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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Veggie's Don't Have To Suck!


I am a recovering veggie hater. I grew up in a 7-11. no, I mean literally. My parents worked there and I went with them in the afternoons.  Not a lot of fresh produce in those stores in the late 70's. My toxic love affair with Cheezy Puffs began there. But there was a killer Elton John pinball machine and I became a DEFENDER champ.

I am a MOODY FOODIE. I love to eat especially if I'm having a (GASP!) emotions. That plan has not made my happy (shocking!)  So, I am seeing a dietitian and we are working on a plan that gets me to eat yummy comforting food and lose weight. Who knew good food could make you feel good about yourself?? Oh, wait, EVERYONE!

There is this little voice who tells me how I SHOULD be doing everything. A very judgey, perfect, macrobiotic, know it all, size zero gym lunk. Basically if Gwenyth Paltrow and Martha Stewart had a baby. I call her Prissy Perfect. Prissy says veggies are only worthy if they are organic, raw and make your soul weep for their flavorless health benefits.  Prissy is kind of an idiot.

Here are some tips that have helped me add tasty wholesome veggies to my food. I now look forward to my broccoli slaw eggs in the morning and wonder how I ever made it this far without roasted cauliflower in my tummy.

1. Chop til you drop.  Crush those suckers until they are so small, you will have no idea there is fiber filling earth grown goodness in your food.  I have one of those slap chops and its great to take out aggression on it. Sometimes I get my big Santoku knife and pretend I am a Food Network host and chop and slice my veggies while practicing my big square Giada smile. Prepackaged chopped veggies are awesome!  Trader Joe's has my favorite Brocooli Slaw and Shaved Brussels Sprouts. Diced sauteed green pepers and onions are the base for nearly every dinner I make.

2. Season with abandon. Prissy says salt and oil are bad for you. The fact is sodium in a bag a cheezy puffs and fried mushrooms are bad for you. A sprinkle of Kosher or Sea salt is heaven. One tablespoon of coconut or olive oil is heart healthy. I add real salt, course ground pepper, dried basil and ton of garlic to every dish. A pinch of nutmeg brings out sweetness. Experiment or try these on for size:

VegetableHerb/Spice
ArtichokesParsley, bay leaves, coriander, paprika
AsparagusDill, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary
BeetrootPepper, coriander, thyme, dill, chives, ginger, cloves, sage
BroccoliGarlic, marjoram, nutmeg
Brussels SproutsRosemary, parsley, caraway, nutmeg, oregano, marjoram
CabbageBay leaves, garlic, curry, marjoram, nutmeg, chives, parsley
CarrotsParsley, basil, curry, chives, sage, thyme
CauliflowerBasil, dill, mace, ginger, curry, nutmeg, oregano, coriander, mint
Courgette or zucchiniGarlic, basil, parsley, oregano
CucumberRosemary, dill, mustard, pepper, basil, chives
EggplantGarlic, parsley, mint, sage, curry, basil, rosemary, oregano
Green beansGarlic, basil, dill, nutmeg, pepper
LeeksMustard, parsley, dill, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, celery salt
LettuceBasil, chives, thyme, tarragon, dill, parsley
MushroomsOlives, ginger, cumin, parsley, thyme
OnionsPaprika, celery salt, pepper, coriander, basil, garlic, marjoram, sage
PeasTarragon, mint, parsley, nutmeg, sage, marjoram, basil
PotatoesGarlic, nutmeg, paprika, pepper, rosemary, thyme
SilverbeetNutmeg, basil, coriander, sage, marjoram, bay leaves, garlic, rosemary
TomatoesBasil, tarragon, garlic, chives, dill, mint, oregano, paprika, fennel, parsley, thyme

3. COOK THOSE SUCKERS!  I roast or saute nearly every veggie I eat, with the exception of salads. My dietitian tells me to calm down about fresh. I hate raw veggies and cooking them is not bad for them. Eating a roasted broccoli spear is waaaaay better than not eating it at all. I roast and saute in Trader Joe's Coconut Oil Spray until tender, almost mushy.

4. Turn them into noodles.  Yep, noodles. A julienne peeler can be your new best friend.  I take Zucchini and squash and julienne them into noodle shapes. Then I saute or even boil them for a few minutes. I add a Laughing Cow cheese wedge, garlic and basil, tsp of parmesan, and some diced chicken for chicken 'alfredo'. Amazingly comforting. Use a regular peeler to make eggplant noodles for lasagna or faux pappardelle.

5. Turn them into chips.  Kale, jicama, sweet potatoes, you name it. Generally I like softer veggies unless it's converted into a faux lay's chip. Great post with recipes here: Veggie Chip recipes from Hufpo

6. Frozen Veggies are A-OKAY. Prissy says frozen veggies lose nutrients and should be avoided.  Again, eating a veggie is GOOD no matter the form ( well, not covered in cheese sauce and a stick of butter) Chop them even smaller if you are like me and you not only save money and time, but calories! Click here for info on frozen veggies. The Health Benefits of Frozen Mixed Vegetables

7. Potatoes and carrots are veggies. This may sound obvious to you, but for years I avoided them because they are 'starchy'. But I like them. But Prissy tells me they are carbs and carbs are the enemy.  It's not until I talked to my dietitian that I began to see that POTATOES COME FROM THE EARTH AND THINGS FROM THE EARTH ARE WHOLESOME. Mind blown. Read here for benefits of our starchy faves. What Are the Benefits of Starchy Vegetables?

So I hope this helps you get onto the veggie train. Try one new veggie or process at a time! It's good for you and will make you feel good about yourself, and that, my friend, is the whole point!







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Monday, September 30, 2013

Spiced Potatoes and Chicken NINJA COOKING SYSTEM

I love my Ninja!  I want it to be so much more than a slow cooker, I want it for fast one pot meals.  So it's time to experiment.

Tonight I made Spiced Potatoes and Chicken with Asparagus

Total cook time 35 minutes


Potatoes:
3 lb bag  New potatoes ( I like Yukon Gold)
Olive Oil
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp Black pepper
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika ( regular is fine too)
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning

Chicken:
3 Frozen boneless chicken breasts (4 oz each, I like Perdue or Tyson)
1 tsp Poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup Fat free cream of chicken soup

6 spears frozen asparagus

Directions:
Quarter each new potato and place in Ninja. Drizzle with olive oil to coat.  Add salt, pepper smoked paprika, Old Bay seasoning and garlic powder to potatoes, stir.

TIP: I prefer to use un-seasoned frozen chicken breasts.  They are very cost effective when purchased from warehouse clubs and are so easy to use. They come out juicy and perfect every time! ALSO Spraying chicken with cooking spray allows your seasoning to 'stick' and lets you create any flavor you want!


Spray chicken with cooing spray.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.( I added more paprika because we are paprika people)  Lay Ninja tray right on top of potatoes. Turn Ninja to oven setting, 375 degrees. After 15 minutes, remove chicken tray and stir potatoes. replace tray and add 6 frozen asparagus spears and spread 1/2 cup undiluted chicken soup to the chicken.

Cook for 20 more minutes or until chicken reaches internal temp of 165 degrees. Potatoes come out with a nice crunch and are perfectly tender.









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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Free Printable " I Like to be a Free Spirit"

My blog is all about THRIFTINESS and what's more economical than FREE.  I made this printable for my new craft room.  I just adore Princess Diana and this is a great quote from her.  All I ask is that you do not take it and sell it on your Etsy site, that's just mean and stealing makes God cry. (5 years of Catholic education taught me the power of guilt!)

If you are savvy and just want to copy and Paste her is the picture:




Or try this Google docs link for the PDF

Free Printable from Google Docs - Free Spirit


Enjoy!

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Kid Room to Craft Room Make Over: The I HATE TO DO TRIM trick


"Oh I just love to paint, it's so relaxing!" 

If you have made this statement in your life, I don't think we can be friends ;)

I LOVE color!

I LOATHE painting.  I am NOT one of those meticulous gals.  I get bored in about 19 seconds and am a natural born messy messaroo.  The idea of taping and cutting in and dripping and cleaning rollers makes me crazy just thinking about it.

But then my good friend Google said she could help!  I found a video from a company called Shur Line.  Skeptically I watched, because everything is easy on ALL these company run training videos.  I went to Lowe's AND Home Depot.com and read reviews of the product.  Most were raves.  Everyone agreed that you need a bit of a learning curve and FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS, which frankly, I never do.  And it's a Thrifty $4.95!

But this time I did follow directions and I have to say WOW.  15 minutes to do the baseboard area of a room with relative little mess.  Do yourself a favor and watch the video first! ( No, I don't get money for this, I just really love this edger!) The video has an annoying twinge to it but hang it in there, the info is good.

Shur-Line How to Video

But be careful when you go shopping  They have two out there.  Get THIS one:

NOT this one. This one with white wheels has no levers to lift the edge guide and the pad falls off whenever it feels like it.  I used it before trust me.


So I got mine out and ready to roll.  I followed instructions to lift the edger levers then LET IT FLOAT.  Don't pounce, dip or smash. This was the learning curve.  But once you get it, you GET IT




Swish and swirl the excess in the pan 

Wipe on the sides of pan

This I did this myself.  I wiped the top edge with a baby wipe to make sure nothing was on the edge ends.  I did this each time and I believe made a HUGE difference.

ONE MINUTE to do that one wall!


The upper edging was a tad bit trickier.  I used a fancy paint extender ( aka BROOM HANDLE).  My ceiling has that popcorn texture so it was not as smooth as the baseboards.  But I have zero complaints and I usually and I champion whiner.  So 5 thrifty stars to this little fella!


So go ahead haters, paint away!

My trick to doing walls in my next post!  And watch for more updates for this kid room to craft room makeover!

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Thursday, June 6, 2013

A Thrifty Rose by Any Other Name...

Where has the time gone I started blogging to share ideas I have gathered from life experience and online for saving money.  Then life got in the way!

I am ready to restart my blog with a new name.I HATE THE THRIFTY ROSE moniker.  Must have been on Equate's version of Oxycodone when I thought it was a good name.

Any Ideas? I want to incorporate my own name ROSE with something that is fun and says I am about saving money!

I have some time this summer to add more projects and money savers so stay tuned!
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

$1 Store Halloween Wreath

Ahhh, the Dollar Tree. My mothership!  Here is a fast fun EASY wreath with everything from The Dollar Tree's 2012 Halloween collection


Supplies:
Pool Noodle
Duct Tape
Crepe streamer paper in orange and black ( 2 in a set)
2 bundles black roses
gift wrap tape

Take pool noodle and make a circle, attach clear or colored duct tape to ends.

 Wrap with orange streamer. Simple use tape to attach beginning and end pieces.


Cut black streamers into strips. Wrap around noodle using tape.



Cut flower stems about 2 inches from base of flowers and stick them into the noodle.  Remove a few spiders from the flowers and attach them to other areas of the wreath! Hang and admire your budgety talent!
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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Quick & Creamy Dreamy Stroganoff-ish Sauce

Hubby wanted meat balls and spaghetti sauce with dinner tonight. I had no tomato products in the house so I had to make something up.  So I flung together this Stroganoff-ish sauce. It was incredible!  I added my big ole meatballs, penne pasta and a thrifty meal was born.


Ingredients:

1 can fat free low sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon Sea or Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat on cook until heated through. Or if making with pasta simply add all ingredients to hot pasta pot and mix with pasta. Enjoy!


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