Patience is a fine virtue to have

And I wish I had some!
I'm trying something new out, so please bare with me.  I'm moving my blogs over to here.
Thank you for your continued support.

Menu for 3.21.10 - 3.27.10

21 Burgers & Chips

22 Steak Strips Salad

23 SW Chicken  Lasagna

24 Creamy Chicken Penne

25 Mushroom raviolis

26 Caribbean rice n shrimp

27 Italian spaghetti bake

This weeks menu has some new stuff on it for me.  The Caribbean Rice meal is a total mystery to me, but I think Jason will like it.  I will try it out and post if it's a success!  

I will also post the Mushroom Raviolis if it's just the most yummiest ever!  (I'm quite hopeful, since I'm using a BIG shortcut to making my own pasta!)

Here is my shopping list:

	Shopping List:
	Produce $		Meat  $
	Salad Mushrooms (2) Asparagus Green pepper Tomato Shredded Lettuce Wonton wrappers		Burgers Steak Chicken( X3) Frozen shrimp Ground turkey 1.5 lb
	Dairy  $		Deli $
	Sour cream Milk Creamer		Shredded cheese, blends Laughing cow light swiss cheese (2) Mozzarella cheese Sliced turkey pepperoni Lunchmeat ham
	Frozen $		Bread $
			Buns Corn tortilla Bread
	Canned/Staples $		Other $
	Penne Noodles (2) Spaghetti noodles 24 oz Diced tomatoes (3) Alfredo sauce Caribbean rice mix (2) Olives Top ramen Cake mix Diet soda Mayo Pickles		Chips Nugga bars Fruit snacks

Breakfast Cookies

Ingredients

 1/2 cups sugar

 3/4 cup margarine

 3/4 cup peanut butter ( I used homemade!)

 1/2 cup water

 2 tablespoon vanilla

 1/2 cup of flax seed, ground in my morter and pestle. 

 2 egg

 1 cup whole wheat flour 

 2 cups all-purpose flour ( or you can just use all all-purpose flour if you choose)

 2 cup old fashioned oats or quick-cooking oat 

 1 cup carob chips, chocolate chips or raisins are an ok substitute as well.

 1 teaspoon salt

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 7 cups toasted oat cereal  I used Kashi Heart to Heart, but you could use Cheerios or ??

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 350°. Stir together sugar, butter, peanut butter, water, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except cereal. Gently stir in cereal.
2. 2
   Scoop 1/3 cup of dough into your hands (you can lightly butter your hands if you'd like them to not be sticky!)  Form into a ball, slightly flatten and place 4 inches apart onto ungreased large cookie sheet.  These cookies don't rise/spread much at all.
3. 3
   Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet. Store loosely covered.  Makes:  A lot!  I think I came up with close to 60, so you could very easily half this recipe if it was just for you or one other person.  Everyone in my family enjoys these, so they were gone in a week.
4. 
   
4. 2 cookies are a serving and these are a meal by themselves.  And they are VERY filling!

4. Nutrition Facts
   Serving Size 1 serving
   Amount Per Serving
   Calories from Fat 79 Calories 215
   % Daily Values*
   Total Fat 8.8g		14%
   	Saturated Fat 2.988g	15%
   	Polyunsaturated Fat 2.058g
   	Monounsaturated Fat 2.125g
   Cholesterol 14mg		5%
   Sodium 219mg		9%
   Potassium 196mg
   Total Carbohydrate 27.59g		9%
   	Dietary Fiber 3.5g	14%
   	Sugars 4.55g
   Protein 7.4g
   Vitamin A 6% Vitamin C 7%
   Calcium 4% Iron 7%
   * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrition Values are based on USDA Nutrient Database SR18

It's the tools that make me this awesome.

So, in case you didn't know, I'm a big supporter of direct sales.  Especially WAHM (work at home moms) who operate some sort of direct sale business.  So that means that Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Celebrating Home, Avon, and all the others get my money before some big brand/store.
And I truly believe in the quality of what you pay for.  With that said, I think that everyone who knows someone in direct sales should help support them in business.  They believe in what they sell!  If the didn't, they wouldn't be in the business.  And before you say, "Well I can't afford it!"  there are always ways to get it free or at a discount.  If they are a really close friend, I think they should be offering a discount, especially if you are a repeat customer, but that's just me.  It also depends a LOT on their company policies and how it all works in the administrative side.  It may not be possible to offer a discount without it coming straight out of their pocket and it's hardly fair to ask your friend to pay for you to have a discount, isn't it?
So, anyway, the point of this post was so I could tell you my favorite items that I've bought recently and don't think I could live without.  Ok, I could live without, but I don't wanna!

Pampered Chef.  Seriously, I considered selling this stuff to get it all, but in order to do that, I would have had to do parties, and that involves dishes.  I hate doing dishes.  Above all other things, I hate to do dishes.  So that was out of the question.  But when I need something, I order from my friend Geli.  I got a good start on my PC products by hosting a PC show.  They have a great hostess plan.  If you haven't hosted a show, I encourage you to, especially if you enjoy spending time in the kitchen.  More especially if you spend that time in the kitchen cooking.  Because while PC has some wonderful serving pieces, it's really all about their kitchen tools that make it so much better.
My favorite-can't-live-without:

• Stainless Steel Bowls  I use these for everything mixing.  bread dough, cookie batter, casserole filling, etc.
• Measuring Cups OMG, I had no idea I needed these until I got them.  I'm a fan of measuring utensils, but these have become priceless to me.  Even though the large 4 cup has disappeared.  Bummer.
• Knives When they say the knives make all the difference, they aren't kidding.  I didn't spend full price on these cuz I'm not that nuts, but I did spend a lot more than I would have normally spent on plain ol' knives.  BUT believe me when I say they are worth every single solitary penny.  And they come with a lifetime warranty, so they are worth it even more.
• Stoneware I love me some stoneware.  It's basically the most amazing cooking product ever.  Well, silicone comes close, but I don't 100% fully trust that yet.  Stoneware has been around basically forever (I don't know exactly - geez!) but it's amazing.  And multi-use.  Microwave, oven, freezer, easy-peasy to clean, Genius!
• Scraper Ok, I love these so much I have 3!  In two different sizes!  AACK!  I could easily have more too.  
• Can Opener The best can opener ever.  Enough said.

I'm sure there's lot more awesome PC products, and I have more, but these are my almost-use-daily-if-not-absolutely-several-times-a-day stuff.

Tupperware, so my disclaimer here is I used to sell Tupperware so I'm absolutely biased, but these are the things I use on a constant basis and don't know if I could live without.  Ok, I'm sure I could live without, but I wouldn't want to!

• Modular Mates All sizes, colors, shapes, whatever.  These are the mother of organized cabinets.  I keep lots and lots in my Mod Mates.  I miss the ones I've lost, destroyed, given away.  I always want more, even if I have no use for them.  Oh, how I love my Mod Mates.
•  Season Serve I use this way more that for it's intended purpose.  My husband melted one half once and went right out and replaced it because he was afraid of me of how I would react of me being sad because it was broken.
• Mix-N-Store Ok, in my house this is just called the big-ass-measuring cup.  I have 2.  I get very upset if it's used as a leftover storage dish.  Just ask my kids.  But I use them regularly and love, love, love it. 
• Stack Cooker. This is probably my number one most used item in my kitchen.  Mixing dishes, warm up food dishes, cook a meal dishes, serving dishes.  It's my everything-dish.  And I have 2 sets.  And they are in constant use.  And looking up the link showed me they now come in purple, which may mean needing a third set.  Because mine are plain ol' original 15 year old beige.  Definitely might need purple.
• Measuring cups and spoons Really happy I can knock these out as one, but not so fond of the red.  I have white, love the white, love the sets.  I don't think red would go very well with what will soon-be-my-new purple stack cooker.
• Shape-o-ball toy Talk about a classic.  Every single one of my kids had one of these (And I'm pretty sure it was all the same one, but you never know.)  I've had to buy a replacement set of shapes, but that's ok.  We had duplicates!  And when my original broke, Tupperware replaced the entire thing, free of charge because it has an amazing warranty on it.  Lifetime if I remember right.  Every baby should have one.  They learn shapes, they play with the contrasting colors and it rolls.  Awesome!
• Don't have this, but I want it.  Found it while searching for links for this blog.  You know, this is one of the things I love about Direct Sales companies.  They give.  And the give to worthy causes.  The Boys And Girls Clubs are a great program (one my son has participated with) and deserve to be fundraised for!

Ok, that's all for now.  I may do more later.  These are just the most fresh in my brain because I use them ALL THE TIME!  I mean, seriously, I went away to the beach and I brought a mod mated (full of splenda) and  a stainless steel bowl because I was making cinnamon rolls.

Menus - retro and current

So, I slacked a little.  I guess that's what a weekend away will do to you.  Or at least me.

So... here was last week's and this week's menu.  Feel free to ask any questions if you have any!

7 Spaghetti

8 Omelets

9 Baked Chemichangas

10 Chicken Cordon Bleu Altered version in casserole

11 Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese sandwiches

12 Shrimp and broccoli over noodles

13 Mexican Chicken and Rice

14 Macaroni & Cheese w/ sausage

15 Pancakes, sausages and cottage cheese w/fruit

16 Ziti HM bread cake Bubba's B-day

17 Corned Beef, Cabbage, with Potatoes and  carrots

18 Weiner wraps and french fries

19 My B-day

20 Chicken Cordon Bleu w/penne

I made breakfast cookies this week as well for a quick grabbing meal.  Recipe to come soon!

I rocked this week's menu while grocery shopping.  Here was my list and what I spent:

	Shopping List:		@=coupon
	Produce $		Meat  $
0 .50 2.00 1.75	Garlic Red potatoes Green cabbage	5.00 1.00 1.78	Corned beef - 4lbs+ @Sausage links/rolls (2) @Sausage rope
	Dairy  $		Deli $
4.00 2.25 4.00 Free	Milk  2-1% @Creamer Cottage cheese (2x) @Little blends yogurt (2)	3.00 3.00 2.80 1.60 3.00 2.00	Cheese- Cheddar-jack Mozzarella Lunchmeat Hot dogs @Cheese sticks Parmesan cheese
	Frozen $		Bread $
		3.oo 4.00	Tortillas Bread (4)
	Canned/Staples $		Other $
1.60 2.00 1.75 1.00 1.00 0.50 0.60 1.60 3.00 2.00 2.30 Free Free	Noodles - Elbow Ziti Baking powder Pineapple       Tomato - Large can of sauce Small paste Med diced italian tomatoes SF syrup Flour @Cake mix (2) @@Frosting (2) @rice (4) Kashi Cereal (2)	1.50 1.50	Lunch treat Carob Chips

So, I went to Winco (which I hate, but whatever.)  My sub-total was $81.15 and I used $19.07 worth of coupons.  I bought my milk at Walmart (I'm there 3 times a week and it's inexpensive there) and I got the yogurt at Freddies since that's the only place I can find it for now.  But those were free, so they don't count.

So, I saved 23% off my grocery bill this week by 1) sticking to my list (very hard for me to do!) and 2) using coupons.

More Cleaning Recipes

Did you know it's way, Way, WAY cheaper to make your own cleaners?  I'm sure you've heard it all before, but it seriously is!  Not only is it WAY cheaper, but it cuts a LOT of chemicals out of your life.  Do you need chemicals to obtain clean?  NO!  Seriously, NO!  There I'll say it one more time for emphasis:  NO!

Here are my homemade cleaners.  It's super-duper nice that they are basically made from all the same ingredients.  And most are so easy even my kids can mix them up when needed.  Here is my disclaimer:  There are not MY recipes.  I've researched all over the internet to find ones that I liked using.  With that said, if I have the site I got them from, it's listed, but if it's not, it's so far gone I can't remember.  Also, with my trial and errors and notes, any original recipe may have been altered.  But these are the concoctions that I currently use! :)

• A great Dishwasher powder soap recipe im currently using is
  4 cups washing soda
  4 cups borax
  1 cup sea salt
   mix well and store in a 6 cup air tight container use approx 2 tablespoons with each load.  The salt acts as a scrubbing agent.
  ALWAYS use vinegar in your rinse aid :)
  

Scouring Powder

1 cup baking soda

1 cup borax

1 cup salt

Blend and store in container.
Use like you would Comet.

Multi Purpose Cleaner 

1/4 cup baking soda

3/4 cup household ammonia

1/2 cup white vinegar

1gallon (16 cups) warm water

Mix all ingredients and store. 

Pour into spray bottle when needed.

Here is my next test:  To make my own liquid dish soap.  I've been researching different methods so I'll list them here, try them out and then let you know what I come up with.  As for the Castile Soap, I was able to find some at Safeway (Dr. Bonners 18-in-1, in the health food section) that was already scented.  I've heard this works just fine, just be sure to omit the essential oils since they are already added.  It came in Mint and Lavender.

Recipe #1: Liquid Castile Soap

This method is by far the easiest because the base is pre-made within the castile soap.

1. Grab some liquid castile soap from your local health food store. Castile soap refers to any soap that is made entirely from vegetable oil.

2. Mix 2 cups of castile soap with 1/2 cup of warm water in a recycled dish soap squeeze bottle.

3. For scented dish soap, add a few drops of essential oils.

4. Shake well before using

Pasted from <http://www.diylife.com/2009/08/03/how-to-make-your-own-dish-soap/> 

Here is another one:

Recipe #2: Soap Flakes

Buy soap flakes where you usually purchase laundry detergent.

1. Combine 2 cups of soap flakes with one gallon of warm water.

2. Place the mixture in a large, non-reactive pan and warm over medium heat until the soap is completely dissolved.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of glycerin and remove from heat.

4. After letting the soap cool, add a 1/2 cup of lemon juice or 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Either of these 2 ingredients will help the soap to fight grease.

5. For a scented soap, add a few drops of essential oils. Mix well.

Pasted from <http://www.diylife.com/2009/08/03/how-to-make-your-own-dish-soap/> 

By Popular Demand - Laundry Soap!

I borrowed the original recipe from the Duggar's site and altered it a bit for my liking:

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4  Cups hot tap water

1  Fels-Naptha soap bar

2  Cup Washing Soda

1 Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.  I like it just the way it is, so I don't add essential oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)  

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Optional, don't dilute and use just half.  But I dilute :)

I use the Bounce Bar in my dryer and I just LOVE how my clothes come out!  If you need some pre-treating or stain removed (Or like me, pee-pee bed clean-up) soak the load in the washer with a little Washing Soda.  That's Washing Soda, not Baking Soda!  BIG difference and you get it in the laundry aisle.  I got all of these ingredients at Fred Meyers.  The Fels-Naptha bar was about $1.50, the Washing Soda about $3 and the Borax about $4 (it's cheaper at Walmart) but you don't use all of the washing soda and borax, so I try to adjust that into the final price.

Now, I keep what we aren't using in the original 5 gallon bucket and just refill our little detergent bottle as needed (or rather, Jason does for me!)  And I'm pretty sure I'm not using the full 5/8 cup, since I just use the top cap that came with my ultra detergent of yester-year.  We do about 10 loads a week and it's lasted me 6 months.  And please, please keep in mind my husband works for the garbage company and does recycling, so his clothes are SMELLY when he comes home and they come out NOT smelly from the wash!