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:

Vegetable	Herb/Spice
Artichokes	Parsley, bay leaves, coriander, paprika
Asparagus	Dill, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary
Beetroot	Pepper, coriander, thyme, dill, chives, ginger, cloves, sage
Broccoli	Garlic, marjoram, nutmeg
Brussels Sprouts	Rosemary, parsley, caraway, nutmeg, oregano, marjoram
Cabbage	Bay leaves, garlic, curry, marjoram, nutmeg, chives, parsley
Carrots	Parsley, basil, curry, chives, sage, thyme
Cauliflower	Basil, dill, mace, ginger, curry, nutmeg, oregano, coriander, mint
Courgette or zucchini	Garlic, basil, parsley, oregano
Cucumber	Rosemary, dill, mustard, pepper, basil, chives
Eggplant	Garlic, parsley, mint, sage, curry, basil, rosemary, oregano
Green beans	Garlic, basil, dill, nutmeg, pepper
Leeks	Mustard, parsley, dill, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, celery salt
Lettuce	Basil, chives, thyme, tarragon, dill, parsley
Mushrooms	Olives, ginger, cumin, parsley, thyme
Onions	Paprika, celery salt, pepper, coriander, basil, garlic, marjoram, sage
Peas	Tarragon, mint, parsley, nutmeg, sage, marjoram, basil
Potatoes	Garlic, nutmeg, paprika, pepper, rosemary, thyme
Silverbeet	Nutmeg, basil, coriander, sage, marjoram, bay leaves, garlic, rosemary
Tomatoes	Basil, 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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

$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!

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!

So Crisp! So Cheap! Micro Popcorn NOT in a paper bag!

You've probably seen on Pinterest the idea of popping corn in the microwave in a paper bag. I tried it, loved it for the most part. But the bag can tear open and it's wasteful.  So I thought I would try a regular microwave container and voila!

Fast, healthy and easy popcorn in minutes. And is is SO crisp and fresh. I use my Pampered Chef Micro Cooker but any plastic microwave container and lid will do!

I use 1/4 cup corn kernels.  (I buy the Store brand for 39 cents a bag and get about 20 bowls of popcorn NOT BAD!)

Important! Make sure you use a lid but I would recommend NOT attaching it.  For example, the micro cooker lid snaps on but I just lay it on without snapping, in case the popcorn overflows.

Cook for about 1 minute 45 seconds to 2 minutes or more, depending on your microwave.  Take out when popping slows.  I add a splash of melted butter, a dash of Parmesan and sprinkle of sea salt and pepper!

Note: You will more than likely have a good helping of unpopped kernels.  I save these and toss them out for the squirrels.  Or you can put them in a Ziploc baggie and put them in the freezer for a no mush ice pack for kiddies boo boos!

Less than $4 Halloween Door Decor

Scrapbook paper and clothes pins! Easy Peasy. Took 30 minutes to do.

6 pieces of 12x12 patterned paper ( I used 3 double sided!  Cost: $1.80!)
White glue (I like ULTIMATE GLUE but Elmers is fine too for $1)
Scissors
Salad sized plate
30 clothes pins ($1 for 36 at Dollar Tree)
Scrap yarn
Scrap Cardboard
Paper trimmer or ruler
Black Sharpie

 1. Take one sheet of patterned paper to use as the center.  Lay salad plate on paper, trace then cut (does not have to be perfect, pins will hide imperfections. repeat with cardboad

2. Glue paper circle to cardboard.

3. Attach pins to circle, simply clip on!

4. Measure length and width of pin.  Cut 6 measured strip of 5 different patterns.(30 strips total)

5. Spread glue thinly to first pin, lay paper strip on top and smooth.  Continue with other 4 patterns and then repeat patterns until all pins are covered.

6.  Hand cut 4 triangles for banner. Hand write EEK! or any other words you like. 

7. Glue yarn under 2 pins.  Attach each triangle with thin line of glue in back of each banner.

Hang with command strips or string ribbon or yarn from back with tape!

Chicken Pesto Alfredo Casserole - Freezer Meal

I love love love this casserole!  This is my first ever freezer meal creation and it is a HIT!  I would love to claim that I created this but I got it from my  Taste Of Home Freezer Cooking book.  I highly recommend it.

(photo courtesy of TASTE OF HOME)

For original recipe click HERE -TASTE OF HOME

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
• 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Italian cheese blend
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 1 jar (8.1 ounces) prepared pesto
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, milk and pesto. Drain pasta and add to chicken mixture; toss to coat.
• Transfer to two greased 8-in. square baking dishes. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil; sprinkle over casseroles.
• Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly.
• To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Nutritional Facts1-1/3 cups equals 612 calories, 30 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 111 mg cholesterol, 829 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 42 g protein.

Big Ole Juicy Meat Balls, I mean Meat MOUNDS

This is the easiest meatball recipe.  No rolling with your hands to make uneven meatballs, everyone comes out exactly the same size.  Because you use a cookie scoop they are not really meat'balls', more like meat'mounds'.  But they are BIG and juicy and full of flavor!

1 lb ground chuck (80% lean)

2 slices bread ( I use whole wheat)

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Worcesteshire sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small white onion diced

1 egg

Heat oven to 400°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. (If using a baking stone, no foil is needed.)

Pour milk into medium sized bowl. Tear bread into tiny pieces and add to milk, stirring to make sure each piece is covered.  Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes.  Drain any remaining milk.

In large bowl, mix all ingredients. Mixture will be very moist. Using a large cookie scoop, (2 tablespoon size) scoop balls of meat onto pan or stone. ( Should make 12-14 meatballs)

Bake uncovered 20- 25 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Add to spaghetti sauce, serve on a roll or eat them one by one!

Beach Vacations Meal Savings Without "Cooking"

One of the best things about vacation is relaxing.  That's the whole point - relax and have fun!  Add SAVE MONEY to that mantra and you will not only have a thrifty good time but a fatter wallet when you return home.

I know there are the tried and true I WILL EAT OUT ALL THE TIME vacationers. Epicureans, bachelors, people who don't cook, New Yorkers ;)  But you can still save and eat out at the same time WITHOUT having to dirty on pan. You don't have to "cook".  Pick on meal a day to eat out. Eat the rest of the meals at home.  Shop for or bring with you milk, sodas, cereal, oatmeal, snacks, chips, fruit, salad fixin's, bread, condiments, hot dogs, buns and lunch meats. You will only need the microwave for a few of these items.

One rule I have and encourage is to EAT AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS.   Why on Earth am I driving ten hours to the beach to eat at Applebee's or McDonald's?  It makes the eating out experience that much more special if you go local. Support the community you are putting your money into.  We have one breakfast place we look forward to every year and it tastes better than anything from that iHop could ever make.  

1. Spend the money on a great home or condo. Staying in for meals in the home you rent will be much more appealing if it has something special that you don't get at your own home. Think about what you need to make your vacation ideal.  A quiet neighborhood? A private pool? Ocean front view? A spa tub? Once you figure that out, be willing to spend more for that luxury. We spend more money than we used to on a rental home that fit our requirements.  We are at the beach. A fantastic OCEAN VIEW is on the top of our list!  We used to get houses that were 2 or 3 blocks back that had a smidge of a view but we ate out more.  We realized that bumping up the budget for our home completely heightens the entire beach experience and we stay in more to appreciate the thing we came to see...the ocean!

2.  Research the area you are heading to online.  Google the town name and "restaurants" to get a plethora of online beach websites and menu samples as soon as you decide where you are going. Find out which ones have KIDS EAT FREE or half price. Look for the restaurant on Facebook and LIKE them. Leave a comment about how much you are looking forward to coming there. Post the day before you leave that you will "see them next week." When you do show up, tell them you are a Facebook friend and enjoy the updates, you will at the very least win their hearts and get better service and may even get a discount for being so supportive. We have made great bonds with the restaurants of our favorite beach town by this simple LIKE theory.

3.  Eat out only for one meal each day.  We love to eat breakfast out so that's where a majority of our food budget goes to.  Lunch is also a great way to get good hearty local meals but are up to 50% off the dinner prices, with the same big portions.  Most vacation town restaurants have EARLY BIRD specials.  Eat early so you can go home and enjoy the sunsets.  Choose a restaurant that has some local flair and highlights the areas natural beauty.

4. Buffet all the way.  It's the obvious way to get the most fresh local variety for the least cost.  Paying $20-$30 per person may sound like a lot up front.  But think of the variety you get! A steak, a lobster tail, shrimp and crab all on one plate! Any ONE of those dishes would cost you $20-$30 at a regular restaurant. Many of these buffets offer free or low cost meals for kids as well.  Make sure you go on a day where you have a light breakfast and super light lunch!

5. Don't waste money on alcohol and sodas. Now for the tough love. Let's be honest, we all love a cocktail with dinner on vacation! But a simple glass of wine with appetizer easily turns into two or a beer with dinner turns into 3.  You can pay for a full bottle of wine or 12 pack of beer for everyone to enjoy at home for the same cost. Drinking at home makes safe sense too. Liquor your self up without having to drive anywhere. Get as loud as you want without a waitress booting your drunk buns out.

Everyone should be drinking water with eat out meals too.   A family of six that gets sodas and milk at a restaurant meal spends as much as a gallon of milk and a 12 pack of soda cans that lasts more than a few gulps. 

Now go make a no cook sandwich, sit on that deck and soak up some rays.

Simply Delish Garlicky Pasta with Toasty Breadcrumbs

Pasta is one of those NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR items.  Wait for it go on sale and load up.  Recently my grocery store had it on sale for buy 10 for 49cents.  And wouldn't you know that I had a 40 cents off coupon to go with them!  Ronzoni is famous for being free with coupons and sales!

This recipe is so easy and full of flavor

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh or dried bread crumbs
• (Want to save money on breadcrumbs? Check out my homemade breadcrumb recipe HERE)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3-6 garlic cloves, minced (depending on the level of vampire fighting breath you like)
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (optional)
•  
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Return pan to heat. Stir in breadcrumbs, and cook 6 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently.
• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, breadcrumbs, basil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper; toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Juiciest Ever 6 Minute Pork Chops

• Seriously. Juicy. Moist. Tender. Chock full of flavor. 6 Flippin' Minutes

• This is one of those things I had to learn how to cook. I never ever made pork chops because I always dried them out. Then my good Friend The Food Network taught me how to pan sautee a boneless chop. Buy these on sale or in the big ole family size and freeze them. I find my for as low as 99 cents a pound! 
• 
  
• Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4 boneless pork chops
• Salt & Black pepper
• 1/4 cup flour, on a plate or pie pan
• 
  
• Directions

Heat the butter and oil in a skillet over LOW heat. While the pan is heating, sprinkle the chops on both sides with salt and pepper, then dredge them in the flour.

A few minutes before cooking the chops, turn stove to MEDIUM HIGH. (That's number 8 for you new cooks.) When the butter stops foaming and just starts to brown, add chops to skillet. 

sizzle

THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL PART: Cook for 3 minutes.. Set your timer on this one.  Do not move them, do not peek on the other side, leave the poor little buggers alone! At 3 minutes buzzer turn chops. As soon as you turn that last chop over, immediately set your timer for 3 minutes.  Remove from pan and place on a plate tented with foil. LET THEM REST AT LEAST 5 MINUTES.  They will be a perfect golden juicy flavor bomb in your mouth!

Those Useless Bread Ends Become Tasty Breadcrumbs!

WHY ARE YOU PAYING FOR BREADCRUMBS?  

All it takes is a few simple steps to make your own. The BEST way is to save those annoying end pieces from your loaves of bread. Don't worry about mixing flavors, tossing in a few white pieces and wheat pieces are going to give your crumbs a tasty layer of flavor.  Start making a stash today.  Grab that end chunk, put it in a gallon size freezer bag, squeeze out as much of the air as possible, date it and store in the freezer. Or use any other freezer safe storage container. Add more end pieces as you come across them.

Bread Crumb Recipes

Ingredients:

4 slices bread, stale or lightly toasted. 

(Use any flavor bread you like! I use RYE, WHEAT and OATNUT too!)
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Fresh: 

Tear bread slices into small pieces. Process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. You can use these fresh crumbs for making meatballs, topping casseroles, or coating chicken. Store in a dated, airtight container for up to one year in the freezer.

Oven Toasted:
To make toasted breadcrumbs, spread fresh crumbs a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a 250° oven, stirring occasionally, until browned and dry, about 20-30 minutes.  Transfer dry crumbs into a bowl and cool.  When cooled add 1 Tblsp. olive oil and toss.  

At this point you can add any seasonings you might like.  Parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, or thyme are all wonderful choices. Also zing it up with crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of lemon juice. Store in an airtight container up to one month in pantry. (Make sure you date the container, you don't want a science experiment staring at you from the cabinet in 9 weeks.) Or store in a dated, airtight container for up to one year in the freezer.

Thrifty Pinterest Party! Stone Tile Coasters

This is probably one of the most pinned things on Pinterest, I see it all the time.  I have seen several pinners and several versions so I don't know who originality came up with it, but it wasn't me!  Best of all it it SUPER CHEAP!  We had a great time playing and of course EATING.  Try this at your next Pinterest Party.

Start with a set of natural stone bathroom tiles from a home improvement store.  The tiles are only $3.95 for a set of 9!

I love the texture and imperfections.~!

We used stamps and ink we already had on hand ( When I say WE I mean Aunt Nessie, our host) We used Technique Tuesday Clear stamps FANFARE. (Technique Tuesday is to stamping what bacon is to BLTs. LOVE them!)  We also used a Large alphabet stamp for the initials ( Sorry don't know which ones they were.)

Stamp to your hearts content with any color Staz-on ink ( MUST be Staz -on! Why? 'Cuz it STAYS ON)

 

Then seal the stamped tiles with minwax. 

DON'T FORGET~! Apply self stick felt circle to the bottom to avoid scratching the table surface. (Wouldn't that be a great gift? Coasters to save their table from water rings but they scratch the bejeebees out of your wood. Thanks friends)

No Cost and Low Cost ways to save hundreds on your Utilities

Little steps can make a big difference.  Try some of these easy tips to save BIG on those rotten utility bills!

Electric bill:

• FREE: AVOID DOING THE LAUNDRY AND COOKING: Got your attention didn't I? Here's the catch, add DURING THE DAY to that sentence.  Especially in summer months.  Using the Dryer and Oven can make your A/C work harder to keep those areas cool.  Stick clothes in the laundry first thing in the AM or after dinner.  Cooking meals in a slow cooker during the summer is a great way to save on both energy and A/C usage.
• FREE – Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.  Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them set at 120ºF. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding. However, if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater, it may require a water temperature within a range of 130ºF to 140ºF for optimum cleaning. Reducing your water temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.
• FREE:  Clean air filters monthly for central air and individual window or wall units. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.
• FREE: Unplug those chargers! Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy -- and generate heat -- as long as they're attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those gadgets into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.
• FREE:  Program the thermostat. Give the air conditioner a break during the work day. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average household s electric bill by $180 a year, according to Energy Star.
• $1 - Fluorescent bulbs – GET THEM AT THE DOLLAR STORE!!! - replacing even a couple at a time can help…a lot.

•  $15 – Get outlet insulators for the INSIDE of your house.  Install them on the walls that are backed up to the exterior wall to but on the exterior walls. You can get them at Lowe’s/Home Depot . Remove your faceplates for your switches and electrical outlets on your walls that are along the interior facing walls in your house. You would be surprised how much air comes through an outlet (not to mention spiders). Outlet Insulator
• $20 – Get a dryer vent brush – home improvement store. Not only can it be used for your dryer vent, but it will clean the coils on your refrigerator. The refrigerator is the #3 power consumer in the house, right under your HVAC and Hot Water Heater.

Water Bill:

• FREE – Fill a plastic drink bottle with water and put the full bottle in your toilet tank. It “fakes” your water tank out and it only takes half as much water to refill the tank.

• FREE – Turn the water pressure down in your bathroom sinks. You use less water because less pressure is applied.

• $20 – Wrap your hot water heater in a snuggly Hot Water Heater blanket from a home improvement store. (It looks like those old aluminum blankets we would all lay on in the sun in the 80's!).  Unless your water heater's storage tank already has a high R-value of insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation to it can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%. This will save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs. If you don't know your water heater tank's R-value, touch it. A tank that's warm to the touch needs additional insulation. Insulating your storage water heater tank is fairly simple and inexpensive, and it will pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $10–$20. Choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8. Some utilities sell them at low prices, offer rebates, and even install them at a low or no cost.Water Heater Blanket
• $60 – Hot Water Heater timers. Think about it being a light timer, but for your hot water heater. f you have an electric water heater, you can save energy by installing a timer that turns it off at night when you don't use hot water and/or during your utility's peak demand times. You can install a timer yourself. However, timers aren't as cost effective or useful on gas water heaters because of their pilot lights. Water Heater Timer

Thanks to my good friend and money muse Page for her contributions!

I pork butt, 3 meals...

 I like big butts and I cannot lie...

A 7+ pound pork shoulder for 99 cents a pound. Booyah!

This a great example of how freezer cooking doesn't have to take 10 hours in a kitchen.  I prepped 3 bags of slow cooker pork dinners in 20 minutes.  Easy breezy.

I trimmed the shoulder into thirds.  Then I simply added the pork, spices and veggies to freezer bags.  Marked with my trusty Sharpie and I am free from cooking for 3 nights of my choosing.

The recipes I bagged are:

Slow Cooker Pork Carnadas
Smoky BBQ pork Sandwiches (recipe coming soon!)
Creamy Ranch Pork Chops  (recipe coming soon!)

Simply remove them from the freezer ONE DAY before you want to use them.  Place in slow cooker the next day. Voila!  Dinner is served!