Homemade Spaghetti Sauce (Tomato Soup)

I used to buy canned sauce, because it was easy and I honestly never even thought about making my own.  Then I tried it.  Tweaked it.  And haven't looked back since.  It is delicious and I use the base recipe as tomato soup.  I do not measure most of the ingredients mainly because I go by taste.  My kids prefer a sweeter sauce.

What you need:

1/2 yellow onion diced
2-3 cloves garlic minced
1 16 oz can diced Italian tomatoes
1 24 oz can tomato sauce
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/3 cup water
Salt/pepper to taste
1 tbsp dried parsley
2-3 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

What you do:

sweat onions until translucent in some olive oil.  Add in garlic.  Cook about a minute and then add in tomatoes, tomato sauce, and paste.  Add in water, salt, pepper, parsley, sugar, and cinnamon.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cover.  Cook for about 25 minutes. 

You can add in ground sausage or beef.  Or pour over meatballs.  The base recipe is Eventing except the sugar and cinnamon.  You can also use the base recipe for minestrone soup, which is what I am going to try.  Just add in a bit more water.  You can make a double batch and freeze a portion to have on hand.  It will last for months and then you will always have sauce on hand for busy weeknights! 

Kitchen Floor Cleaner

As far as cleaners go I go for as natural and earth based as possible.  I have never been a big fan of chemical cleaners that you find in three stores.  They are bad news for us and the environment.  Plus making your own cleaners save you cash!  I thought I would share my recipe for cleaning my floors.  I use it in the kitchen, the bathroom, andy front hallway.  I would not recommended using this on wood floors but it would be perfectly fine on tile.  Take about 4-5 cups hot water and add in 1/2 cup vinegar and 2-3 tsp baking soda.  If the smell of vinegar gets to you you can always add in an essential oil like citrus, lemon, or any other.  I like scrubbing on my hands and knees just because I can clean better.  But this mix can be used in a reusable floor sprayer.  I've done it before.  Adjust the measurements to the size of the floor. 

Raspberry Crisp

This is an easy recipe I came up with while looking at some raspberries I had in my fridge.  I love eating them by the handful, but I was craving something dessert like.  I am a huge fan of crisps and they are so easy to make.  This one is vegan and you can substitute honey or agave nectar in place of the brown sugar.  It will taste just as yummy. 

What you need:

2 cups raspberries
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 1/4 cup oats
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 tbsp coconut oil

What you do:

Preheat oven to 350.  Place raspberries in a baking dish and pour milk over them.  In a small bowl combine oats, flour, sugar, vanilla, and oil.  Sprinkle over raspberries.   Bake for 18-20 minutes or until topping is golden.  Let cool for five minutes before serving. 

My Apps!

These are the apps that I've found so far that I've played around with and decided that they are easy enough to use that I will actually use and like using them.  They were all free in the Google play store.  I'm not sure about the iPhone app store.  If you have any apps that you use and love please feel free to let me know! 

Buying and using Organics vs Store Brands

In some recipes I have organic ingredients while in others I have plain store brand items.  For me when it comes to buying organics I use my head.  Now some items are a must be organic every time I buy.  This includes meats, dairy, and produce on the dirty dozen list.  (See graphic below)  If you buy the organic produce in season you will most definitely get it for the same price or LOWER than its conventional counterpart.   This isn't always so but I've found that 9 times out of ten it is.  Also if you have a farmers market locally GO TO IT!  Buying produce locally is so much more rewarding and cheaper.  Nothing beats having a strawberry that was picked that morning ( except besides picking it yourself!).  As far as other ingredients go it's all up to the consumer.  If you find a good quality organic pasta sauce for equal or cheaper than a conventional sauce buy it.  Or better yet make it yourself.  Buying organic "junk" food such as candy, cookies, chips, etc. that I kind of go by the rule if it's on sale and I have the money for it I buy it.  However I usually try not to buy junk.  It takes up too much of my precious budget that I could be using on healthier items.  All in all try to buy organic dairy, protein, and produce.  Buy in season for good prices.  Buy local for good prices.   

Tuna Casserole

This is one dish I have been wanting to make my own and to come up with a recipe that not only tastes good but is cheap and healthy.  Most recipes you find call for cream of something soup.  And quite frankly I HATE the stuff.  It is the most highly processed and sodium laden junk in many casserole recipes.  And with substitutes available and even recipes to make your own homemade cream of mix, I don't believe it's necessary to buy.  EVER.... with that said, I believe I've come up with an awesome recipe that everyone will love.  It is delicious and tastes pretty darn decedent.  Serve it with salad. 

What you need:

2 cans tuna drained
1 bag egg noodles, cooked
1/2 cup peas
1 1/2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup real mayo
1/2 onion diced
1/2-3/4 cup coconut milk
Salt/pepper
1 tsp garlic minced
1/2 sleeve ritz crackers crushed

What you do:

Preheat oven to 375.  In a large bowl combine the tuna, noodles, peas, cheese, Mayo, onion, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic.  Stir until combined.  Pour into a 9x13 pan.  Top with crackers.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until bubbly.   

Budget Shopping & Menu Planning

It has developed quite recently that my budget has become quite tight and with two growing mouths to feed I am more focused on strict planning menu and grocery shopping wise.  I have been doing some research and have decided that I want to do a series on budget menu planning, shopping, and living off of $140 a month for groceries.  This is a drastic change considering I am used to $100 A WEEK for groceries.  It will definitely be a challenge but I am up for it.  Saving money is the name of the game!  So stay tuned.  :)