Freezing Grapes

Sometimes there are good deals, and sometimes there are GREAT deals. 

This week ( June 18-22) Red Seedless Grapes: 

This deal is going on at Rancho Markets ( located in several locations across the Salt Lake Valley).  Instead of driving on down to Rancho, I stopped at my local Walmart and price matched them. Since the deal was so good, I bought several bunches of grapes. 

They were priced at 1.98 per lb at Walmart so I saved 75% on grapes today!!!! 

When prices are this good, I always buy a little more than I normally would. But I don't want my produce to go bad. 

Did you know you can freeze grapes? 

Yep, you can. 

1. Wash grapes
2. Dry grapes and pick off vine.
3. After they are completely dry lay them flat on a cookie sheet and place into freezer. This is so they freeze individually and don't clump together
4. Once completely frozen, transfer to a ziploc freezer bag.
5. Grapes should keep for 2-3 months. ( If you can make them last that long!)

Learning to freeze food is one of the best ways that you can save money. 

Plus with all this hot summer weather, a handful of frozen grapes sounds like the perfect healthy, refreshing treat that I need! 

Hope you enjoy! 

Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Sandwiches

There is nothing I love better than an easy to throw together dinner. 

Especially one that is made from yummy fresh ingredients. 

So if you are looking for a quick, yummy, summer dinner 

then look no further! 

Ingredients 

2-3 chicken breasts 

2 green peppers (sliced)

1 medium onion (sliced)

favorite seasoning ( I just used Lawry's) 

dash of onion powder 

butter

buns 

provolone cheese 

Directions:

Place butter in bottom of crock pot. Place sliced onions then 1 sliced bell pepper. 

Layer chicken on top. Sprinkle with seasonings. 

Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high 2-3 

When done cooking shred chicken and serve on buns and top with Provolone cheese ( and since I like a little added crunch I will add the rest of the uncooked green pepper on top)

recipe  adapted from  Food Family Finds 

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (Crock Pot)



 

 

This blog has been consolidated with my "other" blog in an effort to simplify, streamline, and make my life easier.

You can find the recipe at Life as Mrs. Larson by clicking the link here.

 

Sorry for the inconvenience!

 

 

Baked Chimichangas

I don't know about you, but here in my kitchen we love ourselves some Mexican food. This past Saturday I decided to try out a new recipe that I had pinned a while ago on Pinterest ( you can find the original site here ).

Let's just say that it did not disappoint and will be going into our regular rotation for meals.

The best part is that Chimi's are usually fried in oil, but these little babies are baked.

It was made even more exciting by the fact that earlier in the day we were able to score a free patio dining set from my grandparents.  It needs a little TLC and some touch up paint for rust spots, but it's perfect and was free!

We got to sit outside and enjoy the summer weather and a delicious dinner as a family. It was absolute perfection.

 

Here is the recipe for Baked Chimichangas:

1 8oz package of cream cheese

1 cup shredded cheese ( I used Mexican blend.)

1 1/2 TBSP taco seasoning

3-4 chicken breasts cooked and shredded

8 tortillas

cooking spray

garnishes ( green onions, salsa, sour cream, guac, ect....)

 

Mix together {softened} cream cheese, shredded cheese and taco seasoning.

Fold in shredded chicken

Divide into tortillas and fold up edges

Place in sprayed cooking dish ( I used a 9x13) seam down

spray top of tortillas with cooking spray or brush with butter.

Cook at 350* for 15 minutes

Turn over and cook another 15 minutes.

Serve hot with topping of your choice. ( I thought they were delicious with salsa, cheese, green onions, and a side of guac.)

 

 

Rotten Bananas?

 

It's true my friends, there is no such thing as a rotten banana. Which is fabulous because I had a ton of bananas from my last shopping trip (5 lbs to be exact) and these little beauties have just been "tanning" away in my kitchen for the last few days and today was the day we turned them into something delicious.

 ( Or "De-dish-yus" as my two year old would say.)

 

I've gone through a few different banana bread recipes in my day and have been tweaking them, I will continue to do so but today I would like to share with you a healthy/healthier recipe with you.

 

Here is what you will need for

 

3-4 brown or black bananas
1/2 cup applesauce (insider tip: the little individual applesause pack that you buy for your kiddos are exactly 1/2 cup!)
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
dash of cinnamon


1. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x5 baking pan
2. In a mixing bowl, combine applesauce and sugars.
3.Add in eggs and then bananas and vanilla
4. Combine the rest of the dry ingredients and add them into the mixture
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes ( check with a toothpick )
6. enjoy the tasty aroma filling your house!
7. Let it cool and enjoy!

 

I wanna know!

What other things do you like to make with "rotten" bananas? 

Frugal Finds Friday!

Welcome Back!
I can't believe it's been a week already, and a crazy one at that. I feel like I have been running all over the place. But it's been good.
Yesterday we had the new H&M open up at Station Park and I am so excited about it.
I'm just loving all the new stuff at Station Park and how my little hometown of Farmington is just growing up :)
I still remember when we got our first stop light!
Okay, back to Station Park.

For those of you that are local and looking for some frugal family fun, look no further!

This month they kicked off Family First Mondays. These are being held the first Monday of every month.
This month is was a Jake and the Neverland Pirates party and my little boy loved it!
There was music and dancing, games, face painting, he got a foam sword and a pirate hat and had so much fun!
The best part? Completely FREE!
The event is put on by Radio Disney and Macaroni Kid and will continue through October. Here is the event schedule:

June 3 Monster University Mash Up
July 1 Beach Party Bash
Aug 5 Plane’s Powwow
Sept 2 Sofia the First Shindig
Oct 7 Doc McStuffin Day

The party starts at 5:30 and goes until 7:00. Located in the Village. ( In front of the Movie Theater and by the fountains.)

Also happening at Station Park is an all new SUMMER CONCERT SERIES!

Starting June 29, every Saturday Station Park will host a FREE outdoor concert!

Another perfect frugal outing for you and your family!

Here is the summer line up:

 

June 29, Party Crashers (Top 40)

July 6, Eclipse (A Cappella)
July 13, Kahuna Beach Party (Beach Boys Tribute)
July 20, Blue Moon Swamp (CCR Tribute)
July 27, The Long Run (Eagles Tribute)
August 3, Imagine (Beatles Tribute)
August 10, Hit Explosion (70’s & 80’s)
August 17, Radical Revolution (80’s)
August 24, No Limits (Top 40)

 

 

And for today's last frugal find for family fun ( try saying that 5 times fast) look no further than Cinemark.

While I was perusing all the fabulous things to do at Station Park I stumbled upon the Cinemark Summer Movie Club ( click here to find a participating theater.)



 

Every week this summer a Cinemark theater near you is featuring a family friendly movie for just $1.00!

Here are the films that Station Park is offering ( click above link to find out about your theater)

*Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

*Horton Hears a Hoo

*The Smurfs

*Ice Age

*Dolphin Tale

*Happy Feet

*Oceans

*Rio

*Chimpanzee

*Alvin and the Chipmunks

 

And there you have it. A whole slew of free or cheap family things do keep you and your little ones ( or big ones) busy this summer.

 

*disclaimer: all opinions in this post are my own and I did not receive any compensation. I simply love Station Park and all the fun things to do and wanted to pass them along to you, my local readers.