Ebates for Online Shopping

Anytime I shop online, I check with ebates to see whether they offer cashback for the store website from which I am making a purchase. Even if I’ve already added items to my shopping bag on a website, I’ll close out of the website (the items usually stays in the cart for a period of time), log on to ebates and link back to the website from ebates in order to receive cash back.

Often ebates will list coupon codes for additional discounts at the store website. Ebates usually offers double cash back for select stores at different times---up to 15% or more, which can be significant, especially if you use a coupon code on your order. I usually google for coupon codes before I make any purchase and often receive free shipping or a percentage or amount off of my purchase (for example google “old navy coupon code” and you’ll come to a list of websites that post coupon codes for that store. I usually look at a couple of sites and see if there are any applicable coupons to use---this also tends to be when I remember to log into ebates to get my cash back). You’ll receive an email when Ebates has credited your account with cash back from a purchase within a few days.

I’ve been a member of Ebates since 2007 and have already received $54.95 cashback---for doing nothing but entering the store website through ebates and referring a few members. You can receive your cash back checks by mail or have them deposited into your paypal account. You’ll receive your rewards approximately 4 times/year. You can also designate a charity or a friend to receive your cash back.
If you use my link, you will receive a $5 bonus when you sign up and make your first purchase (full disclosure—I will receive $5 too). Refer friends from your unique link and receive $5 when they sign up!

Get Green Columbus!

Get Green Columbus is a 3 year old initiative created by Mayor Michael B. Coleman dedicated to making Columbus a green community through green businesses, green neighborhoods, and leading by example. Check out what resources they have to offer. While you’re there, join the GreenSpot Program. Business and households can commit to taking steps in becoming more green and become a member of the program. Right now there are 1130 members in Columbus! There are link, resources, and tips available, as well as featured members of the program.

Green Columbus

Green Columbus is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable living in Central Ohio and globally. The strategies for fulfilling this promise are:
*Providing Forums
*Raising Awareness
*Encouraging Action

Check out the events on this site and sign up for the newsletters to get involved!

Earth Day- ideas and deals

Earth Day has been promoted heavily this year, locally and nationally, which is fantastic! According to www.idealbite.com, (which is a great resource for little tips to be more earth-friendly) “Earth Day is the third-most activity-inspiring holiday in schools, after Christmas and Halloween.” Sign up for Ideal Bites daily tips or just browse the tip library to see what you can do to make a difference.
What can you implement into your life? Recycling, gardening, composting, reusing items instead of tossing them, using eco-friendly products, buying local and organic food, planting trees, volunteering for clean-up projects, turning off water while brushing your teeth and taking quicker showers, using grocery totes, using CFL’s in your house, reduce the amount of driving/idling that you do.
If you’re interested in composting, check out this composter from amazon (free shipping). I bought this one for my mom, and my friends bought one off of my recommendation and they really like it (I don’t have a yard). As with any composting, it takes a little getting used to what/when to add. This site is a great resource for all things composting. You may find that you have little need for trash pickup if you recycle and compost!
Check out my Amazon Earth Day sale link on the right (or click here)to buy eco-friendly items at a discounted rate!
Happy Earth Day!

Join a CSA for local produce

One of the easiest ways to eat locally and have plenty of produce throughout the farming season is to join a CSA. CSA stands for “community-supported agriculture”. Essentially you pay for your “share” of the farm before the season begins, which helps the farms to have the money ahead of time to buy supplies, seeds, equipment and such. Your options among the various farms may include weekly or biweekly pickups at a variety of locations (or even delivery in some instances); one, two, or four person shares; vegetables, fruits, bakery goods, dairy, or meat. You are sure to find a combination that will work with your needs.

I joined for the first time last year with The Wayward Seed Farm Fruit CSA. Every other Saturday I picked up my two person share at the North Market, which was perfect because I’d buy the rest of my produce at the farmers’ market while I was there. The shares turned out to be $12/pickup last year, though I believe it to be $15/pickup this year, which is still a great deal. I received a variety of fruits (usually 3 types at a time) in a sufficient amount, with apples being the most abundant because after all, this is Ohio. There are many pickup locations and days available between the different farms.

For more information, check out this article from the Restaurant Widow. She’s quite the expert on CSA’s and includes the local farms offerings, along with the links. The best resource for across the country for CSA’s would definitely be www.localharvest.org.

Ham and Cheese Omelet Roll

Looking for a breakfast to serve for a holiday or when you have guests? This looks great, tastes great, and is easy to make. I always add garlic powder.

Baked Ham and Cheese Omelet Roll
6 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup cooked ham, chopped or 9 slices of deli ham (could sub in other breakfast meat)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (you can reduce amount for lower fat)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Beat eggs and milk until fluffy. Add flour, salt and pepper and beat or whisk until smooth. Pour into a buttered or greased 9 x 13 baking dish or pan. Bake for about 15 minutes or until eggs are just about set. Sprinkle with chopped ham or lay slices of ham evenly on top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Starting at short side, loosen one end with a spatula and roll up omelet while still in pan (like a swiss cake roll). Place seam side down on serving dish. Cut into slices.

Best Homemade Pizza Ever! (my opinion)

This is crazy good. We make it a couple of times a month. I usually double the sauce/chicken so there is a lot, and if we don't use it, we'll put it in a quesadilla or something on another day. I also usually cook my chicken in a crockpot and shred it ahead of time because I prefer shredded to chunks of chicken. See instructions here. I just add the cooked chicken to the sauce to heat through before it is done. It also is good to season the bottom of the crust with garlic salt or garlic and red pepper flakes so it hits your tongue first. Feel free to adjust the sauce seasonings to taste...I don't usually measure and like it tangy. I always use extra spice.

Garlic Pepper Chicken Pizza

1 package pizza crust mix (or dough or premade crust- Trader Joe's sells good pre-made dough)
1/2 teaspoon coarsely crushed peppercorns (again, T.J.'s sell a filled pepper grinder for like $1.99)
12 ounces boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (or cooked and shredded)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 tablespoons white or red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons white or red wine (optional)
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons chicken soup base mix (I use the chicken boullion sticks from Trader Joe's)
1 1/2 teaspoon coarsely crushed garlic peppercorn blend (or pepper and garlic separately)
1 teaspoon garlic liquid spice (or crushed or minced garlic)
1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
any other preferred toppings....sliced peppers, spinach, etc.

Make the pizza crust according to package directions. Form and place in pizza pan to rise if needed. While the pizza crust is rising, combine the chicken and 1/4 cup of the chopped red onion along with the white or red wine vinegar, wine, water, chicken soup base mix, crushed garlic peppercorn blend, and garlic liquid spice or minced garlic. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Let stand about ten minutes. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet, and add the coated chicken pieces (unless already cooked). Cook and stir until done, about three-five minutes. Mix the cornstarch and water together and stir into the chicken mixture. Heat and stir until thickened and bubbly. Spoon this mixture evenly on top of the pizza crust. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese, and additional toppings, and the remaining ¼ cup of chopped red onions. Bake the pizza at 400 F for about 12-15 minutes.  Serves 8 (unless you love it...and then it will only serve 4 at most)

Let me know what you think!

Tuna Fillets in Lemon Butter Dill Sauce

This turned out great. I served it over quinoa (seasoned with garlic, S&P, red pepper) and chopped asparagus and drizzled the sauce over everything. Tuna fillets aren't as fishy tasting as canned tuna, in case you've never cooked them. I bought the tuna at Traders Joe's for about 4.99/lb. I also buy the quinoa (very healthy and quick-cooking grain) and capers at Trader Joes. Capers are with the condiments. I'll make this again for sure.

Tuna in Lemon Butter Dill Sauce with Capers
Servings: 4

1/2 cup white wine
1 shallot, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
¼ - ½ cup butter, cut in pieces
2 teaspoons fresh dill or 1 t. dried dill
juice of 1/2 lemons (3-4 T. juice)
1/4 cup capers
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
4 (8 ounce) yellowfin tuna fillets (I only had (2) 8 oz. fillets, but it was still 4 servings)

In a 2-quart saucepan over high heat, bring wine and shallots to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and reduce sauce to 1/8 cup, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add cream, reduce for 6 minutes. Fold in butter until melted. Add dill, lemon juice and capers. Set aside and keep warm. Heat oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sear tuna steaks until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. To serve, drizzle tuna with sauce.

Bogey Sand Volleyball is back!

Bogey Inn Sand Volleyball League (run by Capital City Sports) 614-921-0188
See the website for details and to register
The Bogey Inn
6013 Glick Rd
Powell, OH 43065

Deadline to enter—April 30th.
Leagues start the week of May 11th.
Cost ranges from $200 - $295 based on the format (4’s or 6’s) and level of play.

League/Skill Descriptions
Rust (T, F) - New to the game, or struggles a great deal with the skills of the game.
Bronze (T, F) - for beginners and lower skilled players who are looking to get better.
Bronze-Plus (T, TH) - for the better Bronze teams, or lower level Silver teams.
Silver (M, T, TH) - Intermediate level team.
Silver (W, TH) - Plus - For the best Silver teams.
Platinum or Gold (W, TH) - for the best teams, advanced and most competitive teams.

Protein Pancakes

I made these on Sunday because I was craving pancakes and had some cottage cheese to use up. They are pretty good (as long as you aren’t expecting typical pancakes). I topped 2 big ones with 2 crumbled slices of bacon and pure maple syrup, but I think they’d be good with peanut butter too. It made about 7 pancakes, but they are thin and probably aren’t intended to feed more than 2 people. If you eat a big breakfast, it may just be one meal. (Note: I calculated that the whole batch is 310 calories, 4 grams fat, and 34 grams protein using nutritiondata.com)

Protein Pancakes

1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal (uncooked) (check for gluten, used certified GF if allergic)
1/4 cup low-fat/FF cottage cheese (or 1 scoop vanilla protein powder instead)
4-6 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix together the oatmeal, cottage cheese, egg whites, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to make a batter (I used a blender, but it's probably not necessary). Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add the batter and cook over medium heat until both sides are lightly browned. Use your choice of toppings. The flavor isn’t sweet like typical pancakes. I could use these in place of bread/tortilla for a sandwich since the flavor is plain.

Gresso's Stimulus Package and other special events

Check out Gresso's (German Village) happy hour and April events!
Gresso's Stimulus Package and other special events

Cooking Chicken Breasts

My favorite way to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts is in the crockpot. The chicken ends up tender and easy to shred, which I prefer to chunks for soups, casseroles, pizza, quesadillas, salads, and most other recipes. I never need to worry about whether the chicken is done all the way through--as long as it shreds easily and it isn't pink inside, it's done (or you can use a meat thermometer if you're still worried). I like to cook a couple of lbs. at a time and freeze the cooked, shredded chicken in about 2 cup servings to be used in future recipes. I thaw it overnight in the fridge or on defrost in the microwave if I'm in a hurry. You can start with fresh or frozen chicken--frozen will take a little longer than fresh.

How to cook:
--Cook on low for 7-10 hours OR
--Cook on high for 3-5 hours
You can add any desired seasonings or sauces either before you cook or after you shred.
You don't need to add any water, but I recommend a couple of tablespoons to a 1/4 cup if you are going to leave it on for longer end of the time ranges so it stays tender.
Once you use your slow cooker several times, you'll have a better idea of how long it will take. I cooked about 2.5 lbs. on high today in about 4.5 hours. If I'm going to cook it overnight or while I'm at work, I cook it on low. Try to use an appropriate size crockpot for the amount of chicken so you don't have to worry about overcooking. I use a mini crockpot (1.5 qt?) for 1 lb, but will use the bigger one (6 qt.) for any more than that. It is recommended to fill your crockpot at least 1/2 full, but no more than 3/4 full, but I've broken both those rules and didn't have any problems.

How to use:
In any way that you'd use cooked chicken. We made buffalo chicken quesadillas in the skillet today. Our favorite way to use shredded chicken is for Garlic Pepper Chicken Pizza or Santa Fe Soup (look for the recipes in future posts).

Want lots of crockpot recipes? Check out A Year of Crockpotting. Stephanie committed to and blogged about making a different crockpot recipe everyday in 2008. She completed her goal and continues to post new recipes as she makes them. She has tips and faqs for using the crockpot, as well as all of her recipes (successes and failures).

Black Creek Bistro Happy Hour

Happy hour is one of my favorite things...it's a great inexpensive way to eat, drink, and wind down from the workday. We just visited Black Creek Bistro on Parson's just south of Broad and we were all very impressed. The Bistro, which labels itself a "restaurant, bar, gallery, wine shop" is an extension of the owner's farm, which follows sustainable practices and has an admirable philosophy. Between composting, recycling, buying from local business and farms, reusing vegetable oil for the farm trucks, working with culinary school interns, and hanging local art that can be bought with 100% of the sales going back to the artists, they are truly striving to give back to the community. The menus will change with the seasons to use the freshest local products. The website menu isn't exactly the same as the actual menu, as it hadn't been updated online at that time. We sampled several things from the appetizer and dessert menu and were thrilled with everything, as well as the service.

The happy hour is one of the best around, as the food surpassed typical appetizers served at a restaurant. The mini bistro egg rolls and the calamari are an absolute must---they were unbelieveable. We also had the lemon basil shrimp and the trio of hummus--both of which were also excellent. The ladies had pear martinis and the guys had the specialy beers, which this week were the Rogue Juniper Pale Ale (large--22 oz for $5) and Great Lakes Eliot Ness (12 oz for $3). We also split two good desserts, one was a chocolate mouse (cake-like) with peppermint syrup and the other was a small apple pie (picure a pot pie, but as an apple pie instead). We will certainly be back.

Happy Hour Mon - Fri 4 - 7 pm

Appetizers $5 each
Bistro Dinner feature $10 (Mon-Thurs, changes daily)
Select mixed drinks $3
Specialty Martinis $5
Featured specialty beers of the week - 12 oz. $3 - Large $5
Featured wine of the week @ state minimum, by the bottle and glass!

I emailed the restaurant the day before to find out if reservations can be made for happy hour (they can) and whether the happy hour applies to the whole restaurant (it does), and I received a response within 4 hours from the owner, Kent Peters.

Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday
parking available across the street
Email -mailto:-eat@blackcreekbistro.com
614-246-9662
51 Parsons Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43215

Breakfast Sandwiches

Want to make multiple breakfasts that you can just reheat and eat throughout the week? Instead of stopping for fast food when you're in a hurry, take some time on the weekend or an evening to prepare breakfast sandwiches for the week. These can also be prepared ahead of time and froze for a month or two, if desired. Feel free to tweak the ingredients and seasonings to your liking, as I came up with this version on my own. This will make 6 sandwiches. You could probably double the ingredients and use a 9x13 pan.

Breakfast sandwiches

6 english muffins
Turkey bacon or sausage (optional)
Onion and garlic (I used a ½ onion and 2-3 garlic cloves)
Peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or preferred veggies (about ½ cup worth)
5-6 eggs (or 10-12 egg whites)
Pour of milk (1/4 cup?)
Seasoning as desired
Cheese
Deli ham or turkey (if desired)

While browning meat, if using, toast English muffins and lay on a plate to cool. After browning meat, place in a mixing bowl. Cook onions and garlic until very lightly browned in skillet. Add veggies; cook until desired doneness (if using a harder veggie, precook slightly). While veggies cook, crack eggs into mixing bowl with meat and pour in milk. Add spices and beat to blend everything. When veggies are done, stir them into the egg mixture. Pour mixture into a greased 8x8 (silicone works well). Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until set. Turn off oven and sprinkle cheese on top and place back in the oven to melt. Cut eggs into 6 squares. If squares will be too large for muffins, cut into 12 squares to stack 2 on each muffin. Once egg squares are cool, place on muffins with deli meat if using. Wrap in foil or sandwich bags. Freeze if desired; thaw overnight to heat in the morning.

Columbus on the Cheap

For inexpensive events and deals around Columbus, please see my other blog. It is the “Columbus, Ohio” section of a nationwide network of CitiesontheCheap blogs that bring you deals and discounts for cities all over the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Going on vacation? Check to see whether your destination city is part of the rapidly growing “Cities” at http://www.citiesonthecheap.com/. Deals that cover multiple areas will also be posted on the main site.