The Frugal Feast

NEW Blog! I'm moving...already!

2008-06-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Come join me!!

Juuuust a bit outside...!

2008-05-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't quite make a poem a day for the month of April. But I did do pretty good! The only times I missed were when my internet connection was flaky. So I'm going to go easy on myself and figure I did pretty dang good! And I enjoyed it...I enjoy Haiku (and Lune's, too, Laure!). I think they will be a regular "feature" here on The Frugal Feast...just because.

Here we are into May already...what is up with the time?! Man...it's just flying by. Between working two jobs and running two boys around for baseball...not to mention life; husband, house, food, pets, LAUNDRY...I can't keep up! So...I gave up trying to. I do what I can when I can and call it a day. I figure I can be caught up on things when the boys are grown and gone. Then I'll have a neat and tidy house and WISH I had kid messes around! The grass is always greener, isn't it?

xo

Haiku #29

2008-04-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

it's all in my head

days, one after another

stay afloat, breathe deep

Haiku #25

2008-04-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

busy, busyness

running out of things to say

stop. sit and listen

Haiku #24

2008-04-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

at a loss sometimes

elusive words out of reach

nothing more to say

Haiku #23 on the 24th

2008-04-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

what more could I say

that would make you believe me

enough to break free

Haiku #22..how'd I miss a day..again?

2008-04-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

read between the lines

listen to the still, small voice

I lead, you follow

random words...readiness

2008-04-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

wishing time would slow

or come to an end

knowledge

inner urgency

unexplainable certainty

moving closer

pulling away

let's do this

Haiku #21

2008-04-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

alone as a child

hearing footsteps in my head

"Is that you, Jesus?"

Haiku #20

2008-04-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

darkness clouds thinking

bottomless pits are pulling

me down, further down

Purchasing art on a budget.

2008-04-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have been on an art buying spree. Original art. Limited edition art. Cool art. Dark art. Amazing art. Simple art. And all at very affordable prices. I have been a regular visitor to etsy.com. And just a word of warning should you choose to follow that handy dandy little link...it can be a dangerous site to visit. Dangerous...and very UNfrugal if you're not careful!

I bought this:

And this:

And a few other pieces...ahem. Luckily I had some money stashed at Paypal so I was able to use that. I still have some left, too. Lookout!

Haiku #18

2008-04-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

how do you stop it?

out of control, rescue us

the earth keeps spinning

Haiku #17

2008-04-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

I wake to Your word
the day starts, off and running
stay focused, look deep

My mom got me this...

2008-04-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

...for my birthday. It's a panini maker by Le Creuset. Only mine is in "Dune". I love it. I made some paninis the other night that were really tasty...sourdough bread, grilled chicken, fresh basil, thinly sliced tomato and onion and provolone. Yum. And of course, I forgot to take pictures with my new love of my life, my sweet camera. I thought to photograph them after we'd eaten. I really need to get the hang of this photgraphy thing. I did, after all, promise photographs.

I really need life to slow down. There just isn't time to do it all!

Haiku #16

2008-04-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

bitten fingernails

years of angst kept at arms length

remember to breathe

Haiku #15...ode to IRS

2008-04-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

you took my money

with no thanks in return

life, death and taxes

Haiku and Lunes.

2008-04-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just realized why I am loving these forms of poetry. I think it has everything to do with my self-diagnosed (I know, I know...we're not supposed to self-diagnose...blah blah blah) ADD. These are quick and easy and give me instant gratification...even if they don't make sense or sound good. Ahem. I can at least feel like I've completed something!

and for that matter...how about a Lune while I'm at it?

2008-04-14T13:46:00.001-07:00

look around

how can you deny

He exists

Haiku #14

2008-04-14T13:43:00.001-07:00

shining sun beats down

etching the warmth on my skin

a love note from God.

Haiku #13

2008-04-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

Creativity

eludes me like restful sleep

I long to express

Haiku #12...a day late.

2008-04-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday sped by

start to finish like a flash

gone as it began

life is good.

2008-04-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

My husband got this for me for my birthday. I am in love...with my hubby AND my camera. Now, I just have to learn how to USE it. Stay tuned for pictures...maybe not the greatest pictures...but pictures, nonetheless!

Haiku #10

2008-04-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

they sip and listen

taking turns lending an ear

a new friend is made

Haiku #11

2008-04-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

chosen for this time

created for a purpose

your will, shine through me

Maybe not!

2008-04-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

So I started this post to write Haiku #10 and can you believe I forgot it?! I left it at home on the counter. I'll post it later if my internet decides to bless me with its presence.

Slacker.

2008-04-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not really a slacker. But my internet connection was! I had no internet yesterday...amazing how reliant we've become on the internet, isn't it? Scary, really. So since I couldn't write my haiku, or shall I say TYPE my haiku, directly into my blog, can you believe I had to actually get a pen and a piece of paper and WRITE it down? Barbaric, I know. Unheard of. I feel so behind the times. Amazing any of us were able to manage before the internet, isn't it? I was talking to a friend the other day who dropped her cell phone and the battery popped out. When she put the phone back together it wasn't working. So she thought to give a call to someone to help her out. But do you know she couldn't call anyone because she didn't know any of their numbers? That's right. They were all programmed into her phone, but no phone=no numbers=no communication. Scary. I remember when I had tons of numbers in my head. I knew everyone's number by heart...I can still remember my childhood phone number...793-6950. We are just too reliant on technology..

I think I'm going to go buy myself a pocket phone book and start writing people's number down, like in the old days. Just in case.

Haiku #9

2008-04-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

Days burn together

Night turns to light, day to dark

Look past what you see

"thinking on" poetry...

2008-04-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

The other day I received a sweet comment from a new blog friend, Laure over at Selah.... So I went to her blog to check her out! I was intrigued because of the name of her blog, Selah. It's biblical, and means "think on these things" or "ponder on these things". You see it in the Psalms quite a bit. Well...she enjoys poetry (not to mention, photography!), too...and writes some herself. Today I checked in at her blog and she'd written about a form of poetry I'd never heard of...a Lune. It's similar to a haiku but rather than 5-7-5 syllables, it consists of 3-5-3 syllables.

For example:

the whispers

heard deep in my heart

are pure love

Now, I have to say, the Lune is a bit trickier than the haiku. I thought it would be easier because there are fewer syllables. But really, it's a bit more of a challenge because there are fewer syllables! You have to really choose your words carefully to convey a thought or paint a picture for the reader.

Try one! See what you can come up with! And check out Selah...she explains the Lune way better than I did!

Haiku #8

2008-04-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

My eyes are open

light lets me see the truth and

also the darkness

Haiku #7..a tribute to Oprah

2008-04-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Inconsistency

The distractions make you small

Look up, not within

Haiku #6 on the 7th...oops

2008-04-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

You died on the cross

I didn't know for so long

Now I am awake

Haiku #5

2008-04-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

Too tired to write

can't come up with clever words

the day is over.

Haiku #4

2008-04-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

Breathing is shallow

Thoughts of tomorrow bring fear

You alone give peace

Braver by the day.

2008-04-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Is "braver" a word? Well, today it is! Because I feel it.

I dropped off two old art pieces at the gallery yesterday for them to display on the wall. The director encouraged me to bring them in as she had an empty spot on the wall. The pieces I took her were from 2000. Assemblage at that. But...it's all I had that wasn't either given away or packed away. It was just proof that I need to get my butt in gear and make some new art!

xox

Haiku #3

2008-04-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

The sun burns the sky

Miraculous fire and heat

Warms my skin through glass

Haiku #2 (so I can catch up!)

2008-04-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Mud and mire, I slipped

The darkness swallowed me whole

You were not afraid

Haiku #1

2008-04-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

You came along side

Urging me to give it up

You showed me the way.

Haiku schmaiku.

2008-04-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

According to my sweet friend, April is National Poetry Month. (I don't know who told her this. Regardless, I'm going with it.) In honor of this, she's writing lots of cool poetry all month long.

I'm impressed. And also inspired. So, I've decided to follow suit. And since Haiku is my specialty (I use that term VERY loosely) I'm going to follow suit and write a Haiku a day for the whole month.

"Can she do it?", you ask. Don't feel bad...I'm asking the same question! Can I really make a plan and stick to it? Hmm...well, I can sure try!

Wish me luck!

Sink or swim.

2008-04-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

I took the plunge...the plunge I've been threatening to take for over 8 years. I joined my local art gallery. I am an official, contributing member as of yesterday...yes, April Fool's Day...but I don't celebrate that day! So I wasn't being foolish! I was dead serious...finally. I'm really excited. And..a bit intimidated! There's a juried show in two weeks...so I better get a move-on!

I'm feeling giddy and crazy...

I love it!

(And to keep it on a Frugal note: Yesterday's membership fee was only $15 because the new year begins in June...so it was prorated...lest you think I'm being frivolous!)

April 1. Already.

2008-04-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

So many ideas, so little time. This is my mantra as of late. My mind is a whirl with things to do and make and photograph and write about and cook and...and...and..! It's never-ending. But, days ARE ending. So...instead, I do what I gotta do...and wish for more time to do what I WANNA do. *Sigh*

I have been avoiding my blog...boycotting, if you will...waiting patiently for a new digital camera. I am pretty sure that my dear hubby is going to get one for me for my birthday (in 10 days...!). I can hardly wait. Seriously. I'm like a little kid. Like Veruka. "I want it and I want it NOOWWW." I try to control myself, however...since sounding like a spoiled brat is likely to get me NOWHERE.

Anyway...

I guess I can blame it on not having a camera. But the reality is that finding my blog voice has been a challenge. When I created this blog I felt like it needed to have a focus...a theme...a reason. But what I'm finding is that trying to keep within a theme is quite limiting. My mind is not that narrow...I don't JUST think about being frugal. I think about cooking...and family...and home decor. I think about God and Jesus and the universe...the world...starvation and thirst...children being used as sex slaves...homelessness...drug addiction...the list goes on. Yes, being frugal and being a good steward of what God provides me is very important. And I love to share what I discover. But it adds up to more than just dinner.

So...that being said....if there is anyone reading this, just know that changes are ahead. Yes, more pictures. But also, more words. More thoughts. More reality. More...me.

Is it really March already?!

2008-03-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that I haven't posted in almost a MONTH! Part of my being "frugal" is my cheap-ness in not wanting to pay for internet at our house. We have it here at our office. Which is nice. But it limits the time I can use it recreationally. Apparently, since I do the books for our business, my husband expects me to get some work done or something. Doesn't he understand that I need to BLOG?!

So a lot has gone on since I last posted. I've been training for my part-time job selling window coverings. The boys have started baseball...which entails being at the ballpark or the practice field six (yes, SIX) days a week. We've been working on the house...cleaning the garage, the yards, the closets, behind things...dust bunnies don't count as pets, apparently. It's amazing what I see when I go to people's homes. Selling window coverings requires me to go to in-home consultations. And selling window coverings requires me to measure windows. This means I have to go behind furniture...and move furniture...and pull up shades that haven't been pulled up in a long time...and it shows. The things one finds behind other people's window shades and furniture is way more icky than finding things behind my own. And going in to other people's children's rooms and seeing how they allow their children to live...and to sleep...it's a bit scary. And a lot enlightening. And it motivated me to get under and behind my OWN stuff...and in to my OWN kids' rooms...and clean the HECK out of it all! It's amazing what can motivate us.

I have been making menu plans, too. Working for someone else has changed things for me quite a bit. Working for my husband is one thing. I pretty much make my own schedule.I can stay home for a "take care of the house" day, if I need to. I can leave the office at whatever time I need to in order to get errands run, or kids picked up, or dinner started, or whatever I need to do. But working for someone else, even if it is only two days a week, changes all of that...a lot.

SO...since I still want to feed my family healthy, cost-effective meals I am having to rethink the way I do some things.

I am going to utilize my Crock-Pot a lot more.

I am going to make Menus using the sale ads.

I am going to prepare one-dish meals in the morning and refrigerate them for my husband to pop into the oven when he gets home, should he get home before me.

The first night I trained for my job I didn't get home until about 6pm. I had not planned to work so late, so I had not planned anything quick and easy for dinner. I was exhausted...and brain-dead...and just plain not willing to cook. And actually, even I had been willing to cook, my brain was so fried that I couldn't have thought of something to make if our lives depended on it! So...we did what many other families do in situations like that. We went out to eat.

$40 later, and irritated about paying for a meal that was NOT worth that much, I decided that I needed to do something different on my work days. And so far I've done pretty well. I've been making one food to work for two dinners. A whole roast chicken, a roasted pork loin large enough for two meals, extra mashed potatoes at one dinner to be used as a topping for Shepherd's Pie for another dinner, etc. It's working splendidly. I am thinking of investing in this:

I have to say she's a bit annoying to watch. And I really wish she would just go for the gusto and actually SEASON that food....her little bits of salt and pepper drive me insane. Put it on there, girl! But, other than that, I think she's got some good ideas. And I can always add more seasonings as I see fit, right? I mean, I never have been one to follow a recipe to the exact measurement. Why would I start now?

Once I get this whole meal planning/menu planning/shopping with ads thing down I'll share some of my ideas. The roast chicken on Sunday morphed into Chicken Paninis on Tuesday was a really good one. I got approval from the whole family!

I love a bargain.

2008-02-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

I realized last week that we have one of those discount home stores, Tuesday Morning, within 15 miles of my house. I have been seeing it advertised for a while now but never knew there was one so close. I decided to go check it out last week. I have to say, I wasn't impressed. Not at all. I much prefer my usual Home Goods, Marshall's and Ross for reasonably priced home decor items. BUT, I did find ONE thing that made me very happy. A copy of Food to Live By by Myra Goodman. This had been on my Amazon Wish List for months! And I found it at Tuesday Morning for $14.99. Regularly priced it would have been $35. Amazon has it for $14.93. Cheaper, yes. But I would have had to pay for shipping. So for me this was a GOOD deal. And so far I love it. It's got lots of stories of how their farm got started...what they grow...what they do...tells about their roadside stand..plus many recipes that sound really, really good. I haven't tried one yet...but the weekend is here...and I plan on relaxing in the kitchen!

Here it is feeling quite at home on the hutch in my kitchen.

I'll let you know which recipe I chose and how it turned out!

Pink with Sprinkles!

2008-02-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what I'm going to make?

Oh yeah...the PINK marshmallows are melting nicely.

Just about ready...
Mmmmm...yum...the finished product.

Pink Rice Krispie treats with sprinkles for my sweet Valentine's.

Yesterday while perusing the clearance aisles at Target I ran across some PINK marshmallows! They were priced at .84 cents a bag! I couldn't resist...I bought three bags. Two for the kids Valentine's party we had at church last night and one for my own family. I purchased Target brand puffed rice cereal for $1.67 a box. So for roughly $7.50 I had three glorious pans of pink marshmallow-y goodness! They were delicious!

My Valentine was very sweet. At Christmas time I had mentioned wanting a wood carving tool set so that I can make some lino carvings. Well, he had already spent his Christmas budget for my presents and wasn't able to get the carving set for me. That was OK...his budget was well spent and I loved all of my Christmas presents. Christmas came and went and I pretty much forgot about the carving set...thinking of it on occasion and putting it in the back of my head for a "purchase someday". Then on Tuesday we were at the church helping with a luncheon and someone had brought a bag of Hershey's chocolates. I scrounged around looking for a Mr. Goodbar...without any luck...then made a comment about wishing there was a Mr. Goodbar in the bag because I love them so much.

So here's where the sweet part comes in. And I should preface this whole story with the fact that I told him I did NOT want flowers this year. For the amount of money spent on flowers I could have a WHOLE lot more AND it wouldn't die in 3 days. This meant he'd either have to get me nothing OR be creative. Luckily, he chose creative! My Valentine surprised me with a GIANT Mr. Goodbar and a wood carving tool set, AND some graphite tracing paper! He also gave me a nice card with the most beautiful words inside that he'd written himself. I was so touched. I think it just might be the best Valentine's Day yet. So thoughtful and romantic and sweet...I love him more and more each day.

After a week's deliberation...

2008-02-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

...and much talking to myself, I had to go back to the thrift shop and purchase this tri-fold mirror. (click on photo to enlarge if you want. I got myself in it a bit, but that's OK) I don't know how old it is, but I do know that I love it. Originally when I bought it I thought it would be cute on an upright dresser. And I have an upright dresser, but there's no room on it because it's full of other really important stuff. Seriously. I mean it. Well, mostly important stuff.

Anyway, I decided that it might look cute on my sideboard in my living room. It's a bit more cluttered than I'd like but it'll do for now. Notice the Christmas bulbs in the nest under the cloche? Yeah. I know it's February. Ahem.

But yeah...the mirror. I love it. And I'm really glad I purchased it. I paid $35 for it...which is a splurge for me. But I went back to the thrift store THREE TIMES to look at it...and I loved it each time...and I thought about it at home...and while I was driving...and while I was washing dishes. And I know myself. When I think about something that much it means that I really do love it and will truly cherish it for many years to come.

This presents a challenge for me because while I like to give myself overnight to think about a purchase...usually one that is not necessary for survival (although I'm sure some of you could provide some very valid arguments as to how certain items are life-giving...I hear you, I do.) such as a mirror, or an area rug (I thought about that one for a WEEK before I finally went back and bought it...to my surprise it was on SALE when I went back to make the purchase! Go me!) this may cause me to miss out on a very good deal on something, say some china plates and a platter that would have been so stinkin' cute on a dining room wall, for instance...yes, when I'm irritated I repeat myself AND I use run-on sentences. But I'm still sad about the plates and platter. I knew I should have grabbed them. It was just really hard to justify the expense because we don't HAVE a formal dining room right now. I'm hoping that changes within the next year, though.

Come on bigger house! I'm ready when you are!

The price is right.

2008-02-04T10:20:00.000-08:00

Isn't it funny how we remember the prices we pay for things? Especially when it was a really good price?! And really...I don't know that I remember what something cost when it was purchased new...or for regular price (which rarely happens, by the way). I always just know it was "too much".

Interesting.

Do you find this to be true for you, too?
What's the best deal you've ever gotten on a favorite item?

Psalm 116

2008-02-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

6The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.

Just another day at the thrift store.

2008-02-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

When I was 19 my friend invited me to go to the flea market with her. Her family went to flea markets often since her dad was in the junk yard business. (I hadn't been to a flea market since I was around eight or so when my dad took me with him to sell his wares. I remember him selling a stained glass lamp shade and being sad about it and walking to the snack bar all by myself to get us some hot dogs. Times have changed haven't they? I wonder if my mom would have let me walk there alone? I wonder if she knew HE let me?) I had nothing better to do, so I went to the flea market with my friend. I was instantly smitten. I still remember what I purchased: a vintage woman's hat, complete with a disintegrating netted veil for $4; an old water cooler jug for $2 and a large mirror for $12 that I still have and display with pride (I'll take pictures later...it's in dire need of some Windex!). That was it. I was a flea market fan.

Since then I've been frequenting flea markets, yard sales and thrift shops...and finding great deals along the way.

So last week I was at our local thrift shop that benefits a women's shelter here in town. They are really organized, have great prices and are super nice. I asked about canning supplies one day and it led to a lengthy conversation with my new canning friend, Francine. Francine works at the thrift shop...and she cans...and she sets stuff aside for me in her trunk for when I come in the next time! How nice is that? She's set aside a dozen quart size canning jars and a large canning pot with a rack for me. I bought it all.

When I was in last week picking up the canning supplies I saw a really cool, old tri-fold mirror. It was marked $35. And worth it. But I had to think on it. Dangerous move in the world of thrift shops. Here today, gone tomorrow. I learned that the hard way last week when I did NOT buy the gorgeous china plates and platter for $6 only to go back the next day specifically to buy it (because it would be SO CUTE on a dining room wall but I don't have a dining room wall so I had a hard time justifying the purchase even though I should have bought the stuff and saved it for when I DO have a dining room. OK. Lesson learned.) and it was gone, gone, gone. And probably hanging on someone else's dining room wall looking totally cute. Dangit. First time, shame on you. Second time, shame on me. So I bought the mirror. And I'm glad I did. If I hadn't, it would be like "the one that got away". Much like the china, dangit.

The white pieces with the red stripe are the size of a small runner and made of linen. I got two of them. And I just love them. I don't have a use for them quite yet. But don't worry, I will.

Also shown is the afghan...I actually purchased this a few weeks back and am just now getting a picture of it!

The best part of it all? I still love these items. No buyer's remorse...not one tiny bit. And THAT is what makes it worth it...right?

The Super Bowl. It's all about the food.

2008-02-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

This year neither one of us is particularly interested in either one of the team's playing. No offense. It's just that my husband is a Cleveland Browns fan...and I go along with that! However, we do enjoy a good ol' Super Bowl Sunday...if only for the food!

For the record...we're rooting for the Giants.

Haiku #3

2008-02-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

Amazing to me

that something so wonderful

came from such a mess.

Give a girl a fig.

2008-02-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

I love figs. I haven't always loved figs. As a matter of fact, I didn't eat a fig until I was 25 years old. I rented a tiny little hole in the wall apartment about 7 miles outside of town and there was a fig tree in my driveway. I didn't even know what it was! But I took my grandmother out one day to see my new pad and she about came unglued because I had a fig tree.

"Is that what that is?!" I didn't know. Not to mention it was one of the ugliest trees I'd ever seen.

"Yes! Oh, I love figs! You'll have to pick some for me when they're ripe."

Eventually they ripened. And as promised, I picked some for my grandmother. I even delivered them! And we had a nice visit while eating figs. And I really, really liked them. A lot. Who knew?

Thanks to my grandmother, and my little apartment in the country, I would like to plant a fig tree someday. Our dream is to buy country property...someday. So, when we DO buy country property...someday...I'll be planting a fig tree.

And an orange tree.

And a Meyer lemon tree.

And a plum tree.

And a persimmon tree.

And lots of vegetables.

The gorgeous photo above is from Whole Foods. Go visit!

"...and let the flavors marry."

2008-02-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

A while back I tried my hand at making lentil soup. It turned out fine. But not delicious like I'd hoped. But since I'd made such a large batch I decided to freeze individual servings for lunch. I didn't want it to go to waste, after all.

Fast forward to today...and a crazy morning of running late, a sick kid, too much to do and not enough food in the house. I left the house with nothing in mind for lunch. And being on a budget...as usual...I dreaded the thought of buying convenience food...again. Then I remembered, "Hey. I think I have one container of lentil soup left in the freezer at the office!" Sure enough, I peeked in the freezer and there it was. I have to admit, I wasn't real excited about it. But, it was sustenance, and healthy sustenance at that, so it would do. To my surprise...and delight...lentil soup gets better with age! Apparently lentil soup is much like spaghetti sauce or anything "the next day" and the flavor improves! Nice.

Now I'm full. And satisfied. And encouraged to do more cooking and freezing! Anyone have any recipes they'd like to share that freeze well? I'm all ears!

Haiku #2

2008-01-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

sometimes it's too much

to try and keep from drowning

step out of the boat

Long, lazy Saturday.

2008-01-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

And BOY do I NEED it. I slept in until 8 this morning. I am usually up around 6am so that I can have about 45 minutes of quiet to read my bible. In June I decided to read the bible, cover to cover. I'm in Acts right now. I did get some reading time in this morning, which was nice. Then my husband got up and we sat around in our jammies sipping coffee.

My oldest son is sick...I am pretty sure he's got strep throat due to the tell-tale white spots on the back of his tongue. So rather than lounge around all day in my pj's I ended up showering and getting dressed to go to the store for some Jell-O, sherbet and Gatorade. I have the poor guy quarantined in his room since strep is so contagious. But he's got a pretty nice set up....cozy bed, lots of pillows, a bedside tray with juice, tissue and the remote. I also rented some movies for him to watch using his PS2! He's got it made...aside from that terrible croupe cough and sore throat, of course.

I'm doing the home remedy thing...as opposed to taking him to the doctor. I try to stay away from antibiotics as much as possible. I've never been one to rush my kids to the dr. at every sniffle or fever. And I read online that strep will go away in 3-7 days regardless if you take an antibiotic or not. So...we're opting for home care. I made some chicken soup..and that cures everything, right? He's staying hydrated thanks to Gatorade and otter pops! His fever spiked this afternoon so I'm just keeping a good eye on him. I did give him Tylenol to help with that and discomfort, though. I'm not against medication altogether. Just not a lot of it.

Earlier I was looking online for some home remedies using things I'd normally have in my cupboard. Because honestly, I don't keep bark and roots handy. I did find one web site...Granny Med I think?...that had a ton of home remedies. I just wasn't sure which ones would REALLY work. So...I didn't use any of them. Although the sliced onion soaked in honey did sound interesting. I'd be interested to know what is it in the onion that makes for a good sore throat remedy. Anyone have that answer? Let me know if you do!

I better check the chicken soup...I think it's due for a stir!

Frugality as Haiku?

2008-01-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have to explain this random Haiku post.

For some reason I get the Haiku bug now and then and just feel like I need to write one. I've always fantasized about being a writer...for whatever reason I feel I have a story to tell. I think we all do, really.

And I would love to be able to write poetry. But it's just not one of my gifts. I suppose my mind isn't abstract enough? Maybe I'm too literal? Too predictable?

Whatever it is...whatever the reason for my inability to write poetry...whatever the reason may be, in my mind it doesn't apply to Haiku. Therefore, I think I can actually DO it! So I go with it...I live it...I become one with the Haiku. Only once in a while.

I noticed, however, that I numbered it "Haiku #1".

This leads me to believe that maybe there are more in my future...I'm just sayin'.

Haiku #1

2008-01-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

whispers in my heart

calling me away from self

I am not my own

When life gives you lemons.

2008-01-24T18:45:00.001-08:00

OR, as in my case, when your aunt, who's really more like your sister, gives you a really cute wire basket from Crate and Barrel FULL of gorgeous Meyer lemons from the tree in her backyard for Christmas...make frozen lemon juice cubes to use later for cooking!

She gave me so many lemons I couldn't possibly use them all. And I knew I wanted to juice them to use later to melt in sauces, etc. So I went on a search for ice cube trays. And would you believe I could not FIND any? Someone said they might be a summer thing? Whatever the reason, I couldn't find any. But the other day I stopped by the local thrift shop and found two ice cube trays for a quarter each! They were purple...which threw me off for a minute...but then I got over it and realized they weren't going to be on display or anything so what did it matter?

Last night I squeezed all of the lemons into a measuring cup, poured the juice into the ice cube trays and froze them overnight. I'll put them in zipper storage baggies for later use! This makes me so happy...for so many reasons. I love the fact that the lemons were free. I love the fact that they didn't go to waste. I love the fact that I was able to find the tools I needed to do what I wanted to do at the thrift store...for VERY inexpensive.

The only downside to this? Now I need something else to display in the cute wire basket!

I love it when dinner extends to lunch.

2008-01-23T14:26:00.000-08:00

Last night I made a chicken dish that made enough for my husband and I to have it for lunch, too! I have to admit that I am not one to plan meals. I mean, I think about it...and I peruse the sale ads...and I base my meals on what's on sale. But I don't plan each and every meal down to the condiment for a week...or even scarier...a MONTH?! And I certainly don't do all of that...plus buy what's on sale PLUS use double coupons and rebates. I would love it if I WERE this organized. I would. I am so amazed at the people that can do this. Amazed. But...I'm not that amazing. Not even close. I do what I can, though...

I knew I wanted to make pasta. Number one, it's good. Number two, it's easy. Number three, it's quick! I also knew I had some half and half in the fridge as well as grated Parmesan and frozen peas. Sounds good to me. But I knew my husband and sons would like some meat in that combo. I decided to defrost two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cube them then saute them in olive oil and fresh garlic. I used the tasty brown bits on the bottom of the pan and some pasta water to make a light sauce. I then added the half and half, the pasta and the cheese and combined and warmed through. While the pasta warmed I made garlic bread, heated the peas and made a simple green salad as sides. It was quite tasty! And I had enough for leftovers for lunch today.

So I figure it cost me roughly $6 for four meals. FOUR! This does not inlcude the cost of milk, which we've been going through like CRAZY lately. Either way...I would say that's pretty frugal!

I did it. I'm free!

2008-01-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

I bought a reusable grocery tote from the grocery store tonight. I just DID it. I got to the self-checkout and there it was, right in front of me. So I grabbed it, scanned it and filled it up with my items. It was 25 cents. I figure I can spare the landfill at least 20 plastic bags or so by using it.

And I have to admit...I felt quite happy and, yes, a tiny bit smug, as I walked to my car with my eco-friendly bag.

Hesitant. Or, It's Not About Me.

2008-01-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

I've pretty much always been frugal. I have always wanted the most for my money. I've always appreciated flea markets and garage sales. I'm not afraid of previously owned items...usually. I like a good bargain...and always have. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Along with being frugal I also want to be health conscious and to feed my family healthy food. I'm finding, however, that "frugal" and "healthy" don't always go together easily. But...although a big part of my challenge...this is not what I want to talk about.

It all started when the challenge to feed my family healthy food led me on a rabbit trail. I began searching frugal blogs...that led to money saving blogs...that led to sustainable living blogs...and organic blogs...and eventually to Green blogs. Sometimes the blog were all of the above...I think they must have rabbit trailed, too! However it happened...I stumbled upon my dilemma...

Are you ready?

OK. Here it is...

Reusable grocery bags.

There. I said it.

I know the words are nonthreatening enough...say it with me, "Reusable.Grocery.Bags". And I know I shouldn't let them intimidate me the way they do. Especially since I actually bought one not long ago from Trader Joe's. And that was easy enough to do. No threat. As a matter of fact, I was proud of it. And still am. My problem...and my hesitation...is buying reusable bags from larger chain grocery stores...Lucky, Safeway, etc. I see them EVERY time I shop. And I KNOW I need to buy them. But I don't. And I don't know why. And I cringe at the checkout...no matter what they bag my items in..."paper or plastic?". Why do I not buy them? And more importantly...USE them? Why? Is it because they're not cute like the one's at TJ's? Possibly. Or maybe it's because the regular grocer's aren't as...hip? to shop at? Maybe. Is it because I have a victim mentality and beating myself up for using plastic in some way makes me feel...something? No. That's not it. But it was kind of funny to think about in that way.

Honestly, I think it's because they're not as cute. Nor are they made as well. But really...is that what it's about? Is it about how they look? They're outward appearance? Or is it what they represent? And what they will DO for our environment...even if helping just a little bit to make a difference.

I know the answer to my rhetorical question. I do. I think what I need to do is let myself off the hook and commit to buying a couple of them...using them on a trial basis...and just SEE what I think. No pressure. No threat. No strings attached. That sounds good...I can do this.

I'll let you know how it goes.

xoxox

Time flies...when you win an award?

2008-01-22T11:45:00.001-08:00

AND when you have no internet. (Probably because I actually got stuff DONE instead of seeing what everyone ELSE was doing!)

No internet makes me kinda cranky. Especially when I want to come HERE and see what's going on! And even MORE especially when I return to find that I've won an AWARD! Robin over at Heart at Home awarded me with an Excellent Blog Award! Wow! And I wasn't even sure anyone was picking up what I was laying down here at The Frugal Feast. It's nice to know some of you get me! (I kinda feel like Sally Field a little bit.)

Thank you, Robin SO much. And for those of you who may not be familiar with Robin...go check out her encouraging Blog...she's amazing.

And now...as per Award Etiquette...I'm off to award 10 others!

When one door closes, another one opens.

2008-01-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

This amazing photo courtesy of oboylephoto.com

Brand new items at Thrift Store prices.

2008-01-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

I got a part-time job selling window coverings. I'm very excited about it! I went on my first training ride-along this afternoon and it went really well. I think I'm going to enjoy it! Having a part-time job means that I need some new clothes. I've been working in our office for the last 5 years so I've gotten quite comfortable and casual in my clothing choices. I needed to get some clothes that were a bit more professional.

I stopped in at my local Marshall's yesterday and ended up getting two pair of shoes on clearance, Anne Klein...$25 each. Then I headed over to the tops and found three...one for $5, one for $7 and one for $10. The $5 one is Carole Little. Not bad! I actually bought 5 blouses but two of them fit funky so they have to go back.

I still need some khakis...I'm having a heck of a time finding a cute pair that fit nicely. Luckily, I can wear jeans. And I am a JEANS kinda girl. But I'd still like to have a pair or two of khakis. I'll just have to keep looking!

I got sucked in!

2008-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

I popped into Target yesterday morning for a few household items and such (and a NOT very frugal latte from Starbuck's...yeah, yeah, I know...but hey, nobody's perfect!) and ended up heading to the toy section to see what I could find for my son's 10th birthday coming up on the 17th. As I rounded the corner I was shocked to see lines of women with carts piled so high with toys that they were toppling off of their carts. My mouth must have dropped open...in disgust and judgment I must admit...at the sheer craziness of what I was witnessing.

Regardless of my opinion of these greedy moms, I proceeded closer. After waiting my turn to get down the aisle I realized that the whole aisle, and the one next to that one, are FULL of clearance toy items. And not just sale prices...I'm talking CLEARANCE prices...for real. 75% off.

Doing my best to keep my composure I began poking around...and steering clear of the other moms who meant business. One by one, I added bargain items to my OWN basket...one after the other after the other.

"Hmmm...isn't Emily's birthday coming up? And what about Averie? And Nathan? Or was it Ben?", I thought to myself. By this time...I'm TRYING to find people to buy for. This could be dangerous.

Before I knew it...my cart was near full. It wasn't toppling over...thanks to my stellar restraint...ahem...but I was *this* close. I got some FUN stuff for my son for his birthday. A few of the fun finds are: a gooey brain experiment kit, an egg drop experiment kit, Air Hogs, and the best one...a $160 projector for $40! (He got a video camera for Christmas and has steadily been making amazing films that only an almost-10-year-old can make. He films them, directs them and then edits them on the computer.) This projector will allow him to show his films BIG on a blank wall. And he can use it for video games, too! He's gonna love it. It was truly a great find.

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

I sheepishly made my way to the checkout...feeling the need to express my apologies to all of the women I judged just 30 short minutes ago. But as the clerk ran each item over the scanner and my tally came up on the register display...all bad feelings melted away knowing that I'd saved 75% on nearly everything in my cart.

Does this justify the splurge on the latte? I like to think so.

photo of sweet grocery cart courtesy of oompa toys

I love Kid Art

2008-01-09T13:38:00.001-08:00

Goals - Part One

2008-01-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I don't know how many "parts" this whole goal thing will be. I know that I want to make a list of goals, and I know what a few of them are, but it seems that each day a new goal pops up. So...it could go on a while.

And really, it should. I should never stop setting goals for myself. I should strive to set a goal, meet it and move on to something new. Right?

So, I'm going to shoot for the moon.

Stay tuned for The List.

Oh, how I love Ballard Designs.

2008-01-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

And usually, I only sit and look through the catalog, wishing and longing for some of the pretty things on the pages. Well, today I actually BOUGHT some of those things! AND, the best part, they were 75% Off, PLUS an additional 30% off the sale price!! Yes. You read that right.

I bought a set of these adorable wreaths.

...and a set of these mercury glass acorns.

These items, along with a Cuisinart hand mixer, were purchased with Christmas money from my grandparents. Thank you Noni and Papa! I love them!

I love a good bargain!

Speaking of frugal...weren't we?

2008-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

Made an impromptu thrift store stop today.

I came home with this book for $2.

And a dozen of these for $4.:
I also got a really cool afghan that I will show a picture of later. My digital camera actually took a so-so picture for me!

Commitment Four

2008-01-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

Set goals.

For 2008 I won't be making any

resolutions, because for me a resolution is like saying I'm going to go on a diet. The word diet, for me, equates to "eat more". Quit smoking always meant "smoke more". (But I finally DID quit...thank God.)

Resolution means "set myself up for failure". And quite frankly, I want good things this year. I want success. I want to accomplish things. And in order to do this successfully, I feel that setting goals is what I need to do.

Sadly, I've never really set goals. I've always flown by the seat of my pants, taking what came my way each day, like it or not, and dealing with it, rightly or not, as it flew at me. And somehow I've managed...I've survived. But I want more than that. I don't want to be content with managing or getting by. I want to make things happen on purpose. I want to LIVE on purpose. Not haphazardly. I don't mean that I want total control, or total organization, and no room to veer from that.

As far as I'm concerned, God is in total control. And I know that if I follow Him, rely on Him, stay focused on Him, and make this list of goals and rely on HIM to help me DO them...then I believe I will be successful, because of Him.

My list of goals will be made with God. I will take this desire to Him in prayer. I will follow Him, completely. Because His Word says that if I delight myself in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart. (He says this for you, too...!) And by "the desires of my heart" I don't mean a Cadillac and jewels. Sometimes we don't even KNOW the desires of our hearts until God places them there. Imagine! On the other hand, there are some things that I want out of life, and God knows them all. Some are spiritual. Some are physical. Some are financial. Some are for my husband, and for my kids. And yes, some of those desires are "stuff". He knows them all...because He knows my heart better than I do. So I'll ask Him for help in making this list of goals. I think I may be surprised by what ends up on that list!

I'm excited to see what God has in store for me.

Dear Lord,

I pray that you help me to set goals for my life. Speak to my heart, and I will do my best to listen. I love you, Lord.

Amen.

Commitment Three

2008-01-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Study the Bible.

Once I finish reading the bible in it's entirety I plan to then study it.

I don't know what this will consist of; whether I'll study a whole book of the bible, perhaps one of the minor prophets?

Or maybe study a person in the bible, Joshua or Caleb, maybe?

I could even take one chapter of one book...or even one VERSE and do a word by word study, breaking it down to the bottom line truth.

I don't know where I'll begin, I just know that it's the next thing to do. And I'm really excited about it. I almost can't wait to get to the end so I can begin the study part! And now that all of the holiday rush and craziness is over, I can get back on track, back to my "schedule" of getting up early before everyone else and taking some quiet time to read God's Word. It's a great time; it's quiet, I've got my coffee, my journal, my hiliters and sticky notes...just me and God starting the day. It's nice.

Commitment Two

2008-01-05T20:37:00.000-08:00

Finish reading the bible.

I began reading my bible, from Leviticus since I'd already read Genesis, in late June. I just started Luke. My commitment is to read the bible all the way through. I am really enjoying it. I had no idea that I would love the Old Testament as much as I do. I was sad when I was finished with it! I can't say that I have retained much. Well, let me rephrase that. I think I've retained a lot because I can recall quite a bit when I hear it again. What I can't do is remember exactly where everything is, or what it said, or names. But it wasn't my intention to memorize it all. My intention was to get it in my head once through...then go back and study individual books or events. That is the part I'm excited about...the deeper study.

Until then, however, I'll keep plugging along with my highlighter and sticky notes, reading and taking notes in each book of the bible until I reach the end.

Commitment One

2008-01-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

Grow My Own Food.

This spring, after the last frost of course, my boys and I are going to plant food in our backyard. I don't necessarily want to call it a garden because it's not going to be your typical rectangular plot of land with everything planted in nice, pretty rows. Not that that's a bad thing. As a matter of fact, if it were possible, I'd have exactly that. But since my backyard is not designed in such a way, my garden will be different.

Last summer my husband planted grass in our backyard and installed some lawn edging all around the yard, leaving a 2 foot border for planting all around the perimeter. Originally I was going to plant it full of drought tolerant, low-maintenance plants...mostly flowering for some color. But since last summer I've done lots of research on gardening, sustainable living and canning. And because of this I've decided that, while flowering plants are nice and beautiful, I would rather fill my planters with homegrown vegetables and fruit. This will be a challenge because we have a HUGE pecan tree that shades half of the yard. So I can only plant in certain areas where there is enough sun. But it's doable. Definitely. I have a lot of containers that I can utilize as well. I've got pots and barrels and two raised beds. And then the areas in the yard where there is full sun.

Ideally I would have a rectangular plot of land to call my garden. Instead, I've got areas. I've also got a dog that likes to let us know that the backyard is HIS territory...if you know what I mean? So fencing would be ideal. But seeing as how I'll be gardening in strips, containers and borders, a fence isn't gonna work. Any ideas? I'd love to hear any tips or advice.

What will we grow?

Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Strawberries
Zucchini
Tomatoes (for eating and for canning my own sauce)
Cucumbers
Green Peppers
Hot peppers
Green beans
Sugar Snap Peas
Garlic
Shallots
Carrots
Sage
Cilantro
Flat leaf parsley
Thyme

Have I forgotten anything? It's dangerous reading the gardening catalogs. One could go a little over the top with the order form! But I will try to keep it to what we'll eat...regardless of how beautiful the pictures are. I would love to grow corn but we really don't have room. Not to mention we've got a great fruit stand nearby that sells delicious corn that is grown locally. So I'll utilize them for whatever I don't grow.

I also want to plant a Meyer lemon in one of my half barrels and possibly a dwarf orange or a tangerine. I'm leaning toward the tangerine because they're beautiful and delicious. But I am not sure yet. I have to read up on citrus more. I haven't researched it enough yet.

I'm so excited to grow my own food. It's my first step in becoming less dependent on "the man". Ha!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T19:23:00.000-08:00

This year has started off slow...and for that I am thankful. Because LAST year went out with a bang and no room to breathe! And I have to admit, between Christmas celebrations, family visiting and staying with us, New Year's parties and weddings in between...I haven't hardly cooked! And if I did get in the kitchen it was to grab yet another piece of Almond Roca!

I guess not cooking can be quite frugal since it forces everyone to choose from what we've got sitting around...leftovers, frozen corn dogs, frozen burritos, turkey sandwiches...or in my case, salami, sliced cheese and sugar snap peas in ranch.

I didn't make any resolutions. I haven't in years. Probably because I felt I was always setting myself up for failure. This year is no different. I haven't made any resolutions. But I have made a few commitments to myself. A list of "wants" if you will. Desires. None of them include weight or quitting any stinky habits. It's really a matter of setting a goal...and doing my best to reach it. I have never done that. I just go along handling things as they come my way without any real thought as to what I WANT in life. This year, I want things to be different. I think the words "Live on Purpose" sum up what I want for myself in 2008. I want to live ON purpose and FOR a purpose. I want to be proactive...not reactive. I want to prevent fires...not have to run around putting them out.

I don't know that "resolutions" are much different than "commitments". But for some reason, it just sounds less threatening and more attainable to me. Resolutions sound like something you do out of expectation of others. Whereas a commitment, especially to myself, is more of a promise. For me it has more of a positive spin...as opposed to the negative and threatening resolutions of the past.

Go figure.

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker...

2007-12-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

Well, just the Baker, really. Today is the day I've set aside to stay in my jammies and bake, bake, bake. I'm going to make the Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Icing I spoke of the other day, Sugar Cookies using my Aunt Lisa's recipe and these shortbread cookies . They will be snowflake shaped instead of heart shaped, though. Now I'm wishing I'd bought those cute scalloped circle cookie cutters at Home Goods a few weeks ago. I talked myself out of them, figuring I didn't bake enough to justify the purchase. But now I'm realizing that items such as cookie cutters aren't purchased based on how often they will be used but rather how useful they will be when they ARE used. And I could really use them today!

Hmm...dare I go now and see if they're still there? What am I? Crazy? Home Goods on the Sunday before Christmas? Snowflakes it is.

Baking isn't really my favorite thing to do. At least it didn't used to be. I've always been partial to savory cooking because I can be more creative with the ingredients. Baking always seem so precise. And I am not a precise kind of gal. At least not in my cooking. I like a little freedom. But I found some recipes that are fairly simple and straight forward. Not to mention the accumulation of great baking tools to make the job easier. Right up my alley as far as baking is concerend.

Uh oh. Phone's ringin'...brb.

(*: Chris' dad's fiance just called saying they needed to come by to drop off a shirt for Seth to wear in their wedding that is taking place next Saturday. "Um. We're in our jammies and we're all stuffed up and sniffly. The house is a disaster and I don't plan on doing anything about it. But you're more than welcome to stop by!" They decided that it can wait until Christmas when they join us at my mom's. Phew!)

Anyway. It's almost noon and I haven't started any baking. I DID, however, go to the grocery store at 7:15 this morning. I was determined to beat the crowd. And I did. The checker charged me almost $12 for a small bag of mushrooms! Apparently she weighed the bananas but entered the mushroom price. Yikes. Glad I caught it. I mean, the mushrooms WERE really white and nice and fresh and everything. But not worth $12. Sorry.

OK. Off to bake. And switch out the laundry. And clean up the kitchen. And relax? I thought I dubbed this a "lazy day"? Oh well. At least I'm still in my pj's!

Frugal Foodie gifts: Carrot Cupcakes

2007-12-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

Safeway has their 5 lb. bags of carrots on sale (until Tuesday), "Buy One, Get One Free" so I went ahead and picked up a couple of bags. I found a simple recipe for Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Icing at epicurious.com. I tried the recipe last night and it was delicious! My husband said the icing was a bit "too orange-y" but the kids and I loved it. I think it will be wonderful as gifts for friends and neighbors at Christmas, baked in those cute star-shaped, disposable muffin tins by Reynold's. I may even make them in the next week and then freeze them, uniced, until closer to Christmas. They'll be perfect for the holidays. Place 3-4 of the carrot cupcakes on a festive plate or tray, wrap with cellophane and a pretty ribbon, embellish with a pretty snowflake ornament (10-12 in a pack at the Dollar Store) and you've got a beautiful gift!

photos

2007-12-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

I would love to post photos of the foods I cook but my digital camera is old and does not work good. I do take photos, in hopes that I get a good pic by chanve, but none are worthy of posting.

I took a photo of my turkey. A few actually. But none of them came out.

Maybe Santa will bring me a new digital camera?

One bird=4 meals

2007-12-02T18:04:00.001-08:00

Turkey with potatoes and stuffing
Turkey Soup with Herbed Dumplings
Lunch meat for 4 people for at least 2 days.

Not bad for a $6 turkey! I bought a 12 pound turkey after Thanksgiving. I knew that I could get at least two meals, not to mention several lunches, out of it. And since we didn't host Thanksgiving, we didn't really have many leftovers. This made my family very sad. I knew I hadto make us our own bird.

At about noon today, after returning from church, I got the turkey out of the fridge and began getting it ready to roast. I didn't do anything with the giblets (I know...not totally frugal of me...but I'm just not a giblet person.) I did, however, stuff it with celery, carrots, garlic, butter and fresh sage I clipped from my backyard. I stuffed a few sage leaves under the breast skin as well as a few pats of butter and some smashed garlic. Then I drizzled the bird with olive oil and seasoned it with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. I heated the oven to 450' to get it good and hot but once I put the bird in I lowered it to 350'. I left the lid off for about an hour and got a little color to the skin. Then I covered it for about 2 hours. In the last hour, I left it uncovered to get some more golden color. It came out gorgeous....if I don't say so myself. I asked my husband and sons to come in the kitchen and "ooh and aah" over it before I carved it...and they did! Each of them oohed and aahed perfectly. It was great.

While the turkey was "resting" I prepared the potatoes and gravy and stuffing and warmed the rolls.

Everything came out quite yummy. I experimented with the stuffing using dark rye bread and a bit of leftover cornbread. It was OK. Not the best I've ever had. I did like the rye bread, but I am used to making stuffing with ground beef or maybe some ground pork. Unfortunately, I didn't have any. So onion and celery it was. I also added a handful of dried cranberries..for the heck of it. It wasn't bad but I prefer savory stuffing. The cranberries made it too sweet for my liking. It wasnt awful. But I've had better.

All in all it was a good meal. And my family was thrilled and full and happy. And to top it off, my husband did the dishes! Thank you Honey.

Green Frugality

2007-11-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

In my quest to live a frugal life I am finding myself more and more interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle. In researching sustainability I am often led to other areas such as "green" living and the idea of leaving smaller "footprints". I love this. While I know that I cannot save the world, I can make a difference. And that is my intention. To live more frugally also means to live more simply. What could be more frugal than growing your own food and canning and preserving it? (Other than using solar and wind power, digging a well, raising chickens and cows, etc. of course...I know. But you gotta start somewhere, right? I'm choosing to start with a garden.)

My oldest son has taken to calling me a "health freak". He's 12. So I take it with a grain of salt. AND as a compliment.

My 9 year-old, on the other hand, likes to read labels, too. We've decided, he and I, that the only way to get around high-fructose corn syrup in our jellies and jams is to make it our dang selves. In preparation for this I've been watching for canning supplies at the thrift store. And I have a vast Wish List over at Amazon.com of books that will help me learn the art of canning! And my 90 year-old grandmother told me I could have her canning supplies, too. So I'm pretty excited really!

Anyway...not quite "green" yet...but definitely a strong chartreuse! It's a start!

Kartoffelpuffers anyone?

2007-11-30T11:37:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe on a blog I love to read. Her outlook on life and simplicity is admirable and insipring. And this recipe is so timely! I just bought a 5lb. bag of potatoes last night at Lucky for 79 cents! Could it be true? Dinner for 4 under $2? I see a challenge in my future!

Want to make Kartoffelpuffers for YOUR family? Head on over to down---to---earth and read a few posts down. I'll let you know how mine turned out!

5 Under $5.

2007-11-30T11:05:00.000-08:00

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, french bread, sliced cheese and salami
Hot dogs, baked beans, celery with peanut butter
Pinto beans and corn bread
Tostadas with beans, cheese and lettuce, Spanish rice
Cheese quesadillas, carrot sticks, salad

Readers and staying focused

2007-11-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

I was without the internet since Monday so I wasn't able to post. To be honest, I'm not even sure if anyone reads this blog or not. I haven't made a big deal of it...only telling a few people. I know that one of my friends has me linked from her blog...and I know that one other gal found me through a Christian women's site. But so far...that's all I know. Regardless, I'll continue to post because I like to and it makes me feel good to document my success in feeding my family healthy and frugal meals. Hopefully others can share the wealth!

I have to say, starting this blog was a bit daunting. Mainly because I felt it was important to have a REASON to keep it. As opposed to just rambling about my day to day...which is not a bad thing and will probably find it's way IN here somewhere since my day to day IS about being frugal and taking care of my family. Even still, I want to be organized. And stick to a plan. And be consistent. And it's still a work in progress. Just like me!

What a great day for soup.

2007-11-25T14:01:00.001-08:00

photo from Food Network

I just made a delicious soup using a recipe from Dave Lieberman's cookbook, Dave's Dinners. It's called Buttery Baby Pea Soup and it so good, so easy and so frugal! I figure it costs about a dollar per serving if you purchase everything on sale. It calls for a small, yellow onion, a can of chicken stock, a package of frozen peas and a few tablespoons of butter. Simmer 10 minutes then blend with an immersion blender. And then, of course, eat.

Simple and good.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2007-11-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

I was doing some searching around the internet this morning for the true story of this day of thanks. I came across some interesting sites, but nothing as detailed as I was hoping for. I did come across the original menu, or what would more than likely have been the original menu at http://americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_first_thanksgiving_day. If you don't feel like going to the site yourself, here is a list of what was and was not on the first Thanksgiving.

Foods That Were Not Served at the First Thanksgiving
Turkey - Turkey was often eaten by both the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims but is not specifically mentioned in Winslows’ letter. The account mentions “wild fowl” only and could have referred to duck or geese instead of wild turkey.
Popcorn - There was no popcorn, corn was prevalent but was not popped.
Cranberry Sauce - Fifty years after 1621 there is mention of a cranberry sauce for use with meat in English recipes. Prior to this time sugar, a necessary ingredient in cranberry sauce was an incredibly expensive import. Both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag would add whole cranberries as an ingredient to add tartness, however cranberry sauce itself would not appear until the 1670’s.
Potatoes - White potatoes were virtually unknown in England at the time of the Thanksgiving feast, they were only raised by specialized botanists at the time and were not a part of the English diet. Sweet potatoes were, in the early 1600’s, imported into England from Spain and were used only by the ultra wealthy for their purported aphrodisiac properties.
Pumpkin Pie - There were no readily available ingredients for the crust of a pumpkin pie at the time. Pumpkin and squash were included in the feast but served as vegetables only. After 1621, pumpkin dessert recipes included pumpkin pieces sliced similar to apples only.
Apples - Apples were not present in 1621 in Plymouth.

Foods Included in the Original Thanksgiving Feast
In addition to the wild fowl, pumpkin and squash mentioned above, the following foods were certainly abundant and most likely were included in the “harvest” celebration:
Fish
Lobsters
Eel
Mussels
Oysters
Corn
Parsnips
Collards
Turnips
Spinach
Onions
Dried Beans
Dried Blueberries
Grapes
Nuts

1621 Thanksgiving Meal Details
The celebration lasted for three days, not one, and consisted of intermittent feasting and entertainment (games and shooting of muskets).
It was most likely held in October, not November.
There is no evidence that the Indians (Wampanoag) were explicitly invited.
It was not called “Thanksgiving”. It was a “harvest festival”.
It did not become an annual event.
“by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” - Edward Winslow – December, 11, 1621

I love Thanksgiving.

2007-11-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

I just finished putting the kitchen back together. I've got the dishwasher set to run while I sleep. I've got the coffee pot set to brew before I wake. Life is good.

Tonight I made a pumpkin pie with pecan streusel on top. This is my own creation. I made it for the first time a few years ago and have been making it since. Tonight I did something a little different though. After putting the streusel topping in the middle of the pie leaving about an inch of pumpkin filling showing, I took some pecan halves (courtesy of the huge tree in the backyard and my husband for painstakingly cracking nuts VERY carefully so I could have halves. He must really love me.) and arranged them carefully around the edge of the pie in between the crust and the pecan streusel. After I took it out of the oven I realized it resembled a sunflower! The best part is that I didn't mean to do it...it was a total surprise. I love it when that happens.

I'll take a picture in the morning. It's too dark in my little poorly lit kitchen so it will have to wait. Hopefully I don't forget!

I also made a Jell-o salad using my Aunt Mickey's recipe. It is so good. It's raspberry Jell-o, raspberries, raspberry yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, walnuts and whip cream. I mean really, how could you go wrong with THOSE ingredients? It's pretty, too..beautiful pink and white layers in a crystal bowl...lovely. Maybe I'll snap a photograph of that, too.

Tomorrow morning I'll make the yams...again, my own special recipe that I made up a few years ago...and have been making since. I never used to like yams...and neither did my husband or my brother...but we all like these yams. Probably because I do NOT scrimp on the ingredients. Not the butter, not the spices, not the brown sugar, not the marshmallows. I go for it. I pile them high and season them well. It's basically dessert as a side-dish. Mmmm...my mouth is watering already.

I love Thanksgiving. I love the prep. The colors. The weather. The gathering of family without the stress of gift giving. It's just an easy, relaxing, fun time.

Have I mentioned that I love Thanksgiving?

Speaking of which...I hope you enjoy yours.

What's in your freezer?

2007-11-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Being on a budget, and that budget sometimes being tighter than others, I am always trying to figure out more ways to stretch our continually shrinking dollar. Last night's dinner is a good example. I had no idea what I was going to make. I am so envious of those women who plan a weeks meals using sale items, coupons, freebies, and what's on their shelves to create delicious meals for pennies. For whatever reason, I just haven't been able to get it together enough to DO it. But, once in a while, I get lucky.

So dinner time was drawing near, and I still had no idea what I'd make. I took a peek in the freezer and realized I had two boneless, skinless chicken breasts left in the package. Hmm. How can I feed four people with two chicken breasts? Why of course. Soup.

I placed the chicken in a pot full of water with some garlic cloves, celery leaves, a bay leaf and salt and pepper corns. I also added a beef bone I'd kept from the chuck roast I'd made. It still had a bit of meat on it and I didn't want to waste it. At the time I saved it I had no idea what it would be good for. But it turned out to be perfect for the chicken soup. It didn't give it a beefy flavor. But it did make the broth much richer. It was really good.

Once the broth was ready, about 40 minutes later, I strained it and let it sit while I chopped some carrots, celery and onion. I sauteed them in some olive oil while I chopped up the chicken and removed the bit of beef from the bone. Once the vegetables were tender I added all of the broth, salt and a bay leaf, Italian seasoning and the meat. I let it simmer for about 40 minutes. About 15 minutes before serving I added a handful of Yemina. a handful of rice and a handful of frozen peas. (As you can see, I am not concerned with precise measurements. I think this is why baking and I don't get along so great. Baking can be so finicky!)

There are several reasons why I loved this meal:

One: I love chicken soup. Especially when it's cold, which it is here, finally.

Two: Not only did it feed us dinner, it also fed ME lunch.

Three: It was fresh and healthy...good for the body and the soul.

And it cannot go without mentioning, this meal was also quite frugal: Chicken; $2.00, vegetables; $1.00, Yemina: $.10, rice; $.10. Total for the chicken soup: $3.20. I served it with some sliced french bread I'd purchased at the Dollar Tree. This loaf lasted 3 meals! I served it with two pasta dinners and then the soup. So if I tally that along with the cost of the soup to get a Grand Total for the price of the dinner...$3.53! To feed a family of four! I love it.

Two meals in one...

2007-11-18T20:18:00.000-08:00

A friend of ours lives on 5 acres and raises his own cattle for beef. It turns out that he wanted to trade my husband a 1/4 side of beef for a tool that my husband no longer had use for. This sounded great, except for the fact that we wouldn't have anywhere to store it. When I told him this he said, "Well, how about I give you a freezer to store it in?" Really? Sure! We've been wanting a freezer for the garage for a while now. What a blessing...patience paid off.

So, as a good faith offering, he gave us a Chuck Roast the other day. I seasoned it with salt, pepper and garlic powder then seared it on all sides in a little bit of butter and olive oil. While it was searing I peeled some potatoes and carrots and put them in the bottom of the Crock pot. I added a bit of water and some salt then layered the roast right on top of it all. I let it cook all day, about 9 hours, on low. I served it with corn bread and some petite peas. It was delicious. I could get spoiled by truly fresh beef.

The best part is that there was quite a bit of all of it left over. So we had the corn bread for breakfast this morning and tomorrow I will turn the meat, potatoes and peas into a stew. And I guess if you include the cornbread for breakfast it makes 3 meals! Not bad.

A second blog

2007-11-14T14:54:00.001-08:00

http://theartofbecoming.blogspot.com/

What's in the Crock Pot?

2007-11-13T11:43:00.001-08:00

I love my Crock Pot. I love the fact that I can throw some ingredients into it, go about my busy day, knowing all the while that I've got a healthy, warm, delicious meal cooking for my family. I can rest assured knowing that there will be no rushing around at dinner time. There will be no last minute realization that I don't have all of the ingredients I thought I did to make the meal I thought I could make. There will be no "fend for yourself night" again. But there will be a meal that is 90% ready to go! Just add cornbread and a salad, if you wish, and enjoy!

Thanks to my dear friend, Sandra, I have a delicious recipe for Award-Winning Chili I'd like to share with you. She titled it Crock-Pot Chili originally. But then she won an award for it at our church chili cook off so we've dubbed it, Award-Winning Chili!

And now...for the recipe. (Man I sure can talk a lot!)

Award-Winning Chili

1 lb. stew meat cut into small bite-size pieces
1 medium onion - chopped
1 t. salt
2 T chili powder
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 bay leaf
1 t. Worcestshire sauce
1 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. cumin
16 oz. can tomato sauce
1 can kidney beans - drained
1 can pinto beans - drained

Directions: In a skillet, lightly brown the meat. (I usually season the meat separately, as well as adding the seasonings to the chili mixture...it adds a ton of flavor) While meat is browning, place all ingredients into the Crock Pot. Add meat and stir to combine. Cook on Low for 2-6 hours...the longer the better. (The best batch we ever made was slow-cooked for 8 hours and it was delicious!) Remove bay leaf and serve. It's great garnished with sour cream and/or shredded cheese. Makes 6 servings.

Not only is this meal delicious...it can also be Frugal Friendly. If all items are purchased on sale this meal can be made for under $5!

Dinner for 4 Under $5.

2007-11-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

Tostadas

Prepared tostada shells (Big Lots, $1.80 for 24, used 12 for a cost of $.90)

(1) can vegetarian refried beans ($1.00)

shredded cheddar cheese (approx. $1.50)

2 cups shredded lettuce (approx. $.50)

Condiments: (total cost under $1.00)

Sour Cream

Salsa

Total Cost: $4.90

Keep in mind, this does not include the milk we drank...which at the rate the boys are growing, we can go through half of a gallon at dinner. Chris and I drink milk, too, so we contribute to that also. So if you really want to keep it budget conscious you can serve water from the tap or maybe some lemonade made from a powder mix. I got some of this at Rite Aid a while back for a dollar, so it's truly cost effective at 16 servings per container...but maybe not so great with Mexican food?!

And I have to say...tostadas are frugal on the clean up as well. One pot to warm the beans. Then I shred the lettuce and cheese and serve it right on the cutting board. Everything else is served from the container; salsa, sour cream, etc. At clean up all we have to do is rinse plates and a few spoons and load in the dishwasher, wash one pot and serving spoon, wipe down the table and cutting board and we're done! Quick. Easy. Good. And pretty good for you, too.

Tis the Season...for frugal gift-giving.

2007-11-11T21:51:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest. Christmas is not my favorite holiday. As you can probably guess, given my interest in food, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. But not really just for the food. I like it best because of what it stands for...giving thanks. It is a warm holiday...full of reasons to be grateful....which, for me, automatically takes the focus off of me and turns it to others. And while Christmas is supposed to be about giving...I think it's gotten carried away. Because REALLY it's supposed to be about the birth of Jesus. The birth of our Savior. Our King. It's supposed to be about celebrating His birth...not about gigantic blow up thingies for the yard and lit up manger scenes. I was walking through Lowe's the other day and it was FULL of these blown up, lit up, sparkled up and singing decorations. They were everywhere. And they were loud and overbearing. I almost couldn't take it!

And honestly, it made me a bit sad.

But...that's not what I intended to write about. Because, whether I like it or not, I can get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday season just as much as the next person. But I try to keep it simple...and within a budget. And I don't do too bad, either. For instance, last week I was at the Dollar Tree, one of my favorite stores. They had some glass dish/bowl thingies (they called them potpourri bowls) about 8 inches in diameter and in the shape of a star. The glass is thick and sturdy and the star is a cute shape. I picked up (6) of them figuring they would be really cute full of homemade Peppermint Bark and wrapped in cellophane. Add a gorgeous bow and a berry sprig...from supplies left over from last year's bargain score from Big Lots (another favorite bargain haunt) and I've got some really cute gifts for under $5.

Then today I was at the Dollar Tree again...looking for a container for a Thank You gift basket...and came across some glass hurricanes. They are really cute...and made of the same thick, sturdy glass that the stars are made of. I think they will be a really pretty gift when paired with a pretty pillar candle, cellophane and a beautiful bow. Again, under $5. I bought (2)...and may go back for a few more. Although, I have to say, if I get too many, and don't use them all, then it's wasteful and not frugal. So I have to be careful about that...I can go overboard if I'm not careful...in the name of a good bargain.

I also picked up some glass tumblers for my self...(2) for a $1! And they're cute! I thought they would make a nice gift , too...paired with those cute monogrammed, linen coasters I saw for 50% off last week and you've got a really nice gift! And, under $10. Not bad. That might be a cute together gift for my brother and sister in law...or father in law and his bride to be....hmmm. I better go get those coasters before they're all gone...if they're not already!

Wish me luck! And watch for more Frugal Gift ideas to come...!

Teach your children well...

2007-11-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

My son has taken to reading food labels when he's bored...and he is a bit TOO eager to show me ingredients in food that I've missed. Like the high-fructose corn syrup in our bread. Yes, in the BREAD. I thought I was doing a good thing switching to wheat bread...and amazingly nobody in my family complained. But, I have to confess, it was the cheap wheat bread. Not the good whole grain stuff. I did this innocently enough, however...and could only say that once I knew better, I did better. Now I buy whole grain bread....even though it's a bit more expensive. It's worth it. I'm learning that being frugal can't always equate to cheap. And, as we've all learned at some time or another...you get what you pay for. In the case of bread vs. frugality...buy good bread when on sale and store in your freezer. Voila! Cost effective!

OK...so back to my son and label reading. He found that jelly has high-fructose corn syrup in it. And honestly, I had never thought to even look! You know how you just get used to buying what you buy without paying attention? Well, that's what happened with the jelly. If it was on sale, I was buying it. Period. But...the REAL challenge now is to combine good, healthy, whole food AND cost-effectiveness. But really...back to my son...(man I sure get side-tracked)...his thought is that the only way we'll be able to get good jelly or jam without the additives is to make it ourselves. Hm. Novel idea, son. (My grandmother DID say I could have all of her canning equipment...hmmm..)

Let me just say that this one sentence...well, and reading my bible from Genesis to Revelation (I'll go into this more at another time...)...and looking at country property...turned a light on in my head and led me on this wild goose chase of gathering information about sustainable living and organic gardening and preserving what I grow and raising chickens and equipping our home with renewable energy sources.

So...to make a long story even longer...this blog will not only focus on frugal feasts...it will also focus on frugal living in general. Simplicity, if you will.

And now...off to help Ian check labels.

peanut butter dilemma solved!

2007-11-08T20:21:00.001-08:00

So I was at Sam's Club last week. And while I had already decided that I was going to trek the 15 miles to our local Trader Joe's for peanut butter...I thought I'd just take one quick look on the pb aisle...just to see if maybe Sam's carried a natural brand. And would you believe, there next to the regular Skippy...was a twin pack of NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER? I never knew peanut butter could make me so happy. I grabbed a pack and proceeded to read the label: roasted peanuts, sugar, palm oil, salt. That's it. Done. No additives. No preservatives. No partially hydrogenated oil. No high-fructose corn syrup. Just a simple 4 ingredients...as if I made it in my own kitchen. I love it. And...I was so excited to tell my family! Not that this excites them as much as it does me...but it does AMUSE them...and that is enough for me. Deep down they truly are glad...even though my oldest keeps saying, "Oh no! My mom is a health nut!" No...not really. Well, yes...a nut...true. But not a health nut. Just a mom who cares what she puts in her kids' bodies. And a wife who wants her husband to live a long time. Anyway...I highly recommend the Skippy Natural. It does not require refrigeration. Nor does it require stirring due to the addition of the palm oil. And it tasted REALLY good...just like fresh peanuts. And it doesn't leave that greasy fatty film on your tongue...ick.

Try it...let me know what you think!

Goal #7492: Be more consistent.

2007-11-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

It's been over a month since I last posted. I swore I wouldn't do this. But I did. I could blame it on traveling baseball games every weekend...or coordinating this year's women's retreat at church...or alternating my work days between going to the office and helping with my grandparents...or I could just say, I've been busy. And lame. And...yes, inconsistent.

So just when I think that nobody is reading this...I get a nice comment from a fellow blogger. And I appreciated it...not only that she took time to comment and give me a good suggestion. But also that her comment inspired me to get my butt over here and write something...

So...thank you.

Minestrone, anyone?

2007-09-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful, crisp autumn day...I was in heaven. This is my favorite time of year. I love the weather...I love Halloween and Thanksgiving...this time of year just makes me happy. I always feel so refreshed. Yesterday was the kind of day that called for a big pot of soup. So I scoured the pantry shelves and the fridge and found that I had the ingredients to make minestrone soup...or at least MY version, anyway!

Since I was making it up as I went along...using as my inspiration the ingredients used by one of the locally owned italian restaurants here in town...I made some changes after the fact. For example, last night in my experiment recipe I used a whole package of frozen spinach. It was WAY too much. I actually removed some of it because it was so overbearing. So in the recipe below I changed it to either HALF of a package of frozen or 1-2 cups fresh spinach. I also only added one can of beans. I happen to love beans so next time I make it I'll add two cans...one can of white beans and one can of kidney beans for color and texture.

After some changes this is what I came up with. (It even got a good review from my husband who's "not a soup kinda guy"!)

Mimi's Minestrone

2 tblsp. olive oil

1 yellow onion - chopped

2 garlic cloves - minced

2 carrots - peeled and cut into half moons

2 ribs celery - sliced

1 can beef broth

1 can chopped italian stewed tomatoes

1 can white beans - rinsed

1 can kidney beans - rinsed

2 cups water

1 tblsp italian seasoning

1 -2 cups fresh spinach (your preference)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large soup pot heat olive oil on medium high heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots and celery and saute until vegetables are tender and onion is translucent. Add beef broth, stewed tomatoes, beans, water and italian seasoning and stir to combine. Raise heat to high and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, add spinach, salt and pepper and let simmer for 30-40 minutes. 10 minutes before serving, add the parmesan cheese and stir well. This gives the soup a thicker consistency and tastes wonderful! Serve with french bread.

Makes 6 servings

Oldies but goodies...

2007-09-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

This is a stack of pot holders that my great-grandmother, my mother's grandmother, crocheted years ago. She made a TON of them, gave them to my grandmother and then my grandmother passed them out to each of us grandaughters. They aren't the prettiest things in the world...but I LOVE them and I use them ALL the time. I've got newer ones...and prettier ones...but none of them work as well as these. Old faithfuls...

"Mom, are you trying to kill us?"

2007-09-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

My youngest son came into my room, holding our jar of peanut butter high in the air, hollering, "Mom, are you trying to kill us? Read the label!"

Yes. It contains partially hydrogenated oil.

"Good job, son."

Dangit. Why didn't I ever think to check THIS label? Maybe because I've been buying the same brand for years...and because it was the brand my mom bought...and because I pretty much just grab it out of habit? Hmmm..what else do I "just grab out of habit"?

I think this would be worth looking into a bit more...

And now...the hunt for a natural, good tasting peanut butter. These two requirements don't naturally go hand in hand. At least I've never found a natural peanut butter that tasted good, too.

I'll let you know what I find!

Additives I stay away from...

2007-09-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

I have only recently, say in the past year or so, become aware of the dangers of some of the additives that are added to many of our favorite, popular foods. These are the few things I stay away from when choosing foods for my family: partially hydrogenated oils, MSG or monosodium glutamate, aspartame and high-fructose corn syrup.

The first one that was brought to my attention by my dear friend, Elaine, was partially hydogenated oil. This is found in almost every snack cracker, cookie, chip...you name it. It is quite a challenge to find good, tasty items that do not contain these dangerous trans fats. Two good snacks that I found today are Triscuit and Fiddle Faddle.
The second additive that was brought to my attention was MSG or monosodium glutamate. This is another dangerous additive that is in SO many of our popular convenience foods. What really got me going about MSG was a piece done about it on CBN's The 700 Club a few months back. They called it "the cancer fertilizer". And with cancer in my family, I just wasn't going to take any MORE risks that I already unknowingly do. You can click the link above to read an interesting article about MSG. It also contains a helpful list of other names MSG is listed as...in disguise, if you will...in cognito. Not good. You will be surprised at the amount of foods that contain some form of MSG.
Aspartame, found in diet drinks and fat free foods, among other things, is another additive I avoid. I figured this one out on my own when I was able to taste it every time I ate or drank something diet or fat-free. Yogurt, for example, would leave the worst taste in my mouth...all I could taste was chemicals. I was never able to get accustomed to diet sodas or drinks...again, all I could taste was, what I eventually figured out was, aspartame. So I stopped buying anything that contained aspartame. Luckily for my husband, who loves his diet soda, Coke and Pepsi both came out with a diet cola containing Splenda rather than aspartame. It's taken him some time to get used to it...but he's doing it without much complaining. You can read a list of symptoms and diseases linked, or possibly linked, to the ingestion of aspartame. Some people say that aspartame has to be consumed in large doses to do damage...but I figure if my body can't break it down, eventually it WILL be a large amount. So why take chances?
This last ingredient was only brought to my attention over this past summer. I was lecturing my brother-in-law on the dangers of Aspartame when he came right back at me with the dangers of high-fructose corn syrup, telling me that it tells the brain it's not full. This is especially dangerous for children...and unfortunately, it is in SO many, TOO many foods we've all fed our children: cereals, juices, juice boxes, granola bars, fruit snacks, candy, I even saw it listed in the ingredients of a popular snack cracker just this morning while trying to find bargains at Big Lots (which I did, thank you!). It's everywhere...and in way more than we realize...and many times, unknowingly, we are pumping our children full of sugar...then sending them off to school without a proper, healthy meal and THEN wondering why they're having trouble staying focused. (Not to mention the awful school meals they are now feeding our kids...my kids won't even eat them) I know my kids would LOVE a big, fat bowl of Cap'n Crunch each morning...but I just can't do that to them. I may as well just send them off with a kiss and say, "Bye honey...love you...hope you fail today!" I know this may sound dramatic to some of you...but I can see the difference in my own children. Especially my younger son who seems to be more affected by what I allow him to put in his body. Sugar really affects him. Really. I can literally watch him be unable to focus, to remember, to stay on task, to sit still, he can't fall asleep if he's had a sugar-y snack too close to bedtime...it's sad, really. Not my older son so much...in that it doesn't necessarily make him hyper or unable to focus...he gets more lethargic and listless, which is just as detremental as the other.

I have to say that it does take more time at the store to do my shopping since I take the time to read the labels. But I find it to be worth every extra minute knowing that I am feeding my family as healthily as I possibly know how. This is not to say that we don't have the occasional treat that contains something that is less than good for us...we do. I have to admit, I haven't conquered my love of coffee creamer. But for the most part, we are careful. And my sons are even reading labels now, too! (And my husband, too!) My boys and I were at Big Lots earlier today and they were wanting a snack...they saw me reading labels and followed suit. After some complaining, "How come everything that tastes good is bad for you?!", they were finally able to agree on a sweet snack that didn't contain anything unsafe...that we know of anyway!

Sometimes it seems like I can't find anything that doesn't contain something that is bad for our health. And it seems like the only thing I could do to ensure total safety would be to move to some remote mountain region...build a cabin...grow my own food...water it with purified water...can it...freeze it...raise my own beef...and fowl...and do everything like they did back in the day.

But, since I don't see that happening anytime soon, I'll continue as I have been...something is better than nothing. Right? We can make a difference...one small change at a time.

Be a Smart Shopper

2007-09-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

A few ways to be a...

Smart Shopper

Watch the Sale Ads - Every week your local grocers send out their sale ads for the week. Often times there will even be Coupons for EXTRA savings. Check the sales...compare the prices...plan your weekly menu based on what's on sale...you can't go wrong! Check the drug store ads as well...my local Rite Aid had cans of chopped clams on sale a few weeks back for $.99 each! I bought 4. These usually run around $3 at the grocery store...
Shop at the 99 Cent Stores and the Dollar Sores in your area. Many times they've got GREAT deals on canned food items. My 99 Cent Store even has produce! You've got to be real careful...but if you choose wisely you can get great deals. A while back they had a bag of fresh ginger for $.99. I took it home....peeled it...cut it into 1 inch pieces and popped it in the freezer. Now, whenever I need fresh ginger I just grab a small piece and grate it right in to my recipe. I have found many great, name brand (I'm a stickler about this at the discount stores...it's GOT to be name brand or I won't buy it) products at my local 99 Cent Store...frozen goods, Hillshire Farms kielbasa, Farmer John sausage, to name a few. A few weeks back I got a pack of 10 pitas for 99 cents. I made roasted chicken salad sandwiches with them and they were delicious! (I'll share that recipe soon...it was a keeper!)
Buy One Get One Free - this always makes me happy. It's generally better than the 2/$5 (or $3, or $4, etc.) deals. And I know...we don't always need TWO of everything...but if it's free...and it can be stored...why not?
Clearance Bin in the meat department!? Why, yes. Of course! I think this might be a new thing to my local Safeway. Either that or I haven't been paying close enough attention. Either way...there is a small section of the meat department labeled "clearance". I am able to get great deals there...and that is often how I plan my meals. OFten times, too, you'll see stickers on meat packages, "Reduced for Quick Sale" or "50% Off at Register". Take advantage of this! I got two pork roasts for $3 each a while back...and one of them was big enough that it fed us THREE MEALS! (Another recipe I'll share soon!) Three HEARTY meals. We're not skimping around my kitchen!

I hope these ideas are helpful. Many of them you already know...and I bet many of you already have these money-saving tricks up your own sleeves. I hope so! If not...I hope you find this helpful. If so...it's nice to meet a like-minded woman doing her best to be a good steward of what she's been given. Enjoy!

Soups On for Under $7!

2007-09-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Last night I made a popular favorite around my house...New England Clam Chowder. I was always somewhat intimidated to make this...for whatever reason...until I tried a recipe from Dave Lieberman of the Food Network. I really like his philosophy behind cooking and preparing food...basically that you can eat well AND on a budget. Last Christmas I got his cookbook, Dave's Dinners, from my sister-in-law and, after working up my nerve, decided to try his chowder recipe. It was amazingly simple...and amazingly GOOD. I made a few changes to suit my taste and my health choices...and this is what I came up with. Enjoy!

New England Clam Chowder
6-8 servings

3 tblsp. olive oil
1 tblsp. butter
1 medium onion - finely diced
3 celery stalks - finely diced
3 tblsp. flour
2 cups fat-free chicken broth
2 (6.5 oz.) cans minced clams in juice (chopped work too!)
1 cup milk (I used 1%)
1 bay leaf
1 lb. russet potatoes - peeled and diced into 1/2" pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery and saute until softened, mixing often. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the flour and stir to distribute evenly. Add the broth, clams and juice, milk, bay leaf and potatoes and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, stirring often to prevent the sop from sticking to the bottom of your pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with crusty french bread and butter.

Or, to make it really fun, serve in sourdough bread bowls! My kids really enjoy it this way. It's like being on the wharf in San Francisco!

This recipe is so delicious...and really, truly simple. It originally called for cream, 2 bay leaves and didn't call for any butter. I added the butter and changed to 1% milk (I've also used fat-free and it was just as delicious). I also chose to only use 1 bay leaf as I thought 2 was way too strong, it was all I could taste.

The tally for this meal, with careful shopping, is as follows:

2 cans clams in juice 1.98
4 potatoes .50
celery and onion 1.00
chicken broth 1.00
milk .25

sub-total $4.73
(4) day-old mini sourdough loaves 1.99

Total $6.71

This fed my family of four a hearty dinner and left enough for a more than decent lunch for me the next day!

Frugal + Feast =

2007-09-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

An abundant meal that entails little expense.

fru·gal /ˈfrugəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[froo-guhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager.
2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.
[Origin: 1590–1600; < L frūgālis economical, equiv. to frūg- (s. of frūx produce) + -ālis 1] —Related forms
fru·gal·i·ty, fru·gal·ness, noun

feast /fist/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[feest] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. any rich or abundant meal: The steak dinner was a feast.
2. a sumptuous entertainment or meal for many guests: a wedding feast.
3. something highly agreeable: The Rembrandt exhibition was a feast for the eyes.
4. a periodical celebration or time of celebration, usually of a religious nature, commemorating an event, person, etc.: Every year, in September, the townspeople have a feast in honor of their patron saint. –verb (used without object)
5. to have or partake of a feast; eat sumptuously.
6. to dwell with gratification or delight, as on a picture or view. –verb (used with object)
7. to provide or entertain with a feast. —Idiom
8. feast one's eyes, to gaze with great joy, admiration, or relish: to feast one's eyes on the Grand Canyon.

Proverbs 31:15

2007-09-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

15 She riseth also while it is yet night,

and giveth meat to her household,

and a portion to her maidens.

The Frugal Feast

*NEW* Blog! I'm moving...already!

Juuuust a bit outside...!

Haiku #29

Haiku #25

Haiku #24

Haiku #23 on the 24th

Haiku #22..how'd I miss a day..again?

random words...readiness

Haiku #21

Haiku #20

Purchasing art on a budget.

Haiku #18

Haiku #17

My mom got me this...

Haiku #16

Haiku #15...ode to IRS

Haiku and Lunes.

and for that matter...how about a Lune while I'm at it?

Haiku #14

Haiku #13

Haiku #12...a day late.

life is good.

Haiku #10

Haiku #11

Maybe not!

Slacker.

Haiku #9

"thinking on" poetry...

Haiku #8

Haiku #7..a tribute to Oprah

Haiku #6 on the 7th...oops

Haiku #5

Haiku #4

Braver by the day.

Haiku #3

Haiku #2 (so I can catch up!)

Haiku #1

Haiku schmaiku.

Sink or swim.

April 1. Already.

Is it really March already?!

I love a bargain.

Pink with Sprinkles!

After a week's deliberation...

The price is right.

Psalm 116

Just another day at the thrift store.

The Super Bowl. It's all about the food.

Haiku #3

Give a girl a fig.

"...and let the flavors marry."

Haiku #2

Long, lazy Saturday.

Frugality as Haiku?

Haiku #1

When life gives you lemons.

I love it when dinner extends to lunch.

I did it. I'm free!

Hesitant. Or, It's Not About Me.

Time flies...when you win an award?

When one door closes, another one opens.

Brand new items at Thrift Store prices.

I got sucked in!

I love Kid Art

Goals - Part One

Oh, how I love Ballard Designs.

Speaking of frugal...weren't we?

Commitment Four

Commitment Three

Commitment Two

Commitment One

Happy New Year!

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker...

Frugal Foodie gifts: Carrot Cupcakes

photos

One bird=4 meals

Green Frugality

Kartoffelpuffers anyone?

5 Under $5.

NEW Blog! I'm moving...already!