Secretly Budget PastaI call this Secretly Budget Pasta because I make it when I'm short on funds. This recipe is super quick and cheap but the outcome is something fancy and delicious. Enjoy!
UFO Cow Abduction CakeThis UFO cake is just out of this world! The saucer and grassy ground area are two different cakes, so there is plenty for a big party. I saved a couple hundred dollars making this cake from scratch instead of calling up the local cake artistry. Plus, it was super fun. Here are the steps on how to make your own!
Bacon and Cheese Stuffed WafflesI got this idea for a bacon and cheese stuffed waffle after I saw my brother use leftover Christmas ham and cheese inside of a waffle... and it was awesome! I used a simple pancake mix and just added water to make the batter. I used cheese that melts nicely; smoked gruyere and mozzarella. These waffles are fabulous on their own or with a dipping sauce of equal parts mustard and mayonnaise. Enjoy!
Fennel Seeds For Gas and BloatingI was trying to figure out what to wear to my girlfriend's birthday party when I realized none of my skirts or pants were fitting, not even close! I looked in the mirror and was shocked to see I suddenly looked 9 months pregnant. I was very bloated.
Popsicle Stick Geometric SculptureThis intriguing sculpture is made out of a bunch of equilateral triangles made from popsicle sticks and hot glue. If you add LED lights or votives inside, it makes a fantastic lamp. The inspiration for this came from a set of polyhedral gamer's dice, which I think are so cool. Give this craft a try!
Felt Fortune CookiesThe best part of opening a fortune cookie is receiving your paper fortune, so these felt versions can save you from ingesting too many cookies! They can be reused, too, so this is a great craft for Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, and many other celebrations.
Easiest Gingerbread Man Reindeer CookiesGet more bang out of your gingerbread buck by simply turning the men upside down and decorating as a reindeer! Use other common holiday candies as decoration.
Washable No-Sew MaskYou can make this washable, reusable no-sew face mask at home. If you use something like a handkerchief, you won't even need to cut it. Aside from being able to wash this, it's also beneficial in the way that you can make it custom to your face shape to ensure you're covered over the nose and under the chin.
Mini Taco FrittatasI came up with these frittatas because I love egg breakfasts and adore tacos, but don't have much time to hang around to make both. These are so delicious, guilt-free, and gluten-free. I love to make a batch and keep them in the fridge. They're perfect for days you are on the run.
DIY Comb-top DustpanAttach a wide-toothed comb with hot glue to your dustpan in order to brush out all the debris and dust bunnies from your broom. This dollar hack is a copycat of a $25 dustpan I saw at the Home Goods store.
Liquid Bandage For Covering PimplesI get pimples quite often. I noticed a while back that my liquid makeup and foundations would cover everything except my pimples, and that would make them stand out even more.
Book Pages Christmas WreathMy husband is an avid book reader. He reads them and then places the books in three categories; keep, donate, and junk. I use the ones from the junk pile to upcycle, of course! Give this craft a try. It is my husband's twist on a Martha Stewart wreath. It's practically free!
Straw Pendant Necklace HolderThis is a great way to organize your pendant necklaces so the chains don't get twisted and you can see which necklace is which.
Homemade Blackhead Removing StripsHere is a simple way to make your own blackhead removing strips. I used to spend $10 per box (which lasted me 2 weeks) for many, many years.
Newspaper Nail ArtNail art is very popular right now. Doing them at home yourself may seem difficult but try these newspaper nails! It costs next to nothing and they're very cute!
Pulled Pork SwineappleWhat do you get when you cross pulled pork, pineapple, and bacon? Swineapple! This is a fun stuffed pineapple recipe for these hotter months that will make your friends and family squeal. Give it a try!
Preserving Wine with MarblesA bottle of wine goes very slowly in my house as I generally only use it for cooking. In order to keep the wine fresh, I gently fill the opened bottle with sterilized marbles to keep the wine level as close to the cork as possible. The marbles take the space of the air that would be in the bottle, ensuring freshness.
Reuse Favorite T-shirts As A QuiltThrough our teenage years, my brother and I went to hundreds of concerts. We've collected many a precious T-shirt while following our favorite bands on tours. Now we have outgrown them, but wanting to keep them alive for our memories, we've had our mother turn the T-shirts into quilts.
Chewy Caramel Apple CookiesI love these cookies because they're kind of like a cross between caramel apples and warm apple pie. The freshly cooked cubes of apple really stand out under the gooey ribbons of caramel. My family enjoys these warm with vanilla ice cream- it tastes just like fresh apple pie a la mode (without the hard work). Give them a try!
Aspirin for Swimmer's Green HairThere are many ways to treat your hair before swimming to prevent your hair from turning green, but if you forgot to do that before you jumped in the pool, try this! Crush two aspirin and mix it into your the normal amount of shampoo you'd use while washing your hair.
Potato GnocchiI think we all get very excited when we score that 99 cent 5-pound bag of potatoes. But what to do when you're tired of all the garlic mash and baked spuds? Try gnocchi! Little Italian pillows of love.
Clean Laptop Keys With Interdental BrushRecently I found a naughty little piece of an almond under my "R" key, causing it not to work properly. I've found that interdental brushes for your teeth work so well for cleaning laptop keys. Gently press the brush tip under and scoop out the mess.
Easy Whipped CoffeeEveryone has been making this budget-friendly coffee delight as we are all stuck at home. I have some tips on how to make the most luscious puff with some techniques. Give this a try. It's a tasty and beautiful treat that beats any coffee shop's $5 version.
Fast Folding T-Shirt TechniqueIt's so easy to just stuff your shirts away after doing laundry. Not so great when you pull them out and they're mixed up and full of wrinkles. I pulled out all our shirts to do some organizing. There were so many! My thrifty nifty mum showed me how to fold them all FAST, and it was a lifesaver. Here is how to do it
Mini Lemon Meringue PiesI'd never made a lemon meringue pie, but after seeing contestants bake some on a cooking show on TV, I wanted to try one out. Since it's just me and my husband in this house, I made mini versions.
Clear Browser for Cheaper Online Airline TicketsMany travel websites track your activity and see how many times you've been on their page. Clearing your web browser's cookies and cache can help you score cheaper air travel online, making it look like it's your first visit to their site.
Baba GanoushBaba Ganoush is a delicious eggplant dish that originated in Lebanon. It's super easy to make and tastes phenomenal. I love it extra because it's full of fiber!
Anti-Wrinkle Banana MaskMy friend recently met a retired print model who shared this anti-wrinkle regimen. She says she's been using it for over 45 years and has beautiful, flawless skin. Use 1/2 a mashed banana and 1 Tbsp. of honey.
Super Moist Citrus Pound CakeThe secret to this incredibly moist poundcake is great because it eliminates leftovers... leftover oatmeal. If you don't have leftover oatmeal, it's real easy to boil some up. Give this cake a shot. You will be super impressed with it, and so happy to use that oatmeal you or your kids couldn't finish!
Deodorizing With Used Coffee GroundsAfter making coffee, let the grounds dry then put them into a new filter, a thin fabric bag, socks, or stockings. Secure with thread or staples. Put these coffee bags inside your shoes, in closets, and shelves. They work really well as deodorizers.
Mobile Phone Charging StationHere's how to make a phone charging station wall mount out of a shampoo bottle. It keeps your phone propped up and away from hazards, tangle-free. I have an incredibly on-call life and find this to be very useful in bathrooms while I shower or get ready.
Stretching Tight Boots and ShoesI have really big muscular calves and wide feet (thanks, Mum!), making it very hard for me to fit into shoes I fancy. I bought these suede boots and pumps online because they were dirt cheap and super cute. When they arrived, not surprisingly, I could not fit into them.
Pistachio Shell Flowers and Candle HolderEver since I was a little kid, I've eaten a "lot" of pistachios. Even back then, I would save the shells in order to make crafts out of them because I thought they were so pretty to throw away. This is how I make flowers and candle holders out of my pistachio shells. Painting them is completely optional.
Cheapskate CheesecakeHere's a way to make cheesecake when you're a bit low on funds. It tastes so good and with a healthy dollop of whipped cream on top, no one will notice you cut some corners!
DIY Eyelash AdhesiveI started making my own eyelash glue when I realized the store brand ones I was using was making my lids a bit itchy. This adhesive is made of a few simple household products and keeps your lashes on all day.
Making a Multidirectional Spray...It's really annoying trying to get your cleaning done when you are forced to hold your spray bottle upright in order for anything to spray out. Here is an easy fix to use your spray bottle in any position.
Cardboard Tube WreathThis is a gorgeous way to recycle the cardboard tubes from the inside of your toilet paper or kitchen roll. You can dazzle them up with some colourful findings from nature outside. Enjoy and happy holidays!
Turn Cheap Steak Into Amazing SteakI love a really good fillet mignon from time to time, but my purse never does! Here is a super easy way to make even the cheapest cuts of steak into a velvety delight, using just salt and sugar.
Best Bacon Brussels SproutsThe reason why the word "best" is in the recipe is because this dish always converts the brussels sprouts naysayers by first bite. Deconstructing the sprout by serving it in loose leaf form helps those who compare the little vegetable to "mushy alien heads."
Banana Peel Sleepy TeaDon't throw away that banana peel! It will help you fall asleep tonight, for free! Just steep your clean, sticker-free peels in a pot of water for 10 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon, drink an hour before bedtime, and off you go.
Japanese Jiggly CheesecakeThis is called Japanese Jiggly Cheesecake because it actually jiggles like crazy when it comes out the oven. It's like a cross between an angel food cake and a pound cake, with a lightly sweet cheesecake flavour. In Japan, this is more widely known as a soufflé cheesecake, and has been around for decades.
In Memory of Bunson (Rabbit)Bunson was about a 1 year old rabbit. She walked into our garden one day about a year ago. She was a bittersweet "find", because we had just lost our cat a week prior.
Ice and Ladle Fat SkimmerWhenever we watch cooking shows, my husband sees those handy dandy fat separator tools and asks me if I want one. I'm perfectly happy with my way: put ice cubes in a ladle and skim across the fatty top of whatever you're separating. The cold will get the fat to congeal in the ladle. Just like a magnet!
Drinking Straw Statement NecklaceI save straws for two reasons: to save the earth and to make beautiful jewelry. I love this necklace because it's super easy to make and makes any plain outfit incredibly bold. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it out and no one knows they're upcycled scraps of plastic. Give it a try!
Easiest Homemade Greek YogurtGreek yogurt has been one of the most popular decadent foods lately. It's delicious on its own, but also a great way to cut calories and at the same time, boost flavor and protein. Here is a simple way to turn regular yogurt into Greek yogurt.
Yeast Free Naan BreadSometimes you just want a fresh, delicious, warm piece of bread quickly. This is my super easy recipe for the most amazing Indian naan bread made in minutes and right on your stovetop.
Peeling Garlic Easily in a JarDon't buy pre-peeled garlic or spend the time doing it yourself. Avoid the garlicky fingers by putting your garlic in a jar, screw the lid on, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. The first half the of the shaking will break the cloves off, and the second half will peel the skins right off the cloves. It's a great little workout, too! ;)
Microwave for Drying HerbsUsing a microwave to turn your fresh herbs into dry herbs doesn't only speed up the process, it also secures a longer lasting, stronger flavour. You will also notice that they retain their natural, beautiful, vibrant colour.
Japanese Chicken CurryJapanese curry is different from Indian curry because it's more of a hearty stew. It tends to be much less spicy and has big soft chunks of veggies and meat. This is the way I make it when I'm in a rush to make a lot of food in a short amount of time. A dollop of cooling yogurt and a drizzle of citrus preserves make for the perfect accompaniment for this dish. I hope you try it!
Craft: Clay SculptureIt has been over a year now that I have been struggling without a full-time job. I have learned that it is not necessary to buy the greatest gift at the trendiest shops to please somebody for their birthday, Christmas, or any occasion.
How I Lost 125 Pounds on a BudgetI'd always been a bit overweight growing up. I just thought that was the norm since most of my family members always carried extra weight. "We're a big-boned family," we'd joke. But our appetites were huge, especially coming from cultural backgrounds where food was the primary offering in times of celebration... or any occasion.
Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter CookiesEvery year around Halloween, I like to come up with a sweet treat that uses candies from trick-or-treating events. Either you have kids that end up with lots of them, or you have loads leftover from handing them out. My favourite candy has always been Snickers, so these peanut butter cookies are stuffed with them. The outside is a lovely sandy, crumbly cookie, and the middle is gooey and chewy from the baked Snickers. I've had a dozen people ask me for this recipe after an event I made them for last week, so be ready to share if you make these, too!
Purple Sweet Potato PieI'm sure many of you have had sweet potato pie. This pie is very similar but uses purple sweet potatoes. Baking the sweet potatoes in the oven (in lieu of boiling them) gives this a beautiful creamy consistency and not at all watered down. Baking them also retains their beautiful purple colour. Purple sweet potatoes can be found in grocery stores labeled as Okinawan, Hawaiian, or purple sweet potatoes. They are packed full of potassium, B6, vitamin C, and fiber.
Fudgy Black Bean BrowniesI've been using this healthy two-ingredient brownie recipe for two years now. It's full of protein, fiber, and it's absolutely delicious. It has an amazing fudgy texture to it, you won't get from making the brownies with the box directions.
Reuse Garlic Bag as Soap BagDon't throw away the little net bag that your garlic came in! Put all your little chips of soap inside, tie the ends and use it as an exfoliator. You won't believe the amount of suds you will get out of your soap when using your new little bag.
Brownie BrittleBrownie brittle is my dream come true as it's just the crispy, crunchy, sweet goodness of the edges of brownies I always tend to fight over. I love it but why does it cost more than brownies? It has less ingredients, less substance, but costs more money. Let's make our own! Here's how to make them using a box of brownie mix.
5 Ingredient Apple TartThis apple tart is so easy to make. The great thing is you don't need any fancy equipment or fluted tart pans or techniques. Just throw everything in a pan and put it in the oven!
"Hamburger" Decorated CakeMake a simple box cake into a huge "hamburger" cake by adding a few modifications. I used 9 inch round tins to bake yellow cake and cut them in half to form hamburger buns.
Wind Yarn with a Hand MixerI love this because I have a tendency to somehow have loose yarn from my projects all over the place and cannot sit still long enough to ball them back up by hand.
Finely Chopped Hardboiled EggsWhen I need my hard-boiled eggs finely chopped for recipes such as Cobb Salads, I peel them and run them through one of those netted bags that holds garlic. Just push through over your bowl!
Savoury Cheese and Vegetable TartThis is one of my favourite savoury tarts to make. It's much like a quiche. You can add whatever vegetables you have on hand. The cheese is also optional. My father hates cheese so his cheese-free version is pictured here, too. You can also use a use store bought pie crust.
Coconut Crusted MarshmallowsHere is a super simple way to make your own marshmallows at home. They are so much better than the store-bought variety and no corn syrup is added.
Snow White and the Undead DwarvesI love taking regular Halloween costumes and giving their storyline a bit of a twist. This year, the narrative of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves met a terrifying zombie apocalypse. The dwarves turned first, then got ahold of Snow. Obviously, it's a bit of a cute joke costume as I used little plush dwarf dolls for the planned attack.
3 Ingredient TrufflesThese beautiful little truffles will blow you away. They are creamy and decadent, yet so easy to make. You just need a pack of Oreo cookies, a block of cream cheese, and a bag of chocolate chips. Sprinkles are totally optional. I only used them to make them pop for my Valentine!
Pineapple Upside Down PancakesThis is a fun twist on pancakes. They are so decadent, they can be served for dessert. Caramelizing the pineapples not only gives them a nice rich flavour, but also creates a sticky toffee in the pan that you can use as a drizzle in place of syrup. When you cut into a stack of these, the little Maraschino cherries pop out onto the plate. What a lovely surprise!
Wildlife: Impatient SquirrelThis is a squirrel that visits my parents house three times a day for feeding. I always tell my friends about how she impatiently knocks on the window and demands food but no one ever believes me, until now!
Cheese and Crackers Mini PiesThese little cheese and cracker appetizers are super delicious. They double up as great presentation as they imitate little slices of pumpkin pie. They are sure to bring many oohs and aahs to your parties!
Upcycled Plastic Bottle Jewelry StandThis a super cute and thrifty jewelry stand you can make out of some plastic bottles and a few pieces of hardware. I used it to fill up with the jewelry I wear most often, and separated them by colour using the different tiers: silver on top, then gold, then colour pieces. I love this stand!
New Cleaning Use For An Old ToothbrushDon't through away that old toothbrush. Carefully heat the toothbrush handle with a lighter for about 10 seconds and bend into a curved L shape. Dip in cold water to cool it down.
Homemade Coffee Eyebrow TintI have patchy eyebrows from years of over plucking back in the day. Loving a very full looking pair of brows, I have gone through quite a bit of eyebrow pencils and tints. I now make my own with my used coffee grounds in the morning.
Wildlife: Japanese Snow MonkeysMy mother photographed these monkeys while visiting the Jigokudani Monkey Park in Japan. Jigokoku means "hell" and Jigokudani translates to "Hell's Valley", named due to the bubbling boiling water these monkeys so comfortably lounge in.
Pasta Christmas TreeThis is a beautiful little centerpiece you can make from dry pasta, a foam cone, and paint. I think it'd be beautiful in any colour, but it really looks quite chic in gold with red accents. The farfalle bowtie pasta sitting on top is a cute little finishing touch.
