Let's pretend I'm responding to comments
Oh boy, you guys. Sometimes, when I am in the midst of some work shifts, I feel so bad that I am not doing a good job of responding to comments.
I have the WordPress app on my phone, so I see comments coming through, like when I'm on my lunch break. But it's kinda hard to respond to them on my phone, and I only have a half hour to begin with.
So, I am reading, but not responding. And then I truly mean to come back and respond, but by the time I am done with work a few days later, I'm not even sure it's still useful to respond.
And when I get home from work, I have so little time to even eat and shower before I have to go to bed, so that's not a good time either.
ANYWAY. I went back through the comments from the last week or so and grabbed out some questions I never responded to.
Howdy! In the food process pic you mentioned cottage cheese, frozen bananas, frozen strawberries…I'm curious what you make with that, and do you have a recipe? I'm not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese but I know it's supposed to be super healthy…so I'm trying to find a way to eat it that's more tolerable lol The pic makes it looking nice and smooth and creamy…Thanks in advance! : )
Cottage cheese does pack a nice punch of protein (26 grams in a cup!) but lots of people have issues with the texture.
If you hate the lumps, then yes, puree it! To use it in the banana "ice cream", put some cottage cheese in the food processor, puree it, and then add the frozen bananas and strawberries. You can pour in more milk if necessary to get it all to blend up.
Also, you can puree cottage cheese and use it in things like the cilantro sauce I shared recently.
You can puree it in a smoothie too; again, I'd just start with the cottage cheese first so you can get it nice and smooth.
What is ATK?
America's Test Kitchen! They're also the same people who publish Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country.
I learned so much about cooking from their magazines and cookbooks; I now know lots of useful principles that I employ when I'm making one of my wing-it meals. 😉
Here's a whole post I wrote about the Cook's Country magazine.
How long would you say the cilantro sauce is good for in the fridge? I am about to warm up a leftover lunch (taco bowl) for which this would be the perfect addition!
I've used mine for a week with no ill effects. I wouldn't keep it much longer than that because there's fresh cilantro in it, and that will not keep forever.
And as always, it's wise to use your senses; if something smells weird or looks weird, err on the side of caution.
Would love to hear more about grain mill. Thought you bought flour?
I wrote a whole post about my grain grinder, and I did put a link in the kitchen appliance post, but sometimes it seems like people are missing the links I add in. I wonder if they are not obvious enough? Input welcomed!
If you are one of the ones who missed it, click here for the dedicated grain grinder post.
I do still buy white flour, yes. I just use the grain grinder when I want whole wheat flour.
To make white flour at home, you'd have to have a way to remove the germ and the bran from the ground whole wheat flour and woo, that sounds like a lotta work and mess. 😉
Do you prefer the dishwasher powder for a specific reason? I do not like the pods at all but have been using the dishwasher liquid. I'm interested in your thoughts.
Yes! According to what I've read, the powder works better than the liquid, and my own experience bears this out as well.
(See this article from Bosch, and this appliance article.)
I have read that the powder works best with hard water, so if you have softened water, the powder might not be great.
Everything I've read says that the new dishwasher pods work super well, but I'm loathe to buy them because of the cost difference. So, powder is a nice medium ground for me.
Hi all, I have a few questions about selling on EBay. It looks as if I need to attach my account to a checking account. Do you all use a separate account for selling or just link your regular checking account? Has anyone had any issues with that? I’m a little apprehensive of attaching to my regular account and I’m not sure if that is valid or not.
Also, from what I believe I have read, can you pause your listings if you need to travel etc? Does anyone know if you can also pause Facebook Marketplace listings?
Any advice would be appreciated!
I do have my eBay account set to send payouts to my checking account, and I don't feel nervous about this at all. eBay is an enormous company, and has online security systems in place much like other large corporations do.
Also, your eBay buyers do not pay you directly; they pay eBay, and then eBay sends you the funds. Your customers never get your bank information. 🙂
And yep, you can pause your eBay listings while you are away!
There is a vacation mode on Facebook Marketplace as well, although I have not tried using that feature.
Do you work that many days in a certain period of time so that you have larger chunks of days off, or is that what you have to do?
I think this was in response to me working six 12-hour shifts in eight days. It's not always like that, but sometimes I end up with a lot in very short succession, when the end of one week runs closely into the next. For instance, at the beginning of April, I work Thursday and Friday, I'm off Saturday, and then I work Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. So that's five shifts in six days. (Yikes.)
Sometimes I have a much bigger gap, though; at one point in April, I will have a whole week off with no PTO required.
Basically, my shifts are inconsistent because I have to work a certain number of weekend days, and also a certain number of Mondays and Fridays (otherwise everyone would want their three days to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday!).
So, nothing is the same from week to week, since we are all rotating around to share coverage for the least desirable days to work.
I don't mind the wonky schedule too much; the wild schedule in nursing school prepared me for it, and the variety keeps things interesting.
I will say that living this way requires flexibility and a willingness to give up any sense of routine!
Forgive me for asking a stupid question because I've just never seen you mention it, but how do you calculate your fun money? Is it a number you allocate at the beginning of the month and just make sure you don't spend it if you don't have to and therefore roll it over to she next month? I always love the way you refer to your fun money and just would like to know how you do that? I know you work really, really hard to be frugal so, having that extra money specified is just kind of interesting.
Not a dumb question at all! I started this whole fun money thing pretty recently and I rather randomly decided to give myself $100/month to play with.
If I spend less than $100, I roll the extra over into the next month, and that's how I end up with some odd amounts.
Ok, I feel a little more caught up with questions now! But if you have a question you'd like me to address in a future post, feel free to include it in a comment on this post. 🙂
I asked on your Friday post, do you eat snacks during the day or only 3 meals? And if you do eat snacks, what are they? Thanks!
Yes! I saw that one and almost added it to this round-up, but I think I will just do a dedicated post about snacks. So, I left it out, but I have not forgotten!
No need to apologise for not responding to every comment! We all know you're super busy 🙂
Related to the fun budget, are you still allocating yourself a budget for food and so on? I'm considering taking out a certain amount of cash next month for my food budget, but I am willing to listen to any ideas! A post where we share budget ideas and tips could be fun 🙂 I don't think I would sound especially frugal in it lol!
Like, a budget for eating out? Or more a budget for just food in general, like groceries?
Food in general! My budget for eating out should be zero, although I don't always adhere to it 😉 It's interesting seeing how prices for groceries depend on location!
Agreed. I'm super-impressed that you manage to have two jobs (blogging, nursing) and still exercise and cook.
Agreed!
Maybe Kristen has more time because she A. Doesn’t have long commutes and B. Doesn’t do much gardening and C. Doesn’t have a bunch of extra-curriculars, like book clubs, church, knitting groups, etc. Just a guess on my part, especially since I am spending every spare moment at this time of year pulling weeds.
Yes, and, in school to complete her Bachelor's degree. Amazing!
Oof, yes, this is a big problem too. My new class started this week and I have at least four writing assignments due this week, including writing a "fake" commencement speech. BLEAH.
As am I. It’s inspiring to hear about Kristen’s ability to juggle so much, with such grace.
Please don't have any angst over not responding to questions right away. I'm old school and feel that the trend to expect answers immediately is very disrespectful. I am just thankful that you have not given up your blog. So much good happens here. I was a nurse for 45 years and those back to back shifts can be really rough. But so nice to have a week off with no PTO.
Agreed. I am so happy you are finding a way to work full time, go to school, live your home life, AND blog!!!
Sadly, Cook's Country magazine is no longer published. The last issue was in October 2025. The TV show continues, though.
Wait, WHAT???? I completely missed this news. Wow.
A lot of bloggers just quit when their lives change but you keep on keeping on. I am very thankful for that! Knowing how busy you are with so many irons in the fire, it is no small feat for you to continue your blog. Please know you are greatly appreciated regardless of whether or not you answer our many questions stat....or at all.
What Fru-gal Lisa just said. Believe me, we know you're busy these days.
Want to echo A. Marie and Fru-gal Lisa's comments. So thankful and inspired by your knowledge and willingness to share and connect us all, reaching as far as me in Australia 🙂
I just don't want you guys to feel like you are speaking into a void when you comment, or to feel like I don't care about what you all have to say!
As others have said, please don't feel bad about anything to do with comments, dear Kristen. The fact that you keep on doing this amazing blog while you are so busy is more than enough!! I have been inspired so much by your story, your blog posts and the comments section. I am not frugal by nature (in fact, it's the opposite!), but your blog and your commenters are really helping me to make better choices. Take good care of yourself, and THANK YOU for all you do for this lovely community.
I think those of us who read on a regular basis know how busy your life is and understand. It’s also fun to have a post dedicated to answering questions once in a while - A mini Q&A with Kristen.
AGREED!
Blended cottage cheese makes a great substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna or stuffed shells! Where I live, cottage cheese is half the cost of ricotta, so worth it to me to sub whole-milk cottage cheese. I also use it in place of cream cheese on toast/bagels. I'm very fussy about cream cheese and I find that subbing in cottage cheese (with some cucumber slices, salt, and pepper on top) makes for a good snack.
I also have a fun money fund, which is what I accumulate from my call shift stipends. There's a lot in it right now. After we move, I will be buying a stupidly expensive but very pretty broom and dustpan set, and with the remainder, I don't know.
My MIL always used cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese in her lasagna because it was cheaper. She didn't blend it, but I think I would like it better blended to make it smooth.
I will only eat one brand of cottage cheese - the pink container of Knudsen. Isn't that funny? I bet it comes from brand adherence as a kid. If it is not that brand i will use it in pancakes.
So funny—I try to never buy Knudsen because it goes south faster (the milk, definitely.) A friend was working for Producers and told me that Knudsen keeps their refrigeration at the bare required minimum, which confirmed my experience.
Can you tell the difference in taste or texture in terms of Knudsen’s quality? I’ve started really liking Winco’s cottage cheese, but am not very discerning.
Mary Ann,
This is an ancient Knudsen memory - as a kid growing up in S. California, I used to LOVE the Dutch apple Knudsen yogurt. That was (ummm, uhhhh) 50-something years ago. This was before yogurt was a big "thing". Ha.
I love your dustpan idea! It’s funny what can spark joy in us.
Have you watched The Pitt? Just wondering how real-life healthcare workers feel about it. I really like it!
I would love to watch The Pitt but I don't do body horror. Scrubs is the only hospital show I can handle, although apparently it's one of the more accurate ones!
Sophie, I don't do gross horror ghastly bloody ick either - but if I am inadvertently stuck looking at it, I can remind myself that "stage blood comes in three colors and multiple consistencies" which is something I learned in Theater Makeup many years ago . . .
Sadly, any kind of medical anxiety is too much! I got stressed just reading about some of the plotlines haha! Someone told me I remind them of Mel King, for whatever that's worth. Obviously, unlike Mel, I couldn't work in a hospital 😉
Sophie in Denmark,
Ohhhh, I love Mel King! your friend gave you a compliment, in my mind. 🙂
Liz, that makes me happy! She said it was because, like me, Mel is autistic, loves animals and is very sweet. She said I'm also like Donna from The West Wing (which I've seen, so I actually got that reference lol).
Ooh, yes, I did answer this one in the comments a little while back. Mostly, we like it. But it definitely downplays the role of nurses and techs; I haven't watched season two yet, but in season one, we barely saw nurses except for the charge nurse. And I'm not sure I ever saw a tech!
Kristen,
No spoilers, but in season 2, there's an episode that highlights the ER nurses. 🙂 But I agree....in general, you don't see a lot of nurses and techs on the show. I *think* in season 1, they did reference "contacting a dietitian", if I remember correctly (and I wouldn't bet money on my memory, lol).
I work in a hospital, and specifically part of my job is covering an ICU - I think it's pretty true to life, from what I've seen and observed. I really like the show.
Fun The Pitt fact. Actor Ned Bower, who plays one of the nurses, is a real ER nurse and still works per diem shifts in an ER.
Mel King is one of my favorite characters too.
enjoy your week off. i still don't know if your new car is a '25 or a '26. thanks so much for continuing your blog through your crazy schedule. my new neighbors who have been here all of 3 weeks complained about my dog barking to management. they called and offered thunderease calming color. does anyone know anything about these collars. buddy does bark less though. thank goodness.
Mine is a 2026!
thank you so much. i wondered all this time if the frugal pro would get a better deal on the 26 or the 25. i am very happy now. i am kvelling. yiddish word
meaning bursting with pride at your accomplishments. rn and a 2006. AMAZING.
I have never used the collar but I have used the plug in diffuser on three of my dogs with varying levels of success. It worked well on my shelter dog when she first came to live with me and my old dog with the start of doggy dementia. With the dog that was already on anxiety meds it didn't add much help. I usually take one with me when I stay overnight at my sisters to help the dogs settle down at night.
thanks so much for your answer. i hope it doesn't harm him in any way.
Another use for puréed cottage cheese is instead of milk or yogurt (depending on consistency) in recipes. Such as pancakes, FG.
My randomness: I learned how to make fresh coconut milk!!! It was a real eye-opener. I can't stand coconut milk but it turns out that fresh is different. It's delicious! It's also a lot of work (we made it by hand, no food processor) so it's not something I expect to do again. Well, maybe once.
We posted at the same time! Welcome home.
I always fell "listen to" in this post. My importantly I continue to be grateful for the lack of political ideology. I truly feel that diversity is welcome which is ironic because "diversity" seems to be such a rallying cry for some.
This space is especially valued because I have had to politely decline a bi weekly zoom and group text thread from woman I have loved for over 40 years because of a political divide since the pandemic. I have to straddle a widening divide between my beloved husband and son and some of my college girlfriends. As result, I think both sides sometimes see me as either someone from an enemy camp or a someone to tread lightly with. I am just trying to validate both beliefs while speaking my own truth.
Thank you for your efforts to remain truly bipartisian.
typo : feel listen to
Wow, this comment was so emotional for me, it is filled with typos. "More importantly" Thank you everyone for the grace.
I am facing a similar widening divide between my DH and a relative, and I feel like I'm standing on a very small, tippy stepstool these days. Trying to remain true to myself. This non partisan, accepting blog space is a relief and respite for me as well.
@Mary Ann, AMEN! Thank you for saying this. When things go political, it all goes sideways. The best friends to be around can ask questions of one another, listen in order to understand, and answer questions honestly. In the current climate, there isn’t a lot of listening, and questions usually result in name-calling or tantrums. It is tiresome and worrisome, and feels impossible to find truth.
I think you do an admirable job balancing things. If it gets to be too much, I don't think anyone would blame you if you cut back your posting schedule, even temporarily. ? Just a thought. (fewer posts/fewer comments).
oh no i would die. please don't suggest that.
If you put whole wheat flour in an old-fashioned flour sifter, the bran separates out. Or is it the germ? Can’t remember, only that the sifter had a little pile of stuff left inside it!
Kristen, thank you for your response to my question. I’m going to give EBay a try!
I have a "set" schedule in that it starts at the same time (10:00 pm) but it's rare that I get an 8 hour day. In fact in the last month there was ONE 8 hour day (and one day where I went home sick after 2 hours) and it's beginning to look like more of the same. I did talk to my boss today about why I am consistently doing a task that should be done by our mail handlers (who get paid more than us lowly clerks do!!) He's going to look into it but I have my doubts that anything will change.
My weird schedule makes it hard to meal plan although I have started taking lunch to work instead of choosing the unhealthy options in the vending machines. Am trying to not snack but as a chocoholic it's hard!!
What if responding to reader comments was just one of your weekly posts?
Yes! I think that's what I'm probably gonna do because I'm not about to sit at the nurse's station and respond to comments. I've never logged into my blog at work at all. 🙂 (Except on my phone app!)
For what it's worth, I am a daily reader who doesn't really care if you respond to comments, but I love that you post almost every day. I know that must be a lot, with working as much as you do, plus school. I think you are doing an amazing job juggling all that. I look forward to your posts every morning.
Oh, that is so interesting. I know I have seen some people online say they dislike it when a blogger never interacts in the comments...just a "post and ghost" type of situation, so I guess for some people it matters more than for others!
I think it’s different if a blogger has never replied to comments, but you have a long history of being very engaged with your readers, so you have earned a pass. 😉
I'm the same kind of daily reader, I mostly read through an RSS feed and rarely visit the comments... though it's really a time-saving measure, because ever time I do read the comments I find it lovely and interesting! It is really nice to know that you are popping in and reading them (even if you don't respond), but I hope that can take a bit of pressure off!
ALSO I wonder about the missing links - I've often noticed them missing in my feed reader, but they are usually there when I click through to your site. If you are 'adding them in' after having published the post, perhaps that would explain it? (I'm assuming that however you publish the post initiallly is what goes to the RSS feed and then any edits after wouldn't be reflected in the feed, but I'm just speculating!)
I agree...although I am here in the comments today, I rarely take a peek, and it is even more rare that I am inspired to actually post a comment. I just simply enjoy the posts as tidbits of information, inspiration, joy, thoughtfulness, etc that often comes into my inbox just when I need it. I love the variety of topics and find them interesting even when they are not 100% relevant to my own life. So thank you Kristen for keeping up the posts despite your busy schedule!
Thank you for the cottage cheese suggestion! I need to up my calcium intake (estrogen blockers post-cancer will do that), and cottage cheese is one of my chosen calcium sources.
Is anyone else so sad that Vitacost.com was bought by iHerb?? The site has changed a lot and now I am giving up on it. Vitacost has been such a bestie to a frugal girl like me who tries to get quality stuff to put on and in my body. Now I'm having to rethink and rework so many purchases!
Also, I think I'm noticing with recent inflation that sales, deals, and coupons feel...maybe less generous than they used to be. What do you all think?
Kristen, you have your hands full! Please do not worry about this. In this season of life you have to prioritize, and comment replies aren’t at the top… and that’s A- ok ☺️
I rarely comment but the topic of dishwasher detergent compels me. I work in a wastewater management field and in our continuing education that focuses on being good stewards of the Earth’s water, one of the topics was dishwasher detergent (and this also applies to laundry detergent). In order of preference, it’s powder, liquid, and lastly pods. Pods are the last choice because, at a minimum, they are contributing to microplastics in the water supply. In addition, those “all-in-one” pods that have a stain fighter or whatever added, don’t actually work that well. If you look at your detergent dispenser on the dishwasher there is probably a little divot in the cover of it. You’re intended to put powder in the dispenser, close it, and then add a little more to that divot (you can also just sprinkle some on the door or in the bottom of the washer. That little bit of extra detergent is what pre-washes your dishes and gets the grime soaking off and makes the main detergent more effective. If you use a pod, there is no “pre-wash” and your dishes may not get as clean. Liquid detergent will work in much the same way although powder is still the best option. Most repair people will tell you the same thing. I could go on and on…lol