Atlanta's Frugal Mom

In case anyone is wondering why schools in the South close down at the mere mention of snow, take today in Atlanta as an example. Students and faculty are spending the night in a handful schools across the metro area, emergency shelters are opening up to provide stranded motorists a place to stay after spending HOURS in standstill traffic (usually because they ran out of gas!), GADOT reports over 940 accidents today, folks are opening up their homes to others in need across the metro area: the city basically shut down . Why?

Vitamix. Chicken. Tortilla. Soup. Recipe.  Well, first, I have to brag.  My husband is -without a doubt- the luckiest sunnuvagun I know.  He was perusing through Goodwill a while ago, and found a variable speed Vitamix blender for just under nine bucks.  Yep.  A true-to-life Vitamix.  For nine bucks!! We immediately put it to use, playing around with different fruit and veggie combos.  And then we stumbled upon this recipe for Tortilla Soup.  The rest -as they say- is history.  I’ve been making -and thoroughly enjoying!- my mom’s chicken tortilla soup recipe for a few years, even though I know it’s more “comfort” than “healthy.” To be honest, when we first made this soup, I was skeptical.  But once it was made, I was hooked!  And my recipe for the baked tortilla strips compliment it nicely, too! “Vitamix Chicken Tortilla Soup” This is based heavily on  The Blender Lady’s  recipe for Tortilla Soup, but I had to tweak to make i...

Ok, just putting the words “chicken” and “tortilla” together make me salivate.  So, when I had the opportunity to create two different versions of chicken tortilla soup , it was like sensory overload, y’all! First, I wanted to share the recipe my mom has been making for a few years.  I’m not going to lie, it’s not the healthiest recipe, but OH-MY-GOODNESS!  Is it ever so delicious!  Talk about “comfort food” – this one is packed with “comforting” goodness in every bite! When you’re done with this one, check out my Vitamix recipe for chicken tortilla soup , too! “My Mom’s Chicken Tortilla Soup”

It’s been almost two and a half years since I potty trained my daughter in four days at 26 months.  Once we finished those four days, she never ever looked back!  With that total success, and with my son (22 mo) on the brink of being ready, I’ve devised and revised some of my favorite potty training tips for other parents. Here’s what I consider potty training essentials  and/or what I’d recommend when undergoing the process: Foam hand soap – it just makes hand washing more fun, and makes hand-washing easier.  You can always check for coupons to print before you head to purchase!  😉 Keep towels for drying hands on counter in reach , if your towel holder is too high; I still keep hand towels on the counter for my now 4.5 year old daughter. Potty seats for the big potty, as well as little portable potty chairs , because you never know what might interest him most!  When you’re on the go , consider a foldable potty seat. Step stools — for the ...

I seriously heart smoked salmon.  Like borderline addict love it.  This oh-so-fancy smoked salmon and arugula flatbread is one of my favorite dishes to order when we manage to sneak out to a nice restaurant without kiddos.  Unfortunately, that happens never like twice a year, and that’s just not often enough for me.  Did I mention how much I love smoked salmon? Anyhow, after making the ghost pizzas with the kiddos for Halloween, I realized there was a leftover tube of pizza dough, and I had a smoked-salmon-withdrawal-induced stroke of genius.  I could just make my own flatbread at home!  Duh, right?  I’m super cheap and make copycat restaurant meals all the time, so why this never occurred to me, I don’t know. It’s awesome.  You’ll love it.  I promise. Smoked Salmon Flatbread Ingredients: 1 tube prepared pizza dough (in the canned biscuit aisle) 8 ounces cream cheese (whipped is easier to spread) 1 Tbs minced garlic Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 Tbs chopped fresh ...

Disclosure: I received free LeapFrog LeapReader™ products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty.  The opinions expressed here, as well as (some of) the cute kids are all mine. When a big ol’ box of LeapFrog LeapReader™ products showed up at my door recently, I literally did the happy dance.  (…and just be glad no one was around to see that sad mess…)  I had the distinct pleasure of being chosen to host a LeapReader™ party, a privilege given to only select bloggers, as I later learned!  Included in my party kit were: (2) LeapReader™ Reading and Writing Systems – each includes a LeapReader™ device, pre-loaded with books and learning apps, as well as two USB cords for charging the devices Disney-Pixar’s Monster’s University  3D book (and 16 pairs of 3D glasses!) Get Ready for Kindergarten book Talking Words Factory flash cards (2) LeapReader™ sampler book LeapReader™ Write It! Talking Factory Writin...

I don’t eat a lot of meat.  I like meat, it’s just that my body is not a big fan of it.  Maybe I’m missing some important enzyme or something that helps me break it down.  That would be my luck.  Anyhow, I tend to eat very little meat to keep from having a crazy, messed up gut all the time.  Well, except for bacon.   Because it’s bacon, duh. So since I don’t eat a lot of meat, I get my protein from other places.   Like chickpeas!   Of course, I don’t just eat them plain (boring!), I like to mix them in with different dishes.  I threw this particular salad together the other morning to have for lunch, and ended up eating it for 3 days!  It makes a lot more than you would think. 🙂 Marinated Zucchini and Chickpea Salad 1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion 2 cups chickpeas (if canned, rinse well first) 2 roma tomatoes, sliced into strips 1/4 cup chopped roasted red pepper 2 Tbs olive oil 2 Tbs lemon juice 1/2 tsp sugar salt an...