DIY Hall Tree

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Written by Stacy Myers, Contributing Writer When we bought our new home, it didn’t come with a coat closet. Bummer. We did have the Jesus closet, but alas, He’s gone somewhere else (thank you, yard sale!). But a girl just has to have somewhere to hang her coat and purse. Laying a purse on the floor is just begging a toddler to reach in and play with your dental floss…or make “notes” on your checks. Being a HUGE advocate of all things Pinterest, I set off [...]

Homemade Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap

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By Erin Odom, Contributing Writer Over the course of the past couple years, I've enjoyed learning how to make homemade products--like homemade liquid dish soap, homemade deodorant and various homemade food products, like bread crumbs and cream of chicken soup. Today I'm giving you a recipe for a safe antibacterial foaming hand soap. Besides being void of the harmful triclosan found in conventional, store-bought antibacterial soaps, this soap recipe is easy, frugal and 100% natural! The antibacterial ingredient in this soap is thieves essential oil. Thieves [...]

Homemade Cocoa Body Scrub and Body Butter

Homemade Cocoa Body Scrub and Body Butter at KeeperoftheHome.org

Written by Brandy, Contributing Writer It's getting to be that time of year again when I sometimes like to smell a little bit festive.  Ya know...aside from the ordinary scent of oatmeal, honey, and whatever my toddler ate for lunch.  As the gift-giving season approaches, too, I'm glad to have these two fantastic recipes for making the most delicious-smelling body scrub and body butter ever! I've already made my own batch, of course, and I need to go get some more half-pint mason jars so [...]

A Day in the Life: Diana (Real Food Mama Shopping for the Healthiest Food at the Lowest Prices)

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Written by Diana, Contributing Writer I don't know about you, but these past few years have been the most challenging, economically, for my family. When my husband and I had our first child six years ago, we made the decision to sacrifice my career in favor of raising our children at home. Three children later, it's been an up and down struggle, but through every situation God has provided for all of our needs. What's been truly amazing is witnessing how our dependance on Him strengthens my [...]

Having Vegetables When You Can’t Grow Your Own

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Written by Stacy Myers, Guest Writer I’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in Virginia. My parents are excellent at growing a garden. I never remember a summer without having something to preserve, even if it was a “bad year.” I’ll admit I took it for granted. I grew up and got married and discovered something. My parents did not pass their growing gene on to their oldest daughter. I have what my husband commonly refers to as The Black Thumb of [...]

Fast and Frugal Snacks Straight From Your Garden

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Written by Erin Odom, Contributing Writer During the month-long Eat From Your Pantry & Freezer Challenge, some of us have an added advantage--our summer gardens. If you live in a warmer region like I do, you may already have some yummy produce ready to harvest. So if your pantry or freezer starts to look bare, why not just walk outside and grab a fast and frugal snack straight from your garden?! From the super easy veggies that require nothing more than picking, washing and (sometimes) cutting [...]

Simple and Frugal Soft Drink Recipes

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Written by Kate Tietje, Contributing Writer In my house, the beverage option is usually simple: water.  It's always there, it's very cheap, and my kids know to ask for it (and not ask for other stuff). Of course, this gets boring sometimes.  Who wants to always drink water?!  I know I don't.  However, buying drinks is expensive.  I know that when we are at Grandma's house, my kids could go through a $4 bottle of juice in about a day (granted it's a special treat there and [...]

Using Beans to Keep the Food Budget in Check

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I recently shared a very popular $250 sample grocery budget, and mentioned that one of the ways that I would stretch things out was with the use of vegetarian meals, most of which feature beans and legumes. Katie has written an incredible recipe ebook called The Everything Beans Book (keep reading for a coupon code!), which is chock full of recipes to help even bean-loathing families learn to happily eat more beans, up their nutrition, and keep costs down. And now, I'll pass it over [...]