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Meal Planning

Meal planning at it’s finest and the recipes to boot!

Super Bowl Party Appetizers Roundup: Cheap but Yummy

 

Super Bowl Party Appetizers

Although Winter often brings cabin fever here in Michigan, there are a few things I still look forward to! For one, we can go sledding when the windchill dies down. We also like to make use of the indoor play areas…But perhaps one of the most fun Winter activities we look forward to is watching the Super Bowl! My family loves making Super Bowl party appetizers in lieu of pizza every year!

Let me preface this by saying, I am not a huge football fan. I used to watch our team, the Detroit Lions for many years; however, after having my two boys, my t.v. time has dwindled downhill just like the Lion’s record – Ouch! I still love ya’ Lions.

Yet, I still love the hype of watching the Super Bowl. I’m not sure what it is…The funny commercials everyone will be talking about the next day, watching the tears of the winning team, the amazing halftime show (hopefully family friendly this year, Justin!), or my favorite part of any party, the food! We love having Super Bowl party appetizers.

We usually have our own Super Bowl party and make it fun by bringing out a different Super Bowl party appetizer every quarter, saving super bowl dessert for the fourth! Food is a huge part of any celebration and this year’s party will not disappoint with the recipes listed below. So whether you are hosting guests or enjoying the Super Bowl with your family, try some of these Super Bowl Foods and make it fun without breaking the bank. You have your choice of Super Bowl Dips or Super Bowl desserts. The biggest penalty will be deciding which one of these yummy appetizers to make.

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Fall Budget Dinner Meal Plan – Two Weeks Under $60

14 Fall Budget Meals

Meal planning is just one of those things I do. I’ve always loved the quote, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This reminds me of the time before I started meal planning. Of course, before I had kids this was no big deal! We could whip something up or order something on a whim. Now that I have two sweet and very hungry,  may I add, little boys I need to know what is going into the oven before “HANGRY TIME” happens.

Oh yes, my friends, there was a time I was way less organized. A time when I had two kids under two and I was pulling my hair out just thinking about making dinner. At that time, I needed a way to make things go a bit smoother in our household. The chaos of dinner time was real (and scary)!

That’s when I had a brilliant -not so new idea – to start meal planning. I’ve always been a budget-conscious person and I would make sure I had enough food for the week, but now I needed to take it to another level. I now had four hungry mouths to feed so I decided to meal plan for two weeks at a time. This saved me from going to a store with two kids more than twice a month. If you are a busy mom, you know exactly why I want to avoid the store with kids!

Why Meal Plan?

Meal planning, as mentioned above, will save your sanity as a parent. However, another HUGE reason to meal plan is one thing I LOVE – saving money. You may think using meal planning is a waste and won’t really save you much, but I have literally slashed my grocery bill in half by using some careful planning. The best part is, it only took me around 30 minutes to plan out two weeks worth of meals and complete a grocery list. It may take your more time the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it is easy peasy. Here are some ways meal planning will save you a ton:

  • Less shopping – less time in the store, less purchased
  • Using a list – using a list helps you stop randomly throwing things in your cart
  • Less waste – plan with what you already have and go from there
  • Less take out – no more Chinese food and pizza runs

Suggested Reading:

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10 Frugal Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Warm Your Hearts

10 Frugal Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Warm Your Heart

Let me just say, I LOVE Thanksgiving food and I always stuff myself to the point of no return! I have hosted Thanksgiving a few times and it is hard work with a lot of fun and family mixed in. We are not hosting this year, but I am still planning on cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner for my family to enjoy together. With that being said, I am not a huge fan of spending over my budget for one meal.

Some ideas to save money this Thanksgiving include serving frugal side dishes and waiting to buy your turkey until one of your favorite stores has a sale – most do around this time of the year. If you are hosting, make it a potluck style dinner and all of your guests can bring a side dish or dessert to share and you can cook the main dish, turkey.  Nonetheless, if you decide to cook everything it is a MUST cook up some side dishes that will not break the bank!

I have compiled a roundup of frugal Thanksgiving dishes from some of my favorite food sites to help you on your money-saving quest.  If you are playing hostess, know that you can keep your budget in check and still make a delicious spread. Here’s to you and your family enjoying Thanksgiving and worrying less about your bills!


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70 + Fall & Winter Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (from the best food bloggers!)

70 Plus Fall & Winter Slow Cooker Recipe Roundup

70 Plus Slow Cooker Recipes #slowcooker #crockpotrecipes #slowcookerrecipes #crockpot
70 Plus Slow Cooker Recipes

Fall is here my friends! I love the cool, crisp air, sweatshirts in the morning, and watching football with my hubby (okay to be honest, he likes that more than me!) One thing I truly miss all summer is my favorite fall and winter cooking method – my crock-pot (check out my favorite one here)!

I gave this baby a rest during the summer months, especially when our air conditioner broke – didn’t want to create any extra heat!  But now that the weather is cooler, bring on the warmth and delicious smells from the easiest way to cook EVER – Sorry, I get a little excited when I am talking crockpots!

I enjoy lighting my pumpkin latte candle, pulling my hoodie over my ears, and running my crock-pot meals all day (and you should too)! Since I love my crock-pot so much I decided to bring you a  collection of easy crockpot recipes from my fellow food bloggers.

Let me just tell you, these recipes are scrumptious! Not to mention, many of these recipes are cheap crockpot meals you can enjoy with your family even if you are on a budget.

Imagine walking out of your house in the morning after setting your crockpot and walking back in with dinner ready. Let your crockpot do the work so you can sit back and relax.

No more worries about dinner, mama! I’ve got you covered! These easy slow cooker recipes will have your family craving more!


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Avocado: Super Food in a Sensational Sandwich

Avocado: Super Food in a Sensational Sandwich

 

Avocado o: Super Food in a Sensational Sandwich
Avocado: Super Food in a Sensational Sandwich

This avocado, turkey sensational sandwich is one of my favorites! Do you like meals that are easy to make, healthy and filling? How about meals that are budget-friendly? Me too! This sandwich meets the criteria and your family will love it!

One of the best reasons to eat this sensational sandwich is it includes a superfood: avocado. Avocados have been found to have so many health benefits, it is hard not to eat them! Their unique texture and flavor leave you wanting more and this sandwich will not disappoint.

Reasons to Eat Avocados

  • Healthy monounsaturated fats
  • Rich in other nutrients like Vitamin k, C, B6, and E
  • Helps cut bad cholesterol
  • Reduce risk of heart attack or stroke
  • Lower your weight by reducing hunger
  • Fight Inflammation
  • Great source of energy
  • Kids love the cool green color

There are many other reasons avocados are beneficial to your health. There is also research linking avocados to fighting certain types of cancers. Why not eat one of these babies every day? Therefore, it is essential to find ways that will keep your family interested in this amazing superfood!

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