Happy Harvest

Today will be a few more ideas for those wonderful garden harvests or those great finds from farm markets or straight from the farmer.

PEPPERS
BELL PEPPERS - are so sweet and yummy.  I often chop and freeze them for the winter months.  Many I chop in small pieces for soups and chili.  I lay them on a sheet pan and flash freeze then place in baggies.  I can take out and use exactly what I need.  Others I chop in larger pieces, as I use them in my 'stuffed pepper skillet' dinner.  It is just all the ingredients used in stuffed peppers except you fix it on the stove top not the oven.
You can also dehydrate them
Here is my one tip for dehydrating them!!!!
Place one sliced or chopped pepper per tray or per half of tray.  After they have dried completely - measure how much ONE pepper is!!  It may measure a half cup - a quarter cup - etc..  I suggest this as dehydrated 'anything' is so small and you may OVER add to recipe.
I do this with squash as well.  One small/medium squash sliced per tray.  Bag accordingly.  That way I get the right amount of veggie per recipe!

Think about stuffing your bell peppers with whatever you like (ground meat, rice, tomato sauce, cheese, etc.) and freeze them.  They are ready to thaw and pop in the oven for a great dinner treat this winter.

JALAPENO PEPPERS

I like to stuff these with cream cheese mixed with shredded cheddar and some garlic powder.  Then I bread in a combo of egg wash and bread crumbs/cornmeal and bake.  POPPERS!!!!  These are so good.  You can stuff and bread and flash freeze as well.  Place in bags until you are ready to bake them in the winter!  Take out what you need - do not thaw - bake.

LETTUCE

Lettuce is pretty much done in our area for the moment.  It has been so hot - that it seeded and became bitter.  It can be grown again for fall months as well.  Great in salads and you can dehydrate as well and grind into a powder for a healthy additive to add to smoothies.

Here is a recipe for my favorite way to eat lettuce!!!!  Oh my so good!

ZUCCHINI

Think about dehydrating for use later in soups and stews.  It works great.  Like I said above - make sure you  measure them out and know what you have so you don't over add to your cooking.

These are also good if dehydrated and add a bit of onion salt or garlic salt before hand and eat as 'chips'.  I have eaten plenty like that as a good healthy snack.

Don't forget zucchini boats!  Oh yum.  Kind of like stuffed peppers.  Fill with whatever stuffing is your favorite and bake.  First cut in half lengthwise, scoop out all seeds and stringy stuff and fill.  I like to stick a fork or knife in a couple locations before filling - it just seems to help the squash cook better.

You can also cut in half, de-seed and place plain in baggies in the freezer to fix later on in the year.  I usually use smaller or medium size squash for this and I place one squash (2 halves) per bag and vacuum seal.  They taste fresh in the middle of winter.

Hope this gives you some ideas on ways to extend that summer harvest for those dreaded days of no yummy fresh garden produce.  Veggies bought at most grocery stores in the off months tastes nothing like fresh.  You also have no idea if it is really fresh or not or how it was grown.

Extend you harvest and have good and yummy eating all year long.

HAPPY HARVEST

Simple Life

It sounds like a dream - a simple life.
I think it is something that most of us here are striving to accomplish.  Society today doesn't seem to follow this way of life.  It appears the more you have - represents how successful you are.  I don't find that to be so.  I think it just shows you are out to impress others.
I want a simple life - I was a less stressful life - I want a drama free life - I want a calm and reflective life.  That doesn't necessarily involve stuff!

I am working on this.  I have definitely been eating less and I feel better physically.
I am definitely buying less - nothing I really need.
Trying hard to stress less and working on laughing more again.
I feel extremely blessed and  loved every day.
I spend time every day outside JUST enjoying nature and the quiet and reflecting.

I need to work more on clearing out all the extra stuff I have accumulated that really means nothing and does nothing to make me happy.  I don't need any additional clutter in my life.
That is a huge area I need to simplify!

How about you?  Are there areas that you need to work on?  What are you ideas on ways to simplify?
Do you feel happier when life is simple?
It just seems to make an immense amount of sense to me - simple life = happy life!


*********************
Hey guys you might want to check out Belinda's blog (Frugal Workshop) in my blog list at the right https://savingmoneyinmytennesseemountainhome.blogspot.com/ this week.
She is doing a podcast each week and then actually putting it in blog (written) form the next day.  This week (and previous ones) seem to follow right along with all that we were talking about last week.  Give it a read or a listen.  Great info and it just reiterates what we all can do to save money.
*********************

Have a good day everyone.  Keep it simple!!!!!

Weekly Wrap-Up 7/28

Good morning all.  Another month just about to be in the history books.  This year is really flying by.
We cooled a bit this week and the humidity went bye-bye!  It really has been lovely.
Warmer temps starting today and humidity going up a bit - rain coming in a day or so - not going to complain.

I got to attend a family function yesterday.  My eldest sister's daughter had a cook-out and pool party at her home.  Wow, is all I can say about her home.  Huge and gorgeous!  It was a lovely time with nieces and nephews I don't get to see often.  We all had a good time reminiscing about the old days!

Glen's sister passed away suddenly this week.  She was just 60.  She had been in the hospital for a few days - but was doing better (it seemed).  Then she suddenly went into cardiac arrest.  I feel so bad for her son.  She passed away exactly 90 days to the date of Glen (23rd).  I will be attending her memorial service later today.  Just so sad.

It really has been pretty quiet on the home front this week.

• Picked 5 little cucumbers and 5 tomatoes (1 nice one and 4 littles) YUM
• Picked a bouquet from the yard
• Received an almost $500 refund check from our home owners insurance!  It seems they have over charged us for quite a while!!
• I went and ordered flowers for the funeral and was given 4 pretty carnations to bring home
• I cleaned, decluttered and rearranged a lot of things this week.  I could spend weeks and weeks working inside the house!  It never ends.
• I mowed and trimmed
• Used all leftovers
• No shopping
• Laundry in cold and line dried

Meals this past week:

Mexican goulash - regular goulash w/taco seasoning and corn added

Leftover goulash and salad

BLT and a milkshake

Chef salad topped with chicken tender pieces

Baked fish and red beans/rice

Beans/rice/beef into burritos

Dinner at nieces house

How was your week?  Are the gardens thriving yet?  Mine sure is going slow.  I hope others are getting lots of goodies.
Any good deals this week?  How did you save money?

I hope you all have a great upcoming week.  Please stay safe and healthy.  Prayers for comfort, healing and happiness.
Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

The Mission

In the past week or so we have talked about not spending, not panicking and using what we have and stretching our food in new and creative ways.
Today we will play MI$$ION IMPO$$IBLE!!!!!! (?)

Your mission, should you decide to accept it is...……………….
INVENTORY!

This sounds very daunting I know.  It may be, but it seems we should know exactly what we have on hand, so that we know how to make a plan for the future.  Makes sense doesn't it?

I am talking about inventory everything.  Empty your pantry and cabinets.  Make a list of everything and how many you have.  Clean the pantry and cabinets and re-arrange the food with the oldest to the front.  We don't want things to get thrown out and waste hard earned dollars, just because we forgot we had something.
Next inventory your home canned goods.  Again count and write it down per item.  Clean and re-arrange.  This will help you know what you need to can this year.
The freezers - YES the freezers.  Same thing.  Count and organize everything.

Get all pet products together and arrange.  Know what you have.  They have to survive too if something goes wrong in the future.

Make sure to check all the overstock you keep some where other than the pantry or cabinets.  You need to know everything you have.

Also - paper products, laundry supplies, OTC meds and health and beauty.

YEP - it's a BIG MISSION!

PERFECT EXAMPLE - This week I was cleaning cabinets and drawers and came to realize that I have 33 boxes of assorted Jello and several bags of bulk flavored gelatin.  I also have 28 boxes of instant pudding mix.  WHAT?  I had no idea I had that much - it was here and there and not all in one place.  Now it is organized and all together in a place that I will see it regularly and use it.

*********************

The reason I think this is a necessary evil is that we need to be aware of where we have gaps, and not go out spending all willy-nilly!    

Not only that - but if something happens next week, next month, etc.  you will know exactly what you have and how you can care for your family.

Knowing what you have lets you make better meal and snack choices.  

It keeps us from going out to eat.

It saves money.

It keeps us from being wasteful.

IT MAKES COMPLETE SENSE!

So again, your mission, should you decide to accept it is - inventory ALL of your stocks.  Clean and arrange.  Makes an inventory sheet. (It can be in a notebook).  Once you have inventoried and have all your chicken scratched pages together - clean it up, organize your list and make it neat and USE IT!

It is a huge job and may take a bit of time - but I bet it will amaze you and help you in the future.

This blog will NOT self destruct in 5 seconds.

Thank you

Happy Harvest

Today I will start a Wednesday session of ways to extend or use those wonderful harvests that are coming from the garden and farm stands.
Some may be recipes for meals, some for canning and other ideas about freezing.
I hope that these are helpful to someone.  Each week will be something different!

Zucchini are plentiful this time of the year.  I will probably touch on them a bit each week!!

ZUCCHINI AND PEPPER STEW (easy and inexpensive)
1 can tomato paste
1 C water
1 stalk celery - sliced
1 carrot - sliced
1/2 C oil
4 large bell peppers - sliced
2 medium zucchini, diced
4 small potatoes - peeled and diced
1 onion - chopped
1 garlic clove - minced (or equivalent)
salt & pepper
Place first 4 ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil and then simmer, covered - till tender.  Heat oil in a skillet and add next 3 ingredients.  Cook until slightly browned.  Add the first mixture and simmer for about 10 minutes or until all veggies are tender.  Season with salt & pepper and serve with a bit of grated parmesan cheese on top.  Great for vegetarians or for no meat night.  Makes about 6 servings.
Old time family recipe!  YUM

GRILLED ZUCCHINI
I love to slice zucchini lengthwise and about 1/4" or so thick and place on the grill when cooking other foods.  Brush them with a bit of oil and dust with a light seasoning salt.  Grill a few minutes on each side.  These are so good and super easy.  Gives you a bit of variety on using this prolific veggie!
They are super yummy sprinkled with a touch of parmesan cheese.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes are the most versatile (next to zucchini) veggie there is.  There are just so many uses.

Salsa, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, plain tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, sauce, ketchup, juice, etc.  Over the next few weeks I will give a few recipes to can.

If you are busy canning tomato products now - DON'T FORGET to save those skins!!!!!!  Like most veggies and fruits the skin has a lot of nutrients.

Dehydrate those skins and then grind into a powder (I use a coffee grinder).  Keep in a tightly sealed jar.  This powder adds not only nutrition into your diet - but flavor!  Something that is thrown away or composted as a rule - is a useful cooking ingredient.

Lay the skins on parchment paper and place in oven on lowest temp until completely dry and crisp or place in a dehydrator.

Waste not - want not.

OKRA

May not be everyone's favorite - but it is great fried and I love to use it in gumbos and soups.

Today I will tell you how to freeze for frying.  Simply slice your okra into bite size pieces - and bread.  I dip in egg wash and then in a combo of flour/cornmeal/panko - you can use whatever you like.

Place those breaded pieces on a cookie sheet and flash freeze.  Once frozen - place them in a freezer bag and put away until you are ready for a yummy fried feast!

DO NOT THAW when getting ready to fry.  Take them out and place in hot oil (stay safe from splatters) and fry until golden brown on all sides.  Oh my goodness - these are so good!!!!!

Bread - freeze on flat sheet - bag and place in freezer.  Nothing sticks together and you can remove as many or as few as you wish.

**This method works great for about anything you like breaded and fried.  Stuffed jalapenos, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.

Hopefully this gives a couple new ideas to add to the menu.  Next week we will address more fresh goodies and have more ideas.

HAPPY HARVESTING

Creative Ways to Stretch Food Budget

I keep hearing more and more people talk about how expensive groceries are getting.  It seems most everything is going up in price, except wages!

People are having to stretch that food budget and we all need to get more creative, so that we use everything and waste nothing.  Waste is such a huge thing today and it really makes me sad.  There are so many people who would think they are being given a feast on what the average person wastes in a week.

The old adage of 'waste not, want not'  is very true.
IF we all learn how to be creative now - we will be fine if things get bad.
IF we all learn how to be creative now - perhaps we can teach others.
IF we all learn how to be creative now - we can save money.
IF we all learn how to be creative now - we can limit our use of resources and not be wasteful.

• First use anything and everything you can get from your garden or from fresh produce that others may share with you.  Fresh food is always the best and it is very healthy.  Eat it, can it, freeze it.

                      Not this years!!!  So handy to have on hand - in any form - many, many, uses.

• Keep plenty of tomato products on hand.  Tomatoes are so very versatile.  If you can not afford to have spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce and salsa on hand as well as tomatoes - just choose tomatoes.  You can manipulate them in anything!  A few herbs and spices - a blender - and a little imagination and you have what you need.  If you don't grow tomatoes - watch the stores for sales.  Aldi is a good source of inexpensive canned goods and other stores often have great sales.
• Shred meat in your recipes.  A small piece of meat, added with veggies or pasta, rice, or soups can go a long - long way.
• Add rice to scrambled eggs to stretch your eggs.  It is yummy and healthy.  I used to add crushed crackers to eggs (w/a little milk) to make eggs go a lot further when camping.  You couldn't even tell.
• Stir fry dishes - uses up odds and ends of veggies.  Add to leftover piece of meat (finely cut or shredded) and some rice or pasta.  These are easy, filling and cheap meals.
• Use peanut butter!  It is filling and a good source of protein.  PB&J sammies are always good.  Think about making a fried peanut butter & fruit sandwich (like grilled cheese).  So yummy, hearty and healthy.  Add to smoothies with leftover fruit, juice or greens.  Makes a filling snack.
• Add salsa to rice for easy Spanish rice (or tomatoes and seasonings)
• Keep beans, rice and potatoes on hand.  These 3 items can be turned in 100's of hearty meals.  There is absolutely no limit of uses.
• Use leftover hotdog or hamburger buns to make mini & individual pizzas.  They toast up great as well - actually they are my favorite toast!  Split and top buns with cheese and tomatoes and place under the broiler for a couple minutes - yum.
• Bake up a bunch of potatoes at one time and refrigerate.  They can be eaten as baked potatoes, made into soup, potato salad, sliced or diced and fried etc.  If you have them baked already - they are handy and nothing is much cheaper than potatoes!  So filling.
• Soups and casseroles stretch everything further.  Add broth, tomatoes, cream soup, etc. and you can have a great hearty soup or a wonderful casserole using leftovers.  Add a bit of salad or some sliced bread, cornbread or toast and you have a few meals for pennies.
• Leftover cornbread - use in the bottom of a bowl of soup.  Soaks up all the goodness and it's filling.  My Dad always used leftover cornbread with milk.  It was one of his favorites.  My brothers and sisters all remember that as  meal when things were tight.
• Cook up a huge batch of dried beans.  Soup beans, add to rice, mash & season for refried, add to taco meat to extend, add to soups or chili...…………….  the list goes on and on.
• Stale bread - make French toast, turn into bread crumbs, make croutons, make dressing, bread pudding, garlic toast...…………….. again many uses.
• Pasta - is the GREAT EXTENDER of anything.  Add to soups and casseroles to stretch minimal ingredients.  Makes great lo mein.  Add to stir fry.
• Rice - another GREAT EXTENDER.  There are just so many uses - too many to list.
• Keep meat bones and veggie scraps in the freezer until you have a good amount - add water and 'brew' for many hours.  The best stock you can imagine - all from things many people throw away.
• Have meatless days.  Meat is not necessary everyday.  Make vegetarian pizza, soup, casserole, etc.
• Keep a standard biscuit mix or recipe handy.  Biscuits are cheap and filling and YUMMY!  Use with any kind of gravy (love making gravy with pan drippings), can be served with soups and casseroles.  Bread products can truly fill you up when food is in short supply!

I guess I want people to realize that a meal doesn't have to be a traditional 3 or 4 course meal.  It can be something super simple and DIFFERENT.   Heck I have had a meals of fried green tomatoes, fried zucchini, stuffed zucchini, beans & rice, tomato sandwiches (yum), veggie sandwiches, salad, you name it!  Just those items alone and I was filled and happy!!!!

If you like the taste and it is filling - it is a meal!

Think outside the box and creative with those food dollars and supplies.

Just because the money is tight and the pantry is down - doesn't mean you can't still eat well.

Don't worry - be happy and full!

Weekly Wrap-Up 7/21

Good morning from the sub tropics of Indiana!!!!! LOL  That is what it has felt like this week for sure.  Humidity levels have been so high and it has just been muggly out there!  On top of that the regular temperature has been above 95* for several days - with heat index at 105* and above.
A change - she is a coming!!!!!!!!  Rain coming in later today and that 'cold' front is supposed to get rid of the humidity and tomorrows HIGH is to be 79*.  WOOHOO!  That has been the low for many days.

We did get rain one day - which helped the garden plants and the flowers.  The rain barrels are both full again.

I have been listening to some You Tube videos this week (instead of doing all the things I should be doing)!  I have listened to several from Coffee with Kate.  She is definitely a fan of Amy Dacyczyn and the Tightwad Gazette.  She says that gave her the first incentive to get busy on the frugal journal as it did many of us.  I found it lovely that in one video she mentioned our own Rhonda from If you do stuff, stuff gets done blog (blog link at the right of my page).  How cool is that?

My week was kind of quiet:

• I went to my sister's for dinner on Sunday - nice family time.  She sent home yummy leftovers!
• Covered the greenhouse roof with a tarp - to keep so much sun out of it and keep it a bit cooler for the cats.  It gets so hot in there, even with the door open.  Their food is protected in there.
• Deadheaded all the lilies one morning.
• Froze 3 containers of the Mexican chicken I made on Saturday
• Rain barrels are full again
• I have been moving many of my 'store bought' preps upstairs.  Using the bookshelves that I have been emptying.  I'll show you this later.
• De-cluttering more & cleaning
• Tied up the tomato plants
• Making lists of TO DO!!!  I still have so many important things I need to accomplish - it has been right at 3 months now - and I keep putting them off.  Avoidance is my denial!!!  I have to get my butt in gear.  Time to get serious!  Some things really NEED to be done.
• Picked a bouquet of flowers

• I ran to Kroger for cat food stock-up and of course I wondered around the store.  Milk was .88 half gallon and 2.19 gallon.  Of course I got 2 - 1/2 gallons.  I told a lady that was getting a gallon the price difference and she said IT'S ONLY .40 DIFFERENT!!  Really?  I asked her "what if you paid .40 over for everything?  Wouldn't that be a difference?"  She shook her head and walked away.  OMG!!!!!!  People amaze me.
• I found Campbell's cream of onion soup on managers special for .50/can (got the 6 left) -  Campbell's chunky Chicken Fiesta soup (big cans) on manager's special for 1.29/can (got 3 that were left).  I found grape Jello for .22/box - I got 10.  I love anything grape!!!!!

My meals this past week:

Dinner at sister's

Leftovers from sis - breaded tenderloin, mac n cheese & deviled eggs

Mexican chicken over rice

Fried chicken tenders, mashed potatoes & tomato/cukes sliced

Loaded bacon cheese burger & salad (bacon I pre-cooked from freezer)

Tuna salad over bed of lettuce and crackers

2 slices pizza (already baked & from freezer)

I am thinking about doing a Wednesday post for a few weeks - addressing summer harvests.  Could be canning recipes, cooking recipes, freezing, etc.  This would be in concert with the regular Tuesday and Thursday posts.  What say you?

Would this be of interest to anyone?  Let me know.

How was your week?  Did you stay cool?  Any deals?  Were you blessed with any garden goodies?

I look forward to hearing from you and pray that you each have a wonderful week ahead.  Stay safe, cool and healthy.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.