These muffins are delicious and nutritious. When my friend, Angie, brought us some one day, I took one bite and knew they were winners.

I adapted the original recipe to make it healthier, but if you’re not worrying about sugar or calories, the original recipe is really good.

I’d recommend using muffin liners, if you buy them, as they seem to help these be a bit more moist. However, they are still delicious with less sugar and without muffin liners.

I used pureed carrots instead of shredded carrots this time around as that is what I already had in the freezer. I think it works a little better with shredded carrots — and the batter doesn’t look so orange, either!

Easy Morning Glory Muffins

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (can also use white flour or a mixture of whole-wheat and white flour)
• 3/4 to 1 cup raw sugar (or sugar)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1 apple, peeled, cored, and shredded (or chopped)
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup coconut oil, melted (or oil)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 12 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the carrots, raisins, coconut, and apples.

In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, coconut oil, and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into the carrot/flour mixture, just until moistened. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

To freeze: Cool completely and put in an airtight ziptop freezer bag.

To thaw: Pull out the desired number of muffins and thaw at room temperature for an hour or so. You can also warm them in the microwave.

Adapted from AllRecipes.com

Did you do any freezer cooking today? If so, I’d love to see the results of your efforts! Link up your blog posts below or tell us about your success in the comments.

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A testimony from Amanda

My hubby and I recently paid off our mortgage — YAY!

We had planned to use our first month of post-mortgage “payment” to purchase a couch to replace the very loved, mostly broken, and odd-smelling couch currently in our living room. As we headed to the various furniture stores to scout out our potential new furniture (a first-time experience for us since we generally purchase used), we finally settled on a two-piece set that was a floor model.

Because it was a floor model, the store was offering a 50% “buy now” discount. We headed up to purchase our furniture only to be told that our set would be available for pick up or delivery for nearly two weeks. Confused about why we couldn’t take home our “buy now” discounted furniture when we had cash in hand for the total amount, we asked for another sales representative. And she gave us the same odd story.

This time, she added that we couldn’t remove the furniture until the new floor model was in, assembled, and ready to take its place. Out of desperation, we sought the help of a manager, who listened intently to our dilemma.

His reply? “These people have CASH…take their money and give them their furniture!”

We backed up our trailer, loaded our couch and loveseat, and chuckled the rest of the way home!

Amanda lives in rural central Nebraska with her hubby of 15 years, nine kids, and one spoiled schnauzer.

Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.

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Guest post from Rebecca of D & R Tabb

For the past year or two, I have regularly spend $80 per week on groceries (not counting household items) for our family of two (that recently became of family of three!)

The only preparation beforehand included menu planning. I did minimal coupon-clipping and only occasionally price matched on milk.

I decided to spend four weeks trying to reduce my grocery budget — just to see if I could save money without a huge investment of time.

Here’s what happened:

My totals before and after looked like this:

Before

$80 week x 4 = $320/month on groceries

After

4 weeks of shopping sales = $240/month on groceries

Savings: $80

Here’s how I did it:

I switched stores.

I was a loyal Walmart shopper, not because I liked shopping there, but because I was convinced it was the cheapest option. A friend of mine told me she saved money shopping at Kroger. After shopping there for four weeks I believe this made a big impact in my savings, but only if I shopped the sales.

I used the ads.

Every week I got out the circular and looked at it before planning my dinner menu. This forced me to plan recipes based on ingredients that were marked down that week.

I stopped being brand loyal.

I started buying a different brand of chicken that is regularly on sale for $0.99/lb for split, bone-in breasts, or $1.99 for boneless, skinless breasts. When it was on sale, I bought several packages to last me until it was on sale again.

I used the sales.

I only bought produce that was on sale, usually for $0.99/lb. I have occasionally even found organic produce on sale for less than regular produce. For example, this week organic oranges are on sale for $0.99/lb. I had to laugh when I saw regular oranges listed at $1.29/lb. just a few feet away!
I bought the side items for our dinners (i.e. corn and other vegetables) that were on sale.

I have been very pleased with the impact I have been able to make on our grocery budget with minimal changes. I am planning to put the money we save on groceries toward paying down our mortgage debt. Having this goal gives me an even greater incentive to spend a few hours each week mapping out our grocery trip and meal plans.

I know many people have been able to reduce their grocery budget by much more than this, but I am very pleased to see that little changes can produce big results!

Rebecca is a former educator turned stay-at-home mom. She enjoys exercising, reading, and blogging about her life as a wife and new mom at D&R Tabb.

photo credit

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Kids ages 14 and under can earn a $5 Half Price Books gift card when they read (or are read to) for 15 minutes each day. Download the Reading Log here.

From the fine print, it appears you can earn a $5 gift card in both June and July, if you meet the qualifications. Does anyone know for sure if that is correct?

Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program and the TD Bank Reading Program. Plus, check your local library to see if they have a summer reading program you can sign your children up for, too!

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Looking for a fun and frugal activity during the hot summer months? How about free bowling?

Sign up at KidsBowlFree.com to get a voucher for two free games of bowling for each of your children every single day all summer long. Check to see what nearby bowling alleys are participating here.

AMF Bowling Alleys also offer their Summer Unplugged program that also offers two free games of bowling for each of your children every single day all summer long.

Please note: Shoe rental is not included, so if you plan to take advantage of this more than a few times, I’d recommend purchasing bowling shoes for your children. You may be able to find a good deal on these at a local sporting goods consignment store. Or, you can purchase them on Amazon.com for around $25-$35.

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I posted about this freebie last summer, but I wanted to post about it again for those of you who may have missed it or forgotten about it.

You can listen online to the complete Chronicles of Narnia Audiobooks for free from Ancient Faith Radio. We listened through these during the fall and winter months and really enjoyed them.

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In addition to the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program I posted about earlier, there’s also a fantastic summer reading program offered through T. Bank.

If your child reads 10 books this summer and you fill out this downloadable form and take it to your nearest TD Bank location, they’ll deposit $10 in your child’s new or existing Young Saver account.

Fineprint: $10 will be deposited into a new or existing Young Saver account. One coupon per Customer during the promotional period. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid May 5, 2012, through September 29, 2012. Must be 18 years of age or younger to participate. Bring form of ID for child for new account opening.

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Hurry and print this high-value $1.50/1 Bush’s Sweet Mesquite Grillin’ Beans coupon. Paired with a sale, this should make these free or almost-free!

Thanks, Coupon Cravings!

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Order a one year subscription to Country Woman magazine for only $7.99 per year when you use coupon code MONEYSAVING at checkout. You can order up to four years at this price.

About Country Woman magazine: Country Woman is a bimonthly magazine with subscribers across the United States and Canada. Published since 1970 for women who live in or long for the country, this 68-page magazine celebrates their diversity, strength and spirit.

Positive, upbeat, entertaining and informative, Country Woman reflects the many roles and interests of its readers through profiles of women and their lifestyle.

Each issue features a large food section filled with mouth-watering, down-home recipes for today’s cooks, including winning recipes for the issue’s contest. There are also ideas for easy and frugal country decorating, casual entertaining, fun and appealing crafts, garden tips, lifestyle stories, health advice, puzzles, nostalgia and more.

This offer expires on Friday 05/25/12 at 12:00 AM (midnight) EST.

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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Here’s a good deal on Garnier Shampoo and Conditioner at Target right now:

Buy 1 Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo (13 oz.) at $2.94
Use $1/1 GARNIER Fructis printable coupon
Stack with $1/1 Garnier Fructis Hair Care Target store coupon
$0.94 after coupons

See more deals at Target.

Thanks, Totally Target!

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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Here’s a long list of freebies that have been available recently that should still be available. Thanks to Kaley from Cha-Ching on a Shoestring for compiling these:

Free Samples:

Free TriCalm Anti-Itch Cream

Free Prilosec OTC

Free Tresemme Split Remedy Hair Care

Free Garnier Wrinkle Reducer

Free Downloads, Books, and Magazines:

Free eBook: 25 Artisan-Style Bread Recipes

Free eBook: Ground Beef Recipes

Free eBook: 15 Successful Communications Lessons

Free Digital Issue of All You Magazine

Free $2 Amazon mp3 Credit

Free Betty Crocker Spring Recipe Booklet

Educational Freebies:

Kindergarten Number Writing Worksheets

House For Hermit Crab Preschool Pack

Free What’s In The Bible? Review Flashcards

Store Freebies:

Free Milky Way Candy Bars at CVS

Other Freebies:

Free Bounty Coupon Booklet

10 Free Pampers Gift To Grow Points

Free $10 Tanger Gift Card (military)

Free Redbox Game Rental

Free Tesoro Gas Card for Good Grades

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The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is now live. Download the printable form here.

Through September 4, 2012, when your child reads eight books, they can submit their reading journal in-store to receive a free book of their choice. I wasn’t too excited about many of the free book options this year, but there were a few decent ones to choose from.

If you haven’t already, also make sure to check out your local library’s summer reading program. Our children are really excited to be involved in ours this year — and the prizes form local businesses are quite generous!

Are your children participating in any summer reading programs?

Thanks, Moms By Heart!

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Print the above coupon to get $10 off every $50 you spend at Shoe Carnival. This coupon is good May 25-28, 2012.

You can also print a coupon to get 20% off any purchase at Famous Footwear this weekend.

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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Print this Tanger outlet coupon or text the word TANGER to 74700 to get a coupon via text. Redeem this coupon at Shopper Services to get a free Tanger Outlet coupon booklet.

Don’t forget that members of the military can also get a free $10 Tanger Outlet gift card plus a coupon booklet.

Thanks, The Freebie Blogger!

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Enter the Thermacare Sweepstakes on Facebook and you’ll be able to print a $3/1 Thermacare coupon. You can use this to score a great deal at Walgreens this week:

Buy 2 Thermacare at $5.99 each
Use 2 $3/1 Thermacare printable coupon
Spend $5.98 plus tax out of pocket, Get $5 Register Rewards
$0.49 each after coupons and Register Rewards

Thanks, Common Sense With Money!

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Subscribe to the Christian Mommy Blogger blog to get a free Smoothies for All Summer Long ebook.

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{A Downloadable Cleaning Schedule for People Who Hate to Clean from Life Blessons}

You are always so motivating that I am hoping you can help me. It seems like I try and try to get my “chore list” done each day and it just doesn’t happen. I used to be motivated by my checklist method and I spread the tasks over several days, but that’s just not working anymore. Thoughts? -a reader

1. If It’s Not Working, Change It

At the end of last year, I switched over to a paperless planning system. I really, really wanted to make a paperless system work, as it works so well for my husband and it seems like it’s the “smart” thing to do when you’re running a business. But, after five months of really trying to make it work, it just wasn’t working.

My motto is “Do what works for you”, and while it seems like a paperless planning system works well for many people, it was pretty obvious it wasn’t working for me. So, earlier this month, I gave up on the paperless planning system (at least for now!), pulled out my homemaking binder, downloaded the Motivated Moms Printable Chore List, and started in afresh.

I’ve been amazed at how this changed has re-ignited my love of cleaning! Sometimes, a fresh change of scenery is just the boost you need to get inspired to clean again.

If your current cleaning system isn’t working, try implementing another cleaning system. If you don’t want to start from scratch, at least rotate things around a bit so that it feels new and different.

4 Different Cleaning Systems

1. A Cleaning Schedule for People Who Hate to Clean — A weekly task list you can pick and choose from depending upon your time and motivation each day. If you don’t enjoy cleaning, you’d probably be encouraged by reading Sarah Mae’s ebook, 31 Days to Clean.

2. 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home — 20 days of simple cleaning tasks to whip your house into shape. You can download a printable list or sign up for daily email reminders.

3. Motivated Moms — A year-long printable list of chores and home management tasks. I just started this two weeks ago and am loving it so far! They also recently released an app, if you’re more of the paperless type than me.

4. FlyLady — Daily email reminders and tasks to help you get rid of clutter and find more order and peace in your home.

I also have a number of free customizable home management forms you can download.

2. Get An Accountability Partner

It’s amazing how effective regular accountability can be! Find a friend or neighbor who is struggling to stay on task with keeping their home in order and ask them to be your accountability partner. Check in daily or weekly via text, email, over the phone, or in person.

Don’t know anyone locally who will be your accountability partner? There are many different online groups you could join to help you stay on task. Or, you could blog, Facebook, or tweet on a daily basis about your successes and failures.

3. Reward Yourself

Set up a reward system to celebrate your success. I’m always much more motivated when there is something to look forward to at the finish line!

My reward for accomplishing my tasks is often relaxing with a good book for 30 minutes at the end of the day. For some of you, that might not sound too exciting, but it’s something I love to do. And I can enjoy it even more when I know that my tasks are caught up!

What helps you to stay motivated to get your daily chores and home management tasks done? Have you found any particular system or method of organizing your cleaning task to be helpful?

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If you’re not a fan of most freezer meals, can I encourage you to try making cookie dough and freezing it? I can almost guarantee you won’t be able to tell a difference between frozen cookie dough and fresh cookie dough.

It makes it so easy to make a batch of fresh-baked cookies when you have drop-in guests or need to bring a dessert or snack to some event at the last minute. It’s also very handy for those times when you get a late-night craving for chocolate. Oh wait, I may be the only person who has that happen to them. Ahem.

My sister concocted this recipe many years ago and it’s long been our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It definitely wouldn’t win the prize for being a low-calorie cookie, but it’s a delicious and hearty cookie recipe.

Freezer-Friendly Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 cup shortening or butter (softened)
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (or raw sugar)
• 3/4 cup sugar (or raw sugar)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (you can also use white flour or half whole-wheat/half white)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups oats (rolled or quick oats)
• 1 12-oz. package chocolate chips

Cream together first six ingredients. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Roll into 1-1 1/2-inch balls.

To freeze: Place cookie balls on a cookie sheet and freeze for one to two hours. Remove from cookie sheet and place in an airtight freezer bag.

To bake: Pull out the desired amount of balls and place on a greased cookie sheet for 30-45 minutes to thaw. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until done.

Makes approximately 40 cookies.

Did you do any freezer cooking today? If so, I’d love to see the results of your efforts! Link up your blog posts below or tell us about your success in the comments.

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Right now, you can a great deal on Ranger Rick Magazine:

Get a one-year subscription to Ranger Rick Magazine for only $12.00 per year

Get a two year subscription to Ranger Rick Magazine for only $20 (only $10 per year!)

To get these prices, just you use coupon code MONEYSAVING at checkout.

Amazon currently has this magazine on sale for $24.00 (reg. price is $39.50)

Ranger Rick Magazine: Ranger Rick is a book for boys and girls ages 7-12. Each issue is packed with full-color photos of animals and stories of adventure. Ranger Rick is published by the National Wildlife Federation and focuses on teaching young kids about wildlife, nature and conservation. This magazine subscription is perfect for children who love the outdoors and animals.

This offer expires tomorrow 05/24/12 at 11:59 PM EST.

Are you looking for other magazine titles? You can use coupon code MONEYSAVING to save 20% off of most titles at DiscountMags!

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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Here are the best deals at Walmart right now with thanks to Heather from Passion for Savings for her help in compiling them. The prices below are based on Northwest Arkansas region. Please keep in mind that Walmart deals vary by region so the prices listed here will not be valid at all stores.

Heinz Homestyle Beans – $1
Use $0.50/1 coupon from the 5/20 SmartSource insert
$0.50 after coupon

Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta – $0.86
Buy 4 and use $1/4 printable
$0.61 each after coupon

Banquet Fruit Pie – $0.88
Buy 4 and use $1/4 printable
$0.63 each after coupon

Heinz Tomato Ketchup Pouch – $0.98
Use $0.25/1 coupon from the 5/20 SmartSource insert
$0.73 after coupon

Kings Hawaiian Sandwich Buns – $1.98
Use $1/1 coupon from the 5/20 RedPlum insert
$0.98 after coupon (Thanks, I Heart the Mart!)

Kotex U Liners – $1.24
Use $1/1 coupon from the 5/20 SmartSource insert
$0.24 after coupon (Thanks, I Heart the Mart!)

Dannon Oikos Cups – $1
Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 coupon from the 5/20 SmartSource insert
$0.75 each after coupon

Gerber 2nd Foods – $0.98
Buy 8 and use $1.35/8 printable
$0.81 each after coupon

Suave Body Lotion 10 oz. – $1.83
Buy 2 and use Buy One Get One Free coupon from the 5/20 RedPlum insert
$0.92 each after coupon

See the full list of Walmart deals here.

Did you find a great deal at Walmart? Just post about it on your blog and leave your link below. To make it easy for everyone to navigate quickly through the links, your link must link directly to your Walmart deals post. Links going to the homepage of your blog or any other part of your blog besides the direct link to your Walmart deals post will be deleted.

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