tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73967861002701692552024-02-19T08:19:06.546-08:00The Thrifty HomemakerThe fine art of saving money & my sanity.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-17722092723904646022015-01-06T15:14:00.002-08:002015-01-06T15:14:49.777-08:00"Chinese Takeout" Lemon Chicken Homemade Edition!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the easiest way to make lemon chicken. My family inhales it. I have to make a double batch every time. Pictured here is orange chicken. This time I used orange juice because I only had 1 package of orange jello & no chicken broth. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6v341OpDgxwSGc50rlY586Tfhx_KZdbR454aCkTvKFTgbnhNia_KJpH1jvmCqmFC1Tam2_as6Nhkb31I3rpp-_8mbMhXnRHA4QOBqtgGnSa92FJVn3yBsG71IxWVbP-4_ADxh8B6lEDW/s1600/DSCN0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6v341OpDgxwSGc50rlY586Tfhx_KZdbR454aCkTvKFTgbnhNia_KJpH1jvmCqmFC1Tam2_as6Nhkb31I3rpp-_8mbMhXnRHA4QOBqtgGnSa92FJVn3yBsG71IxWVbP-4_ADxh8B6lEDW/s1600/DSCN0167.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the recipe:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Tbsp oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 pkg snow peas trimmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 small red pepper, cut</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 pkg Lemon Flavor Gelatin (1 for less lemon flavor)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Tbsp Cornstarch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 C chicken broth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Tbsp Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing (I add more for the tanginess)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Cloves minced garlic</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat oil add chicken. Cook thoroughly. Add snow peas & peppers. Cook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix dry gelatin mix & cornstarch in small bowl. Add broth, dressing & garlic. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Add to skillet. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until sauce is thickened. Stir frequently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I omit the peas (gag. I'd rather eat dirt than peas) and red peppers (because I have a white girls stomach and it would revolt if I ate anything spicy.) I also add more liquid to make more sauce. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pour over rice or eat alone with homemade fried rice or chow mein.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-78960032580516319712014-01-04T17:15:00.001-08:002014-01-04T17:21:50.354-08:00I see the sun! AKA: Living in the PNW is a good reason NOT to clean your windows.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh the sun! We don't see the sun quite nearly as much as we should in the Pacific Northwest during the winter. Now I know why. It helps us from seeing how disgusting our windows are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sitting in bed, sick with whatever I picked up at the ER with my youngest, longing to be in the glorious sun light with the beautiful, healthy people. Then I notice something. "What is that all over my windows?" Hand prints, streaks, & film. Yuck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to clean it. It was mocking me. Mocking me. I went to the cabinet, no glass cleaner. Gasp. I went to the pantry, NADA. A choice word or two went through my mind. I started this "No Spend January" group, so I knew I could not run out to the store to get a bottle. Enter Google. I found a great recipe, actually a couple from CrunchyBetty.com. I like this one the best. It doesn't leave a film on the windows. <strong>BUT, you should spray & wipe the windows at least twice to make sure you get all the dirt off and wipe all the liquid off the windows otherwise there WILL BE streaks. </strong> It also helps to use newspaper too. The black & white pages not the colored pages. It leaves no particles on the glass like paper towels do.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAYAZCHVSJLmGbR2hIt9zWM7QE6dsk9Az74SuOqqVwMDnmh6P0dHg1QDb3IHNS0bCMAjspfM5W9Dlif95INWdKwQY9kZef4gnMQRiJ2T2Ej03A9vZWGXQep_a0IHegbvrPUD7bfCbl-J1/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAYAZCHVSJLmGbR2hIt9zWM7QE6dsk9Az74SuOqqVwMDnmh6P0dHg1QDb3IHNS0bCMAjspfM5W9Dlif95INWdKwQY9kZef4gnMQRiJ2T2Ej03A9vZWGXQep_a0IHegbvrPUD7bfCbl-J1/s320/IMG_2010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix: 1/2C of rubbing alcohol, 1/2C water & 1 Tbsp vinegar. I sterilized my water by boiling it. The recipe won't fill up the entire bottle, but you can double or triple the batch. Yes, I reused the old Windex bottle with my new environmentally friendly cleaner. The batch I made probably cost me about .50. Try it out. I'm sure you are going to love it. </span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-76855634348775173832014-01-02T08:56:00.007-08:002014-01-02T08:56:59.006-08:00Homemade & Cheap Dishwasher Soap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New year, new ways for me to save! I joined a group called Living Well Spending Less & January is a "No Spending Month". And guess what I just ran out of in my stockpile? Dishwasher soap. ACK!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't spend unless it was a need. This is a need, but I remembered I had posted sometime ago about homemade dishwasher soap. I haven't used the recipe because I had enough premade soap in my pantry. I read the reviews on line & couldn't justify buying it. I made some & love it. So I ended up making 192 loads of dishwasher soap for $3.25 in less than 2 minutes! That comes out to $0.017 a load. I use equal amounts of Borax & Washing Soda. I can get 8 cups total into a half gallon canning jar. I use 2 tsp. for each wash. It seems like I do at least a load of dishes a day, especially when the kids are out of school. This will last me until June or July. I figured I save at least $17 + my time. Easy & natural ~ can't bet that!</span></div>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-17036537787684416662013-10-30T13:46:00.000-07:002013-10-30T13:48:36.843-07:00Homemade Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce - AKA: Oh Dear Lord. I've died & gone to Heaven.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is part three of getting my family away from store bought condiments & preservatives. So far I have made ketchup & taco sauce. All with great results. If you missed my post about my homemade ketchup, go </span><a href="http://thethriftyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2013/09/once-you-try-it-youll-never-buy-it.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, & taco sauce go <a href="http://thethriftyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2013/09/homemade-taco-sauce.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here in the PNW, Autumn comes quick. Chilly nights make the tomato skins crack. I had to get out there in September & pick all the green tomatoes that were left on the vine. When it was all said & done I had 6 brown paper bag full. Yesterday, I finally used up the last remaining tomatoes from my garden. I'm so happy to be able to see my clean counter top. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I decided to make some BBQ. I tried a recipe from the Ball Canning website, but it was too hot & vinegary for my taste. Then I came across this little gem from allrecipes.com. Go </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bourbon-Whiskey-BBQ-Sauce/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=bourbon%20whiskey%20bbq%20sauce&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20Hub" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to bookmark it. Here is the recipe in its entirety:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/2</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">onion, minced</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">4 cloves</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">garlic, minced</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">3/4 cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">bourbon whiskey</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/2 teaspoon</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">ground black pepper</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/2 tablespoon</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">salt</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">2 cups</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">ketchup</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/4 cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">tomato paste</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/3 cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">cider vinegar</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">2 tablespoons</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">liquid smoke flavoring</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/4 cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">Worcestershire sauce</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/2 cup</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">packed brown sugar</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/3 teaspoon</span> <span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">hot pepper sauce, or to taste</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions</span></div>
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<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the onion, garlic, and whiskey. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Mix in the ground black pepper, salt, ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and hot pepper sauce.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Run sauce through a strainer if you prefer a smooth sauce. </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I played around with the recipe to suit my situation. For example I wasn't going to use store bought ketchup & paste when I had my own tomatoes. Secondly, I wasn't going to go out & buy liquid smoke. Finally, I found out I had no Worcestershire sauce or garlic cloves. <br />
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<span class="plaincharacterwrap break"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I peeled & seeded 8 quarts of tomatoes. Cooked it down to desired thickness. I added 1/4C of whiskey, I didn't want to over power it. Then added the onion & garlic powder, salt, pepper, brown sugar, & hot pepper sauce. I let it cook a bit more so the alcohol would cook out. I processed it for 25 minutes in my water bath canner.</span></span></div>
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<span class="plaincharacterwrap break"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It came out AWESOME! I am never going to use another recipe. My husband wants to use this on the next tri tip we buy. Try it out & tell me what you think. Now I am putting my canner away, jars & lids away.</span></span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-59148226684083767542013-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:002013-10-16T15:18:00.398-07:00Thrifty tip: Saving Marigold Seeds<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who doesn't love Marigolds? Those little ruffled yellow & orange flowers just add a pop of color to any spot & they keep bugs away. Did you know you can that you can gather the seeds and regrow them next year? I didn't. This seriously easy</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH46W1PLXH6k-503aq6IO1F_oPZJYhzgNaCoJrJAW3-y8PhOTIeC1EL3I3JMkJoguklhTLXnjAuQ_lmApSsL-MeDPWi7h4pBKHyxlZkxKJKEu9R2NNbbeoJdjQtvZQ3sC44LBP7WxVKEx0/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH46W1PLXH6k-503aq6IO1F_oPZJYhzgNaCoJrJAW3-y8PhOTIeC1EL3I3JMkJoguklhTLXnjAuQ_lmApSsL-MeDPWi7h4pBKHyxlZkxKJKEu9R2NNbbeoJdjQtvZQ3sC44LBP7WxVKEx0/s320/IMG_1150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pull or cut the spent flower off. Let it dry. Or if you are lazy like me, wait until it is dry on the plant then pull it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0ZKZqiwqZuHpkGi0SZfMvvT4paHv9Bpen4z8Py-nA4Z5iFWGFzqpsCw-zyCPLj4IFuuPgR0hUlZfNxqmu7Ci0SxQwrLNLsfp8hvOnlDKIYUcIAlHSJRnaESoahe6OTKx9Hresf2tLAgT/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0ZKZqiwqZuHpkGi0SZfMvvT4paHv9Bpen4z8Py-nA4Z5iFWGFzqpsCw-zyCPLj4IFuuPgR0hUlZfNxqmu7Ci0SxQwrLNLsfp8hvOnlDKIYUcIAlHSJRnaESoahe6OTKx9Hresf2tLAgT/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pull the dried petals out. Sorry for the dark photos, but I'm not a photographer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQcMlUQdZpe-T_2Q63K7kzXF-0IsEOrt9iUjrLQ_huhWTS2gisZQQ2wG8NdemnOfj1VMUcqYgoWwf5fgTPIu8Rz6G6dm-nh-1i2H4BP1wSW_gS1FeNkK3ovaaIJeITAnFKgglgkz_zjvL/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQcMlUQdZpe-T_2Q63K7kzXF-0IsEOrt9iUjrLQ_huhWTS2gisZQQ2wG8NdemnOfj1VMUcqYgoWwf5fgTPIu8Rz6G6dm-nh-1i2H4BP1wSW_gS1FeNkK3ovaaIJeITAnFKgglgkz_zjvL/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pull the seeds out of the bottom & store them for next year. The seeds are thin with black on the bottom. Each one can grow another plant. Each flower could hold around 50 seeds. If you planted & cultivated each seed you'd have 50 plants for free. Which could save you a lot of money. Even if they were $1 each that's $50 you saved!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubJ3-uNSXNGe5SbHsHUutOiIeWX5l8AOxlSrLfBp7N-AgRt-q0i9ya2UURJQzvg-bAcIYA3UTGlmVAz_87uAVl_nxo1ZAF5_h2RFxeyFsQucWfY7np9Gav0BV1AFbQUhb9bmxe0h8Dzlo/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubJ3-uNSXNGe5SbHsHUutOiIeWX5l8AOxlSrLfBp7N-AgRt-q0i9ya2UURJQzvg-bAcIYA3UTGlmVAz_87uAVl_nxo1ZAF5_h2RFxeyFsQucWfY7np9Gav0BV1AFbQUhb9bmxe0h8Dzlo/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-88767929538426355342013-09-25T12:37:00.002-07:002013-09-25T12:42:57.254-07:00Homemade Taco Sauce<div align="justify">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my house we eat a ridiculous amount of Mexican food, in particular, tacos. We have tacos at least once a week. It's just easy & everyone eats them without complaining. I am trying to cook from scratch & trying not to buy processed food. The most easiest way to start lessening my family's dependence on processed food is with making my own condiments. </span></div>
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I haven't bought taco sauce in the past 2 years. In my humble opinion, I like my sauce more than the store bought stuff. That's saying a lot because I am picky about my food. This recipe is similar to the previous post about making ketchup. See the post <a href="http://thethriftyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2013/09/once-you-try-it-youll-never-buy-it.html" target="_blank">here</a>. (Yes I am reusing the same pictures.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use as many or as little tomatoes you want. I use about 6-8 quarts of tomatoes. Peel tomatoes (lightly cut an X into the skin and drop them into boiling water.) Leave them in the water for about 10 seconds and put them in cold water (ice water is preferred). The skins will slide off. Core & cut. Leave pot uncovered. Once soft run through food mill to remove seeds. Unlike the picture, you don't need onions or red peppers.</span></div>
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Reduce the tomato mixture to desired thickness. Cook on low for 4-8 hours stirring from time to time to prevent sticking. I prefer my sauce a bit thick so when it covers the spoon & doesn't fall off too quickly I know it's done. The only thing I add after reducing the tomato mixture is my homemade taco seasoning. If you're using my recipe for<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7396786100270169255#editor/target=post;postID=8661404752836399635;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=19;src=postname" target="_blank"> taco seasoning,</a> I used at least 4-5 tablespoons full. I really don't know how much I just pour some seasoning in until I like the way it tastes. I'm that kind of cook. I usually can get 6-8 pints of taco from 6-8 quarts of tomatoes. Have fun & let me know what you think.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd7hU_6064zTR9xElyD4BvGbr40B-QxGxIhK32qfZXlghJRpQ2PZ8fMg26CLAybJiR8FvqO0pTaOBXwuigALkkgV-Q6Q1zmnpWcYVIwAn3h1I3CY3syJRP3qYwjRZXcYwQLW3UgIR-n7s/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd7hU_6064zTR9xElyD4BvGbr40B-QxGxIhK32qfZXlghJRpQ2PZ8fMg26CLAybJiR8FvqO0pTaOBXwuigALkkgV-Q6Q1zmnpWcYVIwAn3h1I3CY3syJRP3qYwjRZXcYwQLW3UgIR-n7s/s320/IMG_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-78476018579284286402013-09-10T13:27:00.001-07:002013-09-10T13:27:12.453-07:00Once you try it, you'll never buy it again: Homemade Ketchup<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been making my own taco sauce for the past couple of years and it's pretty easy. Cook down tomatoes, run through a food mill, add my </span><a href="http://thethriftyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-can-make-taco-seasoning.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">homemade taco seasoning</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> & water bath it. This year I had so many volunteer tomato plants in my garden & they are producing tomatoes to the nth degree I decided to try to make ketchup. Why? We are trying to eat homemade food to help our children with their epilepsy. Less chemical or man made products going into their body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My ketchup label says this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"Tomato concentrate (water & tomato paste), high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, vinegar, salt, onion powder, spice & natural flavoring."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank goodness for my <u>Ball Blue Book of Preserving.</u> I found a wonderful recipe that I will use forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4 quarts of chopped, peeled, & cored tomatoes (abt 24 large)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 cup chopped onion (1 med)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper (1/2 medium)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 1/2 teaspoon celery seed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 teaspoon whole allspice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 teaspoon mustard seed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 stick cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 c sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 tablespoon salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 tablespoon paprika</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 1/2 cups vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Combine tomatoes, onion & pepper in a large sauce pot. Cook until tomatoes are tender. Puree using a food processor or food mill. Cook puree rapidly until thick and reduced by one-half. Tie whole spices in a spice bag. Add spice bag, sugar, salt & paprika to tomato mixture. Simmer 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Remove spice bag, Ladle hot ketchup into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Adjust two piece caps. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water canner. Yields about 3 pints.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To peel tomatoes lightly cut an X into the skin and drop them into boiling water. Leave them in the water for about 10 seconds and put them in cold water (ice water is preferred). The skins will slide off. Core & cut. Leave pot uncovered. Once soft run through food mill to remove seeds.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2uXvNPJqFyA2APkyO4sR6tDHyJ6WjFkenxzjHjSiceRk1jOkc5UcXSvzDZ-pN4rbiRi13UMlKSJMn0ShrkNuxWLR2IpNfAOjlite7pxpTXQE6BuwF_4nO2we_PXj7V9TKAdX0-HDZ5CL/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2uXvNPJqFyA2APkyO4sR6tDHyJ6WjFkenxzjHjSiceRk1jOkc5UcXSvzDZ-pN4rbiRi13UMlKSJMn0ShrkNuxWLR2IpNfAOjlite7pxpTXQE6BuwF_4nO2we_PXj7V9TKAdX0-HDZ5CL/s320/IMG_1029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once reduced add spice bag & other ingredients. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd7sfgBMTVlXRLlVG1uI_Ibio7-68DNCZuU6xMJA8zTFdpHFXZ3BqA7ItWlCbLUUJ-40sgxlzv1lwsPliHeTnCJEGFnmbIXuWNGfTw_9MD8HR9czpJ7kz34lB2n5jrHWD52EvWbZgQ3Q8/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd7sfgBMTVlXRLlVG1uI_Ibio7-68DNCZuU6xMJA8zTFdpHFXZ3BqA7ItWlCbLUUJ-40sgxlzv1lwsPliHeTnCJEGFnmbIXuWNGfTw_9MD8HR9czpJ7kz34lB2n5jrHWD52EvWbZgQ3Q8/s320/IMG_1030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Remember to use iodine free salt or sea salt when canning.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWp1bJXUB6DHklJSzrHMjkGGXxJCZS-uNctBTEJmwkxkzjLmGvh30EDxh66D0BdJvJNT0_F5vowcsi75GokE4rzt0IpLA5t61cH3gFuNKj7uilfDmMlHpOg0PsODSGecdkGJADfuxGV8t/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWp1bJXUB6DHklJSzrHMjkGGXxJCZS-uNctBTEJmwkxkzjLmGvh30EDxh66D0BdJvJNT0_F5vowcsi75GokE4rzt0IpLA5t61cH3gFuNKj7uilfDmMlHpOg0PsODSGecdkGJADfuxGV8t/s320/IMG_1031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The finish product. This picture does not do it justice. The color is vibrant. It's a deep red-orange almost like the color of marinara sauce. The flavor is AH-MAZING.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeU56UVTZ-C8p5oMR3Rru6Li1LbAOqUrOvKhfU0kS3BeboyPl9fynH6OStfRm6vk1ffc05aqjZC4KOEpw7pSf9W_Qs4itIvENnj-EYuJfLQx9BDGZ4YTZOyfnVvJQjJOSH8Gz7WdVKLmf/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeU56UVTZ-C8p5oMR3Rru6Li1LbAOqUrOvKhfU0kS3BeboyPl9fynH6OStfRm6vk1ffc05aqjZC4KOEpw7pSf9W_Qs4itIvENnj-EYuJfLQx9BDGZ4YTZOyfnVvJQjJOSH8Gz7WdVKLmf/s320/IMG_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the water bath canner my pretties.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUiqO1__AOTkVNV3bgI3XvJ2tMh7wxO9OON8koOmdouwiUcecTU8LFPVvrPZmBrHqzg496_K1DvUsGiE4sjBRbYVrWOGY6josEWlBiP7I6BGb5Rm2qza3SeI6CgaruDLQ4fZ8qaoJ0xsS/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUiqO1__AOTkVNV3bgI3XvJ2tMh7wxO9OON8koOmdouwiUcecTU8LFPVvrPZmBrHqzg496_K1DvUsGiE4sjBRbYVrWOGY6josEWlBiP7I6BGb5Rm2qza3SeI6CgaruDLQ4fZ8qaoJ0xsS/s320/IMG_1033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The finish product:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mraM8P1fMVROVMqPFZY49elTruKIvWzlhCMyjjeAlDX9mn_938_ou8yiZ4mRAFalrK6czf9FhGRYEZ5Y6UfHYwCA0XxjgNeGbENAyFQ7MhwHYZv9Ps43qKmmAqYGBd1BMhecpmrcFbcI/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mraM8P1fMVROVMqPFZY49elTruKIvWzlhCMyjjeAlDX9mn_938_ou8yiZ4mRAFalrK6czf9FhGRYEZ5Y6UfHYwCA0XxjgNeGbENAyFQ7MhwHYZv9Ps43qKmmAqYGBd1BMhecpmrcFbcI/s320/IMG_1038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 pints of tomato heaven. While it is not a thick as store bought, probably because there is no corn syrup to thicken it, but it comes very close. If you cooked it down a bit longer it would be more like store bought. My has the consistency of taco sauce. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOTE: I don't know how many quarts of tomatoes I had. I just used what tomatoes were ready, I probably used more. than the recipe calls for. I did cook my sauce longer than it said and at a higher temperature. I think from start to finish it took about 8-10 hours, mostly just waiting for the puree to cook down.</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-17280758689726307942013-09-04T13:22:00.001-07:002013-09-04T13:26:53.266-07:00The Most Medicinal Weed in Your Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From time to time I head out to the countryside to go to a women's group called Titus 2. This group of ladies are a wealth of knowledge. They would rather find medicinal herbs in their yard than go to the store & buy it. I thought it was weird to use weeds as medicine, but I started to think about it, this is how my great grandparents healed themselves. After all, most over the counter medicine are derived from plants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first easily identifiable plant is Mullein. This plant has soft furry leaves. When mature mullein will have a long spear like stem with small yellow flowers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is widely used for herbal remedies with emollient </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and astringent </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">properties. It is known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, expectorant, and analgesic properties. It is especially recommended for coughs and related problems, but also used in topical </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">applications against a variety of skin problems. Because of its astringent <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">properties it can be use on hemorrhoids & athlete's foot. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8BPhe9AfCB14y1SZ-Bg_EvwlECkWhBhvTfrT1YoOdKdXCqP0KM25JSIx7lohfoVS_TipR6xUWWfEr-NbSafHISQeYW2eWP0g3UQsXSQDT4GN1icdwB8ceeGoGdeR4XaezqKGoHxCboYF/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8BPhe9AfCB14y1SZ-Bg_EvwlECkWhBhvTfrT1YoOdKdXCqP0KM25JSIx7lohfoVS_TipR6xUWWfEr-NbSafHISQeYW2eWP0g3UQsXSQDT4GN1icdwB8ceeGoGdeR4XaezqKGoHxCboYF/s320/IMG_0980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The primary use for Mullein is to fight coughs. Herbal teas are made for an expectorant, dry cough, bronchitis, & sore throat. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The combination of expectorant </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and emollient mucilage makes the plant particularly effective for cough. All preparations meant to be drunk have to be finely filtered to eliminate the irritating hairs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a week or so ago I found this little guy in my garden right in the middle of my spinach & carrots. My OCD tendencies wanted to pull it, I didn't. The leaves grew so nice & big in just a few days. I cut the bigger ones & cut them into smaller pieces & dehydrated it. It took only a few hours to dehydrate. Friends have encouraged me to try it, they really says it works. So I have a small jelly jar full of mullein ready to use when the cold season starts. I will let you know how well it works. I will have to add some sugar or <a href="http://thethriftyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2013/05/homemade-vanilla-extract.html" target="_blank">homemade vanilla extract</a> in the tea.</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-73684213560369904662013-08-09T15:42:00.002-07:002013-08-09T15:46:10.441-07:00Hydrogen Peroxide is FABULOUS stain remover!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My children are active. That's the best way to say it. They climb, run, and jump. They never sit still. They're kids; that's what they are suppose to do. There are many times that they fall & get scrapped up. Most of the time they get blood on their clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is from our current ouchie:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pour the hydrogen peroxide directly on the blood stain. Let it foam. Repeat if necessary. Wash with cold water and pour hp again. There will be less foam each time you use hp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pair of sweats washed once. The stain is gone! No scrubbing & no harsh chemicals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have even done this on dried blood stains. Do the same steps. The stain still comes out. If for some reason you wash & dry your clothes & you missed the stain, repeat the steps. It will still foam, but I would add some stain remover. I just love hydrogen peroxide! A chemical free miracle!</span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-58896643495758051812013-07-22T15:28:00.000-07:002013-07-22T15:28:59.090-07:00Homemade bleach<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read somewhere that bleach was used as a method of chemical warfare during WWI. Most households didn't have bleach they used hydrogen peroxide, which is safer for the environment. This recipe isn't too harsh & doesn't have that "bleach" smell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 C hydrogen peroxide</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">3 T lemon juice</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mix all ingredients. That's it. Use it in the wash, counter tops, where ever you need to use bleach. Store in a cool place. Use within 6 months.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-72920706379536985692013-07-15T10:00:00.000-07:002013-07-15T10:00:37.521-07:00An easy way to make fruit leather<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will need two things: yogurt and a dehydrator. Yes that's it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Yogurt, any kind, preferably the cheaper the better. Great way to use up those containers that are just about to expire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Pour it on plastic wrap and smooth out. Add extra cut up fruit to intensify the flavor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Dehydrate until dry about 6-8 hours at about 150*.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty easy and better for the kids than the roll ups from the store. I didn't add sugar or artificial sweeteners. Next post will be dehydrated yogurt bites. Can't wait to try it.</span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-28706475119158818792013-05-23T09:55:00.000-07:002013-05-23T09:55:58.457-07:00Homemade Vanilla Extract<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know what's in vanilla extract? 2 things: Vanilla beans & vodka. THAT'S IT! The 3rd ingredient is time. About 3-6 months depending on your desired level of strength of flavor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">First vanilla beans & vodka</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut beans length wise & scrap seeds into jar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put vanilla beans into jar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour in vodka to cover beans. Put jar in the a dark cupboard. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let sit 3-6 months. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shake every month or so. Don't forget to write date on the lid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cost analysis: $5.99 for organic beans, $18.99 for a liter of vodka. I probably used about $4.00 worth of vodka (overestimate). So $9.99 total. The jar holds 1 pint = 16 fl oz</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazon has vanilla on sale 8 oz for $10.17. I made double for the same price & didn't have to pay shipping. I'm ready to bake some chocolate cookies!</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-29019762894767431682013-05-18T13:41:00.006-07:002013-05-18T13:41:58.882-07:00I'M BACK!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been MIA for a while. School, hospitalizations, & life in general. But I'm coming back with a vengence! See my new posts soon!</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-52432642252734622752012-09-22T09:17:00.002-07:002012-09-22T09:17:27.443-07:00Cinnamon Pear Fruit Leather<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got a 1/2 of tote of pears for free last week. They are by no means pretty. It was a lonely tree in front of our schools bus barn. No spray, no love from anyone, but still produced a lot of edible pears. And with pears, they all seem to ripen at once. I'm only one woman. Now that my husband has a FT job right now (YEA!), he can't help process all the wonderful fruits that the PNW provides. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I saw a recipe somewhere where I could use the oven to make fruit leather. This is super super easy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Preheat oven to 170*. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Peel & core pears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Toss them into the food processor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Add sugar & cinnamon to taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pour pear sauce onto a silicone lined cookie sheet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lightly shake the sheet so the sauce is evenly distributive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bake for at least 4 hours (perhaps more)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">About every hour or so turn & move (either up or down to the other rack) the cookie sheet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once cool & dry cut with pizza cutter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Store in a plastic bag or enjoy right away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made about 5 tray fulls over the last few days. My children have eaten all but 4 pieces! Guess I'm making more!</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-3074012447045538572012-09-20T14:39:00.001-07:002012-09-20T14:39:10.424-07:00Say What? Free Hair Cuts?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YES! I cut my kids hair so this isn't really saving me money, but this could save me some time! Starting on November 4th, and every Sunday thereafter you can get a FREE haircut for your kids at any JC Penny salon. I’d still suggest making an appointment if at all possible. (Don't forget to leave a tip, too!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">BTW I did take advantage of their free hair cuts in August. My oldest hair cut came out wonderful. Dad took them, I was nervous. I like my kids hair a certain way. I was extremely happy when I saw him once I got home from work. My youngest, unfortunately, who has never had a "professional" hair cut, would not even get in the seat. He exclaimed "My mommy cut my hair!" What can I say the kid's got taste! </span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-54785989259429735132012-08-22T19:10:00.001-07:002012-08-22T19:10:16.631-07:00My Famous Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK Jen this one is for you! I must really love you like a sister if I'm going to share with the world my famous chocolate zucchini bread recipe! Remember this! I can no longer take this bread to MoPs, because everyone will have the recipe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">BTW I shred my zucchini & prepackage them (3 Cups) & toss in the freezer for later use, usually during the winter months when I feel like baking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 C oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3 C grated zucchini</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 C sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 tsp vanilla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 3/4C flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 tsp baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 C cocoa</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 C chopped pecans (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Preheat oven to 325. Beat eggs until foamy, add oil & sugar, mix well. Add shreddred zucchini & vanilla. Mix well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Combine salt, flour, baking soda & powder, & cocoa separately. Mix well then add to the previously mixed ingredients. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Add chocolate chips & nuts. Mix well again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Spray 2 loaf baking pans w/Pam. Split the batter evenly between the two pans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bake both loaves at the same time @ 325 for approx 60 mins - Makes 2 loaves.</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-29445554624519548552012-08-18T14:44:00.001-07:002012-08-18T15:52:50.369-07:00I've got the skills to pay the bills ~ My Safeway deal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">$27.02 OOP a 75% savings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, I was only going to Safeway for the cheap creamer & BBQ sauce, but came across a few AWESOME deals. This is the reason I add EVERY coupon to my card, you don't know when you'll be able to use. Like the coupons for 7 packages of hot dogs that made me $1.25, which paid for my cube steak, or the Bailey coffee creamer which made me .52. I was happy to pay $1.37 per package, but to make money is better. The other notable items were BBQ sauce for .24 each and spread for $1. The chocolate was $1.50 no coupons needed! Oh how I love the orange "50% off" or the green "75% off" stickers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I impress even myself. I only had 4 paper coupons totalling $3.05 & 1 - $2 doubler. The rest of the deductions came off my card. Don't forget to add all the coupon to you card! </span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-47277559739606307082012-08-14T09:26:00.001-07:002012-08-14T09:26:10.646-07:00I seriously should've grown up in Ireland.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mother calls me a dark Irish. Dark brown hair & neon white skin. Opalescent to be exact. Except when we moved to the PNW, now a stay at home mom, my arms are tan, well tanner than "normal" compared to my legs. My husband says that my freckles just morph into one big freckle during the summer. Thanks babe, love ya too</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For a few brief months I look good. I can shed my Irish genealogy & be seen in a tank top. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of my Irish ancestry I decided to grow potatoes in my garden this year. Never grown them before, seriously the easiest thing to grow. No wonder my ancestors have a knack for drinking, you don't have to do too much to potatoes, except water them & give them a nice mound of dirt to grow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I planted, (like how I said I) two different kinds of potatoes: red & russets. Went to the good ole feed store & bought potato seed. Potato seeds are basically potatoes, but they don't have a growth retardant sprayed on them like the ones you find in the stores. Cut them into pieces so each piece had two "eyes" & plopped them into the ground. When the leaves are about 6 inches high mound dirt around them. That's it folks. Water them once a day & wait until the leaves die back before you dig them up. Let the potatoes dry in the sun for a couples of days to get the skins hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Red</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty good for just one plant. The big ones are on the smaller side. Maybe 1/2 of the size you'd find in a Costco potato bag. I still have about 24 more of each variety to go! I know that I'll be putting up a bunch of potatoes this year.</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-67369161510240264702012-08-08T14:58:00.002-07:002012-08-08T14:58:21.101-07:00How I nearly started a house fire by trying to be healthly.<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I'd try something new the other day making Kale chips. I was over at our community garden & another gardener said I had to try this. According to her "They are awesome. I love making them." OK. Challenge accepted. I should have rethought that decision. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My first attempt was baking them in the toaster oven 400 degrees at 7 minutes. No prob. I went to check on it. I opened the door and WHOOSH fire exploded. I screamed & shut the door. I nearly ripped the socket out trying to get that fire filled appliance out of the house. My children just sat there with their mouths open & watched. Then talked for hours "How mom saved the house." Yes kids, I'm Super Mom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My second attempt was last night. Nervously I decided to use the oven because it wasn't that hot. First I cut the rib out of the kale. Then I sliced pieces & put them on a baking sheet. I sprayed them with Pam & add desired seasoning. I'm kinda partial to course salt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake in 350 degree oven for about 7 minutes. Let rest & eat. Seriously we, well actually it was mostly me, went through a dozen leaves just today. They have a taste of a pumpkin seed.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next year I'm going to have to grow some. They're quite tasty.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-67489697755096187962012-07-30T12:04:00.001-07:002012-07-30T12:05:06.849-07:00Recipe: Hot Banana Pepper Mustard<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this on a canning website & had to try this for my husband. Our peppers are growing sporadically, so I had to get some of them put up. I can't handle hot & spicy things, but this is mild with a sweet after taste. My husband LOVED IT. It is super easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">I cut this recipe by 3/4 th. There was no way I had 40 peppers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">9-10 hot banana peppers </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">1 C yellow mustard</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">1 1/4 C sugar </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">1/4 C honey</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">1 C vinegar (they had apple cider)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">1/4 tsp salt </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">3/8 C flour</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">1/4 C water (which I forgot to add). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: white;">Blend peppers until smooth. Pour into pot add all other ingredients except flour. Bring to hard boil. Whisk flour & water until smooth & pour into boiling mixture. Continue to boil for 5 mins. Process in water canner for 5-10 mins. This made 3 of those little jelly jars & 2 bigger ones. At least enough for a years worth.</span></span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-78952158332600732522012-07-23T13:26:00.001-07:002012-07-23T13:26:43.070-07:00Safeway Steal: 6 packages of cream cheese for .42<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be honest I haven't been posting my grocery deals. It seems like prices are increasing daily, the price I'm paying currently is not my rock bottom price, but I may have to adjust for the never-ending price increases. But I had to show you this dandy transaction I did today at Safeway. Just remember a few things:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Everything was 50% off </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had NO coupons (oh the horror)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My children were acting like mental patients b/c the sugar from the FREE cookie hit their systems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">PTL I added the coupons from Just 4 U program</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pA-MF-MR6w-sEupJN5OUczcrWvNf2-0zNFxGR5pice2CKCcwbIKS6WnnXSSlwIqQO0VN4zUzhZZpUJIVUGoy3upOO3I28hB9XKDgy59Uvt7KlQ2tQUt51O8KAXhjTJZ2sQMDO7r3LCG_/s1600/IMG_4942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pA-MF-MR6w-sEupJN5OUczcrWvNf2-0zNFxGR5pice2CKCcwbIKS6WnnXSSlwIqQO0VN4zUzhZZpUJIVUGoy3upOO3I28hB9XKDgy59Uvt7KlQ2tQUt51O8KAXhjTJZ2sQMDO7r3LCG_/s320/IMG_4942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cream cheese was originally $1.79 w/50% off =<.90>. My Just 4 U price was .97. If I do the math correctly 97-90=.07! I guess that they don't take the Just 4 U price into consideration for the 50% off! It worked in my favor. This is why I add EVERY Safeway coupon to my card. You never know when it will work in your favor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The question you're probably asking is "Why did I buy 6? What am I going to do with that many?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cream cheese freeze well. Once it is thawed, mix it up b/c it does breaks apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I make a killer Chicken Parmesan Spinach Bundle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I make a killer cheese cake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here is the <a href="http://thethriftyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/05/chicken-parmesan.html" target="_blank">recipe</a>.</span></div>
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</ol>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-48193809581534476302012-07-10T18:50:00.000-07:002012-07-12T07:59:03.203-07:00Thrifty Tip: Homemade garlic powder<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yea I know I can buy garlic powder at the store super cheap, but we're waiting to see if my husband will once again get onto the unemployment line (YIPPEE ~ sarcasm right there folks). So needless to say that we're trying to save money EVERYWHERE. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3A9TKM3Iqhr82GT08eKFQo7Plfhn8-ZSeZesBiNGCTzdmZWtY7XaFpUz2XIyhZTQ7JslcsmvnKntNo6XsJAHkMPj60W4tdsLXBHa3fwuNOi2yFoD28-16zIf28UYDbY1gRWQtxsjDK8I/s1600/IMG_4791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3A9TKM3Iqhr82GT08eKFQo7Plfhn8-ZSeZesBiNGCTzdmZWtY7XaFpUz2XIyhZTQ7JslcsmvnKntNo6XsJAHkMPj60W4tdsLXBHa3fwuNOi2yFoD28-16zIf28UYDbY1gRWQtxsjDK8I/s200/IMG_4791.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we're looking at everything we eat or use that we can make ourselves. What's the first thing you do when you wake up? OK second thing. Eat breakfast. I have a habit of having garlic toast for breakfast. A nice crisp piece of sourdough bread with butter, garlic & onion powder with a diet Dr. Pepper is what gets me going in the morning. I know I'm weird. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While munchin down on my breakfast of champions I got a quiet moment to read the label. Do you know what's in garlic powder? Dehydrated garlic & some other stuff. Guess what I did? Yep. Made garlic powder!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHK2B70l7qNXUrcVFysQbFLBG_s42rBLAhTX6887TCcT4766ZvQYiI6f7sVRyswCYa15kF1_R1e6HHSD7XZA2_9WwH5syduxN1FvA0rc4yjd4kHUkizTIHn8RrE1F8vu5LbmJr3JrILX_/s1600/IMG_4794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHK2B70l7qNXUrcVFysQbFLBG_s42rBLAhTX6887TCcT4766ZvQYiI6f7sVRyswCYa15kF1_R1e6HHSD7XZA2_9WwH5syduxN1FvA0rc4yjd4kHUkizTIHn8RrE1F8vu5LbmJr3JrILX_/s200/IMG_4794.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get a garlic clove, double check to make sure that it has big cloves b/c it's easier to slice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peel & slice clove .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dehydrate slices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once dehydrated, ground the heck out of the slices. (I use our Magic Bullet, b/c grinding things into a pulp is the best thing it can do.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VMOsVGFNAYWzBNiUSzh5-IvY2CyaYz-8uXlV3W2RLZm25CRjNS-FJVbp2ISwCbM0X38BhMInTvdpYA1-6hd2vBsPQRL174r3iJ7k6nmyr3STrqfKFtCdZWwF6S4RIyo-xZmpJ0NZEuSf/s1600/IMG_4856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VMOsVGFNAYWzBNiUSzh5-IvY2CyaYz-8uXlV3W2RLZm25CRjNS-FJVbp2ISwCbM0X38BhMInTvdpYA1-6hd2vBsPQRL174r3iJ7k6nmyr3STrqfKFtCdZWwF6S4RIyo-xZmpJ0NZEuSf/s200/IMG_4856.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhz8iMgJuWGzKQVzKqoOcmGcBEnhIZS2Nbr4cMNmtp8TIM5R3tsGnTpROyNKUdN9E7TkWLVG-7h28ceR77uh3YUz7tGXToIUj6YUyN3hqHKvGmiUPoGjqCILFEl3MAeZzKFI1oOD7xBzB/s1600/IMG_4857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhz8iMgJuWGzKQVzKqoOcmGcBEnhIZS2Nbr4cMNmtp8TIM5R3tsGnTpROyNKUdN9E7TkWLVG-7h28ceR77uh3YUz7tGXToIUj6YUyN3hqHKvGmiUPoGjqCILFEl3MAeZzKFI1oOD7xBzB/s200/IMG_4857.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-76046006680122547692012-07-10T15:26:00.002-07:002012-07-10T17:00:12.666-07:00Thrifty Tip: Regrowing celery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know where I saw this thrifty tip, but I decided to try it out. You can grow new celery from an old stalk. I cut the stalks about 2-3 inches from the bottom & re cut the bottom so water would be able to travel through the stalks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 1</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CA0r4uU6Be_YWw2kc32BrNFr-3Q7Uy5df6EIXLK8cSyHegvdphsDnjnK9Um95gQlQNue9DRdvk2RvrXIFHbJeh2apY7VKJ872dMzNVhyphenhyphenfBwCkVEt9RhiluPqJ22hYDHdTgMKWvipRiYa/s1600/IMG_4807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CA0r4uU6Be_YWw2kc32BrNFr-3Q7Uy5df6EIXLK8cSyHegvdphsDnjnK9Um95gQlQNue9DRdvk2RvrXIFHbJeh2apY7VKJ872dMzNVhyphenhyphenfBwCkVEt9RhiluPqJ22hYDHdTgMKWvipRiYa/s320/IMG_4807.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Day 2</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V5lcoV8tbMc9VgQIVjyytjtCRGKeqj6EatmMmQiY6VtxJSlF-oBKcrX5lBs8lMrsYHRQmRtGonRCadg2U48KE92GLgv9RWxZHva1N3eEJMIQ9POhHjEBWqx1cFN_DpQ0dJaw43UragHf/s1600/IMG_4822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V5lcoV8tbMc9VgQIVjyytjtCRGKeqj6EatmMmQiY6VtxJSlF-oBKcrX5lBs8lMrsYHRQmRtGonRCadg2U48KE92GLgv9RWxZHva1N3eEJMIQ9POhHjEBWqx1cFN_DpQ0dJaw43UragHf/s320/IMG_4822.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 3</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw8aVy5mg65Usq1vY4BtCNtYF2J94bhGAmD2fdEeuDBOWNxkbNKEbQ95-Zo5uM25WZMvDHJqZ_EKxYJ3lQX82C_kwXT2w2dPEc1Ru7g8wO_hZsHpOWN_pWPX5vjUz59wysns_VLgRbw6S/s1600/IMG_4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw8aVy5mg65Usq1vY4BtCNtYF2J94bhGAmD2fdEeuDBOWNxkbNKEbQ95-Zo5uM25WZMvDHJqZ_EKxYJ3lQX82C_kwXT2w2dPEc1Ru7g8wO_hZsHpOWN_pWPX5vjUz59wysns_VLgRbw6S/s320/IMG_4833.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Day 4</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAfyxOVWM8Tns6qj6N8nKD6w-q0T1FvO7xLILwTXfENE0eDNXlPCp9WG3e4zbBFtrCx_gSXXQjCxEmhHRVPvMpGPGCmKr81DCc8ilt3XYMLejY16jLHKJXpm9LQ_wB6tg3-IC0xDXcRCw/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAfyxOVWM8Tns6qj6N8nKD6w-q0T1FvO7xLILwTXfENE0eDNXlPCp9WG3e4zbBFtrCx_gSXXQjCxEmhHRVPvMpGPGCmKr81DCc8ilt3XYMLejY16jLHKJXpm9LQ_wB6tg3-IC0xDXcRCw/s320/IMG_4839.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Day 5</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindosy3TkODQvuEbZMy09JNahvsm5I3zP3DEgDgJ6CcPkd3kc8vEzvAeDI3d6y0umv8TR29LONHzyOFLnvhPXiiIpk7eTMXnfNn9jYt7pAGj_zADVDgDpZovDzTyI4W3uyncIm7tfchjSF/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindosy3TkODQvuEbZMy09JNahvsm5I3zP3DEgDgJ6CcPkd3kc8vEzvAeDI3d6y0umv8TR29LONHzyOFLnvhPXiiIpk7eTMXnfNn9jYt7pAGj_zADVDgDpZovDzTyI4W3uyncIm7tfchjSF/s320/IMG_4842.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 6</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpITbqIUqg17rnx3nmCDlg3YzeJTjPWzHJr2kQVehNwyu6tcYE6iFE-VBiPNWmzwum2ix6ybG32gTTbXcFzuzTH3r7MYhTsuT61KOsJlpmHCi_YR6VS6LL-uKp_reikYWflCVqgJK46Ko3/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpITbqIUqg17rnx3nmCDlg3YzeJTjPWzHJr2kQVehNwyu6tcYE6iFE-VBiPNWmzwum2ix6ybG32gTTbXcFzuzTH3r7MYhTsuT61KOsJlpmHCi_YR6VS6LL-uKp_reikYWflCVqgJK46Ko3/s320/IMG_4842.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at how much it grew in just 6 days! AMAZING! Now I don't know if it will taste the same, but it is worth a try. Nothing was added except water. I may transplant it into my garden, now that it is warm here. It's a great way to double your food by cutting your costs in half. Try it out & tell me how it works for you.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-14602704228139253892012-07-05T13:56:00.001-07:002012-07-05T13:56:27.569-07:00I found the most amazing thing while digging in my mulch<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just have to laugh. Look at what I found in my mulch! A geranium</span>!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Right next to it, an onion. We tossed the geranium out a few months ago, they just don't make it through the winter in the PNW. I was kinda sad, it was something that my husband's grandmother, who died recently, gave us. Guess my mulch is just what it needed! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApl_gHefJHQfq3Lvt-I_XaKxt9B8E7h8cS07cWDubi9r6h1hKIJZs2UgNR2yYGAC1Mo3WWxphgJTRjG66BIthicWU-L0xlFNius2OUzMlDabcIC7QVdGAkv0mQnlq7-n0f04ReJkGfb-q/s1600/IMG_4823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApl_gHefJHQfq3Lvt-I_XaKxt9B8E7h8cS07cWDubi9r6h1hKIJZs2UgNR2yYGAC1Mo3WWxphgJTRjG66BIthicWU-L0xlFNius2OUzMlDabcIC7QVdGAkv0mQnlq7-n0f04ReJkGfb-q/s320/IMG_4823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't have a mulch pit yet, you gotta start! It is wwwwaaaayyyy cheaper than buying mulch for your garden. Just remember green/brown/green/brown. A layer of green (veggies, green leaves etc)/a layer of brown (somthing that is already dead, dry leaves or dirt) then alternate.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396786100270169255.post-79681898909745126172012-06-19T11:16:00.001-07:002012-06-19T11:16:24.851-07:00Thrifty Tip: Starting your garden from seeds.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know this is late, but I wanted to make sure that this trick worked. Try it next year or when it is time to start your winter garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">START YOUR SEEDS IN AN EGG SHELL!</span></strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSAASfKZaeoEX3y7Rl6VUmCRdTGW4QAXDWfrJlFiuCp4lsXiARdYCNsKJCORoyi7gXpyr-R4hyphenhyphend353I678dLs0b7p1pW2vmcEhrEihB0LfXnK3R1vV5PJWr2ISuw5YbQteFVl273QPBCT/s1600/IMG_4643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSAASfKZaeoEX3y7Rl6VUmCRdTGW4QAXDWfrJlFiuCp4lsXiARdYCNsKJCORoyi7gXpyr-R4hyphenhyphend353I678dLs0b7p1pW2vmcEhrEihB0LfXnK3R1vV5PJWr2ISuw5YbQteFVl273QPBCT/s320/IMG_4643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I tried this will all my herbs. I had heard it from a farmer's wife at MoPS, so if she found success with it, it must be good trick. This first picture is my basil grown in the egg shell. Look at how big the leaves are! We have trimmed these guys at least 4-5 times & it's only June! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">All you need to do is save your egg shells after you use them. Just make sure that you crack them close to the top or the upper middle, so you have enough room to fill it with dirt. I washed them out with water and let them dry. Then when I am ready to start my garden I added the mulch, my seeds & cover them with a little bit of dirt. I put the shells back in the egg carton & watered them. Then I put them in a clear tote in a sunny place and waited for them to grow. I did put the lid on to help keep the temperature inside warm, it never seems to get warm enough here in the PNW during the early Spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you are ready to plant them, just crack the bottom of the shell so you expose some dirt. Be careful not to disrupt the roots. I did crack the sides so it would be easier for the roots to break through. I think I did at least 2 dozen like this with a variety of herbs. The ones in the egg shells seem to be healthier & more robust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture is the basil I didn't grow in the egg shells. They are still good, but not nearly as plentiful as the ones I grew in the shells. I am guessing it has something to do with the calcium. But don't hold me to it. Try it & tell me what you think! This is the first year we started most of our garden from seed. Next year I think I will do this with all of our seeds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And remember these herbs are completely 100% organic. I used nothing synthetic. So if they don't look exactly like the ones in the grocery stores that's because they use all sort of stuff to make them looks more appealing. Enjoy!</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054780181530439663noreply@blogger.com1