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You are here: Home / Recipes / Do It Yourself – Budget Bootcamp #9

Do It Yourself – Budget Bootcamp #9

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 by Lolli 11 Comments

I’m Budget Boot Camp Challenger!It’s week #9 of Clair and Beth’s 90-day Budget Bootcamp, and our challenge this week is a fun one.

Do It Yourself

I’ve always been a DIYer in the kitchen. I don’t sew, I don’t do crafty projects around my home, I don’t fix my own car, but I DO D.I.Y. where food is concerned. Not only does doing it yourself save a bunch of money, often times (more often than not, I’d wager) the from-scratch items taste hands-down better than the store-bought versions. I didn’t change much in my habits this week, but simply having this do-it-yourself challenge has made me think about some of the things that I love to DIY. And thinking about those things makes me want to get out my recipe book and make more of those yummy recipes. I figured that I’d share a few of the homemade goodies that we prefer around our house.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Soften 1 Tbs yeast in ¼ cup warm water and 1 tsp sugar for 10-15 min. until spongy (in small bowl).

Mix together in large bowl:
¼ cup oil
¼ cup honey
2 ½ cups hot water
1 Tbs. Salt

Add 5 cups wheat flour and mix well.
Then add the yeast mixture and 2-3 cups flour.
Knead or mix in a stand mixer.

Let rise in a warm place (in a greased bowl, covered with plastic wrap and a towel)–1 hour or until doubled.

Split the dough in half and form into two loaves. Place into two greased bread pans, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until the dough reaches the top of the pans.

Bake (uncovered) at 375° for 30-35 minutes. Cool on a rack…but be sure to eat a piece while it’s hot!

VARIATION:(how we make this a meal) I make half of the dough into a loaf and then use the second half of the dough to make thick whole wheat tortillas. All you do is take a small handful of dough and roll it out into a flat circle (you want it to be thin!). Place the circle of dough onto a heated (medium-high) DRY skillet (no oil needed). Heat on each side for appx. 2 minutes (time may vary with your stove–just watch for the bubbles and golden brown color).Fill heated tortillas with tuna, lunch meat, chicken salad, or anything else you might put into a sandwich. They are a family favorite!!

 

Buttercream To-Die-For Frosting

(sounds like a good way to die, doesn’t it?)

 

2/3 cup butter, softened but not melted
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2-4 Tbls milk
In large bowl beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in vanilla and milk, adding enough milk for desired consistency. You can add 1/3 cup of cocoa powder to the powdered sugar step to make chocolate buttercream frosting (yum!)
Note: My friend once asked why I made my own frosting. She actually thought that I was spending more money to make it on my own than I would have if I’d bought the canned frosting. I told her that no matter the cost, once you make your own frosting, there is no going back to the canned stuff. I’m afraid I have completely spoiled my husband and kids, and they will accept nothing but the real thing now.

 

Freezer Jam

I’m afraid I have no special family recipe for this one. I simply get a bunch of fresh seasonal berries (our favorite combination is half strawberry/half raspberry) and follow the easy directions on the back of the box of pectin. Here are a few tips for making your own delectible jam (this is another are where I have spoiled my kids and husband for ALL other forms of jam! They won’t touch anything but authentic freezer jam).
  • Fruit– Your jam will only be as good as the fruit you put into it. Make sure that your fruit or berries are ripe. I purchase (or pick my own) berries during the Summer and then freeze them in quart-sized ziploc freezer bags. That way, I have recipe-ready berries for jam all year long. Another benefit I’ve found from freezing berries is that they tend to mush up a bit during the defrosting process, which actually works in your favor when you’re making jam.
  • Pectin– Used to thicken the jam. I’ve used both liquid and dry pectin. They are both easy to use and I’ve had good luck with either.
  • Sugar – Sugar is essential in freezer jam. Not only does it sweeten the jam, but it also helps the jam set up and prevents bacteria growth. See? Sugar is good! You can buy special pectin to use with low or no sugar freezer jam recipes.
  • Jars– I use simple wide mouth glass jars to store my freezer jam, and make sure that there is plenty of space at the top of the jar to give the jam breathing/expanding room while it freezes. Plastic containers also work well (that’s what my mom always used).

 

Homemade Play Dough

This may not be good to eat, but it’s a perfect recipe to keep on hand when you’ve got little ones around. My kids adore play dough, and go through it way too fast. I love making my own because you can make a bunch of it (and I mean a bunch!!) for not much money. You can knead in food coloring or a packet of dry jello mix to give your play dough color AND a sweet smell.

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients in a medium pan. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove dough from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into manageable balls and work the color in by kneading the play dough. Your hands might get colored during the kneading process, but the color should not continue to come off during play time. You might want to be careful, though, around nice clothes and furniture.
 
 
What are some of your favorite things to DIY? I’d love to hear some of your recipes and tricks!
 
Play dough image from blog.makezine.com

© 2010 – 2011, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

About Lolli

Lolli has written 3740 post in this blog.

I became a mom in 1996, and in 2005 I had my fifth. Yes, 5 kids. In 2007, this blog was born (my 6th baby that will never grow up) and I've been sharing recipes, photography tricks, parenting tips, and everything in between. (Formerly Better in Bulk)

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Filed Under: Recipes, Savvy Living Tagged With: Budget Bootcamp, Recipes, Savvy Living

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Comments

  1. Amanda @ High Impact Mom says

    Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    I DIY very little any more, but I would love to get started again. You’ve got some amazing ideas here and I think we’ll try to do some of these while I’m on vacation with the girls! Thanks Lolli!

  2. Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} says

    Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 7:23 am

    I’m the same! I don’t craft or fix anything but I DIY in the kitchen. We do homemade bread too. And I always make my own frosting! I tried freezer jam once, I should do it again right now, while berries are in season. I haven’t made homemade playdoh in years. I should try that. My kids would love it.

  3. Brandie says

    Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 12:11 am

    You are so dang creative. I like the new look. Looks like all your tech problems resolved!

  4. Libby's Library News says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    Thanks – I thought that is would be there, but wasn’t 100% positive.

    BTW – I met you at CBC. I sat in on your class, and then handed out your business cards & photo tip cards, to everyone I came into contact with. I was usually at the sign in tables!

    I’m Neas Nuttiness…not sure if you got one of my handouts
    (Bookmark attached to bags of nuts:-)

  5. Lolli says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    I just get alum at the grocery store in the spice section. Ask the store if you aren’t able to find it!

  6. Libby's Library News says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    Where do I get the powdered alum?

  7. MommyLisa says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:19 am

    I need to make some freezer jam. Do you think blueberry would work? That is what they love around here.

  8. Lori Vann says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 7:28 am

    I make homemade playdough, but the recipe is different. I may try your version though. The version I make gets greasy as the kids (or adult) hands warm it – so it’s not exactly a “clean” activity!

    The wheat bread sounds wonderful!!

  9. Lamb says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 12:39 am

    Mmmm! I could go for a big, warm slice of homemade bread right now.
    However am I going to sleep tonight with my tummy growling?? :p

  10. Allison @ Alli 'n Son says

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 12:04 am

    I LOVE making bread. I just pop everything in the bread machine and 3+ hours later it’s done. You can’t beat the smell of freshly baked bread.

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