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July 7, 2004

Today's Issue Contains:

> Editor's Comments
> Frugal, Nutritious Breakfast Ideas
> Beat the Summer Heat!
> Friends Helping Friends
> One Last Friendly Tip! 

==============Comments from Cyndi, Editor===================
Hi everyone!
Hope you all had a great holiday weekend.  Our two sons were both home 
along with some of their friends, and we had some fun times!  
Hope you did, too.

In response to a reader question, here are a couple of recipes for Fajita Seasoning.  

Fajita Seasoning #1

4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground oregano
2 teaspoons garlic salt

Mix all together and store in airtight container.

Fajita seasoning #2

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon chicken boullion powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container.

You might want to double or triple the recipe so you won't have to make 
it up so often.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Thanks to all the readers who have sent in tips to share!
The new feature "Friends Helping Friends" in this issue includes tips and 
ideas from several readers.

All of you, please don't be shy about sending in any ideas you have about 
saving money and living on a budget.  Frugal living, whether by choice or
from necessity can be fun!  I like to look at saving money as a challenge and 
I know some of you do, too.

So please, send along your tips and ideas to:
mailto:editor@cynroberts.com

"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."   
--Winston Churchill
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *   

Reuse those bottled water bottles!  Refill with tap
water if yours is good, if not use a filtered water
pitcher.  Take them along anywhere!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *   
 
Remember to pray for the safety of our troops 
overseas.  

===============Article===================================
Frugal, Nutritious Breakfast Ideas
=======================================================
 
We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  And that 
children that eat breakfast do better in school than those who don't. 

However, we also all know that it isn't always easy to find time to prepare 
that all-important meal or to convince our children to eat it! Especially when 
it's summer and they have "better" things to do in the morning!

One way to create a positive attitude toward breakfast in your children is by showing them that you enjoy breakfast!

Eating breakfast as a family is a great opportunity to spend some quality time together.  Spending time together, making breakfast can turn out to be a child's favorite part of the day!  And maybe yours, too!

By being creative and maybe just a little bit organized, you can make a variety
of tasty and healthy breakfasts.  
Try these ideas:

* for a quick and easy breakfast try a toasted bagel spread  with low-fat cream cheese.

* or peanut butter spread on whole-wheat toast.

* how about a fruit smoothie?  Toss whatever fruit you have in the blender with milk.

* when you have a little time, prepare a large batch of pancakes or waffles.  
Freeze in a single layer, then stack  in a zip-top bag.  In the mornings, pop 
one into the toaster, then top with fruit and yogurt. 

* or spread peanut butter and jelly between 2 pancakes.

* try some non-traditional foods, like leftover pizza--kids nearly always go for it!

* kids don't want to drink their juice?  Try this easy recipe for Orange Juice Smoothies.  

1/2 cup orange juice        
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 or 6 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients in blender till smooth.

Breakfast doesn't have to be ham and eggs anymore!  Nor does it have to be 
cold cereal.  By using a little creativity you can have a healthy breakfast every morning!

========================================================
Please visit our frugal partners!

Put the "fun" into baking... use our one Cookie Dough Recipe!
http://hop.clickbank.net/?pcsbr/whatafind 

If you love scrapbooking, check out this website!
PrincessCrafts      
========================================================
Friends Helping Friends 
=======================================================
More uses for those plastic shopping bags!

"I keep several plastic shopping bags in the trunk of my car to use as trash bags.  It helps keep my car a lot tidier.  

They also come in handy when I stop by Aldi's grocery store.  You have to pay 5 cents for each bag unless you bring your own.  Also the bags can be donated to local thrift stores.  They use them for customer's purchases and love it when I drop off a large supply.

When storing a large ham or turkey in the freezer, I always put it in a plastic shopping bag first.  The handles on the bag makes it much easier to carry it to 
the refrigerator for thawing."

Cheryl
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"When my sons were small I used to cut the bottom off  a large bag then slip it over their heads with arms through the handles to make a disposable apron for 
painting, etc."

Jan
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here's an idea for a Christmas gift that anyone could start working on now.  Not only would it be great for a newlywed, but also for a young adult going off to 
college or moving into a first apartment.

"I'm putting together a unique cookbook/household hints and tips type of  
booklet for my new  daughter-in-law. It'll be a Christmas present. Hey! I'm an Aquarian. I'm known for my unusual gifts.
Thank you and God bless."
 
Mary 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Happiness is making the most of what you have.
                      --Rosamunde Pilcher

========================================================
 Beat the Summer Heat!
========================================================
It's finally here -- summer, that is.  Officially, the first day of summer was 
June 21.

It's time to think about precautions to take to protect our-selves and our 
families from the heat and sun.

In some places of the country, here in Texas, for instance,the sun can be so intense that people with fair skin can burn in just a few minutes.  And we all 
know that unprotected exposure to sun increases your skin cancer risk.

But summer is a time for enjoying the great outdoors. So here are a few tips 
to remember as you venture out for fun in the sun!

1.  Always use sunscreen.  Even if you don't plan on being outdoor for a 
prolonged length of time, use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 and higher 
is even better.

2.  Reapply your sunscreen often.  Even more often than the directions on the bottle advise.  A good place to buy a big bottle of sunscreen is your local dollar store. 

3.  Remember to take care of your eyes.  Studies show that exposure to bright sunlight can increase the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.  Be sure to wear sunglasses that filter out UV rays.

And don't forget to protect your children's eyes, too; their eyes are especially sensitive. 

4.  Always drink plenty of fluids.  Water is your best bet. Carry a bottle with you wherever you go. 

A frugal way to liven up your glass of ice water is to add a few fresh mint leaves or a lemon slice.

5.  Remember that even on cloudy days the sun can do damage to your skin.  And even if you have skin that doesn't burn easily, your skin still needs protection 
from UVA rays.

6.  Don't be overeager and do too much outdoors. Never under-estimate what the summer heat can do.

Some warning signs of too much heat and sun can be: feeling faint, lightheaded, dizzy, having chest pains or cramps.

These suggestions are not meant to be a definitive guide to your summer health, but are some things to keep in mind as you enjoy the wonderful days of summer!  

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer, and like it!  
--Russel Baker

=====================================================
5) One Last Friendly Tip!

To keep your cut flowers fresh, make your own preservative:

Mix a capful of bleach and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a gallon of water.  The sugar provides nutrients for the plant and the bleach impedes bacterial growth.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *   

Please help get the word out that 'the frugal life CAN be the good life' by forwarding this newsletter to any "frugal friends" you think might be interested.
Your friends can sign up for their own free subscription here:
http://www.cynroberts.com/mywebpage/SignUpPage.html

Till next time,
Your Frugal Friend, 

Cyndi Roberts
1475 CR 105
Hamilton, Texas 76531

For more money-saving recipes, tips and ideas,
be sure to visit the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another"
website at:
http://www.cynroberts.com

 
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