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Archive for June, 2009|Monthly archive page

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The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on June 30, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Issue 1, Number 6-June 2009
It’s hard to believe that half of 2009 is already over. Hope everyone’s enjoying the warm weather and finding ways to save money this summer. This issue has a little of this, a little of that. As it is summer, I wanted to include lots of recipes that will get you in and out of the kitchen ASAP. Thanks to the folks at both La Tortilla Factory and Thai Kitchen for some mouthwatering recipes.

Sending the Children To Camp?
Remember me telling you about the Don’t Bite Me Patches that keep bugs at bay? I reordered another box last week. While I was on their Web site, I noticed they now sell a Summer Survival Kit, just $19.99. It looks like it contains everything a child would need at camp www.dontbitemepatch.com/products/summer-survival-kit.html

Getting Crafty
If you like visiting dollar stores and love crafting, I stumbled upon this site a few weeks ago. www.dollarstorecrafts.com. Looks like it offers plenty of creative ideas using inexpensive items. Maybe you could try selling some your creations on sites like Etsy.

Thinking Ahead
Okay, I know winter’s a long way off but I found this great winterization tip in a book called The Gardener’s Year by Alan Titchmarsh. He suggests putting bubble wrap around the outside faucets to prevent them from freezing. I was thinking of buying a couple of covers to do that job, but this is a freebie.

Cell Phones
Many years ago I had a cell phone that came with a contract but for the last three years I’ve been using a prepaid one. This one came to my attention last week and I’m seriously thinking of switching. Plus, it’s from one of my favorite money saving online merchants. As with all merchandise and plans, be sure to read all the specifications and small print to see if it’s right for you www.nothingbutsoftware.com, click on cell phones.

Vacuums
Six years ago one of my neighbors was moving to an apartment that had hardwood floors and no carpets so she sold me her old vacuum and a ton of spare bags. Can you believe she had so many I’ve only just ran out of them? I forgot to take the model number with me when I went shopping last week which was a blessing because I went on line and got a great deal. 10 bags for $8.99 from this company www.vacuumsinc.com Fast service too!

Change in Your Pocket
Have you been on vacation or going on vacation to foreign locales? Okay, we all like to have some money leftover but not when it’s money we can’t spend at home. Check out www.thecurrencycommission.com where you can exchange some currencies to US or Canadian dollars.

Articles I liked This Month
Here are three of my favorite articles I found this month-

If you don’t think being lazy and not having enough money aren’t connected, check out this article-
www.tinyurl.com/m6zmp9

I often wonder if some things are worth the money, this article addresses just that-
www.tinyurl.com/m99mmu

Gas has been heading upwards again, so it’s worth reading this one-
www.tinyurl.com/l8q3n5

Contests
I have to admit one of my weaknesses is Reese’s PB Cups. Great news is they’re now available in dark chocolate and check out this. Yes, it’s another other reason is eat them www.hersheys.com/reeses/lovesyouback/details.aspx

Indulge A Little

Big Hair Affair Pack

Feeling like a little indulgence but don’t have the money? Check out this new product from Lush
The Big Hair Affair contains seven indulgent hair products for just $15. You will get a taste of three shampoos, two conditioners, one hair treatment and one styling gel – all of your choice and customized to suit your hair needs. www.lushusa.com

Summer Recipes
Don’t know about you but where I live it’s been hot, humid and I just haven’t felt like cooking anything that heats up the kitchen. So check out these quick and easy recipes-

Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa
Serves 2

3 oz Mahi-Mahi fillets
1 teaspoon plus olive oil
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons diced fresh mango
3 tablespoons tomato salsa, home-made or store-bought
1 oz green lettuce leaves, remove the stem
2 La Tortilla Factory tortillas or wraps
1.Preheat a sautéed pan and brushed the Mahi-Mahi with oil, black pepper and salt and cook over high-medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Cut into a 1 inch thick slices.
2.Meanwhile, combine the diced mango and tomato salsa in a bowl and mix well.
3.Place a lettuce leaf on each warm tortilla, spread half of Mahi-Mahi and 1 tablespoon plus of mango salsa on top. Fold the sides over the filling and roll into a wrap or taco.

Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Serves 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes cooking time: 10 minutes

1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
¼ cup coarsely chopped onion
8 oz or 1 cup ground turkey
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon garlic salt or more to taste
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon chili powder, optional for spicy
½ teaspoon plus Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup water
2-4 La Tortilla Factory tortillas
¼ cup shredded lettuce
3 tablespoons crumbled queso cheese or feta cheese
¼ cup salsa, optional
1.Preheat a sauce pan, add the oil and onion and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds or until the onion turn soft, add the turkey and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the meat is no longer red-color.
2.Sprinkle the flour over the meat, stirring to break-up to pieces. Season with salt, pepper and chili powder if using to taste. Add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, water into the mixture and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 minute or so.
3.To plate-up, place half of meat mixture on a warm tortilla and sprinkle a handful of lettuce, cheese, and salsa on top. Fold in half and serve.

For easy variation – use ½ package of sloppy joe mix (store-bought) and eliminate the seasoning ingredients.

Rotisserie Chicken with Smoked Cheddar Quesadilla
Serves 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes

1/2 cup shredded rotisserie chicken, Store-bought
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped yellow onion or 2 tablespoons onion flakes
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup finely dices red bell pepper
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-4 La Tortilla Factory tortillas
½ cup shredded smoked Cheddar cheese
¼ cup salsa of choice
1.In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, salt and black pepper, red bell pepper and cilantro in a bowl and mix well. Divide into four portions.
2.Meanwhile, preheat a sautéed pan, and add 1 teaspoon of oil, place one tortilla on the pan.
3.Spread 2-3 tablespoons of chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons cheese on the tortilla, then place another tortilla on top, or alternately, place one tortilla and filled with chicken mixture and cheese and fold into half. Cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted and tortilla is slightly brown. Using a spatula, flip the tortilla to other side and cook to light brown.
Continue to cook the remaining tortilla. Cut in half and serve with salsa.
For more recipes using tortillas, check out www.latortillafactory.com

Shrimp & Papaya Salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Papaya Salad

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Thai Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons honey or sugar
2 tablespoons Thai Kitchen® Premium Fish Sauce
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 teaspoon Thai Kitchen® Spicy Thai Chili Sauce
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 package (6 ounces) mixed salad greens
1 firm ripe papaya, peeled and thinly sliced (2 cups)
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin 1-inch strips
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
1.Heat oil in large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Add shrimp; cook and stir 2 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Remove shrimp to plate to cool.

2.Meanwhile, for the Thai Vinaigrette, mix lime juice, honey, fish sauce, ginger and chili sauce in small bowl until well blended. Stir in green onions.

3.Toss salad greens, papaya and bell pepper in large bowl. Divide salad mixture among 4 plates. Top with cooled shrimp. Drizzle with Thai Vinaigrette. Sprinkle with cilantro and peanuts.

Makes 4 servings.

Chicken Pad Thai

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

4 ounces Thai Kitchen® Stir-Fry Rice Noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
6 tablespoons Thai Kitchen® Original Pad Thai Sauce
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup bean sprouts
1/4 cup coarsely chopped unsalted peanuts
Fresh cilantro sprigs and lime wedges
1.Bring 4 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add rice noodles; let stand 8 to 10 minutes or until noodles are soft but firm. Rinse under cold water; drain well. Set aside.

2.Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Add egg; scramble until set. Remove from skillet. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Add chicken; cook and stir until cooked through. Add rice noodles, Pad Thai sauce and green onions; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or noodles are tender.

3.Stir in bean sprouts and scrambled egg. Place noodle mixture on serving platter. Sprinkle with peanuts. Serve with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.

Makes 2 servings.

Variation: Prepare as directed, substituting 4 ounces peeled and deveined shrimp or cut-up vegetables or cubed tofu for the chicken.

For more Thai recipes, check out www.thaikitchen.com

Next month-Travel bargains, thinking ahead to fall.

Take Care and thank you for all the wonderful e-mails you send about how Budget Smart Girl helps you save money.

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The Blog-Get a free e-book

In The Blog on June 29, 2009 at 1:50 pm

It’s a short work week so let’s get right to something you’re going to enjoy reading about. Remember Hot Coupon World that I told you about many months ago? One of its co-founders, Julie Parrish teamed up with the folks that produce the Entertainment Book and has written an e-book about how to save big time when you use the coupons from one of these books. The plus…it’s free. Go to www.hotcouponworld.com/free-entertainmentbook-ebook/ to download your free copy. I read it this morning and it’s full of great tips. I’ve purchased a few of these books in the past and thought they were just for saving big time on hotels, restaurants, etc., but after reading Julie’s book I realized I can save just about every day and every place I shop. They’re also offering a deal where if you pre-order the 2010 edition, you get the 2009 free. So there’s still lots of time to use the 2009 coupons before they expire. You’ll find the link for that deal on the same page as the one for the free e-book.

This week on Budget Smart Girl…as it’s a holiday week, we’ll just have the Budget Smart Girl newsletter. Sorry it got delayed this month…doing edits for my new book kept me busy.

Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July and for my Canadian readers, a safe and happy Canada Day.

Have a good week.

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The Budget Smart Girl’s Guide to the Fourth of July

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on June 26, 2009 at 1:13 pm

If you’re looking for some fun ways to spend the Fourth of July but don’t want to spend a fortune doing it, here are some Web sites I’ve found that should give you plenty of ideas.

Fireworks
Many local park and recreation departments put on firework displays for local residents, so be sure to check your local city or suburb’s Web site. Here’s one I found. Try typing in your city to see what pops up or try Chamber of Commerce or tourist board Web sites.

•www.craftsfaironline.com/4th.html

Throwing Your Own Party
If you’re thinking about throwing your own party this year, here’s a site I found that not only offers ideas, but also has virtual invitations you can send to your guests. Save money and some trees!
www.evite.com

Cards
I know some people like to send greeting cards on just about every occasion and if you’ve shopped for cards recently you know some of them are now in the $4-5 price range. Here’s a site where you can send a virtual card for free.
www.happydaycards.com

Cheap Things to Do On The Fourth of July•Check your local area for free concerts
•Some local parks have rides and games for the children… and those young at heart. Phone your local city office to find out what’s planned in your area.
•Plan a potluck picnic to spread the cost of food with others. If you don’t want to host the party at your house rent a picnic shelter at the park, maybe the other party goers will share the rental cost with you.
•And for even more variety, have a progressive potluck party, where you start with appetizers at one person’s house, main course at another, and then dessert at yet another house. It’s a way of assuring the cleanup and cost isn’t down to just one person or family.
•Go hunting for seashells.
•Independence Day has many people thinking about their ancestors. Make a scrapbook with cuttings from the country they came from and any other information you have about them and pass it down to the next generation.
•It’s a holiday, just relax with a good book. It’s the ideal time to start reading before summer’s over.
•Visit an historical site and learn more about the history of America.

The Budget Smart Girl’s Tip
Many summer related items like patio furniture, swimwear, etc. go on sale after the Fourth of July, so be sure to check for upcoming bargain buys.

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The Fourth of July on a Budget

In Budget Smart Cook on June 24, 2009 at 1:47 pm

It sure feels like summer. Temperatures in the 90s and high humidity which means the Fourth of July isn’t far away. Here are some treats and dishes I’ve found that taste great but still easy on the budget.

Drinks
Instead of the standard ones like lemonade, try fruit flavored ones. Not mixes, but drinks you can easily put together yourself using real fruit. As strawberries and raspberries are in abundance right now try adding them to lemonade. You can put the lemonade into a blender and add about a cup of chopped strawberries and blend. And how about just adding some fruit, like blueberries, to a soda like 7-Up. If you get the wide topped one-liter containers you can put the blueberries straight into the bottle. Let it stand in the refrigerator overnight and you’ve got a drink that’s changed color and added some natural fruit flavoring, try using raspberries too. This also works with lemonade too.

Appetizers
Sometimes my favorite items at restaurants are appetizers. They’re also great if you’re heading out to listen to a concert on the Fourth. Or maybe you’re going to watch the fireworks and need just a light snack to take with you. I also like to serve appetizers when guests are stopping by after they’ve been to another venue and already eaten. They’re not too filling and you don’t feel bad about not serving your guests something to nibble on. An easy one is to take a tortilla, spread it with cream cheese with chives, and add some slices of turkey or chicken, you can also add some fresh basil, roll it up, and cut into pinwheels. A couple of other easy ones are flavored cream cheese piped into cherry tomatoes, and mini quiches. You can also get ready-made mini phyllo dough shells in your supermarket freezer. They cost less than $2 for 15 shells, and are made by a company called Athens. You can add just about anything to them and as they have a neutral flavor, plus, they’re perfect with both savory and sweet fillings. I like to add chicken, tuna, or egg salad.

It’s Picnic Time
If you’re heading out for the day, or even just staying at home, a great way to celebrate is with a backyard picnic. One way to save some time is to buy a large loaf of uncut bread, slice it in half horizontally and start layering it with herbed mayonnaise, mustard, cold cuts, cheese, tomatoes and peppers. You can leave it whole and have guests slice off what they need. If you’re taking it out and about with you, I prefer to wrap everything individually and assemble it once we arrive at the picnic site. It prevents the usual soggy bread, and it doesn’t take that long to put it all together. If you’re having guests over and want to turn it into a real party, why not give each guest a ‘picnic’ box with their name written on it. Inside you can add a sandwich, maybe wrapped in some red white and blue paper. Put in some of those red and blue corn chips, a little dish of salsa for dipping, and a cookie/brownie, or a container of fruit salad.

Desserts
Would any holiday celebration be complete without something sweet to finish off the day? One of my favorites, and an alternative to a pie, is a fruit pizza. You can use a regular pizza crust, and I know some people like to use crescent rolls as the base. The first layer is cream cheese sweetened with some powdered sugar. Then you just start layering on whatever fruit you want. Another dessert that’s really simple and makes an impressive centerpiece is Baked Alaska. I’ve found the keys to making a successful Baked Alaska is one to make sure all the ice cream is covered before you put it into the oven. And tip two is to serve it straight away. You can experiment with different types of cakes and ice cream combinations to come up with your own unique Baked Alaska. I love dark chocolate cake and cherry ice cream. It’s also a great way to use leftover cake.

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The Blog-More Dollar Bargains

In The Blog on June 22, 2009 at 1:57 pm

If you’re not a Twitter fan you might have missed me posting about the free exercise DVD in specially marked boxes of Kellogg’s Special K cereal. This one features three of the 10 Minute Solution exercise programs. I’m skeptical about free exercise DVDs but have to say this one is great. 30 minutes of exercises that target waist and thighs. Don’t know if I’m out of shape or what, but after doing the waist program, I hurt the next day.

I checked out more items in the dollar aisle at the supermarket. Seems like they bring in new products every week. I found the dishwasher powder and cubes again. They also had dishwasher gel. I couldn’t find the potato chips this time, but did buy more of the roasted red peppers. Plus, they had one pound bags of pasta. That’s always handy to keep in the pantry for a quick meal. My other buy was freezer storage bags.
What surprises me the most is that every time I shop there, it’s the only aisle that has no other shoppers. Not sure if people don’t know about it or just don’t think something that costs a dollar can be any good.

I’m happy to see so much great produce hitting the stores now. Last week I bought a couple of pounds of cherries that were on sale and had to stop myself from eating them every time I walked into the kitchen. Can you tell they’re my favorite fruit? I thought about buying more and canning them or even freezing them for winter eating.

And speaking of cherries; seems I had a run of spilling things on white and yellow t-shirts last week. First of all my yellow t-shirt got splattered with cherry juice. The following day, my white t-shirt mysteriously got mud on it. I used the Fels Naptha soap on both stains and presto they’re gone. If you haven’t tried this soap, buy some on your next trip to the store. Lots of my clothes would end up as gardening attire if it wasn’t for this product. And the added plus, is, it’s an inexpensive item.

This week on Budget Smart Girl-is it possible it’s almost The Fourth of July? How you can enjoy the festivities even on a budget.

Have a good week.

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Inexpensive Things To Do This Summer

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on June 19, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Staycation is the new buzz word this year. If you’re staying close to home this summer, here are some ideas for having fun while saving money.

Visit Craft Fairs
I love checking out craft fairs not only because I like to see what people are making and selling but you can also pick up inexpensive gifts for birthdays and holidays. Find one near you at www.craftsfaironline.com If you’re a crafter this site also has some great links too.

It’s Raining…it’s too hot
If it’s raining or just gets too unbearable outside, head to your nearest cinema. Great news is many theatres have cheap summer deals. Check our AMC Theatres $1 Movies for Charity all summer long every Wednesday at 10 a.m. www.amctheatres.com/smc Also, Regal Cinemas have their free Family Film Festival 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. www.regmovies.com

Learn Something
Want to learn something this summer? Check out community education programs. They’re inexpensive and less crowded than the fall classes. Okay, the choices aren’t so great but you can improve your golf swing or maybe learn a new computer program ready for fall.

The Library
I know I mention libraries a lot but that’s because I think it’s a community’s best free resource. Either check out some DVDs, take the kids to story time or ask a librarian about free stuff in the neighborhood. For example, my local library has free passes for museums. They might also know about what museums have free admission days.

Concerts
Okay, they might not be concerts by headlining stars, but many park and recreation departments organize free concerts in the park for both kids and adults.

Having a Party?
A fun way to spend a day in the backyard is to throw a party, here is one of my favorite companies for party supplies www.orientaltrading.com

Visit the Tourist Office or Tourist Web Site
Most tourist offices know people are staying closer to home these days. I’ve noticed many are specifically promoting free or inexpensive things to do. Many have coupons too and if they don’t, it doesn’t hurt to ask. For example, I was sent information about Ohio tourism. They have lots of fun activities going on this summer including the 40th anniversary of Ohio native Neil Armstrong’s moon walk. Check out www.discoverohio.com

If You’re Hitting the Road
If we do go out and about, even for a day, one thing we do to save money is pack the cooler with foods and drinks so we don’t have to eat out. If we do head to a restaurant, we eat early. It’s less crowded and many restaurants offer the same meal for a couple of dollars less. Money you can either save or put toward dessert.

Ways to Save Money on Organic Foods

In Budget Smart Cook on June 17, 2009 at 12:35 pm

I have to admit I’m a fan of organic foods, but as you know I also like to save money too. Here are some ways I’ve found to strike a happy balance between the two.

What’s Important to You?
What are some of your family’s favorite foods? What foods do you eat on a regular basis? If one particular food is on the top of the list, then maybe that’s the one you should think about buying in an organic version. Sticking with a food budget often means looking at what’s a priority for you. If eating more organic food is important, then rethink your budget. Maybe switch to a cheaper version of a non-food item and put the money you saved toward buying an organic product or two. (I do this by buying aluminum foil and plastic storage bags in the dollar aisle). Or maybe go with a vegetarian dish, something like organic vegetable curry rather than buying meat to make the same recipe.

Think Locally
The great news is farmers markets are open for business. They’re not only a great way to save money on summer’s bounty, but lots of organic farmers take their produce to markets. Another plus to shopping at a market is vendors will often give you a price break if you agree to buy all your produce from one farmer. Remember it never hurts to ask for a discount.

Search for Bargains
Just like everything else you buy, you have to do some homework and look for the bargains. Something I’ve discovered at my local supermarket is the organic section carries bagged produce by a company called Melissa’s. I’ve found it has some really competitive prices on things like organic kiwis and apples.

Check out the Warehouse Stores
More organic foods are finding their way into the warehouse stores. Three things I always buy there are organic milk, juice, and field greens because they have some of the most competitive prices. If you don’t have a membership, or the cost doesn’t fit into your budget, why not ask if any family, friends or co-workers are members. Ask to shop with them and perhaps buy them lunch in exchange for the favor.

Share the Cost with Friends and Neighbors
Lots of areas have nearby ‘pick your own produce’ farms. Many are organic, and a great way to spend a morning or afternoon is to head to one with some friends and stock up on things like organic strawberries or apples. And if you can’t eat everything within a week or so, turn them into jam or freeze some produce for winter dining.

Don’t just think Supermarket
Supermarkets aren’t the only places to buy organic foods these days. Spend an hour or so searching the Internet and you’ll sure to find lots of companies who sell organic and natural foods. Oftentimes these companies don’t have storefronts, just warehouses, so they can pass along their savings to you.
Another plus is they will often sell items by the caseload. Things like frozen burgers, vegetables, and canned soups. Buying by the caseload often qualifies you to purchase the product at wholesale prices, which is another way to save some money. And once again if you don’t think you can use that amount of food, or can’t fit it into your budget, why not start a buyer’s club with some neighbors or friends.

Trader Joe’s
Another store you might want to check out is Trader Joe’s. I’ve found some of the best prices on organic foods at their stores. Items like juice, peanut butter etc.

Supermarket Brands
Check out your supermarket’s own brand. With the increasing interest in organic foods I’m seeing more stores selling their own brand of organic produce.

Grow Your Own
One of the cheapest ways of getting organic produce is to grow it yourself. Most stores sell organic seeds now but if you have trouble finding them check out these two sites www.seedsofchange.com www.gardensalive.com.

Don’t Let It Go to Waste
Organic fruits and vegetables spoil a lot quicker than regular produce, so don’t buy more than you can eat within a couple of days or so. And finally organic or not, remember to wash your produce, even if it claims to be pre-washed. It’s not just pesticides that can make you sick.

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The Blog-More Than One Use

In The Blog on June 15, 2009 at 2:08 pm

I spent most of the weekend in the yard putting the finishing touches to the new flowerbed I created earlier this year. It was time to buy some mulch so I headed to Home Depot. They have a Cyprus mulch that is just $2.75 a bag that covers 2 cubic feet and this stuff is great for the money. It’s better than wood chips, the color is great and it goes a long way. I bought a dozen bags thinking it would just be enough for all the areas I wanted to fill and ended up with two bags more than I needed. They didn’t go to waste because I used them on another area that always plagued by weeds.

Outside work has been taking up most of my time, but we’ve had a couple of rainy days. A project I began a few weekends ago was to get the pantry more organized. I’m always looking for ways to give leftover containers and bottles a second use. Here’s a photo of the Kraft mayonnaise containers I’m now using for storing thinks like noodles and breadcrumbs. A good way to save money and keep things from the landfills too.

photos for budget food blog 048

What’s on Budget Smart Girl this week? I’ve been hearing conflicting reports that organic food sales are down because of the economy and others have said people don’t care about the price because they just want pesticide free food. Either way, it’s good to buy great foods at the best prices so I’ll share with you my tips for buying organic foods on a budget. Also, June 21st is the first day of summer and that means looking for fun and yes, this year, cheap things to do. I’ll let you know what I found.

Have a good week.

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Sites Worth Checking Out

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on June 11, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Here once again is a list of sites I’ve stumbled upon or had e-mailed to me. Hope you find something of interest and a way to save more money.

Help the Environment…find some recipes
A link to this site arrived in my mailbox this week. Even if you’re not interested in green issues, it’s worth checking out for its tips on gardening, especially growing your own foods. Plus, it has some recipes too. Click on the learn tab. www.climatecrossroads.org

Organic and Green Products
Seems like finding a coupon or discount for an organic or green product is next to impossible, but I stumbled upon this site www.sustainlane.com/green-saver-discount-coupons/

Need Gardening Help?
Remember I told you about the Home Depot garden newsletter? Seems there’s a gardening club you can join for free. Sign up and then ask experts about gardening problems or get instructions for DIY projects. www.homedepotgardenclub.com

A Budget Smart Girl Friendly Site
Here’s another site I found that’s definitely worth checking out www.nickels-n-dimes.com

Inexpensive Body Care Products
If you’re looking for some inexpensive scrubs, soaps etc. or looking for the perfect gift, this site has some good prices and some interesting merchandise www.dionissoap.com

Looking for A Great Place to Live?
Seems we’re not moving homes as often as we once did, but if you’re looking for a nice place to live that’s budget friendly, U.S News put together this list www.tinyurl.com/kvbj4d

If You’re Not a Computer Geek
I have to admit, what I know about computers would fit on one page. And if you’re like me and have to ask others for help, check out this site www.howtogeek.com

Selling Items Online
If you already do or thinking about selling unwanted items on line, first of all check out a site called www.auctionbytes.com It keeps you up to date on what’s going on in the online auction and selling business. You can sign up to receive their daily updates. Recently they had a link to this interesting article www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y09/m06/i02/s03 If you’re thinking about starting your own business a company called Alibaba is giving away $100,000 in grants to US entrepreneurs.

Selling, Buying?
Are you selling items or maybe looking for bargains in your neighborhood, I found this site that might be a great resource for doing just that www.tagsellit.com

Background Music
I love listening to music while I’m writing. Sometimes I get bored with my CD collection and oftentimes I like checking out music before I buy it. Here are two sites where you can sign up to listen to music for free www.pandora.com and www.jango.com

Prizes
I’ve never won anything big like a car or a house, but over the years I’ve netted a sound system, a jewelry shopping spree and a body care gift set. Check out www.sweepstakestoday.com. They list current and upcoming sweepstakes.

Moving?
If you’re moving this summer or have a teen who’s heading to a college later this year, here’s a site I just found out about www.usedcardboardboxes.com

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Healthy Snacks for the Budget Shopper

In Budget Smart Cook on June 11, 2009 at 1:55 pm

Healthy snacks…sounds like an oxymoron, but food companies are producing cookies and crackers with more healthful ingredients and opting to bake instead of fry things like potato chips. The problem is many of these snacks aren’t the cheapest foods at the store. Plus, unless they’re on sale or you have a coupon, they’re often items the savvy shopper doesn’t figure into their budget. And with the school vacation now in full swing, snacks and drinks are usually on the list of things to buy. Here are some ideas you might like to try.

Drinks
One way to cut down on sugar and save some pennies is to buy 100% fruit juice and add either plain water or sparkling water. You save calories and money and most people, including children, don’t even taste the difference.

Honest Tea
I recently got to sample some of the new products from Honest Tea, www.honesttea.com They not only sell tea, but Honest ADE and Honest Kids fruit juices. Low in calories and sugar but still sweet enough to satisfy sugar addicts. I also discovered you can buy their drinks in bulk and save money…and yes, time running to the store.
www.organicbythecase.com

Sweet Treats
Yes, the odd piece of candy isn’t so bad, but with so many summer fruits hitting the stores now, why would you bother with a candy bar? I sometimes make a fruit salad and put it in the fridge for snacks. Another treat that’s really refreshing this time of year is frozen fruit. Blueberries, strawberries, chunks of peaches and even grapes. Just cut them up, put them on a baking sheet and freeze and then store them in freezer bags. You can also make your own smoothie mixes from them too.

And another treat that I see at our local state fair is frozen chocolate bananas. Easy to make and also a way to keep children busy when they get bored. Freeze a peeled banana, dip it in melted chocolate and then have the kids decorate it with chopped nuts, chopped candy etc.

Frozen Treats
Ice cream isn’t just for the kids and there are plenty of homemade frozen treats you can make. I like to take fruit juice, add some fruits and freeze it. Sometimes I’ll blend the two together and freeze them. And leftover smoothies also freeze really well too.

Good For Your Body
Check out this site which gives you links to foods and recipes that are good for things like our brains, our eyes, etc. www.dolesuperfoods.com

Sign Up for Newsletters
I’ve been signing up for newsletters from companies like Betty Crocker and Pillsbury. I’ve found some great recipes and budget friendly ideas for meals.

Savory Treats
Crackers are a family favorite in my house. I top them with dips like hummus or low fat cheese. I also like to use the hummus and cream cheese as dips with veggies. However, one of my favorites is parmesan pita wedges. Lightly coat pita bread with some oil and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and cracked pepper. Bake for about ten minutes and then slice into wedges.
And for times when you’re stuck at your desk or you know dinner’s hours away, try cheese and veggie kabobs, like cherry tomatoes with cubes of cheese. And crackers with PB and J also take the edge off hunger too.

Summer Meals
I love wraps, especially for light summer eating. They’re great for supper, picnics and you can fill them with things like salmon salad, cold cuts, you name it. And wraps also make great quesadillas too
La Tortilla Factory sent these recipes for you to try- www.latortillafactory.com And there will be more great summer recipe ideas in the June newsletter.

Grilled Mushroom and Swiss Cheese QuesadillaServes 2
Preparation time 8 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups crimini or white mushroom, brushed with paper towel to remove dirt
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup small diced zucchini
½ cup small diced tomatoes
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
2-4 La Tortilla Factory tortillas
½ cup guacamole, store-bought or home-made, optional

1.Preheat the grill or broiler, sprinkle 1 tablespoon plus olive oil, salt and pepper to the mushroom, and cook for 1- 2 minutes or until lightly caramelized. If using broiler, spread the mushroom on a sheet pan and cook in the broiler for about 5-7 minutes or until brown.
2.Transfer to a bowl and cooled, then thinly sliced
3.On a same griller or a skillet, place a tortilla on a the griller of the skillet, place a tortilla, spread about 2 tablespoons cooked mushrooms, 1 tablespoon of zucchini, tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of cheese and fold into half. Cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted or the tortilla is lightly brown. Flip the tortilla to other side and cook to light brown.
Continue to cook the remaining tortilla. Serve with guacamole.

Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
Serves 2, 300 calories

2 ½ oz shredded rotisserie chicken, only breast meat
1 oz romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons shredded fresh carrots
2 tablespoons low-fat Caesar dressing
½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons low-fat parmesan cheese
2 La Tortilla Factory tortillas or wraps

1.In a small bowl, combine the chicken, lettuce, carrots, dressing, pepper, and mix well. Divide into two portions.

2.Place one portion of the chicken mixture and half of parmesan cheese onto a tortilla. Fold the sides over the filling and roll into a wrap.

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