Simple advice for a better life.

easy-does-it-with-a-pasta-maker1I always loved my mom’s  homemade pasta, especially in her homemade chicken or tomato soup.  I also started to make my own pasta for my  family, and they love it.  It is simple to make,  and out of 2 cups of flour, you get enough pasta for a family of four.  Talking about saving money and having great tasting food!

Of course I was doing it the hard way, until one day my daughter presented me with an Imperia Pasta Maker Machine, and making pasta has not been the same since.

pasta-maker

I still make pasta, but now this job is a breeze with this little gadget.
It is quite simple to operate, yet produces wonderful results.
I even used it for flattening the dough rounds for making homemade perogies  (potato dumplings).
A small motor is also available to ease the operation of this pasta maker machine,  if you prefer not to use the crank, but I have not decided on that purchase yet.

It is also very easy to clean, since all you do is use a small brush to brush off the remaining flour and any bits of leftover dough, and wipe it clean with a paper towel.  It is not recommended to wash it with water.

Here are some samples of the final product:

easy-does-it-with-a-pasta-maker

home-made-noodles home-made-spaghetti

Yummy…..home made pasta.  Doesn’t this make you hungry, and wanting to whip some up for tonight?

If you still do not have this wonderful little gadget in your kitchen, you are long overdue for one, and must add it to your wish list.  You will love it as much as I do!  I know it!  Your family will love your homemade pasta.

The major energy users in your home are:

  • The heating/cooling system
  • Electric water heater
  • Refrigerator
  • Dryer
  • Lighting

Based on the KWH usage you can calculate the $$ it will cost you to operate these:

appliances-kwh-usage

This information is very helpful in planning your utility budget, since even though you do not have control over the rates being charged, you can control the total KWH usage in your home.  Also, replacing old appliances with new energy efficient ones, rather than repairing these, is a wiser decision, and saves you money in a long run.  Even on a tight budget, you can find very reasonably priced brand new appliances in outlet stores, and scratch-n-dent outlets.