Today’s Miscellany revolves around food. (anyone else a foodie? did you see the finale for The Next Food Network Star? Love the winner. — I won’t say the name — don’t want to spoil it for those who still have it on the dvr.)
1) I am pondering, and please note the word pondering, doing once a month cooking. (That was even hard to type). I think actually, I might try once every two weeks cooking. Have any of you ever done this? Or am I totally insane?
2) This all started due to finding this book for 50cents at a garage sale.
3) I’ve thought about it before. Never acted. But, now fall is coming and I need to start planning. I have gone to places like Let’s Dish and made a bunch of meals. Expensive, but oh so convenient.
4) I am sipping an iced latte right now. Dunn Brother’s Coffee sells this “Infinite Black” cold pressed coffee. They told me it should last for 2 weeks. I’m lucky if it lasts for 10 days.
5) My homemade iced lattes are amazing. (That’s probably because the coffee comes from Dunn Brothers) And they’re much cheaper than buying one. Even with the cold-press coffee factored in.
6) My kids eat cucumbers like apples. Literally. I think that cucumbers are my boys, especially Brennan, favorite food. Do your kids have a strange fave? Or is it just mine?
7) I’m glad that fall is coming. It gives me an excuse to use my crock pot. Or maybe I should just try that once a month cooking.
8) I’ve tried using coupons. I save money, but I am so slow. Literally. I stand in the store and have to figure stuff out and then I block the aisle with my red Target shopping cart and tick off everyone who wants to get by me and actually purchase the items that I’m blocking as I look through the coupon that I dropped on the floor back in the produce section.
9) I can talk fast. The previous post illustrates that point.
10) I’m going to end reminding you that besides using my crock-pot (and attempting this bulk cooking thing) that I am still a grill master. Early this spring I wrote about taming the grill. I’ve posted this classic finding joy photo of me grilling. Enjoy!
Remember to link up to the Miscellany Monday fun. Carissa is awesome. And a great friend.
And tell me honestly what you think of bulk cooking. And couponing. Maybe I need to try again. Or maybe you were the poor person trying to pass my overloaded Target cart. If you were — sorry. Really.
22 comments
Oh, yes, weren’t you so thrilled that ____ won? My sister and I were jumping up and down and screaming, because we’ve been watching Next Food Network Star every Sunday night (and rooting for the winner) since the beginning. Some people may think that sound strange, but Food Network is pretty much the only television show we watch, so… 🙂
Loved the post, Rachel!
In Christ,
Elizabeth Rose
My mom did once a month cooking for awhile when I was a youngish teenager and she loved it!
I’ve never did or even heard of bulk cooking???????? Sounds interesting…do you have to have a tone of freezer space?
Couponing….its great when it works, but I’m not consistent and end up not having the coupons…and I’m slow too. I don’t know….I’m just not sold out on it
i’m so glad that my favorite person won!!! i can’t wait to watch the new show! i think bulk cooking sounds like it could be well worth it. plus, the book is pretty convincing. ; ) i guess you just go to the grocery store once/month for some major shopping?! i think that part would be harder than the cooking. you are a rockstar… i know you could pull it all off. and when you do, tell us ALL about it. you might convince me! that coffee sounds so cool. i’ve never seen coffee come in a jug. i guess you guys are way cooler than us here in the south. oh and couponing… i used to be a a fiend. not anymore. i would cut my grocery bill by 75% but it would take me probably 5/hours. i can’t do it anymore. but one day, i will attempt it again! the ac repairman is here right now! PTL! hopefully it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. i loved all your comments. they made me smile and laugh. do you like my gigantic run-on paragraph that i’m leaving you?!
Thanks for following my blog. I followed yours, too. 🙂 Wow, 7 kids and time to blog?? Amazing! Oh, and my oldest loves cucumbers!! We eat tons of produce. It is so funny to have other kids over for lunch looking at their plates like, “What in the world?” Have you all tried yellow carrots or yellow raspberries?
I am so glad that ____________ ____________won – I was rooting for that person since the beginning! When the one before the last show aired and we watched it, my dad predicted the winner, and thankfully, he was right. Me and my entire family were jumping out of our seats when Bobby Flay said it – no matter what the prediction, we didn’t know for sure. I am sure our way-too-close neighbors heard us and thought we were crazy, but who cares? 🙂 My entire family watched the show from the beginning, so I am sure you can understand our excitement. Even my mother didn’t want to miss the show – she was excited as we were! I definitely think the new show will be interesting, and I can’t wait ’till it premiers. 🙂
Also, I know a lady who eats PEPPERS like apples. Astonishing, isn’t it?
With love, blessings, and a big smile on my face,
~bree
I loved couponing for a while, but it does take so much time… several hours at home and then the shopping trip (with two little ones in tow) took forever. I don’t do as well with it now. I have also done the ‘Once a Month’ thing because my mom did it when i was younger and gave me that same worn out book. I liked some of it, and the ease with which I could throw something together each night, but we only liked some of the recipes. Our family of picky eaters just does better making things the day of… I do need to get back into meal planning in general. sigh… on my list for fall, I guess! Have a great Monday!
Miscellany goodness, right here!
I am so ready for Fall.
And completely addicted to iced coffees.
I struggle with coupons too- it just takes me SO LONG!! Let me know if you come up with any great tricks!! Also, I really like the idea of bulk cooking, but have never tried it! I will be watching to see what you decide!
Blessings
Jessica
I am very happy that _____________ is the Next Food Network Star. Can’t wait for the show.
Hmmm, bulk cooking would not be for me, a gal who works all day long and fills her Saturday’s with leisure. But I really do admire those who do.
I would love to learn to make homemade iced lattes.
Coupons. I hear of so many who save tons of money using them. Seems every time I cut one out, I either forget to take it or forget I have it. I don’t think I know who to do it so that it would be all that beneficial. I follow all of the coupon sites and still can’t figure it out.
Happy Monday!
I do bulk cooking quite frequently and think that it is the “be all, do all.” In fact, you might find my entry before this one, “Chubby Thighs and Bulk Cooking” of interest. I talk about the bulk cooking that I did last week and have some photos of it. I’ve been doing it for 25+ years. Hope you can find the time for it as you will love having a “stash in the freezer.” Blessings to you!
WOO HOO!! On the infinite black coffee from Dunn Bros. I bought it and got hooked. But thought to myself if I continue going to fill it up I will go broke.
I found a recipe that I posted on my blog if you wanna peek. Now I do it and just fill the jug and I have endless Infinite Black Coffee.
Thanks for sharing your randomness. I am curious if you will do the Once a month cooking.
~blessings
Dorcas
I’m such a failure when it comes to motivation to do domestic type things that require planning-I have such a short attention plan. I couldn’t do OAMC because I’d get tired of it before I even planned my meals, plus I don’t have the freezer space. I just don’t have the knack for using coupons in a truly money saving way, either.
Strange kid food-my kids think plain, dry toast is great. A delicasy, even!
I was surpsied at the Food Network winner, but I have only sen a few episodes this season. It will be interesting to see the winner’s show, though. I liked the other 2 candidates a lot too, and I would have watched their shows.
If you knew how much my daughter saved at Target with coupons…you’d go back to them.
Know that I’m here praying right now.
Psalm 23:1-3: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
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Hi, hope it’s OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway search engine: Giveaway Scout (http://www.giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog (http://www.giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh
Because we don’t have cable or watch TV, Sunday’s final program was the only one I’ve seen–I would be a Food Network addict if I did, so it’s really a good thing I can’t watch it), but my daughter and I were so rooting for a totally different person, who I won’t name either at this point, so it’s interesting to me to hear the raves about the winner. So, just out of curiosity, I’d really like to know what you (you and all your commenters) liked about this person, or made you think they would be interesting to watch. Obviously the judges thought it, too. Good thing I’m not picking, huh?
Thanks, Rachel, for coming over and commenting, too!
Yes, I think I will run into you someday, too! I was in your neighborhood garage-saling last week and I actually asked the person if she knew you (yes, I did). She wasn’t the one living there, so she didn’t know, but said your name sounded familiar:)
I also love Dunn Brothers (I’m a new fan), their Ice Crema (dark chocolate is my favorite) with mint and whipped creme–mmmmm!
Thanks again for stopping over!
Blessings,
Wendy
http://www.wendygunn.net
I LOVE next food network star!! I watch it every summer!! I feel like a odd ball here because I personally was rooting for someone else O.o Seems as if every one was rooting for ______. Oh well. I liked the winner. I just like someone else more. haha.
–Marissa
I love bulk cooking. My mom used to do the Once-a-month Cookbook plan, but I don’t follow it that closely. I like to double or triple recipes though and throw the extras in the freezer for future meals, or families with a new baby. If you need to take baby-steps start with a week or two and build up from there.
Love your blog! Thanks for being so transparent to the rest of us!
i know some women who have had great success with once a month cooking! and even clever food storage techniques. i applaud anyone who can do that!
Now I LOVE my crockpot(s)…I use them spring, summer, fall, and winter! My cousin had great success with the once a month cooking…and my DIL is the queen of coupons…she saves 100’s of dollars a month using them….
Always here…always praying!
Psalms 23:4-6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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I love to make food ahead of time and store it. It makes life so much easier. I’m not a huge fan of crockpot food. Sometimes it just tastes all the same.
Also, coupons are for the birds! I don’t have time to fool with them. I’d rather cut back in other areas then mess with them.