A Super Frugal $50 Weekly Menu That Won’t Leave You Hungry

This week’s $50 menu came in the middle of my $100 Grocery Shopping Challenge. I have done challenges in the past. But, this is the first time that I have slashed my grocery budget to this extent. To see the $100 Grocery Budget Challenge Videos on YouTube click here or you can watch below. Breakfast … Read more

Vegan Italian Lentil Soup

Many years ago I created this lentil soup recipe. Unlike most other dried beans, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. After 20 minutes, they are thoroughly cooked, not mushy, and perfectly soft. At $1.00-$1.50 a pound, they are a fantastic source of protein, folate, copper, and fiber. This soup has been a … Read more

Extremely Frugal Grocery Budget Stretching Menu

I’ve challenged myself to spend no more than $100 this month at the grocery store. That means that I am using all of the grocery stretching strategies that I know. Since, we’ve been raising kids on a low budget for over twenty years, we have a more than a little practice at making the most … Read more

Walnut Lime Chickpea Spread

Before I became vegan, one of my favorite treats was braunschweiger. Yep, that decadent liver sausage spread over rye bread and liberally daubed with mustard made lunch my favorite time of the day. A few years (and a few lengthy research books) later, I discovered that my mealtime treat was full of fat and cholesterol … Read more

Grain Loaf

Sometimes you just want a good, old-fashioned Sunday dinner, but you need it to be healthy for your heart. A few years ago, I really wanted to serve something which resembled traditional meatloaf. My son, Daniel, and I were working hard to cut our grocery costs and use only ingredients that we had in the house.  … Read more

Easy, Spicy Blender Barbecue Sauce (Vegan)

Homemade barbecue sauce is so incredibly easy to make. You control the ingredients, salt content, and the added oils and preservatives. Not only that, it freezes beautifully, making it easy to thaw and use in a matter of minutes. It’s the perfect condiment for topping sandwiches, baked potatoes, rice, pasta, or bread. This sauce is … Read more

Mid-Winter Comfort $50 Weekly Menu Plan

When the winds are blowing and the snow is falling there is nothing better than some good, old-fashioned comfort food. This $50 weekly menu features a vegan version of the All-American hotdog, hot stuffed baked potatoes, and squash stuffed with rice and then cooked in tomato sauce. The only thing better than the menu is … Read more

Chocolate Coffee No-Bake Dessert Bars (Vegan)

If you want a quick, easy dessert that reminds you of no-bake cookies, then this updated, grown-up version is for you. This recipe goes together in less than 30 minutes. After cooling, they are easy to cut into small, bite-sized nuggets of unbelievable goodness. It was a blustery, winter, Saturday evening when I decided that … Read more