Welcome to my money saving Blog where I share many of your favorite recipes and stories with everyone who visits here. Feel free to comment – feel free to ask questions! All are welcome! I also hope you pay a visit to my blogs – history files for more money saving hints and tips for everyday life.I believe that making your own food saves more money than any other part of our lives. My email is grannyj40@yahoo.com you are welcome to write to me anytime.
There seems to be an echo in here.
Recipes for the 4 th & 20 Things You Should Never Buy Used
Grilled Vidalia Onions
It can be prepared in the oven or on the grill.
50 min | 10 min prep
SERVES 4 , 4 onions
4 medium vidalia onions
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1 Tbs pieces
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
salt
pepper
Cut top and root end from onions. Peel and rinse. Make two cuts into each onion without going all the way through, making quarters that stay together. Core the middle of the onion.
Place each onion in the middle of a foil square large enough to securely wrap the onion. Put 1/4 tsp of beef boullion granules into the middle of each onion. Crush about a 1/4 tsp of rosemary on to the top of each onion. Top with 1 Tbs of butter. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Securely wrap each onion. I double wrap so juices don’t leak out. Place on medium grill for 30-40 minutes until soft when squeezed.
Serve as side dish. You can serve in the foil packet.
Dilled Cucumber Spears
A fresh, cool and light veggie to serve as a side in the summer when cucumbers are at their peak. Goes well with grilled meats and chicken.
5 min | 5 min prep
SERVES 4 , 16 spears
2 cucumbers, chilled
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
garlic salt
dried dill
Slice ends from cucumbers and peel. Cut in half and quarter each half to total 16 spears.
Brush spears with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic salt and dried dill.
Serve immediately!
Buttermilk Dressing- Rachel Ray Recipe
I saw this recipe on the Rachel Ray show and made with iceberg wedges .This is the best “ranch” dressing I have ever had.
3 min | 3 min prep
SERVES 6
1 scallion
1 garlic clove
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Blend scallion and garlic in food processor. Add buttermilk and mayo. Process, add salt and pepper to taste, and process again.
Coffee Smoothie
Strong brewed coffee, milk, sugar, and…vanilla pudding (to sweeten and give a little thickness). Ice…and a blender! Awesome….get creative and add other flavors if you wish
5 min | 5 min prep
SERVES 4 , 4 smoothies
1 cup strongly brewed coffee, cooled
1 cup milk, cold (whole, 2%, or skim, whatever you prefer)
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding
1-3 teaspoon sugar, depending on how sweet you like your coffee
2 cups ice cubes (add more if you want a thicker smoothie)
Add all of the ingredients to the blender and blend until no ice chunks remain. Done!
Parmesan Ranch Green Beans
Super easy,no cook side dish that even your kids will enjoy. If you cannot find a parmesan ranch, then just add a few shakes of grated parmesaan to the dressing.
10 min | 5 min prep
SERVES 4
15 ounces green beans, french cut style
2 tablespoons parmesan ranch dressing, preffer Cardini’s
bacon bit
Open can of green beans, drain and place in a bowl. Add dressing, toss and top with bacon bits. Serve cold.
Chicken Wings
1¼ hours | 10 min prep
SERVES 5 -6
4-5 lbs chicken wings
5 ounces regular soy sauce
1 cup orange juice
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
Rinse chicken wings and cut off tips.
Pat dry with paper towel.
Pre-heat oven 350 degrees.
Mix soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar and white sugar together. Mix well to disolve sugars.
Marinate chicken wings in marinade for at least 2 hours. (large zip lock freezer bag works well).
Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade.
Cook chicken at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until done.
Bean Salad
An excellent party dish.
35 min | 15 min prep
SERVES 8 -10
1 lb green beans, cooked (approximately)
1 lb wax bean, cooked (approximately)
116 ounces beans (mixed, kidney, chick peas)
2 medium onions
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
Dressing
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
Shake dressing ingrediengts very well and pour over vegetables. Store in refrigerator and stir occasionally.
Shish’d Tofu (Grilled Marinated Tofu – Vegan)
30 min | 15 min prep
SERVES 4
2 (350 g) packages firm tofu
2 teaspoons curry powder (indian curry powder)
1 shallot
1 lime, juice of
2 tablespoons brown sugar (I use evap cane juice or organic sugar)
1 1/2 tablespoons Braggs liquid aminos (or sub soy)
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon dried mint
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil (or any light oil such as canola)
fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder (to taste) (optional)
1.Drain the tofu and cut it into large cubes Press out some of the excess water by patting it dry or squeezing out by placing a plate on top of the tofu with something heavy on top. I use a clean tea towel and lightly press down.
2.Mix everything else together in a mini blender or food processor. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
3.Marinate the tofu in the mixture for at least a few hours, overnight is best.
4.If you’re using bamboo skewers soak them for 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill. Thread the tofu onto skewers.
5.Grill on medium heat, getting some nice grill marks on each side — brushing with the excess 4marinade as you go. 3-4 minutes per side is usually enough.
20 Things You Should Never Buy Used
By USNews.com
We all love scoring great deals on Craigslist and Ebay, but many second-hand purchases are actually terrible deals. Stay clear of these 20 used items that will end up costing you money — or even endanger your health.
1. Cribs and children’s furniture: If there’s any chance that you’ll put your children at risk by buying used, just buy new. Used children’s furniture, especially cribs, can be a safety hazard because you can’t be certain of a potential recall or if the crib was installed correctly. (See also 7 Baby Items You Don’t Need to Buy.)
2. Car seats: Even if a used car seat looks OK, damaged car seats aren’t uncommon. Considering that safety technology improves every year — and the fact that car seats can go for as little as $50 — buying new is usually the better option.
3. Bicycle helmets: Usually, a crash would only crush the foam inside the helmet casing, so the damage to the helmet may not be visible. However, since helmets are meant to protect against one accident only, buying new would be a safer bet.
4. Tires: Sometimes it’s hard to tell if used tires were once part of a totaled wreck. If they have been in an accident, they’re bound to be unstable and unreliable. Putting your safety at risk for the sake of saving a few bucks just doesn’t add up.
5. Laptops: Because of their portability, laptops are prone to all sorts of abuse and problems. When you buy a used laptop, unless it’s refurbished, you have no idea what it’s been through or when important parts will die on you. You also don’t get the warranties and tech support that come with buying new.
6. Software: Most software comes with a serial number that you register with the company when you activate the software on your computer. If the serial number on your use software has already been registered, you can’t use it again.
7. Plasma and HDTVs: The cost for fixing or replacing the parts on plasma or HDTVs is high. Sometimes, it costs as much as buying a new TV. Considering the repair costs, you’d want to get an extended warranty, but that isn’t an option if you buy your TV used.
8. DVD players: While it’s smart to buy used DVDs, this doesn’t apply to DVD players. DVD players have lasers that will eventually wear out. The cost to repair or replace may cost more than the player is worth.
9. Digital and video cameras: Like laptops, used digital and video cameras are likely to have been dropped and banged around. It may not be obvious, but once the damage kicks in, it’ll be expensive to repair. If you know what to look for in a digital camera, you can get a great new camera without breaking the bank.
10. Speakers and microphones: Speakers and microphones are sensitive audio equipment that don’t stand up well to blasting and mishandling. Like laptops and cameras, the damage may not be obvious, but their performance would be severely compromised.
11. Camera lenses: An SLR camera lens is the most expensive part of a camera. It also directly affects the quality of your images. Any damage to the lens, however slight, will show up in your photos.
12. Photo light bulbs: Not the ordinary light bulbs you use at home. We’re talking about the light bulbs used with photography equipment. They’re relatively expensive, but their life span is short enough that you likely won’t get much use out of them if you buy second-hand.
13. Mattresses and bedding: Just think: You may be sleeping with other people’s mold, mites, bacteria, and bodily fluids. Besides, even the really good mattresses are only supposed to last eight to 10 years, and it’s hard know for sure how old a used mattress may be.
14. Swimsuits and undergarments: This is probably a no-brainer, but it needs to be said: Do not, do not, do not buy used swimsuits or undergarments. They’re worn too close to the body — someone else’s body — to consider buying used.
15. Wet suits: Wet suits lose the ability to keep you warm over time. If you’re a scuba diver, or the last owner was one, the constant change in water pressure will eventually wear out the wet suit and make it more likely to tear.
16. Shoes: If you get used footwear, it’s likely they’re already molded to the last owner’s feet. Poor-fitting shoes are not only uncomfortable but can cause all sorts of health problems, as well.
17. Hats: Hats are likely not cleaned before they’re resold or donated. If you buy a used hat, you don’t know if you’re also getting skin infections, old sweat stains, hair products, and other cringe-worthy remnants. Now that’s a deal you don’t want.
18. Makeup: A good thing to remember about used makeup is that it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and a number of contagious diseases. The great deal you found may come with pink eye and cold sores. Instead of buying used, consider making your own beauty products (it’s easier than you think) or skip makeup altogether.
19. Pet supplies: Old stains and odors continue to ferment even if used pet supplies are sitting around in storage. If cleanliness is ever an issue, just say no.
20. Vacuum cleaners: Vacuums are among the heavy-duty household appliances that tend to get a lot of use and abuse. They can also cost more to fix than if you bought them new right from the start.
Amy Lu writes at Wise Bread, a blog dedicated to helping readers live large on a small budget. Wise Bread’s book, 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, debuted as the #1 Money Management book on Amazon.com.
| distance learning degrees |
COOL SUMMER RECIPES & 21 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY NEW
Welcome to my money saving Blog where I share many of your favorite recipes and stories with everyone who visits here. Feel free to comment – feel free to ask questions! All are welcome! I also hope you pay a visit to my blogs – history files for more money saving hints and tips for everyday life.I believe that making your own food saves more money than any other part of our lives. My email is grannyj40@yahoo.com you are welcome to write to me anytime.
There seems to be an echo in here.The last one out please turn off the lights please.
COOL SUMMER RECIPES & 21 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY NEW
Fruity Peanut Spread
This kid-friendly spread makes a great sandwich or a dip for fresh fruit. To us as a dip, add extra orange juice, until it’s the right consistency.
10 min | 10 min prep
makes 1 1/2 cups
1 medium apple, quartered, but not peeled
1/2 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
In a food processor, chop apple and cranberries. In a smll bowl, combine peanun butter, orange juice and cinnamon.
Stir apple/cranberry mixture into peanut butter mixture until combined. Cover and refrigerate.
Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
This is a yummy start to the day or good any time. Don’t throw out overripe bananas. If you want it sweeter, increase the sugar by using flavored yogurt. Plan ahead for future smoothies by peeling and freezing black bananas in resealable plastic bags.
5 min | 5 min prep
SERVES 1
1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen at least 15 minutes
1 cup strawberry or blueberries or raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
In a blender or food processor, combine banana chunks, berries, and orange juice.
Puree untl blended.
Add yogurt and puree until smooth.
If needed, add more juice to achieve desired consistency.
Banana Raspberry Smoothie (Vegan)
5 min | 5 min prep
SERVES 1 -2 , 2 cups
1 banana (frozen or chilled)
1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup almond milk (or sub other milk)
1/2 cup orange juice (or sub other juice)
1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional) or honey (optional)
2-3 mint leaves (optional)
lime wedge, to garnish
Throw it all in a blender (except mint and lime wedge), and puree!
Stir in the mint leaves, bruising slightly, and garnish with lime.
Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
The soy milk adds an irresistible creaminess and flavor that you just don’t get from regular milk. This is a simple recipe that tastes delicious and leaves you feeling full, and it’s healthy too!
3 min | 2 min prep
SERVES 1 -2
1 cup vanilla soymilk
1 banana
2-3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Pour 1 cup vanilla soy milk into the blender.
Chop banana, add to blender.
Measure out 2-3 tbsp peanut butter (i prefer 3 for a more hearty flavor), add to blender.
Mix well in blender until all ingredients are mixed smoothly together.
Pour into a large glass and enjoy!
Delicious Healthy Strawberry Shake
Prep Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 10 Minutes
Servings: 2
I love this! Especially on hot days!”
Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup frozen strawberries
Directions:
1. In a blender, combine milk, honey, vanilla and frozen strawberries. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve
21 Things You Should Never Buy New
Wise Bread, On Monday June 28, 2010
If you’re looking to get the most value for your dollar, it would do your wallet good to check out secondhand options. Many used goods still have plenty of life left in them even years after the original purchase, and they’re usually resold at a fraction of the retail price, to boot. Here’s a list of 21 things that make for a better deal when you buy them used.
1. DVDs and CDs: Used DVDs and CDs will play like new if they were well taken care of. Even if you wind up with a scratched disc and you don’t want to bother with a return, there are ways to remove the scratches and make the DVD or CD playable again.
2. Books: You can buy used books at significant discounts from online sellers and brick-and-mortar used book stores. The condition of the books may vary, but they usually range from good to like-new. And of course, check out your local library for free reading material.
3. Video Games: Kids get tired of video games rather quickly. You can easily find used video games from online sellers at sites like Amazon and eBay a few months after the release date. Most video game store outlets will feature a used game shelf, as well. And if you’re not the patient type, you can rent or borrow from a friend first to see if it’s worth the purchase.
4. Special Occasion and Holiday Clothing: Sometimes you’ll need to buy formal clothing for special occasions, such as weddings or prom. Most people will take good care of formal clothing but will only wear it once or twice. Their closet castouts are your savings: Thrift stores, yard sales, online sellers and even some dress shops offer fantastic buys on used formal wear.
5. Jewelry: Depreciation hits hard when you try to sell used jewelry, but as a buyer you can take advantage of the markdown to save a bundle. This is especially true for diamonds, which has ridiculously low resale value. Check out estate sales and reputable pawn shops to find great deals on unique pieces. Even if you decide to resell the jewelry later, the depreciation won’t hurt as much.
6. Ikea Furniture: Why bother assembling your own when you can pick it up for free (or nearly free) on Craigslist and Freecycle? Summer is the best time to hunt for Ikea furniture–that’s when college students are changing apartments and tossing out their goodies.
7. Games and Toys: How long do games and toys remain your child’s favorite before they’re left forgotten under the bed or in the closet? You can find used children’s toys in great condition at moving sales or on Craigslist, or you can ask your neighbors, friends, and family to trade used toys. Just make sure to give them a good wash before letting junior play.
8. Maternity and Baby Clothes: Compared to everyday outfits that you can wear any time, maternity clothes don’t get much wear outside the few months of pregnancy when they fit. The same goes for baby clothes that are quickly outgrown. You’ll save a small fortune by purchasing gently used maternity clothes and baby clothes at yard sales and thrift stores. Like children’s games and toys, friends and family may have baby or maternity clothing that they’ll be happy to let you take off their hands.
9. Musical Instruments: Purchasing new musical instruments for a beginner musician is rarely a good idea. (Are you ready to pay $60 an hour for piano lessons?) For your little dear who wants to learn to play an instrument, you should see how long his or her interest lasts by acquiring a rented or used instrument to practice with first. Unless you’re a professional musician or your junior prodigy is seriously committed to music, a brand new instrument may not be the best investment.
10. Pets: If you buy a puppy (or kitty) from a professional breeder or a pet store outlet, it can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. On top of this, you’ll need to anticipate additional fees and vet bills, too. Instead, adopt a pre-owned pet from your local animal shelter and get a new family member, fees, and vaccines at a substantially lower cost.
11. Home Accent: Pieces Home decorating pieces and artwork are rarely handled on a day-to-day basis, so they’re generally still in good condition even after being resold multiple times. If you like the worn-out look of some decor pieces, you can be sure you didn’t pay extra for something that comes naturally with time. And don’t forget, for most of us, discovering a true gem at a garage sale is 90% of the fun!
12. Craft Supplies: If you’re into crafting, you probably have a variety of different supplies left over from prior projects. If you require some additional supplies for your upcoming project, then you can join a craft swap where you’ll find other crafty people to trade supplies with. If you have leftovers, be sure to donate them to your local schools.
13. Houses: You’re typically able to get better and more features for your dollar when you purchase an older home rather than building new. Older houses were often constructed on bigger corner lots, and you also get architectural variety in your neighborhood if the houses were built or remodeled in different eras.
14. Office Furniture: Good office furniture is built to withstand heavy use and handling. Really solid pieces will last a lifetime, long after they’re resold the first or second time. A great used desk or file cabinet will work as well as (or better than) a new one, but for a fraction of the cost. With the recession shutting down so many businesses, you can easily find lots of great office furniture deals.
15. Cars: You’ve probably heard this before: Cars depreciate the second you drive them off of the dealership’s lot. In buying a used car, you save money on both the initial cost and the insurance. It also helps to know a trusty mechanic who can check it over first. This way, you’ll be aware of any potential problems before you make the purchase.
16. Hand Tools: Simple tools with few moving parts, like hammers, hoes and wrenches, will keep for decades so long as they are well-made to begin with and are well-maintained. These are fairly easy to find at neighborhood yard or garage sales. If you don’t need to use hand tools very often, an even better deal is to rent a set of tools or borrow them from a friend.
17. Sports Equipment: Most people buy sports equipment planning to use it until it drops, but this rarely happens. So when sports equipment ends up on the resale market, they tend to still be in excellent condition. Look into buying used sporting gear through Craigslist and at yard sales or sports equipment stores.
18. Consumer Electronics: I know most folks like shiny new toys, but refurbished electronic goods are a much sweeter deal. Consumer electronics are returned to the manufacturer for different reasons, but generally, they’ll be inspected for damaged parts, fixed, tested, then resold at a lower price. Just make sure you get a good warranty along with your purchase.
19. Gardening Supplies: This is an easy way for you to save money, and all you need to do is be observant. Take a look outdoors and you’ll likely find such gardening supplies as mulch, wood, and even stones for free or vastly reduced prices. Used garden equipment and tools are also common goods at yard sales.
20. Timeshares: Buying timeshares isn’t for everyone, but if you decide that it suits your lifestyle, purchasing the property as a resale would be a better deal than buying it brand new: on average, you’ll save 67 percent on the price for a comparable new timeshare. If you’re new to timeshare ownership, give it a test run first by renting short term.
21. Recreational Items: It’s fairly easy to find high ticket recreational items like campers, boats, and jet skis being resold. Oftentimes, they’re barely used at all. As long as they’re in safe, working condition, they’ll make for a better value when purchased used than new.
Lynn Truong is the co-founder and Deals Editor of Wise Bread, a blog dedicated to helping readers live large on a small budget. Wise Bread’s book, 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, debuted as the #1 Money Management book on Amazon.com.
table width=”133″ border=”0″ cellspacing=”0″ cellpadding=”3″>