Cooking

Ask the Readers: How Often Do You Cook At Home?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:30:15 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Sara, John, and Kara for winning this week's contest!

Cooking at home is a great way to spend less on meals, and preparing a meal together can be a great experience to share with your family, too.

How often do you cook at home? What are your tips for an efficient kitchen? What do you love about cooking?

Tell us how often you cook at home and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Good Luck!

Tell us how often you cook at home and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Celebrate a Raise Without Spending It All

Rachel Slifka — Wed, 02 May 2018 08:30:15 +0000

You received a raise at work or landed a big client — now it's time to celebrate!

While you may feel like you're on cloud nine after a big boost to your income, going ahead and blowing that raise on a celebratory vacation, car, or gizmo might not be the wisest financial move. Instead, find frugal ways to mark the occasion. Here are a few ways you can celebrate making more money without actually spending your hard-earned raise. (See also: 8 Money Moves to Make the Moment You Get a Promotion)

1. Plan a staycation

Instead of planning a big trip away, why not treat yourself to some time off at home?

After working hard for that increase in pay, you're likely in desperate need of some rest and relaxation. Instead of paying big bucks for a fancy vacation, celebrate and relax at home for little to no cost.

Go out and enjoy free or cheap attractions in your hometown. Go on a hike, spend a day at the beach, and grab your favorite local treat. Most importantly, set aside time for yourself to just unwind and chill out. You deserve it! (See also: Treat Yourself With These 7 Free Self-Care Routines)

2. Cook a celebratory dinner

A celebratory night on the town might be nice, but it can get expensive quickly. Instead, treat yourself to a nice meal at home.

Find a new recipe you've been dying to try, use up some spices in your cupboard, and throw in a nice dessert, too. If you really want to get fancy, buy yourself a cheap bottle of Champagne to commemorate the occasion.

3. Increase your retirement contributions

Want to give your future self a gift? Put that new increase in pay toward your retirement savings.

It might not be the most glamorous way to celebrate, but investing that money now will provide you with one less thing to worry about in the future. You can kick back and celebrate knowing that you are one step closer to being prepared for retirement.

4. Meet your savings goal

Are you saving for a new house, car, vacation, or something else? Put the increase in income toward your savings goal and use that as a means of celebration.

Splurges like trips and expensive household items aren't always a bad thing. But don't fall into the trap of thinking you can spend outside of your budget just because you are now earning more. It's always better to take a conservative approach with your money. Instead of immediately spending the extra money you are now earning, try saving it until you have enough to pay for your purchase in cash. (See also: How One Nice Thing Can Ruin Your Whole Budget)

5. Throw a potluck

What better way to celebrate a newfound raise than to spend time with family and friends?

Host a potluck or barbecue at home and ask guests to bring a dish to pass and something to drink. They will all be thrilled for you and you won't be out much cash, if any.

6. Pay off debt

Want to use your raise to get ahead? Do yourself a financial favor and pay off any debt you may have.

Debt typically comes with relatively high interest rates. The longer you have it, the more money you will pay. Now that your income has increased, use the difference to put toward debt repayment. Not only will you pay off what you owe faster, but you'll save yourself hundreds, if not thousands, in long-term interest. Plus, you can eliminate one more bill in your monthly budget. (See also: The Fastest Method to Eliminate Credit Card Debt)

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This article is from Rachel Slifka of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Podcasts for Foodies

Christa Avampato — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 09:00:06 +0000

You love food. You love podcasts. You're not alone! The interwebs are now chock-full of podcasts for hungry listeners. While this list is by no means definitive, these are seven of my go-to podcasts when I need some inspiration in the kitchen. (See also: 12 Cool Jobs for Foodies)

1. The Slow Melt

This chocolaty podcast is for those of us who are continuously fascinated by the versatility of chocolate and our special relationship with the magical ingredient. The Slow Melt is expertly written and hosted by Simran Sethi, a journalist and former visiting scholar at the University of West Indies' Cocoa Research Centre. (Who knew there was such a wonderland?!) Simran is the author of Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love, named one of the best food books of 2016 by Smithsonian.

2. Gastropod

Like your podcasts served with healthy sides of science and history? So do I, and Gastropod delivers exactly that. From the back story of Fluff to the transformation of school lunches, this podcast will leave you with a higher food IQ and greater appreciation of the ever-expanding food landscape after each episode.

3. Go Fork Yourself

Who doesn't love a good food pun? I'm trying to fit as many of them as possible into this story! Don't let the title of this podcast fool you. The hosts of Go Fork Yourself mean business when it comes to food. Andrew Zimmern and Molly Mogren contribute their seemingly endless plates of knowledge on the topics of international food. And they spice things up with interviews with famous chefs and travel experts from diverse backgrounds. (See also: 10 New Podcasts That'll Improve Your Money Mindset)

4. Add Passion and Stir: Big Passion ... Big Ideas

People who are dedicated to food are often just as dedicated to social justice issues such as food equity. Add Passion and Stir is the weekly podcast about people who are changing the world. Each week, Share Our Strength's founder and chairman Billy Shore has a conversation with a guest from the culinary world and an industry thought leader. Together, they craft a thought-provoking discussion about food and its impact on society. Central to our health, environment, educational achievement, sustainability, and overall quality of life, they never run out of unique food-based story ideas.

5. A Taste of the Past

William Faulkner said, "The past isn't dead. It isn't even past." Recipes of the past are rich in history, giving us a sensory-based time machine that conveys what it was like to live in an earlier time. Host of A Taste of the Past, Linda Pelaccio, is a real deal food historian and she's got a mountain of knowledge to share with listeners. Hear her and her guests opine on topics such as the role of tea in shaping the modern world, the alchemy of vinegar, and the fierce baking powder wars.

6. Cooking Issues

If innovative ingredients, techniques, and gadgets is your thing, hosts of Cooking Issues, Dave Arnold and Nastassia Lopez are your guides. From pimping out your oven to making gourmet pizza at home to the virtues of liquid nitrogen, Dave and Nastassia have you covered.

7. Gravy

There are a few things that evoke more passion in people than food. It's primal to our identity and our survival. Nowhere is this more true than the American South. Gravy is a production from the Southern Foodways Alliance. The Alliance is based at the University of Mississippi's Center for the Study of Southern Culture, and it documents, studies, and explores the diverse food cultures of the constantly changing American South, while also paying tribute to its deep and diverse cultural roots. Its episodes are produced in the spirit of respect and reconciliation. Examine your favorite southern foods through cultural, historical, and social lenses.

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This article is from Christa Avampato of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Cookbooks for Beginners

Andrea Cannon — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 08:00:08 +0000

Cooking at home can help you save money and eat healthier, so finding the right cookbook to guide you in the kitchen can be invaluable. Whether you’re just learning to cook for yourself or are looking for the perfect gift for someone else, the cookbooks listed below will suit your needs.

What is a cookbook for beginners?

Cookbooks for beginners provide both easy standby recipes and the essential techniques you’ll need to be successful in the kitchen. Whether you are completely clueless in the kitchen, or only have the basics to get by, an uncomplicated beginner’s cookbook will get you started.

Top 5 cookbooks for beginners

Joy of Cooking

The best-selling Joy of Cooking has been one of the most commonly purchased and gifted cookbooks since its publication in 1931. It has taught tens of millions of people to cook. The revised 75th Anniversary edition of The New York Times best-seller includes a total of 4,500 recipes, including both the classic beloved recipes along with hundreds of new recipes to keep up with the modern cooking. It also covers techniques like knife skills, different cooking methods, setting a table, and finding ways to save time in the kitchen. The all-purpose cookbook also has extensive reference materials and helpful illustrations.

This is the only cookbook named one of the most influential books of the 20th century by The New York Public Library. The James Beard Foundation also included it on their 20 Essential Cookbooks List. Even Julia Child called it “a fundamental resource for any American cook.” It has over 49,100 five-star reviews on Goodreads and more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It is recommended by Publishers Weekly, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Lifehacker, and The Muse.

Currently $20.55 on Amazon

How to Cook Everything

How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food, 10th Anniversary Edition is part cookbook and part reference guide. It provides basic recipes and techniques for just about everything, using easy-to-follow sentences and straightforward instructions and advice. It also offers helpful lists and charts, illustrations, expert advice, and variations to keep the 2,000+ simple recipes modern and exciting. In fact, nearly half the material is new in this revised edition, so you won’t get bored of the recipes.

Mark Bittman is one of the best-known food writers in the country. He also writes for The New York Times’ Opinion section and is regularly featured on Today Show cooking segments. The award-winning cookbook has over 23,400 five-star reviews on Goodreads and nearly 1,500 five-star reviews on Amazon. It is recommended by The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Lifehacker, Serious Eats, and The Muse. Even celebrity chefs like Mario Batali and Bobby Flay recommend this long-standing favorite. Celebrities like Al Roker, Lisa Loeb, and Isaac Mizrahi are also notable fans.

Currently $20.30 on Amazon

Better Homes and Gardens: New Cook Book, 16th Edition

The best-selling Better Homes and Gardens: New Cook Book, 16th Edition is a classic cookbook that covers everything. The newly updated and expanded edition offers a redesigned cover, more than 1,200 recipes, 1,000 color photos, and tips to help you master basic techniques like canning and setting up a kitchen. All recipes were also reviewed and revised for the modern kitchen. There are also icons throughout the book to highlight fast, low-calorie, and best-loved recipes.

This has served as a trusted go-to cookbook since 1930. It is recommended by Huffington Post, Lifehacker, and The Kitchn. It has over 43,400 five-star reviews on Goodreads and nearly 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $23.98 on Amazon

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust comes from the beloved Food Network star and #1 New York Times best-selling author, Ina Garten. The recipes are easy to follow and prepare, but are still sure to impress. The book also covers skills like planning a menu and making recipes in advance. There are 150 color photographs and helpful tips throughout the book to assist in the event that things go awry with the recipe.

This is recommended by The Washington Post and The Muse. It has over 2,400 five-star reviews on Goodreads and over 900 five-star reviews on Amazon. Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again is another favorite with beginners.

Currently $19.11 on Amazon

The Science of Good Cooking

The Science of Good Cooking: Master 50 Simple Concepts to Enjoy a Lifetime of Success in the Kitchen comes from the editors of Cook's Illustrated. The new volume covers 50 core principles and offers 400 simple recipes that apply those principles in order to better teach fundamental kitchen skills. The recipes have been tested, written, and edited by the experts at America’s Test Kitchen. The frequently recommended cookbook has nearly 1,100 five-star reviews on Goodreads and over 800 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $26.34 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best cookbooks for beginners. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Great Summertime Grilling for Any Budget

Dr Penny Pincher — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:00:10 +0000

Grilling at home is a beloved summer activity but it can get really expensive, depending on what you buy and how often you grill it. In addition to the cost of food, you also have to pay for fuel to run the grill. A gas grill is cheaper to run than a charcoal grill, at about $1 per grilling session versus about $3 for a charcoal grill. But buying a gas grill is more expensive up front than a charcoal grill, depending on which grill you choose. I switched to a gas grill years ago, and the higher cost of the gas grill has been offset by the lower cost of operation over the years. (See also: 10 Reasons You Should Be Grilling on Gas)

I investigated prices for items to grill at my local grocery store and found several items you can grill for $1 or less per four-ounce serving, or $4 per pound. Chicken and vegetables are the big winners for the cheapest things to grill. Watch out for steaks and fish, as these pricier items can run over $5 per four-ounce serving. Using my account at my grocery store, Hy-Vee Aisles Online, I was able to gather these prices per serving. Prices in your area may vary somewhat, but these 24 items are sure to be among the cheapest things you can make on the grill.

1. Bananas

You can throw bananas right on the grill for a very cheap grilled dessert. Add flavors such as vanilla or cinnamon for a novel treat.

Cost: 15 cents per serving.

2. Chicken drumsticks

Add barbecue sauce or Sriracha sauce to chicken drumsticks before grilling for some flavorful grilled protein.

Cost: 24 cents per serving.

3. Chicken thighs

Not everyone likes chicken drumsticks, so grill some cheap chicken thighs, too.

Cost: 25 cents per serving.

4. Pineapple

Once McDonald's tried to sell a hamburger with a grilled slice of pineapple instead of meat. It didn’t catch on at McDonald's, but grilled pineapple is a cheap side dish, or you can throw it on a bun with condiments for a great vegetarian option.

Cost: 26 cents per serving.

5. Hot dogs (store or cheap brand)

Hot dogs are one of the cheapest meats you can grill, especially if you go for the cheapest brand.

Cost: 35 cents per serving.

6. Onions

Throw some sliced onions on a sheet of aluminum foil with some butter, and you’ll have a grilled treat to put on top of hamburgers or to serve as a side dish.

Cost: 44 cents per serving.

7. Zucchini

There is no reason not to grill some vegetables along with your meat. Wrap some sliced zucchini in foil with a pat of butter for some easy grilled veggies.

Cost: 50 cents per serving.

8. Eggplant

Slice up an eggplant, spray it with cooking oil, and grill it up for a side dish or even to put on a bun and eat as a veggie alternative to a hamburger.

Cost: 50 cents per serving.

9. Corn on the cob

With a little prep, you can grill a couple ears of sweet corn for well under $1 and avoid running the microwave on a hot day.

Cost: 67 cents per serving.

10. Chicken breasts (boneless/skinless)

Serve grilled chicken breasts on a bun, or on their own as a main course for well under $1 per serving.

Cost: 75 cents per serving.

11. Ground beef

You can sometimes find special offers on cheap ground beef, so stock up and put it in your freezer for cheap grilling all summer long.

Cost: 75 cents per serving.

12. Jalapeño peppers

Add some spice to your meals by grilling some fresh jalapeño peppers. Spray them with cooking oil and put them right on the grill or set them on a sheet of aluminum foil. Add some cheese in the middle of each pepper before grilling to make your own jalapeño poppers.

Cost: 75 cents per serving.

13. Pork loin

Grilled pork tastes great and is typically cheaper than most cuts of beef.

Cost: 83 cents per serving.

14. Pork loin butterfly chop

This is another cheap alternative to more expensive steaks.

Cost: 83 cents per serving.

15. Hamburger (fresh, 80% lean)

You can upgrade to fresh ground hamburger for a few cents more per serving, which can be worth it for the extra flavor.

Cost: 83 cents per serving.

16. Beef ribs

I picked up a cheap pack of boneless beef ribs and it was one of the best things I have grilled so far this year.

Cost: 87 cents per serving.

17. Frozen pizza

You can actually cook a pizza on your grill. This can be a great alternative to firing up your oven inside on a hot day. A grilled cheese pizza or veggie pizza is a nice option at your cookout for people who are not carnivores.

Cost: 93 cents per serving.

18. Ground chuck (steak burger)

Ground steak makes for delicious hamburgers, and even though it seems like it would be a pricey meat option, you can try ground chuck steak without going over $1 per serving.

Cost: $1.00 per serving.

19. Pork top loin chops

Pork typically costs less than beef, making it ideal for cheap grilling. A pork top loin chop is a boneless cut from the loin, which is lean and tender meat.

Cost: $1.00 per serving.

20. Pork loin rib-eye chop

Pork loin rib-eyes are a boneless pork chop cut from the rib area of the pork loin.

Cost: $1.00 per serving.

21. Pork loin porterhouse chop

A pork loin porterhouse chop usually has a "T" shaped bone in the cut and includes a section of loin on one side and tenderloin on the other.

Cost: $1.00 per serving.

22. Asparagus

Asparagus is an easy vegetable to grill and adds some class to any grilled meal.

Cost: $1.00 per serving.

23. Ground Turkey

The ground turkey was a bit higher than $1 per serving at my grocery store on the day I checked prices, but with a bit of digging I am sure ground turkey can be found for less than $4 per pound to bring it into the realm of cheap grilling.

Cost: $1.05 per serving.

24. Bratwurst

Bratwurst was also a bit higher than $1 per 4 oz serving at my local store, but this price was for some fresh bratwurst in a variety of flavors. With some power shopping, cheaper bratwurst can be had and enjoyed for less than $1 per serving.

Cost: $1.07 per serving.

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This article is from Dr Penny Pincher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Save Time and Money With These 15 Delicious Sheet Pan Meals

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 11:00:11 +0000

Feel like you're constantly stuck in a dinner rut? Don't turn into the drive-thru lane again for a quick dinner solution. Instead, use sheet pan meals to cook a delicious dinner, all in one pan.

The best part about sheet pan meals is that there are endless options. Below are 15 recipes, but feel free to tweak them to your desire. These meals are practically foolproof. (See also: 10 One Pot Meals That Will Transform Dinner)

1. Ultimate Chicken Nachos

Nachos can't really be dinner, can they? You bet they can, and your family will love you for it. Spread an overlapping layer of chips on your metal sheet pan, then top with grated cheese, cooked chicken pieces, diced tomatoes, corn kernels, and canned pinto or black beans. You can even add sliced jalapeños if you'd like.

Bake at 400º for 10 to 15 minutes. Immediately sprinkle chopped cilantro on the finished chips. Top with your favorite wet ingredients (sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc.) and enjoy!

2. Ratatouille

You won't miss the meat in this dish. Use a mandolin or vegetable slicer to save time. Cut Yukon potatoes, zucchinis, yellow squash, and eggplant into small coin shapes. Next, open a can of tomato puree and add a thin layer on your sheet pan. Season with salt, then arrange the sliced vegetables in an overlapping fashion. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Bake the ratatouille for 35 minutes in a 375º oven. Sprinkle with goat cheese and serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.

3. Lemon Garlic Salmon and Green Beans

Baking salmon on top of green beans, or a vegetable with a similar cooking time, makes for a yummy, heart-healthy meal.

Layer the green beans on a nonstick sheet pan. In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of olive oil, the juice of two lemons, a dash of salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Dip the salmon fillets in the oil mixture and then lay them skin side up on the green beans.

Broil on high for eight to 10 minutes. Make sure the oven is fully hot before sticking your fish in, and check the fish at the eight-minute mark. It should flake easily with a fork.

4. Cilantro Lime Chicken Fajitas

Cut raw chicken breasts, onions, and bell peppers into strips. In a bag or bowl, mix ½ cup of oil, ¼ cup lime juice, finely chopped cilantro, and a packet of taco seasoning. Add the chicken, onion, and bell pepper mixture and coat evenly. Transfer chicken, onion, and bell pepper mixture to a nonstick pan and discard any of the remaining oil mixture.

Bake for 25 minutes in a 400º oven. Wrap your tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven at the 17-minute mark, so they have eight minutes to warm alongside the fajitas. Serve with cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.

5. Whole Chicken With Potatoes and Carrots

Whole chickens are very affordable and can feed your family for more than one meal. Use the leftover bones to make a rich broth.

Dice your carrots and potatoes into thick chunks. These veggies are going to be in the oven for a while, so make sure you don't slice them too thin and overcook them. Make an herb butter by combining room temperature butter with a dash of salt, pepper, minced garlic, and either fresh or dried oregano and rosemary. Cover the chicken with this mixture and stick an apple cut in half in the cavity.

Bake for 75 minutes in a 350º oven. Chicken will be done when the juices run clear.

6. Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes

This tasty ranch pork chops combination from Jo Cooks is a fantastic dinner option.. All you need is ranch seasoning, baby potatoes, and pork chops (either boneless or bone-in), and a few pantry staples to create this easy dish. After 40 minutes, you will have moist pork chops and tender potatoes.

7. Teriyaki Chicken With Vegetables

Forget Chinese takeout. You can make your own with this teriyaki chicken with vegetable recipe. This sheet meal takes a few extra steps on the stove, but is totally worth it, and it will still save you time in your dinner rush.

8. Chicken Parmesan

For an easy chicken parm, simply bread your chicken breast, and cover with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. The thinner the chicken cutlet, the faster it will cook.

9. Eggplant Parmesan

Make this classic dish in less time by slicing the eggplant and topping each slice with tomato sauce and cheese. To avoid a soggy eggplant, let your sliced pieces dry out a little bit first.

10. Skinny Chicken Taco Fries

A plate of fries piled high with cheese and other goodness is a dream come true. However, this type of food can also pack on the pounds. These skinny chicken taco fries use sweet potatoes instead for a healthier touch.

11. Baked Apple Pork Chops and Green Beans

The combination of pork chops and baked apples is a winning one. Top pork chops with sliced apples and cook on one pan alongside green beans.

12. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

Wrapping small chicken breasts with bacon keeps them moist while baking. This recipe pairs wrapped bacon with zucchini, but you can also stuff your chicken with cream cheese for a yummy alternative.

13. Shrimp and Polenta

This shrimp and polenta dish comes together in about 30 minutes, but it looks fancy enough for guests.

14. Sheet Pan Steak and Veggies

Nailing the perfect steak when you are crunched on time is made possible with this roasted steak and vegetable recipe.

15. Asian Stir Fry

This sheet pan chicken stir fry is easy to change up with tofu or steak. It takes only 15 minutes to ensemble and another 20 minutes to cook.

Need more sheet pan meal ideas? Check out Sheet Pan Suppers: 120 Recipes for Simple, Surprising, Hands-Off Meals Straight from the Oven. This book breaks down the science of cooking food together on one pan, and has gorgeous photography.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Prevent the Winter Blues from Busting Your Budget

Ashley Marcin — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 10:00:09 +0000

Do you start feeling a bit funky once the cold weather hits? For some, seasonal change can trigger depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. With SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and can continue throughout the winter months. You might feel more tired or moody than usual. You may gain weight, oversleep, or have a heavy feeling in your arms and legs.

Though doctors don't know exactly what causes SAD, it might have something to do with a decrease in sunlight. Less sun can affect anything from your circadian rhythm to your serotonin and melatonin levels. The result? You don't feel yourself. And you may not maintain your usual habits in other areas of your life, like spending.

Here's how to keep SAD from sabotaging your budget this winter — as well as some things you can do to help yourself get out of a funk on the cheap. (See also: 13 Creative Ways to Stop Spending Money)

1. Unlink Payment Methods

While you might not randomly head out to the store at midnight, online shops are always open. You may have even linked your credit cards or PayPal account to your favorite store. Consider unlinking your payment methods so you'll need to pause for a moment before pushing the buy button. In the time it takes you to find your wallet, you may have second thoughts about your purchase.

2. Practice Self-Care

Instead of rushing to retail therapy to soothe yourself, consider spending time versus money. Practice self-care by doing things to ease your sadness. Take a warm bath, go for a walk, or visit YouTube to find a new yoga video. If you're having trouble thinking of what might make you feel better, try drafting up a list you can consult when you're feeling low. (See also: 7 Online Workout Stations for Free or Cheap)

3. Enjoy Free Stuff

You may also want to make a list of all the free and fun things going on in your area. Being around people is important for people who have SAD, and it can help boost your mood. Check local calendars for events that look interesting to you. Instead of buying new books or music, check them out from your library.

And when you want to spend, try consulting with the Calendar of Annual Free Stuff before heading out. There are many events throughout the year where you can score free food and more, allowing you to indulge without the financial guilt.

4. Cook Ahead

If you find you're spending tons of money on takeout or restaurant meals, plan ahead. You can make meals without much effort by using a Crock-Pot. Here are 25 easy recipes to get you started. And if you're really stuck on what you should consume, here's a frugal meal plan for every single day this month. Eating a healthy diet may even help with your SAD symptoms. (See also: How to Eat on $20 a Week (With Meal Plans))

5. Reach Out

In the study on sadness and shopping, the researchers did discover an important link. The people who were sad were also more self-focused, which ultimately led to more spending. Thinking of others may help break the cycle. Instead of driving yourself to the mall when you're feeling down, you might call a friend to chat or meet up.

Easy Ways to Combat SAD

There are some things you can do at home to help ease your SAD symptoms. Of course, if you have concerns about your mood or health, it's always a good idea to make an appointment with your primary care physician.

Open Your Curtains

No, really. Do anything and everything you can to get more sunlight into your life. This may mean that you'll want to contact a landscaper to trim branches or bushes that are blocking light from getting into your home. Consider moving furniture, like your desk or reading chair, next to windows in your home or office.

Venture Outdoors

The weather may be frightful, but a quick walk around the block might make your day a bit more delightful. Getting in as much sun as possible can help lift your spirits. You'll be able to catch some rays even on cloudy days. Try to get outside within two hours of waking for the best results.

Exercise Daily

Moving your body is good no matter what, but for people with SAD, it's particularly important. Working out relieves stress and anxiety. These things can exacerbate SAD symptoms. Bonus points if you can exercise in the sunlight while getting in some fresh air.

Spend Money

On the right stuff, that is. There are a few products that can help with SAD. Look into buying a portable light box that is made to emulate the sun. A light box works by stimulating all your eye's photoreceptors. Some people even choose to take certain supplements to ease their symptoms, including St. John's wort, SAMe, melatonin, and omega-3 fatty acids. Always consult with your doctor before starting any supplements.

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12 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Save You Money

Carrie Kirby — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 10:31:36 +0000

So many people purchased Instant Pot electric pressure cookers on Black Friday that Amazon warehouse pickers are sick of the sight of them.

The sale was an especially good deal when you realize the many ways this versatile tool can help you save money. The countertop device is advertised as a seven-in-one tool because, besides pressure cooking, it also serves as a slow cooker, a rice maker, a yogurt maker, a steamer, and a warmer.

I’m one of the folks who bought an Instant Pot on sale, and I’m quickly learning how to make it pay for itself by helping me create frugal meals and avoid food waste. Many of these recipes could be made in any pressure cooker, but one thing I appreciate about the Instant Pot is that you can brown or saute items in it as well, making for fewer pans to wash after dinner.

1. Eat a Homemade Breakfast on the Way to Work

Cooking up portable breakfasts in advance is all well and good for the type of people who plan ahead, but what about the rest of us? With the Instant Pot, your breakfast can cook while you shower, and be ready by the time you head out the door.

The first recipe many new Instant Pot owners try is hard boiled eggs. This takes less than 15 minutes from fridge to cool, easily-peelable eggs, and you don’t have to worry about disasters like forgotten egg explosions.

2. No Soup Line for You

At $3 to $5, a paper cylinder of hot soup from the deli can be an easy lunch solution. But an Instant Pot and a Thermos or microwave can set you up almost as easily, for a far lower cost per serving.

Do you spend 30 minutes walking from your desk to the deli, standing in line, and then returning with your soup? Because that’s all this hearty minestrone takes to make, including prep time. And during that time, you can make enough for the whole week’s lunches.

3. Drive Past the Drive Through

You know the kind of night I’m talking about: You got stopped on your way out the door by a coworker with a question and missed your train. Your kids have practices in three different places. This would have been a great night to eat something out of the freezer, if only you had thought to defrost anything. Dinner is likely to come in a paper bag with fries.

But wait! The blog Once a Month Meals has a whole section on how to defrost and heat frozen meals in your IP, like this honey bourbon chicken that you can put in the pot frozen solid, set for 25 minutes, leave to drop off your kids, then leave on the “warm” setting all evening as people come in and out to eat.

4. Break the Rotisserie Cycle

A rotisserie chicken can be a godsend to a busy family, but there is a less expensive way. You can throw a fresh or frozen whole chicken into your IP and sit down to a chicken dinner within an hour. No basting, and no worries about leaving the oven on if you need to leave the house. (For safety, though, stick around during the period when the IP is getting up to pressure.)

5. Use Dried Beans Instead of Canned

Dried beans are consistently one of the most frugal healthy foods in the grocery store, but canned beans are so much faster that many of us ignore the bags of dried. The IP can fix that. If you’ve soaked the beans overnight, you can put the uncooked beans right into this chicken and black bean chili recipe and eat it within an hour. If you didn’t soak, you can spend about half an hour prepping the beans in the IP before you start the chili recipe. Soaking isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes the beans more tender.

6. Make Indian Fakeout

Kori Lusignan, who blogs at Misery Loves Cookery, created this dal recipe for her Instant Pot, giving her family a quick and cheap way to satisfy their jonesing for Indian food. Pair it with this chicken korma and rice, both of which you can also make in the IP. How to make multiple dishes for one meal in one appliance? Some folks buy extra inserts, so they can take the first dish out when done and start the next without having to wash up.

7. Use Up Vegetables That Would Otherwise Go Bad

If you receive a regular farm share box of produce each week like I do, it can be daunting to use everything before it starts to wilt. One way my Instant Pot has helped me with this: After I cook a meal, before washing the pot, I’ll throw together another meal with similar flavors, using whatever vegetables I have on hand, and let it cook while I clean the kitchen and put my kids to bed. By my bedtime, I have a pot of food for the refrigerator or that I can pull out to serve tomorrow night, or eat for lunch. I can even refrigerate and reheat it right in the Instant Pot’s liner pan.

Since I currently have some broccoli and carrots to use up, I’m going to try making pressure cooker broccoli risotto after dinner tonight. If you get vegetables that seem daunting to cook conventionally, like artichokes, the Instant Pot might be the ticket to avoiding procrastination that ends in the garbage bin.

8. Make Stock

A great way to keep old vegetables, meat, bones, and even vegetable peelings from going to waste is to throw them in a stock pot. But stovetop stocks require you to be home for hours, occasionally stirring the pot. With an Instant Pot, you can make delicious stock in one hour. It's so easy, Instant Pot enthusiasts quickly run out of leftovers, which is probably why a member of the IP Facebook community recently posted a photo of a bag of chicken feet she was about to turn into broth.

9. Reduce the Chinese Takeout Bill

Some Chinese restaurants don’t charge for rice, but others do. If you like brown rice like we do at my house, that can cost even more. But remember: Your Instant Pot is a rice cooker, too. Start your own white or brown rice in the cooker when you order your takeout, and you should have perfect rice by the time the doorbell rings.

10. Give Leftovers New Life

Just straight-up reheating a meal in the Instant Pot can be easier than doing it in the microwave, where you often have to open the door to stir and sometimes have the whole thing overflow and make a mess. You can even put glass or ceramic dishes into the IP to heat up multiple items at once. You can use the steam, saute, or even slow cook functions to reheat, depending on the food.

But maybe your family, like mine, balks at eating the same dish two days in a row. Or maybe you have only a few ounces of meat left from your pot roast and are wondering what to do with it. This Instant Pot rice pilaf is an example of how you can take yesterday’s food, mix it with something new — in this case, rice — hit a button, and have a flavorful new meal in minutes. The pressure cooker’s way of infusing flavors throughout the whole dish makes this more successful than other attempts to refresh leftovers.

11. Make Your Own Yogurt

Yogurt can be a healthy snack for kids and adults alike, but commercial yogurts can be both expensive and over-sugared. The Instant Pot can turn milk plus a little starter into yogurt overnight, and you can even make it in individual jars so it’s somewhat portable. (As long as the person carrying it is old enough to responsibly handle glass.)

As with many things, the amount of money you can save by making your own yogurt increases as you move up the quality chain. You might score portable cups of store-brand yogurt on sale for 30 cents each, which would be tough to beat in your own kitchen. But if you enjoy premium, organic Greek yogurts, or if you want to customize your yogurt, homemade can pay off. For instance, one gallon of milk can make the equivalent of four 32 oz. containers of yogurt. If you pay $6 for a gallon of organic milk, that’s like paying $1.50 per container of yogurt, while the same amount of organic yogurt might run for $6 at the grocery store.

12. Make Special Diets More Affordable

If you’ve gone paleo or vegan, and are also busy, you could spend a fortune on specially prepared foods. Or, you could use your Instant Pot to make the specialized foods at home.

The paleo recipes for Instant Pot on the Internet are so bountiful that I have used some of them myself, even though there is not a paleo bone in my body. I loved this sweet potato mash from PaleoPot because you don’t have to dice anything — you can throw in whole or sliced sweet potatoes and go. And hello, bone broth? The blog Stupid Easy Paleo recommends simmering bones on the stove top for up to 48 hours — or in the Instant Pot for two hours. If you were making bone broth every week as the author does, which would you choose?

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Things You'll Waste Money on This Thanksgiving

Marla Walters — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 10:30:29 +0000

Serving a Thanksgiving feast on a budget is like performing a magic trick. It takes a lot of money to buy the large quantities of food to fill the bellies of all your Turkey Day guests. But it helps to know what people usually end up wasting money on, before forming your feast menu. If you're the host, here are 10 ways to stay on track and not blow your Thanksgiving grocery budget.

1. Buying Expensive Centerpieces

Have you priced formal floral Thanksgiving centerpieces, lately? Your basic cornucopia number runs around $50. Ouch! No need to engage a florist. Try your own hand at tablescaping. Here are simple, beautiful ideas using items you may already own, or that are easily found outdoors.

2. Serving Food Nobody Really Likes

Yes, Aunt Peggy's wiggly molded red jello may be traditional, but does anyone really like it? Take a hard look at your menu. It may be time ax the dishes you think you ought to make in favor of ones that people actually enjoy. Why waste time, money, and energy on food that is going to sit in the fridge for weeks?

3. Making Too Much Food

One of my grandmothers always worried about not having everyone's favorites, so she made it all. We really did not need both a turkey and a ham, or sweet potatoes fixed two ways. Even when everyone took leftovers home, her refrigerator was still difficult to close. Learn from my grandma: Stop overspending and also cut back on your food waste.

4. Only Buying Name Brands

Per pound, turkey is pretty inexpensive, unless you decide you need a pasture-raised one, which will cost you more. Big-box stores now offer organic products, too, so do your homework before you buy.

5. Not Asking for Help

One of the inevitable questions from your guests will be, "What can I bring?" Take them up on that! Hate peeling potatoes? Ask someone to bring the mashed potatoes. My mother couldn't make gravy without lumps, so she'd ask a friend to bring that. My daughter, who doesn't cook, can be depended upon to bring wine. There is nothing wrong with taking people up on their offers of help, and it will keep your costs down.

6. Serving Elaborate Hors d'Oeuvres

Spending loads of time on dinner? There's not much sense in your guests filling up on snacks ahead of time, and ruining their appetites. Instead of yet another hot appetizer that takes up space in the oven, try serving some inexpensive raw vegetables and spicy nuts that you can make ahead of time.

7. Using Fancy China

As someone who has multiple sets of china, I'm going to give you the straight scoop: I rarely use it. While I found the pretty flowers and silver bands on the rims just enchanting at age 20, now, I wish I had registered for a plain, good quality pattern. White, or off-white, is a lot more versatile, and a good quality plate is more useful than a highly decorative one.

8. Making Multiple Trips to the Store

Five years, ago, I found myself making a third trip to the supermarket when I realized I only had one type of cranberry sauce. What a waste of gas! How to avoid this? Make a list. Get out each and every recipe and make sure you either have the ingredient on hand, or that it is on your shopping list.

9. Creating Elaborate Place-Settings

I'm all for proper use of silverware, but you really don't need to go out and buy it all. It's no fun for my guests if they have anxiety about which fork to use first, or they don't know which bread plate is theirs. Here are some excellent photos and tips about which silverware to put where, ensuring that your guests don't stress.

10. Presenting Over-the-Top House Decor

Guests want to feel relaxed, welcomed, and comfortable. If you hang a wreath on your door, fine. But piles of pumpkins, huge hurricanes with candles, or hay bales at the front door are really unnecessary, and the cost adds up. What are you going to do with all this decor when Thanksgiving is over? Think ahead, and only buy the stuff you need and will use again.

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 63 Best Cooking Hacks for Busy People

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 10:00:11 +0000

Your to-do lists are never-ending. Your schedule is constantly a hectic mess. You rarely get a moment to just relax, and you're also expected to prepare healthy, balanced meals each night? Who has the time? Luckily, time is not a requirement to preparing a delicious meal. With these brilliant, timesaving cooking hacks, you can live your busy life, and eat well, too!

8 Money-Saving Hacks for Those Who Hate Cooking — The main reason you hate cooking is because it takes so much time and energy each night. But you can eat fresh and save money by preparing simple meals, cooking ahead of time, embracing convenient groceries, and more.

7 Surprising Cooking Hacks That Save Time — Your workday has ended and you have less than an hour to make dinner before your favorite TV show comes on. And with the right cooking tricks, in less than an hour you can make yourself a delicious meal, and eat it, with time to spare before the show comes on.

8 Quick Dinners for Lazy Cooks — Lazy or busy, elaborate meals are hard to justify every single day. But these quick and easy dinners are delicious, make great leftovers, and their ingredients are extremely budget-friendly. It's a win-win!

10 Tricks to Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While You Cook — One of the worst parts about cooking is the messy kitchen that follows. But if you use these cleaning tricks while you cook, the mess will be nonexistent by the time dinner is ready.

10 Cheap and Easy Meals That Make Even Better Leftovers — The meal that makes great leftovers is the gift that keeps on giving. You only need to cook a few of these meals per week since you can finish them the following day.

20 Tasty 5-Ingredient Recipes — If I see a recipe with several ingredients, I get intimidated and lose all my motivation to cook. But taste doesn't rely on the number of ingredients in a meal. You can easily create wonderful meals with only five ingredients. Give these a try!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Sous Vide Is the Fancy Cooking Technique That Saves You Money, Too

Ashley Eneriz — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:00:05 +0000

Sous vide is a fancy French term that means "under vacuum," but don't let this new word scare you. It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds. Sous vide is a method of cooking by sealing food in airtight plastic bags, and then placing it in a water bath or temperature-controlled steam environment for longer than normal cooking times. Not only does this make delicious food, but it can also save you a lot of money and time on groceries and meal prep.

How Sous Vide Can Save You Time and Money

Although sous vide equipment will cost some money upfront, this process can save you money and time in the long run. Here are just a few ways sous vide can save you money:

1. Reduced Waste From Cooking Mistakes

I don't know about you, but I am not a pro chef. Many dinners have gone to waste from the meat being too dry or overcooked. Cooking meats sous vide makes even the difficult cuts easy to prepare. As long as you know the temperature and cook time, your meat will never be over or undercooked. For example, for a medium-rare steak, you would simply set the device to 134°F. This would give you a juicy piece of steak without any dry edges or undercooked centers.

2. Reduced Energy Usage

Not only is a sous vide machine as easy to use as a microwave, it also takes less energy to cook your food. Once the device heats your water to the set degrees, very little energy is used to maintain the temperature.

3. Easy Bulk Cooking

You can sous vide multiple cuts of meat at a time and store them in the fridge or freezer for later use. This will allow you to cook for the entire week on the weekend, saving you money from impulse fast food buys.

4. Cheaper Cuts Taste Better

Since sous vide makes meats so much juicier, you can get away with buying the cheaper cuts. You can have an amazing steak dinner with a cheap flank steak.

While I gave a lot of examples of saving on meat cooking, sous vide can be used for a lot of different recipes. In fact, the method can help you make many gourmet-type dishes, such as hard to make custards and butter sauces.

How to Get Started With Sous Vide on a Budget

Sous vide enthusiasts can spend a few hundred dollars on higher end sous vide gadgets. Some enthusiasts argue that you need special containers or machines that circulate the water, but you can keep the process and costs simple and still enjoy sous vide dishes.

My husband found the ANOVA Culinary Bluetooth Precision Cooker when it was discounted on Amazon. This device clamps on to any pot or container and will heat the water and cook the meat at an even temperature. What is neat about this device is that you can program it through your phone, so you don't even need to be at home when you are cooking.

We started off with a stainless silver pot we already had, but were only able to cook two bags of meat at once. You can also use your Crock-Pot or other large container. Some people have even used ice coolers.

A 12-quart Rubbermaid container was less than $20 on Amazon, and proved a better solution since we bought a lid with it. My husband cut a hole in the lid for the sous vide machine to keep the water temperature more accurate and prevent evaporation on longer cooking sessions.

You can use regular gallon-sized zipper food storage bags, but we decided to go with something a little sturdier (and safer to use in heat). The FoodSaver Gallon-Sized Vacuum Bags can be reused if washed well. You don't have to buy the hand-held vacuum to seal the bags either. Simply zip the bag 98% and then dunk the bag in a pot of water. The pressure of the water will push the excess air out.

In total, we invested about $175 for the above items, which is a deal compared to how much other chefs and home cooks spend on their sous vide systems. However, Instructables has directions to make your own sous vide machine for under $40.

The way to get the most benefit from the device is to plan to use it regularly. We currently shop for discounted or clearance meat on the weekend from our local Vons, and then sous vide them and either stick the meat in the fridge or freezer, depending on the meal plan for the week.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Everybody Should Know How to Cook These Foods

Amy Lu — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 10:00:14 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on recipes that everyone should know how to cook, creative ways to decorate pumpkins without carving them, and how NOT to pick a bank.

8 Money-Saving Hacks for Those Who Hate Cooking

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 10:30:07 +0000

Cooking at home is one of the top ways to keep your budget in check. While cooking and eating at home is a wonderful idea, it is also a daunting one for those who hate to cook (and those who hate to clean up afterward). Worry no more. These hacks will save you money on eating out, while also saving you time and cleanup anxiety.

1. Befriend the Crock-Pot

Crock-Pots are popular with older generations of moms of multiple kids, but what about everyone else? Whether you are single, a family of two, or a family of many, a Crock-Pot can be the perfect timesaving tool. Use Crock-Pot liners, and you won't even have to scrub your cooking dish afterward.

Crock-Pot cooking doesn't have to be complicated or bland. Pinterest is full of recipes (and so is Wise Bread). Look for Crock-Pot dump ideas that you can assemble and freeze ahead of time. I regularly do this after I find meat on sale, and I am able to assemble 10 Crock-Pot dump meals in only 30 minutes.

One easy and tasty option to get you started is to combine boneless, skinless chicken thighs with one package of cream cheese and one jar (16 oz.) of your favorite salsa. Cook on low for three to four hours. Shred the chicken and stir, and you have creamy chicken ready to eat for tacos, pasta, or just on its own.

2. Cook Once, Eat Twice (or Thrice)

Making a lasagna is time consuming. It can take almost 30 minutes to make a pan. However, if you make two or three pans of lasagna, surprisingly the time effort is not multiplied. The extra lasagna can be frozen and used at a later date, for up to three to six months.

You can use this method for enchiladas, many casserole recipes, and more. This method doesn't have to be used just for main dishes. It can also be used for side dishes, such as rice and beans.

3. Embrace Convenient Groceries

There is no shame in buying frozen vegetables, canned beans, and pre-marinated meat. In fact, they make your job a lot easier. Buying items such as pre-chopped onions, microwaveable steamed vegetables, frozen brown rice, pre-made dough, and ready-to-cook meat costs more at the grocery store. However, paying a little more for the convenience will save you a lot more at the drive-thru window.

Make sure you are buying convenient groceries that are still healthy instead of processed, cheap food. For example, frozen brown rice where rice is the only ingredient is a better choice than purchasing Rice-a-Roni.

4. Simple Meals Are Best

Ditch the fancy recipes and cookbooks. Your meals don't need to take a lot of time or have a lot of ingredients. Think of your meal in terms of protein + carb + vegetable. With this simple recipe, you can have a healthy and filling dinner in five to 10 minutes.

5. Grill All Your Meat for the Week

My husband loves to grill, so I will take advantage of this by having him grill a week's worth of meat in one go. For him, this takes about 30–45 minutes. For me, it takes only a few minutes to season or pour a marinade over each meat. The meat can then be used in salads, soups, tacos, pizza, sandwiches, and more for the rest of the week.

6. Get Over the Leftover Mentality

I've heard so many people complain about eating leftovers, even to the point of avoiding them altogether. Eating leftovers doesn't mean you have to eat mushy casserole repeats each night. Instead, repurpose a meal into something new and simple. For example, if you eat chicken breasts one night for dinner, try taking the extra chicken and turn it into fajitas or barbecue chicken sandwiches. (See also: 11 Meals That Make Terrific Leftovers)

Many times getting over the ick factor of eating leftovers is just a mental game you need to conquer. The food still tastes good the next day. Even better, eating leftovers will save you money and time.

7. Don't Forget Other Helpful Kitchen Tools

The Crock-Pot gets a lot of praise in the kitchen, but don't forget to utilize a rice cooker, pressure cooker, and bread maker. A rice cooker that can cook rice and steam vegetables at the same time does all the work for you while you prepare the meat. Pressure cookers are a pricier investment, but they can make tender meat and meals in very little time. Finally, a bread maker, which is easy to find inexpensively second-hand, can be used to mix dough quickly for homemade pizza and rolls/biscuits (and of course bread).

8. Make Meal Prep Time Enjoyable

Whether you are cooking one meal or tackling freezer meals for the month, start off with an empty dishwasher. This will allow you to quickly clean as you go.

Make sure to have all of the items you need out and ready to use. Combine tasks to save time. For example, open all of the cans at once or chop all of your vegetables together.

Finally, listen to something fun. I love to listen to audiobooks while meal prepping, but you can also watch your favorite show on a laptop, listen to upbeat music, or watch YouTube videos.

In the end, cooking and eating at home will save you money over purchasing fast food frequently. Even if you hate cooking, you can still enjoy the cost-saving benefits of eating at home without spending too much time in front of the oven or washing dishes.

What are your favorite quick recipes to make when you don't feel like cooking?

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Ways to Salvage a Burnt Meal

Marla Walters — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 09:30:29 +0000

My husband likes to joke that his mother cooked by the "smoke alarm method." I laugh, but not too hard, because people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I have burned my share of meals — I'm also prone to burn some types of things more than others. It happens, but you may not have to waste food and money if you burn, or overcook, your food. Here are 10 ways to salvage your "Cajun-style" food.

1. Rice

Rice came in first on my list, because to this day, sometimes I get distracted and burn the heck out of it.

What to Do

How to Prevent It

Before you pop it into the oven, cover it with foil. Halfway through baking, remove the foil.

If it's overdone, don't throw it out! You may be able to save some food and some money.

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Decorative Plants You Can Eat, Too

Brittany Lyte — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 10:00:06 +0000

When it comes to home landscaping, why not kill two birds with one stone? Up your home's curb appeal this summer with plants and vegetation that can also stock your pantry. Use strawberry plants as ground cover. Edge a garden with colorful rosettes of lettuce. Or infuse your backyard flora with some of the other beautiful and utilitarian plants on this list.

1. Sunchokes

A member of the sunflower family, sunchokes produce chirpy yellow flowers that can add a pop of color to any landscaping design. This staple food can also keep you well-fed through the winter. Alternatively known as Jerusalem artichokes, sunchokes are tubers that resemble a ginger root but taste more like a savory potato. Widely harvested in temperate regions, sunchokes are ready for picking after the first or second frost of the season. They make for a great base ingredient in purees, soups, hashes, and mashes. That’s not all: When sauteed, sunchokes can contribute a slightly nutty flavor to any sauceless pasta dish.

2. Serviceberry

Native to every state but Hawaii, the serviceberry plant produces lacy spring flowers in white, pink, yellow, or red, as well as purplish-red berries infused with a tart flavor reminiscent of blueberries. In addition to eating them raw, the berries, which fruit for about two weeks per year, can be tossed in salads, baked into pies, or smashed into jams. Also known as amelanchier or Juneberry, this member of the rose family comes in about 20 varieties of small trees and large, deciduous shrubs. To grow well, the plant requires moist soil with good drainage. Other than that, it’s not particularly fussy, making it a great selection for the novice gardener.

3. Sage

With its silvery-green, low-to-the-ground leaves, sage makes for a wonderful front-row ornamental. Tricolor sage, which also has brush strokes of purple and white, is a particularly terrific variety for edging the garden. Not only is sage a delicious herb that can spruce up any meat, stir fry, or pasta, it’s also deliciously fragrant — a welcome addition to any yard. Easy to grow, a backyard mound of sage is a chef’s dream.

4. Small-Fruited Tomatoes

Small-fruited tomato varieties, such as the Cuban yellow grape, elfin, or sugar lump, produce plentiful yields of sweet tasting, gumball-sized fruit that can be eaten right from the garden — or added into salads, pastas, or veggie platters for dipping with vinaigrettes or hummus. Outside the kitchen, small-fruited tomatoes also make for a colorful, perky addition to the yard. Since keeping them on the ground will increase the risk of rotting, these attractive edibles can best be grown with stakes, in raised beds, or on trellises. Sunny spots are optimal.

5. Globe Artichokes

Easy to grow and easy to cook, the globe artichoke is a perennial species of thistle that produces large flower buds with thick, tender, geometric scales that are both ornamental and edible. In flavor, the antioxidant-rich globe artichoke is nutty and tangy. You can prepare them raw, grilled, boiled, sauteed, or stuffed. Our recommendation: Chop the heart into pieces, then marinate and toss them into a risotto or salad — or simply eat them as they are.

6. Paprika Peppers

This mild variety of the pepper has a striking, shiny red color that can add a bit of flash to any home garden. In the kitchen, they can be dried, ground, and used as a spice in mayo-based salads, goulash, or chorizo, or as a deviled egg garnish. These vitamin C-rich peppers can also be eaten raw straight from the garden. Paprika peppers thrive in fertile, well-draining soil with plentiful access to sunlight. Harvest time extends from summer to fall.

Do you have any edibles in your pretty garden?

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: