Fourth Frugal Friday of April 2022

Welcome to Friday!
My Frugal Week
Living in the rural countryside inside the Cherokee National Forest brings with it all sorts of wildlife. Bailey heard something like a buzz saw at the back door Wednesday evening. She looked outside the window on the door, but couldn’t see anything, but all the cats were looking at the door. Finally, a bobcat turned around and ran down the back steps. Yikes!
The CNA who came on Friday to give Mom a bath called me into her room to look at her arm. I knew immediately that Mom needed to go to the emergency room. Her arm had been swollen all week, but now it was weeping. She was admitted into the hospital that evening and a wound specialist was called to clear up the infection. 
Bailey and I were able to get our second booster shot of the Moderna vaccine on Monday. I didn’t even realize that I was eligible to receive it now. I’ve grown weary of Covid as I’m sure many of you have as well. 
Mom’s hospital bed finally arrived on Tuesday. We moved furniture around to make room for it and even gave away a recliner to make room. The couple who received it were thrilled.
I bought a shampoo bar while I was at Traders Joe’s on our recent trip. I’ve read that they last longer than shampoo in the bottle, so I bought one to find out. 
Helping Others
Mom had some shelf stable Hormel dinners in her pantry that she bought, but did not like and wasn’t eating. I took those and some other items she was not eating and placed them into one of our little free pantries here. 
Saving Money In My Frugal Kitchen
My Dad had given me two packages of ground pork and I hadn’t decided what to do with them. Then I read a post from Lianne on the Facebook Living Simply group that she was using ground pork to make egg rolls in a bowl. Perfect! 
Normally I use pork sausage to make this dish, so I knew the flavor would be different. I’m happy to report it was still a winner as the taste of the ginger really makes this dish taste so good. 
On Thursday I portioned out the last two servings of beans and greens and placed those into the freezer for future meals. Afterwards I made a stockpot full of soup for lunches for the next few days. 
We stopped in at Kroger on Monday, not for a big grocery shop, but to pick up a few things. I enjoy all kinds of fruit, but there is something special about a ripe pear. I found a bag of five pears for 99 cents and have enjoyed one everyday this week. 

Meals This Week
Friday:  Chicken Strips, Air Fried Potatoes or Potato Salad, Collard Greens
Saturday: Plant Based Taco Bowls, Homemade Hummus & Vegetables, Corn on the Cob. 
Sunday: Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Cucumber & Tomato Salad, Corn
Monday: Rainbow Sandwiches, Sprouted Bread layered with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Hummus, Beets, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and any other veggies desired. 
Tuesday: Southwest Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans, Corn, Tomatoes and Red Onions. 
Wednesday: Baked Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens, Corn on the Cob, Cucumber Salad, Red Peppers, and Sliced Tomatoes.
Thursday: Dirty Rice, Baked Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli
Recipe of the Week
Plant Based Taco Bowl
I’ve been reading more this week and specifically plant based reading and found the concept of this taco bowl to be very interesting. I looked at two different recipes and combined them together and added a few changes of my own. 
I really like how this dish turned out and topped my own bowl with romaine, tomatoes, and chopped red peppers. It was delicious and I plan to move it into my regular rotation of plant based/meatless meals. 
I made some air fried corn tortilla chips in my air fryer to go along with this dish. 
Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice1 cup lentils4 cups water1 large onion1 red pepper1 tablespoon chili powder1 tablespoon onion powder1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon cumin1 teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon paprika 1 can beans, rinsed and drained1 can corn, drainedLettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions, and peppers to top afterwards
Place Rice, Lentils, Onion, Pepper and Spices in Instant Pot. Cook for 9 minutes.Add beans and corn. Place in bowls to serve and top with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and peppers.
Saving on Entertainment
What I've been Reading This Week
In the Fall of 2018 National Geographic came out with a new Time Inc. Special Issue titled, Blue Zones The Science of Living Longer. I wouldn’t buy it back then because the cost was $13.99, but we found a copy of it among a ziplock bag full of National Geographic magazines at a consignment sale for $3.00 recently. I was so excited when I saw it. I’ve been enjoying reading it all week long. 

How was your week? Did you add to your home this week to be more prepared for the future? Thank you for dropping by my frugal blog, you are always welcome here. We would love to hear about your week in the comment section.

Belinda~ Living within our Means ~My Linktree