Mixed Media Collage Recipe Box Tutorial: Part 2

Just in case you missed it:
Part 1: Making the Box

The inside of the box is what really makes me happy all over.

The thing is,

I really don't mind cooking dinner

even after working all day.

Unless it's been one of those days,

I really enjoy the cooking part.

Making food for my family is strangely satisfying.  

It was the thinking part

that made me dread the thought of dinner.

(Don't make me think if I don't have to.)

First, what to cook.

Second, How to get everything I need

to cook what I just decided to make.

Brain surgery after working all day.

So this is my little system that has changed my life

and made me a kinder, calmer, gentler person,

especially at 4:00 in the afternoon.

All you need are 5x7 notecards and a heap of your favorite recipe books.

I'm sure many of you have figured out your own system that works for you.

If you have, please share it. I need all of the help I can get.

Step 1: Plan your weekly menu.

Okay, this may sound like stating the obvious, but for me, it's not.

Every day around 3 I would start thinking,
"What are we going to eat?

I wonder what we have at home...
Do I need to stop by the store?"

stressful.

I usually plan on Saturday or Sunday with my recipe books out.

It has to be: simple, healthy, and cheap.

Step 2: Organize the ingredients on the back

of the menu card according to the sections in your grocery store.

genius, I know. seems obvious, doesn't it?

how did it take me 34 years to figure this out?

It makes shopping so much quick, simple, and cheap.

*Tips for shopping on a budget:

Write it down, grab your cart, don't look up or side to side!

Head down, grab your stuff and get out as fast as you can.

Honestly, when I do this my grocery bill is cut in half!

When I think I have a little extra cash and grab those cute
Halloweenie chocolate covered pretzels,
I can count on my bill being almost double.

Okay,are you ready for Step 3?

This is the best part

Keep the card.

that's it.

just keep it.

make a few more.

and recycle your cards...

over + over again.

your family will never know the difference.

no planning.

no new grocery lists.

genuis. again.

thanks.

*(I still try to throw in a new recipe every

week or two so I don't get bored.)

And this is my favorite cook book for the last 6 months.

Super easy.

Quick.

Healthy.

Love this book.

So what are your tips, tricks, and favorite books?

Mixed Media Collage Recipe Box Tutorial: Part 1

Here it is.

My beloved recipe box.

I love this thing. 

In Part 1 I'll show you how to make the recipe box,

In part 2 (tomorrow) I'll explain my whole 

planning/shopping/prepping/cooking 

without-losing-your-mind system.

Which has saved my life since going back to work.  

Materials:

1. Wooden index card box.

I found this one at a garage sale and I saved it for something special. Mine is big (5x7) because I like to go big. It also allows me to print out recipe's on a half sheet of card stock + file them easily.

2.Gel medium

(Mod podge will do.)

3. Great paper.

I used old dictionary pages and patterned paper but when I was done I thought it would be cool to use pages from an old recipe book. I have a ton of them. Maybe next time...

4. Acrylic paint.

Use what you love. I used white, brown, Naples yellow (myfavorite color right now), turquisoe,  red 

5. A Sharpie 

6. A white gel pen

7. Acrylic spray fixative

Let's get started.
Step 1: Paint
Paint your whole box one color, as a base.

Step 2: Glue
Use gel medium to cover your box in paper.
I started with big dictionary pages and added patterned paper overit.

*Note: See the wrinkly bumps on mine? I like the texture. the more the better for me, but if you don't like the wrinkles start gluing your paper from the center and work out to avoid air bubbles.

Step 3: Paint with your fingers.
 Paint a glaze over your paper to dull the colors.
Glaze is just a fancy way to say lots of water with a little bit of paint.
Dip your fingers in a little bit of white, a little bit of brown, and a lot of water.
Cover  the box with a thin layer of paint, then use a wet paper towel to wipe off more paint.

Step 4: Paint with a paper towel.
Dip a squished up paper towel in brown, then in water, and rub it around the edges and corners of your box to make it look aged.

Step 5: Paint with a brush.
Use the colors in your palette to paint shapes, patterns, and designs on your box

Step 6: It's doodle time.
Get out your Sharpie and add doodles to the painted designs on your box.
Add contrast with your white gel pen, and any other ephemera you'd like...
ribbon, buttons, etc.

Step 7: Spray

Spray your box with an acrylic fixative so that it will be able to hold up to the wear and tear.

Finished!

Enjoy 

Tomorrow I will add Part 2:

I'll explain my whole...

How to plan/shop/prep/cook for your family

without-losing-your-ever-lovin'-mind

system.

In love with fresh salsa

I don't know about you,
but I've never made fresh salsa.
It's always sounded complicated and unnecessary.
Like making crackers or something.

I've never been so wrong.
I was finally inspired by Paige,
only because it looked (and is)
so darned simple.
and yummy.


I made up my own version
and it is everything I've ever wanted
in a salsa and more.
The 3 of us were inhaling it.

Here it is:
1 can of black beans drained
1 avocado diced
1 red onion diced
2 tomatoes diced
2 green onions chopped
a handful of cilantro chopped up
a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice
fresh pepper and garlic salt
olive oil

Mix everything except the avocado + let it marinate over night.
Add the avocado at the last minute.
Eat to your heart's content.

Life-changing Broccoli

This post could change your life.

I have had major broccoli frustration.
Until now.
Don't get me wrong.
I like it.
Okay, I don't hate it.
But I don't like it raw.
or steamed.

and I always overcook it when I saute it.
and it goes from uncooked + too crunchy
to overcooked + too soggy
in about 3 seconds.
neither of which work for me.

So my friend Julie told me about
roasted broccoli.
in the oven.
and I mean it when I say that it's perfect.
absolutely perfect.
every time.

you just throw it in there,
and forget about it.
and out it comes.

beautiful broccoli.

here's the recipe:
broccoli spears
olive oil
lemon pepper
or garlic salt
or both

1. Wash the broccoli and chop it up.
2. Toss it in a little olive oil
3. Put it in a roasting pan and sprinkle with a little lemon pepper or garlic salt or both.
4. Put it in the oven at 425 for 25 minutes.
and you are done!

I could eat this every night of my life.
you can get fancy, too, by adding feta or grated parmesan or roasted almonds...
but you don't really need to because it's so good by itself.

I hope this makes you as happy as it makes me.
enjoy!

My Favorite Summer Salad

It is finally warm enough to eat dinner outside again.
Here is my favorite summer salad.

It's super simple.
and nothing new.
but it's perfect.

fresh spinach
toasted almonds
strawberries
blueberries, if you have them
feta
balsamic vinegrette
and, of course, your favorite glass of wine

and barbequed chicken.
enjoy!