It's time to turn your clocks back one hour. Did you notice that extra hour of sleep? It will be so nice to have a little more light in the early morning.
When we move our clocks, its a good opportunity to change our smoke detector batteries. If you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, take this opportunity to change that battery as well.
This is also a good time to think about the placement of smoke detectors in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke detectors should be placed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
When you change your clocks, change your batteries. Then take some time to think about the layout of your home and how smoke detectors can best protect your family.
This post is linked to Tackle It Tuesday.
Free Ebook: Making Homemade Pizza
Penny Raine is offering her Pizza and Party Ebook for free. If you have ever thought about making homemade pizza, this book will inspire you.
This is more than just a recipe book. It is a book full of photographs that will answer all your questions about exactly how to make homemade pizza. For the free download, click here.
Only So Much Time in a Day: How I Streamlined My Shopping
So many deals, so little time. There was a time when I loved to go from store to store each week, picking up the best deals from each establishment. No more. There just isn't time.
But, being the bargain-loving shopper that I am, I am determined to get a good price on all that I purchase. How do I do it?
First, I shop at only a very few stores. While I love reading about the bargains to be had at the plethora of retail establishments out there, I do not have the time or the gasoline to be driving from place to place. For grocery shopping, I have one store. It's just down the street and has everything I need--just not always at the price I want to pay. The solution? Stock up sales and "shopping from the pantry".
I am able to get all the information I need about this week's sale (and if I'm lucky next week's sale too) online. If you live in my neck of the woods, you will want to know about I Heart Publix. But no matter where you live, you can get information about your store's sales online at Hot Coupon World. They have a forum for just about every chain on the planet.
When it comes to household items, I've been pleasantly surprised at the great deals to be had at my grocery store (using sale prices and coupons, of course). Again, you need to really stock up when there is a bargain so you aren't tempted to pay full price later. Recently, I was able to snag free toothpaste, free fabric softener and some really cheap laundry detergent.
Although I will, on very rare occasion, drive to Walmart (it's just not convenient), I have found that shopping online is sometimes more economical and much more efficient. I recently learned about a new site specializing in household goods. Just this past week, I was able to snag some great deals at Alice.com that rivaled the best prices I could find locally. You can see a run-down of the deals here.
When I can get my groceries just down the street and purchase other essentials online, that works for me!
Black Bean Salad with Tomato, Avocado and Lime Dressing
The is great served as a salsa with tortilla chips or on its own as a salad.
15 ounce can black beans
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, cored, seeded and minced
1 cup quartered cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 avocado, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
10 ounces frozen corn
Dressing:
juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving.
15 ounce can black beans
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, cored, seeded and minced
1 cup quartered cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 avocado, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
10 ounces frozen corn
Dressing:
juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving.
Menu Plan Monday
Here's what we will be having this week:Sunday: Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken, vegetables and rice
Monday: Fried rice using leftover chicken and vegetables
Tuesday: Winter Harvest Casserole
Wednesday: Pumpkin Soup and tossed salad
Thursday: Tacos, Black Bean Salad with Tomato, Avocado and Lime Dressing
Friday: Pizza/Halloween Party
See what others are having this week at Menu Plan Monday.
Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken
I prefer to use only the chicken breast in this recipe although I believe the original called for a whole chicken. The chicken cooks in a yummy sauce and is delicious served over jazmine rice.
Approx. 2 lbs. chicken breasts, skin removed
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Place chicken in slow cooker. In a small bowl mix remaining ingredients. Pour mixture over chicken.
I also add some vegetables, depending on what I have on hand. Today it was Yukon Gold potatoes and baby carrots.
Cook chicken on low 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Approx. 2 lbs. chicken breasts, skin removed
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Place chicken in slow cooker. In a small bowl mix remaining ingredients. Pour mixture over chicken.
I also add some vegetables, depending on what I have on hand. Today it was Yukon Gold potatoes and baby carrots.
Cook chicken on low 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Alice.com --My New Favorite Way to Shop
Alice.com is a relatively new website specializing in household products. While not all of their prices are rock-bottom, they do run some fantastic specials. And considering you don't have to run out to the store or clip a coupon, if you snag one of their bargains it's a really good deal.
Here are some of the great deals going on this week. Please note that there is a limit to the number of "clip free" coupons available so some deals may not be available when you log in.
Kotex Pantiliners $.41 per package after clip-free coupon
Schick Lightweight Razors for Sensitive Skin (5 count) $.29 after clip-free coupon
Bic Razors (12 count) $.97 after clip-free coupon
Bic Shavers for Men (10 count) $1.07 after clip-free coupon
Suave Shampoo and Conditioner $.60 after clip-free coupon
Please note that you are not able to view the best deals until after you have signed up (it's free) and are logged in. Once you are logged in you can click on the "50 Best Deals" or go to the tab marked "Other Ways to Shop" then click on "Shop the Best Deals".
Shipping is always free at Alice.com, however there is a 6 item minimum order (this minimum does not apply to your first order, you can order only one item the first time).
There is a limit to the number of clip-free coupons you may use per item (often the limit is one, for the Kotex pantiliner, it was two). However, if the product comes in different varieties (for example the Kotex pantiliners come in unscented, deodorant, long, etc) you can order each with a coupon.
After you have purchased $50 worth of products at Alice.com, you will receive a $10 credit to your account. All-in-all it's a really good deal!
Stay tuned for more great deals at Alice.com. As I mentioned, the really great bargains do go quickly but they are updated each week. I'll be posting more as they become available.
Analyzing Your Food Storage
No matter where you are in your food storage journey, you need to have an idea of exactly how long your storage will serve you when you need it. The easiest way to analyze your food storage is to use the free "Food Storage Analyzer" at the Emergency Essential website, BePrepared.com.
The first step is to enter information on the people for whom you are storing food. You enter the number of people, their gender and their age in order to get a clear idea of the nutrition and calorie requirements of your group.
You then enter information about the food you currently have stored. The site obviously has listed all of the products they sell, but they also have typical grocery store items you may have on hand. You can even add your own products to their lists.
Based on what you enter, the analyzer will estimate the length of time your storage will last you and will give an analysis of the nutrition level of the food. You will quickly see any gaps in your food storage plan. The analyzer will then help you to add to your food storage additional items that provide a more balanced food supply.
If you have ever wondered how long your food storage will really provide balanced nutrition for your family, try the food storage analyzer at BePrepared.com. The analyzer is free but the information is provides will be priceless should you face an emergency that requires the use of your stored food items.
The first step is to enter information on the people for whom you are storing food. You enter the number of people, their gender and their age in order to get a clear idea of the nutrition and calorie requirements of your group.
You then enter information about the food you currently have stored. The site obviously has listed all of the products they sell, but they also have typical grocery store items you may have on hand. You can even add your own products to their lists.
Based on what you enter, the analyzer will estimate the length of time your storage will last you and will give an analysis of the nutrition level of the food. You will quickly see any gaps in your food storage plan. The analyzer will then help you to add to your food storage additional items that provide a more balanced food supply.
If you have ever wondered how long your food storage will really provide balanced nutrition for your family, try the food storage analyzer at BePrepared.com. The analyzer is free but the information is provides will be priceless should you face an emergency that requires the use of your stored food items.
Winter Harvest Casserole
Thanks to a combination of sale prices and coupons, I was recently able to stock up on Polska Kielbasa. This is one of my favorite ways to prepare it--real comfort food!
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 teaspoon celery seed
3/4 cup chopped celery (optional)
2-3 tablespoons flour
1 cup beef broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
1 small head of cabbage, cut in chunks (about 4 cups)
3 medium carrots, cut in chunks (about 1 cup)
3 medium potatoes, cut in chunks (about 2 cups)
1 pound Polska Kielbasa, cut in 1 inch pieces
1 bay leaf
In a medium skillet, melt butter or margarine. Saute onion and celery until crisp-tender. Add celery seed. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
Gradually stir in broth until smooth. Add thyme and tabasco sauce. Mix well.
Arrange cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and Polska Kielbasa in a 3 quart casserole. Pour broth mixure over all. Add bay leaf. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
For more great recipes, visit The Ultimate Recipe Swap.
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 teaspoon celery seed
3/4 cup chopped celery (optional)
2-3 tablespoons flour
1 cup beef broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
1 small head of cabbage, cut in chunks (about 4 cups)
3 medium carrots, cut in chunks (about 1 cup)
3 medium potatoes, cut in chunks (about 2 cups)
1 pound Polska Kielbasa, cut in 1 inch pieces
1 bay leaf
In a medium skillet, melt butter or margarine. Saute onion and celery until crisp-tender. Add celery seed. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
Gradually stir in broth until smooth. Add thyme and tabasco sauce. Mix well.
Arrange cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and Polska Kielbasa in a 3 quart casserole. Pour broth mixure over all. Add bay leaf. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
For more great recipes, visit The Ultimate Recipe Swap.
Menu Plan Monday
Menu planning is one of the best ways to save on your food budget. So this week, I'm joining I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. Here's what we're having this week:
Sunday - Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Monday - Chicken Marbella and Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday - Fried Rice (Using leftover beef and vegetables)
Wednesday - Baked Salmon with Dilly Rice Blend and Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Pizza
Lunches - Greek Pasta Salad
Snacks - Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies
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