Frugal Kick

Stay tuned for Frugal Kick updates

After much too much time away, I'll finally be providing some updates on our family's progress to living frugally in the coming weeks and months. We've learned so much in the past six months and I can't wait to share the successes, failures, tools, strategies, and lessons we've come across along the way.

Frugal Breakfast: Carrot Bran Muffins

I've been on a muffin kick lately and discovered a wholesome, easy recipe that even my toddler likes. I kid you not, I've gotten her to eat carrot bran muffins! Muffins are a great alternative to cold cereal and my usual go-to quick fixes like Eggo waffles and the dreaded Pop Tart. They are loaded with sugar and quite pricey relative to the low nutritional value. Plus I love the smell of fresh-baked muffins filling the house in the morning.

This carrot bran muffin recipe is from the book "The 250 Best Muffin Recipes" by Esther Brody. In frugal fashion, I checked it out from my local library.

1 cup All-Bran cereal
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup finely shredded carrots (approx. 2 medium)
3 tbsp oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp cinnamon or allspice
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. In a bowl, combine bran cereal and buttermilk. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add egg, carrots, and oil; mix well.
3. In another bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and bran mixture; stir just until blended.
4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin, dividing evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned.

These muffins freeze exceptionally well. They are sturdy and remain moist inside. Allow the muffins to cool completely then place them in a Ziploc freezer bag. To serve warm, microwave briefly or reheat in a toaster oven.

 

Yes, Virginia, it IS a recession

On December 1, 2008 the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) finally brought up the rear and announced that the United States has been in a recession since December 2007. The full announcement and analysis is available as a PDF here: Download NBER Dec 11 2008.

So now we can move on and start debating, is a depression next?

From where I stand, there do not appear to be any signs of the economy improving. In fact, I am hearing of more companies planning layoffs, more companies going out of business, and more people hunkering down even further to endure what 2009 may bring.