Cheap Thrills

I decided to take a break from blogging about my Whole30 for today, because I am tired of talking about food. I slept in today, 10 am! and had a few errands to run. When I returned home, I used some of my Pinterest ideas to clean my apartment. Hans cleaned the microwave, we both tag teamed the oven and stove top, and I also cleaned the washing machine. I have to say, cleaning the oven went better then expected. Here's the steps from a savvy Pinterest gal.

How to clean the oven without harsh chemicals

1. Mix baking soda and vinegar to make a paste. Wait until it stops fizzing
2. Spray warm water in the oven
3. Apply paste to oven and let sit for 15-30 minutes depending on how dirty and greasy it is.
4. Scrub down the oven and use warm water and a towel to clean up any left over paste.
5. Enjoy a clean Oven! Worked like a charm!

How to clean your top loading washing machine

1. Fill machine with hot water.
2. Add in one cup of bleach and 1 quart of vinegar ( 1quart=4 cups)
3. Close lid and let the machine agitate
4. Open the lid and let bleach and vinegar mixture work its magic
5. Clean the fabric softener spout and top of washer
6. At this point you should be able to see how dirty the washer was by looking at the water :/ Gross.
6. Close lid and let it run through a full cycle.
7. Enjoy a clean washer! That was easy                

 As a broke almost 30 something gal, I get pleasure in cheap thrills. Enter couponing. I usually clip coupons each week because I find it relaxing. I make piles of coupons and then separate them by people who could use them. I have so many coupons, sometimes it can be overwhelming. Here's some of my personal couponing tips.

Coupon Crazy

* Clip all the coupons in the paper, even if you cant use them. Someone in your family might use it, and its always fun to leave coupons under an item in the grocery store for a stranger. It could also help increase your Karma. 

Baxter helping clip this weeks haul of coupons.

* Organize your coupons by how you will be shopping at the grocery store. If you frequent a store you can probably picture the aisles in your mind. I make several groups of coupons.
Produce- fruit and veggies
Meats- Meat and deli meats
Grocery- dry goods and snacks
Household- paper products, shampoo etc.
Frozen- Anything frozen veggies snacks meat etc.
Dairy- Milk cheese bread etc.

* Invest in a coupon binder. Although everyone made fun of me at first, I must admit a coupon binder is where its at. I used to use an envelope system, but it was hard to see all the coupons. So there I was, that girl blocking the aisles sifting through 900 coupons to save 20 cents on a tomato. Now, I can access all my coupons and see them at a glance. You can find coupon binders at Staples. They are awesome. 

My awesome coupon binder.

* Check all the circulars that are in the paper. You might not like to shop at particular stores, but many of them will have similar sales based on what coupons are in the paper that week. Check the sale prices and your coupons to see which store offers the best price.

* Shop at multiple stores. This seems annoying but in the interest of saving money, its helpful. Make lists of items you need by store and where you can get the best deal. It makes a world of difference if you are on a budget.

* Create a master price list. I have a small notebook where I list stores and prices of things I buy on a regular basis. Ie. toilet paper, shampoo, soap, detergent, milk etc. A master list takes a while to create but it can help if you are shopping at multiple stores. If you have one, you can look to see if you are getting a good deal on something or if its a rip off.

So there you have it. Those are my Sunday musings. I hope I inspired you to get a paper and start clipping. Have a great week.

Whole30 Viva la Coconut Oil

When I started Whole30 one thing was abundantly clear. These people are big on Coconut. Coconut flour, coconut milk, coconut amino's, and the ever magical, coconut oil. Apparently, anything with coconut is wonderful. If you know me, you know that I hate coconut. But, on a recent trip to Wegman's  I indulged and spent $7.00 on some coconut oil. I wanted to see what the buzz was all about. Plus it would be a cold day in hell if you saw me eating a coconut or drinking coconut milk. So, in my mind the oil would be the lesser of two evils. When I cook, I generally use olive oil which is Whole30 compliant, but I also use my coconut oil as well. I have to say it coats nicely and when heated it melts quickly. It almost looks like soap. It comes in a glass jar, and aside from the label you cant tell its coconut. I did some research, and I found out that coconut oil is, in fact, really versatile. 

Here is a list of some pretty interesting uses for coconut oil outside of the kitchen!

* use a non toxic moisturizer. Just slather it on!
* Mix with baking soda for a homemade " goo- gone"
*Use as a natural make up remover -  I found a recipe to use with coconut oil. I will be making a batch this weekend. Keep you posted on this one.
*Eat a spoonful a day to aid in increasing digestion, improving your thyroid, speeding up metabolism, boosting your immune system and even cures migraines! ( Sara you should try this the next time you have a migraine)
*Apply on skin to soothe bug bites and bee stings
*Mix with tea to treat ring worm and athletes foot
*Use it with vinegar to clean your shower- who knew?
*Massage into your hair and use as a deep conditioner! - I am going to try this use today.

So there you have it! Many uses for coconut oil both inside and outside of the kitchen. Who knew?!? There are more uses you can find online that range from sensible to insane. If you want to experience the magic of coconut for yourself, you can find coconut oil at Wegmans, and other specialty food stores in the organic/ health section. It's a little pricey but for all its uses, it worth the money. I haven't been able to find it at Walmart, or Giant. If you find it, please let me know! Enjoy your coconut! xo Jacula

Whole30 Foodee Project

Tonight, its snowing and my motivation to cook is low. Very low. I decided it was a chicken night. I seasoned it with adobo and then made some sweet potatoes to go with it. I love me some sweet potatoes. Adobo, as you might imagine is a Spanish seasoning and quite flavorful. If you have never tried it, you need to. Tomorrow I have to go grocery shopping, so I started my menu for the week. In my Pinterest stalking, I came across the Foodee Project. Its a website with Whole30 and Paleo recipes. Its a great site. You can join for free, and it compiles your recipes and gives you a printable grocery list. Easy as pie! After trolling the site, I also learned that a lot of my favorite Paleo bloggers contribute recipes regularly to the site, as well as other people living the whole30 lifestyle. All in all, its worth a look if you are dabbling in the Paleo-whole30 realm. Check, check, check it out! 

The Foodee Project.

Here are some sample recipes from the site. 

Braised Chicken with Mushrooms

Chili Bang Bang 

Roasted Pork Shoulder with Winter Spices

Venison Butternut Squash Chili 

Whole30 Meatza~

Day 22 and I am so sick of cooking I could scream! Tonight, I decided to make Hans prepare dinner while I watched Real Housewives of Atlanta. I recently bought the book Well Fed and he decided he was going to make Meatza. Meatza my friends is pizza but with meat instead of dough. It was actually very good, but it made me miss cheese. It's criminal to eat pizza without cheese! Anyway, I am on the hunt for new recipes. Still going strong. 

Hans and his meatza

If you are interested in trying whole30 or Paleo I suggest Well Fed. Its a great cookbook and starting point for recipes and information.

Whole30 Caribbean Plantain and Meat Casserole and the ever illusive Pinterest

Day 20. Where did the time go? Since I started Whole30, a lot of people have been asking me about it. In general, I have to say its really not as bad or hard as it seems. Its 30 days of your life, or if you are me, 45 days since I accidentally had soy on day 10. I like the meals and recipes I have found online and I also, really enjoy trying new foods. Yesterday, I was telling my brother about whole30 and I think I actually scared him with the list of "off limits" foods. The most frightening for him, no alcohol. I have to say, Its actually refreshing to have real fruits and vegetables in the house. You have to use them, or you lose them, so it forces you to cook and eat healthy. Aside, from one or two cravings with pretzel sticks and some cupcakes., i haven't had any real cravings. I haven't had any dairy, legumes, carbohydrates, added sugar, alcohol, gluten or processed foods. I can happily report, that I have been sleeping like a brick house, have more energy and can honestly say I don't crave crap or anything sweet and processed. It doesn't bother me to see people eating carbs, or having candy. But that might be related to the fact, that I recently had 3 cavities filled from eating bags on mini Pez to no end. If you are thinking about trying Whole30 do it. You have nothing to lose. I would love to say that I lost 30 pounds so far this month, but a cardinal rule of Whole30 is no weighing or measuring after day 1. So until February 16th, I wont be able to let you know my exact lbs lost. If you are looking for inspiration, go back to my previous blog where I show before and after pictures of my friend Lauren. Now is a great time to try Whole30 because you are able to find a ton of recipes from other people also doing Whole30 for their New Years resolutions. Before I go, I have to share my most recent Pinterest whole30 recipe that kicks major ass. Visit www.Balticmaid.com for more recipes and as always, steal ideas from the ever amazing, Pinterest. I know give to you, the awe-inspiring Caribbean Plantain and Meat Casserole. 

Ingredients for 4 servings

• 1 lb ground beef
• oil, if necessary
• salt and pepper to taste

•  1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, chopped
• several garlic cloves, grated
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 tbsp cumin
• several tsp oregano, to taste
• salt and pepper
• 4 -5 medium sized tomatoes, chopped

• 4 to 5 very ripe (dark brown/black) plantains
• oil

Directions

In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef.  If the beef is very lean, you might want to add a little oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

When the meat is done, remove it from the frying pan with a slotted spoon.   Add the chopped onion and the bell pepper to the frying pan.  Cook them until the onions are translucent, and the peppers become soft.  Then add the grated garlic and the tomatoes.   Also add the paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.  Stir well.  Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes.

In a different frying pan, heat some oil.  Peel the plantains, and cut them into about 1/2 cm (0.2“) thick slices.  Add them to the frying pan.  Cook the plantain slices until they’re brown on one side, and then turn them in order to brown the other side.  Set aside when done.

Once the tomato mixture becomes saucy, add the cooked meat back to the frying pan.  Cook for an additional 5 minutes or so.  Season to taste with cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F. 

Pour about one third of the sauce into a 23×23 cm / 9x9” casserole dish.  Use half of the plantain slices as the second layer;  next comes another third of the beef- tomato sauce; then the remaining plantain slices topped with the remaining meat sauce.  You should have 5 layers of alternating sauce and plantains by now. 

In a little bowl, slightly beat the eggs.  Pour them over the casserole.

Bake the casserole for 20 to 30 minutes.  Serve hot or at room temperature.

** I made mine with the veggies I had on hand and skipped the egg step because it seemed gross. It was so delish. I gave it a 10 and Hans loved it too. Try it, you wont be sorry! **

Freezin for a reason

Today in Easton, hundreds of people participated in the Polar Plunge. The event was to raise money for the Special Olympics. A bunch of fellow teachers and I dubbed ourselves the "Ice Queens" and raised $940.00 for the charity. While it was indeed freezing, it was time well spent. I am glad to have participated in the event, and hope to again next year. Here are a slew of pictures from the day. 

Arriving at the bridge.

A warm sunny 31 degree morning!

 

The girls with Daryl Dawkins former 76er

Costume Contest

Passing the time with my awesome dance moves.

                                              

The girls getting ready to plunge!

Val and I while in the water, captured by Jenny's water camera! Notice me screaming

Post plunge

Girls post plunge

We got our Beast on in East on :)

Whole30 If you can beat it with a club, you can eat it.

Hello Day 16. Whole30 is going well and I am not craving anything other then the occasional pretzel. I went to order Well Fed, a paleo cook book but, Barnes and Noble was completely sold out. I ordered it on amazon. My friend Lauren recommended it and she really needs to start her own blog. Her results were amazing and shes lost 14 pounds in about a month. Lauren if you are reading this, YOU NEED A BLOG! 

I went to the doctor today, and I am proud to report I am in good health. When they tried to weigh me, I told her that she couldn't tell me what the scale said. Whole30 insists on no weigh ins or measuring during the detox. The lady thought I was a psycho and probably wrote down "Potential eating disorder" clearly she doesn't know that tonight for dinner I made a meat loaf wrapped in bacon! Boosh! There were also some hard boiled eggs on the inside for extra protein. You know our motto, if you can beat it with a club, than you can eat it!