Week 5 – January Food Tip – Are Your Eggs Fresh?
To check if an egg is really fresh, place it in a bowl of water. If it floats or tips up, its stale.
When cracked open, if the white and yolk cling together, the egg is very fresh. The older it gets, the flatter the yolk becomes and the runnier the white is.
Our Mental Well-Being During Economic Downturns
It is hard to keep an upbeat feeling when we lose a job, or the prospect of losing a job is looming over us. Just listening to the news about the economy right now is enough to depress anyone. It is important to try to keep a positive attitude when you are out there looking for a job or having to tighten your belt to get through rough times. You need to do things daily that have positive a outcome. Here are a few things that you can do that will help you to keep a positive attitude and may also put a little cash in your pocket at the same time:
- Take the time to start cleaning out and organizing that garage that has needed attention for months. You’ll not only accomplish something you have been wanting to do, you may find some things that you don’t need any more that you can list on Craig’s list or put aside for that spring garage sale. In fact, now may be the time to also go through all of your closets and get them cleaned out and organized as well.
- Do you have room for a garden in your yard? Now would be the time to start planning for spring planting. Putting in a garden would give you exercise, and some healthy food besides, saving you money at the grocery
store. Look at websites like www.organicgardening.com for some gardening advice. Check out books at the library about gardening and start researching what type of plants will grow well in your area.
- Do you do a craft or sew? You might check local churches and organizations and see if they have any spring bazaars coming up. Look around the house and see if there are any supplies, fabric, or materials that you can
remake into other things. Think outside the box here. See about doing a bazaar this spring to bring in a little money, with little outflow. Or maybe try selling the items that you make on Etsy.com. This may also be
a great time to make things for a head start on gifts for birthdays or the holidays next year. Check out the
library as a source of how-to books, or check out these websites for some crafting ideas and how-to’s: One Pretty Thing, Family Crafts at About.com.
- Try to get more exercise. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Go for walks or go to the park. If the weather
in your area isn’t cooperative, is there a nearby mall that you can walk in the mornings or evenings? Get
outside and play with the kids.
- How about outings to places that don’t cost you anything? The library for story time for the kids, maybe an event at a local church, or a free museum? Depending on where you live, there is probably a list of events happening locally that you can find on the internet, and are free to attend. Getting out of the house and doing something different helps you to take your mind off of negative things.
Week 4 – January Food Tip – Food Substitutes
Have you started a recipe and then find that you have run
out of, or don’t have a particular ingredient? Especially if it is something that you don’t use often.
Here is a list of equivalent or substitutes that you may be able to use:
Buttermilk: 1 c. = 1
c. milk less 1 tbsp + 1 tbsp vinegar or 1 tbsp lemon juice. Note: you can also substitute 1 c. plain
yogurt.
Sour cream: use 1 c.
plain yogurt.
Baking Powder: 1 tsp.
= ¼ tsp. baking soda + ½ tsp. cream of tartar.
Chocolate: Unsweetened: 1 oz. = 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder + 1
tbsp. butter, margarine or vegetable
shortening.
Semi-sweet: 1 oz. = 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder + 1
tbsp. butter, margarine or vegetable shortening + 1 tsp. sugar.
Corn Syrup: 1 c.
granulated sugar + ¼ c. additional liquid used in the recipe.
Brown sugar: 1 c.
granulated sugar + 2 tsp. molasses equals 1 cup.
Cake flour: 7/8 c.
all purpose flour + 1/8 c. cornstarch equals 1 cup.
Yeast (1 tsp active dry) = ¾ tsp instant or 2 tsp fresh
yeast.
Honey: 1 ¼ c. granulated
sugar + ¼ c. water equals 1 cup
Whole egg: 2 egg
yolks + 1 tbsp water (if using in cookies) OR 2 egg yolks (if using in custards & similar
mixtures) OR 2 egg whites.
Cornstarch: 1 ½ tsp =
1 tbsp flour.
Cream: Heavy cream
(not for whipping) = ¾ c. milk + 1/3 c. melted butter
Light cream = ¾ c. milk + ¼ c. melted
butter
Half & Half = 7/8 c. milk + 1 ½
tbsp melted butter
Tomato sauce (2 cups) = ¾ c. tomato paste + 1 c. water well
blended.
I hope these help!
Buttermilk Pancakes
I love pancakes!!! Or griddlecakes, hotcakes or whatever you call them where you live. They are easy, and inexpensive to make. Here’s my recipe, please feel free to change anything about it you like. I usually don’t measure my liquid ingredients too closely, I just pour it in until I get the consistency that I want.
1 c. unbleached flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
Buttermilk ( I just add until I get the consistency I am looking for)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp cornmeal (optional)
Just add the dry ingredients to a bowl. I mix them together to blend. Add the egg, oil, and milk. Mix with a wire whisk until blended together. Make sure you don’t overbeat.
Note: you may substitute the buttermilk with plain yogurt, regular milk and yogurt, or whatever you have in the house. You may also use 1/2 or all whole wheat flour. I like to sometimes use half of each. This recipe doubles or triples easily.
This is what the batter will look like if you use whole wheat and unbleached flour.
Using about a 1/2 c measuring cup, pour the batter onto a pre-heated griddle, or any pan you may use to cook them on. I just spray on a little pam.
I like the cast iron pans because they are seasoned, and they hold heat well, so they work great for pancakes. Flip them over when they either get little bubbles on the top, or start to brown on the bottom.
When they are browned, they are ready!
You can add berries or any spices you like when you mix them. Cinnamon is good! Or serve with jam or syrup. Here’s a link to my easy Homemade Maple Flavor Syrup! Enjoy!!
Frugal Hacks
I Pledge to Buy Handmade
The Stitchin Chicken Etsy Shop- Large Floral Pink and Blue Fabric Bucket-Basket
- Spring Fabric Panel from Moda Fabrics
- Rustic Tea Dyed Flag Fabric
- Striped Ticking Shoulder Bag
- On the Go Handbag w/Shell-like Handles
- Pillow Cover - Blue, Turquoise and Brown Square
- Rustic Girl with her Cat Embroidered Picture
- Pillow from Burlap Coffee Sack and Ticking
- Large Pastel Pink and White Fabric Bucket
- Red Dotted Needle Keeper
Frugal Plus!
-
-
Flickr Photos
More Photos
