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How NOT To Bake Individual PiesAt about ten minutes before the pie should have finished baking, I looked to see how things were progressing. The only thing left on the cooling rack was a couple of cherries and a few bits of crust. All the rest had fallen through the rack into the pan beneath. (I'm still laughing).

 

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Ripening Fresh BananasIf you buy fresh bananas, and wand then to ripen fast, all you have to do is put them in the freezer for at least two hours. They turn immediately black and sweeter and even get bruised! It's like magic

 

Measuring spoons next to caps that measure the same.

Substitutes for Measuring SpoonsIf you are moving and don't have the kitchen stuff unpacked yet, this might help. A cap from a coffee creamer is exactly one Tablespoon. A cap from a flavored water or soda bottle is exactly one Teaspoon.

 

A spray bottle containing oil for cooking.

Making a Cheap Oil MisterI recently made some fried green tomatoes and needed an oil mister for an air fryer. Yes, they do need a little bit, especially for things with a batter. But the misters are out of my budget. So, I took a chance and got a Dollar Tree spray bottle.

 

A colander of herbs in a car window.

Quickly Dry Herbs in Your CarMy car sits in an open sunny spot and frequently is quite warm when I go to use it. Since I had lots of basil to dry, I thought I'd try to dry it in the car and it worked perfectly!

 

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Quick "Baked" PotatoWant a quick baked potato? I use this when I am in a hurry. Take potato and wash. Dry, then put in microwave for 4 minutes. Press to see if cooked soft, (if not, then MW for about 2-3 mins more. then drop into a cup or bowl of cold water (skin will shrink) Let set for about 5 mins, then peel and mash. It will still be very hot inside, so use care.

 

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Preventing Injuries in a Commercial KitchenYou will get a thousand cuts and thousand burns before you become a chef. Here are some tips to prevent injuries when working in a commercial kitchen but might be helpful at home too.

 

A peppe rmill with a small hole in it, to let out the peppercorns.

Pepper Mill AlterationRather then buy TWO containers of black pepper (whole AND ground) I used a drill to punch a hole into a dollar store pepper mill I bought. They are sealed so you can't just open them and I needed whole peppers or my pickling project. I just place a piece of tape over the hole to use it as a grinder again.

 

A coffee pot next to a stainless steel travel mug.

Save Money By Brewing CoffeeFor all of us that work hard and have to hurry to make it out the door every morning, we always need a little pick me-up during the day. For me, that's getting a coffee and, although that Starbucks coffee gives me the energy to finish the work day, it does add up. I have learned that by making my coffee myself before I leave, I have saved over a hundred dollars each month!

 

A plate of pecan log balls served on white liners.

Pecan Log BallsHere is a way to serve a pecan log other than sliced. Simply roll them into balls and place them on cupcake baking cups. One log can be 10 servings or more depending on sizes made.

 

breaded  Fried Green Tomatoes

Making Fried Green TomatoesI have a tomato vine that is full of large green tomatoes. It is so heavy with tomatoes, the wind blew the vine and the post over. On the good side, the vine is still living and we are enjoying fried green tomatoes.

 

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Link: Fullcart.org for Inexpensive Food DeliveryI am on several frugal and homesteading groups on FB and one of the owners alerted me to a site that offers free food, just pay S&H. It is fullcart.org (AKA Feeding The Children). They give away non-perishable foods, mainly pastas, rice and instant oatmeal.

 

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Using Potato Chip CrumbsI think it is pretty standard to use crumbs from chips, snacks, etc. for breading or meatloaf, but try taking the little crumbies from potato chips and put them in a bowl, add milk and sugar, and eat them like cereal. Sweet and salty, and SO yummy.

 

Infused Water for Glowing Skin and Weight Loss

Infused Water for Glowing Skin and Weight LossI used to had horrible horrible acne. And after help from a dermatologist, I became mostly clear, but there was still discoloration and a dullness in my skin that wasn't worth the money to fix. That's when I started making detox water. This CHANGED my skin.

 

Fruit slices on parchment paper to be frozen individually.

How to Freeze Fruit Without StickingTo get your frozen fruit to not stick together, chop your fruit and lay it out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Pop it in the freezer until frozen, then transfer to airtight freezer bags. I like to chop my fruit in same sized portions so I can count how many is a serving if I don't have time to weigh it.

 

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A peeled onion with the peels in a mesh produce bag.

Easy Onion PeelingI have both a severe sensitivity to onions and a real dislike of the papery mess they leave on my counters and in vegetable bins and drawers. I have found that if I place one in one of the netted bags they come in and act like I'm scrubbing it (dry), they will shed their outer paper layer easily!

 

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Storing Leftovers in Single Serve ContainersI think this makes perfect sense. Do you agree with me? Being a single person I have a lot of leftovers. When I cook something that will end up having leftovers I immediately portion it in single servings in my favorite glass containers. This way when you are ready for a meal, you just grab and go without getting out a pot of spaghetti, chili or whatever.

 

A plastic bag used to collect food scraps.

Recycle Plastic Bags for Peelings and PitsNow that we won't be able to get plastic bags much, finding a good way to keep smelly stuff out of the trash will require some creativity. So now when I have bags from inside cereal, crackers, beans or barley, I keep them.

 

A layer of fat on top of a refrigerated pot of soup.

Refrigerate Soup Overnight to Remove FatWhen making any soup that has meat, I recommend you to cook the soup a night in advance for the day that you'd like to eat the soup on. That way the soup can refrigerate and the following day, you can skim/filter out all that fat! It'll be so much healthier.

 

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Fresh Frozen SeasoningWhen a little girl I used to love watching my mother cook. Especially when she let me help make her homemade seasoning instead of store bought seasoning powder, other than salt and pepper. She brought out a big onion, cilantro, garlic buds, and pepper. She cut up the bell, onion and chopped up the cilantro. and let me throw them into the blender.

 

Lettuce leaves in a mesh produce bag.

Wash and Spin Your GreensI needed to make a salad and decided to use an empty netted veggie bag to do so. Simply insert greens in netted bag, rinse veggies under faucet and spin the bag!

 

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Straw for Removing Strawberry HullsEasy hull removal. All it takes is a straw and a push. Place the straw in the middle of the strawberry on the bottom, then push it through until it reaches the hull keep pushing then the hull will pop off.

 

Ready Bacon Anytime - cooked bacon on a piece of parchment paper

Ready Bacon AnytimeI see pretty expensive pre-cooked bacon in the stores now and decided to make it myself since I don't always have the time to make bacon for a quick, hearty breakfast.

 

A cup of tea with a paper clip attached to the tea bag tab.

Keep Tea Bag Tab from Falling into TeaSecure a paper clip to the tab. No more fishing out the tea bag. I had a large paper clip for the picture, but a small one will work, too.

 

Flower and water in a jar to be added to gravy.

Making Lumpless Gravy or SaucesAnytime we all make gravy, there's always the issue or thought of not wanting to have any lumps in it from the flour. For many years, it was just stir or whisk them away, but that's a lot of extra stirring, and sometimes there's still even lumps left.

 

An apple slice with strawberry glaze topping it.

Mock Candy AppleI love candy apples but have not eaten one in years. I don't want to take a chance on breaking a tooth or a crown. I had a little strawberry glaze left over after making a Strawberry Delight cake from a recipe on Thriftyfun. (Link below)

 

A licorice straw in a cup of hot chocolate.

Licorice StrawsHere is a festive way to make sweet straws for any occasion, such as Valentine's Day. First, take licorice sticks and dry them out for a few days. Then cut both ends and there you go. Great for one person or a party!

 

A cooked potato that has had the skin removed.

Boiling Potatoes in the Skin for Potato SaladWhen my mother made potato salad, she boiled the potatoes whole and then peeled them. Her potato salad was so good. When I want to make a batch of potato salad, I cook the potatoes in the skin like she did.

 

A loaf of bread being cut with a pair of scissors.

Cut Bread with ScissorsTo save time you can cut your long loaf of bread with scissors. You will get nice even slices too!

 

A plate containing different sprouted seeds.

Sprouted Seeds from your Kitchen CabinetI always sprout seeds, especially in the winter. I add them to sandwiches, salads, soups, or even eat as snacks! I normally just use a mason jar with a piece or cheese cloth or a little screen material under the jar ring/cap to allow me to rinse and drain daily until they sprout.

 

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Cooking oatmeal as pancakes.

Leftover Oatmeal PancakesI make a larger serving of steel cut oatmeal to have quick breakfasts throughout my week. Sometimes, I'll use some of it by frying some up in an oiled pan as pancakes! It is purely oatmeal. I do add cinnamon and added blueberries to my oatmeal after I make it but nothing else different is added.

 

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Turmeric TipsTurmeric has many health uses. It has been used like an antibiotic for thousands of years. I add oil, such as coconut oil, and a dash of black pepper to enhance the absorption of the turmeric benefits. I also add a dash of turmeric in my white rice to make it look like yellow rice.

 

A toaster oven's crumb tray, covered in aluminum foil.

Line Toaster Oven PanI line my crumb tray/drip pan with aluminum foil. It makes it an easy breezy clean up if there are any crumbs, drips/spills - it'll be an easy clean up. No need to scrub the original crumb tray/drip pan.

 

The different spices and seasonings for a recipes spread out on the top of the soup.

Seasoning Your RecipesWhenever I am making a soup, stew, sauce or anything that will need many seasonings, I use the method I pictured below! When I am done I can check that I have used everything I needed for my recipe. It really keeps things organized.

 

Grease Measuring Cup for Sticky Ingredients

Grease Measuring Cup for Sticky IngredientsIf you need to measure sticky things like molasses, syrup, honey, or peanut butter, lightly grease your measuring instruments first. This will allow the contents to slide right out without any fuss.

 

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Vanilla Chips to Flavor CoffeeYou crave a flavored coffee, but have none? Drop a teaspoon of white vanilla flavored chips into HOT black coffee and stir until melted. Wow, beautiful color and great taste. Who knew?

 

Rubbing salt and pepper shakers end to end to facilitate pouring.

Salt and Pepper Shakers Working TogetherI saw this tip on the internet and would have never guessed it. The bottoms of the salt and pepper shakers have a rough edge which can be used to get the salt and pepper out with little effort. For pepper, just gently rub the bottom of the salt shaker against the bottom of the pepper shaker and watch what happens.

 

Individual portions of baked beans that have been frozen.

Freezing Baked BeansI was made privy to a tip from a man who used to work for B&M Baked Beans. He told me you could freeze them. I bought a big #10 can and dived them up into zip bags. Sure enough, they heat up like you just took them out of the can.

 

Cans of fried onions from Trader Joe's.

Stock Up on Seasonal Food ItemsWhile watching a Vietnamese cooking show - this gourmet fried onion pieces from Trader Joe's was being featured as a garnishing touch for a noodle dish! Many Asian dishes do use fried onion pieces for optional garnishing so this is a time saver! But of course, fried onion is universal for other dishes like: casseroles, salads, vegetables, pastas, curry dishes, soaps, meat loaf and more.

 

A glass of iced tea flavored with sugar free gelatin.

Sugar-Free Flavored Tea On the CheapI recently began to brew my own iced tea. But I missed the flavors that I got with Peace Tea. If you brew your own tea but would like some flavor, I discovered a cool and cheap way to flavor it.

 

Oven baked bacon on foil.

Best Oven Baked BaconI love baking my strips of bacon in the oven. You don't have to stand over the stove, dodging oil splatters, while trying to juggle cooking times of other items you're making. However, to boost the "best" in your oven baked bacon, try this little homemade bacon tray trick.

 

A drink bottle being used for hot cereal.

Use Drink Bottle for Hot CerealI love these cylindrical drink bottles. They not only hold a lot of liquid, but other things like rice, pasta, oatmeal, etc. Being a lover of hot cereal at night, I hated to put the cereal in a measuring cup then having to wash it. So I came up with this wonderful idea.

 

Blanched broccoli, ready for adding to a meal.

Partially Cook Veggies BeforehandBefore I use many of my vegetables in recipes like pan-fried or oven roasted sides, I will parboil or blanch them. This helps me out in many ways. Precooking will cut down the amount of oil I use altogether by a lot, saving on calories and money.

 

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Regrowing Food ScrapsI have regrown green onions and celery roots in my kitchen to provide extra seasonings. Simply put the cut off root in a shallow bowl of water (enough water to submerge the root area, but the top should be left out in the air) and set on the windowsill.

 

An InstantPot inside a recycled cardboard box.

Transporting Food SafelyIt's the holiday season! A lot of us are probably doing some cooking and then transporting the foods to our family or friends homes.

 

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Tea in a white teacup.

Making Great TeaMy parents worked in the tea industry way before I was around, so I trust them more than any other source when it comes to making great tea. My father is of Persian descent, my mother of Japanese, and we come from England. These regions are all culturally very heavily tea-based, so my tips here will cover more than just black tea.

 

Herbs being pulled through a grater to separate the leaves from the stem.

Pull Herbs Through GraterThis is a fast way to separate herb leaves from their stems. Poke the bottom end of the fresh herb stem in a hole on a grater, then pull on the stem. The herb leaves will be saved on top, while the stems gather on the work surface. Use the smaller grater holes for smaller stems. This is great for fresh herbs like parsley that are time consuming to separate.

 

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Buy and Freeze Extra TurkeyAs cheap as turkeys are now (47 cents lb), buy 2. Cook and serve one and have the butcher cut one on his saw to freeze for later in the year. Ask him to wrap halves separately. Frozen turkey is good for about a year. Of course, you do need freezer space.

 

Leftover broth being strained before being added to a bowl.

Strain Leftover BrothAfter heating up your left over broth, use a strainer and strain the broth. You now will be left with clean, clear broth just like it was freshly cooked.

 

A colored bag of red potatoes.

Avoid Non-transparent Food PackagingWhen purchasing any produce or not just produce but any food related items - do not be fooled by non-transparent packaging.

 

Tomato skins being removed after blanching.

Easy Peel TomatoesTo peel tomatoes to use in stews and sauces, or if you just prefer them skin-free like I do, this is an easy way to get the job done quickly. Remove the stem, score the bottom with a big X, then dunk in boiling water for 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer to an ice bath to cool. Right when they're cool, remove from water and the skin will slide right off.

 

Reheat Rice with Hot Soup - homemade soup served over leftover rice

Reheat Rice with Hot SoupIn our household, we do not own a microwave. When we have leftover rice, we'll make soup the following day.

 

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Homemade Powdered SugarTo make powdered sugar, place parchment paper on your table, put granulated sugar on top, cover with either the other half or a second piece of parchment paper, use rolling pin to crush the granulated sugar into powder.

 

Easy Peel Hardboiled Eggs

Easy Peel Hardboiled EggsThis tip is derived from blowing out eggs for egg decorating. Here, to easy peel hardboiled eggs, bang the egg all around on a hard surface and remove some off the top of the narrower end. Form a circle with your thumb and index finger about the same size of the opening, then blow into the egg. The shell will lift, then you can peel it all off in one or two pieces.

 

A tablespoon of tomato paste in a plastic bag.

Storing Leftover Tomato PasteI wrap tablespoon portions in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. They stay a long time and there is no waste.

 

An electric frying pan on a countertop.

Countertop Heated By Electric Fry PanI remember our first electric frying pan from the late 50s. It's legs were shorter than today's models so the heating element was closer to the countertop surface. And yet, with those shorter legs, I don't remember any particular build up of heat on the countertop.

 

A coffee brewing station at home.

Budget Friendly Coffee Shop FlavorsI am a lover of flavored coffee. Like many of you, it begins my day with a hug from within. I am here to share a tip with you. I am beyond cheap. I like to use the word frugal. I won't spend money in a coffee shop. I won't say never but, you get it. I have not purchased one in over 20 years.

 

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Extend and Enhance Ready-Made Bean SaladsAs sold, jars or cans of bean salad are always too sweet for me so I empty the entire contents into a large bowl, tangy seasoned liquid included, and then I drain the liquid from an assortment of other canned, unseasoned beans and add them to the seasoned ones, along with minced fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro - and stir gently but well.

 

Placing peppers in a jar with oil.

Reducing the Heat in Hot PeppersI bought a mislabeled plant. Instead of getting a sweet pepper, I got a hot one. Instead of giving them away, I learned that if I roasted them at 425 degrees F until they were soft and the edges were brown (20 minutes or so), it would remove a lot of the heat.

 

A box of watermelon for sale with an arrow marking the one that was chosen.

Choosing Great WatermelonAs watermelon season wraps up, we are seeing tons of them on sale. You want to make sure you choose a good one, or else you'll be stuck with 15 pounds of lackluster fruit. The key to finding a good one by sight is looking for a rather ugly one that has a big yellowish patch on one side.

 

Bananas hanging from a shoe string in the kitchen.

Hanging BananasI thought about that cute banana hanger that our daughter has on her counter. I don't have room for one but I found a place to hang the bananas. Using a shoe string, I hung the bananas at the end of the kitchen cabinet.

 

A bowl of baking powder that is bubbling slightly.

Testing Baking Powder and Baking SodaThe picture shows my baking powder is still good, even though it is slightly past the expiration date.

 

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Honey Baked Ham BargainI love honey baked ham but the price is way beyond my means. My son loves my soup made from leftover ham bone cooked with dried 8 bean mix, so last year he bought a soup starter ham bone (which they keep frozen) and gave it to me.

 

A Euro Cuisine Greek yogurt maker after straining

Euro Cuisine Greek Yogurt Maker ReviewI have been making my own yogurt for about 2 years, which saves me a good chunk of change. I like to make organic Greek yogurt which costs a pretty penny at the grocery store.

 

Adding salt to a cup of strong coffee.

Add Salt to Strong CoffeeI love my coffee but it has to be just right for me. I'm not a fan of Starbucks coffee. Years ago, I purchased a cup while shopping at the mall. It was too strong for me. I asked if they had any salt and the answer was, "No."

 

An oil spray being added to a bowl of popcorn.

DIY Cooking Oil SprayEver notice how cans of cooking oil sprays end up empty so quickly? They are costly for how much actual oil they have in them. They also have quite a few additives. You can make your own at home two ways.

 

A small drink cooler that can double as a padded lunchbox.

Half Price LunchboxI needed a new lunchbox. My store had a clearance on coolers for cans of soda or beer. The one pictured here looks exactly like the lunchboxes two aisles over, and was half the price!

 

A bright red teapot.

Double Purpose Pot of TeaI enjoy a good cup of strong hot tea in the evening after a long day. The making of a whole pot of tea is a waste when you only take one cup from it and the rest goes down the sink. I chided myself every time I did it.

 

Homemade knife sheaths made from cardboard.

Make Your Own Knife SheathsA good knife is a sharp knife. However, knives can cut you if not stored properly. I make my own knife sheaths out of cardboard. You can use packing materials, cereal boxes or any other cardboard. Cut to size and tape edges shut.

 

Cherry tomatoes cut in half.

Slicing Cherry TomatoesTake two shallow-rimmed plates, or two identical flat container lids. Place the tomatoes on one of them, cover with the other so the tomatoes are firmly sandwiched, then use a very sharp knife to cut across the tomatoes perfectly in half. If you don't have a super sharp knife, use a serrated knife. Time saver!

 

6 ears of cooked corn in a crockpot.

Crock Pot Corn on the CobI experimented and cooked 6 ears of corn on the cob in the Crock Pot. I had never heard of anyone doing this but I found out that it works great! It was so good that my husband went back to the grocery store and bought more corn today so I could take pictures and share this idea on ThriftyFun.

 

A bottle of Vietnamese coffee with three cups with ice.

Ask for Complimentary Cups to Share DrinksA standard cup of Vietnamese Iced Coffee is $3.75 which is diluted with lots of ice. For myself and my 2 friends, it would cost $11.25. In my situation, Lee's Coffee also sells their coffee in 16 fl oz bottles at $5 each or buy 2, get 1 free. Essentially 1 bottle makes 3 servings!

 

Filleting Fresh Salmon

Filleting Fresh SalmonIn our household, we prefer to fillet our own salmon/fish at home even though it is a complimentary service at most grocery stores. The reason is at the stores, you are paying the total weight price of the fish "before" being fillet. Therefore depending on the level of experience the workers have, you could potentially lose out on meat and money, if they do not fillet close.

 

A pile of hard boiled eggshells removed from the egg.

The Nitty Gritty On Peeling Boiled EggsI was thinking that overcooking the eggs literally glues the membrane to the egg white. This is a fact. Then, I thought that allowing the egg to cool before peeling would cause the membrane to shrink somewhat, making it fit tighter around the egg white. And, though I couldn't find a video on such, I was sure commercially peeled boiled eggs aren't given a cool down period.

 

Cubes of frozen iced tea and spearmint.

Iced Tea CubesAt a recent bridal shower, we decided to freeze 100% tea into ice cube trays to add to our large tea dispenser to keep it cold and yet not to dilute it.

 

A Vidalia onion bulb with the skin on.

The Vidalia OnionVidalia onions are so named because they were originally grown in Vidalia, Georgia in the 1930s. Several varieties comprise the Vidalia group, including the hybrid Yellow Granex. The Vidalia onion was declared Georgia's state vegetable in 1990.

 

A paint key being used to open a jar of pickles.

Paint Key to Open JarsI use a paint key to open jars, especially pickle. It fits under the lip of the lid. When you press down on the handle, it releases the vacuum which breaks the seal and makes the jar easy to open.

 

A hard boiled egg cut in half.

Tips For Boiling EggsI want my eggs firm enough for slicing but not really hard boiled. I've forgotten them a couple of times and cooked them too long. I found there is a direct relationship between how long an egg is boiled and how easily it can be peeled, and whether there is a green cast to the outer part of the yolk.

 

Adding hot water to the coffee grounds in the French press.

How to Brew the Best French Press CoffeeI managed a famous coffee shop for a long time, so you can trust me with these tips! I adore my French Press because I don't need to buy any coffee filters, and I get the whole full-bodied taste of the coffee beans without removing their essential oils.

 

Two slices of bread with butter.

Reviving Stale BreadBread without preservatives gets stale very quickly. Sprinkle the bread with a few drops of water and microwave for 10-15 seconds. It will taste very fresh.

 

Two hot dogs that have been cut in half and then broiled.

Cut Hot Dog in HalfSummertime means a lot of picnics and backyard parties especially classic hot dogs and burgers! When it comes to hot dogs - one hot dog is a bit too much meat for the bun in my opinion.

 

A plastic lid on top of a food scale, weighing chicken breasts.

Plastic Lid on Food ScaleUse a plastic lid on your scale when measuring food to help keep food particles and juices from running into the mechanical device. Not only is clean-up much simpler, the offset of food and container weight from taring the scale to zero is much lower; far better than using a heavy plate.

 

Pieces of potato that have been placed in a plastic ziptop bag.

Making Squashed Spuds in a BaggieI love canned spuds. As a diabetic, I can have two servings from each one. If you love steamed spuds and keep the real ones, this works great too.

 

A softboiled egg cut into half.

How to Make Perfect Soft-Boiled EggsI love eggs that are perfectly cooked through on the outside and just slightly soft in the middle (not runny)! They are velvety smooth and have the perfect flavour.

 

Two cups partially full of smoothie.

Split Large Drinks in Two CupsIt's been getting warm lately as a splurge treat, my fiancé and I enjoyed a nice cool and refreshing smoothie.

 

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Saving Food from Pantry PestsI live in New Mexico and during the summer we have a plethora of bugs that can get into even the most protected food items. There are three things I do to keep bugs out. First, depending on the amount of food item, I will buy gallon or 1 1/2 gallon freezer or food storage bags to put the food item in.

 

Flaxseed and water to use as a vegan egg substitute.

2-Ingredient Vegan Egg SubstituteTo make an awesome egg substitute for your cooking and baking needs, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Pop it in the fridge for about 15 minutes to let it thicken up until it's gooey, then it's ready to use. If you need more "eggs" you just double/triple the recipe, and so on. This works great in things like muffins, cookies, pancakes, and burger patties.

 

peeling sweet potato with cheese slicer

Sweet Potato SmoothieA lot of people will toss sweet potatoes when they show signs of drying. They do not make good baked potatoes. They are good for whatever requires grated sweet potatoes. Baked potatoes are good for making pies, but for a baked sweet potato casserole, grated are best. Raw sweet potatoes are an excellent source of quick energy. Grated and used as you would carrots (in a salad, etc.) will give you a little energy boost.

 

A plate of cooked turkey bacon.

Cooking Turkey Bacon in the OvenI love turkey bacon. I recently found I had 4 packages in the freezer and decided to get them all baked up today. They are great for BLT's, salad, grilled cheese and more. Low in fat and cholesterol, they are a great alternative to regular bacon. Once cooked, you can put them back in the freezer for quick meals and snacks.

 

Stray leaves from Brussels sprouts that have been cut in half.

Save Brussels Sprout LeavesWhen I prep brussels sprouts and cut them in half, the leaves would fall off. If you add up all the leaves, that's a lot to toss out. I save the leaves and incorporate them for other dishes.

 

A container of boxed macaroni and cheese ingredients in the pantry.

Consolidate Food to Save Pantry SpaceI have a big pantry. That said, I also share it with clothes, crafts, and things to sell. So, when I can, I try and make things like food take up less room. I put little things inside bigger things and those inside other things, etc. One thing that always helps me is to consolidate things that are alike to save space.

 

Strawberry scraps being used to make infused water.

Infused Water from Strawberry ScrapsHello, strawberry season! They are everywhere now, and in so many good sales. When you clean and cut your strawberries, don't discard the bits and tops you chop off. Simply place them in a glass, jar, or pitcher, then fill with water and refrigerate. Wait about an hour and you'll have a delicious strawberry infused water that is sweet, fragrant, and refreshing.

 

Packages of Mighty Leaf tea on sale.

Buy Variety PacksWhen trying a new product, for the best value try to see if there is a variety pack. You'll be able to get an idea of what you like/not like.

 

A selection of juices and drinks purchased at the Dollar Tree

Mixing Dollar Tree JuicesI love the non-aspartame and non-high fructose corn syrup juices. These are made with natural juices and sucralose. These are flavorful alone but together they are just yummy!

 

A pan cooking fish, potatoes and peas all at once.

Making a Three Course Meal in One SkilletTwice a month, I cook up some fish, spuds and peas. I usually eat the spuds, 1/2 the peas, and two pieces of fish. This leaves two pieces of fish and 1/2 the peas for lunch the next day.

 

A small container with packaged butter pats from takeout.

Saving Takeout CondimentsWhen I order take out, I ask for complimentary condiments to go with our meal. These condiments add up and sometimes I don't even have to buy these ingredients.

 

Cut strawberry tops in a plastic container in the sink.

Fast and Easy Strawberry PrepIt's strawberry season and select stores sell a pound of strawberries for .88 -.99 cents! I always stock up to eat and freeze for future use (to make smoothies, pies, desserts) because it's a lot cheaper than buying frozen strawberries!

 

A plate of raw hamburger patties, with a hole in the center of each one.

Add Hole When Grilling HamburgersWhen grilling hamburgers, press a hole in the middle and the hamburger will cook more evenly.

 

A slice of cheese pizza with toppings added.

Buy Cheese Pizza and Add ToppingsI sometimes buy cheese pizza when it's on sale. For a quick lunch, I'd customize my own toppings and you have yourself a quick meal.

 

Sections of jackfruit in plastic bags and containers.

Tips for Cutting JackfruitIt is jackfruit season! At my local Asian grocery market, this was 2 lbs. for 99 cents. This jackfruit was roughly 20 lbs, around $15.

 

One small plastic container upended inside another.

Using Lidless ContainersI poured a can of pineapple into a plastic tub and realized I didn't have a lid. Then I went to get one with a lid, and found out it didn't have one either.

 

Melted cheese in a pan for topping a burger.

Melted Cheese ToppingNormally when I bake anything with a cheese topping, the cheese always gets baked right on it. But, when I make homemade hamburgers, I don't melt the cheese on the meat patties anymore because the cheese seems to melt and spread off of the patty and then slides off into the skillet, then half of the cheese ends up in the bottom of the pan, which usually ends up a burnt cheese mess with the cooked hamburger patties.

 

An omelet on a plate with salsa on top.

Omelets to Stay Inside Food BudgetI love omelets, but never made a good one until yesterday. Every time tried to make one, I ended up with scrambled eggs. I belong to a cooking group, and they were talking about the best omelet pans. Apparently the pan is necessary, and I decided I wanted one, but thought the $99 recommended one was too expensive. So, yesterday I was at an estate sale, and I saw an omelet pan, so I bought it.

 

A pastry blender being used to chop up hard boiled eggs for egg salad.

More Than Just A Pastry BlenderI use my pastry blender for many things, but my favorite is for making egg salad. Boiled eggs can be slippery when trying to use a fork to chop them up, using a pastry blender makes it easy and you can make it as coarse or fine as you like it!

 

A bottle of homemade raspberry red wine vinegar.

When Life Gives you Lemons (or Raspberries)There is quite a story behind this little bottle of raspberry wine vinegar. About 12 years ago we bought a house in Slovenia with a vineyard- an actual vineyard of about 60 vines. We were very excited by the prospect of growing our own wine until we realised we didn't have a clue how to care for the vines or make the wine.

 

Pancakes on a plate.

Add Chia Seeds to PancakesTo make your pancakes a little healthier, you can add chia seeds. Chia seeds are a superfood. They have super antioxidants, plant based omega 3, plant based protein, fiber, etc. You do not taste the chia seeds at all.

 

A clean cast iron frying pan.

Cast Iron Cooking Can Save MoneyPretty sets of cookware are tempting, but pretty wears off with the enamel or Teflon. Cast iron lasts a lifetime if properly cared for. It cooks evenly, predictably and they're the only few pieces of cookware you'll ever need. Keep it away from the dishwasher and soap, season it regularly and enjoy never tossing another skillet!

 

A boxed cake mix and extra ingredients to make it taste homemade.

Make Boxed Cake Taste HomemadeSometimes I bump into a boxed cake mix on sale for SO cheap, I can't say no. Having it handy helps save precious time, but it just doesn't taste nearly as good as a cake made from scratch. Here are some tips on getting your boxed cake tasting homemade.

 

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