Frugal Tactics: Rationing to Save Money

Whoever can be trusted with very little 
can also be trusted with much, 
and whoever is dishonest with very little 
will also be dishonest with much.
LUKE 16:10

RATIONING: to control, limit, restrict; conserve

Mr. Peasant asked me to write about my funny habit of rationing things to save money. I don't think I've ever read about rationing as a frugal tactic. Rationing usually has a negative context of scraping by due to food shortages or in wartime.  Let's look at it in a different way. I see rationing things as conserving. It is good to take short showers and turn off lights to conserve water and energy. But, what about conserving ketchup or mustard? How can we stop scraping condiments into the sink and pouring unfinished drinks down the drain? Here, my friends, are all the crazy ways I try to ration to stop being wasteful.

1. KEEP FOODS ON THE DINNER TABLE.

Often, we overestimate how much we'll need in hopes of preventing an extra trip back to the kitchen. Keeping the ketchup bottle and salad dressing on the table can stop you from overloading your plate. When items are just an arms reach away, it's easy to just add more as needed. Let's bring back the pitcher on the table along with the bread basket, the butter dish, and the sugar bowl. Just grab what you want as you eat and pour only the amount you'll drink. Remember, you can always add more. 

2. USE PORTION CONTROL DISHES. 

It's difficult to save a glob of ketchup on a dinner plate for leftovers. Smaller dishes can hold side dishes. Ramekins can help with both portion control and storing unfinished sauces for tomorrow. Whatever isn't finished can be covered and stored in the fridge. 

3. GOING FOR SECONDS IS A GOOD THING.

Since our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, we pile up plates of food we won't finish. Why not start with a small serving and enjoy it. When you are done, ask yourself if you are still hungry. If you want a second helping, make it half the size of the first helping. Going back for seconds is better than scraping uneaten food into the trash.

4. CUT SMALLER PIECES.  GET A TASTE. 

SANDWICHES: I chop the fixings into smaller pieces so every bite has a pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato.  This can take a single tomato or a slice of onion and stretch it's flavor power throughout multiple sandwiches.

SALADS: I cut up black olives, dice a tomato, cucumber and pickled beets to help stretch a handful of interesting vegetables. A few vegetable pieces spread out means everyone gets a little taste. 

SWEETS: Make smaller sized cookies, muffins, or rolls. Freeze cookie dough and bake smaller batches. For a party, serve doughnuts cut in half or bite sized brownies with toothpicks.

PAPER GOODS: I also cut my paper towels into smaller strips for small tasks like sanitizing shavers. I cut my facial cotton rounds in half.

5. USE A LITTLE LESS.

Try using a little bit less and see if you notice. In recipes, I try to use less salt, sugar, and oil. If we don't notice the difference, I'll slowly use less and less until we do notice.

Use a tiny bit less....

• Peanut butter / jelly
• Coffee creamer
• Condiments / salad dressing
• Nuts, raisins or chocolate chips in cookies
• Butter on your popcorn
• Honey on your oatmeal
• Soy /hot sauce
• Vegetable stock (replace some with water)

• Mouth wash
• Shaving cream
• Shampoo
• Face soap
• Perfume
• Air freshener spray
• Laundry soap
• Vitamins (take some potent ones every other day)
• Scotchtape
• Windshield wiper fluid
• Pet foods/ litter

6. GO EASY ON PRODUCTS YOU POUR/ PULL OUT.

• Cover the shaker holes or plug up half the Comet with tape.
• Shake salt or seasonings higher above, so it'll spread over the food. 
• Toilet paper. Try one less square.
• Tin foil, plastic wrap, and scotch tape. Use the least amount you can. 
• It's hard to pour just the right amount of oil. Getting an oil sprayer is a way to stop over pouring.
• Use a coffee scoop instead of guessing. Use a pet food scoop.
• I use the tiny plastic cough medicine cups to pour mouthwash into.

7. EXTEND THE USE OF SOMETHING JUST A LITTLE LONGER.

• Quickly throwing away stinky foods (like onion) in small bags can help you get more use out of each kitchen garbage bag. One piece of diced yellow onion in your trash can can stink up your entire kitchen. Be sure after dinner to place every raw onion peel/piece into a small grocery bag. Tie a knot around that puppy and throw it out immediately.  Other smelly culprits are banana and garlic peels, tuna fish cans, yogurt containers, mayonnaise, and cabbage.
• After church, hang up your clothes and wear them one more time before washing.
• Stop riding too close to the car in front of you. Stop slamming on your brakes and start coasting to the red lights. This will extend the life of your car brake pads.
• Water down your hand soap, shampoo, and dish soap. Dish Soap Recipe
• Use two tea bags for an entire pitcher for iced tea.
• Use iron on patches to keep wearing worn pants.  Preemptively patch a thinning elbow sleeve or knee area.
• How to extend the life of your work boots.
• Make your hair cuts count. Cut three to four inches off your hair and wait longer before getting another haircut. 

1. above Children Feeding Geese, Julien Dupré 1881
2. Mrs Carter enjoys Sunday lunch with her evacuated children in Haywards Heath in 1940 Imperial War Museum
3. Young girl prays before eating school lunch of soup, sandwich, milk, and an apple. 1936 Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
4. below US National Archives 1941

Tonight after dinner, be mindful as you wash the dishes of what you're scraping off each plate. Are you throwing money down the drain? Let's stop throwing away food and start saving money. I'd love to hear your ideas! How do you ration to save money? Thank you for reading and God bless you.

Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship. 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 

St. Leonard's Exercises For Confession

Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. 

And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee: 

This day thou shalt be with me in paradise. 

LUKE 23:42

Excerpt from Saint Leonard of Port Maurice's book, The Hidden Treasure Holy Mass:

DEVOUT EXERCISES FOR PREPARATION AND THANKSGIVING FOR CONFESSION

Soul, that dost belong to God, read and consider these devout exercises. The more you read and make your own these good and fervent thoughts, the more will you please Jesus, and the greater your reward in the life eternal. If at the first sentence you find yourself struck with devotion and compunction, pass no farther on, but rest where God hath begun to draw and work upon you. 

EXERCISES FOR CONFESSION

Weep, O my soul, for all your sins; detest your guilt beyond every form of calamity; and do so with the purpose of confession; for by your sins you have offended God your Father; you have offended God your Creator; you have offended your God Who hath never injured you; you have offended God Who hath elected you for His adopted son; you have offended God Who hath made you an inheritor of paradise; you have offended God, the highest Good--goodness infinite-- the fountain of grace; you have offended God while in the very act of blessing you.

Weep for your sins, because you have offended a God Who for love of you made Himself man; you have offended a God Who for love of you was born in a stable; you have offended a God Who, while yet in His infancy, began to shed tears and blood for you; you have offended a God Who for love of you lived poor and unknown in a workman’s shed; you have offended a God Who for love of you went about preaching His heavenly doctrine amid toil and misery; you have offended a God Who for love of you instituted the most holy sacraments; you have offended a God who for love of you has left Himself to be entirely yours in the Most Holy Sacrament; you have offended a God Who sweated blood for love of you; you have offended a God Who let Himself be bound and dragged and outraged for love of you; you have offended a God Who caused Himself to be buffeted, to be spit upon, to be kicked again and again, for love of you; you have offended a God Who chose to be tied to a pillar, and scourged, for love of you; you have offended a God Who chose to be crowned with thorns for love of you; you have offended a God Who let Himself be robed as a mock king, and made an object of jest and ridicule, for love of you; you have offended a God Who let Himself be loaded with a heavy cross for love of you; you have offended a God Who caused his hands and his feet to be pierced with great nails for love of you; you have offended a God Who gave his last gasp hanging nailed on a cross for love of you; you have offended a God Who let gall and vinegar be given to Him to drink for love of you; you have offended a God Who for a last pledge of his unbounded love, left you as a son to Mary, and Mary as mother to you; you have offended a God Who died transfixed upon a cross for your salvation; you have offended a God Who let his side be broken through by a spear for love of you; you have offended a God Who chose to be buried in a tomb; you have offended a God Who rose again to life, and sits at the right hand of the father, to give paradise to you; you have offended Jesus Christ your Redeemer, your Master, your Life, the Physician of your soul; you have offended a God Who hath tried hard by infinite kindness to get loved by you; you have offended a God Who seeks no recompense for so many benefits, but only to be loved in return by you, and obeyed by you; you have offended a God Who seeks after your love in order to make you happy in this life, and, oh, how happy in the next! 

You have offended a God Who loves you as the pupil of His eye. My soul, my soul, you have done ill--and you could bear to do so! What harm had your God done to you? Tell me why you have offended Him. Begin now at least to lament your sins, and to love God. Oh, if I had always loved and served that God Who has loved me more than His own life! 

My love, my life, my salvation, my hope! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart; I detest my sins more than any sort of affliction. I will confess my sins, and I wish never again to offend Thee, O my dear Redeemer!  

above  Crucifixion, Antonello da Messina (1475) 
below Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross, Duveneck Mural (in St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption KY)

Vegan Carrot Souffle- Cafeteria Style

Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, 
and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. 
But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real 
you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
-THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

Way back when I was a kid, yogurt covered raisins were passed out on Halloween. Canned fruit cocktail was a special treat. And I ate bowls of Cheerios sweetened with globs of actual honey. So, when I first tried Piccadilly's cafeteria carrot souffle, I thought it was out of this world! Thirty years later, I still do. My vegan version is delicious and a great way to get rid of that forgotten bag of carrots dying in your crisper drawer. (No judgment, see above pic.) I really hope you try it.

CARROT SOUFFLE        (4 servings)

4 Cups (2 lbs) of diced peeled Carrots

2/3 Cups Sugar 

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

2 TB of Flour

1 TB of ground Flaxseeds + 2 1/2 TB of water MIXED WELL

1/4 Cup Earth Balance buttery spread


INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Steam (or boil) diced carrots until soft enough to mash with fork. Roughly around 15 minutes.

2. Carefully remove the steamed carrots from the pot and into an oven safe baking dish (NOT greased.) I use a 1 1/2 quart dish. Take a potato masher and mash the carrots.  There will be chunks. I aim for 75 percent of the carrots mashed.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

4. While the carrots are still warm, mix in the wet ingredients--the butter, flaxseed/water and vanilla.

5. Lastly, stir in the dry ingredients--sugar, flour, and baking powder. Mix well and cover with the baking dish lid or use tin foil.

5. Bake covered for 1 hour in 350 degree oven.

6. The souffle is best served after resting 10 minutes.

A Woman scraping Parsnips, with a Child standing by her Nicolaes Maes 1655

The Way of the Cross by Saint Leonard of Port Maurice

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, 

and take up his cross, and follow me.

For he that will save his life, shall lose it: 

and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

MATTHEW 16:24

                                                               
Opening Prayer

Resolved to sin no more, I humble myself at your most holy feet, O Jesus, my most merciful Redeemer. With sorrow for my sins, I ask your forgiveness with all my heart, and I love you above all things.
Accompany me with your grace, O most loving Jesus. Enlighten my mind and soften my heart, so that by meditating on your most painful voyage to Calvary, I may be filled with sorrow for my sins. By your suffering, by your blood, make me worthy to obtain by this devotion the indulgence granted, which I offer for the souls in purgatory.
O my sweet Jesus, grant that in the Way of the Cross I may learn to love you always.
Amen.

1. Jesus is condemned

"Crucify him!" Who? And for whom? Jesus, most innocent, for me, a sinner. Oh, what a cruel sentence, a sentence of death without mercy. My most amiable Jesus, you wish to die for me. And I, with my sins, am that witness who accuses you, that judge who condemns you. How ungrateful I have been! You have given me life, and I deliver you to death. I repent of my sins. I despise them. I detest them. And since you have not punished me by making me die on the cross, grant me at least the courage to accompany you in sorrow to Calvary.

Readings: Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:23-25; John 19:16

2. Jesus takes up the cross

My most loving Jesus, you're already on the way to Calvary. It's not enough for you to have a crown of thorns, chains around your waist, scourges, wounds, blood covering your divine body: you also desire the cross. You embrace it with such meekness, and I, with such diligence, seek to avoid it. You humbly accept so great a weight upon your innocent shoulders, and I, full of pride, reject my own lesser cross. How blind I am! You teach me to suffer so that I may be saved, and I neglect my salvation because I do not wish to suffer.

My dear Jesus, free me from self-love. And if the cross is the only way to heaven, here I am ready to embrace it. Help me with your mercy.         

Reading: John 19:17

3. Jesus falls

Alas, what do I see? My most amiable Jesus fallen under the cross, stretched out on the ground. Angels of heaven, sustain your Creator and my Redeemer. But oh! instead of angels, the enraged scoundrels come running and, with punches, slaps, and kicks, beat him horribly. And you, my dear Jesus, faced with so many outrages, suffer and remain silent. I am puzzled at myself that, whenever some small evil strikes, I am shaken; at every offense I am resentful, become angry and complain.
My most patient Jesus, lessen my pride and grant me patience so that, imitating you, I may for my own good be with you until death.

Reading: Matthew 27:31

4. Jesus meets his mother

To my great confusion, it wasn't enough that I should see Jesus covered with pain and clothed as a sinner; now his mother also joins him to suffer for my sins! Accursed sins; most painful encounter; most sorrowful mother! In your agony, I see my wickedness.

I know that, in such a painful encounter, the suffering of the Son is the suffering of the mother. I know that, if my sins have pierced Jesus' body, they have pierced your heart, O great virgin. But I also know that Jesus is the source of mercy, you, the refuge of sinners.
Therefore, most merciful mother, I humbly turn to you with sorrow for my sins. In your kindness, obtain for me from your suffering Son, Jesus, the pardon of my sins.

Reading: John 19:25-27

5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus

Then, to assist my weary Jesus, a man is forced to carry the cross for him. Sadly, I see that I am that Cyrenean, who occasionally though unwillingly takes up some cross that you, my Jesus, offer me.
How foolish I am! For my whims, for my pleasure, I don’t dread hardships, I don’t fear dangers, I don’t count the sweat. For you, my dear Jesus, everything aggravates me, everything bores me, I seek to avoid everything. How lukewarm, how weak I am!

My Jesus, grant me a little fervor, enliven my courage to suffer with you, so that I may rejoice with you forever.

Readings: Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21;Luke 23:26

6. Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

Give me that shroud, holy woman. Let me keep it, blessed Veronica. I wish to imprint in my heart the holy face of my Savior. But oh, unhappy me! who, full of self-love and ambition, have a heart of stone, incapable of holy sentiments.

My most merciful Redeemer, create in me a new heart, a pure, contrite, and humble heart, and then imprint upon it your most holy name. I promise to love you alone, my Jesus, and to be detached from myself.

Jesus on my lips, Jesus in my heart. Jesus my delight, I’ll call upon him in life; Jesus my comfort, I’ll call upon him in death. And in the name of Jesus, I firmly hope to breathe forth my spirit.

Reading: Luke 23:27

7. Jesus falls again

Here is the king of heaven, the Creator of the universe, once again stretched out on the ground under the heavy cross. What pain, what fatigue, what derision!

My most gentle Jesus, you bathe the ground with sweat from the front of your fallen head, and I, with my pride, have turned against heaven and exalted myself above what I really am, forgetting that I am nothing but lowly dust. How despicable I am! Humility, my Jesus, humility. Lessen my pride, show me my nothingness. You created me from clay, and to clay I must return. Death is approaching, and my sinfulness weighs against me. Mercy, my God. By your sufferings, grant me sorrow for my sins. By your fall, help me to rise again.

Reading: Luke 23:26

8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

I hear you, most amiable Savior, I hear you: it is not for you but for myself that I should bitterly weep. My tears only increase your suffering if they are not tears of repentance.
Weep then, my heart! Weep not for your God who goes to his death, but for your sins that bring him there. You are even cruel to yourself unless you wipe out your sins with such sorrow.

Most precious blood of my sweet Jesus, soften the heart that does not weep; enlighten the mind that does not know; bend the will that does not obey. Yes, my Jesus, I’m sorry for my sins, and I’ll be sorry for them as long as I live. I would rather die a thousand times before committing them again. Strengthen me by your grace.

Reading: Luke 23:28-31

9. Jesus falls a third time

My Jesus, my life and my hope, I see you fallen a third time under the cross. It isn’t the wood of the cross, but my ingratitude, which makes it too heavy for you to carry. My repeated falls into hateful sin cause you to fall again. How often I turn from sin to confession, then from confession to sin! Yes, I realize that this is the infinite weight of your most painful cross. But now I resolve to change.
What would become of me in my weakness if you did not help me to rise again whenever I fall? Oh, I see hell opened under my feet ready to swallow me! Most merciful Jesus, sustain me by your suffering, shield me by your wounds, so that I will never again fall into sin, never again.

Reading: John 19:17

10. Jesus is stripped

Such a contrast should never exist: you, my beloved Jesus, stripped of your garments, with festering wounds; I, clothed in soft garments. I, unwilling to bear any pain, however slight. I, girded with delicacy and with pride.To you, my sweet Savior, bitter gall; to me, pleasures and sweet delights. You, the joy of heaven, filled with sufferings; I, a most vile worm from this world, void of repentance.

No, my Jesus, may it not be so any longer. It’s not fair that you who are innocent should suffer, and I who am guilty enjoy. By your grace, grant me a share in some part of your sufferings.
And if a little contrition would sweeten that gall, why, my soul, don’t you weep? Yes, my most sorrowful Jesus, I repent of my sins and seek your mercy: I love you above all things.

Reading: Luke 23:34

11. Jesus is crucified

You have finally arrived at Calvary, my dear Jesus. You have arrived, dragged along like a lowly criminal, beaten and kicked, pulled with ropes, accompanied by two thieves for your greater humiliation. What a horrible sight! The hammering of nails into your hands and feet, the sharpest thorns on your head, God transfixed on a most painful cross. So much confusion, so much blood!

Who can contemplate you, my Jesus, and not be heartbroken with compassion? Permit me to draw near to you, my dying Redeemer. Since my sins have brought you to death, I want to kiss that cross, to take shelter in those wounds, to drink of that most precious blood. Blood and wounds of my Jesus, which have redeemed me, save me. I beg of you, save me.

Readings: Matthew 27:33-38; Mark 15:22-27; Luke 23:33-34; John 19:18


 

12. Jesus dies

Here is the victim already immolated, the great sacrifice already accomplished, the will of the Eternal Father already carried out. Here is Jesus on the hill of Golgotha, nailed to a cross, a pitiful sight to heaven, to earth, to the elements. My Jesus is dead; he is dead. Those most holy eyes discolored, those lips taking their final breath, those thorns, those nails, those wounds, that opening in his side, that blood — all are sources of mercy.

But near the cross I also see Divine Justice, ready with sword in hand! Poor me, if I remain obstinate in my sins, making vain the work of my redemption! No, my Jesus, don’t allow me to leave Calvary without impressing in my heart your most bitter passion. Grant that, fearing your justice, I will live in your wounds, in your mercy.

Readings: Matthew 27:46-50; Mark 15:34-37; Luke 23:46; John 19:28-30

13. Jesus is taken from the cross

Most holy mother of my crucified Jesus, you receive him in your lap, and if you do not die of sorrow, if love does not kill you, it is because Jesus does not will it. Two most bitter passions for the sake of my redemption: the Son suffering torments of the body, the mother suffering martyrdom of the heart — both for me. Infinite mercy of my Jesus, I adore you; most merciful mother of sorrows, I thank you. How cruel my sinfulness has been, executioner of the Son, tyrant of the mother’s heart!

Most holy mother, place a kiss for me upon those wounds, upon that bloody cross. I don’t dare to approach because sin reminds me of my ingratitude. Sorrowful virgin, intercede for me that I may be truly sorry for my sins, and may the power of your protection obtain my repentance, my salvation.

Readings: Matthew 27:57-58; Mark 15:42-45; Luke 28:50-52; John 19:38

14. Jesus is buried

Who will give me a source of tears with which to weep over the death of my Jesus and accompany him to the tomb? Poor Jesus, at the cost of all your blood you have redeemed the whole world from the slavery of hell and, except for a few people, there is no one to weep with compassion at your tomb.

What ignorance! I wish, my beloved Jesus, to weep for everyone over your death and to detest the sins that have betrayed you. Enclose in your tomb my poor heart. Yes, my Jesus, accomplish your mercy: grant that, purified and sanctified, it will rise again with you. And since you have encountered death voluntarily for my salvation, grant that I may humbly accept my death for love of you so that,
by means of this sacrifice of humiliation and love, I may glorify you in heaven for all eternity.

Readings: Matthew 27:59-61; Mark 15:46-47; Luke 23:53-56; John 19:39-42
 

Saint Leonard Pray for us.

Top image - Giovanni Bellini 1505 
Stations:1. Antonio Ciseri (1860)  2. El Greco (1587)  3. Mikhail Nesterov (1912) 4. Boccaccio Boccaccino  (1501) 5. Titan (1508) 6. Kreuzweg von Gebhard Fugel (1921) 7. Kreuzweg von Gebhard Fugel (1921) 8. Orazio Lomi Gentileschi (1605) 9. Kreuzweg von Gebhard Fugel (1921) 10. Kosheleff (1898) 11. Albrecht Dürer (1494) 12. Diego Velazquez (1829) 13. William Adolphe Bouguereau (1876)14. Ilya Repin (1922) 

Dinner Table Date Night: Five Dollar Sushi Bowls

Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.
PROVERBS 17:1

According to this article, the cost of a date (dinner for two, a bottle of wine and two movie tickets) in South Carolina is about $85. And they wonder why romance is dead. Who can afford this? It's a good thing romance can happen at home. Making a special dinner is a great way to spend time together at home and share the work of a great meal. I don't know about you, ladies; but I love when Mr. Peasant chops things in the kitchen with me. We listen to music or a podcast and make dinner together. Sometimes, we'll have an iced coffee while we work and talk. We don't have to go anywhere special. Being together is special.

What makes a good meal for a date night at home? First, pick a dish you both love. Having a meal that you can relinquish chopping duties to your partner is nice. Sushi bowls are a favorite date night meal for us. The recipe is delicious, and it's easy to split the tasks up. I wash all the vegetables and set Mr. Peasant up at for chopping the cucumbers, carrots, and avocado at the table. I make rice, pan fry tofu, rip the nori sheets into flakes. Then, we both set the table. You can even light a candle to help elevate the night. Go ahead and get that old emergency candle out from under the sink and light it.

We use this recipe for the sushi bowls and the crispy tofu method. I found all the ingredients at my small town Super Walmart. We make ours with sushi rice (seasoned with rice vinegar), carrots, cucumbers, avocado, a sheet of nori crumbled, sesame seeds, cubed tofu (seasoned with teriyaki sauce and a tiny sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning), pickled ginger, and drizzled with a wasabi soy sauce. I blend a little wasabi into a dish of soy sauce with a fork. This helps every bite have some heat! For dessert, you can turn any leftover rice into a tasty rice pudding.

I wash the vegetables and then Mr. Peasant gets chopping. 

Dicing carrots and cucumbers.

I used a TB of oil and then brown the tofu.

I season the tofu with teriyaki sauce and a tiny pinch of Old Bay. Then I cube it. 

It's tough being frugal and I know it can seem like you have to give up a lot of things. Why not add date nights at the dinner table? It's a sure fire way to get more time with each other. No excuses. You don't have to spend tons of money or even leave your house. Remember love doesn't have to cost a thing. Thank you for reading and God bless you!