The Sexy Frugalista

Are you using coupons?

If not, then you should be. With gas prices and the price of food forever increasing it is becoming nearly impossible to get to work and feed a family at the same time. I have heard of many people having to choose between the two and that is NOT right.There is nothing we can do about the economy right now so we have to take measures into our own hands just to be able to provide for our families. I know I have preached about using coupons many times before, but I am serious about it and today I will show just how coupons can save big $$$$ at the grocery store.

1.) If you have a Shopper’s Card then USE IT!

A lot of stores you have coupons on their websites that you can upload to those Shopper Cards. There are also websites like cellfire.com and shortcuts.com where you can upload coupons onto your Shopper Card. Those coupons can be combined with other coupons that are already on your card. For instance here in Kentucky, Kroger stores have coupons on their website that you can upload to your card and then you can go over to cellfire.com AND shortcuts.com and load the same coupon to your card from those sites if they coupons are available on there. When you purchase the item that the coupon is good for and scan your card when checking out the register will take off ALL of the coupons on that item. Meijer store also has a program where you can sign up to electronically clip coupons. You can sign up online for their mperks program at http://www2.meijer.com/mperks/Welcome.aspx 

When it comes to gas you can save money by using your Shopper card at stores that also give you cents off gas when you purchase your groceries. 

On today’s shopping trip at Kroger I saved 74%. I purchased EVERYTHING you see in the photo and by using coupons my total out of pocket money was $15.54

Here is a breakdown:

Charmin Bath Tissue $18.99 (FREE with electronic coupon on Kroger card)

Philly Creme Cheese Mix Ins $2.50 ($.25 with electronic coupon on card and paper coupon)

Buitoni Pasta $3.00 (FREE with electronic coupon on card)

Tampax Pearl Tampons $4.38 ($.38 with electronic coupon and paper coupon)

Secret Deoderant $1.99 ($.49 with electronic coupon and paper coupon)

Old Spice Deoderant $1.99 (FREE with electronic coupon and paper coupon)

Old Spice Body Wash $3.99 (FREE with paper coupon)

Colgate Toothpaste $.98 (FREE with paper coupon)

(2) Butterfinger $1.00

(3) Cans of Tomatoes $1.80

(3) Cans Tomato Sauce $.84

(1) Can Kidney Beans $.60

Dannon Yogurt $2.99 (hubby sneaked this in on me grrrr)

Perdue Ground Turkey $2.49

Kroger Coffee 5lbs 4.98

Total BEFORE coupons $69.31

Total AFTER coupons $15.54

So please people use coupons and help fight this war against inflation that we are battling. Learn to get the most for your money and to shop wisely.

Coupon Barcode Basics

Coupons are a great way to save money,but few people know how to read a coupon correctly if at all.Have you ever wondered about those little numbers on the barcodes on a coupon and what they mean? The mystery has been solved! Read on…

A typical coupon barcode looks like this:
1-22222-333-44-5

1 - This portion of the code will be either a 5 or a 9. It deals with doubling. If your store doesn’t double coupons, then this number has no purpose. If your store DOES double coupons, then any coupon coded with a 5 will double (up to your store’s doubling limit) and any coupon coded with a 9 will not double.

22222 - This number is the manufacturer’s code. This code is the reason why the Lifesavers and Pert were beeping, but I’ll explain those situations below.

333 - This number is the family code. Most manufacturers break their products into families. If you see a three digit number with no zeros, the coupon is coded for a specific product. If there is one zero at the end, the coupon is coded for more than one *variety* product. If there are two zeros at the end, the coupon is coded for more than one *type or brand* of product. Here’s an example of how it works:

25700 100 - any Ziploc or Saran Wrap item
25700 160 - any Ziploc item
25700 170 - any Saran Wrap item
25700 164 - Ziploc containers
25700 175 - Saran Wrap disposable Cutting Sheets

If the family code is 000, then the coupon will not beep with any product which falls under the preceeding 5-digit manufacturer’s code.

Some products are not broken into any families and are coded as 992. A 992 coupon will do one of two things, depending on how your store has it’s registers programmed. Either it will NEVER beep, even if you didn’t buy the product, or it will ALWAYS beep and require cashier intervention. These coupons were severely abused by couponers who wanted to use coupons even though they didn’t buy the product, so most major retailers have now programmed their registers to beep at every 992.

44 - This is the value code. It tells the register how much to take off. Regardless of what the wording on the coupon says, this code tells the register what you need to purchase and how much to take off. Yes, in many cases there are some VERY EXTREME differences between the wording on the coupon and what the barcode actually requires you to purchase (since there are only a limited number of value codes available). Here are the codes and, again, PLEASE NO DISCUSSIONS ON HOW TO CIRCUMVENT THE SYSTEM. The wording on the coupon is the manufacturer’s intended use for it.

00 “Beep” - Manual Input Required
01 Free Item - Will normally beep so cashier can input value
02 B4G1
03 $1.10
04 $1.35
05 $1.40
06 $1.60
07 B3 $1.50
08 B2 $3.00
09 B3 $2.00
10 $0.10
11 $1.85
12 $0.12
13 B4 $1.00
14 B1G1
15 $0.15
16 B2G1
18 $2.60
19 B3G1
20 $0.20
21 B2 $0.35
22 B2 $0.40
23 B2 $0.45
24 B2 $0.50
25 $0.25
26 $2.85
28 B2 $0.55
29 $0.29
30 $0.30
31 B2 $0.60
32 B2 $0.75
33 B2 $1.00
34 B2 $1.25
35 $0.35
36 B2 $1.50
37 B3 $0.25
38 B3 $0.30
39 $0.39
40 $0.40
41 B3 $0.50
42 B3 $1.00
43 B2 $1.10
44 B2 $1.35
45 $0.45
46 B2 $1.60
47 B2 $1.75
48 B2 $1.85
49 $0.49
50 $0.50
51 B2 $2.00
52 B3 $0.55
53 B2 $0.10
54 B2 $0.15
55 $0.55
56 B2 $0.20
57 B2 $0.25
58 B2 $0.30
59 $0.59
60 $0.60
61 $10.00
62 $9.50
63 $9.00
64 $8.50
65 $0.65
66 $8.00
67 $7.50
68 $7.00
69 $0.69
70 $0.70
71 $6.50
72 $6.00
73 $5.50
74 $5.00
75 $0.75
76 $1.00
77 $1.25
78 $1.50
79 $0.79
80 $0.80
81 $1.75
82 $2.00
83 $2.25
84 $2.50
85 $0.85
86 $2.75
87 $3.00
88 $3.25
89 $0.89
90 $0.90
91 $3.50
92 $3.75
93 $4.00
95 $0.95
96 $4.50
98 B2 $0.65
99 $0.99

5 Check digit…no real relevance to couponers.

What is frugal cooking?

Frugal cooking means something different to everyone. Most people agree that frugality is at least partially about saving money. A complete view of frugality covers more than money.

Wikipedia defines frugality as:

acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourcefully using already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal.

I apply these principles of frugality to come up with this my definition of frugal cooking:

Acquiring inexpensive and healthful ingredients,and using things already in your pantry and refrigerator to achieve the long term goal of saving time and money and good health for your family. So practicing frugal cooking doesn’t just mean buying the least expensive items you can find or buying sale items. True frugal cooking is about balancing cost with time savings and health. Here are some examples of common choices I make that illustrate using frugal cooking principles to make good choices.

Beans are a very healthy ingredient so I like to keep them on hand. 

Rice is a very inexpensive and healthy ingredient. I choose brown rice because for the same cost it has more vitamins, minerals and fiber, thus much better for my family’s health.

Packaged foods like top ramen and boxed macaroni and cheese are really inexpensive and quick to make. I NEVER buy these because they’re not healthy. They are full of white flour, sugar, salt, fat and chemicals. Instead, I choose to make my own so I can control the ingredients.

Supermarkets always have something on sale in the meat department. I do check out all the sale items, but often choose a nonsale item because it’s still less expensive, is more healthy or works better with ingredients I already have at home.

Frugal Ingredients:

The most frugal ingredients are whatever is currently in your fridge or pantry. These are the most frugal items you can use because they’re already paid for. Plan your meals and shopping lists around what you already have. Don’t sacrifice your health, though. If it isn’t good for you, donate it during the next canned food drive.

When you’re shopping, pick up healthy items on sale. Fruit and vegetables often go on sale during the peak of their season so you’re also getting the best tasting too! Meat seems to go on sale randomly. If you know what to do with most cuts you can get whatever is on sale and then improvise.

Here are some basic ingredients I like because they’re inexpensive, healthy and/or incredibly versatile. Consider using these in your next recipe creation.

Beans – From chickpeas to pinto beans to lima beans, you can do a ton with these and they have lots of protein and fiber. Use white beans in a French-style ragout or cassoulet, grind chickpeas into hummus or turn black beans into a Cuban-style side dish. Grab a random bag of dried beans and then search google for the name of the bean and the word “recipe”. Beans are one of the original frugal foods so many recipes are designed around inexpensive items.

Pork Shoulder – Not the healthiest cut of meat, but super cheap and really versatile once it’s roasted.

Rice and other grains – These foods are inexpensive and provide lots of nutrients if you pick the right ones. Go for brown rice, barley, quinoa, millet and whole wheat couscous. These are good staple items to keep in your pantry.

Vegatables – Nearly all vegetables are cheap and healthy, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Most people don’t get nearly enough. Avoid the starchy ones like potatoes and corn. Go for the leafy greens like spinach, collard greens and chard.

Another good tip is to use meat as a side dish not as a main dish. Or better yet, cut it out all together and go vegetarian.

What’s In A Name (Generic vs. Brand Name)

A delivery that I received today from the UPS guy sparked a few thoughts in my sexy head about brand name items.The package that I received contained a pair of expensive sunglasses from an instant win game that I had won back in December. When I opened the package I was surprised to find that the sunglasses that retail for $140 a pair are just as cheaply made as a pair of sunglasses from the dollar store that retail for $1 a pair.They are made of flimsy plastic that is likely to break if dropped too hard.And as for the lenses, I can’t tell any difference in them than a cheaper pair that would result in their $140 price tag. Which brings me to my next thought……

Just what IS in a name?

Well evidently a lot is in a name if people are going out and buying something that costs a lot more,even though it is cheaply made,and all because it is a BRAND NAME ITEM. A lot of people associate a brand name with a symbol of quality. This is not always the case. A lot of generic items are just as good, if not better than brand name items. Notice I said “a lot” of generic items, not all. The reason I say this is because with certain items,like tools and watches (as I have recently discovered),you get what you pay for. For groceries and household items like toilet paper, paper towels and soap, generic is usually the way to go. But with more expensive items it is best to read, read, read and do your research and use your best judgement. When shopping for items of quality you should ALWAYS do your research before shelling out a bunch of money for something that you could have gotten cheaper and possibly of better quality. A good website for looking at reviews on products is http://www.consumersearch.com/ .

Remember: Going generic doesn’t mean giving up quality, it just means you are a wiser and better shopper.

supremacystruggle:

Vegan Peanut Butter Cups

Using your favourite kind or peanut butter, scoop about 1/4 cup into a medium mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar until it clumps up too much to stir. Add almond milk by the tablespoon until it is regular peanut butter consistency again. I used salted chunky peanut butter and it was pretty much the most delicious, but if you hate chunky peanut butter you probably hate sunshine and magic can use creamy or whatever. If you aren’t using salted peanut butter, add a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set aside.

Melt some of your favourite vegan chocolate over a double boiler. Line a mini or regular cupcake tin with liners and scoop a bit of the chocolate into the bottom. You really just want to cover the bottom. If you are a lush like me you can add more. Add a generous amount of sugared peanut butter on top of the chocolate in the liners. Try and keep it sort of centered. Top off with more chocolate. If you are using mini tins, fill it all the way to the top of the liners. If you are using a big tin, be sure not to fill it past half or else you might die of sugar shock just eating one of these. That was a lie. You probably won’t die from excessive sugar unless you’re like 95 or something.

Pop that shit in the freezer until firm. Store in the fridge or in the freezer unless you want to be a pro about it and temper your chocolate when you melt it.( If you tempered the chocolate before hand you can keep them anywhere: At work, in the sink, in the garage, in your underpants…)

Peel off the cupcake liners and they will be ready to eat!

Forgive the lumpy peanut butter cup I photographed for this. These were seriously made quick and dirty style.

Note: The filling of these peanut butter cups is pretty creamy and not chalky. If you prefer peanut!chalk consistency, use equal parts granulated sugar and peanut butter and beat with a stand mixer until gross.

(via vegan--cupcake)

I am soooo going to get me one of these today. This is a great way to start being bad for the weekend… :-)

(via thefateimfated)

Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls (Vegan and non Vegan versions)

Ingredients:
2 cups thawed frozen corn
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed out
1 can diced green chilies (4 oz)
2 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese (omit cheese and use brown rice instead if making these Vegan)
4 green onions
egg roll wrappers (use egg free ones if making this a Vegan dish.Egg free ones can be found in some Asian markets.)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper
a dab of water and flour

Directions:
Mix everything together in a big bowl (except for the wrappers).
Lay an egg roll wrapper out on a flat surface with one corner facing you, like a diamond.
Place about 1/4 cup filling on it.
Fold the corner nearest you over the filling.
Roll a bit.
Fold the two sides in towards the center.
Then roll it up the rest of the way.
Mix a little bit of flour and water together to use as “paste.”
Dab a bit on the far corner.
Seal up the egg roll so that it doesn’t come apart.
Do this until all egg roll wrappers are filled.
The filling should make about 24 rolls.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place rolls, seam side down, on a lightly sprayed baking sheet.
Spray the Southwestern egg rolls with a light layer of olive oil cooking spray.
Cook for about 15 minutes until heated through, golden, and slightly crispy.
It’s best to turn them half way through the cooking time.
Serve with salsa and sour cream(can also use Vegan sour cream) and ENJOY!

What’s in your product?

Today’s blog is a little different than what I normally post about. Today I am informing and venting about some consumer products.

Yesterday I purchased two identical Olay Body Washes with Spa Exfoliating Ribbons and micro beads and seaweed extract at Kroger,they were marked half price and I was out at home so I thought I would try this product. Well my first mistake was NOT reading the label before purchasing. Otherwise I wouldn’t have purchased this product no matter how inexpensive it was. My second mistake was letting advertising influence me on a purchase. I know better than to do that. My third mistake was shopping while not feeling well and being tired. The third mistake is what led up to the first two mistakes. Lesson learned. Do NOT shop when hungry, tired or just not feeling well.

Now the reason for this blog.

During my bath today while using said product I started itching all over and that is when I noticed it……the little blue beads in the body wash that is supposed to be exfoliating. They were exfoliating all right! They are little blue hard plastic beads that do NOT dissolve in water. Which means that they aren’t doing a dang thing to the skin except for making tiny scratches in it.Which could lead to any sort of infections including a staph infection. Granted the risk is minimal but still there. So I picked up the bottle of body wash and started reading the ingredients. This is when the situation became even more depressing. I couldn’t read them! The only words that I could pronounce were the first three…water,petrolatum and mineral oil.So off I went to the Procter and Gamble website to see what information they have listed on there for the consumer to learn about their products. They list the ingredients, but…and this is a BIG but,the definitions of the ingredients are so vague they could be describing anything. Just another way for companies to screw the consumer over. If you don’t know what is in it and how it affects you then you won’t worry about it and you will still buy their products. Well the second ingredient in this product was enough to make me pause and question what the hell the other ingredients are and what they do to the body and environment. Remember, the second ingredient in this product is PETROLATUM. I started typing the ingredients into google and started reading tons of horror stories about them. Some are known to be irritants, cause cancer,cause neurological problems,they are considered to be toxic,cause cellular changes, respiratory problems, etc… OMG! Who in their right mind would want to use a product like this??!!! Most consumers, like myself, are not aware of the dangers of the ingredients in the products that they purchase. There needs to be more awareness on what those words that you can not read on your products actually are and actually do.After this experience I will stick with my homemade products. At least I know what is in them and what they do.

I have contacted the Procter and Gamble company about this product and their ingredients. So now the wait begins to hear back from them and what they have to say about their “superb” product. (cough,cough)

Remember to just say NO to advertising and use your own judgement when it comes to the products you buy. And read, read, read those labels!

Here is a great website for looking up chemicals in products to find out what they are and their risks.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Pinprick Greeting Cards

This technique could be used to make a unique and unusual greeting card for Valentine’s Day.

It is easy and best of all you probably already have all of the materials you need for it. Which makes it VERY frugal!

Click on photo for full tutorial.

Maple Flavored Syrup

This syrup is actually better tasting than the syrup you buy in the store unless you buy 100% Maple Syrup. I make this syrup and store it in a jar in the cabinet.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. maple flavoring


Bring the water, white sugar, and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and stir in the maple extract,simmer 3 minutes longer.(Covering helps prevent syrup from crystallizing later.)If it does crystallize just put in microwave for a few seconds and stir. Do NOT overheat.

NOTE* Two cups brown sugar can be used for a thicker syrup.

WHOLE WHEAT PANCAKES (can be made Vegan)

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, well beaten (or use Vegan substitute)
2 cups milk (or use soy or rice milk)
2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Stir together dry ingredients.
Add eggs or egg substitute, milk, and oil.
Stir until dry ingredients are moistened (batter may be lumpy).
Cook on preheated griddle until bubbles form and edges start to dry.
Flip and cook until lightly browned.
I like to serve with sliced strawberries and bananas, drizzled with honey.

Budget Tips And Lunch Box Ideas

I don’t have a “budget” per se. Not what one would call a budget, but I do track what I spend on everything though. I can see what areas I need to cut down on and which would have the biggest impact. And I know about what I need each month. I also know areas where I can cut down if I have to, but would rather not if I can afford them! If you use something like Quicken, try tagging your budget items with two basic categories: necessary and optional. You’ll immediately have a pared down budget for crisis mode. Obviously, you can do this by hand as well.

If you do have a budget, make sure you leave a little bit each week for “major purchases” so you can make those big purchases at the warehouse stores.

Write down everything you spend. This will truly amaze you! Do it for a month and watch where your money is going.

Go to the library and check out a bunch of books on saving money, living frugally, cooking, and so forth. Most likely, each will give you some food for thought and open your eyes to some new possibilities.

Think of price per serving, rather than price per pound. Some things may seem expensive until you figure out how many meals you can make from them.

Snacks are one thing you can save a lot of money on. Look at the price per serving/package for those little bags of chips. If you really want chips, buy a large bag and divide up into smaller containers or bags.

Speaking of containers, bringing a lunch to work or school is a huge money saver. Here are some ideas on packing healthy lunches.

Save Money by Packing Lunches for School and Work

Whether you’re packing lunch for yourself or your children, you probably end up running out of ideas and getting bored with your lunches at some point. I know I have. The sandwich, cookie and piece of fruit idea gets stale pretty quickly. Using leftovers from your dinner expands the horizon a bit, but packing them can be a challenge. And if you don’t have access to a microwave (or refrigerator) you need to be conscious of food safety issues and pack things that taste good cold or at room temperature.

Lunch Packing Ideas if you have a Thermos

Having a thermos to keep things warm (or cold) can really expand your options. Of course, stews, casseroles and soups can be reheated in the morning and packed hot into your thermos. But expand your ideas a bit beyond that! Fill your thermos full of hot water while you’re preparing the lunch so that it preheats a bit. This will help keep food hotter.

Bring a hot dog: Fill the thermos full of hot water. Heat a hot dog in whatever way you like (hot water on the stove, microwave, etc.) and slide it into the hot water. Seal the thermos. Pack a bun and whatever condiments you like separately, plus a fork to pull the hot dog out of the hot water.

Make hot sandwiches: This is the same basic idea as the hot dog above, but think about hot meats for sandwiches. You can mix some barbecue sauce with leftover sliced pork or beef or chicken, heat it up, then send it in a thermos with a bun packed on the side. Alternately, save some gravy from dinner one night and heat that with the sliced meat.

Macaroni and Cheese: Make your favorite mac ‘n cheese recipe and pack it in the thermos.

Leftover pizza: Pack up some leftover pizza along with some fruit.

Baked beans and hot dogs: Heat up some baked beans or pork and beans and a sliced hot dog if you’d like.

Spaghetti and meatballs: This travels well and is always a hit with my kids. I would serve it one night for dinner and set aside enough for lunches in a day or two.

Leftover ribs: I wouldn’t have thought of packing leftover ribs but these were a huge hit with my kids when they were younger. Add a slice of cornbread, some carrot sticks, and a piece of fruit.

Lunch Ideas for Regular Lunch Boxes or Brown Bags

Make your own “Lunchable.” My kids used to love the idea of those Lunchables but never really wanted to eat everything that was in one, let alone the cost was too high for a daily lunch. But if I packed up small crackers with some salami or turkey and some small squares of cheese, along with a piece of fruit, a cookie and a drink they thought it was great.

Use muffin liners to separate foods: Muffin liners work great to keep foods separated. You can use either paper ones or the silicon ones. Remember, the tighter you pack your lunch the less likely things are to spill about and get messed up.

Get creative with your breads: Rather than always using sliced breads for your sandwiches, use the same fillings but on a rolled up tortilla, in a pita pocket, with flatbread, on crackers, on a bagel or on an English muffin.

Grill a panini and pack it: Grill your favorite panini and pack it, to be eaten at room temperature. Ham and cheese, grilled veggies with or without meat, or a bit of turkey and chutney are some of our favorites. My kids also liked to make extra grilled cheese sandwiches on the weekend and freeze a few of them. The frozen sandwiches would thaw by lunchtime.

Cut your wraps into bite-size pieces: Whatever your packing, kids like it in small pieces it seems. If you make a wrap, cut in on the diagonal into 1” slices. This works best if you can refrigerate it before slicing, so you might want to make them the night before, wrap in plastic and refrigerate, then slice in the morning.

Add a hard-boiled egg: Peel the egg first and pack it, which makes it much easier on kids to eat. This is a great way to get some protein in the lunch.

Breakfast for lunch: pack some yogurt and granola. Either separately or mixed together, pack some flavored or plain yogurt and granola along with some fresh fruit.

Pancakes or French toast for lunch: You can spread a leftover pancake with peanut butter if your kids like that. Or pack a bit of syrup in a small container. It’s probably a good idea to pack a wet wipe with this for sticky fingers! Make some extra French toast and cut it in strips for easier eating. They can dip it into a small container of syrup.

Pasta Salad with Chopped Vegetables: Cook up some small pasta, add your favorite chopped vegetables, and either pack a small container of vinaigrette or dress the salad at home.

Thinking Outside the Box
While I don’t buy much prepared food, I do think you can explore options for lunches that can make your life a bit easier. Think about things like pot stickers, spring rolls, premade meatballs (they go well with all kinds of things other than spaghetti sauce!), frozen cut fruit that will thaw by lunch, falafel, and other things that you might reserve just for packed lunches to make them special.

The Mechanics of Lunch Box Packing
I used to like to create a little list of what the kids had to choose from and stick that on the refrigerator. I could add leftovers that became available. Also, creating a grid and having them pick one from each column (protein, vegetable, fruit, starch, dessert) keeps the lunch more balanced. 

Keep some small vegetables on hand that your kids can either eat plain or dip in some sort of dressing or yogurt. Sugar snap peas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, edamame, celery sticks, and sliced red peppers are some of our favorites. If you have these ready to go in the refrigerator, you can grab some in the morning quite quickly.

Small ice packs are useful for keeping food cold. Alternately, you can freeze juice boxes or water bottles (empty a bit out first) and they will likely thaw by lunch yet help keep the food cold until then.

There are some great containers these days with smaller compartments, some of which are removable which gives you great flexibility.

Planning Ahead and Using Your Freezer
There are a variety of things you can cook or prepare ahead and freeze that make lunch packing go quickly in the mornings. My list includes:

meatballs
grilled sandwiches
muffins
quick breads (apple bread, zucchini bread, etc.)
small portions of leftovers
sandwiches (Prepare the meat and cheese if using. Don’t freeze mayo though, use butter or skip the mayo. In the morning, pack sliced tomato, lettuce and other fresh condiments separately to be added at lunchtime.)
meat pies slices of quiche
French toast and pancakes
cake cut into pieces
cupcakes

Barbecue Sauce without Vinegar

A very easy and frugal Barbecue Sauce.

1 cup ketchup
1 Tbs. Worcestershire
1 Tbs. mustard
1 1/2 Tbs. oil
salt and pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce (optional)
Simmer these together for 15 minutes.

Use this on chicken, ribs, and pork, either on the grill or cooked in the oven.