LATE SPRING CLEANING

Morning boys and girls! How are you doing today? I am well surprisingly, after a day of intense cleaning! A wee bit sore, but otherwise feeling good both inside and out! Decluttering makes me feel so liberated!

I started off the day actually thinking of my plants. I am diligently working to nurse them back to good health and I don’t want anyone ruining that! I can’t stop things like raccoons or cats or opossums, but I CAN stop HUMANS! So the first thing I did, which also got something off my desk (that counts as cleaning right? LOL), was posted my “NO TRESPASSING” sign in the back yard. I also took a picture that way I have some sort of proof that I had it posted “in the event” ya know? (Remind me that I need to pick one up for the FRONT yard too)! After that I watered all my plants real good.

From there, it was back inside… I checked the forecast, which said thunderstorms again, so I made up my mind to work inside all day. (So much for having just watered huh? Maybe I should have checked the forecast FIRST LOL!) I started piddling in the living room first… picking up trash, dirty socks (apparently I have a centipede living in my house who doesn’t know where the hamper is!), and then some mild cleaning. I threw out an old tower (for DVD’s) that was empty and falling apart that was just taking up space. I sat and thought for a long time how and if I could repurpose it, but I couldn’t (particle board things are hard to repurpose when they are crumbing LOL) so I threw it away.

I started getting frustrated in the living room, as it looks so overwhelming, so I moved into the kitchen. I washed the dishes (the few there were), took out the trash, swept and mopped, wiped down all the counters and cabinets and such, and just did general maintenance. I got the bottom cabinet doors scrubbed but didn’t get them taped and painted! That would have been one step closer to finishing that project! All I really have to do besides painting the bottom cabinet doors is to rip the old wallpaper border down (it was here when we moved it) and paint the rest of the wall tops. Then I can sponge paint some lemons across the top and that will be pretty much it. Of course, I might just adhere the cutout lemons instead, like I did the cabinets… so that it all matches. Not sure yet… but once that’s all done, the project will be complete except for just adding trinkets here and there like canisters, etc.

Now Tuesday night I was working on my desk area (until HK came on at least LOL). I eliminated a tall kitchen bag full of old grocery ads, junk mail, etc. now it was time to find a home for all that was left. This all started (the whole cleaning spark) because I am looking for an envelope full of spare pictures that I cannot find! I need it badly because it has extras of some pictures of Madison that I need for making the centerpieces, which have taken root on my dining room table. I figured to get LESS frustrated, I would use a plastic box and each time I fill it with things I know have a home, I would stop and put everything in the box away. Then I would continue sorting. This method works well for me, especially having ADHD, as I get either overwhelmed or bored and sometimes never seem to finish it. Once I get it under control, it’s not so hard to maintain! I even flipped the couch over and nailed some boards back in place so the one side wouldn’t eat you when you sat down… it helped, but didn’t solve the problem. Its ok, when I have better supplies, I will just flip it back over and pick up where I left off (I know… you’re thinking Yea right, aren’t ya? LOL).

I bounced like this from room to room all day. In the end, the kitchen is spotless, the living room is about 85% clutter free, the couch eats your butt just a little now instead of devouring it LMAO. I found my glasses, the bathrooms sparkle, shine and smell lemony fresh, and the clothes are 60% hung up and put away. I have a bedroom floor again! I have about 5 or 6 storage boxes that I can take to my mom’s house and put in the attic too! The house is fabric refreshed and vacuumed, and it’s much less likely to make me scream when I look at it now than at the start of yesterday! I sweat like a hog and my feet are killing me, but I feel so much better about my home! I won’t be NEARLY as embarrassed now if someone was to drop in unannounced! And on top of that, I was constantly thinking about that project my neighbor wants me to do while I am doing similar in my own home! I got a few ideas started LOL. I just know the trash man is gonna be rolling his eyes again when he comes tomorrow as there is TONS of garbage LOL! But I don’t care. I am trying to become as clutter free as I can! I feel really good and the hard work I did shows! And I like that!!

So, now that I have probably made you very dizzy LOL with all my running around, let me ask you a question…are you ready for some interesting tips of frugality? Well on the hunt for Frugal tips to earn my name, I found this article about things Americans are learning to do “without” and it makes me think… what can I really do without? How about you? Check out this list and find out. I would love to hear what you have “given up” in order to obtain a bit more frugality in your life!

21 Things we are learning to live without
by Rick Newman

1. Monthly Payments- Before the recession, consumers worried less about taking on debt, as long as their income could cover the monthly payments. No more.



2. Window Shopping- Browsing used to be an acceptable pastime. But consumers have discovered that window shopping encourages them to buy lots of things they don't need.

3. Bells & Whistles- The technology arms race is slowing, with consumers gravitating to simpler gizmos like Netbooks, prepaid cell phones, and older used electronics.



4. Clutter- As Americans downsize, do more of their own cleaning, and look for stuff they can sell online, they’re discovering tons of things around the house they can get rid of without even noticing.



5. Cable TV- Many people are cutting back on pay-TV services or canceling them altogether, which saves $50 to $100 a month. Alternatives: Watching free programs on Hulu or YouTube, or simply turning off the TV.



6. A Home Phone line- How many phones do you need, anyway? With cell phones ubiquitous and online voice service cheap, the home phone is becoming redundant.

7. Privacy- Got room on the couch? To save on rent or mortgage payments, roommates are doubling up and grown kids are moving back in with their parents.



8. Prepared Foods- More people are cooking at home, and they're doing it with fewer pre-made sauces, marinades, dressings and other ingredients. Fresh foods turn out to be healthier, and sometimes cheaper.



9. Tupperware parties- Sales of Tupperware and other storage products are up, but some consumers are skeptical of “home parties” where the host sells goods in exchange for free merchandise.



10. Packaged Cigarettes- The average price of cigarettes is about $5 a pack or $45 a carton, which mounts quickly for regular puffers. Some smokers save money by buying small machines that let them roll their own.



11. Lattes- The $5 daily coffee is always one of the first small luxuries to go. But more people are brewing at home. Sales of single-serving home brewing machines, for example, have soared.

12. Guilt- Keeping up with all the latest trends and technology takes an emotional toll. One woman who has stopped trying says, “I feel like I'm in charge of my life instead of multinational corporations telling me what to consume.”

13. Extra Calories- Some people are drinking more water or doing other things to to suppress their appetite. Restaurant diners are splitting entrees and finding other ways to trim the check.



14. Newspapers and Magazines- Millions have canceled subscriptions to print periodicals and started getting free news and information online.

15. Healthcare- A forced reduction in healthcare coverage is probably one of the most crushing effects of a weak economy, as the unemployed and others without insurance make drastic tradeoffs to cut costs and get by.

16. New Gifts- Consumers are devising new strategies for regifting—to make sure they don’t get caught—or “shopping” for presents in their closet or basement.

17. It’s no secret that new-car sales have plunged, but many buyers who have traded down to a used model are surprised at the quality of the merchandise.

18. Comfort- Thermostats all across America are going lower in winter, higher in summer. Shorter showers can save big bucks. And you don’t need to run the water the whole time you’re brushing your teeth.

19. A daily commute- If you’re unemployed, obviously there’s no job to drive to, one reason the amount of vehicle miles driven has dipped to 2004 levels (and traffic on some of the most congested highways has eased).

20. Fancy Dates- Courtship is a bit of a comedown these days, with discount-dating advisers suggesting home-made meals, free performances, and even yard sales as alternative to costly dates.



21. Debt- Total credit-card debt is about 7 percent lower than it was a year ago, with Americans paying down more than $100 billion in credit-card loans since October 2008. And household "deleveraging" seems to be intensifying, not slowing down.

Let’s see… for me, numbers… well MOST all of them really. I have gotten myself down to 6 monthly bills that I cannot really get rid of and that’s it. I don’t really “window” shop unless we have GC’s and coupons and even then it’s a few and far between day. I have no credit cards. Privacy, comfort, etc… well you give some of that up instantly when you have kids LOL! Never been one for fancy dates (the DH and I don’t get to go out at all actually so this is not even a factor). My car is 12 years old LOL. I don’t really care for the “latest technology” or coffee and I don’t have a home phone line LOL. I quit smoking a little over a year ago and I don’t drink very often. AND I cook (mostly) from scratch AND I got rid of my storage unit in order to and am in the process of decluttering my house. I’m pretty dull don’tcha think? But I am definitely ahead of the game I think LOL! Now, how many things can YOU go without and still say you have a good life? Sadly, many people put too much stock in mere possessions (at least I think so) nowadays.

Ok folks, I am in the mood for some funky crafting. I, as normal, love the crafts that recycle and make unique things! I am proud to display them in my home! Now last night after checking my emails but before going to bed, I was searching for some new recycled crafts and I came across an awesome website called Craft Gossip. I was browsing through all the wonderful recycled crafts and this one just seemed to fit today’s theme… as we all tend to get paper bills and junk mail containing those totally usable envies in them! Why waste!? Recycle into this neat project!



Craft Idea of the Day: Envelope Accordion Book

Materials:

Chartreuse A2 Envelopes
Glue Stick
Bone folder
Labels
Gel Pens

Directions:

This easy to make accordion book is a personalized way to organize all of your small odds and ends. Each envelope page can hold something different such as- "to do" lists, stamps, tickets, coupons, and business cards. Also a fun craft idea for a gift - fill with photos, tickets, and other keepsakes and share with a special friend.

Step one: Choose your envelopes. You will need an odd number, anywhere from five to nine. We have used A2 envelopes here but, almost any size side-opening envelope will work.

Step two: Using a glue stick, adhere the envelopes together by placing adhesive on the inside of the flap of one envelope and using a bone folder, burnish it to the front of the next envelope.

Step three: Fold the pages accordion style, making the pointed flap of the first envelope the cover of your book.

Step four: Add a ribbon closure. Cut a small opening the width of the ribbon on both sides of the last envelope and run the ribbon through.

Step five: Using labels and colored gel pens indicate the contents of each envelope "page". Fill with all your odds and ends, fold up, and tie the ribbon closure to keep everything safely tucked inside.

Oh now its time for my favorite part… FOOD! Today’s inspiration? The color green LOL… the main veggies of today’s choices are green… like a fresh cut lawn (but they taste much better LMAO). They taste great and are rich in vitamins A, C, Niacin, Calcium, and Iron! My gang loves these tasty tidbits and I hope you will too!



Spinach Quiche

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 (6 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion in butter until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, feta and 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into pie crust.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into the pastry shell, allowing egg mixture to thoroughly combine with spinach mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining Cheddar cheese, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until set in center. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.



Zucchini 'Crab' Cakes

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning TM
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions

In a large bowl, combine zucchini, egg, and butter or margarine. Stir in seasoned crumbs, minced onion, and seasoning. Mix well.

Shape mixture into patties. Dredge in flour.

In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. Fry patties in oil until golden brown on both sides.

Alright everyone, that concludes another days posting from the Frugal Mom! I hope you enjoyed today’s entry and will join me again tomorrow for more fun and excitement! I’m off to spend the day with my mom (taking her to therapy, dr. appts, etc.). DH has daddy duty and household chore duty LOL! So until tomorrow… HUGS!

ONE TIRED PUP

Hi there everyone. Hope you are doing well today. I gotta tell ya, while it feels good to be over and done with cleaning out the storage, all the hard work, plant maintenance, and moving this week has made me one tired pup! And the bad part is… I can’t stop! I have so much clutter in my front living room right now and its mainly all junk! Old text books and VHS movies that probably don’t work, odds and ends craft supplies like ceramic mugs and candle wax, old papers that I have NO clue why I kept them… especially this long, and a ton of other JUNK! I got to thinking and I was paying all that money for trash storage! OMG I could kick myself in the behind for, in essence, wasting all that money! THOUSANDS of dollars over the years! When I checked out today, the lady reminded me I have been there 9 years and not to feel bad because a bunch of people are doing the same thing I did. 9 YEARS! When I sat down and figured out the dollar amount… over $1100 a year!!!! Which makes over $9900 in 9 years….. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I wasted almost $10 GRAND!? Oh I could soooo kick my butt! That’s a new car for goodness sakes!!! Wow… I’m still tripping out. You never really actually realize how much something costs huh? Like when I quit smoking last May (yes after 17 years I kicked the habit cold turkey!) I realized that I was spending $320 a month on something that made it harder to breathe and was slowly killing me! This year I will have saved $3840 come May. That money went to food and other bills… crazy huh?!

Ok I just heard this on the radio and if you don't already know about it, its a sweepstakes for a chance to win a 7 pound honey baked ham and 3 heat and serve sides for Easter from Honey Baked Ham stores. Looks like you also get a $10 coupon too when you join their VIP club. Its called the Honey Baked Easter Sweetstakes and its open to residents in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington. On their home page, there is apparently coupons as well... so check it out if you live in those states! Its a chance at a free $60 dinner!

Alrighty, I want to bring up something my Dad mentioned to me yesterday morning. It’s about personal safety and Social Network sites. Good Morning America did a piece on a lady who had hundreds of Facebook friends and a couple of them robbed her house for over $10,000 worth of stuff. It talks about social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, etc. that all utilize GPS tracking when you do updates. There is even supposed to be a website called Please Rob Me where your updates are posted and thieves pick and choose who they want to hit. Rest easy Dad, I don’t use ANY of those social sites or GPS updating from my phone either. I also google myself at least once a week to make sure I cannot find myself online or any information about me. (Of course I have to worry just leaving and my neighbor seeing me leave LOL! Kidding) However, having said that, Dad does raise a good issue though. Nowadays with all the dishonest and spiteful people in the world, you HAVE to be careful with what you tell to whom. We warn our kids to watch what they say, we should do the same with ourselves. Of course, sadly, all criminals need is your name to find out things about you nowadays… and if you have ever made a purchase online, was a member of a club, etc. online, or even opened an email account… you’re out there somewhere! It just depends on how hard they want to dig and how well you cover your tracks! So be careful on that information super highway ok? Check out the editorial and video on their website HERE and even show it to your teens, kids, etc. It’s good information… a good reminder/refresher even. THANKS DAD!

Ya know what else is hard work and tiring… those plants! But I hope they will be so rewarding in the future that it’s so worth it. Just remember, if you are outside playing in fields, weeds, etc. take precautions! Plenty of not-so-awesome treasures (like poison ivy, etc) growing around, and then you always run the chance upsetting some natural wildlife (snakes, etc!) and they can leave you with something so nasty, antibiotics won’t clear it up! And of course, you have the sun beating down on you, so dress appropriately as well. Just like the internet issue, be careful in what you are doing. I would hate to lose some of my readers because of something that could have been prevented!

Alright… I have a confession (since I am on the plant topic LOL). Plants are beginning to consume my life! I think I am addicted to them LOL! Did you ever have an urge (not necessarily plant related) to do something you know you shouldn’t either because it could hurt you or just simply isn’t right but you want to do it anyway and not worry about consequences? I’ve had that urge… to become “The Midnight Plant Bandit”! LMAO!! Yes this may sound very tacky, but as I drive down the road, I see all these awesome plants and flowers in yards, by the road, etc. I have such an urge to drive around taking cuttings from them and bringing them home to try to propagate them! Can you imagine all the different kinds I would have? LMAO! But alas… I know better and being that my parents raised an honest person… I restrain myself and get them the normal way. I buy them or my parents give them to me or I find them free behind their house LOL!

Now, since the last couple of days/posts have been a little short (by MY standards LOL) I wanted to find you an awesome craft for today for being so patient with me LOL! I ran across this little gem last night and totally forgot that I used to make these! Shoot, maybe if I hadn’t lost mine, I wouldn’t be on blood pressure meds LMAO! So without further ado (and to my mom, dad, and everyone else PLEASE forgive the language but its just funny with this LOL) I give you the…



Craft Idea of the Day: The Dammit Doll

Supplies:

Calico or felt
Wool or doll hair
Toy filling
Sewing machine
Felt pens

Instructions:

These make great little Dammit Dolls for stressful people and can be thrown, jabbed, stomped and even strangled till all the frustration leaves you.

Attach this little poem to go with it:

When you want to kick the desk or throw the phone and shout,
Here's a little dammit doll you cannot do without,
Just grasp it firmly by the legs, and find a place to slam it,
And as you whack it's stuffing out, yell,
dammit, dammit, dammit!

You need to create a basic doll shape and cut it out of fabric.

You can use any color fabric you want, but if you intend on adding facial features you will need to keep the fabric light.

Cut out 2 body shapes and sew around the edges. Turn the doll the right side out and using a pen push out any edges in the hands and legs till it is all turned the right side out.

Then using your toy filling stuff the doll from the leg's up remembering to keep it firm enough so you can write against it. Keep filling the doll till you reach the head, then using some glue or a few hand stitches close up the head.

Use your waterproof felt pens to draw on some facial features and glue on the hair along the head seam. You can add as much or as little detail as you want to your doll.

Isn’t that just the funniest thing? LOL! I might make some for sale even LOL! Once I get the clutter cleaned out of my house at least… I could do prints and solids, faces and non, you name it! Attach the poem on some cardstock and it’ll be good to go! Oh I bet those would sell like hot cakes, especially at things like music festivals, etc! (Yes my mind is always churning on how to make extra income LOL! And inebriated people tend to buy lots of things they don’t necessarily need LOL!) OK on to the next topic that fills me with joy… FOOD! Ahh the joy of cooking (no copyright infringement intended people… its just a phrase!) with all kinds of goodies! Tonight I am STUFFING everything! WOOHOO! Remember those round zucchini I got at market… yep stuffin’ them! And I think I have some pork chops…. Stuffin those too LOL! If not, I KNOW I got some chicken and I’ll be stuffin!



Cranberry and Apple Stuffed Pork Chops

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 large Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored and diced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
salt and pepper to taste
2 thick cut bone-in pork chops
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and apple; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Stir in the cranberries and balsamic vinegar, and continue cooking until the apple and onions have softened, about 5 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then scrape the mixture onto a plate, and refrigerate until cold.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.

Cut a large pocket into the pork chops using a sharp, thin bladed knife. Stuff the cooled apple mixture into the pork chops, and secure with toothpicks if needed. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper to taste, and place into the hot skillet. Cook on each side until browned, about 3 minutes, then transfer to a baking dish. Top with the remaining apple mixture, and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Bake in preheated oven until the pork is no longer pink in the center, about 40 minutes depending on the thickness of the pork chops. Uncover, and bake about 10 minutes longer until the apple mixture has browned around the edges.



Balsamic Stuffed Round Zucchini

Ingredients

8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 large mushroom, chopped into small chunks
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoon white onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely grated
salt & pepper
1 zucchini, round (about the size of a softball)

Directions

1 Heat the oven to 180°C.

2 Put the tomatoes, chopped mushroom, garlic, onion and oregano into a bowl. Mix to combine and add the balsamic vinegar, mixing until well combined. Leave to stand for 30 minutes.

3 Cut the zucchini in half lengthways, and using a teaspoon scoop out and discard the pulp.

4 Heap the tomato mixture into the scooped out shells.

5 Grind over salt and pepper to taste, drizzle over the olive oil, and top with the parmesan cheese.

6 Bake for 45 minutes or until the shell just starts to go soft.

And finally, no stuffed dinner is complete without a stuffed dessert! So courtesy of one of my favorite chefs, Emeril Lagasse, try this recipe on for size!



Candy Bar Stuffed Baked Apples

Kids will love this outrageously delicious take on the classic baked apple! Try it with vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup finely chopped Snickers candy bar
1/4 cup finely chopped Skor candy bar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup coarsely chopped Snickers candy bar
1/4 cup coarsely chopped Skor candy bar
4 medium apples (7 to 8 ounces each)

Instructions

Position rack in center of oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the apples on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, carefully cut the top 1/2-inch from each apple.

Using an apple corer or a small melon baler, scoop out the stem, core, and seeds from each apple, leaving the bottom intact.

Stand the apples in a 9-inch square baking dish, cut side up.

Divide the coarsely chopped candy bars among the apples, about 2 tablespoons of candy per apple.

Place 1 1/2 teaspoons of the butter inside each apple, on top of the candy bar pieces.

Divide the finely chopped candy bars among the apples, about 2 tablespoons of candy per apple.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cider and sugar and pour the cider mixture over and around the apples.

Using oven mitts or pot holders, place the baking dish in the oven and bake the apples uncovered until tender, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Using oven mitts or pot holders, carefully remove the apples from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes.

Serve hot or warm, spooning the pan juices over the apples, and add vanilla ice cream if desired.

So there you have a totally awesome craft, some super stuffed recipes, and even a bit of blog-world news! Now TODAY is a blog fitting the frugal mom! LOL! Its time for me to let you go for today and start working on some of these boxes crowding out my living room. I will see you all back here tomorrow for more truth and wisdom… ok fine just facts I either know about or find LOL! Stay safe and until tomorrow… HUGS!

COPYCATS & FARMERS FOODS

Well a crazy wet and rainy morning to you today! How do you like this “lovely” weather? I, quite frankly, am waiting for mother nature to decide what she wants to do LOL. So how are you today? I am surprisingly well really. I think I have most of that toxic yuck out of my body now… I’m really sore and tired, but those are my norms LOL. Got a busy day planned today, as the DD had to be at sectionals at 6am, so the day started early for me! Got to pick up some groceries, get some lunber, pay a couple of bills, etc… lots to do! Good thing I’m early and doing my blog already huh? LOL

I want to thank everyone for the comments and emails yesterday. You all make me smile each day and I just hope you find something useful from my entries… be it a new recipe, a new craft idea, or just a smile or giggle. I believe it’s essential that we laugh at least once per day… its healthy even. To Hazel… OMG I didn’t know you were in Canada! WOW! Ya know I’ve heard it’s lovely and very peaceful over there. Must be a great place to be. Yes we had a wonderful time and I am very excited for our next adventure LOL. A lot of people tell me I look like my father… and many tell me I look just like my mother and even mistake us for sisters LOL. Even the doctors asked if she was my sister when I was giving birth to my daughter!! Yes, my mother was with me when my kids we born (I told you we were close LOL). We don’t have an Aldi’s where I live, but I had read a while back that they are going to bring the first one to Texas soon… but it will still be over 300 miles away from me, so I doubt I’ll see it very often LOL. And to Jean… thanks for your comments too. I hope you get to feeling better soon darlin’… you are an asset to this blog! LOL one of you even suggested that maybe one day, we can have an annual get together… like a convention for a couple of days LOL! That’s an interesting idea… I see us going to the Market and having a grand ol’ time!



Ok, so I know I was gonna try to just relax yesterday… but it didn’t happen LOL! Every time I went to get a drink or throw something away in the kitchen, I would see all the beautiful farmers market finds and I wanted to cook. So I started with slicing up the pineapple. Now here is a tip for you all… Fresh pineapples (I mean right off the bush fresh) are high in acids. When grocers ship them to stores, they are packed in salt to neutralize the fruit’s acids. Many people don’t know that they should NOT eat a pineapple before it has been cured with sugar or salt… and I totally forgot. The ones brought over straight from Mexico are NOT packed and my daughter and I made the mistake of munching on it RIGHT after I sliced it! OMG hello! Her poor lips started to swell and I thought bout the salt. I felt so bad for her cause its so painful LOL. Ok, so I put that aside and decided that I would hollow out the 10-inch zucchinis so I could get them ready for sausage boats.



I also chopped the broccoli for lunch. I had a big sirloin steak I had got at the meat market for cheap, so I sliced that against the grain (so it cooked up nice and tender) and put the meat in some teriyaki marinade from Kroger that had pineapple juice in it. IDEA! Cure the pineapple by cooking it in the sugars and salts from the meat! LOL… Broccoli & Beef with Pineapple over white Rice for lunch with some fried broccoli on the side. Isn’t that just marvelous looking!? I was hoping to have some to freeze, but that didn’t happen LMAO!

Ok, so the freaked over lunch… now its time to prep for dinner. Remember the 4 pound cabbage I got? Peeled the outside 5 leaves and then quartered the head. Boiled all of it till tender. Take a pound of hamburger, some spices, cracker crumbs, and an egg and make some meatloaf rolls. Wrap those up in the cabbage leaves, spray the leaf with butter spray and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Bake about 20 minutes until the meat is cooked. The rest of the head is shredded and made into yummy Cheddar Cabbage Casserole! YUMMY!



Dinner will be pan sausage and cheese stuffed zucchinis from the market, mashed potatoes, and cheddar cabbage casserole. I topped the boats with extra shredded cheddar cheese too. Again, all the fresh farm ingredients making such a yummy meal. After such a big lunch, the gang could only take 1 boat and a scoop of sides each LOL! Maybe NOW I can freeze something?? LOL! Looks like a couple of extra meals finally YAY!

As for food for today… well finding mom’s lunch recipe for her inspired me to do an entry about Copycat restaurant recipes. There is a series of books out there called “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes” by Todd Wilber and in them he gives you the “secret recipes” to tons of different things from all over the place. McDonalds, Applebees, Chili’s, Olive Garden, you name it! I figure if I get the books and make my favorite things (and they turn out actually like the real deal LOL) then I’m gonna save myself money by having it on hand at home LOL! I got a favorite thing from tons of different places, so my quest continues (as does my buying of these books LOL) as time goes on! BUT here are some of my restaurant favorites that I figured I would share that are “copycat recipes”.



McDonalds Hot Mustard

Ingredients

1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of light corn syrup
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons ground dried mustard
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 to 14 drops habanero hot sauce

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small uncovered saucepan. Whisk until smooth.

2. Turn heat to medium and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Sauce should thicken in 2 to 3 minutes after it begins to boil. Remove Sauce from heat and chill in refrigerator in a covered container. Makes 1 cup.



Popeye’s Famous Cajun Gravy

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 chicken gizzards
2 1/2 tablespoons minced green bell peppers
1/4 cup ground beef
1/4 cup ground pork, plus
2 tablespoons ground pork
2 cups water
14 ounces beef broth or chicken broth
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Directions

1 Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large saucepan.
2 Saute chicken gizzard in the oil for 4 to 5 minutes until cooked.
3 Remove gizzard from the pan and finely mince.
4 Combine ground beef and ground pork in a small bowl.
5 Smash the meat together with your hands until it's well-mixed.
6 Add bell pepper to the saucepan and saute it for 1 minute.
7 Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pan and cook it until it's brown.
8 Use a potato masher to smash meat into tiny pieces as it browns.
9 Add water and beef broth to the pan.
10 Immediately whisk in cornstarch and flour.
11 Add remaining ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil.
12 Reduce heat and simmer gravy for 30 to 35 minutes or until thick.

This next “copycat” was for an appetizer that we had at Red Lobster on Sat. However, when I made it yesterday afternoon it turned out NOTHING like the one I tasted there. Now, I’m not fond of fried veggies really, but it was tasty… and my gang here was spazing loving the fried broccoli I made. This is MY picture and the supposed copycat recipe (which I followed to the “T” btw).



Red Lobster Fried Broccoli

Exported from MasterCook *

Ingredients

shortening (for deep frying)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour -- divided
4 tablespoons grated American cheese -- divided
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
3 cups Broccoli Florets, Cleaned and Dried -- (you Can Steam Them First to Have a Tender Texture or Just Use Raw)
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Heat 2 or 3 inches shortening to 365°F in deep fryer or deep saucepan.
2. Combine 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons cheese and onion powder in large plastic bag.
3. Add broccoli.
4. Shake to coat.
5. Combine buttermilk, baking powder, remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 2 tablespoons cheese and salt in small bowl.
6. Stir until smooth.
7. Dip several broccoli pieces in batter.
8. Drain off excess.
9. Fry a few at a time in Crisco Shortening heated to 365°F.
10. Fry 1 or 2 minutes or until deep golden brown.
11. Turn as needed for even browning.
12. Remove with slotted spoon.
13. Drain on paper towels.
14. Serve immediately.

OK everybody, that’s gonna do it for today. I’m gonna get the DS14 up and ready for school and then I’m out the door running! I got my tennies on and ready to hit the road LOL! Have to, with as busy as my day is gonna be LOL! So until tomorrow… Peace, Love, and lots of HUGS!!