THRIFTY THURSDAY

Evening Everyone..

Had a very prosperous day.. I got 2 big jobs done today when I actually thought I would only accomplish one.. Thank you Kimberly for helping me get that done.. Also landed a new contract so was a good money day for sure. This recipe is for Lindsay and Kelly as they are experimenting with their Christmas gift but as you can see it can very easily be adapted to a regular oven preparation..

Acti-Fry Chicken

with Pineapple

Ingredients

• 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (about 1 cm x 3 cm/1/2 x 11/4 in)

• 1 spoon cornflour, plus extra to coat the chicken strips

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 spoon sunflower oil

• 1/2 spoon ground ginger

• 1/2 spoon mild curry powder (or choose medium, if you prefer)

• 250 g (9 oz) canned pineapple pieces (drained weight) in natural juice, drained (reserve the juice)

• 2 spoon light soy sauce

• 250 ml (9 fl oz) cold water

• 1/2-1 spoon light soft brown sugar, or to taste

• 2 spoon reserved pineapple juice

Directions
In a large bowl, lightly coat the strips of chicken with a mixture of cornflour, salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the ActiFry pan, then drizzle the oil evenly over the chicken.

Cook for 5 minutes.

Mix the ground ginger, curry powder and pineapple pieces with the soy sauce in a bowl, then pour this mixture evenly into the ActiFry and leave to marinade for 5 minutes.

Add the water and sugar.

Mix 1 ActiFry spoonful of cornflour with the pineapple juice in a small bowl, until smooth. Add this to the ActiFry.

Cook for a further 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and tender.

Serve with cooked, seasoned basmati rice.

Thrifty Thursday

Change all your incandecsent light bulbs to CFL(compact flourescent lights) Will not be long and you will not be able to buy any of the old type of light bulbs...

Organizing today..

Desk Drawers and File Drawer

Remember a few days ago when I said to clean the top of your desk well today how about the drawers in your desk... I know that my friend Pat has already done hers so here are some tips for the rest of you..
Before you begin I am sure that the hanging folders are bulging at the seams, nothing is in order, and most of it is just out-dated trash. I wonder if you could fit anything else in them. Probably not....At least the top of your desk is still clean right!!!!

1. Clean out the drawers first. If you like pretty, go out and buy new hanging folders. I like pretty! Get all of the supplies you may need before starting... i.e. Hanging file folders, labeler, manilla folders, and maybe a movie for the kids to watch while you meet this challenge.

2. Schedule in 2-3 hours for this project with no interuptions so a babysitter might be a good idea , maybe some Grandparenting might come in handy. I bet this will take you 2.5 hours.

3.Put on music, this will help with the impatience of wanting to get it done.
4. Start with purging all un-necessary papers. I really mean go through EVERY piece of paper and toss what you dont need. You'll be amazed at what you throw out. (This will take the longest, but you can do it!). Remember to shred personal information and do not toss.

Defined-benefit plan documents

Pension-plan documents from your current and former employers.

Estate-planning documents as well as copies of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that you have in your safe-deposit box. You should also make sure your executor have copies.

Life-insurance policies.

Safe-deposit box inventory and note the location of the box and your keys. Update the list once a year or as you add or remove documents. You should also keep photocopies at home of any documents you have stored in the box in case you need to refer to them..

5. There should not be anything in the filing cabinet at this point. Hang your new folders.
6. Now you can get out your labeler (or a good pen if you dont have a labeler).

7. Label all categories and stick them on the file folder.

8. Make sure to alphabetize your hanging folder. Its much easier when you go to find something.

Examples of Main Categories:
Insurance
Bank Accts.

Health Records

Utilities
Loans

Income taxes
Resumes
Investments
9. Now you will need your manilla folders and place however many you will need in each of the Main Category hanging folder...

10. The manilla folders are for you sub categories.

Example of this is

File Folder is Main Category... labeled Banks

Manila folder is Sub Category...labeled Royal , CIBC, BMO etc ( One for each one)

+++Make sure you alphabetize the sub categories within each hanging folder.+++

File Folder is Main Category ...Labeled Insurance

Manila Folder is Sub Category ...Home, Life, Auto, etc
File Folder is Main Category ...Labeled Utilities

Manila Folder is Sub Category... Gas, Electric, Water, Phone, Cable etc
I think you get the picture here. :)

11. Now, go at it. Start filing! Its as easy as that!

You will be proud of youself after you have completed this task. Your life will be much simpler. Make no excuses to get started. I bet this project does not cost you more then $30.00

If you are staying home and not having to drive anywhere , pour yourself a glass of wine and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny