Gift Idea for Kids: Jump, Jump, Jump!

Need gift ideas for kids?

One of the best presents my boys got for their birthday last year was a gift certificate to Planet Bounce, a local bouncy place for kids. Here's why I loved it:

• It provides a great way to get exercise for the whole family, regardless of the heat or rain.
• It's an experience, rather than a thing (any parent can tell you about their clutter problems).

Another bouncy place, Jump Zone on Race Track Road in Tampa is having a Halloween Bounce & Haunted House Rate tonight (October 17) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Cost is $8.

Bouncy places are popping up all over. Find one in your area and give it a try. I have to wonder, though, if bouncy places are very green given all the electricity they have to use. What do you think?

Good Deal on Lindsay Olives at Walgreens

Starting October 18, Walgreens is running a store coupon in the weekly ad flyer for 99-cent Lindsay Olives. Combine that with this $1-off-2 manufacturer coupon to get 2 cans for 99 cents.

I love the green natural olives cut up into a salad! Too bad my Walgreens doesn't carry the natural variety.

Ideas for Stockpiling Bread

Nature's Pride 100% Whole Wheat bread is BOGO (buy one get one free) at Publix through Wednesday, October 21 (click here for more information about this week's sales at Publix).

I never buy bread unless it's BOGO. I stock up and freeze it. Whenever I need a new loaf, I just take one out of the freezer and sit it on the counter. Within a few hours it's as good as new. If I can't wait a few hours, I just toast it.

Skeptical about freezing your bread? I've always been a bit of a freezer snob. I just don't typically like the way food tastes after it's been frozen. However, my mother persuaded me to give it a try, and after that I was convinced. I've never paid full price for bread again! Mom always knows best.

Trying to find the healthiest bread?

• Look for 100% whole wheat flour as the first ingredient.
  
• Don't get fooled by the use of the term "wheat" on the front of the package - check the ingredients to be sure.
• Avoid high-fructose corn syrup.
• Avoid sugar if it's near the top of the list of ingredients.
• Avoid enriched flour or any flour that's not whole grain.
  

Cupcake Stands Have Some Green Benefits

Consider using a cupcake stand instead of a traditional cake for your next birthday party, holiday event, or even a wedding celebration. Depending on how it's done, it could be a cheaper, greener, and more convenient way to go.

• You may be able to reduce (or even eliminate) the need for plates, forks and serving utensils. Guests just take one and eat it!
• If you are having a party at a park or a location away from home, it's nice not to have to fuss with cutting, serving and distributing the cake. It just saves time and aggrevation.
• If you use a silicone muffin pan, you won't need generate the waste that comes from the baking cups.
  
• You can make some beautiful displays with cupcakes without spending a lot of money.
  
• One way to create a unique look is to use some of the unusual-shaped silicone pans (such as hearts, squares, butterflies, etc.).
  

You can purchase cupcake stands and silicone bakeware at places like Target, Joann, and Michaels. Joann and Michaels both had 40%-off coupons in the Sunday paper on October 11 (expires today).

I also came across the online company, Cupcake Tree that touts their cupcake stand as a greener option because it is made from recyclable materials, is lightweight (which reduces the impact of delivery), and is made from locally-grown materials. Cupcake Tree has some very beautiful pictures of wedding displays (including the picture shown above).