Bigger city, better grocery store options

Since our move I have been grocery shopping twice. I have gone to a employee-owned store that has incredible prices. I am so excited to actually save real money when I shop. Example, milk is $2.29 instead of $2.59. My daughter's soy milk is about 10 cent cheaper. Produce is incredible -- $1.99 for 5 lb bag of potatoes versus $2.50 or more, apples 99 cents a pound instead of $1.50. It all adds up and when you are buying a lot of items it adds up fast. I have saved a lot of money and am glad to have this store for an option. They are many other stores in the area that I haven't visited yet, but I think I'm going to be able to work the deals really well. I was really limited where I was living before.

Dairy Free Blog

I started a new blog sharing the experiences of life with my toddler who can't have milk and eggs due to an allergy.

Check it out HERE! Pass it along to anyone you know who might enjoy! Thanks!

What's Cookin' -- Hamburgers

I've made these hamburgers for years. They are similar to how my mom makes them. We don't even buy pre-made burgers anymore.

Hamburgers
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1 cup breadcrumbs (I use crushed saltines)
1 egg (this can be omitted if egg allergy)
salt and pepper to taste

Optional
2 Tbsp BBQ sauce
1 -2 garlic cloves, minced

1. Mix all together.
2. Make into patties. Makes 4 large or 6 small.
3. Press thumb in center to keep the burger from being too round while cooking.
4. Grill, bake or make on stove top.

Toddler Game

I found this idea at an Early Childhood Conference a few years ago. When I went back to school, I had extra time to make it and it has gotten lots of use. Ironically, when I was student teaching in a toddler room, the director told me it was not developmentally appropriate. Of course this was the same director that told me I could sing counting songs with toddlers because they can't learn that yet. Oh and the book I made with colors had to focus on the leaves not the colors. Whatever I said. I still sang counting songs, talked about colors and definitely played this matching game. My philosophy is to stand up for what you believe in.

With that all said, here are the directions for making this fun matching game.
1 yard fabric (try to find something with simple repeating patterns)
Laminator

1. Cut fabric to size you want to use. I cut mine in half. I usually fold my over a couple times when playing because otherwise it's too big.
2. Cut out the shapes or patterns for each item from extra fabric. I cut out many of each since there are only four patterns -- frog, bee, bird, dog.
3. Then iron each pattern and use starch spray to make it really stiff.
4. Laminate each pattern piece.
5. Play the matching game.


Ideas for this matching game.

• Practice animal sounds.
• Put cards behind you and ask child what will be next (great for predicting)
• Make a pattern without the fabric piece
• Have child help pick up and put away
• Encourage them to place the pieces on different spots, really young kids like to put all the dogs on the same dog place, etc.
• Helps with patience and following directions
• So many ideas, do what works for you!!
  

$5 Dinner Challenge

You have to check out $5 Dinners for more ideas for cheap meals. I love all the ideas I get from reading this site.

Here's my recipe for the $5 Challenge this week. I always have a hard time figuring exact cost. My prices are estimated. I have posted this recipe before here.

Potato Casserole

1 head green cabbage of 15 oz can of sauerkraut (I use cabbage -- .75)
1 1/2 lb ground beef ($2.25)
1 small onion chopped (.30)
5 cups potatoes, sliced ($.75)
1 (10 oz) can cream of mushroom (.50)
1 (10 oz) can cream celery (.50)
1 can of water
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut cabbage and boil for 15 minutes in large pot. (if you use cabbage otherwise start with step 2)
2. Brown ground beef with. Drain.
3. While beef is browning and cabbage boiling, peel and cut potatoes.
4. Lay potatoes on bottom of greased casserole dish.
5. Place ground beef on top of potatoes.
6. Place cabbage (or sauerkraut) on top of beef.
7. Mix soups and water together, then pour on top of everything.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours

** You can use an combination of cream soups. **

Be sure to check out this week's giveaway -- free box of Kashi Cereal Bars!

Reorganizing after a move

We are still tripping over boxes at our new home. We moved a little over a week ago and are waiting for a few items to help our organization. The newest challenge for me (as a SAHM of an almost 18 month old) has been reorganizing our routine.

In our old house we had a kitchen on one end of the house and the living room on the other. In the new home we have the living room and kitchen right next to each other so I can be in the kitchen and she can be playing. We made it work in the old house, but I never was completely happy with letting her "play" in the kitchen/dining area while I was cleaning and cooking. Seemed like we spent too much time in there. So that adjustment has gone well. Also, in our old house we had several dangerous areas and had to set up pretty strict boundaries. Our room had a dangerous water filter that not only made lots of noise all day long, but was not a safe item for a toddler to close to. We had little closest space, so my daughter's room inconveniently became storage instead of a place to play. Again it wasn't safe. The living room had a stone fireplace that ironically didn't have a chimney or electric hooked up. And that had to be blocked off. Our computer desk was in the kitchen and our little daughter seemed to be getting taller by the minute as she reached for every button she could. In our new home we have her room set up with just a crib, changing table, toy rack and rocking chair. All safe to keep her door open. Our bedroom is a little small, but if the door is open she will be safe. Our 3rd bedroom (funny how you name rooms) has the computer and will have an area where she can play or take items off the bookshelf -- still working on that room. If I were to worry about that room, the door can be shut. I feel that this house is much better for functioning with an "explorer." I do have enough room in the kitchen to put her play kitchen set in. Last week I gave her a dish rag and told her to do her dishes while I was cleaning.

Speaking of dishes, we do not have a dishwasher. It was a compromise I was willing to make to have so many other items this house offers. (Functional space mostly) It's been a little challenge getting back into the routine of doing dishes. Last time I didn't have a dishwasher I didn't have a family. But I've done without before for many years, so I don't see it as an issue. I did have to problem solve how to keep our dishes separate from my daughter's due to her milk allergy. It was a pretty easy solution, but took me a little thinking to get there. I just wash her dishes first. I do the breakfast and lunch dishes after lunch. Then I do the supper prep dishes right before supper and then the supper dishes after. We are using a few more disposable items again, but I think occasionally is okay.

So that's where we are at right now. There's still lots to do, but I am so happy we can have a place that gives us the space we need for a reasonable rent. Oh, and that toddler -- she adjusted so well. It amazed me how comfortable she is. She's excited when she realizes an old toy found it's way to our new home! Doesn't take much!

Coming up this week!

Organizational Monday -- reorganizing a routine after moving
About the Kids Tuesday -- one of my favorite matching games for toddlers (hint: it uses fabric)
What's Cookin' Wednesday -- recipe for hamburgers
Thrifty Thursday -- my new grocery store
Anything Goes Friday -- anything goes