Frugal Living NW

Last week I was determined to create a Primal menu plan for our out-of-town guests. Thanks to all of you who offered recipe suggestions! I definitely worked more meat and fewer carbs into our week. Although I did make bread once, muffins twice, and cookies three times. So... I guess you could say it was a mixed bag. It was a revelation that you really can eat bacon and eggs for breakfast. Just bacon and eggs! Toast is not required. Who knew? You learn something every day. This week I am creating a menu plan with some of my favorite summertime ingredients. I am loving this warm weather and the meals that go with it. Here's what's for dinner at my Keep Reading

We are so excited to have some family coming to stay with us this week. Combined with the hot weather, it is going to be a good time. They eat a Primal diet, which  is pretty close to Paleo but includes dairy products. Our guests would be happy & gracious to eat whatever I set on the table, but I thought it'd be a fun challenge to go Primal this week. I don't plan on wearing animal skins or lifting heavy rocks, but eating meat? Yeah, I can handle that. After flipping through dozens of Primal and Paleo recipe blogs, I started to get completely overwhelmed with MEAT! So I finally went back to Melody's menu plans and just stole her ideas. Much Keep Reading

We spent the long July 4th weekend away so we're settling back into our normal routine this week. Our refrigerator shelves are looking really empty, but I know I have enough in my chest freezer and pantry to create a week's worth of meals. So for this week's dinners, I am going to create a menu plan mostly around what I already have on hand. I plan to run to the store with $15 and pick up ham, eggs, and yogurt, resisting all pleas from the little people for popsicles and Pirate's Booty. Here's what's for dinner at my house this week: Monday -- Dinner with Friends Tuesday -- Grilled Chicken Sausages, Homestyle Scalloped Potatoes, Raw Tuscan Kale Keep Reading

July has arrived, bringing with it our first long stretch of hot weather. The 7-day forecast is showing 4 days of "hot" followed by 3 days of "sunny." If you don't have air conditioning in your home, that translates to "How can I make dinner without turning on the oven?" It's tempting to survive on cold cereal or takeout. Instead my plan is to create simple, satisfying meals without turning my oven on once. Here's what's for dinner at my house this week: Monday -- Belgian Waffles, plain yogurt with Canned Cherries Tuesday -- Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken, Grilled Sweet Potatoes, Cabbage Salad with Buttermilk Dressing Wednesday -- Speedy Summer Keep Reading

While my family eats a vegetable-based diet, we are not hard-core vegetarians by any stretch. We love a good burger, keep bacon in the freezer at all times, and haven't met a meatball we didn't like. However, summertime is easily my favorite season to buy and prepare vegetable-based meals. There is so much variety and flavor coming from our garden and farmers markets. And it's only June! Here's what's for dinner at my house this week: Monday -- Spinach & Feta Pie with an Oat Crust, green salads Tuesday -- Breakfast for Dinner: Belgian Waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit Wednesday -- Leftovers Thursday -- Perfect Veggie Burgers, Potato Keep Reading