My Week

I am a frugal person by nature. I grew up in a home where many frugal practices were carried out. Most of our frugal ideas were founded out of necessity (we were poor).

Today I wouldn't consider myself poor, yet I don't think that frugality stems solely from being poor. I look for new ways to reuse items because I am concerned about the earth and about the amount of waste that our country generates. The other reason why I find alternate uses for items is because it's just plain fun.

I had some old Pub Mix containers hanging around. I had actually meant to throw them away, but my daughter insisted that we keep them for a while. So we did and below is what I came up with...

These things were clutter my bathroom cabinet. These things are my husbands hair clippers/accessories and a bag of cotton balls. He has three different clippers and a gazillion attachments. They used to be strewn about under the bathroom cabinet, but now, they all fit neatly inside of these containers. The one I used to fill with cotton balls is invaluable. I never liked that big bag laying around in the bottom of the cabinet taking up useful space. So the containers work well.

Below I have reused styrofoam egg cartons to grow some Italian flat leaf parsley. When I initially plant my seeds, I use the fold over lid to keep the soil warm and moist. Once everything starts to grow, the lid is placed beneath the carton to catch extra water.

Finally, I have included a picture of a new recipe that I tried out this week. This one I made up myself. It's a casserole. I have become very fond of one dish meals this year. Any recipes that I learn that saves on dishes will work great during the summer. We all would rather spend our evenings outdoors rather than in the kitchen washing tons of dinner dishes.

One-Pot Wonder

6 large sausages (I used Robbins)

6 medium potatoes

6 large eggs

6 oz. of milk

14 oz. bag of frozen veggies

( I used broccoli, cauliflower & carrot mix)

2 tblsp. white flour

salt and pepper

*Peel or leave skin on potatoes.

*Slice potatoes and sausages into 1/2 inch rounds.

*Boil potatoes in salted water for 8-10 min. and strain.

*Brown potatoes and sausages, on both sides, in a couple of teaspoons of olive oil.

*Coat baking dish with cooking spray, and fill it with sausages, potatoes and veggies.

*Sprinkle with salt and pepper (optional)

*In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk and flour.

*Season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 20-25 min at 350 degrees.

Freezer Method

Omit potatoes

Add shredded cheese (optional)

Freeze sausages, cheese and veggies in a Ziploc.

To Cook

Once thawed cover with egg/milk mixture and bake 350 degrees for 20 min.