Swine Flu Backtracking
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
The CDC recommended schools close if a student tested positive for the H1N1 flu aka Swine Flu.

Schools closed. Interestingly, I don't know of a single for profit daycare that closed. And I reallly don't think that every infected student had a SAHM.

Not a single US citizen had died from the flu, and it appeared to be a relatively mild strain. The media switched sides and started trumpeting the 36,000 people die from regular flu every year talking point.

The CDC then clarified that the schools and daycares should close for TWO WEEKS.

The schools delayed their re-opening dates until the end of May.

A Texan died from H1N1.

The CDC changed their minds, and decided that schools shouldn't close, after all.

Schools are reopening tomorrow.

Does anyone in Washington (or Atlanta) have their act together?

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 5/05/2009 08:07:00 PM | Permalink | |
Water Storage for the Average Joe
Thursday, April 30, 2009
The government recommends storing 3 days of water, more if you live in a disaster prone area. As I noted before, the official pandemic flu website recommends 2 weeks worth of water or even more. Certainly, being prepared for an emergency (water main breaks, power outages at the plant, etc.) is a good idea.

Practically, though, the idea is a little overwhelming. The experts recommend 1 gallon per person per day as a rule of thumb. My family? That's 126 gallons! Where do you get it, and where do put it?

A 3 day supply of water is more manageable, and a good place to start if you are truly overwhelmed. You can add to your stock little by little.

  • You can buy gallon bottles of water, refill from spigots at the markets, and so on, storing in a cool place (coat closet? Pantry floor? ) Any food safe waterproof container can be used to store tap water for an emergency - soda bottles, milk jugs, and so on. Don't leave them where they will get too warm or in direct sun, because the plastic can leach chemicals into the water (although, if your choice is life threatening dehydration or possible ingestion of BPA's, pass the plastic!)
  • If you have advance warning that a natural disaster is going to strike, you can fill your bathtubs and washing machine (if you have a top loader!)
  • A regular size bathtub will hold 40-50 gallons, as will a top loader (I think mine holds about 40 gallons. I vaguely remember measuring it at some point and coming to that conclusion).
  • A jacuzzi tub can hold up to 100 gallons. (Info shamelessly ripped from the Web of Lies, aka, the Internet, including this IL county government document.)
  • And, of course, your hot water heater holds water (unless you have a point of use system installed.)
  • Make sure you boil or disinfect it before drinking - people wash their rear ends in that tub!
  • If you are planning to use this option, make sure you test it out! Aaron Newton found out that his bathtub plugs leak - emptying overnight - during a test run of off grid living. Also, be aware that if a sudden water emergency happens, like a water main breaks, you won't have enough warning to fill your tub.
  • You can also fill other containers, like pitchers, pots, bowls, and coffee pots.
  • Disinfect water by adding 8-10 drops of plain chlorine bleach per gallon, and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
You can use natural water sources with the right water purifier, like Berkey Water Purifier They're pricey, but you can pour scummy river water into it and get safe, fresh drinking water. We were actually planning to get one until the transmission on our van used up our extra tax refund.

From the Berkey website:
The Berkey™ Filter element had extensive testing at State & EPA accredited laboratories and far exceed EPA & ANSI/NSF (Std. 53) protocol. The Black Berkey elements have been Tested by the University of Phoenix. Spectrum Labs and the Department of Toxicology and Environmental Science Louisiana University.

Because the versatile Black Berkey® purification elements fit most other manufacturers gravity filters, off brand gravity filtration systems can be upgraded. This replacement filter vastly improves other brands housings ability to remove unwanted water contaminates.

(Although if you buy from the Amazon link, you'll help Mama's Old Age Fund! wink wink)

We considered the Berkey after Hurricane Ike. We were told not to drink the water. But, the land was flooded! Water, water, every where, but not a drop to drink... Also, the Berkey doesn't use electricity.

Other things to consider:
  • If the water isn't running, you won't be able to do laundry. Unless your handy husband can whip up a James washer real quick like! (Uses 8 gallons of water for washing, another 8 gallons for rinsing.) If you use cloth diapers, rags instead of paper towels, etc., you will not be able to do the wash. Plan to use disposables.
  • When planning your food supply, take water usage into account. Rice uses less water to cook than pasta, for example. Kidney beans use more water to prepare than lentils do. You'll need water to reconstitute powdered milk or drink mixes.
  • Alternately, your food supply can provide water. Green beans are canned in juice that can be used to drink or prepare food; pineapple or fruits contain natural juices; or even buy bottles and cans of fruit juices. Stick with 100% fruit juice, if you go that route. The vitamins, especially vitamin C, will boost your immune system. Caffeinated sodas or juice with high fructose corn syrup can make you thirsty and are bad for teeth that may not be getting brushed on a normal schedule. In my experience, it's also best to avoid vegetable juices (tomato, V8) because they are very salty and will increase thirst.
  • You will not be able to brush your teeth, wash your hands, or shower with running water. Have a dishpan or basin available for "bird baths"; pour water into a bowl to wash hands the old fashioned way.
  • You will have to do dishes by hand, but your dishwasher still makes a great drying rack! Use the old fashioned method of filling the sink with just enough hot soapy water, washing, draining the soapy water, filling with rinse water, and then dipping and rinsing.
  • Have a potty plan! Set aside additional water (doesn't need to be drinkable) to flush the toilet, or consider a compost toilet. Good hygiene is critical if your family becomes ill, and planning ahead will be critical to successfully keeping germs at bay without running water. But, also remember in an emergency that the toilet does not need to be flushed every time someone makes a "number one". You could always use a bucket with a lid as a "chamber pot", but I would imagine that would smell and be hard to clean. (Just between you and me? I think a compost toilet is kind of cool but husband dear would have a heart attack and die if he thought I was actually serious about making one and using it. I guess after 7 kids I'm just used to poop, now. He won't do cloth diapers, either.)
  • The true survivalist can install a rainwater catch sytem, basically to hold runoff from your houses downspouts. The basics are here, but really, it's not rocket science. Large barrel, waterproof and foodsafe, to hold water. Hole in to for water to enter. Net or filter to keep out debris and mosquitos. Hole and tap in bottom to get water out. Leave enough room under tap to put a container. Some systems have a roof runoff container that will discard the first few gallons of runoff because it's nasty - bird poop and shingle muck. Do NOT drink roof runoff unless it's been purified and filtered! You can water your garden, flush toilets, and so on with it, though.

Random Flu tip: Teach your children NOT to cover their mouth when they cough, but rather, to cough into their elbows. A child who coughs and snots on their hands, and then touches every surface in the house, might as well have just coughed into the air.

Random Disaster tip: Plan ahead for some little treats to "smooth the bumps". Whether it's comforting junk food that you don't usually buy (cookies, pop tarts, lollipops) or little activities (new puzzles, new box of crayons, bottle of bubbles) that you pull out to combat cabin fever, it's the little things that can make things better or tolerable.

What are your tips for storing water?

**Please note: No, I have not lost my ever-lovin' mind. I am not planning to fashion a homemade washing machine out of scrap lumber in order to do laundry during a swine flu meltdown. Although I was tempted to do the wash in the bathtub when the washer broke. I'm simply presenting tips and techniques that I've come across for your information. Take what works for your family, and leave the rest!

*** I do have gallons of bottled water stored, and I really would fill the bathtubs and washer, though. And I ran to the store today and bought some extra bottles of bleach, paper towels, and TP just in case.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 4/30/2009 07:13:00 AM | Permalink | |
Swine Flu Thoughts?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The first US death from the Swine Flu happened yesterday at a Houston hospital. A family traveled from Mexico through Brownsville to get medical care for their almost 2 year old son, but he didn't make it in time.

It's hard to know what to do about this. On the one hand are commentators and officials who say it's not an epidemic yet, people die from the flu all the time. Don't worry. On the other hand, Japan has fever sensors at the airport and Egypt is slaughtering all of their pigs in an attempt to prevent an outbreak.

Janet Napolitano claims that there is no reason to close the borders, but really, there is no WAY to close the border with Mexico, even if we wanted to. Obama is warning that schools may have to close.

The government has set up a website, www.pandemicflu.gov, which has planning and prep tips. The usuals are there - wash your hands, use waterless sanitzer, and so on. And then they throw in this apocalyptic stunner: Lay in a 2 week supply of food and water.

A friend has told me that Corpus Christi drugstores are already cleaned out of medicines, and the shelves are bare.

If an epidemic occurs, it will devastate the economy. Schools will close, as will daycares. Parents will have to stay home with their children - and stay away from work. In Mexico, restaurants aren't allowed to serve customers, and can sell take-out only.

What do I think? I'm not predicting the end of the world, however, prudence is a virtue. It is better to be overprepared than to be caught short, especially if you have children.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it Proverbs 22:3
But don't go nuts and lose your mind over it.

A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15

Some precautions:
Wash your hands often with soap.

Use waterless hand sanitzer, and keep it handy in your purse. (My dollar store stocks all kinds of scents and varieties.)

Stay home if you feel sick, and keep the kids home if they are sick.

Consider using masks (remember the SARS scare?)

Store 2 weeks of food and water. (At least 1 gal. per person per day; factor in water needed for cooking and extra washing for sick people). (More on this later.)

My tips on planning a 30 day food supply (non-perishables only)

Don't forget several week's worth of TP! If you get diarrhea, you'll need extra. And paper towels are your friend when keeping germs at bay (especially if you are trying to conserve water!) If there is no water available, you will not be able to do laundry. You might want a backup of disposables if you cloth diaper (and remember that diarrhea symptom? Yeah, disposables!)

If an outbreak hits, the grocery stores, transportation industry, and even food manufacturers will probably be short handed or may even have to close. What I missed most during Ike: eggs. They're called for in a lot of recipes and baked goods!

Have a supply of prescription drugs and over the counter flu relief. Don't forget soap and Pedialyte! Vomiting has been reported with this flu, so get the clear pedialyte. Flavor it with lemonade powder if your kids hate the clear stuff. Orange pedialyte is really hard to get out of carpets - ask me how I know!

In the past, Emetrol has been a godsend. Walmart sells a generic for around $2.

If an outbreak happens in your town, these are your new best friends. Stock up accordingly.


Bleach. Buy plain (not the special scented kinds) so you can purify water if needed.

Lysol


Waterless (alcohol based) hand sanitizer

You may want to rethink the disinfecting wipes. Studies have shown they spread more germs than they kill.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 4/29/2009 11:24:00 AM | Permalink | |
8 Ways to Save on Produce
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A lot of people think that they cannot afford to eat healthfully. I disagree. We eat a lot of fresh (and sometimes frozen) fruits and vegetables, and I fit them in our budget. Food for thought: this week I bought 5# of Red Delicious apples for $2.99, the same price as a bag of Oreos!

See this post for a picture of fresh fruit and veggies bought for under $25.

How can you save money on produce?

1. I buy through loss leaders. A loss leader is something sold dirt cheap on the front of a grocery store ad, with the intention of getting you through the door so you'll do all your shopping at that store.

2.I buy in season. In December, we ate frozen veggies (10/$10 at Kroger, they run the sale 2x a month or so), kale, cabbage, carrots. Now kale is a little more expensive, but kiwis and oranges are dirt cheap. Last week, I paid 20 cents for navel oranges, and a quarter each for kiwis, and apples are really cheap right now, too.

As we head through spring and summer, we'll eat nectarines and plums as they get cheaper. Around the end of June, corn gets cheap - 6 or 8 for a dollar.

3. I usually don't buy organic, even though I would like to. I do keep an index card in my wallet with a list of the "top 10 dirtiest" so I can avoid them, or at least be aware and make informed choices. This doesn't mean I would never buy spinach, but it does mean that I might skip strawberries except for a couple times per year, peel the peaches, and wash the bell peppers thoroughly. I don't worry as much about bananas and oranges, because they have a thick peel (I do not use zest or candy the peels, though); but I always peel the potatoes (even though *I* love chunky skins on mashed potatoes!)

My goal with organic eating is to make changes where it will have the most impact, which, for kids, means I want to start with organic milk. Wash your veggies, or use a veggie wash (make your own!) and don't stress too much.

4. Also, I always hit the markdown rack. Our local Kroger marks down produce in the evening - 4-5# bags of bananas for 99 cents, or this week I got 2 4-packs of organic bell peppers for 99 cents each.

5. I'm growing my own. I make my own organic sprouts (you need a mason jar, water, and beans - it's easy!) and planted a garden. I haven't harvested much from our little garden, but the spinach, radishes, and chard are doing well and I've started the peppers indoors. (The lettuce and beans never came up.) Note: Never sprout kidney beans!

6. I buy frozen when it's cheaper (and it almost always is, for broccoli). Frozen veggies have as many vitamins as fresh, are picked when they are at their peak, and are already prepped. When I open a bag of frozen broccoli, I don't have any waste. Kroger very often runs 10/$10 sales on their frozen veggies, and I stock up. Other stores often run similar sales; a good BirdsEye coupon + a loss leader sale can even get you veggies for free!

7. I shop off the beaten path. Ethnic grocery stores usually have rock bottom prices. When I lived in Denver, I shopped at KoMart, a Korean market. In Houston, I shop at Fiesta Mart or FoodTown, which are Mexican markets. (I usually only buy produce there, the prices on other items are much higher than other stores!) Throughout summer, farmers markets and roadside stands can offer great deals.

8. I always cruise the produce aisles of every grocery store, because you'll never know when you'll get a deal. Then, I change the menu plan accordingly. One week, I happened by a display of eggplant and did a double take. They were marked 25¢ - not per pound, but a quarter each! I bought a ton and we had eggplant in spicy tomato sauce, eggplant with white beans, and eggplant dip that week!

How do you save money on fruits and vegetables?

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 2/24/2009 08:26:00 AM | Permalink | |
Food Stamp Challenge, week 4 SUPER CHALLENGE
Monday, January 26, 2009


Food Stamp Challenge - feed my family for $2 per person per day. ($140 a week).

Well, this week threw us a curve ball. Husband dear is paid by the hour, and there were some unexpected slow times plus a sick day. Add that to unexpected expense and an oopsie on my part (I thought I paid for 6 months of car insurance in December, but I actually went on the monthly plan, so we had to pay a month's worth of car insurance, too), plus rent due, and we have $75 to spend on food and whatnots until next payday (February 6).

It's feast or famine in the construction industry. Last two weeks? 35 and 40 hours. Next paycheck? 58 hours this week, scheduled for 84 hours next week (time and a half for overtime, woot!)

So. Two week's worth of meals for $50? Can it be done?

Well, yes it can. On the other hand, this is a realistic challenge. How many families run out of food stamps at the end of the month?

I stock up whenever I can (remember those 35 pounds of meat I bought last week?) so I only needed a few staples. We'll be eating less fresh fruit this week, but I'll be breaking out my "hurricane stock" of juice and canned veggies in order to make sure everyone gets their vitamins. We rarely drink juice, so a glass of pineapple juice will be a treat for the kids, instead of a sacrifice.

Here are my saving graces:
  • A stocked pantry. I have rice, beans, peas, lentils, flour, cornmeal, popcorn, bulgur, quinoa... and I know how to use them. Truthfully, I could have not gone to the store at all (but the meals would have been a little meager. Plus I really did need eggs, since I plan on baking!) Thanks be to God for giving me the means to have extra money in the "fat" times so we have food for the lean times.
  • The knowledge, skills, and ability to make many things myself. I didn't fret about being able to afford bread - I have flour, yeast and water at home. I have access to an oven, freezer, and refrigeration. I know how to make bland foods taste good enough that the kids ask for seconds (sometimes...) Thanks be to God for giving me understanding and providing such a nice kitchen and comfortable home!
  • I have been reading frugal, cooking, and mommy blogs and been blessed by other ladie's insights, tips, tricks, recipes, and encouragement. Thanks be to God for all of the people on the Internet (and the amazing gift of the Web, as well) who freely share so that others may be helped.
  • I spent an hour and a half planning our menu this week, poring through the pantry and the circulars. Thanks be to God that I have a safe place to store my food, and the luxury of time to sit and ponder recipes.

I think the real challenge will be in two weeks, when I restock!


What I spent: $36.15 on food (plus $6.25 on diapers. 30 diapers for the week? BWAH HA HA HA! Seriously, we'll be working on potty training this week!) I left some room to buy milk, oranges, and anything else that might crop up.

What I got:
7# onions, large bunch kale, 5# russet potatoes, 5# Yukon gold potatoes, 5# carrots (again. We really do eat 5# of carrots a week!), 6 0z. fresh blueberries (pregnant mama with gestational diabetes can't drink juice to get her fruit.)

42 oz. quick oats, balsamic vinegar, 1# dried black eyed peas, 2 bottles Ken's Salad dressing (paid 49¢ each for them, and they are one of the few brands that do not have MSG or artificial colors), 2 jars Pace picante (paid 76¢ for them), 2 cans Rotel (40¢ each), 100 corn tortillas.

1# cheese, 5 dozen eggs, 3# ground chuck, 24 oz. Green Giant Veggie Steamers (free after coupon).

What we'll be eating (no price breakdowns. The thought of doing fourteen of them was overwhelming. Plus, this post is already long.)
Sunday Jan 25: Baked penne with spaghetti sauce (noodles in pantry, gallon bag of meat sauce leftover from my giant vat of sauce last week.)

Monday Jan 26: Ham bone soup (which we didn't have last Monday, as my pan of lasagna was so filling it lasted for two meals!) (Which means ham bone is still in the freezer. And husband dear informed me that black eyed peas would be way better than split peas).

Tuesday Jan 27: Bangers and mash. Okay, it's really bratwurst with chunky kale/potato puree and canned green beans.

Wed, Jan 28: Beef stir fry with frozen veggies (those free Veggie Steamers) and sprouts.

Thur Jan 29: Lentil Soup, rolls

Fri Jan 30: Bean tostadas (with that salsa. Is that a vegetable?), corn/Rotel salad.

Sat, Jan 31: Birthday celebration for Miss E! She wanted hamburgers (that's why I bought the ground chuck). Hamburgers, brats, potato salad, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, popcorn, and spinach. Yeah, she got to pick the menu. I forced the potato salad on her, though. She really loves spinach, believe it or not.


Sun, Feb 1: Turkey, stuffing, broccoli and cauliflower blend (I bought an extra turkey at Christmas because they were so cheap! $2.50 for a 12# bird!)

Mon, Feb 2: Chili with red beans, cornbread

Tues, Feb 3: Turkey tetrazzini with broccoli

Wed, Feb 4: Pork chops, spaetzle or latkes, sweet and sour cabbage (Doh! Forgot to buy cabbage.)

Thurs, Feb 5: Beef and barley soup

Fri, Feb 6: I lied. I only planned 12 meals. Payday! Goin' to the store!
A word about fruits and veggies:
We eat tons of fresh fruit and fresh veggies. The kids really did eat the kale, turnips, yams, hominy, eggplant, zucchini, and did I mention we eat our way through 5# of carrots a week? However, it was simply not in the budget this week. I made a list of fruit/veggie snacks to make sure they get what they need, nutritionally. But I'm paranoid about things like that, so they'll probably be getting one of Mr R's multivitamins for the next two weeks, too.

From my stash of cans and pantry staples:
Pineapple rings (frozen because it's good that way)
Pineapple juice - I have 4 cans!
oranges (we have a few left)
pumpkin bread
pineapple yogurt (can of crushed pineapple in pantry, plain yogurt, honey)
Split pea soup (a lunch standard around here)
Spaghettios (w/ tomato paste and nutritional yeast for "cheesy" flavor. I know. It sounds totally gross, but the kids like it. Or maybe they're just used to it.)
Sprouts - so easy to make, cheap way to get fresh green veggies.
Two mystery cans that Baby X peeled the labels off. Don't know what they are (I suspect crowder peas) but we'll eat 'em!

From my fridge and freezer:
Apple juice (3 cans)
Lemonade (with lemon juice and pulp in them, 2 cans)
Pumpkin soup for lunch this week
Banana muffins (frozen overripe bananas)
Smoothies (bag of frozen fruit I bought last week, yogurt)
Carrots, the ever popular snack

Kid in the Kitchen picture is Mr S, making brownies to celebrate the feast day of his patron saint. And Miss C enjoying a brownie. Because my family reads here.


Are you a frugal foodie? Leave your link here and make sure to link back!

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 1/26/2009 10:55:00 AM | Permalink | |
Food Stamp Challenge, week 3
Monday, January 19, 2009
Okay, here's the weekly roundup! Stay tuned for next week - they cut husband dear's hours so my goal is to buy only fresh fruit, veggies, and milk and use up pantry stock for everything else.


I spent on food:
Kroger, husband run: $15.60
Kroger, my main run: $37.61
HEB: $81.46
Food Town: 17.95

TOTAL: $153.62 - $2.37 returned goods = $151.25
Avg. for 3 weeks: $139.32 per week.

I got:
12# boneless chuck roast, 4.5# chicken, 10# boneless pork loin, 4# bratwurst (1 per pound! Score!), 3# ground sausage, 2.5# ground chuck

8# bananas, 16# oranges, 6# apples (Gala and Golden Delicious) 1 head Romaine, 4# zucchini, 1# jalapenos, 2.5# yellow onion, 1,9# yams, 1# turnips, 2.25# Roma tomatoes, 5# carrots, 10# potatoes. (You might notice that we ate the whole 5# bag of carrots last week, as well as 18# of oranges and 30 apples!)

3 gallons milk (regular, not organic - sigh again!), 4.5# cheese, 1# ricotta, 1# sour cream, 1# cream cheese,

1# split peas, 1 jar orange marmalade, 1 can pineapple slices, 2 boxes lasagna noodles, 100ct. corn tortillas, 54 oz. peanut butter, 12# sugar, half a pound of bulk WW Pastry flour, 2 c. bulk wheat bran, and about 1/2 c. mung beans. Plus some misc. bulk spices I've been wanting to try - mace, hot curry, and Chinese 5 spice.

7 bags frozen veggies (1# each), 1# mango/papaya frozen fruit.

A bag of ice, 10 yogurt covered pretzels, and a pound of andouille sausage (impulse buys!)

Obviously, I stocked up on meat for the freezer. We aren't going to eat 35 pounds of meat this week! Some people buy exactly what they need week to week, like Grocery Cart Challenge. I prefer to have rotating stock

Our budget was tight, too, because a friend had a baby so I made a pan of chicken enchiladas and lasagna for her.Visit Laura to see tons of menus!

The Menu:
Saturday, Jan 17: Throw together of pasta carbonara w/ham and peas. $3.88
Ham - free, sister's leftovers
2 bags egg noodles, $2
1# peas, $1,
Onion, .35
2 c. milk, .40
2 T. butter .13

Sunday, Jan. 18:, spaghetti, salad.
I'm not going to price this out. I made a giant Vat O' Sauce to make 2 family size lasagnas plus some to freeze. It's 8# crushed tomatoes, 6.5# diced tomatoes, 5.5# meat (ground beef and sausage), garlic, onion, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Romaine lettuce, 99 cents.
Roma tomatoes, 35 cents.

Monday, Jan 19:ham bone soup, rolls $3.84
Ham bone - free (last week's ham)
carrots 3 large, .42
onion .35
celery 3 ribs celery, chopped .25
1# white beans, .89
1/2 # split peas .43
1# pearled barley, .85
Homemade rolls, .65

Tuesday, Jan 20: Pork Loin, mashed potatoes, zucchini $15.57
5# pork loin $8.85
1/3 jar orange marmalade .45
4# potatoes $1.92
4 T butter .13
3# zucchini $3.87
onion .35

Wednesday, Jan 21: Roasted root vegetable/pork ragout, cornbread $6.44 In other words, leftovers.
1# turnip, .83
1.9# yams, $1.86
1# potatoes .50
3 large carrots, .50
1 med. onion, .35
Leftover pork tenderloin, free
3 c. brown rice, .90
cornbread - too lazy to figure it out. Guesstimate? $1.50


Thursday, Jan 22: Beef curry $7.20
2.5# boneless chuck roast cut in strips $2.50
3 c. brown rice, $1.30
2# frozen chopped broccoli, 2.00
1# frozen Asian Stir Fry Veggies $1.00
3 oz. Kikkoman soy sauce .40

Friday, Jan 23: Lentil enchiladas, pintos, celery and carrot sticks $8.83
2 c. lentils .40
2 c. brown rice .80
Dried chiles ???Bought many moons ago. They weigh nothing, so cheap!
3 carrots, grated and cooked .42
1 lb. Roma tomatoes, diced and cooked .69
16 oz. sour cream, $1
12 oz. cheese, $2.63
corn tortillas (30?) .45
1# pintos, .50
1 onion, .35
3/4 stalk celery .75
6 carrots, cut into sticks $.84

Are you a frugal foodie? Leave your link here and make sure to link back!

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 1/19/2009 08:00:00 AM | Permalink | |
Keeping Track: Works for Me Wednesday
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
A friend passed this website on to me, and I was amazed I hadn't seen it before.

MedHelp mood tracker

It's a free online mood tracker for depression, emotional issues, and mania.

The same site has a ton of other applications available, too, including a pain tracker for chronic pain/fibromyalgia, an ovulation tracker, a thyroid tracker, and more. (Click on the tab "Track Your Health" to see them all.)

Free online help? Did I mention it's IN THE COMPUTER so I won't lose it on my desk? Works for Me!

Check out Shannon for more WFMW fun!

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 1/06/2009 11:50:00 PM | Permalink | |
Paying Out of Pocket: Works For Me Wednesday
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Many insurance plans have differing coverages for prescription drugs. My health insurance has three copays: $15 for generic, $30 for name-brand, and $45 for a name-brand 30 day supply of drugs.

The formularies also might not make sense.

I usually have gestational diabetes. My doctor wants me to monitor my blood sugar, even though I have not been diagnosed. No problem, I got a nifty free meter from CVS'ing, so all I needed was a prescription for the strips!

Except. My insurance didn't cover that brand of strips (and it's a $45 copay.) Oh, they'll cover insulin shots and A1C tests and expensive diabetes drugs, but the strips necessary for good blood sugar control, so those other things aren't necessary? Nope.

There was a brand that was covered, but I'd have to buy a different meter. Fortunately, it's a brand that often has many coupons and rebates, making it cheap. Again, though, my copay for 100 strips is $45! Currently, I only need to test twice per day, so I really only need 60 strips per month, anyway.

I noticed Wal-Mart had an off brand machine, Reli-On. The machine was $9, and 50 strips were $22 (100 strips are $43). For $31 - 33% less than my copay - I bought a new machine and a month's supply (almost) of strips.

I found the same thing when I had a prescription for Motrin (800 mg.) A bottle of generic ibuprofen was a fraction of the cost of a copay!

Paying out of pocket - sometimes - Works for Me!

Also, this recipe for Olive Garden Alfredo is totally working for me, too!

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 12/17/2008 12:14:00 AM | Permalink | |
Meat Frustrations
Thursday, November 20, 2008
So. I've been thinking about meat lately.

It is a thorn in my side. Specifically, grocery store meat. We've been here 5 months, and my meat suppliers are dropping like flies. I haven't bought meat at WalMart for years. Their prices on meat are not competitive at all, and now they've switched to prepackaged cuts that most likely are infused with carbon monoxide, so it will look fresh when it's long past prime. A carefully aged steak...yum! Sloppily aged pork chop...not so much.

I shop at a store called FoodTown, which seems to be the equivalent of Aldi's. Canned veggies, 3/$1; great cheap produce; strange off brands. I don't buy meat there - the meat department smells bad, and once I showed up eager to snap up 65 cent "fresh" chickens to find them partially thawed (half frozen solid, half mush). No thanks, I'm perfectly capable of giving my family food poisoning all by myself!

Kroger has struck out. I've had to return meat three times last month. The last time, the manager told my husband "Yeah, we've had a lot of that lately..." FiestaMart, another source for great, cheap, hard to find produce (bitter melon? daikon? They have it.) again has a stinky fish section. I chanced it the other day, and ended up returning 50% of my meat purchase which spoiled before the sell-by date. The pork chops appeared to be resting on a bed of algae. Now, that's just nasty!

Currently, my go-to spot for meat is HEB or Sam's Club. Sam's sells a higher grade of meat than WalMart and it's packaged in house. It's more expensive, too.

In Houston, despite having 4 million people and taking hours to cross the city, the health food stores are few and far between. Oh, how I pine for Denver, where there were FOUR major organic health store chains (at least when I lived there - Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Sunflower Markets, and Trader Joe's.) We could afford a free range chicken - if we ate meat once or twice a week.

Kichn linked to an article recently on the cost of meat that made me think, though. Eating meat from the huge slaughterhouses could possibly be a health risk; it also consumes a disproportionate amount of energy and becomes a social justice issue when poorer countries start shoring up our appetite for a juicy steak.

Grain, meat and even energy are roped together in a way that could have dire results. More meat means a corresponding increase in demand for feed, especially corn and soy, which some experts say will contribute to higher prices.

This will be inconvenient for citizens of wealthier nations, but it could have tragic consequences for those of poorer ones, especially if higher prices for feed divert production away from food crops. The demand for ethanol is already pushing up prices, and explains, in part, the 40 percent rise last year in the food price index calculated by the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization.


I've had a grudge against ethanol for a while now, because I think it is outrageous to use food crops to fuel our cars in a world where people starve. I have never considered the implications of buying cheap meat.

And that really is the difference. I do have the opportunity to order freshly killed meat raised on local farms by family farmers. I don't because it costs 3-4 times as much as a roasting hen provided by Tyson from the grocer's bin.

Now the dilemma is before us: Eat less meat, but higher quality from sustainable local farms; or eat cheaper meat that comes, ultimately, at a higher cost?

Back to lentil enchiladas, I think.

Where do you buy your meat?


Art: The Butcher's Shop by Annibale Carracci, from Art.com

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 11/20/2008 09:11:00 AM | Permalink | |
Dump the Crock? Works for Me Wednesday
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sooo does not Work For Me Wednesday.

I first heard rumors about lead in Rival brand crockpots a week ago on a homeschooling message board.

Yesterday I read about it on blogs.

I am just mad! Don't manufacturers GET IT? We don't want to eat lead. Lead builds up over time and causes neurological problems. Lead is not easily removed from the body.

We don't want to eat lead!

Gah. I have a slow cooker and TWO crocks (I saved my crock from the Day the Crockpot Died and use it as my bread rising bowl). My old crock was a Rival with a white liner, my current working slow cooker is a Euro-Pro with a black liner. Both Made in China (what choice do we have, anyway?)

Rival says their crockpots do not contain lead, and the glaze is a mix of feldspar, silica flour, clay, and some other non-toxic materials. But lab tests done by investigative reporters did find lead.

Clemson Extension has a safety sheet that specifically mentions lead in slow cookers. The FDA knows that slow cookers have lead, but in their tests found it to contain an acceptable level.

Lead, however, is used in some glazes for slow-cooking pots
(crock-pots). But, in tests done in 1987, FDA found that the amount of lead
that leached into food from these pots did not exceed FDA standards. (See An
Unwanted Souvenir: Lead in Ceramic Ware, in the December 1989-January 1990
issue of FDA Consumer.)

Of course, 1987 was way before lead started showing up in China made toys, food, and dishes on every shelf of the store.

Maybe I'll start buying those plastic slow cooker liners in the interim. Anyone know if they're BPA free?

This blog post has a lot of great comments - many people tested and found lead and arsenic, and others tested and found none.

For some happy tips, check back with Rocks in My Dryer!

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 11/19/2008 10:08:00 AM | Permalink | |
Bread Recipe and Soaking Grains
Monday, November 17, 2008
I have never sprouted my grain, but I do soak my grains (when I remember). We've always loved Blender Batter Waffles. Some readers of my last post asked for my recipe, so here it is!

I just started making soaked grain bread. It's pretty easy, but when you add the other ingredients and knead it it will be cold.

Whole Wheat Bread
6 c. whole wheat flour
2 c. water
a splash of whey or vinegar

Put in bowl, stir a bit, and let sit overnight on the counter.

The next morning, sprinkle 4 tsp. yeast over the dough. I use a mixer, and mix the yeast into the dough a little bit. Then add:
1/2 c. sugar
1 T. vital wheat gluten
2 Tablespoons milk
1/4 c. oil
2 tsp. salt.

Knead on low setting for 3-4 minutes, and on a higher setting for about 5 more minutes. Dough should be elastic and smooth, a little sticky but not gooey. Put in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for an hour or until doubled in size.

Punch down, divide in half, and put in greased loaf pans. Let rise in a warm place 30-60 minutes. Bake at 350 until browned (25-30 minutes, depending on your oven). If you thump the top of the bread, it should sound hollow when it is done.

Butter the top, and leave in the pan to cool for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto bread board or cooling rack. If you remove it from the pan immediately, the crust will be hard. If you let it cool completely in the pan, the crust will be very soft, almost soggy.

Whole Wheat Rolls
3 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. warm water
splash of whey or vinegar.

Mix and let soak overnight.

The next morning, mix in 3 tsp. yeast, then add:

2 T. soft butter
1 1/2 tsp. vital wheat gluten
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt

(Note: to make white rolls, use 3 c. bread flour and do not add gluten.)

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Punch down and form into roll shape of your choice (I'm lazy, I just pinch off golfball size pieces). Put in greased pan, not quite touching each other. Let rise again 30-60 minutes. Bake at 350 until golden.

After my bread and rolls come out of the oven, I rub them with butter. I get a cold stick out of the fridge, peel back the wrapper a bit, and use like a glue stick on the hot bread.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 11/17/2008 05:26:00 PM | Permalink | |
Try It! You Might Like It! Works for Me Wednesday
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
I blogged recently about weird recipes. There is one recipe that sounded so inedible, I was loathe to try it. But I kept seeing it. Again and again and again. On Foodie blogs.

Roasted Kale. "It's better than potato chips!" commenters raved. "So good I ate the whole batch by myself!"

Yeah, right. I know marketing hype when I see it.

But... kale is good for you. But my kids don't like it (and most especially, my husband hates it.) But it's in season and therefore, cheaper than lettuce or bok choy.

I made it tonight for dinner, and everyone finished it off before the chicken hit the table. "I'd eat that every day if you made it!" husband dear said. And since I'm trying to sneak him back on that anti-inflammatory diet... I just might!

Try it - it really is good. And it's Feingold friendly - Heaven knows how tough it is to find snacks without artificial colors or MSG.

Crispy Kale
Tear a bunch of kale into bite sized pieces, removing the tough stems. Wash and dry. Toss with olive oil to lightly coat. Sprinkle in some kosher salt.

Put on a cookie sheet or in a roasting pan and bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Flip 'em over and roast 5-7 minutes longer. You want them crispy, but not brown.

Eat and enjoy!

Even the one year old ate it. That's a ringing endorsement!

For more Works for Me Wednesday, check out Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer!

And, oh yeah...
Vote for me at the Homeschool Blog Awards! And please, do NOT go to Pioneer Woman Cooks before you vote. Her blog is so much better than mine! ::wink::

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 11/12/2008 07:47:00 AM | Permalink | |
Doctor's Visit, 18 month
Friday, October 31, 2008
Baby X went to the doctor today for a well child checkup, and since this blog is also my family record and journal, here are the stats.

Weight - 24 lbs, 10 oz. - 25%
Height - 32 inches - 50%
Head Circumference - 90%

Blood Pressure - 96/64, - 95% (but not off the charts! Yay!)

Oh, and the doctor refuses to treat him and asked me to cancel all of my other children's well-child checkups because we follow an alternate vaccination schedule. An alternate schedule devised by myself and our previous pediatrician! It's a huge practice with several locations.

Nice, Texas Children's Pediatrics. You discriminate against patients who have adverse reactions to medication. Real nice.

Does he know it took me 35 minutes on the phone to schedule all of those appointments in the first place?

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 10/31/2008 07:57:00 AM | Permalink | |
Friday Not So Fun
Friday, October 03, 2008


Believe it or not, I've never been on a weight reducing diet. I've been on special diabetes diets, but the goal was to modulate blood sugar, not lose weight. I'm always pregnant or nursing!

I generally "even out" at a size 10 in between babies . Lately, I've been a 10/12... edging closer to 12. Also, my feet just plain hurt.

I've also noticed that my "sweet treat" is now a "sweet standard - with seconds". Having a fun size candy bar with my coffee is not the exception. I spoil myself... everyday.

So I'm going to try this whole dieting thing. I may even attempt to work up a sweat.

Now the question is, which diet? We already eat fairly healthy. Brown rice, meatless meals, oatmeal for breakfast, whole wheat bread, pounds and pounds of fruit... all are standard routine around here. Which one should I try? Low carb? Food combining? McDougall?

Nah. I'm going to follow a method I heard about in high school (in biology, not the locker room) and came across again a while ago in the blogosphere. Look up how much your ideal weight is. For me, it's 135-140. ( Current weight: solid 160. I told you I was closer to a 12!)

Go here, and type in your goal weight, and other stats. Be brutally honest about activity level - check what it IS not what you want it to be. Figure out how many calories it takes to maintain that body weight. Eat that much food and no more.

For me, at a sedentary 140 pounds, it's 1909 calories per day.

The really great thing about this eating plan is that I don't have to radically alter anything for the rest of the family. There is no complaining or rebellion from anyone else to sabotage me. I can't force anyone to diet, anyway, and my kids don't need to. They shouldn't, what with the calories they burn drawing hopscotch grids on the carpet and climbing the walls and all.

So far, it's okay. Yesterday I ate 1905 calories. Today, I'm at 1500 after dinner (how the HECK did that happen?) so I have room to play - with ice cream! Woot!

The sad thing is, I've basically only eliminated mindless munching and replaced it with mindful munching. How much was I even eating before?

Things that are helping:
  • I like unsweetened tea. I found coconut flavor at the dollar store and it's good!
  • I went ahead and bought some frozen meals for my lunch. Michelina's budget entrees - I cook frozen veggies to add in because one of those things is seriously soooo not a meal. It's so much easier to have a portion and calorie controlled meal ready and waiting, instead of trying to figure out the calorie count from something I made. Truthfully, I usually skip lunch and just eat mindlessly here and there throughout the day.
  • I made a list of 100-150 calorie snacks, so if I'm hungry, I know what to eat. I get my info from this site.
  • I bought some extra munchies and divided them up into sandwich bags, each about 100 calories. 1/2 c. Crunch n Munch, for example, or 10 pretzel sticks. I rarely eat caramel corn, so it's an extra treat that helps "smooth the bumps" without breaking the calorie bank.

My list of snacks so far?

10 honey twist pretzels, 96
10 large baby carrots, 52
1 med. apple, 100
1 med. pear, 103
1 nectarine, 69
30 grapes w/ skin, 64 (frozen into grapesicles - no extra calories!)
1/2 c. oatmeal w/ 1 tsp. brown sugar, 126
Black bean salsa (black beans, corn, Rotel) 1/2 c., 75
4 gingersnaps, 120 (or, 30 calories each)
1/2 Crunch n Munch, 94


What are your favorite, low cal snacks?

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 10/03/2008 07:47:00 AM | Permalink | |
Sing a Song of Praise
Thursday, August 07, 2008

1And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

3And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

4And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Mark 3:1-5



My father was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma on his wrist in July. They removed the tumor, biopsied, did radioactive tagging, dug out some more, more testing... you get the picture.

He recently got the test results back, and the cancer has not spread. No radiation, no chemotherapy, and no more body parts have to be removed!

God is good.
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2


I love you, Dad. We sincerely thank God that you are better now.


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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 8/07/2008 07:08:00 AM | Permalink | |
Cooking Tips and Tricks
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
From my kitchen to yours!

Five Easy Ways to Improve Your Cooking Healthy, too!

Frugal Meal Plans - roundup of cheap weekly menus from the web.

Juicy Roasted Chicken

Low Fat Tricks - 10 tips for low fat cooking

Meal Planning Saves the Budget - and makes dinner prep easier, too.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 8/05/2008 12:09:00 PM | Permalink | |
Cheap Fruit
Friday, August 01, 2008
How we avoid junk food.



Our local dollar store carries fruit!

I got 14 pears and 16 kiwis for less than $4.

Cantaloupe, $.99 each

Peaches, $.77/lb.

Oranges, 8/$1

This whole tray? Less than $8! It'll be gone by the end of the weekend, though. Big families are big fruit eaters.


I love summer!

BTW - that three tiered server is how I solved my problem with Baby C and fruit. I put stuff she CAN eat on the bottom, (or sometimes just onions and garlic) and the stuff she needs Mama for on the top. The whole thing sits on our kitchen island. Also, we moved to a house with better "flow", and the kitchen is not a small partitioned off room, so Mama can keep a closer eye on her.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 8/01/2008 05:00:00 PM | Permalink | |
WFMW: Five Ingredients or Less
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Most of my recipes contain five ingredients or less, unless I'm baking. What can I say? I'm lazy.

So lazy, in fact, I use McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning on my porkchops. (It's good. Try it!)


Instead, I'll leave you with five tips for making any recipe more flavorful, the healthy way!


1. Caramelize those onions. If you have a recipe that called for sliced or chopped onion, it will taste sooo much better if you cook the onions first. If you have carrots and celery, cook it all together until the onion is translucent and starts to color. You've added depth of flavor without adding any salt or calories!



2. Don't ignore the lower half. Don't just sprinkle some powder over the top of your chops. Season one side, rub it in, then season the other. Whatever you do, don't leave the bottom - the first part that touches your taste buds - bland!

3. Skip the water. In most savory recipes asking for water, substitute another flavorful liquid instead. Juice, milk, broth, or even wine will make it taste that much better. For easy homemade chicken stock, sans MSG, throw the bones in your crockpot, cover with water, and cook for several hours. Throw in some carrot peels or celery tops if you're feeling sassy. Strain and freeze. I freeze mine in muffin cups, for ease of thawing. Also, my muffin cups hold right at 1/2 cup of liquid, so I can measure without dirtying a cup. Bonus - chip the layer of fat off and it's a healthy addition to any meal!


4. Bland = Butter. And salt. Possibly even salted butter, all added at the table by your family to make their starch tasty. Avoid this by adding guiltless flavor. A splash of vinegar or squeeze of lemon may be all that's needed to brighten a dish. Shake some garlic powder into the mashed potatoes, and use that fat free broth instead of milk and butter. Rice can be cooked in chicken stock instead of water, and noodles can be coated with an olive oil vinaigrette before serving. Make your own - 1 part vinegar, 2 parts olive oil, add seasonings to taste.


5. Salsa is your friend. And a cool dance. I use salsa a lot. I love Peach Pineapple Chipotle poured on pork chops and baked (it's a WalMart house brand flavor). It adds kick to anything, along with some vegetable nutrition and good phytochemicals, such as lycopene. It can be stirred into rice, used as a glaze for meat, or even served as a side with vegetable dippers.

Gratuitous Five Ingredient Recipe:
Carne Guisada, a good simple meal.

Ingredients:
Steak, cut up (like stew meat)
Potatoes
Salsa
Broth
Onions if your feeling like Susie Homemaker
Salt and pepper, to taste.

Wash (or peel) and boil potatoes. Drain, mash using broth.

Cook onion until it starts to color. Add meat. Brown on all sides, then add salsa. Add enough to coat the meat. Cook meat some more. Add some water until you get a little "gravy" action. Serve over potatoes.

Yes. This is how I really cook. You know how much meat and potatoes your family eats, you don't need me to tell you! See, I've saved you the math headache of doubling or halving my recipe!

For more Five Ingredient Fabulosity, head over to Rocks In My Dryer!

****UPDATED TO ADD ****
Whoa! I posted just after midnight and I am #120! This is a popular one!
And yes, I was awake after midnight fooling on the computer. I'm not always the most self-disciplined Mama. Plus I had two stories to get in last night.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 7/02/2008 12:31:00 AM | Permalink | |
Sale on Vitamins
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Puritan's Pride is having a sale on vitamins for Independence Day. Shipping is 76 cents, and Puritan brand vitamins are 70% off.

Choline is $2.69 for 100 capsules, and Inositol is just $2.99 per 100.

I know a few of my readers use (as do we) this so I'd pass along the info!

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 6/28/2008 10:15:00 AM | Permalink | |
Depression and Abortion, One Handy Pill
Friday, June 27, 2008


This is kind of odd news, I'm not sure where to file it!

Corcept is trying to get mifepristone approved as a treatment for depression. Of course, they renamed it "Corlux".

Mifestripone is also known as RU-486, the abortion pill.

It's documented side effects include:
headache, abdominal pain, cramping, uterine hemorrhage, nausea, diarrhea, and serious, sometimes fatal, infections. (See page 12 of the medical label insert here.)

I have not been able to find the dosage used in the studies. It is fast tracked by the FDA, however.

Oh, and it doesn't seem to really work. Is this Big Pharma's reach to make more money on questionable remedies? A plan to make RU-486 "mainstream" and accepted by Americans as a necessary drug?

H/T Furious Seasons blog.

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 6/27/2008 11:42:00 AM | Permalink | |