The Saver's Kitchen

Show Description Kati received her annual renewal notice for Cooks Illustrated magazine. She reviewed all issues from 2008 and shares her five favorite money and time saving tips, just in case you missed them Please note: This is our final Quickcast of 2008. Join us next year on the first and third Sundays of each month for more money and time saving tips! Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description The down economy has us all eating home more often. Sure, dining in saves money. But it also takes more of our time to plan, cook, and clean up. Are there any other benefits? Kati reports the results of various studies of the family table and its impact on child and adolescent development. Contest winners announced too! Show Notes Family Day is an effort supported by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Near the middle of the page, there is a link to a report called, “The Importance of Family Dinners.” Check it out. The Surprising Power of Family Meals, by Miriam Weinstein, is a rich source of information for those seeking a more in-depth look at the body of research related to family meals. Weinstein also does a good job analyzing cultural and economic trends that impact family meals as well. It’s way more readable than my description might suggest. Two more articles about family meals: “The Magic of The Family Meal,” and “Benefits of the Dinner Table Ritual.” Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description Make-ahead meals are economical gifts for the busy people in your life. Kati share personal stories from the occasions she’s given meals as gifts. They’re a huge hit! REMINDER: Don’t forget to listen to Podcast #9– Two or Twelve for information on how to enter our book giveaway. The deadline is December 1st. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description: Lindsay shares tips that make holiday entertaining less stressful. Book giveaway contest details are announced. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description: Lindsay and Kati are back together again. Hear them chat about the similarities, differences, and life events that influenced their cooking and writing relationship. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show description: Gas prices have come down, thankfully. Is it a temporary respite? Or something more permanent? In this episode, Kati discusses how trip chaining was a big part of her family’s 2007 challenge to use as little gas as possible. Show notes: The USA Today article I mentioned in the podcast can be found here. I also want to share this article, “When getting a deal isn’t worth it,” by Jean Chatzky of Money Magazine. It really gave me something to think about. For more ideas to save gas, check out the book: 365 Ways to Save Gas. I gave it to my dad for Christmas last year and he liked it. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description: Lindsay shares tips for great homemade flavor. She discusses the methods to craft great casseroles by using Fix, Freeze, Feast recipes as examples. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description: Sending your child to school with lunch from home can save hundreds of dollars a year. Yet, over relying on those individually packaged items can actually cost you more. Learn how to spot the real deals while weighing their convenience against price. Show Notes: The report referred to in this segment is called, Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents: A Review of Industry Expenditures, Activities, and Self-Regulation. Here is the Price Comparison Log master copy. Please feel free to print it out and use it. If you already use an item I researched, you might consider copying my findings onto the form you print out, as a starting point. Food Items Discussed: String Cheese–Warehouse Club, $0.19 per 1-ounce stick. No-Frills Grocery Store, $0.30 per 1-ounce stick (same brand name); and $0.28 per 1 ounce stick (generic). Cheesy Fish Crackers–Warehouse Club, $0.12 per ounce. No-Frills Store, $0.22 per ounce in larger bag; $0.38 per ounce for individual-serving bags. (Note: What do you find when you compare this price to that of the square cheddar crackers? Are you paying more for the shape?) Tube Yogurt–Warehouse Club, $0.24 per tube. No-Frills Store, $0.27 per tube. (Note: I compared the per ounce price of the larger, 32 ounce containers to per ounce tube price and found no difference. You might compare your local prices and find a difference). Carrots–Warehouse Club, $1.77 per pound for organic, individual-serving size bags; $1.00 per pound for organic, peeled baby carrots in bulk bag; and, $0.49 per pound for organic, unprocessed carrots. Note: All prices above were recorded and compared in August 2008. Food prices change frequently and vary by location. Check the prices at your stores regularly to achieve the maximum savings. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description School is starting soon and parents can expect to see increases in the price of hot lunch. Packing a cold lunch, even a couple of times per week, can save you money. But how much can you really save? Tune in to find out. Tip for Fix, Freeze, Feast readers–If you have a flexible, silicone muffin tray, consider freezing soups in them. Once frozen, remove each block from the tray, add them to a one or two large freezer bags, and return to the freezer. When you need an easy grab and go lunch, simply pull 2 or three blocks from the bag and heat. My family enjoys the Tomato-Basil soup and Lindsay’s Baked Potato Chowder, so in the fall I always have these recipes frozen in smaller portions. This is also a great way to freeze the Basic Red Sauce. These smaller portions are perfect for those hungry teens who are coming home late from sports practice, starving, and beyond ready to eat. Be sure to promptly remove soups and sauces from your tray promptly, however, so you don’t end up with lingering odors that transfer to your baked goods. Show Notes School Lunch Cookbooks: The Top 100 Recipes for a Healthy Lunchbox: Easy and Exciting Ideas for Your Child’s Lunches, Nicola Graimes, 2007. Lunch Boxes and Snacks: Over 120 healthy recipes from delicious sandwiches and salads to hot soups and sweet treats, Annabel Karmel, 2007. School Lunch Websites/Articles of Interest: Healthy Lunch Alternatives list from KidsHealth.org. Laptop Lunches informative newsletter with recipes from the makers of the colorful bento-ware. A+ Lunches & Snacks article and recipes from FamilyFun.com Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

A bit of a departure from our usual show. Kati and Lindsay answer a common question: How did you two meet? Together, they share the story of how they met and came to be co-authors. Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Making your own convenience foods can help save money on your grocery budget. Another benefit is the ability to control ingredients, sodium, and fat. If you’ve already made the Basil-Balsamic or Raspberry Vinaigrette, Teriyaki Sauce, or the Basic Red Sauce from Fix, Freeze, Feast, you’re already making your own convenience foods. It’s not hard, is it? Show Notes Cookbooks: Make A Mix; Very Salad Dressing; Herb Mixtures and Spicy Blends Articles: Saving Money With Homemade Convenience Mixes; Homemade Mixes; Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.

Show Description Ginger, a reader from Maryland, writes in about her new dinner swap club. She’s saving money and time by working with friends to fill her freezer. Listen to how she does it. Consult the show notes (below) for links to additional information and resources. Show Notes Cookbooks: Fix, Freeze, Feast; Girlfriends on the Go–A Busy Mom’s Guide to Make-Ahead Meals; Cooking Among Friends Articles: Tips for Starting a Freezer Dinner Group How to Organize a Meal Swap Services/Products: WG Home Party Kits; Hot By 6 Write us with comments, ideas, or suggestions. Subscribe in a reader There you can select your podcatcher of choice–iTunes, Odeo, Podnova, etc.