The Right Tool For The Job

Last week I was whining about being a frugal fraud because I had made quite a few purchases lately. And I do need to rein it in and focus more on making do instead of adding to cart. But one of the purchases I made was a meat slicer, and I’ll now be adding that tool to my list of must haves on the homestead.

I had reservations about buying a meat slicer and bringing another appliance into the house, but I’m so glad I did.

We raise our own pork, which means we also process and smoke our own bacon. However, no matter how hard I tried I could not slice the bacon thin enough and consistent enough to get the texture of bacon. I mean come on, one of the best parts of raising and processing your own pork is the bacon. I was meticulous about processing and curing the bacon, so why would I not be meticulous about the finished product? I don’t know.

What I do know is that now I have a lot of perfectly sliced bacon packaged and in the freezer just waiting for us anytime we want it. Bacon that is homegrown and free of nitrates, steroids and antibiotics… the best bacon I’ve ever eaten.

Having the right tool for the job can make the difference between good and great, and it can make the job a lot easier.

Till Next Time,

Lori

Quit Smoking Tips and The Pickle Jar

It was about 4 years ago when I tried to quit smoking. I tried and I failed. Then a year or so later I tried to quit smoking again, and again I failed. I’ve even blogged about it. Over the past 4 years I’ve tried and failed at quitting many times. I’ve used the patch, I’ve chewed the gum, I’ve tried cold turkey, I tried and tried and tried and failed every time.

It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I wish I had listened to my father when he said “don’t ever start and you wont have to stop”

It is true, you have to want to quit and I remember someone saying that to me years ago after one of my failed attempts. It pissed me off. What did she know, she didn’t smoke, so she didn’t know how hard it is to quit. But, she was right. There is a lot of truth to what she said. You have to want it more than wanting to smoke. To the point that you are just really sick of smoking. Just sick and tired of the smoke, the smell and the expense (how stupid is that). Just flat out sick and tired of it! Every smoker I know “wants to quit” But it takes more than that because the pull is so strong, and the mind will play tricks on you, and the whole thing is a struggle. Look up side effects of quitting smoking, the shit is real and it’s not easy!

Anyway….. I got off on a little tangent there, sorry…. I had gotten to the point where I was enjoying lighting a cigarette and taking the first couple pulls and then it seemed like the cigarette smoked me. I had become sick of smoking. But it was the habit of smoking that was hard to quit. I honestly did not think my car would start without lighting a cigarette. Have a glass of wine, light a cigarette. Cooking hasn’t been the easiest either, because I timed my cooking around how long it took to smoke a cigarette. Put something in the oven, have a cigarette. Boil some pasta, have a cigarette. To my surprise my car did start without a smoke and now when I’m in the car I listen to books on cd to occupy the time. I use the kitchen timer a lot more now when I’m cooking, and I’ve put down the wine glass because my taste for it has changed since quitting. However, I do enjoy a ice cold Corona with lime now, but I’m watching my calories, so now I’m enjoying vodka and seltzer water with a squeeze of lime, 90 calories baby.

I honestly believe that I have kicked it this time. So, what’s different this time? The pickle jar is what’s different. See, I had this large empty pickle jar in my basement. I dusted it off and attached a weekly chart showing the amount of money I would save by not smoking. Each week I have been putting that money in the pickle jar. It is such a motivation for me to actually see that money saved. If I hadn’t started the pickle jar I know the money would’ve gotten absorbed into other spending and I wouldn’t actually “see” the money. I like money a lot more than I like smoking!

Sure, I still get a craving every now and then for a cigarette, but it passes quickly and when that happens I just say out loud “It’s Not An Option” The Z Man quit smoking too and we are both breathing fresh air and loving it.

Yes the pickle jar still smells a bit like pickles, but that’s better than smelling like cigarette smoke!

Till Next Time,

Lori

I Love My Tervis Cup

Every weekday I use my Tervis cup to carry tea to work and then I continue to fill it with water through out the day. But, sadly one morning before leaving for work I sat my cup on top of the car and it slid off and broke the lid. Not Cool!

I’m a creature of habit, and I know that comfort is very important to me also. We all know that water consumption is one of the key elements to good health and I probably fill my 24 oz water cup 4 or 5 times a day. I have tried drinking from different cups and bottled water and it’s just not the same which results in me not drinking enough water.

So, off to Bed Bath and Beyond I went with coupon in hand and purchased a new lid for my Tervis cups. (I have 2 that I alternate between, one was a gift and one I purchased at a thrift store in Texas for $1) Anyway…. I was making conversation with the clerk ringing me up and told her about the cup falling off the hood of the car and that I was lucky only the lid had broken. She said “Tervis cups have a lifetime warranty, you could just bring it back here for replacement” I said, “I didn’t buy the cup here”, and she said “That’s ok, we can still replace it for you”

Now, while I’m not real keen on returning something back to a store I did not purchase it from, I do think contacting the manufacturer would be a good alternative. Oh, and the warranty does not cover the lids.

These cups retail for around $25 so for a creature of habit like myself to continue to get the proper amount of water in daily, this guarantee is good news. Very Cool!

Also noted, I could have just flipped the cup over to see that it reads “lifetime guarantee” Ahem (eyes rolling), not exactly a lightbulb moment for me 🙂

I’m often guilty of not considering manufacturers warranties before replacing something. This is a good lesson for me to start doing that. Or even better considering the company’s reputation and warranty policy prior to making purchases. I certainly would pay a higher price for something of better quality and lifetime warranty.

Drink up friends!!! By the way, the reason the water in my cup looks a little brown is because it had a little leftover tea in the cup when I filled it up. It’s not bourbon, I promise 😉

Till Next Time,

Lori

Orange Chicken

Making a little citrus cleaner. Kept my peels hanging out in the freezer until I had enough. Add white vinegar, let sit a few weeks and I’ll have a nice citrus all purpose cleaner for little cost. We all know vinegar cleans well but doesn’t leave the best smell. Insert lemon and orange peels, fresh!

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