Busygals in the Kitchen: On the Menu This Week at BGT...

I thought I would share with y'all a typical week's menu in the BGT kitchen. 


You may remember some inspiration I received from Clare. True to my word, I have been planning out menus from Cooking With Trader Joe's incredible web site since January, and the benefits have been multi-faceted: we've been saving TONS of money, I've totally improved my cooking skills, we eat healthier, and we eat home-cooked meals that are filled with many organic veggies and fruits.


Here's a sample from this week (by the way, all the ingredients shown in this photo were $67. That's 5 meals-worth of food for two people, plus fruit and drinks, and 2 pre-made salad lunches, plus plenty of leftovers! I did have some of the ingredients already for the recipes below, which is why they're not in the photo. This is drastically less money than we used to spend on food when we were going out to meals pretty much 7 days per week).

Image courtesy of Busygaltips

Here's what's on the menu this week, taken straight from my grocery list at Cooking With Trader Joe's:

Image courtesy of cooktj.com

• Oven Roasted Potatoes

  • 1 (24-oz) bag Baby Red Potatoes (about 9-10 potatoes)
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cubes frozen Crushed Garlic, or 2 cloves garlic, minced.
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary or 2 tsp dried rosemary
• Tamale Bake

  • 2 (18 oz) tubes cooked polenta, sliced into 1/3" rounds
  • 1 pkg Soy Chorizo, removed from encasing, or substitute 1 lb meat cooked in Taco Seasoning
  • 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained
  • 3 zucchini squash, sliced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1/2 cup Enchilada Sauce
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • Sour cream as garnish (optional)
  • I'm adding sliced Crimini Mushrooms to this recipe
  • This recipe is a favorite in our house!
• Indian Spinach Pizza

  • 2 pieces of frozen Tandoori Naan, plain
  • 3-4 Tbsp Masala Simmer Sauce or other curry sauce
  • 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained (squeeze the water out with your hands)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh Ricotta
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • I've never made this...we'll see how it is!
• No-Prep Veggie Lasagna

  • 1/2 (16-oz) box No Boil Lasagna Noodles
  • 2 jars Tomato Basil Marinara (26 oz each)
  • 1 (14-oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (optional)
  • 1 bag frozen Misto all Griglia (grilled eggplant & zucchini), thawed
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 (15-oz) container Fresh Ricotta or Fat Free Ricotta
  • 1 (16-oz) bag frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan or grated Pecorino Romano
  • Basil or Italian parsley for garnish (optional)
  • I'm adding sliced Crimini Mushrooms to this recipe
• Spinach Pesto Pasta Salad

  • 1 bag (16 oz) fusilli pasta (I used Brown Rice Pasta for this one)
  • 1 7-oz container of refrigerated Genova Pesto
  • 1/2 bag of baby spinach (3 oz)
  • 1 16-oz container heirloom cherry tomato mix
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1 container Ciliegine (fresh mozzarella balls), drained
  • Blarg...I forgot the fusili pasta!!! Someone want to pick some up for me? ;)

  
  

  So there you have it...a typical weekly menu in the BGT kitchen. If you haven't been using cooktj.com, or the menu planning idea, I highly recommend it! It's a time and money saver in our house!!!

Toys R Us Makes Gift Buying Easy for Baby Showers & Kids

I had the honor of being invited to my friend Melissa's baby shower this past weekend. It was lovely, complete with home-made cake and cupcakes by the grandma-to-be, family heirlooms, fresh lemonade, and baby gifts galore! As someone who has yet to become a mama, I was amazed, as I always am, at how much stuff a baby needs and how clueless I am about all things baby...but that's for another post altogether I suppose... :)


Now a word about the baby shower gift-buying process and a new discovery that has made life a bajillion times easier for us Busygals out there! 
Four words: "Eligible for Store Pickup."

I don't know about you, maybe it's just my luck, but I have gone to Babies/Toys-R-Us to buy baby shower gifts multiple times, and have been completely baffled by their registry gift-buying process each time. I've printed out the registry, gone to the aisle it says the product is on, and about six times out of ten, the item is nowhere to be found. I don't think I've ever gotten out of the store with whatever items I've wanted to purchase without having to ask an associate for help with locating at least one item. Oftentimes I've had to purchase items I wasn't originally intending to purchase, just because after I've been in there for an HOUR, I want to pull my hair out and don't care what I buy any more, as long as I have a gift in hand so I can get the heck out of there! 


Maybe I'm not the only one with this experience, and maybe people have complained about their inefficient registry-buying process, because I was delighted to discover this little feature on their web site when I went to check out Melissa's registry. It saved me time and frustration.

Next time you're on their web site looking for items to purchase, look for this little baby (above). Four words that can make your life much easier...Eligible for Store Pickup!

This thing is a lifesaver! 

Here's how it works:

*Select items from the registry that are Eligible for Store Pickup (yes...this limits your options as to what you can choose to buy...but the person registered for the items and wants them, so get 'em and save yourself time! ;)  )

*Select the store at which you wish to pick the items up

*Check out (using your credit card or Paypal)

*Wait for an email to confirm your order has been filled (I got mine within a couple of hours)

*Go to the store you chose to pick up at, and your items will be waiting for you at the Customer Service desk! 

No more searching, looking for someone to help you search, wandering aimlessly around the store in frustration...Yipppeeee!!!

I used this feature to purchase Melissa's gifts and was pleased with the experience and time and effort it saved me!

Added bonus: Babies/Toys R Us has a whole section dedicated to wrapping paper, gift bags, and cards that are all entirely appropriate for a baby shower or child's birthday gift, so you'll be done with all gift-giving-related tasks in no time!

Save yourself time and searching, I know I will use this feature from now on!

Busygals In the Kitchen - Vidalia Chop Wizard

Yes...I am shamelessly advocating an "As-Seen-On-TV" item. 

Image courtesy of e-stealth.com

I know the commercials can be cheesy, but the Vidalia Chop Wizard ROCKS! 

Sidenote: don't you love how the demo of the person doing something in a conventional manner is always seemingly completely inept at said task? Check out the link to the Vidalia Chop Wizard, you'll see what I mean :).

Image courtesy of giftshomewares.com

Okay, all joking aside, this thing is AWESOME! I kept seeing it at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and even though it was $20 (remember, I'm cheap frugal), it seemed like a good investment. I am glad I trusted my gut, because it has been SUCH a time-saver in the kitchen! I'm probably the slowest chopper on the face of this planet, and recipes that say meal prep takes 5 minutes takes me about a half hour - really, I wish I were exaggerating, but sadly, I'm not. With the Chop Wizard (and my handy dandy Garlic Zoom - you can see my post about that baby right here), it truly does take me the time that a recipe allots. 

Image courtesy of vegetablesonwheels.com

And chopping onions...forget it. I look like I've just heard the worst news in the world after making one slice into an onion...my eyes are like a faucet, tears streaming down my face! Not so much with this little contraption! The chopped onions go straight into a container below, and the effect of the onions on my eyes is minimal compared to regular old knife-chopping. 


I truly think this is a worthy investment, and it has been very helpful to me. I hope it helps you out as well!


Do you have any kitchen gadgets you can't live without? I'd love to hear about them!!!


Happy chopping, Busygals!

Busygals get SPICY! 99¢ Only Store Spices

Isn't it annoying when you only need a teaspoon of a spice for a recipe and it costs $5? 

If you know anything about me by now, you know that I LOVE a good deal and saving money (some would say I'm frugal...I say I don't like getting ripped off and taken advantage of ;)...tomato, tomahto...)

Anyway, once again, the 99¢ Only store's got your back! They offer many spices for...you guessed it...99¢! While they don't have every spice in the store, they do have quite a good selection! Next time you're there, check it out and save a few bucks!

Busygals Love Francesca's Collections

Francesca's is an adorable boutique-type store with super-cute clothing, shoes, & accessories, as well as some items for the home. And the thing I REALLY love about this store is that not only are there some great finds in the store, but their clothing is very reasonably-priced!
AND they offer $5 flat shipping!
They have been expanding a lot, so.check their site, there may be a location near you now!
www.francescascollections.com

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A Busygal's Substitute for Shaving Cream

This tip comes from none other than Dad (thanks Dad!)! 


Out of shaving cream and in a pinch? Hair conditioner works GREAT, and sometimes better than some shaving creams! 

Image courtesy of http://www.health-care-beauty.com

AND...if you're in the market for a new shaving cream, might I suggest Trader Joe's Honey Mango Moisturizing Shave Cream with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for men and women (honestly, did you expect me to suggest something not from Trader Joe's? :) ). It is the best shaving cream I've found out on the market, and it's only about $3!

Affordable Copies Straight To The Busygal's Door! Best Value Copy

Every Christmas, my husband and I send out a Christmas letter that also doubles as a networking opportunity, a chance to stay in touch with business associates and a chance to update extended family and friends on the latest happenings in our lives over the past year. Our Christmas letter always includes photos alongside each event we talk about...it gives it some visual interest to the letter and makes it more personal. 


Of course, since there are photos included in the letter, we print it in color. As I'm sure you're all aware, color copies are not cheap, especially when you're printing 150 of them! 


This year, thanks to being on the job hunt for much longer than expected, I had plenty of extra time at my disposal to do internet research for deals. I came across Best Value Copy. I got an amazing deal on my prints, and I was MORE than completely satisfied with my order and the extra services they provided, which saved me a LOT of extra work!


For a total of $31.34 (including shipping), my order included the following:


Order Details

Copy Type
- 150 of copies
- 1 of originals
- Color Copy Type
- Single Sided
- Page Size: 8.5 x 11
- Paper Type: 100# Glossy Cover

Finishing Options
- Collation: Not Collated
- Folding: Half Fold


As you may notice from my order above, not only did I get 150 color copies for around $30, shipped straight to my door, but they also printed the letter on glossy card stock paper, AND they FOLDED each newsletter for me!!! Folding 150 newsletters cost only $3 extra, and let me tell you from past years of newsletter folding...it was WELL-WORTH the $3!!! 


In addition, I have a major pet peeve for bad customer service. Well I can assure you, Best Value Copy not only had customer service, but GREAT customer service! They personally called me to confirm that they had all the details of my order correct, and were very quick with email updates about my order and were available for any questions I had with my order. 


I would highly recommend Best Value Copy to anyone who is looking for good quality prints that are at a great deal with fantastic customer service - this company is a triple threat!! 

Busygals in the Kitchen - Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush

Fun fact about this Busygal: I am a total sponge-a-phobe (I don't think that's a technical mental health term, but just go with it people...). I hate touching sponges, they gross me out. 


I discovered the Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush while at Ashley and Ryan's house (two of the most GRACIOUS and natural hosts you will ever meet in your entire life) for one of their many wonderful social gatherings. 


At the end of a laughter-filled night, I was helping with some dishes, and I picked up the Oxo Good Grips Soap Squirting Palm Brush in their sink. I was very impressed! 

Photo courtesy of www.digitaloffice.ca5

At home I use one of these, which is great, but sometimes it's hard to get into nooks & crannies with it, and junk can get stuck all over it and it can get ruined pretty quick. 

Photo courtesy of www.bedbathandbeyond.com

This baby keeps my hands away from the nasty scrubbing part, but gets into all those hard-to-reach spots, and gunk doesn't stick to it as easily. The top of it has this cool little button you can push that allows you to squirt some more soap onto the dish you're scrubbing for extra sudsing action! This thing has been a great addition to my kitchen for scrubbing dishes, and I'm sure you'll love it too!


You can find it at Bed Bath and Beyond.


Happy cooking and cleaning, Busygals!

Busygals, Brighten Up Your Home (Busyguys, Score Points)

I don't know about you, but I love to have fresh flowers in my house. However, I don't like the cost that often comes with flowers, and they never last that long. For those days you want some fresh flowers in your home for company you are hosting, or just because, or...ahem...hint, hint...Busyguys reading this...to surprise your Busygal and make her day...Trader Joe's has GREAT deals on flowers! 

Image courtesy of funkydivagirl.com

For as low as about $5, you can get a simple bouquet of gerbera daisies, lilies, sunflowers, and other beautiful flowers. If you really want to "splurge," you can get a full huge bouquet, complete with greenery, for around $10. That's about 30-50% cheaper than a florist, and nobody will know the difference. 


Busyguys, if you don't want her to know you got them on the cheap, grab up an affordable vase to throw them in before you get home, and maybe tie a ribbon around the vase...I guarantee she'll never know, but she'll certainly be happy and surprised :)

Busygals Save Money - 99¢ Only Store

I am a HUGE fan of 99¢ Only stores, as I probably have mentioned in the past...I mean, what's not to love?! They have fantastic deals, wonderful products, and many convenient locations. One of my favorite reasons to head to 99¢ Only stores is for their seasonal decor products...they have such FUN and cute products, and it's always amazing to me that everything is only 99¢!

As you all know, I recently was hired as a school-based therapist at an elementary school. As soon as I found out I got the job, my mind immediately turned to the 99¢ Only store for supplies. In my new position, I am working on a daily basis with children ages 5 to 11, along with their families. 

I walked into the 99¢ Only store the other day to purchase pencils and stickers for the students I am working with. I was of course delighted to see a whole aisle dedicated to Valentine's Day decor...so I had to go take a peek! I browsed through the aisle, and then was elated when I realized that I would be around tons of little kids during Valentine's Day! Do you remember Valentine's Day in elementary school? Passing out Valentines to your friends...getting to eat way too much candy at school...wearing red or pink...I have many fond memories of that day. 

Anyway, I found TONS of perfect items for my new role as the therapist at this school.
For Valentine's Day, I got: 

A few packs of adorable Dora the Explorer lollipop Valentines
(1 pack includes of 22 Valentines for only 99¢!)

A bucket to hold all of the Valentines I'll be passing out to the kiddos

A very cute Happy Valentine's Day banner to hang on the wall

Two different sets of window clings (which I will be able to use well after Valentine's Day - so CUTE!) - I bought these before I got my office , and now know I have NO windows in my office...haha! Oh well, they'll still go to good use somehow...I'm creative. 

And for general work with the students, I got:

An 18-pack of pencils

A 64-pack of crayons (64 crayons for 99¢?! Incredible!) Note: there are not 64 different colors, there are multiples of some colors and not enough of others, but if you throw them all in a bin, kids will never know the difference :)

A colorful 2011 calendar

And can you believe it...I got ALL of this for ONLY $10!!!!


For those of you who work with students, I would highly recommend checking out the 99¢ Only store. I know that teachers and others in education often have to pay for their own supplies out of pocket. The 99¢ Only store has so many great products for school, and your wallet will be happy too!


The 99¢ Only Store...the answer to any smart Busygal who wants to find great products for an incredible steal!