Most of my wins feel like they happened in the kitchen this week. The motto for my week could be using up food waste, & mentoring. It's not a very catchy slogan, though. ;-) It's funny how things tend to group up in certain weeks.
Saving on things we buy
- Used a gift card (that earned grocery store rewards) to offset about half the cost of a flight for a planned girls trip next spring.
Earning money
- I still haven't been adding new things to eBay, but I sold a workout tank top from the beach house.
Avoiding spending
- I received a free 60 minute massage from work. I combined that with meeting a friend for lunch (food at lunch is still free, but I'm rarely there) & charged the electric car for free as well. Triple win! I did tip the masseuse out of pocket, but all in all, it was a very frugal afternoon.
- Fetch had an offer on Klondike ice cream bars (100% free), so I picked some up at the grocery store. They are a fun treat for the kids. It was also triple points day at the grocery store, so I earned a small amount of extra rewards from the freebie.
- Nick made a loaf of homemade bread, to go with our beef stew for dinner.
Eating what we have
- We (well, mostly me) valiantly ate through the bits & bobs in the fridge, after having guests. Garlic bread, manicotti, bagged salad, a tiny portion of pasta, chicken tenders, frozen lasagna, etc. It makes me happy when we minimize waste.
- We ate the first round of four delicious pomegranates from the garden
- I made a bunch of meals, using veggies that were getting close to needing to be tossed: beef stew, chicken & dumplings, & a bolognese sauce
- I used leftover pot roast (freezer) for the beef stew meat. We weren't a fan of it in its original form, but loved it in the stew.
- I used abundant garden tomatoes in both the beef stew & the bolognese
- I defrosted pumpkin puree to use in a batch of pumpkin muffins. Now it's time to again roast & process our Halloween pumpkins.
- I used grilled tomatoes (then frozen) leftover from kebab nights to stretch out the leftover bolognese sauce into a second meal. Also added three fresh tomatoes that needed to be used, and tossed in some meatballs. I froze the tomatoes because I didn't want to waste them, but had no good ideas at the time I froze them. Glad they were used, & out of the freezer.
For others
- Helped my non-profit with a project
- Attended a kick off for my mentorship with an Afghani woman who is relocating
- Started mentoring someone at work
That's it from my side. What about you? What wins did you have for the week?
Wins mostly in the kitchen are still wins! I have been in a vigilant no waste mood too. It changes things from wants to just making something to keep from wasting foods.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful mentorship!
I even inventoried the freezer! Now I know what kind of odds & ends I need to use up.
DeleteI love weeks like you describe as well-I feel on top of things when I am being resourceful.I too am not a big roast beef fan, but if the beef is used in stew, or shredded for sandwiches, then I do. I think I had too many dry roasts growling up-not my mom's best meal.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - we prefer meat to have a lot of flavor, and a great texture, and not all recipes give you that.
DeleteI think you did a great job with your wins this week! You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI'm always inspired by all of the other blogs. It reminds me that there are so many ways to make smart choices with your time, money, etc.
DeleteI love how your repurposed so many food items. I like to do the same whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteI love roast beef, but I make it my own way. Pot roast. I first sear beef, then add to instant pot or slow cooker. Add a jar of Heinz beef with onions gravy, diced onions, salt/pepper and let it cook. I add some carrots near the end and thicken the gravy. I sometimes add another jar of gravy if needed. The meat always falls apart, it's so tender. DMIL said my beef pot roast is the best she's ever eaten.
I always use the leftover beef to make a beef pot pie or burritos. It doesn't have burrito flavors, but if you top the burritos with muenster cheese before baking, you won't even notice the different in flavors.
That sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteWins in the kitchen are still wins in my books.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
There are lots of opportunities, and these days with food prices, it feels like I should be paying a lot of attention to what we have.
DeleteI feel like the majority of my frugal wins happen in the kitchen too. Sounds like a good week for you. I listed one or two things on eBay this week, but I could list a few more things. I need to add it to my to do list.
ReplyDeleteI seriously need to get on top of eBay, I've just done really nothing & it shows!
DeleteI'm so glad you mentioned the Fetch Klondike offer. I had no idea they had offers for free products and it still looks like I have a few days left to pick those up and redeem for the reward. What a treat!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the only free Fetch offers I've found have been ice cream related! :-) Glad you still have time to find it.
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