Great Hummus - Christmas Gift

Idea from a friend:

I thought I'd give a healthier option to neighbors and friends this Christmas for our "treat" AND use up some food storage too.
I made hummus from scratch - using a bunch of cans of garbanzo beans I had in my storage.
Recipe:
1 can (15-16 oz) garbanzo beans (rinsed drained)
2 T lemon juice
2 T tahini paste (or creamy peanut butter)
2 tsp olive oil (or veg. oil)
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients in a small food processor.

I put quart sized ziplocks full of red green tortilla chips with a small disposable tupperware container in red cellophane and it makes a really cute gift.

This is good hummus! - WM

Oats class

Check out Patty's Pantry for some good information on Oats. There's handouts and recipes too. See www.pattysfoodpantry.blogspot.com for the 9-11-10 comment.

One thing I do to help everyone enjoy oatmeal is to mix one packet of the processed, already flavored packets in with two servings of rolled oats. Cook on 5 power (50%) for 6 min in the microwave and you've got 3 servings. That way, it's tasty and good for you. I find the instant oatmeal more processed (like quick oatmeal) and prefer the whole grain texture of the rolled oats- better fiber and better for you.

Another way to enjoy your oatmeal more is to have a few mix-ins (either in a bunch of small ziplocks or tupperware for easy access). These may be brown sugar, cinnamon & sugar, coconut, chopped nuts, raisins, dried fruit, etc. Make a batch of oatmeal that is plain and have your family add what they want.

Fiber Rich Foods - easy on the waistline and budget

For those of you who are looking for healthy and less expensive ways to improve your diet, here are some high fiber foods- from best fiber (9.5 g) to okay fiber (2 g): one-half cup of each- cooked navy beans (9.5), baked beans, canned (9), cooked lentils (7.8), black beans (7.5), dates (7.1), cooked kidney beans (6.5), cooked lima beans (6.7), canned tomato paste (5.9), cooked garbonzo beans (6.2), bean with ham soup (5.6), frozen red raspberries (5.5), cooked artichoke (4.5), frozen peas - cooked (4.4), cooked frozen mixed veggies (4), raw blackberries (3.6), canned pumkin (3.5), whole wheat speghetti - cooked (3.4); others- 1 c. raisin bran cereal (7), one medium bran muffin (5), one-half asian pear (5), 1 c oatmeal (4), 24 almonds (3.3), one apple with skin (3.3), one cup broccoli (2.4), one red sweet pepper (2.4), one nectarine (2.3), 28 peanuts (2.3), one slice whole grain bread (2), 15 walnut halves (2). Enjoy!!

Artisan Bread in 5 min. Review

I really enjoyed the book, Artisan Bread in 5 min. and tried a few of the recipes. With the heat on, I've stopped baking as much as possible, but will put the ideas back to good use this fall. I found a good large container at Wal-Mart for less than $10 and have room for it in the fridge. If there's any downside to the operation, it's finding the room in your fridge for the dough.
Basically, you make a large batch of dough once or twice a week and then take what you need for that day, shape it and let it rise for less than 30 min and bake. The five minutes is the time you take the day you bake to prepare the pan and shape it. By using a pan of water under your flat pan for the bread, you get a distinct snappy crust. One of my children takes the crust off of most breads, but not this one. A neighbor who has also started using the ideas in this book has a similar picky child who also does not take this bread's crust off. For those who want fresh bread daily, this is your method.

Emergency foods

Check out http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/the-top-foods-you-should-keep-in-case-of-an-emergencgy-2046609/ for the list of what foods would be best to have during an emergency. Not surprisingly, they are what you and I already have. There are a couple of tweaks I may make, though. The whole wheat cracker twist is a good one for me to incorporate. What's nice is that those who don't have as much storage room as they'd like can look at this list and prioritize what you already have. Enjoy!

After reading my sister's blog ( http://www.pantryliving.blogspot.com/ ), I took her advice and looked at a chili recipe at www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/04/chili-cornbread.html. This passionate homemaker has a lot of good frugal ideas - from natural and inexpensive cleaning supplies to fun decorating on a tight budget. She also lists 4 items you don't need in your bathroom. Number one is shaving cream. Check out the others....
I also found a great blog at http://pattysfoodpantry.blogspot.com/. This one has a lady living off of her food storage for 3 months with updates. She's on day 17. Enjoy the fun with her!
There's one more I found. It's great for those who don't want to have to figure out what they need for food storage and just want someone to tell them what the basics are they need depending on their family logistics. I have a spreadsheet I use, but of course not everyone will be able to like/use it. Go to http://www.stockupfood.com/ and register for free if you'd like.

5/16 to 5/18 Double Coupon Days at Smith's

Smith's Food is doing a double your coupon special in Utah, Nevada and New Mexico from Sunday 5/16 through Tuesday 5/18. If you want the best deals using coupons and Smith's specials, go to the Pinching Your Pennies website. Click on the PYP Forums link (top left under the pictures), then go down to the fourth category (Screaming Deals by State). Click on Utah (or one of the other states mentioned), and you'll see the submission called Smith's Double Coupon Deals - The List. That will show you a HUGE list of items you can buy there - and where to find the coupon for them. Have a ton of fun!!!

Food Co-ops

There are two other food co-ops besides the one I use sometimes (found at http://www.foodco-op.net/ ). They are both just produce and bread type items (no meat, etc.) at http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ and http://www.greenbeeproduce.com/ - neither of which I have tried yet. I do have a friend that really likes Bountiful Baskets. Co-ops are great ways to get wonderful fresh and local food. Let me know if you've used any co-ops in this area.

http://think.ziondirect.com/2010/01/04/budget-mistakes/ mentions 6 budget mistakes we should avoid.

http://www.extension.org/faq/29072 explains the step down concept for household budgeting.

and http://www.mysistersbudget.com/ gives one more way of budgeting for someone out there who hasn't found a good fit yet. (Note: I am not suggesting anyone buy their products - just putting it out there).

Some people really like Dave Ramsey. I enjoy listening to his radio show sometimes and have read two of his books. He's got a good system, but isn't for everyone. If you've never heard of him or read anything he's written, he is worth at least looking over. Go to www.daveramsey.com and check him out. Of course, there's lots of things to buy. I haven't ever bought any of his products or paid for any of his classes. You can adapt some of his stuff on your own (from his website or radio show) or get one of his books from the library if you're interested in what he's got to offer. That way, it's free.

Good luck! If you have any great methods to share, please do.

Miserly Moms

One of the best books I've read in the last year is Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy. Go to www.miserlymoms.com to check it out. She's got some great recipes that you can make easily. I like her mixes too. Enjoy!

USU Extension services

http://www.extension.usu.edu has an amazing variety of articles - including information on gardening and food storage. For example, you can check out an article on storing dry milk at http://www.extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FN_177.pdf. Enjoy searching for just the article you need. If you go to http://www.utahpests.usu.edu/ipm/htm/advisories you'll be able to sign up for e-mail advisories on how to handle garden pests, including when to spray fruit trees. Enjoy searching for just the article and help you need.

Two great books on Money $$$

Look at The First National Bank of Dad: The Best Way to Teach Kids About Money by David Owen for some wonderful ideas on how to teach your children how things are really done. He shows how putting together a virtual bank at home with stock trading (on paper) and CDs (on paper) can teach children and young adults in your home a lot about the real world of money. Another good source for learning about the whole financial system is The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Investing. These two books have really helped me understand the lingo and how to motivate my kids to save.

Find all your Frugal Friends info right here now!

Check out http://pantryliving.blogspot.com for some great ideas on how to be frugal, healthy and quick in the kitchen.

I started an e-mail group called Frugal Friends in early 2009 and have sent one out each quarter since then. I've finally been convinced that turning it into a blog is a much better option. Please send me your comments and suggestions, not only on these posted messages but on other things and sites which help you to be feverish about being frugal.

From Frugal Friends #1: Also check out http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com and see her wonderful ideas. I love to get my powdered milk from Country Cream (Grandma's Country Foods at 386 W. 9400 S. in Sandy, UT). That's our taste test winner.
The Sunflower Market (www.sfmarkets.com ) and the Food Coop of Utah (www.crossroads-u-c.org/cfc ) have saved me a lot of money and provided wonderful, local, healthy foods for my family.
From Frugal Friends #2: Refill the foam hand soap dispensers by putting 1/3 liquid hand soap and 2/3 c water in the special dispenser. Then just shake well. It saves you a ton in the long run. Check out www.finance.yahoo.com/news/How-to-Spend-Like-a-Frugal-usnews-15357371.html for some great tips on how to cut back. The Millionaire Next Door is a really great book - see the review at www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/stanley-millionaire.html - then go borrow it from the library. Be careful in how you deal with long term investments during financially fluxes like we're dealing with now. Avoid touching investments unless you really have to. Add to good investments while they're "on sale." Save money when eating out by collecting coupons for places you like and doing the curb side service to take home (thus avoiding drinks, desserts, and tips). Use on-line menus and set a budget. Support local businesses when possible.
From Frugal Friends #3: I'll add the 12 documents I sent out on this as soon as I get permission from the author. Great website to find good and inexpensive activities for kids: www.utahdiscovery.com/uf/calendar.php - good all year round.