Oven Roasted Green Beans

1 pound green beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon salt
Pepper
1/2 juliann red bell pepper
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

1.  Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil.
2.  In a mixing bowl, add the olive oil, green beans, minced garlic,  salt and pepper. Toss well.
3.  Spread the green beans out on the foiled lined baking sheet.
4.  Roast in the oven for 6 minutes,  add red bell pepper strips tossing quickly at around 6 minutes.
5.  Roast in oven for another 2 or 3 mins.
6.  Let cook slightly before serving.
   Serve Oven Roasted Garlic Green Beans as side dish with favorite meat, chicken or pork chops meal.

Cost Saving Tips for Buying Vegetables

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The Best Cost-Saving Vegetable Tip
Do you ever stare at the vegetable drawer in your refrigerator and think, "I don't even want to look in there"? If so, you may be falling into one of the biggest money-wasters when it comes to vegetables:

Buying too much.

Buy less more often:

The best advice is simply to plan carefully. If you don't end up eating it when you intended to, freeze if possible. Some vegetables, such as peppers, can simply be cut up and dropped into a zip-lock bag.

Others, like spinach, can be wilted in a hot pan first (seriously, it takes less than two minutes). But don't wait until they start to get yucky! Freeze as soon as you start to think you might not eat the veggies right away.
That way, they will not only have the best flavor, but you will preserve nutrients, which tend to degrade with even a few extra days of storage. KJPGSEVUJYEM
My book is now available Save Your Money, Save Your Family

KJPGSEVUJYEM

Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars

Servings: Provides 3 dozen bars

6 ounces dried cranberries
8 ounces chopped dates
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups oats old fashioned
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup powdered sugar optional
1 -2 tablespoons orange juice optional
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract


Preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a saucepan over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates and water, stirring constantly. Simmer until all water is absorbed; remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in butter or margarine until well blended.

Spread half of the flour mixture into ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan; bake in oven for 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and spoon cranberry/date mixture over crust; sprinkle with remaining flour mixture, pat gently.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned; cool.

Optional: Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and orange juice to make a frosting. Drizzle over cereal bars.

Servings: Provides 3 dozen bars

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• Healthy eating with the Mayo Clinic's Morning Glory Muffins (thismamacooks.com)

Oat choc pecan breakfast bar

serves 24 prep time 10min cook time 30 min

1 cup softened butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup oats quick cooking
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ toasted
4 eggs
2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Directions:
In a bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Combine oats, flours and wheat germ; gradually add to creamed mixture. Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. In a small bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Stir in pecans, coconut and chocolate chips. Spread evenly over crust.
Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Grandma Naomi Chicken Pot Pie

chicken Pot Pie

serves 8 Grandma Naomi

2 cups shredded chicken cooked
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 9 1/2-ounce boxes frozen mixed vegetables
2 refrigerator pie shells


DIRECTIONS
1.In large boiler add all ingredients, heat until bubbling.
2. Pour mixture into pie shell, and cover with the second crust. Crimp the edges, and make slits in the top crust.
3.Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 to 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.












www.saveyourmoneysaveyourfamily.com

Do You Know What the average American Family Spends on Eating Out

Food is one big area where many families could be more thrifty. Families spend an average of $2,434 on food away from home, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you (and your spouse and your children) eat lunch out every day of the week then try brown bagging at least one of those days. If just one of you does it you may save up to $400 a year and if you can double or triple that savings you could finance a family vacation with it.

Simple, inexpensive and healthy lunches.

Lunch should be only about 400 calories. Buy large bags of pretzels, rice cereal, a large jar of peanuts, celery sticks, carrots, large bag of apples, a large jar of peanut butter, couple of favorite jellies or jams, a large block of cheese, a large box of crackers.

Pack my Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars or Peanut Butter Granola Bars.

A lunch maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a small bag of pretzels, and some apple wedges, sprinkle with a lemon juice, cinnamon sugar to keep them from turning brown. A healthier yummy lunch. Or pack a mixture of rice cereal, pretzels, peanuts mix with Worcestershire sauce, add some garlic salt if desired warm in oven 350 degrees for 10 min. cool and divided into bags for a great lunch snack. Pack a Peanut Butter Granola Bar and slice the block cheese into thin sliced cubes and crackers.

Lunch can be a great way to include younger children in letting them help prepare their lunch the night before.

Create Healthy Habits for you and your family:

Eat Breakfast:

According to a Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital study of children from Philadelphia and Baltimore, there was a clear link that showed children who usually ate breakfast performed better in mathematics and they had fewer cases of hyperactivity in the classroom. The children also attended school on a more regular basis, compared to their peers who missed out on breakfast. (Pediatrics, January, 1998; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, February, 1998) Suite101.com
Preparing breakfast takes very little effort: It will take a little more organization and 10 more minutes in the morning:


Make sure you have several breakfast items on hand: Not just cold cereal.


Oatmeal eggs
cream of wheat bread
pan cake mix butter
syrup jam/jelly
yogurt
fruit/fresh/frozen
milk
juice

when making pan cakes make them 3" in diameter. make 2 dozen more than you will eat and freeze them. When you are short on time pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

SUMMER VACATIONS/LABOR DAY/HOLIDAY

SUMMER VACATIONS/LABOR DAY/HOLIDAY
AT THE BEACH, LAKE AND PARKS
PREPARING AND PLANNING FOR THESE ARE AS EASY AS 1, 2 ,3
CLEAN UP THE AREA BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
DON'T BOAT OR DRINK AND DRIVE.

1. ICE CHEST USE SOLID BLOCK ICE. IT LAST LONGER AND WILL KEEP YOUR FOOD AND DRINKS COOLER LONGER

2. DRINKS: SODA AND BEER WILL DEHYDRATE YOU. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE PLENTY OF WATER. ALSO REMEMBER TANG THE ASTRONAUTS. MIX AND POUR INTO A GALLON MILK JUG AND FREEZE AS IT THAWS IT IS COLD AND REFRESHING.

3. FREEZE GRAPES: THEY ARE DELICIOUS

4. PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS (SEE RECIPE)posted 7/29/09

5. NATURAL FOODS (NOT JUNK)SEE BELOW HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES: CARROTS, CELERY, APPLE WEDGES SPRINLE WITH CINNAMON AND SUGAR, MIXED CERELS ADD RAISINS AND M & M'S.

6. MEATS: LEAN CUTS OF TURKEY, AND HAM, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP IT COOL.

7. EASY HEALTY SNACKS: CRACKERS AND NILLA WAFERS. FOR CHEESE AND CRACKERS. NILLA WAFERS WITH PEANUT BUTTER.

9 Tips To Save Money By Keeping Your Vegetables Fresher Longer

1. Too much moisture can cause vegetables to mold and melt.

2. When Purchasing your vegetables at the grocery store dry off the excess water, before placing the item into the plastic bag. Most grocery stores provide paper towels that are located in the produce department.

3. When you get home do not just toss all the vegetables in the refrigerator. How many times have you found your green onions melting in the refrigerator: they have become liquid green yuk.

4. Most vegetables are not to be washed before use.
Except for carrots, beets and celery.
Carrots and beets cut off the roots, wash and dry them completely place them in a perforated plastic bag. Place them in the refrigerator they should last approximately 2 weeks. As for celery the green leafy tops are really very tasty for soups. Clean celery as you would carrots. Dry them completely place them in a perforated plastic bag.

5. Leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach should be placed in plastic storage bags and put in the coolest place in the refrigerator. Should you notice to much moisture accumulating in the plastic bags wrap the leafy greens in a paper towel.

6. Cabbage, uncut, unwashed wrapped in plastic should last for approximately 10 days .

7. Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, place in plastic storage bags and place in the refrigerator.

8. Peppers, onions, celery, scallions and tomatoes can be frozen. Thaw and use them in baking and in soups.

9. Potato and sweet potatoes, place in a brown paper bag. Put in a dark, cooler room. Potatoes should last for several weeks. Sweet potatoes contain more sugar, so they break down quicker than regular potatoes.

10 Steps in choosing the Kitchen items and cooking needs that are right for you:

Kitchen Items and small appliances are personal choice:


1. Convenience:
What is most convenient for your life style

2. Simpler the better:
Items that take the least amount of effort to use:

3. Clean Up:
Items that are the easiest to clean up:

4. Clutter or the lack of Clutter:
Space available for you to use in your kitchen.

5. Your type of cooking:
Baking, Grilling, Micro Waving, Crock Pot.

6. Watch out for the newest fad.
The newest gadget may look great but will it really be functional in your kitchen.

7. Is it really a need or just want.
It may be pretty, but think do I really need it. You will save money and clutter.

8. Do you freeze or save left overs.
There are items specifically for freezing and storing cooked foods.

9. Small children in the kitchen:
Safe items for small children that want to help. Cooking is a great way to teach, and build self confidence in small children.

10. Herbs and Spice Gardening:
Do you grow your own. It will determine what kind of spice racks and spices you may need.

Tip # 7 How do you feed Unexpected Guest without blowing your budget:!!!!

When unexpected guest arrive you don't have to wait until they leave to eat.

Just improvise ! Add food items that cost the least to purchase and the easiest to add without making your guest feel they are an inconvenience.

Many food items fits the bill.

Potatoes, Long grain white or brown rice, barley,pasta, lettuce and many other .

Potatoes add 1 per additional person eating. Microwave: serve mashed potatoes instead of baked. Rice can be served as a starch by itself or added to increase volume. (ex: add to soup, burritos, casseroles as well as barley and pasta.

If serving a salad increase the lettuce and serve the salad into individual salad bowls.

And as far as dessert easy!! Always have a large jar of applesauce on hand, or a couple of boxes of vanilla and chocolate instant pudding, graham crackers or nil la wafers.

Pour applesauce into small individual serving dishes, sprinkle with cinnamon, stand 2 small graham crackers to one side like rabbit ears and serve.

Or make pudding according to directions, pour pudding into small individual serving dishes, layering each flavor, put a dollop of whip topping in the middle and serve.

Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe

Peanut Butter Granola Bars. This recipe is fun and easy to make. Let your kids have fun making them with you.

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups rolled oats, quick cooking
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Beat together peanut butter, honey, egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla blend well.
3. Mix oats, sugar and salt together and mix well.
4. Add oat mixture to peanut butter mixture mix until batter becomes sticky.
5. Stir in chocolate chips (optional)
6. Press into a 13” x 9” pan coated with cooking spray. Use a piece of wax paper to press mixture into an even layer in the pan
7. Bake 12-15 minutes. Cool completely and slice into bars. Makes 18.

Tip #6 Cooking with the kids can be fun, exciting, and educational and builds Self Confidence.

Cooking basically is following directions. (Remember Tip # 5 is to follow directions). One of the first lessons in elementary school we are taught is to follow directions. By following directions the outcome is already proven to be successful. By following directions your children will learn how to read and comprend each step given (with your help of course) for example the recipe states to stir not mix. Following directions will teach them about math (fractions to be exact) how to convert cups, ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons. Your children will be having fun while learning, can you imagine you and your children making homemade peanut butter granola bars, you packing the granola bars in your child’s lunch, and your child’s friends and class mates will want to know where those granola bars came from and your children can say I made them myself, or they use it for show and tale. It builds self confidence, teaches them patients, and teaches them how to work together.
Self Confidence is one of the greatest gifts you as a parent can instill in your children. If they make a mess or if it does not come out perfect just remember what is important you are making memories and teaching them many lessons that will follow them for the rest of their lives.