Tortilla Bowls

I do a lot of cooking with a Mexican flair. Recently, I discovered that Old El Paso has a soft tortilla shaped in a bowl. An oblong bowl that is more like a boat.

These Old El Paso dinner kits were on sale and I used coupons for a total of $10.50 for 10 dinner kits. 

Here's the breakdown: 

$3.50 each 

Buy One Get One (BOGO) sale which brings my total to $17.50.

Now for the coupons:

I used :

$1 / 3 manufacturer coupons x 3

$1 / 3 store coupons x 3

$1 / 3 SavingStar rebate

My new total is $10.50 for 10 dinner kits or $1.05 per box. 

This has been a fun addition to dinner. I have been using them for a salad bowl. I've considered deep frying baking them.

DIY Cleaning Wipes

One facet of adulting is being responsible with the environment. There are many ways to be cognizant of the environment such as recycling, repurposing, and upcycling. 

I am drawn to some DIY projects. Some of them I actually try while others I admire. I came across this Buzzfeed post that is a DIY cleaning wipes using household products. 

Of course, Buzzfeed has catchy videos that are interesting. They even went as far as painting the plastic can they chose to use. I reused a wipes container so I kept the container as is. 

You only need water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap to mix a solution to poor over the paper towels. A strong paper towel is advised in order to absorb the solution and not fall apart. 

I was pleased with the outcome of this because it was easy, cost effective, and handy. Purchasing wipes can be pricy even with couponing. 

Take a look and try it out!

Water Vessels

We live on the coast and spend a lot of time at the beach. It's a great place for people watching, nature viewing, and overall tranquility.

A lot of people go to the beach seeking something. 

• Peace
• Recreation
• Shells 
• Sun
• Surf

A couple of times we saw dolphins swimming and playing. We see crabs scurrying around. We find driftwood, coconuts, other natural items, and sometimes curious items that have no linked origin to the beach.  

On occasion, we have come across curious vessels washed up on shore. 

Where did these come from? Who operated this vessel? What is the fate of the people aboard? 

Naan Bread

Have you tried these tasty breads? Naan bread = very tasty!

It was a great deal at Publix: Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) and I had coupons. 

Great price! 8 for $0!!! I saved almost $24...Boom!

(See more about couponing on a previous post about couponing.)

Bruschetta style:

Olive oil, green onions, and garlic:

Tarnished Silver

Have you ever looked in your jewelry box and found what you want to wear but it was tarnished? Me, too. Then I have to choose something else even though I was looking for that one piece of jewelry.

I finally had enough of this and decided to take care of these tarnished pieces. 

Here's what is needed: 

• Glass pan
• Aluminum foil
• Baking soda
• Hot water

Lightly tarnished items can sit in this solution for anywhere from a few minutes to 1 hour. Heavily tarnished items might need several hours in this solution or new solution.

For the instructions click here.

BEFORE

AFTER

Cauliflower Bites

In the journey of healthy eating, I have been looking for recipes to substitute carbs in delicious ways. I'm trying to disguise vegetables in meals because I know there's a 5 year old inner child that wants junk food.

I turned once again to Pinterest to pin appealing recipes with carb substitutes. There are so many that use zucchini and cauliflower as a base. I posted a zucchini recipe recently that was a success.

This time, cauliflower is being put to the test. I chose a cauliflower recipe that reminded me of some of those egg muffins or tater tots (again the inner child rules).

I modified this recipe by adding bread crumbs, adding mozzarella cheese, and different seasoning. I also subtracted grated parmesan, almond flour, and salt.

Seasonings I used in the mixture.

I sprayed the muffin pan with avocado oil.

The basil led me to add spaghetti sauce for dipping.

The final result was pretty tasty. They were a little difficult to get out of the pan. I think I would make this again and perhaps modify it again. Mozzarella cheese on top? More egg to binding to get it out of the pan? Not sure yet. 

Chayote: Vegetable Pear

Chayote is a vegetable that I recently discovered. It tastes like a cross between a green pepper and a radish.

It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It also has diuretic, cardiovascular, and anti-inflammatory benefits. You can cook it or eat it raw.

You can also make a tea from the leaves which can reduce arteriosclerosis and hypertension in addition to being able to dissolve kidney stones.

This is a super food people!

I buy it at a local market that caters to the Caribbean population. I have yet to find chayote at Publix which is a shame for such a beneficial food!

It looks like an old man without dentures.

Here is a recipe I put together using chayote. Diced tomatoes, avocadoes, chayote, green onions, black beans, and cilantro tossed together with a cilantro lime dressing. The dressing consists of olive oil, honey, chopped cilantro, and lime juice blended together.

I also use it in salads of all types. It's a great filler especially since it has so many health benefits.