Like me, you probably have an Amazon Prime membership. I have been using Amazon for over 20 years and I have learned how to use it to maximize my savings from my membership, find the best deals, and read the fine print. MEMBERSHIP Decide What Membership is Best There are three different Amazon Prime memberships: Government assistant/EBT Student Family If you are on government assistance/EBT, or a student, you can receive 50% off your membership. You will need to provide proof

Whether you are fasting from meat, maybe because it is Lent, you are trying to eat more vegetables, or you are looking for more budget meals because meat is expensive, here are some of my favorite meatless recipes. Sandwiches and Tacos 1. Mushroom Tacos I first came across the idea when I was visiting friends in New Orleans. Our friends took us to a local Mexican restaurant and recommended their mushroom tacos. I was a little skeptical because I don't like mushrooms. Wow!!

As you prayerfully discern what God wants you to do for Lent, below are several book recommendations that can help you go deeper in your spiritual life and get closer to God.  You can easily find these books online, at your local Catholic store, or through your local library.   Contemplating The Seven Sorrows of Mary: A Chaplet With St. Alphonsus Liguori by Joseph Hollcraft and Ruther Berghorst   This first part of the book focuses on St. Alphonsus Liguori’s explanation of co

There are many beautiful churches in Rome.  In fact, there are over 900 churches in the city.  While it might be difficult to visit all of them, I highly recommend that you visit The Basilica of St. Augustine, which is located in the Campo Marzio neighborhood located between Piazza del Popolo and the Pantheon.  My friend told me about this church because my husband and I have been trying to conceive for over 9 years.  In the Basilica, as soon as you enter you will walk by a s

When I use to hear the word “organic” I use to think premium.  In a way, organic is premium, and in my personal opinion, is the usually the better option, but it also depends on what you buy.  First, we need to look at the difference between organic and conventional (non-organic) produce.  Conventional farming uses chemicals on their plants as a means for fertilizer and to kill off weeds and insects.  When I say chemicals, I mean, chemicals like glyphosate, such as that found

Rakuten is a cash back website that gives you a rebate for purchases you are already making. Rakuten has over 3,000 stores listed on their website that includes categories for clothing, travel, gifts, toys, tech, beauty, food, and the home.     How Does It Work?   Rakuten earns a commission by driving customers to retailers’ websites and they give you a portion of their commission.   How Do I Sign Up?   Using my link here will direct you to the website to create an account. 

Like our birthday, our Baptism is a special occasion and one that should be celebrated.  Our Baptism is “God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift” (CCC 1216).  In celebrating our Baptism, we are honoring God. Here are five ways to celebrate your Baptism: Celebrate The Sacraments Without the sacrament of Baptism, none of the other sacraments would be possible.  The next time you receive the sacrament of Confession your sins are washed cleaned like they day of your Baptism.  W

“To Jesus through Mary” is a famous quote by Saint Louis De Monforte.  It means Mary is directing us to Jesus through her love and her intercession. “Mary is all-holy. For the community of believers she represents the paradigm of the authentic holiness that is achieved in union with Christ” (General Audience- Mary: Model of Faith, Hope, and Charity, Saint John Paul II September 3, 1997).  Mary provides us a model of how to become holy through her virtues.  While there are man

When you think of Iowa, you probably think of cornfields and you are right. But tucked in a little city called West Bend, Iowa with less than 1,000 people is a Catholic gem, literally!  In West Bend, Iowa, which is northwest of Des Moines about 2 hours and 30 minutes, you will find the largest man-made grotto in the world!  It is called The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption. History Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein started building the grotto in 1912.  Originally from Ge