It's been a crazy, crazy week in our household. Monday and Tuesday were spent dodging flooding in Findlay and at home (we had a couple of inches in our basement). Wednesday started pretty normally-until Riley projectile vomited all over the dinner table. Thursday and Friday were spent trying to get his fever to drop below 101 (and that was on Tylenol and Motrin!) It finally started dropping on Saturday, though he's still not 100%...
On Wednesday, I got some surprising and exciting news of my own. (more on that in the next few weeks...)
Today-Sunday-Phil is going to pick up Riley's toddler bed from Once Upon a Child. I think he's ready to move, he seems to be having a hard time sleeping in the crib nowadays. He seems cramped and is always kicking the wall and bars. Plus there's always a random limb sticking through the bars. He's also reached the weight limit on his crib. He's pushing 40 pounds now (at least that's what our home scale says and I'm disinclined to believe it. We'll see when he goes for his 2 year check up in May) Who knew that at 21 months, my son would outgrow his crib! I must admit, I'm sick to my stomach about him moving to a toddler bed. Now he'll have free reign at night!! What if he doesn't stay in bed? What if he's up playing all night! I know at night he'll probably be tired enough (especially on school days) to just crash where he is. But what about on weekends when he fights naps...I'M FREAKING OUT!!
(ok, ok, bring it down a notch...)
Needless to say, I've got some issues to work out. We'll probably put it up tonight (after nap) so he can sleep in it tonight. I'll post more tomorrow after what is looking like a sleep deprived night...<sigh>
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thrifty Seasoning mixes
As a Family on a budget (who isn't these days) I'm always looking for way to cut my grocery bill. I've found a few recipes over the years that have become staples in my pantry due to their low cost and easy prep.
Today's blog will focus on seasonings and rubs. I try to buy cheaper cuts of meat and in the "family" size packs to cut down on the prices per pound. I then portion the meat into freezer bags and freeze it for future use. Having creative ways to prepare the cheaper cuts of meats help cut down on the toughness that sometimes occurs.
I keep a fairly well stocked pantry when it comes to seasonings, so I had the majority of these ingredients on hand already. The rest I was able to pick up at our local IGA for under a dollar or at our local Dollar Tree.
All Purpose Rub:
makes 2/3 cup/seasons about 4 lb. of meat
1 tsp. cumin
1 T. chili powder
1 T kosher salt
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 T paprika
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
*MIX TOGETHER
*RUB INTO SKIN OF MEAT, LET SIT FOR AN HOUR FOR MORE FLAVOR
(The recipe I have says you can use it on chicken, pork, beef or fish. I've only used it on chicken and beef. It's yummy on the grill. The brown sugar gives it a nice glaze.
Taco Seasoning
Yield: 6 T.
8 tsp. dried minced onion
2 T. chili powder
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
*Combine in airtight container
*Store in cool, dry place for up to 1 year
**I know packets of taco seasoning are fairly cheap in the store, however I think this recipe tastes better. Plus I feel better giving Riley taco meat (which he loves) as I know exactly what's in this seasoning. Less preservatives is always good!
Onion Soup Mix
Yield: about 1 c. mix
3/4 c. minced onion
1/3 c beef bullion
4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. celery seed, crushed
1/4 tsp sugar
For onion soup dip--5 T. dry mix to 16 oz. sour cream
I also use this mix on roasted potatoes, roasted chicken and pot roast in the slow cooker
Today's blog will focus on seasonings and rubs. I try to buy cheaper cuts of meat and in the "family" size packs to cut down on the prices per pound. I then portion the meat into freezer bags and freeze it for future use. Having creative ways to prepare the cheaper cuts of meats help cut down on the toughness that sometimes occurs.
I keep a fairly well stocked pantry when it comes to seasonings, so I had the majority of these ingredients on hand already. The rest I was able to pick up at our local IGA for under a dollar or at our local Dollar Tree.
All Purpose Rub:
makes 2/3 cup/seasons about 4 lb. of meat
1 tsp. cumin
1 T. chili powder
1 T kosher salt
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 T paprika
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
*MIX TOGETHER
*RUB INTO SKIN OF MEAT, LET SIT FOR AN HOUR FOR MORE FLAVOR
(The recipe I have says you can use it on chicken, pork, beef or fish. I've only used it on chicken and beef. It's yummy on the grill. The brown sugar gives it a nice glaze.
Taco Seasoning
Yield: 6 T.
8 tsp. dried minced onion
2 T. chili powder
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
*Combine in airtight container
*Store in cool, dry place for up to 1 year
**I know packets of taco seasoning are fairly cheap in the store, however I think this recipe tastes better. Plus I feel better giving Riley taco meat (which he loves) as I know exactly what's in this seasoning. Less preservatives is always good!
Onion Soup Mix
Yield: about 1 c. mix
3/4 c. minced onion
1/3 c beef bullion
4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. celery seed, crushed
1/4 tsp sugar
For onion soup dip--5 T. dry mix to 16 oz. sour cream
I also use this mix on roasted potatoes, roasted chicken and pot roast in the slow cooker
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