My life without Oreo's

I'm in bread baking overdrive today for some reason....plus making pizza dough. Unfortunately I ran out of flour so I have to run to the store a little later. I am "working" on 3 different bread recipes right now, 2 of which I've previously enjoyed immensely.

One is a no-knead bread in which you just basically whip up the dough and let it sit 12 hrs b4 baking. This bread is one of those that has lots of holes in it and is a bit chewy. I think it's the kind of bread you'd use as a side to soup.

The second bread is a multi-grain bread loaf that I've found works pretty good for sandwiches. I still haven't found an awesome sandwich loaf recipe but this is the closest so far. I find this bread to be really yummy and the longer it sits (in the fridge) the better as it tends to dry out a bit and being a chilled makes it easier to slice.

The third bread is a new recipe that I'm hoping will work out as it's pretty easy to prepare. I made it with whole wheat and white flour since I ran out of my white...hopefully it will still work okay. I love wheat bread but since I've never made this recipe before I'm a little worried. The dough for this one was so moist and actually fun to knead! I think it will be good.

Now, if anyone has a favorite bread recipe I'd love to try it!

As for pizza dough, I've tried several different ones and they are all pretty good, though not necessarily like a pizzeria crust. I HATE store-bought pizza dough and I've pretty much tried them all....making your own is pretty quick and way cheaper than purchasing a pizza from a pizzeria (though sometimes you just have to have a yummy pizzeria pizza!)

I made a quick dough yesterday that only took about 10 min to prepare and 30 min to rise...it was pretty good. I have a cornmeal/flour recipe which I like and also a recipe for a dough that has to rise for about 2 hrs before using. I really like to make a bunch of dough and put it in the freezer for use later. It usually will stay good in the freezer for about 2 months...which it hardly ever actually stays in there that long!

What are your favorite pizza dough recipes?

these tips are from Dollar Stretcher Newsletter

Sugar scrub (for your face) - Simply take a little bit of regular white sugar in the palm of your hand and squeeze a little bit of honey onto this pile of sugar. Mix together as best you can, and gently scrub on your face in a gentle, circular motion. The sugar exfoliates while the honey acts as a moisturizer and its antibacterial properties help clear up your skin. Your skin feels great afterwards and it looks amazing! I do this about twice a month at the most. Over-scrubbing can potentially over-stimulate your oil glands and cause more blemishes.

I tried the sugar scrub today and it was AWESOME -- the skin on my face feels great.

Salt Scrub (for your body) - Take regular table salt and mix in a small jar with the body oil or cooking oil of your choice. I suggest olive oil or Vaseline for its moisturizing properties. Mix together and scrub all over your body. The result is clean, refreshed skin that is already moisturized. No need to use lotion afterwards either. Don't do this right after shaving as it may irritate the pores and watch out for slickness in the tub.

I have this weird allergy to pretty much every toothpaste. I have tried LOTS of different ones and so far I've only found 1 that seemed to work (recently tried it). I will stick to it for obvious reasons but I just wanted to share this info for anyone else suffering from this icky and annoying problem!

How did I discover I was allergic to pretty much every toothpaste?

Well, I have always been unable to eat mints or chew gum that has a minty or cinnamon flavor as it feels like my tongue is being burned off. I also cannot handle mouthwash as it does the same thing....I am not being a baby....it really burns.

I have also had an increasing problem with my toothpaste burning my mouth and slimy icky stuff coating my mouth after I brush. Yes, yucky I KNOW!!!! It is disgusting.

I asked my dentist about it and he didn't seem to know and said he had no clue.
So, I asked my dad, who is also a dentist but is unable to practice on civilians (yes, even me) since he works for the military. He knew right away after I told him about the slimy stuff and told me it was my toothpaste. He said it's not a very common ailment but the cases are rising.

It turns out that I'm allergic to any toothpaste with fluoride and any whitening components. You might think this is not a big deal-- just go buy a plain toothpaste dummy. Yeah well, if only I should be so lucky. I also have a sensitivity to cinnamon or other spices that are similar. Pretty much ANY toothpaste, even good old less than $1 per tube Crest or Aim or Colgate is a problem, though not as bad as those fancy mixtures.

So, in my aim to find a toothpaste worthy of my pearly whites, I tried Sensodyne. I'd tried it years before and thought it was okay but didn't have as much of an issue and was at the mercy of the toothpaste Gods (aka parents) as to their choice of what to buy...."stop being so picky!"

Anyway, I bought some Sensodyne (5.99 per tube!!!!!!!!) and the plain jane one worked GREAT!!! I was and am so happy. I also thought I'd try the whitening one, since at the time the whitening allergy was unknown, and holy crap did my mouth burn and slime! YUCK!

So, the point is...don't suffer in silence anymore toothpaste allergy friends! You can be set free by using Sensodyne-F with the green stripe on it!!!!

Good luck buds.

Article from Dollar Stretcher

Free (And Legal!) Software Tools
by Jonathan Moeller
Function in the modern world without having to spend a dime on software

Let's be brutally honest here; to succeed in modern society, you need a computer, and computers cost a bundle. Sure, computers are cheaper now than ever before, but $500 for a laptop is still a sharp pain in the wallet. And that doesn't even include the cost of software. That $500 laptop probably comes with trial versions of Microsoft Office and Norton Antivirus. Once the trial period runs out, you'll need to shell out the bucks to get the full versions of your software.
That can cost almost as much as a new computer; the cheapest version of Microsoft Office costs $149, and a year's subscription to Norton Antivirus will set you back $40. That's practically a month's worth of groceries.

Fortunately, there's a way to keep your money that doesn't involve committing software piracy. Free software applications now have features and usability rivaling their commercial counterparts, and are widely available across the Internet. If the thought of spending $300 on software makes you flinch, you might want to check out these free alternatives.

OpenOffice.org has evolved into an effective challenger to Microsoft's Office monopoly. Originally derived from Sun Microsystems's StarOffice suite, OpenOffice.org provides a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation program (like PowerPoint), along with database and graphics applications. OpenOffice.org can save files in pre-2007 Microsoft Office formats, making it easy to share documents with Microsoft Office users. And as an added bonus, OpenOffice.org's word processor can save documents as PDF files, an ability Microsoft Word lacks. You can find it at http://www.openoffice.org.

While OpenOffice.org is a good office suite, it lacks an e-mail client like Microsoft Outlook. Fortunately, you can use Mozilla Thunderbird instead. Developed by the Mozilla Corporation (the same organization responsible for the popular Mozilla Firefox web browser), Thunderbird is designed to simply and effectively manage your e-mail. You can check it out at http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird.

Viruses are a grim reality of today's Internet, and if you can't pay $40 a year for antivirus software, you might give AVG (Anti-Virus Guard) a try. Developed by the Czech software company Grisoft, AVG is consistently one of the most popular
free antivirus programs, with a paid version available. Nevertheless, the free version remains popular and well-reviewed. Additionally, it requires far fewer system resources than many competing antivirus programs. You can download it from http://www.grisoft.com.

Adobe's Photoshop CS3 is the premier image-editing application, but its $650 price tag is practically a king's ransom. Fortunately, there are several free alternatives available. For simple image editing, Paint.net more than suffices. Originally developed as a senior project at the University of Washington, Paint.net has since grown into a simple, yet effective image editor. If your picture editing needs are fairly straightforward, get Paint.net at http://www.getpaint.net. If you need something more powerful, you can try the famous GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) image editor. Like Paint.net, it originally began as a student project at the University of California. While it lacks some of Photoshop's more esoteric features, the GIMP is nonetheless a powerful and complex image-manipulation tool. You can obtain it from http://www.gimp.org.

Microsoft Windows itself carries a hefty price tag, but nowadays you can even find free alternatives to it in the form of the Linux operating system. The most popular distribution (version) is Ubuntu Linux. Funded by South African billionaire and former space tourist Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu has grown so popular that computer manufacturer Dell has begun offering Ubuntu pre-loaded on its systems. You can even try Ubuntu before you install it on your computer; its "LiveCD" mode lets you boot your computer from an Ubuntu CD, permitting you to
test it without altering your hard drive. You can download Ubuntu from http://www.ubuntu.com.

Computers are expensive. There's no doubt about it. But with these free programs, you can function in the modern world without having to spend a dime on software.

Take the Next Step:
Check out a few of the above downloads. There just may be something here that you can use and you won't have to spend a dime.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Google Docs has similar features to that of OpenOffice which are free -- you can do a worksheet and document similar to those made with Excel and Word though there are only basic functions. The good thing about the Google docs is that as long as you don't put anything too sensitive on there you can share the worksheets, etc with others and give them viewing or editing rights.

Some cool tips from The Dollar Stretcher Newsletter ... for and by cheapo's like me!


Jewelry Care

I have two uses for those little Silica Gel packages that come inside new shoes and other things you buy. Place them in with your jewelry. They keep moisture out and keep the metals from turning. Also, use these Silica Packets in your toolbox and you will never have to buy replacement tools because of rust. Just make sure that you keep them out of reach of children and
pets.
G. L. in Siloam Springs, AR


Free Anti-Static Sheets

Wad up some tinfoil and use it in your dryer instead of chemical coated sheets to get rid of static cling. It works! S.

(hm...not sure about this one...I guess it wouldn't hurt to try with some towels or something)


Storing Wrapping Paper

Protect leftover gift-wrap by slipping the roll into an old pantyhose leg and tying it closed at the top. Kimberly H.


Just a Touch

I am growing my hair out, but I cannot stand all the static it gets when longer. I don't care for conditioners as I think they add to my grocery tab, but I found a way to keep the static at bay without extra cost. After I shower, I use lotion
on my skin. When I'm done, I run my hands through my hair to get off the slight excess that is always there, and it keeps the static at bay all day! It works well for me, and it doesn't make my hair look or feel greasy!
Vicki, loyal reader from WI


my hair always seems to have static and so I must use conditioner daily (which doesn't always keep static at bay)....maybe I'll give this tip a try for a few days and see how it goes. I wonder how this will influence the staying power of your styling products?

Whiter Clothes Without Bleach

Most people that live in rural areas have their own wells from which they get their water. You can buy an expensive water softener/conditioner that will go through the entire house, but you still end up with white clothes that look dingy
yellow. I have found using 1/4 of the amount of detergent is sufficient for our family. However, the battle with the white clothes was not solved, so I started to avoid buying a lot of white clothes for my family to wear.

After buying bleach for years (of which the main ingredient is water), I ended up looking for an alternative that was less expensive. My answer was "bluing." Maybe you remember the stuff when you were a kid to make crystal formations. However,
the real use is to blue the clothes "white."

One simply fills the washer first and adds 10 to 15 drops of bluing to the water. Let it agitate for about ten seconds to disperse the bluing. Then add the clothes and your standard laundry detergent. The clothes come out white as ever and I've
never had a problem with bluing ruining cottons or other typical fabrics.

With a 16-ounce bottle of bluing costing less than $3, I can do four times the amount of whites for the same $3 that I would spend by using bleach, and the clothes are a lot whiter! Grandma swore by bluing, and I have to say that she was right (was she ever wrong?)!
Denise M. in Fort Dodge, IA

Card Crazy

When you are trying to save money, you can collect a lot of savings cards. My wallet was getting full of these cards. Your billfold can get so fat that it doesn't want to close! I had collected about 25 different cards and had to find a solution.

I punched a hole in the top left corner of each of my cards using an ordinary hand-held hole puncher. For the more permanent hard plastic cards, we drilled a hole in those cards in the top left corner. Now all of my cards are on a one-inch
snap open ring and I have them in my purse instead of my wallet. You wouldn't believe how many clerks have said that was the most clever thing they have ever seen for storing cards!
Diane S. in Oklahoma

I cook a lot so I decided to post the recipes I try or come up with online for friends and family to check out. We're always swapping recipes ... check it out sometime....

http://r2bcluvs2cook.wordpress.com/

it's new so there's not a whole lot on there yet.

Okay, so now it's time to start looking for and possibly applying for jobs, since we feel fairly confident that my PR application has been approved.... the letter for the decision made is on the way now....

So....now I need to update my resume and work on a cover letter. There is a job posting I found today that made me jump up and down....it seems a job I would be very well-suited for and that I would enjoy but I wonder too about the uncertainty of when I'll actually be legal to work..... but the job has an anticipated start date of 2008/03/01....

regarding eligibility to work in Canada due to PR application, would this be something I should include in a cover letter or wait until an interview is scheduled?

I need some help figuring out the proper format of a resume in Canada and the appropriate info for a cover letter....

any tips for resume writing or resume services?

Yeah! I got my visitor visa extension in the mail yesterday...good until July 08 so at least I'm legal in Canada while PR is still in process.....

BUT, even better news is that ECAS (website by CIC to check PR Application status) says DECISION MADE....so now we wait for the letter telling us if I can stay for good (or not)! We can hardly wait.....

I need to start updating my resume and hunting for jobs.....it's finally happening!!!!

So, I decided to try getting back into reading...books rather than texts....surprisingly it's been a little hard to get interested in many of them...I've started a few, set them aside and forgot them....I should really try to finish them. I must say though that I just finished a book and I really enjoyed it...the details are below.

1/5/08
The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale

Okay, I haven't finished this book but right now I'm wondering why in the world I bought this book from Amazon.ca. So far it just seems like a bunch of spouting of bologna by a guy looking to make a quick buck. So, he has these 5 steps for creating wealth which is more like 5 steps to a load of crap.... the idea is that a person can unconsciously attract the things they want through their desires and actions...seems pretty simple. "the concept of unconscious manifestation and blind attraction" -- so, his great wisdom is that "...the Attractor Factor..means you are the source of the experiences you see." blah blah blah... on some level this is undoubtedly true but I really don't think a persons life situations can be effected by what goes on in their mind....but I guess their reactions to events could be their "experience"....I'm confusing myself now so I'll shut up and get back to reading this garbage.

12/21/07
Basic Black by Cathie Black

The book is basically a self-help type book that targets women, though not specifically, which discusses business etiquette and tips for getting ahead in business settings/situations, and insights into being a good leader. What I really liked about the book was that it wasn't dry and boring instructions....the author raised a point and followed it up with explanation and an example from her own working life, which helped solidify the concepts and make them easy to comprehend (not that they were earth-shattering ideas).

Anyway, I enjoyed the book and was able to finish it fairly quickly....and it made me want to read more....so hopefully I'll do just that since I went and bought 2 books!

Breakfast is not a meal that I am very skilled at, but I do have a few things I rely upon for a quick and healthy start to my day.

I usually have either homemade wheat muffins, hot granola or oatmeal, an egg salad wrap, or a fruit smoothie. On the weekends we often have eggs, bacon, and hash browns or homemade whole wheat waffles. So, most of the above are super quick, especially if you don't mind making things the night before.

Obviously, muffins keep well and you can get 12 in one baking, thereby leaving you at least 6 days of meals. You can freeze them too so if you make a batch, or a few, you can pop them into the freezer and easily pull them out the night before you plan to eat them to thaw. Homemade muffins are really easy to make and can take on lots of different fruits like banana, raisins, pumpkin, even squash!

Hot Granola is simply throwing some packaged granola (the kind with hazelnut is awesome), or homemade granola, in a bowl w/ some water and popped in the microwave. Adding a little milk or yogurt after heating, or some fresh fruit like blueberries or cranberries, make this meal even more delicious. I find the packaged granola in the hot breakfast cereal section.

Quick cooking Oatmeal is also a favorite of mine. It's great w/ fruit (apples, pears, peaches, raisins, dates, blueberries), brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and milk. Pureed pumpkin w/ spices and nuts is really tasty too. It takes about 5-8 minutes to cook and assemble...not that long really. You can also make extra and put left-overs in the fridge which can be easily microwaved the next day....just add a little milk to break it up a bit.

A super easy and yummy breakfast is egg salad, which can easily be made the night before. For a single serving you just take 2 peeled boiled eggs and mash them in a bowl, add 1 tbsp mayo of your choice, 1 chopped pickle, a little pepper, and 1 cooked and de-cased breakfast sausage link (optional). Simply mix the ingredients in a bowl and put in the fridge for the next day or eat right away! You can put the egg salad on toast, or make a sandwich with your favorite bread, or put it in a pesto tortilla and wrap it up (my favorite). So simple!

Finally, fruit smoothies are so easy and nutritious. Pretty much any smoothie you make will begin with 1 banana, about 1 cup of milk, and some sort of yogurt. I like to use french vanilla flavored yogurt most of the time, but I sometimes use a flavored yogurt if I don't have any fruit beyond a banana in the house. So, you blend a banana, about 2 large tbsp yogurt of your choice, and the milk together. You can also add strawberries or blueberries, or pineapple, or even some orange juice or just some honey. I like to make a peanut butter smoothie sometimes too. Just use the french vanilla yogurt and add 2 tsp of peanut butter and blend together. I have also added a single serving block of almond flavored silk tofu (abt the size of a bar of soap) if I don't have any yogurt.

Well, those are my tips for easy and frugal breakfasts....and of course any kind of fresh fruit is good to go with most of those meals!