Monday, July 29, 2013

Meal Planning 101: Week 37

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The number one tip for meal planning on a budget, other than actually DOING IT (do it, really!), is checking sale ads and sale sections! My local grocery store has manager's special labels, most places do this! Sometimes I make a stop by the grocery store before I plan my meals to see if I can catch any of these labels. Other times I will sit there with my little list and change my meal plan based on the labels I find.

I had an awesome collage made with all the things I got this week on managers special, and then I deleted it! Ugh. So I'll just tell you, even though the visual is always better! I got two packages of button mushrooms for 80 cents each and a fresh loaf of unsliced sourdough for $1.89 (hence the mushroom swiss grilled cheese sandwiches being on the meal plan below). I also got my FAVORITE yogurt for 69 cents! I got Jet Puffed Mallow bits for 15 cents a container from Big Lots (hence smores cookies also mentioned below). I also got Saltine cracker rounds, whole wheat and regular for 75 cents a box!

Sign up for store emails! Know what's on sale. Know what's cheaper at which stores (Big Lots has cheaper bread, pasta, and other random things, Kroger has cheaper produce when it's on sale and cheaper pickles, whipped topping, and cocoa powder because they have their own brand and Wal-Mart doesn't. Wal-Mart has cheaper meats.). PLAN out you meals. And your meal plan will be on a budget or under budget too!


Monday:

Mushroom Onion Swiss Grilled Cheese and Fajita Pasta Salad

Tuesday:

Buffalo Chicken Sammies and Baked Onion Rings and Celery and Carrots

Wednesday:

Church Meal

Thursday:

Bacon Cheddar Green Onion Waffles (rearranged things so didn't get to this last week), Breakfast Ham and Sunny Side Up Eggs

Friday:

Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches (using the leftover waffles) and Fruit Salad

Saturday:

Leftovers

Sunday:

Quick snack-y leftovers before leaving for the RD retreat!


Extras: 

  • Made another gallon and a half of cold brew iced coffee. 
  • Eating yogurt for breakfast with fruit and granola. Some of my favorite yogurts were on sale! 
  • Making Smores Cookies for my coworkers. 

Lunch Ideas:


top right: spaghetti bread + salad + strawberries
bottom left: rice with green onions and yogurt butter + cucumber tomato onion salad + strawberries
bottom right: leftovers (poppyseed chicken casserole) + cucumbers + strawberries

What are you eating this week? Post your weekly meal plan in the comment section below! You can also link your meal plan up over at Organizing Junkie and see even more people who are meal planning. 


Saturday, July 27, 2013

Weekend Mani: Corrections

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A super quick weekend manicure post to share my favorite nail polish trick. I would not like painting my nails as often as I do and as much as I do if I wouldn't have discovered this trick. You know all those pictures people post with flawlessly painted nails? Do your nails look like that when you finish painting them? Mine sure don't! I bet they all use this. Maybe some people are just that skilled, but I bet the majority of them use this little trick!


A small angled eyeliner or concealer brush dipped in acetone clean up a manicure perfectly. I've tried a few, but this cheap Elf concealer brush is my favorite. You can find it at Target always, Walmart sometimes, and Big Lots for barely a dollar if you're lucky! Dip the brush in acetone, wipe it off slightly, and then clean up the polish that got on your skin while you were doing your best at painting your nails! Easy, simple, needed if you paint your nails regularly. 


Friday, July 26, 2013

Fashion Friday: Etsy State Necklaces

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You know those wire state necklaces that are all the rage? The ones like these or these that are over $50 each? They are also over $30 at a minimum for Mississippi ones in local boutiques. The cheapest one I could even find on Etsy when I searched "Mississippi necklace" was $42. I'm cheap! I don't pay $50 for anything, not pants, not a dress, and not a dainty necklace.

Well, I found this perfect looking California necklace on Etsy that was only $15! I decided to contact the seller and see if there was any way she'd be willing to make a Mississippi one. A. Expecting someone from California would not see interest in making a Mississippi necklace. B. If she was, it would probably be twice as much because it was custom. WRONG!!!


The lovely Jackie of Kraus Haus Krafts was the most pleasant person to work with ever! She messaged me back and forth on Etsy asking questions, making sure she was getting it exactly the size I wanted it. She sent me pictures along the way in comparison to a quarter, about the size I wanted, to keep me posted. She even went to the store just to get more chain so she could make it the length I requested! And all of this was before I even purchased it!


Once it was finished, she posted it as a special listing just for me! I ordered it July 4th week, and even though it was a holiday, it was here just a few short days later. It was $15! Over half the price of any that I could find anywhere else. She can make silver or gold in any state. She can make the heart the same color or another. Ladies, buy from her! We're now Twitter and Instagram friends! I can't recommend her enough to you. I hope she gets so many necklace orders she has to start a waiting list. Thank you so much Jackie!


Thursday, July 25, 2013

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Cinnamon Coffee Sauce

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If you know me in real life or follow me on twitter or Facebook, you probably know I'm going to a new church. It's a new church plant in my town, something I've prayed for for two years since I moved here! I specifically prayed over and over again that God would bring a church plant to Clinton, Mississippi. And he did! It's exciting! I've been part of two church plants previously, three now including this one. It's where my heart is and has been since roughly 2004, almost 10 years!

I love and feel called to church plants for many reasons, which I'd love to talk to you about! But my cooking journey and church plant families hold a special connection for me. Most, I'd venture to say all, churches have events with food. I started going to my first church plant as a college student, right as I begin to explore cooking and baking. I knew I was better at baking than I thought I was when one of my favorite people from my church, sort of a mentor, told me she wanted to learn to bake cookies like my honey oatmeal cookie so she could bring them to her future kid's school parties and he could say that his mom made the best cookies in the world.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some traditional church potlucks! However, bigger churches often have potlucks so big that your little dish gets lost or they are too big for potlucks and have events catered OR there are so many sweet grandmas with their classic staple dishes that you don't even want to try to compete! I'm sure I would have discovered my love for cooking and baking without my supportive church plant families. God is good like that. But I sure am thankful for the part they played in my discovery something I love and feel called to do.

So ALL that to say...

Actually, let me interject again. Have I mentioned that one of my strengths (from the StrengthsFinder assessment) is connectedness? I have discovered recently that not everyone sees the connection to every detail of their life and how it connects to the bigger picture like people with this strength do. Am I thankful I have this strength? Heck yes! Does this strength (paired with my communication strength) means I talk (or type) about A LOT of possibly unnecessary details in every story? Yep! Too much? Maybe. Am I going to stop or do I want to change? Nope. Just felt the need to share with you why I feel the need to share with you!

So again, I say ALLLLLLL that to say, I'M GETTING TO COOK FOR A CHURCH FAMILY AGAIN! Missional community focused church plants tend to put great value on doing life together (the main reason I love church planting!). A big part of doing life together is EATING! Every other week it's my turn to be part of the team the provides the potluck meal we eat together. I get so excited to plan out what my contribution will be each week. Most of my contributions have been dessert so far, of course. (Though last night I brought some loaded mashed potatoes that were a crazy huge hit! More savory contributions are in the future.) This humble chocolate chip bread pudding with coffee cinnamon sauce was a big hit!


First let's talk about this sauce... Cinnamon, brown sugar, COFFEE! I mean... I can't even... Most bread puddings are good as is, but with the right sauce they can be elevated from humble beginnings to a dessert as tasty and classy as any fancy dessert. This, my friends, is THE right sauce. Not only was it delicious, but it was also so pretty! I just kept taking pictures of it. 


Ingredients: 


  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup coffee
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 4 tablespoons light butter
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch


Directions: 


Melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbly. Add in coffee, instant coffee powder, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Whisk together until combined. Stir in evaporated milk. Continue to whisk, letting it very softly bubble, until it begins to thicken some. Set aside while bread pudding cooks.


Now let's talk about bread pudding. Not everyone loves bread pudding, and some people genuinely actually don't like it, BUT some people just haven't had good bread pudding. I've had many people try different versions of bread pudding I've made who claim not to like and they liked it! There are a million recipes out there for bread pudding. Many of them suggest fancy breads like brioche, which no doubt is good, but I will continue to stand by my humble bread of choice. Buns! Hamburger or hotdog, they make the most amazing bread pudding. Whole wheat or white can be used.

The thing I love about bread pudding and what gives it charm for me, is that it's perfectly acceptable, even preferable, to use leftovers. How many cookouts have you been to where there were leftover hotdog or hamburger buns? Most people ask if anyone wants them, most people shrug them off thinking they won't use them before they go bad. TAKE THEM!!! ALWAYS say yes. I throw them in the freezer until I collect enough to make a bread pudding. Put them in the fridge to allow them to defrost and then impress people with a bread pudding creation of your choice, maybe even this one!


Ingredients: 


  • 7-8 cups of cubed bread
  • 4 tablespoons of light butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 can (1 1/2 cups) fat free evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 cups skim milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar


Directions: 


Preheat oven to 350. If your bread feels too soft and not quite stale enough, pop in the oven for a few minutes until it feels like stale bread. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray and fill it with the bread cubes and chocolate chips, shaking to disperse chocolate chips and bread evenly.

Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, fat free evaporated milk, skim milk, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Pour liquid mixture over bread cubes.

Now, this is where methods vary, but I stand by my method. It's messy, but makes the pudding gloriously combine together so it seems like bread transformed into a dessert verses bread stuck together with some liquid and sweet things. I dig in with my hands. I use both hands to mix the bread, liquid, and chocolate chips together. It helps disperse the chocolate chips and keep them from settling in the bottom and helps the bread start to meld together. It should feel squishy and wet to the touch.

Now wash your hands (obviously) and pop it in the oven. Bake for about an hour until golden brown and the center is set. Check at 45 minutes. When you shake it, if it still jiggles it's not ready. I poke holes in mine with a drinking straw when it comes out and pour over a few tablespoons of the coffee cinnamon sauce over it. Slice into squares and serve with extra sauce. Whipped cream is also a good addition.


One more picture of the sauce. I just can't help myself!


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Bake Sale!

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Since starting this food blogging adventure, it turns out that people like my cooking and baking. Sometimes people even pay me to bake things for other people, parties, or events! As you know, I love baking, so it's never a hassle. By word of mouth I've started getting orders for baking. I decided I'd come up with a price list and selection of things I can make. These are a few of the things I make often, but I can make more. If you need something, ask! If I can't do it, I'll be honest about it. Send me a FB message or email me (kasialindsay@gmail.com) if you'd like t place an order or have any questions!



The Mississippi cookie! This is my most requested cookie. I can do almost any color. I do solids, dots, and hearts. I'm more than willing to try other requested doodles. Solid cookies are $12 a dozen. Designs are $15 a dozen.


I have an ongoing collection of cookie cutters, but so far this is what I have for the large iced sugar cookies, like the Mississippi cookie. Shapes: alphabet A-Z, numbers, bear, circle, square, Mississippi, heart, star, teapot, cupcake, teacup, mustache, fleur de li, engagement ring, baby bottle, foot (baby shower cookies or flip flops), bikini (or bra and panties for lingerie shower cookies), bird, owl, bunny, elephant, Mickey mouse, mouse, pumpkins, Thanksgiving shapes, woodland creatures, squirrels, deer, princess crown, football, football helmet, football jersey, pennant flag, tshirt, arrowhead, wedding cake, baby onsie, formal/princess/wedding dress, fashion dress, high heel shoe, conversation bubble, daisy, and flower.


I can also do Mississippi College tribe cookies! Or sorority cookies for that matter. I can do any color. Tribe/sorority letters are $1 each / $12 a dozen. Tribe/sorority mascots are 75¢ each / $9 a dozen. 



As mentioned, I have the entire alphabet. I can do any colors to suit your tailgating needs. $1 each / $12 a dozen. I also have a football cookie cutter set. 



Large iced Christmas cookies (top shapes) $1 each / $12 a dozen. Mini iced holiday cookies (bottom shapes, Christmas and Thanksgiving shapes) 50¢ each, $6 a dozen. Looking for big leaves and fall shapes I like!


These were an even bigger hit at my first catering event than the sugar cookies! 


In addition to cookies, I can also do cupcakes. I can do other requested flavors. I usually decorate with pearl sprinkles or sparkle sprinkles. I can do cupcakes in almost any flavor you can imagine or help you come up with flavors to suit your needs. I can also do three layer cakes in any of the flavors listed (and more) for $25-$30.




Monday, July 22, 2013

Meal Planning 101: Week 36

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Can you even believe that I'm posting my menu before midnight?! I'm trying hard to schedule in an hour or two here and there a couple of days a week to get posts together for you. Also, my file of pictures I take for potential posts is getting out of control! I need to get this stuff out to you guys. The good news is there is nothing else in my apartment that I can possible clean or organize. I went a little crazy and cleaned and organized every little thing possible! I've also kept it up. Hanging clothes I tried on in the mornings and didn't wear, putting away shoes, putting my jewelry back in the jewelry box, making up my bed, EVEN washing clothes once a week (and putting them away!). I impressed myself this past week guys.

Last week's meals were some great ones! By far my favorite had to be the naan flat bread grilled eggplant pizzas pictured above that I threw together. Oh man, I'm working on a post with the recipe. You have to make these. And I mean, just look how beautiful! The colors, the flavors, I was in heaven. This week's meal plan is making me happy too!


Monday:


poppy seed chicken casserole, roasted green beans, rice and garlic toast 

Tuesday:


chili cheese dogs and cucumber tomato salad (It's $1 hot dog day at Sonic!)

Wednesday:


church potluck (my contribution will be loaded mashed potatoes)

Thursday: 


buffalo chicken lettuce wraps and baked onion rings

Friday: 


Japanese potluck (my contribution will be edamame hummus and baked wonton chips)

Saturday: 


leftovers

Sunday:


bacon cheddar green onion waffles (that will be used as leftovers to make chicken and waffle sandwiches next week), breakfast ham and sunny side up eggs


Notes: 


I cooked a bag of chicken in the crock pot to shred and use for two different meals. 

More overnight oats for breakfast this week! Flavors: banana and almond butter, peach melb, and orange banana dream.

Snacking on sliced cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, Oikos Greek Yogurt Red Pepper Dip, and fresh fruit. 


Lunch Ideas:

 

top left: turkey roasted red pepper sandwich + avocado grilled corn salad + strawberries
top right: pizza rolls (cleaning out the freezer, don't judge!) + cucumber, bell peppers and blue cheese + strawberries
bottom left: tomato sandwich + avocado grilled corn salad + grilled potatoes and peppers
bottom right: leftovers (grilled talapia + avocado grilled corn salad + grilled potatoes and peppers)

What are you eating this week? Post your weekly meal plan in the comment section below! You can also link your meal plan up over at Organizing Junkie and see even more people who are meal planning. 



Monday, July 15, 2013

Meal Planning 101: Week 35

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I get on these kicks sometimes where I can't focus on anything else but whatever "kick" I am on. My current kick is organizing and cleaning all the things. I'm almost finished! I've still been cooking and snapping pictures for you, but I've slacked on posting due to my organization cleaning project. I will return soon! I couldn't leave you hanging without a Meal Plan Monday (barely, but before midnight!). 


I was all about tomatoes last week thanks to my local farmer's market. Tomatoes made an appearance in every single one of my lunches and most of my suppers! Oh how I love a farmer's market. Does your town have one? GO! Mine just so happens to be on the magical brick streets of our olde towne. My favorite vendor is the honey/kettle corn family. The sale local honey and pop kettle corn right there on the streets. Enough talking, we're almost out of minutes for this Monday! This week's plan comes complete with breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas! I even chopped up fruit and veggies for healthy snacking for the week. AND I even cold brewed over a gallon of cold brew coffee concentrate for iced coffee at home. It will last a month! I'll miss you Starbucks, but I'm saving $10 a week with this. 

Monday:

grilled foil fish packets, with grilled peppers, onions and potatoes

Tuesday:

ground turkey spaghetti, grilled eggplant, garlic bread and strawberries with coconut whipped cream (A friend is bringing dessert! Three of us are going to the local Star's Hollow-esque Farmer's Market together then watching Pretty Little Liars.)

Wednesday:

church meal

Thursday:

Indian food potluck - I'm bring vanilla chai cupcakes

Friday:

grilled eggplant (using leftover eggplant) and heirloom tomato flatbread pizzas and crudities with roasted red pepper Greek yogurt dip

Saturday:

leftover spaghetti

Sunday:

spaghetti boats (using leftover spaghetti) and cucumber onion salad


Lunch Ideas: 


top left: avocado half + chopped garden tomato + grapes + veggie chips + MS cookies
top right: leftover dill pickle soup + veggie chips + peach + cheerwine
bottom left: tomato sandwich + veggie chips + strawberry trifle
bottom right: tomato (snacky lunch before an early dinner)


Extras:


Breakfast - OVERNIGHT OATS HAVE RETURNED! Since acquiring chia seeds at Trader Joe's, I decided breakfast for the next two weeks must be overnight oats. Seven(ish) new recipes coming! This week I'm all about strawberry flavor combos since strawberries are on sale: strawberries and cream, strawberry peach, orange strawberry, banana strawberry. Last week I was crazy about avocados. On more than once occasion I had an avocado and some form of caffeine for breakfast and it was perfect.

Iced Coffee - As mentioned above, I made over a gallon of Pioneer Woman's cold brew coffee. I didn't have a container as big as hers, but I had a 1.5 gallon container. I used 1 1/2 cup ground coffee and 24 cups of water. It's basically 2 cups of water for every ounce of coffee. 12 ounces of coffee (1 1/2 cups) + 24 cups of water.


What are you eating this week? Post your weekly meal plan in the comment section below! You can also link your meal plan up over at Organizing Junkie and see even more people who are meal planning. 


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Meal Planning 101: Week 34


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Monday:

crockpot polish dill pickle soup (sounds, gross, but it's delicious, sort of used this recipe but change a few things)

Tuesday:

leftovers

Wednesday:

church meal, bringing strawberry trifle

Thursday:

grilled tilapia packets, grilled corn and grilled potatoes

Friday:

tapas at Babalu for a friend's birthday

Saturday:

leftover grilled things

Sunday:


bacon avocado grilled corn Salad and BLTFEs (a BLT + fried egg - aw it at Brent's Diner, had to copy)



Lunch Ideas: 


hummus + broccoli + ham + reduce fat cheddar + crostinis + grapes 

avocado chicken salad sandwich + broccoli and cauliflower + fat free  ranch dip + peach

avocado chicken salad + crostinis + broccoli + fat free italian dressing + peach


What are you eating this week? Post your weekly meal plan in the comment section below! You can also link your meal plan up over at Organizing Junkie and see even more people who are meal planning. 


Friday, July 5, 2013

Five Things Friday: Hair

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I haven't posted a Five Things Friday in a while, and catching up time seemed like a good time to do so! We're talking hair this time. For most of my college years I had short hair. It was long in high school but that was before I knew what to do with it. So short it was for a LONG time. I decided to grow it out a few years ago and now I'm attached! Literally and emotionally. I hate washing it and drying it, but I adore my long hair. On the days I feel like I want to chop it off, I head over to Pinterest and YouTube to watch and read tutorials that only work for long hair. It always reinspires me to love my locks again. These are a few I've tried, some of which I frequently do!

1. Braided Headband - Inspired by Oh So Pretty the Diaries



2. Triple Braided Bun - Inspired by The Beauty Department


This was before I had a phone with a good camera. Apologies for the bad quality! 

3. Braid Wrapped Bun - Inspired by The Beauty Department 


If you think that doesn't look like my head, you'd be right! I did this one on a friend for a formal. 

4. Sock Bun - Learned from this YouTube Tutorial


Old faithful. I probably rock the sock bun a little too often. No shame. 

5. Tucked Away Braid - Inspired by The Small Things Blog 


When my bangs get too long I have to resist doing this one every single day! 

Honorable Mention: Hair Accessories   



Hair accessories should get an honorable mention here. I'm kind of obsessed. Like a lot obsessed. I collect them. I adore them. I can't get enough of them. Decorated bobby pins, flower clips, headbands, anything that has something pretty on it that I can stick in my hair. I want them all!