Salad, A Great Summer Lunch

I really do not have much time for cooking lunches. Lunch-meat is way, way too salty so I usually do not buy it. I do not want to spend the money on pre-packaged lunches.
Sometimes we do leftovers. However usually, I only have enough for one meal (which I send with Michael to work). I know... I know... I need to cook extra.

So...what do ya do other than sandwiches or leftovers? I posted before about having a vegetable tray. Another option is to do salads.

Options are virtually limitless:

• Lettuces: Spinach, Iceberg, Romaine....
• Veggies: Broccoli, Carrots, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Red Cabbage shreds, Sprouts, Cauliflower......
• Canned Vegetables: Any type of bean or pea, Chick Peas (my favorite!), Corn, Hominy...
• Frozen vegetables (I am thinking peas)...
• Strawberries, mandarin oranges, raisins...
  
• Diced Meats (Cook a whole chicken early in the week,divide it into Ziploc bags, & freeze), boiled eggs...
  
• Toppings: Bacon Bits, Salad Crispins, Nuts, Seeds, Shredded Cheeses...

If you are taking your lunch away from home, Glad brand makes pudding sized containers that are great for those things you don't want to add to your salad until the last minute!

Add wheat crackers, a cup of fruit,yogurt, or cottage cheese and you have the perfect lunch!

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

Lisa sent me this! I haven't tried it yet but it looks good.


4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

What to do with cooled, leftover coffee

Now, this does not happen that much around here, but.... what do you do when you have cooled leftover coffee? Well you could heat it up and drink it, but what about something else?

I could give you a million baking ideas, but how about a smoothie? Good frugal way of getting something like a Frapuccino (or however you spell it).

There are two things you can do with the coffee itself. If you do not plan on using it right away you can freeze it into ice cubes. After the coffee is frozen, pop the cubes into a gallon sized freezer bag and keep in the freezer. Use the cubes instead of the ice I mention in the recipe below.

Or you can use the coffee right away like I did today.

You can adjust the amounts as you need.....

About 2 cups of regular coffee
1 tray of ice cubes (if you already have the coffee frozen into trays, skip this "ingredient")
about 1/2 cup of sugar(more or less according to your taste)
Milk (a cup or so?)
2-4 tablespoons of cocoa powder

Put everything into a blender & process.

visit www.generationcedar.com for "thrifty Thursday".

Thrifty Thursday: Free Dish Scrubbers

Dish/Pot scrubbers need need to be replaced often (they are breeding grounds for bacteria). But who wants to pay for new ones every week?

I have a tip to make them for free!

When you buy fruit (oranges usually always come in these bags) or potatoes, keep the mesh bag they come in and tie it in a knot. It makes a great scrubber for your dirty dishes. I shop twice a month and buy fruits and vegetables, so I usually have a new pot scrubber each week!


Click here for a link for printable coupons.

Nacho Potato Soup

This is VERY easy and extremely good! This one is a big hit with my family.

Nacho Potato Soup
1 (5 1/4 oz) box au gratin potatoes
1 (11 oz) can whole kernal corn, drained
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained (I buy the tomatoes & chiles separate because the Walmart chiles are milder than the Rotel brand)
2 cups water
2 cups milk
2 cups Velveeta cheese (1/2 the large box) cut into cubes

In a soup pot combine the contents of the potato pkg, corn, tomatoes, chiles, & water. Boil, cover, and then simmer for 15 minutes (until potatoes are tender). Add cubed cheese & milk. Cook and stir occasionally until the cheese is melted. You can sprinkle with chili powder or hot sauce if you like :-)

Makes 6-8 servings!

*I found this in a Taste of Home Magazine several years ago*

Spreadable Olive oil butter

To make spreadable olive oil butter,
Soften butter, and mix one half cup of olive oil per 1 stick of real butter. I used my Kitchen-Aid mixer and mixed for about 3-5 minutes to get a smooth, even consistency. It has a great whipped texture after it is refrigerated!

In the mood for smoothies!!!

I finally gave in and bought myself a new blender this week (my old one leaked!). I have been whining lately to everyone that will listen that I am in the mood for smoothies!


Smoothies are a great way to get your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables!

Here are a couple of smoothie recipes... invented by me ;-)

You can pretty much make them however you want. If you want the slushie consistency, you must use either frozen fruit or ice cubes. (Frozen fruit works best).

Berry Banana

About a cup of Yogurt (plain or flavored)
1 banana (I freeze mine and peel when ready)
handful of frozen mixed berries
ice cubes (if needed)
add milk if needed
Squirt of honey or sugar to taste
Juice (optional)

*This morning I used frozen strawberries, banana, & orange juice

Mixed Vegetable smoothie

cup or so of Plain yogurt
Cup of cooked mixed vegetables (I used the frozen california blend)
sprinkle with salt, garlic or onion powder, chili powder

Mine was still warm... If you are on the go, you can place in a thermos for lunch or snack!




Process until smooth and enjoy!