Buttercream Frosting

When I found this recipe I went right into the kitchen and made it. No I didn't have a cake baked. Who needs cake? Frosting is like raw cookie dough - it can stand alone as a treat. Don't worry, I baked one the next day.

I really don't use a recipe I just use butter, about 1 1/2 cups, a bit of vanilla and then I add powdered sugar until it's stiff and milk to thin it out a little.

Here's a butter-cream recipe from Wilton:
1/2 cup vegetable shortening (I use coconut oil instead if I don't want to use all my butter)
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk

Cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla, gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. This icing can be stored for 2 weeks and for months in the freezer. Makes 3 cups.

Crisp Cinnamon Cookies

Awhile back I thought someone in my house loved "corn flakes" for breakfast, and evidentally I went on a corn flake buying bonanza! It has taken us a lllloooooonnnnngggg time to get to the end of the boxes. On the side of the box of generic Meijer Corn Flakes was a recipe for crisp cinnamon cookies and so I gave them a try. They were very good! I am posting the recipe in case someone else has some end of the box cereal they want to use up. (and so I don't lose it, we really liked the cookies.)

Crisp Cinnamon Cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, softened
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon (OOOPS I put 2 TBS in - I think it is fabulous with the extra )
1tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups corn flakes, crushed to 1 1/4 cups.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat butter and shortening until smooth and creamy. Beat in sugar and eggs until fluffy. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt (if desired and I didn't). Beat well. Stir in cereal, mix well. Drop by TBS onto ungreased cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake 9-11 minutes. Let stand 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool.

I used 3/4 cup whole wheat flour and 1 1/4 cup regular
I only used 1 1/4 cup sugar (next time try with only 1 cup)
I used 2 TBS cinnamon

I have some other "healthy cereal" that my kids hate, I think I will try this with them. Waste not, Want Not!

Pork Chops - How to use up the leftovers!

Over at my other blog I posted how I made soup, fried rice and BBQ pork all from 5 leftover pork chops.
Very yummy, very frugal, very green and very cheap. Does it get much better than that? I don't think so!
Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Granola - Homemade Yummy-ness!

I was inspired by a recipe I found in Bob Greene's "Get with the Program! Guide to Good Eating" Let me tell you I Y Granola!

I tweeked it some, taking into account that I didn't want to buy anything - my plan was to use up some things I had on hand.

Here is the original with my tweeks highlighted.

Homemade Granola


3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup oat bran (I omitted)
1/2 cup whole raw almonds ( I used some raw mixed nuts I had instead)
1/2 cup apple juice concentrate (I used OJ concentrate)
1/2 cup honey (local and organic)
1 tsp cinnamon (I used more)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup raisins or currants (I used golden raisins)

Preheat oven to 350F Spread oats on a large nonstick baking pan and toast, stirring often for 30 minutes. Cool. Reduce the oven heat to 275F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, oat bran if you are using it, nuts, juice concentrate, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. In a separate mixing bowl, whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Add the sugar and beat 1 minute more. Combine the oat mixture with the egg whites and spread evenly on a nonstick baking sheet. Toast for 30 minutes, stirring often, until evenly browned. When cool, add raisins. Store in an airtight container.

This is so good! I eat it straight, or my favorite way is with yogurt and fresh fruit. Scrumptious!!

easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Flies Flies Everywhere

Over at Frugality and Crunchiness with Christy I posted about making your own flystrips. Riveting reading if you ask me. You didn't? Well I promise it is worth a click if you want to get rid of all those pesky flies and don't want to buy the flystrips full of chemicals. I'm just saying!

Makigami

Over on my other blog I wrote a post about Makigami. Makigami is an innovative new way to produce many things that are currently being made from plastic. Makigami is made from recycled paper and water. You don't get much greener than that!
It is worth checking out the link - and be sure to watch the youtube video also!

Mother-in-law Cake

While I wonder why it is called this - it doesn't prejudice me from attempting to bake it!

Mother-in-Law Cake

2 cups sugar
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup butter (original calls for margarine - but I never cook with it - gotta love butter)
1/2 cup Crisco (imagine that!)(I use coconut oil)
4 Tbs cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 slightly beaten eggs
1tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine sugar and flour in bowl. In a saucepan combine butter, shortening, cocoa, and water. Bring to a boil. Add boiled mixture to sugar and flour. Add remaining ingredients. Beat well. Pour into greased 9" cake pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

And if it doesn't turn out the first time -check here to see why.

It must be called Mother-in-Law cake because it is so stinkin' good and you can butter her up with a piece!! Duh!

From the marvelous little book: Food Wonders Common and Simple, Fort Wayne Christian School

It's Birthday Time Did Your Cake Turn Out??

It is April and April is Birthday Time in my family.

Josh and Sylvia have birthdays along with my Mom, Mother-in-law, 2 sisters, a brother, a niece, a nephew and a a great nephew .

So, the thought of birthday cakes comes to mind! I have always thought that how they came out was something of a crap shoot - NOT SO! In a lovely old church school cookbook, I found some great recipes. Which I am putting in separate posts. But what I thought was the real find was the following list of common problems and the reason why.

What a great find!

I don't bake a lot of cakes but when I do I want them to turn out.

Cake Failure?
What Happened?

Cake too brown
1. Baked too long
2. Oven too hot
3. Too much sugar

Not brown enough
1. Too big a pan
2. Too little baking powder or inactive baking powder
3. Not baked enough
4. Too little sugar

Holes in cake
1. Too little mixing
2. Too little liquid or shortening
3. Too cool in oven

Crumbly texture
1. Too little mixing
2. Too much shortening or sugar

Dry cake
1. Too little shortening or sugar
2. Too much baking powder
3. Over baked

Heavy cake
1. Too much shortening or liquid
2. Wrong proportions of sugar and flour

Cake humped or cracked in the center
1. Too hot an oven
2. Too much flour
3. Or a combination of the above

Sticky (?)
1. Too much sugar or shortening
2. Under baked

Cake falls
1. Under baked
2. Substituting self rising flour and not reducing leavening

Food Wonders Common and Simple, Fort Wayne Christian School

So I was just thinking...

So I was just thinking - why am I a closet earthy crunchy enviromentalist?? Do I believe in global warming - heck no. Do I think any animal, plant or ecosystem deserves more protection than unborn babies (or live ones for that matter) NO. Do I care about my carbon inprint - a tad.

So why am I an earthy crunchy person?

• Because it is right.
• Because it is good.
• Because it is part of being a good steward of this earth we have been given.
• It often supports my local economy -which I care a lot about.
• To reduce, reuse and recycle is also using the gifts God has given me wisely.
• And I love how often being green and living frugally overlap - which I Really Really like!

I wanna be green, but only after I have acted in accordance to my Christian beliefs.

God Bless,
Christy

Baby Wipes Piggy Bank

Empty baby wipes make a great piggy bank. The hole in the middle is perfect for dropping coins into. It is sturdy, it can hold $75.00 worth of coins. One of the best parts is that my kids would never think to look in an old baby wipe container and so my coins are safe from little pilferers!
Thanks to Womens Day for this great tip!

Buy Local and in Season

One of the frugal and green hints that almost all blogs, lists and books bring out is to buy local and in season. Rarely did they tell me what was in season where I live. I know I *should* know what is in season but I don't. I found this site and now I know! Hurray!

God Bless,
Christy

The 80's had Reagonomics we have Reconomics

Reconomics? Yes, if you have ever bought something used - book, car, or house you are a reconomist.

The Reconomy is good economy. Good for the planet, good for the pocket book. Recycle, resell, reuse, rehab. Buying, selling, donating and sharing "gently used" items rather than always going for the brand spankin' new gizmo or gadget.

The Reconomy also promotes simplicity. By getting rid of the stuff you don't want or need anymore through selling, donating or sharing your life becomes simpler.

Not only does each item that is reused, recycled, rehabbed and or resold help both parties it one less thing that needs energy to be produced, it reduces the size of your personal environmental footprint and one less thing landing in the landfill. I love reconomics!

This week I was a reconomist in the following way:

• gave my sister all my leftover diapers for her babies
• bought Christmas flannel sheets from the Salvation Army to make into gift bags
• purchased a red hat lady book from a rummage sale for a 40th BD gift for a friend
• found 3 bags worth of stuff to donate to the Goodwill
• bought Ellie a pair of army pants from a rummage sale
• refilled and refrigerated numerous water bottles from the tap
• took the leftover broth from my mom's beef and noodles home to make soup (there was a half gallon of delicious broth which she was going to pitch.)

How about you?

The reconomy is economically frugal, environmentally friendly and really rather fun!

God Bless,

Christy

Bargains for the Groom and their family

Skip the rental shoes - why? they hurt like the dickens, cost about $10.00 and NO ONE will notice they are wearing their own comfy black dress shoes.

Buy your tux at Mens Warehouse for about $199 if, like my husband you have 5 daughters and 3 sons who may be getting married eventually. Dad doesn't have to match exactly does he? Nope!

God Bless,
Christy

Freecylce Yardsale

I was meandering around the frugal sites and happened upon a post about having a Freecyle Yardsale. Brilliant I say. I do not have the time, energy or umpf to post often to freecyle but I have tons of stuff to get rid of. This lovely lady suggests posting to all local freecyle groups that you are having a freecyle yardsale and then after having ruthlessly gone through your house haul it out to the driveway and wait and watch as people come. Once you have gotten rid of a lot of your excess it is easier to be frugal when your house isn't cluttered.

God Bless,

Christy

A little here, a little there

A little here a little there, that is a great mantra for so many things.

• Reuse plastic baggies.
• Instead of buying video games that your kids will beat in 2 days, borrow from the library.
• When shopping, just say no to one item that is frivolous.
• Drink water with your meals, at home and out - better for your health and save bundles.
• Drive less, take public transportation if possible, bike, walk - better for your health, the environment and your pocket book.
• Buy clippers and cut your husband and boys hair, your daughters' too if you dare.
• Squeeze every fiber out of clothing that is stained and not donate-able. Cut it up, use it for cleaning cloths or for personal care cloths. When it is nothing more than shreds, compost it.
• Unplug things, lots of things, like your microwave when not in use or the lamps in the living room and especially your cell phone charger.
• Keep your lights off in the day time.
• Buy in bulk - less packaging and usually cheaper.
• Bring your own bag to the store. Saves the environment and you get some use out of those bags you have hanging around.
• Pack your lunch. Even you - you know the sahm's - you save a fortune, calories, the environment AND if you bought your food locally you are supporting your local economy.
• Park in the shade. Not only is it more comfortable to get back into it also decreases the amount of fuel you lose to evaporation AND requires less a/c when you get back in - saving you $$.

I have literally hundreds of these tips. Maybe I will organize them into some sort of useful post. Or I won't. We'll see.

God Bless,

Christy

Frugal Hacker

So, I signed up to be on the Frugal Hacker Blogroll. I have never done this before ... I admit I am a little nervous that this site is not frugal looking enough. We shall see. I think that it should be based on the fact that we are a family of 10, living on 1 income and always have. My posts give others a little look into our world. We'll see. I also pledge, ( does that sound good) to post more frugal posts. Pledge, hmm is that too much? How about if I promise real nicely?

Here is my tip for tonight: reuse all your bags. Not just the obvious ziploc kind. I mean your bread bags, pretzel bags, cereal liners - anything that HAD food in it will be safe for short term food storage. I have to admit my kids think I am nuts - I have bags hanging all over the place because I rinse them out and hang them around. This not only save the environment a little but it also saves on purchasing ziploc baggies. What do I put in them you may ask - snacks for the road, leftover tomatoe halves, sandwiches to go, really anything that isn't going to leak.

God Bless,
Christy

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

OK, I have to admit this will be a crap shoot. Sometimes when I make dinners up they are really good and sometimes we have to get carryout. I am hoping for really good. I vaguely remember watching Emeril make something similar - but that was a long time ago, it was late at night, and I don't have a bunch of prep cooks.
Anyhoo, this is what I did...

1/2 chicken breast cooked and cut up tiny - looks like more
2 cups shredded mexican cheese, divided
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4-1/2 cup cottage cheese (I used up what I had)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 TBS or so of cumin
salsa - canned mexican tomatoes would have worked better I think but I don't have any
Green Enchilada sauce
flour tortillas (if I would have had corn tortillas this would be g/f)

Spray a smallish rectangular pan with cooking spray. Mix together everything BUT 1/2 cup cheese, 3/4 can sauce, and tortillas. Put in a layer of tortillas - rip to make fit. Then put half of mixture over and then another layer of tortillas then mixture then tortillas finally top with rest of Enchilada Sauce and cheese. Cover with foil cook @ 375 for 20 minutes, remove foil, cook 10 more minutes.

How I adapted it for Joe:
1 egg, beaten
cheese (rice)
chicken
salsa
cumin
enchilada sauce (I forgot to save some for him - will next time if it is good)
crushed tortilla chips
tortilla

spray a single serving corningware thing with canola spray. Put in 1 tortilla like a cup. Mix the rest and dump in. Cook along side main meal.

Why is this frugal? because I fed 5 people with 1/2 a leftover chicken breast, the rest of some odd bags of cheese, my remaining cottage cheese and sour cream, stale tortilla chips and a can of enchilada sauce I had laying around, and some funky fruit salsa leftover from Dougie's graduation party - I bought nothing new to make it. Love it when it turns out!

here's hoping this is edible!
God Bless,
Christy

update: It tasted delicious but I needed to cook it 30 more minutes, I think I will add a 2nd egg next time to hold it together more, oh and definitely let it stand about 10 minutes to what do you call it? um gel? Joe loved his meal also - he has many food allergies among them milk.

Bags from shirts - baggy-shirt.com

I found the most amazing idea - bags from used shirts. These are super simple looking and if you had even the tiniest amount of sewing ability it would work. Check out Baggy-shirts.com .
According to the website they:

Purchase recycled men's shirts obtained from warehouses of surplus goods collected from charitable organizations - no petroleum-based materials.
Use the entire shirt - absolutely no waste.
Prevent clothing and tens of thousands of paper and plastic bags from going to the landfill each year.
Employ LOCAL artisans to fabricate bags at home, slashing carbon emissions by 80% to 90%. No overseas manufacturing.
Pay our fabricators a livable wage that is above average for the industry.
Operate with the least possible amount of negative environmental impact – we ship Internet orders in recycled and recyclable materials.
Donate a portion of our proceeds to organizations that work to stop global warming.

God Bless,
Christy

Sushi - yummy!

Here is a picture of the rice seasoning and a sushi rolling mat in case you wanted to see them. I got them at Woo's Oriental Store but I bet you can find them at your local Asian store.

I could live on Japanese food - sushi, sashimi, maki rolls,dons - yum yum yum. My kids also love rolls. (all but Josh and Sylvia but they will eat katsu or teriaki chicken so they love going to sushi) What is a cheap meal for 1 or 2 becomes a little salty for 10 so I taught myself to roll California Rolls - that is right I can make maki rolls but can't hem - hmmm - things that make you say hmmm.

Anyhow, I was thinking a little maki sounded good but didn't have all the ingredients for a california roll but had fresh asparagus, cucumbers and leftover sticky rice. The makings for a delicious roll. I can't explain how to roll but go here and they have good directions.

I will however tell you my ingredients.

1 bowl leftover sticky rice - put a little rice vinegar in - you can add a pinch of sugar but I didn't

Big shake of Wasabi fumi furikake rice seasoning stir into warm rice

1 steamed in the microwave asparagus spear

1/8 cucumber sliver with seeds cut out and skin removed if it is waxy

1 sheet of nori (shiny side down)

oh, and don't forget the wasabi and the soy sauce (g/f of course)

I have always made this with a bamboo sushi rolling mat which you can buy in the oriental section of Walmart by the teriaki sauce.

Lay nori down, top with rice mixture, asparagus, cucumber and roll up. Cut with sharp wet knife, serve with wasabi and soy sauce. Yum!

Happy Eating!

God Bless,

Christy

Sew yourself a morsbag and save the world

OK that might be exaggerating a bit, but I don't know. Don't all us earthy crunchy types love to do these things? FYI, I cannot sew. I have a lovely machine I got for Christmas 18 years ago and have only made 1 pair of toddler pants. I just don't get it. I have taken lessons 3 - yes 3 times and still cannot hem a pair of pants. Yes, I am 5 foot tall, thankfully clothes are made now for short people. It wasn't so easy in the olden days not to be able to hem. Yes, my name is Christy and I cannot sew.
HOWEVER, I think I could do this. It is just a bunch of straight lines. I am going to try. I will post a picture if it turns out - or if it doesn't you all can see how craft impaired I am. I am hoping to make a bunch to use as Christmas gift bags. Just need to find some material at a garage sale and I am set!
Go here for a tutorial - pdf, or word do or even an animation of how to make a morsbag.
God Bless,
Christy