for the use of that coupon. Each coupon is a onetime use since stores only get reimbursed for one coupon from the company that issues it. Many stores have limits on how many products you can purchase when you have multiples of the same coupons. Reading the terms are important because even if a certain item is pictured on a coupon doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the item you would receive a discount for. It may mean that if you buy that item you get a little off of and additional product, or that you get a trial size item, etc. Always read the fine print.

Because each coupon is one-time use, it’s important to compare the values of similar coupons so you can choose the one that gives you the most bang for your buck. The exception is if you have one store coupon for an item and one manufactures coupon for the same item–then you are able to use two coupons.

If you are looking to save more than what one, or in the exception’s case–two coupons, can give you, then look for clearance or sale items and use your coupons on those. If the cashier tells you that your coupons can’t be used on a sale item or at all when making your purchase, and you know otherwise because you’ve carefully read the terms, make sure to ask for a manager. As much as it sucks to have to do, that’s your cash and you’re entitled to use coupons as long as you’re using them according to the store’s guidelines.

Also, cashiers can flub up from time to time, they’re just human like the rest of us. So, if they over charge you or forget to ring up one of your coupons, just make sure to call it to their attention. The point is to save, and if you get overcharged or your coupon is left out, then it defeats the purpose.

Never try to get more out of one coupon by copying it. This is illegal–and going to the pokey for an extra $.50 off of some margarine is just silly. If you need more than one coupon, then it’s best to pony up for extra newspapers. Sundays being the best ones to get since the coupons in them tend to be more than the weekday papers. The last thing you want is to get in trouble over trying to save some green, so just avoid making your own copies all together.



Photo: flickr.com/photos/pswansen/5683224123

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5 Little Changes to Freshen Up for a New Year

January 1, 2012 Jessi Motivation, Self, Tips and Tricks, Yay Womanhood

New years mean new beginnings, so doesn’t it make sense to freshen things up?

You don’t have to throw out every piece of clothing in your wardrobe and start over or tear apart your bathroom and redecorate on a whim…unless you have the means and understanding spouse to do so.

Freshening things up to gear up for a great year can start small. It’s those little things that bring a smile to your face that add up throughout the day, right?

Give some of these little tricks a try to brighten your day and kick off a brand new year.

Freshen up your computer: Change up your Google themes and choose a new picture for your background. I put up my newest favorite picture of my kids as my background–and for my two iGoogle accounts, I chose Jensen Ackles and Alexander Skarsgard themes. If seeing those hotties every time you check your email doesn’t make you smile, seriously, what will?

Change your home fragrance: Choose a few candle or hot oil scents that really make you feel cheerful. You know? The kind that stop you in your tracks and make you draw in a deep, refreshing breath followed by a slow, relaxing exhale. Yeah. Those.

Stash some special coffee: You may not feel like drinking mocha peppermint java every single morning, but it’s amazing what a sweet effect changing it up and treating yourself can have. If you’re not going to use it on regular basis, keep it in your freezer so it stays fresh and scrumptious longer.

Sass up your hair: Choose a new haircut that makes you feel a little sassy or adventurous. Take your time and look around online for something you really want to try and print it out for your hairdresser. If you wind up not being in love with it long term, no harm done…hair is awesome about growing back! If you’re in love with your current cut, give a new color a shot!

Switch up your tunes: Whether you like Pandora, iTunes or Spotify, they offer nearly a bajillion different songs and genres to choose from. OKAY, maybe not a bajillion…but you get the idea. Try something totally out of the ordinary for your style. Reggae? Salsa? Techno? Go ahead–get crazy with it. You might find something that inspires you in a totally new way!

Making little changes to keep things fresh and exciting can be powerful motivators in other areas of your life. They boost your mood and stimulate your senses. Starting a new year with some little changes will make you feel amazing and open the doors to a bigger, better and brighter 2012!

Photo: flickr.com/photos/watchwithkristin/3612516357

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Dishes to Pass that Travel Well

December 27, 2011 Jessi Holiday, Home and Garden, Tips and Tricks, Travel

When celebrating holidays with family and friends, a lot of times get-togethers are done potluck style, with everyone bringing a dish to pass.

This was rather simple before I had children. Now, there aren’t many safe places left in the van after adding my three kids, all of whom sit in car seats.

If a party was across town, having a pie or cake on my lap would be easy enough. However, my parents live 45 minutes away and my in-laws, 2 1/2 hours. (Yeah…we judge distance by time in Illinois.) As you can imagine, spending this long in a grocery getter full of antsy boys with a dessert on my lap doesn’t usually work out so well, and setting it beside them on a seat is just asking for a holiday cheesecake massacre of epic proportions.

Other popular dishes to pass are casseroles, soups, dips or other warm goodies that travel in a slow cooker. While these are awesome because they can be prepared ahead of time and offer up some tasty grub to all the guests at the shindig, I have yet to find a great way to travel with them, and of course, my kids.

When my boys are older, these delicious dishes will once again be on the menu, but until I can trust that 30 little fingers will be staying out of my blueberry pie, I stick to some simple staples that can travel well in the rear of the van.

My general rule is if it can make it to our destination in a zipper bag or storage container without being held onto, it’s golden. Items that can stand some jostling without spilling or looking like they were hit by a cyclone on the way to the soiree are the only ways to go as far as I’m concerned.

Some of my favorite travel friendly dishes to pass are:

Trays: When I say “trays,” I’m talking anything that can be cut up or kept in a jar and arranged when we get there. Assorted veggies, meats and cheeses, crackers and a couple cold dips, or even relish tray goodies, such as pickles and olives, are all great for simple, but well received trays. Just cut up whatever you need to ahead of time and throw them in individual storage baggies or containers. If they need to stay chilled, throw them in small cooler. Then just take your empty tray along. When you get to the party, duck into the kitchen for a couple minutes while you arrange the tray. Voila.

Cookies: If your heart is set on bringing along a dessert, cookies are the bomb. They store well in a container and can be kept in back as long as they’re not terribly delicate and are packed in with little open space in the container. The more they can move in there, the greater the chance your dish to pass will be tasty crumbs a la plastic container. If you’re feeling sassy, when you get to the party, you can arrange them on a nice platter.

Fruit salad: It’s cut up fruit, kept in a sealed bowl. If your watermelon gets mixed up with your grapes and oranges…it’s a good thing.

Hawaiian bread and spinach dip: This is so simple and delicious. Hit the deli at the supermarket to pick up a large loaf of the sweet bread and some spinach dip, and truck on over to your party. It couldn’t be easier or more tasty a treat. This combo is always a HUGE hit with my family.

Bringing a dish to pass that travels well with kids in the car can be tricky, but if you pick things that can handle a trip in your trunk, it’s totally possible. I look forward to the days when I can trust my munchkins to sit beside a decadent Boston cream pie, but until then, check my trunk…thar be goodies back there.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/24013072@N05/6414994353

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Decorate with a Winter Theme Between Christmas and Valentine’s Day

December 26, 2011 Jessi Holiday, Home and Garden, Tips and Tricks

One of the worst parts of the end of the holiday season is saying goodbye to all the beautiful decorations. Taking everything down at once feels like going cold turkey after over a month of Christmas cheer adorning the walls, tables and anything else that will stand still.

If you feel a little pang of sadness when the tree takes its leave, you may feel compelled to find something else to take its place. I know I do. Just because there’s a lag between holidays that favor a little decorating, doesn’t mean you have to go through complete withdrawal.

Instead of letting your Christmas decor overstay its welcome, or jumping into the Valentine’s decorations a tad too early, why not celebrate winter by going with a snow theme? Here’s how…

1. Before packing all of the Christmas stuff up, set aside decorations that are centered around snowy themes, like snowflake and snowmen. For some added glitz and sparkle, silver decorations add some flair. Also, if you have clear twinkle lights, you can still use them, too. The main requirement is that the decorations reflect the warmth and happiness hidden in all that chilly powder.

2. Lighting is part of the magic of Christmas decor. It’s usually the soft glow of of the lights that I miss most. Taking the twinkle lights that you kept from your Christmas decorations, add a few to large plants, like a ficus tree, or weave them between nicknacks  or pictures on a shelf. Also, if your children are old enough, you can also use extra candles placed around the room for added glow. If your children are younger, flameless candles are just as beautiful.

3. Let the kids join in on cutting lacy snowflakes to hang from the ceiling. They’ll enjoy making these simple, classic winter decorations, and when they’re done, you can use some fishing line to hang them from the ceiling. These pretty snowflakes are extremely cheap to make and add a wintery charm to any room in a flash. Plus, your kids can all get a chance to make something they can show off.

The great thing about decorating with a winter theme is that you can use some things from your Christmas motif and the white transitions well into Valentine’s Day. Now all you have to do is pour yourself a cup of cocoa, snuggle up in a blanket and take in your beautiful winter wonderland.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/christinawelsh/2149455274/

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