Easy Peezy, Lemon Squeezy ( I used Limes)

Lately we've been eating a lot of soups, and I've figured out that when I'm bored of a warm, brothy, bowl full of hearty winter foods I can do so much more with the goodies in the pot. These meals also leave a good amount of leftovers and I love leftovers almost more than a BOGO! :) So for the last couple months, and I'm surprised it has lasted this long, Albertsons has been having Buy One Get One on Pork and Beef. Mostly cheap steaks, chops and wimpy looking loin's. But if you're just going to throw it in a pot with water, herbs, and vegetables then cheap is good if not better. Anyway when I'm bored of soup I just deconstruct the pot and my soup turns into slow cooked, super tender, fall apart meat and vegetables on the side, or BBQ pulled meat sandwiches, or shredded meat tacos, burritos, salads....you get the point. Then you have also created a rich stock for freezing or using tomorrow. I especially love this because It makes feeding the baby super easy and really healthy. Once in a while I make "The Hoon" homemade dog food and everything I use she can eat MINUS ONIONS AND GARLIC, it's poisonous to dogs. All in all this is easy, healthy and gives you more options which is always a good thing. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and LOVE one pot meals that are simple, healthy and that are also devoid of alllll the things we love like butter, cream, cheese and empty carbs! 

Ingredients:

Meat of choice

Carrots 

Onions

Celery leaf (fresh)

Garlic

Thyme 

Knorr Chicken Base (I use Tomato)

Potatoes

Rough Chop or leave whole, cover everything in water, and let it simmer for a couple hours or until everything is tender. I add lemon to cut down on salt, but last night we only had the LIMES:)

                               

So nice, I made it twice!

On my Monday night cook-fest for Christine, a menu I never plan, I made a 2 Bean Salad with lots of other goodies. With some things I bought, and some items she had left in the fridge and cupboards I created this salad that goes fast! I liked it so much that the next day, when at home, I whipped it up between feeding the baby lunch. Incidentally the baby and I shared the whole thing through out the rest of that day! It's full of protein, herbs and has Mushrooms and Tomatoes. The dressing is all vinegar and spices, very tangy and herb-filled! The beans make it pretty hardy so if just for a snack, or paired with dinner, its great.

Ingredients:

1 can of Garbanzo Beans (Chick Peas)
1 can of dark red Kidney Beans
1 8oz package of Mushrooms
1/2 cup of diced Tomatoes (i used fresh, but could try canned one day)
1 clove minced Garlic
2 medium sliced Green Onions
1/3-1/2 cup Red Wine Venegar
2 Tsp. Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbs. of stock (any kind, you could even use Base mixed with a little water)
Dried Basil and Parsely
1/3 tsp Ginger Powder
1/3 tsp Garlic Powder
Knorr Chicken Base powder
Lemon Pepper

Directions:

Rinse the beans (together) in a colander then let them sit to drain. Take the package of Mushrooms (if sliced add a "rough" chop, or leave sliced. I did it both ways) Saute lightly in a pan with a small amount of Olive oil, sprinkle dried Basil, Parsley and Lemon Pepper. When they look coated add the liquid (stock or base and water) to deglaze, once the stock is mostly absorbed deglaze again with the Balsamic vinegar. The Mushrooms should be moist but not soaked. Set them aside to cool ( room temp, maybe a little warm). In a bowl add the Red wine vinegar, Ginger, Garlic powder, a good sprinkle of Lemon pepper, Basil, Parsley and Chicken Base (careful with the Knorr, it's concentrated). Chop your Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic. Once the Beans are drained and Mushrooms are cooled throw all of it into a large bowl and mix. Let it sit or eat right away, either way it will keep well, but I couldn't keep my spoon out of it! :)

What I like to call "Staples"

I have found myself, like i've previously stated, with bare cupboards. Often, and not only having food, but good food, is extremely important.....to me. I'm also completely aware that many people have this same dilemma, but I'm trying to shine a whole new light on turning nothing into SOMETHING AMAZING! There are many things I buy every time I shop, and they usually make no sense, but always end up saving our meals right before that "crucially needed" shopping trip. You know a lot of people say planning meals before you shop helps, but I've found it either ends up being more expensive or we end up eating a similar "menu" every week. Still we end up with not much, but this way I have found our food lasts much longer. So I would like to share what you will find on any given day in my panty. If any of the mentioned items are missing, ask us what we ate for dinner last night!:)

I think one last important tid-bit of information might be to add that like most of us budget friendly shoppers, I split my shopping between a couple stores. Mainly two, the 99 cent store for a lot of produce, sauces, spices and other special goodies that if you search you will find. And Sprouts for Meat and Dairy since those are the two aspects of my meals I don't mind spending a whole lot more money on. While I have to get as much as I can for the least amount, health is also wealth therefore as close as I can get to clean hormone/chemical free food I try to.

Olive Oil
Vegetable Oil
Red Wine Vinegar
Apple cider Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar

CHICKEN STOCK POWDER (preferably Knorr)

canned tomatoes: (any and all)
Sauce
Paste
Chopped
Stewed
Whole
Crushed

beans:
garbanzo(chick peas)
kidney
white
black
refried

coconut milk
condensed milk
evaporated milk

sugar white and brown
flour
baking soda and powder
vanilla

dried spices:
red pepper flakes
basil
parsely
thyme
oregano
dill
ginger
tumeric
cinnamon
cumin
lemon pepper
pepper

I use a lot of Greek Yogurt, in place of all other dairy "creams" even Mayo, even though mayonnaise still has a purpose on its own.
Other items I have for MANY reasons are;

Ketchup
Mustard
Bbq sauce
Soy
Teriyaki
Oyster sauce
Mayo

Milk
Ranch
Butter (I use unsalted)

Having a large variety of produce usually ends up saving the day. On nights when protein is scarce we can get by with vegetarian meals. Not to add I can make an abundance of canned foods that are always better the longer they sit, although they dont. :)

Some of those staples are:

Tomatoes
Carrots
Celery
Potatoes
Onions white and Purple
Garlic!!!!!!
Cabbage
Zucchini
Squash
Cauliflower
Greenbeans (I mostly buy frozen)
and Peppers (sweet, bell, spicy)
Mushrooms

While this seems like a huge list to shop for you should remember that if the spices and canned stuff is mostly present then MOST of your shopping can be produce, proteins and dairy.

Cha-cha-cha-cha Changes

Wow it's been a pretty long time since I've posted, and I kind of forgot this existed. I stumbled upon it by searching Google for, "How to start a blog." I have since last share, had many tremendously wonderful changes..."Budgeting" is not one:). But I've found an awesome relationship with a man who will eat the things he dislikes, or atleast try them when I cook them. We had a baby that is two months shy of a year and will eat anything I put in front of her. We have since moved back to San Diego and couldn't be happier. Oh and not to forget we are complete with a rescue Shepherd mix named Bella that I call Hoon. Anyway the resurgence of said "Blog" is motivated by my present part-time gig as the housecleaning, meal-prepping, chatty-cathy to my most very dear friend, Christine, "The Hunebee," who has a schedule that permits pretty much nothing besides her job, and her food allergies coupled with limited time force her to eat things occasionally that she shouldn't. I feel fortunate to not only get to see her every Monday night, but to feed her which is my most favorite part, and slightly my only reason reason for cooking besides taste! She not only provides late night laughter and friendship but also comes adorned with food specific allergies. She can't eat Poultry, or Gluten. While it could be much worse it's still an obsticle and a little more expensive, but food is what keeps us going, gives us pleasure and brings us together, and for those reasons it becomes priceless. :)