Sears, Kmart close 235 stores, thousands jobless for Christmas holiday

The death knell is tolling for Sears and Kmart. Over 100 more stores are slated to close in 2014, bringing the total to 235 Sears and Kmart locations shuttered. This will mean massive employee layoffs for Christmas holidays, reported the Inquisitr. Dec. 7.



In October, CNN reported that 130 Sears-brand stores, mostly Kmart, would close. Sears' $548 million third-quarter drop--just the next in increasingly plummeting sales reports--sent CEOs scrambling to cut more non-performing locations.

Sears, Kmart close 235 stores, thousands jobless for Christmas holiday - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Kids Food Basket, Blessings in a Backpack donation wish list - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

For most of us, the holidays conjure up thoughts of feasting, family and plenty. But some (too many) U.S. children just wonder what and if they'll eat each day. School lunch is their reliable last meal of the day. Thanks to a complex web of family and economic problems, these children lack secure food sources at home. Some don't even have a home. That's why Kids Food Basket is here to help.Kids Food Basket, Blessings in a Backpack donation wish list - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

DIY guys black and bone skeleton Halloween or Dia de los Muertos costume - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

"Black and bone" Halloween costumes are in 2014's top hottest costume trends, says Party City. And they ought to know. They're a first-stop for Halloween shopping. What's a black and bone costume? It's skeleton, Goth, Jack Skellington, Mardi Gras, Victorian steampunk, Nosferatu and Dia de los Muertos rolled into one. And you don't need to spend a lot to get the hot look. Here's a DIY black and bone costume tutorial for guys.  DIY guys black and bone skeleton Halloween or Dia de los Muertos costume - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free Printable Personal Organizers, Planners and Calendars

Do your prefer good old paper and pencil planners to smartphone calendars? Maybe you bought an expensive personal organizer, like a Franklin Planner. Good for organizing, if you actually use it. And pretty expensive when you have to buy refill pages every year.Free Printable Personal Organizers, Planners and Calendars - Bubblews

 

Glues and Adhesives, Gorilla Glue, Loctite, Super Glue Product Reviews - Bubblews

Glues come and glues go. Super Glue, hot glue, model glue, epoxy, Goop, Loctite and dozens more brands each claim to be the most durable. And each attracts a certain loyal following. Here's is my glue review of Loctite, Gorilla Glue and Super Glue. Glues and Adhesives, Gorilla Glue, Loctite, Super Glue Product Reviews - Bubblews

Oscar Mayer Premium Selects Nitrate and Nitrite Free Hot Dogs Better Than Hebrew National

I don't like serving hot dogs to my family--too much junk, too little food value. Alas, said family loves homemade Coney Island.

I was happy to find that Oscar Mayer makes Select Premium uncured hot dogs with no nitrates, nitrites. fillers or preservatives. Cheap too--only about $.75 more per package than junk hot dogs. The all beef Oscar Mayer Select Premium with no nitrates or nitrites were $3 per pound.

This is great news for a family of six who wants to each healthy. It's nothing for me to cook three packages of hot dogs at a time. We are always feeding extra people. Up till now, if I wanted a healthy hot dog to grill, the only option was Al Fresco preservative free chicken sausage at $4-$5 per pound.

Everyone loves Oscar Mayer Selects Premium. One son confused them with some organic free-range hot dogs I used to buy from co-op (much higher priced). They're as good as higher-priced Hebrew National. And those, I found, while being kosher, aren't necessarily nitrate free.

Here's the list of ingredients in Oscar Mayer Select Premium: chicken, turkey, pork, water, corn sugar, salt, celery juice, vinegar, lemon juice, cherry powder and sodium phosphates (less than 2%). So the corn sugar isn't great. They're not lowfat, low sugar or low sodium. So not good for special health diets, just a more natural alternative. And I've read that celery juice is a nitrate--but it's a natural source--better than chemicals.

For more on Oscar Mayer Selects Premium, click here. For more food product reviews, healthy eating, recipes and cooking hints, visit me at www.greatfood4u.blogspot.com.

Fat Burning Fruits, Buy These Better Fruit Food Swaps to Lose Weight

I've lost 100 pounds by counting calories and swapping fatty foods for better ones. Any dieter knows you have to boost vegetables and fruit to lose weight. But it's not that simple. Some fruits are better than others. Some are fat burners and some should be avoided altogether. Shop for these fruit food swaps and try these fruit superfood recipes to trim pounds.  Serve at your 4th of July picnic! Fat Burning Fruits, Better Fruit Food Swaps to Lose Weight

Quick, Cheap Kid-friendly Leftovers Use-Up, One-Pot Meals

I admit, I'm a cookbook addict. I enjoy perusing them for recipes and cooking styles. I've noticed many cookbooks are limited. And most recipes are needlessly complicated. Busy families need meals that don't require multiple steps or that dirty a sink full of pans. So I've written recipes for nutritious meals that can be made while helping a child with spelling words or nursing a baby. Ingredients are cheap and adaptable to what's on hand and use up leftovers plus have enough for another meal. If you line baking dishes with heavy foil, you can freeze food, remove pre-wrapped in foil and store. Read onSuper Easy, Inexpensive, Kid-friendly Leftover Use-Up, One-Pot Meals

Feed a Family of Four for $75 a Week Shopping at Walmart

Food prices, like all other costs, are rising. However, it is possible to feed a family for four on $75 a week by shopping at Walmart, practicing once-a-week cooking, and buying fresh options. Here's a menu, meal plan, recipes, and a shopping list that covers three meals a day for seven days. I've also included special diet options, including vegetarian meals.  How to Feed a Family of Four on $75 a Week from Walmart

50 Thrifty Father's Day Gifts Under $10

Father's Day usually finds me with more men to buy for than money in my purse. I love giving gifts to husband, dad, father-in-law, grandfather, step-dad, uncles, brothers, our parish priest and all the special dads in my life. But I also need to feed the kiddies. So my Father's Day shopping focuses on budget. Here are 50 Father's Day Gifts Under $10

2014 Swimsuit Trends, Tankini, Two-Piece Separates Provide Options

Plus size and apple-shaped women rejoice. 2014 swimsuit trends flatter larger women. The uber-popular tankini de-emphasizes thick midriffs, chubby tummies while accentuating hips. Unfortunately, chesty-curvy gals aren't so lucky. Swimsuit tops still aren't generous enough. But with tops and bottoms sold separately, there are swimsuits for all body shapes and sizes.  2014 Swimsuit Trends, Tankini, Two-Piece Separates Provide Options

Budget Graduation Open House, Party Shopping Guide With Recipes

Hosting a graduation open house and don't know where to start? Use this party planning guide to throw the perfect backyard bash for your graduate! Here are recipes plus shopping lists for groceries, supplies, decorations and equipment. Being the perennial penny pincher, I've listed cheaper and DIY alternatives--to save you money and hassle! Read on.  Budget Graduation Party Open House Shopping Guide With Recipes. Oh and be sure to use free printable decorations, cards and invitations to save even more. Check out my blog DIY Party Planner and click "graduation" for printables.

Natural Appetite Suppressants, Foods That Fill You Up

I've lost nearly 100 pounds, dropped eight clothing sizes and got my BMI from obese to normal. Left photo is me 2011 and right is 2013. The hardest part hasn't been food cravings, as you might think. I've found it's constantly feeling hungry that's harder to manage. Here are 26 tips, an alphabet from A-Z, on how I take charge of hunger so it doesn't control me. Much of it has to do with eating smarter and making food swaps that fill you up. Quiet Cravings, Hunger Pangs With 26 Natural Appetite Suppressants

Eat Fat Blasting Foods Oatmeal

I'm on a mission to get rid of excess fat. So far, I've gotten 98 pounds off. My biggest hurdle always has, always will be: belly fat. You know the old saying "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"--well, the enemy of my enemy belly fat is: fat-blasting foods and supplements. And they have become my new best friends. So I'm doing a series on which foods to eat to burn belly fat. Today's featured food is oatmeal.Diet Tip Eat Fat Blasting Foods: Oatmeal

Best Mothers Day Gifts for Moms, Girlfriends and Wives

 Men often put off shopping for the holidays, a leetle late. Take Mother's Day, for example. Are you a grab and dash guy? At the last minute, scooping up chocolates and flowers. Boring. And not very thoughtful for mom or the mother of your children. Here are Valentine gift suggestions for her that will delight. There are two important rules of thumb to remember when shopping for women. First, we can spot a 'quick grab' gift with no thought involved a mile away. Read on Best Valentine's Day Gifts for Mothers and Wives

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Candy Alternative Easter Baskets, Healthy Holiday Treat Recipes

I know, Cadbury Creme Eggs are to die for. Peeps are an Easter staple. But really, why must Easter baskets overflow with candy? Holidays seems to involve increasingly more sweets and junk food. With one in three kids overweight or obese, says KidsHealth, it's time to rethink our sweets craze. I've been dieting and lost 96 pounds by substituting sweets with healthy alternatives. Here are good-for-you Easter treat and snack recipes. Healthy Easter Snack and Treat Recipes

Lowfat, Low Sodium Gluten-Free Thai Recipes, Cheap and Quick

I love Thai food, but I'm trying to lose weight. So I improvise recipes with lowfat tweaks. I substitute foods to cut calories, sodium, gluten, fat and sugar. I swap for high fiber, vegetable and protein alternatives. As a busy work-at-home mom, I don't have time for labor-intensive cooking. Here are three quick, easy Thai recipes with diet alternatives.    Lowfat, Low Sodium Gluten-Free Thai Recipes, Fast and Simple

Affordable Personal Care Products Teen Boys Love

I taught middle school and raised four kids. So I speak fluent teen. When we think cosmetics, we tend to think of girls. But boys are concerned about hygiene too. Here are seven personal care products teen guys love. I've included inexpensive shopping tips to make it affordable. Affordable Personal Care Products Teen Boys Love

Eating is About Manners, Common Sense, Moderation, Too

I'm going to say something unpopular. We who are on special diets can be a real pain to eat with. Vegan, weight loss, low fat, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerant, hypertension, Lent, kosher, organic--fine. UNTIL we shove it down people's throats (literally).



I know, allergies, religious or moral objections, trying to help people get healthy (bad idea. Shaming people never works.) We rail against whatever the next thing is that supposed to be killing us--wheat, sugar, milk, meat, fat, peanuts, tree nuts, corn, salt, soy, GMO.   Special Diets Are Good If They Are Not Shoved Down Peoples Throats

Teach Kids Generosity With Lenten Almsgiving Activities, Donations

Catholics around the world enter into the penitential season of Lent on Ash Wednesday. From now till Easter, we practice Lenten virtues of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We give up things in imitation of Jesus's temptation in the desert. We pray to draw closer to God. And we share with those in need. Here are 40 ways kids can give, one for each day of lent.Teach Kids Generosity With Lenten Almsgiving Activities, Donations

 

Natural PB2 Peanut Powder, Same Peanut Butter Benefits, Fewer Calories

 I love nut butter—almond, peanut, sunflower. High in protein, nutritious, satisfying, BUT loaded with fat and calories. 180-200 per 2 tbsp. serving. Granted it’s healthier omega-3 fat, but dieting I can’t afford that many calories. I’ve lost 95 pounds and I want to keep that forward momentum. So I use  Natural PB2 Same Peanut Butter Benefits, 85 Percent Fewer Calories

Melatonin Helps Sleep Problems, But It's Not For Kids

I have sleep apnea, arthritis, carpal tunnel, scoliosis and tendinitis. I'm in menopause. So sleep is often difficult. My CPAP (breathing mask) helps, but presents problems of its own. I won't take sleep medication, but I've been exploring herbal supplements. I've found relief with melatonin, in NatureMade SLEEP. I would recommend with caution. I don't advise using Alteril and melatonin shouldn't be administered to kids without a doctor's approval.   Melatonin Helps Sleep Problems, But Is Not for Children

Rebuild and Restore Old Cupboards Don't Replace with Overpriced New Junk

My younger son is rebuilding my kitchen cupboards. We did the floor and ceiling in 2011. Son trimmed, painted and repaired drywall last year. He's in the process of installing new countertops. We chose to  keep the old 60s cabinets and cupboards because although they're dinged up, they're made of plywood. New cupboards are expensive and only made of pasteboard.   Rebuild and Restore Old Cupboards Rather Than Replace

Problems with Younkers Community Days Coupons, Credit Card, Return Policies

I bought those Community Days coupon books in November. Most of the things I wanted were sold. The rest was still too high priced. What I did want couldn't be bought with the coupon. Anyway I got a pair of knee high boots. $80 regular price, down to $30 with sale/coupon. Good deal. But now two months later the zipper splits. Unfixable. I only wore them about 10 times. Wasn't rough with the zipper.  Read on Hoping To Return My Boots to Younkers. And here's the sad conclusion of what happened when I tried to return boots. Younkers Return Policy Woes. 

Places to Buy Cheap Almonds, Almond Milk, Almond Butter

 Cheap almonds might sound like a silly post topic. But if you're dieting or trying to eat healthier, you know that almonds top the recommended eating list. Here are places to find cheap almonds, almond milk and almond butter. Note: almonds are in the tree nut family, so avoid them if you are allergic. However, people with peanut allergies that lead to anaphylaxis may be able to eat almonds. Another reason they're touted.  Where to Buy Cheap Almonds, Almond Milk, Almond Butter

Do Not Defer Students Loans, Pay Early

I spent most of the morning on the phone with our son working out student loan issues. He decided to drop his original program and go for a certificate one that is shorter and less expensive. Note, less expensive still means $3,000 for a semester. He paid that upfront which is pretty impressive, I thought.



Each year of university cost roughly $22,000. I feel badly that we can't afford to put him through college. And what grants he could get were used up in his first few years. So here's an academically gifted kid unable to finish his career of choice because he doesn't want to incur debt that amounts to a mortgage. For the debt he has, I advise  Do Not Defer Students Loans, Pay Early, Better Yet Don't Borrow for College