Kitchen Crafts 'n' More

Sunday, June 28, 2009 Easy Crockpot Beef Roast with Beer

Easy Crockpot Beef Roast (with Beer)
Thanks to Kristina for this one, sounds great!

In a crock pot (set on low) Place the following before you leave for work.
3-5 lb roast
1 package of onion soup mix
2 packages of brown gravy mix
2 bottles of beer
It makes its own thick gravy and the house smells soooooo good.
Cook up some noodles and a salad to round it out.

Labels: beef with gravy, beer beef recipe, crockpot recipes, easy crockpot, readers recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 6:45 PM :: 0 comments

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Fast and Easy Crockpot Beef with Gravy Recipe - Submitted by a reader

Thanks Gladys, this sounds great!

My favorite crockpot recipe is:

A 2-3 lb chuck roast
Place in crockpot with enough beef broth (canned; or homemade is better) to cover.

Add 1 package of dry onion soup mix and 3-5 whole cloves garlic and cook for 8 to 10 hours until fork tender.

Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy from broth or serve with egg noodles in the broth. Add noodles to the crockpot and cook until just al dente.

Labels: beef broth, beef in the crockpot, crockpot recipes, garlic, onion soup mix, readers recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 6:42 PM :: 0 comments

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Household Hint - Cleaning - Degunking around the sink

Here's a great tip from Tracy-Ann:
"To get the gunk out from the area where the sink meets the counter top (or sometimes behind the taps where the sink meets the countertop), I pour some peroxide on an old toothbrush I keep for that purpose. The peroxide I get from my drug store in the first-aid section. I find that it lifts that entire gunk out and the counter top looks amazingly cleaner."

Labels: cleaning hints, cleaning sinks, frugal household hints, hydrogen peroxide

Posted by HappySlob :: 6:38 PM :: 0 comments

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Friday, April 17, 2009 Salt and Flour Finger Paints - Frugal Crafts for Kids

Salt and Flour Finger Paints
Here's an old-time favorite recipe from our website. If the kids are looking for something fun (and you're looking for a frugal craft-time activity) then these fun paints will be perfect. The kids can even help make the paints, before they get creative and make their artistic masterpieces! this is a non-toxic recipe.

2 c Flour
2 ts Salt
3 c Cold water
2 c Hot water
Food colouring - in lots of different colors for a variety of paints.

Add the salt to the flour in a saucepan. Pour in cold water gradually and beat the mixture with an egg beater until smooth. Add the hot water and boil the mixture until it becomes glossy. Beat it until it is smooth. Mix in food colouring.

P.S. For more frugal crafting ideas, visit our Crafts page at Homemade Craft Recipes and Projects

Labels: frugal crafts for kids, homemade finger paints, make your own finger paints

Posted by HappySlob :: 11:00 AM :: 0 comments

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Fresh Sprintime Beauty - Natural Oatmeal Scrub (Facial Scrubs)

Winter does a real number on our skin, and by the time spring finally comes around we want to freshen up. This natural oatmeal scrub is a perfect way to slough off dead skin cells, leaving fresher, healthier looking skin. And it's easy (and cheap, and we loooove cheap stuff!)

To make your own natural oatmeal facial scrub, you'll need:

handful of raw oats (quick or old-fashioned, it doesn't matter)
Enough water to moisten and create a thick paste (or, try plain yogurt instead, if you have it on hand...the natural enzymes will leave your skin even softer and smoother)

Simply mix the two ingredients together, and use all over your clean facial skin, gently scrubbing. Rinse with cool clean water, and moisturize as usual. It's absolutely amazing to me that something as simple as oatmeal can leave your skin feeling so fantastic. Try it out!

Want more simple and natural skincare recipes?

Our Free Listing of Skincare Recipes includes favorites such as Aloe Cleansing Gel, Almonds and Berries Mask, Anti-Aging Face Mask and Herbal Acne Remedy using fresh basil. Treat yourself to a spa treatment at home today!

Labels: home spa treatments, natural beauty recipes, oatmeal facial mask, organic skincare, skincare recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 10:50 AM :: 0 comments

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Mustard Style Potato Salad - Lower in Fat and Delicious

Mustard Style Potato Salad
Serves 8
Thanks to Dorina, a fantastic recipe researcher! The addition of mustard (prepared is called for, but I would try dijon instead) adds a tanginess and a more complex flavor. Enjoy!

6 large potatoes - peeled and cubed
3 eggs
1 onion, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, diced
3 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos
2 teaspoons prepared mustard (or Dijon, if you prefer - as I do)
3 tablespoons creamy salad dressing
1 teaspoon paprika

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, place in a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth.

2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, onion, celery, relish and pimentos.

4. Blend together the mustard and salad dressing, add to salad and mix well. Sprinkle with paprika and refrigerate until chilled.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Calories: 179.48 Calories from Fat: N/A Total Fat: 4.50 g Saturated Fat: N/A Cholesterol: N/ATotal Carbohydrate: 29.12 g Sodium: N/A Dietary Fiber: N/A Sugars: N/A Protein: 5.63 g Vitamin A: N/A Vitamin C: N/A

Labels: low fat, mustard potato salad, potato salad recipes, summertime favorites

Posted by HappySlob :: 10:44 AM :: 0 comments

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Saturday, April 04, 2009 Natural Peanut Butter (or Nut Butter) Cookies - Sweetened with Honey

Natural Nut Butter Cookies
These are my new favorites! Absolutely delicious, incredibly easy to whip together - AND - easy to create in a gluten free form. There's no dairy in here, so they're also perfect for anyone with lactose intolerance. Enjoy!

1 cup peanut butter (or your choice of almond butter, walnut butter, any nut butter will work)
1/2 cup honey (I oil the measuring cup slightly before pouring the honey in - that way it all slides right out without sticking)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg (optional - but I like using it; it helps bind the ingredients together)
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional - if you're using PB without added salt, I'd add this)
1 1/2 - 2 cups flour (brown rice flour, buckwheat, or regular all-purpose if that's what you have)

Optional Add Ins:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped toasted nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine nut butter, honey and egg until well combined.
Add vanilla, and then start mixing in the flour. Depending on the type of flour you're using, you'll need more or less. I used about 1 1/2 cups of brown rice flour and these cookies were perfect. Add flour until the cookie dough is thick, but not too stiff. Add the add-ins if you're using. (With chocolate chips these are ridiculously good!)
Roll dough into balls, place on a greased cookie sheet and then press with a fork to create a criss-cross effect.
Bake 9-12 minutes, watching carefully. If you have a hot oven like I do, reduce the temp to 325 and bake just until browned. These do burn easily, so keep an eye on them.
Remove cookies onto a cooling rack and let them cool before eating.
Enjoy! These freeze beautifully too.

Labels: easy peanut butter cookies, gluten free peanut butter cookies, natural cookie recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:16 AM :: 0 comments

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Spring Cleaning Hints - Easy Homemade Cleaning Recipes

Yes, it's that time of year again - time to get your whole home tidied up with a great big SPRING CLEAN!

Oh...I see you grimacing from here. But don't worry, I have some great tips, ideas and recipes for you to make spring cleaning easier than ever. First up - dozens of homemade cleaning recipes!

Homemade Cleaning Recipes #1 These include favorites such as Garbage Can Deodorizer, All Purpose Cleaners, Bleach Alternatives, Carpet Stain Remover and many more recipes. A total of 36 easy homemade cleaners are featured on this one page!

More Cleaning Recipes! Even more cleaning recipes and hints on my Happy Slob's Housecleaning page. Includes some of my favorite uses for baking soda, vinegar and newspaper. (I love newspaper for cleaning glass, for instance. And hey, it's frugal!)

Labels: homemade cleaning recipes, how to make your own cleaners

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:09 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, March 27, 2009 Homemade Energy Bars

Here's another favorite recipe from the website - a fantastic way to creat homemade energy bars. Really delicious, and you could adjust the ingredients to include stuff your family will want to chow down on. (Like chocolate chips, for instance. Who DOESN'T like chocolate chips??)

Make Your Own Energy Bars - Recipe

Labels: energy bars, energy bars recipe, make your own

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:11 AM :: 0 comments

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Do you love coffee?

I'm asking two questions over at the Coffee Creations Blog today.

1. What do you order at Starbucks?
and
2. What is the most you've EVER spent on a single cup of coffee?

Come on over, post a comment and join the conversation! It'll absolutely make you crave a big, steaming cup of Java.

Labels: coffee blog, reader feedback, you tell me

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:08 AM :: 0 comments

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Famous Beer Cheese Soup - from the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in St. Louis

94th Aero Squadron's Beer Cheese Soup
Here is the recipe from the famous 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in St. Louis, MO. (Now closed)
Thanks to Jeannie for submitting the recipe!

6 cups milk, divided
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. Tabasco Sauce (to taste)
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (restaurant uses Lea & Perrins brand)
1 1/2 strips bacon, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup onion, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules
4 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 (16 oz) jar Cheez Whiz
1 (12 oz) can beer

Combine 5 2/3 cups milk, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces in a large pot. Stir to combine well.

In a heavy skillet, sauté bacon until crisp; pour off half the fat. Add onion; stir and cook until wilted. Add chicken bouillon and cook, stirring 3 or 4 minutes. Add bacon mixture to milk mixture and heat over medium heat. When milk begins to steam (at about 180º) combine cornstarch and reserved 1/3 cup milk, stirring until smooth.

Stir mixture into hot milk mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until soup thickens. Add Cheez Whiz, stirring almost constantly. Stir in beer, including the foam.

Strain through a metal mesh strainer into a large bowl*. If necessary, reheat.Yield: 10 ( 1 cup) servings

*Note: For extra flavor and texture, I stirred the bacon and onion back into the soup. If you wish, add more Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco at the table.

Approximate Nutrition Information per serving: 258 calories; 15 g fat (52 % calories from fat); 48 mg cholesterol; 12 g protein; 16 g carbohydrate; trace fiber; 1,541 mg sodium.

Labels: beer cheese soup, famous recipes, restaurant recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:05 AM :: 0 comments

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You Tell Me: What is your monthly grocery bill?

We're all feeling the pinch of the pennies these days, and the first thing many of us do is budget our grocery money. So, how much do you spend on groceries each month? Do you spend more or less than you did, say, last year? What are some of your tips for spending less?

Post a comment! :)

Labels: economy, grocery bill, saving money, saving on food

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:03 AM :: 1 comments

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Delicious desserts - Betty Boop Pink Lemonade Pie

Ooh, this one is a keeper! If you're looking for a super fast, super simple dessert that is light and refreshing...well, you've found it. Uses only three ingredients, popped into a pie crust. Check out the recipe: Betty Boop Pink Lemonade Pie Big thanks to Lynda for submitting this one!

Labels: betty boop pie, easy pie recipes, lemonade, lemonade pie, light desserts

Posted by HappySlob :: 8:52 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, March 04, 2009 Tried and True Crockpot Roast Beef

Here's a new recipe sent in by Sharon in PA...it's her favorite crockpot recipe. Thanks for sending it in, Sharon!

Mom's Crockpot Beef Roast

2-3# Beef Roast
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1/2 can water

Brown all sides of beef roast about 5min each. Put into crockpot, Mix remaining ingredients and pour over roast. Cook on high 4-6 hours or low 8-10 hours.

Labels: cream of mushroom soup, crockpot roast beef, readers recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:36 AM :: 0 comments

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