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It Finally Happened....

mycoupons | 30 April, 2007 07:34

If finally happened. My first "Flight of the Bee Dance". Truth be known, it actually wasn't a flight. It was more of an introduction of the season, a standoff of sorts.

I suppose this big ominous-looking bumble bee appeared as such in my eyes only as he stole my space, my garden area. He stood his ground, zig-zagging back and forth among his new domain as I pulled weeds. I politely introduced myself.

"Hellooooo Big Ominous Bee. Let's understand one another, I just want to weed out the garden."

Mr. Big Ominous Bee seemingly replied, "I'm busy catching the first of the pollen for this season."

Before we could continue, another bee of different breed entered the now-shared domain. Mr. Big Ominous Bumble Bee quickly departed as he chased the other perpetrator away, thus leaving me time to finish my weeding; saved until another day. Whew!

Last week I had mentioned in my blog about my interactions with bees and their importance in a garden... pollination. MyCoupons member Susan B wrote asking about pollination in a greenhouse. Apparently her husband just finished constructing a small one in their backyard. The pollination process hadn't occurred to her until reading last week's blog.

Though bees are a natural way of pollination, there are many other insects and methods of nature, such as wind that can make pollination possible.

Sometimes in a greenhouse, pollination doesn't happen on it's own unless you help the process along. If there is no pollination by one means or another, in most cases it simply will mean no fruit. However, there are many ways of creating pollination in a greenhouse setting. Sometimes pollination requires just a tap to the blossoms. Sometimes it is more complicated. I've heard of people using electric toothbrushes, banging the support wires to move the pollen. Another method is using small brushes, like a paint brush, moving from bloom to bloom. Some gardeners use leaf blowers to create a "wind" effect. Additionally, you CAN bring bees into the greenhouse. Believe it or not, you can now purchase bumblebees in a cardboard box. Just set the box in the greenhouse and let the bees do their magic. The latter would not be an option for me. Bees in a confined area and not much space to run. OH My, just the thought makes me shutter!

Keep on gardening!

Annie~

A Doggie Dog World

mycoupons | 29 April, 2007 06:00

Sunday is the day I have reserved just for your questions. I will answer anything that is within reason. Please note I'm just giving you ideas and opinions based on my life's own experiences.

Our question today is from Genine in MD.

Annie,

We have been thinking for a long time about getting a dog for our family. We finally decided that we are going to do this. How do I go about shopping for and finding the best dog for us.

Hi Genine.. good question

Owning a dog to me is one of life's most rewarding experiences. My dog is a companion and friend to my whole family and me. He adds a great deal of love and joy to our lives. I found throughout the years, my children have learned important lessons from dog ownership such as self-esteem, compassion, and most importantly responsibility.

Before you begin your search for a dog for your family, it is very important to do your homework and make sure that the dog breed you choose is a good match for your lifestyle and family. You can do this through several means.

1) Talk to family members, friends or neighbors around your home who have dogs. Ask them what type it is, what care that particular breed requires, and if they are good around children.

2)If you have a particular breed in mind, do research on it on the internet or get some books from the library.

3)Talk to a veternarian and ask if a certain breed would fit into your family.

Once you've decided on a dog that is a fit for your family and you're ready to purchase, buy from a source that provides a health guarantee such as a reputable breeder. Dogs from shelters and pounds also need homes and can be excellent pets, but remember that some dogs are taken to shelters because of problems with behaviour.

Do your research carefully and avoid buying any animal on impulse, you and your new pet will likely be a perfect match.

Annie~

If you would like to see your question featured in next Sunday's blog, please submit to annie@mycoupons.com. One question will be picked out of all entries.

A Fiberous Moment!

mycoupons | 28 April, 2007 06:00

Beans have been a part of our diet since man began to cultivate plants. Legumes, also known as dried beans, are the edible seeds that grow in pods on annual plants, bushes, or vines. The seeds can be eaten fresh, sprouted, dried and ground into flour, or prepared and used countless other ways.

They are high in protein and are less costly to produce than high protein animal products. Beans are a good source of several nutrients, including iron, protein, B vitamins, folic acid and oil or starch. Beans with colored shells contain antioxidants. They are a rich source of fiber.

With over 13,000 known varieties worldwide and are sometimes called “the poor-man’s meat” owing to their use as a primary protein source for many cultures for thousands of years. They are still a dietary staple in many parts of the world. White pea bean, navy beans, Light red & Dark red kidney beans, Pink beans White kidney beans or better known as cannellini beans, Black beans, Fava Beans, Lima Beans... the list can go on. You could say there is a bean for everyone. Each type of bean has a different distinct flavor, and is used in different ways.

This brings to our recipe for today submitted by Tammy in N.C. -Delicious Black Bean Wraps

Tammy says her recipe serves 4 and has only 510 calories and 13.5 g of fiber.

*3 ounces of fresh baby spinach, removing stems.
*8 Tortillas 6 inches round
*1 can 19 ounces of black beans, rinsed and drained
*2 plum tomatoes, chopped
*2 Avocados, pitted and sliced
*1/2 cup of salsa
*Sour cream and grated cheddar cheese, which are optional

Rinse spinach well and then divide and layer among the tortillas. In a bowl, combine black beans, tomatoes, avocados and salsa. Rinse and drain the black beans and then divide among the tortillas. Fold in the ends of the tortillas and then roll to close them. Place in a microwave on high for about 1 minute. Place on a plate and serve with more salsa, sour cream and cheddar cheese.

This sounds yummy! Thank you Tammy for your recipe! Let Tammy know how you liked her bean wrap recipe. I'm sure she will enjoy reading it.

Enjoy!
Annie~

If you like to see your recipe featured here, submit your recipe to annie@mycoupons.com. One recipe will be picked out of all entries.

Things Around Your Home!

mycoupons | 26 April, 2007 06:00

I don't know about you but I stockpile. When I can save 50% off or more at times with using coupons and combining sales, I stockpile it. My kitchen has plenty of cabinets that are about 42 inches high so it gives me ample room to stock up on items. This is called the UFO hangar. No, there are no little silver space ships in there with little green guys who say "take me to your frying pan". UFO meaning ....ultimately falling out. Well that's what my dear hubby calls it. It's not that I'm not organized or not neat, we are both short so reaching for something in the cabinet well... can be hard a feat at times. Kerplunk *Ouch*.

There are times however, when I find too much of something I have. I usually can find other uses for my stockpile. For an example, boxes of trash bags. I usually pay .10 each after doubled coupons with a sale at my local store. I use them in my gardening containers. The containers don't dry out so quickly and saves me on weeding them. I just cut the trash bag up in circles to the diameter of inside the pots. Place inside of the pot on top of the soil. Poke some holes so that some moisture can get through. Much cheaper than buying those big rolls of black plastic in the garden stores.

You don't have to be a stockpiler to find things that you have around the home that you can use toward some household tips:

Have white vinegar around your home? It's great for many uses including rings around the toilet. Depending on the hardness of your water, pour one or two cups of white vinegar into the toilet once a month to eliminate the problem.

Have dirty neck rings around your shirt collars? Grab that bottle of shampoo and rub it in like you were washing your hair, and watch that neck ring disappear.

Burnt or Baked on foods on your pots and pans? Soak or boil a solution of 2 tbsp baking soda per quart of water in each pan and those scrubbing days are over!

Does your Garbage Disposal wreak? No sense throwing that lemon that's a little past it's prime in the trash can. Cut it into quarters and run it through your sink disposal to freshen your drain.

If you have any great household tips to add, feel free to submit them in a reply. We would all love to read them! You know what they say, you can never have too many household tips!

Keep on saving!

Annie~

A Rewarding Day!

mycoupons | 25 April, 2007 06:00

Click click, chi-chang$, click click, chi-chang$. OH Hi there! You startled me. I was busy trying to do reward programs. What are reward programs you ask? Aside from saving money online using coupon codes, or Sunday inserts coupons to save at the grocery store to help your budget, reward programs are a way to earn money.

My first reward program experience began several years back around 99/2000. My "Big Sissy" *Grinz* had turned me onto them and what a reward program monster she turned me into. Beenz, Freeride, Jaboom, Mypoints, Milesource OH MY! Those were the days. Earning all sorts of things, especially webcertificates. Webcertificates could be used for online shopping at participating merchants. I'm sure many of you MyCoupons' old timers will remember.

I couldn't get enough of Beenz, Freeride or Jaboom. I was ADDICTED to those especially! So much so, that if a bolt of lightning would have come in through my window and struck me where I sat .... I wouldn't have budged. Now THAT would have been an electrifying reward! Get it electrifying... reward. OK, I know it was corny ...but you get my point. Anyway, reward programs are still around and still very popular.

Here at MyCoupons we have a wonderful Rewards Program board led by our one and only Community Leader Ambriana. Ambriana has been with us and helping Reward Program enthusiasts on our Rewards board for 5 years now. Her outgoing and helpful personality sets an ambience like no other Reward Program board on the net. Ambriana and members who participate on the board, post and discuss old and new programs that pay you to visit websites, read emails, answer surveys and more. You'll also find tips on the best and the worst of reward programs out there plus helpful hints of how to get the most of them.

Community Leader Ambriana when asked to describe her board feels this way: "Everyone is on the internet anyway. So why not make a little extra money being there" She goes on to say, " The Rewards Program board at MyCoupons is THE place to find a bevy of information, from trivia answers to favorite all-time programs, to tips and tricks on earning". I agree! Not only is it a Reward Program board but thanks to Ambriana and her expertise it's the BEST Reward Program board that you will find.

So if you MyCoupons' blog readers haven't been, then stop on over and visit the Rewards Program and Ambriana on the MyCoupons shopping boards. Maybe YOU can start earning a little extra cash. Oh and by the way, watch out for that lightning bolt.

Keep on clicking!
Annie~

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