Blog
Back to School Breakfast: Oatmeal Pancakes
My kids are starting their second week of school, so we are slowly getting back into a morning routine. It’s important to me that they start the day with a good breakfast to fuel them for learning and after-school activities. One of our go-to Spend Smart. Eat Smart recipes for breakfast is Oatmeal Pancakes. My kids, husband, and I all love these pancakes. They are made using a pancake mix that only requires the addition of water. It’s usually called ‘complete’ pancake mix. For this recipe, you will replace half of the pancake mix with uncooked oatmeal. The oatmeal adds a good source of fiber to the pancakes, which makes them filling and keeps my kids satisfied until lunch. I like to make these pancakes on the weekend and have leftovers for breakfast during the week. They also freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave or toaster when a quick breakfast is needed.
Saving Time and Money with my Slow Cooker
The start of a new school year means a busier schedule for my family. As much as I love to cook, some school nights I simply don’t have the time or the energy. Slow cooker recipes and one-pot dishes are on my meal plan at least 2-3 times a week. Any recipe that requires minimal cooking and minimal clean-up is a win!
Black Beans – A Pantry Staple
Last week, Christine shared with you how she uses plant-based protein in her home cooking. This week I am doing the same with black beans. A can of black beans is a pantry staple in my home. I almost always have one on hand. With three busy kids, I need to be able to create a quick meal on the days our schedule is packed. Canned black beans allow me to do that. Here are three Spend Smart. Eat Smart. main dish recipes that use canned black beans for the protein.
Plant Protein Made Simple
I had an interaction with a friend recently that I decided to use as inspiration for a blog. She shared with me that she had heard a lot of buzz about plant protein and how it was important for good health. However, when she went to the grocery store to buy plant protein products, she could not find any that seemed appetizing to her. She looked at ground meat substitutes, ‘chicken-less’ nuggets, and soy-based cheese and sausage. She shared that these products were expensive, had a whole lot of ingredients, and she did not think her family would like them. How was she supposed to get plant protein? I can relate to this challenge. I grew up eating mostly animal products for protein and learning to incorporate plant proteins took some time.
Refreshing Summer Salsa
Now that school is out for the summer, my kids are constantly reaching for snacks during the day. My grocery list has grown quite long over the past several weeks! To stay on top of my grocery budget, I have been trying to buy less pre-packaged snack foods and opt for items that have more fiber and nutrients to keep my kids full while waiting for our next meal.
Recipe Round-Up: Flexible Ways to Use Produce
Vegetables here, vegetables there, vegetables everywhere! Gardens and farmers’ markets are bursting with produce. You may have some tried and true ways you like to use summer vegetables. If you’re looking for some new ideas, here is a round-up of some of our recipes that allow for flexibility in the vegetables that are used.
