by Beth Rank
Well, here we go. January is coming and we will start to see "diet" everything! Most of America has been overeating for the past couple of months and the grocery stores make a nice profit selling processed diet food. My advice? Put the packaged food down and just walk away. It is not good for you and just wastes your hard earned money.
Last year, I did the Daniel fast mainly because I desired to get spiritually fit. I think I did it for 6 weeks. Perhaps I will do it again. No sweets, bread, meat or processed food...but that's just me. I didn't lose any weight, but that was not my goal. My goal was to be obedient and to get very serious with Abba. I wanted to cleanse my spirit and lose some of my spiritual fat!
In January, the diet, frozen, "2 bite" meals, as my friend calls them, will be on sale, but you can make your own. Simply cook your meals and divide them up into small serving portions, then put them in the freezer. I save small containers for this purpose. These are so much better because you know what is in them and you save so much money!
Here are the seasonal fruits and veggies that will be available and on sale: Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach.
I have included some recipes to use some of these vegetables and one for cheap homemade protein bars for those with a sweet tooth. Don't forget to keep eating that fruit!
Healing Cabbage Soup (low calorie)
~ recipe makes 8 servings
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 quarts water
4 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules (you could use 1-2 boxes/cans of vegetable or chicken broth in place chicken bouillon and most of the water)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1/2 head cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, drained and diced
Directions:
In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in water, bouillon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir in cabbage. Simmer until cabbage wilts, about 10 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes. Return to a boil, then simmer 15 to 30 minutes, stirring often.
~Note ~ You could add spinach or kale to this and it would still be low calorie. I would not recommend freezing this, but it might be ok...
Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad (uses seasonal veggies)
~ recipe makes 8 servings
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup cauliflower florets
2 cups hard-cooked eggs, diced (optional)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
6 slices turkey bacon (may be omitted or simply use sunflower seeds)
Sunflower seeds (as many as desired or may be omitted)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Directions:
Place turkey bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
In a medium sized salad bowl, layer in order the broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, cheese and bacon and/or sunflower seeds.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Drizzle dressing over top and serve.
~ Note ~ I use less sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar and some people add raisins
HOME MADE PROTEIN BARS (On A Budget)
- Make High Protein Fudge Bars For less than 49 cents per bar!
Ingredients (Makes 5 Bars)
- 8 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup 1% milk
- 3 tbsp crushed peanuts
Directions
1. Mix together the protein powder, oatmeal, peanut butter, honey and milk.
2. Form into 5 bars and then roll in the crushed peanuts to finish.
3. Place in the fridge for about 30-45 mins or until solid
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
The Wonders of Soup
by Beth Rank
Soup is a wonderful way to stretch your food money at this time of the year. There is something about having something warm in your stomach that keeps you feeling full for much longer.
I have made soup out of just about everything and hardly anything! You can simmer a small amount of meat in some water with some onions, salt and pepper until tender, add some potatoes and carrots and you've got a good, hearty meal that sticks to your ribs. Add a slice of bread and butter and it can be heaven!
If you want, you can buy canned or boxed broth, cook veggies until tender and add already cooked turkey, chicken or beef (put the ham down, and just walk away, ok?). Making your own broth is best and the healthiest, though. You know what is in it because you make it yourself. What ever you do, make a big pot and put any leftovers not eaten in the freezer. Also, I simmer beef and chicken in water with onions, garlic and seasonings, and I freeze this broth to make soup or stew later. You do not even have to have meat at all and I have included some recipes at the end of this article.
Please remember that December is a great month for buying extra baking supplies, real butter (which can be wrapped and frozen) and turkey, which can be used for making soups and casseroles. You can get chicken and beef broth very cheap right now to keep in your pantry, to make soup on a snowy or cold, rainy day.
Please try your best to keep that pantry stocked! It is very, very important to start stocking now. Every little bit helps. I have lists of foods to always have on hand in my earlier articles. Make sure to always have some noodles or pasta around to make your soup even heartier, if you like.
Beef soup
1 lb stew meat (you can use more or less)
Onion soup mix
Onions
6-8 cups water
Potatoes
Carrots
Canned Tomatoes (or fresh or may be omitted entirely)
Canned or frozen veggies such as peas or whatever you like
A bay leaf is good in this too, but remove it before serving
Bring beef, soup mix, onions and water to a boil. Turn the burner down low and simmer for 1&1/2 hours until beef is tender. Increase heat and add carrots and potatoes. Cook these until tender then add tomatoes (if desired) and canned or frozen veggies (if desired). Cook until all is nice and hot, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go, then enjoy!
Note: You can skip the onion soup mix and use beef (better if beef has bones) with lots of onions, garlic, seasoning salt, pepper. You can add dry bouillon or canned or boxed broth if you like, too. Cook until beef is tender then add the rest. The possibilities are endless!
Leftover Baked Potato Soup
Turn a leftover baked potato into a delicious and filling potato soup. This is an interesting recipe for two that I found. It could very easily be doubled for 4 and be even better with a little frozen broccoli added.
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. flour
1-1/2 cups milk
1 Leftover baked potato, chopped into small pieces
Salt
Pepper
1. Make a roux with the butter and flour.
2. Add in the milk, potato pieces and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Bring to a brief boil on medium heat and serve.
Optional: If you have cheddar cheese, grate some up and add it after you have removed the soup from the heat. You can also add in broccoli, leftover carrots – use your imagination.
Serves 2
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Timing is Essential in Budget S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g
Just a hint for anybody looking for cheaper prices on must-have grocery items. The grocery stores know that people get their government assistance at the beginning of the month. Prices are always higher on things, especially meat at this time. They know people need their stuff, so they are going to make as much money as they possibly can. Oh, and just a heads up... beef will be starting to become extremely expensive and even hard to get since we had that early winter snow storm in South Dakota which killed a lot of cattle and because of drought, too.
I know this is so very hard, but if at all possible, try to buy your meat and basic foods towards the end of the month, when prices are usually cheaper. Buy extra if possible and freeze it. By the way, did you know you can freeze bread, milk and butter?
Always try to stay away from any processed, frozen or packaged meals. They are not healthy or filling and only waste your money. I am not saying there is anything wrong with buying a little ice cream or a treat every now and then, but we have to try harder to learn to prepare our own food. It is cheaper and much healthier.
A crock pot is such an excellent investment for busy families. Here is an apple crisp recipe you can make if you have one. It is so easy, uses apples which are at a good price right now and makes your house smell great! It is a nice treat for the family.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Makes 8 servings
2 lbs cooking apples (usually a tart variety), peeled and sliced (about 6 med apples)
2/3 c old-fashioned oats
2/3 c flour
2/3 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, not margarine
1. Add sliced apples to slow cooker.
2. Combine oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg in medium mixing bowl. Cut in softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
3. Cover slow cooker with paper towels (2 or 3 thick). Place lid firmly over paper towels (towels will absorb some of the condensation). Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until apples are soft.
(I used extra spice...adding a little ground clove, too)
Remember, November and December are excellent months to buy baking supplies. Here are some things to watch out for that may be on sale. Also, you can always cook your turkey, which is an excellent meat to buy right now, take the meat off and freeze in portions to use later in soup, casseroles and pot pies. Some of these things fit into the list of foods to always keep on hand. (refer to lists in earlier blogs, please):
Flour (buy 2 if possible and keep in the fridge or freezer)
Sugar (buy 2 if possible)
Brown sugar
Evaporated Milk (good for more than just pumpkin pie, so get some extra)
Canned Pumpkin (great for making bread too)
Turkey
Mushroom soup
Nuts
Spices
Cranberries (Recipe for cranberry coffee cake recipe below)
Canned Green Beans
Fresh Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Apples
Oranges
Shalom, Shalom ~
I know this is so very hard, but if at all possible, try to buy your meat and basic foods towards the end of the month, when prices are usually cheaper. Buy extra if possible and freeze it. By the way, did you know you can freeze bread, milk and butter?
Always try to stay away from any processed, frozen or packaged meals. They are not healthy or filling and only waste your money. I am not saying there is anything wrong with buying a little ice cream or a treat every now and then, but we have to try harder to learn to prepare our own food. It is cheaper and much healthier.
A crock pot is such an excellent investment for busy families. Here is an apple crisp recipe you can make if you have one. It is so easy, uses apples which are at a good price right now and makes your house smell great! It is a nice treat for the family.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Makes 8 servings
2 lbs cooking apples (usually a tart variety), peeled and sliced (about 6 med apples)
2/3 c old-fashioned oats
2/3 c flour
2/3 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, not margarine
1. Add sliced apples to slow cooker.
2. Combine oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg in medium mixing bowl. Cut in softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
3. Cover slow cooker with paper towels (2 or 3 thick). Place lid firmly over paper towels (towels will absorb some of the condensation). Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until apples are soft.
(I used extra spice...adding a little ground clove, too)
Remember, November and December are excellent months to buy baking supplies. Here are some things to watch out for that may be on sale. Also, you can always cook your turkey, which is an excellent meat to buy right now, take the meat off and freeze in portions to use later in soup, casseroles and pot pies. Some of these things fit into the list of foods to always keep on hand. (refer to lists in earlier blogs, please):
Flour (buy 2 if possible and keep in the fridge or freezer)
Sugar (buy 2 if possible)
Brown sugar
Evaporated Milk (good for more than just pumpkin pie, so get some extra)
Canned Pumpkin (great for making bread too)
Turkey
Mushroom soup
Nuts
Spices
Cranberries (Recipe for cranberry coffee cake recipe below)
Canned Green Beans
Fresh Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Apples
Oranges
Shalom, Shalom ~
Sunday, November 3, 2013
A Practical Guide for Stretching Your Food Allowance
by Beth Rank
Many people are beginning to find themselves lacking and are having to rely on government assistance these days. My goal is to help people stretch what little help they receive in order to have more money to help pay bills. I will be sharing tips on what staples to keep on hand, what foods are good buys at certain times and easy, cheap recipes. Always buy a little extra of things that are on sale instead of waiting until you are completely out and at the mercy of your store's higher prices. Remember, we are trying to get your supply of food up in case there is an emergency and so your money will be freed up to pay bills, as well.
November and December are excellent months to buy baking supplies. Here are some things to watch out for that may be on sale. Some of these things fit into the list of foods to always keep on hand:
Flour (buy 2 if possible and keep in the fridge or freezer)
Sugar (buy 2 if possible)
Brown sugar
Evaporated Milk (good for more than just pumpkin pie, so get some extra)
Canned Pumpkin (great for making bread too)
Turkey
Mushroom soup
Nuts
Spices
Cranberries (Recipe for cranberry coffee cake recipe below)
Canned Green Beans
Fresh Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Apples
Oranges
Again, here is the list of basic food to always have on hand and in stock. You can always make something if you keep these foods in your pantry and fridge:
Eggs
Milk (dried or evaporated is good in a pinch, too)
Cheese
Bread (If on sale, buy extra and freeze)
Butter
Flour
Sugar
Peanut Butter and/or canned meat
Frozen/canned veggies (tomatoes are great to use with beans and rice)
Frozen/canned fruit
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt and pepper
A large bag of Rice
Dried Beans
Next month add to your basic food list:
Anything you are out of on the first list.
Onions (a bag unless you do not like them)
Potatoes and/or Sweet Potatoes
Carrots (large bag of whole carrots, not the so called "baby carrots". These last a very long time)
Cream of Mushroom soup
Cream of Chicken soup
Smoked Turkey Sausage (I always buy extra, a little goes a long way to flavor food)
Bullion (chicken, beef or veggie)
Olive Oil
Meat that is on sale (remember, it can be frozen if not used right away)
Coffee if you drink it (much cheaper to take your own!)
Some kind of spice such as Seasoning Salt, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Cinnamon, Vanilla (buy at least one or 2 of these every month and you will soon have quite a variety)
Here are some simple recipes to try:
Cranberry Coffee Cake (you will need vanilla for this):
~ 3 eggs, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup butter, softened, 1 teaspoon vanilla , 2 cups flour ,12 oz fresh cranberries. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should almost double in size. The eggs work as your leavening agent in this recipe, so do not skip this step. This mixture should form a ribbon when you lift the beaters out of the bowl. Add the butter and vanilla; mix two more minutes. Stir in the flour until just combined. Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout. Spread in a buttered 9x13 pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. (I baked mine for 43 minutes.) Let cool completely before cutting into pieces. Enjoy!
Scalloped Potatoes with Turkey Sausage:
Potatoes (around 8 more or less depending on the size. Use russets or a baking type, not red)
Onion, 1 large or 2 small (if you don't like onion, just skip them)
Sliced Turkey Sausage
Cream of Chicken or Mushroom soup (1 can of which ever you have)
Milk
Tin Foil
~ Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 9 by 13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix 1can of soup with 1/2 can of milk together and set aside. Thinly slice onions and place half of them in a layer in the greased pan. Next, thinly slice about 4 potatoes (more or less) and layer over onions. Slice smoked turkey sausage and layer 1/2 over potatoes. Cover with half of the soup mixture (do not use too much because you need enough to cover the top). Repeat these layers pouring the rest of the soup mixture over all. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.
Hint: Remember, if your family is small, a 1/2 package of smoked turkey sausage can go a long way to flavor rice and beans or soups and is good with eggs. Keep the other half in the freezer for later.
Shalom, Shalom,
Beth
Many people are beginning to find themselves lacking and are having to rely on government assistance these days. My goal is to help people stretch what little help they receive in order to have more money to help pay bills. I will be sharing tips on what staples to keep on hand, what foods are good buys at certain times and easy, cheap recipes. Always buy a little extra of things that are on sale instead of waiting until you are completely out and at the mercy of your store's higher prices. Remember, we are trying to get your supply of food up in case there is an emergency and so your money will be freed up to pay bills, as well.
November and December are excellent months to buy baking supplies. Here are some things to watch out for that may be on sale. Some of these things fit into the list of foods to always keep on hand:
Flour (buy 2 if possible and keep in the fridge or freezer)
Sugar (buy 2 if possible)
Brown sugar
Evaporated Milk (good for more than just pumpkin pie, so get some extra)
Canned Pumpkin (great for making bread too)
Turkey
Mushroom soup
Nuts
Spices
Cranberries (Recipe for cranberry coffee cake recipe below)
Canned Green Beans
Fresh Sweet Potatoes/Yams
Apples
Oranges
Again, here is the list of basic food to always have on hand and in stock. You can always make something if you keep these foods in your pantry and fridge:
Eggs
Milk (dried or evaporated is good in a pinch, too)
Cheese
Bread (If on sale, buy extra and freeze)
Butter
Flour
Sugar
Peanut Butter and/or canned meat
Frozen/canned veggies (tomatoes are great to use with beans and rice)
Frozen/canned fruit
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt and pepper
A large bag of Rice
Dried Beans
Next month add to your basic food list:
Anything you are out of on the first list.
Onions (a bag unless you do not like them)
Potatoes and/or Sweet Potatoes
Carrots (large bag of whole carrots, not the so called "baby carrots". These last a very long time)
Cream of Mushroom soup
Cream of Chicken soup
Smoked Turkey Sausage (I always buy extra, a little goes a long way to flavor food)
Bullion (chicken, beef or veggie)
Olive Oil
Meat that is on sale (remember, it can be frozen if not used right away)
Coffee if you drink it (much cheaper to take your own!)
Some kind of spice such as Seasoning Salt, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Cinnamon, Vanilla (buy at least one or 2 of these every month and you will soon have quite a variety)
Here are some simple recipes to try:
Cranberry Coffee Cake (you will need vanilla for this):
~ 3 eggs, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup butter, softened, 1 teaspoon vanilla , 2 cups flour ,12 oz fresh cranberries. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should almost double in size. The eggs work as your leavening agent in this recipe, so do not skip this step. This mixture should form a ribbon when you lift the beaters out of the bowl. Add the butter and vanilla; mix two more minutes. Stir in the flour until just combined. Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout. Spread in a buttered 9x13 pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. (I baked mine for 43 minutes.) Let cool completely before cutting into pieces. Enjoy!
Scalloped Potatoes with Turkey Sausage:
Potatoes (around 8 more or less depending on the size. Use russets or a baking type, not red)
Onion, 1 large or 2 small (if you don't like onion, just skip them)
Sliced Turkey Sausage
Cream of Chicken or Mushroom soup (1 can of which ever you have)
Milk
Tin Foil
~ Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 9 by 13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix 1can of soup with 1/2 can of milk together and set aside. Thinly slice onions and place half of them in a layer in the greased pan. Next, thinly slice about 4 potatoes (more or less) and layer over onions. Slice smoked turkey sausage and layer 1/2 over potatoes. Cover with half of the soup mixture (do not use too much because you need enough to cover the top). Repeat these layers pouring the rest of the soup mixture over all. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.
Hint: Remember, if your family is small, a 1/2 package of smoked turkey sausage can go a long way to flavor rice and beans or soups and is good with eggs. Keep the other half in the freezer for later.
Shalom, Shalom,
Beth
Sunday, October 27, 2013
A Practical Guide for Stretching Your Food Allowance
Many people are beginning to find themselves lacking and are having to rely on government assistance these days. My goal is to help people stretch what little help they receive in order to have more money to help pay bills.I will be sharing tips on what staples to keep on hand, what foods are good buys at certain times and easy, cheap recipes. Always buy a little extra of things that are on sale instead of waiting until you are completely out and at the mercy of your store's higher prices.
Here is a list of foods to always keep in the house. This way, you can always make SOMETHING to eat. It may not be what you love, but it will sustain you and your household.
Eggs
Milk (dried or evaporated is good in a pinch, too)
Cheese
Bread
Butter
Flour
Sugar
Peanut Butter and/or canned meat
Frozen/canned veggies (tomatoes are great to use with beans and rice)
Frozen/canned fruit
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt and pepper
A bag of rice
Dried Beans
Get creative and check out some cookbooks!
From this list, I can see several things to make to eat:
Cheese and Veggie omelette
Grilled Cheese sandwich
Peanut Butter sandwich
Coffee cake/with fruit
Peanut Butter cookies (recipe below)
Creamy Veggie Cheese soup
Quiche
Rice and Beans
Anyone can make these Peanut Butter Cookies:
1Cup Peanut Butter
1Cup Sugar
1Egg
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into balls about the size of a heaping Tablespoon and place on baking sheet. Slightly flatten by pressing the tops with a fork. Bake for about 10 minutes , give or take a minute. Remove from the pan let them cool on a plate or rack for a little while, then enjoy or save to put in lunches.
PS ~ Taking your own lunch saves lots of money!
Here is a list of foods to always keep in the house. This way, you can always make SOMETHING to eat. It may not be what you love, but it will sustain you and your household.
Eggs
Milk (dried or evaporated is good in a pinch, too)
Cheese
Bread
Butter
Flour
Sugar
Peanut Butter and/or canned meat
Frozen/canned veggies (tomatoes are great to use with beans and rice)
Frozen/canned fruit
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt and pepper
A bag of rice
Dried Beans
Get creative and check out some cookbooks!
From this list, I can see several things to make to eat:
Cheese and Veggie omelette
Grilled Cheese sandwich
Peanut Butter sandwich
Coffee cake/with fruit
Peanut Butter cookies (recipe below)
Creamy Veggie Cheese soup
Quiche
Rice and Beans
Anyone can make these Peanut Butter Cookies:
1Cup Peanut Butter
1Cup Sugar
1Egg
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into balls about the size of a heaping Tablespoon and place on baking sheet. Slightly flatten by pressing the tops with a fork. Bake for about 10 minutes , give or take a minute. Remove from the pan let them cool on a plate or rack for a little while, then enjoy or save to put in lunches.
PS ~ Taking your own lunch saves lots of money!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)