Ok. So i believe it was last week on facebook i posted about how i made yummy chicken enchiladas but how i didn't have tortilla's so i made a pizza with some of it. Here is the recipe step for step. It's kinda of lengthly but i usually do it in steps versus make the whole dish at once.
Chicken Prep for Enchilada's
You will need:
Chicken (how ever many pieces you want, i usually make around 4 but it's up to you)
seasonings ( salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, herb mix)
Boil chicken on medium for about 20-30 mins in seasonings. Make sure the seasoning mixes in the water.
I do this to ensure the chicken is cooked and gets a lot of flavor, plus it makes it way easier to shred.
Once cooked, cool the chicken to room temp. This may take some time, use cold water to hurry the process along.
Then shred your chicken into thin pieces of chicken
Next
Sauce: (if the following is too difficult, use pre-made marinara sauce)
For every 3 pieces of chicken, one can of tomato sauce ( i make my own sauce so buy just a can of sauce no seasonings)
Add salt and sugar. These too will balance each other out. Depending on if you like your marinara sauce saltier or more sugary, use more of one but make sure to add both ( about a palmful of each then balance it out according to your taste)
italian mixed herbs (you can find this in the spice section) or use dried oregano and basil
onion powder, garlic powder (use a lot, I dont measure anymore with this recipe so i usually cover the top of the sauce with both powders, mix it in, let it simmer, taste, then add what i need to make it to my tastes)
All the above is to taste.
Let simmer. Make sure to Taste Test
Once all mixed and heated to taste, add 2 packages of McCormick's enchilada mix (found usually in your spice isle or where they have all the different kinds of packaged mix's)
add your shredded chicken and let the chicken marinate in the sauce for at least an hour.
Now you can either stop here and package your chicken enchilada mix (it freezes really well) or you can continue to make the full meal. I usually do the above the day before hand. Sometimes i make it knowing I will use it soon and freeze it. Then when I'm going to make traditional enchiladas or make the pizza, i pull it out that morning letting it thaw, and whola. Meal in 45 mins.
Chicken Enchilada pizza
pre-made chicken enchilada's (minus the tortillas)
self rising 5 min yeast ( found in your baking section) If this process is too much you can purchase pre-made dough at your local grocery store by the specialty cheese section or possibly in the bakery depending on your store. Though it seems like a lot, it's real easy and fast and economical.
Follow the directions on the back of the yeast. Depending on the amount of people you plan on serving, you made need to make more than one pizza dough.
After adding the ingredients as the directions specify,
Use a tad more olive oil then called for. ( and add more warm water if needed, if your dough is too tacky or there is too much water add flour to even it out.)
Add onion powder, garlic powder, and parm cheese (any or all optional. I just sprinkle a little bit ontop mix, and then sprinkle a little more then mix)
After letting the dough sit for about 5-10 mins. Knead for 10 mins.
I use a large rectangle cooke sheet to put my dough on. I also put cornmeal on the non-greased cookie sheet before spreading out the dough. I have found much success in using a rolling pin in rolling out pizza dough as though it's pie dough, if your dough is too sticky just add flour. Once rolled out to a decent size and about 1/4 thickness or so, pick up the dough and let the dough hang as your move your hands on the outer of the dough moving in a circle. Once the dough is stretched enough, place on cookie sheet. you may need to push the dough into the corners a bit, be careful not to create holes in your dough. Be gentle with the dough.
Cook the dough in your pre-heated oven of 425 or whatever the yeast package says for about 10 mins depending on the thickness of your dough.
Pull out your dough and then add your chicken enchilada mix ontop. Add cheese (use shredded, crumbled, parm cheese, etc. whatever you like) ontop and any other toppings you like. I added artichoke hearts. You may add whatever you like.
Cook for another 15-20 mins.
Enjoy!
It seems labor intensive and like there is a lot going into this but honestly if i make the chicken enchilada mix ahead of time, like the day before, (Or usually i use just homemade from scratch marinara sauce) , the rest is pretty easy. The first two times i made pizza at home i used a bought dough which was fine. But then i found the self rise 5 min pizza dough yeast and it's easy. I make my own pizza now 2 times a month or so. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy. I also learned to play around with the flavoring of the dough, adding the onion and garlic powder. Even the parm cheese. Don't be afraid. I was and now i make something really good and in record time. Enjoy!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
you asked ... here it is
Friday, December 7, 2012
Hello Computer world!!
Well I know it's been awhile since i've last wrote. I'm very sorry but it's just so hard to really blog from a phone, even an iphone. So i haven't been online all that much; especially my blog. (Wow, I've forgotten how my computer works here a little... ) ( not to mention that I haven't really had time because i've been working SOO much at work. ) So back in the last week of July while i was working on Ross's engagement party announcement no less, my computer decided to break. I went to turn it on one morning, and it turned on but no screen. I had a complete meltdown. A couple weeks later I take it into Apple, mind you this is an hour drive one way. They told me my logistics card had fried and i needed a whole new motherboard. It would cost me $310 at a flat rate to have it sent out and looked at but they couldn't guarantee my files wouldn't be lost. So to best buy i went in search of some help (apple sent me there... go figure). Long story short, 6 months later with the WONDERFUL AND MOST GRATEFUL help from my dad and his girlfriend, I was able to get my computer backed up and fixed. It took 2 weeks but now i'm happy to say I have my computer back, and in working order. Not bad for a 5 1/2 year old computer! THANK YOU DAD!!!
So here I am back in the computer world. Editing photo's!! and blogging. So much to do.
Monday, September 24, 2012
A Hit Dinner
Yes I will be one of those people who posts about being healthy and then post about awesome probably not so good for you food. Lol
Well i promised you guys... Here are the recipes from the other night that were a HUGE hit even to my cousin who is around 10 yrs old! My aunt was suprised by how much and how quickly he ate all his dinner. my aunt said, He doesn't eat dinner at my house like that, I will need the recipes. Lol. The best compliment ever!
Crescent Roll Chicken
Crescent Chicken
(serves 6-8 rolls)
1 (8 or 6 jumbo count) package refrigerator crescent rolls
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can of milk (using soup can)
Preheat oven to 350
Prepare soup using milk and set aside. Separate crescent rolls. Spoon chicken and cheese onto each crescent; roll and seal to enclose filling. Place in a 9×13 baking dish. Pour soup over rolls. Bake at 350 uncovered for 30 mins.
I got this from pintrest... So for the cooked chicken, I cubed my raw chicken and then cooked in a frying pan on the stove with pam cooking spray, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and mcgormick's salt free herb mix (i love this it adds so much flavor to everything! definitely a staple in my spice cabinet). With the soup and milk, I added a little bit of sour cream. I also made the other night ranch potatoes. Now, one of the girls at work taught me this simple flavorfilled secret. Ranch Potatoes quarter as many potatoes of your choice (personally i love red potatoes) as you want, i try to fill up a 9x9 pan (also depends how many you are feeding, i like to make extra's for leftovers) In the salad dressing aisle there are packets of Hidden Valley ranch dressing MIX, you will need one per pan and then add water, or chicken broth but water works fine, i usually just fill the bottom of the pan enough to make the dressing mix and so that the potatoes don't stick to the pan or burn optional, drizzle olive oil over potatoes then cook uncovered at 350 for about 40 mins ENJOY!!
The New Me
So I've been seeing a sleep specialist. I went and had a sleep study done about a month ago and I just got the results. Basically I'm on the cuspe. I don't have sleep apnea but because of my snoring probably caused by being overweight, my oxygen levels drops enough for my brain to go from being nonactive ( going into REM sleep which is the most important cycle of a sleep pattern) to active every 3 seconds or so. Basically my brain is active while i'm sleeping which equals me being tired during the day and wanting/ needing naps during the day or caffiene.
Bottom line: LOOSE WEIGHT
She did however prescribe ambien (which MVP will only cover up to 15 pills a month which means i can only take it every other night) and Flonase, a spray to open my nasal passages. I also went back on my anti anxiety medication due to being overwhelmed with my recent time out of work from my back giving out and only having one income, etc etc.
SOO ... Last week I made a promise to myself to try. I bought lots of fruits and veggies. Not too many so they didn't rot before I could eat them. Every morning I have had fruit for breakfast. And almost every day I'm having salad for lunch, or some veggie as a main dish. I have increased my water intake over the last 2 months. Yes i pee ALL the time which really is all the time cause i have a bladder the size of a pea.
This week I've decided to try pushing the exercise. I heard an actor on Rachel ray's talk show 2 weeks ago about this app that takes you from the couch to running a 5k. I've never been a runner. I've never been into sports or exercising. But I have been jealous of those who seem to really enjoy it. So I'm making myself at least try. I'm taking all those things I pin on pintrest about and at least making an effort.
So today was day 1 in the excerise department. I found this awesome website via pinrest that has beginner warm ups and easy exercises. check it out at http://skinnyms.com/shape-up-size-down-beginners-workout/ . There are different videos and different levels. Then i went outside and used my C25K Iphone app. I didn't finish it. But I made it half way through day 1 of a 30 min cycle between running and brisk walking. I walked for a total of 27 mins and ran for a total of 3 mins. Which is more than i did yesterday. So I am proud of myself for accomplishing that. In total i spent 1 1/2 hours exercising. After getting back i did my exercises my chiropractor gave me and then warmed down. Drank 2 glasses of water and now here i am.
I made it. And I tried!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
We are engaged!!
If you didnt know already collin and i are engaged!
About a month ago we decided to go look at rings together. Within a few mins at kays we found my ring. It was perfect like it called out to me... And the price was perfect as well... Collin also found his ring. The next day we purchased them. His was special order and mine had to be resized. Two weeks later mine was ready we picked it up and that night collin proposed. He was very cute and romantic. He got down on one knee at home and asked me!
We've been talking about it a lot in then past several months and we already had a date in mind. Yesterday i booked the church so you all can put it on your calendar. June 20th, 2014! Yes its a friday... I cant wait! I hope you all can come!
How to make an ordinary bag look elegant
So i needed a bag for an engagement party but all i had was a victoria secret bag... So i decided why not use that but make it look nice with wrapping paper?!
I had bought some really nice black and white patterned every day use wrapping paper on sale after christmas.
Take the wrapping paper and cut it to size . As though your wrapping a box but its a bag.
I used tape but if you have more time and patience im sure you could use glue for a more seamless look.
Do one side at a time and make sure you wrap a little piece at the top into the inside of the bag so your covering all of the original bag.
When all done, use tissue paper to pack your gift with and magic! You have a beautiful bag!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Cant sleep update
As i lie here in bed not able to sleep cause i have insomnia along with the fact that ive been in bed for the last week for about 90% of the time; ive decided to write on here to update you all. And by you all, i probably mean like two people. ( warning: due to muscle relaxers the side affects could be slight depression and ive noticed im a little loopy as well sometimes)
Last tuesday while at work at 630 am, i bent over and felt a sharp pain up my back. I almost fell over. I lost my breath and immediately starting crying.. ( i had no control over any of this) Within 20 mins i was dizzy to the point of almost passing out, disoriented, puking and in extreme pain. We only have one car right now and of course i had it at work with me. Being in no shape to drive, i called collin and asked him to come get me. I had to call him again to inform him i needed to go to the ER. As i waited for him to get a ride to my job, i realized i couldnt wait any longer and asked my coworker to find me a ride to the hospital. A friend came n got me as collin came to my job, picked up the car and then met me at the hospital. I was tested for various things via blood and urine ( including a pregnancy test; which i inform you i am not currently pregnant). I also had a ct scan done.
I have never hurt myself more than a possible broken toe or a cut here and there. Ive never been to the ER nor have i ever experienced anything like this ever in my life. All tests came back normal. Result: pulled muscle; possible damage to disk in spine. Ive been out of work since then. Im on bed rest with ice and heat rotating ever couple of hours as the dr has prescribed. Ive been going to my chiropractor three times a week. She is amazing! Right now im doing good but there is still pain and im not 100%...and it will take awhile to get there.
Its frustrating to not be able to do anything. At first, i couldnt move well. I could barely walk. I have to sit to dress. I couldnt get out of bed by myself. I cant drive. I cant get comfortable. I cant lift anything, im supposed to rest all the time. And for me thats very hard. So here i am updating my blog at midnight bored and frustrated with the cards dealt to me. Overall, im being told im dealing with everything very well. That i shouldnt be in a rush to get back to how things were and i know they are right. Im just in a rough place today...
Monday, July 16, 2012
Been awhile
So i know its been awhile since ive been on here. I got a new job. Then i almost lost my job but thankfully i didnt. I am back where i belong. I am a supervisor at a house working with elder women that are intellectually challenged. It is the same house i started at when i started at this agency. I care for each of the individuals at this house very deeply and love working with them. Ive been back for almost a month. Ive had a lot of new things to learn. An ive picked up extra hrs and worked 6-7 days a week for the past month or so. Its been really crazy!
Moms in town with ashby and we have been trying to spend some time together. I think the next couple of weeks we will have more time for that. Its amazing to see how fast ashman has grown up. I love him so much.
Lets see what else is going on... Dads been in and out of town lately. Collin and i are planning a vacation to myrtle beach in august... We are gonna camp near the beach! We r very excited because its been 2yrs since we've been on a camping trip just the two of us. And we have never been there.. There a few big plans that will be going on in august...
Collin is looking into new job opportunities; mainly oil rigging... We hope to move in the not to distant future and we think this might be the time to look at changing jobs for him...
So thats really it... Oh my mac computer screen died on me... So i have to update my flash drive n external hard drive n then retrieve my info n then send it to get fixed but really i need to buy a new computer cause its 5 yrs old n apple wont have the parts to fix it in 6 months... Very sad cause i dont have that kind of money and i need my mac. :( ! Hoping my family just goes in together and gives me money towards a new one for my xmas gift this year. Forget individual gifts. I really just want money towards a new mac.
So thats my boring life... Work and some bad luck but overall good things coming my way... Or so i hope! :)
Thursday, June 7, 2012
I'm a supervisor !!
So i've been wanting to change jobs for awhile. Right now I work at Day Hab working with mentally challenged adults age 18-30. The majority of the adults i work with right now are very high functioning and have multiple diagnosis, 95% of them have some form of autism. (Honestly i think everyone has a little bit of autism these days.. it's such a wide spectrum.) It's very high pace, mentally and physically draining 40 hr weeks. And honestly, management i think is a little too controlling of everyone at this particular day hab. So needless to say, I'm not happy. It's more than i can handle right now and I'd prefer a less controlling, less harassing work environment.
So i put in for several different jobs before i went on vacation about a month ago. First i put in for a nice house of three older women for a residential specialist with med support. That position would be the one who works with the individuals of the house but also helps the nurse with the medications; ordering, scripts, dr.'s appointment, etc. Well, that was filled before i even left. But they sent my application over to another house who was looking for a residential specialist to help with the care and support of individuals but also help to make outings happen and involve the 11 people who lived there with activities they enjoyed and connect with their community. I was perfect for the job and they liked me so much they offered me a job on the spot. BUT I had also put in for the supervisor position at my old house in glasco. There are 6 ladies who live there ranging from 33-68. They are lower functioning but quiet lovely and fun ladies. I missed them and the people i used to work with. I interviewed but didn't quiet get the same response as the other house. And they had another to interview. But my job is union and seniority has power. So I finally got the call last friday.
I GOT THE JOB!! and I'm going to be a SUPERVISOR!! A job promotion with a pay raise!! So excited!!
While i'm still unsure of how things will work out and I don't seem to be getting the same enthusiasm as I have back from people I tell, I think everything will be ok. So my last day at my current hell hole is next friday, the 15th. And I start my new job (within the same agency), and the next chapter in my life, on Sunday the 17th!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Having a cold sucks; but not as much with this immune booster!! get informed
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Collin on his bday...
Well we made it back from the other side... Lol. We traveled to San Salvador in El Salvador to visit with my dad. We both had a great time. Collin was in all his glory and has fallen in love with the country all over again. I of course had a great time as well. We rushed from the airport at 8pm to the beach and enjoyed ourselves at the beach till sunday evening. We both got our taste of close-to-the-equator sunburns. They weren't terribly bad and went away by midweek. Monday was my dad's girlfriend's bday and we celebrated in high fashion at my dad's house. I enjoyed my first taste of papaya. Tuesday was a holiday down there and we went to my dad's host family's lake house. They have a lake house on a crater lake created by an ancient volcano that erupted and caved into the earth and then filled into water. Collin and I enjoyed just lounging and catching up with family. We also spent some time on the Jet ski's! The last time i was there I was around 12 yrs old and i remember it a little bit differently. The water level though keeps dropping and there are many different theory's on the reasoning.
Wednesday we went shopping and bought lots of coffee! among other items. It was also Collin's birthday. We went to an Argentina restaurant and tried grilled rabbit. I was very proud of myself for being so open and willing to try new things this trip. I also weathered this trip better than the last time. It was delicious. Later, we had a cake with trick candles for collin.
It was also Ashby's bday and he now is a legal driver. WATCH OUT! lol. No, I'm very proud of ashby and all his accomplishments. Though i think he needs to apply himself more often; he is a very bright kid and is already ahead of myself in many aspects. He will do alright in life.
Thursday we went to the Mayan ruins and had a blast with just my dad as we learned and saw more of the country he loves so much. More about all that later as i have yet to edit the photo's from my real camera. Friday we relaxed and then went to see AVENGERS. Awesome movie. Saturday back to the beach for more fun before flying back to reality.
I really want to thank my dad for being a great father. You are always there for me and i greatly appreciate that. While everyone makes mistakes here and there; and we have not always seen eye to eye on all things, you have so much to offer the world and the people in your life and do so with open arms. It was a very nice vacation and we both appreciate the time you spent with us, as well as, opening us up to the wide variety of beauty El Salvador has to offer. It was especially nice to see how well you and my boyfriend, my hopefully soon to be husband, get along so well. It is rather refreshing. Thank you again for such a wonderful break from life and reality. It was much needed!
my dad's host family... aka FAMILY n me and my dad!
Margarita and her family plus me and my dad!
place we stayed at, at the beach
Friday, May 4, 2012
San salvador
This is what life is about... Spending time with family. Creating new memories and remembering old ones. Experiencing new ones. Experiencing life in general. So many times i feel like when ur living ur normal life ; going to work, running errands, making dinner, etc. you get in the rut of living life in such a routine it becomes boring and meaningless. You forget to really live life and its hard to step out of all that to take a look around and appreciate life. To appreciate what u have and to recognize what you want out of life.
Its so nice to have this opportunity to travel, to be out of the states, to experience culture and be thankful for all that is taken for granted. Thank you dad for giving me and collin this time with you and this change to once again engulf ourselves in something new.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Moving/update
I know its been awhile since ive been on here. I apologize. Back in november i switched jobs within my agency. I work with autistic and mentally challenged adults. There are a lot of changes going on in this agency. Its been kinda of a tough year in reference to my job but ive put hard work into it and gotten through it. Collin and i also really want to get of new york. Our goal is to get to kentucky to have a real relationship and bond with collins daughter Olivia who is now three. We realized that in order to move out of state we needed to save money and that wasn't happening where we are now. Kingston is still in a recession and we can pay our bills but saving money forget it. So we looked at our options and we decided to move into the empty apt over the garage at the house my parents are trying to still sell. So here we are moving day! Ive been moving for the past three weeks; purging, making a sell pile, and spring cleaning. Its exhausting and im ready for it all to be over but its also been very cleansing. We dont plan on stayin there long, a couple of months and then ... Well you will have to stay tuned to find out!
Mashed potatoes in a bag?
So as we are packing to move, more on that later, everything to mash the potatoes are packed up. So i thought well maybe i can make them in a bag. So i made sure my potatoes were really cooked and soft. I poured the water out n then put the potatoes in a larger ziplock bag. I melted butter n added that. I closed the bag and with a towel over the bag began to mash. After a few mins i added some milk and continue to mash. They came out really good. I think i may do this more often!
Monday, March 12, 2012
i think i just found my new favorite photographer...
How To Become A Pro Photographer in 5 Simple Steps
by Chase on MARCH 1, 2012
Got a note the other day from an aspiring photographer. He wanted to know what it takes to become a pro. I thought–very pragmatically–that it’s really not complicated. HARD maybe, but complicated, no. It might be what “the industry” doesn’t want you to know, but here are the 5 steps.
1. Declare yourself a photographer. That’s what you ARE in life. You’re not a student, not a finance-guy-slash-part-time-photographer, not a part time anything. You’re a photographer. People have to know this.
2. Be in business. Make it real. Get a business bank account, business license (city + county), business cards. Business. Otherwise it’s a hobby.
3. Read every book you can find at the library or online about the business of photography. Understand the rules. Because if you fail at the business part, if you can’t SUSTAIN this business, you’re not a pro. You’re unemployed, or back to part-time this or that. And back to step 1 you go again…wanting to be a pro. NOW then, if read these books and they make sense, and they teach you how to run the books and land the gigs…you gotta then break some of the rules you read in these books. And YOU choose which are the right ones to break. You’ll be right 50% of the time, you just won’t know which 50% until after you’ve taken the leap. Action is the only thing that matters.
4. Take photographs everyday and share them, pimp them, promote them like mad. For clients and for yourself. Get creative as all hell. Find YOUR voice through shooting more photos than you thought was possible. Aim to be different, not better than everybody else. Be brutal in your edit. Put forward only your best work around the the things you actually want to get paid to shoot. Break all the rules here too. And again, you’ll be mistaken 50% of the time, but you gotta take your swings to hit anything at all. Don’t forget, the DOING is the only thing that matters here too. What you THINK is nice, but it counts for zilch, zero, nada. Action wins.
5. Repeat.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
pear gorgonzola vinaigrette dressing
Directions:
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/spinach-pear-salad-with-gorgonzola-walnuts-and-pear-vinaigrette-176432#ixzz1kVk45u88
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Whimsical baby dream photo's
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Looking to tighten your belt in 2012? You can start by using coupons, searching for discounts or simply buying lower-cost versions of the items you typically purchase. But if you're looking for truly big savings, consider entirely cutting out the products and services you really don't need. "There are lots of things that you can eliminate from your life altogether, and you can do it without sacrificing convenience and quality of living," Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, tells MainStreet. Indeed, from those daily coffee shop runs to your landline phones, there are many items you can certainly live without this year if you're looking to build up your savings. [See also: Most Commonly Broken New Year's Resolutions and How to Keep Them] Here are 10 things to consider cutting from your budget in 2012 so your new year isn't filled with new debt. Coffee Shop Visits We know, it's hard to resist those morning coffee shop runs, but even buying just one cup every day can make a dent in your wallet. A small coffee from my local Starbucks (12-oz.) costs $1.75, which equals $12.25 a week if you buy one cup a day or almost $25 if you buy two cups a day. A cheaper alternative would be to brew your own. You can buy Folgers ground coffee at Wal-Mart for about $10, and that brews about 270 6-oz. cups (or 135 12-oz. cups). The expense of filters is minimal, too. For instance, you can buy a 200-pack of filters by Original Gourmet Food Co. Coffee Pro for about $2 at Wal-Mart. Incandescent Light Bulbs You've heard that it's "greener" to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and that it could save you money on your electric bill in the long run, so if you haven't done so already, what are you waiting for? Although it will cost you a few more dollars up front, replacing just one traditional incandescent bulb with a bulb that qualifies for the government's Energy Star program will save $40 or more over the lifetime of the bulb, and changing five bulbs will save $200 or more over the lifetime of the bulb, according to the Energy Star website. What's more, Energy Star-qualified light bulbs last at least six times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Disposable Water Bottles Whether you're heading out to the gym or packing your lunch for work, it's easy to just throw a disposable water bottle in your bag for whenever you get thirsty. But those bottles can really add up, even if you buy them in bulk (a 12-pack of half-liter Poland Spring bottles cost $3.99 at my local grocery store, which only lasts me about a week). To save money, skip the disposable bottles and buy a reusable Brita water bottle for $9.99, which will purify any tap water you add to it. You'll just need to change the filter every two months, which costs $7.99. That means your costs for the first two months are about $18, and after that you'll only be paying $7.99 every two months for as much water as you'd like to drink. [See also: Top 5 Credit Score Myths] Baggage Fees These days checking a bag for a flight can cost a pretty penny, with Continental, Delta and American Airlines charging $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag on domestic flights. If you fly often, avoid the fee by packing your things in a carry-on, or consider sharing a checked bag—and splitting the fee—with a family member or friend you might be traveling with. You could also choose to fly with an airline that does not charge for checked bags. For instance, Southwest will accept the first two checked bags for free, as long as they're not more than 50 pounds and 62 linear inches in size (combined length, width and height) each. Subscriptions You Don't Use Is your coffee table cluttered with magazines and newspapers you don't get around to reading? While we're certainly not advocating cutting out any reading materials you rely on, it's worth canceling subscriptions to publications that you really don't read, or that you could easily read for free online. For instance, a subscription to the print edition of The New York Times cost $5.85 per week for daily delivery, and a one-year subscription to Men's Health costs $19.90 plus $4.97 for delivery, but you can read articles from both publications online for no cost. Baby Food You want the best for your little one, but those jars of baby food can get pricey. An equally healthy and more affordable option is to make your own baby food. Here's an easy recipe courtesy of Leslie Banister, chef for the website Food on the Table. All you'll need are veggies, water and a blender or food processor. This recipe makes six servings. Ingredients: 1 cup of fresh vegetables Water Directions: -Cut vegetables into small pieces (1-inch cubes). -Place veggies into a steamer basket with just enough water visible through the steamer basket. -Steam until tender -Do not reserve any leftover water to use for thinning out the carrots if your baby is under eight months old, as nitrates may seep into the cooking water. -Place steamed vegetables into a blender or food processor. -Add purified water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency. Credit Score Fees If you're looking to be more financially sound in the new year, it's a good idea to check your credit score. But while some companies will charge you a fee, others offer free versions—you just have to know where to look. Here are three websites where you could get your score for no charge. CreditKarma.com: To get your free score, you must create a free account on CreditKarma.com. Doing so requires you to enter your Social Security number and answer some questions about the accounts appearing on your credit report—such as which lender is associated with your auto loan—to verify your identity. Quizzle.com: You can get a free copy of your Experian credit report and accompanying score on credit monitoring site Quizzle.com. To do so, you must create a free account on the site. Although you won't have to enter your Social Security number, you will have to answer some questions about your credit history to verify your identity. CreditSesame.com: You can also get a free version of your Experian score on CreditSesame.com, which you can obtain by providing your Social Security number and answering some personal questions to verify your identity. Credit Sesame also has a free iPhone app that will provide a free score as well as monthly updates on your score's status. Cable You don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars every year to watch your favorite shows. This year, consider canceling your cable and taking advantage of several free and low-cost entertainment services. The website Hulu, for instance, lets you watch a variety of hit shows for free such as Glee, The Office and Modern Family, plus movies and documentaries. Or for $7.99 a month, you can take advantage of Hulu Plus, which gives you access to all of the selections on regular Hulu, plus more shows and movies. You can also watch many shows for free on the network's website, or pay $7.99 for Netflix, which provides access to unlimited movies and TV episodes. Landline Phones If you think about it, that landline phone really isn't necessary if you're trying to cut costs. You could make calls on your cellphone, or take advantage of free calling services. For instance, Skype provides free calls to other Skype users and free video calling (in which you talk face-to-face with live video). You can also take advantage of Google Voice, which lets you place free calls to the U.S. and Canada and charges low-cost rates to other locations, including 10 cents per minute to France and Germany. Schrage also suggests replacing your landline phone with the magicJack, a device that lets you make calls over the Internet. The magicJack plugs into your computer's USB port, and has a standard phone jack into which you can plug a standard phone. The device costs $39.95 the first year plus $6.95 for shipping and handling, and after that you'll only have to pay a $19.95 annual renewal fee10 Things You Should Stop Paying for in 2012
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