Frugal Menus

Remedy of Choice

January 30th, 2012

Everyone has their own favorite remedy, don’t you?

One lady I know swears by echinacea, and another swears by olive leaf extract.

Some folks swear by, get this, sauerkraut juice! YUCK!!!!!

I’ve my own remedies that I use around here for different ailments, everything from cherry juice, cranberries and oregano vulgare. But Chili-man’s always coming up with something new to try. His side of the medicine cabinet is full of things he’s tried and forgone on. But that doesn’t stop him from looking for ‘his’ remedy of choice. He sometimes has inflammation in his muscles and joints. His newest remedy of choice? It’s Nopalea.

It’s made from the fruit of the Nopal cactus and is apparently quite tasty. (I haven’t tasted it myself.)

He tried it for free, (just paid shipping) by calling them at 1-800-203-7063.

Personally, I don’t care what it cost (well, within reason) as long as it works for him. Nopalea is touted to reduce inflammation, cleanse your toxins out of your body and promote good health. They’ve been around for over a decade with a proven track record.

If you don’t have a ‘remedy of choice’ why not try this one? Everyone has something that works best for them!

sold

Tags: nopalea
Posted in Around The House, Freezer Dinners | No Comments »

Terse

November 5th, 2011

We were at the eyeglass store today and everything was going well until the saleslady decided to get a little terse with us.

Chiliman was ready to walk!

Everything worked out and Chiliman ordered himself two new pair of glasses.

Now, I kept asking him why didn’t he want to save us a bunch of money and order some eyeglasses online? I mean it’s not that hard.

He finally relented, ‘after’ he ordered his two new pair, to try an order of prescription sunglasses from an online place.

It’s easy, no middleman, no retail overhead, NO TERSE SALESLADIES!
We’re going to try for a pair of very nice looking sunglasses with his script without a big outlay of funds. That way when he loses them (and we both know that happens, ESPECIALLY with sunglasses) we won’t be out of pocket too much.

I mean, yes, we have insurance that covers a portion, but you and I both know we ran through that at the eyeglass store!

This way, he’ll get exactly what he needs, and I can balance the budget.

I did have them look my account up. It seems that I haven’t ordered a new pair there since 2008. Guess that means it’s MY turn!

sun_glasses

Tags: terse saleslady
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Soup in a Flash

October 4th, 2011

Too tired to cook?

No time?

There’s some new products out from Bertolli that fills the pot, and fast! Think soup in a flash!

Real Italian meals full of fresh veggies, perfectly cooked chicken (or beef) and filling pasta. Restaurant quality right in your own kitchen!

They’re ready in minutes! Four flavors, Chicken and Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, Chicken Minestrone and Tuscan Beef & Vegetables.

AND now they even have soup! You’ll find the Bertolli® soups can be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store.

I received a box in the mail from Bertolli and inside was a shiny new stainless steel soup ladle and some coupons for FREE soup!!!

I hightailed it down to my little country store…. but they didn’t have it yet… it’s on order!

In the meantime YOU can enter to win the same package delivered to your door!

To enter just tweet something about this post using this url: http://www.frugalityonline.com/frugal-menus/uncategorized/soup-in-a-flash ***OR*** write a post on your own blog and link back to that same url.

Then just let me know ‘where’ I can find it. Come the end of the week, I’ll pick someone randomly to win.

You can let me know by either posting a comment, OR email me at frugal at frugalityonline.com!!!

Here’s to Bertolli!

bertolli-soups

Tags: Bertolli
Posted in Dinner | 5 Comments »

Empty Cafe

September 28th, 2011

There’s a little ‘hole in the wall’ cafe not too far from me, well, 5 miles or so, but that’s nothing to us country folk.

Anyhow, we rarely go there, because all they take is cash.

Who carries cash all the time anymore?

You have to be prepared if you’re going to eat there!

When asked about ‘why’ they don’t accept credit cards, they replied that they couldn’t find any Restaurant Credit Card Processing that wasn’t crazy priced. They didn’t feel that ‘not’ taking credit cards hampered their business.

Well, they’re wrong.

We’re proof of that.

In order to be successful, especially when you’re the only restaurant around, you need to be able to accept all forms of payment, including credit cards.

What were they thinking?

empty-cafe

Tags: cafe
Posted in Around The House | No Comments »

Chili-man on a Diet

September 19th, 2011

EVery now and then, more now than then, we start Chili-man up on another diet. He’s supposed to be low carbing it.

His blood sugar fluctuates and I know that a low carb diet would immensely help him.

He wants to go the easy route though. He’s researched top diet pills but, in my mind, they’re more focused on women.

It has seemed to me, from past experience that men tend to loose weight much easier than women, that is, if they focus on their diet.

That’s part of the problem ladies, we are the grocery shoppers. We are the menu planners. We need to plan all our meals, and ‘goodies’ in the house around the dietary needs of our family members.

That can certainly be hard, especially if your household has different types of people. Active teens need carbs. Husbands sometimes don’t. You might have a vegan in the house, and all those different family members have to be taken into consideration.

Tonight, the menu is salad and soup.

I’ve bought several different salad dressings and an abundance of different veggies to make the salad tonight different from the last salad he ate.

Here’s crossing my fingers that he can stick to it!

small-salad

Tags: diet, meal planning
Posted in Dinner | No Comments »

Rum Ba

July 22nd, 2011

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Diageo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Around here, I have recipes galore.

A few of them call for alcohol.

Do you make dishes with alcohol all year long? Or do you just save them for the holidays?

I’m most apt to save them, then use ‘those’ recipes for foods I’m taking elsewhere. Chili-man doesn’t relish the idea of alcohol hiding in his food!

My favorite to add to a recipe? It’s rum!

Did you know that Zacapa (a famous Rum manufacturer) began in 1976 in eastern Guatemala where the town of Zacapa celebrated its centenary and gave birth to one of the world’s best tasting rums? A true premium dark rum.

In the western part of the country, the terrain is perfectly suited to the cultivation of quality sugar cane. In fact, nowhere in the world could be better suited. For there in the rolling uplands of the green fertile landscape, acidic soils and prolonged periods of golden sunlight are the order of the day. The cane is grown here in volcanic soil, no less. However, unlike most rums which use molasses (a by-product of the sugar making process) as their base Zacapa premium rum uses only the concentrated first press of sugar cane, known as virgin sugar cane honey.

DID YOU KNOW that rum comes from sugar cane?

Then comes the ageing process. That takes place high up in the exquisitely beautiful Quetzaltenango highlands, 2,300 metres above sea level, where the cool mountain air slows the ageing process, creating a unique complexity of flavour. The House Above the Clouds is actually one of the world’s highest ageing facilities, and the process employed here, a unique Sistema Solera, is based on a process originally devised by the Spaniards 500 years ago to age sherry. It involves each drop of Zacapa rum passing through several casks that previously housed American whiskey, Oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximenez wines. So each of these large vessels imparts its own inimitable character that helps give Zacapa its distinctive taste.

Did you know that you could join the Zacapa Society?

Members of the Zacapa Society will not only learn more extraordinary details about this exceptional brand, but will also have the opportunity to influence the direction of the society itself. You could even pick up an occasional reward for their efforts along the way.

To sign up, simply register your interest at <a href=”http://www.zacaparum.com”>www.zacaparum.com</a>

Tags: rum
Posted in Tips | No Comments »

Lunchtime Run

June 18th, 2011

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many times, my office phone rings (Yes I have a day job.) and it’s Chili-man OR daughter OR granddaughter calling with an ailment.

I office far enough away that I can’t just run home at lunch (or to daughters) so I’m left with trying to help over the phone by suggesting they try different things.

I often get “We’re out of Pepto.”

or “I can’t find the calamine lotion.”

You get the drift.

So what do I do? I happen to have a Walgreens just a couple miles away from the office that’s handy enough that I can run over at lunch and pick up the needed product; and since I’m all about saving money, I very often opt for the Walgreens brand of product.

Why?

The store brand,Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products are not only a great value; they allow you to save money without sacrificing quality or trust. With the rising cost of health care, saving money on over-the-counter medications can really benefit a family’s budget. In addition to being an exceptional value, Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee are Walgreens pharmacist recommended and most contain the same active ingredients as other national brands

Additionally, purchase of every Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Product supports bringing preventive wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™.

Walgreens will contribute up to $3 million annually to the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™. The Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ will provide free preventive health tests as well as other health and wellness services and education to local communities. Some of those services will include preventive health tests through the National Urban League Health & Wellness Tour and vouchers redeemable in select stores.

Oh, and while *I* don’t have any several bloggers have giveaways of Walgreens products. Check them out!

You can’t go wrong with Walgreens.

Tags: walgreens
Posted in Around The House | No Comments »

Oh That Voodoo You Do

June 10th, 2011

You know, I’ve NEVER had a cup of coffee.

Seriously.

I’ve never found the scent pleasing so I’ve never tried it.

Am I missing something?

Everyone I know has a cup in the morning, and some more often than that. I have to admit the hazlenut ones smell pretty good, yet not enough to tempt me…

coffee

Friends go on and on about coffee though. There’s a new one out on the market from
Louisiana Food Co.. (OTCBB: LUSI), a purveyor of “Certified” Louisiana specialty food products. They announced their signature roast coffee, VOODOO ROAST.”

Voodoo Roast marks LUSI’s initial focused push into the over $18 billion annual U.S. coffee industry, and the ever-growing specialty coffee market which accounts for nearly 10% of the coffee market.

It’s been said that Voodoo Roast is edgy with a smooth finish. Each of LUSI’s other products carries with it a story inspired by the history and people of South Louisiana, and Voodoo Roast is no different:

“Most Sundays after mass, in the narrow, cobblestone alley behind St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of 1835 New Orleans, a small crowd of faithful parishioners would gather, clutching their gris-grisbags and excitedly await the arrival of yet another faithful parishioner, Marie Laveau. Once present, Mam’zelle Laveau would... ” - continued at www.voodooroast.com.

Interested investors should check out: OTCBB:LUSI Stock Research Report

Louisiana Food Co. (OTCBB:LUSI) is a publicly traded company, a full report can be viewed here http://mstockwire.com/LUSI

Tags: coffee, voodoo roast
Posted in Breakfast | No Comments »

EIGHT BUCKS!!!

May 30th, 2011

With it being Memorial Day ‘weekend’ and all we decided to do a quick little cookout, involving hot dogs and all the extras.

While I ‘was’ somewhat prepared as I had bought hotdog buns in anticipation, what I wasn’t prepared for was the last minute decision and therefore side dishes.

Everyone knows you need deviled eggs, baked beans and potato salad for a barbeque, even an impromptu one.

So, I ran to “Country Boy”, the little store near me. The only grocery store within 25 miles in any direction. I ran in for potato salad.

Sure enough, it’s near the front of the store so I grab some Reser’s new ‘egg salad’ potato salad then decide to grab a few other things while I was in there. I grabbed some chips and some sour cream to make dip, some ice cream and a couple other things before I headed to the checkout stand.

The young lady rang me up and I gasped when I saw the potato salad price. It was $7.99. Yes, SEVEN DOLLARS AND NINETY-NINE CENTS! FOR POTATO SALAD!!!!

I said: “Whoa, potato salad is 8 bucks?”
Girl said:”Been ringing up that price all day. (Yelling to other employee) Hey, is the price right on the potato salad?”
Other person: “Yep.”
Me: “Well, I’m not paying 8 bucks for potato salad, could you take that off please?”

So we ended up having hotdogs with Wolf Brand Chili, Bush’s baked beans, Lay’s wavy potato chips with Lipton onion soup mix dip sans potato salad.

Lesson learned? Maybe.

(1) Be prepared. Had I been prepared, and given time I could have made potato salad from scratch. It would have been better and SO much cheaper.
(2) Be more prepared! That particular flavor of potato salad was new, had I taken the time to look, I bet I could have found a coupon to bring the price down to a more ‘normal’ price.

If only we’d remember coupons more often. I frequently use one at Sonic, and I love those 40% off ones from Hobby Lobby, but what about all the other stores we frequent? If you look, you can usually find a coupon. And online shopping is even better. I RARELY order anything without either free shipping or a discount code and I bet that I’m not alone in that regard!

Saving money whether by shopping around for the best prices, using a manufacturer’s coupon, or an online discount code is a great defense for your wallet, and every little bit helps your bottom line. Look for coupons and coupon codes EVERY TIME you shop, that way you won’t get waylaid by overpriced potato salad.

hotdogs

Tags: Country Boy, grocery store coupon, reser's egg salad potato salad
Posted in Around The House | No Comments »

Impressed with Rachal Ray’s Nutrish

May 3rd, 2011

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nutrish for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Impressed? You bet I am!

I recently had the opportunity to try out (or rather my dog did) the new Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6 dry dog food .

Look how it came!

This was the FIRST time any review product has arrived packed like a gift! Impressive Rachel!

This new Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6® dry dog food had ONLY six simple, natural ingredients, plus vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced nutrition. The first ingredient, the main ingredient is MEAT. Perfect for dogs (natural meat eaters.) Do I need to mention that it does NOT include corn wheat or soy?

Did you also know that proceeds from Rachael Ray’s Nutrish product go toward helping animals in need through her Rachael’s Rescue organization?

Yes mam!

My dilemna? I’ve more than one dog… So I held my fingers behind my back and had them guess how many… LOL

And Cleo won. She guessed the closest.

So I took Cleo in to the garage, so that the others wouldn’t ‘really’ know what was going on and let her have at it.

She gobbled it down, in true dog fashion. And before I knew it, her mama came in to help herself, and the cat too!

Guess you know it was Golden Retriever approved (and cat approved too!)

You can share this new dog food with your dog by visiting www.nutrishforpets.com and request your free sample so that you too can try it for free.

Tags: dog food, golden retreiver, just 6, nutrish, rachel ray
Posted in Around The House | No Comments »