abruzcadabra

[abruzcadabra]

Recipe ideas from my grocery list

Below are some rough recipe ideas using the ingredients I usually have on hand. If you’d like to get a peak at my grocery list, here it is. 

Tacos

I’ll start here. I love tacos. They are delicious, versatile, and easy to make. I heat corn tortillas on a griddle, but they can also be heated in a pan. Any type of meat can be used. Its usually easiest to use ground beef, but chopped steak or pulled chicken works also if you have that on hand. If you already have some meat cooked up, go ahead and use it! Taco spices are very strong and will likely override any seasoning that is already on the leftovers. You can even use beans instead of meat, or rice. Or fish. What ever you can fit in a taco shell or cut to fit in a taco shell. Spices I add to the meat: cumin, coriander, chili powder, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lots of cumin, a little of the others. Season to taste. Top tacos with lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, salsa, or anything you think will go well. Time to cook: depends on how much chopping you do.  

Bonus: Taco salad-put on a bed of romaine instead of in shells. Use sour cream and tapatio as dressing. Add chips for crunch.

Meat and potatoes

It doesn’t get any simpler than this. And it can be varied for use day after day.

Montreal seasoning on steak, pan fried. Baked potato with sour cream. If you want to hurry up the baked potato-cook it in the microwave. Zucchini pan fried with garlic powder, paprika, and a little salt. 

Chicken pan fried with rosemary and fennel. Potatoes pan fried, also with rosemary and fennel. Romaine salad with tomatoes and sunflower seeds. 

Fish pan fried with pickle juice-basted in mayo if desired. Salt and pepper to taste. Mashed potatoes with heavy cream, garlic, and butter. Roasted broccoli with salt and pepper. 

Chicken pan fried with Greek yogurt, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. 

Steak pan fried with BBQ or teriyaki. Or chicken. Or fish. Or burgers. 

Basically, pan fry the meat, and probably the potatoes and veggies as well, using avocado oil. Spices and sauces with a little bit of salt will enhance the flavor of the food. Use different combinations. Make extra meat servings and use as salad toppers the next night for a really quick meal. 

Substitute potatoes with turnips, sweet potatoes, rice, or mung bean noodles. Paprika and garlic powder with a dash of salt are gold. Same with rosemary and fennel. Mix it up by pan frying sliced onions and bell peppers and add to meats or tacos. 

Try more elaborate recipes on the weekends or when you have extra time. I use a paleo recipe book because its very focused on meat and vegetables with no wheat. Find a book you like and try the recipes as time allows. Take it slow. 

Note: chopping takes the most time of any cooking activity. The more chopping needed-the more time it will take. 

If you want some more recipe ideas, buried deep in my Instagram are pics and minimalist write ups of some of my creations. I’ll also be adding new ones here, if I think they are noteworthy. Such as this one for fish. Or ask me:)

[abruzcadabra]

My grocery list

I’m putting my grocery list in a blog post so that others can get a specific picture of how the things I buy help save me money and simplify my life. You may notice that some things are in odd categories-I’m not a nutritionist. Also, you’ll probably notice that there is very few premade items, mostly sauces. Hope it is somewhat interesting. There is a copy and paste-able list at the bottom. I have also written a blog post with recipes I commonly use these ingredients in.

Meat

I buy meats that have multiple uses. My regulars are: flank steak, chicken thighs, ground beef (80/20), eggs, and fish. I use flank steak because it is lean and a good cut, but still inexpensive. I like chicken thigh because they are less expensive and more moist than breasts, but just as versatile a protein. Ground beef is good for tacos, burgers, and adding to dishes. I like 80/20 because it isn’t too dry to cook on its own and it is cheaper. Eggs are a great source of easy protein and fairly inexpensive. The kind of fish I get depends on the prices. I always look at the prices so I know when there’s a deal. I don’t buy if there are no deals. I like fish, but it can be very pricey. Especially for meat I would recommend going to a Costco business center or Chef Store. I buy in bulk and portion it into reusable bags. 

Veggies and fruits

Staples: Avocado, Banana, Tomato, Romaine, Apple (Fuji or Gala), Potato, Garlic, Onion, Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli (frozen), Peas (frozen), Corn (frozen) 

Variable: Sweet potato, Blueberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Mango, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Spaghetti Squash, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Turnips

Seasonal/Occasional: Ginger, Cherries, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Artichoke, Celery, Pineapple

Spices

Spices accumulate over time and do not need to be purchased frequently. I will list them according to how important/versatile I think they are.

Staples: Cumin, Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary, Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder

Good to have: Turmeric, Fennel, Nutmeg, Cloves, Chili Powder, Cayenne, Red Pepper, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Sage, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Sesame Seeds

Used sparingly: Cardamom, Seasoned Salt

Carbs

I don’t eat wheat-it just disagrees with me. I substitute pastas with mung bean noodles. We eat a lot of tacos with corn tortillas. I occasionally use rice. I keep walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts (in-shell), and sunflower seeds on hand for snacking, adding to salads, and grinding up to make breadings. 

Sauces

I have a lot of sauces since they keep well. Those include, but are probably not limited to: ketchup, mustard (deli, yellow, sometimes honey), mayo, soy, oyster, Worchester, A1, peanut, sweet chili, tapatio, crystal, lemon juice, lime juice, teriyaki, BBQ, jelly, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla flavoring, 

Oils and vinegar

Avocado oil for high heat, olive oil for not so hot, coconut oil, lard for seasoning the cast iron, balsamic (which I also make a glaze from), apple cider vinegar. I keep white vinegar under the sink for cleaning and crafts. 

Dairy

Heavy whipping cream is delicious and can be used in anything calling for milk-watered down if necessary, but milk cannot be whipped. Occasionally fancy cheese for cheese and meats date nights. Dried non-fat milk. Sour cream. Greek yogurt-plain or honey flavor. Butter.

Canned/jarred

Soups, tuna, spam (for musubi), beans (black and refried), enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, artichoke hearts, pickles, jalapenos, olives (black and green/Kalamata)

Other

Corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, bouillon, tortilla chips, salsa

I just replace these things as they run out. It is a diverse enough list to make many recipes, but small enough that it isn’t too costly nor strenuous to maintain. As I run out of things, I add it to my list. When the list is long enough, or has items that are of greater importance, I go shopping.

Just Lists

Staples:

flank steak, chicken thighs, ground beef (80/20), eggs, fish,  Avocado, Banana, Tomato, Romaine, Apple (Fuji or Gala), Potato, Garlic, Onion, Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli (frozen), Peas (frozen), Corn (frozen),  Cumin, Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary, Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, corn tortillas, mung bean noodles, rice, walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, ketchup, mustards, mayo, soy, tapatio, lemon juice, lime juice, teriyaki, BBQ, jelly, peanut butter, avocado oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, heavy whipping cream, sour cream, butter, tuna, beans, enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, pickles, jalapenos, olives, corn starch, baking soda, bouillon, tortilla chips

Extras:

Sweet potato, Blueberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Mango, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Spaghetti Squash, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Turnips, Turmeric, Fennel, Nutmeg, Cloves, Chili Powder, Cayenne, Red Pepper, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Sage, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Sesame Seeds, cashews, peanuts,  oyster sauce, Worchester, A1, peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce, crystal hot sauce, maple syrup, vanilla flavor, coconut oil, balsamic vinegar, dried non-fat milk, Greek yogurt, canned soups, spam, artichoke hearts, salsa

[abruzcadabra]

In light of rising inflation and gas prices, can I add something new to the conversation on saving money?

1. Reducing the waste you produce can help you save by enabling you to a) get a smaller (cheaper) bin, or b) require pick-ups less often. Depending on how your waste service is charged, either per visit or by volume, reducing your waste output can save you money. 

How can you reduce your waste output? Well, you may already be familiar with many ways to do so. Here are some you may not have considered:

a) Get and use a countertop compost bin. Putting food scraps in a separate bin prevents your garbage from needing emptied as often because it doesn’t smell. A bin without food garbage can be repeatedly condensed by crushing down the contents. There is less urgency to change it over when there is no smell. Fitting more garbage in a smaller space allows for fewer pick ups or a smaller bin. The compost can be used in the yard, disposed in a yard bin, or even returned to the trash right before taking it out. 

b) Reduce your waste generation by carefully considering what you bring into the house. Consider options that offer less packaging like bulk foods or reusable packaging. Yard and recycle bins may be free in your area. If so, opt for packaging that can be legally disposed in either of those bins. Metal is a great example. Metal is very recyclable and contains many food products. At the grocery store, consider options in cans instead of lined cardboard or plastic. 

c) Save the jars after you use up pickles, jelly, spaghetti sauce, etc. Use emptied and cleaned jars to divvy up bulk food or store leftovers rather than spending money on containers. Save the plastic containers from ready to eat foods, sour creams, or ketchup. Use for food prep, leftover storage, and to divvy up sauces. Get plastic lids for cans. Cans can then be easily opened for small amounts and then stored in the refrigerator preventing the use of too much ingredient or using an additional dish. Utilizing jars, cans, and plastic containers reduces the need to purchase additional dishes for storage and saves money by allowing for the purchase of bulk foods. It also leads to less waste by diverting these items from the trash bin. If you have extras that you cannot utilize and/or don’t have space for, consider using them in crafts or offering them for free on a Buy Nothing group or similar site. 

2. Streamline your grocery buying process. This can save you time (and time=money) and money by increasing your efficiency through familiarization. By saying streamline, I mean develop a system which gets the groceries you need into your house using the least amount of time and money. 

a) Have a list. Okay, there’s lots out there about how a list can save you money by ensuring you stick to it. That’s not why I’m recommending a list. I always have a list. I don’t stick to it. The list is so I don’t forget things and need to go back, not to prevent me from getting extras. What if something I use a lot is on sale? Maybe I should get more of it now and not get a more expensive option. A list keeps you on task, but it shouldn’t take you to task. 

b) Consider buying mostly the same things every time you shop. Chances are there are items that you or your family really enjoy. Buy those. Then there might be those things that are good once in awhile, but that aren’t always appreciated. Ignore those unless they’re on sale. If you buy mostly the same things each time, you will know where they are and about how much they regularly cost. Knowing where all your items are means less time spent in the store. Knowing how much they cost means that you know if they’ve gone on sale (buy more) or if they are a little pricey that week (buy less or find an alternative). My list of same things. 

c) Be flexible. Keep an eye out for good deals. If its not, check again the next week. If it is, consider picking it up or replacing something else. Check the ‘deals’ areas. There are usually areas is each part of the store where they offer deals on food that is nearing expiration. The meat, seafood, bakery, and produce sections often offer this option. If there is a good deal on fish-pick it up, cook it that night. 

d) Buy mostly raw ingredients rather than prepackaged goods. I know this one is not for everyone. I usually shop around the outside of the aisles-produce, meat, dairy, bulk. Of course, I have a few jars of spaghetti sauce in my pantry and I’ve stocked up on cans of soup for days where I especially don’t feel like cooking, but I mostly cook everything from scratch (more below). Prepackaged foods, ready-to-eat meals, and frozen items can make home life easier, but pound for pound really add to the grocery bill. I’d personally recommend a good balance: mostly fresh food with a few pre-made foods for really long days. 

e) Stock up on spices and sauces. Plain food can be made exciting with the right combination of spices or a good sauces. Spices and sauces are generally inexpensive and more versatile that you’d expect. This is how you ensure that buying the same things all the time doesn’t get boring. 

3. Cook your own food. From scratch. It’s easier than you think. Some mistakes I’ve seen people make when starting to cook from scratch is picking recipes that sound good and trying them out. All too often these turn out to require buying special ingredients and have a lot of prep work. They may even require special utensils or appliances. Don’t buy extra things! Use what you have. It will taste great!

a) Cooking is a science... and an art. A science in that certain ingredients will have certain properties. An art in that its up to you how to utilize those properties and combine ingredients. 

b) Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Learning to cook well is a process. Just following a complicated recipe does not make you a good cook. Being able to make any combination of ingredients into a meal makes you a good cook. But you don’t need to be a good cook to make a good simple meal. Start simple: a healthy meal has a small protein, a small carb, and a large portion of vegetables. A few spices or a sauce on some pan fried beef and chicken with a side of baked potato and pan fried veggies is easy and delicious. Mix some ground beef with taco seasoning and load onto warmed corn tortillas with lettuce and tomato for some quick and easy tacos. Don’t worry too much about quantities. Add a little, taste. Add a little more if needed. Some of the recipes I make frequently when I don’t feel like cooking.

c) Think outside of the box with recipes. For example, a recipe I was using recently called for saffron. Now, saffron is $24 for 0.01 ounces. The recipe called for 1/4 teaspoon. I don’t care if it’s a sprinkle. I’m not spending that much on a spice. I sincerely doubt the meal will taste $24 better with the saffron than without it. The internet told me I could use turmeric instead. The meal was delicious-more so because it didn’t cost me a fortune. Just because a recipe calls for an ingredient doesn’t mean that ingredient is integral to the meal. Proteins can often be exchanged for other meats or meat substitutes. Vegetables are often interchangeable. I use mung bean noodles or spaghetti squash in the place of traditional pasta. Spice mixes can often forgo the pricier inclusions without affecting quality. Recipes are a recommendation based on the tastes of the author. Many can be changed around completely while still offering structure for a new cook. Find a book that you like, but use what you have on hand to save yourself money and time. 

d) Portion control. It’s important to remember that we often consume more calories that our bodies are able to utilize in one sitting. Reducing intake saves money by preserving our groceries and saves our bodies from having to process and/or expel extras. 

e) Food prep/leftovers. This is healthy ready made food for less that the processed versions in the grocery store. Use food prepping and leftovers to save yourself time on subsequent meals. Save on lunches by making and taking the extras. Food prep utilizes time you have available to make food for when you have less time or energy. 

4. Reduce. Reduce. Reduce. We accumulate so much that we don’t realize how much is at best-extraneous, at worst-a burden. 

a) Are you paying for storage? Do you need to? There is a thriving second-hand economy these days that is easily accessible to all. Many of the things that we accumulate don’t serve an immediate need. They could be rehomed and, if the need arises, purchased later through the same channels. Don’t pay for storage you don’t need!

b) Is your house cluttered? Organizing your home makes it easier to clean and improves your mood. Okay, maybe not everyone, but I know I feel better when everything is put away and clean. Organizing and cleaning saves you money because you know if something is on hand-you don’t buy extra if its not necessary. You can sort through and pass on the things that aren’t needed. You can make room for things you might have in storage. 

c) Are you holding onto projects that you just can’t seem to make time for? Maybe its time to admit that you won’t be getting to them for the foreseeable future and drop that obligation from your mind. Or maybe you decide to get to them right away. To do items tends to weigh on us if we don’t get to them in a timely fashion. They can even sit on the list so long that they are no longer important, and yet they loom. Consider what you really want to work on and let the rest go.

d) Rest, reset, and reconsider. It has been my experience that our priorities change over our lifetimes. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot. Often though, we continue chugging along in a life designed by an earlier version of our differently prioritized selves. We accumulate pieces of our changing priorities, but rarely do we let any go. I think it is important every once in awhile to take a step back, remove all the distractions, and decide what we really care about. What are our goals now? What does a life that leads to those goals look like? Strip down to the bare necessities. Discontinue all the streaming services and the monthly subscriptions. Which ones do you miss? Do you really? Then sign back up. Box up clothes, books, movies, and cds that you haven’t used in months. Put them away for a few months. Do you think about them? Do you need to use any? Then bring them back. If not, pass them on. Stop engaging in regular activities for awhile. Do you miss them? What do you miss about them? Reengage with the ones that really mean something to you.

e) Take it easy. Don’t try to do everything at once. Often you get excited about something you’ve heard or read, you try to implement it all, it gets overwhelming, you feel like you’ve failed. As with any information, use what works for you. Start with the things that integrate easily into your life. Add more as time goes on. I didn’t start doing all of the things above at once. They developed over time with much trial and error. Eventually they lead to a lifestyle I enjoy that costs less than the average without compromising on quality or my commitment to health and conservation. 

[abruzcadabra]

Avocado Toast Latte

I present to you: the Avocado Toast Latte, AKA the Down Payment Latte. “A cup a day prevents home ownership!” 

This is an edible joke and commentary on the circulating wisdom that young people would be able to afford a home today if they didn’t spend all their money on avocado toast and lattes. Full disclosure: My partner and I own our home, although we didn’t have to make a down payment since we purchased with a VA loan. 

The housing market has risen so much in the last few years that more and more people are finding home ownership out of their reach. While I do think that saving for a home may require sacrificing the occasional special treat, I hardly think that the money saved from such expenditures is sufficient to accumulate the minimum down payment required in much of the country at this time. 

Let’s see, shall we?

Cost of a Grande flavored latte (PSL): $4.95 (source: https://realmenuprices.com/starbucks-menu-prices/)

Cost of avocado toast at brunch: $11 (Highest price from: https://www.neighborhoods.com/blog/how-many-avocado-toasts-does-that-house-cost)

At a generous 5 lattes per week and an avocado toast for every Sunday brunch: 5 lattes x 52 weeks + 1 avocado toast x 52 weeks

5(4.95)(52) + 1(11)(52) = 1287 + 572 = $1859 spent per year

Average house price in US: $374,900 (https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-house-price-state/#:~:text=Average%20home%20price%20in%20the,when%20the%20median%20was%20%24322%2C600.&text=Median%20sales%20price%20of%20homes%20in%20the%20U.S.)

Minimum down payment through government backed loans: 3%

.03 x 374,900 = 11,247

Number of years to save up for the minimum down payment on the average house price by cutting out lattes and avocado toast: 11,247/1859 = 6.05 years

There you go! No time at all. Hardly a blink. 

While we should all strive for fiscal responsibility, we also need to be also aware of the effects of larger issues such as a shortage in the supply of housing (https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089174630/housing-shortage-new-home-construction-supply-chain#:~:text=The%20Housing%20Shortage%20Is%20Significant,nearly%2020%25%20last%20year%20alone.) 

[abruzcadabra]

Bottle Dryer

My bf and I use coffee thermoses and other rinse-ables frequently. In the past, I would just dry them upside down on the cutting board-hanging over the edge a little to let the air circulate. The water pooled onto the wood and made me cringe. I’ve studied and worked in labs where we had bottle drying hooks for this purpose. A bottle dryer was the answer. 

I have tons (maybe literally!) of tile and tile scraps and used two long pieces for the base with a firm plastic piece on top to mount the stick on. I tiled around the long base and plastic pieces and filled the middle recess with some decorative marble I also had lying around. I have A LOT of stuff lying around. I hate buying new materials unless absolutely necessary. The plastic piece actually came from the screen back from a very old laptop I hadn’t been able to sell online. Second life:)

After I used tile adhesive to stick all the pieces together, I used black grout to finish it up. The sticks were sealed before attachment to reduce wear and tear from multiple dryings. It’s been in the kitchen for a week or so and all is well. 

[abruzcadabra]

Cthulhu Album Art

This is one of those projects that I truly worried wouldn’t turn out as well as I could picture it. But actually turned out better! 

My sister had a beautiful Halloween wedding in a cemetery in Texas a couple of years ago and I knew that she didn’t have an actual wedding album. She’d sent me the whole file from the photographer though, so I could see the wedding pics, but I wanted her and her husband to have a physical book commemorating their day. 

Cthulhu officiated their ceremony and I thought that my contorted filbert sticks would make great tentacles. So I set about making a wooden relief for the photo album that I designed for her on Mixbook.com. Driftwood, twisted sticks, wall mud, glue, and paint eventually came together to make the above.  

What was intended to be a Christmas present took longer than expected due to life and things.

I was finally able to give it to her this week. Only five months late!

[abruzcadabra]

Twisted stick hot sauce holder

We’ve been watching a lot of Hot Ones lately and bought a few sauces for a relative’s birthday gift. Sooo, I figured they needed a neat little table holder to go with. 

Contorted filbert wood is very hard, which is great for making sturdy things, but is also difficult to put nails into! I used a plank left over from our cedar soffit project for the base. A combination of predrilling and gently, or not so gently, hammering in nails aided in attaching the twisted sticks.

[abruzcadabra]

Hanging Fruit Basket

I made a basket for a friend. He asked if I would make a fruit basket to hang over his table. I hadn’t made a basket before. So I said sure. 

A few inquiries determined that he wanted it to be woven similar to wicker, 12″ diameter, and 36″ from ceiling to bowl bottom. The rest was up to me. So much trust! Yikes! 

Fruit is heavy, so I wanted to be sure that it would be sturdy. I chose to use copper for a frame for a few reasons: I have a lot of copper wire (bf is an electrician), copper has antibacterial properties, it is easy to manipulate, it tarnishes nicely, it is beautiful, and it is strong. I purchased two heavy antique brass rings, for the bottom to secure the copper frame and for the top to hang the chain from. The chain was purchased from a bulk online site. 

Over time I figured out how to wrap the copper around the ring so that the spokes were evenly spaced. I then deduced that the dried vines (that I had hanging around waiting for a project) required soaking so that I could weave them without breaking. I fixed the vines in place with copper wrapping where needed. At last, I wrapped the spokes around a circlet of wire for the top, threading in the chain for hanging. 

And there we are: a rustic and homey fruit basket!

[abruzcadabra]

On the practice of traveling light...

The very beginning of the process of traveling light is to need less. Even the lowest maintenance person tries to cram everything they might need, or want, into their luggage before a trip. This impulse must be stifled to travel lightly. 

Decide what you really need. Do you need a different outfit for every day and activity or do you just need something versatile that can be dressed up or down with a few accessories? Do you need to prepare for any eventuality or should you put your concerns aside and decide to enjoy your time away without fretting over incidentals? 

Think about volume. While a trip might not always include a swim, a bathing suit tends to take up almost no room and may not be easy to source. On the other hand, a sweatshirt is bulky and easy to replace or wear en route. 

Wear the largest items as you travel rather that put them in your bag. Plan your outfit ahead of time. If you’re bringing a coat, wear it on the plane. If you need boots, wear them on the go and put your other shoes in your luggage. Hopefully your clothing is comfortable. If not, consider investing in a few high quality comfortable items that will last. 

What does my packing look like? I use a back pack-a fairly small one-and a large bag I can call a purse. (I don’t actually carry a regular purse, but this bag pretends to be a large one on a plane.) Into my back pack goes my staples: socks and undies for every day I’ll be gone. If for some strange reason I need more, I can always wash a pair in the sink and air dry. Or buy more. Everyone packs extra undies, but I’ve yet to hear of recurring circumstances that actually require them.

Also, the toiletries. So I don’t wear make up which reduces what I need to bring. I use the soap and shampoo/conditioner at the hotel. I bring a razor, toothbrush and paste, OTC pain relief, antacids, hair ties, deodorant, and chapstick. 

Then I put in clothes that suit the destination. I usually bring dresses as they are a whole outfit and are easy to dress up or down. Leggings make them warmer for winter. My partner brings a couple pairs of jeans and a few shirts-one or two nice ones and some casual. Our largest shoes go on our feet and a couple extras into our bags.

Spare space can be filled with special items: costumes for Mardi Gras, long johns for Iceland, presents to bring back...

A few small snacks are easy to fit in my “purse”. I also put in a book for reading and my laptop. I keep it pretty empty so I can also add my jacket if I get too warm or for anything I buy along the way. 

I prefer to not check any bags. This gets me in and out quicker.

[abruzcadabra]

Reduce Food Waste with a Dehydrator

Dehydrators can be a cheap and easy way to avoid wasting fruit and veggies.

Dehydrators are one of those items that people think they will use and then realize they don’t want as much fruit leather as they thought. This means they can usually be picked up for cheap on craigslist, offerup, or the thrift store. They are available new, but not usually for cheap. 

Often fruits and veggies need to be tossed because they went bad before they could be used up. If you have a dehydrator, those aging fruits and veggies can be turned into snacks and add-ons. Dried fruits are delicious-especially ones dried without any processing. Dried veggies can be used in cooking, as pizza toppings, or ground and used as seasoning. They reconstitute quickly. 

When I use them on pizza I can add more than the usual amount of veggies because they are not full of water. I just add them under the cheese with the sauce instead of on top so they are tender after cooking. Using dried veggies in dishes can reduce the amount of extra water in a dish. 

I hate wasting food so I love having a way to prevent spillage when I make grocery miscalculations. 

[abruzcadabra]

Mung Bean Noodles

Great gluten-free substitute for noodles! They work well as a substitute for any pasta dish. I use them to make quick and easy packet pasta meals when I don’t have the time or inclination to cook from scratch. 

Keep mung bean noodles in your cupboard with some sauce packets for an inexpensive quick meal. It’s also easy to add any desired protein and veggies!

[abruzcadabra]

Air Plant Hammock

I had this spiral shaped contorted stick that I loved, but didn’t know what I wanted to do with. A couple days ago I was inspired to weave a hammock into the main curve of the stick. Now its a perfect resting spot for a large air plant! 

Using a counter sink bit, I drilled holes through the curved wood as I reached each side with the weave. I use the counter sink bit a lot because it allows me to put gradual holes into wood without splitting. The filbert wood has been very resilient to my drilling. 

[abruzcadabra]

The Amazing Counter Check!

So most of us don’t have a need for regular check writing. That’s all gone now. However, occasionally a situation will arise needing a check. Now, a money order or cashier’s check will usually suffice in these instances, but there is another way. It is more convenient and generally free. 

If you have a checking account, the teller can give you something called ‘counter checks’. These are checks that will draw from your account like a regular check. You can keep a few on hand and fill them out like regular checks. Most banks will give you a few for free each month. 

I might have a situation requiring a check once a year or so. I find that having a few of these on hand saves me a trip. I don’t have to have a box of unused checks I have to keep an eye on while they collect dust. 

I thought that counter checks were awesome when I found out about them. Maybe I’m easily amused?

[abruzcadabra]

Mardi Gras Bead Skirt

Don’t know what to do with those Mardi Gras beads? Sew them onto an old skirt (strong elastic works best since beads are heavy) to make a custom bead skirt. Paired with fishnets and a corset, I got tons of looks and compliments in New Orleans on the big day this year. And they make a lovely sound as you walk. Love your feet: wear sneakers; no one will notice ;)

I sewed one end of the necklace loop to a tight short pencil skirt about one inch from the top of the waistband then twisted the strand once and brought the bottom-ish (I staggered to create depth) end up over the top end and sewed it on. To hide the hem of the skirt fold or cut to just above the line of the beads. 

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This is the probably my most popular photo of my work-and my second creation ever with these branches. It’s crazy to see what I initiated after trimming my tree that first time and being unable to throw such beauty in the yard waste bin.

[abruzcadabra]

Yarn organizing idea: use a clear shoe rack so you can see all the colors and options as well as keeping it neat and out of the way :) 

[abruzcadabra]

Thinking about collections...

People often look at accomplishments or possessions and say “I want that.” They are seeing only the end result and not the time, effort, and knowledge that went into achieving that goal or acquiring that item. I think collections are an especially demonstrative example.

Collections don’t begin complete. (Whole collections can be purchased. But just like life, it’s not the destination, its the journey.) Until they contain a few items, they don’t even look like collections at all-just a scattering of stuff or a half finished project. And yet all collections must begin with one, or a few, items. Some take years to resemble what anyone would consider a collection. Each bit had to be found, made, acquired, etc. 

Many want a collection of something: coins, paintings, essays, wealth. Few want to collect.

It can be hard to get going on something, but everything has a beginning. Picture all the amazing things around us and remember that they all started as an idea and a desire. If it is not begun, then it will never be finished.