RECYCLE FEVER

Morning ladies and gents. How are you doing this hot & humid June day? I am peachy… I have recycle fever today (and yesterday) and I am going to show you all about it! OK so I had started by making a list of some of the recycled crafts I wanted to do during the day, but oddly enough, I didn’t do any of them LMAO! Maybe I will get to them today LOL. However, the things I got done were (in my opinion) spiffy cool I think. Check them out!



This is a denim purse that I made out of an old pair of Alex’s jeans. The legs were too short to be door draft stoppers and I didn’t want to just get rid of them. They were too tattered and stained in places to take them to donation… so… what do I do. Then it hit me… make a purse! I cut the legs off right at the inseam top straight on both sides. I zigzag stitched the zipper area closed… the zipper had some broken teeth anyway. And it looked cute LOL! Then I sewed the bottom closed and then I sewed some webbing straps on. I finished it off with a blue checkered ribbon… feeding it through the belt loops and then fastening the ribbon with some stay stitching. Tied it in a cute bow in the front. I left the pockets open for things like keys and cell phones, etc. The last thing I did was to sew in a couple of velcro spots for closure. I think it turned out wonderful!



Then I finished up Alex’s Toy story bag that I made out of old stained and tattered bed sheets. Then I put all his Toy Story goodies inside. I only had a matching 22 inch zipper even though the craft actually calls for an 18 inch one. But I think it came out ok. I am not real happy with it because the bed sheets did not hold form real well. Next time I will try lining it with a stiff canvas or something. There is enough of the sheet to make another one actually, so I might try again.



Remember I told you the other day that I bought a couple of the new Friskies cat food bags because I liked the pictures? Well guess what… yep I recycled them into a purse too! I mean you could use it for a shopping tote or a purse or a regular tote or whatever you wanted. I just think it’s cute! I want to get all the other bags so I can make one out of those too! Maybe I can start a new fashion trend for pet lovers LMAO! Well… maybe just me cause I’m a little odd LOL! But who knows, right? I mean 10 years ago when I was making Capril Sun and Koolaid purse and bags and such from candy wrappers I never would have thought I would see them sold in WALMART of all places! So I have to keep it new and exciting LOL!



This is another recycled purse I started… playing cards! We have like 8 zillion decks of cards running around the house… I figured I could spare one LOL. But this would be a great project for all those decks that you have running around that maybe our precious little children lost a few of the cards LOL… It would be awesome for the poker enthusiast too! Right now the inside is lined with duct tape, but this is just a preliminary model… I am thinking I am going to line it with felt and make the outside vinyl… not quite sure yet. But won’t it be pretty flippin cool?!



I had to stop working on the recycled totes and such because I had to prep food… remember I told you we were grilling yesterday because my DB and his GF were coming over. I made some homemade potato salad and tons of kabobs and all kinds of flavors of meats! Chicken Legs, sausage, beef, sausage, and shrimp kabobs, Ribeye steaks, milkfish, and hot dogs. Be darned I forgot the scallops I had set out! Oh well, I can pan sear them today or tomorrow or something. Shoot, our neighbor came over and asked if we could throw some sausage on the grill for her, so we said sure and she ran inside and got her sausage cut up and we grilled it for her. Took all over 5-10 minutes… we didn’t mind LOL! She is a nice lady and we don’t mind doing things for her. We had a couple of glasses of wine and the guys had some beers (traditional when most Southern men get together and BBQ LOL!) but nobody got snot-slinging drunk ya know? Just a relaxing good time. After dinner and BBQitas LMAO, we sat and had a little fun singing karaoke on the Playstation… well they sang. I sat back and laughed at them! Even the kids got in on the music session!

OK so its time to get funky crafty! I got somewhat of a craft fever going this weekend, but they have to be recycled crafts… so I was searching for some new ideas and I saw the cutest thing for making soap dispensers out of a mason jar. CUTE! BUT then the creative juices got flowing and I was like OMG use CLEAR soap and put like colored gems or marbles or seashells or candy or all kinds of things in there to make it better! Then add ribbon around the metal lid ring and it would be so cute! OH THEN (LOL) depending on theme of your soap jar, make a gift basket around it! OMG wouldn’t that be the coolest? So here for your enjoyment today is a very versatile craft that recycling rocks! Thanks to blogspot member kelleygeorgette!



Craft Idea of the Day: Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

1. Just take a mason jar and drive a nail through the center of the top.
2. Remove the pump from a store bought soap dispenser
3. Widen the hole you made so that the pump fits snug inside.
4. Put some super glue on the edge of the bottom of the pumps base, so that it adheres to the jar top. let dry.
5. Now fill with soap… the more colorful the better.

Ok, so are you hungry? I mean REALLY hungry? Well I found some really cool FARMER FAVORITES that I thought you might like to try. Have you enjoyed the vegetarian week? I hope so… and I hope it has shown to you that no matter what budget or background you come from, good nutritious meals are easily obtainable! Not sure about doing another theme next week… what do you think? Any thoughts? Check these great recipes out that I have chosen to wrap up the FARMER FAVORITES week and then leave me a comment! Eat & Enjoy!



Tofu Parmigiana

By: Jill B. Mittelstadt
"Breaded tofu a la parmigiana. You'll just about swear this is eggplant or veal! One of my husband's favorites, and he doesn't even suspect! Serve with a simple crisp green salad, angel hair pasta and garlic bread."

Ingredients

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (12 ounce) package extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 clove garlic, minced
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 eggs whisked

Directions

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Slice tofu into 1/4 inch thick slices, and pat dry. Bake the tofu slices at 350 for just a few minutes on each side until it is golden brown.

Then, one at a time, dip tofu in egg, then press tofu slices into crumb mixture, turning to coat all sides. (If crumbs do not stick, you could try to coat with cooking spray.)

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook tofu slices until crisp on one side. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil, turn, and brown on the other side.

Combine tomato sauce, basil, garlic, and remaining oregano. Place a thin layer of sauce in an 8 inch square baking pan. Arrange tofu slices in the pan. Spoon remaining sauce over tofu. Top with shredded mozzarella and remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan.

Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 20 minutes.



Risotto with Tomato, Corn and Basil

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups water
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup uncooked Arborio rice
3 tablespoons white wine
1 medium tomato - peeled, seeded and chopped
1 1/3 cups fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Combine the water and milk in a medium size pot or saucepan, heat the water and milk to a simmer. Keep the pan over low heat.

Melt the butter in a large casserole or skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and the rice, stir constantly for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir until completely absorbed.

Begin to add the heated milk-water mixture 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently. Wait until each addition is almost completely absorbed before adding the next. When the rice has cooked for 15 minutes and most of the liquid has been incorporated, add the corn kernels and tomatoes along with the end of the milk-water mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is tender but still slightly chewy.

The risotto should take 18 to 20 minutes of cooking all together. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, most of the basil, and the salt and pepper. Spoon the risotto immediately onto plates, top with the remaining basil strands, and serve.

Well boys and girls, I am afraid that is all that I have for you today. Its time for me to wash some serious dishes and such and get back to recycled crafting! Thanks for dropping in today… I’ve had a great time chatting with you! Join me again tomorrow for more crafts, food, and fun! Until then… HUGS!

FISH MARKET FUN

Good morning kids! How are you doing today? I am good. I had a very interesting but fun day yesterday that I am just dying to tell you about. There are lots of pictures to share today, so grab your java and let the journey begin!

I had to take care of some personal business in Galveston. I offered the kids to go to the beach, but they politely declined. DD said it would be too crowded and she just wasn’t in the mood. OK so we find something else to do! I cashed in a winning scratch off on the way home and guess what? I won a little money! $30… not much but better than a poke in the eye! SO, I got 5 more $1 tickets (cause that is what I spent LOL) and $25 cash back. Free money is good! Sadly, from those 5 I only won $1... oh well LOL.



First a few things I have to share with you in my garden… I am so happy and proud! Look at my pretty strawberries! OMG they almost made me cry this morning when I went out there to water my babies and I saw these red beacons of hope shining back at me! The plants are thriving, sprouting runners, and blooms and berries YAY!



This is a soon to be eggplant! Throughout the thriving 9 plants I have, I have been able to spot 5-6 blooms already! YAY! My DH has never had the opportunity to see many fruits and veggies grown from plants (yes he lived in a cave a as kid LOL) so he is always amazed at my gardening LOL. He has never seen an eggplant and was tickled over this flower (just wait dear… just wait! We were in for a surprise later!)



Here is my cucumber vines! I have 5 flowers that will turn into cute little cucumbers! I have to get some trellis for them to grow big and strong! There is a lot of other great improvements that make me so happy each time I go out there! I will keep you updated!



Ok, so I saw a commercial for a shrimp dinner and I started having a craving… YUMMMM shrimp! I know, you would think I had enough seafood after last weekend… and honestly, so did I. UNTIL this commercial! I had been looking at some of the things to do and nothing was striking my fancy to take the family to do. Well the DH tells me my DB might be coming over tomorrow… and then of course his GF might be with, and who knows who else, so guess what… we decided we are gonna grill! AND so we decided we wanted to go to the fish market today as a family outing! The DD and DH suggested we just go walk around Kemah. I thought it was a good idea, but I had something better! I told them let’s go buy some shrimp! I mean after all, I DID get that free money off that ticket and I wanted shrimp! So we put a small ice chest in the trunk and were off! Here they are looking all cute in front of the first fish house we went to!



So we parked in one of the lots and decided to Then while we were walking down the road, I noticed these plants with pretty purple flowers… hey those flowers look familiar!! OMG I walked closer and noticed all the tons of eggplant plants everywhere in the vacant destroyed area! Someone planted tons of veggie plants in a rubble filled lot still wrecked from Hurricane IKE! They were covered in baby eggplants and blooms!



There was this plant too… not sure if it’s a squash, a pumpkin, or what but I see these golden blossoms that look like pumpkin… who knows. But they had a small fencing piece up holding u p vines and holding in the plants. I might have to continue visiting in order to monitor and admire the progress!



That’s Madison’s hands holding a String bean that had to be about 2 foot long! They are all along this gate and they are huge!



This is a patch that’s closer to the destroyed buildings and the Bay. I think these are peppers and some more eggplant in the center… not sure as nothing had fruits or flowers on it to be able to tell. But the leaves looked familiar. Either way, it’s a wonderful view amidst the destruction.



Here is another large group of eggplant plants in the rubble ridden lot. Whoever planted them here was rather smart, as they used old pipes and rods that were sticking up in the dirt for props for the plants I guess they knew would become rather large. The saddest thing is that for the life of me, I cannot remember what these crumbling buildings used to be... and for some reason that upsets me!



Here is a cucumber plant growing up the side of the fence. This cucumber looks a wee bit dehydrated LOL but at least it grew!



This is a close up of the tiny little eggplants on some of the plants. Aren’t they the cutest little things?! Remember I told you the DH had never seen eggplants actually grow before? You should have seen his little eyes when he saw these! LOL it was like a kid in a candy store!

We made sure not to disturb anything we looked at. The only thing we took was pictures! We don’t know if these plants belong to anyone or if someone just did a RAOK (Random Act Of Kindness) and planted them here to give the community hope after the storm. Either way, I made sure the gang did not touch or take anything. It was so cool to see this in a storm ravaged area. Very hopeful and very refreshing! Ok back to shopping for our dinner LOL!



Now I wanted fresh shrimp… but I am not sure I wanted them THIS fresh LOL! Isn’t that so creepy how their eyes glow gold when you take pictures of them in the tank?! Although DS14 thought this was the coolest thing! He got SUPER excited when he saw these little fellas!



We came home with 1 pound of jumbo shrimp and 3 pounds of colossal shrimp and a very decent sized milkfish. Here you see me playing around and joking to kiss the cute little thing goodbye LOL! Milkfish is a very tender fish whose meat turns white “like milk” when cooked. It is a very popular fish in Japan. It was a good buy so we decided to bring one home. LOL now I know my mom said, and I have told my kids, not to play with your food… but I was just about to have too much fun with this LOL!



The first “victim” to When Fish Attack was the DS! LOL I snuck up behind him and tapped his shoulder. He turned around and kinda jumped like WHOA WTH! LMAO OMG I almost dropped the fish and fell on the floor I was laughing so hard!



Here is the DD who was not as fun as the others. She wanted to make out with the fish LOL! So we got her kissing him goodbye too! Then we started singing the McDonalds filet o fish song LOL which then turned into Joy to the World song where we “swim with the fishes in the deep blue sea” LMAO!



Now this is one of my cats… Rebel. He wanted to smell it, but surprisingly wanted nothing to do with it! I have good cats. I have raised them not to beg or go for human food and not to mention, I think it kinda bothered him. Oh he smelled it, but then backed away. Same with Pitts and Princess… they wanted nothing to do with this fish or the shrimp! I have good kitties!



As for what’s for dinner? I used the 1 pound of jumbo shrimp for some Shrimp Alfredo and a nice fresh salad! Isn’t that so pretty? The tiny tomatoes and the fresh parsley are from my garden! Now, here’s a cost breakdown of last nights dinner:

Lettuce for salad: $0.35
Tomatoes: FREE
Red Onion: $0.05
Sunflower seeds: $0.05
Dressing: $0.05
Pasta: $0.25 after coupon
Sauce: $0.75 after coupon
Fresh Parsley: FREE
Shrimp: $3.69

TOTAL FOR DINNER: $5.19

Not bad for a family of 4 huh? I am going to try to stay away from the grocery store if at all possible the rest of the month. The one exception will be for milk and eggs but no more groceries… I know I keep saying that, but I HAVE to find the willpower to actually do it LOL! Maybe I need food shopper’s anonymous LMAO!

There was one incident with a drunken man in the middle of the HEB parking lot that wasn't so great yesterday. I'm not gonna dwell on it cause he will pay for what he's done, but my DD's reaction was so funny and it just proves that she is my child without a doubt. After the altercation, she yells out in front of everyone, "Geez, some people are just not happy without their daily fix, huh?" (Referring to the strong smell of alcohol on the man and the fact he pulled into the liquor store after the incident) LOL! Ain't she a hoot?

Once dinner was over, the rest of the night was designated relaxation time… especially since we might have a busy grill day tomorrow. We put away the leftover pasta and salad and then DH did the dishes while I tended to downloading pictures and prepping the kids for showers and bed. Now I am hoping to get some crafting done in the morning hours today, but we shall see. As of right now, I’m just not feeling it! But just because I’m not, doesn’t mean I am going to leave you hanging without a cool idea. I am really liking that Craft Gossip site. They have some of the coolest ideas on there! Like I found a link for 22 Ways to Recycle old CD’s and some of them are super cool! You have to check them out! Like this cool Idea for making a dumbbell weight!



Craft Idea of the Day: CD Dumbbell and other CD crafts

150 CDs, about 75 on each side, on a threaded rod from the hardware store and then (8) bolts to hold it all together. No tools needed. Just thread it all and bolt it tight.

Is that not incredibly awesome? They have things like phone docks, wall paper, lamps and shades, sculptures, disco balls, curtains, clocks, frames, weather vanes, and even a chair! Make sure you go check them out.

Ok everybody, its time for today’s Farmer Favorites, which have a bit of spice. I have selected some curried favorites to make your mouth water. Curry dishes are hugely popular in the Indian cuisine. Long been a popular range of dishes, curries are now fast becoming some of the most often made meals in the world. The contrast of spicyness and taste makes a curry welcome by almost everyone. Here are a couple to start you off, and there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, more recipes out there using curry if you find that you like the flavor! Eat and Enjoy!



Aloo Gobi

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into bite size pieces
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot on medium-high heat and add onion. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes, then stir in garlic and cumin. Continue to cook until onion begins to brown.

Stir in tomatoes and coconut and the coriander, salt, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Stir until mixture begins to boil, then put in the potatoes, cauliflower, and garbanzo beans.

Blend well. Reduce heat to low and cover.

Simmer until the potatoes are tender, 45 minutes to an hour (this will depend on the size of the potato chunks).



Coconut Curry Tofu

Ingredients

2 bunches green onions
1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
1/4 cup soy sauce, divided
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons chile paste
1 pound firm tofu, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
4 cups chopped bok choy
salt to taste

Directions

Remove white parts of green onions, and finely chop. Chop greens into 1 inch pieces.

In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, mix coconut milk, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, ginger, and chile paste. Bring to a boil.

Stir tofu, tomatoes, yellow pepper, mushrooms, and finely chopped green onions into the skillet. Cover, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in basil and bok choy. Season with salt and remaining soy sauce.

Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender but crisp. Garnish with remaining green onion.

(NOTE**) When serving over rice, you might want to double the recipe for the sauce!

Ok kids, that concludes today’s spicy adventures in Frugalville LOL! Join me again tomorrow for lots more fun, crafts, and craziness as we wrap up another crazy week in the life of the Frugal Mom! Until tomorrow… HUGS!

SUPER SQUASH

Well good morning all my little chickadees! How are you doing this humid TGIF? I am so incredibly exhausted its not funny LOL. BUT despite the tired feeling, once I get up and get the blood flowing, it should be better. Right now, its shake out the cobwebs time! So what do you have planned for this exciting end of the week? I have to run down to Galveston, so I am thinking that if the forecast will be kind to us, taking the kids to the beach today. If that doesn’t pan out, it will be another day of cleaning and such… trying to get it done.

Well on the quest to make the world a more Frugal Friendly place, I have found another article with some interesting ideas to save you money. Now a few of these are super iffy in my book (like home haircuts LMAO… PLEASE take caution in things like this… can we handle a society full of chili bowls? LMAO! Kidding) But in a nutshell some of these ideas are pretty good… especially for the “first time frugaler” LOL!

10 Inventive Ways to Save
By Katy Marquardt

1. Clothing swap- Friends have been meeting, mingling, and exchanging their unwanted duds for decades, but many of today’s clothing swaps are more sophisticated meetups organized by self-professed “swapaholics.” Sites that organize local swaps include swaporamarama.com and clothingswap.com.

2. Lunch Clubs- You’re already forgoing restaurant takeout and brown-bagging it. Here’s another idea that’s been popping up in some offices: Team up with coworkers and take turns providing lunch for the group once a week. Make an extra casserole on Sunday, bring it to share on Monday, and voilà—a week of lunches for around $10.

3. Freeganism non-extremists- You don’t have to climb into a garbage bin. You don’t even have to get your hands dirty. Instead of buying clay pots for your container garden, ask your local nursery for its unwanted plastic ones. Day trip to the woods—or park—to forage for fresh herbs, or check sites like VeggieTrader.com, where gardeners offer up their surplus.

4. Get hitched on the cheap- Consider tying the knot in a national park: A permit for a hillside amphitheater in Rocky Mountain National Park, for instance, costs between $50 and $200, depending on the size of the party. Follow the ceremony with a picnic, and recruit a friend with a good camera—and a good eye—to take wedding photos.

5. Home haircuts and other DIY ideas- It’s back to basics for many creative savers, who are making everything from their own cleaning products and condiments to food for Fido. For some, even a trip to the barber is no longer a necessity. Others are performing basic fix-its around the house, such as plumbing work. Sites like Instructables.com can teach you how.

6. Make your own beer or wine- The basic supplies and ingredients will cost you, but making several gallons of beer or wine—which can be done in an afternoon—can be quite economical, says blogger Trent Hamm of thesimpledollar.com. He recommends turning it into a social event in which you and your friends split the costs—and the bounty.

7. Crowd buying- The concept: Local businesses offer their products or services at a huge discount—think $25 for $50 worth of salon services—but the deal is only good if enough people snap it up. The most well-known of the sites is Groupon.com, which lists daily deals in more than 40 metro markets.

8. Bartering for Beginners- Want to wade into the world of bartering? Start by reaching out via social networks like Facebook or Twitter, recommends Melissa Massello, founder of online magazine Shoestring. “If you’re a writer, ask if anyone needs résumé help, and what they can offer in return,” she says. Are you a yoga aficionado? A techie? Think about your skills to determine what you can offer.

9. Eat Lentils- Well, not just lentils, but they cost little and have tons of nutritional value. Jeff Yeager, author of The Ultimate Cheapskate's Roadmap to True Riches, recommends “eating lower on the food chain,” which means focusing on grains, legumes, and fresh produce, and spending no more than a dollar a pound.

10. Extreme Measures- Chew a half stick of gum at a time. Time your showers with a stopwatch. Use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste. “My take is that if it bugs your family and friends to the point that they tease you, it’s probably too extreme. But if not and it makes you happy, go for it,” says Massello.

Ok now let me ask you something. Are you going to be doing any inside crafting soon? Well if so, I have another cute recycled craft for you to try! If you are like me, you are always scrambling for a small piece of paper to jot a quick note down on… like something you need from the store, a phone number, etc. Well I have found some interesting notebook ideas to fit your dilemma.

Craft Idea of the Day: Handmade Notebooks or Scratchpads



Floppy Disk Notebook

1. Find the two squares that are in your floppy disks, on the opposite end from the silver slidy thing
(haha, you can tell that I was born in the age of DVD's and flash drives) Stick the keychain rings through these holes. Yay, you're halfway done!

2. Get three brads (from the scrapbooking section of a craft store) Glue them down to the inside of one of the floppy disks.

3. Cut paper to fit inside. Punch three holes along the top that will fit the brads you just glued down.

4. Stick the paper onto the brads, and fold the legs down. You're done!



Game Piece Notebook (a fellow blogspot posting from a talented young lady! Thanks for sharing!)

1. Start off by making a small notebook out of paper (take your pieces of paper, fold them in half, staple in the middle) and glue your game pieces to the front & back.

2. Next, take either a strip of sticky paper or a (scrapbooking) border sticker. Stick half of it down on the front side flip it over & stick the rest down on the back Trim off the excess paper/sticker.



Vinyl LP notebook

1. First you need to cut the record. This can be done with a saw or a sharp razor blade. Cut it so that it's a little bigger than A5 (aprox 1/2" at each side). You may need to saw the sides to get rid of any sharp bits.

2. Now you need to drill 3 holes. Two on the left side of the record for the ring binder hoops and one on the right in the center.

3. You don't have to but it's usually best to mount your record on a thick peice of card or plastic.

4. You now need to make a back for your notebook. If the record came with a cool sleeve then cut it up and use that for your back otherwise posters or anything else will do. Cut this to the same size as the record and then put the same 3 holes in again.

5. To make sure that nothing can fall out of your notebook thread the third hole (on the record and the back cover) with ribbon. This makes a nice little tie. Now all you have to do is decorate it.



Playing Card Notebook

1. Starting with the card, this will be our back sheet, mark where you want the hole studs to go.

2. Punch in the hole studs.

3. Do the same for the playing card.

4. Punch holes in to the sheets of paper in the correct places.

5. You will now have your three piles. Open up the jump rings using needle nose pliers.

6. Slip the jump rings through the piles and then close them up.

Aren’t those pretty cool? This just shows you that you can make notebooks out of just about anything! I have seen them from the pictures/insides of old cassette cases, photographs, and tons more as well as what I showed you today. They also make for good little giveaway gifts… like homemade stationary kits, office gifts, stocking stuffers, etc.

Ok now on to your most favorite part of the blog…. Ok, ok maybe it’s one of MY most favorite parts LOL… FOOD! Today I want to bring you a FARMER FAVORITE that is easily accessible just about anywhere you go… SQUASH! There are at least 15 or 16 different kinds of squash that I know of… but by no means am I a food “genius” like my kids seem to think LOL! So try a new kind of squash… you might like it! Here are a couple of more “popular” squashes to work with today!



Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons sliced black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

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

Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven, and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.

Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.



Butternut Squash & Rosemary Pizza

Ingredients

1 cup thinly sliced onion
1/2 butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
salt and black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 (16 ounce) package refrigerated pizza crust dough
1 tablespoon cornmeal
2 tablespoons grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Place sliced onion and squash in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with rosemary, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil; toss to coat.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until onions are lightly browned and squash is tender; set aside.

Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). On a floured surface, roll each ball of dough into an 8 inch round. Place the rounds on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal (you may need 2 baking sheets depending on their size). Distribute squash mixture over the two rounds and continue baking for 10 minutes, checking occasionally, or until the crust is firm.

Sprinkle with cheese and remaining tablespoon olive oil. Cut into quarters, and serve.

Well folks, that’s all she wrote for me today. I have had a heaping helping of happy fun with you all during our early morning chat today. I hope you found my entry fun and entertaining and informative. I also hope that you will return tomorrow for more of the same enjoyment. Remember to be safe in your journeys today and this weekend in whatever you find yourself doing! Until tomorrow… HUGS!

GROWING OR GOING GREEN?

Good morning everyone. How is this bright and sunny June day treating you? Well, I hope. Today I am a little off… my stomach is not exactly happy today, but other than that I am good! I have big plans today for you and for me LOL. My plans you ask? CLEANING! LOL… yep I am gonna go through this house like a wild woman and clean things up, throwing stuff out, organizing, etc! Hopefully by the end of today I will find a floor in every room and everything will have a home. I figure if I do it now while I have the drive, it will free up my summer to actually have fun! So what are you going to do today?

Now you know me, and I am always browsing for articles about going green, recycling, saving money, etc. Well I found one today and I wanted to bring it to you… its about “Going Green” which seems to be becoming a new fad for some… some from necessity and some just because. So check this out and maybe it will hold some new ideas for you to try!

10 Ways to Save Money by Going Green

By Maura Judkis

The era of new American frugality ushered in by the recession has an added benefit. Many measures that families take to cut costs in tough times—turning down the heat or shopping secondhand, for example—are also good for the planet. "Our carbon footprint is directly tied to our consumption, whether that's consumption of energy or a consumer product," says Josh Dorfman, host of the Sundance Channel show The Lazy Environmentalist and author of the book and blog of the same name. Whether people realize it or not, cutting back has made them accidental environmentalists.

"Certainly, saving money is more important to most people than going green," says Dorfman. "For people to green their lifestyle, the solutions have to fit how they live. I think there are a lot of ways to make that possible." Below, you'll find 10—all of which will minimize not only your footprint but also your spending.

1. Get there, greener. You don't have to own a Prius to drive green. Any driver can increase fuel efficiency and thus save on gas by getting regular tuneups, keeping tires properly inflated, and avoiding idling. But considering that transportation accounted for nearly 30 percent of carbon emissions in America in 2006, the cheapest and best thing you can do for the environment is to drive less. According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transit ridership is increasing and in 2009 reached its highest level in 52 years. Or you can join the growing renaissance of fuel-free and fit bicycle commuting.



2. Enjoy home-cooked meals. Prepared foods may be convenient, but they cost more than the ingredients for a home-cooked meal—and come loaded with salt and preservatives. Chef Laura Stec, author of the environmental cookbook Cool Cuisine, says that preparing meals at home is cheaper, more healthful, and not as hard as we think. "We can't save money and benefit from the results of eating higher-quality whole foods if people don't know how to use them," says Stec. "It's not about recipes; it's about technique." Stec says fresh, nutritious food paired with simple seasonings can help novice cooks learn to prepare delicious meals. Packing a lunch of leftovers can save you more than $100 each month.



3. Eat your veggies. According to the Department of Agriculture, the average American eats nearly 200 pounds of meat each year—an amount that has not been good for our nation's waistlines. But the production of meat uses vastly more resources than produce, which is why climate scientists and green chefs like Stec recommend a diet that is mostly plant based. "Not only is the overconsumption of meat and processed foods and corn syrup contributing to problems with our own diets, but [it's harmful] to the health of the planet as well," says Stec. She recommends using meat as an accent for cheap and hearty grain-based dishes.

4. Flip the switch. The sight of a monthly utility bill can make you shiver—or sweat. But there are simple ways to keep cool in the summer, stay toasty in the winter, and still cut your bill drastically. Catherine Potter, manager for consumer content at smart grid software company. OPOWER, recommends this fundamental step: When you're not going to be at home, turn your thermostat up a few degrees in warm months and down a few degrees in cold months. "That will really give you the biggest bang for your buck because it's free to do, and heating and cooling comprise over half of the typical home's energy use," says Potter.

5. Work from home. "There was a time when people might have looked askance at home-based businesses," says Christine Esposito, president of Terracom PR. "But now it's one way to walk your green talk." Esposito moved her green business into her home to save money and stay true to its brand. Employees at traditional workplaces can talk to their managers about working from home just a day or two a week to save on transportation.

6. Buy none, get one free. The best way to save money, of course, is to pay nothing at all—and for free goods, one should look no further than the computer screen. "The trend is towards this community online where people can share or trade what they have and save money," says Dorfman. Freecycle, the pioneer of the bunch, is an online community where people can post items they want to give away or items they want, finding a new home for old stuff. Based on that model, there's Zwaggle, a community for new parents, and Goozex, where video gamers can swap their old games. Those on SwapStyle trade fashionable clothing, while NeighborGoods facilitates the sharing of tools and household items. There's even the self-explanatory PaperBackSwap. "In a time where we're so concerned about our budgets, these solutions that aren't necessarily designed to be green still enable us to live well," says Dorfman. "A byproduct of that is we consume less and reduce our impact."



7. Get paid to recycle. Sometimes, going green doesn't just save you money—it earns you money. Old phones, printers, monitors, iPods, and personal digital assistants—stashed in drawers and closets when they kick the bucket—are valuable to companies that refurbish, resell, and recycle them, and they'll reimburse you in cash. "From the lazy environmentalist's point of view, [recycling}is a pain in the neck," says Dorfman, who recommends E-cycler Gazelle. Second Rotation, EcoNew, and BuyMyTronics will also buy your broken gadgets. "You're getting paid to sit on your couch," says Dorfman.



8. Don't be trashy. Reducing your share of trash provides instant green gratification and can help you save on your grocery bill. Whether it's tissues, plastic sandwich bags, or cotton balls, most of our disposable goods have a durable alternative—like handkerchiefs or sponges—that will get the job done just as well and will pay for itself in savings. A surprisingly stylish influence has been the AMC television show Mad Men, which has brought 1960s-era accouterments like long-lasting straight razors and handkerchiefs back in vogue. But even if you find it hard to do without your paper napkins, the easiest change is to replace bottled water with a reusable water bottle.



9. Conserve Water- Your water bill is inextricably tied to your energy bill through your water heater, so reducing your use of hot water can mean extra savings. Dorfman endorses a low-flow showerhead, enabling him to take long showers guilt free.

10. Don't buy it—rent it. Savvy entrepreneurs have launched sites to rent out anything from cars to handbags for short-term use and big-time savings, both carbon and financial. Car-sharing company Zipcar is the best-known example, but sites like couture-lending Rent the Runway are growing fast. "Sites like these enable you to get what you want without actually owning it and allow other people to use it as well, collectively reducing the environmental impact," says Dorfman. "It allows you to save money and still enjoy your lifestyle."

Now for today’s craft… its inspired by my son, Alex. He is a pen thief LMAO! I always put tons of pens by my desk and they all seem to grow legs and walk off. I have seen these at places like our doctors offices, etc. and I think it is just the cutest thing! So now you can make one too! These also make cute office-mate gifts, Mother’s Day gifts, etc.



Craft Idea of the Day: Flower Pot Pens

Materials:

Felt
Terracotta Pot Or Flower Pot
Flower Head
Green florist tape
Pen/Biro
Glue
Clay or Plaster of Paris.

Directions:

For this free craft project you can use a plain terracotta pot or you can paint your pot using craft paints.

For this project we are using clay but you can also use plaster or Paris.

Start by filling your pot with the clay and pressing it down firmly. Press your pen lid into the pot firmly till it is all the way in. This will form the holder for the pen when it is not in use. Set aside and allow it to dry.

Using your green felt cover the clay or plaster of Paris by gluing down the felt, trim away any excess.

Take your pen and remove the top off the pen. Using the florist tape we are going to bind the pen. Florist tape sticks to itself when stretched so as you roll the pen you need to pull the tape tight as you wind, make sure you do not leave any gaps or the pen will show through. You can unwind this and try it again until you get it nice and flat. It's a little tricky but easy when you know how so have a few goes until you are happy with the result.

Place some glue onto the top of your pen and push your flower into the hole we left earlier by removing the top. Hold it firmly until it glues. If you have leafs you can thread these onto your pen and secure with a little glue. Now your pen is finished.

OK now its time for the FARMERS FAVORITES for today! And I want a little spice! I think a Mexican dinner is in order tonight! Yes my children, Spanish cuisine is a favorite of mine (of course so is Chinese, Italian, etc… just food in general LOL) and for today’s veggie faves I thought I would share with you a couple of great things sure to satisfy your taste for some South of the Border sensation! ¡Coma y Disfrute de! (Eat and Enjoy!)



Vegan Bean Taco Filling

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 (14.5 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed, drained, and mashed
2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup salsa

Directions

Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook until tender. Stir in mashed beans. Add the cornmeal. Mix in cumin, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and salsa. Cover, and cook 5 minutes.



Seven Layer Tortilla Pie

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
7 (8 inch) flour tortillas
2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

In a large bowl, mash pinto beans. Stir in 3/4 cup salsa and garlic.

In a separate bowl, mix together 1/4 cup salsa, cilantro, black beans and tomatoes.

Place 1 tortilla in a pie plate or tart dish. Spread 3/4 cup pinto bean mixture over tortilla to within 1/2 inch of edge. Top with 1/4 cup cheese, and cover with another tortilla. Spread with 2/3 cup black bean mixture, and top with 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layering twice. Cover with remaining tortilla, and spread with remaining pinto bean mixture and cheese.

Cover with foil, and bake in preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Cut into wedges, and serve with salsa and sour cream.

OK my lads & lasses… its time for me to get off this computer and go get started on the clean-a-thon before I lose my spunk! I had fun today and hope you come back tomorrow to see what’s in store! Until then… HUGS!

FARMER FAVORITES WEEK

Well a big HI THERE and HELLO to all my faithful followers! How are you doing this absolutely horridly humid morning? LOL… I am well. Full of summertime spunk and craziness!

To address some comments… First I figured MOM would be excited when I said it was FARMER FAVORITES LOL! She is a veg-a-holic! LOL! Sorry it rained on your tree day mom… but be patient… your tree day will come! And MOJO sauce is something you can buy in a jar at the store or make it yourself. Here is something I found on tasteofcuba.com for you!

The authentic mojo is made with juice from sour oranges. It still has that little orangy taste, but its very acid and tart. You can come close by mixing equal amounts of freshly squeezed orange juice with lime juice (*). If you live in areas with large concentration of Latinos you will probably find bottled Mojo (Goya brand makes one) or their produce department might have the slightly bumpy, thick skinned sour oranges. This recipe makes one cup.

1/3 cup olive oil
6 to 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
2/3 cup sour orange juice or lime juice
(or equal portions orange juice and lime juice)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat the olive oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly toasted. Don't let it brown or it will be acrid tasting, just about 30 seconds should do it.

Add the sour orange juice, cumin and salt and pepper. STAND BACK; the sauce may sputter. Bring to a rolling boil. Taste and correct seasoning, if needed

Cool before serving. Mojo is best when served within a couple of hours of making, but it will keep for several days, well capped in a jar or bottle, in the refrigerator.

Use with Cuban sandwiches, boiled yucca, grilled seafood and meats, fried green plantain chips, etc.

*I have seen recipes for mojo using cilantro in it, but that is not traditional to Cuban Cuisine.

To Tabitha- ok dear, I am not trying to offend, but where on earth do you live to think MY life is interesting?? LOL… I do thank you for the compliments though… you are too kind! Yes I took my lotto bag to the casino, but ya know I got more compliments about the money scrub top than the bag LOL… go figure! I got a lot of compliments on it at the mall though! And I am so glad you have had good experiences with the Farmers Market. Just remember not to buy overboard LOL cause you don’t want things to go to waste!

To the Carter Family- I am sorry to hear you are having garden problems, but I CAN say this… DO NOT GIVE UP! Sure you may need to doctor and baby the plants, change the dirt, or other vegatative first aid actions, but it DOES help! I rescued what I could, disposed of what was dead, made a better dirt mixture, added some nitrogen rocks/food, and prayed! Be vigilant about the watering and care and maybe even research the specific problems you are having online for more advise. And your lucky, part of what I occupied my time with yesterday was my gardening and plants, so guess what you get to see today! LOL and here we go!



OK let’s start with my bell peppers. What once were mere sticks are now thick thriving stocks of green goodness! Look at the size of those bell peppers! And the best part is that these plants are COVERED in them! I have at least 10-12 fruits and/or blooms! WOOHOO! I got my mojo back I think LOL!



These are the cucumber plants that I need to get a trellis for and get put in the garden! They are a rich green and have huge leaves. They are very healthy… let’s pray I can keep them this way! I have some yellow squash plants which are green and crazy similar to these too!



My strawberries are sprouting back up YAY!!!! They are so healthy and green! Simply Beautiful! They are putting off fruit again too and now are even sprouting some runners! YAY! The berries you see are about the size of my thumb down to the first knuckle. Aren’t they lovely! Hopefully I can get them growing great guns again! That would be awesome!



OK, so you want to see the craziest thing? I had brought back a couple of pieces of cactus from the field behind Mom & Dad’s house… intending to get them planted (seeing as you can eat them and all!). Well I never got around to it. In fact, I FORGOT the pieces were on the top of a box sitting under the outside portion of the window unit! Well… apparently these dang things don’t need any dirt to grow LOL… just a little bit of water! Look at all the new green growth on that thing! Growing in a condensation puddle on top of a Rubbermaid box on the porch under the air conditioning unit… INSANE! Anyway, I will get them potted… eventually LOL… but at least I am not as worried about them as normal plants now LMAO!



Open my door and what do I see? Not one, but 2 pretty topsy turveys! LOL! Yes I got the dirt mixed, the anchors into the beams, the baby tomato plants in the containers, nitrogen rocks/food in, and hung up! They are cute and I hope that they bush out and give me pounds and pounds of beautiful red tomatoes! Those things are very heavy… LOL especially when you are standing on a chair on the porch! I thought I was gonna fall over the railing! LOL… I was a weeeeeee bit nervous for sure! But I got them up and they look super spiffy!



What you see here is an eggplant bud! Yes, after fixing the dirt, my eggplants shot up into gigantic leaves and tall shoots! They are much healthier now… all 9 plants are showing a great amount of progress! And they are beginning to bud! They will put off these cute purple flowers and then it’s on to fruits! YAY! I see some eggplant Parmesan in the future! LOL!



These are my Husky Cherry tomato plants that I saved. They are a rich green now. Still no fruit, but that’s ok… It started lightning and thundering while I was working on planting these, so I had to stop gardening for the day. 4 cherry tomato plants sadly have had to be put out of their misery… the last of the tiny tomatoes turned red and I disposed of them.



I also didn’t realize that I have a smaller/younger cherry tomato plant so that leaves me with 5 if I can get them all to flourish again! We shall see! I repotted each Cherry tomato in their own pot and gave it fresh dirt mix and nitro rocks, so here’s keeping our fingers crossed that they thrive and produce for a good long time! Ya know what I thought would be cool? Buying a bunch of these bigger pots and planting a big tomato bush in each one and lining each side of my driveway with them! OMG that would look super cool… but sadly we don’t exactly live in a neighborhood conducive for that kind of thing. Oh well, it was a thought!



This is the beginning of the Toy Story Duffle Bag I am making for Alex. I had to stop once I got the handles attached though because I didn’t have a color coordinating zipper to match that was long enough! All I had were pink zippers and I don’t think that would’ve looked very good with this LOL! Needless to say, I plan on getting a zipper today so I can finish the bag! All this cuteness from an old stained and ripped up sheet… crazy huh?



Then my lovely DD tells me that she wants to go with all the centerpieces for her party in the glasses. I cocked an eyebrow and went “WHAT?” SOOO we played around and came up with these 2 centerpieces to use… all in the glasses! I got 8 of them done (minus one photograph on the note) and now I need 4 more. UGH! Oh well… good thing they weren’t expensive or too hard to make!

Then I had the heart attack of a lifetime! While I was crafting, I had put my dinner in the oven to cook. About 13 minutes into it, I was sitting at the table crafting and all of the sudden I hear this buzzing… kind of like you hear a neon sign or a bug zapper doing. I walk into the kitchen and the inside of my oven is crackling and on fire! I was scrambling for the extinguisher and I was shaking so badly, I couldn’t get it unhinged off the wall, so I shut down the oven and immediately unplugged it from the wall. I watched as the flames went away and I saw this orange glowing heating element that had split in 2! OMG once I quit shaking like a leaf, I called my dad who is the all-knowing electrical man and asked if that “normally” happened. He assured me I acted correctly and when you cook as much as I do it does tend to happen… especially with an older stove. So that helped me calm down a little… THANKS DAD! But my blood pressure and heart rate didn’t get back to normal for an hour or so… basically when the oven was cool and I knew everything was ok, I was good to break down and cry then LOL! Needless to say, I don’t think my landlord is gonna be happy about this one… first it was a new breaker box and breakers, then that was followed by a water heater, a fridge, an air condition, and now the stove? LOL… what can I say… when I do it, I do it right! LMAO! Anyway, after that, the craft mojo was so incredibly gone… sad too cause I was starting to get into it!

Ok so let’s talk crafts. Now the late Spring through summer season offers a few patriotic holidays. Many people have celebrations and decorate in the Red/White/Blue theme. Well we covered a lot of Patriotic crafts during the May Memorial Day weekend, but here is another that is just so cute, I couldn’t “can”tain myself LOL! I don’t like regular fireworks, but this one really pops with pazzaz! LOL!



Craft Idea of the Day: Firecracker Cans

Materials:

1 round can with lid - Can made from cardboard, hot beverage cans for things like coffee or cocoa work well. You can also use cans from items like raisins or nuts.
4 pieces - Medium or Large Construction Paper (2 blue, 1 red, 1 white)
Star Confetti (any firework like decoration kids can paste onto the paper, like confetti, stickers, buttons, beads, or cutouts)
Star Tinsel (any kind of shiny, colored, wire tinsel)
Star button/bead (any medium sized, single star decoration)
Glue
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil (for tracing and rolling paper)

Directions:

1. Take your clean, round can and remove the lid. You need to cover the can with paper, but the size of paper will depend on the exact size of the can used.

Measure out your can and add about 2-inches extra to the length. This will give you enough paper to cover the can and create those neat "firecracker" rolls.

So, cut blue paper (2 inches longer than can) rectangle out. Have children cut into paper at the bottom, making 2 and 1/2 inch cuts in, spaced about 2 inches apart, all the way along the bottom of the paper. Then take a pencil and roll each paper strip around it, then release. Now the ends of the paper are curled.

Cut out a white piece of paper, the exact same size as the blue, only two inches shorter. Repeat the cutting and curling process.

Take the red piece of paper and make it two inches short than the white paper, or four inches shorter than the blue. Repeat cutting and curling.

2. Take the curled, blue piece of paper and wrap it around the can tightly, letting the curls fall to the table. Make sure the paper starts right below the opening rim on the can, and glue on.

Take the curled, white paper and glue it around the can. Start right below the opening rim on the can. Let the curls fall down onto the blue paper. Repeat with red paper, starting it right below the rim and letting the curls fall onto the white paper.

3. Take star confetti, or other decorative items, and glue them onto the can. Remind children to get both on top and under the curls of paper around the can.

4. Take some decorative star tinsel, garland, or other shiny and linked decorations to twist around can body. Glue ends to can once wrapped, making sure the lid will still fit.

5. Take a pen, pencil or pair of scissors and poke a large hole in the middle of the can lid. Have children cut 5-8 strands of tinsel, each about 5inches long. Twist each strand of tinsel into a loop, twisting the ends together.

6. Push ends of tinsel loop into hole in lid and glue into place. Create a firework flower pattern on top of the can with the loops. Glue a single star button/bead in the middle of the lid.

7. Let can dry, then use to store trinkets or treats! Makes a cute "exploding firework" can for any child to enjoy.

This craft lets kids use the firecracker/fireworks theme without being tangled into problems of safety or policy. At my summer school (and most schools in my area) we are not allowed to make rockets, or real looking fireworks, because of safety issues. Therefore, instead of a rocket, we made colorful firecrackers that were already "exploding."

I used some "Star Spangle Banner" saltwater taffy to fill the cans with, making a cute gift for kids to give their parents. Some of my students decided they liked storing crayons and markers in the can instead. One family made a bunch more "exploding firecracker cans" and a huge mountain of homemade fudge. They filled the tins with fudge and gave one to each teacher with an adorable card that read "For my teacher, a firecracker exploding with sugar!" I have to admit that I just loved that gift, and that fudge!

Okie dokie, now with summer here and heating things up, the last thing we want to heat up is the house, right? So natually, we gotta have a great garden grilling item or some BBQ or something during the FARMER FAVORITES WEEK! I have a couple of items here that I am pretty sure you will enjoy out on the grill or in your house!



Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
3/4 cup bread crumbs or crushed whole wheat Ritz crackers

Directions

If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, rinse the black beans thoroughly and then make sure to dry them off completely! Then mash the black beans with a fork until thick and pasty. (The trick to keeping a good patty together is to drain as much of the excess water as humanly possible!)

In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Strain to remove excess water. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together eggs, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.

Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

(NOTE**) You can also add corn kernals to the mixture for an added oral adventure! You can also freeze formed patties and cook them at a later time or even grill them frozen! I personally recommend the whole wheat Ritz crackers instead of bread crumbs, but whatever is to your liking… This is a very versatile recipe!)



Crispy BBQ Tofu

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package extra firm tofu
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 egg white
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup barbecue sauce

Directions

Drain tofu, and slice into strips. Place in a plastic bag or container, and freeze overnight. This will give the tofu a meatier texture. Thaw tofu strips, and blot with paper towels to dry.

Bake tofu on a non-stick sheet at 350 degrees for a few minutes on each side- until they are golden brown.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and 1 tablespoon of barbeque sauce. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Dip the tofu slices into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, shaking off excess flour. Fry in the hot oil for about 1 minute on each side, until golden brown. Just fry enough at one time so they are not crowded. Remove from the oil to paper towels to drain and cool.

Preheat the oven's broiler. Brush tofu slices with additional barbeque sauce, and allow to marinate while the broiler heats up. Arrange them on a broiler pan, or wire rack set over a cookie sheet for best results.

Position the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Broil for 5 minutes on each side, or until browned and crisp, watching closely so as not to burn them. Serve warm with the remaining barbeque sauce for dipping.

OK gang, I am gonna get off of here and skidaddle over to mom’s house. She has therapy today! After chillin with her for awhile, I am not sure what exactly I am going to do, but I am hoping it is severely interesting LOL! So I hope you enjoyed your visit today and will join me again tomorrow for more of “The life and times of the Frugal Mom” LMAO! Until then… HUGS!