Weekday Dinners That Make Sense and Save Cents
Jan 18th
Has the new year brought resolutions of eating healthier, saving money and eating out less?
The first place to start with these goals is in the kitchen. But during chaotic week, it’s probably hard to find the time to cook. Busy families and individuals need convenience on a budget today.
The easy solution is to stock the freezer with a variety of home-prepared meals. Spend one day in the kitchen or make double of a dish on a night when you have a chance to cook.
To get you started, here is a comprehensive list of freezer friendly foods, as well as some terrific recipes from around the culinary blogosphere.
Soups
Vegetable, Minestrone, Chicken Noodle, French Onion, Tomato, Bean, Lentil, Beef Barley
French Onion Soup from The Kitchn
Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Soup from Joy the Baker
Minestrone Soup from Simply Recipes
Chicken Tortilla Soup from The Pioneer Woman
Easy Chicken and Rice Soup from Two Peas and Their Pod
Stews
Any beef or Irish stew (without potatoes), Brunswick Stew, Lamb Stew, Chicken Cacciatore
Pot Roast from Simply Recipes
Chicken Cacciatore from The Pioneer Woman
Casseroles
Chicken and Vegetables, Chicken and Rice, Tuna and Vegetables, Turkey Tetrazzini, Baked Manicotti, Baked Jumbo Shells, Lasagne, Macaroni and Cheese
The Best Lasagne from The Pioneer Woman
Martha’s Macaroni and Cheese from Smitten Kitchen
Meatball Lasagna from The Kitchn
Mushroom Casserole from 101 Cookbooks
Pasta Sauces
Tomato, Marinara, Tomato Meat, Bolognese, Meat Ragu
Big Fat Bolognese Sauce from Joy the Baker
Italian Sausage Spaghetti from Simply Recipes
Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce with Onion Butter from Steamy Kitchen
Grandma’s Gravy from fresh365
Savory Pies and Gratins
Chicken, Turkey or Beef Potpie
Quiches and Gratins filled with vegetables and meats
Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart from Smitten Kitchen
Breakfast Bread Pudding from Katie Lee
Meats
Italian or Swedish Meatballs
Spaghetti Meatballs from The Pioneer Woman
Italian Meatballs from Use Real Butter
Enchiladas
Chicken, Beef or Pork Enchiladas
Enchiladas from Simply Recipes
Chili
Any chili
Spicy Vegetarian Chili from Joy the Baker
Desserts
sweet pies, cookies and cakes freeze well
Check out our guide on Freezing Cookie Dough for tips on economical cookie preparation too!
Enjoy!
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Giving Back with Coupons
Jan 5th
Though the holiday season has past, the spirit of giving shouldn’t go with it.
It’s easy to give throughout the year. In fact, it’s as simple as cutting out coupons from the Sunday paper.
Once a week, I sit with a cup of coffee and cut every last coupon from the newspaper. I then divide my coupons into three collective piles…
One pile is for the coupons of items I regularly buy for my household.
The second pile is for all the animal food/treat coupons. We currently don’t have a pet, so all of these coupons are useless for us. However, if you do have an animal, you could use this pile for the brands you don’t use.
Every few weeks, I send these to our local animal shelter. Give yours a call. Chances are, they’ll be happy to receive your unused coupons.
The third pile is for military families. In this group, I put all the coupons for items I know I won’t buy. I also put any expired coupons I have in this pile. Overseas military bases accept these for up to six months past the coupon expiration date.
GrocerySavingTips is a really great source for advice on how to sort and where to mail these coupons. Click here for all the necessary information.
ToDo Together is a Must-Have Productivity App!
Dec 16th
Since it’s launch last month, ToDo Together has received rave reviews in the App Store and from people like The iPhone Mom. Thanks to our developers, people are enjoying the ability to sync their task, grocery, and wish lists all in one place.
ToDo Together™ lets you share your ToDo and shopping lists. A trip to the grocery store, Saturday errands, or reminding your family and friends about an upcoming event becomes much easier when you are working together.
You can connect with friends and family and share lists privately.
Add an item to a list you’ve shared with a friend and it will be synchronized to their phone automatically. You’ll always know what needs to get done and who is on point to do it.
You can add to your shopping list any time, in real-time, updating anyone who might need to know. Simply add items you need whenever you think of them and they’re instantly synchronized for your connections to see and check off. No more last minute trips to the store for that must have, can’t forget, essential ingredient.
Wish lists allow you stay on top of what your sweetheart or beau really want for birthdays or holidays.
ToDo Together™ also keeps track of the dates of your important events in the Calendar so you don’t have to. You’ll never forget an important date again!
Your iPhone is a wonderful productivity tool and the ToDo Together™ web site provides a perfect complement. You can manage tasks, add items to your grocery list and view your spending, even when you’re at your desktop.
Learn more at www.todotogether.com!
Thanks for checking us out!
The ToDo Together Development Team at We Geo, Inc.
Economical Gift Wrap
Dec 15th
First impressions matter. Especially when it comes to gifts.
A simple item can be turned into a luxurious gift when wrapped with a little extra effort.
But it doesn’t mean you must spend a fortune on gift wrap. A recycled paper bag, combined with a few special elements, can create an economical and eco-friendly alternative to traditional gift wrap.
To use a paper bag for gift wrap, begin by carefully removing the handles.
Pull apart the bottom flaps of the bag. Cut off this bottom section.
Cut a slit down one side of the bag.
Open the paper bag, brand markings facing up. Place the gift in the center, top down. Lay the longest side of the gift box horizontally.
Here, you will wrap against conventional methods. Bring one widthwise edge of the wrapping paper to the center of the box. Secure with tape.
Turn the opposite edge of the bag under, approximately 1-2 inches. Bring this edge to the center of the box, overlapping the first edge, and tape it down.
Position one of the remaining unwrapped ends facing you. Form tight flaps on both the left and right edges, making sure you don’t rip the bag. Tape the edges to the box.
Create a sharp crease with the upper flap and fold it down against the side of the box. Tape the flap to the box. Repeat this with the lower flap.
Repeat with the opposite end of the box. Then flip the box over, seam side down.
Use ribbon and/or adornments to make the package extra special. Here are a few ideas…
Attach inexpensive ornaments with ribbon.
Use raffia or ribbon to attach traditional jingle bells.
Use natural elements with raffia for an organic look.
Attach a vintage postcard to the gift with photo corners.
Tie on mistletoe or holly with ribbon.
Accent sprigs, berries or leaves with glitter and paint.
Go green and economical this holiday season… put those grocery bags to use.
Getting Ahead of the Holiday Baking
Dec 14th
You can’t have the holidays without cookies. It’s just not right.
Around the holidays, I make cookies for everyone. And I’ve always got a batch ready to go in the oven to greet my guests.
But, I don’t slave away in the kitchen, mixing and baking all day. I don’t have that kind of time, and neither do you.
I spend one morning (or afternoon) before the holiday madness, preparing cookie dough. This is the beauty in getting ahead of all the holiday baking… many kinds of cookie dough can be frozen raw and baked later.
For refrigerator, cookie-cutter styles cookies, form the dough into a log. Wrap the dough, first in plastic, and then in parchment. Label and then store in the freezer until ready to bake.
For drop cookies, made by dropping the dough directly onto baking sheets, start by forming the dough into balls. Then place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill in the freezer for about an hour. When firm, transfer the dough balls to a labeled resealable bag and freeze until ready to bake.
For both types of cookies, there is no need to thaw the dough before using. However, for some recipes, you may need to let the dough soften just enough so that you can shape or cut out the cookies.
Whether frozen or brought to room temperature, you will most likely need to bake the cookies a few minutes longer than the recommended time.
