Tag Archives: meals

Pantry Challenge: Italian!

It is day two of my personal pantry challenge. Last night, the helper enchiladas went over pretty well. In my pantry challenge, my goal is to use up items in my pantry and freezer for our family meals. To learn more about what I’m doing, see my earlier blog, What is a Pantry Challenge? Here is what we are using up today. Breakfast was english muffins thawed last night from the freezer. I toasted them and topped them with peanut butter, and we had some very ripe strawberries on the side. I’m glad of this challenge, because the strawberries might … Continue reading →

Pantry Challenge: Enchilada Helper

Well, we finally have a move date for our new home! It will be sometime in mid April. Buying and selling homes has really put a strain on our finances. Because of this strain and the fact that we will be moving, I decided that I really need to do a pantry challenge. A pantry challenge happens when you challenge yourself to use up items in your pantries for your meals. To learn more about having a pantry challenge, click here. For the start of my pantry challenge, I am going to be a little lenient. Honestly I have had … Continue reading →

What Is A Pantry Challenge?

You may have heard the term “pantry challenge” come up a lot on frugal websites and forums. But what exactly is a pantry challenge? A pantry challenge is using your existing food stores and resources, your pantry, to make all of your meals. It is a challenge to not buy anything new from the grocery store to complete dinner. A pantry challenge can be anything you want it to be. You can do the challenge by yourself or as part of a group. A group challenge can be a lot of fun. The members tend to keep each other motivated, … Continue reading →

Dieting At 35,000 Feet

Trying to stick to a diet is tough. Trying to stick to a diet during the holidays is even tougher. But, trying to stick to a diet while traveling by air during the holidays may be the toughest feat of all. In fact, according to a new study, many Americans fail when it comes to sticking to a healthy diet when traveling on a plane. Nutritionists working for the website Diet Detective, recently reviewed the food offered by six major airlines. Here’s what they found: A United Airlines’ (one of the two airlines I frequently fly on) snack box is … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Feasts And Your Health—Adding It All Up

Happy Thanksgiving! Whether your turkeys and pumpkin pies are in the oven or half way to your thighs—I hope your holiday feast is (or was) a memorable one. Let’s face it; Thanksgiving is not a day one wants to start a diet. In fact, I think there is an unwritten holiday rule, which states that overeating is a prerequisite on Thanksgiving. (Personally, I eat whatever I want and as much as I want and then run a few extra miles the next day.) There’s little doubt that most people indulge on Thanksgiving, but do you really know how many calories … Continue reading →

Hollywood Stars Dish Up Some Holiday Cheer

You know them from the big screen, but many Hollywood celebrities were seen on a much more human scale yesterday as they joined dozens of volunteers to dish up turkey feasts to thousands of homeless people outside the Los Angeles Mission. Among Hollywood’s elite who turned out to deliver holiday cheer to those less fortunate themselves were Tony Danza, Minnie Driver, Kevin Nealon, Sally Kirkland, Jason Ritter, and Judy Tenuta. But, the celebrity I was most surprised to see (on a television news report) show up at the Mission was “Spartacus” star Kirk Douglas. The actor, who turns 90 next … Continue reading →

Frugal Thanksgiving Dinners

It’s right around the corner, and it’s a time for much cooking and family camaraderie. So what happens when you are making the Thanksgiving feast and you’re the frugal type? How do you do it without breaking the bank? It really isn’t that difficult actually. Traditionally, ham or turkey are served as part of a Thanksgiving feast. Some families incorporate special dishes or ethnic dishes that involve their heritage. It doesn’t matter what you decide to serve, it can be done frugally and it’s not that difficult. Plan ahead You should already be planning your dinner. You should know what … Continue reading →

Recipes for the Single Parent

When I first went through my divorce, I would stumble into bed after a long day and wonder if I would ever survive. Not only did I survive but also, I thrived. I had to relearn many things such as budgeting, shopping, dating, and even cooking. I was used to cooking for a man, not two small children. Suddenly, dinner went from baked chicken, asparagus with cheddar cream sauce, and baked potatoes to “I want macaroni and cheese” or “hot dogs”. Well, being a conscientious mother, I wanted to do things right. While I did not mind them having that … Continue reading →

Learning New Recipes

My children won’t eat anything. Okay, that’s not entirely true. My daughter will eat lasagna, my oldest son will eat cucumbers, my second son will eat oranges, and my 21-month-old will eat grapes. But trying to get them all to agree on one meal that isn’t pizza or some other item of questionable nutrition is a challenge. It’s frustrating to me as a parent because I know how important good nutrition is. My husband is an alternative health care practitioner and he cares how the children eat as well. We’ve both lost large chunks of hair at dinner time when … Continue reading →

What’s for Dinner?

I dread this question. I dread it when I am trying to figure out what to make but I can’t come up with any ideas, and I dread it when everyone in my household starts asking at once. I know if I name the food I’m preparing, someone will customarily say, “Eeewwww!” or “I don’t want that,” or some variation thereof. It doesn’t matter if it’s something everybody likes (which represents few things), at least one of my little darlings -or my big Darling- will not be in the mood or will have had the exact same for lunch. I’ve … Continue reading →