Trading Pennies for Dollars

Trading Pennies for Dollars is a series of small changes we make to stretch the dollars here and there, and make healthier choices in the process. Our objective is always to create sustainable systems that support healthy peaceful intentional living. 

Something that drives me crazy is when something is super inflated for what ingredients go into it. Spices are like that in a lot of ways. First there is the fillers of spices. I don't need a thickener, thank you very much. I'll decide how salty I want it. My goodness chili powder, taco seasoning, grated parmesan cheese, gravy packets are often full of extras to add bulk to a small amount of the actual product you want. There had to be a better way. 

So I started with Taco seasoning. 

So here is the one I use and love. 

Keep it out of humidity or it will try to clump up on ya!

12 tablespoons chili powder (4 each Ancho, Guajillo and Arbol ) I get the three pack on Amazon 

6 tablespoons ground cumin

12 teaspoons ground black pepper

6 teaspoons ground paprika

5 teaspoon garlic powder

3 teaspoon onion powder

4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3 teaspoon dried oregano

Running my costs of seasonings runs about $0.59 per ounce vs the $0.97 1 ounce pack with the fillers and thickeners and salt. I like it heavily seasoned so I do 3 tablespoons.

Do what you can with what you have and you'll be blessed with more.