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Category : Lent

What are You Giving Up for Lent?

by Kristl on February 22,  2012

lent
Some people give up chocolate, others give up TV…yes, ’tis the season of Lent! It’s a time of self denial and sacrifice; it’s a time to reflect on what Jesus did for you.

Think of Lent as a “spring cleaning” for your life! You could give up a bad habit like smoking or do without a luxury like eating out or that daily cup of Starbuck’s.

If you need a little inspiration, The Budget Diet girl has come up with 10 things to give up for Lent that will bring you back to the simple life and save you a little money too!

  • Go vegetarian for Lent! The Budget Diet will feature a vegetarian recipe each Friday during Lent to help you out!
  • Give up fast food and try The Budget Diet’s recipes to make your own fast food! Why don’t you use the money you save to donate to a local food bank?
  • Take 6 weeks off from facebook – suggest this one to your teens!
  • Bye bye Starbucks! You really can make it yourself, and you’ll love my quick and easy copycat recipe for Starbuck’s Skinny Iced Latte.
  • Eat in, not out for lunch! Check out 5 Ways to Ditch the Drive Thru!
  • Declare an electronic free hour each day…no TV, computer, cell phone…just time with family!
  • Get serious about recycling! Take care of God’s Earth!
  • Walk or ride your bike instead of driving at least once a week. Could you walk or ride bikes with your children to school – you’ll get a little exercise & save a lot of gas!
  • How about an alcohol free Lent?
  • 6 weeks without TV? Spend free time playing games and reading together as a family!

What are you giving up for Lent? Please leave a comment to share!

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Image courtesy of: bela_kiefer / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Why do we eat pancakes on Fat Tuesday?

by Kristl on February 20,  2012

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, a.k.a Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday. It always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent.

So, why do we eat pancakes on Fat Tuesday?

Lent is a 40 day period of self-denial, and during Lent many Christians abstain from eating meat on Fridays. In the early church, many abstained from eating all animal products during Lent including lard, egg and dairy.

Hmmm…lard, eggs and dairy…just the ingredients you need to make pancakes! Families would have pancake feasts on Fat Tuesday trying to use up all their lard, eggs and dairy before Lent began.

Now you know how the tradition of eating pancakes on Fat Tuesday began!

In the spirit of Fat Tuesday, why don’t you have a pancake feast tonight? Try my homemade pancake and syrup recipe – it’s a frugalicious and fast dinner!

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Spinach Manicotti Recipe

by Kristl on April 15,  2011
It’s Friday, another meat free day on this journey we call Lent! This week’s recipe for Lent is Spinach Manicotti an Italian meal full of protein, veggies and dairy – what more could you want? Your Lenten journey is almost over, and if you gave up meat for Lent, I hope you discovered a few new recipes along the way!

Spinach Manicotti Recipe
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Recipe type: Main, Vegetarian
Author: Kristl Story, TheBudgetDiet.com
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 20 mins
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1, 16 oz. cottage cheese (fat free works fine!)
  • 3 oz. cream cheese (light works fine!)
  • 1, 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 14 manicotti shells, uncooked
  • 1, 26 oz. jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 pan.
  3. Pour half of the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.
  4. Combine 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, spinach, oregano, salt and pepper.
  5. Spoon mixture into each manicotti.
  6. Arrange the manicotti in a single layer over the sauce.
  7. Dilute the remaining sauce with 1 cup of water and pour over the manicotti.
  8. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  9. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375 for 1 hour.
  10. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
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Black Bean Tart – Vegetarian Recipe

by Kristl on April 8,  2011
It’s Friday, another meat free day on this journey we call lent! This week’s recipe for Lent is one of my favorite black bean recipes, it’s a Black Bean Tart!

Black Bean Tart – Vegetarian Recipe
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Recipe type: Main, Vegetarian
Author: Kristl Story, TheBudgetDiet.com
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1, 9″ frozen pie crusts, deep dish (lightly baked)
  • 2, 15 oz. cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1/4 light sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1, 11 oz. can mexi-corn
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 8 oz. pepper jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
  1. In a food processor, combine 1 can of beans, sour cream and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth.
  2. Spread over lightly baked crusts.
  3. Heat olive oil and saute mexi-corn, red bell pepper, green onions and cilantro for 3 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and add cheese and the other can of beans.
  5. Mound over the bean mixture in the bottom of the pie crusts.
  6. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  7. Let sit 10 minutes before cutting.
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Enjoy and check back next week for our last Lenten recipe – Spinach Manicotti Recipe.

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Spinach Quiche Recipe – Vegetarian

by Kristl on April 1,  2011
It’s Friday, another meat free day on this journey we call Lent! This week’s recipe for Lent is Spinach Quiche, a delicious vegetarian version! It is very thin and not too “eggy.”

Spinach Quiche Recipe – Vegetarian
5.0 from 1 reviews
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Recipe type: Main, Vegetarian, Brunch
Author: Kristl Story, TheBudgetDiet.com
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Total time: 45 mins
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2, 9″ frozen pie crusts, lightly baked (not deep dish)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1, 10 oz. bag fresh baby spinach
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup cream or milk
  • 1 1/3 cups feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Sprinkle 2/3 cup of feta cheese on the bottom of each lightly baked pie crust.
  3. Saute red bell pepper in olive oil until soft.
  4. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
  5. Arrange spinach and red bell pepper mixture on top of feta.
  6. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Whisk together eggs and cream or milk.
  8. Pour egg mixture over spinach.
  9. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350.
  10. Bake 10 more minutes or until set.
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Enjoy and check back next Friday for my vegetarian Black Bean Tart recipe.

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Crock Pot Pinto Beans and Rice

by Kristl on March 25,  2011
It’s Friday, another meat free day on this journey we call Lent! This week’s recipe for Lent is Crock Pot Pinto Beans and Rice – a very frugal recipe packed with protein and fiber!

Crock Pot Pinto Beans and Rice
5.0 from 1 reviews
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Recipe type: Main, Vegetarian
Author: Kristl Story, TheBudgetDiet.com
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours 10 mins
Serves: 4
Beans and Rice are staples in many diets around the world…it’s good for you and good for your wallet!
Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup picante sauce
  • 3 cups cooked rice
Instructions
  1. Rinse pinto beans in a colander.
  2. Put beans in crock pot and add water to cover about 2″.
  3. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, garlic and picante sauce.
  4. Cook on high about 4 hours or until beans are tender. Crock Pots vary greatly, 4 hours is the minimum – your crock pot may take longer!
  5. Serve over rice.
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Enjoy and check back next Friday for my vegetarian Spinach Quiche recipe!

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Fettucine Alfredo Recipe

by Kristl on March 18,  2011
It’s Friday, another meat free day on this journey we call Lent! If you need recipes for Lent, why don’t you try this easy Fettucine Alfredo?

Fettucine Alfredo Recipe
Print
Recipe type: Main, Pasta, Vegetarian
Author: Kristl Story, TheBudgetDiet.com
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Total time: 20 mins
Serves: 4
Serve with a Caesar salad and garlic bread for a delicious vegetarian Italian dinner – that’s amore!
Ingredients
  • 16 oz. package fettucine
  • 2/3 cup whipping cream
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain in colander.
  2. Return pasta to the large saucepan and add the whipping cream, butter and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Toss until pasta is coated and season with salt and pepper.
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Enjoy and check back next Friday for my Crock Pot Pintos and Rice Recipe.

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Vegetarian Corn Chowder Recipe

by Kristl on March 11,  2011

quick and easy corn chowderIt’s Friday, another meat free day on this journey we call Lent!

Warm up with a delicious bowl of Vegetarian Corn Chowder!

Vegetarian Corn Chowder Recipe
Recipe Type: Soup
Author: Kristl Story, TheBudgetDiet.com
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 25 mins
Serves: 4
Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced*
1 red bell pepper, diced*
1 onion, diced*
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2, 10 3/4 oz. cans cream of potato soup
1, 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
2 cups milk
2, 15 oz. cans of sweet corn

Directions:

Melt butter.
Saute garlic, bell peppers and onions over medium heat until soft.
Stir in cayenne pepper, soup, cream cheese, milk and undrained corn.
Stir occasionally over medium heat until thoroughly heated, approx. 10 minutes

Notes:

*To make this even quicker and easier, substitute 1, 12 oz. package of frozen tri-color pepper and onion blend.

**Delicious served with a green salad and The Budget Diet’s homemade beer bread.

Enjoy and check back next Friday for my Fettucine Alfredo recipe!

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Image courtesy of: tungphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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