No $ - No Problem - Still Eat Well

We have all had times when funds were short and food was lacking - and we were hungry.
I remember as a single gal - eating a lot of pasta topped with catsup!!!  I would eat cracker packets for a snack when I went to my second job at the mall (from the food court).  Soup beans were made once in a while as was mac and cheese.  Hamburger (which was super cheap then) was a luxury.  Loved going to Mom's and bringing home leftovers!!!!!!  What a treat!!!!!
Of course I kept this to myself, as I didn't want people to know I had no money, nor did I want charity.  I know there are many that feel that same way today.
I wish I had known more ideas then.   (Heck I didn't even know about Ramen then!!!!)

A crockpot can be your best friend.  Leftovers are never wasted.  Creativeness is important.
I find there are many ways to stretch that food or that budget and fill those bellies.  Maybe not every meal is well balanced - but by golly if you are hungry, that really doesn't matter.
Momma's especially, just want those babies to have full tummies.

A dozen eggs can be very reasonable - think quiche (with all kinds of leftovers added), or omelets or just scrambled eggs with toast or on a tortilla

PASTA - cover in sauce.  Any kind of pasta - and kind of sauce.  You can even add pasta to a can of cream of soup.  Have cheese?  Sprinkle a little over the sauce or soup.  You don't have to have meat.  Add pasta to soup, casseroles or salads.  Pasta is cheap and filling.

Biscuits and gravy.  Super cheap and filling.  You can make pan gravy with bacon grease or even hamburger grease (for flavoring) - again don't have to add meat.  Biscuits are super easy and cheap

French toast.  Cheap bread and a couple eggs/milk - you have French toast.  Super yummy - add syrup or powdered sugar.  Top with fruit if you have it.  So many ways to serve

Burritos - wraps.  Tortillas are easy to make and they are super cheap to buy.  You can make them for breakfast with eggs or you can add beans and cheese or beans and tomatoes (canned are fine).  Add a couple slices of meat (lunchmeat) and veggies and dressing.  So many ways to serve.  You can also make quesadillas - yum.

Grilled cheese.  Grilled PBJ - maybe add a sliced banana or a slice of apple and grill.  Oh my goodness.  Grilled ANY kind of sandwich seems special and is a filler at any meal

SOUPS - soup, soup, soup..... there is no limit.  Throw anything you have together, add a bit of broth or tomato juice/sauce/pieces - veggie w/meat, no meat, no LIMITS to what you can do.  Throw in pasta or rice or beans to bulk it up.  Hot and filling!!  Chili goes in this category as well.

Potatoes - so super versatile.  Baked potatoes with whatever is left in the frig on top.  Fried potatoes, fries, scalloped, au gratin, in casseroles, soup, mashed (use leftovers for potato patties) roasted with any other root veggie you may have...………  so many choices.  Potatoes are filling and yummy.

Warm bowl of potato soup is always comfort

Macaroni (any pasta) and cheese - can be home made or boxed.  Throw in a can of tuna or scraps of ham or a chopped up leftover burger. You can add salsa or chili beans.  Add some frozen veggies or leftover veggies.  It can be a meal.

Beans and Rice - so many ways to fix separately or combine.  Soup beans, add beans to anything, refried beans, baked beans, made into a dip - add to salads.  Rice combine with beans - season.  Add meat or not.  Fried rice, Spanish rice, rice and cheese and veggies.  Both are great in soups or casseroles.  Unlimited options.

Cabbage is often cheap and it is very healthy and tasty.  Combine cabbage with some fried potatoes and maybe a small portion of smoked sausage or chopped ham.  (Meat can be minimal - just add for taste).  Cabbage soup is great.  Cabbage and tomatoes.  Roasted cabbage, fried cabbage, etc.

Any type of vegetable can be roasted or grilled. Cut up a piece of chicken or a pork chop and throw into the mix - dinner.  Add what ever types of seasoning you like or have. Roasted and grilled are so very tasty.

Add a cheap homemade or store bought bread to any meal to stretch it out and fill you up.  Bread is the great extender!  It is very filling and just makes a meal seem a little special in my opinion!

Check those pantries and cabinets - use whatever you have.  Mix up veggies and boxed mixes and come up with some fun meals.

Make sure if money is gone and food low - you go to a food pantry!  There are so many places that can help you.  Never be afraid to reach out and accept help if needed.

Get a little creative.   NO need to go hungry!

Simple food is still food.

 

Choose Happy

Today is just a word on the situation we are all facing.  YES we are all in a similar situation.  NO we don't all have the same circumstances.  NO we don't react the same.  That is OK!!!!
There is no RIGHT or WRONG way to handle things.

So saying that - the situations are similar - but your reaction is yours.
Whether we experience good, bad or indifferce - it is our reaction that we have control over.
You can choose to be angry, sad, hateful, giving, happy, disillusioned or you can just bury your head in the sand.

Angry and sad does no one any good.  It sure isn't healthy.  Choosing to be helpful and happy just spreads a little joy around the globe.  It helps everyone.
I know things are uncertain - but that is life.  We have never had any guarantees.  The only thing that is constant is CHANGE.

I know "things" are not on my list of missing.  People are.  I miss getting to just stop by and see family.  I miss having brunch with my friend.  I miss hugs.  We do talk regularly, but it is not quite the same.
I hope people have realized what is really important - and it sure isn't stuff.
I hope that part of life does NOT go back to 'normal'.  There is a lot of what WAS considered 'normal' that I truly never want to see again.

Be as grateful as you can.  Everything will workout in the long run.  Accept the changes that have happened gracefully.  Learn, grow and expand your mindset.   Help where you can.

I hope you all find peace.  The other constant we can have is FAITH!!!!  Never let that waiver!
Stuff happens for a reason and not a reason that we may be aware of, but it is part of the greater plan.

Make your choice - to be happy!
I CHOOSE HAPPY!  (I just have to)

PROTEIN - It isn't just meat!!!!!!!

We need to look at the prospect of eating less meat.  It is expensive (compared to most groceries) and it not healthy in excess.
Did you know that only about 20% of Americans eat the recommended  servings of fruit and veggies?  We tend to eat more meat than most and not as much of the fruits and veggies.
Americans tend to feature meat as the main course and the rest is a side dish.  Other countries tend to use meat as flavoring or to enhance a recipe.  They use more grains, fruits and veggies.  We could do well to learn from others.
Using less meat not only helps our wallets but also our health.

BUT I NEED THE PROTEIN you say - yes, but there are so many other ways to get needed protein in your diet than with meat.

Here is a little chart to make you ponder:
FOOD ITEM                              SERVING SIZE                          PROTEIN
Hamburger                                   3 oz.                                            21 gm
Chicken breast -skinless              3 oz.                                            27 gm
Chicken dark -skinless                3 oz.                                            27 gm
Turkey breast -skinless               3 oz.                                             27 gm
Cod                                             3 oz.                                             28 gm
Tuna                                            3 oz.                                              8 gm
Egg                                              1                                                   6 gm
Yogurt                                         1 C                                                8 gm
Milk                                            1 C                                                8 gm
Peanut butter                              1 Tbsp.                                          4 gm
Peanuts                                        1/2 C                                           18 gm
Hot dog                                       1                                                   5 gm
Brown Rice                                 1 C cooked                                   5 gm
Tofu                                             4 oz.                                            10 gm
Dried beans, lentils                     1 C                                               15 gm
(cooked)

Get a good deal on eggs?  Freeze them - they are great for baking or cooking.

Peanut butter 1 Tbsp. = 4 gm of  protein.  Who just eats a tablespoon worth?

Beans of every sort are great sources of protein.  All beans, not just dry beans!

This is another time when we can get creative.  3 ounces of meat is what is considered a proper serving.  I don't know many that follow that.  People tend to eat a great deal more per meal.  It is not necessary.
Look at mixing items and coming up with new recipes.
An example I can offer - when making taco meat - I always add beans (using less meat).  Chili or veggie soup - lesser amounts of meat and lots of beans.

Mix brown rice and cheeses
Oatmeal and milk
Bean and walnut (or whatever nut you want) salad
Beans and cheese   ------   this is a flavor combo I LOVE
Lentil soup or casserole.  Lentil burgers are very tasty.
Bean soup, slit pea soup and cornbread
Mix rice and beans - can be spicy or mild
Black bean burgers - can be so tasty!
Small amount of meat with veggie stir fry - over rice
Peanut butter and jelly on whole grain bread
Refried beans on whole wheat tortillas
Oat muffins
Red bean salad - yum

You can make meatless dishes by adding grains as well.  You need to make sure they are complete proteins  (whole grains).  In other words brown rice instead of white rice - whole grain bread not white.  Those are the healthy options.
Whole grains can be quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, rye, oats, wheat, barley, spelt and corn.  Look at adding more of these items and lessening the meat.
Legumes are wonderful - (plants that have pods with rows of seeds inside).  Chickpeas, beans, lentils, peanuts, alfalfa, etc.
NOTE:  1 cup dried beans will expand to about 2 1/2 cups when cooked!

You can also add protein to drinks and meals with protein powders - which can be purchased at health stores and even places like WM and drug stores sell it now.  I love protein shakes - I add those on many days when I eat meatless.
I do meatless or lesser meat more and more.

I have made these shakes before.  I use regular milk and maybe a splash of almond extract or vanilla extract.  So yummy.  

I often make shakes/smoothies using milk, fruit (or plain) yogurt and ice cubes and fruit (often use canned) and a scoop of protein powder.

Let us just remember that we do not have to worry about our health if we realize that we have so many cost saving alternatives.  

This is just another example of USE LESS - SAVE MONEY - EAT WELL!!!!!!!!!  

You never need to feel deprived.  Food is such a fun way to experiment and find new and tasty ways of creating.

Meat production will be back to  normal again.  Prices will be back to more normal.  People will be healthy again.

BREATHE and don't PANIC - these days are as good as we make them!!!!

Make yours great!

Blessings

                     

Weekly Wrap-Up 5/3

HAPPY MAY!!!
This year is flying by and I don't feel like a lot has been accomplished.  I know I have - it just is weird this year.  Oh well, grateful for another day on this wonderful planet.

We have had some nice weather - first of the week was very warm and sunny - then chilly and rain - then warm again.  Yesterday we got to 82*.  Today is wet and much cooler, as will be the coming week.
Today will probably make a good nap day!!!  And I will be!!!!  I looked at the clock at 4AM before finally dozing off this morning - then a loud clap of thunder woke me at 5:30AM - as well as a kitty face being 2 inches from mine!!  He was scared.  LOL
I am just plain exhausted.  No idea why I didn't sleep - but it was miserable.  Hopefully no more quite like that for a long while!  It happens once in a great while.

This week at my house:

• I did the freezer inventory and organized.  Made my list.  Did the frig freezer as well
• Kept some store glass jars and lids to re-use for storage
• Did a lot of yard clean-up.  Worked on the front flower bed, cleaned out a bunch of pots and readied for planting, cleaned behind garage and shed.
• Mowed and trimmed everything.  Got the mower into the raised garden and mowed it well to ready for tilling. (It hasn't been tilled since 2018)
• Painted a lot of my yard art.  So many pieces had faded and I rejuvenated them.  So much more to do.

                               A little rock display in the front flower bed.  The Vinca is starting to bloom.

• Made a cherry upside down cake (had a sweet tooth!) - gave half to neighbors
• Made a batch of big biscuits - indivually wrapped several and froze
• Made popcorn this week
• Finally got my stimulus - however wrong. Too much!!!  I guess they will figure it out eventually - it will be there when they do!
• Did lots of clothing laundry.  Last week was linens and quilts - this week catch up on clothes
• Made some smoothies using up well past date fruit yogurt and canned fruit - tasty treat
• Baked a pound of bacon and added to my bacon grease jar
• Sharpened the kitchen shears with the knife sharpener.  Never had much success before - but it really worked well this time (ask me how I knew immediately - ouch).  Sliced my finger right off the bat.  LOL
• I found some sprouting potatoes in the basement and decided to cut into pieces to dry and I will try planting them.  I have never done potatoes before - but my brother does and he is educating me!  If it works great - if not, I am not out anything.

• I planted 2 containers with green onion sets and one with lettuce and one with spinach.  Just outside the kitchen for easy access.

Meals this past week:

Egg/cheese/salsa open face French bread sammies

Ham/cream cheese/veggie roll-ups

Nachos

Fish and veggie hoagie and fries

Homemade pizza (from freezer)

Egg/cheese biscuits and salad

Jalapeno/bacon double cheese burger and slaw

Sliced French bread (toasted) topped with cheese, scrambled eggs and salsa = yummy!

I sure found out how out of shape I have become over the winter.  All that weeding, pulling, bending, and trimming sure made this old body sore!

I scraped off skin from a couple knuckles - UGH - that hurts, as I just keep bending them.  I cut myself with the sharpened scissors.

I then "fell UP" the back steps.  Wrenched my upper left arm and back, skinned my shin & landed on both knees and also caught myself with my right wrist.   Instantly turned black and swelled like there was a walnut under the skin.  Iced it and it is fine (just yellow and green now) - but good grief I was an accident waiting to happen this week.  Of course I looked to make sure no one saw me - how embarrassing!!!!!!

Sigh - I guess I get in too big of a hurry some days!

I am FINE and I will survive!!!!!!!  LOL - I have to laugh about it now!
Note to self - slow down!

Reading my list above it seems that my week consisted of the yard and FOOD!  I just was in the mood for foodie fixes this week.
How have you been doing?  What fun and frugal things are you up too?

I pray that each of you and your families are safe and healthy.  I pray that we each take pleasure and joy in all the simple things this week.
Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.

Learning Never Ends

I know I have mentioned this before but back in the day my Daddy would ask me every single day "what did you learn today".  I found that so annoying as a kid - then I realized how important it was as an adult.
I still think of his question everyday - and every night I try to think of something that I learned that day.
We are never to old to learn.  I do believe that I learn something every single day.  It may not be something I actually 'want' to learn - but we learn good or bad.
Do you feel you learn everyday?

This old world is so big and there are so many people who do things differently.  I love learning about others lives and ways.

This is why I am happy to be here and have you all along for the ride.  Life is sure interesting and intriguing.

I love this quote.  

I do believe this is why we are all here and we are all learning to live within our means from one another. 

Stay focused. 

Keep plugging away.  

Every little addition or change is important and helps.  

Start slow - don't try to conquer the world all at once.  

Baby steps is how we all started this journey.  

Keep moving forward and don't get discouraged.

KEEP LEARNING

Inventory - Making Your List and Checking it Twice

NO this is not a PANIC post!
This is a get organized and know what you have post.

I know as well as I am sitting here - there are so many of us that have pantry items that we have forgotten about - shoved to the bottom of freezer - pushed to the back of the shelves, etc..  You know who you are!!!!!!!  LOL
It happens.  We have gotten things on sale thinking - 'this would be good'.  We have not been the most organized.  We have run out of exciting ideas.  We have just gotten sort of lazy!

Now is the time to go through the pantry and through the freezers and organize and INVENTORY!!!!
WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!
Know your inventory.  Now is the time to not waste anything.  Now is the time to get creative.   If you know exactly what you have you can better plan your meals, your shopping, and your budget.

I spent one morning this week going through the entire freezer.  I took everything out, and made my list of exactly what and how much I had of everything.   I then organized - beef, chicken, pork, etc.  all together.  You can keep your list by how many pounds or how many packages.  Know how many servings are in each package (ie: 4 chops, 6 drumsticks,  1/2 lb. ground beef, etc.).

Do the same with your pantry and your home canned goods and deep pantry if you have one.  Once you sit and look at those lists - you can get creative and figure out some wonderful meals.

REMEMBER:  Meat is not a necessity  at every meal - regardless of what you may want!

You can use beans or lentils to make burgers.  They are wonderful and they are full of protein.  You can add beans, lentils, peas, etc. to soups and stews to extend.  Peanut butter, cheese, milk, nuts, eggs, even protein powders can be added to foods.

                                       Things like this and dry milk are good to have as well.  

Keep canned meats on hand!!!!!  Not only is it easy (in case of power outage), but it is practical.  Tuna, salmon, mackerel, chicken, pulled pork, beef, Spam, small hams, corned beef...……  There are so many canned meats, and we should all have some of them around.

Check your pasta, rice, dry beans, veggies, sauces, fruits, baking goods, etc.  If you are running low on some things - slowly work on accumulating more!  I know there are many items that are hard to get right now - but keep your eyes open and get WHAT you can WHEN you can.

Don't let yourself get back into a situation where you don't have the necessities and basics.

Another thing to remember - IF you have some meats in the freezer that are older and have some freezer burn - cut it off!!!!!  You don't  have to throw the entire item away.  Freezer burn DOES change taste and texture (and not for the good) - but many times it is just on a section of the meat.  Cut it off and cook your meat with seasonings and maybe cooking it in a crockpot.  It will be fine.  DO NOT WASTE!!!!  Make stew, soup, shred it, just use it and don't waste.

So now you have an assignment for those rainy, cooler or yucky days - INVENTORY EVERYTHING!!!!!!  Make your list and keep it handy.  

Have fun with your food.

Simple Guidelines to Spending Less

We are in a time when we all want to spend less and still live a good life.  Some prices are rising, and we all need ideas on ways to stretch those budgets.
Many times we need to take a deep breath, stand back at look at things in a realistic light, and then move forward SLOWLY.  Don't panic, don't rush, don't make rash decisions - think, breathe and save.

** Don't confuse being frugal with being cheap or doing without.  You can watch you pennies and live a complete an frugal life.  I find that many frugal people are the most generous to others.  They have saved, got deals and bargains and share to help others.  (I know many wealthy people who are downright stingy).  You can still be classy.  You know the difference between wants  and needs.  You know how to SAVE for a special something instead of going into debt.  You have figured out exactly WHAT is important!

** Don't waste your money.  It is so easy to do.  Fast food, those coffee shops, late fees, super high cable/phone bills (you CAN renegotiate), smoking, impulse buys, shopping for entertainment, etc.
Make it your goal for a few months to track absolutely every dime spent - you will be amazed!  So much of the money we spend is just not necessary.  Track those purchases and see exactly where you are spending it.  Take steps to remove those wasteful items.  A penny saved is one you don't have to earn AGAIN.

** Track you grocery costs.  KNOW who has the best deals and best prices.  That is especially important today.  Some stores just have better prices.  Watch the sale ads.  Buy sales!!!!!!!  Stock up on sale items and clearance items when you can.  That is money in the bank!!!!!!!  Use coupons if you can for items that you WILL use - not just to be using them.  Stock up on good deals and always be prepared.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Learn how to improvise.  Use what you have.  If you run out - substitute - no running out for a thing or two.
Buying sales, markdowns and clearance - is ALWAYS another way to stock up and SAVE

**Shop more than one store.  NO one store has all the best prices.  I realize right at this moment many can not or will not do this - but as a general rule, use more than one store.  Dollar stores often have the best prices for health and beauty or cleaning products.  Watch for the best deals and sales.  Make it your mission to get the best deals.  If needing to go to more than one store - remember to make it your goal to have a route to follow to minimize fuel usage.
Look at Aldi (if you have them), dollar stores, farm markets, roadside stands, grocery outlets, bulk stores, ethnic stores (generally cheaper on many items), etc.

** Buy bulk if you can.  NO you don't want to have so much that you waste food and goods.  You can always go in with family or friends to split costs and product.  You want to get the best prices.
Repackage goods - get yourself a vacuum sealer (best  utensil you can have), use large glass jars, canning jars, repurpose any other packaging that you can.  Freeze, can (re-can), dehydrate, etc.

** Make you own.    So many people believe that you HAVE to buy everything you need.  In the past - people MADE everything they needed.  Get cookbooks on "mixes".  Learn how to cook and bake.  Make your own breakfast foods and coffee - instead of going out.  Make waffles and pancakes to freeze for those rushed days.  Make hearty muffins, breakfast burritos, etc.
Make snack goods - popcorn, ice cream, popsicles, chips, cookies and brownies, etc.
Use leftovers for lunches.
There are cookbooks and recipes on-line for 'restaurant' favorites that you can make at home.
Grow a garden or some veggies.  Use less.  Shop seasonal.
Get creative.

** Eliminate convenience foods.  DON'T buy precut  - salads, veggies, fruit - it costs at least twice as much if not more than buying a whole item and cutting yourself.    Prepackaged mixes cost more than making from scratch.  A restaurant meal can cost 10 times more than homemade.
Buy whole chickens or loins and cut your own - so much cheaper.  Learn to de-skin or de-bone chicken yourself - there are You Tube videos out there.

** LESS MEAT usage!!!!!  Now more than ever this can be critical.  We (for the most part) do NOT need meat to survive, at least not every day!!!!!  Make meatless nights at least a couple times a week.  Use smaller quantities - there is no need to eat a huge steak - cut it and let more than 2/3 people eat from it.  Make soups and casseroles - you can load it up with veggies and beans, pasta, or rice and use way less meat.  Look for protein substitutes - there are many.  Think beans, nuts, dairy and even tofu. Remember meat is just a side dish as are veggies - it should not be the MAIN event!!!!!!

** Waste NOTHING.  Find new uses for everything.  Leftovers for lunch or recreate into new meals.  Jars and bottles for storage.    Squirt bottles from condiments can be great for homemade dressings or used for icing (for decorating).  Ends of bread or stale bread or crackers - crush and use for coatings.  Any food containers can be used for storage or leftovers (taking lunch to work or school).  Extra fruit - turn into smoothies or frozen sweets or sweet breads.  Use cardboard containers to make fun toys for the littles (drums or storage containers or building blocks).  Use TP tubes (or paper towels tubes) for plant starter pots (plant-able as well).  Old clothes can be remade into new clothing or quilts.  Old t-shirts or towels make great washable rags.  The list goes on and on!!!!!!!

** Less traditional meals!!!!!  Have soup nights once or twice a week - sure does stretch ingredients.  You can make bean soup, cream of soups, potato soup, leftover (whatever you got left) soup.   Have baked potato night - super filling and you can top with any type of leftovers.  Have breakfast - pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage.  Make big old roll-ups with tortillas - use minimal meat, cheese, lots of veggies and dressings or sauces.
Remember there is nothing wrong with sandwich night as well!  OR salad night!  Use what you have and get creative with it.

**  If you have the room and the ingredients make foods ahead and freeze some meals for when you are in a hurry or tired or broke!  Make more than one lasagna or casserole.  Make more than one loaf of bread or batch of rolls.  Save leftover soups and casseroles and freeze.  I often freeze individual containers of soup or casserole for those nights I just don't feel like cooking or to go with a sandwich.
You will always have a variety of food on hand - and it could really help your family out if finances are running low.

Potato flats with whatever topping you have.  Could be a great side - could be a filling quick meal

Any type of grilled sandwich.  Cheeses of any sort, meat, tuna, pattie melts, I have even made grilled mac n cheese sandwiches (yum by the way)

Look at things differently - open your eyes to how many wonderful ways there are to be frugal!!!!!
You can live a beautiful life and not really sacrifice a thing.  In fact I think you actually gain and live better by being frugal.  You can still have class.  You can still have dignity.  You can stretch those dollars.  You can save a little more.  You can help others a little more.  You can have a great life and feel safe and confident for your family.

Life is just BETTER when you are frugal.
NEVER EVER BE ASHAMED OF YOUR FRUGAL LIFESTYLE!!!!!!