MEMORABLE MOVIE WEEK

Morning there guys and gals! How are you doing this morning? Its another hot and humid day here in Texas and I sit here sweating gallons in the early morning hours. But its ok, fall will be here before I know it and there will be a rebirth of spunk and vitality! LOL. So whatcha doing today? I got a tip for you today... never try cooking and eating frozen cheesesticks if you don't know how long they have been in the freezer LOL! You're tummy might not feel so great afterwards!

Alright folks, the New York Times is giving Frugal people, particularly men, a bad name! They are saying that it's not sexy, etc. I don't know about you, but I think I would find it a wee bit awesome if a man I was dating thought the same frugal thoughts I did! Do you agree? Check out this article and let me know what you think!

How to Be Frugal and Still Be Asked on Dates
The New York Times On Saturday August 21, 2010, 1:00 am EDT

Saving may be making a comeback, but it still hasn’t gotten its sexy back, particularly if you’re a man.

Earlier this month, the Commerce Department reported that the personal savings rate in June was a much-improved 6.4 percent and that the number had risen as high as 8.2 percent in the depths of the stock market doldrums in the spring of 2009.

Those who are single may not have been rewarded for their parsimony, though. Now comes some survey data from ING Direct, the people who would like you to save more money in their online savings accounts. In June, the company asked 1,000 people which words would come to mind if someone was fixing them up on a blind date with someone described as frugal.

Just 3.7 percent answered “sexy,” while 15 percent picked “boring” and 27 percent chose “stingy.”

Anyone who urges better money habits on the masses for a living ought to be gravely offended by this, though Ramit Sethi, author of “I Will Teach You to Be Rich,” tried to take it in stride. “The term frugality has been so perverted that it now means ‘No, no, no’ to everyone, whether it’s shoes or lattes or travel,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the right word.”

Yet it is a term that the online dating company eHarmony screens for in its patented compatibility test, asking people to rank themselves on a seven-point scale for frugality (along with things you would expect, like compassion and generosity).

“It makes sense, right?” asks Gian Gonzaga, 40, who has a doctorate in psychology and is eHarmony’s senior research director. “You look at the attractiveness angle, but farther down the road, money and finances are one of the biggest conflict areas couples traditionally face. And a lot of that comes down to having enough or not having enough.”

Well, maybe it makes sense and maybe it doesn’t. If your frugality has the potential to turn off nearly half of the mating pool, it raises a question: How best to broadcast your financial values and seek significant others who share your approach without coming off as a tightwad or a gold digger?

This challenge is a fairly recent one. Several generations back, personal ads could not have been more explicit about finances, since everyone knew that women generally had no income and a marriage involving a man of means was the only way to live comfortably.

This posting, from The New York Herald in 1860, was about par for the course, according to Pam Epstein, an adjunct professor at the Newark campus of Rutgers University, who wrote her history Ph.D. thesis on older ads. “A young lady, rather good looking, and of good address, desires the acquaintance of a gentleman of wealth (none other need apply), with a view to matrimony,” the ad read.

Ads from men from that period seemed custom-built to fit that bill. “The advertiser, a successful young business man of good education, polite manners and agreeable address, having recently amassed a fortune and safely invested the same, wishes to meet with a young lady or widow,” one said.

“There was this idea that men were very frugal,” said Ms. Epstein, 33, who posts copies of some of the ads she’s dug up at advertisingforlove.com. “You were going to work hard and save your money, and then by doing so, you would be able to support a wife in comfort. I do see a lot of ads saying ‘I’ve been wrapped up in business all this time and now I can support a wife comfortably.’ ”

Flash forward to today, however, and things get more complicated. Some people do put down an income range in their online dating profiles, though it’s not as if anyone is auditing the figures for honesty. Many men, meanwhile, pose peacocklike in front of their cars or boats or homes. The message here is less clear, though. Are these meant to be trophies, a sign of a fortune already amassed? Or is it the mark of a spendthrift? Or an indication that he’ll spend all of his time on the water, and you’d better be ready with the Dramamine if the relationship is going to work?
“There’s nothing admirable in frugality, because it’s invisible,” Ms. Epstein notes.
But even if you could transmit that value through an online dating profile, would you want to? It turns out that the answer to that may depend on whether you’re a man or a woman.

The ING Direct survey, which was conducted by phone and has a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, presented one more potential label for that frugal blind date: smart. And in a promising sign for the nation’s solvency, that was the term chosen most often, picked by 49 percent of respondents. EHarmony also crunched the numbers for me on 30 million matches it made in July and found that both men and women were 25 percent more likely to have a potential mate reach out to them if they identified themselves as a saver rather than a spender.

Curiously, however, 56 percent of men in the ING Direct survey gave “smart” as their favorite answer while just 42 percent of women did. (The numbers were similarly flipped on stingy: 33 percent of women labeled the potential mate that way, while just 20 percent of men did.)

What’s going on here? “My suspicion is that the value of frugality depends on whose money will presumably be spent,” said Reuben Strayer, 34, a physician in Manhattan who does not broadcast his profession or true income in online personals. He always pays for the first date and does not object to providing for a wife one day, he adds; he just doesn’t want to attract the kind of woman who is specifically looking for someone who will do so.

But even if many men still make more money than women and are wary of mates who would want them to spend it, they may not want to advertise it. “Frugality may or may not have anything to do with how much he loves you,” said BJ Gallagher, 61, an experienced online dater and author of several self-help books for women. “But for a lot of women, love looks like ‘Take care of me and give me things.’ ”

My jaw dropped listening to some of the dated stereotypes coming out of Ms. Gallagher’s mouth and I told her so. “I try not to get into right and wrong,” she replied. “I’m not a professional finger-wagger. I just hold a mirror to things. I’m descriptive, not prescriptive.” She said she’d been in relationships where she provided most of the income and had seen plenty of gay and lesbian couples where one mate provided the “masculine” energy that kept things in balance.
Fair enough, but what should you do if you want to communicate prudent financial values to a potential mate without dropping the unsexy F word?

Robert Epstein, a psychologist who has studied online dating, said he struggled with this during the seven years it took to produce a beta version of the relationship compatibility test now online at arewegoodtogether.com. He suggests that people who feel strongly about good money habits talk about how they love a great bargain.

Topher Burns, 27, a Manhattan resident who is about to move in with a man he met online, said he realized that he had it a bit easier than heterosexual men who might feel compelled to pay for dates all of the time. But he still took a subtle approach in his online profile by talking about how he loved discovering the newest cheap eats. It shows, he explained, both a love of quality and a respect for value, which seems like a fine message to send no matter who is picking up the check.

The trick, it seems, is to use such subtle codes, the same way people slip in mentions of their jogging habit rather than coming right out and saying that they’re not overweight. So rather than projecting frugality outright, try dropping a classic investing book like “A Random Walk Down Wall Street” by Burton G. Malkiel, into the list of things you’ve read recently, suggested Deborah H. Levenson, a financial planner with Braver Wealth Management in Newton, Mass. ,who recently became engaged to a man she met online.

“That might give someone a sense that you were a Vanguard investor,” she said. “I think Vanguard is sexy.”

All of that said, when reading these profiles, keep in mind that these are advertisements. They will stretch the truth or lie outright and may contain not just delusions of grandeur or wealth but ones of financial prudence, too.

You may be able to tease out any inconsistencies once you get to know a potential mate. But don’t ask about them directly. One thing that everyone I talked to this week agreed on was this: Frugality may or may not be sexy, but few people want to hear about your asset allocation on the first date.

Now if you have some new or soon-to-be mommies on your gift giving list this year, why not make them a neat and roomy diaper bag. Sturdy to handle lots of baby essentials and stylish enough (depending on your fabrics) to be "trendy" if ya know what I mean. This bag is a really long tutorial and it has great step-by-step photos and instructions to help any level crafter make this great bag!



Craft Idea of the Day: Diaper Bag or Tote Bag with center divider

Like the blog said, it was made by a mom who needed a diaper bag, but ya know, as long as you don't use baby fabrics, I think it would be a great tote bag for anyone. The center divider makes it wonderful to hold papers, books, or maybe one of those small notebooks or Ipads, while on the other side could hold makeup bags, wallet, you name it! I am a firm believer that most anything can have another purpose if you just think on it! So if you see something cute, before dismissing it, ask yourself if you can use it in any other way.

Alright folks, its time for another day of MEMORABLE MOVIE WEEK! Today is a classic pick called "The Godfather"! There are approximately 61 scenes in the film that feature people eating/drinking, or just food. "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli." is a super quote most people can identify with this movie. There is a scene where Clemenza is showing Michael how to make some gravy, because “you never know when you're gonna need to feed twenty guys”. Here is another famous transcript that even offers a "recipe" of sorts...

“Heh, come over here, kid, learn something. You never know, you might have to cook for twenty guys someday. You see, you start out with a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic. Then you throw in some tomatoes, tomato paste, you fry it; ya make sure it doesn't stick. You get it to a boil; you shove in all your sausage and your meatballs; heh?... And a little bit o' wine. An' a little bit o' sugar, and that's my trick.”

So now we are gonna make some of those famous dishes! For more great meals, grab some of your cannolis and rent "The Godfather". Eat & Enjoy!



"Spaghetti Sauce" from The Godfather

Anyone who is familiar with pasta will tell you that once cooked, pasta needs a sauce for flavouring. Otherwise, consuming what is essentially a paste of wheat flour and water tends to taste a little bland.

The following recipe for spaghetti sauce is one of the most famous, having been featured in the 1972 motion picture, The Godfather. It will yield enough sauce for 8-10 servings of pasta. Chefs may assign the resulting dish any of the following names:

Spaghetti Coppola (after the director of the film, Francis Ford Coppola)

Spaghetti Puzo (after the writer of the script, Mario Puzo)

Spaghetti Castellano (after the actor who explained how to cook the sauce, Richard S Castellano)

Spaghetti Coppolapuzo (after both the director and the writer)

Ingredients

2 14oz tins whole tomatoes or 12 Roma or plum tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped finely
2 small tins or 1 large tin tomato paste
1 teaspoon each basil and oregano (not seen in the movie, but useful nonetheless)
1lb/500g meat, either cooked sausages, sliced, or meatballs
2 tablespoons dry red table wine
1/4 cup sugar

Method

In a large pot or metal casserole dish, heat up the oil over medium heat and cook the garlic.

Add the tomatoes. Cook until soft.

Stir in the tomato paste, basil and oregano.

Add the meat. Stir until the meat is thoroughly coated.

Stir in the wine and sugar.

Reduce heat to low to medium-low and let simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Ladle over large bowls filled with cooked spaghetti, toss in each bowl and serve.
This is a basic sauce which lends itself to a variety of personal tastes. For example, some people prefer adding a tin of chopped anchovies along with the garlic, to add body. Others may use beefsteak tomatoes (which are rounder and more acidic than Romas) and either double the sugar or add a grated carrot to cut the sourness.



Homemade Cannoli

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons shortening
1 egg white
3/4 cup red wine
1 1/2 quarts oil for deep frying
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons chopped candied orange peel

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Blend in the shortening and egg white. Add the red wine one tablespoon at a time until the mixture forms a ball. Knead the dough enough to bring it together. Cover and let rest for half an hour.

Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Divide dough into 2 parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 4 inch long ovals. Place a cannoli tube onto the oval lengthwise and roll up with edges overlapping; seal with a dab of egg white.

Fry cannoli shells 2 or 3 at a time in the hot oil. When golden brown, remove from the oil to drain on paper towels. Remove tubes.

To make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and confectioners' sugar. Fold in the vanilla, chocolate chips and candied orange peel. Chill for at least half an hour before filling shells. Drain off any excess liquid. Fill cooled shells and smooth off the filling at the edges. Keep refrigerated until serving.

Ok kids that's it. I gotta get off here and tend to some business. Then maybe I can get some sewing in today. But whatever life finds you doing today, be safe, be smart, and above all... be frugal! HUGS!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Good morning and welcome to the Wonderful First Day of School! YAY! Listen... listen... can you hear it? That's right... the golden sound of SILENCE! OMG is it great or what?? I just got back from dropping the kids off at school and let me tell ya... I only see that mass quantity of smiling mommy faces on the first day of school LMAO! That makes the drive there and the drive back, so incredibly enjoyable even though it's atrociously humid LOL! Now some of you are probably thinking that I don't love my kids. That is further from the truth! I absolutely adore my children... even more so once I've had a break from them. I may be a mommy, but I still need a little "ME time"! It makes me appreciate them even more once they get home... miss them even LMAO! So refresh that cup o' joe and sit with me for a spell and enjoy the wonderful ramblings I like to call my life LOL!

Ok, so I ran across this article about being frugal the other day and I can so incredibly relate to it! I always try to pay my bills as much as possible but often found myself struggling to keep gas in the car, milk in the fridge, etc. So tips to kids everywhere LOL... being frugal also means being smart!

Living on What’s Left
by Terry Rigg

Are you one of those people that pay your bills no matter what? That is an admirable trait to have when managing your money. You made the bill and you feel you are responsible for paying it. Good for you.

Now let’s talk about how much money you have to cover your household expenses after you pay all of those bills. Your household expenses would include your groceries, car gas, school lunches, and all of the other stuff that it takes to run a household. Do you have enough to pay this bill?

All to often, people tend to pay their bills and try to live on what’s left. This never works unless you have enough money left to cover these at home expenses. The grocery bill will always run about the same, you will always need about the same money for gas, etc. In other words, you need enough to live on.

I have seen this time and time again. Another bill is made and the money comes out of the household budget because there is no money available in any other category. Then what happens?

Many people resort to using their credit cards to cover their regular expenses. Since there is no other money available to pay their increased credit card payments, that also has to come out of their household expenses. This is how many people find themselves in over their heads.

There is only one way to change this cycle. You have to allow enough money in your budget to cover the things you need. You must do this even at the expense of your other bills. That could put you in a position that you can’t make some of your payments, but at least you won’t be increasing your debt, except for possibly late fees. If this is your situation you need to seek help to reduce the payments on your other bills.

Naturally, there are many ways to cut your household expenses that will allow you to pay more toward your other bills. You can save a lot of money on groceries by using coupons, buying generic, not using processed foods, etc. The internet is full of ideas and tips to help you save. I would start by visiting The Frugal Shopper at http://www.thefrugalshopper.com.

When you develop or revise your budget, always put the emphasis on your household needs. Once you have determined how much you need to get by, then you can see what is left for other bills.

Terry Rigg is the author of Living Within Your Means – The Easy Way and editor of The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter and Budget Stretcher web site . He has 25 years of experience counseling individuals and families concerning their personal finances

Ok today's craft is another great idea from Elizabeth from Twelve Crafts til Christmas. She published this as a baby toy, which I think is a marvelous idea. But I think it can be multi-purposed. I can see making some of these, stuffing this even, and using it as a multi-gadget collector for... well ANYONE! I think I am gonna make one of these out of some pretty fabric and ribbons and on each of the ribbon loops you can attach something small and cute. Like one loop could have a trial size hand sanitizer (Bath & Body have some great ones and a rubber holder too for super cheap!), one could hold a ring of shopper's key cards (yes I am guilty of this too!), one loop could have a mini flashlight, etc. etc. etc. You get the idea. I think it would be a SUPER gift, especially if you attach the items to the Taggie! The site has great step-by-step photos to go along with the instructions, SEW here ya go LOL... enjoy!



Craft Idea of the Day: Monogram Taggie

Materials:
-fleece, soft fabric or flannel in contrasting or matching patterns/colors
-a variety of ribbons
-a baby link or toy hook

Directions:

1) Use Word, Publisher or whatever to pick a font, make a very large letter using the first letter of the baby's name (first or last name) print out and cut adding about 1/4 inch edge all the way around when cutting.

2) Place fabric wrongs sides together. Pin printed letter to fabric and cut out.

3) Cut strips of ribbon about four inches long. I used 14 ribbons total.

4) Fold ribbons in half and pin around the right side of the thicker of the two fabrics.

5) Place letters right sides together and pin.

6) Sew around outside of letter. If you are doing a letter with an opening in the center of the letter - like A, B, D, etc., don't sew the center openings and sew all around the outside leaving no opening for turning. If you are doing a letter like C, S, N, etc., leave a two inch whole for turning when sewing around the outside of the letter.

7) Unpin, clip corners and turn. I used the opening in the center of the A for turning.

8) Topstitch around outside of letter. If you are doing a C, S, N, etc without a center opening, fold in the turning hole which will be sewn shut in topstitching. If you are doing another letter with a center opening or two, continue to the next step.

9) Trim opening(s) with pinking shears. You could do this earlier, but I waited until this point because the fabric could shift in topstitching the outer edge. I wanted to make sure that the edges were fairly evenly matched in the center. After cutting with pinking shears, topstitch around opening(s).

10) Add a baby link and little toy. Personalized gift . . . done!

Ok, its time for some of our readers (and especially mine) favorite section... FOOD! Yes friends it's time to reveal the Frugal Mom's secret theme of the week which will inspire some culinary genious or guts LOL! You'll get facts and alot of tasty recipes to experiment with in this section. So are you ready?? This week's theme is MEMORABLE MOVIE WEEK! Yes folks, this week I am gonna bring you dishes made famous by some of the most memorable movies of this century. Cartoons to Cult Classics, I'll bring you lots of fun and adventure this week, that's for sure! Thousands of food references are made in the movies.... from a single dish that stands out in a famous scene, to the title of the movie, to the theme of the movie itself!

Today's movie I have picked is one that I used to do an impression of that would crack up my mother every time! FORREST GUMP is today's Monday Matinee Madness! Now everyone knows, whether you have actually seen the movie or not, that 2 things were made famous from this movie... A box of chocolates and SHRIMP! So guess what this Gulf Coast child has in store for you? Yep, a school of delectable crustaceans is swimming your way today! YUMM-A-LICIOUS! (LOL I actually had to stop for a sec and think what a group of shrimp was called LOL... you hear "school of fish" or "pod of whales" all the time... but never shrimp LOL!)

The truth is... All Shrimp Are Not The Same, each type or species of shrimp have their own characteristics as far as flavor, texture, cooking times and a best cooking method for them. You have Gulf Shrimp, Farm Raised Shrimp, Imported Shrimp and Coldwater. You have shrimp with brown, white and pink shells. There are even shrimp with strips on them called Tiger Shrimp and with over 300 species of Shrimp in the world I'm sure you can find many more shell colors and names given to shrimp. The flavor and texture of shrimp are influenced by the waters they come from or are raised in, plus from what they eat or are fed. Wild shrimp feed on seaweed and crustaceans which gives them a more enriched flavor and thicker shells. The ability to swim freely also makes the meat firmer.

Tiger Shrimp
Grown mainly in Asian Countries, (Black tiger shrimp are also caught wild) they get their name because of the black and gray strips on their shells in the raw state. You also have what is called a blue tiger which are a blue shade and have yellow feelers, still a species of black tigers. The reason for the blue shade is that the food they are fed does not contain iron. A cooked black tiger shrimp shell will turn bright red and the meat will be white with a red skin tone. The moisture content in them is much higher than white, brown or pink shrimp, so they will shrink more when cooking them. The flavor is very mild and the texture is less dense. To avoid the shrinking and making them tough, I have learned to slightly under cook them. Because of the mild flavor of tigers, they are best when you use them in a cooking method that adds flavor to them, like grilling or in recipes or dishes that would have a sauce.

Coldwater Shrimp
These shrimp are wild caught from the waters of Greenland, Norway, Iceland and from the coast waters of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Maine. Some common names for Coldwater shrimp are salad, pink, bay, tiny, cooked/peeled and baby. The shells are bright reddish-pink both in the raw and cooked state. The meat will be white with color tones from pale pink to a dark reddish-pink. Cold water shrimp are small ranging in size from 150 to 500 shrimp per pound. Almost all of them you will find will be cooked and peeled, they have a soft texture and a sweet taste to them.

Farm-Raised White Shrimp
Mexico, Ecuador, China and India produce the majority of the farm raised white shrimp to the U.S. Even though they are called white shrimp their shells are a light grayish-white and turn pink when cooked. The shell can be thinner than wild caught shrimp. Farm-Raised shrimp will have a milder flavor and sometimes a less firm meat texture, due to the environment they are raised in. A thinner shelled shrimp requires less cooking time, if cooking them in the shell.

So now that I have shared some interesting facts about shrimp, I am gonna share some super delish recipes... so EAT & ENJOY! (And remember the TRULY FRUGAL person will KEEP the heads and shells and make a stock out of it!)



New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Don’t break out your grill for this dish. In New Orleans, barbecued shrimp means sautéed shrimp in Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. These shrimp are served to patrons with heads and tails on, so you need to dig in to enjoy. I highly recommend a bib. They are famous for their barbecued shrimp, and with reason. The biggest trick to making this taste like theirs is to not hold back on the butter. The three sticks called for are enough to scare you into cholesterol shock, but are key to the flavor and consistency of the sauce. Another tip to keep in mind: to emulsify the sauce, be sure to add a little butter at a time while stirring rapidly. And don’t overcook the shrimp or they’ll become tough and hard to peel.

16 jumbo shrimp (12 per pound, about 1 1/2 pounds), with heads and unpeeled
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
French bread as accompaniment

In a large skillet combine shrimp, Worcestershire, lemon juice, black peppers, Creole seasoning, and garlic and cook over moderately high heat until shrimp turn pink, about 1 minute on each side. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in butter, a few cubes at a time, stirring constantly and adding more only when butter is melted. Remove skillet from heat. Place shrimp in a bowl and pour sauce over top. Serve with French bread for dipping.



Dilled Shrimp (Rejer)

(A wonderful Danish dish tradtionally served during the holidays. No Scandinavian buffet is complete without these!)

Ingredients

2 quarts water
1/8 cup coarse salt
1/3 cup white sugar
5 sprigs dill
2 pounds medium shrimp, with shells (or you can used UNcooked, peeled and deveined but tails on shrimp from your local fish monger)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced dill
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Bring water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add salt, sugar, and dill sprigs; stir until sugar has dissolved. Pour in shrimp and cook until the shells turn pink, and the meat is no longer translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Strain the shrimp through a colander, discard dill sprigs, and chill until cold in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes.

Once shrimp have cooled, peel and devein them; discard the shells. Whisk together oil, vinegar, minced dill, salt, and pepper; toss with shrimp meat to coat. Cover, and chill overnight in the refrigerator; serve with sprigs of fresh dill.



Shrimp and Mushroom Linguini with Creamy Cheese Herb Sauce

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package linguini pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup pasta water
1 pound cooked shrimp

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguini, and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender. Transfer to a plate.

In the same pan, melt 1/2 cup butter with the minced garlic. Stir in the cream cheese, breaking it up with a spoon as it melts. Stir in the parsley and basil.

Simmer for 5 minutes. Mix in milk, wine, and water until sauce is smooth. Stir in cooked shrimp and mushrooms, and heat through.

Toss linguini with shrimp sauce, and serve.



Fried Butterflied Shrimp

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined and butterflied
1 cup water or beer
3/4 cups cornstarch
2 eggs
1/4 cup fine corn meal
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
Salt, pepper, and granulated garlic to taste
5 cups oil for deep frying

Directions

Preheat deep fryer or skillet with oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, pour in water and mix in cornstarch and eggs. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Dip the shrimp into the mixture allowing them to be completely coated. Then roll the shrimp in the breadcrumbs. Coat the shrimp well with the breadcrumbs.

Drop shrimp, one at a time, into the hot oil and cook shrimp until they are golden brown.



Seafood Stuffed Avocados

Ingredients

1/2 cup flaked cooked crabmeat
1/2 cup cooked small shrimp
2 tablespoons peeled and diced cucumber
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch paprika
1 avocado

Directions

In a bowl, mix the crab, shrimp, cucumber, mayonnaise, and parsley. Season with salt, and pepper. Cover, and chill until serving.
Slice the avocados lengthwise, and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh of the avocado, leaving about 1/2 inch on the peel. Dice up the avocado meat and add to the seafood mixture.Spoon the seafood mixture into the hollowed centers of the avocado halves. Sprinkle the tops with paprika.

Ok kids, thats it. I am off of here to go dance me a jig and sing Joy to the World for the next 7 hours LOL! Actually I have alot of fun and adventure planned for today, so I hope that you have a super duper cool Monday like I am going to have! Be safe, Be smart, and Be frugal! Until tomorrow... HUGS!

PLAYPENS & PICKLING

Well a big HI there and hello this Tuesday morning! How are you doing today? I'm good... a bit tired but once I shake the cobwebs out, it will be ok LOL. I have lots of things planned today so I have to get motivated somewhat quick like LOL! I got a couple of freecycles to pick up this morning and some errands to run and of course there is my sewing, etc. Now to my mother and her comment yesterday... I don't know how I come up with the themes... its just whatever hits me at the moment I guess. Like this weeks theme... you know how I love peppers and when I went to the store last, I found these ginormous beautiful jalapenos and thought of all the different things I do with them and how it might be fun for everyone else. So basically they just normally start with something I like, or see, or think about. And I won't lie, there have been a couple that came to me that I immediately 86'ed cause once I sat and thought about it, it didn't excite me. So there ya'll go... the method behind my madness LMAO!



I want to tell everyone this... which you already know but I will say anyways LOL... I LOVE SECOND-HAND STORES! OMG... so you know how I am watching my DN now right and have been looking for baby stuff to make it easier to care for him. Well yesterday, we went out and was looking for bigger things like playpens, strollers, etc. cause we plan to have him overnight quite a bit very soon. Well we went to this one store specifically for kids called Small Changes Kids in League City and they had some really great stuff. BUT you know what makes them an even BETTER store?? I was able to rpint off a $5 coupon off their website!!!!!! TOO COOL! Resale AND Coupons?? OMG I am so going back for more things whenever I need them LOL! If you are in my area and have little ones, be SURE to visit the site and then go to the store and check them out! You won't be disappointed... I wasn't! We found a like new Graco Pack 'N Play for less than half the normal selling price!

Alright, time to stretch your brain a bit! I was reading an article on Yahoo finance about how the rich rule the economy basically (DUH) and then I was following some links and stumbled across a page showing yahoo's top 5 questions and answers. One of them particularly caught my eye... and I want to show you... shoot ASK you the same thing! It really makes you think about life and what is important to you.

OP was ID of "sandhaw" asked: What could I buy today that would greatly enhance my life if the dollar became worthless?

Best Answer by "kricket" said: Not exactly sure what you mean by "greatly enhance my life", but Ill try to help. Seeds for edible plants. MRE's or other preserved food. Possibly a book or two on edible plants that grow in the area where you live. Bow and arrows. Water purification kit. In my opinion, if you can eat and have water to drink, you should consider your life as being "greatly enhanced". Hope this helps

I think its an extraordinary question actually... can you answer it? First off, how would you want to "enhance your life"? Are you the kind of person who wants the "name brands"... BMW's and big houses, etc. or do you want middle class luxuries or what? I think to answer this question, one must do alot of soul searching and maybe find out what is really important to them if they don't already know. Did the author maybe mean to "sustain" his life? In that event, you have to think about the bare necessities to survive. Changes outlooks and answers completely! Either way, I wanted to bring this little thought provoking gem to the table this morning. Come on folks, exercising the brain is good for you! So gnaw on this one for a while!



OMG while exercising my brain LOL and thinking about some crafts to do, I just realized how close homecoming is and that I need to get started on mums for the girls! Wow, I have about a month and I still haven't even looked to see what I need, etc... man I am seriously far behind LOL! Guess maybe I should add that to my list of challenges? LOL! Homecoming for us is September 24th I believe... and each year at MINIMUM I have to make 2-3 full-size mums... I am talking ribbons, mums, trinkets, trappings, bells and whistles, etc.! Crazy I know, but the BFF's are so happy to have matching mums... and as the "cool mom" I can't let them down LOL!

Ok now for your crafty visions today, I found this idea at Allfrecrafts.com and thought OMG that is too cute! Then I can see them for locker magnets for school which starts soon YAY! LOL... and I am always recycling old jeans and such, so why not? So I bring it to you today!



Craft Idea of the Day: Denim Pocket Magnets

Supplies:

denim jean pockets cut from old jeans

fabric paint

lace trim

ribbon flowers (optional)

fridge magnet

hot glue or craft glue

Instructions:

1. Carefully cut the pockets from the jeans.

2. Beginning and ending at the back, glue lace trim around the top of the pocket.

3. If desired, glue a small ribbon rose to each top corner.

4. Write "Coupons" or "Notes" or whatever you wish on the front in fabric paint, following the manufacturer's directions.

5. Glue a magnet to the back of each denim pocket and stick the fridge. Enjoy!

Ok so for today's choice for HOPPIN JALAPENO WEEK, I am going to preserve these royal lovelies! I must savor them all year long and there is no better ways to have a taste of summer abundance than canning and pickling and jellies! Jalapeno pepper plants put forth a high yield over a long growing season and can in all but the worst years easily produce more peppers than a single person or family can use as they come. Many hot peppers-cayenne, ancho, and pasilla, to name a few-can simply be dried, but the thick flesh of the jalapeno limits its usefulness as a dried pepper.

Pickling is a common alternative, and known as "jalapenos en escabeche" it is traditional. Pickled jalapenos are a common condiment-the jalapeno pepper rings often served with ballpark nachos are pickled-and can be used in place of fresh jalapenos to add heat and pepper flavor to a dish as long as the recipe is adjusted to account for the vinegar.

The simplest way to prepare pickled jalapenos is in the refrigerator, but for long keeping, pickled jalapenos can also be canned in a hot water bath. One refrigerator pickle recipe and two canned pickle recipes (based on current USDA guidelines) follow:



REFRIGERATOR JALAPENO PICKLES

Ingredients:

Jalapeno peppers
garlic (optional)
onion (optional)
vinegar
sea salt or canning salt

Method:

1. Peppers can be either left whole, cut into rings with the slicing disk of a food processor, or have their tops removed. If leaving whole, cut slits into the pepper lengthwise to allow vinegar to enter.

2. Pack the peppers into a Mason jar or swingtop jar, layering with garlic cloves and chopped onion if desired.

3. Mix one teaspoon of salt with each cup of vinegar being used. The total amount will depend on the size of the jar and how tight the peppers are packed. Heat salt-vinegar solution to a simmer and pour over peppers. Close the jar and store in the refrigerator.

CANNED WHOLE PICKLED JALAPENOS

The USDA recipe, but with jalapenos only, and with an extra teaspoon of salt in place of the sugar. Scale it downward in size by keeping the brine proportions the same. This can also be turned into a mixed-pickle recipe by adding garlic, onion, carrot, and bell pepper; a hot carrots mix is especially good if seasoned with a bit of cilantro.

Ingredients:

7 lbs jalapeno peppers
5 cups vinegar (5% acidity)
1 cup water
5 tsp canning, sea, or kosher salt

Procedure:

(1) Either cut the jalapenos in half, remove their tops, or slit them deeply, three or four times per pepper, so vinegar can penetrate to the inside of the fruit.
(2) Pack the peppers into pint jars. Add garlic or other seasonings if you like.
(3) Mix the vinegar, water, and salt and heat to a boil.
(4) Pour the brine over the peppers



Jalapeno Jelly

Ingredients

1 large green bell pepper
12 jalapeno peppers
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 pinch salt
4 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 ounces liquid pectin
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
A few drops of green food coloring (optional)

Directions

Combine the green bell pepper and 12 jalapeno peppers in the container of a food processor or blender. Process until finely chopped. This can be done in batches, if the peppers do not fit.

Transfer the peppers to a large saucepan, and stir in the cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the mixture through at least 2 layers of cheesecloth, and discard pulp. You should have about 1 cup of liquid.

Return the liquid to the saucepan, and stir in the salt and sugar until dissolved.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When the mixture comes to a rolling boil (one that cannot be stirred down), boil for one minute, then stir in the liquid pectin.

Stir in the food coloring and remaining jalapeno peppers, and ladle into sterile jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal jars in a hot water bath. Refrigerate jelly after seal is broken.

(**NOTE the more seeds you leave in, the hotter your jelly will be!**)

Well everyone, that's it... a little bit of spice in your life courtesy of the jalapeno! I hope you have enjoyed today's visit and will come back tomorrow for more crazy fun and adventures. As for me today? Time to take it easy... I have GOT to get my back working right again so its resting and easy crafts and such. I might even put the back brace on today LOL! I'm off "Aunt Duty" so I am gonna use this time to catch up on household things... unless of course something better comes up (anything is better than cleaning LMAO!). SO be safe in wherever life takes you today and everyday and until next time... HUGS!

WE HAVE BOPPY!!

Good Saturday morning everyone! How are you this bright and sunny day? I am good... woke up feeling like a pretzel LOL but good. Had a busy busy day yesterday, but it was fun. So come on in, grab your java, and have a seat so we can chat a while, eh?

Well yesterday started out with Band as normal... dropped her off for practice and then pictures. They release early after pictures, so I waited for the call to pick her up. Then my DN (nephew) was dropped off and we started our day! We ate, played, and had fun. Aunt Nay sewed a bit during the morning nap. Let me show you a couple of things I snapped a picture of from the last few days I haven't shown you.



This first thing is that Boppy Pillow I told you I was going to try to make. Its just the pillow, no case yet, but isn't it cute! It seems a little smaller than the one they have for the DN but I think its spiffy! The material is a stiff blue material that looks like denim but isn't. Its a pretty shade of blue though. I cut the pattern and sewed the 2 sides together and stuffed it up firm but flexible. Now they said on the site I found not to make it too firm, but my pillow will be used strictly for aiding DN in sitting while he eats, etc. so I think its ok! And I would know... I'm a mom, right? LOL!



The second thing I made is an extra large diaper changing pad. Now... this is kinda funny LOL. A multitude of things brought this on... the fact DN is a "boogie baby" going everywhere with us, those filthy diaper chaging stations you see in the restrooms out in public, and my mother and her germophobeness LOL! I made this extra large so that DN is completely covered when I put him on one of those stations... not just his back and butt, but ALL of him- I'm talkin' head, arms, legs, etc! It's double sided, so I can put either side I want out. One side is a pretty yellow snuggle fabric with baby stuff printed all over it, and the other side is more of that denim looking fabric like the pillow! Velcro closure and a batting lining makes this thing 100% machine washable as well! So you ALWAYS know its sanitary! Pretty cool I think!



Then I couldn't remember if I showed you the stocking with the music stuff on it, so just in case... here it is! Its a beautiful fabric of white with black music note staff and notes all over it as well as red ribbons and pine cones, etc. Very Christmas-y looking and I made the inside lining with red fleece. (I will work on getting a better picture soon!) I think its a beautiful fabric actually and I hope the recipient likes it! I have a purse I made for the holidays out of this fabric too. Its awesome and I will have a bittersweet moment when all the fabric is used LOL! I'm not sure if the fabric has been discontinued... might have to check on that if I can remember where I got it LOL!



Sew... there ya go LOL. A few things I have been working on. I have to take pictures of all of the rest of stuff still after I clear out my phone LOL. now as for today's craft, well I think I am gonna work on some things for some of the "band kids" that are like family. I'm not sure yet. I may work on some crayon wraps for the Ronald Mc Donald donation... ah thought I forgot about that huh? LOL nope! Oh BTW people... I have figured it out. We are gonna need 30 bags, as our local Ronald McDonald House houses 30 families at any 1 given time. So I figure 30 bags, stocked with crayons, etc.Seeing as I have most of the fabrics, etc, this will be rather inexpensive to do. I just need the filling for each bag. That's where you can help! I have looked and right now with the school supplies on sale, it will cost me about $3.50 to fill each bag! That's crayons and pencils or washable markers, paper, etc! I am looking for some kind souls to help me out here. Your name will go on a tag attached to each donation unless you choose to be "anonymous". Sadly, after school starts the prices will skyrocket, so I am trying to get it all now. Just think, for the price of one trip to Starbucks, or a pack of cigarettes, or even that one can of afterwork beer, you can bring hours of fun and smiles to a young person's face who 99% of the time doesn't even own a smile because of the pain that they go through everyday battling their illnesses. Don't they deserve just a little bit of happiness and time where they can forget they are even sick and just be a kid? So if you want to help, please make a donation via the paypal button or email me with other ways to help. Thank you...

Now, let's talk about sewing some more happiness shall we? Like I said, I'm not quite sure what I want to accomplish but I'm sure as I sit and stitch, I'll figure it out LOL. I thought of some scented sachets for dresser drawers, closets, etc. and think that those would be a cute idea for today. Sachets are fabric bags that are filled with potpourri and tied off with ribbons. They can be placed in clothing drawers, hung in closets or given as gifts. Fill them with potpourri you buy at the store or potpourri that you make yourself.



Craft Idea of the Day: Scented Fabric Sachets

Materials:

Narrow Ribbons
Fabric Chalks
Fabric-marking Pens
Fabrics
Ironing Boards
Irons
Potpourri
Sewing Machine
Threads
Decorative Charms
Scissors
Scissors
Heavy Paper Or Cardboard
Ruler Or Yardsticks

Directions:

Step 1: Decide what size your sachet will be and what fabric you will use.

Step 2: Choose a ribbon that coordinates with the fabric. A ribbon that is 1/4 inch wide or narrower works best. You'll need approximately 1/4 yard of ribbon for each sachet.

Step 3: Make or purchase potpourri. Many different blends are readily available. Choose your favorite.

Step 4: Use a yardstick or ruler to measure out a strip of fabric 10 1/2 inches by 3 1/4 inches. Cut out the strip.

Step 5: Fold in the raw short edges, toward the wrong side of the fabric, approximately 1/4 inch.

Step 6: Iron to hold the edges in place. Use a sewing machine to stitch turned-under edges into place. Repeat, turning the short edges in 1/4 inch more.

Step 7: Fold the fabric strip in half, right sides together. Stitch a seam on each side of the bag, 1/4 inch from the raw edges.

Step 8: Turn the bag right side out and fill it one-half to three-quarters full with potpourri.

Step 9: Tie the bag closed with ribbon. Avoid knotting the ribbon. These bags are made to be opened and refilled when necessary.

Now for today's edition of WACKY WATERMELON WEEK I wanted to find something with a little asian persuasion! And boy did I! I figure since a large amount of watermelons are produced in Asia, that there were bound to be some interesting cultural recipes. I love Asian foods and that motivated me to find something I thought would be FOOD-nomial LOL! So I hope you are pleased with these choices I brought you today... Eat & Enjoy!



Kung Pao Watermelon Shrimp

2 tablespoons peanut oil
6 garlic cloves, sliced
2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1 cup dry roasted and salted peanuts
1 cup prepared Kung Pao sauce
2 cups chopped watermelon

Heat the oil in a large heavy sauté pan or wok over high heat . Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds and then add the shrimp. Stir-fry until the shrimp begin to cook and plump up. Add the peanuts and sauté another 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low and add the sauce. Simmer just until shrimp are cooked. Remove from heat. Stir in watermelon and serve immediately. Serves 6.



General Tsao Watermelon
Recipe By: Joseph K. Poon for the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Serving Size: 2

8 ozs watermelon -- sliced
1 cup cornstarch

BATTER
1 cup flour All purpose
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup water to adjust thickness

SAUCE
1 tbsp soybean oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup mushroom soy sauce
1/2 cup Sherry or chardonnay
1 tsp garlic -- minced
1 tsp ginger -- minced
1 tsp hot sauce
cornstarch in water to adjust thickness

1. Dust the sliced watermelon in the cornstarch before dipping into the batter.
2. Deep fry the watermelon until golden brown.
3. Set to the side to cool, then deep fry it again to crisp up.
To make sauce:
1. Heat soybean oil in a hot wok, and add garlic, ginger and hot sauce.
2. Stir for a couple of seconds.
3. Add one cup of the general Tsao sauce to boil, add dissolved cornstarch to thicken sauce. Put the golden watermelon in and coat with the sauce. Serve

Note: After you make the batter, let the batter rest for at least 20 minutes before frying. The end result will have a far better texture.

Well that's all for me today folks. I have to get off here and get ready for my landlord to supposedly FINALLY bring me a new stove! 3 months in the waiting! It's about time! Then I am gonna find some projects to work on and maybe somewhere to take the kids to boogie today LOL. Thanks for joining me this morning and I will see you again tomorrow for more fun and excitement on The Frugal Mom. Until then... HUGS!

THIRSTY THURSDAY

Good morning guys and dolls! How are you doing this bright and sunny day? I am good really. Got the band thing rockin' and my little dude here visiting with me, so everything is cool as a watermelon! LOL! Speaking of watermelons, to answer your question... the orange watermelon has been said to grow in the following regions:

Miami, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Alexandria, Indiana
Wells, Maine
Austin, Texas
Mckinney, Texas
Riverton, Utah
Troy, Virginia
Kennewick, Washington

I have seen this breed of watermelon down here... I want to say at Farmer's Markets and a couple of grocery stores, so just watch for them. I have heard the larger they are, the sweeter they are too.

Ok as a mom, I saw an article and wanted to bring it to the attention of all the other mom's out there. Its about our kids and what we may feed them when we go out. After reading this article, it's quite disturbing actually to me that while the government is trying to make the meals at school better for the problem of our "obese kids", they have absolutely NO regulations about what they eat at restaurants... read this.

The Worst Kids' Meals in America
By David Zinczenko

My friend Karen came to me a couple of weeks ago worried about her two kids. She's a single mom who works long hours and usually feels too tired to cook when she gets home at night. So she and the kids end up eating fast-food dinners from whatever restaurant they happen to pass on the way home from soccer practice. Now, Karen's no dope—she knows that a fast food diet is often a fast way to poor health. She also loves her kids, and wants them to stay fit and active. So she came to me, pleading: "What can I do to make sure they're eating well, even when I can't cook for them myself?"

Karen's right to be concerned. Childhood obesity rates in America have tripled since 1980: today, 20 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are obese. What's more, a disturbing 70 percent of overweight adolescents end up that way as adults. And since obesity increases your odds of heart attack, stroke, and early death, consider the impact of an entire generation of overweight children on our country's health care system—and our families.

It's a chilling thought. But here's the thing: I told Karen that restaurant food every now and then is perfectly fine. She just needs the nutrition information and recommendations that Eat This, Not That! provides on all of America's popular fast-food and sit-down restaurants. This way she can choose the smart options--and stay away from the worst restaurant kids meals--while eating her favorites foods and losing weight. Below are five of the unhealthiest kids' meals in America--and the healthier (and equally tasty) alternatives that they should choose instead. And remember: Teaching your kids healthy eating habits is only half the equation--passing on healthy fitness habits is just as important. (So this list of The World's Fastest and Easiest Exercise Tips will help keep them, and you, fit and lean for life!)

#5: A BIG 'NOT THAT!' at OLIVE GARDEN!
Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo meal
800 calories
48 g fat (30 g saturated)
810 mg sodium
SATURATED FAT EQUIVALENT: 1.5 full jars of Nutella!

I don’t know who this guy Alfredo is, but I’d like to give him a piece of my mind. This sauce is made with oil, butter, cream, and cheese. It’s always going to be rich, but the saturated fat here is just out of control. The American Heart Association recommends that we don't consume more than 7 percent of our total calories from saturated fat, but this sauce has four times that. It’s true that most kids don’t have to worry about heart attacks, but they do have to worry about obesity. About a third of the calories on this plate are from saturated fat. Another third come from carbohydrates. That leaves very little room for anything even remotely nutritionally redeeming.

Eat This Instead!
Cheese Ravioli
300 calories
8 g fat (4 g saturated)
440 mg sodium

This meal still provides the rich flavor of cheese, but it serves it in a reasonable portion size. The secret here, and you should always look for this when you’re eating Italian, is that it’s served in a low-fat, highly nutritious tomato-based sauce. Try to steer your child away from anything made in a white sauce.
Bonus tip: Something else to keep in mind: One way to cut hundreds of calories from your kids' diets is to watch the sugary drinks. Start with the beverages on this list of The Absolutely Worst Drinks in America. (Some of them have more than a day's worth of calories, fat and sugar!)

#4: A BIG 'NOT THAT!' at APPLEBEES!
Applebee’s Grilled Cheese with French fries
1,020 calories
54 g fat (17 g saturated)
2,170 mg sodium

CALORIE EQUIVALENT: 400 Cheddar Goldfish Crackers (that’s 1.3 full bags!)
Here’s the crazy part: You can make a grilled cheese sandwich in your own house—using real cheese and toasting it with real butter—and still manage to slide in at about 300 calories. This one has 620 calories, and the fries account for another 400.

Eat This Instead!
Hot Dog with Applesauce
300 calories
13 g fat (4 g saturated)
860 mg sodium

A hot dog is no nutritional ideal, but as long as it’s not a big stadium brat, it does have the advantage of being relatively low in calories. And kids love them. Swap out the fries for something truly nutritious, like vegetables or applesauce.
Bonus tip: Want to know how many calories you should be eating in a given day? Multiply your ideal body weight by 11. For more of the latest nutrition and health secrets to help you live better right away, follow me here on Twitter.

#3: A BIG 'NOT THAT!' at OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE!
Outback Steakhouse Kookaburra Chicken Fingers meal with Aussie Fries
1,030 calories
60 g fat (21 g saturated)
2,052 mg sodium
FAT EQUIVALENT: 12 Frosted Chocolate Fudge Pop-Tarts!

Beige food? Never a good choice. If this is what they’re eating down under, we’re better off staying up here. And here’s something else we don’t talk about enough with kids’ foods: sodium. This meal has almost as much as your child should eat in an entire day. That’s dangerous for two reasons: 1) It puts a strain on a child’s cardiovascular system; and 2) It reinforces a taste preference for sodium-loaded foods, so they’ll have a hard time ever breaking free from the salt shaker.
Bonus tip: For more examples of sodium-stuffed foods to avoid, check out this truly horrifying list of the 30 Saltiest Foods in America!

Eat This Instead!
Joey Sirloin with Fresh Seasonal Veggies
435 calories
28.5 g fat (15 g saturated)
631 mg sodium

If we can get kids eating real food earlier in life, they’ll be primed for staying fit and healthy well into old age. Despite what some people might think about eating red meat, sirloin steak is immensely nutritious. It’s lean, loaded with protein, and rich in vitamins and minerals.

#2: A BIG 'NOT THAT!' at DENNY'S!
Denny’s Slap Shot Sliders (2) meal with Finish Line Fries
1,070 calories
53 g fat (16 g saturated, 2 g trans)
1,180 mg sodium
CALORIE EQUIVALENT: 505 Jujubes (that’s just over 2 full boxes!)

This meal is an assault to children’s health and the world of sports. It uses sports terminology to sell food that turns kids into little sumo wrestlers. Again, there’s more than 1,000 calories in this meal. A 10-year-old kid should be eating only about 1,600 to 1,800 calories over the course of an entire day.

Eat This Instead!
Spaghetti, Set, Go! with Apple Dunkers and Caramel Dip
390 calories
7 g fat (2 g saturated)
325 mg sodium

Again, you’ve got the red marinara sauce, which is very good. You’ve also got slices of apple with caramel dip. This is something we’re seeing on more and more restaurant menus. Kids like it because it has the same finger-food appeal as french fries, and parents like it because it won’t make their kids look like lumpy sacks of potatoes.

Bonus tip: Here's another sneaky source of kid calories: Wayward snacking. Is your child snacking smart? See the good—and bad—chips and dips choices on our list of the Best and Worst Chips and Dips.

#1: THE BIGGEST 'NOT THAT!' at FRIENDLY'S!
Friendly’s Mac & Cheese Quesadilla meal with Friendly Frank, Shirley Temple and Friend-z Peanut Butter Cup
2,270 calories
109 g fat (45 g saturated)
3,320 sodium
CALORIE EQUIVALENT: 45 Glazed Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts!

Friendly? Ha! This restaurant deserves the Phoniest Name of the Decade Award. This meal has an entire day’s worth of calories for a full-grown adult. Plus it has more saturated fat or sodium than you should ever see at one table. Part of the problem here is the pile-on policy: The entrée plus the side plus the drink plus the dessert. All of that comes with the meal. And dessert? Since when did dessert stop being extra? This is just dangerous food that gets a boost from a bad policy.

Eat This Instead!
Grilled Cheese With Mandarin Oranges, 1% Milk, and a Double Shot Cone
800 calories
34 g fat (19 g saturated)
1,150 mg sodium

Now, here’s what’s crazy: The same sandwich that had more than 600 calories at Applebee’s—the grilled cheese—has only 290 calories at Friendly’s. That’s good, but it still comes with that obligatory dessert, which keeps this meal in the caloric danger zone. At 270 calories, The Double Shot Cone is the best you can do, but if you tell your server to scrap dessert altogether, your child suddenly has a reasonable 530-calorie entree.



Now, let's talk Christmas! WHAT? It's too early you say? Never! I am always thinking about my favorite holiday and how to make it better each year! I have tons of people I give gifts for and so it requires alot of planning and preparation. So I start early. Plus I like being one of those people who are relaxed and enjoying the holidays while watching others scramble around in a feverish frenzy at the last minute. Trust me, been there too and I don't particularly care for it! Now yesterday I forgot to get my dimensions for a gift that I know is going to take more than 1 day... it might take as much as a whole week for this one. Its something I am creating an original design for and must get the dimensions and fasteners, bibbles and bobbles, etc, etc, etc. JUST RIGHT! I must sketch out a template/pattern, deside on proper materials, write down step by step instructions for sewing assembly, you name it. This truly is going to be an original homemade gift LMAO. We're starting from scratch! And the funny thing is, I bet the recipient won't even understand what it is for until I demonstrate it or tell them! How much more unique does that make it!? My kind of gift! WOOHOO! This will be fun. So this gift IS part of the challenge, but NOT a one day, so I plan on working on 2 gifts at once over a couple of days... ambitious huh? I think so LMAO! So what kind of gifts have you been making?

Now since we got bit with the craft bug, today I will be working on a couple of purses. But not just any purses... they will be gifts. Also if I have time, I will be making a couple of baby items... like toys and changing pads and such. And for you, I am going to bring you another fabulous craft idea! Its baby in nature but would make an excellent gift for a new mom! Have you ever seen those round pillows called "Boppy" pillows? They were originally made for breastfeeding mothers to use to lay their arms on and prop up their child while feeding. However, they also make great aids in helping baby sit up, eat, etc. I use one for the little man whenever he comes to see me. I put it around him and he sits up to eat. Hey it works if you don't have a high chair LOL! So anyway... after seeing this for the first time, I wanted to make one for myself to keep here for him. I found a site online with a mother who felt the same way so she wrote the instructions and shared them. And if it works, maybe I will make a few extra as gifts, to sell, etc. LOL! So here it is ladies and germs... make sure to visit the site for great pics and instructions.



Craft Idea of the Day: The Baby Boppy Pillow

Materials:

1. 1 yard of 45” or 60” fabric for pillow cover. Bright cotton prints or soft baby fabrics work great. You can also use flannel (most have 41” width, but you will be fine using my pattern), but be aware that flannels peel very fast –those little fuzzy beads will form very soon and drive you nuts.
2. 1 yard of 45” or 60” fabric for the actual pillow. Use thicker cotton fabrics, or if you want to save even more money, an old flat sheet will work just fine.
3. 1 lb (apprx.)of 100% polyester fiberfill – you might use a little less.
4. 18” invisible zipper for pillow cover. However, you can use Velcro if messing with zippers is not what you want to do, or simply hand-stitch the closing.

Ok, so today for the WACKY WATERMELON WEEK I want to talk about drinks. Now we all normally consume more beverages during the summer months, and research supports this. The reasoning is that it is natures way of both keeping the body hydrated and our core tempurature at safe levels. I foe one always have a drink of some kind with me... I can't ever get enough to drink. Same with my DS. I send big coolers of gatorade with the DD to band practice too. Diabetics also tend to get an "incurable thirst" as well. SO see, drinks are a big part of everyday life. And sense we rely so much on hydration, why not make it something that is both delicious AND good for us (minus the alcohol and such of course)? So today on this thirsty Thursday, I bring you some tasty treats to please your palate. Drink & Enjoy!



Nobody's Strawberry Watermelon Shakedown

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 1/2 cups frozen diced watermelon
1/4 cup cream
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons orange or lemon juice
1 tablespoon white sugar or Splenda (optional)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Blend the strawberries, watermelon, cream, yogurt, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla in a blender until smooth.



Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients

8 cups cubed seeded watermelon
1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup white sugar
2 cups water

Directions

Combine the watermelon, strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and water in a blender.

Blend until smooth.



Watermelon Vodka Slush

4 cups watermelon flesh, seeds removed
2 fluid ounces simple syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup vodka
2 fluid ounces melon liqueur
4 twists lemon zest, garnish

Directions

In a food processor, puree the watermelon flesh. Pour the pureed watermelon into empty ice cube trays and freeze for at least 4 hours. Also, freeze 4 martini glasses.

In a blender combine the frozen watermelon cubes, simple syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and melon liqueur; blend until smooth. Pour into 4 frozen martini glasses and garnish each with a lemon twist.

Well that's everything for today. Its time for my llittle buddy and me to get down to some serious eating, play, cartoon watching, and crafting! LOL! I hope that you have an awesome day and be safe in wherever life leads you today and everyday. I will see you again tomorrow in my little cyber-haven I like to call The Frugal Mom's Blog! Until tomorrow... HUGS!

FANTASTIC EDIBLE FLOWERS

Good Monday Morning to you all! How are you doing this soggy beginning of the week? I'm good... soggy, but good LOL! We have thunderstorms on the horizon for this beginning of the week, so I plan to get off my bum and get moving in the house today LOL. I have to stop watching the Food Network all the time because I stay hungry constantly LMAO so cleaning or whatever will be good for me LMAO!

Ok, I got to thinking how not too long ago, I brought you articles about frugal tips to do with things like Lemons, vinegar, etc. Well when I went to the nutrition store with my mom a little while back, the topic of honey and how good pure honey was for you. Then this morning I saw an article about honey and figured it was a sign that I needed to bring you the article so you could be "frugally schooled" on the wonderous thing we call "HONEY"! It's not just for dessert anymore kids LOL!



14 ways honey can heal
By Megan, selected from Yoga+ Magazine

By Vasant Lad, Yoga+

The fossil record tells us honeybees have been around for 150 million years or more. No one knows when we discovered the treasure hidden in their hives, but paintings of beekeepers lining the walls of a cave in Spain prove that we have been practicing the art of beekeeping for at least 7,000 years. Honey is versatile. It has been prized as a sweetener, as medicine, as an offering for the gods, as currency, and as a symbol of love. In Greek mythology, for example, Cupid dips his arrows in honey before aiming them at our hearts.

According to ayurveda, honey is the nectar of life. Because it is created from the essence of a flower's sex organs, it has a natural affinity with reproductive tissue. It can also heal sore throats, colds, coughs, ulcers, burns, and wounds. And when ingested with a healing herb (like ashwagandha), honey travels to the deepest tissues, transporting the chemical properties and the subtle energies of medicine to the cellular level.

Ayurveda says that raw honey is medicine, but cooked honey is a slow poison. Why? In its natural form, honey is rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and carbohydrates. But heat strips honey of most of its nutritional value and transforms the honey molecules into a non-homogenized glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs subtle energy channels. Cooked honey creates cellular toxicity and may lead to immunological dysfunction. It can also clog the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries), hampering blood flow to the vital organs. So as a general rule, honey should never be cooked, and nothing should be cooked with honey. Instead, add raw honey to yogurt, warm tea, or spread it on bread or toast.

These days, most honey sold commercially has been heated and should be avoided. Look for the words "raw" or "unpasteurized" on honey at a health-food store or online at places like the Ayurvedic Institute or http://www.eBeeHoney.com/. But the purest form of honey is local and raw because it helps prevent (or calm) seasonal allergies and is full of prana (vital energy).

Check your local farmers' market, and if you live in the country, keep an eye out for roadside honey stands.

Ayurvedic texts are full of honey-based remedies for a wide range of ailments, such as:

For obesity, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol, drink a cup of hot water with a teaspoon of honey and 5 to 10 drops of apple cider vinegar early in the morning daily. (Ayurvedic texts say honey scrapes fat and cholesterol from the body's tissues.)

To relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, take 1 teaspoon of honey with 200 mg powdered guggulu daily.

To heal oral ulcers, apply 1 teaspoon honey and a pinch of turmeric to canker sores, mouth ulcers, or sores on the tongue. This mixture will generate saliva and draw out toxins; spit it out to speed the healing process. For internal ulcers, mix a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey twice daily.

To heal a wound, dress it daily with sterilized gauze brushed with honey; dispose at night.

For the common cold, mix 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon with 1 teaspoon honey and eat two or three times a day.

To clear your sinuses, take a mixture of 1 teaspoon each of fresh ginger juice and honey two or three times a day.

For asthma, eat a mixture made of 1/2 teaspoon bay leaf powder, 1/4 teaspoon pippali, and 1 teaspoon of honey two or three times daily.

For nausea, vomiting, and/or indigestion, mix one part lemon juice with one part honey. Dip your index finger into this mixture and lick it slowly twice daily.

For anxiety, drink 1 cup of orange juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and a pinch of nutmeg powder twice daily.

To help reduce the craving for cigarettes, chew small pieces of pineapple with 1/2 teaspoon of honey before smoking.

For abdominal pain, take a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon ground bay leaf, 1/4 teaspoon ajwan (celery seeds), and 1 teaspoon of honey before lunch and dinner daily.

For chronic fever, make a tea of 1 teaspoon of holy basil (tulsi) and 1 cup of hot water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper powder and 1 teaspoon of honey. Take two or three times a day.

To aid poor circulation, mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon trikatu, and 1 teaspoon honey in 1 cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes. Take twice a day.

To stop hiccups, mix 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon castor oil in a container. Dip your index finger into the mixture and lick it. Repeat every 10 minutes until your hiccups stop. (Hiccups are due to spasm of the diaphragm, and these ingredients in equal proportion are anti-spasmodic.)

Did you know? To make one pound of honey, a swarm of honeybees flies about 24,000 miles and visits 3 to 9 million flowers.

Because its qualities are heating and sweet, honey is good for kapha and vata, and in moderation with pitta.

Please Note: Raw honey is not recommended for infants under the age of 18 months, the very elderly, or others with compromised immune systems.

Ok kids, tomorrow is the big day! Christmas Countdown Challenge begins in about 15 hours! YIPPEE!! You ready? Now seeing as my little visitor will be spending more time over here soon, I got to thinking about all the things new moms need to care for their little ones. I also got to thinking about being pregnant and some of the things you need then too. I had a rather embarassing moment in Kroger one time when I was pregnant and luckily, my mother who is the save all, caught it before anyone else did and warned me! So I am going to share a craft with you that is helpful, inexpensive, and hits close to home with me LOL!



Craft Idea of the Day: Quick and Easy Washable Nursing Pads

If you nurse for very long you are going to be shocked at the money you end up spending on disposable nursing pads. Fortunately, with little sewing skill and items you most likely have around the house, you can make your own washable nursing pads.

Things You'll Need:

6x12 inch piece of fleece
1 old t-shirt or flannel baby blanket
6x12 inch piece of drapery lining, PUL (or one pair of plastic diaper cover ups)
Scissors
Paper
Sewing machine

Step 1: Fabric Choice for the layer near you: Natural fleece (not polyester) is a "wicking" fabric, which simply means it will pull liquid away from your skin toward the back of the fabric. CoolMax which is used in a lot of workout clothing also has great wicking abilities. Other fabrics with the same wicking capability include baby acrylics and soft wool blends with a higher percentage of synthetics added.

Step 2: Fabric Choice for the center layer: You can use an old t-shirt or flannel blanket for the center pieces of your nursing pad; for absorbency.

Step 3: Fabric Choice for outside of nursing pad: The main job of this layer is to prevent leaking. If you have PUL; a fabric used to make diaper covers it is wonderful for this job. You can also use darkening drapery lining or cut up a set of plastic diaper cover ups. As long as you wash your pads in cold water and let drip dry the plastic will hold for an amazingly long time.

Step 4: Cut out a 5-inch circle from paper to use as a pattern. Cut out 2 pieces of fleece, 2 pieces of plastic/PUL/Drapery lining, and 4-8 pieces of flannel or t-shirt (depending on the thickness).

Step 5: Lay fleece side down (right side of fleece down), cover with half of the t-shirt or flannel pieces, and then top with plastic sheeting/PUL/drapery lining.
Serge around outside edge. You can also zig-zag around the outside of the circle twice if you do not have a serger.

Tips & Warnings:

If you are not sure which side of your fleece is the correct side you can cut two small pieces and lay them down on a piece of paper. Then drop a few drops of water onto each piece (each with a different side up). Let set a few minutes and then pick up and see which one has drawn more water toward the back.

Putting a plastic back on a nursing pad can prevent air-flow, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and/or yeast, which can cause breast infections or thrush. Most moms would be better off using a breathable waterproof layer like PUL. If you do use a plasticised backing, be sure to change your pads OFTEN.

OK it's time to talk food. I try to bring you unusual and new ideas and steer clear of mondaine and common. Well I have had ideas running through the head all night and all day and I have finally decided on something I find rather interesting... Flowers. So I officiaally deem the next theme FANTASTIC EDIBLE FLOWERS week. Yes, that's right... I said edible flowers! Not like flour that you bake with... oh no. I am talking flowers you decorate your house with and grow in your garden. Now I must first state that individuals consuming the flowers, plants, or derivatives listed here do so entirely at their own risk and that certain parts can be poisonous.

There are a few cautions one should remember before harvesting any flowers:

(a) Do not harvest any flowers that could have been exposed to animal excretement.

(b) Do not harvest any flowers that have had insecticides sprayed on them.

(c) Do not harvest any flowers that have had fertilizers sprayed on them unless specified for food consumption.

(d) Do not harvest any flowers from the side of roads where they have been exposed to trash, carbon monoxide etc.

(e) If you are unsure if it is edible, then do not eat it. Caution is always the best policy.

(f) If you have any allergies, consult your physician before consuming edible flowers.

(g) Do not eat any flowers from florists as they have been sprayed with pesticides.

(h) Do not pick any flowers that show signs of disease or have been eaten by insects.

So do your research, and if need be, consult an expert. The good thing about flower consumption is that nowadays you can get many of them at retail locations so its bit safer than finding them yourself. There are many things classified as "flowers" that you already use/eat and may not be aware of... such as Arugula, Basil, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Fennel, Marjoram, Mint, Mustard, Okra, Pea, Radish, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme. These are all common flowers we probably consume at least once a week. BUT did you know that you can also eat things like Carnations, Dandelions, Roses, Snapdragons, Pansies, and even Violets?? So this week I am proud to bring you incredible edible flower recipes! Eat (or drink LOL) & Enjoy!



Today's flower is the Carnation. Dianthus caryophyllus (aka Dianthus)

Tastes like: spicy, peppery, clove-like

Wash 1 pound carnation flowers, remove husks, stems and heels. Soak in 1 1/2 pints boiling water. Simmer for 30 minutes then let soak for 12 hours. Strains off the liquid and to it add 2 pounds sugar. Boil rapidly and reduce to scented syrup. Use over ice cream or in herbal tea.

FLORAL LIQUEUR

4 cups vodka or brandy

1-cup sugar

1 - 2 cups flowers

Place lightly bruised petals in a jar with vodka or brandy and steep for 2 days. Then, add sugar and steep for 2 weeks, shaking vigorously once or twice a day to let sugar dissolve. Strain and filter into clean decanter.
Ideas:

rose, carnation, lavendar and mint

orange zest and mint

ginger and pear

peaches and lemon verbena

raspberry and lemon balm

use a dry white wine

Well folks, that's all for me today. Thanks for joing me in the "secret garden" for some unique floral flavor and fun. I am off to pick up a few things from my trading partners on the freecycle board I am a part of. Its supposed to rain today so I have to do these pick ups early. Then its being fun and fancy free at home (thanks to the rain LOL). Be happy, be safe, and see you tomorrow everyone! HUGS!