Homemade Taco Seasoning

A wonderful friend from many years ago sent me this, it's her own version of Taco Seasoning and I can't wait to try it. Thanks again Danelle!

Here's her e-mail:


My family eats tacos probably once a week, so I usually measure out 4 or 5 "packets" of this all at once and keep it in my spice cupboard so it's all ready to go. I really like it because it's not as salty as the packet from the store, but tastes so fresh!

The following measurements are for 2 lbs of meat (I've used it with beef and turkey and chicken...all good!) Just divide in half for 1 lb. of meat.

2 tsp dried minced onion
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp each oregano leaves & paprika
1/2 tsp ea. dried rosemary, ground cumin & black pepper
1 clove minced garlic
3 Tbs taco sauce (I've used leftover packets from Taco Bell before, too)
4 tsp Worcestershire sauce (I've used steak sauce in a pinch)

Brown meat along with all seasonings and garlic. After meat is cooked through, drain off any fat and return to low heat, add taco sauce and Worcestershire sauce, cook until hot. Ready to go!

Pillowcase Tote

Last week I had this crazy idea to make reusable grocery bags out of pillowcases; it was a wild thought that I didn't know what to do with.

Then today, Tipnut.com shares a Sewing Tutorial for a Pillowcase Tote! Crazy right?! I'm so excited and can't wait to break out my sewing machine! Here's the sites; I'll probably going to head over to Salvation Army for some cheap pillowcases. :)

tipnut.com

creativekismet.com

10 Ways to Save some Money

Frugality is a way of thinking that can change our way of living.

When times are hard it can be depressing for some;
but I believe that the way we think can determine our attitude
and eventually our lifestyles.

That living a frugal and pure life requires us to be
poor in spirit and in possessions is so far from the truth.

We CAN live a fabulous frugal life if we begin with our thoughts.

Here are some ways I'm thinking outside the box to save money for our family!

1. Instead of buying a new book, see if your local library has it!
   
   
2. If you still have a land line, call your server provider and ask them to go over your plan with you, chances are you are paying for things you don't use or need. You'd be surprised at the savings!
   
   
3. Shop at the 99 Cent store! It can be a gold mine if you have the time to search it out!
   
   
4. Organize. Organize. Organize. When there's a place for everything, you're less likely to run out and buy "X" because you know you have extra. Example: Wrapping paper, Birthday Bags and Tissue.
   
   
5. Create a spending plan that allows for occasional eating out, pedicure, new shoes, etc. This is a must even if you're on a tight budget, it will help you feel normal and your urges to splurge will be less since you reward yourself on a regular (or semi regular) basis.
   
   
6. Drink more tea. Not only do you get more anti-oxidants, but it's cheaper at Starbucks!
   
   
7. Learn how to cook! Sounds cliche?! It isn't, check out the cookbooks at your local library and have at it! You're saving money, being healthier and gaining a new skill - it's a win-win!
   
   
8. Plan ahead. This goes for everything: vacations, grocery shopping, play dates!
   
   
9. Leave non-perishable food in the car for snacks. When you and the kids are running around doing errands, you're less likely to stop in at the gas station and buy food. We rotate between goldfish, teddy grams, even cereal, pour in a gallon size zip lock bag!
   
   
10. When doing your grocery shopping look high and low (literally), the most expensive items are right at eye level, in fact they pay to be there. So the cheaper food is either on the top or bottom shelf!

Please Join Amy for more Finer Things!

Homemade Pancake Syrup

Pancake Syrup is actually very easy to make and most likely you have all the ingredients in your pantry. I just about finished our bottle of Mrs. Buttersworth and instead of buying more, I'm going to make a few batches on my own and pour it in the bottle! Voila - new Pancake Syrup and I paid $0!


2 cups of packed brown sugar (white sugar will work too)
1/2 cup of water
1/2 tsp. of vanilla flavoring

1. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a pan, stirring occasionally. If boiled too long it will be too thick. Water can be added to obtain the right consistency.
   
   
2. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes or longer to obtain desired thickness.
   
   
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla flavoring.
   
   
4. Serve warm. Store unused portion in the refrigerator.

This recipe only makes 2 cups, so I'm going to make 2 batches to fill my empty Syrup bottle!


Original Recipe found here

Homemade Granola Bars

So I've been wanting granola bars lately and they are seriously so expensive, and I remember reading a recipe by Rachael Ray for no bake Granola Bars. I found the recipe and thought I'd share it with you - so easy, and so cheap. I made 2 batches, wrapped them individually in foil and froze the rest. What a perfect breakfast on the go or a healthy afternoon snack for me and the kids, you have to try these!


No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
Courtesy of Rachael Ray


4 TBS unsalted butter
1/2 C packed light brown sugar
1/4 C honey
2 C granola
1 C rice cereal
1/2 C raisin (although any dried fruit would work!)
1/2 C thin pretzel sticks
1/2 C chocolate chips (I used leftover Valentine's Day chocolate that I froze and chopped into small chunks)


In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar with the honey and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from the heat.


Add the granola, rice cereal, raisins and pretzels to the saucepan and fold the ingredients to evenly coat the sauce. Transfer the granola mixture to a 9-by-13-inch ungreased baking pan and press firmly to evenly fill. Gently press the chocolate chips onto the top of the granola. Let the mixture set in the refrigerator until firm, about 15 minutes, then cut into 2 1/4-by-3-inch bars.

Makes approx. 16 bars :)

Here's a link to the actual recipe with the picture I used above, No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Baking Soda in the Kitchen

Here are places and ways I use Baking Soda in my Kitchen as I clean! I hope you get inspired to use it more, it's a powerful natural tool that is so safe around the kids or pets.

• When I'm washing dishes I add 2 - 3 TBLS of Baking Soda (BkSd) to the soapy water. It helps cut any grease and food left on the dishes.
  
  
• When using my dishwasher, I sprinkle a handful of BkSd on my dishes or in the bottom of my dishwasher to absorb food odors.
  
  
• When my trash can is smelly but the bag isn't full, one way to get rid of the odor is to sprinkle BkSd in the garbage between layers as they accumulate.
  
  
• I also wash out my garbage can with water and BkSd about once a month.
  
  
• BkSd can help in handling minor grease or electric fires. When fire breaks out you can throw handfuls of Baking Soda at the base of the flames to help put the fire out. Then, to be on the safe side, call the Fire Department!
  
  
• I keep a box of BkSd in my fridge and freezer to help keep my food tasting fresh. I replace my boxes every other month.
  
  
• When my floors are exceptionally dirty, I use 1/2 cup Baking Soda in a bucket of warm water and wash as usual.
  

Baking Soda Power

So as some of you know, vinegar and I are tight! She's my girl, I have vinegar solutions all around my house and I use her on just about everything.

Well she works even better with her friend, Baking Soda! He's also one of a kind, and if you aren't familiar with his power, just read on!!!

I first bought a giant bag of Baking Soda (BkSd) from Smart & Final and was literally carrying it around from bathroom to bathroom cleaning. It was a pain. So I had this bright idea to pour him into a smaller container (duh!). I was just at the end of our Santa Maria Seasoning (it's a large plastic container, much like Parmesan Cheese Containers). So I poured the remaining seasoning in a zip lock bag then filled it up with BkSd. Now I have my vinegar solution and my BkSd sprinkler in a small easy tote as I clean.

Other containers to pour Baking Soda in:

Lowry's Season Salt

Garlic Salt

Bacon Bits

Baking Powder Can (small and round!)

Old containers from your Spice rack (might be small, but easy to store throughout your house!)

Parmesan Cheese

***Be creative, and use what you have at home, no need to buy a separate container!***

Here's the best way I look at Baking Soda, whatever I used to pour Comet or Bleach on when cleaning, I now use Baking Soda. Completely odorless and non-toxic and virtually harmless!

To give you an idea, here are some places I use Baking Soda!

Kitchen
Sink
Stove
Oven
Refrigerator
Counters
Faucets
Floors
Dishwasher
Grout
Trash Can
Disposal
Microwave

Bathroom
Sink
Counter
Faucet
Toilets
Grout
Floor
Tub
Shower
Drains
Trash Cans

More Vinegar Please!

More great uses for our friend, Vinegar!

Outside:
After picking flowers, add two tablespoons of white vinegar plus three tablespoons of sugar per quart of warm water to the vase. It's ideal to have stems in three to four inches of water.

Got an ant problem? Use a spray bottle filled with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water around door jambs, window sills, water pipes, and foundation cracks.

Occasionally water plants with a mixture of two tablespoons white vinegar to one quart water. Azaleas love acidic soil.

Inside:
If you're in a room with cigarette smoke or paint fumes, leave a small bowl of white vinegar on the counter or table. The odor will dissipate.

To clean toilets: Pour in one cup of white vinegar, let it stand for five minutes, brush clean and flush.


Your body:
Got Dandruff? Believe it or not, vinegar can help! Pour a few tablespoons of vinegar on your hair and massage into your scalp. Wait 3 minutes, then rinse and wash hair like normal. Try this for a few days until you see results. Vinegar restores chemical balance to the skin.

Want softer skin? Add one-half cup of vinegar or so to warm bath water when bathing. Bonus, you get a cleaner bathtub with less work. I know I know you're probably thinking, "Eww, I don't want to smell like vinegar." Trust me you wont because it's such small amount. But when in doubt drop in some essential oils and your skin will be soft and smell great!

Smooth a little vinegar on cracked, dried skin to help it heal.

When summer time comes, and the inevitable sunburn happens to you or your friends, remember to apply undiluted vinegar to the burn. It will sooth and heal your skin quickly!


More great sites to cleaning with vinegar
cleaningwithvinegar.com
vinegartips.com
thenewhomemaker.com
62-little-known-uses-of-vinegar

Coupon list

Here's a list of some great coupons for your every day use!

Many thanks to Barganist.com, enjoy!

Swiffer Socks

I have a Swiffer Mop and I love it, it makes cleaning my floors so easy, but the the Mopping Refills can be pretty expensive. My alternative: an old sock!! It actually works really well; And I know we all have spare socks laying around, why not put them to good use!

I later found these helpful hints off Tipnut.com, it's better than paying for something you're just going to throw away!

I then mix up some vinegar and water and enjoy an eco-friendly cleaning, when I'm done I toss it in the washer. Give it a try!