Kitchen organization

I feel so accomplished to have my kitchen organized. I'm happy to say a lot of it was already done, but it did inspire me to do a few things like get my spices in order once and for all. Having them organized will actually be a money saver because it will stop me from purchasing duplicates. I had at least 10 duplicates but because of the way they were organized before it made it impossible for me to keep track of it. I also put all of my spices on my phone using the ap out of milk. That way when I am out shopping I know exactly what I have at home. I also did a pantry list, and a freezer list on the same ap for the same reason. It also inspired me to look for other ways to organize further like my new K cup holder for my new Keurig coffee pot. I did order a lid organizer for my cupboards and it was too big, plus when I returned it in the same box they sent it to me in the company claimed it was damaged when they received it. Not to mention it cost me almost as much to ship it back as I should have been refunded. I really shouldn't have returned it but I just didn't want the clutter! So that one was a failure which cost me far more than I care to admit. Oh well, live and learn. I also discovered some new cabinet organizer for pots and pans I am dying to buy. Must save up for that but I did find a cheaper version on ebay. As soon as I save up the money that will be my next purchase! One thing I would like to do that will take me a long time is to compile one cookbook of recipes I use all the time rather than me pulling out cookbooks when I do my meal planning. Even though I know where all the recipes are it would be nice to have it all in one place particularly when I am feeling uninspired. I think I will try to work on that after this year of organization is over. Next week we start on my filing system which is horrible right now. Wish me luck!

Produce Deals

Head on over to El Super for some awesome produce deals. Here are the highlights.

Roma Tomatoes 4lbs for .99
Oranges 7lbs for .99
Braeburn apples 2lbs for .99
Cucumbers 5 for .99
Cabbage 6lbs for .99
Lemons 2lbs for .99
radishes 4 bunches for .99
Eggplant 2lbs for .99

B1G1F Burger King sanwiches thru 3/5/12

From now until 3/5/12 Burger King will be giving B1G1F sandwiches. 

Sandwiches include: the Original Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Club Sandwich, and the Italian Chicken Sandwich.

Not all restaurants may be participating so I’d recommend calling your store ahead of time to verify that they are participating in this promotion.

Free pancakes Feb 28, 2010

On Feb 28, 2012 IHOP will be giving away a free short stack of pancakes. Guests are asked to leave a donation for Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals.

Paying off Debt

We have been paying off a big debt for the last 10 years. I have to admit I felt like it would never get paid. I found out the other day that it will be paid off this year. What! Are you kidding me? It was a 20,000 debt. The amount felt insurmountable. I felt the same way that the picture above looks like. My husband reminded me that we had been paying 2,000 a year for the last 10 years. I had gotten so used to the bill that it never occurred to me that someday it would actually be paid! How did that happen? It has been 10 years but at the same time it feels like yesterday almost. I cannot tell you what it feels like to know that it is actually almost paid! I have read lots of stories on how people have paid off huge debts but I have to admit I had some doubts that I could be one of them. I almost cried the other day when after  having a meeting about the debt I went out to my car to find a parking ticket on it. I thought to myself, are you kidding me? We do all the right things and this is what I get? I'm not going to lie. It isn't easy to do the right things. It isn't easy to say no to things I would like to do, places I would like to go, and things I would like to buy.  Of course if I hold myself accountable it's because I didn't always do the right things in the beginning, and that is how I got into trouble in the first place. I have read stories about others who got into trouble with debt, turned their lives around began paying it off, and then got blessed somehow to pay it off early. That hasn't happened to us. The reason why I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened to me is because God knows I am not ready for it. I still have bad habits to change, and things I still need to work on. Most of all I think I still have this debt mind set or I wouldn't have been so surprised to find this bill is almost paid off.  Thank you God for the work you continue to do in me, so that when the debts are finally gone I will be worthy of the stewardship of taking care of the money.
Luke 12:15,23,34. And He said to them, "Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does life consist of his possessions. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The cost of procrastination

From the blog of The Purposeful Wife: 
As busy moms and homemakers, we are always looking for ways to stretch a dollar… right? Here’s a new idea that dawned on me the other day:procrastination can be costly. 
For the full blog post click here. 

Food on the table menu planner

Due to such a low response I will no longer be posting Save Mart Menu ideas. I did come across a service called Food on the Table that is offering a free life long subscription for menu plans based on the current sales at either Save Mart, Vons, Food Co, or Whole Foods. Use the code FEBFREE to get your free service.

Save Mart Recipes Feb 1, 2012

1 week menu for under $100 based on this weeks sales at Save Mart.


Beef and Broccoli, and fried rice
Italian sausage, parmesan couscous, and salad
Crunch cajun chicken, sweet potatoes, fresh cauliflower
Barbecued pork ribs, mashed potatoes, corn
Tilapia and tomato salsa, rice, green beans
Chinatown pepper steak, rice
Curried chicken rolls, salad
Please email me for recipes and shopping list.