tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77334618386414393342024-03-13T01:09:35.397-06:00Frugal WellnessFrugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-17791562405420818122012-03-18T19:44:00.003-06:002012-03-18T21:47:01.568-06:00Paleo Burrito Bowl<span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">The end is near! We are in Stage 5 of the GAPS Intro diet and we are all thriving. It has been a tough month, but we have never enjoyed food they way we are now. Friday night we indulged.</span><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">Since day one of drinking countless cups of bone broth, all I have wanted was Mexican food. I literally had dreams about guacamole, green chili salsa, and beef fajitas. Thursday I passed Chipotle and nearly cried, but then I was inspired and nearly heard angels sing.</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">Ideas of how I could recreate the Chipotle Burrito Bowl with GAPS allowed foods started swarming through my mind. I called my insanely creative husband, and we came up with a plan. Victory was ours....</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><b>Paleo Burrito Bowl</b></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZswD3Yw4XtOmGnJq5H6lImhJAGwRTfNmI5vJY6zXH82AqGXCub0TST67LDnd9s3UhUbT7l32a5gSNJHKsvXi0jDz8yBUk5tTGpnshtshgMChaARxb2J3ErsqqUv3S1s7OeRw9wxb4T0sg/s1600/Paleo+Chipotle.JPG" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZswD3Yw4XtOmGnJq5H6lImhJAGwRTfNmI5vJY6zXH82AqGXCub0TST67LDnd9s3UhUbT7l32a5gSNJHKsvXi0jDz8yBUk5tTGpnshtshgMChaARxb2J3ErsqqUv3S1s7OeRw9wxb4T0sg/s320/Paleo+Chipotle.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721424991288820626" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">2 heads cauliflower ($2)</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">2 acorn squash ($3)</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">2 Free-Range Chicken Breasts ($6)</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">1 Onion ($.33)</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">1 Bell Pepper ($1.50)</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">Guacomole ($1)</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">4 T <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/02/taco-tuesday-on-monday-night.html">Taco Seasoning</a>, divided</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">2 T extra virgin coconut oil, divided</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">4 garlic cloves minced</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">1 lime</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">1/4-1/3 (depending on preference) cup chopped cilantro ($.50)</div><div style="text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; white-space: pre; "> </span><i><span>*all listed ingredients are organic</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><b>Total:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> $14.33 (a splurge, but far cheaper than what I could have fed my family of 5 at Chipotle and it was grain-free)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><i>Directions:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><i>Preheat Oven to 350 degrees</i></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">1. Peel, de-seed, and cut acorn squash into small cubes. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">Toss in 1T coconut oil and 2T taco seasoning. Put in large skillet and cook on medium heat until the squash is very tender (mashable with a fork).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">2. Meanwhile, cut cauliflower into chunks, remove stems, and place in food processor with the cilantro. Pulse together until the cauliflower is very small (like small grains of rice). Put cauliflower in water in a medium pot and cook on med-high heat for 20 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">3. Season Chicken with 2T of taco seasoning, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">4. Slice onions and bell pepper. Saute bell pepper, sliced onions and garlic in 1T until the onions are transparent. </div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">5<span style="font-size: 100%; ">. Make the guacamole! Place 2 avocados in food processor, add juice of 1 lemon, salt, pepper, and 2T of pre-made salsa (make sure to check for xantham gum if you are grain-free and sugar)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">6. Drain the cauliflower in </span>a strainer - there are some small bits of cauliflower. Squeeze the juice of the lime into the cauliflower and stir.<span style="font-size: 100%;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">7. Start layering the foods how you like!</div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">This meal was absolutely amazing! We all fell silent and inhaled food like we hadn't had anything to eat in weeks. Really we hadn't had anything that good to eat in a while, but this meal was exceptional. Brandon and I were intentional about having leftovers for a late-lunch during our kids nap-time the next day. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-65282938959268213132012-03-17T22:17:00.005-06:002012-03-17T22:28:27.359-06:0010 Healthy Eating Tips<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbvuC1oBOHnA0gPm1kbrDMb7pOdDfBgx1s0ncovLw3vAZpTUXaCSBEKCfDMAU6rLIQy_q4Ks70rtXzCJggxVIS2sAqscNA9PxZu3-_WjfttcbKE6TS_aE_bIu7OBc1JE-Aj3mcr23-2c4/s1600/how-to-find-real-food-at-the-supermarket.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbvuC1oBOHnA0gPm1kbrDMb7pOdDfBgx1s0ncovLw3vAZpTUXaCSBEKCfDMAU6rLIQy_q4Ks70rtXzCJggxVIS2sAqscNA9PxZu3-_WjfttcbKE6TS_aE_bIu7OBc1JE-Aj3mcr23-2c4/s400/how-to-find-real-food-at-the-supermarket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721088727520293346" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><span style="font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">(taken from </span><a href="http://loseweight-safe.com/diets/the-keys-to-healthy-weight-loss-and-wellness/" style="font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">this site</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "> -<i> italics are mine</i>)</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>WHAT TO EAT</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">#1 Eat lots of Organic Vegetables and Fruits!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Veggies and fruits are low in calories, provide filling fiber, vitamins and minerals, and protect your health in many ways. Organic produce has superior nutrition without the insecticides and poisons found in ordinary produce. Eat as much of your produce raw as you can. Cooked or frozen is acceptable, but stay away from canned. Naturally fermented (lacto-fermented) vegetables, such as sauerkraut and kimchee, are very good for you as well.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#2 Eat Meat and Animal Products.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>There are vital nutrients found in animal foods that cannot be found elsewhere. Meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk are important staples in our diet. And their protein is important for preserving and building lean tissue – the muscle that burns calories!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#3 <i>(If you're going to eat grains...)</i> Eat Whole Grains-- Properly Prepared.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Grains should be soaked, sprouted, or fermented to be digestible for most people. Whole grain products that have not been properly prepared can cause mineral deficiencies and intestinal problems.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#4 Add Raw Milk Products to Your Diet.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Raw (unprocessed, unhomogenized, unpasturized) whole milk from grass fed cows is <i>beneficial</i> (for adults and children). It will boost your intake of calcium and other nutrients, and help your body shed unwanted fat</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#5 Eat lots of "Good" Fats</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>The omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids in butter, some fish (especially cod liver oil) coconut and palm oil and nuts are vital to health. Saturated fat, despite what you probably heard, will help you lose weight, does not cause heart disease, and is actually something the body needs for healthy functioning.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>WHAT TO AVOID</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#6 Cut Out “Junk” Carbs-- Sugar and White Flour.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>They sabotage your healthy diet in all but the smallest amounts. Use soaked whole grain flours and small amounts of natural sugars such as raw honey and organic maple syrup. Stay away from corn syrup-- it is worse than sugar.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#7 Greatly Reduce “Junk” and “Bad” Fats</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Trans fats and processed oils (most of the oil you will find in the grocery store for cooking) are not only high in calories, but are loaded with harmful fatty acids that contribute to disease and obesity. Use butter and coconut oil for cooking, and other healthy oils like flax and olive oil raw for salads.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#8 Stay Away From Modern Soy Foods.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Soy is not a meat replacement and can block mineral absorption, inhibit protein digestion, depress thyroid function and contains potent carcinogens. Traditional soy foods are fine, if taken in small amounts and properly fermented, like in soy sauce, miso and tempeh. Avoid all products with soy proteins and isolates added to them. </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#9 Avoid Processed Food.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Canned and processed produce, boxed meals, processed meat and cheese, protein powers and powered milk contain toxins and things that keep you fat-- such as MSG, rancid fats and cholesterol, hydrogenated oils and trans-fat, white sugar, and white flour, not to mention all the added colors, preservatives and artificial vitamins. Use unrefined sea salt and herbs to season your food instead of refined salt and MSG.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>#10 Reduce or Eliminate Processed Alcohol.</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; "><span>Processed alcohol consumption tends to cause weight gain. Traditional homemade fermented unpasturized beverages, low in alcohol, on the other hand, are good for you in moderation.</span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-2666165104715750272012-03-15T20:18:00.002-06:002012-03-15T20:52:48.982-06:00What's in Your Bread Bag?<id="internal-source-marker_0.8219131899531931" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>When people ask me what bread I would feed my family, the answer is always the same: organic sprouted bread. I highly recommend sprouted bread; however, I understand not everyone lives in a sprawling urban area and has access to stores that carry healthier options at lower prices. If sprouted bread is not an option, then please check your ingredients! High fructose corn syrup, sugar, food coloring, and many times a high level of salt fill the bread that is a common staple in most American's diets.</span></span><div><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span><span style="font-style: normal; "><span style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9xNe64wLZlN20KUsE5HwbNf38p2XMkyyfDtqO5Xd-gzCt-Ay6nu_ABRP1h4wK9zaT32x8MwYoXohBO-7NBQQqiX5vs7p-kwDxCkZqonlH1rvfIJn6xQ" width="259px;" height="195px;" /></div></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Before eliminating grains, I was able to read</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Matters-Modern-Definitive-Baking/dp/B005CDUT88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331859963&sr=8-1" style="font-style: normal; "><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> Bread Matters</span></a><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> and it really </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">opened my eyes to what was lurking in my bread bag. This chart is taken from the book. I aded the "Questions to Ask" category, and everything else I added is in<i> italics</i>. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><div dir="ltr"><table style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-collapse: collapse; "><colgroup><col width="127"><col width="158"><col width="166"><col width="145"></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Ingredient</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">What does it do?</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">What’s the problem?</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Questions to Ask</i></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Flour</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Main ingredient: source of carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and other micronutrients.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Many nutrients are depleted in refined (white) flours.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>If, as a society, we believe grains are a part of a healthy diet, are we referring to bleached and refined flours or wholesome grains that haven’t been stripped?</i></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>"Vitamin" replacements: Calcium Sulfate, Folic Acid, Nicain, Reduced Iron, Riboflavin, Thiamin Mononitrate</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>Replaces vitamins and minerals lost while processing the flour</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>Synthetically derived; synthetic vitamins lack transporters and co-factors for your body to recognize, assimilate and utilize the nutrients.</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>If the vitamins and minerals were not removed, would we have a whole food source of vitamins and minerals?</i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Water</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Necessary to make flour into dough.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Salt</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Adds flavor; strengthens the gluten network in the dough; aids in keeping the quality of the bread (as a water attractant and a partial mold inhibitor.)</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Under pressure from food agencies, the bread industry is gradually reducing levels of salt in bread.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>What is the source of the salt? Is it the cheapest table salt that is normally stripped of minerals with chemicals to keep it from clumping?</i></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><a href="http://www.farmersalmanac.com/food/2011/01/24/choosing-the-right-salt/"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Types of Salt</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Yeast</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Aerates bread, makes it light in texture, and may contribute to flavor.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Excessive use may lead to digestive problems. Excessive yeast can wreak havoc on a digestive system.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/November05/findings/usfoodconsumption.htm"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">With the significant rise in grain consumption</span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">,</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span> <i>why are we surprised that we now hear so much about gluten intolerance, candida overgrowth, and “leaky gut?”</i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Fat</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Hard fats improve load volume, crumb softness, and keeping quality. Hydrogenated fats have been commonly used, though plant bakers are phasing them out.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Not essential in traditional bread making, though often used. Hard to do without some fat in industrial bread.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>What are the sources of fat? </i></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-fructose_corn_syrup"><span><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">High Fructose Corn Syrup</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></a></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>HFCS is an artificial sweetener derived from corn that has undergone an enzymatic process to convert glucose into fructose. Bakery items use HFCS 42 – meaning 42% fructose and 58% glucose.</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>All HFCS is derived from genetically modified (GM) corn. It is labeled “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA, yet has health and environmental concerns, and some HFCS contains mercury, a neurotoxin.</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>Are you familiar with the facts about HFCS? How about genetically modified foods? There is not enough room to write about GM corn, but here are some guidelines from the</i></span></span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i> </i></span><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Mayo Clinic</span></a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>Non-fat dry milk</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>Decreases staling rate, and improves crust color and softness.</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>Not needed in bread-making.</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></i></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>As a consumer, do you care about whether or not hormones and antibiotics are given to the cows whose dairy you consume?</i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Flour Treatment Agent</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">L-ascorbic acid (E300). Can be added to flour by the miller or at the baking stage. Acts as an oxidant, which helps retain gas in the dough, making the loaf rise more.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No nutritional benefits to the consumer (because degraded by the heat of baking.) Increased loaf volume may give the false impression of value.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>Have you noticed that homemade bread is often more dense than store-bought bread? This is why.</i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Bleach</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Chlorine dioxide gas to make flour white, used by millers for decades until banned in the UK in 1999. In other countries, eg theUS, flour may still be bleached.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No nutritional benefits to the consumer. Chlorine is a potent biocide and greenhouse gas.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span><i><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Most of us would not intentionally ingest bleach, so why do many not think twice when making a bleached sandwich? </span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Great article from</span></i></span><a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/modern-foods/dirty-secrets-of-the-food-processing-industry"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Weston A. Price</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Reducing Agent</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">L-cysteine hydrochloride (E920). Cysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid. Use in backing to create more stretchy dough, especially hamburger buns and baguettes.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No intended nutritional benefit, though also sold as a supplement. May be derived from human hair or duck feathers:</span><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cysteine"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Cysteine</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> &</span><a href="http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/03/09/l-cysteine-in-bread-products-still-mostly-sourced-from-human-hair-duck-feathers-hog-hair/"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Hair</span></a></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><a href="http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/03/09/l-cysteine-in-bread-products-still-mostly-sourced-from-human-hair-duck-feathers-hog-hair/"><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></a></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Soy Flour</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Widely use in bread as “improvers.” Has a bleaching effect on flour, assists “machinability” of dough and volume and softness of bread. Enables more water to be added to the dough mix.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>More than likely derived from genetically modified soybeans. Over</i></span></span><a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">90% of the acres of soybeans planted in the US are genetically modified.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>Again, are you familiar with genetically modified foods, and why they are not good anyone? Have you read about the dangers of soy? If not, here is a good read: </i></span></span><a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Weston A. Price</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Emulsifiers</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Widely used in bread “improvers” to control the size of gas bubbles, to enable to dough to hold more gas, and there grow bigger, to make the crumb softer, and to reduce the rate of staling. They include:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">E471: Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">E472e: Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid of esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">E481: Sodium strearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">E422: Glycerol mono-stearate (GMS)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">E322” Lecithins – naturally occurring, mainly derived from soy</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No nutritional benefit to consumer.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Soy lecithin may be derived from GM soy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Increased loaf volumes gives misleading impression of value and post-baking softness may be confused with “freshness.”</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>Are you getting the most value if health is affected by emulsifiers? Do you associate softness with freshness?</i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Preservatives</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Calcium propionate (E282) is widely used. Vinegar (E260 acetic acid) is also used, though less effective. Preservatives are only necessary for prolonged shelf life. Home freezing is a chemical-free alternative.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No nutritional benefit to consumer. Calcium propionate can cause “off” flavors if over-used and may be a carcinogen.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>Have you had the opportunity to see how long store bought bread versus homemade bread or sprouted bread?</i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Enzymes</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Came to the rescue of industrial breadmakers when additives like azodicarbonamide and potassium bromate were banned. Bread enzymes fall into various categories and have varied functions in breadmaking;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Amylase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Maltogenic amylase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Oxidase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Protease</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Peptidase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Lipase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Phospholipase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Hemicellulase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Xylanase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Transglutaminase</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No nutritional benefit to consumer.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No requirements to be included on ingredient declarations, because they are currently treated as “processing aids.” Even if the EU law in amended, the single word “enzymes” will be all that is require on label, leaving consumers in the dark about the origin the particular enzymes used.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Often produced by genetic engineering, though this is unlikely to be stated on consumer product labels.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Use of phospholipase derived from pig pancreas would be unacceptable to vegetarians and some religious groups, but there is no requirement to declare enzymes, let alone their source.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Some enzymes are potential allergens, notably Alpha-amylase. Bakery workers can become sensitized to enzymes from bread improvers.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Amylase can retain some of its potency as an allergen in the crust of loaves after baking.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Transglutaminase may act upon gliadin proteins in the dough to generate the epitope associated with celiac disease.</span></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-image: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><i>There are many concerns over added “enzymes.” Are you concerned about added potential allergens, another genetically modified food source, and the lack of exact information provided? </i></span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">When we were purchasing bread, I bought two large loaves of organic sprouted bread from Costco for $7. Kroger, Target, and Walmart sell Nature’s Own whole wheat breads and buns which are HFCS-free, and Nature’s Own has an organic bread.<a href="http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/ezekiel-49/breads"> Ezekiel bread</a> is also a great company, and can be found at Kroger, Sprouts, and Whole Foods in the freezer section.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Or you could try making your own! I have tried several times to bake my own whole wheat bread and I was never satisfied with the results. </span><a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2011/01/04/introducing-seeking-the-perfect-homemade-whole-wheat-bread/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Kitchen Stewardship</span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> did a great series on finding the perfect homemade whole wheat bread recipe that is worth a read. If you have a recipe to share, or you try one of Katie's, please share with readers. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span><span ><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bquvHh4y3xI0LAeZJuH_R7FmixTjN145U4M0qGvkTJNjaGc9NIsBbD39JbydHbyYkECLXBbMWvtgoItKVCdIvm2rWTGTrvhRB2nDIl-0gTfrfxzopTM" width="320px;" height="240px;" /></div></span></span></div></id="internal-source-marker_0.8219131899531931">Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-61711743641197295702012-03-14T12:25:00.007-06:002012-03-14T13:58:43.005-06:00GAPS, Hippie Tea, & Liver<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">Many changes are happening around my house. So many things to praise God for and to be excited about! We spent a month traveling over the holidays, came back and got in the groove of home educating, my husband and I are walking through a program for church planters, and on and on the list goes. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">One of the biggest changes I want to share (really I want to shout about it) is that our 6 year battle about food with my oldest son is over. Done. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">We started the </span><a href="http://www.gapsdiet.com/INTRODUCTION_DIET.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">GAPS Intro diet</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "> and it was the biggest challenge of motherhood to date. Including my insanely long childbirth with my oldest son. There were tears, there were detox symptoms, there was vomiting, a ton of time in the kitchen, and there was a whole lot of bribery happening. By the time we hit GAPS Stage 4, my son who detested meat and anything green was eating everything we p</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">ut in front of him. This same son is our child that has had a hard time gaining weight since he was 8-months-old. Within two weeks of starting the diet he gained two pounds! I danced, I screamed, and then I called my mother-in-law.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">The diet blew the lid off of our grocery budget for three weeks, but if someone would have told me that GAPS would be the end to our war, I would have borrowed money to make it happen. Not only did we see an improvement with my son's taste buds and weight, but all of us have noticed great digestion, and we are all seeing mental, behavioral, and emotional improvements. We are now working our way back into the full blown GAPS diet (which is where we have been for the last year without grains on a paleo diet).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Another change has been adding in several new super foods. I learned, and really "learned" is a stretch because of how easy it is, how to make kombucha at home. The kids have been loving this new drink in our diet, and it has affectionately been nicknamed "hippie-tea." We have also been experimenting with making our own kefir, and trying it in smoothies and homemade popsicles. Our other addition has been eating liver. I know I just lost some of you there but wait....</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Liver can be tough to get past mentally, but there are plenty of benefits to eating this typically detested food. Liver is high in B <span style="font-size: 100%; ">vitamins, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium and many other minerals and nutrients. These vitamins and nutrients reduce fatigue, boost brain power, helps heal </span><a href="http://mdheal.org/leakygut.htm" style="font-size: 100%; ">leaky gut</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">, and eating liver is nourishing for your liver. There is a little validity to the concern over the liver having some toxins; however, "toxins the body cannot eliminate are likely to accumulate in the body's fatty tissues and nervous systems." (</span><a href="http://chriskresser.com/natures-most-potent-superfood" style="font-size: 100%; ">read more here</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">) Based on everything I have read, the benefit of the antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients in the liver far outweigh the cons, and I highly recommend getting liver from grass-fed and organic cows. Grass-fed and organic cows do not have to try to eliminate pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I was hesitant to take the plunge into organ meats. In fact I had a beef liver sitting in my freezer for 6 months and in a frenzied decluttering binge I <span style="font-size: 100%; ">threw it out. So when I read that liver helps get over leaky gut and was so high in nutrients, I decided it was time to order more through our beef co-op. When the order came in I turned to my beloved </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331751964&sr=1-1" style="font-size: 100%; ">Nourishing Traditions</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> book, called one of my best friends for a pep talk, and then got to it.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>How I prepare the liver:</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">- Place 1 lb of liver in bowl, cover with lemon juice, and let soak over night. (Soaking the liver in lemon juice helps draw out excess blood, helps reduce the liver's strong flavor, and does pull out any impurities that may be found in the organ<span style="font-size: 100%; ">.)</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">- Once the liver was soaked, I drained the lemon juice, and put the liver in my food processor. Yes, this was a bit strange. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">- I replaced 1 lb of liver for 1 lb of pork in <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/04/breakfast-meatballs.html">my meatballs</a>, and I also added a few stems of fresh basil to the recipe. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdeOdJybX7wQI7FdgjBSSAHu5ipmnB8zpu5A-kuW4VpIAjRbB-OVPYqYFIom5WMEqz2pmlKa5c4lMua_hcM18CoMsC4melwjDHklqG-v25dd1kAGdDPajdvpKwnygcEZ7dXxp_KfJYf-6/s320/Blog+-+Liver+Meatballs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719837208258744834" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 214px; " /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Then I waited. My family ate them and really enjoyed them. There was a nice rich flavor, and everyone said that they were my best yet. Once dinner was over I broke the news. My sons shrugged, and my husband wondered why I was secretive about it because it wasn't a big deal to him. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Making broths, and fermenting teas and milk was a part-time job for a while. I am thankful that God has provided so many resources for us to nourish our bodies well. By His grace, I will continue to share what I am learning and what our Crunchy Bunch is up to.</div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-78810501180891392922012-03-09T20:11:00.008-06:002012-03-09T21:31:56.507-06:00A Poem for My ReadersNiccola Granola has a blog<div><div>and a husband, 3 kids, and a dog.</div></div><div>Life tends to get a little busy,</div><div>she avoids going into a tizzy</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her PC full of blogs dies,</div><div>and Niccola Granola cries.</div></div><div>Then we travel North in the snow,</div><div>and the holidays come and go.</div><div><br /></div><div>A new year with plenty of goals,</div><div>we evaluate our different roles.</div><div>Family, health and homeschooling,</div><div>meanwhile the emails are pooling.</div><div><br /></div><div>The blog had to be put on hold,</div><div>until life got a little more controlled.</div><div>Things are a lot more steady,</div><div>now Niccola Granola is ready.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rants, raves, recipes, and posts,</div><div>the things that interest us most.</div><div>Thanks for checking back,</div><div>and being patient with the lack!</div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-57304071475091192092011-12-14T19:06:00.006-06:002011-12-15T20:43:12.479-06:00ACV - Chasing Our Colds Away<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"My dad believed in two things: That Greeks should educate non Greeks about being Greek and every ailment from psoriasis to poison ivy can be cured with Windex." - My Big Fat Greek Wedding</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Apple cider vinegar to me is like windex to the Greeks. Most ailments we have had, everything from small plantar warts to heartburn, I have tried to treat with apple cider vinegar. Most of the time the apple cider vinegar treatments are successful. Last week my kids all came down with the sniffles and a cough, and I knew that there was an attack on our immune systems. Within a day the congestion and coughs were totally gone. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">When buying apple cider vinegar you want to make sure you are buying organic, raw, and unfiltered vinegar with the "mother" still in it. The "mother" is made up of live nutrients and good bacteria. I stick with Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, and can find it in most grocery stores; however, you may have to ask, because some stores put it with the other types of vinegar and others put it in the health food sections. On average, I spend about $5 for 32 oz of Bragg's.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: small; ">Apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps your body maintain a proper pH level, which helps to prevent and/or overcome sickness. Apple cider vinegar also has pectin (helps regulate blood pressure), malic acid (giving ACV anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">, acetic acid (helps metabolize starches and lower the rise in glucose after meals), and also has potassium and calcium. H</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: small; ">istorically, we have seen colds, sinus issues, and coughs disappear within 24 hours of drinking the "sick tea" (what my kids call the concoction) every few hours over a couple of days. I also try to remember to add a splash of apple cider vinegar to each glass of water I drink - especially when we are in cold and flu season.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Sick Tea Recipe</b></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdES3b3TB5fLXi13bpmsIVA06F8nPsal9g2rEv8BOzYe7El4J30Mk2IsZfTie2xVitUfY_3jJP-eNHKAkbdohtmzZn41CE-botD6zk0r4aqF2dYfYjH4gHOqT9lBDc6_oyesf4cKZHpaO/s320/braggs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686158471689651634" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px; " /><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1 Tablespoon of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinagar </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1 teaspoon of raw local honey (organic even better)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">4 ounces of warm water</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">a straw</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Directions:</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">- Place ACV in mug, measure out teaspoon of honey, pour warm water over the honey to dissolve, stir, and serve with a straw. That taste isn't too bad, but it's always fun to have races to see who can finish theirs first. ;)</span></span></div></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-40877786675668445432011-12-09T21:55:00.006-06:002011-12-09T22:36:17.761-06:00Easy Broccoli Soup<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Well, it has been a while. My computer crashed. Literally. My computer was on it's way out, but my puppy, Piper, finished the PC off. She lept onto the couch and my laptop crashed to the floor. It black-screened, and I said my goodbyes. So we are now shopping around for another computer, and in the meantime I have to jump on Brandon's computer whenever I get a chance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Two-weeks-ago my menu included a broccoli soup, and a couple moms asked me how I got my kids to eat broccoli soup. I'm sorry it took me a while, but here is the recipe! This soup goes over well with my entire family, and considering it is mostly all broccoli that is shocking to me. My family likes this soup really smooth, I like it chunky, and you could also make it a texture somewhere in between.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Really Easy Broccoli Soup</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Makes 8 servings</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrwhghNClSw7cME2hDH3i_yVdKnVETHPz9grzdEUm5aCvgbq1SsHYVKHw0D7IkritK5mtnFcLNmJoTPPnmuZTleRVStiBV233pC_NUI4WkX3L2BH23ZhfHhaCI0ILj8wrTPfSntrdaBB_/s320/broccoli.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684348471998240242" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 209px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap; font-size: medium; ">Ingredients</i></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">2 tablespoons butter</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 onion, chopped</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; ">1 stalk celery, chopped</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; ">3 cups chicken broth</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">8 cups broccoli florets, chopped </span></div><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">3 tablespoons butter</div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">3 tablespoons all-purpose flour</div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">2 cups milk</div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">ground black pepper to taste</div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Directions</i></div><span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; "><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot, and saute onion and celery until tender. Add broccoli and broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.</div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; "><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">- Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot. If you still want chunks of broccoli in the soup only puree 2/3 of the soup, and then mix the pureed soup in with the chunky part.</div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; "><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: left;">- In small saucepan, over medium-heat melt 3 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add milk. Stir until thick and bubbly, and add to soup. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- Season with pepper, sprinkle with cheese (optional), serve, and enjoy!</div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Cost:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Organic Broccoli (Costco): $3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Organic Pastured Butter (Sprouts): $.50</div><div style="text-align: left;">Organic Milk: $.50</div><div style="text-align: left;">Organic Onion: $.35</div><div style="text-align: left;">Organic Celery: $.25</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-and-why-to-make-your-own-chicken.html">Homemade Broth</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Total: $4.60 </b>(about $.60/serving)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-59690680427130760572011-12-01T20:03:00.004-06:002011-12-01T20:47:59.859-06:00Brutally Honest Menu: Week 4Life is busy right now. Not crazy busy, and not stressful busy. Just "different'' busy. Thanksgiving came out of no where (which I have receipts for and will post), we purchased a new (to us) vehicle, then we had our family crafting weekend, and that was followed by the beginning of Advent season. <div><br /><div>Not much has been normal in our lives, and I do best with a routine. When schedules get mixed up, we change environments, and different people are in and out, I don't know what to do with myself. Last Tuesday I only made my Turkey Day menu, and this Tuesday I was lost in craft-land. This means I have been throwing together meals, have been to the grocery store a few blocks away three times this week, and I have that "sick-of-food" feeling.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what this last week of meals have looked like:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Friday - Monday </b><i>(a bit of a blur)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Breakfasts: Pumpkin pie oatmeal, donuts<i> (Yes, donuts!!! They are a Thanksgiving morning tradition)</i> and egg casserole</div><div>Lunches: Variations of Thanksgiving (sandwiches, turkey with different sides, etc)</div><div>Dinner: Usually still full from a large lunch, but would have warmed up dishes, and I made turkey soup on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Tuesday </b><i>(emerged from a tryptophan coma)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Breakfast: Oatmeal with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, and honey</div><div>Lunch: Omelettes</div><div>Dinner: Last of our Thanksgiving leftovers </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wednesday</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Breakfast: "Eggs in a hole" and bananas</div><div>Lunch: Almond butter and jelly sprouted sandwiches with raw milk and apples</div><div>Dinner: Chicken sausage and butternut squash soup (from freezer)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Thursday</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Breakfast: "Eggs in a hole" and bananas</div><div>Lunch: Roasted Red Pepper Soup and apples</div><div>Dinner: Frozen Pizzas</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Friday..... TBD</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanksgiving week(end) is not the norm, and for our family I am not willing to change the exceptions that we all enjoy. However, now is where our routine can be lost. Processed convenience foods become appealing, because I see all of the other seasonal fun I could be having. Like most people, I can get lost in the excitement of the holidays, and daily excuse myself from the responsibilities of taking care of my health during Christmas, but this year I want to fight that tendency in myself. </div><div><br /></div><div>We eat very healthy most of the time, but we are not super-humans without cravings and missing a love for most sugary things. My husband and I know how much better we feel when we are eating healthy, and that is our motivation to stay on track. By having a menu it makes our goal much easier, and that is how I avoid the frustration and more relaxed diet we have happening right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, tomorrow is a new day, and it's not too late in the week to make a plan. Back on track. Back to nourishing our bodies well. </div><div><br /></div><div>How are you all doing during the holidays so far?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-28031049727662386512011-11-30T10:33:00.009-06:002011-11-30T11:04:09.980-06:00Good Clean Fun - Pt. 2<div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Remembering to put things away, close cabinet doors (and drawers), and screw lids on are a few of my many weaknesses. Being the day dreamer that I am, my thoughts often wander to all of the fun I could be having if I did not have to clean. Over the last couple of years I have found a system that works for me, so things are definitely improving, but I am not naturally a tidy person. A couple weeks I gave some practical ideas about <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/time-to-clean-time-to-play.html">how to get your house in order</a>, and now I hope to share how to make it fun (or at least enjoyable).<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>1. Play Upbeat Music</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Put on music you know motivates and will make you move! Do not be afraid to be ridiculous. Your kids will have so much fun with you as you sing into the broom, tap on the counters, bang pots and pans, and belt out "Respect" by Aretha Franklin.....</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>2. Make it into a Game</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Have a race to see who can get their tasks done the fastest. </span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Turn matching socks into “Go Fish” Have one person hold up a sock they have and see who has the most. The person with the most pairs at the end wins.</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Take note of the most often left out items around your house. Make a scavenger item list, and cross out items as they are found AND put away. Person with the most amount of items crossed out at the end wins.</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- “Skate” (in socks) for dust bunnies.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>3. Listen to an Audio Book</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Cleaning doesn’t take a whole lot of thought, and something I have done in the past to make the time more productive is listen to an audio book. Christian Audio has a different free download each month, and Amazon has many audio books available.</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>4. Develop Spiritual Disciplines</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Another option is to use the time of cleaning for spiritual disciplines. If you struggle with making time to pray or meditate, cleaning could give you a perfect opportunity. A while ago my pastor shared the story of Brother Lawrence’s assignment to kitchen duty, which he, like most of us, had an aversion to. However, Brother Lawrence was determined “ to do everything there for the love of GOD, and with prayer, upon all occasions, for His grace to do his work well, he had found everything easy, during the fifteen years that he had been employed there.” He prayed for the people who ate off the dishes he had to wash, and counted it his joy. Since hearing this story I have written things to pray for on the top of my rubber gloves, and hung quotes and scriptures on the insides of my cabinets so I can read them as I get my tasks done.</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>5. Catch-Up With a Friend</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Call a friend, and talk as you clean. I find I get so much done as I am chatting on the phone!</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>6. Use Some Smell Good</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Light a candle or use essential oils. As a scent fills up my home, it makes me want to straighten and clean. My favorite motivating oils right now are Lemongrass, Orange and Clove.</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>7. Make it a Learning Experience</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Sorting spices, silverware, toys, laundry, and other household items can be a great way to learn colors, counting, and fine motor skills.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>8. Have Rewards - for You and Your Children</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">We haven't started giving an allowance to our kids yet, but we have found rewarding them with computer time is a great way to get them excited to help. I have also known parents to hide small treats (snacks, stickers, etc) in places they know their kids will find them while cleaning. Collect any change you may find to put towards a pedicure fund for yourself, or at least a new nail polish.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>9. Focus on the Benefits</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">Have a hard time convincing yourself to actually start cleaning? Think about all of the fun you could be having if you did not have a messy house looming over your head! When my house gets out-of-control (and it does happen ever couple of weeks), it feels like such a burden and drags me down which is no fun at all. Once the cleaning is done, the big benefit is being able to enjoy the clean, fresh smelling house.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>10. Whistle While You Work</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">If you can't whistle, smile. Sometimes I just have to tell myself that cleaning does not have to be miserable. Choosing to have a good attitude can make all the difference.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Besides a visit from your mother-in-law, what things have you found to motivate you to clean?</i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-62801386203649945072011-11-28T13:12:00.009-06:002011-11-28T14:22:11.788-06:00A Christmas Reminder<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">The holidays are in full swing! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and were able to spend time with family and friends remembering the blessings, trials, and joys over the last year. Thank you to all of my friends and readers for your encouragement, proof reads, feedback, and ideas over the last month. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "> In my attempt to keep God and my family first, I did not post during Thanksgiving weekend, but plan to post until December 23rd. </span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Like many people, I begin to stress out around Christmas. Though we have many Christ centered traditions, we still can get distracted from what is important by the commercialism all around us. I enjoy giving gifts, but also like for them to have meaning, and doing this on a budget can be overwhelming. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Friday morning I woke up, jumped online to check out sales, and immediately got caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy. My husband quickly became my (unappreciated at the time) voice of reason, and reminded me of our intention to follow through with our idea to support the <a href="http://ac.wcrossing.org/">Advent Conspiracy</a> this year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9IN0W3gjnNE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://pinterest.com/"> Pinterest</a> has been an inspiration over the last few months, and has made making gifts so much easier and more fun! This year my family and I spent the weekend after Thanksgiving creating some wonderful gifts, drinking chai, and watching Christmas movies. Over the weekend we all took turns saying how fun it was to be crafting and spending time together, and I thought it was far better than playing bumper carts and standing in long lines. <i>(I would love to share what was made; however, some of the recipients are also readers!)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My prayer for myself, my family, and my friends this year is that we would remember that Christmas is holy. May we all slow down this season, celebrate that True Love that was born in a stable, and enjoy the blessings and people we have all around us. </span>A few years ago I stumbled upon a post by<a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/12/im-not-exactly.html"> Rocks in My Dryer</a> that has obviously stuck with me:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Mom," he asked, "is Christmas stressful?"</span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I looked at him quizzically. </span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"I mean," he continued, in a classic example of pre-adolescent understatement, "you've just seemed a little tense lately. Is Christmas stressful for you?"</span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I took a deep breath, a breath I should've taken about a month ago. </span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><em>No</em>, I told him. Christmas is not stressful. Christmas is holy. <em>People</em> are stressful. <em> I </em>am stressful. I take what is lovely and, whether by accident or design, I cover it with expectations and selfishness and over-committment and who knows what else. What is lovely gets lost.</span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Well, not <em>really</em>. It's never<em> lost</em>. Maybe my line of vision gets skewed. Maybe my hurried heart falters. But what is lovely and precious and staggering about this most holy time? It's still there. <em>He</em> is still there. In the manger. In the heavens. In my fickle heart.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Definitely gives me something to think about, how about you?</span></p></div></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-85544232819513719182011-11-21T13:34:00.009-06:002011-11-21T14:07:17.772-06:00Ariba! Spicy Cranberry Turkey<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We have been going to an evening service at church for seven years, but we recently moved to a different church to learn more about church planting, and services are in the morning. I don’t recall having a ravenous hunger that overcomes me during mid-morning sermons; however, I have had three children in seven years so my memory isn’t always reliable. The last three weeks I have emerged from church willing and ready to eat anything and everything. With my stomach growling, I have been very thankful for lunch in the slow cooker, and I am now convinced that slow cookers were invented for Sunday afternoons.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Last week I found Kalyn’s Kitchen recipe for </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/11/recipe-for-trinas-low-sugar-fresh.html">cranberry salsa</a>.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> Knowing I wanted to do something with it, but knowing I would </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/modern-foods/sugar-free-blues">never go for the splenda</a>, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I decided to change things up a bit.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> I remembered an old Weight Watchers recipe my grandma made, and decided to cook a turkey breast in the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“salsa.” My version of the salsa ended up incredible and without any added sweeteners!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; ">My stomach rumbled a tad louder (or so it seemed) during church, and I couldn't wait to get home. The meal was definitely worth the wait. My family flipped over this recipe. The end result was sweet and subtly spicy with an array of texture and flavor. I would highly recommend trying this one!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mjsbC7khCzb2bV32tDRjUA_CQwdgNk3bfqEHHd5nwEY7nxi7YPTTdC7HKaU6UqZ0EqbThZur4iZePqIoJ2_Dklz6N7IqdQ_P65wJed-Bc2Tx22NEzToI3VRzyoSxqMIqXhO2IloTvI-T/s400/Cranberry+Turkey.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677541257512572610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Ariba! Spicy Cranberry Sauce</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Ingredients</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 large turkey breast</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 can cranberry jelly</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">½ green pepper, diced</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 onion, diced</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">4 cloves of garlic</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 jalepenos, seeded & diced</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 tsp salt</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 tsp pepper<br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Directions</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br />1. Put diced onions, green pepper, garlic, and salt and pepper in bowl</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span">2. Add cranberry jelly and stir well<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3. Place raw (can be frozen) turkey breast in slow cooker</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">4. Spoon cranberry mixture over turkey breast</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">5. Cook on low for 10 hours<br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">6. Shred turkey breast, and spoon the cranberry sauce over shredded chicken</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Cost:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3 lb free-range turkey breast: $9.00</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 can organic cranberry jelly: $1.50</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">½ organic green pepper: $.75</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 organic onion: $.35</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 jalepeno: $.25</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Garlic: $.10</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total: $11.95</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><i style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span">(I had about 1 pound of turkey leftover and used it in soup)</span></i></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-79478040333470378572011-11-18T07:32:00.005-06:002011-11-18T17:02:34.738-06:00Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip<div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a bagel chain near my house that has a pumpkin cream cheese spread that I used to crave. One day it occurred to me to look up a recipe to make my own, and for weeks on end I ate pumpkin cream cheese spread on everything I could. I have experimented with the recipe a couple times this fall trying to eliminate the sugar my original recipe had. A few nights ago I had a chance to try out the sugarless recipe on friends and they liked it. My kids are loving this dip, and continually asking for more "pumpkin frosting" for their apples. I hope you enjoy it as well.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip (or Spread)</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><i>Ingredients</i></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEcgTbv4UxoPXVUiFcWsT_VtwbXrqPxKgMmbq0LsoVg4QtXA9cEknsrNZDwBRhMLjr0ap7pB2IL-_AZEbUj3ne-mGmUMbRru14vYfeKaxh9hfHkGhxGBXFN3SlaJxq7SQ2zWkxY3fgDAF/s320/Pumpkin+Cream+Cheese+Dip.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676331295103669762" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 183px; " /><div><br /><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">¼ cup of honey</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1/2 cup canned pumpkin</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 tsp. cinnamon</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br />1 tsp. vanilla extract</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><i>Directions</i></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese, honey, and vanilla until smooth. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Add pumpkin and spices until well mixed. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Refrigerate for at least an hour. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Serve with apples, pretzels, or gingersnaps for dipping. You could also use this as a spread on bagels.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Cost:</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organic Cream Cheese (Sprouts): $1.75</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pumpkin (Target): $.60</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Honey (local from co-op): $.50</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spices (<a href="http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?x=0&y=0&ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=starwest">Vitacost</a>): $.15</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Total: $3.00</b> (plus cost of whatever you serve the dip with)</span></span></div></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-23837018221376548012011-11-17T07:17:00.007-06:002011-11-17T08:31:27.060-06:00Chicken Tortilla Soup<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Chicken tortilla soup has to be the best comfort food. In one bowl, I have memories of my Irish grandmother's chicken noodle soup joined with my favorite Mexican seasonings. This has been a great recipe for those with diet restrictions, because I can make the soup, and after it is done people can add corn, cheese, or tortillas into their individual bowl.</span><br /><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Turkey legs were on sale last week, so I put a frozen turkey leg in the slow cooker yesterday morning, and by dinner time the meat fell off the bone. You can use bone-in chicken or turkey legs, and they can both be frozen. If you're using frozen poultry make sure to start the slow cooker by late morning. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">There are so many variations to this recipe - have fun with it!</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Chicken Tortilla Soup</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Makes 10-12 (1) cup servings</i></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8102265992201865" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Ingredients</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61Cz9NRX-WDShEtaKineKACW7BRYy0WEFBvWGxPRVjv3pg2iZy-qzybxcXSATeLsy7Xjlj2Q7qCmGJE5zoNYGwbwKmHMBL0oDA2n2x6ZUmguAKLBh-ltJKO8xz1uyB5qxiKzwCZXy3VOw/s320/chicken+tortilla+soup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675969326372825506" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 lb of raw chicken </span></div></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 medium onion, diced</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 cup frozen corn (optional)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">4 cloves garlic, minced</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 cups water</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 cups (or 1 can) of chicken broth</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 T cumin*</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 T chili powder*</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 tsp oregano*</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 tsp salt*</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1/4 teaspoon black pepper*</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br />1 bay leaf</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 T chopped cilantro</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- You can replace all of the ingredients with an (*) with 2 T of my homemade taco seasoning recipe.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Directions</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place chicken, tomatoes, onion, green chiles, corn (if you are using it) and garlic into slow cooker. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and cilantro. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Garnish with diced avocados, cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, chives and/or tortilla strips</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span>* This soup freezes very well! If you have the extra ingredients, double the recipe, cool leftovers in fridge and then freeze. </div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">How to make tortilla strips:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Preheat oven to 400 degrees</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Oil both sides of the tortillas of your choice.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Using a pizza cutter, cut the tortilla into ½ -1” strips</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place on baking sheet, and bake 10-15 minutes (depending on type of tortilla you’re using) until crisp.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Cost:</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 lb organic chicken: $2.39</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>or turkey leg: $1.30</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 can organic diced tomatoes: $.89</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 can green chilis: $.69</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homemade stock: $.53</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organic onion: $.33</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seasonings (including cilantro): $.25 (best guess)</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garnishes: $1.00 (again, a guess)</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Total: $6.08</b> (chicken) <i>or</i> <b>$4.99</b> (turkey)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-32605139582848210332011-11-16T08:06:00.009-06:002011-11-16T08:59:27.851-06:00Good Clean Fun<div style="background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.42453054152429104" style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Growing up, I didn’t see my Nana often, but there was always something intriguing about my grandma. Her wrinkles, her small frame, and the way she still painted her lips, were beautiful in my young eyes. Nana was sassy, full of life, and she was a meticulous housekeeper. There are a couple things that I remember vividly in her house. One was the Bible she received after she accepted Jesus as her Savior at an elderly age, and the other was a plaque she had on her wall that said the following:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>I hope my children will look back on today </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>And see a mother who had time to play. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>There will be years for cleaning and cooking </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>But children grow up while we're not looking. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Dusting and scrubbing can wait 'till tomorrow </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>For babies grow fast we learn to our sorrow. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>(adapted from “Song for a Fifth Child” </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton)</i></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Nana went to be with Jesus years ago, and now as I raise my own children I think of the wisdom she had hanging on her wall. Trying to find the balance between keeping a home, being a wife and mother, and pursuing interests outside of the home is difficult. Trying to not be discouraged by the endless messes of a busy life, a rambunctious toddler, or an over-committed schedule is something most of us can relate to; however, most of us also have a desire for order.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">How to Get Your House in Order - While Still Having Time To Play</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>1. Have a Plan</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/10/have-plan.html">Sound familiar</a>? Having a cleaning schedule can tremendously reduce your stress level. Each day of the week tackle one area of your house. I have a daily and a weekly schedule. There are certain small chores I do everyday. In addition, I tackle one big cleaning project on each day of the week. Mondays it is the bathrooms, Tuesdays I deep clean the kitchen, Wednesdays I scrub the floors, and the list goes on. By having a plan I know that it will take me about forty-five minutes each day to keep my house presentable. Notice I didn’t say perfect.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>2. Rethink Perfect</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">No ones house is perfect all of the time. What can you live with? For me, I like my counters to be cleared and clean. So I clean my counters several times a day, but there may be shoes piled up under the kitchen island. I must let go of this idea of perfection</span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>3. Check Your Heart</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Trying to obtain an ideally perfect home can keep someone so busy that there is no time for anything else. Aside from the busyness, it also affects quality of life. For a person obsessed with a clean house, expectations are normally high for others to do the same. I say this from experience. When expectations are not met it usually leads to resentment, and that resentment can come out sideways leading to anger and conflict within the home.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">4. Ask For Help</span><br /></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to ask for help. Asking for help means admitting I can’t do and be it all. It means I may not always be on top of my game, and have it all figured out. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Enlist your children in daily chores. Hand your toddlers a non-toxic wipe, and have them wipe tables, chairs, door handles, sinks, and so on. Don’t be afraid to call on a friend to take your children for an hour or two so you can get ahead. Swapping play-date times with a friend each week could be a great way for you to have time to dance around your living room - or clean. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">For a long time as a stay-at-home mom I had a hard time asking my husband for help. Eventually I would exhaust myself, and my frustration would come out on him. My husband is gracious, and he would often ask me why I didn’t just ask for help. The answer was simple: I thought I was superwoman.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>5. Make Cleaning Convenient </b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Each one of my bathrooms has it’s own set of wipes, sprays and toilet brushes. I can easily clear my counter and wipe my sink each morning as I brush my teeth. Cleaning my toilet only takes an additional 30 seconds. My kitchen has its own set of wipes and supplies. By having easy access to cleaning products and supplies, I don’t spend time hauling things from room-to-room. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>6. Clear Clutter</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Make a time each week to de-clutter an area of your home, and set a goal for yourself to get rid of a set number of items. Start off with a small goal, like cleaning out one kitchen drawer a week, and as the weeks go on set bigger goals. The less stuff you have the less you have to worry about finding a home for, and then you are not trying to clean around clutter.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">7. Know When to Throw in the Towel</span><br /></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Listen for ques from your family. Does your husband get nagged for his lack of meeting your expectations? Do your children talk about how much mommy cleans, become whiny/clingy when you are tackling one of your lists, or are your kids acting out from lack of attention. These may all be signs that the cleaning needs to be set aside for a while to enjoy the people you know you are working for.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I feel like most of us could admit that we find ourselves weak in some of these areas at times. There are many times (in a day) that my house is out-of-order, but <i>I have to prioritize my time</i>. My prayer is that we are gracious with ourselves and others in our efforts to work, serve, love and play.</span><br /></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-77429777656560781662011-11-16T07:13:00.006-06:002011-11-16T07:26:49.162-06:00Green Beans & Toasted Almonds<div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">For the most part, I don't have a problem getting my kids to eat vegetables. My husband is a totally different story. To </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">get Brandon to eat vegetables once-a-day I have to be very creative.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> So, imagine my surprise when this insanely easy green bean recipe got rave reviews from not only my husband but all of my children as well!</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Green Beans with Toasted Almonds</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxa_QJvc-Kb6x7uhBCWqu7-aXW5k81gWCLc-BA9Ca7-pZJyxWMxC-xPf4Aw2bMsfHq-EvMyM9wBtxmJ44NweDzid-KiUY2i0JeFTXaAwWXsIWl0M7el7iYHDA-z53q2TXZ3J_UTk_p5av/s320/GB+%2526+Almonds.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675582252007878770" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px; " /><div style="background-color: transparent; "><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Ingredients:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 lb frozen green beans</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 T butter </span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 cloves of garlic</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">¾ cup slivered almonds</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">½ tsp salt (optional)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">¼ tsp pepper (optional)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Directions</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br />- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. I used a convection oven on the “Toast” setting.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Put frozen green beans, butter, garlic, and salt and pepper into a deep frying pan or</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> skillet over medium heat. beans will take about 5-7 minutes to cook.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- As beans are cooking, spread slivered almonds over a small baking dish. Place in conventional or convection oven. Move every so often to make sure all almond pieces get toasted.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Once almonds are toasted add them to the frying pan/skillet and stir well. Cook until the green beans reach the tenderness you like (we like crispier vegetables). Enjoy!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Quote From the Dinner Table:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“The almonds are almost as good as bacon!” - Brandon</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Cost: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Organic Green Beans (Costco): $1.20/lb</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Organic Butter (Sprouts or Costco): $.25</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Slivered Almonds (Costco): $.75</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Seasonings (Garlic - Costco, <a href="http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?x=0&y=0&ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=starwest">Spices</a>): $.10</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total: $2.30 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-62330652359816097072011-11-15T15:48:00.005-06:002011-11-15T18:22:49.035-06:00Menu: Week 3<div style="background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5442906585521996" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Summary of Last Week:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Meals all happened according to plan - I love when that happens!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; "> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I ended up spending another $18.43 on a few items I needed from Kroger, water, and on snacks for a get together I am hosting.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total for last week: $91.32</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total for (2) weeks: $250.13 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">($.13 over my food budget goal - but still great!)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Menu: Week 3</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Wednesday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) Hard Boiled Eggs, Pineapple, & Coconut Dip</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) Kids: Sunflower seed butter sandwiches, broccoli with dressing, & apples, Adults: Roasted Red Pepper Soup<br />(D) Slow Cooker Tortilla Turkey Soup with Homemade Tortillas </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Thursday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) Spinach & Cheese Omelettes</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) Sprouted Whole Wheat Tortillas with Chicken & Avocados,<br />(D) Fiesta Black Bean Soup</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Friday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) Scrambled Eggs & Breakfast Sausage</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) Fiesta Black Bean Soup<br />(D) Paleo Pizza</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Saturday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) Almond Griddle Cakes</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) Sprouted Wheat Chicken Quesadillas<br />(D) Arroz con Pollo (rice will be made separately)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Sunday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) (OPEN)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) <a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/11/recipe-for-trinas-low-sugar-fresh.html">Cranberry</a> Turkey Breast</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> & Green Beans with Almonds<br />(D) Italian Sausage with Spaghetti Squash</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Monday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (again, my kids beg)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) Hard Boiled Eggs, Cheese, Pears, Celery & Nut Butter<br />(D) Broccoli Soup </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Tuesday:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(B) Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(L) Omelette “Muffins”<br />(D) (Shredded Beef) Taco Tuesday! </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>Snacks: </b>fuji apples with pumpkin (yes, more pumpkin) cream cheese dip, cantelope, baked cinnamon & coconut sap almonds (yet to try recipe - we will see if they’re kid approved)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I will also be purchasing our turkey this week. Sprouts has free-range turkeys for $1.49/lb. We are doing all of the cooking for Thanksgiving Day, so there is a separate budget for Turkey Day. </span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-32616945426987639002011-11-14T07:00:00.004-06:002011-11-14T07:15:38.525-06:00Non-Toxic Homemade Cleaning Wipes<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap; ">When I cleared our house of toxic cleaning products five-years-ago, I thought the conveniences I had grown accustomed to were forever gone. We used to go through 2-3 rolls of paper towels a week, countless napkins, and I never thought twice about using Clorox wipes. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Switching to non-toxic products made me think outside of the box, and I began to look for inexpensive and environmentally responsible ways to keep my house clean. A friend introduced me to </span><a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2009/03/flour-sack-towels.html"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">flour sack towels</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">, and I more recently switched many of my cleaning towels over to microfiber cloths.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Microfiber cloths are amazing! They are lint free (so the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap; ">y are great for mirrors), absorb a lot of water, and 36 of them are $16 at Costco. I cut half of the towels into quarters, put them in containers and poured in my own wipe solution. The end result is inexpensive, convenient, and non-toxic wipes that you are not concerned about your children touching.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">What you will need:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- 12” Microfiber square towels before cutting, or 6” square wipe after</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- A pair of sharp scissors</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Containers with lids (Old wipe containers work great)</span></div><div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Baking Soda</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Rubbing Alcohol</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; white-space: normal; "></div>- Essential Oils (tea tree, orange, lemon, clove, lavender, etc)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- A large mixing bowl</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Measuring spoons and cups</span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Basic Preparation of Wipe Holder (if You’re Not Going to Add Solution)</b></div></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyxRhRxZoovp-2Qa1sAceWWb1-aV-VO5NnJbUxzQtfISxGv8uehgwmayNgLqhYuykW3tjpecTamHXALhIpgqXGfwD1JmY2jMGYZzCxflqqXpZWLr4mRRu0aBnC0ineTwrk8_V1ZkPJmet/s400/Towel+Collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674836981954249074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></div><div dir="ltr"><table style="text-align: center;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; width: 624px; "><colgroup><col width="*"><col width="*"><col width="*"><col width="*"></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1. Gather microfiber cloths.</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2. Lay cloth flat. (Mine had a line right down the center to make it easy on me)</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3. Cut cloth in half. </span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">4. Cut cloths in half again. (I then washed and dried to get the fuzzies off of the cloths)</span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">5. Get an old container with a lid (I used an old wipe container)</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">6. Break off the dispenser tabs in the lid.</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">7. Stuff cloths to see how man</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">y</span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: center;"> fit (I fit 18 into mine)</div></span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">8. Put lid the lid on.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; ">Cleaning Solutions</span></div></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Homemade Disinfectant Wipe Recipe:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1.5 cups of vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1.5 cups of water</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; ">2 T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> baking soda</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 T Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap</span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">20-30 drops of essential oils</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Homemade Window & Mirror Recipe</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(this is an excellent streak-free recipe!)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 cup of vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 cup of rubbing alcohol</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 water</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>Directions for Making Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes</b></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRopJxGja9s_2tGXhDEfaJzbTUGArNgvSBPbBnB1PPELgpzy1LcGKC7AjCxtSOgy9Qp5GNcU3wAjSIJjqIGOwOilPZe9-ZtmtOG8jfAiVkhOcJloCDZhnz7yzzroLCfXiW2Cse6CBpoEdb/s400/Wipe+Collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674836163003950466" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; white-space: normal; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><div dir="ltr"><table style="text-align: center;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-collapse: collapse; width: 624px; "><colgroup><col width="*"><col width="*"><col width="*"></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1. Get (or Empty) Containers</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2. Gather Ingredients </span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3. Put Cloths in Bowl</span></td></tr><tr style="height: 0px; "><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">4. In separate mixing bowl, mix ingredients together. It will foam when you add the baking soda. Stir well & quickly pour into the cloth bowl.</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">5. Squeeze the cloths with your hands until all of the cloths are slightly damp, but that cannot be wrung out.</span></td><td style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); vertical-align: top; padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">6. Put the cloths into designated containers. </span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div>I have a bucket for used cloths next to my washer. Once the containers are empty I wash the cloths with ½ cup washing soda, 1/2 cup borax, and 10 drops of tea tree oil.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>Cost:</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Towels: $16 (will last a very long time)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Disinfectant Solution (per container):</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Vinegar: $.25</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Dr. Bronner’s: $.15 (best guess)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Essential Oils: $.25 (again, best guess)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total: $.65</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Window & Mirror Solution (per container):</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Vinegar: $.25</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Alcohol: $.25</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total: $.50</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Initial Cost (per container)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">18 Cloths: $1.80</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Solution: $.65</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total: $2.45 </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(about $1 less than store bought wipes - the first time. After the initial towel investment, it will cost $.50-$.65/container!)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-91502887312272163802011-11-12T11:00:00.008-06:002011-11-12T13:24:30.291-06:00A Well Stocked Fridge & What to Do With It<div style="text-align: left;">A kitchen filled with fresh, unprocessed foods tends to look a bit different. Unless a whole foods cook stocks up with a lot of dried goods or cans their food, usually their pantries look pretty bare. The day-or-two leading up to grocery shopping can also leave their fridge stark. I had grown used to the emptiness that happens by the end of the week, but then this last Tuesday a friend came over and asked to see how we eat. As I poked around my cabinets, and fridge I realized that it looked like we don't eat. So, I thought I would share my before and after pictures on the blog.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw3lSYajxVV46ebXovjldZJsY83M_3Pc4l2GGAomAA3PdHgNCZksslsnQcyfYcevpsBhyphenhyphenovjeKH22QAMmnx7B5pJC48JBbVFpCZ07NTfvaFvmgJLABADVboq3RMrN3cPsTKv0JXo1IXPa/s400/Fridge+Collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674175914228776594" /><div style="text-align: center;">Fridge: Before and After</div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r8zFg2JOEXpZLmXQQ98tPtJ7jlntVLyU86JPsor6VGI_EKxInAIsWMW9zBwmAsu7izbYXWXXwfQiuqHWk8M-30CmN8ItcaO8ucYnpHP6D5Pi9rClntg8G5zVB5f1DRAcZXNVUW6LlquB/s400/111211+Phone+Upload.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674175935102461346" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Drawers were not this empty, but I wanted to share a great tip. Line your produce drawers with half of a paper bag to absorb moisture and smells. This also makes for very easy clean-up.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteYokKNW5vhuuxGawY2BO-_r3kHVOgu-puayKmDKP22a2667eVYWPBgOEt4e7ePmKOehv0ojDCowu7b5mHYpa8AKXbWBtrcm5KKsCJ7zMpQS5g2gdVRIhOfPdqEFaOcQRcdXXpiGN2Bsj/s400/Produce+Drawers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674175917458217330" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Drawers well stocked for the week.</div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkFY4aYdW351EkzNxb3k9dM22mNwTHhpDAf3hnNCYW80Ejiy17iq5TfKKVTHbkkxMlIBe-OI_kznHfyrgz4KihTKnvkS1FSueS2ETSjc8DGv0laV3ZUhusDWFwOFkg5UmDGh-Ys7rR1G5/s400/Pantry+Spaces.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674174858103420018" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pantry Spaces</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's nothing that really stands out, right? A majority of our food is in the produce drawers, and then we obviously have our meat in the freezer and fridge. Knowing what to do with the produce, meat and other dried foods is challenge. While I am working on getting recipes up as fast as I can, here our some other great blogs with recipes with fresh foods:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating Magazine</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://everydaypaleo.com/">Everyday Paleo</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://healthfoodlover.com/hfl/">Health Food Lover</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nourishedkitchen.com/">Nourished Kitchen </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(a favorite of mine)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nourishingmeals.com/">Nourishing Meals</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sproutedkitchen.com/">Sprouted Kitchen</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wholefoodcooking.blogspot.com/">Whole Food Cooking</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wholefoodmommies.com/">Whole Food Mommies</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-18265055455012225712011-11-11T14:10:00.004-06:002011-11-11T14:24:09.247-06:00Roasted Red Pepper Walnut Hummus<div style="background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7458551258314401" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">There are a lot of things I will gladly share with people, but when it comes to my food I really struggle with having an open hand. I’m not talking about the food in my house, but rather the food on my plate. Most moms can probably relate. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The first time I made hummus I used one-and-a-half pounds of dried chickpeas, and ended up with seven pounds of the dip. Seven pounds of hummus is a lot, and when I revealed the heaping container to Brandon he so kindly told me he doesn’t like hummus. In that moment I was okay with anyone eating off of my plate, including my toddlers. I thought I would get sick of it by the time that batch was gone, but I didn’t, and I still frequently make hummus.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I have already posted my <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2009/06/roasted-red-pepper-hummus.html">hummus recipe</a> using chickpeas, but here is a new family favorite using walnuts. Make sure if you try this that you soak the walnuts (preferably in filtered water) for at least 4 hours. This helps to get them soft, and to <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/whats-my-deal-with-grains.html">break down the phytates</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Roasted Red Pepper Walnut Hummus</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Makes about 24 oz.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3 cups of dried walnut halves, soaked & drained (will end up swelling to about 4 cups)</span><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLsJsWkSmBy31nujTaG3kdkjlaAfjgshlebq_AMgg1bdL15VW_5JExEwUJCf25rFuEUv1eRyM8KPER36OGUCRFDZsOACPKIqcVhYRLH1cr5nWkCL5BoDFkhqvTKKzc6D-PL9yZaJb5LyW/s320/hummus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673835240816009682" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 tsp of ground cumin</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">¼ - ½ tsp salt</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">¼ tsp cayenne pepper</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">8 oz of roasted red peppers (home roasted or jarred)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 garlic cloves</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3 T walnut (or olive) oil</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 T lemon juice</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Directions:</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place walnuts, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper in blender or food processor until the walnuts are finely ground</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Add peppers, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice until it becomes the consistency of hummus. Depending on how it blends, you may want to add a bit more oil to get a smoother consistency</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Serve with carrots, bell peppers, cucumber slices, celery, spread on tomato slices, or any bread, pita, or crackers of choice.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Cost:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Walnuts (Costco): $3</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Roasted Red Peppers (Costco): $2</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Organic Olive Oil (Costco): $.05 (?)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Spices (<a href="http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?x=0&y=0&ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=starwest">Vitacost</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">): $.15</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Lemon juice (<a href="http://www.vitacost.com/Lakewood-Organic-PURE-Lemon">Vitacost</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">): $.15</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Total: $5.35 </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(Sabra brand hummus averages around $3 for 8oz)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Variations:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Artichoke Hummus</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Replace red peppers with 12 oz of artichoke hearts, and the cumin for 1 tsp of sweet paprika</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Cilantro Hummus</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Substitute red peppers for ¼ cup of fresh cilantro.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Orange Hummus</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Substitute red peppers for ⅓ tsp of orange zest, and ¼ cup of orange juice</span></p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">In any of these recipes you can replace the 3 cups of walnuts with 2 cups of chickpeas</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-45963888923473116662011-11-10T07:43:00.006-06:002011-11-10T11:04:12.927-06:00Learning to Abide<div style="text-align: left;">How often do we, as women, find our identity in the works of our hands? How often do we scheme and plan instead of pray? The Lord cares for us,our children, and our families more than we ever could. Yet, we find it hard to rest and enjoy the blessings of being a woman. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A blog I really enjoy, <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2010/02/super-mom-vs-abiding-mom.html">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a>, made a list of "Super Mom" vs. "Abiding Mom." Over the last year this list has continually checked my motivations, the sources of my frustration, and where I am placing my hope. I pray that we all would learn to abide, and experience the joy of the calling of motherhood.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table bg="" border="3" cellpadding="4" style="text-align: left;border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; width: 428px; "><tbody><tr><td bg="" border="" height="40" style="color: #fbeae3;" valign="top" width="203"><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 4px;"><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); ">Super Mom</span></strong></div><br /></td><td bg="" border="" height="40" style="color: #fbeae3;" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 4px;"><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0); ">Abiding Mom</span></strong></div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="205"><div align="center"><br />Does</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Is (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%2046:10&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Psalm 46:10)</a></div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="206"><div align="center"><br />Tries to impress others</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Pleases the Lord (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.%205:10&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Eph. 5:10</a>,<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2029:25&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Proverbs 29:25</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />Is controlled by an agenda<em>(curriculum, schedule, etc)</em></div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Is controlled by the Holy Spirit: (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal.%205:22-26&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gal. 5:22-26</a>) (<em>Uses curriculum & schedules as tools for orderliness so she's more free to follow the spirit)</em></div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />Her self worth is found in her accomplishments <em>(clean house, perfect kids, the perfect bulletin boards, etc.)</em></div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Her self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%202:10&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Eph 2:10</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />Her peace is found in the “perfect” environment</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Her peace is found in Jesus in the midst of any storm (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is%2026:3&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Is 26:3</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />She is discouraged by failure</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Failure reminds her that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Cor.%2012:9-10&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2 Cor. 12:9-10</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />She expects perfection from herself and others</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />She practices grace with herself and others (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:32&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Eph 4:32</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />She teaches her kids to be good</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />She teaches her kids to be Godly (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Proverbs 22:6</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />She is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />She abides in Christ and bears much fruit (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:5&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">John 15:5</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />She does things with her children</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />She builds a relationship with her children (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut%206:6-7&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Deut 6:6-7</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />Her perspective is based on what is seen</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />Her perspective is based on what is unseen (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%203:2&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Col 3:2</a>)</div><br /></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="207"><div align="center"><br />She chooses quantity of activities</div><br /></td><td bgcolor="#fbeae3" bordercolor="#000000" valign="top" width="217"><div align="center"><br />She chooses the most excellent Way (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Cor%2013&version=NIV" style="color: #aa5557; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">I Cor 13</a>)</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/224216917/9114e3f2/AbidingMom.html">Printable Version</a></span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-48255663968466301732011-11-09T11:22:00.005-06:002011-11-10T13:19:42.970-06:00Organic Savings<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I thought I would gather coupon sites, money saving blogs, and manufacturers that offer coupons into one place. They are listed alphabetically, and I will add more as I find them!</span></i></b></span></p></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Websites with coupons:</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.couponing101.com/printablecoupons/coupons" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; "><span style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; "></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Coupons.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.healthesavers.com/HealthESavers/Coupons.aspx" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Health E Savers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://coupons.mambosprouts.com/online_coupons" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Mambo Sprouts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> (the will also mail you a <a href="http://www.mambosprouts.com/about-us/programs-and-services/">coupon book</a> 4/year)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://coupons.smartsource.com//index.aspx?Link=5S2ZUA6PWPEPO" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Smartsource</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.survivingthestores.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Surviving the Stores </span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(price matches ads and coupons for many natural grocers)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; white-space: normal; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.vitacost.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto; white-space: normal; ">Vitacost</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "> (my go to website for supplements, hygiene and home care. If you </span><a href="https://www.vitacostrewards.com//referrals/webReferralUpdate.pg?EmailId=450000079775&ReferralId=450000079763" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto; white-space: normal; ">register through this link</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; white-space: normal; "> you get an instant $10 coupon to use, and they frequently have coupons and deals happening.)</span></span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; white-space: normal; "><br /></span></span></span></div><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Blogs that feature organic coupons and deals:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.couponing101.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Couponing 101</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Money Saving Mom</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.thethriftymama.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The Thrifty Mama</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> (wonderful section dedicated to natural & organic products)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><a href="http://yourgreenhelper.com/">Your Green Helper</a> (excellent blog focusing on saving money while being green)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Manufacturers websites with coupons (for many you have to sign up for the newsletter):</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/our_products/coupons.html" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">7th Generation</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.alexiafoods.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Alexia Foods</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.amyskitchen.com/newsletter/index.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Amy’s Kitchen</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.annies.com/newsletter/e-news.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Annies Homemade</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.consorzio.com/signup.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Annies Naturals</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.applegatefarms.com/expiredcoupon.aspx" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Applgate Farms</span></a><a href="http://www.consorzio.com/signup.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/barbarasbakery/newsletter.d2w/report" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Barbara’s</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.bluediamond.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Blue Diamond</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.browncowfarm.com/ECoupons/index2.cfm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Brown Cow</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.colemannatural.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Coleman Natural </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">($5 coupon for taking a survey)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.costco.com/service/Featurepage.aspx?productno=11682988">Costco</a> (have to be a member & then mailed)</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.dreamfieldsfoods.com/">Dreamfields</a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.ebfarm.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Earthbound Farm</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.earthsbest.com/promos/coolsavings.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Earth’s Best Organic Baby Food</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Enjoy Life Foods</span></a><a href="http://www.earthsbest.com/promos/coolsavings.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.horizonorganic.com/coupons/index.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Horizen Organic</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://iansnaturalfoods.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Ians</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.kashi.com/account/new" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Kashi</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.knudsenjuices.com/promotions/coupon.aspx?section=coupons" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Knudsen Juices</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.laurasleanbeef.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Laura’s Beef</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.morningstarfarms.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Morningstar Farms</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.nakedjuice.com/#Homepage" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Naked Juice</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.newmansown.com/coupons.aspx" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Newman’s Own</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.organicprairie.coop/coupons/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Organic Prairie</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.organicvalley.coop/coupons/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Organic Valley</span></a><a href="http://www.nakedjuice.com/#Homepage" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.tastethedream.com/promos/coupon.php" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Rice Dream</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.riceselect.com/default.asp?level=3&id=78" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Rice Select</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.scojuice.com/promotions/default.aspx" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Santa Cruz</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Seventh Generation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.stonyfield.com/coupons/new_coupon3_foodinc.cfm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Stonyfield Farms</span></a><a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: medium; "><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></p><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Do you have any other online sources you turn to save money on organic and natural products?</span></span></p></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-86932907541568302322011-11-09T07:25:00.004-06:002011-11-09T08:56:37.138-06:00Butternut Squash Soup<div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">People normally detest or love pureed soups, and most of the time it is an issue with texture. When it comes to food, I am definitely a texture person. Puddings and creme filled pastries freak me out. I used to love guacomole, but not care for avocados. My list could go on, but one meal I really enjoy is butternut squash soup. This recipe is incredibly filling, nutritious, and when squash is in season it is very inexpensive to make. My entire family loves this soup, and my oldest son says, "It's like warm applesauce for dinner." While it's not sweet like applesauce, I am more than okay with that statement if it means him eating a bowl full of vegetables.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.47357597574591637" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>Roasted Butternut Squash Soup</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><div style="background-color: transparent; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDrMNXgj5v61S-LhS9GPiOZFPZB_4HQeAO0mp-5VFUiphXUrNCsIQrro8pD-CVG8cek0iy7My23-_NrOrTxx7DxSmu5QUCCwoM9_LeBE6Lui_sbVluyzpJxU6vmxu51VVes0kQ1cp5pRG/s320/ButternutSquashSoup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673009562517813234" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed and cubed</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled & cubed</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 large carrots, sliced</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 stalks of celery<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3 cloves of garlic</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 large onion, diced</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 T butter</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">½ tsp ground ginger</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 jalapeno, seeded and diced</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 box (or 4 cups) chicken stock</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Salt to taste (optional)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br />- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place squash and pototoes in a 9x13 Pyrex, and spray with olive oil until vegetables are well coated.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Let cook 40-45 minutes until squash is very tender, and stir every 20 minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- While squash and potatoes are cooking, put butter, onion, carrots, and garlic in a large stock pock, and cook on medium heat until carrots are tender and onions are transparent. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Add ginger, diced jalepeno, chicken stock, ground black pepper, and optional salt to stock pot. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Once squash and potatoes are done add them to the broth, and let cook for 20 minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Puree with a handheld immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- You can add red pepper flakes (I recommend), chives, or a dollop of sour cream before serving. Enjoy on it’s own, or serve whole wheat crusted bread.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>This makes a lot of soup! Once the leftovers are cooled, I freeze them, and it makes for an easy meal later.<br /></i></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><b>Cost:</b></div></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Organic Butternut Squash (Sprouts): $3.57</div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Organic Carrots (Costco): $.50</div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Organic Celery (Kroger): $.25</div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Organic Onion (Sprouts): $.33</div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Jalapeno (Sprouts): $.25</div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Chicken Stock (<a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-and-why-to-make-your-own-chicken.html">homemade</a>): Free</div><div style="background-color: transparent; ">Spices (<a href="http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?x=0&y=0&ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=starwest">Vitacost</a>): approx. $.15</div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><b>Total: $5.05</b> ($2.52 for 2 meals - minus toppings of choice and optional bread)</div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-68966399420736605412011-11-08T14:24:00.007-06:002011-11-10T08:25:52.182-06:00Menu: Week 2<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Summary of Last Week:</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">All meals were cooked according to plan. Except one. On Saturday I put the roast in the slow cooker at 11 a.m., and at 5:30 it wouldn't shred. I waited until 6:00 and it still wouldn't shred. By 6:45 we were all super hungry, and the roast fought me. Brandon called it, I protested, and he ordered pizza. Squeals filled the house, because take-out pizza is pretty rare around here (unless we are in Chicago and then all bets are off). In my maturity I pouted, ate salad, smelled the pizza, took my heavy-duty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enzymedica-Digest-Gold-90-capsules/dp/B001ONOP30/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1320799561&sr=1-3">digestive enzymes</a>, and ate a piece. The roast cooked another few hours, and we ate it after church on Sunday.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b><i>Unplanned for Pizza: $12.00 </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>Total for Last week: $158.81 </b> (this included all meals, pizza, my stock-up on nuts, some organic condensed milk I bought on clearance for the holidays, and the gallons of water for drinking and cooking)</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Wednesday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Omelettes</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Smoothies</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) Beef Stew (will use beef from Italian beefs on Saturday)</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Thursday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (my kids are addicted)</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Hard Boiled Eggs, Cheese Stick, Carrots & Sunflower Seed Butter, Pears</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/11/butternut-squash-soup.html">Butternut Squash Soup</a> (already made, in freezer)</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Friday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Chicken Sausage, Cheese stick, Carrots & Walnut Hummus</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) Chicken Salad Sandwiched between Romaine Leaves*</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Saturday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Scrambled Eggs & Breakfast Chicken Sausage</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Peanut Butter & Jelly on Sprouted Bread & Carrots (kids)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) Chili</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Sunday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Open</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Chicken Salad Sandwiched between Romaine Leaves*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) Bacon Cheeseburgers (served w/out bun) with Avocado & a Salad</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Monday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Egg bake</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Chili</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) Sun Dried Tomato Chicken & Spaghetti Squash</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Tuesday</span></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(B) Egg Bake</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(L) Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Sprouted Grilled Cheese Sandwich (kids)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">(D) Taco Tuesday!</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Snacks:</b> Walnut Hummus with Carrots, Pears*, Apples*, & Pineapple*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">* - on sale at Sprouts</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">From <b><a href="http://www.survivingthestores.com/">Surviving the Stores</a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.survivingthestores.com/category/coupon-match-ups/grocery-store-coupon-matchups/sprouts-deals">Sprouts</a></span><i style="font-weight: bold; "> </i>Weekly Sale Papers and Coupons</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>- I will be using the Cascadian Farms coupons for fruits and vegetables</i></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Pineapples are on<a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/04/organic-or-not.html"> the clean list</a>, so I will be buying a few pineapples</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Organic apples and pears are also a great deal.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Organic butternut squash is on sale. This weekend a large batch of Butternut Squash Soup will be filling my freezer. Cubed butternut squash also freezes very well.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Total Spent:</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Sprouts: $72.89</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Here are some of the great deals I got at Sprouts:</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Organic, free-range butter - 2 lbs/$7</div><div>3lb free-range turkey breast - $2.99/lb </div><div>6 free-range turkey legs - $1.49/lb</div><div>4 lbs of organic pears - $1.29/lb</div><div>6 lbs of organic butternut squash - $.99/lb</div><div>11 lbs of organic apples (making applesauce) - $1.29</div><div>3 pineapples - $.99/each</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b></b></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-58503490172807216562011-11-08T07:51:00.012-06:002011-11-08T10:58:54.272-06:00Cut an Onion Without Tears<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Most of the time I weigh the pros, cons, and risks involved in decisions. However, when it comes to cutting onions caution was shed at the thought of uncontrollable tears. Until two months ago I cut onions with my eyes closed. You read that right. With the handle of a large butcher knife in my right hand, and my left hand on top of the blade, I would just haphazardly cut an onion until it resembled something close to my goal. My husband was aware of my foolishness, and stood like a guard dog in the kitchen if he knew the menu plans.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Luckily, we never had an ER visit, or even a cut finger, due to my absurdity. While visiting our family in Chicago, a family friend (who happens to be a chef) came over to the house to prepare a meal. I jumped on the opportunity to help him cook. After a disastrous </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">coughing spell while cutting banana peppers, the sweet man potentially saved me from cutting off my finger tips. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Even if you cut onions with your eyes wide open, these tips will hel</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">p you to do so without tears, and give you perfectly sliced and diced onions. Without tears! Yes, I said it twice, because I am that excited.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Before we get started:</i></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1. The "hairy" end of the onion is called the basal plate. The flaky skin is called the tunic, and the "layers" are called scales.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. When you cut off the basal plate it releases an enzyme into the onion. That enzyme releases into the rest of the onion creating a gas, and that gas combines with liquid makes an acid. Acid in your eyes makes you cry. Don't cut off the basal plate.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Use sharp knives. Sharp knives cut through the potential acids, while dull knives crush the acids.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. If you are still worried spray your cutting board with vinegar. Vinegar neutralizes the acids. Another great tip is to put the onion in the freezer 10-15 minutes before cutting; however, you should be fine if you cut your onion in the following way and use sharp knives.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-an-h5VjjL78/TrlLj6lhi7I/AAAAAAAAANc/tQbEf2Mj_CQ/s400/Onion%2BCollage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672648286043999154" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/118398371130626195423/FrugalWellness?authkey=Gv1sRgCObU5du0reWP3wE#5672669518228931298">Click to Enlarge</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How to Cut an Onion</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>To Slice:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1. Get cutting board, butcher knife, paring knife, and an onion</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2. The "hairy" end of the onion - do not cut off!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3. Tip of onion </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">4. Cut off tip of onion with the butcher knife</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">5.& 6. Cut onion in half from root to tip with the butcher knife</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">7. Peel back tunic and the first scale </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">8. Notice the ridges in the onion</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">9. Place paring knife on closest ridge towards cutting board. Cut into the ridge towards the center of the onion. Move to the next ridge, and again cut towards the center of the onion. Keep going until you have cut into all ridges around the onion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">10. Once all ridges have been cut (like seen in the picture) cut off the root.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">11. & 12. Separate the slices of onion with hands. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">To Dice </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">(Get to Step 12 in the slicing instructions):</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">13. Rotate the onion 90 degrees</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">14. Make small cuts perpendicular to your ridge cuts until you get to the basal plate (or the end of your ridge cuts)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>You are done, and your mascara should still be on your lashes! </i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you found any other tricks that help stop the water works while cutting an onion? Leave a comment or come talk about it with the Frugal Wellness community on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/frugalwellness">Facebook</a>.</span></span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7733461838641439334.post-79928788545363574392011-11-07T13:49:00.008-06:002011-11-07T15:07:33.093-06:00Fajitas - with the Chicken<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">My junior and senior year of high school I worked at McDonald’s. While I worked at McD’s I was usually stationed in the drive-thru. From time-to-time we had pranksters come through and try to be funny through the speaker. Sometimes it would crack me up and give me inspiration.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Inspiration led to some obnoxious drive-thru behavior on my part. One restaurant I did like was Taco Bell (I know, I know). I used to go through drive-thrus and make weird requests just to hear the pause. A favorite request of mine was a chicken fajita minus the chicken with extra cheese. Sure enough a long dialogue would happen, and I would have to drive to the window to finish placing my order while trying to keep a straight face.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Now that most of those childish behaviors are behind me, and I now avoid Taco Bell, I have learned to make some pretty great tasting chicken fajitas with the chicken. Chicken fajitas are such an easy, versa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">tile meal, and they take very little time to make. This recipe is also a great way to use leftover chicken.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>Chicken Fajita Recipe</b></span><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Makes 16 fajitas</i></span></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPwkept2BCk/Trg32PyYkMI/AAAAAAAAAMI/3AB2lbYndbs/s320/Chicken%2BFajita%2BRecipe.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672345135763460290" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch strips </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>(or already cooked bone-in breasts, shredded)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 bell pepper, sliced</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">1 onion, sliced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">3 cloves garlic, minced</span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 T <a href="http://frugalwellness.blogspot.com/2011/02/taco-tuesday-on-monday-night.html">taco seasoning</a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">2 T cooking oil, divided (recommend oil with a <a href="http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/collectedinfo/oilsmokepoints.htm">high smoke point</a> - like avocado or coconut oil</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">)</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place bell pepper, onion, and garlic in large frying pan with 1 T of oil, and put the temperature of the burner to medium heat. Cook until onions are transparent. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Directions for raw chicken tenders:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place the raw tenders and seasoning in a bowl to coat. It is best to let the chicken sit for at least an hour, but is not totally necessary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Put 1 T of oil and the raw chicken tenders in a separate frying pan, and cook on m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">edium-low heat until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly browned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Once chicken is cooked add to the pepper, onions and garlic and mix well.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Directions for shredded, cooked chicken:</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Add the shredded chicken to the pepper, onion, and garlic mix as you start to see the onions turning transparent.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Add taco seasonings to pan along with ¼ cup of water.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Cover deep frying pan with a lid, and let simmer for 10 minutes to allow the seasonings to absorb</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><i>Serving Suggestions:</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Place in whole wheat, corn or flour tortillas. A grain-free option is to try using romaine lettuce leaves in place of the tortillas. The romaine leaves add a very fresh taste to the recipe, and kids think it is fun.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Serve with slived avocados, cheese, sour cream, salsa, fresh diced cilantro, or pineapples!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">- Enjoy! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><b>Cost:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.petalumapoultry.com/">Rosie's Organic Chicken Breasts</a> (Sprouts): $6</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Onion: $.33</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Organic Bell Pepper: $1.50</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Avocado: $.50</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Total: $8.33</b> (Far cheaper than my old Taco Bell visits at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">$.52 per serving - not including any toppings or wraps you may want</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span></div>Frugal Wellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986683833268106343noreply@blogger.com4