When our children were very young our budget was especially tight. We learned how to make do without a lot of extras and to find free or inexpensive entertainment options, and we came to appreciate the value and meaning in simple things like time spent with family. With a little creativity and imagination, you can…
Cilantro grows easily in a garden or container during the summer months. You’ll want to harvest and use the leaves quickly because they don’t taste as good once the plant begins to flower. Here are a few things to do with fresh cilantro leaves. Add it to fresh salsa. Use it in fresh guacamole. Sprinkle…
You’ve got a bunch of overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, but you’re tired of banana bread, so turn those bananas into Chocolate-Bottom Banana Squares instead. This is like banana bread, brownies, and cake all in one, and with only a little guilt because it’s got bananas in it. How unhealthy can it be,…
It’s summer. The tomato plants in your garden are producing red mouthfuls of deliciousness by the bushel. Unless you have squirrels (little punks) who steal your little garden gems, your kitchen is likely overflowing with tomatoes or soon will be. Here’s what to do with them: Slice them, salt them, and eat them fresh. Sometimes…
Here is a list of basic items I often keep in my refrigerator for those times when I need a quick breakfast of eggs or a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. These foods help me put together fast meals, ensure that I usually have proper dips and toppings for things like salad or chicken fingers,…
My husband and I love shrimp and we love Mexican food, and this shrimp quesadilla recipe is an easy and delicious way to combine seafood and Mexican fare. I used to make shrimp quesadillas using a recipe from a popular food blogger, but it was a bit more work than I preferred, requiring a lot…
Fresh basil can be expensive in grocery stores, but it’s easy to grow either directly in the ground in your garden, in a raised garden bed, or in a container. When I grow it myself at home, I often end up with more fresh basil than I can easily use, but I always try to…
Grilling season is upon us, and this is a fantastic fajita recipe for warm summer evenings. The combination of perfectly seasoned steak and vegetables is spot on, and this is a favorite in my family. I originally found this recipe on the website for Aldi, the discount grocery store, and I modified it slightly. The…
Saving money involves not just eliminating unnecessary expenses such as Starbucks or cable television. It also means making the most of what you have, and one small but important aspect of that is the principle of using less of the products you already incorporate into your routine. This includes items such as shampoo, laundry detergent,…
Squirrels can be some of the most annoyingly destructive animals in a suburban garden, sometimes worse than rabbits. They are notorious for digging up tender, vulnerable seedlings and flinging them everywhere, and they make messes when they paw through flower pots and scatter soil all over a patio or porch. But is there any way…
