Oops - Oh Wait - Yum!

The other day we were having a youth leader's meeting at our house and I needed a quick snack. I found this recipe online and made it hoping that it was tasty and, glory be, it was!

Velveeta Spicy Spinach Dip

1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach (Do not thaw)

1 lb. Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, cut up

1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained

Place spinach in large microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 5 minutes.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Microwave on high 5 minutes or until Velveeta is completely and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 minutes.

Serve hot with crackers or assorted bread cubes.

Better Watch Out!

6 ways supermarkets trick you to spend more money

1. ENTRANCE AREA
The trap: Stores internally refer to this as the “chill zone.” And with good reason: This spot primes shoppers with impulse buys like DVDs, bulk goods and holiday products that appeal to them emotionally, says Kit Yarrow, a psychology and marketing professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. It’s designed to make you consider buying, say, a carton of soda for an impromptu barbecue.
What to do: You might think your best bet is to put on blinders here, but that’ll come back to bite you later on in your shopping trip. Instead, let yourself linger and see these products for what they are: filler items that aren’t on your list. “If you pause now, you’re less likely to impulse-buy the item in the store later on,” says Art Markman, a cognitive science professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

2. PRODUCE DEPARTMENT
The trap: Some experts believe fruits and veggies are placed in the front of the store because shopping for healthy food makes you feel less guilty indulging elsewhere. But Paco Underhill, author of Why We Buy, reveals a more straightforward reason: “Produce has the highest profit margin, and you’re less disciplined at the beginning of your shop.”
What to do: Save produce for last; this will prevent overbuying. Plus, produce is less likely to bruise with less time in your cart.

3. SPECIALS
The trap: Too many sales can encourage more spending. “They fire up emotions that override reasoning skills,” explains Yarrow. “We think ‘bargain’ without considering value.”
What to do: Consider the item’s real value. “If you would pay full price for it, getting it on sale is a good deal. If not, it’s just the sale talking, so skip it.”

4. BURIED PRODUCTS
The trap: Stores place popular items in the middles of aisles so you have to pass lots of other items to get to what you need. “Research has shown that people buy what’s in front of them,” says retail science expert Herb Sorensen, author of Inside the Mind of the Shopper.
What to do: Keep moving. If it isn’t on your list, skip it. If you still want it before checking out, go back and get it, but chances are “you’ll either forget or find that it’s not worth it to make the trek,” says Markman.

5. PRIVATE LABELS
The trap: Shocker: They aren’t always the best deals.“Many brand names are fighting to stay relevant by offering sales so that they’re cheaper than the private label,” says Yarrow. As a result, stores are placing their private-label goods in more prominent spots so “they’re easier to find, making shoppers less likely to notice sales,” she adds.
What to do: Comparing prices every single time is a must if you want to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

6. SAMPLES
The trap: “Even if you’re not hungry, a bite of food physically signals your body to get ready for a meal,” says Markman. Research shows that these physiological changes make you a less disciplined shopper.
What to do: Hold off on samples until the end, “right before checkout, so the insulin rush won’t affect your bottom line,” says Markman.

-RachaelRaymag.com

It's the "Middle" of the Week!

I have absolutely no idea where some of these "days" come from, but here we are at "Middle Name Pride Day." At our house, we have: David, Michelle (there are actually 2 Michelle's), Joele and Thor (yup, even Harley has a middle name).

Did you know that in most countries, except North America, people do not have "middle names" but have what are considered second or third "given names." In some countries, "middle names" are only used for names that were originally last names (like maiden names). Others use their "middle name" as their "first name" which totally confuses me - why not just name them that? But that's just me and my confused state of mind.

What are the middle names in your house?

Arnold Benedict's Long Lost Cousin

Here are our house, Eggs Benedict are at the top of the list of favorites. We also love spicy foods so when I saw this recipe for Chipotle Eggs Benedict, we just had to try it. Let me tell you - it is scrumptious! You can make it as spicy or not-so-spicy as you would like. Just add more or less of the chipotles.

Eggs Benedicto

(Chipotle Eggs Benedict w/ Blender Mock Hollandaise)

Hollandaise:

2 sticks unsalted butter

3 egg yolks

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon minced and seeded canned chipotles in adobo sauce

1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt

Poached Eggs:

1 teaspoon vinegar

8 very fresh large eggs

2 large croissants, sliced in half

4 slices prosciutto

For the hollandaise:

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter until bubbling hot. In a blender, add the egg yolks, black pepper (to taste), and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Cover the blender and blend on high speed for several seconds. Either remove center cap of the blender lid or carefully remove the lid itself with blender still running. Pour the hot butter in a thin, steady stream into whirling egg mixture. Add the chipotle and pulse to combine. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. (If your sauce gets too thick, you can thin it out with a couple tablespoons of boiling hot water).

For the eggs:

In a heavy saucepan combine about 2 quarts of water and the vinegar and bring to a simmer. Break 1 egg into a small bowl or cup and slide the egg into a ladle. Lower the ladle into the water, and hold it there, for 1 minute before removing the ladle and leaving the egg to cook for 2 minutes more. Poach at a low simmer until the whites are firm and the yolks are still runny. Repeat with each remaining egg. Transfer the eggs, with a slotted spoon, to paper towels until ready to serve.

To assemble:

Arrange a croissant half, cut side up, on each of 4 plates. Put 1 piece of prosciutto on each half, then 2 poached eggs and top with hollandaise. Serve immediately.

Be silent my grumbling stomach!

Warning!

After last week's post on saving, I was armed with about $11 worth of coupons, but did not get to use $3 of them. Walmart denied several of my coupons because "they didn't have a .com on them". I did not have the opportunity ask them about it (Elianna decided she was done with shopping and wanted food thus screaming) but am hoping to call this week. When I find out the answer, I will let you all know.

Your grocery store may be different, but you may want to ask in advance just to make sure. Use your coupons but look them over first to make sure they "pass".