Pantry Staple Alternatives You Already Have

It's funny. I never really understood why pantry staples were considered staples. I mean, I try to stock up when I can. I've even checked off lists I found online. But, I don't really use them! 

Well, I finally get it, now!

Staples aren't necessarily cans or jars of stuff to have on hand "in case" you need a quick fix meal, as I demised.  No, no. Staple ingredients are a base for other staples!

I suppose a staple would be different for every person.  Key ingredients vary with diet restrictions and preference.  This gal prefers stuff to create her own flour, milk, and baking additions.  

My Choice of Staple Ingredients:

These ingredients get way more bang for your buck because of their many methods of use.  Personally, I plan to buy oats and rice in bulk to use as flour bases while using them as ordinary meals. 

Here a few simple ways I plan to maximize my purchasing power:

The Methods:

1. oats, almonds, or rice + grinder = flour
2. almonds or rice + boiling water + time =  milk
3. cocoa + agave + oil + heat = chocolate sauce
4. chocolate sauce + freeze & chop = chocolate chips
5. vinegar + milk = buttermilk
6. peanuts + blender = peanut butter

Yes, creating these concoctions is way less convenient than purchasing from a grocery store.  But, the health benefits are exponential.  

Fresh flour made at home contains far more nutritional value than flour packed, shipped, and sedentary on shelves.  Also, home made means no unnecessary additives! It's pretty fantastic to be able to pronounce every word in your food :)

It will take adjusting, but the fulfillment of being able to supply my own pantry is an added benefit to learning patience up the wazoo.  

Cheers to no more frantic Big Y runs for a single bag of chocolate chips only to walk out with an entire cart of unplanned groceries!

Everything from Scratch: My Goals to Eat Healthy and Save Money

http://www.ucsf.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_files/sugar-infographic1.jpg

I know it's sad, but Yahoo! is my primary source for news.

It is unfortunate, but the perk is Yahoo features headlines and articles like this on the same page.  

Now is a good time to admit my fanaticism for organic and local foods; I firmly believe everyone should be given a plot of land and learn self-sufficiency. Food is our medicine, and unfortunately, greed is precedent over consumer health. I digress.

There. Now you know why the article on Yahoo! (featured within a myriad of celebrity gossip) caught my attention. 

Supposedly, a family omitted (unnatural and added) sugar intake for an entire year.  The results?  

More energy, stronger immune systems, a distaste for sweets, and a cleaner diet.  

The entire time I read the article I was thinking of the massive jar of sugar I have on hand for baking and adding - in enormous amounts - to coffee.  

Well, after hearing about their experience, there are only two words to describe how I am feeling . . . 

...Challenge Accepted.

Maybe it won't last for a year, but I solemnly swear to READ the labels of every food purchase.  I don't buy processed foods too much , but I will dedicate even more time to creating home made snacks and meals and leaving the sugar out!

My progress so far?  

-Home made pizza dough and granola (in place of cereal)

YEA! I am on my way!             <---that is sarcasm

My goal is to expand to bread, milk (almond or rice), snacks, peanut butter, and well, everything. I am most excited for the summer to can fresh veggies! 

It won't be easy, and it won't be cheap upfront, but learning to use ingredients in a variety of ways saves big bucks.  Give it a try and see how much your creativity can save you!

UGH...and DIY Scarf Pillows

I did (or should I say, didn't?) it again.

It's been over a month and I didn't post anything!

I've no excuses, really. But, I can tell you that I am at the moment preoccupied with a relocation to Massachusetts.  The boyfriend got a job transfer near there, and we selected an apartment in Salem.  I am super excited about it! It is a gorgeous place to live - quite touristy - but that's a good sign, I think.

Our new place is minutes from the marina, beach, and there is tons of parks and trails.  Also an amenity is the local dog park. Seems like we will have no troubles feeling at home there!

Lots of packing, Goodwill runs, and E-Baying going on right now.  All that to say, A Dash of Effort has been neglected :(  

These changes have brought on opportunities to declutter and think about my vision of our future home.  I already am beginning preparations for container gardening, and this time, I am opting for a minimalist approach to decorating.  That being said, I will have lots of inspiration for new posts!

Today I spent lots of time on Apartment Therapy and came across this awesome DIY scarf pillows article.

This is dangerous because I find lots of scarves at thrift stores.  Whenever I find ones I like, I am able to stave off temptation because I don't really wear scarves. But, with this tutorial...the possibilities are endless!

Do you have any DIY tips for pillows?

Repurposing = Fair Trade Everything

I recently saw the movie Blood Diamond.  The movie shows unrest in Africa as a result of the diamond industry.  While watching I was reminded of the corruption of consumerism.  Just about every item imaginable is created using means of slavery and child labor.  Beyond self-sufficiency, the reason I am adamant  about reusing items, consignment store shopping and DIY stuff, is to take a stand against slavery.  

While we can't control government policies or national politics, we can control how we spend our money.  I really try to limit it  to fair trade goods (goods using production methods providing fair treatment, wages, and working conditions to laborers).  After a while it becomes rather easy to find substitutes for everyday items.  I still have so many purchasing preferences to change.  For example, I have to find fair trade alternatives for cocoa powder, sugar, and coffee.  If we stop demanding, they will need to stop supplying.  Little by little, we can make a significant change.

It's so crazy to think how our actions influence the world.  I try not to buy anything made in China and I avoid mall and retail stores so I am not giving corporations a direct sale.  Although Consignment stores do sell second hand clothing manufactured by corporations not practicing fair trade, the profits do not at all aid them in their operations, which is why I think consignment stores are a better bet.  I hope to make my own sheets and clothing one day to further promote awareness and options for fair trade goods that everyday people can afford. That also happens to be the inspiration behind my store on Etsy.

Not only does it save money, but re-purposing helps me be content with what I have and not be greedy. As a result, I am more fulfilled, more aware, and more productive with my money and time.  

Not For Sale is an awesome campaign educating how our money fuels slavery and how we can stop it.  The organization's self titled book is an easy read and taught me so much. Buy it here.


Also check out this list of products of slave abuse from the Department of Labor.



 

Take A Gander...

...at these awesome articles sharing ideas for re-purposing and up-cycling stuff!

 

Twisted Sifter is a great place for creative minds.  I am constantly thinking.  When I am overcome by curiosity, Twisted Sifter helps me sort the contents of my mind, and can help project ideas become a reality.  The link below shows practical and convenient ways to rethink the way you use ordinary items.

http://twistedsifter.com/2012/06/creative-ways-to-repurpose-reuse-and-upcycle-old-things/


I do not have a Pinterest account.  Come on, I can barely navigate Facebook  while resisting urges to click on every.single.profile of people I may not really know.  Unending pictures of "cute" decor and recipes would kill me.  But, I did Google search "re-purposing aluminum cans" and this link appeared in search results.  Oh. My. Pinterest, you have my heart.  You'll see what I mean when you click the link below...be warned.  You will feel guilty for discarding cans from this moment forward! (sorry and you're welcome;) )


http://www.pinterest.com/ariaism/cans-upcycled-recycled-renewed-reused-repurposed/

ENJOY!

Cookie Sheet as a Snow Shovel

Connecticut is being pummeled with snow and I am loving every minute!

Well, every minute except those few I have to dig my car out before the snow plow comes...without a shovel...

 I am just one of those people who refuses to buy a snow shovel while living in an apartment. I don't want to keep a snow shovel in my basement, car, hallway, or closet. I just won't do it until I get a house.  The perfect solution?  A cookie sheet, baking pan, or serving tray.  I swear by this.  

Last year, I dug my car out of three feet of snow with a cookie tray.  It gets around the wheels and can dig a car out in a jiffy.  Yes, there is more bending required, but for me, it is much easier than a shovel!  Shovels become very heavy when packed with snow and are hard to lift.  I like the cookie sheet because it gives me more control over the weight I use to move the snow.  This morning I cleared a pathway, cleared the porch, and cleared two cars in an hour. I think that's pretty good for eight inches deep.  

Also, it makes sliding the snow off the top of the car much easier.

I wonder what my neighbors think of me . . .

 

 

AC Moore :D and other rants

Holy Majoly.

I scored big time at AC Moore. I went in to grab two sponge applicators for under 1.00 but walked out with 3 bags of stuff for 46.50.

This always happens to me.

Allow me to set the scene for you.  It is Saturday afternoon.  I have somewhere to be so I rush like crazy walking to and fro the ends of the store until I finally find the applicators.  The store gets busy with slow shop browsers.   I almost make it to the register ...

*BAM*  I see it. The tall, overflowing shelves of d.i.s.c.o.u.n.t. fabric. Not just any fabric.  Not your cheap, pastel, ugly fabric that no one will use (sorry if I offend all you pastel lovers:/ I'm a color hater...unintentionally). These are off white, navy blue crinkle pattern suedes and lined black and gray wool hemmingbone cut fabrics.

I'm almost late for work and there's a rather irritating line at the register. I wait.  and wait...and tell the cashier to put my stuff on hold because this one stop quick pick-up lady is gonna browse tomorrow for some sexy cuts of fabric (And I did) :) ... Okay, that's not ver batem..but close enough...PS when I retell stories, in my head I'm a loud, vivacious black women, so when you read this make sure you're doing the tone of voice right ;P

I want to live in a fabric mill.  Seriously. I love fabrics. I love textures.  Maybe one day I will resell fabric for a living.  That is a dream come true for me! :)

I also got lots of fabric quarters for a buck a piece.  I did this around Christmas, too.  I swear, one day I will make napkins with these quarters.  I have to.  I don't have another use for them.  As soon as I can control my sewing machine I'm gonna be napkin makin' happy! Woot Woot!