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How to save money on over the counter medications

save money on non prescription medications

I suppose it’s time to help my readers save on over the counter medications. As a pharmacist, I do have plenty of secrets to share with you.

Recently, I was checking out at the grocery store. The cashier told me she was sleepy because she accidently took her night time cough medicine instead of her day time cough medicine. I cringed because there should be no difference. Read on to find out why.

Common symptoms that can be treated at home

  • Pain/fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Nasal congestion
  • Allergies
  • Insomnia
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea

How to save money on Cold and Flu medications

Here I will share some secret tips that most consumers do not know about the over the counter cold and flu medications. Pharmacists are always a great reference to help you choose a medication for your symptoms. There are thousands of cold and flu products on the market sold under many brand names, although all of these products are just combinations of very few ingredients.

Disclaimer: Always read the safety information on all over the counter medications. Follow the manufacturer recommended dosing. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any over the counter medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have any health conditions, allergies or are taking and medications.

1. Don’t buy oral phenylephrine or any oral product containing phenylephrine

Phenylephrine has been found to be ineffective at treating nasal congestion in oral form. It has no value, but is still on the market to give manufacturers time to reformulate their products. The reason it has been allowed to remain on the market is because it is still considered safe, but not effective. Even though it is not effective you will still have drug interactions and side effects associated with it’s use, but no benefit.

What should you use instead of phenylephrine to treat nasal congestion?

If you want an oral medication for nasal congestion your only option is pseudoephedrine, which you do not need a prescription for. You will have to ask a pharmacist for it. It can be found at most local pharmacies for as low as $2.49 for 24 tablets ~ 21 cents/dose, max of 4 doses/day = 84 cents/day.

Another great option for treating nasal congestion is Afrin nasal spray. Afrin can only be used for 3 days. It is dosed 1-2 sprays in each nostril every 12 hours for 3 days. After 3 days, you will need to use something else to treat your nasal congestion.

what to use instead of phenylephrine

2. Save on Cold and Flu medications by choosing single ingredient medications

Brand name manufacturers try to simplify your purchase by listing symptoms in the name of their product. You could get the same benefit from taking the individual ingredients for less cost, and you could take only the ingredients you need. Usually a cold starts with fever, body aches and sore throat, then nasal congestion, ending with a lingering cough. It would be better to purchase the individual ingredients and treat only the symptoms you currently have.

Lower cost options for “day time” non- sedating cold and flu medications

Instead of using a combination product like these:

Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe -Current cost is $7.67 for 24 caplets ~64 cents a dose, max of 5 doses per day = $3.20/day

Vicks DayQuil Cold and Flu – Current cost is $16.57 for 48 liquicaps ~ 69 cents/dose, max of 4 doses per day = $2.76/day

Treat only the symptoms you have with the single ingredients in these products:

Acetaminophen – This ingredient is effective for treating pain and fever. If you have body aches, sore throat, other pain or fever, then this ingredient will help. Current cost for 325mg tablets = $2.12 for 100 tablets ~ 4 cents/dose, max of 6 doses 3900mg/day = 24 cents/day (note-this is adult dosing)

Dextromethorphan – This ingredient is a cough suppressant. It is used in adults and children 12 years and older to suppress a cough. It is not always good to suppress a cough. If your cough is productive then an expectorant may be a better choice. Current cost for 15mg soft gels = $8.99 for 100 soft gels ~ 18 cents/dose, max of 4 doses/day = 72 cents/day (note-this is adult dosing)

Guaifenesin – This ingredient is only in the Tylenol Cold & Flu severe, not in Vicks DayQuil Cold and Flu. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps thin mucus in the bronchial passages to make it easier to cough up mucus. It is most effective if you drink plenty of water. If you drink plenty of water you will help to thin the mucus anyway. This medication is best used to treat a productive cough. It will not help a dry cough at all. It does not suppress a cough. Current cost for 400mg tablets = $8.79 for 200 caplets ~4 cents/dose, max dose of 6 doses/day = 24 cents/day (note-this is adult dosing)

Phenylephrine – Is found in both Vicks DayQuil and Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe. Phenylephrine has been found to be ineffective at treating nasal congestion. If you do have nasal congestion-use one of my phenylephrine alternative suggestions above.

Lower cost options for “night time” sedating cold and flu medications

Instead of using a combination product like these:

NyQuil Cold & Flu – Current cost $17.88 for 48 liquicaps ~ 75 cents/dose, max of 4 doses/day = $3.00/day (note-adult dosing)

Tylenol Cold + Flu + Cough Night liquid – Current cost $10.67 for 8 ounces ~ $1.33/dose, max of 5 doses/day = $6.65/day

Treat only the symptoms you have with the single ingredients in these products:

Acetaminophen – This ingredient is effective for treating pain and fever. If you have body aches, sore throat, other pain or fever, then this ingredient will help. Current cost for 325mg tablets = $2.12 for 100 tablets ~ 4 cents/dose, max of 6 doses 3900mg/day = 24 cents/day (note-this is adult dosing)

Dextromethorphan – This ingredient is a cough suppressant. It is used in adults and children 12 years and older to suppress a cough. It is not always good to suppress a cough. If your cough is productive then an expectorant may be a better choice. Current cost for 15mg soft gels = $8.99 for 100 soft gels ~ 18 cents/dose, max of 4 doses/day = 72 cents/day (note-this is adult dosing)

Doxylamine – This ingredient is an antihistamine. It is used mostly as a sleep aid because it is very sedating, but also has a drying effect that can help with congestion. If you are taking either of the above combination products to help you sleep, you could save a lot by using the single ingredient. Current cost for 96 – 25mg tablets = $7.17 ~4 cents for a half a tablet dose (12.5mg is the amount in a dose of the 2 combination products above). (Note-this is adult dosing.)

Phenylephrine – Is found in Tylenol Cold + Flu + Cough, but not NyQuil. phenylephrine has been found to be ineffective at treating nasal congestion. If you do have nasal congestion-see my phenylephrine alternative suggestions above.

3. Buy generic cold and flu medications

I am a pharmacist and I almost always buy generic medications. They work just as well as brand name medications for a fraction of the cost. There are a couple of exceptions. I prefer brand name for flavored medications. Liquid or chewable medications often taste better if you buy brand name. The other exception is nasal sprays. I have found brand name Afrin to sting less than the generic.

4. Non-drug options for helping with cold and flu symptoms

  • Stay hydrated, this will help with cough, congestion and fever.
  • Use a humidifier, this will help with cough and congestion.

How to save money on seasonal allergy medications

Disclaimer: These recommendations are for mild seasonal allergy symptoms, not severe life threatening allergy symptoms like shortness of breath, hives or severe swelling.

There are many over the counter medications to treat allergy symptoms. Read on for some tips on allergy treatment savings.

1. Avoid combination products

Same as my advice on cold and flu medications, there are plenty of allergy products on the market with more than one ingredient. Watch out for phenylephrine on any product promoted for allergy and sinus relief. Do not buy any product with phenylephrine listed as an ingredient.

2. Choose the right allergy product for your symptoms

Allergy symptoms and treatment options include:

  • Runny/Itchy nose – Oral or nasal antihistamine, nasal steroid
  • Sneezing – Oral or nasal antihistamine, nasal steroid
  • Itchy watery eyes – Oral antihistamine, antihistamine eye drop

Disclaimer: Always read the safety information on all over the counter medications. Follow the manufacturer recommended dosing. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any over the counter medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have any health conditions, allergies or are taking and medications.

The first step is to try the lowest cost option of the non sedating oral antihistamine options: (take only one)

If you still have nasal symptoms, then the next step is to add one nasal steroid . Start with the lowest cost option: (these will take a week or two of daily use to show a benefit)

If you still have nasal symptoms then you can add a nasal antihistamine.

If you still have itchy watery eyes, add an antihistamine eye drop.

3. Buy generic allergy medications

I always choose generic medications for tablets and capsules. It’s okay to try generic flavored oral liquids and chew tabs, but sometimes I choose brands in those cases due to better flavor. Generic nasal sprays are worth a try, but sometimes I opt for brand name if the generic stings more.

4. Use your HSA account if possible to pay for allergy medications.

You may be able to use your HSA to pay for chronic medications for allergy symptoms, but you may need a prescription from your doctor even though these meds due not require a prescription. Just in case, ask your doctor for a prescription at your annual check-up. It will save you money if you can use tax free dollars in your HSA account to pay for OTC medications.

How to save money on OTC insomnia medications

Disclaimer: Always read the safety information on all over the counter medications. Follow the manufacturer recommended dosing. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any over the counter medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have any health conditions, allergies or are taking and medications.

There are plenty of over the counter options to help with occasional insomnia. The marketing for this indication is very effective in persuading consumers to overspend on very inexpensive medications.

1. Avoid combination products for insomnia

I probably sound like a broken record by now, but there is nothing more frustrating than watching people get sucked into spending more money just to get an advertised brand name medication with extra ingredients they don’t need.

Example:

Advil PM – Current price ~ 52 cents per dose – or take the individual similar ingredients: diphenhydramine 25mg tablets ~4 cents/dose + ibuprofen (if you have pain or fever in addition to your insomnia) ~4 cents/dose.

2. Buy generic medications for insomnia.

Cost saving examples:

ZzzQuil 25mg tablets – Current price ~ 55 cents/dose or you could choose generic (same ingredient) diphenhydramine 25mg tablets ~4 cents/dose.

ZzzQuil Ultra 25mg tablets – Current price ~ 35 cents/dose or you could choose generic (same ingredient) Doxylamine 25mg tablets ~ 7 cents/dose.

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Entertaining at home

How to Play Spicy UNO

How to play spicy UNO

Are you getting bored with your current selection of family games? Here is a perfect way to spice up an old favorite! Spicy Uno is a fun family or party game using a regular deck of Uno cards. It would be best to have 2 decks of UNO cards, especially if you are playing with more than 3 people. You can still play spicy UNO with only one deck, but you will have to pause to shuffle at least once. You can’t even shuffle the cards when it is not your turn, because in Spicy UNO, it is always your turn! If you don’t enjoy shuffling you might want to invest in a card shuffler! Read on to find out more.

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How to set up Spicy UNO:

Thoroughly shuffle the UNO deck or both decks and deal each player 7 cards then place one card face up on the discard pile. The basic play is the same as the standard UNO game, follow color or number. You must say “UNO” when you have one card left, or you will be required to pick up 2 cards. Decide who will play first. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards.

Rules for Spicy UNO:

0 – If you play a zero, you must trade hands with another player. This is not optional.

5 – If anyone plays a 5, all players must slap the table. Last player to slap the table must draw 2 cards. It pays to be loud and noticeable here!

7 – If someone plays a 7, all players must remain silent (except for laughing, because laughter is fun) until another 7 is played. If you go down to one card during silence you must hold up one finger to indicate UNO instead of saying “UNO”. To choose a color if you play a wild during silence you must point to your desired color. If during silence, rules must be clarified, you must raise your hand before speaking.

Draw 2 – If you play a draw 2, the next player must draw 2 (if they draw 2 their turn is over), unless they can also play a draw 2, then the next player has to draw 4, unless they can play a draw 2, then the next player must draw 6. This continues until someone has to draw the accumulated number of cards.

Draw 4 – Same rules as the draw 2.

If you cannot play a card, you must draw cards until you are able to play.

If a player has to draw because they cannot play, any player can offer them a playable card face down. The player who cannot play can choose to accept the offered card or decline and draw instead.

If you have a card that is the exact same as a card played (examples: someone plays a red 3 and you have a red 3, or someone plays a yellow skip and you have a yellow skip) you can play it at any time even if it is not your turn. You have to play the identical card before the next player plays their card. If you are able to play your identical card first then you will have effectively changed the turn to your turn and the player after you will go next. You can play 2 cards at the same time if you have 2 identical cards in your hand. If both cards are fives, everyone must slap the table twice.

Spicy UNO Strategy

If possible, don’t play a zero when your hand is the smallest.

Hold onto your draw 2 and draw 4 cards until they are the only playable cards in your hand. These cards will defend you incase someone else plays one.

Offer a playable zero to someone who cannot play because they will have to trade their hand. If the player after the player who has to draw has UNO, offer the player who has to draw a playable draw 2 or draw 4 card.

Always pay attention, even when it is not your turn so you do not miss a 5 or 7 card.

If you like Spicy Uno, You might like:

If you like the fast paced paced games, where its always your turn, try these:

If you like the house rules and craziness you might like Uno Roboto.

Spicy-Uno-Rules-Printable-PDFDownload

Other Fun Family games

Fun Games to Play

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Healthy Home Recipes

Nutrient Packed Smoothie vs. Smoothie Bowls

Photo by Denis Tuksar on Unsplash

Save a ton of money by making your own smoothies and smoothie bowls at home. Learn how to create your own recipes and which ingredients provide the best nutrients for your health.

A smoothie is a simply a beverage made by pureeing fruits and vegetables with other ingredients in a blender. A smoothie bowl is a thicker more nutrient packed smoothie, thick enough to eat with a spoon, and often topped with fruit, granola, nuts, and seeds. Lets review some common smoothie vs. smoothie bowl questions and how to pack them with nutrients.

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these recipes have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these recipes have not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These recipes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Smoothie vs. smoothie bowl

A smoothie is thin enough to drink through a smoothie straw. For a smoothie bowl you can use the same ingredients to make a smoothie, but it will be thick enough to eat with a spoon.

Basic smoothie vs. smoothie bowl ingredients:

Smoothie: 1 cup (8 ounces of fruits and veggies) to 1/2 cup to 1 cup of liquid. Less liquid will make a thicker smoothie, more liquid makes a thinner smoothie.

Smoothie bowl: 2 cups (16 ounces of fruits and veggies) to 1/4 cup liquid.

Optional additives can be mixed in in small quantities. For example, a tablespoon of honey or a scoop of protein powder.

Basic Smoothie recipe example:

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing) ~1/2 cup

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup milk

Optional: 1 tablespoon elderberry syrup.

Puree in a blender

Serve in a cup with a straw.

Basic Smoothie bowl recipe example:

1.5 cups frozen mixed berries

1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing) ~1/2 cup

2 tablespoons yogurt

2 tablespoons milk

Optional: 1 teaspoon honey

Puree in a blender

Top with fresh blueberries, almond slices, and hemp hearts. Serve in a bowl with a spoon.

Smoothie vs. smoothie bowl infographic

Which blender is best for making smoothies?

I personally prefer the Ninja Professional Blender. It has a large capacity, it blends everything smoothly. It is also dishwasher safe for quick and easy clean up.

Another awesome option for delicious smoothies is the Vitamix Blender. The only drawback is the price. Although it is expensive, it has a few features that the Ninja does not have. It will heat soups, but that is not necessary for smoothies.

If you need a smaller blender for a college dorm or a small kitchen, a handheld immersion blender or a personal size blender are also great options.

Lastly, there is the Ninja Creami which is perfect for making smoothies and best for making smoothie bowls with the added benefit of making ice cream.

Ninja blender making a smoothie

Can you make a smoothie the night before?

The best way to make a smoothie the night before is to prepare all of the ingredients. Chop and freeze the fruit you wish to use. Measure out the liquid ingredients and place them in the refrigerator. Then you can quickly blend them together in the morning.

Can you store a smoothie in the refrigerator or freezer?

If you prepare a smoothie with ice or frozen ingredients then it will thin with refrigeration because the ice will melt and the frozen ingredients will thaw. The smoothie will be thinner, but still tasty. It will probably need to be stirred before consuming.

You can freeze a smoothie, but it will thicken like ice cream or sorbet. Frozen smoothie would require a spoon to consume. You can defrost it but depending on the ingredients, it may not remain smooth. It is possible to blend it again, but the consistency may not be the same.

Are smoothies and smoothie bowls healthy?

Smoothies and smoothie bowls can both be very healthy depending on the ingredients you choose. Read on to learn about healthy and unhealthy ingredients found in smoothies and smoothie bowls.

Which smoothie is anti-inflammatory?

Most smoothie ingredients are naturally anti-inflammatory, which makes smoothies and smoothie bowls a great option for an anti-inflammatory diet. Here are some ingredients to avoid and some to include in anti-inflammatory smoothies and smoothie bowls:

Smoothie ingredients to avoid because they can increase inflammation:

  • Processed foods
  • sugar
  • sweetened teas
  • sugary drinks
  • sweet cereal
  • canned fruit packed in heavy syrup
  • non-dairy creamers (unhealthy fat)

Best Anti-inflammatory smoothie ingredients:

  • Berries
  • Grapes
  • Citrus fruits: oranges/grapefruit
  • Pumpkin
  • Spinach/kale
  • Cauliflower
  • Quinoa
  • Soy
  • Nuts/seeds
  • hemp hearts/chia
  • Spices: ginger/turmeric/cinnamon

Which Smoothie is best for weight loss?

There are plenty of fad diets out there that will each have their own smoothie recipes. The key to consuming smoothies for weight loss is choosing the right ingredients. Fruits and vegetables are typically the main ingredients in most smoothie and smoothie bowl recipes. The reason why fruits and vegetables are good for weight loss is because they have low energy density. Meaning they have few calories in a large volume of food. This way you can fill up, and feel full while consuming fewer calories. There is some research to prove that consuming low-energy-dense foods will lead to weight loss without feeling hungry.

If you choose low-energy-dense ingredients for your smoothie, you can stay full longer on fewer calories and lose weight.

Best ingredients for a weight loss smoothie or smoothie bowl (low-energy-dense foods)

  • Fresh or frozen vegetables
  • Fresh or frozen fruits
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products with no sugar added
  • Whole grains
  • Water or ice

Worst ingredients for a weight loss smoothie or smoothie bowl (high-energy-dense foods)

  • Fruits canned in heavy syrup
  • Juice
  • Sweetened yogurt
  • Sugar
  • Full fat dairy products
  • Dried fruits
  • Refined grains: white rice or cereal made with white flour

Smoothie vs. smoothie bowl, which is good for diarrhea?

If you have diarrhea hydration is important. If you are recovering from a stomach bug and have been vomiting also, you should probably start with clear liquids. Once you are feeling better, then a smoothie would still be better than a smoothie bowl because smoothies have more liquid. In the past a BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) diet was often recommended as a bland diet to eat for the first day of solid food after a stomach bug. These four foods are still a great option, but many experts recommend adding in a few more foods for better nutrition. There are still some foods that should be avoided when you have diarrhea.

Ingredients to avoid adding to a smoothie when you have diarrhea:

  • Dairy (with the exception of yogurt or kefir-especially with antibiotic associated diarrhea)
  • Citrus fruits
  • pineapple
  • leafy green vegetables
  • raw vegetables
  • Spices
  • berries or seedy fruits
  • oils
  • caffeine

Best smoothie ingredients to add when you have diarrhea:

  • Banana
  • Cooked white rice (gritty)/baby rice cereal
  • Kefir or yogurt
  • Apple sauce or juice
  • Pedialyte
  • Coconut water
  • Peaches
  • Melons
  • Squash-e.g. pumpkin puree
  • Cream of wheat
  • Oatmeal

Smoothie vs. Smoothie bowl for constipation?

Hydration and fiber are both important for prevention and treatment of constipation. Smoothies will help more with hydration, but you can pack more fiber in a smoothie bowl. Both are good options for constipation. I unusually try to help my patients choose good foods to treat occasional constipation before resorting to medications.

Best Smoothie and smoothie bowl ingredients for constipation

  • Prunes or prune juice
  • All Bran
  • Plums with peel
  • Berries
  • Squash
  • Leafy Greens
  • Water/Ice
  • Flax seeds
  • Nuts
  • Kombucha
  • Apples with peel/apple juice
  • Kiwi

Which smoothie is best when you are sick with a cold or flu?

If you are sick with a cold or flu you need hydration, especially if you have a fever. Smoothies are a great way in increase hydration. Fruits, vegetables and other immune boosting foods are also beneficial when nursing a viral infection. A cold smoothie made with frozen fruits and/or ice can help to sooth a sore throat. Top your smoothie bowl with my immune boosting granola.

Best Immune boosting smoothie and smoothie bowl ingredients:

  • Citrus fruits
  • Berries
  • Elderberry Syrup
  • Matcha
  • Ginger/turmeric
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Leafy greens
  • Peppers
  • Sweet Potato
  • Pomegranate
  • Yogurt
  • Papaya
  • Kiwi
  • Acai
Immune boosting smoothie and smoothie bowl ingredients infographic.

How to make a hydrating smoothie.

Although both smoothies and smoothie bowls contain hydration, smoothies are more hydrating because they contain more liquid. There are some fruits and vegetables that have a higher water content and are better for improving hydration. Electrolytes are important for improving hydration lost due to sweating from exercise or illness. For more hydration tips, check out my post on hydration.

Most hydrating Smoothie ingredients:

  • Celery
  • Watermelon
  • Peaches
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Leafy Greens
  • Tomatoes
  • Cantalope
  • Strawberries
  • Yogurt
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Ice
  • Coconut Water
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Entertaining at home

Fun Games to Play

fun family game -camel up

Are you getting bored with you family game selection? It is difficult to find fun family games to play with young children. As the children grow their interests change and so must the games. The goal is to find games that are fun for both kids and adults. The main goal for family games is to keep play simple to learn, but complex enough to entertain all ages. There are many fun games to play with all age groups. Here are some great suggestions for all age groups.

Best family games for preschool aged kids-Ages 3-5 years

This is a difficult age group to find fun games to play with. Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, or Hi Ho Cheery O are mind numbingly boring. I also can’t tolerate the simple card game war. After much research, I did end up finding a few fun games to play with preschool aged kids. My babysitters also gave some good suggestions.

Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo is actually a fun game to play with kids aged 3 and up. It was honestly my favorite for this age group. Families can hop, skip, crawl, jump and dance! The game comes with a bunch of different shaped pads with pictures on them, to place on the floor. The “announcer” will tell the players to “hop like a frog to a triangle”. Eventually the “announcer” will declare a winning pad, if anyone is on that pad they win and get to do a dance. It’s really fun!

Spot It Jr.

Spot it Jr is a fast paced card game with simple rules for kids 4 and up. It’s quick for their short attention spans. All you have to do is spot the picture that is the same on two cards. This is a great game for babysitters. Our best babysitter had it in her bag of fun that she always brought over.

Memory

Memory This game is pretty simple. You just place all of the cards face down. Then you take turns flipping 2 cards at a time, if they match you keep the match. If they don’t match, you flip them back over and try to remember what they were so you can make a match on your next turn. Kids are surprisingly good at this game.

Go Fish

Go Fish This is a very simple card game that can be played with a regular deck of cards, but it also comes in many different themes, sure to delight any preschooler.

The rules are simple: deal out 7 cards per player, then spread out the rest of the cards in the middle to make the fishing pond. The player to the left of the dealer starts by asking another player for all of their “kings” if the player succeeds in obtaining kings, they keep going until they ask for something another player can’t give them. That player will say “go fish” and the player draws a card from the “pond”. The object is to get 4 of a kind. Once a player has 4 of a kind they lay those cards face up in front of them. Once all of the cards have been laid down the winner is the player with the most cards in front of them.

Old Maid

Old Maid This game can be played with a regular deck of cards, but also comes in old maid decks with fun themes. If using a regular deck you just deal out all of the cards except one (usually a queen). Each player removes all of the pairs from their hand and places them down in front of them. Then the dealer offers their hand face down for the player to their left to choose from. If that player makes a match, they lay it down in front of them, then they offer their hand to the next player. The next player draws a card and play continues until all cards are matched except the old maid. The player left with that card is the old maid.

Best Family games for early elementary aged kids – Ages 6-8

There are a lot more really fun games to play as a family once your children are all over 6. Mostly because many fun games require reading to some extent. A few games from the preschool age are still appropriate for this age group.

Uno Roboto

Uno Roboto is a really fun spin on regular Uno. It comes with a robot that helps with game play. Each player records their name into the robot. Throughout play the robot calls players by name asking them to do things like discard 2 cards, or give all their yellow cards to another player. Sometimes the robot even instructs players to give each other different names.

SkipBo or Uno

Skip Bo or Uno These classic games have simple rules and are still fun even for adults. They are small and inexpensive. Easy to take on trips. Always a good time.

Throw Throw Burrito

Throw Throw Burrito is a crazy family card/dodgeball game. It is very competitive and fast paced. Play is similar to spoons because the cards are passed from one player to the next with each player attempting to make a matched set of 3 cards. Some of the sets cause players to grab the soft burritos and attempt to hit one another with them. It is a very active game, great for kids with lots of energy!

Best Family Games for late elementary aged kids-Ages 8-10

Finally your children are ready for fun games to play with a little more complexity. A little more math and reading will be required. More complex games can also be much more fun! Here are some of my family go to favorites.

Ticket to ride a fun game to play.

Squirrels

Squirrels is a card game that is simple to learn and very fun to play. We stumbled upon this game because my daughter likes squirrels. It was a small and inexpensive game that made a cute stocking stuffer. It ended up being a family favorite. The object of the game is to collect nuts of the same color. There are also wild cards and attack cards that make play fun! You may end up stealing, hoarding, or dumpster diving during your quest to collect your nuts.

Slapzi

Slapzi is a fast paced game. There are several ways to play. Basically you are delt cards with pictures on them. When a clue card is flipped you have to be the first player to match one of your picture cards to the clue card. The faster and more creative you are the more likely you will match all of your cards first. Just be ready to defend some of your creative matches.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a great family board game of strategy. There are several versions of the game including maps from all over the world. Each board includes a map with train routes. Players are delt routes that they have to complete by obtaining the correct amount of train cards to complete each section of the route. Points are earned for each section and for each completed route. Watch out for your opponents stealing the route you need.

Rummikub

Rummikub is a classic game of strategy. It is similar to the card game Rummy but played with tiles instead of cards. Deal out 14 tiles to each player, then you have to match 3 different colored numbers or 3 same colored numbers in order before you can lay them down in the center. Each player can play on other sets of three or use numbers from other sets to make new sets. The object is to get rid of all of your tiles first. Simple but classic family fun.

Poetry for Neanderthals

Poetry for Neanderthals is a fun game where you have to give clues in only single syllable words to get your team to guess the word. If you say a word with more than one syllable someone from the other team can hit you with an inflatable caveman club and you have to choose a new word.

Butts in Space

Butts in Space is a slightly inappropriate butt totally fitting game for this age group. You get to play as a Classy, Hairy, Bow or Butt Butt. You try to collect the most toilet paper before the spaceship is repaired.

Mexican Train

Mexican Train is a classic game played with dominos. It gets it’s name from the name of the train that all players can play on. Each player tries to get rid of their dominos first by placing them on their own train or the Mexican train by matching up the numbers. It’s easy to learn and fun to play. For full rules check out this site.

Camel Up

fun family game -camel up

Camel up is a betting board game for up to 8 players. The object is to gain the most money from betting on racing camels. These camels don’t run at a steady pace however. Sometimes they end up stacking on top of one another and are carried along. Only the roll of the dice will tell you which camel will move next. Bet early to score more points!

Best Family Games for Middle School Kids-Ages 10-13

Now for the real fun. Once you have middle school aged kids you can add more strategy and a little more offence. More fun games to play indeed.

Telestrations

Telestrations is a very fun spin on the classic telephone game. Instead of whispering something into the ear of the next player, you start by drawing a picture. The next player flips the page and writes down what they think the drawing is, the next player draws a picture and so on. The result is often something that is not at all what the original clue was, and lots of laughs!

Catan

Catan is an intense strategy game. The object is to gain the most points by building roads, settlements and cities. It’s best suited for people who love strategy games.

Photo of Catan
Photo by Aksel Fristrup on Unsplash

Codenames

Codenames is a game of clues, quiet and calculating. 25 cards with single words are laid out on the table. Players take turns giving single word clues to try to get their teammates to guess the correct words. Be careful not to guess the wrong word, it could mean points for the other team or an instant loss.

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples is a crazy game of comparisons. Each player is delt cards with words on them. A main category card is flipped over. All players except the judge chooses a card from their hand that relates to the main category card. The judge chooses which card they think best relates to the main card. The round winner keeps the card. The judge changes each round. It’s fun to see the crazy comparisons other people choose.

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens is a cut throat card game. It’s fun to play, but you do have to be a little bit mean to other players. In order to win all of the other players must draw an exploding kitten card with no way to prevent the explosion from happening. Once a player draws an exploding kitten they are out. Last player wins!

Dutch Blitz

Dutch Blitz is a fast paced card game. the rules are simple, but in order to win you have to be fast. Or at least faster than everyone else. The object is to be the first player to get rid of all of the cards in your blitz pile.

Scattergories

Scattergories is a category game. There are several lists that come with the game. You choose a list, them roll for a letter. Start the timer and everyone must come up with a word starting with the selected letter for each item on the list. Double words like “Peter Pan” are worth extra points. Be careful not to choose the same word as another player, or there will be no points for either of you.

Happy Little Dinosaurs

Happy Little Dinosaurs is a disaster avoiding game. You try to avoid disasters by getting other players to take the hit. You can also gain points for being the best disaster avoider. The cards are really cute, each one with adorable descriptions, yes even the disasters are creative and humorous. A really fun game to play with family or friends.

Spicy Uno

Spicy Uno is a game played with regular Uno cards with spiced up rules. It is a little crazier than the traditional game and helps make it fun again for a family that needs something new to play.

Best Family Games for High School aged Kids-Ages 14-18 to Adult

Beyond Balderdash

Beyond Balderdash is is a game of fibbing. What can be more fun than making up definitions, weird laws, Acronyms, movie plots or reasons for fame? Give it a try and you will not be disappointed. You will probably get a few laughs too.

Coup

Coup is a game of strategy, lies and influence. The object is to be the last player with a character card, your influence. In order to win you may have to use another character’s influence, which is perfectly legal if you get away with it. Who is the best liar in the family? Find out by playing Coup.

Here to Slay

Here to Slay is a competitive strategy game that involves slaying monsters and collecting heroes. There are two ways to win, slaying 3 monsters or collecting all 6 types of heroes. Watch out for your opponents who are all out to stop you!

The Resistance

The Resistance is a game of deception. Sometimes you have to lie to get others to trust you. Each player is secretly assigned a role, either an operative or a spy. Good guy or bad guy. Either way you try to convince the group that you are indeed good and trustworthy. Lots of accusations and pleas for trust ensue each round as players attempt to work together or secretly against each other to win!

Taboo

Taboo is a word guessing game with certain words that are taboo and cannot be used to describe the word you want your team to guess. If a player uses a taboo word an player from the other team will buzz them and they must move on to the next word. The team with the most guess words wins.

Dominion

Dominion is a deck building game with plenty of expansions to keep the game interesting. What I love about this game is the endless changes that keep the strategy changing every time you play. The base game set comes with 25 different cards that can be swapped in and out for each game. Each game will use only 10 of the base cards. There are 3 different victory card types and 3 types of treasure, that are used in all games. Additional base cards, victory cards and treasures are available in expansion packs. The fun never ends.

Fun games to play with a standard deck of cards

Spoons

Spoons is a easy card game to play with young kids. The rules are simple, it’s fast paced and lots of fun! All you need is a regular deck of cards, at least 3 people, and one less spoon than the number of players you have. For example: if you have 5 people, you will need 4 spoons.

How to play spoons

Deal out 4 cards to each player. The object of the game is to get 4 of a kind. The dealer starts by drawing a card, they can choose to keep it or discard it or another card to the person to their left. The next person picks up the card and discards to their left. The cards continue to round the circle until someone gets 4 of a kind. When they do, they grab a spoon. Once a player takes a spoon, all of the other players can grab a spoon. The player who does not get a spoon, gets an S. Each time a player does not get a spoon they get another letter until they have spelled SPOON. Once they spell SPOON, they are out.

Trash

Trash is a game that can be played with a regular deck of cards. If you have more than 2 players use 1 deck for every 2 players.

How to play Trash

Each player is delt 10 cards (2 rows of 5) face down cards in front of them. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile in the middle.

The object of the game is to get all 10 cards in front of you flipped over in order Ace-10. Jacks are wild. Kings and Queens end your turn. The dealer starts by drawing a card from the top of the deck. If it is an Ace or 2-10, they replace the corresponding card in front of them, with the correct number face up. If the card they replaced can be used for another card in front of them, they can continue to use them until they end up with a King, Queen, or a number they don’t need. They then discard face up. The next player can draw from the discard pile or the draw pile. Continue until one player has A-10 face up in from of them.

Collect all of the cards and re-deal. The player who won the previous round gets 1 less card. Each time a player wins a round they get 1 less card until one player only has 1 card and replaces it with an Ace or Jack.

Euchre

Euchre is my favorite card game. I do understand that it is a midwestern game, but I think anyone could enjoy it if you try. In Michigan learning to play Euchre is a rite of passage.

How to set up for Euchre

Start by removing all cards less than 9 from the deck, leave the aces. The object of the game is to be the first team to gain 10 points. Euchre is played with only 4 players, 2 teams. Your partner sits across from you. It is a trick taking game.

How to deal in Euchre

The dealer deals 5 cards to each player going around only twice: dealing 1-4 cards at a time to each player each round. For example deal 2-3-2-3 then 3-2-3-2. Then the dealer sets down the remaining cards and turns over the top card.

How to play Euchre

After the deal, the player to the left is the first to choose weather or not he/she wants the suit of the flipped up card to be trump. If he/she wants it to be trump, they tell the dealer to pick it up. If they do not want that suit they say pass. All player in turn choose this way. If the dealer is told to pick it up, or chooses to pick it up, they must discard a card so they only have 5 cards. If nobody wants that suit to be trump the dealer passes by turning over that card. Now the person to the left is the first to choose any other suit to be trump, or pass. Each player is given this option until trump is selected. If nobody chooses the dealer must choose trump.

During the trump selection phase any player can choose trump and choose to go alone. In this case their partner does not play and they must win at least 3 tricks to score a point, but if they win all 5 they can score 4 points.

The player to the left of the dealer leads a card. All other players must follow suit, unless they do not have that suit, then they can play any card including trump. The trick is won by the highest card played

Rank of cards in Euchre

The highest card is the Jack of trump also called the right bower. The second highest card is the jack of the same color as trump also called the left bower. For example if spades is trump the jack of spades is the highest card followed by the jack of clubs, then the Ace, king, queen, 10 and 9 of spades. For non-trump suits Ace is the highest followed by King, Queen, Jack, 10 and 9. But Trump always beats non-trump.

How to score in Euchre

  • Team get 3-4 tricks = 1 point
  • Team gets 5 tricks = 2 points
  • Team gets 3 or more tricks when the other team called trump (a Euchre) = 2 points
  • Lone hand wins 3-4 tricks = 1 point
  • Lone hand wins 5 tricks = 5 points

Spades

Spades is another trick taking card game. There are 4 players (2 teams) partners sit across from each other. Use a full deck with or without the jokers. If you choose to use the jokers remove the two red 2’s. The jokers are high, make sure you determine which joker is the highest before you start (usually the colored one).

How to play Spades

The object of the game is to be the first team to score 300 points.

Start by dealing out all of the cards equally to all 4 players. Spades are always trump, jokers highest (if used) then Ace, king, queen, jack and all the numbers in descending order. The player to the left of the dealer leads and all others must follow suit unless they don’t have that suit. Highest card wins the trick. Play until all cards are used. During the first round each trick won is worth 10 points.

After the first round the deal moves to the left and after the cards a delt the team that did not deal has to bid how many tricks they think they can win. The minimum bid is 4. Then the other team bids. Once all bids are in play starts. At the end of each round the count up the tricks and score.

How to score in Spades

  • If you did not get at least as many tricks as you bid: loose 10X the number bid. For example bid 4 win 3 -loose 40 points
  • Score 10 points for every trick you bid and won and 1 point for every trick you win but did not bid. For example bid 5 win 6 – score 51 points

Up and Down the River (aka: Oh Hell)

Up and Down the River is another trick taking game. You need between 3 and 7 people.

How to play Up and Down the River

The dealer deals 1 card to each player in round one then places the next card face up, the suit of the turned u card is trump. For each subsequent round deal moves to the left and 1 additional card is delt up to 7 cards then back down to 1 card.

Each round players must bid how many tricks they think they will win from zero to the number of cards delt, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. The dealer bids last and his/her bid cannot make the number of tricks bid = the number of cards delt. For example if 1 card is delt to 3 people and the first two players both bid zero, the dealer cannot bid 1, because only one card was delt. In this case the dealer must bid zero.

The player to the left of the dealer leads, other players must follow suit if they have that suit, otherwise they can play any card. Highest card wins. Trump beats other suits, aces are high.

How to Score Up and Down the River

1 point for each trick taken + 10 extra points if you bid correctly. Highest score wins

best family games to play by age
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Recipes

Easy Leftover Turkey Enchilada Soup

easy leftover turkey enchilada soup

If you are searching for a great way to use up your leftover turkey, search no more. This quick and easy leftover turkey enchilada soup is sure to please. It’s simply a twist on the more traditional chicken enchilada soup. Certainly better than Campbells or chili’s chicken enchilada soup. As long as you have the stock prepared, you could be enjoying this soup in about 20 minutes.

How do you prepare turkey stock?

Start by boiling the leftover turkey carcass in a pot of water for 4-5 hours. You can add a few cilantro stems to the pot to enhance the flavor. Strain the stock while it is still warm. Then allow the meat to cool a bit before stripping the remaining meat from the bones.

What is the secret to the best enchilada soup?

The first secret ingredient that makes the best enchilada soup is masa harina. It is the flour used for making corn tortillas. Turns out it is also the best flour to use when thickening your enchilada soup.

The second secret ingredient is Monterey Jack cheese shredded from the block. If you by the block of cheese and shred it yourself it will melt into the soup creating a creamy broth. Do not try to melt pre-shredded cheese into your soup. It does not melt well and will always have little strings of not quite melted cheese in the broth.

Leftover turkey enchilada soup ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4-5 cloves of garlic minced
  • 2/3 cup masa harina
  • 5 cups turkey stock
  • 3 cups leftover turkey, cubed or shredded
  • 3 (10-ounce) cans red enchilada sauce (mild, medium or hot)
  • 1 (7-ounce) can of green chilis or hatch chilis
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 8 ounces of Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • tortilla strips
  • 3 avocados, diced
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

How to make leftover turkey enchilada soup

  • In a large pot, heat up the avocado oil, add the onion and sauté until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
  • Then make a roux by adding the masa harina until the onions are garlic are evenly coated.
  • Add the stock 1 cup at a time while stirring.
  • Once the stock is warm and slightly thickened, add the enchilada sauce, cumin, turkey, chilis, tomatoes, beans, and corn.
  • Optional: Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. If you choose to do this, I would recommend using cheese shredded from a block rather than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Top with Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, tortilla strips, chopped cilantro and cubed avocado.
leftover-turkey-enchilada-soupPrint recipe

If you like this soup, try my better than olive garden Zuppa Toscana recipe.

Categories
Recipes

Easy Apple Pie Recipe

slice of apple pie
slice of apple pie

I have been scrambling to use up the abundant supply of apples from my 2 apple trees. Good things do come to those who wait. The first few years didn’t provide many, but now it’s almost a chore to use up all the apples 2 trees provide. So, it seems like a great time to share my easy apple pie recipe. Sure to please! Especially if made with my best pie crust recipe, which also happens to be very easy!

Which apple variety is best for apple pie?

Honestly any variety of apple will make a delicious apple pie, except maybe red delicious which I personally think tastes like Styrofoam. My mom always likes to use McIntosh for pies because they are softer and quite tart. I actually prefer the apples stay a little more firm in my pie, so I prefer to use Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.

Easy Apple Pie Filling:

  • 6 cups of peeled and sliced apples
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of butter

Best Pie Crust Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups + 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • pinch or salt

Easy Apple Pie assembly:

Mix all of the ingredients in the apple pie filling above, except the butter. I’ll admit that I often use more than 6 cups of apples.

Prepare the bottom crust and place it in your Pyrex pie dish. Add the filling mixture. Top with the butter.

Top with the crust, add some slits, and crimp the edges as desired. See my best pie crust recipe for more instructions. Cover the edges with foil. Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 min, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 min. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool before serving.

Easy-Apple-Pie-RecipeDownload

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Save Money

Saving Money on Clothing is Surprisingly Green

5 ways to save money on clothing infographic

There are many ways to save money on clothing, and some of them are surprisingly green. I always try to be a good steward of our earth especially when it saves money too. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the average American household spends nearly $2000/year on clothing. The cost of clothing increased 22.3% in 2021 and then another 10.9% in 2022. Saving money on clothing is defiantly worthwhile.

Your total clothing cost includes the initial purchase price, but also care and maintenance of the clothing.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Here are some ways to save money on clothing and help the environment:

Buy used clothing

Buying used clothing is good for the Earth and your clothing budget. According to the EPA Americans generate over 17 million tons of clothing waste per year, of that a staggering 11 million tons ends up in landfills. Used clothing is an excellent choice for saving money and giving used clothing a new use will help keep it out of a landfill. There are plenty of places to shop for bargain used clothing. There are thrift shops, consignment shops, garage sales and online marketplaces where many perfectly good clothes are sold. Most of my personal wardrobe was purchased from thrift shops and garage sales.

Sell your old clothing

If you are able to sell your old clothing you can use the profit to pay for new clothing. This works best for kids outgrown clothes but is also quite profitable for adult clothing. You can attempt to sell your old clothes on your own by having a garage sale or online using eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook marketplace. Consignment is another great option. Search google for consignment shops near you or use a nationwide option like: Once Upon a Child, Plato’s Closet or Style Encore.

If you are not able to sell or consign you could also try to swap your used clothing with someone else. You could host a clothing swap party if you happen to have a bunch of friends nearly the same size, or you can even find large clothing swaps already planned by others.

The final option to make money on your used clothing is to bring it to H&M. They will give you a coupon to use on your next clothing purchase. They will take used clothing in any condition. If they can’t sell it they will recycle it if possible. Better than a landfill, and a coupon is better than nothing It’s a win win!!

Buy Quality Clothing

I know it seems counterintuitive to spend more money on clothing in order to save money, but in the long run you will save money when you buy quality items. Obviously this strategy works best for items purchased for full grown teens and adults. Quality clothing will last longer and need fewer repairs. I especially prefer quality footwear. Wool socks last a lot longer than socks made of other materials. My daughter ran nearly 3 miles in a sock from this quality Brand, when she lost a shoe at the beginning of a race. The sock was still in good condition after the race.

Smartwool sock held up during a 3 mile race

Repair your clothing

Many clothing repairs are simple enough that anyone could watch a quick you tube video and learn to fix. I’m fortunate that I was able to take take sewing in high school. It has been a very handy skill to have. Even if you have no sewing skills or experience you can still perform basic repairs.

What are some simple clothing repairs that can be done by hand?

What are some clothing repairs that may be worth the cost of fixing?

Some clothing and shoe repairs are too difficult for a novice or may require the use of a sewing machine or other tools. There are many alteration and clothing/shoe repair shops near just about every home. Some repairs may be less costly than replacing the clothing.

  • zipper replacement
  • altering a clothing size
  • fixing a large hole in a seam
  • a broken shoe heel
  • leather repair

Save money on clothing care

  • Whenever possible choose hand or machine washable clothing over dry clean only.
  • Use a portable washing machine for small loads to save on detergent and water. This can save you a trip to a laundry mat if you do not have a washer at home. It would also be great for camping!
  • Wash with cold water to save energy heating the water.
  • Change out of your good clothes when you get home to prevent stains and possibly get another wear before washing. Washing causes excessive wear on clothing.
  • Line dry your clothing if possible. It doesn’t matter if you line dry outside or use a drying rack inside. Dryers will wear out clothing faster and the energy to run the dryers is also expensive.

Check out my other money saving tips:

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Entertaining at home Save Money

Frugal Family Fun Ideas at Home

Climb a tree
Climb a tree

The definition of Frugal is: sparing or economical with regard to money or food. Is it possible to have fun without spending a bundle? If you are on social networks, I’m sure you have seen your share of fancy trips, elegant dinners out, and expensive events your “friends” have shared. When I was a kid there was no such thing as social networking. It was, in my opinion a better life. My parents were full of frugal family fun ides. We used to go to a roadside park with a picnic lunch, where the big draw was climbing up and down a big sand hill. My siblings and I were so excited about the outing we could hardly sleep the night before. As an adult, I asked my dad “how did you make that outing sound so fun?”

His response “It’s all in the hype! You just have to make it sound super great and kids will believe you.” The truth is it was actually really fun and we always looked forward to it. Kids don’t need expensive vacations, fancy meals, and extravagant events. They just want to play and enjoy time with their families. It’s adults who need to spend a bundle to impress their social network “friends”.

International Frugal Fun Day is the first Saturday in October. The idea is to do something fun that costs less than five dollars. I’m assuming this is five dollars per person. It is a great day to get started with a frugal fun home life.

Frugal Fun Ideas at home:

Dinner and a movie

At my house we usually eat dinner at the table, but as a special event we allow the kids to eat in front of the TV. For little ones we set up a table, but older kids can manage with a tray. We make a big deal about how much fun it will be to enjoy dinner and a movie. We ask the kids for movie suggestions, dinner suggestions, and dessert suggestions. Our kids always get so excited, even help set up for the big event!

Make your own pizza night

This is a family favorite at my house. In the summer we grill the pizza, in cooler seasons we just bake them either way it is fun. We make our own pizza crust and prepare a bunch of topping options. Everyone makes their own creation. We bake or grill them in shifts and eat on the deck in good weather or at the dining room table in cooler weather. The kids love it!

Family game night-best games by age

Family game night is a frugal family fun idea. In my opinion the fun increases for the parents as the kids get older. I can’t stand playing mind numbing games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders. What are the best family games for each age?

For more family game ideas check out my post on fun games to play.

Do a Family Craft

A Family craft can be excellent frugal fun. It can be a simple as making slime or playdoh or as complicated as building a birdhouse. Or anything in between. Make candles, soap, birdfeeders, decorations, jewelry, or anything fun!

Bake Something as a Family

Nothing could be more frugal fun than baking together as a Family. Pick out a seasonal favorite and get to work. Maybe a pie would be a nice choice. Try my best pie crust with your favorite filling. Or choose something that will be fun to decorate like cookies or cupcakes.

Enjoy the great outdoors as a family

Playing outside is usually free of charge. There are plenty of ways to have fun in your backyard or neighborhood.

  • Go for a walk, with or without a scavenger hunt
  • Play catch or frisbee
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Do something seasonally appropriate: run through a sprinkler, jump in the leaves, build a snowman
  • Draw with chalk, play hopscotch
  • Build a fort
  • Climb a tree
Climb a tree
Climb a tree

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Entertaining at home

How to use a Traeger Silverton 620: Grill, Smoke, Bake/Roast

Pellet grill cooking methods infographic

Are you the proud owner of a Traeger Silverton 620 because of all of the features? Do you want to be able to Grill, Smoke, Braise, Bake and Roast live a pro? I have used all of the features, and would like to share them with you.

This post may contain affiliate links, I earn commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you.

How to Smoke on a Pellet Grill

My experience is with the Traeger Silverton 620, but any pellet grill should be able to use the smoke feature. Smoking is a way of slow cooking with smoke. It’s best for meats, it will give your meat a delicious smoked flavor. The Traeger Silverton 620 does not have a smoke setting, but you can smoke using low heat 180-225 degrees F. I’ve used it for brisket, pork butt, ribs, and I even use it for starting out steaks and burgers. Here is my fabulous fall off the bone ribs recipe.

Baby back ribs smoked
Baby back ribs smoked

How to Braise on a Pellet Grill

Any pellet grill should be able to braise. By definition braising is slow cooking with liquid. Often, after smoking a meat on the pellet grill, the meat can be wrapped with foil or butcher paper along with a liquid. The liquid used will vary depending on the recipe. For pork I usually use apple juice because pork works well with sweet ingredients, for beef I usually choose beef broth. Braising on the pellet grill is done at 225-275 degrees F.

Baby back ribs wrapped with foil
Baby back ribs wrapped with foil

How to Grill on a Traeger

Some pellet grill models may not be able to get a high enough temperatures to Grill. This is not a problem for the Traeger Silverton 620. You can use it just like any other normal gas powered or charcoal grill and just heat it up to the high temperature required for grilling by definition 450-500 degrees F. Then add your burgers or steaks, flip at desired interval and grill the other side to desired doneness. But what is the fun in that? You have a multitasker pellet grill. Use the features!

How to grill burgers on a Traeger

I love to grill burgers on my pellet grill. I usually start by smoking the patties at 180 degrees F for 30-60 min. This is wonderful because it gives me time to enjoy spending time with my guests or family. When my guests or family start to get hungry, I simply turn up the heat to 350 degrees F. I know I said grilling needs a higher temperature, but during the heating process the burgers will become overdone. Check on the burgers during the heating process, flip them and periodically check the temp of the meat. You will still get the desired grill lines, and you will end up will delicious smoked flavor!

Burgers grilling on a pellet Grill

How to grill steak on a Traeger

For grilling steak I start with the same process I did with the burgers. Obviously you will want to add some smoky flavor, so start by smoking the steaks at 180 degrees F for 30-60 min. Remove the steaks, and turn the temperature up to 450 degrees F. Return the steaks to the grill and flip after the desire time depending on how done you want your steaks. Check the meat temperature and grill the other side to desired doneness.

How to Bake/Roast on a Traeger

I will discuss baking and roasting together because by definition they are very similar and seem to have a lot of exceptions. This feature should only be used if your pellet grill has a bake/roast feature.

What is the difference between baking and roasting?

Baking and roasting differ in two ways: by the dry heat temperature or by what is being baked/roasted. Baking requires the grill to be able to self maintain a desired temperature in the range of 325-375 degrees F depending on the recipe. Whereas roasting requires a grill temperature >400 degrees. Baking generally refers to dry heat cooking something that will change and become more firm during the cooking process, for example: cakes, pies and casseroles. Roasting is generally the term used for foods that have a firm texture prior to cooking, such as large cuts of meat or vegetables. Cakes, pies and casseroles are baked. Turkeys, and vegetables are roasted. Pizza seems to be an exception, since it is baked at 425-450 degrees F.

What can you bake on a Trager Silverton 620?

The options are endless! I pretty much bake anything on my Traeger Silverton 620 that I bake in my oven. I use a Pyrex baking dish or a foil pan. I have shared a couple of my favorite recipes on my blog. Try my peach blueberry pie or shepherd’s pie!

Peach Blueberry Pie on the Traeger
Peach Blueberry Pie on the Traeger

You can also bake pizzas on the Traeger. For pizza I preheat my Traeger Silverton 620 with pizza stones to 425 degrees F. A pizza chef once told me that the best pizza dough recipe is from King Arthur Flour. So that’s the recipe I always use. If we make pizza on the Traeger it is an event. We load the table up with pizza toppings and each person creates their own pizza on a piece of parchment paper. Before placing the pizza on the stone, I trim the parchment paper and slide it onto the warm stone on the grill. Check the crust after 6 min, and continue checking every 2-3 min until desired crispiness. Usually small personal pizzas bake for 6-10 min.

Pizza on the Traeger

What can you roast on a Traeger Silverton 620?

Traeger in snow

Once again the options are endless. I usually roast vegetables. It’s easy to roast broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes and more. Roast veggies at 400 degrees F. Whole potatoes and sweet potatoes for about 60 min. Other veggies or cubed potatoes I roast on a metal tray or pan with oil and seasonings for 35 min, periodically mixing or flipping.

I also attempted roasting a turkey for Thanksgiving. I say attempted, because although I was able to start the cooking process by smoking my turkey, I ended up having to finish in the oven, just as this author described, due to the cold Michigan temperatures in November. This is the only drawback to the Traeger Silverton 620. Due to it’s rear venting system the company has not made a heat blanket for use in cold temperatures. I really don’t mind because the main reason I like to bake/roast on my grill is because I don’t like to heat up the kitchen in the Summer. I don’t mind using my oven in the cold winter months and my grill is still useful for smoking in the winter, even if I have to finish in the oven, it still adds the smoky flavor.

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Healthy Home

Bento Box Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids and Adults

Bento Box Lunch Ideas Infographic
Bento Box Lunch Ideas

It’s easy to make healthy packed lunches for kids and adults using a bento box. Use the healthy bento box packed lunch ideas for kids and adults above to make a balanced meal. School lunches sometimes get a little boring and repetitive, but these bento box packed lunch ideas will help you spice it up a bit. The free school lunches are mostly made up of processed food that lack fiber and fresh fruits and veggies. These bento box lunches are easy to prepare ahead and a much healthier option to the school lunches. They will also help your child learn to pack and eat healthy options for life.

Bento Box packed lunches are great for adults too. Make a quick and easy well balanced packed lunch for work. Packing a lunch saves time and money. No more waiting in line for food on your lunch break. Just sit down and enjoy your packed bento box, then use the extra time for a relaxing walk instead of waiting in line.

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What are Bento Boxes?

Bento Boxes are lunch boxes with sections that separate the different food options. They originated in Japan and initially contained common foods from that region. Mostly rice, fish, pickled vegetables and some fruit, to make a balanced meal. Bento is a Chinese slang term for convenient, which is fitting since they are very convenient for packed lunches.

Why Choose a Bento Lunch Box?

The Bento box makes a very convenient lunch box. It is so simple to choose items to fill the sections. The sections encourage small servings of a variety of foods to help include more food groups to make a more balanced lunch. The convenient sections also reduce waste from packaging. If your box doesn’t have enough sections you can purchase extra dividers. You don’t have to wrap sandwiches in paper or plastic. Many items like yogurt and apple sauce can be purchased in bulk instead of individual servings which not only reduces waste but also saves money. Check out my other post for more ideas on how to save money on groceries.

Which type of bento box is right for you?

Bento boxes are made in a variety of different materials, shapes and layouts. They are also available in reusable and disposable format. Here are some pros and cons of each option:

Wooden Bento Box:

Traditional wooden bento boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can have a variety of layouts. Some are stacked. Pros: They are traditional, all natural, BPA free, stylish and reusable. Cons: They are difficult to clean, not dishwasher safe, not microwavable, and my be difficult for young children to open and close. Wooden boxes are not able to keep liquid ingredients separated.

Lacquered Bento Box:

Traditional lacquered bento boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These are most often found in restaurants. Pros: They are traditional, stylish, and reusable. Cons: Many do not come with tight lids for transport. If they do have lids, they may be challenging for kids to open and close. They are not dishwasher or microwave safe. They lack a tight seal and my not be great for liquids.

Plastic Bento Box:

Plastic bento boxes come in a large variety of shapes and sizes. These are the easiest type to use for a packed lunch. They are available in reusable and disposable varieties. Pros: They are lightweight, and easy to open and close, Plastic bento boxes can be dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe, and are often BPA free. Cons: They are not traditional. Disposable varieties are not good for the environment.

Metal Bento Box:

Metal bento boxes are the most durable option. Pros: They are easy to open and close, dishwasher safe and BPA free. Cons: They are not microwave safe. Metal boxes do not have a tight seal may not be the best option for liquids.

Glass Bento Box:

Glass bento boxes usually have plastic lids. Pros: They are microwave, dishwasher, oven and freezer safe. Glass is BPA free and lids usually are also. They have a tight seal. Cons: They are fragile and heavy.

Insulated Bento Box:

Insulated bento boxes come in a variety of materials. There are stainless steel insulated bento boxes or plastic bento boxes with ice packs and an insulated exterior bag. Pros: They keep food insulated. Cons: they may or may not be dishwasher or microwave safe.

Paper Bento Box:

Paper bento boxes are single use and disposable. Pros: They are lightweight and disposable. Perfect for situations when you do not want to carry a container around with you for the rest of the day. Cons: They will not handle liquid ingredients, and they can leak. Disposable products are not environmentally friendly.

What are some Healthy Bento Box Packed Lunch Ideas for kids and Adults?

The Asian Bento box

This traditional bento box includes: sushi, snow peas, pickled ginger, and kiwi.

Asian Bento Box

The Superfood Bento box

This bento box includes: Broccoli salad, blueberries, almonds, and Greek yogurt.

Superfood Bento Box

The Berry Nutty Bento Box

This bento box includes: Almond Butter and Jam sandwich triangles on Whole Wheat bread, blueberries, Greek yogurt, and granola. For a very healthy granola recipe check out my other post. This Bento box could also be a breakfast bento.

Berry Nutty Bento Box

The Quick and Easy Box

For this Bento Box I just used whatever I had in the fridge. This Bento Box includes: Pasta salad, Raspberries, Oranges, and a hard boiled egg. Use the chart above to make any box you would like using the current contents of your fridge.

Quick and easy Bento Box

Greek Bento Box

This Greek bento box includes a Greek salad, grapes, Hummus, and whole wheat Pita bread.

Greek Bento Box

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