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Money Saving Monday

Moving in the right direction (even at a microscopic rate) is always faster than standing still.

Office Ideas

Furniture Friday!

Hello Everyone, 

Today I have put together 5 great office ideas that I think you'll love. Check these out and leave a comment below about what you think, any ideas you have...etc. Well Enjoy!! 

Curtain off the nook or a section of the house where the office is to create more privacy and separation.

For large office Ideas this one is a great one for sectioning off the desks but saving the space.You can use this idea for however many desks you need. A cubical type office works great but even just 2 side by side. Keep in mind this could be for a work building or large space for the home. 

This picture is a little hard to get at first. This is a storage idea. Making the cord and loose things that hang stick to the underneath part of the desk helps prevent accidents as well as makes the room look neater. 

How cute is this? Its a girls room, you can do this for your kids or even in a closet you have in anywhere in the house so that you can hide it when not in use. As well as save space outside of the closet. 

This is a great idea for small spaces. The doors close to hide the area so that its not in the way when you need to get around. 

Aren't those neat? I love them! Makes me think about what I want to do in my house. I hope you enjoyed them. Leave a comment and/or send me a pic of your office ideas. crosbiekristina@gmail.com

And dont forget to take a look at my older posts and my site for other ideas on finance, mortgages, motivation and many other things :) www.kristinacrosbie.ca

With Love:

Kristina

Sites these came from and more to checkout:

http://www.free-home-decorating-ideas.com/home-office-decorating-ideas.html

http://retrotruro.com/27-5-tips-for-purchasing-the-right-home-office-furniture

http://davinong.com/design/9207/good-questions-small-home-office-space-ideas

http://www.stylisheve.com/smart-home-office-ideas-for-small-spaces/

Home Made Ezekiel Bread

Home Made Ezekiel Bread

Hello all!

Todays Post comes from The prairie Homestead. The recipe is by Jill Winger. I LOVE this because not only is it the healthy, gluten free bread that we should be eating, this is also a way for us to save!! Buying this bread from the store is pricey! This way you can make it yourself, tweak it a little if you do/don't like something and SAVE! Im all about the saving. So lets get to it. Enjoy!

Don't for get to check out my older posts>>>

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups wheat grains (I use either hard red or hard white)

• 1 1/2 cups spelt

• 1/2 cup hulled barley

• 1/4 cup millet

• 1/4 cup dry green lentils

• 2 Tbs. dry northern beans

• 2 Tbs. dry kidney beans

• 2 Tbs. dry pinto beans

• 4 cups lukewarm whey (or water, the whey just adds more flavor and nutrients)

• 1 1/8 cups raw, local honey

• 1/2 cup oil (I use olive oil or coconut oil)

• 2 tsp. salt

• 2 Tbs. active dry yeast (2 packages)

• 1/2 cup milled flax seed (optional)

• 2 Tbs. dough enhancer (optional)

• 1 Tbs. gluten (optional)

• 1 egg plus 2 Tbs. water (optional, for egg wash on top)

• sunflower or sesame seeds (optional, for garnish on top)

• dried fruit (optional, for added flavor and nutrition)

Directions: 

1.  Mix the first 8 ingredients in a bowl and grind in a flour mill.  You may be required to mill the wheat separately from the beans depending on your mill’s instructions.  This will make approximately 9 cups of flour.

2.  In a large glass bowl mix whey (or water), honey, oil, and salt.

3.  In a separate bowl mix the milled flour, yeast, milled flax seed, dough enhancer, and gluten until well combined.

4.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir or knead for about 10 minutes.  This can be done by hand (I use a dough hook) or in the mixer.  You do not need to knead this to death like you do normal dough bread.  Remember this is a batter bread, and it will NOT form into a nice smooth ball.

5.  Pour dough into greased pans (I like to grease my pans with a little bit of coconut oil or olive oil).  This recipe makes 2 large loaf pans (10x5x3), 3 medium loaf pans, or 4 small loaf pans (I usually do 4 small pans).  It can also be put into 2 9×13 pans.

6.  Optional step: “Paint” an egg wash over the top and sprinkle sunflower or sesame seeds over the egg wash.  You can also push dried fruit into the batter.

7.  Cover with a towel and let rise in pans for one hour or until dough is about 1/4 inch from the top of the pan.  It will overflow in the oven if you let it rise too long.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-50 minutes.  I use the smaller pans so it only takes 30 minutes; however, if you are using the larger pans it will take closer to 45 minutes.  You can stick a thermometer in the side to check for doneness.  You want it to reach 190F or for a toothpick to come out clean.

Kitchen Notes:

• If you have a sensitivity to wheat or gluten, just omit them and add more spelt, millet, lentils, or beans (garbanzo beans would work too).
• I often cut this recipe in half, it works just as well.
• You need to eat this bread within about 72 hours.  This bread does not have any preservatives so it will not stay fresh as long as store bought bread.  Do not refrigerate this bread.  If you will not consume the loaves within 72 hours you need to slice the bread, wrap it in bakers paper, and freeze it.  This way you can take out slices at a time.  Let it sit out in room temperature to thaw.  Do not place it in the microwave or it will lose nutrients.
• You can buy the grains and beans premixed from several trusted places online; however, I prefer to buy  my own bags of dry beans and mix them myself.  This is much more frugal, and it allows me the freedom to add exactly how much I want.

Thank you Lexie for that post :) Loving it! Ill have to give it a try for sure. All the best :) 

With Love: 

Kristina 

Money Saving Motivation

Welcome Beautiful Monday! 

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending - Chris Bard

Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Comment below telling me about your weekend, what were some of the struggles you went through? did you over come them? What is it that helps you overcome those struggles?

My weekend was pretty great. I spent time resting, a much needed rest after a busy week. My weakness  was buying take out food. Although my husband and I are a lot better at getting a healthier alternative (gluten free...etc), we still could be saving that money. But I do have to say we are pretty good at the saving thing ;) haha. Im looking forward to this summer where we can enjoy the things we've been working hard towards, financially.

Ok, have a good day!! 

With Love:

Kristina

Outdoor Decor

Happy Friday All!!

I love the weekends and Im so excited this one is just about here. Today I thought I would give some outdoor decor ideas. It was so nice out yesterday, all I wanted to do was sit outside. So today I have some great ideas for you so that you can enjoy your yard a little more. Summer is always full of colour so  you want to make sure you use it in your designs. Thank You to all the people who contributed to todays post, you can find other stuff from them down below. And for other ideas from my past posts look at the side and find all previous blogs :) Thank you!! Enjoy -Kristina-

No Trees Required.

Bright for outdoors and plant centre to keep the nature look.

Bright.Yellow to bring out the sunny feel. Modern. Mix of colour.

Headboard bench.  Pant a bright colour, add pillows. 

Coloured rain boots adds a splash of colour.

Ideas Came From:
http://weekenddecor.com/2013/02/24/no-trees-required-prefect-for-when-you-want-to-lay-out-in-the-sun-with-some-friends-2/
http://www.todaysnest.typepad.com/todays-nest/2011/07/palette-able-patio-cheap-chic-cocktail-table.html
http://www.grandinroad.com/kennedy-outdoor-seating/outdoor-living/cast-aluminum-metal-furniture/526137defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=0&_szp=316469&SourceCode=ZZ464845&cm_mmc=pinterest-_-pingage-_-316469-_-NA&redirect=y
http://www.tipjunkie.com/diy-decorating/before-after/how-to-create-a-headboard-bench-trash-to-treasure/
http://www.momscraftyspace.com/2012/05/recycled-rainboot-planters.html

Healthy Home Made Tomato Sauce

Mid-Week Meals

Today We are featuring Flavia Delmonte's Healthy Tomato Sauce!! Thank You Flavia For this delicious recipe. Now lets dive in and take a look. Try this out and don't forget to comment below with you thoughts :) 

Dont forget to checkout other posts-->>

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small sweet onion
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Flavia’s Italian Seasoning**
• sea salt and pepper to taste.

Instruction

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onion until golden brown, add in garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in basil, oregano, bay leaf and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook 15 to 20 minutes, until slightly thickened. Serve immediately.

Notes

** Flavia’s Italian Seasoning: http://www.flaviliciousfitness.com/blog/2013/02/28/dried-herb-italian-seasoning-recipe/

Nutrition Information

Serving size: ½ Cup Calories: 95 Carbohydrates: 10g Sodium: 150mgFiber: 2.5g Protein: 2.3g

And there you have it!! Its seems simple and quick! Made sure you make some for left overs :) Well the Best today everyone. Talk Soon.

With Love:

Kristina