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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

Cook with Carson Valentine’s Cookies (Grandma’s Recipe!)

by Filed Under: Holiday, Recipes

In this episode of #cookingwithcarson, Carson makes Valentine’s day cookies using his great grandmother’s beloved recipe..including the amazing frosting (just three ingredients!)

?GREAT GRANDMA’S VALENTINE’S COOKIE RECIPE:
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat ingredients and stir in flour gradually.  Chill dough covered in the fridge for 20 minutes and cool to touch.  Roll onto a lightly floured surface to desired thickness and cut into shapes.  Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes for standard cookies.  Our silicon baking mat (these are bomb!)

?BEST HOME-MADE FROSTING RECIPE:
About 1 cup of powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter
Splash of milk
(Food coloring optional)

Add melted butter and milk to powdered sugar.  Stir to combine until forms a slightly runny glaze.  Keep adding powdered sugar to reach your desired thickness.  Stir in food coloring (we used 13 drops red to achieve the pink color).

Store cookies refrigerated in a single layer with wax paper between to protect sprinkles and decorations.  We love them decorated with cinnamon candies!

*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

FAST Meal-Planning on a Budget!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Online Deals, Organization, Recipes

In this video I share tips and ideas for fast and budget-friendly meal planning.  I’ll show you how I make choosing what to have for dinner fast and easy, how I plan my grocery shopping, and how I cut my prep/shopping time in HALF…and you can, too!

Use the code EZPICKUP for $10 off your first order from Walmart Online Grocery (it’s the best!)
$50 minimum order for coupon, code expires 2/28/17

Easy recipes here.

My Pinterest board


*Sponsored by Walmart.  I genuinely LOVE their FREE grocery pickup service, use it myself, and couldn’t recommend it more!  It’s changed the way we shop!

World’s BEST Peanut Butter Cookies! | Cooking with Carson

by Filed Under: Recipes

In this episode of #cookingwithcarson , he takes over the show for the first time (where are the tissues!?) and shows you the world’s BEST recipe for Peanut butter Cookies.  These make great holiday gifts (for neighbors and friends) in Dollar Store boxes.  Tag us if you give these a try (@doitonadime)

CARSON’S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 egg

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.  Form into small balls and put on an un-greased cookie tray.  Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes.  Check periodically.  We like to bake them a little under done, take them out and let them finish cooling on the mat.

Our cookie mats (we love them!)

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

DIY Dollar Tree Gift Ideas | $5 and Under!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Holiday, Money Saving, Recipes

These quick and budget friendly gift ideas (all from Dollar Tree) are perfect for neighbors, teachers, and hostess gifts. Check out Megan’s video here.

DIY SUGAR SCRUB:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil (or olive oil)
1 tsp. vitamin E (you can just break apart the capsule pills if that’s all you have!)
1 tsp. Vanilla extract

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

Money-Saving Homemade Uncrustables

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Money Saving, Organization, Recipes

Kids (and adults!) love Uncrustables but they are so pricey.  Here’s how we make our own version using mason jars on the super cheap…It’s just a sandwich after all!  Easy to freeze and the perfect lunch hack for school.  Or anyone who likes a good PB&J.  If your kids are at a PB&J free zone of have an allergy, try sun butter!

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*This is not a sponsored video.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Five Minute Meal Prep | Mason Jar Hacks!

by Filed Under: Organization, Recipes

You asked for more, so here it is!  Quick and easy five minute breakfast and lunch prep ideas.  This is a collab with our friend Jen from How Jen Does It.  You can see her video here.

Overnight Oats Recipe
1/2 cup steel cut oats or oatmeal
1/3 cup greek yogurt (we used vanilla)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds
1-2 Tablespoons honey
1/3 cup Almond Milk
Whisk to combine in Mason Jar.  Refrigerate overnight and top with berries.  So yummy and healthy!  (If you’ve never tried overnight oats, the oatmeal will soften in the jar overnight.  Best served cold).

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Five Minute Meal Ideas!

by Filed Under: Recipes

In this Cooking with Carson segment, we share four of our favorite meals you can throw together in under 5 minutes.  By 5 pm, I’m typically juggling a fussy newborn and a grumpy toddler, making it extremely challenging to cook, so I wanted to share these quick dinner ideas with you!  They’ve been life-savers in our house.  Let us know if you want to see more videos like this. 🙂

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{{SALMON AND VEGETABLES}}
4-5 salmon portions
Vegetable (Broccoli, Asparagus or Zucchini are best)
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
Lemon (optional)

Peel and cut potatoes and put in a baking pan.  Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper.  Bake for 20 minutes.  In a separate pan add salmon and vegetables.  Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper.  Leave potatoes in the oven and add salmon/veggies next to them for an additional 15 minutes (this will give the potatoes 35 minutes total cooking time).   Serve.  Yum, yum!

{{SAUSAGE & PASTA}}
5 Italian Sausages
1 Jar Pasta Sauce (try Vodka sauce)
1 green pepper
1 white onion

Add all ingredients to your slow cooker.  Cook for 4 hours on low (6 if sausage is frozen) and serve with pasta.  Yum!

{{EDAMAME NOODLES & SALAD}}
These are a great source of protein (25 grams per serving).  They cook in under 5 minutes and are so filling!  (Kids love them.)  Also try grocery or Costco salad kits.  They have tons of healthy options with the dressing already included!

{{EASY BURRITOS}}
2-3 lbs. boneless shoulder roast
1 jar salsa (24 oz)
Tortillas
Toppings

Add the meat and salsa to the slow cooker.  Cook on low for 4-5 hours.  Slice and serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings.  Yummy and easy!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Amazing Avocado Ice Cream! (Dairy Free)

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

This is a delicious, dairy-free avocado ice cream.  It’s healthy, quick, and you don’t feel guilty indulging!  (Make sure you use dark chocolate topping to keep it dairy-free!)

INGREDIENTS:
14 oz coconut milk
2 avocados
1/3 cup honey
juice of 1/2 lemon (optional to prevent browning)

DIRECTIONS:
Put coconut milk in fridge overnight.  Puree the avocados in a blender or food processor until smooth.  (Add lemon juice to prevent browning).  In a mixer (free-standing or hand-held) scoop out fat from refrigerated coconut milk.  Do not use liquid.  Mix until stiff peaks form.  Fold in avocado and honey.  Place in an ice cream container or a freezer safe container and freeze until solid.  You may have to set the container out for a few minutes before spooning to allow to soften.
This is also great with coconut and slivered almonds on top!

Looking for the dairy version?  Try this recipe!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

Cauliflower Pizza Crust (must see!)

by Filed Under: Recipes

In this episode of #cookingwithcarson we share how easy it is to make a gluten-free cauliflower pizza crust.  This is the perfect lunch and snack for kids (and they won’t have any idea they are eating veggies!)  It’s budget friendly and healthy.  Hope you give it a try!

Here is the recipe for the crust.

NOTES:  Follow the recipe above (make sure to really really squeeze out the water from the cauliflower!) and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Add sauce, cheese, and desired toppings and bake again at 375 for about 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.  Enjoy!

SilChef Silicon Baking Mat

 

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P.S.  Yes, I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant in this video.  No baby, yet!

*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

One Ingredient Fruit Roll-Ups!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Recipes

In this episode of Cooking with Carson, we share how to make fruit roll-ups (fruit leather) using just ONE INGREDIENT… apple sauce!  Here’s how easy it is an this recipe is a must-try with your kiddos.

Supplies:
Baking sheet
Silicone Mats and/or Parchment Paper
Apple Sauce (any flavor!)

Directions:
Heat oven to 190 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Pour over a thin layer of apple sauce and shake pan to spread.  Bake for 3-5 hours until leather-like and sticky to the touch.  Transfer to parchment paper, cut into strips and roll.  Tie with baker’s twin to hold together and store in mason jars.

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

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