Mayo!

I've always liked (and feared) the idea of making my own mayo, but I decided to dive in and try it. Let me tell you first hand: it was easy and tasty! I mean seriously easy, and it took less than 5 minutes. I think the key is to put the oil in slowly. This would also be a really good base for your own sandwich spread creations. AND biggest bonus...it's way cheaper than buying a jar of mayo these days (especially the good stuff!) and probably more delicious!

Homemade Mayo Recipe

This is the recipe that I used so kudos to the person who wrote it. It couldn't have been easier and I can imagine using it again. A batch probably costs 40 cents or so, and has very basic ingredients. Definitely give it a try!

Photo by FotoosVanRobin

My Merlot Chicken

I made the most scrumptious recipe tonight with things I had around the house. The recipe is based off of Chicken Marsala, but I didn't have all of the fancy ingredients and it turned out GREAT! I used Merlot ($3 at Walmart) instead of Marsala wine, whole milk instead of whipping cream and onions instead of shallots, but I'm sure you could use any of the fancy ingredients if you had them! I did this all for under $10 and it seems so fancy!

• 4-5 Boneless Chicken Breasts [1/2 pkg about $4.25 @ Walmart]
• 8 oz. Mushrooms [1 pkg about $1.50 @ Walmart]
• 1/2 of a Medium Onion (chopped) [about $.25]
• 4 Tablespoons Butter [about $.25]
• 1/2 Cup Red Wine (I used Merlot) [about $.50]
• 3/4 Cup of Whole Milk [about $.50]
• 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice [about $.10]
• Dollup of Sour Cream [about $.10]
• Salt & Pepper [about $.10]

I made mine for around $8 but you can definitely keep it under $10!

Pound down chicken until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Salt and pepper to taste. Pan fry chicken in 2 Tablespoons of butter on both sides till nearly done. Remove chicken from pan and rest. In the same pan saute mushrooms and onions in remaining amount of butter. When mushrooms are brown add wine and bring to a boil. Simmer for a couple of minutes. Add milk, lemon juice, and sour cream. Salt and pepper sauce to taste. When well blended bring to a boil and then finish cooking chicken in mixture and reduce to a thick sauce. (If sauce doesn't thicken enough, you can add cornstarch or flour mixture to thicken - take out chicken first)

Serve with rice or pasta.

I think you will enjoy!

Quiznos Coupon

Quiznos has released a printable coupon good for $2.99 small sub. Get your coupon here. Not as good as a freebie, but if you are already a Quiznos fan like I am you may want this bit of savings.

Motivation for spring cleaning!

Having trouble finding motivation. My camera died so it's hard to get the pictures I need to do this blog, and it's bumming me out.

I think I will do a massive spring cleaning today and keep the blogging to a minimum! I encourage everyone to at least clean 5 things in your house (example: The counters, vacuum carpet, television, etc.)

Springtime!

It's officially the first day of Spring! And oh what a beautiful day it is (at least here in Dallas). Hmmm, wondering if that means I'm going to have to get some spring cleaning done? Am I the only one who feels like procrastinating?

Here is my problem with spring cleaning. I start with the best intentions but not much time passed before I become overwhelmed then in slowly spirals into a doom spiral of despair. I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and every time I try to clean a new thing it opens a Pandora's box to another thing I need to clean. Soon there are things that need to be cleaned surrounding me on all sides and I feel like I am being cornered by my own dirty mess that I have inadvertently made while trying to tidy things up.

Then I give up and go watch TV.

Anyone have any good spring cleaning tips?

Coming back to life

Okay, I've been doing a lot of new techniques for saving money and this will be devoted to that. I have stopped doing so much of the couponing and now am doing other alternative money making things.

Some of the interesting things we are doing is gardening (to save money on veggies and to make a sustainable life) and I am making my own sun oven (more info to come).

I still do the bargain hunting. This blog is still trying to find its legs so we'll see where it goes.

A Lot of Changes = Hiatus

So, I have been noticeably absent lately. It is not because I haven't been busy doing my normal frugal things, or have lost interest in the blog. It is because a lot of changes have been happening in my life.

First of all, I think the thing that has spun my life into a tizzy is the fact that I am now roughly 4 months pregnant, which I found out about the time the blog went silent. This is my first baby and I'm very excited and basically it has been a big focus of mine.

Secondly, we've decided as a family to move all the way across the country from the Mitten State to the Lone Star State. It is a huge decision and we are in the middle of a gigantic move.

In essence, this chaos has thrown me for a loop. Truthfully, I've not done too much in the direction of spending much money on either cause...I've been saving money like crazy. I've been to the doctor and bought a couple of this and thats at garage sales but otherwise the pocketbook has been tight in preparation for the big events.

I know that God has big things in store for me and my little family!

Photo Credit to adamr.stone

Weekly Deal Round-up

I usually only work at 2 stores Meijer & Kroger, but that is not to say that other stores around Midland don't have great deals that I partake in. Here are some other great deals for national chains this week from other great sites!

Target by Fiddledeedee!
Walmart by My Frugal Adventures
Walgreens by Southern Savers
Riteaid by Southern Savers

Staying Motivated

Today I'm writing about something that is very personal. I know that at times everyone has felt this way, so I thought I would share.

Sometimes it is so hard to go on, and you feel like you are getting nowhere. I feel like the Israelites wandering in the desert, wondering how long I will have to wonder and if I'll ever get into the Promised Land.

I've not had to wander 40 years ... yet. I still get beat down at times. I wonder if I'm doing the right thing or if things will ever get better. I think it's hard when times are tough and you don't know what's around the next corner. It's difficult to stay motivated.

That's my problem right now, motivation. If I knew how long this would last it would be easier, but all of the uncertainty makes everything feel like all of these hard times will stretch out into eternity.

To all of my friends out there struggling through hard times. Keep the faith, and keep hope. We all go through these times and it's important to stay strong.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10

Photo Credit to Josh Sommers

FRUGAL LIVING: Spring Cleaning

A frugal person's best friend for Spring cleaning are: Vinegar and Baking Soda!

I am not a person who never uses any chemical cleaners but I try to only buy them on sale and with coupons. I like my Clorox Bleach, Windex, Lysol (my BFF), and others.

Homemade cleaners are very cheap, though!


Here's a site with 1001 Vinegar Tips. Some of my favorites:

• Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
• Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes.
• Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.
• Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you find the pests coming in.
• To remove grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door, wipe with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.
• Some carpet stains can be removed with a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup salt or baking soda.

Photo credit to G & A Sattler