Heather says: This lentil casserole recipe is light on the budget, simple, and filling. 2 cups dried lentils 4 cups water 1TBSP extra virgin olive oil 1 onion – diced 2 cloves garlic – minced or pressed 2 celery ribs chopped 2 carrots – chopped 1 red bell pepper (optional) 1 green bell pepper (or …
Ivy says: The holidays are coming up, and with them come the floods of visitors. Nobody wants to come to hot, miserable Nashville in the summer; so I go visit everyone up north in the summer, and all my Yankee relatives come see me in the winter. It works out. But when the guests get …
Dear Home Ec 101, I was hoping to do something with pork chops this week too, they are on sale. Do you do anything special to them, or just bake them straight up? Can anyone point me to a good pork chop recipe or pork roast (but not loin) recipe? Puzzled by Pork Heather says: …
Ivy says: Today is my dad’s birthday. He’s 56 years old today! His own father died when he was 53 years old, so every birthday now is truly a celebration that my dad is still around. Dad’s got end stage renal failure, so we are truly happy he’s still around. No matter how happy we …
Heather says: Try making your own oatmeal packets. There’s no need to worry about measuring or digging for sugar and spices first thing in the morning. If you are cooking for one, add as listed to a baggie. Otherwise multiply the amounts by the number of servings you require. Use the cheap fold over baggies* …
Black bean soup is an excellent recipe for when you are trying to reduce you meat intake without losing flavor.
Heather says: Are you feeling the pinch? In our household when unexpected bills arise the first thing to get slashed is the food and budget, here are some great links for reducing your grocery bill. Remember not every tip fits every lifestyle. Personally, I won’t feed my children ramen, but it may suit someone else. …
Heather says: Have you been laying out good money for boxes of croutons? Look what you’re getting in a box of Marie Calendar’s Classic Seasoned Croutons: How about making your own croutons for a fraction of the cost and without all the unpronounceable ingredients from leftover bread? This is a wonderful use for day-old or, …
Heather says: Now is the time to start watching the flyers for good sales on items you may need for fall baking. This week butter is on sale at my local grocer; I’ll be loading up my freezer. With the corn crop suffering and being diverted to ethanol production, the price of dairy products may …
Ivy says: I have read several bloggers who say they spend less money when they deal only in cash. I am the opposite, it seems to be such a pain to me to have to save the receipt and enter in how much I spent in my financial tracking software, that I hesitate a lot …