To Coupon or Not To Coupon?
Several years ago I started coupon shopping. It’s such a rush! I love walking out of the grocery store after paying pennies for the items in my grocery cart. Coupon shopping became my job! My husband went to work and I saved his money.
Over the years my use of coupons has changed a lot. I used to have a big binder with every coupon out of every inset clipped and filed according to type. I places for sorting coupons for canned food, meats, cereal, bread, produce, diapers, you name it – I had a coupon for it. My Sunday evenings were spent sitting on my living room floor watching Desperate Housewives and clipping and filing the inserts from 5-6 copies of the Sunday paper. It was pretty awesome. I even had a couple of friends that came over and did the same, and occasionally someone would come over to just watch and learn. After a few years my favorite store closed (actually just changed names & brands) and the one of the newspaper inserts stopped being in the Sunday paper. For a little while coupon shopping got a little harder and wasn’t quite as much fun.
That was when coupon shopping changed for me. I shifted a bit more to using printable coupons and soon the stores started adding ecoupons to your shoppers cards. Coupon shopping is still just as fun to me.
Since my shift with coupon shopping I have saved a lot of time. I usually only shop at 1 or maybe 2 stores a week. I use the matchup lists found here on PinchingYourPennies and make my menus and shopping lists for the week. I still stick to my shopping list, if it’s not on the list I don’t buy it. And I still stock up!
I take my coupon folder (no longer a binder) to the store with me all the time. I LOVE finding clearance bins and using a coupon to get things from the clearance bin for dirt cheap!
I no longer get a newspaper subscription, I am still able to get 1-2 copies of the Sunday inserts from friends and if I find a coupon that I feel is a must have I go online and trade for more copies,or find other people willing to share.
I am seriously so grateful for coupon shopping. It’s still my part time job to save my husband’s money. I just save myself a lot more time!
Inexpensive or free things to do this weekend!
It’s the weekend again and that means the kids will want to do something fun. They want to be entertained. This morning my husband and I were trying to come up with inexpensive or free things to do this weekend.
Our typical Friday nights consist of pizza & a movie. We will usually find something on Netflix or sometimes hit the Redbox. Pizza typically comes from one of the local $5 pizza joints.
This weekend we want to do something different.
Here are a list of inexpensive or free things to do this weekend:
- Go to the park, weather permitting of course. Instead of the movie grab your blanket and your pizza and hit the park! We really like doing this, the kids can run off and play and mom & dad can sit and people watch!
- Take a walk. Walking is free. Maybe pick a route you don’t usually take. You can drive to another city and walk around their downtown area.
- Play board games or card games. Maybe go buy a new one, or ask your friends if you can borrow one you haven’t tried before.
- Invite another family for a potluck dinner
- Have a campfire in your own yard! Sit around and tell ghost stories. Roast marshmallows or hot dogs.
- Go on a digital scavenger hunt. As a family make a list of things you want to go find/photograph. You can split up into teams or just stick together as a family and then you can post your photos on social media so your friends can see how awesome your family is.
- Go to the library. Reading rocks! Find a new book to read.
- Go to yard sales
- Go for a bike ride
- Do a 5000 piece puzzle
- Make a couple of treats to take to your neighbors or someone you don’t know. Make new friends.
- Rearrange you furniture. Yes it’s work, but my kids actually love doing it.
- Find a festival or craft show to attend. Pretty much every weekend you can find a festival of sorts to attend within a 20-30 mile radius.
- Do a service project.
- Toilet paper your own yard.
- Have a marshmallow fight (think snowballs without the snow)
- Go to the dollar theater. We have one in our town that is a $2 theater, and their popcorn is cheap too.
- Play ‘Minute to Win It” type games. There are lots of ideas for the games on Pinterest.
- While I am talking about Pinterest, pick a recipe of craft from Pinterest to try
- Visit you relatives! Leave the gadgets at home and go have a quality visit with a family member.
Hopefully my list will give you some ideas of inexpensive or free things to do this weekend. We decided to do a scavenger hunt tonight! Should be fun!
Yummy recipes for that leftover ham!
Yesterday we talked about all of the Easter leftovers and the leftover ham. We talked about lots of great ways to use that ham. I promised that today we’d share some of my favorite recipes and here they are – my family favorites. There are recipes for Ham and Potato Soup, Ham and Cheese Quiche, and Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham. Let us know if you try one. We love to hear from you!
Ham and Potato Soup
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Directions:
1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.
Ham and Cheese Quiche
Makes 1 – 9 inch quiche
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup half-and-half
3 eggs
2 slices Swiss cheese
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
1/2 cup canned mushrooms
1 cup ham, flaked
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat together flour, salt, half-and-half and eggs in a medium bowl.
3. Place Swiss cheese flat in the pie crust. Arrange spinach evenly over Swiss cheese, then cover with mushrooms. Pour the flour and egg mixture over mushrooms. Cover with flaked ham and top with Cheddar cheese.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 45 to 55 minutes, until surface is golden brown.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
4 cups peeled and sliced potatoes
2 cups diced ham
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cups milk
1 cup frozen peas
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 pound Cheddar cheese, diced
1 pinch paprika, or to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Layer half the potatoes, half the ham, and half the onion in an 2-quart baking dish; repeat the layers.
3. Heat milk, peas, flour, butter, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, 7 to 10 minutes.
4. Stir Cheddar cheese into sauce until cheese is melted.
5. Pour sauce over potato and ham mixture; sprinkle with paprika.
6. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are tender, about 1 hour.
8. Remove foil and continue baking until lightly browned, about 15 minutes more.
Leftover ham – what to do?
The Easter holiday has come and gone but there are probably lots of remnants of Easter around your house. Are there baskets filled with come candy and mostly wrappers? How about little bits of Easter grass hiding here and there? What is it with that stuff? It seems impossible to clean it all up. How about plastic eggs? Did you find them all? Hopefully you found any and all of the real eggs that were hidden! What about your fridge? Are there lots of Easter leftovers? How about hard boiled eggs? We talked about lots of ways to use them up last week. And how about the ham? If you are like most of the country, there is probably leftover ham in your fridge and you need to find a couple of ways to use it.
Using up the leftover ham might be as easy as just warming it up for an extra meal. But for lots of people the leftover ham goes way beyond one meal of leftovers. What can you make with it? Here are a few ideas for using up that leftover ham.
Ham and cheese sandwiches
This favorite way to use leftover ham doesn’t really need a recipe. Slice the ham thin and use it on sandwiches with your favorite cheese. Yum!
Ham salad sandwiches
This is another is great sandwich option when it comes to using the leftover ham. Put your ham in the food processor, salad shooter or use a hand grater to get it shredded into very tiny pieces. Add some mayonnaise and pickle relish. My family loves these sandwiches.
Salad topping
Ham makes a great salad topping. Dice your leftover ham or put it in the food processor, salad shooter or use a hand grater to get it shredded into very tiny pieces. Use these to top your favorite salad. Try adding some diced beets and shredded cheese too. It turns a plain salad into a great ham salad.
Ham and Eggs
Slice or dice the leftover ham and add it to breakfast with some scrambled eggs. Do you still have left-over hard boiled eggs? Use them with the ham and have a yummy breakfast.
Soup
It is still soup weather in many parts of the country – use your leftover ham and add it to your favorite soup. Make a homemade soup or add it to a store bought soup. It’s a great idea.
Dice and freeze
This is another of my personal favorite ways to use leftover ham. I like to dice or shred the ham and put it in freezer bags. Later on I can pull it out and use it to make a quick and fun dinner. It makes for a quick dinner prep on a future busy night.
Hambone
Many people save the hambone and use it later to make hambone soup or other recipes. Wrap the bone in foil and then place it in a freezer bag or use freezer wrap.
Have more ideas about how to use up the leftover ham from Easter? Let us know – we love to hear from you! Stay tuned tomorrow night when we share some of our favorite leftover ham recipes.
Grab those Easter clearance items!
Remember previously when we talked about how much I LOVE holidays? Easter is no exception – I love this holiday too. I love the the family fun, the decorations, the happy kids, the candy – all of it! It is just so much fun. I’m often guilty of buying too much for the Easter baskets. But I am also guilty of buying lots of fun Easter things for AFTER Easter. I love Easter clearance items!
I know some of you are shaking your heads in agreement. You know exactly what I am talking about. But I am sure there are some of you wondering what I could be talking about. Why would I want a bunch of Easter stuff when the holiday is over? Why would Easter clearance items excite me? What could I be doing? The answer is easy – LOTS of things, a little bit of everything and anything. Sound intriguing? I think it is.
The truth is there are Easter clearance items in so many departments. Items you have thought of and others you have not thought of – they are Easter themed and go on clearance. The discounts can be huge. And most of the items have uses beyond the holiday. These are just a few of my favorites:
Candy
I remember talking about clearance items and candy with an old neighbor one time. I was shocked when she talked about buying the candy and putting it away for next year. No, nope, eeewwww, icky, that’s not what I mean here. No way. Candy is candy and it can be used for lots of things past Easter. Think of upcoming birthday parties, classroom parties and other places you’ll need some sweets. Grabbing cheap clearance candy now can be a huge money saver later. There are lots of candy items that can be used beyond Easter.
Clothing
There are lots of Easter clearance items in the clothing department. I love to watch the tees and pajamas go on clearance. There always seems to be some in solid colors or designs. That’s not just for Easter! Another of my favorites is socks. If you have a baby or toddler there always seems to be lots of great Easter clearance clothing for the little people. There are often packs of socks/stockings/tights that are in colors, patterns or prints that work beyond Easter.
Toys
These Easter clearance items are great finds! There are two kinds to watch for and finding both is awesome. There are lots of little toys that are used as a non-candy alternative to basket stuffers. Those make great birthday and classroom holiday party handouts. The other toys to watch for are regular toys packaged with an Easter theme. These make great gifts and often it is just the wrapping that is Easter themed.
Décor
There are lots of décor items out around Easter that can be used all spring. Spring décor involves the same flowers and pastel colors. Watch for items to use all year too. Also watch for Easter clearance items to decorate with next year. Sometimes you are lucky enough to snag that décor that was just too pricey before Easter.
Grocery items
There are lots and lots of grocery items packaged for Easter. Cookies, cake mix, frosting, marshmallows, cereal, the list goes on and on. Most of these are no different than the regularly packaged items. Grab them when you see them with the other Easter clearance items.
Paper products
Plates, napkins, cupcake liners, party décor – there are so many Easter clearance items to choose from in the party supply aisle. Save some Easter themed items for next year. The prices are low and no one will care if you serve next years’ treats in goodie bags you bought this year. Grab some solid colored items to use at other events. Pastel plates and napkins work well for Mother’s Day. Brightly colored plates and napkins will be fun at summer picnics.
See why I love the Easter clearance items? They have so many uses. Do you grab some Easter clearance items that we forgot to mention? Let us know!
Fun things to make with plastic Easter eggs!
Easter is almost here! Are you ready yet? Have you dyed the eggs? Filled the baskets? Bought all of the candy, prizes and treats? I bet most of you aren’t quite ready – I know I am not quite ready. Will you be making another trip to the store to grab a few more things for Easter? While you are there, grab an extra package or two of plastic Easter eggs.
Why would you want extra plastic Easter eggs? I know I tend to look at plastic Easter eggs as disposable so getting extras seems a bit like nonsense. One of my neighbors mentioned a project she was planning with plastic Easter eggs and it sounded like a great idea. I did a little looking and asking around and found lots of good ideas for using plastic Easter eggs after the holidays. Here are just a few of them.
Bath toys
Plastic Easter eggs used as bath toys? Sure! Empty plastic Easter eggs float easily. They can be used to funnel water, soap or shampoo. With all of the fun shapes, colors and patterns bath time can be made lots more fun!
Nesting dolls
If you buy multiple sizes of plastic Easter eggs you can use them to recreate a sort of nesting dolls or animals. These can be used as quiet activities, matching games and more.
Mystery containers
Use plastic Easter eggs to make mystery containers. Add fun small items to the eggs and use a Sharpie marker to write a hint on the outside of the egg. Write a letter of the alphabet on the outside and place an object inside that starts with that letter. Lots of fun for the kids.
Snack holders
Tired of losing expensive snack containers? Use plastic Easter eggs to send snacks with your kids or to put small food items in their lunch boxes – fun and inexpensive.
Play kitchen
Find a pack of natural colored plastic Easter eggs and add them to your child’s play kitchen. Toss a few yellow and white colored cotton balls or pompoms inside the egg and it will be so much fun to “crack and cook them.”
Play dough
Do you make homemade play dough? Plastic Easter eggs make great containers for holding homemade play dough. Make small amounts of play dough in different colors and color code the plastic Easter eggs and play dough.
Shakers
Make fun sound makers with plastic Easter eggs. Fill them with rice, beans and other small objects and then seal them. Children will love to shake them to make different sounds.
Art projects
A quick internet search will find hundreds of cute art projects that use plastic Easter eggs. One of the best ones I saw used plastic Easter eggs and battery operated LED tea lights. Use craft paper or felt and make the egg into a firefly. Add legs, wings and antennas. Then put a tea light inside the egg and turn it on. They are super cute.
Décor
Wreaths, fabric eggs and other cute home décor items can be made with plastic Easter eggs. Cover the eggs with fabric, twine, string, paper and more. The results can be fun and cute.
Do you have more ideas for using plastic Easter eggs? Let us know. We love to hear from you.
Use up those leftover hard boiled eggs!
Easter is almost here! There will be lots of fun activities and candy. There will also be lots of hard boiled eggs to color and dye! What do you do with all of those eggs after you color them? Maybe you hunt for them? Maybe you use a little salt and pepper and eat a few just like they are? But then what to do with them? If you are like my family you probably have lots and lots of leftover hard boiled eggs to use up in just a couple of days. Here are a few favorite ways to use up all of those leftover hard boiled eggs:
Deviled Eggs
This seems like an Easter meal staple – a favorite way to use up those leftover hard boiled eggs. Shake things up this year and look for fun new recipes online.
Egg salad sandwiches
This is another favorite way to use up those leftover hard boiled eggs – egg salad sandwiches can be yummy! They are one of my family’s favorites.
Breakfast burritos
We’ve all made breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs but they can also be made with leftover hard boiled eggs. Add some leftover ham and cheese for a yummy breakfast treat.
Salads
We all know that thinly sliced or diced leftover hard boiled eggs really round out a leafy green salad, but also think about adding them to pasta salads. Yummy!
Eggs Benedict
Have you tried this one before? Check out this recipe:
Eggs Benedict
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
4 egg yolks
3 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 pinch ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon water
1 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
8 strips Canadian-style bacon
4 English muffins, split
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Directions:
- Fill the bottom of a double boiler part-way with water. Make sure that water does not touch the top pan. Bring water to a gentle simmer. In the top of the double boiler, whisk together egg yolks, lemon juice, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon water.
- Add the melted butter to egg yolk mixture 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time while whisking yolks constantly. If hollandaise begins to get too thick, add a teaspoon or two of hot water. Continue whisking until all butter is incorporated. Whisk in salt, and remove from heat. Place a lid on pan to keep sauce warm.
- Preheat oven on broiler setting.
- Brown the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
- Toast the English muffins on a baking sheet under the broiler.
- Spread toasted muffins with softened butter, and top each one with a slice of bacon, followed by one slice hard-boiled egg.
- Place 2 muffins on each plate and drizzle with hollandaise sauce. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve immediately.
Teen Easter baskets – what to do?
Yesterday we talked about Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail… and asked what is he bringing to your house? We talked about how in most of the homes in America he will be bringing treats and candy. All of the candy our kids get at Easter is nuts. If you are at all like me, you might be saying “Enough is enough!” This brought about the blog yesterday with ideas for non-candy basket filler for all of these Easter baskets. Those were great for the kids but what do you do if you need to fill an Easter basket for a teenager? Teen Easter baskets that go beyond candy can be a challenge.
Teen Easter baskets can easily be filled with candy but that isn’t always the best choice for a teen. Many teens are avoiding sweets because of athletics, skin or other things. Giving teens an alternative to candy is a great idea! But where do you start when filling a non-candy teen Easter basket?
There are actually a lot of great ideas for teen Easter baskets once you start thinking about your teen. I came up with lots of great ideas after I started thinking about what my daughter likes and the kinds of things she uses every day. Here are a few great ideas for filling teen Easter baskets.
Money
This idea for filling teen Easter baskets is sure to be a favorite of anyone who finds it in their basket. It is great for filling eggs. Wouldn’t lots of eggs filled with quarters be fun to get?
Lip Gloss
If you have a teen girl, chances are this filler for teen Easter baskets would be a hit. Lip gloss is one of my daughter’s favorites so she will love finding some in her Easter basket.
Jewelry and accessories
Does your teen like earrings, crazy socks, hats or some other fun accessory? They make great additions to teen Easter baskets. Smaller items can even be put in eggs for egg hunts or other activities.
Stuffed animals
Lots of teens still like stuffed animals so they are another great idea for teen Easter baskets. Cute little bunnies or chicks can be snuggled by even the toughest of teens.
Books
Has your teen been begging for a new book? Books fit nicely into Easter baskets and make great filler for teen Easter baskets – they take up a nice amount of room too!
Gift Cards
This idea is almost as good as money – get your teen gift cards to do something they love. I can think if so many different fun options for putting gift cards in teen Easter baskets.
Earbuds
It seems like earbuds are something teens always use and always lose! Good thing you can get them cheap! Another great idea for teen Easter baskets!
Collectibles
Baseball cards and other collectibles are perfect for teen Easter baskets. Find what your teen loves and find something fun to represent it. There are lots of great ideas!
Have another good idea for teen Easter baskets? Share it with us – we love to hear from you!
Easter baskets – Non-candy basket filler ideas!
Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail… what is he bringing to your house? If you are like most of the homes in America he will be bringing treats and candy. Add that to all of the egg hunts, the family gatherings and other local events, the amount of treats and candy your kids get for Easter can get downright crazy! If you are at all like me, you might be saying “Enough is enough!” I’m thinking we need to find some non-candy basket filler for all of these Easter baskets.
Non-candy basket filler sounds a bit Grinch-like at first, I’ll admit it. Who wants to be the parent that takes the candy away from the kids at Easter? Not me! But I do think that taking some of the candy out of Easter is not a bad idea at all. Here are a few of the great ideas I’ve seen for non-candy basket filler.
Legos
I love this idea! Buy a set of Legos and put a few in each plastic egg! It makes a great non-candy basket filler. The kids also have something fun to play with that will last far beyond Easter.
Play-doh
This childhood favorite makes a fun non-candy basket filler. You can even find it packaged in plastic eggs or put it in plastic eggs yourself. Super easy and fun to use when you are having a low candy Easter.
Stickers
Stickers are always a hit with kids. They are another super easy and fun idea for a non-candy basket filler. Dollar stores and the discount sections of other stores are a great place to find bargains on fun stickers to use as non-candy basket filler.
Pencils, Crayons or Markers
Kids love doodling and drawing so pencils, crayons and markers make fun options for non-candy basket filler. You can find fun items in Easter packaging in most discount and dollar stores.
Bubbles
I love the cute little jars of bubbles you can find in the holiday sections of discount store; they are perfect for non-candy basket filler. You can also make your own using cheap, bulk bubbles from party or wedding supply stores. Add cute stickers to the plain jars of bubbles.
Craft Kits
Lots of retailers have small craft kits that would make great non-candy basket filler. These are lots of fun and can be inexpensive if you shop around. They are another great idea for low candy Easter.
Small Toys
These can be found at online retailers and your local dollar or discount stores. Things like balls, whistles, tops, rubber ducks, rings, and more make great non-candy basket filler. Watch for age appropriate sizing and choking hazards when picking the small toys to use as non-candy basket filler.
Outdoor Toys
The weather is nice and kids are getting outside. Think about things like sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, Frisbees, small kites and other outdoor toys. This non-candy basket filler is a great way to encourage the kids to get outside.
Have more great ideas for non-candy basket filler? Let us know – we love to hear from you!
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Easter recipes – make your own treats!
It’s almost here! Easter is just a few days away. There are so many fun things to do at Easter time but there are also lots of fun things to eat. My kids love the candy and treats at Easter more than any other holiday I think. There are so many different kinds of Easter candy and treats that can be bought at the store, but sometimes it is fun to make some treats at home. My family has a few Easter recipes that we just love and make every year. One is so easy that the kids can even make it by themselves. Try them out and see what you think. Let us know what you think – we love to hear from you!
Carrot Cake
Ingredients:
3 eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup raisins
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8×12 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour mixture and mix well.
4. In a medium bowl, combine shredded carrots, coconut, walnuts, pineapple and raisins.
5. Using a large wooden spoon or a very heavy whisk, add carrot mixture to batter and fold in well.
6. Pour into prepared 8×12 inch pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Check with toothpick.
7. Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Jellybean Bark
Ingredients:
1 pound white melting chocolate
1 pound jellybeans
Directions:
1. Line a jelly roll pan with waxed paper and set aside.
2. Melt the white melting chocolate in the top of a double boiler, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Spread the melted white confectioners’ coating onto the prepared pan. Sprinkle the jellybeans over the top.
3. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces to serve.
Peanut Butter Eggs
Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) package confectioners’ sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon milk
8 (1 ounce) squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 tablespoon shortening
Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter and milk (if needed for moisture) until blended. Shape mixture into two 1/2 pound eggs or make a bunch of smaller eggs. Freeze eggs for 1 hour.
2. While the eggs are freezing, cut semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces and place in top of double boiler with shortening. Melt over medium heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Stick a fork in top of each peanut butter egg, dip it in melted chocolate to cover then drain on waxed paper. When the eggs are cooled and set, decorate the eggs.
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Yummy Recipes – National Spinach Day!
While online today I saw an interesting fact – today is National Spinach Day. Awesome! I love spinach, it is one of my favorite vegetables. I like it fresh and cooked. I love that it is packed with vitamins and iron and is just so very good for you. I’ve been known to add spinach to lots of things in order to boost their nutritional value. Pizza? Throw some spinach on top – I promise it will be great! Scrambled eggs? Toss a handful of diced spinach in with the eggs. Add some cheese too and you have a great breakfast item. How about spaghetti sauce? I put it in there too and it makes the sauce nice and thick! Lasagna? Yep. Soup? Yep. My kids are used to finding spinach in all sorts of things and don’t even complain anymore. Yay – Popeye would be proud!
If you read our blog often you know that food days like this make me pull out my favorite recipes and I find something to make that goes along with the day. I pulled out my recipes but decided to go with spaghetti and spinach instead. These recipes are so good that I had to share them anyway. Yummy! If you decide to make one of them today, let us know. Do you have great spinach recipes? I am looking for recipes that use spinach in things like cookies, cake and brownies. The recipes I have tried were not really tasty. Sad! Be sure and share if you have a yummy treat recipe that uses spinach.
Spinach Dip
Makes 1 bread bowl full of dip
Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (1.8 ounce) package dry leek soup mix
1 (4 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (1 pound) loaf round sourdough bread
Directions:
1. Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, dry leek soup mix, water chestnuts and chopped spinach. Chill in the refrigerator 6 hours, or overnight.
2. Remove top and interior of sourdough bread. Fill with dip mixture. Tear removed bread into chunks for dipping.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
10 ounces fresh spinach – rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
1 quart strawberries – cleaned and sliced
1/4 cup slivered almonds
Directions:
1. Mix together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover and chill for one hour.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Spinach Quiche
Makes One 9 inch quiche
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 (6 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Melt butter over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion in butter until lightly browned. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, feta and 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into pie crust.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into the pastry shell, allowing egg mixture to thoroughly combine with spinach mixture.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining Cheddar cheese, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until set in center.
5. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.
Another germy thing you touch every day?
Are you still a little bit grossed out from reading yesterday’s blog about germy things you touch every day? I know I am! Was I right when I said there are quite a lot of them and if you think too hard about them all, you just might start taking hand sanitizer everywhere you go? I bet at least a few of you put hand sanitizer in your purse or car after reading yesterday’s blog! Are you ready to look for another germy thing you touch every day?
We talked about drinking fountains, restroom doors, phones, keyboards, money, shopping carts and even cans of soda. But there are so many more things that are germy and I think most of us don’t think of them that way at all. But once you do think of them, I bet you shudder just a little bit!
Pets
We all love our pets. Some people even think of them as part of the family. But have you ever thought of your pet as another germy thing you touch every day? I know some people who kiss their cat or let their dog lick their face. Popular rumor that pet’s mouths have few germs just are not true. If you look past their mouths to their feet, rear ends and fur you will find so many more germs. Our pets may be our best friends but they are full of germs!
Stair railings
Some of us just skip up and down stairs like they aren’t even there but most of us hold onto the stair railing as we go up or down stairs. All of those people on the stairs equals all of those hands on the railings which then equals all of those germs on the railings. Eeeewwww! The railing on stairs is supposed to keep us safe but it is another germy thing you touch every day.
Gas pumps
While most of us don’t actually touch one of these every day, have you ever thought about a gas pump handle as another germy thing you touch every day? Think about all of the germs on that handle. Or don’t… it is pretty nasty to think about!
Purses and wallets
This is one of those “another germy thing you touch every day” things that has actually made the news recently. Studies into the germs on the bottom of purses are shocking. When you think about all of the germy places that you set your phone, maybe it becomes less shocking. Wallets hold that very dirty germy thing – money. Lots of germs in a place many people touch many times a day.
Toothbrush
This is another germy thing you touch every day makes me feel a bit ill if I think about it too hard. We put our toothbrushes in our mouths. If the toothbrush is covered in germs, that means you put all of those germs in your mouth. Gag! Keep those toothbrushes tucked away in a cabinet or clean drawer if you want to cut down on the germs you put in your mouth.
Have anything to add to this germy list – another germy thing you touch every day? Let us know – we love to hear from you!