Zucchini is more versatile than many realize. Image courtesy of Photo8 on Freepik.com
As zealous gardeners, we sometimes get carried away with how many zucchini plants we grow. We take a certain pride in being able to grow and harvest successfully. But sometimes, a plethora of squash can be daunting. Here are a few fresh recipe ideas that can make anyone wish they had an abundance of zucchini.
Thanksgiving is coming soon, and anyone who is trying to stick to a healthy way of eating, is probably concerned about a celebration, focused around food. Let’s face it, family gatherings can be stressful enough, without fighting off tempting treats. Yet, there are ways to compromise: Make a dish or two that has a lot of flavor, without the high fat and calories. Here’s a few tried and true recipes that are low or no fat, low carb, and low calorie. Most can be sugar free, or very low in sugar. But, best of all, they are all high in flavor.
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With Halloween gone, now is the time to find those deals on pumpkins in the stores. You can make pumpkin puree with almost any pumpkin, but the holy grail of nutrition, is found in those pumpkin seeds.
Not all pumpkin seed recipes are healthy. Once you’ve added the butter or oil, and possibly an overload of salt, they become well…less heathy. Since I am a huge fan of pumpkin anything, and have been more mindful of ingredients and nutrition, I decided to come up with my own new flavors of pumpkin seeds! Continue reading
If you are still scrambling to figure out some easy, quick menu items for Super Bowl, look no further. These recipes are sure to please a crowd. Best yet, they’re so simple, anyone can make. So, don’t forget to enlist your kids to help.
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Some people believe: If it’s a special occasion, don’t worry about the nutritional value of a dessert. But that kind of thinking doesn’t help anyone that is diabetic, or on a weight-loss journey. Maybe your loved one is just trying to eat healthier.
Eating healthier means something different, for everyone. As always, respect the dietary restrictions of your loved ones, and they’ll be a lot happier.
Below are recipes that come straight from my own creative kitchen, or one used within my family, for generations. They are all very easy, contain 6 or less ingredients, and are almost foolproof. Plus: A bottom link was added to an amazing strawberry heart idea, I must try sometime. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, and It’s quite ingenious.
Continue readingAfter receiving a plethora of Easter candy from relatives, neighbors, friends, and the Easter Bunny, it’s easy to understand how one might wish to never see a jelly bean, Peep™, or chocolate again. You may be even thinking of tossing those plastic eggs.
Yet, think re-use instead of heading to the garbage can. Most of the candy is freeze-able, even Peeps™. Save your bounty of goodies/plastic eggs for recipes, craft projects, and more. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
Don’t forget those little candies and jelly beans can also come in handy the next time you’re make gingerbread houses. Do you have an idea you’d like to share on re-using your holiday bounty? We’d love to hear it!
The Minecraft Periodic Table, courtesy of Stubby EE on Minecraftforum.net
This is part of a series of how we pulled off a Minecraft gaming party for over 45 people. Part 1, includes a game tutorial, dealing with vendors, and helpful links. Part 2, shared our gaming trailer experience, event schedule, glitches and making a Minecraft invite for a girl. Part 3, we go over decorations, food containers transformed into Creepers, party favors/bags, tableware, and several links for printables to make 3D table toppers.
Every post has helpful links, so please check them out if you’re thinking of having a Minecraft party. For Part 4, we’ll go over foods you can match with the Minecraft Periodic Table, and drinks. Continue reading
Italian Chocolate Balls that appear to have chocolate frosting instead of white in our family recipe. Image courtesy of Applecrumbs.com
This is part 2 of Get Ready for the Christmas Baking to Begin.Today, I’ll be adding three more recipes:
Italian Chocolate Balls (our own family recipe), Peanut Butter Balls (some call them buckeyes, but they really taste like a Reese cup), and
Almond Sugar Cookie Cutouts (my very own recipe that has been acclaimed by many).
Italian Chocolate Balls
*This batter takes a fork and a strong arm for mixing or a heavy duty mixer. Yet, the results are so worth it.
Supplies: Continue reading
There’s always room for Jello! Image of Jello worms courtesy of thecraftpatch.blogspot.com Recipe link below.
Half the fun on Halloween is sampling the novel treats that people bring to a party. The Jello Worms, The Mayor Cupcake from the Nightmare Before Christmas, witch hats, and the list goes on. Yet, the gruesome ones can be the most exhilarating. They push you to see if you have the guts to eat something beyond the regular aesthetics. Almost like a Fear Factor episode.
Here are some ideas for gruesome culinary creations that will help your friends squirm at your next party:
Baby Doo Doo Poop Balls or Shapes
Baby Doo Doo Image and recipe courtesy of Debbie Morrow. All Rights Reserved.
1 Brownie Mix
1 Bag of Candy Corn
1) Make the brownies following the package directions, including the baking instructions. Do not over bake. Once brownies are cool enough to touch, grab about a tablespoon of brownie in your hand and roll it into a ball or shape into a turd. Push one or two candy corn into the ball, allowing them to slightly protrude.
Band-Aids have never been tastier! Image courtesy of Noblepig.com and recipe by Debbie Morrow.
You’ll need:
Graham Crackers
White Frosting
Red Jam or Jelly
Directions: Break the crackers up into sections (half a square per band-aid) and place white in middle to represent the gauze and a dot of jam on top. Don’t forget to display your crackers with a few band-aid wrappers on the plate.
Still not grossed out? Try other stomach-turning recipes here:
Instructables – Scary Halloween Food
If you have any questions on some of the frugal gals recipes or want to share your scary delight, please feel free to reach out to me. Thanks!
S’more image courtesy of FlickrCC 76454756 at N00/2987530248.
It’s like a rite of summer passage: Having get-togethers, building a fire and making S’mores. But building a fire isn’t always possible. Below are indoor recipes that will squelch anyone’s craving for a real S’more without lighting a match.
You’ll need:
Graham Crackers
Chocolate Bars
Marshmallows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay cracker squares on a cookie sheet. Place 1 marshmallow on each cracker. Bake approximately 6 minutes or until marshmallow is softened. Pull sheet out of oven, add chocolate squares and top with another graham cracker.
1 Dark Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Box Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 Large Container of Marshmallow Cream (Like Fluff)
1 Cup Crushed Graham Crackers
1 bag Milk Chocolate or Semi-Sweet Chips
1 Large Whipped Cream Tub
Chocolate Bars
1) Make the cake and pudding following their box directions.
2) As the pudding is setting in the fridge, slice the cake into small cubes (1-2 inches) and break up your chocolate bars into small pieces.
3) In a large bowl, work in layers by placing cake cubes on bottom, marshmallow cream on top of cubes, add a layer of pudding, crushed crackers, chocolate bar pieces, and whipped cream. Repeat, except you’ll alternate the chocolate bar pieces with chips. Top off the last layer with the rest of the chocolate chips/bar leftovers.
If you have a favorite indoor S’more recipe you’d like to add, please feel free to shoot me an email. Thanks – have a great summer!