Dear Frugal Upstate, Good morning! I need some advice. I have several bell peppers that are close to going bad, but I won’t be home to cook dinner tonight or tomorrow. Is there a way to preserve them? Macey What a good question. I really find it frustrating when food spoils and has to be… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: Can you use “carving” pumpkins for cooking and dehydrating?
Dear Frugal Upstate, I was looking at your How to Dehydrate Pumpkins post and was wondering–do you have to use pie pumpkins or can you use uncarved pumpkins from Halloween? Britty That’s a good question Britty! The short answer is yes, you can use an uncarved Halloween pumpkin, but the flavor might not be very… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: How Long to Dehydrate?
Dear Frugal Upstate I LOVE all the information you’ve been posting on dehydrating! I tried dehydrating bags of mixed veggies this week (to save freezer space and make them last longer), and I wasn’t sure about how long to dry them. They are teeny tiny when done, right? Can you dry them too much? I… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: Storing Rice and Bulk Goods
Dear Frugal Upstate, How do you store your rice? I am always tempted to buy a big bag at SAMs or Costco because of the great cost per pound–but I’m afraid it will go bad before I had a chance to use it up. What about other bulk foods? I would love to know how… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: Forgot to Process Canned Figs
Dear Frugal Upstate I am in a real pickle. Yesterday i put up 16 jars of figs, boiled the lids and jars, filled them, but did not water bath them. Can I do that today or is it too late. I am so upset, I guess i was tired and didn’t follow through. Please advise,… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: How to use unusual CSA vegetables like radish greens and kohlrabi?
Dear Frugal Upstate, I laughed when you started talking about burning your garlic scapes in this week’s menu plan~I just had the same experience myself! This year I joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and I’m receiving vegetables that aren’t used in my usual repertoire of recipes. I was wondering, do you have a recipe… Keep Reading
Reader’s Questions: Homemade Laundry Stain Remover?
Dear Frugal Upstate, I’ve been using and love your Homemade Laundry Soap, but it’s got me wondering. . . do you have a frugal homemade laundry stain remover? My kids (and frankly my husband) are hard on clothes. Alice Well Alice, here are a few inexpensive options you can use to deal with stains. Remember,… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: School Fundraisers
Dear Frugal Upstate, I love your blog, tips and advice. I have one I don’t think I’ve seen on here before. How do you handle all the fundraising at school? We have money to donate things to the school, but we are currently trying to pay debt off and I swear it seems like we… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: Making your own Flavored Water
2. Add a slice of citrus. This is a classic in “spa” settings-you just add a slice or two of lemon, lime, orange etc to your water. This gives a bit of a flavor “tang” without any sweetness. If you want a bit of sweet you could add a bit of simple syrup (ie sugar… Keep Reading
Reader’s Question: My First Garden. . . What should I plant?
This weekend on the Frugal Upstate Facebook page I posted a picture of some of the seed catalogs that had already come in and asked folks if they were planning their gardens yet. I got a great question from Kayte: For someone who is starting their first garden this year….what are a couple plants you’d… Keep Reading
