Save Money: 10 Minute Meal for only $5
In efforts to reduce our consumption of meat and reduce our grocery bill, I am looking for vegetarian recipes that are quick, easy and affordable. I try to cook a vegetarian meal once a week and my family does not like beans as much as I do, so I needed to come up with some new recipes.
Last month I was shopping in the frozen section at Aldi and decided to buy frozen cheese ravioli. I purchased it because I remembered my daycare provider mentioning that it was one of her favorite meals because it is quick and cheap. She is married and a mother of four boys and is always looking for a hearty meal that ways to save money. So it bought the ravioli, a jar of spaghetti sauce and a bag of frozen veggies. Before tax, I only spent $5.
This meal literally took 10 minutes to prepare; I boiled the ravioli and veggies at the same time, while seasoning my sauce. After 10 minutes, the ravioli and veggies were ready, I poured the sauce over the ravioli and we were sitting down to eat. This meal will definitely be added to my monthly meal planning rotation.
I love this meal because it is kid-friendly, its quick and delicious and because everything is frozen. Because I do my grocery shopping once a month, I have to plan my meals according to freshness of meat and veggies, which means this meal can be prepared at any time.
I am sure everybody in the world is familiar with this meal and I am probably the last person on the planet to cook it, but I just in case I am not, I wanted to share my new favorite recipe.
Daily Cleaning Tips to Free up your Weekend
Most families have a daily routine that involves, getting ready in the morning, drop the children off at school, go to work, pick up the children from school, cook dinner, clean the house, relax for a minute, then go to bed. But don’t you wonder why you are still left with so much housework on the weekends when you are cleaning everyday. The answer is simply, you are probably cleaning certain rooms and neglecting others. I would like to share with you a few tips I have read to help put an end to constant cleaning.
Bathroom cleaning tips:
Shower: Keep a cleaning towel in the bath tub/shower and wash down the walls while you are showering or after. You can keep multi-purpose cleaner within arms reach or use a little shampoo or shower gel and rinse the walls when you are done… 2 minutes.
Sink: Hang a cleaning towel somewhere near the sink (I hang mine on the cabinet door under my sink). Once you are done washing your face or brushing your teeth use the towel for easy clean-up. Liquid cleaner is not necessary; I just use water…15 seconds.
Floor: Keep either a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner under the sink or use a small broom or dust pan to easily pick up hair, make up powder and dust…1 minute.
General: Keep disposable cleaning wipes and a toilet brush in each bathroom. As soon as you start to see a ring forming in the toilet, clean it, don’t wait until the weekend. If you have boys, you know that a toilet can get real nasty, real quick, grab those wipes and do a quick clean…2 minutes.
Kitchen cleaning tips:
Counter tops: Have a home for everything. Don’t clutter up your countertops with mail, purses, keys, or book bags. Have mail slot that can hold your mail, newspaper, calculator, pens and coupons. Use hooks to hang the children’s book bags, keys and purses, etc. Keep a junk drawer. BUT, if you have more than 2 junk drawers, it might be time to go through the drawers, organize and toss unused items.
Floors: Do a quick sweep and mop everyday. Keep these items in the pantry for easy access. Just use hot water to avoid dirt build-up. Make sure you rinse your mop so you are not spreading around the dirt…12 minutes
Garbage bags: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the garbage bag to absorb odors until it is time to empty. Also keep a few bags at the bottom of the garbage can to easily replace the bag once the garbage is emptied. Baking soda also works wonders with diaper pales.
Refrigerator: Make spills easier to clean by placing parchment paper under the produce draw at the bottom of the refrigerator.
Family Room cleaning tips:
Toys: Have a designated area for toys, toy chest or basket. At the end of the day, have the children place all the toys in that area…5 minutes, children can be slow.
General cleaning tips:
· Reduce the amount of dirt on the floor by having heavy-duty floor mats at each entrance. I also have a basket right next to my garage door for us to put our shoes in as soon as we walk in the door. This eliminates tracking dirt and mud through the house.
· Stop spiders from forming cobwebs by spraying a vinegar and water solution (1/4 vinegar, rest water) in corners that are susceptible to cobwebs.
· Dust less by getting your air ducts cleaned annually, and change the filter on your furnace and air conditioner every 3 months.
· Wash a load every day or at least every other. Take clothes out of the dryer immediately to significantly reduce the need to iron. Fold or hang clothes neatly.
· My all-time favorite…stop mold by spraying the vinegar water solution on the walls and corners. This will keep you from deep cleaning your bathroom as often.
If you follow these steps, you should only have to tackle to bigger chores such as vacuuming and waxing on the weekends OR just spend quality time with your family.