Another Day Another Dollar! Tidbits For You To Enjoy!

Lets start with somethings I have found helpful traveling down that olde road again...Then I will tell you how to do something...
Keep a small journal and jot down these ideas and then fill in with your own...
Make a list of items to stop buying..You know the kind that aren't good for you, or the ones you just cannot keep your hands off.
Items to buy...Like high fiber bread.
Exercise/Walk, vacuum, mop, change sheets on all the beds....
Sleep good (this is very important in losing weight)....Don't let your depression get you down and then turn to your comfort item FOOD...
Start your meals with 1 cup low cal soup or salad....Cut back 1 cup of starchy carbs a day (potatoes, corn, peas, parsnips, beets are starchy veggies and you shouldn't have two at one meal. Replace with non starchy veggies, such as carrots, spinach, turnips, summer squash, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower.....Avoid trigger foods (Sweets or in my case peanut butter)....Drink lots and lots of water...Know in your heart you can succeed.....When preparing meals, don't nibble, taste or lick the spoon...After supper stay out of the kitchen...Plan your meals a week ahead and then only buy items you need to prepare these meals....Write down everything you put into your mouth....When you feel like you need something to eat, but know you really don't, drink some more water, go for a walk, post on your blog and of course chew sugar free gum...studies have shown chewing gum helps you lose weight...Let your old ways and taste buds go away...You're changing your style of eating and the taste buds will adapt in a few weeks to new tastes.....Make sure you eat a good breakfast...This jump starts your body...Don't ever, ever go to buffets or cafeterias....You will over eat...and remember YOU DESERVE to lose that weight!!!Don't eat food with empty calories, such as sugar, butter, sauces...these don't fill you up and actually make you hungry and want more...When you do falter, stop and ask yourself why? It is nearly always something else besides wanting that food....Use less salt on your food...use herbs and spices or a salt substitute...Now for the other thing....
Do you like those reed diffusers?
And don't want to spend the money on them?
Here are some basic directions for making your own..........

What you need:
- 1 small jar or bottle (simple ones can be purchased from supermarkets or craft stores) OR what about a small old prim bottle?
- Reed sticks will work best, you can purchase them at candle or gift stores OR Thin bamboo skewer sticks will also work (supermarkets sell them for around $3 for a packet of 100).
- Carrier oil: Don't let this freak you out. You can use sweet almond oil (or substitute with extra virgin olive oil , grapeseed oil or canola oil).
- Scent oil /essantial oil
-OPTIONAL-Ribbon, homespun, rusty star,vintage pic or hang tag

Directions:
Blend the scent oil and carrier oil together.
For every 1ml of your scent oil, blend with 10ml of the carrier oil. For a stronger scent, pour 6ml of carrier oil instead. Swirl the blend together in the bottle and let it sit for an hour.
*If you're using bamboo skewers, cut off both ends and make sure half of the stick appears above the bottle.
Have 10-12 sticks in the bottle and let it sit for a few hours for the scent to climb up.
Take a piece of ribbon ( or homespun) and tie around the bottle .
You can add a hang tag or rusty star if you want. OR attach a vintage pic to the front of the jar. :)

Make Your Own Mixes!!!!

I hate it when I am halfway through a recipe only to discover I am out of a key ingredient, like brown sugar. Todays first tip is to check your cupboard to see if you have all the necessary ingredients to make your recipe.....but just in case you don't check*****

MAKE YOUR OWN BROWN SUGAR:


Add a Tablespoon of molasses to one cup of white sugar..Mix together with a fork until thorougly incorporated, and you have instant brown sugar.....

TACO SEASONING MIX:

Make your own taco seasoning mix to control the ingredients for better nutrition.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup instant minced onion
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. crushed dried red pepper flakes
1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. instant minced garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend thoroughly with wire whisk. Spoon mixture into a tightly closed container and label as "Taco Seasoning Mix". Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. Makes 6 packages (about 2 Tbsp. each) of mix. 2 Tbsp. equals 1.25-oz. pkg. purchased taco seasoning mix.
To make Taco Filling:
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef in large skillet over medium heat; drain grease. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning Mix. Reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes enough filling for 8 to 10 tacos.

FAJITA SEASONING MIX:

Make your own Fajita seasoning mix.
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. sugar
2-1/2 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. cumin
Preparation:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour into small glass or plastic container, seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 3 packets of commercial or purchased Fajita Seasoning Mix.

CHILI SEASONING MIX:

Ingredients:
1 1/8 cups flour
3/4 cup instant minced onion
1/3 cup chili powder
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. salt
1 1/2 Tablespoons instant minced garlic
1 Tbsp. crushed hot red pepper flakes
2 tsp. sugar
Mix all ingredients very well. Seperate into 6 equal portions - packaging in aluminum
foil or another airtight package of some type. Label.

To use: Brown one pound of ground beef - drain off excess fat. Sprinkle contents of
one package of the mix over the beef, stirring well. Add one 15 oz. can tomato sauce,
1/4 cup water, and one 15 oz. can undrained kidney beans. Simmer uncovered, for at least
20 minutes, or until the beans are cooked to your liking. Makes 4 servings

ONION SOUP MIX:



Ingredients:
3 onion bouillon cubes, crushed
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/3 cup instant onion flakes
2 dashes pepper
Put all ingredients in a small sandwich bag. Seal well and store in cool, dry
place.

To use: Empty package into a pot and gradually stir in 4 cups cold water and
1 Tbsp. butter. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover. Simmer 20 minutes. Ladle
soup into oven proof bowls, sprinkle with croutons or toasted bread. Then add
one slice provalone cheese. Briefly put bowls under a broiler to melt cheese.
Serve. Makes 4 1-cup servings.
ONION DIP:
Mix one package onion soup mix with 2 cups sour cream. Chill before serving

BAKING POWDER:

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Cream Of Tartar Powder
1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Sift ingredients together and store in small container with tight-fitting lid.
One teaspoon of this equals 1 teaspoon of commercial baking powder.

COOL WHIP:



Ingredients:
1 teaspoon gelatin
2 teaspoons cold water
3 tablespoons boiling water
1/2 cup ice water
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons oil
Chill a small mixing bowl. Soften gelatin with 2 teaspoons cold water,
then add boiling water, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved.
Cool until tepid. Place ice water and nonfat dry milk in the chilled
bowl. Beat at high speed until mixture forms stiff peaks. Add sugar,
still beating, then oil and gelatin. Place in freezer about 15 minutes
then transfer to refrigerator until ready for use. Stir before using
to retain creamy texture. Makes 2 cups

SOUR CREAM:

Ingredients;
2 cups light cream
2 Tbsp buttermilk
Combine cream with buttermilk in hot, clean glass jar with a lid.
Cover tightly and shake gently to thoroughly mix.
Let stand in a warm place till thickened (24-48 hours). Store, covered in refrigerator. Stir before serving. Use within three weeks.

TATOR TOTS;

Ingredients;
8 med. potatoes, cooked and peeled
4 rounded tbsp. flour
Dash pepper
1 tsp. salt
Canola oil
Finely shred or use ricer while potatoes are hot. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Heat 1/4" oil in heavy pan. Form into small balls and drop into oil. Fry till slightly golden.
Drain on paper towels, then freeze. To Use: bake in single layer on baking sheet at 400F till crispy