Super Easy 5-ingredient, 6-minute Fabulous Fudge

I didn't make it to work today. I really wanted to go as I could use the hours....hours equals money and who couldn't use more money?
I had a bit of vertigo this morning. I had three dizzy spells before I even made it downstairs. By the time I got downstairs, I knew I wouldn't be able to get behind the wheel of a car. Nope. Not even going to risk it.

So, I called in to work and set out to make fudge instead. Which is great because a dizzy spell while in my kitchen equals holding onto the counter. A dizzy spell driving a car equals driving into a pole.

Chicken Cordon Blue Soup

I planned to make this soup yesterday, but, well....I was just too tired. I made the mistake of eating out at a fast food place. Yeeeah. I spent the rest of yesterday with a bloated, upset stomach. I should know better than to eat fast food. It usually never agrees with me.

This soup, however, is fabulous. And I threw it together this morning in about 30 minutes. Of course, I had some of the prep work done already like the bacon was already cooked as was the ham. I just chopped them up this morning.

Easy Cinnamon Roasted Nuts at Home

I have been making these for a while....well, since I became extremely frugal and hated paying $5 for a small cone of them at ren fairs or the mall.

And let me tell you, these things are addictive!

The flavor variations are endless. You can do cinnamon....like what I'm showing you here. Or you can do hot...and add cayenne....mmmm... or do a nutmeg/allspice blend for a twist on traditional flavors.

Homemade Tiger Balm

I make this for my dad who says it's the only thing that relieves his pain. Even his prescription painkillers don't work as well.
I'm not saying this will work as well for you as everyone is different and you have to use what works for you. But give this a try, and see how it goes.

BACON!

While the best bacon is cooked over an open fire, second best is usually done at home. And let's face it, that's where most of us are 90% of the time. Right?
So unless you plan to fire up the grill, start a backyard pit, or go camping, I have simplified the at-home bacon cooking process. And bonus! you get to keep all that bacon-y goodness smell.

Food in a Pinch

Have you ever wondered about eating freeze dried food? I certainly have. So much so that when the husband and I went to our local big chain outdoor store a few months ago, we picked up some to try.

Now, I know some people have heard that freeze dried is absolutely horrible, and yet others say it was fabulous. But this is what I know for sure- it's food, and in a pinch (say lost job, grid down, or just to supplement your food storage), freeze dried is certainly an option to remember.

Homemade Mayo the Easy Way

I know I haven't been posting for a long time. What? Since last December and it's now September? Oh, wow. Sorry. Life...it kind of got in the way. Between school, transferring schools, attending two schools, my parent's failing health, my father-in-law's failing health and my own surgery, things just seemed to get away from me.

But I'm back. For now, anyway. I can't say things won't get hectic again. Hell, they probably will. But I'll do my best to keep posting fabulous shortcuts and tips.

So- I had many friends ask me about how I make my mayonnaise. Well, here's a video to answer that....and a picture or two.

World's Best and Easiest Potato Leek Soup

I am not kidding. I threw this into a pot, sauteed a bit, stirred a bit, threw more ingredients in, let boil, blended smooth, and added the creamy stuff to the end and I was done.

It took me an hour, but only because I kept forgetting I was cooking. So this recipe is very forgiving, too. I like that in a recipe!

Brace Yourself. Winter is Coming

Yes, I am a Game of Thrones fan....but in reality, Winter really is coming. Some would argue that it is already here as it is COLD outside. I think our high today is 18 degrees. Our windchill is in the negatives. And it's only November!

A few months ago, I started playing around with sugar body scrubs. I dislike spending money on store-bought things. Preferring instead to make them myself if at all possible. Well, sugar body scrubs are possible. And easy. I won't ever purchase sugar scrubs from someone else again. (Of course, if you'd rather have *me* make you some, I'll be happy to charge you for them! lol)

No Soy No Gluten Cashew Chicken

Being on the Whole30 bandwagon has really opened our eyes to how much sugar, soy or corn they put in ALL the pre-processed foods out on the market today. And if you have a gluten intolerance? well, good luck to you...that's hard!
And being on Whole 30, soy, sugar and corn are all No-No's....along with no legumes, dairy, alcohol and grain products. It's fairly restrictive. But you know what? We feel better. We actually *feel* better.  There is a noticeable difference in our skin, joints, and general demeanor.

Quiche- a Whole30 experiment

Some time during the second week of your Whole30 experience, you're going to get extremely tired of scrambled or hard-boiled eggs. So what do you do?

Well, we made a quiche.

I know, I know. Quiche has milk or cream. Not to mention a flour crust. But I seemed to have got past those little hurdles...although I am still experimenting. Here's what I have come up with so far: