Speaking Engagement Plus!

Hello to all of my Blogging friends.  I hope this post finds you all happy and healthy!

 

  Several weeks ago, I was approached by a member of the Hospital Auxilliary Board where I work.  She knows that I love herbs and have made herbal soaps so she asked me to speak at the May Board Meeting/Luncheon.  I was so shocked and flattered that they asked me!  Of course I said yes!! Then I started doubting myself and started to worry about the speaking engagement. Well, that day finally rolled around and I had my program all planned out, got started and promptly did NOT use anything I had prepared.  I had brought a basket of potted herbs and just talked about my first exposure to herbs then described the uses for the potted herbs that I brought. I broke off pieces of each and passed them around  guess what---they really seemed to enjoy it.  I gave out a recipe for my Herbal Hot toddy Tea(it is amazing when you have a cold). I had purchased chamomile and peppermint tea bags from San Francisco Herb Co. to pass out and they really liked that!  Then I drew names for the basket of herbs that I brought. Who doesn’t like freebies?  All in all, I really enjoyed myself and I felt it was a big success-I hope to get other speaking engagements in the future! 

  I honor of my first speaking engagement, I will be giving away 20 chamomile and 20 peppermint tea bags, soap, and several more items from Herb and Botanicals to one lucky blogger next Friday May 24^th.  To enter please just follow my blog or sign up for my e-mail and then leave a comment in the comment section telling me you have done so. If you are already a follower, just comment that.   Post about my giveaway on your blog and leave a comment and link about that for another chance. If you share this on face book, leave me a comment telling me you did so for another way to enter! So there are three ways to enter!  Good luck and may the best blogging friend win!

Herbal Blessings,

Lisa

Last Week's Frugality!

Hello to all my Blogging Friends!
  I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day!  I sure did!  We had our Mothers out for dinner Sunday.  I had to cook but I love cooking so that was ok!  I was tired last night, so tired, but it was a good tired if you know what I mean!
   
 Last week I was able to pack my lunch all week. Yippee! Now I just need to keep it up this week.

   I signed up for several free samples and received a bunch this week.  Here is pic of what I received:

 

Have I told you I LOVE Getting Freebies in the mail!

 

Not bad-I'll be keeping the wipes in the car for little messes!

 

Sign up for baby products even if you don't have babies.  You can use most things but you can also save them up and put in a shower gift basket.

 

I cooked a turkey from the freezer for Mother's day dinner and had 2 containers of turkey for the freezer.  I picked that carcass clean! So I got 3 meals from the free turkey my company gave us at Christmas last year.  I know, I know I should have made stock but it was just so hot in the house and we had company coming. 

We had mashed potatoes from my 60 pounds that I bought last week.

 

I used the frozen fruit I had on hand to make our dessert for Mother's day dinner.  I also found a sugar-free angel food cake making my trifle very inexpensive but yummy!

 

The Vienna bread we ate for dinner was found on the reduced rack also. So I saved a bunch by using what I had on hand and buying the rest very inexpensively. 

 

I still have the bucket in the shower catching waste water and using it for flushing.

 

   I found a pair of like new New Balance  gym shoes at the Goodwill for just $3!  They are nicer than the ones I am currently wearing.  I also picked up 2 scrub tops for my DD.  $3.29 for 2 Dickies brand scrub tops is a fantastic deal!

 

We have been suffering through the heat without the AC.  It has been in the 80's but I refuse to use them until at least June. Still paying on my huge electric bill.  I need to catch up before we start using the AC and rack up higher bills again.

 

The Light Nazi has been very busy this week!  Keep reminding the family to turn off lights when they leave a room.

 

A  broken tooth required an after hours visit to the urgent dental care office Monday for extraction.  The dentist said he could save the tooth but it would be very expensive.  I chose to have an extraction instead. It was $50 with my dental insurance.  Cheaper is not always better in this case but I will be needing a partial plate soon anyway. So I will be saving for that.

 

The Sunday paper had over $300 worth of coupons in it so I bought one Sunday. I'll need to use over $2 in coupons to break even on buying it but  I do save the funnies for birthday gift wrap and save the rest of the paper for fire starting in the cooler months. So it is worth buying!

 

  Well, I guess that is all for me, What have you done to save money last week?

Frugal blessings,

Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycling Pickle Juice?????

I recycle pickle juice.  Really, I do!  Once all of the pickles are gone, I buy a couple of pickling cukes, wash and slice them, soak them in salt water for a few hours then stuff them in the jar of pickle juice.  Microwave the full jar for about 1.5 minutes. Use pot holders to remove the jar and let it cool on the counter.  Add lid and when cool enough to touch, and place them in the fridge. Viola……I just recycles pickle juice for another jar of pickles!  They are best eaten after 2 days- if you can wait that long.  I must admit the flavor isn’t as strong as the original pickles, but they are still good!  Try it…..You might like it!

Frugal blessings,

Lisa

Last Week's Frugality

 

    Hello to all of my blogging friends!  Last week has been very busy!  We had a family reunion Saturday, and my niece had her First Holy Communion yesterday!  I had to cook for the reunion Friday night and bake the cake for my niece for Sunday.  She wanted a pink cross cake so that is what I made her!

  Well, this week I packed my lunch 4 days!  I was running late one morning and wasn’t able to make anything. Boo!  I must try harder!

  My SIL bought an herb kit for me for Christmas and I finally got around to planting the herb seeds.  I am hoping for dill, sage, basil, and marjoram.  Oh yes, and chives! I almost forgot them.  I really want to grow enough herbs to use for the next year without buying them.  I bought some nifty herb shakers from Ball and plan on using them! 

  I was able to add 4 bottles of shampoo to my stash.  DH and I are trying to use minute amounts of shampoo each time in order to make it go further.  We are still using the bottle we opened in January and have about 1/3 of the bottle left.  I figure if we can make it stretch to 2 bottles per year, I have enough shampoo to last us for many, many years! I had 4 bottles and added 4 more!  If you are wondering, my children would rather buy their own shampoo.  My cheap stuff isn’t good enough for them.  Lol!  They are young and will learn soon enough!

  A local grocery store had Idaho potatoes 20 lbs for 3.99 so I stocked up on those—60 lbs worth.  At $.20 per lb. I cannot afford not to.  I batch cooked mashed potatoes for our reunion and mashed potatoes for the freezer.   I am planning on drying some and canning the rest.  This is my goal this week!

   The bucket is still catching waste water in the shower!  Speaking of bathrooms, I have read about bloggers saying that they are not buying as much TP and switching to family cloths.  I know my children would not go for this, but I am thinking about sewing some up to try out for my own personal use.  Soft flannel would be so much more comfortable.  Really, it isn’t that much different than using cloth diapers, is it?  I would appreciate input from anyone who is currently using the family cloths!  Just pondering!

  I used my Kroger points (from med purchases) to get gas last week.  Saved $.20 per gallon!

  A tide sample came in the mail and I signed up for 4 more freebies. 

  I hung 3 loads of towels and clothes out to dry this week.  My kids won’t hang dry anything but I saved about 2.5 hours of drying time. 

  I planted many flower seeds.  I know it is a bit late but they will bloom eventually!  Marigolds, zinnias, nasturtiums, and more!  Flowers make me smile!

    Only bought needed items at the grocery.  I am trying to eat from the pantry as much as possible this month because I am still trying to pay off my ginormous electric bill from February and March.  The extra from the food budget will come in handy.  Almost have it paid off! Yippee!

  I received an order for a cake this week.  Not a decorated cake as usual, but a bundt cake.  A cherry bundt cake to be specific!  I’ll share the recipe next week.  This will help with extra income this month.

   I mended a hole in my trouser sock.  I have the worst time keeping socks!  My washer has to be eating  them!  I probably have half a septic tank full of socks that have magically disappeared!  So I am mending to try and make the few I have left, last!  Last year for Christmas, the kids kept asking me what I wanted for Christmas and my answer was “Trouser Socks”.   Seriously, but they didn’t believe me!  I did end up getting one pkg. from my oldest!  Thank goodness!  Guess they will be on my list again this Christmas!

  My BFF dropped off some seedlings she had started that were left over from her garden.  There was a pepper plant, several sage plants, and several cantaloupe plants!  Thanks Sandie!

  Well, that about sums up my week of frugality.  How did you save last week?

Frugal Blessings,                                   

Lisa 

  

Last Week's Frugality

 Hello to all of my Readers!  I hope this post finds you and yours well and happy! It  has been a pretty good week here!  Nice weather--lots of sunshine!  I think the natural vitamin D is doing my moods a world of good!   Well....let's get to it!

   I packed my lunch 4 times last week.  Still not 5 days but it's better than 3!

  My DH helped me plant cabbage and one tomato plant.  He wanted to get it-it was $4.98 for one pretty big plant. I always wait and get the six pack of plants but he saw that it was called the Whopper and said he was a whopper of a guy and needed a whopper tomato plant!  Lol!  I didn't say a word because he has never taken much interest in gardening before!  I hope this is the beginning of a great relationship between DH and gardening! I can dream can't I?  After getting the above done he was pooped out so he kept me company while I planted some spinach, lettuce, herbs, and sunflowers.

  I was able to add 10 Ketchup (2/$1), 24 boxes of Mac and Cheese (3/$1), 10 large boxes of cereal($1 per box) and 4 bags of sugar(4 lb. bag for $1.50) to my pantry stash this week! I had a cart full for $30!  Go Me!

   I found a pair of jeans for myself at the Goodwill for only $3.50!  I certainly needed them.  I also found a drying rack there for just $3. I hung a load of towels to dry. I also hung up a load of clothes on the new drying rack. I hope to get a clothes line put back up asap to save electricity.  Drying them on the line in the laundry room takes so long and  I just love the scent of clothes dried in the sun!

   I made a triple batch of homemade granola!  My goodness is it yummy!  I added maple flavoring to the butter and honey mixture instead of vanilla.  So delish!

  I bought eggplant seeds!  This will be my first attempt at growing it--wish me luck!  We loved the eggplant parmesan so much--DH wants it more!! Score one for meatless meals!

   We still have the bucket catching waste water in the shower.

   My son cut my DH's hair with clippers borrowed from my Mother.  I trimmed my bangs a bit.

  I signed up for 3 free samples last week.  One shampoo,  and two tea bags. Have I told you I love receiving little gifts in the mail?  I know, I know....many times!
 
Well, that is about it for last week.  What did you save money on last week?

Frugal Blessings,
Lisa

   

   

   

  



 

 

  

Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

This is a no fry, easy recipe!

 

Ingredients         

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

• 3 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 6 cups spaghetti sauce, divided

• 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 1/2  - 3/4cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
   
• Salt and pepper to taste                                          

 

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

         

 

Hope you enjoy!
Meatless Blessings,
Lisa

Last Week's Frugality

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter-My family sure did!  I cooked dinner and we had a houseful! Good times!

     Well, I packed my lunch all five days last week.  Yeah me!!  I felt so guilty from the week before, that I had to pack my lunch the entire week.

   We tried a new dish(meatless) for dinner last week!  DH liked it and so did I--eggplant parmesan.  It was delicious and hearty enough that DH didn't complain!  I guess I'll need to get some eggplant seeds for the garden!

   I was able to add 4 packages of noodles to my pantry stash--they were $ .88 each.  Our Meijer had  Del Monte canned goods on sale--buy 10 get $3.00 off.  That made my diced tomatoes just $.49 each-Score!  Then the fruit was just $.69 per can!  I was able to add 10 cans of the tomatoes and 10 cans of the fruit to my stash! With the drought in California and the loss of cattle during the Polar
vortex, I fully expect food prices to skyrocket so the more I stock up, the better for our budget!

     My Granddaughter and nieces received books that I have been picking up at the Goodwill in their Easter baskets along with a bit of candy and fruit snacks.  I just paid about a quarter for each book and each girl had 3-4 each. 

  I shopped out of the gift closet for my niece's birthday gifts.  I found loads of girl toys at Meijer after Christmas for 80% off.  I purchased enough for birthdays and Christmas for all three girls.
Cannot beat 80% off!

   I saved $.40 per gallon using my Kroger points. I filled up the tank for about $35.00.  Every little bit helps.  I mostly shop at Kroger for my prescriptions so we are saving about $4 per month just with pharmacy costs.

  I am still using the bucket in the shower. I figure I am saving water for about 2-3 flushes per day.
It all adds up.

  Saving egg shells and coffee grounds for my compost pile.  This will be a great help for my garden
this year.

Well,  I think that is about it for my frugality last week.  It was a busy week with the holiday preps so I wasn't able to do anything else.
 
  What were you able to save on last week?

Frugal blessings,
Lisa

 

 

Get your free sample of popcorn seeds!

Grow your own popcorn! Go here to order your free sample of popcorn seeds!  What a great thing to do with your kids!
Blessings,
Lisa

Simplify your Easter Dinner with Make Ahead Dishes!

 

Are you busy? YES!  Are you short on time?  YES!  Are you cooking Easter Dinner? YES! Then you need to check out a couple of make ahead dishes to simplify your life this weekend!  Go here for a great make ahead broccoli and cheese casserole--my family just loves this!  And go here
 for a wonderful make ahead mashed potato recipe.  Just bake a ham(pour a can of coke over it and it is wonderful) and throw make ahead recipes in the oven to reheat, add some rolls and you are good to go!

Easter Blessings,
Lisa 

Last Week's Frugality

  I only packed my lunch 3 days last week.  I have been having trouble getting up early enough to pack my lunch lately.  I have to pack everyday and stop buying my lunch in the cafeteria—it is just so expensive!  Is there such a thing as frugality bun out?  I have been feeling very deprived lately! Gotta get back to the frugal enthusiastic person I want to be! Positive thinking, right?

  I signed up for 2 free samples last week and received one shampoo sample and a package of Breathright strips. 

  We had only 1 meatless meal—I still am trying to get my DH used to it. He is very much a meat and potatoes kind of guy!

  The bucket is still in the shower catching waste water and being used for flushing.

   I found two Mccoy flower pots at the Goodwill for only $2.50 each!  I checked E-bay and they are worth 3 times what I paid for them. Score!

   I found a pair of leather Dr. Scholl’s shoes for $6.00 at the Goodwill.  I, then, got my Senior discount making them $5.40 for like new leather shoes!  One of the good things about being over 50!  Score again!

  I added 10 jars of salsa to my pantry stash for $10,  added 2 bags of noodles for $.88 each. Coffee was on sale for $1.99 along with Crystal Light for $.99 so I added four of each to my stash.  I have to say, my stash is looking pretty good about right now! I think I am feeling a pantry challenge for the month of May. Stay tuned!

  DH and I bought 3 peach trees-they were my late birthday presents! They were on sale for $9.99 each!  I told him back in March what I wanted and I have been watching for sales since then.  Hopefully this will be a gift that keeps on giving year after year!

  I made a cake this weekend for my son’s friend.  It was just adorable! The donations for the cakes are helping me meet my extra income goal for the month!  Let me tell you it helps out so much!

  I picked up several packets of pectin that I found on clearance.  It is for small batches but that is fine!  I’ll make it work!  Small batches are quick and easy anyway!

 Michael’s had the Sugar and Cream cotton yarn reduced to $1.17.  That is more than a 50% reduction, so I bought 2 to make a couple of dish cloths for gifts.

  I began infusing waters last week.  I wasn't really sure about using cucumbers with lemon slices, but it is amazing--just so thirst quenching.  I have been experimenting with different fruits but I think the cucumber lemon is my favorite so far!  My DH really liked the infused waters as well.  He is the cola king if you remember so maybe I can cut his cola and Crystal Light/sugar substitute use this summer.

  I was able to borrow some luau decorations for my Granddaughters birthday party. Thanks Sandie!BFFs are great frugal resources!

  As I said, I think I am going through frugal burnout.  I get so tired of not being able to take the easy(cheap) way out!  Am I the only one who feels deprived sometimes?   How do you get yourself back on the frugal track?

Frugal Blessings,

Lisa