bring joy

Mexican black eyed peas + is walking enough exercise?

slim + slender, fitness fridays, exercise, weight loss

Right after I had Tyndale, I got it in my head that I wanted to get back into running. But a few things happened. I quickly found out how uncomfortable it is on the joints to run with an extra 50+ pounds. I also found it extremely difficult to make the time to run. I bought a jogging stroller for exactly that, but here’s the truth: I hate pushing things when I run. Especially a 50 lb. stroller.

So, I’ve been walking. I can walk. I like to walk. And I can include my kids in my walks. So everyone wins. I also do workouts online (more on frugal fitness, here; my top 5 fave workout DVD’s, here). But the majority of my exercise is walking.

I think this quote by Dr. Andrew Weil answers the question.

And you know what?

A few years ago, I might have said, walking is for sissies–I’m...

creating a literacy rich home– part 2: how to build your child’s home library + 15 must-own books

literacy rich home

*This post contains affiliate links*

I believe in books. I believe you should spend money on books.

I also love the library. I love buying second-hand books.

But I believe in supporting publishers, writers, & illustrators.

More than that, I believe in showing our kids that books are important by buying new, nice books. This shows them (& ourselves) that we value books in our life.

If you want to have a literacy rich home,

It takes time & money to build a home library, but taking the time to build a carefully curated selection of excellent & worthwhile children’s books is something your kids will thank you for now, & will have a lasting impact on them for their entire life.

Our home library consists of a mixture of new books, used books, & an ever rotating selection of library books...

why money is important + I wanna be rich {here’s why}

debt-free, frugal life

I want money, lots and lots of money
I want the pie in the sky
I want money, lots and lots of money
So don’t be asking me why

I wanna be rich, ohh
I wanna be rich, ohh
I wanna be rich, ohh
I wanna be rich for a little love, peace and happiness
Every way rich
–lyrics from “I wanna be rich” by Calloway

*This post contains affiliate links*

Tyndale William, 4 months

Because we no longer live in a barter/trade based economy, money serves as the main intermediary

So love it or hate it, we’ve got to use it. And the best way to use it to our advantage is to learn to see money more objectively–as a tool.

Just as a hammer that can be used to either build or destroy is not good or bad, money can be used in a similar fashion to build or destroy.

Yesterday I mentioned Meg’s post in which she...