You May Try the Internet Rather Than Buying Cookbooks

Family cookbooks or easy cookbooks seem difficult to purchase specially if you are on budget but it is not necessary to purchase any family cookbooks or easy cookbooks for quick and easy recipes. With internet approach is making life easier for many people, it can help you also. Careful cooking can help trim your waistline as well as food budget. Eating out frequently is disastrous to both, your waist line and your pocket.

Shop in stores where you find lots of healthy produce/ meats/ dairy rather than filling your cart all with junk food. You may check other shelves for inexpensive items as most expensive ones are always kept at eye level.

Apples, Oranges, Potatoes/ onions if purchased by bag rather than by piece are cheaper. Try shopping for products that are in season as they are best in flavor as well as price. Canned foods packed in juice along with low sodium must be preferred. Avoid buying washed lettuce/ cabbage/ carrots and you pay more for less quantity.

Brown rice/ whole wheat Muffins contain 4 gram fat/ 100 calories. Oatmeal is economical as well as nutritious. Cereals/ grains that don't come in fancy packs are equally good and may be stored in air-tight containers. Whole wheat pasta is expensive as compared to white pasta but is healthier. You are free to make your choices.

Ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meats are quite expensive as compared to plain meats. You may try canned fish/ chicken to make sandwiches/ enchiladas/ casseroles/ salads.

You may use dried milk-powder for various recipes. Block cheese or pre-shredded may be used for various recipes. These are some tips that you may not find in many of family cookbooks or easy cookbooks. You can scan internet for various quick and easy cooking recipes and save money that you want to spend on these books.

Beware of That Nasty Manufactured Dog Food

Natural dog food will almost certainly help to prolong your four legged friends lifespan. Why is this? A lot of the processed dog food out there today is made from grain based food that is commercially processed and contains a lot of harmful chemicals and, who knows what other nasty ingredients, that are foreign to a dogs digestive system.And this is where a lot of problems originate. If a dogs digestive system isn't operating properly or if it is being infected with harmful chemicals some very serious health issues can arise.

This could be one of the main reasons for the prevalence of cancer in dogs. In the past dogs were more likely to die of old age, cancer was a fairly rare occurrence, but now many dogs prone to develop various forms of cancer, which is not only bad news for your pooch, but is also very expensive for you as well.

While genetics and poor breeding may have some bearing on a dogs chances of contracting some form of cancer, poorly manufactured food is probably one of the main reasons. So one of the simplest things you can do to reduce the chances of your dog falling foul of this devastating disease is to give him a good healthy diet of natural food.

Just remember that todays dogs originated from the wild where they had to hunt for their food and that food certainly didn't contain all the nasties that todays processed foods contain. And remember back a few years when there was all the furore about pet food manufactured in China being bulked up with Melamine, a chemical used in the manufacture of wallboard products. That episode caused some dogs to become very ill with kidney failure, in fact many dogs died, and a host of other health problems.

All of these unnatural additives, along with the massive amounts of preservatives used to give dog food a long shelf life, are certainly not good for a dogs health and wellbeing in my humble opinion.

By giving your dog a good natural varied diet without all those chemicals and additives will definitely help in keeping those nasty diseases at bay.

Remote Dog Training

What is the best and most cost effective way of training your dog? Any new dog owner has mulled over this question in their head and some have even gone as far as to check into remote dog training or professional trainers.

But ultimately, who is it that you want your dog to respond to? Who is giving the commands? The answer of course, is you. So it only makes sense to train your dog yourself. It is very reasonable to train on your own. All you need is the proper information, and with a little time and effort, you will succeed.

The best time to train is when you first get him/her as a puppy. This is common knowledge among dog owners, however; people sometimes do not believe they need training. Instinct covers some things, but certainly not all. If you get a dog after it is a few years old, training becomes more of a challenge, but can be done.

If your puppy or dog is exhibiting signs of misbehavior, it can be caused by several different issues, some of which are miscommunication, confusion, anxiety, fear and so on. It is important that you never yell at your dog. Yelling instills fear and you will accomplish nothing if your dog is afraid of you.

It is said that dogs can sense the demeanor of their owners and will respond accordingly. This is true, and if your dog can feel your anger or frustration, he/she will react as such. Always approach your dog with a kind, but authoritative voice, when training and in everyday situations.

If your dog is exhibiting attention seeking signs with barking, whining or begging, never EVER give in! They might also do those things when they have to use the bathroom, but you will learn and know your dog's behavior pattern for needing to go outside to distinguish that from attention seeking.

There are many aspects and details in effective dog training. Making sure to praise your dog and reward with treats, a trip to the park or a long walk will help with becoming your own dog trainer. You may also wish to investigate some training assisting collars such as dog shock collars or dog bark collars.

Most importantly, you will need to learn the proper way to train your dog. It makes no sense to spend hundreds of dollars having someone else train your dog, when you are the one your dog needs to obey. That is a recipe for confusion on the part of any dog.

There are many excellent eBooks available online today covering training that will turn you into your own professional trainer, and the sooner you start, the more well behaved your dog will be. Save the money for all the treats you will need to buy because your dog is so awesome!

Include An Apple A Day For Good Health

The apple was the first fruit mentioned in the bible, not always allowing the noble apple to prove the life enhancing powers it does possess. The pectin in the reddest apples has among the most antioxidants of any natural food. Science continues to show cases of high priced medications contain potent versions of what we are eating naturally all the while. A healthy recipe for healthy living does include the humble apple.

Apples come in a variety of excellent flavors, shapes, colors for us to choose from, in order to tantalize our taste buds, and encourages us to eat this great fruit right off the tree it was grown on.

Apples help our bodies fight cancer; studies have shown that there are several components in juicy fruit, such as apples, which help to prevent the growth of cancer cells. Healthy apples are most potent when the fruit is eaten whole, including the skin, and by choosing the darker apples, such as deep Red Delicious, Fuji, Jonathan, Rome Beauty and Red Spartan. Apples are a good source of vitamin C and fiber. Italian researchers found people who ate more than one apple a day lowered their risk for oral, esophageal, colon, breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancers by 9 to 42%.

Apples benefit our health by helping to fight cholesterol. Two key components, the pectin in the reddest apples and poly-phenols, which have the most anti-oxidants of any natural food, can help to lower cholesterol, and prevent the oxidation of LDL, which is the bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol results from the chemical process that fills the arteries with clogging plaque. Save the apple skin; it has two to six times the antioxidants that the actual flesh of the apple has, science shows, and most of us need all the help we can get when it comes to healthy eating.

Apples make us smarter. Apples boost the production of acetylcholine, which is a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells. In a recent study from the University of Massachusetts, researchers suggest that apples may keep your brain 'smarter' as you age and the components help boost our memory, potentially lessening the possibility of getting Alzheimer's disease.

You know the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". It may well be true that it is time to rethink this, and start eating your apples as a receipe for healthy living.

Apples help us to breathe easier. United Kingdom researchers found that children of pregnant women who ate apples during pregnancy, were less likely to wheeze or develop asthma by the age of five. This healthy fruit may also protect the lungs of adults, help in the prevention of asthma, lung cancer and other diseases.

Many people have eaten apples all their lives but ppeled for them in order to not take in all the pesticides used in apple growing. Recently, many have changed their thinking and have taken to organic, whenever possible, or washing the regular treated apples thoroughly, in order to eat the healthy peel. Organic is wonderful, but not always available.

The next reason to eat healthy apples daily is, that apples are a difficult food to eat; they require chewing a great deal, as they are dense and firm. This healthy food is packed with fiber, approximately five grams per apple, and is low in calories, approximately 80 for a medium sized apple. Apples contain a natural sugar which enters the bloodstream slowly, keeping our insulin levels steady; a much better choice than a sugary snack, which will give us a fast high, then a low in our sugar levels, creating hunger faster, as well as giving us little nutritional value.

Apples are truly a beneficial choice for healthy living. It is highly recommended you keep eating apples, as they are one of nature's perfect foods, and after eating these gems, you will feel full longer, keep your cholesterol lower, be smarter, breathe easier, help to boost your memory, and keep your insulin at a decent level. What more could we ask from one healthy food?

No Fail, Perfect Every Time Prime Rib

This is the easiest, most fool proof way that ANYONE can use to cook the perfect prime rib. You will need your roast, kosher salt or ice cream salt (quite a bit but it is very inexpensive), an aluminum turkey roasting pan and some spices.

Purchase your cut of beef from the best source that you know. This goes a long way towards the end results when you purchase the best that you can afford. Your best bet is to purchase the roast without the ribs still attached, although it looks pretty as a picture on the serving plate if you leave them on. It is just a little more difficult to carve.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Let your roast come to room temperature and prepare your roast by seasoning the outside of it with Worcestershire powder, pepper and paprika. Make sure that all areas are seasoned well. Let that rest a moment while your prepare the pan. Layer the salt 2 inches thick in the bottom of the pan and sprinkle with HOT water. You don't want this sitting in water but you want it to just stick together enough to create a salt 'crust' around the roast. Now place the roast on top of this salt and continue the process of layering the roast with salt until you have a thick crust of about 1 and 1/2 inches. Just keep working with it, letting it rest in between if you need to, until you have that desired thickness. This crust seals in the moisture and ensures a moist and flavorful roast.

Now, if you have an oven thermometer for cooking meat, that is ideal. Insert the thermometer into the roast, close the oven door and attach the prong to the base. Set your timer for 130 degrees.

I was a little squeamish when I first tried this because you have the temperature of your oven at 500 degrees!! It's going to burn! And all that salt will make the roast salty!! Let me tell you, this works.

Cook the roast 12 minutes for every pound. Example, if you have a 15 pound roast, multiply 15 pounds times 12 minutes which gives you 180 minutes. Divide THAT by 60 minutes and you need to cook your roast for 3 hours. As soon as the timer goes off, remove the roast and let it stand for half an hour before carving. The temperature will continue to rise to about 140 at which time, take a hammer and crack the salt and remove as much of it as you can before transferring to your serving platter. Take a damp towel and brush off as much of the salt crystals as you can.

Carve immediately and serve with aus jus and a great horseradish sauce and there is nothing better! Leftovers (if there are any) make darn good sandwiches, too! Enjoy....

Budget Friendly Gift Ideas

Gift giving can be expensive, especially if you have a large family or lots of friends. Throw in an ailing economy and it can be down right depressing. Below are some inexpensive gift ideas to help you get the most for your money!

Quick Holiday Tip: The very BEST way to shop is to shop AFTER the holidays and get all the great 50-70% off sales. You can also look for big sales throughout the year. If you can plan for that each year, you will have most of the work done by the time the next holiday season rolls around!

Low Cost Gift Ideas:

Homemade gifts:

A few Examples...

* knit, sew, crochet - You can make blankets, scarves, mittens, napkins, etc.

* scrapbook- You can create a photo collage, a special memory scrapbook, etc.

* woodwork - You can design some napkin rings, pens, cross, keepsake box, etc.

* jewelry - This is a great idea for those who have this ability. Make a beaded necklace, earring, etc.

* potpourri - You can make your own with different spices and scented oils.

* bath salts - create you own homemade jars of bath soaps

* Be Creative! You can do SO much of you just get those creative juices flowing and USE your God given talents!

Practical and Inexpensive Gifts you can Buy:

Time: Nothing says I care more than your time. You can make a coupon gift, take a friend to lunch, organize a room in your friend's house. Whatever your talent is, give it to someone. It costs you nothing but your time and THAT is the best gift you can give.

Edible Goodies: This can go in so many directions. Cook for someone. Bake cookies and put them in decorative tins you can get at the dollar store. Make jar gifts with the dry ingredients and recipe of your favorite cookies, brownies, etc.

Pedicure: This is less then $20 and I know BOTH sexes like this! LOL!

Gift Cards: These are great gifts when you have no time or for parties. $10 is not a bad gift card. Trust me the person will NOT give it back! LOL!

Music: Create a CD of your friend or loved one's favorite songs. If it is for a spouse make a LOVE CD.

Chocolate: For many women this is a gift they will LOVE you for!

Ornament: You can buy or design a pretty ornament.

Gift Basket: Get in inexpensive basket and add some of their favorite things to it. Or make it themed...candles, spa, edibles, etc.

Candles: Need I say more?

Gourmet Nuts: They sell these at grocery stores cheap. You can put them in a pretty container and there you have a yummy and fun gift.

Stationary: This is always a sure thing with a woman.

Gourmet Coffee or Teas: Again, you can find these in grocery stores. Instead of going to a specialty sop where you will spend too much money, buy them at the grocery store and make the presentation creative.

Magazine Subscription: Most magazine subscriptions are fairly inexpensive. They usually range from $10-$25.

Movie Night: Buy a $5 blockbuster gift card, large microwave movie theatre popcorn bowl, and candy. Put it in the popcorn container and there you have a gift that anyone will appreciate.

Beauty Supplies: Look for sales. Buy one get one free lotions are very popular this time of year. Use it to your advantage and you can have two gifts for the price of one.

Framed Picture: This is the perfect gift for a parent of loved one. Frame a picture you know they will appreciate. They will LOVE it!
For the Kids...Below are Cheap Gift Ideas for your children and teenagers.

Some of these inexpensive gift ideas can be used for multiple ages. That is why you may see the same idea more than once with a different twist in some cases!.

Toddlers...

Balls: Toddlers are easy to please. Balls are fun and teach eye hand coordination.

Dress Up Clothes: You do not have to spend a fortune on a store bought dress up outfit! Go to your local thrift store, give some pretty hand me downs, or clear your closet. They will LOVE dressing up.

Puzzles: Great gifts for little ones.

Books: Buy them a book and READ it to them.

Play Dough: My kids LOVED play dough and it's non toxic, so this is a great and inexpensive gift for toddlers and even a little older.

Stuffed Animals: Who doesn't love stuffed animals?

Children 5-10...

Time: Time is important to your kids. Make them a special coupon book of things you know they would like to do. Or make a "gift certificate" of a special day you plan and present it to them. They will have it to look forward to in the near future.

Dress Up Clothes: You do not have to spend a fortune on a store bought dress up outfit! Go to your local thrift store, give some pretty hand me downs, or clear your closet. They will LOVE dressing up.

Candy: This is a no-brainer.

Board game: Games are fun. PLAY the games with them.

Books: Buy them their favorite book or a few in their favorite series.

Diary: Encourage them to write their feelings.

Coloring Books and Crayons: Most kids love to color.

Hot Wheels: My HUSBAND loves these. LOL!

Stuffed Animals: Who doesn't love stuffed animals?

Barbies: Great gift for a girl and MANY of them are $10 and under.

Slippers: Kids love character slippers. Pay Less sells them for cheap.

Jump Rope: Easy and great gift to get them moving.

Tweens and Teens...

Time: Time is important to your kids. Make them a special coupon book of things you know they would like to do. Or make a "gift certificate" of a special day you plan and present it to them. They will have it to look forward to in the near future.

Candy: This is a no-brainer.

Board game: Get a great game that a teenager will like and tape a coupon on it for a fun day with family and friends to play it. Teens are at the end of there time with us. MAKE the MOST of it!

Gift Cards: Teenagers LOVE to shop. This is a GREAT gift for a boy or girl.

Beauty Supplies: Most teenage girls LOVE anything related to beauty.

Disposable Cell Phone: If you cannot afford a cell phone, get them a disposable one. At least they will get it for a bit and it will encourage them to work for it!

CD's: Music is a no-brainer. Be careful what you put in their ears though!

Books: If they like to read, get them their favorite type of book. Or get a devotional book. Spiritual growth is important at this age.

Journals: They need to have a place to vent and put their feelings

Pens: I know girls love these.

Craft Supplies: If they are crafty or good with their hands this is a fun gift.

Models: A lot of boys like to create models.

Pedicure: This is less then $20 and I know BOTH sexes like this! LOL!

Sports: Get them a poster of their favorite sports person. Or, anything related to sports!

Party: Create a coupon or certificate agreeing to throw a slumber or regular party for them and be the hostess with the mostest.

Clothes: What teenager doesn't like clothes?

Magazine Subscription: Most magazine subscriptions are fairly inexpensive. They range from $10-$25.

As you can see, there are MANY things that you can do and buy this Christmas season without going crazy and overspending. Be creative. Pray. Look for the best deals, and soon you will find that holidays do not need to be expensive!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved.

BBQ Pizza

BBQ pizza, in most cases chicken is easy and addictive. This bbq pizza recipe uses the oven, but you can easily use a bbq grill. Also, this barbecue pizza uses a fresh dough, but if you don't have time
or are just that lazy, use a pre-packaged pizza shell like Boboli, or foccacia. Either way, the finished product will be far superior to delivery pizza at a fraction of the price.

And, if you use a pre-packaged shell, this recipe can be done in as little as 15 minutes! No matter which dough you choose, you will still have that kitchen pizza smell that will get the kids running.

Finally this bbq pizza uses a secret ingredient- a creamy garlic sauce that blends with the bbq sauce- really really good.

If you do not have one, I highly recommend a pizza stone- they really improve the finished product.

Pizza Dough (skip down if using a pre-done shell)

8 oz. warm water (100 degrees)
1 package yeast

1 tsp kosher salt
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp sugar
3 cups flour

Mix yeast and water and sugar together until dissolved. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until a froth forms.
Put the rest of the ingredients in a food processor bowl. Process while pouring in the water.
The mixture should form a sticky ball that pull away from the sides. Remove to an oiled
bowl and let rest in a warm place for 30-45 minutes.
Remove and cut the dough into to equal pieces. Work the dough in your hands to form a ball. Set
balls again to rest for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. If it goes higher, do it! I cook mine at 550 degrees.
On a floured surface roll the balls into approximately 12" discs or ovals or amoebas. Who cares? It's your pizza.

Now let's top the bbq pizza:

Barbecue Pizza toppings:

1.5 cups cooked chicken mixed with approximately 1/2 cup of your favorite bbq sauce
Sliced red onions (very thin)
2 cups mozzarella or jack cheese
BBQ sauce ( approx 2/3 cup)

Garlic Sauce (optional)

For garlic sauce, mix 3 cloves crushed garlic with about 1 cup mayonnaise. Thin out with about 2-3Tb. water)

Cilantro

First, put about 2/3 cup of bbq sauce on the shell and follow with about 1/3 cup of the garlic sauce. I use squeeze bottles as they make it easier, but you can use a spoon or your fingers.

It should look like a Jackson Pollack painting.

Next lay down the cheese, sprinkle the chicken on top and finish with the onions. The onions will cook and not be very sharp, but put as much as you'd like. Slide your pizza into the oven and bake.

For raw dough: 12 minutes at 550 degrees.
For a pre-cooked shell about 8 minutes.
It's your pie, so let it go as long as you'd like.
Remove and sprinkle on cilantro!

Mangia mangia, cowboy.