There are so many convenience foods out there that we’ve lived with all our lives that we forget that we can make them ourselves, just as easy and for a fraction of the price. Jello, or flavored gelatin, is one of them. We are so used to buying the little square boxes that we don’t even think of homemade versions as being possible. But look how easy, cheap, and versatile it is to make Jello at home. And just in time for the holidays, too.

Baking powder was always one of those mysterious things in my pantry. I knew I needed it to make my baked goodies light and fluffy but what the heck is it? I certainly never thought to make it myself, but it’s so cheap and easy, why not! 

Sooth those tired muscles with this homemade mineral bath recipe.  (Yes, I have more sore muscles these days. Some days I walk around here like a little old lady. But I’m not, mind you!) So a hot mineral bath feels so decadent.  This is also nice to package it in pretty bags for gifts for friends, teachers, and neighbors. Shop your local health food store or natural grocers for ingredients.

For a quick, healthy, and easy breakfast or snack, either at work or at home, nothing beats those little packets of flavored instant oatmeal. But the high sugar content, artificial ingredients and cost sometimes turn me off to buying them. Instant oatmeal is pretty quick and easy to make yourself. And you can save a significant amount of money by making it yourself.

It’s frustrating when you’re ready to bake delicious cookies or cakes, and find you don’t have any brown sugar. Not a problem. Let’s take the mystery out of this soft delicious sugar. Did you know that brown sugar is just regular granulated sugar with molasses added? Once you know the secret, you’ll never run out again.