Replies

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Gift in a Jar - Food Mixes

Sand Art Brownies

This is a recipe for brownies to give as a Christmas gift . . . . or whenever. Mix ingredients in a wide mouth quart size jar, just like sand art that kids make today.

Add to wide mouth quart jar in this order:

* 3/4 tsp. salt
* 1/2 + 1/8 cup flour
* 1/3 cup cocoa
* 1/2 cup flour
* 2/3 cup brown sugar
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips
* 1/2 cup Vanilla Chips
* 1/2 cup nuts

This should pack nicely into jar. Include a decorative tag with instructions for making the brownies:

Combine contents of jar with:

* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 2/3 cup vegetable oil
* 3 eggs

Pour into a greased 9x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 27-32 minutes

Spiced Tea

This mix makes a great gift for neighbors, the elderly, school teachers, etc.

* 2 26 oz. Tang
* 1 3 oz. bottle Instant Tea Unsweetened
* 2 8 1/2 oz Red hots
* 1 6 oz. Pkg. Lemonade (Wylers)
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 tsp. cinnamon
* 2 tsp. nutmeg
* 2 tsp. ground cloves
* 2 tsp. allspice

Mix all ingredients together well. Put in a sealed container until ready to assemble the gift.

To make individual gift packets: you can put into a small plastic bag, then insert into a small muslin bag, tie with a pretty piece of Christmas fabric. With each gift make sure you add a note that states: One tablespoon + one teaspoon per cup of hot water. I also look for pretty cups and saucers, at garage sales, flea markets, etc. and then you can package with the ingredients.

Hot Chocolate Mix

This mix makes a great gift for neighbors, the elderly, school teachers, etc.

* 3 cups powdered Sugar
* 8 oz. nonfat dry milk
* 1 16 oz. Instant Chocolate Milk (I use Nestle’s)
* 1 6 oz Creamora (or any nondairy creamer)

Mix ingredients well and store in air tight container until you’re ready to make the individual gift packages.

With each gift add a tag that says: 3 tablespoons per cup of hot water.

This is wonderful hot chocolate, we get raves from it every year from grandchildren. They seem to think this is the Best!

Gourmet Vanilla Sugar

For those who like a little gourmet, but can’t afford it, place a dry clean vanilla bean in a mason jar. Cover with sugar. In a few weeks, the sugar will be flavored vanilla.

Note* the bean can be used for years be sure the receiver of this gift understands all they need to do is refill the sugar and shake occasionally for a few weeks.

Home school Mom in Florida
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Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning Mix and Recipes

This recipe makes the equivalent of 8 packets of a similar mix that you can purchase at the store. Great for flavoring Spaghetti Sauce with Meat and for making Sloppy Joes.

Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning Mix

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup instant minced onion
* 1/2 cup parsley flakes
* 1/2 cup cornstarch
* 3 tablespoons salt
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix together all ingredients. Store in a jar and cover tightly. Makes enough for 8 uses.

Recipes Using this Mix

Spaghetti Sauce with Meat

Ingredients:

* 1 pound lean hamburger
* 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste
* 2 cups water (You can substitue 1 cup of water with 1 cup of stewed tomotoes if desired)
* 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning Mix
* Spaghetti

Directions:

Brown 1 pound lean hamburger and drain fat. Stir together 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste, 2 cups water and the Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning Mix. Add sauce to hamburger. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

* 1 pound lean hamburger
* 1 6 ounce can of tomato paste
* 1-1/4 cups water
* 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning Mix

Directions:

Brown 1 pound lean hamburger and drain fat. Stir together 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, 1-1/4 cups water and the Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning Mix. Add sauce to meat. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns. Makes 6 servings.

These recipes are adapted from a PDF put together by Nellie Hedstrom, Extension nutrition specialist A Member of the University of Maine System.
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Make Your Own Onion Soup Mix
By Cyndi Roberts

I have been making this handy, inexpensive mix for years, instead of buying the “brand name” soup mix at the supermarket.

For the biggest savings, I buy the spices at the local Dollar Store—much cheaper than the supermarket!

Beefy-Minced Onion Soup Mix

* 1 1/2 cups dried minced onion
* 2/3 cup beef bouillion granules
* 2/3 cup onion powder—not onion salt
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Mix all these ingredients together and store in an airtight container. This recipes makes about 3 cups mix. I use 4 or 5 tablespoons when a recipe calls for one envelope mix.

I use this soup mix in lots of recipes. I’ve included some of my family’s favorites.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

Brown 1 pound ground beef. Add 5 tablespoons Beefy Minced Onion Soup Mix, 1 small can evaporated milk, 1 can cream of mushroom soup. Pour into oven-proof dish and top with frozen tater tots and shredded cheese to taste. Bake in 375 degree oven until heated through and tater tots are done.

Seasoned Roasted Potatoes

* 2 pounds potatoes (about 6 medium potatoes) cut into chunks
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Toss potatoes with oil, in a large bowl. Then add 4 or 5 tablespoons of soup mix and stir to coat all the potatoes. Pour into shallow baking dish. Bake at 450 degrees for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Chicken and Rice

Put 1 cup regular rice in roaster pan. Sprinkle with 5 tablespoons of onion soup mix. Cut up 1 stick oleo and put on top. Pour 3 cups of water over all. Place 1 cut up fryer, or 6 - 8 drumsticks on top. Cover and cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Turn off oven and leave pan in oven for 1 hour. Delicious and easy!

Of course, this mix works in any recipe that the store- bought mix works in! And for lots less dough!

—Potatoes are not fattening, unless you exceed the spud limit!

About The Author:
Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the “1 Frugal Friend 2 Another” bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course “Taming the Monster Grocery Bill”.
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All-Purpose Convenience Mix

This mix is easy to put together. It will store for up to a month refrigerated, longer if frozen.

Ingredients

* 9 cups flour
* 3/4 cup canola oil
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1/4 cup baking powder
* 2 cups nonfat dry milk

Directions

Combine flour, dry milk, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Stir together. Mix in oil until the mixture is smooth. Store in airtight container. Refrigerate and use within a month or put into containers suitable for freezing and freeze.

Feel free you post alternate All-Purpose Convenience Mix’ ideas below if there is a recipe that you prefer.

Recipes Using This Mix

Biscuits

Here is a basic recipe for biscuits using the All-Purpose Convenience Mix followed by some interesting variations.

Ingredients

* 3 cups All-Purpose Convenience
* Mix 3/4 cup water

Directions

Add water to the Convenience Mix all at once. Blend lightly with a fork to form a soft dough and turn onto a floured board. Knead the dough slightly and then roll or pat the dough to not less than 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with biscuit cutter and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 9 biscuits.

Biscuit Variations

Combine ingredients as above and continue as follows:

Drop Biscuits

Use a little more liquid. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto a greased pan and bake at 450 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Cinnamon Rolls

Roll biscuit mix to 1/4-inch thickness. Spread with margarine, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins. Roll up like a jelly roll. Slice into sections and bake on a greased pan. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Meat Rollups

Leftover meat, tuna fish or chopped meat can be spread on the rolled out biscuit dough. This can rolled up like a jelly roll, sliced into sections and baked on a greased pan. Sections can be served plain or with a cheese sauce. Bake at 450 degrees F for 12 minutes.

Cheese Biscuits

Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup grated American or cheddar cheese to 3 cups mix. Prepare as biscuits above.

About The Author:
Recipe Source: http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4029.htm
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Convenience Mix Muffins

Here are some simple recipes for making muffins with the All-Purpose Convenience Mix we published last weekend. You can find the recipe for the All-Purpose Convenience Mix here:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf759421.tip.html

Convenience Mix Muffins

Ingredients

* 2-1/2 cups All-Purpose Convenience Mix
* 1/3 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup water
* 1 egg

Directions

Combine mix and sugar. Beat egg and add water. Add to dry ingredients. Stir just enough to mix in dry ingredients. Fill greased muffin tins about 2/3 full and bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes.

Muffin Variations

* Raisin Muffins Add 1/2 cup raisins
* Date Muffins Add 1/3 cup chopped dates.
* Blueberry Muffins Add 1/2 cup blueberries.
* Pineapple Add 1/2 cup well-drained, crushed pineapple.

Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients

* 1-1/2 cups All-Purpose Convenience Mix
* 1-1/2 cups rolled oats
* 1/3 cup sugar
* 1 egg
* 2/3 cup water

Directions

Measure all dry ingredients, put into mixing bowl and stir well. Mix egg and water together in another bowl, then add the dry mixture all at once. Stir slightly. The mixture should be left lumpy. Fill oiled muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 425 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Oatmeal Muffin Variations

* Raisin Oatmeal Muffins Add 1/2 cup raisins.
* Date Nut Oatmeal Muffins Add 1/4 cup chopped dates and 1/4 cup chopped nuts to the basic recipe.

Bran Muffins

Ingredients

* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 2/3 cup water
* 1 cup whole bran cereal
* 1-1/2 cups All-Purpose Convenience Mix

Directions

Place egg in a bowl and beat. Add sugar and water. Continue beating. Blend in whole bran cereal. Add Convenience Mix. Stir quickly and vigorously until just mixed. Batter will look lumpy. Rub muffin pans lightly with oil. Fill about 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes. Serve hot with jam or jelly.

About The Author:
Recipe Source: http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4029.htm
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Basic Quick Mix and Recipes
By Rachel Paxton

With an easy basic quick mix, you can make a wide variety of inexpensive homemade biscuits, breads, and other baked goods. This mix is easy to make and store and great for any family on a tight budget.

Basic Quick Mix Recipe

* 10 c. all-purpose flour
* 1 1/4 c. nonfat dry milk
* 1/3 c. baking powder
* 1 tbsp. salt
* 2 c. vegetable shortening (room temperature)

Measure flour into a large bowl. Stir in baking powder, dry milk, and salt, mixing well. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix shortening into other ingredients until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

Storing mix:

Store basic quick mix in a ziploc bag or container with a tight lid. This mix can be stored at room temperature about 2 weeks. Will keep a couple of months in refrigerator or freezer. Bring mix to room temperature before using.

Using mix:

Do not sift mix for recipes. Stir lightly before measuring mix. When measuring mix into a bowl, level off measuring cup with the straight edge of a knife.

Basic Biscuits

* 2 c. basic quick mix
* 1/2 c. water

Stir together quick mix and water. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board, kneading lightly. Roll 1/2 inch thick. Cut with biscuit cutter and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.

Note: For drop biscuits, increase water to 2/3 cup. After mixing flour and water together, drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. 1/3 c. grated cheese can be added to dough before dropping onto cookie sheet.

Basic Muffins

* 2 c. basic quick mix
* 4 tsp. sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 2/3 c. water

Stir sugar into quick mix. Add water and egg. Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 c. full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Variation: Add 1/2 c. of favorite chopped fruit.

Basic Pancakes

* 2 c. basic quick mix
* 1 tsp. sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 c. water

Stir sugar into quick mix. Add water and egg. Pour pancakes onto heated griddle, turning pancakes when bubbles appear on the pancake surface.

The Internet is a great source for more quick mix recipes. Just type “quick mix recipes” into your favorite search engine!

About The Author:
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What’s for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For more recipes, organizing tips, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.
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Basic Quick Mix and Recipes
By Rachel Paxton

Basic Quick Mix Recipe

* 10 c. all-purpose flour
* 1 1/4 c. nonfat dry milk
* 1/3 c. baking powder
* 1 tbsp. salt
* 2 c. vegetable shortening (room temperature)

Storing mix:

Using mix:

Do not sift mix for recipes. Stir lightly before measuring mix. When measuring mix into a bowl, level off measuring cup with the straight edge of a knife.

Basic Biscuits

* 2 c. basic quick mix
* 1/2 c. water

Basic Muffins

* 2 c. basic quick mix
* 4 tsp. sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 2/3 c. water

Stir sugar into quick mix. Add water and egg. Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 c. full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Variation: Add 1/2 c. of favorite chopped fruit.

Basic Pancakes

* 2 c. basic quick mix
* 1 tsp. sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 c. water

Stir sugar into quick mix. Add water and egg. Pour pancakes onto heated griddle, turning pancakes when bubbles appear on the pancake surface.

The Internet is a great source for more quick mix recipes. Just type “quick mix recipes” into your favorite search engine!

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RE: Diabetic Cookie Recipes
Post By Carol Tewksbury

Chocolate Cookie Drops

Creme together 1 stick softened butter, 1/3 c Splenda, 1/4 c Splenda brown sugar, 1 egg & 1 tsp vanilla Then add 1 c + 2 Tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp soda, dash of salt, 2 Tbsp milk & 3/4 c Hersheys sugar free chunks.

Bake at 375 on non stick sheets or parchment for 5 to 7 minutes (You can add walnuts if you wish)

My friend Amelia at TOPS gave me this recipe and a few samples. MMMM!

RE: Diabetic Cookie Recipes
Post by jmz2005

Thank You for sharing these. I will be making these cookies along with a couple other ones to give as gifts. Thank you for the tip on using splenda. I now have many options for cookies.

RE: Diabetic Cookie Recipes
Post by Harlean from Arkansas

Here is another cookie recipe from my files

Sugar Free Oatmeal Cookies

Combine & beat:
1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup oil, blended
1 cup Splenda
Add 2 eggs and beat until light

Combine in separate bowl:
1 cup flour
1 cup Oatmeal
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup sour milk (or 1 teaspoon vinegar and enough milk to make 1/4 cup0

Add dry ingredients and milk alternately to egg mixture. Beat well. Add Optional
Ingredients.

Optional
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Make balls about the size of a walnut. Place on greased Cookie Sheet. Press down with a fork.
Bake about 15 minutes at 400º or until golden brown. Slide cookies off onto paper towel to cool.
Store in tightly covered container.
Harlean from Arkansas

RE: Diabetic Cookie Recipes
Post by Harlean from Arkansas

Here is my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe and can be made with sugar or for sugarfree use Splenda...not the sugar blend, but the other. As you will notice.....this recipe also contains no flour.

Low-Carb Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky) (You can even use carb-conscious
peanut
butter.)
3/4 cup Splenda or 1 cup sugar
1 large egg

Mix all three ingredients with a spoon until well combined. Drop by heaping
teaspoonful or even tablespoonful on an ungreased cookie sheet. Use a fork
to squish them down to the height you like. You can make the traditional
crisscross pattern with your fork or vary it. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
You can decide how browned you like your cookies. Let them rest on the cookie
sheet for a few minutes before you remove them or, if they are medium rare, they
might fall apart. I like mine chewy so that’s how I do them. This recipe will make
about a dozen cookies depending on how large you make yours.
Harlean from Arkansas

Request: Diabetic Cookie Recipes
Post by lewis_admin

Do you have any recipes for Diabetic Cookies, etc.?

Jane from Richmond, B.C.

Answers:
RE: Diabetic Cookie Recipes
Any recipe that calls for ‘granulated sugar’ you can substitute Splenda sweetener for. This is what I use and I’ve had nothing but good results. If the recipe calls for 1 cup, I use 3/4 to 1 cup of Splenda. Also, if the recipe calls for 3 cups of all purpose flour, I’ll use 2 cups of all purpose flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour. I don’t substitute all the 3 cups of all purpose flour with 3 cups of whole wheat flour as the finished product will be coarse and dry. With this finished product, Santa will have to have the whole carton to drink with it, instead of just a glass of milk, LOL. (12/23/2005)

By badwater

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RE: Diabetic Recipes for Muffins and Brownies
Post by griffes

Have you checked out the Splenda website or Diabetic Gourmet website? Here is a sample from both:

DAILY DIABETIC RECIPE — September 13, 2003 - DailyDiabeticRecipe.com
From The Diabetic Gourmet Magazine — http://DiabeticGourmet.com

PUMPKIN CINNAMON-SPICE MUFFINS

Yield: 18 muffins (1 per serving)
Source: “1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes” by Surrey Books
Book info: http://tgcmagazine.com/bin/track/click.cgi?id=24

INGREDIENTS

- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
- 1/3 cup fat-free milk
- 1/4 cup corn oil
- 3 ounces frozen unsweetened orange juice concentrate, thawed
- Vegetable cooking spray

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift together flours, baking
powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice
into a large bowl; add brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients, except
cooking spray. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients,
stirring until just moistened. Spoon into 18 muffin cups
coated with cooking spray; bake 14 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 muffin):
Calories: 99, Fat: 0.2 g, Cholesterol: 0 g,
Sodium: 87 mg, Protein: 2.2 g, Carbohydrate: 22.6 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread/Starch

Blueberry Muffins

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Baking and Cooling Time: : 40 minutes
Serving Size: 3 oz.
Serves: 10

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) light margarine, softened
1 cup SPLENDA® Granular
1/4 cup honey
2 whole large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup skim milk
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 10 muffin cups with paper
liners.
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, set aside.
Beat together margarine, SPLENDA® Granular, and honey with
an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a
time beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
Alternately stir in flour mixture and milk, beginning and
ending with flour mixture. Fold in berries.
Spoon batter into paper lined muffin cups, and bake until
golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about
25-30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove
fom pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Nutrients Per Serving
Serving Size 3 g
Calories 180
Carbohydrates 30 g
Protein 4 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Total Fat 4.5 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 45 mg
Sodium 350 mg

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RE: Recipes Using Oatmeal
Post by mef1957

Granola

4 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups shredded coconut, sweetened
2 cups almonds, sliced
1-1/2 cups dried cherries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the oats, coconut, almonds, and cherries together in a large bowl. Pour the vegetable oil and honey over the oat mixture. Add the cinnamon, and stir until coated. Pour onto a sheet pan and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool, stirring occasionally. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

RE: Recipes Using Oatmeal
Post by Great Granny Vi

Mrs. Elson’s Oatmeal Cookies
Turlock ,Ca. 1951

cream 3/4 cup shortenin and 1 cup sugar
add 2 eggs , well beaten
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup each : chopped nuts,chocolate chips and raisins

Mix all together and drop by spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in 325* oven for 10 - 12 minutes.

These are very good. Make enough to share. GG Vi

RE: Recipes Using Oatmeal
Post by denimorchid

Mashed Potato Oatmeal

I sneak oatmeal into the family food, anyway I can,and they never know it.

Put 1 cup dried oatmeal into mixing bowl.

Put 1 cup warm water over oatmeal. Stir & Set aside.

Boil potatoes as usual for mashed potatoes.

While boiling,heat, low fat EVAPORATED milk, butter, and salt in microwave, until butter melts.

Drain potatos,and start mashing,while alternating small amounts of microwaved mixture & oatmeal water mixture,until you get the consistancy you want.
I through in a couple GLOBS of the oatmeal mush too. They will never know,this doesn’t change the flavor or the texture at all.

RE: Recipes Using Oatmeal
Post By Estella

Triple-Healthy Salmon Patties

Take a large can of salmon and with fingers pulverize the bones. Chop the skin fine or discard it.
Add:
1/2 c oatmeal
1 egg
dash pepper
2-6 T of chopped onion (to taste)
dash of milk
dash of lemon juice if you have it

Form into patties and fry in olive oil till browned. Cheap olive oil has less flavor so is best for this.

RE: Recipes Using Oatmeal
Post By suzq (Guest Post) (06/28/2005)
Oatmeal pancakes/waffles.....Pour 1 cup milk over 3/4 cup oatmeal..let stand 5 minutes....Mix together, 1/2 cup flour, 1 Tab. sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt....set aside....Mix together 1 beaten egg, 3 Tab. shortening, and 1 tsp. vanilla....add this to the oatmeal mixture, combine well...then add the dry flour mixture...mix well.....You can either bake the batter in a waffle baker, or cook on a lightly greased griddle....top the cakes/ waffles with whatever you desire....

RE: Recipes Using Oatmeal
Post By Shirley M

BAKED OATMEAL

1/2 c. oil or applesauce
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
3 c. oatmeal
1 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
nuts, optional

1. Bake at 350 degrees, 30-35 minutes.
Also can be cut in half and microwaved.

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I have been using this recipe for years in place of the original. I think it is just as tasty and is certainly less expensive than the real thing.
Ingredients

* 1/4 cup dried minced onion
* 2 Tbsp. instant beef bouillon
* 1/2 tsp. onion powder

Directions

Combine all ingredients. Quantity is the equivalent of 1 package of soup mix.

By Don Howse from Ajijic, MX

RE: Lipton Onion Soup Mix (Copycat)
Post by PICO

Thanks I’ll give it a try.

Here is my favorite recipe that calls for onion soup mix. These patties are awesome!

Beef Patties in Onion Gravy
Patties
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/2 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Gravy
1/2 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 cups water
2 tablespoons flour

Combine all patty ingredients;mix thouroughly with your hands and shape into 4 patties.
Spray a non-stick skillet, and brown patties on both sides.
Add dry onion soup mix and 1 1/2 cup water.
Cover pan tightly and simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove patties to a plate.
In a gravy shaker or jar, combine 1/2 cup water with 2 tbs. flour.
Stir flour and water into onion gravy.
Stir constantly with a whisk until it comes to a boil.
Boil 1 minute.
Return patties to pan.
Serve with mashed potatoes or hot cooked noodles.

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My Frugal Life: Forced To Be Frugal

Everyone starts their frugal journey for their own personal reasons. Either it is to simplify or their hand is forced. My Frugal Life I, for one, fell into the latter group. After my now ex-husband walked out never to be seen again, leaving me with two children, I realized that I had to figure out how to make life work. My one child has a severe disability and the other was a toddler at the time. I went from making a very good wage to making it work on less than a $1000 a month in 24 hours. A bit of a shock to say the least!

I sat down and started by separating everything in my life into two groups. First, was the need group. Hydro, telephone, heating and food. Those are really all anybody needs. Next was the want list. To my surprise about 80% fell under the want list. I then broke it down into three groups. Really want, nice to have and can survive without. Again I was very surprised to find how much is just nice to have. Everyone’s list will be different. To me cable is a big want to the point of almost a need. I have a child that is confined to bed, he does NEED television. I like having TV because I don’t go out much, never to movies, never eat out. I could justify the expense because that is basically all that is spent on entertainment. My friends gave up cable because they spend a lot of time visiting friends and playing computer games. They have a van but I decided to forgo a car because to me it is a waste of money. I instead moved to a place that is on 9 bus routes, I can walk to 75% of the places I want to go and if need be I can take a cab back with groceries. Making the switch has a lot of personal reflection involved. It took me several years but I managed to stay at home with my children full time and provide them with an excellent lifestyle. I will share with you the things that worked best with me.

* If something is on sale and it is an item that you use a lot of or regularly, BUY CASES. School is about to start and apple juice was on for 50% off. I bought three cases to fill their juice boxes.

NOTE: Always check the expiry date, always rotate stock and make sure you don’t over buy.

* Buy second hand clothes for the majority of clothing. I get name brand, price tags still on for $2 a piece. I also buy two to three sizes ahead in basics like long sleeved t-shirts, jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts etc. I also buy neutral colors like gray, black and navy so that both the kids can wear it.

* Freebie sites are great. I get samples, free full sized products and all sorts of other goodies. It is a treat opening up the mail box and finding a little something in there every day. There are many great sites out there that allow you to collect points for your opinions or trying a product and giving feed back. This year I have received over $2000 in free items. Starbucks gift cards, a $25 value each will become teacher presents. All the soap and shampoo samples are for the gym. I make really nice gift baskets for free!

* When grocery shopping always try and leave the kids at home and shop late in the day, before close if you can. This is when all the mark downs happen. Meat 50% off, same with produce. I have taken this to the level where other shoppers come up and ask me how I do it. I leave a high end grocery store with so many bags they don’t all fit in the cart and I have to carry some by hand as well. Most I have spent was $98.

* Make using coupons an art form. Always try and use the coupon on the item when it is on sale and then on the smallest side. Some places allow you to stack coupons or will offer double coupon days. Collect coupons from news papers, ask friends or call the company directly. Find a good coupon in a flyer or newspaper? Go out and look in the recycling on garbage night. I know that nobody used them. Have too many or ones you don’t use? Many online communities have coupon swapping clubs.

* Many museums and art galleries offer free evenings. Libraries always have things on for the kids, especially during the holidays. There are toy lending libraries where I live. Moms get together and clothing swap. Need a tool? Ask a friend to borrow or rent one. Look on your city’s web site. Free fairs, events and did you know that many Parks classes, like swim lessons, are free if you are below a certain income level.

* Adopt a greener lifestyle. Think about how much money you spend on cleaning supplies. Add it up and I promise you that you will be shocked. All you ever really need is hot water and soap, maybe some bleach (being careful to NEVER mix bleach with anything else) and baking soda. All very cheap items. Composting not only is better for the planet but saves money. Less garbage bags, less time cleaning out the bins and you will get amazing results in your garden. We have a bumper crop of pepper squash this year, didn’t even plant it. A seed sprouted in the compost bin and found its way out. Talk about frugal! I have neglected it and so far we have 50 pepper squash. I will be selling them at the farmer’s market come fall.

* The biggest money saving tip I can give you all, one that will save you money and make you happier as well is: STOP LOOKING AT THE JONES. They are in debt anyway, don’t spend time with their families, are overworked and for the most part miserable. My true friends don’t even notice what brand of jeans I wear!

Meg from London, ON

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50664774.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com

RE: My Frugal Life: Forced To Be Frugal
Post by Savings Assistant

This was a great post.

I have two special needs kids and that is why I stay at home. I too have done everything to give them a good life, but for less. It can be done. I am blessed to still have my husband. However, most things fall to my side of the TO-DO-CHART.

Like the kids say: You Go Girl!

http://www.savingspotpourri.blogspot.com/

Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72469406.tip.html
My Frugal Life: The One Dollar Dinner

I’ve always been frugal, but I guess this one could be called “facing a challenge”. My Frugal LifeTimes were very hard, my husband was out of a job, no money in the bank, no family to assist. It was hard enough trying to feed our family of four, two adults, two children, then I discovered my husband had invited a guest to dinner! I had precisely one dollar to provide a meal for five people!

Okay, this is how it went. I spent the dollar on sausage meat, that was it. I babysat a neighbour’s children which, in return, she gave me some pumpkin and potatoes. The sausage meat became a meat loaf which I baked in the oven with the pumpkin and potatoes. There were a couple of wild apple trees growing on a deserted property. So I sent the children to gather the best of the apples, and turned them into an apple pie. There was also some silver beet (spinach) growing wild in that garden, so I picked off the best leaves and that become our ‘green’

Admittedly I did have a few store cupboard items: dry stuff, flour, salt, etc. Right at the back, I found a packet of mixed dried fruit. Was it still good? It was, so it became a boiled fruit cake, iced with lemon icing (one of the children found the lemon lying on the grass at the side of the road) Gravy for the meat loaf? Yes, there was also a packet of gravy mix in there.

So there was dinner for five, Baked meat loaf pumpkin and potatoes, a green, apple pie, and a fruit cake. The guest complimented me on the meal, never knowing how frugally it had come about, and my now adult children still laugh about my one dollar meal.

Ellie from Melbourne Australia

Penny Soup
Post by Chayil

My mother and I were driving to another state to visit her mother, who was ill. We had enough money if all went well — but it didn’t. A tire blew out, so we changed it (well, she changed it and I held the flashlight), but then the spare tire also blew out, so we walked about five miles to find a service station with a tire, and we got a ride back to our car from the nice gentleman who owned the service station. We paid for it, but that was almost the end of our money. We had enough for gasoline to get us to our family, but that was all we really had. Almost. I had ONE PENNY in my left shoe, because someone had told me it would bring me luck. What it brought me was a blister, but being three years old, I wouldn’t listen to reason, and kept it in there. Goodness, was I glad!

Mother and I drove for another hour, and she thought aloud about what we had, what our assets were, and what we could do with them. We had a mess kit — a pot with a collapsible handle, a pan with a collapsible handle inside that, a stirring spoon and spatula with screw-on/off handles, a can opener, two spoons, and one knife. That was the sum total of our assets, or so my mother thought. Now, remember, I’m three years old at the time, so I think a penny is a lot of money. I took it out of my shoe, sorry to have to sacrifice my riches, but glad to get to be the hero and save us from sure starvation, and offered it to my mother.

Mama’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Let’s see what we can get for a penny,” she said, and pulled into the very next driveway we saw. She held my hand, knocked on the door, and explained our plight to the rather harried-looking old man who answered. “But we don’t want to take something for nothing,” she said with back-country pride. “All we ask is for something a LITTLE bit bigger or better than this one penny.” The man gave us a nickel, and we thanked him with sincerity and went on our way.

At the next house, a young woman answered the door and offered us a carrot for the nickel. The next house traded us two onions for the carrot; we kept one, and traded the second for half a dozen mushrooms. We kept three mushrooms and traded three more for two carrots (yay! we replaced the first lost carrot! I loved carrots). One of the carrots was ours, then, but the other was traded for a pound of beans and enough water to soak them in. We put half the beans into the pot from our mess kit with the water, secured the lid so it wouldn’t spill, and kept the other half of the beans for trading.

On and on, we went that morning, until a little after noon, when we finally had enough vegetables to fill our pot. At noon, we parked the car at a rest stop and started cooking our vegetables on a fire we made by collecting scrub wood from around the site.

We had no seasonings, not even salt, but we did have vegetables. I was so hungry, and I know Mama was just as badly off as I was, but it was another three hours before the soup smelled like it was close to done, and the beans were softened enough to be palatable. Someone came by with a bag of McDonald’s food, which I’d never had, and offered us their salt and pepper packets in exchange for a taste of our soup when it was finished. Once the beans were soft, of course, all it needed was the salt and pepper and fifteen more minutes.

We enjoyed that soup like I haven’t enjoyed any other meal before or since. My mother taught me, “You can’t expect something for nothing. But every once in a while, if you have something, you can get something more, because people are basically generous if you let them be. Now, we can’t pay back all the nice people who sold us our Penny Soup, but we can sure give a stranger food when they need it, can’t we?” So now, even though I still won’t eat at McDonald’s, I do carry around McDonald’s gift certificates in my purse. That way, if someone asks me for food, I have the ability to make sure they can get it.

RE: My Frugal Life: The One Dollar Dinner
Post By

I was once in a contest to see who could make the most meals for $10.00. We had a week to plan, and we could use the newspaper and go to the grocery stores and everything. I made 3 or 4. But it took an immense amount of thought. I used a lot of canned goods from my cupboards and things I already had. I used coupons from the paper and went to three different stores. (they were all within a fair distance from my home). If I did that every week, I would save a lot of money. but food wouldn’t be as good. lololol. i might be able to drastically cut down though. it takes A LOT of work though. A LOT.

Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41694734.tip.html
My Frugal Life - Getting By
By Debra L. Frick

My Frugal Life - Getting By
My frugal life began when I married young against my parent’s wishes. I dropped out of high school and made my way in life without a lot of help from anyone so learning to do without or making it myself became a life-long thing. When I think back to the things I learned most during the toughest financial times in my life, it was not about saving as in a Savings account, it was about going from paycheck to paycheck. I have 5 children and getting by was rather difficult at some times. My main challenge was raising five children and giving them some of what they wanted but also to teach them to be self sufficient. But I made it through and you can too. Some of my best tips I learned by accident, some by necessity. Sad as it may seem, this is a disposable society and I have learned to take advantage of that. Being dirt poor, and I mean only being able to afford the basic necessities, are a reality for many in this country. I always worked and sometimes worked 3 jobs in one day and had a husband who worked also but we could barely make it above the poverty line. That’s my story and now on to how to get by.

First off, I learned to be a lifetime learner. Not having an education set me back many a time. Even though I knew I could do the job, without that piece of paper saying I could and could show, no employer would take me seriously. Now there were some people who let me show them but it was a rarity. So I learned how to crochet to make extra money. I took free classes at the library on everything from preserving food to home economy. I checked out books on saving money and how to weather proof my home to bring down the utility bills and how to do various jobs. The library and its resources became my best friend. Now we have the internet and what a wonderful resource it can be for learning. I have learned so much from just reading ThriftyFun on other people’s ways of saving money. I also learned from many elderly folks who lived through the Depression, learning can be as simple as listening.

I also let it be known that if someone in my family or my friends had a bunch of junk they wanted to get rid of, I would take it. I never turned anything down so that people would be willing to give me what ever they had to get rid of. Once I took a whole box of bedspreads that someone had gotten from a dormitory, I made curtains out of some of them and swapped some of them and gave the rest to charity. I have also taken that junk and gone to the flea market and sold their stuff and made a little money that way.

Second, I learned to barter, whether it be for babysitting or for groceries. I would trade cleaning someone’s house for babysitting or typing someone’s report for groceries. I learned there were a lot of jobs out there that people hated to do and while they might not pay someone else to do them for them they often would be willing to barter that job. I bartered pre-school for my youngest daughter at the time by working in the home run pre-school. The teacher needed help and my daughter needed an education so it worked out well for all of us. I have bartered personal shopping, dog dropping pickup, typing services, working for a day as a receptionist answering phones, and swimming lessons for the things I needed. I have bartered car repairs with a backyard mechanic for cooking some meals for him. Try it, you will see that it works.

Third, I learned to be a trader. When one of my friends were getting rid of something I needed, most of the time I could trade for something that they needed. I started a clothes swapping group when my children were younger. I also used to trade food that I had bought on sale and in bulk for other things I needed like cigarettes (nasty habit, I know) and for other things that were needed. I knew many single mothers who were given clothes by friends that do not fit or were not their style, so we would get together and swap the leftovers. A church in our community also had what they called the Clothes Closet, and many of us would go there to get clothes for ourselves and our families. The cost was free, of course, and was fueled by donations but most of us donated clothes and household items to it when we could, so I consider that trading.

Fourth, I learned to dumpster dive. Now, don’t turn up your nose, I have found everything from a classical guitar to a bed that I needed or could be fixed up a little to be traded for something else. People throw away things all the time that are still useful. Think about some of the things that have made it into your trash recently. Not good enough for a charity but really not bad enough to throw away.

I save buttons from junked clothing and nice lace for craft projects. Hand knitted sweaters from the thrift store get unraveled to make new things from the yarn. Recycled glass jars get made into candy jars at Christmas. These are easy things you can do to have the things you want. I take my friends leftover craft supplies and make things to sell at craft shows or the flea market it keeps my costs down. I love to read so I have always done book swaps with friends for myself and my children.

I buy in bulk and break up big packages into smaller ones. This saves me a lot on my meat purchases. I save jars and other packaging to repackage things such as macaroni and beans. I have found that in the Hispanic food section, I can buy alphabet noodles and stars and other specialty shapes for like .23 cents a package and I bring them home and dump them into one of my jars and use them for soup. I try and stretch every meal I have to make two, if not three, meals from any meat dish. I freeze my leftovers so we don’t eat the same things too often and to save me time.

I keep a gift closet so I am prepared for most birthdays and holidays. By spreading out the cost of these over the whole year, I save a lot of money. I buy things at yard sales and thrift stores to make gift baskets. The dollar store is also one of my favorites for gift giving.

I shop thrift stores, garage sales, and church rummage sales for the things I need even now that I have a good job and my husband’s business is going strong. I rarely even now feel the need to buy something new because I know I can usually find it for free (Freecycle) or I can find what I need in a thrift store.

If I could have one wish, it would be to have the resources to start another clothes closet for needy women and their kids. It would sure help those who need it, would teach the world about recycling the things we don’t use and maybe this idea could spread.

That’s my story and I hope it helps one of you out there.

Debra Frick from Colorado Springs, Colorado

[Lots of hints in sidebar]

Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf865125.tip.html
Managing Insect Pests in Vegetable Gardens

Managing Insect Pests in Vegetable Gardens
Here are tips from the ThriftyFun community for managing insect pests in your vegetable garden.
Beer, Onions And Marigolds
Try using beer in a saucer to keep slugs out of the garden and plant onion, garlic and marigolds to keep bugs out. It works for me.

By my cats
Tips For Specific Pests
For ants: Sprinkle aspertame around.

For slugs: set a shallow bowl of beer out.

For aphids: Use a spray bottle of water mixed with a few drops of dishwashing soap.

For corn ears and bugs: When the silk begins to appear, put cooking oil in a squeeze bottle and put a drop on the silk. Repeat every few days.

By Mythi
Spinosad (Green Light)
I have been organically gardening for over 20 years. The best insect control having chickens, but I have found Spinosad (Green Light), it is totally organic and it only kills chewing insects. For the first time, I do not have aphids on my Brussels sprouts. Banana peelings work on roses and on other things for aphids but not the Brussels sprouts. I handpick things in the front yard and bring to the chickens. I have no snails because I have killer snails. Since I’ve been using the Spinosad, I had virtually eliminated all my bug problems. It works on whitefly caterpillars, loppers, grasshoppers, you name it. You just have to be careful that if you’re raising butterflies, not to spray those particular plants.

By BABBIE
Organic Tips
Whenever I cook with onions (long green or round), I save the root end and plant it around my garden. It comes up as long green onion. Free, and it repels bugs. You can also cut the green tops and cook with them.

Marigolds. Lavendar. Dish detergent diluted with water for aphids and other bugs you can see. Hand-pick caterpillars off leaves; you can also use the dish detergent spray for them. Pick off any leaves infected with leaf borers before they spread, and make sure you throw them away inside, away from other plants. Seal them inside a plastic bag before throwing them away.

Good luck and Delicious Gardening!

By Cantate

Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001438.tip.html
Natural Controls for Evil Weevils
By Arzeena Hamir

Natural Controls for Evil Weevils
Ohio State University Fact Sheet - Black Vine Weevil
Ohio State University Fact Sheet - Black Vine Weevil
Natural Controls for Evil Weevils
Natural Controls for Evil Weevils

The tell-tale signs are there: C- shaped notches in leaves; stunted growth; and even yellow, wilting leaves - a black vine weevil infestation! This insect infects over 200 plants but the most common include rhododendrons, azaleas and yew. There are few garden pests that are as difficult to get rid of as this weevil but by targeting the young and vulnerable larvae and using a few cultural practices, gardeners can get good control of this nuisance.

Identification

The adult weevil is a dark, oval-shaped insect, 1/2” in length with a blunt snout and distinct antennae. In North America, all of the adults are females so every insect has the ability to cause and infestation. Feeding occurs at night; the adults do not fly but instead need to crawl up plants. The larvae are off-white in color with dark heads and can also do extensive damage as they feed on plant roots.

Life cycle

The adult weevils emerge from the soil in late May or early June through mid-July. These adults feed for 4-5 weeks in order to produce the 300+ eggs that are dropped into the ground under the plant. The eggs hatch within 2 weeks and the larvae then tunnel into the soil where they feed on plant roots. They then tunnel deeper into the soil to protect themselves from frost and pupate in the spring.

Control Methods

Understanding the lifecycle and feeding practices of the weevil is the key to keeping the pest under control. Since adult weevils feed on leaves during the night and look for dark, moist spots during the day to rest, trapping them in these areas can be quite effective.

Hand picking

With the aid of a flashlight, pick-off the adults in the evening as they come out to feed.

Traps

*Simply placing a white drop cloth under your plant in the evening or early morning and shaking the leaves will help to catch many of the adults.

*During the day, place a board under the plant. Check the board for hiding adults and scrape them off into a bucket of soapy water.

*Place a wrapper around the trunk of the plant and coat it with a sticky substance such as Tanglefoot. The wrapper should be at least 6” wide.

Mulching

The eggs and larvae of the black vine weevil require moisture to survive. If your plants are heavily mulched, pull back this mulch to allow the surface of the soil to dry out and do not water plants unless necessary.

Beneficial Nematodes

Rather than attacking the adults, beneficial nematodes go after the larvae in the soil and are a safe & natural method of controlling black vine weevil. A few things are critical in order to get good control:

Timing & Temperature - Beneficial nematodes require a soil temperature of at least 60 F to work. Gardeners often miss the critical period in the spring since the weevil larvae pupate fairly early, before the soil warms. The late summer and early fall is the best time to apply nematodes.

Moisture - The root zone around the plant must be moist since nematodes don’t swim and require water to carry them through the soil. Water the area before and after application.

About The Author:
Arzeena is an agronomist and garden writer with Organic Living Newsletter. Subscribe to this free e-newsletter at Terra Viva Organics - tvorganics.com
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001438.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com

Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35791127.tip.html
Natural Weed Control

Natural Weed Control
Natural recipes or products that will kill weeds and not grass. Tips from the ThriftyFun community.
Natural Weed Control Recipe
I have been told to take a gallon of vinegar, add 2 Tbsp. of salt, and a squirt of dish soap (like Dawn or Ivory), mix well and use a sprayer. Absolutely nothing will grow where you squirt it. My mother swears by this, I have yet to try it.

By Sally
Boiling Water
I have heard of pouring boiling water on weeds (like between stones in a patio or walkway) to kill them.

By Kathy K.
Fertilize Your Lawn
A well guarded secret by bowling greens and golf clubs for weed control is for fertilizing the grass they use ammonium sulphate as this promotes grass growth and discourages flat weeds from growing fertilizers high in nitrogen only encourage both grass and weeds to grow quickly.Both of the above options should work also for weed control. The other option is to dig the weeds out. The other problem you may have is grass grubs. You will need to lift a section of grass to see if any grubs present. The only natural method of control of them is a heavy roller. Someone else may know the answer to that question. All the best

By Brent
Get A Soil Analysis
I attended a seminar on lawns and the expert said that he can tell what a lawn needs by the type of weeds it grows. He suggested first to get a soil analysis before anything else - simple tests available in most hardware stores with garden centers. After that, it was coring the lawn in the fall, amending with compost and possibly corn gluten to do weed control. Check the company, Gardens Alive! for some good organic info. I believe they have a web site.

By kamor
Gardens Alive
GardensAlive.com has the best non-pesticide lawn and garden products. Also great products for pets with allergies. Short-term slightly expensive, but longterm great, carefree results.

By Ingrid
Salt Water
Try using 1/4 Cup of salt to 1 quart boiling water. Thats about as natural as you can get. It will kill what you have. So use it sparingly.

By Merryjean100
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35791127.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf325776.tip.html

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post By (Guest Post)

I put about a 2-3” strip of newspaper around the stem of the tomato plant, at the soil level, half under the soil and half above.

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post by Jo Bodey

I use 1 litre plastic milk cartons with the top and bottom cut off. This leaves a square bottomless container about 6 inches high, 12 of which fit neatly into a seed tray. Plant 2-3 seeds to each and remove the weakest as they grow. Allow the strong one to grow on until it is well advanced. When its about 4-5 inches high, dig a hole, slip your fingers under the base to pick up and then drop into the hole leaving 1-2 inches of the plastic below the surface. This method reduces transplant shock as there is very little root disturbance and the plastic forms a collar to keep out slugs, snails, etc. When the plant is well established the plastic collar can be removed, washed and reused.

Regards

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post By siris

We used ashes from the fireplace. It did the job. Good for radishes too.

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post By (Guest Post)

I’ve read that aluminum foil wrapped around the plant when planted at the base will prevent cutworms
from the plant.
bjm

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post by sholzshu

My parents always slid a nail down into the dirt right up next to the tomato plant stem. We do the same thing. Cutworms can’t wrap themselves around and cut off the plant.

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post By Dee

My Father-in-law, 95 years old, has put out a garden for years. He puts popsicle or craft sticks on each side of the plant to keep the worms from getting into them. It works! Always beautiful tomatoes.

Cutworms
Post By noahsarc

you may use dixie wax paper cups. Put the plant in
the cup and cut off the bottom. Plant directly in the cup in the ground. Works great. Good Luck.

RE: Preventing Cutworms Away from Tomatoes
Post By ronsan

Could be either a newspaper strip and/or crushed eggshells. The narrow strip (perhaps 2”x2”) of newspaper wrapped directly around the stem so that some of the newspaper is below and above ground when the tomato is planted will thwart cutworms because their body can’t get a firm hold on the stem to squeeze and cut through it. I also add a pretty good sprinkling of cleaned crushed eggshell around the base of the plant in a consistent circle so that cutworms and then slugs can’t get to the plant. Any ground-crawling invader with a soft underbelly can’t navigate the sharpness of the egg shell. The egg shells are washed thoroughly with water (making sure to remove the membrane inside) and then air-dried upside down until absolutely dry and brittle. Then lightly crush and store in the freezer until ready to use in the garden. I do this with my eggshells all winter long so I have plenty to work with in the spring.

Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf984798.tip.html
Pest Control the Frugal, Natural Way
By Cyndi Roberts

Whether in the garden, yard or in the house, all of us have, at one time or another, had to deal with pests.

Here are some ways to get rid of insects and other pests without spending a lot on expensive products.

1. For garden pests, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil. Mix about 3 tablespoons of this concentrate with a quart of water in a pump bottle and spray on plants.

Another recipe for insect control: soak citrus rind (lemon, orange, grapefruit) in water for a few days. Pour the water into a pump bottle and spray on plants.

2. Sprinkle cayenne pepper around plants to keep cats away.

3. Cucumber peel on a kitchen shelf will deter ants. You can also try washing or spraying your cabinets with vinegar and water.

4. Basil is a natural insect repellent. Keep a pot in your kitchen. Take a few leaves along with you on a picnic and put them out on the table to keep the flies away.

5. Bay leaves in your pantry will keep pests away. A bay leaf in a container of flour, cornmeal, or cereal will keep weevils out.

6. Plant peppermint around your house. It will keep ants out and it repels mice also.

7. Also cinnamon sprinkled around your foundation is said to keep ants out.

8. Weeds are not really pests, but they can be really pesky! Hot water will kill most unwanted plants —just boil some water and pour it over the plant you want to kill. Some weeds may require more than one dousing!

9. Mint teabags can be used in your clothing drawers or in your closet to repel moths.

Spray Your Foundation With Vinegar
Post by ThriftyFun

Spray or pour white vinegar around your foundation for pests.

By Sandi G (s222)

RE: Pest Control the Frugal, Natural Way
Post By melissa

I found a natural way to get rid of flies. we live on a farm in upstate Ny and right now the flies are horrible. they are all over our baby pigs and baby cow. what you do is.....mix 1/3 part water, 1/3 part pinesol, and 1/3 part vinegar. you can wipe this on horses, cow, etc coats...just put on a rag and wipe on their fur. also pour in doorways to barn or house. reall works. the flies dont like the smell and leave. i hate pestacides so this is fantastic. and CHEAP!