If you like to make french toast, try mini french toast.  It is just like regular french toast, but mini.  There are several ways to make mini french toast and they are all very tasty.  Last weekend I prepared mini french toast by cutting a regular slice of bread into 4 sections.  The french toast pieces were small enough for dunking, dipping and eating in two bites.  My kids loved them and I did as well. I like to top my mini french toast with cinnamon and real maple syrup.

Below I have listed 3 recipes for mini french toast, give them a try and let me know what you think!

P.S. Don’t forget to add a dash of sugar to your egg mixture to make your mini french toast extra golden brown.

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Do you ever go away on vacation, come home and wonder if the food in your fridge and freezer is still good?  Other than asking your neighbor, there really is no way to know if your power has gone out and for how long when your not home.

I was recently on a vacation with my family in Maine and I was getting some food out of my parents freezer when I spotted a plastic container with a  block of ice, frozen sideways.  I had to ask what it was doing in the freezer.  I was told it was there so they would know if the power went out, and for how long.  If the ice was on the bottom of the container, than the power had gone out and the ice had melted and froze again.  But if the ice was still sideways, the ice had not melted and the food had stayed cold.

I thought that this was a brilliant idea, so as soon as I got home I did the same thing in my freezer.  This is so easy to do, and worth doing, especially if you go on vacation a lot or have a second home where you leave food in the fridge and freezer.

To do this, just follow these simple instructions:

1) Get a small plastic container and lid

2) Fill the container half way with water

3) Place the container with lid in the freezer sideways

4) Once the water has frozen to ice, turn the container right side up.  The ice will be sideways in the container, and it will stay that way until the freezer gets warm enough to melt it.

Now, just check your container when you come back from vacation, or go on a trip to your second home.

Note: This idea came from my Step Mother, Virginia.  While I was on vacation in Maine, she gave me tons of great frugal tips and ideas that I will be using on Frugal Cape Cod.  She always has great ideas, and tips that I have never heard of before. Thank You!!!

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Most of us dread cleaning the microwave.  It would seem to be such an easy task, but reaching your arm into a small space and wiping off old food is not going to very fun.  That is why we need to keep our microwaves clean to start with.  When you microwave food always place a napkin or kitchen towel over the top of your food, this way it will not spatter all over the microwave.  Also, try not to put too much food in the microwave at once, this can lead to spillage and to uneven temperatures.  If you do make a spill or spatter in the microwave, wipe it down right away, this makes cleanup much easier.

If you have neglected to do any of the above and your microwave is caked with food particles, fill a microwave safe bowl with water, add one teaspoon of white vinegar and microwave on high for about 5 minutes.  This will give your microwave a steam bath and the food will wipe off very easily.  No need to use chemical cleaners. (Note: You can add 1 teaspoon of dish soap, baking soda or a slice of lemon to the water instead of white vinegar.)

A note on microwave safe bowls: If you are unsure if your mug or dish is microwave safe, here is a test you can do to find out.

1. Fill the mug or dish with cold water.

2. Microwave on high for 40 seconds.

3. Test the water, if it is still cold, the mug or dish is NOT microwave safe.  If the water is warm the dish IS microwave safe.

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