I finally had time Sunday to get outside and get my herbs into pots. I used Miracle Grow potting soil and put in a little Osmocote fertilizer. The Osmocote is a timed release fertilizer that will last about four months, so I don’t have to mess with it again until the end of August. Probably won’t have to use it then, either, since that will pretty well be the end of the growing season for all but a couple of them.

I really like how they look in the square pots. I’ve got them lined up across one end of my front porch. They have a neat, unified appearance. Of course, the herbs are very pretty plants anyway.

I’ll be going to town Tuesday and will get camera batteries while I’m there so I can share some pictures with you.

Technorati Tags: herbs, Miracle Grow, Osmocote, fertilizer

I have been using mineral oil to remove my eye makeup. Then I started thinking about that. Mineral oil is not a plant based oil. It’s a petroleum based oil. Why am I putting that on my face?

After more thought, I decided to try coconut oil instead. I have it on hand for a few particular cooking needs anyway. So, I got just a little on my fingertips, then massaged it around my eyes and all over my face. Then I washed my face in warm water and soap.

All the eye makeup came off just fine. But the best thing is that now my skin feels very soft but not at all oily. Even my hands are soft!

Try it for yourself and tell me what you think.

Technorati Tags: mineral oil, coconut oil

That’s what we’ll be having for dinner tomorrow. I plan to roast it using only a little water, and cover it tightly with foil until the last 15 minutes. Then, I’ll uncover it and let it brown a bit to improve the flavor even more.

The tenderloin came with the lemon and herb seasonings already on it, so I don’t have that part of a recipe to share with you today.

I’ll put rice and California mix vegetables in the steamer, adding onion soup mix to both. If you aren’t using onion soup mix, you’re really missing out on some great onion flavor. I do use fresh onions as well, but even they don’t have the zip that the soup mix does.

Do you have a great recipe for pork tenderloin or rice? I’d love if you shared it here!

Technorati Tags: rice, vegetables, onion soup mix, onions, recipe

I wound up getting a couple more herbs today. Besides getting additional Greek Oregano and Flat Italian Parsley, I also picked up Onion Chives and Lavender.

I had actually wanted to pot up all my herbs today, but it was raining part of the time and then we went to lunch at Chick-fil-a with my daughter Elizabeth. After that, we had other errands to run and I only just got back home a little while ago!

Technorati Tags: herbs, Greek Oregano, Flat Italian Parsley, Onion Chives, Lavender, Chick-fil-a

This year, Mother’s Day is on May 13. This gives you about 2 1/2 weeks to plan and purchase the Mother’s Day gift you think would be special for your own mother or the mother of your children. That’s not a lot of time, is it?

You still have time, though, to purchase some really wonderful Mothers day chocolate strawberries. These are strawberries that are large, and plump, and delicious.

I found it interesting that this gift site also gives the history of chocolate. From the ancient Aztecs to today’s factories, the history of chocolate is covered. I wonder how people got along without it before its discovery?

I also found it interesting that this company only uses fresh berries - never frozen. They give you a lot of good information in their FAQs, which helps me to know that they are in business to sell only the highest quality products. They ship via FedEx next day delivery so you’re assured of the freshest possible product. They also offer sugar free chocolate for those who need a sugar free product.

Technorati Tags: Mother’s Day, gift, strawberries, chocolate, FedEx, sugar free

This isn’t actual scampi, but it’s similar. It’s what’s in the electric skillet right now and is fragrancing the whole house with its yumminess!

Ingredients:

• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup pure canola oil
• 2 tablspoons chopped garlic (I buy the jar of chopped garlic)
• 1/2 medium onion, coarsely diced*
• 1 tablespoon each of fresh basil, fresh Italian parsley, fresh oregano, and fresh lemon balm or other lemon herb*
• 1/2 tablspoon of fresh thyme*

Method:

• Lightly sweat the herbs, onion, and garlic. Add the chicken and cook over low heat, covered, turning occasionally, until chicken is done. Serve hot with cooked pasta or sides of your choice.

*Note: If you don’t have the fresh herbs, you can substitute dried ones. Use half the recipe amounts for dried herbs.

Technorati Tags: scampi, electric skillet, chicken, olive oil, herbs

Cecile over at Work at Home Musings posts a question each week for Work At Home Moms to answer. It’s a nice break from my usual blogging efforts and I think it adds color and texture to a blog that could turn boring pretty quickly. This weeks Question of the Week is:

Do you have a weekly meal plan? How do you plan for your family dinners?

It used to be that I could answer that with a resounding “Yes!” I used to even cook all my main dishes once a week and put them in the freezer, then I’d add side dishes for each one as I served it. In fact, I often cooked extra so I could have some things left for the next go ’round of meals. Things like spaghetti can be cooked ahead till just done, frozen, then thawed in hot water in mere seconds.

These days, though, it’s more challenging. I shop differently now so that I can toss a meal on pretty quickly but it’s rare these days to have a weekly plan. I should get back to that, though. I think we’d all eat better if I did.

I just seem to spend all my energy at work. Then, when home, I’m all used up. However, preparing meals is a joy to me and always has been. I like to feed people!

It’s all a matter of scheduling myself then sticking to that schedule. *sigh* Hard to do when I’m so tired after working.

I want to be home all the time like I used to be!!

This is YOUR page, readers. I will add your link to every comment you contribute for this Frugal Tips page. This will grow as we all add our frugal input.

Thanks!

Technorati Tags: frugal

I stopped by Home Depot, actually looking for something else, and went into their garden section. Big mistake, but maybe not really. I wound up with five pots of herbs, all my favorites.

Technorati Tags: Home Depot, garden, herbs, Sweet Basil, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Italian Parsley, Greek Oregano

While this isn’t a recall for human food, I know many of you do have pets and they are part of your family. My little Sassy sure is!

The FDA is recalling some pet foods and you can find more information by reading Recall of Pet Foods Manufactured by Menu Foods, Inc..

There has been a small number of reported instances of cats and dogs in the United States that developed kidney failure after eating the affected product. To date, Menu Foods, Inc. has reported 14 animal deaths to the FDA . Nine cats died during routine taste trials conducted by the company. Consumers reported deaths of four cats and one dog….

…The products are packaged in cans and pouches under numerous brand names and are marketed nationwide by many pet food retailers including Ahold USA Inc., Kroger Company, Safeway, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., PetSmart, Inc., and Pet Valu, Inc.

I have bought canned dog food for Sassy at Wal-Mart since it’s what she likes. We’re out and I bought Alpo brand at Target today instead, before reading about this. She isn’t having any adverse reactions, but you can go to FDA.gov to complain about your pet’s adverse reactions or other problems. You can also call Menu Foods, Inc. at 1-866-895-2708.

Technorati Tags: pets, pet foods, Menu Foods, Inc., FDA, Wal-Mart, Target, FDA.gov