Life is Sweeter By Design - Helping you recapture the joy in life.

Easy Alien Jello Cup Snacks

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October 11, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Halloween is approaching and I am always looking for cute treats to send to school for kid's parties. These Easy Alien Jello Cup Snacks are perfect! Easy Alien Jello Cup Snacks Boys and girls both love aliens and Halloween is a time when aliens are even more popular. There are so many fun ideas if you are throwing an alien themed party. Snacks are a requirement at any kids party and these easy alien jello cup snacks are perfect! Supplies Needed for Alien Jello Cup Snacks Green Jello (I prefer to use Jolly Rancher Jello in green apple) Plastic Dessert Cups with Lids Lime Green Pipe Cleaners Super Glue or Hot Glue Candy Eyesballs Light Green Pom Poms How to Make Alien Jello Cup Snacks Start off by cutting the green pipe cleaners into thirds. Glue a pom onto the end of each piece of pipe cleaner. You can use super glue or even hot glue. If kids are helping don't let them use hot glue guns due to the risk of burns! This will be the alien … [Read more...]

Weight Watchers Changes for 2019 and How They Affect You

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October 10, 2018 by Jamie 9 Comments

If you follow my blog you know that I love to help my readers by providing Weight Watchers recipes and Weight Watchers Ideas and Motivation. I want to give you an update on the Weight Watchers changes for 2019 and how they will affect you! Weight Watchers Changes for 2019 Every year (almost) it seems like Weight Watchers makes some changes. Some are BIG like Freestyle that happened last year. Some changes are small like the Weight Watchers changes for 2019. Whether big or small Weight Watchers members want to know what is going on and how the changes will affect your plan! Weight Watchers Name Change One of the biggest change will be in the marketing department. The company is moving away from using the name "Weight Watchers" and will be branding the company as WW. My biggest question is what do we actually call it? WW? Do we just say two W's? My understanding is that the WW stands for Wellness that Works...but I am not 100% sure! I understand … [Read more...]

Character Traits Continue into the Teen Years

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October 9, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. All opinions (and memories!) are my own. THEN I had never seen a little girl more excited for her baby sister to arrive. It was a long pregnancy with you asking every single day...how much longer till the baby comes?? You have been mothering your 2 little sisters since you were 4 years old. Your instinct to take care of others has shown through since you were a toddler. It seemed to be inborn in you and is a trait I love deeply. NOW Now I watch you caring deeply for your friends. You are loyal to those you love. One of your biggest worries is how you will make it at college being away from your siblings and your infant cousins. It makes my heart happy to know how loving and caring you are towards family and friends. I know your caring spirit will be a gift to others where ever life takes you. Kids Grow Up Little children grow up so fast. Thinking back makes me sentimental and this video … [Read more...]

5 Ingredient Granola Bars

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October 5, 2018 by Jamie 2 Comments

My kids love granola bars and these easy 5 Ingredient Granola Bars were a big hit! Such a simple recipe to make and these work great as a snack or taken for a school lunch. 5 Ingredient Granola Bars What is better than a snack recipe that you can customize for your children's likes and dislikes? That is one thing I love about this recipe! You are not stuck using chocolate chips if you want to reduce the sugar content. Nuts, raisins, any dried fruit...all of these items will be great! I like that this recipe has peanut butter--it adds more protein. One way to make these 5 ingredient granola bars even more fun is to use holiday chocolate chips! I make these with Halloween, Christmas, pastel, etc chocolate chips and it makes the kids smile! How to Make 5 Ingredient Granola Bars Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Put the oats, honey, peanut butter and brown sugar into a large bowl. I typically use my … [Read more...]

Weight Watchers Appetizers for Freestyle

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October 3, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Parties do not have to be off-limits when you are following the Weight Watchers plan. These Weight Watchers Appetizers will give you healthier choices. These Weight Watchers recipes all have Freestyle SmartPoints figured for easy use! Weight Watchers Appetizers for Freestyle Finger foods are just plain fun to eat. My issue is that when I am eating finger foods is that it is hard for me to stop. It is really important that I make some recipes that are lower in points and I don't have to worry as much. When I started really looking for delicious, healthy appetizers I was amazed how many yummy Weight Watchers appetizers I found! Weight Watchers Instant Pot Appetizers Instant Pot Hummus is zero points per serving! This recipe from Slap Dash Mom is delish. Instant Pot Black Bean Dip is also zero points. This dip is really versatile and can be eaten as dip or even in a burrito! Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs will be a favorite thanks to this recipe … [Read more...]

Free Printable Halloween Journal Cards

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October 2, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Halloween is around the corner and it is one of my favorite holidays to scrapbook. These free printable Halloween journal cards will make scrapbooking even easier and save me some money. Free Printable Halloween Journal Cards Getting out my Halloween scrapbooks always takes me back and makes me smile. I laugh at those costumes that were totally hated by the kids and they complained the whole night. Then there are the years when the weather doesn't cooperate and we are too hot or too cold. The trips to the pumpkin patch, bonfires, corn mazes and so much more. Needless to say my October scrapbooks are packed full of fun. I love to use Project Life style pocket cards on my regular layouts and also in Project Life page protectors. Typically I will insert some of the Project Life page protectors in between regular layouts so I can get more photos in there. I have had trouble finding very many Halloween themed journal cards at craft stores. I … [Read more...]

Halloween Planter

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September 27, 2018 by Jamie 6 Comments

This Halloween Planter is a quick and easy DIY that will add a little haunted fun to your yard, porch or deck! I wanted to put a pretty fall mum by the front door and while at the store I saw the big witches cauldron's....it dawned on me that it was just the right size for my mum! Halloween Planter I grabbed up the big (cheap) plastic cauldron, the mum and off I went! Now if you know me very well...or if you read this blog regularly...you know that I kind of like spray paint! So I figured getting a can of metallic black spray paint would spruce up my plain plastic cauldron a little bit! I think the metallic shine of the spray paint made the cauldron prettier and it only took a few minutes to give it a quick coat and let it dry! Supplies to Make a Halloween Planter a large plastic cauldron---the size depends on what size plant you want to display a potted plant of some kind....try to match the size of the plant … [Read more...]

Weight Watchers Chex Mix

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September 26, 2018 by Jamie 1 Comment

Snacking can be a problem for me so it is important that I find Weight Watchers recipes that keep my points low! Crunchy snacks are my favorite and this Weight Watchers Chex Mix is so good you won't miss the calories! Weight Watchers Chex Mix My mom has been making homemade chex mix since I was a kid and I have always loved the way she makes it! She adds lots of Worcestershire sauce and makes sure the mix is nice and crunchy. YUM! This Weight Watchers Chex Mix recipe is a healthier version, but still delicious to snack on when that craving hits. How to Make Weight Watchers Chex Mix Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Yes...a low heat is the key to a great result! Mix all the cereal together. You can do this is a big bowl or just mix them on the sheet pan you will bake them on. Cover the sheet pan evenly with the cereal mixture. Grab your butter cooking spray and spray a light coat on the top of the mixture. Go ahead and drizzle the Worcestershire sauce … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls for Fall

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September 25, 2018 by Jamie Leave a Comment

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls are the perfect treat for fall! I love pumpkin flavored treats especially if they are easy to make. This simple recipe tastes like you spent a lot of time in the kitchen...but you don't have to! Pumpkin Crescent Rolls I can give my daughter some Halloween color pages or Thanksgiving color pages and sit her at the table while I make these Pumpkin Crescent Rolls. My older daughter can even help make this easy treat. This is a great recipe for kids wanting to get into the kitchen and do some cooking. How to Make Pumpkin Crescent Rolls for Fall Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or use a Silpat mat. Grab a bowl and add the pumpkin, brown sugar and cinnamon. You can mix this with a mixer or just stir it up really well. Unroll the crescent rolls and tear apart so you have the triangle pieces. You can also you the lower-fat crescent rolls to reduce the calories in this … [Read more...]

Best Scrapbooking Supplies

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September 21, 2018 by Jamie 2 Comments

Scrapbooking is my all-time favorite hobby. I have been creating scrapbooks for over 15 years and I don't think I will ever get tired of it. One of the most important part of scrapbooking is having the best scrapbooking supplies. Getting scrapbook supplies that are a good quality will really reduce the cost over the years! Best Scrapbooking Supplies I have always tried to scrapbook on a budget, but I have learned over the years that there are some things you shouldn't cut corners on! Finding the best scrapbooking supplies for a good price is the perfect compromise, LOL. Best Scrapbooking Albums An album is really essential to scrapbooking. You have to have a place to put everything you create! There are 2 main styles of albums. One is the postbound album and the other is the D-Ring album. My preference is the D-Ring album. It holds more layouts and it is very easy to rearrange the pages! When it comes to different types of D-Ring scrapbook albums you … [Read more...]