Without a doubt my motto and mantra in the kitchen is: KISS.  Keep It Simple Stupid.

The older I get, the more limitations I seem to be learning to live with the more I see that there’s just no shame in streamlining as much as possible.

Yes, it costs more to buy my spinach and kale trimmed, triple-washed and pre-bagged, but it hurts my hands and shoulder less.  

Yes, I’m paying more for that pre-washed/cut bag of broccoli, but again it’s easier on my joints.  Same for taking advantage of sales on pre-prepared carrots, celery sticks, cole slaw and carrot salad mix.

I’ve also been learning to use the internet to search for markets in the “meet-and-match” mileage area for my budget in terms of using Wal-Mart.

One more tip:  don’t be afraid to ask others where they’ve found prices!  I carry circulars for Safeway, Fry’s, Albertson’s, Basha’s and Sprout’s-but a lady a few weeks ago had me beat by a mile.  I asked her (much to dh’s chagrin) where she got those prices?  She told me about Food City!  Let me tell you-paying $1 for 3 lbs of peaches and nectarines is WAY better than the $.98 a pound I almost paid!

Cooking isn’t just about creating a dish.  It’s about creating a dish out of what you have, what you can afford and what you learn to substitute as well.

Case in point:  I found a recipe for cinnamon-apple coffee cake that Emeril had listed on the FoodNetwork site.  It had sour cream in it.  Didn’t have any-but I did have some non-dairy ricotta left.  I just added some lemon juice for that “tang” and used it.  I also was looking to use up what was in the fruit drawer and had only an apple and a pear. As long as I had 2 Cups of “pomes“-I figured it would still be a winner.  I also switched out the butter for coconut oil.  It was a winner-per my husband’s review.  

I also used my apple machine-the one that peels, slices and cores.  I only had to finish chopping it up.  

Not all of us will have challenges as we move along in life, but why not learn to save ourselves time and energy whenever and wherever we can.

I’d rather use that saved amount on my grandkids or something else that’s equally as meaningful-wouldn’t you?