If you are a fan of delicious Swiss Muesli cereal you know it is found in the health food section of your grocery store and is expensive. It also happens to be quite delicious and nutritious. However, muesli can be made inexpensively by using raw oats, dried fruits such as raisins or chopped dates, nuts such as slivered almonds (ideal) or any other type of nut you have on hand, such as walnut or pecan, or even peanuts. Mix them all togther and keep in a container. It does not need to be refrigerated.
When you wish to eat a bowl you can eat it cold with shredded apple on top , or heat it up. You can add any fruit you have on hand; bananas or strawberries are lovely too.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Compact and My Compact
I have been a shopping maven all my life -- I can find the best prices on just about anything and do some great bargain shopping and stockpiling. Trouble is, I can also end up with years' worth of items. When I realized that I had, indeed, amassed a small department store, I knew it was time to get tough. I have also had issues with spending through emotion rather than by real need or by budget. As a result, I have ended up giving away countless items simply because I thought I might use them and didn't, or there was simply too much to be consumed or used in a reasonable amount of time.
So, a couple of years ago, I decided to join the Compact. That is a group that agrees not to buy anything new for a year, except food and other essentials such as gifts for others, socks and underwear that really need to be bought new. The experience was amazing. I had so much in reserve, the restriction didn't even begin to make a dent for almost a year. Since one of my weak spot is buying mostly out-of-print books, I hardly even noticed the restriction. I also joined Bookins.com at about that time, and began to circulate extra copies of my books to others on a more personal basis than just giving them to a charity.
Then I decided to up the ante -- I decided not to buy anything new to me, and see how that felt. That was, as they say, a horse of a different color. What a puzzling and yet invigorating experience. Even knowing that you will fail, the process puts your values into a new dimension. The learning experience can be startling and yet empowering. And, at the same time, you may find yourself comfortable with the same amount of change you had at the beginning of the week in your purse at the end of the week. You may find yourself making odd combinations of food at a meal just because they happen to all be in the refrigerator and need to be eaten. This level of austerity can be of value even for short periods of time. And, ironically, it does wonders for appreciating all that one has; not to mention the great bounty of goods that are available to us in this country.
So, a couple of years ago, I decided to join the Compact. That is a group that agrees not to buy anything new for a year, except food and other essentials such as gifts for others, socks and underwear that really need to be bought new. The experience was amazing. I had so much in reserve, the restriction didn't even begin to make a dent for almost a year. Since one of my weak spot is buying mostly out-of-print books, I hardly even noticed the restriction. I also joined Bookins.com at about that time, and began to circulate extra copies of my books to others on a more personal basis than just giving them to a charity.
Then I decided to up the ante -- I decided not to buy anything new to me, and see how that felt. That was, as they say, a horse of a different color. What a puzzling and yet invigorating experience. Even knowing that you will fail, the process puts your values into a new dimension. The learning experience can be startling and yet empowering. And, at the same time, you may find yourself comfortable with the same amount of change you had at the beginning of the week in your purse at the end of the week. You may find yourself making odd combinations of food at a meal just because they happen to all be in the refrigerator and need to be eaten. This level of austerity can be of value even for short periods of time. And, ironically, it does wonders for appreciating all that one has; not to mention the great bounty of goods that are available to us in this country.
When cash is short, think barter
There are many environments and neighborhoods where bartering is a part of life. This consists of establishing a value for something and exchanging with someone something determined to be of equal value. This may be housesitting in return for legal services, or jam in return for a haircut. There are a number of things for which we have no alternative but to use cash; but there are countless others where we may be able to barter. So keep an open mind to it...
Make-up; think palette and extend
Every season we are treated to the brand new array of colors we are supposed to be wearing on our faces, hands and feet. It is mind-boggling, and not inexpensive, to try to keep up with everything. But there is an answer -- rather than buying into the new shades for the season, think in terms of a palette of shades that you just like, and that work well with your coloring. Simply retire the shades that are 'unpopular' and use the shades that are the current favorites. Nothing really changes all that much; it is just the hype and packaging that makes it seem that way.
Also, think about extending the use of things you already have and like. One thing that can be really annoying is that the lip gloss that comes in tubes seems to dry up quickly and be used up quicker still. Take some vaseline or Bag Balm, gather a clump of it on the tip of the applicator, and stuff it back down the tube. You will end up using all the color that is there and postpone the need for a new one. With lipstick, when you get down to the metal on one you really like, use a lipstick brush to retrieve the rest of it.
Also, think about extending the use of things you already have and like. One thing that can be really annoying is that the lip gloss that comes in tubes seems to dry up quickly and be used up quicker still. Take some vaseline or Bag Balm, gather a clump of it on the tip of the applicator, and stuff it back down the tube. You will end up using all the color that is there and postpone the need for a new one. With lipstick, when you get down to the metal on one you really like, use a lipstick brush to retrieve the rest of it.
Potato January, February and...
When Potato January happened to me and my children, a long time ago, it never occurred to me that there might be a day when we lived in a Potato January environment. Everywhere we turn jobs are being lost, people are being betrayed, elitists are trying to secure bailouts for themselves while leaving the common people homeless, jobless and starving. It is a dreadful situation, and probably one that is not going to improve until it becomes even worse.
So let me say once again, when you feel down and out and your food budget seems to be going through the roof, grab yourself a bag of idaho russet potatoes and dig in. A baked, or nuked (poke holes in it first) potato, drizzling with olive oil if you like, topped with whatever vegetables you have on hand to steam, is a good and nutritional meal with no fat and not a lot of calories. Add shredded cheese or, my favorite, cottage cheese, to it, sprinkle with some cajun seasoning and it is delicious; it fills you up and keeps your tummy warm in cold weather.
So let me say once again, when you feel down and out and your food budget seems to be going through the roof, grab yourself a bag of idaho russet potatoes and dig in. A baked, or nuked (poke holes in it first) potato, drizzling with olive oil if you like, topped with whatever vegetables you have on hand to steam, is a good and nutritional meal with no fat and not a lot of calories. Add shredded cheese or, my favorite, cottage cheese, to it, sprinkle with some cajun seasoning and it is delicious; it fills you up and keeps your tummy warm in cold weather.
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