Hello everyone. I am sorry I have been quite. I had my left shoulder replacement on July 16 and it has been a rough month. Physical therapy 3 x a week, and I am just tired. I have been cooking very little. But I am getting better and fall is coming. Lots of new recipes and the holidays are coming soon! Lots of good food and THRIFTY recipes coming your way. Have a blessed day!

Be honest, I won't judge! What's the hardest part of dinner at your house right now? Figuring out WHAT to cook? Grocery prices? No time or energy? Picky eaters? Cooking just for one or two? If it's something else, tell me in the comments. This helps me plan what to share next!

Why pizza? It's universally loved, it's flexible, it's cheap to make, and it makes lots of left-overs. Think about it - Ordering a pizza usually costs around $30 these days. Why spend that on one pizza when you could spend that on ingredients and make 10-20 pizzas at home, and take pride in knowing you did it yourself? Especially as a father, it doubles as a lesson to show and include my child. INGREDIENTS/SHOPPING LIST: (Based on California prices) - All-purpose flour (recommend 10 pound bag; won't use it all at once, but smarter to buy in bulk) Roughly costs $10-$15 (or a deal on Amazon for 3 5-pound bags for $15) - Tomato sauce or puree (8oz-12oz can), usually $3-$5 - Active dry yeast, usually $2-$3 - Granulated sugar (again, recommend buying in bulk), roughly $5 - Salt and pepper (ranges in price; as low as $3 for a small pack, or grinders and bulk pack for around $20-$30 but last around 3-6 months) - Italian seasoning (large 6oz container lasts a while), roughly $3-$5 at Chef Stores - Olive oil (32 fluid ounce bottles are usually $10 at Trader Joe's - pouring spout is a bonus) - Onion and Garlic powders (optional, usually $2-$5 each) - Honey - (optional) Varies. I use Montana Sweet Clover honey from Chicohoneyco.com, starts around $12 - Truffle oil - (Optional). Can buy various sizes off Amazon for around $10-$30 - Toppings (Aside from cheese, all optional): - Shredded mozzarella cheese (or other blend, family size), roughly $8-$10 - Pepperoni - Store brand is usually cheaper and just as good, and I recommend turkey pepperoni (roughly $5-$10 per bag) - Mushrooms - Portabella or White Button (roughly $5 per pack). Better to buy whole and slice yourself, roughly $3-$5 - Sliced olives - Roughly $3 per can RECIPE (Imperial units): YEAST MIX - Water - 2 cups - Yeast (active dry) - 2 tablespoons - Sugar - 1 teaspoon These are to make the yeast, which you'll add to the flour mixture. Heat the water to between 90F-110F (have a thermometer handy, such as an analog bi-metallic stem thermometer with adjustable wing nut, and be sure it's calibrated). While hot/cooling down, add the sugar and stir well.

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all the kind thoughts while I recovered from my shoulder surgery. I'm feeling stronger every week, and I am SO ready to cook again. Fall is my favorite season for thrifty meals: soups, roasts, big pots of comfort food that stretch a dollar. I want to hear from you first. What's one meal your family asks for every fall? Tell me in the comments. I'll be picking some to make together this month!

I have my raised bed garden set up but the rabbits ate my basil and 1/2 my tomatoes 🍅 I went to farmers market and replaced them. I’ll get them planted today. Gardening for me is therapeutic. It also saves $. I picked up a container of tomatoes at farmers market and it was $6 😳. I plant my tomatoes with basil and marigolds. This time I will sprinkle cayenne around my bed and it will keep rabbits and other critters away. We were given a flat of pepper plants. So those will find a home too. What are you planting in your garden?