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

Complete Frugal Lifestyle Library Divas On A Dime

How to Make the Perfect Summer Dessert – Mixed Berry Pavlova

How to Make the Perfect Summer Dessert – Mixed Berry Pavlova

    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. This is a Mixed Berry Pavlova and it’s wonderful!   It’s a Pavlova, named after the legendary Russian …read more

Are You Missing out on Hatch Chilies?

Are You Missing out on Hatch Chilies?

  How to roast, store, and cook with 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 …read more

Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole

Hatch Chili and Tomato Casserole

      Before I get to the 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 …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! When I developed this recipe for Meatless Mexican Lasagna, 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, …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

  A Cheat Sheet for Stretching Meat AKA –  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 potatoes family happy?” Sound familiar? …read more

Are We Wasting Our Money Buying Organic?

Are We Wasting Our Money Buying Organic?

  I was buying produce last week trying to decide between buying organic tomatoes and paying the mortgage. It made me wonder, are we wasting money buying organic?   Food is expensive. Period.  But buying organic food is astronomically expensive.   If you can afford …read more

Dried Beans are Power Packed for Pennies

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 …read more

9 back to school tips every parent should know

9 back to school tips every parent should know

  Back to school already? Noooooo! Say it ain’t so! Here are 9 back to school tips every parent should know.    But wait . . . Didn’t school used to start in September? I am that old.    Summer break is nearly over so …read more

Melon Cucumber Salad with Feta and Mint

Melon Cucumber Salad with Feta and Mint

    Irresistible Summertime Melon Cucumber Salad  When melons are in peak season, the sun ripened sweetness and the rock bottom price make them irresistible. This is a sweet and savory Melon Cucumber Salad that gives a fresh spin on this summer staple is equally irresistible.  …read more

Two Ingredient Ice Cream

Two Ingredient Ice Cream

      DIY premium ice cream at half the price.    Simply, Two Ingredient Ice Cream. Never have only two ingredients made so many people so happy. This is premium ice cream at half the cost of name brands.   So easy to make …read more

Strawberry Rose Tart – Spectacular tart is surprisingly easy!

Strawberry Rose Tart – Spectacular tart is surprisingly easy!

    A Strawberry Rose Tart. That’s the thing. This summertime dessert will make you look like a rock star with minimal effort or expense. Now, that’s the stuff we live for. Right?   We’re making a luscious tart with a sugar cookie crust filled …read more

Homemade Limoncello

Homemade Limoncello

    Limoncello on the Isle of Capri The first time I had Limoncello was many years ago during my cruise ship days. To this day with each sip, the flavor takes me right back to Italy in my memory.   We were in Italy …read more