We’ve had a number of super cold days recently. We want to keep our home warm so we’re comfortable and the pipes are protected, but we don’t want to break the bank doing so. I’ve looked into it and found several affordable approaches to keeping our home warm. Perhaps some of these will work for you, too. How to save money when heating … [Read more...] about Frugal Approaches to Heating Your Home
Keeping the Home
Curry Tortellini Soup
I made this recipe for the first time back when my husband and I were dating. We both loved it, so I’ve made it frequently since then. It’s easy to prepare, so I often make it on nights when we’re short on time. Ingredients (Adapted from the Mushroom Tortellini in Curry Cream recipe in the Easy Soups & Stews cookbook.) 1 onion, … [Read more...] about Curry Tortellini Soup
Bacon Mushroom Swiss Macaroni and Cheese
It had been a while since we tried a new macaroni and cheese recipe, so for this menu I came up with a truly unique variety: Bacon Mushroom Swiss. These flavors go so well together! Ingredients 3 cups macaroni (uncooked measure) 2 tablespoons butter 2 cups homemade cream of mushroom soup or 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom … [Read more...] about Bacon Mushroom Swiss Macaroni and Cheese
Winter 2014 Menu
With a newborn baby in the house, we’ve been consuming many meals that we’ve assembled hastily. Now that our little one is two months old, we’re ready to get back on track with a menu. As I’ve shared in previous posts, I periodically develop monthly menus. We use each for 3 consecutive months before moving on to a new one (read more on … [Read more...] about Winter 2014 Menu
Affordable, Easy-to-Prepare Meals for Large Groups
We have several family members coming to spend the week of Thanksgiving with us. As much as I love cooking, I’d rather spend time visiting with my loved ones than in the kitchen preparing meals. We’re also on a tight budget, so I don’t want to break the bank when purchasing foods for us to eat. I’ve been brainstorming and have come up … [Read more...] about Affordable, Easy-to-Prepare Meals for Large Groups
Healthy Convenience Foods
I typically avoid purchasing convenience foods because they are pricy both in terms of their monetary cost and in terms of the toll they take on health. We all experience busy seasons (such as after the birth of a baby) where convenience foods can help us preserve our sanity. Are there any convenience foods that can be considered … [Read more...] about Healthy Convenience Foods
Chicken and Vegetables in Curried Cream Sauce
My husband and I enjoy several varieties of curry, but on occasion we desire a dish that is a little milder. This affordable, nutritious dish is perfect for these times. Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1-2 teaspoons curry powder (depending on how mild of a flavor you want) 1 can (13.5 oz.) coconut milk 1/2 cup … [Read more...] about Chicken and Vegetables in Curried Cream Sauce
Dare to Prepare: Disaster Preparedness for Families with Special Needs
As we’ve discussed in previous installments of Dare to Prepare, every family needs to assemble a basic disaster preparedness kit and create a family emergency plan. If your family is like mine and has a member with special needs, then it is important that you consider some additional topics. “Special needs” is an umbrella term that … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: Disaster Preparedness for Families with Special Needs
