frugal living

Enter the Shape Your Future Summer Challenge

May 26, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

Lace up those sneakers, fill up those water balloons and put on those bicycle helmets, because the Shape Your Future Summer Challenge is underway! Not only is it a chance for your kids to get their 60 minutes of daily physical activity, but also an opportunity to win a golf getaway! We’re giving away a one-night stay and a round of golf for two at an Oklahoma State Park of your choice: Lake Murray State Park, Sequoyah State Park, Roman Nose State Park or Beavers Bend State Park.

It’s time to take your healthy habits on a summer adventure with the Shape Your Future Summer Challenge! Start today, and see how many you can check off the list for a chance to win a one-night stay at an Oklahoma state park lodge and a round of golf for two!

Visit ShapeYourFutureOk.com to enter!

Entries will be accepted

Friday, May 1st thru Friday, July 31st.

Homemade Pie in a Jar

May 14, 2015 By Sarah Roe 4 Comments

Pie in a Jar is something I make several times a year for school auctions, teacher gifts or just by request. Hands down, this has been the most popular post on our site over the last few years. My friend and long time MSQ volunteer, Brandi, made Pie in a Jar for me a few years ago and I’ve been making it ever since.

It is amazing.

Now that I’m gluten free, I’ve had to be a bit more creative with a version for myself but did find that the Pillsbury Gluten Free Pie Crust worked as a great substitute.

Seriously, if you decide to make it, buy enough to make yourself some as well. You will love it. Your kids will love it. Your spouse will love it. The neighbors will love it, you get the point.

What You’ll Need:

Small Mason Jars
Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust
Canned Pie Filling of Your Choice

Directions:

First, grease/butter jars and set aside. Then, roll out the dough, you can make it thinner if you’d like. Using the lid of a jar, cut out a circle in the dough and place it at the bottom of the jar.

Cut the remainder of the strips vertically and place them around the jar allowing the top to slip over a bit. Then, add the pie filling but only about 2/3 full because it will expand as it cooks.

Once filled, crisscross the crust across the top like the picture above. Bake at 400 degrees for about 35 minutes. You can cook them on a cookie sheet, it is easier to place the sheet in the oven then place the jars on top.

Once cooked, serve warm with ice cream! YUM!

Broken Arrow & Fort Gibson Produce Sale

May 5, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

You remember that little produce co-op I bought last year? Well, we’re having a sale this week! You can purchase $30 worth of produce for only $15! Plus, we have complements available too such as pasture raised, grass fed steak, all natural chicken, local honey, goat’s milk and goat cheese!

It is possible to eat healthy on a budget! If you live in or near Broken Arrow or Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, visit ProduceGathering.com to check out this week’s sale. Eating healthy on a budget is a very real passion of mine and we’re trying to make it even easier with our local co-op. Check it out!

Quick & Easy Marshmallow Bar

May 1, 2015 By Sarah Roe 3 Comments

My son has multiple food allergies but that doesn’t mean he can’t have fun snacks and treats, it just takes a bit more creativity. This weekend, I decided to try something new! I melted Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate then, let the kids dip marshmallows into the chocolate. I had a muffin tray full of toppings to choose from that they were able to dip their chocolate covered marshmallows into and enjoy.

It’s fun and it was super delicious!

For us, I chose allergy free sprinkles, chocolate, smarties and other toppings that were safe for my son’s food allergies. But, you can get as creative as you’d like! We even threw some jellybeans in there too.

Ingredients:

1 Bag of Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate (or whatever brand you prefer)

1 Bag Large Marshmallows

Lollipop Sticks (I got these at Hobby Lobby)

Toppings (sprinkles, smarties, mini chocolate chips, etc)

Directions: I think it is much easier to put the toppings in a muffin tin than to sit them out on the counter. This kept the mess contained so first, assemble your toppings. Then, melt the chocolate for 2 minutes in the microwave. While it is melting, place the large marshmallows onto lollipop sticks. Once the chocolate has melted, you can dip your marshmallows into the chocolate then the toppings. YUM!

10 Ways to Eat Healthy and Not Go Broke

May 1, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

I posted, a couple of weeks ago, that I was over the whole “if you coupon, you must eat junk” idea. Really, couponers and money savers have a bad rap for eating processed junk food because it’s cheap. While I’ll admit, that was a trend for quite awhile, that’s not sustainable long term. Our bodies were not made to survive on junk food, stick with us and we’ll show you how to eat healthy without breaking the bank. It can be done!

10 Ways to Eat Healthy and NOT Go Broke

1. Shop in Season: While I realize you already know this, it is important to mention. When you plan your weekly menu for your family, be sure to plan around fruits and veggies that are in season. You’ll find, they’re the cheapest (and they taste the best too). Plus, you can get creative!

2. Think Outside the Store:Trade services with local farmers, ask if you can plant your own garden in a family member’s yard (if you don’t have one), offer to pick extras for the farm for a discount, etc. You have to get creative and it will pay off! We have a local farm that will give you free berries when you pick some for the farm itself, you’ll earn enough to freeze all year long!

3.Skip the Packages: No need for a “prepackaged salad” when you can make your own for a fraction of the price. You can grow your own too but even if you’re not the farming type, simply buying a head of lettuce or some spinach and adding your own mixture to it will be much less than buying a bag salad that will likely go gross in a day or two.

4. Cook in Bulk & Freeze: If you find a great deal on chicken (like I did this past weekend), buy extra and freeze it or cook it and freeze it for later! Freezer cooking saves time and money. One of the BEST freezer cooking websites I know is Once a Month Meals, check it out and you’ll be amazed.

5. Use Bulk Bins for Spices, Flour, etc.: Did you know you can take your own containers to Whole Foods (and many other stores) and fill them up in the bulk bins with spices, flour, etc for half the price of the package version? It’s true! If you only need a cup of flour then you can buy a cup of flour, pretty easy and you’ll save money. Personally, we have food allergies so, I do not use the bulk bins for cross-contamination issues but, if you don’t have that problem then be sure to check them out!

6. Learn to Cook…Again: I’ll admit, this one is not easy. I’ve had to learn to cook with fresh veggies, fruit and mainly chicken. I don’t add a lot of seasoning (my body just can’t handle it) so it’s pretty basic around here. I’ve had to cook without grabbing not-so-healthy items or even things like tomato sauce (again, my body doesn’t like it). Take some time, check out some books at the library and forget what you once knew. You’ll find you will save money by sticking to the basics and simply by adding different veggies, you can change the whole shape of a meal!

7. Plan Ahead: Menu planning is key to saving money. Plan around sales, coupons, what is in season, etc and you’ll save money and time at the grocery store. Sticking to your list and planning ahead is crucial.

8. Use Coupons: Yes, there are coupons for organic and healthy items. You can call the manufacturer directly, look at the brand website or get store coupons at places like Whole Foods or Sprouts. Most health foods stores do offer their own promotions and coupons. The savings are out there, you just have to know where to find them!

9. Try Co-ops: I use The Produce Gathering but, there are many out there. Right now, co-ops like this are popping up in cities all over the country. You can order produce at lower costs and much of it is local and/or organic. I LOVE it!

10. Make It: Make your own trail mix, use quick oats instead of instant oats or make your own granola instead of buying it packaged. Little changes like that can mean big savings. Pricey granola bars are easy to make yourself, I can make 20 at a time for less than what it would cost to purchase 5 of them. Google around and you’ll find some easy recipes and easy changes you can make right now!

Eating healthy is not cheap but, I’d much rather spend a little extra and stay healthy then cut corners and end up paying more doctor bills. Investing in your health is the best investment you’ll make, I wish I would have learned that sooner than this past year but, it’s a lesson I’ll never forget.