Frugality Fatigue and some recipes

Today, a Boston Globe writer discussed something called "Frugality Fatigue" and how it seems to be creeping up on a lot of us. Tired of cheese paring? Me, too. However, we have been coping quite well with our little strategems, and I would hate for them to fall by the wayside and for DEBT to read it's ugly head.

Have you noticed that people who sell goods and services are nice these days? Isn't that nice?

I have devised a way to get a free meal. We are now buying chicken breasts with the skin and bone on them. I poach them with aromatic vegetables (onion, celery, carrots) and fresh herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme!!!) When the breast is cooked, I remove it, let it cool and return the skin, fat and bones to the cookpot. I cook the broth down somewhat to let a flavor develop. When I remove the bones again, there's always a bit of meat here and there. I save these bits. Sometimes it's almost a cup. Strain the broth. By now, it's lovely. Now you have the makings of chicken soup. Saute an onion, some chopped carrots, more celery and herbs and add your chicken broth. Voila! This week I had some mushrooms and spinach to toss in. It's kind of a clean-the-veggies-out-of-the-fridge before they become past prime. A sun dried (not in oil) tomato enriches the broth. At the end, I cook some small pasta, ditalini or orzo will do. We usually get dinner and a lunch. Costs practically nothing. Nourishing, tasty.

Yum!