Welcome to Amy Loves It! If you're new here, you may enjoy receiving free updates. You can subscribe via RSS feed or email. Thanks for visiting!

I like to make use of every little thing I have, rather than let it go to waste, and bread is no exception.

I like to use the heels (because my family refuses to eat them!), dry or “day-old” bread, and unused hot dog or hamburger buns to make croutons and bread crumbs.

I got both of these recipes from Real Simple magazine, but have “tweaked” them to make them my own tasty creations.

Croutons

Ingredients

  • Heels, buns, or bread, cut into crouton-sized pieces (aka, cut the bread into fourths and then cut out 5 chunks)
  • 4 Tbs melted butter (or maybe a smidge more… I like butter!)
  • Sprinkle of salt
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp basil

Directions

Heat oven to 375°. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper (trust me on this one!). Mix “croutons” and butter in a large bowl. Sprinkle with herbs and salt and mix well.

Dump onto parchment paper, and bake 15-20 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want them. Allow to cool, and then toss baked croutons in a Ziploc freezer bag (try not to sample too many!).

Bread Crumbs

Ingredients

  • Heels, buns, or bread, cut in half or fourths
  • Pinch of salt
  • Sprinkle of pepper
  • Smidge of any other herbs you want in your bread crumbs. I prefer mine plain :D

Directions

Heat oven to 375°. Place on a cookie sheet (no need for parchment paper this time).

Bake 10-15 minutes. Again, I like mine kinda toasty. Allow to cool and toss into a food processor. DO NOT OVER-FILL. (Trust me! It will fly everywhere!). Throw in the salt, pepper, and/or herbs.

Grind it up until it is super-fine. Store in a Ziploc freezer bag.

Both the croutons and the bread crumbs can be stored in the fridge for 5-7 days, or in the freezer for around 3 months.

What are your favorite “reusable” items?

{ 1 comment }

Amy's Signature

I {heart} labels.

I’m sure you are all well aware of that fact now, but I feel it is important to preface a new series with the truth.

Hello, my name is Amy, and I am a label addict.

Whew! Now that the the air is cleared, we can begin.

One of the main ways I keep my home neat, orderly, and in-line is with the use of labels.

As you know, my preferred method is making labels with a label maker, but you can truly use anything to make your home full of label-y goodness.

:: Regular mailing labels (printed on the computer or written on with a Sharpie) This method is a former favorite of mine… before I fell in love with Brother.

:: Copy paper, scissors, and tape

:: Storage bin labels (with the clear “envelope” to stick them in)

:: Tags or pictures *see #8 on Andrea’s list

:: Index cards, Sharpie, and tape

:: Masking tape and a marker

So, you do not have to invest in a label maker to have a label-organized home, but for me… it is definitely has the least amount of work involved. As one of my sweet commenters put it,

“I like the symmetry and neatness, and how they [label-made labels] make everything look intentional.”

Beautifully said, and the whole statement makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Once you figure out what labeling method works for your family, you need to decide what you want to label.

Me? I like to label everything including the kitchen sink, but I’m on the extreme end of things. If you are just starting out with organizing, you need to…

Start Small

Find ONE spot in your home… your pantry, the linen closet, wherever and begin your organization there. If you try to take on more than one area, you will become overwhelmed and frustrated. Believe me!

One of my first orders of business was getting my “homeschool” closet organized and ready for the new school year.

It had become a messy “dumping ground” of stuff during the chaos of our summer. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Between working, kids, and homeschooling, it took two days to get it all cleaned up; but it was definitely worth it!

I love the results, and will share with you in a future post about the actual details of that organizational process.

Speaking of time, you need to be aware of the…

Time Aspect and Commitment

that is involved with organizing.

It takes time, and doesn’t happen overnight.

One of the beauties of the labeling system, is that once you organize and label, you are much less likely to put things where they do not belong. If the bin says, “Crayons and Markers,” you won’t be tossing in Barbie dolls!

You Will Make a Mess

It’s inevitable.

When you are clearing out anything, you have to start fresh. Pull it all out, evaluate what you NEED, what you WANT, and purge the rest. Purging can be recycling, giving away, or trashing it… but get rid of it.

Once you’ve “pulled and purged,” then you need to

Sort and Store

Yes, the old, “sort and store.” You have to find a new home, or change up the old home for every item you keep.

Disclaimer: This stage could possibly lead to more purging.

When you are ready to put things back,

Bring out the Labels!

My favorite part. I love whipping out the label maker and getting busy!

The little noise it makes as it prints out my pretty, perfect label is music to my ears and brings joy to my organizing heart. {It may or may not sound like a buzzing noise that may or may not annoy your husband.}

A few key things to remember when labeling:

:: Have a bin, box, or basket to label. Make sure you have the containers you need to store your items!

:: Organize the items within the bin before you print your label. You don’t want to make a bunch of labels and then have items not fit!

:: Be specific. I like having a “Master” label, and then adding “Sub-labels,” as shown in the picture below.

Label specifically with a "master" label and several "sub" labels

:: Organize items by similarity in function or type. For example: Office Supplies could contain staples, paper clips, pens, etc.

:: Store everything in an easily-accessible area. Make sure you can get to the items you need!

:: Step back and enjoy the beauty… and remember how hard you worked to organize everything. Tell family members of the new system, and that this is where these items are found, and where they are to be put away.

:: Don’t go back to any old habits of just throwing things wherever (a hard one to break, I know). Make the effort to put everything back in its place so you can reap the benefits of your hard work!

As we go through this series, I will show you how I have An Organized Home, and my methods of organization in the kitchen, pantry, laundry room, and more!

Are you a label-er? What is your favorite labeling method?

{ 3 comments }

Amy's Signature

Walgreens is another great place to snag great deals on make-up, toiletries, medicines, vitamins, candy, etc. It is not as easy to navigate as CVS, but once you get the hang of it, you will love Wags!

Each week, I will highlight my Top 5 favorite deals from the weekly ad.

New to Walgreens? Couponing 101 has a great tutorial: Walgreens 101.

Breathe Right 10-ct. Strips $4, Get $4 Register Rewards (Limit 1)
- $1.50/1 Breathe Right Product Coupon (4/11 RP)
= Free + $1.50 Profit

Softsoap Body Wash $3.50, Get $5 Register Rewards wyb 2 (Limit 1)
- $1/1 Softsoap Body Wash Coupon (ALL YOU Sept ’10)

[Scenario]
Buy (2) Softsoap Body Wash @ $3.50 ea.
- (2) $1/1 Softsoap Body Wash Coupon (ALL YOU Sept ’10)
= $5, Get $5 RRs
= 2 Free

Carmex Lip Balm $2, Get $2 Register Rewards (Limit 1)
= Free

W. Perfection Tampons $1.99, Get $1.99 Register Rewards (Limit 1)
= Free

Listerine Mouthwash $2.99, Get $1 Register Reward (Limit 1)
- $2/1 Listerine Zero Printable Coupon
= Free

:: For a full list of the Walgreens deals, please see Couponing 101.

:: Check out the Walgreens $5 Challenge every Sunday on Keeping the Kingdom First.

:: Like beauty bargains? Fashion Cents for Mom has the best Wags beauty deals.

{ 0 comments }

Amy's Signature