Thursday, January 5, 2012
No Icecream for One Month
I did it! I went the entire month of December without eating ice cream. I didn’t intend to accomplish this goal so soon, but when Leah was born, it became apparent that dairy was giving her gas problems, so I decided to stop eating dairy and accomplish this goal at the same time. We take Lizzy to the Arctic Circle close by so she can play on the indoor toys, and I’ve had to decline courtesy cones from the really nice people that work there. About two weeks into not this, I was begging Michael for ice cream, but then immediately telling him that I couldn’t have any. By about the third week, I actually had stopped craving ice cream. It got a lot easier after that. On New Year’s Day, I had a bowl of ice cream, to celebrate my accomplishment, and was very disappointed at how just okay it was. I thought it was going to be heavenly, but it was really cold and kind of boring tasting. I was even eating Breyer’s, the good stuff, and it wasn’t nearly as good as I remember it being. After this, I’m pretty sure I was way addicted to ice cream. I think I can avoid eating it constantly now.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Chicken Enchiladas
This is my first new recipe that I learned. I grew up eating this wonderful dish, and I finally got my mom to email me the recipe. It’s not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
3 boneless chicken breasts
1 medium onion
4 T EVOO or 4 T butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 medium can chicken broth
2 cans green chilies
12 corn tortillas cut into quarters
3 C shredded cheese
Cook the chicken breasts. Sauté onions in butter until tender. Add cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, diced chilies, and 1 1/2 C cheese to the onions. Mix. Cut the chicken breasts into chunks, and add them to the soup mixture. In a 9x13 baking dish pour a small amount of the soup mixture without the chicken onto the bottom of the dish. Then, arrange a layer of the quartered corn tortillas. (About 16 quarters.) Pour half of the soup mixture onto the layer of corn tortillas. Arrange another layer of corn tortillas and pour the rest of the soup mixture on top of that layer. Arrange a final layer of corn tortillas and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of those tortillas. Bake for 30 minutes in a 325 degree oven.
Hints:
Chicken breasts take longer to cook than it does to make the soup mixture, so start them first, before you do anything else.
I cook the chicken breasts in a frying pan on the stove, and add salt to help flavor the chicken a little. Turn them often so as to not burn the outside.
I use chicken stock instead of broth, because I have tons of it for my chicken noodle soup. My stock is in the quart size boxes, so I measure some of it into a cream of chicken soup can to get the right amount.
Green chilies are different than jalapeños, as Michael and I discovered the first time I made this.
The tortillas can be frozen, but are easier to cut if they are thawed just a little.
The more cheese, the better, especially if you take the time to shred it yourself.
3 boneless chicken breasts
1 medium onion
4 T EVOO or 4 T butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 medium can chicken broth
2 cans green chilies
12 corn tortillas cut into quarters
3 C shredded cheese
Cook the chicken breasts. Sauté onions in butter until tender. Add cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, diced chilies, and 1 1/2 C cheese to the onions. Mix. Cut the chicken breasts into chunks, and add them to the soup mixture. In a 9x13 baking dish pour a small amount of the soup mixture without the chicken onto the bottom of the dish. Then, arrange a layer of the quartered corn tortillas. (About 16 quarters.) Pour half of the soup mixture onto the layer of corn tortillas. Arrange another layer of corn tortillas and pour the rest of the soup mixture on top of that layer. Arrange a final layer of corn tortillas and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of those tortillas. Bake for 30 minutes in a 325 degree oven.
Hints:
Chicken breasts take longer to cook than it does to make the soup mixture, so start them first, before you do anything else.
I cook the chicken breasts in a frying pan on the stove, and add salt to help flavor the chicken a little. Turn them often so as to not burn the outside.
I use chicken stock instead of broth, because I have tons of it for my chicken noodle soup. My stock is in the quart size boxes, so I measure some of it into a cream of chicken soup can to get the right amount.
Green chilies are different than jalapeños, as Michael and I discovered the first time I made this.
The tortillas can be frozen, but are easier to cut if they are thawed just a little.
The more cheese, the better, especially if you take the time to shred it yourself.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Three Finished Goals
It’s been a while since I posted due to having Miss Leah. During that time, I have finished three more of my goals. We bought a house. Yay! I made two very basic scrapbooks, which I gave to my parents for Christmas. And, I organized the shoes by the front door.
I have a lot to say about the process of buying a house, and all of the drama that goes into finally owning a house, but that’s going to take more than one post, so those are to come later.
The scrapbooks were 6 X 6 pages, which I could not find paper for, so I had to cut 12 X 12 pages into four pieces. All of the pictures I had were 4 X 6, so I had to cut those down as well. It took forever, but I had fun, and I think they turned out nice.
I have two shoe hangers that I put in our coat closet, which is right next to the front door. I put the shoes that we have worn recently on the floor next to the door, and the shoes that we won’t be wearing until the summer in the shoe hangers. It looks so much better.
I have a lot to say about the process of buying a house, and all of the drama that goes into finally owning a house, but that’s going to take more than one post, so those are to come later.
The scrapbooks were 6 X 6 pages, which I could not find paper for, so I had to cut 12 X 12 pages into four pieces. All of the pictures I had were 4 X 6, so I had to cut those down as well. It took forever, but I had fun, and I think they turned out nice.
I have two shoe hangers that I put in our coat closet, which is right next to the front door. I put the shoes that we have worn recently on the floor next to the door, and the shoes that we won’t be wearing until the summer in the shoe hangers. It looks so much better.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Attempt #1 at the No Spend Month
I call this an attempt, because in my opinion, we failed, but we learned a lot from trying this, and it’s amazing how we are able to keep applying all the things we learned from this little money experiment. Just to summarize what a No Spend Month is, because most people think it means not spending any money at all, you pay all your bills and take care of any emergencies that happen in your life. The part where you try to not spend is on things where you have to consciously decide if you want to buy it or not. Examples of these things are gas, food, clothes, outings, etc.
So, we took our food budget, which was still very high from when we were using formula with Lizzy, and cut it almost in half. Then we used it for all of the above mentioned things. We cut back on driving as much as we could, so that we could stretch a tank of gas to two weeks, which is annoyingly hard, because it meant less trips to Salt Lake. If we wanted a treat, we’d either buy it at the grocery store or go super cheap at a fast food place. I tried to make sure that we always had enough food at home so that there was no excuse to go eat out. We actually liked most of these changes, so we’re going to stick with them for a while.
As for the part where we failed, at the very end of the month, we had spent more on food and gas than we budgeted. It was still significantly less than previous months, but part of that was from eating out occasionally, which I think we can easily eliminate for one month when I am no longer exhausted from being pregnant.
We gained a lot from this experience. We were able to buy new tires for the car with cash, because we weren’t spending that money on frivolous things. And, we got a dehydrator so we could add food to our food storage, however, I have eaten all of the food we dried already. It’s just too tasty.
So, we took our food budget, which was still very high from when we were using formula with Lizzy, and cut it almost in half. Then we used it for all of the above mentioned things. We cut back on driving as much as we could, so that we could stretch a tank of gas to two weeks, which is annoyingly hard, because it meant less trips to Salt Lake. If we wanted a treat, we’d either buy it at the grocery store or go super cheap at a fast food place. I tried to make sure that we always had enough food at home so that there was no excuse to go eat out. We actually liked most of these changes, so we’re going to stick with them for a while.
As for the part where we failed, at the very end of the month, we had spent more on food and gas than we budgeted. It was still significantly less than previous months, but part of that was from eating out occasionally, which I think we can easily eliminate for one month when I am no longer exhausted from being pregnant.
We gained a lot from this experience. We were able to buy new tires for the car with cash, because we weren’t spending that money on frivolous things. And, we got a dehydrator so we could add food to our food storage, however, I have eaten all of the food we dried already. It’s just too tasty.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Ghost Costume
I finally finished another goal! And it’s a cute one at that. Earlier this year, Lizzy decided that playing under blankets and sheets was the most fun thing in the world, so I decided she would be a really cute ghost. I designed the costume and Lizzy and I picked out the material together. It is made out of two layers of fleece so that if it snows this Halloween, she’ll be nice and warm. The hardest part was lining the arm holes. If I ever make this again, I’m going to use a scrap of fleece instead of the ½” biased tape that was almost impossible to sew to the fleece.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Project Noah
“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” – D&C 38:30
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year’s supply of food… and were debt free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: They have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food free.” – President Thomas S. Monson, Church News, May 12, 2001, 7
When we were in the Aspen 2nd Ward, they gave us Project Noah. It is a way to build up your one year emergency food, water, and supplies. This outlines what one adult will need. You can add more for more people and anything you may need for children and your own special needs. Once you have everything, you must rotate items so that food doesn’t spoil and supplies don’t wear out.
We have been using these guidelines to buy food in bulk when it is super cheap. Occasionally Costco has really good sales on baking goods where you can get white flour, rice, baking soda and powder, brown sugar, etc. When Macey’s had their huge case lot sale, we stocked up on green beans, corn, apple sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. While we are doing things out of order, we are getting the things we use daily first.
January
“No man is truly free who is in financial bondage. Think what you do when you run into debt,’ said Benjamin Franklin, ‘you give another power over your liberty.’” – President Ezra Taft Benson
Goal: Develop a budget and stay within it this month.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 5 gallons of water
Week 2: 5 gallons of water
Week 3: 2 dozen candles
Week 4: 4 boxes of matches
PLUS: 1 box of band aids and 1 tube of antibiotic ointment
February
“I feel satisfied that there is no adequate substitute for that morning and evening practice of kneeling together-father, mother and children.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: Join with your family in prayer morning and evening each day this month.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 25 pounds of sugar
Week 2: 2-3 pounds of shortening
Week 3: 15 pounds of cornmeal
Week 4: 10 pounds of rice
PLUS: 1 flashlight and 1 package of paper plates
March
“This is a competitive world. You need all the education you can get. The Lord wants you to educate your mind and your heart. It does not matter what field you choose, but become a (worker) of integrity, prepared to contribute to the world.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: This month further your education by developing or improving a skill.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 1 large box baking powder
Week 2: 1 gallon cider vinegar
Week 3: 1 large box baking soda
Week 4: 1 gallon of bleach
PLUS: 6 rolls of toilet paper
April
“I like to compare the home evening with an umbrella. If the umbrella is not opened, it can give little protection from the storms of nature. Likewise, God given plans are of little value unless they are used.” – President Spencer W. Kimball
Goal: This month have Family Home Evening every week.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 6 cans of soup
Week 2: 10 cans of tuna fish
Week 3: 10 cans of applesauce
Week 4: 1 #10 can of whole wheat
PLUS: 1 can opener and 1 package of paper cups
May
“The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation as boarding the Ark was to the people in the days of Noah.” – President Ezra Taft Benson
Goal: This month prepare one 72-hour emergency kit.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 1 pound dried fruit
Week 2: 10 cans of pork and beans
Week 3: 1 large can hot cocoa mix
Week 4: 1 pound of honey
PLUS: 1 small bottle of olive oil (for consecrating)
June
“If we are a temple going people, we will be a better people. I know your lives are busy, I know you have much to do. But I will make you a promise that if you will go to the House of the Lord, you will be blessed; life will be better for you.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: This month attend the temple once more than you have been going.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 2 – 42 oz. boxes of oatmeal
Week 2: 10 pounds of brown sugar
Week 3: 10 cans of evaporated milk
Week 4: 12 cans of vegetables
PLUS: 4 bars of soap
July
“The responsibility for each person’s social, emotional, spiritual, physical or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family and third upon the Church, if he is a faithful member thereof.” – President Spencer W. Kimball
Goal: This month, do something for a member of your family to show them they are loved and accepted as a child of God.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 10 pounds of split peas or lentils
Week 2: 3 pounds of pasta
Week 3: 1 large can fruit drink mix
Week 4: 2 large cans of pumpkin
PLUS: 1 box garbage bags and 1 package plastic utensils
August
“We should seek to know more about ourselves and our bodies, about what is most conducive to health and how to preserve health and how to avoid disease; and what to eat and what to drink, and what to abstain from taking into our systems.” – President John Taylor
Goal: This month, team up with a friend or family member and exercise 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 2 pounds dried nuts
Week 2: 3 jars assorted spices
Week 3: 1 gallon liquid detergent
Week 4: 5 pounds of salt
PLUS: 1 Book of Mormon
September
“And if it so be that ye should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” – D&C 18:15
Goal: This month invite a friend or neighbor who is not a member of our Church to Family Home Evening or a Church meeting or activity.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 25 pounds of white flour
Week 2: 10 pounds of pinto beans
Week 3: 10 pounds of macaroni
Week 4: 12 cans of tomato sauce
PLUS: 1 battery powered radio
October
“Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study, and also by faith.” – D&C 88:118
Goal: This month read a good book and share it with your family.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 24 packages of Ramen noodles
Week 2: 6 cans of chili
Week 3: 6 cans of stew
Week 4: 12 packages of Jell-o
PLUS: 1 large bag of hard candy
November
“Heavenly Father wants you to continue to learn from the Book of Mormon every day. It’s Heavenly Father’s special gift to you. By following it’s teachings you will learn to do the will of our Father in Heaven.” – President Ezra Taft Benson
Goal: This month read one chapter of the Book of Mormon each day.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 2 jars (50 cubes) of bouillon
Week 2: 10 pounds of popcorn
Week 3: 10 4-oz packages of pudding mix
Week 4: 4 cans of chicken or turkey
PLUS: Feminine hygiene needs
December
“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others. By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking of ourselves.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: This month participate in a Humanitarian Project.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 3 pounds of jam or jelly
Week 2: 12 cans of tomatoes
Week 3: 12 cans of fruit
Week 4: 2.5 pounds of peanut butter
PLUS: 1 toothbrush and toothpaste
“The best place to have some food set aside is within our homes….
“We can begin with one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month and then to three months…. I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all.
“Begin in a small way,… and gradually build toward a reasonable objective.”
- President Gordon B. Hinckley
Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58.
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year’s supply of food… and were debt free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: They have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food free.” – President Thomas S. Monson, Church News, May 12, 2001, 7
When we were in the Aspen 2nd Ward, they gave us Project Noah. It is a way to build up your one year emergency food, water, and supplies. This outlines what one adult will need. You can add more for more people and anything you may need for children and your own special needs. Once you have everything, you must rotate items so that food doesn’t spoil and supplies don’t wear out.
We have been using these guidelines to buy food in bulk when it is super cheap. Occasionally Costco has really good sales on baking goods where you can get white flour, rice, baking soda and powder, brown sugar, etc. When Macey’s had their huge case lot sale, we stocked up on green beans, corn, apple sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. While we are doing things out of order, we are getting the things we use daily first.
January
“No man is truly free who is in financial bondage. Think what you do when you run into debt,’ said Benjamin Franklin, ‘you give another power over your liberty.’” – President Ezra Taft Benson
Goal: Develop a budget and stay within it this month.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 5 gallons of water
Week 2: 5 gallons of water
Week 3: 2 dozen candles
Week 4: 4 boxes of matches
PLUS: 1 box of band aids and 1 tube of antibiotic ointment
February
“I feel satisfied that there is no adequate substitute for that morning and evening practice of kneeling together-father, mother and children.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: Join with your family in prayer morning and evening each day this month.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 25 pounds of sugar
Week 2: 2-3 pounds of shortening
Week 3: 15 pounds of cornmeal
Week 4: 10 pounds of rice
PLUS: 1 flashlight and 1 package of paper plates
March
“This is a competitive world. You need all the education you can get. The Lord wants you to educate your mind and your heart. It does not matter what field you choose, but become a (worker) of integrity, prepared to contribute to the world.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: This month further your education by developing or improving a skill.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 1 large box baking powder
Week 2: 1 gallon cider vinegar
Week 3: 1 large box baking soda
Week 4: 1 gallon of bleach
PLUS: 6 rolls of toilet paper
April
“I like to compare the home evening with an umbrella. If the umbrella is not opened, it can give little protection from the storms of nature. Likewise, God given plans are of little value unless they are used.” – President Spencer W. Kimball
Goal: This month have Family Home Evening every week.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 6 cans of soup
Week 2: 10 cans of tuna fish
Week 3: 10 cans of applesauce
Week 4: 1 #10 can of whole wheat
PLUS: 1 can opener and 1 package of paper cups
May
“The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation as boarding the Ark was to the people in the days of Noah.” – President Ezra Taft Benson
Goal: This month prepare one 72-hour emergency kit.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 1 pound dried fruit
Week 2: 10 cans of pork and beans
Week 3: 1 large can hot cocoa mix
Week 4: 1 pound of honey
PLUS: 1 small bottle of olive oil (for consecrating)
June
“If we are a temple going people, we will be a better people. I know your lives are busy, I know you have much to do. But I will make you a promise that if you will go to the House of the Lord, you will be blessed; life will be better for you.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: This month attend the temple once more than you have been going.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 2 – 42 oz. boxes of oatmeal
Week 2: 10 pounds of brown sugar
Week 3: 10 cans of evaporated milk
Week 4: 12 cans of vegetables
PLUS: 4 bars of soap
July
“The responsibility for each person’s social, emotional, spiritual, physical or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family and third upon the Church, if he is a faithful member thereof.” – President Spencer W. Kimball
Goal: This month, do something for a member of your family to show them they are loved and accepted as a child of God.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 10 pounds of split peas or lentils
Week 2: 3 pounds of pasta
Week 3: 1 large can fruit drink mix
Week 4: 2 large cans of pumpkin
PLUS: 1 box garbage bags and 1 package plastic utensils
August
“We should seek to know more about ourselves and our bodies, about what is most conducive to health and how to preserve health and how to avoid disease; and what to eat and what to drink, and what to abstain from taking into our systems.” – President John Taylor
Goal: This month, team up with a friend or family member and exercise 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 2 pounds dried nuts
Week 2: 3 jars assorted spices
Week 3: 1 gallon liquid detergent
Week 4: 5 pounds of salt
PLUS: 1 Book of Mormon
September
“And if it so be that ye should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” – D&C 18:15
Goal: This month invite a friend or neighbor who is not a member of our Church to Family Home Evening or a Church meeting or activity.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 25 pounds of white flour
Week 2: 10 pounds of pinto beans
Week 3: 10 pounds of macaroni
Week 4: 12 cans of tomato sauce
PLUS: 1 battery powered radio
October
“Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study, and also by faith.” – D&C 88:118
Goal: This month read a good book and share it with your family.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 24 packages of Ramen noodles
Week 2: 6 cans of chili
Week 3: 6 cans of stew
Week 4: 12 packages of Jell-o
PLUS: 1 large bag of hard candy
November
“Heavenly Father wants you to continue to learn from the Book of Mormon every day. It’s Heavenly Father’s special gift to you. By following it’s teachings you will learn to do the will of our Father in Heaven.” – President Ezra Taft Benson
Goal: This month read one chapter of the Book of Mormon each day.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 2 jars (50 cubes) of bouillon
Week 2: 10 pounds of popcorn
Week 3: 10 4-oz packages of pudding mix
Week 4: 4 cans of chicken or turkey
PLUS: Feminine hygiene needs
December
“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others. By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking of ourselves.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Goal: This month participate in a Humanitarian Project.
For Your Cupboard:
Week 1: 3 pounds of jam or jelly
Week 2: 12 cans of tomatoes
Week 3: 12 cans of fruit
Week 4: 2.5 pounds of peanut butter
PLUS: 1 toothbrush and toothpaste
“The best place to have some food set aside is within our homes….
“We can begin with one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month and then to three months…. I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all.
“Begin in a small way,… and gradually build toward a reasonable objective.”
- President Gordon B. Hinckley
Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
My First Snap Project
Last month, I participated in a co-op to get snaps for 40% off the normal price. I, also, got snap pliers and an awl for 30% off the normal price. I got my snaps on Monday, so I was very eager to learn how to use them and get started on my first project. The hook and loop on some of our Bumgenius 4.0s has been coming apart, making the diapers useless. I tried to sew it back on, but PUL is very sticky and I couldn’t get it to slide easily when I took the extension table off. So, I found this tutorial about how to convert the hook and loop to snaps. It took me about an hour to do the whole thing, and since I wasn’t at a sewing machine, I got to watch TV at the same time. Now I have another working diaper and I hope this means less washing. My next project will be to finish all of the newborn diapers. I'm going to make all of them with snaps, because I'm sick of how much effort it takes to keep hook and loop nice.
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