An Easy Snack Using Unconventional Ingredients

Being a single mom, sometimes the budget is so tight it squeaks, so I have to come up with new ways to use the foods that I have at home. Jumping into the car and heading to Walmart is not always possible, but I can shop in my own cupboards. Here is an affordable easy snack using an unconventional ingredient. Best of all, it requires no cooking and my son likes it!

Cheesy Herb Crackers

1 full package Oyster Crackers

5-6 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Seasoning Packet from PASTA RONI (Any Flavor)

Mrs Dash Table Blend seasoning to taste

In a bowl, add Olive Oil. Pour Oyster Crackers over Olive Oil and mix with hands or spoon till all the crackers are coated lightly with oil. Add Seasoning Packet and stir till the powder coats the crackers. Sprinkle in Mrs Dash to taste. Enjoy!!

For different flavors, I have used the seasoning packets from Hamburger Helper, Hidden Valley Ranch, Kraft Mac and Cheese, and Suddenly Salad as well.

A Quick Lunch For Those Hungry Kids

The kids are home for their summer vacation and you are running out of ideas for lunch! Relax, I got your back. Give this a try.

Tuna Melts

2 cans of Chunk Light Tuna in Water (drained)

5 tablespoons of Mayonnaise

3/4 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 teaspoon Dill Weed

Salt and Pepper to taste

6 slices of Bread (White or Wheat)

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. In a bowl, combine Tuna (drained), Mayonnaise, Cheese, Dill Weed, Salt, and Pepper. Make sure that it is all thoroughly mixed together. Lay out Bread slices on an un-greased baking sheet. Spread a generous amount of the mixture on each slice so that the slice is covered. Bake in oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

My son loves these!

Fastest Breakfast Ever! Egg In A Mug

Here is another really fast breakfast idea.

Egg In A Mug

2 Eggs

1 Tablespoon of Frozen Chopped Peppers and Onions

A Dash of Garlic and Herb Mrs. Dash (optional)

A Pinch of Salt and Pepper

1 Tablespoon of Cheese of Your Choice (optional)

In a two 12 to 16 oz mug, put two large eggs. Add Salt and Pepper and Mrs Dash. Stir till well mixed. Add Frozen Chopped Peppers and Onions. Stir together. Cook in the microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Take out of microwave and sprinkle with cheese. Eat hot or let cool for two minutes. 

Cooking times may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave.
Precooked breakfast meats may be added to this recipe.

Enjoy your morning!

DIY Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Longing for Hot Cocoa but don't have any of that prepackaged cocoa mix. Give this a try!

DIY  Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Dry (Powdered) Milk
3 or 4 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)

In a resealable 6 ounce container add Sugar, Dry Milk, Cocoa Powder, and Cinnamon. Stir together till thoroughly mixed. Takes three teaspoons of Cocoa Mix per 8 ounces of hot water for one cup of Cocoa.

Give this a shot, it's a great way to warm up on a cool day! This is a great compliment to the Chocolate Brownie In A Cup too! Feel free to add marshmallows. Makes a great gift!!

DIY: How I Make My Own Laundry Soap

In my quest to save money, I have happened on a few good ideas for making my own products. One of my favorites is to make my own laundry soap. The fact is I haven't had to buy laundry soap for nearly a year now, it costs me just pennies a month to make my own. How do I do it? Let me show you!

DIY Homemade Laundry Soap

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

3/4 cup ULTRA Dawn

2 cups hot water

In an empty laundry soap bottle, approximately 32 load bottle, with a funnel add Borax and Washing Soda. Be sure to break up any chunks. Add Ultra Dawn. Be sure it is Ultra Dawn for maximum cleaning power. To this, pour in hot water and gently shake to dissolve mixture. When ingredients are dissolved, fill the rest of the bottle to the top with cold water. Be sure to shake every time it is used. Use a cap full per load. Always test for color safety.

Once you buy the ingredients, it takes a long time to go through them depending on how often you do laundry, of course. Give it a shot and see how much you can save.

DIY How To Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Chocolate Brownie In A Cup

In the mood for something warm and chocolaty but don't have a lot of time? Give this recipe a try for a Brownie In A Cup!!

Brownie In A Cup

1/4 Cup Flour
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Milk
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

Add dry ingredients to a microwave safe cup. Mix thoroughly. Add milk and oil and mix well, until there are no lumps. Microwave for two minutes on high. Let cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy!!

I'm eating mine right now, you go make your own!!

Repurposing Over-Ripe Apples

Do you have some apples that are going to waste? Here is a great way to use them up and make your house smell fantastic in the process.

Take one apple and slice it up, core and all. Throw it in a sauce pan with about two cups of water. Add a teaspoon of cloves and/or about five to ten drops of clove essential oil, and a stick or two of cinnamon. You may also throw in some orange peel. Now put it on the back burner of your stove at a very low setting and slowly simmer it all day. You may have to add a bit of water here and there throughout the day and it should never be left completely unsupervised. You may also use a small crock-pot or electric candle warmer.

There you have it! No chemicals or candles, just natural delicious smells filling your home.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult while making this.

Autumn Decorating.

I did a few small changes around the house to celebrate Autumn! This time of year is filled with wonderful smells, sites, sounds, and tastes. Fall is my favorite time of year. Here are few decor changes I have made so far.

Happy Autumn everyone!

READY-MADE PECAN RAISIN OATMEAL

You ever have one of those days where it seems almost impossible to get out the door on time for work or school let alone have time to make breakfast? It seems that we are always on the go and we never have enough hours in the day. Since we are all in a rush, nutrition is often forfeited for convenience. For this reason I have been forced to find ways to make nutrition fast and easy. Preparing food on a day that is more slow paced, for me it is Sunday, that will last through the week is a necessity. With this in mind, a ready-made hot cereal option came to mind. For this recipe you will need the following:

1 large bowl for hand mixing

1 food grinder (coffee grinder will do)

8 cups of Quick Oats

20 oz of raisins

1/2 -1 cup pecans

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

     Separate and grind two cups of oats till powdery. Pour into large bowl

Ground oat, pecan, cinnamon mixture.

 Grind pecans till the are fine but nut buttery. Add to the oats in the large bowl and mix thoroughly. Add cinnamon, mix thoroughly.  

Stir in brown sugar and make sure that it is mixed well. Next add raisins and stir so that the raisins get coated and they no longer stick together. Add the remainder of the oats to this mixture and stir to blend the oats till it is evenly distributed. Package as needed. 

All ingredients well mixed for even flavor.

     In order to make this yummy meal, all you need to do is fill your favorite microwavable coffee mug with warm water and microwave on high for 2 minutes. After the water is hot pour the contents of the Pecan Raisin Oatmeal packet into the mug, stir, and let stand for 1 minute. Enjoy!!

    There are several ways to package this for convenience. I like to have some packets for my son that are measured out and put in resealable bags so that he can just grab it then I mix it with the heated water. Bags can be reused.. The packets are placed in a plastic storage container that is labeled so that he can easily locate it. A small resealable container can be used for easy carrying and consumption at work. Finally, it can always be left in a large resealable container with a scoop near it. Whichever option is most convenient, you can be sure that you will have a good meal.

Convenient Packaging

     Remember that the ingredients can be changed to suit your needs, likes, or dislikes. Leave out the nuts if you have an allergy.