The Sweet Life On A Budget

  After a long day when it is dark and cold outside, there is nothing better than a warm cup of rich hot chocolate.   To put it over the top add whip cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.   Each winter I create a hot chocolate bar to satisfy our sweet tooth and treat us to a bit of luxury on cold wintery days.   In addition, we enjoy hot chocolate during Advent as a treat.     Here is how I do it:  I dedicate a specific space in the kitchen to create my Hot Chocolate Bar.  I gather all of my components.    Placing them in a basket, jar, or have them available in the refrigerator and label.      Download my labels by clicking on the picture to get the link. I add a sign and it is ready to use.     Download by clicking on the picture for the link. Leave a picture of your Hot Chocolate Bar below.  Enjoy your Hot Chocolate Bar. 

  Meal planning is essential to eating healthy, keeping the grocery bill down, and maintaining your sanity throughout a workweek.   In addition to meal planning, I try to meal prep as much as possible over the weekend.   This helps to lower my stress during the week.    However, if we have a busy weekend, I try to plan simple or crockpot meals.    Meal Prep Plan Defrost Turkey Cut Vegetables Cranberry-Pineapple Relish NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although at the time of the blog postings all prices were correct, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Breakfast Options:  Bagels Cereal Yogurt (Recipe Linked) Monday Shrimp Casserole- Day 2 (Recipe Linked) Salad Tuesday Baked Shrimp Cole Slaw Wednesday  Burgers Fries Vegetable Sticks w/ Dip Thursday   Turkey Stuffing Roasted Asparagus Cranberry Sauce (Recipe Linked) Pumpkin Roll  Friday Turkey Soup Garlic Bread Salad The Poultry

    Making small changes that have big results.  On Friday’s I share weekly deals that cost less than $1.00.   These deals help to keep us on our budget and living The Sweet Life.  Although I do not advocate shopping at a large number of stores during this health crisis, if you are going to a particular store that has a deal- just pick it up too.     Unfortunately, I haven’t been shopping at CVS for a while, so my CRTs are very limited and not exceptional at this point.   As I do more shopping at CVS the better the deals will be.  Start small and grow your experience.     BLACK Friday Special  Krispy Kreme (November 26, 2021- ONLY)  Krispy Kreme is offering 1 FREE small brew coffee and Original Glazed Donut today at participating stores.   Click on the Link for deals:  Kroger Deals (November 26- 30, 2021) ** Check your Best Customer Coupons .      This month I received the following coupons from Kroger- OIKOS Yogurt (6oz),  Kroger Bagged Salad (6-12 oz).    Air wick Warmer Cost: $1.49

  Ingredients: 4 cups of Cubed Potato ½ cup Chopped Celery 1 ½ cups Chopped Onion 2 cups of water  2 Tsp. Salt  ⅛ Tsp. Pepper  2 Cup ½ and ½ Toppings:  Green Onion Cheddar Cheese Bacon  Directions: Chop Potatoes, Celery, and Onions.   Place in Crockpot w/ water, salt, and pepper.  Cook on low for 8 hours. OR Place in a large pot and cook on medium high heat until potatoes are fully cooked.    Cooking time will vary so keep an eye on it.  Process half of soup in a food processor or blender until smooth.    Place back in the crockpot or pot with the rest of the soup.  Add ½ and ½.  Then stir.    Allow soup to heat up for about 30 minutes and eat with toppings              (cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions). 

  Meal planning is essential to eating healthy, keeping the grocery bill down, and maintaining your sanity throughout a workweek.   In addition to meal planning, I try to meal prep as much as possible over the weekend.   This helps to lower my stress during the week.    However, if we have a busy weekend, I try to plan simple or crockpot meals.    Meal Prep Plan Oatmeal Bake Vegetable Dip Pizza NOTE-  1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.  2- Although at the time of the blog postings all prices were correct, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.      Breakfast Options:  Oatmeal Bake Cereal Yogurt Monday Jambalaya Bread Tuesday Leftovers Wednesday  Fajita Taco Soup* Quesadilla  Thursday   Hoagies Vegetable Sticks Friday Pizza Salad Saturday Shrimp Casserole Salad   Sunday Fried Rice Wontons Salad This week’s rough plan:  M- Burgers T- Baked Shrimp W- Leftovers Th- Turkey Dinner Fri- Turkey Soup Sat-

  This recipe is modified from the Festive Cranberry-Pineapple Jello Salad by Jello. (Orginal Recipe is linked) Ingredients  1 Can of Crushed Pineapple (20 oz)  1 Large Box of Raspberry Jello (5 oz)  1 Can Whole Berry Cranberry (16 oz)  1 Apple Chopped Orange Juice Orange Zest Directions: Drain pineapple and reserve the juice.    To the reserved pineapple juice add enough orange juice to measure 3 cups of liquid and pour into a saucepan.   Bring juice to a boil, then add the dry jello mix and stir for 2 minutes until dissolved.       Add the Whole Berry Cranberry and mix.   Place mixture into the refrigerator for about 2 hours until slightly thickened.    Then stir in the pineapple and apples.    Then place back into the refrigerator for at least 4 more hours until firm.        Stir and break up the jello before serving.     I make the relish a few days before the holiday.   This makes a lot of Cranberry Relish, so the leftovers I freeze for future meals.      What is your favorite typ