If You Have ever had an Orgasm you should be Outraged

     Who hasn’t had the glorious experience of your first orgasm? Heck who hasn’t had multiple orgasms in their lifetime? Whether you’re in a healthy relationship or exploring your own sexuality, it can be one of the best experiences for any woman.
     It’s a gift that women here in the United States and Europe take for granted. We are a culture drawn to pleasure with sexual dynamos such as Pamela Sue Anderson, Madonna, and Mylie Cyrus. We have learned to love and expect to find pleasure in the bedroom with our partner.
     Women have fought their way to having the right to vote, the right to fair wages, anti-discrimination on hiring preferences, and maternity leave. In the 60’s women burned their bra’s to let the world know we mattered. It was historically a turning point for all women in this country. We found our voice!
     Think about that, what we take for granted as our right. We expect men to be respectful and to treat us fairly yet we dont seem to know what is going on in our own back yard. So how can any woman remain silent, when other women suffer? How do we turn a blind eye to female castration? Here are a few facts for you to mull over this is a real issue.

This practice is done so women do not have
pleasure & remain chaste.

          Religious views on female genital mutilation (FGM) vary even within the same religious tradition. FGM is found only within and adjacent to Muslim communities,[1] but the practice predates Islam. [2] The only Jewish group known to have practiced it are the Beta Israel of Ethiopia.[3] There is no unequivocal link between religion and prevalence.[4]

     It is generally accepted that there is no close link between the practice and religious belief. Despite this, there is a widespread view in several countries, particularly in Mali, Eritrea, Mauritania, Guinea and Egypt, that FGM is a religious requirement.¹

“girls at risk of being sent back to their family’s origin country to undergo FGM—a practice widely known as “vacation cutting”—or having a traditional midwife or cutter sent to perform FGM in the U.S.  

Globally, around 130 million women and girls are living with the effects from FGM and around 3 million undergo the procedure annually, according to theUnited Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The practice, known to be performed in 29 countries and usually at the hands of midwives or physicians, involves cutting the external female genitalia for non-medical reasongirls at risk of being sent back to their family’s origin country to undergo FGM—a practice widely known as “vacation cutting”—or having a traditional midwife or cutter sent to perform FGM in the U.S. “²

     Please believe me when I say this isn’t an anti-Muslim piece it’s about women. In fact, in our history circumcision was performed on some young girls by their pediatricians at the parent’s request as freightening as that may seem.
     If we as women aren’t outraged over this practice, then we don’t deserve the freedoms our female ancestors fought so hard to gain for us. It is easy to sit in a polite corner and pretend that bad things aren’t going on, but the truth is they are and do.
     With surprising regularity, this is a cultural issue that needs to stop. I can think of no parent who would mutilate their daughter in such a way. Ironically this practice does still go on right here in our country.
     Why because there is a wall of silence within the Muslim community that won’t speak out. A segment that has no desire to allow their children to become Americanized.  Many are afraid that they will be judged by the actions of those with such radical views. In this country, that is a form of child abuse. It is immoral just as much as steralizing a person with disabilities. So why are we silent? Why do we as women refuse to open our mouths and call for justice for these young women and children who can't? Why wont we get involved to stop the problem?

Some additional links for further information on this subject

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_genital_mutilation
2. http://www.newsweek.com/fgm-rates-have-doubled-us-2004-304773
3. http://www.equalitynow.org/sites/default/files/EN_FAQ_FGM_in_US.pdf

Fifty Shades of Sexy

You did what??

Fifty Shades of  Sexy

           Step One in Going Grey

I have to admit I was a little nervous when I went to my hairdresser Melanie at Bangs Salon to come up with a plan to go grey. I’ve always admired women who proudly wore their hair of  snowy white or grey. They are striking and extremely interesting and I find myself seeing more and more of them. So as I approach fifty within the next two years, I am learning to embrace my greyness. Baby steps..

My hair is colored a dark red, so transforming in this instance involves highlighting strips of my hair to make it a less shocking change. For me, she used a golden blonde highlight that took very well. Yes, technically it is still coloring your hair but it is also allowing the grey to grow out and transition. Total time was about an hour and a half. The result was very pleasing and garnered multiple compliments from friends and co-workers alike. For myself, I love it! I’ve found a freedom in this new change and coloring that is refreshing and bold.

     What it all comes down to is being comfortable with who you are and where you happen to be in life.
      I know some women feel a need to hold on to who they were, but life is far more interesting when you allow yourself to become who you are meant to be.


I hope you will come back for step two in this series. Embrace it, love it.

Grey can be hot and sexy. 

Not Your Fifty Shades of Grey

One Shade 
Going 
Grey


For over 20 years, I have either self-colored or professionally had my hair colored. I've always had the red highlights in my hair, mixed in with the blonde, brown and gold. In fact back in the 80’s when it seemed like everyone wanted to be a blonde my hair would turn red. My thoughts at the time were why fight it, so I decided to color my hair and become a full-time red head.

     I've always considered it an early warning system for people not smart enough to realize they would get it back tenfold if they started. I enjoyed being a redhead; it suited my coloring and personality. There seems to be a naturally assumed feistiness that goes with being a redhead. So you might be asking why I would want to change my color now and go grey. Really, grey?
    At 48, my hair is grey, and a big part of being comfortable with who you are is embracing those changes in your life. I’m not that woman who desperately clutches onto the illusions of the past. Nor do I feel threatened by my greyness. Haven’t you heard grey is the new sexy. Actress like Sharon Stone, Jamie Lee Curtis embrace their grey hair.
     For the next several months while I am going through the process called lightening where grey and lighter colors are introduced into your hair color as your natural color grows out. I will keep you updated on the process.
     When I was looking for a graceful way to transition back to my now natural hair color there were articles and end results but nothing showing the process. So please do follow along with me as I go through this and hopefully we can find some answers together.
    I will make sure to include photos, facts, the good, the bad, and ugly about the process and how well it works. Embrace your grey, there is nothing that says you cannot be sexy and have grey hair color.
Work it girl, own it!  

Calling All Women Pay it Forward

     Why should we care about other women?  How, we see each other is important. Sometimes it can be even wrong or unfair. Women have a tendency to put other women into categories, not unlike the ones we often accuse men of putting us in. It’s a habit we need to break.
      One of the things that has always puzzled me is that we know historically women have been repressed, discriminated against, used and held up to unrealistic ideals both by men and society. There are stories, about strong women throughout history, women of courage, strength, and honor who gave of themselves. Going back to even biblical times women made a tremendous difference in history yet received little or no credit.
     As women, I think we fail each other miserably at times.  We judge each other on appearance, whom we are with, and even how much our income is.  Frankly when we do this we let each other down. Who can honestly say that they have never heard another woman snipe and make biting comments regarding someone else who is unaware? For myself, I find when someone is like that I have to wonder just what they have to say about me when I am not around. Are they as equally biting and hurtful?

     Men, on the other hand, can be just as bitchy yet they cling to an invisible brotherhood code of don’t ask don’t tell. Can I get a copy of the brotherhood code book? I’m sure it would make an interesting and enlightening read.
That “guy code” doesn’t exist among women. It should! Here is a simple truth, if women banded together talked to each other honestly about things we would see we are all basically the same. In your twenties you’re tied up in how you look, your career, and who you’re going to marry. By your thirties if you’re married it’s about family, appearance, and getting ahead.
When you hit your forties things start to change. Unless you’re one of those women trapped into trying to hold on to twenty of course.
     For the rest of us, we begin to relax, at forty. If you're married or not you’re too tired by life to worry about the small stuff. We begin to look inside ourselves to find the answers. The good news is most of us do; we find ourselves. There is a confidence that a woman have as she gets older.  I believe in part it comes from learning to truly love yourself as a person. That doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels and just worry about our own interests. Sharing that positive outlook, that secret self we have found with our younger female friends and children is important. As women, we need to stand together teach each other what it means to be a woman in today’s world.
     The clock is going to continue to tick, despite our best intentions. As older women, we set an example. It’s our responsibility to teach younger women that we should, in fact, be a sisterhood of many. All the time not just when it comes to things like cancer or abuse.

     The choices we make today on how we treat each other will affect our daughters and their daughters.  Women are police officers, soldiers, doctors, and entrepreneurs. We are not afraid to work for what we want. By standing together, truly supporting each other and getting involved we can each make a difference.
     If you’re the kind of person who would stop to rescue a puppy you saw left on the side of the road then this message is for you. This Christmas rescue another woman. If it’s a bag of groceries, babysitting to give someone a break, or even a cup of coffee so you can listen while they talk, just do it. Give one day a month to helping other women who are in need of help.
Calling all women it’s time to pay it forward. Surprise a woman you know or even don’t know with a helping hand. Do something out of your comfort zone for another woman, and you may just be surprised how it makes you feel.

Women for Women International
Women Helping Battered Women
Oprah's Womans Orginization

Korean Venison Tacos

With the fall just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about hunting. My husband is already to go for the season. He’s picked up the new toys, he waited all season to add. Some duck decoys and a new cover for his deer stand. People who are into hunting are, usually, into it for a multitude of reasons. Our main one is that it puts additional food on the table and helps keep the constant growing cost of food down.
To start out our season on an interesting note, I found a yummy new venison recipe that can be substituted with beef or pork for the non-sporting people reading this. I came across this recipe in a Cooking Light Global Kitchen cookbook and gave it a try with some minor variations. When cooking venison one of the main complaints many people have is the gamey taste they always associate with it. The flavor is far from gamey and in fact, I dare you to say it is. I’ve used the marinade for the back straps which I then grill. You can use it for making Korean Taco’s which, is a light healthy meal in itself. The meat is cut into 1 to 1 ½ inch strips and is then placed in the following marinade for at least 1 hour.

Korean Venison Taco’s

Mix these first six ingredients together for your marinade.
1/3 cup sugar (I use brown sugar).
5 Tb’s Low-sodium soy sauce.
1 ½ Tb’s gochujang or (Korean chili paste).
1 Tb’s Fresh Lime juice (I, usually, use a fresh lime adding some of the zest to it as well).
4 cloves garlic minced.
1/8 tsp. salt
Combine these ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
1 to 2 lb.’s of Venison steaks or back straps.

Slice venison into 1 to ½ inch strips, place in a zip-lock bag and pour in marinade. Let this sit in your fridge for at least 1 hour. You can prepare this the night before and let it sit overnight as well. The marinade only gets better the longer you wait. When your ready grill the meat on skewers for around ten to fifteen minutes.
Now what to go with it? That is the question. You need to make a pickled cabbage to accompany the meat. This is for on top of your venison if you’re making the taco version. This recipe is too easy and can be made the night before as the cabbage is slower to absorb the ingredients.

Pickled Cabbage:
3 cups chopped cabbage.
2 garlic cloves minced
½ cup of rice vinegar
2 Tbs. Low-Sodium soy sauce
1 Tbs. Sugar
2 tsps. Korean chili paste.
Combine your ingredients in a bowl and mix. Put it in the fridge and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. I, usually, will make it either that morning or the night before you use it. Now I know what you’re probably thinking with all that chili paste this is a spicy hot dish. The truth is no it isn’t spicy at all; it has an incredible flavor that is sweet and tangy. Even my picky ten-year-old was impressed with this dish and couldn’t get enough. Serve it on soft tacos using the pickled cabbage on top of the meat. Enjoy a delicious, easy light dinner that will have them coming back for more and save you time in the kitchen.

If you choose to use this as a marinade only it goes well with rice pilaf and a good green veggie.

Groceries needed:
Soft tacos
Low sodium soy sauce
Rice vinegar
Korean or Chinese Chili paste
1 to 2 lbs. of steak, skirt or flank if not using venison.
1 head of cabbage or one small bag.
Lime juice or one small lime.
Sugar
Garlic or minced garlic.

It's Just Not My Day

     Yesterday was not my day. Who hasn't had those days that start out OK but seem to go downhill fast and have a quick fiery death? You know those moments when it feels like every step you take is wrong which in turn puts you in a bad mood that you then spread to your family and those unfortunate enough to be around you. Those Bitch on Wheels days when you seem to hate the world and every person in it (no not really, but you feel like it.)
          I consider myself a pretty positive person. I work hard and try to be considerate of others who cross my path. It is about the energy good or bad. Like a poison, one small negative act can snowball into something that holds us down making us doubt and question ourselves. It’s like rolling a little snowball down a hill of snow, it’s going to keep picking up more and more snow as it goes rolling faster and faster eventually becoming something big which isn’t what we wanted or intended.
     Yes,  yesterday was one of those super negative days for me. They don’t happen often, and as a rule I generally will stay away from people who are super negative. Occasionally life will bite us all right in the ass when we aren’t looking.
     I mention this because we have all felt this way and sure we all get over it or work it out in some form or other. It isn’t in my nature to start a fight, but if you bring it I will finish it. Especially if it pertains to my privacy or something that just isn’t anyone else’s business. What I try to hold onto though when these moments happen are the positives. Negativity, hurtful words, or just plain old meanness can only harm you if you let it. When you give in to anger or hurt you give it power over you. You let the poison of the moment stay with you.

           Why would anyone want that? I know I sure don’t. So next time you’re having one of those days from hell that make you either want to cry or hit someone really hard remember it will pass and then you will be left feeling stupid for the things you may have said or done. Secondly your better than that!Don’t give your power away you control you. So if it means walking away and beating the snot out of your pillow give it a go! 

Buying Smarter Not Harder

Vintage is In

Who hasn't’ gone through the rush from our kids who have to have these sneakers or that jacket because everyone else does. It can be hard as a parent to say no sometimes. Trying to save money is never easy especially when we don’t want to scar our kids for life by making them wear clothing that makes them feel uncomfortable around their friends.

So what do you do? Well one thing I’ve found is checking on eBay. A lot of mom’s have started putting on the clothing their kids grow out of. Jeans sweatpants tops. Sometimes you can get a really great buy when you take the time to look. Its always better  if someone is selling several pieces together then going after the solo item. Lets face it our kids grow like weeds, and the only way to  keep up and not spend a fortune is to be a smarter shopper. Another way is to pick up items after the holidays. You can often find winter clothing marked down drastically after Christmas.

Another option for those picky teens is to introduce them to vintage. Not the vintage that sells off the rack and has been marked up 400% but real vintage. Make it a game and let them take their time. Girls in particular love to find great looking clothes, most of them want to wear it only a couple of times before there trying to stuff it in the goodwill bag.

You can also save by cleaning and putting the clothes your kids grow out of on eBay or craigslist. Its a great way to pay it forward and to make some money to replace the clothes they no longer want. A lot of times your local hospital, will have a thrift store, and they tend to get higher end items through donations. It isn’t always easy as a parent to save money, giving the clothing your kids don't fit into to a family member who may have a son or daughter who will fit into the clothes they grow out of is a good way to keep it in the family and help them save, as well.

I know there are some who might be horrified by this idea but being smart and thrifty at the same time can wind up saving you hundreds to thousands of dollars on clothing. Some of the nicer items I've added to my own wardrobe have come from sales, eBay, or thrift stores. Most second hand stores will inspect the clothing and re clean it prior to putting it out for sale so don't be afraid of koodies..

With a little thought and ingenuity you can save money and keep your family happy. Just remember its always better to be a fashion setter then a slave to fashion. Use your head and reuse clothing, you're not just saving money, but you're also helping the environment.

Simple Economics for The Middle Class

Rarely if ever will I blog about a movie, and it may seem strange that I am going to on a site that is for saving money in a tight economy. Here is the thing, I just finished watching “Inequality for All” from Robert Reich President Clinton's former Secretary of Labor. In order to fix and cope with financial ups and downs it is important to understand the whys, as in why, we are all here struggling to make ends meet?

Who is Robert Reich? He was an intern under Robert Kennedy, worked for President Carter, and then later worked for Bill Clinton as his Secretary of Labor. He has given lectures at Berkley University and came from a middle class background like you and I. This small well educated man has a big voice and a lot to teach us all.

Robert Reich carefully explains with humor and insight how we got into the financial mess we are in today. He explains it in such a way that even my 9 year old could understand it. There are no smoke and mirrors, no fancy displays but a journey of us and how we are where we are. He goes in depth to explain how the gap between the middle class and 1% has grown so disproportionately out of cinque

Why would I suggest watching this? Well, if you have a brain and are smart enough to realize that things are not actually getting better then perhaps you may want to understand the whys? If you're a single mom, dad, struggling family, or prepper you want to watch this. There are some very simple truths that point out and show that if we keep going the way we are going its not going to get better but will in time get worse. If we sit by and do nothing thinking “Hey, not my problem.” sooner or later it will be.

Where can you get “Inequality for All” check your library and take it out? Go on Amazon or google it. It is well worth it to watch, and if you don’t you're missing something that answers some important questions. As I said, I was pleasantly surprised and informed after watching this. I found myself with a better understanding of how this mess we are all in was created and can better understand what needs to happen to create a healthy economy again in this country. As voters in this country,  we all have the responsibility to educate ourselves, so we understand what is happening and what we agree to when we elect an official into office. Part of fixing a problem is using our intelligence to listen and learn so we can address it in a constructive manner.

Entertaining During The Holiday

When planning a meal for a crowd for a special event such as New Years, Valentines day or family events it's important to plan smart when thinking of appetizers. Keeping it simple, can be both elegant and save you money, as well. Over this Christmas season,  I served two items that are both inexpensive to put together, save time and can be prepped ahead.
     The first was Prosciutto Crostini, this dish only requires one loaf of french bread cut into thin slices approximately ¼ to ⅓ of an inch wide. Lay flat on a cookie tray.

Four slices of prosciutto which you will roll and slice in thin strips.

A ¼ lb of sliced provolone or mozzarella.  These you will also stack and cut into strips about ½” wide.

You will need a frying pan with 1 stick of butter and ¼ c of olive oil. Add to this 1 Tbs of chopped garlic. Saute the garlic and add either 1 tsp of Italian seasoning or ½ tsp of pesto for Approx 5 mins. Then take the butter and oil mixture and ladle onto each piece of french bread.

Cook in over for about 7 mins, to toast. Remove from oven.

Use either salsa or diced tomato’s and spread a small amount on each toasted piece of french bread. Then add a few pieces of prosciutto and the provolone.

Sprinkle a little Italian seasoning over top and put in the oven at 325 for 7 mins to melt cheese and heat. Take them out and you're ready to serve.

Your pricing on this for a nice size tray which will feed up to 10 to 15 people will only run approximately $7.00 max. I have also made these with just the fresh tomato from our garden and mozzarella with a little fresh basil on top. This brings your price to make down even further an is slightly more healthy. 

   Another option we tried was bacon wrapped dates. 
I cut the pound of bacon in half and pre cooked it, so it was still soft. You're only going to cook it about half way.
 Then took a bag of pitted dates and wrap each with a piece of  bacon. I put them on skewers so I would be able to throw them on the grill for about 5 mins on high. The  needed cook time is pretty fast and you can plate them quickly as well without tying up your oven.
     My guests were pleasantly surprised by how good they tasted. There were none left, and they went very fast. I buy my dates in a large bag, but which cost about $5.00, you will have many left over. The bacon was around $3.00, and this works great for a group of 10 to 15.
     Entertaining can be expensive so cutting your costs where you can and still putting out a nice meal and appetizers can help. There are also many other ideas out there that have been around for a long time. Pigs in a blanket which will run around $6.00 steamed dumplings you can make yourself or buy the frozen are also in that range. Another one of the great options are dips. If you stick to a simple one you can keep your costing around $5.00 total for the dip and the bread or crackers, to go with it.
     People don't always think about  punches or mixed Sangria’s. Its a great way to include wine with your meal without having to buy a lot to keep everyone happy. Fresh iced tea is just pennies per a glass and many people are delighted to get something other than soda.
     With New Years,  just a few days away you can still be smart and not over spend. In these tough economic times,  most of us are watching what we spend and where we choose to spend our hard earned money. Keep it in your pocket where it will do the most for you.

Saving At Christmas A Hard Choice to Follow

     Being so close to Christmas, we all are scrambling to take care of purchasing gifts for family and friends. One area you can save some money is by giving cookies or something else you have made yourself. I will often give teachers or co workers Jelly, bread, applesauce or my husbands special cranberry sauce that we have canned. Most people appreciate it because they don't have the time to do it themselves.
     Many of us really do feel the financial pinch during this time of the year, & that is understandable. We want to give to our kids, & families and let them enjoy Christmas. One thing we have learned is to set a cap when buying for our kids. One it keeps it fair when you have more then one kid and two you don’t go crazy and over spend.
     Another trick is to take a break and  wrap what you have already. Make a list of whom you still need to buy for, so you're not buying multi gifts. Christmas for many has become more about the gifts than the spirit of Christmas, for me that's kind of sad, but I know its pretty normal today. I can remember as a child my aunt would give us each a small box of chocolates. It only had about four chocolate in it, but it was special because it wasn’t something we got year round. I’ve tried to continue the tradition in our family with my own kids and grandkids. The older ones look for it, and the younger ones know they're getting something they don't always get. I know its something little but its a great idea for school gifts that are rather inexpensive yet still a nice way to say thank you.
     No one want to be the scrooge and take the fun out of Christmas, but this year when you're out running around make a plan and try to stick to it. If you see something that isn’t on your list, really think about it before you impulsively buy it. As parents,  we need to set a good example for our kids especially when it comes to spending.

     Far to many of us have at one time or another "and I do include myself in this" gone overboard at Christmas. Your kids ultimately want your time. Sure they want gifts from Santa but remember if you set that bar to high on how much you need to spend your not doing your kids any favors. Most toys, games and items they don't need wind up gathering dust in the closet.
      No,  here’s the hard tip for me to follow, but I am going to give it my best this year. Don't over cook. I know no one want the embarrassment of not having enough food at Christmas when family and friend get together but plan out your menu and stay with it. I will upload some of our favorite recipes for those leftovers that I’ve found.
     I know once the dust has cleared my kids just really want my time, so plan some easy things to do  while your kids are on break.. Go to the library get a couple of movies and have a movie marathon at home. Your kids will love the time you're spending with them, and it will mean more than you think. Make a project out of making cookies and include them. Or play card.
     Oh and one final thought include others. Christmas is about the giving, and inclusion we can extend to others who may be having a hard time this year. You have made someone’s day and remembered the Christmas spirit that is in all of us.

How to Prep When Your Not A Prepper.... Smart Choices

     For many who choose to prep,  there isn’t a cut and dried reason.  For some,  there are definitive reasons they choose to prep. Whether its because you believe that the Zombie Apocalypse is coming, the government is going to collapse, solar flares, floods, cyber attacks, or even if you believe that the economy will break  due to the financial inequality that exists within this country.
     The bottom line is for whatever reason you do believe that we are headed towards trouble or you wouldn’t prep in the first place. So where does that leave the average person who may not prep and doesn’t feel like life as we know it is going to end. Pretty much somewhere in between those who believe that everything is OK and preppers. In some ways,  I think that is where a lot of people fall. You're not out and out convinced that the poop will hit the fan, but you're not foolish enough to buy into the other extreme either.

     So what can you do? Well for starters as stated in a prior post set up a grab and go bag it won't hurt, and no one will ridicule you for putting your families and your safety first.  Another thing you may want to think about is this, how you are shopping? Are you buying for the week or could you get by in an emergency with what's in your closets? Taking a few extra precautions won't turn you into a bona fide prepper. Truthfully it will put you in a position of being more self reliant, items like canned chicken, spam, and canned ham are good staples to have in your closet. You may never need them, but they have a long shelf life and it doesn’t take much to prepare them. Lipton rice and pastas when they're on sale buy a bunch and stick in the back of your cupboard.

     These are just a few packaged items that are easy to use in an emergency. I have a box of powdered milk, and dried eggs  I keep in my pantry. Truthfully it has come in handy when I am cooking and realize I'm out of milk or eggs.  If you cook, I am sure you know what its like when you realize you need an ingredient, and you don't have it. There are ways to get around obstacles that come up in life, and this is about learning how to navigate around them.
     Is it a good Idea to keep a couple of cases of bottled water on hand? Sure just ask the residents of Newark who couldn't drink their tap water because of an unexpected accident they had no water for several days to two weeks.
     It isn't my job to push anyone to embrace prepping. That is a personal decision that a person or family needs to make on their own. What I am advocating is being smarter in how we do things. Sure keep those two 5 gallon gas cans filled in your shed or garage. Look what happened during Sandy, if you didn't have the fuel you were all too often driving 25 to 50 miles away just to get it. Each of us as individuals needs to start using  our common sense again, when it comes to taking care of ourselves. If you look back even to the 30’s or 40’s many of the farms and ranches in this country, were pretty much self sufficient, some still are today. That isn’t about  prepping its about taking care of the NEEDS of the whole.  We are rushing into an electronic world becoming dependent on fast food, and faster service and frankly it is hurting us. Many of the essential things our parents taught us are being lost, and  the result is we as a culture are becoming ignorant of how to take care of ourselves.

     The tip for the week is this: Next time you go shopping pickup one or two of the extra’s that are on sale. I am mentioning that you can stick in the back of your pantry and forget about until you need them. As long as you know they are there you're one step closer to being self sufficient. Then the next time you go food shopping pick up another item that you can put in the closet and forget about until you need it.

Wants and Needs How to Save and Put Money in the Bank

It isn't always easy to save money when prices are always going up and our dollar is not stretching as far as it used  to. Lets face it when a sale at the grocery store used to mean you could get four boxes of pasta for a dollar or three cans of tuna for a dollar it was much easier to save money. As hard as it may be it is still possible, there are many different tricks you can use to save money for that rainy day.

The first thing we need to realize is the difference between want and need. Do you want it or do you really need it? We use this method in our house with purchase that are not obviously essential. Taking the five or ten minutes to discuss a purchase before making it can work out to savings in the long run. It takes real honesty with yourself to do this.

A great way, is to put your change in a jar each day. (Dont touch it or spend it.) Once the jar is full take it to the bank and add it to your savings account. You will be surprised by just how much you can wind up with at the end of the year if you do this. Our jar adds up to anywhere from $35.00 to 50.00 a month, thats $420.00 to $600.00.  

Another more traditional option is to take $20.00 each week and just put it in the bank. Pretend it isn’t there. In one year you’ll have $1,040.00 in the bank plus interest.

If you usually buy pizza once a week, make it instead. You can buy the dough for around a dollar and a jar of sauce and some shredded cheese puts you at around $5.00 to make a large Pizza. If you want to add toppings or make your own dough that’s a great way to save. It can also be a lot of fun if you have kids to include them in the process and let them put what they want on the pie. My kids all love doing this it becomes a great family activity.  We invested in a soda stream a couple of years ago and its does save money especially on pizza night when all anyone wants to drink is soda.

It all comes down to you and what you are willing to do to save money. There are many things we take for granted that we really don't need. Like buying prepackaged meals, you might think you're saving, but you're only really saving time and freshness. If you can stick it in a crockpot before you run out the door you can make your life more convenient.

the goal here is to learn to be smarter about our money and how we spend it. I am always looking for items on sale either at the end of season or after Christmas. Another option is to check online for school supplies or college books. If you can store something, that is a better buy in bulk then buy it, or if you don’t have the space see if a friend or two would be interested in splitting it. We all need to get away from this (I am an island) mentality and realize that your friends or your neighbor may be in the same boat. 

If you're looking for organic there are many farms on the internet that sell beef, pork or even chicken that is organic and not shot full of antibiotics. Pool your money and divvy it all up. You will find that in the long run you are saving money vs. what you would pay in the grocery store. Your friends or family may thank you for including them in the idea.

If you have any great idea’s for how you save money please feel free to share them or email them to me.

Saving money isn’t just about watching the thermostat or turning off the lights. Its about the bigger picture. Remember its starts with baby steps.

Slow Cooked Venison Leg

Brine Mix: Soak for 24 hours or overnight

½ C Coarse Salt

6-10 C of water

1C brown sugar

½ C Pickle Seasoning

2 TBS Cinnamon

1 quartered Onion

mix together and pour over the leg, you can put your venison in a plastic Trash bag and then place in a bowl if its easier. Put in fridge and let it sit for 24 hours or overnight. Take the leg out and pour out the brine, rinse the leg and place in your pan on a rack.

Usually before I take out my venison leg I will mix up my rub ahead of time so it is ready to go in the morning. The rub is a recipe I picked up for doing beef brisket in a slow cooker. It may seem like a bit of work but it is well worth it and only takes a few minutes for each step.

Rub:

2 tbs chili powder

2 tbs salt

1 tbs garlic powder

1 tbs onion powder

1 tbs brown sugar

2 tsps dry mustard

1 bay leaf

2 tbs instant coffee

Mix this up in a bowl with a whisk to blend it thoroughly. Your going to rub this onto your leg of venison and massage it in on both sides. If you have a side with more fat keep that as your up side. Next your going to take approximately half a pound of bacon. (reason for this is it helps to keep your venison moist for the 8 hours you will cook it at 250*.

Add about 2 cups of apple cider to the bottom of your pan. You are now ready to start your roast.

You are going to want to baste the venison throughout the day with the drippings, if they cook off add more apple cider.

If you're able to inject your venison leg, you can mix this up to inject throughout the day.

Heat on stove:

2C of apple cider

1 stick of butter

2 Tbs of bacon drippings.

 

I use this to inject the leg throughout the day, I will add some of the drippings to the mix.

The venison came out tender and juicy, it fell off the bone and had no gamey flavor at all.

This was an experiment that went very well and everyone was pleased with the result.

Also cooking it this way does leave you with enough left over to use for another meal.

It was safe enough to leave with my husband to watch over for the day and made an enjoyable meal to come home to. Enjoy!

cook time 8 hours
temp 250*

Venison Crock Pot Pot Roast Delicious!!!

Venison  Crock Pot Pot Roast

When you eat venison it seems you're always looking for new ways to prepare it that are tasty and not gamey. One of my favorite recipes is for a venison pot roast that is cooked in the crock pot for about 8 hours. This dish comes out tender and delicious with no gamey taste whatsoever. Most people cannot tell its venison.

It is one of my families favorites to eat and is a frequent request in the fall and winter. I will also mix up some sourdough biscuits to go along with it. This is a guide so feel free to experiment I've also added a ½ c of pepper/wild berry jelly sometimes which gives it a mild sweetness and doesn’t make it hot. This meal costs less than $10.00 to make and feeds a family of 4 at $2.50 each.

Venison Crock Pot Pot Roast

2 lbs of venison leg meat or shoulder

10 medium potatoes cut in half

6 carrots peeled and cut in chunks

1 medium onion quartered.

1 pk of fresh mushrooms.

*****put these in the crock pot with the venison on the bottom. *****

Next, mix the below ingredients in a bowl before adding over meat, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and onions.

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

¼ C Worcestershire sauce

1 pint or can of pureed rotel tomatoes. (I use my canned salsa and puree it)

1 C of red wine

1 ½ C of water

1 C Coffee cold or hot

2 packets of brown gravy mix

1 ½ tbs of montreal steak seasoning

1 tsp of celery seeds

½ tsp white pepper

½ tsp of sage

Just add it in and let it go. 

¼ tsp of thyme

½ tsp Sea Salt

* Blend well with a whisk before pouring over your meat in the crockpot.

*Turn on the crockpot to low and cover and let it cook for 8 hours.

You can serve this over egg noodles, spaetzle or have it in a bowl by itself. The slow cooking melts away the fat and any of the cartilage that is common with the leg meat. This dish is easy to set up in the morning and gives you a nice hot meal to come home to. I do recommend the slow cooking as it allows the meat to break apart like a traditional pot roast.