The Frugal Cook

Cooking is an interesting hobby and it does not have to be expensive. Of course, you can still make healthy recipes without spending more. You can be the frugal cook but someone who will not sompromise a healthy recipe over the budget. If you love cooking, you don't have to be held back by your budget to make a healthy recipe. Of course, you can still make healthy recipes even by beign frugal. Here are a few tips that you might find useful in trying to enjoy cooking without having to spend more.

1. Plan your meals and prepare your recipes. Of course, planning helps you cut cost as you can find cheaper ingredients. This will also help you buy in bulk in case you need an ingredient for more than one recipe that you plan for the whole week. A well-prepared recipe will also help you decide on possible alternatives if there are ingredients that are not available or if such ingredients are costly in that particular time.
2. Find a recipe with ingredients in season. Vegetables are healthy ingredients for your healthy cooking but keep in mind that they can also be expensive especially if you buy them when they are off-season. Buying them at these times will cost you and you wouldn't want that for sure, thus keep this thing in mind if you want to be the frugal cook.

3. Make your own recipes with leftovers. There are just times that you get leftovers but you can make something out of these leftovers and come up with another recipe. You can even make your own pizza recipe from it, so make sure you freeze or refrigerate your leftovers and try to research and experiment on what new recipes you can do with them.

4. Cut down on meat. If you want to make healthy recipes without spending more, then you have to increase more of your vegetables and cut down on meat. You don't have to totally eliminate all the meat though if you can't live without it, but instead of focusing on all-meat recipes, try to have a variety of vegetables and less meat.

5. Grow your own herbs if you can. Herbs and spices make cooking more inviting, tasty and healthy but they can also be expensive. If you can find Asian markets that have exotic herbs and spices at lower price, then lucky for you, but you can also plant your own potted herbs or in your backyard garden to save a lot from them. This is also a good option if you want fresher and healthier herbs for your recipes.
You can also buy straight from the farmers if you really want to make sure you are getting fresh produce and you will not be spending too much. Of course, those in the supermarkets may have passed through a number of middlemen that may also add more to the product's price.

These are only a few tips to help you become the frugal cook and at the same time will help you promote and serve healthy meals for the family.

Carolyn Anderson enjoys healthy cooking. If you love cooking without spending more, check out this guide to once-a-month cooking. Also check out Becoming A Professional Organizer, if you are also looking for a career in events organizing.

Sample Menu http://www.menus4moms.com/pdf/sample_busy_mom.pdf
                      http://www.menus4moms.com/pdf/sample_frugal.pdf
                      http://www.menus4moms.com/pdf/fmm_sample.pdf

Cooking with kids lets kids shine in the kitchen...Try these

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Cooking with kids lets kids shine in the kitchen...Try these 8 tips to get started!

Author:

Lorin Young
I don\'t know about you, but in our family, the menu planning is the hub of our entire household. If I don\'t know what\'s for dinner when I get up in the morning and who is cooking it, my whole day can sort of deteriorate.

The Nutritional Benefits of Indian Cuisine

Who doesn't love a delicious, rich Indian meal? It's filling, enjoys a worldwide appeal, and best of all - it is good for you! Indian food is internationally recognized as one of the most healthy food types available. Here are six ingredients and meals that you can enjoy guiltlessly.
Cumin
Cumin is a popular spice that is found in several Indian dishes, such as aloo gobi, aloo baingan, and jeera. It is also a main ingredient in curry powder. This special herb is full of antioxidants, which help the immune system to function at its best. Those suffering from digestive issues will also benefit from regular doses of cumin. Richness in iron is another benefit of cumin, which makes a great supplement for those with anemia or lack sufficient iron in general.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another powerful all-around healer used in the prevention and treatment of several maladies. For instance, turmeric is known as a mild pain killer as well as anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is also good for the liver, acting as both a detoxifier as well as a protector. Arthritis and joint disease sufferers will do well to eat dishes with turmeric in order to relieve their symptoms. Turmeric is found in vindaloo, chicken masala, and aloo phujia. Like cumin, turmeric is also an ingredient in curry powder.
Vegetable Curry
Though the ingredients and spices vary greatly with this universal dish, they all have one thing in common - vegetables! A vegetable curry is an excellent way to get your daily dose of veggies all in one meal. Popular vegetables include cauliflower, onions, potatoes, carrots, squash, eggplant, peas, and tomatoes.
Chana Masala
Chana masala is a delicious meal that is easy to make and found on menus worldwide. If you're not familiar with this dish, its main base is chickpeas, or garbanzo beans. Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, folate, thiamin, iron, magnesium, and potassium. The other ingredients in chana masala include an herb-heavy seasoning comprised of a combination of the following: turmeric, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, and ginger.
Ginger
Newly pregnant mothers can take advantage of Indian dishes seasoned with ginger, as it is a known treatment for morning sickness. Ginger tablets are also available in airports and ship ports to reduce the effect of motion sickness and nausea. Ginger soothes the gastrointestinal passageway, making it a natural remedy for heartburn. Some studies have even shown that ginger may be helpful in the prevention of certain types of cancers. Vegetable bhaji, tomato masala, and masoor dal are all dishes that utilize ginger.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is another miracle spice. The fenugreek seed is a good source of fiber and iron. Acting as nature's Viagra, it has been used to increase libido in both men and women. Menopausal women will find relief in fenugreek, which has similar properties as estrogen. During flu season, fenugreek can be used to ease sore throats, fever, and coughing. This herb adds flavor to dishes such as methi dum aloo, sambar, and sai bhaji.
Byline: Jasmine Stephenson is an international traveler, freelance writer, and Indian food lover who also writes for radiologytechncian.com and onlinecollegedegrees.net