Slow Cooker Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Enchiladas

1 Lb Ground Beef

1/2 C. Onion Chopped

10 oz can Enchilada Sauce

10 3/4 oz Can Nacho Cheese Soup

10 3/4 oz Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

10 1/4 oz can Corn Drained

16 oz Can of pinto beans drained and rinsed

1/2 C sliced black olives

2 C. Favorite Cheese (really good with Colby or pepper jack)

8 (5.5 inch) Corn tortillas

Cook beef and onions Set aside.

Combine the next 6 ingredients.

Place a corn tortilla in the bottom of the crock pot. (3-4 qt size) spoon 1/8 of mixture onto the tortilla followed by cheese another tortilla repeat to make layers ending with the cheese.

Cover and cook on high for 1 hour or 4 hours on low. Top with crushed Corn chips and sour cream.

Place one tortilla in the

Thursday Tip -- Make do and have NO REGRETS

Have you ever heard the saying: "Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without."
What great words to live by. How many times are we out shopping and see something that it a great deal or just too cute to pass up and in reality do we really NEED the item? Probably not.

I love when a solicitor comes over. "Yes, you can clean my carpets and I will still tell you no in the end." Another terrific lesson I have learned to to SLEEP on it! No I really hate sale people who come to my home and bug me. I love the end telling them no. This has really helped to not impulse buy and have ANY regrets.

The last solicitor who came to my house cleaned my floors and two hours later after dropping and dropping the price they left. My carpets did look good but I had NO REGRETS on NOT buying the vacuum. The sales man kept asking me, "How much was your vacuum." I replied, "80.00" He says, " How many vacuums do you think you will use in your lifetime?" My reply, " As many as it takes."

Freeze those credit cards....Better yet cut them up and get rid of them! If you HAVE TO HAVE that impulse buy have the CASH for it. My grandparents NEVER had ANY debt and what a great feeling that must have been.... As well as my goal one day!

JUST REMEMBER NO REGRETS!!!

3 Ingredient Sausage Brunch

Chessy Fiesta Bake

2 lbs ground beef browned with onions and S&P

1 1/4 oz package of taco seasoning

2 (8oz) Tubes of crescent rolls

16 oz jar of Cheese sauce

4 oz can of green chili's

Combine the ground beef and taco seasoning. Set aside.

Unfold one of the tubes of crescent rolls and press the dough into a lightly greased 9X13 Pan.

Layer the beef then the cheese followed by the chili's.

Top with the 2nd can of crescent rolls. Bake at 400 ° for 20-25 min.

I garnished with the lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream.

Super YUMMY!

* Note photo here was used with biscuits since that is what I had on hand. I also divided the recipe in half.

French Toast Sticks

French Toast Sticks

My kids loved these! They taste just about as good as store bought!

5-7 slices of bread
3 C. Rice Crispy Cereal, crushed
1 T. Sugar
1 t. Cinnamon
3 Eggs, beaten
1 C. Milk
1 t. Vanilla
pinch of Salt
1/4 C. Melted Butter

Place in blender the Cereal, Cinnamon, Sugar - ground down to a fine mixture. Set Aside. Mix together the Eggs, Salt, Milk, Vanilla, in another bowl. Set aside. Cut Bread into four slices. Then dip into the egg mixture and then roll into the Cinnamon Cereal Mixture. Place in 9X13 Non-greased pan bake in oven at 375 ° for 15-20 min.
It make 16-24 sticks.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Salad:
4 C. Boneless, Skinless, Chicken cooked and Chopped
1 head of Cabbage - Chopped
3-4 Green Onions - Chopped
2-3 Stalks of Celery -- Chopped
1 Onion Diced
2 (3 oz. ) Packages of Ramen- reserve the seasonings for soups or another recipe

Combine the first 7 ingredients. Toss with dressing (below) refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
Garnish with Almonds just before serving.

Dressing :
3/4 C. Olive Oil
1/4 C. Sesame Oil
6 T. Rice Vinegar
1/4 C. Sugar
2 t. Salt
1 t. Celery Seeds
2 t. Sesame Seeds
1 t Black Pepper
Cajun Seasoning to taste -- Don't miss this step it really gives to the salad.
Mix all together in a small bowl

Shopping With the "Guru"

So every Monday on Channel 2 News the "Grocery Guru" tells you what screaming deals are out there. He then takes 25 callers to go shopping with him. They get to shop and he takes care of all the coupons. He gives you ideas for what to have to eat that week. He also says that he can get a weeks worth of meals for a family of four -- around $35.00. So I called in and hoped that I would get to go and join the fun! These are ALL the items that I was able to get shopping with him.

He gave a new outlook on coupon cutting. Instead of taking the time to cut all the coupons take the coupon packet and do a three ring punch and place in binder ONLY cut them out IF you are going to use them. Also don't hop from store to store shop and base your meals on the sales at your favorite store that week.

Some of the great sales I got today were: Cheese, Pulled pork, Eggs, Milk, bread, bananas, strawberries and you can't forget the Dark Chocolate!

What you see in the photo is what I was able to buy for for less than $ 42.16. I bought 44 items and was able to save $ 48.72 (according to what they would have normally charged.)

Also while I was there I met a gal who suggested using the site grocerysmarts.com. Check it out She also recommended sheshopssmart.blogspot.com -- Both are on my side money saving bar.

Thursday Tip

Here's the Skinny

This weeks tip for saving money is to serve smaller portions. Many times we eat with our eyes. How often did you hear while growing up, "Eat everything on your plate." Young kids are good examples of how we should eat. When a child eats they eat until they are full it does not matter if the plate has been cleared.

One simple way of making this happen it to serve the family on smaller plates. In our home we all now eat on the kids plates. Each plate looks full yet it is less food than it might have been on if it were on a regular plate.

Plus it may be good for our waistline!

Don't forget to load up on the veggies. They are low fat and good for you. Make sure that most of the plate is filled with vegetables and a small amount of Carbs or Protein. We eat to fuel our bodies. Let's make the fuel the best we can!

Check the NEW Money Savings Site Tab

Hello Friends!
So I was talking with my sister in law last week and she wanted a place to see all the latest and greatest deals out there. So I have posted on the side bar (Money Saving Sites) some new places that you can click on and see what is available to you. Some you may have to register for but it may be worth it to you. I have not had any problems with any of the sites.
Several of the sites are SIMPLY AMAZING!!! So many CRAZY deals out there
Hope this is helpful to you!

Salisbury Steak

1 1/2 Lbs Ground Beef

1/4 C. Buttery Crackers - crushed

1 Egg beaten

1 Onion chopped

10 3/4 oz can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 T Prepared Mustard ( I like the fancy ones for this recipe.)

1 T Horseradish Sauce **

1 t. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 C. Water

2 T dried Parsley

Combine first 4 Ingredients; set aside

Mix together soup, mustard, Horseradish Sauce and Worcestershire Sauce in a med mixing bowl. The add 1/4 C soup mixture to the meat mixture. Form into patties. Brown on both sides of the patties in skillet over med-high heat and drain. Stir water, parsley, and remaining soup pour over patties and cook 20 min. or until heated through.

My kids liked this recipe. One thing I did that may make you laugh...

When I first made this recipe I did not have on hand and Horseradish sauce. Being the frugal spender that I am. When I go to a fast food restaurant I keep any left over packets of sauce. So In this case I used 4 packets of Arby's Horsey sauce. Instead of that the recipe called for. It turned out very yummy. Which in turn made it so when I went to the store the next time I was willing to by the real stuff! It also saved me from running out to get it. If they did not like it I might have had a product in my house that we may have never used.

Thursday Tip

COUPON Cutting

OK so again we all want to save our money so what is one of the things that comes to our minds.... coupon cutting. Now I am not for OR against it. I can see pros and cons to trying to save money with this method.

Pros
* You get to buy things that you might not otherwise buy
* You save money on products you already buy
* You get to try new items for low to no cost at all.
* Its a great way to stock up on pantry/ food storage items

Cons
* You buy things you might not otherwise need or would have bought. (If you are spending more money on things you really don't need are you really saving?)
* It takes time. -- Sometimes LOTS of time.
* If you are shopping based on a meal plan the items on sale may/ may not be on the sale. Therefore trying to lead you astray when sticking to a strict budget.
* A budget may be out the door unless strictly followed - A bit of dedication is needed

Just remember when shopping and using coupons it is not how much you save but how much did you spend? Don't get me wrong this is true with sales too (unless adding to your food storage). You won't save anything by buying something that you could do without (just because it is on sale.) I find when I purchase like this I sometimes waste my money when not used fast enough.

There are many marketing companies paid BIG money to make sure they get the most out of you when you make a trip to the store. USE CAUTION!

Thursday Tip

Beverage of Choice?

Maybe it is me and maybe you feel like this too but sometimes you just don't have it in the budget. Now the inner self at times may try to tempt you to eat out telling you, "it's OK it's off the dollar menu." But can there be a better way? Better for your wallet as well as your waistline? I think so.

Today's tip for saving is to DRINK WATER! So simple I know, but it could save you a bundle. There you are sitting at dinner and the kids want some milk, Kool-aid, soda, or juice to go with dinner. If you can not give it up that is understandable but allow for only ONE then they can have water. I never drank much water as a kid and had to learn to like it. Drinking water could save a ton and you would not have to go out and get it.

Recipe Club

These are just a few of the girls that come to recipe club. I started the recipe group almost 5 years ago. What started out as a few friends that wanted to get together and share recipes ended up with over 20+ gals coming. So we moved locations to the church where we are able to fit all the girls as well as have a place for the kids to run without destroying too much!

Left to Right: Brook B, Shelly T, Lisa W, Judy B, Karen S and Me Christi.

One of the reasons I like recipe club is that I can try new recipes out and see if my kids like them before wasting my energy and money on food they will not each. Plus the chatting time is not too bad too!

This months theme was Family Recipes. I shared this frozen Dessert that my mom made all the time. I was happy to see it was a hit as well as 2nds were taken!

**Don't let the name fool you this is a tasty frozen or nearly frozen treat!**

Mom's Pink Salad

1 - 12 oz. Package of Thick and creamy whipping cream

1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese (I used the 1/3 less fat kind and could NOT tell a difference!)

1 Can Crushed Pineapple (drained)

1 Carton of Strawberries

2 Bananas cubed

Mini Marshmallows

1 Carton Raspberry Yogurt

1 package of Raspberry or Strawberry Jello ** See note**

Soften cream cheese add a little sugar. Then add the cut up Strawberries and bananas and Marshmallows to liking. Mix in the Yogurt and fold in the whip cream.

** If needed to make the dessert look more "pink" add a little of the Jello to give flavor and color.

Place in freezer safe bowl and freeze for 3-6 hours pending the freezer. We like it where it is just frozen and yet still a little soft. This dish has great memories as it was taken often to family events I hope that you like it as much as we do!

Make Pretty with strawberry placements or mint to garnish.

Thursday Tip

Cutting Spending

I will try to post a tip of the week each week.

Right now everyone is watching their pennies. The down turn of the economy effects nearly everyone. Would you like to save money on your food? Come on who doesn't?

Try cutting a little spending out of your monthly food allotment. Yes, we all need food but when you are shopping; are you tempted by the Doritos, soda, or other indulging purchase? Start by cutting $25.00 out of your budget. If shopping with your kids make a game out of seeing out little money you can spend for the biggest bang. Show your kids that you can still have really good food and you are not going without by cutting the budget down.

Then take the $25.00 and put it towards a bill such as a credit card.
You have saved on shopping $25.00 X 12 Months = $300.00. The $300.00 taken to pay down a credit card debt with an interest of 12-21% = BIG savings!

Give it a try you might be surprised by the outcome. As well as happy by trickle of savings that occur.

Yummy Cheeseburger Cups

Cheeseburger Cups

My kids LOVED this recipe!

12 oz tube of refrigerated biscuits

1 Lb Ground Beef with onions to taste

1/2 C. Shredded Colby Cheese

Catsup and Mustard to taste

Brown the ground beef and onions to taste. I also usually add a little salt and pepper.

Once you have the meat cook add the Catsup and mustard to the meat mixture.

Spray a muffin tin with a non-stick cooking spray.

Then roll out the biscuits to be a little bigger than the muffin tin that you will place them in.

Place biscuits into tin with a spoonful of the meat.

Top with a little cheese and seal shut.

Bake at 425° for 10-12 min.

I served this dish with a side salad. My kids were so excited to be able to help make the dinner as well as they say it was a 5 star rating!

This would also be good to do shredded pork with chilies and cheese or Pizza cups with your favorite yummys in it!

Enjoy!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I am so happy to be trying new recipes and sharing with you. I will be posting only the recipes that my family like and ones that I will make again. I want real food 4 real families.
Don't get me wrong I love fancy food but it is not always practical with my schedule, time and money!
I love seeing photos of what I am going to eat. I don't know about you but I like seeing what it should look like. It also helps me to know if my family will like it. Therefore there will always be photos! Yea!
Oh and by the way I love food storage so I will be also posting a monthly food storage tip. We can all stand to be a little more prepared for the unexpected!

Please feel welcome to leave me nice comments.