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

5 thing Friday - onions, Happy Meal, shopping, tiny wall project, plants

Years ago, my mother would pile up sliced onions into the crockpot with butter and let them go on low all day.  She would eat them cold out of the jar, or put them on everything.  And I did it a few times, too, then forgot about it.

But, Lo and behold, this blogger did it one better by adding three types of onion and seasonings and I was all in anew.  I made a batch last week and I am almost done using them up in quesadillas, on burgers, added to dinner, scrambled eggs...its been a delicious reminder to keep buying onions.

I like McDonald's, okay?  Don't come at me.

I treated myself to a Grinch adult Happy Meal and got the red socks.  Yes, I will be wearing them to work.  And I noticed several nurses sporting them at work last weekend.  So its a THING.

It was time for new flannel PJ pants since Old Navy had them at 60% off.  (I realize they mark them up just to put them on sale.)  Literally every retailer does the same thing.  But it made me happy to have such vibrant fun prints to snuggle into at the end of the day.  I cleared out the two top drawers of Mark's dresser so I could start folding my jammies and sweaters.  The dresser takeover begins.

The Pena print hanging so far out from the wall was bugging me.  I think it was because the nails in the wall anchors were too long.  And I couldn't adjust them as the nails were stuck like chuck in the anchors.  So I had to remove said anchors, reinstall new ones, patch the previous giant holes, find smaller screws to hang the art on, and repaint.

You can't even tell.

Then I hung it again (not shown) and the frame still sticks out a tiny bit at the top.  So I will add Sticky Tac to the underside of the top corners of the frame and call it done, because I don't want to fool with this any more.

I moved my plant babies - some to the garage, some to the guest room. (I was over having to load up my window seat in the kitchen every winter)  For the ones in the garage, I will water them once a week and let them soak up the morning sun a couple of days per week.  I also might arrange them differently, depending on how the sun hits the garage door.

I relaxed my "no new Christmas ornaments" rule for a carved snowflake at Hob Lob for a couple dollars on sale.  It made me smile and brought me joy.  Cheap thrills.

Gina

5 thing Friday - crockpot pork, new ladder, daylight bulbs, sewing, gin

 Its been a long week.

On Wednesday, I bought a few groceries, and as per usual, I looked at the marked downs in the meat department.  I found some boneless seasoned pork ribs for $3.91 after markdown and partner card (thanks, Scout!)  Popped them into my crockpot for about 7 hours yesterday - no need to add liquid.

They came out tender and juicy and I managed to get 5 meals' worth out of them, plus the stock they created.  Boneless pork in the crockpot is one of those good things in life. With the shredded meat you can do tacos, sammies, soup, a dinner salad...the meat is so tender and delicious!

Said pork on a salad of romaine and avocado with balsamic dressing.

I grew soooo weary of trying to use the heavy as crap giant ladder that Mark bought just before he died.  So, I finally bought my own ladder. (no idea what I will do with the other one)  This one has two top step platforms and a task tray you can hook on.  I already love it and have many projects in mind where it will come in handy. 

Yes I did try it out to see if I could use it to paint in the front rooms and den. I just need to work on that fear of heights I have.

While I was in Home Depot I found some small daylight bulbs for the fan fixture in the sewing room.  How did light bulbs become so expensive?!  These were $6 APIECE. But I can tell the difference in visibility.

They add much needed light on sewing and craft projects.

Like these bookmarks I made for the reading library in our work breakroom.  "Leave a book, take a bookmark".  The last batch lasted about 2 weeks.  I spent $4 on interfacing and 74 cents on ribbon.  It will take me quite some time to use up all the fabric scraps I have.

Yesterday evening I went to a gin tasting featuring Hendricks Gin at Total Wine that was actually quite fun.  We got a welcome cocktail, then got to mix two of our own.  They also had fruit and cheese trays with my current obsession - Manchego.

The woman seated in front of me was solo, too, and very fun and friendly.  I was kicking myself for not hanging out with her for a bit. She looked about 10 years older and maybe a widow, too.  Note to self: getting out there requires that you put some effort in!  There's always next time.  First day of PT today for my shoulder - wish me luck!

Gina

5 thing Friday - cooking, thrift finds, shopping, Valentine's Day, painting plans

I've been making a loose menu for the week just to be sure I buy the ingredients I need. 

I am getting a little weary of my tried and true salad with protein routine, though.  We've had cold weather which calls for something a little more comforting.  This week I tossed some things together in my mini crockpot for a grown up version of Pork and Beans Soup: Cannelini beans, pulled pork, some frozen stock, a dash of this, a dab of that.  Served with cornbread, it was really good, but alas, still involved a bit of effort in the kitchen.

Stopping by my favorite tiny Goodwill, I found two books, these scroll-y plaques, and a frame I'm going to use in the garage. Four dollars and change.  I haven't decided where to hang the plaques, so I found a space to keep them for now on one of my bedroom walls and they are kinda looking just right there.  Might leave them.

I found the new blackberry Dr. Pepper Zero and bought two so I could use the $1 off coupon, which seems ridiculous but I am fixed for soda for a few months. Ha!  My grocery cart looks so different now than it did when I was feeding other humans. A lot of what I buy isn't even food, its all the other stuff you need: personal care items, household supplies, and lots of etc.  The life of a single woman who is struggling to cook.

For Valentine's Day, I treated myself to a ribeye, peppers and onions, a salad with Ancho dressing and candied pecans, and this triple chocolate layer cake.  I have had way too much sugar the last week or so and I totally get it having an addictive effect on your body.  But this was a perfectly lovely Valentine's Day.  I might even have had a dark beer.

This week I bopped over to Home Depot to peruse their Oops paint and low and behold, found a 5 gallon bucket of white paint for the garage project with the girly name of Chantilly Lace.  (the roller you see pictured was 1 cent!)  Next week I have Monday off so I figure I may as well get started on this, weather permitting.  Happy Weekend,

Gina

5 thing Friday - crockpot pork, baking, new filing cabinet, thrifting, books

Its been a long week. I'm glad its Friday.

Last week I put a bunch of pork shoulder in my crockpot and froze at least ten meals of around 5 oz each of the most delicious pork.  I seasoned it with S&P, cumin, chilies, garlic, onions.  I'm going to eat it in tacos, on salads, and mixed into various other things.

I also found a can of pumpkin from the holidays and made some moist pumpkin bread. One loaf went into the freezer and the other has been slowly disappearing. I also used up the last of the chocolate chips on cookies for Bubbie and me.

Last Friday I found exactly the right size filing cabinet I was looking for at Habitat Restore - $5.  They even loaded it into Brigid for me!

The one I had was just too large for my purposes.  The top two drawers were mostly empty and the remaining drawers had plenty of space.

I removed all of the files, pulled the tall cabinet out, then cleaned up the area and added an extra shelf. My plan is to go through all of my files before I put them back - I'm sure I will have plenty to shred.

I will sand and seal the shelves, paint the walls, then make a space for my stepstool and "new" file cabinet to live here.  I will show it when its all done!

Thrifting last week also netted me this Snoopy mug for $2. I got rid of all the kids' Christmas mugs, so now I have room for Gina mugs.

And my favorite little Goodwill now prices all of their books at $2 each so I got some new things to read.  Right now I am halfway done with The Things They Carried.  Its been a week of introspection and organization here at Camp Rustown.  I am ready for my workweek to begin!

Gina

5 thing Friday - jewelry repair, home spaces, Friday Soup, journaling, furniture plans

 Whenever I take jewelry in for cleaning or repair, it makes me feel like I am getting brand new things.

It was great to get my birthstone ring resized, the gold and silver puzzle ring straightened and soldered, and the small gold toe ring repaired.  The jeweler also fixed a silver Greek key bracelet for me, taking out a link.  And he's going to work on a lapis ring and bracelet that I inherited from Mom.

What to do with this space?  Almost exactly two years ago, I was about to turn it into a sewing and crafting space, then Scout needed to come home, so I left it as a guest room.  I want to replace all of the carpeting in the house, so I may wait until then to decide.  

When my mother was working in Saudi Arabia she would make "Friday Soup" each week, stretching her food dollars and using up dibs and dabs of leftovers.  Tuesday cold snap was the perfect time for me to make my own Friday Soup!

In my mini crockpot I put two small boneless chicken thighs, the rest of a package of frozen corn, some frozen chickpeas, a too-ripe tomato, a cubed potato, some frozen broth, and seasonings.  I let it go all day, then made butter dip biscuits to go with and it was very comforting.

A friend gave me a Starbucks gift card so I have been taking myself to coffee once a week.  I also sit and journal in my Shutterfly freebie notebook.  Cheap thrills and it gets me out of the house. Plus, journaling helps me organize my thoughts.

Another space to spiff - my office.  I would love to paint the desks this year, to make it look brighter and more cohesive in here.  I'm looking at Dixie Belle paint colors.  The space functions well for me, but I might also add a different seating situation in here so I can still use part of the room as my reading nook.  Gradually, all of my home spaces will fit my purposes!

Gina

Monday menus #72

 Last week's Vietnamese Chicken, served with rice I made using the crockpot juices and some sauteed peppers, carrots, snow peas, and purple onion:

It made three full meals and one lunch and was quite tasty!

Monday - kitchen closed {pick up curbside grocery order after work}

Tuesday - Carnitas Tacos on low carb tortillas, cabbage slaw

Wednesday - (crockpot) Chicken breast over chopped salad {fixing a screen door today - learning something new!}

Thursday - One Pan Mexican Quinoa (made with ground turkey) {mow the yards, cook a crockpot full of white beans}

Friday - Tilapia, yellow squash, white beans {touch up paint on backyard window boxes, zoom meeting with dietician}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

Gina

5 thing Friday - draft dodgers, shower refresh, headlamp bulbs, chili, recycled metal

I wanted to make some "draft dodgers" for a couple of places around my house which feel as though they might have an air leak.  Draft dodgers are nothing more than a tube of fabric with a filler like beans, rice, or cat litter.  I made my first one with cat litter because its economical. 

As luck would have it, the bit I trimmed off my bedroom curtains was perfect to use for my bedroom window as it was already a tube of fabric.  I think it blends in beautifully!

I reinforced the seam, used a funnel to load the tube up with cat litter, then placed it in the window sill.  Time will tell if its effective, but I already have another one planned for the front door out of an old blanket and I will make it much bigger.

Small project - doing a deep clean spruce up on my shower.

Will you just look at that caulking job!  I let it dry for a full 24 hours.

I pulled down those Command bins and cleaned them really well.  Put a new bar of soap in here - I'm on a mission to use up all of the soap before I buy any more body wash.  Scrubbed the bottom with Comet cleanser.  Bought myself a new body sponge.  Replaced the big command hook and added a  ring to hang the squeegee. Replaced a splash guard on the door.  Cleaned the glass walls.

Lastly, installed a new shower head.  I know these small projects don't look like much, but I am using them as reminders that I am capable and can get things done for my home on my own - its such a good feeling.

And for my car!  On Sunday I changed the headlamp bulbs on my car.  The plugs were a little stuck, so I did call Firstborn to get a pointer about removing them easier.  But once I figured that out, it was a very quick job.  Its a wonder I hadn't gotten a ticket because I had noticed I wasn't seeing enough of the road at night for at least a month.  Oops.  I bought a brighter version of the ones I had.

My crockpot chili this week was good and I think we will have the leftovers for dinner on Monday when we will be down in the teens at night.  Leftover chili always tastes better!  I usually include a can of green chilies in my chili and this time I also added a chopped bell pepper and all of that onion.

This is an old photo, but see the ridiculously long car pipe innards snaking their way around the wooden table on the bottom left?

very heavy

It was heavy, too long for the truck bed, and I have tripped over it several times.  I have wanted it out of my garage for years, but how was I going to get it to the recycling place?

Bubbie suggested I purchase a saw blade designed for metal for one of the old saws in the garage, so I stopped by Lowes and got two manual replacement blades for $4. Fifteen minutes of steady work and I had separated the one long piece of pipe into two pieces.  I loaded all of the pipe pieces along with a couple other very heavy auto parts, and after a trip to the recycling place was $13 richer. So, $8 profit. Ha!

Happy Weekend!

Gina