As a family, we are always loooking for fun, inexpensive projects to entertain the grandkids on a rainy day. We're going to make homemade play dough today. Here are recipe's:
KOOLAID PLAYDOUGH (Nonedible)
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1½ Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 small package unsweetened Kool-Aid ( 6 g pkg )
• 1 cup boiling water
Mix flour, salt, oil and Kool-Aid. Add boiling water; stir and knead until cooled and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container. This lasts well for a couple of months if stored in the fridge in a plastic bag.
HOMEMADE BUBBLES
1 cup water
2 tablespoons light karo syrup or 2 tablespoons glycerin
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
Mix together and have fun!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Homemade Pizza
We love pizza, but take out can be expensive. Why not make pizza at home? You can customize a homemade pizza's toppings to fit the dietary needs, and preferances of each family member.
Hubby likes his pizza loaded with meats and cheeses, and I prefer a veggie pizza with low fat cheese. Making the pizza at home, makes this possible.
I have made this pizza dough recipe many times. If you have a bread machine that has been put away for years, drag that baby out, and give this recipe a try.
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 cup flat beer
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
DIRECTIONS
Put beer, butter, sugar, salt, flour, and yeast in a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting, and press Start.
Remove dough from bread machine when cycle is complete. Roll or press dough to cover a prepared pizza pan. Brush lightly with olive oil. Cover and let stand 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Spread sauce and toppings on top of dough. Bake until crust is lightly brown and crispy on the outside, about 24 minutes.
Trim and Slim Tuesday
How often do you clean out your freezer? I find that frequent cleaning and organizing helps to limit food waste. While cleaning out the small freezer on my frig, I discovered homemade chocolate chip cookie dough. Once thawed, I popped the dough into a 9" square pan, baked, and cut into bars for the grandkids. It will take some effort for me to resist them, but the inability for me to button my last summer's shorts will help to provide the necessary willpower.
While watching our waistline, and our $$ bottom line, soup is an amazing way to stretch our food dollars.
Today, I am posting my very favorite soup recipe. It makes a huge amount of soup for leftovers, and freezing. If you have a small family, you may want to cut the recipe in half.
This recipe was found at www.allrecipes.com, and posted by BenevolentEmpress
INGREDIENTS
1 (20 ounce) package 15 bean mixture, soaked overnight
1 ham bone
2 1/2 cups cubed ham
1 large onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
5 large carrots, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with liquid
1 (12 fluid ounce) can low-sodium vegetable juice
3 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
7 cups low fat, low sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
Place the soaked beans into a large pot and fill with enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low for 30 minutes. Drain. Add the ham bone, ham, onion, celery, carrots, tomatoes, vegetable juice, and vegetable broth. Season with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, chili powder, bay leaves, pepper, parsley and lemon juice. Pour in enough of the chicken broth to cover the ingredients.
Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 hours. Add more chicken broth as needed throughout the day. Remove the ham bone and season with salt if needed. Continue to simmer for a couple more hours. Remove bay leaves before serving.
While watching our waistline, and our $$ bottom line, soup is an amazing way to stretch our food dollars.
Today, I am posting my very favorite soup recipe. It makes a huge amount of soup for leftovers, and freezing. If you have a small family, you may want to cut the recipe in half.
This recipe was found at www.allrecipes.com, and posted by BenevolentEmpress
INGREDIENTS
1 (20 ounce) package 15 bean mixture, soaked overnight
1 ham bone
2 1/2 cups cubed ham
1 large onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
5 large carrots, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with liquid
1 (12 fluid ounce) can low-sodium vegetable juice
3 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
7 cups low fat, low sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
Place the soaked beans into a large pot and fill with enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low for 30 minutes. Drain. Add the ham bone, ham, onion, celery, carrots, tomatoes, vegetable juice, and vegetable broth. Season with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, chili powder, bay leaves, pepper, parsley and lemon juice. Pour in enough of the chicken broth to cover the ingredients.
Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 hours. Add more chicken broth as needed throughout the day. Remove the ham bone and season with salt if needed. Continue to simmer for a couple more hours. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Amusement Park and Other Summer Fun
Just as soon as the grandson wakes up, we will be off to the amusement park for the day. Paramounts Kings Island is in our area.
When the grandchildrens birthdays roll around, I like to purchsse season tickets to the zoo, childrens museum, or Kings Island. It is something that they can enjoy all year. Summer time provides idle hours looking to be filled with activities. The season passes are ideal.
We will pack water, peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, and snacks, to avoid the high cost, high fat fare at the park.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
When the grandchildrens birthdays roll around, I like to purchsse season tickets to the zoo, childrens museum, or Kings Island. It is something that they can enjoy all year. Summer time provides idle hours looking to be filled with activities. The season passes are ideal.
We will pack water, peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, and snacks, to avoid the high cost, high fat fare at the park.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday Yard Sale Day
Overnight did not produce any rain. Although we took the time to cover all of our yard sale merchandise with tarps, I am thankful for a dry morning.
Yesterday was a successful day. Sold a lot of junk, and met a lot of nice folks. Hopefully today will be as nice. Today, in Ohio, it will be a high of 70 degrees. Supposedly, this will set a new record low for this day in July.
I remain steady and strong in my commitment to living a more frugal life. Last night, though dead tired, and longing for take out, I went ahead and prepared the pre-planned taco's. They were delicious, fast, and after dinner I was proud that I resisted the temptation, and prepared dinner at home.
The money earned from the garage sale will go in our vacation fund.
Yesterday was a successful day. Sold a lot of junk, and met a lot of nice folks. Hopefully today will be as nice. Today, in Ohio, it will be a high of 70 degrees. Supposedly, this will set a new record low for this day in July.
I remain steady and strong in my commitment to living a more frugal life. Last night, though dead tired, and longing for take out, I went ahead and prepared the pre-planned taco's. They were delicious, fast, and after dinner I was proud that I resisted the temptation, and prepared dinner at home.
The money earned from the garage sale will go in our vacation fund.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Fantastic Friday
Today will be a busy day for us. We are having a Yard Sale today. My goal is to reduce the amount of junk around here, while contributing to my vacation fund. A Yard Sale is a great way to accomplish this.
The weather forecast is a bit sketchy for today. There might be some rain. My dear little hubby has set up canopies over my tables just in case the skies let loose with a shower. I love that man. After 34 years of marraige, I still adore him.
On the menu for tonight: Taco's. I browned enough ground beef this morning for taco's for tonight, and sloppy joe's for lunch tomorrow.
I don't want to be tempted to go out to dinner tonight, just because I am tired from the yard sale. Pre-planning and pre dinner preparation this morning will insure that we eat at home this evening.
The weather forecast is a bit sketchy for today. There might be some rain. My dear little hubby has set up canopies over my tables just in case the skies let loose with a shower. I love that man. After 34 years of marraige, I still adore him.
On the menu for tonight: Taco's. I browned enough ground beef this morning for taco's for tonight, and sloppy joe's for lunch tomorrow.
I don't want to be tempted to go out to dinner tonight, just because I am tired from the yard sale. Pre-planning and pre dinner preparation this morning will insure that we eat at home this evening.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Meatless Thursday Butter Bean Burgers
I saw this recipe and it peeked my interest. A bean burger? I'm going to give this recipe a try for dinner tonight. Baked beans, and cole slaw will accompany it. YUM!
BUTTER BEAN BURGER
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, drained
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper
6 saltine crackers, crushed
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mash butter beans. Mix in onion, jalapeno pepper, crushed crackers, egg, cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Divide into 4 equal parts, and shape into patties.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; use more or less oil to reach 1/4 inch in depth. Fry patties until golden, about 5 minutes on each side.
**FREEBIE OF THE DAY**
Feline Fresh Cat Litter
Buy a 7 lb original cat litter
or 6 lb scoopable cat litter
Get a refund for up to $5.99
Print the rebate form here: http://www.planetwiseproducts.com/breeder_coupon_2009.pdf
To find out if this product is available in your area: http://www.planetwiseproducts.com/howToBuy.htm
BUTTER BEAN BURGER
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, drained
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper
6 saltine crackers, crushed
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mash butter beans. Mix in onion, jalapeno pepper, crushed crackers, egg, cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Divide into 4 equal parts, and shape into patties.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; use more or less oil to reach 1/4 inch in depth. Fry patties until golden, about 5 minutes on each side.
**FREEBIE OF THE DAY**
Feline Fresh Cat Litter
Buy a 7 lb original cat litter
or 6 lb scoopable cat litter
Get a refund for up to $5.99
Print the rebate form here: http://www.planetwiseproducts.com/breeder_coupon_2009.pdf
To find out if this product is available in your area: http://www.planetwiseproducts.com/howToBuy.htm
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