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Dollar Tree Science Experiment Kits!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Teaching

In this twist on Cooking with Carson, we haul and review four Dollar Tree Science Kits from the Science for Kids brand.  These experiments are one dollar each and perfect for learning and play when cooped up inside (we always operate on a budget!)  Are you getting snow where you live?  We are trapped inside this weekend.

The Science for Kids kits the Dollar Tree sells are:
1) Gel Balls (Orbeez knock off)
2) Instant Snow
3) Slime-y jell-o crystals
4) Crystal Trees

NOTE:  These kits are recommended for kids 8 years and up, and I did them with Carson only with constant adult supervision.  These chemicals can be harmful if misused or ingested.  Stay safe!

*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

Five Tips for a Cleaner Home

by Filed Under: Cleaning, DIY Projects

I’m partnering with O-Cedar to bring you five tips for a cleaner home, starting with your floors.  I already owned their mop before this collaboration, and I knew how well it works!  Achieving a clean home with kids can be hard, so these are realistic solutions for busy families.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

TIP 1: CREATE A SHOE-DROP ZONE

I genuinely clean my home 50% less by having a no-shoe policy indoors. Think about all the dirt and dust you track inside by wearing your shoes around the home.  For cleanliness sake it’s important, but just think of all the TIME you spend cleaning.  Yeah, I’m cool with cleaning less!  Having a designated shoe mat will help hold you to this policy (and remind guests without you having to).  If you live in a cold climate, keep some dollar store socks on hand for guests who want to keep their feet warm.

TIP 2:  EMBRACE THE VACUUM

Or at a minimum the hose extension.  I really don’t sweep much.  I just vacuum my floors, under the table, and even right on the table for crumby messes.  It’s fast.  It’s easy.  And it WORKS. Check out this article https://cleanhomeguide.co.uk/best-shark-vacuum/ for reviews on some of the best shark vacuums. I fully recommend a cordless vacuum cleaner such as the Eufy Homevac for cleaning the house, as it’s just super simple and easy to use. If you don’t have one, check out these ones recommended by Appliance Hunter.

TIP 3:  GET A SPIN MOP

We love our O-Cedar Easy Wring Spin Mop and Bucket System.  I picked mine up on Walmart when my previous mop kicked the bucket.  It’s awesome because you don’t have to bend to use it, you can control the amount of water that goes on the floor (perfect for wood floors), and it’s FAST.  Like really fast.  Plus no streaks.  I paid for it using my own money, so when the brand reached out and wanted to partner with me AND give 6 mops away (see above), I jumped at the chance!

TIP 4: MAKE YOUR OWN FLOOR CLEANER

To clean my floors I use a 1:4 ration of distilled white vinegar to water with just a few drops of dish soap.  It’s worked super well for us and is all natural!

TIP 5: REFRESH YOUR CARPETS

Sprinkle baking soda on your carpets.  Let sit for 20 minutes and vacuum up.  This makes your carpet soft and plush again, plus your home will smell amazing!

 

How do you keep your floors clean?  Leave a comment below!

 

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* Sponsored by O-Cedar.  I already owned this mop and know how well it works, so this was a fun collab!  All opinions are genuinely my own.  Giveaway ends September 29th, 2016 at 12:00 am EST.  US only.  Six (6) winners will be chosen.  Winners must be 18 or older or have parental permission.  Winners will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter within a week of the giveaway ending and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Youtube are in no way associated with this giveaway.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I will use your information only for the purpose of contacting the winners.*

Dollar Tree Home Decor Ideas

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, Dollar Tree, Holiday, Online Deals

Here are cheap ways to decorate your room or home using all Dollar Tree products.  Many of you leave me messages saying that your dollar store doesn’t carry the items mine does (or they are always sold out by the time you get there), but these find are pretty much year-round staples (apart from the Calendar, but stores seem to have a lot of them), so hopefully they are doable and findable at your local store!

SHOP THIS VIDEO

PHOTO PROMOTIONS CODES (active as of posting):
Shutterfly: 50 FREE 4×6 prints for new customers
York Photo: 100 FREE 4×6 prints w/the code YORK100FREE

DIY COASTERS
Mod Podge
For more durability, seal with acrylic spray (optional)

SHARPIE PLATES
Oil-based sharpies work best for this project
Plate Hangers

How to bake:
1.  Clean plate with rubbing alcohol
2.  Practice design on paper and then draw on mug.  Regular Sharpies don’t work as well.  Get an oil-based option. If you aren’t eating off of them, it doesn’t REALLY matter, but the oil-based will give you more longevity and be more true to color.
3.  Let FULLY dry (24-48 hours)
4. Put plates in a COOL OVEN and then turn on.  You want it to heat gradually.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
5.  Bake for 30 minutes to 1 hour.  Turn off the oven and let cool fully before removing.

WALL DECALS
http://www.mainstreetwallstickers.com

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Five Minute Meal Ideas!

by Filed Under: Recipes

In this Cooking with Carson segment, we share four of our favorite meals you can throw together in under 5 minutes.  By 5 pm, I’m typically juggling a fussy newborn and a grumpy toddler, making it extremely challenging to cook, so I wanted to share these quick dinner ideas with you!  They’ve been life-savers in our house.  Let us know if you want to see more videos like this. 🙂

Shop this video:

                  

{{SALMON AND VEGETABLES}}
4-5 salmon portions
Vegetable (Broccoli, Asparagus or Zucchini are best)
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
Lemon (optional)

Peel and cut potatoes and put in a baking pan.  Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper.  Bake for 20 minutes.  In a separate pan add salmon and vegetables.  Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper.  Leave potatoes in the oven and add salmon/veggies next to them for an additional 15 minutes (this will give the potatoes 35 minutes total cooking time).   Serve.  Yum, yum!

{{SAUSAGE & PASTA}}
5 Italian Sausages
1 Jar Pasta Sauce (try Vodka sauce)
1 green pepper
1 white onion

Add all ingredients to your slow cooker.  Cook for 4 hours on low (6 if sausage is frozen) and serve with pasta.  Yum!

{{EDAMAME NOODLES & SALAD}}
These are a great source of protein (25 grams per serving).  They cook in under 5 minutes and are so filling!  (Kids love them.)  Also try grocery or Costco salad kits.  They have tons of healthy options with the dressing already included!

{{EASY BURRITOS}}
2-3 lbs. boneless shoulder roast
1 jar salsa (24 oz)
Tortillas
Toppings

Add the meat and salsa to the slow cooker.  Cook on low for 4-5 hours.  Slice and serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings.  Yummy and easy!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Dollar Tree Gift Closet Scores!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Teaching

Stay organized and stock your gift closet!  I have seen Webkinz priced anywhere from $7-$13 in-stores and you can get them at Dollar Tree (not sure how long they will continue to carry them) for just a buck.  This is a perfect opportunity to have gifts on the ready that don’t break the bank!  I know this is a quick video but I really wanted to share as shipments are coming in now and stores will be stocked.

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

Great gift & teaching tool | Butterfly Garden

by Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs, Teaching

Over the past weeks (if you follow me on Snapchat @doitonadime or watched my family vlog) you’ve seen us share about our butterfly garden and what a beautiful learning tool it has been for Carson.

So many of you have sent me snaps and messages asking where I got the kit and if I would recommend it.  Wholeheartedly YES!  It makes a great birthday present on a budget (just $18) and is a perfect teaching tool for kids of any age.

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You buy the full kit that comes with a butterfly tent, a feeding tube, and instructions for hatching butterflies from caterpillars.  The caterpillars are free and you just pay $5 do have them shipped to your door.

Ours arrived in a couple of days with all the food they need to survive until they turn into a chrysalis.  Then, transfer your chrysalis to the butterfly garden, wait for them to hatch, feed them fruit and flowers, and finally release them.

The entire process takes about 3 weeks.  If it’s 55 degrees or warmer in your area for the foreseeable future, this would be a great adventure to start with your kids!

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A few tips we learned along the way:

  1. When our 5 caterpillars arrived, it looked like some of them were dead.  They are just very inactive after shipping and bounce right back after a couple days when they start eating.
  2. Insect Lore guarantees that 3/5 caterpillars will become butterflies or your money back.  All 5 of ours hatched.
  3. The butterflies prefer fruit to sugar water.  We fed ours oranges and apples.
  4. They will crawl right on your finger when you release them, so don’t miss out on this experience!

Here are more ways you can create a learning experience with your butterflies.

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

$1 Grocery Organization….from Dollar Tree

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree

Grab Bags (like from the infomercial!) retail for $15, (although you can find them on Amazon for about $7) but Dollar Tree just started carrying them.  Two for $1!  This is an incredible score and they will help your shopping happen without a hitch.  Word to the wise: this product will fly (FLY!) off the shelves.

Dollar Tree first tarted carrying Grab Bags in late June of this year, and recently new shipments are coming into stores.  Our store didn’t even have them out of the boxes, yet (we had to ask them to bring out the newest shipment and open for us).  We you do go to look for them, they will be in a display right by the entrance.  Check your local Dollar Tree…and FAST!

Can’t find Grab Bags at your store?  I’ve got ya covered!  Five of you will be winning a grab bag box of your very own.  I’ll ship anywhere.  Love you guys!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are genuinely my own.  Links contain affiliates.  Giveaway ends July 16th, 2016 at 12:00 am EST.  Open internationally.  Five (5) winners will be chosen.  Entrants may only win once.  Winners must be 18 or older or have parental permission.  Winners will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter within a week of the giveaway ending and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.  My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Youtube are in no way associated with this giveaway.  By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.  I will use your information only for the purpose of contacting the winners.*

Cauliflower Pizza Crust (must see!)

by Filed Under: Recipes

In this episode of #cookingwithcarson we share how easy it is to make a gluten-free cauliflower pizza crust.  This is the perfect lunch and snack for kids (and they won’t have any idea they are eating veggies!)  It’s budget friendly and healthy.  Hope you give it a try!

Here is the recipe for the crust.

NOTES:  Follow the recipe above (make sure to really really squeeze out the water from the cauliflower!) and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Add sauce, cheese, and desired toppings and bake again at 375 for about 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.  Enjoy!

SilChef Silicon Baking Mat

 

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P.S.  Yes, I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant in this video.  No baby, yet!

*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Quick Father’s Day Gift Ideas! (feat. Shutterfly + coupon code)

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Online Deals

In this video I share three quick ideas for father’s day photo gifts for your husband!  Everything is under $25!

Order dad’s gift today using Shutterfly.  Order on or before 6/12 to be sure to receive in time for Father’s Day!

SALE DETAILS: Shutterfly’s Best Sale of the Season
Up to 50% off unique gifts for Father’s Day
Promo Code: BEST4DADS
Sale ends 6/7/2016
See Shutterfly for details
Expedited shipping, order by 6/13; Rush shipping, order by 6/14; Super Rush shipping, order by 6/15.

Looking for what I’ve featured in this video?

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*Sponsored by Shutterfly.  I have been purchasing their photo books for years because they have a great product and so many awesome deals and coupons.  It was such a pleasuring partnering with them!  Happy Father’s Day!*

DOLLAR TREE HACKS!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree

Hi, all!  It’s the unofficial start of summer, and I want to share some quick Dollar Tree hacks!  I’ll show you how to make a DIY infinity scarf, how to haul beach toys, how to store paper plates and picnic items, and a simple way to keep your gym bag (or any bag!) smelling great!

P.S.  You can also find Heat n Bond tape here!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

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