Tip of the Day

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!

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.

Tip of the Day

I work with a lovely country gal named Tina. And she gave me one of those tips that make you want to slap yourself on the forehead. Loser! When you are soaking your beans to cook in the crock pot, use the crock pot to soak. She, as well as myself, soaked them in a separate pot first and then transferred them into the crock pot. Silly ass, this means you have more dishes! I know some of you smarty pants out there had that figured out already. But we were preparing them the old-fashioned way. You'll never understand. So, this one goes out to the ones who wanted to make it harder.


P.S. I know you are wondering, "Lady J when are you making homemade beans?"

My answer is, "I've been on this cooking kick lately. I even made my own wheat bread. And Some Damn Good Chicken Pot Pie was born out of this kick. Plus some chili. And attempted Veal Parmigiana."

Don't worry, these will be posted.