Daily Archives:

September 8, 2014

Making More Out Of Monday Meals: Homemade French Salad Dressing!

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Good afternoon, savvy savers! So, today I want you all to remember the not so distant past, the days when the height of sophisticated family dining was going out to the Sizzler or Ponderosa! How I remember those days! So may aisles, so many choices, only one plate! For me, my first stop was always the salad bar, and my topping of choice, the Orange Stuff! That’s right, the old school Orange French Dressing; the tangy sweetness of this topping always brought a smile to my face! But why let the fun end with adulthood? So, for this edition of Making More Out of Monday Meals, I’ll be posting my recipe for homemade Orange French Dressing!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 1 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring

Directions:

  1. In a one quart jar, combine sugar, ketchup, oil, garlic, vinegar, hot sauce, celery seed, and liquid smoke.
  2. Cover and shake well.
  3. Refrigerate until serving.
  4. This recipe makes 1 quart dressing; I save mine in a mason jar, secured, and stored in the refrigerator up to three months!
  5. Enjoy!

 

 

Misty

Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style: Gluten-Free Eating Apps!

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes!  All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weigh 197 lbs; I am down two pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuses queen! Today finds my continued yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, using a pedometer, portioning my meals, and now I also measure myself monthly!

So, for this weeks series post I wanted to share three of my favorite diet-friendly apps, and these are the two apps that I use to help control my gluten consumption!

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1. ipiit, the Food Ambassador

App features

  • You can shop for gluten-free options by scanning item barcodes in-store, you instantly know whether it has gluten or not.
  • For off-limit items, the app gives you a list of alternate items that are safe to buy.

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2. Su-Chef

This free app (for iPhone and iPad) features 25 different menu guides for a variety of special diets (from gf to diabetic, dairy free to vegetarian).

App features

  • The app includes 200,000+ recipes, and stores that offer the items needed for these recipes, and budgets.

These apps help me to make healthier, more budgeted recipes and shopping trips, and as both apps are free, this is a win-win!

Here’s to health!

Misty

What To Buy & Not To Buy In September!

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Hello again, savvy savers! It’s that time again, time for a new monthly buying guide! So here is my what to buy and what to pass up on during the month of September:

 

 

Things to Buy:

  • Patio Furniture, Grills, and Outdoor accessories; in the next week Warehouse stores and big box stores will start slashing prices of these outdoor goods by upwards of 80%! Last year I bought outdoor cushions at Walmart around this time for $2.00 each, which were a savings of $41.96 each!
  • Older iPhones; as new models come out each holiday season, as in the case this year, older, refurbished phones will be 60% off online from all cellular companies that carry the line.
  • Denim: Now is the time to stock-up on denim! Overalls, jeans, capris, and work gear will start to go as low as 90% off! Buy now for the holidays; Sears, Walmart, JC Penney always have great denim deals this month!
  • Plants; as many consider Summer over after Labor Day, as do many nurseries! Houseplants and annuals, including fall ornamental cabbages, will go to rock bottom pricing now, as will mums; always buy mums now!
  • School supplies; as I mentioned last month the time to buy supplies for the following year is in September now for later in the year needs, teacher appreciation gifts, and supplies for next school year at upwards of 90% off!
  • Bicycles; as stores are gearing up for the holiday spending rush, last year’s kids and adult bikes are set to go over half off this month! Buy now for the holidays!
  • Cars; 2015 models will be released next month, ans so now 2013 and 2014 models will be drastically reduced at many lots.
  • Airline Tickets‘ airline tickets will be at the lowest of the entire year the last week in September, and will continue to double in price throughout the New Year, buy holiday tickets now to avoid paying a 40% markup!
  • Holiday Foods; frozen hams, turkeys, and boxed stuffing mixes the like will be at the lowest for the whole year and in the middle of October will triple in price, buy now to avoid the extra costs!

 

Things Not To Buy:

  • Gaming Systems: The Holiday markups have already begun on these gems! For deals on Gaming Equipment look to second hand sources such as Facebook Local Groups and Craigslist; remember to test before you buy!
  • Fall Clothing; fall clothing is the highest it will be priced now. Hold onto last years favorites, and add new pieces starting in November!
  • Televisions; As with the Gaming Systems, Holiday markups have already begun! For deals on Gaming Equipment look to second hand sources such as Facebook Local Groups and Craigslist; remember to test before you buy!
  • Leaf Blowers; This should be a given, but do not buy leaf blowers now! Leaf blowers will bottom out at the new year and you will find prices as low as 75% then!
  • Backpacks; Unlike the above mentioned school supply list, backpacks will not bottom out in price until Christmas, so hold off on buying for now! The holidays will find great deals at LL Bean, Sears, and JC Penney!
  • Diamond Jewelry; Diamonds are still being marked up, even in the post Summer Wedding Season. Look for prices to drop out by late November for Black Friday deals.

 

 

I hope this list is helpful for all of my fellow frugalites out there!

 

Here’s to Saving,

 

Misty

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