Healthy Spaghetti Bolognaise

If you are looking for a healthy Spaghetti Bolognaise that tastes good then this recipe is you!
Tastes fantastic! The whole family will enjoy it.  This is now a regular family recipe for us replacing a $4.00 preservative and calorie filled jar.

I originally got this recipe form Weight Watchers and their website states this recipe is equivalent to 11 pro points. 

Serves 6 
Costs: Under $10.00 to make!  Save money by buying premium mince in bulk from the butcher and dry ingredients from Aldi. Save even more money by starting your own herb garden.

Ingredients

1 x 3 second spray(s) oil spray

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 medium carrot, peeled, finely chopped

3 clove(s) fresh garlic, crushed

600 g lean beef mince

800 g whole tomato canned in tomato juice

1 individual beef stock cube, dissolved in 1 cup (250ml) hot water

1/4 tsp chilli powder, (or to taste)

1 tbs fresh basil, finely chopped

500 g wholemeal pasta, dry Instructions Spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil and place over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add mince to pan and cook for 5 minutes or until browned, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon. Stir in tomatoes and stock and season with salt and pepper. Add chilli powder and basil and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavours to blend and sauce to thicken. Spoon sauce over hot spaghetti and serve.                                                                                                                                                                          Notes  I didn't use the Beef Stock. I didn't have any when I first made this recipe and honestly I don't think it needs it.  Any left over sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days and actually improves the flavour with time. Also suitable to be freeze for up to 3 months.  Bec x

Contra Deals

Contra Deals - How they can benefit your business and how you can keep things on an even keel.

Quite often I see new entrepreneurs starting out in business who find it difficult to decide where to spend their limited amount of start up funds (if any). A great way to get everything done that you need, such as a website, is via ‘contra deals.’  Quite often these can be overlooked and a valuable opportunity missed. Below are my tried-and-tested tips from experience so that you engage in a win-win situation.

So what is a ‘contra deal’ exactly? Contra deals are certainly not about working for FREE. It involves two businesses collaborating and joining together to swap goods or services required to achieve and business outcome and goal without exchanging cash. Not only is it a good way for startup businesses to get started at minimal cost, it is also useful for product or service testing in exchange for advertising.  For example, if you are new within the service industry or have a new product that needs testing, contra deals are great marketing strategies to swap testing to:

·         Gain recommendations

·         Gain referrals and new customers or clients and

·         Obtain free advertising and promotion through the testers network.

I have trialed several methods of swapping services and products from hour-for-hour, dollar value for dollar value and project for project. Each of these methods were used in different circumstances and to achieve different outcomes.  It is important that you weigh up your options that will gain the best value for you and your business.

For example, you may be a personal trainer who needs assistance to build and online presence such as a website and you’ve heard of a website developer who’d like to lose the flab of 2012 and get fit in 2013. If the website developer charges a set project rate of $1,500, then you as the personal trainer can evaluate your options as to the best swap that will benefit you and then make an enticing offer to the website developer. The personal trainer who charges $80 per hour might offer 19 hours of personal training or 6 months of free weekly one-on-one training.

The important thing with contra deals with whatever your deal is to ensure:

1.      You are both clear on the deal, expectations and outcomes;

2.      You have a set time frame to complete it in; and

3.      Have a written agreement in one form or another. I recommend a set out service agreement or clear email outlining the swap specifics and project details. This way it is clear that anything over and above can be charged for.

Speaking of contra deals, I am currently looking to have some professional profile images taken for my Linked In account and website on the north side of Brisbane. If you know a photographer who is looking for a website or some help with branding be sure to pass on the details!

Note - As I am not a bookkeeper nor accountant you should always check with your accountant in regards to taxation etc. when engaging in contra deals.

Thanks Katie from Absolute Assistance - Virtual Assistant