Tuesday, September 30, 2008

From Sundy:

Something to consider:

"What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think....you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wish it green!

From Sundy:

A few weeks ago, I was taking my (now adult) sons in the car on some errands. While we were stopped at a red light, I suddenly remembered when they were little and fighting in the backseat.

I had been at my wits' end one day with all of their yelling and carrying-on. I was ready to pull my hair out just to distract them from whatever three year olds fight about. Then I realized I could distract them another way.

"Hey! Hey, boys!" They looked up at my eyes peering at them through the rear-view mirror. "Look, the lights red, guys....can you wish it green for me?" And we'd all stare at the light, silently wishing it green. (Ah...the silence was BEAUTIFUL!)

Of course, it always worked! :)

Window Washing

From Sundy:

Actually, this one is from my Mom! :) Thanks for reading and contributing, Mom!

"Here's a tip for washing really dirty windows on the outside. It works well for car windshields too. You'll need a window squeegee, dishwashing liquid (JOY), paper towels,any old clean rag and a bucket.

"Put one capful of dishwashing liquid in about a half gallon ofwater, swish some. Using any old clean rag, wipe over the window with the soapy water. If it is a large window, split it up in sections, working top to bottom.

"After you wash over the window with the mixture, use your squeegee -- one swipe -- then wipe the squeegee with the towel and swipe again. As long as you dry the squeegee after each swipe, you won't have streaks and no smears, because the JOY is cutting through the grime that has built up on your windows.

WINDEX? SAVE YOUR MONEY! This does a better job."

Friday, September 26, 2008

Let's talk gravy!

From Sundy:

I remember when I absolutely despised cooking. Mostly, it was a confidence thing. I had no clue what to do! In fact, I was teased unmercifully by my college roommates if I had to refer to a cookbook on those rare occasions that I attempted to cook something. And because I didn't have any practice at cooking, those meals were generally not all that tasty. Vicious circle of self-doubt there!

Then when I became a parent and my children were smaller, I didn't think I had the time or the know-how to make a meal from scratch. I know now that I simply needed to learn a few basics and practice, practice, practice. I'm not saying I'm a fabulous cook, but I do get compliments from time to time now. :)

One of the most versatile basics of cooking that I learned was how to make gravy from scratch.

I know, I know...some of you are probably thinking the same things that I did. "Mine always has lumps in it" or "Mine usually just tastes like flour" or "But the mix is so EASY!" Making gravy, once you get the basics down pat, is super easy and quick, too...and you just have to remember that the key secret is constant whisking. I taught my son (over the phone) how to make it when he was 13, and he mastered it fairly quickly.

The Better Times webzine has a great webpage on gravy and all of it's variations, such as cheese sauce, mornay sauce, etc. Here are the basics for white gravy.

You are going to use equal amounts of butter and flour (usually 1 to 3 tablespoons of each) to each cup of milk. And yes, you can substitute margarine or oil or pan drippings, but no, you cannot make it in the microwave. After a few times, you'll be able to "eyeball measure" the amounts. (Oh, and make sure you have your three basic ingredients with you right from the start, because once you get started, you cannot stop or you'll ruin your gravy. Don't worry...it really only takes a couple of minutes.)

Are you ready? Go!

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan, then whisk in the flour.

2. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking the entire time. (Better Times suggests removing the pan from the heat, then pouring in the milk, then returning to the heat, but I've never had a problem keeping it on the heat.)

3. Keep whisking over the heat, until your gravy begins to thicken. Spice to taste.

Refer to the gravy page on Better Times for ways to vary this recipe to make brown gravy, cheese sauce, etc. :) They also list a gravy rescue method, just in case your gravy doesn't thicken the way you want it.

Remember: Constant Whisking! :)

Homemade Essential Oils

From Aliisa:

I began wondering the other day if there was a way to make my own essential oils since they are so expensive. It would be nice to put them in my laundry soap or in the dishwashing soap and have wonderful smelling stuff. So I did some research and here is a site that tells you how to do it. I started a very small batch today with orange peel since I had some oranges in the house. I dont know how it will turn out, but if it does...wow that would be an inexpensive solution. If you want to try it, click here for the website.

Me and the Wii

From Aliisa:

Yesterday we broke down and made a not so frugal purchase...we bought a Nintendo Wii. So here I am today at almost 4pm in the afternoon, I havent gotten much done on the house and Im just now sitting down to blog but I assure you, my Wii has gotten much attention today...*lol* I have had to literally pry myself and my daughter away from the games to get something done but oh how much fun we have had. We have spent much time standing in front of the tv and bowling, playing golf and baseball and we have even gotten out our little steering wheels and drove on the great tracks, racing around like nascar drivers looking like Mario and Luigi. Thank God tonight is family night so I dont have to have an excuse to play our video games *lol*

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Dishwashing Detergent Recipe

From Aliisa:

I did some research last night on how to make detergent for the dishwasher. I came across alot of recipes but many talked about a film left on their dishes. I dont know about you but I would rather pay the money for the stuff at the store than deal with a film left on my dishes. Then I came across one that talked about the film and what to do to solve it. Apparently you need Citric Acid. So here is the recipe I found:

Dishwasher Detergent
In a plastic container with a firmly fitting lid, mix:
1 cup borax (20-Mule-Team Borax, available in any supermarket)
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid (available in brewing stores among other places--if you haven't tracked it down yet but must try this formula, use two packets of Lemonade-Flavored Kool-Aid, ONLY lemon, or you'll dye your dishwasher! and ONLY unsweetened Kool-Aid!)
30 drops citrus essential oil--lemon, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, or a mixture
Put all of it in the container, shake it up.

To use, put a tablespoon or so into each cup of your dishwasher.


Im almost out of dishwashing detergent so I will be trying this out very soon. I will let you know the verdict.

Things I no longer buy

From Aliisa:

Sundy and I were talking yesterday about all the things I make. So I made a list of all the products I no longer buy because I make it all homemade. I must admit, when I put it on paper it was alot more than what I thought it was. So I thought I would share my list.

I no longer buy:
jetdry
comet
409
antibacterial wipes
windex
cleaner for my swiffer for the floors
laundry soap
downey
toilet bowl cleaner
tub and tile cleaner
bleach
fabreeze
air freshners

When I run out of my stain remover I will add that and then dishwasher detergent.

I must admit, Im pretty proud of myself!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Ach...ache

From Sundy:

Monday, I woke up with the most horrific pain right under my shoulderblade. It hurt to turn my head from side to side; it hurt to raise my arms to the level of my shoulder...it just plain hurt. I didn't want to run straight to the doctor if I could take care of it myself, so I used some of the frugal home remedies that my time in the trenches of motherhood has taught me.

I filled an odd sock with rice, knotted the top, and microwaved it for about a minute. It made a nice spot of heat to apply to my shoulder. I like these better than a heating pad, because A) they are cheaper, B) easily made and applied, and C) I can't leave one on too long, because they naturally cool off after just the right amount of time.

Nope, no relief.

I put my back to the door jamb and tried to massage it out. Then when my hubby came home, I had him try to massage it out.

Nope, no relief.

Then there's ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory). I was once offered prescription strength Motrin (800 mg) at the hospital after a sprain. I turned it down when I realized that I could buy 250 OTC tablets of 200 mg ibuprofen (which makes basically 60+ doses) for a much cheaper price than fifteen 800 mg pills for $10 copay. So I tried three OTC ibuprofen tablets (600 mg total).

Nope, no relief.

So, I drank a cup of very, very strong chamomile tea and promptly went to sleep. I am a major light-weight, I know! ;) Melatonin is my alternate sleep aid, and I usually have to cut the pill in half!

The second day, the spasm was worse, spreading like a bar from one shoulderblade to the other. I could not even drive, without some serious pain, much less sit at my computer at work, so I called in.

I again tried all of my frugal tricks to loosen the spasm, but no dice. I even upped the ibuprofen to 800 mg. Nope. So after several hours, I decided that I would go see the doctor. Because even mommies have a limit to how much they can take. ;)

And let me explain...I'm not exactly a wimp when it comes to pain. I've endured much worse (childbirth comes vividly to mind), but this was the kind of pain that is a steady dull thump when you're sitting still, and a big ole smackeroo when you move...the kind of pain that makes you a bit nauseous, if you know what I'm talking about....

So when I got to my doctor, I explained everything I'd already tried, and he gave me a mild muscle relaxant to try, with a second prescription for pain "in case." Hopefully, this will do the trick. $10 copay to the doctor, and $8 and change for the two prescriptions. Not too bad, but I would have liked to have used that $18 for something for the family.

A friend seriously questioned why I hadn't just gone to the doctor immediately. The only thing I can really say is that usually my frugal home remedies work, and I don't need to shell out for the doctor's copay and the prescriptions. Also, as I was neither bleeding nor on fire, it wasn't enough of an urgent care need to me to warrant an immediate doctor visit.

So, yes...I did stay in pain for a few days while I tried to fix it on my own; however, I DID go to the doctor after only a few days. Most of the time, I don't even go to the doctor at all -- probably not such a good thing either....but there ya go.

Fall....my favorite time of year

From Aliisa:

Growing up in Texas, the fall season didnt mean much to me other than a drop in temperature from very hot to just hot. *lol* However, when I moved to Illinois 4 years ago, I discovered a whole season that I had never experienced. (Can you imagine living in a place that doesnt experience all the seasons?) The colors were so vivid and beautiful and reminded me of this guy I used to watch on PBS that painted such amazing paintings. I loved all the colors so much that when I decorated my house, I surrounded myself in beautiful, rich fall colors....reds, oranges, yellows, and even some greens....all different shades. And although I have a desire to move back to Texas one day to be near my family, I cant imagine being without the fall season. For me it looks as though God got out his paint brush and completely painted my world with the most awesome colors one could imagine. I am so thankful I got to experience some of God's beauty in the state of Illinois!!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Book Review: The Truth about Sparrows

From Aliisa:

So today I have to share this wonderful book, and although it is technically for younger readers it is a wonderful...wonderful story. I recommend it above all others, well except for the other book she wrote. *lol*


Ok yes I am singing the praises of one Marian Hale and her 2 books, The Truth about Sparrows and Dark Water Rising. And yes, they are written by my incredibly talented mother.
The Truth about Sparrows is about our family during the depression. Its rich and wonderful and eloquently penned. And I promise, Im not biased *lol*
Here are a couple of reviews:

From Booklist*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. "I'd lost more than just a home and a best friend . . . I'd lost a piece of me that I might never find again." Twelve-year-old Sadie is heartbroken when her family, forced by drought and the Depression, leaves their Missouri home for Texas, where Sadie's father hopes to try fishing. The conditions en route are difficult. The family camps, picks cotton ("mean, hot work"), and bathes in cattle troughs before finally settling in a small fishing village on the Gulf of Mexico. In her debut novel, Hale writes a deeply affecting story that, through one family's struggle, brings close the realities of life in the depressed 1930s. Although Sadie's capable, loving parents are a bit too perfect, particularly her crippled father, Hale's evocative, sure prose, in Sadie's colloquial voice, brings alive the setting and the family's survival challenges with cinematic detail that's reminiscent of the Little House books. Sadie emerges as an endearing, complex character who rages against her displacement, even as she sees that other families are much worse off than her own. An excellent choice for class discussion, this captures the difficult specifics of an era, while asking larger questions about what it means to leave a life behind and start again. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
"[A] deeply affecting story . . . Hale's evocative, sure prose . . . brings alive the setting and the family's survival challenges with cinematic detail that's reminiscent of the Little House books."--Booklist, starred review
"What could have been just another surviving-the-Depression story is, instead a beautifully realized work, memorable for its Gulf Coast setting and the luminous voice of Sadie Wynn. An important addition to the genre from a new voice."--Kirkus Reviews
"Hale has created a character with a strong, lyrical voice. She describes the coastal area so vividly that Sparrows is a breath of fresh air even when it brings tears to your eyes. "--USA Today"[T]riumphant and memorable, as is her entire family--who not only endure the Depression but emerge stronger from it."--The Horn Book--This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Product Description

Come back and visit and read the reviews for my mom's other book, Dark Water Rising

Book Review....The Shack

From Aliisa:


I have to say that this is a great read. The Shack is a work of fiction, but it beautifully depicts a great, and easy understanding of God and relationships and pain. I really enjoyed the book!! If you are looking for a good book to read, this one should be on your list.

Cabbage Casserole Recipe

From Aliisa:

I got this recipe from Gayle over at Grocery Cart Challenge and I do have to say it was WONDERFUL!!!! We absolutely loved it. It was like eating lasagna only you dont miss the noodles. I served it with Peasant Bread with garlic butter. I highly recommend this one!!

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs ground meat (I used turkey)
1 medium onion
, chopped
1 dash garlic powder

1 dash
oregano
32 ounces spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup
rice
1 dash
basil
1 head
cabbage
1 lb
mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions
Shred, boil 3 minutes and drain cabbage.
Brown onion and meat and Drain.
Layer like you do lasagne.
Place cabbage in casserole dish.
Place meat mixture on cabbage.
Add garlic powder, oregano and basil on meat.
Add spag.sauce and rice.
Top with cheese.
Cover and bake 1 hour at 350F degrees


Monday, September 22, 2008

Laundry Soap Verdict

From Aliisa:

OK, last week I said that I had made the laundry soap. Well, I gave some to a friend to test and I used mine on several loads of laundry and the verdict is......we both loved it!! It worked just as well as the stuff I buy and I am pleased to say that it worked well putting it in the milk containers. I liked that because I just pour it out into my 1/2 cup measuring cup and put the lid back on.

I was very pleased when my friend offered to pay me to make her some more *lol*. I told her it defeated the purpose of making your own to save money so in the end we decided that, if she buys her ingredients, I will make it for her in exchange for babysitting!! What a great barter. My husband thinks we got the better end of the deal!!

I will say that I put scent in my soap. It smelled great until my clothes came out of the dryer and didnt really smell like anything. I think I will have to add more scent next time. But for all of you interested in making your own, I recommend it!!

For instructions, here is the site: homemade laundry soap

Friday, September 19, 2008

Todd's Hotties

From Sundy:

This one (including the name of the recipe) is my hubby's creation. It's one of our kids' favorite meals.

6 bolillos or sub rolls
1 lb. hamburger or ground turkey
1/2 c. or so ranch dressing or french onion dip
1/2 c. chopped red onion
grated Cheddar cheese

1. Scoop out some of the inside of the rolls.
2. Brown & drain meat.
3. Mix together meat, onion, and dressing until well blended (not too soupy).
4. Top with cheese and put under the broiler until cheese melts.

As with any recipe, feel free to make substitutions. If red onion is too expensive, use sweet yellow ones, etc. etc.

Serves 6 (or three really, really hungry people!)

Homemade Laundry Soap

From Aliisa:

A few weeks ago I read about a recipe for Laundry soap over at Gayle's Blog, the Grocery Cart Challenge. I even emailed her to find out if it really worked all that well. Gayle loves it and that is good enough for me, so today.....I made Laundry Soap!!

I havent tried it yet, you have to let it sit for 24 hours so that it can gel but I do have to say, it was alot easier than I expected.

I will keep you updated on how it works and how well I like it. If you're interested here are the instructions. http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
She really does a great job of walking you through it.


I do have to say, I didnt make mine in a bucket like she recommends. I didnt have one and didnt want to buy one, so I mixed it in a really large pot and then used a funnel to pour it into 2 empty, clean milk jugs I had. I will let you know how that works out.

Burratas

From Aliisa:

This is a TexMex dish that all my friends and famiy love and request for any type of occasion.

Burratas (makes 8)


Ingredients:
1 lb ground meat (I use turkey but ground beef is great too)
1 16oz can refried beans
1 onion chopped
3 10oz cans enchilada sauce (I use mild since I have a child)
1 pkg of 8 burrito size flour tortillas
1 pkg taco seasoning or 1/4 cup taco seasoning
1 pkg shredded cheese (any kind of yellow cheese works well)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

You will need 2 9 x 13 pans

In a skillet saute onions and then brown ground meat.

Add refried beans with a little water and then stir till mixed in with meat.

Add in taco seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and move skillet off burner.

Open enchilada sauce and pour a small amount in the bottom of both pans. Just enough to cover it.

Lay out 4 flour tortillas and spoon aprox 1/2 of the mixture divided between the 4 tortillas. Sprinkle cheese inside and then fold like a burrito (ends folded in and then rolled) place seam side down in 9 x 13 pan. You should be able to fit 4 in one pan.

Lay out the last 4 and repeat instructions, placing them in the 2nd 9 x 13 pan. You should have shredded cheese left over for the top later on.

Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over all of the burratas, making sure you cover all areas of the flour tortilla.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. (make sure you dont cover these or they will turn out soggy.)

Pull pans out and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over each burrata and place back in the oven until melted.

To serve:

Use a spatula to pull out a burrata and place on plate.

Garnish on top with any or all of the following: sour cream, lettuce, tomato, onion, picante, jalapenos, black olives and avacados.

Eat with a fork.

*these are great leftovers and they freeze well too. I just wait for them to cool completely and then wrap each individual one. My husband loves it when there are leftovers*

I hope you enjoy this!!

For more great recipes, check out the Grocery Cart Challenge Friday Recipe Swap!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

10-minute Chili

From Sundy:

Today I was running a bit late before heading out to work, but I needed to get something cooked really quick for dinner for my husband and son. I had already made them "fend" last night, so I didn't want to do that again.

I went to my freezer and pulled out one of my Ziplocs full of frozen, already cooked ground turkey. I set a pot on the stove on medium, spritzed it with a little olive oil, and dumped in the meat. While it was thawing in the pot (and I do have to stir and break it up a bit while it's thawing), I pulled out a family-size can of ranch beans with jalapeno, a regular can of kidney beans (for color), and a small can of tomato paste. After a bit, when the meat was all warm, I dumped in the two cans of beans. Then I stirred in about 1/2 cup of water to the tomato paste in a bowl and dumped that in the pot, too. I seasoned with some chili powder, cumin, and paprika to taste. (Remember, the meat was already cooked with onions, garlic, salt and pepper.)

Voila! Chili for four in less than 10 minutes! (Note: You can use whatever beans, spices, etc. you like. The basics for my chili are meat, beans, tomato paste sauce, and spice.)

And that's why I cook some of my meat ahead of time...it is SUCH a time-saver for me.

Sweet Corn Bread

This is our favorite corn bread recipe. My daughter loves it so much that she asks when we can have beans so we can have corn bread. It has almost a cake like texture and is wonderful by itself or with soups.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 T butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 350, spray pam in a 9 x 13 pan

Combine all dry ingredients in bowl. Combine all wet ingredients in small bowl, mix well. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and stir to blend. Pour into 9 x 13 pan.

Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

If making muffins, fill cups to 2/3 full and bake for 18 - 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Aliisa's Menu

So today I decided that I would share my menu. Last week my grocery shopping got pushed back to friday but this menu will take me to Wednesday which is when I usually do my shopping. Because of how our paychecks fall, I usually do 2 weeks worth of shopping each time and then save some of my money to hit the sales on the off weeks and to pick up milk. So here it is:

1. 15 bean soup and cornbread
2. Cabbage Casserole (this is a new recipe, havent tried it yet)
3. Porkchops, potatoes and greenbeans
4. Beefy Asian rice (from my Cheap, Fast, Good cookbook) and salad
5. Beef pot roast
6. Shepard's pie, broccoli and salad
7. Chicken thighs with pan gravy, mashed potatoes, spinach and salad
8. Ground Beef Casserole
9. Burratas

I will include some of these recipes later so check back!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Coffee Talk ;)

From Sundy:

I want to share a WONDERFUL coffee drink with you that I found in my Cheap, Fast, and Easy Cookbook . (Not to be confused with Cheap, Fast, Good -- one of Aliisa's and my favorite cookbooks.)

It's called Thai Coffee, and it tastes very much like one of those cold and tasty coffee drinks from ye olde coffee chain...without the $4+ price tag. Since I don't have the book in front of me at the moment, I'm just going to list the steps I use....because that's how very easy it is to make! :)

1. Find a microwave-safe container that will hold at least 16 oz of liquid and fill it with -- you guessed it -- 16 oz of water.

2. Stir in 4 teaspoons of instant coffee. My teaspoons tend to be a bit heaping. :)

3. Heat for 1 minute in your microwave and stir thoroughly.

4. Add 2-4 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, stir again, then cover and chill for at least an hour. (Overnight works better for us, the caffeine-dependents.)

My son, who turns 15 soon, LOVES this stuff. He, like me, has a difficult time waking up in the morning. Now he drinks about 6-8 oz of Thai Coffee, and he feels "energized but not jittery." It wakes him up enough to eat breakfast, anyway. :) He actually likes it with less sweetened condensed milk than I do.

I am a list person...

From Aliisa:

You know, every once in awhile I hear people say that lists are a bad thing. That we should put them away and be more free.

To be honest, I am a list person. I live by my lists and Im not sure I could function with out them. Right now as I sit and type this, there is a list on my refrigerator of the meals I have planned for the next 10 days. (I just mark them off when I make them) On my counter, there is a list of grocery items that I have run out of or Im about to run out of (these I will transfer to a grocery list based on what I can afford for that week and mark them off. The others stay there until I can get them). In my grocery notebook, (ok yes, I have a grocery notebook...dont laugh) there is a list of all the items that are on sale this week that I would like to have. (now this doesnt mean I will get them all, it just means if I can afford them, I will get as many as I can). On the next page in my grocery notebook is a list of the meals I can make from what I have in my pantry and freezer for my next shopping trip and what I can make from what is on sale. The next page, is my actual grocery list. Yes I know it sounds crazy but it works for me. It also allows me to look back to see what was on sale and when so I can kind of tell when it will be on sale again. I also have a to do list that I make every morning divided into Must do and Need to do. That way I can do the Must do's first and then do as many of the others as I can or feel like doing. I really like it when my Must do's are blank *lol*

(as I look over this post I must sound a little OCD...lol...I promise Im not)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Stuff I forgot to teach my kids!

From Sundy:

When you fill the sugar canister (or flour or whatever), do it OVER THE SINK. That way any spilled sugar can be washed easily down the drain.

When you need new pot-holders, opt for the silicone variety if you can. They are almost indestructible, easy-to-clean, and besides cooking, you can use them to help open jar lids. :)

Broke a lightbulb that's still in the socket? Save your fingers! Jam a potato onto the jagged end of the bulb, and use the potato to twist the broken bulb right out of the socket.

Batches of meals

From Sundy:

Let's face it -- there are some nights when I just don't want to cook. (I know some of you feel the same way.) Please understand -- I completely respect and admire people who are able to cook delicious, healthy meals every single night, but I am not always able to do that. I have a very odd work schedule.

I do, on occasion, incorporate "Fend For Yourself Night" for the family, but I feel insanely guilty if I have to do that more than once a week.

One solution would be for me to practice "Once-A-Month-Cooking." I have tried that a few times; however, there is quite a bit of planning, preparation, as well as an entire day of cooking, involved in OAMC. I am ADD. Planning? LOL Hyperfocus for an entire day of cooking? LOL (Aliisa is a phenomenal planner, btw!) I know my limitations. :)

So I came up with an option that works for me. I use this method when I know that I'm about to make something that involves browning up ground meat (turkey, hamburger, whatever). I try to brown up at least 3-5 lbs of meat at once. Or if it's chicken, I'll boil one or two chickens in a pot and broil and/or bake one or two more. Likewise, chopping two or three onions (or celery or carrots or whatever) instead of one onion is not that huge a chore.

This way, I have prepped for a few meals in about the same amount of time it takes to prep for one meal. When it's ground meat, I might make chili to freeze, an enchilada casserole, and perhaps spaghetti for that night.

This is what is currently working for me, the non-planner. :)

Mexican Rice Casserole

From Aliisa:

We just recently tried this recipe, I got it off of gayle's blog the grocery cart challenge, its a great site to check out!! I did tweak it just a little but my whole family loves it.

1 lb ground meat
1 onion chopped
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water
1 (16 oz) jar salsa
1 can mexicorn (I didnt have this so I used regular corn and it turned out great)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Place the 2 cups of water and long grain rice in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until done.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

IN a skillet, brown meat and drain. Plain in mixing bowl.

In mixing bowl, add salsa, chili powder, corn, salt, cumin, garlic and rice. Mix

Spray a 2 quart casserole dish, put mixture in, cover and bake for 30 minutes.

At 30 minutes, add shredded cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes.

Remove and serve.

Hope you enjoy it!!

House Pictures

From Aliisa:

I was viewing my friend Miriam's blog this morning to see the pictures of her beautiful new floors and told her I would post some pictures of some of the work we did on our house. So these are pictures of our living room and dining room after floors, paint and appliances.

As you can tell, I love red!!







Monday, September 15, 2008

Tips and Tricks

From Aliisa:

This morning as I cleaned my bathroom and put laundry on to wash, I realized that I needed to share some of the tips and tricks that I use in my everyday life. A couple of years ago my life changed and I realized that we were going to be living off of less than I was used to. So I got online and began to do research in how to save money. I began making my own cleaners and such but I also began learning about all the different uses for Vinegar and Baking Soda and I was amazed at what you could use this stuff for. It not just for baking...but Im sure many of you already knew that. I buy white distilled vinegar in a gallon container for right around $2 and my baking soda, I buy at Sam's Club. I get a 5 pound bag for around $5, or at least that is what it was the last time I bought it. A 5 pound bag usually lasts me about a year.

Tips:

In the kitchen:
1. I use vinegar in my dishwasher instead of jetdry. Its considerably cheaper and it works great. And just to prove to myself how well it worked, I let the vinegar run out and still washed dishes. My dishes were covered in spots, so I filled it back up and ran it again and they were perfect. What a great inexpensive use for vinegar!! (and no my dishes do not come out smelling like vinegar).

2. I have a swiffer wet jet that I love to use; however, I do not enjoy the price of the cleaner I have to buy. Now, instead of buying the cleaner, I just mix 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar in a spray bottle and use that. I simply spray a section of my floor and then go over it with the wet jet and it cleans beautifully. And yes for a bit you will smell vinegar but the smell goes away very quickly.

3. When cleaning my counters, instead of using comet or soft scrub, I now use baking soda. Just sprinkle it on the counter and scrub just as you would with comet. Works just as well and is really cheap to use.

4. I use my spray bottle of water and vinegar to clean my microwave. Just spray it down, turn it on for about 1 minute to warm it up and then wipe clean. It works great.

Laundry

1. Use 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in the washer to soften clothings. Fabric softners leave a residue on your washer and on your clothing. Vinegar is a natural fabric softner and doesnt stay on your clothes. I even did a test one time. I washed 2 loads of towels, one with fabric softner and one with vinegar. I then presented the two to my husband and asked him to choose the one that was softer. He chose the vinegar!! That was good enough for me. Also, my clothing never smells like a salad, once they come out of the dryer, they just smell like the laundry soap you used.

Bathroom

1. I use my homemade wipes (recipes in the tips and tricks section) to clean off the counters and outside of toilet.

2. To clean my toilet bowl, I use a scoop to get my baking soda and then sprinkle that all around the bowl. I then use my 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar in a spray bottle to spray all of the baking soda. This causes a chemical reaction that looks alot like the fizzing of peroxide. I then use my toilet brush to clean the toilet as usual. This works great...just as good as any cleanser you can buy on the market!!

3. Cleaning the tub. I do the same for the tub that I did for the toilet. I sprinkle the baking soda all around the edges of the tub. I then spray down the entire tub with vinegar making sure I hit the baking soda too. I then take my scrubby and clean the tub. Rinse and its done. I havent used commercial cleaners in 2 years!!

4. I use the homemade window cleaner (recipe in the tips and tricks) to clean my mirrors in the bathroom. It works just as well as windex!!

For Sanitizing Kitchen and Bathroom

To sanitize everything I make wipes with alcohol. I just wipe down anything that I feel needs to be sanitized.

Please feel free to share any tips or tricks that you have, we would love to hear them!!

For more ways to use vinegar, visit this site:

http://www.versatilevinegar.org/usesandtips.html#2

Friday, September 12, 2008

Amish Baked Oatmeal

From Aliisa

Ok, I have been seeing Amish Baked Oatmeal listed here and there at Gayle's Grocery Cart Challenge Blog...so, I finally went to look at the recipe. It looked good and so this morning I made it for my family. Wow, it was great!! So easy, inexpensive and really taste wonderful. I recommend this for everyone!!

So here is the recipe:

Amish Baked Oatmeal Recipe
35 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 6

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup sugar (we did decide a little less sugar would be better next time)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan.
Combine all ingredients together.
Spread on prepared baking pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Immediately spoon into a bowl.
Top with warm milk, fresh fruit or brown sugar if desired.

More Cleaning recipes

From Aliisa:

Ok, so here are some other cleaning recipes.

Furniture Polish Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

I keep this in the refrigerator and heat up when I want to use it. It really does work great, even better than Pledge.

Homemade Febreeze

2-4 Tablespoons fabric softener
25 ounces of water
My old Febreeze bottle or another spray bottle

I have been doing this for several years now and it works great!!! In fact, I’m still using the same bottle of fabric softener!!

Laundry Pre-Wash Spray

1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent
Water

I haven’t tried this yet but only because I had an obscene amount of spray and wash in my laundry room. However I intend to use this when I finally run out.

Homemade Dryer Sheets

2 cups of water
1 cup of vinegar
2/3 cups of any hair conditioner

I got this from Gayle over at her Grocery Cart Challenge Blog....check it out!

Enjoy!!

My thoughts and prayers....

From Aliisa:

I have spent more time on the computer the last couple of days tracking Hurricane Ike and praying that it would not hit where my family is. Unfortunately, whether it hits in Corpus Christi or Houston, Texas my family being in the middle will get hit. I do take comfort in the fact that they have all gone inland, including Sundy and her family.

So today....

My thoughts and prayers go out to all my family as well as Sundy and all her family. I know that they are all safe. I pray that the storm slows rather than picks up speed and that their homes are all safe from rising tides and hurricane winds.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

My Daily Reading

From Aliisa:

Over the years I have enjoyed reading the Bible here and there. I have read the New Testament all the way through, however; I have never managed to get past Genesis in the Old Testament. I have tried many different translations and still managed to fail in my attempts....until now. Several months ago I bought the Message Bible. I was a little skeptical but I really had a desire to read the Old Testament....and thus my journey began.

I made it through Genisis...all the way....to the very last word...wow what an accomplishment. And amazingly enough, I understood it *lol* So I began reading more, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (ok maybe I skimmed a bit in this one..lol), Deuteronomy (yea I skimmed a bit in this one too), and then on to Joshua, Judges, Ruth and now Im in 1 Samuel.

I had found that although I used to be a teacher, and I am a lover of literature, I just could not manage to read and get much out of the Old Testament. (yes I know, Im the only one *lol*) But that has all changed. I have managed to stick to my daily reading longer than I ever have...yea!! (yes Im one of THOSE people, sometimes I just cant stick with it) Im looking forward to finishing the Old Testament and moving on to see what new things I can learn from the New Testament.

God totally blessed me when he sent me the Message Bible.

ShipWreck Skillet Dinner

From Aliisa:

Today I wanted to share a quick, easy and inexpensive meal. I got this out of my Cheap, Fast and Good Cookbook. My family loves this recipe and its so easy to make, I save this for those days when I just dont have alot of time to cook.

ShipWreck Skillet Dinner under 25 minutes to make.

1 can (14oz) fat free beef broth (I usually use bullion cubes to make the broth)
1 cup long-grain rice
1 pound ground meat (I use turkey, its less expensive and less fat)
1 T vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped
1 clove fresh garlic or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 T worcestershire sauce (I use more but we like the flavor)
1/2 tsp seasoning salt or just plain salt
1 medium size green bell pepper chopped (I must admit, I usually dont put this in because I dont have it on hand)
1 cup frozen yellow corn
black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Pour the broth and 1/4 cup water into a covered saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the rice, stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in an extra deep 12 inch skillet over medium heat. Peel and coarsely chop the onion, adding it to the skillet as you chop.

3. Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until crumbled and browned.

4. Add garlic, worcestershire sauce and salt. Chop bell pepper and add it and the corn to the skillet.

5. Cook until green pepper is tender. Remove from heat and set aside until Rice is done.

6. Stir the rice into the beef mixture and season with black pepper.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Breakfast for Dinner Wednesdays

From Aliisa

On wednesday nights my husband works late so I usually pack him lunch and dinner to take with him. That leaves my daughter and I to fend for ourselves for dinner. So about a year ago we started a new tradition...breakfast for dinner wednesdays. She really looks forward to this and puts alot of thought into what she wants to eat, so often I have to be prepared for anything. Tonight, we decided to try a new recipe that I got off the Grocery Cart Challenge Blog and its called German Pancakes. It was super easy and taste great too....but dont expect it to taste like pancakes!!

German Pancakes

ingredients
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Place putter in 9 x 13 pan and place in oven to melt butter, tilt to coat bottom of pan.
Place remaining ingredients in blender, blend until smooth.
Pour into buttered baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, cut into squares, serve warm.
Serve with favorite syrup or my daughter loves it with just the powdered sugar.

Enjoy!!

Hurricane Talk

From Sundy:

Getting prepared for a hurricane does not have to be a budget-cruncher, although in past years it has for me....not this year, though! YAY!

One thing I noticed in the last several weeks of multi-hurricane dodging is how many people are hitting the stores, trying to stock up on batteries, water, canned food, etc. -- EVERY TIME. I think about going into the store with all of those other people, and I want to run and hide. So I put it off, and then I'm stuck without what I need -- or I have to dig into other budget items...and that happened year after year.

My name is Sundy, and I am a procrastinator.

However, for the last several months, I have been stocking up -- in my own way. Whenever I have an empty drink bottle, I clean it and fill it with water, then stash it under my sink. I now have plenty of water for each member of my family and pets, and then some. Yay!

Batteries, well...we always have flashlights and spare batteries because batteries are always on my "stock up" list. (More on that in another post.) So are canned goods.

I do want a good kinetic power flashlight and weather radio...you know, the kind that you hand-crank or shake in order to get power? I have yet to find one on sale, and to me, though they make things easier, they are a "want" rather than a "need."

We already have a well-stocked first aid kit, so I don't need to worry about that either. And there are, of course, other things on the list...but the aforementioned are foremost in my mind.

So, little by little, I have prepared my family for the possibility of the hurricane hitting us, but I have not broken my budget. I'm feeling good, so far. :)

Make your own wipes

From Aliisa:

So one of my "hobbies" is to find ways to save money. For the last couple of years I have been making my own cleaning supples and I love it!! So today, since I have extra "me" time, I thought I would share these with you.

Make your own cleaning wipes

You will need a plastic container large enough to fit ½ a roll of paper towels in. I use a plastic ice cream container normally used for round ½ gallon containers of ice cream. You can use a coffee can, plastic container or even a 1 gallon size Ziploc.

For best results, select an extra-large roll of good quality paper towels for this project

Without removing the paper towel wrapper, use the electric knife to cut the paper towel roll into two shorter rolls. Save the second roll for a refill later.
Remove the wrapper, and place one short paper towel roll inside plastic food storage container. Using a liquid measuring cup, gently pour one of the following cleaning solution recipes over the top of the paper towel roll.

You will need between 2 and 4 cups of cleaning solution, depending on the size and absorbency of the paper towel product selected.

Place the lid on the plastic food storage container, and allow paper towels to absorb cleaning solution for 4 hours to overnight.

Open the food storage container. Gently pull the wet cardboard tube from the center of the paper towel roll and discard. Carefully pull the end of the paper towels from the inside, where the cardboard roll had been.

Any of these can be used as the solution for the wipes or you can make it up in a spray bottle.
General Surface Cleaning:
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 1/2 cups water

*this works great, I have been using it for years.

Disinfectant Cleaning:

1/4 to 1/2 cup pine cleaning solution such as Pine-Sol brand
2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cup water

Disinfecting Wipes:

Make wipes and then pour alcohol in and allow it to absorb.

½ roll paper towels
1 bottle alcohol

*I got this idea from one of my favorite blogs...here is the link: http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html

All Purpose Cleaner ( like 409)

16 oz trigger spray bottle (or use in wipes)
2 Tablespoons distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon of borax
Water (if you have hard water this needs to be distilled or purified water, otherwise use tap)
1/8 of a cup of mild liquid dish soap (ivory, palmolive….)

*I love this cleaner!!! I use this in my wipes and it works great. I also keep a spray bottle of it for all sorts of purposes*

Window and Glass Cleaning:

1/2 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
2 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon white vinegar

*This works great. I just make it in my empty Windex bottle

Hurricanes, and Tornados and Earthquakes oh my!!

From Aliisa

Sundy, I commend you on your brilliant research skills!! Finding that site for hotels that accept pets was a great find. And being able to specifically find one along the evacuation route is wonderful.

You know I don't miss having to run from a hurricane, however I do miss tracking them and knowing when they are going to hit so I can RUN!!! Since I have moved to Illinois I have been awakened by the stuff on my nightstand rattling at 4:30 am to find that I am in the midst of my first earthquake...ugh!! But since I have now joined the community of bloggers you can tell that I survived!! In addition to that, I have now learned that everytime we have a thunderstorm, I ask my husband to check the weather for tornados. His reply is usually, I did honey...its JUST a thunderstorm (another natural disaster avoided....whew!!)

BTW: I did look up the plural of Tornado since I couldn't decide whether to put an -s or an -es. Turns out either is acceptable, so I saved myself 1 whole keystroke...yea!! However, I do believe that I spent that keystroke and more on my explanation...oh well. *lol*

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Ike, Ike, baby...

From Sundy:

Ike was supposed to go to Florida. That's what we all thought at the end of last week. Now it isn't. Now it is going to hit somewhere along the Coastal Bend, and most of the models forecast it hitting pretty close to where I live.

So, today I searched for hotels that a) weren't too expensive, b) were along our evac route, and c) would take a pet that isn't a service animal.

I found a really nice site called Pets Welcome. They list hotels that accept pets (not just service animals), either for a small fee or even free! They list them by city, and they will also allow you to put your origination and destination points into a search so you can get results for hotels along your route! I found several possibilities for us.

Tomorrow night, once we know a little more about where Ike may land, I'll start making some phone calls.