Category Archives: Recipes

Healthy Homemade Ice Pops Recipes

Homemade ice pops or homemade popsicles are super easy to make, economical and can be healthy. Forget simply pouring orange juice into a pop mold. With these recipes, you can make your own gourmet pops that would comparatively sell for $2 or more at the store. All of these homemade popsicles recipes are free of food coloring, high fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives and other nasties. Banana Berry Vegan Pop This homemade popsicle is so nutritious that you could eat it for breakfast if you wanted to. Just don’t tell the kids. 2 cups vanilla soy milk
 1 cup apple … Continue reading →

Free Pickled Veggies and a Chow Chow Recipe

Here is a quick way to get pickled vegetables for free! The next time that you finish off a jar of pickles, save the jar and the brine. You can use it to make your own pickled vegetables! Just add sliced vegetables to the jar, making sure that the brine covers the vegetables. Replace the cap and return the jar to the refrigerator. You can do this with soft or hard vegetables. Soft vegetables, such as onions, peppers, cabbage, etc., will take only two days to brine. Harder vegetables, such as carrots, cauliflower and radishes will take longer, about five … Continue reading →

The Macaroni and Cheese Wars

My mother-in-law and I have a difference of opinion about Macaroni and Cheese recipes. I like to put all sorts of different cheese into it and either cook it in the crockpot or bake it in the classic style. She likes to use only Velveeta and cook it over the stove. Hmm, the problem in my smugness, is the kids and my husband usually prefer her version. I have a hard time letting go of my holier than thou attitude about Macaroni and Cheese recipes, but I have to face the music that my version, while perhaps a bit healthier, … Continue reading →

Classic Lasagna with Turkey Sausage

This past Easter, my husband wanted lasagna, not ham. I suppose my Italian heritage must be rubbing off on him. My youngest son asked for some of the leftovers for breakfast. When a picky five year old does that, you know you have a winner. This lasagna is straightforward and easy to make, so even if you have never made one before, go ahead and try it. It is pretty much full-proof. Plus, it is made with turkey sausage, making it cheaper and a bit healthier. Ingredients: I box of lasagna noodles (1 pound box) A few tablespoons of olive … Continue reading →

Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is like a celebrity around here. Whenever anyone mentions anything to do with food or groceries, inevitably, Trader Joe’s comes up. Their selection of specialty products, combined with reasonable prices makes them a big hit with most families. There are always some interesting products at Trader Joe’s to try, including seasonal products. Sometimes I’ll look at something such as a unique sauce and think that while it looks good, I would have no idea how to use it. That is what this cookbook is all about. It takes advantage of all of those ingredients, especially the pre-prepped items, … Continue reading →

Kitchen Playdates by Lauren Bank Deen

The other day at the library, I just had to pick up this colorful book, Kitchen Playdates by Lauren Bank Deen. The cover shows happy kids busy in the kitchen cooking and the book promised ideas and recipes that could be made with kids. My kids have always loved to cook with me, especially when it comes to baking. They like to measure, stir, chop and more. One of my daughter’s favorite possessions is her monogramed apron, and my youngest son contents himself with a towel wrapped around his waste. My oldest son begs for more responsibility in the kitchen … Continue reading →

Valentine Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast in bed is a small luxury that can make a big impact for your valentine. Start the day off right with a celebratory breakfast. Here are are a couple of ideas. One is sweet and the other is savory Choose the one that works best for you and your love. Whipped cream is optional. Chocolate Waffles Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup milk 2 eggs 4 tablespoons butter, melted   Directions: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: … Continue reading →

Family Favorite: Broccoli Cheese Soup

If I ever want my kids to eat their broccoli, I just cook it up into this soup! While this is not exactly a diet recipe, since it is a cream soup, it still packs a lot of nutrition in it. Paired with a crusty bread, it makes a hearty meal that keeps everyone satisfied in the winter months. Because this is a cream soup, I would not recommend freezing it. We usually don’t have any leftover to freeze anyway. It will stay nicely in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it to warm on the stovetop for … Continue reading →

Pancakes for a Crowd: Improved Recipe

Making pancakes from scratch is so easy that I never understand why people by the boxed mix. Making them from scratch is much cheaper, especially when you have to feed a crowd or like to do some advanced freezer cooking in order to serve a hot breakfast during the week when things get hectic. It is bulk cooking made easy. While I liked my bulk pancake recipe before, I decided to work on making it even better. So yesterday, I tried a few things and came up with what I think is the absolute best pancakes for a crowd recipe. … Continue reading →

Budget Recipes – Baked Chicken and Potatoes

Chicken and potatoes go well together. Whether you make them baked, or fried, these ingredients can easily be used to create a tasty dinner that your family will enjoy. If you pay attention to what is on sale at the grocery store, it becomes easier to stay within your budget. Just wait until your grocery store has both foods on sale. Many people would consider chicken and potatoes, (together, or separately) to be “comfort foods”. There is something satisfying about the combination of these two ingredients, whether they are baked or fried. Instead of taking your family to KFC for … Continue reading →