Penny Pinching Peach

For the semi crunchy, homeschool friendly and totally frugal!


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My Kids’ Favorite Oatmeal

Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Oatmeal

Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Oatmeal

If you are one of those moms who just wants to quickly throw something together to feed the ravenous hordes in your house, but would prefer that something be healthy as well as faster as a wink and kid approved….this is the post for you!

My five year old long ago declared that she hated oatmeal, it was disgusting and slimy, and she would never, ever like it, no matter what. Challenge me, do ya, kiddo? Alrighty then! Challenge accepted! 😉 Guess what? She likes oatmeal. “But only the good kind you make, Mommy, not that other stuff, so I still hate that!” The following concoctions are the few approved by my resident oatmeal snob and the rest of the family.

This is my kids’ favorite oatmeal- and one of their most requested breakfasts. It’s Mommy and Daddy approved, too! My husband has me pack the ingredients for him at the fire station sometimes, because it sticks with him pretty well.

Take 1-2 packs of plain instant oatmeal and prepare according to package. Chop

Strawberries and Cream

Strawberries and Cream

up 1-2 bananas, according to taste and the number of people eating (2 packs and 1 banana is okay for just me and my two small children). Mash it into the oatmeal, along with a generous dollop of peanut butter and a sprinkling of chocolate chips. Stir and serve. Delicious!! The bowl in the

photo was immediately prepared and dished out for my munchkins and I, who were quite annoyed when I paused to take a photo of their breakfast while I was making it. 🙂

Another winner is one I call strawberries and cream. You can use chopped strawberries with milk and strawberry jam or chopped strawberries with cream and honey or chopped strawberries and strawberry yogurt. All of them give a yummy effect, so use whatever works in that category. Just strawberries and milk wasn’t nearly sweet enough, and the same with the cream, so the jam and honey helped with that. If you can’t tell, I’m the queen of kitchen improvisation.

Lastly, we have another super simple selection that is kiddo approved. Simply mix in a scoop of peanut butter and a dash of cinnamon, with or without honey or a smattering of chocolate chips. Similar, but mentionably different, from the first flavor.

Simply Sweet

Simply Sweet

I love meals that can be made quickly, cheaply and healthily from ingredients I normally have hanging around the house, anyway. These definitely fit that description, so I hope y’all enjoy them, too.

Does your family like oatmeal? What are their favorite flavors? If not, do you think any of these could possibly convert your own personal oatmeal snobs? It’s worth a try! it worked on my little princess picky pants, so it might work on yours, too. 🙂

Want another great recipe using oatmeal? Try my family approved Completely Healthy Cookies for an easy peasy snack that is both healthy and delicious.


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International Coffee Day

International Coffee Day

International Coffee Day

For those of you who love your caffeine fix in the form of that aromatic beverage known as coffee, get your party hats on! It’s International Coffee Day, and it comes with lots of treats for you! Get ready to get your jitters on, people!!! 🙂

Here’s a few of the goodies I rounded up:

7-Eleven is giving out free large coffees on September 28 between 6 and 10 am at participating locations.

Dunkin’ Donuts in the US, on September 29, will be giving a free medium cup of hot dark roast coffee, limit of one per guest. Then, beginning September 30 through October 5, guests can enjoy a medium cup of hot dark roast coffee for the special price of just 99 cents. Dunkin’ Donuts will also be making International Coffee Day a genuinely global party, with offers of free coffee on or around the holiday in most of the brand’s international locations. Just check with your restaurant locally if you are not in the US.

Kangaroo Express is selling a 12 ounce cup of Bean Street Coffee for a whoppin’ penny on September 29 between 8am and noon. Since when could you actually buy anything for one cent?? 🙂

Krispy Kreme is joining in the celebration of International Coffee Day  with some great goodies Monday, September 29th, you can get a freeeeee 12oz cup of Krispy KremeŽ House, Decaf or Dark Roast coffee, or a discounted treat of a 12oz Mocha, Latte or iced coffee for $1 at participating Krispy Kreme locations in the US.

Lamar’s Donuts has a free 12 ounce coffee on September 29.

McDonalds is supposed to be offering a free cup of coffee daily during breakfast hours through September 29 at select locations. It doesn’t hurt to ask!

Tim Horton’s has $1.00 medium dark roast coffee all the way through September 29.

Which cup are you going to sip on first? Hello??? Are you still there? Hmmm….guess you really wanted some of that coffee! 😉


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Breakfast Burrito For One

Cheesy Spinach Breakfast Burrito

Cheesy Spinach Breakfast Burrito

Let’s face it. Sometimes we all want a warm, healthy breakfast that won’t break the bank, but we’re either too busy or too lazy to take the time to cook it up. This recipe is perfect for that kind of morning! It is one of my favorite super simple breakfasts to make when my hubby is working and my kiddos just want cereal or fruit. I came up with this while I was pregnant with my son. I needed to eat healthily even when alone with my toddler, but was unable to stand for more than a few minutes to cook without complications. I was also craving spinach morning, noon and night. This Cheesy Spinach Breakfast Burrito hit the spot! You can also use the same ingredients, multiply it by the ammount of burritos you need, and just cook it stove top like scrambled eggs. When I do that, I add sliced fresh mushrooms, since they cook better in the pan. (They’re good in the microwave, too, just slice thin.) If you’re like me, and want to keep it simple and snappy in the mornings, this is a meal for you! It literally is completely done, from opening the fridge to that first yummy bite, in less than five minutes. There are also some great coupons to go along with it this week. You can’t beat that! 🙂

How to make it…

Cheesy Spinach Breakfast Burrito

1 cup fresh spinach, torn or cut into smaller pieces

1 egg

1/3 cup shredded mozarella cheese

1 flour tortilla

1 Tbsp. sour cream

Spray a microwave safe bowl with cooking spray.

Place spinach, egg and cheese in the bowl.

Stir with a fork until everything is well mixed.

Microwave for one minute.

Stir contents.

Place tortilla on top of bowl and return to microwave for 15 seconds.

Spread the sour cream on the middle of the tortilla.

Dump the rest of the ingredients in the tortilla and fold like any other burrito.

Gobble it up and head into your day well fueled!

There are some good coupons to go with the recipe this week!

To print your coupons, please go to http://www.coupons.com/coupons/Food-Coupons-107/

Print coupons for Breakstones or Knudsons Sour Cream and Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese.

What are some of your favorite quick breakfasts for those hectic (or just plain lazy) mornings?

For more recipes, please click the Chef’s hat!