Finding a New Normal

 It's been a while.  I've been trying to find a new normal for my life.  I have had some major life changes since I was on here last.

I gave birth to a wonderful baby boy on August 1st.  He has been a blessing and a life changer.  Throughout my pregnancy I struggled to find a new normal.  Between my already challenging day to day life, life's demands, Covid, and being pregnant it was difficult.  Before I knew it he was here.  

Rafael's arrival has brought about more challenges than I anticipated.  I'm still learning how to balance taking care of a newborn following a c-section, taking care of my disabled adult son, getting my daughter back and forth to work, as well as keeping up a household.

For being only a month old, this little guy is challenging me in ways I don't remember with my other kids.  I started out exclusively breast feeding, and he was doing wonderfully.  This past week I have been supplementing with formula.  We have had several weeks of his constant hunger, and wanting to eat around the clock with short naps.  When I supplement he sleeps better and is a happy little guy.  I was really hoping to breast feed him as long as possible.  I am trying to come to terms with the fact that my milk is just not enough for him.  I want him to be as happy and healthy as possible, even if that means he ends up on just formula.  

Life has been so busy, even during my pregnancy, that I have come to rely on food prep.  I plan on sharing my version of food prep for my family that seems to work for us.

I struggled throughout my entire pregnancy about gaining weight.  It was hard on my mental health after having finally reached a weight I was content with.  I am still struggling with this as I still need to lose 20 pounds to get back to where I was before this pregnancy.  

The plan is to share here not just my frugality, but also my struggle to find a new normal.  I will share my journey as a new parent with 2 adult children, the good, the bad and the frugal.  The challenges are there, but that doesn't mean frugality has to take a hit.  Frugal living will remain a focus of our journey.

Simple and Frugal Chili

It is now comfort food season around here.  Chili is a go to meal for our family on a cold day.

When I make Chili I always do it in the crock pot.  It makes enough for about 3 or so meals for us.  I use a 6 quart crock pot.

Chili Recipe

3 15 oz. cans black beans
3 15 oz. cans kidney beans
2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 c. water
3 peppers, diced
1 onion, diced
2-4 Tbs. chili seasoning
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. pork loin, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced

To start with, brown your ground beef, seasoning with 1 Tbs. chili seasoning mix.  Add to the crock pot.  Dice the pork, and add to the pot.  Dice the onion and peppers.  Add to the pot.  Add the garlic and 2 Tbs. chili seasoning.

Drain and rinse the beans.  Add to the pot.  Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and water.  Stir everything together until well mixed.  Put the lid on and turn on high.  Let cook for 4 or 5 hours.  Stir well.  Add more seasoning if desired.  Turn down to low and let cook for 2 more hours.  Serve.

Crochet Dishcloth

An easy crochet project for the home or to be used as a gift is the dishcloth or washcloth.  This is simple to make, even for the beginner, is inexpensive as well comes together quickly.  You can easily adjust it to the size you want without any issues.

To start with I am currently making a set of dishcloths for a family member.  They needed to be thin enough to be easily wrung out when wet.  For this I am using Lion Brand's Impeccable yarn with a size G hook.

Chain 41

Row 1:  sc in the 2nd chain from the hook, (ch 1, skip the next chain), sc in the next stitch.  Repeat this all the way to the end of your chain, ending in a sc.  Turn.

Row 2:  Chain 1.  Sc in the first sc, ch 1,  sc in the ch 1 space.  Continue across with a sc in a ch 1 space and a ch 1 over the sc of the previous row.

Row 3-36:  Ch 1 and sc in the first stitch of the row, sc in every ch 1 space, and ch 1 over every sc of the previous row.

To finish, evenly sc around the outside of the square, placing 3 sc in every corner.  Slip Stitch and weave in your ends.

This pattern can be done with any type of yarn.  Keep in mind that the thickness of the yarn may require a different size of hook.  A larger hook will yield a larger dishcloth with bigger holes.  A smaller hook will yield a smaller dishcloth with tighter holes.

Frugal Homemade Gift ideas

Gifting homemade items is a more personalized way to give gifts, at least in my eye.  It is also a way to save money during the holiday season.

Some homemade ideas to consider are:

Crochet or knit blankets, scarves, hats, mittens, slippers, sweaters, dish cloths, dish towels, pot holders, coasters, etc.

If you sew, make quilts, clothing items, bags, etc.

For those that can bake or enjoy making things in the kitchen, consider: Muffins, cookies, cake, bread, jams, applesauce, granola, etc.

If you enjoy making things but are short on time you may want to consider making nut clusters, sea foam, peanut brittle, cocoa mix, mug cake mixes, trail mix, mason jar mixes, etc

If you draw or paint:  Personally made cards, or a framed piece of artwork you have created.

Think about your skills and hobbies, the odds are pretty good there is something that you could utilize toward gift giving.

You could create a small cookbook for the budding cook in the family.  Pass on family favorite recipes this way.  There are so many ways you could do this.  You could type and print it all out, use a binder, notebook, index cards, photo copy your own recipes, etc.  

For the book worm in the family there is always the used bookstore.  Although this one should be done only if you know they wouldn't mind used books, and if you know what they read.

15 Christmas Gift Basket Ideas

For Christmas I usually put together gift baskets for those that I give to.  I like being able to customize the gift to the person receiving it.  Affordability is also a key component.  Doing these, I am able to give to more than just immediate family.  I also give to a few friends as well as a couple of businesses that I frequent.

There are a variety of types of gift boxes you can do.  Some themes are:

1.  Coffee lover:  Bag of coffee, creamer, mug or travel mug, cookies, snacks, etc

2.  Young Child:  Coloring books, colored pencils, markers, crayons, stickers, erasers, pencil sharpener, paint set, paint brushes, candy, etc.

3.  Play Dough Child:  Variety of play dough colors, form shapers, etc.

4.  Older Kid or Young Adult:  Coffee mug, mug cake packages, hot chocolate packets, cookies, candy, etc.

5.  Mom or Food lover:  Homemade jams, applesauce, food items, flavored oils, etc.

6.  Alcohol:  Flavored moonshine, shot glasses, snacks.

7.  Beauty #1:  Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, face mask, lotion, hair accessories, etc.

8:  Beauty #2:  Manicure set, lotion, nail polish, nail stickers, etc.

9.  Beauty #3: makeup, nail polish, makeup removing cloths, etc.

10.  Artist:  Sketchpad, pencils, eraser, markers, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, paint, paint brushes, etc.

11.  Movie Lover:  Movie, microwave popcorn, hot chocolate packets, snacks, etc.

12.  Food Lover #2:  Homemade breads, muffins, cookies, trail mix, hot cocoa packages, etc.

13.  Single Young Adult:  Coffee, hot cocoa single serve packages, single serve mug cake packages, mug or travel mug, snacks, et.

14.  Budding Baker:  Measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatulas, whisk, baking pans, cookie cutters, rolling pin, etc.

15.  Chocolate Lover:  Specialty or home made chocolate bars, chocolate nut clusters, brownies or brownie mix, homemade hot cocoa mix, chocolate covered pretzels,etc.

All of these gift basket ideas can be customizes to the person you are creating it for.  It can be as inexpensive or expensive as you want. 

If you have the time or inclination, a lot of gift basket items can be made.  this cuts down on the cost and enables you to customize the basket even easier to the person you are giving it to.

The dollar stores are a great place to look for gift basket items.  This is my go to place after I have made the gifts for the baskets.  It is a good place to round out your baskets.

Another good idea is to keep an eye out for sales throughout the year.  For those people you buy for every year, you have a good opportunity to find something at a steal of a deal. 

Keto Lifestyle

I have been following the Keto lifestyle for over a year now.  Initially it was a last attempt to lose weight.  I had tried so many other methods of weight loss that I figured I would give it one more go around.  I went into this with zero expectations.  I didn't think it would work because nothing else did, at least not long term.

I should probably take a step back and explain the 6 months earlier I went low carb to try to lose weight.  I started working out every day, no matter how tired I was.  I lost 20 pounds after about 4 months.  Then my weight stayed.  It started to creep  back on in little bits.  I was tired of it.

Going into Keto, I decided that the only way it would work was if I didn't have to count calories or macros.  I knew that if this was the case I would not stick with it.  I have a busy and stressful life, and if I wanted to give this a chance it needed to be as simple as possible.

My new diet started out by removing the non Keto foods.  I did not find substitutes for things at all.  No Keto baked goods, bread or desserts.  Instead I concentrated on the foods I was already eating that were Keto friendly.  I slowly started trying new foods as well.  My goal was to keep my diet high fat, while keeping it as simple as possible.

I waited a month before weighing myself.  I was surprised to see that I had lost a decent amount of weight.  From that point on the weight seemed to just fall off.  I was dropping clothing sizes pretty fast.  It was awesome, but it also brought out a bunch of other problems for me.  I knew if I did actually lose weight that I would have to deal with the psychological impact of it at some point.  When this hit, it hit hard.  It made me do a lot of evaluating of my life, actions,goals, needs and wants.  It forced me to come face to face with a lot of psychological baggage I had buried deep for a long time.  I started to realize some things, and make changes in my life.  Baby steps to future goals.

It's funny, looking back, that I was worried about the cost of replacing clothing if I did manage to lose weight and keep it off.  In reality that was an insignificant result of the journey.

I have been maintaining for 7 months now.  I have to say, maintaining is more difficult than the losing of the weight.  It is worth it though.  This is a lifestyle change, not a quick weight loss and then reverting back to old eating habits.  I have never felt better eating this way.

Frugal Christmas Gift Baskets

Since Christmas is less than a month away I figured I would share one of my favorite frugal gifts to give out.

I like assembling gift baskets or bags that are either consumable or  usable to the person receiving it. If you keep the person in mind as you assemble this basket, it will keep the the cost low but thoughtful.

I use a box about the size I want the basket to be.  You can reuse any box you have hanging around or ask for any boxes that are going to be tossed out at a local store.  Most places will happily give you any boxes that they are going to toss out.

To this box, cut off the top flaps, leaving your box with a bottom and sides.

Now, you need wrapping paper of whatever design you want.  Measure the length around your box as well as the height.  To the length add about an inch.  To the height add about 6 inches.  Cut this piece of wrapping paper off the roll.  Tape the paper to the box so that the height is in the middle of the total height of the paper.  Pull the paper around the box so that the other end meets the edge you taped.  Tape this spot. I try to start and end in a corner to make it look as seamless and neat as possible..

Fold the bottom paper that is overhanging as if you were wrapping a present.  Tape into place.

Fold in the top overhanging paper neatly.  Tape into place.

If you are like me, you may end up with this....

Add several pieces of tissue paper to the inside so that it over hangs the outside of the box in at least two places.  You have now created a frugal gift basket.

To spruce it up I wrap ribbon around the box, tie it and curl the ends.  Add a bow to the knot.  I also create tags out of card stock or colored paper.  Poke a hole in one corner.  Place a 3 to 4 inch piece of ribbon through this hole.  Tie in a knot.  Tape this loop just inside the box so the tag hangs in the front.  Make sure it is behind the tissue paper.  Another option or add on is to attach a dollar store ornament with the tag.

Chocolate Nut Clusters

These chocolate nut clusters are a favorite treat in my family.  We make them not only to have as a snack, but to also give away as part of a gift to friends and family.  It can be a frugal treat depending on how you make them.

You are going to use a 4 ounce bar of 70 -85% dark chocolate as well as a 12 ounce bag of semi sweet chocolate chips, coconut oil, and a mixture of nuts and seeds. 

 In order to melt your chocolate you need to create a double boiler.  I use a pan that my metal bowl fits into.  Bring your water to a simmer.  Turn off the heat.  Place your metal bowl over the pan.  

In this pan add your chocolate bar, broken up, 3/4 bag of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.  Any oil will work here, I just prefer coconut oil. 

Let this set until it begins to melt.  

Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. 

Remove the metal pan from the pot of warm water.  Add the remaining chocolate and stir until smooth.  

Place in the desired nuts, seeds, or whatever you decide to add.  I used pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, sunflower kernels and unsweetened coconut.  Stir the mixture.  Add more until coated to the thickness of chocolate that you desire.  

Spoon onto parchment paper in bite size mounds.  

Let set until the chocolate is dry.  Remove from the parchment paper and store in an airtight container.

These clusters make a good, frugal gift depending on what you add into the mixture.  Peanuts and sunflower kernels are inexpensive and delicious coated in chocolate. 

You can package them in little plastic bags with a label, holiday treat bags, containers that are part of the gift, or any other way that will work with your gift.

Avocado Egg Salad

One of my frugal go to meals on Keto is avocado egg salad.  There are many different variations of this creation.  However, I decided to share with you the very basic mixture.  It is a very filling meal full of healthy fats.

To start with you need a small bowl.  Peel and mash one hard boiled egg. 

Next, either add half a drained can of tuna or one small tuna pouch.

Add half of a very ripe avocado or one small avocado cup.
 

Add 1-2 tablespoons of mayo and a squirt of mustard. 

Mash and stir this mixture together.  Add salt to taste.

Typically I eat this mixture with pickle slices.  I use the pickles as you would a cracker.

Common changes I make for this dish are:

Add some chives, onion, lettuce, bacon, turkey, ham, shredded or cubed cheese, or any other flavor you want.

Omit the tuna and add a second egg.  Or if really hungry, just add a second egg.

Sour cream instead of mayo is pretty good as well.

Use different seasonings such as paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, herbs, etc....

I tend to use avocado mini cups instead of avocados because I end up wasting avocados.  They either take forever to ripen or all ripen at once.  This way the initial cost is a bit more, but I am not wasting any food, so I save money in the long run.  It is also more easily portable, which I need to take to work with me.

Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my favorite treats before switching to the Keto lifestyle was a good chocolate chip cookie.  Since maintaining my weight loss I have been experimenting with sweet treats.  This recipe has been a trial and error project for quite some time.  It has become a favorite of family and friends, keto and non-keto eaters alike.

Start by preheating your oven to 350⁰F.  You will need a medium size bowl.  To this add 1/2 cup of coconut flour, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. xanthan gum, and 2 Tbs. almond flour.  Mix together and set aside.

In a small bowl melt 1/2 cup butter in the microwave.  Add 1 tsp. vanilla, stirring well.

Add 1/3 c. monkfruit sweetener, mixing well.

 Add 3 eggs, mixing thoroughly.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.

Mix until smooth.  The batter will be thick.  Let set for 5-10 minutes.  Do not skip this step.  The coconut flour needs time to absorb the liquids.

Roughly chop 2 ounces of 85% dark chocolate.

Fold the chopped chocolate into the dough.

Place spoonfuls of dough on parchment lined baking sheets.

Bake for 12- 14 minutes.  Cool on the pan for a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Note:  I use monkfruit sweetener which is a 1 to 1 ratio to regular sugar.  You can use other sweeteners, but be careful of their strength ratio to regular sugar.  You may have to use more or less than the recipe calls for depending on what it is.

Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. coconut flour
1/3 c. monkfruit sweetener
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. xanthan gum
2 Tbs. almond flour
3 eggs
1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp. vanilla
2 oz. 85% dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Preheat the oven to 350⁰F.  In a medium bowl combine the coconut flour, sweetener, baking soda, salt, xanthan gum and almond flour.  Mix well.  aside.

In small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.  Add the vanilla and sugar, mixing well.  Add the eggs, mixing until thoroughly combined.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.  Mix until smooth.  Let set for 5-10 minutes.  Fold in the chocolate chunks.

Place by the spoonful onto parchment lined baking sheets.  Bake for 12-14 minutes.  Let cool on the sheets for several minutes before removing and cooling on racks.