Tag Archives: easy

Product Reviews

Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Stuffing

pumpkin bread stuffing

This up coming week is Thanksgiving you know what is amazing… Stuffing try a twist this year with my Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Stuffing.  Fall is here Pumpkin spice everything! Krusteaz, makers of premium baking mixes, has an entire line of pumpkin spice mixes including muffins, cookies, bars and quick bread.  Krusteaz has it all Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Pumpkin Spice Muffins, and Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread

Pumpkin Bread stuffing with Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix it is truly a special stuffing for you family sweet and savory . My husband said talk about making something from scratch.  He said yummy goodness that is stuffing he really enjoyed.

pumpkin quick bread

Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix  you will need:

  • Oil
  • water
  • 2 eggs

Pumpkin Bread Stuffing:

  • 1 package Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix- made, cut in cubes, and dried
  • 1lb package of sage sausage
  •  1 small onion diced small
  • 2 celery stalks diced small
  • 2 granny smith apples 1 1/2 cups diced
  • 1/4 tea spoon of rosemary
  • 2 sage leaves whole
  • 1/4 teaspoon of thyme
  • 1/4 of dried cranberries
  • 1 can of chicken broth

pumpkin bread stuffing

  1. Make the Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread following the instruction on the package remove from oven and allow the bread to thoroughly cool.
  2. Cut the bread in to slices then into cubes.
  3. Place cubes on backing sheet and place in oven at 225 degrees for 2 1/2 hours- till dry and crispy (save some for a salad with left over turkey)
  4. In a large pot brown sausage , pouring off fat remove sausage set aside
  5. Dice all veggies  place celery and onion in with sausage dripping 1 pat of butter cook to tender
  6. Add sage, rosemary, thyme
  7. Add sausage, and apples to pot.
  8. Add Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread
  9. Add 1/2 the can of broth, and slowly add more as needed.
  10. Allow the stuffing to sit 2 hours (or overnight)  in fridge
  11. Add extra broth , Then Bake 325 for 20min prior to serving

Here is a printable recipe of the Pumpkin Bread stuffing with Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix

pumpkin_bread_stuffing__4209

 

Also be sure to save the extra dried quick bread cubes to use as Krusteaz Pumpkin Croutons with your leftover turkey salad

See my post:  Thanksgiving Leftover Salad

Disclosure: I was provided samples of the Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread and a gift card for ingredients for my post

@Krusteaz #Krusteaz

 

Cooking, Product Reviews

Little Secret Review: Natural Peanut Butter Candy Cookies

4 Ingredients Peanut butter cany cookies featuring Little secrets all natural candy

Natural Peanut Butter Candy Cookies : I love candy,  so do my kids.  I am often concerned that my kids are putting too much artificial in their body’s.  When Little Secrets offer me the opportunity to send me their new line of  premium, natural candy-coated chocolate with no artificial ingredients, flavors, colors or corn syrup brings the fun back to small indulgences with its line of four amazing chocolate candies.  It was a win win with for my family.

candy, chocolate, little secrets, natural, natural candy-coated, premium

Little Secrets offers conscious consumers four premium flavors of candy-coated chocolate made with high quality ingredients. The line features four decadent  offerings, including Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate. All flavors are Fair Trade Certified, and are made with 100% natural ingredients.

I have to say I love the Dark Chocolate Little Secrets Candy it is a more mature flavor.  The dark chocolate was not the favorite of the kids.  Which was fine because the Hubby and I hid ourselves away with the bags and watched movies without the kids.  The peanut butter was similar to a certain candy made famous by a alien who want to use a cell phone but all natural.

The kids absolutely love the milk chocolate.

candy, chocolate, little secrets, natural, natural candy-coated, premium

Little Secret: Natural Peanut Butter Candy Cookies

4 Ingredients:  Peanut Butter Candy Cookies

  • 1 eggs
  • 1 cup of natural peanut butter
  • 1 cup of natural sugar
  • 1/2 cup of Little Secrets candies (any flavor)
  1. Preheat oven 350
  2. Mix ingredients (egg, sugar, peanut butter) blend well
  3. Mix in Little Secrets candy
  4. Scoop out  cookies on to making sheet  (12-18 cookies) (tip: spray scoop spoon with cooking spray help it not to stick)
  5. Using a fork dipped in water then sugar make a crosshatch to push down cookie
  6. Bake for 7-8 min
  7. Take out an cool slightly before moving to wire rack to cool completely.

PRINTABLE VERSION HERE  Peanut_Butter_Candy_Cookies_001

 

4 Ingredients Peanut butter cany cookies featuring Little secrets all natural candy

Recipe adapted from from MomCreiff

These are Little Secret cookies you kids will love.

Learn all about Little Secrets at www.sharelittlesecrets.com.

Cooking

How to Make Easy Asia Coleslaw

3 Comments

easy aisa salad

How to make Easy Asia Coleslaw Salad : This up coming weekend is Memorial day.   I am also going to be out at various end of the year events for various groups.  I have to Menu plan for my busy week, including having kids over and off school, (my kids are also off for elections day.)  Summer is coming too fast,  I have to really come up with some great meals that don’t heat up my kitchen.

So as we plan for weekend parties. I love an easy salad for Memorial day.   This is a easy favorite salad, make no mayo so it does well during hot summer days.

Salad
1 1/2 cups shredded purple cabbage
1 1/2 prepared cole slaw, shredded
1 cup of shredded carrots
½ cup green onions chopped
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower
2 pkgs. Ramen Noodles
½ cup butter

Dressing
1/2 cup sugar or splenda
1/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup veg oil
¼ cup apple cider wine vinegar

  1. Melt the butter in a saute or frying pan melted butter for Asian Cole Slaw Salad easy
  2. Toss the broken ramen in the butter to toastedRamen Asian Cole Slaw Salad easy
  3. Chop the green onions in the Mix the salad together , add toasted ramencarrots in Asian Cole Slaw Salad easy
  4. Blend the dressing  in a cover lid container
  5. Dress salad before serving Asian Cole Slaw Salad easy

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All check out some of my other Salad Recipes:

Pea Salad with bacon

Baccon Pea Salad

Cucumber Cups

cucumber cups

Cauliflower Salad

cauliflower salad Check out more of my salad post click here

Menu Planning

Monday : Beef and Noodles

Tuesday: Shepards pie with left over pork mixed with beef

Wednesday : Pizza

Thursday: Grilled Pork chops an apple sauce with left over noodles from beef

Friday: Tacos

Have a great Memorial Day

Link up to :  Organizing Junkie

Motivational Monday

Cooking

Easy Mushroom Onion Soup

1 Comment

easy mushroom onion soup

Welcome spring.. it is still cold. So I am still making soup. My Easy Mushroom soup is so simple and so yummy your family will love it.  Even my son who loves the flavor of onions but not a fan of slimey onions is a fan of this soup. By  adding the mushrooms it adds an earthiness and filling to the soup.  Mushrooms cholesterol free are a great source of vitamin B and help to reduce cancer so eat up. Mushrooms are also a vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibiotics and antioxidants. Here is an article more about mushrooms benefits .

Easy Mushroom Onion Soup

  • 6 onions
  • 4 lb of mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 10 cups of water
  • 1 32oz of veggie or beef stock
  • 2 tablespoon of  concentrate beef or vegetable

 

  1. Slice onions thin
  2. In a large stock pot salute onions with butter salt and pepper, when translucent add mushrooms
  3. When mushrooms are golden add stock and water
  4. Add beef concentrate
  5. Add salt and pepper
  6. Cook till broth becomes flavorful  30min to an hour.. the longer the cook the better

Try eating with fresh soft Pretzels  and Cheese (provolone or swiss)

Great to freeze for later use.

easy mushroom onion soup

Menu Planning:

Monday : Perogies and Kielbasa

Tuesday: Dinner Out

Wednesday : Chicken Fingers

Thursday: Mushroom Onion soup

Friday : Pizza

Have a great Week

Linking up to Organizing Junkie and Motivation Monday

 

Cooking

Easy Slow Cooker Beans

pinto_beans_1_013_001-1a

Easy Slow Cooker Beans how to cook dried beans in your slow cooker the best recipe.  Quick to prep and great taste and must try dry bean slow cooker recipe.  So my latest obsession in cooking has been beans.  I have been cooking dried beans and enjoying them all week aas sides, on salads or as a main course.  I cook them on Monday,  will I start soaking the night before.  They are super simple and very good for you.  Making them from scratch you avoid the sodium found in caned beans.

Easy Slow Cooker Beans

  • 1 chopped onion 1 bay leaf
  • 1 lb of dried beans
  • 1 tbls of oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 tbls of salt, 1/4 of pepper
  • 1 tbls of hot sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 1/2 cups of vegetable stock,
  • optional 3-4 slices of bacon chopped
  1. The night before place beans in a large bowl pick out any bad beans , cover with water  an allow to sit over night
  2. In the morning rinse beans with water and place in a cover pot on the stove, cover with clean water- bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. drain and rinse with cool water.  This cooks off any bacteria or toxins
  3. in a slow cooker place 1 chopped onion 1 bay leaf, beans, 1 tbls of oil, 1/4 teaspoon of cumin, 1 tbls of salt, 1/4 of pepper, 1 tbls of hot sauce, 2 garlic cloves smashed,  beans, 1 1/2 cups of vegetable stock, (optional 3-4 slices of bacon chopped)
  4. Cooks for 8 hours on low easy bean recipe

Here is a printable version of Easy Slow Cooker Beans

This weeks meal planning:

  • Monday Ribs and potatoes
  • Tuesday Chicken noodle soup (snow)
  • Wednesday is ash Wednesday so homemade bread in a bag–  I make 9 loaves for church dinner and a pot my seafood chowder for the church super
  • Thursday; Pork chops, and sour kraut
  • Friday Dinner for 3 my daughter choice

Have a great week an have fun making beans

I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday

Motivation Monday

LIfe, Parenting, Product Reviews

How to Save at Target :16 Ways

13 Comments

How to save at Target : 16 Target Saving tips here are some great ways to save at Target or Target Extreme coupons.  For me Target is always $100 trip because they have everything I need for my home from bed sheets to food, from school supplies to shoes.  I never know what I am going to find.  I love the fact using some simple Target saving tips I can cut my bill down 30%-50%.save at target

How to Save at Target

Target Saving shopping coupons both High Tech and Low tech

  1. Target.com Mobile App which has the mobile coupons the coupons will load to the barcode by just opening the app-Add to pass bookmobie coupon app
  2. Cartwheel Target App (separate app) choose items (by adding them- add button) you can save on up to 18 items discounts with cartwheel app  Cell tip- (both target app be sure to check them out and load them to the check barcode (just check on them  before you go in store – some time the wifi or cell connect does not load right-)  There is a scan feature where you can scan the bar code in store but if  your wifi signal is weak can be sketchycartwheel app
  3. Regular Text Messages Text “COUPON” to Target  (827438)
  4. Target Printable coupons Located on target.com>weekly ads>scroll down >get coupons> select coupons (you have to down load the coupon printer- Catalina printer to your computer) They have target printable and manufacture printable
  5. Use the Catalina (register) coupons and save them to  save more (the Catalina coupons can be product specific or save $5 of a $50 purchase)coupons
  6. Target does not double coupons but you can” Stack” ie use an Manufactures coupon with a Target coupons (Mobile or paper), with the cartwheel app (3 discounts)
  7. Show ALL Barcode for Mobile coupons, Cartwheel coupons, Text coupons to cashier (the can be 3 separate barcodes coupons)

How to save while In Store at Target

  1. Be sure to scan all clearance items to see if an additional discount might be taken off-  Sometime the final mark down in not reflected on the sticker pricescanner
  2. Look at shelves to see if you buy bulk you get more saving or free Target gift card for later shopping tripstarget coupon
  3. In store Text Coupons- Check out the shelves in the store when shopping sometimes they have additional discount if you send a Text- Like Get a additional $10 off a $50 purchase of bedding target text coupons

Use the Target Pharmacy and save more

  1. When getting new prescription get the Catalina register coupon for $10 target gift card for new or transfer Prescriptions – If you Doctore calls the prescription in bring the coupon when you check out.  target perscription transfer
  2. Also sign up for Target Pharmacy Rewards (free) they send you a paper coupons to save 5% for an entire day be sure to check out Target.com at home and print out any additional target paper  couponstarget rewards
  3. Also you can get other product coupons in you Target Pharmacy Rewards for other items- like this free Starbucks bakery treattarget_couponing_1_013_001-11

Save with Target Red Credit/Debit

  1. Target Red Credit Card saves an 5%  on all Target purchase free shipping form target.com and an extra 30 days for returns But please pay off every month Disclosure: I found the interest rate was very High, (when I had excellent credit) rate was like 18.5 %-  So read the Rates.
  2. Target Red Debit Card  save the extra 5% , free shipping form target.com and an extra 30 days for returns – Pulls from existing check account

Target Online Saving:

  1. You can use all of the above Target.com
  2. Register and Use Ebates > search Target >click on target link and get back up to 2.5% from Ebates in a refund check>
  3. Free Shipping over $50 and other times of the year- like holidays free shipping on everything

How to save at Target :

  • Mobile Target.com App Coupons
  • Cartwheel App Coupons
  • Paper Target Coupons
  • Manufacture Coupons
  • Target Catalina Register coupons (can be general  for entire purchase)
  • Target Pharmacy rewards 5% off entire purchase
  • Target Texting saving weekly/daily texts
  • Instore Texting (check shelf tags instore for a Text saving)
  • online Ebates

I find the mobile stuff to be easy to do with not alot of time,  the stacking coupons with manufacturing coupons does take time.  I load up my cartwheel cart and click on the while sitting in my car before entering Target. Or check them out while watching TV.

Here is a video or my latest Shopping haul at Target :

Disclosure this post contains affiliate links for ebates

Linking to Mamavation Monday Link Up

Linking up to Motivation Monday

 

Crafting

Easy Crochet Edge Dollar Store Gloves

3 Comments

crochet glovesEasy Crochet Edge Dollar Store Gloves I love when you find something inexpensive and turn it in to a gem.  I started working on these $1 gloves a few years ago when the owner of TheTwinery sent me a sample and said you will create something.   I finally deiced I should share the quick easy gift that is an do anywhere craft for under $8.  Crochet Edge Dollar store gloves.   Mow I am not a crocheter all I know how to do is edge stuff,  I have tried to learn to crochet and the little old lady said i will never get crochet because I am a knitter. So the extend of my knowledge is a basic crochet chain stitch. Which is what there simple gloves are.

What do you need to make Crochet Edge Gloves:

  • Dollar store stretch gloves
  • Buttons or embellishments
  • 2 colors of twine 15 yards each  TheTwinery.com
  • Size E 4-3.5mm crochet hook
  • Sissors
  • Darning/yarn needle for weaving in loose ends

crochet_gloves_013_001-4

  1. Insert needle in to front of glove. crochet
  2. Wrap the yarn and pull it back through glove,
  3. crochet Leaving the yarn on needle go through the glove again.crochet
  4. Wrap the yarn again an pull through print your new loop thorough the one that is on the needle
  5. crochet Then loop the yarn around the hook and back through the loop that is on the hook repeat 3 times (this is a single needle chain or single crochet
  6. Then after the 4th chain stitch – put the hook back through the cuff of the glovecrochet
  7. bring the loop through again and repeat 3-4 chainscrochet
  8. Go around the entire cuff to where you started.  If you have the yarn and want go around again.  Each of the Twine yarn when around 2 cuff twice (like the red pair of gloves)crochet
  9. Just tie off the 1st color (pulling the cut twine through the loop) and start the 2nd color repeating the steps,  I attached at once loop of chain stitch.
  10. crochet Repeat the chain stitch process on the 2nd color
  11. crochet crochet crochet crochet crochet When you go around the entire cuff with second color tie off.
  12. The weave the tails (ends)  of the yarn through crochet so it – Here is a you tube video link How to weave Tails on Crochet
  13. Finish both gloves and embellish with Button, jewels or embroider edging.

crochet dollar store

 

I love the Idea of these dollar gloves for Holidays:

  • Christmas Red and green for Christmas with little trees,
  • Chanukah Blue and white with star of David on them .
  • Valentines with hearts
  • Halloween with ghosts and glow in the dark deco
  • Thanksgiving
  • St. Patrick’s Day for a little girl to wear as she walks in a parade
  • crochet gloves
Cooking

Venison and Broccoli

Venison and Broccoli:  This week I am enjoying some much need down time. So I am making easy meals that taste great and a crowd pleaser.  This week is filled with kids off school and leisure time,  I don’t want to spend all day cooking.  So I check out what I have in the freezer.   I have some Venison in the freezer and it is a great meal to do some prep and the family loves it.

Venison and Broccoli

Venison and Broccoli

  • 2 lb of venison
  • 1/4 cup  soy sauce
  • 4 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger
  • 1 tablespoon of barbeque
  • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1 -2 heads of broccoli
  • 4 cups of rice
  1. Trim and cut the venison in to bite size pieces removing any veins or silver skin, cut cross grain place in a gallon zip lock
  2. In a separate bowl mix together soy, ginger, honey, barbeque, garlic- mix them together and pour over meat
  3. Mush into meat  ( marinate for 4 hours  or overnight) in fridge
  4. Dinner time Start Rice  according to direction package
  5. Cut broccoli in to bite size pieces put in a saute pan with 1/4 cut of water to steam)
  6. Remove broccoli when slight tender
  7. Tum frying pan on high and cook venison in 2 batches on quick heat caramelizing meat med rare
  8.  Add meat to broccoli and deglaze the pan- add liquid to meat and broccoli and serve over rice

Venison and Broccoli

Menu Planning:

Monday: Venison and Broccoli

Tuesday: Pinto Bean Soup

Wednesday : Pizza and Salad

Thursday: Chicken Stew

Friday: Chilli

I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday

Cooking

Easy Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe

10 Comments

Easy Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe: I love fresh cherries and every summer I love to capture the flavor when they are at the lowest price of the season.  This year I made my own ice cream .. cheesecake ice cream it was super easy and yummy.  I cant wait to try to make different types.

Easy Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Easy Cherry Cheese Cake Ice Cream

I adapted the recipe from chincyshopper.com

  • 2 cups of  cherries pitted, halved and de-stemmed
  • 1/8 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 table spoon of lemon juice
  • 2 cups of heavy whipping cream (16oz)
  • 14 oz of sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 8 oz of cream cheese
  • 2 tbl spoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  1. Cook cherries with lemon and salt over a low/med heatcherries
  2. Watch till bubbling, juice is released, and starts to thicken and remove and alow to cool  for an hour
  3. In a mixer or large bowl beat cream cheese till smooth
  4. Then add the condensed milk and vanilla- beat till smooth
  5. Adding the Heavy cream and beat till soft peaks are formed (will take a while but do not over beat)ice cream beaten
  6. Place 1/2 ina loaf pan and gently fold some of the cherries in the cream mixture.  Then add the remaining cream folding the cherries.
  7. drag a knife to make a swirl effect.cherry ice cream
  8. Cover and let chill overnight

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Allow to thaw slightly prior to scooping enjoy it is very rich.

For a Printable verseion Easy Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Easy Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream

So I also want to share my meal planing this week:

Monday : Labor day: Chicken picnic food

Tuesday: Back to school (left over) Chicken in a pasty  with Gravy

Wednesday: Beef and Gravy

Thursday: Perogies and kielbasa in the Ninja

Friday: Taco Night

Linking up to Organizing Junkie Meal Menu  Planning Monday

Crafting

Harry Potter Party Favors: Nimbus 3000

3 Comments

treat brooms Harry Potter Party Favors:  Throwing the Harry Potter party for my daughter.  I was looking for some fun ideas for favors.  This is was not my idea the credit goes to but Jennifer at Ivillage  I really thought it was fun so every kid had a broom when they left and it is an affordable party favor.   I found that I needed a little more instructions on how to actually make the brooms so I documented me making them so you will have a better understanding also I change her idea slightly and added a nimbus 3000 look to the brooms.

What do you need to make a  easy Pop Corn Broom:

DIY Harry Potter Favors  Pop Corn Brooms

  • 1 bag of paper lunch bags
  • clear sandwich bags the ones without ziplocks if possible (so they are more pliable
  • 1 bag of pretzel rods
  • tape
  • black washi tape or electrical tape
  • 1/8 “Gold ribbon 2rolls
  • 2 stock pots of popcorn, NOT buttered

Make popcorn, do not butter, allow to cool and fill plastic bags = if hot or buttered will get nasty in bags

Take both paper bag and cut 2″” off top

Take on one the bags (inner one)  and slice 2″ down from the top in the

Take the other bag (outer bag) pull out the bottom   so it forms a triangle shape (as shown below)

Then cut the outer bag slice to 1/2″ of the bottom seam as shown

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Place inner bag inside outerbagharry_potter_craft_013_001-2-3

Fill paperbag with the popcorn or your choice of treatharry_potter_craft_013_001-3-2

Add the pretzel rod as a broom handleharry_potter_craft_013_001-4-2

Turn upside down and gather the broom head up popcorn broomharry_potter_craft_013_001-6-2  Tape the broomharry_potter_craft_013_001-7-2

Add the black Washi or electrical tape over the clear tapeharry_potter_craft_013_001-8-2

Glue the gold detail .. and adjust the broom handle and you are done. harry_potter_craft_013_001-9-2

I then placed them in a vintage suitcase.

pop corn broom bags

This project cost under $10 for 15 bags.. the hardest part was making sure I had 15 unbroken pretzel rods

Check out some of my other Harry Potter Theme Posts :

How to make a Harry Potter  9 3/4 backdrop with free pdf

Harry Potter Craft Picture Frame

Harry Potter Valentines or  Thank You Notes