1. Jacket potatoes or stuffed potatoes - A baked potato makes a fine vehicle for an entire meal in one handy little package. One of my favorites is to top a baked potato with homemade chili (beef, chicken or vegetarian chili will work great) and then add a sprinkle of grated cheese. Delish!
2. Homemade hash browns - Bake a few potatoes at least a few hours before you need to whip up freshly made hash browns. Let the hot potatoes cool, and then grate. In a nonstick pan heat some olive oil, then dump in a layer of the pre-baked and grated potatoes. Add some finely chopped onion and peppers if you want to add some extra flavor. Leave the hash browns to sit and well, brown. If you mess around with them at this point, you won't get deliciously crispy and crunchy outer edges on the hash browns. Flip after a few minutes (after the edges are browned.) Let cook at least five more minutes and you'll have a great big, scrumptious hash brown to devour.

Labels: baked potatoes, cheap groceries, frugal meal planning, frugal meals, potato recipes

Posted by HappySlob :: 3:39 PM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, March 05, 2013 10 Products You Never Need to Buy Again

We're all trying to save a little money nowadays, so a listing of 10 products you never need to buy will help you to stop wasting money on unnecessary extras! If you have a quick fix for a product you used to waste money on, then please post it in the comments section. I'd love to read about your ideas!

1. Age Spot Treatment/Dark Spot Treatment - these two fantastic and simple tricks will help to naturally treat dark spots (or age spots). You probably have all the ingredients you need right now in your kitchen.
2. Cleaning Wipes - This simple formula allows you to create your own cleaning wipes at home. Use a really durable type of paper towels for these to stand up -- something like Bounty will work well, or even those heavy duty blue paper towels.
3. Fruit and Veggie Produce Wash Spray - So easy, you'll laugh to think you can make this alternative for pennies - as opposed to the $4.00 or more the veggie wash sprays cost in supermarkets.
4. Bath Oils and Bubble Bath - Once you master making your own bath oils, bath salts, and even bottles of bubble bath - you can make plenty for yourself, and lots to give away as economical gifts!
5. Scouring powder - Baking soda is the best scouring or scrubbing cleaner you'll ever use. And, it's completely natural and non-toxic, and super cheap to boot. Here's our collection of other baking soda uses.
6. Bread - Sure, baking bread takes a little more effort than grabbing a loaf at the grocery store. But, if you use a bread machine and replace store bought bread with homemade, your intial outlay on the bread machine will quickly be made back! Plus, you get to enjoy that incredible, soothing scent of fresh bread baking when you come back home.
7. Cosmetics and make-up - You can replace some of your cosmetics with homemade varieties. This link takes you to some awesome lip balm recipes. You can turn any of them into a tinted balm by simply scraping off some of your favorite lipstick and melting it gently, then stirring it right in. (Another tip for fair skinned folks like myself: a dusting of cornstarch makes a perfect replacement for face powder! Just don't use too much or you'll look a little pasty. ;) ) Keep your old lip balm tins or jars to re-use with your own delightful cosmetic creations.
8. Carpet stain remover - Two simple ingredients replace all the chemicals in most carpet cleaners. It's too easy!
9. Dog treats and dog biscuits - Scroll down on the link page to find a couple of tried and true doggy biscuit recipes that are easy, and healthy for your favorite pooch.
10. Finger paints for kids - About halfway down the page, you'll find this easy and fun recipe. Get the kids to help making the paints too, and then they can get all artsy and creative and paint away an afternoon. 

Posted by HappySlob :: 11:12 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013 How to Make an Easy Homemade Latte

Ahhh, lattes - the things dreams are made of! I readily admit to a fondness...okay, a downright obssession, with these delicious, milky espresso drinks. When your budget is stretched thin, however, it makes more sense to make a latte at home. Thankfully, making lattes at home isn't as hard as you might think. Here's my easy way to create delicious, creamy lattes with little effort. And they're cheap - hurrah!

What you'll need:

• I swear by my Aerolatte Milk Frother. For under $20, you have this amazing little gizmo that creates delicious, copious amounts of frothy milk. If you don't have one - you can use a lidded jar (like a Mason jar) to shake the milk until you get froth. Not quite the same effect, but it'll do in a pinch.
• A large coffee mug
• Fresh milk - 1% is my favorite, but apparently skim makes more froth (you can also get a creamy latte by using homogenized milk, or even cream!)
• Freshly brewed coffee or espresso; brew it very strong
• Optional flavorings: vanilla extract, coffee syrups, caramel topping, etc.

STEP ONE - Making the Java
Make the coffee! I usually just brew extra-strong coffee (add more coffee grounds than you usually would), but of course the traditional way is to make espresso. You can make espresso using a nifty stovetop espresso maker. This is how a lot of Italian families make their espresso - and the Bialetti one in the link is still made in Italy.

STEP TWO - Making the steamed, frothy milk
Pour about one third of the mug full of milk. Heat in the microwave until hot, but not boiling. In my microwave it takes around 40 seconds or so for that small quantity of milk. Tip your Aerolatte into the milk at an angle - you'll immediately see mounds of froth appearing! Froth the milk for about ten seconds or so.

STEP THREE - Combine the two...
Pour the coffee into the steamed, frothed milk until you reach the top of the mug. Add in a little flavoring if you like - I often add a few drops of good quality vanilla extract. But, you can let your imagination go wild - try any number of good flavoring extracts like almond or caramel, and then top the froth with a drizzle of caramel sauce. YUM!

Is this the traditional method of making a latte or cappuccino? Definitely not! Is it fun, easy, fast, and cheap? Yep. So, enjoy your homemade latte experiments, and please leave a comment if you have an additional tip to share.

Labels: gourmet coffee, homemade latte, make your own, starbucks

Posted by HappySlob :: 6:07 AM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, December 02, 2012 Over 70 Uses for White vinegar - Vinegar Household Hints

We all know that vinegar is handy stuff to keep around the house all the time. Vinegar can be used for cleaning, deodorizing, and of course for different uses in baking and cooking. But here is a master list of over 70 Ways To Use Vinegar around your home.

Have another use for vinegar that isn't listed? Please post it in our comments section!

Labels: useful vinegar, vinegar for beauty, vinegar for cleaning, vinegar tips, white vinegar

Posted by HappySlob :: 7:20 PM :: 0 comments

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3 Delicious Hot Beverages to Make in Cold Weather

On a cold wintry day (like it is here right now - plus lots of beautiful, sparkling snow!) there is nothing quite as comforting as a big, steaming mug of hot coffee, cocoa or tea. Here are some of the most popular hot beverage or hot drink recipes on the Kitchen Crafts 'n 'More website:

1. Black Forest Coffee combines the delicious taste of a mug of hot coffee with a slice of black forest cake! A beautiful combination, if you ask me.
2. Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate has a different, caramel taste along with the decadent taste of rich hot cocoa. Yum and double yum! You'll like the twist on the classic hot cocoa recipe. (First recipe on the page.)
3. Calming Effects Herbal Tea is a simple combination of healthful herbs that are calming and soothing, and makes for a delicious cup of tea right before bedtime. Add a spoonful of honey to make it extra comforting. (Second recipe on the page.)

Do you have a simple, favorite hot drink to share? Post it or send it in to me!

Labels: black forest, black forest coffee, brown sugar, homemade herbal tea, homemade hot chocolate, specialty coffee

Posted by HappySlob :: 7:09 PM :: 0 comments

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