Lunch for Under $5

Whether you are feeding a family lunch or just the kids, this is one of those must have on hand recipes. I guess you would call this the poor mans Tuna Casserole. 1 Box Mac and Cheese 1 Can Tuna Fish 1 Can Sweet Peas. Cook the macaroni and cheese as directed. Once you have that cooked mix in the tuna and peas, heat and serve. Takes less than 10 minutes to make, and I personally think this is super yummy. If you are feeding more then a few people add another box of mac and cheese and another can of tuna. If you can find the items on sale then you can make a double batch for under 2 dollars. I paid 50 cents each for my macaroni and cheese, 44 cents for my peas and 50 cents for my tuna fish. It is all about shopping smart. … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Fudge went South

My sister found a recipe for pumpkin fudge, and everyone talked about how ever so good it was. I wanted to check it out for myself, so I went to the store purchased the items, and got busy cooking this fudge. HAH I cooked it just like it had stated, and well, let's just say it went to the trash. It was more like a sugar taffy, the flavor was awful, and I personally wouldn't recommend it. I think I will keep my pumpkin in cheesecakes. I kept making excuses for why my fudge turned out like taffy, and my husband cheered me up with saying... "It was the recipe not you, probably some bored housewife experimenting in the kitchen" <-- aw isn't he sweet. I will just stick to my awesome peanut butter fudge! Does anyone have a fool proof pumpkin fudge, because I love pumpkin, and I would love to try pumpkin fudge, but something that is actually fudge instead of a soft mess. With the holidays what type of sweet treats do you make? I would love to find some new treats to make that … [Read more...]

Tasty Thursday: Steak Fingers

Have you ever had that meal that made you go back for more even if you were not hungry. I have had that meal many times, even though I know I should say no more, I say just a little more. Steak fingers is another recipe my sister taught me to make many years ago. Steak Fingers Recipe Family pack of cubed steak (trust me you will want left overs on this one) Flour Eggs Milk Peanut oil Seasons to taste. Cut the cubed steak in strips once you have them all cut, mix milk and eggs to make a egg wash. Mix some flour with the seasons you would like, I usually just do salt, pepper, and garlic. Heat up some peanut oil in a frying pan, we use peanut oil, because it cooks more even. Now dip your steak in egg, then flour, then put it in the pan. Make sure the oil is hot or this will not do right, cook each steak a few minutes on each side, then place on a plate with paper towel to help gather some of the grease. Continue cooking until you have them all cooked up. Serve … [Read more...]

do you know the benefits of pumpkins?

With Halloween not far away, it means we will be getting our children pumpkins to carve. But wait! Before you throw away those seeds, read below. Below you will find some benefits of pumpkins, and ways you can incorporate them into your daily diet. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Helen Lee, DC offers the following nutritional benefits of pumpkin and its seeds. Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkins: 1. Vitamins: Pumpkin and its seeds contain nutrients such as vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, both beta & alpha carotenoids (anti-oxidants which help prevent cell damage), and lutein (support healthy eyes). 2. Organ Health: The nutrients in pumpkin and its seeds help support the health of your kidney, bladder and prostate. 3. Sickness Prevention: Helps with minimizing osteoporosis, increases digestive health by helping with parasites & tapeworms, and lowering cholesterol. 4. Protein: Pumpkin seeds are high in protein. 5. General Benefits: Pumpkin seeds help … [Read more...]

National Apple Month and Baked Apples Recipe

Did you know September is National Apple Month? As the saying goes, an apple a day, keeps the doctor away! Does it really keep the doctor away? Apples are big this time of year, due to them being a fall fruit. With Halloween coming several will start having fun parties, which include the all time favorite game of bobbing for apples! How many of you have bobbed for apples? Did you know apples are also one of the healthiest snacks you can give your children? They help prevent heart disease, they help to control ones cholesterol, and they also help manage weight. One of my favorite ways to eat apples is dipped in caramel and rolled in nuts. Yes, I know so much for managing weight, right? But tye are so YUMMY, and I would also rather have a healthy snack with a small sweets to cut back on other sweet cravings during the day. There are several other uses for apples as well, such as Apple Butter, Apple Crisp, Apple Pies, Applesauce, and of course Baked Apples. Pritikin Longevity … [Read more...]

stuffed jalapeno peppers recipe

I am not one for hot spicy foods, and I am sure not the one for jalapeno peppers. However, my husband loves them! On my daughter's birthday my sister made some stuffed jalapeno peppers, and I almost passed these up, until my husband told me they were not spicy. So, I put on my big girl panties, got brave and tried one, let's just say that one lead to about 5, and then I was hooked. I asked my sister how to make them, she failed to tell me the most important part, SOAK THEM! When I made them I did not soak them and a few were super spicy I thought I was about to die, but both my husband and dad loved them with the extra spice. Want to know how to make these yummy things? What You Need: 20 jalapeno peppers 20 string cheese 20 slices of bacon toothpicks Directions: Cut jalapenos in half length wise, then scrap the seeds out. If you have sensitive hands make sure to wear gloves. This should give you 40, soak them in hot water. I am not sure if this makes a … [Read more...]

Tasty Thursday: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

How many have you get a sweet tooth? Did you know one piece of cake can average a full meals worth of calories... EEK Instead of reaching for a candy bar to satisfy that sweet tooth, instead grab some strawberries and some dark chocolate. Not only is this little treat tasty, it will also help you watch the waistline. If you want you can add about a tsp of olive oil, I just do dark chocolate and strawberries. If you want more just do a bigger batch. Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Ingredients: 8 oz. Dark Chocolate 1/2 lb. strawberries 1 tsp olive oil (optional, by leaving this out, you also leave out some calories) Directions: Prepare your strawberries, wash them, cut the tops off then sit them aside. I like to take a microwave safe dish add the chips to is, and melt the chocolate, I do this in 30 second intervals so I don't over melt the chocolate, and have burnt chocolate. If you want to add olive oil now is the time do to so. After your chocolate is melted, take a … [Read more...]

Tasty Thursday: Valentine Pizza

Going out to eat on those special day's can be pricey, why not make a romantic meal at home that is quick, easy, and you and your loved one can have fun making! This is also a great recipe for the kids to help with, call it family pizza night, and make personal pizzas. One great thing about making pizza, is there's so many different options, you can go meaty and greasy, or you can go veggie style. I like making the veggie ones, and using the veggies to make faces and sayings. This is what makes the pizza romantic. Homemade Pizza: Ingredients: store bought pizza dough (I like using Pillsbury) 1 14 oz. can of pizza sauce 3 cups colby jack cheese, shredded any other toppings you would like Directions: Preheat oven to 400. Shape the dough, if you are making this for your sweetie shape it into a heart, if you and the kids are making pizza let them shape it into what they want. That is what's so fun about making homemade pizza there is no limits. Brush lightly with olive oil … [Read more...]

Tasty Thursday: Perogies

Often times making dinner can be a chore, try this perogies recipe, great for freezing and using at a later date when time seems to be a bit short. Dough Ingredients: 2 cups flour 1 tsp. salt 1 egg 2/3 cup water Dough Directions: In a descent sized bowl (I recommend using glass as they are easier to clean) combine the flour, salt, egg, and water. Mix it all together to form the dough. You will more than likely end up using your hands, so coat your hands in flour so less dough sticks to your hands. Once your dough is formed, set aside. Now, you can fill your perogies with pretty much anything you can think of. Filling Ingredients: 7 large potatoes 3 cloves of minced garlic 2 T. of butter 1 cup milk 1 1/2 cups sour cream 2 T. minced rosemary 2 T. minced thyme 2 tsp. salt Filling Directions: Peel and cube the potatoes. Bring the potatoes to a boil in a large pot. Cook for about 15 minutes. Drain and then mash the potatoes. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix … [Read more...]

Tasty Thursday: Bread Pudding

Bread pudding has got to be one of my favorite desserts. I have always been a bread lover, and this recipe hits the spot. We all have different tastes, so feel free to try different ingredients, I also like to add a bit of raisins, and cinnamon. Bread Pudding: Ingredients: A loaf of bread, cubed 3 cups milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 3 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract Directions: Heat milk and salt to warm. Pour over bread and let sit for 15 minutes. Mix eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Fold into bread mixture. Bake in a baking dish. Set in a pan of hot water. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Make desserts, can be so fun. So can experimenting, cooking should be fun! … [Read more...]