Things i do when i am broke...

The tales of a single mom and veteran who is escaping the clutches of a turbulent past and trying to make it in the big bad world one dollar at a time.

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M.I.A.

I have been missing in action lately. It gives me a case of the sads because I am not able to post anything I have been cooking or watching. Both of my laptops are dead. My desktop has no monitor. My Droid was filled with water. As a broke person I am stuck with next to nothing for an internet fix. I am hoping to scrape up some money for Christmas so I can gift myself my repaired computers back.

I have discovered Google Docs templates and created a budget spreadsheet. Apparently I only have $57 to spare every month after expenses. It is sad to see it so accurately spelled out for me. I am so terrible at my math that I seriously thought I would have $20 until payday. I currently am holding steady at $70. 

The only good news from all of this is the fact that I have managed to pay down $1600 in debt. I am working on another $3000 in large chunks and $5000 in very small chunks. All this debt repayment only solidifies my broke status. I can’t slip up and have my car breakdown or I will be back in sadsies land with the rob Peter to pay Paul budget that I so seem to favor. I am still not brave enough to view my credit report. Maybe next year? I am just proud of myself for working so hard to unload some of the back-breaking debt I carry around.

At any rate, I have been living without oranges and surviving with protein trail mix cookies whose protein powder apparently contains many green things. I miss oranges. I miss meals that I am not making from scratch. Scratch cooking so depressing for me with all the dishes. Blergh. 

Things left un-scratch-cooked: veggie burger buns, tortillas, falafel

Things left un-done: dishes, laundry

Things that I prioritizing instead: watching back episodes of “30 Rock” because I have finished with “Law & Order: SVU.” I’m sorry but I am not interested in the Stabler-free episodes.

Souper K

7 months ago
Maple Bar Cake I’m going to need a doctor. This cake is a sugar bomb. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to relive my glory days with maple bars. I could eat maple bars ‘til I’m fit to bust! I think with this cake I will take it in small doses. Moderation is my friend so I am still here tomorrow to live to tell the tale. Original Recipe here :http://www.food.com/recipe/maple-bar-cake-349428 Veganized with vinegar/baking soda egg replacement and unsweetened organic soy milk. Souper K

Maple Bar Cake

I’m going to need a doctor. This cake is a sugar bomb. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to relive my glory days with maple bars. I could eat maple bars ‘til I’m fit to bust! I think with this cake I will take it in small doses. Moderation is my friend so I am still here tomorrow to live to tell the tale.

Original Recipe here :http://www.food.com/recipe/maple-bar-cake-349428

Veganized with vinegar/baking soda egg replacement and unsweetened organic soy milk.

Souper K

9 months ago - 14
Elliot & Livie Otherwise known as my comfort blanket. I don’t know what I would do without this show. Elliot & Livie is the running title in my house because that is who I watch it for. It brings me a great deal of relief to watch these two achieve what in real life does not happen as often, the conviction of rapists and pedophiles. I also really appreciate that Elliot & Livie’s relationship as deep and complicated as it is has not been cheapened by ratings sex. Granted, working in their department brings a level of danger and pain that also makes me turn up my eyebrows but at least the show runners did not put them in bed together just because it’s what everyone wants. I mean as a member of the female persuasion, I have male friends that are important to me that I have never had sex with. Imagine that, a real relationship on television. Anyway I love this show and can’t stop watching it on Netflix instant streaming. It is a sadness the greatness of Elliot & Livie will be new no more. Souper K

Elliot & Livie

Otherwise known as my comfort blanket. I don’t know what I would do without this show. Elliot & Livie is the running title in my house because that is who I watch it for. It brings me a great deal of relief to watch these two achieve what in real life does not happen as often, the conviction of rapists and pedophiles. I also really appreciate that Elliot & Livie’s relationship as deep and complicated as it is has not been cheapened by ratings sex. Granted, working in their department brings a level of danger and pain that also makes me turn up my eyebrows but at least the show runners did not put them in bed together just because it’s what everyone wants. I mean as a member of the female persuasion, I have male friends that are important to me that I have never had sex with. Imagine that, a real relationship on television.

Anyway I love this show and can’t stop watching it on Netflix instant streaming. It is a sadness the greatness of Elliot & Livie will be new no more.

Souper K


9 months ago
Vegan Sausage! Many thanks to those who are more gifted in the kitchen than me. The credit for these yummy puppies is Vegan Dad who has an awesome blog. Not only do these taste so good that there is only one left, they are also very cheap to make. I have made several batches and although it is hard to eat just one, it’s better than the commercial pricey processed alternative. Souper K

Vegan Sausage!

Many thanks to those who are more gifted in the kitchen than me. The credit for these yummy puppies is Vegan Dad who has an awesome blog. Not only do these taste so good that there is only one left, they are also very cheap to make. I have made several batches and although it is hard to eat just one, it’s better than the commercial pricey processed alternative.

Souper K

9 months ago - 3
Mr. Basil I keep houseplants to try to convince myself I am not incapable of caring for objects besides myself. I believe all the studies show crap about houseplants making your air more breathable, the gardener a more pleasant person, and le plants improving the general aesthetics of a place. Plants are not easy to care for, unless you count Vera my succulent. I name my plants so I don’t forget about them. They are kind of my measuring stick for how I am feeling. If I am worried, crazy, or stressed, Mr. Basil and his herb brethren will be droopy, dry, and crying out for help. I think it is good for me to take care of something besides myself. It gets me into a pattern and makes me repeat good behavior with one hell of a payoff, delicious fresh green window basil from my staunch British(in my mind) buddy Mr. Basil. Souper K

Mr. Basil

I keep houseplants to try to convince myself I am not incapable of caring for objects besides myself. I believe all the studies show crap about houseplants making your air more breathable, the gardener a more pleasant person, and le plants improving the general aesthetics of a place. Plants are not easy to care for, unless you count Vera my succulent. I name my plants so I don’t forget about them. They are kind of my measuring stick for how I am feeling. If I am worried, crazy, or stressed, Mr. Basil and his herb brethren will be droopy, dry, and crying out for help. I think it is good for me to take care of something besides myself. It gets me into a pattern and makes me repeat good behavior with one hell of a payoff, delicious fresh green window basil from my staunch British(in my mind) buddy Mr. Basil.

Souper K

9 months ago - 4

Austerity: The Wrong Prescription | MichaelMoore.com

I am not “rich” per se. I do not forsee a future where I will fight to keep every penny to myself, where I will let others suffer so I can live in an insulated bubble. I would not want that for myself. I do not want that for others. I cannot imagine the burden that must exist when you are in the top 1%. On the other hand, WTF 1%? Are you human beings? Sheesh!

Souper K

9 months ago

Dem Crazy Organic Chickenz!

Lo and behold organic chicken is better for the environment! I never would have guessed!

/sarcasm

Recently I dived into becoming a vegan. The most important reason is that my daughter can’t process milk. It makes her ill. The second compelling reason is the treatment of animals raised for food. In most cases it is horrible. I am glad for anything that makes people see that organic foods, even organic meat, is the way to go. 

Souper K

9 months ago - 1
Po’ Wo’min Soup I like to make this soup which I picked up from my college roomate’s Mama. It is stupidly simple, incredibly cheap, and subtly delicious! Take 1 container of V8 combine with your favorite frozen vegetables, your favorite protein, and your favorite carbohydrate. Warm over medium-high heat and spice as desired. This particular batch used leftover whole wheat Barilla medium shells, black/red/white beans, California mixed frozen veggies, generic frozen veggie mix, 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, Trader Joe’s 21 spice salute, and garlic salt. I like my soup on the chunky side but you could easy thin this a bit with vegetable stock.  The best part? It made five jars! Less cooking in my future! Yey! Souper K

Po’ Wo’min Soup

I like to make this soup which I picked up from my college roomate’s Mama. It is stupidly simple, incredibly cheap, and subtly delicious!

Take 1 container of V8 combine with your favorite frozen vegetables, your favorite protein, and your favorite carbohydrate. Warm over medium-high heat and spice as desired. This particular batch used leftover whole wheat Barilla medium shells, black/red/white beans, California mixed frozen veggies, generic frozen veggie mix, 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, Trader Joe’s 21 spice salute, and garlic salt. I like my soup on the chunky side but you could easy thin this a bit with vegetable stock. 

The best part? It made five jars! Less cooking in my future! Yey!

Souper K

9 months ago - 3
I can haz cheezburger! Thanks to MamaPea of Peas and Thank You I made some delicious bean and potato burgers. It is nice to have kitchen goddesses like MamaPea around to teach me the ways.  Souper K PS - Yes I used the fabulous Daiya cheeze on these bad boys! Dairy cheese? Please, that is for squares!!

I can haz cheezburger!

Thanks to MamaPea of Peas and Thank You I made some delicious bean and potato burgers. It is nice to have kitchen goddesses like MamaPea around to teach me the ways. 

Souper K

PS - Yes I used the fabulous Daiya cheeze on these bad boys! Dairy cheese? Please, that is for squares!!

9 months ago - 2
The third floor, a different space. This the staircase to my apartment. I live on the third floor of a big old house. It is not a traditional apartment per se. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could live smaller in less space with less stuff. I am not so good at living on my own and tend to do better with roomates. I got housemates in this case, a very excellent married couple with young kids. 

The third floor, a different space. This the staircase to my apartment. I live on the third floor of a big old house. It is not a traditional apartment per se. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could live smaller in less space with less stuff. I am not so good at living on my own and tend to do better with roomates. I got housemates in this case, a very excellent married couple with young kids. 

1 year ago

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