Disclaimer: This post is part of the Good Cook Blogger Program and I received these products for review. All opinions and experiences are 100% my own. Good Cook company challenged it’s bloggers to take the items they provided us and do the opposite of what they are supposed to be used for. Since this is my first food challenge I didn’t want to stretch my luck too far and played it safe with a few old fashioned favorites that I knew the kids would eat.

Tea cakes are a favorite in Russia but they are traditionally kind of plain so in this recipe we have livened them up a bit so they are gift box ready. Gifting homemade cookies during the holiday season will save you money plus friends and family love homemade goodies so its a win win. You may want to make extra because once you try these you will be reaching for more.

Don’t you just love it when Starbucks comes out with new drinks? I swear every time they do my pocketbook get skinnier and skinnier. I found a new drink at Starbucks that I am in love with, but paying $4.00 7 days a week is killing my bank account so it’s got to stop pronto. If you are a fan of their Chocolate Chai Tea Latte then you are going to love my version. It tastes identical to theirs but mine has pumpkin in it to celebrate Fall. I think it’s delicious and it’s been kid tested and passed.

Have you tried Chia seeds, they pack a whopping 6 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein per 1 tbsp! For such a hefty amount of nutrition you would think the seeds would be larger but they are tiny. When exposed to liquid they double in size and the longer they sit in liquid the larger they will get. Chia seeds are versatile to; you can eat them raw, use them in baked goods, add them to protein shakes or make puddings with them like we did here. If you haven’t tried this miracle food they are available at places like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s for around $4.99…

This is a tasty soup and cheap to make. If you don’t have salmon on hand you can sub for chicken or another fish. My price reflects the free carrots I got from my garden and the salmon my husband caught last month. The red potatoes were on sale this week for .59 cents a pound at Safeway through my just 4 U account. I am not sure how much the Knorr packet was but I know it was less than $1. This soup makes 4-5 servings. Ingredients 1 pound diced red potatoes 1 pound diced carrots 1 pound salmon skinned and bones removed I packet (.22 g) Knorr brand…

If your kids love vanilla bean yogurt but you”re not too fond of all the sugar in the brands that actually taste good I have just the recipe for you. This vanilla bean yogurt is not only easy but it tastes just like major brands but is actually good for you and has live cultures so your kids will get those probiotics that are so important in yogurt. Directions You want to use real vanilla beans for this recipe. You can buy whole beans or ground beans. Both will work. When buying vanilla beans you will want to buy extra because once you try them you’ll want to use them…

Green Goddess Smoothies are a popular summer time drink in my family and this one is a crowd pleaser with the kids. We live Vanilla Bean Yogurt in ours but you could use any vanilla or plain yogurt of choice. We also use baby spinach so we add an extra cup. If you are using regular spinach one cup may be enough. I sometimes add Fage to it for extra protein if we’re having a lite lunch or dinner. It seems to hold the kids longer. Green Goddess Smoothies Directions Blend 2 cups spinach, 1 cup yogurt, 1 cup orange juice and 2 bananas until smooth. you don’t want large…

Do you all remember the old fashioned Tiramisu recipe by  Nabisco Nilla Wafers? Our blog assistant found the recipe at her moms house and shared it with me.  I decided to revamp the old recipe and I must say it is absolutely delicious. Check out how Emily’s Frugal Tips remade an old favorite into something more modern.   Vanilla Wafer Tiramisu Trifle Recipe Recipe Type: Desserts Cuisine: pudding Author: Emily Martinez Ingredients 8 oz ricotta cheese 2 pkg vanilla pie filling 3 cups cold milk 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee 1 tablesp0on finely ground espresso powder 2 squares chocolate bar shaved 48 wafers 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 container fresh…