Listerine isn’t just for freshening your breath and reducing plaque.  Originally in 1879, Listerine was found to be an effective antiseptic for use in surgical procedures! It wasn’t until 1914 that Listerine became the first prescription product in the US to be sold over the counter as a product to kill oral germs.

As you can see, Listerine has a long history.  Some of the other uses for Listerine are possible because of the essential oils; menthol, eucalyptol, thymol and methyl salicylate.  These work together to create a great antiseptic, bug repellant, anti-fungal treatment and more!

Other Uses for Listerine:

1.  Clean mold and mildew in your bathroom –  Listerine is great for cleaning mold and mildew.  Simply soak your cleaning tool in Listerine and scrub away.  Another one of the other uses for Listerine in the bathroom is to remove hard-water stains and for shining bathroom fixtures.

Bonus – Instead of discarding that old toothbrush, you can use it to get into hard to reach places!  Don’t forget to label it for cleaning only.

2.  Clean your toilet bowl – Clean your toilet bowl and make it shine by pouring in 1/2 cup of Listerine instead of toilet bowl cleaner.  Scrub with the toilet brush as usual.

3.  General household cleaner – If you’re planning to use Listerine as a general cleaner in your bathroom, kitchen or on floors, make sure to dilute it with 50% water.  It will kill germs and leave a fresh scent.

4.  Clean your toothbrush – Kill old germs on your toothbrush by immersing it in Listerine for about 20 minutes. It kills germs in your mouth, so why not use it to clean your toothbrush?!

5.  Get rid of dandruff – Listerine can actually help get rid of dandruff!  Wet your hair with Listerine and let sit for about 15 minutes before shampooing as normal. After multiple treatments, the anti-fungal ingredients in Listerine should help clean up that embarrassing dandruff completely!

6.  Clean your garbage disposal – Pour 1/2 cup of Listerine into your garbage disposal to help kill germs and eliminate that stinky odor.

7.  Clean mirrors and windows – Put some Listerine in a spray bottle with 50% water for streak free mirrors and windows.

8.  Wound Cleanser – Use Listerine to clean wounds – it is an antiseptic after all.

9.  Reduce the appearance if blemishes – Put a bit of Listerine on a cotton ball and apply to a blemish.  It will kill the bacteria that causes acne and help it disappear without expensive acne treatment products.  Just don’t put it near your eyes!

10. Treat skin irritations – Listerine can help treat rashes and reactions to allergens such as poison oak and poison ivy.  It will also help relieve the itch from mosquito bites.

11.  Help eliminate foot odor – Use a small amount on a cotton ball and rub over feet to help kill the bacteria that causes odor.

12.  Help cure athletes foot – Several treatments will be required but Listerine is said to help cure athletics foot. How? The herbal oils (menthol, eucalyptol, thymol and methyl salicylate) have anti-fungal properties. The Menthol can relieve itchiness, so you should get almost immediate relief in hat area.

Additionally, other uses for Listerine as an anti-fungal treatment are to help get rid of jock itch and nail fungus.

13.  Alternative to deodorant – While I do find this rather interesting, you can use a bit of Listerine on a towel or cotton ball and rub it on your armpit if you don’t have deodorant handy.   Ladies should avoid using this right after shaving to prevent burning!

14. Add to your laundry –  You can kill germs in your laundry by adding 1 cup of Listerine with your regular detergent.  You can also run a cycle without clothes if you’re washer is especially yucky.

15. Flea removal –   If your pet has fleas you can skip the expensive treatments and just use Listerine.  Use Listerine as a shampoo and rub in on your pet keeping it away from the face.  Let sit for about 5 minutes and rinse.  This process will likely need to be repeated.

16. Treat and Kill Lice – It could be worth a shot if your child gets the dreaded lice note home from school.  Lice treatments have nasty chemicals, so can try using Listerine before moving to other methods.  Just like with the dandruff treatment, wet hair thoroughly and let sit.  Make sure you don’t miss any spots!

As you can see, there are many other uses for Listerine.  I’ve mentioned 16, but I’m sure there are more uses for Listerine other than mouthwash.  What other uses for Listerine can you share?

Check out more articles to find other uses for your favorite products:

• 16 Other Uses for Listerine
• 35 Other Uses for Coffee Filters
• 10 Surprising Toothpaste Uses
• 15 Other Uses for Cat Litter
• Incredibly Frugal Baking Soda Cleaning Uses
• 5 Unique Uses for Rubbing Alcohol
• 10 Other Uses for Rice {Not Just in the Kitchen}
• 11 Other Uses for Cascade
• 8 Fun Uses for Spider Rings
• 10 Other Uses for Coconut Oil
• 10 Other Uses for Lotion
• 5 Frugal Uses for Salt – It’s Way More Than Just a Seasoning!
• 15 Other Uses for Shaving Cream
• 20 Other Uses for Dryer Sheets – Not Just for Laundry!

*Historical info of Listerine taken from their website.

The post 16 Other Uses for Listerine appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Need ideas to spice up your meals but don’t have a lot of time?  Try these 15 Easy Side Dishes below.  You’re sure to find delicious sides to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.  I’m particularly partial to brussel sprouts and asparagus.  What are your favorite go-to easy side dishes?

Easy Side Dishes

1. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
2. Apple Bacon Coleslaw
3. Crack Potatoes
4. Drunken Lemon Orzo
5. Grilled Asparagus, Cauliflower & Mushrooms
6. Brussel Sprouts w/ Bacon & Shallots
7. Parmesan Orzo
8. Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Rice Salad
9. Mexican Corn Salad
10. Cajun Style Sweet Potato Fries
11. Mushroom Pull Apart Bread
12. Cucumber Salad
13. Asian Inspired Chopped Salad
14. Bacon Parmesan Ranch Potato Salad
15. Tuscan Style Garlic Bread

Bonus:

16: Easy baked carrots recipe
17. Quick Easy Biscuits

You might also like 22 Quick and Easy Vegetable Recipes

The post 15 Easy Side Dishes appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

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There are countless other uses for coffee filters other than just making your cup of Joe in the morning.  You can get crafty, clean-up around the house, hold food and more!  Their durability and versatility make it wise for any money-saver to find other uses for coffee filters!

Coffee filters are super cheap, so finding other uses for coffee filters can really help stretch your budget.  Find them at the Dollar Tree, Walmart or just about anywhere.  A 200 ct package will cost you $2 or less! I found several Coffee Filters on Amazon that are only $0.011 per filter!

Other Uses for Coffee Filters:

1.  Let kids draw on a coffee filter with markers then get the filter damp.  The colors will run slightly making a nice look for paper flowers.  Finish the ends with a pipe cleaner.  Kids can make single flowers or put them together in a bouquet.

2.  Make a parachute for your child’s action figure with a coffee filter and string.

3.  Have watermarks on wine glasses or silverware?  Dry with a coffee filter and they will be spot-free.

4.  Need to separate snacks but don’t want to clean a bowl?  Place snacks such as pretzels, popcorn and peanuts in coffee filters for a convenient snack pack.  *Take coffee filters to the movies and use them to split a bag of popcorn- no more fighting over who gets to hold the bag!

5.  Poke the stick from a Popsicle through the middle of the filter to catch drips and keep the kids clean!

6.  Another similar idea to catching drips from Popsicles, wrap a coffee filter around the bottom of an ice cream cone.  You see this with napkins at ice cream shops all the time, but the coffee filter won’t tear when the first drip of ice cream hits.

7.  Do you have kids that get pickle juice all over themselves when they eat? Place the pickle spear on a coffee filter to catch the drips and keep their hands clean.  PLUS the coffee filter won’t stick to the pickle like a paper towel.

8.  Skip the paper plate at your next BBQ and use coffee filters for hot dogs.  They are also great as taco holders during Fiesta night.

8.  Use a coffee filter instead of a paper towel to spread oil or butter in a pan before baking.

9.  Need to weigh food but don’t want to put it directly on the scale?  Place it in a coffee filter, weigh then discard.  No cleanup of the scale required!

10.  Wrap freshly cut celery and other veggies in a coffee filter before putting it in a bag in the fridge.  The filter will soak up the moisture keeping your veggies crisper and lasting longer.

11.  Keep the soil from coming out of the hole in the bottom of a potted plant by sticking a coffee filter in the pot before placing your plant.  Water will still escape, but you won’t lose any soil!

12.  Use coffee filters in between dishes to keep them from scratching.  This is especially great if you have nice or antique china to protect.

13.  You can also use coffee filters to separate pots and pans so they don’t scratch.

14.  If you have a cast iron pan, put a clean coffee filter into the pan after washing.  It will adsorb excess water, so your pan doesn’t rust.

15.  Place a coffee filter under fruit in your bowl or container.  It will help keep your fruit from getting brown spots.  This also works great for absorbing water from freshly washed fruits.  I place a coffee filter in my Tubberware to absorb the excess water after I wash grapes.

16.  Traveling but don’t want to pack your pets food bowl?  Use a coffee filter!

17.  Use a coffee filter to help protect Christmas ornaments while in storage.

18.  Melting butter or cooking something in the microwave?  Place a coffee filter over the bowl to prevent splatters.

19.  Blot up a spill on furniture or carpeting with a coffee filter.  The filter won’t leave lint behind like paper towels.

20.  Cut yourself shaving?  Use a piece of coffee filter to dab the cut and help stop the bleeding.

21.  Working a on DIY project?  Keep those nuts, bolts and screws together by separating hardware in coffee filters.  You don’t want to finish putting that bench together only to realize your missing the last screw!

22.  Run out of paper towels but need to wipe up a mess?  Grab a coffee filter!

23.  Use coffee filters as blotting papers for pressed flowers.  Simply place flowers in between 2 coffee filters and close in a heavy book. Voila!

24.  Use a coffee filter to make a sachet and keep your drawers smelling fresh.  Follow the directions for how to make a sachet substituting a coffee filter for the fabric.

25.  Keep coffee filters in your car to use in place of napkins or to do a quick wipe down of the dash when your stopped at a light.  The coffee filter will help grab that dust in a snap.

26.  Shine your leather shoes by putting shoe polish on a coffee filter – you’ll get a lint free shine.

27.  Want to keep your fridge smelling fresh?  Put 1 Tbsp of baking powder in a coffee filter, tie it up with string and it will absorb odors.

28.  Place a coffee filter with baking soda in a stinky shoe to help remove stinky foot odors.

29.  Tie fresh herbs in a coffee filter for soups and stews instead of cheese cloth.  Just pull out and discard before serving.

30.  Use a coffee filter (or 2) in place of a paper towel when cooking bacon or fries.  It will soak up the bacon grease just as well and for less money.

31.  Clean glass and windows with a coffee filter for a streak (and link) free shine. Coffee filters are also safe to use on computer screens and other electronics.

32.  Coffee filters can strain more than just coffee.  Use it to strain grease, chemicals or to get cork pieces out of wine if you broke the cork while opening.  I’ve been known to do this!

33.  Fix a wobbly leg on your table by using a coffee filter folded multiple times.  I’m sure you’ve seen this with paper and napkins, so now you can use a coffee filter.

34.  Use a coffee filter instead of a paper towel to help start seeds.  Just wrap seeds in a damp coffee filter and place in a baggie.

35.  Another crafty  use for coffee filters is to make snow flakes around the Holidays.  They are already round and white (if bleached) so kids just need to cut out designs in the middle.  *Make a garland by stringing multiple coffee filter snowflakes together.

As you can see, coffee filters have an incredible amount of uses.  Make sure to grab a few extra packages the next time they go on sale!

What other uses for coffee filters can you add?

Check out more articles to find other uses for your favorite products:

• 16 Other Uses for Listerine
• 35 Other Uses for Coffee Filters
• 10 Surprising Toothpaste Uses
• 15 Other Uses for Cat Litter
• Incredibly Frugal Baking Soda Cleaning Uses
• 5 Unique Uses for Rubbing Alcohol
• 10 Other Uses for Rice {Not Just in the Kitchen}
• 11 Other Uses for Cascade
• 8 Fun Uses for Spider Rings
• 10 Other Uses for Coconut Oil
• 10 Other Uses for Lotion
• 5 Frugal Uses for Salt – It’s Way More Than Just a Seasoning!
• 15 Other Uses for Shaving Cream
• 20 Other Uses for Dryer Sheets – Not Just for Laundry!

The post 35 Other Uses for Coffee Filters appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

I love zucchini and chocolate chip cookies, so why not combine the 2 into a delicious treat?  The recipe is made from garden fresh zucchini – perfect for when you have a summer bounty.

If you’re not a fan of some of the tasty extras in the recipe such as sunflower seeds and cranberry, you can omit it from the recipe without sacrificing flavor.

Zucchini Cookies Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (1 medium)
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup dried blueberry and cranberry mix – I used Ocean Spray Craisins, Blueberry Juice Infused
• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled and unsalted

Directions:

1. Add flour, cinnamon and baking soda in small bowl.

2. Beat butter, sugar in large mixer bowl until well combined.

3. Add egg and vanilla extract, beat well.

4. Add zucchini; gradually beat in flour mixture.

5. Stir in oats, blueberry and cranberry mix, sunflower seeds and chocolate chips.

6. Drop by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.

7. Bake cookies for 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown around edges.

8. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

9. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Let us know what you think about this zucchini cookies recipe.  Did you make any changes or additions?

Note: This recipe was adapted from Very Best Baking by Nestle

The post Zucchini & Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Oh, how I love fresh Pico de Gallo!

Pico de Gallo makes a great topping for all my favorite Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and nachos.  It’s also a fantastic dip – perfect to scoop with salty tortilla chips. Sometimes I just eat it with a spoon – and other times with a bit of avocado. It’s so versatile,  you’re friends will be begging you to bring what will soon be pronounced as the best pico de gallo recipe to all your get togethers. This recipe is similar to my favorite Chipotle pico de gallo recipe. The red onion really makes the recipe and gives it that special Chipotle flavor.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily adjust it to your tastes. My recipe is a mild version as Lucy and I don’t like our pico de gallo spicy.  Derrick would add in 2 jalapeños if he wasn’t sharing with us. You could also leave the seeds in to kick the heat up a notch. I recommend starting with less jalapeño and adding a bit more until you get to the desired level of hotness.

Prep time is approximately 10 minutes with an hour needed before serving.  Serving size is about 4 but varies depending on the amount of pico you want to eat!

Ingredients:

3 – 4 Seeded Tomatoes, diced (about 2C)
1 Small Red Onion, diced (about 2/3C)
1 Small Jalapeño, finely diced and seeded (about 1 TBSP)
1/2C Cilantro, chopped (about 20 stems)
¼ tsp Kosher Salt
Juice of 1 Lime

Directions:

1. Put diced tomatoes, red onion, Jalapeño and cilantro into a bowl.
2. Add salt and squeeze lime juice over the top of the mixture.
3. Gently stir until incorporated being careful not to smash the tomatoes!
4. Refrigerate for approximately one hour allowing all the flavors to mingle together.
5. Use as a topping for your favorite dish or eat as a dip with tortilla chips.

*Make this pico de gallo taste even more like Chipotle’s by using 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 a lime instead of just lime.

The tomatoes will make or break your recipe. I prefer garden fresh or tomatoes from stores such as Whole Foods.   I usually purchase whatever tomatoes look best but prefer Roma. I used 4 tomatoes that were roughly the size of a baseball for this batch. Again, Roma tomatoes are my favorite but, of course, you’ll need more than four.

Now get ready for all your friends to beg for your pico de gallo recipe. It’s a super easy dish that will be perfect for summer parties and gatherings.

If you don’t have tortilla chips on hand, try this Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe.

What do you think? Is this the best pico de gallo recipe you’ve tried?  What would you change?

The post Fresh & Delicious – The Best Pico de Gallo Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

As temperatures start to warm up, this fresh fruit sorbet recipe will hit the spot. It is a great palette cleanser, a perfect light dessert, and much healthier than store bought. This literally tastes like biting int a fresh, ripe piece of fruit – but even better. PLUS you can feel good about giving this to the kids on a hot day over an unhealthy scoop of processed ice cream.

My favorite combination is Cantaloupe but you can also use; Honeydew, Watermelon, Peaches, Mango’s, or Strawberries. Use whatever is fresh and in season for optimum flavor.

This recipe has basically no Weight Watchers points except for the sugar.  Read below to see an alternative to make this a super low point value treat.

Fruit Sorbet Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh fruit
¼ cup coconut water
2 Tbsp. Lime juice
¼ cup granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Make a simple syrup by combining sugar and coconut water in a small pan over medium high heat, bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove syrup from heat and allow it to cool completely.
3. While syrup is cooling put fruit and lime juice in blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
4. Combine simple syrup and pureed fruit.
5. Line an 11×7 with saran wrap.
6. Pour fruit mixture into pan.
7. Place in freezer until solid.
8. Remove from freezer, break into small pieces, place in food processor and puree again.
9. Serve immediately.

Weight Watchers Points:

• Total for the entire recipe = 14 SmartPoints and 6 PointsPlus

This would be a zero to 1 point recipe if Splenda was subbed for the sugar as Splenda has no points.  The only points beside the sugar are 0.75 SmartPoints and 0.25 PointsPlus for the coconut water.

What is you favorite fruit sorbet recipe?

You might also like these Whey Protein Smoothie Recipes or Blueberry Smoothie Recipe

The post Homemade Fruit Sorbet Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Whether you are watching your waistline or just want a delicious breakfast, these tempting jars of Apple Cinnamon Baked Weight Watchers Oatmeal are a filling and healthy choice for a quick breakfast. I chose ingredients that are known for their weight loss or health benefits. The three main ingredients pack a healthy punch that makes this a perfect breakfast choice.

Cinnamon is known to help control blood sugar levels, aid in weight loss, prevent stomach bugs (cinnamon is highly anti- bacterial), as well as aid in alertness and memory. Apples provide soluble fiber and regulate your blood sugar. While oatmeal is filling and is another excellent source of fiber that also helps control blood sugar. Aside from all the health benefits this baked oatmeal is simply fabulous!

Weight Watchers Oatmeal Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 1⁄2 cups old fashioned oats
1 tsp. apple pie spice
2 tsp. cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp.baking powder
2⁄3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3⁄4 cup unsweetened almond milk
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 apples

Directions:

1. Place 1⁄2” of water in a baking dish.
2. Preheat oven to 350°
3. Peel and dice apples finely.
4. Combine oats, apples, apple pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder, applesauce, brown, sugar, vanilla extract and almond milk in a medium sized bowl, stir until all ingredients are well combined.
5. Divide oatmeal mixture evenly among 4 pint mason jars.
6. Sprinkle tops with additional cinnamon.
7. Place jars in water bath.
8. Bake for 16-18 minutes until top is lightly golden.
9. Remove from oven, cool slightly.
10. Poke several holes to bottom of oatmeal, add a Tbsp. or so of additional almond milk (or skim) to the top of oatmeal when you are ready to eat.

Makes 4 servings

Weight Watchers Points:

• 6 WW points per serving (old program)
• 5 SmartPoints per serving
• 3 PointsPlus per serving

Don’t miss Weight Watchers 50th Anniversary Cookbook: 280 Delicious Recipes for Every Meal for even more Weight Watchers recipes.  It’s highly rated with a ton of fantastic recipes.

You might also like:

• Weight Watchers Taco Soup Recipe
• Weight Watchers Pumpkin Muffins
• Weight Watchers Banana Bread Recipe
• Weight Watchers Strawberry Pie Recipe

The post Weight Watchers Oatmeal {Fabulous Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal} appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

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Are you always on the hunt for cute kids crafts? Below is a round-up for 15 easy kids crafts to help you find new ideas to foster creativity in your child.  Most of these crafts have items found around the home to make them easy on the budget too!

15 Easy Kids Crafts:

1. For the Birds by Juggling Act Mama
2. Popsicle Stick Puzzles by Juggling Act Mama
3. Footprint Sharks {Craft} by Glued to my Crafts
4. Despicable Me Minions {Crafts} by Glued to my Crafts
5. DIY Duct Tape Suitcase (Going to Grandma’s in Style) by Slap Dash Mom
6. Duct Tape Flower Pen by Slap Dash Mom
7. Best DIY Gluten Free Play Dough Recipes by One Creative Mommy
8. Design a 3-Ring Binder with Duct Tape by How To This and That
9. Tin Can Wind Chime Craft by Stockpiling Moms
10. Easy Kids Egg Carton Art by Mod Podge Rocks
11. Painting With Plastic Eggs by Songbirds And Buttons
12. Easy DIY Bubbles by Spaceships And Laserbeams
13. DIY Family Car Game: I Spy by Say Yes to Hoboken
14. Washi Tape Wooden Bracelets from Mama Miss
15. Washi Tape Puzzle by Washi Tape Crafts

You might also like:

10 Kid Valentine Crafts
15 Christmas Crafts for Kids
15 Homemade Teachers Christmas Gifts

See more crafts here!

The post 15 Easy Kids Crafts appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

This is a delicious cream cheese dip recipe that will knock your socks off and be the hit at your next party or potluck.  Thick and full of flavors,  all you will find left on the buffet table is an empty bowl.

Go ahead and bring the cream cheese dip recipe with you to share- it’s that good. Experiment a bit to find the right combo of flavors for you, cream cheese is such a versatile dip base- add in chopped chives, fresh crushed garlic, or different variations of shredded cheese. Give it a try, you are sure to love it!

Cream Cheese Dip Recipe:

Ingredients:

1-8oz. package Cream Cheese, room temp.
¼ cup crumbled bacon pieces
1 cup shredded Colby Jack
½ cup sour cream
1 tsp. Dill weed
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients well in a medium bowl.
2. Allow to sit in refrigerator for at least 2 hours for all flavors to combine.
3. Serve with bagel chips, pretzels, pita chips, or crackers.

What is your favorite addition to this Cream Cheese Dip Recipe?

You might also like these Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Beer Cheese Dip

The post Loaded Cream Cheese Dip Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Need a fast, crowd pleasing appetizer for your next gathering or game day party?  Try this Mini Chili Dog Recipe.  It’s sure to be a hit!

There are few ingredients in this chili dog recipe, so you won’t break the bank.  You can also add additional toppings to suite your guests or substitute chopped red onion for green.

The post Party Perfect Mini Chili Dog Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Are you looking for the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe?  Give this one a try at your next meal and let us know what you think.

Ingredients:
4 lbs Russet Potatoes
2 sticks (8 oz) room temperature Butter
1 cup room temperature Heavy Cream
1 head Garlic
1 tbsp Virgin Olive Oil
S/P

Directions:

1. Cut end off end of head of garlic, place in foil and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Close up foil and bake in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.
3. Allow to cool.
4. Peel and dice potatoes into 1/2″ cubes.
5. Cover in water in large pan and boil 20 – 30 minutes, until soft.
6. Drain potatoes.
7. Add 4 cloves of the roasted garlic by popping out of their skins.
8. Mash potatoes with a masher until everything is pretty mashed
9. Add butter.
10. Use hand mixer to smooth out any remaining lumps.
11. Slowly add cream until potatoes reach right consistency.
12. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

(Serves 6-7 people)

Have you looked at my Green Beans with Bacon Recipe or the 50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes with 5 Ingredients or Less?

The post Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Are you looking for an AMAZING homemade pound cake recipe?   Then you must give this Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing recipe a try. In no time, you’ll have the entire family begging for more!

The Blueberry Pound Cake recipe would be perfect for a brunch.  Kids won’t even be able to resist giving it a try when they realize there is root beer in the pound cake glaze!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 25 fresh blueberries
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups cake flour (spoon flour into dry-measure cup and level off), sifted after measuring
• Zest of 1 Lemon
• One loaf pan (9 x 5 x 3-inch), buttered and bottom lined with parchment. Make sure you butter the parchment paper too.

Root Beer Caramel Pound Cake Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 5 tablespoons of sweet cream unsalted butter
• 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 Cup Not Your Father’s Root Beer (or any Root Beer will work. However, this brand is really popular right now, especially in the Mid-West)
• Pinch of Kosher salt

Directions For Root Beet Caramel Sauce:

1. In a sauce pot over medium heat combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter and salt. Keep stirring until all ingredients are well incorporated and caramel starts to thicken. 6 to 8 minutes.

2.  Next, add the vanilla and continue to stir, allow caramel sauce to thicken about 2 to 3 minutes and remove from direct heat.

3. Keep stirring and add half of the Root Beer and keep stirring until mixed. Add the rest of the Root Beer and mix until completely blended.

4. Cover sauce pot with a lid and let it continue to cool. If not using right away place in the fridge.

Pound Cake with Blueberries Directions :

1 Set rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees.

2 Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium speed with the paddle attachment until stiff peaks appear, about 3-5 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Add 3 eggs one at a time, after each egg is added beat until smooth before adding each egg.

3 Set the stand mixer speed to low and beat in one-third of the four, then another egg, beating until smooth,  after each addition. Stop the mixer often to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a flexible rubber spatula. Next, Beat in another third of the flour, then, after the flour has been incorporated, beat in the final egg. Scrape again and beat in the rest of the four.

4 Pour batter into the buttered pan and smooth the top.

5 Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry.

6 Cool the cake in the pan for a few minutes, turn cake out onto a rack to finish cooling.

7. Slice cake when cool enough and drizzle with Root Beer Caramel Sauce.

8. Serve.

Now that you’ve learned how to make pound cake, what do you think of this Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing recipe?

You might also like Fast and Easy Banana Bread Recipe

The post Amazing Blueberry Pound Cake & Root Beer Icing Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

I had the pleasure of guest posting over at the Savoo.uk blog this week.  I love finding other uses for everyday products that I can find on sale and even better – have a coupon to pair with that sale!

As coupon users, we can get cheap and usually FREE toothpaste.  So, what do you do with all those extra tubes of toothpaste sitting in your stockpile?  Head on over to Savoo.uk to read my article on 10 other uses for toothpaste to learn how to use toothpaste to clean leather, ease bug bites and more!

Leave a comment with your favorite toothpaste uses to keep the list going.

Check out more articles to find other uses for your favorite products:

• 16 Other Uses for Listerine
• 35 Other Uses for Coffee Filters
• 10 Surprising Toothpaste Uses
• 15 Other Uses for Cat Litter
• Incredibly Frugal Baking Soda Cleaning Uses
• 5 Unique Uses for Rubbing Alcohol
• 10 Other Uses for Rice {Not Just in the Kitchen}
• 11 Other Uses for Cascade
• 8 Fun Uses for Spider Rings
• 10 Other Uses for Coconut Oil
• 10 Other Uses for Lotion
• 5 Frugal Uses for Salt – It’s Way More Than Just a Seasoning!
• 15 Other Uses for Shaving Cream
• 20 Other Uses for Dryer Sheets – Not Just for Laundry!

The post 10 Surprising Toothpaste Uses appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

My kids (and hubby) LOVED this recipe.  It reminds me of a hamburger without the bun.  The recipe is from the Pampered Chef Dinner in your Deep Covered Baker cookbook.  There are conventional oven instructions at the bottom of the post if you don’t have a deep covered baker.  I also didn’t have the BBQ rub, so I improvised with BBQ sauce and it worked okay for us.

*Mine didn’t look nearly as good as the picture

8 ounces fresh mushrooms
1 tbsp vegetable oil
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled, divided
3 slices white sandwich bread, crust removed
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp smokey bbq rub, divided
2 garlic cloves pressed
1/2 tsp each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds 85% lean ground beef (I used 93%)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup ketchup

1.  Thinly slice mushrooms. Heat oil in 12-in skillet over medium high heat 1-3 minutes or until simmering. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. Remove Skillet from heat. Set aside 1 tbsp of the crumble bacon. Add remaining bacon to mushrooms; mix well.

2.  Meanwhile, cut bread into cubes. In stainless 6-qt mixing bowl, combine bread, milk, onion, parsley, egg yolk, 2 tbsp of the rub, pressed garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add beef to bread mixture; mix. place two-thirds of meat mixture in deep covered baker form into an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-in loaf. Gently press down the center of the loaf to create a well. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese in the well. Top with bacon mixture and an additional 1/2 cup of the cheese. Place remaining meat mixture over filling press to seal.

3.  Microwave, covered, on high 14-17 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees in the center. Carefully remove baker from microwave, using oven mitts. Meanwhile, combine ketchup and remaining rub; stir. Brush Ketchup mixture over meatloaf. Microwave, covered, on high 3-5 minutes or until internal temperature is 160 degrees in the center. Sprinkle remaining cheese and reserved bacon over top of meatloaf; let stand, covered, 10 minutes before slicing.

Conventional Oven Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare recipe as directed.  Bake, covered, 30-35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 14 degrees F.  Brush meat loaf with ketchup mixture.  Bake, covered, an additional 5-7 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.

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A sweet and tasty summer treat, this Weight Watchers Strawberry Pie is a yummy and low calorie way to indulge your sweet tooth. Fresh, light strawberries, tangy jello, and creamy pudding combine to create a filling that satisfies cravings, but is more forgiving of your waistline than most desserts.  This pie is 3 PointsPlus per slice.

Try other variations such as chocolate for the pudding, or make it with different berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries and the same flavor of sugar free Jello.  To lighten it up even more, pour filling directly into a pie pan and skip the crust.

Weight Watchers Strawberry Pie:

Ingredients:

1 small box Jello Cook&Serve sugar free vanilla pudding
1 small box Jello sugar free strawberry Jello
4 cups strawberries
1  reduced fat graham cracker crust

Directions:

1. Wash, and slice strawberries.
2. In a large saucepan mix pudding with water, according to package directions until boiling.
3. Remove from heat -stir in jello and strawberries.
4. Allow to cool to room temp.
5. Pour over pie crust.
6. Place in refrigerator and allow to set completely.
7. Top with light cool whip, if desired (not counted in points!)

Makes 8 servings

Weight Watchers Points:

• Total recipe = 37 SmartPoints and 28 PointsPlus
• 5 SmartPoints per slice
• 3 PointsPlus per slice
• 5 WW points per slice (old system)
•  If it was made without the crust to further lighten the recipe, the totals for the entire pie would be 5 SmartPoints and 4 PointsPlus

What do you think of this Weight Watchers Strawberry Pie recipe?

You might also like Weight Watchers Banana Bread Recipe!

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Heavy Cream Substitute Recipe

I’m having a little fun in the kitchen today  making a Boston Cream Cake for John’s Birthday!  Oh how I love baking and cake decorating!!    Anyway, I wanted to share this quick and easy recipe with you since I was making it for my chocolate ganache.  I didn’t have any Heavy Cream on hand and I didn’t want to stop what I was doing to run to the store either.   So, I used what I had on hand.  This is also an inexpensive alternative because the store bought cream can be quite pricey.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter

Directions:
(1)  Melt the butter
(2)  Pour it into the milk, and stir
(3)  Use in place of one cup of heavy cream

*****Tip: If you use low-fat/skim milk, whisk in a tablespoon of flour to the mixture to thicken.

Yields: 1 cup (Store any extra in the refrigerator)

Do you prefer to make your own Heavy Cream Substitute?

The post In The Kitchen: Heavy Cream Substitute Recipe appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Looking for a treat to make on a rainy day or to take to your child’s classroom?  Create these kid friendly Unicorn Star Cookies – the meringue cookies recipe easy, delicious & fun will be the hit of the party.   Even better,  these are gluten free cookies, so you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions.

Ingredients
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 C sugar
2/3 C powder sugar
1 TBSP vanilla extract
purple, pink and blue gel coloring

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees
2. In a standing mixer, add in the egg whites and cream of tarter.
3. Mix on medium speed until soft peaks form and then increase to the highest speed setting.
4. Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time first then add 1 table spoon of powder sugar coating until all is combined.
5. You will want to see stiff peaks form.
6. Add in the vanilla and mix until combined.
7. Split batter into 5 bowls
8. Add blue food coloring into one bowl
9. Add pink food coloring into the second one
10. Add purple food coloring into the third one
11. Using a pastry bag with a star tip, scope some blue meringue into 1/4 of the bag
12. Add the pink meringue to another 1/4 of the bag
13. Add the purple to the bag to the final 1/4 of the bag
14. Pipe on the meringues onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
15. Making them about the size of a silver dollar and leaving about 1 inch in between the cookies
16. Bake for 1 and 30 minutes hour

Like colorful treats?  Try this Mardi Gras Doughnuts Recipe and add a bit of fun into breakfast time!

The post Kid Friendly Unicorn Star Cookies: Meringue Cookies Recipe Easy, Fun & Delicious appeared first on The Coupon Challenge.

Ever wonder if there are other uses for cat litter than just a place for your furry friend to potty?  The bentonite clay in cat litter makes it a fantastic absorbent.  I’ve put together a list of some of the more practical other uses for cat litter.

15 Other Uses for Cat Litter:

1. If you have fresh oil or grease stains in your driveway, sprinkle cat litter on it and allow to absorb.  Then sweep up the litter and dispose of it like oil.  You may need to repeat the process.
2. Cat litter also works well for cleaning up stilled paint or graffiti. Pour cat litter directly over the paint, let it absorb then sweep up. I read that a 10 lb bag can clean up a gallon of paint!  Make sure you don’t add water first, though.
3. Use cat litter in ashtrays to reduce odor.
4. Dry flowers using cat litter. Place freshly cut flowers in a tray of cat litter then cover with more litter. Allow to sit in a dark space for about 7 days.
5. Moles don’t like the smell of cat litter. Pour a bit down their hole to scare them away.
6. Do you live where it gets icy in winter? Keep a bag of kitty litter in the trunk. If you’re stuck in the snow or your tires are spinning on ice, you can put cat litter around your tires to help gain traction and get your moving again.
7. You can also sprinkle a bit of cat litter just outside of your car door to avoid slipping when getting out of your vehicle.
8. Got a musty smelling closet? Put a shallow box of cat litter to absorb the smell.
9. If you notice your sleeping bags or tent get musty smelling from storage, put some cat litter in a old sock or pantyhose and tie the end.  It will help with the odor, so it’s not so stinky before hour next trip.  You can make something similar to this homemade sachet, just using cat litter as the filler.
10. Just like in a sleeping bag, tie cat litter in a sock and stick it inside smelly shoes. The odor will get absorbed into the cat litter.
11. If you have musty or smoky smelling books you can use cat litter to help them smell fresh again.  Place some cat litter in the bottom of a container, place the books on top then close the lid.  Remove the books after a day or two.
12. Keep your trash can from being stinky by putting some cat litter in the bottom. Change it about once per week when it gets damp. This is bit messy in my opinion, I’d prefer a dryer sheet.
13. This is one that I’m not sure I’m brave enough to try, but cat litter can be used as a face mask. It is clay after all!  Make sure to use all natural, scent free, 100% clay cat litter. Mix 3 Tbsp of cat litter with 3 Tbsp of water in a mortar.  Apply to face and wash off after it dries.
14. Add a layer of cat litter to the bottom of your grill to catch grease and fires.
15. Don’t have baking soda to use as a fridge deodorizer?  Use cat litter in a small container to get rid of unwanted odors.

Please note that all these uses are for CLEAN cat litter.  I figured this was pretty obvious but as little extra note always helps   For best results, make sure you’re using an unscented clay litter.

What other uses for cat litter can you suggest?

Check out more articles to find other uses for your favorite products:

• 16 Other Uses for Listerine
• 35 Other Uses for Coffee Filters
• 10 Surprising Toothpaste Uses
• 15 Other Uses for Cat Litter
• Incredibly Frugal Baking Soda Cleaning Uses
• 5 Unique Uses for Rubbing Alcohol
• 10 Other Uses for Rice {Not Just in the Kitchen}
• 11 Other Uses for Cascade
• 8 Fun Uses for Spider Rings
• 10 Other Uses for Coconut Oil
• 10 Other Uses for Lotion
• 5 Frugal Uses for Salt – It’s Way More Than Just a Seasoning!
• 15 Other Uses for Shaving Cream
• 20 Other Uses for Dryer Sheets – Not Just for Laundry!

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Wondering how to save money as a student? Well, that’s a very good question. Here are the basic tips that are relevant to most modern students.

Any student knows that money is never enough. The fact is that you probably know how many things you might need in college or university. That is why you cannot afford spontaneous purchases and other unpredictable expenses. But how to save money? First of all, you should not forget that the educational process is of key importance. You shouldn’t skimp on those things that will help you learn better. Here’s how to save money as a student.

Make a Budget

Surely you know how strategic planning affects the outcome of any event. If you make a budget, you can avoid unpleasant situations. For example, you have specific needs and schedule several purchases per month. Knowing how much is available to you for this period will not make you spend in a rush. It will also make it easier to budget for food, utilities, clothing, and entertainment. Use excel or mobile apps to plan your budget. Surely you will not spend more than an hour taking into account all aspects and avoiding pitfalls.

Don’t Buy a Car

Buying used vehicles is extremely popular with students. In part, young people strive to make it easier to get around the city. However, such a purchase is not always justified. Are you ready to spend 3-5 thousand dollars? Public transport may be a good alternative. Sometimes you can even use a taxi if you urgently need to be at a certain point in the city. Don’t rely solely on the desire to impress your friends. By choosing public transport, you will save a lot of money and will be able to spend it on more important things.

Use Writing Services

The reasonable use of money is essential for any student. The fact is that you probably need to pay your bills, and any rush purchase can lead to disaster. In addition, many students work in the evenings, are very tired, and do not have time to complete some assignments. You only need to pay someone to do your homework in such a situation.

You can delegate some assignments without worrying that something might go wrong by choosing a reliable company. This aspect is directly related to saving money and time because you can quickly switch between tasks and responsibilities. Plus, a good homework writing service is a smart investment in your future. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little now to get tangible benefits in weeks.

Make Meals Ahead of Time

Food can be your biggest problem if you don’t spend your money efficiently. Surely you love pizza, sushi, and other ready-made meals. Of course, many people prefer to make a phone call and order something delicious. But don’t use food delivery services too often. Instead, make meals ahead of time.

What’s more, you don’t have to spend a lot of time cooking. There are many simple and delicious dishes that you can even freeze. Typically, students should prepare meals for 2-3 days to save money and time. This life hack is obvious. In addition, you can understand how much food you need for any period.

Know Your Discounts

Discounts are a great way to save money on your daily purchases. Most stores offer such options as loyalty cards with cumulative cashback. Store all discount cards in your wallet or use the mobile application to access QR codes with your data. This advice is important for any student. Plus, many companies offer higher discounts during the holidays or sales, so this is a great opportunity to save money.

Don’t Get a Pet

Surely you like cats, dogs, iguanas, or any other pets. But the problem is that your student budget is limited, and any additional spending does not make sense. Imagine spending money on food, clothing, or medicine for your pet. There are situations where veterinarian services can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Are you prepared for your pet to get sick? What if you have to buy expensive dog food or some accessories? You may wait a couple of years and get a pet after finding a job.

Cut Out Unnecessary Subscriptions

You probably enjoy watching TV shows on Netflix or HBO Plus. But the problem is that the number of subscriptions is growing every year. Imagine having 5-7 accounts and paying over $100 to access digital content. So you can cancel a couple of subscriptions to save money. The fact is that 80% of a student’s life consists of the educational process. You won’t be able to watch movies and TV shows for more than a few hours a day. So leave only those subscriptions that are most important to you.

As you can see, there are many ways to save money. You shouldn’t buy something in a rush. Follow all the above tips, and you will not have problems with money. Budgeting and spending wisely will make you feel much more comfortable. The first week or two may be challenging for you, but you will surely appreciate all the benefits soon.

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