Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category

Menu Monday 9th August 2010

August 9th, 2010

mpmpencilThese past two weeks have been absolutely crazy!  I have not even had the time to my favourite thing, write my blog. So this week I am going to cheat – I am going to only make a few things that I can mix and match.

Weekend cooking – Black beans in the slow cooker.

Monday – Roast chicken with orzo and green vegetables.  I am making a big chicken so I have lots of leftovers.

Tuesday – Burritos with black beans and chicken

Wednesday – Greek salad with steamed fish – this is a definite cheat – Bird’s Eye Simply Fish is on sale.

Thursday – Rice and beans with salsa, maybe with some chicken if there is any left

Friday -Steak with mashed haricot beans and salad

Saturday -  Stock in slow cooker then risotto

Sunday – hopefully going out for anniversary meal

Sorry to be so boring lovely readers, but I need to get some stuff done as I am behind the eight ball.  I am hoping that with this cheat week , I can write some fantastic posts for you and hopefully get a tiny bit a head.

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The Sun’s £9.50 Holiday Challenge, en Garde

July 23rd, 2010

Holiday SunThe Lean Times have been approached to participate in The Sun’s £9.50 Holiday Challenge, which is where they want me to find something  more exciting and more fabulous than a holiday for the grand total of £9.50.  I must admit I was fairly stumped by this task but we never give up over here at The Lean Times.

I hit a few different internet deals – My City Deal, Wahanda and Living Social. All of these websites offer amazing deals based on how many they can sell in a set period of time.  Wahanda does health and beauty treatments where I found a kind of cool, but maybe kind of weird fish pedicure for the fab price of £9.00 (50% discount).  It did have a bit of a holiday feeling – feet in water surrounded by fish.

My City Deal does all sorts of deals from beauty to dining out, all at big discounts. Unfortunately the deal that was running today was out of the £9.50 ceiling.  My next port of call was Living Social, which yesterday had a great deal – Zoo Lates, where you get admission to the Friday night soiree at the London Zoo and a cocktail for the unbeatable price of £8.00.  I thought, this is it!  I found something fun, exciting and different for under £9.50, hooray! Then the deal ran out.  That is the thing with these deals you have to grab them when you see them.  So off I went searching again, this was definitely not an easy task.

I decided to take a different tack – maybe I should buy something that will last and make an impression on my life.  With my thinking cap on, I decided that the best way to spend my £9.50 was to buy a pedometer. This pedometer cost £9.49 so even got a penny change. I am hoping that if I use it on a daily basis I will look great for my holiday next year.

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These are the Summertime Rules

July 16th, 2010

gibeachpic There are a few things I do in warmer weather that I don’t do in the winter, so I thought I would do you lovely readers a little list of the Lean Summertime Rules.

Rule 1 – Lengthen the life of  your lipsticks and nail polishes by keeping them in the refrigerator.  I remember this tip when I got out a lipstick that I bought Duty Free  and had gone rancid in the warm cupboard.  I also keep perfume and foundation in the fridge too.

Rule 2 – Don’t buy expensive sunglasses if you have a tendency to lose them or let your kids play with and possibly break them.  If you take care of your designer frames then indugle yourself.  I must admitt I have been wearing the same pair of Persols for over 12 years and just bought a new different shape a year ago.

Rule 3 – Keep the sunshine out – what I mean by this is when in a heat wave,  close your blinds, pull your curtains and close your shades so your home will not heat up in the afternoon sun.

Rule 4 – Unplug it on holiday – when you go away, unplug all your non-essential appliances that use electricity.  I unplug my TV,  cable box,  wifi,  clock radio,  you get the idea.  The rule is unplug anything with a transformer that heats up.

Rule 5 – The most basic rule is to always carry a bottle of water so you are not the person that faints on the tube.

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