budgetsmartgirl

Archive for the ‘Budget Smart Girl’s Newsletter’ Category

, , , ,

Friday Ramblings

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter, Uncategorized on July 13, 2012 at 3:02 pm

The CSA box feature will be back next week as we didn’t have a delivery last week because the pick up date fell on a holiday. Also, I’ve had a busy couple of days so the Friday Freebie will be back next week too.

So this week I thought I’d show you my mini veggie garden.

I bought the container back in the spring and everything I planted in it was started from seed. I have cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, green peppers, and some radishes and carrots. I never had time to plant a bigger vegetable garden this year so this is my experiment and I’m learning as I go. If you want to check out the container it costs just $28.95 plus shipping, and the best thing is you can move it around to catch the sun all day.

http://www.lakeside.com/Garden/Planters/Deluxe-Vegetable-Patch-Grower/prod121023.jmp?sorted=Y&navAction=push&fm=topnav&categoryId=cat52159&navCount=0

And thought I’d share with you some great news that the Budget Smart Girl blog is finally going to be a book. I’ve been trying to find a home for it for about three years. I’ve had lots of people approach me about writing it and then they’ve disappeared into thin dust. It’s prove that hard work pays off and never give up on something! Anyway, more about the book in the coming months.

And it’s vacation time and I was sent this article that I thought you might find useful if you’re doing any traveling this summer-

Five Websites Help Anyone Save BIG $$$ When Traveling

By Terrance Zepke

Everyone likes to save money, but it is especially important in these economic times. The only way many of us will be able to travel this year is if we stick to a strict budget. After years of globe-trotting, I have learned many tips, tricks, and strategies for saving money on any type of travel.

Here are five helpful money-saving websites:

1. www.Gasbuddy.com. While gas prices have decreased slightly, the cost remains more than $3 a gallon (closer to $4 in some parts of the country), which makes it a major expense that has to be factored into your summer vacation budget. Go to their website or load this FREE app onto your phone (Android, iPhone, Blackberry). It will find the nearest gas station with the lowest prices no matter where you are in the United States. GasBuddy even provides additional information, such as per gallon price averages nationwide and detailed maps leading you to the station with the lowest-priced gas. This tool can save you up to twenty-five cents a gallon, which really adds up after a few fill-ups.

2. www.Restaurant.com. Feeding the family is another major expense while on vacation. Buy discounted gift cards to great restaurants to save big money. Participants can choose from 18,000 restaurants (and growing) in popular tourist cities, such as Las Vegas and New Orleans. Here’s how it works: pay $4 and get a $10 gift card or pay $10 and get a $25 card or pay $50 and get a card valued at $100. This equals savings up to 60%. Just go to their website, place your order, and the cards are shipped to any address with no shipping fee.

3. www.Bing.com/travel. This is a great tool that most folks do not know about. It allows users to search multiple travel sites, check price predictions, compare rates, and even book travel directly with the supplier of choice. The best thing is that it will give you an accurate forecast as to whether fares will go up or down, which means you’ll know whether you should grab the current fare or wait for a lower rate.

4. www.Citypass.com. Citypasses are available for many major cities and tourist hot spots, such as Hollywood, New York City, Toronto, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Chicago. The pass bundles admission to popular tourist destinations, including aquariums and zoos, museums, tours, and other attractions. The savings can be as much as 50%.

5. www.Traveltribe.com. This is a good resource for anyone needing help planning their trip. You can connect with other travelers who have “been there and done that” and expert travel agents who will help you, free of charge.

If you want the best rates, beware of these common mistakes:
Don’t rely on popular travel sites.
Don’t try to book your own cruise.
Don’t ignore social media. 
Don’t let “hidden costs” ruin your budget.
Don’t call the toll-free central reservations number when booking a hotel room.

By following these tips and strategies, you’re guaranteed to save money when traveling. It may even be enough savings to add another day or two (and another round of margaritas) to any trip.

Terrance Zepke is an award-winning writer/photographer and the  author of The Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel: Save Up To 90% on Lodging, Flights, Tours, Cruises, and More!, numerous travel references, and several other books. Learn more about her and her books at www.terrancezepke.com.

, , , , , ,

Ramblings From A Budget Smart Girl and a newsletter…sort of

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on February 16, 2012 at 4:00 pm

My apologies for falling behind on the postings on the site and for the lack of newsletters for the year but it’s been a busy time. I’ve been teaching writing workshops, doing edits for some upcoming books, and recently was lucky enough to get two non-fiction book contracts. (Yep, I’ll be having some book giveaways on the site for you when they’re released) So today I thought I’d spend  time catching up and sharing with you all the good stuff that’s been landing in my e-mail inbox and to tell you what’s coming up next week.

First of all here’s a late Valentine’s Day recipe for you from Pringles….the weekend will be a great time to enjoy this one. www.pringles.com

 

 

Pringles Brownies

INGREDIENTS

6 ounces baking chocolate, unsweetened

3/4 cup unsalted butter or margarine

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup flour

1-6.41 ounce can of Original PRINGLES, regular or reduced fat

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting  (optional)

 DIRECTIONS

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F

2.  Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, and spray foil with cooking spray.

3.   In a glass bowl, microwave chocolate and butter on high for 2 minutes.  Stir until chocolate melts. 

4.   In a stainless steel bowl, mix sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well mixed. 

5.  Pour in butter chocolate mixture and mix well.

6.   Empty PRINGLES and flour into a food processor, and puree until very fine. 

7.  Empty flour mixture into chocolate mixture and mix well; add nuts to distribute.   

8.   Bake for 30 minutes, and cool.

Souper Contest

And the folks at Progresso Soup sent this to pass along

 This year, the Souper You® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser

Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd

Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th

Some articles of interest-

Thinking about joining a warehouse club?

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-113846-11781-1-8-ways-to-save-at-bulk-stores?ywaad=ad0035&nc

Chef recommended ingredients-

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/chefs-8217-secret-ingredients-every-kitchen-needs-161100998.html

Ways to Use the Microwave-

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/7-unexpected-uses-microwave-164800328.html

Next Week-

On Monday I’m hoping to have a book giveway for you along with another veggie recipe. And I’m starting a new feature about ways to make extra money. Just about everything is costing more money these days so I thought it would be a great idea to find places where you can make a little extra cash.  The first feature will highlight the company and then the second  part will feature  interviews with people who are actually making money on the site.

, , , , , , , ,

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-December 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter, Uncategorized on December 6, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Another year almost over and the last newsletter of 2011. This one is holiday focused-

Bargain Wines

Some of you who followed my column over at Garden and Hearth might remember Natalie MacLean who is a wine expert. She’ just written another book, this one’s titled Unquenchable and devoted to bargain wines. I asked her to share with us some of her suggestions for great wines for the holidays and here they are. Be sure to check out her Web site at http://www.nataliemaclean.com/

2010 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio, D.O.C., Alto Adige, Italy: Fresh and alive like spring white linens blowing in the breeze. Lime and lemon zest. Mouth-watering and medium-bodied. Pair with: seafood chowder. $15.95  Score: 88/100.

2010 Konrad Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand: One of my favourite Sauvignon Blancs, and it’s incredibly well priced. Herbal and zippy but not too grassy. Terrific acidity for food. Love it! Pair with: sea bass in a citrus sauce, pan seared chicken with a creamy tarragon sauce. $17.95  Score: 90/100.

2009 Montes Carmenère Alpha, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Yes, yes, yes! I am referring to the wine: this is simply amazing for the price. The total package. Packed with gorgeously layered fruit yet there’s acidity and elegance. Pair with: Korean ribs, herbed steak. $19.95  Score: 92/100.

2009 Château Rochecolombe , A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Tremendous quality and taste for the money. Black raspberries and cherries with smoky cedar notes. Full-bodied and smooth. Gold Medal at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Decant for 1-2 hours. Drink: 2011-2015.  $14.95  Score: 89/100.

2007 Terre Nere Rosso Di Montalcino Campigli Vallone Pierina, D.O.C., Tuscany, Italy: Satin smooth and enticing. Juicy with black cherry. Pair with: beef stew, lamb stew, dishes featuring grilled portobello mushrooms. $17.95  Score: 89/100.

Gloria Ferrer Brut Sparkling Wineméthode Champenoise, Sonoma County, California: I’ve been a fan of this bubbly for years: It’s beautifully made and so refreshing. The price is an absolute steal. Get a case for the holidays. $21.95  Score: 90/100.

Chocolate Event and Giveaway on Twitter

I just received information about this event which takes places on Twitter to night-

 (Tuesday, 12/6) Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker will be giving away 5 Everything Basic Baking Gift Sets as part of our Holiday Recipe Exchange, on Twitter, from 7-8 PM EST. With all the baking products you need to whip up this holiday season’s masterpiece, the baking set is perfect to use during the holidays or as a great hostess gift. Please feel free to invite your readers to participate for a chance to win.
Cohosting with Scharffen Berger Chocolate @ScharffenBerger  will be our panel of baking experts: Babette Pepaj of @bakespace, Matt Armendariz of Matt Bites @mattarmendariz, Jamie of My Baking Addiction @bakingaddiction and Susan Whetzel of @doughmesstic.
 
It should be an excellent opportunity to exchange holiday recipes, gain inspiration and useful tips, and chat with baking aficionados and dessert lovers.

A Snack and Gift

I forgot to include this one in last week’s gift guide. Great for the holidays and for gift giving too-

·Need a hostess gift in a snap? Bring a box of Nonni’s Biscotti with you. Nonni’s traditional recipe use real eggs, butter and gourmet bittersweet chocolate to give each biscotti a light, crunchy texture that is delicately sweet. They make the perfect complement to any desert table, when served with coffee, or a special treat the host can save just for herself in eight delicious flavors including Orginali, Caramel Latte, Cioccolati, Decadence, Limone, Toffee Almond, Triple Milke Chocolate and Turtle Pecan.

Unexpected guests? No problem! set out a plate of Nonni’s Biscotti Bites for guests to nibble on. These mini-versions of the beloved classic provide a unique eating experience crafted with the finest, all natural ingredients available in three delectable flavors: Almond dark Chocolate, Caramel Milk Chocolate and Classic Almond. 

Need a delicious snack on the run? Each Nonni’s Biscotti is individually wrapped making it a great treat to throw into your purse for a delicious treat as you run errands before hosting or attending a holiday event. Baked with high quality, natural ingredients and half the amount of sugar compared to other cookies, they’re also a guilt-free snack.

http://www.amazon.com/Nonnis-Toffee-Almond-Biscotti-Cookies/dp/B0055N4JPY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_gro_4

More Pies and Turkey

And if you didn’t get enough pie and Turkey at Thanksgiving, I received these two recipes last week that I thought I’d share with you courtesy of Thai Kitchen http://www.thaikitchen.com/

Thai Kitchen® Coconut Pumpkin Pie
 
Prep Time:  5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  
   1 frozen unbaked deep dish pie crust (9-inch)
   3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
   1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
   1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin 
   1 can (14 ounces) Thai Kitchen® Coconut Milk
 

Place frozen pie crust on foil-lined baking sheet.

Mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt in large bowl until smooth.  Stir in pumpkin.  Gradually add coconut milk, mixing well.  Pour into pie crust. 

Bake in preheated 425°F oven 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.  Bake 55 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.
 
Serve warm or refrigerate until ready to serve.  Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice, if desired.  Store leftover pie in refrigerator. 
 
Makes 8 servings.
 
Thai Kitchen® Red Curry Turkey Pot Pie
 
Prep Time:  10 minutes 
Cook Time: 40 minutes 
Makes 8 servings.
 
   1 can (14 ounces) Thai Kitchen® Coconut Milk
1/2 cup water
   2 pkgs. (.87 oz. each) turkey gravy mix, such as McCormick® Turkey Gravy Mix
   1 tbsp Thai Kitchen® Red Curry Paste
   3 cups cubed cooked turkey 
   2 cups frozen mixed vegetables  
   1 refrigerated pie crust (from 15-ounce package)
 
MIX Coconut Milk and water in large saucepan. Add gravy mix and Red Curry Paste; stir until well blended. Bring to boil on medium heat, stirring frequently. Stir in turkey and vegetables. Return to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes. 
 
SPOON into 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or 2-quart baking dish. Top with pie crust. Seal edges and cut several slits on top. 
 
BAKE in preheated 425°F oven 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.   
 
And finally
Here are some articles I found on the Web-
 
Jewels for the Holidays
Jewelry under $100
 
How to Make Perfect Pie Crust
 
Do It Yourself Home Energy Checks
 
Party Dresses Under $50
 
The Best Instant Mashed Potatoes…so glad my favorite brand was the winner, it’s the only one I’ll buy-
 
Buy It or Make It…I often ask the same question and here’s the response about mayonnaise-
 
Happy Holidays.

, , , , ,

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-November 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on November 3, 2011 at 4:04 pm

 A little bit of everything this month, some sites to check out, recipes to try, so let’s get started-

Produce To Check Out-

  • The best of the bunch: avocados, beets, tangerines, mandarins, Anjou pears, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery.
     
  • At their peek: sweet potatoes, cranberries, winter squash, yams, Bosc pears, dill.
     
  • Coming to the end of their peak season: green beans, garlic, leeks, parsnip, sweet peppers, apples, almonds, pecans.

Dale Steliga’s Make Up Post

I didn’t have time to post this on the site last week so I thought I’d include it in this month’s newsletter

Do you ever wonder how celebrities on the red carpet have positively glowing skin? Good genes and facials aren’t everything. There is a very simple trick makeup artists use on their famous clients that any woman can try at home or apply for a night on the town.

That makeup must-have is a good highlighter and my current fave is a cream base highlighter by MAC called “Shell.”($18)  It’s a pinkish hue, so if you prefer bronzed, choose the color “Pearl.” The cream base is also my preferred choice in fall and winter when our pores tend to appear parched. Moisture or a makeup that makes skin appear moisturized is key.

What does a highlighter do?It adds a subtle gorgeous glow that highlights the face in the most flattering light and it photographs well. Highlighters reflect light right where you want them to.

How do you apply it? For a cream base, apply with your finger or a makeup sponge. If you’re using a powder or shimmer, use a blush brush or one that isn’t too large because you’re only highlighting certain areas of your face. To set it or tame the shine, you can go over it with a translucent all-over powder.

Where should you apply highlighter? The most common place is the upper cheek bones after you’ve applied foundation and bronzer. I’m also careful to avoid getting it into my smile lines.

Also highlight just below your brow. Here’s a trick if you’re looking for a slimmer nose. You can create this appearance by applying light bronzer or a foundation a shade darker on the outside part of your nose and then add a bit of highlighter directly down in the bridge of your nose.

If you’re heading out of the house for a night out and showing a little skin, add some highlighter to your collarbones.

If you don’t like cream based highlighters, here are two other options.

You can try Nars Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross. It’s nice because it’s not glittery and has a very natural finish.  $27 – http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/highlighting-blush/albatross

Or if you do like a highlighting effect that is more noticeable and dramatic, try Victoria’s Secret Shimmer All-Over Powder in Star (pink) or Bronze Goddess -$14 http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265602722383&c=Page&cid=1314947989845&pagename=vsdWrapper

Extra tip- I’ve seen professional makeup artists use this Victoria’s Secret product and it’s a great price. Just remember to apply with a brush and not to use too much because it’s very shimmery. I don’t recommend this for people who get really oily. Also, it says “All-Over Powder” in the name and they’re not kidding. When I’m in a pinch and want to have a sexy shimmer, I take a pinch of this powder and add it to my body lotion as I spread on my arms and legs. It gives the same shimmering effect you see on celebs.

I went from highlighting my text books in college to highlighting my face the past few years and the latter is a lot more fun. If you’re new to using highlighter, it’s best to test the different areas on your face, (you can even watch a Youtube tutorial how to apply them) then take a pic. It may photograph differently than you see in the mirror depending on how much you applied. Nobody needs a Facebook tag with their face looking like a Christmas tree ornament. Been there, done that, removed tag.

The highlighting effect isn’t just for celebs, so go ahead and shine like a star yourself!

Buy and Sell

I haven’t checked this site or service out so as always proceed with caution if you do, or would love to hear some feedback if you have. Saw it listed yesterday and it seems like you can buy and sell items in your local area

http://www.zaarly.com/browse/#/browse

A Lifesaver

I can’t remember exactly how I found this site but so glad I did, especially since I’ve had more things to do than actual time. It’s a meal planner and grocery aid that I think I’ll be using a lot. Definitely will be bookmarking this one. And best thing is, yes, it’s free!

http://www.foodonthetable.com/

How Long Before You Buy Another One

I’ve been so busy I can’t remember if I listed this one in a former post but just incase I didn’t, here’s an interesting article about how long appliances should last

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/113645/how-long-should-home-appliances-last-kiplinger

Eating Healthy On A Budget

Lots of ideas in this article shared by Budget Smart Girls

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/10-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget-2575823/#photoViewer=11

Don’t Throw It Away

Sometimes I toss things away and have to buy new because I can’t remove a stain but this article might prevent that-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/8-old-time-solutions-to-modern-domestic-problems-2579692/

Meatless Meals

Next week I’ll be launching a Meatless Monday feature on the site. Eating vegetarian food is one way to stretch your dollar and thought this article had some ideas to get you started especially if you’re entertaining during the holidays-

http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/10-best-vegetarian-dinner-party-dishes-1317390745-slideshow/chestnut-bourguignon-pie-photo-1317390611.html

Recipes From Giada De Laurentiis

Did you know that chef Giada De Laurentiis has a line of foods available at Target. They’re all reasonably priced and here are two recipes using the chicken stock and sun dried tomotoes for you to try.

“As a busy chef, wife and mother, I know that life sometimes gets too hectic to even think about what to make for dinner,” said Giada De Laurentiis.  “I’ve found that delicious and balanced meals can start with just a few quality and versatile ingredients that please the whole family in a snap.”

Try these recipes from Giada for a weeknight meal that is quick and easy on even the busiest days:

“Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Olives and Lemon

 

1 pound linguine pasta

1 cup (6-ounces) Giada De Laurentiis for Target sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 cup (4-ounces) medium green olives, pitted

1 packed cup fresh basil leaves

1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

Zest of 1 large lemon

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.  Place the pasta in a large serving bowl.

In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, garlic, oil, lemon juice and lemon zest.  Pulse until blended, but still chunky.

Add the tomato mixture and Parmesan cheese to the pasta and toss well until the pasta is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes

 

Chicken Stew

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 (14 1/2-oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (14-oz.) can low-salt Giada De Laurentiis for Target chicken stock

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 bay leaf

2 chicken breast with ribs (about 1 1/2 lb.)

1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Heat oil in pot over medium heat.  Add carrot and onion.  Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juices, broth, basil, tomato paste and bay leaf.  Add chicken ­ and submerge.

Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning chicken and stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.  Transfer chicken to cutting board.  Discard bay leaf. Add beans to stew and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Discard skin and bones from chicken.  Cut chicken into pieces; return to stew.  Bring to a simmer.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Total Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Coming Up on the Site

Tomorrow look out for more coupon tips from Marcia, next week a countdown to Thanksgiving with tips and hints for staying on budget, also my favorite feature of the year, the Budget Smart Girl’s Annual Gift Guide.

Have a good month and a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter for October 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on October 4, 2011 at 5:11 pm

It’s offically fall and here are things to look out for in the produce department-

Grab Them Soon- green beans, sweet peppers, tomatoes

At Their Peak-pumpkins, winter squash, and apples

Hitting the shelves this month-beets, Bosc and Comice pears, rutabaga, broccoli, spinach and kale

Say Goodbye to Summer

Summer flew by this year. One thing I miss is all the inexpensive produce to put together a salad. However, fall has its ingredients too and thought I’d share this salad recipe I was sent from Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar and Holland House Vinegar.

Pear and Candied Pecan Salad

Makes 6 servings

Fresh pears, crumbled blue or feta cheese, and sweet pecans come together with NAKANO Italian Herb Seasoned Red Wine Vinegar in this elegant medley.

 INGREDIENT
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup NAKANO Italian Herb Seasoned Red Wine Vinegar
Salt
2 ripe pears, cored and diced 1/2-inch
1/2 small red onion, sliced lengthwise into thin slivers
1 piece aluminum foil (12×12-inches)
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup pecan or walnut halves
8 cups lightly packed chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup crumbled blue or feta cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

 DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, seasoned red wine vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Marinate pears and onion in the dressing 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, have foil handy. In a small skillet, combine the sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook and stir over medium-low heat, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping sides of skillet as needed, until sugar is smooth, melted, and golden (it burns quickly, so watch it closely). Add nuts; stir to coat. Watch the color and as soon as sugar turns a rich (not dark) caramel color (several seconds later), immediately transfer the nuts to foil. Pour caramel left in pan over nuts (nuts become crunchy as they cool). When cool, break nuts apart; set aside.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer pears and onions to a large bowl. Add lettuce and just enough dressing to lightly coat; toss gently. Add the cheese and pecans; toss gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

 Head to Target

 

I was sent this information about this week’s sale at Target on their Archer Farm Line. Love that brand and will definitely be checking it out-

Beginning Sunday, October 2, hundreds of favorite Archer Farms brand products will be on sale at Target. Select Target stores will offer recipes and samples for tasting during this special event, so come hungry!  The Archer Farms Sale is a great opportunity to sample or stock up on the many unique and inspiring products in the Archer Farms collection.

Finally an Ink Refill Service…

When it comes time to buy refills for my printer…okay I won’t start my whining all over again but I now I do my homework and see who has the best deal. I found this company and it turned out my purchase was $15.32 less than the last cartridge I bought at one of the major office supply stores. Plus I got an instant 10% off, free shipping and yes, I couldn’t believe how quickly they delivered it to me. So for the price and excellent service, check out http://www.inkcartridges.com/

Free Books

You know I love to read and one way to do that for free…besides visiting your library is to become a book reviewer. What you say, don’t you need experience? Well if you love books, have some talent with words, can express what you liked or didn’t about a book, you can review them. Here’s some information about a review site that actually has three different types of books it reviews everything from young adult to erotic romances, it’s your pick. They’re a fun bunch of people to work with and here is the scoop-

“We have hundreds of books and stories in many different genres to review and need more reviewers to help us get them done.  You choose the stories you review — Earn your way to Amazon or BN.com gift certificates all while reading free books.”

For more information CLICK HERE:  http://www.longandshortreviews.com/reviewerapp.htm

Doritos Contest

I love watching the ads during the Super Bowl and next year one of them could be yours. Doritos are running their Super Bowl ad contest again and the winner gets a $1 million. http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/story/2011-09-26/doritos-super-bowl-ad-contest/50561574/1

New Things at Budget Smart Girl

I’m keeping this newsletter brief this month because I’m short on time and wanted to get something to you but just to let you know I have some new features planned for the site. A Meatless Monday where I’ll have a different meatless recipe each week. All our new contributors will be offering tips each month. A What to Do and Buy at the beginning of each month. What I’m Reading, where I’ll tell you about some money related book I’ve read and what I thought of it. I’ll also be using Twitter more to tell you about things I don’t have time to put on the site or something where time is of the essence like a  soon to expire coupon or deal I hear about. And as everyone seemed to enjoy all the recipes I posted over the summer, there will be more of them too.

Have a good month and safe and happy Halloween.

, , , , , , , , , ,

Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-September 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on September 1, 2011 at 3:19 pm

I know I say it every month but this time it’s where did summer go? Some stores have Halloween items on display and yesterday a Christmas catalog arrived in my mailbox.  It’s still a great time to grab some bargains from summer leftovers. I’m seeing huge discounts on summer clothing, yard and garden items and yes, still lots of bargains to be hand with back to school stuff. Best time of the year to stock your home office too.

Summer Recipes

I’ve been meaning to pass along these recipes to you so thought they’d be perfect for Labor Day. They all look tempting and I’m going to give the salmon recipe a try this weekend. If you want to check out more recipes like this visit www.Mizkan.com.  Thank you to them for passing these along-

 

Chicken Lettuce Bundles with Sesame Herb Dressing

Makes 6 lettuce bundles

Not a salad, not a sandwich–just a terrific flavor combination

to eat out of hand. Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie

chicken for added convenience.

INGREDIENTS

Sesame Herb Dressing:

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup, plus 1 Tbsp. NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar Original or Roasted Garlic, divided

1/3 cup chopped fresh mint

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or basil

1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

2 green onions, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger (optional)

Lettuce Bundles:

2 small avocados, not too soft

8 to 10 oz. cooked chicken, shredded

1 small cucumber, cut in 1/4-inch cubes

1/2 cup matchstick carrots

6 large Romaine lettuce leaves

DIRECTIONS

Combine mayonnaise and 1/4-cup rice vinegar with remaining dressing ingredients in a small bowl or pitcher; whisk to blend. Cut avocados in half, remove pits and peel. Cut into small cubes, place in a bowl and toss with remaining 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar.

To assemble lettuce bundles, place a lettuce leaf on each serving plate. Drizzle center of lettuce with Sesame Herb Dressing. Top with 1/3 cup chicken, 2 tablespoons diced cucumbers, 1 tablespoon carrots, and about 1/4 cup diced avocado. Drizzle with more dressing. Fold sides of lettuce up and eat taco style.

 

Coconut-Lime Marinated Shrimp

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Serve shrimp with coconut-lime sauce over hot cooked rice.
INGREDIENTS
1-1/4 lbs. raw, peeled shrimp (26/30 size or about 40 shrimp)
1 can (13.5 oz.) coconut milk
1/3 cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar—Red pepper
1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
2 large cloves garlic, minced
Grated peel of 2 limes
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)
8 to 10 skewers (8 to 10-inches)
DIRECTIONS
Place shrimp in a sealable gallon plastic bag. Shake can of coconut milk, open and pour into medium bowl or 2-cup measuring cup. Stir in Nakano seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and lime peel. Pour over shrimp and shake bag gently to coat. Seal bag and refrigerate 4 hours, turning bag over once.

If using wood skewers, soak skewers in water 30 minutes. Preheat broiler, or preheat grill to medium heat. Drain shrimp reserving marinade in a small saucepan. Thread 4 to 5 shrimp onto each skewer. Broil or grill 3 minutes; turn over and cook 3 minutes more. Meanwhile, bring marinade to a boil; boil for 1 full minute. Serve sauce with shrimp, over rice if desired.

Pan-Roasted Salmon with Black-Bean Garlic Sauce

Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS
1/4-cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar Red Pepper
2-teaspoons soy sauce
2 -teaspoons Asian (toasted) sesame oil
4-skinless salmon fillets (1-3/4 to 2 lbs)
Freshly ground black pepper
1-tablespoon vegetable oil
4-teaspoons black bean garlic sauce*
3-medium green onions, minced
1-tablespoon minced fresh ginger
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil; set aside. Pat salmon dry with paper towels; remove bones. Lightly season salmon with pepper.

In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Cook salmon on one side until well browned, about 4 minutes; remove skillet from heat. Carefully turn salmon over; spread 1 teaspoon bean sauce over each fillet. Drizzle vinegar mixture over salmon; sprinkle with onions and ginger. Cover; cook over medium heat until salmon is done as desired, about 2 to 4 minutes.

To serve, spoon sauce in pan over salmon.

 *Note: Black bean garlic sauce is available in Asian markets and the Asian section in supermarkets.

Budget Smart Girl Note-I think you could even use just black beans and a hint of garlic.

September is…

Besides being the month with Labor Day and the first day of fall it’s also National Yoga Month. If you’re like me and keep saying you’ll give classes a try check out www.yogamonth.org . You can get sign up for one free week of classes. Great way to check it out before you commit

And it’s also Better Breakfast Month. Look for all things related to the first meal of the day going on sale and check out www.betterbreakfast.org for ideas and recipes too.

Fall Fashion

Budget Smart Girl is still looking for a fashion expert to blog each month so if you know anyone who yes, excuse the pun, fits the bill, I’d love to have them e-mail me. In the meantime I decided to check on what’s hot this fall. Seems maxi skirts are smoking hot, so is camel, anything with polka dots and both the Western look and anything inspired by the TV show Mad Men. I bet you can find something in your closet that fits into one of those categories. I know I can.

The Battle of The Yogurts

Seems the yogurt market is growing every day and remember the free coupon I told you about last week? There’s another one this week and this time it’s from Activia. Here’s the link http://activia.us.com/products/enjoy_activia_selects.aspx

Articles On the Web I liked-

Here are some of my favorite money related topics I found on the Internet-

Freebies

Who doesn’t love something free-

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/665/fabulous-freebies/

Some of these are inexpensive foods too-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/9-bad-foods-you-should-be-eating-2533750#photoViewer=9

When You Want to Get the Most Out of Your Food Dollar-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/how-to-cook-everything-a-little-better-2535216/

What to Buy in September

Lots of fall produce starting to hit the stores-

  • New to the Stores: artichokes, kale, winter squash, pomegranates, and pistachios
  • At their Peak: basil, cucumber, eggplant, tomatoes, apples, and grapes
  • Grab them While You Can: melons, Bartlett pears, plums, potatoes, and summer squash

And Finally-

For anyone living in Texas or traveling there this weekend I was sent information about this deal you might like to check out-

Labor Day Summer Finale package at the Horseshoe Bay Resort: End the summer with a splash at this charming resort in Texas Hill Country. The package is tailored to a family of four and includes standard guest room accommodations, choice of ski boat, pontoon boat or WaverRunner rentals, Labor Day commemorative tee shirts, unlimited on-property activities that includes banana boat rides and fish camp, four tickets to Lantana Grill’s Tex-Mex buffet, 20% off Bayside Spa Services, 50% off golf green fees at all Horseshoe Bay Resort golf courses, and 30% on tennis court rentals. Offer valid September 3 – 5, 2011.

                Website: http://www.hsbresort.com/ 

 Have a wonderful month.

, , , , , , , ,

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-July/August 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on July 8, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Hope you’re enjoying summer so far. As usual this newsletter is combined with the August one and will get back to its regular schedule in September. A little bit of everything this month…

Celebrate Two Foods

Did you know the July is Hot Dog Month and also Ice Cream Month?A good time to stock up on all the bargains and store them in the freezer. I can’t think of two better foods for a quick meal and dessert. (Next week’s recipe will feature ice cream). And if you’re counting calories this summer there’s a new ice cream on the market. I haven’t tried it yet but here’s the information I was sent-

The new 85-calorie Chocolate Dipped Premium Bars from  is first ice cream bar available that is under 100 calories!

Rolling out nationally this month, these are the first chocolate dipped ice cream bars in this calorie range, having 70 percent fewer calories, fat and sugar than other premium bars.  Even better, they’re made with all natural ingredients everyone can pronounce. The unique blend of whey protein and monk fruit sweetener make this great tasting treat that even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy.  Other benefits include that they are gluten free, lactose intolerant friendly, low sugar, low glycemeic and suitable for type 2 diabetics. They’re, only 85 calories. www.myarticzero.com
 
Some Products I Loved
Here are some products I recently purchased and have to say I really love and best of all they’re not expensive.
 
 
First one is Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer. I’m always reluctant to hand over money for products that claim to do this and that but my legs needed some color and thought I’d give this product at least a chance. I have to say it has added a nice tint to my legs and yes, firmed them up somewhat. Although I should add that’s I’ve also been doing more leg exercises since I’ve been using this product. Price $8.79.
 
The next two products are from one of my favorites, E.L.F cosmetics. Both are from their Studio Line. First one is their Mineral Face Primer cost was $6. Once again I was skeptical about buying it but now glad I did as it really gets your skin ready for applying makeup. A little goes a long way too.
 
Next product goes on my list of must haves and cost just $3. It’s the tinted moisturizer with SPF 20. Does two jobs in one, moisturizes and also gives your face a nice color. It’s great when you don’t want to put on makeup but don’t want to go completely bare either.
 
Post Fourth of July
Although summer’s barely started anytime after the Fourth of July is perfect for picking up bargains like patio furniture, kid’s outdoor play stuff, swimwear, summer fashions etc. I’ve even seen some fall items heading into the stores which means they have to make room for it and discounts can’t be far behind.
 
An Answer to a Pet Peeve
Okay, this one might not help me because I don’t have one of the printer brands on the list but I thought I’d pass this along to you. You know my biggest pet peeve is the price of ink cartridges. I’m currently working on an article about freebies for writers and was sent this information which I thought would interest you too.
 
Would it surprise you to learn that you can get free ink cartridges? Staples and Officedepot pay $2 for empty printer cartridges. If you could only get them for $2, your final cost would be zero. And you can. At http://www.ccs-digital.com/ we have discovered a unique product – ink cartridges where the ink is kept in a separate replaceable tank inside the cartridge. When the tank is empty, you don’t buy a whole new cartridge with chip, you just replace the ink tank. Most tanks are in the $2 range, a few go as high as 2.50. After the $2 back from Staples or Officedepot, your final cost is no more than 50 cents and often free. We also offer free cartridges to repeat customers, to those who referred others and to those being referred. So our customers get plenty of free ink.
 
 
Best Buys for July
  • New to the Produce Section: cucumbers, eggplants, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, Bartlett pears, plums.
  • At Their Peak: corn, red onions, nectarines
  • Grab them Soon: lettuce, Vidalia and Walla Walla onions, cherries
 For August-At their peak:green beans, corn, cucumber, summer squash, raspberries, melons, and plumsGrab them while you can: blueberries, blackberries

 Salad Days are Here

 

I love salads all year but there’s something about sitting outside enjoying the freshest produce of the season that makes summer extra special.

Not Your Usual Tuna Salad

While tuna, chicken, and tuna salad remain perennial favorites for most of us, there are lots of ways you can jazz them up. Try serving them as a trio. Just serve smaller amounts of each salad. How about using an ice cream scoop to get three perfect round servings and placing them on a plate with some crusty French bread, or crackers. One of my favorite ways to serve these types of salads is to scoop out a beefsteak tomato, chill it for an hour or so, and then fill it to the brim with your prepared mixture. You can do the same thing with a melon. I like to scoop out the middle, and slice it into rings and place the salad inside. And for a little extra pizazz, try adding chopped fruits, like apples, grapes, nuts such as toasted pecans or cashews, and even a teaspoon of curry powder. One other ingredient I’ve recently discovered is smoked paprika. It’s not the cheapest spice at the store…but it’s so packed with flavor, a little goes a long way. It really gives the salad more depth and makes it taste extra special.

No Iceberg Please

 During the summer months just about every lettuce is on sale and. that means you don’t have to spend much more to get a lettuce like red leaf or romaine, and which in my opinion make a more hearty salad. And speaking of lettuce, here’s trend I’ve been seeing at lots of restaurants. Instead of serving a salad using chopped lettuce, many eateries are opting to give customers a ‘wedge’ of lettuce. It’s then topped with things like shredded cheese, chives, and croutons and drizzled with dressings such as ranch. If you’re getting bored with your usual salad, give it a try.

Coleslaw and Potato Salad

When you think of picnic fare, coleslaw and potato salad spring to mind. While I have to say I really enjoy both of them, I do like to occasionally try something a little different. For coleslaw I like to add shredded cheese. (This is also a great mixture to top baked potatoes). I also like to use the shredded broccoli you can buy in bags in the produce department, and add blue cheese dressing to it. And for potato salad, I sometimes add chopped vegetables, like carrots and peppers. This is also a great way to sneak some vegetables into your child’s food without them noticing.

Fruit and Cheese

A fruit and cheese platter always makes a quick and light meal. And as most fruits are cheaper right now, you can experiment with just about any combination. And here’s something that’s just perfect for a hot summer day, when you don’t feel like cooking, or when you’re watching your weight.

  • ¼ cup of cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup sour cream (go with the light variety if you’re counting calories)
  • ¼ cup chopped pineapple, make sure you drain it well
  • ¼ cup toasted shredded coconut

Put everything in a bowl and mix well. It makes about a cup and keeps for about a week in the refrigerator. You can serve it on top of a fruit platter or use it as a dip for things like strawberries, pineapple, and cantaloupe. It makes the ideal snack on hot days.

Let’s Not Forget Our Leftovers

As we budget smart cooks should always be thinking about getting the most mileage from our food, let’s not forget that leftovers can make the perfect salad too. Leftover pizza can be cubed and used instead of croutons. Leftover meats can be sliced, tossed in salad dressing and put on top of lettuce. Even beans and rice can become interesting salad fixings.

Articles of Interest-

If you shop at CVS this one’s for you-

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/how-to-save-money-at-cvs-2507857/

 Heading out to the mall this weekend?

http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-113019-10115-3-10-things-shopping-malls-wont-tell-you?ywaad=ad0035&nc

Shop at the local dollar store?

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/629/how-to-score-amazing-dollar-store-beauty-steals/

Have a wonderful summer.

, , , , , , ,

Budget Smart Girl Newsletter for June 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on June 3, 2011 at 4:59 pm
 June already and the official start of summer is still three weeks away. Plenty of things to do and bargains to be had-
 
Best Buys for June
In the produce department I’m seeing good prices on corn on the cob, zucchini, berries, cherries, tomatoes, herbs and Vidalia onions ( I usually buy these in bulk and carmelize them and then use them in dishes and sandwiches, cheese is one of my favorites.) 
 
Make Yourself Some Extra Cash?
I haven’t  used this and not advertised any of my skills here but I stumbled upon this site last week and thought it was interesting just to check out if nothing else. Seems you can sell or buy something, even a skill for $5.

http://fiverr.com/

Arts and Crafts

Summer is the perfect time to check out all the arts and crafts sales going on around the country. You can get ideas for your own hobbies and even pick up some early holiday gifts too. Or maybe you want to sell your handmade items at one of these venues. Here’s a site that lets you type in your zip code and see what’s close by-

http://festivalnet.com/indexes.html?S_date_yr=&S_date_mo=&State_local=mn&City_local=&Sidelined=no&Entertainment=&Juried=&Types_music=&Prize_money=&Type=&zip=&miles=&per_page=   

The Humble Sardine

I told you I recently worked on a nutrition article and one food that was highly recommend as being good for you and cheap is the sardine. It has the lowest mercury level of all fishes too. My late father always love a sardine sandwich but here’s a link to a slideshow that shows you all the ways to put this bargain food to good use-

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/healthy_sardine_recipes?slide=1#leaderboardad

Saving Money Is Also for Budget Smart Guys

Found this an interesting article, seems the men like to save money too-

http://supermarketnews.com/news/males_saving_0523/

 

Fourth of July

I know it’s hard to believe that the Fourth of July isn’t that far away. So what types of foods do you associate most with this holiday?  Probably hot dogs, hamburgers and anything cooked on the grill. Maybe for dessert it’s red, white and blue cupcakes, or strawberry shortcake. If holiday meals are getting just a little too predictable, causing guests to turn down your party invitation, it might be time to rethink the foods you serve to your family and friends.
While I have to admit grilling is a perennial favorite at my house, this year I’m thinking more picnic type foods. Items that don’t take forever to put together, and you don’t have to worry about keeping them warm. Here’s what I came up with-

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 just 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.

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 fillo shells in your supermarket freezer. They cost less than $2 for 15 shells, and are made by a company called Athens, http://www.athens.com/ Their Web site has some great ideas. You can add just about anything to them and as they have a neutral flavor, they work well with both savory and sweet fillings. I like to add chicken, tuna, or egg salad to them.

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 are 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, and cut in half to reveal the filling. 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. Choose between pound cake and even brownies. And you can either make one large Alaska or individual ones. It’s basically a layer of cake topped with ice cream, some people also use a layer of fruit, and then the whole thing is covered with meringue. Here’s a link to a recipe in case you’re not sure how to make a meringue http://www.ehow.com/how_13800_make-meringues.htmlIt’s then placed in a 425-degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until the meringue gets slightly golden brown. And don’t worry, the ice cream doesn’t melt because the meringue protects it, or at least should protect the ice cream if you’ve sealed all the edges correctly, if not, you’ll have ice cream melting in your oven! Another important thing 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.

Travel Deals

It’s not only summer but travel season too. This article has some tips for finding bargains-

 
Going No Spend
How long do you think you could go without spending money?
 
 
Best Beauty Buys
I liked this article and while some of the products mentioned aren’t cheap, the list does have some good buys-
 
Preserving Clothes
One way to make your clothes last longer is to know how to wash and care for them so I thought this was a good article to check out-
 
Recipes from the Thai Kitchen
 
Okay, what newsletter would be complete without a recipe or two? This month’s goodies come courtesy of the folks at Thai Kitchen http://www.thaikitchen.com/
 
 
Thai Kitchen® Vegetable Kabobs
Makes 4 servings.
   1 can ( 14 oz.) Thai Kitchen® Coconut Milk
   1 tablespoon Thai Kitchen® Premium Fish Sauce
   2 teaspoons Thai Kitchen® Red Curry Paste        
   1 cup medium mushrooms
   1 small zucchini or summer squash, cut into 1-inch chunks 
   1 small green or red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks 
   1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges 
   4 long bamboo or metal skewers 
 
MIX coconut milk, fish sauce and curry paste in small bowl until well blended. Set aside. Thread vegetables onto skewers. Place kabobs in shallow dish. Pour marinade over kabobs; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight for extra flavor. 
 
BROIL or grill kabobs over medium heat 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender, turning occasionally. Serve with Sweet Red Chili Sauce for dipping or kick things up a notch with one of their new Dipping Sauces try Spicy Thai Mango or Spicy Thai Ginger.
 
Thai Kitchen Tips: 
Soak bamboo skewers thoroughly in water for at least 30 minutes before threading with vegetables. This prevents them from burning when on the grill. 
 
Add chicken, shrimp, beef or a firm tofu, pair with Jasmine Rice and make this a well-rounded meal.
 
And some extra flavor with Thai Kitchens new dipping and all-purpose sauces. 
 
We recommend 
 
 
 
Thai Grilled Flatbread with Mango & Sweet Chili Sauce
Prep Time:  15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
 
   1 cup Thai Kitchen® Sweet Red Chili Sauce, divided
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
   1 tablespoon soy sauce
   3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
   2 baby bok choy, cut lengthwise into quarters
   1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
   1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into quarters 
   1 large ripe mango, peeled, seeded and cut into large pieces
   2 packages (8.8 ounces each) naan (4 pieces)
   Chopped peanuts and chopped fresh mint (optional)
 
Mix 1/2 cup of the chili sauce, peanut butter and soy sauce in small bowl until smooth. Mix remaining 1/2 cup chili sauce and 1 tablespoon of the oil in small bowl. 
 
Grill vegetables and fruit over medium heat 5 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally and brushing with chili sauce and oil mixture. Brush naan lightly with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Grill over medium-low heat 1 to 2 minutes or until grill marks appear on both sides. 
 
Spread peanut butter mixture evenly on each naan. Cut vegetables and fruit into bite-size pieces. Divide evenly among each naan. Sprinkle with peanuts and mint, if desired. 
 
Makes 8 appetizer servings.
 
Thai Kitchen Tips: 
Substitute whatever fresh vegetables are available to create a fresh, seasonal flatbread. 
 
Have a good month.
 

, , , ,

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-May 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on May 5, 2011 at 5:18 pm

Something of everything this month, a recipe, travel tips and a freebie offer

Best Buys for May

New to the Produce Dept-green beans, corn, zucchini, blackberries, raspberries, stawberries

At their peak-sweet Vadalia onions, peas

Grab them Now-broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, spinach, salad mix, rhubarb

Tuna and Rice Stuffed Peppers (serves 4)

 

This is the recipe I mentioned in Monday’s blog. Green peppers were on sale and I wanted to use them as the base for a meal instead of just chopping them up as part of a recipe. I think this recipe would also work in tomatoes and also in wraps. I served it with pesto toast. Sliced French bread toasted, then spread with pesto sauce and grilled.

4 green peppers

3 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 cup cooked rice

1/2 cup of corn

1 12 ounce can of tuna

1/2 crumbled feta cheese

1 small onion diced finely

salt and pepper

 

Instructions

Lots of recipes call for raw peppers but I like to partly cook them before baking. Wash and slice off the tops of the peppers, seed them and then place them in a saucepan of water and cook until crisp tender which is about 5-8 minutes. While they’re cooking mix the rest of the ingredients. Drain the peppers, place in a casserole dish and fill with the mixture.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

Drying Foods

One thing I love about this season and summer is the abundance of produce. I love the idea that they can be perserved for winter eating. One way to do that is to dry them. I found this at Natural Home and Garden. At first I thought a hammer and nails might be involved but it looks simple enough children could help you put it together-

http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/diy-projects/how-to-build-a-solar-food-dehydrator.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=NH+eNews+04.28.11&utm_campaign=NH_ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

Summer Travel Tips

Summer travel is just around the corner and here are some great tips from Susan Foster

Air travel costs are escalating but there are ways to keep the total price down, it just takes a little homework to know where the expensive pitfalls lie. It is estimated that fees generated $22.6 billion in 2010 for the world’s airlines, according to the Los Angeles Times. As fuel costs go up, airlines look for ways to cover this increase without raising ticket prices; fees are helping. If you can minimize the fees, you save the cash!
 
If you have already paid for your spring break ticket (or are planning ahead for summer travel), here is a guide on how to avoid the add-ons that can hurt or break your travel budget.
· Carry on. Pack less and carry it with you.
Susan Foster, packing expert and author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler (www.smartpacking.com), packs for a three-week Europe trip in a 22″ carry-on bag. “Just take less and plan to do laundry,” she says. “This is where you can save real money — fees vary by airline and range from zero to $25 each way for the first bag, and from $20 — $45 each way for the second bag.”
 
Spirit Airlines is the only one to charge for carry-on bags so book with another airline if their fare is equal to another carrier. (Spirit’s add-on internet booking fee and carry-on bag fee will bump up the total price.)
· Book tickets online. Most airlines charge a booking fee for phone or in person reservations, a few even charge for internet bookings! Third party sites may add fees for multiple airlines, international flights, or packages. Check each site carefully before deciding so you can add up and compare fees and fares to avoid surprises.

· Don’t be fussy. Advance seat selection and priority boarding privileges add more fees.
· Don’t change your mind. All airlines but one, Southwest, charge a fee of $75 – $250 to change your ticket.
· Unaccompanied kids and pets are expensive. If you want your child to fly alone to visit Grandma, add at least $25 – $100 each way. Or consider going along, it may actually cost less. And if you want to take Bowser with you, add at least $50 to $125 each way for him to ride under the seat and more in cargo.
 
· Take it with you. In flight food and drinks are available but for a price. Carry your own snacks and drinks and save. Even pillows and blankets on some airlines now incur a fee, so pack a blow-up pillow or roll up your sweater to tuck behind your head. A shawl makes a good blanket if needed.
 
Here are Foster’s tips to pack less:
 
1. Start with a small bag. It is human nature to fill the available space so start small (the largest legal carry-on is 22″x14″x9″). Make use of every inch of real estate in the bag — fill shoes with rolled up socks or underwear, roll casual clothes and tuck items into the “valleys” created inside the bag by the handle assembly.
 
2. Just take less. Let go of the idea of wearing a different outfit each day. Pack interchangeable pieces based on one basic color, and plan to wear each piece more than once. Two pairs of dark slacks plus one jacket plus four shirts/blouses will last for one week. For two or more weeks, launder/clean and repeat. Pack clothes that you love so you feel good wearing the same things many times in different combinations.
3. Choose items that pack small. A thin wool or cashmere sweater packs smaller than a sweatshirt; micro-fiber slacks pack smaller than jeans; loafers pack smaller than boots. Several lighter weight layers are as warm but pack smaller than a bulky coat.
 
4. Take only 3 pair of shoes — wear one and pack no more than two. Shoes are bulky and heavy; cutting back in this area makes a huge difference.
 
5. Minimize cosmetics and toiletries by taking only the amount needed for the trip. One ounce of shampoo lasts for two weeks with daily use; any more is excess weight. Buy travel/sample sizes or transfer to small containers.
6. Plan to do laundry. Go high tech with quick-drying underwear, socks and tee-shirts made of wicking fabrics. Wicking fabrics absorb perspiration so are comfortable to wear plus they wash easily in the bathroom sink and dry overnight (or less). Then pack only 3 sets of underwear — one to wear, one to wash, and a spare.
 7. Avoid the “what-if’s” that lead to multiple suitcases. Pack for what is known and for logical possibilities. Logical: rain, so pack a raincoat or poncho and perhaps a small umbrella. Not logical: an impromptu formal dinner, so leave evening clothes at home.
Susan Foster is the author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler. Learn more about Foster and her book at www.smartpacking.com, and sign up for her free newsletters that offers great travel tips and information several times a year. Foster is frequently quoted in national and regional publications and is a regular guest on numerous radio shows.

For Meatless Monday

Anyone going the Meatless Monday route? If so check out this slideshow, lots of good stuff-

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshows/2011/02/meatless_mains_slideshow?mbid=synd_yshop#slide=1

Articles I found on the Web-

Ways to lower your car insurance costs-

http://finance.yahoo.com/insurance/article/112595/tips-lower-cost-car-ownership-moneytalks

Freebie

One of my pet peeves is getting highlights put in my hair and having them disappear a month later. Lots of companies are selling products to make hair color last longer. Here’s one from Aveeno you can sample for free-http://www.aveeno.com/1005/haircare-free-sample

Have a good month

, , , ,

The Budget Smart Girl Newsletter-April 2011

In Budget Smart Girl's Newsletter on March 31, 2011 at 4:45 pm

 It’s spring, almost April and in this newsletter lots of different things to tell you about-

Coupons on ebay

Seems the auction site isn’t just for buying and selling any more. You can get coupons too-

http://extras.ebay.com/

Spa Night on the Cheap

I saw this article and bookmarked because I”m always looking for inexpensive ways to treat myself to my own spa at home-

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/makeover/diy-beauty-treatments-you-can-make-in-your-own-kitchen-1263801/

Erasing Debt

Thought this was an interesting article-

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/112352/how-to-erase-70000-in-debt?mod=bb-debtmanagement

Time to Do Some Spring Cleaning

I tend to hang onto things, yes, sometimes when I should toss or donate them so this was definitely an article for me-

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Gadgets-You-Should-Get-Rid-Of-nytimes-1557697455.html?x=0

Jiffy Mixes

I often buy the popover and corn muffin mixes from Jiffy because they’re always great value and oftentimes cheaper than making my own, now they’re offering a book-

http://www.jiffymix.com/bookorder.php

Gourmet Breads

Another thing I love but the prices deter me from buying them more often are gourmet breads. Here is a link to some great bread machine recipes-

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/category/methodCategory–tx_met_bread_machine?&cuisineCategory=tx_cui_american&pg=2

How to Do Most Anything

I can’t remember how I stumbled upon this site but when I did I spent an hour browsing all the content. Lots of good stuff about how to make various items and I warn you once you click on the link you’ll want to stick around for awhile-

http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-living/

Retirement for Women

We’re reminded just about everyday that we need to save for retirement and women often fall behind with that goal. Here’s a book that outlines specific details just for us girls.

http://www.wiserwomen.org/index.php?id=83&page=What_Women_Need_To_Know_About_Retirement

Bootcamp for Budget Smart Girls

I was sent this and thought I’d pass it along to you. Real Simple Magazine is offering a bootcamp dedicted to getting you on the right money track-

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/planning/learnvest-bootcamp/?xid=roundtable-bootcamp

Phone Service

Just about every budget related article focuses on ways to save money on your phone service. When I was sent details about Ooma I thought I’d pass them along to you. Here are the details and the company kindly answered a few questions I about the service-

Ooma provides free home phone service using broadband Internet and your existing home phone. All the customer has to do is purchase an Ooma device (MSRP $249.99),  plug-in their high-speed Internet and an existing home phone into Ooma Telo – and then calls anywhere in the U.S. are free, with extremely cost-effective international calling at pennies per minute.

Ooma Telo can be purchased online at Amazon.com or Buy.com and is also available at major retailers such as Best Buy, Costco, J&R, Fry’s and more.

Is this a one-time purchase or is there a renewal fee each year?
Yes, by making a one-time purchase of the Ooma Telo (MSRP $249.99), customers are able to enjoy crystal-clear voice quality and great features such as free voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, 911 service. They only need to pay applicable taxes and fees (typically less than $3.50 per month). There are no yearly renewal fees or contracts.
Can people keep their same phone number?
In most cases, yes, Ooma can transfer (port) an existing phone number to Ooma. Normally there is a one-time processing fee of $39.99, but if they sign-up for an annual subscription to Ooma Premier ($119.99/yr), Ooma will waive the porting fee. Customer can confirm that their number can be ported by going to www.ooma.com/products/port. New customers are advised porting typically takes up to three weeks and they must keep their current phone service until the transfer is complete.
 
What are some international calling rates? Are there any special codes that have to be used?
Customers can call most countries for standard Ooma rates that are usually less than a penny per minute. Ooma Premier customers also have the option to save even more by subscribing to one of Ooma’s international calling plans. More information about the calling plans and bulk rates can be found here: http://www.ooma.com/premier/international-bundle
Some sample rates include:
·         Canada less than $.02 per min.
·         Italy less than $.03 per min.
·         Hong Kong less than $.03 per min.
·         Mexico less than $.14 per min.
A list of country calling rates and country code can be located by going to http://www.ooma.com/products/international-rates
 
To make international calls customers are required to use a country code, it’s essentially the same experience as if they were calling from a landline or cell phone. 

Drop Your Debt

Something else to pass along to you-

Mint.com wants people to win big money; by helping others lose—money, that is. Mint’s Drop Your Debt Challenge, “The Biggest Loser” for your finances, is awarding a $5,000 prize to the person who refers the mos tpeople to the challenge.  The challenge ends April 4.

To officially register for the Drop Your Debt challenge, and the $5,000 prize, go here: official registration. Then get as many people as possible to sign up. Facebook it, tweet it – or even hire the Goodyear blimp – just make sure friends/family put down the e-mail of the person who referred them when they sign up.

Looking After Your Car

 

And yes, one more thing to pass along to you. This time an offer from Bendix and some tips on looking after your car-

According the Consumer Reports, vehicle maintenance and repair costs account for about 4 percent of the total cost of ownership over the course of five years. While that might not seem like much, it can really add up.  And after the warranty expires, repair and maintenance costs can become very expensive.

Bendix Brakes is launching a program, “Bounce Back with Bendix” that helps consumers with some of those expenses.  Between April 1 and May 31, 2011, when consumers have qualifying Bendix brake products installed at a participating repair shop, they will receive a coupon to be applied toward future maintenance costs. 

 Tips for consumers

·         A good reputation goes a long way – Ask your friends or neighbors if they recommend a repair shop or check out sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List or Consumer Reports to see what people are saying.

·         It never hurts to get a second opinion – especially for larger repairs.

·         Make sure the work ticket lists the problems your car is experiencing , not just the recommended repair.

·         If you car is towed, make sure you specify which repair shop you would like it towed to.

Good Buys for April

New To the Stores: Hass avocados, beets, Texas sweet onions, peas, green beans, some strawberries

At Their Peak: Asparagus, artichokes, spring salad mix, field rhubarb
Grab Them Now: Kale, leeks, spinach, navel oranges

A Desperation Dinner

I mentioned that I put together a list of menus for April, meals I call desperation dinners and thought I’d share one with you-

You can just eat this as is or you can add chopped cooked chicken or marinated tofu. I like to serve it with plain white or whole grain rice.  This serves four.

For the marinade-

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce, sodium reduced if you’re watching your salt intake.
  • 1 tablespoon light sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons finely minced ginger root
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Mix everything together.
  • For the vegetables-
  • Two tablespoons oil
  • 2 cups broccoli
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup sliced onions
  • Optional, cashews, baby corn and water chestnuts, sliced

Add all the vegetables in a bowl and mix, add the marinade, coat all the vegetables and put in the fridge for at least an hour before preparing.

Heat about two tablespoons oil in a skillet or wok. Add the vegetables and stir fry until they’re tender but still have some bite left to them. Keep stirring them because the honey in the marinade has a tendency to make them stick to the skillet. If you’re using chicken or tofu, add this now.

Have a good month.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 36 other followers