Just a quick one. I've not disappeared off the face of the earth, I'm just really busy!!
Work has become really busy with a lot of clients wanting paperwork turning round in a few hours and many going for accreditation status, so I'm fire fighting my inbox at the moment.
I did think I had a lul so started a bespoke blog for Groundworkers which is SO NEARLY finished but I keep getting taken off it to do urgent client work.
So I will be back (and no, I haven't meal planned) (and no, I'm not comfortable with it) as soon as I can!!
Now, off to swap the laundry over and do a couple of CoSHH Assessments.
Claire
PS - If anyone wants to write a guest post to help me out on Money Saving, Organising or Making Money - Please, please do leave me a comment and I'll get back to you!!
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Friday, 25 April 2014
Gluten Free Homemade Meat and Potato Pie
Meat and Potato Pie is an easy left over dish to make. If you're not Gluten Intolerant then this is a cheap recipe. If you are and are rubbish at making Gluten Free pastry like myself, then buying the ready made DS Gluten Free Shortcrust Pastry (other gluten free products are available!) from the Freezer Aisle does unfortunately push up the price.
So once you've had Gluten Free Hot Pot for an evening meal, save the leftovers and make this, like this...
1. Defrost the pastry (or make your own) and roll out to a dinner plate size
2. Warm the plate in the oven. I find this makes the pastry cook better and a little crisper
3. Grease the plate - use a brush or a spray unless you have fireproof hands.
4. Place the pastry on the plate and cut round, not to close, you need enough to crimp together to seal the pie
5. Fill the pie with the left over hot pot (you'll be surprised at how little you need! Freeze the rest if there's any left over)
6. Now do a gravy check. You need a little but not a lot otherwise the pastry on the bottom will not cook. Add a little if you think it needs it
7. Roll out the other half of the pastry and cover the pie. Again, roughly cut round and crimp the edges together using a fork.
8. Prick the top of the pie to let the steam escape
9. Glaze the top with lactofree milk or cream if you are dairy intolerant
10. Cook until looking golden.
Check the bottom by sliding in a knife between the pie and the plate. If the pastry is cooked the pie is done, if not it needs to go in a little longer.
Serve with Peas and a little extra gravy if you are a fan of "wet" food, like my boys
Voila - a Meal for the price of pastry!
There are no affiliate links in this post and I have not been compensated to mention DS and Lactofree products. They are just what I use and I find them the best alternative at present if you have intolerances.
So once you've had Gluten Free Hot Pot for an evening meal, save the leftovers and make this, like this...
1. Defrost the pastry (or make your own) and roll out to a dinner plate size
2. Warm the plate in the oven. I find this makes the pastry cook better and a little crisper
3. Grease the plate - use a brush or a spray unless you have fireproof hands.
4. Place the pastry on the plate and cut round, not to close, you need enough to crimp together to seal the pie
5. Fill the pie with the left over hot pot (you'll be surprised at how little you need! Freeze the rest if there's any left over)
6. Now do a gravy check. You need a little but not a lot otherwise the pastry on the bottom will not cook. Add a little if you think it needs it
7. Roll out the other half of the pastry and cover the pie. Again, roughly cut round and crimp the edges together using a fork.
8. Prick the top of the pie to let the steam escape
9. Glaze the top with lactofree milk or cream if you are dairy intolerant
10. Cook until looking golden.
Check the bottom by sliding in a knife between the pie and the plate. If the pastry is cooked the pie is done, if not it needs to go in a little longer.
Serve with Peas and a little extra gravy if you are a fan of "wet" food, like my boys
Voila - a Meal for the price of pastry!
There are no affiliate links in this post and I have not been compensated to mention DS and Lactofree products. They are just what I use and I find them the best alternative at present if you have intolerances.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Ten Minute Task - The Can Cupboard
This week, I have to tackle the canned food cupboard as it is driving me insane!
Nothing is in the right place, things in jars are going out of date and it just needs organising.
So, empty the cupboard and whilst you do this get rid of anything which is out of date.
Wipe out the cupboard and dry it.
Put the tins into some sort of sensible order. I start with the ones I have most of and put those together, double stacked. Then vegetables all go together, then sweet stuff ... you get the idea.
Probably the most useful advice from me on this one will be to put anything the kids love to eat at the back such as pots of custard or jelly that you are saving for a packed lunch.
Have an organised week!
Claire
Nothing is in the right place, things in jars are going out of date and it just needs organising.
So, empty the cupboard and whilst you do this get rid of anything which is out of date.
Wipe out the cupboard and dry it.
Put the tins into some sort of sensible order. I start with the ones I have most of and put those together, double stacked. Then vegetables all go together, then sweet stuff ... you get the idea.
Probably the most useful advice from me on this one will be to put anything the kids love to eat at the back such as pots of custard or jelly that you are saving for a packed lunch.
Have an organised week!
Claire
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Top 5 Thrifty Blogs
Much of my inspiration for money saving comes from reading the blogs of those on the same journey. Some of the advice on those blogs has changed the way I have approached my mortgage pay off project and served me well when I've had quiet months work wise.
These are my Top 5 Thrifty Blogs
Living Well Spending Less
This is an American Blog but most of the posts make perfect sense whether your in £££ or $$$. Loads of to the point how to posts here to keep you on track and a huuuuuuuge Thrifty Thursday Linky where over 300 thrifty posts are linked up each week.
From Aldi to Harrods
Just discovered this last week and I'm loving it! From tips on how to make £1000 in one month to posts telling you when to post on eBay for free. I'm currently reading through old posts on here and my favourite has to be How To Sell Your Smelly Shoes on eBay. You will not believe it!
Mortgage Free in Three
I've spoken about Elaine's blog recording her journey of paying off her mortgage and living a debt free life. Last month Elaine make a phenomenal amount of money and also shared some fantastic ideas for both making and saving money.
Utterly Scrummy Food for Families
A great source for low cost recipes. If you're struggling with your meal planning or need a tight week, get over and have a read as Michelle seriously knows how to keep the cost of the weekly shop down and her family eat really healthy food.
A Thifty Mrs
This is the first thrifty blog I came across and I love the household advice on here. I now know how to launder my towels correctly and mix up cheaper cleaning solutions. A mine of advice and also a source of sales alerts and bargain buy news. Invaluable, you must subscribe to this one to know about the offers asap.
So that's what I read and what keeps me on track. How about you - what's your favourite thrifty blog?
 |
| Top 5 Thrifty Blogs |
These are my Top 5 Thrifty Blogs
Living Well Spending Less
This is an American Blog but most of the posts make perfect sense whether your in £££ or $$$. Loads of to the point how to posts here to keep you on track and a huuuuuuuge Thrifty Thursday Linky where over 300 thrifty posts are linked up each week.
From Aldi to Harrods
Just discovered this last week and I'm loving it! From tips on how to make £1000 in one month to posts telling you when to post on eBay for free. I'm currently reading through old posts on here and my favourite has to be How To Sell Your Smelly Shoes on eBay. You will not believe it!
Mortgage Free in Three
I've spoken about Elaine's blog recording her journey of paying off her mortgage and living a debt free life. Last month Elaine make a phenomenal amount of money and also shared some fantastic ideas for both making and saving money.
Utterly Scrummy Food for Families
A great source for low cost recipes. If you're struggling with your meal planning or need a tight week, get over and have a read as Michelle seriously knows how to keep the cost of the weekly shop down and her family eat really healthy food.
A Thifty Mrs
This is the first thrifty blog I came across and I love the household advice on here. I now know how to launder my towels correctly and mix up cheaper cleaning solutions. A mine of advice and also a source of sales alerts and bargain buy news. Invaluable, you must subscribe to this one to know about the offers asap.
So that's what I read and what keeps me on track. How about you - what's your favourite thrifty blog?
Monday, 21 April 2014
Meal Planning Monday - Freezer Restock
Remember how we ate out of our freezer for the whole of February?
Well now it's pretty empty and although it's nice to be able to find things, it's not so nice not being able to grab a quick meal top heat through.
So this week, I'm batch cooking all day Monday (I know how to enjoy a bank holiday :s) to restock.
I spent Saturday looking for meat deals to keep the cost down as a big cook like this can be expensive otherwise.
So this is what we're on...
Monday: potato hash (aka pie filling)
Tuesday: Potato, spinach and Chicken Curry
Wednesday: meat and potato pie and peas
Thursday: enchiladas and potato wedges
Friday: Chilli Con Carne and rice
Saturday: Take away
Sunday: Steak and Ale Casserole
I'll cook four portions of each meal and have the slow cooker going for the potato hash as its the least fragrant!
The enchiladas and curry will both be wok cooked and the two big pans will be on for the chilli and steak casserole.
I freeze everything in either Pyrex or disposable foil trays so there's no faffing around with plastic bags, I can just bung things in the oven or leave them out to defrost.
This post is linked up with Meal Planning Monday on At Home With Mrs M where there's loads of different meal plans. Go and have a look
Have a fab week!
Claire
Sunday, 20 April 2014
A Day in the Life - Infinite Claire
Most of my friends and family regularly, and have for years I may add, get digs in that I don't do any work.
I do actually own my own business, believe it or not - and most choose not to!!
For those who don't know I'm a Health and Safety Consultant and I own my own company Infinite Safety Ltd. I work mainly with Construction Clients in the Lancashire Area and I work part time.
I work part time for two reasons. Mainly because
I do actually own my own business, believe it or not - and most choose not to!!
For those who don't know I'm a Health and Safety Consultant and I own my own company Infinite Safety Ltd. I work mainly with Construction Clients in the Lancashire Area and I work part time.
I work part time for two reasons. Mainly because
Saturday, 19 April 2014
Plum Little Yums - Review
Teething seems to be happening younger and younger and this time I've lived every tooth, unlike my other two children who seemed to pop them through without much bother.
My youngest seems to get four at a time and take a week in doing so. He goes off his food and goes picky whilst there's one on the way and although I've tried hard foods to get the tooth through, I think they
just appear when they are ready.
We were sent two packs of Plum Little Yums to try and they have gone down a storm. He will eat these with Cheese and Chicken when going through a teething week so they are ideal for picky lunch. They are also ideal for taking in the changing bag as a snack as they are individually wrapped in packs of three.
They are suitable from six months on and are certified as organic. They are also a great way to get babies self feeding and don't contain added sugar or salt but still taste great.
The two flavours we tried (and we have all tried them!) were Pumpkin and Banana and Spinach, Apple and Kale.
The flavours are sweet but not sacharinny and certainly don't leave teeth coated which I find other baby biscuits can do
Both varieties went down well and didn't leave any mess, which is a massive plus from me as I often can be seen with various food stuffs around my knee level! As you can see, someone just wanted to help himself!
A box of 18 (6 packs of 3) is currently £2.49 in Tesco. I can't find them stocked in another supermarket yet but I'm sure when they become available they will be on offer! They are available online via the Plum website and a few organic food suppliers.
My youngest seems to get four at a time and take a week in doing so. He goes off his food and goes picky whilst there's one on the way and although I've tried hard foods to get the tooth through, I think they
just appear when they are ready.
We were sent two packs of Plum Little Yums to try and they have gone down a storm. He will eat these with Cheese and Chicken when going through a teething week so they are ideal for picky lunch. They are also ideal for taking in the changing bag as a snack as they are individually wrapped in packs of three.
They are suitable from six months on and are certified as organic. They are also a great way to get babies self feeding and don't contain added sugar or salt but still taste great.
The two flavours we tried (and we have all tried them!) were Pumpkin and Banana and Spinach, Apple and Kale.
The flavours are sweet but not sacharinny and certainly don't leave teeth coated which I find other baby biscuits can do
Both varieties went down well and didn't leave any mess, which is a massive plus from me as I often can be seen with various food stuffs around my knee level! As you can see, someone just wanted to help himself!
A box of 18 (6 packs of 3) is currently £2.49 in Tesco. I can't find them stocked in another supermarket yet but I'm sure when they become available they will be on offer! They are available online via the Plum website and a few organic food suppliers.
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