Most of you are familiar with the concept of stockpiling when it comes to the grocery store, buying 3-6 months worth of products your family uses when it hits the lowest price in the sales cycle. The same idea can be applied to summertime produce, stockpiling when it is fresh and inexpensive. Having a plan is important, whether that is canning, freezing, eating, dehydrating, or baking. Of course, stocking your pantry (or linen closet or garage shelves)  and freezer does require an initial investment of time, money, and equipment. I think the results are more than worth it. By drying your own fruit, you can keep it simple. Just fruit, without any Keep Reading

Simple Frugal Living Tips There are times when we just kill it in the frugality department. We spend less, save more, and have no expensive surprises. High five and pat your frugal self on the back. Then the following month, your house needs a new water heater, your car needs new tires, and your kid needs new shoes. That's probably the month you blow the grocery budget, too. Hang head and kick your good intentions to the curb. The frugal life definitely has its ups and downs. Some months are better than others, but it's a constant learning process. Here are 5 simple tips that have been tumbling around in my brain lately. These are no Chinese Keep Reading

Layered Raspberry & Cream Dessert (recipe) Most of the time I try to feature recipes that focus on whole foods and fresh ingredients. This is not one of those times. But what this recipe lacks in nutritional value, it makes up for with its good looks and quirky personality: a salty pretzel crust + fluffy cream cheese + sweet jiggly Jello. Yes, yes, and yes. That has holiday party written all over it. I first ate this 12 years ago at a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by my sister-in-law, where it was actually served as a side dish. On a holiday where sweet potatoes are topped with mini marshmallows and leftover pumpkin pie is eaten for breakfast Keep Reading

It doesn't get much better than summertime in the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorite perks: u-pick fields are in full swing! Strawberries, raspberries, plums, apricots, and cherries. Blueberries and marionberries, oh my! Even if you haven't made it out to the fields yet, don't despair! Blackberries, tomatoes, and peaches will be ripe in August, followed by apples, prunes, and pears in September and October. Even if you can't make it out to the fields at all, don't despair! There are tons of great options that deliver fresh-picked produce from the fields to a parking lot or farm stand near you. Here are nine tips for a better u-pick experience. Keep Reading

Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing recipe I keep a bottle of store bought salad dressing in my refrigerator for last-minute dinners, but there are few recipes that come together as quickly and easily as homemade vinaigrette. Once you learn the four simple steps, you can make salad dressing from scratch in one jar and five minutes. Pretty soon, you won't even bother pulling out the measuring cups. Just chop, add, shake. Start with this basic recipe, then play around with different flavor combinations. As long as you keep the ratios roughly the same, you can create endless vinaigrette variations. Make enough to dress one salad or last for several Keep Reading