Yesterday David and I decided we better hurry and get in the Spring garden before it gets too warm, so we prepared the two beds and got the one on the left ready to go. We bought some broccoli plants to try, although I only wanted 2-3 and they came with nine, so I’m trying some in pots and two went in the other garden for now. We planted peas in one square, kale in three squares, spinach in two squares, green onions in one square, beets in four squares (because my dad sent my 4 different varieties), and lettuce in two squares. I also sprinkled some lettuce leaves in the other garden and I am hoping to have those grown and harvested by the time we put in the tomatoes and other summer veggies.

Here’s the garden plan:

And we are going to try a few different things this year… first, I bought a couple of soaker hoses so that I don’t need to use the sprinkler because they say you should water underneath the plant, not over it. Now I need to invest in a timer for the hose. Two, I went to Gardeners Supply and ordered some hoops, garden fabric (for when it gets cold and maybe to protect from bugs on some stuff), and shade netting (to try saving my lettuce in the summer). This way I can try to extend into all three seasons better. I will update on the progress of those later.

I still need to figure out what to plant in the Summer garden to the right, but I am quickly learning that I need another bed… which would bring us to three. David wants to wait until we get the drainage issue in the yard handled though… sigh. And so far our 5 goji berries and 3 blueberries are doing well and have started to bud… they are babies though and need a few years, but at least I know that the cold we’ve had didn’t kill them last week. I even took extra precautions by covering them with makeshift soda-bottle greenhouses!

]]> http://www.piecesofe.com/2010/03/07/imag0113-jpg/feed/ 2 http://www.piecesofe.com/2010/02/19/how-much-do-you-think-this-cost/ http://www.piecesofe.com/2010/02/19/how-much-do-you-think-this-cost/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:00:03 +0000 Erin http://www.piecesofe.com/2010/02/19/how-much-do-you-think-this-cost/

I know you’re up past $20 or $30 by now. Would you die if I told you this cost me under $7.00?!

We have some friends who just bought a house and we wanted to do something nice for when they move in. I figured that cleaning supplies are pretty high up on the list of needs and sometimes you don’t know where you packed them, so I went to the store with my coupons and loaded up. It’s super doubles week at our grocery store so I really put my coupons to work.

Bounty Paper Towels: $ .50 (normally $1.99)
Joy Dish Detergent: $ .30 (normally $1.59)
Glass Plus Cleaner: $ .85 (normally $2.85)
Soft Scrub: FREE (normally $3.69)
Lysol Toilet Cleaner: $1.09 (normally $2.59)
Lysol Wipes: FREE (normally $3.19)
Air Wick Air Freshener: $ .50 (normally $1.19)
Fantastic Spray All-Purpose Cleaner: $1.75 (normally $3.35)
Air Wick Plug In Gel Freshener: $1.49 (normally $10.99)

TOTAL: $6.48 (would have been $31.43) I SAVED 80% and probably could have done better if I hadn’t bought a few things that weren’t on sale!!!

We bought a cleaning tote to put all this in today at Target for about $5, and I added a handful of garbage bags and we have a pretty great gift… at least I think so! We’ll probably get a few more items together but this just shows how you can put your coupons to work for you.

I also have a cousin that I am planning to do this for when she gets her first apartment, and I already have a stash of cleaning supplies stocked away for her in the garage. It just makes such a great gift because everyone needs cleaning supplies!

VIC Card savings: $32.28
Coupon Savings: $22.95
Total we paid for groceries: $48.59

We saved $55.23 which cut our bill just a little more than half! NOT BAD!!!

Then we went to Target and got cat food and dental products… I had a Target coupon for save $1 on Iams Cat food and a manufacturer coupon to save $1.00, and then I combined some target coupons with manufacturer’s coupons on toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and 2 toothbrushes (which we try to keep on hand for guests)… Our final total for the bill was still about $28 but we saved $9.00 with all of our coupons.

So in one day of clipping coupons we saved $64.23!!! Not too shabby! So guess what I’m doing now? Planning my shopping trip because the sale fliers came out today and so far I have already spied where I can get free tortillas, some free yogurt, some cheap paper towels and toilet paper, breakfast bars, and frozen broccoli for 25 cents! This is worth trying, so give it a shot!

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Collards
From 1,000 Vegetarian Recipes

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
6 cups chopped collards
1/2 cup vegetable broth (I used chicken)
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What I added:
1/4 cup pancetta or prosciutto, cubed very small
1/2 – 1 lemon, juiced

In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the onions; cook, stirring, until transparent, about 2 minutes. Add the pancetta or prosciutto cubes and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the collards; cook, stirring, until the collards are wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the broth; simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Juice lemons over the greens, cook for 1 more minute.

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Apple-Cinnamon Toastie
From Babycakes [Vegan, (Mostly) Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked-About Bakery]

You can actually find the exact recipe for this at Leite’s Culineria or a similar one on Martha Stewart’s site, where one or two of the ingredients are different and it’s only cinnamon and no apples. It took a long time to make and mine came out slightly raw (my loaf pan was not the right size, I fear), but it was so delicious that we didn’t care. Luckily the recipe is vegan and gluten-free, so there is nothing to worry about. I enjoyed this recipe so much that I went out and bought raspberries to make the Raspberry Scones this weekend. Can’t wait!

Will you be getting engaged over the holidays? As you begin to plan you 2010 wedding keep in mind these top trends you’ll see next spring and summer.

1. Basics
Wedding details will be the center of attention this year. It will be the base of the event, not the drama or opulence of the evening. Consider spending more on the lasting memories than the showmanship of the event. Spend a bit more than the average budget allowance on photography rather than abundant floral. Or think about a longer stay on your honeymoon and a little less of a party at the reception and you’ll be thankful for your decision in the end.

2. Home / Backyard Weddings
Intimate and personal affairs at home are becoming very popular and bigger than ever. It’s really the essence of a personalized wedding day experience.
Smaller size guest lists, more intimate settings, grass roots weddings, elegant and detail driven, but in no way small on what counts.

3. Buttercream for Icing
Fondant is falling behind (due to the taste), but buttercream is making a huge comeback in the market. Most cake designers can smooth out buttercream so that it looks like fondant but the taste is so creamy and decedent. Overall, buttercream is a much better flavor, and has more natural ingredients. Some designers charge a lot less for buttercream.

4. Wedding Favors
Personalized favors are back in a big way. Guests always notice when couples don’t put a lot of thought into the favor. Show how grateful you both are to those in attendance. Think outside the box. – local artisans, locally grown products and personal mementos.

5. Local Wedding Destinations|
The popular destination wedding will remain high on most couples priority list, but couples are selecting locations that are within driving distance. This way couples can create a wedding weekend. Having a more local wedding will not only allow all guests to attend, it supports the local economy and helps the environment.

6. Colors
Monochromatic palettes – single color bunches. Vibrant shades of orange, green, yellow, and pink. Metallic colors such as gold, silver, copper, and pewter are still very popular. Black is always in for weddings, mostly attire.

7. Green Weddings
Couples want an “eco-friendly” wedding. They are making small changes, but getting big results. We are recommending the venue to clean the property with green cleaning products, all lighting should be LED, and all food leftovers should be composted. Also, having the caterer/Chef prepare food using local and organic ingredients. All stationary should be printed on recycled paper.

8. Video and Digital New-Age Ideas
Everyone has seen the photo /video montages of your childhoods during dinner, but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Wedding ceremonies are being broadcasted on screens for better viewing from the back of the venue; also they are sent over the internet to guests who cannot attend the event. Time lapse photography is being shot and integrated into video for current day montages of you and your fiancé. The photographer and Videographer are setting up cranes with cameras and projecting the event as it unfolds on screens around the dance floor.

9. HD Video
Videographers have already switched to hi-def camera equipment. Next year all or most will make such a transition, making HD and even Blu Ray the norm in wedding videography. Upgrade now and be thankful for the quality later. This also means smaller cameras on site and less infringement into your event, all around a better option on the big day.

10. Visual Combinations – “Fusion”
Professional grade still photo cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II DSLR have been released with HD video capabilities. It is a great idea to have both services at your wedding to capture every moment of the big day. Tech-savvy brides looking for a new experience, may like to experiment with a visual professional (videographer or photographer) who has this technology. In the future, you will begin to see an emergence of two-in-one companies.

I started last week with my first recipe from the Whole Foods Market Cookbook, which has always been one of my favs (even though I’ve only ever made the slammin’ salsa outta there). So I chose this one to fit into my veggie diet…

Cilantro Lime Rice

2 cups water
1 cup basmati rice
3 Tbsp. Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
1 tsp. minced grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp. lime juice
2 cups finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups washed, finely shopped baby spinach
3 scallions, finely chopped
Salt to taste

In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the rice, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lime juice and some salt, and reduce the heat to medium. Stir gently and cover, simmering slowly for about 25 minutes or until the rice in tender. Leave the rice covered so that the steam stays in, and it remains fluffy.

Transfer the rice to  a large mixing bowl and add the cilantro, cpinach, scallions, and salt. Combine thouroughly.

The recipe was okay, although I felt it needed quite a bit of salt. I served it with a healthy side of sauteed spinach, drizzled with fresh lemon juice and it was pretty good.
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The next recipe I chose was based off the fact that I got a new juicer to make fresh squeezed juices… well, after juicing you get a whole lot of pulp that I cannot seem to waste so I made this from my all-time classic cookbook, the Better Homes & Garden New Cookbook:

Sour Cream Pound Cake (Orange)

1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Few good scoops of orange pulp

Allow butter, eggs, and sour cream to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and lightly flour a bread pan; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add in sugar, beating about 10 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating one minute after each addition and scrappoing the bowl frerquently. Add dry mixture and sour cream alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low to medium speed after each addition just till combined. I also added as much of the pulp as I wanted (maybe 1/4 cup). Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for 60-75 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool.

Now this recipe was pretty darn tasty, although I baked mine for about 70 minutes, the toothpick came out clean and I still had a wet spot. Next time I will try baking for the full 75 minutes. I think we’ll make this again for sure!
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And the last recipe I made last week was sorta boring and I didn’t quite understand so I won’t post the recipe. It came from 1000 Vegetarian Recipes (a cookbook I’ve had ever since I started cooking on my own), and I made the Spinach Avgolemono Soup although I substituted chicken stock because we had cooked a chicken the night before and I didn’t want to be wasteful. Not only can I not pronounce this soup, but it was basically a stock with some spinach and white rice in it, but you make the avgolemono sauce with raw eggs and lemon juice that you temper and then slowly add to the soup. It just makes the soup look kinda creamy, but I thought it was weird.

But tonight we will try another from this cookbook.. Collard greens! YUM!
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And I have one more to share… this one is not from a cookbook, but rather the Martha Stewart Show and I thought it was quite tasty: Shrimp Scampi and River Salad. This was one truly delicious meal! Try it!

1. Get married (probably the most important).
2. Back to better health and nutrition (green smoothies/juices, more of a vegetarian/pescatarian diet).
3. Back to the gym… exercise at least 3 times a week (losing 20 pounds is ideal here since I have a wedding dress to squeeze into).
4. Learn where my food comes from and eat more local/organic (join the CSA).
5. Continue to drop the plastic and paper bags in the store and use my Baggu bags.
6. Get to bed before midnight so I can get up earlier.
7. Read one book a month (did well with this one last year).
8. Make one new recipe from my cookbooks each week.
9. Knit myself a sweater (have always wanted to and never have).

Of course the only resolution from last year I did well with was the reading. I far surpassed my goal of one book per month and read nearly 24 books! Take a look:

1. Eat, Pray, Love / Elizabeth Gilbert
2. His Dark Materials Omnibus / Philip Pullman
3. Wicked / Gregory Maguire
4. Son of a Witch / Gregory Maguire
5. Angels & Demons / Dan Brown
6. The Last Lecture / Randy Pausch
7. Sex and the City / Candace Bushnell
8. Twilight / Stephenie Meyer
9. New Moon / Stephenie Meyer
10. Eclipse / Stephenie Meyer
11. Breaking Dawn / Stephenie Meyer
12. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog / John Gorgan
13. Three Cups of Tea / Greg Mortenson
14. The Secret Life of Bees / Sue Monk Kidd
15. The Friday Night Knitting Club / Kate Jacobs
16. Knit Two / Kate Jacobs
17. Knit the Season / Kate Jacobs
18. A Thousand Splendid Suns / Khaled Hosseini
19. The Kite Runner / Khaled Hosseini
20. Q&A / Vikas Swarup
21. Dead Until Dawn (Sookie Stackhouse 1) / Charlaine Harris
22. Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse 2) / Charlaine Harris
23. Green Smoothies Diet / Robyn Openshaw (only half)
24. Julie & Julia / Julie Powell (only half)

So now I have to work on my reading list for this year, and so far I have only come up with 11:

1. Julie & Julia / Julie Powell (only half – finished right after the new year)
2. My Sister’s Keeper / Jodi Picoult (already started)
3. Green for Life / Victoria Boutenko
4. Food Inc. / Karl Weber
5. In Defense of Food / Michael Pollan
6. The Lost Symbol / Dan Brown
7. Silence of the Lambs / Thomas Harris
8. Hannibal / Thomas Harris
9. Tunnels / Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams
10. Deeper / Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams
11. A Lion Among Men / Gregory Maguire

Since the new year is… well, tomorrow… I went ahead and got a few new books to add to the reading list for 2010. New Year’s always brings about resolutions, and with a wedding on the horizon, better eating and losing a few (okay, 25) pounds is essential. My biggest goal for the new year is to get back to the way I used to eat… primarily organic and mostly veggies and fish. I think I’m honestly going to give the Pescatarian eating a try for a while. I also want to make a good attempt at getting to know where my food comes from, like joining a local CSA. These are two books that explain where our food comes from and why it’s so important. I wanted to join the CSA last year but didn’t have the money for even a half share. This year I want to make that a priority. I’ve also been lacking on my green smoothies and want to try to get those back into my diet.

It’s time to make the decision to be in better health… and after I recover from the potential (okay, inevitable) hangover tomorrow, we’re going back to the gym. I’ve only been donating for half a year now.

So, see you in the new and healthier new year!

We’ve decided to try again and on Christmas Eve David proposed to me for the second time. This time he gave me a diamond wedding band to prove that he is committed to the end result. I couldn’t be happier and hope that things go a little smoother this time around.