Fascinating Find - Apple Spice Granola

We have been eating a lot of granola lately. My kids favorite is Peanut Butter Granola, but I like to have variety. So, last week I tried this Apple Spice Granola. I was so pleased with it that I couldn't wait for my kids to get home from school so that they could try it. None of them cared for it. Ugh! But, that means more for me.

Rarely do I post a recipe that none of my kids care for. But, this one really is delicious, no matter what they say. I found this Apple Spice Granola at Down To Earth Digs where Stacey writes about “life in the country, tending kids, gardens and critters.” Be sure to check out her tasty recipe along with some very pretty photography at Down to Earth Digs.

Recipe Link: Apple Spice Granola

Blog Link: Down To Earth Digs

Fascinating Find - Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini abounds this time of year; but, sadly no one at my house cares too much for it. However, I thought that I might still be able to bake with it without too much objection. I tried muffins, bread, and cake. None of the recipes were received with enthusiasm. Then I found this recipe for Zucchini Brownies. They are moist, fudgy, and delicious! I have made them several times now and I have served them to friends twice. Everyone loves them and gobbles them up gladly without recognizing that zucchini is a main ingredient. 

I found this recipe on Christin's blog called Baltic Maid, a food blog about both international and healthy recipes. Christin, is from Germany and grew up on the Baltic Sea, thus the name Baltic Maid. Be sure to visit her blog for this fabulous Zuchinni Brownie recipe and many others.

Recipe Link: Zucchini Brownies
Web Link: Baltic Maid

 

Recipe Note: I have not used the Cardamom called for in this recipe simply because I do not keep it on hand.

Fascinating Find - Two Ingredient Cookies

Last week I confessed to you that I have been trying to reduce my sugar intake. In my search for low sugar treats, I found this two ingredient cookie recipe. The cookies can be mixed up in seconds and you can add nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips for variety.

Pictured above is the pumpkin and oat version with chocolate chips, but I also tried the banana and oat version (also with chocolate chips). My kids preferred the pumpkin cookies, but I liked the banana cookies best. Although we ate these cookies as a dessert, they would also be good for breakfast. And, next time I make the pumpkin version, I plan to add some cinnamon.

You can find these recipes over at The Burlap Bag.

Banana and Oat Cookies
Pumpkin and Oat Cookies

Recipe Note: I have found that my cookies do not spread while baking, instead they remain the exact shape that I scoop out onto the pan. Next time, I will flatten them slightly after scooping them on to my baking pan.

Fascinating Find - Maple Biscuits

Photo Credit: Back of the Box Recipes

We are all bread lovers at my house. Rolls, biscuits, crusty bread, sandwich bread, beer bread, etc. We love it all. So, when I saw this recipe for Maple Biscuits, I knew right away that I needed to try it. Well, they were a hit with my kids!! They are slightly sweet, moist, and flavorful. We enjoyed them so much that I made them a second time within a week. And I am certain that I will make these again and again.

I found the recipe at Back of the Box Recipes, a website that catalogs name brand recipes. The first time I made them, I followed the recipe. But, the second time I made them, I substituted white whole wheat flour for the all purpose flour and raw sugar for the brown sugar. I also dropped them on the pan with a large cookie scoop instead of rolling and cutting them. This was much quicker. Either way, they were simply delicious!

Be sure to check out Back of the Box Recipes for recipe ideas of all kinds, coupons, and helpful kitchen tips.

Recipe Link: Maple Biscuits

Web Link: Back of the Box Recipes

Easiest Mac and Cheese

Photo Credit - Kraft

Macaroni and Cheese is a staple at our house. But, my kids have never been too excited about the kind that comes in the little blue box. Instead, I have always made stove top macaroni and cheese by melting butter, adding flour, and finally stirring in milk and cheese. Nothing fancy. But this recipe is so much simpler, and my kids have asked that I switch to this recipe permanently. And, with only three ingredients (macaroni, cheddar cheese, and sour cream), you will hear no complaints from me!

I've made this recipe several times now and I have used cubed cheese as called for in the recipe and grated cheese. Both work great. I have also skipped the baking part and just stirred it up on top of the stove and it has also turned out beautifully. I have even used different shaped pasta, and all of it has been good. I would imagine that if you liked a cracker or bread crumb crust on top that you could add that too.

I found this recipe on Jessica's blog called Life As Mom. So, be sure to check out Life As Mom for all kinds of fun info on recipes, budgeting, child care, and family life.

Blog Link: Life As Mom

Recipe Link: Easiest Mac and Cheese

English Muffin Bread

Photo Credit - Money Saving Mom

It has been close to six months since I have made homemade sandwich bread, and my son especially misses it. Typically I make Multigrain Sandwich Bread, but yesterday I decided to try something new. I saw this recipe for a no knead English Muffin Bread on Crystal’s blog called Money Saving Mom back in June. And, I am happy to say that it was super simple and delicious! 

I am not exactly sure why this bread is called English Muffin Bread. It neither had the texture of English muffins, nor the taste of them. But, I am definitely not holding that against it because we all loved it. Although the recipe called for all purpose flour, I substituted two cups of white whole wheat flour for part of it because I did not have enough all purpose flour on hand. I also baked it in three, one pound loaf pans instead of in two larger loaf pans so that I could give a loaf to my neighbor. But, it turned out beautifully even with these changes.

Crystal, at Money Saving Mom, has lots of money saving tips, frugal recipes, and coupon advice. So be sure to check out her blog below:

Blog Link: Money Saving Mom

Recipe Link: English Muffin Bread

Fascinating Find - Brownie Mix

Photo Credit - Fake-It-Frugal

Earlier this year I told you about some homemade cookie mix recipes that I had found on Heather’s blog, Fake-It-Frugal.  My family has enjoyed both the Sugar Cookie recipe and the Oatmeal Cookie recipe many times since then. Last night, we tested Heather’s Fake Betty Crocker Brownie Mix recipe. They were simple and delicious, and I will definitely be making these again and again. If you have never make homemade brownies, be warned, you will never go back to a mix!

I used melted butter instead of the vegetable oil called for in the recipe and I baked them in an 8X8 pan. I tested these because I thought that the dry ingredients, packed in a pretty jar, would make a simple and inexpensive Christmas gift for the kid’s teachers.

Heather, at Fake-It-Frugal, has all kinds of frugal recipe ideas and household solutions that will save you time and money. So, be sure to check out her blog below:

Website Link: Fake-It-Frugal

Brownie Recipe Link: Fake Betty Crocker Brownie Mix

Cookie Recipe Link: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes 

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Family Feasts for $75 a Week 

Last winter I told you about Mary Ostyn's cookbook called Family Feasts for $75 a Week.  My copy is stained and torn, and we have loved every recipe that we have tried.  (If you like, you can read my full review here.)

Recently, on Mary's blog called Owlhaven, I noticed that she posted her recipe for DIY Taco Seasoning Mix that is found in her cookbook. This recipe is an excellent substitute for the little packets that you can buy in the grocery store, and it is so much tastier. I have been using this recipe exclusively ever since I purchased her cookbook several years ago and I am thrilled that she posted it so that I could share the link with you!

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Mary has lots of great recipes, money saving household tips, and parenting advice to share, so be sure to click over to Owlhaven to check it out!

Recipe Note: I typically omit the cornstarch called for in this recipe with great results.

Fascinating Find - No Bake Chocolate PB Bars

I saw this recipe a couple of months ago on Talking Dollars and Cents. When I was making these delicious treats, I was thinking that they were going to be like granola bars. Boy was I wrong! These are definitely dessert. They were simple to make, and everyone loved them. Plus, the kids were especially pleased to be served a dessert instead of a granola bar.

Be sure to check out Kathryn and Alexandra’s blog where you will find lots of great recipes, menu planning ideas, and coupon tips and hints. Thank you Alexandra for sharing such a decadent dessert recipe!

Blog Link: Talking Dollars and Cents

Recipe Link: No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars  

Homemade Croutons

Food waste ruffles my feathers a little bit. And it is because we have lived through some very lean times in our marriage over the years. So, when I see recipes that literally create something from nothing, it does my heart good to know that others take food waste as seriously as I do. Cindy over at The Christmas Plan wrote a post recently titled When Life Hands You Lemons. Cindy talks about a ruined batch of sour dough bread and how she turned the inedible bread into tasty croutons.

Well, with the stale pieces of my recent loaf of No-Knead Beer Bread, I tested out Cindy’s recipe for croutons. Not bad for a first try. We ate more of them off the pan than in the salad. I think that I may have baked them too long because they were hard to spear with my fork, but still yummy. I will definitely be trying out this technique again to perfect it.

Be sure to check out Cindy’s blog to read more about her desire to live a simpler life while instilling within her children the meaning of true wealth. You will find recipes, craft projects, and fun stories about learning to raise ducks! Thank you, Cindy for sharing a great recipe that reduces food waste and illustrates “the joy of doing more with less.”

Blog Link: The Christmas Plan

Recipe Link: When Life Hands You Lemons (Crouton Recipe)

This post has been linked to Frugal Tuesday Tip.

Fascinating Find - No-Knead Beer Bread

You already know that I am in love with Artisan Bread. It is versatile, simple to work with, and frugal. However, it takes some planning ahead to make. This No-Knead Beer Bread can be made in a single batch and does not require refrigeration before baking. So, although it still takes 4 hours from start to finish, it is definitely a quicker process with a great flavor. We ate it with butter slathered on it with dinner one night, made Panini out of it the next day, and used the final scraps for homemade croutons. It was crusty, flavorful, and tasty. I will definitely be making this again.

Chef John at Food Wishes is the author of this fantastic recipe. You can find the recipe and an instructional video at the link below. Chef John also has lots of other delicious looking recipes on his blog, so be sure to check it out!

Blog Link: Food Wishes

Recipe Link: No-Knead Beer Bread

This post has been linked to Try New Adventures Thursday.

Fascinating Find - Scones

Several weeks ago I stumbled upon Glo’s blog Off the Grid at -30. Although living off the grid may seem extreme, Glo proves that it is rewarding and enjoyable. On Thursdays, Glo shares her favorite, frugal recipes. So, when I saw this recipe for scones, I knew that I had to try them. And they are delicious! They are soft and tender and taste amazing with a cup of coffee. The hint of nutmeg is what makes them extra special. This is the perfect recipe to whip up when unexpected guests arrive because they only take a couple of minutes to prepare and they can be served immediately after removing them from the oven. I will definitely be making these again and again.

Be sure to check out Glo’s blog to learn more about gardening, cooking/baking, crafting, and frugal tips and hints. Glo, thank you for sharing your Scones with us!

Blog Link: Off the Grid at -30

Recipe Link: Scones

This post has been linked to Frugal Tuesday Tip.

Fascinating Find - Roasted Red Pepper Spread

As we get closer and closer to our big move, we have been making a concentrated effort to eat up all of the food in our pantry, fridge, and freezer. I have had a jar of roasted red peppers hanging around for a while, so when I saw this simple recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Spread on Trish's blog, Mom On Time Out, I just knew I had to try it.

The results were spectacular! Everyone at my house loved it, resulting in a 5 out of 5 rating, which is rare for us. We ate it with crackers, but it would be excellent with tortilla chips, bagel chips, or even as a sandwich spread. I have made it twice now and I can honestly say that this recipe is now one of our favorites.

Be sure to check out Trish’s blog for more recipes, craft ideas, and money saving tips. Thanks Trish for such a great recipe!

Blog Link: Mom On Time Out

Recipe Link: Roasted Red Pepper Spread

Fascinating Find - Ranch Mashed Potatoes

I finally got around to testing out the Ranch Mashed Potato recipe that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I found the recipe on Amber’s blog called The Pless Press. They were simple to make with frugal ingredients and they tasted delicious! I didn’t bother to peel my potatoes, and I used my You Can Make That Homemade Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix. Otherwise, I followed the recipe and we gobbled them up. I would imagine that these could easily be made up ahead of time and reheated later just like my recipe for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes. These will definitely be on my table again and again. Thank you for sharing your recipe Amber!

Be sure to check out Amber’s blog for more recipes, crafting ideas, and uplifting stories.

Website: The Pless Press

Recipe Link: Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Fascinating Finds - Oatmeal Cookie Mix

Recently, I told you about a set of recipes for homemade cookie mixes that I learned about on a blog called Fake-It-Frugal. I had great success with the Sugar Cookie version, so I decided to try out the Oatmeal Cookie version. I mixed it up according to the recipe, but the dough was too dry. The recipe said to refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before scooping out onto a cookie sheet; but, even after refrigeration, the dough was still too crumbly to scoop.  Knowing that I truly needed to bring these cookies to my kids Sunday night Bible program at church, I had to come up with a solution. So, I added an extra egg and the dough was exactly like cookie dough should be.

The cookies turned out great! The kids enjoyed them, they were simple to make, and I had all of the ingredients on hand. This recipe is a keeper. And, having a couple of mixes made up in advance is a nice solution to purchased pre-packaged mixes. (Yield: 18 cookies)

Heather, at Fake-It-Frugal, has all kinds of frugal recipe ideas and household solutions that will save you time and money. So, be sure to check out her blog below:

Website Link: Fake-It-Frugal

Recipe Link: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes

Fascinating Find - Cookie Mixes

Pouring over recipes is one of my favorite pass times. I have confessed to you before that I read cookbooks, like some people read a novel. Cooking blogs, recipe websites, and magazines are also great places to find tasty recipes. This week I came across a set of cookie recipes that are a frugal alternative to packaged mixes.

Heather, at Fake-It-Frugal, posted four cookie recipes that are just as easy to use as those envelope mixes found in the grocery store. Heather shares her recipes for chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, and gingerbread cookies, all of which can be made up ahead and stored in zippy bags.

This weekend, I tested out the sugar cookie version. However, I had to make two substitutions. I used white whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour and raw sugar instead of white sugar. Even with these substitutions, the cookies turned out great! (Next time I will make them according to the recipe.) In the coming weeks I plan to try the other versions. It is so nice to make a small batch of cookies (2 dozen) so quickly and simply with no mixer required.

If you have not visited Fake-It-Frugal before, please be sure to check it out. You will find all kinds of household and kitchen solutions that will save you money. Heather will even break down the cost savings for each of her projects/recipes so that you can see the value of your efforts. Thank you, Heather for sharing all of your frugal ideas with us!

Website Link: Fake-It-Frugal

Recipe Link: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes

Frugal Tip: One of these cookie mixes would make a great gift when packaged in a pretty jar and tied with a ribbon.

Fascinating Find - Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Do you have dry skin this time of year? I know I do. Sometimes I feel like my skin is literally falling off it is so dry. Well, Stephanie Lynn, at Under the Table and Dreaming has an excellent kitchen solution. With her recipe for Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub, Stephanie Lynn proves that skin care can be frugal, simple, and homemade (making this a perfect recipe for You Can Make That). And, all of the ingredients you need can be found in your kitchen.

This four ingredient scrub not only exfoliates your skin, but moisturizes at the same time. And, best of all, the warm scent of vanilla and brown sugar leaves you smelling delicious. Plus it is perfect for ridding your hands of strong odors such as garlic or onion. So, keep some in your kitchen, bathroom, or give it as a gift!

Recipe Link: Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Stephanie Lynn’s Blog: Under the Table and Dreaming

On Stephanie Lynn’s blog, you will also find additional scrub recipes with other scents. Thank you for sharing your homemade skin care recipe Stephanie Lynn!

Fascinating Find - Baked Apple Chips

While living in Germany, we discovered Baked Apple Chips.  They were crunchy like potato chips and yet tasted like a sweet treat even though they had been baked without sugar. Since moving back to the U.S. we have purchased Apple Chips, but have been disappointed. They were neither, crunchy or sweet. And, I have had a couple of failed attempts at making them at home, but the third time was a charm!

While perusing Vittles and Bits I saw a recipe that looked exactly like what we wanted: crispy, crunchy, sweet chips. The recipe said to bake for 2 hours, but after 2 ½ hours my chips were still soggy and I had bread that needed to go in the oven. So, I thought that I had failed again. Not so. I did a quick internet search and found that I could leave the chips in a warm oven (I turned my oven off and used the residual heat) for several hours until they crisped up. And, they turned out perfectly!

The next time I make these, I will start them in the evening and let them sit in the warm oven overnight. This way, my oven is free for other baking during the day. These will stay crispy for at least a week in an airtight container. Once again, I have learned that if you are willing to try, try, try again, You Can Make That!

Recipe Link:  Baked Apple Chips

Perspective

This mug was handed to my kids playing outside earlier this week. A random act of kindness

 given by the management company from whom we lease our home.

As we get closer and closer to Christmas it is easy to get caught up in “rampant consumerism.” This is a term that my dad used with us kids while growing up. Whenever we would bug him for the newest toy, a fabulous outfit, or the next cool thing, my dad would remind us that these wants were rampant consumerism.  As we rush around during the month of December purchasing gifts, planning meals, and decorating our homes in order to create the most perfect and memorable holiday, it is easy to get caught up in rampant consumerism.  

Over the last few weeks I have read several articles that have reminded me to keep my perspective when it comes to consumerism this Holiday season. So, I thought I would share them with you because maybe you could use a little perspective too!

On Thoughts and Musings you can read about one mom’s journey with 25 Days of Giving and how this new attitude about thinking of others has spilled over into all areas of their lives.

On Geek Dad you can read about The 5 Best Toys of All Time. And, none of them will cost you a penny.

On Balancing Beauty and Bedlam you can read about Jennifer’s Bedlam and Reality Behind a Christmas Mantle. This is a great reminder that nobody is perfect, even if they appear to be.

Fascinating Find

When I saw this recipe for White Chocolate Orange Crunch a couple of weeks ago, I knew that I had to try it. And, with only three ingredients, I felt it was a natural choice for You Can Make That!  So, I made it on Saturday afternoon to serve it to some family friends that we had invited over for egg nog and dessert that evening. (That's my crunch pictured above.) As I was wrapping it up, a friend stopped by and I gave her a taste. The next day she requested the recipe.  On Sunday morning, I packaged what was left into a tin and gave it to a dear friend that could use some encouragement. It got a 5 out of 5 rating from my family and rave reviews from everyone else.

I found this recipe here on a blog called Brassy Apple. Megan is the “creative force” behind Brassy Apple, a blog about sewing, upcycling, and design.  So, be sure to check out Megan’s crafty ideas in addition to her recipe. Thank you Megan for posting this tasty Christmas treat for us!