Gratitude

GRATITUDE - NOUN
a feeling of appreciation or thanks



If you are on an social media site, you know all the meme's out there about gratitude. The ones that always frustrate me are the ones that seem to downgrade the frustrations each of us deal with, simple because most of regular frustrations are not life or death. Here's my thought, yes I know life could be so much worse. I know there are people out there without half of what I have, but the frustrations I have are big issues to me, personally. This does not mean I don't have empathy or sympathy for those with life so much worse than I do. It does, however, mean that I accept that my own frustrations are a rough spot in my life.

Gratitude is something I have looked for in every tough spot, and appreciate everyday. I have so many blessings in my life, and such an amazing little family that, even when they drive me crazy, are my reasons for continuing to move forward every single day. When I think of my blessings, I am reminded of the good spots in life, even when the day may not be so good. I have a beautiful, healthy family, a beautiful home on land that is not only part of my husband's family but land that I feel connected to. I am so fortunate to be with kids every single day, even on the days that I want to pull my hair out. I have been gifted with the love of learning, and I get to share that love with my kids. I am a strong person that has survived and thrived, even through some pretty bad storms. I was fortunate enough to have time on my own to find my strengths and weaknesses; and to be able to be independent with how I lived my life. Although we may not have everything we want, we have everything we need.

Being grateful for everything, is sometimes one of the hardest details to remember when you have a turbulent time in your life. It's easy to get sucked into the rabbit hole of gloom and doom, when issues overshadow your days. When you have multiple issues come crashing down, staying grateful can be the last thing you want to think about. It's difficult to focus when issues take hold. It's taken me years to finally be able to find a foot hold that allows me to stop, breath, and accept that a current issue may be bad or may weigh on me, but taking time every day to remind myself of everything I can be thankful for.

I have found, in my darkest times, it's those moments of stopping, breathing, and listing everything I am grateful for; that I can find the strength to keep moving. Some times, it's allowed me to clear my head enough to find a solution to a problem, to understand why the issue is happening, or even as simple as being able to say: "yes, this is bad and I don't have an answer yet, but I can get through this." Other times, the frustration carries on but I can get through a rough spot and calm down enough, over time, to be able to see through the issue clearer.

The past several years, I have turned to meditation and yoga. While I am horrible at making myself do either on a daily basis, I do force myself when I become too stressed and my gratitude waivers. I don't do either of these to erase my mind, I do them to allow my mind to work through thoughts without my constant analyzing. By focusing on my breathing, my posture, and whatever position I am doing in the moment; it allows my analytical mind to do it's thing without the interference of my emotions, and the "what-if" scenarios. If I go too long between meditations or yoga, I become a flustered, scattered, ball of emotional turmoil. Just as important, sometimes moreso, is my time spent grounding. Even though it's Winter and freezing, I am anxiously awaiting the warmer temps to go outside, take off my shoes and socks, and walk in the grass. As Spring warms, and my gardens get worked, I will be walking barefoot through freshly worked soil, and putting my hands on Mother Earth every day possible.

We, as humans, have forgotten how important grounding our vibrational energy truly is. We walk around in rubber soled shoes, all day, everyday. Anyone who has any knowledge of how energy works, knows that rubber is a conductor. This breaks the circuit of moving energy. By grounding, you allow energy to flow naturally from your body back into the soil. It's like an energy wash if you will. By taking the time to ground, take time to take in a few deep breaths, allow your negative energy to recycle into the earth, while fresh positive energy is cycled back into your body.

Today, I am reminding myself of everything I have to be grateful for. I have a ton of unresolved issues that I can't seem to find solutions for. Without having anyone neutral enough to discuss ideas with, I take the issues on myself. That keeps me in a constant state of upheaval. Finding that resentful, hurt, angry and disbelieving emotions; requires me to find not only a way work through them but also a way to not misplace those emotions on people that had nothing to do with them. Now, it has also become an issue of determining how to deal with the emotions as well as the issues. While I am not certain of the true effects of them, I was gifted a very beautiful Hematite necklace. Hematite is a stone/crystal, that is supposed to help with mental clarity. While I'm not certain of the effects of it or just an reflected focus, I have valued this necklace. Since having this necklace, anytime my mind feels cluttered and ready to burst, I reach up and hold on to the stone for a few minutes. It reminds to stop, breath and slow down. It is a reminder that I need to shift my focus from concentrating on issues to quieting my mind and allowing it to naturally find solutions.

This is a time of focusing on blessings, for me. I have too many irons in the fire, and not enough solutions to put out that fire. I am finding that my attitude shift is not pleasant and is not doing any favors for my life, as a whole. My mind has been clouded by issues, emotions, and unwanted negative energy, some issues are years in the making. Years of keeping emotions, thoughts, and opinions to myself. Years of just bowing my head, going with the flow because it was easier than not, and other issues that are fairly new...and I just can't understand so I can't deal with them. This is why, I am feeling so restless, and unsettled. I need some time outdoors, without freezing. I need some time alone to ground, and return to source. I need the weather to warm enough that I can do what I need to, to allow my spirit to regenerate.

As I am returning to my gratitude lists, I wish each of you your own means of regenerating your soul and spirit. My way will not work for everyone, but there is a million ways and surely each of you can find one that works. I know this is such a upended time for many. Just because some of your issues many not be life or death, it does not negate their importance to you. Don't allow them to be minimized if they are important to you. Find a way to regenerate. Make a list of your blessings, or write in a journal. Whatever will help you to work through your issues, and hopefully find a way to resolve them that will work for you.

I am grateful for each of you that takes your time, to read these blogs. Many have emailed and your encouragement means the world to me. If I can help even with a knowledge that you are not alone, or something I write helps you find a little peace; I will be happy!

In gratitude,
Salli

Meal Planning - Some Favorite Recipes

Meal Planning - Part 3 - Some of our favorite recipes

As promised, here are a few of our favorite recipes. These are pretty simply, and we usually have enough for a second meal.



Recipe 1 - Tator Tot Casserole

This will feed 4-8 people
This is a simple recipe.
Preheat oven to 350.

Need:
1 lbs. hamburger
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4- 1/2" wide slices of velveta cubed
2 large potatoes - cubed and cooked
1 can(pint) of your favorite vegetables(mixed works well)
1 16 oz. bag of tator tots

1. peel, and cube potatoes. Cook as you normally would, until tend.
2. While potatoes are cooking, brown hamburger. You can add in any spices, peppers or onions if you wish.
3. Slice velveta cheese and cube.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients EXCEPT tator tots. Mix well.
5. Use a cooking spray to prep a 9 x 13 pan, and pour the mix in.
6. level out the mixture, and top with tator tots.
7. Bake for 40-50 minutes.


Recipe 2 - Spaghetti

This recipe will feed 4-6 people. Can double it and freeze the left overs in an air tight container.

Need:
1 lbs. hamburger
1 lbs. angel hair pasta
1 quarts(jar) spaghetti sauce
1 pint(can) stewed tomatoes

1. Brown hamburger in a medium sauce pan, add whatever spices you prefer, can add onion and peppers too.
2. Fill a large pan half full of water, and bring to a boil.
3. Put pasta in boiling water, and boil until tender.
4. Once hamburger is brown, add in sauce and stewed tomatoes, let simmer until pasta is ready.
5. Once both pans are finished, mix together in larger of 2 pans.

Pairs great with your favorite vegetable, and a loaf of homemade bread.

Recipe 3 - Loose hamburger, veggie and potatoes

This will easily feed 4 people.
This is one of my favorites. It's super easy!

Need:
2 lbs. Hamburger
2 lbs. potatoes
2 lbs. corn, creamed would be the equivalent of what our self preserved corn is.

1. Peel and dice potatoes. Put into large pan and boil until tender.
2. Brown hamburger, add in your favorite spices.
3. In a smaller pan, warm up corn.
4. Once potatoes are tender, drain. Put into mixing bowl with 1 stick of real butter, 1/4 c. of milk(may need more for creamer potatoes), and mash.
5. Fix your plate!


Recipe 4 - Homemade Pizza

This is a recipe we use regularly. My homemade pizza crust also makes a great loaf of bread!
This recipe will make about 1 large to extra large size pizza.

Crust:
3 3/4 C. Unbleached flour (any all purpose flour will work)
2 TBS. Olive Oil
2 TBS. Honey
2 TBS. Yeast
1 1/2 C. Warm water
1 tsp. salt

1. Mix yeast, honey, olive oil, and warm water. Mix well and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Slowly mix in salt and flour, until mixed well. Let sit another 5 minutes or until you are ready to add toppings.
3. Roll out dough to fit your pan. I use a 11 x 17 pan.
4. Begin topping with your favorite ingredients. We love sausage browned with peppers and onions, pepperoni, mushrooms, pepperchini, and cheese. It takes about 1 can of prepared pizza sauce, before the toppings are added.

Bake at 350 until the crust and cheese have browned some. Usually about 30-45 minutes.

This pizza crust recipe is a great bread recipe also. Instead of rolling out for pizza, roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Then fold into thirds, set in a warm place and allow to rise, I try to let it triple in size. Then bake until it browns slightly or if it sounds hollow when flicked.

Recipe 5 - My Chili

This will feed 6-8 people or can be froze in air tight container. Left overs can also be used to make Chili Pasta Bake.
Need:
1 lbs. Meat - We love venison burger, or hamburger
3 cans of kidney beans
3 cans of chili beans
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 half gallon of tomato juice
1 chili seasoning packet

1. In a large pan, brown meat with spices. We add onions and green peppers while it cooks.
2. Add remaining ingredients, and stir well. Let simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow spices to thoroughly infiltrate the soup.

You can add so many goodies to a bowl of chili - jalapenos, cheese, and sour cream are great!

Recipe 6 - Chili Pasta Bake

This will fee 4-6 people.

Need:
Your left over chili from above.
1 lbs. pasta of your choice - we like penne, or spiral
shredded cheese

1. Cook pasta until tender, and drain.
2. prepare a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.
3. pour pasta in bottom and top with chili.
4. mix carefully!
5. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and bake at 350 until the cheese has melted and browned a little.


Now, a few of our favorite desserts! Usually, I don't get our cakes frosted before they are all eaten. However, I will include a frosting for my cinnamon rolls.

Recipe 7 - Chocolate Coffee Buttermilk Cake

This is a great recipe! I have substituted the coffee in this recipe for espresso, and it is amazing! I never get this cake frosted before it's gone!

Need:
3 C. flour
2 1/2 C. sugar
4 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. cocoa
1 1/3 C. olive oil**
1 1/2 C. buttermilk**
3 large eggs
1 1/2 C. hot coffee**
1 tsp. vanilla

** these can be substituted. Vegetable can be used, in the place of olive oil, but olive oil is healthier.
Buttermilk can be made - 1 1/4 C. of milk and add vinegar to complete the other 1/4 C.
Hot coffee - can substitute hot espresso for a richer coffee flavor.

1. In a large mixing bowl-mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa.
2. Slowly add in olive oil, buttermilk, eggs and coffee.
3. Add vanilla last and mix well.
4. Prepare a 11 x 17 jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
5. pour mix in pan and bake.

350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Recipe 8 - My Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe will make about 2 dozen rolls.

1. Mix 3 1/2 C. warm water, 3/4 C. sugar, 1/2 C. olive oil, and 6 TBS. yeast. Mix well and let sit for 15 minutes.

2. Then add: 1 TBS. salt, 3 large eggs, and 10 C. flour. NOTE: add flour slowly! It will make a huge mess! Mix together for 10 minutes. and let sit for 10 minutes.

3. Oil your work surface. DO NOT USE FLOUR!

4. Divide dough in half and press first half into a rectangle. Roll out to about 1/4 -1/2" thickness.

5. Spread with soft butter(about 1 stick per half). Top the butter with 1 c. sugar, 1 TBS. cinnamon.

6. Begin making roll. Always roll towards you. Slice the roll into 1/2" slices and place on lipped cookie sheet about 2" apart. Set aside and let rise.

7. Repeat steps 5&6 with second half.

8. Leave both halves to rise for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.

9. To bake: 400 degree preheated oven, for 12-15 minutes.


Recipe 9 - My cinnamon roll frosting

2 lbs. powdered sugar
4 tsp. maple extract
1 c milk
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. coffee
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix well until creamy, and drizzle over warm rolls.

Recipe 10 - Easy maple pecan fudge

Need:
2 c. brown sugar
5 oz. evaporated milk
1 c. butter
2 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp maple extract
1 c pecan pieces

In a sauce pan, combine brown sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Bring to a full boil over medium heat.

Reduce heat slightly, and boil additional 10 minutes, stir constantly.

Remove from heat and add powdered sugar, vanilla and maple.

Use hand mixer to beat together for about 3 minutes or until smooth and glossy.

Pour into a greased 8 x 8 pan, and let cool.

Allow 12 hours of cooling before cutting.



There you have it. A few of our budget friendly recipes.

Coffee Chat - January

Well, here we go. A coffee chat for the New Year. I am a firm believer, that there are no coincidences in life. Everything we go through, experience, and come across; is put there for a reason. Even if we aren't sure what the reason is. Just as I have allowed too many stressful situations take hold of me, I believe they exist merely to remind me of my strength, usually when I am feeling at my weakest. For me, I invest time and energy into situations, that I feel are worth while. When they turn out to be a farce, it unhinges me. I do not like to waste my precious time or energy on anything that is pointless. I don't need iron-clad guarantees, nor do I want or need perfection. I do need honesty, loyalty, respect and dependability. I try not to listen to gossip, and prefer hard facts over rumors. I tend to listen to gut instincts, and will keep opinionated thoughts to a minimum. I will have the facts in black and white before running my mouth. When I give my minimized opinions, it's typically because they are asked for or I care about someone too much to keep quiet. This coffee chat is about the changes I am making for me. Even though painful and heart breaking, a situation in December was my final straw, for stress that I could handle. I never thought I would see the day that anything or anyone could actually bring me to my knees, in pain. It did, but a few things did come out of it...I relearned how to turn off my emotions, and the ice I had let go of years ago, has returned - ten fold.


What a month January has proven to be. With just 5 days remaining, I am, overall, happy with the direction I am going. Years of stress, and not voicing what I needed to, has led to many uncharacteristic thoughts for me. Not to mention, some other stresses that sent me to my knees the last few years. All of it together, was my undoing. There wasn't one single stress that really sunk my attitude or spirit, but too many without a release. I love my time out dancing at a country bar, but I love my solitude too. I have found that I can lose myself in a good book, and let the story line carry me away from stresses that I deal with. I love nights around a bonfire, or starring at the stars. I love long conversations with great friends, usually over multiple pots of coffee. I love taking off with my camera and finding unique nature that catches my eyes. I love complete quiet spaces, my gardening, and even cooking. When life throws too much at me, and I can't get the release I need, I find myself not enjoying anything. Everything becomes a chore, or requires more effort that I have to give. I become run down, tired, frustrated, sick, overwhelmed, and all around negative.

My 41st birthday, began a fresh year for me. It was a time for me to take back my own will, life, and spirit. I began releasing the situations, people, and other hurts that weren't working. It has taken me almost a month to finally start releasing the strain of everything that has caused me stress, pain, or heartache. Since so much has cluttered my life for many years, and the past 3-4 years have been my breaking point, it feels good to start eliminating some of the areas that are not healthy for me. December was the straw that broke the camels back. Absolutely everything in my life that had caused one issue or another for me, came to a head. I reached the point of being fighting mad. I hadn't been that angry in nearly 20 years. I had another Christmas clouded by by bad memories, another birthday that may as well have been just another day, and New Year's Eve was heartbreaking...even with my birthday goals, I brought the new year in shattered. I knew in December that it was time to take out the trash, wipe my hands of anyone and everyone that wasn't able to meet my standards. I also knew, that my long controlled temper was on the verge of a meltdown, of epic proportions. I really think my family felt it too.

So, what has changed? Well, the rose colored glasses are now shattered. The ice I had in my veins for so many years, is back. Although, I think it has become substantially thicker. I can't and won't take anyone at their word anymore. By taking some at their word, too many have chosen to abuse my trust. Some have taken for granted that I will always be there. Some decided that being deceptive was a game they wanted to play. While others, just go about their days thinking they safe, because I have not yet lost my shit to them yet. While a select few, have proven that no what what the situation, they will there. They step up and have listened to me whine about everything; yet are more than happy to tell me to stop, and just listen to a different perspective for a minute.

As I am once again having to adapt to the changes life keeps throwing at me, I have questioned many times, what I ever did to deserve this. It's a pitiful thought, I know. I am only human. I question what exactly I am expected to learn from several that have done exactly what they said they wouldn't do. I don't like games. I prefer to have an idea of what to expect and not get thrown in a shark tank. I care too much for people and have always given more chances than I should. I usually get hurt in the process. No more chances, no more blind caring, no more taking people or situations at face value. Everything that has happened through the years, has lead me to where I am. My walls are higher than ever, my circle is smaller than ever, and the few that have proven I can trust them are more family to me than friends.

We are now 26 days into January, and although I am feeling more in control of my thoughts and actions again, I am reaching beyond my comfort zone, to just keep improving myself and my attitude. I have let go of so many toxic people from my life. I need to learn to balance what I need for me, and what I need to do for my family. I need to learn how to set boundaries with my family as well as those I do allow close to me. I have high expectations for those I associate with, but I try to return the same expectations I ask for. Words, do not mean much to me anymore. After so many scars, SHOW ME! Show me you can be trusted, show me that you respect me and prove to me that you will not take me for granted or use me.

Now, as I am moving forward, it seems the world just gets crazier by the day. I think the biggest problem I can see, is that so many people are oblivious to what it means to be truly happy, and being honest is something most don't expect anymore. When our politicians are constantly lying about one thing or another; the people are following suit. Happiness is equated to what is owned(financed), what the social status is, and how much money is made. People have no idea how to be alone and happy. People are jumping from one relationship to another, one job to another, and settling for what is considered normal. Myself, I am done settling! I am tired of settling of less than I deserve. If that makes me conceited, well, so be it. I am not a material person, so for me, I deserve respect, honesty, loyalty, and being treated right. I do not deserve being lied to, taken for granted, being used, and being deceived.

It's time for more people to open their eyes. It's time for honesty to prevail. It's time to treat others with respect, when it's earned. For me, it's a time stake claim to the person I have buried within myself for so many years. It's time to not only lose the baggage that has weighed me down for years, but also to reassemble the shattered pieces that have fallen within my soul.

I am moving forward, with my eyes wide open. It's been a great month of discovery. I may not ever be perfect, but those I care for know, I will do everything I can to help them. I will always be honest with them. I suppose if you can't handle the truth, or my opinion, then being around me isn't the best place to be. It is what it is. Take me as I am or walk away. Just know, if you walk away, there's no coming back.

It's a great time of regeneration. I am finding my strength in phases, and it's getting stronger everyday!

Salli

My biggest 2016 goal

There are times that make you grow, change, and learn. There are times that tick you off, and as you throw your hands in the air yelling, "why me?" or "What did I do to deserve this?," that the crypted answer appears. Sometimes, you really have to look for it! Other times, it's as simple as having a great friend confirm what you had begun to think was the answer!

You see, my goals for 2016 are numerous, but my biggest goals has been, to be true to myself. No more lame excuses holding me back, no more getting worked up over things that I can't control(this will take time!), and finding my own truth in the mix of chaos. For any that have read my blogs for the past few years, I have really struggled. I let go of basically everything that made me, me. I gave up on dreams, goals, and wants; they didn't fit in my life now, even though they were important to me. I became the type of person that I don't like to be around; negative, flustered, a ticking time bomb of emotions, and someone who had lost myself and become someone I didn't know or like.

With the goal of being true to self, this encompasses body, mind and spirit. Generating all the negatives I have dealt with for many years, into the positive push toward setting free the very spirit I have neglected. Hiding my own spirit so that others around me are comfortable, is pathetic, but how I molded myself to fit into my world. There are times that being true to yourself is difficult to balance with responsibility hanging on your shoulders. This has become my dilemma. Responsibility has always played a huge factor in my life. Typically, that responsibility had to come above my own wants and needs; thus, it carried over into adulthood.

As so many adults today muddle through life, being responsible or comfortable, they lose any idea of what their spirit needs. Sure, it's easy to find quick/easy fixes to make us feel good for a moment. Sometimes, it is even for years. However, when you are constantly neglecting your spirit that one it's going to find a way to get your attention. It could be some massive, momentous event that brings you to your knees or just that one final little straw that will break the camels back. There are so many, like me, that have chosen to fit the molds. Whether it's getting married, having children, getting the ideal career or the huge home or newest vehicle...are these truly what makes your spirit fly free? I really don't believe so. I think, so many have hidden their spirit behind things that are acceptable, or comfortable, that they end up feeling resentful, lost, and depressed.

So many people I have known, wouldn't know how to get along without all their material stuff. All that material stuff becomes their comfort zone. They base their own worth, on what outward appearance they project. When you ask them if they are happy, the majority of the time, I hear, "sure, and I will be happier when I get/do..." Really??? So, their happiness is based on the material stuff, their status in society, and what other people think. Guess what? I have become no different. I got into a comfort zone, I don't have much in high end material stuff, but I value what I do have. I made the statement:" I will be happy when: it's spring, we pay off our debts, it's summer, when I can do this or that." That should have been my first clue!

Being happy is not about what you have, or hope to have. Being happy is just that...being happy! It has nothing to do with material stuff, job, or even the people in your life. You have to be happy within, period. When you are not happy within yourself, nothing else will matter. Sure, it may give you momentarily, a burst of joy...but it won't last. Being happy with yourself, has to include mind, body and spirit, the whole self. When your whole self isn't in alignment, you won't be truly happy. Your spirit will still be bound.

Freeing your spirit, is something that is going to send a lot of people outside their comfort zone, myself included! Think about any point in your life, when you can remember just being happy. When your happiness was not attached to something else. Do you remember? For me, I remember running around the neighborhood I spent most of my childhood in, playing in the little creek, putting my hands in the water and watching the ripples as it flowed on. Or sitting for hours in another small town, watching water rush over a damn and picking up shells and rocks. Or as a 20 something, going skinny dipping in a lake with a group of friends, sitting around a bonfire and listening to music. Or even just 3 years, going to the back of our property to the little stream, taking photos and being at peace with nature. My spirit was free and alive in each of those cases. As you can see, there have been some major gaps in those time frames. It took a 3 hour conversation with a great friend, to set the wheel in motion to see exactly, how much of my spirit has been bound.

Do I want to throw responsibility to the wind, and just forget about it? Not really. I want to find my balance. I want to free my spirit, and see how much damage can be repaired. I want to find my balance, so I can be whole again. When you spend a big chunk of time feeling drained, overwhelmed, angry, resentful, and just muddling through life; it becomes this tedious cycle that is hard to break. Again, this is where the balance comes in. Finding a way to equal the scales while still tending to responsibilities and allowing your individual self, to truly shine; it takes work. It's going to take courage to step out of that comfort zone that you have been "content" with.

Setting such a momentous goal for myself, is rather daunting. After a few years of headaches, drama and multiple issues, I find myself saying, "I don't know where I'm going to fit time for working on myself into my day," or "I'm going to have shirk some responsibilities if I'm going to do this." Well, even though I have had these thoughts, I'm going to share my own pep talk, I am using as my mantra, as I begin freeing my spirit.

"You have to make time to recharge your mind, body and spirit. This is not an option. You are not whole, and you are already giving everything you have to give, to those around you. You have to allow yourself whatever time or energy you need. Those around you are going to see a better you, by taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is teaching the kids, early, that they need to do the same. You deserve to be happy and free. Delegating some responsibility, is a minor trade off, for those that truly care for you and want you happy."

When someone has gotten so overwhelmed, and has allowed themselves to be molded into acceptable roles, it takes time to release that. Hopefully, you are able to catch on a lot quicker that I have. If you are one of those remarkable people that are truly free in mind, body and spirit; I applaud you! If, however, you are not...it's never too late! Although, my own thoughts were pushing me in the direction I needed to go; it took a 3 hour conversation with a trusted friend, to reiterate what I had already known. It was during that conversation, her wisdom and insight, that I "saw the light." It was in that moment that I remembered what I had once known. It was in that conversation that I realized how far from source, I had gotten. My spirit is in nature. My spirit is rooted in the very source that sustains us. My spirit, even though long ago tamed, is still very alive, very free, and very strongly pushing to the surface.

If you go out to enjoy the full moon tonight, really see and feel the energy it provides. Give yourself the opportunity to allow it to recharge your own energy. Thank you C., for helping me to remember what I had once known!!! I am ready for Summer, but until then, I am slowly recharging in ways that are possible right now. You are truly the blessing, I asked for, that I knew I needed!

Happy Full Wolf Moon!
Salli

Gardening? But it's JANUARY!

I get to giggling when I mention my gardens in the Winter. I hear the sentiment: " Gardening, but it's January!" Believe me, I am fully aware that it's freezing cold, snowy and crappy outdoors! In my home, and for many friends, January begins the garden planning for the coming Spring.

2015, we expanded our garden area, and were sadly disappointed when the weather didn't cooperate to allow for a decent garden. In 2016, The expanded garden is being used, the lower garden will be used, and several new garden areas are being added. As I have mentioned in my meal planning and budgeting blogs, we grow food to help reduce the expenses of having to purchase everything at a store. We grow or raise the majority of our foods, normally. We have a calf every year we raise for butchering, we have 1-2 pigs we raise, and typically chickens as well, although, all my hens have died now so we will be starting from scratch real soon. My gardens are to serve the purpose of providing our vegetables and fruits. I work hard to grow these fruit and vegetables, so I can preserve them so we have garden fresh produce year round. It's a lot of work, it's frustrating at times, it takes a true effort to keep up with weeds/pickings/and critters. I refuse to use any chemicals on our gardens or in our animals, although I know they are sure to get some from the field run-off. I plant a TON of sunflower seeds every year to help soak up whatever chemicals may infect our ground.

Learning to garden was something I was taught as a kid, however, gardening for a purpose took on a life of its own as I began preserving food several years ago. As I mentioned many times, I married a country boy. He grew up with raising/growing his own food. I didn't. I have since learned, and it's become a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience for me...even when the weather doesn't cooperate. My gardens are my peaceful place. Getting my hands and toes in the freshly worked dirt, even when it's still cool from Winter, is like coming home. It's refreshing, and exhilarating! The beginning of every season, is like a fresh start, and one that is rewarding to boot!

January is usually my planning month for that year's garden. I plan for the types of fruits/vegetables I plan to grow, an approximate location of where they will be planted, how I need to rotate the crops for optimal nutrition and I look back on my notes to see what I need to do differently from the prior year. Yes, my notes usually remind me that I did something way wrong, and I need to learn how to make it better. For me, planning my garden and growing my garden, is not just a simple task of working up the ground, throwing some seeds or plants there, watering when needed and being done. Since our gardens are planted to provide for a year's supply of preserved food...there is so much more that goes into it.

Once you have a rough list of what to plant, then I make a list of what I need to preserve. Usually, it's made to not only increase our preserved foods, but also to replace anything we have run out of or didn't get preserved the prior year. The past 2 years were especially difficult with an uncooperative Mother Nature so my grocery budget more than doubled. I was not happy when I realized how much my efforts actually did help our overall budget. So, I have to make better and more precise efforts to get a better crop/return this year. Another lesson learned!

My 2015 garden was atrocious! I threw everything I could into a single garden(I normally have 3), and getting between rows took an act of Congress!!! That was a repeat lesson throughout the entire growing season! I will not be doing that again! I will replace my entire yard, make it a great big 5 acre garden before I make that mistake again! The rows were way to close together, the plants were hard to get to, I couldn't get plants staked like they needed to because there was not room for the stakes, and the weeds ended up taking over. Not to mention a wet year, so everything was done in the mud, the ground(when it did dry) ended up like concrete, and I neglected to stay on top of everything once it got overwhelming.

My 2016 gardens, are looking a little intimidating but necessary. Everything I have preserved over the last couple of years, is gone, aside from a handful of green bean jars and a handful of carrot jars. I think there is enough left for 2 meals a piece. Not good since we are only in January and I still have about 6 months before I can start preserving again.

My garden list for 2016, is still flexible but looking pretty good. Our typical vegetables/fruits, along with some new ones. Making the conscience effort to get our family back to eating healthier than store bought, and to become pretty self-reliant once again. As I said, gardening for me, is a job. It involves year round planning/action. It requires time, energy, effort, and an investment.

My gardens this year look to include: corn, potatoes(red and yellow), sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, jalapenos, green beans, horticulture beans, kidney beans, zucchini, golden zucchini, beets, carrots, cabbage, onions, radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, swiss chard, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, pears, plums, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, and spaghetti squash. I am also venturing into herbs, garlic, horseradish, rhubarb, asparagus, and jelly/jam. This should be the first year of getting fruit off our trees that were planted when we first moved up here, but I don't expect much. We had a handful of grapes last year, but hope for more this year.

Preserving food is another effort that pays off, but it sure is time consuming in the moment. I love the beauty of preserved food sitting in my pantry, in the middle of Winter, but it takes an effort to get that pulled off. I am pushing myself into learning the art of jelly and jam making, and drying foods to preserve them. Making my own ground spices has been something I have wanted to learn, and now I am ready to tackle that.

In addition to growing the food my family will eat, I am venturing into growing food to feed our livestock. I have studied, asked questions and again, I'm ready to see where this adventure will take me. We are having to begin anew with fresh chickens, so what better time to get some personal growth with knowledge?! Researching chickens that are best suited for our area, our climate, and in production and finding ones that are docile enough to have as a flock around kids has been fun. IF you aren't aware, there are millions of different types of chickens! Not all are good to have on a homestead, not all are good for laying eggs year round, not all are "tamable," and not all will survive our Northern Missouri climate. I have looked for breeds that are docile, ones that will still lay eggs throughout our colder months, and ones that available to us without having to purchase a large number of birds. As a general rule of thumb for me, I want enough birds to guarantee my family will have a dozen eggs a day, minimum. That way, if we have company or a family member needs eggs, we will not cut our household short. You can count on, once the chickens begin laying, each chicken will lay a single egg per day. So, if you have 7 birds, you should get 7 eggs each day. I want our flock to consist of 20-25 hens and a rooter. The rooster will help fertilize any eggs we set aside, so that we can have chicks to replace the older chickens. We seriously neglected this strategy! Now, we have no chickens, which in turn results to no eggs. So, for the first time in 5 years, I have to buy crappy store bought eggs. Yes, there is a huge difference!

So in addition to my garden planning, I am planning for new chickens, a new shelter for those chickens, chicken runs, and of course, planning for growing the food they will consume. You can purchase chicken feed, and for the most part, it's a decent base. However, for farm raised chickens, on our little homestead, I prefer food that doesn't include chemicals. It's fun making all the preparations, but it's also time consuming. I guess it all falls back to anything worth having takes work!

Preserving food for our home becomes a roulette game sometimes. Trying to judge how much of something you need to plant to get the amount you need to preserve. I always try to error on the side of planting too much as opposed to not enough! A typical year of preserving for me consists of: tomato juice, stewed tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, chili sauce, salsa, green beans horticulture beans(I use in chili), kidney beans, carrots, pickled beets, canned potatoes and stored to use throughout the winter, corn, zucchini, canned and stored sweet potatoes, frozen packages of onions and green peppers, half green peppers, whole green peppers, jalapenos, not to mention canning some meat, and precooked meals.

Needless to say, to plan for a year's supply of food for my family, takes planning and a whole lot of hope that Mother Nature will play nice! I hope you will enjoy the months of blogs to come, sharing with you my gardening, chickens, livestock, and food preserving! It's sure a love of mine, and so rewarding when my efforts pan out!

So, for all those giving me static over garden planning in January....This is why I start planning in January. By March, when I can start planting, I should be ready! :-)

Dreaming of dirt,
Salli

Meal Planning - Part 2

Meal Planning - Part 2



Did you gather your receipts, sale ads, and set your meal planning time frame? If not, that needs to be done before diving any further into this. In the beginning, these steps will be a hassle. It was for me. It was a bigger hassle though, to watch my grocery budget continue to climb, and not feel I was able to stop it.

Let's assume, that you have gathered all your receipts and sale ads. That you have set your meals for the time frame you want to work with. A quick disclosure, even though I plan out my meals on a monthly basis, I do not always keep the meals on the days/dates I plan. I tend to switch them around if something comes up or I need a faster meal, etc. I stick to the meals planned, they just may get moved around a bit.

Planning for your meals, will take a little time to decide what your schedule looks like, what your budget looks like, and what meals you determine will work with both. Let's use a 7 day plan for our example in this blog. You are planning 7 days worth of meals, breaking down the cost per meal(we will use a 4 person household), and planning a grocery list for those 7 days.

7-day meal plan example:
Day 1 - Spaghetti, corn, and homemade bread.
Day 2 - Tator Tot Casserole
Day 3 - Homemade Hamburger Helper Meal
Day 4 - Loose hamburger, mashed potatoes, and corn
Day 5 - Homemade Pizza
Day 6 - Chili, homemade bread
Day 7 = Chili Pasta Bake

As I said, more than likely, these meals would get moved around in my house. We would probably have chili the 1st or 2nd day, and save the left overs for a few days later.

Let's break down each meal, for ingredients and prices. Keep in mind the prices I will list are local prices, so you would need to have your own receipts and ads to get the true break downs.

Meal 1 - Spaghetti, Corn, and Garlic Bread.
Spaghetti - hamburger $4 lbs, Noodles $.99 lbs., Sauce $1.69 jar, Spices $.20. ($6.88)
Corn - Frozen or canned - $.99 lbs. ($.99)
Bread - Flour $.35, Olive Oil $.50, Honey $.50, Yeast $.10, Salt $.05.($1.50)

This meal would cost $9.37.
This would also make enough for dinner one night, and lunch the next day, bringing the true total to $4.69 per meal. Spaghetti will also freeze if put into an air tight freezer container.

Meal 2 - Tator Tot Casserole.
Our version of this includes hamburger($4 lbs), mixed vegetables($1 lbs.), potatoes($1.75 lbs.), cream of mushroom soup($2), velveta($1), milk($.30) and tator tots($1).

This meal would cost $ 11.05.
This would also be a 2 meal dish and would bring the true total to about $5.52 per meal.

Meal 3 - Homemade Hamburger Helper Meals
This is something that is very versatile! You can use any kind of combinations. We have used: hamburger, tuna, chicken and sausage. You just decide what works for your family. Here are comparisons for 2 we use regularly:

Hamburger Helper Tuna Helper
Hamburger - $4 lbs. Tuna - $1 can (I use 2 )
Noodles - $1 lbs. Noodles $1 lbs.
Sauce - mushroom soup - $1 can(I use 2) Velveta - $7 box -
Add-ins - Vegetables - I love mixed veggies $1 lbs. I don't use any add-ins on this one, but will add a veggie side $1
This meal cost is: $8 This meal cost is: $11

Both meals will make enough for left overs, dividing the overall cost in half...$4 and $5.50. However, the tuna helper has a cost added in for a box of Velveta, and you will use about half of it, and have more for a later meal.

Meal 4 - A favorite of mine, is my version of shepperds pie.
Loose hamburger, corn, and mashed potatoes.
Hamburger $4 lbs.( I use 2 lbs.), Corn $1 lbs( I use 2 lbs.), Potatoes $1(I use about half a 5 lbs. bag).
This meal would cost $ 12. I double my recipe to allow for left overs. Breaking the cost of this meal down to $6 per meal.


Meal 5 - Homemade Pizza
This takes a little planning and time, since I make my crust from scratch, but well worth it!
Crust - flour($1), Oil($.25), Yeast($.25), Water, honey($.25) - $1.75
Pizza Toppings - Pizza Sauce($.90 can, I use 1 per pizza), Sausage($2 lbs. - I use 2lbs.), pepperoni($1 bag), Peppers($.50), Onions($.50), Mushrooms($3 lbs.). - $10.80 - This will make 2 large size pizzas, and will give at least 2 meals, making it $5.40.

Meal 6 - Chili and bread.
My pizza dough recipe is multipurpose. I use the same recipe for my homemade bread.
Chili - Kidney Beans($.75 can - I use 3), Chili Beans($.75 can - I use 3), Chili seasoning($.50 pkg - Use 1), Meat(hamburger is typical but we also make venison. ($4 lbs burger, or $1 lbs venison), peppers ($.25 pc, I use half of one.), onion($.50 each, I use half to cook with and half to put on top), Shred Cheese($2.50 bag - will use about half) - $9.50 using hamburger
The bread is just like the pizza crust above: $1.75
This meal would be $11.25 total. The Chili will easily break down into 2 meals, sometimes 3. Chili can also be froze in air tight container. Bring this meal to $5.75 per meal.

Meal 7 - Chili Bake
This is a repurposed meal, made of the left over chili, but refreshed as a completely different meal.
For this meal, Just add a $1 box of pasta, any style and the remaining shred cheese. Mix with left over chili, bake for 30-45 minutes, and voila! New meal made with left overs for $7.50.

For this particular meal plan, groceries would be about $65-70 for the week and give you actually 14 meals. That breaks down to about $4.75 per meal average, for a family of 4.

Let's break down the grocery list for this meal plan. I will break it down per item, number of items needed, cost per item, total cost for multiple items, and the total cost for the groceries. Here we go!

Grocery List:
Hamburger 5 lbs. $4 lbs. $20
Sausage 2 lbs. $2 lbs. $ 4
Noodles - variety 2 pkg $1 pkg $ 2
Spaghetti Sauce 2 jars $1.70 jar $3.40
Pizza Sauce 2 cans/jars $.90 pcs. $1.80
Mixed Vegetables 2 pkg $1 pkg $ 2
Corn 3 pkg $1 pkg $ 3
Cream of Mushroom Soup 4 cans $.90 can $3.60
Chili Beans 3 cans $.75 can $2.25
Kidney Beans 3 cans $.75 can $2.25
Tomato Juice 2 cans $1 can $2

Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper - Can be purchased for around $4 and the small amounts you use won't even break down into a real cost, but you need to figure in staples! We are going to just use the costs for purchasing the staples, as full amounts so you are stocked up for the next plan.

Flour - Unbleached 1 - 5lbs. $5 pkg $5
Olive Oil - EV cold press 1 - ?? $7 bottle $7
Honey 1 $7 bottle $7
Yeast 1 $4 bulk package $4
Velveta 1 box $7 $7
Potatoes 10 lbs. $3 $3
Onions 3 lbs. $2 $2
Green Peppers 4 $.50 each. $2
Mushrooms 1 lbs. $3 $3
Chili Season Packet 1 $.50 $.50
Stewed Tomatoes 1 can $.75 $.75
Shred Cheese 2 pkg $2.50 pkg $5
_______________________________________________________________________________
Total Grocery Cost $ 92.55

This will give you not only your 7 meals, plus left overs, but also your staples for the next week of meal planning. Most of the staples listed here, will last a month, so if you divide that out, your staples will be $9.75 per week. The meals alone for this plan, would be about $69.

Obviously, breaking the cost down over a month, is even more cost effective. However, it takes a lot more time, a lot more energy, and a lot more planning. When planning for groceries, food alone would be rather reasonable, but my grocery budget also includes the horrible necessities that take more money, like: toilet paper, paper towels, soaps, etc. I have been doing this break down for long enough, I know how many rolls of toilet paper we use a month, how many rolls of paper towels we use in a month, how much soap we go through, or if we can stretch our toothpaste over 2 months.

Yes, it's a little tedious, but the amount of your grocery bill will drop with some planning. The next blog, I will share some of my favorite recipes, even a couple breakfast recipes. Meal Planning - Part 3, will be done soon also. In the next meal planning blog, I am going to work on, I will share some of my secrets for the best grocery prices, among several other things.

Happy Planning!
Salli

Budgeting - Breaking it down

Budgeting, oh the stress that suggests to me! :-) Budgeting is something that drives me crazy on a regular basis! Unless you were born into a family that doesn't have to be concerned with finances, EVERYONE needs to budget. I'm going to break down how I work our budget. I highly recommend young people, learn some form of budgeting BEFORE venturing out on their own...even just going to college. Once you get in over your head in debt, it's very difficult to pull yourself back out.

Having a job, gives you a paycheck. This paycheck pays you what your employer tells you your time is worth. Once your employer pays you your paycheck - known as your gross income, then Uncle Sam is going to take his share. This is known as taxes. Taxes and other deductions(i.e. Insurance), will be deducted from your check before you even get it. What is left over is your bring home pay - known as your net income. Your net income is what you will have to use for expenses, debt, groceries, etc. The average of all the tax deductions(federal, state, FICA, Social Security, and Medicare) for a single person or a married person paying the single rate(which is higher to avoid having to pay in at year end) is about 22%.

Paying taxes stinks! When you look at the amount going back to the government for your hard work...it's frustrating! However, you can't avoid it, so suck it up and let's move on! Once you learn what your net income will be, at least an average, you will have a little easier time planning for your extended budget. Keep in mind though, that things come up and can throw your budget into a tail spin, so stay on top of it!

So, using easier numbers to work with, let's say you make $10 per hour. You work at least 40 hours per week. Your gross income is $400. Now, the stinky part. Uncle Sam and other deductions are going to take 22% of that. That is $88 each week. That's going to leave you a net income of $312 that is truly yours. Of that $312, you have expenses to pay. But first, let's discuss the IDEAL way to budget. Ideally, of that $312, you are going to take another 20% out of that. That is another $64.40, dropping you down to $247.60. That 20% is the real key to keeping a solid financial foundation. Here is what that 20% is for: 10% goes automatically into a savings account. The other 10% is what you have to spend how you choose for the week. That means: $32.20 goes into savings, and $32.20 is your fun money. However, don't just let that fun money burn a hole in your pocket. Just because you have it, does not mean you have to spend it!

Ok, now to expenses. Most of us are aware how expensive everything has gotten! So, we are going to fake numbers to show how to budget on the income numbers above.

Listing your expenses. This list must include rent/mortgage, all utilities(listed out seperately), cell phone, vehicle insurance, groceries, etc. All expenses that must come out of your paycheck every month. It helps me to have a list of each expense, the date they are due, and the average the expense is to estimate a budget. Let's break this down just a little more:

Rent/Mortgage - Due 15th - $250
Electric - Due 8th - $100
Water - Due 10th - $35
Phone/internet/cable - Due 20th - $60
Cellular - Due 5th - $50
Vehicle Ins. - Due 28th - $75
Groceries - Bi-weekly - $150 total
Fuel - weekly - $35
Debt Reduction - Credit Cards, loans, etc. - $100
_______________________________________________________
Total Monthly Expenses : $960

Now, I am a stickler for comparing. I look at the net income after the 20% we pay ourselves and we have $990.40. When you subtract your monthly expenses from that net income, you are left with $30.40. Keep in mind that utilities tend to fluctuate on a regular basis. With this example, the budget works like a dream! That $30 per month left in your account is a cushion. Plus you have a savings if some emergency would come.

The next step I make in budgeting is breaking these expenses down into weekly payments. We have an average of $247.60 that we can spend on expenses, which means our rent/mortgage expense will have to be broke down into 2 payments(even if you just pay it all at once). So, here is how I would break this down, weekly:

Week 1 - Week 2- Week 3- Week 4-
Cellular - 50 Electric - 100 Rent - 125 Rent - 125
Water - 35 Phone/Int/Cable - 60 Groceries - 75 Vehicle Ins. - 75
Groceries - 75 Fuel - 35 Fuel - 35 Fuel - 35
Fuel - 35 Debt Reduction - 50
Debt Reduction - 50
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total - 245 Total - 245 Total - 235 Total - 235

Laying your expenses out on a weekly schedule, will allow you to see your what expenses have to be paid before the next pay period. This helps you avoid the extra fees of late changes or loss of service. Those late payment fees will eat you alive!



Next, I keep a running total of our total debt. This can get messy, especially if you have a large number of outstanding debts. This list includes: mortgage balance, vehicle loan balance, personal loan balance, credit card balance, student loan balance, and any other outstanding balances you currently hold. Once again, ideally, you never want more debt than you could pay off in 3-5 years at your current income. Any more than that, and you be paying an arm and leg in interest.

With the total running debt, I HIGHLY recommend learning how any loans you have work. Find out your interest rate, how much your current loan is going to cost you after paying your interest and principal, find out if your interest how your interest accrues(daily, monthly, quarterly, etc.), Know where your money is going! Find out if making several smaller payments each month are allowed, or if there are penalties for doing so.

It seems that so many get into financial troubles because they don't understand interest. Interest is basically paying the lending institution back for loaning you money, you didn't have. If you have an interest over 6%....you are going to pay at least double the money of whatever you took out the loan for. Say you buy a car for $10,000. Your interest is going to tack on at least another $10,000 before you are done paying for it, so make sure that car is worth $20,000 before buying it!

Another money sucker is the places that allow you to rent furniture, appliances, etc. I made this mistake many years ago. I was needing a washer, dryer, stove and refrigerator. I went to Rent-A-Center, and they were more than happy to rent me these appliances. Sure they offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payments; but you are paying 2-3 times what you could go buy them for outright! Had I kept those appliances, The total of the 4 was around, $200 per month. With their 90 days same as cash, I could buy them for $2600. Great, to interest, right? WRONG! Sure you don't pay visible interest, but you are paying TRIPLE what you could go to someplace like Menards and buy them for. Those same appliances would have cost $1600 if I would have bought them with cash. Now, that being said, there was no way I had that kind of money laying around, so buying new wasn't an option. Do not be afraid to buy second hand or used appliance at a fraction of the cost, while you save for new ones! If you can't pay cash for something, you do not have the money to buy! It's that simple! Purchasing everything on credit has caused a rise in the bankruptcy cases to alarming levels. It's important to learn to live within your means, not barely surviving so you can make payments!

Having lived on 1 income for almost 15 years, I will tell you budgeting sucks! I have learned to juggle numbers, and go without A LOT! I have also learned how to be frugal, how to appreciate what I do have, and how to make the best when there isn't even money in the budget for groceries! I learned to be creative!

As I began my multi-part series on meal planning today, I decided to throw in the basics of budgeting too. You really have to learn both together to make it all work. Learning to compare prices, service, and companies; will save you money. Learning how to understand interest and interest rates will save you ton!

Something I have learned, by taking a look at your expenses, and debts; you can get a clear understanding of your financial state. If you are making a gross income of $20,800 year, which is a net income (minus your 20%) of $12,875.20. If you have expenses totally $11,520 year, and if your debt is more than 3-5 times that...you are in big trouble and better look at your spending habits! Using these numbers, you have roughly $32 each week that is yours to spend. This would be for eating out, going to a movie, buying new clothes, buying a coffee out, etc. If you are spending more than that, you need make sacrifices to live within your means.

As your total debts are figured, take a look at the balances, interest rates, and their standings. There are 2 ways to look at how to go about paying off those debts. The first, I was taught years ago. Pay off the lowest balances first. This allows you to see goals being met fairly quickly. The second, means looking at interest rates. This view says to pay off the balances with the highest interest first. Yes, this will save you a load of money in interest, but some of those balances will take years to pay down. So, you use your best judgement, as to which way will work for you. I have personally instituted a combination of the two ways. When we had credit cards, I always paid doubled the minimum balance. This brought those balances down rather quickly. On the higher balance accounts, I would make extra payments when ever possible. Even if it was just $50, it was an extra payment.

At 41, I am still learning what works and what doesn't. This blog is just a few tricks I have learned. Some of them, I am finally figuring out. It's also extremely important if you have a significant other, that you work together on the financial side of things too. Too many times, it's left to one person to handle the finances, and then you asking for trouble, as well. When there are 2 people involved in the expenses and debt, and only one is expected to handle everything....you have one person that doesn't have a clue! They could be out spending that money you were saving to pay a bill, and not realize it. If you have a partner, make sure you both are fully aware of all Finances! Save yourself some of the trouble I have dealt with!

Do you have other tips to share? Feel free!
Salli

Meal Planning - Part 1

Meal planning can take some time. There are several areas to consider when planning out meals. Figure the amount of time you want between grocery trips, this will determine how many meals you need to plan for. Figure you budget for this period of time you are meal planning for. Take an inventory of your freezer, pantry, and refrigerator. Decide on any special events you have coming up that will require a special meal, any extra days off or guests, and being budget conscientious; I try to find meals that average about $5 total, and a meal or two that is new.

In my household, I plan for 30 days at a time. This allows me to shop, just once a month for the supplies I need. This is not only a time saver but a big money saver! I'm not going into actual budgeting today, but the less time you spend being tempted by marketing in stores, the less money you spend on unnecessary items. Shopping monthly, takes time to adjust to. The end of your 30 day meal plan, has the pantry/fridge/freezer looking pretty bare.

Starting your meal plan, look to meals that your family loves, meals that are fairly easy/fast, meals that are healthy, and meals that allow for extra - either for lunches the next day or to freeze for a meal in the future. Make a list of meals to fill the time frame you are meal planning for; whether that is a week, every 2 weeks or monthly. In my world of lists, notebooks, and a paper trail; I will use a sheet of paper to list meals that sound good. This typically includes meals for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert.

The next step, get those sale ads, your prior grocery receipts, or whatever resources you can get your fingers on to compare prices, and get prices for the meals you want to cook. Most stores now offer online delivery of sale ads, so you won't even have to set foot in a store before your planning is finished. I highly recommend keeping all your receipts for comparison as you learn to meal plan, budget and organize. These may take up a little space, but they will help you tremendously! Keep in mind when meal planning, even if one store offers a cheaper price; is it going to be worth the extra time/money spent to drive to another store.

Once you have your sale ads, receipts, and are ready to start your grocery list; do not forget the little things. Things like spices, fresh produce, flour, sugar, etc. will add up on your grocery bill if not figured in. Since I make most recipes from scratch, my spice/staples/produce list is usually longer. (I will be doing a set on my favorite from scratch recipes too.) Learning to meal plan will also include learning to find the best price; not just by package, but by weight/size too. Sometimes an item weighing 16 oz. will have a price of $2.50, but the item weighing 32 oz. will be $3, and you will enough left for another meal...that time and money saved. I've learned it's best to figure a price by weight, then find the true, most cost effect product. We are able to purchase many items in bulk, typically for half to third of the cost of just doubling up the item. A large canister(food service size) of peanut butter at WalMart is $13.86. We buy a 25 lbs bucket locally, for $26.95. The same goes for flour and sugar. Locally, we buy 50 lbs bags of each for flour-$17.95, and raw evaporated cane juice - $29.50. By purchasing our main staples in bulk, I buy them only a few times per year. However, not all bulk items are cheaper! This is wher you have to take the time to figure the cost per ounce/pound, and find the better option. A 5 lbs. bag of egg noodles locally is $8.99, however, if you go to Aldi, you can buy 1 lbs. bags of egg noodles for $.99 each.

Once you decide on your time frame for meal planning, and your meals; then you venture into the grocery list and cost comparisons. This is when your ads and receipts, will help tremendously! I try to keep all meals to $7 or less for a family of 4. This means on average, spending $1.75 per person, per meal. Doesn't sound like a lot, does it?! You would be amazed what you can make for even $4 per meal! Here's a great example: one of our favorite meals - Tacos/Taco Salad - Grocery list: 2 lbs. hamburger($8), flour shells($2), Taco seasoning($.50), refried beans($.69), Shred Cheese($2.69 lbs.), Lettuce($.99 head), Sour Cream($1.99 16 oz.), Tomatoes(when available $.99 lbs), Franks Hot Sauce($6.99 64 oz.). Now, you look at these prices and say that is more than $7 for a meal. Yes, it is. However, the items listed above will be for 2 meals. Dinner one night and lunch the next day. It also includes items than will be used for other meals. The cheese will have at least half left, the lettuce too, the sour cream will still be almost full, and tomatoes(when available) is purchased sparingly. So, a taco night in our home, averages about $7 per meal. We are fortunate to raise our own beef and pork, so the are large expenses 2 times each year and not figured into our monthly grocery budget. Back to our taco nights, The total cost for that list is $25.83. Now, you can figure out that you still have about $1.34 in cheese left, $.90 in lettuce, $1.60 in sour cream, and $6.80 in Franks. That amounts to $10.55 in food left to go towards another meal, and $15.28 spent for 2 meals or $7.64 per meal, or $1.91 per meal per person. That's a big savings when you compare to an $6 combo fast food meal, per person. With the items left over, you have partial ingredients for baked potatoes, or side salad for another meal. That is a win in not only meal planning but budget planning!

When I meal plan, I include many of our regular favorites, but try to institute some new dishes as well. This spices up a dull routine, and boredom when it comes to food. I always look at the ingredient lists of new recipes before including in the meal plan. IF the ingredient list will include too many, 1 time use products, it doesn't get put in the mix. I also keep binders of recipes, and tons of cookbooks; to help spice up our meals. There are some amazing tried and true, old time recipes that you can alter, add or delete things from to liven up the dish.

Meal planning is beneficial to anyone that eats. Period! Choosing to place your hard earned wages into something, must be done so with thought, knowledge and caution. I don't care if you are set for life financially or get help with food stamps...budgeting, meal planning, and getting the most for your money is a common sense approach! For Part 1 of Meal Planning, here is a quick break down, until we dive deeper next time:

1. Decide on the length of time you want to plan for - 7 days, 15 days, 30 days...you decide. I recommend starting small as you learn this frugal technique.

2. Go online and sign up to receive the sale ads from your local stores. Aldi, WalMart, HyVee, etc. all offer online sale ads.

3. Keep ALL your receipts! This allows your to have price comparisons.

4. Decide on any special meals, or guests you plan to have during the time frame you decide to meal plan for.

5. Make a list of meals to fit your time frame...include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts.

6. Begin making a list of ingredients you will need for each meal, a list of staple ingredients, and spices.

In the next Meal Planning Blog, we will dive deeper into the plans, breaking down costs, and assessing the time/money it costs to shop.



As promised, this year is a fresh year to get organized from the start. With Budgeting, meal planning, recipes, and other cost effective blogs, I hope you find the benefits I love to share about living a frugal life!

Salli

Resolutions/Goals - You can do it!

As the New Year's Resolutions are in full swing, how are you doing with yours? Are you still excited to make changes in your life and better yourself? If not, let's refresh your goals. I can't even begin to fathom the numerous resolutions that are made every year, but let's touch on a few.

1. Weight loss - This always seems to be the number resolution. How are doing on hitting your goals? What are your goals? Are they realistic goals? Obviously, losing a 100 lbs. is not achievable overnight. Are your goals set with realistic time frames? If your goal is to lose 100 lbs., it's easiest to break this down into smaller goals to give you milestones to reach and feel that exhilaration of achieving a goal. So, break that down, 100 lbs lost is achievable with just losing 10 lbs per month. Now, keep in mind that if you are exercising, your weight will shift. Muscle weighs much more that fat. So, achieving weight loss is multifold. Just losing weight requires understanding that losing 10 lbs. of fat, may result in only losing 5-6 lbs. because your muscle increase will alternate the actual weight.

2. Eating healthier - Another top resolution. Eating healthier should not include calorie counting. This is such a deceptive practice. Eating raw, unprocessed foods, is the first and biggest step to eating healthier(and losing weight.). Raw fruits, vegetables, unbleached foods, reducing food colorings, soda, and junk food. While it does take more time, preparing fresh foods and not eating out, will help tremendously!

3. Exercising - This one is a bit vague. We exercise some, every time we walk anywhere or basically do anything. The goal for most is to start getting into better shape. I recommend starting slowly, especially if you are not accustomed to regular exertion. Start with just 5-10 minutes a day. Avoid unnecessary injuries, and stretch before and after exercising. Whether you are using yoga, or high impact exercising; stretching muscles before and after will not only ward of injuries but will lesson the stiffness afterwards.

4. Quit Smoking - This one is one I still have not overcome. Although it's not a resolution for me, it is a goal...I will reach eventually. As with every resolution or goal, getting discouraged when you can't master it on your set time does not help. To begin something so important, I have found a few options, I will be trying myself. First, is always cold turkey. I don't know about other smokers, but that did not work for me. Second, is the one I will be trying. Begin by minimizing your nicotine intake. This can be accomplished in many ways, but the recommended way was this: If you currently smoke 20 cigarettes a day(a pack), The first 2 weeks, you reduce your number so many. For me, I decided eliminating 3 cigarettes a day was a doable goal. By decreasing your nicotine intake slowly, the idea is your body will not go through the withdraws and mood swings of the cold-turkey way. Every 2-3 weeks, you decrease your intake by the number you choose. If, by chance you hit a hang up or a rough time, just start over. Do not allow yourself to feel deprived, or like you have failed on your goal. Just start over. Life happens, right? Don't let your goals slip to the way side, if you hit a bump. Keep trying!

5. Live healthier - This one involves almost all of the above. Even though we live in constant contact with harmful chemicals, air, and medications; there is hope. Using the exercise tips above, the eating healthier tips, and even understanding that weight loss is a good goal but muscle weighs more than fat, so understand that actual weight is deceptive.



I am personally, a goal setter. I love to be able to achieve my goals, but I tend to get overzealous with mine. That is great for accomplishment, but tough on the mentality if you fail to hit a goal. Life happens, and as the year progresses, we loose that drive. I believe this is natural. So setting goals, small significant steps forward, makes the most sense to me.

Just remember the story of the tortoise and the hair. It's not about racing, it's about the steady forward progression. Each little step is a victory. Celebrate, reward yourself with a healthy reward, and jump into your next goal.

You can achieve your resolutions/goals! I know you can! Slow and steady wins the race. Get out there, get started, restart if you must, and make 2016 the year you kick butt!

Salli

10 Frugal Tips to start 2016

Having a household that has been a single income home for almost 15 years, being frugal is not an option. There are plenty of areas you can cut, minimize and even some you just can't. Minimizing your financial load, and learning to save on a single income is a chore. It is something that you have to work at. You have to adjust your thinking, adjust your finances, and adjust your attitude. In my household, it is a constant learning subject. We are still learning and thanks to sites like Pinterest, Google and a desire to learn and seek out professional advice; we are learning and sharing it with our children. They are the next generation, and teaching them the importance of fiscal responsibility is as important now and it has been throughout the generations.

Here are a few tips/tricks that we use, and some that other sites have brought to our attention as viable options!

Tip 1: Learn how to budget!
Make an inventory of your monthly expenses, your monthly income and review your expenses every pay period to see where you can make changes to allow expenses to be significantly lower than your income. The goal in our home is to keep expenses 20% below our average monthly income. This would allow 10% to be saved for other needs/expenses and 10% for entertainment. Finance professionals will tell you, you should take 10% of you net income every pay period to save, before paying any expenses.



Tip 2: Plan for annual payments when possible.
Vehicle insurance, home insurance, and even some loans; can be paid annually and save money. Taking the time to investigate your options can save you hundreds every year. Even though this may not seem significant, every penny counts. While some loans, with lower interest rates, make more sense to pay annually; some financial institutions will allow other loans to be broke down into bi-monthly or even weekly payments.



Tip 3: Learn how your loans work!
This seems to be a common sense thought to me, but it may not be for others. Learn how your interest accrues. If you compound interest on your loans on a daily basis, making weekly payments will keep your interest amount down, while in turn, helping to lower your principal balance. If you have a $500 payment due monthly, $47 of that payment goes towards interest, the remaining $403 goes to principal. If that same $500 payment and $47 interest can be knocked down by breaking your payments down into weekly payments. Instead of accruing a months work of interest, you are paying the interest that accrues each week. Breaking your loans into multiple payments will literally save you thousands over the life of the loan!



Tip 4: Purchase Christmas gifts throughout the year.
Yes, I know we are just past Christmas, and many bought gifts on credit and now look forward to paying it off just in time to do it again the end of the year. Here is a little trick that I did for several years, but got away from. Buy stuff throughout the year. The easiest way, Every pay period, beginning right now, purchase a gift card. Whether you give those gift cards as gifts or you use them when the time comes for your shopping...you are spreading the cost over the entire year, and no more living on credit! IF you are paid weekly, grab a $20 gift card each week. This takes just a small amount of planning, but it's worth it! Figure out your gift buying list now. Figure out your planned budget for your shopping, and divide it out over the number of weeks from now until you plan to shop. Example: As I write this, there are 47 weeks until Black Friday. A $20 gift card each week, will give you a shopping budget of $940.



Tip 5: Meal and Grocery Plan.
This can be tricky, but with a little effort, will save you hundreds on your grocery budget. I plan our meals out, a month at a time. I look for cost efficient meals, some of our favorites, and a few new recipes, each month. I buy bulk whenever I can. We are fortunate to have a local store that is size comparable to the old Wal-Mart, and price comparable to Aldi. I buy flour, sugar, spices, and produce in bulk. We also garden, preserve food and raise a large part of what we eat. Where my grocery budget has been higher with 2 years of poor gardens, a regular garden year, affords me about $50 per week for groceries. As I said, our budget has taken a hit with bad garden years 2 years in a row, so it is now averaging about $100 per week. Keep in mind this is for a family of 4. I make a majority of everything from scratch, so there is more time involved, and we rarely eat processed foods. By planning your meals, making a grocery list for the meals you have planned and allowing for staples that you must buy fresh, you save time and money. Making frequent trips to the store always ends up costing more as you purchase more than you need. I shop once a month for the main groceries, and items that must be purchased fresh(i.e. milk, bread and some produce) are picked up as needed with a fast trip in to the store. Going directly to department that has the items needed, and only getting what is on your list, will save you a TON!



Tip 6: If you can't pay cash for something, you can't afford it!
This was a hard lesson to learn, when we live in a society of loans and credit. If you purchase a $200 television on loan or credit, that television will end up costing you double. Why not save for a short time, and just pay cash?! Sure, I understand that items such as a home or vehicle is usually not an expense that can be saved for...without many years to do so. For these types of items, refer back to tip #3. Know and understand how your loan/credit will work, if your financial institution will allow for payment break downs, extra payments without fees, and most importantly...your interest rate!



Tip 7: Learn or be willing to barter/trade.
This was a way of life for many generations. I think too many of us have gotten dependent on markets having what we want, and the ease of paying our hard earned cash and going home with it. The way it works for me, I have connected with some amazing women who have multiple areas of interest to me. In turn, I am willing to trade what I have too. Everything is fair game in trading/bartering. For us, it's eggs, milk, fresh produce, books, learning/teaching new skills or trades, and establishing an amazing friendship. There are many willing to trade services, ideas, goods or any number of other things. There is no shame in being fiscally responsible!



Tip 8: Compare prices.
This has brought on so many extra and unnecessary steps for some. The coupon rage, the free sample rage, and even stores willing to beat competitors prices. For me, I save every grocery receipt. I keep a stack of each store that I shop at, and then I have their prices to compare to others. I get the new sale ads each week for all the stores, and when I am ready to shop, I compare the sale price to the regular price, I figure in the time and fuel to drive to the different stores to see if a cheaper price will actually be cheaper overall. I avoid the big stores, such as Wal-Mart. It is too distracting to walk through that store and not overspend on items that were not on my list. Be willing to take some time to save yourself money.



Tip 9: Take a look at your monthly expenses.
Looking back at Tip #1, many times we don't realize that small increases over time add up. Look at each expense with a fine tooth comb. Can you turn off a few lights, or the television at night to cut down your electric bill. Or lower your thermostat a few degrees to cut down your gas bill. Look at your cable/satellite bill too. This has become one utility that seems to keep increasing. For us, a few years back, we switched from Directv to Dish Network, after the first company bill kept increasing the longer we had it. Now that we have had Dish for a few years, our bill has now increased to what we were paying with Directv. I recently learned about a department in all these companies called Customer Retension. This department is authorized to lower your bill with their hopes in retaining your business. This is one area I will be looking into this month. Our cell phone bill is another that has become a finance eater! We switched from no-contract phones, to a contract to get better phones. Not a wise move. We are now paying $100 more each month for the same crappy service, but we have smart phones. There are a multitude of options now, for no-contract companies. Many offer unlimited talk, text, and data for around $50 per month. Our contract phones are $89. Obviously, the grocery expense can be worked with, with a little planning, as can insurance costs. Don't be afraid to shop around, compare prices, and if all else fails...drop the expenses you can.



Tip 10: Live Simply
Don't try to live up to what others are doing. Remember how fun and amazing some of the simpler things in life can be. A picnic lunch, a stroll by a river, entertainment in parks and recreational districts, or a simple walk. There are beautiful state parks in every state, hiking is great exercise and free entertainment. Get together with friends for a bonfire, deck party, etc. Have everyone bring something to share for food or drinks, and you can be social without all the technology. Take time to stop and breathe.



As the year progresses, I will share more tips/tricks on living frugally. This will include my gardening, photography, furniture building, finances, and more. Let's get a jump start for a great 2016!

Salli

Fresh Start

It's a new year, and a fresh start for all of us! After several years of wandering aimlessly, with no real direction and no desire to tackle some tough issues; a huge slap in the face in December opened my eyes. Even though I am more of a black sheep, live my life the way I see fit, and choose to live by morals and standards...I allowed many others, whom do not, to infiltrate my life and bring negativity, drama and unnecessary stress into it. I had allowed years of misplaced loyalties and manipulation to continue even when my gut was telling me completely opposite of what I was actually doing.

Well, I am back on a solid foundation. I am so much more than most give me credit for. The biggest assets of who I am, are usually my biggest liabilities too. I live, believe, learn, research, and question. I take absolutely nothing or no one at face value, usually. I have learned to control a very hot-headed temper...most of the time, I have a need for truth/loyalty/respect, I refuse to blindly follow what the masses follow, I will research everything and question everything! I live my life from a place of compassion and empathy; which tends to allow less than deserving people into my life. I give the benefit of doubt and second chances, way too often and it usually comes back to bite me. I love simplicity! I don't like conflict, but I will fight tooth and nail for what I believe, for my family, and when push comes to shove...I have a mean right hook. I love to shoot guns and bows, I love to garden, cook, bake and create. I love my wood working, photography, and designing house floor plans. I do my best to always be honest, and hate judgements. I have this weird obsession with making lists, writing everything down on paper, and a continuous love/hate relationship with technology. I love my farm life, but sometimes miss my city nights. I have a severe dislike of shopping, jewelry, and fancy stuff. I love my jacked up truck, driving our 4-wheeler, and dreaming of a day that I could live 100% off grid. I can be as cold as ice or as warm as a winter fire...it all depends on how I am treated. I am simple yet complex. Accept all of me, or don't...whatever you choose is ok by me. I keep walls around me that only allow those truly equal to walk through, I may change like the weather but if you truly know me - you will understand what has caused the changed. If I quit arguing with you, and start keeping more to myself - It means that I have pushed you outside of my walls.

With all the understanding of my simplicity yet complex personality, has come a peace of soul. I am not someone to be handled lightly, or someone that can be managed. When I quit arguing, quit participating in senseless B.S., and start withdrawing; it means I am slowly finding my place and whomever it being push out, is on the final leg of being included in my inner circle. The realizations I have come to, have left me feeling quite free.

With that being said, 2016 has begun as a very selfish year. This year, I am setting my goals, accepting and working with my own needs, accepting who I am even with all my flaws, and I am moving forward. I am moving myself forward, with purpose, distinction, and drive. I have made it through some pretty awful experiences in my life, and I refuse to let toxic people take me back to the severely depressive person I have been the last several years.

2016 blogs are still going to be random, some will be my regular coffee chats, some will be frugal living tips I use, some will be cooking or gardening tips and updates, the purpose of gems/stones, Natural and Holistic health research, learning essential oils, and with any luck...some will be about travel too. A regular blogging schedule is being formulated, as is a regular schedule for photography blogs, cooking blogs, and my custom furniture blogs. It's an exciting time and one of importance in my life.

Hang on readers! This is going to be a great year! I always welcome comments, suggestions for blog topics and/or what you want to read about, and always feel free to share this blog! Grab your coffee/tea, and enjoy this blog, as I share what I learn. If it helps anyone along the way, that's even better!

Happy 2016, let's make this year rock for all of us!
Salli