With today's busy schedules we are always looking for quick and easy but good meals. Here are three that fit that bill.

[1] Broccoli Pasta

Cook your pasta as the package directs but add broccoli florets for the last five minutes. When it's time to take the pot off the heat, dip out 1/2 cup of the water, reserve then drain the rest.
Place the pasta and broccoli into a large bowl, add one cup of diced cooked chicken, one cup of cherry tomatoes [cut in half], the 1/2 cup of hot water and a good handful of shredded Parmesan cheese. Toss together and serve with a slice of sourdough bread for a great meal.

[2] Tortilla Pizza with Leftovers

Cover your tortilla with shredded cheese then layer on leftover veggies. Top with more cheese or salsa before heating in the microwave long enough to melt the cheese. This meal will use up leftover of any amount, as there is no right or wrong to the toppings. Just make sure, if you are using meat that it has been completely cook. A quick green salad and fresh fruit for desert will complete the meal in short time.

[3] Breakfast for Dinner

Most of us do not allow the time in the mornings for a family breakfast, so have it for dinner. You can find bacon, sausage and ham in precooked packages at most stores. Add eggs, juice and maybe some homemade biscuits for a great way to bring the kids to the table.

Nothing brings us together better than having a meal we can all enjoy and take part in. All of these meals have something that can be done by all ages in the family. Let the younger ones set the table or crack the eggs. It's the being together that makes the memories not the kind of food we eat.

Enjoy
Faylee

Saving Tips for Frugal Living

[1] Ready to shampoo your hair and discover you have no conditioner. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda into your shampoo. Then add to your wet hair. You will get hair that is soft and smells good too.

[2] To cut hours of cooking time off your dried beans, microwave them for 14-15 minutes. Place the beans, peas, lentils, etc, in a microwave safe bowl, large enough to cover them with water about 2 inches higher than they are. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl. Make a small slit in the middle to allow steam to escape. Put into your microwave set on high for 8 minutes. When it stops, check water level, add more water if needed. Replace plastic film and heat for 6-7 minutes more. Let the bowl cool before removing. Rinse, place beans into your cooking pot, add fresh water and seasoning. Cook as usual but for half the time.

[3] If you have used to much Mayonnaise in your Tuna or Chicken salad mixture. Place 6-8 plain or saltine crackers in a plastic bag and crush them into small pieces, with your dough roller. Then add as much as you need to help soak up the extra mayonnaise. Don't add too much or you will have the opposite problem. Taste your mixture before adding more salt.

[4] Do not throw out party leftovers until you have made sure they cannot be incorporated into another meal. Most vegetable tray extras can be put in soups, sauces or dip dishes for the family.

Faylee James

Controling Snack Costs

Have you ever finished a complete meal and found yourself looking in the refrigerator an hour later? Then you are like most of us. We all love to snack. Snacking just for the sake of snacking can become expensive. Here are a few ways to cut down on the cost of keeping the hunger in you, in control.

[1] Plan Ahead

When you are grocery shopping buy large bags of chips, carrots, celery and other items you know you like snacking on. Then when you get home, transfer those items to small containers. You get more servings from the final cost than buying individual sizes.

[2] Buy Generic

Have you tried the store or generic brands of your favorite snack items? If not, it's time to do so. In most cases you get the same item for less money. Just make sure you buy the small size and try the item before buying the family size.

[3] Give Dry Cereal a Try

I love eating dry cereal as a snack while watching my favorite TV shows. I can eat Puffed Wheat, Cheerios or Shredded Wheat instead of the high calorie deserts and still be munchie satisfied.

As with most expenses it's in the planning and keeping control of what we spend that gives us the most for our money.

Happy Snacking,
Faylee

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I love it so much I named my youngest daughter after it. It was a given, she was born on Sept. 22 and to prove she wanted to be Autumn she jumped out almost 6 weeks early. She has been my wild child ever since. There were times I didn't know if either of us were going to survive but today she is the her, she was meant to be. She has 4 beautiful children and is a teacher. She is a delight and a good friend to know and have as a daughter. Finding the right recipe to mix together and bring her life to where it is today took a lot of time and effort from the people who love her but mostly her. In other words, she baked up quiet nicely....lol.

Fall brings new things to the table, that summer doesn't have, like pumpkin pies....yummy for the tummy.

It is also a reminder it's time to get ready for next year's garden. Are you cleaning your garden as your old plants are coming out? Are you planting something for a winter cover? Are you doing my favorite, planting some fall crops, such as turnips or Cale?

We need to treat our garden spot as nice as we want to be treated. Give it a little love now and it will love you back in the spring with better produce. If you do not have a plan, please make one now. Visit your gardening stores, your county extension agents, check your phone book for ideas on places to go.

Then keep me in mind for the over flow of eatables.

Faylee