White Friday: 10 Things To Do Instead Of Shopping On Black Friday

Everyone, okay not everyone but many people in North America are busy right now shopping for Black Friday deals. I have done in past, some of my close friends and family do it now and many hard working Americans can afford some niceties during heavy discount during black Friday.  I am not Christmas or gift hater, as I buy them myself but not on Thanksgiving weekend. I am simply too lazy and too broke to do any shopping during Black Friday. If you are like me, you will like this.

White Friday: No shopping day

Gifts from heart during Holidays

Irony of recession is hard on all of us, no matter how much money we make, there is always things getting expensive as I have written about it on Irony of Recession: Expensive and Cheaper things.

You can still avoid crazy rush of shopping and give gifts to your loved by Simplify Gift Giving During Holidays and Meaningful Happy Holidays From Heart, Not Wallet.

Download Free ebook: No Optin or email required:

Meaningful Celebration: Free eBook download
Rush of Black Friday 2010: Target:

I am not an early morning person, broke and not fit enough to run on Black Friday

10 Things to Do Instead of Shopping on Black Friday:

1. Get up Late:

Lure of sleeping in late in cold morning under warm blanket sounds wonderful to many. Sleep in, wake up in bed, do pillow fights with family members and catch up on Zzzes.

See: Laidback Mornings: without an alarm

2. Sip in Hot Tea:

I love my morning tea, specially the way Zenguy makes it. Sip in hot ginger tea in my pajama, not waiting in line sounds good to me.

101 Changes: Change 9 – Drink to your Health: Benefits of Drinking Tea

How to Make Best Ever Chai-Tea at Home

3. Cook something with kids or spouse:

Make some unique recipe (easy ones) with kids or a spouse and share it. If it turned out good, take pictures and share recipes with others. If it turned out bad, laugh together, take a picture and NOT show it anyone.

4. Declutter

Just look in closet, attic or garage for getting rid of stuff. You may find some brand new, unopened possible gifts to give away or donate. Best thing, it did not cost you anything, and your house got bit cleaner.

Read:

10 Ways to declutter your house

7 ways your clutter is costing you

11 reasons we hoard on things

5. Go to Park:

While many people will be busy shopping, many parks will be empty, so go ahead and enjoy in kiddie slides or swings, yes you as an adult can have fun with kids, like kids.

6. Set up Christmas lights:

You can set up Christmas lights on your house or other decoration. Many people take out their Plastic Christmas tree and decorate it and have truly early start on holidays without spending anything.

7. Cook food for Homeless or others:

We actually did this as we wanted at least one more person to have a good thanksgiving. We looked at local shelter and food banks and they happened to be close this holidays. But there are always someone hanging by local stores and you can share you extra hot food and pumpkin pie with them. Always put extra napkins, plastic spoons, fork and water bottle to it is easier for them.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes

8. Watch a movie or read a book.

I love watching movies, specially mushy romantic ones, either with dashing romantic heroes such as Mr. Darcy or Mr. Thronton, I am up for good drama, sci-fi and action movies. But with two little kids, we are watching “Cauliou” , but we still are having fun.

I am always up for reading new bestseller books or catching up on up on my old favorites novels by my favorite authors.

Great Classic Books that Everyone should Read (At least once)

8 Kids Books That Everyone Should Read

9. Write a blog post:

See, I am practicing what I am preaching. Instead of shopping, I am sitting on my laptop, sipping Chai and writing  here:-) You can write journal as well.

10. Just relax

This is something very hard for many of us do, as we are constantly on the go, doing things and checking off from our “things to do list”. We can simply take little break from everything and DO NOTHING,  on buy nothing day!

Screw productivity : at least for a day

You may also like:

8 items to spend money on;
8 items to save money on
Story of stuff : Must read and Must watch : Free

Your turn: How are you spending you Black Friday? Take a little break and don’t forget to have fun too!

Zengirl

Image Source: Media Exposed

Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes

One of the best thing about having a vegetarian and vegan thanksgiving is healthy and animal and specially turkey may thank you for not eating them. I am vegetarian since birth so it comes easy to me but even if you are occasional vegetarian or vegan, you can have a great, healthy and delicious food fiesta during thanksgiving.

Also check out:

101 Changes: Change 10: Eat Like Vegetarian

Are you a silent Vegetarian?

We are what we eat

I am sure, these recipes will be loved by herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore alike.

Cranberry Chutney:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. margarine or olive oil
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 lb. (about 4 cups) fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup packed light brown sugar,or Maple Syrup
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. finely grated fresh ginger (peel the skin off)
¼ tsp. ground allspice
1 green apple,  finely chopped

Direction:

Heat the sauce pan over medium heat, add margarine or olive oil. When margarine melts or oil gets hot, add celery and onion, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 10-12 minutes. Add cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, apple, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil.

Keep stirring until cranberries gets mushy and release their juices, for 15 minutes or so. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring often, until berries are tender and chutney is the consistency of thick jam, about 1 hour. You can grind the chutney to fine paste once cool or eat as it is for chunky taste.

Corn Chowder Soup

Ingredients:

1 medium to large butternut squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
One 32-ounce carton vegetable broth or water
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried basil (can use fresh basil leaves0
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (can use fresh thyme)
2 1/2 to 3 cups cooked fresh  corn kernels (about 3) or thawed frozen corn kernels
1 cup soy milk, or as needed
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, or more, to taste

Direction:

Slice the squash  into small dice. You can pre-bake squash to make cutting easier . Heat the oil in a soup pot. Once oil is hot, add onion and celery and sauté over medium heat until the onion is golden brown. Add the diced squash and diced sweet potato to pot. Add enough stock or water to cover all but about an inch of the vegetables. Bring to a simmer, then add the bay leaves and other seasonings. Simmer gently, covered, until the squash and potatoes are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Add cooked corn and soy milk to bring our thickness or chunkiness in the soup. Season with salt and pepper and simmer again for 15 minutes and serve hot.

I like to use potato masher to mash the big pieces a little while in pot. You can puree half soup if you like, just make sure you puree soup when it is cold. Hot soup never should be pureed unless you want to redecorate your kitchen later 😉

Stir in the finely chopped cilantro just before serving.This may also be cooked a day ahead and refrigerated, since its flavor develops nicely overnight.

Rice Pilaf with Corn and Walnuts

Image Source: neelscorner.com

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups basmati or any long grain rice
1 vegetable bouillon cube, broth
1/4 cup roasted walnuts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
2 cups cooked fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
3 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, or more, to taste
1 teaspoon cumin, or more, to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook basmati rice in large pot of broth or with vegetable Bolivian in water. Put 2 cup water or broth or each cup of long grain rice. Cook until all water is absorbed. You can cook rice in rice cooker for easy cooking as well. Toast walnuts on oven or nonstick pan.  Set it aside. Heat the oil in the same pan. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Stir in the corn kernels and continue to sauté until the onion begins to brown lightly. Stir the cooked rice into the corn mixture along with the scallions, chopped cilantro, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the toasted walnuts. Serve hot.

Spinach and Orange Salad:

Image source: Food network

Ingredients

1 pack loose leaves baby spinach
2 cups thinly shredded red cabbage
1 medium red onion sliced thinly
3 small seedless oranges, such as clementine, peeled and sectioned
1/2 medium cucumber thinly sliced
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or as desired
1 1/2 tablespoons white balsamic or white wine vinegar, or to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

In large salad bowl, combine the spinach, cabbage, red onions, oranges, cucumber, and almonds in a serving bowl and toss together. Dress as desired with oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. Mix gently and serve.

Coconut-Pumpkin Soup

Image Source: Cookbook cover

Ingredients

2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium green sweet pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 15 ounce can pumpkin
1 14 ounce can unsweetened light coconut milk
1 14 ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 medium fresh jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro or parsley

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook carrots, sweet pepper, and onion in hot oil over medium heat about 5 minutes or until vegetables are nearly tender. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, coconut milk, and broth. Stir in brown sugar, jalapeno pepper, salt, and ginger. Stir pumpkin mixture into cooked carrot mixture.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring frequently. Before serving, stir in cilantro.

Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies

Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies

Source: Pumpkin Recipes

Ingredients

3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar or maple syrup
egg replacer powder for 5 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger1
tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup butter, cut up
2 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)
Direction:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking pan with oil. In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese and the 1 tablespoon butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar. Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in 1 egg replacer, the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the cinnamon, and ginger until combined. Stir in the 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.

In a small bowl stir together the 1-1/4 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large saucepan combine the chocolate and 3/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Gradually add the 2-1/4 cups sugar, beating with an electric mixer on low speed just until combined. Add the additional 4 egg replacer powder, . Beat in milk and the 2 teaspoons vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture just until combined.

Spread chocolate mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture in several mounds on top of the chocolate batter. Using a narrow metal spatula, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate batter. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts. Bake about 60 minutes or until center is just set when pan is gently shaken. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of pan. Cut into brownies.

Also check out: How to Make Baba Ganoush: Eggplant Dip Recipe

Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy and Enjoy!

Recipes adopted from Zengirl, Veg Kitchen, Pumpkin Recipes

 

This entry was posted in Cooking.

Kids Say Funniest Things: 4

had started a Kids Talk series in early days of Happy Heart and Mind blog but did not get much chance to post occasional silly and funny story until now. R likes funny and silly stuff like many young kidsand he actually quite funny on several occasions without trying that cracks us up. Humor is important part of life and much needed in our otherwise stressed life.

If you have your own kids or nieces and nephews you will know what I am talking about that kids can say cutest and funniest things and even if you do not have kids, I hope you can still appreciate kiddish humor in your life. Read on, hopefully it will make you chuckle a little.

Check out my Previous Posts on the subject:

Kids says funniest things :1

Kids says funniest things: 2 .

Kids says Funniest Things: 3

———————————————————————————————————————————————

I have 2 little boys, who keeps me not only very busy to do many things, they are also my source of learning, amazement and smiles when I am least expecting it. I have written my and my kids personal funniest moment, which I am sure many of you have funny as well. Here are a few funny sayings that really happened;

Got Cold?

R got his first cold of the season this year! He was coughing and sneezing and it was hard for me to see him like that. Then he saw his dad and I concerned, so he says I am too young for coffeeing but not too old for coughing!  It took me sometime before I got it 🙂

How old are you?

Little P is now talking many things and learning a lot. So, I decided to wear my teacher hat and started to teach him about his name, his brother name and so on and then I taught him, when someone asks; “How old are you? You say I am two years old”. After practicing it all, I tried to show off his new knowledge to Zenguy when he came from office.

I as a parent should have known not to make a fool of myself, as child have capability to do amazing thing with you, when you are alone, but you try to show or share to others, your child acts like he does not know what are you talking about. Little P did better than that though.

So, when asked “How old are you?”  He said ” I am TOO old” 🙂 (instead of two years old)

Some Funny Pictures of Kids

Looking for decent images of funny kids over the internet is lot tougher compared to what I thought. I found many images, but most of them were crude, and some of them were offensive. I was however able to find a few decent, clean and cute images to share. Hope you enjoy it. Source of images are shown right below the image.

Spider Boy!

http://www.v4venkat.blogspot.com

 

Copy and Paste 

source: funnypix

 

Comfortable, are you?

1000funfacts.com

Too Fast?

skippymaximus.blogspot.com

 

I have been cloned!

partyandbs.de

 

No Chairs, No Problem

http://www.picturesdepot.com/

Kids are funny, even when they are not trying to be one. If you just listen to them and open up a world of constant wonder. Enjoy!

Zengirl

 

Top 10 Saving Money Tips: (How to Save When Buying)

Great depression happened during our grandparents time. Closet we came to seeing recession is 2001 and later in 2008, with jobs being lost, people losing houses and more economic downturn. In end of 2011, many people still feel the effect of it now, even things might be turning better for some but quite not for all.

I have been living somewhat simplified life since I decided to stay home with a child, years ago. For awhile, Zenguy was with zero to little income, so I learned more about how to save money more efficiently and without feeling deprived. Surviving without money is possible for rare few and is not for most of us.

I often get asked about saving money tips, I do not claim to be money expert but I know thing or two that has worked for us, which I wanted to share here again. It will help those in need and even if you are well off, you can save money for retirement, kid’s college or long waited vacation you may want to take.

See more related articles:

Easy ways to save Money

How to create a life that does not need an escape Part 1,

How to create a life that does not need an escape, Part 2

How to reuse Halloween Candies

Top Money Saving Tips For Everyone

Buying Tips:

1. Do not buy things that you can get for Free.

Use Local Library to  get Books (Including classic, new bestsellers, fiction, non fiction), DVDs (Kids, old, new), Music CDs, and sometimes even art pieces can be borrowed from it. Technically it is not free, if you are house owner, you are paying taxes for it anyways. Why not use it and buy it only books, movies that you really love to watch again and again.

2. Buy used when possible, new is not necessary.

Most things can be bought used with exception of a few items such as medicine, underclothes, food (dented can and boxes can be bought at reduced price), brush, diaper, tissue paper and so on.

Buying used is not only cheaper, and if you buy it from garage sale, or moving sale, you may not pay for the taxes on it. Many items such as car, house, furniture, laptop, computer, printer, textbooks, most clothes for kids and adult, shoes, art pieces, some kitchen appliances, washer and dryer can be and should be bought used. If you buy it used, make sure it is decent condition and pay fair price for it.

3. Buy things out of season.

Buying things right after Halloween, Christmas can save you tons of money, sometimes as much as 50% to 75% off, when you buy it right after the holidays. One of my friends always buy wrapping paper and Christmas decoration on Dec 27th for the next season. Same can be done for Valentine day, Buying Roses one day after Mother’s day or Father’s day can be lot cheaper.

4. Buy things locally.

Buy local produce, fruits and vegetable from local farmers. Buy and support local artist and designer, it will not only help the local community but also will help you pocket. One of my friend loves One specific designer shoes and she pays great money for it, because she has money and she loves the product. If you are not in debt, then go ahead, but if you are trying to save money and pay off bill like most of us, it is best to buy local products.

5. Buy Christmas items through out the year.

My brother always buy things on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and it seems to work well for him. But it is hectic, and crazy few days. If you are laid back like me, you may want to buy Christmas or even birthday gifts throughout the year.

If you are frugal, and creative, you can give an experience gifts to friends and family instead of buying little gadgets. You can also make some food, jams and cookie mix as gift, it will be more meaningful.

You can check out my post on how to have great Stress free thanksgiving and holiday and you can download my free ebook in pdf version meaningful celebrations for ideas.

5. Don’t buy groceries when you are famished.

This is universal truth for many of us, when we are hungry and doing grocery or any type of shopping, many of us will buy junk food, unhealthy snacks. Eat some fruit or snacks before going any type of shopping, specially buying groceries related trip.

6. Almost never lease or use “Rent to Own” product.

Leasing a car sound attractive on the surface, you pay some money, presumably reasonable monthly payment for 2 years and you get to return the car and get new lease. They may tell you that you may never have to pay for repairing a car, as you will be always driving a new car, but amount of money you end up spending is outrageous and in 99% cases not worth it.

Same things goes for “rent to own” products, you can buy used items much cheaper price or you might be better off saving money for it compared to amount you have to pay to get “rent to own” an any type of product, be it house, piano, laptop or computer. Buy used instead.

7. Buy Generic brand

Zenguy once checked the ingredient in generic headache medicine versus brand name headache medicine, he found 100% same ingredients on both medicine list. Only thing different was, generic brand did not have advertising budget like brand name. In many cases, we might be paying the extra cost of advertising and top model they use to sell the product.

Even when you have prescription to fill up, one can ask for generic brand of medicine from doctor which might be much cheaper. In most cases buying generic brand makes lot of sense over top and popular brand. If you are getting same thing, why spend extra?

8. Do Comparison Shopping

When you can not get the item for free (i.e. borrowing etc.) or buy used and you have to buy an item, you can save lot of money by comparing prices at different stores, online places before making a decision to buy it. You can get some best price or amazon or ebay, but watch out for shipping cost, as they can add up. Compare and know your option before buying anything new, specially if it over $100 priced product, you will save more money this way!

9. Before buying, sell or donate old item

I have made this rule which I try to follow. When I have to replace an item: for example a skirt, I sell or donate old skirt. This step has two benefits, first I make money if I sell it, even little bit counts, if I donate it I can use in tax break later at the tax time, again how little it may be, it helps. However I like the second benefit the most, which is that my closet won’t get cluttered. And living in clean, decluttered place is a mental bliss for me.

This tip works for almost any item, it could be old Television set, replacing bed, or furniture or car. It keeps your place clean and save you money, what is not to love?

10. No shame in haggling for price.

Many of us think that in US, we can not haggle for price, everything is fixed price and must be paid in full. While it is generally true but not complete truth. Still we  in US we can still haggle for best deal and best price. If you do not ask, you will certainly not get discounted price. Worst case people may say no, in best case, you will save some money so why not ask. Now, haggling does not mean to be so el-cheapo and be annoying, it simply means to ask politely and with respect for best price.

Some of the places in US you can negotiate the price or deal are

  • car buying (new and used),
  •  loan (lower rate),
  • credit card rates (lowering),
  • waving some bank fees,
  • cell phone contracts,
  • phone and internet contract,
  • cable contract, and so on.
  •  Lawn service,
  • kitchen, bathroom remodel,
  • a few car repairs,
  • buying a big furniture set,
  • buying big piece of art,
  • at flea market,
  •  garage sale and so on.

Always pay fair price and be respectable to seller when haggling the price to be fair.

Conclusion:

I am sure I can add many more ways to save money when we buy, but these are top 10 that are most important ones. One can keep his or his respect, save money and not feel deprived, yes all in one sentence. It can be true.

Your turn: How do you save money when you buy?

Zengirl