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    • A Few Random Thoughts

    May 21, 2010 by

    I have a few random thoughts to share as we start off the weekend . . .

  • Kindergarten seems like a huge milestone. I’m trying to act casual about it so as not to freak out my boys, but on the inside, I’m a wreck. Intellectually, I know that everything will be fine – kids go off to school all the time. But talk about a major transition, not to mention my having to let go of my baby (sob!).

  • I’ve now cooked two boxes of Ronzoni Healthy Harvest and both times they’ve come out gummy. Maybe I’ve seriously overcooked them, but I don’t think so. The Smart Taste variety comes out just fine, and so do other whole wheat pastas.

  • Maybe the best thing about couponing is being able to easily share with others. The husband of one of my friends lost his job, and I know my friend really doesn’t want to shop the way I do, even though money is tight. I totally understand that what I do isn’t for everyone, but I’m happy to share the fruits of my labor. A couple of weeks ago, I took over three bags full of toiletries, food, and paper goods that I’d probably paid less than $10 for and yet were worth a couple of hundred retail. I love being able to do that!
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    Comments

    1. Anonymous says:
      May 21, 2010 at 9:48 PM

      On the gummy pasta – I've had the same issue with the Healthy Harvest.

      I've been rinsing it in cold water in the colander to get the slime off, and then dumping it into the hot sauce to reheat.

      It's also fine in pasta salad (cold) once it's been rinsed.

    2. Chief Family Officer says:
      May 22, 2010 at 1:53 AM

      @Anon – I'm glad I'm not the only one. Thanks so much for the rinsing tip!

    3. Gina @ MoneywiseMoms says:
      May 22, 2010 at 11:53 AM

      I think the texture seems gummy in comparison to the Smart Taste because the Healthy Harvest is all whole-wheat. We ate that for years before switching to Smart Taste, and I don't remember thinking it was gummy, but that's because the denser texture was so different than plain white pasta. I'd try rinsing it like Anon said.

    4. adrienne says:
      May 22, 2010 at 6:46 PM

      CFO-

      The ability to share generously is a great benefit to bargain hunting that not enough people discuss.

      My best yard sale/thrift finds this year are 4 batting helmets and a gear bag to hold them for our son's t-ball team. It's the best value $5 can hold.

    5. Anonymous says:
      May 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM

      Except for my family, I pretty much keep my "couponing quiet." Many I know seem to think it is silly, yet I've found since not working that I've been able to be "more generous" with gifts that I was in the past. My gifts are usually gift bags of nice things. Several girls in my neighborhood were graduating. They are kids I have known for years. I put together a "spa bag of beauty" for graduation day–razor, shave cream, body wash, Nivea lip gloss, and a bath sponge. My out of pocket was tax plus a 25 cent gift bag. I would not have been able to gift these kids without your blog that helped me discover how to maximize my savings. HOORAY FOR COUPONING, AND AD MATCH UP, AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS YOU DO.

    6. Chief Family Officer says:
      May 23, 2010 at 2:56 PM

      @Gina – What's put me off is that I don't have the same issue with other whole wheat pastas. But I'll try rinsing and see if that helps. Thanks!

      @Adrienne – Wow, your son's t-ball team was blessed by you!

      @Anon – Thanks so much. I also don't talk too much about couponing in "real life" though I'd be happy to have a shopping partner if someone asked me to teach them (mostly they look at me askance). I love the gift bags you made – the girls must have been thrilled!

    7. Kimberly says:
      May 24, 2010 at 4:04 PM

      I have the same issue with Healthy Harvest, and not with any other! Never tried rinsing it, maybe I will.

    8. bunny says:
      June 1, 2010 at 11:28 PM

      i suggest under-cooking healthy harvest. it's never been gummy for me, but it's come close to that when i've left it in a little long. i've been eating it for a couple of years and love it!