Take a sneak peek into my Molly Saves! In the Garage and Shed magazine today!

Are you cleaning out the shed, organizing a garage sale, or mowing the lawn this month? Wouldn’t a tall glass of cold lemonade be the perfect thirst-quenching, pick-me-up treat for any of these outdoor activities?

All lemonade recipes have three main ingredients: a simple syrup made with water and granulated sugar or sugar substitute, lemon juice, and water. Preparing a simple syrup several hours before making a cold beverage such as lemonade or tea is a valuable step. It prevents having a layer of gritty, undissolved sugar that settles to the bottom of the pitcher or glass. A simple syrup is made by dissolving the sugar in hot or boiling water, allowing it to cool, and then refrigerating it before adding it to other ingredients.

Extracting the juice from the lemons is the hardest step in making lemonade. Whether you use a juicer or squeeze the lemons yourself, two methods for preparing the lemons will make the job much easier. The first is to roll each lemon on a hard surface while pressing down on the lemon with the palm of your hand for about 30 to 40 seconds before cutting it to squeeze. The other method is to microwave each lemon for about 30 seconds before cutting and squeezing. The squeezed juice should be strained to remove the seeds and most of the pulp before measuring and using it in a recipe.

There are a variety of lemonade recipes, some sweeter or tarter than others. The amount of sugar or sugar substitute and/or lemon juice in all of them can be adjusted to taste. It would be fun to buy a large bag of lemons at a discount and experiment with making a small portion of each recipe to see which one you and your family like best.

One of the easiest lemonade recipes I’ve used calls for 1 cup of sugar, 5 cups of water, and the juice of 6 lemons (approximately 1 cup). To first make the simple syrup, bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a pan, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cup of sugar until it is dissolved. After this mixture has cooled, add it to a glass jar or pitcher with the lemon juice and the remaining 4 cups of water. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving over ice.

For more specialized lemonade recipes (such as Mint Lemonade and Cranberry Lemonade), CLICK HERE to purchase Molly Saves! In the Garage and Shed as a single issue.

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There are so many different ways to live a frugal lifestyle. . . this is a great place to learn new things and encourage one another! Below you can share the link to a post on your own blog, share a little about your frugal life and encourage others. Be sure to come back each Friday and link-up to this great community of frugal followers!

If you get my Friday newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s question about my most treasured keepsake(s) (if you don’t get my FREE newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner). Read below to see my response and discover what special craft I did when each of my children were little.  Molly

Dear Midge,

My treasured keepsakes also involve my children’s hand prints! However, they are plaster imprints or molds. I imprinted my firstborn’s hand/foot print into a round, plaster disc. I included the date and shaded in the imprints to help them stand out a bit more.

With consecutive children I was able to find a kit that allowed me to make a mold of their entire hand. I then poured the plaster mixture into the mold and the result was an exact replica of that tiny hand. I had to be sure to complete this project when each child was less than a month old (and sleeping!) because they had to be completely still in order for the project to be successful.

I really enjoy looking back at those tiny hands, I’ve placed each one next to that particular child’s newborn picture. What sweet memories!

Love ya, Molly

To share a link to your post about frugal living, use the Linky below. But first. . .

1. We’d love for you to share your links that include anything  related to DIY projects, saving money, frugal living, made from scratch cooking, cleaning products, sustainable living, gardening, organic, and anything else related to homemaking! You can also  include your struggles while trying to live a frugal lifestyle (like  Midge!)! Show us about how you are thriving while surviving on a smaller budget!

2. Please, no link-ups to giveaways or blog topics in which you are just selling a product.

3. Link directly to your frugal post, not to your home page.

4. Grab our linky graphic (from the sidebar) and put it on your blog or on your linky post.

5. If a linked up post does not meet the above guidelines, it will  be removed.

6. If you link-up, please click on other’s links as well. Our frugal followers have a lot to share!

Living frugally means living, learning, and growing from each other. We can’t wait to see what you are going to share (to see other blogs who have linked up, click the link below)!   Ready, set, link!

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Guest post by: Midge

I like checking out the freezer section at my local grocery store to scout for the newest meats they may have on hand. It is like an adventure into rarely seen foods at my dinner table. When selecting my Year of the Carnivore blog meats for this guest blog series, I have only issued myself a few rules. My favorite rule is that if I think to myself, “Oh my goodness, I could never make that!” then the next thing I have to do is put it in my cart!

I also try to make frugal choices so I am not BREAKING THE BANK while learning how to “chef it”. Mahi Mahi was a VERY frugal choice. The frozen package came with two partial fish that were the length of my arm. Mahi Mahi is often called the poor man’s lobster. While you do get a lot MORE MEAT FOR YOUR MONEY than lobster, the taste is not very similar.

After I defrosted the Mahi Mahi, I discovered I had to cut the skin off the fish in order to cook it. The Tilapia I made earlier this year came nicely cut and ready for baking. But, eeeesh, this was not true with the Mahi Mahi, which may have been why I got the fish at such a terrific price.

Skinning the fish was a lot harder than I thought. I should have popped on the internet to search for a “how to” video. But, I kept thinking, “I can do this.  It can’t be that hard”. I ended up cutting and pulling then slicing the meat off the skin. In the end, the pan I was using for the debris looked like a mess but I was able to get most of the meat off the skin and now was ready for the rest of the meal preparation.

For this recipe, I selected a Dry Jerk seasoning to add to my Mahi Mahi. When I was growing up, my father would sprinkle the spiciest seasonings on his rice or curry dish and then even add seconds of the spice. He would smile widely as he ate and refused to guzzle water to help mute the heat. That is definitely not my kind of spicy!

I have had jerk seasoning before with varied results. I thought it would be more on the “medium” side of spicy. Boy, was I ever wrong! This jerk seasoning was hot! And it probably did not help when the cayenne pepper top caused too much seasoning to escape into my dry mix. I tried to salvage the mix and obviously did not do such a great job!

Before I go on, I need to clarify that my husband is a very willing guinea pig. He will eat almost everything I cook for him and most of the time is grateful I am getting adventurous in my cooking. However, this time almost became the exception!!

I made the jerk seasoning using this recipe: DRY JERK SEASONING. I loosely followed this recipe: MAHI MAHI TACOS for the actual cooking of the fish. Actually, I really used it as a guide to help me know when the Mahi Mahi would be done cooking.

Here is how I made it:  I dipped the sliced Mahi Mahi pieces into butter then liberally coated them with the seasoning. I grilled them in a pan until the fish became flaky under the seasoning. Then, after the Mahi Mahi was done, I folded the grilled pieces into a tortilla with ranch dressing, shredded cheese and a chunky made from scratch salsa my mother-in-law had made.

Liberally coating them was definitely my problem!! As I look back at the recipe, I realize it gave a precise suggested measurement for each fillet. My husband took three bites and then almost dropped the whole thing in a dead run for the fridge to get a glass of milk! In his defense, he finished the rest of the fish taco and the whole carton of milk as well. Poor guy!

My dad loved it though and so did one of our neighbors who LOVES spicy food. And, did I mention I really liked it too? Even with the spice, the Mahi Mahi Jerk Seasoning Tacos were the bomb! I definitely recommend it!

Next time, I will make sure to not spill the cayenne pepper . . .

Have you ever prepared Mahi Mahi? What kinds of dry seasonings do you keep on hand? Do you have a story of a “too spicy for you” kind of meal? I would love to hear from you!

How To Create Your Own Vibrant Vegetable Garden – A Quick Guide To Successful Vegetable Gardening [Kindle Edition]

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Watch Out! Molly’s on the Move . . .

Join her for the ride!

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Spring is in the air and Molly is on the move! She’s donned her “mover” hat and is ready to provide tips and ideas for anyone “on the move”. With the end of the school year nearly here, vacations are on the minds of many families. Let Molly help you make those vacation plans. Are you planning a road trip? Maybe you’re planning to save some money and stick closer to home? Or maybe you’d like to try out couchsurfing? There are many different types of vacations and Molly has you covered for each of them! Or maybe you are making a move to a new home. We’ve got you covered there as well with tips and tricks to make that move as smooth as possible.

Look for these topics as well as many more-

• Alayna Cann helps you find ways to celebrate each day of May in a special way.
• In Packing It In! Molly Green, shares tips to make your vacation away from home more enjoyable by learning to pack for comfort, but keep it simple!
• If you’re flexible and open minded, let Lisa Strader show you what volunteer vacations are and how to get involved.
•  Learn how to eat on the go without losing your grip on the budget with Molly the Frugal Foodie: Frugal Travel Treats
•  Is it time to de-clutter? Let Molly help you discover one of the best defenses against the unpleasant task of moving.
•  Have you heard of Couchsurfiing?  Lisa Strader will show you how to avoid paying for a roof over your head when you travel. Read on to see the benefits of couchsurfing and how to get started.
•  Sharon White shares another use for an old t-shirt. How about turning it into a water bottle holder?!
•  Frugal Family Fun: How to Vacation in Your Own Hometown – By Connie
• Robertson helps when the budget just doesn’t allow for a road trip vacation. Learn how a staycation vacation can be just the ticket for a frugal, yet fun vacation!
•  We’ve all experienced tangled jewelry when packing it away for either a trip or a move. Let Molly show you how to keep your baubles and bangles untangled and damage free the next time you’re on the move.
•  Are you looking for a frugal way to help the miles speed by on your next trip? Molly’s Road Trip Binder is the just the ticket!
•  Maybe you’d like to take your Molly magazines and E-Books on your trip with you, but you’re not sure how to get those items onto your mobile device. If that’s the case, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on transferring them to your mobile device in this month’s issue.
•  Inger Koppenhaver shares her Do’s and Don’ts of Frugal Family Vacations. Read along as she shares her tips to help you keep on track with your budget, while still being flexible and open to new adventures.

See why homemakers love Molly Green Magazine – see what’s inside!

Click here to view a sample.

 Molly makes it fun and easier to be frugal! Think about it – with so much to learn and save, if you apply just one money-saving idea, you’ll recoup the cost of this E-Book right away!

Join Molly daily and follow her

adventures in fiscally responsible homemaking at

www.Econobusters.com.

Project Manager: Dena Wood, Becky Gustafson.
Contributing Writers: Alayna Cann, Patricia Hunter, Becky Gustafson, Rhonda Barfield, Dena Wood, Inger Koppenhaver, Sharon White
Publication: 2013
Pages: 68
File Size: 12.6 MB

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Today’s guest post is from: Laurie Bostwick

In an effort to save both time and money, I am gradually going to green cleaners.
But, most of the cleaners that is found in the stores that are “green” cost way too much green.

I’d like to share with you  two cleaners that I make and use quite often in my homekeeping.

The first one is for cleaning the tub and shower. This one actually is the one that won me over to making my own cleaning products.

You see, I don’t love cleaning the tub. (shocker, I know!) My children are older, so I don’t have to keep the tub spic and span for impromptu baths any longer. Most of the time, it’s in and out of the shower (or in the case of my teens, in and out after the hot water is gone!) So, since I don’t keep up on the tub cleaning as often, it tends to get dirty enough to warrant attention before I take the time to clean it. What I used to do was to spray it down with a bleach-type cleaner, let it work, come back and scrub, all the while trying not to breathe. The bleach smell would linger and it was not pleasant. With my homemade cleaner, the smell is a pleasant one and this cleaner really works!

It’s a simple recipe-

Dawn dish detergent (or generic equivalent- I normally use the Great Value brand)
White vinegar
Empty spray bottle

You need equal parts dish detergent to vinegar. For enough to clean the tub area, I generally stick to 1 cup of each. Heat the vinegar in the microwave for 90 seconds or so, just to warm it. Pour this into the spray bottle, then add a cup of detergent. Screw on the lid, give the bottle a good shake, and it’s ready to use. (Note- you don’t have to heat it each time you use it, that’s just to combine the two ingredients). Spray on the surface to be cleaned, let sit to work its magic, then wipe away. For really tough soap scum, you may need a brush to remove it, but it will come off easily.

Seriously, try this one!

My second cleaner is equally as simple.

White vinegar
Citrus peels (orange or lemon are my favorites)
Plastic jar with lid (no metal lids as they will corrode from the vinegar)

The next time you peel and orange, save those peelings! Fill a plastic jar with white vinegar, then add in the citrus peelings. Cover and let sit for a few days. The citrus peelings will make the vinegar smell much more pleasant. This is an excellent all purpose cleaner.

What about you? Do you use green cleaners? What are your favorite “recipes”?

Laurie blogs at Our Abundant Blessings. She lives on a small farm with her husband and four children, along with a menagerie of animals. Life is never dull or boring, and she is truly abundantly blessed!

Chicken Breeds: A Quick Guide on Chicken Breeds for Beginners [Kindle Edition]

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Healthy Easy Cooking [Kindle Edition]

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Blueberry Recipes – From Muffins, Cobblers and Cakes to Salads and Soups (Hillbilly Housewife Cookbooks) [Kindle Edition]

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