This will be the second time I have ever attempted the No spend month!! Last year, I did it in July and did pretty well. We ended up using a bunch of money in the beginning and then towards the end of the month we barely used any. I think we ended up with $17.44
This year, because we rarely go out. I am devoting the whole month to eating at home, eating what we have. So Im not counting a total for bills, gas, etc. It will solely be on items we consume.
I am setting this months budget to $150.00! for a family of 4.
These were last years details
Details:
a total budget of $250 to spend on anything we would buy for ourselves this month.
Included:
•Groceries & eating out
•Gas
•Clothing
•Household items
•Entertainment
I borrowed a lot of books from the library. Which I am excited to do again. And I also finished a lot of projects that I had started. I think that month is when I realized how much I love to sew. And after that I started my business. Because it is already February 10th, I will start this promptly Monday morning :) Feburary 14th-March 13th.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Chinese New Year
2011 is the year of the Rabbit!! In honor of the New Year, we threw a party! Lots of food, friends and fun!!
Instead of emailing recipes to each person, I am posting them here so everone can have them!! If you arent interested in Chinese Food, skip this posting!! ENJOY!!!
Kung Pao Chicken
1 lb. chicken, cubed
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tsps soy sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine *rice wine*
1 tsp sesame oil
3 tbsps vegetable oil
8-12 dried red chili pepppers
5 slices of ginger
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 cup peanuts or cashews, roasted and unsalted
2 stalks green onions, diced
sauce
2 tbsps soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp black vinegar
2 tbsps water
1/2 tsp cornstarch
Mix together in a small bowl.
Make the kung pao chicken: Mix the chicken with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing cooking sherry, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil Let sit for 30 minutes. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wok, sauté pan, or large frying pan on high heat. When the oil is hot, Add the chicken and stir-fry until half-cooked. Remove the chicken the from pan to a bowl. Heat the remaining cooking oil in the same pan on high heat. Toss in the ginger, garlic, and red peppers, stirring until the oil is fragrant. Add the chicken, and nuts and stir for a few turns. Pour in the sauce and continue to stir-fry until the chicken is coated and cooked. Add the green onions, stir, and serve hot.
Teriyaki Sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp Cold Water
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 c soy sauce
1/4 c cider vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and black pepper in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stir... Combine cornstarch and water. When sauce is boiling, add the cornstarch mix and stir until sauce is thickened. You can keep this in the fridge for up to 10 days. Or saute some chicken and add teriyaki! YUM!!
Beef and Broccoli
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 lb flank steak
5 tbsp oil
1/4 c onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 c carrot strips
2 cups broccoli
1/2 c beef broth
IN a bowl, combine first two ingredients. Add beef to coat. Fridge for 4 hours or overnight.
In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Stir Fry for about 2 minutes. Remove into a large bowl. Add mushrooms and saute for a few minutes. Remove into the bowl. Add 2 tbsp oil and saute broccoli and carrots. About 2 minutes. Remove and put into the bowl. Add another tablespoon of oil and add beef. stir fry for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add broth and bring to a boil. THis gives it a nice sauce. Constantly stir so it doesnt burn. Add the veggies and cook for another minute and serve immediately!
Instead of emailing recipes to each person, I am posting them here so everone can have them!! If you arent interested in Chinese Food, skip this posting!! ENJOY!!!
Kung Pao Chicken
1 lb. chicken, cubed
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tsps soy sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine *rice wine*
1 tsp sesame oil
3 tbsps vegetable oil
8-12 dried red chili pepppers
5 slices of ginger
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/2 cup peanuts or cashews, roasted and unsalted
2 stalks green onions, diced
sauce
2 tbsps soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp black vinegar
2 tbsps water
1/2 tsp cornstarch
Mix together in a small bowl.
Make the kung pao chicken: Mix the chicken with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing cooking sherry, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil Let sit for 30 minutes. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wok, sauté pan, or large frying pan on high heat. When the oil is hot, Add the chicken and stir-fry until half-cooked. Remove the chicken the from pan to a bowl. Heat the remaining cooking oil in the same pan on high heat. Toss in the ginger, garlic, and red peppers, stirring until the oil is fragrant. Add the chicken, and nuts and stir for a few turns. Pour in the sauce and continue to stir-fry until the chicken is coated and cooked. Add the green onions, stir, and serve hot.
Teriyaki Sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp Cold Water
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 c soy sauce
1/4 c cider vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and black pepper in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stir... Combine cornstarch and water. When sauce is boiling, add the cornstarch mix and stir until sauce is thickened. You can keep this in the fridge for up to 10 days. Or saute some chicken and add teriyaki! YUM!!
Beef and Broccoli
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 lb flank steak
5 tbsp oil
1/4 c onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 c carrot strips
2 cups broccoli
1/2 c beef broth
IN a bowl, combine first two ingredients. Add beef to coat. Fridge for 4 hours or overnight.
In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Stir Fry for about 2 minutes. Remove into a large bowl. Add mushrooms and saute for a few minutes. Remove into the bowl. Add 2 tbsp oil and saute broccoli and carrots. About 2 minutes. Remove and put into the bowl. Add another tablespoon of oil and add beef. stir fry for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add broth and bring to a boil. THis gives it a nice sauce. Constantly stir so it doesnt burn. Add the veggies and cook for another minute and serve immediately!
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's The New Year!!!!
I havent posted in awhile. I hope everyone understands how crazy busy I have been.
I started an online business called Ta-Da Boutique. This winter I started selling at craft shows to launch my business and it really took off. The week of christmas I had so many orders I didnt know where to start! The shows were a success. Right now I am taking a week to myself to get my house in order, order new products and work on some new designs. Selling at the craft shows, and updating inventory on a site has taken a lot out of me. I've been so busy, I havent even stocked my new site. A good friend started a website for me, and I havent used it yet! Im embarassed to say that. But I am so glad that I have some time now to start posting.
The holidays were awesome. We had a cookie exchange with friends, a christmas eve get together at our house and then the craziness of Christmas. Now we are getting ready for the Chinese New year. I am trying to get my recipes ready to start baking again. Unfortunately my oven is broke. It wont heat up. Found that out last night when I was trying to cook steaks in the broiler and after 15 minutes they were still cold. BOO! At least the burners still work though! Tonight we are doing a crockpot dinner until we get it fixed.
I have a great recipe for Peanut Butter Rice Crispies I will post tonight. OOOh yeah, and I got a new camera!!!! So be ready for better quality pictures!
I started an online business called Ta-Da Boutique. This winter I started selling at craft shows to launch my business and it really took off. The week of christmas I had so many orders I didnt know where to start! The shows were a success. Right now I am taking a week to myself to get my house in order, order new products and work on some new designs. Selling at the craft shows, and updating inventory on a site has taken a lot out of me. I've been so busy, I havent even stocked my new site. A good friend started a website for me, and I havent used it yet! Im embarassed to say that. But I am so glad that I have some time now to start posting.
The holidays were awesome. We had a cookie exchange with friends, a christmas eve get together at our house and then the craziness of Christmas. Now we are getting ready for the Chinese New year. I am trying to get my recipes ready to start baking again. Unfortunately my oven is broke. It wont heat up. Found that out last night when I was trying to cook steaks in the broiler and after 15 minutes they were still cold. BOO! At least the burners still work though! Tonight we are doing a crockpot dinner until we get it fixed.
I have a great recipe for Peanut Butter Rice Crispies I will post tonight. OOOh yeah, and I got a new camera!!!! So be ready for better quality pictures!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Red Velvet Pancakes!
Anyways, I know this is late, but its my Sweetest day Pancakes! Red Velvet Pancakes, minus the red food coloring.. my husband is weird about eating food dye... weirdo!!
They were SOOOO good. I used buttermilk and it was so good, the kids even ate them! So chocolaty!!
Bread Bread Bread!!!
I made Chocolate, Banana, Peanut butter banana and Pumpkin Bread yesterday! It was soooooo good! Especially the chocolate one!
The coolest thing about these recipes is.... I made them all in the food processor!!! It was a breeze!!
Alright lets get to it!
Banana Bread
Pumpkin Bread
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350. Mix pumpkin and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, oil and vanilla and continue to mix.
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to pumpkin mix – beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Pour into mini loaf pans, adding any addition mix-ins, like chocolate chips or walnuts. Bake 45-55 minutes.
The coolest thing about these recipes is.... I made them all in the food processor!!! It was a breeze!!
Alright lets get to it!
Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter
3oz cream cheese
1 cup brown sugar
2 ripe bananas
1 egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips optional!
Preheat over to 350. Grease a loaf pan.
Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in mashed banana, sour cream, and egg and mix until smooth. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake for 60-75 minutes.
Peanut Butter Banana Bread
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup peanut butter
4 large bananas, mashed
1 egg
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup peanut butter chips
Preheat oven to 350.
\
Cream butter, cream cheese, and peanut butter until smooth. Add brown sugar, egg and vanilla, mixing well for about 2-3 minutes. Mix in bananas and heavy cream until smooth. Add flour, baking soda and baking powder and mix until combined. Fold in peanut butter chips.
Pour batter in a greased loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes.
Double Chocolate Chip Loaf
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/2 sticks soft unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or morsels (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/2 sticks soft unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or morsels (optional)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F, putting in a baking sheet as you do so.
Put the flour, baking soda, cocoa, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream into the processor and blitz until a smooth, satiny brown batter. Scrape down with a rubber spatula and process again while pouring the boiling water down the funnel. Switch it off, then remove the lid and the well-scraped double-bladed knife and, still using your rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips or morsels.
Scrape and pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and put into the oven, cooking for about 1 hour. When ready, the loaf will be risen and split down the middle and a cake-tester will pretty well come out clean.
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350. Mix pumpkin and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, oil and vanilla and continue to mix.
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to pumpkin mix – beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Pour into mini loaf pans, adding any addition mix-ins, like chocolate chips or walnuts. Bake 45-55 minutes.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Red Velvet Pancakes!!!
Tomorrow is sweetest day... A holiday only celebrated in Ohio, A holiday Hallmark or some greeting card company made up to sell cards in the down time... whatever reason, its a day to celebrate love, and all that jazz... blah blah blah..
The way I talk, people probly think Im single and lonely lol. But Im not.. Im married.. 5 years now!
Anyways.... We dont celebrate Sweetest day. I blame it on my husband not being from ohio.. or the USA!
But Im totally ok with it. I could ask him to go buy me something, or a card, or take me to dinner and he would be more then happy to. But there is no need to!
I came across this recipe today while looking through a cookbook. It is PERFECT for sweetest day, or valentines day!!!
RED... VELVET... PANCAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!
makes 8 pancakes
1½ cups minus 1½ tablespoons buttermilk
(1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar use this if you dont have buttermilk. 1 1/2 cups of milk with the vinegar to make buttermilk substitute)
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 tablespoon chocolate chips
Whisk together milk and vinegar and set aside to curdle.
In a mixing bowl, all purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in milk mixture and food coloring. Mix until combined.
Preheat skillet or griddle on medium heat. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup batter. Once bubbles form, gently flip and cook for a few more minutes.
Top with chocolate chips and cream cheese frosting.
( no pictures until tomorrow morning.. will update tomorrow ;)
The way I talk, people probly think Im single and lonely lol. But Im not.. Im married.. 5 years now!
Anyways.... We dont celebrate Sweetest day. I blame it on my husband not being from ohio.. or the USA!
But Im totally ok with it. I could ask him to go buy me something, or a card, or take me to dinner and he would be more then happy to. But there is no need to!
I came across this recipe today while looking through a cookbook. It is PERFECT for sweetest day, or valentines day!!!
RED... VELVET... PANCAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!
makes 8 pancakes
1½ cups minus 1½ tablespoons buttermilk
(1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar use this if you dont have buttermilk. 1 1/2 cups of milk with the vinegar to make buttermilk substitute)
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 tablespoon chocolate chips
Whisk together milk and vinegar and set aside to curdle.
In a mixing bowl, all purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in milk mixture and food coloring. Mix until combined.
Preheat skillet or griddle on medium heat. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup batter. Once bubbles form, gently flip and cook for a few more minutes.
Top with chocolate chips and cream cheese frosting.
( no pictures until tomorrow morning.. will update tomorrow ;)
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