I can tolerate spiders outdoors because I know they are part of a balanced ecosystem, but it’s another story when they come indoors. We’ve been seeing quite a few—many of which are large—in our home this spring. Commercially available pesticides are a quick and effective way to kill spiders, but they’re not exactly a safe and healthy … [Read more...] about Safe and Effective Spider Control
Keeping the Home
Summer 2014 Menu
Though it has been only two months since I posted my spring menu, we’re already moving on to our summer one. There were lots of tasty dishes on the spring menu, but morning sickness left me unable to consume many of them. Subsequently, I planned our summer menu and we’re enjoying it more successfully. As I’ve shared previously, I … [Read more...] about Summer 2014 Menu
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Now that the weather is finally hinting that summer may indeed come this year, I’ve been craving many foods that I associate with summer: Baked beans, potato salad, watermelon, etc. Of course, there’s no need to wait for our first BBQ or picnic to eat these foods, so I made some slow cooker baked beans to accompany cheeseburgers for … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Simplify Shopping List Creation with a Household Supply List
My approach to menu planning has minimized the amount of time it takes me to plan a grocery list. Though this process has been streamlined for some time, there were days when I found myself taking a lot of time to determine which non-food items I needed at the store. I finally sat down and compiled a Household Supply List that catalogs … [Read more...] about Simplify Shopping List Creation with a Household Supply List
Breakfast Quesadillas
As I noted a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been making quesadillas with ingredients that aren’t exactly traditional. Given that quesadillas can be made quickly and easily, why not give them a try for breakfast? Breakfast quesadilla fillings I’ve been filling breakfast quesadillas four different ways: Ham and cheese Peanut butter, honey, … [Read more...] about Breakfast Quesadillas
All About Beans
Because of their propensity for causing gas, beans often get a bad rap. This is unfortunate because beans are an amazing food. An obvious benefit of beans is their cost. A serving of dry beans (1/4 cup) costs about $0.15. Canned beans cost a bit more, but they are still affordable. Despite their affordability, beans are nutrient dense and … [Read more...] about All About Beans
Cheeseburger Quesadillas
Tortillas are an awesome food! You can stuff just about anything in them to create a meal. I love cheese, so quesadillas have always been one of my favorites. I’ve recently been creating quesadillas with less traditional ingredients. These cheeseburger quesadillas are a tasty example. Ingredients ½ lb. ground beef or ground turkey ½ … [Read more...] about Cheeseburger Quesadillas
The Benefits of Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
My family always grew vegetables during the summers when I was growing up. I’ve wanted to continue this practice, but until recently I haven’t lived in a location that was conducive to this. My husband and I currently have plenty of room to grow a garden, but the sun only shines on a small portion of our yard. Thus, we’ll be growing … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables