Happy Friday! 
What are your plans for the weekend? Is there a party or barbecue on your calendar? Turn off the oven and make these easy, luscious sweets from AllYou.com. The best part about these goodies (besides their taste, of course) is their cost per serving– most are under $2 each. I love that!
Trading Up Downtown Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered the Ebates giveaway this week! Here’s your winner: 27!
Love ebates!! Been a member for a while now and try to use it all the time.
Congrats, Emily! Please email me at thaupert@nuval.com with the email address you used to sign up for Ebates.
Once in a while we like to have night of staying in. Who says it has to be movies and popcorn? Not too long ago before the social network waves, we actually had to entertain friends and family at our home to catch up. Having your favorite people over for a night of socializing, games, and amazing food can be a great alternative to a night out on the town. However, depending on the amount of guests, this may be the biggest tab you have ever picked up. Here are 5 tips to saving some money while entertaining guests!
1. Buy in Bulk. Buying in bulk is not always the most convenient option for the family. Sometimes countless items can go to waste, so the money you save buying in bulk really doesn’t pay off. However, when entertaining, you have the perfect opportunity to buy in bulk without worrying your items will go to waste. In all honesty when entertaining guests, it would be senseless and costly not to buy in bulk.
2. Borrow Dishes. If you have family member or friend that can help out, see if you can borrow a few sets of dishes. Otherwise you will either be buying paper plates with plastic silverware, or even buying a new set of plates that will hardly be used in the future. Borrowing dishes is the least expensive way add more plates to the table. Just be ready to replace items should someone break something.
3. Cook From Scratch. Cooking from scratch is appealing to some, and a hassle for others. One thing is for sure, and that is you will save a bundle. Something as simple as chopping your own vegetables or preparing your own appetizers can go a long way. Now realistically not everything can be made from scratch, but chose the things you are good at, and you will save some money.
4. Encourage Participation. When entertaining guests a great way to save a little bit of money is encouraging guests that they may bring a dish. Of course, do no require your guests to bring a dish, because after all you are the one hosting. However, if you encourage guests that they may bring their favorite dish, you would be happy to entertain their items as well. This is also a great way to stir up conversations and to stir up the menu.
5. Keep it Simple. Keeping it simple may be the most important tip to saving a little money. Not everyone is a fan or your favorite foreign dish, so things like pastas, hamburgers, cheese and crackers, and vegetables and dips are just fine. Try to avoid pouring drinks without a glass. For instance a 2 liter of soda can last a lot longer than cans. On top of that, beer poured in a frothy glass is just what your guests are looking for.
There you have it! The 5 tips to saving a little bit of money when entertaining guests. Remember, this should be a fun experience, so don’t overdo it, and keep things simple. Keeping everyone happily entertained is not as hard as you may think!
This article was written by Alina Cambridge. Alina is an internet blogger who enjoys many different topics such as living frugal, health, skin care, and business. She currently writes for www.acnecentre.com, a website that tells you everything you need to know about acne.
I love grilled vegetables, especially when they’re cooked outdoors on the barbeque. Seasonal, summer-fresh veggies are nutritious, delicious, and wallet-friendly. I mean, what more could you ask for?!
All sorts of vegetables are in season now, so fresh produce is really affordable in the summertime. Using a simple cooking method, like grilling, helps you enjoy them and benefit from their nutrients. The flavor from fresh veggies is so delicious and satisfying that you can easily use grilled vegetables as the basis of a main course as well as a side to grilled meats.
What do I need?
- Vegetables! Think bell peppers, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini– all of which have high NuVal scores!
- Chopped herbs, such as tarragon, thyme and/or basil
- Salt & pepper to taste
How to:
- Preheat grill to high heat.
- Working in batches, arrange veggies on the grill and cook, flipping once, until tender and just beginning to char, 3 to 5 minutes for the zucchini and squash, 6 to 8 minutes for the peppers and eggplant.
- Spread out to cool slightly on a large baking sheet.
- Roughly chop hot veggies into bite-size pieces and toss with herbs, salt and pepper on a large platter.
- Serve warm, at room temperature or cold.
Tips & Tricks:
- Get more flavor from the flames. Cutting veggies into slices that allow for more surface area to touch the grill makes for more golden-brown goodness.
- Forget the grill marks. Worrying about getting the perfect pattern on grilled foods can result in less-than-perfect overcooked food.
- Resist the urge to fidget. Once it has hit the grill, handle food as little as possible. Flipping or turning too soon can result in sticking.
- Give ‘em some space. As you remove veggies from the grill, spread them out on a large baking sheet instead of stacking them, which can cause them to steam and get soggy.
Dress Up Your Grilled Vegetables:
- Brush vegetables with Dijon mustard before grilling.
- Scatter chopped, toasted nuts and finely chopped shallots over vegetables before serving.
- Toss whole wheat pasta with grilled vegetables, chopped tomatoes and a sprinkle of crushed red chile pepper.
- Toss finely chopped grilled vegetables, jalapeños and peaches or nectarines with lime juice to top grilled fish.
Tips & tricks from The Whole Deal
What are your favorite ways to enjoy what’s in season?
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 