Master the Art of the Frugal Lifestyle: Money-Saving Strategies, Easy Affordable Recipes, Stress-Free Meal Planning, and Family Celebrations. Spend Wisely, Live Lavishly

Month: August 2016

4 Ingredient Pulled Pork

4 Ingredient Pulled Pork

  Revolutionize Your Labor Day: Effortless Pulled Pork Perfection with Just 4 Ingredients I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Labor Day is supposed to be a day off for those who labor. Traditionally, we’d plan a big barbeque feast with all the …read more

The Magic and Mayhem of Making Meringue

The Magic and Mayhem of Making Meringue

    Meringue is a light, airy and beautifully sweet dessert, originally from France, made from stiffly whipped egg whites and sugar. It’s actually really simple to make, yet people seem to think it’s very a difficult and temperamental technique.   When you see how …read more

How to Make the Perfect Summer Dessert – Mixed Berry Pavlova

How to Make the Perfect Summer Dessert – Mixed Berry Pavlova

  Just look at this dessert!  It’s made of melt-in-your-mouth meringue blanketed with lightly sweetened whipped cream and topped with luscious ripe berries.   It’s a Pavlova, named after the legendary Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It’s like a fluffy cloud of happiness. I kinda want …read more

Are You Missing out on Hatch Chilies?

Are You Missing out on Hatch Chilies?

    If you happen to live in the southwest part of America, in the month of August, have you noticed the big cylinder roasters outside your grocery stores?  And the giddy, salivating people who can’t wait to get their hands on their box of …read more

Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole

Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole

      Do all you chili-heads out there know what happens each August in the Southwest? If you said “Hatch chili season!” give yourself a gold star!    That’s when the Hatch chilies ripen and appear, stacked high in boxes, along with the big …read more

Lasagna with a twist? Diva’s Meatless Mexican Lasagna

Lasagna with a twist? Diva’s Meatless Mexican Lasagna

  You know I love recipe mash-ups! I was thinking – what if lasagna and an enchilada casserole had a baby?   The answer – I’d eat it!    And so, I made it.   Imagine, all your favorite Mexican flavors, chili and cumin, hearty …read more

A Cheat Sheet for S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g Meat

A Cheat Sheet for S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g Meat

AKA – How to serve less meat to your “meat and potatoes” family. It’s a fact – the cost of meat is skyrocketing and the frustrating question everyone is asking is –  “How can I possibly save money on meat while keeping my meat and …read more

Dried Beans are Power Packed for Pennies

Dried Beans are Power Packed for Pennies

    What would you say if I told you there was a frugal and fabulous food that was filled with protein, fiber, packed with B-vitamins, iron, calcium and potassium, with a low glycemic index, low calorie and naturally free of cholesterol and saturated fats, …read more