$25 Mother/Daughter Apron Set at Target

target apronsTarget is offering a lovely daily deal today.  The Sadie Mother/Daughter Apron Set is on sale for $25 with free shipping.  There are four cute versions to choose from, and these would make a great Mother’s Day gift.  It’s important to make cooking fun for kids, and I know my little fashionista always gets excited to put on an apron when she helps me in the kitchen.

Thanks, Hip2Save!

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Groupon Deal for 50% Off Raspberry Plants

 raspberry patch

Groupon is offering a nice deal for 50 percent off raspberry plants.  Raspberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow in your garden.  Our little raspberry patch yielded so many raspberries last summer that I was able to make raspberry jam and several other goodies with our home-grown berries.  They’re perfect to put in a bowl of oatmeal or a quick smoothie, and their naturally bright color shows that they’re highly nutritious.  If you’re ready to dip your toe in the gardening water, this could be the perfect place for you to start.

50% off raspberry plants delivered to your home

What other produce do you find easy to grow in your garden?

raspberries

raspberries from my garden

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Saving Money with Homemade Snacks

roasted chickpeas

Savory Roasted Chickpeas

The cost of store-bought snacks can really add up.  When you buy snacks at the store, you pay a lot more than the actual cost of the food.  Production costs, packaging, shipping, and store mark-up all work together to escalate the expense for the consumer.  By making snacks yourself, you can save a lot of money.  More importantly, you can control what goes into the snacks you’re eating, and you can minimize your carbon footprint by bypassing all that packaging and transportation.  With a little work and planning, you can have a snack cabinet stocked with homemade goodies for your family.

Here are 8 types of snack food that I make on a regular basis.  My life is busy with many activities including freelance writing work, PTA involvement, and my children’s sports commitments, but I make the time to cook from scratch because I think it’s important. I like saving money on food, but that’s not my primary motivation.  My family has been much healthier since we cut back on highly processed food last year, and as a parent it means a lot to me to know exactly what we’re eating.

Flavored Popcorn
Average Cost $.25 Per Serving

chocolate popcorn 2 rfrdIf you want to be committed to maintaining a real food household, you should have popcorn kernels on hand at all times.  It’s one of the fastest whole-grain snacks to make, as well as one of the most affordable.  You can flavor popcorn so many different ways.  Look for organic, non-GMO popcorn kernels because corn is one of the biggest genetically modified crops in America.

Chocolate Popcorn
Maple Gingerbread Popcorn
Pumpkin-Glazed Popcorn

 

Energy Bars
Average Cost $.50 Per Serving

ap larabar 300Homemade Larabars and energy bites are so quick and easy to prepare, and they taste like dessert.  My daughter recently bit into a peanut butter cookie dough bite and asked me, “Is this Reeses?”  That little girl knows how to melt my heart.

Apple Pie Larabars
Banana Larabars
Blueberry Lemon Larabars
Chocolate Larabars
Mango Lime Coconut Larabars
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Muffins and Breads
Average Cost $.33 Per Serving

Aloha muffinsHomemade muffins are a perfect snack to send to school with your children.  I like to have a couple different flavors in the freezer so I can pull one out in the morning if I don’t have other snacks on hand to send with my children to school.  They defrost by snack time and my children get to enjoy a healthy, homemade treat.

Aloha Muffins
Blueberry Banana Muffins
Blueberry Lemon Bread
Carrot Cake Muffins
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Cornbread
Pumpkin Bread

Baked Bars
Average Cost $.35 Per Serving

whole wheat browniesI include many different baked goods in my arsenal of snacks.  Most of them include fruit, and they’re all healthier than any packaged food I might buy at the store.

Brownies
Cherry Peach Bars
Chewy Blueberry Banana Oat Bars
Coconut Bars with Chocolate Drizzle
Pumpkin Cranberry Oat Bars
Raspberry Blondies
Raspberry Jam Bars

Roasted Nuts, Seeds, Legumes
Average Cost $.23 Per Serving

savory roasted pumpkin seeds 250Protein is a great feature to include in a snack because it helps you to feel full longer and maintain energy.  I like to have a wide variety of nuts and seeds on hand for those occasions when hunger strikes and I need a quick fix.  These recipes for roasted nuts, seeds, and legumes are great for an after-school energy boost.

Maple Nut Snack Mix
Savory Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Savory Roasted Chickpeas

 

Crackers
Average Cost $.25 Per Serving

graham crackers rfrdWhen we first removed highly processed food from our diet, crackers and pretzels were one of the things we missed the most.  These simple carbs always seemed like a good quick snack in the past.  I’ve developed a few whole-grain cracker recipes that my family enjoys, and I’d like to expand this list in the future.  I’d love suggestions for other homemade cracker recipes if you have a favorite.

Sourdough Pesto Crackers
Graham Crackers

 

Dips and Salsa
Average Cost $.30 Per Serving

honey yogurt dip 300Plain food like tortilla chips and fruit become much more interesting when there’s a dip involved.  I like to have a good stock of homemade salsa in my pantry so I can enjoy the bounty of summer year-round.  Hesitant fruit eaters can be swayed by a yummy bowl of this honey yogurt dip.

Honey Yogurt Dip
Corn Salsa
Tomatillo Salsa

 

Ice Cream & Sorbet
Average Cost $.72 Per Serving

mango sorbet rfrdHomemade ice cream and sorbet are the ultimate summertime treat.  They cost a little more than the other snacks I make, but they’re still significantly less expensive than what you’d find at the store.  There’s no need to grab a pint of Ben and Jerry’s when you can make it yourself at home.

Mango Sorbet
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Peach Coconut Cream Sorbet
Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches

What other snack foods do you make from scratch?  I’m always hungry, so I’m on the lookout for new ideas to keep things lively in my snack cabinet.

Linking to Pennywise Platter, Fat Tuesday.

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Six Free Kindle Cookbooks

medit diet

The Standard American Diet has resulted in a host of medical problems for millions of Americans.  We can learn a lot from the diets of other cultures, and Amazon is helping us out today.  There are 6 free cookbooks representing different ethnic eating habits from around the world.  I look forward to reading these books and expanding my family’s food repertoire.  You can download these books for free today, and if you don’t have a Kindle you can put them on your computer.

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Ataulfo Mangoes for $.50 Each at Whole Foods

mango sale

On Friday, April 5, Whole Foods will be selling Ataulfo mangoes at the price of 10 for $5.  If you love mangoes as much as I do, you’ll drop everything and get over to Whole Foods tomorrow for this one-day sale.  I’ve never seen mangoes priced so low, and I love the Ataulfo variety.  They’re sweeter and less fibrous than the standard mangoes I get here in Massachusetts.

Check out the Whole Foods website for details.

I’d love to hear your favorite mango recipes.

Image credit: Whole Foods Market

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Saving Money on Healthy Food at Stop & Shop

Stop&Shop2008

March is National Nutrition Month according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  This is a good time to remind ourselves of the importance of making informed food choices.  In honor of National Nutrition Month, Stop & Shop recently offered me a $20 gift card that I could use to highlight how I shop for healthy food at their store.  This is a great opportunity for me to share how I navigate the grocery store.  Stop & Shop is the closest grocery store to my house, so I end up there just about every week.

Stop & Shop’s weekly sales flyer arrives in my mailbox every Thursday.  I go through it and make a list of the minimally processed food items on sale that my family eats.  Rather than buy apples, bananas, and grapes every week, I buy the fruit that’s on sale.  This helps me to provide variety to my family, which is essential to a healthy diet.

scan it kiosk rfrd

When I go shopping, I always start out at the scanner kiosk.  Stop & Shop’s scanners allow me to scan the items as I put them into my cart throughout the store.  There are four things I love about shopping with these scanners:

  • I can check for price accuracy as I scan the items throughout the store.  This is easier than trying to pay attention at the checkout counter.
  • The scanner offers individualized discounts based on what I’ve bought in the past.  I frequently receive a discount for $.50 off Nature’s Promise eggs, which brings their cage-free eggs down below $3 a dozen.
  • I can bag my groceries as I shop through the store, which feels more efficient than bagging them after checkout.
  • I can quickly check out at the self-checkout lanes instead of waiting in line for a cashier.

With my scanner in hand, I stick to the perimeter of the store and I stay focused on my list.  I try not to shop when I’m hungry, and this helps me to avoid impulse purchases.  On my recent trip to Stop & Shop, here’s what I bought with the $20 gift card:

groceries from stop & shop

A rainbow of healthy groceries from Stop & Shop

As you can see, most of the items are produce.  My farm share is mostly vegetables, so I end up purchasing lots of fruit every week from the grocery store.  I love to get organic fruit, but I do buy some conventional fruit as well.  I never pass up the reduced produce cart, which is stocked throughout the day with produce that isn’t quite perfect.  I picked up 4 apples for a quarter apiece and I used one for some cole slaw that I made that night.  This fruit may not win a beauty contest, but it’s perfectly fine to eat.

grapes

I saved over 60 percent off the regular price of grapes.

Stop & Shop has been sending great coupons in the mail during the past few months.  This week’s coupons included $5 off a $50 purchase, $2 off a meat department purchase, and a free pack of organic baby carrots.  I used the meat coupon to buy a Nature’s Promise whole chicken (which was already on sale) and of course I picked up the free organic carrots.  If you get these coupons in the mail, don’t throw them away with your junk mail!  Even if you’re not a big coupon user, you’ll probably be able to find a way to use the $5 off coupon.  In my town, we have to purchase special garbage bags for curbside trash pickup, so some weeks when I need to buy one more thing to get up to $50 I’ll throw in a pack of garbage bags.

stop and shop receipt rfrd

As you can see from my receipt, I got $44 worth of groceries for $20.  By shopping the sales and using coupons, I was able to save about 55 percent off the regular price of these whole foods grocery items.  I’ve saved $356  so far this year, and it’s only March.  I love that Stop & Shop includes this savings breakdown on my receipt because it helps keep me motivated.  At this rate I’ll save over $1500 by the end of the year just at this one store.

Here are some of the healthy grocery shopping tips offered by Stop and Shop’s nutritionist.

Before You Leave:

  • Don’t shop hungry. Be sure to have a light meal or snack with fiber and protein before shopping to avoid impulse buys.
  • Make a grocery list. Plan out your week of meals, snacks and beverages and those you need to restock. Organize the list by the departments of the grocery store to save you time shopping.

During Your Shopping Trip:

  • Shop the perimeter of the store. This is where the freshest, most natural food lies. So fill most of your cart with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and dairy items then venture down the center aisles to stock up on staple goods like whole grains, beans, vegetable-based soups, canned tuna and wild salmon.
  • Pay attention to symbols to help you shop. For example, at Stop & Shop, you can look for the Healthy Ideas® symbol next to the price to find products that are better for you and your family.
  • Read the ingredient list. If you are not sure how to accurately interpret the Nutrition Facts label, the ingredients list can provide you with enough information to make a healthy decision. Ingredients are listed in order of weight from high to low.

When You Get Home:

  • Focus on filling half your plate with fruit and non-starchy vegetables. Fill the other half with whole grains (bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and starchy vegetables like corn, peas, potatoes) and protein.
  • Think about adding fruits and veggies to your family’s favorite foods. Add strawberries in cereal, blueberries in yogurt, sliced pears in a grilled cheese sandwich, shredded carrots and zucchini to pasta sauce, and broccoli on pizza.

What tips would you add to this list?

myplate_green

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Four Free Kindle Cookbooks

cheap healthy meals

There are several free Kindle cookbooks available today.  Free books are usually only available for one day, so don’t miss out if you’re interested in these titles.  Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the books to your computer.

Cheap Healthy Meals – Easy Vegetarian Recipes On a Budget (Vegetarian Cookbook and Vegetarian Recipes Collection)

Heirloom Recipe Cookbook: Classic Homemade Retro Recipes From My Family To Yours, Main Dishes and Side Dishes

Raw Food Diet Book: Secrets to Healthy Living Plus Quick & Easy Recipes for Delicious & Nutritious Plant-Based Meals to Help with Weight Loss, Detox & Optimal Health

Make and Freeze Recipes: Great Foods You Can Cook, Freeze, and Use Quickly and Easily (Eat Better For Less Guides)

Have you gotten any great free Kindle books?

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25 Vanilla Beans for $1 Each at Beanilla

Are you following Real Food Real Deals on Facebook or Twitter?  If not, you’re missing out on some great deals and conversation.  Join me there!

vanilla extract rfrd

Homemade vanilla extract is the perfect hostess gift to have on hand.  It’s so easy to make, and homemade vanilla extract costs 5 times less than the store-bought version.  All you need are vanilla beans, cheap vodka, and a bottle.

Beanilla has a great sale going on now.  You can get 25 Madagascar vanilla beans for $25 with free shipping.  This is a great price and you can make 12 8-ounce bottles of vanilla extract with these beans.

Thanks go to the Aliso Kitchen for introducing me to Beanilla.

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Five Great Kitchen Tools

I cook a lot, and it’s much easier to do that when I have the right equipment.  I’m not talking about blenders and food processors, I’m talking about the little things that make a difference.  I love wandering through kitchen stores like Sur La Table and HomeGoods looking at all the fun little tools.  However, I hesitate to buy new kitchen gadgets for a few reasons.  First, I don’t want to spend money unnecessarily every time I see something that might be useful in the kitchen.  Second, there’s only so much room in my kitchen drawers and I don’t want to clutter them.  And third, I don’t want to be attached to so much stuff.  I try to live simply, and the more stuff I accumulate, the less at peace I am.

So I choose my kitchen gadgets carefully.  I spent the last two years with a set of thin, plastic KitchenAid nesting mixing bowls that weren’t great, but they were good enough.  The three bowls were all damaged in some way.  The large bowl had a big crack in the top so I could only fill it up part way.  The medium bowl had a very thin bottom because I poured hot ghee in it once.  Eventually it got a hole in the bottom.  The little bowl had melted a bit in the spout, so I couldn’t use it to pour.  I use my mixing bowls nearly every day, so this situation grew more and more annoying.

 cracked bowl

My husband got me new mixing bowls and a few other new gadgets that I love for Christmas.  He knows it’s hard for me to spend money on things that aren’t absolutely necessary, so I really appreciate it when he comes through at holiday time.  Here are my five favorite new kitchen tools:

oxo bowls

 

OXO Mixing Bowls are so much better than the ones I suffered through these past few years.  They’re stainless steel on the inside with a plastic exterior for insulation.  The have a rubber bottom so they don’t slide on the counter.  And they can go in the dishwasher, which makes a big difference when I just can’t bring myself to hand-wash one more dish.

 

lilypad

The Lilypad Lid:  Last summer, I saw this silicone Lilypad Lid at a great kitchen store in Burlington, Vermont called Homeport.  It looked handy for keeping things covered, but I wasn’t sure it was worth the price.  I also didn’t know how often I would actually use it, so I didn’t buy it.  When I returned home, I kept thinking about it.  Every time I pulled out the plastic wrap to cover a bowl of pancake batter, I wished I had that lilypad.  Whenever I put foil over a casserole dish for baking, I wished I had that lilypad.  So when we returned to Vermont for Thanksgiving, I made it a point to go to Homeport and buy one.  And lucky me, it was 20 percent off for black Friday!  I use it all the time.  They have a variety of sizes too, so if you’re a coffee drinker who can’t keep your coffee warm, take a look at the mini one.  These are dishwasher safe too.

pyrex

Pyrex Bake and Store Containers:  We’ve been wanting to move away from plastic storage containers, so I was happy to see this set of Pyrex baking and storing containers on sale recently.  Dishwasher safe and made of thick, sturdy glass, you can bake with them or just use them for food storage.  I love how adaptable they are, and it’s nice to be less dependent on plastic containers for food storage.

 

microplane

Microplane:  I never like the little chunks of garlic that end up in my food after I dice a clove for a recipe.  When I went to a cooking class at Helen’s Kitchen last fall, I saw how well a microplane can turn a clove of garlic into mush.  This is perfect because it gets the garlic flavor into the recipe without yielding chunks of garlic.  Also, the microplane zests lemons and limes more finely than the lemon zester I used to use, so it’s being put to good use in recipes like lemon ricotta pancakes and aloha muffins.

 

dish matMicrofiber Dish Drying Mat:  This is such a small thing, but I can’t tell you how much I love having it.  Our dish rack always seems to be full and overflowing.  It’s frustrating when I have a sink full of dishes to wash and I don’t want to empty the dish rack before doing round two of dishes.  In those cases, I pull out my dish mat from under the sink and put it next to the dish rack.  I can load a bunch more clean dishes on the mat, and then put everything away at the same time later on.  It folds up compactly and fits easily under the sink.

Do you use any of these tools?  What kitchen gadgets make your life easier?  I’d love to hear your suggestions.

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LunchBots 35 Percent Off at Totsy

Do you belong to Totsy?  They offer great daily deals on products for parents and children.

lunchbots

Today, you can get 35 percent off LunchBots stainless steel lunch boxes from Totsy.  These look like great, sturdy containers to organize your children’s (or your) lunches.  If you’re new to Totsy, you can create an account and get free shipping on your first order.  Scroll down to the LunchBots section to see all of today’s LunchBots deals.

Thanks, Maven of Savin’.

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