Menu Monday

We've been snowed in for a few days and it seems like all we did was eat...eat...EAT!. I whipped out my last frozen turkey a few days ago and on Sunday we had a feast. So guess what we'll be eating this week? Leftover Turkey in all it's various forms. Even if you don't have a bunch of turkey leftovers to use up, you can easily exchange canned or leftover chicken in these recipes. Here's what's cooking.

Breakfasts: Choice of...

Oatmeal, Farina, Yogurt and Fruit Smoothies or pancakes (that I've been sneaking flax, bran and wheat flour into and they haven't noticed.)

Dinners:

Turkey Noodle Soup and leftover rolls
Thai Turkey over rice
Turkey a la King
Egg salad sandwiches, veggies and dip
Turkey and Veggie Quesadillas
White Turkey Chili and Cornbread
Leftover Buffet

GCC Recipe Swap

We've had snow the past few days which means board games and fires in the fireplace and goodies. Along with toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate, we made a batch of homemade elephant ears that made our eyes rolls back in our heads. They were SO good. The bonus is that the bread machine does nearly all of the work. And to add SOME sort of nutrition I do add some bran and ground flax to the mix.

Bread Machine Elephant Ears

Add to your bread machine on the dough cycle:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup water
  
• 1 Tablespoon canola oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 cups flour (I do 1 cup WW flour and 2 cups white)
• 2 teaspoons yeast

When cycle is done turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch strips and cut the strips into squares. Cover and let rest for about 10 minutes. Heat oil to360 degrees in a pan. Gently lower the dough into the oil. When golden brown on one side, turn and cook the other side. Remove from oil and let drain on paper towels. When cool brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Frugal Spring Cleaning!

Make sure and go over HERE to enter the GE giveaway. The first winner will be announced soon so check back!

Toward the end of each of my pregnancies I would get an overwhelming urge to sort, clean and organize. I was a crazed woman for the last few weeks before each baby’s birth as I purged my house of all excess clutter and scrubbed every nook and cranny until it passed the white glove test. I made honey-do lists as long as my arm and my husband quickly learned to convincingly pretend it was just as important to him that the baseboards were dust free and the contents of the freezer were all color coded. And even though my pregnancy days are over, that feeling still visits me every year to some extent. When it starts to get close to spring, I get the urge to clean away all the germs and clutter that have accumulated over the winter.

Now, spring cleaning doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars on toxic cleaning supplies to get your house sparkling. In fact everything you need to clean your entire house is probably already lurking in your cupboards. You just need to know what it does and how to use it. Homemade cleaners are a great way to save money. A three to four dollar brand name store bought cleaner can be made for just pennies at home and cleans just as well if not better. And most of the time the ingredients in the homemade version are much healthier for your family and the environment. Do you have these items in your house already?

Ammonia – Disinfects and cuts grease

Rubbing Alcohol – disinfects

Distilled White Vinegar – effective for killing most mold, bacteria and germs

Borax – cleans, deodorizes, disinfects and softens water

Baking soda – cuts grease, gently scours and neutralizes odors

With these few household items that you probably already have on hand, you’ll be able to scrub away the winter grime and save a bundle in the process.

All Purpose Cleaner

Empty Trigger Spray Bottle

2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon Borax

Water

1/8 cup of liquid dish soap

Pour the vinegar and borax into the spray bottle with a funnel. Follow with one cup of warm water and swish around until dissolved. Fill the rest of the way with water leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. Pour in the dish soap. You now have a cleaner that can cut kitchen grease, disinfect counter tops, and wipe out odors at about 10 cents per bottle.

Window Cleaner

¼ cup ammonia

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

6 ¾ cups water

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle. Store extra in a jar for later use.

Soft Scrub

½ cup baking soda

Enough liquid dish soap to make a texture like frosting

Apply with a sponge and some elbow grease. Good on bathtubs because it doesn’t leave any grit behind.

Furniture Polish

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover and store indefinitely.

Oven Cleaner

1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven.

Menu Plan Monday

I've been in sweats all day, no rushing, and I'm refusing to leave the house. It's been so nice. I made up a fresh batch of homemade yogurt and I used some leftover beef from last week to put dinner together in the crockpot for tonight. And except for a visit from the Roto Rooter guy, I've enjoyed getting some stuff done and laughing my head off as my little boys dance to Big Girl as they play Just Dance 2. (So stinking hilarious!) I'm going to try and build my menu this week off of what is already in my cupboards. All I truly need from the store is milk and fruit. I love it when I have weeks like that. So here's what's cooking at our house.

Breakfasts: (choice of....)

Farina, oatmeal, eggs and toast, or smoothies with yogurt and fruit

Dinners:

Vegetable Beef Barley Soup with Buttery Bread Machine Rolls
Amish Baked Noodles with Ham
Esau's Pottage in tortillas with sour cream
Broccoli, Cheese and Potato Soup, sweet cornbread
Egg Salad Sandwiches and veggies with dip
Dutch Babies with Homemade Strawberry Sauce
Leftover Buffet

GCC Recipe Swap

Don't Forget to enter the Giveaway going on HERE.

Ahh. Friday is here. Everyone is finally on the mend at our house; broken bones are getting casted today, hives are gone, coughs are fewer and far between. It's our first day of homeschool co-op and the kids are excited and even though it snowed a bit just a few days ago, spring is in the air. I can feel it. I'm dreaming of getting my hands in the dirt and weeding the garden to get it prepared for planting time.

This weeks recipe is more of a tip. I really like to make (and eat) quiche. It's just a simple, nutritious meal where I can use up small bits of leftover meat, cheese and veggies. The part I hate is making the crust. I've come across a few easy recipes where you don't have to use a rolled crust, you just press a very oily crust into the pie pan. It's ok, but not my favorite. But recently I've found a better way that adds just a few more veggies to the dish. I love the extra flavor and I can put this crust together from start to finish in under 5 minutes for two pies. I hope you like it.

Potato Crust for Quiche or other Savory Pies

2-3 whole potatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Grease your pie pan. Slice potatoes 1/4 inch thick and spread along the bottom and sides of pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then pour in your quiche filling. Bake according to recipe.


Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Giveaway!

I've got a brand new giveaway up at my Giveaway and Review page. Click on over and check it out and you could enter and win!

GCC Shopping Round Up

It seemed like I didn't need a whole lot this week so I took the opportunity to purchase a few cuts of meat that will carry over for a couple of different meals. We aren't usually a very sick bunch but between the 6 of us, the last week has been full of URI's, a broken wrist, a stye and full body hives. Needless to say, I've been disinfecting every surface in my house and I've made a batch of Fire Cider for us to take to kill off whatever else might be lingering around. Somewhere between nursing my family and an ER visit I happened to lose my receipt. So I'll be using my memory for my tally this week. Here's what I bought.

Franz


4 loaves of bread $2.00
2 bags of bagels $1.00
2 boxes donuts $1.00

Win-co

Vegetable oil $1.88
2 gallons milk $3.96
parsley $.58
egg noodles $2.48
ham $7.57
apples $1.98
grapes $1.29
ketchup $1.48
bananas $1.08
cheddar $4.48
beef roast $13.42

Grand Total $44.20

Do you have a shopping trip you'd like to tell us about this week? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Menu Plan Monday

I've got all kind of things planned for the kiddos this Valentine's day. In the morning they'll come down to find some goodies in their spots at the breakfast table. They say they look forward to this holiday every year because they get to eat chocolates for breakfast. Then we'll make a project out of cutting out sugar cookies and then decorating them. Even the big kids still like to do this. I've declared it a no school day so no academics. And then dinner is French Dip sandwiches, one of our favorite meals. Here's what's cooking this week.

Breakfasts: (choice of)

Fruit and yogurt smoothies, oatmeal, farina or pancakes

Dinners:

Crock pot French Dip Sandwiches
Broccoli and Garlic Pasta, french bread
Ham and Cheese Quiche with potato crust
Grilled cheese, veggies with dip
Chicken and Barley Stew, bread machine rolls
Chicken stroganoff over noodles, steamed broccoli
Leftover Buffet

GCC Recipe Swap

I really want to do some creative things with the kids on Valentine's day and I have a few ideas up my sleeve. But what would Valentine's day be without some goodies? So here's a recipe I'll be trying out with the kids.

Queen of Hearts Valentine Tarts

Don't those look like fun? Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Will You Be My FRUGAL Valentine?

I bet if you asked most people, they’d tell you that Valentine’s Day isn’t really about the bling. The commercials will tell you it is, but really it’s more about appreciation. It’s about reminding the people in your life that they are important to you, that you’re glad they are there, that the history you share makes your life richer. In fact, I think bling is the easy way out. It takes much more effort and thought to remember all the reasons you like someone and to write it in a note than it does to buy something flashy off the pre-arranged holiday shelves at the local store. So guys, you’re off the hook. You can tuck your wallets back into your back pockets. This year try a gift from the heart. And if you still want to buy us something shiny too, well, we sure won’t turn it down.

• For a spouse: Try and remember the first days you met. What drew you to him or her? What was it that made you fall in love? Now write it down and dig up a few pictures from that era to look through with your partner. For your kids: Write down all the good qualities you see in them and how pleased you are with who they are becoming.

• No need for an expensive dinner out. Go out for a sweet dessert instead. It’s all of the ambiance at half the price and you can still dress up if you want to. No one needs to know that you didn’t just come from a fancy night out.

• Why get roses? How about something that lasts a little longer. If your sweetie has a favorite plant or flower, get one that they can actually put into the ground and can last awhile. Every time they see it they’ll think of you.

• Catch a free concert and hold hands all the way through. Check with local coffee shops or colleges to see if any live music is playing.

• Is your life pretty stressful? Than set aside some time to relax.Chris and I are gluttons for old book stores.We both love to read and dig through the bargain books for hidden treasures.An afternoon in a quiet bookstore for us means hours of bliss, quiet and calm.We always walk out relaxed and with smiles on our faces.

• Offer a day off! Cash in on a personal day at your job and do something relaxing. Take over for a tired mom. Watch the kids, do all the cooking, catch up on the laundry and send your spouse out for a pedicure.

• Relive those private rituals. Remember those cute things early in your relationship that have become private memories? Remind each other of them. Recreate them. Reminisce.

The most memorable Valentine’s gift is one that takes a step out of the ordinary, that requires effort and remembrance, not necessarily a lot of cash. So this year try a little more heart and a little less flash and I believe your sweetheart will thank you for it.

GCC Shopping Round Up

I thought that shopping on the Monday after the Superbowl would be quiet. That everyone had shopped before the Superbowl and had plenty of food at home. I think everyone else probably thought the same thing because it was packed in there. And, am I the only one that feels like aisles should be like streets. You go down on the right side. You pass in the left lane. And then there are the people that park on the right and then stand on the left blocking the WHOLE aisle while people are waiting on both sides to get by. Really? (sigh) I didn't have much fun but here's what I got.

Franz

6 loaves of bread $3.00
2 donuts $1.00
2 English muffins $1.00





Win-co

TP $5.48
Cascade $3.97
Dishwasher soap $.88
Soymilk $1.28
Chicken Broth $2.44
Mayo $1.79
Beef Broth $2.44
diced tomatoes $.58
Ziploc bags $3.58
2 gallons milk $3.96
brown sugar $1.36
baking soda $.55
2 cream cheese $2.50
2 cans beans $1.36
10 lbs carrots $4.48
Whipped Topping $1.96
2 yogurts $3.36
Parmesan $1.66
bulk baking powder $1.39
frozen strawberries $5.81
cheddar $4.49
bulk farina cereal $2.38
parsley $.58
15 lbs potatoes $2.78
spinach $1.88
celery $1.08
green onions $.48
tomatoes $1.49
bananas $1.59
basil $.20
apples $1.93
bulk minced onion $1.78

Grand Total $76.59

Would you like to share your shopping trip? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Menu Plan Monday

Ahhh, the boys in my house are satisfied with good football and copious amounts of snack foods. We had some Superbowl leftovers so Monday night's dinner will be snacky-ish. We also have a birthday party for my mother-in-law this weekend. I'll be bringing a dessert. Here's what's cooking this week.

Breakfasts: (choice of)

Farina, Oatmeal, eggs or fruit and yogurt smoothies

Dinners:

Mini pigs in a blanket with BBQ dipping sauce, potato salad
Chinese General Chicken, brown rice
Sliced Baked Potatoes, salad bar
White bean chicken chili
Birthday Party (Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert)
Tortellini Soup, French Bread
Leftover Buffet

It's Time to Think Garden

Can you believe it's nearly spring? We have a short growing season here in Washington State so to get the most out of it I need to either start seeds indoors or buy starts that are mature. But we all know which way is cheaper and ultimately more fun for the kids. We have a big sunny window that spends a few months of the year growing our garden seeds before they get transplanted outside in late May (it's been well into June the last few years). I'm doing a little something different this year with my garden. The last few years have been a total flop for me. There has been enough for a few months of fresh veggies and fruits but absolutely nothing to preserve. So, I'll be building up my soil using the Lasagna Garden method again this year because it's easy and I need an easy garden.





And then I'm planting a canning garden. I have three beds and I'll only plant three crops....but lots of them. I'm hoping to can pickles, so I found these cucumber seeds that are ideal for pickling.








We also use lots of diced tomatoes, salsa and marinara or spaghetti sauces so one of my beds will have roma tomatoes in it.










And in my third bed it will be all about green beans.

I chose those simply because we buy lots of these things at the grocery store and hopefully I won't have to buy any of these for a whole year if I play my cards right.

So if you're planning to have a garden this year. Now is the time to get your game plan in order. Get those seeds, map out what containers or beds you'll be using, and if you're planting crops that take a while to mature, start planting your seeds indoors soon.

GCC Recipe Swap

A few weeks ago I was out of eggs and needed to come up with something for breakfast. So I did a search and came up with a recipe I found online that made vegan pancakes. Now, I've tried egg-less and milk-less pancakes before with only bad results. They just didn't bind together very well and were really crumbly. But after trying this recipe I'm sold. I may never put the expense of eggs into my pancakes again. These were golden colored and light and fluffy. In fact, they were better than my regular recipe. So here you have it. Egg-less pancakes. Enjoy!


Emergency Egg-less Pancakes

1 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup soymilk or regular milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Stir together in a bowl. Fry on a lightly oiled surface on medium-high heat. Flip when edges look solid and dry.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

GCC Shopping Round Up

I shopped a little bit later than expected which is why this is getting up so late. Sorry about that if you've been waiting to link up. So, I went into this shopping trip knowing it was going to be more since it's Superbowl Sunday and we'll be eating lots of goodies. But seriously. A box of crackers for $3.50? Wow. My husband also has pneumonia so we've been doing lots of fresh juices to boost his immune system and fight off bacteria along with the antibiotics that he's on. You'll see a larger and more assorted variety of veggies than normal. Chalk that up to "cheaper than another doctor visit". Here's what I got.

Win-co

5 dozen eggs $6.75
milk $1.98
sugar $1.99
Flour $3.08
jicama $1.21
3lbs Bulk Spaghetti $2.01
Broccoli $2.05
2 bags Frito's $4.96
2 boxes wheat thins $7.00
2 smoked sausage $3.36
coffee creamer $2.48
Cottage cheese $1.78
Teriyaki sauce $1.22
soy sauce $1.98
4 cream cheese $5.00
Envelope chicken gravy $.38
turnips $1.73
envelope ranch dip $.40
envelope Italian salad dressing $1.27
bacon pieces $2.13
cream of chicken soup $.83
2 vegetarian chili $1.76
2lbs cheddar $4.49
2lbs Monterrey jack $5.39
10lbs carrots $4.48
beets $2.98
celery $1.30
bulk walnuts $5.21
2 cucumbers $.96
radishes $1.36
Roma tomatoes $1.83
apples $2.13
bananas $2.25
15lbs potatoes $2.78

Franz

4 loaves of bread $2.00
2 loaves of raisin bread $1.00
2 bags of bagels $1.00
2 boxes of donuts $1.00

Grand Total $95.51