Saving gas

Gas is still quite pricey here (about 2.92 a gal regular) so we've been trying to save on gas. My partner takes the bus sometimes to/from work. I plan trips to go in a circle, to avoid driving distances. I have also taken to riding my bike to the library and for some grocery shopping. That is very frugal, not to mention earth friendly and personally healthy.

I've been loving the Braggs aminos in stuff. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to try it.

Barbara

Misc Items

I've been using Braggs and I like it. I did notice that I used a little too much yesterday and the taste stayed with me for a few hours. Today I used less and it was fine.

I've been getting harmful ingredients out of the things we eat. High fructose corn syrup, sodium nitrate, trans fats, MSG and so on. We eat whole grain and a lot more fruits and veggies. And, today my partner weighed herself (cause she tried on some shorts and they were way loose) and she had lost about 8 pounds in the last month and a half. Without really trying. YAY!

In a way, her being busy at work and a bit of a procrastinator, helped. I don't buy some foods she might like because I feel that they would be unhealthy for her. I tell her, go ahead, go buy them yourself. And she never gets to the store, so she doesn't eat the bad stuff! You who push the grocery cart, wield real power!! :)

Barbara

Braggs Aminos

After reading a lot about Braggs (from frugal veggie mama and others), I finally bought some. I've been using La Choy low sodium soy sauce. I bought some Braggs and did a taste test. Very very close in taste. The soy sauce is darker, but that's because it's colored. So, I'm happy with the purchase. I'll give it a try in cooking tomorrow.

Barbara

Meatball comparison

I did the Nates/TJ's meatless meatball comparison test. Now, I've never had either before. I picked one from each package, about the same size. Heated them up in the oven. Cut them in half and tried them. They look the same, inside and out and I couldn't tell any difference between them. I did like them. So, I think they are at least made in the same place, if not by Nate's directly.

Barbara

Meatless Meatballs

Did a little shopping this morning. Found a couple of nice frozen vegetable blends. One is called fiesta blend and the other a stir fry veggie blend. The fiesta blend has broccoli, carrots and about 5 types of beans.

I also went to Trader Joe's today. I bought some of their meatless meatballs. In the freezer I also have some of Nate's classic flavor meatless meatballs. I am wondering whether Nate's is the source for the TJ meatballs. The ingredient list is exactly the same, as is the wording for the cooking. I'm going to do a taste test later today or tomorrow and see if I can tell any difference.

Barbara

Frozen muffins

A while back I had made quinoa muffins. They were pretty good. No way I could eat all of them at the time, so I froze them. Unfroze one today and it wasn't very good. It got hard and not very tasty. I only ate half. I like them because they give you fiber and protein. I'll just eat what I can. Not sure of any way to sort of recycle them.

Made some brown rice yesterday. I like brown rice and canned beans with spices or salsa as a quick meal.

Barbara

Just a few things

I've been cooking a lot lately. Made TVP sausage and baked it instead of frying it. It turned out better I think. Also bought some jicama and we'll be trying that today. Yesterday I made the 'Amazing Mac and Cheeze Sauce" from the Uncheese cookbook. It was okay, but didn't taste quite right. Did go over the pasta nicely though.

The other day here in Portland I saw something I haven't seen in a long time. I was waiting at a corner, to make a turn. I was turning onto Powell, which there is 5 lanes across. I saw a younger woman (late teens early 20s) helping an elderly lady who was unsteady on her feet, to cross the street. I assumed it was a grandmother/daughter. But it wasn't. The older lady thanked the younger and they went their separate ways. That is one of the (many) things I love about Portland. People here are truly nice. You wouldn't think that you are in a large metro area.

Here, people avoid blocking crosswalks so pedestrians and bikes can cross. As you leave a Trimet bus, people will thank the driver. There are jerks and idiots as in any city. But you don't notice them much here, at least I don't.

Money is getting really tight for us now, so all of what I've learned about frugality I will have to use to an even greater extent. Luckily, I have stocked up over the past months, so I have all the basics I need. We will manage pretty well, I think.

Barbara

Polenta

I made polenta from corn grits yesterday. In the evening, I used some of it to make polenta fries. A big hit. Tonight I'm using a recipe from vegweb for Polenta Tamale pie, except I don't have any ground soy meat, so I'm using Morningstar Farms beef strips. I've had those before, and they are pretty bland, but tasty if you use spices.

I've been enjoying orange juice with ground golden flaxseed meal in it in the moring and evening. Got the flaxseed from Bob's Red Mill, it's cheaper at the company store which isn't far from me.

Barbara