Frugal In Florida

Most mornings, I eat eggs. And veggies. But some days I am just Over. Eggs.   Yes it happens! Then I think back to when the bosses surprised me with that Vitamix for my Christmas bonus. THAT was a huge surprise ... and then I was  on a mission ... success or failure, to make every attempt to post one recipe a week using the VitaMix to see if I can really incorporate it into my life ...   I was so sad that I wasn't more excited about using it ... and I am still open to tips and recipes to try and share .... PLEASE! Enough whining (I just feel real bad STILL as it's not a cheap gift by any means) ...  Today's featured attempt was a fairly good success and I'm actually looking forward to making it for breakfast this week!  Banana Nut Smoothies 2 frozen bananas (yes, do peel them before you freeze them. You are freezing your borderline overly ripe bananas, right ?) 1 ripe pear, cut in half, seeds removed 1/4 cup raw nuts (not peanuts!), I use...

*It's October and time for All Things Pumpkin!* I mentioned over  here  that I am not a huge pumpkin fan ... but once in a while I find something that makes me think .... Hmmmmm, not so very bad after all ... And this is one of those times! Original recipe comes from  Civilized Caveman  and of course, I have to do my own things to make it more ME! Here's how I did it ... 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup almond milk 1/4 cup apple juice (I used cider, it's what I had) 1/2 frozen banana (I used a whole banana, will do half next time) 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice 1/2 tsp hemp heart seeds (these are so tasty and loaded with something healthy, I just know it and impart a nutty flavor) 1/2 cup (more or less) ice small handful of pecans or walnuts, chopped, for garnish if desired. Guess what you do? Toss all (except walnuts/pecans) in blender and let it rip til smooth. Pour in glass and garnish with pecans/walnuts. I didn't have t...

I so wanted to get this post up BEFORE Cinco de Mayo but with the phone hitting the wall, seriously, I couldn't figure out a way to bypass the damn Google  2 step verification process (how on earth did I ever agree to THAT!!!???) to log in to the main computer and upload the pics ... Oh well. I'm still sharing because it's just worth it. The original recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman and I happened to catch her on Food TV last weekend. Raise your hand IF you like to watch that show? Me? Not so much, no offense Ree. It's just not the same as reading the website she has, you know? But I'm glad so many more people have been exposed to her!!! So anyways. This was my Sunday, feeling sorry for myself, OMG I'm going to be 50 tomorrow, it's so freakin hot and I just want to be left alone drink. Yes, I had a moment or two on Sunday, why do you ask? Between the fact that I couldn't wash dishes in the main kitchen, run the dishwasher and mother nature...

You probably already know that I LOVE margaritas ... uh huh ... but not the heartburn at 2am after a few of the ones using the pre-made margarita mix ... Hubby already has the system worked out where he just pulls out the bottle of Prilosec and sets it next to my glass. Pretty pathetic, don't you think? ;-) So, that with the fact that I'm trying to eat a little healthier and more whole foods, this was a perfect recipe to give a try ... plus it used the big blender which made me very happy! This makes ONE generous drink ... I had a couple and let me just tell you that 1 cup of tequila is a LOT ;-)  Was wishing the following morning that Hubby had set out the bottle of Advil too! 1/2 cup tequila 1/2 cup frozen strawberries juice of half a lime 1/2 tbs triple sec 1/2 tsp powdered sugar 1/4 cup sparkling water (I grabbed the soda stream to carbonate some water from fridge) 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar (per  Nigella ... this is a secret ingredient th...