Chocolate and Berry Pie

May 15, 2013

betty crocker dessert

This is super yummy and perfect any time of the year!

Ingredients

  • 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker double chocolate chip cookie mix
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
  • 4 containers (4 oz each) Yoplait Whips raspberry mist yogurt or Favorite Raspberry Yogurt Oikos Greek is yummy too!
  • 1 cup whipping cream, whipped
  • 2 tablespoons hot fudge toppíng
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, oil, water and egg until soft dough forms.
  2. On greased cookie sheet, drop dough by tablespoonfuls to make 6 cookies. Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until set. Cool 2 minutes, remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
  3. Meanwhile, press remaining dough in bottom and 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  4. In medíum bowl, fold 1/2 cup raspberríes ínto yogurt; spread evenly over crust. Crumble cookíes; sprínkle over yogurt míxture. Carefully spread whípped cream evenly over cookíe crumbs. Freeze 4 to 5 hours or untíl fírm. Remove sídes of pan.
  5. Drizzle 1 tablespoon fudge topping over dessert. Top with blueberries and remaining raspberries. Drizzle wíth remaining fudge topping. Store in freezer.

Summer Wardrobe on a Budget

May 5, 2013

Summer Clothing

With warm weather right around the corner and summer vacation plans on the horizon, I knew it was time to update my summer clothes selection. Although it is important for every woman to update her look with the seasons, it can be costly and not always in the monthly budget. Luckily there are retailers who cater to us moms in a major way!

I first took stock of what I already had to work with in my closet. I knew I was going to need at least a few new shirts, I definitely needed shorts to replace the tired ones I have been wearing for a few summers and new summer dresses were certainly in order. I also like to invest in basics when I am restocking my wardrobe as those things get worn so regularly that they often wear out first. Lastly, I was on the market for a new pair of sandals.

[Read more...]

Free Recipe Book from Mission Deli Wraps

May 5, 2013

mission_melting_chilli_wraps

Get a Free Recipe Book from Mission Deli Wraps. You don’t have to like their Facebook page to get this, just download the pdf straight from the link!

From their site: From light delicious alternatives to sandwiches to desserts with a difference, Mission Deli Wraps can brighten up mealtime dilemmas. For our tasty ideas, download your FREE recipe book today - and enjoy!

Coupon: $.50 Off Welch’s Refrigerated Juice Cocktail

March 28, 2013

welchs-juice

Get your Coupon for $.50 off Welch’s Refrigerated Juice Cocktail. With twelve flavors to choose from, you’re sure to find one you like.From their site: Refreshing Welch’s Juice Cocktails awaken the senses with delicious and exotic flavor combinations. So pour a glass and get ready for a taste sensation!

Planning a family event this weekend? Try this easy peasy punch recipe:

  • 1 carton (59 oz.) of your favorite Welch’s Refrigerated Juice Cocktail
  • 2 bottles (25.4 oz.) of Welch’s Sparkling White Grape Juice Cocktail
  • Pour over ice, garnish with fresh fruit (optional), and enjoy!

Fast, Simple Comfort Food Tomato Bacon Fusilli

March 22, 2013

Tomatoe.Bacon.Fusilli.TFS

Getting tired of your typical dish you make for comfort food? Then you should try this awesome recipe, it is not to disappoint. It is a creamy, cheesy, bacon flavored, pasta dish. Oh, and throw in a few tomatoes to say you got your veggies.

No, in all seriousness. If you are tired of the mundane Macaroni and Cheese Dish then this is a must try! It has incredibly simple ingredients that you will almost always have on hand, and it is rather quick to make. You are guaranteed to love it.

My husband and I came across this recipe a few years ago, off of the back of a box of Pasta we bought. At the time, we were on a pretty low budget. That was even before we had kids. Nonetheless, this ended up being one of the meals that we would make all the time. It was filling, we almost always had leftovers, and it was just downright delicious. We thought it needed a little bit of this and a little bit of that, so we make the adjustments and they turned out perfect.

[Read more...]

Quick Amatriciana-Style Rigatoni

March 15, 2013

Quick.Amatriciana.Style.Rigatoni.Submit.2-23.300word

If you are not a big fan of the spaghetti type pasta. This is a perfect dish for you to enjoy. It’s easy to follow, not a whole lot of involvement. Just follow step by step and you are able to cook up a fantastic scrumptious meal your whole family will LOVE.

I came across a similar recipe over the internet. As always, I made my adjustments where I saw fit, and now it is a staple meal in my family. It feels so good to be able to cook up an easy dish, that is healthier for my kids & husband to enjoy. I hope you like it just as much as we do.

Quick Amatriciana-Style Rigatoni

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Serves 4-6 people

[Read more...]

Restaurant Style Pasta on a Budget: Mama’s Pasta Pomodoro

March 11, 2013

Pasta.Pomodoro.TFS

It’s Monday, you get off work late. Pick up the kids. Then soon find yourself asking the dreaded question, “What are we going to have for dinner?” Now, you are even more tired just thinking about the fact that you need to go home and cook something. You walk in the door at 6:30pm which is usually the time you are sitting down to eat. You need to find something fast! If this sounds all too familiar, then you need to keep this recipe handy for your ‘go to’ dinner on nights like such.

This recipe was inspired by a recipe I came across from an Italian restaurant. The original recipe uses fresh tomatoes, but I found myself not even having the time to cut up the tomatoes to use. So I have made adjustments, and it is now a family staple in our house. We always make sure we have these few ingredients on hand in case of an emergency situation of dinner 911.

This recipe will easily feed 6-7 people very healthy portions. I hope you like it as much as my family does. It is a very refreshing dish compared to the regular old spaghetti.

[Read more...]

Hooray for Rainy Days! Inexpensive Art Projects for Kids

March 4, 2013

paint activities

What do you do with your little ones on rainy days? Do you maybe build a fort out of sheets or cuddle up and watch a movie? Why not make beautiful works of art made from finger paints! You don’t have any laying around? Oh, they are too expensive? I have an idea! How about you make your own. I’m going to give you a few step by step recipes to get your craft started!

Homemade Finger-paints

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 3 tbsp. sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ cup corn starch
  • 2 cups waters
  • Food coloring
  • Containers

[Read more...]

Budget Friendly Family Fun in Washington, D.C.

February 25, 2013

zoo

What do you do on a Sunday when you’re itching to get out of the house? How do you find a low cost adventure?

In most cosmopolitan cities, it’s a struggle to find fun, and often free activities to experience with your family.

But, as the weather starts to warm up, why not take a walk through your neighborhood zoo? Here in Washington, DC the Smithsonian National Zoological Park offers a free and expansive opportunity to create precious memories with your family and friends.

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and sits on 163 acres of open land, strategically placed right in the heart of Washington, DC. One of the great perks is that access to the zoo is open to everyone, and it is free to all patrons! There is a small fee for parking in the Zoo parking lot (starting at $16 for 3 hours).

[Read more...]

Free Target Newsletter and Money Saving Tools

February 23, 2013

target

Here is a chance to get the inside information on Target and maybe snag some great coupons, promotions and samples!

Right now you can head over and sign up for Target’s Newsletter and you will get the inside scoop on everything Target! We have also heard that there will be some member exclusives and even coupons that are not available on the regular Target coupons page. Best of all we hear you might be able to get the scoop on their latest free samples or get access to member only samples!

[Read more...]