Ever made a salad in a jar? Very portable and makes a great make ahead meal. I made my wife and I a salad last night for our lunch today. Here’s how I did it. You start with what you want on top so when you put it onto a plate or in a bowl it comes out correctly. Tomatoes Diced Feta cheese cheese crumbles Bacon bits Diced ham Carrots Yellow pepper Celery Cucumber Chopped green leaf lettuce on top Put a lid on it and refrigerate. I put mine in a bowl and served with Western dressing. So good!!

I’m new here, and I really appreciate the focus on making the most of what you have. There’s something powerful about cooking with creativity and intention — turning simple, affordable ingredients into something genuinely satisfying. It also makes me think about how much skill and story sit behind everyday meals like these. I write about food, so going to have a careful look around the classroom! 😎

About a year ago we started having problems with our old stovetop. We had several repairman out and basically they said it wasn’t worth fixing. We were down to 2 burners and one night we were in the living room and the stovetop started clicking. I turn the knob and it shot flames. I unplugged it and turned the gas off immediately. We have been limping along for a while using a gas demo burner, a hot plate, electric skillet, air fryer, and electric griddle. We were fine but Laura said we were camping in our kitchen. Today we got our new cooktop, just in time for Thanksgiving. We are so blessed and excited. It will make it so much easier to do cooking videos now 👏. Our kids are old enough now they have their own homes and their own kitchens and so they’re all bringing part of the food so basically we’re hosting and making a couple pies and the kids are doing everything else. So nice!! Menu- 🦃, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, and croissants. Oh yes can’t forget the relish tray with carrots, celery, black olives and sweet baby pickles. What’s on your menu? God bless you and may you enjoy your holiday.

Years ago I was a Saladmaster Cookware demonstrator. We made meatloaf on the dinner and called it a Health Meatloaf because it was full of vegetables. It was good so I want to share it with you. I used 2 lbs of hamburger, 1 onion, 1 carott, 1 potato, 2 eggs, oatmeal, and salt and pepper. You can add celery, green peppers, jalepeno's, or whatever you like. I use my Saladmaster machine and the #1 (fine) cone to shred the potato, carott, and onion. I then add my eggs and oatmeal. The best way to mix it well, is by hand. I sprayed my bread pans well, and then add the meatloaf leaving about 1/2 inch on the end for grease. I cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 350, no sauce. I made the sauce with ketchup, vinegar, and sugar. On the dinners I used to use cream of celery soup. At 30 minutes add the sauce. Bake another 30 minutes our until the internal temperature is about 170-180. It came out well and we served with baked potatoes. RECIPE

What is everyone cooking for Christmas? We are having Ham and Turkey. Laura will make pies. The kids are bringing the side dishes. It is great when the kids are adults and can bring dishes. A lot less work for us. Please share your dinner menu and any Thrifty ideas to share. Blessings!