Thriftism

Who doesn't love mojitos? Ok so this might be a tad different, but you can always add rum and club soda to get even closer to the real deal. Today we're focusing on the healthier side of the mojito and showing how delicious juicing can be. Plus it'll really help use up garden produce as summer progresses. printable to letter size paper Embed

Hot summer days spent soaking in the sun and enjoying refreshing beverages. Why not hydrate and reinvigorate the same old drinks by trying out this aqua fresca? This minty cucumber drink is reminiscent of the aguas frescas sold along the streets in Mexico which brings a vacation vibe to your summer. It also packs a punch of vitamins and hydration with the combination of cucumber juice, mint and citrus. This could easily be transformed into a cocktail by adding vodka, or can be enjoyed as is for a delightful mocktail. Be careful if adding alcohol as it can be hard to detect beneath this minty cucumber citrus combo drink. **BONUS - This will help use up the multitude of cucumbers in your garden. Printable to Letter Size Paper Embed

This lesser known veggie is in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) and while looking somewhat alien, tastes great in a wide variety of dishes.  Planting For starters, you can plant seeds or transplant live plants. Kohlrabi is a full sun plant, but actually grows best through filtered sunlight (think through tree leaves or near taller plants). It also prefers lighter, well draining soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5, but can be grown in heavy clays or sands with adjusted watering. Seed Direct sow when soil becomes workable, in mid April or early May, spaced at 1" and cover with 1/4" soil. When seedlings emerge, thin to 4" spacing. Plant second crop in mid July following same planting procedures. If you choose to start indoors to speed summer production, plant 6 weeks before transplanting. Kohlrabi thrives in lower temps (60 -70 F). Harden off before transplanting outdoors.  Growing Mulching will help keep weeds to a minimum. Use a hose to remove

I hate having to cook before each meal. This is probably why I typically have one big meal prep day a week, followed by heating up leftovers from the prep day. I don't remember to start cooking soon enough and am left starving by the time I think of making something. That's why I love slow cooker meals. This is a super flavorful one that I was able to put on overnight to have ready in the morning, but you could also throw it on in the morning to be ready for supper. Printable to letter sized paper Check out the  Why Buy Dry Blog post: https://thriftism.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-buy-dry.html Embed

As with all vegetables, there will be the lovers, haters and the unaware. My family used to fall into the haters group - bitter, mushy asparagus, no thank you! In the recent years, we tried it again but from friends that had grown it in at home and cooked using different methods. Boy, did that make a difference. Fresh grown asparagus has a vibrant flavor and a light crunch when cooked correctly. So we decided to grow our own as well. Plus some say asparagus is a natural blemish remover (skincare) as well as a natural diuretic.  Planting For starters, you can plant seeds or bare roots . We chose to go the route of bare roots, but we'll also cover the basics of planting from seed. Begin by choosing a variety proven to thrive in your area. Check with nursery before purchasing. Different varieties will grow better in different zones and soils. Carefully choose your location, asparagus can thrive in one spot for over 20 years. Asparagus is a full sun plant, but ca