I love zucchini and my favorite way to prepare it is by thinly slicing it into coins, battering it and deep frying it. That is not exactly health conscious though and it is MESSY. So I was thinking of what I really like about that recipe and decided to take those elements and make a sauteed version that would be lower in fat and just as yummy. This is what I came up with:
Sauteed Zucchini
3 small Zucchini
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
grated Parmesan cheese, if desired
1. Cut off ends of zucchini and cut in half lengthwise. Then slice into 1/4 inch thick half moon slices.
2. Heat olive oil in small stainless steel fry pan over medium heat until very hot.
3. Add zucchini, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.
4. Cook, stirring sparingly until zucchini is softened and lightly browned.
5. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.
I served this the other night with my Ham and Cheese Quiche so I did not sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ham and Cheese Quiche
I love to make quiche. It is my absolute favorite way to use up leftovers. Well, maybe pizza is. Ok if I never ate anything besides quiche and pizza (and ice cream) for the rest of my life I could be happy. But if I did, then I wouldn't have all these yummy leftovers to use up!
As I told you earlier this week I bought 20 packages of cheese over the weekend. I also had some leftover ham and I always have eggs so the first thing that came to mind was ham and cheese quiche.
I remember as recently as a year ago I would buy a frozen pie crust and think that I was getting a good deal because it was only $1.00. Ha! I don't love making my own and I certainly don't love washing my 25 year old non dishwasher safe food processor, or as I like to call it the tank, but I sure do love those savings!
I use the Better Homes and Gardens single pie crust recipe. Since I follow the directions exactly, I'll just link to that recipe.
Here is my own original "filling" recipe:
7 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
6 ounces cheddar cheese, 2 ounces reserved
1 cup diced ham
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper (please do not use fake pepper in the can)
pinch garlic powder
1 prebaked pie crust
1. Prebake the pie crust according to the recipe.
2. Whip eggs & milk together until they are light and frothy.
3. Add all other ingredients except for the 2 ounces of reserved cheddar cheese, stir together until well combined.
4. Pour into prebaked pie crust.
5. Sprinkle remaining 2 ounces cheese over top of quiche.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour.
7. Let cool 10 minutes before serving to allow the quiche to fully set.
I am going to start adding serving suggestions to my recipe posts because that is something that always interests me on the blogs that I read. I love reading what others serve with things. It just gives me so many ideas!
Serving suggestions:
basic chopped salad
Monday, January 25, 2010
An example of why I use coupons & shop sales
Hubs and I eat a lot of cheese. I mean A LOT. We love quesidillas for quick dinners or lunches and grilled cheese sandwiches frequently make an appearance on our dinner table with tomato soup. That isn't even counting pizza night or one of our favorite meals... my homemade macaroni & cheese.
I logged onto Southern Savers yesterday and just about fell out of my chair when I realized that I could make money buying Kraft cheese, but only for that one day. I don't exactly like shopping on Sunday and I certainly don't like planning last minute trips but I felt the results would be worth it. Well I just finished doing all the math, and friends let me tell you it was SO worth it. I'll break down my transactions for you below.
I just want to give another shout out to Money Saving Mom and Life As Mom for hosting the eat from the pantry challenge. If I had not participated there is no way that I would have been able to purchase 20 bars/bags of Kraft cheese yesterday.
I made two trips to two different Krogers and did a total of four transactions. The first Kroger was in the afternoon and it was crowded and they were almost out of cheese. The second Kroger is where I go if I have trouble finding things. It is a little out of my way but if the deals are great I think it is worth it. I made that stop on my way home from my parents' house.
I bought 20 bars/bags of cheese but I only got 5 from the store that was running low. I got the other 15 at 10:30 the day the Catalina deal ended and that store still had plenty of cheese left. Sure I would have loved to do everything that afternoon, but I believe in being courteous to other shoppers.
1st transaction:
3 bars cheese
2 bags cheese
1 Tazo chai (not mega)
1 Pillsbury Toaster Struedel
1 Daisy sour cream
1 chex mix
1 snyders
1 punch (not mega)
1 Krusteaz muffins
Total spent: $9.41
Total saved: $25.57
Catalina: $5.00
#2:
5 bars cheese
1 goldfish
1 ICBINB
1 Nature valley nut clusters
1 Quaker chewy granola bar
Total: $.09
Saved: $32.45
Catalina: $5.00
#3:
1 Wheat Thins
1 Ritz
4 Rotel
5 bars cheese
Total: $3.15
Saved: $17.70
Catalina: $5.00
#4:
5 bars cheese
2 Halls
2 Rotel
1 goldfish
1 Green Giant Steamfresh
hmmm it appears that I messed up & shouldn't have gotten my $5 off but its there so are the halls part of the deal? Anyways, it was an error I wasn't trying to cheat.
Total: $1.57
Saved: 19.85
Kroger card: $5.00 (catalina wouldn't print I'm fine with them doing it this way)
Total spent (pre-tax to determine percentage saved) : $13.25
Total saved: $100.57 (includes $5.00 gift card)
Saved percentage: 88%
If you want information on how I got such great deals please go visit Jenny at Southern Savers. She has all the best match ups for the southern region each week. She puts a ton of time & effort into her website and gives us all the information we could ever need for FREE. I can't say enough great things about Jenny!
I logged onto Southern Savers yesterday and just about fell out of my chair when I realized that I could make money buying Kraft cheese, but only for that one day. I don't exactly like shopping on Sunday and I certainly don't like planning last minute trips but I felt the results would be worth it. Well I just finished doing all the math, and friends let me tell you it was SO worth it. I'll break down my transactions for you below.
I just want to give another shout out to Money Saving Mom and Life As Mom for hosting the eat from the pantry challenge. If I had not participated there is no way that I would have been able to purchase 20 bars/bags of Kraft cheese yesterday.
I made two trips to two different Krogers and did a total of four transactions. The first Kroger was in the afternoon and it was crowded and they were almost out of cheese. The second Kroger is where I go if I have trouble finding things. It is a little out of my way but if the deals are great I think it is worth it. I made that stop on my way home from my parents' house.
I bought 20 bars/bags of cheese but I only got 5 from the store that was running low. I got the other 15 at 10:30 the day the Catalina deal ended and that store still had plenty of cheese left. Sure I would have loved to do everything that afternoon, but I believe in being courteous to other shoppers.
1st transaction:
3 bars cheese
2 bags cheese
1 Tazo chai (not mega)
1 Pillsbury Toaster Struedel
1 Daisy sour cream
1 chex mix
1 snyders
1 punch (not mega)
1 Krusteaz muffins
Total spent: $9.41
Total saved: $25.57
Catalina: $5.00
#2:
5 bars cheese
1 goldfish
1 ICBINB
1 Nature valley nut clusters
1 Quaker chewy granola bar
Total: $.09
Saved: $32.45
Catalina: $5.00
#3:
1 Wheat Thins
1 Ritz
4 Rotel
5 bars cheese
Total: $3.15
Saved: $17.70
Catalina: $5.00
#4:
5 bars cheese
2 Halls
2 Rotel
1 goldfish
1 Green Giant Steamfresh
hmmm it appears that I messed up & shouldn't have gotten my $5 off but its there so are the halls part of the deal? Anyways, it was an error I wasn't trying to cheat.
Total: $1.57
Saved: 19.85
Kroger card: $5.00 (catalina wouldn't print I'm fine with them doing it this way)
Total spent (pre-tax to determine percentage saved) : $13.25
Total saved: $100.57 (includes $5.00 gift card)
Saved percentage: 88%
If you want information on how I got such great deals please go visit Jenny at Southern Savers. She has all the best match ups for the southern region each week. She puts a ton of time & effort into her website and gives us all the information we could ever need for FREE. I can't say enough great things about Jenny!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Please help Haiti
I just finished a large mug of hot cocoa while watching one of my favorite shows. I'm nice and toasty warm in my home cuddled up with my dogs. My husband is in the next chair over laughing along with me to the show. We're safe. We're provided for. But tonight in a tiny country far away there are many, many people in danger. Without food. Without comfort. Without a home. They need our help. They need our prayers. They need our support.
Tomorrow my husband and I will be making a donation to The Salvation Army to assist in their relief efforts. Won't you please consider making a donation too? There are many great relief agencies out there on the front lines right now doing everything they can to help. Right now, while I sit at home and sip my cocoa.
Tonight and every night for the foreseeable future I'll be keeping the people of Haiti in my prayers. Won't you consider praying with me?
There are many bloggers today who are making donations for every blog entry linked up on their sites. I am especially touched by Money Saving Mom's efforts in organizing these donations and in her & her husband's very generous donation of $10.00 per blog link today. She always tells us that they live like no one else so that they can give like no one else and I think we are seeing today exactly what she is talking about. I'll be linking this post up to:
Mommy Snacks
The Diaper Diaries
Lamp Unto My Feet
Scrapbook of Sorts
Mom's Toolbox
Cha-ching on a Shoestring
Thrifty Northwest Mom
Saving Money Plan
The Happy Housewife
4 Hats and Frugal
Cincinnati Coupons
Baby Goodbuys
Another Mom's View
The King's Court
The Frugal Girl
Mrs. Moneysaver
SwagGrabber
Puget Sound Prudence
Saving Money in Missouri
Heavenly Homemakers
Pennies and Blessings
Faithful Provisions
She Saved
Saving with Amy
The Prudent Patron
I Heart Publix (side note: this happens to be one of my favorite blogs)
Frugal Living and Having Fun
A High and Noble Calling
Sharpen Your Scissors
Cincinnati Cents
Coupon Lady Online
Common Sense With Money
The Homespun Heart
Ava's Mom
Bargain Blessings
Coupon Geek
The Gothros
Saving Bits and Pieces
The Suburban Tree Hugger
My Litter of Six
"Deal"ightful Savings
Sixth Cents Savings
Really Are You Serious?
Christian Frugal Mom
Sharpen Your Scissors
The Krazy Coupon Lady
The Stearns' Weekly News
Making Time For Mommy
The Simple Life of the Boreings
The Frugal Find
The Coupon Basics
My Fave Deals
Thrifty on the Dollar
My Blessed Life (Myra is my bloggy homegirl)
Kingdom First Mom
The Thrifty Couple
Frugal Living NW
My Pet Savings
Mama's Laundry Talk
Frugal Follies
The Haney Life
Covenant Homemaking
Coupon Teacher
Mommie Cheapest
Please note: I typed all of these in by hand. If I messed up your blog's name or link please let me know and I will be happy to fix it. Thank you all so much for your generous donations.
Tomorrow my husband and I will be making a donation to The Salvation Army to assist in their relief efforts. Won't you please consider making a donation too? There are many great relief agencies out there on the front lines right now doing everything they can to help. Right now, while I sit at home and sip my cocoa.
Tonight and every night for the foreseeable future I'll be keeping the people of Haiti in my prayers. Won't you consider praying with me?
There are many bloggers today who are making donations for every blog entry linked up on their sites. I am especially touched by Money Saving Mom's efforts in organizing these donations and in her & her husband's very generous donation of $10.00 per blog link today. She always tells us that they live like no one else so that they can give like no one else and I think we are seeing today exactly what she is talking about. I'll be linking this post up to:
Mommy Snacks
The Diaper Diaries
Lamp Unto My Feet
Scrapbook of Sorts
Mom's Toolbox
Cha-ching on a Shoestring
Thrifty Northwest Mom
Saving Money Plan
The Happy Housewife
4 Hats and Frugal
Cincinnati Coupons
Baby Goodbuys
Another Mom's View
The King's Court
The Frugal Girl
Mrs. Moneysaver
SwagGrabber
Puget Sound Prudence
Saving Money in Missouri
Heavenly Homemakers
Pennies and Blessings
Faithful Provisions
She Saved
Saving with Amy
The Prudent Patron
I Heart Publix (side note: this happens to be one of my favorite blogs)
Frugal Living and Having Fun
A High and Noble Calling
Sharpen Your Scissors
Cincinnati Cents
Coupon Lady Online
Common Sense With Money
The Homespun Heart
Ava's Mom
Bargain Blessings
Coupon Geek
The Gothros
Saving Bits and Pieces
The Suburban Tree Hugger
My Litter of Six
"Deal"ightful Savings
Sixth Cents Savings
Really Are You Serious?
Christian Frugal Mom
Sharpen Your Scissors
The Krazy Coupon Lady
The Stearns' Weekly News
Making Time For Mommy
The Simple Life of the Boreings
The Frugal Find
The Coupon Basics
My Fave Deals
Thrifty on the Dollar
My Blessed Life (Myra is my bloggy homegirl)
Kingdom First Mom
The Thrifty Couple
Frugal Living NW
My Pet Savings
Mama's Laundry Talk
Frugal Follies
The Haney Life
Covenant Homemaking
Coupon Teacher
Mommie Cheapest
Please note: I typed all of these in by hand. If I messed up your blog's name or link please let me know and I will be happy to fix it. Thank you all so much for your generous donations.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Guest post from Katie of Frugal Femina
Guest Post by Katie Hostetter at Frugal Femina
If you follow me on Twitter, you know exactly what the word "mamavation" means, because I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing it since I applied on January 1st. I am fortunate to have some followers left! :-) Basically, it's a 7-week boot camp to help 2 moms get fit in 2010, and it's supported by Smooth Fitness, Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Gaiam, Bookie Boo, and MomTV. The team gives you a ton of support with a nutritional plan, a fitness program, and much more! You can watch my application video and read all about my lil' journey over at Frugal Femina.
I am so blessed to have made it into the top 5 finalists. Now I need you to vote daily so I can make it into the final 2! I already shared my measurements with thousands of people, so you know I am committed! ;-) But seriously, this is all part of my quest to make 2010 one of the most positive years ever. I'm finishing up my last semester of nursing school, reading through the Bible in 90 days, taking care of Xon and Bradley {aka Hubs and Little Munchkin}, and trying to take care of myself, too! I'm not Superwoman, but I do want to focus on good things this year and surround myself with good friends and family.
So I'm hopin' you'll cheer me on and head on over to Mamavation and vote. You can vote once a day from each IP address through the 21st. And I won't mind a bit if you happen to spread the word amongst your friends. :-) Maybe I can encourage you all along the way! Mamavation is a great network of support, and you can be involved whether you have 200 pounds to lose or 0. We all need to stay healthy and fit!
Special thanks to Andrea at Mommy Snacks for being my Fit Friend and encouraging me throughout this campaign.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know exactly what the word "mamavation" means, because I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing it since I applied on January 1st. I am fortunate to have some followers left! :-) Basically, it's a 7-week boot camp to help 2 moms get fit in 2010, and it's supported by Smooth Fitness, Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Gaiam, Bookie Boo, and MomTV. The team gives you a ton of support with a nutritional plan, a fitness program, and much more! You can watch my application video and read all about my lil' journey over at Frugal Femina.
I am so blessed to have made it into the top 5 finalists. Now I need you to vote daily so I can make it into the final 2! I already shared my measurements with thousands of people, so you know I am committed! ;-) But seriously, this is all part of my quest to make 2010 one of the most positive years ever. I'm finishing up my last semester of nursing school, reading through the Bible in 90 days, taking care of Xon and Bradley {aka Hubs and Little Munchkin}, and trying to take care of myself, too! I'm not Superwoman, but I do want to focus on good things this year and surround myself with good friends and family.
So I'm hopin' you'll cheer me on and head on over to Mamavation and vote. You can vote once a day from each IP address through the 21st. And I won't mind a bit if you happen to spread the word amongst your friends. :-) Maybe I can encourage you all along the way! Mamavation is a great network of support, and you can be involved whether you have 200 pounds to lose or 0. We all need to stay healthy and fit!
Special thanks to Andrea at Mommy Snacks for being my Fit Friend and encouraging me throughout this campaign.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Eating from the Pantry check-in
Happy Monday! Here's my update:
Wednesday: Made pizza and citrus spinach salad for dinner.
Thursday: Packed breakfast and lunch for hubs & me. Made burritos, refried beans & corn for dinner.
Friday: Packed breakfast and lunch for hubs. I had nachos with leftover ingredients from the burritos for lunch when I got home from work (I leave work early on Fridays). For dinner we went out to eat as was planned. It is a very long and complicated story involving how a "restaurant" turned into a "bar" and thus no longer has a kitchen to make food in. So couldn't use a restaurant.com gift certificate. We went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday because I had a coupon for $5.00 off (it was one from the buy a gift card get a coupon promotion they were running at Christmas). Then in the paper yesterday there were buy one get one free coupons for Ruby Tuesday. Hubs and I both thought that was funny that such a good coupon would come out two days after we ate there. Anyways, moving on...
Saturday: Packed lunch & breakfast for hubs. I was home so ate breakfast and lunch there. For dinner made Mandarin Orange Chicken from Trader Joes and Steamfresh Rice both from our freezer. I told hubs that we're going to Trader Joe's next week and I'm buying case loads of that Mandarin Chicken. So good! Also, I was really impressed with the Steamfresh rice, especially since it was free thanks to the powers of couponing. Oh and we also had pineapple.
Sunday: BFF came over to hang out and brought lunch for us (hubs was at work). After hubs got home in the middle of the afternoon he was feeling snacky so I made homemade popcorn. Oh golly is that good! For dinner I made Falling Off The Bone Chicken Wings, Brown Rice Pilaf, steamed carrots and pineapple again. What can I say, I love pineapple!
I packed both of us breakfast and lunch today. Hubs is working late so not sure yet what I'll do about dinner but I might go ahead and make the hot dogs and chili anyways. Later in the week I have leftover nights scheduled. I don't have any leftovers so I might roast a chicken or make the balsamic chicken that I haven't made yet.
I know I'm not exactly following my meal plan but I like having flexibility when I need it. For example, hubs loves Hamburger Helper so I make it for him every once in a while and had that planned for dinner last night. When I knew that my BFF was coming over I changed the plans to wings (which really are awesome y'all) 'cause I ain't 'bout to be serving no company no Hamburger Helper. I'm jus' sayin'.
How have y'all been doing with your challenge?
Wednesday: Made pizza and citrus spinach salad for dinner.
Thursday: Packed breakfast and lunch for hubs & me. Made burritos, refried beans & corn for dinner.
Friday: Packed breakfast and lunch for hubs. I had nachos with leftover ingredients from the burritos for lunch when I got home from work (I leave work early on Fridays). For dinner we went out to eat as was planned. It is a very long and complicated story involving how a "restaurant" turned into a "bar" and thus no longer has a kitchen to make food in. So couldn't use a restaurant.com gift certificate. We went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday because I had a coupon for $5.00 off (it was one from the buy a gift card get a coupon promotion they were running at Christmas). Then in the paper yesterday there were buy one get one free coupons for Ruby Tuesday. Hubs and I both thought that was funny that such a good coupon would come out two days after we ate there. Anyways, moving on...
Saturday: Packed lunch & breakfast for hubs. I was home so ate breakfast and lunch there. For dinner made Mandarin Orange Chicken from Trader Joes and Steamfresh Rice both from our freezer. I told hubs that we're going to Trader Joe's next week and I'm buying case loads of that Mandarin Chicken. So good! Also, I was really impressed with the Steamfresh rice, especially since it was free thanks to the powers of couponing. Oh and we also had pineapple.
Sunday: BFF came over to hang out and brought lunch for us (hubs was at work). After hubs got home in the middle of the afternoon he was feeling snacky so I made homemade popcorn. Oh golly is that good! For dinner I made Falling Off The Bone Chicken Wings, Brown Rice Pilaf, steamed carrots and pineapple again. What can I say, I love pineapple!
I packed both of us breakfast and lunch today. Hubs is working late so not sure yet what I'll do about dinner but I might go ahead and make the hot dogs and chili anyways. Later in the week I have leftover nights scheduled. I don't have any leftovers so I might roast a chicken or make the balsamic chicken that I haven't made yet.
I know I'm not exactly following my meal plan but I like having flexibility when I need it. For example, hubs loves Hamburger Helper so I make it for him every once in a while and had that planned for dinner last night. When I knew that my BFF was coming over I changed the plans to wings (which really are awesome y'all) 'cause I ain't 'bout to be serving no company no Hamburger Helper. I'm jus' sayin'.
How have y'all been doing with your challenge?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
My shopping trip this week
If this is your first time visiting my blog, welcome! I am eating from the pantry along with Money Saving Mom and Life As Mom (and about 800 others!) so my shopping is limited this month. I just couldn't resist scooping up the deals you see below. I hope that you'll leave me a comment letting me know you stopped by and please come visit me again!
I made a run to Publix on Wednesday this week. I didn't really want to go on Wednesday but they changed the day of their penny item and I just can't resist free stuff. I mean if I am going to buy stuff anyways might as well get something for free to go with it, right?
Here's what I bought:
Publix Tortilla chips- penny item
Cascadian Farms French Fries- we had an avalance from our inside freezer this week and neither of us noticed a bag that fell behind our trashcan. It melted overnight and had to be tossed. There are several meals this week that call for french fries and I got these for $1.00.
Cascadian Farms Tater tots- also $1.00 probably going to make tater tot casserole with cream of mushroom soup and hamburger at some point over the next couple of months. Neither of us has ever had it but I have lots of cream of mushroom soup and hamburer to use.
Wonda gummies X2- free
DiGiorno Flatbread Pizzas X2- was confused about price. Thought they would be $.25/ea and for that price couldn't resist for lunch for hubs on a day when I really don't feel like packing one. Ended up being $1.25, still a good deal
Lenders bagels X2- I prefer making my own but I'm out and at $.50/ea the price was too good not to buy
Stoneyfield Farms yogurt X6- my favorite yogurt. I don't feel bad about buying it at all. At $.13/ea I'm pretty sure it was about the same cost as making my own (which I have done before!)
4 Bartlett pears- $.88/lb
1 Lysol Neutr Air- will be donating to work. I print coupons there and then donate some office things in return. It is a win-win situation!
I spent: $9.47, saved $22.75, of which $14.58 was coupons!
I also asked hubs to go by Aldi yesterday to buy a couple of things
He bought:
2 bags of oranges (I think they are 3 lb each)
1 package mushrooms
He spent around $5.00 (he's at work. I'll update later with exact amount)
So there is my spending for the week. To see how I got such great prices at Publix go to Southern Savers or I Heart Publix.
For Aldi deals go to Deal Seeking Mom.
I made a run to Publix on Wednesday this week. I didn't really want to go on Wednesday but they changed the day of their penny item and I just can't resist free stuff. I mean if I am going to buy stuff anyways might as well get something for free to go with it, right?
Here's what I bought:
Publix Tortilla chips- penny item
Cascadian Farms French Fries- we had an avalance from our inside freezer this week and neither of us noticed a bag that fell behind our trashcan. It melted overnight and had to be tossed. There are several meals this week that call for french fries and I got these for $1.00.
Cascadian Farms Tater tots- also $1.00 probably going to make tater tot casserole with cream of mushroom soup and hamburger at some point over the next couple of months. Neither of us has ever had it but I have lots of cream of mushroom soup and hamburer to use.
Wonda gummies X2- free
DiGiorno Flatbread Pizzas X2- was confused about price. Thought they would be $.25/ea and for that price couldn't resist for lunch for hubs on a day when I really don't feel like packing one. Ended up being $1.25, still a good deal
Lenders bagels X2- I prefer making my own but I'm out and at $.50/ea the price was too good not to buy
Stoneyfield Farms yogurt X6- my favorite yogurt. I don't feel bad about buying it at all. At $.13/ea I'm pretty sure it was about the same cost as making my own (which I have done before!)
4 Bartlett pears- $.88/lb
1 Lysol Neutr Air- will be donating to work. I print coupons there and then donate some office things in return. It is a win-win situation!
I spent: $9.47, saved $22.75, of which $14.58 was coupons!
I also asked hubs to go by Aldi yesterday to buy a couple of things
He bought:
2 bags of oranges (I think they are 3 lb each)
1 package mushrooms
He spent around $5.00 (he's at work. I'll update later with exact amount)
So there is my spending for the week. To see how I got such great prices at Publix go to Southern Savers or I Heart Publix.
For Aldi deals go to Deal Seeking Mom.
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