On Saving Money

I just wanted to share a quick tip today on saving money and saving your waistline! Since our dating days, TJ and I try to share meals when we go out. Most restaurants serve double what one person should eat in one meal. This means that if you order an entree, and eat it alone, you're probably maxing out on your daily calories....likely in one meal. Now, sometimes we do eat separate meals depending on the place and the occasion (and coupons), but sharing meals has been something that's worked really well for us.

You might ask, "What about people you go out with? What about your waiter?" We've only ever had one friend tell us he thought it was awkward that we shared our meal, only because we finished before they did. But you know what? Most people don't really care, and some friends have even followed our example. And as for more sit-down style restaurants, most waiters are really nice and have our meal split for us in the kitchen, or at least bring out another plate. And we're sure to always pay at least 18% for a tip.

There are rare occasions when we're not both completely full, but after letting our food settle for twenty minutes, we're fine! If we're still a little hungry, what better time to get a little ice cream to fill in the holes?

I feel like my husband and I are doing pretty well financially for our situation and our age, and it's little habits like this one that contribute to our frugality.

ratkins.

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This recipe was taught to me by my Grandpa when I was about 13. Now I see it popping up all over the place on Pinterest, called "Jalepeno Bacon Cream Cheese Poppers." To me, they'll always be simply:

Ratkins

1 pkg. bacon

about 15 jalepenos 

(the larger they are, usually the less heat they have)

2 pkgs. cream cheese or neufchatel cheese

1. Wash jalepenos, and cut in half lengthwise. Leave the stems on (this makes a little handle and is part of what gives them their name...because they look like little rats).

2. Using a small spoon, scrape out seeds and membranes (unless you like things really spicy, then leave the membranes in.

3. Fill each half level  with cream cheese (I use neufchatel because it's a third of the fat of regular cream cheese. In this appetizer, you can't really taste the difference. Besides, the bacon brings plenty of fat for flavor).

4. Wrap each half with about 1/3 to 1/2 of a strip of bacon.

5. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in a 425-435* oven for about 40 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked to your liking.

6. Take out of oven and let cool for a couple minutes (bacon grease is hot!).

7. Die and go to heaven. Because they're that good.

*These are simple enough to make, but can be a bit time consuming. Oh, and please be really careful not to touch your eyes when you're handling the jalepenos. Trust me, I've learned the hard way....more than once. 

Ever since I made these for TJ's family for something or other, they're now my assignment for every big game that requires food. Hence why I made them on Sunday (sorry it's too late for you to make it for the big game). If you're looking for a way to impress your man (or anyone) for Valentine's day (or any day), this is a winner: finger food and bacon (can't go wrong). If you're still working on a new diet resolution/fitness goal thing, I'm very sorry.

My Survival Guide

Lately I have been a little MIA, but I think I am about ready to resurface. Recently I have moved from a small 700 square foot apartment to a 1700 square foot home. I have been overwhelmed with how to keep it clean. A while ago a friend introduced me to the Fly Lady who has tips on how to keep your home clean by doing a little each day. I signed up for her news feed but was overwhelmed by the amount of emails. I decided to come up with my own game plan on how to clean my home which is similar to hers, but more personalized for me. Today is Day #1 and I feel strong. Below is my new life strategy. Hopefully this can inspire you, as well as keep me motivated.

The Housewife Survival Guide

Everyday Chores:
· Do the dishes after EVERY meal
· 10 minute house pickup
· Get dressed, fix hair and put on shoes

Room Cleaning Guidelines:
· Clean every room 1x per week

· Organize/declutter
· Vacuum
· Dust

Monday: Kitchen, Living Room

Tuesday: Bathrooms

Wednesday: Office, Meal planning, something fun

Thursday: Bedrooms, grocery shopping, Errands

Friday: Laundry, pick up house

Saturday: House wipe down, mop, ironing

Sunday: Relax

Pasta Salad

I made this salad for dinner the other night, and was able to have leftovers in my lunch for the first two days of school. I love it because it's so versatile!

First, boil some water. Add salt (to flavor the pasta).

Next, cook the pasta per package instructions. I like to use rotini, but any pasta would work. Except orzo. Don't use that.

Now, chop some vegetables. This time, I used a couple of carrots, half a cucumber, some red onion, and a red bell pepper. Oh, and I also cut some mozarella into cubes. I sometimes throw in a diced tomato (if I'm making it to share...not a huge tomato fan). I would also throw in some sliced olives, but TJ doesn't like them.

After the pasta has cooked and cooled, mix all of the ingredients together.

Now, poor on some storebought Italian dressing. Or homemade. I happened to have this, and it works great. I don't have an exact measurement....just as much or as little as you like.

The best thing to do is to let it refrigerate for an hour or so, but I was starving so I served it up right away. I also chopped up a piece of lunchmeat to put in it. My mom has done grilled chicken...like I said, it's versatile.

Mmm. The perfect summer salad.

The Shape of a Mother

A couple of months ago my sister sent me the most beautiful link from the Starving Artist website. Upon embarking motherhood, I have thought a lot my ever changing body and what it now looks like. The images that this artist shares give me the personal motivation to embrace the new me and all my stretch marks. It really is the "imperfections" that make life beautiful. The rest of the images can be found HERE!!

http://starvingartistink.com/the-shape-of-a-mother/#

A Collection of Amazing Blogs

I love food and food photography. These last couple of weeks I have been trying to find some good new food blogs and now have a new great collection of food blogs to stalk. Here are my favorite new blogs that will cause your taste buds to work in over drive. Soon, I won't be nine months pregnant and then I will want to cook again. Yeah!!!

• http://tastykitchen.com/
• http://www.thehungryhousewife.com/
• http://barbarabakes.com/
• http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/
• http://www.browneyedbaker.com/
• http://cookiesandcups.blogspot.com/
• http://bunsinmyoven.com/
• http://www.ourbestbites.com
• http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

I am still looking for some more food blogs and especially some more crafty blogs. What are your favorite blogs to stalk and be inspired by?

For a complete list food/craft blogs I read look to the right hand column.

Salad Dressing

I've learned a few things about salad dressing recently and I have tried to change my habits. Did you know that reduced fat dressing is way worse for you than full fat dressing? That's because your body needs the fat in order to digest vegetables properly. It's also because reduced fat dressings are typically less natural. Also, they may use fats that aren't as good for you, such as vegetable or canola oil instead of the better-for-you olive oil (because it is more naturally derived). I personally love a good vinaigrette. It automatically has less calories than creamier varieties. After looking at a few different recipes on the internet, I came up with my own. There are huge benefits to making your own salad dressing, the first being that you know exactly what goes inside. So, here's what I came up with. This is a basic recipe, that can be altered to your tastes.... or the type of salad you're having!

Vinaigrette

1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/4 c olive oil (use extra virgin for a more fruity flavor, but really any kind will do)
couple dashes of salt
couple grinds of fresh pepper
1/2 tbsp honey or sugar
1/2 lime squeezed into dressing (or lemon or orange...any citrus really)
dash of garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic)

*Mix it all together really well. It would work best to put this in an empty dressing bottle, or a mason jar with a lid so that you can shake it to emulsify the oil and vinegar.
*The honey or sugar are essential to cutting the vinegary bite.
*These measurements are approximate. Play with it until it tastes good to you!
*I also added a couple dashes of chili powder for my southwest-style salad. You could add things such as dry oregano, dry thyme, and dry basil for an easy italian dressing. You could also add a tablespoon of mayonnaise for a creamy version!