Easy Homemade Applesauce!

One of the things I love about fall is that apples are in season! Growing up my Nana always made applesauce for us. It was so yummy! Last year, I decided to try to make some for myself. And was surprised that it was so easy to make! And as an added bonus, the house smells amazing! :)

Here's how:

1.Peel, core, and dice apples. You can use any variety. I use Mutsu. Add to pot with a little water. (I used about 1/2 c. You just want enough to cover the bottom of the pot so the apples don't burn.)

 2.Add cinnamon and sugar if desired. (I don't add any sugar so the recipe is clean. But if you want to use about 1/2 per 10 apples)

3.Cook on Medium heat until soft, stirring occasionally.

As the apples cook down they produce a lot of liquid and smaller pieces will start breaking down. 

They're almost ready now!

 4.Smash apples! I use a pastry blender, but you could use a potato masher or even just smash between spoon and edge of pot. I like to leave some chunks in mine! 

5.Enjoy! Keep in refrigerator or can.

Do you make applesauce? What are your favorite seasonal dishes?

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Thrifty Popcorn

Don't you just love the smell of fresh popped popcorn? I do!

A couple years ago I stopped buying microwave popcorn. Buying just the kernels saved a lot of money. (Plus it doesn't have all the added chemicals!) But almost every time I cooked it on the stove I burnt it. The smell of burnt popcorn is awful! Yuck! I knew there had to be a better way to have popcorn! And there is! The answer to the problem is brown paper bag! Here's how it works:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn 
• 1 teaspoon oil-any type 
• Season to taste
• Brown paper bag

Directions

• Add unpopped popcorn kernels and oil to bag.
• Roll down the top of bag about 2 times and place in microwave(don't place bag on side)
• Microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes, time may vary. (Or in my case just hit the popcorn button! :)) Be careful bag and contents may be hot. 
• Add seasonings and enjoy! :)

What are your favorite popcorn flavors?

Mine's butter, butter, and more butter. Not very healthy but soooo yummy! :)

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Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole is one of my husbands favorite meals! It's really cheap so I try to make it a couple times a month. It's also really easy to make and can even be made ahead and froze. This makes enough for my husband and I plus enough for him to get a couple lunches out of it! Sometimes, I divide the recipe up into 2 smaller casserole dishes and freeze one for later!
What you need:1 lb ground beef, browned and drained1 can cream of chicken soup1 bag of tater totsShredded Cheese, any type will do. I like cheddar :)SaltPepperOnion powder
Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Layer tater tots in bottom of casserole dish. You will have some tater tots left over.
3. Mix beef, soup and seasonings(to taste) in bowl. Pour on top of tater tots and spread out.
4. Top with cheese!
5. Bake about 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and it is warm throughout.

Linking up at: Our Simple Country Life, Feminine Adventures, The Purposeful Mom, Becoming Lydia, An Original Belle, Home to 4 Kiddos

Frugal Fridays: Homemade Cleaners & a Link Up

Via

Another thing I do to save some money is to make my own cleaners! They are really easy to make, cheap, they work really well! Plus they don't have all those chemicals that store bought cleaners do. Here are the ingredients I use most often and some recipes(I have tried everything except the oven cleaner and furniture polish, but I will be trying those soon!):

• Vinegar-a disinfectant that will sanitize and remove some stains, also non-toxic
• Baking Soda-natural abrasive, removes odors and stains, also non-toxic
• Hydrogen Peroxide-natural bleaching agent, removes stains, also non-toxic
• Lemon Juice-naturally cuts grease and smells so good :)

All Purpose Cleaner:

*Vinegar

*Water

Combine in a 3:1(water:vinegar) ratio in spray bottle. Spray on surface, wipe clean with damp rag.

**If you have a stain sprinkle a little baking soda on and scrub.

Oven Cleaner:

*Dampen with water

*Sprinkle liberally with baking soda

Leave 20 minutes, then scrub until clean

Microwave Cleaner:

*½ c. vinegar

*2 c. water

Combine in microwave safe bowl, heat on high for 3-4 minutes, remove bowl and wipe down inside of microwave.

Drain Cleaner:

*1 c. baking soda first

*1 c. white vinegar second

*Warm water

Allow to foam for 5 minutes before adding water.

Tub And Tile Cleaner:

Apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe

Scour with baking soda

Furniture Polish:

*½ tsp. olive oil

*¼ c. vinegar or lemon juice

Mix in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.

Do you have any natural cleaning tips?

*Link up your posts concerning frugal living, money saving recipes, homemaking, faith, or anything encouraging. 

*Be sure you link directly to your blog post not your blogs URL. *Please include the Frugal Friday button or a text link so others can join in as well! 

Linking up with these blogs: Like A Mustard Seed, Feminine Adventure, The Purposeful Mom

Frugal Fridays: Pizza Casserole

Here's another one of my favorite fast, easy, cheap and oh so yummy recipes! :) I love it because you can make it for 2 people or for more! (Which is why I don't have any measurements for the ingredients-use as little or as much as you need.) You can also add anything to it-veggies, different meats!
What you need:

• Pasta-any kind will do. We like using Rotini.
• Tomato Garlic and Onion Pasta Sauce.
• Pepperonis
• Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded 

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Boil and drain pasta
3. In a baking dish layer pasta, pepperonis, pasta sauce and cheese. I normally make 2 layers.
4. Bake until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly around the sides.
5. Enjoy! :)

*Link up your posts concerning frugal living, money saving recipes, homemaking, faith, or anything encouraging. *Be sure you link directly to your blog post not your blogs URL. *Please include the Frugal Friday button or a text link so others can join in as well! 

Linking up with these blogs: The Alabaster Jar, The Modest Mom, These Five of Mine Plus Two, The Better Mom, Thankful Homemaker, Becoming a Strong Woman of God, Raising Arrows, Time-Warp Wife, Growing  Home, Heavenly Homakers, Young Living Oil Lady, Becoming Lydia

Frugal Fridays: Homemade Laundry Powder & Link Up

I have been making my own laundry detergent for almost 2 years now. It is very simple to do just takes a little bit of time! It has helped us cut down on our household needs(which for us is included in our grocery budget)!
What you need:

• Bar of soap-I have used Ivory, Fels Naptha, and Zote. You can use any kind just make sure it doesn't have a moisturizer(like Dove, Olay, ect.)
• Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda-this is not the same as baking soda. You can find this in the laundry isle of the store. 
• 20 Mule Team Borax-Also in the laundry isle, should be close to the washing soda.
• OxiClean(optional)-I like to use it because I feel it helps get our clothes a little cleaner. I normally just get the store brand.
• Essential Oils(optional)-I used these for the first time last night. I got one called linen and it made the house smell soooo good when I was mixing up my detergent.  

Recipe:

1. Grate the soap. This take a little while. Grab a grater and a bowl and watch a movie with your family!(I grated my soap while we watched 19 Kids and Counting Tuesday night!) Or if you have two graters have a race with your husband to see who can grate theirs the fastest. Have your kids judge! :) I use a Pampered Chef Fine Grater. You want to get it grated as fine as possible. A food processor would work as well.
2. Add:

   *2 Cup grated soap(You may have left over soap. You can store it in a Ziplock bag. I normally just make as much laundry powder as I can. 1 bar of Zote made 5 batches for me last night.)

   *1 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax

   *1 Cup Washing Soda

   *1 Cup OxiClean(optional) 

    *Essential Oils(optional)

3. Mix well. Store in an airtight container. If you don't it might get some moisture and become clumpy.
4. Now go wash some clothes.(Or come over and do my laundry :p) Use about 1-2 Tbs. depending on the size of your load.

This is safe for HE washers as well! 

Link up your posts concerning frugal living, money saving recipes, homemaking, faith, or anything encouraging. Be sure you link directly to your blog post not your blogs URL. Please include the Frugal Friday button or a text link so others can join in as well! 

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Linking up with these blogs: Homemaker By Choice, Delight Thyself, Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, The Alabaster Jar, These Five of Mine Plus Two, The Straightened Path, Simply Living for Him, The Modest Mom

Frugal Fridays:Easy Muffins & a Link Up

Need a quick breakfast that you can make a head of time? This is my go-to muffin recipe. They are so easy to make and super yummy! Well, as long as you follow the directions. Once I forgot to add the sugar. Needless to say they were not so good.  I like to make a double (or triple) batch of these and freeze them. Then let them thaw at room temperature over night or cook for about a minute in the microwave!

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

3/4 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

1 cup blueberries, cranberries, strawberries(diced)-just whatever you like(optional)

Directions:

1. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

2. In small mixing bowl, combine egg, milk and oil.

3. Gently push the dry ingredients against edges of bowl to make a well in the center. Add wet ingredients and stir until just moistened.

4. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.

5. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 12 muffins 


I'm planning on making some of these soon, so I will try to update with a picture! :)

Linking up with these blogs: Homemaker By Choice, The Modest Mom, These Five of Mine Plus Two, Simply Living for Him, The Better Mom, The Straightened Path, Feminine Adventures,  Becoming a Strong Woman of God, Mama Chocolate




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Frugal Fridays:Pizza Roll

Do you ever have those nights where you just want to make something super fast and easy for supper? I know I do! And since I'm currently working until 6 pm Monday-Friday, I have these nights a few times a week.

This is one of my go to meals for those nights. It's extremely fast, easy, and only has 5 ingredients! Plus we love it! :)

Pizza Roll:

1 refrigerated pizza dough

Pepperoni

Cheese(whatever kind you have on hand)

Italian Seasoning

Marinara Sauce

*Roll out the pizza dough onto a cookie sheet.

*Top with a layer of pepperoni and then cheese.

*Sprinkle lightly with Italian seasoning.

*Roll it up! Make sure you pinch the seams closed so you don't have cheese oozing out!

*Bake according to the directions on the pizza dough, I normally add a few minutes to the baking time to make sure it get done in the middle.

*Slice up and serve with heated marinara sauce.

Link up your posts concerning frugal living or money saving recipes. Be sure you link directly to your blog post not your blogs URL. Please include the Frugal Friday button so others can join in as well!




Linking up with these blogs:The Better Mom,Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, Deep Roots at Home, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Our Simple Farm, Raising Mighty Arrows, Our Simple Country Life, Comfy in the Kitchen, Women Living Well, Raising Homemakers, & Living In The Shoe