Quick Tip - Freezing Ground Meats

Maybe Im the last one to realize this and this isnt really a tip at all, but just in case thats not the case here goes!

I buy large packs of ground beef at Costco and then I divide them into smaller 1-2lb portions, put them into freezer bags and freeze. Ive always frozen the meat in rounded sausage-type shapes at the bottom of large square bags...the other day as I was going through this process yet again, it dawned on me! Why not put it into the bag and then press the ground beef into a flat square, taking up the entire shape of the bag?
I did this and not only does it fit nicer into my freezer but it thaws sitting in water in less then 10 minutes! Why have I not thought of this before? This makes last minute suppers so much easier and more manageable and it saves me so much space in my freezer since the packs of meat always get lost at the back in an effort to fit square shaped containers in or they fall on my toe because they were precariously balanced on the aforementioned containers.
This may not be the greatest discovery of the year but its sure made me happy!

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Quick Tip - Butter

It always happens in my house...the table is set with a nice dinner and I realize the butter is hard as a rock in the fridge. I pull it out, cut off a square and toss it into the microwave. There it softens into an unusable pool :(
Not anymore!
Take your butter you want softened and place it between 2 sheets of wax paper. Use your rolling pin and roll the butter flat. When you are done scoop the butter off the paper and transfer to a dish and serve! Its that easy and it actually works!

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Quick Tip - Diaper Genie Inserts

The Diaper Genie is a wonderful invention but of course its a never ending expense. And they really gouge you on the price of inserts! They range anywhere from $6-9 per ring and if you have more then one in diapers at a time it can really add up! I havent bought inserts in months now because I discovered a do-it-yourself economical way!
How To:
You will need at least 1 insert for this. Save the blue ring when you are finished the refill. Take a regular household black garbage bag and feed it through the ring and fold the top around the ring. You shouldnt be able to see the ring at all and the bag will be hanging inside. Place into diaper genie and use as you would normally.

The downside? When the bag is full you do have to replace the whole bag...no cut and tie feature.

The upside? A bag of 100 No Name garbage bags is less then $10 and you dont have to look at all the dirty diapers when emptying them like you do with the see-through blue bags.

I wish I had figured this out sooner but better late then never I suppose!

Hopefully this can save someone a bit of money off their household shopping list! :)

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Quick Tip - Ice Packs

Did you know you can make your own ice packs for extremely cheap?
What you need:
2 ziploc bags
Dishwashing Soap (liquid dawn etc.)

Fill the first bag with the soap. Seal it. Double bag in the second bag to avoid a soapy mess. Thats it!

The soap becomes very cold but remains flexible to bend around knees, elbows, fingers or whatever else you manage to hurt :)

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Quick Tip - Flour Prices

Did you know that flour is almost half the price at Costco? Because I use a lot of flour it actually pays for my membership! A 10kg bag of no name whole wheat flour at Superstore is over $10. A 20kg bag of coarse whole wheat flour (Made in Canada!!) is $12.99. Almost the same price difference with the all purpose (unbleached). Its a crazy big difference that I didnt realize until now. If youve got somewhere to store the flour and you go through it quickly its defiinitely something to check out! I use small (brand new and clean!) garbage cans with sealing lids to store the flour. It almost fits the whole bag :)
Just thought I would pass along about the savings!!

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Quick Tip - Baking Powder

If you are mid recipe and realize you are out of Baking Powder try this:
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
2 Tbsp. Cream of Tartar
2 Tbsp. Cornstarch/Tapioca Starch/Arrowroot Powder
Make sure your container is very dry. Shake to combine. If it gets wet it will begin working and lose some of its leavening abilities so store in a dry place in an airtight container. If it clumps just sift it. Use within a couple weeks.
Substitute equal amounts for store bought baking powder.
As a bonus its gluten free :)

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Quick Tip

A fast tip for when you drop eggshells in your batter etc. Use the remainder of the eggshell to scoop it out. Eggshell sticks to itself and it will scoop it out very easily :)

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