Tips from my Kitchen

Good morning.  Today I am going to give a few tips that I use regularly in my kitchen, that may help others.  We all look for ways to stretch our budgets and to make life a little easier.


EGGS
A couple weeks ago I mentioned freezing eggs again, and some new readers didn't realize you could that.
It is really easy.  I freeze mine in muffin tins.  I lightly spray each opening with cooking spray - crack and drop in an egg into each opening.  I then use a fork to break the yoke.  Place in freezer and freeze.  Remove and place in freezer bags for storage.  I have actually had eggs that I have used after being frozen for a couple years.
These are great for baking purposes and for scrambling.  Take advantage of a great price when you find it!!!

We used to camp a lot and we had lots of people to cook breakfast for.  We found that a great way to extend our eggs was to get them ready for scrambled eggs - then add crushed crackers (or crushed cheese crackers).  Once the eggs are cooked you have no idea there are crackers involved.  It really does extend the eggs.
I have done this at home as well, when we were down to a couple eggs.

You can also add a couple scrambled eggs to leftover rice to extend a little further.  More egg and less rice than fried rice - but a great healthy extender.

I have heard that a lot of preppers dehydrate eggs as well.  I have seen them scrambled and place on racks and dehydrated.  Vacuum seal in jars.  Shelf stable.  I have not tried this - but it is on my bucket list to do.


BEANS
I also mentioned freezing soaked dry beans a week or so ago.  I generally soak dry beans overnight in water to help break them down.  Sometimes, I soak a double batch, and place the extras in freezer bags and freeze for later.  They will not take nearly as long to cook, as the moisture and freezing then thawing help to break down the fibers and they cook faster.


MISC.
*Did you know that you can cook in freezer type bags?  I often place leftovers in a good quality freezer bag and freeze, and when I am ready to cook - I simply place the bag in water and boil.  Homemade cook in bag! 
NOTE:  They do need to be decent quality bags.

*I microwave potatoes for a few minutes before frying them.  I microwave them whole - cool and peel - then slice and fry.  Cuts down on the cooking time.

*When I make homemade meat balls, I generally don't make balls!  I mix up all the ingredients and place onto a flat pan.  I mash the meat into a rectangle/square about 1" thick.  I then cut meat into 1" or so squares.  They are easier to cook, as they lay flat - and they are easier to freeze for the same reason.  You can lightly flash freeze if desired before cutting - it makes placing them in bags easier.

*Next time you are coating and frying chicken or chicken strips, try coating the pieces in mayonnaise and then cover with your coating/breading.  It sure makes for tasty moist chicken.

*USE EVERYTHING.  So many people I know do NOT use leftovers at all.  I do not understand this.  We don't mind eating the same thing a couple times - but I most often re-invent into a new dish.
Most often we think of adding leftovers into soup and casseroles.  There are other options as well!!
Soups, stews, casseroles
Omelets
Quiche
Pizza
Fried rice
Stir fry
Calzones
Burritos
Just to name a few!!!!

Going to list this site again.  It is great when groceries are getting low and you just have no idea what to cook.  Check off the ingredients you HAVE and you get ideas and recipes for meals.  It doesn't get much easier.  It is kind of fun to use even when you have plenty of food - to get a few new ideas!
*Stale pop, leftover coffee, juice from canned fruit, tea, etc.  FREEZE in ice cube trays and use to either flavor iced tea or to cool a extra hot cup of coffee.  It keeps things from getting watered down and adds flavor.

I hope these ideas help someone save a little money or save a little time. 
What are some fun tips you use?  Please share.


JUST REMEBER:  If the world doesn't fit you - make it fit.  Backup, look around, and go do things another way.  Limitations are basically just in your head.
Have a happy day!

Frugal Happenings 1/14

Good morning all.  It just dawned on me that we are half way through this month already.  WOW!
Time flies when you are having fun!

What a weather week we have had.  It started out frigid, and by Thursday we had 60*.  It melted all the snow and it was great seeing green grass for ONE day!  Within hours the temperature dropped 40*, and we had rain, ice, sleet and snow again!  Oh boy!
All the snow has been shoveled for now.  More snow coming in tonight and frigid again.  Next weekend is supposed to get close to 50*  Crazy weather.

I was out back this week after the ice and snow feeding the birds and squirrels, it was cold and windy and just plain yucky - YET I stood there listening!  It was just wonderful listening to all the different birds singing.  I stood quietly, and I heard so many different songs.  It was lovely.  I was then brought back to reality by the squirrels standing at my feet begging for peanuts!
We have such a variety of birds -- woodpeckers (large and small), blue jays, cardinals,  juncos, finches, sparrows, nut hatches, and even pigeons and crows.
It is nice to slow down sometimes and just listen and watch - so much beauty.

It has been a quiet week around here.
My frugal week:

• I made up a double batch of Co-Co Wheats for G.  I bought a box of them a couple weeks ago with a GC we received as a gift.  He has been wanting some for ages!  Childhood here we come!
• I re-arranged the freezer and found enough room for that whole ham I got cheaply last week.  That will be great around Easter.
• I mentioned last week that the garage door was broke.  Well, it actually WAS frozen (to the ground)!!  You could see no ice at all and the handle was moving, but not far enough.  I guess I just didn't have the correct amount of strength needed!!  We had called a repairman, but G's Uncle came by and got it open for us!!!!!  YAY!  That saved us a lot of money on a service call. YIPEE.
• I re-arranged several items in the living room, so as to be able to display recent gifts
• I ran to the feed store to get more squirrel corn.  Oh what lovely corn I got this time.  Huge full ears!  It is sold by the bag and there is a specific number of ears.  Last time the ears were short and partially full.  These are lovely and will last longer.
• I stopped at the orchard while out, and got apples.  They are about to close for the season and are having a B1G1 sale.  No matter how many (5 lb., 10 lb., I/2 bushel).  I got 2 - 10 lb. bags for eating.  They will last us the rest of winter.  Didn't need to can any - still have plenty canned.  They ended up costing .80/lb.  Pretty darn cheap around here.
• I used ALL leftovers either in chili or soup.
• Made a batch of onion dip
• I got to turn off the heat and open the doors for a while on Thursday - aired out the house
• I have made ice tea (cooled outside), filtered water, made a gallon of OJ from concentrate, used the Soda Stream, and drinking home canned juice.
• G has a rolling desk that he utilizes daily.  One roller quit working - so I messed with it and greased it and got it working properly for him
• I actually started reading a book!  It has been ages since I set down to do nothing but read!

Meals this past week:
Chili (2 X)
Sausage gravy/biscuits & fried potatoes
Homemade meatball hoagies
Baked fish served over beans and rice
Hamburger/veggie soup (2X)
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How was your week?  Are you keeping warm (those in U.S.)?  Are you Aussie gals keeping cool?
Did anyone get any great deals this week?  Let us know what you are doing to stay on the frugal path!

I hope you all have a lovely week, and that God blesses you with health and happiness.
Stay safe my friends.

Grocery Store Tricky Tactics

We all go to the store.  We all HAVE to go to the store at times.  Hopefully, we have a well laid out plan before going.  WELL, that doesn't mean the store isn't going to try to get more of your money than you planned on parting with!  They don't have to say a word either - they just know what the heck they are doing, AND they do it well!

The assault begins the moment you walk in the door.
Generally there will be a display with some sort of 'seasonal' item.  You may not buy any, but it gets you to slow down and look.  This type of tactic is called 'speed bumping'.  It is much the same as a speed bump on the road - you slow down and proceed with caution.

Scents have a big impact on us too.  Many stores have scent machines that they use - to get pleasant scents into the air.  Most rely on a much simpler method - place good smelling stuff at the front of the store!  Just about every grocery I go to has a floral department at the front, as well as the bakery and the deli.
I have a couple stores in my area, that I believe use fans to waft the smells outdoors.  You are hit with the wonderful aroma of baked goods in the parking lot!
Special smells like flowers and baked goods, generally relax us and take us to another time in life.  These people are smart!

IF you eat healthy, they know you shop differently.  Most likely you won't be browsing the center aisles, and you will be shopping the perimeter.  Oh but they still try to get you.  They make all the end caps very appealing and bright to get your attention.  Pay attention next time - most of the end cap stuff isn't very good for you - but you sure do look at it!
We tend to think that if it is on the end cap it's a SALE!  That generally isn't even close to being true.

Height is a huge strategy they use.  The most expensive items are at eye level or at kid level.  Candy, cookies, sweet cereals, etc. are often at the level of kids (or at least kids in carts).  They figure the average height for women is 5'4" and that is where they want you to look.  Lesser priced items (store brands) are most likely higher or lower on the shelves.
A new thing is now called vertical staging.  The stores have figured out - that WE have figured out what they are doing.  NOW they make several vertical rows (top to bottom) of product to keep you purchasing more expensive brands.

Have you ever noticed that milk, eggs, cheese, butter, juice and meat are almost always at the back of the store?  The grocers say that is because that is where the refrigeration and freezers are - ummmm - build them up front!!!  They could put them up front - BUT then you wouldn't have to traipse through the entire store.
There is a method to their madness!
It has basically been this way since the first grocery stores open.

The stores always have music playing.  Do you intentionally pay attention or does it just kind of grab you?  Many stores play what a lot of us call 'oldies' or disco type music.  According to grocery stores "disco is the sound of money".  No matter how old you are - that music has an uplifting beat, and you often catch yourself tapping a foot or humming along.  The lighter your mood, the longer you will wander around.

So the next time you go in for a gallon of milk, and spend a small fortune - I guess you could TRY to blame it on the store!!!!  LOL
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It is so important to know the layout of your store (then you don't stray), go in with a list and stick to it, shop with cash if possible (not as app to overspend), and WEAR BLINDERS!!!!!
Don't make many trips a week.  Shop once and be done!
DON'T shop hungry either!
They will tell you that they JUST want you to have a pleasant experience at their store -  NOPE - they want your money, and as much of it as they can get.

Be wise - shop wise - and save money.

Being Green (somewhat) Can Save Green

"It isn't easy being green" said Kermit the frog!  Well, sometimes it is and sometimes it takes a  little effort.  In the end - it can save money - another type of green!  Maybe it doesn't save huge amounts of money - but it all adds up!

Things to think about:
KITCHEN:

1. Keep the freezer full!  The freezer doesn't have to work as hard to chill, if it is full.  If you do not have enough food to fill it, add partially filled jugs of water.  They freeze, which keeps the freezer cold, you will always have cooler chest ice available, and you will always have water available
2. Keep the freezer and frig closed.  How many times have we all opened the door, leaned there a bit, trying to figure out what we want?  Leaving it open for too long, just requires more energy to keep things cool.
3. Let things cool before placing in the frig or freezer.  NEVER put hot foods in there.  It has to work so much harder to stay cool.
4. Check the seals on the frig.  To test them, close the door on a piece of paper.  If you can pull it out easily, then you need new seals.  (You can do this yourself)
5. Use your oven light when checking on foods in the oven.  It enables things to cook more evenly, and then there is the obvious - you aren't letting out that precious cooking heat.
6. Set your timer, and turn the oven off a couple minutes early.  Leave it closed and the heat will finish baking your item.  Unless I am baking cookies or cakes, I put the food (casseroles & such) in while it is pre-heating.  All heat cooks!
7. Re-use plastic bags - wash and re-use. (I do all except those containing meat).  Better yet, DO AWAY with plastic!  Keep containers on hand that can be used over and over.  Use bees wax sheets to protect food, make re-usable bowl covers, etc.
8. Quit using paper towels!  Not only does this save money - but it helps the environment.  Make rags from old clothing or use older dish cloths or towels.  I use black face cloths for my kitchen.  They don't show stains at all, and they are washable.  I know the black ones are strictly for kitchen use - not the body!

Think of new ways to use what you have

HOUSEHOLD

1. After turning off the oven, prop it open for a while.  (Keep kids and pets away from it).  You might as well use that heat, instead of wasting it.  It can help your heating.
2. Use a ceiling fan, winter and summer.  In the summer, a fan keeps the air circulating (helping to cool).  In the winter (reverse fan) it helps push warm air down into the room.  Remember science class - warms air rises!!!
3. Leave curtains or blinds open on sunny days (in winter) to help heat the room with solar energy.  Close them at night to keep the warmth in.
4. Don't just let the water run down the drain.  When waiting for water to get hot - catch it to use for pets, plants, flushing, drinking, etc.
5. Flush responsibly!  Generally you don't need all the water stored in a average toilet tank to flush.  Place a brick in the tank (wrap in plastic bag to keep it from flaking) or add a 2 liter bottle of water to the tank.  That displaces some water, so it doesn't take as much to refill the tank or to flush.
6. Try catching rain water in nicer weather.  You can use on houseplants, garden plants, hair (softens), or even for flushing.  It's FREE!
7. Try switching light bulbs.  LED lights or CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) can reduce energy consumption.
8. Turn off lights when leaving rooms.  I do not use lights except when it is dark.  In the summer, I very seldom turn on a light, as it is light early and stays light late.
9. Hang laundry outside if you can.  If you must - just toss in the dryer for a few minutes to soften.
10. Skip the dry cycle on your dish washer - better yet, wash dishes by hand.

We can all save money by being a bit more cautious of our household ways.  Little things can make a difference.  REMEMBER:  pennies make dollars. 
Are you going to save a fortune over the year?  Probably not.  BUT, you will save and you are also helping the environment.

Try thinking of new ways of doing things.  Try thinking of new uses for normal stuff, that is being tossed away.
We need to be observant of the waste in our world and in our daily lives.

Be green and save green!  $$$$$$$$$$$

Frugal Happenings 1/7

Howdy everyone.  It is hard to believe we have already ended the first week of the year.  It will be spring before we know it!!!  I anxiously await that time, but I am trying to just bide my time and not wish my life away!

It has been cold this week - oh, so cold.  Some days it didn't get out of the single digits and nights were well below zero.  Brrrrr.  We are having a heat wave coming through starting today!  LOL.  We MAY hit 32* today, but we have snow, ice and rain coming through as well.  The weather man says we may get to the upper 40's by the end of the week.  People will be out in shorts (seriously).  People around here are crazy!
We reached a couple record lows this week that broke weather records that stood for over 100 years.
I feel sorry for those in the southern hemisphere as well.  Our friends in Australia are having some terribly hot temps that I don't think most of us would want to endure.
Hope everyone stays safe - whether hot or cold!

I can't get our garage door open.  It doesn't appear to be frozen, but perhaps the locking release is broken.  I guess we will call the door repair guys this week, although I hate to.  I do need in there, as bird seed and squirrel feed is in there, as well as freezer number 2.  I guess we will bite the bullet.


My frugal week:

• I made pudding with chilled shelf stable milk that was needing to be used
• Saved boxes, bags, tissue paper, and card fronts for next years Christmas
• Changed out the furnace filter on Jan. 1 with one on hand
• I know it sounds crazy - but I made ice cream.  I use a big spoonful daily in my homemade mocha frappe - I ran out and wasn't leaving home.
• I want to show you my home crafted gifts I received for Christmas - meant to show them before now

Aren't these the coolest?  I just love them.

• I did some re-arranging on the basement pantry - still more work to do
• I have worked some on the craft area - it makes my head spin!!
• Got the upstairs pantry all cleaned out and organized.  YAY one thing DONE!
• Stayed home until yesterday.  Hadn't left the property since the Thursday before new years.  I was getting cabin fever big time.
• I did a cat food run - mainly dry food
• While buying cat food at WM (cheapest) I walked the perimeter of the store and I found a 14.8 lb. Cumberland Gap (so yum) whole semi boneless ham on clearance.  This will provide so many meals in the future.  I love Cumberland Gap products, but generally will not pay the price they cost!  This was a deal.

• While out, I also ran up the road to Kroger (yeah I know).  I got milk (1.39/gal.), a bag of 5 yellow tomatoes (.99/bag) and a bag of 3 huge orange bell peppers (.99/bag).
• We have really been using the heck out of the bagged veggies I got for 1.99/bag before new years - sure has come in handy
• I soaked a 3/4 lb. of black eyed peas last weekend.  Used part for NY dinner and the others went in freezer for quick cooking at a later date.
• Using the Soda stream a lot this week

Meals this past week:
Seafood assortment for NY Eve - our yearly feast!
Corned beef, cabbage, and blacked eyed peas (NY day tradition)
Reuban sandwiches, chips, and dill pickles (kraut and pickles home canned - chips from get together)
Steak burgers, dirty rice, and fresh veggies as a side
Strip steaks, roasted veggies with mushroom gravy
Beef and bean burritos
Cheeseburgers, baked beans, and fresh veggies as side (in Italian dressing)


I had decided to strive for a no spend pantry challenge for the month of January, except for essentials.  I told G the other day, we have been eating basically from the pantry for weeks and it hasn't even made a dent.  I did get the ham and fresh items, so that isn't too bad.  I really don't need anything else for quite a while.
I do believe we could eat from our pantries/freezers for months and months (except maybe milk, eggs, & fresh).  I even have frozen eggs, powdered eggs, shelf stable milk and lots of veggies and fruit canned - so we are in good shape.

I plan to work on my project list more this week.  Looking forward to a few days of warmer temperatures!

How was your first week of the year?  What are you working on?  Any deals?
Who else wants to join in the no spend pantry challenge his month?

Prayers that you all stay safe and healthy in the coming week.  I pray those feeling frigid temps get a reprieve as well as those suffering the extreme heat.  God bless you all my friends!

Simple & Encouraging

I try to keep life fairly simple, as do many of you.  However, this is often hard to do in the age of technology!  We are always in a hurry, we are always connected, we always bombarded with adds telling us what we need, we are always bombarded with stuff!

I want my life to be simpler in areas that I can control.  I want to make closer connections with like minded people, I want to have less stuff, and I want to eat a more wholesome and basic menu, I want to learn the 'old ways', I WANT TO SHIFT MY PRIORITIES!
How about you?

We have become such modern people - and I (personally) would kind of like to live on the fringe a little more.  I want a SIMPLER life revolving around family, friends, God, nature and learning.
I want to be free of the burdens that society thinks we should have.
I truly don't care about stuff - all the stuff in the world won't make us happy.

We all strive to be more independent.  We are striving to be frugal.  We want to keep more of our hard earned funds and still have a great life.
WONDERFUL.  I want to save what we have - but I have come to see that 'working harder to have more money - actually takes away some of our freedom'.  This is not to say that we shouldn't work.  We need enough to pay our bills and support our family, and to take care of emergencies and older age - but do we need to do it in an extravagant way?  This is where the terms WANTS and NEEDS come in to play.  We need to keep our life simple and humble.

 We made it!  Every morning you awake - you get another chance to get it right.  It costs NOTHING!

I recently saw a quote and a prayer in our daily paper that really hit home with what we all seem to try to live.
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"When contentment is elusive, it's time to re-examine our priorities."

WOW - that is pretty profound in my book. 
Are you where you want to be?  Are you living the way you want to?  Do you feel complete?
If you answer NO - then it's time to re-examine what you are doing and how you are living. 
Quit worrying what others think, quit trying to impress, be honest with yourself and be the you that you want to be.  Make YOU the priority!
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"Help us O God, to live simply, instead of accumulating stuff, help us to share blessings.  Help us to have more by needing less.  Amen"

I love this.  Yes, we can have more by having less material stuff.  We can have more of the important things - family, friends, happiness, feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction, contentment, etc. - more of the good life.
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I just wanted to encourage each of you to step back and re-examine your priorities and what you really want in your life this year.
Since you are here reading this, I figure you want more life and less stress like me.

I pray this year we can ALL achieve our goals and encourage each other on whatever road that life gives us to travel.
Blessings my friends

Pennies and Pantries

2018 here we are!  Are you ready for a new start?  I am.
We have a chance to begin again on everything.  New habits.  New friends.  New skills.  New ways.  New saving.  New everything!!!!!!
Let's reboot and recharge and get our lives and pantries in the best place they can be.

The state of affairs in the world is a mess right now.  We never know from day to day what could happen.  It is OUR obligation to be ready for any disaster.  Lost wages from job cut backs/loss, illness, horrible weather and acts of nature, inflation, even results of acts of terror can change our daily lives.

I show lots of pictures of the deals that I find for pennies on the dollar.  These have saved me a small fortune and have tremendously helped stock my pantry and freezers.  These are the types of things we all need to look for and do!   I rarely buy  much at the grocery that isn't a markdown. 
YES, it takes some time to walk the aisles and look - but it is worth it!

If you have salvage stores near your home - GO VISIT them!  They are wonderful.  The only one close to us closed it's doors this summer.  So sad.  I used to go to the Amish store when I traveled more.  They have wonderful deals and most also have a salvage section.

Remember too - dates on food items are NOT expiration dates!  Most are BEST IF USED BY - that doesn't mean they magically go bad on that day.  It just means that over time they may loose a bit of nutritional value - but if sealed, they are still good (canned goods).  I am careful with meat.
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Coupons can be a  money saver for many.  I used to get tons of stuff for almost nothing with coupons, then our stores quit doubling (and even triple) coupons.  Most coupons in our area are very short term and for things that I don't buy.  Gee, I remember when coupons lasted for months!  I do use them when I can for cat food.
REMEMBER - Buy what you eat!!!!!!  It isn't a deal to get things you will never use.

I save my change as well.  I pick up pennies or change when I see it on the ground - I am not too proud!  Money is money!  Pennies add up and make dollars and dollars make twenties.  This money can be put back in your savings, used for special items, or used for all those wonderful clearance items you find or just to add to your long term pantry!
Coupons are money as well!
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Remember that your pantry is not just about food! 
You need to have health and beauty items on hand - like over the counter medicines and vitamins, bandages and wraps, soaps and shampoos, lotions and antiseptics, laundry supplies, TP, anything that you use daily. 
You also should have gardening supplies (seeds) on hand.  It may come to a point that you HAVE to grow your food.
Self help books are a fantastic thing to have on hand.  We continue to grow and learn every day and books and the knowledge they carry may save your life some day (you may not always have internet).
Books for entertainment are also important, as well as games.  We all need distractions in life!!
Crafting and mending supplies count as pantry items as well.  We all need to re-create, re-invent, and take care of what we have.  That can save so much money!

Freeze eggs when getting them cheaply.  Great for cooking and baking!

Figure out new ways to store the deals you get.  There is no need to pass up a deal because you can't use quickly.  Freeze, can, dehydrate, etc.  You can process just about anything for long term storage.
Dry goods can be stored in totes and tins to get them away from pests and humidity.
Canned goods can be stacked in boxes in out of the way places - closets, under beds, behind couches, in basements, under stairs, etc.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX this year.  Be prepared for anything.
We all need to work together to get creative, to share tips and hints, to encourage, and to be better prepared.
Change your thinking.  Your pantry and your deals ARE like money in the bank!

2018 A NEW BEGINNING!
I look forward to sharing ideas and learning from each other.


WATCH OUT WORLD - THE FRUGAL QUEENS ARE UNITING!!!!!