Budget Dinner: Chicken Salad with Feta & Mint June 30, 2008

On the weekends, I’ve started checking grocery store mailers for sales on meat to help me decide what to cook for my weekday dinners. Ralphs (groan) was having a sale on chicken this weekend (buy one, get one free). I bought 2 whole chickens and froze one for later (they freeze really well).

I used the Cooking Light search engine to find a healthy recipe and decided to make Chicken Salad with Feta and Mint. This recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, but I decide to cut costs by roasting my own chicken (it’s super easy). The flavors in this chicken salad are awesome. Mint, oregano, and feta add a lot of depth to this simple dish. I stuffed the chicken salad into a whole wheat pita and added Trader Joe’s spicy humus. Sooooo good! My total cost came out to about $15.00 and I have enough to enjoy for about 5 days…yay!

My Mom’s “Pappas Chicken” Recipe (super easy and great by itself)

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Take a whole chicken and remove the insides and place on glass baking dish. Cover the chicken with a generous portion of salt and Italian seasoning. Bake for an approximately an hour. To see if chicken is done cut between leg and breast – chicken is done when the liquid is clear.

Why Do You Have Birds Everywhere? June 27, 2008

Urban Outfitters Bird Plates 4/$18.00

Last summer marked a big transition in my life. In a nutshell, it was a time where I rediscovered who I am and got rid of some negative things in my life.

During this change, I moved to my studio and decided that if I was going to live in a studio I had to love its design. I purchased all new furniture and changed my accent colors (on a budget of course!).

The most interesting part of this redesign was how I was drawn to various home accents that included birds. I know it sounds cheesy, but to me the birds in my design symbolize a new life phase and freedom.

I am working on the design of my kitchen right now and purchased these plates to display on plate holders next to the book shelf.

In NYC June 25, 2008

Hi guys, I am in NYC for business. I’ll have a new post for you on Friday. Have a great week!

Free WiFi?? June 24, 2008

This weekend, I decided to get out of my apartment to write my blog and realized how many places charge for WiFi. While the cost is pretty minimal, in the spirit of my blog, I thought I should do a little more research. Here are my favorites with free WiFi – Corner Bakery, Coral Tree Cafe, Panini Garden, Panera Bread, and Whole Foods.

Where else should I go?

Saving Money Tip: Avoid Chain Grocery Stores June 23, 2008

Before I begin this post, I would like to disclose that I have a started a personal boycott against my neighborhood Ralphs. They are always out of stock and staff is completely unhelpful (including the managers). They basically don’t care if you find what you are looking for and are unwilling to help you (even if you ask). I will end my rant right there, because I think you understand.

In accordance with this boycott and my budget, I have been trying to find alternatives to main stream grocery stores. Basically, I do all my shopping at Trader Joe’s. Not only do they have amazing products and wine, they have an amazing staff who is very helpful. Because most of the items they carry are their own proprietary brand, they are less expensive than the brand-name products carried in main stream grocery stores. But sadly, they do not carry everything and I have to look elsewhere for most toiletries and cooking items.

This weekend I took my “grocery store needs” to Walgreens and was pleasantly surprised at how much money I saved. I bought: contact solution, a contact lense case, toilet paper, dental floss, baking soda, and knee brace. Total 36.21. I think I saved at least $1-2 on each item. I was also happy to have a Ralphs-free weekend.

$10.00 Episode of Top Chef Season 4 June 19, 2008

Sadly, I do know that Top Chef Season 4 is over, but I wanted to share with you my fav elimination challenge – the $10 challenge of course!

The Stir Fry Whole Wheat Noodles recipe sounded so good to me. While this recipe did not win, it was in the top 2 recipes. I am planning to make it this weekend and eat the left-overs for dinner next week.

I’ll make sure to do an update post on how much the dinner actually cost and how it turned out. I’ll also include any suggestions.

Target $15.00 Dress Sale June 18, 2008

Just stumbled upon Target’s $15.00 dress sale. I guess I am always looking for an excuse to shop at Target.com so it isn’t really stumbling. But here are my fav dresses for $15.00!

Sorry Little Bro, Budget Presents From Your Sis Require Blog Pics June 17, 2008

H&M 80’s Inspired Tee – $14.00

H&M Polo Shirt – $15.00

H&M White Sunglasses – $7.80

H&M Aviators $7.80

It was my brother’s Bday a month ago and my family finally had the chance to get together last weekend for birthday celebrations and Father’s Day.

My brother just graduated from college and has limited money to spend on clothes. For his Bday, I thought that I would get him some trendier pieces from H&M to wear outside work. I was kinda nervous buying him a purple shirt and 80s inspired tee, but he really liked them. I knew he would like the glasses – he has always been kind of a ham.

Saving Money Tip – Reduce Your Number of Fill-Ups June 16, 2008

I was utterly horrified this weekend when I filled up my tank and it was $46.01.  I know that this is relatively inexpensive compared to others, but seriously $50.00 on gas!?!?! Here are a couple tips for saving money on gas.

1. Run errands during your commute.  I try to run errands on my commute to and from work – dry cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, framing, and tailoring.  When you are stuck in traffic, pay attention to your surroundings. It will surprise you how much you can get done without making an extra trip.
2. Clean out your trunk.  Carrying around extra weight reduces your car’s gas mileage.  Clean out any unnecessary cargo and see your gas mileage go up.
3. Get your get oil changed and tire pressure checked.  Regular oil changes and optimal tire pressure increase your car’s gas mileage. Make sure to get your oil changed and tire pressure checked every 3,000 miles.
4. Accelerate slowly.  Acceleration uses the most gas, when you accelerate slowly you can make your fill up last longer.
5. Open the windows. For short trips around town, open the windows instead of using your air conditioning.  

Yay! Old Navy Candles, Soap & Lotion June 13, 2008

Old Navy On SCo Soap – 2/$5.00,

Old Navy On SCo Lotion/Bath Gel – 2/$10

Old Navy On SCo Small Candles $5.50/each

I am the reason why companies put so money into packaging and ad campaigns…I like my all my purchases to be “pretty.” As a kid, I remember thinking that I liked my birthday presents better wrapped because they looked nicer.

I was totally shocked when I went into Old Navy this weekend and found soap, candles, and lotion in the most adorable packaging and on sale! The soap was 2 for $5.00, lotion/bath gel 2 for $10 and candles $5.50/each. All of these products smell great and make the perfect gift for any girlie girl. The only drawback is they are not available online.