My Thoughts on the Sleepsteady Mattress Protector

I remember when my brother, Josh, was diagnosed with an allergy to dustmites. The first thing I remember my parents doing was putting a mattress protector on the bed in his room to keep dust from getting into his mattress and to protect him from being exposed to any dust mites that may be there already. The mattress protector was plasticky and gross. I didn't want to touch it. When you put a sheet on it, you still could hear the sound the plastic made from underneath. And if your sheet accidentally came off in your sleep, you'd have the really pleasant experience of having your skin stick to the gross plastic.

It really, really, really put me off the idea of mattress protectors. Because in my mind they all were some type of torture, and something you only used as absolutely needed, because it was the "less bad" option. Like if your kid was a serial bed wetter, yes, having a mattress protector is important so they don't ruin the mattress, but only because a mattress protector is less bad than a ruined mattress. Fortunately my kids were all potty trained young and not bed wetters so I didn't need to deal with that.

When my kid was diagnosed with dust mite allergies, I didn't want to have anything to do with the mattress protectors, because of how awful they were in my experience.

But then I was asked to review the Sleepsteady mattress protector I decided to give it a shot. Couldn't hurt, right? At worst I get an icky plasticky mattress protector.

I was never happier to be proven wrong.

This mattress protector is unlike anything I had ever tried before. 

White Rice: a Staple Food That Often Goes Unnoticed -- With Recipes

I grew up eating a lot of rice. As in multiple meals a week. My father has a sensitive stomach and rice was his "medicine" allowing him to manage without stomach pain as long as he ate it regularly, and so, it was a staple in our home. Being gluten free myself, we have a lot of rice in my home too. I always get shocked at people that cook just one or two cups of rice, since I cook 4-5 cups at a time and sometimes more, because I use rice as the base for so many meals. Here's some more about rice that you might not have already known:

In this vertiginous life where we receive tons of new information every second, we may feel lost trying to keep up to date. This situation occurs in all aspects of our life, well, at least in mine, particularly when planning my family’s meals.

I am constantly searching for fresh ideas for cooking and keeping the line of frugal, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. With all the incoming information, new trends, new cooking techniques, new superfoods, and so on, I forget that I already have in my pantry all I need.

One of those unnoticed and underused ingredients is rice. Yes, rice, as you read. People are unaware of all the benefits and use this grain offers.

All about rice

Top Tips for Parents Taking Online Degrees

One of my bigger regrets in life is that I got married and had kids before I went to college and got a degree, which meant that I went into motherhood without much money making capacity since I didn't learn any profession. For people in that situation, who realize that they need a college degree to be able to increase their income potential, but are already parents, getting an online degree is more doable than going to college in person. Here are some things to consider if you are planning on doing an online degree.

Taking an online degree can be hard when you have no dependents, but when you are a parent, taking an online degree is even harder, and you may find it more and more difficult to keep up with all of the tasks that you need to do to get the top grades. Then, if you are already thinking about focusing on parenting rather than also boosting your education, here are some top tips for parents who want to take an online degree.

My Recent Frugal Accomplishments

Some of the amaranth I foraged

Today's the special day where I get to share with you the things I did to save money, also to remind myself that I did actually do frugal things when I feel like a failure there, and to hopefully give you some ideas of what you can also do to save money. or remind you of how you are already doing that.

So here are some of the frugal things I did since the last time I shared such a post (wow it's been a while!):

My Recent Frugal Accomplishments

Thai Coconut Rice Pudding with Jasmine Rice, a South Asian Dessert

My kids love rice pudding; it is something I can always agree to get them to eat. But my rice pudding is somewhat different than this recipe, and I can't wait to try this Thai version of rice pudding. It looks like a terrific gluten free vegan comfort food. 

With over 1.7 billion people, millennia of written history and a great number of different languages coexisting, South Asia is a subcontinent that hosts Indian, Thai, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali and Sri Lankan people, to name a few. Even though its land area is larger than the entire European Union, due to the West's lack of knowledge, South Asia still is quite difficult to conceptualize.  

In terms of culture, this region is very diverse: for example, the Dharmic religions like Hinduism or Buddhism live side by side with Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. As a result, many different lifestyles end up coexisting and giving birth to the identity of an entire subcontinent. However different they might be, some unifying cultural and culinary factors can be found. 

The most versatile, nutritious and unifying ingredient 

Rice is the staple food in South-Eastern Asia; this grain plays a huge role in this region and is a common factor that can be found in nearly all of its countries. Rice is the seed of cereal grass; it is a great source of carbohydrates, which helps people to stay energized, satisfied and healthy. Moreover, it is very versatile: rice is referred to as a staple food because it acts as the perfect base for any dish. Savory or sweet, this grain can be combined with any source of protein, vegetable, spice or sweetener and the outcome will always be more than perfect. 

There are as many recipes with rice as there are types of this grain. It comes in several varieties: arborio rice, which is Italian, medium-grain rice; Basmati rice, commonly grown in Pakistan, India and the Himalayas; Brown rice, mostly known as a more "nutritious" grain, and Jasmine Rice.  This last variety is a long-grain type initially cultivated in Thailand which was named after its color, similar to the jasmine flower. This grain contains an exceptionally high amount of manganese, great for wound healing, regulating blood sugar levels and for the nervous system and bone structure development. 

We would like to encourage you to try this jasmine rice recipe by Mahatma® rice, which is guaranteed to make you fall in love with this variety of rice and will also make you feel a little bit closer to Southeast Asia and its culture through their flavors. There is nothing more perfect to get to know a region than trying out its cuisine.  

Thai Coconut Rice Pudding with Jasmine Rice, a South Asian Dessert

5 Products To Help Your Kids Stay Happy And Healthy

As a parent, we all want our children to be happy. Sometimes we fall short and can't make them happy, because, you know, kids are kids. Then there's health, which we also want, but that isn't always in our hands either. However, there are some things we can do as parents to help our children and hopefully raise happy and healthy kids.

Keeping our kids happy and healthy is the most crucial role of any parent. It can also often feel like an uphill battle but ensuring our kids are ready to face the world they live in is critical. There are a lot of products out there that are aimed at helping parents to do the best they can when raising their kids.

Many of the options you choose will depend on your children and their specific needs. For instance, if your child has asthma, you will need to choose different techniques to keep them happy and healthy than a child without asthma. It may also take some trial and error to find the right options that work for your kids themselves.

Preparing to Start Our Summer Construction Project

A rough sketch I made when trying to figure out how to design the floor.

For a long time I'd planned to build my son a loft bedroom above our stairway that doesn't reach anywhere (because we made the second floor into a rental unit) but things came up and then I was waiting for answers regarding my divorce that would affect my finances. But I never got answers, and my son needs a room of his own more and more lately, so I decided that this summer we'd do it, we'd build him his room.

To build his room we'd need to first remove everything that we store on the stairway (we'd be able to move them back under the loft once it is built) and since we don't have room for that in the house, I'd keep those things in my yard. Summer is not only a time that my kids are off from school and so we can do this project, but it is also a time that it doesn't rain, so putting things out in the yard won't ruin them. 

I'd had this rough guess in my head how much this project would cost. I have no idea why but the number $2250 stuck in my head as how much this would cost. I made a plan for how to build this room, what type of wood would be needed, where it would be needed, how long the would would need to be and how many boards I'd needed, and then asked professional carpenters if my plan was safe and if the wood I wanted to use was strong enough for the room to be safe, and I got the go ahead. And then I priced it out.

Much cheaper than I'd thought it would be. Much much cheaper. Of course, that is just talking about the wood, but still.

5 Reasons Why Extended Car Warranties Are Worth It

If you have a car one of the biggest expenses, after gas, is repairs. But are there ways to lower these expenses while still making sure your car stays in good working condition? Yes, an extended car warranty can help with that. Read more to find out how it can help.

If you've recently purchased a vehicle, you may be considering ways to protect your new asset. Of course, insurance is essential, but you might want to take things one step further with other plans.

Extended car warranty provides coverage for things such as breakdowns and repairs. However, it's typical to have doubts about whether or not it is a suitable investment for you.

Below we are going to talk about just five reasons why extended car warranties are worth it.

Interested in learning more? Then keep on reading!

The Remote Working Problems Nobody Ever Mentions

As a parent, figuring out how to do everything between work and your kids and all your other responsibilities can be challenging, but working from home helps with that. But as someone who works from home, I can tell you that there also are challenges involved. However, I work for myself which has its own perks and difficulties that are different from when you work remotely for another company. If you are considering working remotely, here are some things you might want to consider that are challenges in that situation/

For whatever reason, your organization has started to work remotely. You thought this was a good idea because you’ve heard everyone talk about the benefits of remote working. It can help you save money, it allows your employees to be more productive, and you eliminate carbon emissions created by commuting to work.

Okay, there are (admitedly) a lot of things to like about remote working. It can very much be a viable option for your business - and for many other businesses. Nevertheless, you can’t deny the drawbacks as well. The problem is, hardly anyone talks about some of the problems that stem from working from home.

So, this post will uncover them! Carry on reading to find out the remote working issues nobody ever talks about:

Functional Medicine A Bust For Me

I'm dealing with some health issues still with an unknown cause. I've gotten four diagnoses (in addition to my mental health ones), Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia, IBS, and Hashimotos thyroiditis. However, I have some symptoms that don't fit any of those diagnoses and we've yet to figure out what is causing them, let alone how to deal with them. This is quite frustrating, to say the least. 2 years on and still it's a mystery. 

I've been to so many different doctors, but for each specialist, it was me doing the research about what the issues can possibly be and which doctors were the right avenue and then asking my PCP for the referral, not the PCP figuring out what type of doctor to send me to. It has been quite frustrating that I need to be in charge of all this, not a doctor, and needing to do my google sleuthing, and then following up on it. Like shouldn't a doctor be the one trying to help, and not me doing the doctor's job?

I was thinking about what might possibly help. About 4 years ago I went to a functional medicine doctor paid for by my insurance, and he had some ideas about what the cause might be, but he wanted me to do special testing not covered by insurance, and it was too expensive for me to afford, so I never did it.

6 Job Ideas For Parents

We all need money, unfortunatey, to survive. But when you're a parent, that isn't always so easy. Many jobs do not work well with having a family and can cause big work-life balance issues. Here are some jobs that are more suitable for a parent with little ones.

It can be challenging to find a healthy balance between raising children, holding down a job, and bringing in a decent wage. Many hard-working parents are better off taking a part-time or flexible job that allows them to spend time with their children and satisfies their need to work in a role they enjoy.

Here we look at six exciting job options ideal for busy parents to fit around raising their families.

12 Amazing Gifts For The Girls In Your Family

Some kids are really easy to figure out what to gift them. Others can be extremely challenging to figure out what they'd enjoy receiving as a gift. For those of you trying to figure that out for your children, hopefully this list will give you some inspiration.

When it comes to buying presents for either your own children, family members, or friends' children it is always a good idea to find out what sort of toys or games they are into. This way you don’t get something random only for them not to like it. If you get something they like then there is a higher chance they will play with it for longer than a day. If you are trying to navigate the minefield that is buying presents for girls then fear not, we have twelve ideas below that will hopefully give you some inspiration.

Gluten Free Egg Free Cheesecake Recipe -- Easy, Allergy Friendly, and Delicious

I made a delicious gluten-free egg-free cheesecake recently but one of my kids was disappointed that I didn't make enough for them to have seconds, so I decided to make it again especially since it wasn't hard. 

Of course the first time I didn't write down the recipe, so I had to do this from scratch. The second time I made it, I used less flour than I did the first time and I was worried it wouldn't solidify, and it took longer to cook, but it ended up so moist and delicious and, dare I say it, better than the first time? 

The only slight issue with it is that the top ended up with a bunch of little holes on it, I guess where the liquid evaporated, but to be honest, neither I nor my kids cared, but if you want something that looks perfect, I've heard that baking cheesecake in a pan of water is supposed to help, but I can't verify that it works for this recipe.

This recipe is allergy friendly, other than dairy. And I have a sensitive stomach and much dairy bothers it, which is why I used fake milk (rice milk one time, almond milk another), but cream cheese and butter in small amounts don't bother me. I can't promise this will be good for you if you have a sensitive stomach, but just putting it out there. You can also use milk for this recipe... I assume. But I can't promise because there's lemon juice in that. So feel free to experiment. Or just leave this recipe as is.

Oh, another thing that was important to me was that a recipe didn't have a ton of ingredients, I wanted to use cream cheese and what was in the house only. No whipping, no food processor, no mixer.

Basically, this came out really delicious and I highly recommend it. And if you do need an egg free cheesecake but don't need to be gluten free, of course, you can just use the gluten alternative.

Gluten Free Egg Free Cheesecake Recipe -- Easy, Allergy Friendly, and Delicious

College and University: The Complete Guide for Supportive Parents

You would think that with my oldest kids being 14 and 12, college is a far away concept for me, but my 12 year old has already looked at colleges that he wants to go to, and my 14 year old has also talked about it. If you, like myself, are thinking about college for your children, whether it is something immediate or further in the future, read on to learn how to be a more supportive parent.

As parents, we all want what’s best for our children. This becomes increasingly apparent when they reach pivotal points of their life and start making decisions that can impact their future. A key point for most teens? The point at which they leave school and decide what direction to take next. Your teen may decide that higher education is on the cards for them and you’re going to want to do what you can to make this journey as positive and beneficial as possible for them in every way, shape and form. But what can you do to assist with this and be as supportive as you can? Here are some suggestions that can help!

Why Choose a Home Appliance Warranty?

If you own a home, you might be worried if anything in your house breaks or get destroys, because you don't have a landlord to come fix those things. You may have heard of homeowner's insurance, but what about home appliance warranties? Read more to find out.

Repairs are an inevitable part of living in a home, regardless of whether you are a homeowner or renting.

 
Appliances break, faucets leak and HVAC units can stall in the middle of a heatwave. You can purchase home warranties to protect your appliances and systems rather than depleting your savings on the unexpected and unplanned costs of repairs.

 
Are home warranties worth it, especially if you take care and look after your appliances?

Where To Find The Top Hotel Executive Recruiters?

If you're looking to increase your family's income, you may be considering the hospitality industry. When going in that direction, you might want to consider going through a recruitment agency. Here is what you should consider.

One of the most essential components of every company is the process through which new personnel are brought on board. If there is not an effective process of hiring taking place inside the firm, the business will be unable to grow and flourish. Because of this, it is of the highest necessity to engage the most brilliant persons through the utilization of an efficient recruitment process.

At this point in the process, the picture gets more complicated as a result of the emergence of agencies that take on the job of recruiting as part of the services given to a company. These organizations are required to have an exceptional level of judgment and skill due to the sensitive nature of the job that they conduct.

A Great Frugal Book Haul

I love reading. It is one of my favorite things to do in down time. Yes, movies and shows are also great, but there's nothing like being curled up with a good book. Growing up I used to satisfy my voracious book appetite by going to the library and bringing home massive piles of books every week or two, often with books ordered via inter-library loans so I could get my hands on books from my favorite authors and try books recommended to me by the librarians that got to know my taste. I almost never bought books, other than some select favorites, because I could get what I wanted from the library.

Moving abroad to a non English speaking country has made reading more challenging for me. There aren't as many libraries here as there were where I grew up, and at least in my area, most don't have English books, and there definitely aren't interlibrary loans like we had growing up. So I never bother using the library because going there was like perusing someone's personal bookshelves, and not like actually going to a library with a large selection and variety. (Our local library has maybe 2 or 3 bookshelves of English books, all told, mostly all old books that locals donated.)

So, so starved as I was for reading material, I got to the point where if I'd see a book in English, I'd give it a shot, as long as it wasn't something that sounded absolutely terrible. I couldn't be picky with such limited options. 

Here and there I'd check out second hand book stores, but the selection there was very limited, and honestly, most of the books there were quite overpriced. 

Instead most of my reading came from books that I borrowed from friends, but that relied on my friends having the books I'd wanted to read. I also found out about these little free libraries placed in bus stops, where people left books they no longer wanted and picked up books that others left there, and that helped a lot, but it wasn't usually the books I wanted, but at least it was something.

I finally found out about Betterworldbooks.com and Bookdepository.com where I could get cheap books with free international shipping, and when a friend didn't have a book I was looking for, or when I loved the book I borrowed from a friend so much that I wanted to own it, that's where I'd purchase it from, by checking between the two to see which had it cheaper.

But there was this one place where I have been able to find great cheap books locally, and all my taste.

Top Resources to Help You On Your Journey to Becoming a Chef

I love cooking. One of my biggest joys in life is making good food and watching people enjoy it. If my life had gone differently, like if I wasn't a single mom of 4 dealing with disabilities, I would have thought about pursuing becoming a chef, so I could make money from what I love, but alas. If you're someone who dreams about becoming a chef, here are some resources to check out.

There are many people who dream of having the opportunity to take their passion for food and cooking and turn it into a career. Becoming a chef is no easy journey, however, and isn’t one that should be started on a whim.

The simple fact is that the culinary world is one that is filled with a great deal of competition. Many talented chefs are all vying for the top positions at the best restaurants around. Moreover, many people have the desire to be able to start their very one restaurant one day. This is arguably one of the more challenging routes to go when you want to have a career as a chef.

That being said, with the right amount of dedication and work, you can end up as a successful chef. You should look to make use of any and all resources that you have at your disposal as you seek to develop your skills and find your way as a chef.

With that in mind, here are some of the top resources that can help you along on your journey to becoming a successful chef.

Common Mistakes That Are Made When Selling Your Home

I don't ever want to move out of the house that I own, but for those that are selling their home, here are some important mistakes to avoid to have the sale be as successful as possible. 

There’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re planning to sell your home and a lot of concerns as to whether or not you’re making the right decisions along the way.

Real Estate Broker companies like the team at Compass work with agents to help make your selling process as personalized and smooth-sailing as possible, and there’s more info available if you’re eager to sell your home without making some unforeseen mistakes due to inexperience.

In the meantime, avoiding these other common mistakes below is essential if you want to sell your home quickly and with as few problems as possible.

Penniless Dad's "Moussaka" Recipe - AKA Leftover Surprise

Apologies for all the food purists out there, as this is by far a really non traditional version of moussaka, a dish traditionally eaten in the Middle East and the Balkans. The most well known version of moussaka is the Greek one, made with layers of eggplant, ground meat (generally lamb) in tomato sauce, and topped with a bechamel sauce. However, there are many other versions of moussaka around the world, and this recipe actually does fit into the loose definition of moussaka, which is either eggplant (generally) or potatoes (in the Balkans), tomato sauce, sometimes meat, sometimes cheese, with many different variations. So even though none is actually like how my father makes it, the name is still technically correct.

I was cleaning out my fridge the other day and while deciding what things there were too far gone and needed tossing, and what could still be used, and I saw the following:

Leftovers from an antipasti platter I made, mostly roasted eggplant, and a tiny bit of zucchini and peppers. Hot dogs. Leftovers from a whole chicken that I cooked, plus some mushrooms and potatoes, and an open can of tomato paste.

As looked at those things, what immediately struck me was how this was literally the base of what my father would use to make what he'd call moussaka. But it really just was a way that he used up leftover chicken or turkey. As a kid I had no idea that it was that, and I loved it so much that one year on my birthday, when we would get to decide what would be for dinner, I asked for moussaka, and my father, bemused, obliged. I actually wrote about this once, over 10 years ago here on this blog, but who actually is reading posts that old, and I was a much worse blogger then than I am now, so here it is.

This recipe is allergy friendly, and free of all the common allergens such as gluten, dairy, or eggs, unlike many moussaka recipes. Feel free to play around with this recipe, since the point is to use up leftovers. I used mushrooms, a bit of zucchini and pepper, but feel free to add other vegetables if you want. Eggplant is necessary to make it moussaka (in my opinion) and I never do it without hot dogs, but the point is to take this idea and use up your leftovers in a way that appeals to you and yours. Be creative, have fun, and minimize waste. (I took the potatoes that were with my chicken and mushrooms and turned them into revamped mashed potatoes.)

Penniless Dad's "Moussaka" Recipe - AKA Leftover Surprise

5 Frugal Tips for Moms and Dads

Looking for some ways to save money that work for parents? Here are some tips to consider.

Living within your means is one of the secrets to managing your finances. With prices constantly on the rise, it’s never been more important to make your bank account balance. Below we look at five things you can do to help keep your finances in check and to spend less than you earn.

8 Ways To Succeed As A Video Content Creator on Instagram

If you're looking for ways to earn money, Instagram is a way to aid in that. Video is a media that can be very engaging, and if you make good content, it can be a great way to get clients for your business. But to do that, you need to have a successful video platform, such as an Instagram account. Here are some things you can do to help succeed as a video creator on Instagram.

Even though Instagram had been widely popular before it was bought by Facebook, combining it with the world's largest social media platform made it a force to be reckoned with. With over 1 billion monthly active users, the platform has become a favorite site for advertisers from all industries and regions of the world. Instagram is used by both local family-owned businesses and big corporations to promote their products and services, and it works brilliantly.

While images are great for promoting your business, don't underestimate the power of video. An Instagram video marketing strategy that is well-thought-out can help you increase your reach, engagement, and brand visibility. Not sure how to succeed as a video content creator on Instagram. Don't worry we have noted down all the tips and tricks for you in this blog.

My Mental Health Journey's Story

Me cuddling with my dog on the floor, to help cheer me up, during a bad depressive episode

In addition to being Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, where people try to bring these stories to light to reduce stigma. So I wanted to tell you about my story. (PS for those who are saying to be careful with sharing this, my ex and his lawyer know all about this already as does social services and fortunately, it hasn't been able to hurt me.) Warning- I will be talking about some triggering stuff.

I had a pretty miserable childhood. I dealt with a lot of abuse at home, physically, verbally and emotionally, was bullied in school, etc. I had a lot of sadness and hopelessness in me but tried to be positive. At the age of 14 things reached a point that completely broke me and I just couldn't anymore. I was angry at God, angry at the religious community I was a part of and the world and was super depressed, started hanging out with the wrong crowd, and started getting myself into trouble. Someone special came into my life and accepted me as I was, gave me hope that things didn't have to be so bad, and I decided to try to fix up my life and give my community and society another chance.

My family moved to abroad when I was 16 and I was totally heartbroken, and it wasn't an easy year for me. I was also pretty miserable in addition to feeling very lost spiritually and didn't have any good friends. I was sent to a therapist by my head of my school but after once I never went back.

The next year back in the US I found myself religiously and discovered a religious movement and it's approach to being happy and making yourself happy and I decided that, while I knew I had a depressive nature, I'd shove it down and make the decision to  force myself to be happy all the time since that is the "correct thing to do". I tried therapy, knowing that I'd gone through tremendous abuse. But because of the "I'll force myself to be happy" I was in such denial that I never mentioned to the therapist about the abuse I went through and gave up after four sessions.

I got married very young because I desperately wanted someone to love me, afraid everyone would leave me like I felt everyone did to me in the past, and pressured him into marrying me. And it was a bad marriage from the start. But I was in a new community in a new country and I wanted to make friends and felt that no one would want to be friends with someone who was a mopey miserable mess and didn't want to be a "depressive person" so I decided to shove it all down. "So I'm a depressive person by nature, doesn't mean I need to feel depressed. I just need to avoid those thoughts and be positive."

Here’s Why You Should Pick Up Baking!

I love cooking. Baking I'm ok with, but my biggest love is really cooking. If you aren't a baker, here are some reasons from a reader why you might want to start baking- there are so many benefits!

Introduction

I love baking. Many people don’t trust me when I say that I’m an emotional baker, because to many others who haven’t baked, baking seems like this whole process and ordeal. I like to liken it to art. While some people find painting or watercolor to be their solace from stress, the creation aspect is the same through baking; putting your effort and practice into finally making something you can share with people is a reward in itself.

I am an emotional baker in the sense when I feel sad or mad or even when I am very excited, my first instinct goes toward flour and dough. I put that apron on and suddenly am in this flow state of bliss. Whether it’s the process of rolling, kneading, or taste-testing my own baked creations, there are very many joys to be had in baking.

Over time, as I have moved between baking in a studio, to a bakery, to just home baking, I’ve realized there are many benefits to be had with home baking also. Without further ado, here are a few reasons I have found for you to pick up baking as a hobby.

How To Deal With Noisy Neighbors

Have you ever had noisy neighbors? Or have you ever been the noisy neighbors? I actually had a sitution where I was both, somehow. Years ago I was living on the second floor in an apartment building, with a backyard. I babysat kids during the day, and my downstairs neighbors was angry at me because she felt the kids were making too much noise... in the middle of the day. She got mad if the kids would go out and play with me in my backyard, because she wanted to be able to have her windows open and not hear children, so decided to blast music at really high decibels out her window to drown us out. Yet in the middle of the night she and her daughter stopped us from sleeping because of their 2 am screaming matches. It was such a pleasure to move away from her. If you are dealing with noisy neighbors, here are some things you might do to make things better.

Had enough of your noisy neighbors? There are a few things that you can do to finally get some peace and quiet. Below are just a few solutions for dealing with noisy neighbors.

Gluten Free Egg Free Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - Allergy Friendly Fried Breaded Chicken Cutlets

Schnitzel. It has many names and variations around the world, as well as many different ways to eat it. But one thing they all have in common- dip it in egg then breadcrumbs and then fry. That's all very well and good, but what about people who can't eat gluten? Ok, gluten free breadcrumbs or something like that. But no egg? That is harder. No gluten or egg? You're up a creek without a paddle. Or not.

I figured out how to make schnitzel without using egg or gluten! It was honestly hard to figure out, because the standard egg replacement didn't cause the coating to stick onto the meat, and even once I figured out how to do it, when I tried skipping a step it also failed. So this is how I suggest you make it, without any variations, because otherwise I can't guarantee it'll work. 

This makes terrific flavorful schnitzel that the gluten and egg eaters will eat happily because it tastes just as good as the standard schnitzel.

I make my schnitzel with chicken, but you can make it with any other meat, whether turkey, beef, pork, etc... just follow the same method and it'll be fine. I use vegetable oil for mine, instead of the clarified butter used for traditional Weiner schnitzel, which makes mine good for people with dairy sensitivities as well.

There is a little bit you can play around with when it comes to this recipe. The actual liquids used don't matter so much; feel free to change them up to suit your taste. The point is just to add flavor to the meat. Options of liquids/wet things you can use are limitless, but some examples are: 

• sweet chili sauce
• ketchup
• jam
• teriyaki
• pickle juice
• salad dressing
• maple syrup
• almond milk
• wine
• orange juice
• mustard
• beer (keep this gluten free)

When it comes to the crumbs used for the coating, you can use anything gluten free (or gluten if you don't need to keep this gluten free) that is either savory or not too sweet that crumble. I use my food processor or grain container of my blender to make these things into crumbs. Even when they're stale or very crumbly its totally fine like this. Examples of things I've used or have eaten as coatings are (I will not be labeling these as gluten free- make sure to use gluten free versions of the following):

• Pretzels (everything seasoning pretzels are the best)
• Crackers
• Breadsticks
• Leftover bread (gluten free bread that is no longer fresh and doesn't taste so great anymore- into the blender you go!)
• Cornflakes (even honey nut cornflakes taste good here!)
• Chex or other not too sweet cereal
• Tortillas
• Almond flour (I tried making schnitzel with coconut flour- was not a hit with my kids)

As for seasoning for the crumbs, it depends on how flavorful the crumbs start out. Any of the following can work for your seasoning, but add a little at a time and taste- and you can because there's no raw meat at this point- and adjust:

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Ok fine, I don't have any other ideas here because my creativity is shot because it is too late at night for me to be writing... and because I usually just add most of my seasoning via the liquids, but add whatever spices you like, go ahead!
• Sesame seeds. Yes, not spices. Yes I like adding them to my crumbs. So shoot me. 

Basically, follow the procedure. The rest of the details are up to you. I just wrote exactly how I made mine this last time I did it (because all the other times I didn't write down measurements) but from here you can let your imagination run wild.

Gluten Free Egg Free Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - Allergy Friendly Fried Breaded Chicken Cutlets

Taking Your Child To Their First Hearing Test

I got my daughter evaluated and one of the things they noticed is that her auditory processing isn't so great. Before labeling her with an auditory processing disorder, I need to take her for a hearing test. Fortunately I got this information from a reader on things I and other people should know before taking a kid to a hearing test.

Hearing and ear health are really important concerns in anyone’s life, but especially so for young children where everything can be a problem that becomes bigger and bigger if you are not careful about it. If you are keen to make sure that you are keeping on top of your child’s hearing health, one of the things you’ll need to do is to take them to a hearing test every now and then. If you have their first hearing test coming up and you are concerned about what to do about it or how to approach it, there are a few things to bear in mind. Let’s take a look.

6 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

I recently was rejected when I applied for a credit card with benefits that I really wanted to have. I applied every few months as was recommended and each time was turned down. Finally, I found out that my country recently implemented a credit score, and mine was bad because of things that happened over the course of my divorce a few years ago. This really is frustrating and I'm looking at ways to improve my credit score. Those aren't going to be the same things as for people in the US, but if you have a problem with a bad credit score, read on for tips on how to improve yours.

It’s important to maintain a decent credit score for several reasons. A good credit score offers a lowered interest rate, premium credit cards, and great loan products. But with a below-average credit score, you might not qualify for such benefits.

Though there are finance companies that issue loans to such credit holders, you’re still a flight risk to any mainstream lender. For instance, when you’re seeking a car loan. Though there are many car finance companies for bad credit cardholders, it’s always better to aim toward a good credit score.

If you’re looking to boost your score, there are a few solutions—even when you’re knee-deep in debt. But you can’t rebuild your credit profile overnight. Follow these simple steps to improve your credit score in the safest way possible.

My Latest Scratch and Dent Grocery Haul

I had a rented a car the other day and needed to do some errands including buying some things, and I had a few choice of places to buy those things and decided to pick the place with a scratch and dent store so I could hit two birds with one stone- get frugal stuff, without hurting my body in the process. I'm glad I went, because I got some great deals. Total for this shop was just $53.42. If I had bought this shop at a regular grocery store it would have cost at least $135!

So, what did I buy?

Adapting Your Life to a New Arrival

If you're new to motherhood, the transition might be a bit challenging. Here are some tips to help smooth the transition and help you adapt better to motherhood.

Pregnancy is a long process that takes a lot of change on a physical and personal level. When you prepare for a new baby, you have to make changes to your self-care routine, the clothes you wear, how you arrange your home, how you approach work and so much more. Most parents spend a long time focusing on preparing for their new arrival and accommodating these changes. So, you might think that once your little one has arrived, everything will settle down and be catered to. But this is rarely the case. Welcoming a child into the family often comes with all sorts of unforeseen lifestyle changes and you’ll find yourself constantly adapting to meet their needs. But what are some key areas you can focus on when it comes to changing your lifestyle and routine to meet your new arrival’s needs? Here are some suggestions that can come in pretty useful.

6 Ways To Save Money On Baby Clothes

Baby clothes are really cute and adorable, teeny tiny pants and shirts and socks... but they're also often ridiculously priced. Especially since babies get their clothes dirty quickly and they change sizes so frequently, you end up needing a lot of baby clothes which is generally pricy. Here are some ways you can keep down those costs.

The first year of a baby is a period of incredible growth. In their first six months, babies' birth weight can be double and by the end of their first year, they’ll triple their weight.

As a new parent, the arrival of your baby can be both exciting and financially draining. You’ll have to pay for hospital delivery costs, which might hurt your wallet. More so, you have to prepare for the needs of your infant so your child can grow properly.

In this article, you’ll learn six surefire strategies for saving money on baby clothes.

My Life with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

As I was filling out the paperwork for my disability hearing, I had a hard time answering some of the questions. "How long have you had this issue?" and it wanted me to put in a start date. Except how do I even answer that? I've only known that I had Ehlers Danlos Syndrome less than 2 years, but I've definitely had it my whole life.

Since May is Ehlers Danlos and Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, I thought I'd talk about Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and how it affects my life. 

What is EDS?

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder, and since our bodies have connective tissue nearly everywhere, it affects the body in so many different ways. Named after scientists Edvrd Ehlers and Henri Alexandre Danlos, who first described this in the early 1900s, EDS is actually a collection of disorders that affect connective tissues. There currently are 13 known types (other than an extremely rare variant discovered in 2018 with only four individuals so far diagnosed with it), and of them, all but one can currently be diagnosed via genetic testing. The last one, Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, the one I have, they haven't yet discovered the gene or genes responsible, so it is diagnosed via clinical observations. 

Top 8 Bad Financial Habits to Break to Fight Debt

It's rough to be in debt, but in order to get out of debt, there are some habits that have to first be broken. Read on to see which ones.

Debt is a scary thing. It can feel like you're swimming in it, and no matter how hard you try to get out, you just can't. You may be wondering how you got into this mess in the first place. The truth is, it could be any number of things. But more often than not, bad financial habits are to blame.

Do you struggle to balance making monthly payments and saving money for the future? Have you found yourself researching consumer proposal v bankruptcy and other debt solutions? If so, then this article is for you.

If you're ready to break free from debt and get your finances back on track, read on for the top habits you should break now.

Let's Look at Some of the Most Popular Coffee Flavours

I used to hate coffee. Then I started liking it and then I loved it. Then I needed to stop drinking coffee because it gave me anxiety and now I miss it. I love vanilla coffee the best, but now I just enjoy the smell when my sons drink it. Here's some more info about other flavors of coffee that you might like. 

While the conventional taste of ground coffee beans will always trump its rivals, there is no denying that many people opt for flavoured coffee.

If you landed on this post, you're likely to be among the more adventurous coffee drinkers out there. You might even consider yourself an avid drinker of flavoured coffees.

If this sounds like you, then you may also be aware that platforms like Glasshouse Mountain Coffee remain the best providers of coffee information.

Barring the likes of them, in terms of coffee flavours, we've gone ahead and done a lot of the hard work for you.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular coffee flavours you can get your hands on.

Luxuriously Frugal Mother's Day Celebration

 

As a single mom without a spouse to do something nice for me for Mother's Day or to encourage my kids to do the same, and as someone with a non existent/terrible relationship with her mom, Mother's Day is a challenging day for me. I have another single mom friend in the exact same circumstances, and we decided that for Mother's day we would celebrate our motherhood, because it deserves to be celebrated, even if it means treating ourselves.

We ended up having quite a luxurious day, and at the same time, it was pretty frugal! Of course, it didn't cost nothing, but for what we did, it definitely was quite impressive how little we paid for how much and how fancy our celebration was.

How To Make A Claim Against Someone Else's Car Insurance

Hopefully your car will stay whole and in great shape, but accidents happen, and when it is someone else's fault, you shouldn't need to shoulder the financial burden yourself. If someone else damages your car, here's how you can make a claim against their insurance.

A breezy, balmy drive to your office or perhaps a restaurant on weekends could become one of the worst days of your life. While your driving skills and expertise are enough to make sure you never hit another bumper, You can't say the same for other drivers. So what if someone just hits your car and entirely remodels the shape of it? The best way to manage it is by claiming someone else’s car insurance. And here’s how to do it.

While the process of claiming someone else’s car insurance is very simple, the other processes and factors that are needed before you file the claim make this process a very complicated mess. We’ll guide you through the entire process, taking into account all the possibilities so that you can be well prepared. First, let’s get some basics cleared out of the way.

7 Steps to Find a Balance Between Work and Family

A work-life balance is really hard to accomplish. If you're looking for some suggestions as to how to do this better, read for some tips from a reader.

Balancing work and family life can be a challenge for anyone. Both spheres of life are important and it is tricky to find time for each. It can be especially difficult for professionals who try to work from home because in such a case the boundaries are even more diluted.

It is all about prioritizing time and energy. This balance doesn’t always mean spending equal time on both, but rather making it matter anyway. Priorities might change with time, and one should be able to adjust the balance accordingly.

We’ve gathered the 7 best tips on how to achieve a healthy balance with help from Jooble experts and are ready to share them.

Applying for Disability

I had a long and exhausting day yesterday. No, it wasn't a day traipsing around in the hot sun on lots of errands carrying heavy bags. It was a day entirely at home, but no less exhausting.

I've got a bunch of different health issues. And I've been planning on applying for disability because of them for a while, since they really affect my ability to function and also cost me a lot of money as well. For the past year or so, I've been going from doctor appointment to doctor appointment, specialist to specialist, test to test, trying to figure out what is going on with my body and hopefully try to help it as well. And while I was there, I also got paperwork from the doctors with my medical issues so I can submit them for my disability claim. Some of the doctors I knew wouldn't be able to do anything for me, but just having them write what my issues are giving me more records to put in my disability claim, making it more likely for me to be approved.

The list of doctors/medical professionals I've been to since starting this process are:

4 Benefits of Sharing Your Parenting Experiences

I like to talk about parenting and do so quite often. I mean, that is to be expected from someone with a blog named Penniless Parenting if you know what I mean. But seriously, parenting can sometimes be a really lonely experience, because no one is at home with you when you're dealing with your kids other than maybe your partner, if you aren't a single parent, so no one really gets what you're going through. But connecting with other parents and talking about the positives and the challenges is a good way to get support and not feel quite so alone in your parenting. Here are some benefits of sharing about your parenting experiences.

As parents, we all have unique experiences raising our children. We may have different techniques for dealing with the kids, which seem to work. At the same time, parents also have dilemmas along the way. As the children get older, many changes occur, and parents must learn how to adapt to these changes. When they were younger, it was simpler to expect the children to abide by the rules you impose. However, growing up makes them want to be independent and learn how to make their own decisions. A parent must find a healthy balance to maintain communication with their children, allowing them to speak their minds while respecting them.

As you go through life raising children, it would be nice to have people you can talk to about your experiences. They may be parents with similar experiences or new ones who can always use some parenting advice and learn all about parenting from those who have been through what they are currently facing. Sharing your parenting experiences benefits the people you share them with. It is beneficial for you, too.

How to Invest in Your Children’s Quality of Life

As parents we all want what is best for our children. There, fortunately, are many things we can do to ensure that our children have a better life. Here are some ideas to implement.

As a parent, your whole life is your kids. Once you have a child the shift of your life’s mission is forever changed. Taking care of your kids is a broad statement that applies to about 1000 different things. Some of the ways you can invest in your children’s quality of life are obvious while others less so. Here are a few examples of things that you can do for your kids that extend beyond their everyday needs.

Mulled Wine Beef Roast Recipe -- Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly, and Delicious

Before I proceed with anything, I need to say that this picture doesn't show the final product- it was taken post much of the cooking but before the final 2 hours of cooking it, sliced and baked in the same sauce, so it ends up darker and is more tender.

This recipe was something that I stumbled upon by chance, since I had some open red wine (either cabernet or merlot) that was slightly starting to sour, and I figured cooking with it would be the perfect use for it (since it was no longer tasty to drink). I used it for a roast I had in my freezer and then was trying to think of something different to do with the roast than carrots and potatoes. Then I thought about what went well with red wine, and mulled wine was what came to mind. I threw in a bunch of spices that went well with wine and voila, that is how it was born.

Regarding the cooking method- beef roast, if not cooking properly, can end up quite dry, as it needs a long time to cook before it softens. I needed beef broth for a recipe. I've written about my beef hack, where I pressure cook beef to tenderize it for use in other dishes, and I decided I'd be using that for my roast. First pressure cooked. Then baked with seasoning. Then cut and baked again to soak up the juices.

The result? Absolutely delectable meat that my son said was his favorite way I made beef, so I made it again to be able to write down the recipe this time. Feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener in this recipe- I like my beef sweet but it's up to you how sweet you want to make it.

Mulled Wine Beef Roast Recipe -- Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly, and Delicious

What are multi-family homes and are they right for you?

My family and I live in a multi family home that we purchased a few years ago. We live on the bottom floor and rent out the top floor for tenants. For us it was the most logical decision, as the rental income pays more than half of the monthly mortgage, and a home the size of the space we live in would have a mortgage significantly higher than what we pay every month after the rental payment comes in. There are other reasons as well why someone would choose to buy this type of house. Read on below.

When you are looking to buy a home, there are lots of different things to consider. A multi-family home can be a real good place to get started if you are looking to invest in the real estate business. There are plenty of multi-family homes for sale in CT just now. They can not only be a great investment as a property to live in but also has the potential for huge financial benefits in the future. However, knowing what they are and how you go about purchasing one is a very different question. Here is a little advice on purchasing a multi-family home. 

Want New Clothes Without Spending Money? Host a Swap Party!

It's been a while since I've been to a clothes swap, but they were one of my favorite ways to get clothes for myself and my children. This post from a reader inspired me, and I think I want to arrange one ASAP because of how great they are.

Adding a fresh set of threads to your wardrobe is always an exciting experience, no matter the season. However, buying new clothes can get pricey, especially when you purchase them from big-name brands. Thankfully, there is a way to acquire some amazing outfits without breaking the bank. You can do this by hosting your very own swap party with friends.

A swap party is an event where people trade clothes that they no longer want for those that they actually like. After all, just because someone has fallen out of love with a clothing piece, doesn’t mean that it’s worn or drabby. Who knows, a friend’s unwanted garment might be your next great closet item. The best part? You won’t have to pay a dollar for your stylish threads, as hosting a swap party costs close to nothing. Besides being good for your pockets, swap parties also have a lot of other benefits.

When "Drugs" Are Actually Good; How Narcotics Are Now Being Used Medicinally

I wrote this article a few months back for someone but in the end they didn't want it published, so I had it just sitting there, unused and unpublished. But it is so jam packed with useful information that I felt I needed to share it with you. Between when I wrote this and now I got my medical marijuana license and it is very helpful for my health issues.

------------------------------------

Don't do drugs. 

Don't do drugs.

Don't do drugs.

Did you grow up with that message repeated to you until you could repeat it in your sleep as I did? Drugs are bad, people who do drugs are bad, stay away from drugs, etc...

The thing is, as there has been more education on the topic, people are starting to realize that the topic of "drugs" is complicated indeed.

There is a reason why there have been legalization and decriminalization of marijuana and other drugs in many places in the world- there has been more and more awareness on the beneficial medicinal uses of some of these drugs. Yes, some drugs are bad, bad, bad, and can permanently destroy your brain. However, other so-called drugs are not only not harmful but are actually beneficial for many people. This isn't nearly as black and white as we were led to believe.

5 Health Benefits of Eating Lobster

Frugality is important, living within your budget is important, but including the occasional luxury into your budget is also important. If you decide that lobster is that splurge that you want, here are some health benefits of that seafood.

When you hear about lobster, there's one thing you're probably thinking about — the price. And yes, lobster tends to be one of the highest-priced items on any menu you can get. 

But there's some good news. For one, lobster is extremely simple to prepare as boiling is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy the flavors. This means you can pay the grocery store price and have an unforgettable dinner without paying restaurant prices. 

The second is that when you do splurge on lobster, you're not only getting heaven in your mouth, but it's also incredibly healthy for you. It often gets a bad rep for raising cholesterol levels, but it's full of vitamins and protein. The unhealthy reputation it receives is actually due to the way it's sometimes prepped and served.