Oh Lala Lollipops!

Just looked out my window and baby pink buds are sprouting up on all the trees. Spring is coming quickly and what may I ask is more springy, bright and happy that a lollipop? Okay how cute are these?

They don't seem to difficult to make and look like a great project to do with kids. Even better is how Alphamom suggests making an arrangement out of them. Simply add colored jellybeans to the bottom of a vase and you have yourself a quirky sweet gift. Click on the link above to get the full recipe.

Don't feel like making them? Mihow's shop on Esty offers the most beautiful selections! Take a peek. :)

In case of an emergency. . .

Recently a friend randomly asked me this question: "Lydia, are you prepared in case of an emergency?" I was kind of taken aback by the randomness of this converstion, yet it got me thinking. I'd be in a pretty tight spot if an earthquake, storm, tornado, or sasquatch (you never know) hit. If any of these occurances happened I would have to survive on last Thanksgiving's canned pumpkin puree and pickled cabbage. Not okay. So this weekend I made a CEN (Culinary Emergency Necessities) list. These are just a few that make me a little more at ease if a bigfoot warning strikes, or any other catastrophe.... :)

1. Dried meats (beef jerkey and beef sticks)

2. Water (Large bottles)

3. Nuts

4. Dried fruits ( apricots, cranberries, apple chips, bannana chips)

5. Canned tuna, beans, chilis, vegitables, fruits (Don't forget your can opener)

6. Multi-Vitamins

7. Large water- resistant containers

8. A bottle of your fav. champagne. (Okay this may not be a necessity to you but if the world is ending i'm doing it in style :)

9. propane stove ( I have three of these. They really do come in handy! Take them to the beach, camping, or save for Yetti attacks)

10. Crackers (Bread will get stale)

Foodie Friday!!!

Every Friday I am going to be profiling a fav chef of mine. Today's foodie is the AMAZING Lisa Garza. I love her. Very few woman can kick butt in a kitchen, cater for upwards of 300 VIPs, and still maintain the look of a classic 50's icon. You may remember her from "The Next Food Network Star". She did a fantastic job and now operates her own catering business in Dallas Texas. You can read more about her here. She used to sell these adorable aprons but I can't seem to find them anymore! That's where you come in. If anyone finds out what happened to Couture Caviar (That's the name of her co.) please let me know in comments. She inspires me and I hope you are inspired today as well. Happy Friday!

Growwwwwiiinggg your food!

I don't have a green thumb. There I said it. Don't ever ask me to water your plants while you are in Mexico unless you want them dead upon return. Always one to try to fix my flaws I have decided to attempt to "grow" in this area. Next week I will be planting my food.

So far the best way I have come across to save money on food is growing it yourself! I'm learning that having no room outdoors is no excuse either. This fantastic site offers tips and tricks on planting vegetables inside the privacy of your own home. Feeling more ambitious? Get your city involved! Urban gardens in vacant lots are popping up all over the country. It may mean going through some red tape, but meeting new people and learning a new hobby might just make it worth it. :) The city of San Diego did just that. Watch the vid below to see how it came to "fruition" haha! Happy gardening loves!  

V-Day for me. . . D-day for the husbandface. . . . :(

My Husband hates Valentines Day. I write this knowing full well he won't care that I share his feelings with you. . . He would declare it from the mountain tops if you let him! His reasons are sincere though. He treats me like a princess everyday and feels we shouldn't have to have just one day out of the year to do it. It's commercial, It's not genuine and so forth. . . . :/ Myself on the other hand love this day! Chocloate, Champagne, chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. He doesn't know it yet, unless he reads this blog but I plan to make myself him these delightful morsels. Queen Martha's Chocolate-Champagne truffles. Have a lovey dovey day friends. Let me know if you try this recipe and how it turns out!

Ingredients Makes about 3 dozen
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon Champagne
1 tablespoon Cognac
Coarse sanding sugar, for rolling
Directions
Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Immediately pour hot cream over the chocolate in a medium bowl; stir until smooth. Stir in the Champagne and Cognac. Refrigerate until chocolate mixture is firm enough to roll into balls, about 1 hour.
Using a small melon baller or ice-cream scoop, form 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in coarse sanding sugar, and transfer to rimmed baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate truffles at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days before serving.


Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Chocolate-Champagne Truffles in Sparkling Sugar

Let's Talk Portions. . .

So with the new budget kick portions have become really important. Time for a math lesson ladies and gentlemen!!

16 ounces are in a pound. . . 8 ounces is the average meat portion size which means two servings per pound. Get it? Got it? Good! With this mindset, grocery store shopping has gone to a whole notha' level. I have become the biggest nerd and now bring a calculator with me because I want the most for my money. Take for instance this pork serloin I bought on Sunday:

$10.53 for 5.57 lbs. That comes out to 11.14 servings of meat. (see math above) This means that each serving ($10.53/11.14) costs $.94. 11 servings for under a dollar. Heck yes. I understand that it takes a little effort but it is so worth it! I am making three meals with this. Buying in bulk and vacum sealing for the freezer is the way to go.

Last night we had roast pork with sweet potatoes, carrots, and potato gratin. Haven't decided what I will do with the rest but at .94 a meal I think I can do quite a bit! I won't be having pork three nights in a row but now I have cheap choices for the future. Happy cooking loves. :)

Cooking with friends!!

So my husband and I are commited to paying off our (mostly mine) $54,000 of debt in 1 and a half years. Eww that was icky to write. . . That includes our car, student loans, credit debt and other miscilanious things. So far so good! We have been doing so well, but it does mean we had to start budgeting A LOT. One area happens to be food. No more eating out. No more pre-made ANYTHING. If we want it and it is outside the budget I have developed a few tips that do not make me feel deprived so I can still enjoy my favorite foods. For the next few blogs I will share them with you bloggy friends! :)

A few weeks ago I invaded my dear friend Karla's fridge and pantry. She asked for my help in meal planning. She is an amazing fashionista and life styleist! She helps me shop and I help her with food. It's like a private Rachel Zoe. Check out her blog!! Anyyways. . . We developed an awesome menu for the week that even included Elk! (Dad went hunting) So here are four of the tips I shared with her below.

1. A whole chicken can make three meals for two people. Cut up into eight pieces. Use Breasts cubed into pastas, or sauteed with sauces. Wings, legs, and thighs are best roasted with a little seasoning. Add a small amount of water to the bottom of a pan drizzle pieces with olive oil and roast with a foil tent at 400 degrees. The high heat seals in the mositure and gives a crispy skin to the chicken. And the bones will be used for a stock! Yay for three in one.

2. Cooked rice is always saved and used twiced. White or brown rice cooked can be eaten plain and then used later. Mix left overs with herbs, spices, or even into fried rice. Just remember to include it into at least two meals that week.

3. Frozen vegis are better than no vegis!

4. Stews freeze so well. Make a big batch and portion.