"Meat-less" Mondays

Oh, Oh, I almost don't know where to start.

I guess we'll go with greeting cards. (The guy pictured above is my version of a Hallmark Executive!) What a market, huh? Someone is enjoying the fruits of our hard labor. I went to Target yesterday and ended up spending $20.00 on greeting cards. That's terrible, especially when I'm trying to save as much money as possible. I was mad when I left the store and actually sat in my card for about ten minutes trying to decide if I should take them all back and make a New Year's Resolution to not buy any cards and that would be another way to save money, and apparently a lot of it.

Well, I went through all of them several times and decided there weren't any that I could part with. Pathetic? Maybe. But I do admit that I love giving and getting cards, I always have. So, what am I complaining about then, right? Well, it just seems crazy that something so small could be so expensive.

Scenario...I am looking at presents to buy my niece/nephew and see a gift that is $20.00 Right now, for our budget, that's a little much for a present. So, I go with the present that is about $16.00 or $17.00 BUT WAIT, then I go and get a card, anywhere between $0.99 and $4.99 Now, I typically wouldn't buy a card that was $4.99 but you never know. So, when it comes down to it I have gotten to or gone over the $20.00 that I thought was too expensive. I could have bought the more expensive present and no card and would be at the same amount. Does a little kid really care if they get a card? Probably not, but don't you feel bad when you don't have one?

List of cards that sucked up my money this weekend:

1. 1st Birthday for my daughter

2. Bridal shower for my best friend

3. Christmas present for Mother-in-Law, money was present, had to have a card to put it in.

4. Birthday for Father-in-Law

4a. Birthday for "Grandpa", from my daughter

5. Birthday for Sister-in-Law

I figured all those occassions needed cards, so I ended up keeping all of them.

Any thoughts?

I know we could make cards and as soon as my daughter is old enought to make her own I plan on having her make cards for everyone. A lot of the time we just don't have the time to make cards. Eleven month olds can keep you really busy and you just have time to grab a card while you're at the store grabbing diapers.

So, how about some "Meat-Less" ideas for greeting cards?!

Now, on to the more positive note, here is a great vegetarian recipe:

TACOS!

So simple, so delicious.

Yes, if you are a vegetarian, or just don't have ground meat in your freezer, you can still enjoy tacos!

1 can kidney beans, drained/rinsed

1 can black beans, drained/rinsed

1 can garbanzo beans, drained/rinsed

1 pkg. taco seasoning (I prefer spicy)

Just follow the directions of the back of the package of taco seasoning, just like the beans were meat!

It works great and is really healthy!

Add taco garnished of your choice!

See, wasn't that so simple?!

"Meat-less" Mondays

Okay, so the week of Christmas is over so I can continue on with my daily subject. Mondays are "Meat-less" Mondays. Every Monday you will be able to find a vegetarian or vegan recipe as well as tips for living without the "meat". "Meat-less" tips will have to do with cooking or baking when you are missing the main ingredient, entertaining your kids without any of their favorite toys (the "meat") or getting by without the main things we usually have/need/want (again, the "meat").

Today's vegetarian recipe:

TACO SOUP

This recipe was given to me by a friend who is a vegetarian. His wife is also a vegetarian and they make a lot of great food together. They both really love to cook so they always have great ideas.
This dish is SO delicious, my husband and I make it all of the time, especially in the winter. It's really great if you serve it with tortillas sliced in triangles to dip with.

1 can navy beans or great northern beans
1 can black beans
1 can refried beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 package ranch dressing seasoning
1 package taco seasoning
1 can water

Empty all contents into large cooking pot over medium-high heat, stirring occassionally until all ingredients are warm and refriedd beans are melted.

If you want a spicy soup you can use spicy taco mix and spicy tomatoes with green chilies.

ENJOY!

Uh, Oh, I'm out of my household cleaning products!
What do you do if you are trying to clean the countertops, sink, floor, etc. and are out of your favorite household cleaning product and have no time to go to the store because company is coming??
Well, thanks to "Meat-less" Mondays you have help!
VINEGAR, it does wonders. Vinegar will clean all those surfaces and make them sparkle in no time. You can even use it on glass.
Just mix a small amount of vinegar with hot water and VOILA! home-made cleaner. Make sure to not overload with the vinegar or things will smell a little too strong!

Let me know about anything else you would like to see on here!