One Hundred Dollars a Month - Page 1608 of 2143 - I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.

Creamy Broccoli and Spinach Pasta Salad

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 1, 2013 · 9 Comments

I whipped up a quick and easy creamy broccoli and spinach pasta salad with some of our homegrown spinach today. I am a BIG fan of pasta salads because they usually last a few days and they’re are great for a quick and easy lunch.

Here is the recipe. I hope you like it, we sure do.

Ingredients
16 ounces spiral pasta
8 ounces fresh broccoli florets, chopped
2 cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sliced sweet peppers
1/2 cup sliced olives, pitted and quartered
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Prepare the pasta according to package directions, drain and cool. Place the broccoli, spinach leaves, olives, sweet peppers, and pasta together in a large bowl and stir together. Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar and salt until smooth. Pour over pasta mixture and stir until the pasta is evenly coated. Garnish with chives and refrigerate for 2 hours or until ready to serve.

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Sale Cycles – What’s on Sale in May?

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 1, 2013 · 5 Comments

One thing I’ve learned over the past few years as I’ve whittled my family’s grocery budget down from $800 a month {2008} to $100 a month {since 2010} is that there are specific times of year when groceries, household items and other goods go on sale.

Just because a certain fruit or vegetable isn’t in season in your neck of the woods, doesn’t mean grocers are not willing to have it trucked in from somewhere else to offer you a great price.

May brings Cinco de Mayo, the official kick-off for grilling season, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and most Farmer’s Markets will be up and running. It is a busy month, with lots of sales.

While you are out this month, look for:

{Recipe : Roasted Chicken with Cranberries Salad}

Food

Marinades
Steak Sauces
BBQ Sauce
Condiments
Salad Dressings
Hamburger Buns/Hotdog Buns
All things Mexican food
Pickles
Grilling Meats {ribs, steaks, hamburgers, chicken breasts, etc.}
Chips
Ice Cream
Bottled Water

{Recipe: Rhubarb Cinnamon Jam}

Seasonal Produce

Zucchini
Artichokes
Asparagus
Spring Peas
Broccoli
Lettuce
Cherries
Strawberries
Pineapples
Radishes
Rhubarb
Swiss Chard

Non-Food Items

Paper plates, cups, napkins, tablecloths, etc.
Flowers, Chocolates, Greeting Cards {on clearance after Mother’s Day}
Cinco de Mayo Decorations {on clearance after Cinco de Mayo}
Vacuums
Cookware
Grill Supplies {charcoal, lighter fluid, etc.}

Is there a particular item you always notice for sale in May? Let us know in the comments below and I’ll add it to the list.

Saving money is cool!

~Mavis

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Container Gardening with Andy the Plant Whisperer – The Steamy Greenhouse

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 1, 2013 · 5 Comments

Yesterday my German neighbor Hudla stopped over for a little garden tutorial. In the middle of my Gardening 101 Lecture, Andy popped out to introduce himself, and “provide good Juju for the plants,” whatever the heck that means. He looked a little, crumpled. I asked him if the basement was meeting all of his needs. He assured me it was, but he just had a little jet-lag. I’m not sure how that happened since he drove up in an old VW Van, but okay.

I turned my back for one minute and Andy started teaching Hudla how to gently massage the stem of the plants—hmmm, a bit unorthodox, but who can argue his methods, when his passion for the plants is clearly steaming up the greenhouse windows. Plus, he came so highly recommended, I am going to let it go.

After Hudla left, Andy told me to go about my business while he introduced himself to my greenhouse plants. First, he introduced himself to the lettuce, “Hello my beeeautiful baby salad. How do you feel today?”

Then, I caught him talking to the strawberry plants, “Sweet succulent little strawberries, I will kiss you with my mind. Mwah, mwah.” Well, I put an end to that right away—let’s keep it G-rated, alrighty Andy?

After awhile, Lucy found her way into the greenhouse. Andy swept her up and Lucy began licking his face. Luckily he likes to communicate with each living thing by “speaking their language”.

Let’s just hope a bear doesn’t wonder into the yard. Still, I must admit, Lucy really took to Andy. Do you think he could he be related to the pet whisperer Cesar Millan?

~Mavis

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How to Store Fresh Basil

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By Mavis Butterfield on May 1, 2013 · 12 Comments

The other day a friend asked me if I knew that you weren’t supposed to refrigerate basil.

Um, no I did not. I guess I have actually never thought about how to store basil because I grow my own and I usually just cut it as I want to use it. She told me the produce guy at her grocery store said it affects the flavor and texture when you stick fresh basil in the fridge.

Huh, who knew?

So, in case you didn’t know either, Mr. Produce Guy suggests that if you are not using it right away, don’t just pull off the leaves, cut it off at the base of the stem. Then keep it in a vase or jar of tepid water on the counter. It will last several days and maintain its flavor.

How easy is that?

Do you store your basil this way too?

~Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.