Week 7

                                                                Week 7 ( Save $7 )

Valentines + Family Day = Extra Long Weekend with Love Ones!

 

💕

Year of the Pig

                                                              Week 6 ( Save $6 )

I am so glad there are two New Years to celebrate and if the first New Year sucks, there is second New Year... just one month later to start over again!
 

The Year of the Pig = Success!   

Predictions for 2019, this year is a great year to make money. Whether it be through investments (or following this blog and saving weekly). Save! Save! Save! Get rid of your personal debts. There will be many rainy days!
Just think before you buy!! Decide before making purchases if it's a want or need situation.

This year invest your time with new friends, families and loved ones. Socialise is key.

Don't forget to upgrade and learn new skills for yourself.  You will find a better balance in your life/work but to achieve that, you must prepare, focus, plan, organize, prioritise, yourself everyday to achieve results for what is to come in the near future.

Be active and eat healthier. Get into physical shape one step at a time. With results, you will find more will power and purpose.

Time is not on your side, don't waste valuable time.

Lucky Numbers: 4, 6, 8
Lucky colors: grey, brown, yellows
 

                                               2019 Year of the Pig, this is your year!
 

 

To beeswax or wrap

                                                                      Week 5 ( Save $5 )

Is there another natural GREEN alternative for food storage instead of PLASTIC cling wraps ? I want to start by doing my part more by finding something that is reusable, keeps food fresher and ZERO waste.



I have my block of cheese all beeswax up!

Actually there is sustainable fabric bees wax wraps which are slowly finding it's way on store shelves. These organic cotton fabric sheets comes in many sizes and shapes.  They are lightly coated with bees wax and jojoba oil. They are reusable!

Just a simple wash with gentle soap in cool water, air dry and good to wrap again for up to a year! Price tag : 3 for $18 (sizes: small, medium or large)

#beeswax

After looking at different methods of making these wraps on the internet...Why don't I TRY to DIY my own ! Now, the most important thing to source : 100 % beeswax ( the wax must be food safe ! )

I was fortunate that my big chain health food store did carry a few varieties of  beeswax's and it made sense to buy the small bar (and if I am not happy with the wraps, look out for future candle tutorials).  Beeswax is also available at Michaels so I was told *shrugs

My fabric was purchased for a few bucks and it was perfect for this project especially with the food motif ( it was also 100 % cotton).  **Make sure your fabric is washed, dried and pressed before starting.

You will need : measuring tape, scissors, cheese shredder, parchment paper,  safe ironing area , large old towels and an iron.

Let's get started! (I decided to make ONE square wrap 12 x 12" to test without any essential oils )

Figure out what size wraps work best for you: 7x7, 10x10, 13x13.
Cut your fabric size and shape out ( maybe you rather use circular shapes vs. squares ).

grate the wax

sprinkle the wax

On your ironing board or area, place an old large towel with a piece of parchment paper larger than your fabric cut out. Place the fabric on top of the parchment paper ( it does not matter whether the fabric is the right or wrong side) .

With your shredder, either shred the wax on the fabric or in a container and spread the wax generously only on half of the fabric only (Shredder washes easily clean). For my fabric,  I only covered 6 inches with the wax.

Fold the non waxed side of the fabric over the wax covered side.  Place another piece of parchment sheet over the folded fabric.

With your iron set on medium-high, slowly iron the parchment paper slowly to melt the wax through the two layers. You will see the waxy grease spots and keep ironing. Remove the top parchment paper and wave the fabric to air dry.

I am using a small
travel iron

Once the fabric has cooled, touch the fabric to make sure every square inch has been covered by melted wax. If you find some bare spots, sprinkle some more shredded wax and iron again between the 2 parchment papers. You can iron on single sheet and do not have to fold in half for this process, Repeat the process until you think the fabric is evenly coated.

Once the fabric dries, it will be stiff yet pliable.

With the warmth of your hands, you can  press it over a bowl, fold it around a block of cheese, fruit or vegetables. You may need to tie a string around your bowl or wrapped item. You will never get that plastic cling wrap seal which is fine because its works! Never wrap raw meat with the wraps, it's not ideal for all foods!

Apparently, you can recoat the surface of your fabric again when you find the wraps are a little worn and not as pliable...how awesome is that!

Here are my thoughts : I used only about 1/8 " of the beeswax. I can probably make about 12 more wraps with the one block of wax ( I paid $8 ). It's very economical to make.  I will use a larger grater next time for larger coverage... it is a learning process to figure how much wax to spread on the fabric. The beeswax is food safe and the waxy grater did come out clean easily .
Overall, I am quite happy with the final product and I will update you next time regarding wax wrapped items.  I was told sometimes the scent from of the beeswax gets absorbs into the wrapped food item.

Are you convinced to go with the Beeswax ?  Let me know your thoughts below in the comment section.


                                                           Enjoy!

Let's Talk!

                                                               Week 4 ( Save $4 )


January 30th is Bell Let’s Talk Day. Help support mental health by joining in the conversation. Bell will donate 5 cents for every text, call, tweet, video's viewed, Facebook frame or Snap chat filter.
Let's Talk!

Peri- Peri chicken

                                                                  Week 3 ( Save $3 )

One of my all time favorite grilled chicken's has to be Nando's. The Peri-peri chicken is so flavorable with so many layers of spices. You get the perfect balance with the spicy heat, the garlic, the tang, (and the other secret spices) that's just mouth watering.

Now if only you can make this oven grilled chicken without leaving your home! Here is my version to the marinade, feel free to experiment with spices . Adjust the heat with more or less sriracha : Start with 1 Tablespoon and adjust your heat the next time, depending on your palate. Adjust your cook time depending on your chicken size.

3- 4 pounds whole chicken      

Add a new twist to your turkey!

salt and pepper to lightly season

 

2 teaspoon of onion powder

4 teaspoon of garlic
2 Tablespoon of smoked paparika
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
1/4 teaspoon of ginger powder
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
6 Tablespoon of lemon juice (bottled)
2 to 4 Tablespoon olive oil
1 to 4 Tablespoon of sriracha

• Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
• Rub the chicken on both sides and marinade for 8 hours to 24 hours. The longer you leave it marinated, the better the flavor.
• Take out the chicken 20 minutes prior to cooking,
• Reheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken on a sprayed rack.
• Bake the chicken for 30 minutes and turn over for another 30 minutes until juices run clear.
• Remove the chicken and foil tent for 10 minutes before serving.
• Brush the chicken with any drippings from the pan.

For a more authentic restaurant taste, try grilling it on your BBQ this summer.


                                                                 ENJOY!

52 weeks of saving

                                                                      Week 2 ( Save $2 )

Just follow the weekly/biweekly blogs to successfully save $1378 at the end of the 52 weeks.  We will start by saving $1 for the first week.  $2 for week two, then $3 for the third week and so on. Just keep increasing and continue the amount by a dollar over the next 52 weeks. The most you will ever put into your favourite piggy bank is $52 and at the end of the annual challenge you will hopefully realize how easy it is to save with just a little discipline. 

This is a great challenge for the whole family, especially when it comes to teaching children the value of money and how to spend responsibly.

I hope you will participate in this challenge.  Maybe ... donate all the savings to a worthy cause that is dear to your heart. 
                                                    
Good Luck!

A New Year and a New Chapter

​
                                                                Week 1 ( Save $1 )

As the New Year dawns, it will mark a new beginning filled with hope, promises for a brighter tomorrow.

My whole life I dreaded New Years Eve when the clock stroke midnight. It was not because I was afraid of looking forward to another New Year . It was because of that song, "Auld Lang Syne"! ...which no one really knew the words to and everyone including myself faking my way through.

Last year, I decided it was time that I learnt the lyrics and understand the meaning to this magnificent song (which has been sung by people all over the world since 1700s by the poet Robert Burns). My goal was to be able to sing this New Years Eve when the clock stroke 12 and maybe impress my friends.

With so much going on this Christmas season and New Year's eve crept up on me. I stayed home with my loved ones and fell asleep early.  I woke up the next morning, disappointed that I was not able to belt out all the verses at midnight.

It was a New Year! So what if I missed my 12 o'clock cue. I practiced all year long and I was entitled to sing the song to my hearts content. And that was what I did! I sang the song over and over until I was out of breath . What a great song and maybe one of these New Years Eve's, I will have my chance to sing it.

Here is the English - translated version of Auld Lang Syne. 

Check out Youtube: Auld Lang Syne with Sing Along Lyrics | Happy New Years Song | Children Love to Sing.

Apparently, only a very small percentage of people actually know the words to the song. Don't be one of those people stumped this coming New Years Eve!

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
in the days old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for sake for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll drink a cup o’ kindness yet,
for sake of auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since days of auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since days of auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give me a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a cup of kindess yet
for days of auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Wishing you 12 months of success,

52 weeks of laughter,

365 days of fun,

8,760 hours of joy,

525,600 minutes of good luck

and

31,536,000 seconds of happiness.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!