A New Take on Leftovers

Leftovers can be so boring. With just the two of us in the house, leftovers can last awhile. So, I think that it is important to use up the leftovers to save money, make an easy meal, and not waste food. I used to HATE leftovers. However, I made it into a game. What can I do with this leftover turkey, chicken or pork? Here is one idea...

The idea came to me when I was visiting my parents a few years ago and we had chicken pot pie. It was homemade with gooey biscuits on top. We used up some leftovers in the fridge and it was so yummy and comforting.

Later at home, I had A LOT of leftovers from a thanksgiving meal. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and veggie tray. This recipe can be totally changed and still get awesome results so just try it! My husband calls it the biscuit delivery system.







Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:
Leftover Cooked Turkey, Diced into small 1/4 " pieces (or chicken or pork)
Mashed Potatoes (1-2 cups)
gravy (< 1 cup)
Cooked green beans
Raw vegetables (diced into bite size pieces)
garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
milk
1 can of uncooked biscuits (cut up into small pieces)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Saute' the garlic and onion together until translucent (~3 minutes) over medium heat. Then add the rest of the vegetables (carrots, celery, potatoes, cauliflower, squash etc.) Cook 5-10 minutes. Add meat, leftover mashed potatoes, gravy, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir well. Add milk until it is like a thick chowder. Add salt and pepper. Pour contents into a casserole dish.

Bake in oven (uncovered) at 350 F for 45 minutes until vegetables are close to being done and casserole is thick and bubbly. Add biscuit pieces on top of casserole and bake until biscuits are cooked and slightly browned (approximately 10 minutes).

This recipe can be changed. You don't have to use mashed potatoes, gravy, or raw vegetables. You can use frozen vegetable items if you like. The point of this recipe is to use up leftovers in the fridge and it gets the job done.

Hidden MSG

So recently I have been exploring making my own spice mixes. My last post was about making my own fajita mix. I mentioned that I learned that MSG was hidden in chicken bouillon. After that, I had a friend inform me that she learned that MSG was hidden in Ranch dressing and Easy mac. So, that is two more items out there that I had no idea that contained MSG. This information got me interested in other items that could contain MSG.

First off- MSG is monosodium glutamate- the sodium salt of glutamic acid.
It is used as a cheap flavor enhancer.

After doing some reading, I learned the the FDA will allow MSG that is in other ingredients not have to be listed. In other words, if a company uses chicken bouillon that contains MSG, all they have to mention is that chicken bouillon is in the ingredients.

Also, I learned that MSG could also be labeled as Processed Free Glutamic Acid. That seems like a no brainer but for a quick label reader like myself, I skim the label looking for MSG or monosodium glutamate!

MSG is considered natural and generally safe by the FDA. However, when people are sensitive and allergic to such items, wouldn't it warrant a label? I mean, don't companies tell us on their labels when they process peanut products in their facilities as well? Even when the item doesn't contain peanuts, they are warning us that there might be some in the product.

Also, this website explains that it is unlikely that people are sensitive MSG. I don't believe this after I have seen my husband break out into hives from MSG loaded foods. However, they also mention that MSG has not been banned from some foods like baby foods but it was decided to just take it out.

This is a interesting article about MSG being covered up and it contains a link to a 60 Minutes segment.

Here is a list taken from a website of foods and ingredients that commonly have MSG:


* Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG *

Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil

* Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG *

Malt Extract
Malt Flavoring
Bouillon
Broth
Stock
Flavoring
Natural Flavors/Flavoring
Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
Seasoning
Spices


Okay, so I will now get off my soapbox and get back to saving money!
So back to my main topic, if you have any great spice mix recipes out there that you love, share them with me!

Homemade Fajita Mix

In my last post, I decided to forgo the purchase of spice mixes and start with fresh spices and less preservatives in my cooking. I tried this out when cooking fajitas the other night. I think that it turned out fabulous. A lot of the recipes out there are very similar and I tweaked mine to my own tastes. My husband thought that my spice mix was perfect and from there, I was sold. I will no longer spend $1 or more for fajita mix!

Here is my recipe:

Fajita Mix
Makes approx. 3 batches

3 T. Cornstarch
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne (amount depends on how much heat you want)
1 T. cumin
1 T. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
2 T. chili powder
2 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
1 T. sugar


Mix spices together well and store in container. Use 2-3 T. of fajita mix with 1 cup water on cooked beef or chicken and vegetables.


Also, I wanted to share something that I learned when researching this fajita mix recipe. Did you know that chicken bouillon cubes could contain MSG? I didn't. I try to not cook anything with MSG because my husband has had hives from MSG before. There is organic chicken bouillon out there that doesn't contain MSG. Luckily, mine did not contain it so I didn't have to make a special trip to the grocery.

Make Your Own Spice Mix

Warning- Read close to a lunch or snack break!!

I LOVE spices. If you look in my spice cabinet, you will have a hard time seeing it all and if you touch 1 bottle, 3 bottles fall out... With that being said, I try to rein myself in whenever I shop for spices. Penzeys Spices is my favorite spice shop. They have an awesome magazine/catalog that comes with free coupons (for spices!) and recipes that are flavorful.

Ordinary spices that have been sitting around for 10 years no way compare to fresh, good quality spices. Also, adding spices enhance flavors to foods that ordinarily would be bland and boring. Think garlic, lemony, curry or even pickled vegetables...

The majority of spices out there are not very expensive and a little usually goes a long way. That is why it is silly to go out and buy the little packets of spices for tacos, chili, or pickling. Yes, I have to admit, I buy them too but not anymore! It is convenient but think, most of those spices you probably have in your cupboard already! Also, making the spice mix yourself, you will be able to control what is in there. You probably won't be adding the MSG or preservatives, right? Also, you will save a bundle especially, if you buy the general ingredients in bulk.

Storage Containers: you could save and recycle the old spice jars, use small Tupperware containers, or even use plastic baggies to make your spice mixes. Just make sure they close tight!

Make labels for your spices: you could use scrap pieces of paper to make labels, write with a sharpie on the jar, or do an internet search for some pretty labels to print!

Most importantly: Date your spice bottles!! Some recipes do contain expiration dates listed so it is good to say when you made the spice or if known, when it expires.

I am not an expert when it comes to spices but my rule is it needs to be remade after 1 year. Will it make you sick? Most likely, no. However, the flavor could be compromised.

As I plan and test some of the spice mixes out there, I plan on updating my progress with you and letting you know what my household likes. Do you have a special spice mixes out there? Let me know! I would love to try it!

Recovering a Lampshade With A Lighter Fabric

I found this lamp at a yard sale for $5. Forgive me, I didn’t get a pic of the original lampshade and the base together.

I wanted a white shade with some sort of rubber ducky theme on it. Maybe some yellow bric brac on the edges or other binding. When I draped the white fabric over the original lampshade, I could see the crayon design. I decided to try to peel the fabric away from the fragile plastic underneath. Yes, that was silly…. Sorry, no pictures of that failure attempt!

I started to research what the plastic lining was on a lampshade since I had to start fresh. Turns out it is styrene. I found various styrene sheets at websites such as Hobby Lobby. Instead of paying for shipping, I decided to seek out the Hobby Lobby store in the area because I have never been there. When I got to the Hobby Lobby store, I looked up and down every isle and found every kind of sheet but styrene. However, when I was shopping in the fabric department, I found a huge sheet of plastic for $3.99. I bought 2 sheets-just in case.

So the first thing I did was to finish tearing off the old shade from the wire frame and also trying to keep it in tack. Then I cut the old lampshade in half from top to bottom and traced it on the plastic sheet. Give yourself a little extra on all sides to overlap. If you have too much in the end you can always trim.

I repeated the tracing and cutting onto my fabric. Again give yourself extra fabric for wrapping around the plastic liner.

Next, play with the plastic liner on the wire frame until you get it even. Secure with clothespins. Cut the plastic liner if necessary at the top and bottom to make the circle a bit more even.

Then, secure again with scotch tape.

Wrap your fabric around the plastic liner and make sure it fits and you have enough fabric cut. Start near the middle of the shade and spray the plastic liner and smooth the fabric with your hand.

Keep going around and repeating the spray and smooth process until you get to the edges. Then, fold the edges to a pretty seam. After that, fold the edges over, secure the fabric with spray adhesive and then clothes pins.

I then added some rubber ducky 3D stickers. Later, I plan to add some yellow edging but I haven’t decided exactly what yet.

Here are some tips on things I learned after 2 shades: 1. Test your spray adhesive to make sure it sprays clear. I had to make 2 shades because of this. 2. Iron your fabric before you begin to smooth it out because you can see the fold seams on my shade. 3. Have extra plastic and fabric!! If you look at my shade long enough you can see some inconsistencies such as the fold lines, uneven bottom etc etc. That is okay. It is a learning process and I am happy with the outcome. Next time, maybe I will double up on the white fabric to overlap the dark lampshade to make things a little easier on myself.

Total Cost= $23

Lamp/shade= $5
Plastic $8
Fabric $4
Rubber Ducky 3D stickers= $4
Clothes Pins $2

Not exactly cheap but customized for the rubber ducky nursery!

The Planning Stage

Geez! I haven't spent time with you since Jan 17th! I had a lot of New Year's resolutions and one of them was to spend more time documenting the changes in our house. Well, I haven't done that much have I?

I have been very tired and very un-virgo like- not worrying about the day to day schedule of life and making it perfect. What is causing these unusual behavior? Pregnancy! YIPPIE! The baby is due to arrive September 13th- so yes, another Virgo in the house. Please, pray for my husband.

So, I am finally feeling more like myself nowadays-not so sick and nauseous with a little boost of energy. Like my doctor says, I am slowly starting to enjoy the pregnancy. I certainly enjoy the eating and resting part of it. I also am enjoying thinking about what kind of parents my husband and I are going to be. We have wanted a child for so long and finally, it is here! I must admit, I am scared out of my wits and at the beginning, I admit that I thought, "Oh God, what have we done?"

Well, that feeling has subsided and I am starting to plan, plan, plan!

For starters, I was worried that I was going to be out of my clothes rather quickly. I stressed about this and talked about clothes non-stop with my husband. I figured one day I would wake up and not have a thing to put on to go to work except sweats.... I know I drove him crazy. Luckily, with my mother's help (and her huge material closet), she boosted my wardrobe by making maternity tops for me. This has taken a huge load off my shoulders.

I have also been working on some sewing projects. I first raided my "give to goodwill" bag and found plenty of dress pants, jeans, capris, and shorts that I could work with. I then turned them into maternity pants.

Here are some good tutorials:

Maternity Pants 1


Maternity Pants 2

These are so simple and well, it didn't cost much. I purchased 10 yards of 2 inch elastic from ebay for $4. I used pants I was going to give away so that didn't cost anything. For the top band I used old tshirts that were going to be shop towels or goodwill and so, that didn't cost anything either. So, total cost $4 and time spent was about 30 minutes-1 hour for each pair.

Sentimental Artwork

Ever since leaving home, I have sought out artwork. I needed something to feel like home, to add my own personal touch, and to fill some blank wall space. Over the years, I had the band posters, chemistry posters, college basketball posters (Go Wildcats!) and goodwill painting portraits. When my husband and I moved in together, we had a lot of things to choose from in our collection. Most artwork we didn't really care about, we just wanted something to fill the wall space.

This post is for the sentimental items that we couldn't put a price on. Most of these pieces of artwork were given to us and possibly the only cost was framing.

Such as, this doily that was croqueted for a wedding gift:




A picture of our 3 little furry ones:



A portrait painted by a family member that hung in an office of the family's business:


A favorite LP with the original stickers and posters:


A favorite movie poster:

Suggestions for Crusty, Chewy, or Stale Bread

In my house we always have bread. Most of the time, we have a fresh loaf, a stale loaf and most likely, some stored in the freezer. You might say that I am a prude when it comes to bread. I love french bread, pumpernickel, baguettes etc. I don't buy enriched white bread. Too bad, that seems to last forever... Why? I don't know. It is okay for some sandwiches but a lot of times, this is what goes to waste in my house.

It seems like I am always throwing away food that has gone bad so to combat this I have put together a list of suggestions for the not so fresh loaf of bread.

Most of these are for french bread loaves or baguettes or something similar:

1. Croutons
2. Breadcrumbs (put in freezer once crumbed in a baggie)
3. Re-freshed bread
Heat over to 300F, put bread in paper bag. Close and dampen bag.
Bake for 5 mintues. I have not tried this but it sounds interesting as long
as you eat it fast!
4. Bread Pudding
5. Scalloped Pineapple (a new found recipe from my mom! YUM!)
6. Add Bread to dip or add consistency to soup (ex. French Onion)
7. French Toast
8. Panzanella (or bread salad)
9. Stuffing
10. Open-face sandwiches
11. Cinnamon Toast
12. Toasted or grilled sandwiches
13. Bread dumplings

If I don't have a use for the bread that is a little stale, I just pop the loaf (covered in a plastic bag) in the freezer.

The Powder (Blue) Room Con't

I never realized until this post how hard it is to get a picture of the entire bathroom!

Yesterday, I discussed our bathroom updates including the removal of tile and wallpaper, updating paint,and installing some sinks.

Today, I am going to show you the finishing touches- the curtains, the homemade seat cover, and some art work. The curtains were purchased from a yard sale for $4, I think. I liked the gray, blue, and brown stripes. When I saw these, I immediately thought of our bathroom because we had been discussing dark gray as a color in the bathroom and these curtains included the blue tile color. (The shower and the floor are blue tile.) The curtains used be much, much longer but that was a little unnecessary for the bathroom so I cut them off and hemmed them. Then, I had leftover fabric left to make that toilet seat cover mentioned here.



We decided on chrome accents such as the chrome wall switch plate (Lowe's, $6) and chrome electrical cover (Lowe's, $6). The picture frames (BOGO Joann Fabrics $12) were also a chrome finish. Since the bathroom was beginning to look a little sci-fi, we decided to frame some movie posters that we cut out of a movie poster book of Mothra and The Day the Earth Stood Still. The poster book was purchased on ebay for $10.

The Powder (Blue) Room

Our bathroom has been "remodeled" for awhile now. However, I wanted to share it with you. It is hard to look at this picture and not laugh! The lacy curtains, blue and white wallpaper, blue and white tiles, and the white cabinets. Plus, the person to got this room ready "to show" for selling added a touch a orange! It is all a bit scary!

This room is definitely not our style! We would like to gut the whole room but we didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on that yet for a couple of reasons:
1- we don't have that kind of money right now
2- this bathroom has the only shower in the house
3- also at the time we were having plumbing problems and ever so often it was a question which bathroom "worked" the best. (no longer a prob though)

We figured that we could live with this room for awhile if we gave it some "updates". New to us, but mid-century style.

We started by taking down the blue wall tile and back splash and painting the wall white. Then, we painted the cabinet underneath the sink a dark gray color.
Both white and gray paint was scored at the ReStore. A gallon of white paint is $5 and color paint gallons are $3!! We threw out the little brass vanity chair and stored our wastebasket and 50's step stool underneath the counter.

Here is an after picture:



We also got an awesome pair of Crane sinks (model Diana) from the ReStore. My husband absolutely fell in love with the fixtures that are built-in the sink. We got a pair of them set in a small amount of countertop for $50 at the ReStore! That was a good day!

Next came installing those sinks and well, Jeff can tell you that it was no picnic. The sinks are attached to the counter top by that chrome band going around the sink. It was not very easy to set them in there and get them level because they are awkward and very heavy! However, considering the sinks that came out of there were just a bit smaller and fit basically the same way, maybe it turned out to be a little easier.




More pics later!

Figuring out Freezer Cooking

I have been thinking for awhile now about trying some freezer cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook but sometimes during the work week, I just want to come home and have my dinner waiting on me and no thinking/work needed.

What is freezer cooking? It is preparing meals to store in the freezer to have ready to eat.


www.30daygourmet.com

Because of my limited freezer space, I am going to start small and see how it goes. I have froze fruit (blueberries, raspberries, bananas) and I have froze stewed tomatoes from the garden before. I have froze the occasional leftover, pork roast, ham, chicken, or turkey because we wouldn't finish it all in time. And my all time favorite, I have also made an extra sweet potato casserole and froze it for those dire emergencies. I think this is what it is all about. Making extra and storing it in the freezer. Right? However, this seems to be more daunting or overwhelming to me.

Here are some websites that I have been looking at to understand what is involved:

http://organizedhome.com/freezer-cooking/guide-once-a-month-cooking

http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2011/05/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-without-coupons/

http://www.30daygourmet.com/Default.aspx

I am realizing that this takes a lot of planning. However, once I get the hang of it, I think it will go faster.

Here's the idea and some of my questions:

I need to figure out recipes. Some cooked vegetables in the freezer such as green peppers, onions, etc make me cringe. They are lifeless. How can I know what is going to hold up? I need more information. What is going to taste good? I don't expect to keep meals for months and months at a time without eating them but it needs to be good. I feel like I am working for NASA on their ready-to-eat meals or something.

What about side dishes? Are those made ahead as well? Such as, if I make meatloaf with tomato sauce. Do I make a separate container of mashed potatoes?

I need to figure out portion sizes. Am I making this recipe for lunches or dinner? Should I double wrap, use Tupperware, bags, etc??

I need to do all of my shopping before the cooking.

I need to be able to tailor the recipe to what is on sale at the grocery.

I need to make room in the freezer (Ha!) and keep it better organized (and figure out some labels that will work in the freezer).

I need to remember what is in the freezer and use it up!

Apparently, I need to do some more research. However, It would be so awesome to cook for a few hours and then, not have to cook for 2 weeks! Ah, dare to dream!

The Leftover Veggie Tray

Well, we are finally through the holidays and into the new year! Happy 2012 Everybody!!

Last night, we hosted my husband's family for a late Christmas celebration. We had tons of food and treats and of course, gifts. We are very lucky to be able to spend the time all together even if it is some days after Christmas.

Every party, I tend to serve a vegetable tray. One reason it is easy and a healthy dish! The second reason is I love the leftovers. There is always leftovers. What can I do with a veggie tray leftovers?? This is so easy!

1. Soup
2. Stir Fry
3. Salad ( DUH !!)
4. More veggies and dip (haha)
5. Veggie pizza
6. Omelet
7. Quiche
8. Muffins (carrot, etc.)
9. Sautéed vegetables with a cheese sauce or savory sauce
10. Steamed Vegetables
11. Pickled Vegetables

It is nice because everything is already cleaned, peeled, and pretty much chopped! Lookout 30 minute meals! Maybe we will work on a 28 minutes meals show!! haha