Healthy Snack: Peach Salsa

Hello fellow Foodies -
(I don't know if I've earned "foodie" status yet... We'll pretend)

Today, I finally sucked it up and went grocery shopping. I think I find every excuse in the world to avoid doing a big grocery shop.... Uhh.. the trees are too green today - Can't go to the grocery store... whoops!

So I piled on my shopping armor (aka re-usable bags, my list, a pocket full of coupons, and my own personal cart pusher - Birdy) and raided the isles of both Price Chopper and City Market. (Hey - you have to hit the sales at both places to really help your wallet!)

When all of a sudden I had a hankering for something sweet and savory and happened upon this little gem:

Newman's own Chunky Peach Salsa

$2.49

Plus, I have just recently been educated on this brand thanks to a friend of mine, Kelly Flynn. (Twitter: @Misskellyflynn) Newman's own uses all natural ingredients (not organic, however but that's okay.) and donates all... i repeat ALL proceeds to charity. Plus they do a a few other philanthropic campaigns, such as creating camps for children with illnesses and life threatening diseases. So not only are their products good, but more importantly they benefit the common good. For more info - Check out their website or give kelly a holla.

Also here is a link to their online coupons - you can save $.50 on their salsa!

Other (healthy*) bargains I found in the Isles today included:

• Miguels white corn tortilla chips are on sale at City Market for $1.79
• Cabot yogurt is on sale at Price Chopper for $.69 each
• Cascadian Farms frozen vegetables at City Market for $1.99
• Green Mountain Coffee Roasters whole bean coffee at Price Chopper for $5.99

Saving money just makes it all taste better.

Enjoy!

Spring Snow

Snow in April?

Picture of tulips @ Champlain College Campus

Picture taken with my mobile phone

Fun Finds for Friday

Love this "upcycled" Cork necklace from Etsy shop: Uncorked
$19.00

Love these yellow fingerless gloves from Etsy store: aandboriginals

"what's the point of gloves with no fingers?" you may ask... I don't know, texting? Who cares, they are a cute accessory.

$20.00

I thought these dress forms from PB Teen used to hang long necklaces, scarves or even used as a bulletin board would add an interesting element to a bedroom or home office. I'm sure if you hunted you could find one at an antique shop or flea market for cheaper. I used PB Teen to relay the concept.
$199.00

I have been seeing old card catalogs pop up in a number of different places for use around the home. Small ones to use in an entryway as a catchall or for mail storage to this fantastic idea from Apartment Therapy - Boston. They used this large one as a make shift wine cellar. L-O-V-E.
Now...where to store the boxed variety?

A Nice Surprise

Fool-Proof Asian Stir Fry

I just made a delish meal for Birdy and myself which took practically no effort. This was super easy to make, really CHEAP, and healthy to boot. What could be better? So if you're pressed for time, not in the mood to cook something extravagant, even if you make less than magic in the kitchen – you can’t screw this one up.

This was my own recipe that made plenty for dinner tonight, plus lunch tomorrow. (If we hadn’t been fat-asses and ate it all tonight. Whoops.)

Ingredients:

1 cup Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain Instant Brown Rice
1 10 oz bag Frozen vegetables (I used Cascadian Farms organic Thai stir fry blend)
1 tbs butter divided in two
3 large eggs
Soy Sauce (I used San-J organic wheat free tamari sauce)
Adobo seasoning (optional)
Black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil

Instructions

1. In a large wok (or frying pan) heat about a tablespoon of vegetable oil (enough to cover the bottom of pan) over medium heat. Once heated place frozen vegetables in pan and cover.
2. In a medium sauce pan cook Uncle Ben’s Rice according to directions on box. (I added ½ tbs. butter and about 1 tsp. Adobo seasoning to the water.
3.  Season vegetables with pepper and soy sauce to taste. Once they seem cooked through create a circle in the center and crack your three eggs into the center. Scramble so yolks are just barely broken and replace cover on wok. Cover for about 5 minutes to let eggs harden slightly.
4. Scramble eggs and incorporate with vegetables. Drain rice into metal sieve and add to vegetable and egg mixture along with ½ tbs butter and combine.
5. Taste and add any additional soy sauce or seasoning. Serve hot.

  

Other options:

• To make this meal a little more impressive top with a skewer of Teriyaki beef kabobs.
• Substitute the soy sauce for some lemon grass, a little coconut milk and some chili powder.
• Or if brown rice isn't your thing try quinoa, or rice noodles, or cous cous for your starch.

Enjoy! Now go out and be creative - more importantly, go make something fabulous!

I and Love and You - Avett Brothers

New favorite song Birdy introduced to me... it was also the song in my dream last night. Really listen to it. It's beautiful.

Don't You Just Love A Bargain!?

It's no secret, the Christmas Tree Shop and I have a very serious long term relationship. Sorry, Birdy. Some of you may think it's just a store full of junk (and shame on you!) but if you take your time and really look around you can find some great bargains. I know some of you must feel the way I do - ahem - Rachel Lefave! (She aspires to one day be one of those women on their commercials "And look! it's only 3.99!")
Anyways, also in an effort to become a pinch more environmentally friendly, I bought these large mason jars to store all my baking ingredients and my coffee beans. With such easy access to bulk ingredients (such as flour, white and brown sugars etc.) just down the street at City Market, now I can run down with my jar, and fill up. No more coughing through clouds of flour when you tear a bag open!

The large Jars were each $3.99 and the medium size were $2.99 so I bought two of each. I also have an assortment of small mason jars to store spices and the like, which are also relatively cheap. Jars like these can be used all around your house to eliminate clutter, create uniformity, and I just think they look really cool. Another fabulous find - Thank you Christmas Tree!