Mixing It Up

This week our little house hold has been busy...staying at home! We have loved it! My house has stayed relatively clean (as clean as one can with a 4 year old and almost 1 year old), dinner has been almost ready when Daddy gets home and kiddos and Mommy have stayed away from all the germies floating around this time of year.

During my time at home this week, I have felt a bit "Suzy Homemaker-ish". I have to admit I was inspired by a newly discovered blog by a lovely lady by the name of Danielle. I stumbled upon her blog via a pin I had pinned quite awhile ago concerning menu planning on a budget. Well, let's just say she kicked my money saving booty to the curb and is making this OCD planning type A momma step it up a few notches. (I also give credit to a friend giving me a call about good 'ol Dave Ramsey and his budgeting/money saving ideas.)

So in my extraordinary efforts this week, one of my main goals was not to even venture to some of my frequent stores this week that usually get me in trouble because just like Lay's potato chips ("You just can't eat one."), I have a hard time just buying what's "on the list", especially at places like Target and Hobby Lobby! Secondly, I had been convicted by Blissful and Domestic to make a lot more of my "staple" items from scratch. Therefore, I turned to my good old friend Pinterest and one of my favorite e-books Easy. Homemade. to start acquiring some of these items.

First item I tackled, I believe, is something everybody can benefit from this time of year. I don't know about your family but our family, especially in the fall/winter time period, make a lot of recipes using creamed of something soups. The cost of a store brand can is usually around 98 cents, which on the surface doesn't seem too bad. But just like anything, that cost can add up quickly. So after some quick searching, I found this recipe for creamed of something soup mix. It costs pennies on the dollar compared to buying the cans, not to mention I know what is in it and it doesn't come out in a perfect cylindrical shape that often times worries me. I know what your thinking, "Does it taste as good in the recipes?" Well, my answer is...it tastes even better!

I also would like to share two of my favorite mixes that my family enjoys and are easy go-tos when you need either an easy dinner or dessert. My favorite part about both of these recipes, and all homemade mixes for that matter, is I see and know every ingredient that goes into them! Plus my family has said that both of these recipes when prepared into various creations taste better than the prepackaged boxed stuff!

Homemade Bisquick
5 C flour (can use half whole wheat and half all-purpose unbleached flour)
1/4 C baking powder
2 T sugar
1 t salt
1 C shortening or butter (Our family likes the buttery taste!)

Mix dry ingredients together then cut in shortening or butter until pea size crumbles are formed. Store in airtight container or gallon size zip top bag in refrigerator. Lasts at least 6 months. Use just as you would regular Bisquick in any recipe.

Better than Betty Crocker Brownie Mix
1 C Sugar
1/2 C Flour
1/3 C Cocoa
1/4 t salt
1/4 t baking powder

Mix together all ingredients and put into ziplock bag. Onto bag write or create a label with the following:
Add 2 eggs, 1/2 C vegetable oil, 1 t vanilla. Pour into 8x8 pan sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.

Mix lasts 6 months in pantry.

NOTE: My family likes to personalize our brownies by adding various add-ins such as chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&M's, walnuts, cranberries, etc. Our ultimate favorite is to pour half the batter into the pan, then layer our favorite candy bar and finally pour the remaining batter on top. Bake as directed and you have delicious Candy Bar brownies! YUMMY!

I hope some of these simple mixes bring you some ideas for the holidays for easy gift giving or simply just make your life in the kitchen a little easier and yummier too!