Metroplex Savers

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Paleo Hamburgers & Bun

Hello readers!

I'm going to do something a little different - I'm going to post some recipes! I've been doing a lot of research on healthy eating and what our bodies should and shouldn't consume. I came across the Paleo Diet (which is really a lifestyle, not a diet). Through my research I have found hundred of recipes that I will be trying over the course of 4 weeks, and I wanted to share this simple hamburger recipe. (I love simple!) It is so much healthier for you than your average ground beef and bun.

Paleo eating encourages you to buy organic/grass-fed meats. So, we purchased grass-fed ground beef at Sprouts and cooked them up into some patties. Easy-shmeasy!

For the bun, I used this recipe:

Ingredients:

4 eggs

4 Tbs coconut flour

4 Tbs almond flour

4 Tbs melted coconut oil

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a large bowl, mix coconut flour, almond flour, baking powder and sea salt together with a fork. In a separate bowl, blend eggs and coconut oil. Pour egg mixture into flour mixture and combine completely. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and grease the paper lightly with coconut oil. Pour the batter onto the oiled parchment paper to make eight (3-inch diameter) pools. (*Mine made 6 buns, so try that first*)

Bake for 10 minutes.

The buns are very spongy - and delicious. I added tomato and avocado on my hamburger, and it was pretty good. Slap some veggies on the side, and you've got a Paleo meal that is oh so good and oh so healthy!

If you do not want to spend the extra money for organic groceries, consider not going out to eat 1 time. This meal came out to be around $4.00 per person. A little more expensive than an average meal at home, BUT way cheaper than going out and eat PLUS it's MUCH healthier for you!

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Sunday, April 1, 2012

Walgreens: Garnier Fructis Deal - $.67 per bottle!

Walgreens has their Garnier Fructis shampoo & conditioners on sale for $2.50 each. When you buy $15 worth, you will get a $5 register reward. Match this with some manufacturer coupons, and you got a killer deal!

Buy 6 Garnier Fructis S&C @ $2.50 each

- Use (6) $1.00 MFQ (3/4 RP or 4/1 RP) or $.75 Printable HERE

Pay as little as $9.00, Get back a $5.00 RR

= $4.00 or $.67 each

I used (4) $1.00 and (2) $.75 coupons. I paid $10.28 and got back $5.00, making each bottle $.88. Awesome deal!

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Saturday, March 31, 2012

2012 Goals: March Monthly Update

At the start of the new year, I listed my personal & financial goals HERE. I have printed and posted these in my closet so I look at them EVERY DAY! It helps me keep motivated and on track. At the end of every month, I will be posting an update. Here are my March results:

Personal: (a lot of these are continuous)

* Lose 30 lbs - I have lost 12 pounds since 1/1/12. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

* Cut coke from Diet - No drop of coke since 1/1/12.

* Eat more fish - I’ve been eating tuna for lunch a few times a week.

* Spend more time reading and relaxing - I have been taking time out of my evening to lounge on the couch with my blanket, a cup of hot, green tea and a book. In January I read Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. In February, I read 168: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam. In March, I read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I read this book in my leadership class in college, so I thought I might revisit it. I'm all about self-improvement.

* Load dishes in dishwasher as we dirty them - Honestly, we have slacked off this month, but not to the point where dishes are piled up. I plan to get back on track in April.

* Research home flipping and put together business model - I still have my outline from February, but have done nothing more in March.

* Earn extra $600-$1,000 by any means possible - In March, we earned an extra $141.50 from our garage sale. Grand total earned since January 1st: $561.75. I'm hopeful we will meet our $600-$1,000 goal for the year.

Financial:

* ~~Save & Pay Cash for Spring Break Trip~~ - We stayed in DFW for spring break this year. We did go fishing one day, but all we paid for were drinks and snacks, plus 2 fishing licenses - less than $100. Oh, and our fresh fish tasted SO GOOD!

* Pay off school loans - DONE in February!

* 3 months of expenses saved in Emergency Fund

* Start IRA, Contribute monthly

* Start investing ($150/month) - We are going to cut this so we can concentrate on saving for the other things...like a family :)

* Save & Pay Cash for Summer Vacation - We purchased our 5 yr anniversary vacation this month. We put it on the credit card BUT we do have the available cash to pay it off next month. We used our credit card because we got 5% cash back! If we already have the cash to pay it off WHY NOT use our card?

* Save & Pay Cash for New Car - see explanation HERE

* Walk Dusty Bottoms (our dog) more - We haven't been walking him as much this month...poor puppy.

**NEW** Pay cash for Brian's Master's Degree - Brian will start his master's program in June. We plan to pay cash for each class for the next 18 months.

With our $800 worth of repairs needed in February, we had to replenish our Emergency Fund in March, meaning we weren't able to save as much as we wanted to. BUT - we look on the bright side...we have no debt and are actually saving for things!

Sacrifice today for a better tomorrow!