Once in a while when I’m out and about I treat myself to lunch at Panera Bread, and one of my favorite things to order is their Summer Corn Chowder. But as the name implies, it’s an item they have on their summer menu and you can’t always get itRead More
One Skillet Mexican Quinoa Dinner
One thing I quickly realized when trying to add more vegetables and plants to our daily meals, was that this also meant more chopping, and slicing, and dicing when it was time to make dinner. And at the risk of sounding like a whiner, sometimes it just feels like tooRead More
Quick Homemade BBQ Sauce for Meatballs
Today’s recipe is a quick little sauce mixture that I’ve relied on so many, many times over the years. I clipped this recipe out of a newspaper a long time ago, and it was actually two recipes: one for meatballs and another for homemade BBQ sauce to go with it. Read More
Homemade Whole Grain Pancake Mix
Homemade pancakes are always a handy option when you need a simple, quick, and frugal meal. All you need are a few humble ingredients from the pantry and a bit of stirring and mixing. And although pancakes are traditionally a morning menu item, I think they can also be anRead More
Jar Mix: Potato Soup {The Update}
Back in the early days of this blog I wrote about a homemade potato soup mix that I was finding quite a handy convenience at the time. It was nice to have in the pantry for a quick lunch and only required boiling some water and adding some of theRead More
Black Bean Burgers For Two
Looking for a quick and frugal meal? And one that’s heart healthy and plant-based too? Then check out this simple recipe for black bean burgers that goes together fast and is easy on the budget. I’d been looking for some type of plant-based substitute to make a burger because thoseRead More
Homemade Vegetable Broth {Stock}
In my recent efforts to incorporate more plant based recipes into my menu, I’ve found myself using vegetable broth more and more instead of chicken broth. I also found myself wanting to buy the low sodium version of the vegetable broth at the store. BUT, those low sodium options areRead More
Chicken Stir Fry
I first learned about this chicken stir fry recipe when I went to a cooking demonstration quite a few years ago. The demonstrator brought along an electric fry pan and had this tasty dish whipped up in no time. We were then all able to have a taste test andRead More
Skillet Jambalaya Recipe
I hope I never get to a point in life where I want to stop learning. I’m fully aware that as life moves along, it’s all too easy to get comfortable with the familiar and the temptation creeps in to just rest with what you know now. Why bother toRead More
Salmon With Lemon And Dill
Do you feel a little intimidated by the thought making your own fish dinner entree at home? I was too, for longer than I would like to admit. I spent way too many years thinking that a good fish filet dinner was best had at a restaurant, and at homeRead More
Sausage Penne Alfredo
Comfort food, especially in the cold winter months, often comes in the form of casseroles and other warm saucy dishes. Sure, a salad is healthy, but it just doesn’t warm you from the inside out like a dish of food that’s all hot and bubbly. We need the comfort ofRead More
Crockpot Beef Teriyaki
When you think of Beef Teriyaki, do you think of one of those little Chinese take-out boxes? That’s how it was for me for many years. I had no good recipe to make at home for a traditional Chinese dish like Beef Teriyaki. I’m happy to say that’s finally changedRead More
Homemade Pizza Sauce and Pizza Crust
When it comes to making pizza at our house, I’ve gone the homemade route in baby steps. For many years I just bought frozen pizzas, and I’ll admit that they’re a nice convenience food to have in the freezer for a last minute meal idea. But after awhile I grewRead More
7 Can Taco Soup Recipe
I recently shared a few of the reminders I give myself when I feel too busy to live the homemade life. One of those important reminders is that I don’t let myself feel too guilty if I rely on some semi-homemade types of recipes too. I think the trade-off ofRead More
Looks Like We’ll Be Having Chicken
I was greeted this morning by a front page article in my local newspaper that was yet another reminder that we’ve had one of the harshest and coldest winters in recent memory. This is true in my home state of Michigan and in many other parts of the U.S.Read More
Skip the Manwich and Make Easy Homemade BBQ
I’ve thought about sharing my go-to recipe for homemade BBQ many times, but then always decided against it. Why? Because I never measure anything. Is it even really a recipe? But the more I thought about it I decided this is a good thing to share because it’s moreRead More
Chicken Seasoning Spice Blend
Keeping a little bottle of this chicken seasoning spice blend in the kitchen can sure come in handy on those nights when once again you’re wondering: What can I make with chicken ?? We eat chicken a lot at our house and I’m guessing that’s pretty common in otherRead More
Homemade Tortillas
When it comes to making homemade alternatives, I find there can be several different reasons for why I find a recipe is a good choice. If a recipe is quick and easy to make, if it saves money, or if it has superior taste or quality, then I’ll findRead More
Money Saving Tuna Chowder
Homemade soup should not be hurried. Maybe that’s why I don’t make it as often as I wish I would – I’m usually in too big of a hurry. But when I do slow down and take the time to chop some vegetables and let everything simmer for awhile,Read More
How To Make Tomato Soup from Tomato Paste
Life is full of “Firsts”. Your first day of school. Your first time driving a car by yourself. Your first kiss. As you get older you still have firsts but they don’t have quite the same excitement. Your first pair of bifocals. The first time someone asks you ifRead More