Eat From Your Pantry | Feed your family with what you have on hand.

How To Throw A Birthday Party On A Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 14:31:00 +0000

Every child wants to have a birthday party, and every parent wants their child to enjoy their birthday and have the perfect day. The problem is, sometimes life can get in the way and make it difficult to do this. Financial stress can be a common burden to families that would cause you not to have an event. Having been in this situation myself, I have come up with a few tips on how to go about throwing a party for your loved one but on a budget that can make everyone happy.

Location

Have the party at home. Do not pay to have a party at a location. Many party venues charge hundreds of dollars to entertain your children. The common cost of having a party at a play space or party venue is between $300 and $500. Who wants to pay that? Just have it at your home and you can bring the cost down plenty.

Food

Keep it simple when it comes to the food, especially when it comes to kids. Kids could care less about what they eat. Pizza and pasta are your cheapest and easiest options. They are also the most commonly liked. Don’t go overboard with snacks either, chips and popcorn are where it is at. If anything, spend the money on dessert. That is the area kids most care about. Buy a nice cake or even cupcakes which can be inexpensively bought at the local grocery store.

Activities

Every parent thinks they need to entertain the children with new and different games and activities. Truth is, they are fine running around and just being kids. Put a short time frame on the party (2 hours seems to be the most appropriate) and it will go by quickly and the kids will have a blast. The best time of year to have an event is in the spring and summer when kids can be outside. It is easy to just put all of your outdoor toys out so they can enjoy. If you are having a party in the colder months than make sure your georgia gas is on for the heat to keep the kiddos warm! And whatever you do, forego the party favors. They are a waste of money and are commonly junk that the kids (or parents) throw out anyway. If anything get something that a child will actually use like a book, coloring book, chalk, crayons or markers.

So don’t let your child go without a celebration this year. Follow these tips and tricks to make it happen for them.

Email Spam

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:01:00 +0000

Email spam is something that affects everyone. Personally, you may have emails you are expecting or looking for lost and not get delivered to you. Professionally, you may be responsible for an email campaign and get discouraged when it isn’t seen by your customers because it is filtered into spam. So how to spam filters work? Are there ways to get around them? What are the steps you can take? Spam filters were created to eliminate your inbox getting flooded with unwanted emails. Here are some of the reasons why your email may be marked as spam.

Permission

For a business to send out emails, the receiving end needs to sign up for it. Subscribing to an email list is basically the permission slip for a company to send an email to your inbox. There are specific regulations outline in the CAN-SPAM Act that require a business to follow specific rules and obtain permission before sending out emails. To eliminate this hurdle, make sure to obtain your audience’s permission before sending out your emails.

Physical Address

The CAN-SPAM Act also specifies that you need to include a physical address with your emails. This element can show you have a legitimate and credible business. By not including it than a SPAM filter may see it as a red flag and not think you are an actual business. If you are a small business you can always get a PO Box address instead of using your home address.

Open Rates

If your emails are not being opened by customers, spam filters can view you and your business as SPAM. Emails that have a consistently low open rate will eventually be flagged as spam. To avoid this happening you need to make sure that your emails are actually things that your customers want to read and include valuable content for them.

Subject Line

Suspicious subject lines could be flagged by spam filters and considered junk. What is considered suspect? Things like all caps and excessive use of punctuation can bring attention to your post but also be marked as suspicious.
So now you may ask yourself how can this be avoided? How can you prevent your emails being labeled as spam? The main thing is to make sure you are sending emails to those who have opted to receive them. If you purchase email lists from companies than they will definitely be picked up and have a low chance of actually getting delivered. It is also important when choosing an email service provider that you choose one who is credible and not associated with spam emails with other clients. So take all of these things into account when creating and sending out your blast emails.
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Eating Healthy without the Cost

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 21:04:00 +0000

Eating healthy is the one life-improving step that everyone can take, regardless of budget, schedule, or even tastes. If the body is thought of as a car, healthy foods are premium, high-octane fuel that helps you get through a busy day with less stress, less irritability and way more energy than fast food can deliver.

If you wince at the price of organic produce in the supermarket, however, you're definitely not alone: at first glance, eating healthy looks to be a very expensive proposition! Properly armed with a few shortcuts, though, you'll be able to save money and chow down without "stomaching" a hit to your bank account.

Think Outside the Grocery Store

When you're trying to spruce up your diet a little, fruits and vegetables are the first logical go-to. The problem is that they can really add up when you're grabbing from bins and baskets at the store. You've probably heard of fruit-of-the-month clubs before—they're a popular holiday present—but have you ever heard of CSAs?

Short for "Community Supported Agriculture," they're a local version of those often-pricey of-the-month boxes with a much lower price tag, and they're filled with locally-grown produce, many with robust organic options. Not only is joining one a great way to help farmers in your region make a living, it's also an excellent way to expand your culinary comfort zone. CSAs that use a "random" style subscription will introduce you to unique new produce as the mix changes every month, and will often include recipes or tips for the more unusual items like sunchokes.

Think Inside Your Pantry

The best way to save money is to not spend any. A great idea for those times that you are staring into your pantry or refrigerator and seeing pieces of a meal puzzle that don’t quite come together, is to put what you already have into an internet search. Have artichokes? Look up artichoke recipes. Have rice and beans? Look for creative ways to jazz up that staple dish.

Apps and websites like SuperCook will let you enter all of your ingredients (for example: chicken, onions, olive oil, vegetable broth, carrots) and generate possible recipes for you, and let you know if you are missing any of the ingredients!

Sales + Kitchen Appliances = Success

When the growing season arrives, fruits and vegetables are available in abundance from local producers, driving the wholesale cost down and triggering more produce sales so that you can shop smart. Thinking ahead about future expenses can be one of the best ways to make money by actively saving money.

This doesn't mean that you need to pay more to indulge in those amazing flavors once the temperature drops. Take advantage of farmer's markets, sales at your local stores, and even pick-your-own farms to get all of your favorites at the peak of ripeness. Then, take a few hours or even a day to process your bounty for use throughout the winter.

For berries, wash and dry very well, remove any stems or leaves, freeze on sheet pans, then pop the whole frozen berries into airtight zip-top bags for use in smoothies, baking and more. For vegetables like tomatoes, consider making a puree or sauce and either freezing or canning the result in mason jars—just leave a little room for expansion when freezing. Pickling, stewing and dehydrating are other methods that can help preserve flavors and nutrition to keep your diet healthy and affordable in colder weather.

Try Out a By-Mail Meal Kit

Getting takeout every night is a cost that really adds up—both health-wise and wallet-wise. For some individuals, meal kits—special subscription plans that mail you a chilled box of ingredients and recipes for several meals—can be a wiser way to spend that hard-earned money.

If you'd like some menu-planning and cooking guidance along with a healthy dining option, these kits are an excellent way to broaden your tastes and pick up a few new kitchen skills in the process. The best part is that the ingredients are carefully proportioned to prevent waste—which is more than can be said for those "fallen produce soldiers" in the crisper drawer that prompt questions like, "When the heck did I last buy okra?"

Your health doesn't need to come at the expense of your budget or your taste buds if you shop smart and keep an eye out for deals. From the "scratch and dent" produce section of your local market to farm share subscription boxes, a little savvy shopping and careful meal planning will keep food bills low and your nutrition balanced—all without breaking a sweat.

Booking the Hottest and Best Night In Town: A How To

noreply@blogger.com (Daniel) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:36:00 +0000

Let’s assume that if you’re running a night of music in your home town and you are in charge of music, you have at least some idea of what kind of musical acts you enjoy and think others would enjoy, and so you know whom to book and whom to pass on. Please let’s hope that’s true. Good, glad we got that out of the way. You have a roster of special singers and songwriters ready to further their careers and win the hearts and fandom of the area hipsters. But how do you get people to your night? You can’t just rely on the performers bringing their friends – this is an outdated way for clubs to run, because in this day and age, people don’t want to leave the house for just anything. You have to get people out and you have to do it in a way that works. Here’s how.

1. Make It Seem Cooler Than it Is

The least successful way to get people to come to your night of music is to beg them. The second least successful way is to guilt trip them. So don’t say things like Please Come out tonight and see some awesome music. That’s begging. And definitely don’t say Support Local Music because that’s focusing the onus of the music scene’s success on the listener, not the performer, as if it’s the listener’s fault for not coming because they’re not being supportive. No – you have to make your night of music seem incredibly cool, so cool that folks would be foolish to pass up on this seemingly once in a lifetime opportunity. There are many ways to make it look cool, like with external decorations or pop up display banners that can be had for cheap at thedisplayoutlet.com. Plus the one time cost will be insignificant if spread over the night’s many nights of shows. Be cool and others will think you’re cool.

2. Drinks for Free

You can’t really give everyone free drinks because you need them to pay for drinks in order for the bar to want you to come back. But you also can give some sort of drink specials. Performers, for example, should definitely get at least 2 and preferably three free drinks. They are artists who deserve the respect of a few free cold ones. But maybe there’s a drink special where your first drink is 50c or something like that – get a ticket at the door and your first drink is cheap. Who can really get away with just having one drink? Most people won’t, and it’s well known that after two drinks, people often are irresponsibly ordering third and fourth drinks, even on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

3. Be Professional

The worst thing in the world for your night of music at an area club or café is for it to be amateur hour. We’ve already determined that you have a good roster of actually talented musicians playing the music so we have that covered. (If not, please go to our other article: why you shouldn’t book bad bands). But if you have a makeshift or terrible sound system, it doesn’t matter if Sir Paul McCartney himself comes to play your show, it’s going to sound bad and people will focus on that. Give them the opportunity, and people will call attention to the negative. Don’t let them. Please get a decent sound system that will allow the performer to sound their best.

Why keeping up with the Jones’ could leave you broke?

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:33:00 +0000

Today's society places a lot of value on material possessions and many people feel they cannot achieve true happiness unless they have the latest gadgets. However, despite a mountain of the newest technology and a bulging wardrobe, some people continue to be tormented by others who seem to have more.

Having a houseful of expensive goods is no longer a sign of wealth as an increasing number of people are willing to get themselves into debt in order to keep up with the latest trends.

Even those with a low credit score and little personal funds are able to continue to accumulate belongings with the assistance of credit cards.

But while it can be fun to splash out every now and again, being caught in a spiral of debt just to keep up with the neighbors can be wearisome, let alone costly.

So how can it be possible to escape the inner desire to stay one step ahead of the Joneses?

Experts suggest taking a long hard look at the people you most envy. Appearances can be deceiving and while some people can appear to have everything, behind closed doors it can be a different matter. Those who always have the latest designer clothes, the flashiest autos and the most exotic vacations may be financing it all with borrowed money and maybe even a bad credit credit card.

Having the knowledge that in order to have the best possessions, it is necessary to sink into a pit of unmanageable debt can be very liberating.

The same neighbor that has the best of everything may not be particularly savvy when it comes to saving money and could end up spending their retirement scratching to make ends meet while you enjoy cruises away on your pension.

The recession has done Americans a backhanded favor in some ways by leveling the playing field so that nearly every household has to economize and make concessions, even if it isn't always obvious.

With the exposure that debt is getting on the news every day, people are becoming far more honest about having to pay for things with credit, even admitting to owning bad credit credit cards rather than continuing the facade of having deep pockets.

However, it is human to hanker after what we don't have and what we can see around us but there are tips that can help to put things into perspective.

Most people tend to look towards those who have more than them and compare themselves unfavorably. A good alternative to try is to compare yourself to where you used to be and to people who have less than you and you will see how much you have achieved.

It is also important that while making savings and not overspending a priority, that you let yourself have a little fun and splurge on something you really want sometimes. Feeling hard done-by and deprived will only make you feel disgruntled.

If all else fails, a simple but effective method to fall back on is to ask yourself, does it really matter?

Sometimes, acknowledging that, sure, your neighbor's new auto is great but really, in the long run do possessions really matter that much? Is the stress of having unmanageable debts worth a lump of metal sitting on the drive?

It may sound patronizing but there are some things that are more valuable than money, such as time with your family, health and peace of mind and anyone who has those things is rich in the way that matters the most.

Three Best Money-Saving Tips for Buying a Car

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:46:00 +0000

When you're trying to buy a car, many small details go into it. You need to be able to inspect the vehicle or have a knowledgeable person inspect it for you. You will need some haggling skills and have to understand a few important terms about car prices. Most importantly, you’re going to need patience.

Inspect the Car Carefully
When you're looking for cars, you need to inspect it. Pop the hood and look at the insides. Are there any liquids leaking? These are likely bad. How does the car sound? Listen for any loud clunks, rattles, or, really, anything out of the ordinary. Turn it on and try everything: the horn, the stereo, the AC, the heating, the windshield wipers, everything. Are the tires flat? Look over all the major systems of the car and make sure everything works well. If anything isn't working right, you should be able to point it out to the salesperson and use this knowledge as a bargaining chip to get him or her to drop the price down. Or, you might not want to get the car; in this case, you just saved yourself days and nights of headaches dealing with a broken down car you just spent a bundle on! This is why you should look everything over once, twice, and maybe three times.

Understand Pricing
When it comes to pricing, there is always the sticker price. This is the listed price, usually located on the car, which is almost always marked up considerably. However, there is also the invoice price, which is what the dealer paid for the car. You will want to nudge the agreed on price down to the invoice price. Then, there are the Kelley Blue Book and the Edmund's True Market Value indexes. These will tell you what the car is worth based on a combination of factors: age, condition, and market conditions. These are generally based on how much the car is going for on the open market. You will want to point out these prices to the car salesperson if they are charging far more than these suggested prices. If, on the other hand, they are asking less, then you might want to keep this bit of knowledge to yourself--at least if you'd like to save yourself a bit of money.
Don't overlook insurance pricing either. Get a quote to make sure you can find affordable auto insurance before you make a purchase decision. Sticker shock on the car is bad enough. Don't let the insurance shock you too.

Wait It Out
The best tip you can get is to wait. Be patient. Most salespeople try to rush you into saying yes as quickly as possible. Why? Because they don't want you to think about it and end up buying another car. If you thought and really thought about all the different factors, you might not choose their car. So, many car salespeople will try to pressure you into saying yes or signing a piece of paper. Wait! Don't sign anything. Wait at least one day. Think it through and talk about your different options with a trusted friend or family member. Imagine all the different angles associated with this car; how will it work, does it have enough space, and so on. This well-spent time will work to make sure you don't suffer from sales pressure or make a foolish mistake.

CureAutoInsurance.com offers New Jersey and Pennsylvania car insurance. The company helps consumers by waiving the credit check and pricing your policy based on your driving record, not your credit history.

How not to keep a good credit score

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:11:00 +0000

Unless you are one of the rich and famous, chances are that some time in your life you will need to purchase an item on credit.

The two major purchases are a house and a car but in these difficult economic times, some people are using credit for day-to-day survival.

But how do you keep a good credit score or repair a negative one? There are many ways, including using credit cards for bad credit and prioritizing payments.

Companies do not publish how they calculate your credit score as this differs from lender to lender. They will all use certain criteria, however, to make that decision.

This includes any past history you have with the company. If you have previously borrowed money or used their credit cards and repaid on time, this will be viewed favorably.

The information you provide on the application form is also used, so be honest about your situation if you do have other debts or financial issues.

Sometimes, the lender may not be as concerned about these debts as you fear. Student loans, for example, are often taken for granted and not penalized.

Companies will also use credit files held on you by the three major rating agencies. These detail your history, including any negative issues or court action taken against you.

There is no official credit blacklist, so one company may lend to you whilst another may not. It all depends on the company and how the risk and reward equation they follow.

In the United States, a FICO score is the most commonly used credit rating. The score range is from 300 to 850, with 300 being the most negative score.

In 2010, statistics show that the median score of Americans was 723. The median score is the middle score, so this tells us that half of Americans will be below this figure and half above.

Having a lower FICO score, however, affects the amount of credit you are offered and the interest rates companies impose on you. The lower your score, the higher the interest.

If you wish to improve your FICO score, there are several ways to do this. Firstly, sit down and calculate how much you owe and make a realistic budget.

Make at least the minimum payments on each debt and do so on time. This will help show you are responsible and dependable and this will be viewed favorably.

Look at the range of credit cards for bad credit, which are designed to help you increase your credit rating. Many people have used this to help repair or improve their credit score. Although the interest rates are high to begin with, lenders will reassess and reduce your interest rate if you consistently make monthly repayments.

These little steps will assist you in attaining and keeping a good credit rating score. Remember, the higher your score, the easier you will find it to access great deals on mortgages, credit cards and loans. Good luck and take positive action now!

How inflation is devaluing your home

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:52:00 +0000

As the economic climate continues to look dismal, the bright spot for many is that they own their own home and property has always been viewed as a good investment for long term gains.

Unfortunately, whilst this has always been true in the past, the current rate of inflation means that the true value of a house is far less than it would seem to be.

Some research has suggested that when inflation is taken into account, the worth of a typical house is around 8.5% less compared to 1979. Not a great return for over 30 years of investment.

However, owning property is still far preferable to renting for most and for many, the peace of mind that owning your own home brings is worth the risk of deflation.

But how do you calculate how much your home is worth and how should you consider financing a mortgage?

There are different ways in which to arrive at the value of a home and this can be one of the reasons why prices can vary when a professional assessment is carried out.

There are two main approaches – the market value approach and the sales comparison method.

The market value evaluation process attempts to reach what the value of the property would be if there were no additional external factors to consider, such as the need for a fast sale. It takes into account all of the usual factors such as condition, size, facilities and location and bases the valuation on that.

The sales comparison approach does take all of the above into account, but also considers what similar sales in the local neighborhood have been like and reaches a price compared to what other properties sold for. This is the most common approach with professional property valuers.

For those not planning on moving but interested in finding the likely value of their home, there is an online calculator available from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Whilst this calculator does not provide any individual valuations, it can provide an indicator of how the price of your house is likely to have changed based on the original purchase price, time of sale and location. This is obviously only intended as a very rough guide.

Those looking to finance a mortgage should first set their budget with the help of a

A mortgage calculator can help to work out what the impact of a larger deposit would be on repayments and how much wiggle room there is in the budget in the event of interest rate changes.

Those with a lower credit score may not find it as easy to finance a mortgage as in previous years, as the market for this was hit very badly by the recent financial crisis. This has made lenders far more cautious about extending credit to individuals with a less than perfect credit score. It is still possible to obtain credit, but the interest rate will be higher, making repayments more expensive.

The only way to avoid this is by either having a co-signer on the agreement, or by having a hefty chunk of savings available to put down as a deposit.

A mortgage calculator can help to work out the costs and a comparison website can help pinpoint lenders who are willing to consider those who have problems in the past.

Guest Post by MoneySuperMarket

How to cut back and pay off your debts

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 14:08:00 +0000

In today's economic climate, it seems that most everyday Americans are finding it more difficult to make ends meet. The cost of living is rising but wages are frozen and redundancies are common.

Everybody knows that it is a real positive to be pro-active and gain more financial security but how can you find ways to pay off your debts?

Firstly, gather all your paperwork together and calculate how much debt you have and the interest rates you are paying on these loans. Use a loan calculator to find better alternatives.

Then look at your expenditure per month and divide this into two categories, fixed and variable. Fixed expenditure includes costs such as rent or mortgage payments that stay the same and cannot be changed easily.

Variable costs include all those items that you enjoy but in all honesty, could live without. This category could include expensive gadgets and games, the latest fashions or designer ware. Input the cost of these into the loan calculator and see how you could benefit if you used this money to pay off debts.

Whilst it may be lovely to have these things, know that it is even better to pay for them without being in debt. So for now, make a sacrifice to stop purchasing these items.

At the same time, make a promise to yourself that when you are free from debt, you can have all the treats you can afford with your new found disposable income! This should give you some motivation to work towards that happy day. Use the loan calculator to help you estimate when this day will be for added motivation!

Next, look at your food bills and think of ways to reduce these costs. You can save money by only having takeout food or dining in restaurants on rare occasions.

At other times, it can work out cheaper to buy cupboard staples in bulk. Milk, for example, can be frozen, so if it is on special offer, stock up on cartons.

The same goes for toiletries and washing products, which we always need throughout the year. For even more savings, buy the store's own brand labels rather than branded goods.

Join online websites that detail where to find coupons for money-off when shopping. Get a cookery book and begin making batches of hearty soups, casseroles and stews.

Buy lower cost cuts of meat, such as braising steak, that taste delicious when cooked in the oven for a couple of hours. You can also fill out meals with beans and lentils.

Remember how our grandmas would turn nothing into something? Be the same! Make do and mend, whether it is food or clothing. Use dinner leftovers for the next day lunch and repair clothes when they are damaged.

You will probably start to enjoy the challenges and rewards of living in such a prudent way. With the excess money, you can pay off debts more quickly and feel satisfaction as each payment is completed.

When you need a break, websites that offer deals such as Groupon and Living Social can provide a low-cost way of enjoying a special meal or occasion.

There is nothing better than the feeling that you are taking control of your debts and money. So take up the challenge and start creating a happier, healthier financial future today!

Personal Loans for Credit Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Do you have a large sum of credit card debt? Are you paying 15% or more in credit card interest each month? If you are and have been making your payments on time and still have good credit, you may want to consider applying for a personal loan to pay off the credit cards.

Many people apply for personal loans to consolidate their credit card debt. There are several advantages to doing this.

You will only be making one payment a month. If you have five credit cards with outstanding balances, you have to make five different payments a month. Consolidate with a personal loan, and you are now only making one payment per month to service your credit card debt.
You will probably pay a lower interest rate. One of the main advantages to consolidating through a personal loan is that you will most likely pay less in interest. This can significantly reduce the overall amount of money you have to pay to completely clear the debt.
You will have fixed payments and a clear payoff deadline. If you take out a three year personal loan, you know exactly when you will be completely free of your debt. In addition, you are paying the same amount every month, so more money will go to interest throughout the life of a loan. Credit card companies continue to reduce your minimum payment the lower your balance goes. If you continue to pay only the minimum, it could easily take ten to twenty years to pay off the credit card.

Many people find it helpful to take out personal loans to pay off their credit card debt. If you do so, just make sure to quit using your credit cards so you don’t run up the balances and find yourself further in debt.

Does low income mean poor nutrition?

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:50:00 +0000

With the economic troubles the United States is seeing, many American families are watching their budgets drop. That means they have less money available for their housing, food and other expenses.

Even with options such as balance transfer on credit cards easing the debt burden, the grocery shop can make a big dent in the monthly expenditure.

As incomes drop, the budget for food shrinks as well. Food is one household item that can fluctuate, depending on what you buy. You cannot control what your rent or mortgage payment is each month, but you do have somewhat of a say in how much you spend on food.

Many families that have seen their incomes plummet try to make up the difference by cutting out expensive foods. That means they can no longer buy items that are healthier, such as lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and even dairy products.

The cheapest way to fill an empty stomach is to use energy rich starch foods that are often sweet and nutrient poor. Lower income houses typically purchase things such as cereals, potatoes, fatty meats and pasta.

It is typical for families with higher incomes to buy things such as seafood, low fat milk, fresh vegetables and other healthy items. It is true that having a healthy diet can be expensive if you just focus on the higher cost, luxury items.

Some nutritionists say that the ability to shop for healthy foods can be equal for everyone if the consumer is willing to make an effort and savings can be made.

If you have credit card debt, looking for a Balance Transfer offer can free up a little money to spend on healthier foods.

If consumers are willing to follow nutritional and dietary guidelines, they can succeed in having a healthy diet. The key point in this goal is to have the knowledge and time needed to follow through.

Many families drive through a fast food restaurant because they are short on time. They can also order off the dollar menu and feed an entire family for less than $10. It is fast, it is easy and it fills their stomachs.

Rising food costs are a problem for every family, but there are nutritional foods available that are also affordable. It may take a little time and research, but even low income families can eat in a healthy manner.

The most important aspect of buying healthy food is to compare when you shop. If you want to buy carrots, you can buy a large 5-pound bag and save money over buying the baby carrots that are already peeled.

Ready to serve foods are convenient, but you often pay a higher price. If you are willing to peel a few carrots and put a little extra work into your food, you can afford fresh vegetables that will last longer and taste better.

There are many healthy fruits that are affordable as well. Bananas and apples can often be bought in bags and bunches, which reduces their price. If you want to drink juice, buy the frozen concentrate to save money on your budget.

Food assistance programs have rapidly increased over the recent years. After families pay their household bills, they often simply do not have the balance transfer to cover food costs.

If assistance programs are not an option, you can still buy healthy foods as long as you pay attention to what you purchase, compare prices, shop carefully and stick to your budget. Even just making a list and sticking to it can help with the family shop.

Guest Post by MoneySuperMarket

Do you compare online to save money on groceries?

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Food is both a necessity and a pleasure, but unfortunately it comes at a price. With the cost of living increasing due to economic difficulties, how can we reduce costs?

There are several simple strategies that can help you make financial savings and still eat well. Put these into practice and you will appreciate great savings on your food bill.

Firstly, use money-off coupons which are widely available on the internet. Simply search for your favorite store and print out the coupons to take with you when shopping.

You will also find coupons in direct mail flyers, free newspapers and by signing up with individual stores. Retailers love loyal customers and sending out coupons is one way to achieve this.

Although the coupon value may not seem like a great amount, don't be fooled into thinking that it is not worth the effort. It is surprising at how savings can multiply.

If you reduce your food bill by $25 dollars per week through the use of money-off coupons, you will save $100 dollars per month. That is a fantastic result!

Another way to create savings is to compare prices of the same goods from different retailers online. Many retailers even have a price comparison checker on their website.

Compare the prices of the same items to see where it is cheaper. If there are two major stores near to you, look to see who will give you the most savings.

Some people shop in different stores to take advantage of discounts and lower prices on products. You need to calculate fuel costs, however, otherwise it may be a false economy.

This means that if the cost of gas driving from one store to another is higher than the resulting savings, it is more cost-effective to shop at just one store.

You can also make savings online by researching firms that sell direct to the public. Many farmers have their own websites and stores where you can purchase cheaper groceries.

Perform a search to see if there are any located in your area and calculate your potential savings against fuel costs. You may find you can access fresher and cheaper goods.

Also, check online for grocery store opening hours and find out what time individual stores close. By visiting the store just before closing time you may be able to grab a bargain!

Most stores have bargain bins where they place products that will soon go out of date or deteriorate. If you time it right, you can create huge savings this way.

Use your purchases for meals the following day and remember, lots of products can be frozen and then defrosted for future use. Just check on the packaging for instructions.

Certain foods last longer and these can be kept fresh in the fridge. Others deteriorate quickly, so if you purchase these in bulk ensure you can use them up in the next few days. With a little research and creative thinking, you can reduce your food costs and still enjoy great meals.

How to Lower Your Monthly Bills

noreply@blogger.com (Evan @ My Journey to Millions) — Thu, 26 May 2011 01:32:00 +0000

Chances are you pay bills every month, whether you like it or not. Bills are a part of life, and probably the main reason people go to work every day. They can pile up quickly and be quite overwhelming at times. Fortunately there are some things you can do to help lower the amount of money you pay for your monthly bills. These things are definitely worth looking into when you have a minute.

Heating/Cooling
There are quite a few ways you can save money on your heating and cooling costs. One thing you can do is make sure your home is well sealed, that way air cannot escape through gaps and cracks. This will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, and also reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 20 percent. Maintaining your furnace and water heater can also help to reduce your monthly heating and cooling bills. If either are not functioning properly you can end up paying way more than you should on your bills. You can also install a hot water heater blanket and lower the temperature on your water heater. Lowering the temperature will reduce heating costs, and a water heater blanket will help to keep the water warmer longer. Using a programmable thermostat can also help you lower your monthly heating and cooling bills, because your furnace or air conditioner will not be running at unnecessary times.

Electricity
You can lower the amount of money you pay for electricity each month by doing some simple things. First, you should install compact-fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs. Switching to CFLs will save you significant money on your electric bill, as they use up to 90 percent less electricity than normal incandescent bulbs. They also have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, meaning fewer replacements each year. Another thing you can do to reduce electricity costs is unplug all appliances and electronics that are not in use. Even if they are not running, a small amount of electricity is still being used. Although this amount of electricity is small, it still costs you money.

Cable/Internet Service
If you subscribe to cable and/or internet service, you know it can cost you quite a bit of money each month. Luckily there are a few things you can do to help lower your monthly cable and internet bills. One thing you can do is talk to your service provider to see if they offer any package deals. Packages are great because you pay one price for both services. Another thing you can do is consider the channels you subscribe to. Are you paying for channels you never watch? If so, think about eliminating those channels. Cutting channels will reduce the amount you pay on your bill each month. Also, there are many websites that let you compare rates from different cable and internet companies in your area. This allows you to consider your options before deciding on and purchasing service.

Groceries
Groceries are a very large, but necessary expense each month. You and your family need food, so groceries are a must. The best thing to do it to avoid eating out. To help lower the amount you pay for your grocery bill each month, you can do some simple things. First of all, consider clipping coupons. Coupons can save you a great deal of money each month on things you would normally purchase. Plus, if you watch different supermarket advertisements, and match the sale items with the coupons you have, you can save even more. There are also many websites that provide coupons. You can print out coupons just as would clip them. Some of these websites also offer money-saving tips you can use at the supermarket. Another way to lower your monthly grocery bill is to grow a garden. Not only will you be saving money, but you will have delicious, fresh fruits and vegetables to show for it. Shopping at warehouse-type clubs and buying food in bulk are also great ways to save money on groceries each month.

Insurance
The best thing you can do to save money here is to shop around! Auto and home insurers are not all equal, so my suggestion is to ask a bunch of car insurance companies and home insurance companies awhat their rate is for you and go with the cheapest one! Sure, you'll get a discount from your current company by sticking around longer, but why stick around if someone else is offering a cheaper rate?

Even though bills are a major part of life, it is nice to know there are certain ways to lower the amount of money you pay for them. When you begin to see the savings on your bills, you will be glad you took the time to look into these things.

Guest post from Karen Schweitzer. Karen writes about internet service for Internetserviceproviders.org.

Saying Goodbye to Eat From Your Pantry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:29:00 +0000

After more than two years of blogging about food, nutrition, and living within our means, I'm ready to close the pantry doors.

A few months ago my family left our position as Resident Managers of a transitional housing facility to move into our very first home. Leaving was bittersweet as we loved the work we did there, but we are excited about all of the new adventures ahead of us.

As I sat down to write a new "About" page that reflected our new circumstances, I reflected on my reasons for beginning this blog. Part of our job as Resident Managers was to teach the residents basic life skills during our weekly meetings. We also helped to sort and stock the food pantry. I came to realize quickly that most of these residents, who have come from many different backgrounds and were homeless for a myriad of reasons, had in common the fact that they lacked the necessary skills to provide frugal, nutritious meals for their families. As I set out to tackle teaching on this enormous subject, I decided to chronicle what I was learning and teaching here, at Eat From Your Pantry.

As I've studied nutrition, my thoughts about food have continued to change. I gradually morphed from blogging about using only pantry ingredients, to blogging about cooking with what you have on hand. It has become increasingly difficult to fit the content I want to write into the parameters I set for this blog. I have also come to realize that there is a whole world of honest-to-goodness EXPERTS blogging about food, and I have no desire to compete.

However, I have LOVED blogging and building a community around this blog. I so value the motivation that has come from doing research and creating recipes for this blog. I have no plans to stop writing, cooking, or writing about cooking. On the contrary, I am closing this blog to christen another!

I have felt compelled to keep this blog fairly anonymous to preserve the subject matter. I have been blogging about family related things at another blog, but have felt restricted there, too. So, I'm biting the bullet and combining my writing efforts. I suppose I am officially becoming a "mom blogger." It may seem strange to move away from a niche readership to a broader one, but I know that I will write more often, and more genuinely if I can write about the full range of subjects that I'm passionate about.

So, all explanations over, please please join me over at

Raising the Barrs!

If you aren't interested in family, etc. but have enjoyed my posts here, you'll find a convenient button on the right hand side of the new blog labeled "Good Food" that will take you to all food-related pots. There is also a link to my recipes at the top of the page.

Thanks for the great run, hope to see you at the other site!

Happy Turkey Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:57:00 +0000

The Marie Callender's giveaway winners have been contacted, congrats!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for you!

...and pie. :)

Marie Calender's Baked Meals Review and giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:53:00 +0000

I've been given the opportunity to try the new Marie Calender's Baked meals at no cost and pass on my thoughts and some coupons to you! Two readers will get coupons for a free meal! Read through to the end for more details.

Regular readers may be surprised to see me writing a review for frozen meals. While I recommend cooking everything from scratch whenever possible, I acknowledge that there are days that circumstances don't make that easy. The best case scenario is that your fridge and pantry are stocked full of fresh and easy to prepare ingredients. Second best is that you have prepared for rough and/or hurried days with some frozen meals you cooked ahead of time from scratch. I won't lie though, sometimes the convenience of a frozen pizza or even fast food proves rewarding enough in the dividends it pays to my sanity to make it worth it.

So, long justification over, I'm posting a review for a frozen meal because the reality is that most of us eat them. I cannot in good consciousness recommend eating these on a regular basis due to the large amount of sodium and the processed ingredients they contain, but for the occasional relief from cooking, here's what I think:

I tried 3 of the Baked Meals and one Pie. A review of each is below.

Southwestern Style Chipotle Chicken Bake
We microwaved this one as we were in a hurry. We were pleased that it really did come out cooked evenly and the rice had a good texture - not that gross grainy-ness that some instant rice has. I will warn you though that while the sauce had a good flavor, it was way too spicy for my husband and 2 year old. They weren't impressed at all. Also, we should have eaten it with tortilla chips or with a big salad b/c we were hungry an hour later. We don't do many carbs/grains and there wasn't much chicken in the meal. Still not bad for what it is.

Creamy Chicken Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This was delicious! I'll be tempted to buy it again for sure. The sauce was just right and the tomatoes added a kick. Everyone loved it! We microwaved this one as well. Even though all of these can be baked, the difference in prep time for this one was 10 minutes in the microwave, or 50 in the oven!! We knew we'd still be hungry this time, so we MAY have finshed dinner off with some pie...

Razzleberry Pie
I received a coupon for a percentage off of a pie and they were on sale, so I grabbed one. The fact that I chose Razzleberry is a testament to how much I love my husband. I would much rather have chosen Chocolate Cream, but he's a fruit guy. And as far as fruit pies go, I enjoyed this one. The biggest bummer for me was that I didn't read the baking instructions far enough ahead, and they suggest that you let the pit set for 3 hours after it's baked. We ended up eating it right before bed, which I wouldn't have chosen. Like most pies, I thought it was better cold for breakfast the next morning.

Three Meat and Four Cheese Lasagna
We finally got around to baking this one. The baking tray held up well and it baked very evenly! I made Cheesy Garlic Coconut Quick Bread to go with. It was definitely more substantial that the other two with 290 calories and 14g of protein per serving. Not bad at all for a frozen lasagna.

There are also three more varieties of baked meals that I didn't try: Chicken Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, and Vermont White Cheddar Mac 'n Cheese.

Would you like to try your own??

Marie Callender's has graciously sent me coupons to give away to two of my readers! To win a coupon for a free Marie Callender's Multi-Serve Baked Meal, visit their site and then tell me in the comments which meal you think you'll try. That's it! Easy-peasy!

Comments will close on Wednesday, November 24th at 11:59pm. Two comments will be randomly chosen on Thanksgiving Day. Please leave me a way to contact you in your comment or I'll have to choose someone else.

***Disclosure: I was given coupons for two free baked meals as well as for cents off of a few more. I was also compensated for writing up my review and hosting the giveaway. However, I was in no way obligated to write anything favorable about the products or company. All ideas expressed in this post are mine.

Groupon - Deal of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:56:00 +0000

This isn't exactly food related, but I've wanted to pass this information along for a while and today is a great day for it.

Most of you have probably heard of Groupon or other deal-of-the-day sites, or at least seen all of the promotional advertisements around the web. We've been using Groupon since April and have gotten some spectacular deals! So far we've redeemed groupons for half of at a salon, a big discount on a membership to thelocal botanical garden, cheap oil changes, 1/2 off at Gap (new jeans - yay!!), donuts for my husband's employees, and a great price on a box of organic produce from Fresh Connect.

Every day Groupon offers a new deal at 50-90% off the regular price. They can offer these deals because large numbers of purchases are made by the "group" of groupon members. The companies offering the deals get massive exposure and a great return on other products/services purchased.

I can't recommend Groupon enough and I'm excited to let you know about today's deal. Usually Groupons are very local. I love that and try to support small, local business whenever possible. Still, it's awesome when there is a groupon for a larger company, like the one I redeemed for Gap, because you know it will be a great deal and that you'll be able to find something you want/need.

Today's Groupon is $25 for $50 worth of merchandise from American Apparel.

If you aren't yet a member of Groupon, please consider using my affiliate link to sign up. I will receive a $10 credit for each new member. If you are already a member but are learning about today's deal through this blog, I'd love for you to purchase it by clicking through either of the Groupon graphics above. I will earn a commission that way, too. Thanks so much!

Denise's Gnocchi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Living with friends for the month of September was great for my cooking! It not only gave me a break from the routine of having to get something on the table every night, it exposed me to many new dishes that I would never have thought to make. Gnocchi was one of them.

I've only had gnocchi a couple of times at restaurants. I guess I assumed you'd have to find some kind of specialty potato flour and exotic spices to make it taste authentic and that there was a lot of skill involved, probably passed down generation after generation.

I'm pretty fearless in the kitchen, but I don't think it ever would have occurred to me to try this dish had I not seen my lovely friend Denise make it. That would have been a shame because it turned out to be simple and delicious! She's given me permission to share it here with you. Thanks, D!

Ingredients:

6 baking potatoes
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup flour

Directions:

Bake or microwave potatoes w/skins on until soft. Halve and mash the insides while still warm. Discard skins.
Make a mound on a clean surface with the mashed potatoes and make an indentation in the center (think volcano).
Place the next 5 ingredients into the indentation of your potato mound as shown in the photo below - she's making a double batch, fyi.

Use your hands to squish everything together, working the eggs and spices thoroughly through the potatoes.
Add the flour and continue to work until you have a workable dough. Add more flour if it sticks too your hands too badly.
On a floured surface, roll the dough into 1/2 inch thick "ropes" a little at a time, and cut each rope into 1 inch sections. Take each dumpling and roll it along the backside of a fork as shown in the photo below if you want it to have that signature ridged shell shape, then put it in a bowl to "rest" while you cut more.

Boil dumplings in a saucepot of water a small batch at a time until they rise to the surface and have been floating for about a minute. Drain well.

Serve plain, with cheese, tomato sauce, etc. The dish above is topped with mushrooms and pine nuts sauteed in butter. It was amazing!!

My Edible (or not!) Backyard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:27:00 +0000

One of the thing we love most about this house is that it is on a corner lot with a huge, South-facing backyard. We are so looking forward to planting a big garden in the Spring, and even trying our hand at raising chickens!

As we've spent time outside trimming hedges and playing with the dog and kids, we've tried to identify all of the stuff that is already growing back there. I imagine we won't know what a lot of it is until it blooms next Spring. Even then, we're complete newbies and are pretty much ignorant when it comes to vegetation - wild or otherwise.

I was absolutely thrilled to venture out back with a friend just after we moved in and discover that we had several very lovely berries growing! One looked like a blueberry on the outside, but a rasberry on the inside. My friend thought they might be chokeberries or even elderberries! I harvested then last week as they were starting to dry up, just in case they were really something awesome. I even tasted one when curiosity overcame me and found it to be very bitter, but a lot of unsweetened berries are, right??

Unfortunately, after a massive internet search I was able to determine that my lovely berries are in fact toxic poke berries and not edible in the least. :( No, I didn't get sick from the one I ate - but honestly that makes them even more boring! lol! I'll be using the berries I harvested to dye yarn. Hopefully they will redeem themselves. :)

A few days later (after the lawn had recovered from the mowing my husband did upon moving in), we discovered that we have some kind of beautiful wild strawberries weaving in and out of the clover and grass. I know nothing about strawberries, but I resisted the urge to eat one this time just in case. ;)

Another disappointment unfortunately, it appears they are duchesnea indica - or "mock" strawberries.

There are two other kinds of berries growing right now that don't look like anything edible I've seen, and I don't have the heart to even look them up now. Come on Spring so we can plant things we'll actually be able to eat!!!

Enjoying a Cuppa Joe in My New Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:07:00 +0000

The blog has been neglected during our move, but we're all settled in to our new place now and things are feeling comfortable and routine (praise the Lord!) so I can wrap my brain around blogging again.

Our house is fantastic! We are so pleased with the layout and how easy it is to entertain in our kitchen and dining room (see photos below). I was even able to host a baby shower a few weeks ago (shower food post coming soon!), just a week and a half after we moved in!

It's also lovely to have my own coffee pot again (percolator actually) after a month living with (very gracious) friends! Am I the only one who saves what I haven't finished from the day's brew to use for a cold or hot latte the next day? Mmm!

Get Back to the Table Wrap-up

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:19:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS to Tara for winning the Libby's giveaway with this comment:

"I like to get the whole family involved in cooking dinner."

Enjoy your tote and book!

Here are some of my other favorites from the comments:

"I make my kids eat at the table every night. I plan meals and let the "help" make them. I also use fun placemats,napkins, and plates to make dinner more fun." Amy V.

"Turning off the TV is #1 for us as that encourages us to sit at the dinner table to eat and chat!" Jes

"I like to get input on the menu for the week. Why cook if they're not going to enjoy it, plus, it makes it easy to look forward to dinner together when it's a meal someone has specifically chosen!" Chelsea

On a related note, I recently stumbled across some great resources at the Above Rubies Magazine page - Check them out!

And don't forget to join me in helping Libby's and Feeding America by clicking the button on the right!

Lunch With Hannah Keeley and a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Last Thursday I had the joy to meet for lunch with Hannah Keeley and the women behind some awesome blogs (Mommypalooza, Super Jenn, Penny Pinchin' Mom, Kansas City Mamas, Dine & Dish, and My Kansas City Mommy) at an awesome restaurant in midtown Kansas City. The lunch was sponsored by Libby's and The Motherhood.

In addition to awesome food (best Reuben sandwich ever!), we had a blast sharing ideas and getting advice about eating dinner with our families. I've already shared a bit from our online talk, but it was way more fun hearing the anecdotes and tidbits of wisdom in person! Some of my favorite pieces of advice were:

Offer young ones a toothpick (with tip cut off) and bite-sized portions instead of a fork. They'll eat anything!
Try family style meals with everyone serving themselves from dishes in the middle of the table. (I have to say that I saw this a lot while in Japan and noticed that everyone lingered longer, chatted more, and enjoyed having control over their own portions, though I'd suspect that a bit of supervision may be needed for big eaters if this were a regular thing.)
If you're going to make a casserole, buy enough ingredients to make 5 and do them all at the same time and freeze the others.
Don't be afraid to buy out the whole shelf of an item that is on sale (I feel guilty about this, so I needed to hear that others do it!)

It was great to compare shopping budgets (anywhere from under $200/month to $2000!!) and get to know each other.

We also spent time together after lunch filling reusable Libby's bags with goodies that were donated to a local charity, Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Libby's provided canned goods for the bags, and each of us contributed something to encourage families to spend time together at the table.

Photo credit: Kristen Doyle

***********

You have the chance to win a Libby's tote of your own for sharing your best tips for getting your family to to the table! I'm excited about this because 1) I love doing giveaways, 2) I'm stock-piling ideas for dinner times when my kiddos are a bit older, and 3) It's my BIRTHDAY - what a fun way to celebrate!

The Prize: A Libby’s reusable shopping tote bag full of Libby’s products, a state-of-the-art can opener and a copy of Hannah Keeley’s book, Total Mom Makeover.

How to Enter:

Leave a comment with your favorite tip for getting your family "back to the table" for dinner. (required)

Get bonus entries by leaving separate comments for each of the following actions:

Follow Libby's on Twitter.
Become a fan of Get Back to the Table on Facebook.
Create your own Virtual Canned Food Drive profile (include link in your comment please).

This giveaway will be open until 11:59pm (Central time) October 10th. The winner will be chosen at random on Oct. 11th.

Even if you don't win, I'm going to be choosing my favorite tips and sending them to Libby's and the Motherhood. They will then choose their favorites to share with everyone else across our blogs, The Motherhood, and Libby's websites! So please take the time to comment and share your wisdom with others!

**********

Also, in case you've forgotten, I'm raising money with the Libby's Virtual Canned Food Drive as well. Click the button over on the right of the blog to read more and donate! Think of it as a birthday present! :D

Budget Friendly Peanut Butter Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:56:00 +0000

Enjoy this guest post from my IRL (in real life) friend, Tanya! She offered this recipe up to be shared because it has only 4 ingredients and it uses mostly pantry goods. Because we are a mostly sugar-free household, I tried replaced the 1 cup of sugar in this recipe with a 1/2 cup of raw honey. It was apparent immediately that they wouldn't set up, so I added 1/2 cup of sugar. Still pretty amazing, but more like flat PB Balls than cookie. I'd suggest going with the original recipe and substituting sucanat if you're looking for a change. The 6 boys I served them to for dessert last night approved! :) Try them yourselves and then head over to Tanya's fabulous blog, Free & Easy Living!

Today I want to share with you a recipe for Budget Friendly, Flour Free, Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Cookies. Now that’s a mouth full! These cookies offer everything in a recipe you could possibly be looking for: they meet special dietary needs (flour-free means gluten-free too, just make sure your peanut butter doesn’t contain any gluten either), they have 4 ingredients and only take about ten minutes to prepare so they are easy to make when you’re short on time or energy, and they only cost about $0.17 a serving! Cheaper if you used coupons to get any of your ingredients for free or at a discount.

This recipe is from Recipe Lion’s Budget Friendly section. If you’re looking for great, easy recipes be sure to check out their site.

Yields: 12
Cooking Time: 10 min
Ingredients

* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup peanut butter (I used honey peanut butter. It was what I had on hand, and added another dimension of flavor.)
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions (Edited from the Recipe Lion instructions, because I did things slightly different. You can see the original unedited recipe here.)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Spoon out in heaping large tablespoonfulls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. This is the direction according to Recipe Lion. I actually rolled the cookie dough into balls in my hand, according to a more traditional peanut butter cookie style. (This is the way my mother has always done it.)
3. Flatten loosely with a fork and sprinkle with sugar.
4. Cook for 10 minutes; Remove to cooling rack after 4 minutes. Recipe Lion suggests waiting only 2 minutes, but I found that these cookies like to fall apart a little easier than normal, so you should let them set up a but longer.

That’s it! You’re done and are on your way to enjoying delicious cookies. Because these cookies are flour free, they are a little less cake-like, and a little more dense than traditional peanut butter cookies. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy these cookies. This recipe is a great way to make cookies for any friends or family who have gluten allergies for much cheaper than the gluten free products sold in stores. Even if you don’t have gluten allergies, one less ingredient just makes these cookies that much cheaper and easier to make!

Happy Savings and Tasty Cookies for All! <3 Tanya

Talk Recap & Hannah Keeley at Hen House!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:59:00 +0000

This Thursday after she does lunch with us KC bloggers, Hannah Keeley will be making an appearance at the Hen House in Merriam, KS (5800 Antioch) from 4-6pm to do some cooking demos, answer questions, etc. This is a great opportunity to get out and see a wonderful mom (of 7!) who really knows what she's talking about!

If you missed the talk that The Motherhood held this afternoon, you can go back and read through the conversation, including the recap here.

There were some amazing mommies present with lots of tips to share. Some of my favorite pieces of advice for getting our families to the dinner table are below. Enjoy and stay tuned for more after our lunch on Thursday!

We have a glass table, so I let my son write the menu on the table with window crayons. We'll also draw fun placemats as well. (Tracie)
Another great way to make dinner more fun is to ask open-ended questions around the table such as "If you were a superhero what would your special power be?" The kids love it and their answers are usually hilarious! (Hannah Keeley)
A fun thing that we have done is have "switch night" where mommy and daddy use the kids plates, cups, and silverware and kids get to use mommy and daddy's normal dinnerware. (Alaina Frederick) <-- this was my favorite!!
I usually have 2-3 freezer meals ready to go. Soups, frozen taco meat, spaghetti sauce, etc. It helps when you have that moment of "WHERE DID MY DAY GO!" (KCMamaKelly)
I like to ask my kids to choose meal items. I give them options, corn or beans? Chicken or beef? They get to choose their salad dressing too! I also involve them in helping to set the table! They LOVE to help and it keeps them busy while I'm trying to get dinner on the table. (cararolinson)

Get Back to the Table Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:33:00 +0000

Join me tomorrow (Tuesday) at The Motherhood at 1pm EDT for a LIVE talk with Hannah Keeley about getting our families back to the table for dinner. We'll share recipes ideas and tips, and tell you how you can enter to win a Libby's gift. See you there!