Meal Stretch

I am often looking for ways to make our budget stretch farther so we can make better do with what we have and save more for the future. So far, my biggest challenge in this area has been food. My primary goal is to serve as many whole and nutritious foods as possible, and as most of you know, they are more expensive! So what to do? I’ve tried making many things from scratch, such as our breads, but with 3 young boys the time it takes and stress created is proving not always worth the money saved. So, to get to the point, here are some of my latest tips to saving grocery money while eating healthy and still getting our fill to eat.

First, I’ve picked a handful of meatless main dishes I can serve a few times a week. More veggies for healthy bodies and less meat for more room in our budget. Here’s a few examples:
Vegetable Enchiladas- Use a regular recipe, just saute’ up some bell pepper, onions, broccoli cauliflower, even potatoes, whatever your family eats, add the sauce, tortillas and cheese. Yum!!!
Taco Salad- I toss up lettuce of choice, black beans, olives, canned corn, broccoli, peas, peppers, whatever. Our dressing-sour cream and salsa or ranch, then a few crunchy chips and we’re usually set!

Soup, Soup, Soup! Any soup really. There are so many that don’t have meat, but are equally filling, often with beans or rice or just a thicker base. Tip: chowders or “cream” soups don’t always have to have lots of cream or milk (which can also be spendier), just remove a portion of your already cooked soup and puree in the blender. Add back into the soup and viola!!! P.s. to make your own broth the 3 keys to good flavor are onions, celery and carrots…a little salt goes a long way too.

Black Bean Quesadillas-black beans, maybe some cooked onion and pepper, cheese, tortillas and your favorite toppings.


I have quite a few others if someone is particularly curious…just ask!

Second, I’ve realized that there are many other countries that eat well (healthy and enough) while using very basic grains and such. So, I’m exploring ethnic staples that really cost very little and add lots of nutrition, variety and can stand on their own two feet. A few I’ve found:

Garbanzo beans- Our dinner tonight is garbanzo’s, red peppers, onions, broccoli, and spices saute’d and in a pita shell. Topped with sour cream or plain yogurt!I am also a great fan of hummus. There are so many different recipes, it easy to find one you like.

Corn meal (also known as polenta)- after it is cooked, much like rice, (except with constant stirring) it can be served alone with a savory sauce, grilled vegetables, baked apples for a sweeter treat, or it can even be made into little cakes and lightly fried for a tasty snack.


Third, I’m trying to use certain affordable vegetables (even some veggies can break the budget) to fill in the gaps and make certain meat dishes go farther. A few such veggies that do the trick seem to be potatoes, broccoli, green peppers and cauliflower. The potatoes and cauliflower work great because their taste is fairly neutral, and broccoli is very nutritious if your family likes it!!!

Well that’s it for me. I’m certainly no authority on the topic, so I’d love to hear your ideas and tips as well!!!

Something to Ponder

Humility-

...is not thinking less of yourself,
but rather
thinking of yourself less.

Don't take me too serious...just a little!

Q: What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A: It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q: Where will the government get this money?
A: From taxpayers.

Q: So, the government is giving me back my own money?
A: No, they are borrowing it from China . Your children are expected to repay the Chinese.

Q: What is the purpose of this payment?
A: The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q: But, isn't that stimulating China's economy?
A: Shut up.

Please, I mean no offense. Just a little laugh.

Old Fashioned Warmth

I, for some reason, love "old-fashioned!" I don't know if it is my search for something more simple and pure, or just nastalgic, but I enjoy learning how to do things like "the good ol' days." I know people functioned and lived just fine before all our modern inventions, so once in a while, usually motivated by saving money : ), I will make a simple list. This time: staying warm!

It's silly, but fun! A few ways to warm up without turning up the thermostat!
1) Put on a sweater and slippers (how often am I cold because I want to wear short sleaves and bare feet in January?)
2) Drink a hot beverage! My personal favorite is tea. Kiely likes coffee in the morning and occasionally we'll treat ourselves to hot chocolate!!! MMM, cozy and functional!
3) Grab a blanket or shawl. Again, that old-fashioned and nastalgia thing, but I enjoy doing things around the house in a wrap.
4) Use a hot water bottle to warm up your toes or the sheets before getting into bed. This is one of my latest favorites and only takes about 2minutes to fill with tap water. Love it!

Okay...any other ideas! Pass them along!

New Years Again?!!

I will admit I am not one to make New Years Resolutions...but sometimes it can be a good time to reflect on and perhaps offer a jumping off point for something new. And this year I so happen to be in the mood. So, borrowing from Lindsey's sentiments from last year, I'm going to pick a word!

REFRESH
1) to restore strength and animation to
2) to freshen up
3)to restore or maintain by renewing supply

My days can be hectic and overwhelming sometimes and I often wonder if I did anything right at all. However, one of my goals for motherhood is that I don't merely "Survive" these years of diapers and temper tantrums and messes...but that I can walk (or run-when needed : ) through them with joy and thankfulness and perhaps even a flare for adventure!!!

So in order to do that I feel the need to step back and re-evaluate my inventory....anything that is not used, needed or loved-HAS TO GO! Items as well as activities. However, the items are bit easier for me, so I am going to start there. Over the next month I am going to scour my house, rooms, cupboards, drawers, closets, storage...anything extra is gonna go right into a big tote that will be dropped off at Goodwill. Never to be missed again!!!

I function better in a clean house and I spend way too much time keeping it clean...so I'm hoping to eliminate the extra items that never seem to have a place or just add to the clutter.

And lastly I'm going to REFRESH my motives for motherhood. What do I really want my children to learn and am I doing what God designed me to do??? These I'll have to ponder for a while...but as far as the decluttering, I'm off!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

A Family Photo

What's That???

We were chatting after church on Sunday before our Bible study and Gabriel (our explorer), valiantly made his way up to our church's baptismal and while standing on the edge yells,
"Daddy, is that a swimmin' pool?"
(Kiely) Uhhh, Gabe, no! Wait! (It was full from that morning)
After Kiely gets to Gabriel and directs him back away from the tub, Gabriel asks again, "Daddy, is that swimmin' pool?"
(Kiely) "No, it's a baptismal!"
(Gabe) "It's a bathtub?!"
(Kiely) "Well, it's for when people get baptized!"
(Gabe) "Ohhhh! For bath-tizing!"
(Kiely-giving in) "Uhh, sure" : )