Kids in the Kitchen -- Poor Man's Turtles

This week, I thought it would be fun to participate in A Little Fun with Me and Lu's Kids in the Kitchen Thursday. Emily and I had such a great time this afternoon making these tasty Poor Man's Turtles. She even decorated some boxes to keep them in, but I don't think they will last long in this house!

To make your own Poor Man's Turtles, you will need: Snap Pretzels, Rolos, and Pecan Halves.

Start by layering the pretzels onto a baking sheet. If you're like Emily, feel free to munch on a few as you are doing this step.

Next, place one Rolo on top of each pretzel. Don't they look great already?? Wait, wait, it gets even better........

Place in a 200 degree oven for just a few minutes, or until the chocolate starts to melt. The Rolos do not melt down, so as soon as the chocolate is melted, go ahead and pull them out. Now, place a pecan half on top of each Rolo and press down. Yummmmm!

Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for the chocolate to harden back up again.

Here's Emily decorating her candy box with lots of "Yum! Yum! Yum!".

Don't they look heavenly? They taste absolutely divine!
Have fun! And for more Kids in the Kitchen, visit A Little Fun with Me and Lu.

More Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

I am absolutely loving these homemade chewy granola bars! They take very little time to prepare, do not contain high-fructose corn syrup, and the recipe can easily be modified for those allergic to peanuts. They are also less expensive than store bought granola bars. This recipe makes about 18-20 good-sized bars.

I wish you could smell my house after we have made these.... it is heaven!

I wrap the bars individually in waxed paper, so we can grab a bar whenever we want a quick snack "on the go". Very convenient, and they store quite nicely. 

In place of peanuts, you could substitute cashews, or if nuts are completely out of the question --  try 3/4 cup wheat germ and instead of 3/4 cup sunflower seeds, increase it to a full cup. The recipe is really quite flexible. We've tried dried cranberries or chocolate chips instead of raisins, and it worked beautifully. As long as the ratios and textures are about the same, it will work fine!  

We've also made our own homemade granola cereal following the same recipe, but only add 1/8 cup of honey instead of 1/4 cup. Yummm! 

8 Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget

You may be surprised to learn that eating healthy foods can be good for your waistline and your budget! Here are some of our favorite tips for eating healthy without spending a lot of money:

1. Drink Water -- Kick the soda habit. Not only is soda loaded with sugar and calories, it is also not friendly to your wallet. If you do not already have a Brita Filter at home, consider purchasing one and using it on a regular basis. If you must have something carbonated to drink, try flavored seltzer water with a slice of lemon or lime.  
   
2. Avoid Pre-packaged Foods -- Purchasing convenience foods means you are paying for all the packaging, and marketing that goes into those products. Fresh ingredients are often better for you, and are usually much cheaper.
3. Buy Meat in Bulk -- Sometimes super markets offer loss-leader specials on meats. If you have a large freezer, stock up. You will be purchasing meat at its lowest possible price, and avoid going to the store (so you will save money on gas too).
4. Farmers Market -- Your local farmers market may have great deals on fresh vegetables and fruit, particularly at the end of the day. If you get a good deal on tomatoes, for instance, you could make your own sauce or salsa.
5. Bake Your Own Bread -- Often, store bought bread can be expensive, and it usually contains high fructose corn syrup. If you do not already have a bread maker, search at thrift shops or yard sales. I frequently see nearly-new bread machines there for only a few dollars. Baking your own bread can save a lot of money, and you have the satisfaction of being able to pronounce all the ingredients.
6. Grow Your Own -- This spring we plan to start gardening with vegetables that are easy to grow such as: green beans, tomatoes, and green bell peppers. Not only will this save money, the food you grow yourself contains more nutrients since it does not have to travel to reach your dinner table.
7. Buy Only What You Need -- Before you visit the store, make a grocery list and stick to it. If you find yourself picking up impulse purchases, place those in the front basket of the cart. When you are ready to check out, keep just one of those items in the front basket and put the others back on the shelf.
8. Never Waste Food -- Find creative ways to use leftovers. Soups, casseroles, and even fajitas can be made using leftovers and taste great. Don't forget about re-heating last night's dinner for today's lunch.

Photo by Rick McCharles

Related Article: Printable Coupons for Organics

Do you have a great tip for healthy eating on a budget, or does your family plan to start a garden for the first time this year?  I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment and share you ideas with us!

Cooking with Clara

Here is the sweetest little old lady demonstrating meals made during the Depression.  I find it hard to believe she is 91 years old.  Watch how she dices those potatoes!  You will love her!