Quote of the Week

Last Week's Frugality

 

  Last week was  a very tight week financially as I have used up all of my PTO at work due to my cancer.  My check was short over $200 last Friday. Boy did that hurt!  I had to push back some bills until next check (I hate doing that) but it has to happen.  WE basically have had a spend free week-except for a few things at the grocery-Milk, eggs (which were on sale $.69 for 18 eggs!), and bread.

  We have not gone anywhere (except Kroger for meds and basics)to spend or to use up my gas. Staying home and not spending is the best way to save!!

  I have been eating breakfast at home each morning—I got into the habit of eating breakfast and lunch at work because I didn’t feel up to the extra work involved with making b-fast or packing my lunch!  But needs must and I am trying to eat at home and pack my lunch everyday! Lunch was catered at work Wednesday!

  I made up a menu for dinner this week using what we have on hand and trying to reduce costs of each meal a little.  Like having spaghetti with sauce (Prego I found on sale at Meijer) and very little ground beef. Just cut the amount you usually use in half.  If the budget is uber tight, then cut meat out totally. 

  We were gifted a large mess of green beans by my cousin which we cheerfully broke and cooked!  We ate on those beans for 3 days!  Leftovers are a great way to save!

  We were also gifted 7 large zucchini, and several cukes from my uncle-Thanks Uncle Howard.  I am grating the zucchini, and packing it into 2 cup portions for bread this winter.  We also use it in a Spring pasta stir fry with noodles, and also grill slices of zucchini as a side dish! Waste not Want not!   

  Well, that’s about it for last week. What have you done to save money lately??

Frugal Blessings,

Lisa

 

Zucchini out the Wazoo

This is one of my Family's favorites to use up zucchini out the wazoo! It is a  Pampered Chef recipe!! Yummy!!!

Spring Pasta Stir-Fry

This colorful stir-fry is a light main-dish meal, just right for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 package (12 ounces) uncooked fettuccini noodles
• 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into julienne strips
• 1 small yellow summer squash, cut into julienne strips
• 1 small zucchini, cut into julienne strips
• 3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In Executive (8-qt./7.6-L) Stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return pasta to stockpot; keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, prepare vegetables. Using Julienne Peeler, cut carrot, yellow squash and zucchini into long julienne strips. Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and remove seeds using Core & More; slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch strips.
3. Heat Stir-Fry Skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and garlic pressed with Garlic Press; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until garlic is softened and begins to brown. Add carrot, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt; stir-fry 1-2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
4. Add remaining oil, remaining salt, basil and black pepper to pasta; toss gently. To serve, spoon pasta into serving bowl; top with vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Yield:

• 8  servings

Nutrients per serving:

Calories 180, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrate 26 g, Protein 7 g, Sodium 360 mg, Fiber 2 g




Please note that you can add veggies or subtract veggies--This is a very forgiving recipe!!


Delicious Blessings to you all,
Lisa

Zucchini out the Wazoo!

 

 What to do with boatloads of zucchini?  Shred it, squeeze the water out of it, and freeze in 2 cup baggies for bread all winter long! That's what!  Sop you can make chocolate zucchini bread for your family--trust me they will love it!! 
  Here is my favorite way to use zucchini:
  
      Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup canola oil
• 3 large eggs
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups shredded peeled zucchini

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and baking powder; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in zucchini. Transfer to two 8x4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Originally published as Chocolate Zucchini Bread in Taste of Home August/September 1994, p14

This bread is amazing!  I add some raw sugar crystals to the top for a little sweet crunch my family loves! Hope you are blessed with enough zucchini to be able to make this all winter long!

Bountiful Blessings to you all,

Lisa

Quote of the Week

Hello Again!

Hello Dear Readers,

    I haven't posted in over six months--Life happens I guess.  After experiencing horrible gas pains for several weeks, I finally went to the Emergency Room at our local hospital.  I had been really hesitant to go because I didn't want to be told it was just gas pains--how embarrassing that would have been as I work there! So finally it got so bad I went. I had a CT scan and was told I had malignant cancer-No biopsy needed for them to tell as there were several spots found during the ct.  Talk about gobsmacked. I was devastated and so was my family!  I still wanted to be sure with the biopsy though!  Not quite wanting to believe the docs.

  So I had surgery the next day and a large tumor was removed, along with a section of my colon, a piece of the omentum(cover for the intestines), and 24 regional lymph nodes.  I was blessed not to have needed a bag.  Not sure I could have taken having  to have a poop bag! 

  So during my 7day hospital stay, the biopsy said the cancer was in fact malignant and was in 5 of the lymph nodes--stage 4.  I also have a tiny spot on my lung that is presumed to be cancerous.  Let me tell you the biopsy news was the first time I cried.  I think I was just in shock and not wanting to believe it was true.  Cancer Drs. visited me, appointments were made for my port insertion, and then chemo appointments were set, and home I went.  Scared to death!!  I had CANCER!!!!! 

  The Saturday after I was released I cried all day long.  My first of many pity parties!!!  I am not sure how my Husband dealt with me that day, but he was wonderful!!  So caring and gentle with me when I know he wanted to cry with me too but he didn't.  He held it together so I could cry it out!  Love him dearly!!  My children were my rocks as well when they were scared out of their mind also.
  So fast forward 6 months and I have just one more chemo treatment!! That's right, my last chemo starts on Monday!  #12!!!  I have my ct scan this Friday so I am hoping nothing new shows up!  I will find out if I am done with treatments or starting more.   Lots of things going on in my head right now--possible disability, more treatments, statistics,bills, and much, much more! With all of the bills, I will be posting how we have been trying to be frugal and save money and posting about my future treatments  and the possible changes in our lives!
  So thanks for visiting and hopefully I can post much more often!
Blessings to all,
Lisa

Quote of the Week