Return and Regift- I Give You Permission

You may think it is so taboo to regift or to return a gift, but in my opinion... its not.  I think most people who give us gifts are either just trying to fulfill an obligation, or they truly want to bring a little joy to our lives.  Therefore, by either returning or repurposing their gift, they probably won't even know and would be happy that you were able to make yourself happy when the gift they gave did not.  There may be a few instances when they person would surely know and you just don't feel like you can, but what about all those other items?  Even the small things can add up to a bit of store credit you can then use on something you really need.  In this economic situation many people are getting pretty creative in ways they can make and save money.  Don't let Christmastime turn into an unjoyful time when the budget goes out of control, the credit cards jump a mile, and the house fills with clutter.  Christmas may have passed and you may have remorse over some decisions, but take control back and tackle debt from every angle.

Count Your Blessings

And today, I simply leave you with a quote.  Hopefully to help you feel encouraged and blessed.  I got it from a silly "pass it on" email so I can't give you its true author. 

"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back."

Membership Renewers Beware!

Yikes!  I just read (only briefly) that certain companies like Costco may automatically back date your renewal if you let your membership lapse.  So let's say you usually renew in December and become too busy, wait until March to renew, you may loose January and February and not even realize it!  They'll renew you, but back date your membership to the date it left off.  Again I feel my job here is to inform you.  Helping you live better and save money.  This is not to say bad things about Costco (I'm a member!) nor to really discuss the issue itself, but just to inform YOU that this is a possibility and could be the policy elsewhere too.  Be sure to ask about the renewal date as you renew memberships so you are able to enjoy the accomodation they CAN make for you, IF you know to ask.  Don't waste months worth of membership money!  It all adds up.

Financial Advice

Perhaps a good thing that the financial advice I have for you today is not actually from me, but a website with plenty of resources of differing topics and types. I encourage you to check it out when you have a chance, and bookmark it as it will take you multiple views to watch the videos as well as download the written resources.


http://www.saddleback.com/webcast/financialseminar/

Give it a try and see if you don't get anything out of it.

And a big thanks to my home church Saddleback Church of Lake Forest for providing us with this great information at such an important time.

My Favorite Meatloaf

Growing up, meatloaf was never my favorite, but after finding this recipe and most of all, ditching the loaf pan, I've discovered that meatloaf can be something to look forward to.
All-American Meatloaf
Adapted from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

1 T. vegetable oil

2 minced garlic cloves

1/2 t. dried thyme

2 t. onion powder (my family doesn't like onion pieces)

1/2 C. ketchup

1/4 C. packet light brown sugar

4 t. cider vinegar

2 eggs

1/2 C. milk (plus possibly a bit more)

2 t. Dijon mustard

3 t. Worcestershire

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 pounds meat- I often use just ground beef, or 2/3 ground beef and 1/3 ground pork, but you could also got with "meatloaf mix" which is equal parts of beef, pork, and veal.
2/3 C. crushed crackers - saltines work, I like Ritz

1. Heat oven to 350 with rack in middle.

2. Mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, milk, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, onion powder, and thyme.

3. Mix the meatloaf mix, crackers, and egg mixture until evenly blended and the mixture doesn't stick to the bowl (if its sticking, add in a bit of milk until it doesn't, about 1 T. at a time).

4. Either turn the meat mixture onto a fold-lined baking sheet and shape into a 9x5 in loaf. OR- my new favorite, especially for freezing ease, fill muffin cups 3/4 way full in a muffin pan. Either way, brush with half the ketchup mixture and bake for about 45 minutes.

5. Brush the meat with remaining ketchup mix. and continue to bake until the center measures 160 degrees , about 15 minutes. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing loaf, or serving individual muffin-sized meatloaves. Love that crunchy coating! YUM

Happy cooking.

A Challenge...

I challenge you to be part of something great.  Do something that really has an affect on other people and see how you feel.  Decide what that is for you!  Thinking about the Ronald McDonald House Charity Walk I participated in last Spring, I am certainly interested in doing more.  This was a 5K walk- right up my alley!  I am NO runner, but I can certainly walk.  You don't have to sign yourself up for something that is you biggest challenge, just push yourself to try something new to you and be prepared for great results!
A related option for the Orange and LA County areas coming very soon:
http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/site/TR?fr_id=1631&pg=entry

And speaking of "Be The Match"... check them out!  By signing up, you could end up saving a life -and it may not be as difficult as you think. 

Don't wait for a time when you think things will be great, do something great when time says you can.

Nature's Sports Drink

While at the Ronald McDonald House Charity Walk this past April, I was able to sample some coconut water and found it was tasty as well as being a great addition to a healthy diet. I really like lightly flavored waters, so this was actually right up my alley. Not overly sweet, this tasted fruity and refreshing. I had Zico's Passion Fruit flavor. This has some great health benefits as well and could be used as a sports drink. "ZICO Natural has more potassium than a banana, four other naturally occurring electrolytes, only 60 calories, and no fat or added sugar. It is low in acidity and high in potent antioxidants." Wow! We all think of bananas when it comes to potassium, but this has even more. Check out their website yourself for even more benefits- http://zico.com/benefits/
Consider this very natural way to replenish after a run, workout, or difficult day.

Not exactly meant to be an endorsement for Zico- I'm sure there are other brands out there, but this is the only brand of coconut water I've had and I wanted to share what I found.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas (before Halloween)

You may be wanting to run away from the thought of Christmas, especially this early, but fact is just like the stores, you should plan ahead.  They get us to start thinking about Christmas early as then there are many more chances for us to make purchases from them.  It's just part of their strategy.  Take the cue and make your own plan!  Begin planning for Christmas ahead of time too, and you can end up ahead.  Make a savings plan if you haven't already.  Don't go into debt over Christmas.  There's absolutely no need.  Of course your family and friends "deserve" the things you want to give them, but that's not what Christmas is about and do you really want to teach your kids that mentality?  Change the way you think about Christmas, the gift giving and other spending.  Start thinking about what kinds of gifts you would like to give -within the budget so you can begin looking around for good prices and options.  Start thinking out of the box too when it comes to how to give.  Maybe your coworkers could get a homemade gift.  Homemade gifts can show infinite amounts of effort and care, but can cost much less, especially when making bunches of them. 
Also, what's the possibility of making a fun rule between some friends or family members?  I did this with a couple friends last year and we vowed to either purposely re-gift to each other, or make the gift.  We had more fun this way taking the pressure off of money.  We still thought carefully about what each other would want or need so we put no less effort into the gift, just less money!
Get those wheels turning and expand your horizons.  So many people are in the same tight financial boat that you may be, so do them a favor by releasing THEM of gift-giving burdens by doing it for yourself. 

Not Your Grandma's Creamed Corn

If I tell you this is a recipe for Creamed Corn, I may loose you so... here's a really yummy recipe for corn that we always serve at Holiday meals.  It's not in the healthy category, except that there's a veggie in it.  It's so good though, if you like corn, you'll adore this warm and comforting version.  I repeat, it is not a healthy version of corn!... but so delicious I'd be depriving you if I didn't share.  Just don't make it too often (wink, wink)
I think my mom originally got this recipe from a newspaper (its not from the book shown). 
Makes lots!
2 pkgs (20 oz) frozen kernel corn- I like to do one yellow and one white corn
16 oz. (1 pt) Half and Half
1 tsp. salt
6 tsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. melted butter
3 Tbsp. flour
dash of pepper - optional

Combine all ingredients except last two in a pot and bring to a boil.  Simmer 5 minutes.  Blend butter with flour, add to the corn, mix well and remove from heat.
variation~ put finished corn in a heat proof casserole dish, sprinkle with Parmesean cheese and place under a broiler until evenly browned.

Sweet Potato Bisque

I can't believe I haven't shared this one yet!  Perfect timing with the weather finally changing to fall.  I just made a batch of this delicious soup yesterday.  Even my two-year old loves it and asked for it for lunch yesterday and today.  It's VERY adaptable.  Yesterday in fact I tried two small sweet potatoes (or yams) as well as some kind of large beige squash.  It was cheaper and I thought I'd try it.  Well it worked fine as well as adding in some baby carrots.  Seriously, the main flavor from the sweet potatoes can handle extra veggies, so try it your way.
Sweet Potato Bisque
1/4 C butter
1 C celery chunks
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
3 C chicken broth
1 C milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 t cloves- optional- I'm not a big fan
Melt the butter in a 4 qt. saucepan. Add the celery and saute for 5 minutes. Add the sweet potato dices and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium, cover and cook for 25 minutes until the potatoes are very tender. (time will partiall depend on the size of chunks you made)

Puree the potatoes with a hand-held immersion blender. Stir in milk and cloves. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve or freeze for later.

Sorry I don't know where this original recipe came from. Enjoy the ease of this soup and healthy sweet potatoes!

Too Hot to Handle?

Have you lowered the temperature on your water heater?  This can save on energy costs as well as provide a safety feature for your family.  You can still have hot water, but you certainly don't have to have that scalding water that comes straight out of some taps.  You can also insulate your water heater with a specially made "blanket", but turning down the temperature doesn't have any investment cost.

In Your 'Hood

Have you checked out what's going on in your neighborhood or city?  There's good times to be had and few dollars spent on small-scale events nearby.  First, you may be able to walk and save on gas, but a neighborhood event is certainly going to save miles on the car over a drive to a more traditional event.  Your city may be sponsoring events for families that you are missing out on.  Start hunting on the Internet and actually looking through those leaflets sent from your city.  Even neighborhood garage sales are something to keep the family busy and doesn't require much money spent.  You can set the limits even before setting foot out the door.  You can go on a hunt for something of need, or give each family member a small set amount and let them decide how to spend it.  Whatever the event or the small amount you may spend, if your family is spending time together enjoying new adventures, a good time will be had- for less. 
May I also add that if you think nothing is happening near you, that you get the ball moving.  Rally up a neighborhood bbq, garage sale, bake sale, or carnival!  You can even do the event to raise funds for a great cause.

Eat Your Veggies

Don't roll your eyes! This can save money and improve health. If you're often finding yourself cooking up a meal around meat- the meat being the star of the meal, as well as the largest portioned item, you may want to add some variety by downplaying the meat and giving a starring role to some easy-to-prepare sides. Not only is meat often more expensive, we often eat more than needed- not saving as much room for lower-calorie and less expensive veggies. Especially when the seasons inspire you, challenge yourself to center a meal around different vegetables and perhaps add a bit of meat as if it were a side dish. Don't let what you think your family expects rule you. If you're the one making dinner, then you're the boss!


~More veggie recipes to come to help you out.

Don't Be Afraid- Say "I meant to do that!"

One of my goals in order to feed my family healthy meals and save money is of course to cook meals at home instead of eating out or using prepared dinners. I do consider myself someone who can cook, but if you don't feel very saavy about cooking, hold your chin up high and give yourself some credit (and confidence). Can you read? (a recipe), can you follow directions? (you were told to all during elementary school), and can you pour, flip, and stir with the best of 'em? I bet you could. Get cooking! Meals made at home with fresh ingredients are much more healthy and economical (in general) than those premade frozen or fast food choices. Start with recipes that sound really tasty and read through them to see if they seem like something you can handle. Then... don't be afraid! There are so many options for success in cooking. Think of the recipe as a suggestion rather than a must do. Leave out the curry, add in more basil, chop up some carrots to add in, use a little less salt. The possibilities are endless because its all about what suits your tastes and desires. Deviating from the recipe doesn't mean you messed up, it means you modified, and that can be something really tasty.


Please note, in BAKING, the measurements are much more important, so take a bit more precaution when modifiing baking recipes.

Cheese Sauce Alternative

Do you wish to feed your family more veggies at dinner, only to have them complain there's no cheese sauce to smother them with? Making the transition from high-calorie convenience foods can take some time and tricks. Your family may not fall in love with healthy choices immediately, if you know they're used to other foods. Have patience, keep cooking, and talk about the choices you've made for them (like what you made for dinner) so they know why they are better for them- Children need to know that vegetables are good for their bodies. You can go into more detail for older children, but I just leave it at that for my 2-year-old.


Here's a recipe that replaces cheese sauce for a more healthy alternative- Lemon Sauce. Great on broccoli, but try it on other veggies too!  For those who insist veggies aren't edible alone!

Lemon Sauce for Veggies

2 T. butter
1 T flour
1/2 C. milk
1 t. grated lemon peel
1 T lemon juice
1/4 t salt
1/4 t ground ginger

Melt butter. Blend in flour with fork until smooth. Slowly stir in milk and cook uncovered in the microwave for 1 minute (or until thickened and smooth). Gradually stir in lemon peel and juice. Stir in salt and ginger until well blended. Spoon hot sauce over veggies and serve. ~ About 4 servings

We've had this recipe in our family for years and I don't know where it came from. Sorry for not being able to cite.

A New Spin on Cauliflower

Looking for a new side dish? This one uses a common vegetable as its main ingredient, but gives it a whole new look. I gave this a try after hearing about it from a friend, and really liked it. Of course,  I didn't measure carefully (sorry-that's me), but I think this recipe is VERY adaptable and just a matter of taste and texture liking. I've seen this be described a "velvety smooth" which mine did not result in, but perhaps I needed more patience with my food processor. Mine resulted in a somewhat-smooth-with-small-chunks consistency, but that was perfectly fine to me.


Adapted from the Taste of Home Cookbook- as you can tell, one of my favorites!

Cauliflower Whip

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

1/4 cup fat-free milk

1 tablespoon canola oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 C grated parmesan cheese

Start by steaming the cauliflower florets. I do this with a micro. steamer, but you can also do this with a steamer basket in a pot of water. Be sure the florets are steamed until tender. Cool slightly.

Place the milk, oil, and parmesan cheese in a blender or food processor. Add the cauliflower, salt and pepper; cover and process until blended. Transfer to a bowl. Serve immediately.

I think its great that this recipe allows for so much adaptation. Take out the cheese, add butter, add some herbs... whatever suits you. BUT as is, this is a pretty healthy vegetable side dish that still passes the taste test.

Children's Orchard (Pick Some Clothes!)

If you've got kids, then you've probably not only got an endless need for new clothes that fit, but also  a growing pile of clothes that no longer fit. Hand-me-downs within the family are obviously a good idea when they work, but those families that it doesn't apply to may not have figured out other options. Having a kind friend willing to save clothes for your child from their older child is great, but not something you have control over and doesn't always happen when you need it to. There are other options though.
I'm sure some of our readers can comment on great places/ideas in their neck of the woods for you, but around here, I've discovered (and used over and over) a store called Children's Orchard. This is where regular people like you and I can not only shop for clothes that are usually used, but still in good condition, but also... sell the used clothes that are outgrown(and other items). This store gives a bigger percentage if you take store credit, which I always do so I can purchase new items that we need without spending. They also have coupons and special "mom" nights if you sign up for their club. Do a little digging on the Internet, look for advertisements, and ask around... there may be a gold mine of savings near you too!
http://www.childrensorchard.com/

Worth the Asking

I'm going to bet that many of you who read this will be thinking that it is not new news, but I'm also willing to bet that many of you who have heard about it, still aren't taking advantage of it. What are we talking about? Asking for a lower interest rate on those looming credit cards. Obviously debt being the topic of more conversations these days opposed to a couple years ago, but because of that we do need to take action. If you feel like you aren't getting anywhere with the bills (maybe because you're paying minimums, but maybe all you can do to stay afloat), fight back in all directions. If you sell something on Craig's List, put that cash, small as it might be, on a bill- beyond the minimum. If you get a tax return, put it onto debt instead of justifying the purchase of something else. AND call up those cards and ask what they can do. There are tips all over the Internet on how to do this, but I found success with trying this and keeping it simple.

First, I call up the card with the number on my statement. I ask to speak with someone about my APR and sometimes they transfer me to someone else. Then I just say that I've got lower percentages on other cards and I was wondering what they could do for me on this x% I have now. I may remind them how long I've been a customer and that I pay on time, but often they actually do that for me. Sometimes they say there are no programs right now and to call back in a month or so. So I do. But most of the time I've tried this, they are able to lower the % some. Be sure to ask about the % of where your balance is if there are different percentages for everything- such as past purchases, new purchases, balance transfers etc. It doesn't help much if they only lower the APR% on new purchases if you're not using the card and trying to pay it down.
If they sound unwilling to budge, ask to speak with their supervisor and try again on them.  If nothing else, try again in another month or so. 
Yes it make take a few minutes of your time, but just a few minutes can shave off lots of money you are handing over to your creditors.

Chicken Pineapple Bake

Pineapple Chicken Bake- One of my favorites. SO easy and quick too. I especially like to make this for great freezer meals.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
salt and pepper
1 (20-oz.) can pineapple -crushed or tidbits- in juice
1/4 cup honey
1 T cider vinegar
1 T soy sauce
2 t curry powder
1 t cornstarch
1 T water
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1. Adjust oven rack to upper position and heat to 450 degrees. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper. Lay chicken in a 9x13in. baking dish coated lightly with vegetable oil spray.
2. Drain the pineapple chunks, reserving 1/2 C of the juice. Whisk the pineapple juice, honey, vinegar, soy sauce, and curry powder in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer, whisking often, until the mixture has thickened, about 8 min.
3. Quickly dissolve the cornstarch in the water, then whisk into the honey mixture. Stir in the pineapple chunks. Pour the pineapple sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the almonds. Bake 15-18 minutes.
-Adapted -America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

Hormone Free Dairy

Is hormone-free dairy important? Seems to be the talk of many, yet perhaps not yet fully researched. Well, I don't need lots of research to tell me that hormones given to cows and flowing through the dairy products my family and I consume could be a bad thing. I think more research is needed to make real solid conclusions, but from what I've heard already, it doesn't sound like something I want to keep consuming if I can help it. One problem I've found with choosing the "healthier" alternative in many situtations though is increased cost. I was delighted to find out that my local (and cheap!) Walmart is one that carries NON-rBGH milk- their "Great Value" brand! Costco milk is another great choice.  Here's a couple sites that I found which list brands by state with dairy products (not just milk!) promising to have no rBGH hormones. If you too want to avoid those hormones in your dairy products- no matter what your reasons, these lists can make your decisions easier.
http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?id=Dairymap

http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/dairymap/

Chicken Nuggets To Be Proud Of

Especially if you've seen Jamie Oliver's 'FOOD REVOLUTION' on t.v., you may be looking for a better alternative to frozen and very processed chicken nuggets. Here's a recipe you'll be proud to serve your family. I adapted the recipe from Nigella Lawson's from Food Network- http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/ritzy-chicken-nuggets-recipe/index.html


Try it out with your own twist and leave your adaptations in the comments! (and you can always use the organic versions of the ingredients!)
About 1 pound of chicken, 1 cup of yogurt, and 1 1/2 rolls of crackers(like Ritz)- crushed:
Cut up chunks or strips of chicken and marinate in yogurt.  Works well to do this in a large ziplock bag. Marinate for a few hours, or even overnight. You can get this marinating before bed or before work in the morning, and then be all ready for the last steps for dinner in the evening. I used pineapple yogurt once and it gave the chicken a sweeter, pineapple flavor. Plain will work well too. When you're ready, gently shake off any excess yogurt and drop the chicken pieces a few at a time into a prepared bowl or bag of crushed crackers. I often use the vegetable flavored Ritz.  Pat the pieces to help get the crumbs to stick to the chicken and coat it well. Place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. (a few more minutes if you like them good and brown) -Enjoy! NON-processed, delicious chicken nuggets.

And Some Like It Cold

When I thought of this idea first, I thought I'd just be giving you a simple idea for saving a little money that could work for some, but in looking further into it, I've found that there's more to save than I realized. Seems like the consensus around "Go Green"-type sites are all in favor of washing clothes in cold water.   Not only will it save on your utility bill, but will also help reduce your carbon footprint. According to PlanetGreen.discovery.com about 90 percent of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water, which means that you'll only be using 10 percent to run the washer by switching to cold water. In addition, if you do 4 of 5 loads in cold water, you'll cut 72 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions this month alone. The SeventhGeneration.com site even says that washing clothes in cold water allows fabrics to retain their color and strength longer. My conclusion? Well first of all, I've tried washing in cold water numerous times over the years, and have never been disappointed. Now that I know what a difference it can make, I plan to continue to do so too. Unless you are washing baby diapers, or a greasy mess, I suggest you give it a try. I'm always proud to reduce waste, save energy (and MONEY!), and do better for the Earth.

Fettuccine Premavera

Another "healthy" recipe I like to use is the following Fettuccine Primavera adapted from the Taste of Home Cookbook.


Try adapting this recipe to your liking, using vegetables that you enjoy, just as I did. You may also want to adapt the cooking time depending on your preferred veggie "doneness".

Fettuccine Primavera

8 oz uncooked fettuccine pasta

1 C. julienned sweet red pepper

1 T. canola oil

1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small strips

3/4 C. chicken broth

1 1/2 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. dried thyme

1/2-1 t grated lemon peel (as you like)

2/3 C frozen peas, thawed

1/2 C. julienned carrots

1/2 C. broccoli in small pieces (thawed if frozen)

2 t. cornstarch

2 T. reduced-fat sour cream

1/4 C. shredded Parmesean cheese

1) Cook fettuccine according to package. Meanwhile, saute red pepper in oil for 3 min. in a large (12in) nonstick skillet.

2) Stir in chicken, broth, lemon juice, salt, thyme, peas, carrots, broccoli, and lemon peel. Cook for 2 mintues until heated through.

3) Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into chicken mixture. Bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring (until thickened and chicken is no longer pink).

4) Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.

5) Pour drained fettuccine in a large bowl and add chicken and veggie mixture. Add parmesan cheese and toss all to coat.

Get Paid to Internet!

So, as some may have notice down at the bottom, I've given Swagbucks a try.  New to me still, but seems very easy to earn those bucks!  I've used it as my usual search engine as well as done many of the daily polls, yet there are still other ways to earn.  After only three weeks, I've earned enough to redeem a $5 Amazon gift card.  As you might notice, those swagbucks have gone way down in number, and that's why!  I invite you to give it a go too.  Please use the link below, sign up, and rack up the bucks!  Who wouldn't want to earn money for using the Internet?
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Healthymoneymom

Collect and Reap

No new news here, just a word of encouragement. Have a garage sale! There are lots of ways to beat those excuses- you don't even have to have the sale at your place! By going through things, taking out those that are simply never used, and selling for cold hard cash, you reap the rewards of your effort ($) and clear up clutter. -It makes it easier to decide what to wear in the morning if all the choices are things you actually do wear. Considering the results I've had from using Craig's List, I'd totally recommend that for those things that you really want a certain price for, but for those other things that you just assume get rid of, hold a sale!

Quinoa- "The Gold of the Incas"

In my search for an easier way to eat healthy foods without feeling deprivation or dislike, I discovered the great benefits Quinoa can provide, while being a tasty side dish. According to the site "The World's Healthiest Foods", Quinoa is truly a good choice~
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=142&tname=foodspice">http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=142&tname=foodspice

"Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. In addition to protein, quinoa features a host of other health-building nutrients."

There are many fancier recipes for quinoa out there, but here's a basic one that you can adapt.

First, with one cup of quinoa, you need to soak to remove the outer coating which can leave a bitter taste. Soak for at least 15 minutes, stirring and draining off a couple times in between. Strain well and transfer quinoa to cooking pot. Add 1 1/2 cups water & 1/2 tsp salt if desired.

Bring to a boil, cover with a tight fitting lid, and turn the heat down to simmer. Then cook for 15 minutes.

Remove quinoa from heat and allow to sit five minutes with the lid on.

Fluff quinoa gently with a fork and serve.

I like to add a little garlic salt and also peas!

Fight Back With A Plan

If you haven't figured out by now that planning has real value, then hear it today. Planning ahead cuts down on waste, cuts the grocery bill, and cuts time. While reading a brief article about toddlers snacking, I was surprised by one sentence. "If you're headed to the market with your child in tow, be prepared to buy an on-the-spot snack, but make it something reasonably healthy." Though I believe they mean well- try to make it healthy-but really?... should my toddler really expect me to buy a snack each time we shop somewhere? And should I really compromise my grocery list and budget each time my toddler wants something? I would much rather spend a couple minutes before we leave to pack a snack that I know I've chosen carefully on a previous shopping trip, probably got on sale and used a coupon, and can even consider what else my toddler has already eaten that day, helping to perhaps fill a gap in her diet with my choice. All I have to do is think about it before we leave and bring it along.


Now, don't get stuck on the "toddler" talk. I'm referring to toddlers because that's the sentence topic I chose to quote, and because that's who I'm planning for, BUT you can enter your child here (at any age) or even... yourself. No maybe you don't have a small tantrum if you don't get a candy bar, but don't we even as adults give in to those very abrupt "cravings"? We have to have it, only because we've allowed ourselves to justify any reason whatsoever. So what if we had instead, had a small, well-thought-out treat on the drive over, or had it waiting in the car for after? Most of us don't need animal crackers to get us through grocery shopping, but if you know you may submit to some bad choices because of lack of planning, then consider combatting that with... a plan!

I use this planning tool for nearly any outing- especially with my child. We bring drinks along for being out-and-about all day, bring a couple snacks when we don't know where we'll end up and when, and even keep items in the diaper bag for unexpected moments of snacking necessity. By expecting the unexpected, we can save money on impromptu moments of weakness, and make better choices on what we eat by not limiting our choices to what's available at the time.

Eat This, Not That

Found this great site recently and wanted to share. Similar to the books, this site shares insightful information about making better food choices that are not always so obvious. http://eatthis.menshealth.com/home
And though I've only been able to skim through the popular books, here's the link to the book as well- not directly related to the website given, just similar name I believe!

Easy Pork Tenderloin, Loaded With Flavor

While visiting a friend's home in Michigan, they served this really tasty pork tenderloin and also shared the easy recipe. Even my husband who's not a huge pork fan, likes this one.

Tasty Pork Tenderloin

4 T. soy sauce

1/2 t. garlic (I use crushed)

2 T. olive oil

2 t. brown sugar

1 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. pepper

Pork tenderloin

Mix up all the ingredients to marinate the pork with in a ziplock bag for several hours. Bake for 45 min. at 325 degrees, uncovered or grill for approx. 45 min. I usually put this on a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with shallow sides) because this will have marinade juices spilling on the pan since I pour it all out onto the pork- or don't pour the marinade for cooking time.

* Did you know?-
The capital 'T' stands for Tablespoon and the lowercase 't' stands for teaspoon?

Doubling Up On Coupons

Money saving hint- You've probably heard that some grocery stores will "double" coupons (often up to $1), but did you know that Target will let you double up? If you have a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, you can use both. Often Target will issue coupons with your receipt for their own brands, but you can receive Target coupons for national brands in the mail and sometimes coupon packets in the newspapers, and then add the manufacturer's coupon with it. You can also find coupons on their website under "see more"- http://www.target.com/


Bring in your own reusable bags to Target too, and save another 5 cents for this 'go green' promotion!

Light Broccoli Cheese Spread/Dip

A really delicious find was this recipe for a Warm Broccoli Cheese Spread in the Light and Tasty section of my Taste of Home Cookbook. I've always had great reviews when I make it.

8 oz. fat-free cream cheese, cubed

8 oz. reduced-fat sour cream

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

10 oz. frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained and patted dry

2 C. shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Crackers to serve spread with
1- I like to briefly food-process the broccoli in order to break up some of the big chunks. Then, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and salad dressing mix until blended. Fold in the broccoli and 1 1/2 C. cheese.

2- Spoon into a shallow 1-qt. baking dish precoated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake another 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Serve warm with crackers.

Be Inspired By... Anything!

I would say be inspired by the season as I was for tonight's dinner since the changing seasons commonly bring on new foods and inspiration, but truth is if you see something that sparks your interest then go with it! Sometimes seeing a food on t.v. makes me want to go get some too- to a restaurant usually, but I've tried to change the way I think and ask myself how I could make that at home. Sometimes it just won't be the same, but I bet oftentimes it will be better- because you can make it exactly to taste for you, you can make it cheaper, and you can make it healthier.


So as I was yet again trying to figure out what to make for dinner and wanting to incorporate the veggies in the fridge (broccoli and the zucchini from my parent's garden), I came up with pasta salad.

Here's a rough chop of the recipe- remember to not take it literally- use what you like and you have!

Summer Inspired Pasta Salad on a Whim

Cooked pasta- medium shells

One large zucchini - large chunks and grilled on bbq

Broccoli- small chunks and grilled on bbq

1/3 C. creamy dilled cumcumbers -leftover in fridge

1 avocado cut into chunks

1 large tomato cut into chunks

large spoonful of mayo

garlic salt

~this would be great with some leftover chicken chunks too!

Mixed it all together and it the fresh grilled veggies gave it such a great flavor, I loved it as plain as it might be!

And just get those veggies grilling on the bbq first, then they won't take much longer than boiling water and cooking pasta!

Who Says Money Doesn't Grow on Trees?

Even if you have just a small patio and think your thumb is far from green, with a little dilligence you can grow some items that you may want on hand, would love to use over and over (without paying over and over), and control the environment- i.e. organic! Yes YOU can grow simple plants and provide yourself with some great items to cook with. I suggest tomatoes and herbs. Grow some basil and you'll always have it on hand. I love tomatoes and would add them to lots of things if they were always available to me. I can't wait until my tomato plant turns those flowers into fruits.


Just be sure to read the descriptions before buying- there are lots of different kinds of tomatoes, read the planting tips, water daily, and I also recommend a non-plastic planting pot if you need to use pots like I do.

By spending just a few dollars (these plants really are around $3 at convenient places like Target and Walmart), you'll be growing organic food for yourself with an unlimited amount of yield, helping replenish oxygen in the air, and making your home environment a little nicer. Who doesn't like looking at a happy plant? Especially one that is practically growing you money. So who says money doesn't grow on trees? (and little plants too)

Don’t Let Your House Spend Your Money While You Go on Vacation!

Here's a past blog that I thought very appropriate as some will still be vacationing this month:
It’s true, you’re house can spend your money even when left quietly alone with nothing being used. All those appliances even when not in use, are often still using a bit of electricity. That water heater? What do you think its doing while you’re soaking up the rays? It’s sitting there on guard ready as ever for someone to need some hot water. That means your hot water heater is using energy to keep the stored water, HOT and ready, even when you know you won’t be using it for a week.


So I suggest you take a little tour around your home before leaving for some time- such as a summer vacation. Unplug the items that will serve no purpose- ie. don’t unplug the fridge or lights that you want to stay on a timer to make it appear you are home in the evenings. Otherwise, unplug the lamp and toaster…

We’ve talked about lowering the setting on the water heater already, but if you’re heading out for a week, lower it all the way. It can easily be readjusted upon your return.

Then relax and enjoy your time away, knowing your home isn’t eating away at your souvenir budget.

In With the Old

Sure usually its "out with the old, in with the new", but in my case I think I'm better off first bringing in my past blogs from my other site before I continue on.  Think of it like me moving all my things into a new house before I settle in and start redecorating.  This will be a process, but purposefully so.  I bet even my faithful readers may have missed a blog here or there so this way it will be revisited, second bringing all these past blogs over will take a little time and well, I've got a 2 year old- nuff said.  And hopefully bringing them in slowly but surely will help make some time for my old viewers to adapt to the move, and new readers to find me with new material often.  Thank you to whoever you are.  I appreciate the faithful as well as the new.  Come back again as well as leave comments.

Welcome Me to the New Neighborhood

HealthyMoneyMom is moving... here.  I will be working on this being my new home site so bear with me for a bit.  Bookmark me and come back for recipes, money-saving ideas, and more.
Thanks for looking!