Breaking Even

Too Cute Tuesday: Italian Grandma's Calzones

This Too Cute Tuesday was a little off program. John, my newish boyfriend, was visiting. Naturally I forced him to perform for a group by ordering him to make calzones for everyone.

A little background: John made me calzones the first time I visited him. They were amazing. I had them for dinner, then breakfast the next morning, then lunch. Yup, they were that good.

This calzone recipe is a family recipe passed down from John's Grandma Capriccio. 

Materials:
3 1/2 c. flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 packet of yeast
2ish cups of warm (not boiling) water
(makes three calzones) 

Bowl
Saucepan
Cookie sheet

Glaze:
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. butter
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. grated parm cheese
a couple basil leaves (if you have them)

Fillings:
Your choice of prosciutto, mozzerella, spinach, basil, petit cut tomatoes, marinated grilled chicken, onion, garlic, pepper, sausage, mushroom, you name it!

Cocktail of the Day: Milk with Frangelico (thanks to Sue for thinking of an actual Italian cocktail!)

 

1. Sometime the afternoon of calzone time, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Stir dry ingredients together well, possibily with a whisk.

2. Warm up some water. This will react with the yeast so it is important that the water is hot but not boiling. You should be able to hold the container in your hands and think "this water is warm" not "this water is HOT!".

3. Pour water into the bowl and gently mix it. Very gently. The batter will seem to have a "gloopy" consistency. 

It should look like this:

 

4. Warm up some more water in a medium saucepan (about half way full) until it is almost boiling.

5. Here is where the cool thing happens. Open your oven and put the saucepan of water on one shelf and your bowl on another. Don't turn on the oven; this is just a place for the yeast to have a warm moist environment to do its thing. Let sit two hours.

6. Punch the dough down and stick it back in the oven a little while longer.

7. Get ingredients ready (chop, dice, clean, etc.) and then head to Craft Central.

8. Cover cookie sheet in butter. Spread the dough in a thin layer on the sheet. Spread olive oil and garlic evenly on the dough. Add ingredients to one half and fold the other half over it, creating a pocket. It is best to do this with butter-covered hands.

9. Pour a glass of Frangelico and milk to calm the nerves of meeting all your girlfriend's crafting buddies. Ahh, refreshing.

10. Watch everyone else prepare their Italian specialty to go with: Spagetti sauce, almond meringue, lasagna, roasted chicken... yum!

11. Bake the calzones at 500 degrees for about ten minutes. You'll know they're done when the crust is a light golden brown. Note: Smoke detectors may go off but it's ok because 1) olive oil has a low smoking point and 2) the only other boy there is a firefighter.

12. Eat dinner and get rave reviews from the TCT crew.

Isn't John crafty?

Love Too Cute Tuesday? So do we. Join the Facebook page for advanced notice of crafts, additional photos and other fun features.

What I Learned Not Going To The Grocery Store This Week: Part Two

This week, after realizing I overspent my grocery budget, I decided to not to go to the grocery store and live exclusively on what I had in the house.

Additional observations (see yesterday's post for part one):

Let me finally experiment with this discount food. You know those packets of soup that were heavily discounted because they were expired or that noodle mix you bought at the salvage store two months ago? I think a lot of us buy these things to try and then totally forgot about them. Boy did I experiment! What I learned: Singapore noodle mix plus the remains of a roast chicken equals three fantastic meals.

Look Mom, I'm baking... at least I could! Flour, salt, yeast, I could have actually baked some bread like I always mean to. In a relative sea of carbohydrate possibilities, I ate ployes for breakfast on Friday. Point is the option was there... as I had more food than I could even eat in one week.

Hey, I can actually donate stuff. There is a basket as I leave the grocery store where you can put food for the local food bank. I kick myself every time because I only remember as I'm leaving the store. Looking through my pantry, I actually had a chance to evaluate what I had (as in more than I need) and took my surplus to the grocery store for drop-off.

All in all, it really wasn't a hard week because I thought since I do keep a lot of staples around like lentils, pasta, and canned vegetables. Although this is possible because I can be really flexible with what I eat.

In short, a good experiment and I'm sure I'll repeat again. And I can even put some extra dishes back in my cupboard again!

When I Learned Not Going To The Grocery Store This Week: Part One

I waited a little too long to update my budget spreadsheet this month only to discover on Tuesday night overspent my usual grocery allowance by $36. And I still had a week left in the month. D'oh!

Rather than panic, I decided to take the Not Go To The Grocery Store For A Week challenge. Usually when I do this, I plan to head so this time, I thought I was really going to have to rough it. (Warning: do not attempt this without a moderately stocked pantry.) I kept a notebook in the kitchen in here are some of my observations:

Hmm (with background sound of rustling bags)....I have oatmeal! Morning one with no milk, bread, juice, cereal, pork product, or fruit. Oh well at least I have coffee, I thought. Moving to coffee bag over in my pantry, I rediscovered some hidden oatmeal. Adding golden raisins and brown sugar, I felt far from deprived.

I really want a pizza. Right. Now. I kept craving food I didn't have in the house this week. (It probably didn't help that I was recommending restaurants to tourists this week.) I decided I wasn't giving in. I had food and I didn't need to buy more food. Guess what? Most of my cravings passed in a couple of hours.

Tap water was so boring... until it met this lime! Thursday, I felt weak and was tempted to bring all my bottles and use a deposit money to buy my usual bottle of seltzer water. Then I realized that I was being ridiculous (and cheating really) and turned on the tap. Hey, there's water in there! I found an errant lime in the fridge to jazz it up. Not exactly the same as my usual fix but equally hydrating and tasty enough for me to sip.

Part two of this fascinating series tomorrow!

Fiddleheads: Why You Should Forage For Food

My friend HK used to use the term "forage" for what she'd do in our college cafeteria. Like any cafeteria situation no matter how good, you end up having to look around and create meals yourself with what's available... you know, unless you like having the same hot meal in rotation every three weeks.

The foraging continues in my adult life, only this time it is inspired by my grandfather. Pepere Bee* is always picking various seasonal crops and sharing them. In the fall, he picks apples from wild trees and potatoes behind the potato harvesters that leave the smaller, though still tasty, ones behind. (Note: You should probably ask the farmer before you do this.) In the summer, it's strawberries and blueberries. And in the spring, it's fiddleheads.

Fiddleheads grow near soggy areas in the spring. Essentially they are ferns before they pop open. If you are looking for fiddleheads, make sure you are pretty confident in your identification skills and try areas alongside (clean) riverbanks in places that are harder to access by people. They end up being less picked over that way plus, you know, if you are going to eat something that's been sitting in water, it ought to at least be clean water.

Here is my foolproof recipe. My friend Jake says it is better then his Memere's** and my friends raved about them at Too Cute Tuesday.

Fiddleheads A La Nicole

1 pound of fiddleheads
Good butter
2 bouillion cubes w/2 c. water
Sea salt
Pepper

Melt butter in a large pan on medium high. In the meantime, wash the fiddleheads at least three times. You want the water to be relatively clean when you are done.

Dump fiddleheads in the pan and saute for a few minutes.

Add bouillion cubes/water. Cook for 10-15 minutes until fiddleheads are tender but not "limp". (I think a lot of people overcook them.)

Add salt and pepper. Yum!

Don't want to forage? They are for sale lots of places around (in Maine at least), including roadsides and at the grocery store.

Eating seasonally: cheaper, healthier, and tastier!

*We call grandfathers "pepere" where I am from.
**We call grandmother's "memere". In both these words, the "r" is sometimes not pronouced, making the words sound like "mah-may" and "puh-pay". Ok that's all the French lesson for today, folks!

The Best Tofu Recipe Ever

Tofu is one of my favorite protein staples. At $2.50 a pound (or sometimes less), it beats the price of most every meat out there. Plus it's really versatile.

I am about to go on vacation and rather then go grocery shopping, I am having a few random meals to clean out my fridge. I found a block of tofu and called in my favorite recipe. I know it's good because I made it once for my friend S who is a great cook...and she's asked me for it three times.

I then had to admit I got the recipe out of Glamour magazine. *Hangs head in shame but picks head up when realizing honesty is best policy*

So here's how to make tofu look and taste good even to skeptics:

Italian bread crumbs
Grated parm cheese
Sea salt (optional)
Olive oil
Block-o-tofu

Blend bread crumbs and parm cheese in a bowl (I do about a 50/50 ratio). Cut tofu into squares and dip in a plate of olive oil (both sides). Put in crumb mixture.

Cook at 415 degrees F for 30 minutes, flipping over twenty minutes into the cooking. Perfection. For serious.

Now if anyone has anything cool I can do with carrots, I'll be all set for tomorrow night's dinner!

Too Cute Tuesday: Ice Cream In A Bag

Today in my corner of Maine, the temperature hit sixty degrees Farenheit. My snowbank adjacent to my apartment is now just a pile. That's right, summer is officially on the way. I even saw some crazy girl walking down the street in a sleeveless sundress. (No, it wasn't me!)

I have this bucket-o-rock salt I've been keeping all winter (helps with the slippery stairs!) that it is time to get rid of and Sarah had some buttermilk which she had no use for. Wait a minute, cream, salt, and wanting summer to just get here already... Ice cream!

I stopped at the store for ice and gallon size zip lock bags and $3.19 later, I was off to craft central.

Materials
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc) 
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

Cocktail of the Night: Seltzer water...I was just so dehydrated all day!

0. In an effort to recycle, chip away at your winter stash of rock salt that has solidified into a clump from moisture. Stab at it with a butter knife on your porch and your neighbors will look at you like you're insane. Little do they know you are actually resourceful. Make a run to the grocery store to get ice. Remember the good old days when you had a freezer.

1. Upon arriving at Craft Central, pour seltzer and find America's Next Top Model or other mindless television to watch. Put on new apron you recieved as an early birthday gift, just because.

2. Pour milk/cream, sugar, and vanilla in a ziplocking sandwich bag. Double bag for best results, especially in store brand/no name brand situations.

3. Put ice and salt in a big back (fill about half way).

4. Put the little bag in the big bag.

5. Shake for about five minutes. Laugh at every gratuitous Tyra reference.

6. Eat and be happy with friends.

(If you want more directions, this site was my inspiration.)

Seriously folks it's just that easy. To be honest, the buttermilk did give it a slightly odd taste (when eaten with lemon sunshine cupcakes made by Sarah for Easter though, it was totally doable). A second batch made with skim milk proved much more successful, though when mixed with hot fudge made more of an ice cream soup. Cream (not butter cream) would probably yeild best results, though we did enjoy eating our mistakes.

I love Tuesday!

Love Too Cute Tuesday? Combine it with your love of Facebook and get heads up on upcoming crafts, extra photos and more!

Lasagna Gardening: Gardening For Those Of Us Who Kill Chia Pets

When my friend Paul posted this idea on his Facebook page last week and I thought it was pretty brilliant.

Lasagna gardening isn't growing ingredients for lasagna  but an easy growing technique that Paul's wife Lorena has successfully implemented. (Those thick noodles are tough to grow! Ha!)

As someone who screwed up her Chia herb garden this winter (seriously), I'm all for easy gardening that works!

The interesting thing about lasagna gardening is while you can do it in a lasagna pan, you can pretty much do it in any container or bed that you want to grow things in. What results is a super productive garden.

I called up Lorena on the phone and by the end of our conversation I was a convert. She started doing this last year, not even digging any beds but sticking her first layer right on the ground.

Basic Concept

Layer 1- Newspaper or cardboard
According to Lorena, this is great to do on a rainy day, as the wet newspapers conform to the shape of the ground.

Layer 2- Something brown- hay or peat moss
Lorena recommends hay. Peat moss  can be problematic; it blows around, doesn't mix well, it's not a sustainable resource and, you have to hand mix it. Embrace the relative laziness of lasagna gardening and try hay.

Layer 3- Something green- Grass clippings and/or seaweed
Lorena gets free stuff from her neighbor.

Layer 4- Kitchen compost waste

Layer 5- The plants you want to grow and some premixed compost
Lorena puts seeds in ground with organic compost that she gets at a local feed store. She says it works so much better then the regular stuff and worth the extra cash.

Layer 6- Mulch*
You probably don't have to do this but Lorena mulched everything with grass clippings.

Her initial bed last year was about eight inches high and she's said now it's compacted to ground level. She'll be adding more layers this year to thicken it. Lasagna gardening provides "a nice, aerated canvas to work with" and is "really fun and productive". This sentiment is won me over "Emptying bags is all I did!"

(An aside: A ten minute conversation with Lorena and I got a process, tips, and good quotes. All interviews should be so easy!)

So despite my small space, I'm going to give lasagna gardening a shot in a couple containers. It sounds like this will be more fun (and ultimately more successful) then my previous attempts.

More about lasagna gardening at ThriftyFun...

Image from ThriftyFun

How Poor Are You? Part 1

About four years ago, I did some volunteer work at a local food pantry. My job was interviewing prospective users of the pantry which included an in-depth discussion of their budget and finances. This part of the interview process was to help families find additional resources and programs like WIC or heating oil assistance if they weren't aware of them.

I remember one day having to look up the federal poverty rate and having an epiphany that I was below it. That's right, I could have not only been using the food pantry I volunteered at but I could have also taken advantage of some of these programs I had been talking to people about. Hmph.

Fast-forward to now. I'm making double what I was living on back then at my day job (and this is not even including income I make with my business). While I am no longer a poor college student working part-time, I don't exactly feel like I'm rolling in it.

I thought it would be interesting to look up some of the programs I used to refer people to and see who would qualify for them now. Today, I'll tackle food and health programs and the following post I'll talk housing.

Food Stamps
This is a little formulaic but there are some basic requirements, like being a US citizen and having less than $2000 in assets. (Note: Your house does not count as an asset, but your car may depending on how you use it.) Here is a handy little online calculator to see if you qualify. I personally have too much in savings to qualify.

Medicaid
For single people, annual income to qualify for Medicaid is roughly $8500, total resources being $13,800. Pregnant women and children, however, you make of this 200% above the federal poverty line. There are, of course, exceptions.

Dental/Medical Clinics
Clinics seem to vary state to state compared to other programs. When I called my local dental clinic, I could not get any assistance because an income of $22,000 a year is making "way too much money" to qualify.There is, however, a great directory of health clinics that are searchable online.

WIC
WIC is a USDA program where new mothers and their children (up to five years old) qualify for not only breast-feeding support and immunization services but also can purchase "nutritious" foods such as formula, milk, and cereal. Income guidelines are 185% above the federal poverty level, which means a household of one would make around $19,200 a year.

Free or reduced price meals at schools
School lunch programs offer discounts in the way of reduced price meals (185% above the federal poverty line or $19,200) and free meals (130% above the federal poverty line or $13,500).

Stay tuned for Part Two of this series, and if you want more possibilities:
See other programs from the Department of Health and Human Services...

Fabulous Friday: Smoked Salmon Trim

I know the words "cheap" and "fish" are not often used together, especially in a sentence talking about a good idea, but I'm going to attempt.

All week, I've been eating smoked salmon. I had a salmon quesadilla, I had some salmon sushi, I even had some salmon and cream cheese on crackers as a lovely afternoon snack. So how my doing this on my typical grocery budget of $25 a week? I bought the trim. Allow me to explain.

The next time you're in a grocery store, check out your smoked salmon section. You'll notice that farm raised salmon are cheaper than wild salmon (rumor has it it's less nutritious) and you'll notice a few different companies that offer the product. Where I live, prices seem to range from $25-$30 a pound. We don't often think of smoked salmon this way (as in price per pound) because we buy it in 4-8 ounce packages but that's what the unit prices there for!

You also see that smoked salmon is that eye level. If you look a little lower or a little higher, you may see a product called smoked salmon trim. Smoked salmon trim is part of the smoked salmon that didn't quite make the cut but it's $7 a pound. A little easier to swallow then $30 for me!

You may notice a difference if you're, say, making a spread on a platter but otherwise it's still salmon which, last I checked, is a high-quality protein source.

The concept of packaging second rate food products and reselling them at a lower price is not one unique to salmon. As a matter of fact, my friends at Barkwheats often package the dog biscuits that are little crumbly and sell them to stores cheaper than retail.

In selling samples/trim/insert name of grade b product here, the company is losing less money in that it doesn't have to give away or throw out not so perfect products and consumers like myself and quite afford the real deal can still purchase products from these companies. And in knowing that the trim from Ducktrap is good, I may be more likely to buy their version of the fancy smoked salmon the next time I throw a nice brunch.

Reaching more types of consumers and wasting less? It's a good idea all around. Yum!

Homemade Sushi: It's Kind Of Easy

This weekend, I started having a massive craving for sushi. Now I can't control myself in a sushi restaurant... well that and there isn't one nearby. So what's a money saving gal to do? Make my own!

And make my own I did, and it was easy! (Adapted from the book "Easy Sushi" by Emi Kazuko)

Materials
Toasted nori sheets ($25 for 50 sheets— you can buy them in smaller packages but I couldn't find any in my tiny health food store)
Sesame seeds ($3 get in the spice aisle, not imported foods...they just put the same thing in fancier packaging)
Rice vinegar ($3 a bottle)
Sugar ($2 a bag, you only need 2 teaspoons for this recipe)
Sea salt (I've been working on my $3 oackage for about six months and I love salt)
Sushi rice ($5 for a pretty big bag, one cup of rice will make about three rolls)

Wasabi in a tube (for us lazy people, plus it's only $3 and keeps forever)
Soy sauce ($6 get the good stuff, totally worth the investment)

Various fillings (carrots, scallions, cream cheese, smoked salmon, fake crab, mushrooms, cucumers, avocados, mango... you name it!)

1. Make rice in the pot according to directions. In the meantime, chop carrots and other fillings.
2. Cool rice. In the meantime, mix 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt in a little bowl. Toast seasame seeds on stove for a couple minutes (as many as you like).
3. Combine vinegar mixture, rice, and seasame seeds gently. Let sit.
4. Using a mat (you can even use a flexible cutting board or placemat in a pinch), put a toasted nori sheet and spread rice mixture on it lightly. Lay ingredients inside and roll.
5. Cut into little rounds. Serve with wasabi and soy sauce.

So for less then the price of sushi for two at even a cheaper restaurant, you can have sushi for a small party and leftovers to spare!

Fabulous Friday: Fantastic Coffee Drinks

Every Friday, I try to tackle an issue of style and lifestyle on the cheap. Isn't Friday fabulous?

I've never gotten the allure of Starbucks. Maybe it's because I've never lived within 50 miles of one but I think it's mostly because I can't imagine spending $4 on a coffee when I can buy a bag of good stuff for between $5-$10 and drink it over the course of a few weeks.

Almost everyday in the company breakroom, I make a cup of coffee in my little French press. It's my moment of zen in my work day and for five minutes I just let my mind be blank while I go through my usual movements of coffee preparation.

Some mornings, I get up early and lounge around awhile with my favorite mug filled with coffee (made in my at home French press). I wake up early if only to do this for a little while before having to leave for work. I usually read magazines or otherwise do something useless. In short, coffee is my relaxation before my day starts, a mini-weekend.

The Coffee:
I like Rock City coffee Jet Blend and Rooster Brother's French Roast. Both are Maine-based coffee roasters, just a little part of me supporting the local economy. Of course, they taste great too.

The Fillers:
I've completely stopped using sugar and sugar substitutes in my coffee. To make it fun, I'll add cream, hot chocolate, marshmellows, or spices (like cinnamon or even chili powder). Extra investment in a device like a milk frother will in the end pay for itself if you love it and use it.

The Experience:
Decorating magazines spread out around me like a fan. The radio on MPBN playing the news softly. Good sunlight. A down comforter. And taking the time to make a fancy coffee just adds to the experience.

So if you're tempted to go out and buy a coffee, stay in your pajamas a little longer. Instead go and stock your pantry with the necessary supplies the next time you are out and about. It'll pay for itself in less then a month (depending how often you do it of course) and you'll have a new little ritual that'll save you $1-$2 each time you do it. Cheers!

Too Cute Tuesday: Mardi Gras Beignets

Too Cute Tuesday was bound to eventually fall on Mardi Gras. We really wanted to make something festive but masks seemed so one-time-use-only. King cake with its hidden baby would have been ideal, only all the recipes that Dorrie found took 4 hours from scratch. There were some shortcuts (like using refrigerated cinnamon dough) but using the shortcuts would have made everything too short.

So tonight, we're saluting the French (my people) in general with some classic beignets. That's right ladies and gentlemen, no need to wait for your next visit to New Orlean's Cafe du Monde to enjoy this treat!

I personally never fry things at home because I'm afraid once I find out how easy it is, I'd fry everything. But Mardi Gras and Too Cute Tuesday means that all my personal rules get thrown out the window.Laissez les bons temps rouler! Check out the original recipe at Allrecipes if you want the instructions without my ridiculous commentary and additional dough making tips.

Materials

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Cocktail of the Day: Salmon Run Reisling (a Dorrie favorite)

0. Heat water but don't boil it. Yeast works in water temperatures between 100 and 110 degrees F. Sarah Tip: You can get water hot enough from the tap!

1. Put two eggs, salt, sugar, and evaporated milk in a large bowl and blend well. Bonus: Mooch off your cool friend's nice Kitchenaid mixer. 

2. Add four cups of flour and blend again. Sarah Tip: Don't cram the flour in the measuring cup. You are supposed to have some air in there when you measure.

3. Add shortening, blend. Add the remaining three cups of flour, blend.

4. Sarah Tip: You should need dough when everything is combined so if you have too much flour, you can try to knead it in. Also knead with the base of your hand not your fingers. Use this time to add flour if it's liquidy and add liquid if it's too floury.

5. Put the bread in the freezer to chill since you don't have time to wait for it to work overnight. Cross your fingers that it works to be a slacker.

6. In the meantime, have a lovely bit of riesling. Ahh. Happy Tuesday.

7.Roll out the dough in a round and cut it into little pieces. Heat oil to 360 degrees F and fry baby fry. Tip: Make each piece really thin, otherwise they won't cook all the way through. ]

8. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Too Cute Tuesday: Putting the "gras" in Mardi Gras...

Love Too Cute Tuesday? Be friendly on Facebook! See photo galleries, upcoming crafts and more!

Too Cute Tuesday: Homemade Kahlua

Would you believe that in last week's installment of Too Cute Tuesday, I forgot to make a cocktail? I know, amazing huh? So when Dorrie thought we should make kahlua this week, I thought it was perfect!

Sam, Emily, and Sarah joined the usual crowd for a craft that turned out to be quite easy. Sure it was $40 of supplies but we all took a jar or two home and there was vodka (and most everything else) to spare. Directions were inspired by this fine blog, Chickens In The Road.

Materials

1 handle vodka (depends on how much you want to make, in this case we made a double batch using a 1.75 L bottle)- $25
9 teaspoons vanilla extract (we went pure instead of imitation for $9)
coffee (make six cups)
6 c. sugar
Mason jars or old wine bottles (probably screw cap bottles are best)

Cocktail of the Day: Um, kahlua! Though a bottle of Gnarly Head red wine can be drunk while waiting...

1. Buy handle of vodka at grocery store on your lunch break. Feel slightly ashamed. Later give a ride home to a coworker and feel a need to explain the vodka again. Realize you are probably overrationalizing.

2. Have cool friends that make you dinner and bring wine and veggies to share.

3. Make six cups of coffee while socializing in the kitchen.

4. Stir coffee and sugar in a large pot and let simmer one hour. Take turns stirring the pot while everyone (including the four dogs present) hang out in the kitchen. Drink wine and talk. Have discussions such as whether we like celery or just eat it because it seems nutritous... among other things.

5. Stir in 6 cups of vodka and 6 tablespoons of vanilla.

6. Pour into mason jars.

7. Once finished, realize you actually want to try it now and not wait for it to age. Pour a glass and pass it around. Heck with needing to age, this stuff is good!

We've already let success go to are heads and are discussing attempting other alcoholic beverages in the future. Aren't we crafty?

Can't get enough TCT? Check out the Facebook page with even more pictures and information.

How Do I Eat On $100 A Month?

Sally's Niece, a fellow blogger and frequent commenter, asked how I eat on $100 a month. My sister asked me the same question over the phone a couple days later. I figure if they were asking, you're probably wondering too. Here are a few things I've learned the last couple of years:

1) I stay on the perimeter of the grocery store. It's where all the stuff you really need is. Only when I get rice, pasta, or canned veggies do go in the aisles. Why do I avoid the aisles as a general rule? Things like cereal and prepackaged foods really add up. I only splurge on that stuff when I really care, as with my occasional purchase of Odwalla Superfood juice.

2) Despite my small space, I buy some things in bulk. Bags of onions, potatoes, lentils, brown rice, flour, and other staples I use all the time helps me save money.

3) Use some "filler" ingredients to stretch out the meal. Cutting up an onion or mixing some lentils into a dish makes it stretch a serving or two further without sacrificing taste or nutrition. (Fillers are bought in bulk... coincidence? Definitely not.)

4) I have one type of meat a week. This week, I'll roast a chicken. Next week, it may be fake crab meat. I just check out what's on sale and get a source of protein, usually one that I'll use for multiple meals. Check out what's the weekly bargain by examining the price per pound. Plus, eating less meat is good for the planet, folks!

5) My friends and I take turns cooking for each other. This way, we can make a regular sized meal and not eat it for five days straight. Plus it's fun to eat with people!

6) My rule: Unit price of $2.99 or less. Next time you're in the grocery store, look at onions. Do you really think that in a stirfry, the $1.29/pound onions will be all that different then the $2.69/pound onions? Probably not. In every aisle, you have these kind of choices. Think store brand and items higher and lower on shelves (not at eye level). It's amazing how being mindful can save you a lot of money.

7) I eat when I'm hungry. Some nights, I have a bowl of soup and some nights a three course meal. My host parents in France often had an orange for dinner on Saturdays when I went out. They usually had a big lunch and just weren't hungry. I used to think it was a little sad but then I realized they were just being practical and thrifty.

8) I make it from scratch. Nothing kills a craving like making yourself cook it. I mean, the $3 baguette is great but I can make it for a third of the price at home, even if it isn't quite as good. This has the added benefit of making me appreciate the baguette when I do buy it.

9) I splurge when it counts. Fresh basil with my tomato and mozzerella salad? Absolutely! Some things are worth a splurge for me and since it is a treat, I enjoy it when I do have it.

10) I use every last bit of food. From the hunk of cheese to a small amount of tofu, I find some way to use food items before they go bad. Because throwing away food is not only wasteful of money but of resources.

So that's how I do it. Nothing fancy but it works for me!

Other reading on the subject:

Tips and Tricks To Eat Healthy On A Budget (Wisebread)
Don't Waste Your Food (Being Frugal)
What The Great Depression Can Teach Us About Food And Frugality (Cheap Healthy Good)

That's Expensive, Huh?

Why Do Cashiers Comment On My Purchases?

I'll preface my story by saying that strangers talk to me all the time. I get why: I seem friendly and wholesome, I look harmless, and I have a vaguely familiar face that makes me look like someone you may know. Am I so-and-so's old college roommate? Do I know your granddaughter? I've heard it all.

People randomly talking to me is not something new, though recently I've noticed something interesting in what strangers are saying to me.

The other day, I was buying my usual Odwalla Superfood juice which I sometimes drink for breakfast.

"Wow, that juice is expensive huh?" the cashier said.

At multiple grocery stores, I've had cashiers comment on my expensive purchases of, say, organic produce or in this case slightly overpriced spinach/fruit juice.

Now if I was a smoker, would the person cashing me out have said, "Wow, this carton is expensive huh?" Of course not. Yet for some reason, when I buy something healthy, I get comments.

I know we are in hard economic times and my $6 gallon of juice may seem frivolous but why? My food and drink are an investment in my health. Why would someone, especially a stranger, share with me that they think it's expensive? 

Has this ever happened to you? And if so, have you noticed others stating opinions your purchases more lately?

On a related note, I found a recipe to make Odwalla juice at home for a third of the price. Hmph

Fashion Forward Friday: Fondue Makes For Cheap Easy Entertainment

Every Friday, I tackle an affordable idea of fashion or style in a fun segment I call Fashion Forward Friday.

My buddy Ally got me a present a few years ago for Christmas: a teeny fondue pot heated by one of those tea lights. It probably cost under $15 but it was really thoughtful and an awesome thing to bring to any winter potluck situation.

1. Great way to clean out the cupboards of randomness. Some chocolate or cheese and you’re in business. Here are a few things you can put on a platter and call your appetizer made!

For the chocolate: Any kind of berries, graham crackers, marshmallows (or my fave stale Peeps!), oranges, bananas, cookies, cheese cubes… anything that tastes good with chocolate. And here's a recipe

For the cheese: Bread (even overly crispy works), crackers, ham, vegetables … anything that tastes good with cheese. And here's a recipe

2. Novelty: One great thing about fondue is the odds are no one else is going to bring it. And what’s not to love about fire, melted cheese or chocolate, and eating things with weird long forks?
   
3. Easy: If you can cut stuff up and arrange it on a plate, you can fondue. Five minutes and you've got an appetizer ready to go!

There's some kind of French (maybe it's Quebecois?) tradition of having fondue for New Year's Eve but I think we should enjoy this seemingly chic but really frugal tradition more often.

(A quick look through my photo archives does not find a fondue pot in action but if any one of my friends has a picture of my pot in action, email it to me and I'll stick it in the post.)

Last Week's FFF: Finding Workable Vintage

Would You Accept Free Stuff In Exchange For Giving A Review?

I have a new client who is a local restaurant owner and while we were meeting today, he offered me a free sandwich. At first, I was going to turn him down and politely drink my coffee but sitting there for over an hour and smelling all the good smells, I broke down.

"The Italian Job" is a restaurant favorite that has got high quality salami, roasted red peppers, fresh baked bread trucked in from a Boston bakery...I know enough with the temptation, right? I said yes to a sandwich that was both free and looked fantastic.

And you know what? It was fantastic. It may be among the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life.

This got me thinking about doing something to get something free and how common this actually is. Zagats sends you a free guide for a review, bloggers get paid for posts (not me but some bloggers do it for extra income), and publishers and record companies send out free stuff to the press to review all the time.

Now I'm not getting paid to say I like this sandwich, but was getting a free sandwich going to taint my review? I'd like to think that I'm impartial, as I have said unfavorable things about some books that have been sent to me to review on this blog. Hmm...

What do you think: If you walked by a restaurant and they were offering a free sandwich for a review, would you take it? And when you did write the review, would you feel like you had to say something good about it since it was a "free"?

Too Cute Tuesday: The No-Knit Scarf

I always get ambitious about knitting but don't often finish my projects. The problem is that I'm not a good enough knitter to have consistent stitches but not a bad enough knitter to not attempt, which results in mediocre projects I never get excited about. So I have balls of yarn but don't want to knit with them.

Dorrie found this no-knit scarf courtesy of Martha so we gathered our unused yarn and gave it a shot.

Matierials
Yarn (Thicker yarn will make the project come out better but you can use two or three strands of thinner yarn together as well.)
Scissors

Cocktail of the Day: Lemontini (cocktail mix with vodka and water)

1. If you are in the market for good yarn, I hear that Vanna White not only turns the letters at Wheel of Fortune but actually has a line of not ugly yarn. I haven't yet verified this but the rumor is from a reliable source. Alternatively to buying, find two balls of yarn you've been meaning to use forever and head to Craft Central.

2. Cut 12 long lengths of the yarn you'll use. (I did two of my arm spans for easy measurement). Remember with knots that your scarf will end up shorter. The directions recommend making the strands 1 1/2 times longer then you want your finished scarf.

3. Square knot three strands together, leaving about 6 inches of fridge. Do this four times so that with the twelve strands you make four bundles. If you don't know how to do a square knot have a new friend show you how to do it. Feel smart for learning a knot. Eat jambalaya and ice cream as break.

4. Make cocktail since you no longer need to use sharp objects (ie scissors).

5. Now it's the knotting part! Tape down your ends (like you old school people used to do when you made friendship bracelets, or saftey pin if you prefer!) Tie the middle two bunches together in a square knot. Then tie the middle ones to each of the outside ones in square knots. Then go to the middle again. Repeat the pattern. (See the photos if you have no idea what I'm talking about—the green one is Dorrie's and the pink one is mine in case you are curious)

6. At the end cut the fringe on the side you are finishing to match the initial fringe. It may look a little odd in the pictures but as you can see with Sadie, it is really quite cute on!

  Aren't you crafty?

Shameless Promotion: The Avoiding Wrapping Christmas Gifts Edition

I've been done my Christmas shopping for over a week but the chore of wrapping still looms over me. The good news is there is plenty of fun things online to keep me nice and distracted!

32 Things You Can Do With Beer @ Men's Health
This link accidentally happened to me but whether you get stuck with a six pack of beer you don't like or just enjoy random information, some interesting reading.

A New Way To Make Money By Taking Online Surveys @ Sense to Save and Counting My Pennies
I always pass on via this blog ways to make extra money when I hear about them and, while I haven't done this program, I trust these ladies who have. It may be worth a look to make a little extra cash.

Good Wines At A Great Price @ GRS
Whether you are looking for a hostess gift or a Christmas toast, check out these tips to picking a good wine. Or do a Nicole standby with a Polka Dot Reisling or Bully Hill red.

Tips For Traveling This Holiday Season @ Intelligent Travel
If you are looking for last minute travel deals (or just ways not to get screwed over while traveling), there are some good ideas here. Me, I have one option to get where I need to go and that's driving. .. using tips for good gas mileage of course!

(And if you are traveling to a major city this holiday season, this blog also has an in-depth look at celebrating the holidays at places like Paris and New Orleans.)

An Economics Christmas Poem @ WSJ
A little nerdy but festive and applicable to current events. It's the WSJ, what do you expect?

Seven Lessons Learned Working Retail @ Wisebread
As you become a crazed shopper, remember not to take it out on your poor cashier. In my only retail experience, I just remember people being disappointed by my wrapping job (we offered free wrapping). I wanted wanting to say out loud "well, it is free, lady!" but instead smiling politely and rewrapping.

The Best and Worst of The Credit Card Industry @ Master Your Card
If you are thinking of shopping for a new credit card, like myself, check out this comprehensive list from Consumer Reports, compiled by this fantastic blog.

Christmas Gifts For Foodies @ Cheap Healthy Good
Food is always a good gift. Here is a guide to food and food prep gifts.

Wrapping Gifts Without Wrapping Paper @ Squawkfox
Hmm... maybe I can avoid wrapping all together...

Happy Saturday night to those of you who are having tons of fun or getting way more done then I'm avoiding!

Book Review: How To Read A French Fry

I received this book last summer as a gift and I really enjoy the premise. Written by Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times' food editor, the science behind food preparation is explained in a lively narrative.

Okay, I know that sounds really boring but it isn't. Let me give you an example.

When you cut an onion, you cut through the onion's vacuoles and their contents combine to form sulfonic acids (as in sulfur). This is what makes you cry when you're chopping an onion. Sweet onions like the Vidalia onions contain the same amount of vacuoles as regular onions but much less of the sulfuric compounds. You can make onions further sweeter by soaking them in water or rinsing them in vinegar (as they do in Mexico) to get rid of even more sulfuric compounds. And that's just two paragraphs of this book.

Other topics tackled include (of course) frying (using a little "old" oil gives food that golden look), gluten (the differing factor in many bread products), ripening (that fruit you bought is definitely still alive long after it's picked), and marinades (oily marinades and water-filled meat do not mix).

Clearly you can't sit down and read to this whole book without your brain exploding but reading parts of it will no doubt improve your food preparation techniques. A college professor of mine always said that chemists were the best cooks, organic chemists in particular. I think there is certainly something to be said for that.

But this book isn't just for the nerdy people who want to know what's happening to their food on a microscopic level. At the end of each chapter is a bulleted list of things to keep in mind when preparing certain kinds of food. (The book is divided into chapters by food type and/or preparation technique.) One step further than the helpful hints are the recipes at the end of each chapter. The recipes reflect the ideas of combining certain foods/flavors and certain preparation techniques to showcase the best aspects of the food, which most people don't know about, myself included.

So whether you enjoy a good narrative, some science and history knowledge, practical techniques to use in your kitchen, or good recipe, you will get something out of this book. I've been reading bits of it while standing by the kitchen counter, preparing dinner. (Apparently there's a lot of standing around waiting in my kitchen!) I think this book would make a great gift, for the holidays or even just a "thanks for cooking me Thanksgiving dinner" hostess gift.

Bon appétit!

Image: If this book fits in my kitchen, It can fit anywhere!

Too Cute Tuesday: Themed Wall Art

Moving into a new apartment, you find yourself doing all kinds of little things to customize your new location. Well, at least I do.

I have had this great set of square black frames for about a year now but finally putting them on a wall has may be more motivated to actually fill them. I don't longer have a printer at my disposal and the photographs I have are a little too small for the opening in the frame. I decided to do a temporary collage to make them pretty enough until I can get some photographs enlarged.

I took out my folder called "Stuff I Like" for some inspiration. A set of Jack Vettriano prints (from an old planner) and an Yves Saint Laurent quote (from a magazine) seem to go well together. A bottle of Polka Dot riesling and the party was officially underway.

Materials:
Pictures/quotes you like (if you don't have a file like this, start one. These come in handy for projects and inspiration in general)
A frame (A small frame will be less intimidating then a larger one, plus they're cheaper. My square frame cost around $12.)
Scissors
Poster putty

Cocktail of the day: a sweet Riesling from the grocery store called Polka Dot

1. Look through a pile of stuff you like and search for common theme. In my case, the Yves Saint Laurent quote "Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it." went perfectly with the vintage prints of women in dresses. No doubt some the things you like will lie along some theme usable to you.

2. Arrange the pictures face down in the opening of your frame. Hold them in place with some poster putty so they don't move around. (Poster party is that gum like substance that you can use to stick up posters, which you can buy at most craft stores. Heady stuff.).

3. Now hold up your frame and look at it. Are the photos straight? Does anything need to be trimmed? Put the frame down and make the adjustments necessary.

4. Now that you are done needing to cut straight, have some wine.

5. Repeat steps two and three as many times as necessary until you are happy with the results. For me, the third time was a charm.

6. Admire your work, knowing that you can wait a little bit longer to pony up for the photo reprints. And using putty makes your arrangement stay but not so permenantly.

Aren't you crafty!

Of Good Things (And Breakfasts) To Come

My arm is sore from a long week of work and stress and last night, I was so excited about my new place that I slept about four hours. Needless to say, I'm beat. Sadie and I just ate dinner and it's going to be a relaxing early night before a busy weekend. I'll probably pass out in the next hour or so.

While reading Jen's magazine Saveur this morning,I came across the following quote. Hope you like it too:

“"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.”

In hopes of exciting things. For all of us. Happy Friday!

Lobster Becomes Affordable: How Being Aware of Food Prices Pays Off

I've had every intention of starting my own price book for when I go grocery shopping (to help keep track of the lowest prices on items I buy regularly). Truth is, I haven't really needed one because I have a mind to remember trivial things like that. (I still remember my 7th grade boyfriend's phone number for God's sake!) When I'm trotting down that grocery aisle, I know what to grab.

While most food prices are getting higher, that is not the case across the board. For the past few weeks, lobster prices have gone super low. Prices got to around $2.75 a pound wholesale about a month ago and are remaining low. Don't get me wrong, the grocery stores are still selling them for way more then this but the wholesale price is ridiculously low. And lobstermen are really feeling the effects.

Lots of possible solutions to this problem are being discussed, with some people already cutting out the middle man and buying direct. Grocery stores and other distributors are being pressured to lower prices so hopefully that'll happen soon. Otherwise though for just a little more hassle, I can get myself some good cheap lobster and help out a local industry at the same time!

Despite current low prices, there is still the prevailing idea that lobster is a luxury food that normal people can't afford on a regular basis. Also, people only know of one way to cook lobster (boil and dip in butter) and therefore don't see it as really versatile. So while prices are low, the culture keeps people (at least many people I know) from buying them.

Since I normally don't follow waterfront news very closely, it's the fact that I knew $3 a pound was a good price for lobster that made me reevaluate my buying habits. While we may be in a recession, it appears prices for some things (like lobster) are going down.

Have you noticed a lower price phenomenon yourself due to your awareness of what prices usually are?

How to freeze lobster (it can last over six months)...
Some more information about getting involved in this cause...
Some yummy lobster recipes...

Too Cute Tuesday: Easy Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

I'm taking a break from my series on fashion basics because, well, it is Too Cute Tuesday and it does involve a craft and cocktail so why not?

Sure I'm preparing to fly across the country on Friday and sure, I had to work until 8 pm tonight but the article in Mother Earth News promised me 30 minute mozzarella. Sweet!

Materials:
1 gallon of milk
1 1/2 tsp citric acid dissolved in 1/4 cup cool water
1/4 tsp liquid rennet diluted in 1/4 cup cold water
1 to 2 tsp cheese salt (which is to say coarse grain, not iodized salt)
Rubber gloves (fresh ones! you are handling food)
thermometer that goes as low as 55 and as high as 175
Stainless steel pot
Slotted spoon

Here is the recipie at Mother Earth News for the Mozzarella. Print off the instructions there (and poke around their site for other DIY stuff if you are so inclined).

Cocktail: Kaluha and milk (embrace the ridiculous amount of milk you have!)

1. Citric acid and rennet (I got a vegeterian substitute) can be found at your local natural health food store. Rennet is in the cold section and citric acid is with the beer brewing supplies. (Clearly you can get milk and rubber gloves at your grocery store.)

2. Gather your supplies. Tell yourself you will be successful, despite the fact that you are working within narrow temperature ranges and are exhausted from your day. 

3. Take a sip of your drink. Remember to drink slowly because you need all your focus on the task at hand for the next thirty minutes.

4. Follow instructions, drink slow. Enjoy this quality time with milk products.

5. Your cheese is "best fresh" but "can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or so".

So was I successful? Sure was! The first go around, this ended up being 1 hour mozzarella but it was worth it! Yum!

Roasting A Chicken: More Bang For Your Buck

I love to cook. It's so fun to put forth energy towards a nice meal.

That said, there was a period in life where I ate roast chicken once a week. My dad loved it so my mom made it weekly. My sister and I, both totally sick of it, called a family meeting, requesting that roast chicken be served less frequently. (Looking back on it, that's a silly problem to have. My mom roasted chickens; most people now barely have time to cook a meal for thirty minutes let alone slave for hours over a nice meal for their families. I guess older age gives you perspective!)

So fast forward ten years to an adult more appreciative Nicole, cruising the grocery store on the weekly trip. A certain more carnivorous person in the household kept looking longingly at the meats while a certain more budget concious person let him know that I usually buy meat when it's under $2 a pound unless it's exceptional. Mr. Meat told me good luck on finding that!

Enter a organic whole chicken hanging out with its buddies on the bottom shelf: $1.99 a pound. Score!

So tonight I roasted, tomorrow it's going in enchilladas, the day after on a sandwich mixed with a few grapes, some almonds, and mayo. The bones will be saved for a soup stock, though I may accidently drop a few for the dog to much on.

3 meals, one stock, a dog snack, and $10 later, I see I (and my mom who went before me) made a good choice.

So give a roasted chicken a shot. It's not hard, I swear! And like laundry there is that enormous sense of accomplishment from the small amount of labor that involves taking something, shoving it in a machine, and waiting.

Welcome to the world of adulthood, and deliciousness.

Some additional articles of interest:
Read "Roast chicken, or how to pinch a penny til it screams" (with step by step how to)...
Read "Ten Things To Do With Chicken" at Wisebread for good recipes...

Eight Things You Can Do With A Ton Of Vegetables

Until now, I have had no time to photograph the harvest of my plantings. Here it is:

That's right, a solitary tomato. And not even a big one.

Fortunately, I have friends S and S who are much better at growing things then I ever will be. They gave me a big bag of vegetables two weeks ago and I've been eating them ever since. "We have too much!" they said, which got me to thinking, what are some things I could to with too many vegetables?

1. Donate to a food pantry. (Call ahead though to make sure your local food bank/pantry accepts produce though!)

2. Can. S and S of course are also master canners but they say novice canners should stay safe and can foods with high acidity. You don't want to accidentally poision yourself or people you feed your canned deliciousness too.

3. Freeze. There's a lot you can freeze, just check out that section of your supermarket. Recommended method: double bag, and then push all the air out.

4. Bake. Zucchini and eggplant make a fun lasagna. And of course anything with cheese in an oven is awesome.

5. Give away. Hungry friends or casual neighbors appreciate food gifts, especially healthy ones.

6. Take a tray of grilled vegetables to your next party. Seasonal, yes. Delicious, of course. Bonus: you can "accidentally" leave the leftovers with the hosts.

7. Juice or shake. V8 has proved you can make vegetables in juice not taste terrible. You can too but you'll need fruit to mask the vegetable-ness.

8. Barter. I would trade a home cooked meal for some yummy vegetables. I'm sure other people in your life feel the same. Trade extra food for chores and everyone is happy.

So whether you went crazy on the sale squash at the grocery store or you can actually grow lots of things without killing them, you've got options!

Too Cute Tuesday: Power Cooking

Though not a craft, food is one of those necessary things even a regular guy or gal needs to make. Planning and executing a cooking power hour is quick and easy and a little domestic sport I'm calling power cooking. It's like power walking, without the suburban mom stigma and the need to actually work out. Whoop here it is:

Materials:

All food needed (I made healthy lasagna, pasta and bean salad, salmon with roasted sweet potatoes, and chicken marsala)
Several pans: frying pan, wok, pot with lid, cookie sheet, casserole dish, stiring spoons
Cutting board
Good knife
Plastic wrap and aluminum foil (and/or food storage containers)
Apron or old clothes (no need to create laundry!)
Something interesting to listen to (in my case Fresh Air with Terri Gross)

White wine (optional)

1. Pick out the recipes you want to make. Choose two recipes that can be cooked on the stove and two that can be cooked in the oven. This way, you'll have enough space (and burners) for your project. Feel free to pick one recipe that requires assembly, like enchiladas or lasagna. Too many of these recipes and you'll feel like Lucy in the chocolate factory. (I had an abnormal obsession with Lucille Ball when I was twelve so if you don't get my joke, it's ok to move on and not feel like you're missing anything).

2. Get the food you need. Try to use ingredients you already have at home. Dig in your pantry and freezer for fun stuff you forgot about. (Yay! Flavor-ice!) And get clever with substitution: rather then buy a spice jar for one teaspoon od stuff, try a handy chart like this one.

3. Set up the prep station for the lasagna/other assembled food.

4. Pour yourself a crisp col glass of wine. You don't have time to make a cocktail tonight but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy a little liquid refreshment.

5. Preheat the oven and heat pans (water for pasta and fry pan with oil) at the same time. Heat from the oven will travel up and offset some energy use. Go planet!

6. While things are heating, chop all veggies, then chop meats. A different cutting board (or washing the cutting board after each meat) should be used when you change the meat. Sanity first!

7. Prepare dishes using a timeline like this one. Essentially, pay the most attention to anything on fire though a very close second priority is to get the lasagna into the oven ASAP so it can cook as your evening meal (since it takes 45 minutes to an hour to heat up and you're commiting to be in the kitchen anyway, you might as well eat it tonight).

8. During time you don't have any direct cooking to do, get your other kitchen chores done. Clean out the fridge, do some dishes, sip some wine and peruse your new magazine. Remember as long as something productive is happening (however passive) you can relax a little and still feel you are multi-tasking.

9. Eat your lasagna/baked dish preferably with family and/or friends. Let them tell you how wonderful you are and offer to do the dishes.

10. Let food cool before putting it in individual containers. To keep things freezer ready that can't go into a plastic bag, put plastic wrap then tin foil on top. Less freezer burn!

And cheers to you for making the bulk of your week's meals in one hour. You rock!

And now as promised yesterday my four recipes.

Healthy Lasagna
Lasagna noodles (if you can find whole wheat, awesome)
Pasta sauce
Ricotta cheese (skim)
1 lb spinach
1 lb ground turkey

Layer the following: Pasta sauce, noodles, ricotta, turkey, spinach. Repeat. On top layer, add a little more tomato sauce. Remember canned tomatoes have nutrients that fresh ones don't so it's good for you!

Chicken Masala
1 tsp cooking oil
1 chopped onion
1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
2 c. chicken broth
12 oz. frozen peas
Masala paste
Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Salt
*flour

Cook onion over low-medium heat for ten minutes (really brings out the flavor). Add chicken, cook several minutes. Add broth, paste (horray for condiments!) and peas. Simmer, add crazy salt to taste. Add a little flour to thicken the sauce if necessary.

Bean and Pasta Salad
Edamame or other bean deli salad
Pasta
stray veggies from around the house (cook them a little first though in the George Foreman grill to make 'em tender)

Cook pasta according to package directions (I always go one minute less then they tell me...I'm a rebel). Toss with bean salad. Add extra veggies to round it out (who doesn't have zucchini to get rid of?). You want a 1:1 mixture of beans and pasta.

Salmon with Roasted Sweet Potato
1 cut salmon (the size of a deck of cards is one serving)
brown sugar
Jane's crazy salt
ground ginger

1 big sweet potato
spray cooking oil

Coat the salmon in brown sugar, salt, and ginger. Put in fridge. I'll be nice and juicy when you cook it.

Cut up sweet potato and roast it in the oven (while something else is cooking ideally). You can reheat the potatoes when you are going to eat the salmon. (Twice baked potatoes are always better anyway.)

Sixty Minutes, Four Dinners, And A Clean Kitchen

From my mom making and freezing chicken pot pie and spaghetti sauce when we were kids to the drop in meal preparation business, people have been cooking food ahead of time for years. Recently, it's become popular to take this idea to a different level. Sense to Save, a personal finance blogger has been doing this for a couple weeks and I've been hearing about "Once A Month Cooking" around the internet a little more lately.

My problem with this is I don't want to eat the same thing over and over again. I want to eat different things all the time. Sure, I'll eat leftovers once or twice but I am not a person content to eat the same thing week in and week out.

I thought I would give myself a challenge tonight: make 4 meals in 60 minutes including cleanup. I made "healthy" lasagna, marinated salmon with roasted sweet potatoes, pasta and bean salad, and chicken masala. Here is a moment by moment recount of my power hour:

0:00: Put skillet on stove over medium heat with a little canola oil in it., put the wok on the stove over medium heat, chop one small onion.
0:02: Put chopped onion in skillet to brown, preheat oven to 400 F, begin chopping sweet potato into small pieces
0:04: Spray down cookie sheet with cooking spray, put potatoes on cookie sheet and place in the oven, stir onions, add ground turkey to skillet
0:05: Take out the ingredients for lasagna assembly
0:07: Stir turkey, begin assembling lasagna
0:10: While ground turkey cooks, dice three chicken breasts and add to onion on the stove
0:13: Finish lasagna in container one, put in oven for the night's dinner
0:14: Add Indian spice sauce to onion and chicken, add frozen peas for extra veggies
0:15: Make second lasagna for freezer. What else are you going to do with ricotta cheese?
0:20: Make marinade for salmon.
0:23: Over the burner still warm from cooking the ground turkey, boil water for pasta (salt and oil help the flavor).
0:25: Stir Indian food, do dishes while waiting for water to boil.
0:32: Place pasta in water, clean counters and workspace.
0:38: Drain water, coat pasta with bean salad from deli. Add extra corn and beans from the pantry to make it go further.
0:44: Put pasta and bean salad into tiny containers for work lunches this week.
0:45: Turn off heat on Indian food to allow it to thicken.
0:46: Dry dishes and do some more. If you are done, put away some laundry or pay some bills. Set the table too.
0:55: Lasagna is done. Take out of oven and turn oven off.

I saved my last five minutes for later in the evening when everything was cool. I put everything in small containers easy to reheat later.

I was surprised at the amount of downtime I did have. I didn't have to rush around the kitchen like an Iron Chef to get this one done. The key was to keep things fun, not get hung up about doing everything from scratch (premade Masala spices and pasta sauce are lifesavers), and to pick a day/night to do this when I have lots of energy.

Tomorrow I'll share my recipes and photos of my little Monday night of kitchen fun. In the meantime, anything you like to make in advance?

Image: Like Iron Chef host dude, I would have had time to eat an apple in the middle of all this. From http://blogs.menupages.com/

Five Ingredients Or Less With Meg Wolff

I met Meg Wolff while recruiting Maine bloggers for The Ellsworth American. She lives in the Portland area and has beaten cancer twice. She has done this by completely changing her lifestyle and outlook with a macrobiotic diet. What makes Meg wonderful besides the fact that she is a intelligent, articulate, and upbeat is the fact that she doesn't push the macrobiotic lifestyle in an aggressive way. She is an advocate but believes that everyone is capable of making healthy meaningful changes to their lives. I asked her a few questions about eating healthy on a budget. If you want to read more about Meg, you can check out her website and also her blog.

How much is your grocery bill? Was this more or less than before you went macrobiotic?
My grocery bill? Well, let's just say that it is the my most important investment! That said, grocery bill isn't a whole lot more than when I ate a standard American diet, but what I buy now has paid out with long-term benefits. The best way to keep the cost down is to stay with the whole grains, beans and veggies, fruit and cut out junk and processed foods or limit them. A summer garden for veggies can be very economical.

I live in a remote location where it's hard to get fresh food, especially fresh organic food. What foods are easy to stock up on (and freeze or can)? What should I be able to find most places?
By local fruits and vegetables in season. Though not organic family farm usually use less pesticides than agribusinesses. Buy and freeze local blueberries.

What are five food items you think every kitchen should have in its pantry?
Five pantry items? That's easy ... brown rice, any kind of dried bean, good quality sea salt, tea (I like twig tea), some kind of a good quality pickle. Of course I could add more.

Of course, there is not only making bad choices on what to eat but how it's prepared (example: french fries). What's one bad food preparation habit that really gets your goat?
Not too many habits that get my goat as I ignore things like French fries, but it does bug me all the marketing of junk and fatty foods with the epidemic of childhood obesity, diabetes and cancer rates soaring.

What are some ways you sneak in nutrients into meals and snacks?
I don't sneak in nutrients anymore. Everyone in my family now love nutritious whole foods, but I recently saw Jessica Seinfeld on Oprah and she has a book out that looks great if you want to take this approach with kids. Her book is called deceptively delicious. Personally I think the key is limiting the "junk" brought into the house. If it isn't available, you don't eat it. That's what I've found.

What's your favorite recipe that's filling, nutritious, delicious, and cheap (preferably something with five or less ingredients)?
Please see the recipe below ... I think it fits the bill! But, you might serve it on brown rice instead of polenta (corn) to keep economical!

SWEET & SOUR KIDNEY BEANS
2 cups dry kidney beans, soaked overnight or all day (Forget to soak them? Fresh is best, but occasionally canned is OK.)
Spring or filtered tap water
1/3 cup apple butter (I use Eden brand which contains only apples & apple concentrate, no added sugar)
1/4 cup grain mustard (I use Annie's Organic brand, which is gluten-free)
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
A postage size piece of kombu

Wash and soak two cups of kidney beans overnight (or at least 6-8 hours). Discard soaking water and refill to cover beans by approximately one inch. Add the kombu. Bring the pot to a boil on a high flame, turn to low flame, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

If adding optional onion, add it at to the pot this time. Add sea salt, apple butter and mustard. Simmer for 10 more minutes.

Garnish with parsley or cilantro. Serves 4-6.

Optional: Cut 1 onion into quarters and added to beans while cooking, or ... for a bit of added oil ... saute in 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding to beans.

You can read more great healthy eating ideas at Meg's blog.

SWEET & SOUR KIDNEY BEANS
2 cups dry kidney beans, soaked overnight or all day (Forget to soak them? Fresh is best, but occasionally canned is OK.)
Spring or filtered tap water
1/3 cup apple butter (I use Eden brand which contains only apples & apple concentrate, no added sugar)
1/4 cup grain mustard (I use Annie's Organic brand, which is gluten-free)
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
A postage size piece of kombu

Wash and soak two cups of kidney beans overnight (or at least 6-8 hours). Discard soaking water and refill to cover beans by approximately one inch. Add the kombu. Bring the pot to a boil on a high flame, turn to low flame, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

If adding optional onion, add it at to the pot this time. Add sea salt, apple butter and mustard. Simmer for 10 more minutes.

Garnish with parsley or cilantro. Serves 4-6.

Optional: Cut 1 onion into quarters and added to beans while cooking, or ... for a bit of added oil ... saute in 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding to beans.

SWEET & SOUR KIDNEY BEANS
2 cups dry kidney beans, soaked overnight or all day (Forget to soak them? Fresh is best, but occasionally canned is OK.)
Spring or filtered tap water
1/3 cup apple butter (I use Eden brand which contains only apples & apple concentrate, no added sugar)
1/4 cup grain mustard (I use Annie's Organic brand, which is gluten-free)
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
A postage size piece of kombu

Wash and soak two cups of kidney beans overnight (or at least 6-8 hours). Discard soaking water and refill to cover beans by approximately one inch. Add the kombu. Bring the pot to a boil on a high flame, turn to low flame, cover and simmer for 1 hour.

If adding optional onion, add it at to the pot this time. Add sea salt, apple butter and mustard. Simmer for 10 more minutes.

Garnish with parsley or cilantro. Serves 4-6.

Optional: Cut 1 onion into quarters and added to beans while cooking, or ... for a bit of added oil ... saute in 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding to beans.

Red And White White: Two Reasons To Not Be Blue

Maybe it's the fact that it's Wednesday, which is my longest-feeling day at work (when my coworker and I copy and paste the entire newspaper online). Maybe it's that I felt awful all day yesterday and actually took a sick day. In any case, this afternoon as I write, I'm thinking of wine.

I don't know much about wine but I have drank my fair bit (see yesterday's post). Wine is a good thing to have around. It's a cheap hostess gift and a great thing to instantly step up dinner, whether friends stop by or you just want to make that work night lasagna dinner a little special.

I've got two recommendations: a red and a white. Both retail for under $10 and are great wines. People have commented on their wonderfulness when I've served them and I've fearlessly brought both to dinner parties full of wine aficionados.

Red Wine
Bully Hill: Love My Goat

The story as I heard it goes that this family vineyard was sold to a big coorporation and a family member went off to start his own wine company. When he couldn't take the logo with him, the Bully Hill one was developed. A fun loving logo and a cheap price holds a great wine at a great price as a big "heck with you" to the big corporation. Here's what I was able to find online (From LennThompson).

"The Taylor family was one of the original wine producing families of the Finger Lakes. The Taylor Wine Company grew from a small 19th-Century family operation into a 20th-Century wine bohemeth. After being acquired by the Coca-Cola company in the 1970s, the Taylor brand was sold to Seagrams in the 1980s. Taylor is one of the major brand names that was conglomerated into the infamous Constellation Brands based in Canandaigua. The Taylor name currently adorns the bottles of wines that originate mostly in California.

After Coca-Cola's public takeover in the 1970s, legacy operator Walter Taylor was let go from the company and replaced by corporate management. Walter founded his own winery, Bully Hill, on one of his family's original vineyard sites on the eastern shore of Keuka Lake... Coca-Cola sued Bully Hill in its early years which helped to help boost sales and name recognition."

It a sweet enough wine for most everyone to at least like it and wine-y enough to not seem at all it's cheap $5-7 price tag. Plus, it's a wine celebrating sticking it to the man!!! I mean, what could be better?

To order wines or learn more, check them out online or in upstate New York.

White or Rose Wine
Big House

I know less about the Big House story but I have tried the white and pink blends.

We bought them for the cute label (Sean liked the jail reference; I liked the artistic rendering). They are crisp wines, a little sweet and great for summer.

A little more pricey then Bully Hill, you may have to look around for this one to be under ten dollars. (Where I shop, the price has gone up and down but has definitely been at $10 or less).

So cork open some special occasion in a bottle, knowing you don't have to spend a bundle to treat yourself.

Oh and if you want to see one of the funniest video podcasts ever, click here. Hint: it's about wine but I promise you won't be bored.

Cheers to the midweek!

Images from www.wine.com

A Moment of Zen In The Breakroom

Most days, I need a little afternoon pick-me-up. I don't mean necessarily caffeine so much as an excuse to leave the cubicle for a few moments. It gives me a chance to soak in some natural light and give my eyes a break from the computer screen, not to mention a moment to center myself...

Because I am now forgoing my coffee shop coffee, I have brought the experience to the breakroom. Since I now don't have to go anywhere to get my gourmet cup of happiness, that means I have more time to go for a quick walk down the street or even just peruse Better Homes And Gardens (I'm not sure who stocks the breakroom with magazines but I'm grateful!)

The french press that an old employee has left behind is nice though don't worry if you don't have such luck as to stumble upon one. The small Bodum three cup French press we have in there costs only about $20 (three European cups means one big 12 oz in America, land of the supersize).

My bag of coffee that I buy once every three months is $10. I know I've previously endorsed Rock City Coffee Jet blend and I'll keep endorsing it! I keep the coffee, Coffeemate powder, some cocoa powder, and some sugar safely in my cube (probably about $10 of coffee accessories total).

So for about $40, I have coffee for three months and more time in my afternoon break to enjoy the things I truly love: sitting in the quiet of the afternoon and perusing a magazine with pretty pictures. Not sure how Zen it really is but it sure relaxes me!

Anything tricks you have to make that work stress just fade in the middle of the day?

Ten Things You Need In Your Kitchen (Besides A Good Cook)

I spend a lot of time thinking about food. I think it's because I feel like buying food is more necessary then buying other products. It's consumable and nourishes my body in a way a sweater can't.

I do a lot of my own cooking to save money and eat healthier.

Saving Money
The average price for a home cooked meal ranges but I doubt that it is more then your $10+ entree at a restuarant. My average cost per meal comes out to $2 a serving. And I eat very well, in the healthy sense and in the amount sense!

Healthier Meal
If you cook something, you have control of what goes in it. How much salt did the restaurant put into your soup? How much butter in those cookies from your favorite dessert place? You probably don't want to know. You can also do things when you cook like sneak in fiber and vegetables to your unsuspecting victims. (Evil laugh here)

Ok so I've convinced you to at least attempt cooking at home, even at least some of the time. Excellent! Here are ten cooking implements I would recommend having, whether you are just beginning to build your kitchen or a seasoned pro.

Crepe Pan
A light non-stick pan that goes beyond making that wonderful little french dish. You can use it like a frying pan, but its lightness makes it easy to make something a little more delicate like an omelet. Buy a good quality one; I've had mine for over six years. (Average cost: $100)

George Foreman Grill
If you eat meat with any regularity, this makes it easy and healthy (no oil). Also great for grilling crispy tofu and eggplant. Oh, and you can think of it as a panini machine, just add butter to the outside of your bread and *perfection*. (Average cost: $25-$80- depending on size and brand)

Wok
For stirfrys but you can also boil water in it for pasta. Get one with a lid, and don't bother with nonstick surface. The real Chinese cooks use metal. (Average cost: $10)

A Strainer, with a fine mesh
For draining pasta, rinsing sushi rice, and making apple sauce. You can also use it like a sifter! (Average cost: $5-$10)

A Knife
A good knife makes chopping fresh vegetables or cutting open packages that much easier. Check a place like TJ Maxx; you can get a discount on one good quality knife. (Average cost: $15-$25)

Cutting Board
Goes with the knife, keeps you dishes and counter from getting damaged. (Average cost: $3)

A Spatula
Get stuff off a non-stick pan, cutting and serving. It's one of those things you only miss when you don't have it, though I can't think of a really compelling use for it at the moment. (Average cost: $5)

Pan (For the Oven)
A glass or ceramic deeper dish will not only make deserts like brownies and pies but you can make layered dishes like lasagna. Sure it makes a bizarre-shaped lasagna, but you don't need to buy a bunch of oven pans this way. (Average cost $15-$40)

Cookie Sheet
For making cookies, pizza, and roasting swiss chard. (Average cost $2)

Rice Cooker
A versatile appliance for busy people who want to eat well? A rice cooker. (From GenX Finance) It steams, it cooks rice, it can brown onions. The nonstick surface and low temperature make it perfect for cooking rice but also soups would be perfect in here. (Average cost: $25-$80- depending on size and brand)

Obviously, you can build up your kitchen over time. Start out with the thing that excites you the most and go from there.

So do you agree with my list? Anything you'd take off or you think I'm forgetting?

 

 

Are Coupons All They're Cut Out For?

First of all, my apologies for the corniness of the title. Even though I usually skirt the edges of corniness, today I just dove right in. Somehow, I just thought "coupon update" was too boring.

I decided a photo would help me summarize my coupon experience so far. Voila.

That's right, my zen experience of coupon cutting has since been trumped by a few facts: 1) the stuff that has a coupon is stuff I never buy (mostly brand name products and prepackaged food) and 2) the whole waiting-for-things-to-be-a-low-price-before-using-the-coupon strategy seems to lead to a lot of crumbling expired coupons into my purse. A few lessons:

Coupon websites will only get you far if you are a certain kind of buyer.

If you do buy a lot of packaged foods or brand name products , here are some sites where you can print coupons:
www.coupons.com
www.smartsource.com
www.coolsavings.com
www.printable-coupons.blogspot.com
www.wow-coupons.com
To be fair, I did find a coupon for Sean's contact lens solution and a coupon for Benefiber that saved us a combined $2. Sean also has a bizarre fascination with the smell of Tide so I'm keeping the Tide coupon in reserve. That was about it.

In-paper coupons seem better in both quality and useability in your area.

My combined coupon savings from coupons I've physically clipped from fliers have saved me much more money (about $6) then searching and printing off of online websites.

Usually there is a reason they are giving a coupon for a product.

As far as deals went, I found the lower unit price was often on a generic product or on a similar version of the product not on sale. The coupon sounded like a good deal...until you had to buy in major bulk (do I need 3 Tide-to-go pens ever?) or try some new gimmick-y product (that cereal that comes pre-poured into a bowl just seems lazy to me!).

That said, there is plenty of useful information online.

Freebielist (free samples by product type)
A great system for keeping track of mail-in rebates (from Sense to Save).
Eating healthy with coupons (from Cheap Healthy Good)

And add these two blogs to your RSS reader:
Money Saving Mom (she breaks down the sales flier for you for the best deals)
Spending Less 101 (how I saved $8 on my senior dog's expensive food)

If you buy online, see my buy online guide. It'll change your life.

Summary: While I'm not cheerleader-excited about coupons, I'm going to only spend my time going for the ones I like.

I'm going to check online coupon sites only monthly; stay subscribed to the coupon blogs above; and read my grocery and drug store fliers religiously. Saving money on food is certainly worth a little effort but only if it pays off.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Personal Finance.

My First Visit To Trader Joe's

When I lived on Vinalhaven, I discovered Trader Joe's. No, there was no store on the island but my house was stocked: condiments, pasta, spices... all with this brand name on them. I later found out my landlord's wife worked for the company. He told me to eat/use whatever I wanted in the house (I was going to be living there full time for a few years) so I did. First the marinated peppers and then the whole grain pasta... by the time I left, there was a little salt and pepper left but that was about it.  

Trader Joe's was good but felt very unattainable to me. Primarily, it's a city thing (and not online because they want to be your neighborhood store). Since it is a larger city thing, there are none in Maine. I didn't think I'd ever get to one. 

Well that all changed today folks. I'm in Boston for the weekend and since I brought my car this time, I helped my buddy Ally go grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. 

First of all, the tropical theme kind of struck me. "Are they all like this?" I asked. It seemed to put the pizazz back in grocery shopping. Then I started looking through the aisles.

I went to pay and the price was very reasonable. For example, the Emergence-C I usually buy at my local natural food store is normally around $15. At Trader Joe's, it was $8. Luna Bars that are normally $1.25 at the natural food store were $.99. Trader Joe's doesn't use coupons of have sales; according to the website, they just try to buy direct, keep corporate costs low, and sell perishables when they are in season. The result is that I looked at the prices and in addition to seeing a low unit price, nutritional information was prominently featured. Cheap and good, just how I like my food. 

In addition to having some staples that I always need (like a Vitamin C beverage), Trader Joe's seems like a good place to go if you need some fun appetizer to bring to a party. Thai lemon spiced cashews definitely went in my cart and perhaps if you throw a party and invite me, I'll bring them!

So I was happy to help out a friend and have my first Trader Joe's experience. I would have liked to get more frozen stuff to bring home but next time, I guess I'll have to bring a cooler. 

Are you similarly in awe and admiration of Trader Joe's?

Having Way Too Much Fun With Food

The following guest post was written by Randy Devost, my high school penpal and good dear friend. He lives in Quebec, where he lives a cool French and artistic existence. You can email him at randy.devost at gmail.com.

My General Philosophy on Food: I believe most Americans live on a “snacking” diet. Instead of trying to change that by starving ourselves with bland vegetables, “diet” products, and the absence of food, we ought to indulge in healthier snacks! Certain drinks and foods, along with a rigorous weekly exercise of one’s choice, can improve our health enormously.

·        Make your own Italian Sodas! Buying a case of Schweppes brand soda water and adding Torani syrups is an economic and healthy way to enjoy a gourmet soda.

·        For the brave and experimental: mixing teas with floral water, large tapioca pearls, juices, sugars, yogurts, gelatins, milk, spices, etc. (I inspire from Pearl Milk Tea and Lassi drinks.) The goal is to make the most exotic and intoxicating non-alcoholic drink possible.

·        I learned this one from my Mexican friends—a bag of apples with Tajin fruit seasoning is a great way to spice up the ordinary!

·        Forage for your food! Referring to traditional Native American gastronomy is often helpful. (Here’s a list I came up with for us Mainers. We should grow the list as big as possible!)

o       Clams

o       Perrywinkles

o       Mussels

o       Sea Urchin

o       Blueberries

o       Strawberries

o       Dandylion greens

o       Hazlenuts

o       Beach nuts

o       Choke cherries

o       Wild apples

o       Mushrooms

o       Fiddleheads

o       Raspberries

o       Blackberries

o       Wild spices

·        Snacking on toast is cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Depending on the “bread and spread” you use, it can be relatively healthier, and less costly, than a slice of cake or a bowl of ice cream. Here are some spreads I’ve enjoyed over the years:

 

SWEET: butter & Nutella, Peanut butter & fluff, Peanut butter & mollases, Tahini & honey, Butter & cinnamon sugar,

SAVORY: Vegemite, Creton, Hummus,Veggie patés, Cheese-Whiz, Brie or Camembert cheese

·        Popcorn doesn’t have to be boring or bland! I prefer popping popcorn using the classic air popper or even in a pan on a stove. Here are some of my favorite toppings:

 

o       Grated parmesan cheese

o       Lawry’s brand season salt

o       Chili powder

o       Jalapeno oil

o       Sesame oil

o       Black pepper

o       Cayenne

o       Sugar

 

Got any snacks to share? Do tell!

Some Updates On Projects

Project: The Zen And Art On Coupon Clipping
Time Elapsed: Two Weeks

So far, I'm a little discouraged on this project. I find that I haven't been able to use a lot of the coupons I've clipped. Often, it seems the store brand still beats my name brand coupon. My last shopping trip I saved...$2.38 with coupons. My Grocery Game savings the same trip were around $10, and I don't really have to do anything for that except print off the list and pay $5 a month. (and hey, saving me $10 in an average week means that it pays for itself and then some for sure). I'll keep clipping coupons though and give this a solid month to trial to see if it's worth my time

The one exception to coupon discouragement is the $8 Hills Science Diet Dogfood I got from Spending Less 101. That website points you to coupons you can get online. I waited until the food was on sale ($5 off this week) and I saved $14 on my finicky dog's healthy food: $17 of food will now last at least two months for her.

Project: How To Get Rid Of Carpet Odors
Time Elapsed: Two months

Thanks to everyone who participated in this, including Debt Free Revolution and Bouncing Betty who suggested Odoban from Home Depot. As the daughter of a small hardware store owner, I hate HD but I went to get this product. $8 and only about 1/8 of the bottle later, smell is gone. Completely.

Project: Blogroll Update
Time Elapsed: Too Long!

I finally updated my blogroll with new (well, not so much new as new to me) blogs that I read all the time.

Personal finance-y blogs: Being Frugal, Cheap Healthy Good, Debt Free Revolution, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, My Small Cents, Northern Cheapskate, Spending Less 101, and The Baglady.

Other great blogs: Intelligent Travel, Shorpy, Hoarded Ordinaries, and Satellite Sisters.

If I haven't added your blog or website yet and I clearly read it and comment on it all the time, let me know!

There I got all those updates done like I've been meaning to! Whew! Now anxiously awaiting five o'clock for the weekend to start... Happy Friday!

The Zen And Art Of Coupon Clipping

There are some things we admittedly can't do much about. Gas prices and high taxes are two such things (though I suppose you could convert your car to biodiesel or work under the table but both those things require too much effort for me).

I've been looking for ways to further trim my budget, which is actually quite lean. I have made it a goal though of cutting off $50 a month from my $250 a month grocery bill (that's for two people).

There are a few tips related to grocery shopping that I seem to keep hearing over and over in my research and from talking to people: make a price book and cut coupons.

Price Book
If you look at your grocery list, you are probably buying the same things most every week. A price book is just a book you bring with you to the grocery store and write down the lowest prices you pay per item. This way, when you are shopping and wondering whether something is a good price or not, you can consult a reference specific to where you live and shop. I think I have one of these in my head but I really should formalize it. I may be surprised.

Coupons
Yes, I have been using the Grocery Game for a few months now and it is quite helpful but I really want to step up my game (plus it's $5 a month, I mean, can I do this myself?). I've also used coupons off their website to go with the sales. The idea with coupons is 1) that you wait until something is on sale and use a coupon to buy it and 2) you buy nonperishable things while they are on sale so as to "stockpile" them.

And here's an article if you want to get really serious about the coupons (From The Digerati Life).

Since I haven't given coupon cutting the chance it deserves, I went out on Sunday and bought the weekend paper for $1.50. I then proceeded to cut the coupons from it (probably at least $20 worth). I listened to the radio and had a coffee. I found myself quite relaxed after! I even took a photo to illustrate the experience.

So my financial goal is to reduce my grocery bill by $50 a month using a price book, coupons, and The Grocery Game.

Wish me luck and do feel free to share your own coupon cutting tips and tricks.

Will A Recession Make Us Fatter Or Skinnier?

So the economy is in stagflation mode, not recession mode as of yesterday (Debt Free Revolution). Food prices are soaring and are expected to be inflated for at least two more years (CNN Money). What I want to know is does recession make people fatter or skinner?

You'd think that having less money available would mean less food available, which would make America as a whole skinner. (Interestingly enough, car's are actually lightening up these days. Ford introduced it's car that lost sixty pounds to gain some gas mileage (CNN Money). Maybe if we lost weight on our bodies that sit in our cars, we'd also get better gas mileage?)

In short, recession should slim us all down. There is, however, much more evidence that a recession/stagflation will make us all a little porkier. The Simple Dollar delves into how recession triggers poor food (and other) buying decisions while Sense to Save has reviewed a cookbook born out of a phenomenon: The 99 Cent Only Store Cookbook.

Also in a nation of comfort food, where people are depressed about the economy and watching more television (the most accessible "free" entertainment), it seems we are headed towards getting fatter.

What can we do? In short, shop smart and cook more. If you are totally not excited about cooking or don't know where to start, this is a great post for you. And if you want to know how and why this food crisis is happening (and what you can do), check out this great post at Cheap Healthy Good.

In short, the recession will only make you fatter if you let it. Start cooking and thinking ahead about food purchases and you should stay your healthy self.

Other posts at Breaking Even, Inc. that may be of interest:
A Look At Extreme Grocery Shopping
The Grocery Game Review
A Week In Food (good healthy meals for less than $10 per dish)

Headed Back To College...

Use Those Networking Opportunities At Your College

When I went to college, I just concentrated on getting through the semester. I fell asleep while studying my chemistry book (talk about sleep lines!) and took what I thought were challenging and interesting classes. I worked as a lifeguard in my hometown in the summers to make book and fun money for the year. I had a couple small campus jobs to supplement the "fun money". My parents paid for my college and told me my job was to study and get the best grades possible. So I did. I thought I was pretty motivated at that point in my life, until yesterday.

I sat in a room yesterday with fifty to sixty students who gave up one day of their weekend to network with alumni. They had taken summer internships relative to what they wanted to do. They took notes, nodded at what you were saying seeming genuinely interested. They asked thoughtful questions. They knew going in that they might not get job offers; they just wanted to meet us. Five years ago, I wouldn't have been in that room. But I was there yesterday.

BATEScene was set up by Bate's Office of Career Services. I got invited because I have a creative career, both in my "day job" and with this blog. I was part of small group discussions but at the beginning when everyone was listening, we had to give our names, our job titles/companies, and one piece of advice we would give people about to graduate. The good news is I had a two and a half hour drive to think about this.

My friend Michaela always tells me she admires how I always "put myself out there" and I thought about that a lot yesterday. I didn't realize that other people didn't do that. I looked back on how I got a newspaper job, how I met my boyfriend online, how I got someone to publish my first article. No matter how awful the date was or who told me it was too hard to get published, I kept going. When it got to be my turn to speak, I knew what to say.

I encouraged them to internalize what they wanted and tell everyone they knew. I want people to visit this blog for example. It's in my email signature. I published the address to it in my company newsletter. I tell people upon meeting them about it. "Coca Cola didn't become a household name but sending a couple emails then hanging out in its dorm room. Coca Cola told you that it was Coca Cola over and over again until you believed it." I thought this may have been too corny but a few people chuckled. I guess I am a little corny. But persistance pays off.

On the personal finance front, questions of money came up indirectly. In a small group discussion, I encouraged students to start a savings account beginning with their first job. (They were very concerned with liking their first job and how long they should stay at it.) I told them that they should save even $20, whatever they could afford, and have it automatically taken out. I told them that if they ever felt like they wanted to leave their job (or even were faced with a financially difficult situation) that having that cushion would make them feel so much better. "Plus I mean $20. That's lunch. You'll just buy something stupid with it and be happy for five minutes." I kick myself for not starting saving at my last job, which was higher paying than my current one. But what can you do except tell people open to hearing it who are about to enter the same part of their lives.

I not only met some great students but also other people in related fields. I networked, I ate in the new dining hall, I saw my friend Sarah (who got me involved in this). If your college does any networking event like this, whether you are a student or an alum, it's very worthwhile to go. Networking may get you your next job, allow for a travel opportunity, or even get one more person to read your blog. You may also just get to meet interesting people and have a free lunch. You may even be able to help someone out.

My college's networking event was well worth the five hours of driving. And how many things can you say that about?

Image from www.woodworthassociates.com   

In Praise Of Edamame Salad

I make most everything from scratch but I do go to the deli for one thing.

Last night, my usual deli woman was already reaching for it as I walked up to the counter.

"One pound edamame salad." She clearly already knew and smiled.

"You know, I've been telling people about you." she said "I tell people there is this woman who always gets this, says it's a good source of protein. And then they buy it."

I had no idea I had such sway at the grocery store.

So edamame salad from the Hannaford deli is my secret. When I get home, I sometimes add black beans or corn to increase the volume. I like that it's filled with protein and keeps me eating low on the food chain. In a Google search, I saw it listed as a South Beach diet and a Mediterranean food so it much be pretty nutritious.

I found a recipe that looks a lot like it here if you don't have a deli in your area that makes it. Eat it alone, eat it with pasta or rice... all I can say is yum. I can also promise that you won't feel hungry an hour later after eating some of this. Did I mention I've lost 10 pounds on my quest toward weight loss? Clearly, I am a person to be listened to when it comes to deli salads.

So check your local deli for edamame salad. Tell Heather I sent you!

Photo: Edamame salad plays a supporting role to pasta and cherry tomatoes in this quick supper. Add grated parm or some spinach for a walk on the wild side.   

A Look At Extreme Grocery Shopping

People Are Going To New Lengths To Save Cash On Food- Are You?

So whether it's the fact that every major news media is talking about the price of food going up (whether it's pizza or groceries in general) or just the fact that I've plateaued on my journey towards weight loss, I've had food on the brain lately. Apparently, I am not alone.

The Simple Dollar has posted an "Ode To The Inexpensive Bean", which is clearly a powerfood in a lot of ways. Heck, you can even make brownies with them.

Costco CEO James Sinegal gave some compelling answers about why he doesn't just raise the price of ketchup and why he pays his workers an average of $18.15/hour. (from SmartMoney)

And now the part where we finally get to the extreme grocery shopping part. (And no, it's not a sport like extreme ironing but thank you for allowing me the occasion to mention extreme ironing.) Extreme grocery shopping is beyond my Grocery Game experiment. It is severely cutting back on any sort of grocery budget, almost to an art form. Give Me Back My Five Bucks does a great job of spending little on food for example. 

Sense to Save had a great video she posted this week, especially entertaining to me since I don't have television. See the Ultimate Cheapskate (only food less than $1/pound) and Coupon Mom (self explanatory) battle it out here (originally on the Today Show).

Even The New York Times tackled dollar stores as grocery stores this week.

Then, of course, there is talk of buying groceries in bulk at warehouse stores or online which a woman in my adult ed class told me about. (I have an experiment I've set up testing which options are cheaper for a later post, which is taking some time to craft due to the amount of data gathering required.)

In other words, we're all paying too much for food. It's best to eat less and be careful how you do spend your money, good advice in any economy I suppose. While The Glittering Eye finds it difficult but doable to live on $1 a meal, I'm wondering how other people (like you) are dealing with rising food prices. Do share!

Image: Rice salad, made with avocado, corn, tomato, and white rice in a vinagrette was a staple in my old dinner club, and great with crepes (and fairly economical).   

Video of the Week: Eating Healthy On A Budget

Yes, you can eat well on a budget. Francis Wolff has just launched www.wholehabits.com, a vlog dedicated to healthy eating. (If his name is familliar, he's Meg Wolff's son.) This is one of his first videos. Check out the other videos and recipes on his site; they look yummy!   

Grocery Game Update: Week 3

Saving Money on Groceries

You may remember that I'm test driving what I think may be the most promising grocery money saving web site: The Grocery Game. The month trial for $1 did not motivate me to take any action and I decided that subscribing for two months for $10 was worth a shot.

I'll start out by saying there are some people who are alright with some change and people who are very much less so. I am fine with adjusting my shopping, my boyfriend is not.

We normally shop at Hannaford because my boyfriend prefers it and it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Of course, the Grocery Game goes with high-low grocery stores (which is I'm guessing a grocery store with normally higher prices which has great sales) meaning the GG goes with the local Shaws store.

My boyfriend sulks everytime we go into the store. I remind him that I'm trying to save us money. I have also turned it into an experiment for both his interest and my benefit. Here's what we're doing.

1) We only buy things in Shaws that are on Terry's List. We don't buy anything else there. We buy all other groceries at our usual store.
2) We track our grocery spending (and savings) over a month or two... then we decide if it's worth it.

First GG savings this month: $15
This month's grocery bill: $394
This month's dining out: $90
Total food spending: $484

Last month's grocery bill: $510
Last month's dining out bill:$64
Total food spending: $574

Previous month's groceries: $373
Previous month's dining out bill: $138
Total food spending: $511

So whether it is directly the GG membership or not, I'm saving money on food in my life. Of course if I eat out less, my grocery bill will go up, which is why I'm looking at total food spending. But it's also easy to see that I can cut back on food even more.

There are still a few more weeks on The Grocery Game until I come out with my findings (and perhaps a graph!) But just so you know, so far, so good. 

Photo: That's right, I make sushi (and in general a lovely meal most every night). Sean in turn buys me flowers on occasion.

Just When You Think You Have Nothing In Your Fridge...

Supercook to the rescue!

So I've been known for making meals on the fly with whatever I have in my house but now there is a web site that has systemized it, making me replaceable as a resourceful dinner chef.

Enter the available ingredients into the web site and it tells you what you can make. I just tried it with a mostly empty fridge, but apparently I can make Poertzelki and Portuguese Muffins. Who knew I was such a versatile cook? Thanks Get Rich Slowly and Supercook!

Two Project Updates

So for awhile now, I've had several projects going. Good for me (right?) but it probably left you wondering, "Hey, what ever happened to that?" I'd like to update you on a couple of fronts.

First of all, you may remember how I decided to become a total stagemom and use Sadie as a meal ticket. Well guess what?!? Cutestpetcontest has come through for us, at least so far... I'll keep you all posted as to Sadie's winnings. This may be come tease, as half the email is spent telling me how I could go about buying this book that Sadie is apparently in.

Secondly, remember my trying out of The Grocery Game web site? I finally stopped procrastinating last week (the weekly "Guess what you're missing" email from the company in my instance is actually kind of helpful). Sean and I did some of our shopping at "the other store" also known as Shaws since the Grocery Game does not price compare with Hannaford, where we normally shop. One trip saved us $10.91, more than paying for our month membership. (You can also try it for a month for $1.) I'll do this a few more weeks to let you know if it ends up being worth it or not. So far, I get it and I'm a total Grocery Game convert... plus they have coupons you can print off their site. We saved $1 on Sean's contact lens solution last week!

I'd love to compare these with other coupon sites. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? 

A Week In Food

When it comes to food, I am unwilling to compromise. I want to eat things that are good for me, meaning I don't want to eat things just because they are cheap.

I've had people tell me they spend $150 for two people per week at the grocery store. Sean and I spent $400ish last month on groceries and felt like we both overdid it. But how do we eat on so little money? Do I spend hours cooking everything from scratch every night? Back on Vinalhaven I did have that time, but am less inclined to now. Here's a week in food at our house (and a fairly typical one). You'll notice every meal includes vegetables and protein, doesn't have a lot of fat, and sounds pretty good, at least in my opinion:

Monday: Pizza
Dough: $1.50 (from a Portland company, a small splurge)
Salsa as tomato sauce: ¼ to ½ jar- $1.50
Feta and olives: ¼ pound from bulk containers at olive station- $2
Sausage: ½ package: $3
Sweet potato oven fries: $2 (for a bit of oil, salt, and two potatoes)
Meal Total: $10

Tuesday: Tofu Stirfry
1 block extra firm tofu: $4 (Nicole tip:cutting it small allows you to sneak it into the dish for those who think they are anti-tofu)
Oil for frying: $.50
Frozen stir fry veggies: $3
Oriental noodles: ½ package $0.50
Teriyaki sauce (several ounces): $1
Ginger (spice): $0.25
Garlic (a few cloves): $0.50
Meal Total: $9.75

Wednesday: Fish and salad
2 filets tilapia: $5
Seasonings: $0.50
1/2 pound Edamame salad from Hannaford Deli: $2.50
1 can corn: $0.50
1 can black beans: $0.50
1 c. ploye mix: $0.50
Meal Total: $9.50

Thursday: Instant Indian
1 package Indian Food Spices: $2
1 package mixed frozen veggies: $1.50
½ package frozen broccoli: $0.75
1 big pat of butter: $0.25
1 c. Jasmine rice: $0.50
½ jar coconut milk: $1
1 c. flour, some salt, and olive oil: $1 (for flatbread)
2 small chicken breasts: $3
Meal Total: $11

Friday: Tomato, Mozz. Salad and Sausage
2 tomatoes: $3
1 package mozzarella: $5
Balsamic vinaigrette, 4 tbsp: $0.50
Olive oil (a bit): $0.50
Sausage: ½ package: $3
Meal total: $12

Saturday: Crepes
2 c. flour: $2
1/4 c. sugar: $0.50
1/4 c. milk: $0.50
Eggs: $3
Salt and butter: $1
Peanut butter, jam, syrup, etc. to put on crepes: $2
Meal total: $9

Sunday: Leftovers!

For Two Lunches and Two Breakfasts, 5 times a week and snacks:
2 loaves of bread (we make sure to get the kind with no corn syrup): $4
Peanut butter (natural-1/2 jar): $1.50
Nutella (1/2 jar): $1.50
Honey (1/2 jar): $2
Rice crackers: $2 for a lot of them
Yogurts (6 Stonyfield Farms): $4
Mixed nuts: $5
3/4 lb natural turkey breast deli meat: $5
1/2 lb cheese: $3
Box of clementines/bag of apples/insert 5-8 pieces of fruit here: $6
Cereal: $3
Milk: $2
Bag of tortilla cips: $2
Total: $41

So for about $100, I've got almost all meals (weekend mornings usually involve a breakfast out) for two people covered. You'll also notice that there are remainders of items that carry into the next week, meaning that over the course of a month, we actually spend less than this in the average week.

For those who have asked, that's how I do it. So what's your favorite cheap and good meal secret? 

The Grocery Game

I'm all for coupons. They're a good idea and I have absolutely no problem taking the time to cut them out (or, as we have now entered the internet age, seek them out).

I've tried a few coupon sites. Coupons.com has coupons for things I never buy (but they're on my Google toolbar, you know, just in case). I have subscribed to CoolSavings.com  for free daily emails (just a warning is that it takes a little while to sign up since they make you go through about 5 screens before you're officially signed up). Couponchief.com has an RSS feed and coupons for major online and store retailers. Ultimatecoupons.com is for online retailers only. Basically, I want to save a couple bucks at the grocery store, etc. without having to think a lot. None of the above sites really deliver for me, so far anyway.

I've heard of The Grocery Game in sevaral magazines and, while it is a paid service, they have a try-four-weeks-for-$1 promotion so I couldn't resist. The site combs through the best deals and then tell you, based on your zip code, the deals at different stores. Of course, there is only one store for my area but I'm giving it a shot anyway. That and I'm subscribing to a Sunday paper. Will do a cost-benefit analysis for a future post.

In the meantime, anyone have some fool-proof coupon sites or sources?

I'm Offically Addicted...

My mom has been recieving Bon Appetit magazine and then either sending them or giving them to me for years now. Also, whenever people see a great recipe in a book or are thinking of getting rid of a cookbook, they ask me first.

I'm known as a lover or recipes and a bit of a cook (though not at all a baker as some friends are a little too quick to point out...though my cake with substitutions did work out in the end, anyway...). The problem then becomes a file folder of recipes I can't organize, let alone find to make. Plus piles of ripped out magazine pages just get to me.

While in my real life, I would love to go completely paperless and get rid of my three file boxes (which were whittled down from four last year), I realize I need to take this one step at a time. Organize one life area at a time, feel success in that, learn to maintain the organization, then move onto the next thing.

I stumbled upon this great recipe coraller via another blog which has great recipes in its own right. Tastebooks allow users to import recipes from Epicurious, Bon Appetit, and Gormet magazines as well as type up their own. You can then share them with other people and then choose recipes and assemble them into your own nice cookbook. If you want control over th design, you have it. The products look beautiful and, at only $35 each, they seem like they would make a great gift for any friend who likes to cook. The best part though is it's free to store and share recipes. And you know how much I like free, but never at the expense of nice. Tastebooks is no exception.

Now, I used to belong to an all female "dinner club" and if we had known about this site, I bet we would have shared a lot more recipes with each other! (My poor friend Ally was in charge of combining our recipes and formatting them into a book... and apparently, we are a hard bunch to extract recipes from!) So sign up and begin organizing and sharing your recipes with your friends and family.

Tis the season to cook up a storm and share good cheer!