Powdered Milk = Options

  Every find a great recipe you want to try out immediately but it calls for sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk or just plain milk and you have none of these in the house? It's happened to me quite a bit. So, I decided to buy powdered milk.

My family has lactose intolerance issues when we drink straight milk, but incorporated in recipes doesn't bother us. As a result we rarely have milk in fridge.

Powdered milk gives us such a great variety of options, that is has been a life saver and I never have to worry about it spoiling before I get around to making a recipe.

By the way, regular milk can be frozen, so if it is on sale, stock up and empty a cup out of each one before you freeze it to allow for expansion.

I don't recommend the flavor of powdered milk when consumed with water added. That said, I've been told that if regular milk is mixed 50/50 with it, there is no noticeable difference. You'll have to be your own judge.

Here is a recipe for sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk.  And if you just don't think you will be able to use the powdered milk enough for cooking to justify the purchase, here are a few other uses for powdered milk.

Realizations: Part 1

Did you ever have a moment, while talking to someone, that a mess of thoughts and feelings, which have been swirling around in your mind, connect themselves and form a concise idea, that you then share out loud and experience an epiphany?

This actually happens quite a bit with me. I am a "feeler" first. I feel something in my spirit and then later can put two and two together. Apparently my mind does this for me without intention at times.

Since I was 16, I wanted to be a teacher. My experiences in school gave me the desire to see each child as a wonderful, gifted human being. To help children discover who they were, by learning what questions to ask of themselves and how to listen to their spirit, in order that they may experience the confidence that leads to positive interaction with others and their world.

I realized recently that I have been a teacher almost my whole life. Beginning with caring for my siblings when I was 9 during summer vacation, to homeschooling my own children.

Until recently, I didn't have a "piece of paper" defining who I was and my abilities as an educator.
Definitions can be limiting as well.

I am such an "all or nothing" person. When I do anything, my whole heart is involved. My respect for the unique lives of the people around me coupled with my ability to listen and understand others, then turn that into encouragement for them feels like a calling.

My desire as a teacher, either at home or in a classroom, is to enable a human being to be a wonderful human being.

In a discussion of grades and my son's anticipation of how we would feel about his report card, I caught myself saying, "reading and writing are important. Though, the most important thing is that you are a wonderful human being to be around."

My son needs to know grades do not define you. They are merely a gauge set up by others; a measuring tool. What matters most is that he is a compassionate guy, aware of his neighbors and their needs and willing to be part of the answer.

So, when I get reports of my son extending invitations to the lonely at lunchtime and about his being a joy to teach, I smile. Aside from being a proud Momma, I've seen this little man in action and use these reports as affirmation that I am not being too biased.

He is a great kid!

Not "Sew" Much!

Yikes! That machine strikes fear in me.

I have such a desire to do crafty things around my house, but if they involve sewing, I'd rather run ten miles.

The one opportunity I had to fully use a sewing machine was in 8th grade Home Economics class. What started out as a skirt had to be turned into a pillow and my mother finished it for me. Yes, I cheated.

My daughter on the other hand, has created items for her wardrobe and altered clothing from thrift stores with great ease. Yes, she actually is good enough to wear her creations in public.

I had a chance to work with her on a Pinterest project of DIY roman shades this weekend, if I am allowed to use the word "with" very loosely.  I picked out the fabric, paid for the needed items and that is where my part ends. I was hoping I could learn this craft at this stage in life, but, I just cannot stand the sewing machine.

Hopefully, my daughter will keep up the willingness to assist me.

She did a great job.

Easiest.Fudge.EVER!

Here is the easiest fudge recipe I have ever found, courtesy of penniesandpancakes.blogspot.com.

Cheap Butter @ Econo Foods

Econo Foods in Sturgeon Bay has butter on sale for $1.89 with your MORE card. NO LIMIT! This is a great stock up deal and yes, butter can be frozen!

Cheap Eats- The Pantry

Got your freezer? Good. The next thing to spend that extra money on is a stocked pantry. Why? Your pantry is the underwear drawer of your money saving plan. It is where all meals start. If you have this pantry fully stocked, you can create a meal out of thin air.

Here is my favorite pantry list. You can create your own, adding things you will and subtracting things you won't use. This is a pretty comprehensive list though.

After stocking the pantry, the next most important thing is to keep it organized, for replenishment, which is a topic for another day.


Good luck!

Cheap Eats-The Grocery List

You recognize this item, right? Relax! You are not going to be told this is how to eat cheap, although these noodles do make a great side dish or fast, cheap meal.

Like any successful venture, planning is key to eat cheap, but it's not difficult.

Since returning to a one-income family, I have also returned to the $30 a week grocery list. Since I try my hardest to shop only once a month, the budget is $120 a month for six people. This list is FOOD ONLY. Not household supplies. Do I go over this? Yes. It is simply a target.

My shopping outline includes 4 meals, all large enough to be eaten as leftover dinners and lunches.
Is it exciting? Well, maybe not, but it does provide.

4 meats (burger, pork, chicken, Italian sausage)$40 ($10 each)
4 sides (rice, pasta,potatoes,veggie)$20
Breakfast food(oatmeal or eggs)$5
Snack Food(hard boiled eggs or cookies)$5
Staples:(*Milk, butter, oil, seasoning, baking supplies,canned tomatoes)$30
Misc:$20 (cheese, recipe ingredients)
*I purchase dry milk for a number of reasons I'll share in a coming post)

So with this list, I then mix and combine to come up with a menu.

Good Luck!

A Freezer is Your Friend

If you want to save serious money, a freezer is your best friend.You can freeze just about anything, including milk, butter, cottage cheese and eggs (as long as they are  OUT of the shell).

You may be wondering how you can afford such an item. In actuality, a nice freezer can be found for under $200, and even less if you look on Craigslist!

In terms of procuring the funds, consider buying one the 4 or 2 weeks you are paid extra a year. Items around your home could also be sold or bartered on Ebay/Craigslist.

Anyway, consider stock up potential with a freezer. This past week Walgreens had eggs and turkey bacon on sale for $0.99, with no limit! All you need to freeze eggs is an ice cube tray. Crack an egg into each compartment. Freeze. Extract eggs into baggie or freezer safe container and use again, until all your dozens are froze.

Cream of Canned Is Not the Only Option.

Recognize this glop? It is the base for many recipes that call for condensed cream of anything soup.
It's about a buck a can for the generic or store brand version, or $1.25+ for the red and white can name brand.

So, even if you don't mind paying that price, here is a less expensive, healthier version that will certainly taste better on it's own or in any dish you add it to.

Enjoy!

What Happy Weekends Are Made Of.

Togetherness :)

You Do What You Have To Do

Mother Teresa said it best. "If you want to bring happiness into the world, go home and love your family.".
Sing it, Sister!

I am now convinced family was hard-wired into my DNA before my birth.

It seems my heart, hopes, thoughts and dreams center around this amazing group of people I've been given the privilege to call Husband, Daughter, Son, Mom and Dad. Oh, I have a great bit of room in there for others. I care for them like I breathe!

It is just that in recent days, it became apparent to me that when I am able to help my family in their life, I feel so purpose-filled! So many other things pale in comparison. For me, that is.

I am fully aware that not everyone is wired this way and believe we all should pursue our own joys.

Seven months ago, I became a "working outside the home" mom for the first time in my life. I met amazing people, kindred spirits, hard-working souls. I shared time with some truly beautiful little humans, who bless the world with their presence.

Yet, this called for doing some serious re-evaluation of my life's priorities. Along with the prioritizing came the paring, pruning and defining.

I do not compartmentalize much. It always feels like dishonesty to my spirit. I am who I am, in every situation as much as possible. I don't have a "business side" and "personal side". I am still me in both settings. And I don't do things halfway.

In the past week, I have been told countless times by my family just how happy they are to have my support and presence and to simply be available to them again. Perhaps a "career" in teaching awaits me when my nest is truly empty. Until then, Mother Teresa's quote is my mantra and I will eek out every ounce of  joy in being here <3