Thrifty Thursday - Liquid Hand Soap

I am forever trying to figure out what to do with all of those soap ends -- You know, when the soap gets so small that it just slips out of your hand when you are using it! That is so annoying.

I have thrown out a bunch of them just because I get tired of seeing them hang around my sink or bathtub!

But, yesterday, I remembered reading that they can be used to make liquid hand soap and since we just happened to run out, I thought I would give it a try. Waste not, Want not!

So here's how:

• Break up the small pieces of soap and shove them into the liquid dispenser
• Fill it half full with some hot tap water (More or less depending on how much soap you have)
• Give it a good shake.

It's just that easy. 

I'm Back!!

With Thanksgiving, it has been busy around our home! We were delighted to visit Peter's Parents last weekend, and when we returned, my Mom and Dad were at our home visiting! Add an anniversary in there (2 whole years!) and you have a week full of lots o' love, hugs, and good food! 

I have so many things that I would like to write about that I don't know where to begin!

Since I have been neglecting my blog, I will combine a recipe with a thrift tip!

Make your own Flour Tortillas!!

 (I got this recipe from http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/flourtortillas.htm)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups white or whole wheat flour or half each
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder (optional)
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 to 1-1/4 cups water
• oil

Method:
1. In a large bowl combine the flour, salt and baking powder.
2. Next cut in the shortening with a fork.
3. When the flour is crumbly, add the water. Stir the dough with your fork until it makes a cohesive ball of dough. You may need to add an extra small spoonful of water if the dough is too dry. Be careful not to add too much though.
4. When the dough forms a ball, knead it about 20 times. Then let it rest in the bowl for about 10 minutes. After it has rested, form it into 10 or 12 equal balls.
5. Roll each ball in a little flour, to coat the outside of it evenly.
6. Place a ball of dough on a clean, well floured surface. Roll the dough out into a a 6 or 7-inch circle. Try to get it as thin as you can. Loosen the tortilla from the rolling surface.
7. Flop it onto a lightly oiled, hot skillet. Cook about 30 seconds, until the under side is dry, with a few brown spots. Flip it and cook the other side the same way. Transfer the cooked tortilla to a plate, and cook the next one.

This recipe makes about a dozen tortillas.

You will likely need half an hour or more to complete this recipe as the rolling takes some practice! However, the savings are worth it. I haven't worked out the cost of home-made tortillas, however just the fact that you don't need to spend an extra 3-4 dollars every time you want tortillas seems to make it appealing!

The taste is better, but the texture isn't exactly like store bought, but I still think they are pretty good. :-)

Let me know what Food things you make to save money! 

If you have written about it on your own blog, 

feel free to share the link to your post in the comment box!

Thrifty Thursday - Taking advantage of Flyer Specials

 
Today, I want to share with all of you a little gem that I found on the web.

www.soscuisine.com

This website can formulate a weekly meal plan for you and send it to your e-mail address, which is fine if you would like the challenge of cooking a never seen before recipe every night, but if you're like me and mostly stick to the basics, that won't be the service you are interested in!

What I love about this website is the "Save Money" tab along the top of the page. From there you can click "This week's specials" and instantly, all of the flyer specials from the major supermarkets in your region will pop up in an organized chart for your planning convenience! No more flipping through page after page, being overwhelmed by all of the items. Make a list of what you need and see if it is advertised this week!
 

You can choose which categories you want to browse and which grocery store to be included. The chart will tell you where the product is shipped from, price/kg and will highlight the best deal. The list is updated once/week, usually when the fyiers take effect.

You may have to sign up in order for it to work (I can't remember!) Someone let me know if you do!
I hope that you will find this to be a useful resource when planning your grocery list!
For my non-Canadian readers, I apologize...this might only work for us Canadian folks, eh?