Overnight Oats

I know this looks just like Oats in a Jar, but it's a little different. In the Spring/Summer time, I can't stand to think about eating hot oatmeal. Blegh. But, have you ever thought of eating cold oats? It's not nearly as bad as it sounds.

A spin off of Kath Eat's Overnight Oats, here's my take. I like a thicker oatmeal, so I use less liquid.

Overnight Oats

1/2 cup quick oats

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/3 cup almond milk

Combined and cover. Leave in fridge overnight. Add banana, other fruit, peanut butter, or any other fun topping in the morning.

This is perfect for a warm day when you don't want to make anything in the morning or you are on the go.

Witches' Brew

I was so excited to get up this morning because there was a special brown bag with my name on it this morning. You could already smell it by the time you walked in the the kitchen.

What was it?

FRESH GUATEMALAN WHOLE BEAN COFFEE (!!!)

Folgers may be your favorite, but honestly, nothing can touch this stuff. Erin's church is doing a mission trip to help Guatemalan coffee farmers next summer, so they are selling coffee from those farms to help support the trip. Coffee + missions= I'm in.

I was lucky enough that my parents happened to have a coffee grinder, actually one of their wedding gifts. When my parents first got married, they were really into coffee (notice the Krups label). Even until I was in high school, they used this coffee filter that was plated in gold because it was supposed to make your coffee taste better. They were hard core.

Get your grinder and fill so that it just covers the blades

Look and smell at the beans onnnnne more time

Put on the lid and grind for about 5 seconds. Check your beans.

Above is what course grind looks like. If you've got a french press, stop here. If you've got a coffee maker, keep going.

There we go! Put into filter and brew. This was enough to make a whole pot in my 4-cup machine.

I had always heard that fresh grinding your beans before brewing was better, but I didn't know the difference until now. I can't say I'll do it every day, but if I have the time, I'll definitely do it. These beans are pretty amazing as well.

Now, I like coffee, but I can't finish the whole pot, so what to do with the rest? I'm making coffee ice cubes. Just pour your extra brew in an ice tray and freeze. I love putting them in my iced lattes, so the ice doesn't water down the drink.

CVS + Kroger - 2/27/11

Happy Sunday to you! Here's how my CVS trip actually went down...

Transaction 1:

Revitalens Multi-Purpose Solution

-Use $5 ECB

Total: $1.41, Get back $5.99 ECB

Transaction 2:

Kashi Go Lean Crunch, $2 coupon

Kashi TLC granola bars, $2 coupon

CVS Dry Sweeping Cloths (they were out of Swiffer wipes and these were cheaper)

Orbit Gum (to make up for the $1 cheaper sweeper cloths)

-Use $5.99 ECB

Total: $1.01, Get back $2 ECB

Transaction 3:

Nice and Easy Haircolor, $2 coupon

-Use $2 ECB

Total: $2.41

Total Value: $31.70

Total Spent: $4.83

Total Saved: $26.87 (85%)

Then, a really quick trip to Kroger...

2 Ziploc bags, $1/2 coupon

Milk

Can of black beans

Hefty trash bags, $1 coupon

Garnier Hair Spray, $1 coupon

Sweet potatoes (at $.99 a pound... eeeeeeek!)

Cocoa powder

Bananas

Total Value: $25.68

Total Spent: $18.27

Total Saved: $7.41 (30%)

Yum, yum, yum

Could it have been any prettier outside? The weather was wonderful. After getting my hair cut, I met up with Erin and we did a little more searching for the last few details Erin wanted in her guest bedroom. Lunch at Babalu afterwards was the best way to celebrate the day.

Guacamole

Baba-Libra

Mexican Coke (The reeeeeal stuff. Cane sugar instead of corn syrup) and rum.

Baked queso with pico de gallo

The best moment of the day was seeing Erin carry her find, a chair, down State Street to her car. This chair was really cool and one of the local vintage consignment shops had it on sale for $16. It definitely still needed some attention, even though the seat had been recovered, so she asked if they'd go down in price. She got it for $10! Such a steal.

I guess we know why she was running down the street!

Take a look at this cauliflower... that orange is not a glare, it was actual orange cauliflower. Didn't taste much different, but it was really neat.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Keifer's

Ahhhhhhh... nothing says "Jackson" quite like Keifer's. It's quite understandable. The Greek community is the backbone to culinary heritage in the city and Keifer's is no exception. Not to mention, it's got so much character to boot. Not many places can say they have a claw foot tub full of plants in the bathroom. Not kidding. I haven't eaten there in probably six months, but I was really craving it today. Luckily, there's also a second location downtown. It's only 3-4 blocks from my office and I wanted the walk, so I called it in and brought it back to the office.

They are known for their cottage fries, so I was surprised to see curly fries on the downtown menu (not available at the original locale). I ordered those, but I have to say they weren't that great. There was way too much grease and lemon pepper and I couldn't even begin to finish them.

The main dish... the gyro. When you don't have something for a while, you can build it up in your head and you're disappointed when you actually get it. This is how I felt about the gyro. I actually think (actually, I know) I miss Old Athens chicken gyro so much more.

Funny thing is, I got sick after eating it. Queasy, headache, disgusting sick. Not sure if it was the grease or not, but I'm leaning towards the fact that this was the first time I've really had a substantial amount of red meat since our Solstice party before Christmas. Seriously. It may just all be in my head, but who knows.

Here's to hoping for better food adventures tomorrow!

CVS - February 24, 2011

Phewwwww. It's been one of those days, you know? Kind of glad it's over. I just got off a 45 minute call to Comcast to fix this new guide on our cable box. I hate the way it looks!

I made a quick trip to CVS on my lunch break because I needed to pick up some eye drops my doctor had recommended and they were coincidentally on sale this week. I was also so embarrasing-ly out of mascara. Like.... whoa.

Systane Eye Drops, $2/1 coupon

Covergirl Mascara

Orbit gum

-$4 off $20 purchase, CVS e-mail coupon

Total Value: $29.18

Total Spent: $16.17

Total Saved: $13.01 (45%)

Received $5 Extra Care Bucks to use next time.

I also had some shampoo samples in the mail. That was a fun surprise!

I was actually pretty excited about the Extra Care Bucks because there are going to be some good deals starting Sunday. I normally don't talk about my trips before I go, but I thought I'd give you guys a sneak peek at my possible transaction scenarios for CVS this Sunday:

Transaction 1:

Revitalens Multipurpose Solution: $5.99

-Use $5 ECB

Total due: $.99

Get back $5.99 ECB.

Transaction 2:

(2) Kashi TLC bars: $3 ea.

(1) Swiffer dry cloths: $3.99

-(2) $2/1 Kashi coupons

-(1) $.50/1 Swiffer coupon

-Use $5.99 ECB

Total due: nothing

Get back $2 ECB.

Hoping this all works out!

Marmalade

Guess what I had in the mail when I got home from work yesterday?? Marmalade. Ok, look a little closer because it's not just any marmalade... my cousin, Ashley, made it! (You can see her talking about it here)

I got out of bed at the ridiculously early time of 6:05 (notice the five minutes of snooooooze) to ride the exercise bike before I got ready for work. I've been trying to do this for a few weeks now, but I always end up turning over and sleeping for 45 more minutes. Today, I decided it was as good of a day as any to get moving.

The verdict? I feel so much better getting a little bit of a workout in before work. 20 minutes on the bike + 5 minutes of free weights really makes a difference. More than anything, I know that I've already accomplished something for the day. I'll still get my walk/run in after work, or I may do a little more of the bike if it starts raining like it might.

All that to say, I had a piece of Great Harvest Dakota with this marmalade this morning and man did it wake me up even more! I think Ashley said it best that it's really bright in flavor. I loved it!

It may be dreary outside, but I'm going to enjoy my day. Can you believe it's already Wednesday??

DIY Magnets

Look at Anthropolgie online the other day, I saw these magnets. They're cute... but then look at the price tag. $28?? Really? Automatically, I thought, "That's ridiculous. I've made these before in high school and they weren't nearly that expensive." So, I decided to make some of my own and definitely spend less than $28.

Anthropologie magnets: $28

I got some clearance scrapbooking pages from Michaels. Each page was only about $.19. While you're at Michaels, grab a bag of clear, flat glass rocks. They're in the section with moss, bamboo sticks, and other rocks.

Cut paper to fit bottom of glass pebble. Don't let any edges hang out.

In a paper plate/bowl, pour some glue. Paint glue on to the side of the paper you want to show through the glass. Press paper to glass and wipe off any excess glue.

Flip over and let sit to dry.

Once dry, dip one side of magnet in leftover glue. Press magnet to back of the pebble, let dry.

Voila! Guess how much is cost? Less than $5.

Glass marbles: $2.00 (saved $.50 with 20% Michaels coupon)

5 sheets scrapbooking paper: $.19 each, on clearance

Magnets: $1.60 (saved $.40 with 20% Michaels coupon)

Glue, bowl, brush: already owned

Total: $4.55

Here's how they turned out:

I love them so much more than the Anthro ones because I was able to personalize to my style. This one is probably my favorite...

Now I've got some cute magnets, but I've still got the cash too!

Fun Day Off

This was such a fun and relaxed day off. While I did wake up when I heard Kitty wailing to get into my room at 6:30 this morning, I took it slow and actually laid in my bed watching TV until almost noon! I think I've only done that a handful of times in my life. Blame that addictive HGTV.

It wasn't all laying around, I did make cinnamon rolls this morning. Ok, my breakfast choice my have been heavily influenced by the fact that I wanted to use my new Goodwill find: these gorgeous plates. I got a set of 4 for $3. Looks like something from Anthropologie (and may actually be)!

This weather got me in the mood for some frozen yogurt. They've popped up everywhere and Berry Berry Good is probably one of the only ones I haven't been too until today. It's in the most interesting location in a boulevard tucked between a strip of stores. Really cool.

Even better? They had pineapple yogurt. Oh my, it was divine.

With a little bit of chewy granola and cranberries. I'm still thinking about it.

The weather has also got me wanting to plant, plant, plant. I hopped across the street to Lowe's to look at their nursery. Not much there yet except for seeds, but I did get a new indoor plant. Ever since I got the plant in our living room from work, I've loved having indoor plants. I've always heard about plants improving mood, but they really do lift my spirits.

Because I couldn't stand to wait, I found some seed kits for herbs, which I really miss having around. At my parents' house and in Hattiesburg, I always had at least chives year round and I miss being able to go snip a few in the back yard.

So, I got started on my own...

Wet and loosen the dirt, repack, sow the seeds, put in the sun...

I also did a quick run through Ross where I saw the peacock sheets I had been wanting. While I was looking at all the sheets, an employee came by scanning all the items to see if it was time to reduce the price on any. She scanned the peacock sheets and guess what???

Yep, a clearance sticker printed out. I was beyond excited. Waiting 30 seconds to save $4? I'll take it.

I can't believe that I have work tomorrow. After having such a nice day, it'll be hard to get back to the routine.

Kroger - 2/20/11

The grocery store was crazy today! I had heard that grocery stores were going to have problems stocking produce because of a bad winter, but it was crazy how much they were out or almost out of: iceberg lettuce, green onions, only a few sweet potatoes that were huge. Guess we aren't having lettuce wraps this week!

Dannon yogurt tub

Philly Cooking Cream, $1.50/1 coupon (we'll see how this goes... it's a new product)

Ground turkey

Chicken breast (on sale for $1.97 a pound)

Sweet potato

Bananas

Strawberries

Black grapes

Cantelope

Freschetta pizza

Gillette razor blades, $3/1 coupons

Total Value: $45.10

Total Spent: $34.95

Total Saved: $10.15 (23%)

Yeeessshhh, produce is expensive!

The Drip

I had such deja vu taking these photos, because I had "photo shoots" (as we said back then) all the time at the Drip. I can't tell you the hundreds of photos I have that look similar to these. What I would have done for a 14 megapixel camera back then...

I've been having even more deja vu, which I have only really experienced for the first time recently, because more and more people from the "old crew" when I worked there in high school, are coming back to work a shift or two a week like me.

Granted, some are doing it because they're in grad school, or just got married and want extra money on the side for fun things...

But more than anything, we all say it's fun to be back.

There's nothing like the people that come by (who haven't changed a bit) and of course, the coffee.

I'll leave you with the recipe for my favorite coffee drink of the moment... if you've got a french press or coffee pot, you can make this at home, I promise.

Iced Latte with Honey (makes two lattes)

2 coffee spoons (around 2 tablespoons) of ground espresso

Honey

Almond milk, or milk of your choosing

Water

Prepare espresso to your machine's specifications with two scoops of espresso and 8 oz of water.

{For a coffee pot, fill a filter with two scoops of espresso, pour water into reservoir, and brew.}

{For french press, combine ingredients into press, stir. Add lid with open slot facing away from the spout. Let sit for at least four minutes. After time has elapsed, hold down top and press plunger down.}

In a glass (I prefer the large size to make this work), fill honey just enough to cover the bottom. Add half of the espresso brew. Stir to melt honey. Add in 8-10 oz milk and stir. Top with a few ice cubes.

"Art" We Cool?

Ok, no, we aren't that cool, but we did go to a cool event last night downtown: the premiere party for the Museum of Art's new exhibit about Japanese art. There were so many people! When Erin and I went to Art by Choice at the museum a couple of months ago (I can't believe that was really six months ago!), there weren't nearly this many people.

The food is always so creative and playful. There were cute "pockets" full of edamame. They were probably my favorite of the night.

Of course, there were drinks. My favorite was this - champagne and chambord. It was perfect.

One great perk to a museum is that the decor is always beautiful. I loved the arrangements.

I did get a little sushi, but I was a little afraid of getting sick from eating sushi that had been sitting out, so I only had a few pieces.

Notice the chopsticks. As part of the promotion for the exhibit, the museum was giving away these chopsticks with a $2 off admission coupon on the back of the wrapper which I thought was such a great idea.

We also perused the gift shop, where there were far less people. I have been wanting this print by Glenray Tudor for such a long time. It's my favorite piece of arwork.

Of course I had to go visit the real thing in the museum while we were there. Erin rolled her eyes and said, "Oh my god, that picture again." She knows the deal.

Now I can add it to the collection. I've already got the magnet on the fridge!

Can't wait to enjoy the long President's Day weekend...