Some random tips...

It's so beautiful in Ohio today - I'm going to go out and pick up sticks and walk the dog with Kate. How I've longed for a spring-ish day!!

On another note:

Ladies, did you know it's time to change your tires if you can put a penny in the tread, upside down, and still see Lincoln's head? My tread's at his hairline, so guess what - at least $500 on new tires...Go check your tires and make sure you're riding safe!

Top food 'finds' this month:
1. Habanero cheese at Kroger - Cracker Barrel brand. Not for the faint of heart. Only eat it if you like heat. Grate it up on baked potatos - yum!!!
2. Betty Crocker cake mix and icing. Yeah, we've all had it. But have you ever just baked a cake with your kids just because you could - and let them decorate it - all for under five bucks (And there's a coupon for 75 cents off).They may be on a sugar high for a couple days - but it's worth it:)
3. Fresh mushrooms. We love to fix homemade pizza every Friday night. My husband always wants mushrooms - and the canned ones are so slimy and gross on pizza - IMO. So I've started sauteeing fresh mushrooms in garlic - then adding to the pizza with other ingredients - a world of difference!! And we don't eat pepperoni anymore because the mushrooms are so "meaty." Huge calorie savings!!
4. Pre-made sugar-free jello.
I never want to buy this stuff because I have 49,000 boxes of jell-o in my pantry and I know it's a heck of a lot cheaper to make it that way. But - I need something prepackaged that I can grab quickly so I don't eat chips or chunks of high fat cheese when I'm hungry. It really is filling and a huge help when you're counting calories.
5. Pollock fishSimilar to cod, this mild white fish is affordable and healthy. Last night, instead of just red meat (which I still had on the side for my kids) I fried this fish with red pepper flakes, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, lemon juice and garlic. (used 2 tbsp olive oil for frying in pan). I put added the fish to shredded lettuce and red beans and rice on a lo-carb tortilla. YUM-OH! It really was awesome - and I don't have to tell you how much fewer calories this had then even our extra-lean venison.
Think outside the box and substitute those ingredients we are so accustomed to.

Well, y-all, I'm out for today. It's a sin to be on the computer in this weather. Enjoy it!