Make your own Recipe Ready!

Has anyone seen the new Recipe Ready things from Birds Eye? I picked up a few to check them out. They're not your classic diced veggies. They're actual ingredients you might use in a recipe. My favorite one is the diced onion and pepper.

I got the idea to just buy veggies and are chop them for my recipes from these Recipe Ready bags. On the days I'm premaking a bunch of food I go ahead and chop up a bunch of extra veggies and pack them away in the freezer. Then when I go to cook I can just pull some stuff out and toss it in a pan.

I decided premaking half of the weeks meals was a much better use of my time but that still leaves 3 days I have to cook from scratch. During those 3 days, to cut down on prep time, I just pull from whatever I've pre chopped.

This has also help me cut back on our grocery bills. I can still buy the fresh veggies I love to use and get them at good prices. I tend to buy way too much though. After chopping and freezing them not only am I saving prep time later on but I'm saving money by using what was on sale and not wasting money by wasting veggies.

Thanks Birds Eye for giving me this idea.

Stay Healthy,
Yasha

Origami Centerpiece

I had to make a table setting for a charity event some months back and decided I wanted to keep the centerpiece on my counter. Of course the whole thing is much too large to a small apartment counter, so I broke it down a bit and used origami to fill in the gaps.

It really didn't cost anything. Most craft stores like Hobby Lobby will carry Origami paper and there are many varieties. This is so much fun to do with the whole family; everyone can make their own favorite shapes to add!

I love this site for origami instructions they have great videos on some of the tricky pieces. Try it out I would love to see your centerpieces! http://www.origami-instructions.com

Stay green,

Yasha

Charity Table

Simple At home piece

Counter top Piece

The annual Halloween creation!

Last year, a pumpkin. This year, a Fall Fairy! Ok so I like the whole orange, green, brown color scheme. So sue me. I'll post more pictures when it is finished but for now I have most of the skirt finished and I need to start on the head band and wings.

Recycleween

How is that costume coming along? Already made it? Yes, I said made. I love this costume I saw at Gymboree but balked at the $50+ price tag for all the parts. Although the material looks like it could stand up to multiple kids using it I would have to have quite a few before I could justify that price.

So I've done what any cheapskate would do. Wait for it to go on sale. Well I've waited and waited and the lowest price I can get on it is still $30. Not good enough.

I went to Target yesterday for some groceries and looked through the dollar items. You know that stuff placed conveniently close to the front door. I found most of the parts to costume in 5 minutes and only spent $3! Now all that is left is a skirt and shoe covers.

Went to Hancocks today and found the perfect fabrics! only $3.36 +tax. One was 50% off the other 75% off!

I'm happy with how the costume has turned out and I'm just ecstatic about the price! I'll post a new picture of it when I get the skirt done.

Stay Green,

Yasha



$3.67 for 1yd green sheer and 1/2yd
orange shimmer. Total so far $7.01.

$3.34 for the hat, shirt,
and leg warmers.


















The Skirt



All together!

Want to make your own but don't know where to start?

Try these places:

The Daily Green: Recycled Halloween Costumes!

Instructables.com: Halloween Costumes

etsy.com: Halloween