Bows at a Bargain

As the holiday season approaches, bows are popping out everywhere.  You can buy them to top your presents, decorate your tree, provide color to your fireplace mantle, add cheer to your front door, and even to decorate your light post in your yard.  The problem is the costs of those pretty decorative bows can really add up fast.

For the price of a small package of bows, I now make my own customized ones and you can too! Being a serious bargain shopper, I found a Bow Master:  Let's Make a Bow kit at a local flea market for $5.  The kit included the Bow Master, an instructional video and book, ribbon, floral wire, and a rosette tool.  Since purchasing this tool, I've also seen it at the various thrift stores that we regularly visit.  Now if you're thinking that the ribbon is too expensive, let's do a price comparison.  An 8.5" x 14" red and green plaid indoor bow costs $9.99.  I can purchase that same ribbon at a thrift store for less than $2 roll or use a coupon to buy it at a local craft stores for $4.  In addition, I can make multiple bows and multiple sizes now for less than $10.  So for around $5 you can have your bows and at a bargain, too!  

LaRynda

The Beauty of Bannock

Recently I began reading a book entitled "Three Against The Wilderness".  It's described as a classic Canadian wilderness tale and was written by the man who lived it--Eric Collier.  I'm only about nine chapters in, but I can already tell you that it's worth the time spent!  There's an awful lot to be learned from what they endured and how they prevailed!  Eric and his family cut a path to what they deemed was a good spot in the Canadian backwoods and  proceeded to homestead.  Their experiences documented in this book were, as expected, trying to say the least, but they triumphed. 

One thing that is mentioned and that I've already tried is the making of Bannock.  Bannock is a form of baking powder bread that is both simple to make and hearty to eat.  There are many recipes out there on the web, but I went with the simplest I could find and we were very happy with the results. 

2 Cups of Flour
2 Tablespoons of Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon of Salt
Water as needed

That's it!  Mix your ingredients together to make a batter that is somewhere between the consistency of pancake batter and pizza dough.  Make one oblong flattened loaf or separate into two or more flattened loaves if you prefer.  Place on a non-stick or pre-greased frying pan.  Cook at medium-high for ten minutes on each side.  The cooking time may vary depending on how hot your stove runs and how many loaves that you break it into.  I made two and added another five minutes per side.  Chances are when it's golden brown on both sides it's done; however, you can always do the toothpick test to double check yourself. 

It's a heavy bread perfect for eating before a laborious, calorie-eating project and its consistency is such that you could break off a piece or two and just stick it in your pocket for later if you would like.  You can also add any number of ingredients to enhance the flavor, including fruit for your sugar fix or meat to make it a meal all by itself.  I added some ground turkey that I browned in a skillet just prior to mixing up the bannock dough.  Those loaves served with a woodstove baked potato made for a very simple yet both filling and satisfying dinner on a cold Fall evening.  Beautiful bannock indeed!   


To Book and Back

Well, it's been a long time now, but we're officially back at it when it comes to the blog here at Runnin' Lean! It should be noted that there was a good reason for the absence. A lot of time in the interim was dedicated towards the crafting and publishing of our companion book "Runnin' Lean: A Field Manual to Living on Less and Loving Less More" which is now available at Amazon.  There's a paperback version and a Kindle version. It should also be noted that in our overall timeframe, it was the name "Runnin' Lean" that came first, then the blog site (which was sort of a testing and learning ground at its start for us to share theories, thoughts, and practices) then the book. 

 

During all of this, other Runnin' Lean experiences took place.  We all know how the passage of time is.  Life went on...day by day, month by month, and year by year, but the plan always remained the same...finish the book then return here to the blog and make its updates a part of our routine.  Long story short, it's been a long process in getting back to the blog, but now that the book has been finished and published more continual attention will be placed on this site so please follow us, share info about the blog with your family and friends, and check back often for the latest Runnin' Lean projects and experiences.   

 

Should you choose to pick up a copy of the book you'll find that it is packed with Lean-tested theories and practices. If implemented, it will save you and your family money and hopefully spur your own Runnin' Lean adventure (the main idea of both the blog and the book)! If you purchase a copy and find it both enjoyable and useful please help us spread the word by telling those who may be like-minded about its philosophy. 

 

Thank you for taking the journey with us and let's keep Runnin' Lean :)