Giveaway!

Not mine - but a pretty neat one from Simple Mom as a celebration of the beginning of Simple Living Media.  Go check it out!

Food Bill Reducing Tips Thursday and Giveaway!

Ok, so it's crazy to do both the food bill reducing tips and a giveaway in one post, but here it is...

My sister has the BEST ideas - no matter what SHE says. We were talking tonight on the phone, because, sadly, she lives across the continent from me. Anyhow, I was lamenting that I had been to the grocery store today, walking up and down the aisles thinking about what I would write in this post this evening, and had come up with nothing too inspiring. Then she had this great Brain Blast! She said - and I quote - "I wish someone would come up with a 2-week listing of meals, somewhat within my budget, that I could rotate on an on-going basis. The listing would have an accompanying grocery list, and would have to be filled with good stuff- using good quality or organic ingredients". She talked about wanting to be able to take the time in the morning, when she is most available, and get things ready for that evening's dinner. She is wanting to avoid coming home and having that fateful 'afternoon bust' where you look around, overwhelmed by your day so far, and decide - 'let's eat out'.

So here's my challenge:

Why hasn't my sister already done this? Because it takes time and alot of organization - something that is quite the commodity around my house, and I bet, yours as well.

However -we can do this - together.

We'll start with just dinner. I can come up with several dinner recipes - many already on this blog - that are simple, include good food and are quick to prepare. But I bet you all can submit some recipes for dishes that follow the same guidelines. Who knows?? Perhaps we can create a web-book for other stressed out evening cooks! For 2 weeks, we'll need at least 10 more (I'll come up with 4 on my own). I can compile the listing for 2 weeks (complete with grocery lists) that could then be rotated to cover the next 2 weeks. As a group, we can decide if this should be more than a link here on the blog, or go the next step and create a web-book. Leave a comment, let me know you want to submit a recipe (or more) and we'll go from there.

Here are the qualifications:

1. The cooks need to be able to find the ingredients at their local grocery store - no pickled tofu or anything exotic like that!
2. The ingredients need to be on the healthy side - no cans of cheddar cheese or cream of mushroom soup, please!
3. The recipes needs to be big enough for at least 4 people.
4. The recipes can be vegetarian or meat-based - but again, no exotics like buffalo or quail!
5. Each recipe needs to be accompanied by a grocery list.
6. The recipes need to be simple, and be able to be assembled quickly - let's say 30 min or less from counter to oven.
7. Think pasta, entree salads, casseroles, chicken/beef/fish dishes, etc.
8. Tell your friends to submit as well - even if they don't read blogs!

Now for the giveaway!!

Today, I'm giving away another hand-made necklace:

This one is almost all purple, with brass spacers. It is approximately 30 inches long, and has these really beautiful hand-blown glass beads. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment (yes, leaving a comment about the meal listing above qualifies as well).

The deadline will be 9 pm EST on Thursday, 7/30/09.

Who Won the Bracelet Giveaway?

The winner is... Laura. For commenting that we all need a laugh these days. May you enjoy the piece, and may it bring a smile to your face. (Send me your address so I can send it on it's way!) And congratulations!

And for the others - I wish I could send you all something. Check back in with me as I love these giveaways. It is wonderful to have something to share. Thank you for your comments!

I Have an Etsy Shop!

I decided to take the plunge. I opened my Etsy shop - Mindful Hands just this past weekend. I have spent the past few months beading jewelry and making various little crafts, only a select few of which I have listed in my shop so far. I beg your honesty, patience and understanding as this is so very new for me, and I don't quite have the hang of it just yet. Any folks who have some tips on how to make the whole process move smoother, please don't be shy - share your tips with me!

Check it out, and come back again soon. I am making new things almost everyday. There will be handmade gift cards, knitted items, and of course, more jewelry, coming soon.

And don't forget! Leave a comment for the giveaway - deadline is this Thursday evening, 10 pm EST.

Congratulations to Angela!

The winner of my first giveaway is Angela from My Year Without Spending.  Her favorite hobby is, "It's tough to pick my favorite hobby- either reading or baking. I also love hiking and yoga, but those aren't really "hobbies," are they? I find the time just because I make the things I love a priority."  I totally agree that it is important to find the things we love to do, then find the time to do them.

Congrats, Angela!  Send me a line to let me know where to mail your necklace!

And for the others, don't despair.  Another giveaway will come soon!