FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: If fresh ingredients are too expensive, then substitute frozen or canned. If you’re buying canned, check the sodium content. Buy fruits and vegetables when they’re in season. Check out pick-your-own farms and local farmers markets. Check the flyers for sales so you can get your recommended daily allowance for the best price. Buy green vegetables more often than starchy vegetables.

BREADS, GRAINS AND PASTA: Look for day-old breads or visit a bread outlet. Think whole grain and limit white bread. If you find a good deal, take advantage of it and freeze your bread. Learn to make your own, too. If you don’t have time to make it from scratch, try a bread maker. If you can’t finish a bag of bread, rolls, bagels or English muffins, put it in the freezer before it gets stale or moldy. Buy more oatmeal than boxed cereal to keep the cost down, and make pancakes, waffles and French toast. Aim for a pasta dish each week to stretch your grocery budget.

MEAT AND POULTRY: Buy bulk packages. Ask when the store discounts its meat. Look into the price of buying a side of beef. Price compare your supermarket meat and poultry with your local meat market. Find new recipes for lower-cost poultry, such as whole chicken, drumsticks and thighs. Decrease meat and poultry portions and increase vegetable portions. Cube or cut your meat and poultry into strips to make it stretch. Trim fat and skin to lower fat. Check to see whether your supermarket discounts its rotisserie chicken. Less expensive meats can be marinated and slow cooked, so they’re tender. Use the parts you don’t eat to make stock.

DAIRY: Substitute margarine for butter sometimes to keep costs down. You can freeze many dairy products, so stock up during sales. Be flexible with your meal planning. It’s OK to have breakfast for dinner. Check expiration dates so you don’t buy short-dated food.

FATS: Lean toward foods with natural fats rather than overusing margarine and butter. Use fats sparingly. Limit salty and sugary snacks. For example, choose popcorn or homemade muffins over a package of cookies. Grill or bake with your favorite herbs and spices.

– Any foods you have left over can be frozen to use later in sauces, soups, casseroles or stir-fry.
– Check store ads for sales, use coupons when possible and shop with a list.
– When at the checkout, do an audit on your cart to check for unnecessary purchases.
– Try store brands and keep a list of the foods you like.
– Limit snacks and prepared and highly processed foods.
– When buying juice, opt for less expensive frozen over fresh.
– Always check your receipt for errors.
– Look through your phone book for “salvage” grocery stores.
– Consider growing a garden or joining a CSA (community-supported agriculture).

Post from: Frugal Village

Lower your food bill

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DEAR PALOOKA: If stored properly in a dry place and inside an airtight container, they have a long shelf life. You’ll discover it takes longer to cook older beans. Eight years is a long time. Some beans harden up and won’t rehydrate. You can test your beans by soaking them in water. Toss the beans that float.

DEAR SARA: If I want to make meatloaf on Sunday but serve it on Thursday, I cook it Sunday and then freeze, right? I don’t just mix it all together and then freeze the uncooked meat? I’m hoping to try some new stuff around here that could make life easier. — Amy Bozza, New Jersey

DEAR AMY: You can do it either way and simply thaw the night before in the fridge. If you plan to make quite a few ahead of time, uncooked and flattened in freezer-storage bags will take up less space. But you’ll need to plan more cooking time for the uncooked meatloaf mix.

DEAR SARA: Which is cheaper? Frozen concentrated orange juice or fresh? Or is it just a few cents difference? I’ve tried to compare, but the tags on the concentrated are always in different quantities than the fresh. — Bloo, via forums

DEAR BLOO: Frozen is typically cheaper. Also, according to The Green Guide (www.thegreenguide.com), while concentrated juice might be less efficient to produce than fresh in the manufacturing process, it’s still a better green choice when considering packaging, transportation costs and the preservation of vitamin C. Although some orange-juice aficionados prefer fresh for flavor, opting for frozen concentrate is one way you can be frugal and green. If you can’t seem to part with fresh orange juice, consider cutting it with water to save money.

DEAR SARA: We want to put in blueberries this year. I have heard that you need to plant at least two different kinds. Is this true? If so, why? I’m just trying to figure out exactly what to get. Thanks! — Jennifer, Ohio

DEAR JENNIFER: Yes, you should buy two or three varieties to ensure pollination. They often take two years to produce fruit. They like acidic soil, and their roots are susceptible to rotting if their location is too soggy. They’re sensitive to soil that’s too compact, too. You want to pick a sunny location, and don’t forget to protect them from critters. You can contact your local county extension office for info about proper planting and care for your area.

DEAR SARA: I never have enough flat workspace. My house is small. I struggle working in the kitchen, bathroom and my bedroom that doubles as an office. Any ideas? — Kelly J., e-mail

DEAR KELLY: I have limited kitchen counterspace, too. We use a large wooden cutting board and place it over our sink. I’ve pulled out a drawer and set it on top, too. I use it daily when prepping vegetables and whenever I bake. You could use a spare section of plywood if your cutting board isn’t big enough. It’s low cost and can be used in your bathroom and office whenever you need a little extra flat space.

Post from: Frugal Village

Use your bean when figuring out expiration

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BANANA DOGS: I use hot-dog buns to make banana dogs for my kids’ lunches. Spread them with peanut butter and put in a whole banana. Hamburger buns are great for breakfast sandwiches. — Karen, Canada
Note from Sara: Try adding drizzled honey and using chunky peanut butter or nutella as a special treat for kids.

FRENCH TOAST: I separate the bun in half and cut each half into thirds and make French-toast sticks. They’re even better when I have leftover whole-wheat buns. My kids devour them and don’t have a clue they’re eating whole wheat. — nodmicks, e-mail

STRATA: Layer the cut-up buns with either cheese and meat or veggies of your choice. Mix eggs and milk, and pour over the top and bake. — Jen, e-mail

GARLIC BREAD: I toast hot-dog buns and make garlic bread. Add cheese if you want. — Laurie, Florida

SUBS: We fight over leftover buns at my house. I use them for sandwiches the next day. I usually make egg salad, tuna fish or peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. I’ve added cold cuts and cheese on them and toasted them in the oven, too. You can use them like sub rolls. I love them with chicken patties with leftover spaghetti sauce and melted cheese. — Yolanda K., e-mail

TOAST: I toast them in my toaster and either add butter, cinnamon and sugar to them or just butter and eat them with my eggs. — Mary, e-mail

CASSEROLE: I make a chili-dog casserole. I grease a baking pan, break up the hot-dog buns and cover the bottom of the pan with them. I slice up hot dogs and layer on top of the buns and then pour chili on top. Sprinkle on shredded cheese. Bake for half an hour at 350 F. Add mustard and onions, if you like. — Sue, e-mail

BREAD PUDDING: I freeze leftover buns until I have six and make bread pudding. I grease a small baking dish. Break the buns in half and put them in the bottom of the baking dish. Melt a stick of butter and pour it over the buns. Using a whisk, mix together 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1-1/2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of warmed milk. Pour over the top. Bake for half an hour at 350 F. — Lara B., e-mail

FREEZER SANDWICHES: My mom makes ham-and-cheese sandwiches. They’re spread with mustard, minced onion and poppy seeds. She wraps them in foil and freezes them until she needs a quick dinner. She pops them in the oven. They’re a family favorite. You could also try meatball or breakfast sandwiches. — Buc-o-mama, e-mail

BIND MEAT: I let them dry out and rip them up and use them for meatloaf. — Candy, Ohio

FISH SANDWICH: Just add a couple of fish sticks and some coleslaw. –searching4, via forums

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Get the most out of your hot dog buns

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FOOD PLANNING: It’s easy to fall into the habit of eating out, not packing a lunch, wasting leftovers, using convenience foods and not planning your food shopping. Vending machines, drive-through windows and boxed snacks are a decision away. Keep your money in your wallet, and don’t get lazy. Plan ahead by scanning your pantry and creating meals based on food you already have. Work toward stocking up on a few nonperishable items to build up your pantry. Consider starting a backyard garden or planting fruit trees. Compile and try new budget recipes. The frugal alternatives don’t take hours of your time. It’s a mere few extra minutes. Not enough time every day? No problem. How about once or twice a week? Looking for a new hobby? Try couponing, shopping your local farmer’s market, home canning, preserving or dehydrating. Think about your health, too.

UTILITY CONSUMPTION: Letting this area fall by the wayside makes a big difference in your budget. Be mindful of your usage of electricity from appliances, lighting, computers and televisions. Notice how much water you’re using, too. When you pay attention to utilities, you become more aware of wastefulness. If you haven’t switched to compact fluorescent bulbs, make the leap.

DRIVING: With current gas prices, senseless driving can put a sizable dent in your finances. Combine your errands so you’re not doing any unnecessary driving. Consider biking, taking the bus, walking and carpooling, too. Empty your car of items you don’t need, keep tires inflated and drive the speed limit for better fuel economy.

TREATS: It’s nice to treat yourself from time to time, but are you overindulging? Even bargain shopping can be a money leak. Too often, garage sales and thrift stores end up as excuses for excessive recreational shopping. Think through each deal before buying it. Don’t “save” yourself into bankruptcy.

NO-SPEND DAYS: Challenge yourself to have days that you don’t spend any money at all. It’s an essentials-only adventure. Stay at home and be proud that, through planning, you’re not doing any extra spending. Do you really need money to entertain yourself or be fulfilled? Find out.

KEEP TRACK: Keeping track of where your money is going identifies your weak areas. Look at your options, and make decisions daily on whether you want to save money that takes time or save time that costs money. Frugal living is conscious living. Even if you can afford not to be frugal, it doesn’t make sense not to want the most for your hard-earned money.

Post from: Frugal Village

Frugality: Right where you left it

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According to J. Trent of the University of Nevada, Reno, newsroom, Manoranjan Misra, a professor at the university, has developed a process to extract biodiesel from used coffee grounds. While we wait for them to be used as an alternative fuel, here are a few ways you can reuse your grounds.

PIN CUSHION: Make your own pin cushion with a teacup filled with used, dried coffee grounds. Cover and glue fabric onto the teacup and edge with ribbon or lace.

BREW TWICE: Add a scoop or two of fresh grounds to your used grounds and rebrew a second pot of coffee. Not strong enough? Combine with cocoa for a mochalicious treat.

FIRE STARTERS: Combine spent coffee grounds with melted leftover candle wax. Shape into a ball and place into newspaper tied with raffia for home use or tissue paper for gifts.

DEODORIZER: Don’t have a spare box of baking soda for fridge odor? Use your coffee grounds instead. Place them into a small container with a lid that has small holes poked in it. Bonus points for reusing a container from items such as cottage cheese, margarine, whipped topping or yogurt. The grounds will deodorize your microwave, too. Simply place them on a plate, close the door and zap for one minute. I use them in the microwave after nuking hot dogs. They’re good for preventing freezer odors, too.

CLEANER: I’ve mentioned before using them to scrub and wash your hands, but you can use them to exfoliate your face, knees, elbows and feet. Use them to scrub pans and counters, too. To keep the grounds out of your drains, put dried grounds into a spare section of pantyhose and tie it off. Add some dish liquid and scrub away. Work quickly to prevent staining.

NO-SLIP WALKWAYS: During winter, scatter coffee grounds instead of salt on sidewalks and steps.

INSECT CONTROL: Sprinkle around the exterior of your home to deter ants. No need for poison.

SWEEP HELPER: Spring cleaning often involves cleaning seasonal porches, fireplaces and garages. Scatter coffee grounds to limit the dust.

KIDS’ CRAFTS: Mix 1 cup used, dried coffee grounds with 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 1/4 cup sand. Slowly add up to 3/4 cup water until you have a mixture the consistency of bread dough. Form a chunk of dough around a “treasure” — small toys, cool stones, etc. It looks like a brown rock if you let it dry for two to three days. Kids have a blast breaking them open to find the treasures. Odilia in Nebraska shared this activity, and I’ve tried it. Make sure that the ball has dried and hardened thoroughly; otherwise, it peels rather than breaks.

BAIT-BOX BOOST: Say that three times fast. Add some coffee grounds to the soil in your bait box to keep those little guys happy and wiggling.

Post from: Frugal Village

Something’s brewing with old coffee grounds

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Nest Egg

1 bag frozen shredded hash-brown potatoes, defrosted
6 tablespoons butter
8 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 cup breakfast sausage, diced
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook’s note: You can add red and green peppers, onions, crumbled bacon, mushrooms, salsa or use refrigerated biscuits instead of shredded potatoes. Bake sunny-side-up eggs in a muffin pan, too. Just crack the egg into a greased muffin tin and bake at 350 F for about 15 minutes or until egg whites are solid.

Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl, toss together the potatoes and 4 tablespoons melted butter. Spoon and press the potato mixture into each muffin pan cup so it covers the bottom and sides. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven. Let cool.
Whisk the eggs and milk until frothy. Using a large skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the pan over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook thoroughly. Add the eggs, and scramble cook until set but underdone. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lower oven temperature to 350 F. Fill each muffin cup with the egg mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Put in oven until cheese melts. Remove egg nests from muffin pan. Serve hot.

Pineapple Cakes

1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup canned pineapple tidbits or rings
6 maraschino cherries
1-1/3 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 F. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and mix until dissolved. Remove from heat. Using a large, lightly greased 6-cup muffin pan, evenly divide butter mixture into each cup. Add 2 tablespoons of pineapple or a single pineapple ring into each cup. Press a cherry into the center of the pineapple if using tidbits. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the remaining ingredients until combined. Divide batter evenly into each cup. Bake 30 minutes. Remove from muffin pan by loosening edges and inverting pan. If using pineapple rings, garnish with one cherry in the center of each cake. Allow to cool before serving.

Muffin Pan Potatoes

1 clove garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
10 medium, white potatoes, peeled and boiled until tender
1/2 stick butter or to taste
1 cup milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, beaten
4 teaspoons baking powder
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded cheese

Cook’s note: This is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Substitute your favorite fixings such as ham, chives or ranch-dressing seasoning when mashing your potatoes.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Saute garlic, onion and mushrooms in a skillet. Using a mixer, mash your potatoes with all ingredients but the cheese until fluffy. Fold in shredded cheese. Grease pan. Scoop and evenly divide into muffin cups. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before removing from pan.

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Muffin pans save the day

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DEAR RACHEL: Congratulations! There are many choices and decisions when it comes to baby supplies and gear.

One thing I would not be frugal on is safety, so keep that in mind when buying products. I don’t recommend buying a secondhand car seat unless you know it has not been compromised. If you purchase secondhand gear such as high chairs, toys and playpens, be sure to check for manufacturer recalls. You can find that information on the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

DIAPERING: Consider using cloth diapers. They’re not for everyone, but they have Velcro enclosures now that make them convenient. Liners make changing easier, too. If you opt for disposable diapers, register on manufacturer lists to receive coupons (these are often available at your doctor’s office) and ask around for diaper coupons. You can make homemade baby wipes by cutting a roll of heavy-duty paper towels in half (or your own cloth wipes by using flannel and sherpa or baby washcloths) and adding 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons baby oil and baby wash.

CLOTHING: Ask around and see whether anyone has any baby clothes they don’t need. You can save a lot of money if you’re willing to clothe your baby in secondhand clothing from friends, thrift stores, consignment shops and garage sales. Babies grow quickly, so be practical when it comes to newborns. For example, sleepers instead of fancy outfits would be money spent wisely. Remember that newborns don’t need shoes. That’s a want, not a need. Clothing options are even greater online, where you can swap clothes and buy new and used clothes inexpensively at places such as Freecycle.org, eBay.com and swapthing.com to name a few. Once your baby has outgrown them, you can swap them or resell them. Stay organized and make a list of basic nursery necessities to prevent impulse purchases.

FEEDING: Consider breast-feeding instead of bottle-feeding. If you prefer to bottle-feed, be sure to register with the formula company for free samples or ask your obstetrician for samples. You can also make your own baby food. I recommend the book “Super Baby Food” by Ruth Yaron (F.J. Roberts, 1998). If you plan to buy baby food, use coupons to lower the cost.

UNECESSARY ITEMS: It’s easy to splurge on baby items. If you want to stay on budget, don’t forget that some items just aren’t necessary. You don’t need a wipes warmer, diaper genie, tons of baby toys, baby detergent or even a changing table, if you think about it. However, only you can decide what you don’t want to live without.

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Save your cash for baby’s college education

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HEAT UP AND COOL DOWN: One of my favorite cheap dates is miniature golf or bowling and then stopping to get an ice-cream cone afterward. — Kim, Michigan

BUDGET FOOD AND MOVIE: Our cheap dates consist of picnics at a local park and the drive-in theater during summer. — Gina, Oklahoma

We eat out for breakfast or lunch instead of dinner and go to an early matinee or rent a movie. — Karen, Illinois

COMMUNITY FUN: An early-morning bike ride or hike with homemade muffins or trail mix is incredibly cheap and fun. I also love community festivals and browsing antique stores. — Constance, New Jersey

I enjoy coffee, dessert and a walk on the pier. — Kellie, New Jersey

For fun, I love going to the farmer’s market or berry picking. — Heather, New York

I like to visit the zoo and pack a lunch or go the bookstore and have coffee. — Michelle S., Massachusetts

We like to rent a canoe and spend time on the water. — Carol, Utah

I had a great date at a paint-a-pot shop. — Sue H., California

I once went on a date where we rode bikes and then visited a local cemetery and did grave rubbings. It was different and memorable. — Katy, Texas

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO: I went on a date at a craft store, and we took a cake-decorating class. It was tons of fun. — Julie, New Hampshire

SHARING HOPES AND DREAMS: I enjoy weekend dates with my husband to home shows to dream about the future. — Kathy, Indiana

STAY AT HOME: For date night, my husband and I make homemade pizza and put together puzzles or play cards or board games. — Jean, e-mail

PRACTICALLY FREE: It’s fun to go for country drives and bring a camera. — Darlene B., New York

I love going to free concerts in the park and public gardens. — Amanda, Ohio

One of my best dates was a campfire with marshmallows. We looked at stars together and sipped on sodas. — Amy, Ohio

I ask for restaurant gift cards for Christmas, so my husband and I can enjoy free dates throughout the year. — Reba, Maryland

We love going to high-school and local sports games. — Danielle, Pennsylvania

Post from: Frugal Village

Are you a cheap date?

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Every trip consisted of my husband wandering off, and I’d spend 20 minutes tracking him down. And he had the nerve to imply that it was I who had wandered off. Ha! I don’t know why we shopped together, but it might have had something to do with the fact that I despise grocery shopping, or any shopping, for that matter. I felt better knowing he was sharing my misery.

Once we had children, our shared shopping ended. It became my responsibility, and one I’d sometimes do anything to escape. I’ve even faked a sudden case of bad ham-itus to stay home. I’m fine once I’m there, and it’s no big deal. But I have a low threshold for some of my fellow shoppers. When they stop in the middle of an aisle for what seems like an eternity, I sometimes imagine popping them in the head with a kiwi. Move it already, people!

My sweet husband sometimes offers to do the shopping. He requests only that I create the shopping list. Sounds like a good plan, right? Wrong! First off, doesn’t he live here, too? Surely, after 10 years of marriage, he knows what we eat, right? I’m not sure what happens when you send your spouse to the grocery store, but I can share what happens when I do. Pickled bologna is what happens! Pickled bologna is how I refer to the first time he bought something that was not on the shopping list. He had never tried bologna in a jar before and never actually ate it after buying it. That unopened jar of stink meat sat in the refrigerator, staring at me, like some sort of science experiment for months before I finally couldn’t take it anymore and tossed it out.

I won’t get into what happens if I have coupons.

My poor husband. He has nothing but the best of intentions, and I am thankful that he sometimes does the shopping. I say this jokingly, but he can’t be trusted with the responsibility of food shopping. Maybe he does this on purpose? It’s his own version of bad ham-itus. The fact is, if the task were left entirely up to him, we’d be in the poorhouse on just his purchases of mega-jars of pickles. You don’t want to ever run out of dill pickles, right?

He’s a brilliant man, and I send him off so he can learn how to do something domestic other than make a good cup of coffee. If something ever happened to me, I wouldn’t want them all to starve. That, and because I want to be treated like the princess that I am.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Post from: Frugal Village

Adventures in marriage: Grocery shopping

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A friend shared with me how she was overwhelmed with housework. She had two young children and said that between toys and papers from school, she could never get ahead. Again, I thought, come on now. Just address these issues immediately, and it’s not a problem. Surely, she must not be managing her time wisely, I thought.

I’d spend 15 minutes cleaning, a few times a day, and it was smooth sailing. Martha taught me useful tidbits like how often to flip my mattress, how to care for my broom and how to craft lacey luminarias. Did you know you should never place your broom with the bristles resting on the floor?

Then I had my third child, and life as I knew it changed. It’s not that I don’t love discovering and applying life tips, because I do. I offer practical strategies to readers and experiment with and implement new home solutions on a regular basis, but what I don’t need is guilt if I don’t take the time to fold a sheet properly, learn napkin folding 101 or, horror upon horrors, don’t make homemade tricolored pasta.

I wax nostalgic as I glance through glossy magazines and remember the “old me,” but my new motto is “dust happens.” Real moms step on Legos. We fight the laundry monster, the garden has weeds, our homes have crumbs and there are never enough hours in the day. Our families count on us. We have this incredible opportunity to leave a legacy of love. So, while decorating the perfect home in the latest color palette and organizing your life into cute compartments is admirable, it’s hardly soulful. It lacks depth and doesn’t add anything of true substance or value, does it? Somehow, I think I’ll live a full life without knowing how to choose the right duster or how to embellish my bath towels. My kids will still grow up well-adjusted if the utensils aren’t perfectly aligned in the drawer.

What greater gift can you give your family than to share your time? I’m not suggesting you live in chaos, but make time for what truly matters. Set aside the label maker and step away from the fabric-lined baskets once in a while. It’s not too late to escape from Supermom Island. I did. Martha doesn’t live here anymore. My family does. You won’t find guest slippers in my entryway. It’s even OK to keep your shoes on when you visit. After all, you might step on a Lego.

Post from: Frugal Village

Real moms step on Legos

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Chicken Kabobs

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup ranch dressing
2 to 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
4 to 5 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except for the chicken. Place cubed chicken in the bowl and stir with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and toss the marinade.
Grill kabobs for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. Serves 5

Fruit Cole Slaw

3 cups chopped cabbage
1 red apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped
1 handful of grapes or raisins (or substitute cranberries)
1 handful of chopped walnuts
1 small can of pineapple chunks with juice
1 carrot, grated
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste
1 tablespoon vinegar, or to taste

In a large bowl, combine cabbage, apples, grapes or raisins, walnuts, pineapple chunks, carrot and green onions. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, brown sugar, lemon juice and vinegar. Pour dressing over salad and mix.
Serves 5

Lemon Poke Cake

1 (18.25-ounce) package lemon cake mix
1 (3-ounce) package lemon-flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping

Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for a 9-by-13-inch pan. Poke holes in cake with wooden spoon handle while it’s still hot.

In a medium bowl, make gelatin with only 1 cup boiling water. Pour liquid gelatin over cake while hot. Cool cake completely.

In a medium bowl, make vanilla instant pudding with only 1 cup milk. Stir in vanilla and lemon extract. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over cake. Refrigerate cake for 1 hour before serving.
Serves 18

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Sweet and tangy summer menu

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DEAR TIFFANY: I used an electric knife until I bought a decent serrated bread knife. It might help if you use a bread-slicing guide, too.

DEAR SARA: I can’t cut brownies. I always thought I was cutting them too soon, but even when they’ve cooled, I make a crumbled mess. What’s the secret? — Nina, e-mail

DEAR NINA: Do you line your pan with aluminum foil? That can help you lift the brownies from the pan so they’re easier to cut. Once they’re cooled, lift the foil and brownies to remove them from the pan, peel the foil off and use a pizza cutter to cut your squares. A plastic knife will work well, too.

DEAR SARA: I can’t get my son to eat meatloaf. He eats meatballs and hamburgers, so I don’t understand why he won’t touch it. Any ideas to get him to eat it? — Amanda F., e-mail

DEAR AMANDA: Try cooking your meatloaf in a muffin pan. Once it’s cooked, have him help you “frost” the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and add cheddar-cheese “sprinkles” on top.

DEAR SARA: Brand-name cereal is expensive, and my kids eat a ton of it. They don’t like a lot of the store-brand choices. I try to offer options like eggs, oatmeal and pancakes, but they still want cereal before school. Do you have any suggestions on stretching a box of cereal? I have added fruit, but they aren’t crazy about it. — Emily, Florida

DEAR EMILY: Try putting boxed cereal into an airtight cereal container. Mix the store-brand alternative with the name brand. Over time, gradually decrease the amount of brand-name cereal or keep combining them. Or you can do what I’ve done in the past. I have a saying: “You get what you get.” I don’t say it in a mean way. I say it so my kids realize they can’t always get what they want. For example, sometimes young kids want a certain piece of cake, like the end piece with the flowers. I would be mortified if my kids whined over it when they’re guests in another home. Teaching them to accept what they get is a lesson in being less picky.

DEAR SARA: Can I make my own brown sugar? I run out of brown sugar sometimes, and I need a quick substitute so I don’t have to run to the store. — Kelly Folts, New York

DEAR KELLY: You can make your own. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of molasses. Store it in a plastic zipper-type bag or airtight container. If it hardens, add a slice of apple to the container, and leave it overnight to resoften it.

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Homemade bread good enough for sandwiches

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