Friday, December 23, 2011

Chicken Pillows

I've barely cooked the past couple of weeks. I still make menu plans and I go shopping, but I just haven't cooked much. It's gotten to the point where I have no idea WHERE to go for dinner because I'm all burnt out on the food in the neighborhood. Yesterday, I decided no matter how much I may not want to, I was going to cook.

I made chicken pillows and although very easy, they are very delicious!

1 8oz. of cream cheese -- softened (I used non fat)
1 large cooked boneless skinless chicken breast -- diced (I poached my chicken)
1 seeded jalapeno -- chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tube of crescent rolls
2 Tbsp. butter -- melted
salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, stir the cream cheese, jalapeno, cooked chicken, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Roll out the crescent rolls. The one I used made eight rolls (this will make 4 squares). Seal the seams of two triangles to create a square. Make sure they are sealed well so the mixture won't leak out. Add a few tablespoons of chicken mixture to the center of each square. Fold up the corners so it creates a purse. The mixture should be totally enclosed in the dough. Placed on a cookie sheet. Brush the top of each pillow with a bit of butter and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

I served this with a gravy made with cream of chicken soup and a gravy packet. Sounds gross, but it is delicious!

Just dump a can of cream of chicken soup (I used fat free) into a pot and then dump in a packet of gravy mix. Add about 3/4 of a soup can of water. Whisk until all combined and smooth and warm through.

Pour the gravy on the hot pillows and enjoy! Really good and really easy!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Menu Plan 12/19 - 12/23

This is a short week. It's also a busy week, so I have no idea how often I'll be cooking and how often I'll be visiting our favorite restaurants.

Monday:
Dinner: Turkey Sandwiches (ate tacos instead)

Tuesday:

Dinner: Black beans and rice (I have a ton of presents to wrap, so who knows if this will happen)

Wednesday:
Dinner: Soup (Most likely won't be homemade and will include whatever carton I have in the pantry)

Thursday:

Dinner: Chicken pillows with salad

Friday:
Dinner: Sheppard's Pie

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Overwhelmed

I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all that I have to do. My apartment needs to be cleaned. There seems to be clutter everywhere!! I need to start wrapping and organizing holiday gifts. I need to start my baking projects. I have a crapload of stuff to do in the next week or so and when I come home from work, all I want to do is get in bed and take a long deep nap.

Menu Plan 12/12 - 12/17

Monday:
Dinner: Chicken and Rice soup

Tuesday:
Dinner: Spaghetti

Wednesday:
Dinner: Black Bean Soup

Thursday:

Dinner: Black Beans and Rice

Friday:
Dinner: Tomato Soup

Saturday:
Dinner: Vada Sambar

Monday, December 5, 2011

Crazy Spending

I totally blew the budget last month. Totally. Blew. It. Thank God, it's a new month!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Menu Plan 11/28 - 12/03

Monday:
Dinner: Turkey chili with cornbread

Tuesday:
Dinner: Curried cabbage with naan

Wednesday:
Dinner: Homemade calzones with turkey sausage and spinach

Thursday:

Dinner: Black bean and cheese burritos

Friday:

Dinner: Homemade tomato soup with Parmesan rolls

Saturday:
Dinner: Sheppard's pie

Monday, November 21, 2011

Menu Plan 11/21 - 11/27

I've barely cooked in days.

Monday:
Dinner: Penne with vodka sauce

Tuesday:
Dinner: Fried Rice

Wednesday:
Dinner: Leftovers and/or homemade pizza

Thursday:

Dinner: Thanksgiving Day

Friday:

Dinner: Turkey Sandwiches

Saturday:

Dinner: Lentil Loaf

Sunday:

Dinner: Burgers

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A Nice Surpise

Like many women out there, I am always struggling with my weight. I've been thin and I've been large and I am never happy with my body. I have the motivation, but I guess not the drive. I know I have to do something, but don't. It's a never ending cycle.

Anyway, today I weighed myself. Good God, it was not pretty, but I was down 3 pounds from the last time I stepped on the scale. That might be the little shove I need to actually do something.

Menu Plan 11/14 -- 11/19

Another week, another batch of meals.


Monday:
Dinner: Black beans and rice

Tuesday:
Dinner: Hummus pizza

Wednesday:
Dinner: Masala burgers with potato salad

Thursday:

Dinner: Black bean and cheese burgers

Friday:
Dinner: Zucchini and Feta Fritters

Saturday:
Dinner: Baked chicken with rice

Friday, November 11, 2011

Potato Taquitos

This dish took a little longer than expected. I've made flautas and chimichangas before, but these seemed to take forever!! Nonetheless, they are delicious!

3 russet potatoes -- peeled and cubed
1/2 C sour cream -- I used light
1 jalapeno -- seeded and chopped
1 onion -- chopped
handful of shredded cheese -- I used sharp cheddar
19 corn tortillas - approximately 6 inch diameters
oil for frying
Salt to taste

Boil cubed potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Drain and mash with sour cream until desired consistency. Add onion, jalapeno, cheese, and salt. Mix well.

Heat a skillet with about 1/2 inch of oil. Warm the tortillas so they are just pliable, but not crisp. Put approximately one tablespoon of potato filling and roll up as tightly as possible. Secure with a toothpick. Start frying the taquitos for approximately 3 minutes on each side. Once lightly browned and crisp, remove. I place mine in a large mixing bowl stuffed with paper towels. I put the hot taquitos in the bowl standing up so the oil drips out of it.

I served these with black refried beans.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Ridiculously Easy Bean and Cheese Burritos

I made these last night and they were a hit! I made them a couple of weeks ago and although the taste was great, the texture was off. This girl likes her crunch and the burritos just didn't have any. When I made them last night, I added raw onions and jalapenos right before baking. It made such a difference in taste and texture!

1 can refried black beans (I got mine from Trader Joe's)
4 Burrito size flour tortillas
1 onion -- chopped
Shredded cheese -- I used sharp cheddar
1 fresh jalapeno -- seeded and chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Olive Oil
Water as needed

Heat a tiny bit of oil in a skillet. Add the refried beans and warm them up. They loosen up when they start getting warm. If the beans are still too thick, add a bit of water until the desired consistency. I did have to add about three tablespoons of water. Add spices and cook until hot.

Place some of the mixture in the middle of a tortilla. Add some raw onions and jalapenos. Sprinkle with cheese. Roll up burrito style and brush lightly with oil. Lightly sprinkle burritos with salt and bake in a 350 oven for 25 minutes.

That's it! B ate three of them!!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Creamy Bean Stew

Los Angeles had a bit of rain this weekend. I loved it. This soup was perfect for a rainy weekend.

3 cans of white kidney beans (cannelli beans) -- drained and rinsed
1 large onion -- chopped
2 cloves garlic -- minsed
1 can diced tomatoes -- drained
2 cups water
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp cumin seeds
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper

Heat oil in a pot. Add 3/4 of the onion and all of the garlic. Stir until onions just start to become soft. Add all of the spices and stir until fragrant. Add tomatoes and water and bring to boil. Add two cans of beans and simmer for a couple of minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend mixture to preferred smoothness. I blending until there were still chunks of tomatoes, but the beans were perfectly smooth. Put back on heat and add salt, pepper, and remaining can of whole beans. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Once the stew is done cooking, add the remaining 1/4 of the chopped onion. I like the slight crunch in the stew.

I served this with homemade croutons on top. Very hearty, very nutritious, and very easy.

Spending Like Crazy

Well, I'm still struggling with spending. I need to find that happy medium where I don't feel deprived of anything and still be able to put the maximum amount in my savings. I've done it before and I can do it again.

This Thursday is payday and after a quick summary of the upcoming bills, I've realized that I will have to put $100 less in my savings to cover everything and give myself a bit of a cushion. I know, it's not much, but it pains me nonetheless.

I guess, I'm being hard on myself because all of my unexpected spending could be prevented. About 98% of all of this spending is on eating out. That is inexcusable and yet I find myself with this same issue time and time again.

I currently have $11,461 in liquid savings. At the end of March, I take $5K and put it into an IRA. My goal is always to have at least $10K after that deduction and it looks like I will have it. That's a good thing.

I'm a spender by nature and in recent years have forced myself to become a saver. Whenever I allow myself some flexibility, my true self comes out and it is harder and harder to reign myself in and become the person I need to be.

Meal Plan 11/07 -- 11/12

I'm slowing getting back to the swing of cooking. I realized that although I do love to cook, I also love NOT to cook. There are very few things as decadent of going to an establishment, ordering whatever food your heart desires, and having it served and cleared for you.

Monday:
Dinner: Kobi Bhaji (curried cabbage) with naan

Tuesday:
Dinner: Bean and Cheese Burritos

Wednesday:

Dinner: Baked rigatoni with chicken

Thursday:
Dinner: Potato taquitos with refried black beans

Friday:

Dinner: Homemade pizza

Saturday:

Dinner: Lentil loaf with mashed potatoes

Friday, November 4, 2011

Corn Cakes

This was another easy dish that came together in absolutely no time. I served this with some black bean relish.

2 cans of sweet corn, drained thoroughly
1 small onion -- chopped
1 jalapeno -- seeded and chopped finely
1 C flour
1/2 C corn meal
2 eggs -- beaten
2-3 Tbls milk
2 Tbls butter -- melted
Salt and Pepper to taste
Oil for frying

Take one and half cans of the corn and lightly pulse in blender or food processor until slightly pureed, but still mostly chunky. Add that mixture to the remaining whole corn kernels. Add flour, onions, corn meal, jalapeno and mix. Once incorporated add the milk, butter, and eggs. Mix until combined.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and pour enough oil to barely cover the surface. I also used a nonstick pan to prevent any sticking and not having to use a ton of oil. Once the oil is VERY hot, spoon the mixture into the pan and slightly flatten. I used a small pan and only cooked 3 at a time. Once the top of the corn cake sets and the bottom is a nice brown color, flip and cook until done.

Black Bean Relish:

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tomato -- diced
2 green onions -- chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper

Mix everything together. Adjust seasonings as necessary. Pour relish on top of corn cake and eat!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Vegetable Curry -- Vegan

I made this over the weekend without much expectation. I was wrong. This is easy and very tasty!

1 onion -- chopped
2 cloves garlic -- minced
2 Tbls oil
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can of coconut milk (I used light)
A bag of frozen mixed vegetables (or whatever fresh kind you have on hand)
2 potatoes -- cubed and boiled until tender
1 14.5 can of garbanzo beans -- drained and rinsed
Water -- as needed
1 Tbls garam masala
1 Tbls curry powder
1 Tbls ground cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
salt to taste

In a large pot heat the oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook for five minutes and then add, garam masala, curry powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt. Stir until the mixture is fragrant. Add a bit of water, maybe about half a cup. Bring to a simmer and then add the tomatoes, potatoes, garbanzo beans, and vegetables. If consistency is still too thick, add more water. If not, then add the coconut milk and salt to taste. Simmer for ten minutes.

I served this over rice.

Meal Plan 10/31 - 11/05

I'm going to start posting my meal plans again. I've realized it also helps me to remember the dishes I have made. Sometimes I fall into a rut and can't see past the three dishes that keep popping into my head.

I'm also cooking vegetarian now. I'm not sure how long this will last, but we'll see how it goes.

Monday
Dinner: Zucchini and feta cheese fritters with salad

Tuesday:
Dinner: Potato Tacos

Wednesday:

Dinner: Polenta with black bean salsa

Thursday:
Dinner: Corn cakes with salad

Friday:
Dinner: Cheese tortellini with pesto

Saturday:
Dinner: Ecuadorian bean stew with French bread

Monday, October 24, 2011

Spanakopita

I love Greek food!! Now that we're eating mostly vegetarian again, I thought turning to Greek food would be a good place to start.

I've always loved spanakopita. What's not to like? I mean, it has feta cheese in it!

2 packages of frozen spinach -- thawed and drained of excess liquid
1 C of ricotta cheese
1 C of feta cheese
1 onion - chopped
2 cloves garlic -- minced
10 sheets of phyllo dough
4 Tbls of melted butter
1 Tbls olive oil
1 egg -- beaten
cayenne pepper to taste
Salt and pepper

Cook the onions in the olive oil until soft. Add garlic and salt and pepper and cook for a couple more minutes. Transfer to a mixing bowl and let cool. In the hot pan add the drained spinach, break apart, and cook for a couple of minutes. In the mixing bowl, add egg, feta cheese, and ricotta cheese and cayenne pepper. Once the spinach is done add to the bowl as well and mix well. Taste for salt and pepper.

In a small square baking dish, add one sheet of phyllo (keep the rest of it moist, as it will dry out in no time). Brush with melted butter and add another layer of phyllo. Keep doing this, making sure to brush with melted butter between each layer until five layers have formed. Add the spinach mixture and top with another five layers of phyllo dough, buttering each layer in between. The top layer of the dough should also be brushed with butter.

Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes. You'll know it's done when the dough is a golden brown and the spinach mixture is piping hot. Let it cool for a minute and serve.

Very good!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Hummus "Pizza/Tostada"

I'm now cooking vegetarian meals. Don't ask. I was a vegetarian for years and did cook that way, as well. After several years on the meat wagon, I have forgotten what I had made before! I'[m adding new recipes and trying new things. This is what I came up with a few weeks ago and it is delicious!

1/2 C Hummus
4 Pita Bread
2 tomatoes seeded and chopped
3 scallions chopped
Handful of kalamata olives chopped
Handful of crumbled feta cheese
Cucumber chopped
Whatever else you may want to add


Warm the pita breads in the oven for five minutes. Mix all the vegetables together with the cheese. Spread hummus on the warm pitas and top with the vegetable medley. Devour.

I literally just ate two and half of them for lunch in about 20 minutes flat.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

No Go

B did one full day of his juice fast. He's done with it for now. I, of course, did not buy groceries to cook with as this was a No Cook Week for me. Great....

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Bright Side

I love mushrooms. B hates them. I make this creamy mushroom pasta that I absolutely love and B will not touch. I rarely make it now. I am so excited to make it while he is on his juice fast. Is that wrong???

ETA: B just announced that it may not be a 15 day fast. It might be shorter. Would it be wrong to feel disappointed? Don't judge.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Rolling with the Punches

Well, I explained in my previous post about B's new "diet". To my utter delight he's changed it again. He informs me last night after I just went food shopping for this week, that starting Saturday night, he'll be on a 15 day juice fast. Joy! He's done this a handful of times since we've been together. He does drink only fruit and vegetable juices. By the end of the 15 days, he's an emaciated mess. He insists he feels great, but looks like shit.

I looked at the bright side of this. I will save a crapload in grocery money. I only have to shop for myself for the 15 days and I'm happy with simple meals, then I'm good to go!

Of course, now I won't be able to surprise him to his great brunch place we've been dying to try. He said we can still go and I told him I will not be spending that kind of money for him to drink orange juice until his heart's content. Nope.

Friday, September 30, 2011

September Round Up

I really slacked with my blogging this month!! I'll be better in October!

Well, I did reign in on my spending. Rather, I think I did; I haven't looked at my checkbook yet. So far, I'm pretty much on budget, which is great! I do have a wedding to go to tomorrow and it is somewhat unexpected. Since I only had like a week and a half notice, I did not budget for the gift. I might minus that from my savings for this month, although I really want to get back on track with that!

I did receive a small bonus yesterday. So, that will definitely help with the savings. I'll add everything up this weekend and post exactly how much I have in liquid savings.

On the cooking front, we did .... decent. I did cook a bunch and kept our eating out at a minimum, but we did still eat out. All this week, I cooked and even planned ahead for breakfast! I made two batches of buttermilk biscuits and ate them in the mornings with jam and some with turkey bacon. Delicious and really easy to make. This weekend, I'll be making fruit and oats bars for the mornings.

I also had a bit of frustration towards B. I go through my phases and this month I had reached my limit. Sometimes I get so tired of doing it all on my own. He's doing a bunch of stuff now, so I understand he doesn't always have time to help. But when I'm baking, cooking, and cleaning after a long workday and he can't do even a little to help drives me insane!

Last week, he changed his diet again. I planned for it and then BAM! yesterday, he changed it again! He doesn't seem to understand I don't just plan a menu for the week.

My weekly menu plan has to have all of these components:
1. Ease
2. Fits in budget
3. Transports well
4. Heats well
5. Enjoyable
6. Reflect weekly store sales and ads
7. Some ingredients already on hand or have something in fridge/pantry to use up

And to top it off, he'll change his diet and then change it back lickity split! Anyway, I'll post how it all goes down as it progresses.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

To Buy Generic or Not to Buy Generic

I don't mind buying generic things. I always compare the labels and often times, they are exactly the same to their more pricier name brand competitors. B does not like generic at all! He has fallen for all the marketing ploys into brainwashing you into thinking that their brand name is different. I've done the switcheroo and he never knows, but if he sees a generic label of a product he's been enjoying all along, he'll all of a sudden not want it. When I call him on it, he'll say how he knew something was "off". Uh huh, not buying it.

As I've mentioned before, I was sick last week. In my medicine cabinet, I had a bunch of medication (generic). B went to get me some "Nyquil" and he threw a fit over how generic my medicine cabinet was. Seriously, he wanted me to throw it away because "why save a few pennies for something that isn't going to do the job"?

Now he is sick. He asked that I bring him some stuff from the store. I got him all name brand (he wouldn't use it if it wasn't and I am still recovering so there was in no way, I was going to hear him bitch about it all night only for me to turn around and return the stuff). I bought Puffs tissue, Motrin PM, Thera-flu, Tropicana Orange Juice, Arrowhead Water, and super glue (I broke a nail while shopping for his shit). The total? A whopping $52! I did buy one generic item. Yup, the super glue. If I did buy only generic, I would have saved almost $20!

I'm not a cheapskate. I'm far from that, but I do not see the point of paying more for a brand when they have the EXACT same ingredients.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

No Time For Treats

When my sister and I were growing up, our mom stayed home with us. During the week, she was our caregiver. On the weekend, our dad pitched in. We LOVED the weekends. Our dad was fun and made everything that much more special. He was patient and told funny stories and we loved that time. As I grew up, I understood it. Our mom was so consumed by us during the week, she didn't have the time or even the desire to make things fun for us. I think she saw us as a chore. I'm not bitter over it, but this is a woman that had two small children biting at her ankles and she had no where to escape. Our dad worked outside the home. He would see us in the evenings when we had been fed and bathed and happy. He didn't see us as the terrors I'm sure we were during the day.

I'm in a similar situation. I don't have children, but I have B. I do most of the day to day chores. I keep the fridge stocked with his favorites. I make sure his favorite drinking glass is always clean. I make sure he has his mouthwash and deodorant. The list goes on and on. I don't resent it or anything, but I realized I am so consumed with the day to day things I do for him, I don't take the time to make anything really special. I used to buy him whatever I saw at a store if I thought he'd like it. Now, I must confess I don't even look for him. He, on the other hand, does do the little things to show how he loves me. I'll say in passing how I need a new hair clip. The next thing I know, he'll go out and get it. He saw my favorite ice cream was back in stock. He'll buy it. Now, I do love this guy, but I'm totally like my mom! I have to remember to take the time to make little things special. I know he knows I love him, but it's time I start taking the time again to show him.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Menu Plan 08/29 - 09/03

I'm not sure how this week will go as I'm recovering from a heinous cold and now B seems to have come down with it's baby sister. I'm going to try to squeeze in a date night in here somewhere, but right now I think it might be best if we wait until both of us are able to put away the Kleenex first.

Monday:
Dinner: B's day. I doubt he'll cook, since he is sick.

Tuesday:
Dinner: Fried Rice

Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day.

Thursday:
Dinner: Couscous with chicken and squash

Friday:

Dinner: Burgers

Saturday:
Dinner: Pesto Chicken

Sick and Spending

I've been sick for the past week. It sucks. I feel like shit and because I don't want to do anything we eat out. I was home for several days last week and didn't really have an appetite during the day. Of course, in the evening, I was ravenous and had all sorts of cravings. I gave in to most of them.

Then I spent a million dollars on medicine. Okay, that was my fault. I love variety and even choose OTC medication like I'm picking out nail polish colors. I picked up every cough syrup, throat losenge, sleep aid in the place. I spent a fortune, but now I have a pharmacy.

I was home and therefore, I just vegged on the couch and watched QVC and HSN. Uh huh. Lots of spending.

I made August a "no save" month. Meaning, all the $$ I would normally put into savings, I put in my pocket instead. I didn't earmark it for anything, but allowed myself the flexibility to do whatever I wanted with it. Of course, most of it went on eating out and my drug store excursions. September, I'll be back on track, but will put like $200 less than I would have in savings. It's no big deal as September is a 3 paycheck month and in the end, I'll have the normal amount, but won't have anything "extra" from the "extra" paycheck. Oh well.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Menu Plan 08/15 - 08/20

Wow! I really need to get on with my blogging!! Honestly, I've been in a bit of a funk lately and really not up to the task. It just seems there is too much to deal with all of a sudden. I am a natural worrier and I don't do well with things unexpected or unplanned. I lose my mind with stress. It's a little frustrating. Anyway, I didn't cook much last week either, so some meals have transferred over to this week as well.

Monday:

Dinner: B's day.

Tuesday:
Dinner: Ravioli

Wednesday:

Dinner: B's day.

Thursday:
Dinner: Tomato soup with garlic bread

Friday:
Dinner: Homemade pizza

Saturday:
Dinner: Baked chicken with roasted asparagus

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Menu Plan -- 08/08 - 08/13

I barely cooked last week. B made a HUGE batch of baked ziti which we ate for like two and a half days. Will this man learn how to modify a recipe? Okay okay, I know I'm being mean. Anyway, a lot of this week's meals are things I never made in the past week or so.

Monday:
Dinner: B's Day. He made bangers and mash with....whole grain mustard. He knows I hate mustard.

Tuesday:

Dinner: Gyros

Wednesday:

Dinner: B's Day.

Thursday:

Dinner: Ravioli and garlic bread

Friday:

Dinner: Chicken Enchiladas

Saturday:

Dinner: Baked chicken

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Menu Plan 08/01-- 08/06

I didn't cook all the dishes I had planned last week, so they will be transferred in this meal plan. B has been cooking and is getting really good at it. I still wish he would be more organized and shop in stores that offer the best prices for the same product or to make something that revolves around what he already has in the house. Hopefully, that will come in time.

Monday:

Dinner: B's day.

Tuesday:

Dinner: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Wednesday:

Dinner: B's day.

Thursday:

Dinner: Gyros

Friday:
Dinner: Ravioli and garlic bread

Saturday:
Dinner: Chicken enchiladas and Spanish rice

Friday, July 29, 2011

Deja Vu

I know I said this last month, but I'm going to say it again. The spending was crazy in July!!! August will be better. I might start tracking it here again just for accountability.

Even though, we did eat out a lot this month, I also did splurge. I treated myself to a $55 mani/pedi and I spent $80 on clothes (which I received today and I love them!). Then there is the eating out. I just couldn't stand making breakfast for one day and I treated myself and B to a morning out. It was luxurious and heavenly, but the cost was $40! Tonight is our monthly date night, so money will be spent there, but at least it is anticipated.

August will be better....

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Best Pizza Ever....in LA!

I live in LA. I understand that LA is not the pizza capital of the world. People from Chicago and New York will probably flame me for this, but I had one of the best pizzas here in LA last night.

B and I went out to this pizza place called Village Pizzeria. We've been there many times before and we love it each time. Last night, we ordered the 18 inch pizza (yes, there was only two of us) with pepperoni and fresh garlic. The enormous pizza came to our table and I made a comment to B about how we will definitely have leftovers. I was wrong. Both of us inhaled this pizza. The crust was thin and a little chewy. The cheese was hot and gooey. It was perfect. I am only mildly ashamed to say that I probably could have eaten a couple more slices. The kicker is I wasn't even stuffed at the end of this gluttonous meal. Don't get me wrong, I was satisfied, but nowhere near stuffed. I did feel a little better about myself knowing I had a small green salad before I devoured half of an 18 inch pizza.

I am seriously fighting the urge to stop by the pizzeria and pick one up on my way home tonight.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A Memory

A few years ago, on a lazy Saturday afternoon, B and I were on our respective couches doing our own thing. I believe I was reading and he was on the computer. We had not said a word to each other in about 40 minutes. All of a sudden, we both shifted from our positions and we looked at each other and smiled over the coffee table. I swear, he looked at me with such pure love in his eyes and smile, it brought tears to my eyes at that moment. At that instant, I swore to myself that I love this man and will make him happy.

I still think about that moment from time to time and without fail, it still brings tears to my eyes.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Menu Plan 07/25 -- 07/30

For the last couple of weeks, B has been cooking on his two days! True, he doesn't always make enough for lunch the following day, but I really cannot complain too much now.

Monday:

Dinner: B's Day

Tuesday:

Dinner: BBQ chicken with potato salad

Wednesday:

Dinner: B's Day

Thursday:

Dinner: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes

Friday:

Dinner: Fried rice and potstickers

Saturday:

Dinner: Gyros

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Spending Begins!

I did have debt. Lots of it. Yet, I never had a problem with spending. I know, it doesn't make sense. Trust me, though, my debt had nothing to do with my spending, but it did have to do with poor judgment. I always paid all of my bills on time at the end of the month...in full! As I was paying off the debt, I had no choice but to curb my spending. I had to make sacrifices and I did. I became so used to NOT spending money, that it became second nature. I went a little overboard. I did not buy one single article of clothing for over two years.

Last summer, I bought myself an almost entire new wardrobe. It was the most money I had spent on myself in years and it felt wonderful. After that summer, I occasionally bought a few pieces here and there, but nothing crazy. I always shopped for sales and tried to use promo codes for my online shopping. I don't think I ever paid for anything full price.

This morning, I strolled through a few of my favorite online stores and placed several items in my online basket. I currently have one pair of jeans and something like 10 shirts/sweaters in there. The total is somewhere in the vicinity of $163, but with all my online codes I can get the whole thing for $109. Do I need clothes? No, I don't NEED them. I would like them now. I had written several months ago how I need to change my outward appearance.

I have until tomorrow to make the purchase so I will sleep on it and then later today or tomorrow see if I can go through what's there and start weeding a few things out...or not.

ETA: I took a sweater and a shirt out of my "shopping bag". By just getting rid of two things I really didn't even like or need (Who needs a sweater in July living in LA???), I ended up spending like $79 total. Not bad at all!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Cutting Myself Some Slack

I've said many times in this blog how I keep my budget tight on purpose. I save something like 25% of my take home pay. I pay A LOT for rent (40% -- I live in LA) and I make due with the rest. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty to live off of and plenty left to spend. The thing is I have been doing this for so long (for me) that sometimes I feel like cracking. Some days, I'm just sick and tired of counting and budgeting and making choices. My Emergency Fund/Liquid Savings is currently at almost $11K. My IRA's total up to around $17K. I had a late start with all the savings and I'm trying to catch up. In March, I saved only half of what i usually do and I splurged on the rest. I didn't spend the whole amount, but I loved that little flexibility in my budget. I'm thinking of doing the same for August.

That made me think what if I put 50% less in my savings three months out of the year? That would cost me just under $1K for the entire year. Yes, that is a lot of money and I could easily have it sit in my savings. I would love to see the larger number of that bank account, but I don't feel it's really worth it. I work hard and I do everything on my own. My EF is funded (would love to see it at $12K) and I would still contribute to savings every single month, but just less for three months. if I did this, by the end of the year, I will still have a little more than $14K in my savings.

I am so structured in a large part of my life that I don't really like this idea, but I feel I deserve it and frankly, "need" it.

Any opinions or ideas?

Friday, July 15, 2011

Menu Plan 07/18 - 07/23

Well, this past week, B pulled through! Yay!!! He cooked on his two days.

On Monday, he made macaroni and cheese, salad, sweet potaotes, and cornbread. He had planned on making chicken, but he didn't get it in the oven on time and I didn't really want to eat at midnight. On Wednesday, he made turkey chili.

I hope by him cooking what he wants will help him realize that I don't run a restaurant and it's okay to eat what is fixed, even if you may not "feel" like it. I never make anything that he doesn't like even though we do have different food tastes. I love mushrooms and he can't stand the sight of them. I don't fix mushrooms although I have a million recipes using mushrooms that I LOVE!

I was ecstatic and didn't even think about how he didn't utilize the grocery store sales and deals...much. I hope he continues this trend into next week.

Monday:
Dinner: B's Day

Tuesday:
Dinner: Black beans and rice

Wednesday:

Dinner: B's Day

Thursday:
Dinner: Vegetable Lentil Stew

Friday:
Dinner: Burgers

Saturday:
Dinner: Chicken baked in foil

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

B Pulled Through!

Last night I had a home cooked meal that I did not cook!! YAY!!! Of course, it wasn't without snags, but beggars can't be choosers. B made sweet potatoes, salad, macaroni and cheese, and margaritas! It was delicious!! He was going to make some chicken, but lack of time prevented him from doing so. Who cares we just ate a bunch of side dishes? Or that we ate at around 11? Or that he didn't pack leftovers for lunch? I am just happy that he did it!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Menu Plan 07/11 -- 07/16

Well, this is the last week I will see if B actually cooks on his two days. He has yet to cook one meal. If he doesn't cook this week, I will resume cooking all days again. I knew this would happen, but I can't help but feel disappointed that he couldn't get it together enough to give me a bit of a break two days a week... Read about the saga here.

Also, he says he will be eating "healthy" and mostly fruits and salads and lean protein for the next month starting July 15. We'll see....

Monday:
Dinner: B's Day

Tuesday:

Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce

Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day

Thursday:

Dinner: Asian Lettuce Wraps

Friday:

Dinner: Greek Salad

Saturday:

Dinner: Chicken and Rice

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Meal Maker

I'm not trying to make myself out for you guys to think I'm SuperWoman. I'm far from it, but I do do a lot for B. Mostly it is because I love him and want him to be happy and the other is that I like things my way.

On the weekends, I wake up a little after B and immediately start breakfast. I cook it, serve it, and clean up after it. I then move to make the bed. Between that and my shower, I try to read, watch TV, whatever. After my shower, I start on lunch. Sometimes it is leftovers, sometimes it is something frozen, and sometimes it is something that I make. I then serve that meal and clean up after it. We usually will go out after that running errands and maybe grab a coffee or a movie or whatever. We come back home and I serve a drink and/or a snack. I then start on dinner from start to finish. During this entire time, B is either napping, reading, or on the computer. Without. Fail.

A couple of weeks ago, I coined myself as the Meal Maker. That is all that I feel like I do sometimes. This weekend was my birthday weekend. B is an absolute dream on my birthday. He does not allow me to lift a finger. He made me breakfast, made the bed, and cleaned the house...thoroughly. We went out to dinner and even put away the doggie bags. It was heaven. I'm not used to being pampered. At the start of the day, I was really anxious and uncomfortable being waited on. After a few hours, I got used to it. Why not? I deserve it!

Yesterday, I woke up after B. I got out of bed and brushed my teeth. I looked at him while he was reading and felt like Cinderella at midnight. It was no longer my birthday and I was now again the Meal Maker. I just sighed, tied my hair back, and started to make breakfast.

Menu Plan 07/04 - 07/9

Well, this is the second week B was supposed to cook. Last week, he cooked a total of zero out of the two days he was supposed to cook and this week looks like it will be a repeat of last. He was supposed to cook yesterday and we went out instead. I'll give him one more week and after that, I'll have to take over. I knew this would happen.

Monday:
Dinner: B's Day -- Went out to dinner instead

Tuesday:

Dinner: Tuna Basil Pasta

Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day. Won't happen as I won't be home anyway.

Thursday:

Dinner: Roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob with garlic butter.

Friday:

Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Saturday:
Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Complete June Spending

Well, it's over. I tracked my June spending and it was not pretty. I didn't spend too much money, but the money I did spend was almost all on food. Not good. I'm happy to say that I did meet my goal of having 15 No Spend Days in the month of June. I'll probably track again in August and do much better.

June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream
June 6 -- No Spend
June 7 -- $11.28 -- pizza
June 8 -- No Spend
June 9 -- No Spend
June 10 -- $14.86 -- lunch
June 11 -- $15.00 -- Rite Aid
June 12 -- No Spend
June 13 -- No Spend
June 14 -- No Spend
June 15 -- No Spend
June 16 -- $13.54 -- Breakfast
June 17 -- No Spend
June 18 -- $18.18 -- Fatburger
June 19 -- $6.05 -- Tacos
June 20 -- $16.91 -- Lunch
June 21 -- No Spend
June 22 -- $10.00 -- Sandwich
June 23 -- $8.97 -- Breakfast
June 24 -- $12.05 -- Flowers and Card
$16.59 -- Walgreens
June 25 -- $9 -- Kindle Book
$26.34 -- Vitamins
June 26 -- $8.00 -- Starbucks
$28.00 -- Whole Foods
June 27 -- No Spend
June 28 -- No Spend
June 29 -- No Spend

No TV June

Today is the last day of June and B actually did not watch any TV. Rather, he didn't turn on the TV. Of course, if I had on a show, he would say he's not paying attention, but I'd find him watching or making comments, or even laughing. All in all, he did good. In reality, he did much better than I thought he would. I thought he would crumble after the first couple of days.

B's First Big Cooking Week

As I posted last week, B came up with the idea that he will cook dinner on Monday's and Wednesday's. This past Monday was crazy, so of course he didn't cook. I actually don't blame him as I probably wouldn't have either if my day were that crazy. Yesterday, he didn't cook either. Why? I have no idea. He was home after work, after all. I think it had to do with the fact that he would like for him to think he's organized, but he's not. I love the man, but he has zero skills when it comes to time management. He hadn't shopped, so of course, he wasn't going to cook.

I'm very good with time management. On Tuesday, I drove up to Hollywood to see my sister. After work, I went home and made a batch of taquitos and then drove to Hollywood. I'm not saying I am better than B, but I am better at managing my time. B comes home and unwinds, but continues to unwind all night. Maybe it's just a guy thing.

Since he said he will on track next week, I'll let you guys know.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

New Me

During the first half of my thirties, I was unhappy with my body. The second half of my thirties will be different....

Monday, June 27, 2011

Menu Plan -- 06/27 -- 07/03

Today is the first day of our new cooking strategy. B will cook on Mondays and Wednesdays and I will cook on the rest. The thing is, B isn't exactly...reliable with things like this. Today is his first day and he hasn't made a peep of what he'll be fixing. I know he hasn't even been shopping yet! On top of that he has a dentist appointment and a family birthday today so I have an sunken feeling that we'll probably eat out today. I'll offer to cook today and he take over one of my other days, but we'll see. All in all, I don't expect this plan to last too long and before we know it I'll be cooking every day again.

Monday:
Dinner:
B's Day

Tuesday:

Dinner: Taquitos (never made them last week)

Wednesday:

Dinner: B's Day

Thursday:
Dinner: Black Beans and Rice with tortillas

Friday:

Dinner: Sliders and potato salad

Saturday:

Dinner: Linguine with butter, pecorino, and arugula.

June Spending -- June 20 - June 26

I had a lousy money weekend. I spent a bunch of money on unplanned things. Oh well. I currently have 12 No Spend days and with there being only four days left in June. I would have to not spend any money for three of them in order for me to meet my goal of 15 No Spend days in June. It's totally doable. I don't think (I hope!) I normally spend this much money on frivolous things. I'll probably track again in July to see if there is a pattern.

Seriously though, almost ALL of my unplanned spending is on food. That is unfortunately not shocking as I know there is where our main budget leak is.

June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream
June 6 -- No Spend
June 7 -- $11.28 -- pizza
June 8 -- No Spend
June 9 -- No Spend
June 10 -- $14.86 -- lunch
June 11 -- $15.00 -- Rite Aid
June 12 -- No Spend
June 13 -- No Spend
June 14 -- No Spend
June 15 -- No Spend
June 16 -- $13.54 -- Breakfast
June 17 -- No Spend
June 18 -- $18.18 -- Fatburger
June 19 -- $6.05 -- Tacos
June 20 -- $16.91 -- Lunch
June 21 -- No Spend
June 22 -- $10.00 -- Sandwich
June 23 -- $8.97 -- Breakfast
June 24 -- $12.05 -- Flowers and Card
$16.59 -- Walgreens
June 25 -- $9 -- Kindle Book
$26.34 -- Vitamins
June 26 -- $8.00 -- Starbucks
$28.00 -- Whole Foods

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

New Scenario

B and I got into it again about food. I don't get it. On Monday I told him I was making the tater tot casserole (which he LOVES) and asked if that was alright. He wasn't in the mood for it and then I gave him three other options of what I could make. He just told me to make "whatever". So i did. I made the tater tot casserole.

That night, I had it on the stove and he grabbed a fork and was about to take a bite when he saw what it was. He thought I had made the dirty rice. He put the fork away and didn't eat that night. I told him that if he wanted the dirty rice he should have told me. That set off an argument. He said the menu plan was too strict and we should "fend for ourselves". Um, what? I started the menu plan four years ago on his suggestion. It's worked. I don't run a restaurant and can't make everything he feels like at the moment. He said that he would have to get back into cooking. Now, I've never stopped him from cooking. Hell, I welcome it since it would give me a break! He has not cooked in years although I have repeatedly requested certain dishes for just as long.

We talked again last night and he said that he would cook Monday and Wednesdays. He can cook. Does he cook? No. Does he shop? Nope. This will start next week. Suffice to say I'll be ready to cook all days again, because I have absolutely no faith that he will keep his end of the bargain for long, if at all.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Weekend

I keep my budget pretty strict on purpose. I put a lot of money in savings each month and I budget everything else with what's leftover. I feel like while I was paying down debt, my savings suffered a bit so I'm trying to make up for lost time. Every now and then, I don't put away as much in savings. This might be that month. I am still within my budget, but my "disposable" income is steadily decreasing. Of course, all is by choice and I wasn't forced to do anything. Part of me feels I should just finish as is and then start fresh in July.

I didn't cook this weekend, therefore there were no leftovers. We will have to buy lunch out today. I had a really rough day yesterday and came home with cooking being the last thing on my mind. I bought tacos instead.

I had a goal of having 15 no spend days in June. I am four days away from that. I know I'll achieve that.


June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream
June 6 -- No Spend
June 7 -- $11.28 -- pizza
June 8 -- No Spend
June 9 -- No Spend
June 10 -- $14.86 -- lunch
June 11 -- $15.00 -- Rite Aid
June 12 -- No Spend
June 13 -- No Spend
June 14 -- No Spend
June 15 -- No Spend
June 16 -- $13.54 -- Breakfast
June 17 -- No Spend
June 18 -- $18.18 -- Fatburger
June 19 -- $6.05 -- Tacos

Menu Plan 06/20 - 06/25

This week's menu is basically made up of a bunch of stuff I had planned to make in recent weeks and never did.

Monday:
Dinner: Tater Tot Casserole

Tuesday:

Dinner: Island Chicken with mashed potatoes

Wednesday:
Dinner: Taquitos

Thursday:
Dinner: Dirty Rice

Friday:
Dinner: Tacos

Saturday:
Dinner: Orange Chicken with rice

Friday, June 17, 2011

June Spending as of 06/16

The money I thought I was going to be spending is so much less than expected! I thought I'd have to dish out $1300 and although I have the money, I certainly did not want to part with it. Instead, I'll have to pay out $496. A big relief!

I've been good this week in regards to spending. I'm making a conscious effort to stop buying random things here and there.

June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream
June 6 -- No Spend
June 7 -- $11.28 -- pizza
June 8 -- No Spend
June 9 -- No Spend
June 10 -- $14.86 -- lunch
June 11 -- $15.00 -- Rite Aid
June 12 -- No Spend
June 13 -- No Spend
June 14 -- No Spend
June 15 -- No Spend
June 16 -- $13.54 -- Breakfast

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Preparing

I feel I'm about to start hemorrhaging money. It is all necessary, but I hate doing it all the same... In the end, it will all be okay.

Monday, June 13, 2011

New Obsession

I was at my local Trader Joe's yesterday for my routine shopping trip. I saw a packet of Penguin Tummy Gummies. I have a sweet tooth and the penguins on the package were cute, so I bought them. Talk about impulse buy! Anyway, you get a lot in one bag for $1.99. I brought the bag to work for those occasional sweet cravings. Um, I finished the bag. Well, not yet, but rest assured the bag will be empty by the time I leave today.

There are three flavors: cherry, lime, and orange (I think). The tummy of the penguin is filled with this sweet "juice". I know it sounds gross and it probably is, but is so fun! I'm tempted to go and get another bag and the only thing that is stopping me is rush hour grocery store traffic. I'll wait until next week and buy another bag. Hopefully, by then I'll be able to refrain from eating the whole bag in one day!

Vegetable Lentil Stew

I threw this together yesterday when I had a bunch of random veggies in the fridge. I added curry powder for the "Indian" touch, even though the curry powder sold in grocery stores here is NOT Indian. Anyway.... This stew came out delicious and very easy to put together. I served it with broiled sourdough bread spread with garlic butter.

Use whatever veggies you have on hand, but I used the following:

1 medium onion -- chopped
3 medium carrots -- peeled and chopped
1 rib of celery -- chopped
Handful of frozen corn and peas
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (I keep mine in the freezer. It keeps forever and it is so much easier to grate when frozen!)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 jalapeno -- minced (seed it if you don't want it too spicy)
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp curry powder
2 C water or stock
1/3 C red lentils -- rinsed and sorted
salt and pepper to taste


Heat oil in a saucepan. When hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until the onions are soft. Add the ginger, garlic, and jalapeno. Stir for a couple of minutes. Add lentils. Cook for another five minutes. Stirring occasionally. Add the curry powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover for approximately 40 minutes. Add frozen vegetables and continue to simmer until frozen vegetables are warmed through and the lentils are tender.

Weekend Spending

Like most people, I spend money during the weekend. I was good this time!

On Friday, I spent $14.86 on lunch. I spent $15.00 on Saturday and that's it!

June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream
June 6 -- No Spend
June 7 -- $11.28 -- pizza
June 8 -- No Spend
June 9 -- No Spend
June 10 -- $14.86 -- lunch
June 11 -- $15.00 -- Rite Aid
June 12 -- No Spend

And on top of all of this, I was below my grocery budget for the week. I also did my version of "extreme" couponing. I don't coupon unless I have one staring at me and it happens to fall out of my wallet as I'm paying for my purchases. On Ralphs, there was a sale on deodorant. If you buy 5, then you pay $5 ($1 each). I bought five last week and I received a $3 off coupon for my next purchase. The store was doing the same sale this week, so I did another 5 for $5, but gave them the coupon, so I got them for $2. Not bad. I won't have to buy deodorant for like two years now!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Budget 06/10 - 07/07

Last week I said I would post my monthly budget. I usually overestimate some items and I just use it as a cushion in my account. I also currently have about $300 as a buffer in my checking account. The following numbers reflect after money has already been put into savings. Whatever is leftover is my "disposable" spending. All credit card bills are paid in full at the end of each month. The numbers in that category vary month to month, but balances are never forwarded to the following month.

Auto Gas -- $150.00
Cable/Internet -- $120.00
Groceries -- $200
Gas -- $21.00
Parking Permit -- $25.00 (paid only twice a year)
Chase CC -- $100.00
Discover CC -- $70.00
Capital One CC -- $37.00

The second paycheck of each month goes straight to rent with approximately 17% going to savings. I contribute approximately 35% of my first paycheck of the month toward savings.

I know my budget is not great and there are many places where I can cut down, but this is comfortable for me. This allows me to still go out and live!

Menu Plan 06/13 - 06/18

I haven't eaten out this week yet. Tonight is our date night so that is dinner out (planned). Yesterday, I made English muffin pizzas for dinner (reminded me of myself as a kid!) and there were no leftovers, so we will eat lunch out today. Bummer!

I'm also running out of Indian foods to make. Yes, there are millions of dishes out there, but I only know a select few that I am comfortable with. I'll have to start playing around with more.

Monday:
Dinner: Curried cabbage and rice (never made it last week)

Tuesday:
Dinner: Fried Rice with chicken potstickers

Wednesday:
Dinner: Cornbread casserole

Thursday:

Dinner: Chicken and Rice

Friday:
Dinner: Pizza

Saturday:

Dinner: Corn and chili soup with homemade rolls

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

$11 Pizza -- Hollywood Style

Yesterday, B and I went to the Kodak Theater for a little shopping for a few things B wanted. As always, we parked in the underground garage, got our ticket and headed into the shopping place. After he bought his purchases, the store said that they no longer validate parking tickets. B and I then proceeded to go to a "tourist pizza" place that sells pizza by the slice to get our ticket validated. I bought us two slices of pizza for a whopping $11.28! Yes, only two SLICES! The kick in the teeth was that that store no longer validated either! We only got the pizza so they would validate. Anyway, we ended up paying another $3 for parking.

Lesson learned....don't go out during the week; you'll always spend money.

June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream
June 6 -- No Spend
June 7 -- $11.28 -- pizza

Monday, June 6, 2011

Spending!

The good news is that I was within my grocery budget this week! The bad news is that I had two spend days.

On Saturday, my sister continued with her birthday celebration. A small group of friends went to a restaurant. This expense was planned and I was prepared. We went to the restaurant and since there was a 40 minute wait, the group decided to go the bar for a drink. We all ordered a lemon drop shot and continued to talk. I noticed that the bartender had given the bill to my sister. I quickly gave him my credit card since the birthday girl should not pay for anyone else's drink, including her own. Now, I don't drink out very often anymore so the price was a bit of a shock! Four lemon drop shots cost $32! I paid it and I had the money for it, but still what started out as a no spend day, became one. Of course, none of the other girls paid me back....or even thanked me...but I digress.

Yesterday, B and I went out for a late night ice cream run, so money was spent there. This week, will be good!

June 1 -- No Spend
June 2 -- No Spend
June 3 -- No Spend
June 4 -- $32.00 -- drinks
June 5 -- $4.83 -- ice cream

Menu Plan 06/05 - 06/11

I modified my menu plan from pure vegetarian to a mix of veg and non-veg.

Sunday:
Dinner: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Monday:

Dinner: Masala veggie burgers with lentil dumplings

Tuesday:

Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce

Wednesday:

Dinner: Curried cabbage with rice

Thursday:
Dinner: Gyros

Friday:

Dinner: Date Night!

Saturday:

Dinner: Vegetable lentil stew

Friday, June 3, 2011

June Spending

Yesterday, I bought my sister her birthday gift. I spent $89 on a gift card and a Kindle cover and another $3.88 cents on a party bag. I'm not tracking that as it was a planned purchase. So other than that, I have not spent any money yet. Today, my department is taking two other coworkers out for their birthdays. Yes, I'll spend money then, but that too was planned. Also, our department is so small (5 people -- all girls) that there was no way I could have gotten out of it. Saturday is the last of the birthday celebrations (again, planned), so hopefully no money will be spent after that!

June 1 -- No Spend Day
June 2 -- No Spend Day

EDIT: Our supervisor decided to treat us to lunch since we did discuss work so that made it a business lunch! Totally unplanned and saved me like $20!

So Over

Well, B still isn't watching TV. He is, on the other hand, eating meat like he always had. Yesterday, he had roast chicken and has a turkey sandwich for lunch today.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Batata Vada (Spiced Potato Patties)

My mom is known for this dish. Whenever she throws a dinner party, people request this. I've tweaked her recipe. She uses fresh ginger and I'm not a huge fan of ginger, in general. This does call for chickpea flour (graham flour), but you can use all purpose flour if you want, just thoroughly season it with salt and pepper.

I've made this for many potlucks at work and they are always a hit. I never have any leftovers and just like with my mom, people request them for the next office party.

4 potatoes -- peeled and boiled til tender
2 chilies -- chopped fine
1 Tbsp garlic -- minced
2 C of Graham flour (all purpose can work too)
Water
Salt
Oil for frying

Mash the cooked potatoes with the garlic, salt, and chilies. Mix together until well combined.

Heat a skillet with about an inch of vegetable oil. Let it get HOT.

In a large bowl, mix the flour with enough water so it resembles a slightly thinner pancake batter. Season the batter with salt and pepper. Once the oil is HOT, add a teaspoon of the hot oil to the batter and stir. This will prevent the patties from soaking up too much oil.

Shape a few tablespoons of potato into a small ball and slightly flatten it with your hands. Smooth out any cracks. Dip both sides of it in the batter and drop (gently) into the hot oil. Once the first side is golden brown, gently flip it and fry until brown as well. Drain on paper towels.

I usually serve it with a mixture of sour cream (or yogurt) and cayenne pepper, salt, and garlic powder. All is according to taste.

You can also make the patties a little smaller in diameter and placed between hot buttered rolls.

Shocked!

Someone, who will remain nameless, finally washed the sink full of dishes he/she had since January 2011. SHOCKED!!! :)

That Didn't Take Long At All

Last night after I made a vegan dinner, I headed over to B's. There was a bought salad on the counter with something I couldn't make out through the plastic container. It was salmon!!! I gently reminded him that I thought he gave up meat in June. He said, "Did I say that? I thought I said I'll give up red meat". Um, we hardly ever eat red meat. In any case, he didn't eat the salmon last night, but he will eat it tonight.

On the TV front, he did not watch it during the evening. I don't think he went to the gym either....so right now he is just sticking with the tv boycott.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tracking My June Spending

I've always wanted to track my spending...officially. I know what my budget for whatever is and I try not to go over it, but I don't add up the different categories at the end of the month to see how I did compared to the actual budget. Today is June 1 and I am going to track my spending for this month.

I already have a birthday dinner planned for this weekend. So besides that, I'm going to try to have 15 no spend days. I will not count the days that I have planned to go grocery shopping or pay my regular bills. What I will count are the days that I just run and eat out or buy a nail polish or whatever.

I'll post my monthly budget in the next few days.

We'll see how I do....

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Predictable

Every few months or so, B has an epiphany. It's usually one of two things. 1: I'm going to give up meat for xx months. 2: I'm going to go to the gym four times a week (Or some other physical statement). This weekended he added a third: 3: I'm not watching TV for the month of June. He actually gave me all three situations for the month of June. I'm used to this. He does this quite often. I support him and all of his somewhat ridiculous statements (not that these are ridiculous). I'll change my menu plan to avoid all meat and fried foods. I'll think of activities to do instead of watching tv and so on. This will last up to a week. Seriously. It usually starts with me making a salad for a meal and he'll stop and get a burger. Why? Because he's busy/coming down with something/tired/or whatever and "needs" protein. Forget the fact that the salad I've made has garbanzo beans or whatever. Then he'll "forget" that he said no TV and will watch something. Before the week is through, it's back to the same ole' B.

So according to him, starting June 1 B will not be eating meat or fried foods and will not watch any TV. Of course, he made it clear that does not include any DVD's he may have at home.

I'll keep you posted as to how long this lasts. My bet is one week...max.

Budget Bust

OMG! I spent so much money this holiday weekend!!! Mostly it was just on eating out and buying gifts for birthdays that fall this week. I'll be back on track in June, and although I didn't charge anything, it still hurt adding up all my receipts!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Menu Plan 05/30 - 06/04

As you can see from next week's menu plan, I am cooking more and more Indian food. I'm actually quite surprised how much it smells like my mom's kitchen! B is enjoying it and I am happy that he is happy. I'll post the recipes to some of the Indian recipes I've made soon.

Monday:
Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with potato salad

Tuesday:
Dinner: Pav Vada (Spiced potato patties served on a buttered toasted roll)

Wednesday:
Dinner: Potato Bhaji (Spiced curred potatoes) and naan

Thursday:
Dinner: Taquitos

Friday:
Dinner: Utthapum (Savory crepe with onions and chilies)

Saturday:
Dinner: Aloo Mattar (Potato and Pea Curry) with rice

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Kindle

I used to be an amazing reader. I would pick up a book and not be able to put it down until it was finished. For the past many years, I've virtually stopped reading for various reasons. One being I didn't make the time to read and second, I didn't want to buy books and then have to store them somewhere. I dislike clutter. B is a voracious reader. He always tried me to start that hobby again and I never really did. Last week, he surprised me with the Kindle. He said that this way I won't have the clutter I was worried about. OMG. I love it! Now instead of searching the internet for beauty products, I'm searching for books. Although most Kindle books are around $10, the $10 here and there add up fast! I am watching it, though and for right now I am so happy that I'm reading again. I didn't really realize how much I've missed getting engrossed in someone else's life!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Bomb!

I watch Glee. I LOVE Glee. On Tuesdays, I try to make something quick and easy so I'll be all done in the kitchen in time for me to watch my show. Yesterday, I decided to do a short cut of teriyaki chicken. I have made my own sauce and although it is very easy, I thought I'd take the even easier route and use the store bought bottle variety. BOMB! Whenever I use store bought foods, I always doctor it up a little. So yesterday, I added fresh garlic and ginger, a drizzle of honey, and a little cornstarch to thicken it up and sesame seeds and scallions on top. It looked great! B took a bite and said it tasted just like the restaurant kind. I was elated. He took another bite and winced. He said it was too salty. Now, this is the guy that will put extra salt on just about everything. He likes his food salty, so when he said that this was too salty, I couldn't believe it. I tasted it (about 20 minutes after I cooked it) and I puckered! OMG! It tasted like brine!

It proves sometimes a short cut is not always the best idea. As a result, I had to buy lunch out today. Lesson learned.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Pasta with Tuna, Basil, and Tomatoes

The thought of tuna and pasta together used to make me want to hurl. This dish is so different! I used to make this all the time years ago and then it just fell out of my rotation. I'm officially bring it back! It is so quick and tasty!! Who would have thought that tuna and pasta would go together??

3/4 lb of pasta (I used farfalle)
2 cans of albacore tuna (drained well)
2 tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
3 Tbs olive oil
a handful of fresh basil minced
2 garlic cloves minced
Red pepper flakes
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan cheese
Reserved Pasta Water

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the tuna and garlic. Cook for approximately five minutes. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook. In the meantime, cook your pasta according to packaged directions. Before draining, reserve about a cup of the cooking water. In the skillet, add the basil, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes. Stir in a bit of the pasta water. Stir it in until it develops a bit of a sauce. Stir in some Parmesan cheese. The pasta water and cheese will create a bit of a creamy consistency. Add the cooked pasta and stir until well combined. Serve!

I know this may sound weird, but it is really very very good!

Menu Plan 05/23 - 05/28

Last week, I cooked only a handful of times. We ate out on some days and other days we ate leftovers. Yesterday, I cooked for the first time in what seemed like weeks. In reality it was only like 5 days. This week, I am back on track.

Monday:
Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs

Tuesday:
Dinner: Teriyaki chicken

Wednesday:
Dinner: Date night out!

Thursday:
Dinner: Vada sambar

Friday:
Dinner: Pizza

Saturday:

Dinner: Utthapam

Monday, May 16, 2011

Frugal at What Cost?


We all have pet peeves.  One of mine is moochers.  I just can’t stand them.  Of course, when one is on a budget for whatever reason, there are sacrifices that will be made.  This is by choice.  If I choose not to buy something because it doesn’t fit in my budget, it is my choice.  If I do buy it, then I face the consequences if any.  I do not expect others to get it for me or to pitch in on my behalf.  It is my choice and my lifestyle and I’ll deal.

It seems lately, I’m reading more and more about people who don’t want to spend the money on certain things, but expect others to step it.  For example, this young woman is expecting her first child with her husband.  They are able to pay their mortgage, bills, and groceries, but there may be little left for “wants”.  They decided to have a baby and now expect the baby’s grandmother to provide day care…for free.  There was a moment, when they thought the grandmother would not be able to provide this services and she started started to freak out because she is now pregnant and cannot afford day care. My thing is if you cannot afford day care, then please do not plan to have a kid until your finances allow you to.  If the grandmother agreed to day care, then you can take her up on it, but it will be on the grandmother’s terms.  You can either take it or leave it.

Another lady is getting married and has enlisted her mother in law to create gifts for her bridesmaids.  This couple can afford gifts.  She is always “bragging” about how much money she has saved at her young age, yet she won’t dish out a couple hundred bucks toward gifts for your friends!

Maybe I’m in the minority, but it is just so annoying!!  I’ll get off my soap box now….

Friday, May 13, 2011

Menu Plan 05/16 - 05/21

This week, I'll still be cooking Indian for 50% of the meals.  B is loving it!

Monday:
Dinner:  Asian lettuce wraps

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Kobi chi Bhaji (again!)

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Tuna pasta -- I haven't made this in years, but it is sooo good!!

Thursday:
Dinner:  Vada Sambar (fried lentil dumplings with a spicy lentil soup)

Friday:
Dinner:  Pizza

Saturday: 
Dinner:  Uthapam (savory "pancake" with onions, chilies, and tomatoes)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sauteed Spiced Cabbage (Kobi Bhaji)

I do occasionally cook Indian food.  The kind I normally make is the rich, decadent variety.  B wanted to eat simple home cooked Indian and while it is tasty, I thought he would be disappointed as it doesn't really resemble the kind you get at restaurants.  I was wrong. 

This cabbage dish is very common in Indian homes.  My mom makes it herself once a week.  It is simple, healthy, and tasty.  B loved it so much that we don't have any leftovers for lunch!


3 C shredded cabbage
1 potato -- diced into small pieces
1/4 C peas
2 Tbs oil
2 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp tumeric
Salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp cayenne pepper

In a pot, heat oil and add the mustard seeds. Once the seeds start sputtering, add the tumeric and potatoes.  Stir around for a few minutes and add the cabbage.  Mix well and cover.  Simmer for approximately 15 minutes.  Once the potatoes are tender, add the peas, salt, sugar, and cayenne.  You may have to add a little water to help steam the potatoes and cabbage. Just add a few tablespoons at at time.


That is it!  I served it with Trader Joe's naan.  B was very happy with it and ate four servings worth in one sitting!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Rut

Anyone ever feel they are in a rut?  I think I'm in one now.  There are so many things I'd like to do for a little change and yet I don't do it.

I'd like to lose some weight.  I'm ready to do it and yet I don't and just say "tomorrow...".    I'm tired of being the "girl with a pretty face".

I want to totally de-clutter the house, but when I have a free moment to do it, I'm just too tired to do anything else other than relax.

I've let my appearance go in recent years.  I'm a total girly girl and I do keep my nails and toes done (by me!) at all times, but I feel when the weekend comes, I don't do anything special.  Unless we're going out, I live in sweats, flip flops, and have my hair in a ponytail.  This might be because during the week, I live in semi-professional clothes and heels.  I want to feel more like a girl on the weekends too!

Last summer, I bought an entire new wardrobe.  Today, I feel like I have nothing to wear.  I've already cleaned out the closet and given like four huge trash bags of clothes to Goodwill, but my closet is still overflowing.  I definitely don't need new clothes, just have to find the clothes I already have.

I have a couple of business ideas that I think are really good! One would require continuing education and the other would just require me being disciplined with my time and workload.  I feel my ideas need to be perfect before I take action, but I know that that's not necessarily realistic.

I'm really not a lazy person, but sometimes I just feel so overworked in every aspect of my life that I just don't feel I have another moment for something else.

I have to change that.  I will change that.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Taquitos

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I made taquitos last night.   I lied.  I was going to make them anyway and it happened to fall on Cinco de Mayo.

1 lb of ground beef (cooked and drained) or shredded cooked chicken
1/2 C salsa
1 small onion -- chopped
1 clove garlic -- minced
1 tsp chipotle pepper -- minced
Shredded cheese -- whichever you prefer
10 flour tortillas

To  your meat add the onion and garlic and chipotle pepper.  Stir until the onions are soft.  Add salsa and stir until warmed through.  Taste and add any salt or pepper as necessary.

Heat about an inch of oil for a shallow pan fry.  Warm up the tortillas so they are just pliable, but not crisp.

Take a warm tortilla and add about two tablespoons of meat mixture on the part of the tortilla closest to you.  Spread it out so it falls in a line.  Don't take it right to the edges, but stop about an inch or two from the edge.  Add a sprinkle of cheese or however much you like.  Roll it away from you, making it as tight as you can without tearing the tortilla.  Fasten with a toothpick.  Shallow fry for a couple of minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Drain the taquitos.  I used a large bowl stuffed with paper towels so any oil inside the taquito dripped away. 

I served these with sour cream and shredded lettuce with chopped tomatoes.  They were very good.  Even B was surprised!!

Menu Plan 05/09 - 05/14

B wants Indian food.  That's fine, but the kind of Indian food I like is the kind with rich heavy curries.  B wants the more home style kind.  Next week, I'm going to do 50% of what I want and 50% of what he wants. He'll probably come back to my side the following week :)

Monday:
Dinner:  Teriyaki chicken

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Sauteed curried cabbage (Kobi Bhaji)  and naan

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Chicken salad sandwiches

Thursday:
Dinner:  Sauteed spinach and potatoes and rice

Friday:
Dinner:  Hamburgers

Saturday:
Dinner:  Curried peas and potatoes (aloo mattar) and rice

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Asian Style Rice

This is a quick one pot rice dish!  B loved it and said it was one of his favorite rice dishes.

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion -- chopped
2 cloves garlic -- minced
1 1/4 C uncooked rice
2 1/2 C water
1 C frozen or fresh vegetables (whatever you have on hand)
1 envelope of dry onion soup mix
3 Tbs soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
hot sauce and pepper to taste

Brown meat and drain well.  Add chopped onion, garlic, rice, soup mix, soy sauce. Stir for a couple of minutes.  Add water and sesame oil, hot sauce, and pepper.  Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.  When rice is tender, make a hole in the rice and pour in the frozen veggies. Cover with hot rice and cover the pot for ten minutes.  If you use fresh veggies, you can boil them with the rice.  Add chopped green onions prior to serving.

Monday, May 2, 2011

My Journey

I take after my dad in a lot of ways.  We have the exact same smile and we spend money like crazy.  My dad has always been very generous.  While, my dad is very generous with money, he is also smart with it.  I just spent money but  I wasn't smart with it.

Up until four years ago, I never had debt.  Zero. Zilch. Nada. I used credit cards, but paid off the balance every month!  I came across a certain situation that I will not go into right now that forced me to look at myself.  I realized that I had debt I was responsible for.  Yup, to the tune of $18,177.90.  I still remember the exact figure.When I found out, I flipped out. I cried, screamed, and threw the mother of all tantrums. It also gave me anxiety like I had never experienced before.  I just wanted someone to tell me that everything would be okay.  Yes, some people did, but I needed to hear it all the time. Of course, I was insane.

After about a month of just stressing out (I lost 30 lbs in one month!), I decided to take action. I took on a second job. Yes, it paid peanuts and yes, it was horrible, but it gave me approximately $400 extra month to throw towards debt. I also joined the message board Women In Red.  There, I had my accountability and people telling me that it will all be okay...tirelessly.   For the first time ever, I came up with a budget and I started saving.  I saved before, but it was paltry.  I saved MORE as I was trying to get out of debt! I reworked my entire financial situation.  Every nickel I made from the second job, I threw towards debt.  I cut all things fun from my everyday paycheck and threw that towards debt. It became addicting and I couldn't wait to get paid and then in turn make payments.  I loved watching the numbers decrease. Of course, I took a couple of months off of debt repayment to just live. And then I had car repairs, but I just got back on track.  On November 2, 2009, I paid off my debt.  Two and a half years after my financial upheaval. 

Today, I am still debt free and have more in the bank than I ever did before.  Yes, I still sometimes resent the fact that I threw all that money towards debt vs. my savings/pockets, but if it weren't for that situation, I'd still be squandering money.  I don't think I'd be saving so aggressively now if it weren't for the hell I faced four years ago.

I hope never to find myself in that situation again.  But if, by chance I do, I know now that I can get myself out of it.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I of all people can do it, anyone can.  Trust me.

I did it again!

I went over my weekly grocery budget.  I finally found those Brie Bites at Trader Joe's and then I found miniature goat cheese bites.  I went over budget by $8 and the cost of the two cheeses was $8. I really need to start sticking to the list again!

Yesterday, my family and I went shopping all afternoon.  It was hot and the stores my mom wanted to go into were not close together.  We walked all afternoon in the sun.  I got home and started my laundry and went grocery shopping.  The elevator to my apartment will be out for a couple of weeks and of course, I live on the top floor.  I carried, rather schlepped, heavy bags up the stairs and just stayed there.  I had chicken defrosting in the fridge and yet had no desire to make anything with it.  We ate out at Chipotle.  So, of course, that means, we'll have lunch out today as well.

I'll get back on track. 

Friday, April 29, 2011

Fail!

Last night, as I was cooking dinner I was already thinking about how I was going to post tomorrow how I went a full work week without eating out.  I mean, I cooked everyday and had plenty of leftovers for lunch the following day.  Today, I cracked.  I don't know if it was because it was Friday or if the office was quiet or what, but I totally sabotaged myself.  I broke down and instead of warming my balsamic glazed chicken, I went out and ate enchiladas!  Of course, they were tasty at first, but now I feel like crap and still have the chicken in my lunch bag.  I think it's punishing me.

I'll try again next week.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Menu Plan 05/02 -- 05/07

Yesterday, I posted about my food budget.  I budget $50 a week for food for two people.  I made my grocery list and menu plan last week and added up a tentative total.  $41.35.  Since I am under-budget, I'll either roll the difference over to next week or buy some of my wants, like more of that brie cheese!  :)

Monday:
Dinner:  Spaghetti with marinara sauce

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Pita bread stuffed with Greek salad (this is so simple, but so amazing!!! I crave this!!)

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Asian style rice

Thursday:
Dinner:  Baked chimichangas

Friday:
Dinner:  Tacos

Saturday:
Dinner:  Sheppard's Pie

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Food Budget

I have my monthly budget down to a science...kind of.  I always over-estimate the costs of utilities and other spending so my budget is not too tight.  For over four years, this is how we've done it and I can't believe how nonchalant I was with money before.

There was a time, when I would go to the grocery store without a list or a plan and buy whatever looked good to me.  I can't tell you how much food I would waste!!  Of course, when the time came to cook dinner, I had a fridge full of food but nothing to cook.  My grocery items didn't make sense.  For example, I would buy a loaf of bread, a frozen cake, and pasta. Huh????  I'd spend $100 on absolutely nothing!  So of course, B and I would go and eat out.  Then because we ate out and didn't have leftovers, we'd eat out for lunch.  It was a vicious cycle that cost us a TON of money.

Now every week, I go to two different grocery stores, Ralphs and Trader Joes.  I go through the Ralphs sales ads a week and see how those prices compare to those of  Trader Joes. )I don't use coupons unless they are staring right at me.  I know there are savings in there.  I just don't have the patience nor the time to do it all the time.) I make a menu plan and write out everything I need to make that dish.  I often go for dishes that I have at least some of the ingredients on hand already. After I make a list, I calculate everything on the list and it almost always runs up to about $50.  $50 a week is my food budget for two adults. Somedays it is a little higher if I decide to stock up on something that is on sale or if I'm making food for an event or something, but other than that it is always around $50.

This past Sunday, I veered a little from the list and bought several times that I just wanted.  Of course, I went over budget by $10.  The total amount of the things I bought not on the list?  $9.20.  

After all of this, our biggest money leak is eating out.  Although I do cook most nights, sometimes I don't feel like it or sometimes we go out after work and come home too late to cook.  It's a work in progress and I'm no longer fanatical about it.  We have room in our budgets for "fun" money and entertainment.  I just take it out of that and try to be better the following day.

I have the reputation in my family of being the one where money filters through my hands like sand.  I used to spend a lot on useless things and now I still spend money on my wants vs. needs, but I am just wiser about it.

Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Brie Cheese

Cheese is my life.  I love the stuff!!  I do most of my food shopping at Trader Joe's.  This place actually has a pretty good cheese selection.  Anyway, last week, I noticed my co-worker eating something out of a tiny container.  I couldn't make out what it was and since we were in a meeting, I couldn't yell and ask her.  Anyway, it was brie cheese.  It a two biter in a little container.  I loved it!  So today, she brought me a bag of them.  They are sold in a bag of five.  I just ate one and it is HEAVEN!  The Trader Joe's in my area doesn't carry it, but I will stalk all of them in a 10 mile radius for this cheese!!

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Face it, the only reason to go to RL is for the biscuits. I don't have one near me and also I really don't like the restaurant either.  I now make the biscuits at home.  They are so simple, I wonder why I never made them before!

2 1/2 C of Bisquick
4 Tbsp of cold butter -- cut in pieces
3/4 C of whole milk
1 C of sharp cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt


2 Tbsp of butter
1 tsp of dried parsley
1/4 tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix the Bisquick and cold butter. With your hands, kind of mush the butter into the flour mix.  Stop when the butter looks like peas in the flour.  Add the milk, garlic powder, salt, and cheese.  Mix until combined.

Drop the dough onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 17 minutes or until golden brown on top.

In the meantime, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter, parsley, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.  Once the biscuits come out of the oven, brush the melted butter on top of each biscuit.  Really don't skimp here.  Serve!

Beef Stew

I love the idea of hearty one pot meals.  I have never made or even eaten beef stew before, I've just always liked the idea of it.  I made it this weekend and cannot wait to make it again!

2 lb of stew meat
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped
2-3 celery stalks -- chopped
2 carrots -- peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic
3 C beef stock
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 russet potato -- diced in bite size pieces
2 Tbsp of cornstarch
2 Tbsp of water
Salt and Pepper to taste


In a dutch oven, heat oil and brown the meat.  You don't have to cook it, just give it some color.  You'll have to do it in batches as food doesn't brown in an overcrowded pan.

In the same pot, add the onions, garlic, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce.  Cook for a couple of minutes.  Stir in the meat and all the juices that may have accumulated on the plate.  Stir around for another couple of minutes.  Add the stock. Salt and pepper the mixture.  Cover and cook for 2 hours.  After 2 hours, stir in the carrots and celery.  Cover and cook for another 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes, add the potato.  Again cover and cook for another 15 minutes.  Once the potatoes are tender, drop the heat to a slow simmer.  Stir the cornstarch in with the water.  Mix until smooth and stir into the stew.  Allow the mixture to boil and simmer for another 10 minutes.  Adjust seasonings and serve.

Menu Plan 04/25 - 04/30

I've been doing a menu plan for years.  I often enjoy it.  Lately, it's getting difficult to keep thinking of different things to make.  I'm going to try to incorporate a few new recipes a week and see if they'll be added to the rotation.


Monday:
Dinner:  Asian style chicken with rice and potstickers

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Grilled salmon with steamed broccoli

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Meatloaf with buttered noodles

Thursday:
Dinner:  Chicken in a balsamic glaze and mashed potatoes


Friday:
Dinner: Home made tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Saturday:
Dinner:  Chicken in a garlic gravy with rice

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Menu Plan 04/18 -- 04/23

Another week, another menu plan.

Monday:
Dinner:  BBQ Chicken (won't be making as planned this week)

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Chinese rice with potstickers

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Date night out!

Thursday:
Dinner:  Lemon chicken with angel hair pasta

Friday:
Dinner:  Homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Saturday:
Dinner:  Beef stew

Monday, April 11, 2011

Menu Plan 04/11 - 04/16

Yes, I posted that I'm going to watch my carbs.  Yes, I now posted a menu plan that is rich in the very thing I'm watching.  My plan is not to eat all the carbs, but to eat a green salad or something instead of.  We'll see how that goes....

There are also a lot of chicken dishes as I roasted a whole chicken on Friday and then no one ate it.  B came home late and ate out and then it was too late for me to eat.  I did pick at it as it cooled and it is delicious!

Monday:
Dinner:  Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Chicken salad sandwiches

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Mahi Mahi and roasted broccoli

Thursday: 
Dinner:  Burgers and potato salad

Friday:
Dinner:  BBQ chicken with Mashed Potatoes

Saturday:
Dinner:  Buffalo chicken sandwiches with potato salad

Friday, April 8, 2011

Lettuce Wraps

B and I loved this dish!  He ate almost have of it for lunch and wanted more!!  It's really easy to put together and you'll have dinner finished in no time at all.

1 lb of ground chicken, turkey, or beef
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp of minced garlic
1/2 C of cooked rice
2 1/2 C of vegetables (I used frozen, whatever I had in the freezer)
Pepper

Sauce:
2 Tbsp of hoisen sauce
1 Tbsp of soy sauce
2 tsp of toasted sesame oil
2 tsp of rice wine vinegar (white wine vinegar works too)
a dash or two of cayenne pepper or hot sauce

Mix all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.

Brown the meat in a hot skillet.  Once fully cooked, drain well.  Add the garlic and ginger and stir until you can smell it.  Add the cooked rice and vegetables.  Stir until warmed through and then add the sauce to the mixture.  Mix again until warm.  Remove from heat and serve in lettuce cups or leaves.  Enjoy!

Gyros

I love gyros!  Although, this recipe is not authentic by any means, the taste is almost spot on!

Meat
1 lb. ground beef
1 egg yolk (optional, but it really helps to bind the burgers)
1 Tbsp of dried oregano
1 clove of garlic -- minced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

6 pita bread, cut in half
a simple salad (shredded lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, whatever else you may want to use up)

Sauce

1/2 C of sour cream (I used light)
1/4 C of milk (I used skim)
1 tsp garlic powder
dash of cayenne
1/4 tsp paprika
Salt to taste


Preheat oven to 350.
Mix all the ingredients for the meat mixture and refrigerate for about an hour.
Mix all the ingredients of the sauce together and set aside.

"Separate" the pita half to create a pocket.  Set aside.

Pull the meat mixture from the fridge and form into patties.  I make mine pretty thin, but do whatever works for you.  In a hot skillet, place the patties and cook until completely done.  Remove onto a plate and let cool a bit. 

Place the separated pita halves into the oven and warm for approximately 6 minutes.   During this time, thinly slice the meat patties.  Remove pita from the oven and start stuffing with the salad, meat, and top with the sauce. 

When I first made these, I did not think they would taste like gyros.  You'd be amazed how close they taste to the real thing!  Enjoy!!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Food Block

Every now and then I cannot come up with any food ideas.  I'm facing one of those times right now.  It's like writers block, but with food.  I sat down yesterday to plan next week's menu plan and I was drawing a complete blank!  I did finally come up with a few ideas, but I feel they are so redundant and boring for now.  Normally, I think of stuff all week and now I am coming up with absolutely nothing!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Menu Plan 04/04 -- 04/09

I'm watching my carbs....again.  I love carbs and am quite addicted to them.  I gave them up for like 8 days a couple of months ago and well, I missed them.  I'm not cutting them out completely, just really being aware of my carb intact.  At that same time B is trying to get in shape and watching how he is eating too.

Monday:
Dinner:  Green Salad with grilled chicken

Tuesday:
Dinner:  Grilled salmon with zucchini and asparagus

Wednesday:
Dinner:  Lettuce Wraps

Thursday:
Dinner:  Gyros in pita

Friday:
Dinner: Baked Whole Chicken with a salad

Saturday:
Dinner:  Baked potatoes with Tuna (per B's request.  I'll be going to a concert!)

Friday, April 1, 2011

Bean and Cheese Burritos

I finally ate these last night!  They were really yummy, so yummy I had a mini one for breakfast today.  Who am I kidding?  I had a full sized one.

2 cans of beans -- drained and rinsed (I used one can of black and one of pinto.  It's what I had in the house)
1 tsp of olive oil
1 clove of garlic -- minced
1 small onion -- chopped finely
2 tsp of chili powder
1 tsp of ground cumin
dash of cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper
Water to thin the beans
Flour tortillas


In a skillet, warm the oil and add the chili powder, cumin, garlic, and cayenne.  Stir around until you can really smell the spice.  Stir in well drained beans and warm through.  Add about 1/4 C of water and simmer for ten minutes.  Mash the beans with a fork or spoon and simmer.  If the mixture gets too dry, add some water.  Once the beans are heated and the mixture has thickened, add the onions.  Stir around for a minute. 

Spoon some of mixture in the middle of a warmed tortilla.  Add some shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and/or salsa and sour cream.  Fold burrito-style and enjoy!

This really is good.  I'm sorry it took me forever to make it as it comes together so fast too!  I have more filling in the fridge and I'll probably have them again for dinner....or a snack! :)

Thursday, March 31, 2011

These F'ing burritos!!

I've been wanting to make these bean and cheese burritos for like three weeks now.  Yesterday, I made the filling and it is really good!  So I brought everything to work to assemble here, but all of a sudden B said that the burritos will be "chewy" since they will be warmed in the microwave! 

In any case, I've spent a fortune eating out this month. I hate that.  I told him we'll eat out for lunch today, but eat the burritos for dinner tonight and I'll make what I would have made for today's dinner for lunch tomorrow instead.  This is really annoying me! I'm trying to so hard to not eat out! 

April will be amazing!  I just know it.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Sausage Rice

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I'm really not sure what to call this dish.  My initial plan was to just make a pot of seasoned rice and add crisp sausage to it.  As I started to make it yesterday, I realized it needed more.  I added about half a cup of leftover ground beef seasoned with garlic and onion powder.  It really made the dish!


1 C of rice
1 Tbsp of olive oil
1 Tbsp of butter
2 stalks of celery -- chopped in small pieces
1 small onion -- diced
2 C water
1/2 C cooked ground beef or turkey
1/2 link of the "horseshoe" turkey sausage or 2 links -- chopped
1 clove of garlic -- crushed
Salt

Melt the butter into the olive oil.  Add chopped celery and onion and garlic.  Cook for a couple of minutes.  Add the sausage and continue to cook until the sausage is slightly crisp.  Add the ground beef.  Stir around and add the rice.  Stir again for a couple of minutes until the rice is well incorporated.  Add two cups of water and add about a teaspoon of salt (depends on your taste).  Bring to a boil.  Lower heat to a simmer and cover the pot.  Let the rice cook for approximately 12 minutes.  Check to see if the rice is done.  Don't open the lid too often otherwise the rice will be gummy.  Once rice is done, turn off the heat, but leave the lid on for another ten minutes. After that time, take lid off and serve.

B wasn't even hungry for dinner last night and he ate a big bowl full.