Old-Fashioned Skills

11 Frugal Kitchen Rules to Waste Less & Save More

August 6, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 17 Comments

Frugal kitchen rules for wasting less and saving more. Learn how to maximize what you have and create less kitchen waste with these 11 simple rules. Are you up to the challenge?

HOW TO BE MORE FRUGAL IN THE KITCHEN

I’ve heard it said more than once at work, “Sylvia, you’re so frugal, teach me your ways!”. This always baffles me because the only thing I’m doing at the office is bringing my own lunch. While I enjoy eating out as much as the next person, I also like putting my money towards things I care about, like books and gardening. It’s the same thing in my kitchen.

I enjoy challenging myself to stretch my groceries so that I can afford to spend more on local produce and building my vegetable garden. Not only am I saving money with my frugal kitchen, but I’m also reducing plastic waste in the process.

There’s so much I could have learned from my grandparents when it comes to running a frugal kitchen–there’s nothing like wartime rationing to teach you how to stretch the food you have. These are some of the tips I’ve come up with on my own.

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Broth from Scratch with Scraps

July 30, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 5 Comments

Who said making broth from scratch had to be complicated? Save your hard earned money and learn how to make something from nothing.

make your own broth from scratch with kitchen scraps

WHY SHOULD I MAKE MY OWN BROTH FROM SCRATCH?

I get it. We all have busy lives. Who has time to make their own broth when you can pick up a carton for three or four bucks? If you pay anything less than that, I promise you it’s not a steal. Take a good look at the label the next time you want to put it in your shopping cart and tell me what you see. It’s going to be packed with sodium!

HOW TO MAKE STOCK WITH FOOD SCRAPS VIDEO

If this is your first time visiting the kitchen, you’re about to find out why I call my kitchen vintage… If you like my style, please consider subscribing to the Vintage Kitchen Vixen YouTube channel!

This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to purchase something after clicking on one of the links in this post, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Bourbon Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies

July 19, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 4 Comments

These bourbon vanilla chocolate chip cookies are almost cake-like in texture, but in the best possible way. Learn how to bake these soft, chewy treats to brighten your day or to stash away for a rainy day.

plate of bourbon vanilla chocolate chip cookies

SOFT AND CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (WITH BOURBON AND VANILLA)

Anyone who knows me well, knows I’m a dessert fiend. I don’t know who I inherited my sweet tooth from, but if there’s a homemade treat lurking nearby, it’s not safe. My husband is aware of the problem. His portion of dessert has disappeared on more than one occasion all because he took too long to get to it. You snooze, you lose, right? Needless to say, cookies don’t last long around me either, especially when they’re soft and chewy. How long do they last around you?

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Spiced Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

July 12, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

When it’s too hot outside to function, ice cream sandwiches are a delightful treat. Learn how to make this homemade spiced oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich recipe to beat the heat!

presenting spiced oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwiches

MONSTER OATMEAL COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

I’ll admit it. It was Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies that inspired these. I never buy them because, well, look at the ingredients, but I have fond childhood memories of them. I partially blame the blatant product placement in 1989’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Does anyone recall the scene where they’re feasting on a giant oatmeal creme pie that one of the kids dropped in the backyard? Those treats always haunt me at the store, but I know if I give in, I’ll only be disappointed. Full disclosure: my cookies are nothing like Little Debbie’s, so if that’s what you want, proceed to aisle 5, please.

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How to Grow Your Own Sprouts at Home

June 21, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 1 Comment

Growing your own sprouts at home is a reward all on its own. Learn everything you need to know about sprouting these nutrient-rich shoots right on your kitchen counter!

Believe it or not, sprouts used to be a treat for me.

I grew up in a small town, so finding alfalfa sprouts in the local grocery stores wasn’t an easy task.

I always appreciated them when my mom was able to get her hands on a little plastic container, but I never really gave them much thought.

When I was living near Montreal’s Jean-Talon Market (a magical place) sprouts became a regular thing, but I wish I had known then just how simple it really is to grow your own…

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How to Make a Layer Cake from Scratch

June 14, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Layer cakes are the favourite go-to for birthdays and special occasions. Learn how easy it is to make your own layer cake from scratch. All you need is a few ingredients and a couple of hours!

MAKING A LAYER CAKE FROM SCRATCH

Every June in Québec, people go crazy over les fraises du Québec. They’re these beautiful small strawberries that are full of flavour and seem to be everywhere you look. If you go into a bakery, they advertise that their strawberry tarts are made with Québec strawberries. Anyone who uses them basically shouts into a megaphone that their strawberries are local. It’s madness, but as the days get warmer and my own strawberry plants start developing, I find myself excited for the approaching season.

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