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Frugal Fun Friday – How to have a good time without breaking the bank

Embracing Frugal Fun: Creative Ways to Enjoy Life on a Budget

In a world where entertainment often comes with a hefty price tag, finding joy in simple pleasures can be both liberating and rewarding. Embracing frugal fun isn’t just about saving money – it’s about discovering creative ways to enjoy life without breaking the bank. Join me as we explore the art of frugal fun and uncover how you can make the most of every moment without spending a fortune.

Why Embrace Frugal Fun?

Before diving into the practical tips, let’s reflect on why embracing frugal fun is worth it. Living within your means not only reduces financial stress but also fosters a mindset of gratitude and resourcefulness. It encourages us to prioritize experiences over material possessions, connect more deeply with loved ones, and appreciate the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Frugal Fun:

Picnic in the Park: Pack a homemade lunch, grab a blanket, and head to your local park for a relaxing picnic. Enjoy the fresh air, soak in the natural surroundings, and unwind without spending a dime.
Explore Nature Trails: Lace up your sneakers and explore nearby hiking or biking trails. Nature offers a wealth of beauty and serenity, providing the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures.
Host a Movie Night at Home: Skip the expensive movie tickets and popcorn. Instead, host a cozy movie night at home with friends or family. Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy a film marathon from the comfort of your own couch.
Attend Community Events: Keep an eye out for free or low-cost community events such as festivals, concerts in the park, or art exhibitions. These events often showcase local talent and provide opportunities to connect with your community.
DIY Arts and Crafts: Tap into your creative side with DIY arts and crafts projects. Use materials you already have at home to create handmade gifts, home décor, or personalized keepsakes.
Visit Local Museums or Libraries: Many museums offer free admission days or discounts. Take advantage of these opportunities to explore art, history, and culture without breaking your budget. Libraries also often host free events, workshops, and book clubs.
Cook Together: Plan a themed cooking night with friends or family. Choose a cuisine, gather ingredients, and cook a delicious meal together. It’s a fun way to bond, learn new recipes, and enjoy a homemade feast.
Volunteer in Your Community: Giving back doesn’t have to cost a thing. Volunteer your time and skills to local organizations or community projects. Whether it’s cleaning up a park, assisting at a food pantry, or mentoring youth, volunteering enriches both your life and the lives of others.
Plan a Game Night: Dust off your board games or card decks and host a game night with friends or family. Games encourage laughter, friendly competition, and bonding – all without spending a fortune.
Enjoy Free Educational Resources: Explore free online courses, webinars, or workshops on topics that interest you. Platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, and TED Talks offer a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.

Benefits of Frugal Fun:

Financial Freedom: By embracing frugal fun, you can allocate your resources towards savings, investments, or other financial goals.
Creativity and Resourcefulness: Finding joy in simple pleasures cultivates creativity and encourages you to think outside the box.
Quality Time: Frugal fun emphasizes experiences and relationships, fostering meaningful connections with loved ones.

Final Thoughts:

As we navigate life’s journey, let’s remember that happiness and fulfillment don’t have to come with a price tag. Embracing frugal fun allows us to appreciate the richness of life’s moments, cherish the company of loved ones, and explore the beauty of the world around us – all while staying true to our financial values. So, whether you’re enjoying a picnic in the park, hosting a movie night at home, or volunteering in your community, savor each experience and treasure the memories created along the way. Here’s to living life to the fullest, one frugal adventure at a time!

On Fridays we will discuss being frugal – covering anything from saving money on fun, books about frugality, budget recipes, podcasts about budgeting and frugality, personal budget and frugality stories, and much more. I hope you will join me.

Thirsty Thursday – How to quench your thirst without increasing your girth

Quench Your Thirst with Refreshing and Healthy Drink Recipes

As temperatures rise and the sun shines brightly, there’s nothing quite like sipping on a cool, refreshing drink to hydrate and invigorate your body. While sugary sodas and artificial beverages might tempt us, why not opt for delicious and nutritious options instead? Join me as we explore some thirst-quenching, healthy drink recipes that will keep you feeling revitalized all summer long.

1. Watermelon Mint Cooler

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh watermelon, cubed and seeded
Juice of 1-2 limes
1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, chopped
Ice cubes

Instructions:

Blend the watermelon cubes in a blender until smooth.
Pour the watermelon juice through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove any pulp.
Stir in the lime juice and chopped mint leaves.
Serve over ice and garnish with additional mint leaves if desired.

Benefits: Watermelon is hydrating and rich in vitamins A, C, and antioxidants. Mint adds a refreshing flavor while aiding digestion.

2. Cucumber Lemonade

Ingredients:

2 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped
Juice of 2-3 lemons
4 cups water
1-2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (optional)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Blend the chopped cucumbers with water until smooth.
Pour the cucumber mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher.
Add lemon juice and sweetener (if using), stirring until well combined.
Chill in the refrigerator or serve immediately over ice. Garnish with mint leaves.

Benefits: Cucumbers are hydrating and low in calories, while lemons provide vitamin C and aid digestion. This drink is a refreshing twist on traditional lemonade.

3. Berry Blast Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
1 ripe banana
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Ice cubes

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding honey or maple syrup.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Benefits: Berries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, while Greek yogurt provides protein and probiotics for gut health. This smoothie is perfect for a quick and nutritious breakfast or snack.

4. Iced Green Tea with Citrus

Ingredients:

4 cups water
4 green tea bags
Juice of 1-2 oranges or lemons
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add green tea bags.
Steep for 3-5 minutes, then remove tea bags and let cool to room temperature.
Stir in citrus juice and chill in the refrigerator until cold.
Serve over ice cubes and garnish with mint leaves if desired.

Benefits: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and may promote heart health and improve brain function. Citrus fruits add vitamin C and refreshing flavor to this hydrating beverage.

5. Coconut Water Refresher

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut water
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
Ice cubes

Instructions:

Combine coconut water, lime juice, pineapple chunks, and sweetener (if using) in a blender.
Blend until smooth and frothy.
Pour over ice cubes in a glass and serve immediately.

Benefits: Coconut water is naturally hydrating and contains electrolytes, while lime provides vitamin C and pineapple adds a tropical twist and additional vitamins.

Conclusion:

With these delicious and nutritious drink recipes, staying hydrated has never been more enjoyable! Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a summer gathering, or simply looking for a healthier alternative, these thirst-quenching options are sure to please. Cheers to your health and hydration – may your summer be filled with refreshing sips and vibrant flavors!

Thursday’s posts will, of course, be about quenching our thirst. Discussions about hydration, foods that quench thirst, foods that negatively affect hydration, books, recipes, memes, and personal stories about keeping hydrated. I hope you will join me.

May 2, 2023 -One Bar S’mores taste test

It’s time for another protein bar taste test. I’ve enjoyed the One Bars. I found a new flavor – S’mores! Who doesn’t love s’mores??? Looks yummy!

So, let’s take a look at the macros – 210 calories, 7 grams fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 180 mg sodium, 25 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, 20 grams protein. Not bad.

Let’s open up the package.

DELICIOUS!!!!! Good texture. Not too sweet. I could almost smell the campfire.

Have you tried the S’mores One Bar? Do you have another favorite flavor?

Thanks for reading.

March 20, 2023 – Practicing Mindful Eating

As I continue with my journey to get healthier and lose weight, I have been trying different food and different strategies and sharing them here. My newest strategy is practicing mindful eating.

What is mindful eating? Mindful eating is paying attention to the food you eat and using all of your senses when doing so. The opposite of mindful eating is mindless eating. We’ve all done that, right? Rough day at work. Start cooking dinner and sit down to watch TV…with a bag of chips or box of cookies. The next thing you know, you have eaten the entire box or bag. You don’t even remember tasting the food. Yeah, that’s really mindless.

So, how do you practice mindful eating? Here’s what I’ve been doing. I choose one meal a day to practice this. Today I chose to practice at lunch. The steps I followed:

No distractions – turn off the phone, tv, radio and computer. I eat in silence if I can.
Today I am having a ham salad sandwich. I will incorporate all my senses while I eat the sandwich:
- Touch: The sandwich is cold because it was in the refrigerator. The bread is whole grain with seeds so it had texture.
- Sight: I can see the seeds and the air bubbles in the bread. I can see the creaminess of the ham salad. There are pimentos in the salad that are red and make the salad look pretty.
- Hearing: The crust of the bread is crunchy when I bite into it.
- Smell: The bread smells so fresh and there is a tangy smell to the ham salad.
- Taste: As I bite into the crunchy crust and feel the soft and creamy ham salad, the nutty flavor of the bread and the tangy ham salad hit my tastebuds. Delicious.
I take my time eating my sandwich, savoring every bite.
The sandwich fills me up and once I finish it, I am full.
I feel satisfied and thoroughly enjoyed my meal.

That is how I practiced today. Have you tried anything similar? If you have, how has mindful eating helped you to eat healthier, enjoy your food more, and helped you lose weight? Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to share regarding mindful eating? Please comment below.

Thanks for reading.

February 28, 2023 – One Bar – Blueberry Cobbler

When I decided to try different protein bars and “review” them, I didn’t realize how many delicious bars were out there. This has been a wonderful and tasty endeavor.

happen to be my favorite berry. I could eat them every day and be happy. When I saw that the One Bar had a blueberry cobbler flavor, I had to try it. It took a while for me to find them, but I finally hit the jackpot this weekend.

Look at how delicious this bar is.

It really does taste like the blueberry cobbler that your grandma used to make. The flavor is spot on. The consistency is chewy with a bit of a crunch. Altogether delicious. And filling. I ate half of one as a morning snack and, after two slices, I was satisfied.

How do the macros stack up? I think pretty good.

See if you can get your hands on one to try. I found mine at Walmart.

Have any protein bar suggestions for me? I’d love to taste-test your favorites.

Thanks for reading!

February 24, 2023 – Mooala Banana Milk: A Tasty, Healthy Alternative To Dairy

Are you looking for a delicious, healthy alternative to dairy milk? Meet Mooala Banana Milk! This milk is made from bananas, so it’s naturally sweet and creamy. It’s also low in sugar, sodium, and carbs, and it’s gluten-free.

What’s more, Mooala Banana Milk is a great choice for smoothie making. It’s thick and filling, so it will help you stay satisfied longer. Plus, it’s a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. That little hint of cinnamon makes a big difference!

So if you’re looking for a delicious, healthy, low-sugar alternative to dairy milk, give Mooala Banana Milk a try! You won’t be disappointed!

Here are more photos of the bottle.

The Story Behind Mooala: Mooala was started by Jeff Richards. Jeff was a dad who wanted to make better eating a way of life for his family. He was always on the hunt for foods and drinks that were made with nature’s best ingredients and were free of artificial stuff. So when he started hearing about a plant-based milk that was made from bananas, he was intrigued. He tried it out and knew this was something special. He could taste the freshness and the banana flavor. And he hopped on the idea of creating his own version of plant-based milk that was free from any artificial ingredients. Fast forward to today and Mooala has become a household name. They are committed to creating delicious, dairy-free products that are made with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar. Nutrition and Benefits Of Mooala Banana Milk: Mooala Banana Milk is packed with nutrition. It’s made from real bananas and is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Plus, it’s low in sugar, sodium, and carbs. And it’s free from dairy, gluten, soy, carrageenan, and artificial hormones. In addition, Mooala Banana Milk is a great choice for smoothie-making. It’s creamy and filling, so it will help you stay satisfied longer. And it’s a great source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients. For those of you looking for a dairy-free alternative that still has the creamy taste and texture of regular milk, Mooala Banana Milk is the perfect choice. So give it a try and see for yourself why it’s becoming a popular choice for many households.

Have you tried any plant based milks that you would like to recommend? Put them in the comments!

Thanks for reading.

January 12, 2023 – Chicken Salad Chick Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe

It has been a month since Chicken Salad Chick opened near us and I am a big fan. I’m slowly working my way through their flavors. My favorites so far, are Fancy Nancy and Patti Thai-riffic.

What happens when I get a craving for my favorite Chick and I can’t get my hands on any? Kathy get’s sad. So, have been on the lookout for a copycat recipe. I found one and have tweaked it to my liking. I served this on low carb sun-dried tomato wraps.

Ingredients

2 cups of chopped rotisserie chicken
1 fuji apple, chopped
1/2 C seedless red grapes, cut up
2 TBSP chopped pecans
1 cup mayo
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 tsp ranch seasoning

Add all ingredients into a bowl and stir until well combined.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes prior to serving.

Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Makes 4 servings

This was spot on. I did not put celery in because I am not a fan. You can add finely chopped celery like Chicken Salad Chick does if you would like.

You can experiment with lower calorie substitutes for the mayonnaise. I used Dukes, which I love. If you want to lighten it up but keep that mayo taste, use half mayo and half fat free greek yogurt.

I hope you get a chance to try this recipe. I made enough to supply me with lunches all week. This made my day.

Thanks for reading.

February 9, 2023 – Tasting the ONE Maple Glazed Doughnut protein bar

Hmmm…I can’t imagine what attracted me to this flavor. Could it be the giant maple glazed doughnut on the cover?

Before I get into the taste test, how do the numbers stack up?

Serving size 1 bar, calories 230, Fat 8g, saturated fat 6g, trans fat 0g, polyunsaturated fat .5g, monounsaturated fat 1g, cholesterol 10mg, sodium 150mg, total carbs 23g, dietary fiber 3g, total sugars 1g, protein 20g.

Higher in calories and lower in fiber than yesterday’s White Chocolate Raspberry Quest bar. So, how does the taste stack up?

OMG. The moment I bit into a piece of this protein bar I was a kid again. This tastes like a Bit-o-honey candy only less sweet.

It was absolutely delicious and, despite the lower fiber content, very filling. I cut the bar into smaller pieces to snack on and was satisfied before finishing half of the bar. It had a texture similar to the Bit-o-honey with a light maple glaze. Since it was so satisfying, I ate half as a morning snack and the rest as an afternoon snack.

So, what brand/flavor should I try next? Do you have a favorite? Or maybe you have a good recipe for me to try. Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

February 8, 2023 – Quest Protein Bar taste test- White Chocolate Raspberry

So today I tasted the white chocolate raspberry flavor of the Quest Protein Bar. First the macros:

Serving size 1 bar, calories 190, Fat 8g, saturated fat 3g, trans fat 0g, cholesterol 5mg, sodium 250mg, total carbs 22g, dietary fiber 13g, total sugars 1g, protein 20g.

The numbers look good but how does it taste?

DELICIOUS!!!! It reminded me of raspberry cheesecake. No artificial after taste. There was real raspberry in this bar. I would definitely eat this one again. I’ll have to try other flavors too.

Tomorrow I will be tasting a maple glazed donut One bar. I can’t wait.

Do you have any brands/flavors to suggest? Or maybe you have a good recipe for me to try. Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

February 4, 2023 – Do you like protein bars?

I am looking for protein bar suggestions. Since breakfast is around 5:30 AM and lunch at work not happening until 1:00 PM or 1:30 PM, i sometimes get HANGRY at work. I need a pick me up snack between breakfast and lunch but I want it to be healthy. Cereal bars are too high in carbs.

Please list your favorite store bought bars as well as any recipes you love. You can put them in the comments or click on my contact info and send me a message.

Once I get a list I will start taste testing.

Thanks for reading.