Thursday, August 15, 2013

Surviving College on a Budget

College can be rough on the wallet.  However, even with limited funds you can still have fun.  Check out these great ways to save money in college and stay within your budget.  You can learn more at ecampustours.

frugal living: tips for surviving on a college budgetSince you don't have a lot of cash flow in college, you need to learn how to be thrifty with your money. Here are some tips for surviving on a college budget.
 
Walk or ride your bike to classes. By doing this, you won't have to spend as much money on gas or car maintenance. You also won't have to shell out a bunch of money each semester for campus parking fees.
 
Get good grades. Having good grades can save you money on car insurance. Check with your insurance company to see what grades they require for the discount.
 
Look for free or cheap entertainment. Stop spending ridiculous amounts of money at your local movie theater. Many campuses host free movie nights throughout the school year. You could also set up a netflix account and watch movies in your dorm room or apartment for cheap. Check out sites such as Groupon and DealChicken for deals on movies, food, travel, etc. Instead of going out to clubs every weekend where you have to spend money on cover charges and beverages, save your cash by attending art openings or free student concerts. Stay away from shopping malls when you are bored; you'll be too tempted to make purchases. Instead, keep yourself busy by going for a long walk, playing sports, having a picnic with your friends, etc.
 
Don't pay for a fitness club membership. Most campuses have fitness centers that are free to students. If your campus doesn't, buy some hand weights and take up running, biking, swimming, etc.
 
Use coupons. For every item that you purchase, check to see if you can use a coupon for it. This includes groceries, clothing, electronics, etc. If purchasing items online, you should first visit sites such as ultimatecoupons.com or couponchief.com to check for online coupon codes. In addition to discounts, some sites, such as Ebates, offer cash back and will mail you a check based on your purchases. If your mom is a coupon clipper, have her send some in your next care package.
 
Get free Internet access. Many campuses offer free wireless access. If you have a desktop, some colleges provide their students with free or discounted dial-up accounts. If you need faster service, head to your campus computer lab.
 
Purchase a laundry rack. Using a laundry rack instead of a clothes dryer will cut your laundry costs in half. Plus, your clothes will last longer and look better.
 
Buy your textbooks online. Websites, such as Amazon and barnesandnoble.com, offer cheaper textbook prices than your local bookstores. In some cases, you may save more than 50% by purchasing books online. You can also save money by renting textbooks at sites such as chegg.com and campusbookrentals.com. Added bonus: you bypass the whole standing in line thing.
 
Be smart about credit. If you use a credit card, make sure you have cash to pay off the balance every month as not to accrue interest. If you get into debt during college, those credit card woes will be with you long after graduation.
 
Get a free checking and savings account. Look around your community for banks that cater to students. Make sure there are no attached fees for ATM withdrawals, online banking, funds transfer, etc.
 
Don't shop for groceries when hungry. You'll end up spending way more than you originally intended. Make a list and stick to it!
 
Carpool. Going home for the weekend or for a holiday? Carpool with other students from your hometown. Gas doesn't seem that expensive when you split the cost.
 
Don't forget about financial aid. Remember to research scholarships and grants.
Your college years can be a financially rough time. With a little planning and a lot of willpower, you can survive on a college budget.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Quinoa Instead of Rice

Are you looking for a new healthy alternative for lunch and dinner?  Check out Quinoa!  It is a great substitute for pasta and rice.  This is a great recipe to make this delicious substitute at home in no time.  You can find out about more great recipes at The Kitchn.

Quinoa has come a long way in the last few years. From health stores to the mainstream, its high protein content and delicate texture have made it a popular substitute for starchier pasta and rice. Several of us here at The Kitchn like to make a big pot of quinoa on the weekends and eat it throughout the week with curry, grilled vegetables, or braised meat. It's one of the most delicious, fast-cooking lunch staples we know (not to mention healthy). Here's how to cook great quinoa — not mushy, not bitter — but delicate and perfectly fluffy.

Cultivated in the Andes for over 5,000 years, quinoa has been called the "mother grain" and "the gold of the Incas." (It's technically not a grain but a seed, but it is used in virtually the same ways as other whole grains.) Today, the popularity of quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is growing steadily as people discover its pleasant nutty taste and superfood qualities. As a complete protein source also high in iron, magnesium, and fiber, quinoa is not only one of our healthiest pantry staples, but also one that's incredibly easy and quick to cook.

We've read that there are 1,800(!) varieties of quinoa, but just three main types are found in markets here: the most common white variety, as well as a red one and a black one.

Here is our standard method for cooking any of these.

Basic Quinoa Facts

How much cooked quinoa does 1 cup dry quinoa yield?
1 cup dry quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked quinoa.

How much liquid do I need to cook quinoa?
To cook 1 cup quinoa, you need about 2 cups liquid.

How long does it take to cook quinoa?
1 cup quinoa will cook in about 20 minutes.

How do I make quinoa less bitter?
Nearly, if not all, of the natural bitterness of quinoa's outer coating can be removed by a vigorous rinsing in a mesh strainer.

How do I make better-tasting quinoa?
Quinoa is really excellent when cooked in vegetable or chicken broth. Also, add about 1/4 teaspoon salt to each cup dried quinoa when cooking. Try adding other spices aromatics during cooking as well: A clove of smashed garlic, a sprig of fresh rosemary, a dash of black pepper.

Can I use my rice cooker to make quinoa?
Yes! Just use the 2:1 liquid to quinoa ratio and follow the instructions on your rice cooker.



How To Cook Quinoa
What You Need

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa (any variety — white or golden, red, or black)
Olive oil (optional)
2 cups liquid, such as broth or water
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Tools

Fine mesh strainer
2-quart saucepan with lid
Spoon
Instructions

1. Measure quinoa and liquid. Measure out 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups liquid.

2. Rinse the quinoa. Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer, and rinse thoroughly with cool water. Rub and swish the quinoa with your hand while rinsing, and rinse for at least 2 minutes under the running water. Drain.
Why rinse quinoa? Rinsing removes quinoa's natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Although boxed quinoa is often pre-rinsed, it doesn't hurt to give the seeds an additional rinse at home. Some cookbooks suggest soaking the quinoa but, in our experience, this is unnecessary.

3. Dry and toast quinoa in saucepan. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the saucepan over medium-high heat, and add the drained quinoa. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, letting the water evaporate.

4. Add liquid and bring to a boil. Stir in the liquid and the salt (if using) and bring to a rolling boil.

5. Lower heat and cook covered for 15 minutes. Turn heat down to the lowest setting. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.

6. Let stand covered for 5 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the pot from the burner. Let stand for 5 minutes, covered.

7. Fluff and eat! After 5 minutes, remove the lid, fluff the quinoa gently with a fork, and serve. (You should see tiny spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds.)

Additional Notes:
• One cup of dried quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked.
• Some people like to add olive oil, butter, salt, or pepper. Cooked quinoa can also be used as the basis for pilafs, salads, breakfast porridges, and more.
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