June 2015 - Atlantas Frugal Mom

06/11/2015 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Maple. Blueberry. Smoothie. An unlikely combination? Perhaps. But give it a try, and I promise not only won’t you be disappointed, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised how the addition of veggies bulks up the nutrition without compromising the taste. My picky tots gulp it up as fast as I can make these! Our pediatrician, quite aware of how particular my kiddos are about (not) eating their veggies, has long advocated adding them to smoothies – so my version of this maple-blueberry smoothie fits the nutritional bill quite well.

I saw the original recipe in the paper at my in-laws house in Florida, and it was tagged by the associate press. So, I’m not quite certain of its origins, but it sure does sound tasty. In any case, I had to make my own tweeks, substituting ice cream for greek yogurt, and adding the veggies for an extra nutritional punch. Although I use the Vitamix, you can certainly recreate with a regular blender.

Maple-Blueberry Smoothie

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Keep on saving! :o)
--Barbara
**Remember, y'all, this post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Free Things to Do in Atlanta

06/08/2015 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Having fun in Atlanta doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg! You already know about all the great free and frugal ways to beat the heat in Atlanta, as well as great indoor places for kids – but there’s so much more to this wonderful city. So, without further adieu, I give you …wait for it…

Free Things to Do in Atlanta

One of my favorite spots, the Woodruff Park Reading Room is an amazing outdoor learning adventure. Located in the North side of the park, the Woodruff Park Reading Room is filled with carts of books! It’s the perfect spot for a picnic lunch while reading a book, and truly is the ideal activity for kids of all ages.

Another educational stop your trip should include is the Federal Reserve Bank. Quite possibly the only time you’ll ever see one million dollars all in the same place, this museum will teach the kids – and you! – about the Federal Reserve, how they control the money supply, and basically the overall importance of a federal reserve system.

On Tuesdays, you can tour the Governor’s Mansion, which is pretty cool if you ask me! Learn about the history of Atlanta while seeing how the governor lives.

Every Wednesday starting at 5:30PM, May through September, you’ll get to experience Wednesday Wind Down at Centennial Olympic Park. There’s always something happening at Centennial Park. Take a look at the calendar of events to help plan your trip. Don’t be surprised if it’s busy on a nice summer day, though – this park gets over 3 million visitors each year!

Take a free guided art tour through Castleberry Hill, and be impressed with the art studios and paintings – all without spending a dime. Castleberry Hill was one of Atlanta’s first neighborhoods to be reconstructed after the Civil War.

On Thursdays, you can take a trip to the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center for free admission to neat programs and lectures. This place is filled with gorgeous modern art, and would make the perfect addition to an educational field trip around the city.

Tour where Martin Luther King Jr. grew up, and learn about the Civil Rights movement, all for free at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

One place that’s considered a “must visit” by locals is the Atlanta’s Children Museum! The entire family will have a blast at this interactive museum. Admission is free the second Tuesday of the month.

Did your favorites make the list? Do you have any additional spots to add to the list of free things to do in Atlanta?