Saving Money On Fancy Cheese

When I shared my Baked Rotini recipe the other day, I mentioned how I had a chunk of provolone to use from a package of cheese ends I'd picked up from the deli. This is something I do fairly frequently.

At one of my local grocery stores, they sell the scraps and leftover pieces of cheese from the deli in packages for $3.99/lb. Now, listen...

Almost four bucks a pound is not a remarkable price for cheddar or mozzarella or American cheese... you've kind of got to peer into the shrink wrap and try to determine what might be in there. In the past I've scored provolone, aged swiss, havarti dill, smoked gouda, and- most notably, a gigantic chunk of gruyere. One would be hard-pressed to find any of those cheeses being sold for less than five dollars a pound!

My store happens to just package them up and sell them that way. If yours does not, it may be worth speaking to the deli manager. You could probably score an even better deal than I'm getting. If they're not already marketing them, they may be happy just to make a couple bucks off what could just be considered waste!

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This post is linked to Frugal Friday.

Three Things You Should Know About Clothes Shopping For a Micropreemie

When a new baby is born, we love to give sweet little baby clothes as gifts. Those tiny little outfits are just so darn cute! I received some baby clothes when my 24-wkr was born as well. Here are three things to keep in mind if you decide to give a gift of clothing to the parent of a micropreemie:

1. Micropreemies are not allowed to wear clothes at first. Their body temperatures must be carefully monitored and controlled in their incubators or isolettes. In addition, they usually have so many tubes and wires coming from them that clothing would just get tangled and be in the way.
2. Once they are allowed to wear clothes, simple things are best. If you (or people you know) happen to be handy, making cute little "hospital gown" type garments out of sweet little prints can be ideal. If not, look for basic garments with easy-access and snaps instead of zippers- nurses need to be able to thread those wires and tubes through there.
3. "Preemie"-sized clothing will likely be too big for quite some time. You can certainly find clothing specially sized for these very tiny babies. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law both purchased outfits for our C from one of these online shops. If that's too much trouble, standard preemie clothing is readily available at many mass-retailers and the baby will certainly need it at some point! Walmart is probably the most well-known store and they carry a large selection. For my micropreemie, I found the Walmart clothes to be a tad "short and wide". Gymboree has a cute line for preemies and their garments have a slimmer cut to them. We loved their clothing for our daughter. It's pricier than Walmart, to be sure, but we wore those sleepers to death.

Keep in mind that, while many people buy a couple preemie outfits for their 5- or 6- lb babies, those outfits do not fit them for long. With a micropreemie, you will get major mileage out of preemie-sized and, even more so, newborn-sized outfits. For full-term babies, I never recommend buying anything smaller than 0-3 month clothing. For micropreemies? Newborn size is very welcome and appropriate!

One final, frugal note: If you are the parent of the micropreemie and you're looking for more preemie clothes, ask around. Unfortunately, having a preemie is not terribly uncommon and there is likely someone in your family, church, job, or neighborhood who has had an early baby. While not uncommon, preemies are not so common that most people feel the need to save those clothes for future babies or family members.

Warning- You're About to Get in Trouble

I don't know if you have this particular custom in your neck of the woods but, here in Connecticut where I'm at, we have a habit of letting an oncoming car know that a police car lays in wait by flashing our headlights. It's a quick "watch out- you're going to get yourself in trouble!" kind of a message. I am not so naive as to think all the cops don't know we're doing this. Still, it's reassuring to have someone "watching your back" a little bit, even if it's by telling you you need to slow down!

I think we need some kind of Christian equivalent. Some way of letting each other know, "Pssst.... you're about to step in it. Be careful. You're getting off track here..."

How many times have you witnessed something you knew couldn't lead anywhere good but were unsure how to mention it? How many times have I, in my quick-tempered reaction, headed on a path I shouldn't be on? Wouldn't it be nice if we had some subtle, universally recognized sign to give each other? Some little gesture that said, "Hey, friend, slow down. Calm yourself. Is this what Christ wants from you?"

Most of us are afraid to speak up. We don't want to get into long, holier-than-thou discourses. We fear alienating or angering those around us. I mean, who am I to tell you that you're straying from a Christian path? As a result, we just let people meander off-track.

I want a simple way to help each other. A quick "headlight flash" kind of gesture to remind one another to stay aware. A friendly warning.

How about you? Can you think of some simple reminder we could give each other? Would you welcome this or be offended by it?

Subtle warnings work for me and this post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday!

My Top Ten Tips For Exclusive Pumping Success

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I want to share with you all my best advice for pumping success. I wrote a few days ago about how I've exclusively formula-fed, exclusively pumped, and exclusively breastfed! Of the three, pumping was the most work, in my opinion. Here are my top ten tips for successful pumping:

1. Pump often. Especially in the beginning. It is no fun at ALL to get up every three hours (or every two if you're having supply issues), but it must be done. Rest-assured, once you get your supply established, you'll be able to space out nighttime feedings more. It's the same as feeding a baby, really... well, except you don't have the baby to cuddle and THAT'S why it's no fun at all. But stick with it... it gets easier.
2. If you can't have your baby with you (as is the case with a baby in NICU), keep a picture of your baby handy. You wouldn't think that would make a huge difference, but it does...
3. Use a good quality pump. If you're just pumping occasionally here and there but mostly nursing, this isn't critical. But if you're pumping exclusively? Especially in the beginning, I'd really recommend looking into renting a hospital grade pump. It will save you time and frustration. (Contact your insurance company, too... they may pick up some or all of the rental cost if there's a medical reason you must pump for your baby.)
4. Keep diversions handy. Pumping can be boring. Figure out what will entertain you while you do it. Magazines, an iPod, TV, whatever...
5. Invest in quality, easy-to-operate nursing bras. You want to be able to easily and comfortably use your pumping equipment. The ones I had were by Medela and I loved them.
6. Stay hydrated.
7. Eat. Seriously. Unfortunately, for many women who are exclusively pumping, there are scary circumstances that led up to that choice, often a baby who is struggling. Stress can lead to forgetting to eat. Not a good plan. Nursing (and pumping!) burn more calories than being pregnant does. You wouldn't starve yourself with a baby in your belly... don't do so now either.
8. Find a cheerleader or two. My husband was so supportive of me when I chose to pump for our 24-wk micropreemie. In those early days, he would get up with me in the middle of the night and help me get all set up. The NICU nurses also would sing my praises. Those "pats on the back" really helped keep me going when it got tough...
9. Remember that even a little bit can make a big difference. I happen to be one of those women who produces a ton of milk. Not every woman is. And that is OKAY. Whatever you manage to pump for your baby will help your baby, be it four ounces or a half-ounce.
10. Avoid saboteurs. Know that, like many aspects of motherhood, the decision to pump exclusively (even it's your baby's only viable breast milk option) may come under fire from some other mommies. I was told (more than once) that giving a baby breast milk through an NG-tube or in a bottle was SO inferior to nursing at the breast because of the delivery method, blah, blah, blah. Avoid people who try to make your feel like a failure when you're working so hard to do an amazing thing for your child!

Like so many things worth doing, exclusively pumping can be challenging and nerve-wracking. Stay the course and know that there are other mommies out there with the same worries and struggles as you. You're doing something amazing! Be proud of yourself.

This post is linked to Top Ten {Tuesday}

Baked Rotini with Sausage, Mushrooms, Peppers, and Provolone

Goodness, that's a long title! Of course, it also pretty much tells you every last thing you need to make this dish.

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm serving up a "desperation menu" this week in order to eke out a bit more time between shopping trips. A survey of the pantry revealed a bunch of cans of mushrooms (I prefer fresh, but I keep canned on hand "just in case") and a lonely box of rotini. I buy "cheese scraps" from my deli (psst- I once scored gruyere for $3.99/lb this way!) and, in my last pack, I found a reasonably-sized chunk of provolone. I knew I had some chopped green peppers hanging out in the back of my freezer.

But meat? Hmm... what meat to use? Chicken didn't sound right with it. I'm fresh out of ground beef. No Italian sausage on hand. Pepperoni's not substantial enough. Hmm.

I reconsidered my whole plan. For Sunday's after-church brunch, we had pancakes and sausage patties. What if I just made fewer, thinner patties? Would anyone complain? (Answer- nope.) I used a half-pound of my regular breakfast sausage for those patties and saved the rest.

Here's how it goes:

Baked Rotini with Sausage, Mushrooms, Peppers, and Provolone

1 box rotini (mine was 12 oz)

1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce

1/2 lb Italian sausage OR 1/2 lb regular sausage PLUS 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

2 cans mushrooms (or 8 oz fresh would be yummy)

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

2-3 oz provolone cheese, grated

Prepare rotini according to package directions for al dente. Don't overcook it as it will be going in the oven later on. Meanwhile, brown sausage (and spices, if applicable) in large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat. Add peppers and mushrooms and cook just until peppers are tender. Remove from heat. Stir spaghetti sauce into the meat and veggies. Add this sauce to the cooked and drained rotini. Spread in baking dish and top with grated provolone. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melty and bubbly.

This post is linked to:

$5 Dinner Challenge

Tasty Tuesday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Lead Me Lord

Lead me lord, lead me lord!
By the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way…
Be my way, be my truth, be my light O lord!
And lead me Lord today…

-"Lead Me Lord"

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Menu Plan: 8/1- The Desperation Plan

Ah, desperation week... what is that, you ask? That's when I (unexpectedly) decide that I'm going to make my 4-week food supply from one big shopping trip last five weeks instead. I did it last month and I'm doing it again. What does that mean? More money in our pockets. And a whole lot of creativity. I spent less than five dollars picking up some milk, eggs, bread, watermelon, and marked down bananas. What did I come up with based on what we had? Well, here we go!

Sunday:

B-Oatmeal, Raisins, Milk

L-Pancakes, Sausage (just 1/2 lb... saved the rest for Monday's supper!), Melon

D-Sunday Supper at Bama & Papa's house

Monday:

B-Leftover Pancakes, Ham, Juice

L-Rice, Pepperoni, Apple Slices, Milk

D-Baked Rotini w/ Sausage, Mushrooms, Peppers, & Provolone (recipe tomorrow!)

Tuesday:

B-Mini Breakfast Burritos
L-Buttered Noodles, Corn, Milk
D-Flank Steak, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli

Wednesday:

B-Oatmeal, Applesauce, Milk

L-Potatoes w/ Broccoli & Cheese, Water

D-Pigs in Blankets, Corn

Thursday:

B-Bagels w/ PB, Raisins, Milk

L-Migas w/ Salsa, "Fizzy Juice" (Seltzer with a little bit of juice... they think they're big stuff!)

D-Batter-Dipped Chicken Sandwiches, Green Beans (from the garden), Pickles, and- hopefully, Cherry Tomatoes from the garden... I have OODLES, but they're all still green as I type!

Friday:

B-Smoothies, Toast

L-Pigs in Blankets, Banana, Milk

D-Calzones

Saturday:

B-Bagels w/ Cream Cheese, Sausage Links, Bananas
L-Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Cinnamon Rolls

D-Pasta Salad w/ Chicken, Carrots, Olives, & Peppers

Saturday's supper is super easy and make-ahead friendly... why is that important for that day? That's the day we'll all be making the 45-minute each way trip to Aldi to stock back up! I always try to plan for a simple supper that can be waiting for us on those days... otherwise, it might be too tempting to pick up something to-go on the way home.

Do you have any tricks for making mealtime easier on those big shopping days?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.