Mouth Watering Blueberry Recipes

Have you noticed I am sharing a ton of blueberry recipes lately? I guess you could say I have Blueberries on the Brain! How could I resist rounding up some of the yummiest recipes from the Tell Me About It Tuesday Party to share with you?

When I saw this Coconut Rice Pudding Recipe with Blueberries my heart skipped a beat, we love Rice Pudding, but the Mister hates raisins, so we can still have our treat and enjoy a little fruit too thanks to this recipe.

My son would go Gaga for these 4th of July Waffles, because he is Mister America and he LOVES the flag, and waffles, and whipped cream.

Savory Blueberry Pizza is a unique idea that combines 2 of my favorite things.

Red, White and Blue Fruit Cake looks pretty yummy! How can anyone resist this combo?

Blueberry Turkey Burgers With Blueberry Ketchup is a colorful way to enjoy a healthy meal.

Red, White and Blue Firework Kabobs would be a good way to compromise. My son would eat marshmallows day in and day out, I would prefer he eat fruit... with this cute snack we both win.

Red, White and Blue Whoopie Pies are colorful and packed with flavor.

Blueberry Egg Rolls? What else is there to say?

Sweetleaf Mango Melon Salsa Recipe

I love Salsa! It is so versatile and a great salsa can take any meal to the next step of perfection.  My husband prefers hot and spicy salsa, but I am intrigued by salsa that includes fruits. This Mango Melon Salsa was right up my alley! You will want to try this recipe for a flavor that is smooth, sweet and unique. It just screams summer!

SweetLeaf^® Mango Melon Salsa

• 1 cup diced melon(s) of choice
• 1 cup peeled and diced mango
• ½ serrano (or milder) chili, seeded and minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped
• Juice of 1 fresh lime
• ½ cup diced pineapple
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 10 drops Lemon Drop SweetLeaf^® Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops^™
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. chili powder (to taste)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and gently toss to combine. Refrigerate before serving.

Do you have a favorite salsa recipe? I would love to have you tell me about it in a comment.

Kid Made Straw Necklaces

Bling; made for kids, by kids!

My kids really like to get crafty. They also like to peek in my jewelry box and beg to wear all of the pretty things! So we set out to see what we could create with things we already had at home. This is what we came up with. Straw Necklaces!

You will need:

*Straws

*Bakers twine or yarn
*Glue
*Scissors

Rolf was kind enough to cut the straws for both of the necklaces we made.

We simply added a bead of glue to one side of a straw, then pressed it onto another. Repeat until you are out of straws.

Thread your string, twine or yarn through one straw and tie to make the necklace.

This was a fun craft for both kids. Harp was pleased to have her own "bling" that she made by herself.

Blueberry Topped Rice Cakes

I have been on a journey to eat healthier. I frequently snack on rice cakes but they get rather boring. It is a good thing I have my pals at the Blueberry Council to keep me in yummy recipes and ideas for one of my favorite fruits.

When I saw this recipe for Blueberry Topped Rice Cakes I couldn't wait to try it. I think you are going to enjoy it if you want a flavorful, filling snack that is low in calories.

Ingredients

• ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• 2 teaspoons apricot preserves
• 4 apple-cinnamon flavored rice cakes
• 1 cup thinly-sliced fresh fruit (such as apple, pear, nectarine or peach)
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together ricotta and preserves
2. Spoon an equal amount on each of the rice cakes almost to the edge
3. Arrange fruit slices in circles, on top of the ricotta mixture
4. Top each with ¼ cup of the blueberries
5. Serve immediately

To find even more fantastic recipes visit the Blueberry Council website.

Blueberry Whoopie Pies

One of my favorite things about summer is fresh blueberries. My family visits a local farmer every summer to pick blueberries. We have fun picking our own fruit and we love feasting on blueberries in a variety of ways.

On our to try list this summer with our freshly harvested fruit was Blueberry Whoopie Pies! 

Ingredients

• 1 red velvet cake mix (18.25 ounces)
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ cup water
• 1⁄3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1-½ cups marshmallow crème from a jar
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F
2. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper
3. In a large bowl combine cake mix, flour, water, oil and eggs
4. With an electric mixer, beat at medium speed until smooth, 2-3 minutes
5. Scoop the batter by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart, to make 24 cookies
6. Bake until puffed, 8-10 minutes
7. Let cool 2 minutes on the baking sheets
8. With a spatula, remove to wire racks to cool completely
9. With a small spatula or knife, spread 1-½ teaspoons marshmallow crème onto the flat side of each cookie
10. Divide blueberries onto 12 of the cookies
11. Top with remaining cookies to make sandwiches
12. Serve immediately or store chilled in an airtight container layered between sheets of waxed paper

Number of servings (yield): 12

Thanks to my friends at the Blueberry Council for sharing this recipe!

Our Summer Bucket List

Summer is here and we are in full vacation mode! Having the kids and my husband home for 3 months leaves us a lot of time for fun and games; adventures and experiences and making a lot of memories!

This year we have a bucket list that involves something for all 4 of us! I can't wait to share these summer goals with you and hear what your family is going to get into this summer!

1) Camping

We took our first family camping trip last year. Somehow we had never done this with the kids, despite the reality that Adam and I were camping a ton before they were born. We are going to spend a few nights in the woods of the Hocking Hills, and a few nights by the Mohican River in Loudonville Ohio. We knew camping was a great goal because we can take our dog along with us, and he LOVES to go along on an adventure anytime!

2) Speaking of Dogs

We recently lost one of our dogs after an very brief illness. While the pain is still fresh, my heart won't allow me to stop loving dogs. Before the end of the summer we are going to adopt a shelter dog in honor of our beloved Fritzy. We couldn't save him, but in his memory we can give a dog another chance at a happy life with a loving family.

3) Make Life Better

My husband and I are going to donate blood together, to save a few lives and set a good example to our kids about ways you can make a difference in your community. My husband will volunteer at the food bank and the kids and I will be out picking up trash in our neighborhood when we walk our dog. We are also collecting purses, socks and puzzles to donate to an assisted living facility. When life is better for the people in our community, life feels better in our own home.

4) Go to the Casino Without the Kids

We need a night out, just the two of us, and I feel lucky! Adam and I think getting dressed up, going out to dinner and playing some slot machines sounds like a perfect kid free way to reconnect with each other! If you could use a date night without the kids check out https://www.spinit.com/en-eu/online-slots to get your game on!

5) Get Wet

Lake Erie is just a short drive away, and a couple of days on the lake would erase all tension and stress that adult life often has as. My son and I have always loved taking short trips to Kelley's Island and this year we are going to take the rest of the family along on our adventure. 

What is on your bucket list this year? I would love to hear about your summer adventures and plans in a comment! 

7 Sensational Slow Cooker Recipes

Guess what my favorite small appliance is?... Yep, my Crock-Pot! I am always looking for great recipes for my crock-pot, and I found 7 that I think you are going to love!

Crockpot Lemon Rice Soup from Simplee Thrifty

No Boil Crock Pot Baked Ziti from Thrifty Jinx

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore  from Deb CB

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff from Simply Stacie

Hearty Crock Pot Beef Stew from Raking in the Savings

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese from Snappy Gourmet

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches from Chaos is Bliss

Which one do you think you will try first?

Fresh Blueberry Napoleons

If you need a yummy dessert to take to your 4th of July festivities you won't want to miss this recipe for Fresh Blueberry Napoleons. Imagine something fruity, sweet and rich that will leave your loved ones talking about your amazing baking skills... 

Ingredients

• 6 slices firm white sandwich bread, crusts removed
• 1 teaspoon butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole or part-skim milk or cottage cheese)
• ¼ cup mascarpone or cream cheese
• ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
• 1 cup blueberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. With a rolling pin, roll bread slices very thin
3. Cut each slice in half lengthwise
4. Lightly butter bread on one side
5. Arrange on baking sheet
6. Sprinkle wtih sugar
7. Bake until crisp and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes
8. Cool to room temperature (If making ahead, wrap tightly store at room temperature)
9. In medium bowl, with electric mixer, beat ricotta, mascarpone, confectioners’ sugar, and preserves until smooth
10. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use
11. Just before serving, place 8 toasts on work surface
12. Spread cheese filling on toasts, dividing evenly
13. Dot with berries
14. Stack 4 of the prepared toasts on remaining prepared toasts
15. Top each with a plain toast
16. Press gently to secure
17. Place each on a serving plate
18. If desired, sift confectioners’ sugar over Napoleons
19. Serve immediately

Thanks to my friends at the Blueberry Council for sharing this recipe.

Fruttata Banana Pancakes

My son Roo is on a kick where he will eat nothing but pancakes. Seriously. Nothing but pancakes! So when my pals at Fruttata sent me this recipe I knew we had to try it to bring a little something to the daily pancakes that my son insists on eating.

I loved that I could add something nutritious to his favorite food and jazz them up a little. He was not thrilled with the idea of bananas being added in, but when he realized I wasn't making a second batch of plain ones he ate them. 

Fruttata Banana Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups flour
• 3.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1.25 cups milk
• cooking spray
• .36 oz bag of Fruttata Banana crisps freeze dried fruit

Directions

• Sift together flour, baking powder and sugar in a large bowl.
• Whisk in melted butter, egg, and milk until combined. Let batter rest 5 minutes.
• Preheat large skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.
• Pour batter into skillet, 1/4 cup of batter each pancake.
• Cook 2-3 minutes.
•  Flip and add contents of dried fruit bag chopped into smaller desired pieces.
• Cook until golden, about 1-2 minutes

Do you have a favorite fruit pancake recipe? I would love to hear about it.

Savory Blueberry Pizza

I love pizza... but pizza with blueberries? Hey, why not!? My friends at the Blueberry Council sent this recipe and I was thrilled to have the chance to share it with you.

Savory Blueberry Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 1-1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
• 4 ounces diced pancetta (can also use bacon or ham if pancetta is not available), cooked and drained
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Lightly flour a work surface.
3. Pat and stretch dough into a 10 x 14-inch oval; place on a large baking sheet.
4. With a fork, pierce dough in several places.
5. Leaving a 1-inch border, sprinkle dough with half the mozzarella, the gorgonzola, pancetta and red onion.
6. Bake until crust is golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
7. Sprinkle blueberries and remaining mozzarella over pizza; bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 2 minutes longer.
8. Remove from oven; top with basil and pepper.

How do you like your pizza? Have you ever had it with blueberries as a topping? I can't wait to talk pizza with you- leave me a comment ;)

Dirty Little Secrets

Today I want to talk about dirty little secrets. We all have them, but we don't share them. In this age of social media it is so important to keep our lives polished and presentable for the masses. But, I am not polished or pristine. I may not even be presentable sometimes if we are being honest.

Thanks to BIZ for sponsoring this post. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a hot mess mom. If you stop by unannounced I am going to look like a wreck. I am guaranteed to have flour, paint or cement on my person. I am also an unprepared hot mess most of the time. I get an idea and I run with it. So my favorite shorts, my most flattering skirts and all of my tops pay the price for this by the seat of my pants lifestyle.

I used to replace favorite outfits seasonally. Ruin a pair of shorts then go buy them again. Toss a top in the trash and get a similar one. It is expensive to have a fashion sense such as mine.

Then I got this laundry changing opportunity to be a BIZ ambassador. I have tried laundry boosters and stain removers before, but I am a mess; my kids are a mess. My favorite quilt was covered in black marker from this creative vibe we have and the lack of planning I am cursed or blessed with.

But, BIZ is ideal for cleaning up this messy life. Without taking away from our fun! I can let everyone get messy, save money and keep my peace with a $3 addition to my shopping list. BIZ stain fighter does just what it says it will, and makes it easy for me to keep everyone looking great in their favorite clothes. It is as easy to use as adding it to your favorite detergent and letting the washing machine and the stain fighter do the work! I love that it is available in both liquid and powder and it is so affordable. And yes, the marker came out with no trace!

Laundry is the least of my worries these days now that BIZ is a trusted part of our family. But, stains happen! If you have a great stain removal tip, be sure to share it in a comment!

ABC Pancakes with Krusteaz

Thanks to Krusteaz for hooking us up with yummy mixes!

My 4 year old is going through a phase... the phase of "I don't like it..." He refuses to eat everything from yogurt to chicken, to crackers and fruits, he doesn't like anything except pancakes. So I make a ton of pancakes these days.

I have been making my sons food of choice into a fun learning experience, because face it, food should be fun to prepare and eat.

Krusteaz was kind enough to send us Honey Wheat Pancake Mix. {This stuff is so good! No wonder the kid wants to only eat pancakes!} and I got busy in the kitchen making pancakes for Roo that offered him a yummy breakfast and a chance to practice his ABC's.

I followed the directions on the package and created a batter.

Using a squeeze bottle I wrote letters on the hot griddle.

 After about 30 seconds I added a scoop of batter to the top of each letter and allowed them to cook as normal.

This created letter pancakes for the kids.

My son really liked telling us about the letter he was eating, this included letter sounds, who has a name that starts with a letter and son on.

Breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner too, Krusteaz pancake mixes make a delicious option for my family. My son is a huge fan! I am too because I can make a huge batch and freeze them for a quick breakfast during the week to the delight of my family.

Cheesy Roasted Baby Potatoes

I am a proud partner with Tasteful Selections Potatoes. 

In March I had the opportunity to visit with the Tasteful Selections family in Bakersfield. To witness their passion for potatoes sparked something in me. Potatoes are awesome. I am a big fan of the tuber, but it seems as if this tasty dinner addition doesn't get much play from me. That is about to change! I am thrilled to continue working with my favorite baby potato company, to have the chance to share easy and yummy potato recipes with you, and to find ways to introduce my children to new dishes.

Tonight was one of those nights that I just didn't really want to cook... but my stomach insisted that I get in the kitchen and whip up something that I could serve for dinner.

Crab cakes are my favorite food... I could eat them rain or shine, morning or night, every day! I whipped up a small batch of crab cakes but needed a side to accompany our salads. I had Organic Honey Gold Tasteful Selection Potatoes in my refrigerator, so I opted to whip up something fantastically yummy and I can't wait to share this very simple recipe with you!

This recipe makes 2 servings of cheesy potatoes.

Ingredients

7 baby honey gold organic potatoes

1 tablespoon of EVOO

1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon of garlic and herb seasoning

1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

*note*

I made this dish in a wok, because I have one and I like to use it as much as I can. You can also just use a skillet on the stove top.

Instructions

Cut your Tasteful Selections honey gold potatoes into quarters

Heat Wok to 300 degrees {or skillet to medium high heat}

Add 1 Tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the Wok

Add quartered potatoes, fresh black pepper and garlic herb seasoning to the wok and stir.

Allow your potatoes to cook for about 3 minutes then stir. You want to keep stirring every few minutes to insure your potatoes are crisped evenly on all sides.

When your potatoes are golden brown and slightly crispy reduce the heat to about 250 degrees, add 1/3 cup of cheese and stir

Allow your cheese to melt completely then serve to the delight of your family. Who doesn't love crispy potatoes and lots of cheese?! 

What is your favorite way to enjoy potatoes? Tell me all about it!

Summer Style for a Mom on the Go

Summer is here and we are on the go! We have been visiting parks, playgrounds and museums. We have had a million baseball games and play dates, and with so much time spent running, it is the season to see and be seen. This year, I am looking fashionable  while staying functional on a budget and I know you are going to want to hear my secrets to achieving a great look for your summer mom adventures.

This post contains partner links. Samples were received to facilitate the style guide.

First, comfy shoes are a must. I have been rocking a pair of Lugz Regent Lo in White. These oxford style shoes are so comfy and supportive that I can chase kids all day long and still look stylish when I dash into the grocery store. Retailing at under $45 I love that this pair of shoes offers a casual look for any on the go  woman this summer. Lugz are a family favorite option here as they are durable, affordable and always stylish. {ADD PHOTO AND LINK}

Next, a bag that can do double duty is important. I love the Retro Metro Bag from Thirty One. It is spacious, with side and interior pockets keeping track of your keys, phone and chapstick is a breeze. I love that the interior has enough room to hold my necessities plus my mom gear. This is the bag you can always find on my arm these days. I have officially retired my coach collection for Thirty One. {ADD PHOTO AND LINK}

Adding an accessory is a fun way to style this summer. Thirty One has these awesome Just Write Snap Bracelets that you can make your own. These would be great to layer, or maybe get two and share one with your bestie. {ADD PHOTO AND LINK} I also swoon over every bracelet in the Luca and Danni collection. This Hudson bangle is my go to for light and summery looks while the Druzy Metallic in Blue is my favorite statement bracelet.

Skirts are perfect for summer; and I just got a really nice A line from Novashe, at unbeatable price for the quality. It is well made, elegant in appearance and great for a chic summer evening outfit.  {ADD PHOTO AND LINK}

NatureSweet Cherubs Greek Salad

My friends over at NatureSweet asked me if I would like to share a recipe with my readers, just in time for spring. Of course I jumped at the chance!

Course Type: Side Salad

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Short Summary: A classic Mediterranean favorite

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg Fresh Express® Spring Mix
• 2 Tbsp pitted black olives, sliced
• 1 cup NatureSweet® Cherubs® Tomatoes
• 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 4 whole pepperoncinis
• Your favorite balsamic or tarragon vinaigrette dressing

Instructions:

1. Place Fresh Express® Spring Mix into a large salad bowl.
2. Top with olives, NatureSweet® Cherubs® Tomatoes and onions. Add cheese and pepperoncinis. Drizzle dressing over salad.

Stay tuned, I will be developing a recipe that is perfect for spring and summer eating featuring my favorite little tomatoes!

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For

6 Things Not To Bargain Shop For

We all love a good bargain. Saving money is awesome and unless you are one of the nearly 500 billionaires in the United States, it is often a necessity.  As the financial adviser in my family, I try my best to get the most bang for my buck on every purchase. I check ebates to see if I can earn cashback.  I use my paypal debit card to purchase nearly everything I buy because I earn 1% cashback each month, which adds up! I look for sales, coupons and discounts. I even shop the closeout stores like Big Lots and Ollie's Bargain Outlet. Who doesn't like buying stuff at a lower cost?

In all of my attempts to save money, I have discovered things you should not scrimp on. Things that are just worth the cost in the long run. I want to share these suggestions with you to help you in your attempts to save as much as you can.

1. Laundry Detergent 

I say buy something good for several good reasons. One your clothes are meant to last. Washing them in something like the brand from Dollar Tree is going to take a toll on your clothes. You can take my word for this. I bought a new pair of jeans, washed them in the cheap cheap LA Awesome (or something like that) brand exclusively. Ya know what? In 6 months time the denim was so worn and threadbare all over that I was afraid to go outdoors in them for fear they might just fall apart! I bought a new pair of jeans to replace the holy than thou pair and went back to Tide... same brand of jeans, same style. That was 5 years ago... I still have the 2nd new pair today. Secondly, your clothes should look and smell good after washing them. A cheap detergent is mostly water, it just can't do the job as well as Tide.

2. Deodorant

This should be a no brainer. Buy something good, don't try to save money here... cause no one wants to smell your attempts to save money on a hot summer day....

3. Pet Food

If you can't afford to feed a pet quality food, you shouldn't have a pet. Feeding off brands of food, such as EverPet, will lead to health issues. Pets deserve to be cared for in many ways, but their diet is vital to the overall health and well being of any pet. 

4. Trash Bags

I have bought cheap trash bags before and ended up picking my trash up off the lawn as the bag rips, tears or whatever on the way to the curb. No fun, not worth saving $2 in my opinion.

5. Shoes

I think buying quality footwear is important. Not only do your feet feel better in great shoes, but they are safer. When my son was about 18 months old and on the go, go, go we found a great deal on a pair of well known kids shoes. I jumped on them. Days later I realized why they were so affordable... the hard way. The sole of the shoe detached, causing my toddler to fall and he got a black eye out of it. Since that moment, no more bargain buys on shoes. Find the new air force 1 here.

6. Pillows

Repeat after me. "I will not buy a $5 pillow. I will not buy a $5 pillow." 

I am not saying you need to spend a few hundred on a great pillow, but invest in one that is going to give you a good quality of sleep. I use a Technogel pillow. I love it. I can't sleep without it, without waking up in pain or exhausted. A good pillow is an investment in your quality of life. 

Do you have any items to add to this list? What do you think you should buy without bargain hunting?

Easy Banana Pancakes

We love Post cereal in my home. We are thrilled to have the chance to share another recipe on their behalf with you!

Easy Banana Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 1 cup pancake and waffle mix
• 1 cup Great Grains Banana Nut Crunch Cereal
• 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Directions

1. Beat egg with milk and oil in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add pancake mix; beat until well blended. Stir in cereal. Let stand 5 minutes.
2. Ladle batter onto hot griddle or into hot skillet, using 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on tops, then turn over to brown other sides.
3. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Summer Sauteed Corn and Squash

Sauteed corn and squash makes for the perfect addition to any summer meal. It is delicious enough to make a meal on its own! Made with fresh and simple ingredients, this dish comes together in a matter of moments and is going to get rave reviews from anyone that samples it!

Summer is here you guys! I have never been so happy to hit the farmers market! After a long winter with access to a sad selection of fresh veggies, to see food grown with care and pride inspired my stomach and my menu planning.

I made the easiest dish for dinner last Sunday. It was a lazy summer day. The kids had been playing outside most of the day and I turned to my farmers market finds to create dinner. This recipe is so easy you guys it makes only 3 ingredients and the prep time is minimal, so you can spend more time making summer memories.

Chefs notes:

Use real butter. Butter is something that should not be sacrificed in any kitchen. I firmly believe that using butter to cook is healthier than turning to some scientifically created food like substance. Butter- just do it guys. 

At the last moment, I tossed roughly chopped fresh parsley into the veggie mix to add a splash of green and a little extra flavor. This is optional

This post contains affiliate links

Ingredients

1 yellow squash

2 ears of corn on the cob

2 tablespoons of real butter

parsley to taste (optional)

Directions

Shuck your ears of corn 

Cut the corn from the cob

Chop the squash into chunks

Heat a skillet at a a medium heat setting

Add butter

Add corn and squash

Add parsley if desired

Sautee for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. When your squash is tender you can remove from the heat and serve.

I served this along with garlic roasted asparagus for a delicious dinner that was extremely delicious and healthy. It offered a colorful plate packed with summer veggies! This is one of the many ways we love to enjoy summer squash.

 I would love to hear how you enjoy summer squash!

This dinner was so economical. It is one of the many examples of the reality that you can eat wholesome and healthy foods even on the tightest of budgets.  I always hear people claim that it costs too much to eat healthy. Recipes like this dispell that myth. While I didn't add meat to the meal- you could easily do so if you desired.

Summer squash {1/3 of a pound} In stores squash sells for $.99 to $1.59 a pound in my area. I paid 50 cents for the squash at my farmers market.

Corn was on sale for 12 cents an ear. I used 2 ears for a total of 24 cents.

Figuring butter into the equation would be about 15 cents for the amount used in this recipe.

Asparagus was on sale for $1.49 a pound. I used 1/2 a pound with this meal for .75 .

Seriously, this was one of the best dinners I have eaten in a week and I served this to 2 adults for a total of $1.64. We both left dinner incredibly satisfied. This is a completely healthy dinner that is budget friendly for proof that eating healthy is not as expensive as everyone wants you to believe.

DIY Kids Reading Nook and Book Storage Solution

We have moved into our house and are now in the stages of making it work for us. The rooms are all spacious, there are closets! But we have a mass of childrens books fitting for a small library. After filling the only 3 shelves available with books, I had to get creative about storing them but I also wanted to come up with something functional.

You can never have enough books for your little ones, including bedtime stories for kids. However, having the storage for all the books is where it gets challenging. 

I got an under the bed storage tote. I filled it with about 50 books.

I placed the lid on it and immediately my daughter dashed into see what was up. She is a little bookworm and the idea of several hundred available books really appealed to her... and the mess maker in her too.

                  From here I got a soft blanket. and covered tote of books.

I added a few favorite stuffed animals, but they were instantly snatched away by the kids. so I gave them a pillow and a small basket of books at the side of this reading nook.

As you can see, it was instantly put to use by my sweet book loving daughter.

So, for about $8 I created a storage solution and a seating area for the kids! This has worked well because the kids like to lay down and read, and the tote filled with books supports their weight and is just the right length for them to do so.

Grape-Nuts Crunchy Curried Hummus

If you like hummus you are going to love this recipe inspired by my friends at Post!

Grape-Nuts Crunchy Curried Hummus


Ingredients

2 cans (15 ounce each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 garlic clove
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds*
2 tablespoons tahini
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons olive oil (recommend Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Gundry MD, click here to learn more about the product)
1/3 cup Grape Nuts Cereal
Cauliflower florets and carrot sticks

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor add chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, cumin seeds, tahini, water, lemon juice and salt. Pulse to combine. With the motor running, stream in olive oil and process until smooth.
Remove from food processor and place in serving bowl. Fold in Grape-Nuts cereal. Top with a light drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with additional Grape-Nuts cereal for added crunch. Serve with cauliflower florets and carrot sticks.

*Note: To toast cumin seeds, place seeds in a dry pan over medium heat. Toast until golden brown and fragrant.

If you like Hummus, you have to try this awesome recipe. It is flavorful and perfect for parties! I would love to hear about your favorite hummus recipe if you have one!