Name: Zucchini Fritters
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 20 fritters
Ingredients: approx. 5-6 cups shredded zucchini (2 large OR 3 medium zucchini); 3/4 cup flour; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; 2 tsp minced garlic; 4 eggs, beaten; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup oil for frying (or enough to fill bottom of pan)

6 Powerful Life Lessons Learned from my Thrifty Grandma

July 19, 2018 by Missy Rakes 22 Comments

My grandma grew up during The Great Depression and was part of the greatest generation making her strong, thrifty and frugal by nature. These qualities were ingrained in her by necessity and stayed with her all of her life.

She was one of eight children and grew up on a farm where money and material possessions were scarce, but homegrown food, hard work, love and the grace of God were abundant. I feel like we have so much to learn from this generation and so today I’m sharing 6 powerful life lessons that I learned from my thrifty grandma to hopefully be an encouragement to you as well.

Grow Your Own Food and Cook from Scratch

My grandma had a garden, canned and cooked from scratch her whole life. She did it because that’s just what you did to save money and keep from having to purchase expensive produce from the store. She also cooked from scratch and ate at home 99% of the time because she simply didn’t have the money or the opportunity to buy convenience or eat at restaurants very often.

In today’s crazy busy world, with packaged meals and restaurants at every turn it’s easy to spend an exorbitant amount of money each month on food, but I think a great life lesson for us all is to practice self-control and also common sense by learning to grow, preserve and cook our own food. Check out the links below to help you get started.

Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without

My grandma never threw anything away if it had another use. She kept bottles, baskets, tubs, egg cartons, bags and anything else you can imagine for later use. She also used everything up without wasting a drop (as far as it was possible). If she needed an item she would try to make it herself first before she bought it or just simply go without. These practices were second nature to her, but for us it may take some forethought and/or practice.

We can save a lot of money and also learn about gratitude and self-control by implementing these practices in our modern lives. I try my best to reduce food waste by meal planning based on what I already have in my kitchen and also by doing periodic pantry challenges where I limit my grocery budget and try to eat up what we have in our stockpile. For more ideas on reducing food waste and other creative resourceful tips check out the links below.

Be Content with What You Have

One of the most powerful life lessons that I learned from my grandma was to be content. She didn’t have much, but I never heard her complain. She put her faith and trust in the Lord and that was enough for her. She valued faith, family and nature. She didn’t put much stock in material possessions and she was happy with the little that she had.

We can gain so much from practicing gratitude and contentment like my grandmother’s generation did. It’s definitely true that the more you have the less you appreciate it. We have so much in our modern world that it can be hard to slow down, simplify and be grateful for it all instead of complaining about what we don’t have.

Realize the Power of Working with Your Hands

Generations that came before us knew the power of working with their hands. They grew and harvested their own food, sewed their own clothes, created houses, furniture, kitchen utensils, toys, hats, scarves and all kinds of other useful items with their own two hands.

Learning to create with your hands isn’t only practical and frugal, but it also slows you down and gives you a chance to clear your head and appreciate hard work and a job well done. Pick a skill and give it try. You just might realize there’s more to life than purchasing and consuming all of the time.

Give Generously

Another wonderful life lesson that I learned from my grandma was to help others and to give generously. She always had her eyes and ears open to people who needed help. She truly enjoyed giving her time, money and prayers to those in need and I think we would all do well to try to live this way. She may not have had a lot, but she was generous with what she had and was always willing to give and lend a helping hand.

Live Simply and Appreciate Natural Beauty

My grandma lived a simple life by necessity, but she also had a great appreciation for natural beauty. She went on prayer walks every morning down her dirt road and she loved to grow flowers and write poetry. These things cost her very little, but she reaped many rewards from her relatively small investment. A powerful lesson we can learn here is to appreciate the little things in life that matter to us and don’t cost a lot of money. Slow down, live simply and appreciate the natural beauty in your own life.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my grandma and the lessons that she taught me. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out my similar posts by clicking on the graphics below. Have a great day!

Zucchini Fritters

June 28, 2018 by Missy Rakes 1 Comment

Zucchini season is here, which can only mean one thing: more zucchini recipes! If you’re like me and are drowning in zucchini because you planted way too much, then you’ll definitely appreciate this recipe.

My grandma used to make fritters similar to these, although I don’t remember if she used zucchini or not. Fritters are such a grandma type of dish, don’t you think? I hope you enjoy the recipe friends and if you’re in need of more zucchini recipes then be sure to check out the links below.

Nutrition

Calories

1047 cal

Fat

42 g

Carbs

105 g

Protein

56 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

Yields 20 fritters

Zucchini Fritters

10 minPrep Time

25 minCook Time

35 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

approx. 5-6 cups shredded zucchini (2 large OR 3 medium zucchini)
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tsp minced garlic
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup oil for frying (or enough to fill bottom of pan)

Instructions

Shred zucchini and squeeze as much moisture out as possible.
In medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients (except the oil) and stir.
Pour oil into frying pan over medium high heat until oil is hot (this will take approx. 2 minutes.)
Once oil is hot, drop approx. 2 tbsp batter into pan and flatten into a circle with a spoon.
Repeat step 4 until pan is full.
Cook until golden brown (approx 2 minutes) and flip fritters.
Cook additional 2 minutes or until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.
Remove fritters from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
Repeat steps 4-8 until all batter is cooked (makes approx. 20 fritters).

https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/zucchini-fritters/

Zucchini Fritters

makes approx. 20 fritters

approx. 5-6 cups shredded zucchini (2 large OR 3 medium zucchini)

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

2 tsp minced garlic

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup oil for frying (or enough to fill bottom of pan)

Step 1: Shred zucchini and squeeze as much moisture out as possible.

Step 2: In medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients (except the oil) and stir.

Step 3: Pour oil into frying pan over medium high heat until oil is hot (this will take approx. 2 minutes.)

Step 4: Once oil is hot, drop approx. 2 tbsp batter into pan and flatten into a circle with a spoon.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 until pan is full.

Step 6: Cook until golden brown (approx 2 minutes) and flip fritters.

Step 7: Cook additional 2 minutes or until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.

Step 8: Remove fritters from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 9: Repeat steps 4-8 until all batter is cooked (makes approx. 20 fritters).

Other recipes you might enjoy:

10 Steps to Reduce Waste in the Kitchen

June 8, 2018 by Missy Rakes 2 Comments

This post was sponsored by the Carton Council as part of an Ambassador Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

According to the EPA, the average American produces 4.40 pounds of waste per day. This number seems insanely high to me, but I believe it. If you think about which area in your house produces the most waste on a weekly basis, your kitchen probably comes to mind first. If you’re trying to reduce the amount of waste your household produces then the kitchen is the perfect place to start. Today I’m going to share with you 10 Ways to Reduce Kitchen Waste so that we can all do our part for a brighter, greener future.

Use Cloth

Switching from paper to cloth is a great way to reduce waste in the kitchen. All you have to do is simply stop buying paper towels/napkins and replace them with a reusable cloth alternative. This can be as easy as cutting up old towels and sheets or as fancy as buying all new cloth versions to use. Either way you will be cutting down the amount of waste your kitchen produces and reducing the amount that ends up in the landfill.

Buy in Bulk

Another good way to reduce waste in the kitchen is to buy in bulk. Choose foods that you eat often and have a way to store, then buy the biggest size you need. Buying in bulk reduces packaging and saves you money. If you want to take this tip a step further, then you can bring your own bags and jars to the bulk food section of the grocery store and produce no waste at all!

Bring Your Own Bags

It seems like plastic bags are everywhere. A great way to reduce your use of them is to bring your own reusable bags with you where ever you go and make a pact with yourself not to accept a plastic bag unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you do take plastic bags home with you be sure to take them back to the stores to be recycled or use them as trash bag liners in the bathroom instead of buying new.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

An awesome way to reduce waste in the kitchen is to recycle as much as you possibly can. Most people know that things like paper, cardboard, glass and some plastics can be recycled, but do your research and see what else is recyclable.

For example, did you know that food and beverage cartons can and should be recycled? These cartons which are used to package things like soups, broths, milk, juice, coconut water, wine, tomato juice, creamer and beans are recycled into other paper products or chemical free environmentally friendly building materials.

Curbside carton recycling is available to more than 62% of U.S. households and access continues to grow every day. To check if carton recycling is available in your area, you can use the zip code locator on the Carton Council Website or check with your local program. Also, watch the video below to see for yourself how these cartons are recycled.

Choose Eco-Friendly Packaging

Once you become familiar with what is recyclable in your area, you can learn how to choose the most eco-friendly packaging available. Look for products packaged in recycled materials or those that are reusable, recyclable or biodegradable.

Only Buy What You Need

You can pretty much get whatever food you want whenever you need it in our society, but it’s wise to practice self-control and only buy what you need and will definitely use. You should be meal planning around what you already have in the house and then only adding those items that you need to fill in the gaps. Also, don’t shop when you are hungry or emotional because you will probably make lots of impulse purchases that will go to waste.

Store Food in Reusable Containers

I’m sure you’re used to using plastic wrap, foil and zip lock bags, but you may want to consider alternative storage solutions in order to reduce the amount of waste that you produce. Think about using alternatives such as reusable jars, wraps, bags and containers to store your food.

Grow Your Own Food

Another great way to reduce the amount of waste in the kitchen is to grow your own food. Growing your own food produces almost no waste and gives you fresh, healthy and in season produce to feed to your family. It’s really a win-win and one of my personal favorite ways to reduce waste.

Preserve Your Own Food

Another tip that goes along with growing your own food is to preserve your own food. If you have a bowl full of fresh cucumbers from the garden then learn how to turn them into homemade pickles or if you have lots of tomatoes, learn how to make your own sauce or juice with them. Canning, dehydrating, fermenting and freezing are great ways to reduce waste and preserve what you grow. Always be sure to use safe canning and preserving practices to ensure safety for you and you family.

Donate or Barter

My last tip for today is to donate or barter what you don’t need or want. Maybe you made too much soup and are tired of eating it, but your mom or neighbor would appreciate it. Maybe you grew too much produce and want to trade your neighbor who has chickens for eggs. Get creative and either give away or trade your extra or unwanted resources instead of letting them go to waste.

I hope these tips will inspire you to get into your kitchen and become more eco-friendly. What would you add to the list? I’d love to know!

Cinnamon Raisin 7UP® Biscuits + Enter to win a FREE BACKYARD MAKEOVER!

May 18, 2018 by Missy Rakes 3 Comments

This post was sponsored by Walmart as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Summertime is the best time of year for getting together with family and friends and cooking up some amazing food. I love shopping at Walmart for my summer snacking and entertaining essentials because they are quick, budget-friendly and have a huge selection of summertime food. Whether you’re going camping, on a hike, a picnic, to the beach or having a BBQ at home, Walmart has got you covered.

If you love summertime entertaining, but think your backyard needs a makeover, then you should definitely enter the Upgrade Your Summer Giveaway with Walmart. You can enter (multiple timers per day!) to win a backyard makeover including patio furniture, speakers, a grill, a cooler and a $300 Walmart giftcard. All you need to do to enter is click this link and then find a recipe that sounds good to you. Click through and fill out the form to enter the giveaway and unlock the recipe for your chance to win. Good luck!

Like I said before, summertime is a great time for entertaining using classic summertime essentials such as Johnsonville Brats made from premium pork from US and Canadian farms. Johnsonville is a trusted brand from a family-owned company started in 1945 and they are a gluten-free product. Brats are great for any kind of summer entertaining, but they are perfect for a backyard BBQ. They can be topped with pretty much anything and are so easy and quick to cook up on the grill.

Now let’s get on to the recipe I’m sharing today for Cinnamon Raisin 7UP® Biscuits. I had an idea in my head of how these biscuits would turn out and they definitely exceeded my expectations. They are light, fluffy, sweet, cinnamon-y and sooo amazing. Can you believe that they are made with 7UP?? Of course you know 7UP as a crisp, clean and refreshing drink made with high quality natural lemon lime flavors, but did you know that you can also bake with it??

I’ve found it to be an extremely versatile product in the kitchen and it’s fun trying to come up with new ways to use it. You are definitely going to want to try today’s recipe using 7UP because these biscuits are soooo good. They make the perfect summertime breakfast. Enjoy the recipe friends! Click here for more recipe ideas.

Yields 15 biscuits
Cinnamon Raisin 7UP® Biscuits
15 minPrep Time
15 minCook Time
30 minTotal Time
Save Recipe
Print Recipe

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Ingredients
4 cups baking mix
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup sour cream
1 cup 7UP®
1/2 cup melted butter
CINNAMON SUGAR GLAZE:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
cinnamon (to taste)
a few drops vanilla
1-2 tbsp milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425.
Pour melted butter into 9"x13" baking dish.
In large bowl, combine baking mix, cinnamon, sugar and raisins.
Add sour cream and 7UP. Stir until just combined. (You may need to add a little flour to make the dough workable, but it should be slightly sticky.)
On a lightly floured surface, pat or roll out dough and cut with a biscuit cutter.
Place biscuits in baking dish.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
While biscuits are in the oven, mix powdered sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Slowly add vanilla and milk until a glaze consistency is formed.
Once biscuits have cooled, drizzle with glaze and serve.
7.8.1.2
146
https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/cinnamon-raisin-7up-biscuits/

Cinnamon Raisin 7UP® Biscuits

makes 15 biscuits

4 cups baking mix

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup raisins

1 cup sour cream

1 cup 7UP®

1/2 cup melted butter

CINNAMON SUGAR GLAZE:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

cinnamon (to taste)

a few drops vanilla

1-2 tbsp milk

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425.

Step 2: Pour melted butter into 9″x13″ baking dish.

Step 3: In large bowl, combine baking mix, cinnamon, sugar and raisins.

Step 4: Add sour cream and 7UP. Stir until just combined. (You may need to add a little flour to make the dough workable, but it should be slightly sticky.)

Step 5: On a lightly floured surface, pat or roll out dough and cut with a biscuit cutter.

Step 6: Place biscuits in baking dish.

Step 7: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Step 8: While biscuits are in the oven, mix powdered sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Step 9: Slowly add vanilla and milk until a glaze consistency is formed.

Step 10: Once biscuits have cooled, drizzle with glaze and serve.

7UP is a registered trademark of Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. ©2017 Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.

Other recipes you might enjoy

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup

April 23, 2018 by Missy Rakes 2 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.

I love eating out, but since we have small children and also live on a budget, it doesn’t happen very often. One of my favorite things to do is recreate my favorite takeout dishes at home which not only saves us money, but is also healthier.

I love the Zuppa Toscana Soup from Olive Garden and I was so excited to realize how incredibly simple it is to make at home, especially since I get to use one of my favorite appliances the Instant Pot. This recipe only requires a handful of ingredients and it tastes so good. It’s definitely one of my favorite ways to eat kale.