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

Category: Recipes

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries for a Valentine’s Day Treat

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries for a Valentine’s Day Treat

  It’s almost Valentine’s Day!   The holiday dedicated to love, or as my single friends call it – Independence Day.     While the skeptical among us may think it’s a holiday created by mass marketers to sell cards, chocolate and flowers (and there …read more

Strawberry Cheesecake Truffle Bites

Strawberry Cheesecake Truffle Bites

    Look what I made! I call them Strawberry Cheesecake Truffle Bites!   This is what happens if I’m left alone in the kitchen too long.   I start out to make super healthy, organic, fennel twig, green tea, echinacea, kale, smoothie cookie bars …read more

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Legs

  Get a Leg Up for Game Day Super Bowl is synonymous with food.  And football, but I don’t write about football.   Granted, some foods are just traditional; like pizza, chili and Buffalo chicken wings. But I’m going to be bold and suggest we …read more

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats – This’ll float your boat!

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats – This’ll float your boat!

  Be it carbs, gluten or calories – lots of people are trying to cut down on pasta Especially, my family. So, I’m always playing with recipes that give us all the familiar flavors of the pasta dishes we love, without the pasta. This recipe …read more

Spaghetti Squash – The Pasta Proxy from Produce

Spaghetti Squash – The Pasta Proxy from Produce

  Whether you’re trying to lose weight, eat more veggies, lower your carbohydrates, go paleo or gluten free; say hello to my little friend – spaghetti squash.    In short, this squash cooks into long tender strands like, well . . . spaghetti. I’m not …read more

London Broil – Are you cooking it wrong?

London Broil – Are you cooking it wrong?

  The Ultimate Guide to Cooking London Broil   At least once a week I get an email that goes something like this; “My family loves a good steak but it’s out of our budget. When I buy cheaper steak, like London broil, it always …read more

Thanksgiving Pot Pie Soup with Stuffing Dumplings: Let’s be thankful for leftovers!

Thanksgiving Pot Pie Soup with Stuffing Dumplings: Let’s be thankful for leftovers!

Besides being thankful for our blessings and time spent with loved ones, leftovers are probably the best part of Thanksgiving. Here’s a recipe for a hearty soup that uses every last bit of your leftovers, even the stuffing. In our home, we call this “Thanksgiving …read more

Top 10 Ways to Save Money On Thanksgiving

Top 10 Ways to Save Money On Thanksgiving

      This year, more than ever, we’re ALL looking for ways to Save Money on Thanksgiving. I’m going to show you how. One thing to be thankful for is the traditional Thanksgiving meal is actually pretty inexpensive, as festive meals go. However, it …read more

Mischievous Meringue Ghosts

Mischievous Meringue Ghosts

  How to Make Mischievous Meringue Ghosts These fun spooky little guys are surprisingly fast, easy and so totally inexpensive you’ll never buy meringues at the bakery again.   This is easiest with a stand mixer but I’ve used a hand mixer with no trouble. …read more

How to Make Edible Amber Sugar Glass

How to Make Edible Amber Sugar Glass

  What a cool looking creation! Amber Sugar Glass is so versatile and once you know this easy, impressive (but totally cheap!) technique you’ll find all kinds of ways to use it.   Sugar glass is a simple mixture of sugar, water and corn syrup …read more

Slithericious Snake – A snake shaped pepperoni calzone for Halloween

Slithericious Snake – A snake shaped pepperoni calzone for Halloween

    Introducing – Slithericious Snake – A snake shaped calzone for Halloween!   Who doesn’t want a colorful snake on the table? This snake shaped pepperoni calzone for Halloween is a delightfully creepy entrée to serve your Halloween guests, because when you cut into …read more

The 4 ingredient, 5 minute shortcut to Pumpkin Mousse

The 4 ingredient, 5 minute shortcut to Pumpkin Mousse

  Do you know what’s missing in your life? Specifically, Four Ingredient Easy Pumpkin Mousse. There are probably other things, but I write about food. I can assure you, this is one easy and delicious recipe you can use in eight different ways.   Plus, …read more