Budget Friendly

Well, in today's economy everyone is tighting their belt and purse. Everyone is on the lookout for budget friendly recipes (not because we want to buy the promotional tote bags but we need to conver the bills). I found this one which is really easy to do and the ingredients easy to find at the shops (source, yahoo lifestyle.

Chow mein mince
Ingredients
•2 teaspoons oil
•500g lean minced beef
•1 x 30g packet Continental®Chow Mein Mince Recipe Base
•1/4 cabbage, finely shredded
•2 carrots, sliced
•1/2 cup long grain rice
•1 3/4 cups (440mL) water
Method
1. Heat oil in a large wok or frying pan and brown mince.

2. Add Recipe Base, cabbage, carrots, rice and water; stir well.

3. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, or until mince is cooked and rice tender, stirring occasionally

Notes
Hint: Add extra vegetables such as sliced capsicum or mushrooms.

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Cooking Frenzy

I'm in a cooking frenzy this week. I am doing all our cooking. I have already the pasta sauce cooking for tomorrow. I'm planning to do another casserole - maybe a beef stew or goulash - this afternoon. Tonight, we're going to have lasagne. We might just have left-over for some days during the week. I'm taking everything in strides so I don't need riding boots for now.

I found this simple and quick recipe for beef goulash in yahoo lifestyle:

Ingredients
•canola spray or 2 tsp sunflower oil
•1 tbsp flour
•400g stewing steak (blade or gravy beef) trimmed of fat and cut into 2cm cubes
•1 pkt Maggi Cook in the Pot Beef Goulash Recipe Mix
•1/2 cup water
•2 tbsp tomato paste
•1/4 cup Uncle Tobys Oats
•1 onion, chopped
•1 carrot, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, diced
•2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
Method
1. Set the slow cooker to low.

2. Toss beef cubes in flour. Heat oil in a large frying pan and brown the beef.

3. Remove meat from pan and drain on kitchen paper.

4. Combine Maggi Cook in the Pot Beef Goulash Recipe Mix with water and tomato paste.

5. Add to the slow cooker bowl with remaining ingredients.

6. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

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How Do You Like Your Eggs

I'm like Maggie Carpenter that can't decide how I like my eggs but not for the same reason. It's just that I haven't explored all the ways of cooking eggs. Now, I just like scambled with tomatoes. Yet, I can say I like omelletes too but I haven't perfected the way of making it. I found an easy way to make it (no need for fancy equipment like spirometer to do it). Here it is:

Ingredients
•3 Eggs
•A little milk
•Ham and tomato
•Parsley
•Cheese
•Salt & Pepper
•Butter
Method
1. Combine the milk and the eggs together in a bowl and whisk it well.

2. Pour the mixture into a frying pan - make sure you have an adult to help you with this.

3. Now put all the other ingredients on one half of the mixture as the omelette cooks.

4. Fold over the omelette and let it cook!

source: yahoo lifestyle.

*****

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Brain Food for Toddlers

OILY FISH

'Fish like salmon, tuna (fresh, not canned), sardines and mackerel are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids,' says nutiritonal scientist Bridget Aisbitt from the British Nutrition Foundation. 'But your child shouldn't have more than two portions a week.'

If your child isn't keen on fish, make a fishcake mixed with potato and coated in breadcrumbs. This can be roasted in the oven or fried.

AVOCADO

A real power-house food, full of that other essential fatty acid, omega-6, which is also key for brain development.

Simply mash and serve with breadsticks, or combine with other fruits like banana for a super-healthy energising snack. A great fast food - pop one in a bag inside your handbag for when you're out and about and mash it on the spot to eat with a hunk of bread.

BEANS OR MARMITE ON TOAST

In tests, toast was shown to boost children's cognitive skills, but when the tests got tougher, toast with high-protein beans worked best.

Marmite is packed with B vitamins, whose brain-boosting powers have been proven in countless studies.

Great at any time of day - breakfast, lunch, supper or an in-between snack.

WHOLEWHEAT CEREALS OR BREAD

These are full of vitamins B12 and B6.

From 6 months, it's OK to give your child wholewheat foods which contain wheatgerm, a source of choline.

But be aware of portion sizes, so your child doesn't get too full and not have room for other food groups.

YOGHURT

A big hit with little ones, yoghurt contains an important amino acid that helps to improve memory and keep your toddler alert and chirpy.

Yoghurt is a great lunchtime pud that will see him ready to face the challenges of the afternoon.

Fruit and raw veg dippers are also a great way to serve plain yoghurt - or try making your own fruity flavours by stirring mashed raspberries, sliced banana, strawberries or stewed apple into natural yoghurt. It's a great way to use up fruit that's slightly past its best too.

BERRIES

Research shows that strawberries and blueberries help improve concentration, short-term memory and coordination.

They are also delicious whole, on cereal or whizzed up into a smoothie, pus berries help contribute to their 5-a-day.

Pop a bowl of berries in front of your toddler while he's watching TV or doing a puzzle and odds are he'll eat them up without even noticing what he's doing.

source: babyexpert.com

We're not big on fish but I compensate that with other food as well. So my tot is just adorable with all his clever and smart antics - always a crowd drawer. Just thid night, we've noticed that he's grown quite a bit lately but we didn't notice because he's always covered because of the weather. He was displaying his muscles (which doesn't need apidexin) and he's just funny.

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Happy Soul

I believe that one of the manifestations of a happy soul is singing. I'm just inspired to search for songs that I like when I'm online and doing something. Isn't it enhilirating when you're doing something while humming? I reckon testosterone booster is of little importance when you're always happy - which affect your dispositions in life and health.
One of my favourite songs and singers by the way. Love them. I want to own some of their albums.

*****

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Flue Season is On

The cold season is well underway and I'm very thankful that it hasn't affected my family this year. Hopefully, it will remain that way until it is over this year or can I say forever? But if you have symptoms, here are some remedies - easy as they are.

No sachet required
Instead of spending $12 to $14 on cold-and-flu sachets, this homemade version will work just as well. All you need is some generic paracetamol, honey and a lemon. Take the paracetamol as directed for your headache, then make a soothing drink for your sore throat by squeezing the lemon juice into a mug and adding a tablespoon of honey. Fill with hot water and stir well. It's just as good as an over-the-counter remedy, but much cheaper.

Onion cough syrup
Cough syrup can be very expensive. Have a go at making this one - it will knock your socks off! Slice an onion onto a saucer. Cover the onion with brown sugar, and place another saucer on top to cover it. Leave for an hour for the onion juice to collect. Take one teaspoon of this liquid before bed and hey presto - no more cough, and no more sleepless nights.

Stuffy nose?
Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a large bowl of steaming hot water and place in the room well out of harm's way. The vapours will fill the room. You can also put a drop or two on your pillowcase to help you sleep easier.

Garlic magic
Many people take garlic capsules to stave off colds, but you can save a fortune and stay healthy by eating fresh garlic instead. Based on around $20 for a jar of 30 garlic tablets, replacing the capsules with one clove of garlic a day can save you over $200 a year - and it's just as effective.

Chest rub
A jar of generic chest rub is a handy standby. It's brilliant on headaches and migraines when rubbed gently into the temples (keeping away from the eyes). To quieten coughs, massage into the soles of the feet and cover with socks. Perfect for kids who hate taking medicine.

source: yahoo.com lifestyle

Chestrub really works in my family. It's one of our bedside companion (not next to cigars in Mcj's beside table). Lol.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla | Blings and Glitters

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla | Blings and Glitters

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

Hahaha. One of the best scenes of the Big Bang Theory that I really like.

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Source

I had a good laught with Jens tonight on some of his antics and it doesn't involve (any vga cable) and cost. The Best. Free.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla | Blings and Glitters

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