Put a couple tablespoons of Montreal Steak Seasoning in your Bloody Mary mix a couple days prior to serving. The spices re-hydrate and add an amazing touch....enjoy

So...after reading MonkeyMama's blog: Eating In, it reminded me of a suggestion one of my co-workers shared a few years ago. She, who after going through a divorce, found it difficult to eat healthy and consistently with the hectic work schedule we manage along with trying to find work/life balance as well.

This was her idea: Go to DG and purchase a half dozen or so plastic dinner plates that were sturdy enough to withstand hot and cold temps along with being dishwasher safe. Also, unless you already had one, a shrink wrapping devices (FoodSaver I think?).

Her idea was to cook a full course meal on Sunday and essentially pre-prepare individual dinners on the DG plates for the entire week (less Saturday and Sunday of course). Once done, shrink wrap them and stack them neatly in the freezer. As each day goes by, grab one to go or thaw and re-heat. Rotate as applicable and may throw in a dessert or two.

She transferred to another area shortly after and I never did find out if she acted on this idea. Nonetheless, does anyone do anything like this at all? Has it helped streamline dinners?

So...I must admit, although I am celebrating my third NSD in July, I need gas and some groceries as packing lunch and eating breakfast and dinner at home has depleted my fridge. But I have also been studying ways to reduce my grocery bill. Something new to me is going to Aldi's and a greater focus to the Dollar General. I am going to split my grocery list into two parts: Part 1 will be Aldi's. Here is where my meat, fish, poultry, fruits, breads and veggies will come from and tonight I'll be researching coupons. Part 2 will be Dollar General. Here is where my milk, eggs and other household staples will come from, assuming the price is better than Aldi's. I am going to try to find where to print Aldi coupons and stay faithful to the grocery list each week.

If anyone knows of a fast, efficient site to download and print Aldi and/or Dollar General coupons, I'd be most grateful.

Oddly enough....loose change has been hard to come by on the streets. Maybe others are catching on...hahahahah