Women Living Well Blog: Chicken N Dumplings made EASY!

Women Living Well Blog: Chicken N Dumplings made EASY!: "Janelle from Comfy In The Kitchen Says: 'Out of the top 10 comfort foods ever, Chicken N Dumplins just HAS to be on top of the list! This ..."

I'm Back!!

Wow, it's been a long time!  Where did the time go?  First of all, my grandma had a stroke.  She is now living with my mom and improving, but juggling trips to the hospital with an already busy schedule left no time for blogging.  Then came Thanksgiving.  And last but not least, the BUSY Christmas season.  Now it's time to slow down a bit and get back into a good routine.  I'm going to ease back into everything and plan on sharing a lot of things soon.  But for now, I must get this template changed.  It's way past pumpkin season!!

Kristen

Coupon Crazy

So I've been wanting to learn how to really use coupons.  It just baffles me how people can get a ton of groceries for practically nothing.  I've taken this rainy afternoon, with the help of a Christmas movie to occupy the kids, to research this.  I have found some interesting info on shopping with coupons.  My favorite site is Southern Savers.  She gives really good tips.  My advice is to check out the site, but also watch the youtube videos she has on there.  They are really good and packed with some good tips.  She is very practical and doesn't advocate hoarding, just ways to save some cash. 

First on the list for me this week will be to get a binder and some baseball card page protectors.  Then I will begin to shop, really shop, with coupons.  I honestly just want to see if I can do it.  I also believe if I'm going to do something I need to give it all I've got.  "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10  So, if I'm going to try the coupon "thing", I am going to go coupon crazy!!!!

Why do I feel the need to do this?  I don't have to use coupons to buy my groceries.  Several weeks ago after checking out and spending $200 for a week's worth of groceries, I just became convicted that I was not being a good steward of the money God had given me.  Also, who wouldn't rather save money, still eat good, and have that extra money to spend on other stuff?? 

After a little research, I realized my problem.  Every week I make out a list of things I NEED.  I just buy them no matter what the price.  Now, I am not stupid.  If I need laundry detergent and Gain is on sale, I buy that.  I don't just stick to certain brands for most items.  I do try to shop for what I need as best that I can.  Occasionally I will see something that's not on my list but at a good price and decide to get a few extras of that item.  Just recently, FL had a B1G1 free offer on noodles.  I bought them.  But, what if I would have had a coupon for the noodles in addition to the sale price??!!  I learned today that I need to buy when it's on sale and stores have a 6 week sale cycle.  If laundry detergent is on sale, I need to buy enough to last 6 weeks.  The same goes for food products.  Just buy what you need for 6 weeks.  If taco shells are on sale, don't buy 5 boxes if you won't use them in 6 weeks.  This is not to say if your family needs toothpaste or toilet paper and it's not on sale, that you do without.  Don't be that crazy about it.  ;-)

I also learned that I need to find the store with the best deals and best coupon policy.  I'm thinking it may be Bilo for me.  I have been a Food Lion and Wal-Mart shopper, but I am willing to change.  This is one thing I'm going to keep researching.

Another thing I learned is printable coupons are accepted.  I'm not sure why, but I was always afraid that they would be denied.  I guess I just thought it was too good to be true.  Some sources for coupons are http://www.coupons.com/, http://www.redplum.com/, and http://www.smartsource.com/.

What's really a good deal?  B1G1 Free is always good and anything at least 40 % off regular price is a good deal.  If it's 30 % off, wait, and watch for the price to go lower in that 6 week cycle.

I am excited to begin my coupon binder and start SAVING!

I will keep you all posted and I will continue to just share it!!

Kristen 

Why I Love Mondays

Last week, WOW.  That's all I know to say.  It wasn't a BAD week at all, just didn't go as planned.  So yes, you will see some "repeats" on the menu.  I didn't even get around to blogging most of the week.  My plan is to do better!!  I hope LIFE cooperates.

Some people hate Mondays.  I understand.  It begins the work week for most people and signals the end of the weekend and fun.  I just don't look at Mondays that way.  I enjoy Mondays.  I see it as a frest start.  If the week before was crazy, I can get up Monday morning determined to make this week different and better.  Last week, I had a plan and had good intentions on sticking to them.  For some reason, I let certain things get in the way and my plan crumbled.  That left me unprepared, running behind to things, and just frazzled.  I hate being that way.  I love being prepared and having things under control.  The key is learning from your mistakes.  If I learn from the mistakes I made last week, then they weren't made in vain.  I definitely needed this Monday for a fresh start on some things.  Check out this blog on  Fresh Start Mondays.   

 Lamentations 3:22-23 "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." 

If you had a bad week last week or life just isn't going how you want it to, I pray this Monday will bring a fresh start for you and that you're able to reflect back on the past and learn from your mistakes.  Just don't forget to share what you learned!

Here's the menu for this week! 

Sunday: Roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions served with biscuits
Monday: Cajun shrimp alfredo with texas toast
Tuesday: Pinto beans, cabbage, and cornbread (Yes, I'm from the South!!)
Wednesday: Meatloaf, rice, and corn
Thursday: Cube steak with gravy, rice, green bean casserole, and deviled eggs
Friday: Homemade pizza
Saturday: Baked potato soup

Kristen 

Baking Soda

I'm definitely not going to tell you to throw all those cleaning supplies out just yet.  I'd be the first to tell you that my cleaning closet is FULL of cleaning supplies.  There are some things that I love to smell when I'm cleaning.  I love the smell of Pine-Sol from a freshly mopped floor, the clorox cleaner for the bathroom...I could go on and on.  I have to admit though that I am amazed at how a little inexpensive box of baking soda can work magic on certain things.  I keep a box on hand for cleaning the bottom of my walk in shower and my flat top stove.  Baking soda works better on those things than anything else I've ever tried.  I'm going to keep experimenting with baking soda and maybe one day I'll throw those cleaning supplies out.  Here's 83 uses for that box of white powder in your cabinet.  http://www.rd.com/home-garden/83-extraordinary-uses-for-baking-soda/article23745.html  Enjoy and have fun experimenting!!  Oh, and don't forget to just share it with others!

Kristen

What's for Dinner?

I used to ask myself and my husband this a lot during the week.  I hated not having a plan.  It made for a crazy week and also a lot of money was wasted on takeout.  I still have times like this due to being sick or a busy weekend, but I am more relaxed if I have a plan.  Before I do my grocery shopping, I sit down to make my list out.  I think about everything we have going on for the week.  If we have a busy day and I know we will be away from the house, I try to think of a quick meal or something I can put in the crock pot that morning.  I wouldn't plan to fry chicken on a day like that because I know I won't have the time or the energy to do it when I get home.  I would opt for takeout if that was my plan.  Even with a good plan, things do change during the week and I have to be flexible when they do.  Learn to be flexible and use your plan as a guide.  So here's our dinner menu for the week.

Sunday: Chicken spaghetti and caesar salad 
Monday: Vegetable soup and cornbread
Tuesday: Fried chicken, potato salad, and baked beans
Wednesday: Baked potato soup and garlic cheese biscuits
Thursday: Cube steak with gravy, rice, lima beans, and slaw
Friday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn
Saturday: Breakfast for dinner

I pray this inspires you to just share it.  You never know who you may be helping along the way.  I know I have been helped countless times and learned so many things from others that I have never met.  I am so glad they decided to JUST SHARE IT with others!! 

Kristen

Lumpia

You will need egg roll wrappers, carrots, cabbage, ground turkey, soy sauce, green onions, and vegetable oil for frying.

Crumble ground turkey in pan and add soy sauce.  Brown.  Using your food processor, chop the carrots and cabbage.  Chop green onions.  Mix all ingredients together.

Spoon a small amount of mixture into the egg roll wrappers and wrap.

Fry until golden brown on all sides or deep fry.

Enjoy!!

 

 

 

Waste Not...Want Not

So I really love my Scentsy. If you don't have one, you should. I also love my creamy pumpkin candles from Bath and Body Works. I've gone through 3 of the large candles since the beginning of fall and I'm working on my 4th. There's always a little bit of the candle at the bottom that won't burn. Well, I decided to experiment. I stuck the candle in the freezer for a few minutes so that I could pop out the remainder of the wax. I instantly had a creamy pumpkin wax melt for my Scentsy. Just had to share my excitement!

Praying this inspires you to just share it...

Kristen

Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken Spaghetti

This is what's for lunch tomorrow. I add Rotel for a kick and fresh mushrooms to mine. Enjoy!!

Homeschooling and Having Fun!

Early tomorrow morning, we will pack up a ton of stuff and head to our church for our homeschool co-op. After settling into homeschooling the first year, we began looking for a group that we would fit in with and just couldn't find one. I was interested in finding a co-op that offered some fun, educational classes. One of my friends and I went to a meeting for a co-op that was beginning. Neither of us were crazy about the location and after just a few minutes, we looked at each other and said, "We can do this." We started scribbling notes, left their meeting, and headed to the library to pray and plan our group. It wasn't long and the Lord sent us some families that were seeking the same thing and Heritage Homeschool Co-op was formed. This is our second year and we are still loving it. The Lord is continuing to bless and send more families our way. Tomorrow our children will take part in a Creation Science class, president's class, sign language, art, cooking for girls, dangerous boys class, and p.e. Most of all they will be learning while having fun!

If you are wondering what a homeschool co-op is, let me explain. The moms in the group get together to pray and discuss what their talents and gifts are. One mom may be gifted in art. Therefore, you will have an art class. It's a fun, affordable way to offer your homeschooled children classes and activities each week that you may not have time to do during a normal homeschool day.

Fridays are FUN DAYS!!

Praying this inspires you to just share it!

Kristen

Why I took the kids...

Today was election day. I didn't have to take the kids with me today, but I wanted to. Here's why...I'm ashamed to say I've only voted twice. :( I wasn't even allowed to vote until after I was married. (married at 17) After I became of voting age, I had the idea that if my husband voted, why should I bother. I was just one person after all. AND the thought of voting intimidated me. I worried I wouldn't know what to do or that I would do the wrong thing. I didn't grow up in a home that voted. I had no idea what to expect. Then came the last presidential election and I overcame my nervousness and voted. I was convicted that it was something I needed to do. When I voted I was so shocked at how easy it was. I knew I wanted to allow my kids to go with me to vote after that. I want them to know that we are given the freedom and responsibility to vote, every vote does count, and it's EASY.

Introducing Myself and Why I Wanna Just Share It...

I am a Christian saved by the grace of God.  My husband and I have been married for 12 years and we have 4 children.  We are in our 3rd year of homeschooling and LOVING it. 

I love reading blogs, articles, and other things that help me along the way.  Sometimes I get interested in something only to realize, you have to PAY for their tips.  I began to ask myself if I may know a few things that may help others.  Why not "just share it"?  So I'm going to try to share some things I have learned and am continuing to learn.  I hope you enjoy reading my blog, but most importantly, I hope you leave encouraged or gain a few tips that you can one day share with others.

It is actually VERY early Tuesday morning, but I have yet to go to bed so I am considering this Monday.  My day began very early and I had such big goals for the day.  What I didn't have planned was the bathroom flooding and my account number being stolen.  I quickly realized God was teaching me that I do not handle stress the right way.  I was so frustrated that MY day was not going how I wanted it to.  I am learning to step back and ask, "What can I learn from this?"  I love having a plan, but God is teaching me to be flexible. When I look back on my day, I realize that I DID accomplish a lot, just not exactly what I had planned.

On Mondays, I will try to post my meal plan for the week.  I love reading others' ideas and getting new recipes to try.  So, in my effort to just share it, here goes...

Sunday: Chicken and rice, broccoli, and homemade creamed corn
Monday: Tacos
Tuesday: Grilled chicken caesar salad
Wednesday: Pork loin sandwiches and sweet potato fries
Thursday: Hotdogs (We have an end of the season football party.)
Friday: Homemade pizza and salad
Saturday: Lumpia, fried rice, egg drop soup, and fortune cookies

Praying this inspires YOU to just share it.

Kristen