We all know homemade tastes better than store bought - but I have to agree that store bought is often easier. We all have those items that we buy, that in actuality we should be making at home.
I know - we just don't have the time.
This is something that I am working harder at.
We grow gardens and can and freeze our goodies because it tastes so much better than the stuff from the store. It saves us money too.
Here are some things to think about.
1. Homemade food is just better for you. You know what is in it, that it's fresher, there are no preservatives or chemicals from the packaging, and no hidden stuff.
2. It just tastes better. I don't really care what you make - it will be better made from scratch. You can make things richer, sweeter, chocolatier, more wholesome, less salty, etc. You make it the exact way you and your family like it.
3. Scratch seems to cost less. Prepared foods cost more as you are paying for packaging, advertising, utilities and pay of employees, shipping, and who knows what else. Food made from scratch comes from a lot of raw ingredients. Granted there are still things you have to buy - flour, sugar, some spices, meat in many cases, etc., but it still works out cheaper and less packaging.
4. Scratch food eliminates unnecessary packaging. How many wrappers, boxes, and containers do you throw away every week? I am hoping to eliminate more and more packaging each week.
5. Scratch food will make you think differently about food. After you start making more from scratch, you will realize the flavors are so much better, and odds are you will start feeling better. You won't be putting all the nasty chemicals in your body, and I bet you may even lose weight.
The next time you eat something that you created - then taste store bought - I bet you taste a huge difference!
I have always made much of our food from scratch, but there are still so many things I want to try. I haven't baked bread in ages - that is something I want to get back to. I would love to make my own pasta!
We love homemade pizza, cookies and candies, stews, soups, you name it.
What do you make from scratch that most people buy at the store?
We all need new ideas - as winter is the best time to try making foods from scratch. Homemade is comfort food in my book.
I believe we all need to shift the way we look at food, ourselves, and our world.
We need to get back to basics.
MAKE IT BETTER!!
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Ground Meat Jerky 101
Ok, as promised I will tell you how super easy it is to make jerky out of ground beef. You could use ground turkey, chicken, pork, venison, etc. ANY ground meat will do.
My beef that I used was 80% lean. I would think that you should use at least that lean if not more.
I will be showing several pictures along the way to help explain this easy procedure.
You can use either your oven or a dehydrator. I used both, as I made 2 pounds. They took the same amount of time - but we both agreed that the dehydrator jerky was the best consistency. (BOTH are great though).
Here is a picture of the seasoning that I used. I bought it at Rural King, but I am sure you can find jerky seasoning/cure at many places.
This was approximately $6. There are 6 seasoning and 6 cure packages per box. You need one seasoning and one cure for each pound of ground meat.
My meat was on sale for $1.99/lb., therefore each pound of jerky cost less than $3.
I see 2 oz. packages at the store for more money than that.
Preheat oven at 170*, if using oven.
Set aside one pound of meat in a mixing bowl. Take on packet seasoning and one packet cure and dump into a small bowl. Add approximately 1 tablespoon water to the mix. Stir until well blended. Add to ground meat - and mix thoroughly through the meat. (I used my hands). Place the meat in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to blend flavors (over night is fine too).
You will need a sandwich bag or couple pieces of saran wrap. Cut sandwich bag down each side, so it lays completely open. You will also need something about 1/8" deep to use as guides. I used a paint stirrer that I broke in two. You need a rolling pin.
Make smalls balls of the ground meat - approx. walnut size (smaller than golf ball size).
Place on one side of plastic bag - mash a little - fold other side of bag over the top. Place guides on each side and roll flat. (The guides keep it from getting too thin)
Hopefully this picture helps explain what I said a little better.
Peel meat off plastic and set either on dehydrator rack or on a baking rack. I added foil under my baking racks, as I didn't know how much grease I would lose.
I lost perhaps a 1/2 teaspoon of grease in the dehydrator (for 1 lb.) and less than that in the oven for 1 lb. I thought that was amazing.
Seasoned, pre-cooked meat on dehydrator tray.
Seasoned, pre-cooked meat on baking racks in the oven.
I let both the oven and the dehydrator go for 2 1/2 hours. Jerky was done. I blotted it a bit with paper towels, and then placed in a sealed container in the frig. Keep your jerky REFRIGERATED (it is meat). It will be great in the frig for at least 2 weeks, or you can freeze for longer storage.
Cooked jerky. As you can see there was very little shrinkage! This stuff tastes so good. We have even let others taste it, and they thought it was good too.
There are many flavors of seasoning available, so you can experiment and see what you like the best. You can roll it into chips or strips - any shape you'd like. Just keep it about 1/8" thick.
I TOLD YOU IT WAS EASY!
It doesn't get much easier than that. This is my first time making jerky, and I will surely be doing it often. G absolutely loves it. We often buy jerky around the holidays as gifts, and a 2 lb. bag costs over $25! (Uncle Mike's).
We have always liked jerky that really seemed like a piece of meat and not a piece of veneer!
I hope you give this a try. It is super easy to make and so very tasty!!!!!
HAPPY EATING!
My beef that I used was 80% lean. I would think that you should use at least that lean if not more.
I will be showing several pictures along the way to help explain this easy procedure.
You can use either your oven or a dehydrator. I used both, as I made 2 pounds. They took the same amount of time - but we both agreed that the dehydrator jerky was the best consistency. (BOTH are great though).
Here is a picture of the seasoning that I used. I bought it at Rural King, but I am sure you can find jerky seasoning/cure at many places.
My meat was on sale for $1.99/lb., therefore each pound of jerky cost less than $3.
I see 2 oz. packages at the store for more money than that.
Preheat oven at 170*, if using oven.
Set aside one pound of meat in a mixing bowl. Take on packet seasoning and one packet cure and dump into a small bowl. Add approximately 1 tablespoon water to the mix. Stir until well blended. Add to ground meat - and mix thoroughly through the meat. (I used my hands). Place the meat in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to blend flavors (over night is fine too).
You will need a sandwich bag or couple pieces of saran wrap. Cut sandwich bag down each side, so it lays completely open. You will also need something about 1/8" deep to use as guides. I used a paint stirrer that I broke in two. You need a rolling pin.
Make smalls balls of the ground meat - approx. walnut size (smaller than golf ball size).
Place on one side of plastic bag - mash a little - fold other side of bag over the top. Place guides on each side and roll flat. (The guides keep it from getting too thin)
Peel meat off plastic and set either on dehydrator rack or on a baking rack. I added foil under my baking racks, as I didn't know how much grease I would lose.
I lost perhaps a 1/2 teaspoon of grease in the dehydrator (for 1 lb.) and less than that in the oven for 1 lb. I thought that was amazing.
I let both the oven and the dehydrator go for 2 1/2 hours. Jerky was done. I blotted it a bit with paper towels, and then placed in a sealed container in the frig. Keep your jerky REFRIGERATED (it is meat). It will be great in the frig for at least 2 weeks, or you can freeze for longer storage.
There are many flavors of seasoning available, so you can experiment and see what you like the best. You can roll it into chips or strips - any shape you'd like. Just keep it about 1/8" thick.
I TOLD YOU IT WAS EASY!
It doesn't get much easier than that. This is my first time making jerky, and I will surely be doing it often. G absolutely loves it. We often buy jerky around the holidays as gifts, and a 2 lb. bag costs over $25! (Uncle Mike's).
We have always liked jerky that really seemed like a piece of meat and not a piece of veneer!
I hope you give this a try. It is super easy to make and so very tasty!!!!!
HAPPY EATING!
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Frugal Happenings 10/9
Good morning my lovely friends.
I pray this has been a good week for each of you. I hope that any of you that were in the path of the hurricane, are safe and well, and had minimal damage (if any). My heart goes out to all those who lost homes and belongings. It would be devastating to any of us, however, life is more precious than any material goods. God bless everyone who suffered ANY loss whatsoever.
We have had wonderful fall weather this week, and it looks like we will experience the same this coming week. Cool temps, with highs in the 60's and 70's and lows in the 40's and 50's. I have been sleeping with the window next to my side of the bed open, and it sure has made for great sleeping this week.
My week has been relatively quiet - not a tremendous amount going on.
My frugal week:
My lovely gift I received!
Meals this week:
Mushroom rice with chicken and salad
Chicken strips, dressing and green beans
Pizza 2X
Homemade taco salad
Cheesy tuna casserole and salad
Layered ham/cheese/potato casserole and salad
All lunches and some breakfasts from leftovers.
Snacks: jerky, nuts, and apples with peanut butter
HOW WAS YOUR WEEK? ANY GREAT DEALS OR SPECIAL FINDS?
I hope that your upcoming week will be filled with happiness, health, and love!
STAY FRUGAL FRIENDS
Peace!
I pray this has been a good week for each of you. I hope that any of you that were in the path of the hurricane, are safe and well, and had minimal damage (if any). My heart goes out to all those who lost homes and belongings. It would be devastating to any of us, however, life is more precious than any material goods. God bless everyone who suffered ANY loss whatsoever.
We have had wonderful fall weather this week, and it looks like we will experience the same this coming week. Cool temps, with highs in the 60's and 70's and lows in the 40's and 50's. I have been sleeping with the window next to my side of the bed open, and it sure has made for great sleeping this week.
My week has been relatively quiet - not a tremendous amount going on.
My frugal week:
- Renewed library books on line
- Line dried lots of laundry
- Did a lot of yard work for FREE exercise. Getting the yard ready for fall
- Picked bell peppers, jalapenos (lots), beans, and cherry tomatoes
- NO heat or AC at all
- Dehydrated green beans (no room at all in the freezers) These will be great in soup this winter.
- Hard boiled a dozen eggs for easy meals and snacks
- Received a wonderful gift from a friend on the west coast. I have no idea what I did to deserve it!!!!
- I changed out purses for the season with another that I have
- I did do a stock-up on canned and dried cat food on a day that I was out. Canned was five cents cheaper that any where else and dried was $2 off per bag, plus additional money off for a certain $ purchase. I got 5 big bags and 125 cans saving $24. I am going to do this every month for the next few months - just IN CASE! (I feed a lot of babies!)
- Picked a lovely bouquet of roses, asters and mums from the yard
- I made 2 lbs. of ground beef jerky (YUM). I will tell you how this coming week. It is so easy to make and the taste is wonderful!
- We received a $25 gift card from Outback as a gift for G's past birthday
- One night I actually ordered pizza - as I was so tired from yard work. They had a deal of 2 medium ANY type pizzas for less than the price of one large. Great deal - giving us dinner 2X.
- NO grocery shopping this week
Meals this week:
Mushroom rice with chicken and salad
Chicken strips, dressing and green beans
Pizza 2X
Homemade taco salad
Cheesy tuna casserole and salad
Layered ham/cheese/potato casserole and salad
All lunches and some breakfasts from leftovers.
Snacks: jerky, nuts, and apples with peanut butter
HOW WAS YOUR WEEK? ANY GREAT DEALS OR SPECIAL FINDS?
I hope that your upcoming week will be filled with happiness, health, and love!
STAY FRUGAL FRIENDS
Peace!
Friday, October 7, 2016
Life Thoughts
I know we all spend days and nights thinking about the things that the Lord has put in our path and in the path of others. Do we understand? NOPE - usually not.
All we can do is appreciate each and every day and each and every moment.
I try not to put a lot of personal stuff on the blog - but many of you know that my oldest brother has been going through a huge health crisis. His rehab stopped a while back (due to insurance), and now he is just residing in a nursing home.
Lately our visits have been met with him sleeping and not really being aware when we are there. That has been hard.
Today was a GREAT day. Ron was totally alert and awake and in a good mood. We had a wonderful visit. Basically I just tell him what is going on in life, and about our yard and all the critters. He enjoys that. This was the first really great visit in almost 3 weeks.
In spite of the fact that he can't speak - he really razzed me about my hair looking gray today!!!!! Too funny.
I thoroughly enjoy this type of day and cherish the moments. I hope you each try to make the best of every day. Stop and enjoy those silly moments with your loves, because some day those will be memories.
This little picture really resonated with me today. I don't care about stuff. I don't care what people think of me. I care about my family and my friends and my fur babies.
I consider every one that reads my little blog my friends - I care about all of you.
Thanks for listening. Take a moment today to hug someone and tell someone that you love them.
Love and happiness to you all.
All we can do is appreciate each and every day and each and every moment.
I try not to put a lot of personal stuff on the blog - but many of you know that my oldest brother has been going through a huge health crisis. His rehab stopped a while back (due to insurance), and now he is just residing in a nursing home.
Lately our visits have been met with him sleeping and not really being aware when we are there. That has been hard.
Today was a GREAT day. Ron was totally alert and awake and in a good mood. We had a wonderful visit. Basically I just tell him what is going on in life, and about our yard and all the critters. He enjoys that. This was the first really great visit in almost 3 weeks.
In spite of the fact that he can't speak - he really razzed me about my hair looking gray today!!!!! Too funny.
I thoroughly enjoy this type of day and cherish the moments. I hope you each try to make the best of every day. Stop and enjoy those silly moments with your loves, because some day those will be memories.
This little picture really resonated with me today. I don't care about stuff. I don't care what people think of me. I care about my family and my friends and my fur babies.
I consider every one that reads my little blog my friends - I care about all of you.
Thanks for listening. Take a moment today to hug someone and tell someone that you love them.
Love and happiness to you all.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Fall, Football, Food
Now that fall is here, it is football season. Now I am not a fan, an G only watches occassionaly - but we still like all the fun foods that go along with football parties and tailgating. He is a Super Bowl fan - so we often fix something special for that night.
I am going to list a couple recipes that are perfect for tailgating parties, but they are also great for all those family get togethers around the holidays. I love having easy finger foods available, so everyone can visit and munch. You don't need to have a fancy sit down meal. Most of our guests love just being able to munch away whenever they get the urge and as often as they get the urge!!!!
Tailgate Dip
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 lb. ground sausage, browned
8 oz. jar of salsa
1 lb. Velveeta, cubed
Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan or small crockpot, until cheese is melted. Stir often. Serves with crackers, pita, bread, etc.
*(Easy version - 1 lb. Velveeta, cubed and a can of chili - mixed together and heated)
We absolutely love this stuff. You can truthfully make a meal of it served on some nice Italian bread!
Corn & Black Bean Salsa
15 oz. can black beans - drained
15 oz. can corn - drained
3/4 C onion - chopped
3/4 C red bell pepper - chopped (red makes it pretty)
1 C tomato - chopped
1 tsp. pepper
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
1/4 C oil (can be omitted if you want to go 'light')
Fold all ingredients together in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate for 3 - 4 hours before serving.
Great served with tortilla chips! This is yummy.
All For One Dip
1 round loaf of bread
1 C shredded cheddar cheese
6 oz. can crabmeat (or equivalent of fresh or faux)
1 C onion diced
1 C mayonnaise
Scoop and hollow out the bread center - Make into cubes and set aside. Combine the other ingredients, spread on an ungreased 8 x 8 baking pan. bake at 350* for 20 minutes: spoon into hollowed out bread. Serve with reserved bread cubes.
YUM
Give these a try. They are all so good and your fans/family will love them.
Do you have any fun fall snacks that you make?
Please share your recipes - I love having new things to make when the family shows up for informal holiday get togethers.
HAPPY SNACKING!
I am going to list a couple recipes that are perfect for tailgating parties, but they are also great for all those family get togethers around the holidays. I love having easy finger foods available, so everyone can visit and munch. You don't need to have a fancy sit down meal. Most of our guests love just being able to munch away whenever they get the urge and as often as they get the urge!!!!
Tailgate Dip
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 lb. ground sausage, browned
8 oz. jar of salsa
1 lb. Velveeta, cubed
Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan or small crockpot, until cheese is melted. Stir often. Serves with crackers, pita, bread, etc.
*(Easy version - 1 lb. Velveeta, cubed and a can of chili - mixed together and heated)
We absolutely love this stuff. You can truthfully make a meal of it served on some nice Italian bread!
Corn & Black Bean Salsa
15 oz. can black beans - drained
15 oz. can corn - drained
3/4 C onion - chopped
3/4 C red bell pepper - chopped (red makes it pretty)
1 C tomato - chopped
1 tsp. pepper
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
1/4 C oil (can be omitted if you want to go 'light')
Fold all ingredients together in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate for 3 - 4 hours before serving.
Great served with tortilla chips! This is yummy.
All For One Dip
1 round loaf of bread
1 C shredded cheddar cheese
6 oz. can crabmeat (or equivalent of fresh or faux)
1 C onion diced
1 C mayonnaise
Scoop and hollow out the bread center - Make into cubes and set aside. Combine the other ingredients, spread on an ungreased 8 x 8 baking pan. bake at 350* for 20 minutes: spoon into hollowed out bread. Serve with reserved bread cubes.
YUM
Give these a try. They are all so good and your fans/family will love them.
Do you have any fun fall snacks that you make?
Please share your recipes - I love having new things to make when the family shows up for informal holiday get togethers.
HAPPY SNACKING!
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Frugal Happenings 10/2
Happy October to all!
It appears we are officially into the fall season. Temps cooled drastically here this week (high mainly in 60's). It looks like we may have a few warmer days this next week - but I think the fall temperatures are here to stay. We have had a lot of rain this past week as well - so some days just felt icky!
I have been working on doing a lot of fall cleaning and more de-cluttering. It is amazing to me how much dust accumulates! We all have those areas that we don't clean weekly - and boy oh boy do they get dusty. The ceiling fans are the worst!!!! YIKES - but they are clean now.
My frugal week:
I have been in the mood for soups, cheese and spicy as you will see with this weeks meal plan.
Weekly meals:
Quesadillas
Cheesy potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Stew with bread and butter
Chili
Chili/cheese dogs and chips
Loaded baked potatoes
Chili Mac
Lots of leftovers were used for lunches.
Snacks were birthday cookie, nuts
Have you started getting into the "fall food" mood yet? How was your week and how did you stay frugal? Give us a shout out! I love hearing from you all.
May God bless and keep you in His protective arms in this coming week.
PEACE my friends.
It appears we are officially into the fall season. Temps cooled drastically here this week (high mainly in 60's). It looks like we may have a few warmer days this next week - but I think the fall temperatures are here to stay. We have had a lot of rain this past week as well - so some days just felt icky!
I have been working on doing a lot of fall cleaning and more de-cluttering. It is amazing to me how much dust accumulates! We all have those areas that we don't clean weekly - and boy oh boy do they get dusty. The ceiling fans are the worst!!!! YIKES - but they are clean now.
My frugal week:
- NO heat or AC at all
- Mowing and yard work - free exercise
- Bought 12 more packages of .69 mushrooms. I now have 24 packages dehydrated.
- Dehydrated more zucchini
- Froze some shredded zucchini
- Picked a pretty bouquet of roses and New England asters
- Cut G's and my hair
- Went to Kroger ONLY to check out clearance. I got 3 - 2 lb. packs of Ball Park beef franks for 2.25/ea. 3 - 1 lb. packages of Land O Lakes sliced ham for 1.19/ea. 2 packs of hotdog buns for .25/ea. 3 - 64 oz. bottles of Welches grape juice for .99/ea. 6 - 16oz. jars of salsa for .59 ea. (I make salsa, but will use the purchased for cooking)
- Cleaned out my wallet and came across a nice amount of money I had tucked back from gifts I had received (over 3 years back). I decided to buy myself something new!!! I went to Kohl's as they had their long sleeve scoop neck T's on sale for 6.99. I got 7 basic colors and 2 prints. I used a $10 off coupon and received another one! I still have money left (I need to hide it again). ****NOTE - I live in long sleeve T's in the winter and the ones I have are about 6 years old and ready for the rag bin. I am a happy girl!!!
I have been in the mood for soups, cheese and spicy as you will see with this weeks meal plan.
Weekly meals:
Quesadillas
Cheesy potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Stew with bread and butter
Chili
Chili/cheese dogs and chips
Loaded baked potatoes
Chili Mac
Lots of leftovers were used for lunches.
Snacks were birthday cookie, nuts
Have you started getting into the "fall food" mood yet? How was your week and how did you stay frugal? Give us a shout out! I love hearing from you all.
May God bless and keep you in His protective arms in this coming week.
PEACE my friends.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
This and That
Hope you are all having a great week. It has turned cooler here this week and wet.
I figured I would share a picture or two.
Meet "Chuck" the newest member of our backyard critters this fall. I think he is Italian! He seems to love eating the opal basil!! He is one fat bugger.
Here is "Rocky" (I call all the squirrels that). A squirrel and his walnut!
Here are a few of the mushrooms that I have dehydrated. There is a lot more. They will sure be good in soups this winter.
My spice cabinet that I have decided to start using again. I bought probably 25 years ago at a yard sale and paid $15 for it! I still can't believe I paid that much for something back then. I loved it, and used it for years - then for some reason I put it away. Decided to start using again. It makes smile. It opens and the spice jars go inside.
Pooty being sexy!!!! She is just too darn cute for her own good.
Hope you are having a great week.
I figured I would share a picture or two.
Hope you are having a great week.
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