Does $10 go a long way?

When it comes to a produce Co-op, it does!

We are pretty pleased with our stash from the Produce Co-op we joined. The Co-op is a group of folks who come together to buy fruits and veggies in bulk. In GA, one family goes to the Georgia State Farmers Market every 2 weeks, and purchase fruits and veggies in bulk. They then bring them all home and divide them up among all the family "Baskets". This means that each family is able to get more for their money than they would at their local grocery store.

This is our first week, and we were a little bit unprepared. We brought this big basket, that we THOUGHT would be big enough, but others were there with laundry baskets! So, hubby grabbed one of the smaller stashes ( I wouldn't have done that, but momma was busy with baby in the car) and packed our basket up, and in two weeks, we'll be better prepared with a much larger vessel of some sort!

So here's what we got for $10:

1 lb Strawberries
1 lb Broccoli
1 bunch Bananas
2 lbs Carrots
2 ears Corn (? maybe this smaller stash was for non-corn lovers?)
5 Apples
5 Potatoes
1 lb Grapes
2 Heads Lettuce
2 heads Collard Greens

Now, I think that's pretty good, especially for one of the smaller bounty's. It worked out just fine, because this is just enough for our small family of 4, for 2 weeks. We look forward to our next visit, when we will be much more prepared and hopefully, just as pleased!

Here's another way to make your $10 go far! For those of you who are faithful users of Ravelry , the knitting and crocheting community, Check out Revelraiser, a fundraiser for the amazing folks behind this absolutely awesome site! So your not the donating type? oh, you WILL be when you see THESE BREATHTAKING PRIZES!!! If for nothing else, you must check out the link just to drool!

Menu Planning with iCal!

Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

My menu plan is finally done! yeaayyyy!!!! ok, so as I searched the web for a software program that would make it easy for me to organize a monthly menu plan, I became somewhat frustrated. Then I decided to give my iCal (the calendar program on my mac) a try. To my surprise, it worked like a charm! I set up 3 meals a day, for 2 weeks. Each meal is set to repeat on that same day every 2 weeks. So I end up with a 2 week rotating menu. In the notes section, I can enter things like the recipe, etc. I truly enjoy it and I hope you can find something just as user friendly to work your magical menu wand over! :-D Bon Appetite!

n

Favorite Breakfast recipe!

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Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

After much trial (and gnashing or teeth!), I have finally completed my menu plan! And in celebration, I am exploiting my absolute favorite breakfast recipe ~ Dutch Puff! Have you heard of it, you probably have. I came to know it through a blog that I visit often, and it has become a lethal weapon in my menu planning arsenal (especially with baby around!). I love it because I can quickly throw (literally) together 3 quick ingredients, and beat up and store in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning, pre-heat the oven, pour and oven bake for a few minutes! It cannot get any easier. We have it with pure maple syrup, molasses, bananas or fruit spread or preserves! mmmm! If you haven't heard of it, here is the recipe, courtesy of Kim @ Large Family Logistics:

Dutch Puff

2 cups freshly ground pastry flour or what ever you have on hand
2 cups buttermilk, milk, or cream
8 eggs
1 stick of butter

Put all ingredients except butter in your blender. Blend until smooth. Let sit overnight. In the morning put one stick of butter in a 9x13 pan and place in oven while it is preheating to 425. Blend ingredients again and add to baking dish. Cook for 20 minutes. It will puff up real big and then deflate once it has set out a few minutes. Top with Blueberry Sauce or maple syrup.
Wheat free version: use 1 cup rice flour and 1 cup tapioca flour


Enjoy!

n