Easy eating lately

*it was overcast when I took these photos!

Even though I am not publishing menus anymore, I am still feeding myself at home.  I'm still not all that jazzed about cooking, but I know that it is the best way for me to get the nutrition I need and not spend a fortune.  This particular week, I spent $80 for the next two weeks.  On grocery days, I start out by cleaning the inside of the fridge to freshen it up.

Then I might start a crockpot to make dinner easy.  (today it was some ribs I had in the freezer) I hit some markdowns at HEB and used my partner card (Son #2 works in their bakery).  I think I did fairly well and I have a collection of things to pull out for dinners and lunches.

I bought a package of 5 lemon pepper chicken quarters for $3.89 total out of pocket.  They went right into the oven as soon as I got home.  Once they cooled, I was able to shred the meat into 5 ziploc bags for a total of 78 cents a portion.  The bones went right into a small pot on the stove to simmer for stock.

I poured it into small jars, just right for one person.

While the chicken was cooking I made taco meat with lean ground turkey I got for $5.39 total.  Not as great a deal as the chicken, but with my own seasonings and a little time, it ended up being 4 freezer portions at $1.35 each.  Once it is cooled, I portion it out and place all the small bags into big freezer ziploc and I can easily grab one to add to a salad or other meal.  Taco meat is good in quesadillas or heated up over a baked sweet potato.  A very easy way to feed myself when I don't feel like cooking.

I also snagged a package of chuck for $3.94 and that got divided up and frozen.  These baskets in my freezer aren't Pinterest-worthy, but they help organize the cooked items from the uncooked.  I label the bags so I can see what I might be getting low on.  And I usually look at the menus the night before, so I can toss something into the fridge to thaw.  All told, I spent $13.22 and got 13 portions of protein.

Once I had the meats sorted, I pulled out some things from  the fridge and freezer to make breakfast tacos for work days.  I had 8 tortillas leftover from a week or so ago, so I combined them with 8 breakfast links, 8 eggs, and a sliced red bell pepper.  I roll each one in a foil sheet and store them in a gallon size freezer ziploc.  Then on work mornings, I will toss one into the oven on low while I get ready for work.  The taco usually stays warm in my tote bag until I eat, around 8 a.m.  I usually alternate tacos with oatmeal so I don't eat the same breakfast all three days.

The rest of that dozen of eggs went onto the stove for boiled eggs to keep in the fridge. These are good for a protein snack or to slice into a salad.

I also loaded up my fruit bowl and keep it front and center in my kitchen to encourage me to eat more fruit.  I quit buying waffles, so I eat granola and yogurt during the week for breakfast (or a small bit of leftover dinner with a fried egg!)  Lately I am leaning into sardines once a week, lots of salads with added protein, or a sandwich for lunch.  In this way, I can keep the eating out down to once a week.  What are some routines you use to help feed yourself?  I'm all ears!

Gina

Treat bags for work besties

 I had some fun last week putting together a couple of treat bags for two work besties.  I combined it with a jaunt to IKEA since I haven't been there in years.

Along with treats for them, I bought some inexpensive watercolor pencils, some spring-y napkins, a bamboo bowl, and other small items. Treats for me, my own Valentine - ha!

When I got home I sewed these bags from scraps.  If you applique the heart on the fabric before you sew the bottom and middle seam, you can more easily line up your design to be front and center.  I used a zig zag stitch on the little calico hearts. Burlap is easy to sew - very forgiving.  {A bunny applique on these bags would be cute for Easter!}

IKEA snacks are fun and different.  One of my besties loves licorice so she's definitely getting some in her treat bag.  But also popcorn, cookies, and a candy bar.  Man, we love our snacks at work!

I hope they like them!

Having a couple of friends at work is a great thing.  You can share laughs, vent, and lean on each other for help with difficult things.  I have made many buddies at jobs over the years - a definite bonus to the  paycheck and one of the things that helps me keep working! 

Gina 

5 thing Friday - feeding myself, sweet potato plant, heart charm, license, BP cuff

Although I am not posting menus, I have settled into a dinner cooking routine of 4 nights out of 7 and having very simple things to eat when I get home from work.  A quesadilla, bowl of cereal, or Chick-fil-A chicken patty with some mac and cheese helps me avoid most kitchen duty on days I work.

If I make a big pan of something, I can portion some of it out for work lunches. Here I fixed cacio e pepe ravioli from TJ with some ground beef, marinara, the rest of a tomato I was trying to use up, and about a cup of frozen peas.  'Twas pretty good and freezes well.

About twice a week for lunch I have one of those chopped salads with cabbage, etc., and some added protein, plus dibs and dabs of other things (pickles, beets, the rest of the 3 bean salad that was lurking in the fridge).  I never thought it particularly hard to feed myself until Mark died. You wouldn't think it should be so difficult to manage.

I'm trying to grow a sweet potato plant here from an actual sweet potato.  Will it work?  I'm not sure, but please notice my use of large paper clips since I didn't have toothpicks.  (Also the recycled pasta jar from the ravioli.) This window is the one that gets morning sun.  Its been so pretty outside that I am ready to bring all of my plants back out of the garage and arrange them on the patio.

Happy Valentine's Day to me.  I added a charm that finishes out my charm bracelet in a very pretty way.  {I had the armadillo removed, as it was heavier than the other charms and made the bracelet feel bulky and slide to one side} A reminder to show myself some kindness and love.  I have been wearing it and enjoying the pretty sound it makes and the good memories it invokes.

I have been missing Mom lately.  While I was working on the photo project I found this old driver's license of hers.  In high school, it used to make me laugh when she pulled it out while writing a check somewhere.  She was in the middle of saying "yes, I'm ready!" when the woman snapped her photo. 

She would say "stop acting the fool!" as I laughed away.

 When she got her new license she sent this to me.  I was in college and we wrote each other letters all of the time. It lives above my desk now and makes me smile.  She looked so young here, and so thin.

The dental hygienist used a wrist BP cuff for me last week that seemed like it was more accurate than the bulky arm one I have.  And easier to use!  So I bought myself one with some HSA $.  I need to pair it with the app and it will sit right here on my desk.  My BP is well-managed, but I want to take charge of recording it and reporting back to my doc, holding myself accountable for taking care of ME.

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Gina

5 thing Friday - happy hour, weather, Aqua Festival poster, chrysanthemum print, "Japanese Cheesecake"

I took myself to a fun place for happy hour after I bopped around the creative re-use store looking for cheap art supplies. 

A friend recommended this Indian restaurant in downtown Austin.

I enjoyed a couple of adult bevvies and some appetizers.

I love the idea of fusion food - this was curry queso.  Dee-lish.

Mornings have looked like this lately.  Sunny, slightly nippy, super beautiful.  Its a promise of warm days to come.  I am taking my daily walks and soaking up all the sun I can.

And evenings are just right for a quick firepit while supper cooks.  It won't be long before the days lengthen, but Austin normally sees at least one big winter event before spring.  After that, I guess the firepit will get safely stowed away.

Look what I found behind the art in this frame!  Can you imagine? This was a major event in Austin each year, until 1998.  I think we went a couple of times back in the day.  I don't remember ever seeing this framed poster, but maybe Mark had it in his office.  Just like when I found the Leah Schwartz pink poster, it was like a blast from my past.  I wonder what it's worth?

I stored the previous art, cleaned up the frame, left the AAF poster in, and hung my chrysanthemum print.  Pardon the lighting, it was evening when I got around to this project.  OK, I pinky promise to leave this wall DONE and stop moving things around.  Was I sad to see The Girl's middle school art finally get taken down?  A little. But knowing the poster is still in there is kinda fun. 

I thought the Japanese cheesecake thing sounded interesting and I tried it, but shocker, it just tasted like cookies in yogurt.  Mine was slightly sweet vanilla yogurt as I cannot imagine how terrible plain unsweetened yogurt would have tasted.  As it is, this was barely sweet and did not taste like dessert in the least.  Yogurt is not my favorite thing - just give me the cookies.

Gina

Going and doing in 2026

 Looking forward into the year, I am trying to schedule fun things to do and places to go - very much like I did last year. (here's a good reason why) I want to switch it up so that it seems new and fresh.  Plus I want to discover more about where I live, what is out there, and try not to break the bank while I'm at it.  Currently I have two more symphonies, a string quartet, and book clubs on the calendar.  But I want to find the quirky, one-of-a-kind Austin things and find new places to visit.

On Saturday, I went to see KC and The Sunshine Band at ACL Live.  I know I have gone downtown many times, but this time it was so cold out! and I had to navigate by foot to the venue after parking a few blocks away.  I got there in plenty of time and it was fun to people watch as I sipped my wine.

Its such a great place for a concert - seems like every seat is a good one.  There are bars on every level so the lines aren't ridiculous.  Having said that, I usually limit myself to one drink, as I am the driver, at night, and by myself.  Plus, drinks are pricey and take a bite out of your entertainment budget.

Such a great seat - however, I'm going to consider getting a floor seat in the future - its like a party down there, people on their feet the whole time.  This concert was full of my generation, too!  Time to have fun while we still can  (:

KC turned 75 the day of this show - he and Mark share a birthday, 10 years apart.  The band was really good, the music great, KC still out there gettin' it done, engaging and expressing his love for the crowd.  It was awesome.  And it was great for me to get off work early, then come in late on Sunday.  A win all around.  I'm looking forward to continue to get out and about this year!

Gina