I am a part of my first ever book club and we were talking about what we always buy from Trader Joes. I enjoyed hearing what others love from this store and thought I’d share some of my favorites with you. Please leave a comment with YOUR favorite things. You can comment by clicking on that little text box next to the TITLE of this post.
Today I only share 8 things, but there are many more than 8 things we love, and I’ll share a few others in a future post!
This is one of my boys’ most FAVORITE foods, so I love to have this in the freezer for an easy dinner night. I make some jasmine rice and edamame and dinner is done.
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2. Kung Pau Chicken
Since I’m not an orange chicken fan, I also buy this and make it on ‘orange chicken night.’ This is what Ted and I eat, and the boys usually have a little too, though they prefer the orange chicken.
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3. Green Curry
This is my absolute favorite frozen lunch meal. It’s SPICY – which I LOVE. If you are a green curry fan, you’ve got to try this!
4. Tandori Naan
My boys LOVE this Naan bread. It’s so good toasted with butter. You can also use it to make pizzas!
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5. Hot & Sweet Peppers
These are DELICIOUS on nachos or pizza. I recently chopped them up and mixed them in while I was making deviled eggs and wow, it was SO good!
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6. Vegetable Chips
If you are a chip lover, but want to feel better about your chip habit, this is your ticket.
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7. Unexpected Cheddar
TJ’s is the place to go if you want to make a meat and cheese board because they’ve got such a big variety. Unexpected Cheddar is the cheese I try to keep on hand. It’s a nice sharp cheddar that is loved by everyone in our house. We just slice it and eat it with grapes or apples, but we also enjoy it in grilled cheese sandwiches and on hamburgers.
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8. Grass Fed Sirloin Steak
With a bunch of males in my house, I can’t seem to make enough protein, so it’s great to have this as a quick lunch or dinner option. It’s a delicious seasoned steak, sliced and ready to warm and eat as is, or put in sandwiches with some dijoinase.
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Based on the recommendations from my book club, and this recent post, I found a few more favorites that I’ll share soon! Thanks for reading and please let me know what you love to buy at Trader Joe’s by clicking on the comment box.
I discovered this recipe on Instagram some time ago and recently had the chance to make it. It’s perfect for serving a large group or for preparing a thoughtful meal to share with a family in need. It was a hit with all my boys, and what I particularly appreciate is how effortlessly it came together.
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Ingredients:
2 lbs of chicken (I used frozen chicken breast)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
2 cups of chicken broth
2 packets of powdered Gravy mix
Noodles (or mashed potatoes)
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What to do:
Put the broth, soup and gravy powder into the crockpot.
Set the frozen chicken on top.
Cook on low for 4 hours.
Cook the noodles (or mashed potatoes) before serving. In my opinion, the mashed potatoes with the chicken and gravy are SO delicious – I’m a mashed potato lover. However the noodles are much easier and faster to make. If you have the time, make the potatoes, if you are in a hurry or want to save the time and effort, the noodles work great.
Thanks to every single person who took the effort to put up Christmas lights this year or send out cards. It definitely brought Christmas JOY to our family.
My favorite tree!And this house!
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The new Hawkeye series on Disney Plus
When Ted asked me to come watch Hawkeye with him and the boys, I brought a book to read. I’m not really in to the “Hawkeye” character, and didn’t want to watch this new show, but I did want to hang with the boys while they watched it.
Little did I know how much we would ALL enjoy it. The storyline was so engaging and the characters were endearing. We just finished the final episode on Disney. I said to Ted. ‘Let’s watch that series again’ (I never say that. It was truly THAT GOOD)!
Wrigley is the SWEETEST DOG. However, when he’s outside and not on his leash, he doesn’t always come back when you call him. If he’s not done playing, he will run AWAY from you when he sees you coming toward him.
This became a HUGE problem two times in December. Once when I had to go to work and couldn’t get him inside. Another time when he ran onto the pond and we weren’t sure if it was thick enough to hold him. Paul was a wreck thinking his dog might go through the ice and there was nothing we could do.
Enter the world’s best invention. A collar that beeps, vibrates or shocks. (We don’t use the shock)
The very first time I gave Wrigley a gentle vibrate and beep and said “COME,” he immediately came and sat next to me. I was shocked and overjoyed how well it worked then, and how will it continues to work. I only needed to use the vibrate twice, and now he obeys when he just hears the BEEP!
This device is usually $50, but they are currently 20% off. This was the best $40 I ever spent.
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YouTube videos the whole family can enjoy
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https://youtu.be/-N8860D2ITY
There are so many ANNOYING YouTube Channels. However, there are a handful that we can all enjoy together.
Mark Rober – a former Nasa scientist who makes entertaining videos by creating gadgets and fun experiments.
Dude Perfect – a group of guys that met at church and now make trick shot videos and a ‘game show’ called Overtime.
Fantastic 2 – I can’t NOT mention the channel my son’s created. 🙂
I posted some of my favorite things in my instagram and Facebook stories recently, and had lots of feedback and questions – so I thought I’d share a post about some of things we love to buy at Costco:
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Our favorite hamburgers:
You can cook these in the oven, on the stove, or on the grill. They are best served with a toasted and buttered bun.
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Our favorite dip:
This dip is great with chips, crackers or celery.
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Other great dips:
I like the TASTE of this dip, more than the NAME of the dip. It’s made from ALMONDS and is a delicious dip for crackers or vegetables.
This dip is amazing! It’s good with tortilla chips, corn chips, on a salad, or with celery. It’s good warm or cold.
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Celery sticks
How do you eat more veggies? Make them easily accessible. These are washed and ready to eat right out of the bag. Great for the dips listed above.
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My favorite crackers
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Best Chips
For a not-as-healthy options for those dips, these chips are SOO good! Also great with salsa, queso, guacamole and the corn dip (pictured above). They are also good straight out of the bag.
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Pre-cooked bacon
Buy the pre-cooked bacon to warm and eat or use in recipes.
I like to wrap one piece of bacon around 3 pieces of asparagus and bake.
You could also wrap it around cheese stuffed dates and bake!
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Great salad topping
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Popcorn heaven
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Organic eggs and milk
Good price on these if you use a lot of milk or eggs in your home.
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Rotisserie chicken
We like to get Costco’s rotisserie chicken. Easy dinner! Boil the bones for great chicken broth.
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Great steak!!
Eat it in sandwiches for lunch, chopped up on salads, or AS IS for dinner. It’s so good and so easy.
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De-lish FISH!
This is a great dish to bake for company. It looks and tastes so fancy, but requires no work!
Tip: Put a little of the pickle ranch dip (pictured above) on the side! YUM!
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The world’s best frozen chicken nuggets. They taste like Chick-Fil-A!
I like to cook them in the air fryer.
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Best Salad:
I can’t leave Costco without purchasing the large 1-pound containers of Organic Spring Mix. This salad mix is not soft like spinach, it has a nice crunch like romaine. It’s easier to eat healthy when this is in your fridge.
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Meat Sticks – my boys LOVE these!
They were on sale recently, so I brought a bag home. Ted, our boys, and their friends, finished the bag in a few days. I went back and stocked up before the sale ended. They are high in protein and low in sugar.
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Crystal Light Drink Mixes
The drink mix (pictured below) was purchased on amazon (click here to see), but then I spotted it at Costco this week. These little Crystal Light packets are a great way to keep your kids getting fluids all summer! They come in a variety pack of flavors, and my kids like them all. You can pour a packet into a water bottle, and it turns the water into lemonade or fruit punch. It’s a GREAT alternative to Soda!
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Easy and Delicious Dinner – Street Tacos
This kit comes with seasoned chicken, cheese, tortillas, shredded lettuce/cabbage, and two sauces. It can feed up to 6 people. It’s a yummy and cost-effective dinner to keep on hand and prevent you from going through the drive-thru when you don’t feel like cooking.
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Marvelous Macarons
I believe these are seasonal, but they were amazing!
I like simple dinner ideas and thought you might like one too! All you need is 4 ingredients and about 4 minutes to get dinner in the crockpot for your family.
4 lbs of Chicken (frozen or thawed). You can use chicken tenders, thighs, or chicken breasts.
1 cup of Rice – I used Jasmine rice.
Directions:
1. Add chicken, salsa and coconut milk to crockpot and stir.
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2. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or cook on high for about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. These times are APPROXIMATE and I encourage you to check on and stir your chicken regularly.
3. When chicken is finished cooking, remove it from the crock pot.
4. Add a cup of rice to the remaining liquid and cook on high for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Enjoy!
For a similar dish with a Mexican twist, add regular salsa and cream cheese instead of the Thai salsa and coconut milk.
According to the American Heart Association, one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese. Children will carry the eating habits they learn at a young age into their adult years, so it’s important to equip them with the ability to make healthy food choices. What’s more, it’s important to teach your child to make healthy choices in all aspects of their lives, from safety to fitness. Here are some budget-minded strategies that work.
Be a Good Role Model
Parenting, as you well know, means shifting priorities in order to meet the needs of your young loved ones. This may mean fitness goals, education pursuits, career choices, even healthy sleeping habits all get “back burnered” — gladly and without hesitation — in order to make room for children and their needs. But if you find yourself now getting better sleep and with some time on your hands (within reason), then it may be time to pursue that online business degree you’ve always wanted to get back to. It’s never too late to recommit to a goal, especially with flexible schedules and deadlines. It’s one way to model the behavior you expect from your children — making learning a priority throughout life. Plus, it has the potential to help you along in your career pursuits.
Keep Healthy Snacks in the House
You don’t want to deprive your children or yourself of delicious food. However, having a constant store of unhealthy food on tap creates a habitual pattern of eating. Some kids will go looking for it, some will pester you for it, but all will be expecting chocolate, chips, or sugary drinks at some point. Leave these as occasional treats, and when you do choose to enjoy them, buy only what you’ll be eating that day. Don’t buy multipacks or two-for-one offers, and throw out whatever’s left over at the end of the day. Besides, you might be surprised at how tasty — and affordable — a healthy snack can be.
Fruits and nuts, for instance, can be easy on both your wallet and your waistline. And to give your child a sense of ownership over their snacks, allow them to use things like toaster ovens and microwaves to prepare their snacks — with supervision, of course. (Click here for more healthy snack ideas)
Teach Your Kids the Importance of Physical Fitness
It’s often a lot easier to have the kids lose themselves in online activities and video games instead of encouraging them to go outside and get some exercise. However, maintaining a healthy weight involves staying fit, and that means stepping away from technology and finding ways to get moving. For example, if your child likes to play basketball video games, encourage them to take up the sport in real life. And if you need gear, look around online to see where you can pick up used sporting goods.
With a little exploring, you can find places to pick up store returns for a song, or websites like eBay offer both new and used equipment at affordable prices.
Discuss Safety When Home Alone
Are your kids old enough to leave at home while you pop out to the store for something? If so, then you need to discuss the importance of not answering the door when a stranger comes calling. Thankfully, technology allows us to see who’s at our door without setting foot outside.
Most modern-day security systems — even budget-friendly models — allow us to use cameras inside doorbells to safely see who’s on the other side. Discuss the dangers of answering the door for strangers with your children, and teach them how to properly use your home security system for those times when you’re away.
Your Overall Strategy
This is not the time for a firm hand because using pressure and coercion can actually have the opposite effect on eating habits and fitness. Your goal is to encourage your children to make healthy choices, using positive reinforcement, shared experiences, and role modeling.
It will take some time, but eventually, this creates a pattern of behavior that persists even when you’re not there to enforce it. As long as you take your time, plan ahead, and keep a cool head, you can instill healthy habits in your children that will last for a lifetime.
First of all, I haven’t abandoned my love for Target! Target has my heart…but there is ONE item that I can ONLY find at Aldi. So…I keep going back to grab this ONE thing….plus a few extras while I’m there.
Read the very bottom to find out my very favorite item from Aldi. The one item I can not find ANYWHERE else!
Here are some of our favorite things to buy at Aldi:
1. Bacon
Aldi’s Turkey Bacon – tastes great and is the best price around.
2. Bread
Sliced Bread – only $1 per loaf!
3. Crackers
Savoritz crackers – Their version of “Ritz” crackers. Your kids won’t know the difference, but you will save money. $1.99
4. Mayonaise
Mayonaise – tastes the same as any name brand Mayo, yet it’s only $1.99
5. Lunch Meat
Salami is what we always buy from Aldi
6. Cheese
Cheese – they have a huge variety. I love the sharp cheddar with cranberry, my husband loves the goat cheese, my kids like their string cheese.
7. Aldi Brand Cereal
Their cereal prices can’t be beat. My kids think their “Marshmallows & Stars” tastes just like Lucky Charms and their “Cinnamon Crunch” tastes just like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. And they are HALF the price!
Finally, My favorite Aldi item that I’ve just discovered…
This item is the inspiration for this entire post. It is something that tastes better than any other brand. It’s the…
12. Gluten Free, Cauliflower Crust PIZZA
This pizza is Amazing! It comes fresh and is best baked fresh, not frozen. The crust is super crispy and the pizza is delicious. My kids love it. We’ve all decided it’s our favorite pizza. Not our favorite ‘cauliflower’ pizza…it’s the best pizza you can buy from a grocery store. My kids have no idea there’s cauliflower in the crust. When I make pizza everyone asks: “Is this the one we like?”
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What NOT to buy:
Brand Name Items – they often cost more than buying elsewhere.
Here are some popular recipes we make from Aldi ingredients:
Aldi brand Crispy Rice and Marshmallows make the most inexpensive Rice Krispy treats!
George making his favorite treat!
3 simple ingredients
This recipe makes a LOT of treats!
This recipe makes a LOT of rice crispy treats. I filled one 9×12 inch pan and one 9 x9 inch pan. Cut this recipe in half if you are not serving a large group.
In a large pot, melt butter. Add marshmallows and stir occasionally until completely melted.
Remove from heat and stir in crisp rice until evenly combined. Transfer pan. Spray hands with cooking spray and press mixture into pan.
Cool for 15 minutes at room temperature and cut into 20 squares.
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Here’s a simple snack my kids love:
Salami Snacks:
Ingredients:
Savoritz Crackers
Mayonaise
Salami
Cheese
Directions:
Set out crackers. Spread a tiny bit of mayo on top of each cracker. Put a small piece of salami on top. Put a small piece of cheese on top of the salami. Serve with a smile!
Here’s a video where I show a couple of their items!
What’s YOUR favorite thing from Aldi? Leave a comment!
This post was NOT sponsored by Aldi, all opinions are mine.
It was Ted’s Birthday weekend and we wanted to get out of the Twin Cities and do something fun. A visit to Duluth had been on our Minnesota Bucket List for two years – so we booked a place to stay and invited some friends to join us for the weekend up north. (Bonus, our friends used to LIVE THERE – so they knew all the best spots to visit!!)
We arrived in Duluth on Friday around noon and started the weekend in Canal Park. We walked through a few of the quaint shops and got to the end to see the massive lift bridge. Every 30 minutes, the bridge lifts to let boats come into the Harbour from Lake Superior. You can click here to find the ship schedule.
Moose sighting (sitting?)Watching a glass-blowing class in action
Notes on Grandma's Restaurant: I didn't love the indoor 'vibe' of this restaurant, but getting a seat by a window or on the upstairs patio makes it nice! The food was pretty good, but not amazing. The reason to go here - LOCATION! I'd only go back if I had an outdoor table that overlooks the bridge.
Then we walked to the lighthouse at the end of the loooong pier. My boys were amazed that Superior is really a lake and not an ocean.
We walked back to our hotel to check in, then watched the trucks and tractors working behind the hotel – setting huge boulders in place and creating a large walkway along the lake. Each semi could only hold three boulders. After we watched them work for awhile, we drove to Park Point Beach, which is about an eight minute drive from Canal Park. The drive takes you across the lift bridge – which was fun, and the drive to the beach is nice because you get to enjoy viewing a wide range of homes along the lakefront.
Hanging out behind the hotel, watching the trucks at workThis long truck could only hold 3 boulders
When we arrived at Park Point Beach, we stood to observe the powerful lake and unique beach – full of soft sand and huge, heavy logs that had washed onto the shore. The lake is always VERY cold and since it was late in the day, we weren’t planning to swim. However, the chilly air, the cold water, and lack of swimsuits, did not stop the kids. They were playing in the waves within minutes of our arrival.
They watched the water for about 2 minutes…Then they jumped in and didn’t mind the freezing water. We found a couple cute Sea Turtles
After time at Park Point, we went back to the hotel to dry off and change, then walked to dinner at Canal Street Brewery. The restaurant has a great vibe, and huge windows overlooking the lake. Ted ordered a salmon salad and I had a grilled chicken sandwich with brie and asparagus. The boys ate burgers. We all enjoyed our meals and would definitely go back.
After dinner, we let the kids swim in the hotel pool, then we enjoyed s’mores on the hotel’s back patio.
We’d been watching the weather for several days preceding our trip, and the forecast showed rain and lightning all weekend. Clark asked if we could pray and ask God for nice weather so that we could explore outdoors. Thankfully, Friday was nice! It was warm during the day and just a little chilly at night. After getting into bed Friday night, it rained and thundered all night – but the storms were over by morning! Saturday’s weather was perfect for exploring.
We started the day with breakfast in the hotel, then drove about 45 minutes north along Lake Superior to Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Gooseberry Falls was SPECTACULAR!
It was one of the most amazing ‘playgrounds’ we’ve ever explored. There are so many trails to hike, but we spent hours just playing in the water.
Wear comfy clothes that you don’t mind getting wet.
There are two large parking lots – if one is full, there is one just beside it. Both were nearly full when we left, but it didn’t feel overly crowded because the State Park is SO large!
If you are bringing children, I recommend following the trail to the LOWER FALLS. We started at the UPPER falls and found it was DANGEROUS for young, curious children. Our kids wanted to get really close to the edge of the falls, and could have easily fallen over. There is nothing to stop them. In fact, the day we were there, two children fell over the falls and had to be life flighted out. At the time of this post, all I know is that they are injured, but still alive.
Pack some snacks and a water bottle – All the hiking and water play will make you hungry!
20-30 minutes before you leave, call to make a reservation at the world famous Betty’s Pies. We tried to eat there, but there was too long of a wait. They told us we could call in advance to save our place in line.
Paul caught a HUGE frog!You can get so close to the falls – some people were walking through it.Love this place and these peopleExploring a quiet streamOh George 🙂
We happened to see a sign that said Grand Superior Grille as we were leaving the falls, and stopped here for lunch. The restaurant has sweeping views of the lake, and a well-priced menu. We practically had the place to ourselves and couldn’t believe more people weren’t there. The food and environment were fantastic. George said this was his favorite restaurant we went to all weekend because of the nice environment and good food.
Behind the restaurant is a phenomenal rocky coast.
Skipping rocks
Next, we drove to Brighton Beach but only stayed for a few minutes because it was way too packed. As an alternative, we went to Lester Park. It’s not a beach, but has trails to hike, a playground, and the best part – a beautiful creek to play in. The kids absolutely loved it and could have stayed and played in the creek for HOURS!
Lester Park Tips:
For a calm place to play, use the creek to the left of the playground.
The first creek you see (close to the parking lot) is usually filled with teenagers. Walking a little farther in, is a much better place for kids to explore.
Mom look, I found an L for Luke!Pretty Lester Park TrailsLuke and his friends
We talked them into leaving by promising ice cream. I was hoping to go to the historic Portland’s Malt Shop, but we drove by and saw a super long line, so we went back to our hotel and walked to Dairy Queen. While we ate our ice cream, we walked back to the Lift Bridge. The boys enjoyed chasing pigeons and sea gulls, and climbing on the rocks along the coast.
For dinner we ordered pizzas and salads from Vitta Pizza.
Notes on Vitta: Their food is fantastic! I shared an amazing salad with Ted and a couple different pizzas (both SO good). The kids loved the pizza too! I sat inside the restaurant while waiting for our food, and wouldn't recommend eating inside. It's crowded and the seats are uncomfortable. However, the food is perfect for take out. (Rating 5/5)
While the dads took the kids swimming, my friend Mary and I got to enjoy a little quiet time to catch our breath and chat. After dinner, the mamas took the kiddos to bed, and Ted went out with Mary’s husband to rent electric scooters and enjoy some guy time.
The weather was amazing ALL day and I’m so thankful! We got to pack in SO much fun!
Sunday morning we went to a quaint coffee shop called Perk Place. I had the most delicious latte called ‘Honey Bear.’ It’s made with a little cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. We drove around the Congdon area to see some of the historic, ornate mansions. We also drove through the downtown area and saw the famous Duluth Trading Company.
Did you know that Duluth once had most millionaires per capita than any other US city? People gained their wealth from the Iron Mining and logging industry.
Our next stop was the GORGEOUS Enger Park. This park has:
A Japanese Garden with a large bell you can ring,
Many paths to explore and rocks to climb
An incredible view of Duluth, the harbor, lift bridge and Lake Superior
A tower with nearly 100 steps and about 5 levels. There are 360 degree views on each level
Great views of DuluthThere’s a smooth path to the tower, but my boys would rather climb the rocky terrainThe Japanese GardenIt’s Ted’s Birthday!
After exploring the park, we headed home with happy hearts. It was an incredible weekend, full of fun adventures with good friends.
I’m thrilled that I finally got to see Duluth. There is so much history and beauty in that city – hills and large rocks, cool buildings and restaurants, falls and creeks, and of course, Lake Superior.
Here are a few things we missed this trip, but hope to see and do during our next visit:
Where to go:
Rose garden – Beautiful and overlooks Lake Superior
Glensheen mansion – explore inside and outside, located on Lake Superior
Oh yum! This is the easiest and most delicious recipe. I’ve made this several times to give it away – but my kids and I eat it before it gets delivered. I suppose I need to make bigger batches.
Ingredients:
1 – 14 ounce can of stewed tomatoes
1 fresh jalapeño (remove stem and seeds)
1/2 onion
1 bunch of fresh cilantro – stems removed
Juice from 1/2 Lime
1 tsp Garlic powder
Salt/Pepper
Directions:
Throw everything in a blender and pulse 5 to 7 times – done!
I love to eat this salsa with lime chips. It’s also good on eggs or tacos.
Super Simple Summer Salsa – YUM!!!
Money Saving Tip: Buy the ingredients from Aldi and make this batch for only $1.35
