My husband says that I cannibalize our meals in that there is usually something in the new meal that was already in a past meal. I admit I'm guilty but when you made a great sauce or gravy, even if only a bit is left, it is worth saving. I keep ziplock snack bags on hand just for this purpose. The few tablespoons go into the bag and the bag goes into the freezer. Only I know what the mystery packets hold!
After so much time out of the house on errands, today, I wasn't in a mood to create dinner so much as mix one together. I decided on pasta with a savory tomato sauce. The pasta water is put to boil and I dug around in the freezer for my mystery packets of flavoring. I tossed in a can of dice tomatoes for extra tomato flavor and now have spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Before I serve dinner, one of my mystery packets of pesto will join the formula. The warehouse store sells jars of this and I divide it up into packets and freeze them, too.
My husband maintains that saving money on groceries isn't that difficult . . . It is the thinking that needs to go into it that is a challenge. He likes my thinking and appreciates the fact that I didn't come by these 'smarts' overnight but keep working at finding new ways to save and prepare a good meal.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Just figured it out . . .
After a quick trip to the store for last-minute items (my daughter's shopping not mine!), I figured out why shopping takes so long and why people are getting so fat. We pulled into the crowded parking lot and were thrilled to see two parking spaces at the far end of the lot. It was a bit of a walk but was right in line with the entrance so, in my thinking, convenient. I was about four cars behind the line up and didn't think I would have a chance at grabbing one of those parking places. Much to my surprise, all four cars passed them up and preferred to snake in and around the entire lot in hopes of getting a really, really close parking space. The sun is shining, it isn't particularly cold . . . We were heading into the door of the store while those same cars were still waiting for the absolutely perfect parking spot to open up miraculously for them.
I decided that the 15-30 minutes roaming the parking lot and the lack of eagerness to do any walking probably contributes greatly to adding wasted time to the shopping trip and retention of excess weight with the lack of eagerness to walk more than necessary. Meanwhile, my daughter and I are in and out of the store within 20 minutes and on our way home.
I decided that the 15-30 minutes roaming the parking lot and the lack of eagerness to do any walking probably contributes greatly to adding wasted time to the shopping trip and retention of excess weight with the lack of eagerness to walk more than necessary. Meanwhile, my daughter and I are in and out of the store within 20 minutes and on our way home.
Christmas . . .
Christmas--that
magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it
is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day
of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance--a day in
which we think of everything we have ever loved.
- Augusta E.
Rundell
Final Countdown to Christmas . . .
Yes, Christmas is going to happen this Sunday and there isn't much anyone can do at this point in time to slow down the daily progress towards that conclusion. I've ventured out a few times for normal shopping needs and the last-minute frenzy is already in force.
I tend to shop early in the season and am always on the look out for ideas/gifts the months before Christmas. I know that if I put it off until Christmas Eve, I will dump any and everything into my shopping cart in hopes of something filling the bill for needed gifts. Not a great way to enjoy the holiday! I'm a 'list' person. Around the end of October, I make up a list of who gets gifts, who gets cookies, and who gets a Christmas card. It is always available at every shopping venture in case I find a sale or special gift in the store. Around the middle of November, my extra closet becomes off limits and my family knows that the blessings of Christmas and it's subsequent surprises are in the works.
I'm happy to say that my closet is now open to inspection and gifts have been wrapped and distributed as needed. Unfortunately, my 'babies' have grown up too much and there isn't any of the package shaking and guessing of bygone years. The gifts I put under the tree are left alone. Sigh . . .
I did break 'tradition' this year. I dearly enjoy prime rib and our local warehouse store carries beautiful cuts of meat every Christmas. Even though is is about four dollars cheaper than the regular grocery stores, it still would cost around $45 for a great hunk of beef. Every year, I firmly decide that this is the year I splurge. I arrive at the warehouse store, carefully select a prime rib roast, and put it in my grocery cart. This lovely piece of meat gets a ride around the store as I complete my shopping . . . then reality sets in and I think about how many groceries I can purchase with that $45 . . . and the roast goes back to the meat counter. This year I didn't give a ride to any meat! I did find some roasts on sale at the regular grocery stores, however, and will make due. It is definitely not prime quality but I will just have to be more creative with my preparation. The temptation was too strong this year to just buy the stupid prime rib so I knew that going near it would cost me $45 on the spot. No promises about next year, however!
Busy times starting with Christmas Day as the next day, we are having our favorite friends over for dinner. Our respective children have been away at college/seminary and it will be a sort of reunion of old times. The following day is my youngest's 18th birthday. Oh, and two days before Christmas, is my older daughter's birthday! Both of them were born two weeks early and should have been January babies. No sense of planning on their part!
I tend to shop early in the season and am always on the look out for ideas/gifts the months before Christmas. I know that if I put it off until Christmas Eve, I will dump any and everything into my shopping cart in hopes of something filling the bill for needed gifts. Not a great way to enjoy the holiday! I'm a 'list' person. Around the end of October, I make up a list of who gets gifts, who gets cookies, and who gets a Christmas card. It is always available at every shopping venture in case I find a sale or special gift in the store. Around the middle of November, my extra closet becomes off limits and my family knows that the blessings of Christmas and it's subsequent surprises are in the works.
I'm happy to say that my closet is now open to inspection and gifts have been wrapped and distributed as needed. Unfortunately, my 'babies' have grown up too much and there isn't any of the package shaking and guessing of bygone years. The gifts I put under the tree are left alone. Sigh . . .
I did break 'tradition' this year. I dearly enjoy prime rib and our local warehouse store carries beautiful cuts of meat every Christmas. Even though is is about four dollars cheaper than the regular grocery stores, it still would cost around $45 for a great hunk of beef. Every year, I firmly decide that this is the year I splurge. I arrive at the warehouse store, carefully select a prime rib roast, and put it in my grocery cart. This lovely piece of meat gets a ride around the store as I complete my shopping . . . then reality sets in and I think about how many groceries I can purchase with that $45 . . . and the roast goes back to the meat counter. This year I didn't give a ride to any meat! I did find some roasts on sale at the regular grocery stores, however, and will make due. It is definitely not prime quality but I will just have to be more creative with my preparation. The temptation was too strong this year to just buy the stupid prime rib so I knew that going near it would cost me $45 on the spot. No promises about next year, however!
Busy times starting with Christmas Day as the next day, we are having our favorite friends over for dinner. Our respective children have been away at college/seminary and it will be a sort of reunion of old times. The following day is my youngest's 18th birthday. Oh, and two days before Christmas, is my older daughter's birthday! Both of them were born two weeks early and should have been January babies. No sense of planning on their part!
It is a sad commentary on our world today . . .
It was with great sadness that I read this news report. In a country that was founded on freedom, it certainly doesn't bode well when this freedom of choice can be decided by the government or that anyone has to go to court because they don't want to be forced into medical practices that go against their religious freedoms. Such is the case with 12 nurses who do not want to assist at abortions. If the court doesn't rule in their favor to opt out, they could lose their jobs. When did limits on our freedoms become legislated?
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/12/21/court-to-hold-hearing-on-nurses-forced-to-assist-abortions/
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/12/21/court-to-hold-hearing-on-nurses-forced-to-assist-abortions/
Easy Vegetarian Chili
We like to go meatless a couple of days a week but it can be a challenge to find a recipe that doesn’t call for soy products. My husband can’t eat soy. During Lent and the meatless Fridays, I’m always straining my brain for nourishing meals that also taste good, too. This one seems to fit the requirements. It has everything you need to be filling and tasty and you can serve it as spicy as you want. I always put chili flakes on the table along with the salt and pepper for those in the family who like to breathe fire!
Vegetarian Chili
1 cup finely grated carrot
1 Portobelo mushroom, minced
One onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped finely
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 cans beans (black, kidney, pinto, your choice!)
1 cup frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup pasta sauce, your favorite brand
¼ cup chunky salsa
¼ cup fresh cilantro
Chili powder to taste
Ground cumin to taste
Tortilla chips
shredded Cheese
green onions, chopped
sour cream to top
Saute the carrot, mushroom, onion and garlic in a cooking pot with the olive oil until everything is tender. Add the Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, beans, corn, pasta sauce, and salsa. Stir to mix and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir in the chili and ground cumin, cook another five minutes. Add the cilantro and serve. Top with chips, shredded cheese, green onions, and sour cream.
Vegetarian Chili
1 cup finely grated carrot
1 Portobelo mushroom, minced
One onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped finely
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 cans beans (black, kidney, pinto, your choice!)
1 cup frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup pasta sauce, your favorite brand
¼ cup chunky salsa
¼ cup fresh cilantro
Chili powder to taste
Ground cumin to taste
Tortilla chips
shredded Cheese
green onions, chopped
sour cream to top
Saute the carrot, mushroom, onion and garlic in a cooking pot with the olive oil until everything is tender. Add the Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, beans, corn, pasta sauce, and salsa. Stir to mix and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir in the chili and ground cumin, cook another five minutes. Add the cilantro and serve. Top with chips, shredded cheese, green onions, and sour cream.
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