Browsing"Spain"

10 reasons I like Spain

Apr 30, 2012 by     1 Comment     Posted under: Blogroll, Spain


Isn’t it great to like where you live? Or.. at least see the best in your surroundings and to look on the positive side? One other thing… I think a lot of people these days might use the word ‘love’ instead of like. I’m learning to be careful of my use the that word. I want a ‘fuller’ meaning to be the definition of ‘love’…eg; I love God, but I like hamburgers.  Love people …like things…

10 Reasons I like Spain:

  1. the Spanish culture
  2. our wonderful church
  3. the Spanish food~ cocido, paella, tortilla de patata … etc
  4. the style of homes they build
  5. the history & ruins
  6. the weather/sun
  7. the Mediterranean diet
  8. the beautiful Castellano language
  9. the use of round-abouts (rotondas) instead of all the stop lights in the USA
  10. a ‘good’ Rioja wine

Day #30… the end of this challenge & I DID it!

Dec 11, 2011 by     4 Comments    Posted under: blessings, Blogroll, food, Grocery Challenge, recipes, saving money, Spain

HOORAY! I did it and I was able to save all but 10€ of my grocery money for (hopefully) a celebration trip with my  husband in May 2012. I’m a planner… I’ve learned that fun & relaxation just does not  happen… I have  to plan for it and create it! In any case… I was able to serve meals for 30 days using my pantry and freezer contents + the 10€ for extras.  It really is a sense of accomplishment! Ok…Will I stop here? Yes & NO. I still have a lot in the freezer… why buy more? I think actually that I’ll continue to eat out of the pantry & freezer and TRY to get to the bottom of it. It would be so great to see it empty! In fact this will be a good project for me… to pull one thing out of the freezer each day and ‘work with it’!

The last 30 days I spent: 9,84€

I have left: 0,16€

Tomorrow I’m having some ladies over from church to show them how to make some cut-out Christmas cookies. These are not your ordinary sugar cookies, but a wonderful sour cream pastry that are tender. They are a hit around here! I’ll post the recipe tomorrow.

I’ll serve the cookies and this coffee to my church friends:

Mocha-Mint Coffee

6 cups freshly brewed coffee
4 squares (1-ounce each) semi-sweet
baking chocolate, chopped
1-1/2 cups hot milk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
8 peppermint sticks or candy canes
Pour the hot coffee into large
saucepan and stir in the chocolate. Heat
over low heat 5 minutes or until chocolate
is melted, stirring occasionally. Pour
the milk into a microwave-safe container
and heat on high for 1 to 2 minutes,
or until hot (or heat in another saucepan
over medium high heat until hot, not
boiling). Add milk and extract to the
coffee chocolate mixture; stir until well
blended. Carefully ladle into 8 mugs.
Garnish each serving with a peppermint
stick. Yield: 8 servings.

Day #23 of the grocery challenge & oranges!

Dec 4, 2011 by     No Comments    Posted under: Baking, blessings, Blogroll, Bobbie's Store, Grocery Challenge, recipes, saving money, Spain

Look what a neighbor brought me!

December 4th, 2011~Sunday

I always feel so cared for by the Lord when I receive gifts from HIM. Last week while in the village,  a neighbor dropped by to give me a bag of oranges from her tree. Wasn’t that nice?! Of course I am so thankful for her but I know that my loving Father directs these gifts to me. It’s personal.

The oranges  will be perfect to serve to a guest coming, for fresh juice, and for baking an orange cake for Bible study. It feels like one of those cooking shows where the contestants are handed a picnic hamper with food in it and the chefs have to be creative and make different courses out of the ingredients.

I don’t want to waste one single precious orange!

What I have spent: 7,26€

What I have left: 2,74€

 

 

Beat and Bake Orange Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest

 

Frosting:

6 tablespoons butter, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

*because this frosting recipe uses so much powdered sugar, which I’m low on,  I’m going to make the cake in a bundt pan and then a glaze using the powdered sugar and fresh orange juice.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 – 8 inch round cake pans, loaf pan, 9×13 pan or bundt pan.  In a measuring cup, combine milk, 1/2 cup orange juice, oil, beaten eggs and 1 1/2 teaspoon orange zest. Set aside.

 

Sift flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl. Mix in sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

To make Orange Butter Frosting: Cream butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 tablespoons orange juice to bring to spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla and 1 teaspoon orange zest.

my beverage shelf in the pantry

Here is the beverage shelf in my pantry. I’m making HUGE progress on the ‘milk shelf’. I still have  boxes of whole milk and for my non-fat milk requirements, I have a can of dried milk. The other milk products I have are: several cans of evaporated milk, one can of sweetened condensed milk & dried coconut milk. Sometimes I just forget to use the coconut milk! About the beverage section of my pantry; I have my individual juices above, and below are re-purposed plastic bottles with drinking water in case of an emergency. One the milk shelf, I would usually have it full with whole milk, 2% and non-fat. I’ve used all but the whole milk.

Day #21 of my grocery challenge & the benefits of saffron

Dec 2, 2011 by     1 Comment     Posted under: blessings, Blogroll, food, Grocery Challenge, saving money, Spain

December 2nd, 2011~Friday

Only 9 days left! I can do it!! I was reading about saffron the other day and here is what I found:

Spain one of the largest growers of saffron, well known for it’s high cost and one of the key ingredients of the Spanish Paella. Here are some of the interesting things I’ve found out about this special spice:

  • Anti-Depressant ~Saffron tea has been used to treat depression. Ingesting large amounts of the tea and spice has been reported to cause feelings of happiness and joy. Some days I may need to take 2 cups! HAHAHAHA!
  • Saffron has traditionally been used to improve blood circulation and cure bruises in Chinese medicine. The active ingredient Crocetin may also lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides in the body and help in the treatment of atherosclerosis and arthritis.
  • Antioxidant Action Safranal, a constituent of saffron, is a good antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
  • Eye care~Studies show that saffron improves vision and is an effectual weapon to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the commonest cause of blindness in the elderly.
  • Saffron is the most expensive among spices. It is highly prized for its rich color and aroma it imparts to oriental cooking. In India, there is another popular use of saffron. It is believed that if pregnant women had saffron-mixed milk at bed time, the new born baby would have a fair complexion. So saffron is usually gifted to pregnant women by friends and relatives. Saffron is also used in many cosmetic preparations for enhancing and lightening the skin.
  • Anti-Cancer Benefits~Research has indicated that Crocin, Safranal and Picrocrocin from saffron may be involved in anti-cancer activity by inhibiting the growth of human cancer cells in vitro.

I always have saffron on hand in the house to make paella or just add it to rice as a side dish, but I think I’ll start brewing the stuff for John and me!  It’s a lot less expensive here in Spain.

Nine more days on this grocery challenge to only spend 10€ for 30 days.  The benefits:

  1. one months grocery money SAVED
  2. I’m using what I have in the freezer & pantry
  3. I have more space in my fridge having used several jars of condiments
  4. I am more organized with food prep
  5. I have challenged myself which encourages and stimulates me

What I’ve spent: 7,26€

What I have left: 2,74€

We’re in the ‘village house’ working this week.

I’ve used up:

butter ~though I still have some in Madrid.

Also in Madrid, I’ve realized that I have no more nuts except for a handful of almonds. I’ll have to wait until after this challenge to buy some walnuts because they’ll cost more than the couple of euros I have left.

..

Day #20 and bit about my ‘freedom account’

Dec 1, 2011 by     No Comments    Posted under: blessings, Blogroll, food, Grocery Challenge, saving money, Spain

   December 1st, 2011

I have spent so far: 7,26€

I have left: 2,74€ ~  Yesterday I had to buy a small jar of ‘lite mayo’ for the egg salad sandwiches. Yes, we could have eaten something else, but I was focusing on the  french bread I need to use (I made canapes) and the 3 hard-boiled eggs I had. Anyway, the jar of mayo cost me, 0,65€. Funny… I have 3 jars of mayo in Madrid!

Debt-Proof Living (formerly The Cheapskate Monthly), urges that each household create and manage what she refers to as a “Freedom Account.”

Included in this account might be items such as car repairs (usually expensive; almost always unexpected), vacations (very expensive, but also very plan-able), medical bills (always expensive; almost always unexpected), six- or twelve-month insurance premiums, insurance deductibles, work clothes, Christmas gifts, and other items like these. You know all these expenses are going to show up sooner or later; with many of them, you just don’t know when.

And what about expenses like Christmas? That one hits at the same time each year.  Yet people simply do not take the time to build up the necessary funds beforehand. Thus, December rolls around, and out come the handy credit cards. Next July comes through … you’re still paying for last December (not me!)

Think of the Freedom Account as a sort of holding fund. You deposit small sums into it each month because you are thinking ahead: You’re anticipating bigger, specific expenses down the road.

Simple  steps to set up a freedom account: Read more »

Day # 19~ saving for some ”down-time’…can’t wait!!

Nov 30, 2011 by     2 Comments    Posted under: Blogroll, Bobbie's Store, food, Grocery Challenge, saving money, Spain


November 30th, 2011

This February, John and I will celebrate 44 years of marriage and in March the publication of a New Testament after years of work. Part of my goal in reducing our spending, using up what we have, and ‘making  do’ is to take a mini jaunt ‘somewhere’ to celebrate these major accomplishments in our life. It gives us something to look forward to also! That’s why we do this… you know… to have some fun after months of  sacrificing the little treats in order to really celebrate on the things that are important to us.  So, the pennies, nickles and dimes get dropped into the piggy bank along with anticipation.

We are now in  San Martin working and we went to the market to buy 1 ½ liters of non-fat milk because I forgot to bring the dried stuff with me.  That was 1,09€ so now I  have …. drum roll… 3,39€ left to spend…yikes… getting close…I’m not in the RED yet!!! Eleven days left!!

Breakfast:

turkey dressing with a fried egg

potato cakes

Lunch

Spaghetti and meatballs ( meatballs I canned last year) served with whole wheat pasta

peas

garlic toast

Dinner

egg salad sandwiches

pumpkin pie

We’re in the ‘village house’ we don’t have everything… but enough for the 2 of us!

We remain thankful.

 

Day #16 how to budget

Nov 27, 2011 by     4 Comments    Posted under: blessings, Blogroll, Canning/Preserving, food, recipes, saving money, Spain

November 27th, 2011~Sunday

I hope you’ll take the time to watch this 6:21 video I added below. The end of it is the best. It’s a great motivator to reduce spending in one area in order to have money for the things that are important to you.  My 30 day challenge  is to save all  but 10€ of my grocery money in order to add it to the budget line items that need to be funded. It’s amazing how much we already have in  our cupboards and freezers instead of going to the market to buy more.

Here’s a money saving idea for this week: instead of going out to eat after church or work this week, why not dust off that crock-pot.  Put your meat & potatoes (for example) in the morning and the tasty food will be waiting for you when you return in the evening.  Here’s an idea:

Easy to do & good to eat. Why go out to eat?

Crock-Pot Turkey Chili

  • 1 lb cooked turkey (chopped)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 small can chopped chilies
  • 1 can black beans, undrained
  • 1 can chickpeas, undrained
  • 1 can kidney beans, undrained (or use the white beans but the red gives it a nice color)
  • 1 large can diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1-2 tablespoon chili powder, to taste

Add all ingredients to the crock-pot and cook on high for about 6 hours.

If you don’t have any leftover turkey to work with, you can use 1 lb ground turkey; browned or use chicken, pork or whatever you have.

You can  serve this with rice  cornbread,  or tortillas.

For all of you who like to can/preserve; this would be a fantastic recipe to put together (no need to cook for 6 hours) and then pressure can. You’d have it on the shelf  for the upcoming year. A healthier version of fast food.

Here are my menus for today:
Breakfast

Quiche~ still leftovers!!

Lunch
Turkey tacos

salad

Mexican rice

Dinner

Turkey Chili (above) & bread

I have spent so far:

4,27€ out of the 10,00€ I budgeted; leaving: 5,73€ left to spend
I am COMPLETELY out of:

Fresh tomatoes

non-fat milk~ but I have powdered

non-fat yogurt

I’m ‘making do’ without them

* I have 1 onion left but still green onions in the pot on the patio.

Day #15th… half way there!

Nov 26, 2011 by     No Comments    Posted under: Blogroll, food, Grocery Challenge, saving money, Spain

   November 26th, 2011

When you live on a fixed income or you can’t really increase your income, reducing expenditures can help us control our budgets and relieve some stress.  I  still have 5,73€ to spend on any grocery items ( and paper products) for the next 15 days. For paper napkins we are using all the little leftover ones that have ‘happy birthday’ or other printing. It does feel good to get to the bottom of some of the packages of things around the house. We’re also working though those little hotel soaps and shampoos.

Breakfast

quiche-leftover

Lunch

Left over Thanksgiving food

Dinner

Leftover Thanksgiving food.

For Great Crafts: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jerushagish/

Day #5 of the NEWEST grocery challenge

Nov 16, 2011 by     4 Comments    Posted under: Blogroll, food, Grocery Challenge, saving money, Spain

November 16th, 2011~Wednesday

Today I’m going to use some of the canned beef (shredded) that I opened yesterday  and  make beef tacos. Thankfully I have corn and flour tortillas in the fridge.

I also will take out of the freezer a Ziploc baggie of re-fried beans I made a few weeks ago. When I cook my beans, I use the pressure cooker and do the whole kilo (2.2 lbs.) at once and then just divide and freeze. It costs so much less than the store-bought ready to eat ones and I can add the bacon and herbs all at once. Being from California, we really just can’t get ‘Mexican’ out of our system!

Breakfast:

I’m so glad that John will eat anything! I fixed him,eggs & toast, with the last wee bit of spaghetti. T he toast was from that same loaf of  dark bread I bought while in Germany last week.

 

Lunch:

Beef Tacos

Re-fried beans

Salad

Dinner:

Tonight it will be left over stir-fried rice from 2 days ago. Hopefully we can see an end to that!

I still haven’t spent anything at all  in these past 5 days.

Everyday is a victory on 3 fronts:

1.) I don’t spend money

2.) I reduce what is in my panty, freezer and fridge and

3.) I get  the pleasure of being a steward of our resources.

I’m working on a plan to use the last of the pesto in the fridge.  The jar is really about ¾ full! I have some pita bread in the fridge so this week I’ll be adding some ‘pita pizzas’ to the menu and pesto is nice spread on them instead of tomato sauce or paste. If anyone  has a good use for pesto, do let me know!

 

Day #2 of the new food challenge.

Nov 13, 2011 by     No Comments    Posted under: Baking, blessings, Blogroll, food, Grocery Challenge, saving money, Spain

  November 13th, 2011~Sunday

We have been so blessed.  I really mean it!! We went to a fabulous retreat and they showered us with treats.  Very fun! We received among other things:

a brown gravy mix~ loved this!

tea

seasonings

candies~very fun!

gum..Juicy Fruit!

a book & a video

Today’s meals will be:

Breakfast: I always fix eggs for John + french toast today, and I have  yogurt.

Lunch will be… Read more »

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