meal calendar

So, if I go into a store, my mind goes blank, and I can’t remember anything I need.  I gotta have a list.
I actually made a 5 week meal plan list of my family’s favorite meals so that I don’t have to think up a bunch of meals I want to cook, I just rotate through them.  I look at the calendar, and write down the groceries I need for the next week (or two if I can get my milk to last that long).  Then I’m good to go for a week or two.
Here are some of the positives to doing this:

• Only having to go to the store once a week, or less.  Saves time and gas
• When you go to the store you always buy a few things that aren’t on the list (less chances of doing that)
• There are way fewer times when you decide to grab some fast food because you didn’t have anything to make, or the time to make it.
• You always have what you need, when you need it.
• You’re usually eating healthier that way – not macaroni and hot dogs again.
• You’re husband doesn’t say, “Spaghetti?  Isn’t this the second or third time this week?”  Happened to me. True story.  ( and he was probably right)
• You can still eat out every once in a while, but it’s planned, and in your budget.

Homemade Playdough

Our kids love playdough, but it’s not cheap at the store.  This is the recipe we use for playdough.  It’s way easy, doesn’t dry out as fast, and doesn’t ruin the carpet like the store bought stuff.:
In a medium saucepan, mix:

• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 cups flour
• 2 Tbsp cream of tartar
• 4 Tbsp oil
• 1 1/2 cups water
• food coloring

Stir over medium heat. Continue to stir until solid thick.  Dump on counter to knead with hands (don’t burn yourself). Let cool before storing in a zip lock baggie in the fridge.  Most importantly, play with your kids.  It’s a great bonding moment.

Refried Beans from scratch

OK, so I had always heard that beans were hard to make.  Soak them overnight, then hopefully they would be soft enough.  So when I first started cooking I used canned beans…Dried beans are about half the price of canned beans. If you buy in bulk, you can save even more!  So i decided to try to figure out dried beans…. I found a lot of ways not to make them (crunchy beans just aren’t that great),  but recently a friend shared this recipe with me,no need to soak and it’s sooo good!
Ingredients

• 3 Cups Pinto Beans
• 9 Cups Water (more if needed)
• 1/2 Tsp salt

Put them in a crock pot and cook on high for about 8 hours ( so if you want it in time for dinner, just stick them in  that morning) Make sure beans never run out of water.  Drain liquid from beans into a separate container and set aside.
If you just want plain beans, you’re done!  You can even save them for later by putting them in a plastic container with some of the liquid and put it in the freezer. That way when you want beans last minute, you’re set!
For refried beans:

• 1-3 Tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup mild salsa

Add the rest of the ingredients to the beans.  Mash or blend with a hand blender till mostly smooth.  Add additional reserved liquid as needed until beans are the desired consistancy.
Enjoy!