I'm chock full of ideas!
1. Onions, celery, etc..:
You know those outer pieces of onions that come off when you remove the skin?--instead of tossing them, use them to flavor soups or sauces! For example, in your kids favorite homemade chicken noodle soup (that they want no onions in): use those pieces. Also celery would be great here too. In spaghetti sauce, Alfredo, stocks, vegetable soup...the list goes on. Just freeze your fresh vegetable scraps and use them later. Just don't toss them!
2. Herbal Teas:
Instead of using cold medicines (that only suppress the symptoms), use herbal teas. I know, the FDA does not approve the statements, but years of successful use account for something. I swear by Echinacea and Golden Seal mixed. They even have teas for kids--if you can get them to drink them! I actually got mine the Echinacea and Golden Seal mix in drop form.
3. Tea bags:
Speaking of tea, I have seen many people reusing the same tea bag. Most of the time there is more flavor left in the bag that we toss. Once you have steeped it, just set it aside and make another cup.
4. Laundry and Dish detergent:
This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people don't do this! Use less detergent! Cut back until you reach the level that you can't go past. You'd be surprised how low that comfort level is. You know the saying about how a spoonful of Dawn takes the grease away. Try it and see.
5. Pillow cases:
OK, where am I going with this one? Use old pillow cases instead of buying new ones---DUH. No, really that wasn't it. Use your old pillow cases for trash bags in small waste baskets. A lot of people use the plastic grocery bags, but that is a waste because they can be recycled. Instead use an old pillow case. It can be washed and reused. So you can double recycle here: plastic bags and pillow cases!
Ok, that's all folks. Hope you got something out of it. Please, feel free to suggest stuff to me. I love it!
Showing posts with label Being Frugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Being Frugal. Show all posts
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Homemade Pizza
My family has been on this homemade pizza kick. I was really enjoying the endless possibilities until I got sick---and lets just say homemade pizza isn't as great in reverse. But that won't stop me for long because 1) I can totally sneak veggies in for my kids, 2) everyone gets what they want, and 3) it fulfills my slow-but-steady turn over to vegetarianism.
I am doing this post for a good friend Poison Ivy. And Melissa could use it too--since she has a new stove now! I have found that when you can create your own food, it tastes much better. My husband goes wild with his pizza. I don't know how he stomachs some of his creations, but he does. I created a really good one for those of you who like "white" pizzas. It included asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, Alfredo sauce, Italian mix shredded cheese, and a bit of garlic and Parmesan cheese. MMMMMM! I created a Mexican style one too. I tell you, making your own pizza is fun and cheap. And you control what goes in it! So it's healthier too. I'll start you off with my kids' pizza: a basic cheese with a few secret ingredients.
Basic Homemade Pizza
Ingredients
1 premade pizza crust from grocery store or box pizza kit (if you want you can go all out and make your own from scratch)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce (again you can make your own here)
1 8oz package of shredded cheese, Pizza mix
1 small can of mixed veggies, peas and carrots, etc.. (the secret)
Directions
1. Make crust according to directions. The directions for the whole pizza usually come with the crust or box kit.
2. Puree or mash veggies very well. Spread onto pizza crust
3. Spread sauce over veggies; Mix well.
4. Cover liberally with cheese.
5. Bake it according to directions.
6. Enjoy
Tip: If your family likes hamburger meat on their pizza, now is a good time to try out the Veggie "meat" on them.
Tip: Make your own lovely pizza creations!
Lady J Family Pizzas to date:
1. White Spinach Pizza
2. Mexi-Pizza
3. Island Pizza (ham and pineapple)
4. Hubby's Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pizza
5. Pepperoni-Green Olive Pizza
6. Supreme Style Pizza
As you can see, the options are endless here. Go ahead and give it a whirl. Plus, it is quick and easy. Add a salad and you have a complete meal. Just get the movies!
P.S. If you want a recipe to any of my family pizzas--just comment a request!
Pizza Crust Ideas
Jay's Signature
Baking Like Betty--a fellow Blogger --also a good spot to start checking out that once-a-month cooking craze. look to the lower right hand side of the page
Honey & Jam --another fellow Blogger
Yeast Free Crust
I am doing this post for a good friend Poison Ivy. And Melissa could use it too--since she has a new stove now! I have found that when you can create your own food, it tastes much better. My husband goes wild with his pizza. I don't know how he stomachs some of his creations, but he does. I created a really good one for those of you who like "white" pizzas. It included asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, Alfredo sauce, Italian mix shredded cheese, and a bit of garlic and Parmesan cheese. MMMMMM! I created a Mexican style one too. I tell you, making your own pizza is fun and cheap. And you control what goes in it! So it's healthier too. I'll start you off with my kids' pizza: a basic cheese with a few secret ingredients.
Basic Homemade Pizza
Ingredients
1 premade pizza crust from grocery store or box pizza kit (if you want you can go all out and make your own from scratch)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce (again you can make your own here)
1 8oz package of shredded cheese, Pizza mix
1 small can of mixed veggies, peas and carrots, etc.. (the secret)
Directions
1. Make crust according to directions. The directions for the whole pizza usually come with the crust or box kit.
2. Puree or mash veggies very well. Spread onto pizza crust
3. Spread sauce over veggies; Mix well.
4. Cover liberally with cheese.
5. Bake it according to directions.
6. Enjoy
Tip: If your family likes hamburger meat on their pizza, now is a good time to try out the Veggie "meat" on them.
Tip: Make your own lovely pizza creations!
Lady J Family Pizzas to date:
1. White Spinach Pizza
2. Mexi-Pizza
3. Island Pizza (ham and pineapple)
4. Hubby's Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pizza
5. Pepperoni-Green Olive Pizza
6. Supreme Style Pizza
As you can see, the options are endless here. Go ahead and give it a whirl. Plus, it is quick and easy. Add a salad and you have a complete meal. Just get the movies!
P.S. If you want a recipe to any of my family pizzas--just comment a request!
Pizza Crust Ideas
Jay's Signature
Baking Like Betty--a fellow Blogger --also a good spot to start checking out that once-a-month cooking craze. look to the lower right hand side of the page
Honey & Jam --another fellow Blogger
Yeast Free Crust
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Frugality--Absolutely nothing wrong with it
I found this great guy while blog surfing. I have to say, I like him. I bet he's a great conversationist.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Happy Birthday Papa Recipe: Spaghetti Patties
Today is my Papa's birthday. He would be 78 years old. In honor of his birthday, I'm going to post one of his favorite recipes: Spaghetti Patties.
Spaghetti Patties
Ingredients
Leftover or extra Spaghetti (cold, day old Spaghetti works best)
A little sauce--just enough to wet the spaghetti (I would say a few tablespoons)
1-2 eggs, depending on the amount of Spaghetti you have
Flour--enough to bind the whole mess together
Olive Oil for frying
Directions
1. Break up Spaghetti
2. Add sauce. Mix--its best to do this part by hand.
3. Beat eggs in a bowl with a fork and add to Spaghetti. Mix.
4. Add flour until you can form patties. Add a little at a time.
5. Fry in a preheated pan with a little Olive Oil until golden brown on both sides. Add more oil if needed. My grandfather liked for the patties to be a little burnt.
6. Enjoy. You may dip in sauce or cover in sauce. Or you can eat them Tony Romano style: plain.
I hope you like them. My family had them tonight for dinner---Happy Birthday Papa!
Spaghetti Patties
Ingredients
Leftover or extra Spaghetti (cold, day old Spaghetti works best)
A little sauce--just enough to wet the spaghetti (I would say a few tablespoons)
1-2 eggs, depending on the amount of Spaghetti you have
Flour--enough to bind the whole mess together
Olive Oil for frying
Directions
1. Break up Spaghetti
2. Add sauce. Mix--its best to do this part by hand.
3. Beat eggs in a bowl with a fork and add to Spaghetti. Mix.
4. Add flour until you can form patties. Add a little at a time.
5. Fry in a preheated pan with a little Olive Oil until golden brown on both sides. Add more oil if needed. My grandfather liked for the patties to be a little burnt.
6. Enjoy. You may dip in sauce or cover in sauce. Or you can eat them Tony Romano style: plain.
I hope you like them. My family had them tonight for dinner---Happy Birthday Papa!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Some Damn Good Chicken Pot Pie
I'm all about saving and not wasting. And with those values in place, I made some damn good chicken pot pie. I had some canned Lima Bean leftovers, leftover corn and peas cooked in butter (real), and a need to get rid of them. I did not want to throw them away since I had recently read that the average American family throws away a pound of food per week--that's just fresh food. Lord knows if you take leftovers into account. So I was trying to save money by not wasting. Because wasting anything essentially boils down to wasting my money. Plus, you know the saying, "There are children in Africa starving and you just waste perfectly good food." Another good thing about using leftovers is a cheaper meal. Hey, I'm all for that. Home cooking is better for you anyway--you can control what goes into your meal. And since my first pregnancy, I have been a bit funny about what's in my food. So enough yapping, lets give you the recipe so you can eat Some Damn Good Chicken Pot Pie. Oh BTW, I don't always use measurements with my ingredients. And feel free to substitute ingredients. I won't be offended!
Some Damn Good Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients:
1 package chicken tenderloins (the strips for those who don't read the labels)
1 can of Lima Beans (or frozen, if you prefer. Remember I had leftovers.)
Frozen corn--about half a bag (Remember I had leftovers).
Frozen Peas--a full bag (Remember I had leftovers).
milk
cornstarch or arrow root powder (I used the arrowroot)
black pepper and all purpose seasoning
corn meal
1/4 cup of vegetable oil or shortening
Olive oil and real butter
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook chicken strips in a bit of olive oil and a pat of butter on medium heat. The butter helps with flavor, you can omit it. Cook until golden on each side. For the Love of God, don't fry them dry. Just until the juices run clear. They should still be very juicy when you remove them form the pan. Meanwhile you should be heating up your veggies in a separate pot.
After removing the chicken form the pan, do not cut off the heat. Add a bit of milk and scrape up any bits of chicken. Now mix some milk and arrow root powder together and mix thoroughly. Pour into pan. Add pepper and all purpose seasoning. Stir constantly until it thickens. Feel free to add more milk or arrow root powder if needed, you're making gravy. Add hot veggies. Stir around and let mingle in the heat. Chop chicken strips and add to veggies. Turn heat to low. Make corn bread according to the back of the corn meal bag (without cooking it!). You can use a box mix if you like, but corn meal is much cheaper. Pour chicken mixture into a greased casserole dish or 9X13 inch pan. Pour corn meal mixture over hot chicken mixture. Pop into oven and cook for 20-30 minutes, until cornbread is done.
Tip: Whenever you are putting a bread (like biscuits or cornbread) over a pot pie, you want to make sure the pot pie filling is good and hot. This way your bread cooks all the way through, from top to bottom.
Voila! You have some damn good chicken pot pie.
Now remember, you can use any leftover veggies and meat you want. You can use a jar of gravy. You can use biscuits instead of corn bread. Hell, you can even use frozen or canned biscuits. The point is to cook it at home, use leftovers, and do it cheap.
Some Damn Good Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients:
1 package chicken tenderloins (the strips for those who don't read the labels)
1 can of Lima Beans (or frozen, if you prefer. Remember I had leftovers.)
Frozen corn--about half a bag (Remember I had leftovers).
Frozen Peas--a full bag (Remember I had leftovers).
milk
cornstarch or arrow root powder (I used the arrowroot)
black pepper and all purpose seasoning
corn meal
1/4 cup of vegetable oil or shortening
Olive oil and real butter
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook chicken strips in a bit of olive oil and a pat of butter on medium heat. The butter helps with flavor, you can omit it. Cook until golden on each side. For the Love of God, don't fry them dry. Just until the juices run clear. They should still be very juicy when you remove them form the pan. Meanwhile you should be heating up your veggies in a separate pot.
After removing the chicken form the pan, do not cut off the heat. Add a bit of milk and scrape up any bits of chicken. Now mix some milk and arrow root powder together and mix thoroughly. Pour into pan. Add pepper and all purpose seasoning. Stir constantly until it thickens. Feel free to add more milk or arrow root powder if needed, you're making gravy. Add hot veggies. Stir around and let mingle in the heat. Chop chicken strips and add to veggies. Turn heat to low. Make corn bread according to the back of the corn meal bag (without cooking it!). You can use a box mix if you like, but corn meal is much cheaper. Pour chicken mixture into a greased casserole dish or 9X13 inch pan. Pour corn meal mixture over hot chicken mixture. Pop into oven and cook for 20-30 minutes, until cornbread is done.
Tip: Whenever you are putting a bread (like biscuits or cornbread) over a pot pie, you want to make sure the pot pie filling is good and hot. This way your bread cooks all the way through, from top to bottom.
Voila! You have some damn good chicken pot pie.
Now remember, you can use any leftover veggies and meat you want. You can use a jar of gravy. You can use biscuits instead of corn bread. Hell, you can even use frozen or canned biscuits. The point is to cook it at home, use leftovers, and do it cheap.
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