Are you ready?

We live in an amazing age, we are able to see real time footage of news around the world the good and the bad.  I think the first time that hit me was the events of 911 in New York.  Glued to the TV watching as planes crashed into the twin towers.  Sitting in complete silence of disbelief.  Then again on the weekend as images of earthquake & tsunami news rolled in from Japan.  I sat stunned thinking.... that could happen here! 
Are we ready? 
I have a few things "ready" but until you are actually in a situation of that magnitude how do you really know?  I'd like to think I could keep a cool head and remember my first aid training, where we stored the emergency supplies & be ready for what ever lies ahead, but how do you know? For my entire life I have heard.. the big one is coming - I do not doubt the possibility seeings as the southern west coast of Canada sits not far from where 3 of the earth's plates meet.  It is bound to happen one day.

Well if and when ONE DAY comes I want to be ready...I want to have a plan, and be able to execute it.  I think by doing so there will be less panic in our house, not to mention the urgent need to rush to the store for supplies will be eliminated thus saving us some money too. Therefore being prepared is not only smart, but frugal!
We are off to a very good start with our camping equipment.  Most of it is packed year round and easily accessible. Propane stove, lantern and BBQ, first aid kit in addition we have water stored that we rotate every 3 to 6 months.  Being tent campers, roughing it would not be a tough stretch for us if it came to that. We have had conversations with our girls about what to do, where to go, who to call etc.  But there is so much more to being ready, and so many great sites to help you do that. 

Safety & Protection

In an earthquake situation, one of the first things you should know is the following
DROP, COVER & HOLD ON , you initial concern is protection during the quake.  Learning and practicing this could save you from injury or death in worse case scenario. These types of earthquake practices happen regularly in schools, in similar fashion to fire drills. 

Emergency Supplies

The next thing to be concerned with is survival after. It is recommended that you have a minimum of 1 litre of water per person per day stored, just to drink, that is just a start. Here is a very comprehensive preparation list for our area. The more of these things you take care of before an earthquake takes place the better prepared you will be.  A little time and investment in some cases now will save you in the event of need.

Of course no one wants to see this occur, however, true to my Girl Guide roots I want to be prepared. 

3.14 is Pi day

If you are a math wizzzzz (I am SO not!) you will understand that.  ( for those in the non math wizzzz group with me in math Pi = 3.14 today is 3-14-2011 therefore it is Pi day) In honour of Pi day, I share with you our family favourite PIE recipe...

I can almost make this in my sleep, it is a recipe that I got from a friend shortly after R & I were married - and continues to be a family favorite. This is my 'go to' dessert recipe. It is fast, easy and can be kept in the freezer to "have on hand just in case"  word of caution, you might want to hide it deep deep in the deep freezer so it really is on hand when you need it.  I am posting the original recipe, it works equally well if you substitute Non or Low fat options if you would like.  

I hope you enjoy...  Pi Day!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pi(e)

1 prepared graham cracker pie crust (chocolate or original) 


Filling
1 4oz package cream cheese
1 Cup icing / powdered sugar
1/3 Cup smooth peanut butter ( I like to add a little more, because we really like the peanut butter flavour)
1/2 Cup milk
1 small container prepared whipped topping (such as cool whip)

Cream all but the prepared whipped topping.  When mixture is smooth fold in the whipped topping.   Set aside while you mix the fudge layer.

Fudge Layer
3 squares of semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 Cup whip cream
2 Tbsp Peanut butter
1/4 Tsp Vanilla

Melt on medium heat until chocolate and Peanut Butter melt.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

To assemble
Pour a little of the fudge mixture in the bottom of the pie shell in a criss-cross pattern.  
Spread 1/2 of the cream cheese / peanut butter mixture over the fudge. 
Spatter / sprinkle/ pour 1/2 of the remaining fudge mixture over the pie
Spread remaining  cream cheese/ peanut butter mixture over the pie
Pour the remaining fudge mixture over the pie in circles. 
Drag the tip of a butter knife through the fudge mixture on the top to make pretty patterns if desired. (think spider web)

Freeze pie overnight  for best results.  
Remove from freezer 10 min before serving. 
Use a knife ran under hot water for an easier cut.
Eat Enjoy!
Note:  This can be doubled and put into a 9x13 pan - substitute the prepared pie crusts for your favourite graham cracker or Oreo cookie base. 

Happy 3-14  Pi Day everyone.

6 for $11.00....

Often the most expensive element of any meal is the protein or meat portion.  Finding a good deal is always a good thing.  This week through to March 17th, our local No Frills has boneless half pork loins on for $1.87 lb / $4.12 kg, a great deal for sure.  This is a stock up price for me, I picked up 2 yesterday, when I broke them down, I got 12 meal portions for 5 out of them.  This is how.....

This package  was 10.98  (the other slightly higher at 14.38)

It took me about an hour to break them both down, bag, label and get them into the freezer.

Start with a sharp knife.  That being said, I have lousy knives in my house, but I do have just recently acquired a sharpening steel and can get a pretty decent edge on even my lousy knives. It makes such a difference, and is much safer using a sharp knife over a dull one.  Learn how to sharpen a knife here, a valuable lesson for anyone to learn.

I started by cutting off the main loin portion and trimming the fat. 

From the loin section of this one  I got;

1 family sized roast

1 package of 5 chops. 1/2 inch thick

2 packages of larger pieces for pulled pork (recipe to be posted Monday)

From the smaller portion I cut away;

1 package of pork cubes/ pieces for sweet and sour

1 package, 1 Cup of pork bits for fried rice.

A few tips:

As stated above, start with a sharp knife - it will save you a ton of time, and some elbow grease.

Have everything you need out and handy.  Knives, cutting boards, bowls for different 'cuts' and one for the fat/discards. The last thing you want to do when everything is cut is to have to go find bags or conatainers or find you want a different knife part way through.

Use quality freezer bags or plastic containers that seal well.

Have a straw handy to suck out all the air out of the bags - this will keep your meat fresher longer in the freezer.

Lable and date each package. It can be hard to tell pork from beef or even chicken thighs when things are frozen.  A sharpie pen works great for this.

Add each bag to your freezer inventory.  That way you know what is in there without digging! 

6 meals, plus a couple of left over lunches for sure, from this single package.  From both loins I got 12 meal portions, the only difference is that from the second I got 2 larger "company" sized portions, thinking ahead just a little. I'd say that is not too bad.  It works out to less than 2.00 per family serving, and if your family is smaller than mine this has the potential to stretch even more. I am a happy camper with this deal.

Deal of the day (well yesterday)

Available to March 11, 2011  Top row, third from the right.

Use this coupon ( I found mine at Shoppers right by the product in one store, and also at my local Safeway) Happy Hunting!

To get this product

At your local Shoppers Drug Mart.  FOR FREE (you will have to pay the tax - which is still free enough for me!)
Do not forget your Shoppers Optimum card.  There is a 1000 point bonus on this product as well. 

Best $3.00 ever spent

It is such a simple thing, and has saved me TONS of time and even more frustration.  This little treasure has saved me all of that & likely more. I no longer spend time rummaging in the van, or  scavenging at the bottom of my hand bag for the dreaded needed coin.  I can park and go, whew, it seems so simple in retrospect.  Another added benefit a healthier back & neck, especially my shoulder muscles!  Honestly, if I did not have the quarter or the loonie for the cart, I would shop with the hand held baskets over load them and my back was SORE!  Not smart. 

Grocery cart tokens on my key chain... Oh how I love thee.  I picked these ones up at Price Smart Foods I believe, however I know that they are available at allot of other grocery stores.  Each set has a quarter & a loonie sized token.  AMAZING.  If you do not have a set, buy them the next time you see them.   As an added extra bonus, for each token set purchased a donation is made to BC Children's Hospital .  And that is awesome!  It's a win win all around! 

20 Dollars CAN get you all this.....

Acctually    $18.93 to be exact.

With  $8.02  of that being tax.

Regular price total would have come in at $85.83

                     (0% savings)

Sale price total with out coupons would have been $75.89

                     (a 12% savings)

With a coupon savings of  $56.96

                     (a 78% savings)

I'd say that is not too shabby.  All in a days fun!

B.C. Braces for hikes in food prices....

Yikes!  That was the headline on the front page of yesterday's Province  newspaper. Does that worry you?  It worries me just a little, however it is not as scary as it would have sounded this time last year.  What is the difference?  Coupons baby!  Yes I mean those save .50 off here and .25 off there, or the awesome BOGO (buy one get one) or even better the sought after FPC (free product coupon), that you see in stores, come in the local papers or even in the mail!  Coupons, it's all about the coupons!  These often neglected,  and frequently tossed in the trash little bits of cash in your pocket goodness.  Tossing them in the trash is insanity. Would you toss a quarter in the garbage?  I think not.

So how do you make those .50 & .25 cent savings add up?

It is actually quite simple -  USE them!  You will be surprised at how quickly they can add up. 

Use in combination with products already on sale. 

Stock up when items are on sale - having a stock pile to pull from can save big time. 

Be willing to wait so you can get the best deal.

Always shop with a list, mark items you have coupons for on your list so you do not forget to use them.

Be organized - keep all your coupons in one place, and attach them to your list as you shop.  (a good paper clip will be your best friend)

Keep your eyes opened when shopping, coupons are often available on store shelves. Take them when you see them on the shelves at the store.  You man not need the product now, but sometime before they expire you may, and likely the coupons will be gone next time you are at the store.

Know the coupon policy of the stores you shop at.  They do vary from store to store.
 
A little planning and smart shopping will easily save you that 5 - 7%, in many cases you will save even more.  My personal goal is 30%, coupon & sale savings.  I working towards shaving our grocery bill from 700+ dollars per month to around $500.  It will not happen over night, but it is slowly happening and that is a good thing. 
5 - 7 % increase though not the best thing it simply sounds to me like the perfect time to kick up the coupon use.   Happy savings.

Next up: See how far you can stretch $20.00.