Quick and Easy Spanish Rice Bowl With Bacon And Cheese

By DT

My family has been getting really bored with the plain white rice I’ve been serving. In an attempt to keep peace in the household, I’ve been looking for some new recipes for rice. I thought I would experiment with layering some traditional flavors of onion and green pepper and bacon. While searching through some recipes I found a few that had the basic ingredients I was looking for. After a few modifications, I came up with this recipe which turned out way better than I had expected and was a big hit at my household this week. I served this as a side dish with baked chicken. However, since it is such a substantial dish, it can really serve as a main course if you just add a protein to it (either shredded chicken and/or black beans).

Below are the steps I took in making the spanish rice bowl. (I’ve listed the ingredients at the bottom of the post).

First, I sauteed bacon in a frying pan. While the bacon was cooking, I chopped up the green pepper and then the onion.

Once the bacon was done cooking, I drained it on a paper towel and set it aside. I discarded all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings and added the chopped green pepper and onion to the skillet. I cooked them over medium heat until they were tender.

Next I added a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes to the skillet along with the black pepper and cayenne pepper. I did not drain the tomatoes. I let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes. At this point the kitchen was really smelling nice!

While the skillet mixture was simmering, I made a batch of long grain rice. (I combined 2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice, brought it to a boil, and then simmered it for 15 minutes.)

Once the skillet mixture had simmered for 20 minutes and the rice was completely cooked, I added the bacon and the rice to the skillet and combined all the ingredients thoroughly.

I served the rice in individual serving bowls, and added shredded cheddar cheese to the top.

Quick & Easy Spanish Style Rice

Ingredients:

3 Pieces Bacon
1 small white onion
1 small green pepper
1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups water
1 cup long grain rice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional
2 cups shredded chicken
1 cup black beans

Car With the Best Mileage For Families

By DT

The following is a sponsored post. Please see my disclosure statement.

When you’re single, taking the bus or riding your bike to work is fine. But once you have a family, everything changes. Sure, you can take your children on a bus ride but imagine the discomfort it brings them, not to mention the trouble you’ll be causing for other passengers. Not only that, children often need their own baby bag of supplies every time you go out. it’s a lot of hassle that can easily be avoided, if you had your own family car. But what kind of car is best used for families? It has to meet these criteria: Enough space in the seats and compartment, great gas mileage, and of course, safe for your children.

Before, minivans were a popular choice for families. But in recent years, SUVs have taken the stage with its more modern look. But aside from these two vehicles, what other cars are best for the entire family?

Family Cars
Below are vehicles described to be a perfect match for any family. Let this be your guide to choosing the best vehicle that can meet your family’s need:

Toyota Camry Hybrid (2013)

Designed by one of the most popular car manufacturers in the world, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is available in two designs: the LE and XLE models. Their main difference is mostly cosmetic, but the LE is best for those looking for an everyday car with good mileage.

Driving: the Camry comes with a CVT transmission. It drives well and thanks to its suspension tuning, you won’t be feeling those bumps along the road, perfect for when you have a sleeping child onboard.

Seating/Compartment: The Camry easily fits five passengers, and the compartment has ample space for families looking to pack more in the back of their vehicle for activities like road trips and camping.

Mileage: 65kpg

Safety: Overall, the Camry Hybrid is very safe and was even the Top Safety Pick by the Institute for Highway Safety.

Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid (2014)

The 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid is the first in its line, and it has the same look and feel as a regular Honda Accord. As the name implies, the Plug-in can be plugged into a regular outlet and takes 3 hours to fully charge. It also comes with all the standard trims that you’ve come to love on the regular Accord including rear-view cameras, Bluetooth connectivity and LED headlights.

Driving: The Accord Hybrid has a Continuously Variable Transmission that can let you drive on pure electricity for a short range. When battery power becomes insufficient, it automatically switches to hybrid mode. It handles so well that it’s almost no different from a regular Accord sedan.

Seating/Compartment: With a seating capacity of five, the Accord is perfect for families as it also has generous leg space at the back. The seats are covered in what Honda calls a Bio Fabric and is made in part from sugar cane. Unfortunately, the compartment is halved thanks to the car’s battery pack which takes up half the trunk space.

Mileage: Overall, the Accord Plug-in gets great mileage with its EV able to travel up to 15kpg, and with the hybrid it can travel a total of 185KPGe

Safety: Part of what makes the Plug-in Accord a family vehicle, is its array of safety features including antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, as well as front seat and side airbags.

Hyundai Sonata (2016)

The Sonata is truly a family sedan. It’s got one of the biggest cabins for its class and the tech inside is quite handy with Bluetooth connectivity and an optional-zone automatic climate control. And of the best features of the 2016 Sonata is its Smart Trunk Opener fob that automatically unlocks the trunk of the vehicle when someone with the key stands behind the car for at least 3 seconds.

Driving: The vehicle comes with an automatic transmission and handles fairly well, with a relatively silent engine and taking on turns with ease. When you get in a Hyundai Sonata, you are always promised a comfortable ride.

Seating/Compartment: The Sonata can easily fit four passengers with enough leg space in the back seat, and a well-padded front seat. The compartment gives a generous amount of space for everything you and your family need to take with them.

Mileage: If you’re looking for a car with great mileage without all the fancy tech, then the Sonata is a great choice with 101kpg.

Safety: Safety doesn’t take a backseat on the Sonata as it features front-seat side airbags, full-length side airbags and even a driver knee airbag. It also comes with a rear-view camera and Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

When it comes to family, safety and economy are always top priority. Unfortunately, a lot of people can’t afford to get a car because of bad credit. If you have a bad credit car loan, get in touch with finance companies that can provide assistance and you can be well on your way to getting that new car for the family.

Quick Oven Baked Chicken Alfredo Pot Pie

By DT

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of RAGÚ® Pasta Sauce. All opinions are entirely my own.

I’m always looking for ways to streamline my mealtime. Like most of you, my week has been filled with afterschool events, parent teacher conferences, and morning and afternoon drop-offs and pick-ups. That does not leave much time for cooking. Yet, I know that I will have a houseful of hungry kids at dinner time. For busy weeks like this, I rely on some easy fix recipes to get a meal on the table quickly.

Publix is having a RAGÚ® BOGO event which starts now and runs through Wednesday, October 11th. One of my favorite ways to save money is by using BOGO sales.

Since time is really short this week and I needed a quick go-to meal, I purchased the large RAGÚ Cheese Creations Classic Alfredo Pasta Sauce (Family Size, 21.5 oz.), and because of the BOGO sale I received another one free. Win, Win! RAGÚ Pasta Sauce can easily be found in the pasta sauce aisle at Publix.

We are a cheese loving family and the RAGÚ Classic Alfredo Sauce is packed full of Parmesan and Romano cheeses. It is thick and creamy and wonderful in Chicken Fettucine and Chicken Alfredo. Made with real cheese and fresh cream, this classic Alfredo Sauce is just bursting with cheese flavor. The sauce is available in 16oz and 21.5oz jars (which is the perfect size for feeding a large family like ours).

Here is a quick recipe I developed using RAGÚ Alfredo Sauce. I hope you enjoy!

Quick Oven Baked Chicken Alfredo Pot Pie

Ingredients:
4 Cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 Cups frozen broccoli, carrots, cauliflower mix
1 21.5 oz jar RAGÚ Family Size Cheese Creations Classic Alfredo Pasta Sauce
2 Cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 Container refrigerator biscuits

Directions:
Spray a 9 x 12 baking dish with cooking spray.
Place the cooked rotisserie chicken and broccoli/carrot/cauliflower mixture into the dish and stir to mix. Pour the RAGÚ Classic Alfredo Sauce across the mixture and stir to combine. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly across the mixture. Separate the biscuits and cut them into fourths. Layer them on the top.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes to 40 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and are thoroughly cooked.

How To Save Money With BOGOs (Buy One Get One Free) Sales

By DT Leave a Comment

A favorite promotion of many different retailers is the “buy one get one free” sale. I suspect they like the promotion because it encourages shoppers to pick out several items and everyone likes to get something “for free”. Another version of this is the “buy one, get one half off” sale. These types of sales don’t yield as much savings as the former kind.

Used correctly a “buy one get one free” sale, or BOGO, can be a very powerful savings tool. You can get the items you need at half of their regular prices. What could be wrong with that? Here are a few of the ways that I’ve put them to use.

Shopping for children’s clothing
Do you have two kids that need new shoes? Maybe you’re in the hunt for new winter coats for the family. BOGO’s are perfect for these types of situations. You usually have to pay for the more expensive item and get the less expensive one for free. The key here is to plan ahead. When I know that one of the kids will need a second pair of shoes mid school year, I take advantage of the BOGO by purchasing a pair in the current size, and a pair in the next size up.

Pooling your shopping needs
If you only have one child, you may think that BOGO’s won’t work for you. Don’t be so quick to discount them, though. Maybe a friend with one child can go shopping with you. Reach out to friends or family members who have children around the same age as your kids and see if you can help each other out.

Stock your pantry
When food items are offered in a BOGO promotion, I almost always buy them. Staples like flour and sugar are wonderful items to stock up on, but don’t overlook more perishable items can be good buys too if you will use them before they become stale. One of the biggest ways I save money on our grocery bill each month is utilizing Publix’s weekly BOGO sales. I can score especially good deals when combining these sales with coupons. In fact, one way I keep my pantry stockpiled is through these sales, which repeat products on the BOGO list every 3 months or less.

Plan ahead for future needs
I’m a big fan of purchasing multiples of items and putting one away for future use. Art supplies are always nice to have in storage. Extra stocks and undies are great, too. Just be careful to leave some room to grow when you are selecting clothing items for the kids.

7 Tips For Saving Money On Your Backyard Cookout

By DT Leave a Comment

One of our favorite warm weather activities is grilling out in our backyard. It’s so much fun to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family and even better knowing that I don’t have to clean up the kitchen afterwards. We do keep our entertaining budget friendly though and have found several ways to enjoy our outdoor grilling and keep our finances in check at the same time. Here are some ways we’ve found to save money while still enjoying our backyard cookouts:

Be flexible about the main course. .
Hamburgers and hot dogs have long been a vital part of cooking on the grill. However, if you had healthier thoughts in mind, chicken is always a cost-effective meat choice. Being flexible will allow you to shop for a great price, as well as a great taste. I always make it a habit to buy what’s on sale and then plan my cookout around that. Once you decide on a main dish, then you can plan your entire cookout menu.

Shop ahead of time.
If you plan ahead you can take advantage of sale prices at your local grocery store or wholesale club. Freeze meats that won’t be used right away. Other items like ketchup and relish will keep nicely in your pantry as long as you don’t open them until they’re needed. Pretty much every item you could need for a great backyard cookout can be purchased on sale. Making your plan and shopping way ahead of time is key to keeping the costs low. Don’t forget to gather supplies for your grill, too. Whether your grill uses gas or charcoal, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty on hand for the big day. Last minute shopping doesn’t leave a lot of room to comparison shop.

Save money on bread products and dessert cakes by visiting a bakery outlet.
The products found here are on the very edge of their usage dates, so they’re very cheap. This is one time, however, when you shouldn’t shop way in advance.

Make It Yourself
Store bought cakes and cupcakes can get pretty pricey when you are feeding a crowd. I usually opt to make my own or have one of my guests bring their favorite dessert to share. Alternatively, I just serve fruit as a dessert. Our favorite summertime treat is watermelon!

Recruit help for big get-togethers.
Having a massive party is a blast, but the expense of feeding all of those people may be overwhelming for one family to shoulder alone. Ask everyone to bring something to lighten the burden. Take care to be specific when you’re making your assignments; you don’t want to end up with four potato salads and no dessert.

Forget expensive marinades or rubs.
Instead, borrow a book or two from the library and make your own. The best part of this tip is that you get to tweak the recipes to suit your family’s tastes and save money at the same time.

Shop the Dollar Store for paper products
For larger gatherings when I need paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, etc., I make a run to my local dollar store. Items are much cheaper and are usually identical to what the discount stores like Target and Walmart carry.

Inexpensive Fall Decorating Ideas

By DT

(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links, and I will receive compensation when you make a purchase by clicking through the links. Read my disclosure policy.)

Even though there is still some summer left, my thoughts have been turning towards fall. I love the fall season and it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I’ve been spending time on Pinterest looking for some creative (and inexpensive) decorating ideas. This year I am looking to incorporate more pumpkins and burlap accessories. Here are a few that I’ve come up with:

An Assortment of Fall Theme Pillows

My house is decorated in neutral colors so that I can easily add seasonal home decor. I am going to be adding some fall themed pillows in my living room.

Burlap Accessories

One of the big trends in fall decorating is the use of burlap. I am going to be using a burlap banner over my shelves. I am also going to incorporate burlap in my table decor – maybe by using a table runner or burlap placemats.

Fall Themed Candles

I love using fall themed candles; they add such a special touch to any room. On my living room shelves and table I like to use a larger candle setting. I love the Bath and Bodyworks candles. A few weeks ago I purchased two new ones – Autumn and Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake. I’ve been trying to decide which one I like better. It’s a toss up. Even though here in Florida it is still really hot and humid, it seems more fall like in my home when I have a pumpkin candle lit in the kitchen. My absolute favorite so far has been the Pumpkin Apple candle.

Pumpkin Anything

Popular this year are pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. I like the pumpkin wall art, stacked pumpkin topiaries, and especially white pumpkins.

Fall has been a traditional time of harvest celebration since the days when farming was commonplace, and this theme continues today even in urban communities. Decorating for the fall harvest means celebrating the plenty of the season and heralding the change from summer to winter. It can also be a festive time to usher in the holiday season. I love decorating my house for Fall – it’s my favorite time of year. Here are some more frugal decorating ideas for your fall harvest decorating this year.

Charming Frames

Chances are, you have picture frames stored away in various places in your home. They make popular gifts, and many of us end up with more than we need. If not, you can often find them for very little money at second-hand stores and even some major retailers.

You can make fall harvest decorations from these ordinary frames. Lightly glue pressed leaves and/or flowers onto a blank white background, such as a piece of card stock, and insert it into the frame. If you are lucky enough to have frames with two pieces of glass, you can achieve a floating leaf look by sandwiching it between the glass. These look nice on a table, mantel, wall, or anywhere you want to bring the autumn in. Another note on frames – using a hot glue gun, you can attach acorns, seed pods, and other autumn odds and ends to the frame itself.

Natural Vases for Fall Bouquets

You may not have considered this before, but autumn brings all sorts of interesting fruits and vegetables that you can use as vases for fall arrangements. The best sorts of vegetables and fruits for this type of decoration are those with a long shelf life, such as squashes, gourds, and apples. But you can certainly think outside the box if you’re only going to have the decoration up for a few hours. In that case, you can include citrus peel cups and even hollowed out pears. Basically, you slice the top off of the vegetable or fruit of your choice, and then dig out the flesh to the depth you need. You can then fill it with water and flowers, or use floral foam.

More with Gourds and Pumpkins

All those inexpensive little gourds and pumpkins are readily available in the fall. Gather lots of them and make a wreath using hot glue and a circular base (such as grapevine or a foam craft ring). Another idea is to arrange gourds on a cake plate, or pile them in a tiered tray. You can even make a garland of small gourds, stringing them on fishing line or upholstery thread.