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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

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.*

Quick Toast Hacks!

by Filed Under: Recipes

In video Carson and I share our favorite quick toast hacks for easy and healthy snacks (or breakfasts).  You have to give these quick ideas a try– they are so simple but make you feel like you are eating something special!  Check out Lainey’s video @ Simply Bakings here!

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

Fridge Organization & Easy Bulk Meal Ideas!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Organization, Recipes

Keeping your fridge organized and having quick and easy bulk meals are two things that can make your week a whole lot less hectic.  And honestly, I don’t have time for all the frills, so here’s how I keep it really simple.  These hacks and quick solutions keep us eating well and prevent us from wasting food.

DOWNLOAD IBOTTA HERE (IT’S FREE!) and get a $10 rebate when you sign up!! Once you register, link your Facebook account, and you’ll be added to my team!

19425-200**CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FEATURED RECIPES HERE!**

Fridge Organization Bulk Meals 3 3" x 5"

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*Thanks Ibotta for sponsoring this video!  YouTube has been such a blessing, and I am fortunate to get to work with many brands that I love and use daily!  I have been using Ibotta since 2013 and have saved hundreds using this app.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.*

:45 second breakfast ideas!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

*Thanks to Jimmy Dean for sponsoring this segment of Cooking with Carson!  All opinions are genuinely our own…including Carson’s commentary ;)*

Getting breakfast ready in the morning can be stressful.  Especially if you are constantly running late like me!  Ha!  Here are some :45 second breakfast ideas that are easy to have on hand to keep busy mornings simple.

**Want more easy breakfast ideas?  Check out Jimmy Dean Breakfast on YouTube!

**Also, don’t forget to download your $1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage coupon!

****SAUSAGE AND PITA SANDWICH****

  • Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage
  • Round Wheat Pita
  • 2 slices of Gouda cheese
  • 3-4 sliced grape tomatoes

Cook sausage for :45 seconds (it’s really that fast because it’s fully cooked!)  Add your pita, cheese, and grape tomatoes and you’ve got an instant on-the-go breakfast!

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIPS:

  • Download a $1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage coupon (hurry offer ends soon!)
  • Gouda and Edam cheese both have similar flavors.  Sausage pairs well with stronger, buttery or nutty textures.  Cheese not on sale?  Look for other similar cheeses on sale like Baby Swiss or Havarti.  If you have a really picky eater, Munster is also a great option.  Most grocery stores rotate significant, rotating markdowns in the deli aisle.

****READY-GO SMOOTHIE****

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 a container of spinach
  • 2-3 small cartons of berries or frozen berries
  • frozen mangos

Add ingredients to individual baggies and freeze for up to 3 months.  Keep in a tupperware to prevent freezer burn.  Add a cup or so of juice to the frozen packs in a blender and you have a smoothie that is ready to eat in seconds.

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIP:  Frozen and Fresh berries usually pack an equal amount of nutrients so when in season, buy fresh, and when out of season, buy frozen.  You’ll get the biggest bang for your buck.  Want organic?  Frozen is almost always the way to go!

****FRUIT AND YOGURT ROLL-UPS****

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 2 small cartons of berries
  • Greek Yogurt (2 containers)
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • spray butter

Add a frosting layer of Greek yogurt to a tortilla.  Top with berries and roll like a burrito.  Spray with spray butter and run through combined sugar and cinnamon on a plate.  Flash freeze for 2 hours then cut in half and put in individual Ziplock backs in a tupperware in the freezer.  Let thaw a few minutes before eating and enjoy!

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIP: Look for cash back on fresh food, yogurt, tortillas and more from mobile coupon apps like Ibotta (the app is completely FREE).

****INSTANT SAUSAGE AND EGG****

  • 1 egg
  • Jimmy Dean’s Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage
  • Cheese as desired

Whisk egg and cheese in a small mug.  Add sausage to the mug and microwave for :45 seconds to 1 minute 10 seconds.  Turn mug over and serve on a plate with your favorite fruit!

****READY-GO INSTANT OATMEAL****

  • Instant oatmeal
  • Powdered coffee creamer
  • Brown sugar

Add a serving of oatmeal to a snack-size ziplock baggie.  Add 1 tsp. of Brown Sugar and 1 tsp. Coffee creamer to each baggie for sweetness and smoothness.

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DIY Christmas Tree Cones | Cooking with Carson

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Holiday, Recipes

Gingerbread houses are a lot of work.  I mean seriously.  Who has time for this?    So we decided to get simple ice cream cones, frosting and some sprinkles and made these mini Christmas trees.  It’s the PERFECT toddler craft and couldn’t be easier.

Hope you give it a try!

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

DIY Velveeta Cheese and Holiday Hanky Pankies

by Filed Under: Recipes

In this Cooking with Carson segment, I’ll be sharing quick way to make your own Velveeta cheese and an easy holiday (hearty!) appetizer.

I stumbled upon this Velveeta Cheese dupe from MOMables.  We’ve used it for almost a year, and it holds up great in any Velveeta cheese recipe where you need a substitute!

One of our favorite Appetizers is HANKY PANKIES!  These are a family secret, and while they aren’t lookers (you won’t win any awards there), these are amazing on the taste buds.

*LOOKING FOR THE FREE DOWNLOAD OF THIS RECIPE?  CLICK HERE!*

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

 

 

DIY Fall Scents | All natural!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Holiday, Recipes

The scent of fall always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  In this episode of “Cooking with Carson”, be prepared to fall in love with fall all over again.  Here is an easy (and all natural) way to make your own home fragrance or home scent.  Your kitchen will thank you.

 

Natural Fall Scent (for use in wax melt warmers)

  • 2 Tbsp of Coconut Oil
  • 1/4 tsp ground (or whole) cloves
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Melt coconut oil in warmer and mix in dry ingredients.  Let your home fill with fall goodness.  As the smell starts to fade, just sprinkle in a bit more of the ingredients and you please.  After letting cool, you will notice that the dry ingredients sink to the bottom and the oil stays on the top.  When you warm it again, mix everything up to help re-activate the smell!

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

 

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