Handmade Gift Bookmarkers, sweet and inexpensive.

I have a huge button bin that I've been collecting for years. When I found this post I had a serious "AHA!" moment. I made up a handful for some older ladies I know who love to read that I will tuck into their gift bags.

By the way, the blog I found it on is worth at least a half hour of exploring...budget your time accordingly! Visit them HERE.

Not the best picture on my Android but you get the idea. Very fast and very simple to make and look very luxurious. My 4 year old wants a trip to the button store to make his own after Christmas.

I will try to throw up some blogs with this year's Christmas bag contents. Not having much money never means you can't show your loved ones you care, it just means you have to be more creative! Sounds trite but true. Who doesn't like handmade thoughtful gifts?

I have had several Christmas seasons where I had to use food stamp money to buy cookie making ingredients to make gift bags. Do I let it get me down? Hell no. When they toss that department store gift basket back under the tree and sit noshing on my (best cookie ever!) peanut butter chocolate chip cookies I feel proud and content.


Happy Holidays!

Slow cooked Baked Beans

I find that one of the corner stones of my diet is beans. Seriously. I know you dont believe me because no one eats beans anymore in this fast paced eat out of a can or bag world right?

They are nutritionally a powerhouse. Beans are incredibly filling and inexpensive. While they are not a 5 minute meal they are also incredibly easy to make.  Dust off that crock-pot and come make some with me.

Slow Cooked Boston Baked Beans

1 pound ( about 2 cups) small dry white beans like navy beans
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mustard
1 medium onion, chopped
a pinch of cloves
3 cups hot water


First you have to soak the beans. The night before I put them in a pan and cover with hot water from the faucet before I go to bed. There are other ways you can do it but really to me that's the easiest way to do it. Pick out any floaters and run a spoon through to look for little pebbles too.

The next morning drain the beans. Put half of them in the crock-pot. Place the chopped onion on top of beans. Cover with remaining beans.

In a separate bowl mix together the hot water, molasses, brown sugar, mustard and cloves. Pour over the beans in your crock-pot.

Cook for about 8 hours on low.  Check occasionally and make sure beans are covered with liquid. If not, add a bit to cover.  When they are tender enough to eat they are done. They may seem a bit soupy at first but will thicken a bit on standing.

The next day they are even better. This recipe will serve 6 as a main dish. I make these once a week and put in canning jars in my refrigerator so I can pull some out for a fast dinner. My teenager loves these on toast, I have them over rice frequently. They are a natural combo with Irish soda bread too.


Now a word about cooking times. There can be huge variances in cooking times depending on how old your beans are. If they have been in your cabinet for a year they may take a couple hours longer. I buy beans every week so they are relatively fresh. 

Pizza Night

Pizza night is a mainstay in our house. I make dough and I can customize everyone's pizza to their needs. No cheese on one, no sauce on another, all veggies on one is a snap this way. The kids make their own pizzas and we all eat together.


Gluten free came along and threw a wrench in the works though. How do you make a pizza crust without flour?  Thank God for the internet and Jeanne at 'The Art of Gluten Free Baking'.  She has a great recipe for pizza crust that actually tastes like pizza. I throw the ingredients in the food processor for 20ish seconds and use the parchment for that pizza.I have tried a few premade mixes but darn it they are so expensive. I make up Jeanne's baking mix and make pancakes regularly too from it.

You can find an easy crust recipe here that does have gluten but is dairy free. I will share a secret to make this go very fast. I have been making the dough in the food processor. Put all the ingredients in and process for about 20 to 30 seconds until it's a smooth dough. That's it. Let it rest and use as you would dough you spent 10 minutes kneading. The first time you may have to experiment with time and a drop or two of water to get a smooth dough but after that its easy peasy. If it still looks crumbly add water a teaspoon at a time until the dough comes together, pulsing a few seconds after each admission. I can crank out four crusts in no time this way.

My regular dough recipe makes some wonderful bread sticks as well.  Divide each recipe into 8 pieces and roll out thin with your fingers into pretzel rod shapes. Lay flat on cookie sheet. Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt. Let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
 If you aren't dairy free you can smear butter on them and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for some very similar to the pizza stores. We have them with pizza sauce. Yum!

Dinner Time Insanity

So seriously I am considering a dinner time strike. For REAL this time.  Dinner time as become more of a challenge than I can deal with some days. Ever try to make one meal that encompasses gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian yet will still manage to please children and the occasional guest? Throw in 2 Autistic kids and whewwww.

My budget is screaming, not to mention the sheer amount of time it takes to make 3 or 4 separate meals every night. All the rules I grew up with about meal time have gone out the window. Feel my pain?

Now that I got that off my chest, I hope in the future to share with you how I manage to get everyone fed. Maybe someone will not feel so overwhelmed and under appreciated. OK that probably won't happen but at least we can commiserate together.

OK I am off to throw some salads and pizza at the heathens. See ya later.

Easy Grilled Flatbread

It is 95 degrees out and I have no intention of starting my stove today. Not even the toaster if I can avoid it. A big pile of salad greens and veggies will be the star on my dinner table tonight.  Need a side dish to make it a heartier meal? I will be grilling a couple chicken breasts as well as a flatbread for the carnivores.

Super easy and fast. Once you have made these they will be a summer favorite.

Grilled Flatbread

1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cups AP flour
2 teaspoons butter or margarine


First I'll tell you how I make it, then give you an alternative.

Put warm water in bowl of food processor. Mix in sugar and yeast. Add flour and butter. Process until dough comes together into a nice springy ball, about 2 minutes.  Place dough in greased bowl to rise. Let it sit while the grill heats up. I cheat and use an electric grill.

Divide dough into 4 pieces. I use a rolling pin to roll each piece out into a rectangle. If you are feeling brave pull and stretch into shape.

Carefully place dough rectangle onto hot grill and cook for 5 minutes each side. Slather with butter and parmesan cheese for bread sticks or munch  plain.

Note:    Don't have a food  processor or even a grill? No problem. Mix the ingredients for the bread in the same order in a large bowl. Knead about 5 minutes until you have a smooth elastic dough. Sometimes I can talk my kids into doing this while I prepare the rest of supper. After a 20 minute rest, roll out the dough as described above. You can bake in the preheated oven or toaster oven at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes.

I make all 4 flatbreads and use the extra for pizza shells. Yum!

My Favorite Sweet Pickles

The bins full of pickling cucumbers are starting to show up at the farmer's market. I made my first  batch  of the season this morning of my favorite sweet pickles, also known as bread and butter pickles. You can't buy  the homemade taste of pickles and the recipe is simple. Enjoy!

Bread  and Butter Pickles

makes about 3 pints

8 cups of sliced pickling cucumbers
1/2 cup of salt

4 cups vinegar
2 cups brown sugar( I have used white sugar)
1 tablespoon pickling spice
2 inch stick cinnamon
6 whole cloves
1 teaspoon mustard seed
pinch turmeric

Note:  If you can't find pickling spice you can make your own. Recipe follows the pickles

Place cucumbers in a large bowl or plastic container. Sprinkle with the salt and cover with cold water. Let stand overnight in the refrigerator.

Drain cucumbers and rinse with cold water.

Combine everything else in a heavy pan. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add drained cucumbers. Bring back to boil and cook another 5 minutes.
Pack into clean jars carefully and let cool.
Store in the refrigerator.

Pickling Spice

makes about 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cup mustard seeds
1/4 cup ground coriander
1/4 cup fennel seed
1/4 cup whole cloves
1/4 cup celery seeds
1/4 cup cinnamon sticks, crushed
1/4 cup black pepper corns
2 tbsp. dried ginger, coarsely chopped
6 dry bay leaves, crushed

Combine all. Store in a cool dry place for up to a year.
I make a fresh batch every year when I start pickling again.

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

I am not strictly vegetarian or vegan, however, my  diet tends to those foods. I am not afraid of those labels because of that so I frequently try out vegan recipes. Every now and then I find a gem that makes it's way into my every day cooking. These cupcakes are one of those recipes.

My kids loved these. Instead of frosting them I just dust them with powdered sugar. You could be creative and serve with fresh raspberries and whip cream or a decadent fudge frosting.

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

 

makes 12 cupcakes or 24 mini's or 6 texas size

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup strong coffee
1/4 cup grapeseed oil (or canola)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons molasses
2/3 cup vegan dark chocolate chips
Confectioner’s sugar (optional)


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line a 12-cup cupcake pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk coffee, oil, vanilla, and molasses. Pour the coffee mixture into the dry mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until smooth and combined. Do not over beat. Mix in chocolate chips. Place batter evenly into cupcake pans, about 2/3's full. I use an ice cream scoop.

Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until cupcakes spring back when lightly touched in the middle. Let cool completely in the pan.

Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing

90 degree weather has me staying out of the kitchen and wanting the convenience of fast food but on my ramen noodle budget.

Salads are a no brainer. An abundance of cheap fresh produce with a couple homemade sides makes this  budget friendly, cool, and healthy.

Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing.

Whisk together

1 cup mayonaisse
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Pour into clean glass jar, cover and refridgerate for up to 2 weeks.

Playroom Storage Stools

Ok I have time to post one more incredibly easy beginners project. The boys pulled the stuffing out of the padding on their 2 year old chairs from their table set. After my recent successes with beginner carpentry projects I starting cruising the web for some easy plans.

Shanty 2 Chic had some wonderful ideas. These stools were perfect minus the wheels. I had visions of toppling stools when they jump on them to sing! The boys picked out their own spray paint colours and had a blast painting them. Three stools took me about an hour minus sanding time.

I read all about how easy it is to stain and finish these but I have to admit I am becoming a spray paint junkie. They came out so good and dried so quickly I am considering giving a few other things a facelift. They match their new bookshelves and can be used as more book storage in a pinch as they outgrow them.

 I have to say I would never even have considered doing any of these projects if it weren't for these really great instructables and blogs. These authors have been an inspiration to me. Living well on a very small budget is looking easier and easier. I have been looking at goodwill furniture and even junk in the garage with a new eye!

Shelves for Children's Books

You would think I had tons of time right now with all these projects I have accomplished this spring.
Somehow I have managed to actually finish a few projects with the help of some great blogs and instructables.

By necessity we needed a place for the boys books after a new resident took up space on our bookcase. The books have been piled in a laundry basket for 2 weeks when I came across this blog.
Ana White has tons and tons of easy plans for simple furniture and I believe even has a new book out with great ideas as well.

These ledges were my inspiration. I changed the measurements to fit some unused hall wall space right outside the boys bedroom. I only spent $12 for the whole project.

Couldn't have been easier to make. One of these days the wonderful people at Home Depot will not be able to cut my wood and I will have to learn to use a saw. Until then I can put together these fabulous projects in a naptime!

Baking Your Own Bread, Part 2

While looking for those fabulous build your own bed plans I came across this post from the same author.

I read it through twice and was shaking my head in disbelief. No kneading? Little rising? what kind of blasphemy is this? I tried it, fully expecting a horrible loaf that at best would be passable for croutons.

Crispy brown crust and light flaky bread reminiscent of those delicious artisan French bread loaves after a couple of hours! That big bucket of dough made a ridiculously easy pizza dough, a ciabatta for some toasted sandwiches, and a few crusty loaves to serve with salads.

My son even expressed an interest in making it and was so proud of his first loaf. We left a bit of dough in the bucket for the next batch and got a beautiful sourdough flavor. I am thinking about getting that book the next time I have found money burning a hole in my pocket.

Aeray, seriously, why did you have to be already married.............

Easy Bed Frame to Build

SO my bed frame broke.....yeah, one too many jumps from one of the boys (yes you Nicholas). I went to look at bed frames at a few stores and came to the conclusion that I did not have over $200 to spend on a new one. I store a ton of stuff under my bed so mattress on the floor was not really an option.




I googled bed frames plans and Holy Cannoli there's a pile of them. The one that caught my eye was " Cheap Easy Low Waste". Much Thanks to the author for this fabulous plan!

For $72.50 I built a queen sized bed and repurposed my headboard. Woohoo! The really bored guys at Home Depot cut my wood so essentially I just had to predrill holes and screw the pieces together.

This baby is incredibly sturdy and comfortable besides. I still have my storage space as well.

An unintended side benefit was that this bed takes up much less space, at least visually if not in actuality, so my room seems much bigger.


I am working on my saw phobia and plan to do a few more projects. My scrap pile is growing and I have bookmarked a few pages.
The low cost is wonderful and I am so pleased with myself. Yay!

Starting the Garden and Dreaming of Spring

With the first warm weather I start dreaming of fresh salads and fruit desserts bursting with berries......

I have already been spending silly amounts of time at the seed racks picking out this years crops. Why do they sell all these seeds that don't have a prayer here unless you start them 2 months early and have a green house, cold frames, and a green thumb? I am going to be much more realistic this year.

I don't want to do all kinds of crazy seeds for plants that will never ripen in our short growing season here in Maine. I am going to concentrate on the basics this year. The stress of tiny pumpkins, green beefsteak tomatos and stunted melons is too much for me. I found a fabulous pick your own nearby for all kinds of berries so I am giving up on my rabbit ravaged strawberries too.

Spinach, lettuces, peppers, herbs I actually use, cucumbers, and grape tomatoes will be the largest crops I think. I want to do an entire small raised bed of carrots this year. Last years were sweet and crunchy and I got 2 crops even here.  I've never done potatoes but I think I want to try them this year, if for no other reason than a learning lesson or the kids. I've heard they are very easy and hard to kill.

Coriander, dill, and cilantro are out, while double plantings of basil. thyme, rosemary and oregano will be fragrant and grace many of my dishes. I dont know why I always think I will start suddenly canning vast amounts of dill pickles but plantings of dill were always part of my routine. Why? Probably because of those fabulous pictures in gourmet and gardening magazines of beautiful feathery plants.

I saved my plastic milk jugs all winter and this weekend will poke small drainage holes and cut an opening from the top of each one, leaving the handle intact. These improvised pots will then grace my back deck hung with twine. Three times the space, much cheaper than pots, recycled, and easy care, what's not to love!? The kids are already thinking up what they will decorate the pots with too, so fab art projects as well.

If you aren't already doing it, rethink composting. It's really easy. The rich organic material you get is a great way to save money on fertilizers and in my opinion your veggies will be that much stronger and delicious. At our house its just a pile out behind the garage that I dump all our kitchen refuse and turn once in a blue moon. I'm sure there are much better ways but it works for me.

Revisit the roasted veggies and soup recipes before it gets too hot for these favorites. Salad days are almost here!

Happy Holidays! My Gift Basket Ideas

I have been making my gift baskets this year and have been much too busy to post. I hope to list and link everything after the new year to give some ideas for next year.  I feel pretty safe listing because no-one in my extended family ever reads this! I also made these adorable little recipe books but I'm hung up on which to include so those may not get out.

I wanted to say a word about those computer printing programs for making cards, labels, etc. I personally use Printshop. They may seem expensive to buy but they are essential if you are making gifts from scratch. Labels for your jars, gift tags, cards, and all kinds of other neat things are incredible easy. If you factor how much you get from these programs in, it's worth it.

I use the local Dollar store for 90% of my packaging. They have tons of great packaging and decorations for little money.

I hope everyone is healthy and happy and will have much fun in the new year!


The Aunt's Basket

French Vanilla Coffee Mix (in a jar)
Scone mix
2 boxes of tea from my grocery store
Candied Orange Peel
Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti


Uncle David's Basket

BBQ sauce
Spicy Rub
Double Fudge Brownie Mix (in a jar)
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Butter cookies


Uncle Peter's Basket

Handmade Laundry Soap
Reusable Cloth Produce bags
Lavender sugar scrub
Double Fudge Brownie mix(in a jar)
reusable travel coffee mugs
Homemade Granola

Candied Orange Peels

I remember these little tidbits from when I was a kid but had totally forgotten them. I came across a recipe for scones with them and decided to check out making them. They were very easy and came out perfect the first time. I just made a huge batch for Christmas presents. I've seen them dipped in chocolate on my web forays for recipes, yummy!

Candied Orange Peels

3 oranges
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
extra sugar for dipping, I used about 1 1/2 cups


Peel oranges carefully. Cut peel into small strips. Using a paring knife remove extra pith from peels(the bitter white part). Leaving a little is OK. They don't have to be perfect.

Place peel in a saucepan in cold water to cover. Bring to a boil. Drain off water and repeat process with cold water. Do this a total of 3 times to ensure your finished product has no bitterness. Set aside. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

Bring water and sugar to a boil in saucepan. Add peels and turn heat to medium low, just barely a low boil. Simmer for as long as it takes for peels to become translucent. Mine took 50 minutes, I had read it could take as little as 30 minutes or as much as an hour. Keep an eye on them after 30 minutes.

Working fairly quickly roll peels in sugar and lay out on either wax paper or racks set over cookie sheets(to catch drips). Let dry completely. 4 hours is what most people said, I let mine sit for a couple hours and they were fine.

Package in pretty jars or tins. I think these are delicious eaten the way they are but they really kick up a nice batch of scones. These below were dipped in the sugar.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

There's a reason grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic. Crispy and buttery outside, rich and melted inside......how can this budget pleaser go wrong? Vegetarians everywhere who eat dairy are cheering!
I use homemade bread for these but a store bought loaf will do.


Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

8 slices bread
8 slices cheese, either American or Cheddar
1 TB butter.


Start heating up a fry pan or griddle over medium high heat. 
Melt butter on pan.
Place 4 slices bread on pan.
Layer 2 slices of cheese on each slice of bread.
Top with second slice of bread.
Fry on one side until crisp and golden, then flip.
Fry second side until crisp and golden.
Serve with carrots sticks and sliced apples.

Variations
Add a slice of ham or turkey.
Spread Mustard on bread before cheese goes on.
Thin slices of apple sandwiched in with the cheese(my fave).
Thin slices of tomato added with the cheese on mayo.

Healthier Peanut Butter Cookies

I make peanut butter cookies for the kids on Thanksgiving. They don't like pies and can carry them around while they are playing. Who doesn't like cookies?

I've been on the healthy eating bandwagon lately. The argument I hear most is the 'I don't have the time or money' excuse. I usually come back with the fact that a lot of little changes will make a big difference. So I have been tweaking some of my traditional favorites. Here's a new  version of my Thanksgiving peanut butter cookies. The kids loved them and I had to slap away a few adult hands as well.

Healthier Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup (non transfat please) margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch cinnamon
pinch salt
1 1/4 cup quick rolled oats ( not steel cut)
3/4 cup whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the sugar, peanut butter, and margarine until smooth.
Add egg, soda, salt and cinnamon.
Stir in the oats and the flour. The dough will be thick.
Drop by spoonsful onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Let cool. Makes about 2 dozen depending on how big they are.

Basic Bread and French Toast Sticks

My local bakery thrift store closed on Wednesday. It saddens me for a few reasons and even makes me angry to see the employees I have known for many years lose their jobs a few weeks before Christmas and the day before Thanksgiving.

I'm digging out some bread recipes to try to keep my budget from being totally destroyed. Here's a couple basics that are tried and true in my house.


White Sandwich Bread

3 cups AP flour
2 Tsp active dry yeast
2 Tb sugar
pinch salt
2 Tb butter
1 1/4 hot water


Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the hot water and let sit while you get the rest together.
Put flour and salt into large mixing bowl. Add butter, which you have cut into little pieces. Dump in the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.

Sprinkle some flour on a counter or table top. Knead the bread dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. On humid days I find the dough a little sticky, just knead in a bit more flour until its workable.

Shape into your preferred loaf shape and place in a pan( I make a traditional egg shape and put on a flat 1/4 sheet pan).You can use a standard loaf pan if you prefer.

Let rise until doubled.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes for a nice crusty outside.

Let cool on a cooling rack before slicing or you will have a mess. I use an electric knife for easy even slices.
Makes 1 standard sandwich loaf, about 1 1/2 lb

Note: for electric breadmakers put your ingredients in your maker in the order specified by the manufacturer. For my maker its the water mixture followed by the flour and salt topped with the butter.


French Toast

3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
pinch cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
6 slices slightly stale bread
optional: maple syrup, jelly, whipped cream and berries

Whisk together all ingredients but the bread and optional ingredients.  I cut my bread pieces into thirds to make french toast sticks for the kids. Soak bread in the milk mixture for a few minutes while your griddle or frying pan heats up. I put the bread in a ziptop bag and pour the egg  mixture over it. Close the bag and let it sit on the counter. Turn it over after a minute or two.

I use a pat of butter or a dollop of canola oil to grease my pan which I have heated to medium high. Fry your bread slices until nice and golden on both sides.

I heat up a bit of strawberry jam on the stove until its melted then use that for syrup usually. Maple syrup is awesome also, though very pricey here. Be creative!

Shepherd's Pie ( 2 kinds)

Shepherd's pie is a classic around here. Everyone has some version of it and I have seen it called a few different things. Here I have 2 versions, a meat lovers and a veggie one. These casseroles are great for batch cooking. I try to always make 2 and freeze the extra one for a crazy day supper. Very inexpensive, hearty and delicious, this is one of my favorite casseroles. I serve it with some carrot and celery sticks.

I buy burger once in a blue moon on sale and cook, storing 1 pound portions in quart freezer bags in my freezer. To freeze made ahead casseroles, line your baking dish with foil. After the dish has frozen, lift it out and over wrap with more foil. Don't forget to write on it what it is and the date!

Hamburger Shepherds Pie

1.5 lbs Hamburger, cooked and crumbled
1 cup salsa
1.5 cups whole kernel corn
6 large potatoes
4 TB butter
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste.
gravy(optional)

Quarter the potatoes, cover with water and put on to boil. I don't peel mine but you can if you wish. Boil until soft and mashable. Add the butter and milk. Mash out any of the lumps. Set aside.

In a 9x9 baking dish put the cooked burger across the bottom. Spoon the salsa over the burger. Next layer is the corn. I buy the big bags of frozen corn at the wholesale club.  Spoon the mashed potatoes on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Heat in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

 If you want to, you can serve with gravy. Everyone has their own thoughts on gravy, packets, cans, jars or, if you are really brave, homemade. I don't serve gravy but my mother-in-law always does.

Portabella Shepherd's Pie

16 oz package of baby portabellas, quartered
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
6 TB butter
1.5 cups whole kernel corn
6 large potatoes
4 TB butter
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste.

In a medium saute pan melt the 6 TB butter. Add the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Cook another few minutes until mushrooms have reduced and are starting to brown. Remove from heat.

Quarter the potatoes, cover with water and put on to boil. I don't peel mine but you can if you wish. Boil until soft and mashable. Add the 4 TB butter and milk. Mash out any of the lumps. Set aside.

In a 9x9 baking dish layer the mushroom mixture in the bottom. Next is the sweet corn. Lastly is the mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Heat in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

Appliances that will save you money

There is no doubt about it, our lives today are hectic when you have kids. Soccer practise, debate club, PTA meetings and a ton of other activities we work into already full days. My life is just as insane if not more so. These appliances can be life savers for getting an inexpensive dinner on the table.

Breadmaker

Breadmaker? What? How does that get dinner on the table you ask? I use mine a couple times a week to make pizza dough. I through everything in, set it on dough and run out the door to whatever activity we need to go to. When we get home I have dough waiting to be stretched and thrown in the oven. Voila! A  20 minute pizza when we get home for a fraction of the cost. Before you complain about the high cost of a breadmaker let me tell you I have 3 breadmakers that I got at my local Salvation Army store for $5 each. They were missing manuals but I never read those anyway. One of them is a $200 machine with enough buttons to be in the space program. I visit my local thrift store once a month on half price days just to poke around and frequently find something dirt cheap and useful.

Rice Cooker

Another machine that I love is my rice cooker. What can be cheaper than rice? My rice cooker runs 4 or 5 times a week for both side dishes and main dishes. My favorite main dish that I make in it is Chinese Rice. Rice, frozen mixed vegetables, burger crumbles( or precooked hamburger for you carnivores), vegetable broth and 20 minutes of watch free cooking and I have a fast beef rice dish on the table while I try to finishing writing a paper or folding laundry. I also make a big pot of plain rice once a week I portion into quart freezer bags and freeze for super fast stir frys and mexican dishes, as well as a rice dish I make for breakfast on the weekends. I did buy my rice cooker new for about $20 on Amazon.

Crockpot

What's not to love? Throw food in your crockpot in the morning and come home to a great smelling house and instant supper. Mine gets heavy use for cooking a large batch of chicken legs for chicken meat for other dishes, chili or beans for Mexican dishes, various soups and chowders. We love corn chowder, another inexpensive dish that is heavenly in the winter. Just add the milk or cream  a few minutes before serving so it doesn't curdle during the long day of simmering. Chances are you have a crockpot in a box somewhere your mother gave you for Christmas a few years ago. Dig it out, I promise you will love it.

Food Processor

Bread crumbs, mixing spice blends, chopping veggies for salsa, slicing onions for onion soup, making quick work of slicing chopping all kinds of veggies....... enough said!!! Mine gets daily use and is easily cleaned in the dishwasher. Pesto, salad dressings, mixing up homemade biscuit and cake mixes, making homemade gourmet coffee mixes, there is a ton of things you can do with it to save time.


All of these can save you money and make it less likely to grab either drive through food or convenience foods that are expensive and unhealthy. Rethink your preparation and dishes and you may be pleasantly surprised at how cheaply you can get fast nutritious food on the table.