Perdue Oven Ready Roasted Chicken

One of my latest Bzzagent campaigns is for Perdue Oven Ready Roasted Chicken. Let me tell you, this was a HIT with me this holiday season. So quick and easy, and very little clean up. It comes out of the bag marinated and ready to put in the oven. It took about an hour and half to cook, when I took it out it was brown and juicy! It was one of the most chickens I have cooked. The leftovers were great too! For me and my busy life it was a time saver.

I plan on cooking one on Sundays and packing my lunch or the week. I can't buy lunch cheaper or more healthy!

#igotitfree

<img src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/perdue.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=7401150095&Campaign=1222765514&Uid=298519&token=3f476294e2f81b60d8de7ba56e4faad7" alt=""/>

Unreal candy

My latest bzzagent campaign is Unreal Candy!

For junk food this stuff is pretty darn tasty. The trade mark "Unjunked" is really just what it says, no artificial anything, no corn syrup, and no hydrogenated oils. Although I am diabetic, so I didn't eat much, I can say that what I tasted what really good, and I wouldn't feel guilty sharing!

I try to stay away from chemicals as much as possible, now there is a treat out there that doesn't break the bank nor my health!

Buckeye Nation

Living in the Buckeye Nation is unique to say the least.  Over the years I have noticed a few things that set us aside or maybe are just out of the norm for those not living in a college football town. 

For example, when approaching another fan, and you will know them because no self respecting fan would be caught dead without their Scarlet and Grey on during the football season,  you do not simply say hello, the greeting is “O-H and they respond I-O.” Now, this O-H-I-O can be shouted for several reasons actually.  We shout it to show team spirit or it can mean Go Team, or great job.  You can also use this “call” to find other fans.  A great example, last fall we were watching the game out on my cousin’s deck, it was a warm night and we were grilling. The Buckeyes had made a great play, someone in our group yelled  O-H and we then heard a faint I-O from a neighbor.  This went on for the rest of the night!  We had found our people!

Something else I feel we excel at here in Ohio is the tailgate/football party.  Football and food seem to go hand and hand around here.  During the week at work, there are a lot of conversations’ around going to watch the game somewhere and what we are making to share.  We always have the standard brats, deviled eggs, meat and cheese trays as well as wings and dips. But my favorite and I think the most “Ohio” food is the buckeye.  Now a real buckeye is a poisonous tree nut, not to be eaten at all.  But the candy version is a yummy peanut butter center dipped in chocolate, made to mimic the actually nut that is dark brown with a light brown circle on one end. 

Not everyone shares the love when it comes to football season in Central Ohio, but those that do, do it well!

Kroger family game night

My latest buzz campaign was Kroger family game night!  It was pretty fun for one and all.  We had all Kroger brand snacks, like pizza, Popsicle and chips.  We played some cards and noshed the night away! The snacks were tasty and honestly I couldn't tell the difference from the name brand items!

I highly recomend Kroger brand foods!

Cycling

I'm riding in Pelotonia… A ride to raise money for cancer research.  I have a lot of time to think while riding, and the thought came to me  this weekend that although I do ride with a team it feels pretty solo while out there.

I ride with Team Huntington, one team, one goal.. end cancer.  But, and maybe this is me, I don't feel a part of a team. Heck, I really don't feel like a cyclist either.  

We meet up, we set out on a predetermined path and then go.  Those who go faster will stop at the designated stops and wait.  Those of us who are slower meet them, we chat a minute and head out.  So yes, there is a team aspect, but it really doesn't feel so much like a team sport. 

During my rides, it's me, my thoughts, and depending on how I feel, my doubts.    This past Sunday during my 3 hour ride, my thoughts centered around the dichotomy of riding in a Peloton and yet feeling very alone.  I'm not sure that alone is the right feeling I want to convey, I wasn't sad or anything, it just struck me at that moment that I don't feel like a part of a team. I feel like someone out for a ride that meets up with folks along the way. 

While thinking on this topic, it struck me that I won't  see myself as part of this team because I don't like the idea of depending on others, or most importantly holding others back.  I ride at my pace, I am comfortable with that, I know I will get to the end in my time.  When I feel like someone is waiting on me, or I am slowing the pack down, I get stressed and try to go faster, in this case I burn out way before I should and then the ride loses its purpose for me.
So, I will ride as a solo rider in a field of 6000 and have to be ok with that.  

Batik

Batik:


A method of dyeing a fabric by which the parts of the fabric not intended to be dyed are covered with removable wax


While on pinterest the other day I saw a technique of batik using blue elmer's glue!

I started at Target and purchased a white 100% cotton T-shirt to dye.  The glue actually took 3 stores, but I did find it a Joann’s where I also purchased the RIT dye.

1. 1.       First step is to find a place to lay the shirt out that will not be disturbed for a few hours.
2. 2.       Create or find something to put between the layers of fabric if you are doing a shirt or skirt.  I used a    plastic tote lid for my shirt.
3. 3.       Wet the material and slide the protector between the layers and smooth out.
4. 4.       Create your design. I went with large and simple for a first attempt.
5. 5.       Let dry for several hours.
6. 6.       In a large container, I used a large stock pot. Mix 1 bottle of RIT liquid dye with 1 cup salt, stir to dissolve.
7. 7.      submerge the dried shirt into the dye and stir often. I left mine in for 1 hour, longer for a darker color.
8. 8.       Once done, rinse in the sink with some dish soap to wash out the glue, then wash on cold in the washer.
9. 9.       I hung mine to dry! Pics to follow!!!

Pork

<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/porkInspired.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=0107056774&Campaign=5469470870&Uid=298519&token=91db5bde402def5d95545b50d394d8b0" alt=""/>

I had a new bzzagent campaign this month..... Pork!

I bought 4 large center cut chops and brined them in water, cider vinegar and salt.  I let them brine overnight for maximum flavor.  The next day I grilled them up, and let me tell you., juicy, tender and yummy!  I love pork and to find that it is a pretty healthy meat option is better!

Rainbow Cake

My little niece asked for a rainbow cake for her birthday.  Yes it was that simple, what can I say.. I'm soft when it comes to the little people in my life....!

I had read a few ideas of how to accomplish this, and set about!  It was pretty simple. I used one white cake mix, seperated into 5 equal bowls and colored.  I then baked one color at a time in a 9" cake pan.  It took about 11 minutes per layer.  I used butter cream frosting!

Next time, I will use more than one mix to make the layers a bit thicker.  I felt it had a little to much frosting.  But other than that I am happy.... but most importantly of all.... she was happy!

Easter Crafting

I am in the mood to be creative, and what better time than spring and Easter to do some fun stuff!

First I made my centerpiece for the buffet table. The best part was that the whole things was made with stuff I already had around the house!

I especially love the cat grass and mini daffodils...  The little vases are actually votive candle holders that I topped with some scrapbook ribbon. 

My second project today was bunny cookies! I saw these really cute cookies on Pinterest, from a blog called  "It's written on the wall". I was told by my niece that mine look like mice, but I'm ok with that!

Super yummy! I used a small egg cookie cutter and royal icing...... 

More to come!!

Quaker Oatmeal Squares

I have a new Buzzagent product!

Quaker Oatmeal Squares

We all know that cereal is a great way to start the day, but for me, it's all about the snacks!  I am busy, and need a snack that I can not only feel good about eating, but is tasty too!  

I literally got out of the box when I combined the tasty honey nut squares with peanuts and dried apricots.  This is a salty, sweet, crunchy and totally nutrition packed snack that get's me through the most hectic of days!

One serving is packed with 46 grams of whole grains, 5 grams of dietary fiber, and 6 grams of protein.  That is pretty amazing in something that tastes so good.

Natural dyed Easter eggs..

I am seeing a lot of posts on dying Easter eggs with natural dyes apposed to the artificial dyes sold in the stores.  As I was reading I realized that I already knew how to make the most beautiful maroon colored eggs using onion peels and have been doing it for years now!

Way back in my college days I spent a couple of Easters with my bff Susan and her family.  Her mom would make these amazing eggs by boiling them with onion peels.  I was truly awe struck at the simplicity of the technique, yet the complexity of the color that was created.  Years later I started making them myself and have worked out a system that works pretty good.

It all starts for me the week after Easter when I start to save my egg skins.  Now, I have read that you can get color variations by using different colored skins, like keeping the red skins separate from the yellow. But I like just putting them all together.  I store them in a gallon size zip top bag left open in my pantry.  Every time I  get an onion out to cook with, I save the skin.  I leave the bag open so that if any of the peels have moisture on them, I won't get mold.  By the next year I have a pretty full bag and am ready to make the dye.

In a medium size pot I put about 1/2 cup of vinegar, the bag of peels and enough water to cover.  Boil over medium heat for about 30 to 45 minutes. Then cover and cool.

Once cooled you will have this amber colored dye to use on eggs, or just about anything I would imagine.  

I poured my dye back in the pot and stored it in the fridge until I was ready to color my eggs.  

Once ready, place the eggs in the pot and boil. If you do not have enough dye to cover the amount of eggs you are coloring, you can add more water. Boil as you would normally do to cook an egg, but watch for the color change. If you want to get a darker color, try leaving the eggs in the dye once cooked.

If you notice the color variation I have, it is because I left some skins in the pot. I happen to like them rustic looking. However, if you want to go for a more solid color, strain the dye of all the skins before you boil.

Another style I have seen is to take small greenery and stick it to the eggs before dying. You can also use a white crayon, wax, or stickers even to achieve the same effect. 

As a side bonus, the eggs seem to pick up an onionish taste from the dye.  I love them!

Happy dying!  

Low carb Enchiladas

Last night for dinner I made Low carb Enchiladas!

1 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 large yellow onion diced
1 med carrot shredded
1 can vegetarian or ff re fried beans
low fat or fat free cheddar cheese shredded
3 medium zucchini
salsa or enchiladas sauce.  I used the salsa!

Brown the turkey, onion and carrot together. In a large bowl I mixed the re-fried beans, 1/2 cup of cheese and 1/2 salsa/sauce.  Once the meat was cooked I mixed it into the large bowl.  (this does make a lot, I froze the remainder for later use).

Take the zukes and remove both ends. Next, take a potato peeler and make long, length wise passes of the zuke. (You want what looks like lasagna noodles.)

Layer the slices length wise on a piece of plastic wrap.  You want to overlap to create a sheet. Drop a large spoon full of the mixture onto the zuke and roll!  I place in a small baking sheet with about a 1/2 cup of the salsa/sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.  I then sprinkled the top with cheese and baked for about 4 minutes on 350.  very tasty!

Asparagus Soup

1 lb Asparagus fresh or frozen
1 cup diced bell peppers ( any color)
1 Celery Stalk
1 cup carrots
1 small red onion
1 dried poblano pepper ( can use fresh)
Bay Leaf
1 large clove garlic
1 tbs smoked paprika
2 tsp dried thyme
3 cups or so of stock (I used chicken for the protein)
1/3 cup potato flakes (optional)

Bloom the poblano pepper in hot water for about 10 minutes to soften.

Chop all vegies and saute in olive oil for 5 to 10 minutes on med low heat.  Add garlic, thyme and paprika and saute an additional few minutes.  Chop up poblano pepper, seeds and all and add to pot. I add the water as well.  Now add the stock and bay leaf. Simmer for about an hour and blend. I use a immersion blender, but you can you your regular blender.  Be sure to do this in small batches as the soup is hot. I add 1/3 cup of potato flakes for consistency, but is totally optional.   

This makes 4 servings!
   
Nutrition

Calories        110
Carbs             15g
Fat                   4g
Protein             4g
Fiber                5g
Sugar               6g

Today's

At my local store they had Asparagus on sale for $.99 cents per lb. That is a great price!  So, I bought two bundles. I cooked one for soup and froze the other for later.  


How to:


Take the bunch of Asparagus and trim the cut ends. You want to cut off about 2 inches or so to remove the woody fibrous ends. Blanch in salted boiling water for a minute or two, then drop in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Dry on a paper towel and then place on cooking sheet. Plate the pan with the asparagus in the freezer until frozen. Then place in plastic bag, or freeze in portion sizes with food saver.  


Why blanch you ask?


Blanching is the scalding of vegetables in boiling water or steam. Blanching slows or stops the action of enzymes.  Up until harvest time, enzymes cause vegetables to grow and mature.  If vegetables are not blanched, or blanching is not long enough, the enzymes continue to be active during frozen storage causing off colors, off flavors and toughening. 

Now, I freeze in a single layer and then put in bags so that later I can take out what I need without them all freezing together!  This works really well with fruit too!

Smarter

Take some tests, get a score and share with the world how smart you are!

This is a fun site for the competitive among us that loves a challenge! 

Eating healthy for less

I posted to facebook the other day that I am a firm believer that you can eat healthy on the cheap.  Not only do I believe it, I live it!  However, I will not tell you it is easy, or quick because neither would be true. It takes commitment, organization and dedication.  But can be done!

For one,  I coupon.  This has reduced my out of pocket expenses by at least 75% over the past 5 months or so. Secondly, on items I don't have coupons for, I look for great pricing and then stock up a bit. For example, this week I can buy red, orange and yellow bell peppers for $1 a piece. That is a good price for me, so I buy a few of each, clean, cut and freeze them.  I now have a supply to cook with for a couple months.  I have also made stuffed peppers and froze them.  This is but one example of how I do it.  Another example is on meat and seafood, which again I don't usually get coupons for. A few weeks ago our local store had whole pork loins on sale. The entire loin was $10 or so, we bought it, asked the butcher to cut it into 1 roast and the rest pork chops.  That one loin will make 4 meals in my house, feeding 3 adults and 1 child. I do the same as with veggies.

By getting ahead of the game, I am shopping for items on sale and not items I need right now.  My last example is buying in bulk when I can.  Now, I am not talking about 50 lbs of flour here, who has room for that. I go to wholefoods or the Amish store and buy small quantities of bulk items. Like couscous, it is much more expensive by the box and you also avoid the preservatives in the powdered flavoring.  Grains, pastas and spices are great items to buy in bulk.

Shopping for my family has become pretty easy now that I have figured out what we like to eat, what I can cook with and what I have stocked up on.  We are pretty basic at my house, meaning we eat lean protein, fresh or frozen veggies and a rice or grain a couple times a week.  In the summer we eat a lot of fresh veggies from the farmers market, but in the winter when things are more expensive we are ok with eating frozen.  I use lot's of spices and herbs to change up the flavors and mix up the cooking technique a lot to keep things from getting boring.

Because the bulk of our diet is fresh/frozen and coupons are hard to find. I save on everything else!

This has been a very long process to get to this point.  But now that I am here, I am staying!

Crafty

Yesterday I made a quick and easy project for my niece.  She loves pink and sparkly therefore, this was a great fit!

Materials:

5x7 recycled picture frame

small piece of fabric

rhinestones

craft glue

I decided to use her initial, but you can really do any design you like! I removed the glass, a) because I broke it, and b) because I don't think the sparkle will come through with it on. But that is a personal choice.  I then cut the fabric and taped it tightly onto the cardboard that was behind the glass. If you don't have cardboard, just cut a piece to use.  I then used a pencil to lightly draw in my design.  Next you add the glue and drop in the rhinestones!

She loves it, I love it and that is what matters!

Where did you get that coupon?

I get asked this question a lot and thought I would lay it all out there!

First I suppose I should answer the why do I coupon question before getting the the how.  I like to save money, pure and simple!  Why spend retail when I don't have too?  By getting a bit organized and doing my homework I have been able to shave almost 75% off my normal grocery bill. Works for me!

The key is to educate yourself, a little knowledge goes along way here.  Most sales follow about a 6 to 8 week cycle.  I know that if I buy 3 or 4 large boxes of Multi Grain cherios for $1.50 a box it will last until the next sale.  Now I know you are saying that you don't have the space for some large stockpile, well I don't either.  I have dedicated some storage for things like laundry soap, but for me the answer is that I choose what I am going to stock up on. Meaning, what will give me the best bang for my savings dollars.  I generally stock up on items I can get either for free, or very deeply discounted off of retail AND that I use or eat. Last week I scored multi grain pasta for .25 a box. I have 20 boxes right now, some I will keep and most I will donate.  I also stock up on free tuna pouches because it is something I will always eat, and has a long shelf life.  So, part of the education process is to know what you eat, how much space you have and what the regular price is. Another are to educate yourself is the stores coupon policy, which vary by store and brand.  One Meijer does not have the same policy as another. Same with Kroger, and most chains.

Now, how do I get stuff for free you ask.  Very simple actually, I match up sales with coupons, and if I am lucky, I also find a store coupon.  For example, Meijer has Meal Box coupons you can print, as well as MPerks you load to an account. Both of these are considered store coupons and can be "stacked" with manufacturer coupons, which can be doubled at some stores. For instance, the pasta I mentioned. It was on sale at Kroger for $1.34 a box. I had 20 .55 off coupons which double.  So I paid .24 cents per box. Now the Kroger I used doubled up to 5 like coupons per transaction, so my mom and I did 2 transactions each.  In this same transaction I also bought Zone bars for .09 cents.  I had .50 off coupons that doubled as well.  These are both items my family uses!

Here is where the organization comes in. I have a binder with baseball card pages in it. I have it divided by department and keep the coupons I know I will use.  I rarely us the coupons the week they come out in the paper, the stores know what coupons will come out and don't generally have the best sales that week. I just cut and file, and then when I see a sale that get's me the best deal, I then buy it.  I will get into multiples in a moment.

When the weekly ads for my stores come out, I take a look and see if anything I need or will use is on sale, if so I then look through my coupons for matches. This can also be done online, there are many sites that will do the matching for you and even link you to printable coupons that are out there.  This is key, pulling out your coupons and making lists before you go to the store will keep you on track.  My biggest downfall when I began was that I would buy more than I needed because it appeared to be a good deal. But when I went home and crunched the numbers, it really wasn't. Again, education is a good place to start. Knowing what is a good price and what is a great stock up price will keep your grocery bill down.

Another thing to keep in mind is that it will take a couple of months to get to a place where you are shopping for sale items and not items you actually need.  Honestly, for me the goal was to have the basics in my cabinet, those things I use time and again week in and week out. By doing this, I only shop to replenish, or for fresh items that I don't stock up on.  Keeping and open mind and trying new items is also a good idea. Generally new products have the best coupons because the company wants you to buy them and try them!

Right now, I am stocked up on BBQ sauce, pasta, pasta sauce, tuna, coffee mate, coffee, protein bars, protein powder, frozen veggies, lean meat, juice, powerade zero, cereal, and grains ( these I buy in bulk).

Now, I don't eat a lot of processed foods personally, my family does a bit but mostly I shop for healthy options.  This does make it a bit more challenging, but not impossible.  Shopping healthy just takes a bit of creativity!  Store like whole foods take and offer coupons too!

The biggest question is, where do you find coupons!  Below is a small sample of where I get mine.

1. Newspaper - Ask friends and family for the coupons they don't use.
2.  Online :

• www.afullcup.com -this is an online community that has a ton of resources.  This is the site I use also to buy or trade for coupons. If I want a large quantity, I will post and ask for a trade, or sale. Usually it is about 10% of the face value of the coupon.  This is good if you are looking for quantity.                       
• www.hip2save.com - this blog posts deals and links all day long to coupons and deals
• www.coupons.com -  an online coupon generator. You can print 2 of each. 

• www.stretchingabuck.com - this is a local columbus coupon blogger
• Facebook - if you "like" a company, something they offer up coupons.
• Company websites
• You can email the company of foods you like and ask.
• On the packages
• With your friends, you can set up a coupon exchange for those items you don't use but they do!

And the list goes on and on and on. I will update with more later!!

Long time!

wow It's been a long time since I updated!

The holidays were awesome and busy! I think the highlight was the Polar Express with my mini cousins!  It was an experience to be seen for sure!

I am hoping to update more this year and keep the crafts coming!

I am headed out to a party but will leave you with my hostess gift.  I am going to a house warming party tonight, and instead of live flowers I decided to bake flowers!

I tried out a new royal icing technique and love it!  More cutouts in my future!!!

Happy weekend!