Just a note

When I typing my last post it was late at night and I forgot to mention to do your research to answer some of the questions and any questions that pop up while planning and packing for your trip.  I use Google and Pinterest, as well as read a few books on packing for travel.

On of the books that I read is "The Packing Book; Secrets of a carry-on Travel" by Judith Gil ford.  I would recommend this book as she goes into details and gives options, of course this is just my opinion.

One of the things that Judith recommends to create kits that stay in your luggage.  My next series of posts will be about what I put in the kits (you have to get her book to get her specific list) and how I stocked and pack them.

Please join me and feel free to post if you have any ideas or questions as I type about my nail care kit.

Now that you are going on a trip

Now you have a trip. Maybe it's a family trip, wedding or other celebration, or a work trip you need to consider the who, what, where, when, and hows of your trip.  Get a pen or pencil, and some paper and meet with those going on the trip with you.

Begin asking the questions and writing them do for future reference. Who is going, who are you going to see? What activities are planned? what special items are needed for the trip? Where are you planning on visiting (this is the time to write more specific details)? When are the activities going to happen? When during the year? What is the weather like? How are you going to get around? How is food going to be prepared? Laundry done?  Etc. The specific questions depend on the trip..

In my case I visiting my mother during late August (where the weather will be 20 to 30 degrees lower then where I live). We may go shopping, visit friends, maybe go on a day trip somewhere. Most likely she will do most of the cooking and I will have access to a washer.  I have to watch my sodium intake because of my blood pressure and also suffer from Eczema.

This helps me in planning my clothes since I don't need anything super dressy and just need something nice in case we eat somewhere nice. I also don't need a lot of clothes since I have access to a washer, nor fill up my suitcase with a towel, since she will have one.  I need to take the items for my Eczema and blood pressure as well. She doesn't have Internet so I don't need a laptop, but instead will use a tablet.

By having things written down it will help you organize your thoughts and make sure you don't forget anything.

School is Ending and Travel Season is Beggining

As schools start letting out for the summer, more and more people are looking forward to making trips. Some are as short a trip to the local beach, lake or river; and some are as far as the other end of the world and can last for a week or more.  No matter how long or far that trip is one concern many have is what to pack and how , especially if flying, how can I carry it in as few bags as possible.

I am getting ready to travel and have the same questions.  Join me as I type about preparing for my trip in late August and comment with any questions or tips.  I plan on flying across the country to spend a week with my mom with only a carry-on and my purse/tote bag.  I am currently preparing and working on packing in as little as possible (for me) while the airlines are discussing reducing the size of a carry-on bag, possibly making it even more of a challenge.

Well today things changed.  I normally am home during lunch and planned on making the Lentil Vegetable soup with Dumplings, but I had to stay at work.  So for lunch I ended up going to Taco Bell, but it only cost 59 cents because of a gift card.  

For dinner I fixed the Lentil Vegetable Soup with Dumplings.  I cooked some leftover beef and added to the soup so the beef wouldn't be wasted.   I may also have the soup for lunch tomorrow and maybe even dinner.  I am not sure if I can freeze the soup, but may try that as well.

If I am in the mood for dessert I plan on using the small shortcake with berries and whip cream (all these were already in the fridge.

By the way for breakfast I had Frosted Mini Wheat, Orange Juice, and a hard boiled egg (all these items were already in my fridge and pantry).

That is it for today

Going Low Sodium on a Budget with the Hillbilly Housewife Emergency Budget

In trying to reduce my blood pressure I have been trying to eat low sodium, high potassium foods.  It is a challenge, especially when trying to keep my budget low.  This week I am using the Hillbilly Housewife's emergency budge hillbillyhousewife, making changes as fit.

Today I went to the store and purchased some of the items on the list, the other I had at home.  I also purchased a couple of items not on the list and my total was 39.00

Here are my purchases at Sav-a-lot

pinto beans (dry)
Lima beans (dry and frozen)

1 dozen eggs
2 15 ounce cans no salt tomatoes
green peas (frozen)
15 oz can greens (low sodium)
baby carrots (have frozen carrots)
1 bunch of celery (watch how much you eat, they naturally have sodium as well as carrots)
strawberries (fresh and on sale)
Grapes (fresh and on sale)
Cucumber
Bananas (good source of potassium)
Orange crush soda (only for lunches at work, cheaper then from the vending machine)
Swiss cheese (Yea, a low sodium cheese)
Corn muffin mix as a substitute for corn meal (they didn't have any)







Here are my purchases at Dollar Deals
pinto beans
black beans
vinegar
Goya The perfect seasoning (large container and low sodium compare to other seasonings, but does have MSG)
White chocolate bunny (yes, it was an impulse buy, but on sale)
lemon Juice (to make Lemonade instead of tea)
Another container Orange Juice

Currently I have white beans soaking to replace the lentils, since neither store carried them, large bowl being washed to make bread dough for Artisan bread to bake tomorrow.


That is all for today