A Productive Day

Today I roasted my first chicken. And it turned out awesome!! It was beautiful and delicious. I couldn't believe how moist it was. I only wished it had produced more drippings for gravy. Here is what the chicken looked like:

Here is what it looked like on my plate (cause I know your curious!):

I also made some laundry soap today. This container will probably last us a couple months. It's so easy! Just mix together a box of Borax, a box of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, and a grated bar of either Ivory or Fels Naptha. I am able to find the washing soda and Fels Naptha at my local Hy-Vee store in the laundry section.

I guess you could say that today was pretty productive! In addition to roasting a chicken and making laundry soap I made a loaf of "Mix-in Bread". This bread is so easy and yummy. I wish I had taken a picture but we ate the whole loaf before I thought of it. To make this bread you need one loaf of frozen bread. Place it in a greased loaf pan. Allow it to defrost and start to rise. When the loaf rises about 1/2 an inch above the pan you punch it down and "mix-in" an egg and what ever ingredients you would like. I'm not sure why exactly you need an egg, but I think it helps to bind everything together. This morning I added bacon bits and shredded cheddar. It's easiest to mix everything together using to butter knives to kind of chop the bread and get the little bits of food all over in the bread so it doesn't just lump together in one place. Then let the bread rise till it's about 1/2 an inch of the loaf pan again. Place it in an oven that's been preheated to 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. I have made this other ingredients such as an assortment of peppers, other cheeses, onions, ham, etc.

Today's tip: If you feel like eating food from your favorite restaurant but don't want to actually eat at the restaurant and have to pay for drinks or tips then call your order in and pick it up to go. My husband and I both like the Buffalo chicken salad from Chili's but when we go there to eat we often spend $25 or more. To satisfy our craving I'll phone in an order for 1 salad, a side of chips and salsa, and an order of steamed broccoli (for April). The total is around $12 and we get the food we want and pay far less than we would at the restaurant. The salad is massive and the food is more than enough to satisfy us. If you don't want to share a meal with your significant other then order two kids meals. They are usually under $5 each and are enough food for an adult! We have a folder in the kitchen by the phone that we keep all the menus for area restaurants in. While we don't eat out much, it is nice to have just in case.... : )