Alex Harrelson, Author at Frugal Coupon Living

Pumping Heart Model

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April 10, 2021 by Alex Harrelson Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media Leave a Comment

It’s so easy to make this working model of the heart! Craft this DIY pumping heart model with your kids for an easy and informative science experiment. With just a few supplies, you can create your very own pumping heart model for some STEM fun at home. This makes a great science lesson in the classroom, too. Enjoy!

DIY Pumping Heart Model

I used to be a teacher, so I have long had a soft spot for activities that would go great in a classroom. After Frugal Coupon Living took off, I never made it back to the classroom. Even so, my love for teaching little ones never left me! I always jump at the opportunity to make some easy science experiments with the kids on the weekends. They have fun AND learn something new, so it’s a perfect way to spend some free time in my book. Instead of teaching your kids about the human body with videos or books, let them create their own working heart model to keep them totally engaged! Hands-on activities are some of the best ways to get kids to learn valuable information and have it stick.

This pumping heart working model project doesn’t take long, but is SO cool! Plus, you probably already have all of the necessary supplies lying around your house. If not, all of the tools can easily be found at your local dollar store! Don’t spend a ton to teach your kids. I love when I can create fun experiments for the kiddos that barely cost a thing. You may even be able to identify a future doctor in your family or your class!

How does this pumping heart model work?

The human heart has four separate chambers, and this working model of the heart represents one of the heart’s chambers. The heart’s chambers pump blood into the body’s arteries, as demonstrated by the model. Every chamber has an entry point, known as the atrium, and an exit chamber, known as the ventricle. Both of these work continuously, pumping blood to keep it flowing through the body. To stop blood from going back into the chambers of the heart, valves close when the blood exits. The balloon acts as a valve in our pumping heart model, which prevents blood that exits the chamber from reentering the chamber. To make this clear to the kids, try removing the balloon from the equation and see what happens to the water.

Add this pumping heart model experiment to your weekend plans to give your kids their daily dose of STEM. It’s important to peak their interest in science and math at an early age. Who knows — it might inspire your little ones to pursue a future career in the medical or science fields!

Let me know how much you and your kiddos absolutely love this easy science experiment in the comments below. Have fun!

Questions to ask the kids:

Where does the water stop inside the straws?
Does water travel up inside of the covered straw?
Does the water return to the jar when the balloon is released?

Supplies you’ll need to make a working heart model:

One large mason jar
2 balloons
1 to 2 cups water
Food coloring, if desired (we recommend using red, of course!)
2 bendy straws
Tape
Scissors
Rimmed tray or casserole dish

Directions:

First off, mix your food coloring and water, if you choose to add it. Pour the water into the jar.

Next, cut one balloon in half. Discard the bottom/side with the opening of the balloon.

Then place the remaining piece of the balloon loosely over one of the straws. Secure the cut edge to the straw with tape. Set aside.

On the other balloon, cut the balloon in half to remove the narrow neck part of the balloon. Stretch the remaining part of the balloon over the mouth of the jar. Cut two tiny slits in the balloon. Secure the balloon’s cut edge to the jar with tape.

Pressing the balloon to make the holes slightly larger, push the bottom of each straw through a hole in the balloon.

On the straw without the attached balloon cap, bend the neck so the top points down.

Next, place the jar in a rimmed baking sheet or casserole dish.

To make the model heart work, press down on the balloon stretched over the jar. Water will flow through the uncovered straw. The straw with the balloon cap will inflate.

You’re done! You created your very own pumping heart model.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final STEM Activities for Kids Pumping Heart Model. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Looking for more science experiments for the kids? Check out our STEM Projects for Kids! Pin to Pinterest.

Having some science fun doesn’t have to take hours! Take a look at these 5 Minute Science Experiments for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Get ready for Teacher Appreciation Week with these ideas and downloads!.

Also access our Free Frugal Coupon Living Printables to help you find joy through embracing the chaos of motherhood more easily!

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Puff Pastry Asparagus Recipe

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March 27, 2021 by Alex Harrelson Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media Leave a Comment

Rich and flaky puff pastry wrapped around asparagus and baked to perfection! Try our take on a classic asparagus tart that the whole family will love. This recipe is by far the most delicious way to enjoy asparagus.

Puff Pastry Asparagus Recipe

Over the years, my kiddos have gotten better at eating their vegetables. Back in the day I used to search for recipes that would both delight their taste buds and add some veggie goodness to their plates. It’s always a win in my book when they clear their plates and eat every last bit of their greens. The CDC recommends that children get 1-3 cups of vegetables per day, depending on their age and other factors. Meanwhile, us adults need 5-13 servings. That’s a lot! Based on these recommendations, picky kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit from creative ways to eat vegetables. I love keeping all kinds of veggie recipes on hands to keep the green part of our plates interesting at the dinner table.

These puff pastry asparagus roll-ups are just plain delicious. Full stop. I mean, come on — the combination of the butter, flaky puff pastry dough with tender roasted asparagus is enough to make my mouth water. The great thing about this recipe is that they can be made for any occasion. They make an impressive party food, they’ll wow guests at dinners, and they’re quick and easy enough to make for your family on weeknights. Plus, you can even get the kids in the kitchen to help! Their little hands would be great for rolling the asparagus up in the dough. I’m totally a sucker for recipes that can get the whole family involved.

The cheese makes these puff pastry asparagus roll-ups over-the-top delicious. I feel like I could add cheese to anything, and my kids would get excited about it. I used an Italian cheese blend, but you could substitute parmesan, mozzarella, or even white cheddar in a pinch. Any sharp white cheese complements this dish perfectly. You can even grate more cheese on top when they’re still hot after you take them out of the oven. YUM!

Can you swap out crescent rolls for puff pastry?

Absolutely! Crescent roll dough is a perfect substitute if you don’t have puff pastry on hand. They are basically pre-cut versions of puff pastry, and have more flavor, too! Even if you do have puff pastry, I recommend you try this recipe out with a can of crescent roll dough at some point to mix things up. My whole family loves Pillsbury crescent rolls, and I’m sure your family won’t complain either!

How do I bake puff pastry?

A good rule of thumb when baking puff pastry is to not over-handle the dough. You will only need to roll it out gently to get the desired thickness, so make sure you don’t overdo it. If you mess with the dough too much, it could turn out dense and tough instead of light and flaky, so keep that in mind! I like having the kids help me with this recipe, but sometimes it’s best if I do the rolling out and the kids are in charge of wrapping them up in the rectangles of dough. When you’re checking the puff pastry asparagus for doneness, look for a light golden color on the pastry. That’s how you’ll know they are perfectly baked!

Ingredients:

1 pound asparagus (about 12 asparagus), trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 (17.3 ounce) box puff pastry, thawed (or use Crescent Rolls)
½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1 egg, beaten

Save this recipe for later. Print your recipe and add it to your recipe box or recipe binder! This is my favorite Recipe Binder – I get tired of printing the same recipe over and over. A binder keeps me organized and gives me a place to store my recipes.

Puff Pastry Asparagus Recipe Draft

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound asparagus (about 12 asparagus), trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 (17.3 ounce) box puff pastry, thawed
½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1 egg, beaten

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper spritzed with nonstick cooking spray.
Roll out each sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 6 equal rectangles.
Place 2 asparagus on each rectangle diagonally. Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and black pepper as desired. Top with a sprinkle of cheese.
Fold the opposite ends of the puff pastry over the asparagus. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the puff pastry with the beaten egg. Sprinkle with additional salt and black pepper if desired.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden.

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Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Pillsbury Crescent Roll recipe with Asparagus. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper spritzed with nonstick cooking spray.
Roll out each sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 6 equal rectangles.
Place 2 asparagus on each rectangle diagonally. Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and black pepper as desired. Top with a sprinkle of cheese.
Fold the opposite ends of the puff pastry over the asparagus. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the puff pastry with the beaten egg. Sprinkle with additional salt and black pepper if desired.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden.

Pillsbury Crescent Roll Recipes

Craving more recipes like these puff pastry asparagus? Check out these Pillsbury Crescent Roll Recipes! Pin to Pinterest.

Time for dessert! Make this Unicorn Dip Party Food to enjoy after dinner or at your next party. Pin to Pinterest.

Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox Father’s Day Gift Idea

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March 20, 2021 by Alex Harrelson Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Father's Day, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media Leave a Comment

Give Dad the ultimate pick-me-up treat with this DIY toolbox! The perfect gift for Father’s Day, or any day your family wants to show extra love to Dad. Use the free printable provided to create this easy Father’s Day Box!

Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox Printable

What’s the best way to get through those hard days? The answer is candy, of course! This fun and easy printable is an amazing way to create an easy and useful gift for dads. Father’s Day is coming up, and if you or your kids are scrambling to find a gift that Dad will love, this Ultimate DIY toolbox is the perfect solution. Every dad out there will love their Father’s Day box, and the best part about it is how cheap it is to create! All you need are Dad’s favorite candies, a box, and this free printable for a memorable gift. Plus, you can give this Father’s Day box to Dad even if it’s not Father’s Day. Save this printable and give Dad his ultimate toolbox on his birthday, on any other special occasion, or just because. It’s a fantastic way to remind dads just how loved and appreciate they are. Have fun making this Ultimate Toolbox and enjoy your free printables!

Supplies you’ll need to create Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox:

A plastic box with dividers. I like these boxes because you can remove the dividers to customize the space and fit all of your goodies inside.
Candy, candy, candy! We used lots of different treats, including Rolos, Snickers, Hershey’s Kisses, and Ferrero Rochers (YUM!) Make sure they’re Dad’s favorites!
Any other small treats you can think of that Dad would love.
Curling ribbon to tie it all together.
Your free Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox gift tag printable! Just follow the directions below to get your free download.

Directions:

First, fill your box with all of your “toolbox” essentials. We recommend Dad’s favorite candy and any other treats he would love.
Next, tie your box up with your choice of curling ribbon and use scissors to curl the ends. Choose curling ribbon that matches Dad’s favorite colors for a personal touch!
Then, you can hole-punch your Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox gift tag printables and tie them on with the ribbon or tape/glue them to the box — whichever you prefer!
You’re done! Give your Father’s Day Box to Dad and pat yourself on the back for giving a great gift.

Download Your Free Printable

Download our free Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox printable. Subscribe and look for a link and password in your inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to Print at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Father’s Day Craft for Dad. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

More Father’s Day Gift Ideas

While you’re looking for Father’s Day gift ideas, also check out these DIY Father’s Day Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

More craft ideas for the win! Don’t forget these Father’s Day Craft Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Teacher Survival Kit Teacher Gift idea

This post may contain affiliate links or ads. Read my privacy policy and disclosure policy here.

March 13, 2021 by Alex Harrelson Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media Leave a Comment

Kick-off the school year right or show some love teacher appreciation week! Gift these teacher survival kits to your child’s teachers this year. Teacher survival kits make a cute and thoughtful gift to get them through busy days in the classroom.

Teacher Survival Kits

Some of you may have a tradition of giving gifts to your child’s teachers at the end of a school year. You may even show your appreciation with festive gifts for the holidays. But have you thought of giving gifts to teachers at the beginning of the school year? I’ve always valued a great first impression, and there’s no better way to start the school year on the right foot than with a token of appreciation. These adorable teacher survival kits are totally customizable and actually useful! We filled ours with candy, but there’s no limit to the types of goodies you can add to your teacher survival kits. You can even add masks and hand sanitizer.

Plus, these aren’t just great for the beginning of the school year. Send these teacher survival kits to school with your student to gift to teachers at the beginning of any semester or quarter. They also are cute teacher appreciation week ideas. No matter how you choose to give these, your kid’s teachers will love them! Simply download your free teacher’s survival kit printable following the directions below, gather all of your supplies, and put everything together. Your kids will love assembling these just as much as their teacher will love receiving them.

Supplies:

A plastic box with dividers. I like these boxes because you can remove the dividers to customize the space and fit all of your goodies inside.
Candy, candy, candy! We used lots of different treats, including Rolos, Snickers, Hershey’s Kisses, and Ferrero Rochers (YUM!)
Any other small treats you can think of that say “survival kit”. Think hand sanitizer, pens, etc.
Curling ribbon to tie it all together.
Your free Teacher’s Survival Kit Printable gift tag! Just follow the directions below to get your free download. It’s the perfect finishing touch to this great teacher gift idea.

Directions:

First, fill your plastic box with plenty of your survival essentials.
Next, tie your box up with your choice of curling ribbon and use scissors to curl the ends.
Then, you can hole-punch your teacher survival kit printables and tie them on with the ribbon or tape/glue them to the box — whichever you prefer!
You’re done! You have the perfect gift for teachers.

Download Your Free Printable

Download our free Teacher’s Survival Kit printable. Subscribe and look for a link and password in your inbox. The password allows you to access to download all of our free printables! We have tons of free printables, for school and for home.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to Print at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples.

You can also follow the directions below.

Have your PDF, Word Document or printable saved to a folder on your computer.
Sign in or create a Staples account.
Return to the Staples Printing Service Page.
Scroll down to Self-Service printing.
Go to Start Project.
Go to Documents Printing.
Select Browse.
Select the Buy Now Button under color.
In the left column, choose add file(s).
Select upload files (to upload a file from your computer).
Add more files or select the blue upload button.
Select done.
Give your job a name in the top left column.
Choose color or B&W.
Make sure your project is single sided. (You can choose double sided if you need.)
Choose the correct orientation of your project – landscape or portrait.
I changed my media to 8.5×11 67 lb card/coverstock (I prefer a card stock feel over printer paper feel. It makes the paper very durable and sturdy.)
Save your product to Staples or select add to cart on the bottom right.
Proceed to checkout.

*Note: these Staple print service steps were added in Winter 2019. The directions may change as the website changes. They should give you a general outline of how to upload and order a print on Staples.com.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final teacher survival kit gift idea. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Why let the fun stop here? Get a year’s worth of teacher printables/gift tags here!

For more ways to show teachers appreciation, take a look at our Teacher Appreciation Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out our Thankful Thursday Ideas! Pin to Pinterest.