Sensible Guides

I love cooking for my family and through the years I have many favorite recipes I share regularly. I take my time when it comes to preparing meals since I find the entire process a time to relax and tap into my creative side.

However I also like to be organized and saving steps makes perfect sense when it comes to a large family.

It stands to reason if you are the chief cook in the house, you will have stumbled across many short cuts that make some kitchen chores less work. I have learned a few tricks along the way that have helped save time with great results.

Here are 12 great tips that have helped me keep my meal time prep easier. Continue »

For the cook in the house, planning and preparing the family meal takes time which is often at a premium for those just getting home from work.

This is where frozen pizzas, fast foods and high priced package meals can make a big impact in your budget and your health.

But there are plenty of low cost alternatives and by using some quick and easy meal preparation tips you can keep the family happy and your budget in check. All it takes is a little planning, patience and a dash of creativity. Continue »

There is nothing like coming home after a day out to the smell of something cooking and knowing your dinner is almost ready.  This is the beauty behind a crock pot.  With just a few minutes of preparation, an entire meal can be cooked and served from the same pot without the mess from traditional meal preparation.

Less work and less mess always equals less stress and dinner time can be a family gathering at the end of the day instead of the time consuming chore during a busy work week.

One pot slow cooking provides a number of possibilities for cooking leaner and less expensive cuts of meat. The moist, long, slow cooking provides tender meat with very little fat that is easily removed keeping meals not only tasty but healthy too. Continue »

Planning a New Years Even party is a great way to end the year on a high note with great friends and good food. Be it a dress up event or a casual gathering, taking the time to enjoy the party without spending the night in the kitchen can be accomplished easily by making it a potluck event.

We have all been to potluck picnics where bringing a side dish is a normal occurance, so why not consider throwing a New Years Eve Potluck Party.

There are many advantages including lower food costs and the work required for the host, but the best part of the a potluck is the chance for everyone to participate and to sample new dishes made by friends. Continue »

Healthy eating and regular exercise have always been important and though it requires a certain degree of willpower and commitment, there are several myths that we need to dispel for the sake of our own health.

The key to eating healthy not only lies in what foods we choose but also in how the food is prepared, and the quantity we consume.  With today’s product labeling and nutritional content, we have the ability to make the best choices and determine the proper servings for a well balanced diet.

In an environment bombarded with ads about cholesterol-rich fast food the good news is that healthy eating is slowly becoming more mainstream. Continue »

Today over 90% of North Americans consume caffeine on a daily basis. This central nervous system (CNS) stimulant has exploded into the retail coffee market not only in the volume consumed, but in the variety of ways in which to enjoy it as well.

There’s something for everyone, from the elegant gourmet coffee houses to your everyday coffee shops and sports bars. Typically found in tea and chocolate at much lowers levels, caffeine is also a common ingredient in both prescription and over-the-counter pain medications. Continue »

Bread has been a staple food for mankind since time began. Funny enough, people today have no idea how to make homemade bread. The process is actually very simple. Of course there are more advanced techniques used to make a variety of different types and they can be wonderful additions to your family favorites.

These days you can make bread automatically with bread machines but I still prefer to do it manually, with my own hands. Whatever you choose the basic homemade bread making principles are very much the same. Continue »