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Saturday, February 21, 2015

TIME MANAGEMENT

When I talk to my friends about how I plan my grocery shopping or what I do to prepare for my week of 8-5 employment most of them just say I DON'T HAVE TIME. But you really do if you are a good time manager. 

I learned a long time ago from my Nana how to plan for the week. She was a stay-at-home Mom of 4 children. Back when there were no luxuries in the house. She did have a mixer, but it was a hand held mixer.
She didn't do all her chores in one day or a weekend. She spread the duties out in seven days.
Examples:
  • Baking and laundry was a daily chore.
  • One day she ironed, one day she would scrub the bathrooms.
  • She had no carpet so she swept and used the dust mop under beds. (less allergies) 
  • Papa was the gardener. Nana picked what she needed for each days meals and canned or froze the rest.
Okay so it was a busy life even for a stay-at-home Mom. If you think you have no time in your already busy life you might want to get a spiral notebook and write down how you spend your time daily. I can GUARANTEE you spend to much time on the computer or apps on your phone, window shopping at the mall, going out to eat, or long conversations on your phone. Wait we can't forget the taped TV programs you just can't live without.

Of course, there are only two of us in our Tin Can. Now that hubby works four 10 hour shifts the time is tighter as we commute.We are up at 5am and home at 6pm. Preparation is the key.

My life:
  • I plan the EASY part of my menu for our work week. I might buy one or two prepared Trader Joe's meal, make two meals in the crock pot, and one soup and sandwich during the week. Week ends are based on the weather. Good weather means BBQ and on bad weather days we use our Walmart Grill inside.
  • Remember try to plan menu. I make my menu on my Friday break, because we shop on Saturday.
  • When we get home Saturday I wash off ALL my produce, even produce with skin.
  • I try to do my laundry on Friday, saving the rest of the week for other duties. (Hubby cleans our tin can at the same time)
  • Sunday's I bake or cook for the week. Only taking 2 hours.Example: Bake muffins, make salads for lunches.
  •   I even brown the roast the night before if I am making a roast in the crock pot, sealing the juices. I also chop up the veggies and put them in a bag. Put the spices and extra stuff on the counter, for a quick get-a-way.
  • I also make hubby's favorite lunch the night before. Yep, antipasti. I use uncured salami, pepperchinis, dried tomatoes, chunks of cheese, olives and low-fat Newman's Salad Dressing.

    I try to make it simple and fast during the week since I only have three hours after work before I go to bed.
    During the week I have very little time to use the computer. I cook dinner, do dishes (no dishwasher), shower, and try to read a bit before bed. Even after all this I seem to make all of our meals from scratch, even pancakes.

    Time savers: make a double batch of waffle mix, cook them all, and freeze some for busy mornings. OMG our mornings are real busy. Breakfast, making lunches, and getting ready for work. All done in 45 minutes. Soooo I better be organized.

    It is possible to be organized. It does take time to get it down. Our weekends you will find us sipping a glass of wine on our deck listening to the birds and watching the cattle.
    Life is simple when well planned.






George Foreman Griller

It's not really a George Foreman Griller, but a Walmart griller.

Since it has been cold and windy I have been grilling inside and now am addicted.

Dinner: Baked Cod and grilled vegetables.

Mix: Brussel sprouts cut in half, mushrooms washed and cut in half, onions in chunks or green onions in large pieces, or any vegetable you like. Add olive oil and seasonings. We add salt, pepper, thyme, oregano.
Set grill at 350 degrees and close lid. They are done when you can stick a fork in the veggies. I kind of like mine a bit crunchy not gooey.
After cooking you can toss with Parmesan cheese.

While the veggies are cooking:

Mix bread crumbs ( I use Trader Joe's organic bread crumbs) and add spices you like. I added dill, thyme, salt and pepper.
Bake on 350 until golden or cooked through...about 20 minutes. We buy cod parts in the frozen section of Trader Joe's. I just take out as much as I want. It's very easy.
Add Trader Joe's Tarter Sauce with Dill and Jalapenos. 




 
Sorry I can't turn this around for some reason.
Add some spice to your fish dishes


Yes you can make great taco's with a lot less grease on this grill