AuntJamelle's comments

Saving Money on Groceries When You Both Work - Blog Entry

08 Apr 2009 06:31 AM

Just a thought - I make chicken stock on weeknights, it takes about 2 hours but 1.5 of those hours are spent doing other things while the stock simmers on the stove.

I save the bones from roasted chickens in the freezer until I am ready to use. Sliced carrots & celery get pulled from the freezer as well and I add in onion and herbs (bay leaves, peppercorns, etc.) per my recipe.

When the stock is done simmerring I cool it quickly in a big bowl set in a sink filled with ice water then measure the stock into ziplocks or cleaned out Cool Whip containers. Then everything gets labeled & popped into the freezer.

It does take time, but having the key ingredients waiting in the freezer until I have the time is a big help! Just food for thought! :)

How to Have a Frugal Garden - Blog Entry

08 Apr 2009 06:16 AM

If you want to start seeds indoors the best thing to do is research, research, research!

You'll learn more every year of course, but you will have better luck going in armed with as much knowledge as you can get!

If you don't have lots of sunny, warm windowsill space you'll need a grow light.

We use a regular florescent light fixture with regular florescent bulbs - research ahead of time uncovered that the fancy "grow light" bulbs for the higher $$ are not necessary.

I also bought a plastic Jiffy "dome" products - basically a black plastic rectangle tray with a clear lid. On sale I think they were about $7 each. Treated gently it will last years.

This year I invested in a seed warming mat - $25 at Rural King but should also last for years. It helps raise the soil temp to help the seeds along - I'm hoping to get stronger seedlings because of it.

I have both light and warming mat on a regular light timer so that they are only turned on during daytime hours - saving $$ and mimicking the natural conditions outdoors during day vs. night.

Peat Pots are typically used for starting seeds in - I buy mine at the end of the gardening season for pennies - or you can use other types of recycled containers - some people do.

Bottom line - the start up costs and work for a garden can be daunting - but patience, creativity, networking with other gardeners and doing internet research ahead of time can make a huge difference!

How to Have a Frugal Garden - Blog Entry

08 Apr 2009 06:04 AM

If you can, the best thing to do is talk to other people who garden in your area. Ask around at work, at church, at PTA meetings, whatever. Often you will find folks who will go in on seed orders - alot of times you don't plant ALL of the seeds in a package anyway - so it is nice to share the cost. Also, you may be able to find out about local gardening clubs that routinely share "extra" plants - this can be especially valuable if you are talking perrenial veggies like asparagus or rhubarb or certain herbs that are hard to start from seed and do better as a division from an already established plant. One local garden club sets up on a street corner on Memorial Day - catching people out for the parade.

I'll add other comments for the other things I've learned over the years - making gardening frugal has been an ongoing goal for me!!!

Saving Money on Household Beverages - Blog Entry

11 Jul 2008 11:35 AM

And I would guess that making your own chocolate milk is healthier than buying the premixed because the chocolate milk from the store has some sort of additive that keeps the chocolate suspended - so that it doesn't eventually sink to the bottom of the container.

I don't know what that additive might be, but I probably don't want to know either!!!

Tea is another great alternative to soda! We drink alot of iced tea in the summer! I've seen loose leaf tea available, in basic varieties, at Meijer recently...

The Great Sugar in Sauce Debate - Blog Entry

09 Jul 2008 08:52 AM

I have done it both ways, with and without, and liked it fine either way.

But if I am going to add sugar, I do prefer the use of Brown Sugar over that of plain white. About 1 Tablespoon or so seems to add a nice touch...

Ten Ways to Use Your Leftover Pumpkins - Blog Entry

08 Jul 2008 09:38 AM

Another idea for hollowed out pumpkins (ones that weren't carved for Halloween) would be to use them to hold dips or other foods for the Thanksgiving table.

If flavor cross over is a concern, perhaps lining the inside with ceran wrap or just placing another smaller container down inside the pumpkin would work?

Some recipes, like baked, mashed sweet potatoes could be served right inside the plain shell - even cuter if you had hollowed out mini pumpkins!

I've also heard of people spray painting their pumpkins white and adding greenery to them for a more Christmassy type display on their porches.

Or you might even have white pumpkins to start with...

Avoid the Uni-tool - Blog Entry

07 Jul 2008 01:28 PM

I have been very careful of late to get rid of any items in my kitchen that only have one, highly specialized use - at least if they are something I hardly ever use.

I also try to find other ways to use some of those tools that are "supposed" to only have one use...

I have a "melon baller" that I contantly use to hull strawberries, clean seeds out of the inside of halved cucumbers or halved jalapenos, etc.

No need for the special strawberry huller. No need for the highly special cucumber de-seeder that I just know is out there somewhere on store shelves!

The Frugal Art of Canning - Blog Entry

07 Jul 2008 01:16 PM

Supposedly the Ball Blue book is revised every year.

The cover image is changed, maybe the title wording, but the recipes are usually identical. At least as far as I can tell!

I've only seen two editions so I can't really be a good judge.

You might find more differences between a 1930's edition and one from more recent years, just because of the things that have changed over time as far as safety standards.

The use of parrafin wax to seal jars, for example, is no longer considered safe...

Canning Food - Blog Entry

07 Jul 2008 10:58 AM

It's a bit nerve wracking at first, but if you get a good book and follow the directions - or even print instructions off the internet - you should be okay.

It is actually pretty simple to do, you just have to understand the steps and do them carefully with each jar.

Always use current, canning company approved recipes - older recipes may be "out of date" as far as safety standards are setup now...

Never change a recipe ingredients, it could cause the food to spoil...

Never substitute boiling bath canner use for pressure canner! Low acid foods like veggies must be done in a pressure canner. Some folks will use the pressure canner for everything, even fruits, just to save time and that is fine...

I learn more every year I can - it is an adventure!!!

The Frugal Art of Canning - Blog Entry

07 Jul 2008 10:53 AM

The setup costs for canning can be minimized by purchasing your canners used - Ebay can be a great resource.

We got a great deal on a pressure canner that would have cost close to $100 brand new - even with shipping we still got a steal!

I would also invest in the current year's edition of the Ball Blue Canning book. It is usually around $5 and it contains both instructions and recipes.

You could also check out canning books from the library.