Howdy all. Hope you are well and safe. It is a bright sunny morning here, but cheese and crackers it is cold!! Single digits for actual temp and below zero for windchill. We got about a half - one inch of snow overnight. Light and fluffy.
I have been out to feed everyone, cleared off the Blazer - so it wouldn't melt and freeze. Cleared the walks. I had on 2 pair of gloves, and my fingers were cold when I came in. Only a couple more days of this and it will warm up some. Today highs in teens, tomorrow 20's and then we get to 40's!!!! WOOHOO!
People complaining, people angry, people sad, people judging, people being critical, people always seeing the bad......... It is enough to suck the fun out of anything. Sure, there is stuff happening in every one of our lives - but we just have to buck up and make the best of the situation, keep trying, and smile. AND blow some bubbles!!! Some days it just pays to laugh a little. MOST days it pays to laugh a little.
A new take on pizza rolls - now they have sticks. There are 4 per package and as you can tell, the package is about the size of a hand. So they aren't very big at all. A little bit of pizza dough - heck even pie dough - and whatever fillings you have on hand - you can make sticks! Roll out pieces of dough, apply the fillings, add a top dough and crimp and cut to size. They will sure be tasty. Great snacks to make ahead and even freeze for a snack for you or the youngsters.
Seriously - on sale for 5.99! Maybe 2 or 3 servings at most! Goodness gracious, these meals can be made with whatever you have in the frig - leftovers - or freezer - in no time whatsoever. Now maybe you can feed a small family with a package IF you add a lot of sides or a big salad or a lot of bread, but most people would want more than just a serving spoon full!
It is what you make it! Make it good and upbeat.
On a different note - I saw the following 2 items in my grocery ads and have to wonder WHY someone would buy them. My goodness, a few minutes of time, they can be made at home, will no doubt taste much better, and not cost but a few pennies!
These were ON SALE for 1.99 for 4 pieces! Doesn't sound like much, but you could make many for a couple bucks.
I always have a bit of some oriental flavorings on hand, or they can be put together easily with items in the pantry. A tiny bit of veggies, a little meat (sometimes you have to add that yourself), and maybe a bit of pasta or rice. Not to mention - additives!!!!!! None in homemade!
Yep, we can all do better at home.
I find it fun to look at the ads and see what they are touting this week, and then figure out a simple way that I can make it myself. Try it - it is kind of fun.
Ok, that is about it for me today. I hope those that got tons of snow and rain and then freezing temps are safe! Stay in, if possible, and stay safe and warm. This too shall all pass - honest. Soon we will all be complaining about the heat! LOL. (as for me, it will take a while).
Now chill out and go blow a few bubbles and just have a fun and happy day.
Enjoy the beauty of the day.
A LOT of people really do need to just chill out don't they? I don't want to waste my time here on earth complaining. It was 3 when I came to work today with the feels like of -10. I don't complain because the heat and humidity will be here soon enough. Yes homemade food is always better and you get the benefit of knowing what is in it. I remember when the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches came out packaged and just shook my head. Stay warm and enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes mam, they do. It just amazes me how nasty people can be. I don't want to waste time on it either.
DeleteStay warm!
Yep. so many things people buy - I just shake my head. Hard boiled eggs - people spend big money for 1 or 2! Just shake my head and snicker.
"Take a chill pill!". I had an employee who used to say that when one of his coworkers was all worked up over something. Folks forget who manages our days. I say, "Your will be done.".
ReplyDeleteBrrr, super cold this morning. The sunshine is an apology for the frigid weather...ha!
Most, if not all, of these premade food products are full of unpronounceable ingredients. Hopefully our foodstuffs in this country will get a makeover and be much healthier. We noticed frozen grilled cheese sandwiches in the freezer case at Costco. Seriously? Of course, the best way to eat is to prepare your own food. Save some $$$ at the same time.
Enjoy your weekend! Looking forward to those 40's temps.
Perfect phrase. Yep, His will be done.
DeleteThe sun sure is mood lifting!
It is amazing the things people buy - I mean to each their own - but I am still amazed. Oh, the chemicals in stuff is just gag worthy. Homemade tastes so much better and save so much in $. Really - how hard is it to make a grilled cheese? LOL
-26C here. Wait for the windchill. It's been hovering around -30C+. I've only been venturing outside to bring in firewood. Yes, spring would be welcome. The bright sunshine boosts the spirits. I just reviewed the local grocery flyer. So much processed food that could be made at home. The very act of smiling does something to our brains chemically. Keep smiling.
ReplyDeleteWell the first word out of my mouth when I read that was "oh crap"! That is cold. Spring is our promise of rebirth of the land!
DeleteThe sun does lift the spirit. It just makes me smile.
It is amazing how much stuff gets bought that is so simple to make at home. I guess we just need to keep on spreading the word.
You are right - smiles, mood, laughing - it all has a very positive effect on our brains!
Yes it sure is cold, brrrr. Warmest place is In Bed :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing what other folks are buying while I wait in the checkout line. Some people, I wish I were going home with them! Others, not so much. Some folks buy things I can't even tell what they are, the names on the packages have no meaning to me! Strange days in this world.
I am astonished to read that PB&J sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches are actually sold prepackaged. I've never seen that, and it sounds just crazy.
Yes, I cleaned off the car windows so it wouldn't turn into ice, but then in the night it snowed a bit more and now it's just too cold to go out there. I'll try after I post this... maybe! ;)
MaryB
Stay warm, snuggle up. :)
Bed did feel wonderful this morning. Bits came and nudged me a couple times to get up - I just wanted to stay snuggled.
DeleteI have seen the PBF - but not the grilled cheese. Also see hard boiled eggs. Good grief!
I warmed the Blazer yesterday and cleared it off - there was a bunch of ice from all the melting and refreezing. I need to go out tomorrow and don't want that to happen again.
Stay in and stay warm!
Instant gratification gets the sale at the grocery store from many people.
ReplyDeleteYep, it sure does. Obviously, many people never had mom or grandma home cooked meals!!! No comparison.
DeleteAs daddy used to say "anticipation is always far greater than the realization".
And to think of the money spent to develop, test & market sticks instead of rolls! I'm guessing half the ingredients you'd never find in a home kitchen! I can make a whole pizza for a dollar or less. When my kids were hungry I told them to eat leftovers or make a sandwich. No hot pockets or pizza rolls here!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter who works (I watch her kids during the week) started cooking from scratch as she became concerned about funky ingredients plus the rising costs of processed foods. She found that planning and rethinking how she used her time at home gives her time to bake & cook.
You got that right! I make pizza all the time for pennies - just using what I have on hand. It sure tastes better than any purchased pizza.
DeleteI can make a hand pie as well - instead of Hot Pockets - better tasting and costs virtually nothing!
Good for your daughter! That is just smart and much healthier for her and her family. I love hearing testimonials.
Yes, those stir fries can be made so easily at home with just basic items. No need to pay $5.99 for two or three servings. When I make stir fry I always have enough left for lunches the next day too, sometimes even dinner. Those pizza sticks are crazy expensive, but you did give me an idea. I have some pie crust int he freezer and might make some. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy and economical to make pan dishes at home and like you said, there is always plenty left!
DeleteGood, glad you got an idea. I may give it a shot too - they would be great to freeze and have for a snack. They would be super easy to make!
It is amazing what the fast food market will create. I never buy mixes, I have an aversion to them.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much gunk in them - good reason for aversion. Those things are so easy to make at home from scratch!
DeleteI'll admit to having used prepackaged meals when my kids were young. Both were in competitive gymnastics, so by the time I picked the up from school, spent a couple of hours at the gym, I'd want something quick and easy at home before bath and bedtime. It wasn't often, because I usually tried to cook on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, it's better not to judge.
I can see doing it every now and then - special circumstances. But some folks eat that stuff every day and then wonder why they aren't healthy.
DeleteYep, to each their own!
Those are two items that my youngest son would buy. He is time poor, works three jobs, and they are easy meals that are within his budget. He has a mortgage and bills to pay so things are right.
ReplyDeleteI’ll be honest and say that once I probably would have feed my kids those sticks when I was out of time and needed something quick. They look kind of fun and something kids would enjoy.
Last night I had a few unexpected extra mouths to feed and I made that ramen noodle casserole that was popular a few years back ( or maybe that’s when I discovered it) It’s such a great crowd pleaser meal and a great use for brown meat from the chicken. Take care, blow lots of bubbles, Louise
I know people buy them and enjoy them - time can sure make a difference in our choices. I guess I just see how much cheaper it is to make them ahead of time.
DeleteI have used the noodles to make fancier dishes before. Good idea to stretch your meal.
Amazing what the food companies and resturants will come up with. Last time I was at the store I saw you could now by Arby's french fries in the freezer case.
ReplyDeleteLast night was midweek use it up from the freezer night for dinner. I always have Vietnamese rice paper in the pantry, so out it came. There was a small container of stir fry in the freezer. Voila, egg rolls made with that and the rice paper and cooked in the air fryer. We had those with some homemade hot and sour soup made from other assorted veggies and meat from other meals and homemade bone broth. Needless to say it was yummy and there's some left for another meal. Cookie
It is amazing what is being sold out there. You name it - they sell it.
DeleteYour meal sounds super yummy and easy. Very frugal. You go girl!
I don't really have many heat and eat foods here. Though sometimes they do come in handy. Those pizza sticks are a ridiculous price. I watch some Vlogs on YouTube and one from a province here manages to get those Crave frozen dinners for like a dollar. I have never seen them that low here or I might be tempted to purchase a few.
ReplyDeleteLeftovers can be made into a totally different or almost different meal and are just as quick to make as any prepackaged meal.
God bless.
The pizza sticks look good, but you sure don't get much for the money. I don't keep any heat and eat things much either - other than leftovers. I keep ingredients.
DeleteShoot I don't see anything for that price - that would be a steal.
I agree with the leftovers.
So glad the bitter temps will be leaving us over the weekend. I'm counting down the days, for sure! There were times (following my husbands death, in particular) when heat-and-eat was a necessity, simply because I struggled to cook for myself. Having something that I could grab and quickly fix helped me greatly during some tough times. But, I've learned (actually re-learned) the importance of cooking from scratch to eat healthier and be more cost effective in meal-prep. I will admit to keeping a few Banquet pot pies in the freezer, just in case. You gotta do what you gotta do.
ReplyDeleteIf that is what got you to eat something - then good. I just ate a lot of sandwiches and salad. But we do what we feel is right at any given time. It sure is more cost effective to cook from home and yes, healthier.
DeletePrepared food is so unhealthy -- and with the cheap ingredients, it makes no sense that it is so expensive. Yes, better to make it at home from scratch!
ReplyDeleteAgree. So many added 'ingredients' which turn out to be chemicals not needed in our bodies.
Deleteit tastes better from scratch too.
Yes let’s blow bubbles!!
ReplyDeleteIt sure beats sucking the stuffings out of life!!!
Delete