The Sweet Life On A Budget

  INGREDIENTS 1 package of shells or elbow macaroni (16 ounces) ( 1.00) 1⁄4 cup butter ($0.40) 1⁄3 cup flour ($0.07) 2 1⁄2 cups 2% Milk ($0.36) 2-4 slices White American Cheese, chopped ($1.13) 1 block of Cracker Barrel White Sharp Cheese cut into small pieces ($4.99) 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard ($0.04) 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper ($0.01) 1⁄4 teaspoon homemade or Franks ($0.04)       Total: $8.04/8 = $1.005 per serving    DIRECTIONS Prepare pasta according to package directions. Make a roux with butter and flour.   This is done by melting the butter in a heavy bottom pot over low heat.    Add the flour and whisk for at least 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and smells nutty.   Whisk consistently or the roux will burn.  Gradually whisk in milk, cook over medium heat, whisking until mixture thickens and is bubbly. The mixture will become smoother and creamy looking through this process.    Once the mixture heats to a boil, it will thicken.    Whisking consistently during this stage is

  Are you bananas over-ripened?     Do you think you have to throw them away? In this situation, I will either freeze them or make banana bread.    If I happen to have walnuts in my freezer, I will add them to the mix.     This makes a delicious breakfast or snack for the week.    I started making this delicious sweet bread from the Betty Crocker Cookbook.    The recipe below is an adaptation of that recipe.  If you would like to use the original recipe, it is linked to the cookbook.  Ingredients 3/4 cup of sugar ⅓ cup of margarine 2 eggs 1 2/3 cups of mashed bananas (3-4 medium)  ⅓ cup of water 1 ⅔ - 2 cup(s) of all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder ½ cup chopped walnuts ⅓ cup of chocolate chips or dried cranberries (optional) Directions     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease bread loaf pan.   Mix together butter and sugar until fluffy.       Stir in 2 eggs until blended.      Add bananas and water until mixed.      Add the flour, baking

  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 prepare meals 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 Preparation Plan Cut Crudites Hard-boiled Eggs Egg McMuffins (Recipe Linked) 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:  Yogurt (Recipe Linked) Banana Nut Bread Monday Chicken Sandwiches Roasted Potatoes Broccoli  Tuesday Bean and Cheese  Enchilada Salad Chips w/ Salsa Wednesday  Chicken Parmesan Pasta Homemade Gravy  (Recipe Linked) Salad Garlic Bread Thursday Leftovers Friday Sandwiches Chips Crudite w/ Dip  Sat

  Slowing down and taking the time to enjoy our surroundings is essential to Living the Sweet Life On A Budget.  Whether it is enjoying nature or the beauty of city architecture, taking time to stop and appreciate beauty wherever you find it is essential.   Our Rich Backyard Life looks at the beauty surrounding us, whether it is animals, flowers, buildings, locations, or anything else that we can appreciate in our daily travels.  A Blue Heron comes to visit our pond on a regular basis.    They Take Walks Enjoy the water.  Fishing for food.  We enjoy the herons each time they visit our backyard.  Their movements are graceful and beautiful to watch.    Their peaceful way of interacting with the other animals creates a tranquil environment and a sense of calm.   We are grateful for this diversion.   What beauty were you able to find in your backyard?  Leave a comment or picture below?

  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 prepare meals 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 Preparation Plan Cut Crudites Banana Nut Bread  Lunch Salads 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:  Yogurt (Recipe Linked) Banana Nut Bread Monday Chicken Sandwich Fries Vegetable Sticks  Tuesday Street Tacos Salad Chips w/ Salsa Wednesday  Pasta Homemade Gravy  (Recipe Linked) Salad Garlic Bread Thursday Leftovers Friday Pizza Salad Saturday Thai Restaurant Sunday Leftovers  This week’s rough plan:  M- Chick