frugal

Almost a year ago, I shared a disappointing attempt to make balsamic vinaigrette from scratch. Everything seemed right--it tasted fine--but I just couldn't get over the look of it. See what I mean? After gathering your advice in the comments and on...

In our family's my never-ending quest to save money, water, energy, and the environment, I've tried lots of ways to save more by using less. Here are some ideas that will help you save too! Kitchen 1.    Cook with your toaster oven,...

Dear Footy Pajama Companies: I appreciate everything you've done to keep my babies toasty warm over the years. However, I have an question for your Footy Pajama Scientists, whom I suspect know NOTHING about children. As you know, infant pajamas hav...

These tasty waffles are made with healthy ingredients, and they're hearty enough to fill up a 7-year-old Bottomless Pit! (Where does he put all that food he eats, anyway?) Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter 2 large eggs 1 3/4 cups milk 1 ...

Ever since she was born, we’ve called our baby Little Peanut. She wasn't a preemie, but was tiny from the start and still is (even though she eats like a linebacker). Well, that was the wrong name. We should have been calling her Little PEE-nut. ...

"Why make something when you can buy it?" My husband asks every time I start another "wacky project" in the kitchen. There are lots of good reasons! Making my own stuff helps us avoid harmful chemicals, saves time and money, and I just like experiment...

I've learned something important since Little Peanut started walking. Toddlers and hardwood floors don't mix! After watching her slip and slide for a day or two (even while wearing Carter's no-skid socks), I knew stronger measures were required. But...

I’m a baseball girl, so my interest in football is pretty minimal. When it comes to Superbowl, I’d rather talk about what we’re going to eat than rushing yards, Kaepernick’s tattoos, blah blah blah. "What is this Superbowl of which you speak...

Have you seen the latest batch of Febreze ads? Their slogan is "breathe happy." Unfortunately, breathing in these toxic chemicals does not make me happy: BHT ACETALDEHYDE 1,3-DICHLORO-2-PROPANOL LIMONENE METHYL PYRROLIDONE BUTYLPHENYL ME...

You know how sometimes a brand name becomes synonymous with the product it makes? Think Kleenex or Xerox. We love Panda Express, and it automatically means "Orange Chicken" when we hear it. The conversation has become shorthand: "Wanna Panda?" is al...