Thrifty Thursday

It’s funny as a kid I despised the fact that I thought our family was poor.  (We really weren’t  – just middle class.)  But my mother was always saying that we couldn’t afford things so I believed that we were poor.   I’m sure I repeat the mantra to my children although I try very hard not to use that verbage.  I prefer to say that I choose not to spend our money in that way.  The truth is that most of us can “afford” quite a bit.  If there is something that we really want  we can generally skrimp and save to get it. 

Since I am the breadwinner in a one income family I have to be a little more ummm shall we say creative in how we spend our money.   After the household expenses, and gymnastics and karate lessons, student loans and FOOD oh my goodness our family goes through a lot of food but I digress…..the point is that we don’t have much discretionary income left to spend on clothing, entertainment etc.  This could pose a problem for me because I like nice things, and I like to stay fashionably current.   The blogosphere came to my rescue.

I have been so inspired by many of the great bloggers out there who are thrifty and I started about a year or so ago attempting to thrift new outfits or repurpose old ones to keep them current.   So for my first thrifty thursday post here is an outfit  that was mostly thrifted or bought on thecheap.  What do you think? 

Pants – $5 thrifted May 2010 

Shoes – $2.99 thrifted May 2009

Shirt – $3.00 Walmart clearance fall 2008

Cardi – I think this was a handme down from my mom but I can’t remember : (

Belt – came with skirt on clearance at JC Pennys for $8.77 Oct 2010

necklace – lia sophia $15 as a hostess item

Earrings – lia sophia free with hostess credit

Tuesday Food Review

Tuesdays for our family are one, of many, days where we are usually in a rush.  [I say we lovingly because it is actually the one day of the week I can take a deep breath and spend the first hour home alone - I love it!!]

Our oldest boy attends a group in Hastings from 3:45 – 4:45.  Hubby is thankful to get to spend that hour at the gym which is next door and happens to be where he works as a trainer.  Then they zip back to Middleville to pick up the other two boys, and shoot over to karate which actually starts at 5 but they don’t get there until 5:30, and then they return home at about 7 and we begin the daily homework ritual. 

[Daily Homework ritual  Me: what homework do you have?  Them: none.  Me:  I looked online and you have this this and this due.  Them:  It's so unfair back when you went to school parents couldn't look online to see what the assignments were.  Me:  Yes, I know but we had to walk to school a mile in the snow uphill both ways.  Ok that's an old family joke and I totally took the bus to school every day. Then we all sit down and work on homework which is usually none for the middle guy, a few minutes for the youngest, and until the oldest is whining that he can't stay awake anymore and doesn't understand why he has to take algebra anyway]

Anyhoo – the point of all of this babbling is that like most of you, I don’t have a ton of time to spend in the kitchen making gourmet meals.  Don’t get me wrong I love to cook and love good food but there are days that we are just happy to eat.  With that in mind I created this salad that is one of those super fast throw together meals - that all the kids will eat. 

1 bag romaine lettuce

1/2 plastic container of grape tomatoes

1/2 cup shredded parmesan

1/2 lb. prepared chicken strips from the deli (or McDonald’s if your grocer doesn’t carry them) cut into 1 inch chunks.

Toss all ingredients together.  Top it with your favorite dressing.  

If you feel like you need a little more than salad especially if it is dinner time you can serve with a loaf of crusty french bread and real butter.  

Try it out – let me know what you think.

Do you have a fitness goal?

I am a firm believer that one of the best things you can do to look your best is to stay healthy.  Now, don’t get me wrong  I am not saying that everyone should weigh 120 lbs and be a size 2.   That is not necessarily healthy.  For some this may be their ideal weight – for others not so much.  So staying healthy means eating well, staying hydrated, excersizing, and just generally taking good care of yourself. 

As vague as my overall goals sound I do actually have a set fitness routine. In large part because I am a creature of habit and because I like routine.  Monday nights are always a cardio night for me.  I feel like this gets my week off to a great start – gets the blood pumping and helps me to feel ready to face the next day.    Tuesdays I do strength training (upper body) and yoga, Wednesdays I do pilates or yoga and an abdominal workout.  Thursday is cardio again, Friday strength training lower body and yoga, Saturday cardio again.  Sunday rest.

How about you?  Do you have a set fitness goal?  What steps are you taking to achieve those goals?  What do you feel like gets in the way of accomplishing your goal and/or what needs to change so that you can achieve the desired results?

I’m a Warrior!

I recently purchased and downloaded Beckah Shae’s Life album from i-tunes.  Although I really love several of the songs “No More” has been by far the most listened to this week. 

Our family has been going through some struggles – as I’m sure many families do.  But rather than sit back and let the devil wreck havoc on our lives I’m going to fight back.  Why?  Because I’m a warrior!  I am constantly reminded that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (Ephesians 6:2)  So I will speak in the name of Jesus and take authority over the snares of the devil and tell him no more!  In doing so this song has become my mantra this week:  Here are the lyrics

Get behind me I’m comin through, I’m armed and dangerous
I’m like an army that’s fed up with you, commanding you must
Get out my way and go back to where you came from
Oh! Go! I’m telling you, no more!
I’m sick and tired of all you’re lies, nothing you say could make me
Agree with you, I know the truth, nothing you do could brake me
You just don’t know who your messin with, I’m a warrior
Oh! Go! I’m telling you, no more!

The weapons of my warfare, they are not carnal

The victory is mine
I’m taking back everything at least 7 times
I raise my sword
And make you wish you never even tried
I’m telling you, No More!

All your attempts are only making me stronger
Your strategy ain’t foolin me any longer
I see you loud and clear
You can’t hide, but you can run
Oh! Go! I’m telling you, no more!
You best be leavin now, cause I’m about to bring some glory
You lose, and thanks again for giving me an awesome story
You just don’t know who you’re messin with, I’m a warrior
Oh! No! I’m telling you no more!
I’m not afraid, cause I’m not alone
So be on your way,
There’s nothing here for you, the battle’s already won
Ain’t worth my time, I ain’t messin with you no more
You’ve been defeated under my feet, crushed on the floor
You ain’t done nothing but make me a better warrior!
So I’m telling you, no more!

Tuesday Food Review

Chicken Fajita Soup

This may sound like a recipe for a mature pallete but my kids love it!!  And its soo easy and works perfectly for those nights when you have to be a million places at once!  So here goes.

Ingredients:  1 can black beans rinsed and drained, 1 can of corn with juice, 1 can refried beans, 1 large can of chicken drained, 1 can of chicken broth, 1 jar of salsa (15 ounce), 1 can of diced tomatoes

1.  Open chicken and drain.

2.  Open black beans rinse and drain.

3.  Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring just to boil, stirring frequently to incorporate all ingredients.

4.  Remove from heat and serve in bowls.  “DRESS UP”  with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle with shredded cheese and sliced green onions if you like.    Serve with tortilla chips.

Family fall fun

My favorite time of year is summer closely followed by fall.  As the lush green hues fade into warm yellows, reds and oranges I want to layer warm wooly sweaters and drink cider while walking through apple orchards.  My kids on the other hand are less than thrilled with the idea of strolling through an orchard.  Corn mazes caught their attention for about 10 minutes and then quickly lost their appeal.  So my question for you today is what does your family do for fall fun?

Tuesday Food review

Are you finding your menu and meal options uninspiring?  Are you clamoring for ideas that your family will eat without complaint?  I’ve got a solution for you – it’s the neverunderdressed Tuesday Food Review. 

Each Tuesday I will review either a recipe our family has tried and loved or a new trick for dressing up your old recipes.  (We don’t want your meals underdressed either!! )

Today I am going to start with a tried and true recipe we enjoy often at our house for Cashew Chicken.  

Ingredients:  1 lb chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes, 1 egg, 1 tsp. sesame seed oil, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 zuchini squash cut into slices, 1 stalk of celery diced, soy sauce, 1 cup of cashews, 2 green onions

To make this a quick and easy dinner to prepare when I get home from work I do steps 1 and 2  the night before (however if you are at home at least 1 1/2 hours before the time you would like to eat you can certainly do this shortly before cooking.)

1.  You need to velvet your chicken.  To do this place the chicken cubes into a glass bowl, add the egg, sesame seed oil, and cornstarch and mix well.  Cover with plastic wrap and place into your refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. 

2.  While your chicken is velveting dice the celery and slice the zuchini (I love the Pampered Chef crinkle cutter.)

3.   Heat olive oil in large pan. When a drop of water dances on the oil add the chicken and cook until  no longer pink.  About 5-7 minutes.  Add in the celery and zuchini and stir fry those to your desired level of firmness. 

4.  Add cashews and soy sauce to taste.

5.  Serve over rice and ”DRESS UP” with green onions sliced the long way into thin wisps.

Are you working just to eat?

John 6:27 (King James Version)

  ²⁷Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

 In today’s economy so many people are struggling to provide just the basic necessities to their family.  If you have ever had to make tough choices like whether to buy toothpaste or toilet paper because you couldn’t afford both – you know how heart wrenching this can be.  While I do want to dedicate one day a week to the topic of food – and share some of my fantastic recipes.  I thought it a good place to start with a discussion about the place that food should take in our life. 

We always want to strive for balance…..I firmly believe that there is nothing wrong with enjoying great food but seeking it out should not be a focus of our life.   Similarly, we shouldn’t work all week long just to go and spend evey cent earned on eating out.  The scriptures in John chapter 6 tell us that instead we should hunger for Jesus, the bread of life.  Seek Him first and He will give seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

What is Faith Anyway?

 This category of the blog will explore all things related to Faith and not just the topic of “FAITH” itself.    Yet, it made sense to me to start out the category of faith with a discussion of what faith is.  I believe that often when we think of the word “faith” its meaning seems ethereal.   Leaving many of us with the notion that faith is something mystical, or spooky even.  Faith isn’t something that floats among the clouds.  It isn’t an ideal that we try to have, or try to keep.  In fact, Ephesians 2:8 tells us that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”  Neither the grace that saves you, nor the faith that it comes through is of yourself.  They are both a gift of God.  Like salvation, faith is a gift.  However, not everyone has received the gift of faith, not because it hasn’t been given but because it hasn’t been received.  (2 Thessalonians 3:2)  I’ve heard people tell someone to “have faith” during a difficult time – and wonder if either of them do…..

You either have it or you don’t.  Faith isn’t something that if you don’t have you can just dig in and believe really hard for.   With that being said I would like to explore for a moment the difference between faith and belief.  Once faith has been received of God, it results in a firm conviction that leads to a full and complete acknowledgement of God’s revelational truth and full surrender to Him.  This full surrender becomes apparent to others due to the changes in  conduct and actions.  In other words if you have received the gift of faith it should be apparent to those around you that something has changed even though they may not be able to put their finger on what that is.  Belief on the other hand is based solely in an opinion and may or may not cause a person to act any differently.  Webster’s dictionary offers an easily understood distinction of belief and faith stating that ” belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer, however faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.”

Have you received the gift of faith?  The first step to receiving the gift of faith is making Jesus the Lord of your life.  When we make Jesus the Lord of our life, our reborn spirit is fashioned with a measure of faith.  (Romans 12:3)  If Jesus is not the Lord of your life I strongly encourage you to make a change today.  Make Him the Lord of your life and open yourself up to receiving the gift of faith.

Looking great even in a Recession

Truthfully didn’t we all know it was coming before it was officially recognized?  The Recession that is.  Spending is down and belt tightening is up – both literally and figuratively.  But all of that cutting back doesn’t mean you have to look like you are wearing Depression era clothes and accessories!!  (Although some vintage clothes are fabulous!!)  What is a frugal fashionista to do?   If you are looking for great ideas on what to wear and where to find it on the cheap – check out  http://fabfindsunder50.blogspot.com  for great ideas and links to other ladies with even more great ideas.  I recently started following Kimberley and am so impressed with her fashion sense. 

Drawing from tons of different sources; here are 5 of my top 10 picks for Spring 2009  (other 5 to follow shortly.) 

1.  Stick with the Basics on the bottom:  denim, black, white, cream, navy, gray, brown, khaki or camel are perfect colors for skirts and pants that you can mix and match with a wide variety of tops and jackets.  These colors should also carry you through more than one season unless you purchase a style that is ubber trendy.

2.  Invest in a few Really Great Blazers:  You can add a pop of color here but pick colors that will complement more than one of the solid color bottoms to give you a greater deal of versatility and variety.  Coral is a hot color for Spring 2009 don’t be afraid to pair it with camel, khaki, cream, chocolate and even jeans if you have a kicky heel to wear with it!  For some reason I am really drawn to green this spring and am so delighted to see it popping up all over.   Don’t be afraid to Go Green this spring! 

3.  A Trench Coat:  Again you can’t lose with a basic black, navy, or khaki but it you want to add some everyday color look for red, yellow, coral or another hot trend for spring 2009 – a floral pattern!  Check out this cutie http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=137&productId=8834, Here is a link to my favorite black trench that is anything but basic!   http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=364237&CategoryID=35150

4.  A Wide Belt:  They are back and nothing can whittle your middle like a nice wide belt.  It not only defines the waist but accentuates the feminine form.  Here’s a pretty floral belt  http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=36097205&index=3&gp_coll_id=7516&gp_cat_id=7517&nav_cat_id=7698&category_id=7699  Of course if you are truly on the pulse of high fashion you might want to try an obi belt. 

5.  A Scarf  – pick a great springy color and fabric.  A punch of yellow, or pop of fuschia.  Not sure what to do with a scarf?  Again Kimberly at http://fabfindsunder50.blogspot.com/   always seems to have a new and innovative way to wear a scarf.  And if she doesn’t her followers certainly do and are showing off their creativity with Kimberly’s sisterhood of the traveling scarf program.  What a fun and fabulous idea!!  I may have to stealborrow the concept myself.  

Stay tuned for my other top 5 picks for spring 2009!!!