Who doesn't like to save money?!

Price Matching

My frugality is an aspect of my personality, but it sure helps with grocery shopping.  I love to bargain hunt, shop at thrift stores, craigslist, ebay, go to clothing swaps and freecycle.  Now I can add one more to my list: Price Matching.  I had heard of it before, but was always intimidated by it.  I could just imagine myself in line with a host of angry shoppers behind me as I fumble with grocery ads, redfaced and seemingly inept.  How wrong I was!

Here is the concept:  you search the grocery weekly ads for all the stores in your area.  You find the bargains you like (i.e. cherries for $.79/lb - no kidding!), and then you find what stores "Price Match," like our Super Walmarts do here in Arizona.  Then you take your list of bargains (and possibly all the ads as proof), you shop for the items, and at the checkout line you proclaim your "Price Matching" stance and voila! CRAZY bargains in one place. :)  My becoming-better-friend-by-the-day, Christa, introduced me to how easy it was, and she even included the sales for the week.  What?! A friend who not only shows me how to save MORE money, but makes it effortless?!  Now, that is incredible!  So, let me be that friend for you!!!

If you are in the Phoenix Area:
Ranch Market sells the CHEAPEST produce by far...check out the online ad for the sales you like.
Food City comes in at a close second.
Sprouts is where I do almost ALL my shopping (although, not anymore).
And then you have Bashas, Frys, Safeway, Albertsons, Fresh & Easy, have I missed any? 

Just click on any of those links and you'll be able to find the grocery ads.  When I went to Walmart I didn't have to have the ads, just my little notebook of prices and locations.  The cashier acted like it was completely normal.  SO easy and I saved more than I spent. How awesome is that?! 

Now the great thing about this is that it works not only for produce, which is all I buy, but also for EVERYTHING! For boxed meals, wine, meat, cheese...ANYTHING. Can you tell I'm geeking out about this?! Yup, it's what I'm doing from now on.

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Peach Sauce

3 Peaches, pits removed
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
5 dates, pits removed

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  Serve cold.

p.s. isn't that wooden bowl adorable?!  I got a whole set at goodwill for a few dollars.  I love wood...so warm and inviting...makes me feel all old fashioned. ;)

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MORE Raw Recipe Nights!

Even though I haven't even held one official Raw Recipe Night for the public, I am planning away.  I have added three more Nights to the Calendar, a few weeknights for those moms whose weekends are family nights, and a new class: pies! Ooooooh, desserts are my favorite Raw dishes.  There is ZERO guilt.  You can eat two helpings, heck let yourself have that third piece of Chocolate Mousse Pie! Not only is it NOT bad for you, but there is lots of good nutrition in there that is healthy and nutritious. 

Yes, that is ONE piece missing ;)

Whether that dessert be my Lemon Meringue Pie that is so scrumptious I make it every Sunday so I can have a slice EVERY DAY, or my Vanilla Almond "Ice Cream" that we eat every morning for breakfast (unless it's Chocolate Almond, like today).  Desserts are wonderfully filling, in fact they can be an entire meal.  Usually a nut or seed base (your protein, and vitamins and minerals), with plenty of fresh fruits (the rest of your vitamins, minerals, and fiber), along with some fun spices and oils.  While I'd love to do a "desserts" night, there are too many to choose from.  So, this one will focus on PIES. I will be supplying you with my famous Lemon Meringue Pie (that has less than five ingredients!), a simple Apple Pie, and a delicious Peach Cobbler (because it's peach season!).  ALL of these take less than five minutes to create, have very few ingredients, and are inexpensive. You don't need to be a raw foodie like myself to make and enjoy these lovely creations.  That's the fun of it!

Interested in the desserts theme?  Stayed tuned for "Raw Chocolate Night" and "Raw Desserts in Under Five Minutes & Five Dollars" and "Raw Ice Cream Night" and "Raw Cupcakes Night" and much, much more. Oh, and have I mentioned that I'm creating a Raw Recipe Book?  We have schemed that we will have binders available at each of the Raw Recipe Nights.  The more nights you come to, the more pages of recipes to add to your binder...thereby making your own Raw Recipe Book! OR...when I'm finished you can simply purchase the whole thing. Should be within the next month!