I hate extremists. I'm sure as people they are very nice, kind, wonderful people. So I guess what I should say is that I hate extreme attitudes. It's like it is out of balance with reality. I think a lot has to do with the extreme reality shows on tv, some of which I don't think have a lot to do with reality. LOL. Who really cooks their lasagna in the dishwasher. And what savings is there in that. Or buy several hundred bottles of pop. No one needs 100 bottles of pop. I went the first 18 years of my life maybe having two glasses of pop, and that was root beer floats. I guess I am too much of a libra and like balance and some degree of moderation and reality.
I didn't grocery shop this week per say. I usually can get that project done on about an hour, maybe an hour and twenty minutes, I spent more than an hour yesterday because we went to the drug stores and big lots and took the baby and her mother with too. Now I remember why I used to leave the children with their father when I went shopping.
It's just too hard to concentrate. I had planned my trip so that I knew exactly what I was going to buy at Walgreens and Rite Aid. Walgreens took a bit longer because the toothpaste didn't ring up with it's Catalina. It wasn't in the system yet. I think they're still training people and getting the bugs worked out in a new store.
Big lots has a small section of food, and their sanitary supplies are the cheapest I have found .(besides the free ones I got at Rite Aid.) They had their 20 percent day. It was crowded and hard to move down the isles. When you a twenty percent markdown to already cheap prices, you have really good buys. I didn't get a whole lot, but what I did get was a remarkable price. Things that would normally cost 2.50 I got for .80. I got chocolate ice cream wafer cookies for .80. Craisens for 2.00. Three pizza crusts for 2.20. Too bad it only happens three times a year. And, they don't take coupons or snap.
I digress. Shopping alternative stores takes some time because they have a limited amount of product and specialize in certain products. No one store has the best prices on everything. I tend not to go to the alternative/ overstock stores every week. I go when we are out of or running low on certain things and we are in the area for something else-- probavly every four to six weeks. This week it just coincided with the twenty percent sale and I did not go to the chain stores. I spent a total of 25.00. I at least doubled my money .
It might seem that my whole life is shopping. Not so. I write a blog every morning. Other than that, I spend an hour or so a week shopping and about 15-20 minutes planning my trip. When I can get in and out of a store with a list, I spend a lot less time that the person that wanders up and down the isles putting whatever looks good in their cart; or like the people I see that stand and ponder every selection like it's a life or death decision.
I thought this recipe I found sounded nutritious and would taste good. There are mixed vegetables at the dollar store. I pay .50 to a dollar for pasta. It is .79 at Fred Meyers this week. I make chicken stock from the bones off the chicken when it is that week. And cheese is what's left over. It was on sale last week.
Extreme Mac and Cheese
1-1/2 cups uncooked macaroni
1 package mixed veggies California blend ( broccoli, carrots , cauliflower)
2 cups white sauce made with 1/2 chicken broth and 1/2 milk
2 cups grated, assorted cheeses
1 tsp dry mustard, or a T Dijon.
Salt, pepper
1) cook macaroni according to directions on package. Add veggies during the last 4-6 minutes of cooking time. ( or thaw on the microwave). Drain and place in 9X13 greased pan.
2) meanwhile, make 2 cups of white sauce using I cup chicken stock and 1 cup milk.
3) add cheese until you get a thick cheese sauce and add mustRd, salt and pepper.
4) add cheese sauce to macaroni in baking pan and stir.
5) bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until dish is warmed through.
12 servings.
Thanks for stopping by
Please share
Jane
No comments:
Post a Comment