snacks

These 6 Things Will Make Your Next Flight More Comfortable

Amanda Gokee — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:30:41 +0000

Traveling by plane can be uncomfortable, with long waits in the airport followed by hours packed into ever-smaller airplane seats. Rushed and frustrated, you often end up paying way more than you should for small conveniences.

After years of traveling and countless hours in transit, I've put together this practical guide to help you avoid the pitfalls of air travel and enjoy your trip. Here are some easy ways you can ensure you have a smooth, painless experience, both in the airport and once you board the plane. (See also: Tricks to Make Flying in Coach Feel (Almost) Luxurious)

1. Bring your own food and tea bags

Food at airports and onboard domestic flights is expensive — often double the cost you'd normally pay. And though meals are usually free on international flights, the quality is notoriously hit or miss. It's always best to err on the side of caution. Bring your own healthy snacks, like nuts, and dried and fresh fruit. Sandwiches made with bagels are also easily packable and won't squish easily in your bag.

Consider, too, bringing some herbal tea bags. Most coffee shops and flight attendants will give you hot water for free if you ask. This can save you on pricey airport lattes and help you stay calmer than drinking caffeinated beverages. Herbal tea is an especially good choice if you want to snooze while you're on the plane.

2. Bring your own water bottle

Bring an empty water bottle to get through security, and then fill up at the water fountains around the airport. If you're in a country where drinking from the fountain isn't always safe, consider heading to a coffee shop or restaurant and asking them to fill up your bottle with water from the soda dispenser. You can often get ice this way, too!

Having your own water bottle on the plane helps you stay hydrated without relying on sometimes slow service from the flight attendants, who dole out liquids in tiny plastic cups. (See also: 15 Airport Hacks From Professional Travelers)

3. Choose the right credit card

Booking your flight through an airline credit card gives you extra perks while flying. You'll usually get priority boarding, allowing you to get on the plane before all of the overhead bins are filled up with carry-ons. You may also get discounts on in-flight purchases, and travel protections in case your flight is canceled or your baggage doesn't show up.

Some premium cards even grant you access to airport lounges, which can make layovers infinitely more comfortable. You'll also get excellent service from staff in the lounges if your flight is canceled and you need to rebook. (See also: 12 Travel Perks You Didn't Know Your Credit Card Had)

4. Pack for success

Think strategically before you leave home about how you will spend your time while in transit. If you're checking a bag, be sure to put the items you want to use during the flight in your carry-on. It's frustrating to have packed your earbuds in your checked bag when you need them on the plane!

In-flight entertainment can be a good distraction from long hours of discomfort and boredom. But some airlines don't offer any entertainment, or at least not any that you're interested in. Bring your own to be sure you can stay occupied during the flight.

If you start your trip equipped with the right reading material, some good music, and a few favorite TV shows or movies, you may be surprised how fast your airport and flying time goes by. Amazon Prime allows you to download free books, movies, and music to take with you, and other services such as Netflix and the premium version of Spotify have similar services. You can also save free podcasts to your phone, or pay for audiobooks. With Audible's audiobook service, your first book is free.

Make sure your electronics are charged and ready to go. Some flights offer outlets but you don't want to take the chance that your seat doesn't have it or is not working.

Bonus Trick: If you can do without the checked bag entirely, this is an easier and faster way to travel. Traveling with just a carry-on means you can say goodbye to expensive checked bag fees and worries about lost luggage. (See also: 15 Packing Secrets From a Professional Traveler)

5. Set yourself up for sleep

Sleeping on a plane is another way to make the time pass quickly, but it's admittedly tricky business.

Bring along the items you need for slumber, including an eye mask, ear plugs, sleeping medications, and a neck pillow to get comfortable. A jacket can double as a pillow or blanket if need be. Try to get these items in advance. A neck pillow at the airport can cost twice as much as at a regular store.

Keep everything in a clothing pocket or a bag under your seat so it's easy to access when you feel drowsy. Getting up to rummage through a bag in the overhead bin is a sure way to wake yourself back up.

6. Try to have a sense of humor

Airports can be great spots for people watching. You get to see humanity in action in its many colorful renditions. Of course, it's annoying to be restricted in your movements and trapped in stale air for a long time, but keep things in perspective.

You're getting to experience one of the most freeing things of all, the ability to jet somewhere far away. Having a good attitude will only make the ride that much better.

By preparing yourself to have a good trip, packing a few travel essentials, and keeping a positive attitude, you can make traveling by plane not just bearable, but even enjoyable. Happy flying! (See also: 6 Things to Keep You Sane on a Plane)

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

7 Reasons You Should Always Buy Girl Scout Cookies

Andrea Cannon — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:00:11 +0000

Yes, you're going to buy those Girl Scout cookies. No, you don't need to feel guilty about it. In fact, depending on how you look at it, they can actually be a really smart buy. Here are various reasons why you really should buy those cookies… right now.

1. You're Helping to Fund Tomorrow's Leaders

The best reason to justify buying cookies is that you're helping little girls reach their dreams. Girl Scouts take a lot from the cookie-selling experience. They learn about sales, marketing, teamwork, branding, and responsibility. They also utilize five key skills that can help them later in life, including "goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics." Most importantly, they will learn self-confidence and pride in a job well done.

Girl Scouts are also shown to have a higher success rate in life. In fact, 80% of today's female business owners were Girl Scouts. Studies have shown that even facing failure can lead to a positive learning experience with Girl Scouts. Just think, your humble little box of cookies is doing all that… go ahead, pat yourself on the back while you enjoy your favorite cookie.

2. The Net Revenue Benefits Your Local Community

Did you know that 100% of the net revenue from cookies sales stays with the local council and troops? The money earned goes toward things like helping fund troop activities and outreach projects.

3. You Won't Get Much for the Same Price

One box of Girl Scout cookies will cost between $4-$6. They were originally $4, but have recently experienced a price increase to $5 per box. While not all states have implemented the price increase yet, it's just a matter of time until all boxes are $5. Some specialty cookies are even $6 a box now. The good news is that there shouldn't be another price increase anytime soon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this price increase of 25% is also lower than the 32% overall cookie inflation rate throughout the country.

While the prices of your favorite Girl Scout cookies may be higher, you have to ask yourself if you get the same level of enjoyment from other sweet treats in the same price range. For instance, do you eat an Oreo and feel the same level of enjoyment and excitement as you would from a Thin Mint?

4. They Can Last a Long Time

Girl Scout cookies freeze exceptionally well, and some varieties (like Thin Mints) taste even better when stored in the freezer. Each box of cookies has a "Use or Freeze Before" date on the package. This means you won't have to worry about any of the cookies ever going to waste (if that was ever really a concern). If you have some cookies leftover after a few months, you can even use them in unique new recipes.

5. They Are a Special Purchase

Girl Scout cookies are only available for a limited time, during the cookie-selling season. If you limit yourself to only eating these types of cookies during this particular time of year, you'll spend way less. Instead of buying cookies from the store each week, buying Girl Scout cookies only when they're available will save you money in the long run. Besides, having this special cookie season to look forward to will curb that cookie guilt if you only indulge for this occasion.

6. They Make Affordable Gluten-Free and Vegan Cookies

Let's be honest, gluten-free and vegan cookies typically don't taste great. Fortunately, Girl Scouts now make gluten-free and vegan varieties that taste just as good as the traditional versions. This means you can stop throwing away cookies that just taste like cardboard. Best of all, these varieties typically don't cost any more than the traditional cookies.

7. You Can Use Them as Currency in Your Household

Once your cookie stash starts dwindling, everyone in your household is going to be clamoring for those last few pieces of gold (the cookies, that is). If you have been savoring your cookies and have some to spare, you can use them as a sort of currency around your home.

Editor's Note: Carrie Kirby, one of our Senior Writers, has a daughter selling girl scout cookies! Order and get it shipped anywhere in the country! Click here to buy now and support the Girl Scouts!

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:

Flashback Friday: 80 Holiday Treats That Won't Bust Your Budget

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 11:00:16 +0000

Holiday beverages and baked goods are the best treats of all. They're warm and hearty, and extra sweet with the flavors of the season. While the price of ingredients can add up quickly, there's no need to spend all your money on said treats. Here are 80 holiday goodies that won't bust your budget.

15 Cheap and Delicious Punch Recipes for Holiday Parties — This is peak holiday party time, so punch bowls around the world are full to the brim and ready to be drained. But you don't need pricey syrups, liquors, and pressed juices to make a yummy drink. Just use any of these cheap recipes!

7 Savory Food Gifts — Since we've all been gobbling up candy and baked goods since Halloween, we might all need a break from the sweetness. These savory food gifts are just as delicious, but won't give you any instant cavities.

Eat Your Garbage! Turn Your Trash Into Delicious Holiday Food — Ready to cook up some holiday meals? Shop your trash can! No, seriously. The food you always throw away might contain the key ingredients you need to make the perfect Christmas dish. Give it a go!

15 Delicious Gifts You Can Bake — DIY holiday gifts are not only cheap, but they're also wonderfully personal. So when you can save money and give someone an edible gift they'll truly enjoy, it's a win-win for everyone.

Start Now: You Can Make These 23 Delicious Holiday Gifts — There's still time to make many of these delicious gifts! Just grab your list, check it twice, and get cookin'.

16 Easy, Delicious and Homemade Holiday Gifts — I'm not inclined to cook or bake anything unless the recipe has "Easy" in the name. For those of you who can relate, these scrumptious holiday treats are right up your alley!

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:

These 15 Road Trip Snacks Make It All About the Journey

Marla Walters — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:30:07 +0000

As children of the '60s, my husband and I spent a lot of time in hot station wagons on car trips. Stopping for gas meant gas only, not junk food, and a trip to the bathroom. Eating out was rarely an option. Instead, we were fed car snacks, and occasionally had a picnic lunch. To this day, on even short trips, my husband and I pack food for the road.

My mother elevated road trip food to an art form, using a special picnic basket, and whipping up special foods we didn't usually just have around the house. My dad would find nice spots to stop and picnic so the trip was broken up into pleasant outings.

You'll want to pack small ice chests with blue ice blocks to store water, other beverages, any perishable snacks, and wet washcloths, packed in a sandwich bag (nice for cooling off or a good wiping down). Stay away from greasy or oily foods, which are not only messy, but may upset stomachs. Also, avoid foods and drinks that stain if spilled.

Here are 15 delicious, frugal road trip snacks to keep you going.

1. Homemade Trail Mix

Sure, you can buy it all pre-mixed, but why not make it yourself and save some money? "Classic" trail mix usually contains cashews, peanuts, almonds, raisins, and M&M's. Before buying all of those ingredients, though, check your pantry for dried fruit, other nuts, and cereal. You might as well use those up. If nuts or cereal are a little stale, just toast in a low oven (200ºF) for about 10 minutes to crisp them up. Nice additions are craisins, coconut pieces, crackers, and pretzels.

2. Energy Bars

These energy bars, which are extremely popular in Hawaii, travel well and aren't messy like traditional crumbly granola bars. Store the bars individually in waxed paper; twist the ends to seal.

3. Fruit

Select fruit that travels well. This rules out peaches, nectarines, and bananas. Stick to apples, grapes, clementines, oranges, and other nonstaining, non-smelly, and non-sticky fruits.

4. Veggies

You'll feel pretty virtuous if you snack on veggies while you cruise the highway. Good travelers are: baby carrots, snap peas, celery sticks, and even radishes. Wash and pack into small plastic bags; store in the ice chest to keep them more refreshing and crispy.

5. Nuts

Nuts are a great snack for road trips, but you'll pay more if you buy them in individual packages or cans. Make your own roasted, salted nuts and pack into small snack-sized bags. I like the addition of curry powder, or cumin and red pepper flakes.

6. Snack Mix

My mother cranked this classic snack mix out at regular intervals (in the oven, though, not the microwave). I still love it. Try substituting goldfish crackers for the bagel chips, and toss in some oregano. Great stuff.

7. Cheese

Was string cheese developed for road trips? It's such a perfect car snack. Keep it frugal by buying the large bags, not the individual sticks.

8. Soup

Mom filled a large thermos with soup when we were heading someplace chilly. I recommend pulling the car over for a soup break, lest you burn yourself or make a mess. Some of my mom's tried-and-true were clam chowder, turkey noodle, and split pea. She'd bring along breadsticks, too, to round things out.

9. Sandwiches

I don't like sandwiches on road trips, normally, because they tend to get mushy and I have a phobia about that. There is one exception, though: peanut butter sandwiches. Don't be feeding kids egg salad or tuna unless you want to ride the vomit comet.

10. Animal Crackers

I love these, in their colorful, tiny circus-print boxes. They still entertain me, and they are cholesterol-free.

11. Jerky

Pack beef, turkey, or even fish jerky for a non-messy, high-protein treat.

12. Muffins

Either made sweet or savory, muffins are portable and low on the "messiness" scale. These zucchini-chocolate chip muffins will be a hit.

13. Popcorn

Popcorn has one disadvantage: You'll need to vacuum after the trip. However, it's crunchy and delicious. Try gussying it up with this black pepper and parm recipe.

14. "Fried" Chicken

Because it's oven-baked, it meets my road trip non-greasy criteria. Bake the night before and chill.

15. Pinwheels

These tortilla pinwheels pass the road test because they are a perfect bite size. They're also non-messy and non-greasy.

What else makes for a great road trip snack? Share with us!

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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:

Don't Waste Your Money on These 6 Workout Snacks

Brittany Lyte — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:00:14 +0000

The fitness industry tends to insist that you need all kinds of "fuel" in order to build muscle and get through your workouts. But a lot of workout snacks on the market are processed, pricey, and totally unnecessary. So rather than wasting your money on expensive workout snacks, know which ones to skip, and how to make quality versions at home using real ingredients.

1. Protein Powder Shakes

For the average joe, protein supplements — most often sold as powders that consumers can add to smoothies and shakes — are a royal waste of money. There's mounting evidence that you don't need protein supplementation unless you are a professional-level athlete, or suffering from starvation. All told, these powders offer the average person's body very little benefit.

You do need protein when you exercise, especially if you're trying to build muscle, but the average diet provides all the protein you need. If you're looking for a little extra fuel, try edamame. This soybean is packed with protein, magnesium, fiber, and B vitamins that help the body power up to its full potential.

2. Boxed Coconut Water

Despite claims of "100% coconut water" or "all natural," even the best of boxed coconut water is made from a reconstituted concentrate. To make the product shelf-stable, boxed coconut water makers heat up fresh, raw coconut water and reduce it to a syrup, which they later add water to before packaging. The heating process denatures the beneficial enzymes, stripping not only the beverage's nutritional content, but also much of the flavor.

Instead of the boxed brands, drink real raw coconut water straight from the nut. Low in calories and high in electrolytes, coconut water — the real stuff — is nature's sports drink. It will keep you hydrated and fueled during and after your workout.

3. Individually Packaged Snacks

One-serving snacks, such as pre-packaged health bars, mixed nut assortments, and dried fruit, will often cost you double for the convenient size. Is it really worth paying twice as much money for a bunch of nuts just to get the tidy, but environmentally wasteful packaging? Energy bars in particular are rife with calories — as many as some candy bars. And you can make your own trail mix for far cheaper than the pre-made varieties.

Instead, buy in bulk and use reusable tupperware to cart around one serving at a time.

4. Peanut Butter

Even the "natural" stuff contains add-ins such as glycerin to keep the oil from pooling at the top of the jar, hydrogenated oil for creaminess, or sugar for taste. Very rarely are you getting pure peanut butter — just nuts with, perhaps, a touch of salt — no matter what the label tells you.

Instead of betting on the jarred stuff for your dose of good fats and protein, stick with raw nuts. This way, you know for sure what you're getting. Nuts are high in calories that can help you rev up your energy level when you don't have time for a more substantial meal. A cup of almonds, for example, contains enough fuel to power your body through a five-mile run. It's also a power snack with presidential approval. President Barack Obama reportedly eats exactly seven almonds each night.

5. Gel Packs

Unless you're putting in more than 90 minutes of cardiovascular training each day, you don't need to be slurping up those tiny energy gel packets while you bench press or jog an eight-miler. These sugar-saturated snacks are made to restore depleted glycogen stores. But your glycogen stores aren't actually getting depleted unless you're very athletic.

Instead, go for a fistful of raisins. Research shows that this dried fruit is just as effective at enhancing athletic performance. But, unlike the numerous brands of energy gel packets on the market, they don't run the risk of throwing your blood sugar levels off-balance.

6. Store-Bought Fruit Smoothies

Don't get me wrong, smoothies can be the ultimate workout snack. Just not the kind that's made to be shelf-stable at your local market. These pre-made smoothies are often chock full of added sugars, fats, and preservatives, which means you're getting much less nutritional content as you would if the smoothie were freshly made.

Instead, opt for a homemade fruit smoothie, or simply grab a piece or two of fresh, whole fruit. Citrus fruits such as oranges are chock full of natural sugars capable of boosting your energy to keep you moving. And bananas will give you energy as well as endurance. Studies show that eating a banana before and during prolonged periods of exercise will help your body maintain its peak performance level throughout the workout. This potassium-rich fruit also prevents bone density loss, fights off cramping, and helps keep your muscles functioning normally. And it makes for a great base ingredient in any smoothie.

Any other workout snacks that are a total waste of money? Share with us!

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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:

10 Smart Uses for Food That's About to Go Bad

Mikey Rox — Thu, 12 May 2016 10:00:10 +0000

It happens all too often that we buy food that we don't get around to eating fast enough, and it ends up on the verge of spoiling. But all isn't lost when there's a soft spot in your fruits and veggies. Turn lemons into lemonade — literally — plus a few more edible hacks with these smart uses for food that's about to go bad.

1. Make Smoothies and Bread Out of Bananas, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes, and Carrots

Banana bread is best when the bananas have been left on the counter to turn into black vessels of near mush — we all know that — but there are other fruits and vegetables that can be utilized in a similar manner before they're completely wasted.

Zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach all can be salvaged for smoothies, and in some cases, like zucchini, baked goods. I can't give you my grandma's recipe for the latter — she'd have my head — but you can try somebody else's grandma's recipe for moist, delicious, spicy zucchini bread.

As for the smoothies, it helps to have a juicer to separate the pulp when using carrots and spinach for smoothies, but you can strain it all the same, and many blenders these days can pulverize the ingredients so there's nary a stringy piece in the drink. I always recommend the Ninja brand, but another may work better for you.

2. Make Vegetable Stock From Near-the-End Veggies

If you have a crisper full of veggies that are on their last leg, turn them into a stock that you can freeze and use later in soups and other recipes.

"You can save all the bits and ends from vegetables you've trimmed throughout the week (stems of broccoli or leafy greens, ends of carrots, garlic and onions, soft tomatoes, or wilted greens), gradually adding to a freezer bag, and when it's full you'll be ready to start a new batch of veggie stock," says Rebecca Lewis, HelloFresh's in-house registered dietician. Here's a recipe:

Ingredients:

2–3 pounds vegetable peels (enough to fill a 1 gallon freezer bag). Suggested vegetables: onions and garlic (including skins), peeled carrots, fennel, celery, leafy greens (kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens), and herbs
12 cups water
1 bay leaf
6–8 peppercorns
1 t salt

Method:

Empty the gallon baggie of veggie trimmings into a large stock pot along with the bay leaf and peppercorns. Add eight cups of water and see where your water level is. Remember it — this will be the level of where your stock will roughly be after reducing it. Then add the other four cups of water and the salt.

Bring to a slow simmer over high heat, then reduce heat to maintain the simmer, keeping the pot uncovered. When the liquid has reduced to the point you recalled earlier, taste the stock. If it doesn't seem concentrated enough, simmer for another hour or two.

Remove the stock from heat and strain through a colander. Squeeze all of the stock out of the veggies then discard the veggies. You should end up with roughly eight cups of concentrated stock.

3. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil

I love cooking with fresh herbs, but it's annoying to buy a huge bunch when I only need a little for the recipe I'm making, like a chicken noodle soup. Parsley and cilantro are the major culprits in this dilemma, and cilantro, in my experience, tends to go bad much quicker than parsley.

To get the most herb for my money, I started chopping them up all at once when I get home (or when I first need them for a recipe). I put a bit of the chopped herbs in a plastic baggie in the fridge so I can cook with them throughout the week. I put the rest in ice cube trays with olive oil, place them in the freezer, and then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag for sautéing and other recipes later. This is a really simple and easy way to preserve your herbs instead of buying a new bunch every time and throwing half of it away.

4. Infuse Olive Oil With Herbs and Peppers

People pay a pretty penny for flavored olive oils at fancy gourmet supermarkets, but you can make your own at home by putting your on-the-verge-of-spoiling herbs and peppers in the bottle for preservation and flavor. Let it sit for at least a week for maximum flavor, and either use them in your own cooking or give them as gifts if they're in a presentable bottle.

5. Place Vanilla Bean Pods in Sugar

If you have an unused vanilla bean after a round of baking — this is particularly useful at holiday time — consider adding them to your sugar to enhance its flavor. You can place the pods directly in the sugar or slice them open and scrape out the insides and mix them in the sugar. If you want to do it the easy way, just put the pods in the sugar and let them sit for two weeks. Your sugar will have an amazing vanilla taste and scent.

6. Put on a Pot of "Peasant Stew"

I'm not a huge fan of soups and stews — I'm a very picky eater and totally "anti-chunk" in my food (my fellow finicky foodies know what I'm talking about) — but cookbook author Cynthia MacGregor's idea of taking just about anything you have lying around the kitchen and making a meal out of it before it goes bad seems pretty ingenious. She didn't invent it, of course, but it sure sounds like she's perfected it.

"Ideally you'll start saving food for a peasant soup/stew as you go along, freezing whatever will freeze well," she says. "When you have one or more foods that won't freeze well or have reached their outer limit, or you're just in a cookin' frame of mind, defrost what you've saved frozen — from complicated recipes down to simple simmered veggies — in a suitably large cooking vessel. Add whatever you want, from herbs to wine to chicken stock to garlic to onions to Worcestershire sauce to plain yogurt or sour cream — the list goes on."

Got celery that's looking droopy? Toss it in. Got nothing crunchy in the fridge and you'd like to sink your teeth into something? Try a can of water chestnuts. Want color? Add a jar of pimentos. Looking to make the stew/soup more hearty? Add potatoes or, for a twist, yucca. Taste as it cooks.

7. Cut Old Bread Into Croutons and Bake

Instead of throwing away your stale bread, cut it into cubes, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and dried herbs if you'd like, and place it in the oven in a single layer on a baking sheet for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. You'll have perfectly crispy croutons every time. This hack is for stale bread only, by the way; moldy bread is not salvageable — just throw it away.

8. Puree Delicate Berries for Yogurt and Dessert Toppings

I have a love-hate relationship with berries — strawberries and raspberries, in particular — because they spoil so quickly. I've picked up raspberries from the market that have gone bad within 48 hours of purchase, and considering how expensive they can be, it's not something to which I look forward.

Now, if I know I'm not able to eat the amount of berries I've purchased within that short window of time, I'll take a portion out for other purposes. One thing I like to do is mash up raspberries and mix them in my yogurt. If you do this and store them in an air-tight container, they last up to a few more days than if they were left in the fridge whole. As for other berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, I like to either boil them down with a bit of water, sugar, and lemon juice, which makes a nice, thick sauce for desserts or pancakes, or freeze them to throw in smoothies.

9. Make Patties or Fritters Out of Beans, Grains, and Shredded Meats

What to do with those little bits of beans, grains, and shredded meats that may not be substantial enough for a decent meal? Turn them into patties or fritters says Liza Baker, an integrative nutritional health coach.

"Cooked beans, vegetables, grains, and even flaked fish and shredded meat and poultry can be mixed with egg, some bread crumbs (gluten-free or not), and some herbs (dry or fresh) and/or spices and quickly browned in a little butter or olive oil (or ghee or coconut oil) and served on their own, on a bun, under an egg (poached or fried), or crumbled into a wrap," she says.

10. Use Old Lemons as a Cleaner

Lemons too soft and bitter for anything but the trash? Not so fast. Even if the lemon is past when it tastes its best, its lemony power can still be used to clean and sanitize surfaces in your home. (See also: 4 Ways to Use Your Food That Don't Involve Eating)

"If you have lemons that are going bad, they can be used as a cleaner," says money-saving enthusiast and blogger Karen Cordaway. "If you have stains that are hard to get off of your pans or stove top, mix baking soda, vinegar (tablespoon of each), and some lemon to scrub off those stubborn stains. It works extremely well."

How do you extend the life of your foods that are about to go bad? I'd love to hear some of your ideas in the comments below.

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

10 Allergy-Free Snacks That Are Safe for Almost Everybody

Ashley Marcin — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 09:30:25 +0000

Now that my daughter is in school, we've been put on a monthly snack helper list. At the beginning of the year, the school explained that our snacks needed to be free from allergens to be safe for all students. If you're unfamiliar (I know I was!), the eight ingredients that most commonly trigger food allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.

Whether you, your child, or a friend has food allergies, you can still cook up some amazing snacks in your very own kitchen. Here are some fun, allergy-free snacks that will dazzle adults and kids alike.

1. Fruits and Veggies

You can't really go wrong with serving fresh fruits and vegetables. One of our go-to snacks for kids? Cut up trays of fresh produce arranged in a cool way. You can get really creative by slicing and dicing different shapes and designs, like with these apple butterflies. One of my favorites is to use cookie cutters to make shapes out of watermelon slices. Dried fruit is another solid alternative. And those applesauce or fruit cups you can buy at the store also work well in a pinch.

2. Cereal Mix

Many cereals are free from the common allergens. Try making a cereal trail mix for quick noshing on the go. Combine Cheerios, raisins, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, pretzels, Goldfish, or whatever else suits your needs and hungry tummies. I'd add dried bananas and pumpkin seeds. That's the cool thing — this snack is totally customizable. Just make sure if you're serving it to a crowd that you've read all the labels for details on the allergens to make it safe for everyone.

3. Chickpea "Nuts"

These rosemary chickpea "nuts" are sure to please those crunchy, savory snack-lovers. Combine rinsed garbanzo beans with olive oil, rosemary, garlic powder, and salt. Then roast for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, mixing about halfway through to make sure everything gets equally cooked. I've eaten these hot and cold. (See also: 10 Tasty and Frugal Chickpea Recipes)

4. Popcorn

If you're pressed for time and need to provide an allergy-free snack for a class, try grabbing a big bag of popcorn. There are a variety of brands and flavors on the market today. I stick with plain and lightly salted. What else is cool? Popcorn is a healthy, whole grain snack and also happens to be an excellent source of fiber.

5. Protein Bites

My daughter loves these chocolate super seed protein bites. Just blend Medjool dates in your food processor until they become a chunky paste. Then add hemp, chia, and sesame seeds along with cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Then fold in some mini dark chocolate chips (read the label for allergens) and freeze until firm, around 20 minutes. These little treats taste like dessert, but they're packed with all sorts of good stuff.

6. Chips and Dip

Corn chips are usually allergy-friendly as well. Try serving tortilla chips with salsa or a homemade hummus that doesn't contain tahini (helps bring the price down considerably). To make, combine chickpeas, water, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and olive oil. Blend in a food processor until smooth and store in your refrigerator.

7. Rice Cakes

My daughter makes herself "rice cake sandwiches" with nut butter spread on top. To make this completely allergy-free, try using sunflower butter, which is a tasty substitute for peanut butter. This snack is a wonderful accompaniment to carrot sticks or other fruits and veggies.

8. Granola Bars

If you watch your ingredients closely, you can make delicious granola bars that are free from common offenders. This recipe combines the goodness of gluten-free rolled oats, sunflower seeds, sunflower butter, flax seeds, vanilla extract, salt, molasses, oil, and brown sugar. Mix everything together, press into a large baking dish, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Crispy Rice Treats

For special occasions, like birthdays, give them something exciting and simple to make. These allergy-friendly rice crispy treats contain that magic ingredient — sunflower butter — again in place of peanut butter. You'll mix together the butter with brown rice syrup on your stove-top. When they're fully combined, pour the mixture over the cereal and coat well. Then press your mixture into a greased baking dish and let set. You might consider doubling this recipe to serve a crowd or cutting into shapes for added flair.

10. Brownies

These fudgy brownies are gluten-free, egg-free, vegan, and more. They also taste great (I've made them) and come together relatively easily. You'll need to create a gluten-free flour blend that contains rice flour, teff flour, as well as tapioca and potato starches. It may seem expensive and labor-intensive at first, but you can use this all-purpose mixture for other recipes once you get more into allergy-free baking. Mix together with the rest of the ingredients and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes.

What are your favorite allergy-free snacks? Please share a bite in comments!

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

15 Delicious and Easy Ways to Enjoy Canned Peaches

Marla Walters — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 09:00:07 +0000

Are you sick of the current, in-season fruits? Can't eat another apple or orange? How about a summery peach, instead? Peaches are extremely versatile, especially when they are canned. Here are 15 ideas for things to do with canned peaches.

1. Peach Smoothie

Move over, kale. This frothy, appetizing smoothie will remind you that summer is coming. Combine a 15-ounce can of peaches, a small handful of ice cubes, one small non-fat vanilla yogurt, and a ¼ cup of orange juice in a blender. Whirl until smooth. You could also toss in some blueberries or bananas as a yummy variation.

2. Try the Lo-Cal Plate

Traditionally, the lo-cal plate consisted of a couple of peach halves, a cup of cottage cheese, some sliced tomatoes, and dry toast. As a kid, I was always fascinated by this offering in diners, and liked to occasionally order it… because you know, it's pretty good! It's a strange combination, but it really does make a nice, light lunch.

3. Peach "Moonshine"

No, it's not a true moonshine, but peach-infused vodka is nice thing to have around to make a summery cocktail. Add to a little sparkling water or inexpensive champagne.

To make your own peach-infused vodka, take a clean, dry canning jar (I like a two-quart size). Add peaches to the jar, and pour vodka over on top. Cover with the canning lid and ring. Put in a dark, cool place to "age." It only needs to steep for about a week. Strain, and then use liquid in cocktails. It makes a great gift, too!

4. Satisfying Salsa

If you have not yet tried peach salsa, you are seriously missing out. A warning though: It's incredibly hard to stop eating it.

Here's how to make peach salsa:

1 15-oz can of peaches, drained
2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes (Do not use the kind with Italian seasonings.)
1 red onion, finely diced
1 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 t minced garlic
1 minced fresh jalapeno pepper
1 fresh lime, squeezed (I like to zest some of the fresh lime into the salsa, too.)
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips.

5. Pork n' Peaches

Some meats go really well with fruits — like crushed pineapple in a meatloaf, or apples with lamb. For pork, think peaches. Canned ones work well.

Here is an easy recipe: Season thin pork chops and brown in a tablespoon of oil on both sides. Combine half of a 15-oz can of the peach juice, ¼ cup of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cornstarch, ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and about a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a bowl. When well-mixed, add to the pork chops in the pan and stir until thickened. Slice remaining peaches and add to the pan, and stir just until warmed through.

Serve with wild rice and green beans.

6. Better Barbecue Sauce

Whirl a can of drained peaches in the blender until smooth. Add to your favorite barbecue sauce recipe or, if you are a giant cheater like me, add to prepared barbecue sauce, along with a little Sriracha. This is great over ribs.

7. Jazz Up Your Oatmeal

To instant oatmeal, add brown sugar, chopped, canned peaches, and a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt. It's an amazing way to start your day.

8. Peach Ice Cream

Yearning for some fresh peach ice cream? I love it, too, but it's a bit of a project to make actual ice cream.

Here is a quick "cheater" recipe:

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 14-oz. can of sweetened, condensed milk (not "evaporated" milk)
1 can peaches, well drained, chopped

Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in the peaches and condensed milk. Pour into a container and freeze overnight, for best results.

9. Super-Easy Peach Cobbler

Need a dessert that goes together really well with stuff you likely already have in your refrigerator and pantry? Try this easy peach cobbler. The use of Bisquick makes it extra-fast.

10. Decadent Breakfast

My Aunt Joyce's lovely start to the day involves draining a 15-oz can of peaches, and dividing into two bowls. Then she drizzles with heavy whipped cream. Are you drooling yet?

11. Browned and Broiled

Preheat your oven broiler. Drain peach halves and dot with butter and cinnamon. Watching carefully, broil until light brown. These are delicious with ice cream or whipped cream.

12. Superfast Cocktails

Daiquiris look complicated, but they are really quite easy. Combine half of a 15-oz can of peaches, a can of frozen lime juice, a can of of light rum, two tablespoons of the reserved peach juice, and a teaspoon of powdered sugar. Add a cup of ice and whirl in blender. Cheers!

13. The Infamous "Dump Cake"

Named because of its inelegant assembly method, the dump cake is still about the fastest cake around. "Dump" two 15-oz cans of peaches into a 9x15 pan. Sprinkle with white or yellow cake mix. Melt a stick of butter; drizzle over the dry cake mix. Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes and then serve with vanilla ice cream.

14. Buttery Peaches

Do you like apple butter? Why not try a peach butter? Make it in a crockpot and serve over waffles, pancakes, or toast. This recipe makes five pints.

15. Ambrosia Fruit Salad

I made this simple treat for my office recently and it immediately disappeared. Why do I ever make anything hard?

2 15-oz cans peaches, drained and chopped
1 can pineapple pieces, drained
2 red apples, chopped
4 bananas, sliced
2 large oranges, chopped
½ bag of miniature marshmallows
¼ cup flaked coconut (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Note: I usually buy peaches canned in light juice, versus heavy syrup. In heavy syrup, a ½ cup of peaches has 97 calories and 25 grams of sugar. In light juic, a ½ cup of canned peaches has only 55 calories and 13 grams of sugar.

The next time you see those cans of peaches in your pantry, pull out a can and give one of these recipes a try!

What's your favorite way to eat canned peaches? Share with us in the comments!

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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:

24 Easy to Make Grab and Go Snacks

Marla Walters — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 17:00:21 +0000

Pretty much without fail, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., my stomach starts growling. After having carefully-planned, proportionately appropriate, nutritionally balanced breakfasts or lunch, it seems a shame to blow all of that with a bag of potato chips. But that's what I'll do, if I don't have a snack that tastes good. I have found out the hard way that a bag of carrot sticks is not going to do it. So what is my solution? This list of 24 healthy, yet delicious, snacks.

Sweet Snacks

Why finish with something sweet when you can start there?

1. Mini Peppers

Bags of these multi-colored, vitamin A and C-packed little peppers now show up in most grocery stores and at they are super-handy and delicious. Three peppers only have 25 calories. I love them just by themselves, but if you need a dip, try plain greek yogurt.

2. Apples

I know this is silly, but if I take an apple to work, it will sit on my desk. But if I cut it into slices and put it into a Ziploc with a dab of lemon juice, I am more apt to eat it. This works at home, too: Cut-up apples disappear from the refrigerator, but the whole ones sit. A medium apple has about 95 calories. Still find it boring? Take a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter along in a container, and use it as a dip.

3. Oranges or Clementines

An orange has only about 45 calories, and of course loads of vitamin C. A clementine "cutie" has about 40 calories, and the added benefit of being really easy to peel. If the idea of eating a plain orange isn't tantalizing, try cutting it up and adding some strawberries, walnut pieces, and a splash of raspberry vinaigrette.

4. Frozen Grapes

Grapes are great, but they're like mini-popsicles when you freeze them. Cut into little bunches, wash, dab dry, put into individual bags, and freeze. You'll have them ready to go all week. An entire cup is only 110 calories.

5. Frozen Blueberries

A cup of frozen blueberries is also really cool and satisfying. One cup has only 79 calories. They are great just by themselves, or added to a low-fat smoothie.

6. Watermelon

Because it contains so much water, watermelon is very filling. An entire cup is only 46 calories. I like the "Thai" variety, which are smaller and rounder, but very flavorful.

7. Frozen Banana

A frozen banana, at 120 calories, is a great treat. If you are a chocoholic, try slicing them, freezing, and then adding a dab of Magic Shell. This of course boosts your calorie count, but you really only need a drizzle. This becomes a super-satisfying snack, especially if you have a sweet tooth.

8. Sweet Potato

Years ago, I read that Martha Stewart would cook a sweet potato and take it on the airplane to eat when she traveled. I thought that was very odd, but she's right — they make a really satisfying snack. At 114 calories, you can go nuts and add a few mini-marshmallows. If your office has a microwave, you can make a sweet potato in seven minutes.

9. Peaches and Nectarines

What is better in the summer than a ripe peach, or a nectarine? I admit, though, they can be messy "office food." I like to slice mine and put into a container with a half-cup of nonfat vanilla yogurt. An entire peach has only 59 calories; a half-cup of nonfat yogurt, around 70 calories.

10. Applesauce

I'm a fan of the little pre-made cups of applesauce (50 calories). A sprinkle of cinnamon jazzes them up, too. Ever tried making homemade applesauce? It's easy and tastes absolutely great. My mom used to toss in a handful of Red Hots (candies) and melt them in. It turned the applesauce a pretty color and made it extra-zippy.

11. Strawberries

Just 76 calories are found in a cup of strawberries. I love a little fruit salad of sliced strawberries, a tablespoon of feta (20 calories), and balsamic vinegar. The vinegar brings out the sweetness of the strawberries.

12. Yogurt

Yogurt is like a blank canvas. A cup of nonfat greek yogurt has 130 calories. You can eat it as is, or drizzle honey, jam, or chocolate syrup over the top. Or, go another direction and add some salsa. Fresh, chopped fruit is a natural on top. Granola is great, too, but make sure you use a low-fat granola, as granola can be very caloric.

Savory Snacks

Sometimes in the middle of the day sweet won't do, but savory will.

13. Garbanzo Beans

Also known as chickpeas, these little legumes are a terrific snack. My new favorite method? Oven-roasted in a little olive oil, with spices. I particularly like this recipe because it includes cumin, one of my favorite spices. One-third cup has about 141 calories.

14. Miso Soup

Also great when I'm freezing in our over air-conditioned office: Miso soup. I buy the kind without MSG. A cup of miso soup, with the tofu pieces, is only 45 calories. It does contain a lot of sodium, so you'll need to be mindful of that.

15. Avocados

We now know avocados contain "good fat," but you still need to watch how much you eat. Half of a medium avocado is about 140 calories and around 14 grams of fat. One of the great features of avocados is that they contain oleic acid, which helps signal your brain that you are full. So, you don't need to eat more than a couple of slices on a cracker or a piece of toast, and your stomach will be happy.

16. Popcorn

I'm not a fan of pre-packaged microwave popcorn, but food journalist and author Mark Bittman has a great method for making a more wholesome microwaved popcorn. If you have an office microwave, this is a big hit. Try curry powder, garlic powder, a little Parmesan, or Japanese furikake mix on top. A cup of popcorn contains 55 calories.

17. Edamame

Edamame, or boiled soybeans, are easy to prepare. They are good both warm or chilled. Simply boil until tender, drain, and add salt. A half cup has 120 calories, nine grams of fiber, and 11 grams of protein! Experiment with adding seasonings — try sriracha sauce, oregano, or chili powder.

18. Hummus

The chickpeas again make an appearance, but this time in a creamy dip. There are 409 calories in a cup of hummus, but a cup is a very large snack. I find that about a third to a half is just right, paired with some whole grain crackers or carrot and celery sticks. If you want to reduce the fat in hummus even a little more, try making your own using part boiled soybeans.

19. Hard-Boiled Egg

Make a pot of hard-boiled eggs on a Sunday, and you'll have low-calorie (78 calories) snacks in their own packages all week. Not only is an egg really satisfying, but it also has six grams of protein. Want a little more variety? Make a deviled egg and mash the yolks with a little greek yogurt, curry or cumin, or add sriracha sauce.

20. Chips and Salsa

A half-cup of salsa has about 118 calories. There are many new types of tortilla chips out now that are very low-fat. (I like "Beanitos," which do contain beans, and have only six grams of fat in 12 chips.) Salsa has a lot of flavor, so you won't feel deprived, and the bean chips are heartier because they contain more fiber.

21. Turkey and...

There are only 60 calories in four slices of lunchmeat turkey, and nine grams of protein. Pile it on a Wasa Crispbread (30 calories each), or roll up a celery stick. Try it with a thin layer of reduced-fat cream cheese and a dollop of cranberry jelly. Roll tightly and dip in dijon mustard. Place it in a rice-paper wrapper with sprouts, grated carrots, and a dollop of hoisin sauce.

22. Rice Cakes and...

While not all that satisfying on their own, there are umpteen ways to top a rice cake. My favorite low-calorie/healthy toppings include cottage cheese, avocado slices, and white bean dip.

23. Pistachio Nuts

Yes, 48 pistachio nuts is a lot of nuts, but that is a one-ounce serving. They are also heart-healthy and give you something to do with your hands. I recommend these for boring webinars.

24. Cottage Cheese

At around 100 calories for a half-cup, cottage cheese is another great snack choice. Besides also getting calcium and protein, it's very versatile. I like it with a little salsa (red or green). Adding chopped green onions or chives also gives it a great flavor. Spoon it up, or spread it over a cracker.

Just remember: proportion is key. Even the healthiest snack ceases to be beneficial if you overeat it.

What are your favorite healthy snacks?

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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:

Beer Donuts and 11 Other Recipes You Can Make With Beer

Nick Wharton — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:00:11 +0000

Have a stray bottle of beer hanging around in your fridge? Or perhaps you'd just like to expand your horizons in the kitchen by cooking with alcohol. Whatever the case, we've got you covered. Here are 12 uniquely delicious recipes you can make with beer.

1. Beer Bread

This cheddar beer bread requires no kneading or rising. Just mix the ingredients together and bake for 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown. The best part? All the ingredients of this bread can be purchased on the cheap at Aldi.

2. Beer-Cheese Fondue

Have a romantic date night in with this beer-cheese fondue. Combine 12 ounces of your favorite light beer with mustard, garlic, and hot sauce. Then add in cubed cheddar and cornstarch for texture. Serve with sliced bread, sausage, apple slices, or whatever else sounds good for dipping.

3. Beer Cake

Step dessert up a few notches with this Guinness chocolate cake recipe. It's fudgey, dense, and incredibly flavorful — but you'd never guess beer (one cup) is the star ingredient. Don't forget the salted caramel glaze!

4. Beer Brownies

The same idea applies with these beer brownies. You'll dump a half cup of your favorite stout or dark beer into the batch. Of course, if you'd rather keep them alcohol-free, you can substitute cold coffee.

5. Beer Can Chicken

Here's the secret for the juiciest chicken on the block: Put a beer can in it while it bakes. You'll pour out a quarter of the beer into your roasting pan before rubbing down the chicken with different spices. Then place the chicken upright on the beer can and bake for a little over an hour.

6. Beer Chili

There's a whole bottle of amber beer inside Jimmy Fallon's Crock-Pot chili recipe. First, brown chuck beef on your stovetop along with onions, garlic, and peppers. Then place all ingredients in your slow cooker and let simmer for five hours on high.

7. Beer Beef Stew

This hearty beef stew has a boozy twist. You'll pour two bottles into the stew before simmering to perfection in your Dutch oven. The rest is a mix of chunky meat and vegetables with a little Worcestershire sauce, paprika, tomato paste, and beef bouillon for added flavor.

8. Beer Ice Cream

Check out this beer ice cream with chocolate covered pretzels. You'll stir a bottle of beer together with sugar, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and eventually egg yolks. Once the mixture is completely combined and cooked, you'll process it in your ice cream maker and fold in the pretzels.

9. Beer Doughnuts

You don't need to wait until fall to make a batch of these apple ale doughnuts. Pour a full cup of apple ale (or apple cider) into a saucepan to reduce. Then stir it together with flour, sugar, eggs, spices, and other ingredients. Freeze dough before cutting out circles, then fry on your stovetop.

10. Beer Fish

Try this classic beer battered fish recipe for dinner tonight. The batter comes together with flour, cornstarch, a bottle of beer, an egg, and some salt. Then heat oil in a Dutch oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before dipping in the batter and frying to golden.

11. Beer BBQ Sauce

Slather this stout and sriracha BBQ sauce on anything and everything. All you do is heat the beer, sriracha, ketchup, and other spices over medium heat. Sauce is done when it's thick. Store in an airtight container in your fridge.

12. Beer Dip

If you don't have time to cook fondue, try this simple beer dip instead. Stir together cream cheese, beer, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar. That's all. Then serve with pretzels and veggies.

What's your favorite way to use beer in cooking?

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

12 Tasty Ways to Cook With Wine

Ashley Marcin — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:00:14 +0000

I don't know about you, but I often crack open a bottle of wine and find myself with a cup left over by the end of the night. I've splashed some in stir-fries and other dishes, but I've never made anything to write home about.

Well that's about to change. Here are 12 fresh and flavorful ways to use wine in cooking and baking.

1. Wine Popsicles

Serve these very adult roasted strawberry red wine popsicles at your next gathering. To make, just roast quartered strawberries coated in balsamic vinegar and sugar. Pulse half the strawberries in a food processor before mixing with the wine. Spoon remaining strawberries into popsicle molds and fill with the liquid before freezing.

2. Wine Chowder

Use a half cup of leftover wine in this scallop and corn chowder recipe. A dry white wine works best with the light flavors in this dish. If you follow a pescetarian diet, you can easily substitute vegetable broth for the chicken and omit the bacon entirely.

3. Wine Poached Pears

Here's a refined dessert that will wow your guests: red wine poached pears. You'll need three hefty cups of your favorite sweet red wine. Otherwise, the process is quite simple. Pour lemon juice on your pears. Bring wine, sugar, vanilla bean, and cinnamon stick to a boil before adding pears. Cook 12–15 minutes on all sides.

4. Wine Tartlets

These red wine caramelized onions and goat cheese tartlets would make an incredible appetizer. To infuse the onions with the wine flavor, you'll first brown them on the stove. Then deglaze the pan with half a cup of the wine. Add the onions back in and cook with the remaining wine before assembling the tartlets.

5. Wine Mushrooms

Or try these red wine and garlic mushrooms that require only five ingredients to make. Start the dish by melting the butter with olive oil and garlic. Pour in the wine and then toss in the mushrooms. Season with a little salt and pepper and cook until mushrooms are golden on all sides.

6. Wine Cupcakes

Grab a glass of your favorite prosecco and make these champagne cupcakes. You'll mix the sparkling wine with sour cream and then fold it into the rest of the vanilla cupcake batter. Then hollow out the centers of the cupcakes to fill with the pastry creme filling.

7. Wine Beef Tips

Simmer tender sirloin to perfection in this beef tips in red wine recipe. After cooking the beef cubes, add onions and mushrooms until they are browned. Then add your wine, flour, and spices and heat around 20 minutes more on low. Add egg noodles to the dish before serving.

8. Wine Pasta

Start by cooking noodles in water and finish them in wine for this drunken pasta. As with most other recipes on this list, the alcohol cooks off before you eat. In this dish, though, your noodles will soak in a beautiful rose color to make your plate pop. Top with parsley and grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

9. Wine Bread

This olive, bacon, and cheese bread is one of the most interesting loaves I've encountered in a while. It contains five ounces of white wine along with all sorts of robust ingredients. Each slice is so nutritionally complete, you can grab one to bring to work for a simple lunch.

10. Wine Brunch

Rabanadas are Portugal's answer to French toast. These tipsy slices are typically consumed during the Christmas holiday, but they would be a great brunch item no matter the time of year. In this recipe, the wine is in the syrup, so feel free to use the topping on pancakes, waffles, or whatever else you'd like to booze up.

11. Wine Fondue

I usually put beer in my cheese fondues, but this pesto fondue has me itching to try something new. Along with the basil, pine nuts, cheese, and spices, you'll pour in one and a half cups of your favorite dry white wine. Eat immediately for the best experience.

12. Wine Soup

Just in time for CSA season, check out this silky leek and red wine soup. It'd go wonderfully with crusty bread and a good Bordeaux. As always, you can easily make this recipe vegetarian by using vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock.

What's your favorite way to use wine in cooking?

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

14 Popular Snacks You Can Make at Home

Ashley Marcin — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:00:08 +0000

One of the easiest ways to save money at the grocery store is to shop the perimeter. Not only does avoiding all those packaged foods cost less, but it also keeps your health in check. Let's be real, though, some of those snack foods are absolutely delicious. So, why not try making a few of your favorites at home? (See also: 35 Grocery Items You Should Make at Home)

1. Fruit Leather

Whipping up fresh fruit roll-ups is much easier than you might imagine. You'll puree fruit in a food processor until it's smooth. Then you'll spread it onto silicone baking mats and bake for three to four hours at 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Place wax paper on the baked fruit, then slice into long rectangles and roll.

2. Trail Mix

There are many trail mix recipes on the web. This sweet and salty mix is one of my favorites because it contains healthy nuts, sunflower kernels, and tempting chocolate candy. Simply stir together a few cups of each ingredient and store in an airtight container.

3. Potato Chips

You can even make your own potato chips at home. Use a mandolin on its lowest setting to slice red potatoes about an hour before cooking them. Then heat canola oil in a skillet to around 375 degrees Fahrenheit, fry, and sprinkle with salt before serving.

4. Veggie Chips

Or try these root veggie chips for a twist on the classic crisp. Slice anything from sweet potatoes to yucca to beets with your mandolin — a bit thicker than you did in the potato chip recipe. Toss in olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

5. Chocolate Bar

I've seen so many fancy chocolate bars at the store lately, and they're all super expensive. Make your own at home with this chocolate bar tutorial. You'll need chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, and whatever else you like with your sweets. Melt chocolate, then pour it into a shallow loaf pan. Top with toppings and let set.

6. Graham Crackers

Elevate your s'mores with these homemade graham crackers. All it takes is a base of all-purpose and graham flour to get the right taste and texture. After everything is mixed, you'll roll out the dough and cut into squares before baking to a golden brown.

7. Cheese Crackers

These copycat Goldfish crackers are a hit with both kids and adults — and they only contain four ingredients. Pulse together cheese, butter, flour, salt, and a little water in your food processor. Then use a homemade cutout to shape your crackers before baking.

8. Pita Chips

Want something crunchy to snack on? Try baking up these pita chips. The recipe is so easy. Cut up store-bought pitas into wedges, place on a baking sheet, and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes and enjoy with hummus and other dips.

9. Tortilla Chips

This same method can be applied to tortilla chips as well. Slice white corn tortillas into wedges, brush with oil, and add salt. Then bake 15 minutes until crisp. These taste way better than the kind you buy in the bag.

10. Fruit Snacks

Banish packaged fruit snacks from the pantry and make your own DIY fruit snacks instead. Just mix together fruit juice, gelatin, and a bit of honey before pouring into candy molds. Chill to set.

11. Pop-Tarts

Strawberry Pop-Tarts are one of my guilty pleasures. Good news: You can make healthier homemade Pop-Tarts in your own kitchen. Just mix together a basic pastry crust, fill it with strawberry preserves, and bake. Then top with an icing made of powdered sugar, half-and-half, and vanilla extract. Sprinkles are optional but highly recommended.

12. Cheese Puffs

I would have never imagined I could make DIY Cheetos. Yet, here I am with a recipe to share. The process is a little tricky. Once you mix together the dough, you'll steam it and then dehydrate for up to 10 hours. Make a big batch: You can store in an airtight container for up to three months.

13. Fig Bars

Everyone loves sweet, chewy Fig Newtons. The filling is a natural combination of black figs, applesauce, agave, and cinnamon. Better yet, this recipe is suitable for those of you following the Paleo diet. Score!

14. Energy Bars

These high-protein nutrition bars taste a lot like the KIND bars all my health-conscious friends are toting around town. With eight different variations on the nut-and-dried fruit theme, there's something for everyone. I can't wait to try the dark chocolate and sea salt version. (See also: 20 Tasty Energy Bars You Can Make at Home)

What are you favorite snacks and goodies? Have you tried making them at home?

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

10 Reasons to Stop Buying Gas Station Food

Dan Rafter — Fri, 15 May 2015 15:00:08 +0000

You have a craving for a breakfast burrito and your local gas station sits just a half-block away. Should you turn your wheel and head over?

No!

Gas station food is often loaded with calories and fat. The prices aren't as cheap as you think. And that gas station convenience store might not be the cleanest place in town. Not convinced? Then check out these 10 reasons why buying food or drinks at your local gas station's convenience store is a big mistake.

1. You're Wasting Money That You're Saving at the Pump

Gas prices are falling. On May 4, a gallon of regular gas cost an average of $2.62 around the country, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report. That's down from an average of $3.67 a gallon during the first week of May last year. Don't waste the money you're not pumping into your car. Skip the snacks and drive away.

2. We're Already Spending Too Much Inside Gas Stations

According to Convenience Store News, "C-stores" recently enjoyed record in-store sales — sales of items other than gas, basically. In 2014, in-store sales hit $214.9 billion. Think of how much you spent last year inside your local gas station. Now think of what else you could have done with that money.

3. You'll Start Your Day Off on the Wrong Foot

Say you should only consume from 1,600 to 1,800 calories a day. If you start your day with a chicken and cheese biscuit at your local Speedway, you'll consume 500 calories — and 29 grams of fat — for breakfast. If you opt for the sausage, bacon, scrambled egg, and cheese croissant, you'll scarf down 590 calories and 39 grams of fat. And it's all downhill from there.

4. What You Think Is Healthy Might Not Be

You'd think a wrap would be a healthier alternative to a hamburger or hotdog, but this isn't always the case. The chicken pepper jack wrap offered by FiveStar gas stations, for example, contains 764 calories and 37 grams of fat.

5. Getting Creative Can Get You in Trouble

The Sheetz gas station chain offers what it calls a walking taco — basically a taco in a bag that's easy to eat when you're, well, walking around. You can build your own walking taco at Sheetz, and that's where you can get into trouble. If you're adventurous enough to build a walking taco that includes Doritos, grilled chicken strips, Mexican black beans and rice, and something called boom-boom sauce, you will have created a treat with 760 calories and 38 grams of fat.

6. Coffee Will Kill You

Coffee drinks can be especially hard on your waistline at your local gas station. A medium mocha drink at Sheetz with 2% reduced-fat milk and chocolate mocha sauce clocks in at 660 calories and eight grams of fat. That's a lot of calories to drink.

7. Even Non-Coffee Drinks Can Hurt

A 22-ounce Coca-Cola Classic fountain drink at Speedway comes with 183 calories. That might not seem like a lot, but drink three of these — which isn't an unusually high number for many — and you've consumed 549 calories. That's about one third of the 1,800 calories that many people aim for, and those calories don't include a bite of real food.

The Slurpee offered by 7-11 comes with about 99 calories for a 12-ounce serving. That might not seem like a lot, either, but Calorie King says that you'd have to walk for 27 minutes or jog for 11 to burn off those 99 calories. And, again, you're not really eating any food for those calories.

8. Gas Station Food Isn't Always That Cheap

You might think you're spending pocket change at the gas station. But consider this example: You can buy a 20-ounce plastic bottle of Diet Pepsi at your local gas station convenience store for as high as $1.89 a bottle. Why not just buy a two-liter bottle of diet pop instead? You can find generic two-liter bottles for as low as 79 cents at some chain grocery stores. (And don't complain about the taste: Close your eyes and you can barely tell the difference between generic diet pop and the big two.)

9. You Don't Know How Long Food Has Been Sitting Out

Ever picked up a candy bar at your local gas station only to find dust on the package? Who knows how long that treat has been sitting on the shelf waiting for someone like you to pick it up? It's true, too, that you don't know how long your food has been sitting around before you order it at a typical fast-food or fast-casual restaurant. The same holds true at your local grocery store. But when there's dust on your Snickers bar? It's time to move on.

10. Gas Stations Aren't Always Clean

Many gas station owners keep their convenience stores clean. Many others, though, do not. Check out the bathroom; if you don't want to be in there, you probably don't want to buy anything to eat from the rest of the store, either. If the inside of the bathroom is gross, it's a safe bet that the inside of the Slurpee machine is gross, too.

Do you splurge on gas station and convenience store snacks? What's your favorite?

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

20 Easy and Delicious Granola Recipes

Laurel Randolph — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:00:16 +0000

Hey, granola lovers! If you're not already making your own toasted oat and nut cereal, then shame on you. Not only is it much cheaper, but it's incredibly easy. For those of you who aren't believers, granola makes a healthy and hearty breakfast or snack, and the options are endless. Hopefully the sheer variety offered up in this article will entice you, granola fan or otherwise, to get baking.

1. Hazelnut Granola

A high-protein granola with hazelnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds that makes for a healthy but filling breakfast. Try it with whole, plain Greek yogurt.

2. Almond Joy Granola

A decadent granola chock full of coconut, almonds, and dark chocolate (of course). The recipe adds some extra flavor and crunch with almond butter and coconut oil.

3. Cranberry Orange Granola

This fragrant granola recipe has lots of flavor with orange zest, pecans, a little cinnamon, and cranberries. It's a flavor combination that's great for the fall.

4. Olive Oil Granola With Dried Apricots and Pistachios

This apricot and pistachio granola gets a sophisticated flavor with a touch of bitter from the olive oil, which makes it healthier and adds good texture.

5. Vanilla Almond Granola

This vanilla almond granola is a classic flavor combo that's similar to the store-bought varieties your family knows and loves, and goes great with yogurt or milk.

6. Crunchy Buckwheat Granola

Try this for extra crunchy granola thanks to the buckwheat and sunflower seeds, which also add nutrition while keeping it gluten-free.

7. Pumpkin Pecan Granola

Pumpkin puree, spices, and maple syrup give this autumn granola a festive flavor. The pumpkin puree replaces some of the fat, too.

8. Cinnamon Walnut Granola

A cinnamon-flavored granola with healthy flaxseed and walnuts. When serving, add fresh cut-up apple or banana.

9. Candied Ginger, Coconut, and Quinoa Granola

Healthy quinoa adds crunch while creating a gluten-free granola. Candied ginger gives it a sweet but spicy kick for something different.

10. Big Cluster Peanut Butter Granola

A wetter than normal mix that produces crunchy, clustery results. This nutty granola recipe uses peanut butter and roasted peanuts for big flavor.

11. Apple Cinnamon Granola

A simple, nut-free spiced granola that uses applesauce instead of oil. Add dried apples once cooled for more apple flavor, and serve with yogurt.

12. Healthy Grain-Free Granola

If you love granola but aren't eating grains, try this grain-free recipe. It's everything you could ever want, minus the oats.

13. Lemon Blueberry Granola

A unique, cereal-like granola that incorporates corn flakes and puffed millet, making it great with milk. Dried blueberries and fresh lemon add fruity flavor.

14. Julie's Fancy Sprouted Granola

A healthy, sprouted granola recipe that uses soaked millet, buckwheat, and chia seeds. it also calls for the healthier option of using coconut sugar and honey as sweeteners.

15. Oatmeal Cookie Granola

In the mood for a cookie but determined to eat healthier? Try oatmeal cookie granola, with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Try adding raisins once cool.

16. Banana Hemp Granola

For something different, make this chunky hemp granola that's great with milk. Ripe bananas add sweetness and replace the oil, while also giving it nice banana flavor.

17. Cherry Coconut Granola

Dried tart cherries add a fruity flavor to this coconut granola. With pistachios and a pinch of cardamom, it's a simple but sophisticated breakfast or snack.

18. Triple Chocolate Crunch Granola

A sweet granola that can easily step in as dessert. With cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and dark chocolate-covered raisins, it's full of chocolatey flavor and tastes great plain.

19. Chai-Spiced Granola

This simple chai granola uses a medley of spices to recreate your favorite drink in cereal form. Eat it with yogurt and a chai latte!

20. Everything Granola

For the indecisive, just put everything in your granola with tasty results. This recipe calls for almonds, pecans, walnuts, seeds, coconut, and more.

What's your favorite granola recipe? Please share a handful in comments!

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

15 Creative, Delicious Things You Can Make in a Blender

Laurel Randolph — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 13:00:04 +0000

Did you know that you can make a wide range of delicious things with a good blender, from soup to nut butters? Dust off this often under-utilized kitchen appliance and give the following items a whirl. (See also: 14 Cool Uses for a Blender)

1. Pancakes and Waffles

The next time you make pancake or waffle batter, try using your blender. Just toss all of the ingredients in, and switch on for a smooth mix; then pour your perfect portions straight from the pitcher. If you don't have a high-powered model, you may have to break up the mix with a spoon between pulses at first. Any standard recipe will work, just be sure to add mix-ins like fruit or chocolate chips by hand. This method is also great for gluten-free pancakes.

2. Sauces

Homemade sauces become so much easier with the help of a blender. You can achieve a smooth consistency and even texture with the push of a button. Make your own pizza sauce for an above average homemade pizza experience. It also freezes well, so you can make a big batch. Or make your very ownhollandaise sauce! The blender emulsifies the sauce effortlessly for a silky brunch topping.

3. Soups

A great way to give your blender a workout is making smooth and creamy soups. The variety of recipes and flavors may surprise you. From creamy pumpkin and butternut squash soup, to potato and broccoli soup, to tomato bisque — the possibilities are nearly endless. When blending hot soup, it's a good idea to let it cool off a bit before adding it to the blender. Puree in batches, and crack the top while covering with a kitchen towel to allow some heat to escape when the blender is on.

4. Condiments

If you've never thought about making your own condiments but you own a blender, give it a try! Homemade mayonnaise only requires four ingredients, and is far superior to its bottled counterpart. Or, if you want to go all out, make your own ketchup. Home-filled bottles of this classic condiment make great gifts.

5. Quick Breads

When making quick breads, try using your blender to mix things up. You can add ingredients straight to the pitcher, making your blender the only "bowl " that will need cleaning. This gluten-free chocolate banana bread comes together in a flash, or try making blender zucchini bread. The blender does all of the work, so you can forget about painstakingly shredding the zucchinis.

6. Protein Shakes

If you're looking to bulk up, you can make delicious and healthful protein shakes at home. Some recipes don't even call for protein powder, but rely on nutritious banana and protein-rich yogurt, peanut butter, and chia seeds to provide energy. A shake made with tofu and soy milk also provides a healthy dose of protein, and tastes great with the addition of cocoa.

7. Peanut Butter

Homemade peanut butter is a real treat, and you can make it in your very own blender! Add fresh-toasted nuts and pulse for minute increments, scraping down in between. Add a little salt and, if desired, honey or other flavorings, and pulse to combine. If you don't have a heavy-duty blender, be sure to work in intervals and don't over-work the machine. If it starts to smell smoky, let it rest for a few minutes.

8. Milkshakes

There's no need for a milkshake maker, your blender will do just fine. Start with a basic milkshake recipe and then get creative. Add chocolate or fruit syrups, and mix-ins like candies, crumbled cookies, or fruit. Changing up the ice cream flavor yields great results, too. Don't forget the whipped cream and cherry on top!

9. Dressings

Making your own dressing is easy and so much better than store-bought, and with a blender, it gets easier still. You can make most salad dressings in five minutes using a blender, including a fresh Italian dressing, a flavorful French variety, herb-filled green goddess dressing, and a soy vinaigrette. Blending your dressing makes for a smoother finished product since it does the emulsifying for you.

10. Sorbet

For an easy and quick dessert, make your own sorbet in a blender — no ice cream maker required. You won't need much more than frozen fruit and sweetener to achieve a cold, sweet treat. This method works best with a high-power blender, but if you're using a typical blender it will still work. When the mixture refuses to blend, stop the machine and stir. Work quickly, so that your mix doesn't melt!

11. Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

If you're living the gluten-free life or just want to cut down, you can use your blender to make a cauliflower pizza crust. It's pretty amazing the things cauliflower will do, and this is no exception! Steam your cauliflower and then blend it up to a fine texture. Add a few ingredients and form into a round before baking, topping, and baking again. The results are surprisingly delicious.

12. Smoothies

Everyone knows you can make smoothies with a blender, but it's easy to forget the sheer variety. Try using oatmeal in your next smoothie for a filling breakfast on the go. Add some nutrition and color with greens like in a kale smoothie, which pairs well with tangy fruit like pineapple. Yogurt smoothies provide protein with a creamy consistency. Get creative with different kinds of fruit, juices, milks, and fun additions like almond butter, chia seeds, and cocoa.

13. Dips

To whip up a tasty dip in no time, a blender is your answer. Make silky smooth hummus in minutes, great for a party or for a weekday snack. Pair with carrot and cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes, and pita chips. For a restaurant-style salsa, let your blender do the work. Use it to top tacos and burritos, or simply serve with corn chips.

14. Cocktails

There's nothing quite like a frozen daiquiri on a summer afternoon. Simply add frozen fruit, lemonade/limeade, light rum, and ice, and whirl up. Try lots of different fruit flavors and serve in fun glasses for a perfect hot weather party drink. Use your blender to make other blended drinks like piña coladas, margaritas, and more. Your friends will thank you!

15. Pudding

Yes, pudding! Take some of the labor out of making homemade pudding by having the blender mix it up for you. You're guaranteed to have a silky smooth treat in no time flat. You can't go wrong with a dark chocolate peanut butter pudding, or, for a healthier route, try a blended vanilla chia seed pudding. It makes a great breakfast, or add chocolate to turn it into a low-guilt dessert.

What do you like to mix in your blender? Please share in comments!

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