Grocery Store Scale Penny Pincher Idea

You can use the grocery store scale to save on produce. When buying food sold in pre-packaged bags, use the scale to find the heavest. You can get a 3.5 lb bag of fruit for the price of 3lbs. 

Free Pattern of the Week!

This weeks free pattern is Hudson's Bay Dishcloth from KnitPicks.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 9.5”x 11”
NEEDLES US 8 (5.5mm) straight needles

Hudson’s Bay stripes are rich in Canadian history and a staple of modern design. This dishtowel celebrates the beauty and simplicity of a true classic. Made in simple stockinette stitch in four different colors of Dishie yarn, this dishcloth will be a symbol of durability to brighten any cabin, kitchen, or campground. Make the pattern as written, or continue with the color “Swan” to a longer length and add a second set of stripes to make a lovely hand towel to coordinate with your dishcloth. 

Directions 

With MC, cast on 40 stitches 

Work back and forth for 15 rows in St st. 

Change to CC1. 

Work 6 rows in St st Change to MC. 

Work 4 rows in St st Change to CC2. 

Work 6 rows in St st Change to MC. 

Work 4 rows in St st. Change to CC3. 

Work 6 rows in St st Change to MC. 

Work 4 rows in St st Change to CC4. 

Work 6 rows in St st Change to MC. 

Work 15 rows in St st. 

Bind off, P-wise. 

Finishing Weave in ends, wash and block to measurements

The Original Pattern can be found at 

http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Hudson%E2%80%99s_Bay_Inspired_Dishcloth__D55580220.html

Uber and Lyft Savings

Hello everyone!

Today I am going to be talking to you about Uber and Lyft Savings! Uber and Lyft are private American transportation companies. They are based on mobile apps and facilitates peer-to-peer ride-sharing by connecting needy passengers with willing drivers.

You can sign up for Uber or Lyft on your phone and get $20 off! There is no experiation on these promos so sign up now!

Uber:
Enter Promo: UberGoingA2B
This will give you $20 towards your Uber Account

Lyft:
Enter Promo: 20FREEBUCKS
This will give you $20 off your first ride

Have Fun Out There!


* I am in no way getting any gain for advertising these services.

Free Pattern of the Week!

This weeks free pattern is Tropical Vacation Dishcloth from KnitPicks.

Finished Measurements 8” Square
Needles US 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles

This vibrant washcloth pattern makes the most of texture and color with a simple repeated stitch pattern and colorful stripes that will transport you to the tropics while doing your dishes! When switching colors, carry yarns loosely up along the side of the washcloth instead of cutting yarns. 

Stitch Pattern (worked flat) 

Rows 1-3: Purl all stitches 

Row 4: (RS) K1, *YO, Sl 1, K1, Psso; repeat from * to end 

Rows 5-7: Purl all stitches 

Row 8: (RS) K1, *YO, K2tog; repeat from * to end 

Color Pattern 

Rows 1-4: MC

Rows 5-8: CC 

Directions

 With MC, loosely CO 33 sts. 

Work rows 1-4 of stitch pattern. 

Join with CC. 

Work rows 5-8 of stitch pattern. 

Repeat these 8 rows 4 times more, continuing the same color pattern. 

Ending with row 8, cut CC. 

With MC, work rows 1-7 of stitch pattern. 

BO loosely, knit-wise. 

Finishing Weave in ends, wash and block if desired

The Original Pattern can be found at
http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Tropical_Vacation_Dishcloth__D55806220.html

Apple Oatmeal Bars Penny Pincher Idea

Here is a delicious recipe for homemade apple oatmeal bars.

Ingreadents:
1 Cup Oatmeat
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 1/2 Cups Chopped Apples
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Sugar

Combine the Oatmeal, Butter, Salt and Cinnamon and put half into a 8"x8" pan. Layer the apples and sugar on next. place the remaining dough on top. Bake at 350* for about 35 min.

Free Pattern of the Week!

This weeks free pattern is Lacy Spa Cloth from KnitPicks.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 9.5” x 9.5”
NEEDLES Size 6 (4mm): straight or circular

The Lacy Spa Cloth is the perfect cloth to be pampered with! It’s a simple lace pattern for the novice, but with an intricate look that will be enjoyed by all levels of knitting. It would be the perfect touch to a pampered gift basket. 

DIRECTIONS

CO 42 sts 

Row 1 - 3: Knit. 

Row 4 (RS): K3,* [K2tog TBL, YO, * repeat across to last 3 sts, K3. Turn. 

Repeat Row 4 until piece is a total of 8.5” inches long. 

Last 3 rows: Knit. BO all stitches 

Finishing Weave in ends, block to 9.5” by 9.5” to show off the pattern.

The Original Pattern can be found at http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Lacy_Spa_Cloth__D55579220.html

How to Choose and Use Foam Rollers

Being an Outdoor Guide means that everyone asks you questions. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use!

Foam rollers let you to do your own deep-tissue massage, also known as “self-administered myofascial release” (SMR). The process lets you use your own body weight, precisely controlled, to stimulate and relax your muscles.

How Foam Rollers Work

Rollers help you release muscle knots or trigger points: “Myofascial adhesions” is the physiological term. These inflexible areas can be caused by muscle imbalance, and overuse and injuries, among other things. The adhesions can reduce a muscle’s range of motion, increasing stress on the surrounding muscle tissue and nearby muscles, tendons and joints. The adhesions can also impede blood and oxygen flow, possibly impairing muscle performance and recovery.

Before workouts: Rollers can help loosen up muscles, allowing more efficient movement during the workout.

During workouts: Foam rollers can add components of balance and dynamic movement to bolster strengthening and stretching exercises.

After workouts: Rollers can help increase blood and nutrient flow, reducing muscle soreness and shortening recovery time.

How to Choose a Foam Roller

Foam density: Choose a softer roller for starting out; use denser (harder) rollers as your technique improves and your muscles adapt. Denser rollers are also better for long-term use because they’re more durable.

The color of the roller can give a hint to its density, with white being softest and black hardest. Blue and red rollers typically are medium density. This can vary by brand, though. A simple way to test is to squeeze rollers to assess their relative firmness.

Surface texture: Some rollers have ridges and knobs that allow you to apply different intensities of pressure and to do a more targeted massage.

Foam Roller Shape

Length: Long rollers (around 36 inches) work well for your back because they can run the entire length of your spine; shorter lengths (around 24 inches) work well to target smaller areas like arms and legs; the shortest lengths (around 12 inches) work well for portability (travel) and in workout areas with limited floor space.

Diameter: Most rollers are 5 or 6 inches in diameter, which is a comfortable height for easing your body onto it and then rolling under control. Some people choose 3- or 4-inch diameter rollers for deeper, more targeted massage.

Half round: These are used for leg and foot stretches, and to massage the arches of the feet to relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Foam-covered roller massagers (sticks): These rollers are used primarily on legs, often by runners, for more precise pressure regulation and muscle targeting.

Foam balls: These allow precise targeting and pressure control, and work well in curved areas of the body, like the lumbar area.

How to Use a Foam Roller

It’s better to be too gentle, rather than too intense, when you’re starting out learning how to use a foam roller. You can adjust your intensity as you learn how your body responds. Pushing past the point of pain won’t speed up results, but it will risk injury.

1.      Pinpoint the sore or tight area of your muscle.

2.      Control your body as you slowly lower the targeted area so it’s centered above the roller.

3.      Lower your body onto the foam roller until you reach a point of discomfort (but not pain) and hold it there.

4.      For pre-workout rolling, hold for 20-30 seconds (monitor the intensity so you don’t relax your muscles too much and compromise your endurance for the workout). For a post-workout session, hold for 1 minute.

5.      The pressure alone provides benefits, but you can also roll slowly back and forth to further stimulate the area.

When to Replace a Foam Roller

Replace your roller when you see that it’s become permanently deformed (out of round) or if it has ridges and knobs that are beginning to look distorted.

Article and others like it found at REI.com

Free Pattern of the Week!

This weeks free pattern is Legato Dishcloth from KnitPicks.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 10" wide x 9.5" tall
NEEDLES US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles

Named after the musical term for connecting notes together fluidly while playing, this dishcloth uses a slip-stitch pattern for a vibrant, bouncy effect. This is a double-ended pattern, so sometimes there will be two consecutive rows worked on the right or wrong side.

Wave and Box Stitch

Row 1 (WS): With MC, purl all sts. Turn work to other side.

Row 2 (RS): With CC1, knit all sts. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 3: With MC, knit. Turn work.

Row 4: With CC1, p1, *sl3 wyif, p7, rep from *, sl3, p1. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 5: With MC, purl. Turn work.

Row 6: With CC1, k1, *sl3 wyib, k7, rep from *, sl3, k1. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 7: With MC, knit. Turn work.

Row 8: With CC1, p1, *sl3 wyif, p7, rep from *, sl3, p1. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 9: With MC, purl. Turn work.

Row 10: With CC1, knit. Slide sts to other end of needle

Row 11: With MC, knit. Turn work.

Row 12: With CC1, p6, *sl3 wyif, p7, rep from *, sl3, p6. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 13: With MC, purl. Turn work.

Row 14: With CC1, k6, *sl3 wyib, k7, rep from *, sl3, k6. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 15: With MC, knit. Turn work.

Row 16: With CC1, p6, *sl3 wyif, p7, rep from *, sl3, p6. Slide sts to other end of needle.

DIRECTIONS

CO 55 sts using MC. Begin Row 1 of Wave and Box Stitch pattern.

Repeat pattern 4 times.

Repeat rows 1, 2, and 3 of pattern.

Purl one row with MC.

Bind off all sts using MC.

Finishing

Weave in ends. Wash and block according to finished measurements.

The Original Pattern can be found at http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Legato_Dishcloth__D55578220.html

Vanilla Penny Pincher Idea

You can many your own vanilla extract to gift out or for your own personal use! This way is so much cheaper than store brands and tastes better too!

You need:
- 8oz seal-able glass bottle
- 7 Vanilla Beans
- 1 cup Vodka 70 Proof / 35% Alcohol (or any other alcohol)

Instructions:
- Split the bean lengthwise without cutting it in half
- Place it in the glass bottle and seal.
- Place bottle in a cool dark place for about 8 weeks and shake twice a week.

It will not be as dark as store bought.