Groceries aren’t getting any cheaper. Because of this, throwing leftovers away just isn’t an option for most families… at least not mine. That’s where a vacuum food saver comes to the rescue.

Buying food bulk can save you a great deal of money. When you package that food in sealer bags, it can stay fresh up to five times longer depending on the specific product. It’s really a win-win situation.

The Deni Magic Vacuum Food Saver is fully automatic. The base is removable, for easy cleaning. It’s capable of packaging things in bags, canisters, jars and bottles. The compact size makes it perfect for smaller kitchens or RV’s.

Speaking of RV’s or better yet camping, sealing items like matches, flashlights, towels and even clothing is advisable. You know what they say, ‘better safe than sorry’.

It’s also good for storing keepsakes like photos, comic books, post cards, etc.

If I had more room, I would definitely add to my collection of one. There are SO many adorable cookie jars out there, just waiting for a new home.

If you are interested in cookie jar collectibles, I suggest that you invest in a copy of The Ultimate Collector’s Encyclopedia of Cookie Jars. Written by Fred and Joyce Roerig, this frequently updated guide will teach you everything you need to know about collecting cookie jars.

What I think is so helpful, about a guide such as this one, is that it features over 1,200 photographs that will help you easily identify valuable finds. Cookie jar manufacturers include Hull, Disney, Metlox, McCoy, Shawnee and many more.

The book would make a wonderful gift, for anyone who is already into cookie jar collectibles, as well.

Please be sure to take an extra minute to read my previous post about these handbag cookie jars. I can almost guarantee that you’ll want to buy them both.

The farm is located in Brattleboro, Vermont. I’ve passed through the area several times and can attest to the fact that it’s a beautiful place to visit.

This Vermont maple syrup gets rave reviews. Its dark amber color and excellent taste makes it the best of the best. If you take the time to do a bit of online comparison shopping, I think you’ll agree that the price is VERY affordable to boot.

The Brown family also makes maple candy (YUM!), pancake mixes, grilling sauces, roasting sauces and crepe mixes. All products are made in small batches to ensure the best taste possible.

There is nothing that compares to the quality of pure Vermont maple syrup. It can be used in SO many recipes… remember, it really isn’t just for pancakes anymore.

If you’d like to try your hand at making your own homemade maple syrup, I previously posted this recipe to help get you started. It won’t totally live up to Brown Family Farm products, but you’ll have the satisfaction of making it yourself. Bon Appetite!

Infrared ovens

Depending on the recipe, you can cook your food right on the liner pan or rack. You can also use any cooking vessel you use in your regular oven. If you are baking cookies or rolls, it’s best to use a dark metal pan.

When cooking meat, anything greater than one inch thick should be turned halfway through its baking time to ensure the most even browning. All meat, poultry and seafood can go right from the freezer, into the oven.

Since most infrared ovens come with a one inch high and four inch high rack, you can ‘stack’ foods to make a complete meal, in one cooking session. As a basic rule, it is best to choose recipes that cook in the same amount of time. This will avoid over or under baking.

Convenience foods should be cooked on HI and typically take 25% less time to cook than baking instructions indicate.

I hope you take a minute to read my original post on infrared ovens. You’ll wonder how you ever survived without one!

This little brewer guides you through the entire process of making a yummy beverage (coffee, tea or hot cocoa) in one to three minutes. There is absolutely NO guesswork involved. How cool is that?

It is interesting to note that this one cup coffee maker won’t work if you are using a see through cup. As a safety feature, the unit won’t begin the brewing cycle if the LED sensor doesn’t ‘see’ a cup sitting on the drip tray.

The Keurig mini is perfect for the office, RV or dorm room. Since the water fill area will only hold 8 ounces of water, at a time, you will always be privy to the freshest cup of coffee possible. Clean up is a breeze… there virtually isn’t any.

I highly recommend that you consider the purchase of the Keurig one cup coffee maker. It gets great reviews and is less expensive than the full featured models.

If you have a hankering for espresso, I invite you to read my post about the Delonghi EC5 Espresso Maker, as well.

I’m going to limit myself to one SMALL glass of cola, per day, replacing it with Crystal Light Drink Mix on the Go. Honestly, I really think I could learn to love the stuff… especially at less than 15 calories, per 20 ounce (bottle of water) serving.

Crystal Light on the Go comes in a wide variety of tempting flavors. They include: Cherry Pomegranate, Fruit Punch, White Tea Blueberry, Orange Sunrise, Pink Lemonade, Green Tea Honey, Raspberry Ice and many more.

These On the Go Sticks are more than convenient. Easy to take to work or even on vacation. Just add one stick to a 20 bottle of water and shake to dissolve. That’s all there is to it!

Crystal Light drink mix products are sugar free, low calorie, Kosher certified and contain no carbs, whatsoever. I’m hoping it will be the first step to a healthier me!

Cheesecake lovers, take note. There is also a round Metallic Lift and Serve available, PERFECT for yummy mini bites of cheesy sweet goodness. Bring on the blueberries!

Both of these pieces of bakeware will work for SO many things. However, it is recommended that you forego recipes which incorporate of some type of thin batter, because there is a chance of leakage via the removable bottoms.

The singles square pan has one dozen individual baking cups. The edge of each is fluted, lending a fancier presentation to your finished baked goods. These pans are constructed of heavy metal and are made to withstand years of serious baking.

Whether you are making quiche, cheesecakes, bar cookies, hors d’oeuvres or even itty bitty meatloaves… using this bakeware will make it that much easier.

Because the surface is non-stick, there is no need to oil these pans. This will cut down just a tad, when it comes the calories that you will be consuming. Every little bit helps, right?

The square Metallic Lift and Serve includes a recipe for quiche, to get you started.

The iRobot Scooba 380, pictured here, is one of several well-known brands of hard floor cleaners. It works wonders on tile, linoleum and sealed hardwood floors so it is perfect for your non-carpeted kitchen.

A single battery charge will allow the Scooba to clean 850 square feet of flooring. That typically translates into three to four average size rooms.

What I think is so cool about this particular model is that it will clean under tables and cabinet edges, while ignoring any rugs and carpet in the immediate area.

Hard floor cleaners, such as this one, would make a wonderful gift for anyone… but especially those who have a difficult time cleaning the kitchen floor, in a traditional manner.

The Scooba employs a four stage cleaning system. It actually preps, washes, scrubs and dries your floor in just a few minutes. Its cleaning pattern covers the entire surface an average of five times, from start to finish.

It uses either a water and vinegar or fresh scent (Clorox based) cleaning solution. It comes with battery, charging base, two virtual walls and storage mat.

The Deni Mini Deep Fryer is one such model. Pictured here, it is one of those small appliances that you will probably want to keep on you countertop. It can be used to prepare a wide variety of quick meals and snacks, without taking up a great deal of space.

This little fryer will fry the same foods that a larger unit will. Chicken, donuts, french fries, poppers, cheese curds, fish, small pies and a wide variety of veggies are all fair game.

A one quart oil capacity means that you won’t have to spend a bundle, on cooking oil. If you get in the habit of straining the oil, after every use, you will save even more money.

This small deep fryer has a cool touch handle and an odor eliminating filter in the lid, which I feel are VERY beneficial features. The lid has a nifty viewing window, as well. This allows you to keep an eye on things, greatly reducing the possibility of getting burned.

If you have or know someone who uses a smaller (round) charcoal grill, these skewers would be perfect for them.

If you take the time to read the reviews, on this product, you will see that they work well with the ever popular ‘Weber Q’ model. It can actually accommodate eight skewers at a time.

If you host a lot of summertime get-togethers, these are a must! As you can see by the picture, these particular curved shish kabob skewers, look quite festive on a plate. Pretty classy, indeed!

They measure eight inches in diameter, meaning they can hold a large quantity of meats, seafood and veggies. Shish kabobs are a fun food because you can get so creative with them. You can even incorporate you favorite fruit, if the spirit moves you. I don’t know about you but I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

They are available in sets of four. Their non-stick feature makes cleanup a breeze.

While you are in the BBQ mood, I invite you to read my recent post about this meatball grill basket. You can grill twelve yummy meatballs at a time, almost as easy as 1, 2, 3!