Bargain Mum's Cheesymite Scroll Recipe

Bargain Mum's Cheesymite Scroll Recipe

Makes 8
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 - 12 minutes

2 cups (300g) self-raising flour
40g canola spread
3/4 cup (185ml) skim milk
1 tbs flour, extra
3 tbs, vegemite
60g reduced fat tasy cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 180 degress C. Spray a baking trail with oil.

Sift the flour into a medium bowl, using fingertips rub the butter into the flour until fine and crumbly.

Pour almost all the milk and mix to a soft dough. Add more milk if necessary. Sprinkle the extra flour over work surface and lightly knead the dough for 30 seconds.

Roll dough out onto baking paper to 20 x 30cm rectangle approx 5mm thick.

Spread the Vegemite over the dough leaving a 1 cm edge. Sprinkle the cheese over.

Roll the dough up from the long side. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 8 slices. Place on the prepared tray and bake in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Delish! And great for lunchboxes.

Discount variety stores... wool over eyes?

I was recently in a discount variety store and saw a selection of food items such as museli bars, pasta sauces, spaghetti, soups and other pantry products. Some items were relatively cheap, when compared with a similar home brand product however others were the same if not higher in price.

A word to the wise - ensure that what you are buying at a discount variety store is cheaper, otherwise you might as well buy it from your local supermarket.

Tips for staying warm and keeping that bill down

I recently asked my lovely group of Bargain Mums what they did to keep their winter electricity bill down. The response was fantastic and I'd like to share those tips with you here.

Danielle Medina: I just bought some snakes from Ikea. The kids think they are great to play with, and when they go to bed I put them across the doors to keep the drafts out.

Marteen Loneragan: we wrap up in blankets before we even consider putting the heater on.

Rebecca Pryde: I've heard that uncovered windows (no curtains or blinds) lets alot of cold in, so I always try to have the curtains drawn before it gets dark. Don't know if it does anything, but it makes me feel better. :)

Christine Hancock: Heavily lined curtains and a pelmet at the top to block the cold air.

Suzy N Kevin Lincoln: About 4ish as it starts to cool down we rug up and go outside to play chasey with the dogs! Gets the blood pumping and warms us up for a few more hours!

Some fantastic suggestions!

How do you stay warm when the winter chill is in the air?

Book in the works...

Shhh... I have a book in the works! If you are interested in being part of a book project please email me india@bargainmums.com.au! You're a mum, so you qualify! :)

Tip #8 - Make your own baby food

I think myself quite the hippy! I made my own baby food today and I am as pleased as punch! As Oscar is still starting out with solids, I began my baby food making venture with some easy favourites and thought I'd share a few with you here.

Firstly, if you haven't headed out to buy some ice cube trays to freeze your baby food in, get out and grab something like the below:



Smooooove Carrots
About 8 good sized carrots

- Peel and chop the carrots
- Place a pot on the stove with enough water to cover the carrots
- Place carrots in the pot
- Leave carrots to become tender (about 15 - 20 minutes)
- Drain the carrots and place them in a blender or bowl (for hand mixer - although, as I found quite messy!)
- Add a little water to make a puree
- And blend
- Ensure that the mixture is blended enough to so there aren't any chunky bits (babies apparently don't like the chunks as yet)
- And voila!

--

Pear and Apple Delight
2 good sized apples and 2 good sized pears

- Peel, core and chop the fruit
- Place a pot on the stove with enough water to cover the fruit
- Place chopped fruit into pot
- Leave fruit to become tender (about 15 - 20 minutes)
- Drain the fruit and place in a blender
- Add a little water to make a puree
- And blend

You can then spoon the mixture into the ice tray to freeze (I place Glad wrap over the top of mine) and then pop the cubes out into a Ziplock bag marked CARROTS when they're hard and back into the freezer.

When you're reheating, one ice block generally defrosts in the microwave if you head the DEFROST button and 50 seconds. So, 3 blocks will take about 2 1/2 minutes. But you'll have to test your microwave out to see what the best time ratio is.

Always check the heat before serving it up to your bubs!

I've also found, adding a pear/apple cube to a pumpkin or potato cube makes it much easier to go down! You know, spoon full of sugar and all that jazz.

By making my own baby food (though it does take some time and organisation on my part) I save about $25.00 a week!! Yep... do the sums and you'll probably find that you'll save a bucket load.

And... you know exactly what your baby is eating too, which is nice peace of mind.

Moving is a great time to reconcile, declutter and chuck!

A friend of mine once said to me when we were talking about decluttering, you have to look at things with a hard heart. And I always remember that piece of advice when I try to declutter or indeed I move house. Having recently done both, I was again reminded by the need to look at the things I own (or horde!) with a hard heart.

When was the last time I used it?
When will I use it again?
Do I need this?
Can I get rid of it?
Can I sell it?
Could someone else find use in it?

All of these questions should be applied to the things in your life you could (probably/possibly) live without.

A hard heart means, the items you think you don't need but you hold onto just in case you might need them again one day, probably could go off to a better home or be recycled in some way.

Happy decluttering... and remember, you trash could be someone else's treasure so think about selling it on eBay (www.ebay.com.au) or, if you have enough stuff, throw a garage sale! Sometimes you can make some money out of the items you just don't need any more.

The ultimate question...

Before you buy something, ask yourself these questions:

- Can I live without this?
- Do I need it? Or merely want it?
- Do I already have something I can use instead?
- Can I borrow it from a friend or family member?
- How long will I have to work to pay for this?

Sometimes the answer might help you make a decision about a purchase and save money on something you really didn't need, just wanted!

It's hard, I know! But give it a go.