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5 minute bread, a fabulous roast, and planning a menu

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

One of my goals (resolutions?) this year was to plan our meals better. For fast food to become a treat rather than a 2-3x a week occurrence. Not just for our health, but our pocketbooks as well (not that Chicky Husband carries a pocketbook – he’s more of a clutch person-lol).

I pored over many plans and ideas, and rejected as many as I considered, then I came across this little bit of brilliance -

Nester’s Imperfect, Flexible, Doable Meal Blueprint

The Nester has done it again – the only woman who could inspire me to pick up a paint brush has me semi-organized in the kitchen too. Her plan isn’t rigid, takes only a little preparation, and as a result we’ve had wonderful dinners this last week.

One of her suggestions is that you make bread dough every week – I know – MAKE BREAD! But it isn’t as hard as it seems using the 5 minute method.

Well, it would have been easy if my yeast had been good. I mixed up a batch Monday, and while I got some rise, it wasn’t nearly as much as it should have been. I went ahead and made the bread anyway…let’s just say the NHL would love this bread.

I have been meaning to try the 3 packet pot roast recipe I have seen around pinterest, it’s beyond simple: one packet each of ranch dressing mix, brown gravy mix and italian seasoning. Crock pot, water, DONE.

It was delicious – salty, but delicious. Made the most amazing gravy, but again, a bit salty. Next time I will try my own mixture – WITHOUT so much salt! :)

Have you tried any menu planning? Bread making? I would love to hear what you think about Nester’s plan!

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5 easy Green Habits

August 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I try to strike a balance between being as green as possible, but not driving my family nuts going overboard. These are some of the easiest habits I have picked up over the years:

  1. We try to keep our fast food visits down to once a week, but we still manage to acquire 7 days worth of paper napkins each time we go – I have been keeping them, and put them in our cars for quick cleanups, wiping faces, dashboards, etc…
  2. Cloth in the kitchen – napkins, washcloths, dish towels – we haven’t bought paper products for the kitchen in a long time except for a roll of paper towels once a month or so for making tacos – if anyone has a solution for blotting tortillas, share please!
  3. Reusable shopping bags – I keep plenty in my trunk, and even a few compact ones in my purse. We still manage to have a stash in the kitchen, which I use for catching veggie peels and lining the bathroom trash.
  4. We do buy SOME juice bags, but I am more likely to use a  reusable bottle filled with juice or water that has been frozen to keep the boys lunches cold. By the time lunch rolls around, the drink is thawed!
  5. I choose cleaners that are more environmentally friendly – Method is one I love because they have refills, smell great, and are kind to the environment – so is Mrs. Meyers. Those are the only household cleaners I buy anymore!

These are small habits, and I am trying to make better choices (less packaging), but every little bit counts! What simple habits have you and your family adopted to be a little “greener”?

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