Frugal Tip

Frugal Tip of the Week

Tuesday July 21

Eating soups is a great way to stretch the grocery bill.

Have you ever considered making your own chicken

stock? It is very easy with a few basic pantry items.

Not only is it economical but it is very nutritious for you.

When I get a whole chicken I will first roast it with a little

Olive Oil and Lemon juice with some thyme thrown

in the cavity. After, roasting I will take the meat off

of the bone and use for future use.

The next morning I put the bones from the chicken

and place in a large stock pot with water. Then I will

add my left over vegetables.

My left over vegetables came from saving ends of the

vegetables. If you don't do this nifty idea, just take and

cut up a onion, celery, carrots and add to your stock.

You may also want to add some herbs from your garden.

Thyme is always a favorite of mine to add to stock.

Simmer this for a few hours.

Now, just take out your vegetables and add them

to your compost bin.

Now you have chicken stock.

Soups and many other recipes

always call for a little chicken stock.

When I make brown rice I use chicken stock

instead of water. It does taste better.

Enjoy!

Flowers

Flowers

Wednesday July 15

What kind of flowers are we growing this year.

This has been a great year to grow from seed.

This is the climbing nasturium .

The rose is one of those plants that comes back

year after year. This year I have been giving

my plant any left over milk products. They say

it helps with black spot. I have to say my rose

bush is doing okay this year. Even thought we have

a lot of rain.

Frugal Tip

Frugal Tip of the week

Tuesday July 14

Growing your own food is a great way of being frugal.

I spend a great deal of time growing food. I have to

say it is a little more involved than just harvesting the

food. Planning I feel is the key to success.

In the winter my husband and I start planning on

what are we going to grow this year.

Than getting the plants started and make sure they

are well nourished. Over the years I have learned

a great deal about building your soil up.

I leave the success first of all to my creator who

provides all things. The books I choose to read help

educate my mind.

One of the best part of a family having a garden is the

whole family getting involved.

This year my husband started all the plants inside using

the Elliot Coleman way.

The book is called The New Organic Grower.

We only purchased a soil block maker for 30 dollars to make blocks,

which we purchased from Johnny Seeds. We also

made our own soil we did not purchase it. Although,

we did purchase a few minerals to add to composted soil.

My son and daughter help me with daily chores in the

garden such as watering and putting composted leaves on

the soil. Planting the actual plants and seeds is another task

that the children helped with.

My husband and I made pita bread a couple of weeks

ago. From the garden I am eating cucumbers and

lettuce. If your calculating the seeds that the food

was grown from cost 2.50 a piece, but this is only portion

of what I have gotten from that package.

The yogurt dressing is my homemade dressing.

Yogurt which I made a couple of days ahead of time.

Dill came from the garden.

This was a great lunch right after church.

My only preparation was I grilled the chicken

the night before. Here's for a quick lunch.

Dill Yogurt Dressing

Yogurt

chopped fresh or dried dill

1 garlic clove minced

Grow your own food and you will taste the difference.

The nutrition alone is far better than what you would

purchase at the store. Eating food a few feet from your

door is as local as you going to get.