DIY Calender

What you need:

• One frame (size depends on preference)
• 4 greeting cards
• tape or glue
• a dry erase marker
• alphabet stickers

This project is so easy and makes organizing a cinch! Just glue down the 4 greeting cards and add letter stickers to each day, you can write out the whole day of the week or just the first initial. Next, place cards in frame as you would a photo and viola! You are now on the track to a new organized you!

Homemade Cards

These cards were so much fun to make!  All I did was buy some blank cards with fun decorations and added stickers that I found in the scrapbooking section of Michaels. Believe it or not, the blue and white ribbon tape that I used on the bottom of two of the cards was from the Dollar Tree! These were cheap and fun and are easy enough to be made by children too!

Cheap & Chic Candle Stand

This candle stand adds pizazz to your favorite candle and is so easy to make. I found a piece of white lace scrap paper that I loved at Michaels and knew that I would use it somewhere. I ended up putting it in this old frame that I had laying around and ta-da! This DIY took under a minute to make and cost almost nothing. Now that's Simply Creative!

Scrapbook Art

This DIY project was easy and cheap! I got two frames from The Christmas Tree Shop for $3 each, 2 pieces of scrapbook paper from Michaels (.10 each), and some scrapbooking stickers also from Michaels and made these collages.

 I made these for my boyfriend's "game room", but they would work great in a kids play room or bedroom with their favorite sports or hobby as the theme. Try out different stickers and have fun with it! 

DIY Peace Sign

DIY: Birthday Card in a Picture Frame 

I've been really into "DIYing" lately. I think it may be correlated with my Pinterest addiction, but I am not ready to admit that I have an addiction despite what friends say....Anyways, I found this card that I got from my aunt for my birthday last month and loved the beading, so I threw it in a frame and voila! a DIY project for my room!

Nothing Says Summer Like Heirloom Tomatoes!

Ingredients

• 2 Heirloom Tomatoes
• 1 Avocado 
• 1/4 cup Feta Cheese
• Balsamic Glaze...I used Trader Giotto's Balsamic Glaze (Available at Trader Joe's...my favorite food store!)

This Salad has Summer Written All Over It!

Chickpea Burger with Goat Cheese

I found this chickpea burger at Wegmans and fell in love! After heating the burger on medium over the stove, I melted a little goat cheese on top, placed it over some greens, drizzled a little EVOO onto the burger, and I was in Heaven! Best part? This dish took less than 10 minutes to make!

Veggie Burger with Grilled Peppers

These little peppers are great! I chopped a few up, sautéed them in teriyaki, and toppled them over my veggie burger for a twist on a plain burger. Easy, cheap, and delicious! 

Light and Tasty Spaghetti

1. Boil water on high and follow directions on spaghetti box for time
2. While water is boiling cut up one tomato and a half an onion.
3. Pour 1/2 cup of olive oil and basil in a separate pot and place the tomatoes and onions in the pan. Turn the stove on med-low and cover pan until the tomatoes and onions are cooked down.
4. Place a cup of uncooked spinach in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds
5. Strain the spaghetti and put it in the bowl with the olive oil sauce
6. Mix all together and enjoy!

90 Seconds...2 Meals!

Day 1

• Seed of Life Quinoa/Brown Rice Microwave Packet
• Feta cheese
• Trader Joes Fresh Salsa

Warm the quinoa in the microwave as stated in directions on the packet. Pour half of it a bowl and the other half in a tupperware container. Next sprinkle in feta cheese and add salsa. Stir all together and enjoy!

Day 2

• refrigerated quinoa/brown rice
• feta cheese
• salsa
• peanuts

Add the mix-ins into the quinoa like the previously stated directions describe. I added peanuts in as well for extra-crunch. You now have a deliciously healthy salad. You can microwave it if you want it warm, but I think it is just as delicious cold.

Olive Bar Salad

You can really add whatever you want to a salad, but ingredients like fresh mozzarella and avocados can get expensive. Luckily when I went to the grocery store today, Haas avocados were .99 each! I then went to the olive bar and scooped some fresh mozzarella, large garbanzo beans, and an olive medley into the plastic container. This whole concoction only cost me $3.29. I already had spinach and tomatoes at my house, but these ingredients are also fairly inexpensive.

Conclusion: I made a delicious salad filled with vitamin c, fiber, iron, and protein all for under $5! I also used the juice from the container used from the olive bar as dressing, which saved calories and money.

Mozzarella is a delicious addition to any salad, but now it does not just have to be a treat. Utilize the olive bar for all your cheese, pepper, bean, or olive needs!

Avocado Pita Pocket

-1 pita pocket
-1/2 an avocado
-1 plum tomato
-fresh motz cheese

Chop up the veggies and put them in the pita bread. That's it! Enjoy!

Semi Homemade Pasta Dinner

Ingredients

• desired amount of ziti
• boiled water that corresponds with desired amount of ziti 
• your favorite tomato sauce
• 1 tomato
• 1 cup uncooked spinach
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. bring water to boil
2. pour contents of uncooked into boiled water
3. in a separate pan pour 2 cups of tomato sauce into it and put on low heat
4. chop up 1 tomato and desired amount of garlic and add it to that pan
5. next add the spinach, olive oil, basil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper
6. once the ziti is al dente strain it then put it in a bowl
7. next poured the heated sauce on top of the pasta
8. sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top (optional)
9. Devour. 

Perfect Post Spring Break Salad

After a week of vacationing on a budget, which led to days of Mac and cheese and beer, this salad is heaven!

Turn Leftovers Into A Home Cooked Meal!

Last night I went out to dinner and got some delicious 4 cheese raviolis. The portions were huge so I brought some home. Today I re-vamped my meal and made delicious "baked mac and cheese" inspired raviolis.

In a oven-safe dish place your leftover pasta/ravioli and sprinkle cheese (I used parmesan and cheddar) on top of the past. Place in the oven on 450 degrees for 10 minutes and tada! You have a new delicious dish!

Truth

Edamame Linguini

This linguini is easy to make and deliciously healthy!

Ingredients

• 1 box of linguini (substitute for wheat or vegetable pasta to add more nutrients)
• 1 cup of shelled edamame
• 1/4 cup of peanuts
• 2 tbsp EVOO
• 1 tsp basil seasoning or 3-5 fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup uncooked spinach leaves
• salt for taste

Steps

• Follow directions on pasta box and bring water to boil
• sprinkle in a pinch of salt to the water to add taste
• in a separate pan, follow directions on bag of edamame and cook the edamame as well
• Pour the peanuts into a zip lock bag
• close the bag tightly and find a plastic cup, wooden spoon, or hammer depending on how much anger you would like to release, and pound the peanuts until they are chopped up
• When linguini is al dente, strain and pour back into the pan
• drain the edamame and pour the contents into the pan that the pasta is in
• pour in EVOO, sprinkle in the basil, and add the uncooked spinach leaves. 
• next pour the chopped up peanuts into the pan and stir all the contents together
• Serve and enjoy! Feel free to add salt for taste.

Spinach is a great source of iron, and peanuts and edamame are a great source of protein. This meal is great for vegetarians!

Pesto Spinach Tortellini

Pesto Spinach Tortellini

Ingredients

• 2-4 fresh basil leaves
• 3 cups of water
• 2 cups of your favorite tortellini
• pesto sauce (available in most supermarkets)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt
• 1 cup uncooked spinach

Steps

1. Boil 3 cups of water in a pot on your stovetop and add a pinch of salt to the water for taste
2. Once the water is boiling, pour the tortellini into the pot
3. Cook until the tortellini is easy to cut with a fork and occasionally stir the pasta.
4. Rinse the uncooked spinach and put in a bowl, but do not pat the spinach dry
5. Place the spinach in the microwave for 1 minute
6. Drain the tortellini, then put the spinach and tortellini back in the pot
7. With a spoon, scoop desired amount of pesto sauce and 2 tbsp of olive oil into the pot that you originally cooked with
8. Break apart the basil leaves and put them in the pot 
9. Stir everything together and pour contents into a bowl.
10. Enjoy this easy, yet delicious dish!

BBQ Veggie Burger with Carmelized Onions

Ingredients

• 1/2 an onion
• 1 veggie burger
• 1 slice of your favorite cheese
• 2 tbsp of your favorite BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup of olive oil

Directions

• chop up 1/2 an onion into desired size
• place in pan on stove at medium heat with olive oil
• in a separate pan heat veggie burger on medium heat as well
• flip burger after 5 minutes
• place slice of cheese on top of burger until melted
• plate your burger and pour the BBQ sauce on top of the cheesy burger
• pour caramelized onions on top and enjoy!

Spinach Mozzarella Panini

(If you don't have a panini maker a pan on the stove on medium heat works too)

Ingredients

• 2 slices of yummy bread 
• (Trader Joe's) spinach dip (optional)
• Fresh Mozzarella
• 1 cup uncooked spinach
• olive oil

Directions

1. Turn on panini maker or stove to medium 
2. lightly brush olive oil on the two slices of bread
3. flip over and spread spinach dip on bottom slice
4. spread half of the mozzarella evenly on bread
5. put desired amount of mozzarella on spinach and add the rest of the uncooked spinach on top
6. put other piece of bread on top with the oiled side up
7. cook until golden brown
8. cut sandwich in half and watch as the mozzarella deliciously spreads apart
9. eat!

Spinach Mozzarella Panini

Fast, easy, and healthy! This sandwich is a great source of iron and calcium. Enjoy!

A Delicious Way to Get Essential Vitamins

The fiber in the avocados and tomatoes will keep you full and satisfied without all the calories of a large meal!

Avocado, Tomato, Mozz Salad

Ingredients

• Mozzarella (the mozzarella balls from the olive bar at your local super market is the cheapest way to go)
• 1 Avocado
• 1 Tomato
• Balsamic Dressing

1. Wash tomato and dice into bit size pieces, and place them in a salad bowl
2. Cut avocado in half, take out the pit, cut into bite size pieces inside of shell, then scoop out the insides into the salad bowl
3. Either cut up fresh mozzarella into bite size pieces or place mozzarella balls into bowl
4. Pour 2 tbsp of balsamic dressing into bowl and mix up the salad
5. Add dash of salt (optional)
6. Enjoy!

Great source of calcium, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, fiber, vitamin A, and Iron

Homemade French Fries!

Ingredients

• 1 Yukon Gold Potato
• 1/4 cup of EVOO 
• salt
• basil

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Poke holes in the top of your potato with a fork and place in microwave for two minutes to soften
3. Chop up potatoes into desired french fry size
4. Place chopped potatoes on a nonstick cookie sheet and drizzle EVOO over them
5. Next, sprinkle desired amount of salt and basil on potatoes
6. Mix up the fries with your hands so that the potatoes are covered in oil and salty goodness
7. Place cookie sheet in the middle rack of your oven and cook for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Every 5 minutes take the fries out of the oven and flip them over with a spatula.
9. After twenty minutes let the potatoes cool, then sprinkle a little bit more salt on the fries, squirt a little ketchup on your plate, and enjoy another delicious vegetarian delight! 

Not Your Average Veggie Burger

Ingredients

• 1 veggie burger (I used Trader Joe's brand)
• 1/2 an onion
• 1/4 cup of peanuts
• 3 tbsp of olive oil
• A slice of your favorite cheese
• a flour wrap (these can be found in the international food isle of your grocery store near the taco making stuff)

(This would be good with avocados or guacamole, but I didn't have any in the house)

1. In a skillet heat 3 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat
2. chop up 1/2 an onion and cut up your veggie burger into desired size
3. pour peanuts into a ziplock bag. close the bag, and with your weapon of choice whack the bag until the peanuts are broken into little pieces. (This is the fun part and cheaper than therapy!)
4. place onions, burger, and peanuts into skillet and cook on medium until onions look caramelized. (occasionally flip and stir the mixture)
5. after about 3 minutes, place a slice of cheese on top of the mixture and let it melt.
6. scoop up everything in the frying pan with a spatula and place it in the middle of your wrap (you can place the wrap in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm it if you'd like)
7. wrap it up! 
8. eat.

A Little Asian Inspiration for Around $5

Ingredients (You do not need to use the exact brands I listed. Store brands taste great too and are cheaper!)

• Uncle Ben's Microwave Rice (Any flavor is fine, but make sure to read the ingredients, some are made with chicken broth)
• Bird's Eye Steam Fresh Frozen Vegetables 
• Nuts (the 99 cent ones that you find in convince stores are the cheapest way to go here)
• 1/2 an onion
• Soy Sauce (steal some packets from your dining hall if you go to college...shh you didn't hear it from me)

1. Microwave the rice and veggies as directed on bag

2. While they are in the microwave dice up a 1/2 an onion (size and amount is determined by preference)

3. Pour rice, onions, and veggies in a frying pan and sprinkle in your nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds etc...get your head out of the gutter!)

4. Set your stovetop to medium heat and pour in about a 1/4 cup of soy sauce, again amount is determined by your preference

5. Occasionally stir and flip with a rubber spatula until some rice is crispy.

6. Pour onto plate and tada! You have a healthy, cheap, and yummy dinner, and it only took you 5-10 minutes to make!

P.S. Experiment with the ingredients. In the past, I have used tofu instead of nuts for protein, and teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce, so have fun in the kitchen and eat up!

Fish are Friends not Food

     When contemplating becoming a vegetarian, many hesitant carnivores do not give up ingesting cows because they think that being a vegetarian is costly. Little do these contemplators know, being healthy does not mean that you have to shop at Whole Foods (not that there's anything wrong with Whole Foods, I love that place), but being a vegetarian can be easy and affordable too! A year ago I made it my New Years resolution to become a vegetarian. With a stable balance of eating right and exercising, I successfully lost 15 pounds in a healthy way and without even trying (This was over a few months, so don't be disappointed when the pounds don't shed off the day you stop eating meat). 

     The first few months of becoming a vegetarian are not easy. Don't get me wrong, from time to time I would crave a juicy bacon burger from the Cheesecake Factory, or pork fried rice from the chinese restaurant down the street, but once I began to find substitutions for these unhealthy pleasures, I realized this whole vegetarian thing isn't too hard after all. 

     Do you think that this is something that you could try? Follow me as I post affordable and easy recipes that can be made in a jiffy and you'll be surprised how many yummy things you can make without consuming meat!