Gifts for the Home Cook

Great gift ideas for the home cook! These will be perfect for lots of people on my gift list. Ideas for every budget too.

I use affiliate links in my posts. If you purchase through them I receive a small portion of sales. Check out my disclosure for more info.

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and I’d love this gifts for the home cook! I’m all about quality over quantity when it comes to gadgets and love cooking from scratch. If you are good of enough friends with the person (maybe even a family member) in your life that spends a lot of time in the kitchen, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea what sort of items from this list they’ll enjoy.

For even more ideas, be sure to check out these 3 posts where I share my favorite kitchen appliances, tools, and gadgets:

Gifts for the Home Cook

1. Measuring Spoons

Every home cook needs a set of stainless steel measuring spoons that range from 1/8 teaspoon to 1 tablespoons. A lot of sets skip the 1/8 teaspoon, but I use it all the time.

2. Measuring Cups

These are a splurge the home cook might not purchase for themselves, but are so handy. I’ve had handles fall of of several cheaper sets of stainless steel measuring cups.

3. Good Quality Foods

A lot of times, a home cook on a budget won’t splurge to try imported products or excellent quality stuff that’s more expensive. A gift is a perfect way to get the explore new foods.

Think vinegar:

or olive oil:

or spices:

or salt:

4. Fun Kitchen Towel

Look for something that fits their style and would make them smile. Check in your local Target and Wal-Mart too! My favorite cute dish towels actually came from our local bookstore and from Pottery Barn.

Or check out these adorable (and affordable) towels from Hobby Lobby:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Cutting Board

Good quality cutting boards – something I still need to purchase. The cheap plastic ones dull my knives so quickly. If you go with plastic, make sure it’s at least well made!

6. Aprons

I don’t use apron often, but I like having one when I’m cooking things that will be splattering grease or when I’m in nice clothes.

7. Decor

Again, know your recipients style – but there are lots of fun options out there. Shop online and don’t forget about Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, and Target stores.

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8. Assorted Cheeses

Give your home cook some fun ingredients they normally wouldn’t splurge on. Trying and using cheese is so much fun.

9. Pizza Stone/Steel

Everyone at least needs a ceramic pizza stone. I’ve broken a few pizza stones over the last years, so someday I want to try a pizza steel!

10. Knife Organizer

I’d rather have a few knives than an entire block of them. This is on my wish list for storing them safely:

Or else one of these drawer knife holders.

11. Cookbooks

I know there’s such a thing as too many cookbooks, but a new one can be a lot of fun! Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

What are your favorite gifts for the home cook?

If you are looking for more help on your gift lists, be sure to check out these posts:

Great gift ideas for the home cook! These will be perfect for lots of people on my gift list. Ideas for every budget too. Great gift ideas for the home cook! These will be perfect for lots of people on my gift list. Ideas for every budget too.

Mandarin Salad

This easy mandarin salad is a delicious salad dinner option that's husband approved. We love the crunch of chow mein noodles and the sweetness of the pineapple. Yum!

I use affiliate links in my posts. If you purchase through them I receive a small portion of sales. Check out my disclosure for more info.

Salads are one of my favorite things to eat! In fact, I don’t think there can be too many salads in your repertoire. Who knew a plate full of fresh produce can yield so many different flavors? This Mandarin Salad is a fun one – crunchy chow mein noodles and juicy pineapple! Yum.

We’ve been making this recipe for over 20 years! When I was a kid, some friends made this salad and we loved it and requested the recipe. Growing up, we simply called this Mandarin Salad, “Mrs. Bowen’s Salad”. 😉

I know we think of salads as health food, but salads can actually be full of not so great ingredients. This salad is a bit of a splurge with an ingredient I don’t buy for anything else – chow mein noodles! But considering it’s just a topping – I’m okay with it.

Besides, this salad is a fun twist on the typical salad flavors and is one of my husband’s favorites.

These are the noodles they have available at our Wal-Mart. Maybe a health food store would have something a little better.

Mandarin Salad

Mandarin Salad
Recipe type: Salad
 
This is a delicious and unique salad you'll want to add to your meal rotation.
Ingredients
Almonds
  • ¼ c. sliced almonds
  • 1 T. sugar (I omit the sugar)
Salad
  • 1 head romaine or green leaf lettuce
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 1 large can pineapple tidbits, drained well (can substitute fresh)
  • 3-4 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts
  • chow mein noodles
Dressing
  • ¼ c. oil (I use olive oil)
  • 2 T. sugar (I use a pinch of stevia)
  • 2 T. vinegar
  • 1 T. snipped parsley (or 1 t. dried parsley)
  • ½ salt
  • dash pepper
  • dash Tabasco sauce
Instructions
Almonds
  1. Cook almonds and sugar over low heat until the sugar is melted and almonds coated. Cool and break apart. (Note: I simply lightly toast the almonds with no sugar)
Salad
  1. Wash and tear lettuce into small pieces.
  2. Place salad ingredients into separate dishes for a build your own salad meal (our preferred method) or toss together all salad ingredients except for the almonds and chow mein noodles. Top with chow mein noodles, dressing, and almonds right before serving.
Dressing
  1. Combine all ingredients in a small mason jar. Shake well and refrigerate until serving.

This easy mandarin salad is a delicious salad dinner option that's husband approved. We love the crunch of chow mein noodles and the sweetness of the pineapple. Yum!This easy mandarin salad is a delicious salad dinner option that's husband approved. We love the crunch of chow mein noodles and the sweetness of the pineapple. Yum!

Gift Ideas for the Female Fitness Lover

Gift ideas for the female fitness lover

I use affiliate links in my posts. If you purchase through them I receive a small portion of sales. Check out my disclosure for more info.

Surely we all have a female fitness lover in our lives. That means we need gift ideas for a female fitness lover. Maybe a mom, sister, friend, right? Or maybe even yourself. 🙂 I never really thought I’d call myself a fitness lover, especially a runner, but over the last year I’ve organized my life where exercise has become a priority. Now I actually enjoy my my running days and my strength training days. I’m even in the middle of training for a half marathon, thanks to a sister for bringing it up and being a partner in crime.

Even though it’s only October, this is also the time of year when a lot of us have gifts on our minds. Coming up with ideas of our own wants and also planning on what to buy for people on our lists. Hopefully this post will help your brainstorming gift ideas for the female fitness lover for not only Christmas but also for birthdays and any other occasion. 🙂

Gift Ideas for the Female Fitness Lover

1. Headband

I bought a ponytail headband last year and I’ve loved it. I have to wear my ponytail lower than I typically do, but it’s worth it to keep my ears warm. Make sure the runner in your life has something to protect their ears.

And when the weather is hot, one of these sweat headbands would be handy:

2. iTunes Gift Card

This will let them load up their devices with new music to keep their minds in a happy place during those intense workouts.

3. Race or Competition Entry Fee

Races and competitions aren’t free. In fact they can be crazy expensive. Pay the registration to an event on their wish list.

4. Snacks

Intense exercising can make for an intense appetite. Extra nutrient dense, and portable food is always a handy idea.

5. Wireless Earbuds

6. Gloves

7. Layering Pieces

A new pullover, jacket, or shirt.

8. Belt

9. Arm Band

It’s nice to not have to hold your phone in your hand and risk dropping it.

10. Running Lights
Keep your runner safe with LED or reflective light or gear. These would be handy for those early morning or late night runs.

11. Dumbbells

I love having a light set and something heavier.

12. Water Bottle

Stainless steel insulated water bottles are always great. Here’s one I thought looks great:

13. Cookbook!

I have to know, what’s your favorite fitness gear? Who’s the fitness love in your life?

If you are looking for more help on your gift lists, be sure to check out these posts:

Gift ideas for the female fitness lover

Can’t Afford a Vacation? Ideas for Family Fun on a Budget

How to have family fun on a budget even when you can't afford a vacation. Get out there and make memories with your kids.

During summer and fall months, Facebook and Instagram feeds are filled with pictures and stories of amazing looking family vacations.

“Some years the budget doesn’t allow for a short trip let alone the vacation you’ve always dreamed of taking your kids on. It might be easy to feel mom guilt over not being able to give your kids that trip – but there’s no reason to!!! Instead, focus on the all the areas that you can have fun as a family on a budget!

If your children are young like mine, you can easily find lots of ways to have fun without going anywhere. If you are excited about the awesome year you are going to have staying home, it will rub off on your kids. If you are down and upset about not going on vacation, that attitude will rub off on them.

Here are four ways you can have fun with your family on a budget this year:”

Click over to Money Saving Mom to read the rest of my guest post.

I’d love to hear, what are your favorite ways to have family fun on a budget? Are there any free events I need to look for in my area?

How to have family fun on a budget even when you can't afford a vacation. Get out there and make memories with your kids.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. These cookies are buttery, thin, chewy and oh so good!

I associate memories or people with a lot of foods. These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of the recipes that we made when I was growing up that my mom got from her mom. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and molasses cookies are always the first recipes I associate with my grandma and they are all delicious.

These are a fun twist on a traditional chocolate chip cookie. Perfect for when you want something a little different extra or maybe even just want to feel healthier about your dessert indulgence. (Because anything with oatmeal has to be healthier, right?!)

When I made these this last time my husband commented, “You know, normally I think oatmeal ruins a chocolate chip cookie but these are actually really good.” If you know Shaun’s love of a good chocolate chip cookies, that’s saying something. Besides, I really don’t think you can have too many cookies in your repertoire. 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. These cookies are buttery, thin, chewy and oh so good!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
 
Ingredients
  • 1¾ cups flour
  • 1 t. soda
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1 c. butter
  • ¾ c. brown sugar
  • ¾ c. sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 t. hot water
  • 2 c. old fashioned oats
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Cream butter and sugars.
  2. Add eggs, water, and vanilla. Mix well.
  3. Combine 1½ cups flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix well.
  4. Add oatmeal and combine. Add up to an extra ¼ cup of flour depending on your dough consistency.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.
  7. Makes 2 - 2/12 dozen cookies.

 

Bring your favorite chocolate dessert to Roxana’s home baking #chocolateparty and win amazing prizes from Imperial Sugar®Gold Medal Flour®Safest Choice™ Pasteurized Eggs and KitchenAid®

Super yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. This recipes came from my grandma and the cookies and a thin and chewy perfection.