Making Groceries

I know some people that dread going to the grocery store.  They would rather do laundry, go to the bank, run to the post office or any other errand than go to the grocery. 

I LOVE THE GROCERY STORE

It probably helps that I love to cook, so I associate grocery shopping with something I will enjoy later.  I take great joy in planning my meals, creating grocery lists, and preparing to cook.  Every time I go to the grocery store I like to think of it as a mini scavenger hunt (don't judge, I like to create whimsy in my life).  like to hunt down all my items, compare prices, and fill my cart with delicious  and nutritious bright colored foods.

If you want to enjoy grocery shopping as much as I do read on for some tips and tricks! I hope after these you are able to turn your grocery shopping trip into a joy instead of a chore.

Tips

Time

Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy the grocery store.  Running in and grabbing some essentials is fine, but if you really want to have a good time grocery shopping you need to give yourself time to enjoy it.  I usually give myself about 10-15 minutes per meal I'm planning (just a rough estimate).  To note, I shop by myself and am mildly familiar with my grocery store.  I try not to rush around the store, but take in new things around me (what produce do they have from local farmers, is the 6 cent difference between generic and name brand worth the taste difference).  Being able to slow down and enjoy my surroundings help to turn grocery shopping into a fun, leisurely activity.

Organization

Before I go to the grocery store I have pre-planned my meals.  I go through cooking magazines, cookbooks, email recipes, and/or Pinterest and find what jumps out at me.  If I've got some extra time before I head out I write out my list in order of where things are in the store: produce, dry goods, canned goods, household items, frozen foods, juice and milk.  Having all the items already lumped together means that I don't have to make second trips because I've forgotten something.  Once I'm at the store I make sure I gather everything I need in that section before moving on.

I also do this weird thing when I check out, I organize how I put everything on the belt before it gets bagged.  There are two different ways I do this:

1. Put everything on the belt grouped together by where it goes in your kitchen.  All the freezer items together, all the refrigerator items together, spices, and pantry items.  Once you get home, everything will already be organized and you won't be running all over your kitchen putting items away.  Feel free to add as many categories as will fit in your kitchen.  
2. When I bring canvas bags to the store I like to organize my groceries a little differently at checkout.  I put heavier items together at the beginning to form the strong base for my bags (today I put milk, orange juice, canned goods, etc first).  Next I put loose non produce items (peanut butter, rice, Kleenex).  The last thing I put on the belt are produce and soft items (bread, fruit, vegetables).  This way your items are built up and it ensures your bananas don't get squashed by your orange juice.

Don't feel bad about bringing your own bags to the store, asking your bag person to use them, or asking that they load your items in a certain way.  This is your cilantro, and if you don't want it shredded all over your bag you need it placed on top.

Budget

The first thing that helps me is that I go into the store with a list.  I know exactly what I need and I do not deviate from the list.  I also keep track of how much I am spending, I write down my estimates for what I am purchasing next to the item on my list so I stay on budget. 
Next, I have a set number in my head that I am going to spend, and I don't go over it.  If I have $30 to spend at the grocery store that is all I have.  I go in with cash so I can't spend more than I have planned.  There have been trips to the grocery store where I put things back on the shelf or edited my list because I wasn't staying on budget that trip. 
If I know I am going to be short on cash a certain week I make a point to check Budget Bytes.  This site is an amazing resource for anyone looking to cook good food without spending a ton.
When planning my meals I also go through my refrigerator and pantry.  I want to take advantage of everything I already have.  This week I had some leftover spinach from a salad last week, so I'm putting it into a soup this week!

Get to Know You

Get to know your grocery store!  Make a point to meet the people who work there, especially if you go to the same store at the same time every week.  When you know your grocer they can get feedback straight from you! They may ask which brands you prefer, what sort of produce you want, or get general feedback and customer service.  Having a one on one relationship with the people who work at your grocery store can have a direct impact on you!
When you go to the same store you get to know the prices at your store.  You can shop more effectively when you know what is and is not a good deal.  Weekly sales circulars can also be a great resource find out what is going on sale and take advantage! Plan you meals around what will be on sale.


I hope some of these tips will make your grocery shopping a more enjoyable and less stressful errand.  Share your own tips to make grocery shopping less of a chore!

If At First You Don't Succeed

I had a vision of myself in my new life here in New Orleans, I would shop at farmers markets, go to music festivals, hang out in the park, and ride my bike anywhere I needed to go.

While some of that has happened so far, some I have not been able to achieve.  One of the items on the list that was totally within my grasp however, was riding my bike.  I drive a truck; which can become taxing in a city with small, poorly paved, street parking. Not only would riding my bike help with the stress of finding parking spots, it would help my pocket book because I wouldn't need so much gas, and it would keep my in shape! What could go wrong?

Well, today I decided to ride my bike, not just as recreation but as a form of transportation.  

It didn't turn out so well.

I haven't ridden my bikes in a few weeks, and if you let your bike sit out in the heat the tires will deflate.  

I was in a rush to get to my morning meeting today and didn't have time to pump my tires before I left, big mistake.

I don't know if you've ever tried to ride a bike with deflated tires, but it's like a riding a bike with square wheels.  It takes so much more effort and it's not good for your bike.  I realized my tires were going a poor way about halfway through my ride.  (the first half was spent congratulating myself for being a good person for riding my bike and feeling totally out of breath)  By the time I discovered the problem it was too late for me to turn around and get my car.  I didn't want to be late to a work meeting (I'm the new girl and I want to make a good impression) and I had too much pride to turn around at that point.

So what is a etiquette, health, and vehicle concerned girl to do?

I seriously considered having a tantrum on the side of the road, then having an emotional breakdown occurred to me, but what would any of those accomplish? 

I decided to call my colleague and let her know I was running behind but would be there a few minutes late.  Of course it is terribly rude to be late to a meeting, but it's much better to let your date know you are concerned with their time, apologize, and get your butt in gear to get there.

Physically, I couldn't ride the broke down bike anymore.  I decided to walk the bike the rest of the trip, walking a bike takes significantly more time than walking yourself.  When I got to my destination I simply locked my bike outside and went inside, apologizing the whole time.
After my meeting I walked back home, got my car, and returned to pike up my bike.

Now, I could be super defeated about the whole situation.  It took an extra hour of my day to deal with the issues (getting there took longer, walking back took way longer, then I had to return in my car anyway).  I could get defeated by the fact that my first outing was not successful. 

But I'm not going to. Nothing is perfect.  This outing taught me several things:

1. Pump your tires before you leave.  Every time.  Not only will riding your bike be easier, but you will be able to ride it consistently because it's good maintenance. 
2. I need to make sure I give myself extra time when traveling by bike.  I have no idea what will happen between destinations and giving myself wiggle room to account for the unknown is only good sense.
3. If I'm riding my bike when I need to be presentable in public, make sure I have tools to make myself look presentable.  I didn't even consider how much I would sweat, how red my face would look, or how wet my hair would get.  I need to keep a stash of mini deodorant, powder, and dry shampoo to make sure I look presentable in public.  (I am not one of those people who can exercise and afterward look like they've come from the salon.  I sweat, and get red faced, it's not cute)

I'm not sure when I'll take my bike out next, but I'll be much more prepared and I'm sure it will go well.




A PSA: Make sure you wear a helmet when you go out on a bicycle or motorcycle.  It may not be the cutest, but it will keep you safe.  Several of my friends have been in bike accidents and the only reason there are still alive today is because they were wearing helmets.  If you aren't wearing a helmet you are 40% more likely to get in an accident and have a fatal head injury.  If people wore helmets every time they got on their bicycles or motorcycles 1,644 lives would be saved each year.

Stats from LiveStrong.

Party Time

A True Southern Girl

A good friend of mine had a party last weekend.  What is a good southern girl to do but find something to bring?  My mother taught me well, when you are invited to a party you must contribute.  Whether it's a something to drink for your own consumption, a bottle of wine for the host, flowers for the host, or something to contribute for the party itself it is impolite to show up to a party empty handed.

The host of the party is providing the space, will be cleaning up after you leave, and is probably providing a large amount of food and beverage for you.  The most you can do is help the host out.  For the party I attended I knew the host was providing beverages and that the host's girlfriend was preparing some savory snacks for everyone to enjoy.  I decided to do a sweet snack that everyone could partake in to balance out what I knew would be there. 

I decided to make some toffee bark.  If you've never made this before, it is one of the simplest and best party foods I've ever had.  The first time I had this candy was at the hands of my grandmother who had made it for a tailgate several years ago.  When I made it last weekend I couldn't help but think of her.

All you need for the toffee bark is:

1 sleeve of Saltine crackers

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

equal parts butter and

brown sugar

First preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, melt the butter and brown sugar together on the stove top. 

I used a stick of butter and half a cup of brown sugar, but if you prefer your toffee darker you can certainly add more brown sugar.

Bring the butter/brown sugar combination to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 5-6 minutes until it thickens considerably. 

While the butter and brown sugar are boiling, line a 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil.  After the foil is in place, line the bottom of the baking dish with Saltine crackers.

Once the butter/brown sugar (now referred to as toffee) has thickened, carefully pour it over the crackers in the baking dish.  I used a spoon to make sure the mixture covered all the crackers. 

Put the mixture in the oven and cook for around 5 minutes, until the toffee starts to bubble.

Once the toffee is bubbling, take the baking dish out of the oven and set it on your stove top.  Now take the chocolate chips and pour them onto the crackers and toffee. 

The heat from the crackers and toffee will melt the chocolate chips (but if you are impatient like me you can pop the whole mixture back in the oven for 3-4 minutes until the chocolate melts).

Make sure the chocolate has covered the whole mixture, then let it set.  The whole mixture needs to harden, so if you are in a rush you can put the baking dish in the freezer or fridge.

Once the mixture has hardened, you can pop it out of the aluminum foil and break it into small pieces to serve.

Since the mixture needs to harden to serve, this is the perfect something to make ahead of time!

You can put the pieces in a adorable serving dish and present to your host with a smile and 'thanks for having me!'

Quote from the evening: 'We don't play by those Yankee rules here!' In reference to different undergraduate rules for beer pong.

(yes, this really happened)

Back In Time

I am lucky enough to live in the city which can boast the Prytania Theatre.  It is an amazing historic addition to New Orleans, the only single screen theatre left in Louisiana and is the oldest operating theatre in New Orleans.  They play current movies that you would see at any cineplex, they play art house movies that you wouldn't be able to see otherwise, and they host many genre centered film festivals throughout the year. 

That's not what I want to talk to you about today though.  Today I want to talk about classic movies.  Prytania Theatre has a classic movie series they produce, they show a classic every Sunday and Wednesday morning.  I work on Wednesdays so Sundays are now going to become my movie morning. 

I love classic movies, the oldies are definitely my favorite.  There is something extra special about seeing a movie in a theatre where it was originally screened that adds a little extra magic.  I know that not everyone has this amazing resource at their fingertips, but that doesn't have to stop you from enjoying one of your favorite movies in the same fashion!

If you don't have a movie theatre in your area that produces the movies you want to see, that is totally okay.  Contact your local public library!  Public libraries are a resource that have to be used more often.  Yours may have a movie series they produce, if not they probably have a projector and some sort of conference room where you could start your own!  You don't have to limit yourself to the classics; you could start a horror film series, an adventure series, a documentary series, whatever you like!  Advertise in your local paper and create an event where you can meet more people who happen to love campy musicals from the 1970s!

If you are looking for a more personal experience you can turn your backyard or any other large area in your home into your own personal movie theatre.  One of the most beautiful, if not particularly attainable, looks like this:

Now I know I couldn't afford to put something like this together, but hey a girl can dream.

Your local library may rent out their digital projector, there are a number of companies who will rent you a blow up screen and projector, or you can pick one up used on eBay if this is something you want to do consistently.  Just string up an old white bed sheet in the backyard, plop down some blankets, and away you go!

Check out this super adorable idea if you have young kids:

 A drive in movie themed birthday party where the kids get to decorate their own car or as a craft to keep the kids occupied while parents are hanging out!

There are plenty of ways you can get creative and enjoy either your favorite movie, or one you've never seen!  The most important thing is to surround yourself with people who love you, that way a good time is guaranteed. 

Post pictures of your own movie night to share!

Thrifting

Twice Loved

On Saturday I decided to treat myself, I had some birthday money left over and wanted to go shopping.  What's a girl with a limited budget and large wish list to do?

Go to Goodwill!!!!

I love thrift stores, most items are gently used (stores won't sell items that are too worn for someone else to use) and you can find a lot of great stuff with character.

I wasn't looking for anything in particular just wanted to check out the store and see what they had.  I found some great deals!

This is a great Forever 21 navy dress (4.99) and pair of leopard print heels (3.49).

This will be a great outfit for an after school nice work event, date night, night at the theatre, etc.

I also got this great grey jersey skirt from Ann Taylor (3.49).  It's a casual skirt that will be great for running errands, I can wear it to work with leggings underneath and a sweater, or a casual night out with friends.  It can also be paired with sneakers, sandals, or heels depending on the occasion.  Very versatile!

The last thing I bought was a dish dryer rack (1.49).  It may seem less exciting, but the roomie and I have been needing one. Who says you only have to buy things on your want list when going shopping.  Goodwill also has a large selection of kitchen items, furniture, books, DVDs, bags, and pretty much anything else you could need. 

In case anyone hasn't been doing the math I picked up a dress, a skirt, pair of heels, and dish drying rack for 14.67 with tax. 

14.67 Y'ALL!!!!!

Something to keep in mind with all these great deals is how it will affect your closet.  My apartment isn't the biggest and I only have one small closet and a set amount of hangers.  I have to be selective about what I keep because of my limited space. 

To keep my closet in check I have an in and out system.  Every time I purchase something that will go into my closet I chose something to leave my closet.  Since I purchased a dress, pair of shoes, and a skirt I decided to get rid of a dress, pair of heels, and pair of shorts.  The items I chose to get rid of are ones that I haven't worn in at least a year or no longer fit.  Keeping this process going means I always have clothes that fit and that I consistently wear in my closet.

I encourage you to check out your local thrift store: Salvation Army, Goodwill, America's Thrift Store, St. Vincent De Paul Society.  There are also a lot of local thrift stores that aren't major brands. 

Every time you purchase something at a thrift store it is like recycling that garment. You purchase something that isn't using any valuable non renewable resources at a fraction of the cost.

Google thrift stores in your area and see what you can find! Every trip is a treasure hunt!

Make Ahead

Make Ahead Meals

I never thought I'd be one of those people who stocked their freezer with meals in Tupperware, wrapped in aluminum foil, or tucked into corners to pull out whenever I wanted.

Let me tell you, I'm glad I was wrong.

Last week I made the Veggie Burgers from The Homemade Pantry, they were time consuming and a little frustrating to make. But the work was well worth the product.  I know have a freezer full of veggie burgers I can pull out at a moment's notice when I haven't been to the grocery store (guilty) or don't feel like cooking (guilty again). 

This week I'm going to tackle freezer breakfast burritos from Budget Bytes.  I need a good breakfast to get me through my busy morning teaching and these look like they will fit the bill perfectly.  Anything I can make ahead so I can get a few more minutes to sleep in I'll take. 

Having delicious homemade lunches, dinners, or breakfasts at your fingertips isn't the only reason to keep make ahead frozen meals in your freezer.  The more full your freezer is, the less energy it takes to keep everything frozen.  The less energy it takes, the cheaper your energy bill is at the end of the month.  The cheaper your energy bill is at the end of the month the less fossil fuel you use.

It's a win win!

Stay tuned for an update on the breakfast burritos!

Vegetarianism

A word on vegetarianism. 

As soon as I announce that I am a vegetarian to a group of people that I am eating with, the next questions is usually "Why?".  This questions is accompanied by a look of bewilderment or wonder that I can abstain from something that is so crucial to so many other's diets. 

So I'll tell you.

The first thing I will tell you is that I have an amazing support system.  My mother experimented with vegetarianism while cooking for my sisters and I while we are growing up.  The idea of eating a meal without meat is something I grew up with.  I understood from a young age that I could get the vitamins and nutrients I need without animal products.  My mother and one sister are now vegans, so there is an awful lot of recipe sharing that goes on between the three of us.

That being said....When I graduated from college and moved into my first house I was overwhelmed with the freedom in having my own kitchen.  However, during this time period I was supporting myself on tips while waitressing at a diner and from my substitute teacher salary (what that means is that I was really broke).  As part of my New Year's Resolution to get a better hold on my finances I decided to stop cooking meat at home. 

Meat is expensive.  (Meat is less expensive if you buy in bulk, but since I cook for one and do not have access to a deep freezer in my apartment it is not practical for me to buy in bulk)  I saw an immediate change in the amount of money I was spending at the grocery which got the wheels in my head turning.

During this time I was still eating meat at restaurants and eating meat if a friend or family member was cooking.  The switch for me started during the Lenten season.  For the non-Catholics out there, Lent is the period before Easter where Catholics prepare for the resurrection of Jesus.  This period is marked by an abstention from an activity or food you enjoy, a form of penance, and a rededication to the Catholic Church.  During the Lenten season of 2012 I decided that a part of my Lenten sacrifice would be to abstain from meat.  After the 40 days of Lent were over, I decided that a vegetarian lifestyle was something I could continue in a healthy and fulfilling way.

During all of this time I was also doing research into the vegetarian lifestyle to make sure I was making a choice that would keep me healthy.  Some of the books I read were The China Study, Crazy Sexy Diet, I watched Forks Over Knives, Food Inc. and many others.  I learned some amazing facts about the use of animal products in the system of the human body.  After doing all this research I came away with one idea that has propelled me to stick with the vegetarian lifestyle.  If you maintain a vegetarian diet with less than 5% animal products in your daily diet, you can help your body stave off cancer, diabetes, heart disease, anti-inflammatory diseases, and pretty much everything you do not want in your body.  If you don't believe me I invite you to do your own research and see what you come up with.

Since I have been living a vegetarian lifestyle I have noticed several things about my body.  I have lost weight by becoming a vegetarian.  I cook my own meals full of fresh fruits and vegetables, I do not eat out often, and I try to minimize the amount of animal products I consume.  I have more energy, my skin is clearer, and my body runs on a more regular schedule.  The money I save by eating at home, cooking with fresh fruits and vegetables, and by sharing my food with friends and family would never be considered a downside.

I encourage you to investigate a vegetarian lifestyle.  If it's not for you, that's totally fine.  Try to create Meatless Monday or cut out animal products for one meal a day.  Once you get into the swing of cooking and living as a vegetarian you will surprised at how easy it is.

Cook away!

Flower Garland

 

Materials:

Paper Flowers



Hot Glue







Clear Coat



Twine



One of my very good friends got married over the summer.  For her bouquet she asked friends and family to create flowers that would make up a bouquet she could keep forever.  I used the tutorial at Under the Table and Dreaming to create the flowers.  After the wedding I had a lot of flowers left over, and they were just too adorable to throw away.  So I created garland with them!

Make this garland was super simple. 

I cut twine into lengths that would stretch from hook to hook on my porch and tied the ends into loops. 

I then hot glued the flowers onto the twine; I chose not to measure in between lengths but guestimated that the space between each length is about six inches.

After all of the flowers were glued onto the twine I spread all the strands onto newspapers.

I found this bottle of Color World in my parent's garage, but any version of a clear coat spray paint would do.  This step is the most time intensive of the entire project.  I sprayed the first side with 3 coats of Clear Coat, leaving 10 minutes in between each coating.  Then I flipped all the flowers over and did another 3 coats on the other side.

Now I have beautiful garland hanging on my front porch!







 As soon as holiday season rolls around I also plan on getting some twinkly lights to string with the garland to give it an extra special effect.  

















Luxury Cooking

I love being able to set aside an entire night to cook a delicious meal.  It somehow seems like a luxury to be able to spend 2 hours cooking dinner with no distractions.  Tonight I made eggplant parmasean, spaghetti squash, and roasted cabbage.  DELICIOUS!!!!!

Here is what I did:

Spaghetti Squash

(I promise I'll get better at food photography)



Let me just say, I love spaghetti squash!  It is a delicious and healthy alternative to pasta if you are looking for a less traditional meal.  If you don't know how to handle a spaghetti squash this is an awesome video to get you started http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mPFErHz6zOM.

After I finally got all of the seeds out of my squash (only difficult art of the cooking process) I decided to mix in about a quarter of  a bunch of parsley, dash of salt, dash of pepper, and the juice of one lemon.  Number 1 delicious dishl!

Eggplant Parmesan

(Not the prettiest food, but scrumdidleyuptious)

I have been craving eggplant parmesan lately something fierce.  I love eggplant parmesan because it isrich and full of flavor, however, I would like mine without the whopping calorie count please. I followed Gina's Skinny Taste recipe with a few tweeks of my own.  Here is the original recipe http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/lighter-eggplant-parmesan-5-pts.html. 

For my eggplant parmesan I didn't use the Pecorino Romano, and you know what? I couldn't tell the difference! The ricotta adds such richness, creaminess, and saltiness that the missing Pecorino Romano didn't seem to be missing at all.   I'm always looking to cut a few calories here and a few calories there, so this was an easy to change to make a healthy recipe even healthier.

The other difference that made this eggplant parmesan difference from others I have made is that I used homeade tomato sauce.  The recipe comes from The Homeade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making.  I received this book recently, and if this recipe is any indication of the quality of the rest of the recipes in the book I can't wait to cook them all!  Here is a link to buy the book if you want to start stocking your kitchen with delicious homeade delicacies.  http://www.amazon.com/The-Homemade-Pantry-Buying-Making/dp/030788726X

Lemon Roasted Cabbage

(This was taken from the website, that's why it's prettier)

I had pinned this recipe a long time ago and I'm so glad I finally got around to trying it!  Here is the link to the recipe http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/03/recipe-for-roasted-cabbage-with-lemon.html.  The only caution I would give is to be very careful when turning the cabbage over while roasting.  To help with the process I would keep the ends of the cabbage intact until after cooking.  By keeping the hearts intact the leaves will stay attached, this will make the flipping process much easier.

A Note

Since I had all night to cook without worrying about feeding anyone else, no meetings to go to, nothing to rush me at all I took my time with this meal.  I am sure that it wouldn't take 2 hours to cook this meal if you planned your time a little better.  The sauce can be made ahead of time, and if you have a large oven (I do not) then you could roast several vegetables at once.