Bang For Your Buck! ~*Pork Roast*~--->Stew

Bang For You Buck! 

Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.
I also will be posting products that I find that I can afford and/or friends have given me. 
Hope this can help no only me, but others :)

Turning a yummy Pork Roast Dinner into a Stew!

Meal #1

Ingredients

• 1 -  3lb Boneless Pork Roast
• 6 - Small Potatoes - Cut in Halves
• 8 - Carrots - Cut in Quarters
• 2 - Small Onions
• Rub - 1 - Tsp Garlic Powder mixed with 2 - Tbs of Italian Seasoning
• Paprika
• Olive Oil
• Water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Fill baking dish with 1/4 cup water.  Prepare vegetables and layer in baking dish.  Drizzle Olive Oil on Pork Roast.  

Rub Pork Roast with rub ingredients.  Sprinkle Roast and Veggies with Paprika.

Cook at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  

Serve :)

ENJOY!

Meal #2

Stew

Using about ingredients and drippings, place in a large pot. 

Fill pot w/Beef Broth.  Can make Rue and add to mixture to thicken.

 Simmer for 2 hours.'

That's it!! Easy and Yummy! 

ENJOY!!

Bang For Your Buck! Stretching Pasta/Marinara Sauce

Bang For You Buck! 

Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.
I also will be posting products that I find that I can afford and/or friends have given me. 
Hope this can help no only me, but others :)

In making meals stretch, I have become very creative in meal planning.  This recipe can make four meals.

1.  Chicken Parmesan
2.  Penne Pasta and Meatballs.
3.  Meatball Grinders
4.  Sausage Grinders

All items used have been gifts or items that I received from Food Share and I am so grateful to have these things to make nutritious meals.

This was my Dad's recipe and is a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 3-4 Large Cans of Crushed or Whole Tomatoes (depending on your preference, I use the Crushed)
• 1 small can of Tomato Paste
• Tablespoon of Fresh Basil, chopped
• Tablespoon of Fresh Oregano, chopped
• Teaspoon of Parsley leaves
• 6 Cloves of Garlic (Once again to taste, we love garlic)
• Pasta of your choice

Instructions

Place all ingredients in large pot or what I use is a crock pot and cook on low heat for 10-15 hours (that is the trick)

 You can add meat as per taste.  The meatballs I used for this dish were not my own because I have no hamburger meat but were left overs from a friends party :)

Meal #1

~*Chicken Parmesan*~

Ingredients 

• Boneless Chicken Breast is what I like to use but didn't have them and used Chicken Thighs that were given to me. 
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, once again I used Provolone due to it being a gift.
• Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
• Italian Dressing
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta

Marinade Chicken in Italian Dressing in fridge for 3-4 hours. Take Chicken and dip into Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs. Placed Chicken in baking dish. Top with Pasta Sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. After Chicken is almost done, add  Cheese.

While cooking Chicken, cook pasta and sauce.


Meal #2

~*Penne Pasta and Meatballs*~

Cook Penne Pasta to taste, add pasta sauce and meatballs.

Meal #3 and #4

Meatball and/or Sausage Grinder

No need to explain ;)

ENJOY!

Portuguese Kale Soup

I was up to Massachusetts visiting my Mom's boyfriend (who I'd rather call my step-dad) and he lives in a heavily populated Portuguese community. One of their delicacies is called, "Kale Soup". I tried it and loved it and thought it would be perfect for our cold nights here. I decided to make it today and it came out delish!

PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP

• 1 package frozen or 1-2 lbs fresh kale
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 potatoes, peeled
• 2 linguica, sliced
• 8 cups chicken or pork broth
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 can Cannelloni beans
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 hot pepper, seeded
• 1/3 teaspoon paprika
• Season with salt, & pepper to taste

Slice linguica and saute in 1/4 cup of olive oil, onion, and chopped garlic. Do not allow garlic to brown, so add last. Add liquid and simmer for 10 minutes. Prepare the kale by rinsing thoroughly and tearing the leafy portions from the stems. Tear into bite-size pieces. Discard stems. Add potatoes, kale, and beans simmer additional 30 minutes.

Serve with Portuguese rolls or your favorite bread.

Enjoy!!

Bang For Your Buck! ~*Drug Store Product vs Salon Products*~

Bang For You Buck! 

Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.
I also will be posting products that I find that I can afford and/or friends have given me. 
Hope this can help no only me, but others :)

The Hair....Honest Confessions...

I have to say that I have honestly NEVER found a drug store product or product line that worked for my hair until now.  Being forced Haing to cut corners with my entire life, the hair was on the table.  At first I tried Finesse which I used in high school but because of my diagnosis of  Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder and Asthma, I could not tolerate the product.  So I began the "sniff test" at CVS. I went right to the Garnier products and have to admit it had to do with my love of Sex and the City and Sarah Jessica Parker advertising that sent me there.  I have extremely curly/unmanageable locks, so I was sceptical and started out slowly.  The Curly hair product line smells like grapefruit and I love it and can tolerate the product. 
I use Garnier's curly line and it works great on my hair and I really think my hair looks healthier than when I used salon products or it could be home coloring, not sure but it feels better :).  I had found in the past drug store mousse's and gel's left my hair sticky and still frizzy, the shampoos and conditioners leaving my hair greasy and/or frizzy...not with Garnier!  
For my hair I have to use several products to keep it manageable and this goes not only for my new regime but with professional products as well.  So adding up the cost of a cut, color and products I could easily spend $200.00.  At CVS, they had a special going on by 3 for $10! So the 6 products that I purchased came to $20.00 so I also decided to add $10.00, when I had a little money for my stock and for that I am grateful b/c I literally have no income at this time so I have a hair reserve ;)

Love the BRIGHT GREEN packaging too :D

COLORING!!! YIKES!!!

I was very afraid to color my own hair, having my first gray at 25 y/o, I had two debacles with home dye kits, one of which turned my hair jet black, the other, bright orange! UGH!!  I began coloring my hair with Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Foam and love that product too.  

Although I will be honest, it does not hold the color as long as the salon dye but I am very happy with it.   The first time I colored my hair it was too dark and was close to my natural color which is dark brown--->black with blonde and red highlights. 
I have now colored my hair three times and got the color to where I like it - more of a reddish brown.  

In being very unhappy with the Oil of Olay line vs my love of philosophy products, I'm going to try the Garnier product line.  Hell if it works for SJP, why can't it work for me ;)

When I do begin working again, I may have my hair professionally done for cut, color and highlights but I will never spend 25-45.00 on a hair product again!

The Carrie Diaries - A Nice Surprise !

The Carrie Diaries

A Nice Surprise!

I read the book, not too impressed, actually sold it on Amazon.com then bought it again b/c I liked the cover and I wanted it for my Sex and the City Collection.

As a die-hard Sex and the City fan, my first reaction was NOOOOOO!!! This is just a money maker, leave it alone, blah, blah, blah, even in my Sex and the City group on Facebook, I vowed to protest it.

Then it came, the promo ads, the final episode of Gossip Girl, I was hungry, hungry for the City, hungry for Fashion and hungry for Carrie Bradshaw.

I watched the first episode and yes I was hooked.  I want that bag!!!  The only foo-pah and it still doesn't sit well with me was the change of the parental dynamics.  In the episode, "A Vogue Idea", I have no idea why they changed the story line.  The quote from the SATC episode was - 

Carrie: Hey, you think it could really be as simple as my father walked out, therefore I'll always be messed up about men? 
Miranda: My father came home every night at seven on the dot and I have no clue about men either.

This conversation was the answer as to why Carrie had an issue in male relationships.  This is my only complaint.  Other than that I think it's fabulous!  AnnaSophia Robb does and excellent, I actually think an outstanding performance as our beloved Carrie Bradshaw.  And the fashion!! Love it all! I love the music, since I was a teenager in the 80's, I love that too! And of course, Manhattan.  

So if you had doubts, no worries.  It's Candace Bushnell who knows CB better than us all.

Bang For Your Buck! ~*Great Facial Products*~

Bang For You Buck! 

Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.
I also will be posting products that I find that I can afford and/or friends have given me. 
Hope this can help no only me, but others :)

~*Facial Products*~

I believe great skin care products are vital to help combat the signs of aging.  Those who know me, know I am IN LOVE with philosophy products.  However, I can no longer afford them but still want good skin care.

No money, no available credit cards to use, this makes things a bit more difficult to attain what I need.  However, I have a store card for Amazon.com and am able to purchase necessities for my skin care.  I had to change products for now to make this CC stretch.

Before finding philosophy, I was a big fan of Oil of Olay and used their Pro X line.  Now a bit older, I have switch to their other product line, Regenerist.  I have to say, I love this product!!  I also believe that one should switch up their products from time to time and it's time.  I have been using the philosophy Miracle Line since 2009 and absolutely can't say enough for this product! But a gals gotta do, what a gals gotta do.  

I have been replacing items that I have run out of and this is what I have bought so far and I love the results! It is 1/2 the price of philosophy.  I will however go back to that line once I am on my feet again

You can apply for an amazon.com store card and prices are less than retail, free shipping a plus too! I am sure you can also find on ebay, but I have no credit cards that work.

This is what I bought so far from Oil of Olay.  I saw results instantly!

Olay Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance Free 1.7 Oz

Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex, 1.70 Ounce

Just love this!! Saw results instantly!!

Retails - $29.00

Amazon - $ 17.50

Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum

Retails - $22.50

Amazon - $6.49

In review of these products, I don't see much of a difference and to be honest, I am not too happy with them.  The eye cream burns and the Regenerist Wrinkle Resolution has a "perfumy smell that I just don't like.  Yep you get what you pay for.  I can't wait to start working again so I can go back to my philosophy products.  By far there is no comparison.

I'm biting at the bit to buy their new Hope in a Jar Night Cream!  First paycheck, yeppers, it's mine ;)

$48.00

www.philosophy.com

www.oilofolay.com

www.amazon.com

Bang For Your Buck Series!

Bang For Your Buck!  
Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.
I also will be posting products that I find that I can afford and/or friends have given me. 
Hope this can help no only me, but others :)

First off, my hair products! This was a big UGH for me at first.  I have always used top of the line Salon products on my hair and also had it professionally done anywhere from 50 - 200 dollars every six weeks depending on what I was getting done.

I now am using Garnier products.  I picked this line because Sarah Jessica Parker promotes it (lol) and the scent is one I can handle with my Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder and Asthma.

I also use (not show) the Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly Hair and I am very happy with the line.  

I even colored my own hair now twice.  First time it was too dark, this time is darker than I would like but I want to get a handle on it before I go lighter.  So this time, I want red.  My natural color is dark brown with red and blonde highlights.  I have in no way graduated to self highlights just yet.

Bang For You Buck Series - ~*Homemade Chinese Takeout*~ YUM!

Bang For You Buck!

Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.

 - ~*Homemade Chinese Takeout*~ 

Items given to me by a friends.  I found 4 boneless chicken thighs in the fridge ;)

Very Grateful!

• Sweet and Sour Marinade
• 1 3/4 package of frozen Stir-Fry Veggies (the 1/4, I refroze for a later time)
• 1 Box Chicken Rice
• 1 Package of Teriyaki Noodles
• 4 Cloves of Garlic Sliced
• Olive Oil
• I added sauteed Green Beans (recipe in earlier blog)

Marinade Chicken over night in a plastic bag.

Prepare Rice and Teriyaki Noodles as directed on box/package.

In a large skillet, drizzle olive oil in pan, added garlic and saute' add in green beans, frozen veggies and chicken. Add in additional marinade to taste.

Cook until chicken is done.  

Serve over rice, noodles as a side dish.

YUM!!

Meal #2
Using the left over Chicken and Veggies and serve over Egg Noodles.

Use for extra veggies

Since I did not use the entire bag of frozen vegetables, I re-froze 1/4 so I can use at a later time ;)

ENJOY!!

~*Cinnamon and Ginger Tea*~

Since getting ill in 2011, the symptoms that I have due to this illness involves using alternative medicine,  herbs and teas to help manage the symptoms that I have.
A big part of my regime and morning routine is making Cinnamon and Ginger Tea everyday as it sits on the stove top and I can grab it throughout the day.

The Benefits of Cinnamon

The Benefits of Ginger

My Favorite Brands

Bang For Your Buck - Making a Roasted Chicken Stretch

Bang For Your Buck!  
Illness brought me to a financial hardship that I had never faced before.  Having no income at this time, I have learned so many things but will stick to how I've learned to cook to make food stretch as much and as long as I can.  I've been blessed with friends donating food to me, which is a total blessing and every other week, I go to Food Share, which entails standing in line for different food items.  Since this is a tough time for everyone, I thought this may help others also.

Making a Roasted Checked Stretch

• 3lb Roasting Chicken

• 4 Large Carrots - cut as desired

• 6 - 8 Red Potatoes - cut in quarters

• 1 Large Onion - cut in quarters

• Season Bird as desired

• Small amount of Water

Meal #1

Roasting the Chicken

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

Prep the bird

Rinse the chicken, dry with paper towels.  Butter the bird completely, rub pieces/seasoning on chicken as desired (I used Italian seasoning combined with a poultry rub).  If not using stuffing, cut a small onion in 1/2 and place in the bird (helps hold the juices).

In baking pan,  pour water or broth lining the bottom of the pan.  Place veggies in pan, place seasoned bird on top.

Roast for 50-60 minutes or until cooked.  I low ball as to not overcook then check by a small slice in the middle of the bird, if it's still pink, continue to cook.

Serve

Take the left overs and you can make a chicken salad, soup or both.

I chose to make soup.

Meal #2

Fill large pot with the drippings from the pan you roasted chicken in, add the left overs into the pan, add water.  You can also add more veggies or spices to taste.

Enjoy!

Natural Remedies That Are Vital for My Health

First off, I am not a doctor, so please check with yours before adding these to your regime.

Many people who suffer from the illness I do along with friends who just want to feel better and take care of themselves ask me what I take for all the symptoms I have. Below I listed vitamins I have been taking I think since January 2012. Western medicine feeds the poison in my body b/c most have fungi or mold in them.  So learned from others with this what worked for them through alternative medicine.  I need to be on the Candida Diet - basically low carb but a bit stricter. I have had problems with this b/c of willingness, then became willing but no income to really buy the foods that I need.  So the foods that I receive, I make them work.  If I have a carb, I do in moderation and offset it by only eating the foods on the diet.  So far this is working with me. 

My main symptoms are laryngitis due to permanent vocal cord damage, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Asthma , Carotid artery damage, bone/joint pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and the literal sleepless nights are due to high qty of this wrapped on my left carotid in my throat so when I lay down and now sit up in bed, my throat closes to a size of a dime then induces the asthma, coughing where I projectile vomit and incontinent -  horrible. 

Pain - Anti-inflammatory - Turmeric Curcumin, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Flax Seed Oil

Pain cont' - D-Ribose (used for fibromylagia), Osteoflex (glucosamine/chondroitin)

L-cysteniene and L-thiamines - Amino Acids which help the toxins not bind to my organs.

Coconut Oil - Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antibacterial, hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength.

2000mg of Vit C, D, E, Multi

I Buy all my vitamins at -  www.puritan.com
They have lots of specials and are great vitamins and supplements!

Apple Cider Vinegar - multi uses, see pic below. I take two tbs 2x a day.

Teas - Cinnamon - anti-fungal sometimes adding pure honey

Ginger - anti-fungal and respiratory 

White - BP and Anti fungal

Almond and/or Coconut Milk